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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer – End of April, 2003 |
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As we all know, real farmers get their hair cuts down on the East end of Main Street. The young fellows and older guys from out in the country side can feel at ease with each other right there in Ty's old time barber shop. It is that traditional atmosphere of stuffed animals here and there, a good comfortable chair or bench to wait out your turn on and a chance to chat with a neighbor you haven't talked with for a spell. The reading material is full of just the right kind of stuff. You know, hunting and trapping information, survival stories and likely a copy or two of an old "Michigan Farmer" with its cover missing. Few of the periodicals will be of recent issue, but it doesn't matter, you didn't quite get them all read last time you were in for a trim.
You'll need to go in for sure when it's coming on the first weekend of the month. You might be showing up for a meal with the family at one of the local cafes on Saturday or without a doubt you will want to make a good appearance in church on Sunday morning. The last couple of Sundays you maybe felt a little shaggy having put off the trip to town for the barbering work, even sat at the back of the church because of it.
Oh yes, there are some of us that now and again show up down in the shop at the West end of Main to get our ears lowered. But...... sitting there in that ladies beauty shop type of a place can put even the most relaxed kind of guy a little on edge. You sit there trying not to show any uneasiness, hoping that Jan will get the job done as fast as possible. She does turn out a nice hair cut, that is for sure. You always keep one eye on the big plate glass window at the front, hoping that certain older guys of very traditional values won't happen by and spot you in there chatting with the ladies. You get all prettied up and come out smelling a bit more feminine than you want to, all the time knowing that you should have gone on down to the real men's barber shop in the first place. |
