Charlotte Raynor's grandkids call her a clown. And she loves it. That's because Raynor is a clown. It's the 64-year-old grandmother's part-time profession. Raynor will be doing her clown thing Saturday at Baltimore's Thanksgiving Parade as part of the Harford Clowns. Her grandchildren are proud.
"You know, it's a funny story how I got started," says Raynor, who works full time as a receptionist. "I was at work, and there was this girl who left work dressed up as a clown. I've always wanted to be a clown and asked her about it. Then I went to a couple of birthday parties with her, and I thought, 'I could do this.' So I attended a class."
That was in 1990, and Raynor has been clowning ever since. She and the Harford Clowns do birthday parties, parades such as the Thanksgiving one, family reunions and hospital visits. She also performs on her own.
Raynor has no thoughts of retiring her clown outfits, because she never tires of seeing the happiness her act generates.
"It's hard to describe what I get out of it," says Raynor, who lives in Joppa. "You make kids smile, and then you smile on the inside. And I mean kids of all ages. Adults too. What I give to people, I get back double."
Raynor now teaches a clown class with Lori Hinman at Essex Community College.
Like Raynor and most other clowns, Hinman's full-time job has nothing to do with balloons, a big red nose, a horn or wide floppy shoes.
Hinman is a computer consultant.
She, too, has always had a soft spot for clowns.
So when Hinman, 34, spotted a notice for a clowning class at a community college, she decided to give it a try.
"It was sort of a whim thing," this clown says. "I've always liked clowns. About 15 years ago, I took a noncredit class at Harford Community College. I am just so glad I did it! As soon as I took it, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. And I've been clowning ever since."
Hinman enjoys teaching others how to let their inner clown out.
"You teach how you are supposed to look, makeup and wardrobe. You teach about keeping your looks consistent and professional. You teach about magic and the skits and the physical comedy. Basically, you teach others how to clown around," Hinman says.
It's fun and satisfying, the women say, but it's also a skill.
"It takes an hour to even put the makeup on," Hinman says.
Hinman gets a lot of joy out of the volunteer work she does as a clown.
