Denny returned from an Emmaus Walk in the fall of 2006 realizing that the clown skits performed there had really moved him.  He saw that clowning worked great as a vehicle to teach and convey a message, and he wanted to become a clown to visit nursing homes.  Pam, his wife, decided to team up with him, and they were both blessed by their early  experiences.  They began doing small routines for the residents and clowning around with them.  TA-DAAA, Merci & Grace were born.  On the right is Merci's first face & costume.  He still uses this costume in cold weather.  They chose their names  as a witness to God's unconditional love that they aim to share with others.  Denny spelled mercy with an 'I' for a clowns twist and also to say 'thanks'!  He chose to go with a hobo clown because it matched his personality.  Hoboes attempt to look nice as compared to the tramp who is more tattered or the bum who is rumpled and dirty.  The white around the mouth and eyes comes from the days when hoboes hopped trains.  They'd get soot from the coal burning engines on their face, and there'd be white areas where they'd wipe it off of their eyes and mouth.  They aren't as stupid as the Auguste (Aw-goost) clowns, but they're none too sharp!  If there isn't an Auguste around, hoboes take the brunt of the joke.  The Auguste uses colors instead of white for his face base.  Merci changed his initial face because it was difficult to outline the mouth and eyes with black, and the large areas of white was scarey to some of the children.  He now uses less white which seems to make him more human (if that's possible.)  He has also gone to wearing oversized clown shoes most of the time, as you can see on the picture where he's on his Marley motorcycle.  One problem he had early on was with his wig that was attached to a very hot vinyl skull cap.  Learning quickly that the head must breath, he cut out the vinyl and attached the hair to his hat.  He can't change hats, but it is a very tight and comfortable piece.  His other clowns include Chef Luigi Servamore, Reverend Corbin T. Potbelly (Corbin Thaddeus), Merci Claus and Pork Chop.  His special interests are visiting seniors and writing songs, stories and skits for the shows.  His favorite puppet is 'Hyper Bobble' as shown here with the others.

                        
This is Grace's first picture.  She chose to be a comedy whiteface clown.  They are not quite as smart as a neat whiteface clown, but she's pretty smart!  She corrects Merci when he's wrong, and she's very loving.  It always backfires on Merci when he tries to play a trick on her.  She purchased this initial outfit on the left, but she wanted to be unique.  Her friend, Sewing Sally, custom made her current outift shown here on the right.  She wanted to have her heart on her cheek so she could share it with all the world.  Grace made some changes with makeup when she found out that she didn't need to outline the hearts. This had been difficult and time consuming. She also quit wearing a rubber nose.  She realized it was not a necessary part of her clown, and a little red grease on her nose could be tolerated for much longer periods of time.  Grace found that the oversized shoes were not practical for events like parades, so she now prefers colorful loafers.  (The bargain bins have the wild ones!)  Her special interests are writing stories and working with children.  She considers herself a "balloon pumper-upper" and Merci says, "She's full of hot air."  She is also the beautiful songstress clown, Millie Ellie Potbelly, who leads the old-timey revival songs.
                             
The pair started off as mimes.  They had read that it's important to start as a mime (for a year was recommended) so you can learn to communicate better.  The ministry took a turn when they started receiving invitations for childrens' parties.  This would really move them from their comfort zone, but, they believed it was the Lord's will.  They found out that you can't be a clown without attracting kids.  So, they went forward and started to do performances for children.  It turned out that kids ages 3 to 12 liked them and even thought they were funny!  This is a picture of both of them now.  Merci soon learned that he didn't have the patience to entertain at  birthday parties.  There was just too much sugar involved!  It was decided that they would focus on church events and shows with a more controlled environment.  A goal that they felt they should always keep was to encourage creativity and the use of imaginations in others.  'OUT OF THE BOX THINKING' became their motto to illustrate what it takes to relate to children and get new ideas across to them.   
                      
They learned a few things about clowning from reading books, and they learned a lot from mistakes that they made.  Merci had trouble after the show recalling how the kids reacted to different bits.  It was important to know what made them laugh and what didn't.  So, they began taping the shows so they could review to see what had worked and what hadn't.  They realized that they didn't want to learn too much about how other clowns did things because they wanted to be different.  Man, are they different!!!

  
                                       
The troupe aims to educate children while sharing the love of God.  They want shows to be 50% about just having fun.   They say it is easier to get someone to accept what you are saying after they relax.  Some of the seeds planted are based on biblical truths and just plain old good morals.  One of their favorite skits uses puppets to teach 'good character traits' that the New Testament refers to as 'fruits of the Spirit.'  The group is also committed to encouraging creative works, like writing, singing, acting, and other ways to develop and use imaginations.  Other areas of education on their hearts are fire safety and bicycle safety, nature around us, pet care, interactive skills, health and diet along with drug awareness.

The ministry was being blessed and was growing rapidly.  It wasn't long before they got their own bus and sound system.  Also, they started writing their own skits and songs.  Dawn painted up the bus with cute little flowers and some of the characters.  The license plate says 'HISKIDS'.  At shows they started doing 'Hatz 'N Jammerz' where they pass out hats to the whole crowd and do sing along songs.  One day a little girl asked what the clowns did.  Huh???  She explained that all clowns do something special like tie balloons, walk on stilts, juggle or do magic.  These clowns didn't have any specialty other than being standup comics.  One day Grace and Petunia came across some puppets.  They started adopting several and became addicted.  As the troupe became more acquainted with puppeteering they realized that it was their niche.  They still try to do some of the other clowning specialties, but the puppets rule!

One thing they did learn is that practice is invaluable.  One time their practice day was snowed out, and they had a pretty rough time getting through a Christmas show for Middle Point Lion's Club.  They also learned that it's not as easy to make adults laugh...children are just easier.  However, they had a great show with The Starlight group from Lima and several good times with their nursing home friends. The Blessed City Clowns vow to never forget their nursing home roots, but they now focus a little more on childrens' programs.

You've met Merci & Grace.  Now meet the others to blame;

Lisa came along in her pink hat and purple feathers.  She says that God always tells her when something is right by showing her feathers.  She began to help out with the YWCA summer camp that had many more kids than expected.  Then she started to have some fun with clowning and blossomed into Petunia the clown.  Also, she has recently developed a new clown, Hilda the Viking Queen!  She has a wonderful voice and leads the songs.  She also has skills as a power shopper and has stocked up the troupe with props.  She serves as Merci & Grace's accountability partner and as vice president for the corporate board.  Her special interest is with Manna Outreach Ministries (M.O.M.) that allows people to buy groceries once a month at a very reasonible price.  Lisa loves to paint faces!

They met Pollyanna outside of her home the day Merci & Grace bought the bus.  She had been to a clown school and had already developed Doctor Stencil, Cow-A-Bell The Cow, T.B. Rabbit (Truly Blessed), Mrs. Claus, The Mad Hatter and Pockets the clown.  For The Blessed City Clowns she added Gladys Wrap and the Peeps shown to the left.  She is naturally funny and has been a huge help, always ready to do whatever is needed.  Also, she serves on the board as advisor.  Her special interest is in filling gaps in the system to help others find housing called U&I Housing.  She's also good at making balloon figures, a good fit because she's pretty twisted! 
                                  

Deb started helping at the YWCA and joined the troupe when they did a show at the county fair in the

Gospel Tent.  She added lots of color with her rainbow hair, and she developed the clown, Flutterfly.  She's an elementary educator whose interest is with nursing home visitation.  She is also an excellent story book reader!  She serves on the board as advisor and is also interested in becoming a balloon sculptor (animal/hat maker, but sculptor sounds better).  One of her favorite things to do is ride one of her horses out in the country.

          

                      LOOK OUT!!!  THERE'S A NEW CLOWN IN TOWN!!!

Sage joined the troupe and developed the clown, Jingle Jack.  He's full of fun and brings a lot of energy to the group.  His interests are juggling and doing magic tricks!  He's a natural andsure to be a real heart-throb.  You can tell by his picture that he's not shy!   He's a clown for sure, and he fits right in.  At the creative arts show we looked for him and found him with a crowd watching him perform his own little show!!!  What a ham!  We are very glad to have him with us.  Maybe he can teach us a few things.

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Kathy Jo is the award winning photographer who took many of the troupe's pictures.  The 'good' pictures bear her name.  The clowns thank her so much for sharing her time and talents.  (In the background is Grace's father who inspired much of what the clowns do.  He has passed on, but he would have enjoyed all the clowning around.)

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                                        Merci says, "It's time to go fishin'!"    

Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
                                                                Matthew 4:19