August 1-7 was National Clown Week

Texas Mid-Cities Alley 85 is 30 years old! We would like all present and past members to come help us celebrate:

Tuesday, August 21, 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m.  South MacArthur Church of Christ      

We'll eat a delicious dinner catered by Colter's BBQ and then take a trip down memory lane.  Founding member, Rosalee Perryman will  be our guest speaker.  Also, there will be a slide show of past and present Alley activities.  Tricia Gregory will be compiling this show and would  also like to include each member's development as a clown.   Dig out that first picture of you as a clown and others later on.  Hanky will do  “before and after” segments to demonstrate our growth as clowns!      Help us make plans. 

We need to have your pictures and know if you are coming by August 17th!!!

RSVP: midcitiesclowns@hotmail.com or call Susan Keys, aka Dubble Bubble.  Send pics to Tricia Gregory.

The Early History of Texas Mid-Cities Clown Alley 85

Written February 1985

On November 10, 1977, the first letters were mailed to area Clowns, inviting all to a meeting to organize a Clown Alley. The meeting was held on December 6, 1977 at Rosalie "SUPERSTAR" Perryman's shop (her first) at 1231 E. Irving Blvd, Irving, Texas. Eight people were in attendance at the meeting: Ken Rowe, Earl Finn, Rosalie Perryman, Van Chauvin, Charles Lehr, Joan Lehr, Annita Diebenow, and a Shrine Clown named "Alligator". Officers were elected. Our first officers were: President, Van Chauvin Vice President, Joan Lehr Secretary/Treasurer, Rosalie Perryman. Our permanent meeting date was set as the fourth Thursday of each month. The name "Clowns of Renown" was chosen for our group. Earl Finn as "Gramp the Tramp" performed for us. Attendance at our January, 1978 meeting was small (four people present) as sickness was in the area. It was decided to do something as an Alley at least twice a year. We had to change our name as the chosen one already belonged to another alley. So, Texas Mid-Cities Clown Alley was chosen. The Clowns of America National By-Laws were also adopted. It was decided to send a newsletter each month. At he February meeting (sixteen people present) dues were set at $6.00 per year, after a person had attended three meetings. All members must be members of Clowns of America. Chuck Lehr gave the program. Lou Stoddard paid her dues at the February meeting. Robert Stoddard and Susan Corona paid their dues in the summer of 1978. There are still five of the original members in the Alley: Van Chauvin, Rosalie Perryman, Lou Stoddard, Robert Stoddard, and Susan Corona. Even though our charter was approved in February, 1978, the Alley learned the news at our March meeting when a letter was read saying that we had officially be Chartered as TEXAS MID-CITIES CLOWN ALLEY 85, CLOWNS OF AMERICA.

LOGO AND COLORS: Our Alley logo was adopted in 1979. Our Alley stationery was designed by Robert Stoddard in August, 1979. Our Alley banner was adopted in April, 1979, and designed and made by Rosalie Perryman, and presented at our May 24, 1979 meeting. Vests were discussed to wear at Alley activities and the color of blue and yellow was approved. The Alley 85 patch was designed by Robert Stoddard in August, 1980. On March 22, 1980, George Al "Ding-A-Ling" Armstrong the Clown, who was serving as Sergeant-at-Arms for our Alley died of a heart attack. In August, 1980, Alley 85 members voted to have a Al Armstrong "Clown of the Year" award. This award was to be given once a year to the most deserving Clown of our Alley. The Winners to date are: Rosalie "Superstar" Perryman, 1980 and 1981. Lou "Honey" Flowers-Stoddard, 1982; Robert A. "Boppo" Stoddard, 1983; and our present holder of the award, Bill "Presto" Eddleman, There were 8X10 pictures of Al "Ding-A-Ling Armstrong, and Mary "Whipperwilll" Adams (another Alley 85 Clown who died in 1980) sent to Clowns of America, International for displaying the National Clown Hall of Fame. Our Alley has grown from the original seven people to sixty in 1984. Our Alley members perform for everything from birthday parties and nursing homes to Circuses, conventions, and four years at the State Fair of Texas, winning dozens of trophies and ribbons in the process. The Texas Mid-Cities Clown Alley 85 also won the Charlie Award in 1980 and 1981 at the Clowns of America, International Conventions. The Charlie Award is given to the Alley that has done the most for clowning during National Clown Week, August 1st through 7th of each year.

PURPOSE: Adopted into our constitution and By-Laws in January, 1985. Promote goodwill, preserve and improve the profession of Clowning and to educate it's members and the general public in the wholesome and clean entertainment that is provided by the profession of THE ART OF CLOWNING.