Reagan Called a Cut Above Rest

--Milton Pitts’ tongue can be as sharp as his barber scissors, as a few presidents have discovered. Pitts, who runs a shop in the White House as well as one in a hotel nearby, suggested that Richard M. Nixon do something about his nose, told Gerald R. Ford his ties were too loud and packed up and left when Jimmy Carter brought in another barber. But he has nothing but kind words for President Reagan. “He is one of the friendliest, nicest men I’ve ever known in my life,” Pitts said. Reagan is expected to attend a 20th anniversary party for Pitts next week, as are Vice President George Bush, Secretary of State George P. Shultz, and perhaps Ford. But Carter wasn’t invited. “My scissors don’t know the difference between a Republican and a Democrat,” Pitts said. But he added: “I’m not a backup barber for anyone.” --Margaret Thatcher’s husband, Denis, played the role of first spouse to the rescue when the British prime minister forgot which country she was in. Thatcher, speaking at a Jakarta reception during a six-nation tour of Asia, said she was impressed with the way that the host government was handling the problems of Malaysia. Denis whispered that she was in Indonesia. “I’m so sorry,” she told the 200 guests. Then she turned to Denis and added: “Thank you, dear.”

--Sen. Edward M. Kennedy said that he has lost weight in the last month through exercise and diet. “I’ve lost 20 pounds,” the Massachusetts Democrat said. Kennedy refused to reveal his weight, but Kennedy-watchers estimated that it rose to 250 pounds last fall. Kennedy said that he is not on a special diet but is watching what he eats. “I’ve been exercising, doing some walking, swimming, playing tennis, chasing after my nieces and nephews,” he said.

--Singer Jerry Lee Lewis collapsed during a country music festival in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but was feeling better, his business manager said. Doctors said that Lewis was suffering from exhaustion and food poisoning. Lewis was appearing in Belfast with Tammy Wynette and Brenda Lee.

--Barbara Norman went into court as Barbara Norman and walked out as Joyce Davenport. If that sounds familiar, think “Hill Street Blues.” Norman, a secretary, paid $40 to change her name in St. Louis County Court in Duluth, Minn., because she admires Davenport, a lawyer on the NBC-TV series. “That’s why she did it, all right,” her 16-year-old daughter, Dawn, said. “She’d been wanting to change her name and she liked the character on ‘Hill Street.’ ” Norman--or Davenport--said that she didn’t expect any publicity. “I didn’t think she was that famous,” she said.