Will brake for whirligigs
Willie's Wind Wonders started as a fluke six years ago
10:16 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2006
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Wind wonders come in so many shapes, sizes and colors - from a fan dancer, to a wind wheel, to the hypno twister.
Willie Williamson has all sorts of wind catchers.
"I guess I'm silly," he said.
Willie's Wind Wonders started as a fluke. Six years ago his niece painted a sign that said "Willie's Wind Wonders" for the front lawn.
"And low and behold I became a business man," he said. "It's fun, and I meet neat people."
Photo by Keith Miles
Willie's Wind Wonders has about 150 items in his inventory. The business is located at 6630 S.W. 21st St. in Topeka. Willie doesn't have a Web site, but you can call him at (785) 271-7279.
Located on a main Topeka thoroughfare, Willie's had customers from Belize, Central America and even Italy. Those driving by just get mesmerized with the colorful yard art.
Willie has about 150 items in his inventory.
"It seems that when people come in," Willie said. "They're just in awe of the variety that is available whether it be a cow, a pig, a frog, a duck or a patriot type item. Every year it seems like there's something new that comes out."
Willie's wind art spins from trees or flutters from poles placed in the ground or hand-held poles.
Willie also has kites, but it was a little too windy the day 49 News stopped by.
"You don't want a lot of wind when you fly a kite. A little wind will raise a kite. If you get a big wind up there, you can't get 'em down," he said.
Willie likes to tell the story of his friend with a non-stop kite.
"And he put it up one Friday night, and it was not a large kite. And he couldn't get it down. And it was up overnight 'cause he couldn't get it down," Willie laughed.
Willie is a big man, but even he met his match with a wind flyer.
Around Town with Dana Davis
If you have a special event happening in your community, or if you want your town featured on Good Morning Kansas. Please e-mail your ideas to dana.davis@49abcnews.com or call Dana at (785) 215-8500."I do have one item that's, ah, catches so much wind that I have to have a very strong pole to hold 'em up. He's a big, round, about 6-foot across, circular that I can't fly on the poles that I have. I got 'em, but he's too big for me."
Willie says wind catchers are for everyone to enjoy.
"I think probably my biggest, biggest customers are ladies," he said.
Willie loves to pass the enjoyment on to other people.
"I have people stop and say, 'I've been going by for such a long time, and I just never stop, but I so enjoy looking...' It's just a fun thing," he said. "It's interesting. It's colorful, and it's fun."
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