My interest in juggling really got started when I was a student at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. I joined the newly formed and sanctioned Carolina Jugglers' Association. However, having graduated and left town over a year ago, I soon became a lonely juggler in my new city of Charlotte. I was used to sharing my juggling fun and was starting to burn out juggling alone, doing the same old stuff .

So I made a New Year's resolution last January to start the Charlotte Jugglers Association (CJA). We had our first meeting on June 24; I do not like to rush into things. I kept putting it off, hoping to get it organized before giving birth to it. I finally gave up. My girlfriend and I worked all weekend painting a banner to make us official. We unveiled it at 7 p.m. that Sunday in a local psrk and juggled under its guise until rain forced us to retreat an hour later. We had definitely attracted some attention, though. We signed up three members, amused and amazed countless passers­by and most of all, took that founding step!

Now it was just a matter of returning every week to the same place at the same time. I had announcements put in the local newspapers and even got a few radio stations to give us an occasional plug.

Meeting in a popular park helped expose the C.J.A., as well as the art of juggling, which most Charlotteans have never seen except in the circus. By the end of the summer we had been written up, with photos, in three local newspapers and I had been interviewed on a television talk show. None of this publicity came at our request, but all of it helped our membership rolls, as well as our establishment as a viable "Charlotte alternative" (to what, I have not decided!).

Since no one admittedly wants to be secretary, I keep notes on each of our meetings. At first there were no dues. To become a member, all you had to do was show enough interest to give me your name and phone number. Once I felt we had at least a semi­dedicated core of members, we voted to begin charging $5.00 per year to join. We hoped that this small but significant monetary investment would keep out those not serious, and encourage the serious ones to actively participate. Of course, visitors are always welcome. With the dues, I am designing and purchasing membership cards. Once again, to make us "more official."

We are a loosely structured group, organized mainly to have fun. Yet, I did have some other objectives in mind. These include giving members an occasional opportunity to perform, a forum where jugglers can share new tricks and ideas, and a chance to do multi-person passing routines. In addition, the C.J.A. has the modest goal of teaching everyone in Charlotte to juggle, or at least showing them what it's all about.

The winter months ahead could make or break the C.J.A. We will soon have to move inside. I feel a need to keep us in the public eye, to continue spreading happiness to as many as possible. So if you're in or passing through Charlotte, give us your juggling support. I do not know where we will be, but call once you get here and I'll let you know. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please send them to the Newsletter for all to see or to me personally at my address below.

Bob Giduz - Charlotte, NC

Six balls, four hands. Bob Giduz gives instruction to Patsy Daniels, reporter for The Charlotte Observer.

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