Congratulations to our winners of autographed copies of "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen: Carolyn Buening, Laura Estes, Tammy Fishback, Brenna Hickman, Nancy Lenger and Paul Treece.
One Read author Sara Gruen greeted and spoke with readers of her book at two events this Tuesday. A dedicated group of folks showed up early Tuesday afternoon at the library to get a personal word with Gruen as she signed their copies of "Water for Elephants." Later that evening, over 200 readers turned out at Columbia College's Launer Auditorium to hear her describe her research in dusty museums, small-time modern circuses and wonderful books of old photographs. The lovely old auditorium felt just the right size as people stood up to ask their questions near the end of the lecture and Gruen was happy to discuss her work and remember the characters she spent so much time creating.
The Columbia Daily Tribune and the Columbia Missourian also published articles about Gruen's visit.
The Columbia Public Library played host to the Joey Kelly Circus this past Sunday afternoon. Lindy opened up the show by reading one of the circus' favorite books, a picture book about one of the most well known clowns of all time, Weary Willie (portrayed by Emmett Kelly, Sr., Joey's grandfather). Then the comedy and acrobatics began, featuring Lindy as ringmistress, Nathan the diabolo master, Bethany the contortionist clown and Joey as, well, Joey. Later that evening Joey and family traveled (presumably in a very tiny car) to The Blue Note in downtown Columbia to open for the Best Picture of 1952, "The Greatest Show on Earth." About 140 people came out for the screening of this movie, which includes long sequences of incredible footage from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus alongside performances by Jimmy Stewart as Buttons the clown and Emmett Kelly, Sr. as himself.
Read about Joey Kelly and his circus in two articles from the Missourian: one from September 28 and the second from September 30.
Gale Fuller didn't have to do a bunch of research to learn about circuses; he grew up traveling in the circus with his family. The Fullers were menagerie keepers, among other things, owning their own monkeys, bears, spotted hyenas, and other animals. More than 30 attendees got to hear Gale's colorful and all-true stories about the real geeks and freaks, the grift games and cooch tents that could fold up and disappear in no time, and all the little things (like small-time bribes of tickets to the show for local police) that kept a circus running.
A number of One Read participants stopped by the Columbia Public Library Tuesday to talk with Tom Rose about how animals were treated in "Water for Elephants." Readers were interested in Tom's thoughts about how humans communicate with animals and enjoyed the chance to learn about modern veterinary care which involves many of the same treatments and drugs as human medicine.
Members of the Columbia Community Band brought the sounds of the circus to the Columbia Public Library on a perfect evening Monday. Ringmaster Bob Bohon introduced the tunes and described how each tune would be used in a circus. The band played marches, waltzes, galops and more to a crowd of about 80. The live music also got the attention of people in passing cars and out for walks and evening bike rides. The band will also perform this program Saturday, September 23 at 3 p.m. at Veteran's Park in Fulton.
An estimated 250 people enjoyed the Joey Kelly Circus held as part of the One Read programming during the Fall Festival in Ashland Saturday. Children and adults alike enjoyed a variety of clowning and acrobatic acts. Many local children in attendance were chosen to participate in the skits. If you missed the act Saturday, you can see "America's First Family of Clowns" on Sunday, September 30 at 2 p.m. at the Columbia Public Library, or at 6:30 p.m. at the The Blue Note before the 7 p.m. showing of the 1952 Best Picture "The Greatest Show on Earth" in which Joey's famous grandfather, Emmett Kelly stars.
This past Wedneday, 26 readers turned out at the Daniel Boone Building to discuss "Water for Elephants" with Mayor Darwin Hindman and his wife Axie. The discussion ranged widely but returned to a couple of themes: family and food. The informal family of circus was contrasted to the blood relatives that visited him in the nursing home each week. And readers were struck by the importance of food in the Depression-era circus world, especially how your position in the circus determined whether you got to enjoy the fine dining side of the mess tent or were confined to the rough side for "rubes" and laborers. The group generally agreed that Jacob was their favorite character, especially the older Jacob looking back. There were quite a few votes for Rosie the elephant, too.
Axie Hindman connected the theme of family to another One Read program she enjoyed on KOPN Monday night, a radio theater presentation of "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck. Axie noted that despite the hard times, the Joads always had each other, and that family was the most important theme in the production.