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2010-11_Report-District 1 

Submitted by Webmaster on   4/16/2012
Last Modified

District 1 Report

By Bob Goldsack

This past year turned out rather well for the newest Tent # 177 here in northern New England.
The Father Jerry Hogan Tent of New Hampshire has offered its members a series of circus related events throughout the year.

Last July, we traveled to North Andover, MA on the invitation of Father Hogan for a luncheon attended by Struppi Hanneford, plus some of the performers of the Kelly-Miller Circus. We then all attended the performance of the Kelly-Miller Circus.

On September 21st, Tent president Authur Provencher hired a large van, plus several members went by car, making a large contingent, to the BIG E for a full day at the fair, including the BIG E Circus produced and directed by Wayne McCary.

On September 30th, over 30 members, plus a few friends, gathered for a luncheon in the lounge of the Verizon Arena in Manchester.  Six members of the Ringling Circus attended and each spoke following the meal.  CFA President, Maxine House, was in attendance and wished the new Tent much success.  We than attended the circus performance.

Due to a last minute cancellation of our speaker, we had to cancel the Spring meeting.
That worked out fine as the Shriners in Wilmington, MA, invited Bob Kitchen of the Father Sullivan Tent, who in turn invited the Fr. Hogan Tent members to a performance of the Shrine Circus and a small luncheon, provided by the Shriners.  Following the show, Struppi Hanneford and Ringmaster, Billy Martin spent some time socializing with our group.

On June 18th, 34 attended a luncheon in Hudson, NH, prior to a performance of the Cole Bros. Circus. The group would have been larger but it was graduation day in the area, and several sets of grandparents had to catch the show the next day.  John Pugh and wife Brigitte, who share the same birthday, attended our meeting where we presented them with a beautifully decorated birthday cake,  John was one of our speakers and he related some interesting information about his early life in the world of circus and then told how he, after a number of years, finally took full ownership of the circus.  Father Jerry Hogan then interviewed member Cosmio Marra, who toured with the Ringlinlg show in 1944 and was with the show during the Hartford fire.  Father then brought the group up to date on happenings in the world of circus.

On the circus lot, members had the opportunity to talk with Elvin Bale, Ringmaster Chris Connors and marketing manager Mario Vitali.  Prior to the performance, John Pugh provided each member with a circus program.  Fr. Jerry Tent President, Arthur Provencher, was honorary ringmaster at the 4:30 performance.

One of the busiest Tents anywhere, many members attended the luncheon provided by Father Jerry Hogan and performance of the Kelly-Miller Circus on July 6th.

The quarterly Newsletter continues to be very colorful and informative about the world of circus.

The Commodore Nutt Tent continues under the direction of Barbara Moore.  She has been busy working with various circus arts and fundraisers.  Although they have not held a meeting this year, they are individually attending various circuses playing the area.  The last Tent meeting held was during the 2010 Ringling performance in Manchester.  A Christmas party is planned for the first Tuesday in December.

Bill Perkins is still trying to pickup the pieces he inherited of the Maine Tent.  So far, he hasn't been able to schedule a gathering, but he is still optimistic.

The Circus Smirkus-Tim Holst Tent of Vermont is still headed by Bob Sugarman.  The Tent is held together by Bob's informative newsletters.  Members of the Tent live distances from each other and usually visit Tent meetings in nearby Albany, NY and Pittsfield, MA.

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