DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am writing to find out what has happened to the Marden’s lady? I haven’t seen her commercials for a long time. Thank you. — No Name, No Town.
ANSWER: In 2013, Karmo Sanders also known as Birdie Googins, also known as “The Marden’s Lady,” was interviewed for an article published in the Portland Press Herald at which time it was reported, “that the Waterville-based chain has decided it will no longer use her in advertising. Sanders said she didn’t have a contract with Marden’s but had been making at least four commercials a year for the chain, usually one per season. … she can still play Birdie Googins because she created the character well before the Marden’s commercials.” Birdie has a website at http://birdiegoogins.com where you can find out where she is touring with her comedy show and background information.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read your column daily and find it to be very helpful in many ways. Thank you. I would like to commend the person for wanting to move a bumblebee hive to a safer place. The queen lives in a hole in the ground and will live up to a year while the workers just a few months. I’m no bee specialist, but I do know that they pollinate plants; and bees, overall, are dropping in population.
To the person wanting to know about the funeral home on Rt. 196. As a child I remember going to a wedding reception there in the early 1960s. I believe it was called the Vikings Hall as there were Viking horns on the sign. Then it was the Disco 2000 of which I attended frequently. After that it changed to the Good News Chapel. I became a Christian and attended this church for 10 years. I also went to a funeral there as it is now the Guy B. Dostie Funeral Home. As you see this building was a big part of my life and I hope that I have helped you in some way. — HD in Lisbon.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: The restaurant closed a year ago, but I am looking for the recipe for the dip just like the one at T.G.I. Fridays that was served with the deep-fried green beans. Thanks! — No Name, Poland.
ANSWER: Like most franchise restaurants, T.G.I. Fridays does not disclose their recipes. We discovered a copycat recipe for the cucumber wasabi ranch dip you are referring to. Though we haven’t tried it, it has gotten rave reviews from those who have.
Ingredients: ½ cup ranch bottled salad dressing, ¼ cup minced cucumber (peeled and seeded), 1 tablespoon whole milk, 1½ teaspoons prepared horseradish, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon powdered wasabi, 1/8 teaspoon salt and a pinch ground cayenne pepper.
Method: Combine all of the ingredients in a blender on high speed until smooth. Cover and chill. The dip will thicken as it chills.
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