Buckles Blog

Sunday, December 15, 2013

The 1969 Ringling TV special hosted by Arthur Godfrey . . .

GUNTHER #13

. . . provided many of us with our first opportunity to see Gunther perform.

GUNTHER! #16

Many of you probably remember this elephant blanket from the 111^th Edition -- the last one to be underwritten by Mattel. (That was the edition that featured Dickie the giraffe.)

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Saturday, December 14, 2013

To Dave Price

From my RBBB 1948 listing.
Logan told me Emily had been delivered the previous year.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Sarasota #1

My scanner is also on the fritz, I didn't want to mention it to Shannon yesterday since he was indisposed so I'll toss in these Sarasota pix this morning.

These next three shots show Hugo Schmitt practicing "Kernaudi", "Minyak", "Mudu", "Sabu" and "Icky" shortly after arriving from the Hagenbeck Zoo in 1947.
John North insisted he needed more to fill out the ring so he added "Minnie", "Dolly" and "Sudan" from the Ringling herd.
(No Gary Hill not our Mudu)

Sarasota #5

Sarasota #6

The same act my mother and I saw the following year in Minneapolis. (sans "Sudan")

I enjoyed the recent remarks about the size of out herd in 1979.
In these days the center ring act usually consisted of at least seven elephants and prior to that the elephant display included five herds dispersed in three rings and two stages involving over twenty five.

Sarasota #7

Fred C. Logan.

Sarasota #8

Sarasota #9

Sarasota #10

Eddie Allen with "Changing of the Guard" rehearsal.

Sarasota #11

Sarasota #12

One final Vargas picture.

Capt. Jaws and "Hattie" at left.
"Brat" was still all over the place with this hind leg walk.

Big night tomorrow at the Showfolks Circus particularly since it's also our 55th wedding Anniversary. I'm feeling better but unfortunately still have dizzy spells so it's unlikely I will be allowed out.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

From Paul Gutheil

Just heard that "Cowboy" Mike Keever passed away on the 10th.
He was only 58.
Wonderful guy, great Clown. Sorry about dust.

1990 Circus Vargas #1

Finally got the Blog completed!
This is the picture included in yesterday's Circus World Museum statement that they had received one of "Colonel Joe's" bull tubs. (Photo taken in 1990)

Shannon was off work today due to an illness that required several visits to Doctor's Offices.

1990 Circus Vargas #2

During our 19 years with Big Apple Circus we would try to put different combinations of elephants together in an effort to present something new each season.
One year Ben and family were on the show (can't remember the exact act) but being off the road Barbara and I took the opportunity to attend the CHS Convention in Columbus that by coincidence was being day and dated by Circus Vargas appearing in a local arena.
Cliff was the featured speaker at our gathering and afterward invited us to the down to his show.
During the course of events he suggested that I do some work on his elephants, at first I thought he was kidding and after he explained a few things then further discussions with Rex I was still reluctant but after he talked talked money with my wife, a deal was made.
Some time after returning home, me and the kids loaded up the truck and headed for Beverlee.....Hills that is!
My 1989 Journal states:
Left Ruskin, Fla. Nov. 15
Arrived El Paso, Texas Nov. 18

The closing date where they were showing that dusty, filthy Fairgrounds Arena.

1990 Circus Vargas #3

Vargas Winter Quarters in Pioco Rivera, Calif.
Started work on the elephants Fri. Nov. 24, 1989.

1990 Circus Vargas #4

Dammit!.....blocked again with only three pictures to go!

Shannon mentioned a few days ago that Folder #6 was about to fill up, I should be back in business as soon as I can contact him.

On yesterday's Blog I noticed an article announcing the donation of one of Colonel Joe's bull tubs to the Baraboo Museum that included a picture of me, "Joe" and the bull tub while at the Vargas Winter Quarters the winter of 1989-90.
I thought I would add a few more pictures from that same setting and an explanation of the circumstances that placed me there.