by: Bobby McDonald
Ed Haworth and his barrel that he effectively uses during the bullriding
section of the PRCA Rodeo.
If you attended the PRCA Rodeo in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center on Friday night, you might have met up with barrel and funny man, Ed Haworth, a pro rodeo clown from Tahlequah , Oklahoma. A congenial sort of guy, Ed had previously entertained the kids on Friday morning when they came to visit for Ranch Day activities, and delighted them with his antics, rope tricks, and white mule.
But, on Friday and Saturday nights, Ed was "down to business" in the area. Stationed behind the chutes before the rodeo, Ed related his job description as being one of "an island in a sea of sharks!" Ed's most important job in the arena is to make certain that the bullfighting clowns have a safe haven when trouble arrives, and with 1500 to 2000 pound bulls, trouble is going to arrive. Ed has to make every effort to learn all that he can about the bulls from the stock contractor, long before the rodeo starts. He wants to know what each bull is likely to do when a cowboy gets in trouble or when the rider dismounts and starts to the safety of the fence. Then, Ed is working in unison with the bull fighters to make certain that they have some protection from his barrel. "And, despite all of our knowledge and preparation, those old bulls are unpredictable," states Ed. "The best made plans sometime just don't work and you have to learn to improvise on the spot!"
Ed is doing a job that he loves. "You get to know all the cowboys and they become your friends," denotes Ed. "And, the last thing you want to do is let one of your friends down, when he's in trouble and up against a big ol' bull!"
One of the highlights of Ed's clowning career was in 2002 when he was named "Barrel Clown of the Year," by the Bullriders of America at their competition in St. Louis. "Something like that is a great honor, when you know it was chosen by those guys that you work with at all of the rodeos," denoted Ed.
The rodeo life just came natural for Ed, who was reared in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where his dad was a calf roper and the family attended rodeo competitions on a regular basis. Then, when Ed was in high school, he rode bareback broncs in competition himself. But, it was when a clown didn't show up for a performance one night that the comical Ed was called on to "fill-in." "I guess that's when I finally found my 'niche' in life," states Ed. "I've always liked to make people laugh and to encourage them to be happy, and I saw a need to help cowboys when they were in trouble!"
Rodeo clown, Ed Haworth stands in front of the bull riding chutes
at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, before the Friday night
performance of the PRCA Rodeo. "I'm the island in a sea of sharks,"
he describes his job.
Ed Haworth attends from 50 to 60 rodeo performances a year and enjoys the work, but finds the life on the road taxing sometimes. "Especially, when I have to leave my wife and two daughters, ages nine and six, at home," relates Ed. "But, you have to go where the rodeos are."
Certainly, Ed was a "natural" when working with the kids on Friday morning, as "in real life," Ed is a grade school teacher and adminstrator. He teaches sixth and seventh grade math, English, and science, at Shady Grove Country School, outside of Tahlequah. According to Ed, the school has about 170 students in K-8 grades and is another of "love of his life." "I enjoy working with young people and hope that each day when I go to work that I can make some kind of difference in their lives," reflects Ed. "Kids these days have many, many problems facing them and if you can be some kind of stablizing force in their lives, then you've made a difference!"
And, when Ed isn't fighting bulls in the barrel, he's out trying to keep the rodeo moving with humor and antics to please the crowd. He is responsible for "filling-in" the gaps in the program, anytime that things aren't running smoothly. Of course, he tries to do it so that the spectator has no clue what all is going on behind the chutes.
So, if you're headed for the Saturday night performance of the PRCA Rodeo in Sulphur Springs or any number of rodeos from Texas to Minnesota, you're liable to meet-up with Ed Haworth, the funny man in the barrel. You'll be glad you did and find a friend to both cowboys and children, behind the grease-paint and baggy pants!
A truck mirror serves as the "dressing table" for clown and make-up artist, Ed Haworth, as he
applies grease-paint to his face to become Ed the Rodeo Clown. "Beneath, the paint and the funny clothes,
lies a heart of gold," describes one cowboy, of Ed Haworth. "He's the cowboy's friend in the arena!"
by: Bobby McDonald
The Judge Robert and Robbie Newsom home at 721 Connally Street
has reasons to celebrate this Memorial Day.
On this Memorial Day weekend, when the entire country is poised to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,drive down Connally Street in Sulphur Springs and you're sure to notice the yellow ribbons, the flags waving, and the excitement that envelops you. A local soldier has returned to Sulphur Springs and his family. Captain Joel Newsom has returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan and has joined his wife, Amy, three children, and other family members at the home of his parents, Judge Robert and Robbie Newsom, at 721 Connally Street. Newsom left on Friday to accept a new assignment, as he enters school at Texas A&M University. Newsom will finish his schooling and become an instructor at West Point.
"We have reason to celebrate this Memorial Day, for certain," exclaims Robbie Newsom, excitedly. "Joel and his family have returned to Sulphur Springs, for a visit and will be only three and one-half hours away in College Station!"
"It is nice to have Joel and his family home for a brief visit and we look forward to driving down and seeing them on a regular basis, now that they are so close," states Judge Robert Newsom. "It's great to have them back this close!"
"Tie a yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree...." is a literal statement
about Connally Street in Sulphur Springs, as soldier Joel Newsom
returned home, and neighbors and family "put out the welcome mat."
Meanwhile, the entire Newsom family is focused on Captain Jonathan Newsom, as he works on his second tour of duty in Iraq. "Jonathan will be in Iraq for at least another year and maybe longer," denotes Judge Newsom. "He's an officer and won't even get 'R'n R' while on this tour. But, we can still make plans for his return an that makes the e-mails and letters all the more special!"
The symbolic "Star" hangs in the front window of the
Judge Robert and Robbie Newsom Home on Connally Street,
While they await the return of son, Captain Johnathan Newsom, from
his tour of duty in Iraq.
Captain Joel Newsom is a 1990 graduate of Como-Pickton High School and a 1996 graduate of West Point. He is married to Hopkins County native, Amy Carr Newsom, of the Pine Forest Community. They have three children. Madilyn, 7, Jackson, 5, and Hannah, 3. And, likewise, they are excited about being back near their native Hopkins County, while Joel completes his schooling at Texas A&M Unversity in College Station.
Captain Joel Newsom on the left, and with his three children before his deployment to
Iraq, on the right. Newsom has accepted an assignment for schooling in College Station, Tx.
"Jonathan began his tour of duty in Iraq on March 4th and from the latest word, what originally seemed to be a year to fifteen month tour, it may be extended to 18 months," denotes Robbie Newsom. Jonathan is a 1994 graduate of Como-Pickton High School and graduated from West Point in 1998. He is married to Hopkins County native, Maci Mattison Newsom, from Como. Maci lives on the base at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Captain Jonathan and Maci Newsom pose for a picture at
Ft. Carson, Colorado, before his deployment for
a tour of duty in Iraq.
Captain Johnathan Newsom on duty in Iraq, where he will be stationed for another year
to 15 months.
"I look forward to the day that both of my sons will be back in the United States, once again," states Judge Robert Newsom. "I'll be so glad when peace can once again reign in this world, and we're so proud of the contribution that our sons are making to insure that freedom rings for us all!"
by: Bobby McDonald
A hand-crafted mahogany table crafted by Lynn Blevins.
While traveling through Hopkins County, one happens upon all kinds of unique individuals, each with their own talent and abilities. One such individual is Lynn Blevins, a native of Ontario, California, who now resides near Lake Fork. By day, Lynn is a carpenter and landscape designer, but his first love is crafting wood. Lynn learned his craft at the feet of his grandfather. "My grandfather was a dry-wall contractor in California, but at night, when he'd come home I'd follow him to his shop and watch every move he made," denoted Blevins. "He taught me how to take the roughest of lumber and wood products and craft them into a work of art. I've done this from the time I was 5 or 6 years old!"
Currently, Blevins is crafting tables using both oak and mahogany wood that originally was used as boxcar flooring. Much of the wood was installed in the train boxcars 50 to 60 years ago, and according to the texture, Blevins states that it was virgin hardwood of the best quality. He takes the strips of wood that are "doweled" together with aluminum dowels and separates each piece, before he begins crafting his designs.
Woodcrafter, Lynn Blevins first takes the pieces of boxcar flooring and separates them to group the different kinds of hardwood that is found in the doweled together pieces. Then, he begins his craft of working and designing the wood into a piece of art.
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Hours of time is spent making a design for a table, according to Blevins. "I work with the design in my head for a few days until I get it to perfection," states Blevins. "And, if you were to ask me what the next design I was going to do, I couldn't tell you. I have to see the wood and figure what will highlight the texture and quality of the grain. Then, I can tell you what the design that will best utilize the wood will be."
After working with the design and assessing the wood, Blevins begins the process of cutting each individual piece to fit the design. Then, it is hours upon hours of sanding the the wood to obtain a table-top smoothness, before the final product is ready for assembly. Blevins mixes his own wood filler, using sawdust from the original wood to make a perfect match.
Blevins designs the table, then cuts each individual piece, and then
spends hours of sanding the assembled piece to smoothness.
"With the proper design and the proper amount of preparation, any wood can be made into an object of beauty," affirms Blevins. "However, both the oak and mahogany have qualities of beauty that are unsurpassed in woodworking. And, when you can blend the two, you have a truly beautiful piece of furniture."
Blevins' tables are sold in specialty shops and antique malls, as well as by custom order. Prices are determined by the size of the table and the number of hours that must be spent to complete the project. Small coffee tables begin at $50.00 and increase in price with the more intricate designs. Dining tables begin at $800.00 and increase when larger pieces are made and with the more detail that is included in the design.
"I would rather visit with the individual customer and assess their particular taste, then use my abilities to design a table to fit their unique desires," affirms Blevins. "That way, they are happy and have a piece of art that they can enjoy for generations."
Blevins seals all of his tables with a marine varnish that is used on ships, thus making it durable and extremely stain resistant.
For custom orders of a beautiful table, Blevins can be reached at (903)383-2705, for an appointment.
A sample of the intricate work that Blevins
uses in his coffee tables, where he uses both
mahogany and oak to create a design.
