Entertaining
Entertaining
Many McLean County residents developed varied skills and talents that they used in the field of entertainment.
![](/img/asset/YXNzZXRzL2RpZ2l0YWwtZXhoaWJpdHMvd2ZhbC9zaWQtc21pdGgtY2hhbGstdGFsa3MucG5n/sid-smith-chalk-talks.png?fm=webp&w=400&h=400&s=62ef413f903f9facbeea2c3d9baaab15)
Sid Smith
Many local visual artists have created works of beauty. But Sid Smith used his creative talents to make people laugh.
![](/img/asset/YXNzZXRzL2RpZ2l0YWwtZXhoaWJpdHMvd2ZhbC9zdGVhay1uLXNoYWtlLTE5NTcucG5n/steak-n-shake-1957.png?fm=webp&w=400&h=400&s=9605f6450373835b52c4743eb2355509)
Food on the Run
Food service workers, whether cooks, wait staff, processors, or delivery or management personnel, all helped feed hungry residents, as well as travelers.
Featuring:
Warren Miller, (1926 – 1991), Steak 'n Shake worker
![](/img/asset/YXNzZXRzL2Jsb2cvZmFjZWJvb2stZXh0cmEtcG9zdC10dWNrZXItYm9vay1zaWduaW5nLW9jdC0xOTQ3LmpwZw==/facebook-extra-post-tucker-book-signing-oct-1947.jpg?fm=webp&w=400&h=400&s=80f5f1b1abd78d21f86e8788f82ab24c)
Entertaining the Crowds
A few of McLean County residents used their creative energies to provide entertainment to a broad audience.
Featuring:
Arthur Wilson “Bob” Tucker, (1914 – 2006), writer
Charles “Old Hoss” Radbourn, (1854 – 1897), Baseball player
![](/img/asset/YXNzZXRzL2RpZ2l0YWwtZXhoaWJpdHMvY2lyY3VzLXBlcmZvcm1lcnMtbGlzdGluZy5qcGc=/circus-performers-listing.jpg?fm=webp&w=400&h=400&s=5cae822dbaee774f34ea5d3545ada704)
Circus Performers
Troupes of circus performers arrived in Bloomington as early as the 1860s. It wasn’t long afterwards that area youth began careers as trapeze artists.
Featuring:
Fred Green, (1858 – 1897), aerialist circus performer
Howard Green, (1867 – 1952), aerialist circus performer
Harry Green, (1867 – 1952), aerialist circus performers
George Valentine, (1898 – 1955), aerialist circus performer
Lorraine Mather Valentine, (1914 – 1987), aerialist circus performer
![](/img/asset/YXNzZXRzL2RpZ2l0YWwtZXhoaWJpdHMvbWFyaWUtbGl0dGEtcG9ydHJhaXQuanBn/marie-litta-portrait.jpg?fm=webp&w=400&h=400&s=5a5d315fe6213f40a61d803a1b3197fb)
McLean County Vocalists
Talented McLean County vocalists have entertained locally and regionally. A few have found themselves on the international stage.
Featuring:
Marie Eugenia von Elsner (AKA Marie Litta), (1856 – 1883), vocalist