Ace and LillyLuv perform “The World’s Most Amazing Card Trick”

The October 13th meeting was called to order at 6:35pm. There were 10 members in attendance. As usual, we started with Stand and Share opportunities. Bonita Riley has been very busy this month. Bonita Riley announced that she graduated from auctioneering school! She demonstrated her new skills auctioning off a handbell box and will be pursuing her license. She recently worked with families making over 300 puppets at the Richardson Cottonwood Arts Festival. Deluxo told us of their experience being cast as a gangster extra in a movie with Nathan Blaze, filming around Denton. Charlotte got engaged! She’s finding ways to add clowning fun to her September wedding (though no cake-in-the-face plans). Cinde volunteered to take the pie instead!

Our fundraiser at River Legacy Fall Festival was a great success. Those who participated were Weebo, Cinde, Bonita, Sterling, Maggie, and Tricia, who entertained with balloons and magic. Earnings update coming soon. Maggie suggested the Alley consider taking over face painting next year as well as the balloons. Also, thanks to everyone who participated in the Recreation Center’s Community Trunk or Treat. Volunteering for some of the events at the Rec center is how we pay rent for our monthly meetings. Thank you to Cinde, Tricia, Ken Casper, Martha, Teresa Gonzalez, Weebo, Rudy, Caleb, Bonita, and Gema.

Business Updates

The September minutes were approved. The Treasurer’s report was not given, but there have been no changes since last month. Weebo reported $106 spent on balloons and our income for the fundraiser has not been tallied yet.

TCA Convention Recap

From the August convention in Fort Worth, Susan Keys gave a short recap. Susan Keys celebrated 30 years attending convention and finally got to attend classes instead of judging! The classes this year were new and different, even including classes on CPR, ukulele, and Santa songs on guitar. Cinde praised the event’s success and pointed out all presenters were new to our group. We even had a 9/11 remembrance and a Boy Scout color guard presentation of the flags. Tricia and Brenda led a worship service that was fun and meaningful. Congratulations to Weebo who won the People’s Choice Award for his single skit. Our group skit took 2nd place. Members were Martha, Cinde, Tony, Weebo, Tricia, and Debbie.

Parades

Sterling is organizing the research on parades we can participate in.

Future Meetings

November will be elections and Awards. We will not have a December meeting, and in January we will have our annual party. Details will come soon on that.

Reminders & Announcements

Two Award nominations must be submitted in writing to the Secretary by the beginning of the November meeting: The Al Armstrong Award and the Mid Sillies Award.
Condolences: Former member Hal Huggins passed away.

Looking Ahead

TCA Convention: Discussion of a 2026 TCA Cruise Convention hosted by TCA—5-day Royal Caribbean trip from Galveston to Cozumel & Costa Maya, mid-September. Estimated $1100 per cabin (shared by two).

Discussion of 2027 TCA Convention hosted by DFW Clowns “R” Us. If we cannot work out the cruise for 2026, our alley will host in 2026 and the cruise will be 2027.
Fundraiser idea: Tricia suggested a scholarship fund.
Headliner suggestions: Randy Christensen, Slappy & Monday; looking for versatile talent.

GLOW

The meeting was adjourned, and we had two GLOW performances:

Deluxo did a hilarious interview with Mr. Cheeseburger. The recorded voice changed when asked about milkshakes.
Ace & Lilly Luv performed a fun duo performance of the World’s Most Amazing Card Trick. Lilly Luv continually messes up a simple card trick with Ace supervising. The skit ends with Ace declaring he will slap Lilly Luv, and Lilly Luv produces an Uno Reverse card and slaps Ace.

Margaret Clauder presents her “Bell routines”

Program

The Program was presented by Margaret Clauder and her “Bell routines” that she performs for holiday audiences of all ages. She explained how to handle the bells, how to teach the children to handle the bells and follow instructions. We all had a blast taking turns leading the group with holiday songs.

November Meeting

At the November meeting, we will be voting on 2026 Slate of Officers and Annual Awards.

2026 Nomination Slate of Officers:

President – Tricia Gregory
Vice President – William Beaty
Past President – Cinde Sanders
Secretary – Sterling Beard
Treasurer – Debbie Davis
Sergent at Arms – Willie Thomas
Board Member – Margaret Clauder
Board Member – Bonita Riley
Board Member – Gema Anderson

Annual Awards:

Al Armstrong Clown of the Year – all members in good standing are eligible. Nominations must be in writing and submitted to the secretary by the beginning of the November meeting.
Best First of May – eligible members: Bonita Riley, Wanda Jennings, John Rank, Charlotte Recoussine, Ed Gunsalas, Ken Casper, Caleb Westeen
Mid Sillies Award – a funny incident that happened when clowning. Must be in writing and submitted to the secretary by the beginning of the November meeting.
Most Improved Joey – all members in good standing are eligible.
Nick “Nicola” Bradley Creative Arts Award – a solo performance in clown makeup and costume at an alley meeting. Eligible members:
- July 2025 – Bonita – Everyday Housewives
- September 2025 – Deluxo – Flea Circus
- October 2025 – Deluxo – Mr. Cheeseburger Interview
Hubba Hubba Award – a group performance in clown makeup and costume at an alley meeting:
- February 2025 – Deluxo and Rudy – skit
- March 2025 – Deluxo and Rudy – food skit
- April 2025 – Deluxo and Rudy – skit
- July 2025 – Deluxo and Weebo – Criminal Interview
- October 2025 – Sterling (Ace) and Charlotte (Lilly Luv) – World’s Most Amazing Card Trick

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Children’s Holiday Celebrations:
Each year our alley volunteers their time for two amazing Children’s Holiday Celebrations: Children’s Cancer Fund and Children’s Sickle Cell Program.

Please email Susan Keys if you plan to attend so she can let the organizers know who is coming: merrymakers1@juno.com.

Both events are held at Hackberry Creek Country Club, 1901 W Royal Lane, Irving, Texas 75063.

Children’s Cancer Fund Event: Monday, December 8, 2025
Children’s Sickle Cell Program Event: Monday, December 15, 2025

Volunteers are needed from 5:30 to 8 p.m. (or whatever time you can be there). Balloon artists, face painters, magicians, stilt walkers, costume characters, walk-around entertainment. You can dress in Holiday attire and come to have fun with the families.

Each event provides a meal and T-shirt as a thank you for your service. Dress in Holiday attire as an elf or clown or just holiday colors.

Clown Chronicles: October ‘25