The boundaries of Bedford Township were determined by a land survey in 1802. In July of 1915, the northwest corner of Bedford Township became the village of Maple Heights.
In July of 1965, Maple Heights celebrated its 50th anniversary with a series of events including the rededication of the Little Red Schoolhouse as a museum, the burial of a time capsule to be opened in 2015 and a contest on June 19 to select a golden queen for the golden anniversary.
The final event came down to two girls -- Candy Hudson and Ventura "Vicky" Picone. Candy (Mary Candice Hudson) was named golden queen and Vicky was the runner-up.
What follows here is the result of an interview with Vicky Picone Curtis:
The queen contest committee had an ad in the Maple Heights Press looking for young women to enter the contest. At the persistent urging of her mother, Vicky responded to the ad and filled out an application. She was asked to submit an essay. She wrote one about citizenship, mailed it and was selected as ninth out of 10 contestants. The contest was part of a pageant conducted at West Junior High School on June 19, 1965. After five of the 10 girls were eliminated, each of the remaining five were interviewed and questioned by Al James, the WHK disc jockey who was master of ceremonies.
The five non-resident judges announced the results in reverse order. As the number of girls remaining was reduced from five to four to three, Vicky became more and more nervous. Then there were only Vicky and Candy remaining.
Candy was chosen as queen and Vicky was given golden memories of what became a turning point in her life. Imagine, just out of high school and coming ever so close to being chosen for such an honor.
The queen and her court were part of the entire celebration -- a carnival at Stafford Park, a fashion show, the Fourth of July parade, special feature races at Thistledown and Northfield Park, music, dancing and even a fireworks display.
The Southgate Shopping Center fashion show had the girls model the latest styles in clothing. The race tracks had them presenting trophies to the winners and various contributors provided gifts for the girls including theater passes, sewing kits, charm bracelets and flowers.
During my interview with Vicky, she joyfully recalled what it meant to her to be involved and to come so close to winning. It had given her a boost in self confidence and some life-long memories.
Reminders of how her mom urged her to enter the contest. How nervous she was. How the fitting lady from the May Co. helped select dresses, hats and accessories for the fashion show. What a "big thing" it was in the time between high school and college.
Vicky went on to graduate from St. John College of Nursing, got married and raised a family of her own. She still lives in Maple Heights, close to where she grew up and where her mother lives.
Vicky showed me her scrapbook which includes photographs of the golden queen pageant, the contest program with the names of the contest committee, the contestants and the judges, and the June 25, 1965, Maple Heights Press front-page article about the contest with a schedule of events marking the 50th birthday of Maple Heights.
I wonder if any of the other girls who were in the contest are still around and if they will read this. Their names are Nancy Barbera, Sharon Budz, Patricia Capson, Mary Ellen Georgio, Candy Hudson, Carol Jablonski, Paula Miceli, Sharon Ortman and Judith Rollo.
Thank you, Vicky, for sharing your precious memories and I hope all 10 girls will show up for the 100th anniversary in 2015.