Stettler barber shaves 60-year milestone L ES S TULBERG Independent reporter Longtime Stettler businessman Vern Dempsey is celebrating 60 years as a main street barber this month. He cuts his way into the local history books for having such a lengthy career in barbering. His 60 years of trimming locks has been done from the same location. Although he moved into a new building during that time, the business sits on the same lot. Dempsey, 79, came to Stettler in August 1952 to work for well-known Stettler barber Ivor McIvor. He worked for McIvor for 25 years before buying the business and naming it Vern’s Barber Shop. McIvor wasn’t ready to totally retire, so he worked for Dempsey for another five years. “We both got a turn to be boss,” Dempsey said with a laugh. Dempsey recalls a time when Stettler had five barber shops and there were three barbers in the shop where he worked. “Back then, a haircut was 50 cents for men and 35 cents for kids,” Dempsey recalled. Today, the charge is $16 for men and $14 for seniors and children. “The money is much better now,” Dempsey said. From his main street vantage point, Dempsey has seen many changes and much growth in Stettler during the past six decades. Most notably, he has seen the town’s population double. “Stettler had a population of about 2,900 when I came,” he said. “It has always been a good business town.” Dempsey was raised on a farm near Cabri, Sask. “I didn’t like school much and was anxious to get out,” he reflected. “My father saw an ad in the Free Press Weekly for a barber school in Regina, and suggested I try it.” Dempsey took his father’s advice
and, at age 16, enrolled in the six-month course, which cost $125. “We had to dig to get that much money together,” Dempsey remembered. After he completed the course, an apprenticeship of one-and-a-half years was required before he could write the final exam. The Dempsey family relocated to a ranch south of Consort and the young Dempsey got his first job as a barber in Coronation. He worked there two years before moving to Stettler. In all, Dempsey has 62 years of the barber trade under his belt. In 1953, Dempsey and his sweetheart, Mae Deagle from Consort, were married. The couple raised a family of five children on a barber’s pay. Vern was widowed in 2009. Dempsey has seen changes in the trend of hairstyles over his career. He said during the time when men wore their hair longer and wanted a particular style, some had to be referred to hairstylists. At almost 80 years old, the stillenergetic Dempsey says he has cut his work week back — from six days a week to five. He used to work Saturdays, as well. He no longer works to 6 p.m. every day, either. He now closes his shop at 4 p.m. Dempsey is not only celebrating 60 years in the barber business in Stettler, he’s also celebrating a new marriage. He and Barb were wed just a few weeks ago. “Barber shops are the end of an era,” Dempsey said. He’s not sure who will take over, when he and others like him, are gone. Dempsey said he has enjoyed his long career as a barber. He can recall many funny incidents that happened over the years and some colourful characters stand out. Traditionally, folks have stopped by the local barber shop, whether they need a haircut or not, just to visit and catch up on the news. Dempsey is undecided as to when he will hang up his scissors for retirement. “As long as health permits, I will work,” he said.
LES STULBERG/Independent reporter
Stettler barber Vern Dempsey cuts John Bolton’s hair last week. Bolton is a 60-year loyal customer of Dempsey’s barber shop, which marks its 60th year this month. Bolton, 74, said his father brought him to Vern to get his hair cut when he was a boy.
Serving the Heart of Central Alberta for 105 years
VOLUME ONE HUNDRED SIX
PM40011853 R08546
NUMBER THIRTY-THREE
STETTLER, ALBERTA
August 15, 2012
PRICE – $1.09 Plus GST
Photos by JOHN MacNEIL/Independent editor
The fourth annual Stettler Triathlon was run Sunday in ideal conditions. LEFT: Calgary friends Debbie Cherewko and Michelle Turner complete the women’s try-atri event. Cherewko has Stettler connections. RIGHT: Thomas Lutz, 12, of Barrhead begins the final leg of his kids’ try-a-tri victory. See also pages B3 and B4.
Steel Wheel Stampede more than just horsin’ around RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter When the fourth annual Stettler Steel Wheel Stampede gets off the ground this weekend, the
fun will feature more than just action in the rodeo ring. Friends, food and fun for the whole family are all part of the festivities for the weekend to get “Back in the Saddle” — the theme of this year’s rodeo. Local families with deep roots in rodeo plan to take centre stage for t h e d ow n t ow n p a r a d e
Friday at 4 p.m. “We encourage families with a rodeo heritage and those who have been celebrating centennials in Stettler to join us in the celebration,” said prade organizer Stacey Benjamin, the manager of the Stettler Regional Board of Trade. “Families with strong ties to Stettler will be celebrated, along with
their accomplishments and accolades they have brought to the community.” Local musical talent will also be on stage as Stettler’s own Domino entertains Saturday at 9:30 p.m., with Tim Hus of Calgary on Friday night at the same time. Lots of food is also on the menu, with a barbecue Friday at ATB Financial
from noon to 2 p.m., a tailgate party at 4 p.m, a pancake breakfast downtown on Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. and Sunday a t t h e A g r i p l ex f r o m 9 to 11 a.m., hosted by the Town of Stettler and the County of Stettler. Cowboy church is scheduled for Sunday morning at 11 o’clock. The Stettler and District Agricultural
Society co-host the stampede with the Stettler Regional Board of Trade and Community Development. For more information, phone co-chair Tana Nixon at 403-742-3215 or the board of trade office at 403-742-3181. Fo r m o r e s t a m p e d e coverage, see pages A2, B1 and B2 of this week’s Independent.
Readers can also find the Stettler Independent at stettlerindependent.com