Spring Break
"Old Town" Gerry makes the rounds
Tim Maddocks
Issue date: 11/26/07 Section: News
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After this he goes home for a nap and makes another round in the evening. Some call him a "local celebrity," while some not-so-regular Old Town patrons dismiss him as homeless or a drunk.
"My name is 'Old Town' Gerry," the 79-year-old said. "That's it."
His trimmed, white mustache matches the receding hairline disappearing beneath his black mesh baseball cap. Five pigeon feathers on both sides of the cap point backward.
He tours Old Town every night not in search of alcohol or handouts, but simply an interesting conversation.
When he leaves for his afternoon "visits," the feathers point up at his home, the Northern Hotel, a recently renovated senior housing complex that sits on top of Starbucks on College Ave.
His schedule isn't as regular as it used to be.
subhead
Gerry walks Old Town's red brick sidewalks a little slower than he did when he was younger. But he still visits his many friends as much as possible.
After his daily lunch at The Open Door Mission, Gerry stops at Bissetti's for a cup of coffee and a chat with the bartender. He makes sure he shows his face at Jay's Bistro every time Mark Sloniker, a local jazz pianist, plays there. He stops by Fort Collins Police Services' Walnut Street location most days to share a conversation with Sgt. Francis Gonzales. He visits most places in Old Town nearly every day.
Bartenders and nightlife regulars all know Gerry by name and expect regular visits from him.
"He has a lot of friends, and he walks around and visits a lot of people," said Karla Donaldson, a Bissetti's bartender. "It's kind of his shtick."
"He's in a lot of ways like a local celebrity," said Chris Ott, 30, a bartender at Jay's Bistro.
Gerry visits bars frequently, but he never has more than a drink.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 29
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 11/26/07 @ 9:40 AM MST
Wow what a great story Tim. If I get back to Fort Collins I am going to make it a point to meet Gerry.
Gerry understands what I have for years , it is the people , and the memories you create with them that are important in life. (Continued…)
erin
posted 11/26/07 @ 2:53 PM MST
great article, we posted a link to it at www.collegenews.com!
Worthless Bum
posted 8/17/08 @ 1:08 PM MST
That's so nice, an endorsement from a crook like Thebo.
Worthless Bum
posted 8/18/08 @ 2:21 PM MST
Private or not, he's supposed to representing God, not his bigoted prejudices. No one said that all homeless people were angels, but they don't pretend to be like Thebo. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 8/18/08 @ 2:34 PM MST
Once again you completely ignore the rights of the men in the shelter to sleep without having a gay guy trying to hit on them.
Also this pastor has had gays shower and eat there before and they didn't get kicked out. (Continued…)
Worthless Bum
posted 8/18/08 @ 5:33 PM MST
Response to Craig Hawley's diatribe.
http://richardthebo.blogspot.com/2008/08/craig-hawley-bigotry-and-faith-in-lies.html
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 8/18/08 @ 7:09 PM MST
Ok I tried to be civil but you want to make this personal we can dance.
Yes your own personal blog I trust as far as I can throw you.
I am posting from Los Angeles and going by the facts as reported by an actual news source not your personal opinion page. (Continued…)
Worthless Bum
posted 8/18/08 @ 7:21 PM MST
You really, really need to seek some counseling. You just showed yourself for the pompous lying ass you are. It's no wonder you defend Thebo so vigorously--you're just like him. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 8/18/08 @ 8:16 PM MST
God Bless you to you worthless old bum.
Here is his poll so he can't change it to dodge the facts.
Thank you, we have already counted your vote. (Continued…)
worthless Bum
posted 8/19/08 @ 7:48 AM MST
Since I never advertised the blog it shouldn't seem unrealistic that word hasn't gotten around about it's existence yet. But thanks to you that's all changed. (Continued…)
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