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12 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JUNE 2020 By Roberta Hokuf You know that desperate feeling when, for whatever reason, your beautician is no longer available? It's not just about your hair — this special person is your therapist, counselor, and good friend. Your stylist is there for your occasional emergencies, pre- vacations, and all other important reasons. Somehow, beauticians know your needs, your wants, and just what it takes to make you look your best. Resident Don Dilly, one of the original beauticians who began working when The Salon opened here, is one of those special people. But, let's start at the beginning. At the age of three, Don, with his older siblings and mother and father, moved to St. Regis, Montana, which had a population of 300 people. He lived there through his school years. If you are from a small town, you can relate, and if not, you can't imagine. One story Don shared from his childhood was when he was a preschooler. He accompanied his mother and aunt to the beauty salon in a nearby town. The beautician was also the barber and Justice of the Peace for the county seat. While the ladies were getting their hair set, a young couple came in, wanting to get married. A change of hats and the Justice of the Peace arranged for the two ladies, in curlers, to be the witnesses. There was also one proud guest at the ceremony – Don! Don has spoken of summers as a child when all the kids would go swimming in the river. They all knew to stay to one side as the other side was icy all summer. Each year they were proud to display their new swimsuits that were ordered from the Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog. How these and all orders were delivered is also a memory of the past. The train did not stop for such a small town as St. Regis. The bundle of goods was thrown out as the train rushed by and outgoing mail was grabbed from a hook along the track. So many changes in just one lifetime. Don had artistic talents and ambitions that a small town could not fulfill. He wanted to go to California, so he joined the Navy. After the Navy and uncertain of a profession, Don decided the G.I. Bill would best be spent on beauty school that only took two years. He learned quickly and used his talents to be employed – first in Long Beach, then Beverly Hills. Always happier by the coast, he took his talents to Corona Del Mar, Lido, and Laguna Beach. His heart was in Laguna but his home was in the more affordable Huntington Beach-Costa Mesa area. In his spare time, Don bought and flipped houses. At the end of 2005, Don retired. He then went in search of his retirement home. Unbeknownst to each other, three beauticians moved to Four Seasons Beaumont in 2006. Each learned there would be an onsite salon. Through management employees, they got in touch with one another and the FSB Salon was born. The three stylists — Don Dilly, Carol Cassanti, and Rhonda Radzik — also became partners. That partnership also became a strong friendship and their clients grew to be part of that bond. Sadly, when Carol passed away on June 14, 2018, they lost a dear friend and partner. Don was also close to Carol's daughter and granddaughter who visit him often. Don might still be styling, if not for a fall early this year. The difficult decision to retire was made easier after he damaged his knee. So, nearing the young age of 84, we will now see Don (when things return to normal) at The Lodge – either at the movies or playing cards. When you see him, be sure and say hi and ask him about Rita Hayworth's hair. He misses The Salon and his patrons. Well, Don, we miss you, too. A footnote: as of the 2010 census, St. Regis, Montana, grew to a population of 319. However, it now has an abundance of hotels, motels, restaurants, and casinos. Don, what would your mother have said? Don Dilly's Journey From St. Regis to Four Seasons Salon

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