Dear Sun Spots: I read your section every day. Thank you for the helpful information.

Could you please tell me when the Portland flower show is and how much the tickets are and where to get them. Also, if there is one in Augusta, I would be interested in knowing more about that show, and especially the Boston Flower Show.

I’m anxious for the spring! Thank you very much. – Mel in Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots empathizes with your spring fever! Hopefully the following will lift your spirits and those of other column readers, and remind us all spring is in the air and will be here before we know it.

According to People Places and Plants’ Web site, the second annual People, Places & Plants Spring Flower & Garden Show, (formerly the Portland Flower Show), will be Feb. 27 to March 7 at Scarborough Downs in Scarborough. The theme will be “A Summer Garden in Maine.”

The dates and hours are:

Friday, Feb. 27: 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. Gala opening.

Saturday, Feb. 28: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 29: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Monday, March 1: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tuesday, March 2: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wednesday, March 3: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Thursday, March 4: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Friday, March 5: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday, March 6: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 7: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tickets will be sold online, at Hannaford’s Supermarkets and at select nurseries and garden centers. For more information, contact Chad Churchill at People, Places & Plants, 512 Memorial Highway, North Yarmouth, Maine 04097, (800) 251-1784, (207) 829-4783. Tickets are, weekdays in advance, $12, or $14 at the door. Weekends in advance, $15, or $17 at the door. Groups of 10 or more can call for more information; tickets for seniors are $10. The gala tickets cost $35.

The New England Spring Flower Show will be held March 13 to 21 at the Bayside Expo Center in Boston. The 2004 theme is “Deeply Rooted.”

Advance tickets for an adult weekend ticket are $20; an adult weekday ticket is $16; senior weekday discount $14 (age 65 or older, weekdays only); a child’s ticket is $7 (ages 4 to 12); and a MassHort member guest ticket is $22. Tickets are available for purchase in Maine at Skillins Greenhouses, 89 Foreside Road, Falmouth, ME 04105.

The Bangor Flower Show (www.bangorgardenshow.com/) will be held March 19 to 21. For ticket information, contact Bangor Auditorium box office, The Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau at (207) 947-5205 or the Bangor Auditorium at (207) 990-1201. Details were still forthcoming on their Web site.

For a more in-depth listing of spring flower shows, you can check out www.ppplants.com/flowershow.

Dear Sun Spots: The American Cancer Society has a current need for volunteer drivers for our Road to Recovery transportation program in Androscoggin County. Volunteers must have their own vehicle, a good driving record and the desire to help a cancer patient get to their radiation, chemotherapy or doctor’s appointments. Central Maine Medical Center is hosting our next volunteer training on Wednesday, Feb 11, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Potential volunteers can call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-464-3102, press 3 and ask for Bonnie, to register for the training. We know that people want to help other people, the challenge is to let them know what is needed and what they can do to help. I hope several of your readers will call today to offer rides to cancer patients. Thanks for your help. – Bonnie Bickford, Topsham.



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