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The Yo-Yo
Think you are good enough to make a living doing yo-yo tricks?
Dick Stohr does. He quit his job as an engineering consultant about 10 years ago. Now he travels around the region calling himself That Yo-Yo Guy and teaching kids "a really fun science lesson."
Stohr, 68, has been playing with the toys since he was a kid (setting six world records along the way). Now he enjoys teaching a new generation what makes a yo-yo go.
"The more energy you put into the throw, the more stable the yo-yo becomes, and the spin will last longer, so you can do more tricks," he explains. The yo-yo starts to slow down when there is friction between it and its string.
Stohr loves the work that's required to master a tough trick. "The more you practice, the better you get," he says. "The more confident you become, the more fun it is."
When he's not traveling, Stohr is at home in Springfield -- practicing. His basement is filled with yo-yos. "I quit counting at 1,400," he says with a laugh.
You can see That Yo-Yo Guy from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at Luther Jackson Middle School in Fairfax. Or watch videos of his tricks at http:/
