I got interested in clowning About 1973 I had been working with "Cubs, Scouts & Venturers" We would participate in the Cornwall Ontario Santa Claus Parades on a float that we would build. We discovered that it was cold standing on a float. We decided to Dress up as Clowns and walk with the float.
Around 1976 I moved to Kingston Ontario. I discovered the "Limestone City Clown Troupe" run by Charlie Phelan & wife Alice. I became an active member.and got interested in Magic We had weekly meetings and did "Walkarounds" where we would just walk around with tricks & gags & visit Nursing Homes & Hospitals and do work for charities. We also would put together clown skits for stage presentations.
I started out as a "whiteface" clown named "Eddy" and soon changed to "Tripper" (because I would lead canoe trips with The Cataraqui Canoe Club) also a whiteface. I always liked the "Auguste" Clown (based on fleshtones with color Like "Watt" the clown in the Photo Album) but could not find a face design that I liked. I was an avid rollerskater and there was a move called a "choctaw" which became the name for my clown when I developed the Hobo Character. I later found an Auguste face that I was pleased with but when I tried to perform with it, I was still the hobo inside. I now am more interested in the magical presentation.
When I first started clowning I attended "Clown Carnavale" in Moncton it was the second year of the existance of Clowns Canada which I joined. It was a learning event for clowns. Monthly we had training sessions at the home of Charlie Phelan who was at one time a Vice President of "Clowns Of America" which I also joined. The thirst for Knowledge Led me to the week long "Laughmakers Conference" at Wells College in the U.S.A. It was such an intensive week that I returned 2 more times. We learned from the best in the World. They had courses in Magic, Slackrope Walking ( I have a great respect for my Grandfather who performed a Comedy Slackrope routine), Rope Spining, How to fall, Balloon Skills, Juggling, Mime, Skit Making, just to mention a few. I attended other courses in Toronto, Brantford, Brockville, Ottawa, as well as taking "Clown Ministry" Courses at Queens University, Cookes Portsmouth Church. I attended the "Canadian Christian Clown College Conference" at the Crossroads Center in Burlington. & Clowns Canada Conferences in St Catherines. I also took an acting class at "Theater 5" in Kingston and a Mime course at "St Lawrence College" and various other conferences & courses.
When Charlie Phelan Retired from Clowning we also retired the "Limestone City Clown Troupe". My Wife & I started the "Troupe Kingston Clowns Who Care" from those still left from the old Troupe ( Watt, Tappy Toes, Piggles, Bubbles, Choctaw).
Later I was approached to help start up "Kingston Clown Alley" (an informal group of local clowns who met once a month to share ideas ). I sent out a newsletter to all known clowns in the Belleville to Brockville area. I joined the local magic club and started to join the various magic organisations like the "International Brotherhood of Magicians" .
In 2001to 2006 I was appointed as a Regional Ambassador for Clowns Of America International . I traveled between Ontario & the East Coast to perform. In 2002 I moved to New Brunswick where I have been trying to build my magic services for the maritimes as a Clown & Magician.
I am retired from servicing machines for Xerox after over 30 yrs. and I did work part time (1 day a week) at the local Newspaper for a few years but now I work part time at Andrez Printing in Riverview. I am also the janitor of our church. This gives me more time to commit to my favorite pastimes magic and clowning.
I got interested in clowning About 1973 I had been working with "Cubs, Scouts & Venturers" We would participate in the Cornwall Ontario Santa Claus Parades on a float that we would build. We discovered that it was cold standing on a float. We decided to Dress up as Clowns and walk with the float. 
