Gulf Coast Journal with Jack Perkins; 212; Howard Tibbals' Circus Model, Racing Dog Rescue Project, McCurdy's Comedy Theatre, Leonard Kessler

Way way. The fuck is a special presentation of w. we do YOU Tampa St. Petersburg Sarasota. Everything that was fine for Mr Pyne and his purple house on vine. We get. And meet the man whose 15 year obsession is greed of the most amazing Mobbles circus. Dog so they raise the dogs they love. Want to learn how to be a comedian.

This w exclusively brought through a generous grant from the foundation of a region known for in doubt the ability to address emerging issues. Their Journal. Wondering how many of the years are told how many kids to stop playing a round and find something you like and stick to it. Well that first advice about stop playing around Howard tables has never

learned to take but the other advice. Find something you like and stick to it. He has been following for more than 50 years with astonishing results. Long before TiVo iPods laptops the American circus entertained America moving from town to town bringing amusement culture and yes education to the masses. Over the years the circus landscape changed its allure as the only game in town diminished. But one man has committed nearly three quarters of his life to keeping memories of that slice of Americana alive. I realize that the circus travel about 100 where a car's about twelve or fifteen hundred employees. Occasionally it was House sixteen hundred. And. They had about 100 or 60 wagons they unloaded every night. The

show moved every day. This unassuming man who can often be found lying down on the job is Howard Tibbles successful businessman master model builder and aficionados of the American circus. I think circus is where it was an educational institution even though they may not have known that. The American public were starving for information. They were enticed by the size of animals the piper and the circuses induce them to cause most of the citizen have. The service brought those who are with them. Howard has spent more than 50 years recreating a miniature version of the authentic Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus precisely as it appeared in the 1980s and 30s. It's an awe inspiring exhibit that can only be truly appreciated in person. How many individual pieces are modeled here. Already. Jack I have

no idea. Yes. I would guess. 40 or 50000 pasal something like that I don't know. Pieces that include 3000 circus visitors. Fifty five train cars. 900 sets of silverware and dishes and food. And seven thousand folding chairs for spectators to sit on under the big top. My whole I started to do the catering in Brothers on my neck and they're tended here. As thoughtful as I can be done in this part of. The team just going for the season. Like oh my. Life. All of this carefully crafted to precise scale all of it checked and rechecked for accuracy against nearly one million historical circus photographs all of it created by one man. From people to balloons to 7000 folding chairs that actually fold in this not a disrespectful question Howard but. Are you same.

Probably not. And I'm always looking for stuff you know trying to find out more out is true if I were how this was done how that was what the names of a passenger car look like that they used. The fantasy of running away and joining the circus never tempted young Howard. But the logistics of its perpetual motion consumed him. I come from a family of engineers but I was always around mechanics always around logistics. And the fact you can move this much as quickly as with think of. All that was done the horsepower almost. It's a flavor of America that's long gone. Also Gone are the days this tiny circus pulls up stakes. The exhibit now has a permanent home inside the temples Learning Center the 30000 square foot state of the art facility is the latest addition to the john and Mable Ringling complex in Sarasota. Sarasota was kind of the core of fall out during that year. So it's kind of poetic

justice I guess of this model of this kind of act to be in the town where most of the originals are right. The elaborate replica covers more than thirty eight hundred square feet. The real life version would have covered almost 20 acres. Another discrepancy between the model and the real McCoy is the name Ringling refused to give young Howard the rights to use the name. So I. Make that sound better by using Howard Bose which is much shorter than running rather than a command shows. Therefore the same way about two years and printing costs. It. Seemed like a positive out of a negative right. And does his wife Janice make a positive out of a hobby that could be construed as a negative. When Howard and I first married he had this circus. In another museum and we went up there to claim it. I called my mother one day on a python and i told us another camel would. After married a man who left my

dolls. Saturday. How much money. Has been put into it I have no idea. You don't want to know. Your wife doesn't want to know you don't want your wife to know. Inside one of the ticket wagons. I am told that there is a man sitting there with a typewriter in front of him and an adding machine beside him and a money drawer and you pull up the money drawer and there are little dollar bills in there and there are tickets. Nobody will ever see though. I know it's there it's all I care about but no one will see it I don't care. That's part of the mysticism of it. They didn't see it but they've been told about it. Now goes and we didn't see it but they say it's there. Well I draw as it were mysticism. OK so what's wrong with the circuses part mysticism. Which is more compelling the mysticism of Americas travelling circus or the mysticism of one man's unrelenting pursuit never finished to try to tell a story.

Really. This is a story about the greatest recreational. Entertainment thing ever exist. Ladies and gentlemen children of all ages step right up to the Howard Brothers Circus. You really have to see it to. These days a lot of circuses don't have animals. So you know it may be that fewer people today see animals in a circus. Than at a racetrack. This is not a racetrack for horses. This is a racetrack for dogs. Wonderful dogs. Greyhounds are deeply rooted in human history with images dating back 4000 years.

In our modern world however the sport of greyhound racing is engulfed in an ongoing sea of controversy. But. This tale is not about that controversy. It is about. Compassion. I think they started out probably with about five people and they did everything themselves. PAIK Murphy is the current president of Sarasota is racing dog rescue project. I would climb that involved more as more people became interested in adopting greyhounds more people became interested in. Well Gary resident Nancy Rowland is a key player. Facing Dog Rescue projects is 100 percent volunteer organized and run. Every dime that we raise says to help the dogs we don't have a huge infrastructure. We just have a lot of very dedicated and very loving volunteers.

One of those volunteers is Joan Nixon. She is taken in greyhounds orphaned during Hurricane Charley and knows just what kind of person it takes to make a place in their hearts and homes to these retired runners I think. It will and we know that based on that we know what they've gone through. But it's not often I still have a common bond of love if I go it is that type of caring that has led to the formation of greyhound rescue organizations throughout this country and around the world and the results of the work they do are there for all to see. The ration Dog Rescue Project continues to grow by leaps and bounds with every passing

year. Dwayne and Carey true well recently adopted Sam their first Greyhound when he realized he spent 22 hours a day in a crate before you adopted him and now he's got the whole house to run around in. It's the difference you're making in his life that feels pretty good. And in this age when concepts like family and community seem to be things of the past. Talking to the compassionate souls who have adopted these graceful animals reassures you those concepts are alive and well. When you adopt a dog some racing dog rescue you basically become part of a big family. We've all become friends and it's people from all walks of life. It's really a wonderful community of people. Nice to. See you. The members recently came together at the sun fun campground in Sarasota for their annual picnic. The yearly get together gives volunteers a chance to witness the fruits of their labor first and. Second.

Yeah. I'm here I think everybody knows you're recognized by you. Like every you know they look at you like smile. It turns into. The day it was chock full of events for young and old dog and the like. And for those truly pampered pooches there was even a psychic a canine clairvoyant if you will. These He says I'm fine with these guys but I don't like dogs and he said he had ice cream to get my bowl of ice cream. Farfetched or not the connection between the greyhounds and their rescuers. Is a special one. When. It's planned.

Look out behind those eyes. I wife's always saying those eyes just melt. The good boy Merv Ferris and his wife have adopted three greyhounds. So far. We got our first Greyhound Brady for our son because he wanted a pet. Soon as we got one we had to have another. I said OK that's enough has enough and then we got her and all we had to have a third one. Now that's that's all no more. It's like I think. You know you just can't stop that one. Soon there were two and then there were three. I haven't really looked for if there is such a thing as the perfect dog for people. The Greyhound may be it is very lovable. We didn't really even know what they say about the greyhounds is don't get him as a watchdog because unless the intruder happens to trip over him.

Nothing's going to happen. The faces of the people and their pets speak volumes about. What this community of animal lovers is accomplishing right now. I'm going to have a kennel. Land to put it on. Money develop goods. And dime stock you buy it. You know. Now that the service of the kennel club is working side by side with the racing dog rescue project. The future for this gentle breed appears to be in very good hands. Is this ever happen to you you're hanging around with a bunch of buddies and you're telling jokes and one of them says hey you're a regular comedian. And you get. Thinking. I wonder if I really could be. I mean professionally. Where would I go to learn. And Sarasota is north Tamiami Trail in a strip mall smack dab

between the Movie Gallery and the Radio Shack you'll find Mukherjee s comedy theater and humor Institute. My wife Pam we started just booked anywhere Les McCurdy the funny man behind the marquee knows a thing or two about comedy. I see people will you know get. Painted you know just. You know over on the Lhotse. This Tennessee born veteran of the club circuit held his first comedy workshop more than 20 years ago. Applause is the energy. For years some of his students have dreams of being professional comedians. I mean just in power I'm going to the classes because it's part of my destiny. Mostly they're just everyday folks who like to laugh. My name is Michael Giles and I'm doing this because it's cheaper than therapy or better yet to make other people laugh but when you first get out there just like you guys are starting you just doing whatever you can do.

I mean you're just really like whatever gets that laugh. So you might call this six week course. Stand up 101 classes meet on Sunday afternoon. It was a rousing introduction and of course a round of applause these comedic hopefuls one by one head for the stage to give it their best shot. The loss of so many you know walking door. Was the energy was quite and he had a demeanor about himself that was fine. We can all make people laugh which is right that's the reason you're here. I would imagine and it is that you made people laugh in the past or you absolutely never made someone laugh and go this has to stop this way a lot. The first workshops were for aspiring comedians just hoping to get through the open mike night. The National Rifle Rifle Association says guns don't kill

people people kill people. But you know I think the gun town don't you know the students come from all walks of life. You got kind of a school teacher demeanor about yet determined to do something interesting this year. Kraemer a Kafka teacher and writer gave this class to herself as a present. Maybe they just always wanted to do this. Maybe they had stage fright. They want to conquer that. I've had trial lawyers I've had that just want to be able to interject that humor with a little more confidence. I had doctors that want to better bedside manner just a little bit of everything. And so it's really beneficial no matter who you are. He said Well another woman came in and she had she wanted her husband in a black suit. And he said so I just switched hats. Oh. Thank you more than a thousand students have taken one of McCarty's comedy courses. Chances are they've learned something about articulation projection and confidence thrice upon a

wine to have a good little girl named printer printer Oh I had to make it web so other than to simply Esther's and if they've really done their homework they've learned five good joke I wasn't out a shitty day. Why would you not hand five good jobs get five jokes put them in your pocket have them there and make a life a lot better. Good jobs make sure they get the challenge of humor just putting something funny into a structure that will bring on a laugh. When I finish that syllable that's when they're going to start laughing. Not comma in here some wire. It's hard to imagine a world without humor. Most Dangerous Thing are how why is not a drunk or a speeder. I don't mean to discount that it's an 80 year old man and a 10 year old Cadillac. He'll hit you just to have somebody to talk to. With a little help from Les McCurdy is comedy theater and humor Institute. Sounds like we'll be laughing here on the Gulf Coast for years to come.

Jeff Bezos is the fellow who started Amazon Dot com the online bookseller. Ever wonder what books inspired him when he was a kid. Well there was one in particular. It was a book that told Jeff Bezos as a child that it was OK to be unconventional. Mr Piatt lived by the White House the White House is fine. But there are. 15 white. Lights. Now which is what. Mr Pyne had the dilemma. And the solution. Paint it purple. The idea that the story is that it's OK to be different. You don't have to be I think pretty words to live by says Leonard Kessler the writer and illustrator of children's books and the creator of Mr

Pyne. I have a feeling that I am Mr Pyne. You said I have a mustache. The 84 and a half year old he always at half. Way rarely acts his age in every way you know. I try to lead by that 6 year old kid I used to be and I think I'm hoping that maybe next year I'll become seven. I'm not sure his light hearted manner is charming. I love to put on my purple shit sex people love is silliness contagious. What do you call a Saudi afraid to come out of the bowl. Checkered south of Fundy and he has an extraordinary affection for the various tools of his trade very rational very versatile specially for dealing with the leaves but not France. And that's when the very fat ends. This is a great pencil because it is also

what I call a pencil. Every pen it's an individual every pen has a different personality and same with every precious has a different person. A graduate of Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon University Leonard wrote and illustrated his first children's book in 1951 in the 1960s he produced a series of books starring Mr. Pyne. Yeah I chose Mr Pyne I thought the name pine because it's an easy to read wary and I like that I like it. It has a nice ring to it. Mr Pyne left this on vine and White House saw 50 houses all in line on time. I can't tell which house is mine now. It came naturally and they may kill a cutie when time. During his 55 year career Lennon has written and illustrated more than 200

books he collaborated on 40 children's books with his wife Ethel who was Mrs. Pyne of course. Guardians who came down here. 1995. I want to retire because. I can retire she never had a job. So we had all her wonderful. Plans for. The dreaded disease Alzheimer's. All. Over today. While I watch this. To that depth of oblivion that season. While Leonard was caring for Ethel an out of print book seller named Jill Morgan wrote the couple a letter asking permission to bring Mr. Pyne back to print. She remembered when her father when she read the book to her when she was three years of age sitting on his lap and I think you evoking that memory that that last Ethel would never see the revival of Mr.

Pyne she died from Alzheimer's in 2002. It feels as if it's always here in the books in my kids and my grandkids. Yeah that's she's there. Mr Pyne's purple house recently turned 40 and is in its third printing. Proving that a great story line no matter how old can excite any generation of young readers. Minds. House. And round. Your. Houses. Some White Houses. But. Just one. Finds for. Mr Pyne's. Are. People willing to be different to do different to make a difference.

Now as we close this month's volume of a Gulf Coast Journal we say farewell and we've just got to get back to the circus. Oh. Well Gold Coast neato runs to go out here you want to go there when they go shopping. They charge. Knock knock you'll hear them. That know who eventually going to. You get when your cross a chicken and talk.

You get a very smart burger I mean adduction there and then but then. You can order this or any other volume of a Gulf Coast journal with Jack Perkins on a high quality DVD format for just 999 plus shipping and handling. Call 1 800 3 5 4 9 3 3 8. Or visit our website at W edu dot org. Knock knock Who's there. Me me me out. Of my hands. This w edu production has been exclusively brought to you through a generous grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice envisioning a region known for endowed philanthropy a vital nonprofit community. And the ability to address emerging issues.