Dear Sun Spots: A while back, you listed a Web site where you could find instruction manuals for old sewing machines. I have an old Singer treadle machine. I have since misplaced the paper with that Web site. Could you please print that again? Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: The item ran in the Jan. 5th column. For instruction manuals for Bernina, Kenmore, Singer, Brother and Husqvarna Viking, visit www.sewconsult.com.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for the Mamas & Papas’ 45 rpm records. Songs I really want to find is “I Call Your Name” and “California Dreamin’.” If anyone out there has some 45 records in excellent condition, please call me. I greatly appreciate it. Thanks. I can be reached at (207) 375-9901. – No Name, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: Someone was asking for SOS that was served in the service. I found one in the March 2005 American Legion Magazine and am hoping this is the one your reader was requesting. – L.C., Lisbon.

SOS, chipped beef on toast, is a dish comprised of a creamy sauce and slivers of dried, smoked salted meat, served on toasted bread. In military slang it is referred to as SOS, or (something-we-won’t-print) on a Shingle. Debate simmers about which military branch actually originated the recipe, but all agree that military personnel coined the name of the dish. The 1910 edition of the “Manual for Army Cooks” provides the following recipe for a quantity sufficient for 60 men:

Chipped beef on toast. Ingredients: 15 pounds chipped beef; 1 pound fat, butter preferred; 1¼ pounds flour; 2 12-ounce cans of evaporated milk; 1 bunch parsley; ¼ ounce of pepper; 6 quarts beef stock. Method: Brown the flour in the melted fat. Dissolve the milk in the beef stock and then add that to the pot. Stir this together slowly to prevent lumping and then add the beef. Cook for a few minutes, add the parsley and serve over toast.

Dear Sun Spots: I sure hope you can help me! I accidentally spilled some diesel fuel in my vehicle and cannot get rid of the smell. Hopefully Sun Spots or one of its readers can help me! Thanks. – Kim Walker, Bowdoin.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, among the tips that Sun Spots located was steeping the item, or cleaning the item, with a two-liter bottle of Coke. Perhaps other readers have some helpful tips they’d be willing share with you.

Dear Sun Spots: We have some free Sunday school or youth group materials: flannel-graphs, pictures, teacher swap-shop, idea books, etc. I also have a few Pioneer Girls badges and some Guideposts and Power for Living papers for free. Please call 353-8408. – No Name, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: In response to Pat Seddon of Farmington concerning the Free Store in Rumford: There is the Vestry Community Thrift Store located on Main Street in Monmouth. In addition, this reader might check the phone book for Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores located in the cities and larger communities that will keep any treasure hunter happy. – D.H., Wales.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].