I laid the photo of myself dressed as Nancy Fantastic on the volunteer's registration table in front of Linda Shapiro, Entertainment Chairperson, of the Mon-Yough Rails to Trails Youghtoberfest. I didn't say a word. I waited patiently for Linda's response to my photo in full clown costume minus white face.

"Is this you?" Linda asked with excitement in her voice while looking up from the photo.

I smiled and said very quietly, "Yes and I have the costume here. May I put it on?"

I started to be a clown for the Neurofibromatosis Clinics Association (NFCA) in 1997 because my twenty-three-year-old daughter has this genetic condition. We were one of the fortunate families whose child did not need a lot of surgery. In fact, Elizabeth didn't need any surgery. I knew of many children who were still going to the hospital quite often for surgeries because of the condition. I wanted the NFCA to have a mascot whose initials would be the same as Neurofibromatosis (NF). Nancy Fantastic became a person that loves children always, but the NFCA was not ready for an official mascot. However, Nancy was ready to be trained as a clown and to network herself into making children happy including the ones who were ill.

Nancy was wearing a multicolored wig and multicolored two piece suit with red turtle neck to match in the photo in front of Linda.

----Insert Photo Here----
"Yes! please, you would be a life saver. I'll give you anything you want. What do you want?"

I was surprised by Linda's offer and said, "I want a food voucher in case I get hungry later."

"Here, take two and let me know if you need anything else. Now hurry and get dressed and walk around."

I instantly became a very frighten Nancy Fantastic because I realized that the magician and the clown, who said they would be back, had not been able to make the financial arrangements with Linda and were not coming. This would be Nancy's first solo. Nancy always watched the other clowns and entertainers then jumped in where appropriate. I retrieved my black bag with the green top which contained the rest of Nancy's identity from under the bake sale booth where I had been working in the morning. I started to become her character. I yelled at the other Nancy who was in charge of the bake sale, "Nancy Fantastic is on!"

"Hurry on then, we have a lot of kids out there today. Don't worry about the stand, we've got it covered."

Thinking about the children, I hurried with my bag down the bike trail to the Antique Shop with a built-in porch housing a little Coffee Shop. I was breathless when I entered the Antique Shop and asked if I could use the bathroom to put on Nancy's costume.

When I entered the bathroom I began to become Nancy and to remember what I had learned from the two previous years of working at the NFCA Walk-A-Long with the Tri-Rivers Clowns, Pigby the Happy Clown, and The Town Crier.

It takes quite a while to put on the suit, multicolored wig and white face. I was disappointed that I didn't have black paint to make the eye brows, but used blue and drew a red heart on her nose and on her right cheek. I wanted Nancy to look her very best for the children. My new character just couldn't be complete until the white face was on. Finally, Nancy was complete, white face and all; and, I became the observer.

Someone kept knocking on the bathroom door. It was time for Nancy to come out and apologize. She had her oversized yellow sunglasses on, her yellow tambourine in her hand, and was carrying her black bag. The Owner had came in and the shop had filled with shoppers. She saw the expensive china tea cups and saucers on the lower shelves next to her black bag through her dark glasses. She felt like a foreigner straight off the boat and began to speak in an unplanned foreign accent.

"Hello, I am Nancy Fantastic. I am sorry that I took so long. I am a last minute fill in at the Youghtoberfest."

Nancy could tell by the ladies' wide opened eyes and startled Ohs and Ahs that her white face and costume were effective. She hurried out the door carrying her bag and big sunglasses. The Coffee Shop had customers extending onto the porch and a child was pulling her grandmother toward Nancy.

"Hello, I am Nancy Fantastic and I am a last minute fill in at the Youghtoberfest." Nancy said to the child extending her hand. "Can you tell me your name?"

"She is very shy." answered the grandmother. The child reached for the sunglasses.

"Oh would you like these sunglasses. You may have them. I do not know what to do with them." Said Nancy in an accent that sounded like Jeannie from the "I Dream of Jeannie" TV show.

The child took the glasses and the grandmother said, "No. She might break them."

"That is O.K., I really don't want them in my act. They are hers now. Bye now! Come see me at the Youghtoberfest!" Nancy said as she waived and walked toward the festival grounds.

Nancy looked for Linda Shapiro, but could not find her right away. So she bought $8 worth of several flavors of large Koolaid sticks and walked around. The children brought their parents over.

"Hello, my name is Nancy Fantastic," she said as she shook hands with the child.

What is your name? Oh the music is so loud. Can you tell me again in my ear?" Nancy leaned down while pushing the multicolored hair away from her ear. The little girl leaned closer and repeated her name.

"Now if you can tell me my name, you can have one of my Kool-aid sticks."

About 30 percent of the children could remember her name. She told the rest of the children her name again and gave them the Kool-aid stick anyway. When the Kool-aid sticks were gone, she got some suckers from Linda Shapiro then bought some homemade hard tack which she also shared with the adults. The majority of the children were entertaining on stage so she stayed in the back of the audience and applauded with her tambourine while catching the nonperforming children out of the corner of her eye and letting them know how special they were by sharing her candy with them.

One teenage boy insisted on telling Nancy that he thought Clowns sucked. She had introduced herself earlier, but he had a plan. He came back with a group of his friends and started the conversation with "I think Clowns suck."

"Hello my name is Nancy Fantastic," she said while smiling and extending her hand. "What is your name?"

"Kevin"

"Kevin, if you can tell me my name, you can have one of my suckers. What is my name?"

"Ah, Ah." Nancy smiled and turned to the next boy. "Hello, my name is Nancy Fantastic, if you tell me your name and can tell me mine, you can have one of my suckers."

"Your name is Nancy!" Kevin spoke up.

"I'll get back to you. It's his turn now." Nancy answered still smiling.

"Kevin got his sucker last and of course told Nancy, "I still think Clowns suck," as he was laughing and sucking on his candy. The little girl with the big yellow sunglasses and her mother came over to Nancy. Nancy could tell the little girl had some type of health condition. She was too frightened and shy herself to notice the problem at the Coffee Shop. All she saw was a little shy girl. The mother thanked her for the sun glasses and told her she made the child's day.

Linda Shapiro came over and whispered in her ear. "Will you come back and do this again next year?"

"Sure!" was Nancy's response. She stopped at the Bake Sale booth and picked up her black bag and placed the black baseball cap with Professional Development Institute written in gold, on over the multicolored wig and went home determined to become professional. She felt the audience deserved a Fantastic Nancy that could do funny magic tricks, skits, puppet routines and much more.

When she got home she called Bob "Bobbles" Cicco, President of Tri-Rivers Clown Alley. Mr. Cicco is also a doctor at West Penn Hospital and has been clowning for about six years. The Tri-Rivers Clown Alley is an organization of dedicated people who earn money by donating their time and talents to entertain "children of all ages." All donations and moneys earned are used strictly for charitable purposes. To assure this each member supplies their own make-up, costumes and personal props. No officer or member receives any compensation for their services. The Alley does, however, provide balloons or handouts at various clowning events.

The Tri-Rivers Clowns Alley is the official Pittsburgh Area Alley Representative of the World Clown Association (WCA) and the Clowns of America International (COAI). Each month a professional or new clown joins the Tri-Rivers Clown Alley which adds to the millions of clowns throughout the world.

No experience is necessary. If the clown has the enthusiasm, time and energy to expand their personal "Funology" then he can become a "Clownologist". A new clown will be taught the "Art of Make-up," "Ballonology" and "Conduct on Clowning", as well as the general rules of clowning.

Nancy Fantastic joined on October 10, 1998, and received her COAI patch, member ship certificate and card the middle of November. She received some make-up tips at the October 10, 1998 Annual Work Shop and was invited to one gig at 8:00 a.m. to observe and help Honey entertain the children on October 24th at Penny's Department Store in Century III Mall for Project Bundle UP.

Nancy's turn to help bring smiles to children came quickly.

It was 6:30 a.m., time to run upstairs and get into her costume. She put on the multicolored pants first, then decided to put the red turtle neck shirt on after the make-up. She knew how to set the make-up now, so it shouldn't get on the shirt. BIG MISTAKE! She dipped the brushes too much and the black did not set. When she pulled the turtle neck over her head, her black eye brows became two black stripes down both sides of her face. She had to start over.

Nancy Fantastic left at 7:40 a.m. and arrived at Penny's Department Store in Century III Mall at 7:55 a.m.; but, how would she get in? She parked where she saw a charter bus, grabbed her bag, locked the car and ran towards Penny's side door. She was surprised by a loud, "Hey Stop!" She looked back at the parking lot and a man was hanging out of a car window with a camera. "Wait a Minute!"

Nancy put one apple red shoe 6 inches in front of the other, squatted just a little, lifted her white gloved hand above her head waived and said, "Howdee!" with a big smile. She posed until she saw the flash then dashed for the open door. Nancy being quite overweight was out of breath when she entered the door and saw steps. She went back outside and started looking for other people entering the store and found some employees and another late volunteer from the Salvation Army. They were directed to the other entrance and were taken to the children. But Honey was not there. Two Hobo Clowns were there from the Shriners. Nancy waived at a lot of children and made them smile which was the Tri-Rivers Clown Alley assignment; but, she was at the wrong store. Honey was at Sears at the other end of the Mall.

Nancy ran down the steps, got into the car and drove to the other side of the Mall. She found the chartered bus and wasted no time parking in front of the nearest Sears' door. She knocked on the glass door and got the attention of the cleaning lady. She left Nancy in and started to take her to the children, but she picked up piles of dirt on the way. Nancy tucked in her shirt, straightened her tie and put her white cloves back on. She finally arrived in the room where Honey was doing the Hokey Poky with the children. She walked in and followed Honey in the dance.

"Who is the clown?" the children asked.

"Why she's my child" Honey answered the children. She turned to Nancy and asked, "Why are you late?"

Nancy bowed her head and trying to sound pathetic said, "I was lost. I went to Penny's all the way on the other side of the Mall."

One of the other Tri-Rivers Clowns who didn't come in costume said to Honey, "That's because you didn't give her good directions."

Honey raised her hands and said, "No matter what the child does; they always blame the parents." and took a deep breath. She turned to Nancy and waived her arm, "Come over here!"

Nancy reached out her arms and took baby steps over to Honey then hugged her mama clown. She waived and smiled at the kids and followed the leads of the other clowns. It is very important to know how to ad-lib when making up on the spot routines.

When the kids left, Honey said to Nancy, "Your make-up is awful. We have to help you with it. Come over to my house, but not this week. Don't worry kid we will get you in shape."

Honey is seventy-two years old and has been clowning for around eight years. She has helped many a Tri-Rivers Clown with the make-up.

When Nancy got home, she didn't want to take off her makeup. She went up stairs and practiced smiling and posing to make her painted smile even bigger. She wanted to be ready to make a child's photo special.

The opportunity to make a child's photo special came on November 28, at the Celebrate the Season's Parade in downtown Pittsburgh. Nancy received her November issue of calliope, from Clowns of America International. She used the female white face clown on the cover as a guide in doing her make-up. This time her make-up was so close to perfect she didn't recognize herself in the mirror.

Nancy arrived at Civic Arena at 7:40 a.m. for a 8:00 a.m. lineup and 9:00 a.m. parade start. She checked in and was told Bobbles had checked in and where to stand. The other clowns found her and they waited a few minutes for Bobbles. The other clowns had decorated Kazoos. Nancy didn't understand the instructions and had a plain yellow with red trim plastic Kazoo.

Nancy met Chicken Soup, a professional clown that likes to donate her time to help the charities. Chicken Soup has been clowning for about eleven years.

Nancy sat with Sparkles II as they waited for the parade to really start. Sparkles II told Nancy that they didn't start until 10:00 or 10:30 a.m. last year. Sparkles II has been clowning for about four years. Most of the Tri-Rivers Clowns arrived close to 9:00 and a wee bit after. Stripes surprised us by bringing the Tri-Rivers Clowns Truck. Stripes has been clowning for about three years and was the first to ask Nancy to join the Alley. At the last minute they decorated the truck for the Holiday Season and a clown that was not in costume drove it in front of them.

The parade was stopped before the judges stand while Channel 11 had a commercial break. A mother brought her baby over to the clowns and wanted to take a picture. There was one problem, the baby wanted to look at all of the clowns instead of his mother who was taking the picture. Nancy walked over and stood by the mother and made her best smiles for the baby. Nancy finally got to help make a child's picture extra special, but she was not in it.

The Alley was supposed to play, "Jingle Bells", but they couldn't hear each other. While they were waiting for the commercial to be over. Nancy joined in and formed a quartet and they played, "Jingle Bell Rock".

Nancy started to shake hands with the kids along the parade route. She gave them the high five and a couple of little ones wanted hugs. Nancy received energy with every hand shake, high five, and hug. She was very surprised when they reached the end of the parade.

When the parade ended Nancy volunteered to help with the Sunday, Dec. 6, 1998 Make-A-Wish Fantasy Taxi Flight and Party by United Air Lines at Greater Pittsburgh Airport. They encouraged her to try it, but not to feel bad if she found it difficult because of the children's illness.

Nancy had lost her voice by the end of the parade so she stopped in Bruegger's Bagels to get some hot chocolate for her throat. A Tri-Rivers Clown promises to stay in full costume while in public so Nancy was still on duty even though the parade was over. Since she represents a child's fantasy come true, she must take time for any child that gives her attention.

Nancy sat quietly in a corner until two families with little girls were ready to leave. The youngest of one of the family yelled out, "Hi Clown!"

Nancy stood up and waived at the tiny little girl with curly hair. The two families came over and Nancy picked up the smallest one and talked to her and all of the rest. There were five little girls that stayed and talked. Nancy promised to make sure Santa Clause didn't forget their requests for Christmas. The delighted father of the three girls with brown curly hair took a picture of Nancy and the children.

The alarm rang at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday morning and Nancy was ready to rise and shine. She had her full costume on and was ready to go by 7:15. She added a new person, Albert the shy little boy puppet with black hair, to her mini act.

Nancy arrived at the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport at 8:00 a.m. Everyone was waiting for the characters for the Make-A-Wish Fantasy. Nancy got on the shuttle to the Gates with Santa Clause and his helpers.

Nancy was the first clown at Gate C 60 which was turned into the North Pole. She saw a little girl that was crying because she couldn't get on the plane with her little brother and take the Fantasy Flight to the North Pole from Gate C 56. Nancy and Albert talked to her and made her smile. They gave her a sticker with Nancy's name on it. The North Pole was complete with Santa's work shop. Santa and his Helpers began to get ready for the arrival of the special Fantasy Flight. Nancy and Albert talked to the family waiting for the Make-A-Wish Children and for the party to begin.

When the plane arrived and the children came off of the plane the clowns were among first greeters. There were beautiful children in wheel chairs. Some were carrying or their parents were carrying portable respirators and oxygen plus portable feeder kits to hook up to permanent I.V.s. Some were bald and wore no hat while others had beautiful holiday hats over their bald heads. Almost all of the children had big smiles and beaming bright eyes. Soft, gentle speaking Albert was a hit with them. Nancy had so many pictures taken with children, Bobbles, Ronald McDonald and more Special Make-A-Wish Helpers. Bobbles did dozens and dozens of magic tricks and taught Nancy how to make a dog balloon, but decided there were too many children for balloons.

They each took a side of the room and entertained the children while they waited to see Santa Clause. Nancy only had Santa Clause stickers, Albert, and her yellow tambourine in her special bag of magic.

Nancy had the children sing a Holiday song and play her tambourine while they waited for their turn to see Santa Clause. She discovered two lovely song birds who were sisters. The Tomko sisters (8 and 10) were excellent drivers too. They both had pink and lavender motorized wheel chairs and drove them like pros. Nancy asked them how long they had the motorized chairs and they said, "Always."

She asked their mother for the name of the conditions that caused them to have these lovely chairs and she said that it was Spinalmuscularatraphy a form of Muscular Dystrophy. Of course Nancy suggested that since they were such great drivers, Dad should replace the two replace the chairs with two convertibles ASAP!!

When the news men, camera men, and most of the children left; Nancy sat down. Tami Jacobs with her four year old daughter, Sarah, sat down next to Nancy. Sarah looked like she was sleeping. Tami said, "Open your eyes, Sarah, and look at the clown."

"Will I frighten her when she opens her eyes?" Nancy asked.

"No, she won't be able to see you any way, but she can hear you. She loves the noise and excitement of today. Open your eyes, Sarah." Tami said as she forced her lids open with her fingers and Nancy saw her blue eyes roll in her head.

"She used to be able to open her eyes until her last seizure. She could eat a little real food too." Tami said as she hooked up her tube from her portable I.V. dispenser to Sarah's permanent I.V. line in her stomach. Nancy's response was to instantaneously start singing to Sarah while touching her face gently. She just sang about how pretty Sarah looked today and how glad she was to see her at the party. Then Nancy introduced Albert using her softest voice for him and told Sarah that Albert had black brown hair and was going to rub it against her cheek. Sarah smiled at the touch of Albert's hair.

Tami explained that her two year old daughter was fine and that she was taking pre testing for the child that she was currently carrying. She will be delighted if next week the test result shows the child to be healthy and either a boy or girl. However, if the new baby is a girl, she has a lot of pretty girl cloths on hand.

Tami enjoys her miracle child and every minute that she can spend with her. Nancy was also simply delighted with the time she spent talking with Tami and Sara.

Four-year-old Larry Masucci is the oldest Survivor of Costomandibular Syndrome and came to the party with portable oxygen tanks. He uses sign language to communicate and is a very active young man. Larry and his mother, Christina, taught Nancy how to sign, "I am a big clown." as they walked from the party.

Nancy was joined by Michelle, another Make-A-Wish child, as she walked on the people mover to the car.. Michelle is very intelligent, very small and also very pretty. They talked about Michelle's red shoes, her glasses were just like Nancy's in the car. Nancy doesn't wear them because make-up gets all over them. But the perfect way to end the day was when Michelle said, "Adios Amigo." Good-by my friend in Spanish.

Nancy is still learning tricks of the trade. However, her big clown eyes help her to see the wonder and beauty of all the people she entertains. Her Funology and Clownology help her to celebrate each moment. But most of all her heart tells her that if she is called upon to do it; she will be able to sing to a child in his last hour and hold his or her parent in his hour of grief. The love she gains and gives away during these Tri-Rivers gigs with the children is simply Fantastic.