By Nancy Green
The Star-Herald
KOSCIUSKO —
With the arrival of December a schedule that Judy Alderman has kept for 46 years is changing.
When she finishes the last hairdo on Friday afternoon, and locks the door of The Hairport she will head home for retirement – but not without a feeling of mixed emotions. “I feel fortunate to have had wonderful customers, I will miss them, but I look forward to having some time for myself,” she said.
Her career as a hairdresser has been the fulfillment of a dream that began when she was seven years old. She said she remembers cutting and fixing the hair of her sister’s doll satisfying the interest which she developed as a youngster. She said she acquired her hairdressing interest from her mother, Mildred Cummins, who enjoyed lifting the spirits of the elderly women in the community by giving them perms and hairdos.
Shortly after her graduation from Barnes High School in 1962, she enrolled at the Carthage Beauty College. After graduation, she opened a shop adjacent to her home in Thomastown.
She operated the shop in Thomastown until moving to Kosciusko in the early 1970s with her husband Billy, daughter Tracey, and son Kelly.
In Kosciusko, she began working with cosmetologist Margie Myers at The Hairport. She cites Margie as being a wonderful teacher during the years of association with her. With her departure, Judy became owner of The Hairport.
In her years as a beautician, Judy has seen a wide range of hair styles, keeping abreast of changes in styles by attending workshops and passing her knowledge through her hair styling. She recalls learning to tease hair as one of her biggest challenges as a beauty operator. “I would tease, then brush it out,” she said in her attempt to produce a well teased coiffeur. At a workshop in Birmingham, she said she finally mastered the art of teasing hair.
With retirement Judy says she will spend more time with her family and plans to become more involved in activities at First Baptist Church where she has taught third graders in Sunday School and seventh grade in Training Union. As a member of Roundtable she said she wants to become more involved in the work of WMU.
“I say thanks to my customers. I feel very fortunate to have had wonderful customers through the years and I appreciate their faithfulness,” she said.
The Hairport will continue in operation with Carla Pope, the new owner.
