From the S&S archives: Hey, kids — It's Mister Rogers

CAMP ZUKERAN, Japan — "Kiddie Kapers" will have a special guest Saturday.

Fred Rogers, creator of the popular children's program, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," will appear on the 9 a.m. program according to officials at Channel 8, Far East Network Television.

Rogers, whose show is aired on approximately 250 English-language stations worldwide, including Pago-Pago, is on Okinawa on private business and was invited to do a program for FEN.

Pacific Stars and Stripes talked with Rogers Thursday.

"The station reminded me of the early days in public television," Rogers said, "but what really impressed me was the way the children coming in knew all the 'Kiddie Kaper' puppets by name."

Rogers is visiting many Asian countries as a guest of Unival Investments Ltd. and said he wants to see what's being done for children. Rogers is associated with Family Communications Inc., a nonprofit organization which has been working for over 20 years to enhance communications within the family.

"We deal with feelings," Rogers said. "We deal with families moving, new babies, going to the doctor, operations and all sorts of things kids on military bases would find helpful." Rogers said he hoped his program could be aired eventually through the American Forces Television Service.

"We encourage children to play about their feelings," he said. "We believe the saying 'That which is produced, is first imagined,' and it was Einstein who often talked of art as being before science."

Rogers said American children everywhere — including Okinawa — recognize him. "Sometimes," he said, "they come up to me and say 'I have you on a record,' or 'I have you in a book.'"