MARIETTA, Ga. — WSB-TV and the Nextdoor app are partnering to celebrate the top 100 amazing neighbors across the country.
A 93-year-old Marietta man who brings joy to his community by sitting outside is the next nominee Channel 2′s Heather Catlin spoke with.
Jack Parker sits in the same spot by a stop sign in his neighborhood every day, waiting for people to pass by to say hi, crack a joke or just make them smile.
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You could call Parker several things: a neighborhood staple, a friend and even a local celebrity.
“To see people so excited, they’re busy, they’re trying to get through the neighborhood, but he makes them stop and pause and have a little joy, his neighbor Lisa Prunkl, who nominated him, said.
When the pandemic hit and everyone was isolated, Parker found a shady spot outside. He says it gave him something to do and helped show people they’re still connected, even if a little further away.
“The outreach he’s had to the whole community is just huge, and everybody really knows who he is,” Sprunkl told Catlin.
MORE NEXTDOOR 100 NOMINEES:
- Entire tight-knit Adair Park neighborhood being nominated for Nextdoor 100
- Milton chef who figured out how to keep his staff during the pandemic nominated for the Nextdoor 100
- Alpharetta woman giving back to her community, other countries nominated for Nextdoor 100
He waves at everyone, and sometimes they wave back or stop by to chat.
Parker does admit to having his favorites, though.
“Women are my favorite,” Parker laughed.
The people who pass by get something out of it too, a smile, a chuckle, and if you listen closely, you can hear his signature phrase.
“Hubba, hubba,” Parker chuckled.
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The walk from Parker’s house to his spot by the stop sign is a quarter of a mile, and he says he tries to get out three times a week at the very least.
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