To the editor:

I was a young resident of Phillips during the late 30s, 40s and into the 50s. Recently my sister-inlaw, who lives in S. Portland, gave me a subscription to the Irregular for Christmas. I now read with avid interest the events and advertisements every week.

I need help! Growing up, my paternal grandmother, Grace Pillsbury, always had my grandfather's favorite molasses cake available in a tin box on top of the dumb-waiter. Now this was a moist cake laden with raisins. They lived directly in back of the schoolhouse and many a recess I would run over for a slice for a special treat.

Now I am living in Tennessee and I have not been able to locate a Molasses Cake Recipe that duplicates Grandma's. The local corn bread is just not a substitute.

Could any of the local cooks of the past come to my rescue? Gordon Pillsbury 364 Creekview Lane Knoxville, TN 37923-3009