Thursday, December 27, 2007

From "7 generation old School"

Dear Buckles,

I will leave my name anonymous, However i will let you know that i am no stranger to the circus considering that my family goes down in history in the European circus world. I would just like to put this on your site as a recognition of how disgraceful some people can be. I have read the posts about a good family called the zamperlas and their tragic loss of their son, I was shocked when i heard the news they gave me about your local sarasota establishment called showfolks Jenny wallenda offerd a plot to the zamperla family for the tragic and sudden death of thier loved one. then the bored had a christmas day meeeting....and decided agianst the plot the day after Christmas which was supposed to be the day of giving. SO these people who ruled out the plot let thier names be stated here:.........................................................................................................! If only these were true circus performers they would know the value of a loss as tragic as this and would bend over backwards to help this family out. I always saw on TV how Americans help eachother in tragedies and so forth, But Now i see how the American Circus people really don't give a shit to help thier own in such a tragedy. I would be ashamed to be a member to such and establishment as showfolks. Thank you for your time to read this and i wish the best to this strong and amazing family from the old school.

Kindly,
7 generation old school

"Since this was sent anonymously, I deleted the the names of the twelve Board Members submitted, a number of whom are probably unaware this alleged event ever happened."
Buckles

Posted by Buckles at 12/27/2007 06:37:00 AM

19 comments:

Casey McCoy Cainan said...

I am pretty sure in the US, people still have the right to confront our accusers. Except Larry, he said he didn't want that one.

27 December, 2007 07:11
Anonymous said...

To a missinformed party in regard to a burial plot. The Showfolks of Sarasota is a club similar to other clubs that require membership by paying an initiation fee and yearly dues. The family are not members of our club and if they ever were it would have consisted of a free initiation fee given to performers who would volunteer to preform in our annual "Showfols Circus" and then they are expected if they so desire to pay their annual dues. Obviously they have not continued on with their membership for a number of years. We do endeavor to help our members in time of need [bear in mind MEMBERS] and I believe our track record is pretty good. In order to exist we need the income from members dues, our bar income and general fund raising activities. There are certainly alot of needy people out there, members and non-members, but to imply that we are wrong in our activities is stretching the imagination. Our President was wrong in putting the cart before the horse as we have set up in our by-laws in how to administer these varoious requests, and she is not in any position to offer anything without first going thru the proper channels. I am not aware of any burial plots, so this is a surprise to me. I am sure there are alot of members and non-members as well who may not have pre-determined burial plots and can think off hand of a number of our fellow show people who were strapped financially not only in death but the overwhelming medical and other needs prior to passing on.

Where did your mis-information come from? I believe this incident is injurous to our club and its loyal members and can assure you that we hold our heads high and are quite proud of our unique club all thru the years. I hope this brief explanation will give you understanding and if doesn't I could care less what you think but hate to see our club put in such an ugly sight.

27 December, 2007 09:01
Buckles said...

Something wrong here.
If Jenny Wallenda owns a burial plot that she wants to give away, why would anyone at Showfolks care one way or the other?

27 December, 2007 09:08
Anonymous said...

Casey, I will gladly accept that right any day. I'll even take any Larry doesn't want.
Wade Burck

27 December, 2007 09:41
Anonymous said...

The writer infers that they are not a member of Showfolks, but he/she/it has the names of the entire board. How did that information get into their hands?

The last time I checked, months ago, Showfolks didn't have a web site anymore, so the board members names are not available online. Only people close to Showfolks would have the board members names.

I agree with Buckles, this is a private matter between the plot owner and the receiver.

Showfolks was pulled into in a tragic situation and does not deserve to be associated with such a sorrowful event.

27 December, 2007 09:43
Anonymous said...

Anonymous,
The Col. and I contributed greatly to the bar fund, that you mention.
Wade Burck

27 December, 2007 09:44
Anonymous said...

I hate when the web offers ANONYMOUS...
You have something to say,Put your name with it...
good,or bad...stand up and be a man(or women)
Randy Peterson
(I hope when this gets re-typed they spell my name right)

27 December, 2007 10:47
Anonymous said...

Hey you self appointed jerk who the hell do you think you are and what right do you have in your declaration about our club and our circus people when you don't know what the hell you are talking about.

1. Our club is not just performers. Its people from all parts of the showbusiness. Shit shovelers, candy butchers, prop guys, agents producers, you name it and in the true American spirit we ball meet as one and there is no royalty or higher echelon. We have Circus buffs as well as hardworking Associate members.

2. That seventh generation crap doesn't give any special priveleges other than respect for who they are and the pride of being part of one of those families.

3. I am four generations in this biz. and from the old school but any success I have enjoyed in this business is from my own personal work and initiative. I have never enjoyed a "free ride".

4. This is America and how it works. Rarely have I seen performers come to our country and then go back to their native land. Good, bad or indifferent it seems to offer the best of two worlds. I must admit that I am one hundred per cent native American circus person including all generations before me.

5. So I assume you reside i8n some other country and if so, please stay there as certainly your associates there are far more benevolent than us lousy American circus people.

6. Incidentally I am a past pres. of our club and have also served on the board and have been involved in club activities. I am proud to have received "life time membership" for my contributions and my wife who has also served on the board and has paid her dues for 40 years and have had some difficult times, but we have never asked the club for any help. I would suggest that the family you are referring to were paid up members of the club we would endeavor offer some support, but obviously our "needy" members will always come first. Thats not alot to ask. So put that in your pipe and smoke it. I have the greatest respect and numerous friends from those who are from other countries and nationalities, so I am not biased or predjudiced in any manner.

27 December, 2007 11:23
Anonymous said...

They say that one of the stages of mourning is anger (with the deceased) even if the individual being mourned has led a long and good life. Anonymous strikes out at the living because the living can still viserally react. Clearly from posts here and elsewhere there is much sadness for the Zamperla family. And there is an effort to come to their financial assistance. Whether there was or wasn't some miscommunication involving Showfolks, striking out at a club, any club over what it can or cannot rightly do is emotional energy misspent. Anonymous forgets in his or her anger and grief that the role or a friend inside or outside the show business is comfort and support, and yes, sometimes financial assistance for the loved ones who are still in tears and bewildered by their loss. Attacking others who in no way played a role in this tragedy and who have individually sought to help benefits no one and in no way honors the fond memories so many have of Matt Zamperla. Anonymous perhaps momentarily forgets that this isn't about generations or hierarchy but about a young life cut short.

27 December, 2007 12:06
Anonymous said...

Damn, Buckles, ear the Col., and get a twitch on him!!!! Its no good for his health to keep jumping the traces. Something happens, who is going to councel me, when I get into an equine jackpot.
Wade Burck

27 December, 2007 12:28
Anonymous said...

I am both a member of the Showfolks of Sarasota, and a friend of the Zamperla family.

It is my understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong!) that the late Allen C. Hill had donated 2 burial plots to the Showfolks Club for the purpose of assisting financialy burdened circus families with funeral arangements for a deceased loved one.

If this is the case, the question should be whether Mr. Hill specified in his bequest that these families must be current members of the club or not. If it were not specified either way, I can appreciate the club's standpoint that it should be for members only.

In any event, this is not the time for feuding and name calling. The entire Sarasota Circus community should remain supportive of the Zamperla family.

Jim Cole

27 December, 2007 12:45
Anonymous said...

Anonymous:

This is a time of sadness and loss. A time to focus in on being supportive of the Zamperla family. At the same time, it is easy to criticize. I find it somewhat disingenuous as well as less than courageous to name individuals on the Showfolks Board yet fail to make yourself known by signing your name. Although, I have not been an advocate of defending Showfolks through the years, for whatever reason, the Board has found it cannot award this act of benevolence to the family of Matt. The motion and intent was there or it would not have been offered in the first place. I am told that Mr. Hill was specific in his desire of how these burial plots should be directed. The Board is legally obligated to abide by this, and could be liable for not acting in accordance with the stipulations in Mr. Hill’s Will. This is a time when the circus community should rally together to support the Zamperla family, irregardless of what Showfolks does or does not do, and reach into their own pockets. Instead of being critical of what others are not doing, perhaps it is a time to look inside ourselves as to what “I can do”.

Tino Wallenda Zoppe’

27 December, 2007 14:24
Anonymous said...

Buckles:
As is human nature, criticism(s) often occur. I'll stick my neck out and suggest that maybe we all might bear in mind a quote from Teddy Roosevelt: "It is not the critic who counts. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena...who at the best knows in the end the triumphs of high achievements and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

We have had the pleasure of meeting a number of members of the Zamperla family over the years and
we extend our sincere sympathy at
this very trying time.

Paul Gutheil

27 December, 2007 14:37
Anonymous said...

Please this is a horrible time for the Zamperla family and also for Matt's father. As they scramble to make arrangements for Matt let's not make things worse for them. This seems like a big misunderstanding.
Darlene Williams

27 December, 2007 14:38
Anonymous said...

This is a time for the community to gather to support the zamperla family and provide any help we can. organizations such as the shrine club, the salvation army, the lions club or the vfw -- and many, many churches and synagogues -- offer support for anyone they can help with the funds available, whether they are members or not. i am sure the showfolks have helped many people who were not members both as a group and as individuals. the circus community is known for supporting each other with no questions asked and i am sure that if there were any way showfolks could have donated a burial plot they would have, unless it was specified that the plot only be donated to members.

i don't intend to critize anyone but this tragedy has been shrouded in secrecy. we know a vibrant, talented performer has passed away. most of us still don't know when, where or how. our community is being attacked by someone --who, we don't know -- who doesn't live in this country and hides behind anonymous. if the European circus community is so much more supportive, what are they doing?

there's too much complaining by people who don't seem to know what they are talking about, hiding behind anonymous and keeping everything a secret.

I applaud mr. herriott for his defense of showfolks and our community. over the years, his family has done a great deal to help other people. i understand his anger at our community being attacked by someone who doesn't appear to be a member no matter how many generations are involved.

my heart goes out to the family in this tragic moment. there is no way any of us can take away their loss.

they do not need to see this scenario being played out the way it is happening. an appeal for help has been issued. there is no reason for a discussion of this nature. it can only hurt the family.

again, we should all be offering our support instead of anonymously stirring things up and making them even worse. we should be doing what we can to help, not agiitating behind anonymous posts.

27 December, 2007 15:23
Anonymous said...

I heard it happened December 23 in Orlando.
The secrecy is because it is not known if it was a suicide or a murder. Other details should not be discussed here.

27 December, 2007 18:00
Anonymous said...

To whom it may concern
As a member of a long standing european circus family.I would like to convey my deepest sympathy to the Zamperla family.This is a time of trials and tribulations.
This is a time for all of their family to be there for each other.Family bonds can get you through the worst of times.

As a member of Showfolks of Sarasota.I support the decission of the board.The cemetary plots in question were donated to the club by Bill Hill.They were meant to go to long time members who have no family support.Showfolks was derived as a meeting place for all people in our industry.It would be wonderfull if the club could have programs to help those who need assistance.However the club is going through rough times too.Lack of support and declining attendence have taken their toll. Folks if you want to keep showfolks its time to help the club.

As a soon to be american citizen (720 days).I take offence to the words of "anonymous".To be so rightous without knowing the facts,to be so arrogant and insulting to american circus,and to be so cowardly not to sign your name.

AS a 90% american and a 10% hulligan kudos to John Herriott. I'm glad to see the old horse still has a hell of a kick.
God bless America
Derrick Rosaire JR.
V.P. Showfolks of Sarasota.

28 December, 2007 00:44
Anonymous said...

I am 3rd genoration circus performer, but only through marrage as some people like to remined me of. My grandfother was Bill Ballantine, and my younger brother is his name sake. I do totally agree with what Mr. John Herriott, Darline Williams, and yes even Derrick Rosaire Jr. said has to say about this person who is not even a member of show folks nor an i,Needless to say if you dont know anything about the club, which i do, you should really keep your oppinions to your self, as also should so many other people in this business and start thinking about the family at hand, the ones who are in morning right now. Im sure they would really appreciate it. THANK YOU. T Ballantine

29 December, 2007 01:22
Anonymous said...

Thank you T Ballantine, but just to clarify, I did not
say that I agreed with the Showfolks board. I just
wanted people to stop arguing for the sake of Matt's
families. No one should ever have to bury their child.

For what it's worth, I didn't agree with the decision of the Showfolks board.

My true condolences to Mafalda Zamperla & James Zoppe.
I can not imagine their pain.

Like I said before, no one should ever have to bury a
child at Christmas time... or ever.
Darlene Williams

29 December, 2007 18:15

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