Page 12 Summer 1997
History - 1950 - 1954
Compiled by Greg Edwards
At the Annual Business meeting held during the Convention in Jamestown, New York, it was decided to publish a monthly Newsletter to supplement the Jugglers' Bulletin published by Roger Montandon. This newsletter will carry mainly news items of interest to fellow members and it is hoped that members may keep in touch with each other through its current routes or playing dates, so that other members of the IJA can visit them. PLEASE send news items, routes, or current date to Vin Carey or Violet Carlson. (IJA Newsletter, Summer 1948)
"Larry Weeks, comedy juggler, was working a club date for the Colorado Funeral Directors at the Shirley Savoy Hotel here (Denver). When he finished his act, the effort in that high atmosphere had him puffing considerably. Trying to catch his breath, he ad libbed "I'm not long for this world." One of the audience, apparently an undertaker, yelled out in a loud voice, "What's your address?" (IJA Newsletter, August 1949)
Harry Lind expects to go to Buffalo December 12 for the Shrine Ceremonial, as he is a Shrine member. He will also celebrate his 70th birthday that day, and any of you who know Harry or have seen his picture, will agree that he looks more like 50 than 70. He can out-juggle Many a younger fellow and has the enthusiasm of a kid of 20. Happy Birthday, Harry, and many more of them. (IJA Newsletter, November-December 1949 - printed in green ink!)
John Nissen is one of the old time club jugglers, now retired, but still juggling. Harry Lind writes that John has made him an honorary member of the N.J. State Patrolman's Benevolent Association, so Harry reciprocated by making John a member of the IJA. (lJA Newsletter, February-March 1950)
It did my juggling heart good to get that last issue of-the always looked for Newsletter. Its like a ray of sunshine after a cloudy day. There isn't much news from here because I am in a rather isolated spot as far as show business is concerned. However, I do what I can to promote juggling. In the last 20 years or so I have taught juggling to at least 25 boys and girls. Now don't get nervous you professional jugglers, out of that many jugs I've taught, not one has followed it as a profession. But they are rabid fans of the art and make it their business to go to shows that have juggling in them and at the mean time contribute greatly to the applause of any juggling act. And then again their families and relatives are also interested in it. All in all it makes for better juggling enthusiasts. Now when anyone in my town sees a juggling act they lose no time in telling me what they saw. The town is juggling conscious. Not only do the neophyte jugs tell me, but many who don't know a thing about juggling lose no time in saying what they thought of "So and So" they have seen in Timbuctu or many other towns. I sincerely think that if jugs would be more liberal with the outside public with their juggling ideas, and interest those same people they meet here and there about the art, it would mean better publicity all around. Jack Greene, Honorary Director (IJA Newsletter, April 1950)
Violet Carlson Beahan visited Cornell University one May weekend to see Stuart Raynolds and Ray Nelson do their juggling act in Bailey Hall. Ray, a new member and quite a new juggler, is coming along fine. Stuart did his five club juggling bit in the act and did surprisingly well. He and Ray have done shows for polio victims at the Reconstruction Home in Ithaca; for the opening of Statler Hall for Hotel Management at Cornell and for another affair in Memorial Hall of Willard Stright Hall. Stuart graduates as a chemistry Major at Cornell University this year. (IJA Newsletter, May 1950) |
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