he`s so original

Baton Bob puts a new spin on things.

For the first time, we didn't have to "talk" a man (read: nag, beg, persuade) into a skirt. Bob already wears them on a regular basis. Maybe that's because he has the most enviable legs in town. Model, icon, activist and florist, Baton Bob is known as "The Ambassador of Mirth" around Atlanta. The Midtown resident can be seen leading parades, appearing on CNN or just strutting around the city in costumes that often involve a tiara and a tutu. He's not crazy. Just crazy about making people happy. This persona he created was started in St. Louis soon after 9/11. Battling depression, he decided to do something that would bring him joy. Twirling a baton is what had brought him happiness since he was 8 years old, so he dusted it off. He put on an exercise outfit, his mP3 player, grabbed his baton and went to the park. He was such a hit with the community and brought so many people happiness that he developed it into a character. "I feel so grateful that I can be uplifting to people." The best thing about wearing a skirt?: The freedom. The best thing about reading skirt!: I really like the colorful graphics and the size of the magazine best.