Volume III, Issue #54 October 31,1998

CIRCUS KIDS by Bill Ballantine**Reprinted with permission of the

Ballantines (From III. State Univ. Archives) **That super-colossal, splendiferous, spangled spectacle,the circus, is just a homey sort of pleasant place to thechildren who travel with it. A shabby stray dog, sniffingaround the circus back yard (behind the big top), is reallymuch more fun for a circus kid than the same week inand week out, become kind of common place.Actually, the most fascinating attraction to the canvas-covered kids of the Ringling Bros. & Barnum & BaileyCircus is a runty green parrot owned by the manager'swife. Even clowns can't get much of a tumble. Theirwild-eyed shenanigans are taken for granted in acommunity alive with snake charmers, aerialists,midgets, sword swallowers, fire-eaters, giants, & peoplewho can balance on any part of their anatomy, includingone finger.Circus kids like clowns well enough (most of the littlerboys want to be one) & they are often fond of the realmen behind the false noses, but their interest inbuffoonery is apt to be coldy professional. Take forinstance David & Alan, the Welsh tykes with the Alzanatroupe of high-wire walkers. ("Hairbreadth Harold! Hewalks & leapsl Where ayn-n-n-gels fear to tread!")Twice daily, for 1 season, rain or shine, they watchedLou Jacobs' famous clown gag in the center ring with hisLilliputian comedy auto. If Lou left out one tiny bit offamiliar funny business, they'd be around to his dressingroom after the act & solemnly tick him off about it. LittleJimmie, the midget stooge in the number, finally askedAlan why all this gigantic interest, & was told that whenthey got bigger the kids planned to "take over the act."They were only 4 years old then, or Lou might haveworried. In one respect, circus youngsters are like mostother kids: they all think mama & papa are just about thegreatest people on earth. At the performer's entrance to

the big top during the show, there will usually be a circuskid watching a circus parent. Maybe it's little one-year-old Mousie, in openmouthed awe of her bespangleddaddy making fools of his wild performing bears.Mousie always stands quite alone at the edge of thehippodrome track, but at least 1 pair of discreet but waryeyes is looking out for her-the ringmaster's perhaps, aroughneck prop hand's, or an usher's.

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THE FOX!

My Dear Friends;

It is sad, very sad, it broke my heart, we lost a very dearfriend of mine and of many more people. Jim Nordmarkwas friends to so many people and helped so manypeople. He never turned his back on anyone. He wasvery, very sick and he would not let any one know it. Hehad cancer of the throat and it had gone already in to hisstomach. He must have been in terrible pain. I talked tohim just minutes before he went to the hospital. Wetalked about two hours. He told me that he had sold hishouse, had the movers comming to store the rest of thecircus equipment. He also needed a place for his twodogs and cats and that he at this time was staying at aMotel. He told me he had no plans as of yet for thefuture. The last thing he said was that he was feelingrealy bad and was planing to call his doctor and drivehimself to the hospital. 1 also told him lets go out to eatthe comming week. He thought this was a great Idea. Sotwo days later I tried to get in touch with him to find outhe was not at the Motel any more. After several phonecalls I found out he was in intensive care. After I finalywas told that anyone could go see him I marched myselveto Doctors Hospital. Their I stood in fromt of an emptybed. I could not move. I just froze. A nurse came up tome and informed me that Jimmy had past away an hourago. It hit me hard and 1 am still in shock. The funeralwas very fast, two days after he past away, as his sisterhad to go back to Washington State. Allan Hill gave theEulogy and spoke wonderful about Jim. Jims threechildren and exwife were there. Jims sister-halfsister andStepmom were there and some friends. He was not thereas there was no casket and he was already cremated.Most of his friends did not find out about it till after andsome of them I guess will find out from my letter. Jimwas a great man, a great friend and a great Showman. Hewas a quiet person, and a lovely friend to many. Rest inpeace my dear dear friend.We also put an other dear friend to rest Tex Copeland. Afew of us went out on the boat, Ann his dear wife, SonKim and Grandson spread the Ashes in the Gulf ofMexico. After that everyone went to Showfolks wereAnn had prepared a great buffett for all his formerfriends. Tex was a big supporter of Showfolks. I met himwhen I first arrived in America when he came along withmy mom and dad to pick me up from the train in Tampa.

I know he will be well received by all his former friendwho already went there before him.The other day I saw the daughter of Count Nicolas. Quitea few people lately ask me were the Count disappearedto. Well now I know. His Eye sight has gotten so bad thathe could not tend for himself any more so he is now in anursing home. Daughter Bonnie has two children and athird on the way, also her husband and her have theirown business to attend to so there is just no way they cantake care of him and son Tuffy is all year long on theroad. I went to see the Royal Palace Circus and reallyenjoyed it. Boy everyone was present, it was like a bigreunion. By the way I really loved that baby Elephantwhich Tommy Thompson presented. It really works greatand look's like it enjoys performing. The Dubskys hadagain like the previous year all ringside seats for all theold timers and had a very good show, a show you can beproud of. Alberto and Sandy Zoppe' just played withthere Circus in Pittsburg PA. I had a line up writtendown, but sorry I could not understand it to well. Iunderstand after that 3 day engagement they will be forthree weeks with the Hammid show.Bill Balentine is at the Pines Nursing home and GustinoLoyal is at the same place. Timmy Loyal came home fora few weeks to visit with his Father.I visited Circus Flora while it was in Irving TX. TheWallendas 7 men pyramid was performing there and Iwent and just surprised them. Believe it or not, when Iarrived there with my grand daughter Erika we checkedin to the Motel and then went over to the Mall across thestreet. Of all the Malls there would you know it Delilahand Lijana had to be at the same place. Delilah came upto me and moved real close to me and said "Mama???"What are you doing here. Well so I surprised her but notthe way I expected. So the only one who did not know Iwas coming was Tino and Olinka. After the performingof the 7 men pyramid the owner of the show marched mein the center ring. Tino just looked in disbelief. He lateron told me he was thinking what is she doing in the Ringwith us, then it dawned on him, what is she doing inTexas. Well it was a great surprise and I spent 7 lovelydays with them. There I also saw Oracio and PeggieZoppe' and they told me they may just come Florida thiswinter for the reunions. Also, I ask all of you if any ofyou have seen Francis Jones from Syracuse NY. Wellsurprise surprise, there she was. She showed up right infront of me. Boy this was a happy reunion, she also isplaning to come this winter to

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THE FOX!!Sarasota. Now there is still Sharky not acountcd for.Now the Ring of Fame Elected for this year are:Albert RixCaptain HeyerCharles MoroskiPalaciosIrvin & Kennett FeldBy the way, the voting is done by the people who arealready in the Ring of Fame. This is a fair vote. As ifanyone knows best who the best are are their already inthe Ring.Nina Unus, after retiring for a few month, is back atwork, they called her to just help out, but it became againa permanent thing. So she is bac stuck working and asshe says, it is nice being needed.Well, while visiting the Royal Palace circus, I cameacross Hans Winn, and he informed me that he is one ofthe few who still has a big troupe. This is true, as now adays now one wants to pay good salaries any more.When I visited Allan Hill office, I saw Carin cristianitheir. She really looks good and is doing very well afterher accident.While in Texas I spoke with Giovanni Zoppe' he has areal nice lady friend, but he is still running away frommarriage. I guess he still thinks the grass a greener on theother side. I hope he will not wait to long and this girlwill look for some one more reliable.Oh yea, Attos Zamperla had an other Accident, this timesome one hit his car. He got hurt again, poor guy, he justcan stop having accidents. He is right now in his glory ashe has his little daughter with him, but he has to bring herin a few days back to her mother.Tino Wallenda did a sky walk in Tennesee and theMayor gave him the key of the City.Freddy Canastrelli is back in town and as he told me he ishere to stay.Kate Machine which was the late Joe Machines wife diedthis last June. She was in her 90. Now her daughter calledme and told me that the house and land is for sale. Sothere are now two houses for sale on Henrietta place, thesecond one is Angela Revolans home.Pat Kirby is not staying in her house as she is stillrecovering and Rusty is taking care of her.I was told that Elena Bulgaro won her fight against theLutheran Ministery. You know, shortly after they put herin the Hospital, her house burned down. Just like it did

with Inge Woods.Oh. very importend: Lijana Wallcnda Troffer will getmarried Dec. 6th to Tony Hernandez. They will move toChicago were Tony has a teaching job.JENNY WALLENDA is not working for the RoyalAmerican Circus any more.PINKY Delmonti moved his motorhome from Mia Ottosbig house, as it will be sold. But he did not move far. Miabought herself a little house, so guess what. Pinky movedtheir. He is right now on a cruse tour with Mike Ashton.1 guess this is all for this time. I only like to put a fewmore write ups in, and also an exact line up of the Circusreunion days. Please keep this list handy and also pleasetell everyone about it.

Lots of love,

Your Fox*****************************************

*******REUNIONS 1998*******OLD TIME CIRCUS REUNION AND

CHRISTMAS PARTYTHURSDAY, DECEMBER 10THBARTOK - HOXIE - ALLAN HILL SHOWFRIDAY, DECEMBER 1ITHRINGLING CIRCUSMONDAY, DECEMBER 14THTOM PACKS - HAMID MORTON -ORTN DAVENPORT - POLACK BROS. -EVENTS INTERNATIONAL - CLYDE BROS.(HOWARD SUIZE) - BILL & DICK GARDENCIRCUSTHURSDAY, DECEMBER 17THCLYDE BEATTY - MILLS BROS. - DAILY BROS -PLOYED KING BROS. - SELLS & GRAY -CHRISTIANI BROS. - HAGAN & WALLACE -VON BROS. - SPARTEN - CIRCUS KIRK -CIRCUS GENOA - ADAM & SELLS - COLE BROS.

ENTER AT 6:00. SIT DOWN DINNER AT 7:00PRISE $15. PER PERSONSMUST HAVE RESERVATION & MONEY IN BYLATEST DEC. 1ST.PRESENT CAN NOT COST MORE THEN $1.00

Please contact Jenny Wallenda at:2708 DeSoto Road, Sarasota, FL 34234(Also, those that would like to help her, please do!)

******CIRCUS KIDS ******Tiny Albertino (Teeno) Zoppe will likely be in the centerbacktrack entrance during the riding act, perched on theshoulders of the Hungarian acrobat who is a genuinegypsy, watching-his father ride the big bouncy rosin-backs. And Gilbert, aged 4, stands way off down by thebandstand, straining through the maze of lights, aerialrigging, & quarter poles, to see his mama swinging onher trapeze, high above the center ring. "Ooo-la-/a!Ma-ma! says Gilbert as La Norma (his mama, billed as"De«-mark's Bird of Par-adise!") hangs by her teeth &whirls so fast her wavy shock of golden hair looks likespun maple sugar.During the summer, there are usually more than a dozenchildren traveling with the Ringling Bros. Circus, a fewless in the fall when the school-agers go baek to Sarasotato add book learning to sawdust learning.The biggest family ever to hit Ringling was the riding-actCristianis. They had 5 kids-all grown now & running acircus of their own. Last season when I toured with theGreatest Show on Earth, beside Mousie (Jeanette Rix),Gilbert, Teeno, & the Alzana boys (now about 8 yearsold), the kid lineup included 3 fresh-from-GermanyJugend: Berni, 16, Dieter, 15, & Bernt, 14, youngacrobats apprenticed to a risley act (foot juggling usingpeople instead of props); Elona, 5-year-old daughter ofthis risley act bossman; young Alfie Freddi, whoperforms with his father in both a trampoline & ateeterboard act; Antoinetta, 10-year-old deadhead (non-working) member of the Zoppe troupe; Linda Lawson,daughter of the show's asst. manager; Curtis Genders,son of the front door supt, and Emrick Mroczkowski,whose father trains the liberty horses. These last 2 joinedout just for the summer fun. They used the timeprofitably, picking up new acrobatic tricks from theflying trapeze leapers, and considerable pocket moneyfrom selling "bugs" (chameleons) & balloons on themidway. Those were the regulars; through the seasonthere were others off & on, out for a few days or a fewweeks under canvas.Circus families spend all of their day at the showgrounds, going to their staterooms only after the nightshow for late supper & to sleep while the train movesovernight to tomorrow's town. The kids who are bigenough have their own bunks; small ones' snuggle inwith mama or papa.Family dressing rooms at the lot on the Ringling circusare under the grandstand seats in the big steel seat-

wagons spaced around the perimeter of the big topagainst the sidewall. When the circus is on the move, thewagons carry trunks, aerial rigging, props & otherparaphernalia. In the earth-floored cubicles between thewagons, dressing rooms are set up for other acts, clowns& girl performers not in regular acts.One afternoon I was sitting with La Norma & Gilbert'sfather, Andre in their wagon. It's in a rather niceneighborhood-clowns on both sides-and is shared byLola Dobritch, who walks the tight wire in ballet slippers("Dainty Swiss Miss Beyond an Abyss of Intrepidity").Young Gilbert had been missing for about an hour, but,circus fashion, no one was concerned. Andre felt that thekid hadn't gone off the lot (that boundary is seldomcrossed), & he knew that circus children hardly ever gethurt on the lot. There are too many "uncles" on thelookout. Circus discipline is excellent too. The kidsknow enough to beware of tractors, back ends of horses,front ends of elephants, not to poke fingers in cages &not to touch things that are not their own.Berni from the risley act came by to report in Germanthat Gilbert had gone off with Cucciola, the midget, toget some watermelon. Andre passed this to Norma inDanish, & she told me in English. Gilbert finally showedup laden with drippy chunks of watermelon. "Daddy, abear bit me an' a tiger," he said by way of explanation.(Turned out to be slight pin scratch & a mosquito bite.)Gilbert said an "uncle nice-man" provided thewatermelon. In one sticky hand he held a grimy littlecard. It turned out to be an invitation to Albertino's 1stbirthday party. "At seat-wagon 15 in Phoenix, betweenshows." La Norma told me that hanging by her teeth overthe center ring is a cinch to the job of keeping Gilbertclean. To give a kid a bath on the lot, you plunk him intoa bucket. Little ones fit nicely; for bigger ones youimprovise. However, the train carries a laundry car; &this plus the automatic launderettes available in towns enroute simplify circus mothers' washday problem.Nonperforming mamas have more time & find the old-fashioned circus way-by hand in buckets-good enough,certainly cheaper, but also a lot more work.The water man furnishes only 4 bucketfuls a day(morning 2, evening 2), & any extras have to be luggedover from the water wagon. On sunny days, laundry getsstrung up on lines between the big top's guy ropes; ondank days, it hangs around the warm light-plants. Circuskids take afternoon naps just like towner children.

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***CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS****BY MIKE CECERE*

One of the most oft-asked questions around elephants isabout the people who work with them.And while much of the pioneering work was done withthese great beasts by circuses, today the cutting edge ofsuch work is in zoos. Perhaps the biggest differences arein how the people working daily with elephants operate.In zoos, often the staff work 5 days a week, regimentedby labor unions & public employee work rules often.Not that they don't give it 100 % when it's called for.The fine condition of their animals & high reproductionrate is proof they know their business. And as many ofthese fine folk are from academic backgrounds, theyoften make decisions by committee and work in tierfashion. In contrast, the circus business is a lot different.No matter who you are, how much formal schooling youhave or what union you belong to, it's only those whoprove by work that are put in charge. The circus isperhaps the last place in America, (besides farming),where you can still work your way up & be promoted onthe merits of your work. A circus on tour is a busy placewhere everyone must do their job. And only those able tooperate on their own & run their departments aresuccessful. Age is no barrier either. Many of us becomedepartment heads or "Captains" at a very early age, someof us in our teens.And an old saying I remember the famous Robert DaleCline saying, "Once a Captain, always a Captain."Which means, once you become a Captain you alwaysretain that standing, unless, of course, you mess up &don't do your job properly.I was fortunate to have come up in the business when alot of the great master trainers still walked among us anddoing your job right was the most important thing.Coming up on a circus, especially a tent show doing onenight stands, teaches you things no school could everteach you. After loading, unloading, cleaning, training,feeding, washing, presenting & generally looking afterevery need of the giant creatures in all kinds ofconditions, you deserve to be in charge.In fact, with the trend of big zoo parks going to nocontact with the elephants, we should be making agreater effort to attract some of the very talented zoopeople to come work in the circus. One thing for sure, ifsomeone wants to work hands on with an elephant, acircus is a good place to start.And, if they work hard enough, they can be a Capt. too!

CIRCUS ATYDE IN LOS ANGELESREPORTED BY BOBBY HAKES

After the opening, comes 2 cloud swings, side by side.Next, is a clown number with a breakaway bike, unicycle& tiny bikes. Following is hula hoops with aerial finishby Dessi Espana. Next, are the Ramos strap act, duo withAztec feather headdresses, using a smoke machine. TheRussian bar is next with a double back somersault finish,with 6 men & 1 woman. Raoul Pescalo, clown does a gagwith a picnic cooler, as he tries to eat a hot dog (greatdog!). A woman then presents a Liberty act with 8ponies. Intermission. The Globe of Death (MikeCecere's favorite act!) opens the second half, with 3riders & Dessi. Next is a clown jump rope gag with aman from the audience. The elephant act is next with 6elephants, including 2 small Africans. They do the barrel,rolling globe, & a long mount finish. The clown, Raoul,is next with 3 "stuffed" elephants (wind-up toys)-(greatdog!). Vivian Espana is next with a single trap & headbalance on motorized swivel. Teeterboard is next with •The Boichanovi (?), 2 women & 7 men. They do a singleback to 2,3, & 4 high, double. Twist then back to 3,single to 4, single to hi-chair, single twist to 4; double to4 & finish-single to 5 (pole & mechanic). The flying actnet is then set up. The Rodogels, use multi-perch &Russian swing; main below pedestal, man on & abovecatch bar, above trapeze. 2 men & a woman on pedestal.They do the passing leap, triple, & bounce to catch bar.A clown with suitcase starts the finale, with the entirecast introduced. Thanks, Bobby.*********************************************

Tom Shaffer, of Phoenix reports the Culpepper &Merriweather 1-ring circus has completed its season &returned to its winter quarters near Phoenix in QueenCreek, AZ. The 1999 season will begin about March 1.They are currently the only circus with winter quarters inthe state of Arizona, although there are rumors that thenew Circus Chimera is looking for possible winterquarters in Arizona or New Mexico, or some othersouthwest location. Circus Chimera originated inOklahoma & is wrapping up a very successful openingseason, with a long run in the San Francisco area.*********************************************

Sheelagh Jones, of Chicago reports the annualluncheon of the John Davenport/Col. Earl Tegge Tentwill be Nov. 14th, in Rosemont, IL. Afterwards, theywill attend the Ringling show at the Rosemont Horizon.Please give us a report, Sheelagh!

*****CIRCUS KIDS *****The only difference is they've learned to sleep throughall sorts of noise-tractor clatter, elephant trumpeting,clown explosions, & that biggest noise of all-the circusband. Gilbert naps in the back of his father's wagon on acut-down canvas cot. Linda, fancier, lolls in a fringedhammock slung in one of the dressing rooms. Albertinogets his baby winks in a portable crib set up outside theZoppe wagon, & the steady drone of the light plant nearby bothers him not at all.Circus youngsters are great noise ignorers. The circustrain is a good conditioner. It is hauled as freight, & thissort of travel is unbelievably rough-so much switching &crashing about in freight yards & on sidings, plenty ofjarring stops & jerky starts, almost none of that easyglide-out stuff that you get on regular trains. And thewindows have no glass-only slatted louvers & insectscreens-so that when an honest-to-gosh real freight trainroars by, the sheer force of it almost blasts you out of bedinto the aisle. Teeno's birthday party was very festive.Colored balloons & serpentine were strung from thewagon to the sidewall, & there was a large cake, droolingwith globs of pink roses.Refreshments (jelly beans, chocolate buds, peanuts &soda pop) were laid out on the flat, round side of one ofthe big reels that carry light cables into the big top.All the kids were there, several performers & a couple ofwistful-looking ushers whose kids were back home & faraway. Albertino didn't rate the full circus band, so LittleJimmy, the midget, played Happy Birthday on histrumpet. He also brought each of the kids a present(trinkets from the Phoenix five-and-dime). Antoinettawouldn't let Jimmy kiss her because her mother told hernever to let little boys get fresh.The baby gorillas couldn't come at the last minute. (Mile.Toto had a slight sniffle; and the keeper was afraid thekids might catch it. There were plenty of up-endedbuckets for the kids to sit on, for the Zoppe wagon isoccupied by 8 people: Cucciola, his mother, his 2 sisters,Alberto and Jenny (Albertino's parents), Alberto's sister,Tosca, & the Grandmacita. (Her job is making the frillypink paper hoops that Alberto leaps through in his act.)The kids had a big time. Young Alfie wore the cowboysuit that one of the clowns had given him. (I'm told hewore it to bed the first night just like any American kid.)Gilbert, with his toes stuck in Dixie cups, gave animitation of Miss Lola on her tight wire. And Cucciolaexhibited his baby alligator. ("He don't bite. Sticka you

finger in, & you see.") Albertino's papa showed somemovies on the open wagon door: Albertino one day old;Albertino 14 days old, holding onto papa's finger;Albertino 7 months old, doing credible somersaults on abed; and Albertino, same age, really walking; andAlbertino poised on one foot on papa's hand held highover papa's head. Rose Hanlon, the lady clown, soulfullyaccompanied the pictures on her trombone. Aftereverything had been eaten, the kids plunged into the bigtop & improvised a reckless game on the hanging end ofa 40-foot-long web (a sleeve-covered rope used for aerialacrobatics.) Cucciola made a sling seat & swung in greatarcs, trying to knock down the other kids. This hilaritycontinued until the cry of "Do-o-ors! Everybody out!"which means the public is coming.These birthday parties are big events for the kids, butthere are lots of other things to keep them entertained.They like to bounce on the trampoline. The acrobatsdon't mind as long as they don't catch the kids at it, & ifthey take off their shoes. They young kiddos use the bearslide as a seesaw. The little girls like to ride in theSpectacle-not to be on an elephant, but because here is achance to wear make-up. All the girls have dolls, & allthe dolls can do somersaults, layout backs, & round-offflip-flaps. If they lie forgotten at tear-down time, one ofthe clowns or an acrobat will toss them into his trunk foran overnight stowaway! Dangerous toys are kept to aminimum (things like boomerangs & cap guns), & waterpistols are kept under control-squirting fathers &personal friends permitted, no squirting elephants.Sometimes silly toys like roller skates will turn up. Tryroller skating sometime in high grass.Mousie, the bear man's daughter, has the most enviedtoy-a real live Teddy bear-but Albertino gets to ride ahorse anytime he wants to. To supplement formalschooling, one of the young clowns, Albert White, runs abetween-shows school for any kid who wants to come.The curriculum is rather conventional-reading is fromIst-grade readers, sums & spelling are elementary, nogeography or biology. Language is no problem at theschool. The foreign kids all learn English very quicklyfrom the others. And they prefer it to their native tongue,Gilbert dislikes French & calls Danish "mama's French."Even little Mousie won't speak German, except to countup to ten, which she also does in English. She already hasa fair American vocabulary: hello, bye-bye, cookhouse,Mexico, hi, mama, hi-mama, popcorn and lemonade.Behavior of circus kids is usually very good.

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127th EDITION RINGLING RED UNIT:St. Louis, MO-Kiel Center-Nov. 4-8128TH EDITION RINGLING BLUE UNIT:Rosemont, IL-Rosemonl Horizon-Nov. 4-15Chicago. IL-United Center-Nov. 17-29Huntsville, AL-Van Braun Civic Arena-Dec. 3-6Miami, FL-Miami Arena-12/26-1/3Sunrise, FL-Nat'l Car Rental Center-1/7-1/10Jacksonville, FL-Coliseum-1/14-1/18

BIG APPLE CIRCUS: New York City-Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center October 22 thruJanuary 10George Garden Circus: Glenpool, OK-Nov. 3; Alua,OK-Nov. 5; Miami, OK-Nov. 7; Ft. Worth, TX-Nov.9-21; Ada. OK-Nov. 22 (Thanks to Bill Loter of Hugo,OK for sending these in.)

BACK YARDis published twice monthly-(15th & 30th) by CherieValentine, 1522 Clinton Blvd., Bloomington, IL 61701. Ph.309-828-0737 (no collect calls, please) E-mail:cdvalen@ilstu.edu Subscription rates are S25.00 peryear, for 24 issues, within the USA. Advertising rates,payable in advance, with your copy, are: Full page $30; Halfpage $15; Quarter Page $10; 1/8 page $5. "The column,"The Fox," is written by Jenny Wallenda. Other material iswritten by Cherie Valentine, unless otherwise identified asto author. Reprints from other published material areidentified as to source. Comments by writers are their ownand do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher.Back Yard is a pro-circus, pro-animal publication, whichsupports the use of animals which are legally held andproperly cared for, in the American circus.

RINGLBVG'S HOT TICKET? - 10/26/98By Michael PoIIick-Sarasota Herald

"Occupying center stage at the Ringling Museum of theCircus is a metal platform, on which 2 dozen facelessmannequins wear famous circus costumes.The platform, installed in 1986, is known among circusfolks as "The Erector Set" because it looks like a largeversion of the old toy & because it has no relationship ofany kind to their craft. 12 years later, the costumes stillhave no placards to identify their wearers. While the artmuseum benefited from a $20 million face-lift in 1990, &Ca' d'Zan is in the midst of a $10 million beautytreatment, the Ringling Museum of the Circus has, for

the most part, gathered dust. Museum officials have theireye on a prize-elevating the complex to national statusthru a $50 million-plus fund-raising drive that wouldleave it with a new entrance, new visitors center, newgalleries for contemporary art & a new library,conservation & storage facilities.Some wonder whether it is feasible for the fine-artadvocates who run the complex to create a good circusmuseum. It would be interesting to ask Prof. GeorgeKeller. He is represented by one of the 2 dozen facelessmannequins...the one wearing the gold-striped pants, theEisenhower jacket with the sequins & the jaunty militarycap. Keller, who died in 1960, was an art professor whobecame a lion tamer."They could have labels," said Richard Lisy, aphotographer & circus history buff from Cleveland, whopointed out Keller's unmarked costume to a reporter. Hisdiagnosis: "It's that art-museum mentality, more art thanhistory." Deborah Walk, the circus museum curator, whohas no staff, said she plans to create labels for thecostumes, but has been waiting while volunteers researchthe costumes.The place makes some circus people mutter in disgust. "Itdoesn't look like anything," said Arthur Grotefent, ofSarasota, who performed as one of the Wallendas for 28years. E Verner Johnson, the Boston consultant, says,"You have this incredible asset. Why aren't you doingmore with it? It is one of the pieces that puts you on thenational map..if it's done in a way that is of a nationalclass." Marlow Cook, one of the trustees, says, "If I hada major collection, & went thru that building, I wouldn'tgive it to you. I'd give it somewhere else..Because thatfacility is not adequate for a worldwide facility torepresent the industry of circuses established by theRingling family."David Ebitz, director of the museum said for anexpanded circus museum to be built, donors whospecifically want one must come forward.In May, Dolly Jacobs & Pedro Reis held a live circus onthe grounds. 5000 people came thru the turnstile. "Itcame to life, is what happened," Dolly said. TomDunwoody, of the Circus Hall of Fame, in Peru, IN said,"An art museum & circus museum really aren'tcompatible. We found out that the museum can't standby itself." Mac MacDougall, former Ringling mgr. says,"Maybe they need a good circus promoter to come inthere & show them how to draw money & draw people.That is what it is all about!" (Thanks to Dale Riker fortelling me about this article.)

******CIRCUS KIDS ******When the Alzana kids were smaller, they used to mess uptheir wagon making-up like clowns while the family wasout performing in the big top. And one time, they white-washed some trunks. But those are normal deviations.Once though, a couple of performers' kids were barredfrom the sideshow because the snake charmer was afraidof them, but that was exceptional.Circus children all get along together famously. There isno racial intolerance & no \vrong-side-of-the-tracksbusiness. They all live down by the railroad, right on thetracks! Circus mamas are apt to be very healthy & theytake childbirth casually. Miss Lola rode a unicycle on hertight wire until she was 7 months along with her littleEmil (he's with his father now on another circus). Sherejoined the show when the boy was only 1 month old.Lola kept her pregnancy secret until 6 months (her ballettutu was a great maternity garment). At 7 months, shecasually visited an obstetrician in Providence. RI. Hedidn't know her profession. "Is it all right if I keep onwalking?", she asked."Depends on what kind of walking," he said. She flippedopen a magazine which had a picture of her on the wire.The doctor blanched, then made her promise to get downoff the wire right away-well, maybe tomorrow, becausehe had tickets for the circus that night & he wanted to see,with his own eyes, a 7-months' pregnancy riding aunicycle across a tight wire!Circus kids all love circus life & hate to leave theirsawdust world for school in the fall. I was sitting withMinnie Alzana, fearless Harold's wife, in their wagonjust after Alan had left for Sarasota. " 'E didn't cry ormake a fuss, but 'e came right out & said 'e'd rather stayon the circus," Minnie said. "The day before 'e left forschool, 'is father took 'im up on the wire. At first 'edidn't want to go, but I said, 'C'mon, ducks, I'll go too,'& then 'e went. 'Arold wanted to see 'ow 'e'd react, if'e'd get scared or not. 'E 'adn't been up for a long while.'E liked being pulled up on a rope around 'im. 'Aroldtook 'im across on 'is shoulders. 'E was looking down atVeronica, the juggler. I think 'e wanted to get back downthere to 'elp 'er pick up the balls she'd drop. The onlytime 'e made a murmur at all was when 'Arold wanted todo 3 'igh. So we just went a little piece out on the wire,didn't go all the way."Minnie marked her place in a paperback she was reading(ChadHanna) & continued. "We used to take 'im on'Arold's shoulders before 'e was 3, 'Arold would tic 'is

feet in so's 'e couldn't fall, but people made complaints& the police came & we 'ad to stop." You know, if I wasa circus kid, I'd sort of hate to leave such a wonderful lifetoo! THE END (No date given for this article.)

BIG TOP TO RETURN AS CITY LANDMARKFrom the Sarasota Herald by Dorothy Pratt. Thanks toBobby Hakes for sending this in.The National Circus School of Performing Acts,established this year in Sarasota, has purchased the tent touse for performances starting Thanksgiving Day & as acircus arts classroom starting Jan. 4. The shows herald areturn of the seasonal performances that were a part ofthe local scene when Ringling Bros, wintered in Sarasotafrom 1927 to 1958 & in Venice from 1959 to 1992.Proceeds from the shows will support the school.The tent is to go up on a pasture west of 1-75 on FruitvilleRd. The daring, 7-man pyramid of the Wallcnda Troupewill highlight performances during the first fewweekends. It will be the first performance of the 7-manpyramid in Sarasota since 1977, when it was done for thefilming of a movie about the Wallendas. "We'd like tohelp the circus school get going so that Sarasota canagain be the circus capital of the world, said TinoWallenda-Zoppe, grandson of the legendary KarlWallenda. His troupe of 13, which includes 10 KarlWallenda descendants, resurrected the dangerous act lastMarch in Detroit. "We've heard from so many Sarasotanswho love circus. Now, we're hoping they'll prove theirlove by coming to our circuses," said Pedro Reis, founderof the Circus School. Pedro & co-founder Dolly Jacobsare friends of the Wallendas & performed their ownaerial act in Detroit last March on the same bill. Theschool has free use of the property thru March. The tent,worth $300,000 was designed in Italy & used by theMoscow Circus. It was purchased for $100,000 with aloan from Sarasota Bank. "We really need people to helpus get on our feet & then we want to be self-sustaining,"Pedro said. "We hope to get donations of generators,forklifts, lights. We have plumbers & electricians givingtheir time & the performers are working from their heartsfor peanuts." David Rosaire will present his Pekinese dogact. The board of directors include Andy Carlson, chair;Allan C. Hill, Arthur Goldberg, Rita Adler, DeborahWalk, Tom Johnson & J. Mack Reid. "Our aim is to offerstudents an additional source of education & revive thefaded image of the circus arts," Pedro said. If you'd liketo help call Pedro at 941-924-7054.

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*STEEL DREAMS by MIKE CECERE*During my many years in the circus business, I've beenfortunate to view some really great talent. Naturally, as awild animal trainer/elephant man, those are the acts I'mmost interested in.However, I know a good "people" act when I see one.And one of my favorites has always been The Globe ofDeath.Only recently in this country have we seen the widepopularity of these acts catch on with the public. I reallygot to see a wide variety of globe acts when I toured inSouth America in 1983.Just about every circus from the biggest to the smallestdown there has a globe act. And outside the U.S., thecircus is on its own as an entertainment entity, noShriners, Jaycees or other sponsors. It's got to be a goodshow to draw the paying public.Often the shows I was on would play for weeks in bigcities in Columbia & Peru, with other shows close by.(No TV except Bay watch and soccer down there folks!)And we'd go visit "Busmen's Holiday" style so I got tosee quite a few daring teams of globe riders down there.You'd have the young fellows on their way up wantingto go faster than anyone else. Then, you'd see the olderguys who'd crashed a few times, giving a good show butstaying within the speed of light.I even saw one small show that had bought a globe froma larger circus that had one damaged in a truck wreck.What was funny is that several panels were dented badly& he only could run the globe a certain way. But in thelittle villages that show played it was plenty exciting forthem! Another large show I was on owned all theanimals, the large rigging & owned a cannon, Globe ofDeath, high wire rigging, flying return rigging & aWheel of Destiny & had a group of young people whowould alternate in all these acts.Just the other night, I saw a TV special on NBC that hadthat outstanding Globe of Death act from the RiveraHotel Casino in Las Vegas. That brought back lots ofmemories of tropical places and Steel Dreams.*********************************************

OINKING FOR HELP-PITTSBURGH 10/10/98Pot Bellied Pig Saves Owner's Life by Lying in Front ofa Car, by Mike Fuoco: It was just like those "Lassie"episodes where Timmy would injure himself in thewilderness & the ever-loyal, super-intelligent colliewould run to town, bark for help & lead rescuers to hermaster. OK, it was almost like that. Except that Jo Ann

II

Altsman, of Beaver Falls, didn't twist her ankle but had aheart attack. It was in the bedroom of her vacation traileron Presque Isle. And the pet that ran-er, waddled-for helpwas a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig named LuLu. Whenyou think about it, LuLu's real life feat the morning ofAug. 4 was much more amazing than any of Lassie'sfictional rescues because she can't bark. That didn'tmatter. Smart pig that she is, LuLu did the next bestthing. She laid down in front of a car on the road outsidethe trailer & then led the disbelieving motorist to Jo Ann,whose ordeal lasted 45 minutes. Had 15 more minuteselapsed, doctors told her, she likely would have died."Pigs are very, very smart. They are smarter than dogs,"Jo Ann, 57, said. She is recuperating from heart surgeryshe underwent 9/15. Take that Lassie! And you too,Bear. That's Jo Ann's Eskimo dog, who did nothing butbark at her after she collapsed & tried to summon help bybreaking a bedroom window. Her husband was fishingon Lake Erie at the time. "LuLu looked at my head. Shemade sounds like she was crying. You know they crybig, fat tears." But LuLu pulled herself together, &headed outside thru the piggy door & into the fenced-inyard. She somehow pushed open the gate & walked intothe road. She waited until a car approached & thenwalked onto the road & laid down in front of it. Severaltimes she returned to Jo Ann, only to leave again & try toget help.One man stopped, but later said he was so unsure of whatthe creature on the road was that he was afraid to get out."She's not very attractive," said Jo Ann. But anothermotorist stopped for the prone pig & got out. LuLu knewjust what to do. She led the man to the house & therescue. "I heard a man hollering thru the door, 'Lady,your pig's in distress.' I said, "I'm in distress too! Call anambulance." Jo Ann never learned the man's name.Medics quickly arrived. But when LuLu tried to get intothe ambulance with her, medics gently let LuLu knowshe had done enough for one day!LuLu was 1 one year old July 4. LuLu went from 4pounds to 150! And counting. And how did Jo Annthank her? "She got a jelly doughnut!" Somehow, Lassieno longer came to mind!*********************************************

Bob Grant reports The Chappie Fox Ring of Olympia,WA held its Grand Opening Show with 4 of ourmembers showing at the Nat'l Armory Oct 24. There was3 circuses-2 American & 1 European & a carnival.Another show is in Nov. (Hope your computer getswell!)

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NEWS FROM OUR CIRCUS FRIENDSthe Clown Troupe. This was probably one of Tommy'sbest Milwaukee productions. The 1999 Circus Train wil ltour 4-days prior to Milwaukee, so more Wise, circusfans can see the Circus Train.Since the Emmett Kelly Tent Banquet was Oct. 10th inHagerstown, with guest speaker, Grandma, let's hearfrom those of you that attended! Dave sent along abrochure of the Railroaders Memorial Museum inAltoona, PA. Please check out their web site atwww.railroadcity.com*********************************************

Richard Tuck, El Cerrito, CA writes that tragedystruck at the circus, Oct. 22, as a young trapeze performerfell from her perch & landed on the asphalt pavementbelow.Until this year, I have been just an average circus fan, butfor the last 3 months I have been spending most wakingmoments helping out with a young circus that has beenplaying Northern Calif. It is named Circus Chimera & itis a brand new circus that just began performances onApril 28th of this year. It is a wonderful circus, full ofvery talented performers.The 22nd, they were putting on their show in JackLondon Square, in Oakland & it was an especiallyexciting night. 19-year-old Ginger Knieppe was going tounveil her brand new trapeze act. Just after intermissionat the beginning of the 2nd act, everyone in the show wasgathered in the tent, along with all the audience members.All eyes were glued on the single trapeze as 5' 2" Gingerstarted her aerial silks act. Then, she started climbing thesilks 30 ft. into the air to reach the trapeze.The music was building & tension filled the air. Gingertook her position on the single trapeze & did her firststunt. The audience was thunderous with their applause.From where I was seated, I could tell that Ginger wasvery nervous. After all, she was unveiling an act that shehad been developing for months in secrecy.Then, just as Ginger was about to do her 2nd stunt,something went dreadfully wrong. She was swingingfrom the bar one moment, getting ready to curve herbody up & over the bar, but somehow she pushed toohard & her body totally cleared the trapeze & she wentplunging to the ground below. The safety device attachedaround her waist broke her fall slightly, but her entireweight landed on her right arm & wrist. For a fewseconds, she lay on the ground & the entire arena satmotionless. Then she began to cry out in pain.

Workers dashed into the ring & fellow performersquickly gathered around Ginger to lift & carry her out ofthe ring.The audience sat quietly as the music stopped & thecenter ring was plunged into darkness. It took a couple ofminutes for the music to resume & for the next act to getready to begin their performance.Meanwhile, behind the scenes, in the rear of the tent,Ginger lay crying in agony. An ambulance was quicklydispatched, but it seemed forever before we heard thescreaming sound of the ambulance signal. I meanwhilesat next to Ginger & held her hand & wiped her forehead.Her make-up was streaked down her face with tears &she was trying to hold up her badly twisted wrist.A fire truck arrived first, & the rescue team tried puttinga splint on Ginger's arm until the ambulance couldarrive. Ginger was screaming in agony, as they tried tostraighten out her arm & wrist to wrap them in a splint. Ifelt hopeless sitting there holding her other hand whilethis 19-year-old girl tried bravely to endure the painthrobbing thru her right arm.When the ambulance finally arrived, it did not take longbefore they had her strapped to a portable bed & weretaking her away to the nearest hospital. The performancecontinued, but everyone was overwhelmed with concern& grief. For a trapeze aerialist to land on her wrist mightmean the end of a brilliant, young career in the circus.Her mother owns a circus school in Toronto & Gingerhas always made it clear she intends to spend her lifeperforming. We all felt awful. At the end of the show, Imade my usual announcement to the audience, but 1 alsoasked for their prayers for Ginger.2 hours later, some of the other performers returned fromthe hospital but not with Ginger. They had gone to visither & had hoped to bring her some tonight. She is insteadspending the night in observation. The doctors tookx-rays & are waiting for the results. They have injectedher with pain killers & she is sleeping restfully.I am now home & have tried sleeping, but I keep relivingthose moments earlier this evening, when a beautiful,talented young lady, with a great smile & a wonderfulpersonality plunged to the ground in the midst of herdebut performance.(On Oct. 22, Richard wrote: Ginger has a broken leftthumb & a broken right wrist. If Ginger needs to stay inthe hospital, the entire circus wants to go visit her (onceshe is out of the emergency room!)Thanks Richard for this report.

Ruth Cristiani Cole Circus 1946

BARNES CIRCUSMcAFEE RIDING

Back Yard1522 Clinton Blvd.Bloomington, IL 61701

FIRST CLASS MAIL!