DEAR SUN SPOTS: Numerous adults in Androscoggin County struggle with low reading, writing and math skills. We have many people on our waiting list that need to upgrade their literacy skills in order to connect with or train for a good job.

Some have crazy schedules or lack resources that prevent them from attending traditional classes, or they are struggling with a class and need a little assistance to succeed. Literacy volunteers can make all of the difference for adults trying to upgrade their education and improve their lives for themselves and their families.

If you are 21 or older, patient, organized, creative and have a 12th-grade reading level, you could be an effective tutor. For more information, please call us at 333-4785 or check out our website at www.literacyvolunteersandro.org.

Our next training workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 2 and 9 at the Auburn Public Library. Preregistration by Oct. 25 is required. — Tahlia Chamberlain, executive director, Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin, tahlia@literacyvolunteersandro.org

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regretfully, my son is in the Maine state prison in Warren. He no doubt has a lot of idle time on his hands. I can only afford to send him the Sun Journal, which costs me $22 per month.

If there is anyone out there who has subscriptions of magazines that they no longer enjoy and wouldn’t mind rerouting them in his name to the prison, I’m sure they would be put to good use.

Maybe there will be some articles in there that will help him learn new lessons in life to help him go the straight and narrow. — Steve, Sabattus

ANSWER: Steve’s request for magazines for his son violates the column rule that readers cannot ask for things of value for themselves, only for charities and nonprofit organizations. However, Steve’s son, along with many other sons, would benefit if more subscriptions were added to the library at the prison.

Sun Spots called librarian Jackie Weddle at the prison. She said subscriptions would be most welcome. There are some rules:

* Subscriptions must come directly from the publishers. Individuals cannot box up old magazines and send them directly to the prison.

* Clean content only. No “adult” content or anything depicting violence, tattoo magazines, “how to break out of prison,” etc.

Jackie said that currently she has a lot of demand for magazines that teach skills such as woodworking, home building, how to be an entrepreneur, etc., anything that will help prisoners develop skills so they can start working once they are released.

She said she already has subscriptions to the state’s daily and weekly papers and magazines such as Down East and for popular hobbies like cars and motorcycles. 

If you would be interested in sending magazines to the prison, you can email Jackie at jacqueline.weddle@maine.gov or call 207-273-5300, ext. 50126, to see if the magazine you would like to send fits the rules and is needed.

Jackie said she would also appreciate being able to thank anyone who helps out.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: A while ago I made a request and the response was simply wonderful. Once again I am requesting your help.

I am asking for anyone who may have any of the following old magazines in good condition that they are willing to give away. I take them to various nursing homes.

Some titles are Family Circle, Woman’s Day, Taste of Home, Country Woman, Reminisce, Better Homes and catalogs, just to name a few.

You would be surprised at how much the residents enjoy looking at these magazines, men and women alike. Thanks again and may God bless. — No Name, Auburn, 784-3803

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). Please include your phone number. 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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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