ANSWER: These stores sell chocolate wafers for making candy, and there may be others, too: Sam’s Club and Walmart. A third place to try is Maine Gourmet Chocolates on Main Street in Auburn. Call Stephanie at 207-783-8472 to find out what she has in stock. Have you tried baking squares which are available at the grocery store?
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for horse chestnuts — also called conkers — to make Viking soap. Are there any in Lewiston or Auburn? Someone told me about a tree near Bates College, but I did not find one. I specifically need horse chestnuts, not the edible chestnuts found in food stores. — Siiri via Facebook.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: This is for Bitsy of Dixfield: You aren’t lying! I, too, got my driver’s license at the age of 14 — probably in 1947. No driver’s training then, just coaching from an adult. It’s true! — Sally Bodwell, Bethel.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Saturday, Nov. 14, my friend and I dined at Applebee’s in Auburn. When we went to pay our bill the waitress told us the couple in the next booth had paid our bill. To that couple, a special “thank you!” It was very appreciated. There are still good people in the world. Your Sun Spots column is my highlight of the morning. — No Name, No Town.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I was an avid fan of the Ed Show on MSNBC. I listened to his radio show for years. Suddenly he is no longer on TV and I would like to know why. He was just great and I miss his show. Could you please find out why he is no longer on TV? Thank you. — S.E. via mail.
ANSWER: Ed Schultz’s hour-long news commentary program that aired from 2009 to 2015 was cancelled and last aired in July 2015. In a press release, MSNBC President Tim Griffin stated the show was “cancelled in an effort to transition the network’s daytime programming to more breaking news reporting and less political commentary and opinion.”
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Franklin Savings Bank and Western Mountain Financial Services encourage everyone to bring a gently used coat to Chester Greenwood Day as part of Coats for Kids Day on Saturday, Dec. 5. Hot chocolate and popcorn will be available for those donating coats during the parade which starts at 11 a.m. Other activities are planned for Front Street, including horse-drawn wagon rides from 2 to 5 p.m. and the Narrow Gauge Cinemas will be playing “The Polar Express.”
At 5 p.m., FSB and WMFS will gather at the tree at 198 Front Street, Farmington. The coat collection will continue at FSB and all its branches throughout the month of December.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Twice I have received a note in my newspaper box from a newspaper delivery person thanking me for recycling the plastic covers that they put my paper in to keep it dry. They have to buy those plastic sleeves. If you want to recycle and help your newspaper carrier, simply dry the sleeves and put them in the bottom slots of the paper box so they can be seen and easily retrieved. In one slot and out the other to keep them from blowing away. It is also an environmental issue: every little bit helps. Thank you. — Jeanne R. in Lewiston.
Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. 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). Please include your phone number. 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 be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.
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