Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 4, 1990 TAG: 9007040055
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE: ROSWELL, GA. LENGTH: Short
"They've really been dumped on," Lauck said Monday. "All they've seen of America so far is the bad side."
So Lauck, a native of Germany who operates a car repair shop, decided to show members of the ill-fated Soviet circus an all-American good time.
He invited about 125 Soviet performers, family members, interpreters, supporters and friends to a Fourth of July picnic, with hot dogs, horseshoes and fireworks.
"We are very, very happy that our entire circus and all the friends of the circus have been invited to the party," circus managing director Yuri Turkin said through an interpreter. "We will be very happy to wish a happy holiday to all of our friends and all the people of the United States of America."
About 66 performers and nine children remain in the Atlanta area with the circus, Turkin said. The circus has been in Marietta since May after running out of money shortly after beginning what had been planned as a two-year U.S. tour.
Lauck said the Independence Day party for the circus will be held at a friend's home on a lake.
The host said he called the friend, "and I said, `What are you doing for the Fourth of July?' He said, `Nothing. I'm going to have a quiet Fourth.' I said, `Wrong. You're having about 100 Russians over.' "
by CNB