Dear Sun Spots: First, I want to thank you for running our letters, as Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin has found many excellent tutors through your column. Next, I would like to get the word out about the numerous volunteer opportunities that we have available.

Many adults in Androscoggin County continue to struggle with minimal skills in reading, writing and math. We also have parents with young children who want to participate in our family literacy program in order to complete their education.

We have individuals from other countries who need to learn to read, write and speak English. There are many people on the waiting list, but in particular I would like to mention that we have someone in the Wales area that needs to improve their reading and writing skills in order to prepare for college. It is difficult to find a tutor for this person because he/she lives in a rural area.

If you are 21 or older, have a 12th grade reading level, plus patience and creativity, you may be an excellent Literacy Volunteers’ tutor. Our next tutor training workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 15 and 22 For more information phone 753-1772 or e-mail tahlia@megalink.net. – Tahlia in Auburn.


Dear Sun Spots: To the reader looking for help with lupines: The easiest and best way to get lupines is to stop by the side of the road (being careful, of course) and gather up 6-8 lupine tops that have all dried up-they are all brown.

Take them home. Open the pods and lots of poppy seed sized seeds will come out. Gather them in an envelop and take them out to the spot you want them to grow in. Just sprinkle them and next year you should see many very small plants. Year two they will be mature.

The best time to gather them is right now, the end of July, before the pods break open and the seeds are distributed by Mother Nature.

Sun Spots, you might remind your readers of the picture book story of Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney.

This is the method she used to distribute lupines all over the coast. If you don’t know this story, get it from Lewiston Public Library! – Joan Macri, Auburn.


Dear Sun Spots: I read your column with much interest.

To whom should I speak with in order to learn the proper filling of a crawl space under a house. I want to have a smooth concrete floor with radiant heat wires in this floor. The house is one story with an intended fireplace in one corner. Also, I worked in the health care fields and wonder why healthcare workers continually throw returnable cans and bottles in the trash. Most of these have family that will inherit this green earth. – M.I.C., Portland.

Answer: Sun Spots would encourage you to seek an insulation company or contractor. Perhaps you might check with your friends and family to see if they might have any recommendations. In the meantime, try Insulation Products of Maine, 44 Pleasant St., Lewiston ME 04240, phone 229-2092.

They are distributors of Micro Foil Reflective and Radiant Barrier Insulation and hopefully will be able to assist you.

Dear Sun Spots: What is the best type of glue for gluing together broken china plates and tea mugs? The glue would have to be strong to restructure handles on mugs. Thanks so much. – Stuck, No Town.

Answer:
Hopefully readers and others who work with china and ceramics will be able to assist you with your dilemma.

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 sunspots@sunjournal.com.


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