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Highlands Today

Toby's Clowns Still Smiling

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Albin "Big Al" Pelski, president of Toby's Clown Foundation, said the clown school is alive and doing well. Clowns are excited about participating in upcoming events, like the local parades.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: September 11, 2007

LAKE PLACID — "Big Al" and "Daisy" aren't clowning around when it comes to the future of Toby's Clown Foundation and Clown Alley.

Albin "Big Al" Pelski, the foundation's president, said Monday that rumors swirling around the Clown Museum, on Interlake Boulevard, about Toby's Clowns being on their last legs were false.

"Nothing could be farther from the truth," said Pelski.

Pelski said talk started when foundation founder Keith "Toby" Stokes moved to Pataskala, Ohio, to be closer to his ill wife, Reba, about a year ago.

"Word got out simply because Toby was going away," said Pelski. "People assumed Toby was the main man – he's going away and they must be closing the doors."

With 125 members and more than 750 graduates, the foundation and alley are doing well –– with dozens of events planned, plans to award scholarships to high school students and the possibility of a new home –– said the president, whose been at the helm since January.

A preliminary plan the foundation is considering is to share space with the town of Lake Placid at a proposed civic center/ hurricane shelter.

Plans for the center are still on the drawing board.

Eileen May, Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce CEO/president, said on Monday that the city was still obtaining a 501( c )3 status for the center –– a "slow process," adding that the project's plans are"very preliminary."

Mayor Tom Katsanis favors construction of a civic center and said on Monday that the town is seeking funding for the project.

"It's a very costly building and maybe it's not realistic," said Katsanis. "Maybe as things get better with the economy..."

Whenever that happens –– or not –– Pelski said, "There's nothing we would like more than to work with the council."

The clown foundation's own property and building it uses are free and clear, thanks to Stokes, who donated them the two.

The clown college teaches both adult and children the art of clowning.

About twice a year, the foundations gives classes for eight weeks, two hours per day, two days per week. For graduation, young clowns perform at a meeting.

Presentation of scholarships for art students, one from each of the county's high schools, is in the works.

"I regret that we didn't do this before,"said Pelski. "Since we're a 501 (C)3 we need to do more for the kids. It's all about the kids."

As the clowns have since 1983, hundreds of visits to hospitals and nursing homes will continue. The clowns will perform at several festivals and events.

For more information, go to www.tobysclownfoundation.com

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