YARDVolume IV, Issue #59 January 15,1999

DEFYING DEATH ON HIGH WIREWire Perilous, But It's Her Destiny

(NY Times, April 8,1955-Valentine Archives)This is the time of year when little girls home from thecircus dream of growing up to become glamorous starsin spangles & tights, performing feats of daring whilecrowds applaude. It is a symptom of spring that mothersrecognize without alarm, having once been little girlsthemselves.So dreamed Josephine Berosini, when she was a littlegirl. Today, at 29, she is billed as "Queen of the HighWire" at the Ringling Circus in Madison Square Garden.It is most unlikely, however, that Josephine's rise to thepinnacle of circusdom can in any way be duplicated byany of the starry-eyed little girls viewing her at theGarden these days. Josephine's career as a high-wireartist might almost be said to have started before she wasborn. 5 generations of Berosinis developed the art herfather passed on to her.She crossed a wire high in a circus tent for the first timewhen she was 5 years old-on her father's shoulders. Helay down on the wire & little Josephine did a head standon his chest. This was in Czechoslovakia, where theBerosinis originated.At 6, Josephine walked the high wire alone. She fell,during a rehearsal shortlly afterward, & papa made hergo back up & walk the wire 10 times "so the fearwouldn't get in me," she said. At 7, the young wire artistfell during a performance in Copenhagen. "Fortunately,there was a net," she said.It was not because of my footing," she adds proudly,

"but I was so tiny & fragile the wind blew me offbalance." Josephine runs, dances & walks blindfoldacross a wire high in the Garden. She also rides a bicycle _across it-standing up. And she is the only woman in the sometimes comment when the performer occasion;world who walks up & down a wire stretched at a 45 stumbles & regains her balance during her perilousdegree angle from the floor to a height of 50 feet. "It's a passage along the wire,fake, she'll never fall, she knows her business," cynics (Continued on Page 5)

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(Jenny's computers and printer are fighting each other soshe hasn't been able to send out her newsletter! Shecalled me on the 5th to send along some news fromSarasota. Hopefully, she will be able to write us soonwith news of the reunions, especially the Ringling one. Iwould like to know who all came for this one. GoodLuck, Jenny!)*On Jan. 4, Al Pilz's son, Wayne, was involved in a caraccident. He was on his way to Garden Winter Quarters.The car rolled over & over, landing on top of him. He isin the hospital and hope we will have an update on himnext time.*January 23 will be the Ring of Fame Ceremonies at St.Armands Circle. Jenny was asked to prepare the foodagain. She said she will make potato salad, macaronisalad, deviled eggs, cheesecake, trays with cheeses, roastbeef, turkey, ham and salami. All the trays are home-made by Jenny-although they may look store-bought!!*Reid Bros. Circus opens Jan. 16 in Albany, GA for 2days, at the Civic Center. Then they go to Montgomery.Paul Horsman reports they will be in Utica, NY on Feb.15.*Tammy Wallenda will be working her cat act. She hasadded some new cats to the act. Since Sept. 9, Jenny hasbeen teaching web to the girls for Dick Garden.Jenny has heard the new Ringling show is very nice. Thewardrobe is just brilliant. She reports there are 3 rings ofelephants; Cindy & Roy Wells, Cathy Hanneford &Mark Oliver, Gunther's son.*Jenny had promised to make Brunch at the Club, so onDec. 27, she, Norma and Cha Cha fixed a great banquet!They served Mexican eggs, refried beans, cheeseomelets, home fries, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage!What a great menu.*On Jan. 9, there was a memorial for Angela, sister ofJanosh and Harry Dubsky. Jenny will have more aboutthis in her next newsletter. I know we all look forward toJenny's newsletter real soon.*********************************************

***BACK YARD GOSSIP***Rumor has it that Kay Rosaire's cats will be on theUniverSoul Circus...Coco will be on Kelly-Miller, alongwith Barry DeChant...Cathy Hanneford "sings" to herhorses on the new Ringling show.

3

**COURTSHBP OF A CLOWN**2y 'BiCC'BaCCantine Tart fV(From Holiday Magazine * July, 1950)

June 24, New Bedford, MA—Took Whiskers for a littlewalk into town after the night show, then sat on thetracks together until the train pulled out. She wouldn'ttell me why she cried tonight.June 25, Lowell, MA—I'm going to marry RobertaWhiskers Ouisqui Light! I asked her what she would sayif I asked her to many me & then she said would you, ohwould you, and I did. We were sitting by the tracks downby the stock cars watching the loading. We lay back inthe long grass to see the stars, & big gray shapes ofelephants blotted out the moon. We could hear their littlefeminine squeaks of protest as they settled down for thenight. Across the tracks the horses were trampling about,kicking the sides of their cars. From down at the runscame the chug-chug of trucks & tractors loading the flats.Tonight I felt it was our Circus & our flats-ours alone.I'm back in my upper now, feeling a little giddy.June 26, Fitchburg, MA—Good omen for myengagement. Since it was past midnight, that made it the26th, same date as my birthday, also Roberta's age, & 6and 2 is eight, the number of August, my birth month.We're all set. Haven't told anybody yet. Rose & Paulettewere upset today because their friend Madame LaGrange, the French aerial star, was slugged by Albertythe perch-pole act. He was hauled off to the local cooler.June 27, Bangor, ME—Our cat is out! Whiskerscouldn't hold her secret, told "only 2 girls" in herdressing room which means the whole lot will have thenews by morning, even allowing for backwardcommunications of the Sunday off. Took her to themovies tonight & for coffee.July 2, Springfield, MA—Here for a 2-day stand & it'smighty hot. A new boy who just joined out in Props wasfound murdered down by the trains tonight. Delayedtrain departure some. Murderer turned out to be a newCircus hand also.July 5, Albany, NY—Cookhouse was decorated withflags & bunting to celebrate the Fourth, traditional circusstyle. We had turkey & ice cream, too. Buddy North putup prize money for games in the Big Top between shows.Whiskers & I liked the stake-driving contest the best Inthe web-climbing for prop hands, the winner made it tothe top of the flying rigging in 16 seconds. Fireworkstonight down by the cars. Buddy North's butler set themoff. (Continued on Page 6)

***KEEP ON TRUCKING***By Mike Cecere

A huge semi truck roars by you on the Interstate & youthink right away, it's some tobacco chewing, cowboy hatwearing, waitress romancing cowboy boot wearingyehaw from Black Oak, Arkansas.And in some cases, you'd be right. But out theresomewhere is circus legend, Bobby Gibbs. Just aboutanyone connected with animals & circuses knows BobbyGibbs. Some of us lucky enough to have worked withhim over the years know him as a guy with a heart as bigas his girth, with a hearty laugh & love of life and allGod's creatures. He's been lucky enough to have beenmarried to Rosa, the love of his life and have her as apartner in life.1 don't have to tell you if you know them. They are asperfect a couple as you'd ever meet despite working withsome of the wildest & wacky circus owners in theindustry. Bobby has never let any of life's tribulationsget him down, slicing negative events down to size withhis razor sharp wit and sense of humor.He's worked with some of the biggest & some of thesmallest outfits all over North America & has a wealth oftales from them all.I recall visiting the Miller-Johnson Circus in 1973 andwatching him unload a veritable Noah's Ark out of histrailers. He had elephants, llamas, camels, ponies, mules,dogs, bears, birds and who knows what else in the show.That %vas Cliff Vargas' earlier show before buying all hisown elephants & horses & it was quite a deal. PatAnthony had his huge cage act, the Oscar Cristianielephants, as well as veteran Wally Ross was there with 5W^—r ;wned eiephants.He also played all the major Shrine dates & was verypopular with the Fez-wearing Tribe. Along the way,during a million miles cross country multiple times, hebecame a great truck driver.And with the unwillingness of many circus owners andproducers to pay reasonable wages & modern operations,such as trucking companies willing to pay forexperienced CDL drivers, it was natural for Bobby to puthis experience to work. He & Rosa remain available asadvisors to many animal acts and Bobby tries to visit hismany friends nationwide on shows or in zoos as hisschedule permits. So, instead of "The show must go on,"his new motto is "Keep on trucking." So when that semibreezes by you next time on the highway, make way. Itcould be Bobby Gibbs!!

Patricia Zerbini, Germany, reports Circus Kroneopened their first winter program Dec. 25, running untilJan. 31. Their new program is in Feb. & March, openingthe season April 1st, touring not only Germany this year,but also Austria. This will be the 6th season for thisprogram & in 2000 the show will open with a newprogram. Circus Krone will be moving all animals thisyear by truck. They have decided to stop using the train.The equipment will still go by rail when the jumps arefar, but the elephants & horses that have always gone bytrain will no longer.They had a fire at Winter Quarters Jan. 7th. They lost 3house trailers. No one was injured, but the loss of 2 dogsbelonging to the clown Pierino. The fire was started byan employee that had joined during the year. It was thendiscovered that he had been in jail for starting fires!Needless to say, he is back in jail. Damage estimated at190,OOO.OODM.They are also looking into the purchase of 5 Asianelephants. If this comes to pass, it will give the show 15elephants & if Patricia's elephants are finally able to join,it will give them a herd of 18 elephants, 15 Asians & 3Africans. It will also be the largest herd of elephantstraveling with a circus in the world. Thanks, Patti.*********************************************

Bobby Hakes, Sarasota, reports that 265 people cameto the New Years Eve party at the Showfolks Club. Apartial list includes June & Harry Mills (June is Pres. ofthe Club); Kathie & Paul Nelson; Julie & MarisoDroguett; the Sloans: Shelagh, Barrie, King & wife,Luanne; the Scotts: George, Pom Pom, Vivian, Tina; theRosaries: Derrick, Pam, Linda, Iver; the Herriotts: MaryRuth, John; the Nocks: Orgie, Helen; Freddie Logan; JimRidenour; Bobby Wyman; Eric Bauram; JeanetteWilliams; Evie Altolff; Lucie Toth with fiance Pete; PeteCristiani; Norma Davenport; Anne Demonte; BunnyPratt; Monia Kaiser & sister, Stanicka; Bobby & PhipsHakes; Donna McMahon; Duke Vinson: Frank & RuthieClark. The circus owners there were: Ian, Mickey, youngIan & Dick Garaer,, H/.fl "i Many Dubskys; Patti Gatti;Arlene & Ron Morris; Henry Bush; Doris Earl & RayMcMahon. Also, Dale Riker, past CFA Pres. JackieLeClaire performed some old Red Skelton skits & theywere very funny. Mike Austin lead the band for dancemusic. There were all the families of the abovementioned, plus 3-4 generations of children. A good timewas had by all and don't we all wish we could have beenthere!! Thanks, Bobby.

DEFYING DEATH ON HIGH WIRE....She does, indeed, know her business. But so did heruncle & aunt, who fell to their deaths in Europe whileperforming on a high wire. So, too, did her uncleLudwig, who spent 4 years in a hospital & has not yetrecovered fully from a fall in Buffalo in 1939. And so didher beloved brother, Otto, who died in a fall in Waco, TXin 1950, when he was 23.Before Otto's death, the Berosini performance was afamily act-Papa, Mamma, Josephine & Otto. It includeda new member, a girl from Birmingham, AL, whom Ottowas engaged to marry. After Otto's tragic death "we allgave up," Josephine explained. "It just seemed thereought to be some other way of making a living."Papa & mamma are still in retirement, down in Florida.Otto's fiancee abandoned the high wire & took upbareback riding. But Josephine decided her brotherwould want her to carry on the family tradition, & shereturned to the wire. She described her return."It was 2 months after his death. At the Ohio State Fair.When I first came into the ring & looked at the wire, Ithought of my brother & said to myself, "I just can't doit. But I did it. I used his pole & his other equipment, & Iam still using it. It's getting kind of worn, & in thisbusiness everything has to be perfect mechanically, so Ishould replace it. But I am sentimental about it because itwas his." She shrugged her shoulders. "I never thinkabout death when I'm up there. I don't dare. After all,I'm just a human being."Underneath her, moving step by step on the ground withher every step in the air, is a handsome, mustacheddark-haired man, unobtrusively clad in a circus uniform.He is Josephine's husband, Alexander Konyot & a circusstar himself. During his own act, Konyot is the rider whotakes the center ring for an exhibition of fancy horsebackriding. But in his wife's act, he plays the unannouncedrole of "human net."When she is safe on the sawdust once more, his face isdripping with perspiration & so is hers. "I don't like it,feeling my heart freeze twice a day, but there's nothing Ican do about it. The high wire is Josephine's destiny, &there is where she has to be," said Konyot."Alex is there to break my fall if anything happens. Ican't see him-for I must keep my eyes fixed 6 or 8 feetahead on the wire-but I know his is there," Josephinesaid. Until the circus stars were married 2 years ago, herfather walked under her. Her parents now live in Miami& have a very big yard with both a high wire & horse

ring, so Josephine & Alex can practice between seasons.When not at home in Miami, she keeps house in arailroad compartment. She prefers housekeeping the 4off-season months in a home that stands still, & islooking forward to eventual retirement & raising afamily. She won't raise her future children as high-wireartists, however, explaining, "There will be no moreBerosinis on the high wire-not only because of mybrother's death, but because I have seen my mother'sface as she watched her children perform. It is morestrain for a mother to watch than for the child to learn."*********************************************

"Blondin Descendant Keeps Courage High"-FromChristian Science Monitor-1955 (From ISU Archives)Josephine, great-great-granddaughter of the celebratedCharles Blondin, who 3 times crossed Niagara's whirlingwaters on a tightrope, emulates her famous paternalancestor in almost unbelievable exhibitions.With only a crimson ostrich feather fan for balance, shewalks straight up an "angle wire" to her rigging 50 feetabove the ground. Holding a rhinestone-covered longbalancing pole, she lies down on her back, regains herposition, kicks both the front & back of her head, dancesa superbly graceful tango & samba, moving both forward& backward, sits down, & finally stands for severalseconds, with one foot raised high above her head.Next, she rides a small bicycle across the high wire,balances herself on top of a tiny metal chair, which inturn she balances on the bicycle before riding backwardto her perch. Then she clothes herself from head to footin a spangled black cotton cover-all resembling thoseworn by mechanics which she made herself to mask herface completely. She can see only a blurred generaloutline of the lights in front of her.As far as she knows, she is the only person in the worldto perform either the samba or any other dance on thehigh wire. Whenever she can avoid it, Josephine prefersnot to give an interview just before her performance. Shehas fovH that when she tries to describe the work, which_ to someone who talks of it as extremelyhazardous, its dangers seem to become more apparent toher."Like any job, there are times, too, that some parts of itdon't particularly appeal. It's much more difficult for meto work under canvas on a very windy day. I workdirectly under the top of the tent & when it blows with abig wind, it distracts me when I need to keep my thoughton balancing. (Continued on Page 7)

"COURTSHIP OF A CLOWN"July 6, Utica, NY—Ballet broads are taking up earrings& there is lots of cork-and-needle piercing in thedressing rooms. A stern notice in 3 languages, signed bythe Big Boss, suggesting that some of the foreign actsmend their slovenly ways & conduct themselves morelike ladies & gentlemen, was pinned up on the Wardrobetop sidewall. Roberta says Elkhorn already has a wifeback in Miss.July 9, Tonawanda, NY—Last stand before we headwest & take-off point for discouraged First-of-Mays.Whiskers said she would have left too if she hadn't metme.July 12, Cleveland, OH—Home of the best penny arcadein America. It's near the lot so I took Whiskers & had ourengagement picture taken by Photomatic. We've set ourwedding date for Sept. when the show plays the coast, atWhisker's home in San Bernardino.July 13, Cleveland—Whiskers gave me a dusty old copyof Innocents Abroad. The girls are going to give Lola ababy shower. 107 miles tonight for 2 days in Toledo.July 16, Detroit, MI—Alzanas worked together as an actin Toledo, first time since they fell last year. Rain herethis a.m. We're set up near Dearborn for just one stand,not moving to the other side of the city as in previousyears. Biz is pretty good.July 19, Flint, MI—Plagued today by a visit from alast-season's girl friend. Elkhorn blew the show lastnight. Rose & Paulette weeping after a practice sessionwith their Chinese aunts. No cinch to be an apprenticecontortionist. Decided last night to have a wedding ringmade the shape of a hairpin. Sent design to Harve in NYto have it made up & also asked him to be my best man.July 27, Madison, WI—In butter country now & thereare oleo notices up in the cookhouse, as if we didn'tknow it's not butter we get.July 28, La Crosse, WI—Nice lot situated near somemountains. Lots of pots & kettles steaming beside thetracks at night down by the cars as the foreign-familyacts fix after-show suppers gypsy style.July 29, Minneapolis—Our 2 lady clowns, Rose Hanlon& Lulu, went shopping in Skid Row this a.m. for a newtrombone to use in one of Rose's gags. Rose felt the oldone wasn't pulling her pants up & down fast enough, butthis clowning fine point was difficult to get across to thestartled pawnbrokers. Whiskers bravely took an oldcollege girl friend to cookhouse tonight. There was ahigh wind & electrical storm at 7 tonight. Had the Big

Top creaking but it held. Over in 30 min. but left the lotmuddy mess.August 5, Des Moines—Alfalfa instead of straw in thecenter ring today. Pete, who drives Whiskers in Manege,told her one of the grooms had his finger bitten off in afight. She was very quiet tonight because she had seenCarmelita, one of the Italian girls, packing a box foroverseas & softly weeping as she lovingly fondled eachitem. Buzzy Potts has turned up with a new comedy furcoat. Price was too high, & Buzzy asked the man if hecouldn't cut it So, the fur man cut the coat in half & soldBuzzy the top part half-price.Aug. 7, Lincoln, NE—Girls in Whiskers' dressing roomwere surprised into their bath towels just after matinee bya minister crawling in from the Big Top. Said he waslooking for the keys to the vicarage that he'd droppedfrom the seats. Dreamy Eyes found them for him. Last ofour 1-day stands for a while. Have a Sunday enroutetomorrow, 2 days in K.C., then on to the real west.Aug. 10, Kansas City—Lola closed her season & headedback East to have her baby. Whiskers took me around tosee the new hackney stud in the horse top.Aug. 11, en route—Up talking to Whiskers in 62 car &had to run back to my car, almost the length of the train,when it started of suddenly. When we stopped tonightnear the second section, I saw the Hungarian dog-actlady going down the track with her flashlight looking fortheir wagon on the flats. On these long runs, her husbandstays with their 26 dogs in the wagon.Aug. 12, Denver—Tried on my wedding suit in thedressing room just before matinee. Every prop & groomknew its cut & color before Spec time. Finally got upenough nerve to write Whiskers' mother & father. Gotthis briefing on the family from her. Her father practiceslaw & buys up neglected pieces of desert & mountainjust for the fun of it. He's an only son & his mother wasa school supt. in buckboard days out in Montana.Whiskers' mother paints watercolors, has 3 brothers-adoctor, a plasterer & a potter. Her father, a Scotch retiredmining engineer, once owned a gold mine & knowswhere there is a rich deposit of uranium. Here's hopingthey believe in clowns.Aug. 13, Denver—Between shows sat out back withWhiskers, watching thunderheads over the mountains.Ugo Bogino, the Italian acrobat, went to see BuffaloBill's Grave.Aug. 17, Ogden, UT—Division point of 5 railroads &home for lots of Pullman porters.

(Continued on Page 9)

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128TH EDITION RINGLING BLUE UNIT:Jacksonville, FL-Coliseum- 1/14- 1/1 8N. Charleston, SC-Coliseum- 1/2 1-1/24Macon, GA-Centreplex- 1/28- 1/31Augusta, GA-Civic Center-2/2-2/3Columbia, SC-Carolina Coliseum-2/5-2/7Raleigh, NC-Dorton Arena-2/ 10-2/1 4Charlotte, NC-Coliseum-2/ 17-2/21Fayetteville, NC-Crown Coliseum-2/25-2/28Cincinnati, OH-The Crown-3/3-3/7Baltimore, MD-Balt. Arena-3/10-3/21Wash. DC-MCI Center-3/25-3/28

ALL NEW 129th EDITION RED UNIT !!!!Orlando, FL-Arena-1/15-1/17Birmingham, AL-Birm.-Jefferson CC- 1/20- 1/24Greenville, SC-Bi-Lo Center- 1/27- 1/31Knoxville, TN-Civic Coliseum-2/3-2/7Greensboro, NC-Coliseum-2/10-2/14Richmond, VA-Coliseum-2/17-2/21Norfolk, VA-Norfolk Scope-2/24-2/28Hampton, VA-Hampton Coliseum-3/2-3/7E. Rutherford, NJ-Contl. Airlines Arena-3/9-3/14Uniondale, NY-Nassau Coliseum-3/ 16-3/22Madison Square Garden-NY-3/26-4/1 1

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 S2S.OO peryear, for 24 issues, within the USA. Advertising rates,payable in advance, with your copy, are: Full page S30; Halfpage S15; Quarter Page S10; 1/8 page S5. "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.

**EULOGY TO MY FATHER**On 23 December '98, David "Buddy" Watkins passed onto his final retirement from a long career that spanned

South America, North America & Cuba. His showbusiness career began when he was very young, workingwith his father, Ira. J. Watkins. His widow is ElsaMargarita Watkins, whom he met & married inVenezuela while working on Circus Razore in 1957.The "Watkins Famous Chimps" set a standard in theindustry in many ways. His father worked adult male andfemale chimps, which in the early 40s was not commonplace. When his father died in Dec. 1959, "Buddy" tookover the act combining acrobatics, elegant wardrobe &comedy to the delight of the audience. His wife, Elsa,sold the act with her gowns & sophisticated style.In 1965, "Buddy" quit his life on the road to work at heSt. Louis Zoo. In 1968, he broke new ground as a trainerat the Louisville Zoo with his elaborate productions,including his 2 children, Jody & Rachel. In 1979, heworked at the Monkey Jungle as a chimpanzee trainer.He retired from public life in 1990, moving toGibsonton, FL, with Elsa, to live in their home built forhis retirement. "Buddy's" love for his animals & familywas shown in many ways. If money was scarce, thechimps ate produce in season & the family ate beans &rice. In winter, he would sleep in the truck on a cot toensure he could change the propane heater that kept hisanimals warm. When he decided to quit the road, for thesake of his children's education, he mourned theretirement of his chimp act for several years. "Buddy"delighted in his family more than anything in life. Heoften told his wife, Elsa, how much he loved her & calledher his angel. He was proud of the accomplishments ofall his children, especially Jody & Rachel who carry onthe third generation of working with animals. Jody & Iare honored to have been blessed with the benefit of hisyears of experience in animal care. Our career paths werestarted by the work & teachings of our father. Written byRachel Watkins Rogers, Dec. 29, 1998. Thanks to GeeGee Engesser for sending this in.*********************************************

Barry DeChant reports he & his wife, Karen, arejoining Kelley-Miller, clowning. Also on the show willbe Cheeko & the Vasquez flyers. They are at Sun N FunRV Park in Sarasota. They went to Kay Rosaire's party12/27 & chatted with Fred Logan & Jackie LeClaire.*********************************************Vincent Pagliano, Vappo, the clown, just closed with"Super Cirque" in Canada. He said he was on the JordanCircus in 1998 & in Canada with Rosa & Bobby Gibbs in1996. Can't wait to see the booklet he made about theshow. Thanks, Vince.

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**Jeanette Williams Christmas Letter ToTent Members, Fans and Friends**

Just to let you know what I've been up to this year, someof you have seen me at the Convention & some not. I amalways working hard. I had a lot of dealings this yearwith China. I was there twice & let me tell you if you talkabout a long flight, this was the longest ever. It takes youfrom Florida to go to Calif, forever & then you sit in theairport for 4 hours & from there you go at 1:30 in themorning & you sit 16 hours on the plane. That wastough. Then, when you arrive there, they're all there topick you up, but that picking up business, because oftraffic, 15 miles took us 2 hours. There are no lines onthe streets & everybody goes where everybody wants togo & of course, millions of bicycles. I got really worriedabout the first trip I did when the 3 white tigers I had inthe truck in front of me started crying because theywanted to get out & behind us, was a truck with pigs &they were grunting.It was really a challenge, it was hot & I was worriedabout if I made the right choice of selling these animalsto this safari park. I couldn't believe what I saw. It wasthe most beautiful park for animals-it's like paradise.They have everything you can think of. They hadimported over 5000 palm trees; they have at least 6000mango trees with fruit on it for the people to grab & eat.All kinds of fruit trees; like 4 different species ofcrocodiles-1350 crocodiles. They had elephants fromChina with very short legs, but very fat & nice looking &each elephant had their own keeper & trainer. Theyworked very well. They had no bull hook, no whip,nothing, nothing. They worked very nicely. They hadvery unusual animals that we'd never seen & will not beallowed to go out of China. They call it the GoldenMonkey, a very unusual animal.They had lakes & everything you can think of double &triple whatever we have. I have never seen anything likeit. I was very pleased & it was a beautiful experience.After this experience. I decided I wanted to do morebusiness with them. I have now completed a contract for15 white tigers of Mr. Cuneo, of the Hawthorne Corp.,who worked last year for Zabini & are now going toChina after Evansville. We will ship them to Seattle &from Seattle, they're going to Guangzhou. I have 1 yearcontract with an option for 2. Hopefully, everything willgo well & they will have a beautiful facility over there.The park owner is building an overhead grandstand forthe public to seat 10,000 people. He feels that might not

even be big enough. This park is one of the mainattractions with only animals & few animals performing.These people have up to 80,000 people a day in theirpark. It's unreal. With all these people there, it's stillbeautiful & super clean & absolutely great. Anyway,that's enough from China.On another note, I would like to tell you about my mostfavorite person, which, of course, is Caroline, mydaughter, nicknamed, Pinky. She is still with my cousin,Franz Althoff. They are on this horse show called,"Pferde Palast" in Germany. The show is verysuccessful, it's very entertaining & some of our friendshave been in Europe & seen the show & all thought itwas outstanding. It's not just horses & boring; it has alittle entertainment of everything in there, even a fewcircus acts. The business is very, very good. LastSaturday, Caroline called & told me there was ice &snow, but they had to turn the people away. They have alay-over in January for 2 weeks & then they play againall the way thru July. Hopefully, she can come home fora little while. She is real American girl. Even though, sheenjoys finding out things about ancestors, homeland.She's missing the hamburger & believe it or not, I haveto take Oreo cookies over there. It's really silly things;like pancake mix, cookies, but what can you say. Youonly have 1 daughter. That's what she wants, that's whatshe gets. In Spain, she has purchased a new Andalusianhorse & she wants to ride this horse with no hands. It's alittle like an American cutting horse with drums on top. Ican't wait to see that.We have a lot of functions here in Florida. We don'thave a circus parade, but it has already started with theShowfolks Circus & Flea Market & Dolly & Pedro's newCircus School. It's a very beautiful show with very goodperformers. I wish them the best from the bottom of myheart. In January, we will have the Ringling tent goingup here, practicing for the new tent show & they willhave a performance in February. We have the Gala forthe Museum. This year, we will honor Dolly Jacobs, Mr.McKennon & Rudy Bundy. In other words, there'senough down here to entertain everybody. We arelooking forward to seeing you in Florida.I hope you'll forgive me if I neglect you sometimes, butI think of you all & appreciate you have chosen me. I amyour fan too & without the Circus Friend, the circuswould be nothing. I wish you all the best in health &happiness for 1999. Your friend, Jeanette.(Thanks to John Bantock for sending this and RichDeptula's permission to re-print her greeting.)

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RUMBLINGS FROM THE CRUMMY'By "Brian Nunn

One night after the last show, we had the elephants fed &watered. It was about 11:30. Hawgjaw and 1 were sittin'in his truck havin' a couple of beers.There was a guy painting a mural on the side of a trailer.He used a big slide projector and stood on a ladder. Hetraced the outlines on everything, then he marked thecolors to fill in.It took him all night; it looked good. I think he mighthave been from Europe or someplace, 'cuz when Vargascame to look at it, in the morning, he thru a fit like onlyVargas could do. On top of this great wild animal mural,it said, "Circo Vargas." "This is Circus Vargas! Changeit."' It was a lot of work blanking out the "Circo" andpainting "Circus" because of the different number ofletters, but he got it done.*Jane Randall painted the Toby Tyler trailers, did a nicejob. "Bring 'Em Back Alive, Frank Buck" and a lot ofcircus theme stuff. She built and painted props; she madeit all look real good. I liked talking to Jane, she knew alot of things. She loved the business so it showed in herattitude and work. I would imagine she's in Florida someplace, still helping to make shows look good.* (Frank Thompson knows about this stuff.) It seemed tome when I watched some of those animal acts, theanimals would queue to the music, almost as much as tothe presenter or trainer. Which brings me to thedifference between a real trainer and someone thatpresents an act that has already been trained. As long asthe presenter works the act the way they've been trained,it's alright. I've seen some of them try and get fancy andsince most of them don't know what they're doing, theyloose tricks and sometimes, most of the act. Then a realtrainer comes in to straighten it all out.*********************************************

Bobby Hakes sent in the new "Barnum's Kaleidoscape"ad. "Give your serious side the night off. Experience agrand, new style of FESTIVE, family entertainment. Acelebration of world class performers from around theglobe. DELIGHT in the up-close action-no seat is morethan 50 feet from the ring-within the most SPLENDIDtouring environment in North America! So, escape toKaleidoscape for awhile. Be part of the WONDER andtake home a smile." *World Preview-Sarasota SquareMall, Begins Feb. 26. "The Magical One RingExperience From Ringling Bros." Thanks, Bobby.*********************************************

**OUR FRIEND, BOBBY GIBBS**Jan. 12: Just talked to Bobby. He has been moved to theBaylor-Johnson Hospital in Dallas. His phone number atthe hospital is 214-818-9408.1 am sure he would love tohear from his many friends. That switchboard must bevery busy!! He said he is undergoing more tests, whichthey get him up at 4 am to do. They also make him walkthe halls a lot, along with some other patients. Now,picture Bobby and the others in their housecoats andslippers! He said he expects Michael Jackson to jump outanytime from around a corner & start singing, "Thriller!"He said Jimmy Hall has made him a bear muzzle, sothose Big Mac's won't fit thru it! Said it reminds him of"The Silence of the Lambs!"He is on a 1500 calorie diet, which includes grape juice,orange jello and chicken broth. Sounds really tasty! Hesaid that the food ads on TV don't help any.The doctor has also advised him to exercise, whichincludes swimming. He has he has become the "EstherWilliams of Dallas!" He also reports that Lisa will bestaying with Turtle on Roberts Bros. Circus. That shouldmake Turtle very happy!We all wish Bobby the best and wouldn't it be nice to seehim back on the circus lots with the elephants. Or if hegoes back to his truck driving job, we may see him at thesalad bars in the truck stops! Get well soon, Bobby. Rosais mighty lonesome without you. God Bless.*********************************************

Dale Riker reports that tickets are on sale NOW forBarnum's Kaleidoscape in Sarasota, which begins Feb. 2.He said he has seen the new Ringling show 3 times &would go back for more! It is really a gem. Even the "oldtimers" think this is one of the GREAT Ringling shows.*********************************************

Rich Deptula reports that Rev. Pollone was in Sarasota& made the mistake of staying another day & his planewas detoured by the way of Cleveland! Rich met hisplane and took him out to brunch. What a nice surprise!*********************************************

Nicole Wright reports there will be a comedy jargo bullon Billy Martin's Circus, under the skilled direction ofDebbie & Emil Goetschi. It's sure to be a real hoot foryoung & old. Jan. 17th Nicole & Shane open in Indy forHamid-Morton Circus. From April-June, they will bewith Super Cirque in Canada. Keep us informed!*********************************************

Next issue will have a full report of Circus Flora inScottsdale by Denny Childers, WITH PHOTOS.

Madison Square Gardens

i«r • _ --™-

"TheMost Beautiful Legs On The Show!!"

Bella Atardi; Jeannie Sleeter; Charlotte SchmidtSkee Otaris; Maxie Walker; Hugo Schmidt

Marion Siefert; Bunny White

Johnny Pugh?????

Back Yard1522 Clinton Blvd.Bloomington, IL 61701

FIRST CLASS MAIL!