Mr. Happy Man

Posted at 3:20 PM on February 13, 2012 by Bob Collins (2 Comments)

We're still collecting your suggestions for NewsCut's "You Should Meet" series, the winter-long focus on people who do interesting things. That is to say: Everyone. Everyone, as the man said, has some sort of story, even in the course of getting through the day.

Today, we stumbled on this new video of Johnny Barnes, an 88-year-old man in Bermuda, who provides a good example. He spends six hours a day waving at people.

Mr. Happy Man from Matt Morris Films on Vimeo.

Mr. Barnes reminds me of a guy in St. Cloud many years ago who dressed up as Superman, stood on a corner, and brightened a few days:

"I'm not in it for the money, I'm not in it for the attention, I'm not in it for the glamour, although I do like the attention, I won't lie to you," he said. "But I am on a mission, and my mission is to unite people, and give people a good feeling about being an American. And even make them slightly believe that there is a Superman."

Maybe you don't know someone who spends six hours a day being Mr. Happy Man, but you know someone who is doing something for others, and someone who is worth telling others about. Why not do it?

---

Comments (2)

Is it safe to assume you're looking for Minnesota-focused nominations? I had thought so until I saw this post, but then again I'm not sure this qualifies as an entry into what has been a really great series so far. Thanks.

Posted by ce | February 13, 2012 3:43 PM

---

I have no travel budget so it should be within a half day's drive of the Twin Cities.

Posted by Bob Collins | February 13, 2012 4:02 PM

---

• E-mail this page
• Print this page
• Tweet this page
• Share this

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories