Gertrude Philbeck

Mr. Wilson's Barber Shop was right next door to Gertrude Philbeck's beauty shop, in the same little building.
Gertrude and her first husband and son Lowell used to live upstairs from us on Maple Avenue.
She was so good to me and would polish my nails when I was about three or four years old.
One day I painted one of Lowell's little metal trucks with bright red nail polish!
He was very nice about it but I got in trouble with my mother!
Gertrude had her shop on Buxton Avenue for many years.
When she gave my mother a permanent I would go next door and see Mr. Wilson
and he would chat with me and entertain me if he was not too busy!
Gertrude is now retired and lives in Poquoson with her son and daughter in law.
She is a lifelong friend of our family. Gertrude eventually married Frank Wilson (son of the barber).
They lived on Buxton Avenue. Frank passed away a couple of years ago and then Gertrude went with her son.
When I visit Newport News my mother and I go out to Poquoson and visit them.

Wow, Fred Field ('45) (of CA) sent some interesting nostalgia....He spoke about Mr. Wilson's Barber Shop on Buxton Avenue.....
also Elizabeth Tedder Nunnally's ('65/'68) letter....

I grew up at 137 Sycamore Avenue, the next block from Elizabeth.
I did not know Mr. Wilson had ever had children.....I thought he was a bachelor...
nevertheless, I remember he operated the barber shop and there was a partition down the middle of the small building
and Mrs. Philbeck had a beauty shop on the other side.

This shop was two doors over from Manning's Grocery....
a house being in between which was owned by a very nice Greek family...they had a little girl named Zoe Ann.
Mr. Wilson lived with his parents (I thought) and their home was next door to the shop.
I knew old Mr. and Mrs. Wilson well as I
worked at 76 Buxton Avenue at Manning's Grocery Store from 1958-1960...

Those two years at Manning's were great years.
I got to know the neighborhood so well as I delivered groceries all over and also I clerked and stocked as well.
As time progressed, Mr. Philbeck died and later, Mrs. Philbeck married Mr. Wilson.....
down came the partition...I think it just became her shop...
a beauty shop, as he had retired by this time....

I'm a girl, and by me that's only great!
I am proud that my silhouette is curvy,
That I walk with a sweet and girlish gait
With my hips kind of swivelly and swervy.

I adore being dressed in something frilly
When my date comes to get me at my place.
Out I go with my Joe or John or Billy,
Like a filly who is ready for the race!

When I have a brand new hairdo
With my eyelashes all in curl,
I float as the clouds on air do,
I enjoy being a girl!

When men say I'm cute and funny
And my teeth aren't teeth, but pearl,
I just lap it up like honey
I enjoy being a girl!

I flip when a fellow sends me flowers,
I drool over dresses made of lace,
I talk on the telephone for hours
With a pound and a half of cream upon my face!

I'm strictly a female female
And my future I hope will be
In the home of a brave and free male
Who'll enjoy being a guy having a girl... like... me.

When men say I'm sweet as candy
As around in a dance we whirl,
It goes to my head like brandy,
I enjoy being a girl!

When someone with eyes that smoulder
Says he loves ev'ry silken curl
That falls on my iv'ry shoulder,
I enjoy being a girl!

When I hear the compliment'ry whistle
That greets my bikini by the sea,
I turn and I glower and I bristle,
But I happy to know the whistle's meant for me!

I'm strictly a female female
And my future I hope will be
In the home of a brave and free male
Who'll enjoy being a guy having a girl... like... me.

THEN:	NOW: