DEAR SUN SPOTS: I went to the Longhorn restaurant the other night and had their white cheddar stuffed mushrooms and they were to die for! Can they share the recipe? — No Name via e-mail
ANSWER: Sun Spots decided that the only way to authentically answer your question was to head over to Longhorn (she went to the one in Augusta) and test out those mushrooms herself. You’re correct. They are exquisite. But the recipe will remain a secret in order to lure you back. Sun Spots is glad that you asked, however, as the restaurant comped her mushrooms, if not the prime rib Mr. Sun Spots enjoyed.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am writing to let people know that if you rent a post office box and you live where the route mail carrier does not go by your house to deliver mail, then you are entitled to have a free post office box. All you have to do is go to your post office and tell them where you live.
If they will not let you have a free box, let me know. My phone number is 665-2863. — Martha Ricker, Bryant Pond
ANSWER: This issue was debated more than once during Sun Spots’ days behind the counter at the U.S. Postal Service. While it is true that postmasters have given out those free boxes, in some cases they should not have done so, and you will find it very difficult to convince your local post office to do the same.
According to Mary, officer in charge at the Readfield Post Office, only the most remotest of individuals qualifies for a free box and those are few and far between.
Let’s take an example of someone who lives on a privately maintained road. Even if the road is plowed during the winter, the rural carrier is not obligated to go down that road. Rather you are required to place a mailbox at the end of your road on the nearest maintained public road.
The post office will make every reasonable effort for home delivery.
The requirements for putting up a box, including the height the box should be to enable the carrier clear access, are available at your local post office. If you have any questions, just ask your carrier. They want to help you, as it makes their job easier.
Winter is a trying time for both customers and carriers. Shoveling out your mailbox is a chore few relish, but it is necessary if you want to get your mail delivered. Right after a big storm, many people are unable to get their boxes cleared before the carrier arrives. In that case, the carrier will take your mail back to the post office and hold it until your box is cleared or you pick it up there as a short-term solution, but not for the entire winter.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Friends Together Peer Center, 70 Main St., Jay, will be holding a Christmas bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be homemade food, crafts, books, white elephant items, crocheted and knitted items, plastic canvas items and a large raffle, which includes a granny square afghan, lap robe, Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and mugs, porcelain doll, crochet bag doll, gift certificates and many, many more items.
Tickets for the raffle can be purchased at the center or from members. Also some members will be at the Otis Credit Union in Jay on Friday Dec. 3, selling tickets for the raffle.
Friends Together is a nonprofit organization, and money earned from this sale will be used for activities throughout the year. Our organization provides a nurturing and safe environment for adults with mental illness and other life challenges. Thank you. We hope to see you there. — Cynthia Hebert, ihebert@roadrunner.com, 897-3468
DEAR SUN SPOTS: During the Christmas season the East Otisfield Free Baptist Church, Rayville Road, Otisfield, sponsors a fair to raise money for its scholarship fund, which aids area students in their pursuit of post high school education. This year’s fair, “A Nutcracker Christmas,” will be held at the church on Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In addition to crafts, food and a white elephant table, fairgoers will have an opportunity to view Polly Durant’s extensive nutcracker collection. — Jean Pottle, pottle@fairpoint.net
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