Page 21 - Boca ViewPointe - October '24

October 2024 Viewpointe, Page 21

Clowns On Call

By Harriet Rubin, aka decided at that time that I was going to
Florabelle the Clown teach a class for Boca Pointe residents.
There would be no charge but students
Greetings from the Clown would have to commit to about 10 classes.
World! I have some exciting My initial articles were very general
news to share with you all. and designed to drum up interest in the
Our Boca Pointe “Clowns on community. I believe I started advertising
Call” alley began 10 years the concept of a class that summer and
ago in October of 2014! For I got a number of calls from interested
those of you who might not residents. Fortunately, I had a nucleus of
be familiar with our history, I a core group from my “Scams Against
will provide some background Seniors” troupe, so I was assured of at
information. I’ve been clowning since 1993, and when I least four to start. I did a lot of soliciting
moved full-time to Boca in 2008, I did various kinds of clown at the club and convinced a number of
activities strictly solo or sometimes with a group of clowns in “happy faced” people to give it a shot.
Delray. I did quite a bit of clown training at Boca Raton High We started out with 14 and kept most of
School Night Classes for Adults, Donna Klein Day School, the original group for at least a year. I’ve 2015 – One of our first gigs
Temple Beth El, etc. I also started a small clown group made included photos of our original costumes
up of seniors who I trained at the high school and these were and makeup. Unfortunately, a number
all volunteers. I was involved in lots of “gigs” but it was not are no longer with us, but they were all
easy being a solo clown. For example, I have been a volunteer great clowns!
for Boca Helping Hands for over 22 years, The Children’s Looking back over the past 10 years,
Museum (which is long gone), Temple Beth El, etc. I enjoyed I was amazed at the hundreds of gigs
my clowning experiences but it’s always so much more we have volunteered for. If anyone is
uplifting when you share it with other clowns! interested, please go to our beautiful
In early 2014, I was asked by whoever was the editor website Boca Pointe “Clowns on Call”.
of the Viewpointe to write an article about clowning, and I com and you can see lots of photos, thank
you letters, etc. The web site was done
about five years ago so, of course, we have
added lots of events since then. It makes
me very sad to accept the fact that we are
down to six of us who are aging and at
some point in the foreseeable future we
will have to disband altogether.
I would still love to train some of you
out there to become volunteer clowns and
experience the joys that come with the
adventure. Bringing smiles and laughter
to the world is such a positive experience
and honestly anyone can do it with some 2018 – Great photo
training, as long as you have it in your
heart to want to. As it says on my clown business card “Let October will bring Halloween and the entire community is
Florabelle Bring You A Smile, If Only For a Little While!” invited to attend the “Boo House and Trunk or Treat” event at
The “Bowling For Bread” event for Boca Helping Hands the Fitness Center, on October 19. Last year was so successful
was very successful and Cutie Pie, Twinkle Toes and I had a and I’m sure it will be even more fun this time. We will be
wonderful time. The kids who attended were really delightful, there making balloon hats, swords, and animals, and bringing
2015 – Florabelle, Twinkle Toes, Perky, JJ, EJ, and Cutie Pie and it was great seeing how many balloons we gave out. joy and laughter to all. Please stop by and say hello! 
Experience Boca After Dark: Night Markets Return To

Downtown Boca’s Sanborn Square

First Thursday of Each Month and an assortment of handcrafted goods by local artists events at select parks and the Mizner Park Amphitheater.
For more details on City events, visit www.myboca.us/
and makers. Each market evening will be accompanied by
October 2024 - May 2025 from live music, crafting the perfect atmosphere for a night out CommunityEvents. 
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the city.
The 2024/25 Season

Dates include:
By Hillary Reynolds • October 3, 2024
• November 7, 2024
The heart of Boca Raton will come alive under the stars • December 12, 2024
as the popular Night Markets return to Sanborn Square (72 • January 9, 2025
N. Federal Highway) this fall. Running from October 2024 • February 6, 2025
through May 2025, this series of markets will take place • March 6, 2025
on the first Thursday of each month, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., • April 3, 2025
offering residents and visitors an enchanting evening of • May 1, 2025
food and drinks, art, live music, and community. About the City of Boca Raton:
“We look forward to welcoming everyone back to The City of Boca Raton
Downtown Boca for our Night Markets,” said Richard boasts five miles of gorgeous
Mahler, Community Events Coordinator for the City of beaches, 49 parks, and 1,650
Boca Raton. “These events are all about celebrating our acres of recreational space,
community, supporting local businesses, and enjoying the attracting residents and
unique culture that Boca Raton has to offer.” visitors year-round. The
The City of Boca Raton Night Markets will feature City’s Recreation Services
a diverse array of local food vendors serving up Department hosts a full
mouthwatering dishes, sweet treats to satisfy every craving, calendar of free community