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Flutter butters up in
(Continued from page 33.)
these days. With this in mind,
Wagner stands back and lets the
people approach her. Using hand
puppets as props and children's
books in English and Spanish, she
smiles and waves to break the ice.
"THAT'S WHAT I try to do.
You want to be very careful, es-
pecially with children. You don't
want to scare them and, let's face
it, clown makeup can be very
scary. It's bold and it's bright and
it's very different," she says.
Among her clown costume ac-
cessories are a monkey coin purse
filled with stickers and a butterfly
purse filled with Valentine greet-
ing cards. "I figure a clown doesn't
know what day it is, so it's Val-
entine's Day every day," she ex-
plains.
Wagner may change the theme
of her cards according to the sea-
sonal holidays. One of the rules
of hospital clowning is not to ask
names or other personal informa-
tion, so she writes little terms of
endearment, such as "Sweetie"
on her greeting cards. She also
carries a "magic" butterfly bag to
make things disappear and reap-
pear by using magic words. These
days she is collecting short, appro-
priate jokes and puns and writing
them in a little folder so she'll have
a joke for the day.
"If I go into 10 different rooms,
Ill have 10 different jokes, but it
will be the first time that person's
ever heard it," she says.
SHE AND HER husband have
thought up some of these tricks
themselves and some of them they
have picked up along the way.
They attended a three-day "clown
school" conference in Tacoma in
2004 to learn how to do hospital
clowning. In sterile settings clowns
have to keep hygiene and Health
Information Privacy Act rules in
mind all the time. 'qfou have to
become a volunteer with that hos-
pital and go through that hospital
program, so you learn anything
Power going
out in Union
wednesday
PUD 1 will be having a planned
power outage in Union on Wednes-
day, June 20. Quigg Brothers
Construction will be doing some
work for the City of Tacoma that
will affect customers between the
hours of 1 and 5 p.m. Some people
will only be out for a brief period
of time while others will be out for
four hours. For more information
call Tracy Colard at 360-877-5249.
by 1Mi# & Liall Fladager
skaow aoor €,00Js
that anyone in that hospital would
learn," she says.
One of the rules of hospital
clowning is to not ask patients
about how they are feeling or to
remind them that they are in the
hospital. The goal is to take them
away from this whole atmosphere
for a few minutes. Before entering
a patient's room, Wagner always
asks permission first. Though most
of the reactions she receives from
patients are positive, occasionally
some people will see her and turn
down an offer for her company.
She doesn't take this personally.
"I've been able to learn that
when they say 'No,' they're not
saying 'No' to me as an individual,
they're saying 'No' to Flutter, my
persona as a clown," she says. "But
that's hard when you first become
a clown. That's really hard to do,
to separate that. If someone says
mean things to you or you're angry
or scared, you take that personally
and it's just hard not to."
On the brighter side, one man's
eyes just lit up with a smile when
he saw her. She greeted him and
gave him a sticker. "I think it
made his day," she says, "and it
was great!"
A TEENAGE girl she visited
with was very sweet and gave her
a hug in gratitude for her concern.
Other people have thanked her for
brightening their day in such as
way she could feel the difference
in their mood. This kind of reac-
tion lifts her own spirits up, as
well. "She gave me far more than I
gave her," Wagner says. "If I'd only
had that one response all day, that
would have been worth my time."
Though some people question
whether clowns are appropriate
in hospital settings, judging from
these kinds of reactions, Wagner
says she believes they are. "I just
want to make people feel better for
a while," she says. "And laughter
makes you feel better."
Wagner has thought about
branching out and paying visits to
local senior centers too "because
the seniors are just kids but a lot
older," she explains. "A lot of them
love clowns; it reminds them of
their youth. They also like the sur-
prise."
She has five hospital visits
planned for this year and plans to
do four or five visits per year in the
future. Because she and her hus-
band both have full-time jobs, they
dedicate some of their days off to
clowning visits. "This is important
to me," Wagner says.
IF SHE HAD the time, she
would do it every month. She
knows of some clowns in Olympia
who do it every week, but they're
all retired. So far, she has seen
clowns around town parades, but
hasn't heard of a clown alley form-
ing in Mason County. She would
like to know of other clowns in the
area in the hope of maybe creat-
ing one locally. She would like to
eventually organize a full program
of clowns at the hospital, alternat-
ing on a monthly basis.
Volunteering has been a regular
part of Wagner's life since she was
12 years old. She began by teach-
ing children to swim in American
Red Cross classes and as a Rain-
bow Girl, she volunteered at nurs-
ing homes visiting patients. In her
mid-20s she joined an organization
advocating for the rights of people
with disabilities. By her 30s, while
living in Olympia, she joined the
American Red Cross again and be-
came a volunteer and instructor in
Mt. Olive
Lutheran Church
Missouri Slod
206 East IMyandotte Avenue
Worship
Service ...................................... 9:00 am,
Christian
Educdtion ............................ [0:]0 am.
Office 426-6353
l)dycare 427-3165
www.molc.cts menlbe rconnect.net
A
Single Summertime Service .......
Practical Messages :: '-
9:30 a.m.
• Praise Band. Praise Team. Choir ' "
Childcare available during service J "
I I-[ FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
P00,o, Ste,;00Ol00o.
' 426-8611 1212 Connection St.
Ixk_0000 ......
A Sunday School ............ 10:00 a.m.
Christ-crnterrd Contemporary Worship ... 11 a.m.
Church
• Bible Study * D4ycare M-F 452-5437 • Youth Acdviu'es
FREE ESTIMATES!
THE PRACTICAL CHOICE
Ifyour kitchen renovation is subject
to budgetary constraints, vinyl floor-
ing offers you the perfect way to save
money without having to make any
sacrifices. The fact is that vinyl flooring
costs 50 to 70 percent less than other
flooring materials, yet it can look as
good as stone and be mistaken for
tile. In fact, sophisticated production
techniques enable vinyl flooring to
mimic the look of just about any high-
er-priced material. At the same time,
vinyl offers the advantages of easy
(and relatively inexpensive) installa-
tion, low maintenance, high durabil-
ity, and unparalleled comfort. Unlike
other materials, vinyl does not have
to be sealed or refinished. It provides
years of service to high-traffic areas,
with as much style as you want.
Whetheryou are decoratingjust
your kitchen or your entire home,
it helps to have a professional in
your comer guiding you in your
choices. SHELTON FLOOR COVER-
ING is committed to helping you
with your decorating project in the
most effective and economical way
possible, always according to your
own wishes and desires, We've got
lots of Ideas on how to maximize
your options in floodng dcor, and
we invite you to call us at 360-427-
2822 for a consultation. We're Io-
cared at 1306 Olympic Hwy So.
/Ithout You There Is No Us.
HINTS. Unlike wood, tile, or stone,
vinyl flooring can be repaired easily
and inexpensively, if need be.
II II I I I
(360) 426-6402
1521 Monroe St.,
Shelton, WA 98584
Sunday School 9:30 am
Morning Celebration 10:45 am
Eve. Celebration 6:00 pm
Wed. Family Night
J.A.M. for Kids 6:00 pm
Youth 6:00 pm
Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm
GATEWAY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
405 S. Seventh St. • Shelton, WA 98584 4, 360.426.2758 • www.gatewaycf.com
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Celebration Service '
10:30 a.m. Celebration Service, Attended Nursery, Children's
Ministry
1:30 p.m. Hispanic (Bilingual) Worship Service
4:00 p.m. Freedom in Recovery 12-Step (Childcare provided)
Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer Service
Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Mid-week Service, SoulFire Youth and Children's
Ministry
i[ i i ii [ i i i i i i i [
g¢
Helping people become whole in Jesus Christ"
Page 44 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, June 14, 2007
clown career
the disaster services and health
education programs. During this
time she also volunteered with the
Thurston/Mason Counties Crisis
Clinic.
Now in her 40s, her volunteer
work is with hospital clowning at
Mason General, as well as with
the Relay For Life. She serves
on the relay planning committee
and with the children's program
and found a way to combine her
two most important volunteer ef-
forts by making an appearance as
"Flutter" at last week's relay event
a the Shelton High School track,
Her clown personality also shoW
up at the Mason County FoS
Festival Paul Bunyan Grand Fs"
rade.
"The adventures in both arejU¢
starting and while I don't kn0w
where this adventure will end, I'=
sure enjoying the ride," she says.
Anyone interested in contacti.
her regarding clowning opportLuif
ties or to support Relay For 1,
may call Wagner at 432-0862.
Call today for a
FREE ESTIMATE
on a new Trane system!
W Olynpic Heating,& Cooling, LLC
* Sales * Service * Installations
If'sHard To StopA Trane:" * Repairs, Heating * Air
Conditioning * Refrigeration
* 426-9945 * 754-1235 * 1-800-400-9945
OI,YMPIIC9681}A
WHAT'S NEW AT
ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICE
Enjoy your Summer & Fami/y ! ! !
Let us handle the accounting whi/e you focus on the growth of your busineSS
Affordable Rates
Full or Partial Accounting for your Business
Payroll Services & Quartedy Reports
New Business Startu Bookkeeping Setup
Tax Prep for Individuals, Small Bu
Non-Profits, Partnershi
Corporations
Trusts
2523 OhFnpic N Shelton WA 98584
{Next to the Ro'yal Shanhlll]
36D.42B.74D0
email: acctntax@hcte.com
Freedom Preached and Practiced
Worship Sundays [with childcare):
English
Services ,, 7:30 & 10:30 a,m.
Spanish .................. 9:00 a.m,
Worship at 32 West Cedar Street
Office phone: 426-8472
www, stdavidofwales, org
Heavenly Gifts
Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Phone: 46-4438
New Community
Church of Unio00
Q Sunday GatherinlP
. (All are wdcome!)
WORSHIP SERVIC_
8:30 and 10:30
at the
Union Fire Hall _
50 E. Seattle St., Union 9859
360-898-7855
web site: www.thenccu.org
Shelton Church of
740 W. Dayton-Airport Road * 360-426-1169
Sunday Bible Study 9:45 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 7 P#'
Worship & Communion 10:45 a.m. Christiun t:ounselin
Worship 2 p.m. Al2ape Counselittg (
CALVARY FELLOWSHIP
OF SHELTON
Nondenominational. Family Centered
Corner of Highway 1_01 and Railroad Ave. °4Z6-70ZZ
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m.
A casual and uplifting worship experience j
428 W. Cola Street, Shelton, WA 98584
SundayWorshlpServlces: 9O& IO'3Oam
Adult Bible Classes: 8. 9 & ! 0:30
Children's Ministry: 9 & I0:30 am [Nursen]--2nd grd.]
Tweeners Discove Classes: 9 am [3rd--Tth grd.]
YOU m Truth troJec 9,m [Sth--12t grdJ
lVednesdays Nights: YOUmClrch 555pro lb.120 gd.]
AWANA cLUB--WedneKIy b:1 $ - 8.1) pm |K-sin, Selx-Altl]
w.s.ocWsnumqmp Groups av*e mmuom e week. Mtaring lifegiving /tope, for e ,j
A p/ace to experience God's presence...
A p/ace to belong...
Sunday School -- 9:30 AM
Worship Celebration -- 10:45 AM
Sunday Evening -- 6:00 PM
1331 E. Shelton Springs Rd
Shelton, WA 426:1298
http:ltnazarene.hctc.com
SEVENTH-DAy ADVENTIST CHU
"Sharing a Message of Hope"
Sabbath School (all ages) 9:30 a.m. Saturday
Worship Service I 0:50 a.m. Saturday
210W. Shelton Valley Road (360) 426-2776
SHELTON VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grades K'B
Washington State Accredited Certified Teaching Scarf
201 W. Shelton Valley Road (360) 426-4198
Shelton Unit00 Metho#ist Chun:h
www, sh¢ltonumc.com
Flutter butters up in
(Continued from page 33.)
these days. With this in mind,
Wagner stands back and lets the
people approach her. Using hand
puppets as props and children's
books in English and Spanish, she
smiles and waves to break the ice.
"THAT'S WHAT I try to do.
You want to be very careful, es-
pecially with children. You don't
want to scare them and, let's face
it, clown makeup can be very
scary. It's bold and it's bright and
it's very different," she says.
Among her clown costume ac-
cessories are a monkey coin purse
filled with stickers and a butterfly
purse filled with Valentine greet-
ing cards. "I figure a clown doesn't
know what day it is, so it's Val-
entine's Day every day," she ex-
plains.
Wagner may change the theme
of her cards according to the sea-
sonal holidays. One of the rules
of hospital clowning is not to ask
names or other personal informa-
tion, so she writes little terms of
endearment, such as "Sweetie"
on her greeting cards. She also
carries a "magic" butterfly bag to
make things disappear and reap-
pear by using magic words. These
days she is collecting short, appro-
priate jokes and puns and writing
them in a little folder so she'll have
a joke for the day.
"If I go into 10 different rooms,
Ill have 10 different jokes, but it
will be the first time that person's
ever heard it," she says.
SHE AND HER husband have
thought up some of these tricks
themselves and some of them they
have picked up along the way.
They attended a three-day "clown
school" conference in Tacoma in
2004 to learn how to do hospital
clowning. In sterile settings clowns
have to keep hygiene and Health
Information Privacy Act rules in
mind all the time. 'qfou have to
become a volunteer with that hos-
pital and go through that hospital
program, so you learn anything
Power going
out in Union
wednesday
PUD 1 will be having a planned
power outage in Union on Wednes-
day, June 20. Quigg Brothers
Construction will be doing some
work for the City of Tacoma that
will affect customers between the
hours of 1 and 5 p.m. Some people
will only be out for a brief period
of time while others will be out for
four hours. For more information
call Tracy Colard at 360-877-5249.
by 1Mi# & Liall Fladager
skaow aoor €,00Js
that anyone in that hospital would
learn," she says.
One of the rules of hospital
clowning is to not ask patients
about how they are feeling or to
remind them that they are in the
hospital. The goal is to take them
away from this whole atmosphere
for a few minutes. Before entering
a patient's room, Wagner always
asks permission first. Though most
of the reactions she receives from
patients are positive, occasionally
some people will see her and turn
down an offer for her company.
She doesn't take this personally.
"I've been able to learn that
when they say 'No,' they're not
saying 'No' to me as an individual,
they're saying 'No' to Flutter, my
persona as a clown," she says. "But
that's hard when you first become
a clown. That's really hard to do,
to separate that. If someone says
mean things to you or you're angry
or scared, you take that personally
and it's just hard not to."
On the brighter side, one man's
eyes just lit up with a smile when
he saw her. She greeted him and
gave him a sticker. "I think it
made his day," she says, "and it
was great!"
A TEENAGE girl she visited
with was very sweet and gave her
a hug in gratitude for her concern.
Other people have thanked her for
brightening their day in such as
way she could feel the difference
in their mood. This kind of reac-
tion lifts her own spirits up, as
well. "She gave me far more than I
gave her," Wagner says. "If I'd only
had that one response all day, that
would have been worth my time."
Though some people question
whether clowns are appropriate
in hospital settings, judging from
these kinds of reactions, Wagner
says she believes they are. "I just
want to make people feel better for
a while," she says. "And laughter
makes you feel better."
Wagner has thought about
branching out and paying visits to
local senior centers too "because
the seniors are just kids but a lot
older," she explains. "A lot of them
love clowns; it reminds them of
their youth. They also like the sur-
prise."
She has five hospital visits
planned for this year and plans to
do four or five visits per year in the
future. Because she and her hus-
band both have full-time jobs, they
dedicate some of their days off to
clowning visits. "This is important
to me," Wagner says.
IF SHE HAD the time, she
would do it every month. She
knows of some clowns in Olympia
who do it every week, but they're
all retired. So far, she has seen
clowns around town parades, but
hasn't heard of a clown alley form-
ing in Mason County. She would
like to know of other clowns in the
area in the hope of maybe creat-
ing one locally. She would like to
eventually organize a full program
of clowns at the hospital, alternat-
ing on a monthly basis.
Volunteering has been a regular
part of Wagner's life since she was
12 years old. She began by teach-
ing children to swim in American
Red Cross classes and as a Rain-
bow Girl, she volunteered at nurs-
ing homes visiting patients. In her
mid-20s she joined an organization
advocating for the rights of people
with disabilities. By her 30s, while
living in Olympia, she joined the
American Red Cross again and be-
came a volunteer and instructor in
Mt. Olive
Lutheran Church
Missouri Slod
206 East IMyandotte Avenue
Worship
Service ...................................... 9:00 am,
Christian
Educdtion ............................ [0:]0 am.
Office 426-6353
l)dycare 427-3165
www.molc.cts menlbe rconnect.net
A
Single Summertime Service .......
Practical Messages :: '-
9:30 a.m.
• Praise Band. Praise Team. Choir ' "
Childcare available during service J "
I I-[ FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
P00,o, Ste,;00Ol00o.
' 426-8611 1212 Connection St.
Ixk_0000 ......
A Sunday School ............ 10:00 a.m.
Christ-crnterrd Contemporary Worship ... 11 a.m.
Church
• Bible Study * D4ycare M-F 452-5437 • Youth Acdviu'es
FREE ESTIMATES!
THE PRACTICAL CHOICE
Ifyour kitchen renovation is subject
to budgetary constraints, vinyl floor-
ing offers you the perfect way to save
money without having to make any
sacrifices. The fact is that vinyl flooring
costs 50 to 70 percent less than other
flooring materials, yet it can look as
good as stone and be mistaken for
tile. In fact, sophisticated production
techniques enable vinyl flooring to
mimic the look of just about any high-
er-priced material. At the same time,
vinyl offers the advantages of easy
(and relatively inexpensive) installa-
tion, low maintenance, high durabil-
ity, and unparalleled comfort. Unlike
other materials, vinyl does not have
to be sealed or refinished. It provides
years of service to high-traffic areas,
with as much style as you want.
Whetheryou are decoratingjust
your kitchen or your entire home,
it helps to have a professional in
your comer guiding you in your
choices. SHELTON FLOOR COVER-
ING is committed to helping you
with your decorating project in the
most effective and economical way
possible, always according to your
own wishes and desires, We've got
lots of Ideas on how to maximize
your options in floodng dcor, and
we invite you to call us at 360-427-
2822 for a consultation. We're Io-
cared at 1306 Olympic Hwy So.
/Ithout You There Is No Us.
HINTS. Unlike wood, tile, or stone,
vinyl flooring can be repaired easily
and inexpensively, if need be.
II II I I I
(360) 426-6402
1521 Monroe St.,
Shelton, WA 98584
Sunday School 9:30 am
Morning Celebration 10:45 am
Eve. Celebration 6:00 pm
Wed. Family Night
J.A.M. for Kids 6:00 pm
Youth 6:00 pm
Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm
GATEWAY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
405 S. Seventh St. • Shelton, WA 98584 4, 360.426.2758 • www.gatewaycf.com
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Celebration Service '
10:30 a.m. Celebration Service, Attended Nursery, Children's
Ministry
1:30 p.m. Hispanic (Bilingual) Worship Service
4:00 p.m. Freedom in Recovery 12-Step (Childcare provided)
Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer Service
Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Mid-week Service, SoulFire Youth and Children's
Ministry
i[ i i ii [ i i i i i i i [
g¢
Helping people become whole in Jesus Christ"
Page 44 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, June 14, 2007
clown career
the disaster services and health
education programs. During this
time she also volunteered with the
Thurston/Mason Counties Crisis
Clinic.
Now in her 40s, her volunteer
work is with hospital clowning at
Mason General, as well as with
the Relay For Life. She serves
on the relay planning committee
and with the children's program
and found a way to combine her
two most important volunteer ef-
forts by making an appearance as
"Flutter" at last week's relay event
a the Shelton High School track,
Her clown personality also shoW
up at the Mason County FoS
Festival Paul Bunyan Grand Fs"
rade.
"The adventures in both arejU¢
starting and while I don't kn0w
where this adventure will end, I'=
sure enjoying the ride," she says.
Anyone interested in contacti.
her regarding clowning opportLuif
ties or to support Relay For 1,
may call Wagner at 432-0862.
Call today for a
FREE ESTIMATE
on a new Trane system!
W Olynpic Heating,& Cooling, LLC
* Sales * Service * Installations
If'sHard To StopA Trane:" * Repairs, Heating * Air
Conditioning * Refrigeration
* 426-9945 * 754-1235 * 1-800-400-9945
OI,YMPIIC9681}A
WHAT'S NEW AT
ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICE
Enjoy your Summer & Fami/y ! ! !
Let us handle the accounting whi/e you focus on the growth of your busineSS
Affordable Rates
Full or Partial Accounting for your Business
Payroll Services & Quartedy Reports
New Business Startu Bookkeeping Setup
Tax Prep for Individuals, Small Bu
Non-Profits, Partnershi
Corporations
Trusts
2523 OhFnpic N Shelton WA 98584
{Next to the Ro'yal Shanhlll]
36D.42B.74D0
email: acctntax@hcte.com
Freedom Preached and Practiced
Worship Sundays [with childcare):
English
Services ,, 7:30 & 10:30 a,m.
Spanish .................. 9:00 a.m,
Worship at 32 West Cedar Street
Office phone: 426-8472
www, stdavidofwales, org
Heavenly Gifts
Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Phone: 46-4438
New Community
Church of Unio00
Q Sunday GatherinlP
. (All are wdcome!)
WORSHIP SERVIC_
8:30 and 10:30
at the
Union Fire Hall _
50 E. Seattle St., Union 9859
360-898-7855
web site: www.thenccu.org
Shelton Church of
740 W. Dayton-Airport Road * 360-426-1169
Sunday Bible Study 9:45 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 7 P#'
Worship & Communion 10:45 a.m. Christiun t:ounselin
Worship 2 p.m. Al2ape Counselittg (
CALVARY FELLOWSHIP
OF SHELTON
Nondenominational. Family Centered
Corner of Highway 1_01 and Railroad Ave. °4Z6-70ZZ
Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m.
A casual and uplifting worship experience j
428 W. Cola Street, Shelton, WA 98584
SundayWorshlpServlces: 9O& IO'3Oam
Adult Bible Classes: 8. 9 & ! 0:30
Children's Ministry: 9 & I0:30 am [Nursen]--2nd grd.]
Tweeners Discove Classes: 9 am [3rd--Tth grd.]
YOU m Truth troJec 9,m [Sth--12t grdJ
lVednesdays Nights: YOUmClrch 555pro lb.120 gd.]
AWANA cLUB--WedneKIy b:1 $ - 8.1) pm |K-sin, Selx-Altl]
w.s.ocWsnumqmp Groups av*e mmuom e week. Mtaring lifegiving /tope, for e ,j
A p/ace to experience God's presence...
A p/ace to belong...
Sunday School -- 9:30 AM
Worship Celebration -- 10:45 AM
Sunday Evening -- 6:00 PM
1331 E. Shelton Springs Rd
Shelton, WA 426:1298
http:ltnazarene.hctc.com
SEVENTH-DAy ADVENTIST CHU
"Sharing a Message of Hope"
Sabbath School (all ages) 9:30 a.m. Saturday
Worship Service I 0:50 a.m. Saturday
210W. Shelton Valley Road (360) 426-2776
SHELTON VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grades K'B
Washington State Accredited Certified Teaching Scarf
201 W. Shelton Valley Road (360) 426-4198
Shelton Unit00 Metho#ist Chun:h
www, sh¢ltonumc.com