Alberni Valley Times from Alberni, British Columbia, Canada • 1

Vol. 49 No. 26 Friday, February 6, 1998 $1.00 incl. GST Weather TDie faces of our Baby Geniuses Triplets poised to see themselves on the big screen Rain Details on Page 3 Take A Break By KAREN BECK Staff Reporter The Valleys own Baby Geniuses are about to be recognized as the stars they have become. The release of the movie by the same name is scheduled for April.

The Fitzgerald boys are looking forward to it and hoping they get a chance to do it all again sometime. Leo had a bit of a cold, Wednesday, but a stuffy nose couldnt begin to suppress the bright tricksters grin on his four-year-old face. It was positively irresistible. His brother, also four, was the unofficial self-appointed spokes child for the household on this day. Im Gerry, hes Leo and Myles is over there." Myles, whos four too yep! the younger three Fitzgerald boys are triplets looked a little tired.

He said he wasnt, but he didnt want to keep his head up or his eyes quite open. There was a secret key to his little-boy smile too, though. Whats on the television, we asked. SPACE he replied suddenly looking very animated and grinning widely. Its a normal household if homes containing three four-year-old boys and an older brother whos just eight can be called normal.

This family has one difference though. Leo, Jerry and Myles are veterans of Hollywood, natural tow-heads once again, theyve shed the dyed dark locks they sported while in character for the filming. Last year was a busy one for them when the family moved to California for the filming of the movie, Baby Geniuses. The triplets starred in the movie, playing a lead role of Sly alongside fellow actors whos names include Dom Deluise, Kathleen Turner and Christopher Lloyd. Look-alike siblings are in great demand in the movie business More on Page 12A Leo Fitzgerald holds a View Master toy and lays a companionable arm across his brothers shoulders.

Gerry (centre) and Myles (right) took turns peering at three-dimensional images of Pocahontas and her friends too. The triplets are three four-year-olds who have had a much closer look at the movies than most of their preschool chums have had, though. The boys star in a Hollywood movie to be released April 10 called, Baby Geniuses. Karen Beck photo Family never heard what happened to Roger Gray for seven years Scramblr coming back! Theres nothing puzzling about Scrambir. Just like more than 1 ,000 peopie last year, participants are instantly eligible for cash prizes every day.

The Valleys most popular word search puzzle returns to the pages of your Alberni Valley Times beginning on Monday, February 16. Remember it pays double to be a home subscriber. Watch this space for more information on how to play. Telethon total The Alberni Valley Variety Club Telethon TOTAL is beginning to build- standing now at just over $5000 and still two weeks to go (February 14 and 15). By the calls received, the citizens of the Valley are digging deep into their pockets to show their support for others again this year.

Since 1978 until 1997 the Valley has donated approximately $900,000 to help B.C. Special Kids through the Variety Club of B.C. Donations may be dropped off at the Evergreen Savings Credit Union on Fourth Ave. or call Joanne at 723-7754 to record your pledge andor donation or for more information. Then two men came in a car to pick him up: A.E.

Caldwell, principal of the Alberni Indian Residential School, and Arthur Henry Flint, dormitory supervisor. Mr. Gray started school there with the other Grade 1 students but, because ofhis sore hip, his teacher, Miss Matthews, said he would have to take a rest break in the afternoon. So, that first day of school the crippled boy went back to the More on Page 12A By BRIAN WILFORD Staff Reporter In 1 947, when Roger Gray was three, he was helping his father carry wood into their home in Kincolith, 100 miles up the coast from Prince Rupert, when he slipped and fell and hurt his knee. His parents decided to ship him to Miller Bay Indian Hospital in Prince Rupert.

He never saw his father again. He wouldnt see his mother until he was almost 10. When they were trying to pop his knee back in at the hospital, he told B.C Supreme Court in Nanaimo Thursday, they damaged his hip. So they shipped him to the Indian hospital in Port Hardy. They couldnt do anything with him, so they shipped him to Nanaimo Indian Hospital.

Over a couple of years, they managed to relieve the boys pain, but to this day Mr. Gray walks with a noticeable limp. During all this time, he never saw or heard from his parents. One day one of the nurses told him hed be going home soon. OAidaty 3eaduAe Flexibility helps Naesgaards Todays Flyers The Bay Coast Realty Kmart Safeway Overwaitea Mondays Flyers By MIKE OKEEFFE StafF Reporter Times are tough.

for farmers all over BC, but a local vegetable grower has found success in being flexible and knowing his market. When Asker Naesgaard took over his fathers farm in 1983, he was nearly wiped out by the rains of El Nino.He has since scaled back his strawberry production and introduced a wide range of other vegetables. Its that diversity that helps him survive poor weather and downturns in the market, he said. Having a retail outlet for his produce also helps. Dunng the growing season, Asker supplies most ofthe produce for Naesgaards Market, which is run by his brother, IJelge.

For the first few years, things were tough for me, said Mr. Naesgaard. Now I can earn a reasonable living from this. Years offarming have given Mr. Naesgaard a feel for the market.

He said he carefully plans what to plant each year, based on what local consumers want. He also grows extra produce for sale in Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Ive been doing this fora long time, said Mr. Naesgaard. I grow only what I know 1 can sell." Naesgaards Market on River Road supplements its own stock with other locally-grown produce and imports foreign vegetables in the offseason.

Mr. Naesgaards farm produces strawberries, cucumbers, carrots, peas, beans, new potatoes, romaine lettuce, radishes, pumpkins, squash, com and dill weed. He said he is always experimenting with new strains in order to keep ahead of the competition. Maximizing quality and taste in his small crops gives him a competitive edge in a market dominated by agri-business. Mr.

Naesgaard grows carrots in relatively small quantities. Theyre hand picked, washed and bagged by his employees, using crude equipment. He said he has to provide a superior product to compete with large-scale farmers in Alberta, who use high-tech equipment for harvesting and processing. I cant expect to compete purely on price, said Mr. Naesgaard.

In this small market, I have to think my goal is to supply a fresher, better tasting carrot. He said having the family market cuts out the middle man and keeps costs relatively low. Although his hard work is not making him rich, Mr. Naesgaard said theres nothing hed rather do. I like the independence of farming, he said.

You live and die by your own hand." This week the Friday Feature takes a look at the plight of agriculture in the Valley. For more see Page IB. m. A Home Hardware Pharmasave Quality Foods Shoppers Drug Mart I I Asker Naesgaard works hard to stay competitive in a market dominated by big producers. Mike Keefte photo iFiRlOlMMOMEHElXUlRlElMlEe Introducing the 1998 Special Edition Sunfire Extreme Features: CD Player Extreme Badging, 2.2 litre fuel, injected engine, dual airbags, 4-wheel ABS, rear spoiler IXtF Month For 36 Months ENMISwvONSSON MOTOR PRODUCTS LIMITED 5262 Argyle Port Alberni DD8100 723-3541 rr mmmm..