Today's blog is on a specific story from StoryCorps.com. It's a story about a man who spends his time in Fells Point on the Baltimore waterfront, inviting anyone who happens to come by to have a look through his telescope that he has positioned out into the sky. He is often looking for Halley's Comet. The transcript of the recording states that, "ohn Heyn (JH): Uncle Herman, what did you think you were going to be when you grew up?Herman Heyn (HH): I wanted to be a scientist, but I have certain kinds of learning disabilities. My mother used to say, ”You can spell Andromeda but you can’t spell anything they want you to do in school. I don’t know, some people like trees, some people like birds. For me, it was stars. [laughs]JH: How long have you been doing street corner astronomy? HH: I just finished my 27th year. I’ve been out on the street 2,637 times. It’s like being on a Broadway show that has a long run.I had been working for ”the man” — for many, many years – unsuccessfully. Each time I’d start a new job I’d say, ”I’m going to stay with it, get benefits, get retirement.” But three years later I couldn’t stand it anymore. I had to get out of there and got another job. And Friday night—November 13th, 1987. It was a really beautiful evening, the moon was up. And I decided, Heck, I’m going to take my telescope on the street, and invite people to look at the moon and Jupiter. And as I was walking out the door I said, ”I’ll take a hat with me and see what happens.” That first night I made $10. And I went back the next night and made $40, and that’s how it started. Back in 1997, a local writer wrote about my being a ”star hustler” on the street. One of the questions was, ”How did you get started in astronomy?” and I said, “Miss Wicker’s class in the eighth grade.” She drew the Big Dipper on the blackboard. Said, “Go find it.” I didn’t know if Miss Wicker was dead or alive. But she saw the article and called me up. And I was one of the eulogizers at her funeral. JH: How would you like to be remembered? HH: I don’t want to be remembered — Halley’s Comet comes back in 2061 and I want to be around. But I could name people who have looked through my telescope and taken up astronomy themselves, bought their own telescopes. Somebody else said they’ve named a boat “Saturn” after looking at it through my telescope. It makes me feel it’s worthwhile, what I’m doing. That I’m doing a good thing."
|
AuthorMy name is Kaylee-jo. :) Archives
May 2016
Categories
All
|