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!

Saturday, August 30, 2008

FROM GAYLE DE RIZKIE BARNES: THE DE RIZKIE FAMILY

The De Rizkie Family was a third generation circus family of French & Dutch descent, Letha & Frank performed a Double Chair Balancing Trapeze Act, also doing Foot Slide, & Head Slide, respectively.
When their four children were growing up, in the tradition of many American circus families they taught them to be versatile, learning many different circus skills. Lucy learned Slack Wire, and along with, Francine, Gayle, & Frank Jr. learned Head Balancing Trapeze, Gayle did Foot Juggling, and the whole family did a Juggling Act. On the Rola Bola, Frank & Sandra did juggling, and Lucy & Gayle did head to head, Lucy, Sandra, & Frank Jr. worked with elephants, Gayle & Lucy worked the Dog Acts when needed, and of course the girls all did web, & swinging ladder.

They worked circuses, fairs, parks, films, & TV throughout the U.S. & Canada, they spent much time working in the East with Hunt Bros, 1945, found them with Railroad show, Arthur Bros., & 1947 with Floyd King’s King Bros. Some other shows were Ring Bros.(owned by Franco & Lucy De Rizkie Richards), Robbins Bros., Hagan-Wallace, & others.


LETHA & FRANK DE RIZKIE SR.
The Pendleton Round Up, 1934

THE DE RIZKIE FAMILY.
On the left is Letha,the top mounter is Francine, the understander is Frank Sr., with Lucy on the right, & Gayle lower left.
Letha was a "Charter Member", of "Showfolks of Sarasota", and was a familiar sight at the dinners, accompanied by daughter Sandy.

Friday, August 29, 2008

THE DE RIZKIE FAMILY #2

FRANCINE DE RIZKIE, FLOYD KING CIRCUS, 1947
Francine,( now deceased), Head Balancer, Juggler,was married to Robert Gilmore Kiess of Muncy, PA. His family owned The Hughsville Wire Rope, & Steel Co., they had 4 children

FRANK JR. & BETTY BILLER
King Bros. Circus 1947.

GAYLE DE RIZKIE, BALANCING TRAPEZE, 1950'S


SANDRA DE RIZKIE OWENS,BEERS-BARNES CIRCUS, 1960'S
Sandy, like the rest of the family was an all around performer. She married James Owens of Sarasota, she has one son, Brian, who also lives in Sarasota.

FRANK DE RIZKIE JR. (PEALER) 1960'S
Beers-Barnes Circus 1960's
Frank is probably best known in recent years as superintendent of Circus Vargas when it was one of the great tent shows. Frank married Molly Olmos, of Circus Vargas, & had two sons, they now reside in Brownsville, TX.

PRACTICE TIME FOR THE YOUNGSTERS
This is Sandra, Gayle, & Frank Jr., Hunt Bros. Winter Quarters ring barn, 1950's.

THE DE RIZKIE FAMILY JUGGLERS.
Gayle, Sandra, & Frank Jr., 1960's

GAYLE DE RIZKIE BARNES

GAYLE DE RIZKIE BARNES
Gayle married Tight Wire Walking Sensation Harold Barnes, and has one daughter living in Colorado.

GAYLE--WEB GIRL
Beers-Barnes Circus 1960's

GAYLE--JUGGLER

Beers-Barnes Circus, 1960's


GAYLE & HAZEL THE TEENAGE ELEPHANT
Beers-Barnes Circus, 1964

GAYLE & TINY
Two head balancing trapeze artists, Gayle with Tiny Gallagher,(Gala Shawn).

GAYLE DE RIZKIE BARNES
Ring Bros. Circus 1950's.

GAYLE & HAROLD ON RUDY BROS. IN THE 1960'S
Rudy Jacobi rented tents from Harold's Co.

CHERRIE BARNES, LUCY DE RIZKIE SNOWDEN, & GAYLE DE RIZKIE BARNES, MIAMI, 1980'S
Lucy is married to showman extraordinaire, Bob Snowden.

HAROLD BARNES & FRANK PEALER DE RIZKIE JR.
In the early years Cliff Vargas also rented his big tops from Harold, Frank Was the show Superintendent, even after Cliff had his own tents.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

A TRIBUTE TO ONE OF OUR OWN, A GREAT SHOWMAN, A GREAT STAR

A MONUMENT TO HONOR "TELL" (TRYGVE) TEIGEN WAS RAISED IN HIS HOME TOWN OF HOYANGER, NORWAY TODAY AUGUST 23, 2008.


Posted by Geir A. Myrestrand to YESTERDAY'S TOWNS at 8/23/2008 5:42 PM

MEMORIALSERVICE: BOBBY FAIRCHILD

The Memorial Service for Showman BOBBY FAIRCHILD will be held on Monday, August 25 from 6 to 8 PM, at,
Lewers Funeral Home
308 E. College Avenue
Ruskin, Florida 33570
813 645 3231

For those who wish to send flowers can send them to the funeral home.

Bobby's family and friends are invited to share in a Celebration of his life, at the home of,
Lauren Fairchild
3432 24th Parkway
Sarasota, Florida 34235

Thursday, August 21, 2008

BIRTHDAY PARTY********HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARTHUR,,,,94 YEARS YOUNG & STILL CHASING THE GIRLS

The original announcement for Athur's birthday party was not exactly correct, the wording lead people to believe the dinner is a "free roll". Actually this the normal Saturday Night Dinner(pay as usual), following the dinner will be the celebration of Arthur's,94th Birthday.
On Saturday September 6th, following the "Showfolks" Sat. night dinner, Dorothy Grotenfent is having a Birthday Party for Arthur, & you are all invited.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

AT LAST,,,,,,THE FUSSNER RIGGING????

The sign on the front of the stage states, " SHIELD'S AIRPLANE GIRL", but I am pretty sure this is the Fussner rigging, top right you can see the ramp leading away from the tower, & part of the teeter-totter.