Chris Raymer, a young lady who had superbly cut my hair for a long time at the shop, purchased the business. She explained that she was going to be busy with the shop, her family and college. I realized that she must of had many things on her mind because I had to remind her several times that she had parted my hair on the wrong side.
On one occasion I felt her placing the part on wrong side but decided not to correct her and see what happened the rest of the day. I noticed that several folks seemed to look at me strangely, but I don’t believe any of them figured out that it was the parting of my hair.
I still patronize the shop, and Chris has posted a copy of the article that I wrote back then on the wall behind her work station. She explained to her barbers that my hair should always be parted on the opposite side and sometimes interrupts the barber cutting my hair and misdirects my hair to suit her wishes.
Last week it occurred to me that it was probably time to visit the shop. I noticed that I can get there much quicker now that the roundabouts are in play. I use the one at Mcfarland Road and Edgewood Avenue. The other day I met a motorist traveling clockwise on that roundabout. The driver seemed mad at me for being in her path.
When I made it to the shop, all three barbers – Dave Collins, Johnny Walker and Chris were busy.
When Dave became free, he had me sit in a chair and placed the wrapping around my neck, Chris explained to him that she used some barber tools numbered 4 and 2 to successfully complete my haircut.
I quietly asked Dave to observe which side of my head that my hair was parted. None the less,
Chris took center stage to explain her side of the story while directing everyone to the wall to read the article.
About half way through my haircut I was the only customer in the shop. Dave was working and listening to the stories that Chris and Johnny were telling. It became clear that they knew a story about a lady calling a radio station to complain about some deer crossings.
I looked up to see Chris standing beside me with a small item in her hand. She messed with it for a short while before it started playing a recording. It was probably one of those Smartphones. She held it up to my left ear so I could hear the recording of the lady (the video can be viewed on YouTube).
Getting a haircut is a great experience at Carson Square Barber Shop. I recommend it.
Shonk is a 1960 graduate of Southport High School, a ’63 grad of Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis) and a retired bus driver from Beech Grove Schools. He is married to Lyn Shonk.