Thursday, April 30, 2009

Performers


Bette married Bobby Zenaro. They later divorced and she married Fred Leonard. many of you recall that Bette Leonard was a past President of the CFA.
Bette and my aunt Genevive, grew up beside each other. Bette introduced my aunt to my uncle who was performing on the show. Billy and Gen married 6 months later and were with it and for it for 30 years before retiring.
This scrapbook was a treasured item of my uncle's as all the letterheads in this book were from performers they worked with over the years on the many different shows.

Performers


This is 1922. Many of you may recognize the man's face. This is Emmett Kelly as an aerialist and a cartoonist before he ever began his clowning career.

Performers


Performers


Performers


Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Peru, Indiana Winter Quarters

This was glued in my uncle's scrapbooks. The White # 16 in the bottom right hand corner leads me to believe that this is a Wm. Koford photo that was distributed by Al Conover.

Peru, Indiana Winter Quarters

My uncle's notes says this is the Sells Floto light plant.

Mabel Stark

Whenever I think of Mabel Stark, I think of her with the tigers. This open air menagerie shot was taken on the Al G. Barnes Circus. Seeing Mabel Stark with a leopard always intriqued me.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Great Circus Parade


The Great Circus Parade is coming! It's hard to believe that July will be here before you know it. Go to the Circus World Website for all the great details. http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/Parade/EventOverview.aspx
Along with the Great Circus Parade will be the Circus Historical Society convention from July 9-12. Some of the greatest Circus Historians of all time will be there presenting topics of interest on a wide variety of subjects. John Ringling North II will be the featured speaker at the annual Banquet. Also the large circus auction offers, posters, books, memorabilia of all kinds to build your collections with and raises money for the CHS at the same time. Here is the CHS link. The application for the convention is here also. Sign up today for a once in a lifetime event!

Monday, April 27, 2009

John Robinson Circus


Here's a couple from the John Robinson Circus. These are photos of the photos in my uncle's scrapbooks. Just don't see this anymore!

John Robinson Circus


John Robinson Circus


Sunday, April 26, 2009

Christy Bros. Circus - 1926


Here's a series of the Christy Show. These are photos I took of photos in my uncle's scrapbooks. I won't tell you he took them all as some are glued in and the 1927 in particular has some numbers in white in the bottom right hand corner. Anyway, these are Days gone By!

Christy Bros. Circus - 1926


Christy Bros. Circus - 1927


Christy Bros. Graveyard - 1948


Christy Bros. Graveyard - 1948


Christy Bros. Graveyard - 1948


Christy Bros. Graveyard - 1948


Christy Bros. Graveyard - 1948


Christy Bros. Graveyard - 1948


Saturday, April 25, 2009

World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


My uncle went back again in 1959, this time with a slide film in place and took these 6 color shots. You can see the Whirling title under the tickets board. This is now painted with the Sells-Floto title at the Circus World Museum.

World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


Friday, April 24, 2009

World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


OK, let's get back to the reason for this blog. Here are five more photos from my uncle's scrapbooks taken at the World Jungle Compound. I took these photos of my uncle's photos so they might not be real crisp either.

World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


Another long unheard of title.

World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


World Jungle Compound / Jungleland

Sorry, I lost the clarity on this one but it shows a title I wasn't aware of before.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Wildfire in Myrtle Beach

With the Cole Bros. show having just gone through here two weeks ago, the wildfires have now burned over 15,000 acres, 70 homes, and damaged another 100 homes or so. It still isn't contained.

Wildfire in Myrtle Beach

I went to Myrtle Beach last night ( about a two hour drive ) to see my daughter and visit with a cousin who was in town. It turns out a wildfire started around 12 noon and with the strong winds took off immediately. Needless to say, it has been downhill ever since with the State Fire Dept. Mobilization Units being called in from several counties away already.

Wildfire in Myrtle Beach

Here we are getting turned around after the road was overtaken and they closed the roads 90 and 31.

Wildfire in Myrtle Beach


This was taken about 8:30 PM last night ( Wed, ) 11PM news said about 3000 acres was burnt. This morning the fire has jumped two roads, burnt over 8,000 acres and they have now evacuated about 2500 people.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

From Kari Johnson - Very Urgent!

This is on Buckles blog in full detail. Please, Please, Please, drop whatever you are doing and contact your legislators NOW! Tomorrow is too late!


This bill is bad for more than just elephants. Please take a moment to read the info below and write, call or e-mail. Thanks. ~Kari
Wide cross posting of this email is requested in its entirety, with links and PIJAC PDF attachment.
WE NEED YOUR HELP - WHETHER YOU OWN AN "EXOTIC" ANIMAL OR ANY OTHER ANIMAL.
HR 669 IS SET FOR HEARING ON 4/23/09.
WE ALL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO KILL HR 669 NOW.
THE ISSUE - WHAT IS HR 669? - WHAT WILL IT DO?
"ONE GENERATION AND OUT" is not just limited to purebred dogs and cats. Now our "non-native" species" are targets of the animal prohibitionist agenda. Under HR 669, "non-native" basically means if a species of animal didn't live in the US before the arrival of Columbus it is "non-native", and if HR 669 passes, most non-native species of animal (i.e., exotic animals) won't remain in the US much longer. That means your exotic pet bird, reptile, fish, or mammal.
HR 669 is a very serious and harmful animal prohibition proposal. HR 669 is not needed to protect our environment. HR 699 is the legislative equivalent of a nuclear bomb that is aimed at the entire US exotic pet industry, all US exotic pet owners, and all exotic animals in the US.
HR 669 is an "anti-animal bill". There is no amendment that can fix this bill. HR 669 will hurt everyone who owns an animal, and it will hurt our animals. Breeder, pet owner, rescuer, rehabilitator, zoo, service or product provider - it doesn't matter - we will all be hurt by this bill. HR 669 needs to be killed at the April 23rd hearing - not amended, not "made better" - HR 669 NEEDS TO BE KILLED. Please contact the Representatives hearing this bill NOW and ask them to KILL HR 669 (see below for contact information).
All import, export, transport across State lines, selling, buying, bartering, or offering to sell, buy or barter, and all breeding, of all non-native species not on the "approved list" will be prohibited - even by zoos, sanctuaries, and licensed breeders. Permits authorizing only "importation" may be issued to "zoos, scientific research, medical, accredited zoological or aquarium display purposes, or for educational purposes that are specifically reviewed, approved, and verified by the Secretary". There is no requirement that any permits be granted. Even if these institutions are able to obtain the required permits, where will they obtain their imported animals? Habitat for many species is declining worldwide, many species are endangered or threatened in the wild, and many species cannot be imported to the US under the CITES treaty. The result of this bill will be to put a stop domestic breeding of most endangered or threatened species in the US for zoos, conservation, or reintroduction programs. Zoos are not immune from the animal prohibitionist agenda.
If you "possess" a non-approved species "legally" prior to enactment of the law, you will be allowed to keep it, but all of the other restrictions pf HR 669 will still apply to your species - you will not be allowed to sell, transfer, transport across State lines, export, barter, trade, breed, or give that animal to anyone else.
Pet owners will not be allowed to take their non-approved pets with them if they move to another state, and they will not be allowed to transfer them to anyone else who can care for them. Those pets will be euthanized when their owners move, die, or can no longer keep their pets for whatever reason. Pet owners and their pets are not immune from the animal prohibitionist agenda.
"Rescue" and "sanctuary" will not be available for any non-approved species unless the rescue or sanctuary keeps only species found within their respective States. That result has been contemplated for years. Rescues and Sanctuaries are not immune from the animal prohibitionist agenda.
Any person or company manufacturing or selling food or products for non-native (exotic) species will be affected by this act. If non-native (exotic) species cannot be legally possessed, bought, sold, or transferred, there will be no incentive for manufacturers of food, caging, and supplies for these animals to remain in business. Where will non-native (exotic) animal owners obtain the food and materials needed to keep their animals?

Go to http://bucklesw.blogspot.com for the rest of the story.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


Here are a few pictures from the World Jungle Compound in California. It was owned by Louis Goebels and was named Jungleland later on. These photos are photos of pictures in my Uncle Bill's scrapbooks.

World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


World Jungle Compound / Jungleland


Sunday, April 19, 2009

Cole Bros. Circus - 1941


Here's one more photo of a photo from my Uncle's scrapbooks. This one is dated 1941.

More Cole Bros. Circus - 1949

Here are a few more images taken by my uncle William Lerche of Bellevue, Ohio. All of these are my photos of his photos in his scrapbooks so some of the clarity is not the best but it gives a very good representation of a day in the life of the legendary Cole Bros. Circus in 1949.

More Cole Bros. Circus - 1949


More Cole Bros. Circus - 1949


More Cole Bros. Circus - 1949


More Cole Bros. Circus - 1949


More Cole Bros. Circus - 1949


More Cole Bros. Circus - 1949


More Cole Bros. Circus - 1949