Edgemere: Global Influencer?

Who knew Edgemere could be such an international trend-setter?

Making its rounds around social media right now is news of 50 stuffed bears that are being spotted at various locales in the Parisian community of Gobelins. While the stuffed bears are usually found one or two at a time, 37 of them were spotted at the Grand Hotel des Gobelins, according to an article on matadornetwork,com.

A local bookseller named Philippe started the Parisian phenomenon, with the goal of bringing the community together. He lends the bears out to local residents whom then place them at various spots around town. The beige bears have been spotted in lecture halls, on balconies and at sidewalk cafes, according to photos posted by residents.

The travels of the Bears of Gobelins are being chronicled on their own Facebook page.

The Bears of Gobelins. Facebook photo

As many of you will recall, the Edgemere community recently bonded over the travels of Big Blue, a toy bear that looks like it could be a colorful cousin to its French counterparts. The big blue bear was first spotted hanging from a mile marker on the Baltimore beltway, and then made its way to the North Point Peninsula gateway sign and the Edgemere-North Point Volunteer Fire Company before being taken home for safekeeping by its owner.

Just in time for the holidays, Big Blue has reappeared. He was recently spotted on the playground at Edgemere Elementary School and then he was pictured enjoying an adult beverage at a local bar.

Big Blue enjoying some adult time at the Muddy Beaver.
Facebook photo

While Big Blue’s owner may not have originally started out with the goal of bringing the community together, as was the wish of bookseller Philippe, that’s exactly what happened. Photos appeared on Facebook’s The Edgemere Page, and before long, folks were commenting, laughing at the prank, suggesting places the bear could visit in the future and giving him an abundance of monikers.

Even when Blue disappeared, residents would chime in every now and then, asking if the bear had been spotted recently.

So now he’s out and about again, and 50 of his cousins are all the rage in the French community of Gobelins. It will be interesting to see if the idea spreads even more. I'm sure none of you ever really thought of our little town of Edgemere as a global influencer!

I’m not naming the bear’s owner because I haven’t yet reached out for permission to do so, but thank you once again for the needed warm and fuzzy story!