Making Life Magical: Retired teachers find a new way to make a positive difference as entertainers

  • Creative Magic Productions, LLC, are nationally recognized entertainers and retired area educators "Jack Spade" (Jeff Hames) and "Annie Heart" (Valarie Hames), of Bethel. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
    Creative Magic Productions, LLC, are nationally recognized entertainers and retired area educators "Jack Spade" (Jeff Hames) and "Annie Heart" (Valarie Hames), of Bethel. Photos by Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
  • Creative Magic Productions, LLC, are nationally recognized entertainers and retired area educators "Jack Spade" (Jeff Hames) and "Annie Heart" (Valarie Hames), of Bethel.
    Creative Magic Productions, LLC, are nationally recognized entertainers and retired area educators "Jack Spade" (Jeff Hames) and "Annie Heart" (Valarie Hames), of Bethel.
  • '"Annie Heart" (Valarie Hames), with Creative Magic Productions in Bethel, paints the face of Jameson Sedlock, 4, as his brother, Roman Sedlock, 6, both of McLoud, watches during Relay for Life of Pottawatomie County, held at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center Fred Humphries Arena on May 29. In addition to face painting, "Jack Spade" (Jeff Hames) juggled and twisted balloon animals that evening.
    '"Annie Heart" (Valarie Hames), with Creative Magic Productions in Bethel, paints the face of Jameson Sedlock, 4, as his brother, Roman Sedlock, 6, both of McLoud, watches during Relay for Life of Pottawatomie County, held at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center Fred Humphries Arena on May 29. In addition to face painting, "Jack Spade" (Jeff Hames) juggled and twisted balloon animals that evening.
  • "Jack Spade" (Jeff Hames) of Creative Magic Productions, in Bethel, juggles in front of Addison NeSmith, 9, of Shawnee, during Relay for Life of Pottawatomie County, held at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center Fred Humphries Arena on May 29. Spade also created balloon animals, and "Annie Heart" (Valarie Hames) provided face painting at the event.
    "Jack Spade" (Jeff Hames) of Creative Magic Productions, in Bethel, juggles in front of Addison NeSmith, 9, of Shawnee, during Relay for Life of Pottawatomie County, held at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center Fred Humphries Arena on May 29. Spade also created balloon animals, and "Annie Heart" (Valarie Hames) provided face painting at the event.

    As teachers across the county are juggling lesson plans and supplies, two retired teachers are actually juggling and face painting in their second career.

    Even before they retired, Jeff and Valarie Hames of Bethel worked together as entertainers, eventually founding Creative Magic Productions, LLC.

    “I’m the professional magician, fire juggler, bullwhip artist, trick shooter, comedian. I balance ladd…