Wednesday, May 23, 2012

FOR THE LOVE OF DONKEYS -- PART 10

A TRIBUTE TO FRANK J. BARTHEN

Although Barthen’s burros have had their brushes with celebrity, he said they are best-loved in the small towns.

He said little burgs out West, in the Southland, up in New England and down home in the Midwest turned out in droves for his braying showmen.

Along with Honey Pot, the audiences thrilled to donkeys with names such as Thunder Ball, Snuffy and Kilroy playing against burros called Beetle Bomb, Super Stupid, Rigor Mortis and Elvis.

Most of Barthen’s burros have two names -- a stage name and a farm name.

Donkey ball retirees Dingaling, who’s actually very smart, and Geritol, a very old, sweet and feeble burro, still welcome curious visitors who stop to pet them and feed them carrots.

www.donkeyball.com

Miami resident Wright is an Ohio native who lived most of his adult life within a half-hour drive from the tranquility of Bittersweet Burro Farm. He is a veteran writer and Pulitzer Prize nominee.

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