Thursday, September 1, 2011

Kleberg County’s Farm Bureau Beauty Queen Contest

IMG_6596


In 1970, as the daughter of a farmer/rancher, it made perfect

sense,
as a sort of small town rite of passage,
when my mother suggested
I enter
Kleberg County’s Farm Bureau Beauty Queen Contest,
held in Riviera High School’s cafeteria.



I got 1st runner up.


Do not be overly impressed.



There were 3 contestants.


Here is what I remember:

1.  My brother sat in the audience and made faces at me the

entire time. 

2.  There was one question for all 3 participants.



What makes Farm Bureau great?


3. This was not the time to wax poetic on stage about the

wonders

of community, farming, agriculture,  etc…

which is what I did… 

because, well…

I love poetic waxing…



4.  The winner and rightful queen simply answered,


”They make good insurance.”


5.  Later my brother told me

“Sis, I didn’t understand a word you said.” 


Swell.

My mother swiftly took my $50 runner up prize money and

said she thought I needed a Singer


sewing machine,

which is pictured above.



We then loaded up the car ,

after I changed out of the evening gown my mother had

made on her Singer sewing machine,

and went into Kingsville to a dance

to hear

Sandy and the Six Pack.


Guess where I had more fun?


16 comments:

Can do mom said...

They make good insurance. Now I have the answer to life's question. :)

I love that you still have the sewing machine!

Blessings to you.

pbrenner said...

I love it - the story and the machine! That looks like a workhorse of a singer, I have a similar one that I will never sell or get rid of :-)

Patty

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

I had the exact same sewing machine...with a cabinet...Wish I knew what I did with it. Great story. Have a beautiful weekend!!!

Gail Dixon said...

LOL what a cute story. Congrats on 1st runner-up! The winner's answer is...um...cute? I never learned to sew, though my mother was very good at it. Once I got to a certain age I did NOT appreciate having home sewn clothes, though. :/

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Congratulations on getting 1st runner up! You have a good machine! I have a kenmore portable (weighs a ton),that I bought about that same time and it is still going strong. I said have - my daughter borrowed it long time ago and I have not seen it since. :)
Enjoy your weekend.

Deb said...

I love this story and the Singer is a beauty too. So funny that your Mom took the prize money. Sweet memory!

Tricia said...

I am so happy to know a beauty queen! I had to comment because I had that exact same model of sewing machine. I gave it to a graduate student after I got a new one, so no longer have mine, but I made a lot of baby and children's clothes on it!

Deb said...

that is an awesome post...

Sandra said...

Best machines made - metal housing Singers! I believe my mother used to say they "sew the prettiest straight stitch ever". Great story. xoxo

NanaDiana said...

OMG- I bet you still wear your sash around the house when no one is looking, don't you? I know it! Congrats- I think! xo Diana

Theresa said...

Well, you should have won:) Great way to invest the winnings! Enjoy your evening, HUGS!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Love it!
the machine, the story and the winning answer(?)...hmmm, Farm Bureau doesn't have anything to do with World Peace or something like that? ... I could have sworn that was the answer to all Pageant Questions!
...you make me chuckle, Pat

Anonymous said...

How have I known you for the last 32+ years and not known you were an almost beauty queen!!! Oh Laura Belle!!!!
JB

Anonymous said...

Peeing in my pants!!! And a perfect commentary from Uncle Bubba on your answer.


Lauren

Pondside said...

What a great story! I don't know any other beauty queen!

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