Orbit the Mascot is a popular mascot for the Houston Astros, a Major League Baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The mascot made its debut in 1990 and has since become a beloved figure among fans and players alike. Orbit is a green alien with antennas and a big smile. The character was inspired by the team's name, "Astros," which refers to astronauts and space exploration. The decision to create a mascot in the form of an alien was a fun and unique way to represent the team and its connection to Houston's rich history in the space industry. Orbit's main role is to entertain and interact with fans during home games at Minute Maid Park.
And that broom that Bette Midler flies on in Hocus Pocus 2? You better believe that’s a Scheumack broom as well.
Scheumack Broom Company makes several kinds of brooms, ranging from kitchen brooms to witch s brooms, and they have been featured in several well-known movies. He added that his brooms have been featured in several Renaissance fairs, which are known to the movie industry as great places to find these types of crafts.
Orbit's main role is to entertain and interact with fans during home games at Minute Maid Park. The mascot is known for its energetic dance moves, playful antics, and constant engagement with the crowd. It can be seen roaming around the ballpark, high-fiving fans, taking selfies, and even participating in on-field promotions.
Witch’s Brooms, Kitchen Brooms, Oh My
The brooms at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies? That’s a Scheumack broom. The walking sticks Gandalf uses in The Lord of the Rings movies? Those are from Scheumack.
And that broom that Bette Midler flies on in Hocus Pocus 2? You better believe that’s a Scheumack broom as well.
These brooms all come from a little old shop in Eugene. Scheumack Broom Company makes several kinds of brooms, ranging from kitchen brooms to witch’s brooms, and they have been featured in several well-known movies.
The company is the brainchild of Thurman Scheumack, who founded the business in 1981. “The business started in Arkansas in the Ozark Mountains,” says Scheumack, 72. He previously worked with a historical center called the Ozark Folk Center, back when Bill Clinton was governor. Clinton started a program that would help Scheumack find his passion for making brooms.
“He gave out grants to younger people to go live with the old timers before it disappeared, and he gave me one of those grants,” Scheumack says. “So, I lived up there and studied knifemaking, blacksmithing, broom making, woodcarving, all these different things.”
Initially, Scheumack didn’t do this to make money. That all changed with his injury, though. “I got into a motorcycle accident, and my neck was broken in six places,” Scheumack says.
After this, Scheumack began thinking: What could he do to provide for his four children? He eventually decided that broom designing would be his career. “After I got out of the hospital, I really just centered on making the brooms,” he says.
Scheumack’s brooms are created in a traditional way, with several types designed for different uses. These include brooms for fireplaces, kitchen brooms and besom brooms, commonly known as witch’s brooms. Besom brooms are sewn rounder and are more aerodynamic than other types of brooms, including shaker brooms, which are sewn more flat.
Some of the brooms even have face carvings on them. Several of the tools used to make the brooms have parts from the 1870s, with one bench vise made in 1878. The wood is local, with sticks coming from the Brownsville area just north of Eugene. The wood used is mostly maple and cherry.
“It’s very much the way they were made 150 years ago,” Scheumack says. It’s the besom brooms that are featured in the movies. Scheumack says the brooms seen in Hogwarts from Harry Potter are made by his company.
In addition to the Harry Potter series, Scheumack’s brooms, sticks and carvings have been featured in several other movies. The wood sculpture carvings in the ships from the Pirates of the Caribbean are his. One episode of The Office has featured a Scheumack broom as well. Most recently, they have appeared in Hocus Pocus 2, released on Sept. 30.
By the time Hocus Pocus 2 came out this fall, Scheumack’s brooms were well-established. “Once you’re in that kind of circuit, we get referred to a lot,” Scheumack says. He added that his brooms have been featured in several Renaissance fairs, which are known to the movie industry as great places to find these types of crafts.
The movie industry is not the only primary source buying Scheumack brooms. In fact, he says, 50 percent of his wholesale customers are from witchcraft stores and metaphysical stores, which sell new age items.
In 1997, Scheumack decided to move his business to Eugene, largely because of a popular event a few miles west. “The main reason we moved here was because of the Oregon Country Fair,” he says. “It’s quite a change from the Ozark Mountains.” He has been selling his brooms every year at the fair since 1991, and people can buy his brooms there.
Today, Scheumack and his employees, four full-time and two part-time, can be found working on their brooms in Eugene’s Whiteaker neighborhood. The old, rustic nature of the shop is the perfect atmosphere for the types of brooms they make.
One worker, 29-year-old Waldo Przekop, says he enjoys the traditional and old-time style of the brooms he helps make.
“Making the brooms, that’s a cool part,” Przekop says. “I think that it’s something that I would be sad to see it go, as far as old-timey natural art jobs.”
So, whenever you sit down to watch Hocus Pocus 2 or the Harry Potter movies, keep an eye out for some local, old-time brooms made in a small shop in Eugene called Scheumack Broom Company.
Information on Scheumack Broom Company can be found at BroomMagic.com. They can also be contacted at 541-338-0502 and [email protected].
The brooms at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies? That’s a Scheumack broom. The walking sticks Gandalf uses in The Lord of the Rings movies? Those are from Scheumack.
Beyond the game, Orbit is also involved in community outreach activities. The mascot often visits local schools, hospitals, and charity events to bring joy and smiles to people of all ages. Orbit's presence is a testament to the Astros' commitment to giving back to the community and making a positive impact off the field. Over the years, Orbit has gained a substantial following and has become a beloved symbol of the Houston Astros. Fans of all ages eagerly await the mascot's appearances, knowing that it will bring excitement, energy, and laughter to the ballpark. Whether it's dancing on the dugout, entertaining in-between innings, or interacting with fans, Orbit has undoubtedly become an essential part of the Astros' game-day experience. In conclusion, Orbit the Mascot is a fun and beloved character that represents the Houston Astros and brings joy and entertainment to fans at Minute Maid Park. Through its playful antics and community involvement, Orbit has become a cherished symbol of the team's identity and its commitment to engaging with its fans both on and off the field..
Reviews for "Orbit's Controversial Moments: The Times the Mascot Pushed the Boundaries"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Orbit the mazcot". The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters lacked depth and development. The animation was also subpar, with stiff and unnatural movements. Overall, it felt like a cheap and rushed production that failed to engage and entertain. I would not recommend wasting your time on this film.
2. Michael - 2 stars
"Orbit the mazcot" was a forgettable experience for me. The humor fell flat, and the jokes were repetitive and unoriginal. The voice acting was uninspiring, and the dialogue felt forced. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. I had high hopes for this film, but it ultimately failed to deliver. I would advise skipping this one and choosing a different animated movie instead.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I found "Orbit the mazcot" to be quite underwhelming. The plot lacked originality and was filled with cliches. The character designs were unimpressive and lacked creativity, making it hard to connect with them. The overall execution felt uninspired, and I struggled to maintain my interest throughout the film. The animation was mediocre at best, with simplistic and unimaginative visuals. All in all, "Orbit the mazcot" was a forgettable movie that failed to leave a lasting impression.