Reader Don Jones shared these images from the Little Miss America pageant at Farquhar Park in the 1960s, put on by the York City Playground Association. Don noted that the photos are his wife's; she (then Dottie Lightner) is the little girl in the middle of the photo. The "Victory" item is a ribbon from the pageant.
Ask Joan: Pageant, dress shop and store sign memories sought
Temperatures staying above freezing? I can barely believe it, but I’m grateful. I hope you’re enjoying the start of springlike weather; I also hope you enjoy reading today’s questions!
What’s inside
1. Remembering Little Miss America at Farquhar
2. Women’s dress shop on Route 30
3. Looking for photo of store sign
1. Remembering Little Miss America at Farquhar
I just recently heard from longtime reader Don Jones, who wrote about a topic I don’t believe I’ve mentioned before!
Don said, “I was curious to see if you or any of your readers remember the Little Miss America pageant at Farquhar Park in the 1960s? It was put on by the York City Playground Association. The little girls would compete in a beauty and talent show of sorts. People would also built floats and then float them around on the lake.”
He added, “I’m sending you some pictures thet my wife has of the event. She is actually the little girl in the middle of the photo. At the time she was Dottie Lightner. Any information would be greatly appreciated.”
As I told Don, I’m very interested to hear more about this, and I loved seeing his wife’s photos! Any othe rmemories or information are gladly welcomed!
2. Women’s dress shop on Route 30
I also had a letter not too long ago from Ruth Kessler, who asked, “I was asking friends the other day about a women’s shop that was on Route 30 … it was around Lee’s Diner. Same side of highway. Do you remember it? It had nice clothing that was more expensive. I really never shopped there… what was the name of the shop? Maybe I’m dreaming!”
Can anyone help Ruth remember? If it helps, the diner she’s talking about is a classic steel diner at 4320 W. Market St./Route 30 in West Manchester Township; it used to be Lee’s, but in 2018 became Vicky’s.
Please do share what you remember about the dress shop in that area! (Or about Lee’s/Vicky’s. I admit I’m pretty enamored of local diner stories.)
3. Looking for photo of store sign
This week’s final question comes from Beth Anne Bahn, who wrote to me just as I was getting ready to finish this column! She asks, “Do you have a picture of the sign over the little grocery store at the corner of Roosevelt Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue? It was just a rectangular sign, ‘There is no place, like this place, near this place, so this must be the place.'”
I don’t have, but I’m wondering if someone else could help Beth Anne with her “mom-and-pop shop” question! We’d love to see such photos.
Have questions or memories to share? Email me at joan@joanconcilio.com or write to Ask Joan, York Daily Record/Sunday News, 1891 Loucks Road, York PA 17408. We cannot accept any phone calls with questions or information.
My mother, Gail Curtis, owned the Bride’n Belle Shop in West Manchester Township on Rt #30 from 1982-1995. When she opened the shop in her home, she was the first consignment shop of any kind in York County. She sold new and used bridal gowns, bridesmaid gowns, mother of the bride dresses, flower girl dresses and prom dresses. A lot of girls, who for whatever reason, didn’t want their gowns; brought them in on consignment, if the dress sold the girl got a percentage of the asking price. They had to be only a few years old, clean, and in very good condition. Mother heard many many stories along the way about weddings and marriage. She must have told a few too, as she and my dad were married 63 years and so would have had many to tell. I help out in the shop, too. For some years I pressed or steamed all the wedding gowns that were sold and really enjoyed it!