Our Friend M.R.

  Mel Ray Siverlake's family and my family have known each other for many years. We've worked together off and on with circuses and carnivals.  There are lots of Silverlakes and I've

had the pleasure of working with Jimmy, Joe and Myrna, to name a

few. In fact, Myrna had the cookhouse my first year on KM, and I was

her purchasing agent for the last several months of the tour. Since

she had once worked with Spitz like me, I sought her advice from time

to time on the breed and my routine. In fact, she gave me the best

advice I'd ever received when I had trouble keeping a hyper

seat-warmer in place. Her exact words were, "Well, I guess the thing

to do is not to worry about it." She was right. Constantly checking in on

Pete made it difficult to pay close attention to the rest of the dogs

that performed more tricks in the show. When I decided to stop fretting over Pete's

possible spastic behavior the act seemed to go much better.

  Myrna is Mel Ray's aunt on his dad's side. All the Siverlakes are

experienced in many facets of the circus & carnival industries. M.R. is no

different. When the whole gang heads to town for errands or a

bite to eat, most of the town people recognize us strangers as being

with the circus. When they ask us what we all do, each of

us answer quickly as most of us have one or two

primary jobs. When M.R. responds, it's usually with a pause followed by a laundry

list of regular and semi- regular duties. Now, we all kind of laugh as he's shortened

his response by saying, "A few different things..."

A few is more like several. Although M.R. says this season has been pretty laid-

back for him. Hard to imagine. He's come to my family's aid on a daily basis by helping

unload the heavy equipment for Robin in the cookhouse every morning. He is also instrumental in helping me set up my mammoth steel-bound dog pen. Mel also has the snake show on the midway and performs in the show.He helps B.J. in the concession stand and delivers cookhouse plates to the performers who don't have 

time to get their food while it's still hot.  He also drives the pole truck.

  Mel gets his good nature from B.K. and his wild sense of humor from Col. Mel along with an affinity for movies and the old west. After working with R & R's family, my dad here & there over the years and being Kids Fun Fair's all-around go-to guy, M.R. has fallen right into my families crazy sayings, crazier sense of humor and is fluent on Chandlerisms and general family lingo and nick names.

Simone, Lana, me and M.R.  C&M Circus 2011

 

 

 

 

  It would probably be easier to list capacities in the circus and carnival M.R. has not filled. From ride jockey, general manager, circus clown, ring master and animal guy and big top boss, there's not much amusement ground he hasn't covered. In addition to his actual circus duties, M.R. has helped me and my girls out so much this season, it would be impossible to repay him. Being a single girl on the circus is a challenge. Add two kids and lots of dogs and I've got my hands happily full!  Mel's come to our aid many times in everything from fixing broken landing jacks to making sure the truck has plenty of water & oil. We all do our running together, usually on Mondays and I'm always happy to taxi the gang around. I've bought him lunch a few times when the gang has lunch, although usually he insists that I don't. With everything he's helped the girls and me with this season, I'm not sure how we could ever reciprocate his good deeds. M.R. is not about doing things to glorify himself and is not a fair-weather friend. He and my family talk forever on everything from movies, actors, old and new circus, carnival rides, comedy teams and politics. We always have something to talk about and this year have forged a stronger bond in friendship.

  All that being said, I think the thing that holds M.R. in high esteem in my family is a selfless act he performed back in 2002. My dad had been sick from a variety of ailments back then and we were all certain his time was limited. One night he turned in early while my family & friends remained in the living room to finish watching a "nightly film feature." (Chandlerism)  Lauren was quickly alarmed at not being able to detect a breath.

Mel Ray raced to the bedroom with my sisters, et al and performed CPR and chest compressions in an effort to help dad regain consciousness. Despite is very best efforts, it was just Dad's time. We've all expressed our sincere gratitude for this many times over the years. But there are some debts that just cannot be paid in words, materiel possessions or deeds.

Thank you for everything Mel Ray.

Your friends,

The vast Chandler clan