HERE'S ANOTHER PROGRAM FROM GLORIA WILKINSON: DES MOINES, IOWA'S, ZA-GA-ZIG TEMPLE SHRINE CIRCUS 1952
The show was produced by Irving H. Gossman, of the Gus Sun Office, and presented in the KRNT Theater
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.
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!
The show was produced by Irving H. Gossman, of the Gus Sun Office, and presented in the KRNT Theater
Billy Barton once remarked in his Circus Report column that Mike & Hope Kent were the last of the "High Acts", right away all the Aerial Acts started complaining, not realizing that this was a specific "type" of act. Everyone has their favorite act, and I have many, but the old time High Acts have always been my great love, I remember as a youngster watching Jerry D. Martin at a celebration & have been hooked ever since.
I forgot this act yesterday so had to do a little editing this morning, I guess it figures because no one seems to remember Rudy.
RUDY BERG
Probably the most talked about High Act of all was the famous "Peaches Sky Review", it must have been a sight, I did get here too late for this one.
Now there is a rigging, I thought the Kimris outdoors was impressive but this beats them all, I can't even conceive how much work it took to set it up, & tear it down. Maybe someone can come up with the actual height, and how long it took. By the way, I believe the girls did a chorus line on those platforms, complete with high kicks.
THE ORIGINAL TWELVE The picture above is from a Wichta Kansas newspaper story about a local boy, who ran away to join the circus, returning to his home town, that boy was Searle Simmons.
DELILAH CANESTRELLI This is Delilah Canestrelli on Ringling Bros. I don't know that she worked any higher as naturally in some buldings the building itself dictated the possibilities. It is definately not the best place to be walking on a Rolling Globe.
After being hounded to death to change to New Blogger every time I log in to create, or edit a post, I finally gave in, if for no other reason, just to shut them up.
So bear with me & hopefully it won't take me as long to learn the new way as it did to learn the old one, of course by that time, they'll change it again!!!!
It makes me recall a phone conversation with Buckles about upgrades, etc., in reply to something Barbara said in the background he said, "I'm an old man, I like things the way they are". My sentiments exactly!!!!
Bob was best known for the Appaloosa Liberty Act, but here are some of other animal the Hofmeisters worked with.
LIBERTY MULES
This Liberty Mule Act as you can see included a spotted Mule & a Zebra, Bob would on occasion work it in a White Gorilla suit.
VIOLA HOFMEISTER
Jo-Ann's mother Viola working with one of their dogs
BOB & AYA
This young elephant was later sold to Bucky Steele, & GeeGee, and her name was changed to Roxie.
ROLLER SKATING MULE
I could go on posting photos of the Andersons, doing Roman Riding, Chariots, Garland Entries, and even a WHite Wedding Carriage pulled by some of their beautiful Albino horses, but here are some of them with their Liberty Acts.
Hofmeister's Liberty Mules
The mules are being worked here by Jo-Ann in Kansas City, 1962.
JO-ANN ANDERSON
DON ANDERSON