Category Archives: Other Big People

Big Sombrero Man

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After getting the image at Rosenthal Wine Tasting in Malibu we continued west on the Pacific Coast Highway.  In the 28000 block stands this Big Guy wearing a sombrero.  The building is now vacant but one would have to assume it once contained a Mexican restaurant of some type.  Not sure what he is holding, maybe a serving tray.  What do you think?

sombrero

Big Sombrero Man

Best of Philly Sea Captain

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I didn’t get the connection but this sea captain is in front of Best of Philly on US-17 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  The place is small but it is a bit of South Philly transplanted to the South.  The cook is actually transplanted from South Philly and they use Amoroso’s Bread so you a guaranteed authentic rolls. We passed on the chance to grab a steak here and continued up US-17, finally eating at The Village Café in Hampstead, North Carolina.  Hate to say it, but I had a better meal than a cheese steak. Stop in if you are in the area.

skipper

Best of Philly

Transformer Man

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I call this a Transformer Man since it is made up of a bunch of car parts. It can be found on Sycamore Ave. in Buena Vista, VA in front of a metal reclaimation facility (aka: junkyard.)  I like it a lot since is showed a lot of creativity to construct.  This was our first stop in Virginia on our way to South Carolina to view the total eclipse in Columbia, SC.  No comment on the politics still displayed 9 months after the election.

transformer

Transformer Man

 

Gelco Paints and Wallcoverings

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I was up at the Ben and Annie’s “Lake House” when they closed and we made a trip to the Big Box stores in nearby Mt. Pocono to pick up some items for the new property.  While leaving we stopped at Gelco Paints since they had this Big Paint Can and Painter out in front.  Gelco is on PA 940 and looks like a great place to pick up some Benjamin Moore paint.

paint can

Gelco Paint Can

painter

Gelco Painter

Lying Down Man

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Another artwork in the Frederik Meijer Gardens and  Sculpture Park.  This one is titled, “Lying Man.”  Created by Sean Henry in 2003. I couldn’t help myself and had to pose with the sculpture.  A couple of younger women wandered by as we were capturing this image.  They enjoyed my pose but said I needed a pillow to be complete.

lying man

Lying Down Man

Bangor, MI High School Viking

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Well, this was quite some find.  I knew about this Viking from a report on Roadside America.  We found our way to Bangor, MI High School, only to find that this guy stood past the end zone of the football field.  Unfortunately, there was a fence around the entire athletic complex.  Not to be deterred I went into the school office and made my case.  Fortunately, my plea fell on sympathetic ears.  One of the administrative assistants was kind enough to find the keys to the field and walked out to allow us access to the field.  My regret is that I did not write her name down assuming I would be able to remember it.  Not so.  If anyone sees this post and knows this woman please send me a note at “jim.hejl@jimsbigthings.com” Update: I did hear from the Superintendent of Bangor Public Schools, Dennis P. Paquette and he let me know the kindly person who walked us out to the field was Melissa Quinn, Assistant to the Athletic Director.

viking

Bangor HS Viking

Kokomo Judge

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On our way to Saugatuck, Michigan we were surprised to spot this inflatable Big Judge.  I’ve taken photos with a lot of Big People, pirates, Amish people, etc. but never found a judge before.  This one illustrated Mike Anderson’s Auto Group pledge to not judge your credit when purchasing one of their cars.

judge

Kokomo Judge

Midas Hand

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Here’s an inflatable I spotted in front of the Midas shop in Glendale on my way downtown.  I had to get with the Chief Photographer and get back to get the image.  I’m not big on inflatables but I haven’t seen this one before.

hand

Midas Hand

Riley Hospital for Kids Fundraiser

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Deb teaches at Fishers High School in Fishers, Indiana. They were holding their Dance-a-thon to benefit Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Chris Edwards, who teaches with Deb was instrumental in getting Riley named as the beneficiary of the fundraiser. Last year, his son Ben was diagnosed with cancer and it was through the efforts of the Riley staff that Ben is now a cancer-free, happy, 3 year old and celebrating his health with big brother Blake. Anyway, at the dance-a-thon there were many activities, including these two big blowup slides.

riley

Riley Hospital Fundraiser

riley

Riley Hospital Fundraiser

“Big” Big Boy

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During our visit to Cincinnati we were on our way to Jungle Jim’s International Market (if you haven’t been there, go!) The chief photographer spotted this big Big Boy dressed up for Halloween and we circled back to grab this image.

big boy

“Big” Big Boy

Big Duct Man

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There are so many people that have fun with their business. In this case it is Jacobs Mechanical on Hopple St. in Cincinnati. They must be in heating and cooling, thus the Big Duct Man. One warning, Hopple Street is pretty dangerous to cross, traffic moves fast and there are hills and curves that hides traffic until it is on top of you. No standing in the street to get this image, the Chief Photographer actually had to go to the end of the block to cross with the light.

duct man

Big Duct Man

Sign Museum Genie

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A Big Genie greets visitors to the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. I wonder where this Big Beauty stood before relocating to Cincinnati. Anyway, he is one of several Big Things outside the museum. We were in Cincinnati for Fall Break from school (actually only 1 night, big deal) planning to have some chili and visit the Underground History Museum. In my opinion the museum was much better than the chili. Sorry Cincinnati, I like the Coney Dog chili in Detroit better.

genie

Sign Museum Genie

Bethany Beach Pirate

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This was a great surprise. One morning when we traveled up from Ocean City, Maryland we stopped in Bethany Beach to walk around. Bethany looks like a real nice place to spend some time, stop by if you get in the area. On the way out of town we took some side streets and spotted this Big Skelton Pirate, as you guessed, in a minature golf course.

pirate

Bethany Beach Pirate

Pigeon Forge “Mt. Rushmore”

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Also in Pigeon Forge is The Hollywood Wax Museum, currently under construction but looks to open soon. Despite the construction we were able to get this image. We guessed the profiles were John Wayne, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin. Do you agree? There appears to be more Big Things to come on this site.

UPDATE: I later received the following e-mail from a finishing artist on this project, this is what he has to say.

Jim,

I helped as the finishing artist on this ‘Mt Rushmore’ at the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge. It’s unique as it was computer sculpted in Styrofoam and then hard coated with 2 unique hard coats. One is a wall spray ‘concrete’. The other is my own invention: Flex-a-Rock… A flexible cement-like sculpting paste. Flex-a-Rock is the only material that can make a faux brick or stone wall on canvas or Tyvek and be shipped rolled up like a poster. It will, I believe, change the way textures and decorative surfaces will be applied in theme parks, zoos and as faux finishes.

Sincerely, John Votel

rushmore

Pigeon Forge “Mt. Rushmore”

 

 

Pitchfork Pete

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Mills Fleet Farm Stores is a chain of general merchandise stores in the upper mid-West. While they have a broad range of products, of course their focus is on products that appeal to small town, rural farmer-types. In Albert Leas,Minnesota (pop. 18,356) the Mills Farm Fleet store has this guy standing out front. Locally they call him Pitchfork Pete. He looks happy enough.

pete

Pitchfork Pete