Haircuts with Herb by Ed Belote Sr.

Herb Benjamin has been cutting hair in the town of North East, Maryland for more than forty-five years. His barbershop (just off the side of his tackle shop) has become a landmark, and all who visit appreciate Herb’s affable, witty personality. Getting a cut at Herb’s is like stepping back in time; almost like being in Mayberry — the friendship and laughter beckon you to come back for more. Push open that squeaky screen door — come on in and listen...

May/June 2010:
A Sudden Tragic Loss

Howard “Speedy” Simpers, Herb, and Jack Gilley

Herb introduced me to the man sitting in his chair, “Ed, this is Howard Simpers from North East, also known as ‘Speedy’. I asked 71-year-old Mr. Simpers if he was into any sports like skateboarding … I mean, with a nickname like Speedy… A smile played across his handsome face and he said, “No, I used to fish, but I don’t anymore.” I asked him why not and he replied, “Just too lazy, I guess.”

Herb introduced me to another gentleman sitting in the waiting chairs. “Ed, this is Frank Crane. Ole Frank has a heart of Gold. Frank come upon an old dog in the woods and saw these kids stoning it. Frank rescued that dog and took it to a veterinarian. It’s his dog now; he bought it a new dog house. That dog’s a lucky dog.”

Frank Crane, Joe Palm III, Joe Palm Jr.

I asked Frank what he named that dog and his answer brought the house down. “Fido,” he proudly replied in his gravelly voice. A voice rang out between the laughs, “That’s the first time I’ve heard of a dog actually named Fido.”

Frank continued, “Fido stayed outside in his dog box until the Fourth of July when some neighbors touched off some fireworks. He was horrified so we let him in the house, and I’ll tell you what, he hasn’t been out yet. Of course he’ll go out to do his business, but otherwise, he’s an inside dog now.”

As I listen to my digital recorder to write this story one voice stands out among the others and that’s the deep baritone voice of 72-year-old Joe McKinney. Joe is a true patriot – a retired military man who spent two tours in Vietnam. Herb refers to him as an “Elk-necker”. Joe talked about the one-room schoolhouse he attended in Elk Neck. He said it was called Shawna School House. I also discovered that Joe and I have a common acquaintance – Debbie Cain of the Cecil County Board of Realtors. He describes her as a very nice lady. I couldn’t agree more.

Rick Hall, a retired teacher, talked about his boat detailing business. He washes, waxes and refinishes mahogany and teak parts. He said, “I’m busier than a one-armed paper hanger. If I don’t get another call for a job, I have enough work to get me through Memorial Day.”

Adding to our conversations was Joe Palm Jr. and his son, Joe Palm III. Joe Palm Jr. is a soft-spoken gentle soul. But what I liked most about him were his political views. (Herb shut this discussion down when it got a bit heated.) Joe sided with me … very intelligent man, that Joe Palm.

My attention on the day of my visit to Herb’s had been briefly diverted when a fellow who was leaving walked up to Joe Gwiazdowski, DDS, on his way out, and I overheard him say how sorry he was for the loss of the doctor’s wife.

Gail Gwiazdowski (See the family photo in this issue's Scrapbook gallery)

A few weeks later I phoned Dr. Joe Gwiazdowski and much to my delight he agreed to talk about Gail, his deceased wife. Joe and Gail have two children, Gina, 30, and Eric, 25, both college graduates.

By all accounts, 58-year-old Gail was a doer and an achiever. She attained her nursing degree from St. Joseph’s in Baltimore and worked in many different nursing jobs all over the world. She started out in the newborn nursery, and later was in psychiatric nursing. She traveled to Panama and worked as a nurse for the Panama Canal Company (an offshoot of the Federal Government). Gail enjoyed to travel and explored all over the world, but she loved England the most, traveling there nine times.

Gail developed a real passion for the Chesapeake Bay. Joe likes to tell the story, “You know how most men have to beg their wives to buy a boat? Well, Gail forced me to buy one.” The name of their boat? Gail Forced.

On December 9th, 2009, Gail and her mother were driving to the BWI Airport during heavy rains and were involved in a serious accident. Joe was notified that his mother-in-law was admitted to a hospital, but could not find out where his wife was. Later in the day two Baltimore County Police drove into his driveway and confirmed his suspicions that Gail had been killed.

Joe is an unpretentious soul who appreciates the support he’s received from his large family and the community. “When I really get down, I push myself to work more and be around people and this never fails to lighten my burden.” —CSM