Extraordinary Stories From An Ordinary Guy: The "Papier-Mache Man" Story

Interior of Strawberry & Co.

It was an ordinary day. Just checkin' to see what story I would like to post today. Yesterday I wrote a story about my friend Wayne who runs Strawberry & Co. in downtown Lancaster. Only problem is that when I clicked on the story today, I deleted it. So, I am attempted to re-write it close to the same as yesterday.

It was an ordinary day. Just returning home from Strawberry & Co. where I dropped off a few of my Polaroid prints that I sell at the shop. Owner Wayne provides a great outlet for the artist talent of Lancaster and I'm so glad that he allows me the chance to sell my work in his store. Wayne's store got its name from his wife's love of strawberries. Pretty neat! He started the store in 1981, but it originally was at #5-#7 on West King Street. The store fronts on King Street, but opens in the rear on Market Alley which is where the historical farmer's market in Lancaster is located. He stayed at that location for 21 years then moved to #11 West King Street to gain valuable wall and floor space. The shop is a narrow ornamented place packed with paintings, sculptures, photography, frames, and papier-mache renderings of animals and characters. The later are from the owner of the shop. Wayne specializes in the art of papier-mache and he is extremely talented. For those who don't know what papier-macheis, it is a composite material consisting of paper pieces or pulp, sometimes reinforced with textiles, bound with an adhesive, such as glue, starch, or wallpaper paste. I can remember loving to work with it in elementary school, but my mom wasn't to thrilled to have me work with around the house. His smiling, pleasant face greets all visitors as if they have been his friends forever. Usually get to visit with him weekly since he is doing very well with selling my photos. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.