YAHAPPY AJEW YEAR

Volume IV, Issue #82 December 31,1999

HOW THEY LOUSED UP THE CIRCUSBY BILL BALLANTINE

(SAGA-May, 1962)Dedicated to Roberta and Family

An ex-clown himself, SAGA's Big Top observer putsthe blame on big shots for the demise of "The

Greatest Show On Earth!"At Madison Square Garden in NY City, the Ringling Bros.Circus, known far and wide as The Greatest Show On Earth,was scrambling through the hectic opening night of its 1956season. During the previous year the mammoth tented showhad experienced a tremendous organizational upheaval. Wise;and experienced head had been lopped, and a good manygreenhorns had been put in positions of importance. That nightwas the debut of the new regime. Circus followers were curiousto see what kind of a show the new bosses would come up with.The production's most dazzling number, called "Spec", waslumbering around the hippodrome track. From a vantage pointalongside the performers' main entrance to the center ring, thecircus director, a cocky ex-vaudevillian named RichardBarstow, proudly watched the lavish procession.Barstow had stood in that very same spot at every Ringlingopening since 1949, the season he first joined the circus aschoreographer, under its head man, the celebrated John MurrayAnderson. That was the year John Ringling North regained hispower over the big circus after having been tossed out on hisear a couple of seasons earlier. It was also the year North beganto transform the Ringling circus into a girlie-girlieextravaganza, with acts and effects that would not have beenout of place in a Parisian night club.At that time Barstow was merely a minor element in the newstyle circus. But on that 1956 opening night Barstow stood nextto John Ringling North. A cluster of circus officials anxiouslyfluttered around that vainglorious nabob, paying him court.There was Max Weldy, the show's fussy designer, HenryRingling North, John's younger brother and one of the circusVP's; and a tall husky young fellow named Michael BaileyBurke, who was the show's brand-new exec, director, hand-picked by Johnny North. Burke was a man of absolutely nocircus experience; his middle name had been newly added forits tanbark flavor. Self-consciously handsome, he looked like amale model for pipe tobacco ads. "Congratulations, Richard."Henry North said warmly to Barstow. "You've done a marvelous job." (Continued on Page 4)

•Jorge Pages Daisyft 9-Year Old Colleen5,

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FOX 75

Dear Fox Friends;Well I am still alive and ever)' thing went like clockwork. I had the best people in the world with me and thatmade it so great. The show was great all the people werewonderful. No complainer no body was mad at anyone, itjust was great. The show was a little long but everyonesemed to enjoy it and I had a few cals and letters frompeople in town telling me how much they enjoyed theshow. And believe it or not, not one animal activistshowed up tho 1 advertized that I had 8 animal act in theshow: Isn't it marvelos, I am so overjoyed I can not stoptalking about it. But now to the show.I put a line up of the acts and that way it went no onecomplained about anything. We started off with a GrandParade which included the Honor Guards from differentorcanization. Police Dept. Fire Dept. VFW, Lions, theRangers from the Tabernacle, the Faith Christian School.Sorry to say the other ones did not show up. The Shrinershad some parade going on in Englewood, so they couldnot spare us even one outfit with all the units they have.But we did great with what we had.After they all were in we had Schlarbaum and hisvolonteer play the National Anthem then Pastor NevellGritt gave a short blessing. All left and we had 8 dancinggirls from Penny Wilsons daughter making poses like theHarold Tribune has and did some acrobatic. Then Giseladid her contortion. This was all anounced by KimbellKeller who did a great job and then anounced JohnHerriott and turned the Ringmaster ship over to him andHeidie Herriott. Who then did not forget to anounce oneby one of the dignities. Next followed Kay Rosaire withher educational cat act, honoring not only herself but alsoClyde Beatty, Alfred Court and Mabel Stark.Then honoring the Wallendas, hanging pcrtch Rictta andLyric Wallenda and on the other side Alida Wallenda andhusband Robinson Cortez on the cradle act. The cagewent down like lightning. Following that act wasGiovanni Zoppe with his comedy loop to loop. ThenFJIian Rosair with her Comedy Horse, following her wasAlmas with his jumping handbalanctng act honoring theYong Bros. Laura Herriott with the camel act honoringher dad, Jason Walker juggler, honoring Truzzi, Franzand Lotti Brunn. The bear act by Kim riding barebackhorses honoring Albert Rix, Michael Ashton and hischildren honoring the Nelson Family, Pam & Roger

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Zoppe/Rosaire chimps they arc in The Ring of Fame.Giovanni Zoppe Comedy Act. the Bare Back RidingLoyal Family send by Tommy Ilanneford. honoringHanncford, Cristianis, Loyal Rcpinskys. Every boddywent in this act, Clayton Rosaire did the stooge in the actand Giovanni also clowned around. All the Loyals werein the act even the little tiny girl. Then Intermission withchimp picture taking and elephant ride. (Sorry folks, 1 dolike that better then the snakes, as I am deadly afraid ofsnakes.Second halve opened up with Alams & Norbol Pertchact, Gabriella Guzman trapez and one arm swings,honoring Lilian Litzel-Elly Ardelty & La Norma. AdrianPoemas one finger stand, also send by TommyHanneford, he is his son-in-law Nellies husband. Hehonored Unus. Ring of F'ame entry Ellian with a comedycowboy horse act. Aurelia Wallenda & Sasha PavlataDoble Cloudswing, honoring the Wallendas. Then BrianFranzen and his elephants honoring Buckles Woodcockending with Finale of entire cast, Old Lang Sign wasplayed and then all the performers went in to the ordianceto say good by to the end of this century and welcome theNew Millenium. This was the show but there were thepeople with out this could not happen.Dick Garden who gave the back drop, ring mat. ringcurb, lighting, sound system and all his crew to set it up.Duke was the back bone of it all, he also acted as propboss. Niles Garden handled the soundsystem and did afantastic job of it. Roy Huston took care of all thedrumming in the show when ever needed. DutchCrawford helped. On the prop department was JoeGuzman who helped when ever needed, Mario Zerbini,Samson Zerbini, Dieter Galombo. From the stars of theRing of Fame present ware Daviso Cristiani, La Norma,Paul Nelson, Harold Alsana, John Yong, Derick Rosaire,Fay Alexander, Sylvanna Zacchini Meluzzi, Tito &ChellaGaona, Dolly Jacobs.There were lots and lots of circus owners, ex performersand agents watching the show, but I really was to busy tosee who they all were. The only once I really noticed wasJeanette Williams and Charly Bauman as they weresitting close to were I was. 1 think it was a great show andI like to thank everyone with all my heart for comming tomy aid. Now I need to apologize to Jackie Le Clair, as hewas going to be so nice and come to honor Blinko, butwhen I looked over all the acts I had I called him. As hewas not home I left it on his answering machine to tellhim that I just over booked the show and hope he willunderstand. (Continued On Page 5)

"£ousccf'Up 'Tfic Circus".I 'urning lo Wcldx. the v p continued besloxving kudos "Max."he murmured reverently, "ii's gorgeous, jusl gorgeous " ToIt iukc . Henry said. "Mike, you've done a marvelous joh-marx clous, simply man clous." In marked contrast lo theses l x h s h l x dressed saxvdust-imporlanls. and slightly detachedfiom them, stood a dignified Irish Catholic piiesl He xx'asFather I d Sullivan, knoxvn lo everyone under canvas-ccnlcr-rina star lo simplest \xorkhand-as the Circus Priest. MichaelBailey Burke turned lo Father Sullivan, and inquired pleasantly."How do you l ike our circus this year. Father? Absolutelyxxonderful. isn't il?" The priest gave Ihe new executive directora sharp searching look "When does il start?" he asked coldly.Burke beckoned Barsloxv over "Dick." he said, "FatherSullivan doesn't seem lo care much for our new circus." Thecircus director smiled ingenuously. "But, Father." he protesledjokingly, "ihey only gave me 7 days and 7 and a half dollars lodo il wilh " The priest, a steadfast champion of the simplecharm of Ihe robust old-fashioned circus, has long been anoutspoken critic of John Ringling North's frilly juiced-upmodem show "Barloxv."' he said, mispronouncing the director'sname, "you put this shoxv together on ihe Irain on your way upfiom FloridaBarsloxv didn I bal an eye. but inwardly he cursed the newexecutive director. Mad Michael Bailey Burke more of Iheciicus aboul him than a phony middle name he'd have knownbetter than to fish for compliments from Father Sullivan-especially that night, for ihe show was much gaudier, more feyand more blatantly sexy than usualTo carry out Ihe Spec's iheme. "Say II Wilh Flowers." trapezeflyers xvcre ridiculously (& reluctantly) costumed as tulips,morning glories and petunias; other bulging-muscled circusathletes were disguised as humming birds, bees and butterflies.The whole affair was embarrassing. Jeep-powered floats,clumsily constructed of iron, plexiglass and plyboard,awkwardly depicted fanciful gardens of lilies, roses and otherexotic blooms, as well as The Four Seasons. Autumn wasparticularly repulsive; il looked somexvhat like a hillock of stalehorse manure.Father Ed viewed these passing artistic miscarriages wilhdisgust "The only thing I've seen so far that's absolulely justright is that wheelbarrow full of pansies that just went by."Jaunti ly he relumed the salute of a passing clown, who wascostumed as what appeared to be a wilting hollyhock. "I givethis glorious production jusl 6 weeks on ihe road; theneverybody had belter look out." Michael Bailey Burke edgedaxxay nervously; Barslow continued lo smile polilely, but hiseyes had turned steely cold "And I wasn't so far offal that," theCircus Priest said jovially to me recently during lunch while ona brief visit to NY City. "As we all know, that summer in July,al Pittsburgh. Ringling Bros, folded its Big Top-forever,according to Johnny North." Of course, even Ihe most rabidopponents of circus humbug concede that Messrs Verlcs &Barstovv's floral Spec, as boring as il was. actually had little to

do wilh the Ringl ing closing, beyond indicat ing Ihe show'sstrong leaning toward a Broadway vulgarization of Ihe circusand a steady drill away from the lusty sawdust Hadi t ions of theHig Top. In the Ringling demise more critical (actors wereinvolved a run of unusual ly foul weather; stubborn labordifficulties; increasingly high cost of rail transportation; agrowing scarcity of adequate showgrounds But mostly therehad been questionable judgment at policy levelOn dial dark day in circus history when Ringling Bros finallycollapsed. John Ringling North made a flying visit lo his circusand issued, from Ihe sanctuary of a private suite on the showtrain, a terse statement lo the press, saying that (he circus as heknew it was a thing of the past. Circus buffs coast-lo-coastbreathed easier. Maybe North was getting some sense in hisstubborn Dutch head. Maybe now the dancing girls and balletboys would be run off Ihe lot and people could see elephantsand horses again. The clowns might get time enough in whichlo make people laugh again. Maybe the circus would get rid ofthose gargly-wavy-haired baritones singing theme songs.Maybe even Barstow would gel the gate.But no such luck. The following year, when Ihe Ringling circusrelumed lo the road for its 87th season, everything was prettymuch the same. The show, however, now reorganized as anindoor presentation, was greatly reduced in size Its 80-car trainhad been replaced by a fleet of aboul a dozen specially designedtrailer-truck vans. The menagerie and sideshows had beendropped. Personnel were drastically reduced and forced loIravel by private aulos and house trailers. Performers weredoubling and tripling in acls. Production numbers werestretched thinner than ever to cover Ihe scarcity of expensivetop-grade acts. Barstow was still in there, pitching the newflashy floss, driving more well-muscled ballet broads &acrobats than ever through simple 1-2-3-kick routines. Thetenacious director had somehow managed to escape thesqueeze. His Spec creation for I9S7 was a ponderous fairy taledubbed "The Coronation of Mother Goose." To save money, itscostuming was largely a rehash from previous circusproductions; hep show folk took delight in identifying variouspieces by vintage year. After he had sweated out that season'spenny-pinching production, Barstow. still smiling, left RinglingBros, to its own devices.In 1958 the man responsible for what direction there was ofRingling's new tab-show circus was Tony Valona. a lyric writerwho sometimes helped John North with his song composing,which he does on a saxophone. The Spec then, a wan atlempt tobring back some old-time circus flavor, was an uninspired bit ofArabian mish-mash entitled, "A Thousand and One Nights." Itresembled a Halloween parade in Shamokin. Pennsylvania.Barstow was still absent from Ringling in 1959. That year'sindoor jamboree a la North was directed by a young dancer,Chel Tolliver. who had appeared in Barstow's 1956 productionas Ihe rear-end of a silken-maned. mincing prop horse. Al thispoint, John Ringling North set up a howl for Ihe return of theexperienced hand of Barstow.

(Continued on Page 7)

"T:if'£I Ic look il wrong and was hurt . I am very sorry ahoul thaiI did nol wauled lo hurt anyone. When send in iheschedule I naiurally did not put Jackiess name in as. hewould not appear in ihe show. Please someone tell Jackiethat I did nol want lo hurt his feeling. I know he is a greatclown. And I hope he wi l l forgive me. Jackie please wewere friends for to long.Yes, I do have to report that Thea Borza died Dec. 12th,she was 89 years old. There are not to many around anymore who remember her when she was a greal performer.She was Charlie Borzas wife and after they leftshowbussiness they owned the Main Bar, whereshowfolks had quite a few meetings before they boughtthe land on Lockwood Ridge Rd.By the way, when I told you about all of us old girls werewilling to performe at Ihe Showfolks Circus, I mentionedCarla Wallenda. Hey folks, she is still out there doing herhighwire and highpole act and could do still all the acts,she will not retire from show business for quite a fewyears. I do not know how she does it. but she is still agreat performer earring on in the Wallenda tradition.One more thing, in the last letter I made a type mistake,the Ringling Reunion will be the ninth of January not the19th, the ninth. Please let me know if you like to come.The meal will be knockwurst, potato salad, baked beans,macarony and cheese souer craut and cheese cake. Theprice will be $12.00. So let me know who is willing tocome and send your money in advance.I think this will be all the news for to day. Now 1 wishyou all a very Mary Christmas Und Einen Guten RutschIns Neue Jahr. Felic Novida - Bon Natale.

Love Always,Your Fox

CIRCUS FANS AND FRIENDS,BEST WISHES

THROUGH THE HOLIDAYSEASONS!!

GENE MASCIOLICIRCUS FANS PAST PRESIDENT

1998-1999

Ky Mike CecereBack in the days of the old wild west, many legendaryfigures were bom. One of the most famous were theTexas Rangers. They would ride into some of iheloughest. most backward lowns alone and w i t h i n a shortperiod, restore order. A noteworthy incident was in adusty west Texas cowtown where a riot lasting severaldays ensued.Telegraphing for help, the townspeople expected acompany or more of troops lo come galloping in. Instead,a lone Ranger came, his backup on his hip.The town's Mayor rushed up to him and asked, "Theyonly sent one Ranger?" To which replied the Ranger,"You've only got one riot don't you?"'In Austin, Texas, there is a statue commemorating thiswith Ihe motto, "One Riot, One Ranger." This scenariohas been reenacted in just the past few days when famedElephant Trainer and Director of The ElephantSanctuary, Carol Buckley was called on to travel to oneof the legendary towns of the west. El Paso, Texas, tosettle a modem day riot over "Sissy" the Elephant.This highly skilled professional was able to settle aJumbo-Sized problem that satisfied both Elephants andconcerned citizens al ike in just ONE day!Meanwhile, "Back at the Ranch," Scott Blais, Carol'spartner and a person intrigal to the founding and highlysuccessful, operation of the Sancluary, was seeing to Iheendless needs of their growing herd of Packyderms.It's a "24-7 Job" seeing to the myriad of veterinary needsand general welfare of the great beasts and Scon, as wellas Carol, do it gladly. Any REAL Animal person knowswhat I'm talking about. Lots of People Talk about whatshould be done for Elephants; here are People with theCourage to actually Do Something for some ProblemElephants. Finally people with a Solution! Good JobCarol And Scott! That's Doing It The American Way!*********************************************

Vince Pagliano writes "I am currently on "SuperCirque" in Montreal. Tino Wallenda is on theshow and they will be doing the seven. Also here isGiovanni Zoppe, Johnny Peers, the Olmedas, thePages, David Smith, Jr., Renee and Cuneo's cats,along with Gary Thomas and 12 elephants.****************************************Ganesh, the baby male elephant at the Cincy Zoo nowweighs 1,820 pounds! Check out their web site!!

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"£O'USTD 'LIT TtfT CmCUS".....Richard rejoined for the season of I960 (for less moneythan before) & produced a dashy-flashy Spec that wasright up North's alley. Barstow did the Ringling showagain last season and as spring of 1962 rolls around, he'sentrenched stronger than ever as Mr. North's creativefactotum, but his show still exasperates lovers of plain,unadulterated circus. And, while these bitter, dissentingvoices are heard by the circus hierarchy, nobody seemsto give a good goddam. For the money is rolling in again.The Ringling ledger has never had it so good.John Ringling North dismisses the idea that his circus hasbecome a girlie show that has alienated the kids. "Nuts,"he is reported to have told a NY Daily News reporter,"there have always been plenty of girls in the circus.Everybody likes to see pretty girls. I do. Don't you?"Barstow thinks it is unfair for circus buffs to call him theman who ruined the old-time circus, protesting that hewasn't the originator of its present-day Broadway stylethat fans find so objectionable. According to Barstow, hispredecessor, the late John Murray Anderson, really wasthe man who started the new trend. Maybe so, but the oneAndersonism which Barstow has been unable to assimi-late is his predecessor's innate style and sharp sense ofshow-business timing. Barstow tries to include in hisnumbers everything but the kitchen sink and invariablythey are interminable.Murray, as Anderson was affectionately known to show-folk, got his show-business training under the wing ofthat all-time master of gossamer and glitter, FlorenzZiegfeld. It was Murray who induced North to hire thefamous choreographer, George Balanchine, to create aballet for the circus which featured Vera Zorina as acenter-ring toe dancer. And it was during Anderson'searly reign as circus director-in the late 1930s and early40s-that the Ringling circus had its first delusions ofsophistication. North got Igor Stravinsky to compose amusical score for the 3-ring shebang. (It scared the hellout of the elephants but that didn't bother Johnny; hethought it sounded goddam classy.)One of Broadway's most flamboyant designers, NormanBel Geddes, also got a crack at the circus during thatperiod. His wild imaginings turned out to be too heavy tomove efficiently under canvas. One Bel Geddes night-mare was a 10-foot-high platform on which giraffes wereexhibited; another was a monkeys' island surrounded bya water-filled moat. The blase New Yorker Magazinecartoonist, Peter Arno, a drinking companion of North,

even had a hand in the revamped circus. Oh, those weregreat days, all right. North had a ball while tried-and-truecircus old-timers went out behind the Big Top and threwup. Richard Barstow came to the circus in 1949 afterbattling his way up through the honky-tonk drudgery ofvaudeville circuits and supper-club dales. He started as atoe-dancing wizard before he had enough fuzz to shave.His dancing specialties then were on-loes Highland flingand the kozatka, that Slavic sitting-down dance, which hedid also entirely on his toes. Another feat was a leap fromthe top of an upright piano to the floor on his toe tips.When he was offered the job as circus dance director,Barstow had never seen a single circus performance. Hewas 44 years old. At ihe time, John Murray Andersondescribed him as a "...wise, very dear, extraordinary,unique, unbelievable, nit-witted darling..." The Big Topand its roughneck denizens didn't faze Barstow for amoment. But at first they found him a little hard to take.He dressed peculiarly to their eyes, arriving at rehearsalsin such items as tight mustard yellow slacks that laced upthe sides, black polo shirts and red sneakers. On windydays often he wore a thin, wrap-around gabardine coatthat made him look like a Rolls-Royce mechanic; onrainy days he'd appear in Japanese sandals, Mexicanhuaraches or floppy, unfastened galoshes.Barstow's language was more polished than that to whichcircus people are accustomed. The Big Top troupers'mother tongue is a kind of bastard esperanto made uplargely of ancient jargon and animal grunts plus animaginative use of every unprintable four-letter word.Barstow's soft-spoken, painfully polite manner made hima new kind of freak around the circus. Slight of build andmoving with the reedy grace of an experienced dancer, hecontrasted sharply with tough, tanbark types-a fawn in aherd of rhinos. Barstow was delighted with the circuspeople, an outspoken lot not to be trifled with. He likedbeing part of this oddball world without hypocrisy, inwhich differences were speedily settled-sometimes by anexchange of fists or feet, or by a close-range duel withiron tent stakes. Then, too, the new choreographer gaineda new respect for womanhood from circus females, whoare terrific sluggers, fine scratchers, hairpullers, shin &groin kickers; their traditional weapon against enemies isa shoe with high spiked heel. But the thing Barstow likedbest about the circus was its Brobdingnagian set-up. Herehe could work on the really grand scale for which he hadyearned all his life. Here he could bark orders, not at jusia chorus line of a dozen or so, but at hundreds of people.

(To Be Continued)

7

RINGLING RED: N Fort Myers. FI.-TFCO Arena-12/30-1/2 Coming soon to Sunrise. Miami and Jacksonville, I I .

RINGLING BLUE: Tampa. FL-lcc Palace-l/6-9; Si. Pcle-Rayfront Arena-I/I2-16.

BIG APPLE CIRCUS: Lincoln Ctr-NYC-lhru 1/9.

Circus Sarasota: Sarasota-Van Wezel-12/26-1/23

Barnum's Kaleidoscape: Houston-Brown ConventionCtr-12/28-1/23; Dallas-Valley View Mall-2/5-3/12.

BACK YARDis published twice monthly-(15lh & 30th) by CherieValentine, 1522 Clinton Blvd., Bloomington, IL 61701.Phone: 309-828-0737. FAX (al work): 309-438-5378.E-mail: cdvalen@ilstu.cdu. Subscription rates are $30.00per year. Tor 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 Fox," iswritten by Jenny Wallenda. Other material is written byCherie Valentine, unless otherwise identified as to author.Comments by writers are their own and do not necessarilyref lect the opinions of (he publisher. Back Yard is a pro-circus, pro-animal publication, which supports the use ofanimals which are legally held and properly cared for, inthe American circus.Visit www.inficad.com/~circus/backyard.

OABA Presents "Circus Conference 2000"Monday. Jan. 3: 2-4 p.m.-Circus Executive Committee(commitlee only); 7 p.m.-Circus Owners/ProducersReception (invitation only).Tuesday, Jan. 4: 9:30-l2:30-Circus Owners/Producersmeeting (includes lunch) . Standard OperatingProcedures: Crisis Mgt; Communication during travelingseason; Affiliation/Accreditation.12:30-4:30: Animal Owners/Presenters (USDA exhibitor# or act name required). Dr. Dcllaven of the USDA-API1IS; Legislative/regulatory updates; Industrystandards; Panel of Veterinarians; Ally. Joseph Morris,Circus Rights fund. 6:30-8:30: General Circus IndustryMeeting. Media-guidelines on effectively dealing with:education program: niembcrship/fundraising: industrystandards; insurance/Iiahil i lyWed. Jan 5. 9:00-1:00: Elephant Owners Meeting(includes lunch). MR2929; conservation; standardoperating procedures. 1:00-4:00: Elephant owners,trainers, handlers. Qualif icat ions for trainers/handlers;Elephant Manager's Assn.: industry standards. 8:00:Showfolks Club open. The Conference is free to all

OABA members. A $10 daily registration fee will becharged for non-members. OABA membershipapplicat ions w i l l be available. All meetings held atShowfolks of Sarasota Club. General circus meeting Jan.4 at 6:30 is open to all industry-related persons. Othermeetings are specific topics for those directly involved.For more information call Heidi Herriott 407-656-4340.* * * + * * + * * * * * * * + + * * * * * + * * * * + * * * * * # # * * + * * * * + * * *

The Annual Erna & Rudy Rudynoff Tent 127 HolidayParty will be Jan. 9 at the home of Harrison & JaneSayre in Annapolis, MD at 1 p.m. Please contactHarrison at 410-263-3516 for more information.*********************************************

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

Growth Spurt Packs On Pounds On PandaA nutritionist and veterinarian at the World-FamousSan Diego Zoo gave a nod of approval Dec. 15following a routine exam on Hua Mei (HWA May),the rare giant panda cub born at the San Diego Zooon August 21.According to Mark Edwards, an animal nutritionistresponsible for overseeing the cub's dietary intake,the little bear's body mass and weight are in line withexpectations and indicates she may be experiencing agrowth spurt, which has packed on a whoppingpound-and-a-half since last week's examHua Mei's diet still consists of only her mother'smilk Today, she tipped the scales at nearly 14pounds and has stretched to 27.3 inches, nose to tailHua Mei is the only giant panda cub to survive incaptivity in the United States and is one of only 5giant pandas in the United States at the timeShe and her parents, mother Bai Yun and father ShiShi, are on loan from China and live at the Zoo'sPacific Bell Foundation Giant Panda ResearchStationThe San Diego Zoo is operated by the not-for-profitZoological Society of San Diego The ZoologicalSociety, dedicated to the conservation of endangeredspecies and their habitats, also manages the 1,800acre San Diego Wild Animal Park (more than half ofwhich has been set aside as protected native specieshabitat) and the Center for Reproduction ofEndangered Species (CRES).***************************************

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM BACK YARD !!!

"VISITING CARSON & BARNES"1 swallowed my pride, found a handler who rather thango for the animal crackers, went back to what I laterdiscovered was Tim's trailer. Lisa came out and I told herI was the guilty party. Basically, she said "Thanks, wewere almost out and I wondered where we were going toget more and don't worry about it, nothing would havehappened." After my heart slowed down, we began totalk and she took a few of the crackers over to Jennie.Lisa said Jennie always goes back to mama for her milkafter eating them and sure enough, she did. Lisa went intothe trailer and brought out pictures of when Jennie wasborn! She was like a proud parent showing off her familyalbum.Sandra & I spent a lot of time on the midway, looking atthe animals. I went through 20 quarters so she could feedthe donkey & llamas. Tried to get her to take a nap, butno way, she just had to sit with the animals and we bothhad sunburns to prove it. Tried to get her to eat, butwould have nothing to do with that either! During onestroll down the midway, she asked if she could take somepictures, so I handed her the camera.First, was Jennie, then her mother. Pictures of theAfricans, then the Asians. Pictures of horses and ponies.Then she asked what else she could take a picture of andI told her whatever she wanted. "But, Grandpa, there'snothing else left to take a picture of!" I guess we knowwhat circus is to Sandra now! Finally, 3:45 arrives andthe rides open up. First she has to ride the ponies (this isthe kid that has a horse!) Next, the moon jump and theelephant kiddie ride. Then, a beeline to the REALelephant ride-somehow, she managed to go solo when allthese other kids are in line. Don't know how she swungthat, as I was buying more ride tickets and by the time Igot down there, she was already on her way.Then came the camel ride, another solo flight. Since itwas close to show time, we stopped by the concessionstand and she had a box of popcorn and snowcone, thenon to our seats. The performance was about 20 minuteslate starting and by that time, Sandra had finished thepopcorn and was starting on cotton candy! She suckeredme into the candy pitch and bought peanuts. No wondershe didn ' t want to eat supper, she was saving room forthe good stuff. I have bruises on my side from her tellingme to take a picture of this and that. Actually, I hcg^ntensing up to fend off the pending blows anytime horses,ponies or elephants appeared inside the big top. Wethoroughly enjoyed the show and agreed it was better

than last years. Better and more colorful costumes, muchbetter Spec and the music was better loo. Every time Lisawent by. she would look down and her smile would getwider. Sandra and I took 3 1/2 rolls of film! When theshow was over, it was feed the donkey, back to the ponyride, some pennants and the hour & a half drive home.(Thanks, Denny-how about your Kaleidoscape visit?)*********************************************

Mews from Our Circus friends*Dave Orr writes he is working on a Petition Drive,involving HR 2929. "A lot of people in the businessdon't realize how serious this is. So far, have hit my firstgoal of 1000 signatures with the help of 17 Petitionworkers in IL, FL, Mich, Ohio, MD, NY, VA, NJ, PAand myself. 1 plan on taking my signed petitions to theHill myself." Anyone wanting to help Dave with gettingPetitions signed, please write him at 629 Brentwood Dr,Duncansville, PA 16635.*Gary Thomson writes "At our Nov. 21 meeting, Iannounced that we had finally received notice from CMBSecretary, Lonnie Sewell, that the official Ring Wagonfor the Martin Downs Ring #18 had been changed to theGreat Britain Bandwagon #100. This is a little morecolorful than the Sells-Floto Wagon previously used. Ournext show will be held April 15 in Dundas, Ontario. It'sa circus model display which will be part of the DundasHobbyfest. It's only a one-day show, but the first time inmany years that the club has shown in this area. TheApril 30 meeting will be at the home of Harold (Busterthe Clown) and Pauline Black in Scarborough, Ontario.Al Ward will be presenting a major display of his 1 1/2"scale circus, including his 30' bannerline, at the WindsorWood Show, held the last weekend in February.*Sisters Jo, Priscilla & Monika, of Carson & Barneswrote in their Christmas card Priscilla's mother diedquite suddenly, but peacefully, Sept. 30 in Switzerland.Priscilla joined all her family there but had to return after10 days for a doctor's appt. She will go back to visit inDec. On Nov. 8th, Priscilla had her interview fornaturalization in Dallas and on the 10th was sworn in asa U.S. citizen! The annual Circus Mass at St. Martha'sCatholic Church in Sarasota wil l be held on Sunday.Jan. 9th at 10:30 a.m. Fr. Fausto. pastor of St. Martha's,will preside...and seats will be reserved up front for all ofus. "We end the century in awe at and somewhat chilledby the fragility of life but mostly warmed and drawn onby the care and concern of so many friends."

Circus Life Family Oriented, Says Mother of 311/12 By Liliane Parbot-Johnson

Charlotte Sun HeraldHow many children would dream of starting school atnoon and ending it at 3 p.m.? In addition to that, whenthe teacher is "really cool," she cooks breakfast for herstudents before they hit the books.You say it would never happen? Don't bet on it. Just askJennifer Herriott. That's what she experienced whilegrowing up around circuses. She also spent time inregular schools, so she is able to compare the twolifestyles. "I liked it better than waking up early everyday. My high school teacher was very cool. She used tocook breakfast for us, so we really liked her. It was prettynice," Jennifer said of her circus lifestyle as a kid. Schoolwas not limited to 5 days per week, however. It was heldevery day, even summer, except when they traveled.Now with a high school diploma to her credit, Jennifer'sdays on the circus are not interrupted by studies. Sheworks with elephants on the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros.Circus and also helps her brother, Jason, in his jugglingact. "But I don't juggle," she specified, "He does."For several decades, most younger children travelingwith circuses have been taught with the Calvert Schoolcorrespondence course. At the high school level,American School is used. Both Jason & Jennifer havebeen taught by teachers or tutors while they traveled. Inthe winter time, they attended regular schools, accordingto their mother, Laura Herriott.Laura is a 4th-generation animal trainer. Her father, JohnHerriott, is renowned for his ability in training animals ofall kinds. Laura presents 2 camels, 2 llamas and aminiature stallion who answers to the name of "Shiro."Her oldest son, 23-year-old John, trains elephants and isworking with another circus. "They really enjoy it," shesaid of her 3 children's professions.When she compares her life to that of her sister, wholives in a town and has her children in day care, Lauraappreciates the benefits of circus life, where she worksand lives with the same people. She said all mothers lookafter each other's children. "I raised my 3 children in thecircus business and I never had to put them in day care orget a baby sitter. My job is here. I did not have to leavehome to go to work. I just go in the circus tent. It is awonderful way to raise a family. 1 can have a stewcooking on the stove in the trailer, 1 go do my act and Icome back and eat dinner. We have no generation gap inthe circus. It is very family oriented."

Asked if drug problems exist, as found in some schoolsor communities, she said, "Not among our teen-agechildren, because they all perform. They have certainresponsibilities. There is no time for that." Laura alsohad her schooling take place on the road, but at the lime,teachers or tutors were not always available. "When Iwas a little-little girl, my father used to teach me school.When 1 was older, 1 went to live with my grandmother inOhio for awhile. 1 was very unhappy. 1 didn't want to besent away from the circus. It splits the family. It's notgood. I finished high school ahead of time on theRingling Circus because I skipped 10th grade." Laurasaid she was always a good student because "it was likea responsibility I had to do. It was always a sad time to besent away to school. I didn't want my own children to goaway, so I tried to stay home for a while."That experience was short-lived. She had become asingle mother and she couldn't make a good enoughliving. Besides, her children had to be in day care. Shesoon was back training animals. The family goes on theroad with 2 rigs. One truck pulls a trailer with theanimals. The other pulls the house trailer that is home onthe road. Life is pretty busy between traveling, takingcare of the animals and housework. When there is time,the sewing machine comes out. "My mom taught mehow to sew," Jennifer said. "We make our owncostumes." Jason did not learn to sew, but no matter."My mother and I, we do his."*********************************************

CI'RCILSBy Liliane Parbot-Johnson, Charlotte Sun Herald

During the off-season of most circuses, performers with homesin Sarasota perform with Circus Sarasota, but George Cahillwill be coming from his New Port Ritchey home north ofTampa to be the Master of Ceremonies. No, he is not a twin ofMr. Greenjeans of Capt. Kangaroo fame. He is Mr. Greenjeanshimself. Instead of the farm clothing he has worn for the past 3seasons, he will sport the red coat, black top hat and boots ofthe traditional circus announcer-a job he has done with 2 othercircuses. "I have worked for Dolly & Pedro for several years atBusch Gardens. I emceed and I have done other jobs to helpthem out." When he is not Mr. Greenjeans or a circus emcee, hehas a magic act, "Invisible Inc." with his wife, Darlene, and sonGeorge IV. At one time, he was with Marvelous MagicalBurger King. Cahill is looking forward to his Circus Sarasotaengagement. "Lots of the acts I have worked with before. Theyhave a really good line-up. I am very excited to be workingwith them again. It will be like a big family reunion." (ReporterLiliane is a former acrobat and aerialist and says she workedwith the Jacobs, Hannefords and Theron families "eons ago.")

? »e r-ev- audit-on to the f_ -rcus niuseuni ;s part •:•• theLargest oii'i Ever To Kingiing Museum facilities master plan approved by the Ringling Board

Museum News For Release 12/7/99 ai Iheu inefii,,!, ,.>„ o-:i 2?. !i wil),;,«{ mn»«.»mmie!vSarasota, FL: Howard Tibbals, creator of the world's $7.5 million to build, another $1.5 million to installmost detailed model of the American circus and one the exhibits and be named for Mr. ! ibbals Theiif i!it; OH. Mm i«ii I - J H I W inix nf I- .MI- .MV l ununx M i u i Tibbais Wing will become the new entrance to thephotographs, has offered the Ringling Museum what Museum of the Circus. It will exhibit Mr Tibbals'may be the largest challenge gift ever made to a circus miniaTurc and posters and other cciicci.cns ofSarasota cultural institution" The gift includes the the Circus Museum in dynamic and interactiveequivalent of more than $6 million in cash, his circus installations through rr.::!t:p!e gansrses as weS! asmodel and approximatcry 30, carry 20th century provide an orientation theater and space formulti-sheet circus posters. To meet the challenge, educational programs, performances and otheraccording to the terms of Mr. Tihhais' giit, the special events. In making his challenge gift to theMuseum must raise $6.5 million with the next two Museum, Mr Tibbals remarked, "The circus was theyears The Trustees and Directors of the Ringling most exciting form of entertainment in AmericaMuseum and Foundation accepted the challenge in an during the 1880s to 1930s. The Ringing show was?.°reement with Mr. Tibb?.!s approved at their Board *"" prc-Riscrc show of the crs. Surssots ts sn grcst psytmeeting on Tuesday, December 7. the wonderful place it is today because John andAccording to the agreement, Howard Tibbals will Mahei Singling chose Sarssnta ss their nnme andprovide $15 million to build a new, 50,000 square John brought the winter quarters of the Ringlingfoot addition to the Ringling Museum of the Circus. Bros Circus here It gives me great satisfaction toThis includes an initial $2!K),!K,H) to hire an architect know that my circus model will be based in Sarasotato prepare the designs. Mr. Tibbals will provide $2.5 as part of the Ringling Museum."million to endow the operation of the new wine and Kin^ic 1:0/01,1 Tl/r 7/o/ocan additional $175,000 'a year for the next 30 years to f , WS ?K°™ ™*C *°°S .n™id-«!»ff«"nnnrt the ,*,,ivM«it of another $2 5 ThC St' L°U'S Z°° HaS been named amO"8

million endowment ' ' America's best zoos by Travel & LeisureMr. Tibbals will also give the Museum a 3000 square Magazi"e- In its family edition for summer 1999, itfoot, 3/4 inch scale circus model that he created over featured America's top 10 zoos, "the most animal-many years. The vastness of this complete model friendly wildlife parks, sure to free the beast with."serves to demonstrate the vast sJ7e of the show and Other Zoos included in the list are the Zoologicalthe unbelievable human effort involved in moving Society of San Diego, Arizona-Sonora Desertthis production from town to town throughout the Museum in Tucson, Minnesota Zoologicalyear. Based on the Ringling Bros. Circus between Gardens, Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, Audubon Zoo!Q20 and 1935, it includes 8 tents, 54 railroad cars, in New Orleans, Miami MetroZoo, National Zoo in130 wagons, and thousands of human figures and Washington D.C., Bronx Zoo and Roger Williamsanimals. It was featured at the Knoxville World's Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island.Fair and National Geographic Building in *The Phoenix Zoo celebrated the holidays early, withWashington DC, as well as at the Circus World ,he arrival of Reba, their new Asian elephant, donatedM;:-:e;:m ir, Bstnboo, V, JSCOnssn, nnrt the fr-rc! from Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation.Museum/Greenfield Village in Michigan. "We look on Dec. 17. For about a year, the Zoo has searched for alOrwaru to giving the extraordinary mode! a companion for Indu, the Zoo's other female Asian, aspermanent home where it can delight visitors of all part of a long-term strategic elephant collection plan,ages and lay out the fuM panorama of the great Obtaining a companion for Indu was challenging, due toAmerican tented circus," said David tbitz. Director. the increase in the demand for captive Asian elephants

needed to assemble social herds in zoologicalorganizations.

II

LA'D\) TASS'ESBy Mike Cecere

I would like to take a few moments to salute a GreatPerformer. "Bertha" The Elephant. She headlined at thefamed Nugget Casino in Sparks. Nevada for far longerthan any human performer and until her passing, was amajor "must-see" for visitors from around the worldwhen Ihey visited Sparks.A Top facility was buil t for her and her companionElephants that even today is among the best, withcomfortable quarters for both Elephants and Elephantpeople. The Nugget's management made sure she alwaysgot the bcsi food, vet care and engaged the top people inthe field to run their program.Notable Elephant Men who ran the program were (toname just a couple) Slivers Madison, David Hall, GaryJacobson and the longtime and current ElephantDirector, Don Bloomer, who was her closest humancompanion. Don continues the program with "Bertha's"successor, "Angel" who under his expert Training willfill her considerable footprints. As any true Animalperson wil l tell you, in a lifetime there are always specialcreatures such as "Bertha" who make doing what we doworth it And my heart goes out to Don and his people,as any of us who have been at this a while, have beenwhere they are. But as the wise men said, "Life is for theLiving," and one must continue on. So, Farewell To"Bertha," The Grand Lady Of The Elephants!

Bits and Pieces Nj 'y*^?™^Well, we start a new year this week. Boy, this one flewby in a hurry. It is the holiday season and we all have somuch to be thankful for. 1 am thankful for folks like D.R.Miller and Hoxie Tucker who never gave up, thru thick& thin, thru many trials & tribulations, hung in there.These showmen and others made such a contribution tothe traditional American circus. They should not be takenfor granted. 1 am thankful that \ live in the greatestcountry in the world. With all its shortcomings, Americastill beats all the rest.\ am thankful that 1 live on Freedom Ave. What a namefor a street. We should never take freedom for granted.There are many countries where I would not have theopportunity to express myself freely. Freedom of speech

a

is not enjoyed by everyone. Freedom of speech has iisdrawbacks. It is for everyone. No mailer how misguidedthey are. The Animal Rights "Rooks" have the samefreedom as the rest of us. Thai is the American Way.1 am thankful that Ihe OABA, who has done so much forthe carnival industry over the years, is now workingnight and day to help the circus industry. 1 am thankfulfor folks like Heidi Herriott. who is fighting the "Rooks"with the best weapon we have. Thai is the facts. The realstory. I am convinced thai Heidi and the OABA willcontinue to fight for Ihe American Circus. It will not be abattle that is won overnight. It is not an easy battle. Butthanks to the efforts of the OABA, Gordon Turner, FrankRobie and fans everywhere, who are spreading the word,we are making some progress. For this, i am indeedthankful.I am thankful for people like Dorothy Herbert, "Shrimp"Johnson and Howard Tibbals. who have made significantfinancial contributions to the American Circus, the circusfans and the circus museums. I am thankful that thru theirexamples, others will follow the leaders.\ am thankful to the Circus Fans of America. This finegroup has brought so much joy into my life. I amthankful that the Circus Folks of Sarasota have acceptedme as one of their own. I do not come from a famouscircus family. I never worked in the center ring. Onething is for sure, I love the traditional circus. I guess itshows. \ have been accepted by the circus communityand for this, 1 am most thankful.I am thankful for my health. If you got your health,you've got everything. \'m still breathing and for this \am most thankful. I am thankful for the many circus fanswho contribute to my video releases. Without them, therewould be no circus videos. A lot of people think I amgetting rich selling videos. My close friends knowotherwise. \ enjoy putting the videos together. Anyone inhis right mind would have quit years ago. I gives me a lotof pleasure to receive an order or a letter and some fanactually thanks me for my efforts.\ am thankful that in America, we have freedom ofchoice. We can choose to go to a traditional circus; wecan choose to visit a "new wave" phony-circus or we canchoose both. Of course, I would hope your financialsupport would go to the old fashioned, wild animalshow. The fact remains, this is America & freedom iswhat it is all about. For this 1 am thankful. 1 am thankfulfor my family. My mom, who is 84 and in a nursinghome made the statement, "I have come to realize thatJim (me) is gonna chase circuses as long as he is alive."

,>\ 7/ie CIRCUS at a SLRNC£

H'vV.r. ^Ste^.JLJ!lJl^^^^^7.4^;g^-

Bits and Piecesthankful for my daughter. Michcle. and my son,

Mike Mike finally settled down, got married, has 2 sonsand a great little wife, Tina. 1 recently remarked to afriend. "Mike finally grew up." My friend came backwith. "Jim-you never did."I could write 10 pages of things I am thankful for. Yougel the idea. I must mention my dog. Rube. She is reallya great companion. When I say, "Let's go by-by," her tailstarts to wag. Rube brings me a lot of joy I almost losther (literally) a couple of years ago. 1 am indeed thankfulthat fate did not let that happen.So. during this holiday season, we all must lake the timeto reflect on the many things in life that we should bethankful forAbout New Year's Resolutions: I have broken more thanmy share of them. But, here goes a few New Year'sResolutions:I hope to give the CFA as much time & support as I can.1 hope to try to introduce more people to this wonderfulorganization.I hope to try to help spread the real "facts" about circusanimals and their owners.I hope that my continuous plugs for the OABA will helpthe OABA to get more members, both individual fansand CFA Tents.I hope I can continue to forgive & forget. Life is muchtoo short to carry around a list of folks you are "mad at."We all have our own thoughts and ideas. We all meanwell. Most of us have the same goals regarding the circusand it's future. This country is a melting pot of differentpeople with different ideas. Carrying, a grudge is childish.I hope to do better in the coming year.I hope I can keep my weight down. Il is not easy. I amnow at a 10-year low. But, I have lost 50 pounds, 3 timesnow and gained it back. I hope that doesn't happen again.These are a few of my goals for the new year. I am sureyou have your own mental list.

FAMOUS CIRCUSQUOTES

From the Nov.-Dec. White Tops (Food For Thought):"It's so sad in this great country of ours a very smallminority can dictate what the vast majority can and can'tdo regarding their diet, amusements, sports, fashions and

pels."-Robert Goldsack (CFA 5308) responding to aPIH A letter to ihe Nashua (N.H.) Telegraph. I got a wordfor Bob. The majority does not rule. Money and loudncssrules. Most politicians are bought and paid for. Most hateto concede to this fact. Loudncss rules. I Ic who makes themost noise rules. A couple of years ago. I read thefollowing on a sugar pack. "He who has a thing to selland goes and whispers in a well, is not as apt to gel thedollars, as he who climbs a tree & hollers." So, climb atree and yell for the circus, the CFA, the OABA, animalsin the circus, etc. Write letters to the editor. Spread thefacts. You can make a difference. There is strength thruunity. United we stand and divided we fall.Here's wishing you and yours peace and good will in thecoming year, Jim.**««**+««*+«*«*»*«*««*««»*****************««•

*Ed Pert writes "Brent 'Cheeko' Dewitt will beback on Roberts Bros. Circus in 2000, after a oneyear absence. 'Harold Barnes created a beautifulChristmas card for Dave & Lois Hoover-off hiscomputer! Gorgeous color and the front is an old posterwith a lion & tiger and Dave with whip and chair.Definatcly a collector's dream!

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Job OpportunityIn Florida

We need someone with officeexperience for booking dates

for a petting zoo.Also, a groundskeepcr and

animal caretaker.If you have your own trailer,

we furnish elec., water and septic.If not, a small efficiency apt.

Couple preferred.

Interested Parties Call:352-463-7292

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