Bearded Brethren Face Off

By Nancy K. Crevier

It was not laziness this past winter that caused 15 men in Newtown to abandon their razors and sprout varying degrees of facial hair upon their familiar faces. In celebration of Newtown’s Tercentennial, the Men’s Club of Newtown Congregational Church sponsored a Beard Growing Contest, which culminated with judging Sunday, April 10, at Naser’s Salon in the Courtyard, Main Street.

Naser Behluli, owner of the salon, Bob Shaw, co-chairperson of the Men’s Club, and Gordon Williams, organizer, welcomed the participants with coffee and snacks before judging began. Mr Behluli served as judge, carefully eyeing the furry faces lined up in the late afternoon sunshine outside his shop.

“I am looking for fullness in the beards,” said the salon owner, before making his final decisions.

As the bearded bunch patiently awaited Mr Behluli’s verdict, Ann Krane observed that her friend, Ham Brosious, looked rather theatrical in his whiskers.

“I prefer him without,” she said, “but he looks good with a beard.”

Finally, a decision was reached and Mr Behluli announced his choices.

First place in the full beard division was awarded to John Breny, with second, third, and fourth places going respectively to Bill Kolesar, Peter Marshall, and Larry Whippie.

In the goatee division, Colin Jordan was awarded first place, to the delight of his daughters, Mackenna Jordan, 4, and Logan Jordan, 3, who had come to cheer him on.

“He’s the best,” said Mackenna.

Jerry Cole’s goatee garnered second place, with Matt Cole earning honorable mention for his goatee.

Doug Body walked away with first place for his moustache, admitting that the lack of other moustache contestants made it a fairly easy win.

Silvan Gleissner’s decision to dress in authentic 18th Century garb grabbed him the prize for most creative beard. Mr Gleissner, a reenactment performer, said his regiment is normally clean-shaven, and looked forward to shearing off his facial hair.

Winners of the contest received certificates for a free haircut at Naser’s Salon, and free shampoo was handed out to all of the participants.

Except for Colin Jordan and Doug Body, who had come to like their bearded personas, the other participants were anxious to lather up and shave. Several, including Peter Marshall, planned to join Ham Brosious that evening for a beard shaving party.

Peter’s wife, Pat, will be happy to see her husband’s chin again.

“He has a beautiful face underneath that beard,” she said.