Be Our Lady of Victories (aka, the statue in Monument Square)
Our Lady of Victories stands tall and stoic in Monument Square. She's done so since 1891, even as all of Portland has changed around her. Her presence honors the 5,000 Portlanders who died fighting in the Civil War (one-sixth of the city's population then). Brevet Brigadier General John Marshall Brown gave the dedication speech back in 1891, saying, “At last, a fitting monument on the fittest spot of the fairest city of our land.”
Read more about Our Lady of Victories: www.publicartportland.org
1. Chest armor (Goodwill, $4), 2. Shield (which I spray-painted, Goodwill, $4), 3. Sword (which I spray-painted, Goodwill, $4). 4. Dress (Goodwill, $5). 5. Branch of maple leaves in hand (which I spray-painted, Michael's, $2.99). 6. Leaves in hair (which I spray-painted and attached with bobby pins, Michael's, $3.49). 7. Spray paint (True Value, $7.90). 8. Bronzer (get a darker bronze by dampening skin before applying, CVS, $10.49).
Photo credit: Studio shot by Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer, photo of statue by Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer
Be Scott Jurek
Scott Jurek is an ultramarathoner who lives in Colorado. Here in Maine, we should know him as an Appalachian Trail record breaker. In July, Jurek completed the 2,185-mile hike from George to the summit of Katahdin in an impressive and record-breaking 46 days, 8 hours and 8 minutes. Photos show him celebrating at the summit with champagne...and that's where the trouble started. A Baxter State Park ranger cited Jurek for consuming alcohol within the park, hiking with a group larger than 12 people, and littering (in the form of spilled champagne). And that's what made headlines. Ultimately, Scott paid the $500 fine for drinking alcohol, while the littering and hiking with an oversized group charges were dropped, but the whole thing stirred up debate about Jurek himself and hikers' conduct in Baxter State Park.
The news story: Appalachian Trail record-setter says Baxter State Park officials ‘vilifying’ him
1. Blue sleeveless running shirt (Goodwill, $6). 2. Blue shorts (Goodwill, $6). 3. Wig (Goodwill, $6). 4. Backpack/Camelbak (I used one I already had). 5. Headband/sweatband (I used a bandana I had lying around, free). 6. Champagne (buy a bottle just about anywhere, $6). 7. Katahdin summit sign (cardboard and paint).
Photo credit: Studio shot by Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer, photo of Scott Jurek at summit, courtesy photo
Be the owner of Marcy's Diner
You know the story behind this one (everyone in the country, it seems, knows the story behind this one): Crying toddler in Portland diner, annoyed diner owner (Darla Neugebauer) yells at child to stop, internet chaos ensues. People picked sides (generally speaking: "Only Monsters Yell At Toddlers/Darla is Terrible" versus "Screaming Toddlers Don't Belong In Restaurants/Those Are Terrible Parents"). The story dragged on for days. People got really, really emotional about the situation. Or at least what they thought they knew about the situation. And then, somehow, we moved on. Hallelujah. (But we haven't moved on so much that it's not a prime Halloween idea. It happened back in July, we can laugh about it now, right?!)
The news story: Marcy’s Diner owner, parent of fussy child continue online feud
1. Black short-sleeve shirt (Goodwill, $6). 2. Blue baseball cap with Cleveland Indians logo (I bought a blue baseball cap from Goodwill, $2 and printed out the Cleveland Indians logo). 3. Spatula (used one from home, free).
Photo credit: Studio shot by Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer, photo of Carla Neugebauer also by Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer)
Be a sheriff's deputy at the Cumberland County jail
Did this story really happen? Did the powers that be at the Cumberland County jail really tell female attorneys to take off their bras before they could meet with clients? Yep. Sure did. This story captured our collective confusion just last month (and prompted way too many bad bra puns). The practice was an apparent misinterpretation of jail policy regarding the metal detectors and Sheriff Kevin Joyce apologized to the two local attorneys who first brought the issue to light. Still, a sheriff’s deputy with an armful of bras makes for a timely and easy-to-put-together costume, which is why this idea has our support.
The news story: Portland jail tells female attorneys to remove detector-triggering bras before seeing clients
1. Bras (Goodwill, $2 each). 2. Brown button-up dress shirt (Goodwill, $5). 3. Brown pants (Goodwill, $6). 4. Beige tie (Goodwill, $2). 5. Police badge (technically, it should have been a star-shaped sheriffs office badge, but hey, it's what we could find, Goodwill, $4).
Photo credit: Studio shot by Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer, photo of Sheriff Kevin Joyce by Derek Davis/Staff Photographer
Be Moxie Boy
Whether you love the taste of Moxie or you utterly despise it (there really is no in-between feeling about this potent soda), you can't resist the sleek-looking charmer on the label, even if he does look a bit accusatory. He's known as a Moxie Boy (apparently Moxie had a few iterations of the chap) and he really wants you to drink Moxie. (Fun fact: the drink Moxie preceded the term "moxie," meaning we started drinking Moxie (supposedly named after a Lieutenant Moxie) and eventually the word “moxie,” (which is synonymous with vigor and courage) found its way into the English language.
More about Moxie: www.drinkmoxie.com
1. White blazer (Goodwill, $6). 2. Yellow dress shirt ($2.50). 3. Black tie (I used black ribbon, Michael's, $3.99). 4. Black hair spray (Party City, $3.99). 5. Bottle of Moxie (I could only find moxie in cans, so I made label a stuck it to a beer bottle).
Photo credit: Studio shot by Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer, photo of Carla Neugebauer also by Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer)
Be the The Portland Observatory
She’s a survivor, that Portland Observatory. While other maritime signal towers have receded into maritime signal history, our stoic and warmly painted observatory stands her ground. A note of clarification: She’s not a lighthouse. The Portland Observatory communicated to incoming ships with flags, which is why flags are essential to this costume. A white hat makes an excellent cupola and a mauve-colored dress (or something close to it) make up the rest of the ensemble. Costume tip: Dip sponges in black fabric paint to create the windows. It’s faster and will ensure consistently sized windows.
The costume components
1. White knit hat: $5.38 (included gloves) at Goodwill 2. Flags: We borrowed an American flag and printed the Maine state flag on printer paper, using a wooden skewer as the flagpole. 3. Mauve-colored dress: $7.99 at Goodwill
Photo credit: Carl D. Walsh/staff photographer (studio shots) and Press Herald file photo (the actual bridge)
Be the Casco Bay Bridge
Sure, Maine's covered bridges are more photogenic. And the Penobscot Narrows Bridge has that really cool observation tower. But the Casco Bay Bridge gets the spotlight here because - wow! - it goes up and down! Often when we're already running late for work! While the draw bridge can cause a delay in your schedule, it's still cool to watch the road magically split, lift and reach for the sky just to help a tanker pass. The Casco Bay Bridge is awfully courteous like that.
The costume components
1. Blue shirt: $4.99 at Goodwill. 2. Black paint for road (I used craft paint): 69 cents at Goodwill. 3. White and yellow fabric paint for road lines: $1.29 each at Goodwill. 4. Cars: $1 for set at Dollar Tree. 5. Iron-on transfer paper: $11.49 for 6 sheets at Staples. 6. Black gloves: $2.99 at Goodwill
Be the Time & Temperature Building
It was originally called the Chapman Building, but you know it as the Time & Temperature building, probably on account of the flashing sign on the roof that dependably tells Portlanders the current time and temperature…and to Call Joe. While it’s difficult to replicate the building’s true beauty, a khaki-colored shirt and pants and some fabric paint can at least give the effect of a building. Costume tips: Use a sponge dipped in paint to make windows. And for the all-important sign, pick up an LED worklight at Reny’s or just about any hardware store. I printed the word “BOO” in a dotted font and wrapped it around the light to give it an authentic Time & Temperature Building look.
The costume components
1. Khaki-colored shirt: $2.25 at Goodwill 2. Khaki-colored pants: $4.99 at Goodwill 3. LED lamp: $5.99 at Reny’s
Be the South Portland Oil Tanks
If you’ve driven I-295 through South Portland in the last two years, you’ve likely spotted a few painted oil tanks that stand out from their blank and bland counterparts at the Sprague Energy Tank Farm. Those tanks, painted light blue with a modern-looking pattern of black, orange, royal blue, and yellow, are part of the Art All Around public art project. The pattern – designed by Jaime Gili – also looks faintly like a sweatshirt I wore in the 80s. So it makes sense that a light blue sweatshirt (or sweater) be the base of this costume. Costume tip: I found a few photos of the tanks online and used those as a guide when painting the sweater. And painting a sweater is a pain. Sponges make the work a little easier, or using fabric paint that allows you to deliver the paint in finer lines.
The costume components
1. Blue sweater: $4.99 at Goodwill 2. Paint: $1.99 each color at True Value
Be the Whaling Wall
The 950-foot Whaling Wall has been an artistic fixture on Maine State Pier in Portland since 1993. Robert Wyland and a team of volunteers spray painted the Maine-themed piece on a wall of a city-owned building (the corrugated surface made the whales look a bit like they were swimming). The mural is one of 17 similar works Wyland painted around the country, and new tenants in the building in Maine State Pier promise to keep it around, so the Whaling Wall lives on.
Photo credit: Carl D. Walsh/staff photographer (studio shots) and Press Herald file (actual Whaling Wall)
More about it: New business on Portland waterfront won't disturb Whaling Wall
The costume Components
1. Gray shirt (preferably ribbed, so it looks like the corrugated Whaling Wall). 2. Black and white paint (any kind will do. I used basic craft paint): 69 cents a piece at Michael's.
Be the guys who dressed up in fake police clothes and stole medical marijuana in Winterport
Remember this story from last month? Three fellas decked themselves out in fake police gear (like SWAT vests and baseball caps that said "POLICE"). One gentleman, whose image made the rounds in the paper and on the news, wore a less-inspired ensemble: khaki pants, khaki shirt, camo fishing hat. And let's not forget the gun.
Photo credit: Carl D. Walsh/staff photographer (studio shots) and courtesy Maine State Police (surveillance photo)
The original story: Police search for trio in fake police garb who stole medical marijuana
The costume components:
1. Khaki pants: $7.99 at Goodwill. 2. Long-sleeve khaki shirt: $5.99 at Goodwill. 3. Fishing hat (I couldn't find a camo one, although I'm sure they're out there): $29 at Reny's. 4. Fake gun: $1 at Dollar Tree. 5. Camo gloves: $3.98 at Goodwill. 6. Sheriff patch (I made this one from a black craft foam sheet and fabric paint: 99 cents (foam sheet) $1.29 (fabric paint) at Michael's. 7. American flag patch (I printed one out at pinned it on. 8. Marijuana plants (I made these from construction paper, pipe cleaners and dowel rods): $1.99 (construction paper), 99 cents (pipe cleaners), 29 cents (dowel rod) at Michael's.
Be the North Pond Hermit
Christopher Knight spent nearly 30 years living alone in the central Maine wilderness. He thrived in his remote camp thanks to his creative use of tarps and a natural talent for burglary. Dubbed the North Pond Hermit, Knight made headlines earlier this year when he was captured, arrested and charged with burglary and theft. This Halloween nod to hermit life is easily put together with a brown tarp, a pair of eyeglasses, and some essential hermit tools like water jugs, flashlights, a map of North Pond and a screwdriver (great for breaking into other people’s camps). You may already have most of these items lying around the house. Or you can break into your neighbor’s house and simply steal them. Better yet, just ask if you can borrow them. Costume tip: Don’t steal stuff. Just don’t.
The costume components
1. Brown tarp: $8.49 at True Value 2. Black trash bag: Look under your sink. Or your friend’s sink. 3. Eyeglasses: $2.68 at Goodwill 4. Map of North Pond: I created a quick map on the computer and printed it at home. 5. Water jug, flashlight, screwdriver: Use whatever you already have around the house.
Be a lost Tim McGraw
Have you heard country singer Tim McGraw's new song "Portland, Maine"? The tune was released last month on McGraw's new album, “Sundown Heaven Town." It's a break-up song and in it, McGraw's "ex" says she's moved to Portland, Maine. McGraw's reply? “Portland, Maine, I don't know where that is” and “I don't want to know.” News of the song made the rounds quickly here, even for non-country fans.
Photo credit: Carl D. Walsh/staff photographer (studio shots) and Nino Munoz (the real Tim Mcgraw)
The original story: Tim McGraw doesn't know where Portland is and doesn't want to know, apparently: New song titled 'Portland, Maine'
The costume components
1. Cowboy hat: $1.98 at Goodwill. 2. Denim button-up shirt: $5.99 at Goodwill. 3. Map of Portland: Print one off the computer or buy one for 8 bucks or so at a gas station. 4. Facial hair! If you can't grow it yourself, I found that brown eye shadow dusted onto the face looked the most authentic.
Be the Pittsfield teen who wore a T-shirt with his mug shot on it while getting another mug shot
Nineteen-year-old Robert Burt of Pittsfield is a pretty funny guy. Not funny: getting arrested for driving under the influence. But Burt had some fun with his booking photo and had it printed on a bright orange T-shirt. When he returned to Somerset County Jail to serve his 48-hour sentence, he wore the shirt, thus getting a mug shot of himself wearing his other mug shot. So meta.
Photo credit: Carl D. Walsh/staff photographer (studio shots) and Somerset County Jail (mug)
The news story: Maine man reporting to jail wears T-shirt fit for the occasion
The costume components:
1. Bright orange shirt (I found one with a logo and just turned it inside-out): $4.99 at Goodwill. 2. Iron-on transfer paper: $11.49 for 6 sheets at Staples. 3. Mug shot board (I used a black foam sheet and white letter stickers): $5.99 (letter stickers) and 99 cents (foam sheet).
Be the Google Barge
A peculiar structure appeared in Portland Harbor at the end of 2013. Soon after, we learned a similar structure was floating off the coast of San Francisco. And since no one was willing or able to tell us what the heck these barges were for, we were left to scratch our heads and wonder. Some digging by reporters revealed Google owned the barges and planned to use them as, "an interactive space where people can learn about new technology.” Ultimately, they did nothing, and the Portland Google barge was towed away in August to be dismantled. Talk about anti-climactic.
Photo credit: Carl D. Walsh/staff photographer (studio shots) and Press Herald file photo (the barge in the water)
More on the barge: Google barge leaves Portland Harbor 'for good'
The costume components:
1. Cardboard box: Hopefully free from your office supply closet, recently moved friend or elsewhere. 2. White and black paint (I used leftover house paint and craft paint): 69 cent craft paint at Michael's. 3. Suspenders: $6.99 at Reny's. 4. White t-shirt: $2.99 at Marden's. 5. Iron-on transfer paper: $11.49 for 6 sheets at Staples.
Be the Marden's Lady
Your money goes way fah at Marden’s! Birdie Googins, best known as her gig as the Marden’s Lady, inspired two undeniable Maine truths: Clothes should be loud and we should have bought it when we saw it at Marden’s. While Marden’s and Googins have parted commercial ways, most locals will never forget the Marden’s Lady and her colorful and loveable enthusiasm for bargain shopping. Putting a costume together is simple: Just look for boldly colored clothes and a wide-brimmed hat. Costume tip: Pick up a white gift at a dollar store, write Marden’s on it with marker, and voila! You now have an inexpensive costume-defining piece and a place to put a sandwich, a bottle of Peeper Ale, and other Halloween essentials.
The costume components
Wide-brim hat: $2.69 at Goodwill Colorful scarf: $2.69 at Goodwill Brightly colored shirt: $4.99 at Goodwill White gift bag: $1.00 at Dollar Tree (The Marden's Lady would probably want me to mention that some of these components can also likely be found at Marden's, where the bargains are wicked good!)