About Me

Finding Turners – Tale Number Three

The Post Script

By

Pamela Ebel   2025

Jeff Carter sat in his wheel chair at the start of the hand rail rehab walkway. His parents were on   either side of him. His brother stood on one side of the rails and Chuck Duffy, a physical therapist, stood at the other side.

Everyone was talking, offering words of encouragement:

“Dad and I know you can do this; Jeff my man I know you can do this. I’ve only got one leg and  I’m walking. Let’s get going together; Chuck nodded- We know you can do this Jeff.”

Jeff didn’t look at any of them. He didn’t hear any of them.

He looked down the rehab walk into the blue eyes of Solomon Jahn Sibelsky who didn’t say anything. Imperceptibly, the two gave a small nod.

Jeff rose and took one step and then another. After eight steps he wobbled and everyone started toward him. Sol held up a hand and they froze. Jeff and Sol never lost eye contact and he began again.

Ten steps. Thirteen steps, fifteen, eighteen, nineteen and then twenty steps. He stopped and looked into Sol’s eyes and they both smiled.

“What took you so long?”

“Traffic was heavy mid-way.”

“We’ll start out earlier next time. You better go get that pizza your folks promised everyone.”

Jeff got back in the wheel chair that he and Sol had worked for almost a year to get him out of.

“Aren’t you coming with us Sol?”

“Can’t today pardner. Remember, I have some preparations to make.”

“I almost forgot. It’s time to get out of the Blue Lodge and into a Fez. Will Mr. May be there? I haven’t seen him is a while.”

“He wouldn’t miss it and he said to be sure you came. Is your family okay with the trip.”

“They are.”

Jeff turned to his parents and spoke to them for the first time.

“Let’s go get that pizza. Walking made me hungry.”

As the group headed for the door Jeff stopped and turned to look at Sol once more. Sol nodded just as his cell phone rang.

“Good afternoon, Dr. Brewster. How are things in Pittsburg? The university rehab humming along I hope?”

“We’re all fine and the current batch of students are coming along. Still, everyone says things are pretty boring since you graduated and moved to Shreveport. 

Everyone asks about Elvira and Poodles. I hope their well Unfortunately, the animal rights groups are back trying to stop this year’s circus.”

“Elvira, Poodles, and the crew are all fine. I don’t get down to New Orleans often because of work but we keep in touch by phone and Elvira has discovered ‘face time’. It’s quite a sight. But the children love it.

What’s the trouble with the activists this time? We use hand signals with the animals. Why are they complaining?”

“The company that was going to supply our animals can’t promise they’re ready to respond only  to hand signals. The judge that issued the injunction last year is looking at it again soon. We’ll just have to wait and see what he thinks.

That’s not why I’m calling though. My calendar shows you’ve completed you Master Mason Degree and John May says you have asked to become a Shriner.

I want you to know that I will be one of your sponsors. I was also wondering what plans you’ve made for you initiation? John says you plan to have the ceremony at the Germania Lodge in New Orleans.”

“I haven’t finalized my plans yet. I want you to know that I’m honored to have you as a sponsor. The Shriner’s hospital here is working on a new rehab facility and I’ll be working on the design. We’ll be state of the art when its finished,”

“Before I go Sol, I wanted to ask how Jeff Carter is doing. Considering his injury from the auto accident and wanting to get back to gymnastics we decided you would be a better fit to work with him than our clinic.”

“I appreciate your trust and he’s doing great. Did his first long walk about an hour ago. We’re working up a rehab plan because he wants to get back on the balance beam. I’m going to do my best to help him get there.”

“Good. I’ve got to go meet with Harry Tapper at the mosque. We need a strategy for the argument before the court about using animals again this year. I’ll keep in touch about your initiation plans.”

Sol shook his head in frustration as he hung up. The animal activists with their pushing and shoving tactics had cost hundreds of circus animals to become unemployed with no retirement plan for many of them. He dialed John May’s number.

“Sol it’s good to hear from you. I was planning to call you about the time line for your initiation. What have you got in mind?”

Sol looked out the third floor window of the rehab clinic. Fall weather had finally brought cool, crisp air. The large lawn had a running/walking path that was now filled with people. Sol wanted to join them, but first things first.

“Mr. May,”

“Please Sol, after all of these years, please call me John.”

“Yes sir, Mr., John. I just finished working with Jeff Carter. He did about five feet on his own. I think he’s ready for a visit to New Orleans. Are there any of the homeless trainees ready to go to work yet?”

“Actually, there’s a group that we plan to put to work soon. Why?”

“I’ll tell you in a minute. But another question. Does my initiation have to be here in Louisiana?”

“What do you have up your sleeve Sol? Where do you want the ceremony to happen?”

“Here’s what I’m thinking John.”

Two weeks later Sol drove to Turner Headquarters in New Orleans. Jeff Carter and his family had traveled back to Pittsburgh to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends.

The Turner facility was buzzing with activity. Elvira and Poodles were in the center ring working on routines when Sol arrived.

Elvira stopped and trumpeted loudly when she saw him. After a brief reunion everyone returned to work because the clock was ticking.

John May and Sol spent several hours on the phone with Dr. Brewster and Harry Tapper who were at the Syria Mosque in Pittsburg. After some planning Sol was cleared to be initiated at the Syria Mosque’

He then arranged a party so his family and friends from the clinic could join in celebrating his initiation. Several members of the Alexandria and New Orleans lodges were also planning to attend.

On the second Friday of November, Jeff Carter and his family arrived at the PPG Paint Arena, joining several hundred others who had come for the opening night of the circus.

The state court judge had lifted the injunction against a city ordinance requiring only animals that responded without training and control objects could be used as performers. The animal rights groups were sure that meant no traditional circus would be held.

Several members of PETA were carrying signs and yelling at people to boycott the circus, but the crowd just walked around them.

Jeff’s wheel chair rumbled around the surface of the arena with his brother by his side. They had joined the group celebrating Sol’s initiation into Shriner’s International the weekend before. 

He and Sol had spent the current week practicing in the gym with the circus performers. His parents had agreed for him spend the Christmas holidays in New Orleans at the Turner’s Training facility. So, Jeff reflected, it was going to be a great holiday season.

A whistle blew two long blasts announcing the presence of a train in the rail yard behind the arena. Everyone inside grew quiet and turned as the large doors opened. The PETA contingent looked startled as the steam calliope rolled down the ramp playing Entry of the Gladiators.

Behind it came the clowns, jugglers, gymnasts, and fire eaters. The crowd stood and clapped as the parade circled the ring. Then the Ring Master appeared at the top of the ramp with a microphone:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls, and Boys, Welcome one and all to The Greatest Show on Earth! Welcome to the Shriners International Circus.”

He swept his arm in a wide arc, stepped aside and Elvira appeared in her Ostrich Feather Crown and jeweled harness.

Sol appeared by her side and raised his hand and she rose up on her hind legs and trumpeted. Then she lowered down and the pair descended the ramp. 

Poodles the Pig and Mai iit’ soh, the Wolf appeared and moved down the ramp. Richard Grey Wolf of the Diné walked quietly beside them.

The Ring Master appeared again.

“Please Welcome the Shriners International Circus Performers Union #1,”

An African elephant, smaller than Elvira, appeared at the top of the ramp. Jeff positioned his wheel chair at the bottom and looked up.

“Jessie say hello!”

He raised his hand and the elephant rose on his hind legs and trumpeted. Then he proceeded down the ramp to Jeff’s chair, put his trunk in the boy’s hand and they joined the parade. 

Three more elephants appeared, along with a camel, two Zebras and several chimpanzees driving small electric clown cars, no handlers in sight.

Harry Tapper took the stage as Elvira, Poodles and crew stopped in front of it.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, you are the first to greet our animal performers. They will travel the country representing Shriners International to continue the work to support Shriners Children’s Hospitals.

They were retired out of traditional circuses but were homeless. So, they have formed a union for collective bargaining with Elvira as the representative. They will live in New Orleans at the Turners Circus Training Camp when not traveling.

Further, they work without the traditional training/control props and have special veterinarian’s travel with them. This will allow them to meet all state and local regulations for circus performers in the cities they appear. It allows them to continue to do the work they know until appropriate retirement age.

The document that I hold is the contract between the Retired Circus Performers Union #1 and Shriners International and will be filed in each location where the performances will occur. So please, join me in welcoming back The Greatest Show on Earth!”

Everyone stood to clap and cheer and Elvira trumpeted loudly to silence them. Jeff rose out of his wheel chair and stood on one side of her and Sol on the other.

Elvira removed a piece of paper from her headdress and handed it to Sol. He read it, laughed and handed it to Jeff.

Taking the microphone, Jeff looked up at Elvira and then out at the audience.

“She says –

“P.S. Will also work for Peanuts and Animal Crackers!”