Clowns

(NICK SHORT/Standard-Examiner) Joseph Anderson was one of the original Boots ’N Bunker clowns before becoming the fire marshal at the North View Fire Department 13 years ago. The Boots ’N Bunker clowns teach fire safety in Ogden schools.

Fire marshal remembers time in fire-prevention program

NORTH OGDEN — Joseph Anderson told his boss there was no way he could ever be a clown. But 21 years later, he’s looking back on the success of the Boots ’N Bunker fire-prevention program he pioneered in the Ogden schools.

Illustration by SHADE LEEDS
Special to the Standard-Examiner

Send away the clowns

Cue the carnival music. Tie those balloon animals. Refill the seltzer bottles.

The clowns are here.

Did you jump into the nearest bush when you heard this? Well, you're not alone. You may have coulrophobia -- a fear of clowns.

Richard Arbogast, chief medical officer for McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, said that 10 percent of people, young and old, have a negative reaction to clowns.

A 2007 study by the University of Sheffield in the U.K. polled children at a children's hospital about decorating the ward with pictures of clowns.

Heath Ledger as The Joker

BAD CLOWNS

Pennywise the Clown -- In the 1990 movie "It," the television adaptation of Stephen King's tale of horror, a group of kids are tormented by a clown demon. Pennywise beckons them to join him in the sewer: "We all float down here."

"Poltergeist" clown doll -- The movie series that started in 1982 brought tales of a family being threatened by ghosts -- and also featured an eerie combination of dolls.

Advertisement
  +

Recent Comments

Latest Blogs

Blogging the Rambler
Would a real fiscal conservative have bought that...
By: Charles Trentelman

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 11:54am

The Political Surf
Book on ‘Mormonizing’ of America is Bible-bookstore...
By: Doug Gibson

Monday, May 21, 2012 - 3:22pm

Me, myself... as mommy
Is addiction to Adderall really more appealing than...
By: MeganSanders

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 - 12:26am

Why Are You Crying?
Pakistani justice salutes bin Laden
By: Mark Shenefelt

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 11:43am

Standard-Examiner Sports Blogs
Tyrone Corbin just loves watching basketball, would...
By: Jim Burton

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 - 4:20pm

Latest Tweets