Pulse - Former clown to impart her wisdom at circus sideshow

The “Saratoga Reads!” program, which runs from the fall to the spring, offers many engaging events for K-12 students and members of the community, and one of them is happening this weekend.

As part of Winterfest, “Saratoga Reads!” and Borders are presenting a special circus sideshow at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2 at Borders located at 395 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

Former professional circus clown, Mary Wise, will perform some favorite tricks, share stories from her life with a traveling circus, and sign copies of her book, “Girl Clown.”

As Senior Communications Manager at Fannie Mae, Wise designs and develops e-learning courses for mortgage professionals. An accomplished facilitator, speaker, and writer with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and more than 20 years of experience in technical communication, she believes her background as a clown prepared her well for her corporate job.

Wise said she is very excited to be coming to Saratoga Springs. This will be her first trip to the Spa City.

As a lifelong reader, Wise said anything encouraging reading is wonderful. Her mother used to say that if a person had a book he or she would never be lonely, and Wise believes that’s true.

“I was delighted to have been invited to speak at the event. I think it’s terrific,” she said.

The circus sideshow is free, and open to the public. Beth Wurtmann, public relations coordinator for the “Saratoga Reads! program,” said it should be a fun family event.

Written by Sara Gruen, “Water for Elephants,” is a story about Jacob Jankowski and the circus world he remembers as both his salvation and perdition. The New York Times #1 bestselling author’s work beat out five other books selected by a committee assembled by the organizers of the “Saratoga Reads!” program.

For more information about the event or the “Saratoga Reads!” program, call 321-4607 or visit www.saratogareads.org.