Your clues for January were:

• Can make or break a date.
• You can’t but help to sit and talk.
• Roots go back to the founding.
• Iron horses are a passion.
• Cutting in on his father’s profession.

Those who guessed correctly this month are Mary Hankla, Gwen Topper, Charles Long and Ann Marie Ohler. Their names will be entered into a prize drawing at the end of the year.

Answer: I am Kerry Shorb of My Father’s Footsteps.

Kerry Shorb is a third generation barber/hair specialist. His father Charles [Toss] Shorb began his barber apprenticeship at the ripe young age of 15 with his future wife’s uncles Gary Topper and Thornton Rodgers in their barbershop on West Main Street in Emmitsburg. Robert Topper, also a barber, worked part-time in the shop, and later through marriage, became a step grandfather to Kerry.

 While crafting hair is in Kerry’s blood, it wasn’t initially his first choice for a lifelong career. Thankfully, Kerry eventually came to his senses, and a superb variety, quality and style of hair cuts became available for Emmitsburg residents to enjoy.

Kerry was born in Emmitsburg in 1955, the youngest of five brothers and sisters. While attending Mother Seton School, Kerry was introduced to the guitar. Initial fascination eventually turned into a lifelong commitment. It wasn’t long before Kerry began to look for others who shared his passion. With his pals Mike Rosensteel and Hal Engalstader, Kerry formed the band Soul Train. Later, he joined forces with Steve Myers and together, with fellow members of the band Autumn, Kerry rocked Emmitsburg to its roots.

Whether it was Kerry’s great voice, his good looks [which made him the heart throb of every girl he met] or the quality of Autumn’s original songs, the usually conservative sisters who ran Mother Seton School were so enamored with their young prodigies that the boys were invited to play before their whole school. From there, the boys knew no limit, and for years Kerry and Steve worked well into the early morning writing music.

Upon graduation from high school, Kerry enlisted in the army as a Military Police Specialist. While in advanced training, his musical talents, especially his rendition of Mr. Bo Jangles, caught the attention of his superiors. When his class was shipped off to parts unknown Kerry was asked to stay behind and for the next year he entertained dignitaries with his broad repertoire of songs.

Following his hitch, Kerry returned to Emmitsburg, where with the help of his childhood friend Steve Myers, Jay Graf, Jim Humerick, and Ronnie Welch, he formed his second band Back Again. While Back Again was highly popular, and a frequent main stay at local clubs and carnivals, their pay wasn’t that great. To subsidize

his musical leanings, Kerry worked construction. It was during this time that Kerry ran into a friend who was attending hair design school.

While the thought of entering his father’s profession at first left Kerry a little cold, the friend’s description of classes filled with beautiful women was a lure too hard to resist. Following graduation from the Barber Styling Institute in Camp Hill, PA, Kerry apprenticed in Thurmont. In 1984, Kerry returned to his roots and with the help of some friends, remodeled his father’s old shop. On June 17, Kerry opened My Father’s Footsteps.

While the last 23 years have been remarkably successful for Kerry and his many clients, Kerry’s story doesn’t end there. Truly following in his father’s footsteps, Kerry entered the restaurant business, and for several years managed the Palms Restaurant. During his tenure, the Palms went from a sleepy little spot to the ‘in place’ for Mount St. Mary’s students. In fact, under Kerry, it was so popular, that even today, Mount alumni still drop in to Kerry’s shop to hash over good times they had in the Palms.

Today, you may see Kerry riding his "iron horse" Harley Davidson motorcycle to various functions or see him during the annual Scotty’s Ride, a benefit that he coordinates. Plus, if you’re looking for a great hair cut and a bit of good conservation, drop by My Father’s Footsteps.

Who Am I? February

• A historical first driver at a betting track.
• A member of Frederick County Hall of Fame.
• A buyer and seller.
• Had a stable name.
• Originally from Brooklyn, local since the 1930s.

You can submit your answer in either of two ways: call 301-271-4226 and leave a message or email who@thecatoctinbanner.com. Correct answers will be entered into a contest for prizes at the end of the year. Winners will be announced in the following month’s issue. Each month a new Who Am I? will be featured and the answer to the previous month’s local mystery figure will be revealed.