Richard N. Henson has been a teacher, a coach and a principal, but now carries on his family's tradition of broom making, begun by his grandfather 80 years ago during the Great Depression when he sold brooms for a quarter each. As the elder Henson humorously pointed out, "It was a Hoover that put me in the business and a Hoover that put me out," referring both Herbert Hoover and the Hoover vacuum cleaner.

Henson not only inherited his grandfather's broom making abilities, but his witty sense of humor, as well. He uses both to pursue a career as a motivational speak and humorist. He explained that his grandfather's last words to him were, "If you learn how to make a broom you'll always have a job." And Henson has used the handmade brooms as a vehicle to further his other career. He brings both together in a new book, "From 25 Cents to Here." He also offers motivational & entertaining speaking engagments across the counrty.

Henson's brooms were featured exclusively in the hit TV show, Dr. Quinn- Medicine Woman. They have also appeared in Martha Stewart Living, Country Living and other national magazines. He produces twelve different kinds of brooms from those that just "work to works of art." Currently, sixteen of his brooms are used as a focal point for a ballet in Leeds, England called Angels in the Architecture.

Henson said he ships brooms all over the world and his shop has attracted visitors from thirty-six states and six countries. You can visit the Henson Broom Shop and General Store in Symsonia, which also sells products made by the Amish, or visit it on the web at hensonbrooms.com.

NEXT WEEK

ROTARY(REAP) SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Awards will be made to REAP Scholarship Recipients with Rotary International Scholarship information & REAP updates to be presented.

Dave Perry--July Program Chair