Dear Sun Spots: Sun Spots has been most helpful in the past when it has alerted the community of the need for volunteers. We hope you can do so again!

SeniorsPlus is currently seeking additional volunteers to assist our local seniors remain independent and maintain their quality of life. Many seniors can no longer drive to the grocery store or to their medical appointments. Some can no longer cook for themselves and need a home-delivered meal from SeniorsPlus. The number of people who can be helped depends on the number of volunteers who can give a couple of hours each week to provide these valuable services.

If you have time to spare, SeniorsPlus has a variety of volunteer opportunities available in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties:

• Meals on Wheels: Volunteers are needed to deliver meals one to two hours a week. Drivers are eligible for mileage reimbursement.

• Kitchen assistants: Volunteers are needed one to two days a week to prepare trays for Meals on Wheels delivery.

• Dining room assistants: Volunteers are needed to help greet guests, set tables and serve meals at the Lewiston, Lisbon, Rumford, and Wilton dining sites.

• Grocery shoppers: Volunteers are needed to shop and deliver groceries one to two hours a week in Lewiston-Auburn, Norway-South Paris, Rumford, and Wilton-Farmington. Mileage reimbursement is available.

• Volunteer drivers: Volunteers are needed to give rides to medical and nonmedical appointments in Lewiston-Auburn, Norway-South Paris, Rumford, and Wilton-Farmington. Drivers are eligible for mileage reimbursement.

• First Call: Volunteers are needed in our Lewiston office to respond to telephone “hot line” requests for information and community referrals.

• Administrative support: Volunteers are needed in our Lewiston office for filing, photocopying and preparing packets.

• Seasonal chores/minor handyman tasks: Volunteers are needed for small repair projects and yard work.

• Matter of Balance coaches: Volunteers are needed to lead workshops using a combination of videos, discussion and gentle exercises to help older people reduce falls and their fear of falling. Two hours twice a week for eight weeks. There will be a training for coaches in September.

• Strength exercise leaders: Volunteers should have some experience and knowledge about safely performing exercises. Two hours twice a week for 10 to 12 weeks.

If you would like to volunteer, please call Connie at 795-4010 or 1-800-427-1241, ext. 145. – Connie, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: I’m looking for recipes for dandelions, whether being used alone or mixed with other ingredients. I appreciate any information. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, perhaps you and your family will enjoy the following located online at http://www.mountain-breeze.com/kitchen/dandelions/4.html.

Dandelion greens with sausage. Ingredients: 1 gallon dandelions; 1 pound smoked sausage; 3 small potatoes, cut and diced; 2 tablespoons rice; 4 tablespoons vinegar, 1 to 1½ quarts water; 1 teaspoon salt. Method: Wash and cut 1 gallon dandelion greens. Place some in bottom of medium-size pot. Put one pound of sausage, cut in pieces, in pot. Put more dandelion greens on top of sausage. Cut and dice potatoes and put on top of greens. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of rice over potatoes. Boil all 40 minutes and add 4 tablespoons of vinegar before serving. If needed, may add more water if it starts to boil dry.

Dandelion salad with cooked dressing. Ingredients: 4 slices bacon, cut in small pieces; approximately 2 cups chopped new dandelion leaves; 2 tablespoons chopped onion; ¼ cup butter; ½ cup cream or milk; 1 egg, beaten; ½ teaspoon salt; dash of pepper; ¼ cup cider vinegar; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 tablespoon flour. Method: Toss together chopped dandelion, chopped onion and fried bacon pieces. Set aside. In skillet, warm butter and cream until butter melts. Beat egg and then add salt, pepper, vinegar, sugar and flour. Blend the egg mixture into the slightly warm cream mixture. Increase heat and cook, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Pour hot dressing over the greens and toss gently. Serve at once. Gather the dandelion leaves early in the spring before the plants flower or they will be bitter.

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