You Are Never Too Old

BY JENNIFER DEMPSEY, PHOTOS BY STU LANGREHR ….

Dramatically welcoming the crowds to the big top, ringmasters have shouted greetings to “ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages” for more than a century.

It is a nostalgic phrase and one that has special meaning in Salida, where a group of seniors are proving once and for that all that it really is never too late to join the circus.

The Salida Circus was established in 2007 as a way to build community spirit and enhance personal development for the residents of Chaffee County. It offered weekly workshops in trapeze, unicycle, acrobatics, juggling, stilts, clowning, lyra (aerial hoops) and silks at schools and community centers.

As expected, children ages 4 to 15 flocked to the classes. “Circus for Grown-Ups” workshops were also established to allow those who were 16 years and older to try to learn circus skills. The circus classes were a success.

Several adults who have attained a professional skill level in these classes through the years continue to be hired to perform at festivals, fairs, parades and corporate events around Colorado, New Mexico, California and Utah. Ten professional Salida Circus performers are now on the hire-out roster and have been seen at Taste of Denver, Mesa County Fair, Winter Park Resort, Palisade Peach Festival, Breckenridge River Walk Center and dozens of public libraries around the state. But perhaps the most surprising and inspiring development of the Salida Circus was the creation of the Circus for Over-60 troupe.

This ad hoc group of seniors — members of the community who watched Salida Circus shows and had seen the program grow — decided that its members wanted in on the act. With their interest and determination, the Circus for Over-60 was born, bringing a whole new lively circus spirit to this small Rocky Mountain town. “I wanted to be part of the fun,” said 81-year-old Jeanne Rasmussen, a former teacher. Since joining the Salida Circus,

Rasmussen has appeared as a plate-spinning Victorian nanny, a fortune-telling gypsy and a singing sea goddess. Artist Rich Tyler, 63, has been a baby elephant, a clown and a jumping frog since joining the troupe last year. “I have always been drawn to the circus,” he said. “At one time in my life I saw the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey show come into my hometown on the railroad and set up for a show. I knew then that circus would be a kick. My friends and family feel it is only natural for me to do circus. Where else could I bring forth my inner baby elephant or jumping frog?”

At the most recent count, Circus for Over-60 boasts 21 members, ranging in age from 60 to an amazing 86 years, with the skills of the participants featuring a diverse variety of talents including clowning, contortion, juggling, plate spinning and dance. Former schoolteacher Jerry Knowles, 78, debuted as a clown in last April’s World Circus Day celebration. “I am a humorist by nature,” he said. “The clown role gave me the audience, the art and the style to really express myself, almost to the point of wanting to wing it. What was surprising was that it seemed so natural. Maybe it was latent in my genes.

It is gratifying being part of a larger troupe and receiving kudos from family and friends. It’s very gratifying to be part of something that makes such a difference in our community. “Seniors need all the stimulation they can physically and emotionally handle in their lives,” Knowles added. “Research indicates that stimulation increases brain growth in older subjects.”

This fact has been shown scientifically. The late Dr. Gene Cohen, founder of the Center on Aging, Health & Humanities at George Washington University, studied brain development in older adults.

He found that brains create new cells as long as people are encouraged to keep trying new pursuits, as noted in The Creative Age, Awakening Human Potential in the Second Half of Life. “People between 60 and 80 years old have almost limitless capacity for intellectual growth,” he reported, describing this stage of life as “the liberation phase.” “This is a period when brain tissue is creatively restless, when people might experience a strong desire to experiment and develop innovations.

This is a period when people often have a feeling of, ‘If not now, when?’ or ‘Why not?’ It’s a powerful feeling,” he noted. Retired pastor Courtney Shucker, 65, recently emceed a Valentine’s Day cabaret as the ringmaster of romance for the Salida Circus. “I am probably the most non-athletic person I know, but there is something about being on stage,” he said. “Little did I realize that even I might find a place in the Salida Circus.

When the Salida Circus idea first came to town, I thought, ‘Why in the world does Salida need a circus?’ Now I see what a valuable community activity it is — even for seniors like me.” Jane Whitmer, 61, is program manager of a parenting program and since 2007 has been a contortionist, actress and dancer with Salida Circus. “Trying new things at any age is important,” she said, “and it is important to try them in a safe, supportive environment, where falling on your face can still be a success.

The circus is an amazing self-esteem and joy builder. I saw what it did for kids and then realized that kind of enthusiasm and joy could extend to participants of all ages.” Laughter, as the saying goes, is truly the best medicine.

Dr. LaVona Traywick, assistant professor of gerontology at the University of Arkansas, reported that laughter can increase energy, decrease anxiety, lower blood pressure, improve respiration and improve brain functions.

In accordance with her findings, researchers at Loma Linda University in California discovered that even anticipating a good laugh discovered that even anticipating a good laugh can produce health-protecting hormones. Their studies show that endorphins increased 27 percent and antiaging hormones increased 87 percent when people just thought about laughing. “We laugh a lot, and I mean gut-busting laughter,” said 60-year old Leanna Bowman, who portrayed Ethel Mermaid in last fall’s “Lost Mermaid” show. “It has been a great way to be out in the community in an unpretentious way with my friends, dressing up and being silly.”

Sixty-seven-year-old retired special education teacher Cathy Haruf has been a dancing gypsy, scarf-juggling nanny, sea goddess and costume designer since joining the circus in 2007. “We laugh a lot, and when the performers engage with community members, they laugh a lot,” she said. “The circus has made our community a lot livelier.” The Circus for Over-60 doesn’t just make its members laugh; it brings joy to their family members as well. Seven-year-old Mayla Haruf Arnold has participated in Salida Circus workshops, camps and shows since she was 5.

Last year she watched her grandfather Kent Haruf, 67, perform as a hippie clown in the “Circus of Ages” show. “It was funny when Poppy did his trick with the purple stick,” she said. “He looked funny all dressed up and his hair looked silly. I laughed really hard.” The Salida Circus, and particularly this special golden-aged part of the Salida Circus, has brought joy, laughter, confidence and just plain old fun to its members and the entire community.

It provides a place for people to be silly, to connect and be accepted by others, to use their talents and to be themselves. And fun it is, for ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and children of all ages. Jennifer Dempsey is director of the Salida Circus and happy to share information on this great organization. You’ll find more information at www.thesalidacircus.com. For information on how to start a community circus program in your area, call Salida Circus at 719-530-1494.