Pageantry, Pontiacs and a President

“I was dumbfounded when they did that, but I went along to please them, and for the experience,” June said of her parents entering her in the pageant.

“About 100 other contestants from different areas of the city attended the selection process held at the Palmer House Hotel,” she continued. “We were paraded in front of a panel of judges, who whittled down the entries until 20 community queens and 20 alternates were chosen.

“Next, we were sent to Carson Pirie Scott department store on State Street where a clothing stylist helped select an evening outfit. I wound up with a pink strapless gown, matching shoes and gold tiara for my hair. The wardrobe mistress said to me that the outfit she selected, ‘best complemented my bright blue eyes, sandy hair and shapely 5-foot, 5-inch frame.’

“It was very exciting to be part of the show, and all the girls got along swell, even when bumping into each other in the long, narrow, poorly lit dressing room located high above the International Amphitheatre’s arena.

“We began rehearsals for the Wheels of Progress stage revue a week before the opening day, and each queen was allocated a particular automobile to accompany on stage during the nine-day show.

“Twice a day, the vehicles would line up in an elongated passageway where the queens would enter the cars. I was assigned a two-tone, butterscotch-and-white 1954 Pontiac Star Chief Custom Catalina two-door hardtop.

“As we were being chauffeured onto the stage during both afternoon and evening performances, the Jimmy Richards Orchestra played and an announcer gave promotional spiels on the different vehicles.

“During each presentation, the Pontiac would stop in the middle of the stage, where a tall, dashing usher (Jack Gallagher) would open my door and assist me to exit the car. Then, the Pontiac drove off the stage, and I joined other queens posing on a tiered grandstand in the background.

“When all 20 queens and vehicles were presented, we then exited the stage together, amid more music, loud applause and a few ‘woof whistles.’

“In between the stage revues, the queens were asked to stroll through the various automotive exhibits wearing their official sashes and mingle with the crowds.

“It was during one of these afternoon promenades with my dad when I came face to face with a future president of the United States.

“Image now, if all the excitement of being treated royally during the show wasn’t enough to last a lifetime, I was nearly overwhelmed when I met Ronald Reagan.

“Mr. Reagan served as the official grand marshal that year, and was incredibly charming. As we talked, he agreed to pose with me and let my father snap a few photos with my trusty Argus C3 camera. While my dad was adjusting the camera, four other queens mooched their way into the picture, but I didn’t mind since he had his left arm around me.”

 “I ordered lobster, which was quite a treat in those days.

“On top of all the excitement, dinners and expensive formal wear we got to keep, each queen earned $10 a day to appear with the cars.”

June giggled a little when she confided, “I was so thrilled about being in the show that I almost forgot to go and pick up my check.

“Appearing as Miss Berwyn-Cicero was an exciting time for me. It was so profitable, not in money or gowns, but in the richness of the experience, the friendships and camaraderie between the various queens, and the wonderful memories of those days.”