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For three years, from 1958 through
1960, the Brookline Chamber of Commerce sponsored the Miss Little
League Contest. Beginning in early April, girls aged 8 through 12 were
invited to enter their photographs, which were then displayed in the
window of the Towne and Country Shop on Brookline Boulevard. Prior to the
opening day of the Little League season, six or seven finalists were
selected from the entries received.
Chamber of Commerce 1959 Miss Little
League finalists
and reigning Miss LL 1958 Kathleen Knipp (front).
These finalists then appeared,
dressed in their finest Sunday outfits (at Opening Day in 1958, and at
Brookline's July Fourth celebration the following two years) to be
judged by a panel of Brookline merchants. The lucky winner was named
Miss Little League, with all of the perks and privileges that come from
being the prettiest little miss in Brookline.
The contest winner was awarded a
free dress from Towne and Country and a pair of free dress shoes from
Tryson's Shoe Store, in addition to coupons for various other Boulevard
shops. The lucky young lady was also treated to a free oil portrait of
herself, arranged by Ebbitt Studios. She rode in parades, appeared at
nearly all appropriate community functions, and was basically wined and
dined in celebrity fashion.
The six 1958 Miss Little League
finalists receive corsages
from members of the Community Center baseball team
as event chairperson Mrs. Rudy Reinheimer looks on.
Why the contest ended is a
mystery. After 1960 there is no more mention of it in the Brookline
Journals, but for three years it was a huge community sensation. Below
are photos of Kathleen Knipp, Miss LL 1958; Emily Martin, Miss LL 1959;
and Donna Marie Lackner, Miss LL 1960. |
