Dear Sun Spots: I was wondering if Sun Spots or readers could tell me what happened to the boy actor who played Charlie in the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory?” Does he still act or has he passed on? Thanks. – Tammy, Lewiston.

Answer: According to www.imdb.com, Peter Ostrum, born Nov. 1, 1957, played Charlie Bucket in the 1971 motion picture “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” It has been his only film appearance.

He was offered a three-picture contract after the movie, but turned it down and finished school in Annandale, N.J. He went on to veterinary school and now cares for large farm animals in New York. He is married and has two children. In 2005, he was featured on VH1’s “100 Greatest Kid Stars.”

Dear Sun Spots: Thank you so much for the service you provide. On Nov. 21, 2008, the Rambunctious Red Hatters held their third annual toy drive at the Auburn Mall. There were 100 Red Hatters there, from all over the state, and a lot of toys were collected for the Salvation Army. I just want to say a big thank-you to all of the Red Hatters who do not have computers and all the family members and friends who helped to make this a great success this year, as well as the past toy drives. We could not have done it without each and every one of you. Also, thank you, Sun Journal, for giving us coverage this year. See you all next year. – Betty Albert, Sabattus.

Dear Sun Spots: The Sexual Assault Center, REACH, serving Oxford County and the towns of Bridgton and Harrison is looking for a manual (not electric) typewriter in good, working condition. One of the individuals we work with would like to type up her handwritten pieces, perhaps to submit for publication. If you can help, please call our office at 743-9777. Thank you! – Suzanne Dunham, South Paris.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for the location of the Auburn animal shelter. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society used to be located on Poland Spring Road in Auburn, but has moved to 55 Strawberry Ave. (off Main St.) in Lewiston. Contact them at 783-2311 or visit online at www.gahumane.org.

Dear Sun Spots: I’m hoping you or your readers can help me. A few friends and I are trying to remember the words to a song we used to sing as children. I don’t know the name. I think it’s “My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It.” I would love the words to this song. Thank you very much. – Gerry, Greene.

Answer: Sun Spots knows the exact song you are requesting, titled “There’s a Hole in My Bucket,” which originated from a German folk song. We located the following lyrics:

“There’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza,

There’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole.

Then fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

Then fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry, fix it.

With what shall I fix it, dear Liza, dear Liza?

With what shall I fix it, dear Liza, with what?

With some straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

With some straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, some straw.

The straw is too long, dear Liza, dear Liza,

The straw is too long, dear Liza, too long,

Then cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

Then cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, cut it.

With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, dear Liza?

With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, with what?

With an axe, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

With an axe, dear Henry, dear Henry, with an axe.

The axe is too dull, dear Liza, dear Liza,

The axe is too dull, dear Liza, too dull.

Then sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

Then sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, sharpen it.

With what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza, dear Liza?

With what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza, with what?

With a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

With a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, with a stone.

The stone is too dry, dear Liza, dear Liza,

The stone is too dry, dear Liza, too dry.

Then wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

Then wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, then wet it.

With what shall I wet it, dear Liza, dear Liza?

With what shall I wet it, dear Liza, with what?

With water, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

With water, dear Henry, dear Henry, with water.

In what shall I get it, dear Liza, dear Liza?

In what shall I get it, dear Liza, in what?

In a bucket dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

In a bucket dear Henry, dear Henry, in a bucket.

There’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza,

There’s a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole.”

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 can e-mail your inquiries to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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