Welcome to 2007 in the Alley! This is a terrific year to be a Clown, especially in Alley 85.

I apologize for missing our January meeting. Several board and alley members (Pepper,Hanky, Jeepers, Ruthie Mae, Gran Da E, Ms. Cookie, Posie, Sugarlump, Miracle, Loppo) and I are at sea on the Carnival Conquest as the Cruisin Clowns.

This is an alley fundraiser for Children’s Charities. We are having classes while at sea and promoting the art of clowning internationally. This is our second cruise and we will probably continue to do this at least on an every other year basis—so save that $$. Did you know that cruises are actually a very economical way to see the world?  Did you know that a clown cruise is a tax-deductible expense (education)?

We are celebrating our 30^th Anniversary/Birthday as an Alley in 2007.  Plans for a great time are in progress. If anyone would like to head up a party down committee for this fun, just give me a call. Tricia Gregory, our new Vice President has some really fun programs in the works. Happi Tymes will be hosting the joint alley meeting in May. We are looking into having David Bartlett “Mr. Rainbow” back this summer and possibly a workshop with Barry Mitchell.  The TCA Convention in Houston this year is one not to miss. I would love to see our group come in top places all around in competition this year. For those of you who love to compete and for those of you who think you can’t, let’s get together and make a plan to be the alley to beat!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as Alley 85 President for 2007. I am really excited about everything coming up.

C U in February.

2-16-07   8:20 am         5 year old girl       Disney

3-9-07     8:20  am        8 year old girl       Disney   

3-10-07   8:20 am         7 year old girl       Disney

3-10-07   8:20 am         3 year old boy      Disney

3-10-07   7:45 am         13 year old boy    Disney     

 You can make the wish of these seriously ill children even more memorable. If you would like to volunteer, contact Susan Keys at 972-986-7388.      

 Penny Eddy “Peanut”    1/5

 Ana Maria Hernandez “Ana Banana”  1/9

 Cinde Sanders “Boopsie”   1/12

 Ed Fitzgerald “Buckle”    2/6

 Jeanette Sanders “Dusti”    2/14

 Martha Warren “Miss Cookie”   2/16

 Sharon Hodges “Hodge Podge”      2/18

 William (WT) Keys “Pepper”     2/28

Calendar
 

Jan 13, 9am  Carrollton Martin Luther King Day Parade  Sponsor-Christ Community Connection.    Contact Juanita Rainwater @ 972-466-1240 for info or to register (deadline 12/31/06)

Meeting Minutes 12/31l06 

Mid-Cities Alley Christmas party was enjoyed by all! The terrific dinner was catered by Coulters and the tables were decorated with beautiful balloon arrangements designed by some of our talented clowns. Following dinner, president Ed Fitzgerald gave away door prizes. Old business included thanks to clowns who had participated in alley gigs during the last month and voting on the disbursement of alley funds for charity. Dale DiPrima moved that we give $300.00 to Shady Groves churches' community needs fund, and $300.00 to a past member of the alley who is in need. W.T. Keyes seconded, and the motion carried.     

New business began with new officers for '07 being introduced announced.  They are:

 President-Susan Keyes

Vice-President - Tricia Gregory

Treasurer - David Griffith

Secretary - Lana Sue Fridge

Sgt. at Arms - Debbie Davis

Board Members - Marcia Griffith, WT Keyes, & Aloha Peden

 Winners of various yearly awards were announced.  Connie Wilson "Petals"  won First of May. The Most Improved Joey was David Griffith "Jeepers". Martha Warren "Miss Cookie" and Debbie Davis "Posie" won the Hubba Hubba Performance award. Spark Plug Awards went to Marcia Griffith "Ruthie Mae" & Lana Sue Fridge.  The Alley web site also received a spark plug award.  Now it carries the distinction of being an “award winning” web site.  The Board of Director's award was earned by Pat Billips and Maggie Clauder earned the Nicola Bradley Creative Arts award. Finally, Diane Willis "Doowat" earned the coveted Clown of the Year award for 2006. 2005's Clown of the Year WT Keyes "Pepper" passed on the ongoing trophy to Diane. "Pepper" received a personal trophy to keep.     Miss Cookie and Posie entertained the alley with a funny rendition of "The Night Before Christmas". Then, Dubble Bubble and "Hanky" did a delightful marionette and puppet show. Mid-Cities last meeting of the year closed with great cheer.               

  Respectfully submitted,                      Lana Sue Fridge

Thanks To These Volunteer Entertainers 

Operation Christmas Gift

Debbie Davis, Ed Fitzgerald, Marcia Griffith, Vicki Long & Diane Willis

Brookhaven Children’s Cancer Party

Debbie Davis, Penny Eddy, Ed Fitzgerald, Tricia Gregory, David & Marcia Griffith, Sharon Hodges, Hal Hudgins, Aloha Peden, Jeanette Sanders, Diane Willis, Judy Ubenbacker

Community Christmas Lunch

Volunteers were Santa George Hopkins, Ed Fitzgerald, Hal Hudgins, Susan Keys,  Ruffles, & Nana Pie’s grandchildren.  Also attending were Mary Hopkins & family, Dora Gonzalez & family, and Nana Pie & family.

Clowns In The News

Two members if Alley 85 made the papers lately.  Congratulations to Diane “Doowat” Willis for making the Sunday Metro section of the Dallas Morning News In December.  Jeanette “Dusti” Sanders was highlighted in the Ennis Daily News for her volunteer work with Chrystie’s Kids.  Read the article online at  http://www.ennisdailynews.com/news.php?a=t&id=173