Annual trip is out but islands breeze is in

Thanks to friends and clients, a salon owner enjoys a fresh view.

By BETH N. GRAY, Times Correspondent
Published September 28, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - Denise Foote hails from a seafaring family that dates its love affair with the water back many generations.

Her great-great-grandfather settled in Aripeka in 1886, mainly for the fine fishing it offered. Her grandfather built boats in Tarpon Springs.

"So I was a water baby from the start," the 49-year-old said.

Each year, she and her father, Robert Tracey, both Aripeka natives, would travel to the Berry Islands of the Bahamas. There, they caught tuna, pulled lobster traps and dragged up conch.

But not for the past two years. Tracey, 73, is battling bone cancer and has not been physically up for the arduous fishing trips.

Enter the customers and friends at HairCuts Express, a beauty salon Foote owns and operates at 941 Candlelight Blvd. in Brooksville.

When they heard about Foote and her father being tied to the docks and unable to venture out onto the waves, they decided to bring the tropics to them.

Chief among them is Bob Wilkins of Brooksville, a medically disabled 69-year-old retired truck driver and plant manager. The longtime customer of Foote's 10-year-old business also describes himself as "an individual who likes to draw and paint," and it is those talents that came to the fore.

"I was just sitting in the salon one day," he said, "and I had put a little picture in there to brighten things up. She Foote asked if I could paint a mural."

He gave her a seascape.

"Then she asked if I could do another wall, then another wall, then a big wall with a couple of mermaids," Wilkins said. "I enjoyed it."

Patrons have gotten into the flow, contributing knickknacks and other items to carry forth the nautical theme, Foote said. There's a grass skirt covering a cabinet, tiny sailboats made of shells, a replica of a bait shop, many flamingo items.

"This was all done with acts of kindness," said an amazed Foote.

To show her deep thanks to her many friends and customers, Foote is hosting a customer appreciation event and open house beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday at the salon.

DJ Paul K will provide music, and refreshments will be served. Artist Wilkins will be on hand.

So, too, will be a special guest of honor. Dad Tracey and his wife, Hilma, will be soaking up the sights and thrills of the sea even if they are miles inland.

Beth Gray can be reached at graybethn@earthlink.net

[Last modified September 27, 2007, 22:58:46]