Mar_April_94

March/April, 1994
•• ••
: Cal's comments
• ···•-- ------------------- ------- ---- --
Poetry is a medium I'm not comfortable with. And clown
poetry can range from the ridiculous to the sublime. But
not long ago an anonymous writer sent me a poem that I
think has a great message, and so I offer it herewith for your
consideration :
"Quarter Turn "
my eye tine is a smidgeon off , i know it!
my collar has a tittle makeup on the edge ·
t pressed my pants a half inch off the center
EXPRESSION
"Quarter Turn "
I wish they would quiet down a little.
can't they see me sweating from the stress?
You'd think there would be more respect
after all they are almost my
PEERS
keep those children back , i need to "Pose "
CONCENTRATE
"Quarter Turn"
This is important. I will be the best and i will win.
t keep this costume tocked away.
It cannot show any wear at all
keep those children back , i can't show any
Now my best smite, the one last seen
in my hotel room mirror two hours ago
when this started. Now if i can get
through the crowd i can wipe this stuff
OFF and get back to being a real
clown . ..
If someone can give me the name of the author, I'd
appreciate it.
Cal Olson , Editor
The New Calliope (ISSN
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2 The New Calliope

• ••
1:·
• •
--------.. •
.. =ee
Published for members of Clowns of America International, Inc.
MARCH/APfllL, 1994
March/April, 1994
VOLUME 11, NUMBER 2
PRESIDENT: Jack Anderson, 4560 Sussex Ave.,
Jacksonville, FL 3221 O Ph. (904) 778-3977 .
EXEC.VICE PRESIDENT: Dennis Phelps 5340 S. 67th,
Lincoln, NE 68516.Ph. (402) 421-2167.
SECRETARY: Brenda Marshall, 7128 Oldham Place, North
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Ph.(612) 771-8734.
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55057. Ph. (507) 645-5595.
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Ph.(414) 338-3569.
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS
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Ct. 06460 Ph. (203) 877-3869.
North Central: Dan Lake, 13005 Lakeridge Dr., St. Louis,
MO 63138 Ph. (314) 355-0220.
Northwest: Andi Rothweiler, E. 803 St. Thomas Moore
Way, Spokane, WA 99208 Ph.(509) 467-6216.
Mideast: Stephanie Richardson, 12600 Shooting Club
Rd., Raleigh, NC 27613. Ph. (919) 848-237 1.
Midwest: Merilyn Barrett, 20561 Foster Dr., Clinton
Townsh ip, Ml 48036. Ph. (313) 469-8764.
Southeast: Albert Lavender, 9926 Beach Blvd.,
Jacksonv ille, FL 32216 . Ph. (904) 223-5828.
South Centra l: Linda Williams, 18 Hackberry, Houston,
Texas 77027. Ph. (713) 960-8228.
Southwest: Linda Hulet, 3332 Stonybrook Dr.,
Anaheim.CA 92804. Ph. (714) 761-4214.
Canada: Ron Daley, #103 - 13 Stanhope Ave., Red Deer,
Alberta, Canada T4N OB7.Ph. (403) 347-5681.
Latin Countries: Pedro Santos, Box 3859, Bayamon
Gardens Station, Bayamon, Puerto Rico 00619.
Ph. (809) 786-3759.
Foreign: Blue Brattle, 30 Sandp iper Close, Marchwood,
Southampton SO4 4XN England.
CONTENTS
Cal's corner ....................................................... 2
Letters ....................................... ........................ 4
Clown of the year ............................................... 8
We lose Ceslee ............... ................ ................ 1 o
'A light had gone out' ................................... ... 11
Making rounds with Dr. Bugg ..................... ..... 19
Competition: Who needs it? .......... .................. 20
Treasurer's report ........................ ................... 22
Storyl ine magic ........................ ....................... 23
Just ask Aunt Clowney .................. ............... ... 24
Rainbow's Balloon Ranch .............. ................. 28
Last walkaround .............................................. 33
Election com ing up ......... ................................ 34
Meet your candidates ....................... .............. 35
Can you make The Connect ion? .................... 46
Hints from Happy ............... ............ ................. 48
From the President... ................. ..................... 50
How to catch the public eye ................. ........... 51
Alley Update ...................................... .............. 52
News from the Business Office ................. ...... 54
Tales of two parties ......................... ................ 56
Calendar ............................ .............................. 58
ON THE COVER: Arnie "Giggles" Ferrine
is COAi's 1994 Clown of the Year. He's
one of the joeys largely responsible for
the survival (and success) of COAi. His
story: Page 8. Cover and page 9 photos
by Virginia Blaisdell, New Haven, Conn.
Business Manager: David Barnett, Box 570, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566-0570. Ph/Fax: (409) 297-6699 .
The New Calliope 3

March/April , 1994
••••
•
• •
. . . ----------------------------------
: Letters
NH joey needs help
Imagine for a moment what it would be like if, while you
were away on vacation visiting family members, your home
burned to the ground. Then imagine what it would be like if
in that fire you lost your means for making a living, the tools
of your trade. Well, this is what happened to my good
friend and full-time clown, Charlie "Cecil B. DeCLown"
Sable, and his long-time companion and love of his life,
Jeanne Prevett.
Cecil has been clowning full time for the past five or six
years and is past president of Greater Boston Alley #54. He
has donated many long hours to a number of local
charities, always with enthusiasm and professionalism.
Entertaining family audiences is Cecil's life.
It is time to come to the aid of one of our own. Here is
what I ask: If you have any tools of our trade lying around
the house that you haven't used in over a year, would you
be willing to donate it to Cecil B. DeClown? Cecil's routine
APRIL 21-24, 1994
Ga. Southern Univ.
Statesboro, GA
JULY 11-17, 1994
Samford Univ.
Birmingham, AL
AUGUST 5-6, 1994
Ga. Southern Univ.
Jekyll Island, GA
includes close-up magic , stage magic, balloon sculpturing
and story-telling. Cecil also uses a lot of clown props in his
shows . Jeanne (a puppeteer) lost all of her puppets ,
sound system and staging.
If you could donate any of the items mentioned , I know
that both Cecil and Jeanne will be eternally grateful. Please
send any items to:
Cecil B. DeClown
c/o Ross Kenyon
30 Gilmore Pond Rd.
Jaffrey, NH 03452
Thank you!
Ross "Rosco the Clown" Kenyon
Past President Granite State Clown Alley #190
Watch that
cement thinner!
An article in the January/February 1994 issue of The
New Calliope advocated mixing makeup with rubber
cement thinner for tinting a cloth bald cap wig. I believe
COAi members should be warned of the dangers of using
rubber cement solvent. According to the Material Safety
Data Sheet supplied by Union Rubber Inc., rubber cement
solvent is 50 percent Hexane, which is classified as a
hazardous material. There is a great fire hazard while using
the product. Its flashpoint is less than O degrees F, and can
be ignited by heat, sparks, pilot lights , static electricity or
open flame. Less than 1 percent by volume in air is enough
to start a fire.
There are also health hazards caused by skin contact
or vapors. It can irritate the skin, eyes, throat and lungs. It
can cause dermatitis, headaches, dizziness and
unconsciousness. The manufacturer warns that "amounts
aspirated into the lungs during ingestion may cause mild to
severe pulmonary injury and possible death." (First aid for
ingestion is DO NOT induce vomiting.)
The manufacturer advises that if the thinner is spilled
on clothing , the clothing should be removed immediately,
the skin washed thoroughly with soap and water and the
clothing laundered or dry cleaned before it is worn again.
Purposely putting rubber cement thinner on something to
be worn violates the product's health warnings.
Larry Summers , the University of Wisconsin Art Health
and Safety Coordinator, advises substituting less toxic
Continued page 6
4 The New Calliope

1401/ 11f4te,
Ma
1'Jekc4e,J//
~pe-.b 4 "Lo,t Ueehe-.b .,4-t 'Piw.te,' Colle!"
~eeaU/t4,~
1994 Southwest Regional C.O.A.I. Convention
September 2nd thru 5th • Labor Day Weekend
(Early Bird Registration - 3 pm September 1st)
at the Grand Hotel in Anaheim, California
• CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS •
• Walking distance from Disneyland
• Variety Show • Clown Sho•~~
• Gala Awards Night
• Post Awards Party
• Special Guest Appearance
• Pre-Awards Reception (w/Hor d'oeuvres)
• Pirates Feast Banquet (Dress as your favorite "Swabby'~
• Daily Snacks • Auction/Raffles • Great Competition
• Educational Sessions • Hospitality Room
• Dealers (Old favorites & some new face=s)~•~;;~~~
• Great Fun for 1st of May or·--.111111"11~ c.-
Seasoned Professional
For Room Reseroations,
Phone: (714) 772 -7777 or (800) 421-6662
Special Convention Room Rate: $62.00 (1 to 4 person(s) occupancy)
Continental Breakfast included with room rate
REGISTRATION FORM
Name __________ _____ Clown Name ____ ___ _ _ _
March/April, 1994
Address-- - -- - --------- --------- ----
City _____________ State __ __ _ _ _ Zip ___ _ _
Day Phone. _____ ___ ___ Night Phone __ ______ ___ _
Full Registration includes : All classes, Banquet & Show
Pre Awards Hor's doeuvres & Show admission to Exhibitors Room,
Snacks, Program & Goodie Bag.
I wish to order a convention T-Shirt. ( $10.00 each)
Specify size/quantity Lg. __ XLg. _ _ XXLg. __
(A limited number ofT-Shirts will be available at the Convention for $12.00)
Mail registration and check payable to:
California Cut Ups c;o Becky Goodyear
5031 Sausalito Circle, La Palma, CA 90623
_For further information, please call
, Becky "Pickles" Goodyear
· :: ): :__. @ (714) 995-4595 ~, """'...
·-"' - or call
Linda "Shylo" Hulet
·' :., @ (714) 761-4214
'. !•., ..
$80 .00 (at door)
Hotel Rates
$62.00 (\ to 4 guests)
featuring the talents of th
Fabulous "
"Kenny Ahern
and the
Hilarious
teve Kissell"
The New Calliope 5

March/April, 1994
Southeastern
Clown School
On the Road
APril 21 - 24. 1994
Southern Center
for Continuing Education
Geor2ia Southern University
Statesboro. Geor2ia
• Master Clown Instructors
• Hands-on Learning and Performing
• Make-up, Balloon Sculpturing, Skits, Magic
and More!
Registration fee: $110
For the Novice as Well as the Experienced Clown
For more info1mation: Call Deborah Champion at
912-681-5555 or write to: Clown School, Landmm
Box 8124, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro,
GA 30460 -8124
Letters
From page 4
procedures when possible in an art project. There is a less
toxic method for coloring the cloth bald topped wig than
using rubber cement thinner. This is applying the makeup
alone to the fabric , and then setting it with baby powder.
Art supplies that we use in prop construction are not all
"safe. " To determine if a product is safe , look for a round
seal on the label that says , "Certified by Art & Craft
Materials Institute SP (sic) NONTOXIC. "
To learn more about the hazards of a product , obtain a
Material Safety Data Sheet , which federal law requires that
manufacturers supply to employers free of charge. The
MSDS identifies possible health hazards, lists precautions,
and explains first aid procedures. Many retailers have them
on hand and will distribute them. If not available , you can
contact the manufacturer direct. Since most clowns are
self-employed , they are employers . Two books that also
supply information on art supply hazards are Artist
Beware, by Michael McCann, and Artist's Complete
Health and Safety Guide, by Monona Rossol.
By becoming better informed , we can eliminate
unnecessary risks from our craft.
Bruce "Charlie " Johnson
Box 82165
Kenmore, WA 98028-0165
She deplores
hate songs
As "Luv," I have been promoting clowning in Pinellas
and Hillsborough counties for almost 20 years .
Clowns are very unique , but clowns are real people
and sometimes the "real" comes into our clowning , as I
discovered in the Pinellas Park Christmas Parade last Dec.
11 . A group of clowns had the people singing the "I Hate
Barney " song. In my opinion, it should not have been
sung by clowns . With all the hate groups we have to cope
with in our society today , we as clowns should be singing
the things that praise and lift, not hate.
I belong to Suncoast Classical Clowns Alley #143. We
go by COAi rules. It is a club that teaches us the art of
clowning, for us to go out and teach others. Maybe the
clowns who were singing the derogatory Barney song do
not know about COAi. If that's the case , they can call me.
People young and old have twisted the songs we
have for as long as I can remember , but as clowns that is
not acceptable behavior. I think it goes along with no
smoking and no drinking in costume. Let's keep clowning
fun and positive , and not rude and hateful.
Nancy "Luv" Peters
8630 55th St .
Pinellas Park , FL 34666
6 The New Calliope

March/April, 1994
········· ·········RUN [Q)~~@RUN
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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KIDSHOW
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First, show the kids two dinosaur caves linked by a pile of rocks. (Actually, it's a 22" x 10" wooden
prop beautifully painted in bright, high gloss, enamel colors.) Each cave has a front door and a back door.
A four door prop! Now you're ready to introduce DINO, a purple dinosaur. Put DINO inside one of
the caves and shut the door. He'll soon play lots of tricks on you!! As you're talking to the kids, DINO
runs across the path to the other cave. You don't see it, but the kids will certainly tell you. Just as
you open the cave door to see for yourself, the audience sees DINO run back to the other cave. Open
the door, he 's gone! He runs again (and again), back and forth between caves, but you can't catch
him. The kids will, though, and they'll let you know about it! You'll be be very busy opening and
closing doors searching for the elusive DINO. The kids always see him run, but you don't! He can
even peek out from behind the cave as you insist he isn't there! (ala Run Rabbit Run)
(The kids don't know it, but you 're in total control at all times. It's your game, and you can play it as long as
you want 'til you're ready for the blow-off!)
Finally, all four doors are opened. Amazing! DINO has completely vanished! You look
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The New Calliope 7

March/April, 1994
Arnie was a Whiteface when , as COA
President , he entertained children
on the beach during COA's 15th
Annual Convention in Puerto Rico.
CALLIOPE
Arnie Firine:
Clown of the year
.........
, ..•..
,
'··••'1
........
....
.
.... . .,
By Cal Olson
The clown largely responsible for making COAi a
successful, vital organization is COAi 's 1994 Clown of the
Year.
He is Arnie "Giggles" Firine, of New Haven, Conn,
whose nomination for COAi's top honor was endorsed
unanimously by the organization's Board of Directors.
It would be easy for the casual observer to underestimate
the dedication and drive of this smiling, gentle
joey. But the hundreds of clowns who have known and
worked with Arnie know better. One of them, Lisa "Frizzles"
Newbauer-Krieger, of Derby, Conn., summed it up in her
letter nominating Arnie for the honor. She wrote:
With great pride I wish to nominate Mr. Arnie "Giggles"
Firine tor 1994 COAi Clown of the year. He would make an
excellent candidate tor the award. Some of Arnie 's
accomplishments:
+ Teaching clown skills at inter-alley workshops .
+North East Clown Convention Co-Chairman 1982.
+ North East Clown Convention Committee Chairman
1980, '81 and '91.
Arnie has influenced many in the art of clowning. He
has:
+ Helped charter COAi Alleys #66, #107 and # 193.
+ Served as Regional Vice President tor GOA and
COAi tor many years.
+ Served as President of both GOA and COAi.
+ Held GOA together during the turmoil of the early
1980's, and helped establish COAi in its current
membership and success.
+ Served as Chief Judge at many regional
conventions.
+ Served on the Board of Governors of Sawdust
Clown Alley #66 for the last 17 years.
Arnie has spent many years motivating others with
one-to-one instruction. He gives 120 percent. He has
attended almost all of the GOA and COAi National
Conventions since 1968, as well as the Midwest and
North East conventions. During these conventions , you
will often see Arnie outside the lecture halls, in the
hospitality room or in the hotel lobby "shop talking " about
clowning.
Arnie holds COAi Number 61, yes 61. He has been a
member of COAi since its origin.
8 The New Calliope

March/April, 1994
reported that COA was broke, due to the treasurer's
mismanagement. The fallout was unimaginable. COA was
in a shambles. Membership morale plummeted and it
appeared as though the whole thing would go down the
drain. But within a month, a devoted handful of clowns had
begun to rebuild , with Arnie as president.
The fledgling organization was named Clowns of
America International to distinguish it from the defunct
Clowns of America. While there wasn't enough money to
continue immediate publication of the club's magazine , a
six-page newsletter was produced in November, 1983. Its
lead story was a letter from Arnie, in which he said:
"The past few weeks have been, in a word,
unbelievable. When I took office as president, I promised
that changes would be made. I didn't anticipate that they
would be made under these circumstances ..... We were on
our way to being a truly international club. Then we were hit
with a ton of bricks. I still find it hard to believe.
"We will not allow our club to fold. COA means too
much to us to let all these years go down the
drain .... Where we go from here is up to all of us."
Five years ago, Arnie switched to
Auguste makeup , although he still
retains the sailor hat that has long
been his trademark.
Arnie does many activities in the clowning field in his
own time, gratis. Some of them: The Barnum Festival, the
Hemophilia Foundation, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome,
Southbury Training School, Newington Children's
Hospital, Yale New Haven Hospital children's fair and many
nursing homes, to name a few
Arnie came into clowning the way so many do: When
he couldn't hire a clown for his daughter 's birthday party,
he did it himself. That was 29 years ago, and he hasn't
stopped since.
His first formal clowning involved an alley called the
Barnum Festival Group, formed largely to participate in the
Barnum Festival Parade in Bridgeport , Conn. He soon
joined the Clown Club of Massachusetts, led by Ray
Bickford. When Bickford died, this club was picked up in
Baltimore as the Clown Club of Maryland, which later
became Clowns of America.
In 1979, Arnie became one of five COA Vice
Presidents at Large.He was named to the organization's
highest office in mid-1982 on the resignation of the
president. Thus it was that Arnie was COA President when
the organization crashed in 1983, when the then treasurer
Where COAi has gone is, of course, obvious to
everyone . It's grown and flourished, with enthusiastic
leadership , a membership approaching 6,000 and a full
complement of services. It doesn't surprise Arnie.
"There never was any doubt that the organization
would continue, " he says , "although a lot of people
disassociated themselves from any connection with COA."
Still living in the house he grew up in, Arnie's
weathering some personal changes: He was recently
divorced , and lost his long-time job as a warehouse
manager. Currently, he's a service dispatcher for a recycling
company, and is getting his clown persona together for the
coming season. He'll do walkarounds and meet ·n greet at
Holiday Hill, where he's in his 19th year.
He's still active with Sawdust Clowns Alley #66, serves
as treasurer for the North East Clown Council and spends
time with his four grandchildren: "They like the idea of
having a clown for a grandpa," he says.
And COAi. He loves it, and he loves the people he's
known and met and worked with under the COAi umbrella.
"The best thing is seeing COAi change and grow," he
says. "When I started , nobody would share clown secrets.
COA brought that to an end, so people could learn things,
and we were able to get together.
"The friendships are the nicest thing that happened to
me. I've enjoyed trying to help clowns as much as I could,
and learning as much as I could."
The New Calliope 9

March/April, 1994
••••
•
••••
•
: Last walkaround
We lose Ceslee
The word struck the nation's clown community like a shock wave: One of our
best and brightest was gone.
Ceslee Conkling, 28, of Forth Worth, Texas, had made her last walkaround.
The tragedy hit Jan. 13, 1994. Ceslee was one of two persons killed when a
train carrying the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus Blue Unit derailed
near Lakeland, Fla.
Sixteen cars jumped the tracks shortly after 9 a.m. as the train with 53 cars
and three locomotives traveled across Florida from St. Petersburg to Orlando ,
where the circus was to open. Ceslee was found dead in one of the cars. Also
killed was Theodore Svertesky , 39, an elephant trainer. Fourteen circus workers
were treated at a hospital and released.
The clown world's reaction: stunned disbelief.
"In her death, Cowtown Clowns Alley #135 lost a precious jewel in their crown
of stellar performers, " stated the alley's newsletter, the Cowtown Chronicle.
"(She) was the consummate clown. The circus was her life and her life was the
circus and the public it enthralled."
Ceslee was the daughter of Bonnie "Bon Bon" Conkling of Azle, Texas.
Bonnie is also a clown whose love and devotion , stated the Chronicle " helped to
mold Ceslee into the vivacious, stunning performer that she was."
Ceslee was born and went to school in Azle , where she was involved in
everything from school plays to basketball , track and swimming. She considered
clowning a hobby. She went on to attend college at Tarrant Count Junior College
as a computer science major. For three years, she worked as a data entry clerk for
Tarrant County. But she gave it up when her mother convinced her to become a
clown. The mother-daughter duo performed together at parties , parades,
weddings, birthday parties and business openings .
In 1990, when the RBBB Circus came to Fort Worth , she tried out for a spot
in Clown College. Of more than 4,000 applicants , she was one of 32 accepted
and later one of 11 selected to join the circus.
A news release issued by the circus on Ceslee's death concluded this way:
Ceslee's favorite part of her job was interacting with audiences , providing them
with a little "clown contact" that will be long remembered by the children and
adults whose lives she touched .
10 The New Calliope

March/April , 1994
'A light had gone out ... '
By Chandra "Cha-Cha" Luce
7913 Standley
North Richland Hills, TX 76180
The last time I was with Ceslee was in August of 1993
when the Blue Unit came to Fort Worth. She was home
and performing for her people. That candy cotton hair
would come bouncing out from backstage and she'd wow
the audience with her stunts. My greatest memories will be
of her performing and making people laugh .
Ceslee was never afraid to try anything. This stemmed
from her ability, with the help of a tutor, to overcome a
reading disability as an elementary student. It developed
into a lifelong desire to help other children overcome their
disabilities.
Her love of the circus and clowning began at the age of
nine when her parents took her to the circus. Her mother
helped kindle her interest in clowning while in high school.
She went on to win awards for makeup and skits at COAi
Conventions:First place Whiteface 1990, second place
Whiteface 1989 and Top Ten Group Skit 1990. In addition,
she won second place Whiteface and third place group skit
at the 1989 Texas Clown Association Convention.
It was the summer of 1991 when Ceslee found out that
she had been accepted to the Clown College. I have never
heard anyone so happy to be accepted and ready to start
her dream.
She soon became a symbol of the circus with her
beautiful makeup and costume , along with her infect ious
smile , laughing eyes and upbeat personality. Being with
Continued next page
The New Calliope 11

March/April , 1994
Ceslee Conkling--
From preceding page
the circus gave her the ability to reach children of all ages
throughout the United States with boundless energy and
a caring heart. There are so many that she became pen
pals with that it's impossible to list them all.
Her mother said , "We knew there was danger involved
in some of her stunts and we had even talked about what
we'd do if something happened. Ceslee told us that if it
did, she was happy. Be happy for her, don 't dwell on it. I
love you."
Services were held Jan. 17 in Azle, where there was
standing room only, with more than 500 in attendance. As
the pastor spoke , he called upon us to celebrate a life lived
to its fullest.
•
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• ORDERS 1OLL FREE: 1-800-BALUNES (225-863 7)
Inform ation: (A07) 933-8888 • Fox: (ll07) 933 -8889 +
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"Ceslee had joy in her life's work," he said. "A lot of
people just have a job -- her job was an adventure in joy, a
calling to the ministry of joy." He said her life was full when
measured in terms of quality, not quantity.
There was a letter read during the service. It was from
Joel Heidtman, one of Ceslee 's Clown College instructors
who toured with her during.her first year.
"An excellent student at Clown College, she was
never afraid to try something new," Joel wrote . "Who can
forget the incredible back-fall that she performed in the
soap gag? Certainly not us, and certainly not the countless
millions that saw it." Joel 's sister, Lara, later said that Ceslee
had at least 4,000 pies thrown in her face in the first two
years on the show.
Joel 's letter continued: "One of the many things I
admired about Ceslee was the genuine concern and
•
-w ~. ~fl~~Q,4~-~92t:~
•
Quality • Selection • Price • Service
10°'1
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12 The New Calliope
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5h,pped .,,o United Po•cel S,e,.,,,e l:JPSI
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w,,hOcJt Nor,ce •
kindness she had for all." She was
considered the mother at Clown
College for the way she always made
sure everyone was all right, and by
listening to their problems .
Joel extended his sympathy to
all whose life had been touched by
Ceslee: "Perhaps it would be wise
to remember that at this very
moment it's showtime at 'The Big
Top in the Sky.' Our dear Ceslee is
seated between Lou Jacobs and
Emmett Kelly, and I'd be willing to
bet they are arguing over who will
have the honor of working with her."
I was fortunate to know and work
with Ceslee, especially at Marketplace
at Texas Stadium. We became very
close, almost like sisters. In fact, when
Ceslee left for the circus , Bonnie
"adopted " me to work with and attend
the conventions.
When her father called me at
work on that Thursday to tell me the
news, I was devastated. I began
calling other alley members and
family, and it was very difficult to
break the sad news. As one of the
members of Cowtown Clowns, Mary
Ann "Citronella" Beck said, "It felt
like a light had gone out ," when
members received the tragic news.
Of all my memories, the one that
stands out was the time I had the
Continued page 14

The
Clown
World's
®
Your week at Clown Camp® officially begins with a spectacular nine projector slide show. This
multi media experience gives you a peek at what's in store for the next five fun filled days. You
quickly realize that you've been plucked from reality and are immersed in a "Sea of Clowns".
Like a sponge, you'll soak up an unbelievable amount of clown knowledge . Learn to perform
in a wide range of venues: from hospitals to circuses; from birthday parties to churches. Learn to
make your clown look great: from ingenious ideas ala Mark Renfo (Ringling Brothers and
Barnum & Bailey's Clown College costume designer in Japan: Prop & set designer for Disney on
Ice Show.) to how to make your own costumes with creative wizard Bonnie Donaldson (available
all four weeks). Learn to book gigs from instructors who in their real clown lives actually clown
at birthday parties, company picnics, grand openings, hospitals and churches.
Clown Camp® is North America's original clown training program for non-circus performers.
Clown Camp® sets the standard of excellence for clown training programs. Why not join us for a
week or two this summer? See you at Clown Camp®!
Your Week Includes
All Clown Camp® lectures
Clown Camp® notebook
7 staff performances
lndMdual b&w photo
Group color photo
Commemorative pin
Award of completion
Engraved name badge
6 nights lodging at UW-L
Clown Camp® beach towel
17 meals in UW-L Food Center
Transportation to & from airport
1
,1111111111111
1 11111:1
1 11
1:
1
111111 1r1 1 11 11:1: 111111111m 1 1 111:1
f ':'. Kenny Ahem • Paula Biggio • Jeff McMullen
tlt Irene Doll • Bonnie Donaldson • Jim Howle
ff="= Bill Lozon• Dave Mttchell • Marcella Murad
Vince Pagliano • Richard Snowberg
III::
·.:::·-·:·::: 1iae·:: 1,:: ;;]1.uni::1n:::
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1nsfr.uctirs .·
{:/).... Paula.Biggio' ~·ooii Burda·• s'etty Cash·• ireiie Doil .
;::j:: j:=:jj: Bonnie Donaldson • Jim Howle • Arina Isaacson
1/'t=' Bruce Johnson • Steve Long • Brenda Marshall
;:::t::::: Jeff McMullen • Vince Pagliano • Richard Snowberg
1
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::11::111::1 1:a.a:e :111I1
11: 1n11me10:rs I1
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1!1:ll!l
.,'=?? Brenda Ahem • Kenny Ahem • Rollie Bain
;ii] Paula Biggio• Don Burda• Betty Cash• Terry Davolt
Jt] Irene Doll• Jim Howle• Linda Hulet• Arina lsaac..;on
::::::::::: Duane Latin • Richard Snowberg • Mary Evanoff-Spenger
:iii:J:j:J:il!:JU: a :a1 1:1:1: a i: tl'U:Dl:l: 2.fl l!!!!!!:i lnlll0glg'f§. :_
1
,.?( Brenda Ahern • Kenny Ahem • Rollie Bain
,:,i::,:, Paula Biggio• Betty Cash • Irene Doll• Jim Howle
Linda Hulet • Dorothy Miller• Becky Smith
:=:=:=:=:::;: Richard Snowberg • Mary Evanoff-Spenger • Suds
The New Calliope 13

March/April, 1994
Ceslee Conkling --
From page 12
opportunity to ride the circus train from Memphis to San
Antonio. All Ceslee worried about was that I had a good
time. We ate, watched movies , ate, talked, ate and sat on
the vestibule between the cars and watched the world go
by. Ceslee thought it might be boring for me, but I told her
that it was nice just to relax and not have the phones
ringing and people wanting you to do something.
Beside riding the train with her, I had several
opportunities to sit backstage and out front and watch this
circus clown do her thing. I have never seen such joy come
from someone performing for a crowd. She always waved
to her family and friends and anyone who caught her eye.
I hope this tragedy will make all clowns stop and think
about what is important. It's not the money, the fame and
attention that are important. It's what we do to touch the
lives of those that we love, our family and the audience.
Ceslee, this is not goodbye, but we'll see you later. You
taught us during your life and now with your passing. We
will pay tribute to you by sharing with others the clown
heart that you shared with us. Bump a nose.
Even out of makeup, Ceslee
attracted children. Here she poses
with a youngster at the 1990 COAi
Convention in Albuquerque, N.M.
A memorial fund has been established at Azle State
Bank, P.O. Box 1499, Azle, Texas 76098-1499 . The
money will be used to help in the education of clowns.
• One Million Liability Policy is $65 Per Year.
• $250 Deductible Per Occurrence.
• Certificate of Insurance to be Sent Out From
the Master Policy.
• Available to Any Clown in the U.S.
• Annual Premiums Prorated to
J,
Renewal Date
• Need Name and Complete Address
With a Check Made Out To: \
AL FELLERMAN INSURANCE :,i
1800 Wooddale Dr.
Woodbury, MN 55125
PH: 612-738-6686
14 The New Calliope

Ill
Colonial Clown Convention
ill
New Bern, North Carolina May 20 - 22, 1994
- -- _]
This May, a Kouple of Klowns
mVJte you to experience Clowning in
historic New Bern, NC. TI1e
Convention features many of today 's
top clown talents . Peachy Keene,
Mr Rainbow, Pinky and Bubba
headline the list of talent.
The Convention while aimed for
clowns of all levels of experience ,
special attention will be paid to
beginning and gospel clowns. No
matter what your clowning interests,
the Colonial Clown Convention
faculty is prepared . Classes include :
rr A special three hour make-up
class, where make-up will be
provided if necessary . This
class will be taught by Pinky
u- Mr. Rainbow will be giving hts
famous "How-to-be-funny "
lecture. After this lecture, even
Emmett Kelly couldn't keep a
straight face .
x:r Pinky & Bubba will share the
secrets of Gospel Clowning
including skit writing, and
hospital & nursing home
ministries .
:o- Peachy Keene will give us the
tall skinny on skit writing . He
will also be giving his everpopular
Birthday Show Lecture .
o- Dave Risley , America 's busiest
magician , takes time out to share
the secrets of his success in the
business end of the Clowning .
.r..r Other classes include : Face
Painting, Ballooning, and
Character Development.
This year experience the fun of
the Colonial Clown Convention
in Historic New Bern, NC. May
20 - 22, 19941
f-E,~r· t• ..
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17J
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l-11------
---- -- - - - - - - ------------------
Pagel
thei'l ~lQWh,~~-Ult~
~ - ---- -- --- --- ----- --- -- --- --
Steve "Peachy Keene" Long:
Steve has been a professional
clown for many years. Steve
teaches the Clown Arts all across
the country. He hails from
Beallsville, Pa.
Dave "Mr. Rainbow"
Bartlett: Dave Bartlett has been
a professional clown for seven
years. He is currently the
Educational Director for the
World Clown Association. He is
a senior columnist for Laugh
Maker Magazine. Mr. Rainbow
also serves on the staff at Duke
Medical Center. He is an
example of how clowns can touch
the lives of so many.
J.T. "Bubba" Sikes: Bubba is
currently serving as the Chaplain
for the South East Clown Assoc.
He mixes the Good News with
mirth and clown magic .
Theresa "Pinky" Garrett:
Theresa has written and published
a book on Gospel Clown Skits
and Nursing Home Ministries .
She is one of the leading
Christian Clowns in the South .
Dave "Riz" Risley: Dave
performs close to 800 shows a
year, Riz is one of the busiest
magicians in showbusiness. He is
one of America's best children's
magicians. Most of his shows are
before audiences of ages three to
six.
Bill "Skidder" & Mary
"Molly Anne" Baldwin: Th.is
happy pair have been together for
more than two years and have
more than 16 years of clowning
experience between them.
Skidder bas performed across the
U.S. and Canada; he is a graduate
of the Ringling Bros. Clown
College. Molly Anne has a
wonderful touch with small
children .
Mike "Smiley" Cole: Mike is
the third in five generations of
clowns. He has covered the
world spreading the magic of
clowning. He is famous for
turning anything into a clown
prop. He owns and operates Joy
& Smiley's Costume Shop.
Ricky "Arty" Dick: Ricky is
an award-winning costume
designer. He has worked as
Make-Up Supervisor (Clown
Extras) for "Her Alibi. " Despite
all this, Arty is still an active
performer. His Saturday Night
skit will touch your heart .
Stephanie "the Bag Lady"
Richardson: Th.is award winning
clown has pushed the boundaries
and awareness of clowning.
.-- --- --, Susan Bailey , aka Seemore Spots, world renowned clown photographer
will be shooting clowns by appointment (with a camera, that is). These
photos can be made into business or post cards, as well as 8"x 10" photos.
Susan also can have your photo made into a sculpture. Susan will be
lining up all clowns to be shot (with a camera) in a special group photo
on Saturday. Bring your best make-up and costwne & be prepared to be
shot.
Clowns by the Bunch owned and operated by Rick "Arty" Dick.
Clowns by the Bunch specializes in "quality wardrobe for quality
entertainers ." This will be your best chance to find that special accessory
for your character. or create a new one.
Peachy Keene Props makes the BIGGEST & BESTEST hammers to
ever hit a clown' Any foam prop can be found with or made by Peachy.
J.T. Sikes makes the best clown ID tags around . Know who your fnend s
are (and what they look like). JT . also stocks a great line of Gospel
clown and magic items.
Riz "The Snakeman" purveyor of fine magic and show busin ess self help
products . Quality items and affordable prices. Riz is the only dealer m
the country who also perform s 800 shows a year. When you buy from
him you also get Riz' s years of experience .
A Kouple ofKJowns manufacturer of the Conn t-u• , . This is the
premier balloon pump in the market today , and it's battery operated.
Other dealers include Dave BBl'tlett, Bill & Mary Baldwin, and others
may be added!

-- --- --
a -
.
Hosted by
Gary Site/ton &
Dick Young
May 20-22, 1994
The Sheraton Hotel
New Bern, NC
Pre-Registrat ion: $65
At the Door: $70
Preregistration:
Gary Shelton
2307 Oakview Dr.
,\'ew Bern, NC 28562
(919) 638-8697
fo r ffot el Reservations :
the Sheraton
(800) 326-37./5
$65 per night: Maxium ./
per room.
R
~ -;
~ :­
a'.'
,'
.
~ :
Ii
!
Steve Lona
Dave Bartlett
J.T. Sikes
Theresa Garrett
Dave Risle,
BiD & Mar,
Baldwin
Mike Cole
Rick, Dick
Stohanie Richardsen
Make-I»
Character
DevelOPment
Skits
GosPel Clownina
Kids Shows
Baloons
face Paintina
Comem, Writina
~,
.; ................... .................. ....... ......... ......... ................................. .... .
Clip and Return to Gary Shelton at the above address. Thanks.I
nti
I : YES! I 'd like lo sign up for the Beginners ,\fake-up Clinic .I
Name & Clown Name
Add ress
Phone Number
1/1a1 atldres"' agai11: Gary Sh~/J,m
13(17 OaJc,,j,,,,, Dr.
Nn.-ffrrn. NC 18561
. . . .. . .. . .. . ..... . ..... . ...... .... .. .. . .. .. . ... .. .. . ... . . .. . .. . . .. ... . ..... . . ... . . . . . ... . .. . .. . . . . .. .·,t'
.
l

~ (1) -
C
:A Kontest of KhamPions
1
And it was decreed that in the city of
New Bern a contest be held . And the
world looked in awe ....
I
The first contest was among troops of
'buffoons, each competing in skits and
foolery. But the second would test the
very fiber of a clowns wig. For five
grueling minutes , he alone must entertain
his fellow clowns. The winner would
emerge the BEST CLOWN IN TOWN!
The Group Skit Competition will be held
according to SECA rules. The Best Clown in
Town will be the most appealing, entertaining
The Sheraton Hotel & Marina
I Bicentennial Park,
· 0 New Bern, NC 28560
_ P_!g~ 4
from Highway 17 North
Turn left on East Front St.
Two Blocks turn right on Tryon Palace
Dr. Turn one Block on left.
1 •- Reservations : (800) 326 3745
.... Special Convention Rates : $65 I
(a Night. Limited to four per from Highway 17 South
-C room. Please request
0 Convention Rate when booking.
E
E
0
u
Directions :
from Highway 70 East & West
James City Exit to Downtown
New Bern. Turn left on Tryon
Palace Dr. Turn one block on
left.
clown in the five minute segment .
I~
The Fred

March/April, 1994
• Making rounds
with
r(J
~£
·~r .. it/
Dr . Bugg
Things seem to come in bunches. As "chief of
surgery, " there had not been too much happening all
week, until that Saturday when I was called out for two
snow removals in one morning. It took me all the next week
to catch up.
I don't know how it is with you, but I've discovered
that there are secular clown sox and religious clown sox. I
have two pairs that are very ''holy" from pulling them up by
the tops , and two newer pairs that are very secular, with no
holes at all. I point this out to people who notice me pulling
them up or who comment on liking my sox.
I was warned that an older friend of mine, whom I had
been calling on in Respite Care, was not feeling well that
day. She was confused and not her usual happy self at all.
She was really frustrated over it, so I had been forewarned.
I knocked and said, "Hi, Jane (not her real name). I hear you
are not feeling well today, so I just wanted to say, 'Hi and
bye'." She responded quickly , "Bye!", quietly chuckling as
she did so.
It is amazing what a hug will do for a person. It had
been a long day. I was the "On Call Chaplain" for Ottumwa,
Iowa, Regional Health Center that week and had a worship
service for Skilled Care that morning. Just before it was to
start, I was paged for a family in the Emergency Room. I
went down and met them , then went to call their pastor,
then returned to let them know he was on the way.
At the conclusion of the worship service, I checked 01
the family in Emergency and the pastor had arrived. I
returned to Skilled Care to make several calls. Then it wa.
home, lunch, become Dr. Bugg and back for rounds.
By 4:30 p.m., I was really feeling fatigued. As I walked
down the hall, a Nurse Clinician came toward me with arms
outstretched. We exchanged a big hug as she voiced her
thanks for all that Dr. Bugg was doing in the hospital , and
the difference his presence meant to so many people . If
there aren't receivers there can't be givers. We need hugs,
too.
Doc Henri and Liz of Kerrville, TX, inquire about my
resources: .! have not produced any printed training
materials , but I refer people to Richard Snowberg 's "The
Caring Clowns ," and an article beginning on page 75 of the
August 1990 issue of Life Magazine. This is the story of
Michael Christensen , founder and creative director of the
Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit and his work, which
involves 25 clowns in eight pediatric hospitals in New York
City.
Kit Kitsmiller of Riverdale , GA , uses an interesting
line as he enters a waiting room: "When's the next bus
due? This IS the bus stop waiting area, isn't it?" He also
writes of having been asked on two different occasions to
talk with young individuals who had attempted suicide. The
Caring Clown is called upon to relate in many ways and
many situations.
Yes, many needs are out there. There is no way
that we can meet them all as one Caring Clown. When
clowning for an individual or a group, we must be careful
not to be thinking of all the people we need to see . While
we are relating to that individual or group, no one else
exists. Our full attention is on them: Who they are, what
their reaction is, what their needs are and how we can meet
them.
Numbers is not the name of the game. Do what you
can for the folks you can. That's all that is asked.
Your questions and comments will reach Dr.
Bugg if you write to Chuck Rinkel, 302 W. Park,
Ottumwa, Iowa, 52501. Rinkel is a chaplain and
staff clown at the Ottumwa Regional Health
Center.
COSTUMES
Tall or
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The New Calliope 19

March/April , 1994
'I love it!'
1
1 hate it!'
COMPETITION: Who needs it?
By Irene Doll
Staff Writer
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this article are
solely those of the writer.
Why the disclaimer? Because each year we (all the
national clown organizations) allow people who don't know
the first thing about clown competitions (read that: people
who don't have a chance in Hades of getting even a good
comment from a judge, let alone a good score) to march
boldly and blindly into the monster's mouth. They get
chewed up and spat out: At best, vowing never to
compete again; at worst, vowing never to clown again.
It happens every year. So?
So, new competitor -- beware. If you're new at the
game, the very least you need to know is, at the Saturday
night banquet when they hand out the trophies, in any
given event there are only three truly happy competitors
and a lot of deeply disappointed ones.
Who cares?
I care. It wasn't always so, but; thanks to Bill Lozon
(International Shrine Clown Association Educational
Director and President-Elect of the World Clown
Association), I've done an about face. Our lively,
argumentative bantering on the pros and cons of
competition has caused both of us to be more centered in
our feelings of the value of competition.
Bill believed competition was the greatest thing since
indoor plumbing , and I believed competition was the worst
thing since the bubonic plague .
Bill saw the excitement of the contest . He saw the
happy faces of the clowns holding the trophies. He saw
clowns outside of the competitions looking better. He
focused on all the good stuff.
I focused on all the bad stuff: Clowns with fragile egos
eagerly entering in order to fill the need for affirmation.
Clowns becoming pre-competition nervous wrecks.
Clowns barely containing their post-competition anger or
hurt.
Therefore, this article: To expose the monster and
open the eyes of those eager, unsuspecting clowns about
to travel to Portland .Oregon.
After years of watching, judging and talking to many
competitors , I've come to realize that many clowns just
don't understand that a competition, by definition, is a
contest of competency. They believe that like other
clowning experiences , competition involves good times
and support from fellow joeys.
Part of the problem is that the contests are touted as
(and I quote) "Learning experiences "
Well, no arguing with that. The problem is the main
thing you learn from competitions is how to become a
20 The New Calliope

March/April, 1994
better compet itor, not necessarily a better clown.
It happens this way: The first year the beginner learns
to think like this: "Hey, the winners all wore custom-made
costumes , with lots of color coordination and detail. I'll save
my money and order one for next year. "
The next year, they learn that those beloved puffy
paint tennis shoes cost them a place in the Top Ten. Well,
at least one judge took the time to write that they were cute
and very artistic .... "That's it; next time I'll buy real leather
clown shoes with detailing to match my custom costume,
like the winners had."
Year three? "Man oh man, was it my imagination, or
were the judges favoring their friends? And, I also
happened to notice not a single purple or green wig won a
trophy. And, oh God, wasn't that just hysterical when the
judge on the far left fainted when the Auguste came out in
that Afro rainbow wig? Ha, ha, must have been his first
competition. Ha, ha. Guess I'll stick to a yellow, red or
orange wig. A nice expensive yak, or at the very least a
niGe fake yak."
Year Four: "Geez, I'm getting too old for this. If I don't
hurry up and win pretty quick , I'll be eligible to enter the
seniors division. I'm ahead of the game this year, though.
On my own intuitiveness , I'll buy and wear a professionally
made clown nose instead of that old perfectly round red
sponge ball. I'll just bet a judge is gonna tell me those
things are for magic tricks, not clowns (you silly rabbit!)"
Oregon .
How important is winning that trophy? Depending on
your answer, consider your categor y carefully. You might
have a better chance by switching to another category if
chances are slim you'll do well in the particular field of
contestants where you 'd most like to compete. It might be
because your category is subject to trends (especially
prevalent in Whiteface?). What' s the current one? Can you
win if you don't fit the trend?
Resign yourself to the fact that it's true: Makeup
competitions can be bought. If you've never heard about
the time the contestant waltzed right in and took first place
with a commissioned facial design and application, I know
several eye witnesses.
When you sign up to compete , you'll save yourself
time , money and aggravation if you're already learned in
whichever category you enter. Meaning , you've acquired a
respectable amount of knowledge in that area of the craft ;
knowledge gained through study and actual performance
experience. Yes, it takes an investment of time and money,
but in the long run, that route is cheaper than trying to
learn in competition.
Some facts to keep in mind: Judges are always right -­
Continued next page
I can only hope this clown finally learns that a trophy is
an award for successful competition , not successful
clowning .
Preparing fo r the monster
Take the time to watch the entire competition process ,
instead of jumping right in with the idea of using
competition as a learning vehicle. Be smarter yet by
listening to and observing the judges , the competitors and
the crowd. From the time the sign-up sheets are available
to the moment the winners are announced, you 'II gain
insights not possible if you're actually competing and
having to deal with makeup , props and performance.
Have you read the current COA i rules? They 're in the
January/February , 1994, issue of The New Calliope. Get
out your fine tooth comb , read carefully and then follow
them -- literally, from every dotted i to every crossed t.
Ask yourself some questions. Are you go ing to feel
awful if some judge says those plastic flowers you so
meticulously hot-glued to your tennies aren't appropriate
for the Whiteface category? After all, your public loves then
back in Watchamaca llit, Idaho. The people at the nursing
home tell you all the time how clever and cute they are. But
competition isn't home. They may hate 'em in Portland ,
~ ft~H~~J~
T.MyersVi~~ - v~~
144 balloons
HandPump
Book (Making Inflation Work For You)
$39.95 shipped in Continental U.S. O ffer good until 1/ 1/95
T. MYERS MAGIC INC.
1509 PA RKER BEND. A USTIN. TX 78734
ORDERS U.S. & CA NAD A I (800) 648-622 1
FAX I (5 12) 263-9742
INFORM ATIO N & FREE CATA LOG I (5 12) 263-23 13
Visa ,~ Master Card -s­ Discover
"
The New Calliope 21

March/April, 1994
Competition --
From preceding page
even when they're wrong. Judging is subjective and
there 's no getting around that fact. Example: If all other
factors are equal and it comes down to color preference, a
judge will rank the color he likes higher than one he
doesn't like.
Judges have a tough, tough job. Some reasons why
it's not easy :
+ There's no pre-qualifying competitors, and
there 's always an extremely large field of contestants. Most
of the categories take forever. The judges have a really
hard time concentrating on the contestants at the end of
the field. Positioning can easily play a role in how a
contesta nt places in a large field.
+ The national organizations expect judges
to carry out two roles: (A) That of judge-- to grade -­
and (B) that of teacher -- to provide written, constructive
remarks. The judges frantically race through the grading
part of the form so they'll have time to write a constructive
remark or two.
They simply can't do justice to both tasks.
Consequently, some contestants get bent out of shape
because they feel other contestants receive more
consideration. Just one more argument for not trying to
make compet ition a "learning experience."
+ There's no absolute process for qualifying
judges or even quantifying a judge's knowledge of the
rules. Oh, the Shrine Clowns sponsor a competition
certification seminar, and COA i has a judges ' training
session before each national convention. But that can be a
bit of a lark, considering that if you've judged before it's not
incumbent upon you to attend. It can make for a ludicrous
situation.
For example , I attended one of these sessions and it
was ruled by the Competition Director and agreed by the
judges in attendance that acts or bits-of-business didn't
meet the crlteria for skit competition. We all agreed on this
point , but guess what won in skits? Yeah, a bit-of-business
routine, and all because the majority of judges assigned to
that event hadn 't attended that judges ' meeting. So,
because the judges didn't know the rules, somebody was
robbed of a trophy.
+ Judges are human. It's hard to not like yo ur best
friend 's skit or new costume. It's a constant struggle
between judging them too easily or too harshly because
they're your friend.
As I said before , this is the way I view the business of
clown competition. And whether you 're a competition buff
or not , you should be aware of the intertwined elements of
judges , contestants and audience in our fascinating
competition process.
Good luck in Portland!
Irene has judged at national conventions for
both COAi and WCA since 1988. She also
teaches judging at the International Shrine
Clown Judges' Training Seminars.
Clowns of America International
Income and Expense Statement
From Oct. 1, 1993 through Nov. 30, 1993
REVENUE
Cash brought forward
Membership
Magazine ads
Pins & Patches
Convention
Interest
Miscellaneous
CD maturity
Clown Hall of Fame
TOTAL REVENUE $93,699.74
CURRENT
PERIOD
$83 ,563.45
6 ,282 .37
3,305.00
237.45
0.00
311.47
0.00
0.00
0.00
EXPENSES
Returned checks $20.00
New Calliope production 10,940.00
New Calliope postage 0.00
Computer service 3,004.00
Postage 943.17
Printed matter 544.72
Pins & Patches 0.00
Clown Hall of Fame 4 ,035.00
Publicity 0.00
Convention 0.00
Education 0.00
Prorated renewals 0.00
Miscellaneous 15.00
Fall Board meeting 0.00
Officers' phone/postge 99.66
Trophies 142.27
Board meeting 0.00
Professional Services 1,046.00
Purchase of Certs. of Deposit 0.00
TOT AL EXPENSES $20,789.82
NET CASH BAI. $72,909.92
APROX. AMT.
HELD IN CDs $74,350.00
Respectfully submitted.
Judy Quest , Treasurer
YEAR
TO DATE
$64,046.78
49,358.30
8,634.75
1,024.00
0.00
1,117.91
406.64
0.00
100.00
$124,688.38
$259 .16
30,300.00
2,81 1.37
5,764.50
1,891.97
1,018.87
0.00
4,035.00
120.00
0.00
1,323.52
0.00
159.84
2,372.12
300.28
185.83
0.00
1,236.00
0.00
$51,778.46
$72,909.92
$74,350.00
22 The New Calliope

March/April , 1994
By Steven Bender
Alias Mr. Pickle of lckle Pickle Products
There's a country song that goes, "He brings her roses
and tells her he loves her; why didn't I think of that?" I just
finished reading a book titled "Poof , You're a Frog!!! "
by Bob Markwood. And as I read it, I kept saying to myself ,
"Why didn't I think of that?"
I kept saying it because I felt Markwood had written an
excellent book , and I felt it was the kind of book I could
have written . My lectures have always centered around
Storyl ine Magic. When I create a New Effect, I'm interested
in how that effect can be used to entertain children. I strive
to incorporate several items into a unified story. When I
present a new lecture, I usually play each item for a chuckle
or a laugh. I want my audience to see what I have that's
NEW and how to entertain with it. Therefore , every lecture I
give is somewhat dealer oriented because I'm showing
products and not just talking theory.
Bob Markwood 's book is not dealer oriented. He's not
interested in selling new products, perhaps because he's
not a magic manufacturer, as I am. I do not know Mr ..
Markwood. But from the onstart , I could tell that he knew
his craft. And I was a little jealous that I had never given a
talk on much of what he had to say.
Many people think of magicians as those who finger
flick with cards and coins. If you can't sit down at a table and
fool your magical peers, then you 're not really a magician.
Except, of course, if you do the Big Stage Illusions . Then
that's different. Then you're really a Magician, in fact you're
a STAGE MAGICIAN.
So where does the children's entertainer, the clown
magician or the simple birthday party performer fit into the
overall picture? Is he/she three notches down the ladder?
Should he/she actually even use the term Magician when
he describes himself? Shouldn't he simply call himself a
children's entertainer, even though he uses magic to
entertain his audience? I mean, after all, much of the magic
you're using is self-working. It's not really hard to do. It
almost does itself. Much of it can be mastered in a matter of
minutes. But does that mean that it's not really magic?
·No! No! No! If you can successfully entertain your
audience and keep them spellbound with your story
(enhanced by magic), then you are not only qualified to
stand right next to the Close Up worker or the Stage
Illusionist, but perhaps you even deserve to take another
step up the ladder. Entertain ing children is one of the most
difficult feats in the universe.
Oh, yes, the 4 and 5-year-olds are somewhat easy; but
what about the 9 and 10-year-old boys, or even the 7 and
8-year-olds? Because of television , you can't plod along
and expect your audience to be fascinated.You have to be
entertaining. Otherwise you won't be invited back.
This is one of the points Bob Markwood makes in his
book . Stand Tall! Be Proud! Consider yourself in the
highest rank of magicians if you're a successful children 's
entertainer. If you can hold 20 kids in the palm of your hand
as your story unravels and the magic happens , then you're
definitely not a second rate performer , even if you can't do
a double lift or palm a coin. Being a Storyline Magician is no
small feat. Just as the close-up worker practices his skills,
it's important that we, the storytellers , practice our
presentations. The story has to flow and the magic has to
be well integrated into the story. Just like a play that goes
on the road prior to Broadway, the finished story doesn 't
just accidentally take shape. Many lines have to be altered
or deleted. Some effects will work and some just don't fit.
But when you finally have a finished story, it's exciting.
This isn't my standard Storyline-type column. I just felt it
was important that you realize the significance of what
you're doing. Consider yourself a member of an elite
performing group if you've made your mark in the children's
field. When somebody asks what you do, hold your head
up when you answer (as I do): ''I'm a children's entertainer.
I'm a real MAGICIAN. That's what I am."
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ORDERS U.S. & CANADA I (800) 648-622 1
FAX I (512) 263-9742
INFO & FREE CATALOG I (5 12) 263-23 13
The New Calliope 23

March/April, 1994
Got a Question for Aunt
Clowney? Write to her c/o:
Pat Lay Wilson
1750 California Ave.
Suite 114
Corona, CA 91719
Just ask
Aunt Clowney
Well hi, gang. Hope all is well with all of you. As I write
this (early February), we've just gone through a really
frightening and destructive earthquake in Southern
California. Although I was 70 miles from the epicenter in the
San Fernando Valley, we still got a scarey shaking. It lasted
almost 40 seconds. I know because I was counting
seconds during the quake , to take my mind off the thing .
Other than the shaking and baking in Southern
California, the year has had a great beginning. I spent a
weekend in Phoenix at the Clownarama at the Arizona
Public Service Company. It was the Loose Knit Clowns'
third year, and they had great workshops and
performances from Angel Ocasio and Harry from Daytona
Magic.
Then I attended George Gaston's Magical Winter
Clowning Experience at Puget Sound, Wash. A wonderful
time, with performances and workshops by Frosty Little
and Pricilla Mooseburger and others. The setting was
breathtaking , and we really enjoyed the crabfest.
I've written in the past about the new children's radio
station, "Radio AAHS." I found it by chance last year when I
was in Phoenix, Ariz., and now I listen to it often. If you're
lucky enough to live where Radio AAHS is broadcast, you
will hear the songs children love best -- old and new -- plus
games .stories, etc. It helps you keep up with popular kiddy
trends. And playing it on your car radio when you're driving
to a birthday party show really puts you in a fun mood. As
of Jan. 1, 1994, Radio AAHS is now available:
Los Angeles-Orange County, CA KPLS-AM 830
Ventura, CA KCTZ-AM 850
Riverside-San Bernardino, CA KPLS-AM 830
Washington , DC WKDL-AM 1050
Manassas/DCX WKDV-AM 1460
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX KAHZ-AM 1360
Minneapolis, MN WWTC-AM 1280
Phoenix, AZ KIDR-AM 740
Salt Lake City, UT KKDS-AM 1 060
Abilene, TX KYYD-AM 1340
Also , Radio AAHS is scheduled to begin broadcasting
in the following cities: Baltimore, MD, Denver, CO, Grand
Rapids, Ml, Las Vegas, NV, Spokane, WA, Colorado
Springs, CO, San Luis Obispo, CA, Idaho Falls, ID, Eau
Claire, WI, and St. Louis, MO. Watch your local TV/Radio
listings for more info, or write Radio AAHS at 5501
Excelsior Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55416. Hope Radio
AAHS comes to your area soon. Now, here's the first letter:
Dear Aunt Clowney:
I love to act silly and sometimes I use it to
hide certain feelings I have. How can I change
all of this to where I can use it to try to make
people laugh? I love to laugh and see other
people laugh. I'd also like to know just how do
clowns make it look so easy.
April Moore
1st Baptist Church
Dear April:
Welcome to the wonderful world of clowning. I'm glad
you love to laugh, and I understand that sometimes you do
not feel like laughing.
Something that all of us clowns have had to learn is,
how do you make others feel happy when you're aching
inside? It's not easy, but it will come with time. I've
performed with a headache, a sprained ankle, an injured
back, and sorrow in my heart. But you will learn, eventually,
to hide your bad feelings and your pain, and to go on with
the show.
One of the hardest performances I've ever done was at
the cancer ward of a children's hospital. Before I went into
the first room, I squared my shoulders, took a deep breath,
and jollied my way through the door. I romped and played
with the kids and made them laugh, and for a while all of us
were able to forget about the chemotherapy and shots and
miserable feelings. It wasn't until I was through and driving
away from the hospital that I let myself think of the pain and
sorrow. Then and only then I let my feelings out and I had a
24 The New Calliope

March/April, 1994
good cry as I drove home.
But you will learn to do that, to be so busy and full of
love that your clown will take you up and away from the
problems of the world. And you can always cry, afterward.
When you 're alone. It comes with time.
Dear Aunt Clowney:
I want to paint faces at my church 's
Halloween party. How do you know what faces
would look good on the kids?
Cherry
Dear Cherry:
Face painting is tun for all holidays and play days, too.
I've been painting for, gosh , around five or six years now,
and I really enjoy it.
The most important thing is, find a few designs you
really like, and practice practice practice! Paint your own
face , and the neighborhood children. You can even
pract ice on your own upper legs.
If the kids are really little, faces like Raggedy Ann and
Andy, clowns and bunny rabbits are really sweet. Older
kids like to be clowns, too , plus fairy princesses and other
fantasy and pretty characters , cute animals , etc. , for the
girls. Boys like to be action figures: Soldiers , pirates and
fierce animals.
Sometimes I am asked to paint a wrestler's face on a
boy. Have you ever watched World Wrestling Federation
on TV? Some of those faces are as intricate as Oriental
Kabuki theater masks. I still haven't figured out how the
wrestlers ' painted faces are so shiny, but they don't seem
to smear despite all the turmoil in the ring. Do they powder
or not?
Continued
next page
What are the best dressed professionals wearing?
Long Clown Striped~x
Cuffs f.Jl
n"\ Extra
Clown
25", A plethora of colors . ?-;' " Big colorful buttons! Adjustable
Suspenders · Square, round, ruffled, white, colored, prints
12· fits all sizes, leather ends, red,
Hurdy Gurdy Favorites Tape
yellow, blue, green, turquoise, hot pink,
purple, rainbow
Ties
Bow
Ties, all sizes and colors
Long Ties, 30" and 12" assorted colors and trims
(dow noses and supplies)
Pro Knows
Long Sleeve Clown T-Shirt
Assorted stripes, dots & colors, back o2)ning
lite pink, ~--, Bibs & Collars
White Cotton
Colored
Parade
Gripper Palm
Glove Extenders of Stretch yaa
Skull Caps & Hoods
White and flesh, S, M, L
Fulline of Mehron make-up
New prices in effect as of March 1, 1994 Tuxedos• Coats• Pants
-l.--•..:A=v=a::l::la::b:.le-fo...:r:::i~
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·. ··,; ·.; .. ·..'.:. ~.lllffn~llliHM~uf.gg .Otimiuds.
::lrf :!.:_.=/====:f;=====;= ·=···· f tr?i:\:i::::•=·
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t ·.·.······=·=·❖-·.·.·= • · · .:.❖:❖:==riitttrii ..
costumes . tind ac~des!:_
::=·=·)=:= · · · •. ·=❖=❖•· )r/\ ti;t:;:;:r=·:· ·=:'.::.:· \:::::!:=~!/ :r~fi{· · ·.:... ::; ::::):::::::i::::::::: :f mri:;:::;.
·,'->-1..,_~
:t\/tf rrttit:
· · /:}i\:::=:!r{(J:i
The New Calliope 25

March/April, 1994
Aunt
Clowney
From preceding page
If you're painting a lot of faces at once, you might decide to
paint the smaller "tattoos" instead. Then you can paint
hearts and rainbows , ladybugs, kitty cats and such on the
girls. Boys like snakes, skull and crossbones, scars and
firecrackers.
I once worked at a dental office grand opening, and
made up designs of molars and tooth brushes. When I
worked at a post office open house, I painted colorful
postage stamps and envelopes on the kids' cheeks. Try to
make up your own designs.
There are many books available on face painting, both
full faces and small cheek art. Try your local dealer or
bookstore , or write Books by Mail (address at end of the
column) for a free list of face painting books.
Dear Aunt Clowney:
Have you ever messed up when you were
changing costumes? (Like forgot to put on some
makeup.)
Karlinda Bounds
Dear Karlinda
This is something that all of us have done. Last
Christmas I was driving to a job with three other clowns,
when one of the clowns discovered she 'd forgotten her
nose. Goodness me! There wasn't enough time to go back
for her nose, so she took a tube of lipstick and smudged a
nose on. Well, it was better than nothing.
The last time I put on my makeup I carefully put on the
white around my eyes and mouth , then the red lips, then I
carefully added the skin-toned Auguste makeup. Then I
stood back and took a good look in the mirror, and saw that I
forgot my red cheeks. Good gr ief!
I suppose the more times you put on your clown face,
the easier it will become. Maybe we need a check list:
() Eyes
() Nose
() Mouth
() Cheeks
M.E.PERSSON
17 CHESLEY DRIVE
BARRINGTON, NH
03825 (603} 664-5111
Over 600 Clowns registered I
Send $1 for CATALOG
Dear Aunt Clowney:
I just returned from a wonderful weekend of
clowning. We had some headline acts,
wonderful workshops and classes, several
dealers and a good time was had by all of the
participants. However , several local clowns
decided they didn't want to attend , and I think
they missed a wonderful weekend. Why don't
more clowns support each other's activities?
Sleepless and Sad in Seattle
Dear Sad:
This happens everywhere. I've attended national
Puppeteers of America Festivals for years , missing only
one in the last 12 years. However, in Santa Ana, Calif.,
where I used to live, my closest competition never went to
conventions. When we had a week-long national just an
hour from her home, she spent only one day at the festival.
In the meantime , she was always home, booking and
performing the parties I couldn't do because I was out of
town.
On the other hand, I was at the festivals learning new
skits , new routines , finding out the latest trends , spending
time with old and new friends , and generally recharging my
batteries. I always returned home full of new ideas. So, in
the long run, I think she was the one who missed out.
For those who say, "I can 't afford to go to conventions, "
I think you can't afford not to go! You will learn new magic
tricks and skits , and you will learn makeup tips. If you don't
buy a new costume just yet, you will get lots of new ideas in
the dealer room for your next outfit. You will watch new
acts, and discover some ideas you can use. And even if
you see a skit that doesn't work, you can try to discover
what went wrong so you can avoid the same situation.
And you will be able to afford to go to conventions if
you put a little money aside each time you are paid for a
performance. If all of your clowning is charity work, well,
recycle your aluminum cans and save that money.Use
coupons at the grocery store and save that money. Baby
sit. Wash cars. Wash dogs. Give up smoking ..
I think it's time we all grew up and put aside petty
differences and began to support each other every chance
we get. Support your local clowns when they put on a
convention or weekend event. Improve your clown act.
Add some new magic. I hope to see each and every one of
you at the COAi Convention, and you have no reason not
to be there. Now get out and wash those dogs!
Love and XXXX 's,
Aunt Clowney
P.S. If you'd like a face painting list, drop me
a note c/o Books by Mail, Box 1444, Corona, CA
91718. And keep those cards and letters
coming.We have a special gift for each letter we
use in the column.
26 The New Calliope

March/April, 1994
CARNlUAL CRUlSE LlNE'S
JUBILEE
Sailing from Los Angeles to The Mexican Riviera ..,.....,,,~ ...... ,
January 15 - 22, 1995
Visiting:
Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Caho San Lucas
Featuring
Seminars, Competitions, Prizes, Trophies,
All Meals and Entertainment, Air Transportation From Many
Cities,* and Current Port and Departure Taxes
INSIDE CABIN: SI 149 PER PERSON AIR/SEA ($749 Cruise Only)
OUTSIDE CABIN: S 1199 PER PERSON AIR/SEA ($799 Cruise Only)
Above rates based on two persons sharing a cabin with two lower beds which convert to a Queen.
LECTURES BY:
APril "Showers" Glaros
Paul "Chrissie" Glaros
Efrain "Happy" Guerrero
Gene "Cousin Otto" Lee
Brenda "Flower" Marshall
*Please see Carnival's Brochure For Air Cities in tbeir program - some cities $100 additional
Contact and Send Payment to: Fun International Travel, Inc.,
229 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, IL 60193 Phone: 708/351-2046 or 800/843-3093
Ask/or "171e Clown Desk"
Registered in Liberia
NAME:. ____________ __ ___ __ _
FIRST
International Clown Convention Registration Form
The JUBILEE Sailing January 15, 1995
U.ST
NAME:. ______ _ _ __ _________ _
MST
U.ST
ADDRESS: ___________ _ _____ _
STREET
crrv STATE ZIP
DA YTlME PHONE:_,.__....,_ ___ _ _ _ __ _ __ _
HOMEPHONE:
Enclosed please find my check made payable to Fun International Travel, Inc. in the amount of $ _____
the $200 per person deposit, or please bill my Visa or Mastercard account number for the deposit:
Visa Mastercard __ __________ _ ____________ __ ___ _
SIGNATURE ACCOUNT NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE
Air Departure City: __ ___ ________ _ Cruise Only __ (Check if no air needed)
Above outside rate is for Category 7, please upgrade to Category 8 for $70 additional per person __
The group is confirmed for Early Dining - If you would prefer Late Sitting please check: __
covering
Final payment will be due November 1, 1994. Deposits are fully refundable up to that date . Carnival's Cruise
Protection Plan will be available at the additional cost of $69 per person and is highly recommended.
The New Calliope 27

March/April , 1994
·wANTe:o· o 6 B
l\o.in ow's olloon
R h
tA.nc
Let Dr. Rainbow, the Balloon Specialist, help you with
that problem you've been having. Send your questions
and suggestions to:
Dr. Rainbow the Clown
5038 Kasemeyer
Bay City, Ml 48706
I have received 11 letters along these lines:
Dr. Rainbow:
1 am a new clown and I don't know the basic balloon
twists. Can you help me?
So here, for our newest joeys are:
Basic Twists
Top Lock, Apple
Head or Tulip Twist
FINC.ER 11111(:::::::::::::::::::=-~==
INSERT FINGER J.-2"
FINGER.aa:'.,__ ______ ~~~==
t CATCH NIPPLE
ANO TWIST lf--6 TIMES
&:==============.,.
=
F INISHEO TWIST
USED TO CREATE HEAD FOR DOLL.
HAT FOR COWBOY. KNIGHT. ETC
DI NO$ AU RS HE AD OR TULIP ~
28 The New Calliope
f
Lock/Ear
•w
T'.,JI 7 T7I
Twist
~pr-z-=====
~WIST
i 2 3 't
'
TEDDY BEAR EARS.
ANIMAL EAR S .
HANDS. FEET.
WINGS . ET C.
TWIST .1.-2:/3-lfij
3 TO 't X ' S EACH
Hook
(LARGE
Twist
LOCK TWIST)
FINt,ER JIID ::
INSERT FINGER 3-S"
~======~=
FINISHED TWIST
USED FOR FROGS. BIROS .
ELEPHANTS ETC . .
PoP
Twist
(A LOCK TWIST WITH A "P OP")
TWIST .1.~2/3~'+ ABOUT .1.0 TIMES EACH
TWif T]I £WIST
,-----.. A B C c===>==
I I I I
POP @j i 2 3 't
CLUB.NEEDLE
·;+tifm
u
HANDS • FEE:•
WINGS. ETC.
y
SYRINGE•
HANDLE BARS.
AND

Step up to the higher education of funny business
at Mooseburger University
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UNIVERSITY
· 1994 ·
St. Cloud State University
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featuring world-class instructors
Laine Barton and Michael Christensen, Caring Clown
Bob Gibbons , Birthday Pany Shows
Jos e Rivera, Mime and Movement
Arina Isaacson and Christina Lewis , Character Development
Brenda Ahern , Education and Clowning
Tricia Bothun , Beginning Clowning
Bill Forchion , Physical Comedy
Juli e Goell , Comic Movement
with special guest appearances
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Peggy Williams , "Value-based Clown Shows"
Julie Goell , "Woman in a Suitcase"
Kenny Ahern , "Clown Theatre for a Slippery Universe"
Here is your chance to do some serious study in the art of funny business.
At Mooseburger University you get more educational hours than any other program. Fifteen hours
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Mooseburger University is offering an exciting new development in clown
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Choose one of the eight performance courses, and you will receive
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ln addition to your chosen course you will be able to experience other subject areas
by participating in daily classes taught by the course instrucwrs and other proven
professionals. All of this plus the fun atmosphere of a university campus located on the
mighty Mississippi awaits you at Mooseburger University.
Enjoy evening performances by professionals like Steve Smith, Julie
Goell and Kenny Ahern, and then find yourself on stage for open
performances where you can try out your materials.
You will have a choice of working for a large group or a more intimate group
when you choose Lo perform. Our course instructors will offer gentle, construelive
critique which will help you be the best you can be!
Finish your week participating in
a graduation performance.
Your family and friends are welcome!
Why attend Mooseburger University'?
Class hours devoted to the topics you need • The best teachers available
Premium facilities • Three theaters • Performances by some of the best clowns
in the country • Mirrored rehearsal space • Opportunity to perform with the
world's best in the Gala Finale Stage Show • College credit available

You may regleter for one c:ouree. Coureee
are llmlt&:t to 20 part;ic:lpant eac:h.
IS·Jllhii
Clown Magic and Party Showe
Bo!, GJ!,1,one: Using lecture/demonstrations handson
practice, group exercises and in-class wo~ksheets,
Bob Gibbons takes you through the thinking
process and basic building blocks to create your
own clown magic show. You will learn about combining
effects and gags to create routines, planning
the show format, technical details, adapting the
~how for different situations, including seasonalizmg_props,
working with audience volunteers and
selling the show. At the end of this course you will
be prepared ~o successfully sell, set up and perform
a clown magic party show that everyone will enjoy!
IS·Pihii
Character Development
Arlna leaaceon and Christina l.ewle: To find your
clown you need only to reach in and tum yourself
insi~e out. Character development offers the opportunity
to create a personal clown character based on
your natural inclinations of movement voice jestural
habits and_ inner fe_elings . This unique approach
externalizes the mner psychological processes
of each person. By expressing your stories, hopes
and fears you add depth to your clown. The richness
of your unique life experiences gives breath to
your character. This course features an experiential
format u~g improvisation, theater games, styl-
1:ed_ and rmprovised movement, vocal training and
smging.
IS·iil#lii
The Search for the Clown Wf1;hln
J_ulle ~oell: The funniest clown persona often resides
m the pan of you that you'd rather no one else
saw! This workshop deals with the development of
your personal cl~wn. You will layer your character
m, patchwork-wise, as you learn how it relates to
the audience, fellow clowns and the physical universe
(props).
IS·iliment or expensive technology
while paymg attention to playtulness, spontaneity
and the expressive abilities of the body and the
voice which are the key to self-created theatre.
lorl119 C o , Ing In the Claeeroom
Brenda Ahe~: Explore how to adapt your clowning
to an educauonal setting. Topics include how to:
clown in the classroom; conduct clown classes for
children; create educational themes with clownino ,,.
The Language of Comic Movement
Jose Rivera: The langiiage of comic movement is
non-verbal. Whether the routine is verbal or nonverbal,
the body speaks. It must be trained to convey
the substance and content of your message. This
class_ covers rhythm, timing, action/reaction and
qualiues of movement all to enhance the comic body.
Street Performing: The Art of 5ueklng
Bot, "5.5," Widdop: In two sessions B.B. displays
street an that is thousands of years old. He discusses
crowd control, safety, and how to: increase income·
pro~ote the images that we _ponray and; prevent~ ­
commg a "balloon-making, face-painting machine."
11troductlon to Caring Clown
Laine Barton: This class introduces you to the concept
of _caring_ clov.:zi as developed by Michael Christensen
III conJuncuon with the Big Apple Circus. How
do you empower the patient, share yourself totally,
observe medical protocols, present hilarious materials
and keep your clown balance all the same time?
Kick Up Your Heele
Maggie Deeenl,erg and Pam Gleason: Movement
is the key to any comic character. Learn how
to use your body as a funny tool. Our movement
pr?s will teach you funny ways to use dance basics
to Jazz up your act.
:::lown Dance Intensive
Mag~le Deeenl,erg and Pam Gleason: Be a pan of
the big show! Not the Zei~el~ Follies or the Rockettes,
but the fun of pamcrpaung m a comic dance
revue. Take what you hav~ learned in the morning
movement class and tum 1t mto a toe tapping clown
dance number for our final gala performance.
Slap Stick
5111 Forchlon: Come and learn the fundamental
movem~nts of physical comedy through dance, theatre,
mime, comedia and acrobatic techniques in a
safe format
r Featured Performers
Steve Smith
Steve Smith's "Slap~tick and Sawdust" opened to
rave reVIews by Chicago theatre critics in 1982. A
series of comic vignettes,it holds up a fun house
mirr?no life. A veteran actor/clown, Steve Smith is
a rec1p1ent of five Emmy Awards for his work as cohost
of a weekly variety show aired on NBC Channel
5 in Chicago. Steve, whose clown character is
known as "T J. Tatters," is director of the famous
B~um &: Bailey Clown College and performed
with the Greatest ?how On Eanh for six years. He
has wntten and directed a variety of comedic presentations
including two plays for the Children's
Theatre series at Goodman School of Drama in
Chicago. Steve recently directed the 123rd Edition
of Ringling Bros. and Barnum &: Bailey Circus.

e Goel!
gine Olive Oil playing Tinker Bell in a play by
z Kafka directed by Mel Brooks and designed
amsonite. This is "Woman in a Suitcase," writand
performed by Julie Goell. It is everything a
-woman performance piece should be: warm,
y, smart, steeped long in the age-old traditions
eatre yet brimming with charm and playful
taneity. Her suitcase is a one-room mobile
e with all the amenities. Ms. Goell moves
ugh her world with elegant insanity. lmaginatakes
the place of everydayness and paves the
for hilarity and fun.
nyAhem
ny Ahem's original theatrical production
wn Theatre for a Slippery Universe" masterfully
s traditional theatre with the inspired nonsense
e Clown Theatre. This show's multi-generaal
appeal creates a universe enveloping two inined
worlds: the world of innocence - where
ind is quenched by the truthful joy of the mot,
and the world of the mature - where
vocative yet subtly placed innuendoes are caJ>d
by the witty. You will frolic in the delight of
g within the moment when you become the
's partner in play.
Daily Schedule
day, Auguet 14, 1994
12 noon R~i6tration and 5tore open
Faculty meeting
7:00 p.m. Orientation/Welcome
7:30 p.m. Faculty 5how
9:00 p.m. Welcome Social Hour
day, -Friday, Auguet 15-19 (each day)
- 9:00 a.m. General 5e65lon
- 10:15 a.m. Warm up and movement
5 - 10:30 a.m. Break
0 - 12:15 p.m. Cla66
can chooee which claee you'll attend when
arrive on campue.
15 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
- 2:00 p.m. Store open
5 - 5:30 p.m. Cour5e6
muet pre-regleter for your couree.
5:30 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Monday - Featured performer
Steve Smith
Tue5day- Featured performer
JulieGoell
Thur5day - Rehear5al for
Graduation Show
Friday - Graduation Show
9:00 p.m. Strutting Your Stuff with
faculty critique
needay, Auguet 17, 1994
-10 :00 a.m. Optional fun activity - water
6pittlng, pie throwing, beat up
your neighbor, etc.
- 11:00 a.m. Dance warm up
- 12:30 p.m. General 5e65ion
12:30 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m.
5:00p .m.
7:30 p.m.
Lunch
Cour5e6
Dinner
Featured Performer -
Kenny Ahern
9:00 p.m. Strutt Your Stuff with faculty
critique
urday, Auguet 20, 1994
- 8 :30 a.m. Breakfa6t and check out
Registration Procedure
The registration fee is $425 per person and includes
double accommodations in the St. Cloud State University
residence halls, all meals, and Moosebuger
materials. See below for adjusted rates in housing and
meal options. Register for Mooseburger University by
completing the registration form and mailing it with
a $100non-refundable deposit to St. Cloud State
University Educational Conferences. 720
Fourth Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301-
4498. The rernainin balance is due July 14, 1994
Housing is available to registered participants in St.
Cloud State University (SCSU) residence halls.
Double accommodations, consisting of two twin
beds, are included in the $4 25 registration fee. Single
accommodations are available for an additional
$25. For a $350 registration you can find your own
accommodations off campus. Please indicate your
preference on the registration form. SCSU residence
halls are not air conditioned and do not provide
private bathroom facilities. If you are interested in
hotel acco=odations, please request information
on the registration form. Those staying in a hotel
are responsible for their own St. Ooud transportation
and the cost of the room. Hotel guest rooms
average about $40/night.
Those staying in SCSU residence halls will receive all
meals in Garvey Co=ons cafeteria, beginning with
dinner on Sunday and ending with breakfast the following
Saturday. Those not choosing to be housed
on campus can purchase individnal meal tickets.
Transportation
St. Cloud is located just off of 1-94 about 70 miles
northwest of Minneapolis. A detailed map will be included
with your registration confirmation. The St.
Cloud Municipal Airport is served by Mesaba Northwest
Airlink, which currently has four flights daily.
Shuttle transportation is available from the MinneapolislSt.
Paul International Airport via Executive
Express, (612) 253-2226. Round trip is approximately
$50 per person. Executive Express also runs
from the St. Cloud airport to campus, about five
miles. Campus parking is free.
cm,; ,fflI11@ © P '*', ,,, , 1 :t• cm ro 1
We have applied for continuing education units
( CEU) through the following boards for the Caring
Clown and Education and Clowning tracks: Minnesota
Board of Social Work, Minnesota Board of
Psychology and the Department of Education - Administrators.
Credit options, available for all tracks, will be recorded
in the 1994 fall quarter, if elected. Please indicate
your interest in undergraduate or graduate-level credit
on the registration form. You will receive further information
regarding specific requirements. One graduate
credit is $79.53 and one undergraduate credit is
$56. 73. If you take a course for credit you can register
the first day of the event and must pay the credit fee in
addition to the registration fee.
For furtlier information
For information about the program content contact
Tricia or Dale Bothun at (612) 963-6692. All other
questions can be addressed by Educational Conferences
staff at (612) 255-3082.
Regie;tration Form- Moo !,urger University
St. C oud Sta ;.e Uni ersity -Augue;t 14-19, 1994
N""'""------------- - ---------- - ----------
Address ___________ _ ____ --:-------------------
City ______ State ___ _ Country ___ _ __ Zip/Postal Code _________ _
Daytime telephone _________ __ _
Name and phone number
in case of emergency
- -----,---- -- --'--_;; :
Houelne ( Check all that apply !>elow.)
I request
__ Double accommodations-SCSU residence hall
__ Please assign a roommate (circle preferences)
• __
Smoking Non-Smoking
Male Female
I will be sharing a room with
_
_
_ Single accommodations-SCSU residence hall
_ lnfonnation about hotels in St. Goud
C

Look carefully at Mooseburger University's line-up of instructors.
We have spared no expense to bring you the best of the best. Look
closely at the goals of their courses as you will be committing at
least 15 hours to their main topic. Classes will be filled on a firstcome-fir
st-served basis.
Faculty
Tricia Bothun: Tricia Bothun is the unmistakable Pricilla Mooseburger!
She graduated from Ringling Bros. and Barnum &: Bailey's
Clown College in 1982, and then toured for three years with the
circus.She has worked on various special event projects for Ringling
including performing at Disneyland and Musicfests, design-
... ingcostumes for Ringling's Japan unit and the 1988 Clown Col-
\{: I\ lcge class. Tricia possesses exc_eptiona l skill in all areas and distin-
1:=i •.:J), . guishes herself with eye-catching costumes. Currently she tours
the country with her husband, Dale, teaching, perrorming and selling costumes from
her Pricilla Mooseburger Originals line of clown wardrobe.
Bob Gibbons: Professional clown/magician Bob Gibbons is the
publisher of Laugh-Makers Variety Arts Magazine and director or
Fun Technicians: Inc. Bob's training and .years of experience in ~
racho and adverttsingserve him well in his work as a publisher, ~
M.C., comedy mag1c1an and clown. He specializes in creating .-
family show events for companies such as Apple Computer, IBM, ,
Marriott, Nestle's and Chrysler. For 11 years Bob performed as a -~
McDonald's character clown. In 1974 Bob created "Skoopy", a -
goofy red-headed Auguste character and received a National Honor Award from the
American Cancer Society for his work as "Skoopy."
Bob "6.6." Widdop: B.B. Widdop is a professional family entertainer,
street performer, lecturer and published author, and is
recognized as a clown's clown. His effusive energy, respect for the
art, dedication and mostly his great love for children of all ages,
makes him one of the finest clowns you will ever meet. B.B.'s
unique blend of music and fun adds that special festive spirit to
make him a regular performer at Boston's Faneuil Hall Marketplace
and one of New England's featured entertainers.
Arina Isaacson: Arina Isaacson is an imernationally recognized
clown, puppeteer, storyteller and creative ans educator. He has
taught in and performed throughout Europe, Canada and the
USA. She directs The Clown School of San Francisco where she
teaches the joyful arts of improvisation, spontaneity and clown
theater. Her style and teaching techniques are unique and overwhelmingly
successful wherever she appears.
Christina Lewis: Christina Lewis has been involved in movement
theater for 12 years. Originally trained in mine, Christina discovered
the art of clowning in 1985 when she was invited to tour
Nicaragua and Mexico with a small traveling circus. Shortly
thereafter she met Arina Isaacson and studied with her for three
)'Cars before becoming her teaching assistant at the Clown School
in San Francisco. Christina has studied clown with Stibor Turba
in Czechoslovakia and al the Ringling Bros. and Barnum &: Bailey
Clown College. Christina has a master's degree in drama therapy and teaches drama
to children, adults and people with disabilities.
Julie Goell: Julie Goel! graduated from Emerson College with a
BFA in theater. On the road ever since, she has toured Switzerland
with the circus, Italy as a Big Band singer, and for ten years
was artistic director of Teatro Studio, a training institute for physical
comedy in Rome. During her extended stay abroad, Julie has
done clown. mime and mask work with some of Europe's finest
movement theater troupes. Since returning to the USA she has
appeared on regional and Broadway stages and directed several
plays. Julie currently teaches Commedia Dell' Arte and tours her
solo show, "Woman in a Suitcase."
Dale Bothun: Director of Moosburger University, Dale helps his
wife Tricia run Lheir costume business, Pricilla Mooseburger
Originals. He keeps busy booking their nationwide tours, negotiating
contracts, and being the financial wizard. Dale is a mover
and a shaker. He can take a dream and make it come true with
positive thinking and determination. Mooseburger U is the result.
Dale has been clowning for only a few years, but could see from
the start there was a need for beuer education. Mooseburger University
will serve that need.
Peggy Williams: Peggy Williams was the first woman graduate of Ringlying Bros. and
Barnum &: Bailey Clown College. She ahs worked with then as a performing clown,
goodwill ambassador, educational specialist and as performance director and project
specialist al Disneyland. She currently presents CIRCUSWORKS! nation-wide, a
cross-curriculum, vaules oriented seminar for K-12 teachers and creative educators
See you AugLJst 14tn!
Brenda Ahern: Brenda Ahern began her clowning career at the
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in 1983 with a class instructed
by Richard Snowberg. She has been active in clown arts education
since 198-+. In 1987 after receiving her BA in elemematy and
early childhood education, Brenda was selected Lo attend Ringling
Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. Upon graduation she
traveled throughout the United States with the circus. Since leaving
the sawdust trail in 1989, she devotes her time as a fourth
grade teacher and can be found donning her motley performing in libraries, at corporate
events and conducting special classes for children and educators on the an or
the clown.
Jose Rivera: Jose Rivera is a trained mime, dancer, mania! artist.
fencer, fine artist and clown. He has taught at the Goldston-Johnson
School for Mime, Arthur Murray Studios, at special education
programs for mdividuals with head injuries and at Clown Camp
and Clownfest. He has traveled with the Invisible People Mime
Theatre as a company member and a circus clown with national
circuses. Jose is a selr employed mime and clown and is currently
a strolling performer at TropWorld in Atlantic City.
Laine Barton: After graduating from the University of North Carolina
- Chapel Hill, Laine arrived in New York City with an MA
in psychology and became a clown. Since 1987 Laine has been a
perfonncr and performing staff coordinator for the Big Apple Circus
Clown Care Unit (CCU). In addition to her circus activities
Laine has appeared in • All My Children .. and has performed at '
Lmcoln Center Out-of-Doors, the Whitney Museum, New York
City schools, hospital audiences and for events throughout New
York and New Jersey. Lame has studied with Marcel Marceau and Jacques Lecoq. She
ta~ght for the College of New Rochelle, for SETRC and BOCES programs and as an
arust-111 -restdence 111 New York City schools.
8
Michael Christensen: A native of Walla-Walla, Michael graduated
rrom the University of Washington's Professional Actor Training
Program. Whtie performing with the San Francisco Mime Troupe.
he met Paul Binder. Together they worked on creating the Big Appie
Circus, America's preeminent one-ring circus. Mr. Stubs was
transformed to Dr. Stubs in 1?86 when Michael established the Big
Apple Circus Clown Care Umt (CCU). Using juggling, mime, mag- -
1c and music, specially tra111ed "doctors of delight" make hospital
rounds to chronically and acULcly ill youngsters 50 weeks per year. In I 990 the CCU
rece1_ved Lhe Raoul Wallenberg Award. ~lichael has received a Red Skelton Community
Service Award and a Golden Nose Award and has appeared in the films Popeye. Heaven's
Gate and Annie.
Bonnie Donaldson: Bonnie Donaldson is a Purdue Umversity
graduate with a B.A. in elementary education and a specialization
111 special education from the Ball State University Graduate
School. Bonnie attended "An of Clowning" classes at Purdue University
and auended Clown Camp at the University of Wisconsin
- L1Crosse.Bonnie has been clowning professionally for more than
eight years. She was chosen as a delegate to the International
Clown Summit in Dal Keith, Scotland. Bonnie is a member of the
World Clown Association and Puppeteers of America. She currently teaches at the
Very special Arts Festival at Purdue Universit)• and has a business called Name Tags
by Squiggles.
Bill Forchion: Bill Forchion, Performing Artist, is a New Jersey nauve
now residing in California. He originally relocated to New
York in 1986, to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy
(AMDA). During his years at the AMDA, Bill studied stage
combat and was certified with the Society of American Fight Directors.
He attended Ringling Bros. and Barnum &: Bailey Clown
College and toured the U.S. and Japan with the Red and Gold
Units of the Circus. After leaving Ringling, he joined Circus :.,
of. the Kids, a traveling circus _school, coaching youngsters and teenagers in circus
skills .. In 1992 Bill Jomed the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit and began performmg
with Pickle Family Circus as an acrobat. Bill continues to teach at the San Francisco
School of Circus Arts and train with master acrobatic trainer, Lu Yi.
Maggie Desenberg: Maggie Descnberg received a B.A. in dance
from the University of Iowa and earned an M.F.A. in dance
from the University of Illinois. Since moving to Minneapolis
she has performed with the Nancy Hauser Dance Company
and several independent artists. She has been choreographing
ror 13 years and her work has been perfonned by professional
companies and university students. In 1992 she collaborated
with Pam Gleason in rorming Tandem Dance and has been a
guest anist and teacher at St. Cloud State University.
Pam Gleason: Pam Gleason has been choreographing, performing
and teaching dance for the past 12 years. She has a BS
. in health education and dance from the University of Wisconsm
- Madison, and an MA in kinesiology from the University of Minnesota. A rormer
member of the Nancy Hauser Dance Company, Pam is co-director of Tandem Dance
with Maggie Desenberg. Her work has been performed both professionally and in
umvers!ly settmgs throughout the Midwest.

•••
:· Leist walkaround
• • • ••
Martha Ann Koehler
By Mary " Rainbow " Garvey
3940 Heimkampf Dr.
Florissant , MO 63033
March/April, 1994
Rainbo started her clowning in 1978. She became
interested in clowning while working at a Ft. Myers
retirement home. She loved working and clowning with the
elderly .
She was a member of Caloosa Clown Alley #97 in Ft.
Myers. Her sister, Martha "Patches" Moore, lives and
clowns in Bridgeport, Tex.
Rainbo will be missed by friends and family.
One of the bravest clowns I have ever known, Martha
Ann "Pigie Su" Koehler, made her last walkaround Nov. 14,
1993 .
She was married to "Bo x Car Roi" Koehler. Tragically ,
the couple lost their daughter
Tamlyn when she was 16. In
1984, Pigie Su's health began to
deteriorate, so that in the next 8
years she had heart bypass
surgery , became diabetic , lost
several toes and an arm and one
leg by amput ation , underwent
dialysis and became legally blind.
But through her faith in God and
her own sheer will and
determination . she left a legacy
that has inspired all who knew her.
By 1991, she was in a wheel chair. That same year, she
met Don "Drooper" Gregor at a children 's party, and was so
impressed that she and her husband went to a clown
school conducted by St. Louis Clowns of America Alley
#128 at Washington University. Subsequently, the
husband-wife team entertained at hospitals , church
picnics, and parades. As a member of the Christian Clown
club, they were active in clown worship services .
Pigie Sue was chairman of the Clown-A Bowl-A-Ram-A
for the Red Nose Clown Community, which clowns for
children 's charities. She was hospitalized during the COAi
Convention in St. Louis in 1993, but was discharged in
time to join the convention theme party. Just before h~r ..
death , she was checking with her doctors on the poss1b1hty
of doing home dialysis so she could attend the '94 COAi
Convention in Portland .
Pigie Su's disabilities never became a handicap . She
accomplished her goals in living by giving of herself and
asking nothing in return. It was a privilege to have known
this kind, loving, caring and warm individual.
Mary "Rainbo" Lynch
Mary "Rainbo" Lynch, of Ft. Myers, Fla., made her last
walkaround in November of 1993.
Norbert "Ko-Ko" Keyes
By Charlotte "Peaches " Beebe
Secy., Suncoast Classical Clowns Alley #143
St. Petersburg, Fla.
Norbert "Ko-Ko" Keyes, 65, made his last walkaround
Nov. 10, 1993.
Ko-Ko became a member of Suncoast Classical
Clowns Alley #143, St. Petersburg , Fla., in 1991. He
moved to St. Petersburg from Toledo, Ohio.
Ko-Ko will be fondly remembered for his elegant
costumes and his regal manner as he walked around at The
Pier, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state
of Florida. He possessed an outstanding dry wit.
Professionally , he was a hair stylist.
Ko-Ko is survived by his father, Clarence Kwiatkowski,
and a sister, Mary Kuras, both of Holland, Ohio. He will be
missed by friends and family.
Bernard Hamburger
Bernard "San-Wich" Hamburger, 74, of Tucson , Ariz .,
made his last walkaround Dec. 6, 1993.
San-Wich was a founding member of Kapitol Klowns
Alley #6, Washington, D.C. For many years he taught the
"Arts and Skills of the Clown."
A member of COAi, he also was a member of the
Shrine Clowns of Almas Temple and with them performed
at President Carter's Inauguration party and several Cherry
Blossom Festival parades .
For the then Department of Health, Education and
Welfar e, he performed during United Way campaigns.
In order to entertain the hearing-impaired , he learned
sign language . To add to his clowning skills, he became a
skilled magician and mime.
He is missed.
The New Calliope 33

March/April , 1994
Election
•
coming up
On the following 11 pages you will find the resumes of
candidates for national and regional office in Clowns of America
International, Inc. Candidates will be introduced to the
membership at COAi's Annual Convention in Portland, Ore., April
5-10.
The resumes are designed as an introduction to all
candidates . The material may help those in attendance at COAi's
general membership meeting in Portland to meet and question
those candidates in attendance. If you're not going to attend the
convention , you are urged to send your questions and comments
to the individual candidates.
Official ballots will be sent out May 1 by first class mail. All
members in good standing through the end . of June 1994 will
receive a ballot. Check your magazine mailing label ; if the
expiration date is prior to 06-94 , you will not receive a ballot
unless your membership is renewed right away.
For the first time in several years , there is at least one
candidate for every office .There are two candidates for President
and for Sergeant-at-Arms , five candidates for three Director seats,
three candidates each for Mideast and Latin Countries Vice
Presidents. There can be no write-in votes.
A pre-addressed envelope will be included with each ballot,
for your use in returning your ballot. It will require your first class
postage stamp. All ballots must be received by Dave Slater ,
president of Sioux City Sillies Alley #185, by June 6 in order to be
counted in this election.
Winning candidates will take office July 1. Election results will
be reported in the July/August 1994 issue of The New Calliope .
34 The New Calliope

March/April, 1994
--Meet your COAi candidates --
President (two candidates)
Jack E. Anderson
(incumbent)
4560 Sussex Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32210
It has been an honor to serve you as president for the
last two years, and I am asking your support for another
term.
I began clowning in 1955 as a Shrine Clown. I joined
COA in 197 4. I have served as
president of both the
International Shrine Clown
Association and the World Clown
Association, and served as
Southeastern Regional Vice
President of COAi for four years
before my election to the national
presidency.
1
becomes most important as we move into the future. I am
committed to this organization, and would like to see us
continue to move forward in our efforts to support each
other in becoming the best that we can be. I would
appreciate the opportunity to lead this group in that
forward progress.
Exec. Vice President
(one candidate)
Dennis E. Phelps (incumbent)
5340 S. 67th
Lincoln , NE 68516
I have been a clown for 23 years, and have been
active with COAi, local Shrine Clowns, and the
Internationa l Shrine Clown Association. I also travel with
...,... """"",.......,,......,.-, my own clown magic show,
entertaining children and adults.
I have won numerous awards
and have performed at many
important functions , including
the White House. In 1989 I
retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office after 29
years. Currently I own Freckles Theatrical and Clown
Supply and lecture at many national conventions
throughout the United States.
Brenda Marshall
7128 Oldham Place
N. Richland Hills, TX 76180
As "Flower," I have been clowning for almost 13
years, and have been a member of COAi and Cowtown
Clowns Alley #135 for about nine of those years. I feel
that I am a prime example of how
growth occurs when one is
associated with COAi and its local
alleys.
I am also a member of the
J
Texas Clown Association and the
Fellowship of Christian
Magicians. I am involved in local
alley activities as well as clowning
for fun and profit on my own. I
have also have the privilege of
sharing with other clowns around
the country at conventions and clown schoo ls.
COAi is on the cutting edge of clowning, with new
ideas becoming reality on a regular basis. Leadership
I have received many awards
over the years, placing first in
Auguste, Tramp and Character
makeup , balloon sculpture and
single and group skits. I have
assisted in the running of several
regional and national
conventions, and have lectured
on all phases of clowning.
I have been active on the COAi Board since 1978,
serving as a Director for several years, and as President in
1988-89. I am currently in my second term as Executive
Vice President. I feel that I can continue to serve COAi
and help add to the credibility of the organization if
elected again.
Secretary (one candidate)
Ruth Erkkila
1015 Sibley Memorial Hwy 336
St. Paul, MN 55119
I am the current Secretary of Minnesota Alley #19,
and would like to be Secretary of COAi. I've gotten a lot
out of my membership in COA i and would like once again
to serve this organization in some capacity. I think I could do
that as your next secretary.
From 1984 to 1988 I was Editor of The New Calliope. It
was a difficult time and it is with a great deal of pleasure
(Continued next page)
The New Calliope 35

March/April , 1994
Secretary--
From preceding page
that I now see the club and The New Calliope prospering . I
was Chair of the 1983 and 1985 Annual Conventions
held in St. Paul. I have been a
member of Minnesota Alley #19
since 1973 and have been
performing as a Whiteface clown
with the Powder Puff Clown Club
of St. Paul since 1971.
Probably my many years in
clowning make me an old-timer.
But I am not such an old-timer
that I resist change "because
we've always done it that way."
Those who do not change to meet new challenges do not
survive. We need to constantly re-examine our club, to
see that we do what best meets the needs of our
members. I would be an active voice urging that we do
this.
.___ Treasurer ___ (one candidate) _
Judy Quest (incumbent)
906 S. 117th Court
Omaha, NE68154
For the past three years it has been my pleasure to
serve as the Treasurer for COAi. I can honestly say that
during that time , with the very capable help of our
business manager , David
Barnett, I have been able to
account for every cent of COAi
funds, and we are in excellent
financial shape.
~ :",5""" ;;::::Z::::I;!l
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I have also had the honor to
serve on the COAi Board -- the
greatest Board on earth -- and
have been involved in designing
new and innovative ideas for our
club.
I would very much like to continue as your
"moneybags." With financial stability , our club has an
important ingredient to support growth , improvements in
all facets of our operation, and lots of fun. My emphasis is
in the area of education and excellence in clowning .
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Sgt.-at-Arms (two candidates)
Walter R. Lee (incumbent)
1347 Ava Road
Severn , MD 21144
It has been a pleasure for me to serve as
Sergeant-at-Arms under five COAi Presidents and with
such a diverse group of officers .
My clowning experience began a little over 34 years
ago with the annual Christmas
program for work. In November
1969 I joined our predecessor ,
COA, and was given number
788, which I still hold. In 1972, I
became first President of Free
State Clown Alley #30 in
Baltimore , MD, and currently
serve as alley Treasurer .
My other clown activities
have been as judge for the Tall
Cedars of Lebanon convention ,
Mid-Atlantic Shrine convention, two Northeast Regional
conventions , past COAi conventions, and the Northwest
Regional convention. I am currently the person to whom
all send requests for patches , pins, decals and shirts.
I am a career federal government employee with more
than 34 years of service. I have been married to my wife
Joanne for 30 years and have two sons, a great daughterin-law
and a new grandson.
I wish to thank you in advance for your support.
Eileen Moebius
Box 4
Kapowsin, WA 98344
I have been clowning for four years. I share myself
with three others: Pinky May, I.
Lean, and Blaze -- my clown
characters.
I have attended classes on
clowning , and also on face
painting and balloon art. I have
attended four Northwest COAi
~~~~ - regional conventions and at the
1993 convention in Spokane I
helped Andi Rothweiler as
timekeeper for skit competition .
I attended Clown Camp in Lacrosse , Wis., in 1991
and 1992, and participated in COAi's 1993 International
36 The New Calliope

March/April, 1994
Convention in St. Louis, where I placed in the Top Ten in
Character makeup competition.
With this background , Pinky May, I. Lean and Blaze -­
with a little help from Eileen -- would like to be COAi
Sergeant-at-Arms.
Director (5 candidates, vote for 3)
Betty Cash (incumbent)
2181 Edgerton St.
St. Paul , MN 55117
Once again I am running for a Director's position on
the COAi Board. I know the goals of COAi and will work to
see them fulfilled.
I have been an active Board member since the start of
COAi, and was previously active
on the COA Board.
I have been clowning since
1966. I am a charter member of
the Powder Puff Clown Club of
St. Paul and an active member of
Minnesota Alley #19. I have held
COAi offices as Director,
-~ Executive Vice President and
•.-· Regional Vice President.
Because of my clown
costume company , "Costumes by Betty ," I travel to clown
conventions across the country. I meet many , many
clowns and am aware of their concerns for the club and will
speak for them on the COAi Board. It is also a great
opportunity for me to promote COAi.
I believe I do this well and would like to continue in this
position.
Rose Katzenstein
14 Brookside Ave.
Old Bridge, NJ 08857
I was born a clown at heart. However , learning to use
my God-given talents on a professional level began eight
years ago when I started attending clown schools,
seminars , conventions and joined COAi and local alleys.
Clowning has given me some of my happiest years.
After losing my husband to the Vietnam War. I raised
my four children. Now that they are all married with families
of their own , there is plenty of time to dedicate to my
clowning career , and I would enjoy serving as a COAi
Director.
I have attended more than 25 clown conventions,
including every COAi International, and co-chaired the
19th North East Clown Convention in 1993. In 1991 I
founded the Lolli-Pop
Foundation , whose sole
purpose is granting wishes to
the terminally ill.
I have placed first at COAi
conventions in Auguste ,
Whiteface and Character
makeup, as well as skit
competitions. Last year I was
honored by being inducted into
the Mid-West Clown Hall of
Fame. I am active as a certified
judge for COAi, WCA and ISCA. I currently hold the
offices of Secretary of the Northeast Clown Counci l,
Director of the Mid Atlantic Clown Association , and am in
my second term as president of Merri-Makers Alley #51. I
am also a proud member of Oops Alley #15, Circus
Clown Alley #155 and Center Ring Clowns #255.
COAi has and can greatly benefit each member with
the knowledge shared in educational seminars. The New
Calliope and great friendships founded within the
organization. If elected , I will do my best to uphold the
reputation and integrity of COAi. (Continued next page)
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The New Calliope 37

March/April, 1994
Directors
From preceding page
Danny Kollaja
4221 Winters
Corpus Christi, TX 78415
As "Lanky the Clown" , I have been an active
member of COAi since 1978. During those years, I have
performed at more than 1,000 parties .
My travels as a clown included a goodwill performing
tour of Russia and Estonia. I have
also conducted and assisted in
conducting workshops and
seminars in the art of clowning in
South Texas and New Mexico.
I was Chairman for the 1987
COAi Convention in Corpus
Christi. For several years I was
editor of the Texas Clown
Association's newsletter, and am
a member in good standing in my
local alley. I have participated in
numerous state and international convention
competitions, most always earning Top Ten honors.
As a member of the Board of Directors, I will have a lot
of enthus iasm for the organization. A Director does not
represent himself, but the art of clowning and those who
desire the skill to make our world a fun place.
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March/April , 1994
--Regional Vice Presidents --
Northeast
Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
New York, Delaware, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington,
D.C. ONE CANDIDATE
Leo Desilets (incumbent)
30 Roswell St.
Milford, CT 06460
I am running for re-election to the office of Northeast
Regional Vice President. I have been a member of COAi
since 1978 and have held this
regional office for three terms.
In addition, I am currently
COAi 's Competition Director.
North Central
North and South Dakota, Nebraska,
Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas.
ONE CANDIDATE
Dan Lake (incumbent)
13005 Lakeridge Dr.
St.Louis, MO 63138
I've been clowning for 14 years , and joined COA in
1980. I joined the St. Louis Clowns of America Alley #128
in the spring of 1980, became the club's fourth
president in 1984 and have been
on the Alley 's Executive Board in
one capacity or another ever
since. I also took over as the editor
of the alley's newsletter and still
retain that job.
As a COAi Board member I
J
have worked hard in
communicating with the alleys
in my area and started a
quarterly newsletter last year
J
to keep those lines of
communication open. Items of
importance that I brought up
to the Board and were accepted: The reinstatement of The
Charlie Award, an alley newsletter contest , every alley
again receiving a copy of The New Calliope. I have
attended all but one Board meeting since I have been in
office.
I am past president of the Sawdust Clowns Alley #66
(three terms) , helped start the Greater Hartford Alley #107,
co-chaired three Northeast Regional Clown Conventions
and have won numerous first place awards in makeup and
skit competition.
I have been clowning full time for the past four years
and am married to a wonderful wife, Linda, and have a
super daughter , Amber. If I am re-elected I will continue to
make COAi a priority in my life and continue to help it grow
and stay the Number One clown group in the world!
MOVING'? Notify
COAi
Box 570
Lake Jackson , TX 77566-0570
I had the pleasure of
welcoming some wonderfu l
people who made it to the 1993
COAi Convention in St. Louis; I
was on the convention committee
that put it together. In 1990 I was
elected North Central Regional Vice President and was
also appointed COAi Alley Coordinator. I still hold those
positions. As a member of the COAi Board I have made it
my business to be active in making this organization one of
the best in the wor ld.
I love being a member of COAi and look forward to
serving its members and helping its alleys grow.
Northwest
Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana,
Idaho, Wyoming. ONE CANDIDATE
Andi Rothweiler
(incumbent)
E. 803 St. Thomas Moore Way
Spokane, WA 99208
As an Auguste clown named "Me-Too," I clown full
time , which includes all aspects of clowning. My daughter
Julie and I team up for many events (my favorite was two
PBS Sesame Street specials) .
I have taught and performed throughout the
Northwest , California and Western Canada . I have served
as President and Vice President of Clownariffics Alley #46,
Continued next page
The New Calliope 39

March/April, 1994
Vice Presidents
From preceding page
and as a judge in all categories at regional and national
competitions.
As Northwest Vice President , I
have had the honor to help with
the Northwest Regional Festivals
and had the pleasure of
co-chairing the fifth annual
Northwest Festival of Clowns here
in Spokane last October.
I ask tor your vote and support
tor another term as your Northwest
Regional Vice President. I
promote COAi and all that clowning can be, to make a
better world with kindness and laughter.
Mideast
Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia,
North Carolina, Tennessee.
THREE CANDIDATES, VOTE FOR ONE
Steve Bissell
1104F Thompson Circle
Newport News, VA 23604-5000
I ask tor your vote tor Mideast Regional Vice President.
I graduated from the clown/circus techniques class in the
Acting School at the University of Iowa in 1972,. Since I
had paid $25 for my clown wig, I figured I should try to
recoup my expenses by doing a
few clown gigs. More than 20
years later, I'm still performing as
Bubee B. Bulbenik.
I have been as active as I
could in COAi while raising two
boys and keeping a military family
together.
I worked for over a year as the
co-host of "Cubby's Clubhouse "
on KXRM-TV 21 (Fox Network) in
Colorado Springs, Colo. I was a member of the "Magnum
Clowns ," appearing as an extra on the Magnum P.I.
program , "I never wanted to go to France, anyway," starring
Tom Selleck. Before the White House appointed a drug
czar, in December 1988 I declared war on drugs by creating
"Bear Down on Drugs" drug education program . I also
appeared in the 1986 Pro Bowl Football Game half time
show in Honolulu .
Stephanie Richardson
(incumbent)
12600 Shooting Club Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27613
I began my clown career some 11 years ago when I was
asked to perform at my nephew's second birthday party. I
tell in love with being a clown and continued to perform at
·birthday parties tor family and friends and began working at
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40The New Calliope

a home for the profoundly and severely retarded on a
monthly basis .
In November of 1988 I finished the course, "The
Serious Art of Clowning," and my REAL clown career
began. I joined the Jolly Raleigh
Clown Alley and the South East
Clown Association. Since 1988 I
have served as Professor Clown,
Newsletter Editor and National
Clown Week Coordinator for the
Alley. I was just installed as the
1994 President of the South East
Clown Association. In 1993, I was
appointed to fill the current term of
Mideast Regional Vice President.
I have attended numerous
local , regional and national conventions, camps and
workshops . I have helped plan several regional
conferences and have won many local and regional
contests in both makeup, skits and paradeability.
I believe clowning is a very personal thing. For me it is a
way to give back to the community and to have the children
I would otherwise not have.I believe in the total clown
concept -- the performing clown. I believe in sharing all the
clown knowledge I have and forgetting petty jealousies. I
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feel that education, honest critiques and practice is the way
in which we will all become the clowns we want to be. I love
my clowns and I love sharing them with others.
Jim Roberts
1019 Pawnee Dr.
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
I solicit your vote for the office of Mideast Regional Vice
President.
As my clown character, "Strutter," I have performed at
Moscow Circus in Russia, for the
President of Iceland, and at the
White House Easter Egg Roll in
Washington, D.C. Strutter has also
participated in the Great Circus
Parade , the Indianapolis 500
Festival Parade, the Kentucky
Derby Festival Parade and the
Orange Bowl Parade.
When not clowning, I have
written the book , STRUTTER'S
COMPLETE GUIDE TO CLOWN MAKEUP, as well as
articles for The New Calliope. I am also assistant dean of
Clown School of Sanford University in Birmingham, and
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The New Calliope 41

March/April, 1994
Vice Presidents
From preceding page
have lectured on various aspects of clowning throughout
the country.
Being self-employed as the owner of a temporary
employment service, I have the time and resources to
travel in the entire Mideast Regional area, maintaining
contact with the alleys and coordinating regional
educational seminars, as well as attending Board meetings .
Your vote and support will be appreciated.
Midwest
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana,
Michigan, Illinois, Iowa. ONE CANDIDATE
Merilyn M. Barrett
20561 Foster Dr.
(incumbent)
Clinton Twp., Ml 48036
"Pockettes the Clown" begain entertaining in 1978. If I
knew then what I know now, my clown character may never
have sucked air. I was awed then by the professionalism
and education of the mast ers. It's overwhelming to think of
the quality and improvement of education, conventions
and competitions since those early days. We are extremely
fortunate to have the educational opportunities so readily
available. Although the COAi
Board continually strives to
enthusiastically pursue excellence
in clowning, it is the membership
that demands we set our goals
high and insures our goals are
attainable.
I have clowned for more than
16 years and have attended all but
two COAi conventions. I have had
the opportunity to lecture at
several convent ions , colleges,
and clown camps. I enjoy clowning, and find it especially
rewarding performing with my daughter, Michelle. She
recently enlisted in the U.S. Marines, and after 14 years of
working as a clown duo, I was suddenly a solo. I was
fortunate to find an eager and enthusiastic individual
anxious to learn the trade. I was twice blessed because of
his terrific ability with balloons and his creative desires to
satisfy the customer.
I strongly support COAi and have enjoyed serving as
Midwest Regional Vice President. I would appreciate the
opportunity to continue my efforts to make COAi strong in
membership, abilities, and education.
28

March/April , 1994
Southeast
Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South
Carolina, Alabama. ONE CANDIDATE
Charles Lavender (incumbent)
9926 Beach Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL 32216
South Central
It has been an honor to have
worked with you the past two
years as your Southeast Regional
Vice President. I would like to
have the opportunity of serving as
Southeast Regional Vice
President again in 1994-95.
In the last two years we have
visited with a lot of the alleys in
my region, and have helped start
new ones. At any time I can help in
any way, all you need to do is ask.
Colorado, New Mexico, Texas,
Louisiana. ONE CANDIDATE
Linda Williams (incumbent)
4400 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77007
I am completing my second term as South Central
Regional Vice President, and would like to be re-elected
to the office.
I have been active in Cheerful
Clown Alley #166 , serving as its
president in 1989. I have won
numerous awards in makeup and
skit competition .
The educationa l aspects of
clowning are very important. Some
of the other COAi Board members
and I are in the process of
developing several powerful
educational tools that will assist COAi members to be more
consistent in how a clown should look, act, perform and
develop . With your support , the next two years will be a
very exciting growing experience for COAi and I am looking
forward to representing you during this growth .
Southwest
California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona,
Hawaii. ONE CANDIDATE
Linda Hulet (incumbent)
3332 Stonybrook Dr.
Anaheim, CA 92804
It was GREAT! It was WONDERFUL! I want to do it AGAIN!
I am just completing my first two
years as your Southwest
Regional Vice President. It has
been a tremendous growing time
for our region and for me. We have
many wonderful clowns
participating in our region, and we
would not have had such growth
without their support.
Our first ever Southwest
Regional Convention was a great
success, and more than 50 new
members were added to COAi -­
not to mention a brand new alley. I would like to have your
vote to continue as Southwest Regional Vice President.
Continued next page
The Tramp Tradition
Second Edition
by Bruce "Charlie .. Johnson
Learn the true history of the Tramp Clown
starting in 1874. Includes descriptions of the
careers an

March/April, 1994
Vice Presidents
From preceding page
Canada
ONE CANDIDATE
Ron Daley (incumbent)
101 - 13 Stanhope Ave.
Red Deer , Alberta, Canada T4N OB7
I am asking for your support in the upcoming election
for Canadian Regional Vice President.
As an Auguste clown, I now clown full time, just
recently retiring after 30 years as a Provincial government
employee. I have clowned for
more than 12 years and entertain
at children's functions, hospitals
and seniors' lodges.
I have served as founding
President of Canada's first COAi
Alley as well as numerous other
offices. Let's Clown Around Alley
I
#191 has sponsored four Mini
Conventions and plans are well
under way for our fifth annual
"Clown Fun '94" to be held in May.
Canada will have two new alleys by the end of this term,
making a total of four Canadian alleys.
My aim is to continue the advancement of clowning in
the wor ld. I strong ly support COAi and have assisted with
training at regional and local festivals. National Clown Week
celebrations have been a part of my thrust over the past
two years, as well as the overall promotion of the art of
clowning.
It would be an honor to be returned as Canadian
Regiona l Vice President. I greatly appreciate your support.
Latin Countries
THREE CANDIDATES
Julio Capacetti
Street 5 SE #972
LaRiviera
Rio Piedras , PR 00921
I present to you my candidacy for the position of Latin
Countries Vice President.
As President of Alley #126 and as Vice President of
the National Council of Clowns, I have cooperated to keep
a solidarity of the clowns that live and work in Puerto Rico.
One of my main goals is to present them COAi and to
explain all the benefits it offers them as active members.
I have learned and understand the needs and interests of
the Latin Region through 10 years experience working as a
clown and five years attending
COAi Conventions with my clown
workmates.This experience
helped me develop a strong
desire of working hard for this
area. The art of the clown has
become a work of care and
dedication. When we go to
conventions, it is not so important
for us to receive awards as it is to
show clowns wor ldwide how
important we cons ider our job, and
how seriously we take it. As Vice
President of the Latin Region, I would work to make this
the fee ling of every member.
To be a winner in makeup, skit and paradeability
competitions has helped me polish my clown performance.
I want to transmit this spirit of refinement and perfectionism
to my people. I am sure that as Vice President I would be
able to do it with pride and honor.
Pedro Santos
(incumbent)
Box 3859
Bayamon Gardens
Bayamon, PR 00958
I would like to be re-elected Vice President of Latin
Countries. I was the first clown of Puerto Rico and joined
COA in 1970. I am founder
president of the Puerto Rico
Clowns Association Alley #84, the
first clown club in Puerto Rico.
I was chairman of the 15th
annual COAi Convention in
Puerto Rico.the first convention
held outside of continental U.S. I
have participated in all COA and
COAi Conventions since 1971.
IN 1971 I presented a motion
at the COAi Board meeting stating that a certificate of
appreciation should be issued to all clowns who participate
in competition. The Board agreed.
In 1991, I succeeded in passing motions providing
that convention registration should be published in
Spanish in The New Calliope, that competit ion rules should
be translated into Spanish, and that the host alley should
have trans lators at competitions and give seminars for the
Latin clowns.
I work very hard in my region, and with my experience
my goal is to make COAi an even better organization.
44 The New Calliope

March/April, 1994
Tere De Los Santos
Box 2304
Guaynabo, PR 00970-2304
I have been a member of COAi for the past five years,
and "Payasita Amiga" for nine
years. I have won awards in
national and local conventions.
As regional Vice President of
Latin Cduntries, my primary goal
would be to improve the
communication between
Spanish-speaking clowns and
other members of COAi. I have
designed and presented several
seminars in local conventions.
This experience will help me and
the association to market the membership in Latin America,
because every organization needs to augment its
membership.
. In order to achieve these goals, we need new ideas
and approaches. That's why I need and ask for your
support in this election.
Foreign
ONE CANDIDATE
Blue Brattle (incumbent)
30 Sandpiper Close
Marchwood, Southampton
SO4 4XN England
I would like to stand again for Foreign Vice President.
I have been clown ing for
more than 17 years, and came
from a theatrical background.
I am a member of British Actors
Equity and of Clowns
International. I perform for
promotions , advertis ing,
television, galas and parties. I was
Great Britain's representativ e to
"Clown D'oro" in Sicily in 1992,
and won the Trevarthen Award in
1993 as the best Whiteface clown at the International
Clowns Convent ion.
I will continue promoting COAi to European clowns.
LOOKADA
BOOKS!
PENNY WHISTLE BIRTHDAY PARTY BOOK.
Theme parties for kids 2 to 10. Also games, decorations,
recipes. Includes Dinosaur, Dolly, Pirate, Circus, Super
Heros, etc. #874, Large, 256p. $14.00
CLOWN SKITS FOR EVERYONE, by Happy Jack
Feder. Advice and ideas plus 32 easy-to-perform skits
for one or two clown acts. Contains many prize-winning
skits. #528, 192p., $9.95
JUGGLING FOR THE COMPLETE KLUTZ. If you can
scramble an egg or find reverse in a Volkswagen, you
can learn to juggle. Includes 3 juggling bean bags
(square, so they won't roll under your bed .) #526, 68p. 3
beanbags, $9.95.
DR. DROPO'S BALLOON SCULPTURING FOR
BEGINNERS. Easy balloon animals, toys and games,
using a variety of balloon s: 260 A and E, 245, Apple and
Bee balloons. Even comes with a packet of variet y
balloons. #608 72p. $7.95
MAMA CLOWN 'S NEW FACE PAINTING BOOK.
Abso lut ely everything you need to get started or
enhance your face painting. You'll find 32 full-face
designs, easy yet very good looking, plus 69 tattoos.
Contains material list, bibliography, and very
detailed instructions for each face.
#909, Large book, full-color. 95p . $24.95.
HOW TO DRAW CLOWNS. Easy instructions to draw
a whole collection of clowns : Flower, Acrobats, Magic
Clown, Dancing Bears, Patches, etc. #834 32p. Just
$1.95.
THE VOLUNTEER BOOK, by Jim Kleefeld. How to
chose volunteers who won't ruin your performance or
cause embarrassment. How to get rid of brats. Learn to
esti mate age and ability leve ls. #785 50p . $14.95.
THE CRAZIEST RIDDLE BOOK IN THE WORLD.
Whacky riddles, crazy jokes, gaga gags. Q. What TV
show chara cter keeps throwing up? A. Barf Simpson!
Hah a. #842 96p . $3.95.
DEVELOPING CLOWN MINISTRY PROGRAMS, by
Randy Christensen. Learn how to put a program
tog ether, write skits, props, storyte llin g, lots of good
thin gs you can use in your church clowning. #746 48p.,
$6.00
All these (and 350 more) are avai lable from Books by
Mail, P. 0. Box 1444, Corona, CA 91718. Call (909) 273-
0900 with a Visa or Mastercard. Please add $1.00 P /H
for EACH book, and CA orders add 7.75% tax. Thanks,
Pat! (11/93)
The New Calliope 45

March/April, 1994
Can you make The Connection?
By Irene Doll
Staff Writer
You're on-stage and your audience is watching and
waiting ... waiting for what's coming next. You were about to
tell a story. But now, you glance nervously about the stage
with second thoughts, because there isn't a single magic
trick, balloon or puppet in sight. It's just you ... and them.
The engaging little story seemed so perfect for this
group you're entertaining. It seemed like it would be so
easy to tell. But suddenly, you're a nervous wreck.
Why? Because it's just you ... and them. You're on your
own with not even one prop to prop yourself up. All you've
got is you. Success is dependent on how well you are able
to communicate with this group; in other words, how well
you, the performer , connects the message with the
audience .
The simplest form of connecting is: One person sends
a message to another and that message is received. The
next step: The receiver feeds back an acknowledgment or
a totally new message.
as an entertainer. It's taking their honest feedback (good or
bad) in an non-defensive manner and learning to use it for
growth -- to improve your clowning.
No one can teach you how to connect with your
audience, because it's a skill that must be self-taught. It's
like trying to teach someone how to ride a bicycle . Oh, you
can say, "Riding is easy, the bike will let you know when
you're about to fall. It'll start wobblin' from side to side and
the handlebars will start shakin' even though you're
gripping on for dear life. When that happens, don't panic.
Just shift your weight left or right (the opposite of which
way you're about to fall) and you'll fall the other way. Then,
just go fast to maintain it."
Y-e-a-a-h.You can tell them all that, but they won't
understand until they personally experiment with
wobbling , shaking, falling, over-compensating the shifting
of weight and finally getting the nerve to go fast enough.
And only by riding every chance they get (until they learn),
by studying (reviewing what you told them) , and by not
letting the falls -get them down, will they teach themselves
to ride.
Further, there is an assumed agreement in this
process , that being: Each party has an obligation to be
courteous to and pay attention to the other party. While
that contract is generally fulfilled in most normal
communication, public speakers , trainers and entertainers
know that audiences don't always feel obligated to live up
to their part of the unwritten agreement.
So , OK, I can't teach you how to connect with your
audience, but I can give you some information so you can
experiment and begin teaching yourself. Take a look at the
accompanying Communications Iceberg:
When this happens , it becomes the responsibility of
the sender (entertainer) to make sure the connection
actually takes place. Some entertainers have the ability to
connect with almost any audience. How did they learn to
do that?
By entertaining every chance they get, by facing their
fears , by studying how to communicate and by not giving
up when they fail. Additionally , they've acquired through
experience the single most important factor in successful
communication. It's a concept public speakers refer to as:
This is Me.
This is Me involves sharing the real you, or your "real"
clown character, with your audience. And that means
you've got to be in touch and at ease with who you are as
an entertainer.
It's about being honest with your audience. It's the
ability to put them at ease -- showing them you trust them
and that they can trust you. It's accepting your vulnerability
51 % = Nonverbal Messages
This graphic breaks down the several elements of
sending a message. It's amazing that words account for
only 13 percent of the message or information being sent.
Or perhaps more apropos, it's almost unbelievable that the
non-verbal element makes up a whopping 51 percent.
Let's talk a closer look at what these terms mean.
13 PERCENT WORDS
This means the actual words themselves . While that
may seem really obvious, pay attention and study the
words you use in your routines. Use strong words in your
presentation. For example, if your clown is showing an
46 The New Calliope

March/April , 1994
apple that is very large, describing it as a gargantuan apple
is much stronger than merely stating it's a very big apple .
Above all else regarding words , you must speak the
language of the people you're entertaining. Always be on
their level. English is a most intriguing language. It's in a
constant state of flux as word meanings change and new
words are added constantly -- especially in the high tech
field. Did you know that the "information highway" was 18
months ago?
Be cognizant of the fact that while kids and adults
speak the same basic language , they understand
languages of their own. Ask a senior citizen to save a file
and they 'll say, "Use a file made for whatever it is you're
trying to smooth. " Ask a teenager the same thing and
they 'll say, "Just mouse up to the pull-down file menu and
select save." When a kid drops his drawers it means a
miracle has taken place and he's cleaning his room, but got
a little too ambitious cleaning out the dresser. When a
senior drops his drawers , it means he's in for an
embarrassment.
It pays to study the language. My favorite book for
building a solid grounding in English words is "30 Days
to a More Powerful Vocabulary." It might be out of
print , although I just bought a copy at a used bookstore last
month. It's also at many libraries. If they don't have a copy,
ask them for suggestions.
Also , research the words used by advertising agencies
in copywrit ing. Publications such as Adweek give an
abundance of information on what's "hot" and therefore
what people are talking about (saying). Information is even
available on the current slang words kids are using. When
you're in the know, you can add the words to your act.
(Need I add, only if you find them acceptable?)
36 PERCENT NON-WORDS
This refers to the sounds you make: Your voice -- its
pitch , tone and resonance. It encompasses breathing
sounds and all those uhmms and ahhhs.
The sounds give clues about how you're doing
emotionally -- what you're feeling. They can indicate your
state of mind. Your rate of breathing can point to the fact
that you're cool as a cucumber or hot as a tamale. If your
tone of voice is unsure or questioning, you 're telling the
audience you 're feeling some doubt , either in the
message or yourself. A solid, steady tone tells them you're
confident in self and message.
51 PERCENT NON-VERBAL MESSAGES
Here's the most powerfu l part of the message . It
includes your overall appearance -- the way you're
dressed , facial expressions , eye contact , gesturing and
body language.
Use gestures to strengthen what you say. Or even to
explain what you mean. Back to that gargantuan apple:
When you say the word "gargantuan ," and stretch your
arms out as far as they 'll go, any child who understands
what "big" means now understands what "gargantuan "
means.
The reason you should be so aware of the non-verbal
part of your entertaining or clowning is because research
shows that if the verbal and non-verbal parts of the
message conflict , people instinctively believe the nonverbal
information they pick up through their other senses ,
rather than believing the words their ears heard.
THIS IS ME!
It's paramount that your words , verbal non-words and
non-verbal messages work together. When they do , a
synergistic effect is achieved. You become your message
and connect with the audience . Your communication
becomes golden . You've reached the This is Me level.
When you're at that level, you can hold an audience 's
attention on your own, without the aid of magic tricks,
balloons or props. But the big benefit is, once you can do
this, your magic , balloon and puppet presentations
become so much easier. What once was so difficult
becomes almost second nature -- and fun .
Now you can begin reaching for the This is Me level by
entertaining every chance you get , by facing your fears, by
studying (words , small group process , body language,
etc.) , and not letting the setbacks hold you back.
ff!}1~e -~
~ -J.] ~1~ ~~ -
©J!} Spring 199;==-~~
Mesa, Arizona April 15-17
-[tr Kenny Ahern -[tr Ted "Suds" Sudbrack
-[tr Irene Doll it Richard Snowberg -ii?
For local Info , call : Norine Alexander (602) 984-1792
Hammond, Indiana May 13 - 1 s
it 0. J. Anderson it Irene Doll -#
it Dave Mitchell -[tr Richard Snowberg it
For local Info: Bonnie Donaldson (219) 924-5690
To add your name to our mailing list, write:
CLOWN CAMP®• c/o University of Wisconsin
1725 State Street • La Crosse WI 54601
-[tr
The New Calliope 47

March/April, 1994
•
Hints
from
HAPPY
By Efrain "Happy De Klown " Guerrero
I hope everyone had a nice, cozy and (most of all) a
safe winter. It is now time to prepare for our outdoor shows
and kiddie games. So let's consider some ideas that are
excellent for outdoor parties.
This time of the year is perfect for putting on a giant
bubble show. Nice, humid weather is great for bubblemaking.
April showers, here we come!
Putting on a bubble demonstration is not always a part
of my show, but it is sure a fun thing to do every now and
then. I do this as an introduction to my magic show.
Here is a good recipe for great bubbles: Measure five
to six cups of water in a pail or large jar and add about half a
cup of pi,;,h-washing soap (I prefer Dawn). Next add about
two tabtespoons of glycerin (available in most drug stores)
to the soap mixture and you are ready for some great fun.
One thing to remember: Never do a bubble
demonstration indoors. Try to pick a•nice shady area with a
safe and non-slippery floor or ground. I highly recommend
"The Unbelievable Bubble Book ," by John Cassidy
with David Stein, inventor of the bubble thing. When doing
a bubble demonstration, always play some cool popular kid
music. Pop or rock music seems to make the bubbles
dance.
Here's how I use bubbles in my magic show. Most
magic shops carry some one to three-inch crystal clear
acrylic balls. I purchased mine from Lou Tannens Magic in
New York City. I palm a two-inch crystal ball and pretend to
grab a bubble from the air. This movement will take time to
do. Learn to reach in the air while at the same time you roll
the ball from your palm to your finger tips. I wave my magic
wand over my hand and presto, a solid bubble in my hand. I
toss the ball in the air a couple of times and then I drop it in
a change bag. From this point on, you can produce a silk or
what I produce, a set of white sponge balls. Sponge ball
magic is very exciting and popular with kids. The reason is
because the magic actually happens in the kids' hands.
Let me give you some hints on how to produce
sponge balls. Finger palm a ball in your right hand, using
your middle finger for this palm, and with your forefinger
and thumb of the same hand, hold a second ball. As you
hold the second ball, the natural curl of your fingers hides
the first ball.
Next, with your left hand hold a third ball, which is
actually the second ball for the audience. Both my hands
are curled into fist-like positions, except for the forefingers
and thumbs holding the balls. I explain to the audience that
I will now mix the balls, but all I do is move both my hands in
circles, which really brings a laugh. Next I ask the child to
pick a ball. We hope he picks the ball from the hand with
the concealed ball, so that when I give him that ball I can
actually put both balls in his hands.
If he picks the other ball, I say, "OK, this ball you picked
is the ball I will disappear. Now hold this other ball while I
disappear the one you picked ." Whichever ball he picks he
will always get the two balls from your right hand.
There is something magical about the palms of your
volunteers' hands -- they can never feel that there are two
balls in their hands. Vanish the other ball by any method
you choose and ask the child to open his hands. Wow! He
has both balls in his hand. You ask him how he did this and
explain that you have to do that again. You can repeat this
until you have produced as many balls as you wish.
As I've pointed out before, I do not perform magic ,
magic happens to me. As the child is holding the balls and I
take the other ball, I explain to the audience that he has a
ball and I have a ball, but as I open my hand I notice that my
ball is missing and I ask him to check to be sure his ball his
not missing, and then we find out he has my ball also.
Here is another quick sponge ball favorite of mine.
/1,JJerJ
8,,.//
Notice the blend or continuity of my magic. From the
bubbles I went to the clear bubble ball and then to the
white sponge ball. If the birthday child is five years old, I will
produce up to five sponge balls.
48 The New Calliope

March/April , 1994
Again, finger palm tightly a ball with the third and fourth
fingers and grab a ball with thumb and forefinger of the
same hand. Show the hand to the audience as in Figure 1 .
The audience will not see, I guarantee , the ball hidden
under your curled fingers. I even extend my pinkie (Figure
2) to convince the audience that I have nothing else in my
hand.
I explain to the audience that I will show them just how
a woman is cut in half by many great magicians like myself,
ha ha. After the audience has seen the ball, with the
forefinger and thumb I roll the ball to the palm of my hand. I
turn the hand over with the back side of my hand up. With
the other hand, I grab a magic wand from my table and
pretend to cut right through my hand. I bring the magic
wand hand down so no one will think that I had the other
ball hidden in my wand hand. Then I turn my other hand
over and slowly open it to show the two balls.
These are just short, fast sponge ball routines, but it is
so much better and more fun to do complete sponge ball
routines. After you have magically produced enough balls ,
you then drop them in a change bag or drawer box and
bring out a long chain of sponge sausage links.
Remember, one trick or routine should slow smoothly
on to the next , so once the sausage is produced you can
explain to your audience that you have to make these
sausages or hot dogs a mommy, and then bring out a
balloon of the same color as the sausages (usually red) ,
and make a wiener dog.
I use balloons as a perfect way to move the children
back if I feel they're too close to my stage area. I ask, "Who
wants this doggie balloon?" Of course, every kid will raise a
hand. I say, "Only those kids sitting further away from me
qualify for this balloon." You should see how quickly
everyone moves back.
Another trick I pull on children is that when I ask who
wants the balloon and everyone raises their hands, I say,
"Only those with their hands down qualify for this balloon."
It is so funny to watch the kids trying to communicate with
me with facial expressions only. One kids almost popped
his eyes out at me.
After I have selected the kid who will get the balloon , I
blow up another pencil balloon. But this time I blow it up all
the way and all I have is a long straight balloon. I tie it
around the doggie neck and say, 'This is the leash (least.
Get it?) I could do for this dog."
Here is another great vanish while your kid helper is
holding a prop. For those of you interested in working with
van ishing candles or canes or wands but are not confident
enough in try ing to vanish many of these objects without
covering them -- you will like this routine.
What I mean by vanishing a candle without covering it
is that I actually hold a lit magic candle in full view of the
audience and vanish it right before their eyes. This comes
from years of experience with hand manipulations and
mastering the art of palming. But if you want to use any one
of these objects, try this:
I will pick a red candle for this routine, but the trick
works with the other two items. Take the candle from the
candle holder and wrap it in a sheet of newspaper. Let your
kid helper feel the candle as you wrap it inside the paper.
Next, as the kid pulls away;, release the gimmick that holds
the candle extended , and as you turn the roll of
newspaper vertically , secretly palm the candle.
As your-left hand palms the candle, take the roll of
newspaper with your right hand and give it to the kid. Make
sure your face and eyes are turned toward the paper to
misdirect the movement of your left hand. As you do this,
your left hand can secretly pocket the candle, or if you feel
you are not sly enough to try this, then with your left hand
reach in your coat pocket , drop the candle and bring out a
small magic wand. Remember that every move has a
purpose. Bringing out a wand justifies going into your
pocket.
Next , look at your kid helper as he holds the p~er and
(supposedly) the candle. Remember that if you ha~ a nice
paper roll, it is impossible to tell there is no candle inside .
Explain to the audience that you will now vanish the candle
and turn it into a birthday cake or whatever.
I say, "I will now vanish this white candle"! Of course, all
the children shout that it is not a white candle , but a red
one. I say, "Are you sure of that?" Then I ask the kid
holding the paper to open it to reveal the color of the
candle. As expected, the candle is missing, and you can
milk this forever. I blame the kid for my missing candle.
As you see , I do not perform magic -- it just happens to
me and my assistants. You the entertainer are just as
puzzled as your audience is, which is much more fun than
just magically vanishing the candle and taking all the credit
yourself. This method of magic not only produces ooohs
and aaahs , but it also creates laughter.
At this point you can say, "Well, so much for the candle
or the birthday cake . I guess all we can do now is sing
'Happy birthday '!" I go one more step; you see, I have an
appearing white candle. I explain that I will try to bring the
red candle back, and as I reach into my box to get another
piece of paper I secretly palm the appearing candle, and as
I am rolling the paper I leave the cand le in the paper. One I
have a nice paper roll, I release the gimmick and the cand le
automatically is extended inside the paper.
I hand the roll to the kid assistant to hold while I get my
Continued next page
The New Calliope 49

March/April, 1994
Happy De Klown--
From preceding page
magic wand. Then I realize that I do not trust this kid
because he lost my last candle. But then, again, I have not
yet produced the candle, or have I? I ask the kid to open
the paper roll to make sure it is empty and, coops, there is a
white candle. I get the last laugh because the candle was
white after all.
From. the
President
I close many of my shows with a cane to "Good-bye"
silk vanish. Other times I wave good-bye with a long black
cane, and then I stick this long three-foot cane into my
small front coat pocket and then I take my coat off and
throw it over my shoulder. j \ i---- CJf
,2.,-J--'?oG
Remember to practice, practice, practice until you have
mastered every move. If you have any questions on any
type of magic or props, send your letters to Happy De
Klown, 3930 Capri Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78415.
Just received:
New shipment:"Best of Happy" video
$33.95 postpaid. Order from:
Happy De Klown
3930 Capri Dr.
Corpus Christi, TX 78415
I
What do you do if you need: Clown shoes,
a s ix foot unicycle, juggling clubs, a
professional yo-yo, stilts and the
address to Ringling Bros. Clown College?
EVERYTHING YOO NEED! ! !
7
ROSWICK 'S
COMPLETE RESOURCE GU I DE
By Jack "Freckles" Anderson
COAi President
COAi members are going to have to make a decision
about our alley affiliates.
Right now, COAi's By-Laws (Article V, Section 5)
provides that ALL members of an affiliated alley M UST
also be COAi members.
There are several reasons for this provision. Part of
COAi's annual budget is targeted to alley education. COAi
alleys receive, at no cost, educational materials produced
by COAi. When an alley has just a few COAi members, the
rest of the alley's membership is getting a free ride. This is a
matter of some importance to some clowns.
So, what do we do? Right now, the Alley Coordinator
must go by the By-Laws, and make sure a COAi alley is in
compliance. But the final decision must come from COAi
members. How do you feel about that provision of the Byla
ws? Should it be enforced? Or should it be changed?
Let your regional Vice President know how you feel
about it, so that the COAi Board can make a decision on
this matter -- a decision that will accurately reflect the
wishes of our members.
ALL OF COAi was saddened by the loss of a
wonderful clown in January . Ceslee Conkling, a joey with
RBB&B 's Blue Unit, died in a train wreck. The story of this
great performer is told in this issue of The New Calliope,
beginning on page 10. COAi extends its sympathy to
Ceslee's family and friends. The clown community has
suffered a painful loss, but we know that she is
representing us all as she clowns in a much larger arena.
*Find out where to get what you want!
,~over 100 differe nt references!
*Only $5.00, includ es tax and postage!
COAi 's BOARD feels like the early pioneers must
have felt as they headed West. We're making a big
westward move, too, from last year's convention site in St.
Louis, Mo., to this year's convent ion in Portland , Ore.
L
B::6WICK ENI'ERPRISES
1343 10'lli AVE.
SAN FRANCISCD, CA 94122
_J
We're all excited to be attending COAi's first ever
national event on the West Coast. From the reports I've
been gett ing from the convention chairs, it appears this will
be one of COAi's largest conventions ever, as it attracts
clowns who've never before experienced the excitement
of a national clown convention . We're all looking forward to
meeting the joeys who will be in Portland. See you there!
50 The New Calliope

March/April, 1994
How to catch the public eye
By Jerry H. Cole
Calumet Clowns
Hammond, IN
Want to keep your clown in the public eye? Then
you've got to get serious about marketing. For, public
relations and public image are vital to a working,
professional clown.
And it's not just press releases or sending a note to an
editor that gets it done. Here are 11 sure-fire marketing
ideas that should be standard operating procedure for a
career clown.
+ Develop a "Press Kit" folder (with inside pocket)
which contains a glossy 5x6" or 8x1 O" photo, fact sheets
on job experience, your specialties (magic , balloons , kid
parties , etc.). Each fact sheet (8 1 /2x11 ") should follow the
same format and bear the same clown logo or letterhead.
Include your name, address and phone number on each
sheet.
+ Never hand-write a press release. Type it. Put the key
facts in the first paragraph (who, when, where, how?).
+ Save your press clippings. Reprint them on a larger
sheet and include as a part of your press kit.
+ Create a single letter-sized flyer to distribute via mail
and grocery store bulletin boards (with a tear-off phone
tag). Use colored paper.
+ Prior to any performance, contact the sponsor ing
organization's public relations director, publicity committee
or personnel (human resources) director and ask them to
contact the local media. Also, get them to have one of their
organization cover your appearance for the organization 's
house newspaper/newsletter. Provide a press release (in
advance) that includes specifics (typed) on your
performance , such as date, time, place.
+ Create a sketch of your clown, and hand it out for
youngsters to color with crayons. Tell them to take it home
and place it on the fridge. Include your address and phone
number on the drawing, so that Mom or Dad can use it as a
party reference. Develop a coloring contest.
+ Develop a comprehensive mailing list. Include names
of previous customers , local companies , service
organizations , school administrators, manufacturing
companies. Offer your clown services for their picnics,
shows , parties , openings , etc. Include prices. Consider
including a $5-off coupon.
+ Imprint novelty items with your name, address and
phone number. Provide them to charitable organizations or
schools.
+ When you're in a parade and you see a television
cameraman, make sure to present your best walkaround
prop when you're in camera range. If there's a newspaper
photographer , pose for him or clown around him. You might
make the next edition.
+ Create a clown club, using a membership card larger
than the ordinary business card, and bearing your photo in
full color. Plus, of course , name, address, phone number.
+ Take a course at your local Cable TV station so that
you learn how to operate a TV camera , etc, then get
involved presenting a local Cable TV show. By law, Cable
must present local shows.
Success in any publicity effort is 95 percent work, 5
percent luck. So, be a professional. Dress in a clean
costume , keep the makeup sparkling, wear a big smile and:
Good luck!
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And Ordering Information
Add $2 DO For Handling & Mailing
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SPEAR'S SPECIALTY SHOE CO.
12 Orlando Street• Springfield , MA 01108
The New Calliope 51

March/April, 1994
Alley
Update
By Dan "Dano" Lake
COAi Alley Coordinator
13005 Lakeridge Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63136
It's convention time, so I hope to meet some of our
Alley members for the first time, especially members from
the West Coast.
The COAi Board held its fall meeting last year in
Portland, so I learned what a beautiful piece of country it is.
In addition, the Rose City Clowns Alley #196 has been
working real hard getting it all ready, to make it one of the
best conventions ever.
Two Calliopes ago, I was preparing the Alley Update
report. In my usual hurry to get it in on time, I printed out the
new alleys' names on labels that you send in the mail. My
computer abbreviated one alley's name as Loyal Loonies
of Fa. Being in a hu~ry, I did not notice. So to correct this
mistake: The real name is Loyal Loonies of Faith Alley
#246. I was hoping to print some more information on this
alley, but haven't received it yet.
THE 1994 ANNUAL ALLEY REPORTS WERE
MAILED IN DECEMBER! THEY WERE DUE BACK
FEB. 1. If you haven't sent yours in yet, do it right now. At
its annual meeting in Portland, the COAi Board will be
removing some alleys, those who have reported that they
are no longer active, or because they haven't sent in an
annual report in two years . Some will be put on probation
because of violating one of the two requirements of being
a COAi chartered alley, and others will be put on the
inactive list for not reporting this year.
Next month I'll report the grisly details, but right now I'll
list the alleys that will be on my Inactive List because they
are real late with their report. This list is as of March 1, 1994:
Alley 6 Kapitol Klowns, Alley 8 Delaware Valley Clowns,
Alley 39 Colorado Clowns, Alley 44 Galaxy of Clowns , Alley
51 Merri Makers, Alley 56 San Diego State U., Alley 66
Sawdust Clowns, Alley 78 Calumet Clowns, Alley 80
Golden Gate Clowns, Alley 87 Nebraska Funsters, Alley
118 Funworld Clowns, Alley 127 Klassy Clowns, Alley 151
Arkansas Clowns, Alley 154 Cornhusker State Clowns,
Alley 168 Wacky Whalers, Alley 184 Poco Clowns, Alley
187 Tippecanoe Clowns , Alley 192 Miracosta Clowns,
Alley 198 Klown Krew, Alley 199 Capitol City Clowns , Alley
201 Cascade Clowns Club, Alley 203 Jolly Jesters, Alley
206 Kalamity Klowns, Alley 211 FestivalClowns, Alley 214
Casey Clowns, Alley 215 Udderly Heavenly Clowns, Alley
218 Clown Valley, Alley 224 Clowns of the Midland, Alley
226 Clown Care Club, Alley 230 Payasos Unidos, Alley
231 Kings KourtClowns, Alley 234 KingsJesters, Alley 236
Sunshine Makers, Alley 237 Beach Bum Bozo, Alley 238
Agapae Nuts.
That's the bad news. Here's the good news.
NEW ALLEYS:
Alley 252 Clover Park Clowns
6902 S. Madison #1
Tacoma, WA 98409
• n stock and ready to ship
~ real acessorles - hats, noses, gloves,
clown lewelry & watches
~ uper prices & best quality available
Send $11!!! for catalog
Don't flip your wig. Just call Cheri or Nicki
(317) 252-5696
Alley 253 God's Promises Clowns
4312 S. Wash . St.
Marion, IN 46953
Alley 254 Clowns Around Redford
16034 Negaunee
Redford, Ml 48239
Alley 255 Center Ring Clowns
444 Indigo Court
Morganville, NJ 07751
Drop these clowns a line and welcome them to COAi.
52 The New Calliope

March/April, 1994
(please type or print)
Clowns of America International
Membership Application
NAME ..................... ............................................ ............... ....................... ........................... ............
Last Fist Md'.11e lrml
ADDRESS ............. ................................... ' .............. ......................... ....... ........................... ............... .
Street City State ~ Cooe
DATE OF Birth ................................. AGE ............................ .. SEX: M......... . ... F ........... .
CLOWN NAMES USED .............. ................................................... .................... ..... ..... ....... ......... .
ALLEY AFFILIATION (if any) ............. .............. .................... ............ ............................. ................ .
SIGNATURE ............................................................................. .
Annual membership Fees:
New Members U.S.: $25
New members Foreign: $30 U.S. funds.
Renewals U.S.: $20
Renewals Foreign: $25
Family membership U.S.and Foreign: $10 (for second and additional members of one family).
($15 of this amount is for a subscription to The New Calliope for one year, these subscriptions available
only to full members of Clowns of America International.)
Return this bill form with remittance to:
Clowns of America International
Box 570
Lake Jackson, TX 77566-0570
NON-PROFIT NON-POLITICAL NON-SECTARIAN
1. All memberships in COAi are on an annual basis, with membership dues payable in July of each year.
2. If you wish to join COAi as a new member and the date is not June, July or August, your membership
will be pro-rated for your second year.
3. Join at the membership rate indicated above. When you receive your dues notice in June of the next
year, the amount you should pay to bring your membership up to July of the following year will be
indicated on your card.
4. For example, if a U.S. resident applied for a regular COAi membership in September, 1991, he/she
would pay $25. In June, 1992, the member would receive a dues renewal notice for $12.50 to bring that
membership up to July, 1992. Thereafter, each year the annual membership fee would be billed in June
for payment by July 1. Foreign and family memberships are similarly pro-rated.
The New Calliope 53

March/April, 1994
News from the
Business Office
By David Barnett
COAi Business Manager
This is the first article written concerning the affairs of
the COAi business office and the procedures that are a
concern to the membership. If there are items of interest to
you that should be addressed, please send me your
questions in writ ing and I'll respond in future issues.
First, everyone will be getting a dues notice in May. No
matter when you joined, you will be getting a dues notice
to bring you to July 1, 1995. If you have an expiration date
other than July, you will get a prorated bill. The amount of
proration is $5 per quarter, or $1.666 per month for U.S.
members. Family members will also be prorated, as will
foreign members.
Hopefully, you have noticed that you are getting your
magazine closer to the first of the month. COAi now has a
Second Class mailing permit. The mail is handled the same
as First Class, but at a much lower cost.
The down side of the new service is that if you move ,
the postal folks won't forward your magazine unless you
have left specific instructions that you are willing to pay the
extra postage for forwarding. In addition, they rip the cover
off the magazine, throw the contents away and send the
cover to us with your new address if it is not forwarded . We
cannot send the returned magazines like we could before.
So, if you move, LET US KNOW AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
We print the magazine 's address labels on the 18th
day of the odd months for magazine shipment on the 25th
of that same month. We make sure that all address
changes received through the 18th are entered in the
computer prior to printing the labels that night. This is a firm
deadline; if we receive your address change on the 19th,
you will miss that month's issue.
Now the good news! COAi is growing at a fantastic rate.
We are currently averaging more than 100 new members
per month. COAi President Jack Anderson established a
goal of 6,000 members by July 1. On March 1, we had
5,610 members. It looks like we will make our goal in late
May or early June. Jack has established a prize for number
6,000, so encou rage your non-COAi clown friends to join
and let's make 6,000 happen. Remember our address:
P.O. Box 570, Lake Jackson, TX 77566.
Qualatex Balloons:
Asst. Color 260Q's
6.(X)/gr
Solid Color 260Q's
7.25/gr
6" JT Asst. Hearts 7.50/gr
(Red. Amerhyst, or Asst Colors)
~.,~Bee Bodies 3210 Asst Colors 7.50/gr
_,.,--6" Asst. Geo Blossoms 16.50/gr
Balloon Magic Kit 14.50
,,_-,1'-We carry Amethyst 260Q's and Hearts
~ for creating the "famous dinosaur"!
Magic:
~e~ lnvisible Deck
_,.,-- Break-Away Wand
Silk Serenade
Crystal Tube (Tenyo)
No-Cut Scissors
18" 20th Century Silks
Three-Way Coloring Book
, Dummy Coloring Book
~e~Hot Date Book
;,,,,- Triple Gag Bag
Gag Bag w/Zipf>er
Change Bag w/Zipper
50' Magic Rope (asst. colors)
6.30
9.00
24.95
19.95
9.95
18.00
8.00
6.00
25.50
45.00
15.95
34.95
8.00
Shipping Ch.-gN:
Under $35 00, add $3 SO
Over$3500 , add 10~
Fcreign orders . -.ufK:e, add 20%
Foreign orders , ,.,, add 25%
KS Rwkfentt, add 5 9% Salee Tu
Pricn subject to Change Wilhwt Notice
Skits/Props/Novelties:
Our Dog Frank 29.95
Stan's Slush Powder 8.50
~e"''- 6' Ruler
? Giant Ice Cream Cone
13.00
55.00
Black Hand Gag 12.00
~e~ Weighted Wand (4~
;,,,,- Spring Skunk
19.95
23.00
Spring Raccoon 23.00
Funken Ring 19.95
~ .. ~ Boom Microphone
_,.,-- (e)(tends ro 4?
14.95
I Hugged A Clown Stickers 7.50/500
Kiss Stickers 5.00/250
Mehron Make-up &
Accessories:
2 oz. clown White 3.30
8 oz. Clown White 7.75
Slim Pencils 2.50
_,~'- Pro-Pencil, Slim 2 .50
~ Pro-Pencil, Jumbo 3.95
~ Cream Blend Stick Make-up 5.95
~e~ ( Vori«y of Cot,,s"" Pencils & St,;k MokB-up)
;,,- Make-up Remover 3.30
White Nylon Gloves 5.95
FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $50
CONTINENTAL U.S. ONLY
Call or Send for a Free Catalog
THE CLOWN FACTORY
(316) 942-1111
3202 W. 13TH, SUITE IA
WICH"A, l(S 61203
Noses:
Wooch1e
(Small, Medium, Large) 5.50
Pro Knows 10.00
(Ralph, Small & Large Circus Pro,
Auguste, T-1, T-2, T-5, Hobo, TXL,
~' C, CL, LB, AL, BS-1, BS-2, V, BC,
~ BR, MR, M-1, PM)
ProKnows Adhesive 7.50
ProKnows Solvent: 5.00
Books:
Creative Clowning
Clown Magic
Newspaper Magic
Balloon Magic
Clown Act Omnibus
The Mime Book
Campi. Guide to Clown
24.95
17.95
16.50
13.95
17.70
19.50
Make-up 18.95
~.,.-,,'-Put on a Happy Face 24.95
~ (Face Palnling Book by Mama Clown)
Asst. Randy Christens on
, Books $4.00-6.00
~ Asst. Dewey Books $4.00-6.00
Call for a complete listing of
available literature.
54 The New Calliope

--==
IF IT'S
PLA1\ET J!IRTH
PRODUCTJO ;V~/JVC
NOT FUN WE DON'T DO IT/
WHAT'S
NEXT
Kids always know how many spot s ...
or do they???
Strong Party Show Routine!
SLAP-WAND-ON
DISAPPEARING
WAND
One Easy Move And This Wand Is
GONE!
••
•
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No PlJLLs, ~ NO REEJ_,S!
$4.00
THE HOME Of
S,. .._,,_ The
March/April , 1994
MR.CLOWN
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6 foot
The:: HEST u, srt'c-tch,ng wands!
Effect: Hand your assistant thi s wand
:r,1J'1Y and wacch it s tret c h 6 Fe. in length.
~¥oFF! Comes in Black or Neon!
ii!k.s :Jncluded
$8.00
lleg. ~ize ~H~.00
Mini ~ize ~ULOO
1!:Ylect: Three .seperate :.ilk:. go into tube.
:.ilk:. are then blown out all tied together.
LIGHT CORD (SINGLE) w fl
MAGICLJGHTBULB $l0.00 ~ ~ QQ c@_,
$5.00 , ==-G ~ *
LIGHT CORD (DOUBLE)
p &tste~
* SOUNDS GREAT!
... $ 22. 00 A Pocket Gag That Adds Just The HOT COLORS!
Right Sound To Your Magical Dust! $4.00
l'RAPEZE
Effect: Different colo r ropes on each side change
p laces right before their eyes. Resets automatically.
Great pocket crick .
Black or New Hoc Neon! $12.00
A MILLION LAUGHS!
COLORFUL
and
PROVEN
STILL ONLY
$15.00
TO ORDER BY PHONE
1-800-672-5096 m]
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Minimum Chargccard Order $15.00
CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS
sorry, no C.O.D.
INFORMATION
(702) 878-5171
PLANET MIRTH PRODUCTIONS, lNC.
3575 W. NAPLES DRIVE
LAS VEGAS, NEV ADA 89103
"IF IT'SNOTFUNWE
DONTDOIT!
COLLECTOR
CARDS
.4 REAL TR£.4SURE FOR .4Nl.ONE
WHO LOl'ES CLOWNS!
NlJMBERED
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MAGIC COLORING BOOKS
RLANK
CIRCUS
...... ss.oo
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REGULAR .. SS.00
100 % PURE SILKS
9" $2.50
12" $3 .50
18" $5.00
SIIIPPING CHARGES
IF YOUR ORDER TOTAL IS: U.P.S.
UNDER $7.50, ADD ......... $2.50
S7.51 TO $20.00, ADD ..... S3.00
S20.0I TO $35.00, ADD .... $4.25
$35.01 TO S7S.OO, ADD .... $5.50 ~
$75.01 AND UP, ADD ....... S6.50
HJ, AK, AND POSSESSI ONS, ADD ... 15~o
FOREIGN ORDERS, ADD ..... 2S 0 o
NEVADA RESIDENTS, ADD ..... 7~o SALES TAX
·-----
Pr,c-cs Subjcc-1 Tu Change W,thoul Notice
Pictures Shown May V3ry From A

March/April, 1994
tw2how,P.~p~J!~ ,I
!!ld~ysfio,!lo~e
A
asked who he wanted me to paint next. After all, his parents
and grandparents were part of this party and I intended to
paint them all.
By Karen "Peppermint" Reinholt
Secretary, Rose City Clown Alley #196
Portland, Ore.
The party was booked two months in advance for a little boy
turning five. His mother requested my 90-minute party,
which includes games, magic, puppetry, balloons and face
painting. They were
expecting between
eight and 12 guests.
It was going to be a
wonderful party.
The night before the
party, the concerned
mother called to let
me know that, of the
12 friends invited,
everyone but three --­
had called with re-
PEPPERMINT
grets: Summer vacation time. Since the other three hadn't
called yet, she assumed they were coming and wanted me
to know it would be a smaller party than she originally
thought. I assured her there was no problem. Small parties
are great, too. We would have a fun time. It was going to be
a wonderful party.
After careful consideration, A.J. decided Dad would be
Robin, and Mom Catwoman. One grandfather became an
Indian, his grandmother a fashion model and the other
grandfather became Rambo. A.J. helped select the colors
and assisted me every step of the way. The adults were so
delighted they made plans to go out to dinner like that!
At that point, A.J. gave me a guided tour of his back yard ,
including his swing set, showing off his skills at rope
climbing. Next came a trip to the freezer to see the beautiful
Baskin and Robbin Batman cake. All of this time, A.J. had
my complete , undivided attention and praise. I had become
his personal clown-friend and he was thrilled.
The magic, games and balloons that followed were all
specially selected, as I pulled each one out, to personally
include A.J. as my Master Assistant. He got to choose what
type of balloon each person got, as well as duplicates for
himself. As I was making Dad's balloon, A.J. was bouncing
from one foot to the other. His Mother urged him to use the
bathroom. He was reluctant to leave as he explained, "I
don't want to miss any of this!"
Saturday morning I pulled up in front of the house. It was a
beautiful neighborhood. I'd been there severa l times
before. Suddenly, I noticed the birthday boy, A.J., playing
on his swing set in the back yard -- alone. Where were the
other guests? Maybe I just can't see them. I thought. I
hoped. I was beginn ing to have an uneasy feeling.
At the front door, the mother greeted me with a sad smile,
saying, "No one came to the party except my son." I started
to panic a little. Then I thought: No child should have to
celebrate a birthday alone, and I didn't want A.J. to
remember his fifth birthday as the time when nobody came.
I flashed my brightest smile at the mother. "No problem," I
assured her as we walked through the house to the back
yard. "It will still be a wonderful party."
The deck was decorated with Batman streamers. I noticed,
with relief, that there was not only Mom, but Dad, a
grandmother and two grandfathers -- party guests! I called
A. J. over. 'This is going to be so much fun," I said. "I can't
wait to get started. Thanks for inviting me to come play with
you. Let's paint your Batman mask on right away."
Even though I usually do the face painting at the end of the
party I felt this was a great way to get A.J. focused into the
party immediately. Dad has his camcorder going as I told A.J.
stories about living in Gotham City, driving the Batmobile
I assured him I wasn't going anywhere and would have a
spec ial surprise balloon ready for him when he got back. He
ran into the house, immediately returned to yell,
"Peppermint, we still get to open presents!" , and then
disappeared back into the house . I had his Batman balloon
sword and· scabbard ready when he returned.
Now it was time for presents. I had A.J . bring them out one
at a time and the two of us sat down on the
deck.opening each one, admiring them , gathering up the
wrappings and running for the next. All the time, I could
hear the adults in the background, making comments about
how much fun they were having. It was time to breathe that
sigh of relief ... this was really working out fine and we all
were having a good time .
When we got to the end of the gifts, A.J. and I settled down
to read one of his new Dr. Seuss books, Green Ei:rns
and Ham, or rather I should say that A.J. "read" to me from
memory of past sessions with this book. It was fun to help
him connect the pictures and letters and see his satisfaction
with knowing the words.
I glanced at my watch. I had been there almost one and a
half hours. I reluctantly got up, telling A.J . that it was time for
Peppermint to leave. He gave me a big hug, thanked me
profusely and his mother walked me to the door. Her
56 The New Calliope

smile and thank you were genuine. It had been a
wonderful party.
We must be there ...
By Connie "Topsy" Yarbrough
11611 Parkview Lane
Seminole, FL 34642
We had a terrible storm on March 12, and the next
morning when I awakened the wind was still howling with
gale force, and destruction was everywhere. Trees were
downed, homes were knee-deep in water , two million
people were without power and the newspaper called it the
no-name storm of the century. We were lucky , for the storm
had only brought us the high winds and the loss of a few
big branches from some of our
trees.
Today Topsy had a birthday
party to do for a three-year-old girl.
The television was proclaiming , "If
you don't have to go out , don 't. Stay
home. It's dangerous out there. "
About 10 a.m. the birthday
child's mother called me about the
party . She lives in Tarpon Springs
and she was aware that my home is
in Seminole , and she wanted to
know how I felt about the party. I told
her of my misgivings about
venturing out on a day like this , but if
she wanted to have the party , I
wou ld be there since I had made the
commitment. She offered to contact
the mothers of the guests to
determine if they would still like to
come today. A little later , she called
back to tell me the party was still on.
The party was schedu led for
3:15 p.m. , and it would normally tak e
about 45 minutes to drive there. But
today an hour and a half seemed
more likely. So into my makeup and
wardrobe and off to the party at
1 :45. I arrived on their street at 3:05
and waited until the appointed time.
The door was opened by Mom
and then this little tyke ran across
the floor and hugged me as tight as
she could and said , "Oh , Topsy ,
your clothes are so cold. We were
worried about you. It's so windy and
we thought you might have car
trouble. Are you okay?" As I took her
March/April , 1994
by the hand and led her into the party room , I assured her
that my car was fine and we were going to have a wonderful
happy birthday party.
The drive home seemed to go much faster. The love in
that little girl's eyes once again told me how important it is to
keep your commitment once it is made. Many people rely
on us as clowns to cheer up the young , the old , the sick
and the lonely. We must be there.
Dealers wishi ng to be considered for the 1995 COAi
Convention in Houston , Texas , please send resumes
to Rolf Kerr , 11549 Sabo Rd., Houston , TX 77089 , so
that our convention committtee can select vendo rs.
Ph: (713) 225-0010 (days) or (713) 481-4702 nights.
School Show School III
June 22-25, 1994
· Williamsburg, Virginia
Our 1994 Staff:
• Mark Wade
• Samuel Patrick Smith
• Mark Trimble
• Dave Bartlett
• Don & Kathy Burns
• Brad Sizemore
• Joe Lefler
• Lou Page
• Tami Daniel
• Steve Kissell
• Mark Daniel
Register Now! Limited to 45 People!
The cost of this professional
seminar is $450.00.
School Show School© 1992, is a
division of Mirthworks, Inc.
School Show School/II is one of the
most unique conferences anywhere.
It is designed for variety children's
entertainers who are serious about
their careers and are lookin g for
knowledge to help their business
grow. If you are one of these people,
SSS Ill will be a valuable investment
in yo ur future and yo ur success.
Our staff of working pros lead you
through an in depth look at the business
of entertainin g ch ildren in the
educational market with topics li ke:
What are schools looking for?
How to provide them with the
programs they need.
Ideas on developing and creating
themes for those programs.
How to market your educational
shows.
Th ese subjects and so much more,
arc what School Show School is all
about. To learn how yo u can be one of
45 participants in thi s special event.
please w rit e or call the numb er below
for additional inform ation.
Plan Now to Attend!!
For more Information write to:
School Show School
850 Madison Ave.
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
or call (804) 423-3867
The New Calliope 57

March/April, 1994
Calendar
April 5-10: Clowns of America lnternational 's Annual
Convention, Portland, Ore.
April 21-24 : Clown School on the Road, Georgia
Southern University, Statesboro, GA. Information:
Deborah Champion (912) 681-555, or Col. Jim Russell,
Box 393, Butler, GA 31006-0393. Ph. (912) 862-3372.
April 27-May 1: World Clown Association Annual
Convention, Holiday Inn, International Drive, Orlando, FL.
Inf.: Chairman Cynthia "Big Red" Keeler, Box 580274
Orlando, FL 32858. Ph. ( 407) 295-1838.
May 20-22: Colonial Clown Convention '94, The
Sheraton, New Bern, N.C. Inf.: (919) 638-8697.
\J HE ,./
Y, LOOK WHATS NEW!
We are moving from the country to the city of Burley,
ID. to be closer to my school. which is now in Bur1ev.
Our New Address is below. ·
Due to the tremendous response to my school , and to
requests to enlarge my enrollment, I now have facilities where
I can teach from 1 to 15 peopie .
For 3 to 15 clowns, I now have a new money saving offer-write
* -
or call the address oelow.
* ~
ATTENTION-Clowns Who Want to be Better Clowns
I spent 23 years with Ringling Bros Circus as a performing and
producing Clown.
During that time, the show would take me off the road in the fall
and_ send me down to Ringling Clown College, to teach clowning.
Dunng the 21 years I taught down there , over 1000 students went
through the School.
Now I can teach you the same thing I taught them . How to be a
clown , move like a clown , think like a clown, teach you the tricks of
the trade & things that were taught me by Lou Jacobs, Otto Griebling
and Danny Chapman.
MASTER CLOWN - FROSTY LITTLE
~ Clown Hall of Fame 1991
f :i~) For Details Write:
v::::;_,J
222 E. 8th St.
Burley, ID 83318
Or Call: (208)678-0005
June 20-26: Advanced Studies Ill, Camp Bethel
Retreat Center, Roanoke, VA. Inf.: :(703) 473-2271 or
(208) 532-4164.
June 23-25: School Show School, Williamsburg ,
VA. Information: Steve Kissell (804) 423-3867.
July 3-8 : International Shrine Clown Associaton
Convention, Denver, Colo.
July 11-1 7: Clown School, Samford University,
Birmingham, AL. Information: Co. Jim Russell, Box 393,
Butler, GA 31006-0393. Ph. (912) 862.3372.
July 31- Aug. 5: Phoenix Performing Arts Ministries'
10th annual conference for clowns, mimes, dancers,
puppeteers and storytellers. Calvin College, Grand Rapids,
Mi. Information: (800) 258-5323 or (305) 274-2543.
Aug. 5-7: Clown School Short Course, Georgia
Southern University, Jekyl Island, Ga. Information: Deborah
Champion (912) 681-5555.
Aug . 11-13: International Festival of Children's
Magicians, Williamsburg, VA. Information: Steve Kissell
(804) 423-3867.
Sept. 1-5: 2nd Annual Southwest Region COAi
Convention , Anaheim , Calif.
Sept. 30-Oct. 2: Northwest Festival of Clowns,
Everett, Wash., Holiday Inn.
Oct. 14-16: Arts in Ministry, Williamsburg, VA.
Information: Steve Kissell (804) 423-3867.
Nov. 3-6: Annual North Central Region COAi
Convention, St. Louis, Mo. Information, Karen Lake (314)
355 -0220.
PATCHES & PINS
with COAi lo~o arc available to members
Patches, 4" diameter, $3.00 each
Pins, 1" diameter , $3.00 each
Decals: $1.00 each
NEW ITEM: White embroidered
golf shirts, Small to 3X: $22.50 each
Make checks payable to Clowns of
America,lnt. Order from:
Walter R. Lee
1347 Ava Road
Severn , MD 2114
58 The New Calliope

March/April , 1994
. NEW!! Magic Drawing Board -TAPE !!!
This amazing magical effect just got better! Thousands of Magic Drawing Boards are in use all over the
world - the effect on an audience is mind-blowing! Now we have produced a complete profess ional
routine on audio cassette with voice, music and sound effects for you! No need to learn ventriloqu ism,
or produce your own tapes, to perform this fantastic illusion! Just turn on the tape in front of your audience
and begin performing this FUNNY rout ine!
QJ
Picture This for Your Next Show!
You show your audience a cassette tape entitled "ART-O-MA TIC", that claims that you can make realistic lifelike
drawings In just 3 easy steps! You have not listened to it yet but brought it to try out. You put the cassette
mn
into a tape player and turn it on. The tape begins with music and the announcer (with much hype and fanfare)
welcomes you to the ART -O-MATIC art lessons on tape. Excitedly, you follow the taped instructions step by
step , drawing on the board, but e~erything goes wrong! Throughout this crazy rou tine your drawing looks silly and
/!9~
your a_udience is laughing hysterically. While you begin to apologize to your aud ience , the draw ing begins to animate
(EYES AND MOUTH MOVE) comes to life and starts to talk to you! "Hey you! Ove r here, it's your drawing! ~
I'm talking to you! This tape provides his voice and spaces for you to talk with the drawing. The cart oon, named / .
"Mar'I

March/ April, 1994
The bright clown career of Ceslee Conkling came to a
tragic end in January . Her story begins on page 10.
Clowns of America International
P.O.Box 570
Lake Jackson, Texas 77566-0570
Second Class Postage
Paid at Bluffton, Ohio
60 The New Calliope