2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus #23

!cid_AB93CB2E336E4DE3B5319003FDB9F798@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus #24

!cid_A31EE43EBFB64CF58F8814BE89A459A8@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

From Henry Schroer

!cid_6B7D2C1D24D84D80AE0B376A49B784A7@AdminPC, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. In 1986, Peter Davies was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Louisiana State University . On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Peter approached it very carefully. He got down on one knee, inspected the elephants foot, and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Peter worked the wood out with his knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments. Peter stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned and walked away. Peter never forgot that elephant or the events of that day. Twenty years later, Peter was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Peter and his son Cameron were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Peter, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man. Remembering the encounter in 1986, Peter could not help wondering if this was the same elephant. Peter summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Peter legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly. Probably wasn't the same fucking elephant. This is for everyone who sends me those heart-warming bullshit stories. Hi Buckles, ' Something to make you laugh. Still fighting this cancer, has not going away yet. All the best Henry

CAMELIA

CAMELIA2, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Hi Buckles The gold window card on the wall behind Camelia is the original from "Nefertiti" at the Blackstone Our "team" of production heads were working on 3 new shows simultaneously in 77 & 2 of them "Dracula" & The Gin Game" were very successful but unfortunately "Nefertiti" failed in Chicago

2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus (From Jim Cole)

!cid_0343214C262D470DBA91A5482D2E09CE@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. I just spent an enjoyable week with the Wenatchee Youth Circus out in Washington State. This show is now celebrating it’s 60th year and is 100% pure traditional circus. The show travels on two semis and about 7 – 8 RV trailers, and has a great cookhouse.

2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus #2

!cid_D4E1EC35323E4D0FA86B407F6F874F85@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus #3

!cid_264A1BD7A72E4CE8BFE1AA9ED5398A7A@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus #4

!cid_5FC184627DE947CD95C8710DDC2B0A4A@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus #5

!cid_0FAE22A041CA414FA533739968AEF084@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus #6

!cid_2B365B2616BB42008921D26A1BF5E24F@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus #7

!cid_86BD4C7E44FF405891C8FDF646B0A04E@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

2012 Wenatchee Youth Cricus #8

!cid_645A06C2D74E4849AA93F3A72E7CFEA7@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus #9

!cid_A1428630F8A9418AA29E05CB9A6079F4@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus #10

!cid_ACC6D226E5964517B69C097231A44A0F@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

2012 Wenatchee Youth Circus #11

!cid_36E442730F734D8EB2B825E9C98CAEF9@JamesSColeHP, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. (TO BE CONTINUED)

London Olympics #1 (From Chic Silber)

TKONYOT2, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Hi Buckles The latest news of Tina Konyot LONDON — Tina Konyot, a 50-year old Martin County High School graduate, and her horse, Calecto V, finished 27th in the individual dressage grand prix event of the Olympics at Greenwich Park. She scored a 70.456. Jan Eberling, riding the horse partly owned by Ann Romney placed 30th. Team U.S.A. placed 5th in the team dressage competition. The top 7 teams advance to the Grand Prix Special on Aug. 7. Konyot, who rides and trains horses at her family farm in Palm City during the winter months, arrived in England early last month and trained each day leading up to competition. Konyot is the daughter of famed horse trainer Alex Konyot, and her family has been renown in the equestrian community for five generations.

London Olympics #2

TKONYOT3, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. "Yeah, I heard he finished out of the money! Probably not enough sawdust in the ring." Buckles

More wheels from Chic!

PANTHER1, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Hi Buckles The reason I became the driver of his Winton "General" was that he was driving his limited edition Packard Panther This tremendous coupe (2 seater) had a refrigerated compartment in the rear deck behind the seats

From Chic Silber #1

BucklesMelton, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. When James Melton came to Nashville he didn't stay in the house car but in the Hermitage Hotel. This is the buggy he arrived in.

From Chic Silber #2

TIGERDC8, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Hi Buckles Here's 1 of Casey's Flying Tiger stretch DC-8s It can hold about 3 Low Boy 53s worth of stuff

From Paul Gutheil

6-susanna%20svenson%20on%20ostrich%20rbbb%20nj, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. THE SEVENSON'S DID THE OSTRICH TROT. WITH APOLOGIES OF POOR SCANNING. BEST, PAUL

From Chic Silber #3

WINTON1, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Hi Buckles In the summer of 1960 I worked in Summer Stock as Technical Director of a chain of tented theaters James Melton was the star of "The Student Prince" & was an avid antique auto collector He brought his Winton Housecar "The General" on the tour & entrusted me to be the driver from tent to tent during the run (another great opportunity) It certainly resembles the Hull car shown today

1933 Jimmie Hull's Comedians #1

08-02-2012 03;33;58PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. My Dad enjoyed all manner of tented entertainment and left quite a bit Rep Show material. These are stamped: "Photos by William H. B. Jones P.O. Box 777 Galveston, Texas." On the back are Mr. Jones neatly typed comments.

1933 Jimmie Hull's Comedians #2

08-02-2012 03;35;31PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. "Man on left named "Ward" was "Boss canvasman" etc.. Man in center was ticket seller, name slipped me. Man on right is Pernotza, Stage Manager-Carpenter."

1933 Jimmie Hull's Comedians #3

08-02-2012 03;37;31PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. "Big Guy on left is "Yours Truly" Me! "Jonesey". Man wearing derby in center is Jimmie Hull. Owner-Manager, other man was member of the orchestra, name has "slipped me".

1933 Jimmie Hull's Comedians #4

08-02-2012 03;39;11PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. "Blackface Comedian" Skinny Kimling and partner Miss Kelly."

1933 Jimmie Hull's Comedians #5

08-02-2012 03;41;34PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

1933 Jimmie Hull's Comedians #6

08-02-2012 03;43;05PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. "Peanuts" Pornitza at left, Manager-Carpenter.

1933 Jimmie Hull's Comedians #7

08-02-2012 03;45;01PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. "Name has escaped me but he played in the orchestra and "bits". His wife did bits too and worked in the front."

1933 Jimmie Hull's Comedians #8

08-02-2012 03;46;51PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

1933 Jimmie Hull's Comedians #9

08-02-2012 03;48;48PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. "Jimmie Hull, Owner-Manager, center. Mr. and Mrs. Hull's living "car" in right corner".

From Buckles

MAIL0034, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. The interior of the typical dramatic show of the day.

From Chic Silber

KLMDC7F, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Hi Buckles This F version of the Douglas DC-7 was a KLM freighter by the name of "Seven Seas" used for much exotic cargo The last of Douglas's piston propeller big planes Their DC-8 was an early passenger jet

From Mike Naughton

1964%20Tour-7, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Is it just me? What do you think of this? The fanatical animal rights movement can trace its roots to England. 1. The Olympic Equestrian events are the only games that use animals. 2. The horses travel to England from all over the world in beautiful stalls, access to fresh water and feed. They are accompanied by their trainers constantly. 3. The majority of the horses are flown to England in first class style via specialized jets coordinated by FedEx. 4. Circus animals are also transported in beautiful stalls, access to fresh water and feed and are accompanied by their trainers. 5. I haven't seen any animal rights protesters in the media,regarding the Olympic horses. 6. The web site Mother Nature Network reached out to PETA and several other AR groups for their view on the horse transportation. ALL OF THEM REFUSED to comment. When have you heard of the animal rights fanatics refusing media attention? From this moment on, when I am questioned about the transport of circus animals I will reply, "Just like the beautiful horses in the Olympics and the Kentucky Derby, circus animals travel in custom designed compartments, with constant attention from their trainers."

From Buckles

08-01-2012 07;32;05PM, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Sidney Rink Renowned mule, horse and elephant trainer. "I wonder if CALECTO V can do this?"

1942 National Geographic #1 (From Eric Beheim)

1942-1, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. 70 years ago this month, the following three photos appeared in the August 1942 issue of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC as part of an article on South Africa. This first one was taken when the manager of an Oudtshoorn ostrich farm arranged an “ostrich derby” for the author to photograph. Once the derby got underway, however, the riders were unable to guide their birds, which took off in all directions.

1942 National Geographic #2

1942-2, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Because of World War II shipping restrictions, South African citrus growers had no market for their oranges. Rather than being allowed to go to waste, the fruit was dumped near Addo National Park for the wild elephants to enjoy.

1942 National Geographic #3

1942-3, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. A veteran keeper at the Snake Park in Port Elizabeth demonstrates his expertise in handing a hooded cobra. During the war, the Park provided large quantities of venom for use in making antivenin.

From Don Covington

Scan12550, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. July 31, 2012 WASHINGTON (AP) — A court has turned down an appeal from the sister of the CEO of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus who claimed her estranged brother had her assaulted by private security guards. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Tuesday called her appeal "without merit and easily rejected." Karen Feld lost her $110 million lawsuit last year against circus CEO Kenneth Feld. She had claimed that Kenneth Feld's private security guards assaulted her when they threw her out of their late aunt's shiva (a Jewish mourning ritual) held at a condo owned by Kenneth Feld. The appeals court rejected Karen Feld's argument that Kenneth Feld was not entitled to use force to remove her from the building.

From Mark Rosenthal

slide_233076_1116164_free, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Both sides can claim victories in a lawsuit against the LA Zoo over the treatment of Billy the elephant -- a beast the suit described as overweight, depressed and sexually frustrated. Judge John L. Segal ruled Tuesday that Billy could remain at the LA Zoo elephant habitat, but only as long as zookeepers make changes that include instituting daily two-hour exercise periods, forbidding the use of electric shocks and tilling the habitat's soil so the ground is softer, reports the Los Angeles Times. Aaron Leider, a real estate agent who filed the lawsuit, called the decision a win despite the fact that his suit called for Billy and the other elephants to be removed from the zoo and sent to an animal sanctuary. On his Facebook page, he wrote, "WE WON OUR LAWSUIT AGAINST THE LA ZOO!" Leider also pointed out that for the first time in history, a zoo has been ordered by a judge to improve the way it cares for its animals. Despite ruling that Billy should stay at the zoo, Judge Segal unleashed 56 pages of scathing criticism about the ignorance of the zoo's staff. He also wrote that the trial proved life for the zoo's three elephants is "empty, purposeless, boring, and occasionally painful."

From Don Covington

50020900de86d_preview-620, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. LAKE GEORGE -- Despite a slow start to the Big Apple Circus run in Lake George, local and circus officials are hopeful the village will again serve as a circus venue in future years. But whether that will happen remained unknown Sunday as the performers completed their final show at the Charles R. Wood Park. The goal is for the circus to fill about 50 percent of the 1,700 seats in the tent, village Mayor Robert Blais said, and in the first week sales were around 25 percent capacity. They increase increased to 35 to 40 percent at the beginning of the second and final week, he said. He cited hot weather, road closures and detours around the circus site as factors that could have put a damper on ticket sales. “I think with the hot, muggy weather, when a person comes here to visit, they want to be near the lake. That’s our major attraction,” he said. “And I think it did hurt on days when the road was closed for a time, and there was confusion about parking.” The circus finished its run of shows in the Charles R. Wood Park on Sunday afternoon. Circus spokesman Joel Dein didn’t have a final tally Sunday of how many tickets were sold, but said as of last week “in excess of 15,000 tickets” had been sold over the company’s first Lake George run. “New venues are a challenge because we’re not necessarily known in the area, but Lake George was exceedingly generous in their support, and there were really positive reactions from residents and the transient population,” he said. Blais said it may take a few visits for the Big Apple Circus to become a well-known annual staple in the village. “The first year, no matter where you play in a new area, the word has to get out,” Blais said. “Tourists probably didn’t even know the circus was here this year. But I believe if they come back the same weeks, like the car show or Americade and other things that are held at the same time every year, it will become a fixture and people will plan their vacations around it.” The Big Apple Circus board of directors would need to approve another series of Lake George shows for next year. “We would very much like that to happen — we’re hopeful we will be back next year,” Dein said. Even if they are, construction will be taking place in the Charles R. Wood Park in the coming year, and the festival space may not be ready by the time the circus would return, Blais said. Blais has consulted with Elan Planning, Design & Landscape Architecture about having Charles R. Wood Park, the former Gaslight Village site, ready for another Big Apple Circus appearance next year. If the park is under construction at that time, it will be a challenge to find another site in Lake George that works as well as a venue for the circus, though there may be other options. The location off of West Brook Road allowed the trailers for the performers and crew to be on-site outside of the circus tent. The water and sewer collection systems at that site also worked well, Blais said. In his tenure as mayor, Blais said he received more positive feedback about the circus than any other event in the village. And the feeling was apparently mutual — when Blais spoke to people who were in town with the circus, they praised the beauty of the area and talked about taking boat cruises around the lake. “The fact is, too, they’re spending some money in the community,” Blais said. “It’s a win-win situation all the way around.”

From Peter Rosa

!cid_tie_8CF3D87D6D0DA91_1AA8_134C3, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. This appeared on my facebook page. Bumper cars on the mountain Dannhäuser? This morning there is a truck accident with the precious cargo. The road will be closed until this evening.

From Richard Flint #1

Konyot,%20Tina, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Seen here is Olympic equestrian contender Tina Konyot, a direct descendent of generations of distinguished circus riders and one of the four US Olympic dressage team members. Tina is ranked second in the US and is seen here on her horse, Calecto V, on which she will go up against the best in the world beginning this Thursday, August 2, in London. Highest ranked in the US is German-born Steffen Peters who gained his US citizenship in 1992 and placed fourth in the Beijing Olympics. Another member is quite young for this level of dressage, 25-year old Adrienne Lyle, but media attention has focused not on the final rider, Jan Ebeling (also German born but now a US citizen) but on his horse Rafalca. The mare’s co-owner is Ann Romney, wife of GOP presidential candidate Mitt. Romney. Candidate Romney’s current overseas junket to London and the Middle East coincided with the arrival of his wife’s horse in London but whether the candidate will attend the dressage events this week on his return is unknown. There are three Olympic categories for horse events: dressage, jumping, and eventing (which combines the first two with a 3.5 mile cross-country course of 28 obstacles). Both individual and team medals are awarded in each of the three categories. Thus, there are only six gold medals for which 200 riders from around the world are competing—including Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter, Zara Phillips, who is on the British eventing team. All events take place in Greenwich Park, London’s oldest and home to the Prime Meridian Line (e.g., hence, Greenwich Mean Time). Tina Konyot will ride on August 2 and 3 in the individual dressage event. The US dressage team expects the team gold to be won by Germany or Britain with the U.S.’s best chance a bronze. The equestrian events are the only Olympic sport in which men and women compete against each other. The equestrian category is also the only event in which humans and members of the animal kingdom compete together.

From Richard Flint #2

Konyot%20B&B%201909, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. The Konyot family first appeared in the US on Barnum & Bailey between 1909 and 1912. Twenty-two family members plus 3 attendants and numerous horses came over to present a variety of acts in the program, so many that Fred Bradna stated this versatile family “were all over the program.” They likely did six acts under their family name and another five under other (often in-law) names. Sandor Konyot’s wife was Helen Deike from a family of acrobats and wire-walkers and so the Deike sisters was the name of one of their acts (well-known wagon builder Charlie Luckey’s future wife was incorporated into the act). For a horseback juggling act they were styled the Bokromas. The Konyots also claimed to have trained the balloon horse Jupiter (though there had been a similar act the season before). One of their premiere acts assembled for the 1910 season featured 24 horses in a three ring tandem act: 8 horses and 4 riders (2 women and 2 men) in each ring with each rider driving an unmounted horse in front using long reins.

From Richard Flint #3

Konyot%20acts, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. The family returned to Europe for 1913 and re-opened their own circus now styled more like an American wild west show. The vicissitudes of two world wars and the inflationary 1920s created difficulties for the family as it did for many show folk in Europe, a story not yet adequately told. In 1940 Arthur with daughter Dorita and son Alexander were re-engaged for Ringling and, like Alfred Court with his cat acts, made a hair-breadth escape from embattled Europe. They and the family show had been having a difficult time in eastern Europe what with the hatred between various ethnic groups and Hitler’s rise. Brother Adolph was swallowed up in the bitterness and never seen again, likely part of Hitler’s ethnic cleansing (his mother was from the Jewish circus family Blumenfeld). Arthur stayed with Ringling through the 1944 season, then played independent dates before moving to Chicago in the 1950s to open his own equestrian center. Among the horses he trained was Arthur Godfrey’s “Goldie” which I remember seeing on stake night at the Eastern States Exposition horse show about 1958.

From Richard Flint #4

Konyot%20troupe%20on%20B&B%201911, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Here is a photo of the Konyot Troupe of dressage riders in 1911 on the Barnum show. Arthur, who later settled in the US, is at far left. Fourth from the left in a girl’s costume is Oscar. Because Max Konyot and his wife decided to return to Europe after the first season, younger brother Oscar, then aged 14, was brought into the dressage and riding acts. For the dressage act, he had to replace a female and so the costume seen here. Oscar also returned to the US with a unique comedy lion act featured on Ringling in 1952-53. He later had a chimp act with his young wife Pat and again returned to the Ringling show in 1966. I had the pleasure to have a long talk with him about his family’s remarkable past when I met him in Sarasota shortly before his death in 1975. Briefly, the Konyot circus dynasty began when Leopold Konyot ran away from home. He married into the Blumenfeld circus family but soon took out his own Circus Leopold. He had 12 children, the first being Arthur born in 1888. Arthur had two children through his first marriage, Dorita and Alex (born 1915). Alex married the great wire walker Josephine Bersoni and one of their children is today’s Olympian equestrian Tina Konyot. Certainly, few can claim such an illustrious and long heritage!

From Steve Flint #1

1955, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Hope this finds you well and in good spirit. I'm writing in reference to the RBBB baby elephant promotion truck you have pictured this morning. Attached are 2 more photo's of the vehicle from 1955 and 1956 (color photo). According to my records the elephant was Moe (or Little Moe). The guys in charge were Vern Duffy and Ed Healy. Apparently this unit was used in the advance in 1955 and 1956 seasons.

From Steve Flint #2

1956, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr.

RBBB 1955 (From Buckles)

SAVE1955, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. They were in the process of building that truck when I visited the show at Soldier Field in 1955. Smokey said they were going to send "Cass" and "Dale" (Adele) ahead of the show for publicity. This differs from Steve's comment but I'm inclined to go along with him. Duffy was a long time elephant hand with the show well past his prime and the driver Ed Healy worked up around the front end as a staff car driver. I had no idea that went unit out again in 1956.

RBBB 1957

SAVE1274, a photo by bucklesw1 on Flickr. Me and Ed Healy.