Lynne Currie, a pretty 20-year -old brunette from Almonte, added to her laurels, when she was crowned Miss Central Canada at the Civic Centre in Ottawa last Friday night. For Lynne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Currie of Almonte, and a graduate of the Almonte and District High School, it was the second honour bestowed upon her this year. In May she was chosen Miss Brbckville Fire Queen at the annual Brockville Fire Queen Pageant. Lynne is a student nurse at the Brockville General Hospital Regional School of Nursing. She has dark eyes and is five foot eight. In the Miss Central Canada contests she was also the winner of the individual beauty competition in which she favourably impressed the judges and the crowd in her swimming attire.
When she was declared the winner, Lynne gasped: “I just don’t believe it . . . It’s too good to be true.” Emcee Alex Trebec complimented the new queen on her composure saying: “You held back the tears for three to four minutes.” “Did I?” asked the surprised winner, wiping her eyes again. Asked during the impromptu question period what two languages other than her mother tongue she would like to learn, Lynne answered: “French and German.” “1 would like to learn French because half of my country speaks French, and German because I have many German friends,” she said. Lynne, who claims the hardest part of the contest was the last two weeks with 16 hours a day of work, will pick up about $2,000 worth of prizes and gifts, and a free trip to New York.
She is also in the running for some $25,000 in prizes as a contestant in the Miss Canada Pageant in Toronto in the fall. The 20 beauty contestants were judged on talent — 20 points — beauty of face and figure — 40 points — and intellect, poise, and personality — 40 points.
The other four finalists in the contest were Lucille Hodgins, 20, of Shawville: Liette Beauchamp, 23, Bonnie Robertson, 20, and Sandra Thompson, 19, all of Ottawa. Miss Thompson also won the individual talent competition. Miss Beauchamp took top honours for intellect, poise, and peie the new beauty queen was Miss Central Canada 1969, Julie Maloney.
Judges were actress Florence Fancott, film maker Graeme Fraser, photographer Jon Joosten, and clothier Sol Max. A fifth judge involved in the preliminary judging, Darquis Timmermann, Le Droit Women’s Editor.
Ten young women have entered the fifth annual Miss Almonte Pageant, to be held on Sunday, August 6 at. Naismith School. The Pageant, which is sponsored by the Almonte Civitans and organized by the Civinettes, is one of the highlights of Almonte Week each year. This year’s contestants, who range in age from 16 to 19, include Susan Barr, Julia Coe, Brenda Cowan, Karen Gallant, Rosemary Gallant, Wendy Guay, Lianna Hallas. Laurie McGregor, Patsy Robertson and Susan Thomson.
According to Pageant organizer, June Dalgity, this year’s judges will be Orville and Effie Buchanan (organizers of the Miss Eastern Ontario Pageant) and Bob Butterworth, all of Perth. Mrs. Dalgity says she expects the emcee for the event will again be Shelley Emmonds of CFRA Radio. The Civinettes are now in the process of collecting prizes for the Pageant, which are donated by local merchants. These prizes will be.displayed in the Couple’s Corner store window on Mill Street by this weekend.
Almonte has four other Miss Almonte’s. They were Linda Vaughan (1974-75); Dianne Vaughan (1975-76); Theresa Byrne (1976-77) and Bonnie Johnson (1977-78). Bonnie Johnson went on to become Miss Eastern Ontario last March, and was replaced as Miss Almonte by Cindy Julian. Bonnie will compete next year in the Miss Dominion of Canada Pageant.
The annual Civitan Miss Almonte Pageant, scheduled for Sunday, August 6 at 8 p.m. at Naismith School. Ten young women are entered in this year’s contest, which includes a day of interviews and the pageant in the evening of street-length dress, swimwear and formal wear competitions. Between the interviews and evening competition the group will go out for dinner at a local restaurant.
Here’s a little bit about this year’s contestants: Susan Barr, 19, enters Grade Thirteen here in September; Julie Coe, 18, attends Almonte and District High School and is working in a Carleton Place sports shop for the summer; Brenda Cowan, 18, is in Grade 12 and teaches stepdancing in her spare time. Karen Gallant, 16, also attends ADHS and is working at Fairview Manor for the summer; Rosemary Gallant, 17, is planning a career as a hairdresser; Wendy Guay, 16, attends ADHS and plans to work with the handicapped. Lianna Hallis is entering Grade 13 at ADHS and is currently working at the Almonte Beach; Laurie McGregor, 17, will enter Grade 13 in September; Patsy Robertson, 17, win attend Kemptville College in a Food Supervision program in the fall; and Susan Thomson, 18, will enter Grade 13 in September and then plans to attend Art College.
For three of the girls it is the second time around in the Pageant. Karen Gallant competed for the Miss Almonte ’77 crown, and Julia Coe and Lianna Hallas were in the 1976 contest. Decorations for the Pageant this year will be the same ones used for the Miss Eastern Ontario Pageant in Perth. Judges will be Orville and Effie Buchanan (organizers of the Miss Eastern Ontario Pageant) and John Quigley (also connected with the EO Pageant).
The Miss Almonte crown will be handed over to the new Queen by Cindy Julian. Cindy took over the local title in March after Bonnie Johnson of Almonte won the Miss Eastern Ontario crown. Pageant organizer. June Dalgity says prizes are being donated by local merchants and businessmen, and adds they have been very generous. Shelley Emmonds of CFRA radio is scheduled to emcee the event. Admission to the pageant is 50 cents
August 1978
Susan Thomson, 18, was crowned Miss Almonte before a packed house at Naismith School gym on August 6, out of a field of ten contestants. The fifth annual pageant was sponsored by thy Almonte Civitan and organized by the Civinettes. First and second runners-up were Julie Coe and Lianna Hallas, respectively. The competition began with the contestants appearing onstage in street-length dresses, when they were introduced by pageant emcee Shelley Emmonds of CFRA radio.
While the girls were offstage preparing for the swimwear portion of the contest, the audience was entertained by local musician Bernie Costello at the piano. The stage was decorated with a pink and black flowered stage covering, paper flowers and a rose-covered arbour. Many of the decorations were borrowed from the Miss Eastern Ontario Pageant. Judges for the event were the presidents of the Miss Eastern Ontario Pageant, Oriville and Effie Buchanan and the president of the Perth Chamber of Commerce, John Quigley. On hand for the event was the current Miss Eastern Ontario, Bonnie Johnson of Almonte. Bonnie won the local crown last year, and passed it along to her first runner-up after winning the regional title. She talked about the preparations to be -made before her appearance in the Miss Dominion of Canada pageant scheduled for next summer in Niagara Falls. Before passing her Miss Almonte crown on to the new Queen, Cindy Julian gave an outstanding farewell address. “ The quality most needed to be Miss Almonte is a love for the town, and I think because I possess this quality, it is why I enjoyed my reign as Miss Almonte so very much”, she said. “ I think Almonte and the people here are the greatest,” she added.
During the evening gown portion of the pageant, each girl was interviewed by the master of ceremonies, about various topics such as books, travel, music, sport and reasons for entering the pageant. Fifty-Five percent of the judging marks, however, were assessed before the evening competition began. The girls spent the day with the judges, which included lengthy interviews and dinner at a local restaurant. The girls are judged on personality, over-all appearance, carriage, poise, grace, interviews and impromptu responses during the pageant itself.
The judges wasted no time making their decision. Shelley Emmonds announced Lianna Hallas was second runner-up. Lianna is 18 years old and will enter grade 13 in the fall. She is now working at the Almonte Beach. As second runner-up she receives a wallet, a camera, record and a gift certificate from the Lemon Tree Boutique. Julie Coe was named first runner-up. If, for any reason, Miss Almonte cannot continue with her duties, the responsibility goes to Julia. She is 18 and also will enter grade 13 in September. She is now working for a Carleton Place sports shop. As first runner-up she received a cup and saucer, a wallet, watch, hair brush and gift certificate at McCormick’s Ladies’ Wear.
All eyes were on Susan Thomson as she was crowned Miss Almonte for 1978. Susan, 18, is five feet, four inches tall and weighs 105 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes. Susan plans to enter grade 13 in the fall and hopes to pursue a career in Art. She currently does some artwork, and is also interested in sports. When asked how she felt shortly after being crowned, Susan said “1 never expected to win anything!” As Miss Almonte, Susan wins a television, a purse, a silver tray, curling iron, jewel box, bucket of chicken, a year’s subscription to The Almonte Gazette, perfume gift set, $10 worth of dry cleaning, and gift certificates to McCormick’s Ladies’ Wear, Johnson’s Clothing Store, the Almonte Fabric Centre and Couples’ Corner. All three girls will take part in the Miss Eastern Ontario Pageant scheduled for March in Perth.
Each girl in the Miss Almonte Pageant received a stick pin, a record, silk roses and their photograph. Pageant organizer June Dalgity said she was very pleased with the generosity of local merchants. Cash donations go towards the pageant expenses, she said. Mrs. Dalgity said the pageant had “ no flaws” and added, “ every girl did exceptionally well”. Those taking part in the pageant were, in order of appearance, Wendy Guay, Susan Thomson, Patsy Robertson, Laurie McGregor, Karen Gallant, Rosemary Gallant, Brenda Cowan, Lianna Hallas, Julie Coe and Susan Barr.
Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Downey of Pakenham announce the engagement of their daughter, Kathleen Ada (Downey), to Mr. David Snedden, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Snedden of Almonte. The wedding will take place on Saturday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m., in St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Pakenham. Miss Downey is on the teaching staff of the Ontario School for the Deaf, Belleville, and Mr. Snedden is a 1961 graduate of Queen’s University in civil engineering.
1958
Miss Kathleen Downey was chosen as “Miss Almonte High School ” at the regular meeting of the Almonte Lions Club held in St Mary’s Assembly Hall on Tuesday evening in the form of a banquet at which time the six contestants in the contest were guests of the club. Judith Scott placed second and, Marilyn Robertson third in the contest which was jointly sponsored by the Almonte Chamber of Commerce and the local Lions Club.
Others vying for the honour of being the “queen” were Gayle Mohr, Dorothy Walters and Donna Rintoul. Col. E. D. P. Taylor, president of the Almonte C. of C. was present and said that this was the first time th at Almonte had ever been entered in a contest such as this. He said the winner would now go to Perth for the contest when the winners from the various towns participating in this event would try for the title of “Miss Eastern Ontario.”
His Worship, Mayor George Gomme presented th e winner and the two runners-up with suitable gifts for their part in this affair. The Mayor was acting on behalf of the Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce in this capacity. Under the chairmanship of Lion Harry Gunn the judging was done by Mrs. Anigus Morrison, Almonte; Mrs. Clarke McGlashan of Bell’s Corners and John Robertson of Ottawa In the contest points were given for the following: Poise, Personality, Dress, Natural Beauty, Academic Standing, Athletic Prowess and Outside Interests.
Guest speaker for the evening was John Clarice McGlashan, of McGlashan Silverware Limited, Bell’s Corners, who was introduced by president W ard McGill and thanked by Dr. Jim Coupland. The speaker who attended the Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Conference on “LabourManagement Trends,” gave a brief but interesting talk on the subject. One of the topics brought out in his talk was on “How to live, with Unions and visa versa.” Lion Stewart Lee, speaking foi the committee in charge of thel annually sponsored Public Speak-, ing Contest, announced that the event this year would be on Friday, Jan. 31st when the contestants would battle it out for the T. A. Thompson Trophy and the Almonte Lions Club prizes. The area finals are to be held in Smiths Falls in early March. Dr. Otto Schulte, speaking on behalf of th e gathering, thanked the ladies of St. Mary’s Church for catering to the banquet. Jan 1958
Sandy FranceMarilyn Syme, Mary Snedden, Rosalyn Robertson 9 read Remembering Rosy Robertson ), Iris Guthrie, Gwen Egan, ?? , Noreen Armstrong–Photo- Thanks to Isabel Fox
Iris Guthrie May Queen Almonte High School around 1959
Miss Rhonda Dixon, 16-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence DiXon of Almonte, who represented Huntley Township Hockey team, was chosen Miss Almonte Hockey Queen at the monster carnival held at the Almonte community skating arena on Friday evening. The rink was elaborately decorated by members of Almonte Hockey Club with flags, bunting and cut-outs.
St. Pat’s College Band of Ottawa contributed in g re jt measure to the success of the evening by furnishing the music. Dr. Gerry Casey was master of ceremonies for the affair which drew a crowd of upwards of 1000 persons. Bill Tuffin, president of Almonte Hockey Association, which sponsored the carnival, spoke briefly and thanked all who assisted.
Judges for the hockey queen were Miss Fonsie Linney, Mrs. Dan Smith and Ross Watson of Pakenham. Last year’s hockey queen, Miss Marion Bolger, crowned the 1958 hockey queen. Others who contested the title were June Brown, representing Almonte Intermediates; Lynn Gibson, Almonte High School; Virginia McDonald, Ramsay team; Peggy Newton, St. Mary’s team.
In a hockey game between girls of the New England section of the town and the Irish Town girls ended in a 2-1 decision for the former team. Almonte Legion captured th e annual trophy from Almonte fire brigade in a broomball game which ended in a 1L0 decision. The referees were Eric Morgan-Browne and Stan Suter. Almonte Figure Skating Club, which is under the direction of Mrs. Roy Lockwood of Ottawa, put on a splendid display of skating.
In the costume parade, the following were the winners: Teddy Metcalfe, Kathie Guthrie, Darwin Barr, Gary Ford, Susan Thurston, Andrew Brown, Rose Marie MacDonald, Ruth Commerford, Howard Barr. The judging was done by Mr. and Mrs. Phil Strickland and Mr. and Mrs. Reg. MacCormac of Almonte. In the various rag which took place, the following were the winners: Brian Tosh, Leonard Box, Susan Douglas, Rose Marie Van Dusen, Ed Quinn, Billy Meehan, Ruth Leishman, Marion Meehan, Archie Levi, Jack Levi, Marilyn Munro The proceeds of the carnival, will be for promotion the hockey teams.
1957
Related reading
Here She Comes —Miss Almonte High School January 1958
From Helen Flynn–Hello Linda, My father George Flynn, who was raised in Almonte asked me give you some photos from the Almonte Gazette–Hockey Queen contestants in 1959.
Glamorous 16-year-old Miss Sandra Warner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Warner of Smiths Falls, a Smiths Falls and District Collegiate student, was chosen “Miss Eastern Ontario” at Perth’s seventh winter carnival held in the Perth Collegiate auditorium Saturday night Seven hundred spectators packed the auditorium and a large crowd was unable to get inside the hall. Despite a heavy downpour of rain and hazardous driving conditions, the surrounding towns and district were well represented.
This is the second occasion in which a Smiths Falls representative won the title. Miss Marilyn Allen was the 1958 winner. There were nine queens entered in the contest. They were auditioned in the Perth Collegiate on Saturday afternoon. Judges were: Renne D’Ornano, Jewell Graham, Pierre Belisle and Jim Terrell of the CBC, Ottawa. Crowns Winner Miss Warner was crowned by Miss Heather Black, Carleton Place winner of the title In 1960. The pretty young miss was presented with the Courier rose bow by N. K. H. Turner and s beautiful bouquet by Mrs. E. S. BurchelL A $200 bursary awarded by an Ottawa company was pre sented by John Spence of Ottawa.
Miss Heather Black of Carleton Place received a miniature trophy as the retiring Miss Eastern Ontario of 1960. Other contestants were: Beverly Walsh, Renfrew; Marilyn McCann, Westport; Jeanett Giroud, Amprior; Benice Campbell, Almonte; Janice McDowell, Carleton Place; Mary Ronson, South Mountain; Heather Crawford, Perth, and Sandra Tullis, Lanark. Each of the contestants received a cheque for $50 from John Dunn.
William Luxton, of Kingston, was master of ceremonies. Mayor E. S. Burchell welcomed the large crowd to Perth’s annual winter festival and particularly the many communities in Eastern Ontario who participated in the contest Trophies for winners of the local dog derby held in the afternoon, sponsored by the Jaycees, were presented by Mayor Burchell to Jim Malloy who won and to Joan Malloy who was the first girl to finish.
The talent contest was open to Eastern Ontario. The contest was divided into junior and senior sections. In the junior division, little Miss Normalyn McLellan, Perth, with her song and tap dancing was the winner. Margot Royce, Amprior, was second and Nancy Houston, Carleton Place, vocalist, was third. In the senior division, Sandra Doyle and Michael Mailey, Carleton Place, in a tap dance and piano solo, were winners. Don White and Don Eastman, Innisville, in their guitar number were second, and James P. Rae of Perth, vocal soloist and guitar accompaniment was third. Each of the winners received cash prizes. A tvro-day mixed curling bonspiel in the Perth curling rink was completed on Saturday night to bring to a climax a round of carnival events.
from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
Left- Cindy Julian McIntosh and right Bonnie Johnson-Almonte Pageant Participants
Taken in 1977 at Bladerson Cheese Factory- Andrea McCoy- Lanark Dairy Princess 1976-1977 and Betty Jenkins Ontario Dairy Princess 1976-1977- Taken by Inez McCoy, Betty was down touring the area and they were on a tour of the cheese factory
from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
Holstein Banquet February 1977 Andrea McCoy right–Margo Allan on the right– Cathy McRae – Wood in middle
Betty Jenkins Ontario Dairy Princess 76/77 and Andrea McCoy Lanark Dairy Princess 76/77. Hersey Plant Smiths Falls
Andrea McCoy said–the Renfrew County Dairy Princess is Eileen O’Gorman. The occasion I do not know but I am thinking summer of 1977
lindaseccaspina 