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!

Friday, July 31, 2009

~JOANNE'S PHONE CALL FROM DENVER~

David,Denise and Triston Strong, Trudy and Bill's son and family came to see the Chitty show Sunday and we went to their house after the show .David Bar-B-Qued and we stayed overnight in their front yard.We had a good time and it was great to see David. Enclosed is a photo of the 70 foot blue bear that peers into the Denver convention center. What a site !!


Thursday, July 30, 2009

~FROM MIKE NAUGHTON~~BOOM A RING~R.B.B.B. GOLD UNIT AT CONEY ISLAND~

Those of you who know me personally are well aware that I call it like I see it. So be it known that I had a hellavu good time at RBBB Gold under the Big Top.
Don't miss it, the show is turbo-charged with energy from the start to the end, the cast has personality plus, the band had my feet tapping several times and the "seen it all" New York audience is just eating it up. The applause is thunderous.

I attended the middle and last shows of a three show WEEKDAY schedule, the houses were 3/4+ full out of 2000+ seats. Those of you who know me also know that I know how to count a house! LOL.

I cannot wait to see it again! I hope RBBB at Coney Island becomes a regular thing because it will easily establish itself as a summer circus tradition as BIG APPLE is the winter circus tradition in New York City.

Two completely different styles of circus, two vastly difference demographics audiences in one big city. There's enough room for everyone. The Gold Unit is pure gold.

~BOOM A RANG #2~

From the beer garden looking toward the reception tent or marquee. Many
tables are set-up for the patrons to enjoy a $6.00 premium beer or $6.00 glass
of wine.

~BOOM A RANG #3~

Working his way through college on his summer vacation is Tyler Herriott
Koch at the outside Program Booth. Tyler is the third generation of the
American Circus dynasty to be associated with The Greatest Show on Earth. His
mother, Heidi, and sister, Cassidy, attend the mini-menagerie supplied by The
Commerfords. Heidi and Cassidy answer constant questions from the city-bound
New Yorkers. This interaction is very popular with the families. A mini donkey
was born while in Coney Island and has been named, "Cyclone" in honor of the
famous roller coaster.

~BOOM A RING #4~

Just after finale the clean-up crew swarms upon the debris. The fast moving
crew has the place cleaned up in about 20 minutes.

~BOOM A RING #5~

Suspended over the arriving guests in the marquee are several of Ringling
trademark animal blankets richly adorned with rhinestone, sequins and elaborate
appliques

~BOOM A RING #6~

Massive air conditioning units keep pumping cool air inside the big top on a
hot and humid day by the boardwalk. The inside was as comfortable as being in a
theater.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

~RRRRIIIINNNNGGGG~JOANNE CALLING FROM COLORADO~

On our way to Denver we stopped in Silver Plume Co. where Tim and Linda Hamid live. We had a great visit and a lot of fun exploring the historic buildings in that town. Linda's son Shawn and his wife Virginia and 2 girls Claudia and Melissa live down the hill in Georgetown, where Shawn built the beautiful house they live in.
They all came to see the Chitty show on Sunday. We only had a 1:00 show,so after the show we went to David Strong's house to stay overnight. By the way Tim is starting to look just like his Dad !!!! Don't you think?



Friday, July 24, 2009

~THE HIGH SCHOOL OF WILD ANIMAL TRAINERS~BY HANS-JURGEN & ROSEMARIE TIEDE~#5







~HIGH SCHOOL #6~FRANK CHARLES & EDWARD HENRY BOSTOCK~PAGE ONE~








~HIGH SCHOOL #6~FRANK CHARLES & EDWARD HENRY BOSTOCK~PAGE TWO~








~HIGH SCHOOL #6~FRANK CHARLES & EDWARD HENRY BOSTOCK~PAGE THREE~








~PHONE CALL FROM JOANNE~AREA CODE 702~LAS VEGAS

Here are pix with Casey Gibbs and his wife Renee.What a great visit we had with them. They have some horses and some mini horses and a dog and some chickens and a couple of cats. We fit right in at their place. Casey gave us a tour of his beautiful home and stable area. They also have a riding arena in back.We met Renee's mom, Joanie who is the sister if Marian Cristiani. She is a really sweet lady. David Chabira came by to go to dinner and we all went out and had such a good time, I forgot to get a photo with him. Sorry David !
I want to thank Casey and Renee for the great hospitality and hope to see you again soon And we will see David next winter.


Thursday, July 23, 2009

~GRAN CIRCO AMERICANO~SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, 1966~

~GRAN CIRCO AMERICANO~ #2

IT IS A SHAME THE PHOTOS IN THIS LITTLE PROGRAM DON'T DO JUSTICE TO THE POWER-HOUSE LINE UP!


~GRAN CIRCO AMERICANO~ #3

RINGMASTER LUIS VIGOREAUX; MARY RUTH HERRIOTT, DEPPE ELEPHANTS; MYRIAM FRANCE, SINGLE TRAPEZE; GOLDEN KIDS, UNICYCLES

~GRAN CIRCO AMERICANO~ #4

HUGO ZACCHINI CANNON, COSMOS INCLINE MOTORCYCLE ROCKET, DOVAL HIGH-WIRE

~GRAN CIRCO AMERICANO~ #5

FLYING ZACCHINIS, JOHN HERRIOTT'S PONIES, KIRBY'S CHIMPANZEES

~GRAN CIRCO AMERICANO~ # 6

THE JIM WONG TROUPE