Lohmann: Creating community with a sidewalk chalkboard in the Fan

Gary Levine had always admired the sandwich boards often stationed outside small cafes and restaurants, heralding the ever-changing daily specials, perhaps offering a fun message, all the while beckoning passersby to stop in.

"I’ve always felt that when you see these boards ... when it's cold outside they’re warm and inviting," Levine said. "I’ve always wanted to do something to create that warmth for myself."

Gary Levine has been asking questions on a sandwich board he places on the sidewalk in front of his house in the Fan every day since 2020.

So, soon after he moved into his home in the 2400 block of Floyd Avenue in the Fan District in early 2020, he set out a sandwich chalkboard on the sidewalk in front of his house. On it, he wrote a simple question — he forgets now exactly what it was — and left a box of chalk, an invitation for passersby to write responses.

He didn't quite know what to expect, but there was a nagging feeling things might not go well.

"I thought, ‘My neighbors are going to hate me, the thing is going to be vandalized, and it's going to be stolen,’" Levine recalled.

In more than three years, none of those things has happened.

Instead, much to Levine's delight, after a couple of months the sandwich board began to catch on and has become a popular attraction, as people have filled the board many days with funny, poignant and almost always thoughtful replies to the questions.

In Richmond's Fan District on Friday, Gary Levine, left, helps Lanny Anderson as Anderson writes his answer to Levine's question, "What memorable event is happening for you this month?" on the sandwich board Levine places on the sidewalk in front of his house with different questions every day.

"It's just really renewed my faith in humanity," Levine said last week, sitting on his front porch, a place he rarely occupies during the day so as not to seem like he's hovering as the chalkboard is only a few feet away.

There's been virtually no abusive language or efforts to stir the pot by unnecessarily injecting hot topics — "people just self-policing," he says — and he is amazed "how more broadly people think than I do," even when just using a few words.

Levine began setting out the sandwich board at the beginning of COVID-19. Though the pandemic had nothing to do with why or when he started, he said it's probably helped make it something of a neighborhood phenomenon as people started walking more and craved connection with others while usual outlets of interaction were shut down.

Going on 3 ½ years, Levine still puts the sandwich board out every day, weather permitting.

Levine

People stop to read the question of the day and the replies and sometimes write their own (the chalk has been replaced by liquid markers, and rope lights draped around the edges of the board add a nice touch, particularly for evening passersby). Some pause even longer to leaf through the notebooks containing pictures of the previous days’ boards. At the end of each day, Levine shoots photos of both sides of the board before erasing what's been written so as to start the next day with a different question and a clean slate.

He also posts daily pictures on Instagram, which he started doing only after asking for the opinion of participants — by posting a question on the board, of course. Should he or shouldn't he?

"Everybody said ‘yes,’" Levine said, "’but don't remove the notebooks.’"

On the day I visited, the prompt of the day was, "The last thing delivered to your house." Nearby resident Morrie Piersol happened by that day, as he often does, and wrote, "R.T.D." (as in Richmond Times-Dispatch). Good answer!

Piersol is, in fact, the person who told me about the sandwich board and how he's been seeing it — and writing on it — for years on his daily walks.

"I walk on Floyd all the time, and it just appeared one day, and I thought it was great," Piersol said. "It's the sweetest thing."

He enjoys reading what others write, which comes from "different places," and makes him think, "Who are these people?"

"It tells you a little bit about them, but the rest of it is a mystery," he said.

Piersol doesn't write on the board every time he passes by, but when he does, he often takes a photo of the entire board, and texts it to his family along with, "Which one?"

"They can usually tell which one is mine," Piersol said.

Levine, 61, a certified public accountant who works from home, lived in the suburbs before moving to Floyd, where he knew not a soul. That's not why he started doing the board — "people tell me I am the least likely person to be a CPA because I do stuff like this," he said with a laugh — but it's certainly served as quite a good icebreaker as far as letting neighbors know he's there. He’ll look out in the evening and notice a small group of people gathered around the board, chatting about the replies.

Coming up with worthy questions is the most challenging part of the whole deal, he said. The question on Sundays is always, "What are you most grateful for?" On the first of each month, he’ll ask, "What memorable event is happening for you this month?" Otherwise, the questions are all over the place.

A couple of weeks ago, he asked people to identify the oldest piece of technology in their home.

"I got to see how old people were by the question," he said. "Mine is a 1934 cash register. Other people wrote, ‘Nintendo.’"

The questions often reveal something more. Sometimes he writes, "How are you doing today?" or "How's your mental health today?" The answers, which are never accompanied by names, can be honest — and empathetic.

If someone writes, "I’m not doing well," others will follow with, "Hang in there" and "You’re going to be OK."

"People sort of support each other on the board, depending on what kind of question that's out there," Levine said.

Some mornings, Levine says he wakes up and doesn't much feel like putting out the board, but then he thinks of the people who tell him they look forward to it every day, and he comes up with a new question and does it all over again. He says with a laugh he's come to view the board as "service work" in the community "so I need to do it."

Which is not to say there's nothing in it for him. There's something gratifying about the board filling up with thoughtful replies.

"It's really been very spiritual for me," he said. "I truly believe that in a weird way, this is my life's calling. For everything else that I do and try to help people ... this is what my higher power has brought me here to do at this moment. I truly believe that.

So, he has no plans to stop. If he were to ever sell the house, he joked, he might have to include a clause in the contract that the new owner would have to continue setting out the sandwich board. Then they, too, might know the "warmth" Levine has found, as he said with a laugh, "without having to go into the restaurant business."

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A volunteer picks up an old wooden palate and brings it to a trash pile during Friends of Fonticello Park's community cleanup on Sunday.

Kay Ford spends time with her cat, Patches, at her home in Mechanicsville, VA., on Monday, April 24, 2023. Ford recently adopted Patches, a 40-pound cat, from Richmond Animal Care and Control. The story of Patches went viral after RACC publicized the cat.

Emily Cover, a project manager with DPR Construction, is shown at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, left top, in Richmond, VA., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. DPR is the team that built the hospital.

Guests tour the Anthropology Lab at the new College of Humanities and Sciences STEM building on West Franklin Street in Richmond, VA on April 26, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH

Police tape marks the scene outside George Wythe High School.

Sculptor Kate Raudenbush takes in her finished piece "Breaking Point" in the Flagler Garden Near the Monet Bridge at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on April 28, 2023. The garden is set to debut "Incanto: An Oasis of Lyrical Sculpture" on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Incanto features five designed, allegorical sculptures, accompanied by poetry, throughout the garden. The exhibition is the work of Raudenbush and poet Sha Michele. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH

Pharrell Williams performs during the Pharrell's Phriends set at Something in the Water in Virginia Beach on Saturday.

A man carries a piece of furniture through a neighborhood in Virginia Beach, Va. on Monday May 1, 2023. The City of Virginia Beach declared a state of emergency after a tornado moved through the area and damaged dozens of homes, downed trees and caused gas leaks. (AP Photo/Ben Finley)

Sports Backers Stadium is shown next to The Diamond in this drone photo, in Richmond, VA., on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

CAL CARY, THE DAILY PROGRESS UVa cheerleader, Madison DeLoach, in front of other UVa cheerleaders tour the The Avelo Airlines Boeing 737 after landing at Charlottesville Albemarle Airport coming from Orlando on May 3, 2023. Avelo Airlines launched its first Charlottesville to Orlando flight line at the Charlottesville Albemarle Airport on May 3, 2023. The inaugural event consisted of a returning flight from Orlando to Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, a firetruck water salute upon arrival and a tour of the airplane.

(From left) Maryann Macomber, of Mechanicsville, VA, leads a small group prayer with Gloria Randolph, of Richmond, VA, Randolph's great-grandson Xavier Jones, also of Richmond, and John Macomber, of Mechanicsville, during a National Day of Prayer event at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square in Richmond, VA on May 4, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH

Steffiun Stanley preps dishes at Birdie's in Richmond, VA on May 5, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH

People at the ¿Qué Pasa? Festival sit on the grass and enjoy the weather on Brown's Island on Saturday.

Arts in the Park saw thousands pass through Byrd Park over the weekend. The festival is sponsored by the Carilion Civic Association.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin shares a quiet moment with Holocaust survivor Halina Zimm on Monday afternoon before ceremonially signing a bill that adds a definition of antisemitism to Virginia law.

The Molcajete Sinaloa at Mariscos Mazatlan in Henrico, VA on May 9, 2023. Mariscos Mazatlan focuses on traditional Mexican cuisine from the city of Mazatlan and all along the Mexican coast. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH

A goose, seen here on May 10, 2023, has built a nest in a median of the parking lot near Dilliards at Short Pump Town Center. The mall has put out orange cones to keep cars away and Jerome Golfman, assistant manager at Fink's Jewelers, said he regularly brings it water, cracked corn and other grains.

Mary Finley-Brook, a professor of environmental studies at the University of Richmond and an expert on American gas infrastructure, says repairing the pipes no longer makes sense as gas prices continue to rise.

(From left) Sam Amoaka, a freshman at Virginia State University, helps his girlfriend, Tamia Charles, a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University, move out of her dorm along with her dad, Thomas Charles, of Fredericksburg, VA, in downtown Richmond, VA on May 12, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH

Virginia's Thomas McConvey (left) defends the ball from Richmond's Jake Kapp during an NCAA Tournament game at Klockner Stadium in Charlottesville on Saturday.

University of Richmond outfielder Christian Beal made a catch on the run during the Friday game of Spiders-VCU series at The Diamond.

The flags at Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission building are flown at half-staff on Monday. Governor Youngkin announced that flags would fly half-staff in honor of Peace Officers' Remembrance Day.

Ukrop's crumb cake has been picked up by Kroger and is being sold nationwide. Here, fresh cinnamon crumb cakes are packaged at the Ukrop's bakery in Richmond, VA on May 16, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney officially proclaims May as Jewish American Heritage Month during a celebration held in collaboration with the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) at Richmond City Hall in Richmond, VA on May 17, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH

Acting Police Chief Richard Edwards stands by as Penn and Victoria Burke places a flower in honor of Sergeant J. Harvey Burke in the wreath at the memorial stone at the Richmond Police Training Academy in Richmond, VA during the Richmond Police Department Police Officers' Memorial Service on May 18, 2023. The ceremony, which took place during National Police Week, paid homage to Richmond's fallen officers. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH

Doumit Bouhaidarat fries falafel balls to order during the St. Anthony Lebanese Food Festival on Friday.

Dogs compete in the Subaru Ultimate Air Dogs — Splash Qualifier #4 event on the second day of Dominion Energy Riverrock on Saturday.

The Virginia men's tennis team celebrates after winning the national championship on Sunday in Orlando.

Vietnam War veteran Stuart Blankenship is photographed at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, VA on Monday, May 22, 2023. Blankenship is one of 50 Vietnam War Veterans from throughout the Commonwealth featured in the exhibit "50 Years Beyond: The Vietnam Veteran Experience" which opened at the Virginia War Memorial on January 28, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH

Wilbert Hobson poses for a portrait at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Va, on May 23, 2023. Hobson was part of the 101st Airborne unit of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war. Hobson is very active in his chapter of the American Legion and helped found the Friends of Dupont, and organization. Graduating from an all-Black high school, Vietnam was Hobson's first real experience with integration. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH

Powhatan Owen, shown at the Virginia War Memorial, volunteered for a Burial Honor Guard company in Washington state to commemorate the service of fellow veterans and has further connected with veterans while attending powwows across the U.S.

Madi Mabry laughs with other members of Mango Salon at the 2023 Top Workplaces awards in Richmond on Thursday.

A solar cell receives light at the Agecroft Hall and Gardens on May 26, 2023, in Richmond, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH

Julia Hunter, a shawl dancer, participates in the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe's powwow on Saturday.

Festival organizers Pete LeBlanc, left, and Zavi Harman enjoy the second installation of Daydream Fest in front of the Main Line Brewery stage on Sunday.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks during the Commonwealth's Memorial Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial on Monday.

Earl Gary, owner of YME Landscape, used a compact tractor to move topsoil for a temporary landscaping at the former site of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's statue on Monument Ave. in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

Jorge Figueroa leads tenants and New Virginia Majority organizers in a rally at Southwood Apartments, in Richmond, VA on June 1, 2023 to protest rent increases. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH

This screenshot from the Virginia Department of Transportation's real-time traffic cameras shows multiple southbound lanes of Interstate 95 closed after a crash near the Belvidere Street exit the morning of Friday, June 2, 2023.

Richmond Kickers defender Simon Fitch shoots the ball defended by Chattanooga Red Wolves forward Walter Varela at City Stadium on Saturday.

Mark Whitfield and Ciara Dickson watch Samaya Dickson throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Flying Squirrels game on Sunday.

People bow their heads before eating as Dr. Stepfanie Ramsey gives the invocation at the 2023 Times-Dispatch/Sports Backer Scholar Athlete Awards Ceremony on June 5, 2023 at the Jefferson Hotel. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH

A radar measure the speed of passing cars on Main Street on June 6, 2023, in Richmond, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH

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This is continuing coverage from The Times-Dispatch of Tuesday's shooting in Monroe Park.• Shooting after graduation ceremony ignites fresh an…

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