--Three college students are cashing in with their string of stands offering tourists a chance to have their picture taken with a life-size cardboard photograph of President Reagan. The company, called Innovative Ideas Inc., has grown in one year to several stands in Washington and five others in nearby cities, more than 15 employees and monthly profits in six figures, said the owners. Kevin Darcey, 23, Joe Nelson, 21, and John Lane, 22, all University of Maryland fraternity members, first offered tourists a chance to have their picture taken with "Ronnie" last May, with a Polaroid camera and a $3,000 loan from Nelson's father. Darcey said, "Whether they hate him or love him, people love to get their picture taken with (Reagan)." Business is booming. One of the most popular stands is at the Old Post Office Pavilion in Washington, where congressmen ("Mostly Democrats," Darcey said), media stars and actors have come to share a picture with Ronnie. "When you are coming to town, people tell you to be sure and tell off Ron," Darcey said. "We give people a chance to do that."
For Students, Profiting From Reaganomics Is a Snap
Newsmakers
--A newspaper nominated science fiction writer Ray Bradbury to be the next civilian on a space shuttle. Bradbury answered the editorial in the Rochester, N.Y., Times-Union with: "What are you doing? Trying to scare me to death?" Bradbury wrote in a letter to the editor, "I am 65 years old now and, while I am in good health, I am one of those former beach boys who think lying in the sun is better than running around it. I think that I would prefer to be nominated to captain the Goodyear blimp closer to Earth."
--Elsie Frank gave a Mother's Day card to her son the congressman. Decorated with hearts and flowers, the card told Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.): "Your mother didn't bring you up so you could let other mothers down." Frank accepted it at a news conference in Washington held by the Older Women's League, which opposes budget proposals that would curtail Social Security cost-of-living adjustments, cut low-cost housing for the elderly, increase Medicare premiums and cut Medicaid. The cards, a reproduction of an old-fashioned stitched sampler, ask on the inside, "What do you suppose she'd say about your vote on these issues?" League President Tish Sommers said: "With one in six older women living in poverty, women need more than flowers, candy and sweet sentiments."
