I am sad to report Hobo King Iron Horse Brad caught the westbound. He loved the hobo family. He was a musician, craftsman, collect hobo memorabilia, enjoyed corresponding with hobo family, huge tease, hosted hobo gatherings in Indiana, husband and parent. I enjoyed corresponding with him. I visited him and family several times in Indiana. I will miss a good friend. RIP Iron Horse Brad. Mama Jo
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Brender Justice sent a letter asking me to post thanks for the card that was signed from multiple hoboes for her at the 2021 convention. If you still post to the Grapevine I would appreciate it if you would include it in the next post. Thanks
Wisconsin Del
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it's been a while since we updated Hobo News and the Grapevine. Sorry about that. Feel free to email any hobo news to frank@hobo.net
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Bo Peddler has caught the Westbound. He was often at Britt taking pictures during the Convention
7/20/21
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Dante will be buried in Britt this year on Thursday of Convention Week. He is an honored veteran with a Silver Star, two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star
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Grandpa Dudley has caught the Westbound, We will miss him
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Quiet Mike, Mike Wampole the librarian at the Perkiomen School has caught the Westbound on September 3rd. . He was invaluable in the Pennsburg gatherings. He will missed.
Bob Esposito
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We're sad to announce that the 2020 National Hobo Convention and Britt Hobo Days has been cancelled for this summer due to the safety concerns resulting from COVID, the current gathering restriction in place by the Governor, and the timing necessary to make the event happen. We didn't want to have to make this decision and have been in close communication with our friends in the hobo community - the consensus has always been the same; it's just not feasible to hold the gathering this year.
Believe it or not, this won't be the first time Hobo Days has been cancelled. During World War II, Hobo Days were canceled for 4 consecutive years and Ben Benson remained Hobo King for 5 years. King Slim Tim and Queen Flux will be honored to carry their crowns for another year.
We're already beginning to plan for and are looking forward to 2021!
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Dear Hobo Family and Friends of FROG,
Final arrangements for Frog are as follows:
Burial at the Hobo Cemetery at 3:00 PM on Thursday, August 8 during Hobo Days 2019. A Mass will be offered in Frog’s name at the 4:00 PM Mass on Saturday, August 10, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan, which is five minutes from the hobo jungle.Messages to Frog will be buried with Frog’s ashes. If you plan to attend the ceremony, you will have an opportunity to place your message with the container. If you are not able to participate in the cemetery service and would like to pen a final note to Frog, you can send it to me by July 15 at
Connecticut Tootsie
PO Box 22
Westbrook, CT 06498
My best to all,
CT Tootsie
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From Half Track:
Just spoke to Tramp Printer, his trip got cut short due to serious illness. When he got off the plane he had a heart attack and was rushed to Kaiser Hospital where he under went surgery. Surgery went well and he still is battling pneumonia as well as bronchitis.5/19/19
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Here are the pictures from Amory,MS.
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Dear Hobo Family, Many have asked for an update on Frog, who is still at St. Peter’s Hospital. Please know that Frog’s family understands and appreciates your heartfelt concern. Bobby, who is Frog’s brother, is in constant communication with me. He is managing all of Frog’s affairs with great care, love, and dedication. With that said, Frog’s family has requested that the hobo family keep the phone line open to Frog’s room so that they can speak with him. The Fortin family appreciates that Frog is a beloved member of our hobo family, but Frog has siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews also trying to reach him. The best we can all do for Frog is to keep him in our constant good thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your understanding and know that I love you all.
CT Tootsie
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From CT Tootsie: Dear Hobo Family, I just received a call from Frog's brother, Bobby. Frog is in ICU on a ventilator. Frog would ask for your prayers, so please storm the gates with your good thoughts and prayers. I will keep you posted as I receive news.
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Sorry about the late posting. Derry was a quiet gathering. Redbird,Mick the Stick, Sugarbear and Flatcar Frank spent the time watching the trains on the NS main line, the Railroad Days Parade and the many vendors on the main drag. We even split a rack of ribs!
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Hobo Spike is going through a tough time with his kidneys. Let him know we are thinking of himCards and letters can be sent to: Hobo Spike 707 Riverview Drive Gadsden, AL 35903
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We are looking for contact information on Hobo King NY Slim! Email Flatcar Frank
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Congratulations to Redbird Express, for receiving the Key to the City of Britt. (photo courtesy of the Britt Tribune)
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Jet Set John gave me the sad news today that Guitar Whitey caught the westbound July 3, 2018. He was 97 and walking in a park near his home in California. Still very sharp till the end.
CT Shorty
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Amory went off well. 12 hobos were in attendance, Kabar, Medicine Man, Daisy Sue, Ms Charlotte,Virginia Slim, Gypsy Moon, Collinwood Kid, Capt. Slim, Ziggy, Penny Pincher Old Man Moses. Thursday and Friday were great, unfortunately Saturday was rained out. Most of the hobos left Saturday night. Thanks to Medicine Man for the update
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Don't forget people! Send me your upcoming events!
Amory Railroad Festival, April 12 - 15th Downtown Amory by Main St
and Frisco Park. There will be a hobo jungle on the South edge of
Frisco Park behind the historic locomotive.There will be loud,
live music next to the jungle. The will be numerous food vendors
with "state fair" style snack food as well as BBQ, hot dogs
and hamburgers. and local diners. New public rest rooms
East of city hall and fire department, plus porta-potties throughout
the area There will be an estimated 60,000 people visiting.
Thanks to Kabar for the info 2/15/18
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I would like to thank Birdman for the Christmas present. I am picking my teeth like a pro.
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Dear hobo friends, I would like to inform you that my Dad, MN Jim Morphew will be starting chemo treatments today. His bladder cancer has returned & is in the lymph nodes now. He will have these treatments for 4 months & then they will be able to tell if the chemo is working or not. If the treatments don’t work, they give him 1-1 1/2 years. If the treatments do work, it could extend his life another year or so. This is not a cure for his cancer, but a way to slow it down. Please pray for our family, & please share this post. Thank you, Donna Schmidt
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N.Y. Ron passed on Halloween October 31st. Someone found him in his apartment.
No other details at this time.
Condolences can be sent to The Smith Family, 393 Middle Rd., Achusmet, MA 02743.
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The Grapevine only works when you add to it. You can email us with your upcoming events, letters and notices to frank@hobo.net.
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Sorry about the delay in getting Hobo.net up and running. Please send me all the juicy gossip in the hobo world for the Grapevine!
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Britt 2017
Thoughts from a Queen
By
Bookworm Bonnie, Queen 2013-14
“Cannonball” Paul! and I have
returned from a fabulous Hobo Week – we are so happy to be back after missing
last year with “Cannonball’s” broken leg. It was an amazing week – perfect
weather! The early arrival picture went well. The meeting on Monday was great
and the Head Pipe did an amazing job keeping everything in control – no small
job! The Hobo Cemetery looked fantastic – good job Indiana and helpers!
Shorty’s presentation at the cemetery was outstanding! Adman’s ceremony was
especially meaningful. Friday morning’s ceremony for those who caught the
westbound was heartfelt – I’m glad my husband, “Cannnonball” and Riff could add
some gospel music. Angie “Dirty Feet’s” marker is beautiful
The Queen’s Gala was a
wonderful event – the gardens looked beautiful!
We loved the work that was
done to the museum. I had a fabulous nickel garage sale tour with Half-Track,
finding many great values – the best of which is a pair of pottery Bookworm
bookends! Of course I HAD to have that!
Loved the music at the jungle. Thanks to
Flatcar Frank, the sound system worked well. It was so nice to get to renew
friendships and make new friends.
The new permanent Art Gallery
displaying the year’s Queen and King’s
portrait’s is so nice – glad that Iowa Shorty finally has a permanent home for
her art!
The culmination of the
crowning of our new King and Queen was amazing. Pretty stiff competition this
year but, so happy for Tuck and Jewel!
Just a super fun week! Thanks
to all who made it such a success!
Love ,
Your Former Queen (2013-14)
Bookworm Bonnie
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Dear hobo family,
I had the honor of singing at the celebration of Adman's life on Friday.
It was awesome. Joining me there were MN Jewel, Tuck, C'mon Pat,
Ms. Cindy Lou, MN Jim, Half Track, El Paso Kid & Rod.
If you want to read a nice article about Adman, Google star
Tribune Todd waters. It was in today's paper.
I am honored to have been Adman's queen as I continue to be yours.
I love you and hope to see many of you at the convention.
All my best to you,
Sunrise
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Adman's Celebration of Life
A big thank you to Meredith Westin Photography for the use of the photos. To see the rest,hurry over to http://www.meredithwestin.com/photoblog/2017/7/14/july-14th-2017
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Todd V. Waters 1947 - 2017
Todd Waterrs (AKA ‘Adman’) caught a westbound train to freedom on July 7, 2017. Todd was embraced by his rail riding, dumpster diving hobo family as their King in 2004, and by his Fortune 500 clients for brilliant and audacious marketing campaigns that earned him fame, wealth and nine “Best in World” honors. He was kind, soft spoken, courageous and wickedly funny – an adventurer fiercely loyal to his family, his legion of wildly diverse friends, and to all humankind. His motto was "Everyone Matters".
Throughout his life as a rambling hobo, a skydiver who feared heights, an anti-war leader in college, a political operative who helped elect two congressmen, and a world class advertising executive, Todd was always on a quest for freedom. His soul was driven to create, move, explore and surprise with the unexpected, and he did nothing timidly. “Anything worth doing,” he would say, “is worth overdoing.” Some people eat an ice cream cone. Todd ate the whole gallon. “Eat dessert first, ” he advised, “and you’ll always have room for it.”
Todd’s childhood friend, Bill Martin, once asked him why he would leave the comfort and security of his family and his Lake Minnetonka home every summer for 40 years to live the hobo life, with no money and no phone, exposing himself to danger, dodging the law and sleeping out in the elements. He replied, “It’s the freedom I feel.” The more risks he took, and the less he had in his pack, the more he was free to experience.
While Todd rubbed shoulders with the wealthy, prominent and powerful, the people he probably respected most for their guts and straightforwardness were hobos. So before hiring account executives for his agencies – Waters Advertising, Waters & Company and WatersMolitor, Inc. – he sometimes asked candidates to hit the streets and panhandle. He insisted that the people he worked with be brave, and know how to close a sale.
Make no mistake – the hobos never viewed Todd as some fly by night, cake eating, Lake Minnetonka phony. To them, he was a true brother, leader and Railroad Security dodger whose advocacy helped sustain the annual Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa, along with Britt’s famed Hobo Museum and the Hobo Cemetery. Hobos never retire, but Todd took his last train ride to Britt in 2012 – and got arrested.
On his home writing table, Todd carved a saying: “Look,” said God, “I wanted you the way you are and no different. You were a wanderer in my name and wherever you went you brought the settled folk a little homesickness for freedom.”
Todd Waters (AKA Adman) was born in Keokuk, Iowa on October 8, 1947 and caught The Westbound on July 7, 2017. He graduated from Wayzata High School and St. Cloud State University.
Early in 1976, a freight train hit Todd squarely in the heart when he met young Dori Molitor. He was smitten, knocked off his feet and totally bewildered by a love that lasted through five years of dating, 16 successful years as business partners and 37 ridiculously happy years of marriage. Along the way came their daughter, Alexandra, and son, Andrew, who have made them both incredibly proud.
Todd is also survived by his sisters, Jeanne (Waters) Elizer and Lynn (Waters) Bolyard and five nieces and nephews. He is joined in death by his father, Vern Waters, and his mother, Winona (Mitchell) Waters.
A celebration of Todd’s remarkable life will be held on Friday, July 14, 2017 at his Lake Minnetonka home at 3061 Casco Point Road, Wayzata Minnesota 55391. The viewing will be at 10:00 a.m. followed by an outdoor service at 11:00 a.m. and get together by the lake from noon until 3:00 p.m. Come early for the best street parking. Those wishing to send memorials should make checks out to “Britt Hobo Days” and send to Dori. She will forward them as a mark of Todd’s continuing support for his brother hobos.
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************************************************************************************* Angelina Marie Bergstrom, known as "Angie Dirty Feet" of Northeast Minneapolis, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 15, 2017. She was 16 years old.
Angelina was a beautiful young woman who loved her pets and spending time at Logan Park. She was a junior counselor at Camp Bovey where she loved spending time with kids. She will be greatly missed.
Angelina is survived by her mother, Sarah Porrazzo; father, Scott Bergstrom; brother , Zachary; sister, Brittany; grandmothers, Julianna (Tuck) Porrazzo-Ray and Sandy Relyea; great-grandmother, Shirley (Earl) Porrazzo; favorite cat, "Six"; other loving family and friends.
Memorial Gathering at 12:00 noon on Thursday, June 22nd at Billman~Hunt Funeral Chapel with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m.
2701 Central Avenue NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
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The Hobo Foundation has donated the Hobo Museum to the Britt Hobo Days Committee! Current financing does not allow the Foundation to continue operating the museum. The Britt Hobo Days Commitee is also a 501c3 organization and has the manpower to operate and maintain the museum for the future. The Hobo Foundation will continue to maintain the Hobo Memorial.
"Flatcar" Frank Kelley President - Hobo Foundation 5/18/17
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just want to let you know that I think about you every day and smile. I've had some wonderful conversations with people about our hobo family. I haven't traveled much since the fall, but there are so many people in everyday life that are surprised and intrigued my the history of the American hobo. I've been asked to present a program at the nursing home where my mom lived. It's tomorrow and I expect it to be a lot of fun. I hope that you are safe and well. Please drop me a line to let me know how things are going.
In your service, Sunrise
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Dear hobo family and friends,Your king and I send our warmest greetings for a wonderful Thanksgiving. Many of us are grieving the losses of our lives this past year. Some of us are alone for many reasons. There is a lot of uncertainty in our world. But know this: each of you is loved and cared for in our community. We celebrate our uniqueness and we respect each other's wandering through this life. Be well, safe and thankful. In your service, Sunrise and Ricardo
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