BRUNSWICK

M embers of hair salons across the Midcoast gathered in late August to celebrate the man who taught them everything they know. Gregory Moyer, who owned hair salons under the name “Gregory’s” in Brunswick, Auburn and Falmouth for more than 30 years, trained and employed many of the top hair stylists of today. Moyer closed his doors in 2003, but his impact on the salon business still ripples through the region.

“He was a mentor and had an extreme impact on several of our lives,” said Laine Laliberte, who owns Anew Studios in Brunswick and hosted the reunion honoring Moyer. “There are 10 of us who worked under him who are in business for ourselves and very successful now.”

Laliberte invited 40 people who worked alongside and who were effected by Moyer in one way or another. Twenty showed up, an impressive number, Laliberte said.

“One lady flew in from Maryland to be here, and we had another come from New Hampshire,” said Laliberte.

Moyer, who suffers from dementia, recognized everyone and was grateful, Laliberte said. One of the best moments was when Meg Vosmos — who managed his salon in Falmouth for seven years and now owns Tove Hair Salon in Yarmouth — walked into the party.

“When he saw Meg coming through the door, he recognized her and got up out of his chair,” said Laliberte. “He couldn’t hug her enough.”

“I started out as a green hair stylist just out of school, and he trained me,” said Vosmos. “I started in June and by that fall, I was his manager. He was ahead of his time, always up on the latest trends. The nice big salons hadn’t hit Maine yet. We all worked very hard and cut a lot of hair.”

“But it was always a positive place,” said Laliberte. “The energy was positive. When things happened that you had to fix or correct, you just went back and had a little pow-wow (with Gregory) and fixed it, and stayed positive.”

Sheryl Thompson, owner of Lisbon Hair Studio in Lisbon who was present at the reunion, also spoke very highly of Moyer’s effect on her career.

“He took me under his wing when I first started,” said Thompson. “I worked with him for 10 years and learned a lot from him. He cared about the way people looked when they left the salon, made sure their hair was perfect. He was one of the best stylists in the state. I use what I learned from Gregory every day.”

Other prominent stylists who were present at the reunion included Janice Longley Brooker of County Curls in Woolwich, Elizabeth Hokinson of The Gallery Hair Studio and Spa in Topsham, Carol Wtzdorff of the Hair Salon at The Highlands in Topsham, and Caesar Chou of Caesar’s Salon in Brunswick.

“At the party we had a memory board, and we all wrote compliments and memories about Gregory,” said Laliberte. “He was a mentor and had a huge impact on our lives.”

Laliberte began working with Moyer in 1986 when her family moved to Brunswick. She worked in his Brunswick salon for 11 years before moving on to another salon. She went back to school for skin care and then opened Anew Studios six years ago.

“I wear many hats here at Anew Studios,” said Laliberte. “I’m the owner, cosmetologist and esthetician. There are three hairdressers here, and myself doing skin. It’s been a very good location.”

In addition to crediting Moyer for her success in the industry, Laliberte still has some of his old clients come into her salon.

“When you see people that consistently, you establish a relationship and talk to them about their lives,” Laliberte said. “And here we are, 30 years later.”

Anew Studios is located at 14 Middle St. in Brunswick, with a focus on hair, nails and skin.

bgoodridge@timesrecord.com