YESTERDAY'S TOWNS

HOWDY, MY NAME IS BILL STRONG, I'LL BE YOUR "24 HOUR MAN", ROUTING YOU INTO THE PAST TO SEE WHAT THE CIRCUS WAS IN DAYS GONE BY. IF YOU'RE LIKE ME, AND MISS WHAT IT USED TO BE, THEN COME ON ALONG AS WE GO DOWN THE ROAD FOLLOWING THE ARROWS BACKWARDS, TO "YESTERDAY'S TOWNS"! IF YOU HAVE CIRCUS RELATED PICTURES YOU WOULD LIKE POSTED, SEND THEM TO,,,,yesterday1@verizon.net,,,,AND WE WILL TRY TO FIT THEM IN. "24 HOUR MAN" WILL HAVE THE FINAL DECISION ON POSTING.

My Photo
Name:
Location: GIBSONTON, FLORIDA, United States

Three years at CWM made me a real traditionalist, and I keep remembering Bob Parkinson saying, "I want the people to see what the circus used to be, not what it is today. That's what this site is about!

Thursday, July 31, 2008

CIRCUS VARGAS 1987, SAN MATEO CALIFORNIA

Here are a couple snapshots of Trudy taken by Harrison S. Sayor(sp?), of Annapolis, MD on Vargas in '87(those 20 years sure flew by).

You hear so many nightmare stories about the Vargas show, I have to add my 2 cents. We joined the show on the closing spot in El Paso, went to winterquarters in Pico Rivera, CA, where Trudy spent 7 weeks putting together a mixed animal act for me to present in a display. It consisted of an Appaloosa horse, a Leopard Spot POA,(aptly named "JAWS"), a gray Welch pony, 2 Llamas, & a miniature pony. The Appy. & Welch were green, & from all I heard, the Llamas had been worked by just about everyone on the show!

We spent two very enjoyable seasons on Vargas, Cliff treated us with great respect, & except for a couple minor incidents, so did the rest of the staff. The first season we did 45 weeks, less than 15,000 miles, went back to quarters for 8 weeks, then did the second season, 44 weeks, again less than 15,000 miles. Had it not been for circumstances beyond our control we would have been there many more years.

PS: And Guy Pickup is still the best runaway Liberty Horse catcher I ever saw!!!!


Tuesday, July 29, 2008

BEGGS WAGON CO. "THE CIRCUS WAGON BUILDERS"

The Beggs Wagon Co. was established in Kansas City, Mo. in 1875, these pictures are from a 1973 reproduction of their 1910 catalogue.


BEGGS #2: CALLIOPES


BEGGS #3: TICKET WAGONS & CAGE WAGONS



BEGGS #4: SPECIALTY WAGONS




BEGGS #5: PARADE WAGONS



BEGGS #6: WHEELS & ACCESSORIES



OABA ANIMAL FUND

I received the following in the mail from Paul Ingrassia, I hope everybody is aware of, & appreciates the efforts of CFA members like Paul, & David Orr, & many others who have helped us with this matter.



Saturday, July 26, 2008

HOME AGAIN!!!!

I just got home yesterday from "South Bay Hospital" in Sun City Center, it is the only hospital I will go to in the Tampa area. The service is 1st class, the nurses, & staff are friendly, & efficient, & the food is restaurant quality.

I went in on Sun. with severe nausea, & a problem swallowing, turned out to be a yeast infection in the esophagus, and inflamed stomach lining. It's all being treated with medication, & hopefully I'll feel better & be a little stronger after taking it a little slow next week.

THANK YOU ALL, for the concern & support, it's nice to know you all care.
Bill

Thursday, July 17, 2008

CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF GEE GEE ENGESSER

The Celebration of Gee Gee's Life will be held Saturday, August 9th, at 3:00pm at Showfolks of Sarasota.
Flowers can be sent on that day, to, Showfolks of Sarasota, 5204 N Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL, 34232.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

IN MEMORY OF A TRUE LEGEND: GEE GEE ENGESSER


With Linda Hermann 1993


RINGLING MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2008
Honored at Celebrity Night

I know everyone has heard this story before, but it sort of describes Gee Gee, she was one of a kind.
When on the subject of Gee Gee, I always think of the time a performer walked into the wardrobe room where Jimmy Douglas was sewing on a costume. He said, "my wife is going to do a Husky Dog Act like Gee Gee's", Jimmy didn't look up, & never missed a stitch, replying, "young man, your wife may do a husky act, but NOBODY, will ever do one like Gee Gee"!



FROM ADAM HILL: UPDATE ON LINDA ROBERTSON

Hi Bill Could you post this up on your blog. I'm trying to get the word out about Linda.


Hi Everyone
I had a very nice visit with Linda today. She is sounding more like her self each time I talk with her. Her speech therapists said she is improving. She just had a stint taken out of her leg from when she was in the hospital. They will continue her physical therapy when she isn't sore. Her short term memory is much better now. She remembers my visits and anyone else that has visited, and who has called her on the phone. Kay Rosaire has been by many times. She has also gotten her a TV. She is supposed to see an eye doctor tomorrow to get fitted for glass again, ( that way she can see the TV). Take care until the next up date.
Adam Hill.

PS thank you to Scott Riddle for sending a check once a week for Linda.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

IN MEMORY OF MAURICIO "LIT" DROGUETT

A Memorial Service for Mauricio “Lit” Droguett will be held at 10:00am on Thursday,
July 17th, at St. Martha Catholic Church
200 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236
A Celebration of Lit’s Life will follow in the churches “Friendship Room”

REMEMBER ME

To the living, I am gone
To the sorrowful, I will never return
To the angry, I was cheated
But to the happy, I am at peace
And to the faithful, I have never left
I cannot speak, but I can listen
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard
So as you stand upon the shore
Gazing at the beautiful sea, remember me
As you look in awe at a mighty forest
And in its grand majesty, remember me
Remember me in your hearts,
In your thoughts, and the memories of the
Times we loved, the times we cried,
the battle we fought and the times we laughed
For if you always think of me,
I will never have gone.






Thanks to David Chabira for the above information & photos

Thursday, July 10, 2008

IN MEMORY OF: BEA KONYOT, DICK, WARFIELD

THE FUNERAL OF BEA KONYOT, DICK, WARFIELD, WILL BE ON SATURDAY JULY 12TH AT ST MARTHA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, AT TWO O'CLOCK, FOLLOWED BY INTERMENT THE MANISOTA MEMORIAL PARK IN BRADENTON.
A CLEBRATION OF LIFE WILL BE HELD AT SHOWFOLKS, AT 5:00PM.
THANK YOU, JENNY

BEA WAS BORN IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA ON JANUARY 6, 1920, AND DIED ON JULY 6, 2008
KNOWN TO HER FRIENDS AS “DA_BEA”, SHE SPENT MANY YEARS IN THE CIRCUS, AMONG OTHER THINGS SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE ALBERTO ZOPPE BAREBACK RIDING TROUPE.




Bea is 2nd from the left, in front of Jackie Bostock.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

SPORTS UPDATE: LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES

Our Grandson Triston will not be going to Williamsport PA., as I had hoped, because it is not his age group, ...........However, last weekend his team, the Colorado Wildcats played in a three day tournament, they lost the first two games, then came back to win the State Championship, & are currently ranked 11th in the nation, they also qualified for the "Triple Crown World Series" tournament,(which is for their age group), to be played in Steamboat, Colorado.

Sunday, July 06, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE

A belated "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" greeting to Charlie Smith, who celebrated at Showfolks Club's, 4th of July BBQ last night.


I always get a kick when I see someone wish "A Happy Belated Birthday", I want to tell them it's the greeting that is late, not the birthday!!!!

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

FUNERAL SERVICES: BOBBY HAKES

Services for Bobby Hakes will be Wednsday, July 9, at Toale Bros. Funeral Home on Orange Ave., Sarasota.
A "Celebration of Life" will follow imediately at, "Show Folks of Sarasota"