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grap WINNETKA TALK August 6, 1927 Ladees and Gentlemun--If Barnum Could See Us Now! Presenting herewith we introduce the famous equestrienne, May Wirth, (Mrs. A. J. Balaban); the celebrated Hula dancer, (Mrs. Witkowski); the mar- velous exponent of the ballet dance, (Mr. Witkowski) the red-bearded lady, (Mrs. Paul Ash); the original Fatima Girl, (Miss Sophie Tucker) and the entire galaxy of equally celebrated ring artists assembled for the production of the "Rural circus." This, admittedly €€ ADEES and gentlemun! Secure your tickets and pass upon the inside where you will witness the greatest assemblage of world re- nowned performers and the most mar- velous aggregation of trained and un- trained animals ever assembled under canvas." Amid the crash of Benny Krueger's symbols and the final beat of Max Turner's drum, the afternoon per- formance of the "Rural Circus," her- alded in stentorian voice by Charles Burkhardt and Sam Meyers, official "barkers" for the show, was on. It was the culmination of a most delightful week-end party given by Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Balaban, at their beautiful home, 162 Euclid avenue, Glencoe, Sunday afternoon, iri honor of their guests, Mr. Balaban's four brothers, Barney Balaban, Mr. and Mrs. John Balaban and little daugh- ter Ida" May, Mr. and -Mrs. Max Balaban and Mr. and Mrs. David Balaban and little daughter Gloria Ann, all of Chicago. On Friday eve- "greatest event of its kind ever staged ning the guests were entertained at Ravinia and .Saturday evening at the Dells. Notables in Cast The "Rural Circus" was Sunday af- ternoon. About seventy-five of the neighbors and friends of the Balabans in Glencoe and Hubbard Woods and a number also from" Chicago enjoyed participation in the cast of the show or as the "circus crowd." Elaborate preparations were made for the show, with one central thought in mind, " a good time for the chil- dren." Ida Joy ahd Cherry Blossom, the charming little daughters of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Balaban romped and shouted in glee with their other little guests as the performance got under way. But long before the show was over, it was difficult to tell who was really enjoying the affair the most, the little folk or the big folk. Harry Goldstein, of the Moraine ho- tel, Highland Park, was ring master and also in charge of all the "wild animals" in the gaily "decorated cages scattered about the tent. In typical circus ring costume, high silk tile and under canvas" was staged at the residence of A. J. Balaban, 162 Euclid ave- nue, Glencoe, Sunday afternoon, as the culmination of a delightful week-end party in honor of Mr. Balaban's brothers. Charles Burkhardt and Sam Meyers were the official "barkers" for the show; Harry Goldstein was ring-master and George Fraley was the arm of the law. Read the story--it tells the rest--except --well mere words fail to describe the "good time had by all." all, he cracked his whip and witty jokes in approved fashion. No less busy than the officious ring master was George Fraley, of Glen- coe, the policeman, for whom Dave Balaban, costumed as a "Dutch girl" made life miserable. "Krazy Kats," Too In the menagerie Mrs. Charles Burkhardt, of Hubbard Woods, and Mrs. A. J. Balaban were masked and robed as "Krazy Kats." Mrs. Balaban later appeared in the ring as May Wirth, the famous equestrienne, her mount, a beautiful Arabian steed be- ing impersonated by Mr. Balaban and her brother, Sam Meyers, of the Teatro del Lago. Mrs. Burkhardt's second appearance in the caste was in a pretty Chinese costume in which she was heralded as the renowned slack wire performer. The wire for her performance was placed in position and expectantly the audience awaited the thrill. With her gaily decorated parasol tilted at ex- actly the right angle as the 'balance," Mrs. Burkhardt dexteriously nego- tiated the wire without a single mis- hap--but, the wire was stretched on the ground. A. J. Balaban, in the menagerie, was a fierce lion. Mrs. Sam Meyers was a bear; Mrs. Max Turner was a duck. Mr. and Mrs. Al Weisberg, of Glencoe, impersonated the Siamese twins and the photographer caught Mrs. Witkowsky in her rendition of the Hula dance and Mr. Witkowsky as the ballet dancer. The Witowskys reside in Chicago, but have leased a home for the summer in Hubbard Woods. : In the midst of the performance an- nouncement was made that a mermaid had been sighted in the pool in the Balaban gardens. Audience and ac- tors, ring-master and policeman all rushed for the pool. At their approach the mermaid. Mrs. Gus Rosenau, of Glencoe, gracefully glided from her perch, high up in a tree overlooking the lake, down into the placid waters. Mrs. Paul Ash was proudly herald- ed as the "Bearded Lady," whose lux- uriant red beard woéuld have won favor with the discriminating Barnum, were he alive today. Miss. Sophie Tucker, leading ladwv