Jan_Feb_1997

January/February, 1997
Letters --
From page 6
joyous people and in particular a couple who talked with me.
Then the lady asked if her husband could touch the torch ... !
realized, as he discussed his thoughts on the size and
shape of the torch while moving his hands over it, that he
was blind ..
Soon I saw the carrier coming that was to light my torch.
What excitement! The crowd and I swelled with pride as my
torch was lit and I stepped off for my segment with the flame
held high for all to see. It gave us all great pride and a strong
feeling of having been a part of the 1996 Olympics.
Numerous people had a part in my opportunity.I am
grateful to them all, and thanks to Coke and the Olympic
Committee in Atlanta for providing the relay across America.
How to de-/ use that fear
By Bob "Bunky" Gretton
P.O. Box 787
Waldorf, MD 20604-0787
"I'm sorry, Bobby is afraid of clowns ... "
How many times have we all heard a parent make that
statement?
Case in point: You are working a fair. You see a family
approaching; the child spots you. He is not crying; in fact,
you see a little smile. You start to move in to meet and greet.
Bobby still looks fine. He is not crawling up Mommy's leg.
But then the parent sees you and out comes that statement
that makes you cringe.
You see the look in Bobby's eyes that says, "If Mom or
Dad say that I am afraid of clowns, I must be afraid." Maybe
the last time he cried , but he was just fine until now. Maybe
he has outgrown the fear. We are never going to know if the
parents keep telling Bobby that he is afraid. The parents
have just reinforced the fear. How can you respond to that,
and what can you say?
My wife, "Slinky," will quietly say to the parent, "We
prefer the word 'shy' rather than 'afraid' or 'scared'." By
saying it in a gentle but firm way, we have found that parents
really do not object to the "suggestion." If parents do not
seem to mind, it also gives us a chance to chat with them,
therefore allowing the child a chance to see that the clown
is really okay. We also make sure that, no matter what, we
offer something to the child , even through the parent, to
reinforce the friendliness. This may not always work, but we
should be able to educate the parents as well.
Most cases find that just a little bit of working with the
child can reinforce good communications between the
clown and child, and also between the clown and the
parents. We have had many unsure children with the
parents eventually come over and the parents actually
thank me. I feel great if I can win over a child after they have
been reminded to be afraid of me.
Funny Business
By Shirley Fugate-Hopper
6131 N.W. 12th St.
Sunrise, FL 33313
Rushing North I can't be late
The party's here ... balloons on the gate.
Back on the freeway headed South ,
No time for lunch ... to mess up my mouth.
Where is the street? Is this the address?
The house looks empty -- where are the guests ?
There they are, hidden in back,
Waiting for me so the adults can relax.
Each little face is smiling in fun ,
As a flower appears and the silk is gone.
The Birthday Child shines bright as the Star!
His party's the coolest...the best by far.
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With faces all painted, a balloon for each child ,
We sing "Happy Birthday ," then cheer with a smile
That special boy on his special day,
Then back in the clownmobile and on my way
To the freeway again and the next Specia l Child ,
To create silly fun and enchantment for a while.
What a great feeling to create joy in the heart of the
young:
The goal of a clown when the day 's work is done.
8 The New Calliope