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View Full Version : Interesting characters from your hometown. Ed Carlson. The US 395 Waver.


Taltarzac725
05-10-2015, 08:07 AM
The Waver's final interview | My Nevada (http://blogs.rgj.com/mynevada/2012/12/29/the-wavers-final-interview/)

What are some of the interesting characters that you remember from your hometowns? Reno, Nevada is where I went to the last few years of Elementary School, Junior High, Three Years of High School, about 7 years of College getting two BAs at the University of Nevada, Reno.

The Waver, Ed Carlson, was one of these interesting people. He spent a lot of time just walking on the main stretch of highway between Reno and Carson City happily waving at various motorists.

I would play a game with him and not wave or smile back at him until he waved a few more times in my direction. His mission in life seemed to be to spread joy. Not sure how he supported himself through all this waving.

manaboutown
05-10-2015, 08:13 AM
George Fischbeck comes to mind. He was a chemistry teacher at Albuquerque High for 23 years. He was famous for being very entertaining in class. Who would have known he would go on to become LA's Dr. George at KABC-TV? George Fischbeck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Fischbeck)

DonH57
05-10-2015, 08:55 AM
That's funny you mentioned a waver. When we were living in Shirley Massachusetts the town next to us, Ayer, was only about 2 miles down the road. On any given day at least twice this gentleman walked between towns and waved at every car that passed. I forgot his name right now but his family lived there for many generations. He was nicknamed " The Mayor of Shirley" for his constant courteous waving. The only time he wasn't out walking was when the sidewalk/bike path had not yet been plowed of snow.

tomwed
05-10-2015, 09:06 AM
Before 1960--you smelled pigs in my hometown of Secaucus, NJ.
good times

alanmcdonald
05-10-2015, 11:16 AM
Most (in)famous person from my hometown was actually someone I hung around with in High School.

Angela (DeAngelis) Atwood - she kidnapped Patty Hearst.

Taltarzac725
05-10-2015, 12:08 PM
Most (in)famous person from my hometown was actually someone I hung around with in High School.

Angela (DeAngelis) Atwood - she kidnapped Patty Hearst.

What happened to her?

alanmcdonald
05-10-2015, 03:30 PM
What happened to her?

She died in the shootout with police that set the hideout house on fire.

TheVillageChicken
05-10-2015, 04:27 PM
This old gentleman's name was Mert, and he was a fixture on the streets of my hometown in the 50s. He was mentally challenged but was loved by everyone and treated with much respect and charity. He stood in the intersections and directed traffic.

https://scontent-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/v/t1.0-9/563966_10200427565114025_27426177_n.jpg?oh=9167b9b 0ce8a30d234efd419f3bfbda4&oe=55D57C7A