I was just getting adjusted to my new surroundings at the Lake Orion Review offices last Thursday morning, when an unexpected and very welcome telephone call came in.
It was from Berle Bauroth, an old friend and longtime Lake Orion resident and businessman.
The owner of Mr. B’s barbershop since 1959, Berle reminded me that his original shop was located at 18 N. Broadway, just a few doors down from the newspaper’s offices.
I met Berle several years ago while working at another newspaper and found him to be instantly likeable.He’s quite knowledgeable about a lot of things. And if you doubt that, just ask him.
Berle’s daughter, Luanne, is a fine photographer who took some outstanding pictures for that publication. She confirms that indeed, her dad knows just about everything.
I recall one day when he came driving up in a brand-new Viper convertible that he was somehow fortunate enough to be asked to babysit for a day. Did I say that Berle is also a trustworthy individual?
The car was a beauty and I was itching to take it for a spin. After insisting that I do just that, Berle and I hit some of the local backroads, giving it a little extra gas from time to time to see what it would do.
Everything went well. I didn’t drive in any ditches and managed to stay away from the local police. That is until we made it back to the newspaper office, pulled in the parking lot and brought the car to rest in a familiar parking place.
Then it happened. Forgetting that the front end of a Viper extends considerably beyond that of the vehicle I was used to driving — and parking, I pulled in a little too close to the curb.
The sudden sound of the car’s bottom scraping the curb caused both of us to look in anguish at one another, fearing what we might see.
Fortunately for me, and for Berle, the damage appeared to be minimal — especially without my glasses.
It had been some time since I’d seen or heard from Berle. Possibly for good reason. Nevertheless, he was kind enough to welcome me and wish me luck at my new job.
He also suggested that I stop by for a haircut at his new location near the Milosch dealership on M-24.
Berle concluded his phone call with yet another invitation. This one to Lake Orion Review Assistant Publisher Don Rush.
It seems that Berle used to cut Don’s hair when he was just a tyke. He said that by the looks of his recent mugshot in the paper, Don needs a haircut, too. And a shave!