From Possum Lodge to Galleria Mall

The crowd at Saturday afteroon gave new meaning to Galleria Mall's "Shops of Distinction" tag, for it was quite the distinct collection of people. A deluge of flannel shirts, blaze orange jackets, fisherman caps, duct-taped camera cases, novelty bobblehead dolls and groups saying "the Man's Prayer" in unison snaked their way through the lower level stacks, all waiting patiently for a chance to meet one inept handyman—Mr. Red Green.

Steve Smith (famous for his role on The Red Green Show) appeared in support of his new book "How To Do Everything." Smith was in the Twin Cities via Ontario for the first stop on his "Wit and Wisdom Tour," which will bring his Red Green character's simple-minded worldview through the midwest and back up to Canada over the next month or so.

His cult following of fans could not have been happier.

"It's good to be here with these people," Bloomington resident Martha Gregorson said. "Others that will openly admit they watch Red Green Show tapes at family gatherings."

As Gregorson was talking, the line started moving, bringing into view other Red Green enthusiasts who were waiting on the opposite side of the bookshelf. Three men holding duct-tape and one wearing a shirt being held together by the gray adhesive tape could now be seen.

"Oh, there's some Possum Lodge members if I've ever seen any," she said. "Coming here is like going to a Star Wars convention, only just a wee bit different."

Moving slowly towards Barnes & Noble's events area, fans started to recall favorite episodes and quotes, as well as other times they'd met their beloved Canadian simpleton. 

"I went and saw Red at Frattallones Ace Hardware in Arden Hills back in 2009," Todd Graham said, pulling out a photo album to prove it. "I can relate to him because the way he does things seems kind of similar to the way I do things around the house."

After about forty-five minutes, I was next in line and went from being an amused Patch reporter to a starstruck fan. I unveiled the duct-tape I brought for him to autograph, was so nervous I had him sign it for "Mark" instead of "Mike" and had just enough time to hit him with one parting question.

"Where's the Possum Van?" I asked, curious if he made the trip down in his signature automobile outfitted with a window air-conditioner to stay cool and barrrels as tires to make homemade applesauce. 

"Well, there's actually five Possum Vans," Green/Smith chuckled. "We buried them to play a trick on those who find 'em in 500 years."