BARBERSHOP LIKE FAMILY FOR PATRONS

Colonel Ken tells his story of auctioneering , railroading and more.

Patrons from left to right are Don Rees, former owner of the Jackson Family Barber Shop; Paula Drum, owner; and Darold Mills, a barber at the shop for 18 months. Seated is patron Dale Kutscher.

The Jackson Family Barber Shop, which has moved 214 S. Main St., is more than a family barbershop, it's a social club, a meeting place, a non-alcoholic watering hole.

After dropping her two daughters off at the Jackson Middle School, Paula Drum drives to the barbershop where she promptly opens at 8 a.m. Usually, there's a line of patrons ready to follow her in the door.

Her clients are all ready to share their photos, stories, opinions, what have you.

People feel like they're sitting in Floyd's Barber Shop of the Andy of Mayberry television series, and Aunt Bea will soon stroll in with a freshly baked apple pie.

The chairs are ancient, and boy the stories they could tell. Their bonafide chrome still shines proudly as customers are served in the same seats they may have sat in as little children. These seats are as much a part of the character here as the clients are. The black and white linoleum floor brings back memories of yesteryear before choices were endless.

Drum moved the shop from 127 S. Main down the street about a month ago.

Dean Ford, a regular patron, was afraid that when Drum moved, she might not take along her little plaques, hung here and there, around the shop. They impart wisdom, and some of it goes like this: "You can't scare me, I've got kids," or, "men and fish are alike...they get in trouble when they open their mouth."

Drum is lucky to get a word in edgewise around here; she does a lot of listening instead.

Joe Bishop calls this place "Americana" and says, "You can't go to the big chain hairstylist and experience this." Ford started talking to Bishop like he'd known him all his life."

Ford is an 82-year-old retiree who says, "I come here to see people I haven't seen in 15 to 20 years." He's got a schedule; first stop, the coffee shop, then it's the barbershop from 8 to 9 a.m. where, if he doesn't need a haircut, he'll talk to anyone who'll listen.

Colonel Ken, a 50-year auctioneer, wants to get in on the action and starts talking auctionese. For 30 years he was running a locomotive for Frisco and 10 years, farm machinery, while all the while, auctioneering. As he puts it: "Jumping out of one skillet to another."

Patrons must be quick and listen carefully so they don't miss anything around here. There's so much entertainment going on all around them, and the best deal is, it's all free!

Finally Drum gets a chance to share a little. She has worked for the Jackson Family Barber Shop for eight years and bought the business from Larry Harris four years ago.

Don Rees, a former owner, says they were at the old address for 11 years.

Drum said, "Customers come here not only for a haircut, but free advice. There are no appointments to make here, just walk in."