Laughter is the best medicine

Gail Franklin, for the CDT
Sunday, February 15, 2009

"Excuse me, I have an official job here," said Sunflower on Saturday as she walked into the room of 98-year-old Bill Brown at the Fairways at Brookline nursing and rehabilitation center. "I have to check your smile."

Brown was being treated to a surprise visit by the clowns of Happy Valley Alley on Valentine's Day, and after the brightly colored visitors were done giving him stickers, a red balloon hat and a sampling of their best puns he passed a 'smile test' given by Sunflower, also known as Peggy Cole, of State College. 

A few minutes later, the group in pink wigs, baggy clown costumes and painted faces were doing their routine for another resident. 

Members of the local clown troupe, which has about 20 members, often do community service performances like their hour long tour of Brookline. 

In fact, Brown said he recognized one of the clowns from his recent stay at Mount Nittany Medical Center after he broke his hip. Several of the Happy Valley Alley clowns regularly visit patients and their families at Mount Nittany. Also on Saturday, the group met to practice for another free public event that will be offered on Feb. 28, which will be Good Humor Day in State College. 

From 11 a.m. to noon the group will offer a free performance at the Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen St., including skits, balloons, face painting and a karaoke machine. 

It is the fourth annual performance since Mayor Bill Welch signed a 2006 proclamation that named the last Saturday in February to be Good Humor Day "for as long as there are winters." 

Two of the newest members of the troupe, Terrence Saylor, 9, and his 6-year-old brother, Zane, practiced on Saturday for Good Humor Day, which will be their first public performance. 

Terrence Saylor, or Lazybones, practiced a magic trick in which he pulled a bird out of an empty paper bag, sort of, while Zane, or Pistol Pete, practiced a new rope trick. They joined the Alley with their mother, Rachelle, about two months ago as a way to spend time together. 

"I think it will be entertaining for me and for the audience," Lazybones said of Good Humor Day. He's also looking forward to performing for some of his friends from Corl Street Elementary School who have promised to attend. 

Two of the clowns from Happy Valley Alley will also perform at today's SpikesFest, a free family event at the Penn State Multi-Sport Facility from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The group's mission is to "activate humor in every heart," and most of the clowns say it serves as a stress reliever for them, too. 

Connie Peters, or Freckles, put on a borrowed costume for her first clown appearance nine years ago at a local nursing home, and said she was hooked right away. 

"I had a fabulous time," she said. "Believe it or not I'm shy. My husband says I have a whole different personality when I'm a clown."

Peters, who is president of the group this year, works in the Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State as a staff assistant and does clowning as a part-time business, but she said volunteering at nursing homes is her favorite clown activity. 

Toodles the Clown, or Lisa Heckman, said a friend signed her up for a clown convention several years ago as a way for her to blow off some steam. She quit her desk job two weeks later, which she called the best decision she ever made. 

"When I was 33 years old, I finally figured out what I wanted to do in life, and it was clowning," she said. "I love sharing laughter and smiles with kids of all ages."

PHOTO CREDIT (5): CDT/MELISSA GOSS