Category: Church Street

Eric and Homer

Received a comment from someone in the virtual world about this image of Eric which I posted on dpreview. Person questioned my point of view and referenced Homer. You know, Homer of the Illiad, etc. When I shared the story with Eric, he lightheartedly and good naturedly asked if the person was talking about Homer Simpson. Could be? But the questioner had it wrong. Eric isn’t loitering. He lives here. Its a stoop. He’s sitting. Who says he needs to be going somewhere to do something? Take that Homer. This is real life.

Author duckshotsPosted on May 26, 2011May 26, 2011Categories burlington, Church Street, photographyTags social justice, street peopleLeave a comment on Eric and Homer

Just Wednesday in Burlington

No permits needed, yet.

Erectly.

Mike is still here. And maybe Paul can play the guitar?

Bill appears happy.

Echo’s lot has drawn water which stands still, yet.

Author duckshotsPosted on May 18, 2011Categories burlington, Church Street, Homeless, Lake Champlain, photographyTags Echo, Perkin's Pier, social justice, street peopleLeave a comment on Just Wednesday in Burlington

Returning To Church Street

Caveman reappeared, svelte and strong. Wants to collaborate to produce a mixed media doc about the denizens of Church Street.

Paul’s got a gutitar, but no case. No tunes, just strums.

He lasted from November 12 to May 12. Girlfriend wanted him to stop drinking. Couch crashing. No plan, so he sits and begs, again.

Oft told story. Did some stupid shit. Got sucked up by the system. Couldn’t pay court costs. Back to jail. Vicious circle. Smart and aware, but not formed.

Tues_May_17-7 — Sunnier Side of the Street

Why did she move to the other side of the street? Better weather? Better donations? “I just needed a change,” she said.

Has just the requisite amount of energy for the day, everyday.

Happens fast. Wife has an accident. Kid overdoses. Sucks the wind from the sails. Not giving up, though.

Author duckshotsPosted on May 17, 2011May 17, 2011Categories Church Street, photographyTags social justice, street peopleLeave a comment on Returning To Church Street

Early May Saturday on Church Street

So, you think nothing doing on Church Street early Saturday morning.

Thomas, right, has a job, but gets in trouble because Burlington doesn’t have much for the underaged. He slept not in a bed, because Spectrum kicked him out for drinking. “A place can do you a lot of good….The sun comes up faster when you sleep on the street.

Wonderful Charlie. Sweet and cheerful. He needed a place to smoke his cigar and sip his coffee. Couldn’t tell him the City Council has been considering banning smoking on the thoroughfare.

John headed towards Sweet Potato, a free breakfast site in a Church. Makes you almost want to reconsider taxing not-for-profits.

Paul had another bad night on the street.

Sandy just smokes and watches.

Stephanie collects, but not for drugs or booze. “I wash the bottles and give them to the Humane Society. Keeps the streets clean and the animals happy.”