Red Green thrills fans at Sackville hardware store

SACKVILLE - Monday was Jonathan Gabriel's lucky day. The 16-year-old Cole Harbour student had the day off school and made it to Payzant's Home Hardware in Sackville in time to meet one of his favourite television personalities.

Steve Smith, more commonly known by his many fans as Red Green, was at the hardware store along with Canada's tool girl and actress Mag Ruffman to promote their new book, We're All In This Together: Red Green-the man behind the character and vice versa.

"He's funny, he's great with duct tape, he's very creative and I just like his humour," said Gabriel, sporting a grey T- shirt featuring the slogan "I can fix anything - where's the duct tape?"

"I've been watching him on TV for as long as I can remember."

The teen wasn't Smith's only fan. A long line looped around the store from the front door to the table where Smith and Ruffman cheerily signed autographs, posed for photos and chatted with everyone who showed up to greet them.

"I really found the Red Green skits quite funny. The thing I'm most looking forward to is hearing the voice because it's so distinctive on TV," said Monique Guilderson as she waited in line. "It will be a treat to hear it in person."

An even mix of both young and old and male and female fans peppered the crowd, chatting excitedly as the line slowly moved forward. Each smiled broadly when they finally reached the table and got the chance to speak to Smith and Ruffman in person.

"I'm a huge fan and it was so different and really cool to meet him in person," gushed Beaver Bank resident and Home Hardware employee Rebecca Matthews. "His eyes are much bluer in person. They're really blue, and he seems so nice."

At its peak, at least 75 people patiently waited. In addition to copies of Smith and Ruffman's book, many fans brought rolls of duct tape for Smith to sign. Duct tape was a necessity for handyman Red Green.

In fact, Smith's Red Green character is so synonymous with duct tape that Scotch Duct Tape maker 3M is the Canadian distributor of the new book.

One woman showed Smith photos of her duct-taped cupboards at home and asked him to sign a teal handbag made by her sister entirely out of duct tape. Another told him that years ago, his show Smith and Smith served as the familiar backdrop for her late nights walking the floors with a colicky baby.

"I can't see you without thinking of colic," she joked.

"My wife feels the same way," Smith quipped.

Smith and Ruffman's newly released book features Smith in conversation with Ruffman and touches on many aspects of his life and his career. It's available at a number of Canadian retailers, including Co-op and Home Hardware stores.

More information is available online at wereallinthis together.ca.

ydentremont@hfxnews.ca