Spreading a kind word one sign at a time

Published 11:59 am Thursday, October 2, 2008

NORTH BEND – Ludwig Spegg always has a simple message when he stands out on Bendigo Boulevard in North Bend.

Last week, it was “Love Heals.”

“Do you believe that [love heals]?” Spegg asked. “It’s true.”

That simple message can be easily lost, however, due to the peculiarity of the medium. Spegg displays his messages on signs he carries or wears around his neck while standing on the street, sometimes in the rain and wind. All his messages have been simple but poignant phrases about love, healing and friendship. Following every message is his name and phone number.

What looks like a sales pitch for an herbal supplement or an invitation for some guru’s advice is just a simple message of love and an invitation to talk. Spegg doesn’t explain what led him to start appearing on the street with his signs, but he said that an opportunity to talk to and meet new people is a big reason he will brave the elements.

“I want to make friends,” he said.

Spegg said some people wave at him and some do call him. Most of the time the reaction is good, with people thanking him for bearing such a positive message. One woman even told him that his presence on Bendigo Boulevard may have prevented some accidents.

“Several people have told me how much they appreciate it,” he said. “Usually, I get a new insight when I talk to people.”

A conversation with Spegg will reveal little history about the older man with a slight German accent. He lives in North Bend, he can’t drive a car and he has a daughter. Other than that, just about all Spegg wants one to know is on his sign or on his answering machine.

He is a little less mysterious to Stephanie Huber, who co-owns Cascade Office Supply and sees Spegg on a regular basis. Cascade Office Supply is where Spegg makes and keeps his signs and talks up whoever is working. Huber said that while staff at the store were a little confused at first by Spegg, they quickly warmed up to the man who is more than willing to talk to anyone and hands out heart stickers.

“He always says, ‘I wish you a good life,’ ” Huber said.

The office staff makes Spegg’s signs to his exact specifications and he tries them out in the store by walking across the room to make sure they can be read easily. Huber said they try to look after Spegg as much as possible and keep in mind what he has purchased so he doesn’t unintentionally stock up on supplies. Whatever the staff can do to help Spegg is a pleasure, Huber said, since it always goes toward an effort that is all about making people’s days better.

“Some people don’t even come to their jobs and he is out there doing that for nothing,” Huber said.

As effective as it has been in getting people’s attention, perhaps Spegg’s medium is not so peculiar after all.

Ben Cape can be reached at (425) 888-2311 or by e-mail at ben.cape@valleyrecord.com.