Halloween is months away, but that did not stop Dave Gilbert, a long-time resident of Sometown, from adorning a full-body ladybug costume and venturing out to the corner store last week. In fact, he went more than once. 

At first, store owner Jane Marshall and her staff thought it was funny. “We assumed he was on his way to a kids’ party,” explains Marshall. “But when he came back day after day, and started offering hugs, I decided he had crossed a line.”  

We spoke with several customers, including Mandy Sterling, who captured a short video clip of “Gilby the Bug,” as the man inside the suit liked to be called. None of them seemed too worried about the behavior or the costume. “Life can be so boring, you know,” said Sterling. “I think this man is just trying to cheer us up. There’s so much drama every day. We should welcome a bit of goofiness.”  

Sterling explained that on the day she snapped the video clip, she was trying to find a way to cheer up her son who had recently had a severe earache and was still feeling blue. “He couldn’t wait to get out here to see the bug man. And now people say they want to put him in jail or something. Come on, people! You gotta have a sense of humor!” 

Dave Gilbert had been to court to face charges for disturbing the peace and possibly for harassment. However, the charges were dismissed after several local residents offered to testify to their neighbor’s good character and harmless, playful disposition.  

Turns out, Gilbert is a volunteer entertainer at a local assisted living facility. There, his bug suit and purposely clumsy magic tricks offer a welcome burst of lightheartedness to shut-in seniors. One day, he decided that others might enjoy a bit of lighthearted silliness too. And this is when he was inspired to bring his act to Main Street.  

Jane Marshall, the store owner who had initially filed a complaint, subsequently withdrew it. She even apologized to Gilby the Bug and invited him back to her store. They chatted for quite a while. She later admitted to one of our reporters that she hugged him, and referred to Gilbert as a very genuine and caring human being.  

Laila Penn, for News Briefs on Main, Sometown, NH 

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A writing prompt piece in the style of a news article titled, “Human Size Ladybug Chased from Local Store.”