Membership Application
2003 Convention
Membership Application
2003 Convention
Before you think that it was all out and over, there was one more full plate in the offing. The next day the Peru circus parade was all that could be imagined in a small town. There were circus wagons pulled by draft horses, ponies and tractors of all makes and descriptions. Animals, wild and otherwise, were seen everywhere. And the kids from the Peru Youth Circus--they were frequently seen displaying their considerable skills. When is the last time you saw 15 or so, 10 year old jugglers doing their thing? Then a few minutes later, as many unicyclists peddling for all they were worth, were performing routines requiring much practice. All of this and more under beautiful skies and perfect temperature. How did Chef Al even control the weather? It isn't as if the weather is merely a different form of a cooking oven. I thought no one controls the weather.
Chef Al somehow knew we hadn't enough so he asked friend Tom Dunwoody to deliver the coup de maitre and Tom certainly did just that. He opened the Circus Hall of Fame to the by-now tired travelers and his wares enlivened his visitors. Where else can you see the 1934 Hagenbeck-Wallace in the flesh? Why I even saw Jess Adkins in the middle of the display--or did I? Rooms upon rooms of circus lithos and artifacts were on display. There were plenty of takers in our group. Then with a drum roll, a fine professional circus was on and we hurried into the big top for the performance. None were disappointed. They even had a "cat" act. In this case, the cats were of the alley genus but were as ferocious as their larger brethren. Much fun and many skilled turns.
This time Chef Al called it quits and ushered most of the CHSer back to their respective hotels, actually overwhelmed by all they digested over the past several days. It is fair to say that most have never experienced such a scrumptious feast of circusing, all superbly prepared and lavishly served. It is little wonder that Chef Al enjoys a truly international reputation for excellence.
Peru, Indiana Circus City Festival Parade, Parade Elephants
But for a few, your Board of Trustees, there was a bit more and this involved a business meeting. The affairs of your organization were closely examined and declared to be in excellent shape. Financially we are just fine. However, there remains much work to do in terms of securing many new members to ensure the future viability of our select group. All of us could do much in this regard by each getting just one new member to join us. Let's do it and prosper. Strong kudos were directed to our tireless, timeless editor, Fred Pfening, Jr.; our recently retired secretary/treasurer who has labored many years keeping us on the straight and narrow path of administrative correctness, Dave Price; and our amazing Judy Griffin who originated our superior web site and maintains it with the finest of care. Without folks like these we would be much less than what we are today. A continuous flow of many, many thanks are due them from all of us.
So there you have it, just a couple of days spent on the banks of the Wabash. Thanks to Chef Al, they could not be better spent. Photo left: CHS trustees Alan Campbell (left) and Richard Reynolds (right)
Last modified October 2003