De Haoper(t)se Gaoper

The Haoper(t)se Gaoper
The statue depicts a man with a walking stick standing to one side, mouth agape, philosophising about the world passing him by. The centuries-old story is also inscribed on the statue’s plinth.
For centuries, the residents of Hapert have been known as ‘Gapers’ or ‘Haopertse Gaopers’. Incidentally, the origin of the nickname has nothing to do with yawning, but stems from a ‘gaper’ – a sign used by apothecaries that also served as a mark of quality. The historical explanation dates back to the 18th century. At that time, a man who traded in leeches lived in ‘De Kuil’ in Hapert . He bought the creatures from distant lands and kept them in a pit behind his house. From there, he sold them to doctors in Belgium and the south of the Netherlands. Treatment with these creatures was believed to have medicinal benefits. At that time, Hapert was a sort of medical centre with a very special pharmacy. This pharmacy was frequented by people from the region and was also the place where they could buy this ‘medicine’. As it was traditional for a pharmacy to have a ‘gaper’ above the entrance, the customers – who flocked on foot from far and wide – soon began referring to it as the ‘Hapertse Gaper’. 
The nickname is now regarded as an honourable moniker. For example, during the annual carnival concert, someone is appointed as a member of the Haopertse Gaoper Genootschap – a resident of Hapert who has rendered outstanding service to the community.

Source: Wikipedia Hapert