DEAR SUN SPOTS: St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston is looking for knit, crocheted or tied-off fleece blankets for our Comfort Baskets for patients. If you or your group can help replenish our stock of small lap blankets, please contact Chris Conant at St. Mary’s Mission Integration Office at 207-777-8805 or email cconant@stmarysmaine.com. Thank you! — No name, Lewiston
ANSWER: Knitters and crafters, get those needles clicking!
DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Sept. 2, I was headed to Pineland Farms and was involved in a bad accident. To the women who came out to help and offer comfort, I cannot express the amount of gratitude and appreciation on that day. A thank-you to the EMTs and police officers also. — Judy C., no town
ANSWER: Sun Spots loves to hear stories of kindness. People who step up to help others in distress deserve the highest praise.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Here’s another suggestion for dealing with Japanese beetles: I have several rose bushes that were getting decimated by Japanese beetles. I investigated online about possibilities for getting rid of them that didn’t involve using any toxic substances. Lo and behold, it turns out the beetles really dislike the smell of geraniums and marigolds, which I have ever since planted in close proximity to my roses. I may see one or two beetles over the course of the summer, but that’s all.
ANSWER: Thank you for the great tip! According to leafyplace.com, Japanese beetles also can be deterred by onions, garlic, catnip and larkspur if planted next to your roses.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin will offer an in-person tutor training workshop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, and Friday, Oct. 20. The workshop will be held at at the University of Southern Maine’s L-A College, 51 Westminster St., Lewiston.
English conversation partners also are needed. A two-hour training session will be held virtually in October, with the date to be determined to fit the schedule of the participants.
We have many adults waiting for help, and we have a particular need for people who are comfortable teaching beginners and for individuals who speak a little Spanish, Portuguese or French. 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 753-6658, or email literacy@literacyvolunteersandro.org. Details can also be found on our website at http://www.literacyvolunteersandro.org. — Tahlia Chamberlain, director, Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin, Lewiston
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