Sunday, August 23, 2009

The Pride of the Sunshine State #1 (From Buckles)


img237, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Posted by Buckles at 8/23/2009 06:08:00 AM

5 comments:

J Goodall said...

Struppi and Tommy Hanneford.

23 August, 2009 18:47
Warren Adams said...

What great photo of two great people. I spent 10 years on the Hanneford show where I was truly a part of the Hanneford family. It wasn't always the easiest of jobs but somehow it was fun and always challenging. Tommy and Struppi always seemed to attract some of the most colorful and unique characters into their circle of friends that provided endless sources of stories and memories. Who could ever forget Rai and Mike, Wally and Cheryl, Dwight, Roy Buckley, Bill Jackson, John McConnell, Mark Karoly, and the crew guys who somehow managed to stay around - Danny, Poindexter, Rich, Bill, Jackie, and others. I gott to work with some of the best in the business on that show and perform in some of the great dates of the 1980's. Shows with three and four flying trapeze acts, the first flying globe act, three rings of elephants, three rings of horses, five production numbers - the things that were the hall mark of the great American circus. Flint, Saginaw, and Minneappolis in the winter; White Plains; the Texas Dates; Smaller Shrine dates where the temple and the shriners treated you like family and friends year after year. The Hannefords are not just a pride of Florida but of the circus industry. But there are so many more not included in these photos that also deserve such recognition. Write a book Buckles - and include the photos.

23 August, 2009 21:57
Hal Guyon said...

Thanks for the compliment on the photo Warren. I took this picture at the Jamil Shrine Circus in Columbia, SC, don`t remember the date without pulling out the photo. It was taken at the back door of the arena at the Shrine Temple. There was a swimming pool and recreation area out back and they are standing in front of the old snack bar. As for your comments on Tommy and Struppi, I agree 100%, two of the nicest people in show business !

24 August, 2009 10:03
Warren said...

I guess you remeber Joe LaLibereti, the long time circus chairman in Columbia, Hal. WWhat a character that guy was. I have some stories about Joe that would probably get me thrown in jail if published. Columbia was always a great date because you could park right outside the back door at the temple but it wasn't more than a big gymnasium with no anchor points, a bear to rig, and no space for anything. But, Joe and the committee as well as all the nobels of the temple went out of their way to make sure you had plenty to eat and drink and you could lay over for as long as you wanted right there. That shelter out by the pool made a great stable for horses and cats - no tents to put up and the weather was always decent so no issues with cold and such.

24 August, 2009 19:23
Hal Guyon said...

Warren,I was Co Chairman on the Circus Committie with Joe, and also remember you. You are right, Joe is a real character I also can tell you some tales. I would go to the temple on Wed before the circus and not come home until late Sunday night. Joe has lost both of his legs due to Diabetes and is not doing real well. I don`t know if you remember Harold Fairchild, but he passed away last year. Do you remember when we had the Circus Model Builders and Fans get together`s during the dates, I was the one that arranged those with the temple. We always treated all the circus folks with great respect, things have change and it`s not the same now. A good friend of mine who is going to be Potentate of Jamil in 2 years has asked me to come back and work with the circus again. I`ll have to think about it, not young anymore. My email address is hguyon@aol.com, I would love to hear from you Warren, we could exchange old stories. I have lots more photos of those days along with some video.

25 August, 2009 10:13

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