My Syracuse friend and fellow blogger Jim McKeever again spreads the word about somebody that deserves a minute of your time.
Gertis McDowell is a familiar sight on the campus of Syracuse University.
You hear Gertis McDowell before you see him. The steady rhythm of coins shaking in his tin can gives him away before you spot him in his wheelchair on the street corner.
Gertis is an institution in Syracuse, N.Y. He has occupied a few select spots for years, shaking the coins and chatting up anyone who can spare some change and a minute of their day.
He’s so well-known on the Syracuse University campus (his favorite daytime spot) that students videotape him and share his story for class assignments. Some are now on YouTube and Vimeo.
Gertis greets female passersby with “Hey, pretty girl” and males with “Hey Big Papi.” I have yet to see a negative reaction from anyone he greets this way.
Gertis loves to talk, and his Alabama drawl is downright charming. He greets male…
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Mark Bialczak 
Thanks for sharing this story, Mark. I did go to Jim’s blog and read the whole story. Beautiful!
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“would’ (Edit Lance! Edit!)
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“They world say, ‘Hey! You can’t live in this world by yourself’.”
Exactly some of the points I have been struggling (and failing) to make lately.
Thanks for this re-blog.
Brings to my mind, the show ‘Treme’
http://www.hbo.com/treme#/
Great stuff Mark.
Thank you.
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I hope you jumped over to my friend’s Irish Investigation blog and read more of his stuff. Jim’s got a great mind, Lance.
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Actually, I did.
Thanks for sharing.
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i love gertis already and can see why his is such a popular member of the local community )
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If everybody could give corner strangers a minute, Beth.
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i know…..so right.
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I am always glad to hear people’s stories and would listen to his, talk to him if he were local. This is a fine reblog, Mark! Smiles, Robin
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Indeed, Robin, the world needs more people who share your attitude.
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