FROM:
THE OTTAWA SUN
Sunday, March 21, 1999
Dateline: TORONTO
Once upon a time, there were seven stranded dwarfs ...
But in a happy ending worthy of Mother Goose, the tiny troupe of Ukrainian circus performers finally flew off into the sunset yesterday evening. After six months of worries and uncertainty, businessman Victor Deschenes saved the day with seven plane tickets to Kiev.
He also donated wedding gowns -- actually, First Communion dresses -- for the troupe's two blushing brides-to-be.
"He's a fantastic person," said Liliana Perun, who, along with husband Oleh, has championed the cause of the deserted dwarfs.
Ivan Chopovsky, 20, Leonid Ovsyannikov, 48, Ivan Chubatko, 32, Lena Ivanytcka, 26, Luda Nikitchenko, 29, Mykhailo Gadiajcky, 55 and Serge Gadiajcky, 35, arrived on Nov. 20, 1997, and worked for the National Circus School of Canada for one year. But when their visas expired, the group's sponsor failed to send them back to the Ukraine.
The Peruns have been helping ever since.
With tears in his eyes, Oleh spoke fondly of the petite posse as they checked their comparatively big baggage for the 11-hour flight.
"They're our kids," he said, adding it is hard to see them go. Wiping a tear from her eye, Liliana translated.
"They're thrilled but at the same time, it is hard to leave because they met such nice people."
And they all lived happily ever after.
The end.
Copyright 1999, The Ottawa Sun Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.