Dear Sun Spots: I would appreciate it if someone could provide an address as to where one could send used cards, such as Christmas or birthday cards, rather than destroy them. Thank you. – Margaret Ronald, Farmington.

Answer: In the past, card donations were sent to the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s Recycled Card Program to be recycled into new cards to sell. Proceeds from the sale of these cards went to their fund to help needy children. However, according to their Web site at www.stjudesranch.org, over the past several months the outpouring of support for the children of St. Jude’s Ranch through their Recycled Card Program has been overwhelming. They have received more than one million parcels containing card fronts which is far more than they can use. At this time they are not accepting any more card fronts. It is possible that Sun Spots readers will write the column with the name and address of another organization that will benefit from used card donations.

Dear Sun Spots: I would appreciate it very much if you could find out if there is any source, private or state, of short-term health and accident insurance for a person who is temporarily unemployed and uninsured. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: You can try calling the Maine Department of Human Services, 200 Main St., Lewiston, 795-4300, they will be able to help you find out if you qualify for MaineCare, formerly Medicaid, medical assistance program. If you do not qualify, there are many, many private short-term health and accident insurance programs through the many insurance companies that can be found in the yellow pages of any telephone book. Try comparing benefits and quotes from several companies to help you get the best bargain for the type and amount of coverage that you may need.

Dear Sun Spots: I am trying to find out what happened to the television program “The District” starring Craig T. Nelson. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: According to tvtome.com, “The District,” a drama inspired by the real-life experiences of former New York Deputy Police Commissioner Jack Maple, was broadcast on CBS, airing its first show in October 2000 and its last show in May 2004, having been canceled. You can still watch past episodes in syndication on the USA Network. Check out the TV-Preview or visit the Web site at www.usanetwork.com/series/thedistrict for scheduled day and time.

Dear Sun Spots: You provide a wonderful service to our surrounding community and I faithfully read your column. I thought it might be helpful to those readers who thought they would find La Choy’s Brown Gravy Sauce at the Auburn Hannaford supermarket to know that they will not be able to locate it as Sun Spots has suggested. The supermarket has informed me that the newspaper was in error. I, too have always enjoyed the gravy sauce and learned many months ago that the company has stopped making it. It would be terrific if we could convince La Choy to start producing the sauce once again. – Sheila Sylvester, Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots was provided incorrect information regarding finding La Choy’s Brown Gravy Sauce at the Auburn Hannaford and has discovered as well that this product is no longer available. You may be able to share your interest in convincing La Choy to start producing it again by visiting their Web site at http://www.conagrafoods.com/brands/la_choy.jsp.

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “contact us.” Shaw’s Supermarket on Center Street in Auburn, 784-6971, carries Bisto (brown gravy mix) in their English-products aisle. Sun Spots uses this for her gravy, and the family loves it! Bisto is also available at Bridgham and Cook Ltd. Freeport, (207) 865-1040. You can find out more about Bisto on the Web at http://www.britsuperstore.com/acatalog/Bisto_Gravy.html.

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].