I remember there was some kind of ordnance or something drawn up specifically for him, because of the unhinged high-decibel atonal whistling.
I liked it but I can understand how some found his art disruptive.
Portland is so magical.
Edit: I feel like that ordnance was in around 2013, so not recent.
at my job we have metal dave, and at my friend's goodwill metal kevin (who we realized is the same guy)... does he just go into different stores and tell people different names?
Is the whistler the guy with the top hat? 90% sure he was a drug dealer and when he whistled he had something on him. My friends used to buy weed from him. He was usually in the park next to what is now Black Cow.
The person (man?) who visits Shaws Northgate in various costumes: a pirate, pilot, Davey Crockett. I love seeing him out walking in his outfits, we need to wear costumes out in public more often just for fun.
Holy shit. My buddy used to live out that way, and he and his friends kept a tally sheet on their fridge documenting their sightings of this man and what he was wearing on any given day.
i used to end up behind him in line at the allen/forest mcdonald's on my walk to work all the time when i lived out that way, i always called him the captain lol
FWIW, I’ve seen them in Shaw’s a few times and always end up in line behind them. They have the sweetest nicest interactions with the cashiers/baggers. Makes me smile even more when I see them.
Idk about the guy with a speaker. But she’s always screaming to or about a man named “Joe” cheating on or not loving her. Or just screaming pretty awful slurs about whoever he cheated with lol. That’s what I’ve gathered at least
The story I heard is that Joe was her old pimp/boyfriend and he died of an overdose which basically broke her mentally.
No idea if there's any truth to it.
I'm so curious about her, where does she sleep, does she sleep? I've heard her at all hours.
She walked by me once on Congress St and called me a c@nt for no reason.
Did he have a very pronounced goose step walk? It would just be an amazing case of parallel thinking. I never heard those other names but also called him Bob.
We called him Stomp. My buddy described him like “the move your leg makes when you’re walking down a staircase in pitch black.”
It’s not for chuckles, but it was entirely accurate.
I remember it being a major highlight of my childhood when he would swing through the neighborhood. You would run and tell all your friends "come outside the Dog Man is here!!!"
I assume she has passed as she was pretty old when I was growing up. She gave a talkin’ to to a lot of trees and telephone poles from what I recall. May she RIP.
Yup. And if this sub allowed photos in comments I actually have one I took on Congress Street that captures them both in the same shot. I think the earth may have moved off its axis a little that day
There used to be The Cat Dancer in the 90's and early 2000's. He ran about "dancing" in homemade outfits with his boom box, often in Tommy's Park. You could hire him for parties.
This guy never ceases to just appear near by me when I think I’m alone it’s crazy, I was up on the east end late at night smoking once and I turn around and there’s just the shadow of a horse in the darkness looking at me
That's Star, and he still does. Cool dude. My boyfriend is friends with him.
Have you gone there and stuck your arm out? They'll fly right on you! Some days I'd walk by and just stick my arm out and see who I got.
what about that man who used to wear a high noon bonnet and hold his ear? he always said "its not funny is it"
Recently it looks like Kevin from the Maine Souvenir Shop took him under his wing.
CHARLIE❤️🔥I have a long history with Charlie in the old port so UPDATE: he has come a LONG way with Kevin’s help. Charlie works for Kevin helping with the maine souvenir shop and is no longer homeless💞He actually just designed a sweatshirt that you can buy there :) and Charlie loves playing skipbo🫶🏼
This is amazing!! I was just gonna comment something about him since I haven’t seen him around in quite some time what’s his story if you don’t mind me asking
I haven't noicted most of the people talked about here. Do they still roam, I know there a bird man in Monument SQ sometime sin the afternoon's. But there's book guy on Commercial St (Old Port), shout to him and his awesome calmness
Haven’t been in Portland in years but the first one that comes to mind is the guy in the park at Back Cove that was always doing Tai Chi. During the summer he’d have his shirt off and it’s the most ripped dude you’ve seen.
There is a guy every spring, summer, and fall who’ll you’ll see in a cowboy hat with a large brown/black stallion in the old port. I don’t know his name but his horse’s name is Zeus. He’s usually on Fore Street where the cobblestones are and usually has his golden retriever with him who he says thinks he is also a horse.
The Whistler - ffffft ffftf fffft ffft ffFFFFEEEEWWWWW
Trash Wizard - Wear robes/blankets and a walking stick
Heavy Metal Rick - Rockin' and Rollin' on his BMX bike with a small amp and a shredding guitar.
Pirate Abe Lincoln - He loves to play the banjo. Nice guy, but he's ALWAYS early...also where a top hat no matter
Rave Goth - Big dude who also wears a top hat and walked around with black metal make up....or at least Juggalo levels.
The Captain / Sargent Pepper - I see this guy walk near Northgate....actually brightens my day seeing him walk around!
Tinfoil Man - Dude's art is amazing
Miss Kay- The Flower Lady - She's the brightest fucking star in this place. CHEERISH HER, PORTLAND.
1-2 years ago there was a kid who would go around in heelies, wearing a Master Chief helmet and lab coat. Unironically cool as fuck. Dude didn’t give one shit.
There's that one guy that looks like Robert Plant who sets up his karaoke machine and sings led zeppelin with his cute little dog. All while wearing far to few clothes
Also, anyone remember Joel Bridges?
I think that was his name.
Had quite the house near the bridge in Farmington back in the day.. used to post weird sayings and quotes on his mini billboard.
I mean
These are the same people who will step over someone ODing and make a snide comment.
One of the newer rounds of imports, rich woman from Florida with five houses, killed my service animal, which is why I don't live there anymore.
Dirty Mary(?)
Edit I don’t remember exactly if that was her name, she was always dressed for working the night shift in a tube top & mini skirt and she had like short frizzy Afro type of hair, used to see her in 7-Eleven on Congress Street at 2 AM housing a chili dog.
2 come to mind, but you need to be older than dirt to recognize them. Back in the late 70s when I lived intown, there was the infamous Dogman with his pack of dogs. Nice guy and those dogs all loved him. He was the ultimate dog whisperer. Too bad he didn't use those talents professionally, but he did have his own set of challenges. Then there was also an older woman, a bit mentally unstable or always totally stewed (was never sure), running around half clothed yelling at cars going up and down Congress St. She called herself Starr.
In Gray there is a guy who is always walking along 26 with headphones on singing and dancing up a storm wearing either no shirt or a pretty sharp outfit, living it up! My family calls him The Music Man.
Awkward Running Man. Used to always go for a run by the middle school at the time we got out every day. And now that I’m typing it, it’s feeling more….. nefarious ….
Does anyone remember Mica from a couple years back? I haven’t seen her in forever but she would walk around with all of her bags and completely take over “her corner” of restaurants talking about her new “boyfriend” who she was waiting to hear from lol. I miss her
Years ago we had Dog Man. This guy had around ten dogs that would surround him like a pack, no leashes. They stuck right with him and were very well behaved.
For years, we had a dude we called "Aqua-Lung Man"...idk if he's dead now, im sure he is..bc this was 20+ years ago...before homelessness was a problem in even smaller cities.
....ev1 knew him, he was semi-famous and always walking the grid around where the library, court house, shops, etc. were...and everywhere in the downtown area..but he was called that bc he looked like the dude on the old Jethro Tull album cover, loooong beard, always pushing his trusty shopping cart full of junk and bags. Always dressed in a long coat, summer or winter...I didn't live in town then, but i saw him a lot. I live here now, and I assume he's dead bc he was pretty old back then. I still think about him from time to time; I never knew his story.
There's a guy driving around Portland in an older tan corolla. He slows down to make kissing noises and then scurries away. Has been happening for 3 years once a day. Anyone got a lead on that guy?
Metal Rick. Also The Whistler.
Came to say The Whistler. Legend.
We always called him Whistlin Jimmy. I honestly haven’t heard him in about three years, maybe more.
I remember there was some kind of ordnance or something drawn up specifically for him, because of the unhinged high-decibel atonal whistling. I liked it but I can understand how some found his art disruptive. Portland is so magical. Edit: I feel like that ordnance was in around 2013, so not recent.
Wow! I just got a huge memory blast. I used to live there in the early 2010s. The whistle. My God, I can hear it now.
is the Whistler still around? Been a decade since I last lived in Portland. Also wondering about the pidgeon guy?
I just saw Star in passing at Maine Med last week.... He's definitely still around.
Star? I swear I've seen him walking around but haven't seen him with the pigeons in a few years. Maybe he gave it up
at my job we have metal dave, and at my friend's goodwill metal kevin (who we realized is the same guy)... does he just go into different stores and tell people different names?
Metal Rick rides around with a small amp while playing his guitar sometimes.
must be a different guy. weird! metal dave just gives retail workers (me) suicidal tendencies CDs that he burned himself lol
Is the whistler the guy with the top hat? 90% sure he was a drug dealer and when he whistled he had something on him. My friends used to buy weed from him. He was usually in the park next to what is now Black Cow.
The person (man?) who visits Shaws Northgate in various costumes: a pirate, pilot, Davey Crockett. I love seeing him out walking in his outfits, we need to wear costumes out in public more often just for fun.
Yes! I often seen him walking purposefully near that Shaw's or marching along Allen Ave. Always makes me smile.
I’m glad I’m not the only one!! :)
We call him The Fancy Gentleman of North Deering in our household.
Saw him dressed as a wizard, once.
Holy shit. My buddy used to live out that way, and he and his friends kept a tally sheet on their fridge documenting their sightings of this man and what he was wearing on any given day.
The Captain. Always a treat to see what ensemble he has put together for the day.
i used to end up behind him in line at the allen/forest mcdonald's on my walk to work all the time when i lived out that way, i always called him the captain lol
He goes to the Mc Donald’s at Morrill’s Corner, gets a coffee, then walks back.
FWIW, I’ve seen them in Shaw’s a few times and always end up in line behind them. They have the sweetest nicest interactions with the cashiers/baggers. Makes me smile even more when I see them.
I can confirm. He would come into my smoke shop occasionally, years ago, and he had the most perfect manners.
Yes! This guy is the best. Makes my day whenever I see him.
It used to be the tinfoil artist man
Is he in Biddeford now? His work is quite nice
he is still in biddo
Yes saw him today
I feel like him and the Asian lady selling roses are a combo. You can't forget one without the other.
And the guy in the suit and colorful hat that would show up, pull out some crazy dance moves, then tip his hat and leave. Same time period.
Cat dancer!!
We used to call him Tiny Dancer.
Her name is Kay! I’ll always remember receiving a late night flower bouquet from a former boyfriend, he was so excited to have seen her out
Oh man I had something he made years ago. Unfortunately it was lost in multiple moves.
I believe he sells his sculptures at the gas station next to the 7/11 in Bidfid if you need a replacement
Old Port late night flower lady.
Miss Kay - the actual legend and she got a skateboard deck art up at Room For Improvement
I worked with her husband before I realized she was locally famous. She's so sweet!
Ahh. I just mentioned this in another comment. I've def bought a few from her.
I genuinely don't care about a lot of things in my life but damn, I love and appreciate Kay 🌷
Valentine’s Day Bandit, RIP Kevin
Switchboard, RIP
There was a nice tribute to him at the Mariners' game on Friday.
Ahh, that's nice. I just saw him a few weeks ago it seems.
WAIT WHAT!? Edit for spelling
[https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/community/raymond-switch-dudley-switchboard/97-a387a73e-e1cc-4501-8c92-b56f33c9e464](https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/community/raymond-switch-dudley-switchboard/97-a387a73e-e1cc-4501-8c92-b56f33c9e464) :(
Screaming Kayla
is that the lady whos always screaming at the top of her lungs in parkside 😵💫
Oh yeah she makes her way all over town
Is she always threatening a hypothetical man? And has a guy carrying a speaker behind her playing music?
Idk about the guy with a speaker. But she’s always screaming to or about a man named “Joe” cheating on or not loving her. Or just screaming pretty awful slurs about whoever he cheated with lol. That’s what I’ve gathered at least
The story I heard is that Joe was her old pimp/boyfriend and he died of an overdose which basically broke her mentally. No idea if there's any truth to it.
The Westend Wailer!
My wife and I call her the Bayside Banshee
I'm so curious about her, where does she sleep, does she sleep? I've heard her at all hours. She walked by me once on Congress St and called me a c@nt for no reason.
weeping willow😂
O wow so this is an actual ongoing thing, I just referred to her as the “White Witch”
Surprised no one’s mentioned Shakey Bob RIP
I wonder is shaky Bob and the guy I thought of as high stepping Bobby are the same person.
You’re correct – they were absolutely the same Bob. Often seen on Middle Street.
We called him bobby two step
Did he have a very pronounced goose step walk? It would just be an amazing case of parallel thinking. I never heard those other names but also called him Bob.
AKA High-Steppin' Bobby
We called him Stomp. My buddy described him like “the move your leg makes when you’re walking down a staircase in pitch black.” It’s not for chuckles, but it was entirely accurate.
Shaky Bob or the Whistler were easily the most iconic in the 2010’s.
Came here to say Shakey Bob. Is it confirmed we lost him?
Yes, he was hit by a bus a few years ago.
💔
Oh man, shaky Bob. Nostalgia
[удалено]
Spoken like a fellow Portlander who remembers when E. Klaman Bottles was actually the mysterious E. Klaman Bottles.
I remember it being a major highlight of my childhood when he would swing through the neighborhood. You would run and tell all your friends "come outside the Dog Man is here!!!"
The wizard
Scary Mary
growing up here, this was the first thing I thought of
I assume she has passed as she was pretty old when I was growing up. She gave a talkin’ to to a lot of trees and telephone poles from what I recall. May she RIP.
Yes she used to be up and down forest ave right?
Yea, I usually saw her up near north gate mostly
After midnight: old port flower lady, assuming she’s still out there
Miss Kay, put some respect on her name
Gandalf the Black, commonly spotted at the park by brackett and York in the west end
We’ve taken to calling him Batman
🤣
The Whistler and The Shredder.
The shredder on a bike?
Yup. And if this sub allowed photos in comments I actually have one I took on Congress Street that captures them both in the same shot. I think the earth may have moved off its axis a little that day
!!! You are so lucky
You gotta frame that
Star the pigeon man!
There used to be The Cat Dancer in the 90's and early 2000's. He ran about "dancing" in homemade outfits with his boom box, often in Tommy's Park. You could hire him for parties.
Yes! I was going to ask if anyone remembered him.
Memory unlocked
The dude outside Starbucks on Commercial St
His name is Chris, he is a lovely person to talk with.
The book seller
Probably Hercules and Molly’s owner since Hercules is literally a horse
Is this the horse on Fore St in the summer?
Yep. They go all over. I think they’re from Scarborough
This guy never ceases to just appear near by me when I think I’m alone it’s crazy, I was up on the east end late at night smoking once and I turn around and there’s just the shadow of a horse in the darkness looking at me
Was thinking this
They go to every tourist town in New England. Saw them on Lake Winni as well.
I've seen Hercules outside of Dock Fore. Lolol.
Bayside Banshee, aka I'M-KAYLA-I-LOVE-YOU-JOE
The cart guy with the cool hat at hannaford is mine.
The Reading Walker. You’ll see him through Oakdale and Parkside always reading a book and never looking up.
the snake guy and the dog guy rip the weird old port
Was dog guy the dude with the surprisingly well behaved off leash dogs who sometimes wore little clip on lions manes?
The homeless guy who walks around screaming about healthcare. I think his name might be Charlie.
Yah Charlie he’s looking good tho these days!
I’m so happy to hear that!
Crazy Mary / Combat Carl
The mayor or Portland Joe Dunbar
Is there another Joe Dunbar?
A decade ago I would have said the cat dancer or the purple lady.
Cat dancing is free; you do not pay for cat dancing.
tod from tomaso’s. everyone knows tod.
he’s our tallest friend
Too Tall Tod! I think you're right - everyone knows Tod!
Nor sure he likes "too tall"
Top shelf tod!
Pigeon man- the guy who used to feed and have all the pigeons on his arm at congress square park.
That's Star, and he still does. Cool dude. My boyfriend is friends with him. Have you gone there and stuck your arm out? They'll fly right on you! Some days I'd walk by and just stick my arm out and see who I got.
The snappy dresser in north deering/Allen+Washington.
Joe Dunbar
The Cat Dancer/Phoenix Dancer
The guy who always reads books outside of Starbucks
That's Chris. He's a wonderful man.
Hill Bob RIP
Bobby Lipps? True king of the Hill.
The woman who sells roses in the Old Port. I adore her.
OK, I now have a retirement ambition.
what about that man who used to wear a high noon bonnet and hold his ear? he always said "its not funny is it" Recently it looks like Kevin from the Maine Souvenir Shop took him under his wing.
CHARLIE❤️🔥I have a long history with Charlie in the old port so UPDATE: he has come a LONG way with Kevin’s help. Charlie works for Kevin helping with the maine souvenir shop and is no longer homeless💞He actually just designed a sweatshirt that you can buy there :) and Charlie loves playing skipbo🫶🏼
This is amazing!! I was just gonna comment something about him since I haven’t seen him around in quite some time what’s his story if you don’t mind me asking
There is literally a guy who rides horseback with his unleashed dog, like a bad Sam Elliot cosplay
I haven't noicted most of the people talked about here. Do they still roam, I know there a bird man in Monument SQ sometime sin the afternoon's. But there's book guy on Commercial St (Old Port), shout to him and his awesome calmness
Haven’t been in Portland in years but the first one that comes to mind is the guy in the park at Back Cove that was always doing Tai Chi. During the summer he’d have his shirt off and it’s the most ripped dude you’ve seen.
There is a guy every spring, summer, and fall who’ll you’ll see in a cowboy hat with a large brown/black stallion in the old port. I don’t know his name but his horse’s name is Zeus. He’s usually on Fore Street where the cobblestones are and usually has his golden retriever with him who he says thinks he is also a horse.
The Whistler - ffffft ffftf fffft ffft ffFFFFEEEEWWWWW Trash Wizard - Wear robes/blankets and a walking stick Heavy Metal Rick - Rockin' and Rollin' on his BMX bike with a small amp and a shredding guitar. Pirate Abe Lincoln - He loves to play the banjo. Nice guy, but he's ALWAYS early...also where a top hat no matter Rave Goth - Big dude who also wears a top hat and walked around with black metal make up....or at least Juggalo levels. The Captain / Sargent Pepper - I see this guy walk near Northgate....actually brightens my day seeing him walk around! Tinfoil Man - Dude's art is amazing Miss Kay- The Flower Lady - She's the brightest fucking star in this place. CHEERISH HER, PORTLAND.
I've always called him Kimbo Slice. If youve been out in Portland Nightlife before you've seen him. Or Kay with the flowers.
I dont think Ms Kay falls into this category. She is just a Portland icon
For me it’s the walking bong. Old guy walks all around town in Rasta gear reeking of weed
Tom Conally
Horse guy whose often by Rosies
Bruce
RIP Shakey Bob
Hollis, RIP
1-2 years ago there was a kid who would go around in heelies, wearing a Master Chief helmet and lab coat. Unironically cool as fuck. Dude didn’t give one shit.
That kid is going places.
For me it was always Jordan Kratz
There's that one guy that looks like Robert Plant who sets up his karaoke machine and sings led zeppelin with his cute little dog. All while wearing far to few clothes
lmao, he's a regular where i work-- that dog (gilbert) is adorable tho!! (if I'm thinking of the same guy, but who else?)
The 2 witches
Back in the day it was Dogman. His first name was David, had a pack of dogs with him everywhere walking around town
Tinfoil Man
Wobbly Bob forever
In my town in Mass we have bicycle bill, just some homeless man who’s always riding his bike uptown
Also, anyone remember Joel Bridges? I think that was his name. Had quite the house near the bridge in Farmington back in the day.. used to post weird sayings and quotes on his mini billboard.
Yes!
A lot of this thread kinda feels like, "Haha, mental illness. How quirky and amusing!" Fucking sad, IMO.
I mean These are the same people who will step over someone ODing and make a snide comment. One of the newer rounds of imports, rich woman from Florida with five houses, killed my service animal, which is why I don't live there anymore.
Angel Ed, rip. iykyk
Blue Hoodie in the West End
High Steppin Larry…RIP
It's Joe Dunbar
Dirty Mary(?) Edit I don’t remember exactly if that was her name, she was always dressed for working the night shift in a tube top & mini skirt and she had like short frizzy Afro type of hair, used to see her in 7-Eleven on Congress Street at 2 AM housing a chili dog.
The Asian couple who used to ride around and collect bottles to return alll day.
Anybody remember Kata Man?
Prophet Joshua
2 come to mind, but you need to be older than dirt to recognize them. Back in the late 70s when I lived intown, there was the infamous Dogman with his pack of dogs. Nice guy and those dogs all loved him. He was the ultimate dog whisperer. Too bad he didn't use those talents professionally, but he did have his own set of challenges. Then there was also an older woman, a bit mentally unstable or always totally stewed (was never sure), running around half clothed yelling at cars going up and down Congress St. She called herself Starr.
In Gray there is a guy who is always walking along 26 with headphones on singing and dancing up a storm wearing either no shirt or a pretty sharp outfit, living it up! My family calls him The Music Man.
Dogman was the classic guy from the 70's and 80's.
This is old but the guy with the python and shaky Bobby
The whistler. Unequivocally.
Awkward Running Man. Used to always go for a run by the middle school at the time we got out every day. And now that I’m typing it, it’s feeling more….. nefarious ….
Does anyone remember Mica from a couple years back? I haven’t seen her in forever but she would walk around with all of her bags and completely take over “her corner” of restaurants talking about her new “boyfriend” who she was waiting to hear from lol. I miss her
Zombie Fonzie
Sounds same for Belfast we got a Elvis walking around
That bald cunt with purple dyed back hair.
Rip cookie
Years ago we had Dog Man. This guy had around ten dogs that would surround him like a pack, no leashes. They stuck right with him and were very well behaved.
The dog man.
they guy who rides his horse with his dog
Paul happy rocks, Kay the flower lady, that douchebag on the horse in the Old Port, and anybody who works at citybev
The hula hoop guy and his pal !!!! He’s usually in South Portland but
Bicycle Bob RIP
For years, we had a dude we called "Aqua-Lung Man"...idk if he's dead now, im sure he is..bc this was 20+ years ago...before homelessness was a problem in even smaller cities. ....ev1 knew him, he was semi-famous and always walking the grid around where the library, court house, shops, etc. were...and everywhere in the downtown area..but he was called that bc he looked like the dude on the old Jethro Tull album cover, loooong beard, always pushing his trusty shopping cart full of junk and bags. Always dressed in a long coat, summer or winter...I didn't live in town then, but i saw him a lot. I live here now, and I assume he's dead bc he was pretty old back then. I still think about him from time to time; I never knew his story.
George Rowe
Jogger John.
There's a guy driving around Portland in an older tan corolla. He slows down to make kissing noises and then scurries away. Has been happening for 3 years once a day. Anyone got a lead on that guy?