Dear Sun Spots: The Lewiston Drama Department will be performing the musical “Grease” in mid-March. We are searching for a potential car to be used for several scenes. The preference is a late-1950s model and the car can be customized for scenes. Basically, we are looking for a “junker.” So, I am looking for any leads for a potential car which will meet our drama needs. Please contact either me or Marissa at (207) 783-5705. – Susan Jalbert, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: I love your column! You really dig things up.

I would like to know whatever happened to little Tommy Rettig on Lassie? He was such a good little actor and yet disappeared. I would like to know the whole scoop on him.

Also, why do people ask for advice in your column and put No Name, No Town? If they put a phone number they could be helped.

And thirdly, I will never get over the hard work someone wrote in on getting rid of bamboo. It’s so easy to get rid of bamboo. If anyone is interested please call me and I’ll be happy to offer you tips. I can be reached at (207) 897-4850. – Bunky Stricklands, Livermore Falls.

Answer: Sun Spots had a very enjoyable conversation with Bunky about his tips for getting rid of bamboo and more. He declined to have those tips published here but assures Sun Spots and readers that he’d love to give them to anyone interested. Just call him and he’ll be happy to share.

And alas, Sun Spots is sorry to give you the sad news that Rettig died of heart failure Feb. 15, 1996, at the age of 54. Since 1985, the former actor had run a successful, home-based business, designing computer software for universities and government agencies. He continued to receive letters, several a week, from fans who still thought of him as the smiling boy who, from 1954 to 1957, called “Here, girl” to what www.lassie.net termed America’s quadruped sweetheart. Others remember Rettig as one of those child stars who had drifted into trouble. He was busted in the ’70s for marijuana possession and cocaine smuggling. The latter charge was overturned.

Rettig was the only child of Elias and Rosemary Rettig. His father was a Lockheed aircraft parts inspector. Rettig began his career at age 5, after he was spotted by an acting coach who lived in the family’s Queens, N.Y., apartment building. After touring with Mary Martin in “Annie Get Your Gun,” Rettig landed roles in movies, among them 1954s “River of No Return,” starring Marilyn Monroe. At 12 years old he was cast as Jeff Miller in “Lassie.” After four seasons Rettig was considered too old and 7-year-old Jon Provost took the part.

You and other readers might also be interested in noting that filming of “Lassie Come Home” will start in Ireland in April. According to the Irish Examiner’s Web site, the film is being produced by Firstsight Films, Classic Media and Ireland’s Element Films, producers of Omagh and The Magdalene Sisters.

Further filming will take place on the Isle of Man, in association with the Isle of Man Film Commission.

The new movie is a retelling of Eric Knight’s best-selling 1938 novel, “Lassie Come Home.” No word yet and who will star in the film.

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). 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 posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you may e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].