Phil Duffy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Apr 25/01) - Things were `gettin kinda hairy' during the annual cut-a-thon down at the Centre Square Mall on Sunday April 22.
A lot of people were getting their locks shorn in a vacant shop made over into a fully functional salon in the mall. New Beginnings Beauty Salon donated all the necessary equipment, Grandma Lee's donated the tables, and Diamond Glass donated the mirrors.
People received a haircut thanks to the donated time and effort of several hairstylists from New Beginnings, Studio 62, Essentials, Joie de Vivre, and Northern Flair.
Before the doors even opened up there was a long lineup of people looking to shed some winter fur, and at 4:30 p.m. there was still a lineup of at least 20 people.
Claudette Fehr, owner and manager of New Beginnings, organized the event.
"This year we decided to raise money for Skills Canada," she said. "Usually we do about 200 haircuts at our cut-a-thons, and this year we hope to equal that number."
"This is my first haircut of the day and I expect to give many more before the day is over," said hair stylist Jennifer Fichlin.
To keep the children occupied while they waited for their turn in the big chair, they had an opportunity to practice their hairdressing skills with combs and brushes on the plastic practice heads provided by the salon.
The minimum donation for a hair cut was $15 for adults and $10 for children. It was $10 for a professional manicure.
Kristen Jones was one of the many people waiting patiently in line for a trim.
"This is my first time at a cut-a-thon because I moved here only a month ago," said Jones.
"I came out today partly because I needed a haircut and I think it's a worthy cause."
The cut-a-thon ran from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The doors were set to close at 4:30 p.m., but because of the lineup the remaining people in were brought inside to await their turn. The last clean-cut patron left at well after 5.
