Circus clowns deliver fun to Hernando Public Library
February 21, 2012 - Three year old Malik Fitzgerald screams with laughter as he assists the Ambassadors of Laughter, Cherie and Dave (Gregg), with part of their Reading with Ringling program at the Hernando library. Cherie and Dave are visiting the area this week to help residents prepare for the upcoming performances of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Barnum Bash, coming to Landers Center in Southaven Thursday, March 22 thru Sunday, March 25. (Stan Carroll/The Commercial Appeal)By Henry Bailey Memphis Commercial Appeal
February 22, 2012
For a special hour, the story-time section at the Hernando Public Library was transformed into a three-ring uproar for kids of all ages -- even the librarians.
"They're funny!' said 5-year-old Lance Curley, asked to analyze Tuesday's antics of circus clowns Gary and Cherie Gregg.
Lance, a fan of Indiana Jones books, had little else to say, a smile and wide eyes doing all the rest: "He's just mesmerized," said his grandmother, Kathy Curley of Hernando. The fun was frantic -- and maybe genetic too.
"I took his daddy to the circus when he was 3, so Lance loves it too," she said.
Reading and performing to Dr. Seuss' "If I Ran the Circus," the clown couple from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus brought some 200 children and adults along for the ride as young Morris McGurk's imagination transformed the lot "behind Sneelock's Store" into mighty "Circus McGurkus."
Gary read about the Drum-Tummied Snumm who uses his tummy for a drum, a Wily Walloo who can throw his tail as a "lassoo" and a Juggling Jott who juggles question marks and commas. Cherie helped bring things alive, and up to McGurkesque expectations: "Why, ladies and gentlemen, youngsters and oldsters, your heads will quite likely spin right off your shoulders!"
"Can you believe that after looking at just one book, we got to put on a special magic show?" asked Gary. "I had fun, didn't you?"
From the regular story-time kids, plus field-trippers from Head Start and HQ, KACO and DeSoto Developmental Center day cares, came a deafening "Yes!"
It's an answer that pleased Denise McOwen, youth specialist for the First Regional Library system.
"A lot kids don't get to come to read because their parents work during the day," McOwen said. "But if more day cares come, the kids can learn the library can be fun, a great place to learn. And with field trips so costly, we're the best bargain in town."
Even if not the "Greatest Show on Earth." The clowns' free romp was a preview to the "Barnum Bash" coming March 22-25 to the Landers Center in Southaven.
Gary said he and Cherie love linking books with their buffoonery.
"I read 'If I Ran the Circus' when I was a kid," he said.
In fact, he added, there's a Reading With Ringling program, a partnership between the circus and libraries to encourage children ages 2-12 to read.
"I want the next ride!" Gary said as he and Cherie posed at a tandem stroller for photos with 16-month-old twins Emma and Ella, daughters of Jennifer Higdon. The Higdons just moved to the area from North Carolina.
Higdon, an MBA-degree professional who's a full-time mom for now, said: "We're loving it here. And this library is awesome."
"They're funny!' said 5-year-old Lance Curley, asked to analyze Tuesday's antics of circus clowns Gary and Cherie Gregg.
Lance, a fan of Indiana Jones books, had little else to say, a smile and wide eyes doing all the rest: "He's just mesmerized," said his grandmother, Kathy Curley of Hernando. The fun was frantic -- and maybe genetic too.
"I took his daddy to the circus when he was 3, so Lance loves it too," she said.
Reading and performing to Dr. Seuss' "If I Ran the Circus," the clown couple from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus brought some 200 children and adults along for the ride as young Morris McGurk's imagination transformed the lot "behind Sneelock's Store" into mighty "Circus McGurkus."
Gary read about the Drum-Tummied Snumm who uses his tummy for a drum, a Wily Walloo who can throw his tail as a "lassoo" and a Juggling Jott who juggles question marks and commas. Cherie helped bring things alive, and up to McGurkesque expectations: "Why, ladies and gentlemen, youngsters and oldsters, your heads will quite likely spin right off your shoulders!"
"Can you believe that after looking at just one book, we got to put on a special magic show?" asked Gary. "I had fun, didn't you?"
From the regular story-time kids, plus field-trippers from Head Start and HQ, KACO and DeSoto Developmental Center day cares, came a deafening "Yes!"
It's an answer that pleased Denise McOwen, youth specialist for the First Regional Library system.
"A lot kids don't get to come to read because their parents work during the day," McOwen said. "But if more day cares come, the kids can learn the library can be fun, a great place to learn. And with field trips so costly, we're the best bargain in town."
Even if not the "Greatest Show on Earth." The clowns' free romp was a preview to the "Barnum Bash" coming March 22-25 to the Landers Center in Southaven.
Gary said he and Cherie love linking books with their buffoonery.
"I read 'If I Ran the Circus' when I was a kid," he said.
In fact, he added, there's a Reading With Ringling program, a partnership between the circus and libraries to encourage children ages 2-12 to read.
"I want the next ride!" Gary said as he and Cherie posed at a tandem stroller for photos with 16-month-old twins Emma and Ella, daughters of Jennifer Higdon. The Higdons just moved to the area from North Carolina.
Higdon, an MBA-degree professional who's a full-time mom for now, said: "We're loving it here. And this library is awesome."
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