When the Benzini Bros. Circus train steams across the big screen Friday, Wisconsin will be well represented, but the state could have had a starring role right along with Reese Witherspoon and teen heartthrob Robert Pattinson.

That's because the movie's director, Francis Lawrence, wanted the love story, "Water for Elephants," based in a 1930s circus in upstate New York, to be as historically accurate as possible.

In 2009, Lawrence spent time at Circus World Museum here, studying photographs, films, costumes, documents and circus wagons.

He also got a feel for the topography of Sauk County, which is similar to that of the rolling hills of upstate New York.

At the time it appeared to Steve Freese, executive director of Circus World, that Wisconsin had a reasonable shot of being the backdrop for Lawrence's movie, which is based on Sara Gruen's best-selling 2006 book.

When asked what she thinks aboutlitterbugs, 5-year-old Kendra Seering doesn't mince words.

"They aren't keeping our world safe and healthy," Kendra said Wednesday as she helped her mother, April Seering, pick up trash around Baraboo.

When asked about the "Garbage Train" - the name Kendra and her 4-year-old cousin, Alexis Ringelstetter, have given to April's shopping cart - Kendra was equally as blunt.

"It's good!" she shouted.

Drivers honked car horns to show their support as the three slowly and safely made their way through the streets of Baraboo Wednesday afternoon. They picked up empty soda bottles, cigarette boxes and anything else they could find.

April started the annual tradition about five years ago and called it TBYC (Take Back Your Community). She gathered 60 pounds of garbage the first year.

As part of the project, April makes presentations in schools about proper trash disposal and recycling. She also leads them on garbage pickup outings.

The "Terrible Towel ," furiously waved each weekend at Heinz Field by fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, comes from a company in Wisconsin -- roughly 110 miles southwest of Green Bay.

That makes Super Bowl XLV a dream match-up for Gregg McArthur, president of McArthur Towel & Sports in Baraboo, Wisc.

He's a diehard fan of the Green Bay Packers. And, he's making lots of money selling Terrible Towels to the other side. Orders, he said, are coming in at a "feverish pace."

The company is also cranking out "Title Town USA" towels, in honor of the Packers. McArthur admits that the Steelers' version remains more popular, but, he says, make no mistake about the game.

"Our loyalties lie with our Green and Gold," he said.

Thanks to kevinbinversie for sharing this story!