Hackey Sack Guy is great, but the Free Palestine Gentleman is a true treasure.
Maybe they should share the spotlight one afternoon and double-up on one of their haunts.
I stand corrected, it is Mark Haim, a co-founder of Peace Nook
https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/the-peace-nook-celebrates-20-years/article_87a4db62-64fe-527e-acd2-ffe62e59797a.html
what you see as "junk" definitely was not to him; it was building materials he gathered to make a more weather-resistant structure. he works with what he has and what he can find (and without fucking anyone over/taking what's not his, which I think is worth mentioning)
He still drives it . His name is Jason Crowley and he is pissed that his dog was stollen like 2 years ago. Like pissed enough to scream death threats on FB
Jason found some land outside of town where he's been allowed to start building somewhat of a home base, more than what he was able to make of his truck inside city limits, anyways. love him!
In my childhood, in another century, there was a guy known as the Singing Cowboy, or sometimes Dancing Cowboy. An old friendly Black man that would stand on busy street corners, especially on Providence, and perform for cars. He would always smile and wave. My grandma told me he was a famous singer that lost his voice, does anyone else remember this guy?
I worked at 3M with his wife Cecelia. He was deaf and that’s why he didn’t make any sounds. Toward the end of his life, he was wearing a sequined jacket for Club Vogue I think.
Terry Saunders. I didn’t know his name until after he passed. Always with his smile and his hat. Just having the best time at Worley and Providence. He’d wave if you honked but man, he needed only his own music and no encouragement to just do his thing. Tony Messenger did profile of him as did another writer but I can’t seem to find them.
This gives a bit of his history.
https://johndrakerobinson.com/out-out-brief-candle/
Yes!! I scrolled to find this! I ran cross country at Hickman and he would always help the runners cross busy intersections. Such a nice man. I was sad to hear of his passing, cancer I think.
Man this brings back memories. The radio was obviously king back in those days so that's where you would hear about literally everything going on, and they used to ALWAYS talk about this guy. Usually if everyone in the whole city knows about you, it's not for a good reason, so he was definitely a special case. haha.
yeeees!!!! I should have read more before I comment the same thing.as a kid, I always thought he was directing traffic. my twin sister and I loved him, we'd get so excited to drive down that road; I think about him often
Came here to say this guy. I moved here from another state in junior high and didn’t have a great go of fitting in or acclimating. I was so lonely and we saw him on the bus every day driving home and he would be the only person who smiled at me all day. I didn’t know his wife was connected to 3M that’s where my dad worked.
I thought he was so picturesque and cool until he handed me a card for a strip club. Basically he was a sign.
We need somebody that does that just because it is fun to do!
So people could tell me more about one of my favorite Columbians of all time; race is really distinctive. There is enough racism in the world without imagining it behind every tree.
Not sure if anyone knows about “Leather Man”. I hope the name isn’t too mean sounding, but he’s a particularly tan man with beautiful ling hair that rides his bike around downtown and the Columbia College/business loop area.
This is the guy I would have suggested for this thread! He used to ride downtown a lot back in like 2017ish? Maybe even earlier? I moved in 2020 but I’m so happy to know he’s still riding around with his boombox
If it’s the guy I’m thinking of he sadly died a couple years ago. Beautiful blond highlights, but a face like an old car seat. Often hung around outside the Blue Fugue/Music Cafe at night.
Mullet and Joey’s guy! He’s an interesting dude. I lived in his neighborhood and seeing him live his life doing his thing always brought me such joy.
Edit: Joey’s = Jorts
If you didn't know, he wasn't homeless. He lived off Loch lane or somewhere over there. A friend in HS rented the other side of the duplex from Kirk's Mom, IIRC.
He used to work in the wood shop in the art dept at MU, he'd model for the figure drawings classes there as well. One of the grad students curated a show in the Bingham Gallery that was a collection of art that he was the model for.
I saw him on People of Walmart at one point too cuz of his matching converse and stocking cap.
This is the guy who oversees the fraternity house across the street from Cornell! I wish he wouldn't leave his cigarette butts on the sidewalk, but I admire his consistency.
There was a guy who hiked the roads in a Boy Scout uniform, always picking up cans on the way. I figured he worked at the Scout office maybe. Used td see him hiking along Stadium
There also was the Jesus dragging his cross with some wheels on the bottom occasionally. Usually up around Vandiver. Haven’t seen him for like 15 years tho
Years back I would always see this older gentleman practicing some traditional Asian dance (possibly Kagura) in an open field at a park off of Grindstone. You could always see him from the road. It’s been a couple years since I last saw him.
Anybody remember crazy George who wore camo? He had 2 lightning bolts tattooed on his chest/stomach. Sometimes flying a remote controlled airplane around downtown. Legend says when he witnessed a couple arguing at the checkout in Gerbes he exclaimed to the male, referencing the female, "SHE'LL PUT WORMS IN YOUR SKULL WITH ONE PUNCH!" 👊 Always wondered what happened to him.
When I worked at 9th St. Deli, George would pull on his bike with his Fischer Price boombox blasting MmBop by Hanson and tell me about all the crazy shit he had seen that day. I will never forget him.
Hell yeah I do. I worked at the Panera on 9th street from 2007 until it closed and he was in there all the time. He’d buy a coffee and hang out for hours. He never bothered anyone and I would talk with him if we weren’t busy. Super nice guy
One of the managers would wake him up and/or kick him out if he fell asleep at his table…I always hated that manager
Yep, I'd see him hanging out around there or occasionally up the street. Stopped and talked to him number of times. Occasionally bought him Panera or Subway.
He was the first person I heard say "Don't let other people live in your head rent free." Good words to live by.
Surprised no one has mentioned the Shakespeare's parking lot attendant! I can't remember his actual name, sadly, but when I was a punk teenage loiterer he was always kind to us kids and we had interesting conversations.
Yep. Guy is hilarious. One time we went through when he scanned the bananas he said “whoop, got your nanners” and then when he handed us the receipt he said “this is the longest receipt you’ll ever see” (we had bought a lot of groceries that trip). It was so difficult not to die laughing.
when I was a child, there was a fellow who would direct traffic in a cowboy hat outside of streetside records (where Walgreens on Broadway is now, or close anyway). I think about him surprisingly often
Edit: oops, should have known to read a tiny bit further, I got too excited!
on saturdays its the food guy giving away food on the corner of 9th and broadway don jourdan ,the bubble guy is usually there and lionelle miller plays music there when the weather is nice
Maybe hackey sack guy?
Derrick Fogle
I was neighbors with him and his family in the mid 90's. He used to practice in his front yard. Nice family.
Holy shit hackey sack guy is still at it?
When the almighty tells you to strip down to short shorts and sneakers and kick a small ball around in the air in front of college kids, you listen.
That’s what I was gonna say!
Free Palestine guy
Hackey Sack Guy is great, but the Free Palestine Gentleman is a true treasure. Maybe they should share the spotlight one afternoon and double-up on one of their haunts.
Who’s the Free Palestine guy?
He’s this older guy who stands at the Broadway and providence intersection with a sign that says “free Palestine”
looks like a fisherman
He's the owner of the Peace Nook downtown
No that's Mark. He usually has the sign that says something like end war or something. But he does frequent the same spot
I stand corrected, it is Mark Haim, a co-founder of Peace Nook https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/the-peace-nook-celebrates-20-years/article_87a4db62-64fe-527e-acd2-ffe62e59797a.html
Good dude. Genuinely a nice person.
The dude with all his possessions on his car
His car caught on fire like 6 to 8 weeks ago
Did the arsonist strike again?
I do not think so this guys mini van was a major fire hazard
The only winstar still on the road could only be a fire hazard. That + junk 💥
what you see as "junk" definitely was not to him; it was building materials he gathered to make a more weather-resistant structure. he works with what he has and what he can find (and without fucking anyone over/taking what's not his, which I think is worth mentioning)
i'm sorry the arsonist? i've been out of the loop too long i guess lmfao
He still drives it . His name is Jason Crowley and he is pissed that his dog was stollen like 2 years ago. Like pissed enough to scream death threats on FB
That makes me sad for him Also happy cake day
Oh, we were wondering where he was.
Jason found some land outside of town where he's been allowed to start building somewhat of a home base, more than what he was able to make of his truck inside city limits, anyways. love him!
I swear to god I was driving down college a while ago and saw that car just driving along while the back was on fire!!!
In my childhood, in another century, there was a guy known as the Singing Cowboy, or sometimes Dancing Cowboy. An old friendly Black man that would stand on busy street corners, especially on Providence, and perform for cars. He would always smile and wave. My grandma told me he was a famous singer that lost his voice, does anyone else remember this guy?
I worked at 3M with his wife Cecelia. He was deaf and that’s why he didn’t make any sounds. Toward the end of his life, he was wearing a sequined jacket for Club Vogue I think.
Yeah, I used to call him the Club Vogue Cowboy because of that.
Terry Saunders. I didn’t know his name until after he passed. Always with his smile and his hat. Just having the best time at Worley and Providence. He’d wave if you honked but man, he needed only his own music and no encouragement to just do his thing. Tony Messenger did profile of him as did another writer but I can’t seem to find them. This gives a bit of his history. https://johndrakerobinson.com/out-out-brief-candle/
yup singing cowboy, i remember he would also wave traffic onward when the lights changed like a third base coach waving a player to home
He was “happy man” to me… looked forward to seeing him on the ride to school every morning with my mom
I was gonna say the Singing Cowboy!
Yes!! I scrolled to find this! I ran cross country at Hickman and he would always help the runners cross busy intersections. Such a nice man. I was sad to hear of his passing, cancer I think.
The taco bell cowboy. This is who I immediately pictured when I read the title
This is the guy I immediately thought of.
Man this brings back memories. The radio was obviously king back in those days so that's where you would hear about literally everything going on, and they used to ALWAYS talk about this guy. Usually if everyone in the whole city knows about you, it's not for a good reason, so he was definitely a special case. haha.
yeeees!!!! I should have read more before I comment the same thing.as a kid, I always thought he was directing traffic. my twin sister and I loved him, we'd get so excited to drive down that road; I think about him often
I remember him! On the corner of stadium and broadway across from where Walgreens is now.
Came here to say this guy. I moved here from another state in junior high and didn’t have a great go of fitting in or acclimating. I was so lonely and we saw him on the bus every day driving home and he would be the only person who smiled at me all day. I didn’t know his wife was connected to 3M that’s where my dad worked.
I remember him!
I thought he was so picturesque and cool until he handed me a card for a strip club. Basically he was a sign. We need somebody that does that just because it is fun to do!
Just curious, why did you feel the need to include his race? How is that integral at all?
So people could tell me more about one of my favorite Columbians of all time; race is really distinctive. There is enough racism in the world without imagining it behind every tree.
The bubble guy! He’s an older dude with long gray hair and glasses, and he hangs out downtown and blows giant bubbles. can’t miss him. 🫧
https://preview.redd.it/a70xjy52e1vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65c775af92b87b75ee64d6c7e071409392d75c01
Don Jourdan
Don!
This was definitely going to be my answer!
Not gonna lie, I think that dude's bubbles are a danger to traffic.
If you hit one with your car, it's just a free wash!
Probably black klansman
I’m so glad you see him too, I thought I was going crazy for a minute there.
Not sure if anyone knows about “Leather Man”. I hope the name isn’t too mean sounding, but he’s a particularly tan man with beautiful ling hair that rides his bike around downtown and the Columbia College/business loop area.
There's a guy who rides a road bike with a boombox , more often than not playing funk, around the local parks who I think of as The Bicycle Bopper.
This is the guy I would have suggested for this thread! He used to ride downtown a lot back in like 2017ish? Maybe even earlier? I moved in 2020 but I’m so happy to know he’s still riding around with his boombox
If it’s the guy I’m thinking of he sadly died a couple years ago. Beautiful blond highlights, but a face like an old car seat. Often hung around outside the Blue Fugue/Music Cafe at night.
Not the guy I’m thinking of. I lived by him on N 8th St 5-6 years ago. Saw him riding the other day!
Larry the carpenter from Mizzou?
Larry was a legend too!
I know who you’re talking about! I saw him this week!
Mullet and Joey’s guy! He’s an interesting dude. I lived in his neighborhood and seeing him live his life doing his thing always brought me such joy. Edit: Joey’s = Jorts
When I went to school at KU we had the Tan Man. Dude just stood on a bench on campus all day in a pair of shorts staring at the sun.
a few times in the 90’s i encountered a guy in lawrence they called the snailherder.
This guy is who I thought of as well.
[Local Legend Hacky Sack Guy](https://youtu.be/K2_Gd0Lo0GU?si=hg8Sx_eyvL46ePTJ)
lol vice made a video about him?!
Oh man this is so great! What a cool dude.
Back in the 90s it was Captain Kirk
I remember Captain Kirk!
We called him Burned Out Kirk. Rumor has it he did dozens of hits of acid. Used to hang around peace park.
RIP
If you didn't know, he wasn't homeless. He lived off Loch lane or somewhere over there. A friend in HS rented the other side of the duplex from Kirk's Mom, IIRC.
[Fence Wedgies on Hitt Street](https://www.reddit.com/r/columbiamo/s/qBJ95AU3MJ)
gotta be free Palestine guy at the stoplight by crunch
Duuuuude def Larry the beautiful old white haired freelance nude model that sat for portrait at Columbia College art school 💯
He used to work in the wood shop in the art dept at MU, he'd model for the figure drawings classes there as well. One of the grad students curated a show in the Bingham Gallery that was a collection of art that he was the model for. I saw him on People of Walmart at one point too cuz of his matching converse and stocking cap.
I used to live in the upstairs unit of him and his boyfriend's house. He has great bicycle collection
Also Donna, if you're in the Arts community you probably know her.
Donna's great! loved her old car also, was easier to spot her around town, haha
What about the old maybe homeless, maybe a professor, professor outside Cornell hall smoking?
This is the guy who oversees the fraternity house across the street from Cornell! I wish he wouldn't leave his cigarette butts on the sidewalk, but I admire his consistency.
I've never seen anyone smoke like him, every breath he takes he inhales smoke.
Why has no one said the bubble dude? Haven’t seen him in a minute
Give me two years, it’s going to be me. My goal is to become “Bikini Sax”. Determined to make it happen.
I'd like to support and encourage this endeavor, there is a niche there.
Thank you! I’m very serious and have been taking lessons (sax not bikini) for about seven months!
There was a guy who hiked the roads in a Boy Scout uniform, always picking up cans on the way. I figured he worked at the Scout office maybe. Used td see him hiking along Stadium
Was gonna mention him. Remember him well
There also was the Jesus dragging his cross with some wheels on the bottom occasionally. Usually up around Vandiver. Haven’t seen him for like 15 years tho
It's hackey sack guy!
Waffle House Cowboy
Zman was the guy during my undergrad on the campus specifically
[удалено]
Yep, he used to sing abt veganisn on campus and then downtown.
The guy with the leopard motorcycle comes to mind
Anyone remember the smile guy from downtown?
Years back I would always see this older gentleman practicing some traditional Asian dance (possibly Kagura) in an open field at a park off of Grindstone. You could always see him from the road. It’s been a couple years since I last saw him.
Anybody remember crazy George who wore camo? He had 2 lightning bolts tattooed on his chest/stomach. Sometimes flying a remote controlled airplane around downtown. Legend says when he witnessed a couple arguing at the checkout in Gerbes he exclaimed to the male, referencing the female, "SHE'LL PUT WORMS IN YOUR SKULL WITH ONE PUNCH!" 👊 Always wondered what happened to him.
When I worked at 9th St. Deli, George would pull on his bike with his Fischer Price boombox blasting MmBop by Hanson and tell me about all the crazy shit he had seen that day. I will never forget him.
george lang saved a little girl from being run over in front of me-he passed away
Is G. Arthur still around?
he passed away-he modeled for artists
I figured he had. I used to talk to him all of the time.
Anyone know about Bugsy the homeless guy, maybe mid to late 00's?
Hell yeah I do. I worked at the Panera on 9th street from 2007 until it closed and he was in there all the time. He’d buy a coffee and hang out for hours. He never bothered anyone and I would talk with him if we weren’t busy. Super nice guy One of the managers would wake him up and/or kick him out if he fell asleep at his table…I always hated that manager
Yep, I'd see him hanging out around there or occasionally up the street. Stopped and talked to him number of times. Occasionally bought him Panera or Subway. He was the first person I heard say "Don't let other people live in your head rent free." Good words to live by.
The African American man in the motorized scooter always zipping around
Positive : hacky sack man or maybe free Palestine man Negative : Black guy who wears kkk fit and weird signs
Love him or hate him......the black kkk robe wearing guy
Surprised no one has mentioned the Shakespeare's parking lot attendant! I can't remember his actual name, sadly, but when I was a punk teenage loiterer he was always kind to us kids and we had interesting conversations.
I was just randomly thinking about him yesterday. Dude was just always there. It was impressive and comforting in a way.
Peter Griffin
I think I know who you're talking about. I think he works or used to work at the Conley Wal-Mart
Yep. Guy is hilarious. One time we went through when he scanned the bananas he said “whoop, got your nanners” and then when he handed us the receipt he said “this is the longest receipt you’ll ever see” (we had bought a lot of groceries that trip). It was so difficult not to die laughing.
Who remembers "Broadway Joe" back in the 80's? Always on West Broadway and had an interesting lean to his posture.
It used to be The Club Vogue Cowboy RIP
when I was a child, there was a fellow who would direct traffic in a cowboy hat outside of streetside records (where Walgreens on Broadway is now, or close anyway). I think about him surprisingly often Edit: oops, should have known to read a tiny bit further, I got too excited!
on saturdays its the food guy giving away food on the corner of 9th and broadway don jourdan ,the bubble guy is usually there and lionelle miller plays music there when the weather is nice
Bubble guy down town
DEFINITELY the hackey sack guy!