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June 05, 2006
Mayor of Strawberry Fields
My favorite place in Central Park is Strawberry Fields. Set in the urban oasis on 72nd and Central Park West, Strawberry Fields lies across the street from the famed Dakota building. The former home of John Lennon and tragically, also the spot of his 1980 murder by Salinger weaving Mark David Chapman. This will soon be captured on the silver screen by a fat Jared Leto in the movie Chapter 27.
First this guy breaks Angela’s heart and now he goes off and kills John Lennon. What's more his dog is named Judas. Ol’ Jordan Catalano provides a convincing argument that Leto is the antichrist incarnate.
[Click image for High Resolution]
The centerpiece of Strawberry Fields is of course the famous Imagine mosaic which serves as a memorial to the fallen Beatle. The simple monochromatic design is ground zero for fans of the Fab Four in Manhattan. It is also where I first learned the story of Ayrton Ferreria Dos Santos Jr, a homeless man dubbed the “Mayor of Strawberry Fields.”
Gary
“They call me Gary because nobody can say it” says Dos Santos. “I’ve been here everyday for four years and off and on for sixteen.” His time is spent as floral curator, sentry, and source of unsolicited photographic advice. Gary is a homeless man whose story I do not know. He arranges petals around the mosaic, usually peace signs, and other items of memorabilia left by fans. Drawings, football scarves, pictures, etc. His commitment to continuous beautification is noteworthy, a man with an otherwise rough life bringing beauty to the world in his own way. Gary has some crass comments for tourists who meddle with his creations, almost all of them unnecessary, but at the end of the day the guy has a story worth telling. That, and he’s a Mets fan.
Doing it for the world
"I'm not only doing it for me," said Dos Santos, "I'm doing it for the world. What John wanted was peace. If we don't grab onto that, we're all going to die. And I don't feel like dying." (Link)
Strawberry Fields is a special place for not only Beatles fans, but the City at large. The obvious commemorations take place here – John’s birthday, anniversaries of both John & George’s death. Though for other less Liverpoolian times it has served as a natural gathering for people reaching out for one another. An awful day a few Septembers ago attracted the masses. I think John would appreciate the peaceful simplicity of people congregating in comfort. A fitting NYC legacy for John Lennon.
More pics after the jump.
Previously: 12/8/80 Radio Scans the Night John Lennon Died, John Lennon's Final Hours
Posted by Merry Swankster at June 5, 2006 11:21 AM
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Comments
Here in Peru exist a statue of John Lennon and theres that "imagine" simbol too :D
Posted by: Diego at October 14, 2007 05:44 PM
He's not homeless.
Posted by: Me at April 6, 2008 01:56 PM
So today comes the news that the "Mayor of Strawberry Fields" may face arrest (see my URL)for assembling crowds, etc...........I have mixed feelings..........I was there last summer, as I am most summers, and he was giving his talk..... it was clear he was knowledgable, but it was also clear he was looking for handouts........based on what I saw in his guitar, I'm pretty sure he makes a good living at Strawberry Fields. After he gave his talk he sat on on of the benches and promptly got into an arguement with one of the other homeless people. Then his cell phone rang, and he got into an arguement on the phone. Not real great Karma.............I'd love to see someone tending the sight, but maybe someone employed by the parks dept.............so it goes.....
Peace & Love,
Cass
Posted by: "Cass" at April 17, 2008 11:57 AM
number one he is not homeless. he is a guy who is trying to put hope in peoples lives. he truly believes that there will be peace in the world one day, and he keeps john lennons spirit alive because he was a great soul. gary does not pan handle. he never asks for money. i have been there several times and he is a great guy. and there is no one else that could replace him on this planet, no retard from the park department can do what he does and lift peoples spirit like he does. and i love how you say hes homeless, but he answered his cell phone while you were there. no homeless men have cell phones and could never even come close to affording one. next time you go to strawberry fields actually listen to him, youll realize what an amazing guy he is
Posted by: alison at July 7, 2008 06:22 AM
If he tells someone he is homeless then that's what is going to be printed. Also, Alison, if you actually read the post you will discover that Gary (Don) WAS listened to as he is quoted in this post.
Posted by: Kelli Douglas at July 7, 2008 11:23 AM
gary is a crack head of the highest order. he thinks he runs strawberry fields, he chases people out that he does not like. He is a sociopath, lying cheating crack head with no concept of normal human behavior. I wave been going to strawberryfields every day for 10 years and I know the guy well and I dont like him
Posted by: tf at July 30, 2008 10:00 PM
I was there Saturday and he was on his cell phone too! Haha he was like "The party is still on man! No the party, its on!"
I doubt he is homeless.
I wasn't there for his speach though, but I think he is harmless and its cool that he is always there.
Posted by: Sam at August 17, 2008 09:53 AM
The things Gary has been going off on lately is his war with another homeless man of whom was made angry over a met game. Gary has also when intoxicated, been fixed on running for president. Gary tried to tell another "resident of Strawberry Fields" to leave and the other person told him to %$#!#$% off. Strawberry Fields has become a place where vagrent drunks and crack heads, most of whom are not truely homeless to panhandel, and hustle tourists and moderate drug traffic. Not only that but Gary now has allowed a guitar player to play for money in Strawberry Fields but he gets a cut. According to Gary nobody is allowed to perform for money except by his leave.
Posted by: jj at August 26, 2008 11:38 PM
Most people posting here see Gary for what he really is......Alsion though must be quite naieve if she thinks he does not ask for money.......homeless, or not, he makes a damn good living off of people who go to pay respects to John........many people from all over the world go to Strawberry Fields, and how are people from China, or Brazil to know that Gary is really a leach, and a loser of the grandest kind.....I have been there enough times to watch the money pile up inside his guitar, and he easily makes between $150.00 & $200.00 a day..........do the math..........he is doing ok for someone who doesn't even have his facts right.......he should be run off the sight, and the park authority should make arrangements to have Strawberry Fields patrolled, and free of people whodisgrace Johns name, and memory
Posted by: Cass at August 28, 2008 09:19 AM
The "mayor" is a delusional substance abuser who regularly engages in illegal activity at the park. He is a disgrace to the memory and artistry of John Lennon. This memorial should be for John Lennon and place for quiet remembrance. It was not meant to be cluttered with his dead flowers, trinkets and self-promotional materials. If you are a John Lennon fan, write to the Central Park Conservancy and ask them to clean up Strawberry Fields. Write to Douglas Blonsky 14 East 60th St, NY, NY 10021
Posted by: irmavep at September 4, 2008 12:22 PM
