"Haircut Sunday"
A couple dozen folks, mostly men and older than average, visited Tom Westbrook's home Sunday, Feb. 25, 2017 for "Haircut Sunday." For those who've been invited to attend the monthly coffee time and political debate by Westbrook, it's a time of friendship, respectful debate, and talk of local and national topics. Westbrook, an educator, inventor and raconteur who loved the back and forth of debates, died in 2014. If you met Westbrook and he liked talking to you, he would insist that you come to a "Haircut Sunday," where retired Davenport Hotel barber Rudy Duarte would cut hairs during the discussions. Westbrook's family kept the house and the monthly gatherings continued after his passing. But Sunday was the last time the group will gather in Westbrook's rambling South Hill home, which the family is now selling. Sunday's event was a chance to remember Westbrook and reflect on more than 25 years of Sunday gatherings and spirited debate.
Section:Gallery
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Lynnette Vehrs, second from right, talks about healthcare issues as, from left, Craig Sweatt, Denny Dellwo and Bob Boehme listen at “Haircut Sunday” on Sunday, Feb 26, 2017. At the monthly discussion that have been going on since the late 1980s, politics and religion are often discussed over coffee and haircuts by barber Rudy Duarte.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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Mark Westbrook makes an opening statement at “Haircut Sunday” on Sunday, Feb 26, 2017. His father, Tom Westbrook, who died in 2014, started the monthly informal gathering in the late 1980s and though gatherings will continue, Sunday was the last gathering at Westbrook’s home, which the family is selling.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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The circle bows heads to pray to open “Haircut Sunday” on Sunday, Feb 26, 2017. Most attendees were friends of Tom Westbrook, who died in 2014. Westbrook started the monthly informal gathering in the late 1980s was led discussions of politics and religion while visitors could get haircuts by retired barber Rudy Duarte. The gatherings will continue, but Sunday was the last gathering at Westbrook’s home, which the family is selling.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
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Mark Westbrook raises a glass of to his father, Tom Westbrook, at the gathering called “Haircut Sunday” on Sunday, Feb 26, 2017. Tom Westbrook died in 2014. He also started a monthly informal gathering in the late 1980s where politics and religion are often discussed over coffee and haircuts by barber Rudy Duarte.
Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review