Happenings from October
Our October meeting was called to order at 6:43 p.m., with 15 members in attendance, plus Rudie’s family! We welcomed Stephanie Bell, who introduced herself and shared a little about her clowning journey.
Stephanie has been clowning since 2018 and has spent the last several years teaching theater clowning. Her journey began through improv, and her character has a special connection to exploring grief. She spends time working in hospice settings and with communities experiencing loss. Stephanie will also be participating in the New Orleans Fringe Festival next year with her show, Good Grief! We enjoyed getting to know her!
Our alley had a busy week out and about in the community. We gave back to the Recreation Center where we meet monthly by participating with entertainment in the Trunk or Treat, and we had a booth at the River Legacy Fall Festival where we made balloon designs for a donation to our alley. Both were wonderful opportunities to get out into the community.
During our Stand and Share, Deluxo told us about his birthday trip to Tampa Bay, while Cinde and Dal shared a few highlights from their anniversary trip to Hawaii. Cinde shared a final profit and loss statement from the TCA Convention. The good news is that the 2026 TCA Convention did not lose money! In fact, after all was said and done, the convention finished just over $50 in the black. Every little bit counts! Even better, the convention will be making a $1,272.91 donation to Hope Kids. This generous contribution includes the proceeds from the swap meet, 20% of the auction proceeds, and 10% of the convention profits. Juliana will contact Hope Kids to coordinate the best way to present the donation. Ace suggested combining the presentation with another clowning opportunity so we can make the visit extra special.
Cinde presented the proposed slate of officers for the upcoming year. All current officers plan to run again, with the exception of Sergeant-at-Arms. Tony Winiecki has graciously offered to run for that position. Elections will take place at next month’s meeting, so be sure to be there!
Debbie “Posey” Davis presented the September financial reports. The Convention account has a balance of $11,011.24. The general Treasurer’s Report has a balance of $3,792.03.
There are plenty of opportunities to get out there and share some smiles in the coming months! Both of these events will be held at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano from 6–8pm:
· December 7 – Children’s Cancer Fund
· December 14 – Sickle Cell Program
On October 26th, Cowtown Clowns celebrates its 45th Anniversary! In September 2027 the TCA is planning a Clown Cruise!
The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
GLOW
Our GLOW segment featured Deluxo paying Darcee and Teppani, along with the always entertaining Shuffle. He also introduced us to a very special chicken puppet and an invisible garden.
Our program was presented by John Fite. He talked about marketing and developing websites.
Ace has made it his tradition to welcome new members with a pie in the face! Of course, no one gets off that easily! Stephanie returned the favor!
Building Your Online Presence with John Fite
Thank you to John Fite for sharing his knowledge.
John Fite shared his knowledge of building effective websites for clowns and entertainers, offering practical tips on choosing domain names, hosting, and creating a professional online presence. He emphasized that a website should make it easy for potential clients to find you, learn about your services, submit inquiries, and even pay deposits. John also discussed using WordPress and AI tools like ChatGPT to improve website content, along with the importance of fast-loading photos, Google reviews, and keeping business information current. He reminded us that social media is great for sharing day-to-day activities, but a well-designed website remains an important tool for attracting and booking new business.
At the November Meeting, We Will Vote on the 2027 Slate of Officers
2027 Nominated Slate of Officers
· President – Tricia Gregory
· Vice President – William Beaty
· Past President – Cinde Sanders
· Secretary – Ace
· Treasurer – Debbie Davis
· Sergeant at Arms – Tony Winiecki
· Board Member – Margaret Clauder
· Board Member – Bonita Riley
· Board Member – Martha Warren
Awards
Al Armstrong Award – Clown of the Year
All members in good standing are eligible for this award. This is a member who has gone above and beyond for the alley and for the art of clowning. This nomination must be presented in writing before the November meeting. Please send your email to sterling.c.beard@gmail.com with the name of the person you want to nominate and the reason why.
Best First of May
Must have been a member for one year or less. Eligible members are Ed Gunsalus, Darcie Coon, Stephanie Bell, Tammy Allen, Dirk Duncan, Chau Nguyen, Joel Harvey, Claudia Fain.
Most Improved Joey
All members in good standing are eligible. This does not have to be a new clown.
Nick “Nicola” Bardley Creative Arts Award
A solo performance in clown make-up and costume at an alley meeting. Eligible members are: William Beaty (Teach a Trick), Tricia Gregory (Valentine), Deluxo (Going Away Party, Glow Show and Mr. Chicken has an Invisible Garden).
Hubba Hubba Award
A group performance in clown make-up and costume at an alley meeting. Eligible members are: Ace and Sarah (Self Defense), Cookie and Ed (Swander-Full Swan Lake Edition) and Cookie and Ed (You Should).
Mid Sillies Award
A funny incident that happened when clowning — must be in writing or email and submitted to the secretary before the November meeting.
Spark Plug Award
The person who brings in the most new members to the alley within the year.
A Word from Our Clown in Chief
Get those kitchens ready, make sure the burners are burning and the oven heats up nice and fast! Don’t forget the recipe your great great grandma had for the turkey dressing and gravy too!! Grocery stores will be packed in a couple more weeks so make sure you are ahead of everyone for the veggies and desserts as well. Don’t forget the cranberry!! Get those turkeys all thawed out and don’t forget the ham! Are you guys ready for Thanksgiving? It’s right around the corner and it will be here very soon!
Having Thanksgiving in mind, there are three weeks to have fun twisting balloons like a fun Pilgrim, Native American Indian, and turkeys too!! I have a couple of fast turkey picture ideas, and a more detailed idea I made of a big football turkey, many years ago, for our family dinner decoration.
We all need to remember we do not have an Alley meet in December, but we do have a couple of volunteer events we help with each year and would love to see you there! We have the volunteer event details written in the newsletter. Check them out! You could be an Elf, Clown, or dressed in Christmas colors with walk-around puppets, magic, balloons, and/or face painting!
At Monday’s Clowns “R” Us meeting, we’ll do some voting, and William will share fun Thanksgiving or Christmas line balloons. We’d love a few more members to share their holiday show ideas, too! Bring a balloon idea, a short part of your Thanksgiving or Christmas show, or both. We are looking forward to seeing you Monday night!
President Tricia “Jolly” / “Hanky” Gregory
Your Brain on Juggling
Part Two of Six
Why it’s your head doing the heavy lifting, not your hands
— Juliana and Tony Winiecki
Imagine a simple, accessible activity that can physically alter the architecture of your brain, expand your processing capacity, and forge high-speed neural highways in just a matter of weeks. It requires no expensive equipment, no software subscriptions, and no clinical setting.
That activity is juggling!
As clowns, we look at a three-ball cascade and think about timing, theatrical pacing, or dropping a club for a laugh. But cognitive neuroscientists look at a juggler and see a brain operating at peak capacity, forcing its own structural evolution. Learning to juggle physically rewires the adult brain — meaning our props aren’t just toys—they are potent neurological medical devices!
Two views of a group analysis.
For decades, science insisted the adult brain was fixed. That dogma was overturned by research published in Nature—using juggling to prove it. MRI scans of beginners learning a basic three-ball cascade revealed a rapid increase in gray matter density within the visual motion complex (hMT/V5). When tracking props in a 3D arc, the brain realizes its current hardware cannot handle the data flood. Its physical response is to grow more brain tissue.
Juggling also triggers a cascade of hidden neurological perks:
· High-Speed Wiring: Research in Nature Neuroscience proved juggling thickens “white matter highways”—the cables connecting brain hemispheres. Forcing your hands and peripheral vision to communicate without a millisecond of delay prompts the brain to aggressively upgrade its wiring for faster cross-talk.
· The ADHD Focus Fix: Individuals with ADHD often face an understimulated executive control network. Juggling forces immediate cognitive alignment through a relentless sensory feedback loop. It delivers a clean drip of dopamine with every caught pattern, quieting mental noise and sharpening focus.
· An Armor Against Aging: Juggling forces a unified neural symphony—the cerebellum predicts timing, the motor cortex executes catches, and the visual system anchors on the arc. This builds a resilient network. Studies show older adults who take up juggling build the same neural tissue as younger cohorts, creating a powerful buffer against cognitive decline.
Juggling even does more: it has officially broken into clinical neuro-rehabilitation, particularly for stroke recovery. A stroke damages localized areas of the motor or visual cortex, breaking pathways responsible for everyday coordination. However, mastering bimanual juggling patterns releases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)—a protein that acts like fertilizer for new synapses. This helps stroke patients bypass injured tissue and map alternative neural paths to recover hand-eye tracking, balance, and motor skills.
Consider this permission to spend a little more time with your props. A few minutes of practice, a new challenge, and the occasional undignified retrieval from under the sofa—it all comes with the territory. As clowns, we’ve always known playing around was serious business. Now we have brain scans to back us up!
Want to learn to juggle? You can start here: International Jugglers Association — Resources
Juggle Chuckles
Q: Why did the skeleton refuse to try juggling?
A: He didn’t have the guts for it!
This concludes Part two of six. Part three will be Learning to Juggle—A Beginner’s Guide to Dropping Things.
Everything I’ve Learned About Performing I’ve Learned from Professional Wrestling!
Catchphrases – Part 2 of 6
By Matty McFun
Professional Wrestling and clowning???
Professional Wrestling has a proven record of success in the entertainment industry. It makes millions of dollars each year. The best wrestling superstars use strategies that are guaranteed to work every time. We should be using them too.
Catchphrases
The most popular wrestlers all have catchphrases we know and love. And love to repeat. Here are a few of the best: “What?”, “Yes!”, “If you smell what the Rock is cookin’!”, “Whatcha gunna do brother?”, “Oh, yeah!!!”, “Who’s next!” … These catchphrases are linked to the wrestlers that said them. The crowd loves to hear them, and cheer for them. These catchphrases have set these superstars apart and made them famous.
What sets you apart? Do you have any catchphrases you say? What are your magic words in your show? Are they UNIQUE? Do they set you apart? If not, what a great opportunity to come up with something FUN that does set you apart! The crazier the better!
Of course your catchphrase doesn’t need to be just your magic words. I’m creating my own catchphrases during my show by saying, “Ohhh, man!” whenever I mess up. And, “That’s NOT funny! That’s NOT funny!” when the kids laugh at me messing up. But my best catchphrase is by far my magic words, “Yippee Skippy”. ALL the kids are yelling “Yippee Skippy” over and over by the end of the show. And after the show.
Volunteer Opportunity – Children’s Holiday Celebrations
Each year, our alley volunteers at two special Children’s Holiday Celebrations. This year it will be at Glen Eagles Country Club – 5401 West Park Blvd, Plano, Texas.
· Children’s Cancer Fund – Monday, December 7, 2026 – 6–8pm
· Children’s Sickle Cell Program – Monday, December 14, 2026 – 6–8pm
Balloon Artists, Face painters, Magicians, Stilt Walkers, Costume Characters, Walk around Entertainment, etc.
Come in your favorite holiday attire – elf, clown or simply holiday colors and have fun with the families! Volunteers receive a meal and T-shirt as a thank you for your service.
Please let Susan Keys know if you plan to attend: 972-986-7388 – merrymakers1@juno.com
Y’all’s Vice Prez!
Howdy DFW Clowns “R” Us!
This is William “Wee-Bo” Beaty, y’all’s Vice Prez!
So 2026 is coming to a close and we are gearing up for 2027! The last few weeks were a blur for all of us, and a non-stop roller coaster ride of events, so we are going to take it easy in November, before the next big rush hits us in a couple weeks… or sooner!
First, we are going to get all the alley business taken care of…. And YES! It is Election Day… errr. It’s not over! But! We get to vote for something fun, and NOT the future of our nation… and that’s a good thing! We get to nominate and vote for our next slate of officers, your favorite skits of the year, etc. After we get all the voting and business out of the way we are going to open the floor to skill share/open mic.
SO, if you have a new routine you are working on, and need feedback, or have a tried and true routine you want to share, bring it! A new craft idea, a fun balloon idea, magic trick, skit, puppet routine, be prepared to share! We just ask you limit it to 8 mins similar to GLOW. The goal is to take a breather, have fun, and relax!!!!!! I know we all deserve it!
DFW Clowns “R” Us – We ROCK!
Thank you for your volunteer service
· Nov 8th – Trunk or Treat
Georgia Farrow Rec Center Community
(giving back to the community where we meet each month)
· Nov 10th – Legacy Park Fall Festival
(we raised $503.20 for our alley) The Clown Chronicles
