32-6,p5

THE MAILBOX

Since 1946 I have collected things about the circus, variety shows and, of course, juggling. I have many posters and props, many of which I am willing to exchange.

I personally knew many famous jugglers, and collected much memorabilia. In my house, I have a two gallery rooms, one with a juggling theme. Here's a photo where I am talking to some young people about this interesting and difficult art.

"Lindsay Leslie"

For December 1981, I would like to have a display commemorating the 50th anniversary of Enrico Rastelli. I would appreciate any photos, news clippings and other interesting information about Rastelli's American appearances that readers would send me. I'll also gladly send other collectors a list of what I have if they're' interested in trading materials. Hardy greetings from Berlin! - Markschiess-van Trix, Berlin, Germany

One of the highlights this year at the Edinburgh Arts Festival was Dr. Hot's Thermal Therapy Show, a vaudeville act by Bin Galvin and Steve Mok which consisted of 45 minutes of non-stop comedy and juggling. The cast of two gave the audience value for its money and a real nice trip into the Wonder World of Juggling.

Another juggler working at the Edinburg festival was Ian Kelly (United Kingdom), who was juggling outside as publicity for the Cambridge University Theatre Groupe.

Mark Robertson (United Kingdom), Europe's most promising juggler, still gets good mention in the British press. One story said he outshone the star of a TV show recently. After ripping the rest of the show, the clipping said, "The only bright spot was the young lad who gave a marvelous exhibition of tricks with a Yo-Yo. He could start the Yo-Yo craze all over again."

Isn't it a shame how critics (at least in Britain) often refer to specialty acts as "the acrobat, the magician," etc. and very rarely mention the artiste's name?

Lindsay Leslie, Newport-On-Tay, Scotland

(Willy Fallon, employed by Foster Parents Plan International in Kathmandu, Nepal, wrote the folllowing invitation to IJA members.)

"I've performed on three different occasions for the Int'l Kindergarden kids here and once for the Int'I School. Nepal is an experience which every juggler in the world must see to believe. Small magic troupes travel up from India, palmists on every comer and the whole atmosphere is festive. I'm extending an invitation to all lJAers to drop in on Kathmandu to see me."

On the evening of September 4, yo-yo champ Tom McKoy walked into his apartment and found John Grottola, his roomate, dead from apparent suicide with a pistol. John was 24.

Nothing was found to indicate premeditation; it seemed to be a spur-of-the-moment decision.

John had many friends in the Eugene area.

He had juggled in shows with Jeandeaux the Magician, mime Vaughn Avery and in California with Mathias the Magician. All of us who knew him appreciated his juggling, unicycle riding, ball spinning and smooth kick-ups. In Westminster, CA. he was buried in full costume with seven clubs---so he'd have enough to pass with.

Tom Dewart Eugene, OR

Greg Moss, the new IJA championships director, writes: "I'm honored to be director. I plan no drastic changes in the competition format, except to schedule numbers competition in the afternoon rather than morning. I'd also like to use a large summary scoreboard so competitors and audience can keep up with scores as the competition proceeds.

Singer John Denver displays second talent backstage for IJA fan

Dave Heine from Portland, OR, juggled his way into John Denver's dressing room before a concert there in August to snap this picture.

Convincing security personnel of his authenticity with five and six-ball pattems, and by balancing a straw on his nose, Heine's presence was announced to the singer. Denver immediately invited Heine into his dressing room for a 20-minute pre-concert juggling session.

"I saw him do three balls, was all," Heine reported. However, he introduced Denver to floor bouncing, takeaways and club juggling. "He's my favorite singer," Heine said, feeling proud of the short audience with his musical hero.

It was not the first time Heine had juggled his way backstage either. "Juggling does it just about every time," Heine explained.

He had read of Denver's three ball ability in "The Art of Juggling, .. by Ken Benge. Other media personalities listed there with Denver are Dick Van Dyke, Donny Osmond and Doug McClure. Heine mentioned also Kirk Douglas, who played the lead role in a 1953 film, "The Juggler. ..

Heine claims to have seen every English language movie containing juggling scenes, and promises to list those, beginning with W. C. Fields' "Pool Shark" in 1915 through this summer's pop rocker called "Xanadu, .. in another Newsletter.

"John Denver juggling"