I am no stellar athlete, and I’m not a die hard sports fan. In a culture where sports rule, there’s lots of pressure to participate. As my children engage in normal sports activities, I’m often annoyed by the time commitment, duration, and intensity of it all. Not to mention, the high participation costs. And, don’t even get me going about parents who yell at their kids’ poor performances from the sidelines. I’ll confess: Lengthy ball games and countless meals eaten on the sidelines isn’t my idea of fun.

Frustrated, I often question the point of all the lengthy practices and what it produces for children later in life. After all, how many kids go on to become professional athletes, or even earn sports scholarships for college? Not many. Years later, as kids reflect that they played soccer or baseball, it must just seem so “average Joe” – isn’t that what kids normally do in our society?

The day I walked into Wentworth School Gymnasium and saw Jon Cahill, founder and director of the Gym Dandies, on roller skates, juggling, he won my respect. He’s one coordinated and talented guy, and he’s not normal! How many retired teachers do you know that do their job wearing roller skates?

If he were your normal everyday guy, I’m sure that Scarborough couldn’t boast of having the largest children’s circus in the country. Over the years, the Gym Dandies have made Scarborough proud performing in Independence Day parades in our nation’s capital, and this past November, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. When you can pull off these amazing feats, you’d have to ask: Why be normal?

I’m most grateful to Jon Cahill for the Gym Dandies program. It’s different from all the rest. For starters, it runs the entire school year, requiring simply one practice a week. It’s a program that kids can participate in from third to 12th grade and it’s totally cool, no matter your age, to participate. In fact, kids who have graduated from high school have even come back for more – giving back as instructors. Unlike many sports, this activity has staying power. Stick with it, and you’re guaranteed to turn heads and be noticed long after the soccer shoes and baseball glove’s been packed away.

Anyone who’s willing to persevere can affordably accomplish circus arts. Over the years, several handicapped children have mastered it. At a cost of $90 a year for grades 3 through 8, and free to high school kids, this unique bargain makes it easy for any child to participate.

As the heads turn, lasting memories are created for children to talk about for years to come. Riding on a 6-foot-tall unicycle while juggling balls isn’t something the “average Joe” can do.

To watch Jon Cahill in action is to witness proud encouragement. When kids fall, the reassuring words of the fearless leader follow: “You kids are the best!” The kids bounce back into place, and everyone knows their place. No parent faults a kid from the sidelines because no parent could do better!

The Gym Dandies are a breath of fresh air. To experience the Gym Dandies is to recognize that with practice, anything is possible. Though they have participated in many high profile events each year, it is the Community Performance that means the most to Jon Cahill. There is no other community in the United States that can offer such an event with no pressure to perform, only pure fun. Scarborough should be proud!

The community performance will take place at Scarborough High School Gymnasium this Thursday and Friday, April 6 and 7, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, free for children, but they must be accompanied by an adult. Come and experience nothing but pure sideline joy as 100 plus unicyclists and jugglers gather in one room to put on “The Greatest Kids’ Show on Earth.” And, get ready you just may enjoy one of those “long, tall drinks of water.” Come celebrate 25 years – this show serves up true joy and memorable head turning sideline fun. Enjoy the show!