Pie Car stories

I was in the pie car grabbing a bite to eat and that some of the people who have been around a while were telling stories  Although, many of the stories were interesting this one stuck out in my mind.  It seems that back in the 80's the city of Sarasota decided that they wanted an image change.  Part of that change included trying to get the circus to leave the area and take their clown college with them.  The management at Ringlings thought that it would be a good idea to show Sarasota what a positive influence they were on Sarasoto's economy.  They began paying all employees in cash, ($2.00 bills).  As the $2.00 bills began to flood the market places in and around Sarasota, the city changed its tune.  They no longer wanted the circus to leave and even took steps to persuade them to never leave.

I thought of this story while I was on the market run this evening. Our bus filled with people arrived at Walmart at 11:30. We all shopped and were gone within an hour.  Bags and bags of product left the store and I am certain that our people left behind thousands of dollars.  I am not sure that the cities we visit ever think of the amount of money we bring to their economies.

Travels

It has been a while since I last posted, sorry about that.  I have been to Nashville, TN, Charlotte, NC and I am now in Raleigh, NC.  I have been the only teacher since I arrived over a month ago, my assistant should be arriving on Friday.  I am happy that she will be here soon, I need the help.  I am getting very settled here I love the train and all of the interesting people I travel with, many are multi-generational circus performers and it is expected that they will spend their lives with the show.  Some like me decided that they wanted something different and joined the show.  Others have just been interested in the circus their entire lives and could not wait to run off and become part of the magic.  I have been finding little reminders of home everywhere I travel, Nashville has a Saint Cloud Corner.  Places I go remind me of different friends and family members, I miss you but I will be home in May, then winter quarters starting Nov 11th.