Shaun2

SHAUN CONNOLLY THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF MASCOT INTERACTION

With the warmer weather hitting us, the NBA and NHL Playoffs in full swing, the golf majors on their way, the US Tennis Open around the corner and the UEFA Champions League final barrelling towards the end I can’t help but think of one thing: minor league baseball mascots.

As I have written before I was a professional mascot for a decade. It was my campus job while I was in college and then later as Twister for the infamous Worcester Tornadoes. In college, I didn’t just do football games and basketball games. Our women’s volleyball team went to the National Championships twice while I was enrolled and our wrestling team won a National Championship. But I attended softball, baseball, fundraising walks, elementary school spree days, and new business ribbon cuttings. I got crowned Homecoming King, as the mascot mind you, because the students were being reprimanded for over-partying. I have endured a lot of different climates while dressed up like a furry bear and the worst of the worst is a humid July day game for 3,000 pre-adolescent campers.

The heat, plus the suit (which does not breathe well), plus the hot breath of 50 kids asking for a picture or a hug or an autograph is already panic inducing. Then, at the end of a half inning, the PA starts blaring the Spongebob Squarepants theme song and those thousands of kids are screaming every word. They are all buzzing from sugar and excitement and then their favorite show’s theme song comes on. The hundred that I am surrounded by are pulling and tugging and screaming and crying. One kid was just jumping up and down on my foot and two others jumped on my back trying to see who was inside their beloved Twister. My heart races reliving this moment to you now and I hope you don’t endure anything like it.

So as you head to a game or two or five this summer, here are 5 tips to help you and your local mascot can each enjoy America’s pastime:

1. Do not pull on tails, ears, shirts, hats, or any other extremity, apparel or body part.

This kind feels like a no brainer, like it’s how you should live as a human being, but especially for a mascot they don’t have the periphery and quickness that most humans do. They are pretty vulnerable and do not want to be touched despite their resemblance to a plushy. (side note one a drunk man tackled me and my mascot head rolled down the left field line, when security asked him why he did it and he responded saying, “I thought there was more cushion in there.”

2. Do not yell into the mouth and ask who is in there.

Have I ended up meeting a very beautiful girl this way and end up making out with her in the woods during a kegger? But that sad occurrence is the best possible situation. Most times the person inside there is just smelling your dehydrated breath.

3. Do not let your kid hang out with a mascot.

While most mascots do get CORI checked, they are still people who are working and not babysitters so you can get drunk at the game. Our job is entertainment, not entertaining young children.

4. Know that the mascot is probably not smiling when you take a photo. They’ll pose with you, but they don’t have to like it. Especially if any of the first three things have already happened.

5. If the mascot is heading to their break, let them have their break. The mascot will be back. They need this. They need the water, or to cool off or just punch a pillow because you were driving them a little crazy. It can get claustrophobic in there and if one more person just taps their shoulder while they are having a panic attack, they may just snap.

Let’s go WooSox, let’s go Bravehearts, “let’s go” to any team in the area that you go see. You’re there for the game, the amenities and the mascot. This column is dedicated to any and all, but especially Jake the Lion and all of the Red Sox mascots.

NEW IN THE WOO: CRAFTED BY CAIT HAIR STUDIO

Caitlyn Langlois, the beauty and brains behind one of Worcester’s newest salons, says she is fortunate to be on her way to achieving her dreams. Having attended Empire Beauty School in Framingham and getting her cosmotology license in 2015, this vibrant creative is excited to be doing what she loves every day…making people look and feel amazing. She looks forward to meeting and getting to know new clients and understanding what they are truly looking for in a color or cut.

“I worked in a busy salon with many other wonderful stylists for a while,” says Cait, “but I found myself getting really distracted with everyone talking, multiple hairdryers going, and the hustle of it all. I really wanted to have a more creative environment where I had the freedom to go above and beyond.”

A few of her former colleagues turned friends had branched out on their own in the last couple of years, and she is grateful for the support they have given her as she ventured into business ownership.

“It’s so nice to be around like minded people,” Cait says. Though Cait can create expressly unique styles, her favorite thing to do is balayage, or hair painting, where the color is swept onto the hair for a more natural highlighted look that is not as evenly patterned as traditional highlighting. In fact, she is Masters of Balayage certified so you know you are going to leave looking like luxury.

“I love a lived-in look,” shares Cait. I really enjoy balancing natural colors in such a way that it looks like it was always supposed to be that way.”

When asked what big trends she was seeing for Spring, Cait shared that cuts with shorter angles in front that cascade toward length seems to be pretty popular right now, along with the curtain bangs.

“Long hair has been a huge thing lately too, especially with a texturized ‘just came from the beach’ look. Popular colors right now are a mushroom brown and various shades of copper,” Cait tells us.

With high school proms on the horizon, she has some great ideas for beautiful hair down looks that she would love to have people come in for. She shared that her cousin Tiffany owns Brighteyes Beauty Bar down the street, so people can see her for hair and then go there for makeup for a super convenient experience.

Looking toward the remainder of 2023 and beyond, Cait has a spirit of energy and adventure.

“I feel very thankful to have this space to create. I am so thrilled to have my friends by my side working at their own suites in the same building (Michelle Elizabeth Salon and Chase Hair Studio), and really, I couldn’t have done any of this without them,” she says.

With Worcester being a city that welcomes small business owners and entrepreneurs, Caitlyn can’t help but be optimistic.

“When you go into this industry as a stylist, it is a hard road that is sometimes difficult to stick with, but there are also so many possibilities and options – it’s limitless – so you can really thrive too. It was the best decision I have ever made in my life,” she shares.

Crafted by Cait is located at 1023 Southbridge St, Suite 109 right here in Worcester. Appointments can be booked by visiting the glossgenius.com/ craftedbycait website or contacting her via email at craftedbycait22@ gmail.com. Check out some of her amazing work on her Instagram page: @craftedby_cait