![]() ![]() In fact, because of the amount of time he spent there, his wife used to jokingly tell him he should have his mail sent to the Legion instead of home. The American Legion began after World War I ended and is the oldest military organization, Powers noted. They organize fundraising rides that benefit veterans as well as help support the Cloquet American Legion. Powers organized Cloquet American Legion Riders, a group of veterans and veteran family members who are motorcycle enthusiasts. Powers drove that one until 2015, when he sold it to a fellow American Legion member. The last one he owned was a Honda Valkyrie Interstate, a six-cylinder, six-carburetor bad boy. Powers’ love of performance vehicles has included about 26 motorcycles over the years. Powers particularly enjoyed exploring old shipwrecks his favorites are the old lumber boats off of Isle Royale National Park. He describes the underwater view of Lake Superior as surprisingly clear and panoramic. He has been diving on the east side of Florida, but the water is not as clear as Lake Superior because of the salt content, according to Powers. Powers prefers diving in Lake Superior rather than the ocean. “I thought it would be fun,” he said with an impish grin. For many years he was a part of the dive team and a scuba diver instructor. Powers was on the Carlton Fire Department from the 1960s until the early 1980s. While Powers admits his job is enjoyable, he also likes history, performance vehicles and diving. Coral Phelps, a veteran from Wrenshall, was coming to the shop even before Powers bought it 56 years ago. There are several people who have been coming to the small shop since Powers bought it. When Powers bought the shop in 1960, haircuts were $2. “I enjoy working with my dad, we get along pretty well,” Browne said, smiling affectionately at her father. She and her husband moved back to Carlton and Browne joined the family business.īrowne cuts hair for most of the women and children, while Powers cuts most of the men’s hair. His only child, Dawn Marie Browne, 56, also works at the barber shop.īrowne decided to follow in her mom’s footsteps and become a cosmetologist more than 10 years ago. He finished 12th out of 96 competitors (although he admits as an instructor he had a bit of an advantage). Powers was the oldest competitor at age 57 and competed in the biathlon, a combination of skiing and shooting. He was there during the Winter Olympics and the military did their own version of the competition. ![]() After a long pause he added “And the Finns did OK too.” “Norway has the best winter troops on the planet,” explained Powers. ![]() Powers was deployed to Norway for winter warfare training in 19 for a few weeks each time. Williams continued to cut hair until he was 90 years old, according to Powers. He treated it like his own and took care of it for Powers each time he was deployed. Williams had owned the shop at one time before Powers. He also gave credit to Clarion Williams for keeping the barber shop going for him while he was gone. He credits his wife of 59 years, Hilde - who passed away in 2016 - and their daughter, Dawn Browne, for keeping the home front going while he was deployed. Powers also served in the Army, Reserve and National Guard from 1954-1996. ![]()
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