Suzanne’s Hair Studio spruces up seniors

The Kingstown Methodist Church Hall was earlier this week transformed into an oasis for senior citizens of St Vincent and the Grenadines, when Suzanne Goodluck of Suzanne’s Hair Studio hosted her annual Senior Citizens’ Day.

The event, which has been growing over the years, was held on Wednesday, October 22, with a variety of free services being offered to seniors.{{more}}

When SEARCHLIGHT visited this year, we were pleasantly surprised to see a number of men sprinkled in with the bevy of golden girls in the spacious hall, waiting to be pampered.

Newcomer Daniel Gaymes told SEARCHLIGHT that he was extremely impressed with the professionalism of the persons providing the services.

While waiting to have a pedicure done, the 81-year-old man shared his views on the event.

“It’s a very good idea. I think more care should be paid to people of age because it’s so important. You have to walk, use your feet all the time and a lot of the time, the shoes people wear…are not what they should wear,” Gaymes opined.

The New Montrose resident also revealed that he had made good use of his first time at Senior Citizens’ Day and had also got a haircut and a manicure.

Biabou resident, Philmore Morris sat patiently in a chair, also waiting to have a pedicure done.

Morris boasted about missing only one year of Senior Citizens’ Day since its inception and also commended Goodluck for the work that she was doing.

“I enjoy it. I’ve had a haircut, full clean-up I’ve had,” he said.

“I think it’s a brave idea in a sense. It’s a good way to give back to the society and looking around I think she’s reaching out to the senior people and let us think that we still need to take care of ourselves in that way, our nails and hair, which usually persons don’t do much.”

While younger persons are now beginning to appreciate their natural tresses, Mildred Smith-Little has been natural for all her 72 years of life.

The very enthusiastic woman told SEARCHLIGHT that she was going to do “a local” on her hair.

“Every time I come, it feels to me that it’s better than before. I wash and treat and I’m going to get it plait. We’re doing a local. They say we must use our fresh fruits and local stuff what we have; well, this is the local hairstyle which is natural,” the Redemption Sharpes resident said.

Proprietor, Suzanne Goodluck had previously envisioned working with other individuals to make Senior Citizens’ Day bigger and better.

Her dream was realized in the event’s 14th year, when a number of other beauty salons and a barber shop came on board with her this year.

“It was the easiest thing. It was just so simple. It was a matter of calling …and every person I asked said yes without any hesitation. It wasn’t difficult at all to organize,” Goodluck told SEARCHLIGHT.

What made the stylist even happier was that the owners of the various salons also brought along their workers to help out.

“Even this year, what is extremely good as well, we have persons who volunteered to help. So, we had like about four volunteers who are helping to make sure the place stays clean, the food and everything else,” she explained.

“Normally we’re the ones who have to do everything, so that takes a strain off of you and you can interact with each person in a better way. You have more time to spend with a person.”

When Marlon John of Southie’s Barber Shop spoke with SEARCHLIGHT, he declared that he came on board because he thought that the day was a good initiative.

“Our young people today, I think that they don’t have much respect and appreciate our older folks,” John said.

“If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be having a brighter and better future in our society to some extent.”

Total Control Beauty Salon owner Stella Joseph made the day a family affair when she not only volunteered her services, but brought her daughters, Germaine and Nekema along to help.

“There are times when we have to give back, so I’m here to give back to the community. I’m enjoying it so far,” she said, while noting that she will definitely participate in the event once more.

A number of the seniors expressed happiness with the service that they received from the other persons that came on board this year, with some senior citizens describing them as very friendly and professional.

Goodluck expressed a deep sense of gratitude to the persons who helped to make the day a success and stated that she hopes to work with other salons next year.

“I would like to say for the salons who are not here for this year – because it’s impossible to invite every salon – not to be offended and each year we just extend it to a different salon. So, don’t think that you are excluded because of any reason. It’s just that it’s impossible to have everybody in one… so, next year it will be a different group of salons,” she said.

Salons and other entities that contributed their service to the Senior Citizens’ Day included The Beauty Shop, Exotic Nailz, Shanel Beauty Spot, Juanita’s Beauty Salon, Body Sense and Innovations Nails. Godwin Charles and Joanne Wood also volunteered their time to help for the day.