ANSWER: Have you considered making the switch from electric heating pads to a more natural product? At just about any local craft show or store that features locally made products, you can find rice- or corn-filled heating pads in a variety of sizes that can be used for pain management by placing them either in the freezer for cool relief, or the microwave for heat therapy. These simple pads hold their temperature for about a half hour and, because of the fluidity of the product’s filling, easily resume their original shape should they become “rumpled” during use. Many include aromatherapy scents, such as lavender or cinnamon, as well. They’re also simple to make if you’re feeling crafty.
You can purchase these types of bags at many locations, but here are a a couple of nearby places Sun Spots found that carry them: EllieAnna Purse Co. located at 785 Main Street in Lewiston, and The Market at Pineland Farm in New Gloucester. We hope readers may have a few other suggestions for you.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: To the reader planning a brewery tour, be sure to check out Ricker Hill Orchards Cider Tasting Room in Turner. Open daily with many flavors of their locally produced hard ciders on tap. Ricker Hill has been producing hard cider and apple blended wines for two years. Flagons are available for carry out. — David, Auburn.
ANSWER: Ricker Hill Orchards certainly offers a unique experience, and while it may not exactly be beer, their hard ciders and wine products are worth a stop for anyone who appreciates local flavors. Using apples from their own orchards, they create a variety of flavors at their winery, and they offer tours of their facility. As a bonus for the out-of-town guests for whom the Sun Spots reader was planning the weekend tour, Ricker Hill Orchards also offers a country store and bakery which produces some of the best old-fashioned doughnuts in the state. The store will open for the 2016 season on March 9.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: High Street Congregational Church at 106 Pleasant St. in Auburn will be having its Craft Supply Fair on Saturday, April 16. We are looking for donations of crafting materials such as fabrics, yarn, unfinished crafts, patterns, how-to books, tools and more. Items can be dropped off at the church office on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are also offering rental tables for $20 each to crafters wishing to sell their excess materials. Any questions, please call the church office at 784-1306. — High Street Congregational Church, Auburn.
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