Belated Birthday (From Henry Penndorf)

Good Morning Bill, I was a bit surprised that no one made mention that yesterday was Gunther Gebel-Williams' birthday. It is very hard to believe that Gunther would have been seventy-nine. I will always remember him as a charismatic and dynamic performer and the star of the center ring.. I can still see him running with his elephants, being propelled via teeter board to their backs, and of course, his wonderful cage acts. I am very happy that I was able to see this living legend on so many occasions. I even had the pleasure of meeting Gunther. What a gentleman! Gunther even autographed my copy of his book "Untamed" for me. That book is one of my treasured memories and possessions. Yesterday would also have been my wife's sixty fifth birthday.. She used to tease me that she never had to worry about my forgetting her birthday since she shared the day with Gunther Gebel-Williams! The first picture is one of my favorite picture of Gunther. Although not a picture of Gunther performing, I think it shows beautifully the playfulness and exuberance of Gunther. September is quite a month for wild animal trainers...Charly Baumann, Henry Schroer,"America's Own" Wade Burk Elephant Trainer Extraordinaire - "Buckles" Woodcock and our favorite Elephant Empress and animal trainer, Barbara Woodcock. I do have a question for you, and the Blogs' readers. I will be going to see Ringling Brothers' Dragons at the Webster Bank Arena (Bridgeport Connecticut, home of P.T. Barnum!) in October. I have not been to see Ringling Brothers since they did away with the three rings. My question, where would the best viewing be,side arena or end arena? I am a fan a cage acts, so i want the best vantage point for Alexander Lacey's mixed act. I hope you and Barbara are both well. Henry