Whitley County Shriners send 500 to see the circus Thursday
(Talk of The Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Below right, from left, are Whitley County Shrine club first vice president John Muchow and Shrine club president Brian Kyler.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
With wide eyes filled with wonder, at least 500 Whitley County students, teachers and chaperones attended the Shrine Circus at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Thursday morning thanks to the kindness of the county’s Shriners. 
According to Whitley County Shrine club president Brian Kyler, sending local children to see the circus is something their club looks forward to each year.
“It’s a way to give back to the community,” Kyler said. “It is something we’ve done every year for a very long time and as long as the local schools support it, we’ll continue to provide tickets.”
Kyler and his fellow Shrine club members in attendance at the circus Thursday were as excited to be there as the children joined there. What’s better than the high wire acts or the dancing bears?
“Just to see the look on the children’s faces,” Kyler said. “Every time they see you, they thank you taking them to the circus.”
Kyler said that even weeks after the annual circus trip, the local Shriners receive notes and cards from local children in appreciation for the experience of attending the circus.
“We get drawings students have colored and little thank you cards,” he said.
Kyler said there are approximately 100 active Shriners in Whitley County.
More photos from the circus are now uploaded in Talk of The Town’s photo section on the tool bar at right.
