Local mascots and cartoon characters competed against long-standing mascot winner Abner Doubleday for the title of most amusing mascot during last week's youth fair at the Fingerlakes Mall. This year's winner, judged by audience applause, was Bee.
Cleen Hoselton / Special to The Citizen
Jonathan Mushock as Petey the Pea Pod, left, Chloe Warner as Gabi Grape, center, and Katherine Pille as Wanda the Watermelon.
Jonathan Mushock as Petey the Pea Pod, left, Chloe Warner as Gabi Grape, center, and Katherine Pille as Wanda the Watermelon.
Bee
Real name: Katie Rowe
Years being a mascot: First time. I am looking forward to working with Bird (my other mascot half) in the future. We are part of RAP, which is Reducing Adolescent Pregnancy. I really thought this was a “bee- youtiful” time.
Embarrassing moment: When I fell on my
“bee hind.”
What's the costume like? It's so hot in here it's like a sauna. But I don't mind it because I can “bee” myself and nobody knows who I am. You really can't see a thing in here actually. A little girl came up and hugged me and I couldn't feel her at all.
Why be a mascot? I am a student at Cayuga Community College and am currently doing an internship for the health department in public relations. There are so many health issues that need to be brought out into the community, I thought this was a great way to help.
The Tootie Frooties
Real names: Chloe Warner (Gabi Grape), Jonathan Mushock (Petey the Pea Pod) and Katherine Pille (Wanda the Watermelon)
Years being a mascot: First time as a mascot for all three
Embarrassing moment: Gabi (Grape) said: “When someone grabbed my grapes and made me whine or is it wine?” Petey (Pea Pod) said his most embarrassing moment occurred when someone shucked him.
What's the costume like? Wanda said, “As a watermelon I can say it is quite juicy inside.”
Why be a mascot? Petey said, “Because peas are so underappreciated.”
The Tootie Frooties were sponsored by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County
Abner Doubleday
Real name: Abner Doubleday
Years being a mascot: Two years
Embarrassing moment: My most embarrassing moment was striking out three times in one game.
What's the costume like? It is tough to run with the size of my head being this big.
Why be a mascot? I wanted to be a chick magnet.
Reva Rollerdome's Roller Roo
Real name: Wendy Ramsay
Years being a mascot: Three years
Embarrassing moment: When I was bouncing on
my skates and fell in front of everyone.
What's the costume like? It's roomy.
Why be a mascot? Because my hips are wide and low, I can walk and dance and really get a groove on. Also I can shake my tail better than anyone else.
Little Caesar
Real name: Tim Leonello
Years being a mascot: Eight years
Embarrassing moment: Once I ate too much Crazy Bread, and I couldn't fit into my toga.
What's the costume like? It's hot as a pizza fresh out of the oven.
Why be a mascot? I love kids and enjoy making them happy.
Spiderman
Real name: Sarah Bowline
Years being a mascot: First time
Embarrassing moment: I was flying down
Genesee Street and my web broke. I hit a
building. Very embarrassing.
What's the costume like? It's hottttttttttttt in here! I have to keep coming back to our (headquarters) every once in awhile to catch my breath.
Why be a mascot? I thought it would be fun to get all dressed up and be with all the little kids.
Al the Snow Gorilla
Real name: Robert Story
Years being a mascot: One year
Embarrassing moment: I was running around the rink waving a flag and the flag got caught in something and the next thing I knew, I was in midair and then I fell. Everyone was watching me instead of the game because I made a big noise when I hit the ground.
What's the costume like? It's dark and very hot inside here, but I can see pretty well.
Why be a mascot? I wanted to become Al so I can act like a monkey. It's a lot of fun.
Lady Liberty
Real name: David Tetrault, Jr.
Years being a mascot: Two years
Embarrassing moment: When motorists drove by and threw oranges and sodas at me. But I was ready when the next “attack” came and caught the soda, took a sip and tossed it back. Another time a 12-year-old boy came up to me and said I was degrading myself.
What's the costume like? It's actually comfortable.
Why be a mascot? I've had a lot of jobs, and I thought it would be better for customer relations because people don't see a mascot everyday.
Real name: Katie Rowe
Years being a mascot: First time. I am looking forward to working with Bird (my other mascot half) in the future. We are part of RAP, which is Reducing Adolescent Pregnancy. I really thought this was a “bee- youtiful” time.
Embarrassing moment: When I fell on my
“bee hind.”
What's the costume like? It's so hot in here it's like a sauna. But I don't mind it because I can “bee” myself and nobody knows who I am. You really can't see a thing in here actually. A little girl came up and hugged me and I couldn't feel her at all.
Why be a mascot? I am a student at Cayuga Community College and am currently doing an internship for the health department in public relations. There are so many health issues that need to be brought out into the community, I thought this was a great way to help.
The Tootie Frooties
Real names: Chloe Warner (Gabi Grape), Jonathan Mushock (Petey the Pea Pod) and Katherine Pille (Wanda the Watermelon)
Years being a mascot: First time as a mascot for all three
Embarrassing moment: Gabi (Grape) said: “When someone grabbed my grapes and made me whine or is it wine?” Petey (Pea Pod) said his most embarrassing moment occurred when someone shucked him.
What's the costume like? Wanda said, “As a watermelon I can say it is quite juicy inside.”
Why be a mascot? Petey said, “Because peas are so underappreciated.”
The Tootie Frooties were sponsored by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County
Abner Doubleday
Real name: Abner Doubleday
Years being a mascot: Two years
Embarrassing moment: My most embarrassing moment was striking out three times in one game.
What's the costume like? It is tough to run with the size of my head being this big.
Why be a mascot? I wanted to be a chick magnet.
Reva Rollerdome's Roller Roo
Real name: Wendy Ramsay
Years being a mascot: Three years
Embarrassing moment: When I was bouncing on
my skates and fell in front of everyone.
What's the costume like? It's roomy.
Why be a mascot? Because my hips are wide and low, I can walk and dance and really get a groove on. Also I can shake my tail better than anyone else.
Little Caesar
Real name: Tim Leonello
Years being a mascot: Eight years
Embarrassing moment: Once I ate too much Crazy Bread, and I couldn't fit into my toga.
What's the costume like? It's hot as a pizza fresh out of the oven.
Why be a mascot? I love kids and enjoy making them happy.
Spiderman
Real name: Sarah Bowline
Years being a mascot: First time
Embarrassing moment: I was flying down
Genesee Street and my web broke. I hit a
building. Very embarrassing.
What's the costume like? It's hottttttttttttt in here! I have to keep coming back to our (headquarters) every once in awhile to catch my breath.
Why be a mascot? I thought it would be fun to get all dressed up and be with all the little kids.
Al the Snow Gorilla
Real name: Robert Story
Years being a mascot: One year
Embarrassing moment: I was running around the rink waving a flag and the flag got caught in something and the next thing I knew, I was in midair and then I fell. Everyone was watching me instead of the game because I made a big noise when I hit the ground.
What's the costume like? It's dark and very hot inside here, but I can see pretty well.
Why be a mascot? I wanted to become Al so I can act like a monkey. It's a lot of fun.
Lady Liberty
Real name: David Tetrault, Jr.
Years being a mascot: Two years
Embarrassing moment: When motorists drove by and threw oranges and sodas at me. But I was ready when the next “attack” came and caught the soda, took a sip and tossed it back. Another time a 12-year-old boy came up to me and said I was degrading myself.
What's the costume like? It's actually comfortable.
Why be a mascot? I've had a lot of jobs, and I thought it would be better for customer relations because people don't see a mascot everyday.
