What better way to top off 2007 than with a tribute to the Hairdressers, Beauticians, and Coiffurists that have kept the main manes of Wapella so neat and fashionable throughout the years.
Here is the first Champagne glass of the New Year's Celebration in honor of the hair trade, the Great Lock Wranglers of Wapella.
The first toast...goes out to none other than Vee Bray Welch, of Vee's Beauty Nook. Vee is the one of the greats, a pleasant businesswoman, and a tremendous hair manager. Here's to you Vee!
Who else would you like toasted (preferable to being scorched in the Perm machine)? What hairdressers did the best work on men's hair? Who are some of the past greats? Who is currently working the trade in the highest Hog City style?
21 comments:
In an odd coincidence, over the holiday, I have taken to calling my wife and sister-in-law "Vee and Carolyn" (for their continual habit of cutting my daughters hair) in loving tribute to the finest beauticians in Wapella, and two of Wapella's finest in general. Viva la Vee’s Beauty Nook!
After my Grandpa Toohill was not getting around very well Jack Wickenhauser (sorry if not spelled right) would come out home to the farm and cut his hair. Grandpa really enjoyed his visits and everytime Jack would say "anything for Clemmie" with a big smile!
although not from hog city
JIM DABNEY
I nominate a barber who carried an ancient Wapella surname: Mr. Rabbit Crum. He cut my hair in my preschool days on Main Street Wapella, and he was instrumental in bringing my madre and padre together to make HG DNA.
HG
What about KC's Hair Affair - housed in current home of JB Quaid (he had a 20/20 against New Holland remember - try to mention that every time JB Quaid comes up). bbd
I remember Mr Rabbit Crum, also there was a Mr Thayer, can't remember his first name, he was Whimpy Thayer's father. He cut hair in Clinton for years, but lived north of Wapella, and I am pretty sure he started in Wapella,in the 40s. Both men cut my hair in my younger days. I think they charged $.25 for kids for a "burr haircut" which only took about a minute and half.
Butch Green
One cannot discuss tonsorial talents without a photo of Wapella's Greatest Head of Hair:
AJ WEINHEIMER.
BEP
I'd just like to add that there were alot of male soft-perms in my class around the 7th/8th grade. People whose hair was not naturally curly suddenly appeared at school looking like Willie Ames. I won't name names. You know who you are.
Tommy Herr style soft perms i might add.
IRBW
Tommy Herr or Tommy Ishmael style?
Don't forget Betty Burris! Although I'm not touting her skills as a beautician, she would always fit my Grandma in if Vee was busy. Of course, Vee or Carolyn had to do repair work later. But, it was the neighborly thing to do to spread the business around town. Besides, hair always grew back anyway....
A shout out to Betty B from EEP! Twister and Betty B. were, are and always will be classic Wapellicans. Top-notch.
I'm trying to remember what the reward was for sitting still in Rabbit's chair. Was it an ice cream cone with a fortune in the bottom of the cone from Ellis' restaurant?
JL Powers gave a mean haircut. His now notorious shop, set up in the family laundry room was a place to avoid.
EEP, was your soft perm inspired by your favorite band, Air Supply?
North of town, the late Ed Dabney's shop sported a skull and a moosehead.
BEP
Let us toast Jaunita Springman, Betty Thayer Karr, Donna Holman, Etta Kirkand and Jean Westbrook.
Carolyn was the only one that could tame Thorp hair.
She also made house calls in times of need, which we very much appreciated.
My son-in-law is still looking for someone in Missouri who can cut a flat top like Jack Wickenhauser ...the master.
Happy New Year to all citizens of Wapella and Ellsworth.
s
RABBIT WAS MY FIRST BURR THEN JACK
WICKENHAUSER FOR MANY YEARS.KWT
Rabbit Crum gave us kids a straight, striped stick of candy (ala barber pole). I remember a wooden plaque hanging on his mirror that said: "Guests are like fish...they both stink after three days."
After deciding a burr wasn't modern enough, as I reached jr. high age I gleefully started going to Clinton where Jack Wickenhauser tried to tame my cowlick and did a fantastic job (no more Alfalfa).
Scissors up to Jack and Rabbit, noble men who performed with distinction and honor.
Jack still can give you a hair whack on his days on.
The lack'a'tobacca has cramped his style a bit, but Jack can still shave your neck with the best of him.
Call 217-935-5554 and wait for the reassuring....mmm-Barbershop...to arrange a ciseaux de cheveux.
Rabbitt was famous for his "gas powered clippers". A standard clipper with the electric cord removed and replaced by an enima tube.
That familiar "mmm barbershop" is music to many folks' ears. Jack was cutting edge when he went to Roffler in the 1970s. Prior to that he and Mr. Bartlett did a booming business with lots of lies being told on Saturdays in the winter as the locals congregated. The yields got higher as the day wore on. NO ONE did a better job than Jack and NO WHERE were customers treated better. Jack's Barberia, as my brother called it, was and is a local treasure because the proprietor is a one-of-a-kind.
I salute you Jack.
BEP
I remember the signs on the wall of Rabbit’s shop, too. There was another one - “Even a fish knows when to keep his mouth shut.” The barber pole candy stick for sitting still, Sunshine Rousey sitting there in his bib overalls yacking up a storm. I even recall Rabbit cutting hair in a trailer after moving out of his shop on Main - think this was after an illness or something.
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