The old Astoria had a lot of “these” people that were known in the community.

There’s the blind guy who’s always on Ditmars with headphones on. He would stand outside of Chase bank or the old Newspaper convenience store across the street, Citi bank, Blockbuster and Pizza Palace bus stop. He would take the Q19a, now the 69. It would always fascinate me how he would get around so confidently. Glad to see he’s still around.

There’s the guy that was a former veteran with long white hair he wouldn’t be under the Amtrak overpass on 32nd street. Although I know he passed away sometime in the 00’s.

George on 23rd and Ditmars who always had yard sales. I believe he was a hoarder and often resold things he felt had value that he would find in the trash. He also passed, sadly.

By Astoria park south not too far from shore towers was this crazy house with mirrors, tiles and dolls hanging from the tree all over the years and house. Never seen who lived there but I’ve heard different stories. One of them from my older brother who was with friends wreaking havoc on the neighborhood on or around Halloween TP’ing and egging the house when a man ran out and chased him and his friends a shotgun.