Family says carnival great way to raise funds

The Super Shot is one of the Alpine Amusement Company rides. Submitted photo

By Kristen Kucharski For The Sun Jan 9, 2011
Selling cookies, candies and magazines are stereotypical ways to raise funds for an organization, but one Naperville family gives organizations the chance to really create magical memories while earning money for a cause.
“People are usually amazed that it costs absolutely nothing to host a carnival for their fundraiser,” says Michelle Massie, wife of Donnie Massie, who co-owns Alpine Amusement. “They usually assume they cannot afford us, when it’s truly the opposite; we offer them the greatest fundraising profit margin since they do not assume any expense!”
Michelle says Alpine Amusement actually pays a percentage to the sponsoring organization to entertain on their property.
Alpine Amusement Company began operations in May 1994. While Massie’s dad, Don, owned a few pieces since the 1970s and booked in with larger shows, it wasn’t until Donnie graduated from Northern Illinois University that they became a full-service amusement company. Alpine Amusement is based from south Naperville where Michelle and Donnie have lived for 12 years. They have a warehouse in Union Grove, Wis.
Donnie handles the day-to-day operations, including human resources, payroll, management of operations and marketing for the company. Don handles all the accounting and the behind-the-scenes analysis of the company. Michelle oversees accounts payable and assists with payroll.
“Otherwise, we depend greatly on our staff,” Michelle says. “We have been blessed with a manager who has been with us since 1994, along with other committed employees who remain loyal to us over the years.”

READ MORE AT:http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/business/3190908-420/amusement-alpine-michelle-donnie-company.html

It's Farm Show Week!!!

January 7th, 2011
It's the largest indoor agricultural show in the United States: over twenty full acres of displays, exhibits, and presentations that culminates in a weeklong celebration of the Commonwealth’s leading and most well-recognized industry - agriculture.

Each January, over 400,000 visitors from across the United States and the world come to see the best of the mid-state's wide variety of livestock, fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, which runs from January 8th through January 15th at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, just off Exit 67 of Interstate 81. The fair also hosts educational exhibits and meetings giving farmers and agricultural specialists from all over a chance to learn, discuss, and network while browsing displays of the latest farm equipment or the best farm products the Commonwealth has to offer. Since 1995, the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) has broadcast live events from the Farm Show to over 4 million Pennsylvania viewers.

Sellner’s was special to the end

By: Erin Sellner, guest columnist Posted: Friday, January 7, 2011 11:11

Sellner Manufacturing Company was known in the amusement ride industry for building a superior product and for providing customer service second to none. Sellner also had a reputation for building their rides too well. A great example of this is the Tilt-A-Whirl that operates at the Steele County Fair in Owatonna every summer. It has been owed by three generations of the Merriam family. That Tilt-A-Whirl was originally built by Sellner in 1947.
The average employee at Sellner had worked for the company more than 15 years. Every department; welders, painters, fiberglass, electrical, tech support and office staff felt a great pride in building “America’s Favorite Family Amusement Rides” — right here where it all began in Faribault, Minn., USA.
Historically, 80 percent of Sellner’s new ride business came from traveling carnivals. The national recession, years of extreme weather conditions, third- and fourth-generation family ownership issues, fuel costs and increased and costly regulations have forced some of Sellner’s customers out of the business entirely; others have had to merge into corporate-owned carnivals. This merging combines ride inventory assets and decreased sales for Sellner.
The State Bank of Faribault foreclosed on the property and called all the business loans secured by its equipment, inventory and trademarks — every asset of Sellner Manufacturing Company — in 2007. At that point we began to look for an outside investor or buyer for the business. We had two main goals. Number one, to continue to provide parts and service for existing customers; and number two, to keep production here in Faribault, employing people in this community and purchasing materials from local vendors.
When all of our personal resources were exhausted the State Bank of Faribault stepped up their efforts to sell the business, finding a buyer — Texas-based Larson International. Tilt-A-Whirl parts and ride production have already begun to be relocated to Larson’s headquarters in Plainview, Texas.
It’s a terrible loss for me personally and for this community. My entire life has revolved around this business. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the greatest fabricators and meet the hardest-working people, the traveling carnival owners.
I was asked to turn over my keys to the building on Monday. I’m walking away with nothing but fond memories of growing up in a unique business of building fun machines.— Erin Sellner was president of Sellner Manufacturing Company.

Water For Elephants Movie Trailer Official (HD)

For elephants that miss the circus cut,Florida becomes home April, who was born in April and weighs about 900 pounds, plays with a circus ball at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation in Polk City on Wednesday. Pictured at rear is her mother, Alana

CIRCUS VARGAS 1975 PROGRAM (CONT'D)

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

CIRCUS VARGAS 1975 PROGRAM (CONT'D)

BENTLEY BROS CIRCUS, GILBERT,AZ, 4.22.95 PART 3 FROM BILL PRICKETT

Diane Moyer & Elephants

Robert Moyer & Elephants

joshua (baby), Capt. Dave Smith & Maria Smith

Stephanie (11), Capt. Dave Smith & Maria Smith

Capt. Dave Smith in flight

BENTLEY BROS CIRCUS, 4.22.95 PART 4, FROM BILL PRICKETT

Ossineide Braa, Bimo Braa, Wolney Andrade, Ivanise Genonesi & Iranilda Bezerra

Margarita Michele

Down to Rio Spec

Gaonas Family

80-year-old circus legend still clowning around

Monday, January 10, 2011

By Marie-Laure Michel, AFP
THE HAGUE -- At 80, the world's oldest clown has given up tightrope walking, but Oleg Popov, the most famous Soviet-era jester, still tours half of the year and has no plans to hang up his trademark red nose. “The Sun Clown,” as he is also known, never fails to enthral young and old with his oddball character based on a figure from Russian folklore — one who appears stupid but really isn't.
As the drums rolled under the traveling big top of the Great Russian State Circus, the ringmaster heralds “the one, the only, the unique Oleg Popov!”
To loud applause, a small man with a shock of straw-colored hair under a black-and-white checkered cap shuffles into the ring — just as he has done for six decades.
READ MORE: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/americas/2011/01/10/286967/80-year-old-circus.htm

Pune circus back with international colour

Published: Monday, Jan 10, 2011

By Ashish Jadhav Place: Pune Agency: DNA

Pune’s own Rambo Circus with its strong combination of Indian and foreign artistes will begin its grand shows from Monday near Baba Bhide bridge at Deccan Gymkhana.
Around 150 experienced artistes - 90 men and 60 women - from Argentina, Nepal, Russia, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia and India will present their class acts on Monday.
A large posse of animals - 4 elephants, 9 horses, 1 pony, 2 camels and Australian dogs and parrot along with their trainers will delight the children with their unique acts.
The crowd-pullers of the event will be amazing acrobatics preformed by Indian and international circus stars, double silk acrobatics, ring acrobatics, cycling, daredevil stunts performed by trapeze artistes, bamboo balance, jugglery, clown tricks, elephant ring dances, cricket and various other acts performed by camel, horses, Australian dogs and parrot.
Speaking to the media, partner of Rambo Circus, Sujit Dilip said, “With smoke machines, special lights, live band music and a lively anchor, the circus will appeal to audiences of all age groups.”
The event will be held in a 65-ft tall circus tent, with a 220-ft diameter.
“The fully air-conditioned, fire-resistant and ultraviolet rays proof tent with a seating capacity of around 3,000 is the first-of-its-kind to be erected in Asia,” Dilip added.
The circus will hold three shows daily at 1 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm and the tickets will be sold in four denominations - Rs250, Rs150, Rs100 and Rs50. The advance booking for Rs250 tickets will be open from 9 am to 6 pm everyday. A concession will be provided for group booking. Children below three years of age will be allowed free entry.
Rambo to host circus festival Rambo Circus will also host the International Circus Festival on Monday. Partner of Rambo Circus, Sujit Dilip said, “With the participation of circus artistes from across the globe and with many unique attractions to boast, the event is truly a first-of-its-kind for the city.”
He said that during the festival we would try to offer Indian audiences the opportunity to watch internationally recognised circus artistes perform rare acts and to revive the old charm of and enthusiasm for circus.
“As Europe has formally recognised circus as a part of its culture, this International Circus Festival hopes to promote the integration of this very entertaining format into the mainstream of Indian culture,” he said.
“The festival has been organised with the aim of popularising circus and building up support for it in the country,” he added.
It is commendable that Rambo Circus was chosen from India to participate in the first World Circus Day.
The International Federation of Circus (Federation Mondiale du Cirque) announced April 17 as the World Circus Day last year.
Adding another feather in its cap, Rambo Circus will give presentation on tradition and highlights of Indian Circus at the International Circus Festival at Monte Carlo in Europe on January 20.
“Out of the 20 circuses in the country, our circus was chosen to represent India in the festival,” Dilip said.

PETER GOLD

On his first US tour, after working for Club Med for 4 years and at a circus school in France, Peter joined the Flying Caceres and traveled throughout the USA working on many different circuses, such as; Bentley Bros. Circus, George Carden Circus, Shrine Circus Dates, and more. The first of many flying trapeze acts Peter would work for, he lived in the back of the rigging truck doing "one day stands" and learning the life of a traveling circus performer. With the help of the Caceres Family, Peter learned to rig quickly and safely and catch the act consistently throughout the Tour.

BENTLEY BROS CIRCUS, GILBERT, AZ, 4/22.95, FROM BILL PRICKETT

Part #1

Tommy Bentley

Ticket/Office Trailer

Equipment in Storage, Gibsonton, FL

Show Generator Truck

BENTLY BROS CIRCUS, 4/22/95, GILBERT, AZ FROM BILL PICKETT

PART #2

Capt. Dave Smith, in flight
Capt. Dave Smith

Capt. Smith Cannon

Jerry Eyestone, Ringmaster

Joyce Sherman, Willy Ignacio, Gauchito Arcentino, Eddie Sherman

( Parts 3 & 4 comming tomorrow)

In 'Gibtown,' Life Is A Carnival

Gibsonton was famous as a sideshow wintering town, where various circus "freaks" would spend the off season. Showtown reasturant and lounge harkens back to a more colourful time.
By THOMAS BECNEL,
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Published: March 3, 2008
GIBSONTON - In the carnival capital of the world, a clown rides to Wal-Mart on a tricycle.
Ferris wheels rise out of backyards. Cotton candy booths line the streets. Bags of stuffed animals spill into a trailer park.
For generations, carnies have wintered in Gibsonton, called "Gibtown," in south Hillsborough County.
They eat and drink at the Showtown Bar & Grill. For business, they visit the annual trade show of the Showmen's Association. When they die, they wind up in a local mausoleum called Showmen's Rest.
Lots of carnies retire in Gibsonton, population 8,700. For those still traveling, it is a place for repairs and reunions.
"I just ran into a man that I haven't seen in seven years," said Jeff Vannortwick, 41, who works for Louie's Fun and Games. "There's a saying in the carnival: 'You meet everybody twice.'"
Once on the road, and once in Gibsonton.
Gibsonton straddles a bleak stretch of U.S. 41 just east of Tampa Bay. To the south is Apollo Beach, marked by the quadruple smokestacks of a huge power plant. To the north is Riverview, where twin phosphate mounds dominate the landscape.
In between, there are bars, bait shops, boat stores, food marts, thrift shops, Gomez Tacos, G-Town Auto Repair and First Baptist Church.
"It ain't the carnival town it used to be," said John Curtis, 78, an entrepreneur. "People died off."
The last to go, in late January, was Chuck Osak, owner of the Showtown Bar & Grill. A sign out front read: "Thank you, Chuck. We'll miss you."
Mourners included Little Pete Terhurney, 78, a 3-foot-tall carny and town mascot.
READ MORE AT:http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/mar/03/022244/me-for-the-carnies-gibtown-is-just-home-sweet-home/news-breaking/

Mclaren Circus comes to Port Alfred

nosy Jan 07, 2011

If you didn’t get to the circus which was in town on Tuesday and Wednesday this week you missed out on a great performance. The tent was packed to capacity. Really great to see Port Alfred supporting such an event.
There was something for everyone from the acrobatic Velocity Boys, maltese poodles dancing, Lady Sonya with a large python and two lionesses showing off their trips with trainer Dave. During the intermission the children got a chance to have a ride on one of the circus ponies and were also able to have their picture taken with one of the snakes.
There are two two young tigers which are travelling with the circus, but are still to young and are currently being trained.
Their next stop was Port Elizabeth.
Comments (1)Dominic says: January 9, 2011
This is pleasing to note. So we still have a circus in South Africa worth visiting. The author ought to be commended here for not attempting to be over oritical which is often the case when a reporter writes a review of a show.

The McLaren Circus are wrapping up their tour of the Eastern Cape province before moving to the Western Cape soon. Today they in Despatch near Port Elizabeth then it is off to Jeffreys Bay for two dayson January 11 and 12 and Plettenburg Bay for the weekend January 14 to 16. The lovely Garden Route towns of Knysna and George follow. In the week they played at Port Alfred, the heart of the SunshineCoast at the local hospital's sports field. David McLaren, owner, ringmaster and animal carer of McLaren Circus is off on a business trip to Las Vegas on January 16 to visit some USA circuses for two weeks. I promised to send you a report from Port Alfred and even though it is a brief one it is a good one.
Kind regards, Denzil McLaren

Ed Grisamore: The circus was always in town

BOLINGBROKE — Kip Dingler carries a legacy as the flesh and blood of Macon’s most famous circus family.
So, on weekends like this, when the circus comes to town, his memories walk an emotional high wire
Ringling Brothers Circus will roll out its final show Sunday after a weekend under the big roof at the Macon Coliseum. This also marks the week of the anniversary of his father’s death. A.H. “Red” Dingler died on Jan. 2, 1982, after sustaining a massive heart attack at the old Dunn’s Hardware store on Emery Highway.
The Dinglers were circus people.
Step right up, to the greatest show on earth.
At a Ringling Brothers show in Macon a few years ago, Kip sat in the stands with his wife, Judy, and daughter, Carson. A group of Russian acrobats performed, and Kip got choked up as he watched them flying, leaping and tumbling through the air.
“They had red hair like my dad, acted just like my dad and were built just like him,” Kip said.
Now he turns back the pages of old scrapbooks to find his father. Red is pressed there, between the pages, springing back to life in yellowed newspaper clippings and photographs creased by the years.
There are playbills of the circuses he performed with -- King Brothers, Clyde Beatty and Cole Brothers, Hoxie Brothers and the Royal Wild West Circus. He shared marquees with performers like Hugo Zacchini, the human cannonball, and the Cristiani clan of bareback riders, often billed as the “royal family” of the circus kingdom.
Read more: http://www.macon.com/2011/01/09/1403668/the-circus-was-always-in-town.html#ixzz1AXKxQvWf

FL is home to elephants that miss the circus cut
By LEONARA LaPETER ANTON

St Petersburg Times

POLK CITY, Fla. --

Angelica, the pregnant one, is grabbing the lock of her paddock with her trunk. Fortysomething Sid, the diva, is hanging with Aree, the young one who can't concentrate. A few pens over, Mala is ready to make babies, so she's been put together with Romeo.
These are the Asian elephants who were left behind. The ones who didn't make the Greatest Show on Earth, which concludes its stop in Tampa on Sunday.
Thirty-three of Ringling Bros.' Asian elephants live here, off a two-lane road in Polk County, at the Center for Elephant Conservation. The oldest is 66. The youngest, 8 months.
At the circus inside the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa this weekend, amid the splash of lights, the loud music, the glittery costumed performers, the chosen ones will parade trunk-to-tail through the Big Top.
But here, in the winter-drab fields of middle Florida, are those that didn't quite make it they're too old, too young or too distracted. They are the largest herd of Asian elephants in the western hemisphere.
About 15 years ago, Feld Entertainment, owner of Ringling Bros., bought 200 acres west of Orlando, four miles from Interstate 4. They carved the grasslands into shady outdoor paddocks and built concrete barns with cages.
Today, the facility has become a place where older elephants with arthritic feet retire, where fertile elephants breed, where not-suitable-for-the-circus elephants live out their lives.
The Center for Elephant Conservation is not open to the public. In fact, anyone passing the facility on the road would never know it's there.
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/08/2006539/fl-is-home-to-elephants-that-miss.html#ixzz1AXKH4BJA