Dear Sun Spots: In response to increased needs, Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice (AHCH) is offering a class this fall for compassionate people to be trained as hospice volunteers. Classes will be held at our facility on Strawberry Avenue in Lewiston.

A 27-hour hospice course will be held Tuesday and Thursday afternoons starting Sept. 27 and ending Oct. 25.

Volunteers help support terminally ill patients and their families at home, in long-term care facilities, and at the AHCH Hospice House in Auburn. They are valued members of the Hospice Team and are matched with patients in or near their communities. We ask for a time commitment of two to four hours each week.

For more information, please contact Volunteer Services at 777-7740 or 1-800-482-7412. – Nancy Greene, volunteer coordinator, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: In a recent TV segment with Cindy Williams and Paul Tukey, Paul showed and talked about a ground cover that grew very rapidly. We were unable to catch the name of it. Is it possible for you to find out for me? I have tried e-mailing Paul but did not receive a response. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Many, many thanks to Paul Tukey who kindly provided the following e-mail answer to you:

“The plant is Mazus reptans, a fast-growing groundcover that is hardy to Zone 5. It made it through last winter just fine in front of my New Gloucester home. Beware: it will take over, so make sure you plant it in the right place. It will take full sun to part shade and likes quite a bit of moisture, but seems to handle the dry weather this summer just fine.”

Dear Sun Spots: I have a computer to give away to an organization or anyone that can use it. It is like new. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Have you considered contacting The SHAREcenter program in Auburn? It’s best to call first to ensure there’s someone available to accept your donation and in this particular case to ensure the computer is current. In addition to donations, the center is low on school supplies. Anyone who has any extra should please contact them. They need: pencils, scissors, tape, pens, glue, markers, crayons, paper pads, folders, push pins, paper bags, paper clips, fasteners, pocket folders and more. They also need preschool items such as easels, wooden blocks and cubbies, for anyone who might have some on hand and be willing to share them.

They are also seeking volunteers every Tuesday and Wednesday for some portion of the day from 1 to 6 p.m. Please call to schedule orientation. Volunteers are needed in blocks of two-plus hours or more. They can also use volunteers at other times. Contact them to discuss this.

For all those teachers out there, this is a free treasure trove you’ll want to check out. Teachers may pick up free supplies, office supplies, art paper, fabric, leather, widgets and more. Children and nonprofit groups also come in and create items from the assortment of donations.

Contact the SHAREcenter program, P.O. Box 800, Auburn, ME 04212-0800, 795-0972. The center is in the Great Falls Performing Arts Center on Academy Street in Auburn. You enter on the Academy Street side. It is open 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to noon the first and second Saturdays of each month. Closed school vacations, Auburn school snow days, holiday weekends.

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