Joan Crouse, Pretty Brunette Named Washburn Festival Queen
WASHBURN, July 2 [1948] -- Miss Joan Crouse, pretty 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Abram Crouse, will represent Washburn as the town's candidate at the State of Maine Potato
Blossom Festival in Van Buren Wednesday, July 21.
The attractive little brunette, who has just completed her junior year at Washburn high school,
was pronounced the winner over seven other candidates Thursday evening after Judges Percy
Parent of Van Buren, Mrs. Dolly Carmichael of Littleton and Dana Dudley of Mapleton had
returned once to the auditorium of Washburn high school without being able to arrive at a verdict.
A second parade of candidates was necessary.
The slender Washburn queen was crowned by Verdella Carter, last year's local queen and was
showered with gifts from Washburn merchants and civic organizations. Washburn has always
enjoyed a reputation for staging one of the county's more elaborate festivals and last evening was
no exception.
The new queen was crowned on a stage which had been decorated with bows to make a rustic
fence with an arch as the centerpiece. Through this the candidates walked as they entered the
stage first in playsuits, later in evening gowns.
Two young pages, John Rollins and Dianne Foster, presented the names of the candidates to
Vivian Barker, master of ceremonies, as they came on stage. Gifts to the candidates from the
Association of Aroostook Chambers of Commerce, their sponsors, and other organizations were
presented by Milford Blackstone, town manager.
Stephen Donahue of Presque Isle sang two well received vocal solos and Malcolm Holt gave a
humorous reading as entertainment features.
The festival was sponsored by the Washburn Rotary Club, with Edmund Rollins, Richard Burke
and Irvine Clark as the committee. Miss Barbara Blackstone, dean of women at Maine Central
Institute was the festival director.