History's Echoes
The Fred Kaley Circus
By SHARON BAUMBAUGH

In 1948 the members of the Gym Team would be part of the 2nd annual Fred Kaley Circus, to be held in the Greencastle High School auditorium on South Washington Street, with feats of strength, acrobatics and stamina.

The first one was held in 1947, the Fred Kaley Circus began and grew each year to include more and more students doing different kinds of acrobatics and stunts, adding clowns and all the trimmings of a circus - instead of a big tent, the programs were presented to the audience gathered in the Greencastle High School auditorium on South Washington Street. The event was named for

the faculty member in charge of health and physical education. The circus was a program he initiated as part of a fitness effort, before that became a household word.

Other members of the faculty at the time were: H.A. Grove, supervising principal and guidance department; B.S. Whitmore, assistant principal, English and science; H.W.

Davison, mathematics and civics; Ada K.

Phillippy, social studies and English; Helen Unger Toms, mathematics and physical education; William Conrad, social studies and athletics director; Alta Ruth Martin, music and English; Merrill Mumma, vocational agriculture; Thelma Rowland, librarian and English; Cora E. Oellig, home economics; G. Margaretta Williams, business education; Dorothy R. Lehman, languages; Richard Weagley, chemistry, biology and science; Ethel Morter, business education; and Richard Gingrich, English and social studies.

The next year, Coach Kaley would again present an indoor circus on a Thursday and Friday in May. Jean Carpenter was to be the captain of the girls' team and Lester Helfrick, captain of the boys' team.

In 1949 it was "Circus Night at the High School." The varsity gym team would present the third annual event, complete with acts of skill and rhythm, clowns, balloons and novelties, and even circus "animals." Peggy Goetz was captain and Lester Helfrick was again in that post for the boys. Managers were Lee Warren, Ellis Daley, Eugene Plum and Nelson Biser. Music would be presented by the Greencastle High School Ensemble. Participants in the circus were: Janie Myers, Judy Teeter, Goetz, Jean Bear, Shirley Piper, Eilene Brown, Lorraine Shank, Jean Carpenter, Donna Johnston, Dorothy Myers, Joanne Stine, Marilynn Elliott, Peggy Myers, Patsy Mellinger, Shirley Ambrose, Lillie Reeder, Wayne Warren, Eddie Smith, James Stenger, Wilton Fetterhoff, Frank Shatzer, Harold Myers, Bobby Walck, Walter Myers, Fred Ferry, Kenneth Adams, Helfrick, Fred Schaff and Robert Kendall.

(Not long after the circus performances, Harold Myers, a senior, fell in gym class and broke his right arm and severely sprained his left wrist. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Myers, formerly of North Carlisle Street, they had moved to Chambersburg and were operating a family grocery store. Had the accident occurred during the circus it may have ended the special programs. Mr. and Mrs. Myers were W's aunt and uncle, and Harold his cousin. My husband does not remember this since he was a bit younger, but does remember when Harold had the "thing" on his arm.)

The new decade brought another installment of the Circus to the auditorium. Kaley, coach of the team, had a highly successful program that year, this time presented three nights. Jean Carpenter and Shirley Ambrose, co-captains for the girls, appeared in a number of different acts, as did James Stenger, boys' captain. Lorraine Warren was "spectacular" with her performance of the revolving ladder and her brother, Donald, also showed in a similar act. Eddie Smith, with his back somersaults on the trampoline; Robert Pensinger, Harvey Rice and Nelson Biser in their athletic poses; and clowns Wilton Fetterhoff and Frank Shatzer, were also "outstanding." James H. Craig Jr. served as the ringmaster.

In 1951, the Indoor Circus, again directed by Mr. Kaley, would open May 10 and be offered again May 11, 12 and 14 - four times, due to the crowds that came to view the wonderful entertainment. The students would work on the parallel bars, and in tumbling, flying rings, swing, ladders, trampoline, Swedish box, rope dance, revolving ladder, club and wand drill and other "novelties." Boys and girls of various ages would participate. Craig was again to serve as ringmaster and Ruth Sellers was named Circus Queen with Dorothy Helmuth as Maid of Honor. (Sellers would also be valedictorian for the class that year; Jean Brechbiel was salutatorian for the GHS Class of 1951.)

The next year a record attendance was expected for the 6th annual circus. The event grew each year with visitors coming from neighboring towns to view the acts. It was proving to be one of the local school's most anticipated event. The usual segments would be included along with a fluorescent flag drill, blacklight ballet and pyramids.