Indeed, like most traits, our sense of humor is influenced not only by genetics but also by environmental factors like upbringing, culture, and social circle.
Sun City resident Jacque Stashwick is a woman who loves to get a laugh, loves to tell a story, and loves to have fun talking to you.
Stashwick’s friend, Darlene Rutledge said, “She’s a hoot and should be a comedy article writer on her life like Erma Bombeck. Her Facebook posts are entertaining and I tell her she should be a writer all the time.”
Stashwick’s home is beautifully decorated and lined with family photos.
She points to the view of the back of the house and says, “I use to tell everyone that is a magical farm.”
What is a magical farm?
Stashwick explains, “When we first moved into this house, the most beautiful horses and stallions would run there. Then they turned into cows. I love cows and couldn’t bear thinking about them going to the big Jewel in the sky. And then they were pigs, about 28 pigs that were noisy and a little fragrant. And finally, just a beautiful view.”
Some of the family photos displayed on walls and tables have unusual staging. Jacque’s son Todd has inherited her love for fun. In one framed photo, Todd, poses for a family photo with his wife and children in a bathtub.
Jacque, holding another photo, said, “Todd rented a tuxedo and they got dressed up and hired a photographer to take a family portrait playing on the beach. The picture captures a fun-loving family.”
Jacque said, “Todd loved the stage since he was little. He was in school plays. In high school, he had the lead in Fiddler on the Roof. He was the class clown. And his sister, Dana was there backstage helping with the make-up.”
“Todd graduated from Illinois State University, and he began performing at improvisational theaters, and then he was hired and performed in The Second City productions. That is how he met his wife. Charity was a groupie and followed him from Maine to Chicago and then to New York. Todd got the opportunity to audition for Saturday Night Live, my husband and I packed up his two belongings and moved him to New York.”
Jacque said, “When Todd had his first child, they named him Oscar. He told me now I can tell people that I got my Oscar. When their daughter was born, I suggested the name Emmy so that he could say he got an Emmy also, but they did not take this suggestion. If they have another, it could be a Tony.”
Jacque said, “We had to move Todd and his family one more time to Los Angeles where he worked on numerous television shows. He now is playing a villain.”
Todd is playing the role of Dr. Drakken a mad scientist and Kim’s archenemy in the Disney Channel Original Movie Kim Possible.
This new turn in Todd’s career prompted this response from Jacque: “I’m your mom and you scare me.”
Headline: Using the funny bone
