Niwot 10-year-old shares the awesomeness

Creativity flows through 10-year-old Edsel whether he's drawing comics or working on his local newspaper, the Neighborhood Awesomeness. Edsel has noticed there are "many awesome things happening in the neighborhood," and he wanted to display that during the stressful times of a pandemic.

His mother, Catherine, has helped Edsel print over 25 copies of the Awesomeness and distribute it throughout their central Niwot neighborhood, rain or shine.

The now bi-weekly paper began when Colorado went into a safe at home order in March and includes comics, sports and a "big story" section. All ideas are Edsel's own and it's not hard for him to find inspiration.

"Some of the stories (Edsel) just actually went looking around in the neighborhood to see what was going on," Catherine said, "things about pets, things about what we could notice."

Pets are a popular focal point with Catherine adding in a "Sprocky the Cat" comic and Edsel going a little further with his tall tale, "Geoffrey the Pirate Giraffe." Other treasures by the aspiring cartoonist include "Lil' Ghost" and "Roger the Radish." A legendary pair of comics sparked his interest in the art.

"I really like Garfield and Calvin and Hobbes comics," Edsel said. "I thought that it would be fun to give it a try of my own."

"He spends a lot of time cartooning," Catherine said. "Even when he's not doing Neighborhood Awesomeness, he likes to make up comics and cartoons." Edsel added that he even made a comic starring himself.

Catherine has appreciated the admiration they've received from neighbors. Neighbors have written Edsel friendly feedback, fueled his deliveries with chocolate, and even donated paper when stores were closed during the lockdown.

Besides an occasional reminder to begin writing and some help with printing and stapling, Catherine gives all the credit to Edsel.

"From the start, it was actually his idea," Catherine said. "I very much wanted him to lead it. He does it all."

The Neighborhood Awesomeness will continue to spread positivity throughout the summer and beyond.

"It's just been a really fun project," Catherine said. "And a good way for Edsel to keep going during the time he was away from school."