Dear Sun Spots: As our volunteer needs continue to grow, your continued support is invaluable!

In the next year, there will be many tremendous opportunities for compassionate people to make a difference by becoming hospice volunteers for Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice. The majority of participants in our current class responded because of notices in the Sun Journal. Thank you.

Not only will hospice volunteers be able to support terminally ill patients and their families at home, in nursing homes and in other long-term care facilities, but there will be unique volunteer opportunities at the AHCH hospice house to open this fall in Auburn. It will be the first hospice house in the state.

This fall, a hospice volunteer training course is scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, beginning Sept. 13. The 27-hour course will meet at the agency’s office, 15 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston.

Classes cover the hospice philosophy, communications and listening skills, family dynamics, spiritual aspects of dying, grief and bereavement, and additional related topics.

Hospice volunteers are matched with patients in or near their community. They visit patients regularly, may stay for a few hours so that family members can get some time for themselves, and may meet other special requests. We ask for a time commitment of two to four hours per week.

For more information, please contact me or Polly Robinson at 795-9581 or 1-800-482-7412. We would like to talk with prospective volunteers before the classes begin. Thanks very much. – Nancy Greene, volunteer coordinator.

Dear Sun Spots: Would you please print an address for the family of Myron Floren, as I would like to send them a sympathy card.

Also, on July 6 you had recipes from Kaitlynn Hinser. Would you please furnish the recipes for her dark chocolate brownies. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Try sending your sympathies c/o Margaret Heron, Syndication Manager, The Lawrence Welk Show, 1299 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401.

Regarding your second question, the brownies recipe was a box of mix purchased locally. Perhaps you and other readers might enjoy the following dark chocolate brownies located online at www.recipes.allinfoabout.com.

Dark chocolate brownies. Ingredients: 2/3 cup unsalted butter, 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate cut into small pieces, 2 ounces semisweet chocolate cut into small pieces, 1 cup granulated sugar, ¾ cup light brown sugar – packed, 3 jumbo eggs, 1½ cups sifted all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1½ cups coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans. Method: Preheat oven to 375 degrees and generously butter a 9-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan. Melt butter with four squares of chocolate in a large saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Remove pan from heat and mix in granulated and brown sugars, eggs (one at a time), flour, salt, vanilla and nuts. Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until brownies feel fairly firm and begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool at least 30 minutes before cutting.

In addition, you might also like to try the following “almost fat-free brownies” from www.cdkitchen.com.

Almost fat-free brownies. Ingredients: ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 4 ounces jar prune baby food, 3 egg whites, 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ½ cup flour, ¼ cup nuts (optional). Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Combine all ingredients. Add nuts if desired. Bake about 30 minutes or until springy to touch. Cool on rack.

Dear Sun Spots: I need help!

I thought I had enough yarn for the throw I was knitting. I don’t. A letter to the factory has revealed they’re not making it anymore. Perhaps someone out in the area might have a skein or two? I am looking for ARTE704, color 6373, burgundy, dye lot 4-99-9478/12. I can be reached at (207) 998-4985. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

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). 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 also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].