Current:Home > InvestPortland, Maine, shows love for late Valentine’s Day Bandit by continuing tradition of paper hearts-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Portland, Maine, shows love for late Valentine’s Day Bandit by continuing tradition of paper hearts
View Date:2024-12-23 16:14:17
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — With the death last spring of Portland’s beloved Valentine’s Day bandit, some wondered if the mysterious appearance of red hearts around Maine’s largest city would continue. His admirers responded with plenty of heart.
Hundreds of red hearts appeared on storefronts, mailboxes and even trash bins on Wednesday, with giant banners defying gusty winds at DiMillo’s floating restaurant and on construction scaffolding in the Old Port. Another heart festooned the Portland Public Library.
“Long live the Valentine’s Day Bandit,” said Cary Tyson, executive director of Portland Downtown.
For more than four decades, Kevin Fahrman, of neighboring Falmouth, led a group of pranksters who always struck early on Feb. 14. His identity wasn’t revealed until after his death in April at age 67.
There was a revolving cast of helpers, but the one constant was Fahrman.
“It wasn’t for recognition, it was completely selfless. And that’s what made it feel so magical,” said his daughter, Sierra Fahrman, who found beauty in the “simplicity and sincerity” of his gesture.
After his death, a foundation was created and a website, BeAKevin.com, was launched. On the website, people can download and print the simple, red hearts and become a bandit.
The tradition had its roots in the 1970s when Fahrman moved to the city. He loved the red hearts and was bummed when they stopped, his daughter said. So he decided to take it on himself in 1979.
Fahrman was a musician, a photographer and an artist, among other things. He used to play in a band called The Van Gogh-Gos and showed his humor in the band’s slogan, “Lend us an ear.”
“He was so funny, kind and generous,” his daughter said. “He was caring and funny, and in a way flawed, but people adored him for his quirkiness.”
For all the fun and frivolity, the bandit’s wife, Patti Urban, dubbed herself a Valentine’s Day widow. She said her husband was usually too exhausted from his late-night shenanigans to enjoy the day.
But Sierra said her dad always made sure to decorate their home with hearts, and usually had a basket of goodies for her — similar to the way other families get visits from the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. It wasn’t until she started school, she said, that she learned that other people didn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day with the same fervor.
veryGood! (98)
Related
- Prosecutors say some erroneous evidence was given jurors at ex-Sen. Bob Menendez’s bribery trial
- A new benefit at top companies: College admissions counseling
- James Patterson says checked egos are key to co-author success, hints at big actor collab
- Chevron buys Hess for $53 billion, 2nd buyout among major producers this month as oil prices surge
- Messi breaks silence on Inter Miami's playoff exit. What's next for his time in the US?
- 'Sleeping giant' no more: Ravens assert contender status with rout of Lions
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas High shooting site visited one last time by lawmakers and educators
- IAEA officials say Fukushima’s ongoing discharge of treated radioactive wastewater is going well
- More than 150 pronghorns hit, killed on Colorado roads as animals sought shelter from snow
- ‘Is this all a joke?’ Woman returns from vacation to find home demolished by mistake
Ranking
- ‘Emilia Pérez’ wouldn’t work without Karla Sofía Gascón. Now, she could make trans history
- Zombie Hunter's unique murder defense: His mother created a monster
- Biden and Netanyahu agree to continue flow of aid into Gaza, White House says
- Mourners recall slain synagogue leader in Detroit; police say no evidence yet of hate crime
- Sting Says Sean Diddy Combs Allegations Don't Taint His Song
- 5 Things podcast: Will California's Black reparations to address slavery pass?
- California man gets year in prison for sending vile messages to father of gun massacre victim
- Michigan or Ohio State? Heisman in doubt? Five top college football Week 8 overreactions
Recommendation
-
Shawn Mendes quest for self-discovery is a quiet triumph: Best songs on 'Shawn' album
-
No fighting! NFL issues memo warning of 'significant' punishment for scuffles
-
You Won't Be Able to Calm Down After Seeing Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Post-Game Kiss
-
Step Brothers' Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly Reunite and Surprise Snoop Dogg for His Birthday
-
Police identify 7-year-old child killed in North Carolina weekend shooting
-
Step Brothers' Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly Reunite and Surprise Snoop Dogg for His Birthday
-
Bishan Bedi, India cricket great who claimed 266 test wickets with dazzling spin, dies at 77
-
Do manmade noise and light harm songbirds in New Mexico’s oil fields? These researchers want to know