THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO MY TWIN BROTHER, BILL DYKES (1943-1995). WE WERE NOT ONLY BROTHERS BUT PARTNERS IN BUSINESS AND BEST FRIENDS! AND TO ALL THE "BUTCHERS" THAT HAVE PASSED ON TO THE BIG LOT IN THE SKY!


CIRCUS NOW OPEN!

2014 Convention

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Monday, March 23, 2009

CONEY ISLAND NEWS

Coney Island May Get Ringling Bros. Circus This Summer
The Ringling Brothers Circus is considering pitching a tent at Coney Island this summer, but the most obvious location for the show, the now-desolate Astroland site on the Boardwalk, was nixed because of developer Joe Sitt and his company Thor Equities.
According to the Post, the city, Sitt, and Ringling Brothers had been in negotiations to bring the circus to the former Astroland property, which Sitt owns, but then the developer started making demands. One unnamed city official says, "It looked like Thor was going to be able to say, 'We tore down Astroland, but look at what we're doing for Coney.' But then they added demands, so they could make more money, and the whole thing fell apart."
Sources tell the Post that Sitt tried to "nickel and dime" Ringling Brothers by insisting Thor Equities be allowed to sell concessions that would compete with the circus's concessions. It's also rumored Sitt didn't want to offer any parking space on the 10.5 acres of languishing Boardwalk property he owns. Though the claims are unsubstantiated, they're not hard to believe, given Sitt's current strategy of holding the amusement district hostage as he tries to sell the land to the city for twice what he paid for it. (The city's rezoning plan for the area is currently going through a long public-review process.)
Now Ringling Brothers and the city are eying land owned by Taconic Investment Partners west of the Boardwalk, by West 22nd Street. Meanwhile, it's still unclear what the Boardwalk area will have to offer visitors this summer in the way of rides and amusements. (Of course, Coney Island already has a circus and side show.) With the closing of Astroland, the amusement area has shrunk from 60 acres to just five, with Deno's Wonder Wheel park the last man standing.
According to Crain's, the city is considering building a temporary amusement park on land the city already owns and "hopes to acquire in the coming months and on streets that it hopes to close." While the interim park wouldn't open until next summer, it could stay open for five to seven years during the larger redevelopment of the area. In city estimate terms, that translates to about two decades. By John Del Signore on the Gothamist Web Site

CLYDE BEATTY-COLE BROS (LATE 80'S) #1

I ran accross these yesterday. As far as I can tell I date these in the late 80's.
Judging the hills in the background I think in North Eastern PA.










CLYDE BEATTY-COLE BROS (LATE 80'S)







CLYDE BEATTY - COLE BROS 1994 PROGRAM (CONT'D)



Sunday, March 22, 2009

FROM DAVID P. ORR--


I TOLD YOU I WOULD FIGURE THIS OUT!







SUNDAY MORNING MIRTH WITH W C FIELDS

MEMORIES

Dick, Bill holding Heidi and Wayne Chambers
Photo was taken in 1994 on Taylor's Amusements.
It was Dick and Bill's Birthday and Wayne's comming up in a few days!
This picture was taken in Valdosta by Red Parks, trying out his new panaramic camera.

And here's Heidi our faithful companion on guard duty at our Cork Gallery!
1994 also.



CLYDE BEATTY-COLE BROS 1994 PROGRAM #1

Cole Bros opened yesterday in Deland.
So I thought that since I wasn't there I'd reminise a little
And by the way don't forget to click on each image so that you may read the copy!





CLYDE BEATTY-COLE BROS 1994 PROGRAM #2

Don't forget--click on each image to enlarge & read!






CLYDE BEATTY-COLE BROS. PROGRAM 1994 #3





One of these days I'm gonna figure out how to put both pages side by side!


To Be continued!




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