I ran into this guy (Mark) in the parking lot of Walgreens. He was wearing a full body Scooby Doo suit and I asked him for a photo. He was very proud of the fact that he had been featured in four newspapers and one magazine. He just got into town from Albuquerque, looking for warmer weather. I gave him a few dollars and he said he was going to Wendy’s to buy some food. This morning his photo (taken in the Wendy’s parking lot!) was in the Sun News. I guess that brings his total to FIVE newspapers.

“Scooby Doo fanatic Mark Kammerdiener, 45, shares a moment with his dog, Buddy, on Monday as they sit in the Wendy’s parking lot off of Walton. Kammerdiener, who has been homeless and traveling for more than 20 years, has sported his costume every day for the past three years. “I make people smile when people see me. Do you know how many lives I’ve affected? It makes me feel better,” Kammerdiener said.” [LINK]

In other news, I must have dropped my new (gulp!) phone in the parking lot when I went to take his picture. Mike and I were eating lunch when his phone rang. “Why are you calling me?” he asked. “I’m not! I don’t even have my phone with me.” A man found my phone and redialed the last number. Mike offered to give him $20 for finding it but he refused. He left it for me with the cashier at Walgreens. Talk about the kindness of strangers! I hadn’t even realized it was gone. There is no way I could have replaced it so I am VERY grateful!