DEAR SUN SPOTS: My mom is turning 95 years young on May 30 of this year. My siblings and I are gathering birthday cards for a surprise “card shower” for her.

I would be most grateful if you would publish my request so Sun Spots readers can send her a card. No money or gift, just a card. (We are trying to get at least 95 cards to match her age.)

Cards should be sent in care of a church in my mother’s area that has agreed to receive them so we can surprise her on her birthday. If you are willing to do so, please send a birthday card addressed as follows:

Maxine, c/o Muskingum Church, 4545 Gorsuch Road, Nashport, Ohio 43830. — Brother Rex, Auburn

ANSWER: What a sweet idea! I will commit to sending a card to your dear mother and I hope all Sun Spotters will do the same.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Androscoggin River Watershed Council needs help from Sun Spots readers and their friends and relatives. (Sun Spots and its readers have been very helpful in the past.)

One need is for volunteer river and stream water quality monitors. The second need is for the donation of shrubs and flowers for planting near a section of Hart Brook in Lewiston.

The Water Quality Monitoring Program is part of a statewide Department of Environmental Protection program. Volunteers use meters that we furnish to sample select locations on the Androscoggin River and some tributaries.

We need monitors for Little Androscoggin, Nezinscot and Androscoggin rivers between Gilead and Rumford. Training is provided, and ARWC and DEP staff are available to assist with problems.

Monitoring is done twice a month and must be done prior to 8 a.m. for reasons we will cover in some brief training sessions. Sampling takes less than 30 minutes at each site, so volunteers may do one or two sites. Anyone interested in volunteering or receiving more information, can contact me.

Concerning the plants, the Bates College Rowing Team is donating some time to improve the shading and vegetative buffers along a portion of Hart Brook located in the industrial area of Lewiston, in the vicinity of Westminster Street.

We are hoping to have donations of shrubs and flowering plants that are native or historically present and will grow without much maintenance. We do not have a date yet for the planting. Anyone who has plants they would like to donate, or if you would like to find out more can email me at [email protected] and phone is 240-3143.

The council is also holding its annual watershed conference on May 13.

Thanks for your help in the past. I always enjoy the column. — Ferg, Poland

ANSWER: This is a wonderfully unique and important volunteer opportunity, especially for those who like to spend time outside. I have a friend who has participated in this project for a few years and she told me that she has had a very positive experience.

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 [email protected].