DEAR SUN SPOTS: I saw in Sun Spots that AARP is not doing taxes at Sacred Heart Church this year. We need our taxes done and have found that most places charge around $150. That is a lot for people our age. Can you check on this?—No name, no town

ANSWER: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is providing virtual tax assistance to anyone free of charge, with a special focus on taxpayers who are 50 or older or who have low to moderate income.

For virtual assistance, call 207-513-3170 or fill out the online form to request assistance at https://taxaide.aarpfoundation.org/, or you can send an email to taxaide@aarp.org. Someone will get back to you within five business days.

In the alternative, if your income was less than $57,000 this year, consider having CA$H Maine help you with your taxes. For more information, and to fill out the questionnaire to schedule an appointment, go to cashmaine.org. A volunteer will call to schedule a Scan & Go appointment where you will drop off your documents at the designated location and have them scanned. Your taxes will then be completed virtually by an IRS tax law certified volunteer.

You may also want to call SeniorsPlus at 207-795-4010 to see if it has recommendations. If any readers know of other tax help for seniors and those with a lower income, please write.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Last month, you kindly posted the need for virtual tutors for Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin, as well as English Conversation Partners. We were able to train a few wonderful tutors, but have many students waiting and are hoping to recruit more volunteers.

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Our next tutor training is in four sessions over two consecutive Saturdays, April 10 and 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and 1 to 3:30 p.m.

We will provide the training to use Zoom as a one-on-one teaching tool, as well the basic training to be a successful tutor or English conversation partner. All of our training and tutoring is currently provided via Zoom to protect the health and safety of everyone involved.

We look forward to returning to in-person services when it’s safe to do so. In the meantime, we have many people waiting for help with English conversation, as well as reading, writing, and math skills. If you are age 21 or older, have at least a 12th grade reading level, are patient, organized, and a good listener, you can be a Literacy Volunteer. Registration is required. For information, call 207-753-6658 (office) or 207-550-1956 (cell), or email literacy@literacyvolunteersandro.org. Details can also be found on our website at Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin | Home  .—Tahlia, Lewiston

ANSWER: Serving community members through this organization is so rewarding. I have my fingers crossed that it won’t be too long before tutors and their students will be able to meet face-to-face once again.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m very thankful to the honest Farmington Wal-Mart employee who found my wedding ring in the men’s room last Tuesday and brought it to the store’s service desk. You know who you are. When we got home, I called the store to see if anyone had found it and they told me it was there. Thank you so much.—No name, no town

ANSWER: That was a close one! I’m glad this episode had a happy ending.

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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