Ocean Pines resident pens book about ‘Gangsta Kitty’ named Verdell Katmandu

By Brendan Miller

(July 1, 2021) Local philanthropist and former musician, Stan Gibson, has released his first book, “The Adventures of Verdell Katmandu – Gangsta Kitty.”

Gibson has been a resident of Delmarva since 1984, and currently lives in Ocean Pines. He had always wanted to write a book, but the recent passing of his cat, Verdell, inspired him to finally do it.

The story takes the reader through the life of Verdell, a cat with immune issues who smokes catnip and runs online gambling scams. Gibson recently adopted another cat named Cobby and plans to write a sequel to his first book.

“The book keeps Verdell’s memory alive, and even though the cat in the book talks, he is Verdell,” Gibson said.

Stan “Stanstock” Gibson

Verdell was a stray cat that Gibson and his girlfriend, Deborah, took home and nursed back to health.

Gibson has sold roughly 250 copies of his book, which costs $22.50. It is available at Verdellkatmandu.com, Greyhound Books in Berlin and the Worcester County Humane Society Thrift Store in West Ocean City.

The book is 208 pages long and a portion of sales will be donated to the Worcester County Humane Society, a no-kill shelter in Berlin.

Gibson’s charity work goes beyond donating proceeds from “The Adventures of Verdell Katmandu – Gangsta Kitty.”

Gibson hosts an annual event called “Stanstock,” where musicians perform live for two days in order to bring people together and raise money for charitable causes. Net proceeds are given to the Nicole Van Horn Trust Fund and Catch A Lift Fund, which both support cancer research.

Gibson has been able to get 75 volunteers to continue to work the event over the years, dating back to the first “Stanstock” in October of 2013. Roughly 2,000 people have attended the event over the years, but Gibson hopes “Stanstock” will continue growing.

The two-day event will take place Sept. 11 and 12 and will feature 35 bands and musicians. The event will be held at River Watch Restaurant & Marina, 207 Nanticoke Road, Essex, Maryland 21221.

“This all started after I created a Facebook page called ‘Baltimore bands from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s’, which has grown to 8,000 members,” Gibson said.

Gibson is a former musician, who played the saxophone up until a surgery that left him in a wheelchair. His passion for music and community engagement are major reason for Stanstock’s success.

“Even though I am wheelchair bound with physical limitations, my ability to help others is unaffected,” Gibson added.

The website Stanstock.org has all of the event’s details and information about its history.