Dear Sun Spots: I have two questions that I need help with.

The first, a while ago I thought I read in your column the name of an agency for the blind that needed volunteer readers. I misplaced the article and would like the name of the agency.

Secondly, my husband and I are avid readers and purchase many books. I would like to know if you know of any military hospitals that I could donate them to? – Christine Wood, Auburn.

Answer: Regarding your first question, Sun Spots believes you are referring to the Iris Network in Portland. Sun Spots had the pleasure of talking with Les Myers, director of Maine Audio Information and Reading (Maine AIRS), who says Maine AIRS reads the daily and weekly newspapers from around the state in a broadcast setting. The programs are designed for those visually impaired or those with difficulty holding items because of arthritis or other such conditions. To get the broadcast, listeners need Internet access or stereo TV with SAP ability.

Auditions are held in the Brewer and Portland studios. The audition takes about 15 minutes or so and includes reading articles similar to those that would be read over the air. You should also have the ability to ad lib as Les notes listeners also like to hear about such events as restaurant lunch specials, pet places or events they’d like to attend, which you or I would find on other pages in the paper but those visually impaired might not have access to. The audition allows you, the potential reader, to get a mike on and the sense of setting in which you’ll be reading. And Les gets a sense of sound, pace at which you speak and whether or not you may stumble whilst talking. Readers come from all over Maine and there are currently 22 readers in Portland. Applications are available on the Web site at www.theiris.org. Please note this address will forward you to www.mcbvi.org. The Iris Network may be reached via mail at 189 Park Ave., Portland, ME 04102, or by phone, voice or TTY (207) 774-6273, toll free in Maine 1(800) 715-0097.

Broadcasts reach listeners from Kittery to Houlton and Presque Isle. Readers should be able to commit to at least a one-hour on-air shift per week. Volunteers read in pairs, and spend about 30 minutes prior to airtime preparing the papers for broadcast. The service is warmly received by listeners who otherwise would have little or no access to the news of their communities. Readers make a valuable contribution to helping individuals who are blind or visually impaired to live more independently. For more information and an application, phone 989-0058.

Other volunteer opportunities are available. Anyone interested in volunteering in the residence or community recreation program as an activity assistant may call Nancy Bennett for more information at 774-6273 or 1(800) 715-0097. In addition, you and others may be interested in the 100th anniversary gala being held in Portland in September. FMI phone Terri Tomchak at (800) 715-0097.

Regarding your second question, Sun Spots spoke with Steven Hurd at volunteer services at the Togus VA New England Health Care System in Augusta. Hurd says they accept paperback books and because of the turnover of patients in the units, the books are available to patients from a book cart. Should the patient not finish the book, they are allowed to take it with them upon discharge. You should phone first to arrange a mutually convenient drop off. You may reach them at (207) 621-4886.

Dear Sun Spots: I was watching the show yesterday called “Going Tribal” with Bruce Parry. He was at a tribe called The Suri tribe. I was wondering how much it would cost to take a trip to Africa to see that tribe or join a tribe? And the show rocks! – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Among the many resources Sun Spots located are:

Symbiosis Expedition Planning, Symbiosis Expedition Planning’s London office at Holly House, Whilton, Daventry, Northamptonshire NN11 5NN, United Kingdom, International code +44 (0) 845 123 2844, www.symbiosis-travel.com.

Bushtracks Expeditions that has an upcoming 14-day tour to Botswana, Zambia, and South Africia. The cost is $13,485 per person, double occupancy. Contact Bushtracks at 6335 Mountain View Ranch Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (800) 995-8689, via e-mail at [email protected] or www.bushtracks.com.

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].