HONORARY LIFE MEMBER - OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER EMERITUS LANE BLUMENTHAL WRITES:

 

Today, Sept. 13, I received a package containing letterheads and envelopes. I was surprised to find my name listed in the 1973-74 officers. My thanks.

I first met Hovey at the Ashtabula, Ohio, Convention in 1958. I took pictures of his 7-ball bounce, something I had never seen performed by a juggler. I had seen 5-ball bounce done by jugglers, but never had I seen the 7-ball bounce. To me, it was something that very few jugglers were doing.

 

Since that year I had gone to all IJA Conventions. My first one was in 1954, after I retired from the printing trade. Later on, I saw Hovey and Tommy Curtin in the "Circus goes to College", they did a great juggling act.

 

When Hovey visited Los Angeles during time at Pasadena studying at a college theatre school, he came to Los Angeles and visited Danny Rees and family. He had a beard on his lower jaw. I took a picture of him, and sent one to Tommy Curtin.

 

I am a retired union printer after a long time in the ITU . I had a total of over 35 years in the printing trade. Now I am living at the Union Printers Home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Came here May 22, 1969, from Los Angeles where I had lived since 1933.  I have a room for myself. All residents have their own room.  About 300 residents here, including about a dozen women, who follow the printing trade as proofreaders. The best of doctors, nurses, nurse aids and orderlies give their best to look after us. I appreciate all services given to me. Meals are served each day to all rooms. The best of food, and everything Is good.

 

I am a wheelchair user. Arthritis has taken over my legs. I am stone deaf, and almost totally blind, but I find my way around the halls.

 

When I went to my first IJA Convention held at Elkhart, Indiana in 1954, I met many of the great jugglers who made the yearly conventions. Since that year I went to eleven IJA Conventions.

 

Such a life I have gone through. I am 85 years old. Born In Lincoln, Nebraska, March 14, 1888.  Moved to Hastings, Nebraska iIn 1900. Then to Douglas, Arizona to live there for 17 years. Was in the soda fountain business for 13 years, sold out, and over to the printing trade in 1925.

 

--Lane Blumenthal

 

(I hope you can read my words. I can't see what I write.)