It's funny how beards have become so popular in the last few years.
And I don't mean the usual goatees or well-trimmed beards that never seem to go out of style. I mean long beards. Lumberjack-quality beards. Beards that would be right at home on one of the Smith Brothers (shown above).
I'm not a big fan of them. Not because I can't grow one (I think I could); it's just that I think the really long ones are almost cartoonish.
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| From the Warner Bros. Bugs Bunny cartoon, "Hillbilly Hare" |
But they're in style, so that's that.
Anyway, back in the 1950s, many villages, communities, etc. were celebrating centennials. And to commemorate the occasion, they sponsored beard-growing contests, so that the applicants would end up resembling their pioneer ancestors.
Back in May 1955, the Lorain County Centennial Fair was only a few months away. Of course, part of of the festivities involved – what else? – a beard growing contest. Below is the small article that appeared on the front page of the May 5, 1955 Lorain Journal.
I never got into the beard thing either.Or tattoos.But alot of guys who are bald will grow a beard to give themselves confidence and to prove to the world that they can in fact grow hair.Even if it is the short and nasty kinky type.I have male pattern baldness but I find it is way cooler in the summertime and there is less maintenance to worry about.The only thing I have to worry about now is getting some form of melanoma.So yes I do wear a hat as I don't plan on getting cancer if I can help it.
ReplyDeleteI would let my beard and mustache grow periodically, then shave it all off because of the maintenance. Tracy liked me hairy, so I was a fuzz face for several years with her. Currently, I shave on Sundays and Wednesdays, so that I look spiffy for church.
ReplyDeleteBearded fellow here. I've had one since 1976, as hard as it is for me to believe, and watched it turn from bright red to a bright silver.
ReplyDeleteMy best friend and I started them the summer of '76. We told people it was for the Bicentennial, but it was really in response to watching a rerun of the Start Trek Episode, "Mirror, Mirror," in which Evil Spock has a neat goatee.
The deal between my friend and I was, after 4 weeks, we'd decide who had the best growth, and the loser had to buy the winner a dozen doughnuts. By 2-weeks it was apparent I was going to lose and my friend kept talking about how he was going to enjoy his well-earned doughnuts. Well, about 3 weeks in, his mother *insisted* he shave for the funeral of a great aunt. At 4 weeks, I unilaterally declared myself a winner, something my friend contested (of course). He refused to by me my obviously deserved box of doughnuts, and it became a running gag between us for the rest of his life. He also remained bearded, and my best friend, by the way.
I like having a "big beard" as my kids call it, especially around the holiday when little ones start giving me suspicious Santa Claus looks. But the more reasonable upkeep of a shorter beard keeps me at a more reasonable length.
Like mustaches, not everyone can grow a beard. In fact, many people shouldn't even try, but they have to figure that out on their own. It's far better to be clean-shaven than carry a bunch of goober feathers on your face!
Unlike the Wallet family, my wife prefers me with a beard. (Hmm.) Anyway, I've had one for many years and keep it quite short.
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