Showmen’s LeagueShowmen’s LeagueShowmen’s Leagueof Americaof Americaof America

Showmen’s Leagueof America

Showmen’s LeagueShowmen’s LeagueShowmen’s Leagueof America

Showmen’s Leagueof America

Showmen’s Leagueof America

Showmen’s LeagueShowmen’s LeagueShowmen’s Leagueof America

Showmen’s LeagueShowmen’s LeagueShowmen’s LeagueShowmen’s League

Phone 312.332.6236 Fax 312.332.6237 JoeBurum@gmail.com8 S. Michigan Ave. Ste 2212, Chicago, IL 60603

July/August 2010

President’s LetterThis is when the fun starts….By now the 2010 season is in full swing and we’re already on the back nine as we go through the rest of the season. I’d like to thank everyone for the great turnout and great fun at the Spring Get Away Party. To me this is what the club should be all about. We were able to raise money for our causes and at the same time enjoy an opportunity for us to gather in a friendly way.We continue to forge ahead through the transition initiated by the sale

of our building at 300 W. Randolph. As this goes to press the Board and Trustees are investi-gating options for a new National Headquarters for the League. I’ve included in this newslet-ter a picture of a building under consideration. I look forward to re-establishing ourselves, our members and our artifacts at a new home in the not-too-distant future. Perhaps this location will be it. Thanks to Paul Kasin and his Committee for the efforts on this front.In the mean time other committees of the League are active and working. The Showmen’s League Day project is well under way under the guidance of Mary & Bill Johnson, along with significant assistance from my wife Connie and our daughter Melissa. The orders are in, the T-shirts are going out and I expect to get a lot of pictures from shows displaying those shirts on August 5, Showmen’s League of America Day. Already it looks like this will be a solid fund-raiser for the year.Over the summer please try to take a minute to put an ad in our Yearbook. Call Diane at the office for details, or you can download the form that was in the last newsletter at WWW.ShowmensLeague.Org. That’s also the place to find League information, membership applications and you can even click your way to member-ship renewal, donations and ad payments on line. If you haven’t seen the site lately I urge you to give it another look.Until next time, be careful, be safe and I wish you nothing but perfect weather! Mike Featherston, 2010 SLA President

Diane’s Office UpdateA wonderful time was had by all who attended President Mike Featherston’s terrific Spring Get Away Party on May 12th. The weather was brisk but when the Cubs came up to bat the weather didn’t matter a bit! The Cubs played a great game (and they WON !) and the pizza was hot and delicious. Best of all was the camara-derie and good time that was shared by all who attended. It was especially nice to have Mr. Charles Featherston, Mike’s dad there with us. Other out-of-towners that shared in the fun were Anita Rockett from OABA, Brian Lau and his group from Showmen’s Sup-plies, Father John, Chris and Kristin Atkins, Margaret Vaughan, and Kevin & Jan Dalton. Our VERY SPECIAL THANKS go to our generous sponsors: Dalton Kids Rides; Galaxy Amusement Sales; Chestnut Identity Apparel along with Gold Star Amusements who generously sponsored the dinner. And a very special “Thank You’ from me to everyone there for sharing my “SURPRISE” Birthday cake. What a wonderful way to end the party and start the 2010 season!!! Diane

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Thanks to our Spring Get Away Party

Sponsors

One proposed site under consideration.

SLA HistoryDid you know…? The Origins of the Showmen’s League of America DayPast President John B. Warren was the longest seat-ed President in the history of the League. He took office on January 17, 1915 and remained there until his death on June 30th, 1918. He was one of our founding fathers, along with Warren Patrick, Frank Albert and Arthur Davis, and was a charter member and a very good friend of Col. Buffalo Bill Cody’s. At a meeting in the Saratoga Hotel on February 6, 1916, Past President John B. Warren declared August 5th, 1916 as “SHOWMEN’S LEAGUE OF AMERICA DAY”. President Warren declared that all showmen should wear a blue badge with a white elephant and a rib-bon depicting Showmen’s League of America Day. Brother Wright was chosen Chairman of the SLA Day Committee and under his direction literature was mail to 85 carnivals, 20 circuses and 40 miscel-laneous midway shows. Our Treasurer, who was also a carnival owner, Mr. Edward Neumann, was the first to donate to Showmen’s League Day with his check for $100.00. All monies that were raised from this day were to go to the League’s Aid and Hospital Funds. At that time the League had a ward in the American Theatrical Hospital, located at Hoyne and Monroe Sts. in Chicago. This hospital was founded by Showmen’s League member Dr. Max Thorek, a world reknown surgeon, social organizer and friend of the needy. His hospital was founded to care for all members in the performing arts field. Some of his patients included Eddie Cantor, the Marx Broth-ers, Sophie Tucker and yes, even the great Harry Houdini. President Warren said that on SLA Day all tent shows, or other amusement attractions so desiring, could share a portion of their days receipts with the League. Those shows participating in this day would receive a banner from the Showmen’s League showing their support for the League and its’ efforts to care for their ailing members. SHOW-MEN’S LEAGUE OF AMERICA DAY has always shown the caring and compassion that each member has for another, in the League and in the industry. As Buffalo Bill once said “Long Live The Showmen’s League of America.”

President Mike would like to hear from YOUHave some ideas for the League? Thoughts about things you’d like to see, suggestions about initiatives you’d like to support? Concerns, comments, concepts and even complaints, all input is welcome as the League prepares to celebrate its 100th Anniversary. Here’s how to reach us: Mike@GoldStarAmusements.com or you can also email our Secretary at JoeBurum@Gmail.com.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO…Our current Treasurer & Past President John Han-schen, Mrs. Beverly Burback, Mrs. Gail Johnston, Mrs. Christine Norton, Our First Vice President Rich Byrum and his beautiful daughter Betsy, Tom Powell, Paul Atkins, Stephanie Henon, John Magel Sr., Terry Slaggert, Vincent Pocius, Katherine DeSwardt, Joe Clair and his son, Joseph III, Pam Casper, Becky Guthrie, Brad Ribar, Jake Inners, Mike Romano, Bill Sperry, Freddy Levison, Vincent Conley, Mike Spangler, Buzz Barton, Bill Sker-beck, Robert Driskill, Patrick Guthrie, Bill Nekyha, Doug Skinner Jr., Bob Coil, Mrs. Joyce Lindeman, Charles Mar-tin, Tom McDonagh, Donald Simons, William Miller, Bill Jacob, Debbie Powers, Stanley Ribar, Edgar Sivori, Reed Williams, Tom Thebault, Rebecca Thebault, Joe Zum-steg, Mrs. Christine Hoss, Traci Newton, The Bujalka Family – George, his lovely wife Laurie and daughter, Deanna, the fabulous magician Marshall Brodien, Corky Jones and Deltus Mitchell, And a Very Happy 92nd Birthday to Our Own Father Mac!

New Member Welcome

Please welcome Mike Davisson, Daniel Flores, Jen-nifer Flores, Derinda Hoover, Judy Johnston, Kenneth Johnston III, Mickey McGuire, Kelly McNaughton, all sponsored by 1st Vice President Rich Byrum. Rich has challenged all Board members to recruit ten new mem-bers. He is certainly starting off right!

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Shares, Cares & Prayers• Bill Lowery passed away after a lengthy stay in the Brandon, FL Hospital. Our deepest sympathies to Caro-lyn and the family. • We are so very glad to report that Buzz Barton is finally out of the hospital and back in circulation!• Congratulations to Andy Deggeller and his wife, Jamie on the birth of their baby boy, Gabriel Irvin Deggeller on May 12th. • We were recently notified by PP Tom Davis of the passing of Molly Lopez. Our condolences to the family. • We were also very sorry to hear of the passing of Carl Dills, former Chief Inspector for the State of Kentucky and long time safety consultant for the Blue Grass Shows, after a long illness. • Our sympathies also are extended to the Skinner fam-ily at the loss of Leslie “Les” Skinner. He passed away on Saturday, June 12 at the age of 81. • We are glad to hear that Cathy Deggeller is recuperat-ing from rotator cuff surgery this month and on the road to recovery.• Howard Hoss, husband of Board Member Chris Hoss and longtime showman, extraordinaire, passed away June 20th, Father’s Day. The family will hold a memorial

service September 28. Contact the office for details.

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Registrationopens July 1

Same PriceSame Time

Same Place

So WhatIs New?

Check outthe IAFE web site

to find outhow to

800/516-0313 • PO Box 985, Springfield MO 65801www.fairsandexpos.com

Showmen’s League of America8 S. Michigan Ave. Ste 2212Chicago, IL 60603

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWATERLOO, IA

PERMIT NO. 134

The SLA Calendar of Events 2010August 5, 2010 Showmen’s League of America DayAugust 12, 2010 Board MeetingOctober 14 Board MeetingSeptember 1 Yearbook Ad DeadlineNovember 16-20 IAAPA - OrlandoNovember 28- Annual Convention, meeting &December 1 banquet, Las VegasDecember 10 Noble Case’s Annual Christmas Party for Children at Hanson Park Elementary

2011Feb 8-12 IISF Trade Show in Gibtown

2010 Official Showmen’s League YearbookThe Ad Insertion order form was in our May/June news-letter but you may obtain one anytime at our web site or by calling the office at 312-332-6236 and we will fax or email it to you immediately. Don’t wait, the final deadline is September 1st.

President Mike Featherston and his wife Connie with Mike’s dad Charles at the

Spring Get Away party.

The Showmen’s League of America is a 501 c(10) Non-Profit Social & Fraternal Organization, founded in 1913.

Marilyn Portemount and JoAnn Davis were recently seen at the Indy 500, looking smashing as ever!

Buffalo Bill wants you to buy a ticket. Send in this coupon and $100 with your name & info and we’ll fill out a ticket and send it out to you pronto!