Personali-tease: Downtown and Country
by Michelle Troutman

"I just didn't dare to do people's hair. I had to go to school, so I could start from the bottom, and work my way up," says Personali-tease hair salon owner Beverly Kelley. "I was too scared. But, of course, I knew what looked good, because my sister was a good hairdresser."

After high school, Beverly had planned to become the manager of a clothing store, following her mother's career path. Eventually, she joined her sister, Penny Sweatt, in running a clothing store and hair salon for 10 yrs. along Main St., where Jorgensen's is now. Penny left to work at J.C. Penney, and Beverly worked for Rhonda Dunbar for three years at the Zodiac hair salon (where Personali-tease is now).

Penny has been a hairdresser for 50 years. Beverly started a little later, having graduated from beauty school when she was 42, after having six children. "It was scary to work on people. If somebody doesn't like something you do, it really, really, makes you conscious of it, and you never want to do that again. But, we all make mistakes, and once you get through that part of it, you learn something."

Penny now works at home, running a salon out of her house in Albion, but still works at Personali-tease every Thursday. "She retired to work six days a week instead of three," says Beverly's daughter and co-worker, Katrina Dumont.

Katrina has worked at Personali-tease for 14 years. While going to high school, Katrina apprenticed with her mother. Katrina graduated from the Maine State Academy of Hair Design, with a beautician's license, and is a nail technician.

Beverly and Katrina share a deep commitment to family. Katrina and her husband Rick have two boys and two girls, ages 14, 11, 7, and 3. Beverly has 13 grandchildren, six children, and nine nieces and nephews. "I've always loved kids." A lot of people call her "Gram," or "Grammy Kelley." "It's a family place, so people are used to that, and like that." Customers let their children play while they're getting their hair done.

Their philosophy of close family ties extends to the farm Beverly runs on the Pond Road in Albion, a place where she and her family raise dairy cows (Guernsey, Brown Swiss, and Jersey) her grandchildren show at local fairs.

Beverly's husband David, a salesman for Ingraham Farm Equipment, died six years ago. "We always farmed, we always showed cows, and took the kids everywhere," says Beverly. Katrina's daughter, Lexie, 11, showed for the first time last year, winning first in showmanship, first junior champion, and then grand champion -- all in one day. "She showed her calf, and it just did everything she wanted it to do."

Three of Beverly's children are teachers -- two of her sons, Kern and Keith, teach at Nokomis High School. Her daughter Kristen teaches in Limerick, and coaches baseball and basketball. Her son Karey owns an electrical company in New Hampshire, and coaches sports. Her oldest daughter, Lynne, just started a new job; she has three greenhouses in New Hampshire with her family, and works with plants. Katrina coaches softball, basketball, and cheering in the Albion/Fairfield Police Athletic League (PAL).

"That's why my kids did so well. They often milked cows before they went to school in the morning."

Beverly thinks what sets her salon apart from others is that they are "very family-orientated; people feel comfortable bringing their children. When I cut their hair -- kids are hard, but I usually am quite successful, because I just let them move, or move them towards what they're looking at. I don't force them."

Beverly and Katrina also cut hair for families. One family has three sisters that come in often. "I, personally, have a lot [of customers] that have come the whole time I've been here, and their kids."

"We watch the kids grow," adds Beverly. "A little girl today -- my gracious -- she used to come with her grandmother when she was little. I just couldn't believe she's so tall, and pretty."

Their rates have been the same for 30 years. "There's no inflation here. We have nine-dollar haircuts for men and women." Shampoos and sets are $9.00; Katrina waxes eyebrows for $4.00. Haircuts for children are priced by age until age seven and from then on are $7.00 until they go to high school.

Dumont and Kelley also cater to customers with special needs, such as those who are no longer well enough to come to the salon; they go to their houses, to nursing homes, or to hospitals. The entrance to the salon has no steps, making it easy for people to come in with wheelchairs.

Personali-tease has plenty of personalities, from the stylists and their clients, to the walls decorated with family photographs, and to the chatter of children playing.

"People ask, 'When are you going to retire?' I don't want to stop seeing people," Beverly says. "I have a lot of children, and there's a lot of people we're involved with all the time, showing cows and stuff, but still it's seeing people, talking to them, being friendly with them. It's just so much fun."

Personali-Tease at 5 Silver St. is open Monday through Saturday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Additional hours by appointment: 207-872-0642.

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