Carlee and Charlie are in their second season as Advance Clowns for the Kelly Miller Circus. Before that, they entertained at schools, churches, parades and many community events, but specialized in children’s birthday parties. And in their previous lives, they were regular folks working in more typical professions. Sherri was a childcare provider at a YMCA when her interest in this entertainment art sparked. The local library had information on makeup, juggling, skits, jokes and most important, clown history. For two years she was self-taught, getting the majority of her training from books. One day while those in her care were napping she took a stab at balloon sculpting. When the children discovered the animals, she realized she was hooked. Conventions and continuing education on clowning filled her free time. David wasn’t sure that this was a positive interest. The makeup, costumes, books, props and travel were all adding up to quite a bit of money. He finally agreed to attend a convention with Sherri. There was to be a parade at a local mall as part of the event. Thoughtfully, Sherri had made a costume for him so he could be partake of the fun. Good-naturedly, he went along as a member of the group. After the parade, a little girl ran up and gave him a hug. Overhearing her tell her mother that she hugged a clown changed him a little, and Charlie was born that day.