Originally, Jason Hilleshiem and Pete Prodoehl constructed the colorful, oversized Pacman and ghosts icons for Milwaukee Makerspace's Maker Faire. The hope was they'd be used every year as a designated fun spot for people to take photos and selfies.
However, when the Faire was canceled for 2020, and the vibrant video game cut-outs started to collect dust, Hilleshiem got permission to install them on his porch in Bay View. Of course, he had to clear it with his wife, Dena Nord.
"I wasn't sure how she'd react to the idea, but she liked it," says Hilleshiem.
Since September, the pellet-chomping Pacman and his four ghost enemies have peacefully co-existed, affixed to the railing of the couple's porch. The house is located on the North end of the Bay View neighborhood.
Not surprisingly, the response has been extremely positive from people walking by. A couple of onlookers have asked why Pacman wasn't chasing the ghosts like he does in the game.
"In the game, Pacman can't chase the ghosts until he eats one of the large pellets and they turn blue," says Hilleshiem. "Just a fun tidbit."
Hilleshiem plans to decorate Pacman this weekend for Halloween and then remove it before the snow starts to fly. He will reinstall it in the spring.
"I'm happy I got to save them from a dumpster and am able to give people something to smile at during these stressful, COVID times," says Hilleshiem. "We just wanna brighten people's day."
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
