…the best clowns.  I would venture to say there is no other community anywhere in the world that has as many clowns living within a 15 or 20 mile radius as The Villages has.  If there is however I would then have to say that pinky and sassy, mopsey, mad-hatter, can-dee, and snooky, to name just a few  are the funniest, friendliest, happiest, sassiest, playfulist, silliest, shyist and by all means thee best dressed clowns on the face of the earth.   I have never seen so many good looking clowns in my life. When I moved to The Villages I was unaware of the clowns, and one day as I was driving along Rt.#441 I happened to see out of the corner of my eye what looked like a clown whizzing by me in a convertible. By the time it registered with me I remember thinking, I could swear that was a clown, but then just dismissed the thought.  Soon after, I realized it was a clown and since then have seen them driving around in their golf carts or cars, going to perform most likely at a charitable event, and they always bring a big smile to my face.  Clowns have always been playful and amusing entertainers, and were meant to bring a smile to those around them.  The history of clowns goes back to the middle ages, the court jester always had a supply of shanigans to please and entertain the court.  In the 1800’s three types of clowns evolved:  the White face Clown which is considered the classic and oldest clown, the Auguste Clown that was the zaniest of clowns with big noses, large shoes and baggy pants and the there was the Character Clown which were tramps and hopos or could portray any character – Freddy the Freeloader and Clem Kididdlehopper who of course was Red Skelton.   Something I didn’t know was that  Red Skelton’s father was a circus clown that died before Red Skelton was born. Red followed in his footsteps and began performing in the same circus at a very young age.  I don’t think this was the norm at the time and I’m sure not too many people planned on being professional clowns, as it would not be accepted, in my day and age, to tell your parents-when I grow up I want to be a clown.  Actually, again in my day and age, to be called a clown could be quite negative, it meant you behaved in a silly or foolish way.  If you were a class clown, you amused everyone but the teachers and your parents, and you were probably also considered the class cut-up.  I think however if we were honest with ourselves we all have a little bit of a clown in us.  I think those that love dressing up for Halloween are really wanna-be clowns.  Some wanna-bes even went a little further and dressed up as clowns.  When ever our clowns are interviewed they give many reasons for wanting to be one: hopes of healing a broken heart, shyness, relieve loneliness, wanted to have some fun, a bucket list item, and all agree they want to give happiness back, and that they sure do.  There are two clubs in our area.  The Tri-County Clowns and Clown Alley 179(village members only) are both committed to giving.  Both groups appear at over 80 functions a year each, which includes the Children’s Hospitals, Hospices, Charter School events to name a just a few. They give smiles and they get them back two-fold.  It is a win win for everyone.  Thanks clowns, for all you do, we all love you.    P.S. You’ve heard of wearing your heart on your sleeve, Sassy wears her heart on her nose.  I think it is appropriate to finish  with a quote from Red Skelton…”If someday you are not feeling well, you should remember some little thing I have said or done, and if it brings a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart then my purpose as a clown have been fulfilled.”