Cecil Soil Magazine Haircuts with Herb

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...

November/December 2007: From Shooting Crooks to Retirement

Herb introduced me to the customer in the seat of honor. “Ed, this is Maynard Bare. He owns the North East Laundromat.”

“Where’s it located?” I inquired.

“It’s located right next door to the bank… those quarters are heavy, you know,” he quipped, smiling. His humorous response got the rest of us chuckling and I felt we were off to a good start.

Maynard continued, “Herb and I went to barber school together, down in Baltimore.”

Herb joined in, “This school was located near skid row in downtown Baltimore and we practiced on the ‘downand- outs.’ We gave them free cuts or charged 50 cents—if they had the money. We treated those people very respectfully.”

His cut complete, Maynard got out of the chair and paid Herb, but didn’t leave. Instead, he elected to stay and enjoy the conversation.

Nobody jumped up to be next so Herb pointed at a young, good-looking fellow and said, “Do you want a cut? You’re next.” As the young man quietly got seated I asked a few questions and learned that his name was Harry Cheyney, that he was from North East and that he worked as an electrician for McGlothlin and Benham. Single, Harry enjoys watching football, but his primary interest is the North East Fire Company, where he’s been a member for the last eight years. Throughout the conversation, one could readily see that he was dedicated to the North East Fire Company.

Another customer was sitting there as well, and I didn’t catch his name, but I could tell he was enjoying the banter. He asked Herb if he could tell a joke and Herb said, “Sure, as long as it’s clean.”

“Well, there was this farmer,” he began. “And he looked out his back window to see two men taking some of his property out of his shed. As they were wheeling his rider mower out, he phoned the local police and said, ‘Sheriff, I have two fellows stealing stuff from my shed, can you get over here?’ The sheriff replied that he didn’t have the manpower to come over now. The farmer let two minutes pass and phoned the sheriff again, telling him, ‘You don’t have to worry about those two fellows. I shot both of them.’ In two minutes five police squad cars roared onto his property and caught the culprits red-handed. As they were leading the handcuffed crooks away, the sheriff complained to the farmer, ‘I thought you said you shot them.’ The farmer replied, ‘Yeah, and I thought you said you didn’t have the manpower.’”

Mr. Gary Grant was next up and Herb introduced him. “Ol’ Gary and I go way back; we’re old hunting buddies. We used to body-boot for ducks and geese, rabbit hunt and fish together.”

Mr. Grant added. “I don’t do much hunting anymore… it’s harder and harder to find property to hunt on. Basically, I’m retired. When I announced my retirement to my wife she went out and bought me four gallons of white paint.” At this point, a big smile played across his face and he smoothly delivered his punch line. “And guess what? That paint is still sitting there.”

Michelle Privette, from Charlestown, came into the shop with her son, Adam, and when I asked her permission to write about her, she replied, “Yes, that will be fine, Mr. Belote.” I was a bit surprised that she knew my name and she explained that she used to babysit my grandchildren, Emily and Eddie Belote 3rd. And for good measure she added, “My daughter, Alexis, has a big crush on little Eddie.”

We found out we were connected in so many other ways; Michelle explained how they were good friends with a dear family that Carol and I love; the Cook family of Charlestown, Raymond and Louise. Sadly, we have to report that Louise recently passed away. Later, Michelle’s husband, Andy, came in and joined in the discussion. It was a pleasure meeting him.

As Herb was working on Will Haven’s head (Will was a State Police automotive repairman for 30 years), Will explained how he first met Herb, “I was sent to jail and when I got there I met Herb—he already had five years’ seniority on me.” I could readily see that Will planned to get under Herb’s skin. Herb knew it too, because he sported that smile that said, “Give me your best shot.”

The conversation drifted into dressing nice. I mentioned to Herb that he always dressed very neatly… I think I used the word ‘nattily.’

“Well, I think I learned that in the army as a young man I was impressed with how the officers appeared in their dress uniforms. And to tell you the truth,” Herb continued, “It doesn’t cost you much more to dress nice.” This sage advice barely left Herb’s lips when Will craftily asked, “What was you in, Herb, the Salvation Army?” With a big grin, Herb waggled his comb at Will and said, “I hear ya.”

Someone asked Herb what he was going to do when he retires. Another fellow blurted out, “How you gonna know when he retires? Most times I come in here, he’s sitting in that chair reading a newspaper.” Herb lit up like a light bulb and flatly stated, “I’ll retire when I get so bad that I can’t do anything. I love this place. Retirement couldn’t be this good.”

Herb continued, “I still remember the time Phil Reynolds came in here and I had five people sitting around this shop and we were all laughing and talking about this and that, and I made the statement that I just cannot watch television any more. Phil laughed at this, looked around the room and said, ‘It ain’t no darn wonder, Herb. With all those characters you got sitting around here, television couldn’t possibly offer you anything.’”

After Herb’s little story, everyone in the room laughed out loud and I couldn’t help but think how fortunate Herb is to have this passing parade enriching his life. Why would anybody want to retire from this? — CSM