Constanti-Taylor wedding. Wedding couple surrounded by three young men and a young woman pose for a portrait in front of a stucco, Spanish-style house. Marie Eileen Constanti and Thomas Zachary Taylor exchanged wedding vows at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church on March 25, 1940. Shirley Constanti was maid of honor for her sister while Keith Bogan served as best man during the morning ceremonies. A reception was held in the Rose & Gold room of the Hotel Winthrop. The new Mrs. Taylor wore an apple green suit trimmed with cross fox fur for her wedding along with a toast colored straw hat. She graduated from Sumner High School and was affiliated with Delta Alpha Gamma at the College of Puget Sound. The bridegroom attended Bellarmine and Bennett School of Aeronautics. Their new home will be in San Diego. (T.Times, 3-25-40, p. 7)
Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brides--1940-1950; Grooms (Weddings)--1940-1950; Constanti, Marie Eileen; Taylor, Thomas Zachary;
At the stroke of 10 p.m. on January 20, 1940, Rhoda Maynes was crowned Queen of the 9th annual Gold and Green Ball, sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). The coronation ball was given on the roof garden of the Masonic Temple. Queen Rhoda is photographed surrounded by her court. The "MIA" on the staffs is the abbreviation for Mutual Improvement Association. Miss Maynes is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.A. Maynes of 3940 No 31st St. Photograph ordered by J. Hoyer/Hayer. (T. Times 1/19/1940, pg. 20)
In order to stir interest in shopping on South 38th Street, the 38th Street Boosters Club decided to sponsor a turkey derby on December 16, 1939. Thirty turkeys, spurred on by their jockeys, trotted down 38th Street from South "G" to Yakima. Each bird wore a sign identifying its sponsoring business and "name." The novel promotional event attracted some 3,000 excited spectators. The turkeys were given away to lucky spectators. How the live turkeys got home with their new owners was apparently up to the owners themselves.
Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Racing--Tacoma; Turkeys; 38th Street Boosters Club (Tacoma);
Enthusiastic members of the newly formed (South) 38th Street Boosters Club wanted to let prospective customers know that they were ready to "talk turkey" (sales lingo meaning to "make a deal"), so they held a turkey derby in December of 1939. Members attempted to coax 30 turkeys to race to a feed bag at the end of a set course. At the event's conclusion, birds were to be given free to spectators. Ordered by "Ryan's Weekly." (T. Times 12/7/1939, p. 5).
Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Racing--Tacoma; Turkeys; Costumes; 38th Street Boosters Club (Tacoma);
The launching of the USS Pledge, MSO 492, at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The minesweeper was the ninth of its class to be launched. M.S. Erdahl, Port Commissioner, was the Master of Ceremonies. Mrs. Theodore Ultsch did the christening assisted by Miss Janet Bruder, as the flower girl. The featured speaker was Rear Admiral Smoot, commander of the mineforce of the US Pacific Fleet. The launching was held in conjunction with the commissioning of the USS Conquest, Hull #488. (TNT 7/21/1955, pg. D-10
Surrounded by a sea of cameras this Rhode Island Red posed regally with his winning ribbons at the poultry show held on November 30, 1939 after being declared the Grand Champion of All Breeds. The 45th annual show, sponsored by the Tacoma Poultry Association and the Rhode Island Red Club of America, was primarily for the Rhode Island Reds, although other breeds were also shown. As winner of the club's national show, the 9 month old cockerel was considered the finest of the breed in all of the US and Canada. The winning fowl's owner, Mrs. Charles F. Cummings of La Canada, California, was not present when the Grand Champion was announced; not expecting to win, she had gone shopping. (T. Times 12/1/1939, pg. 5; 11/27/1939, pg. 5)
Photographers capturing on film the grand champion rooster, a Rhode Island Red, with his winning ribbons at the poultry show. Turner Richards and his crew pose with large format cameras and new camera equipment surrounding the cock. (See D9151-1a for the finished photo.) The 45th annual show, sponsored by the Tacoma Poultry Association and the Rhode Island Red Club of America, had 500 entries, 265 of them Rhode Island Reds. The birds were judged by type, shape, color, undercolor and stance, as well as other standards. The owner of the winning cockerel was Mrs. Charles F. Cummings of Rancho de Las Plumas Coloradas of La Canada, California. (T. Times 12/1/39, pg. 5; 11/27/1939, pg. 5).
Admittance Day Parade in Olympia on November 11, 1939. Since the date was both Admission and Armistice Day, the parade was a mixture of historical floats and pageantry plus a selection of military men and guns honoring the end of World War I. Soldiers are shown marching in formation in the parade with homes on a hill in the background. This Armistice Day in 1939 was particularly turbulent as Europe was already at war again and America appeared ready to follow. Several anti-war demonstrations were held on this date across the country. (T.Times 11/13/1939, pg 9)
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Olympia; Parades & processions--Olympia--1930-1940;
People standing in line at Olympia Post Office to buy first day issue of new Golden At 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, November 11, 1939, Jubilee postage stamps commemorating 50 years of statehood were placed on sale only at the Olympia Post Office. People are standing in line to purchase the first issue of the stamps. The stamp honors Washington and three other states marking their 50th anniversary: Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota. The stamp is of map design, portraying the four states and indicating the location of their capital cities.
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Olympia; Postage stamps; Queues--Olympia;
People standing in line at Olympia Post Office to buy first day issue of new Golden Jubilee postage stamps commemorating 50 years of statehood, placed on sale in Olympia only at 8a.m. November 11, 1939. Sign on wall promotes "Washington State 50th anniversary stamps for 3 cents." The stamp honors Washington and three other states marking their 50th anniversary. The other states are Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota. The stamp is of map design, portraying the four states and indicating the location of their capital cities.
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Olympia; Postage stamps; Queues--Olympia;
B.J. Weeks of Tacoma, the oldest philatelist in the US, offers a dollar to Postmaster Ben Sawyer, center, for the first sheet of the Washington State Jubilee commemorative 3 cent stamp at the Olympia Post Office on Admittance Day, November 11, 1939. The stamp honors Washington's entrance into the union 50 years prior on November 11th. Secretary of the Washington State Historical Society W.P. Bonney, right, stands ready to receive the stamps which will become part of the collection at the state historical museum in Tacoma. The stamp will be issued only in Olympia on this date and will be available in the remainder of the state on the following day. Despite the fact that the 11th was both Armistice and Admittance Day, the post office was kept open for several hours to accomodate those wishing to purchase the stamps. (T. Times 11/13/1939, pg. 8)
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Olympia; Postage stamps; Bonney, William P.; Weeks, B.J.; Sawyer, Ben;
Admittance Day Parade in Olympia on November 11, 1939. The parade honored Washington's admittance into the Union 50 years prior and travelled over part of the route of the first statehood celebration promenade in 1889. This parade float features a replica of the covered wagon that brought the first settlers to Tumwater, where the Columbia River branch of the Oregon Trail ended. Sign reads "The End of the Oregon Trail." The float is entered by Cub Scout Pack 5, sponsored by the Eastside Community Center. It is parked on a street with house in background. (T. Times 11/13/1939, pg. 9)
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Olympia; Parades & processions--Olympia--1930-1940; Floats (Parades)--Olympia--1930-1940;
Admittance Day Parade in Olympia on November 11, 1939. Soldiers marching along wet street. Since this date was also Armistice Day, honoring the end of World War I, the parade included several contingents of marching men and weapons. This Armistice Day was bittersweet as Europe was already at war and America soon to follow.
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Olympia; Parades & processions--Olympia--1930-1940;
Admittance Day Parade in Olympia on November 11, 1939. Firemen aboard horse-drawn fire engine, sign on side reads "1883." The Admission Day celebration in Olympia was patterned after the original inauguration of Governor Elisha P. Ferry. The two mile parade travelled over part of the route of that original statehood celebration. Ben's Service Station, Maxwell dealer, and houses in background.
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Olympia; Parades & processions--Olympia--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--Olympia;
1939 Junior Women's Club Dance at the Winthrop Hotel. Man in suit with bow tie graciously retrieves coats from coat checker for four women dressed in formal gowns.
Dance parties--Tacoma--1930-1940; Junior Women's Club (Tacoma); Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Coats; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
The platform is set up for the ceremonies attending the launch of the M.S.A. #491 (U.S.S. Persistent) at the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. The ship poised on the ways rises above the bunting draped speakers' platform. Capt. Vernon B. Cole will be the principal speaker at the launch. Mrs. Dorothy Erdahl will be the sponsor and Sharon McCoy will be the flower girl. The Persistent is the eighth of nine 171 foot minesweepers to be launched by Martinac. Four of the ships have already been delivered. The keel of the Persistent was laid in June of 1954. (TNT 4/17/1955, pg. B-7)
The M.S.A. #491, a 171 foot minesweeper, was scheduled to be launched from the Bayview Shipyard, at the north end of East F St., on April 24, 1955 by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Co. It is the eighth of nine contracted 171 foot minesweepers to be launched. It will be named the U.S.S. Persistent. The keel was laid for the ship in June of 1954. (TNT 4/127/1955, pg. B-7)
Dorothy (Mrs. M. Stanley) Erdahl serves as sponsor for the launching of the U.S.S. Persistent (A.M. #491) minesweeper, constructed by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. M. Stanley Erdahl was the current Port Commissioner and an ex-Navy officer who took the first YMS type minesweeper out of the Martinac yard in WWII. She would be assisted at the launching of the 171 ft. minesweeper by Sharon McCoy, daughter of Ed McCoy- Sumner High School's Director of Athletics, who would serve as flower girl. (TNT 4/17/1955, pg. B-7)
The flower girl, Rhoda Marcia Simpson, really lays one on the ring bearer, Bruce Allan Jennison, in this original wedding picture. There is an indication that this photo was displayed in the front window of the Richards studio with the caption "What can the poor guy do!" The young couple were the attendants at the June 11, 1955 wedding of Lois Marilyn Antilla and Paul John Putnam. The younger couple were the niece and nephew of the bride. The ringleted lass wears a dotted swiss gown and carries a basket. The young man wears a white sport coat and saddle shoes. (TNT 6/19/1955, pg. D-9)
Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children kissing--Tacoma; Kissing; Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Simpson, Rhoda Marcia; Jennison, Bruce Allan; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The float entered by the St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber Co. won third place in the Industrial Division. Two twin globes flank the front of the float, while the Statue of Liberty stands guard before a depiction of an atom at the rear of the float. A young boy representing Uncle Sam had gotten tired and is sitting on the base of the Statue. A south of the border vaquero and a safari hunter also ride at the rear of the float next to a palm tree.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);
The Girl Scouts of America are well represented as they march down Pacific Ave. past the Bank of California building and the United Mutual Savings Bank in the 1955 Daffodil Parade.The girls wear the traditional uniform of skirt, shirt, kerchief and beret type hat. Bands worn diagonally across their chests are for displaying merit badges. There are lots of ankle socks and saddle shoes in the group. The leaders march along with their girls.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Girl Scouts (Tacoma);
This humorous float received Honorable Mention in the retail catagory. In keeping with the theme of "Golden Future," two women sit at the back of the float on the covered patio sipping ice tea and visiting while two robots mow the lawn and trim the hedges. The float was sponsored by McKinnon's Department store. The store was located at 3639 So. "G" and was owned by Ray and Alice B. McKinnon.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; McKinnon's Department Store (Tacoma);
The "Golden Future" is placed securely in the stars with the Independent Order of Foresters' entry, a daffodil bedecked flying saucer. This float won second place in the fraternal organization catagory of the 1955 Daffodil Parade. The driver wears a trench coat and safari hat to protect him from the rain and umbrellas have sprung up all over the crowd.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Independent Order of Foresters 327 (Tacoma);
The winner of the 1955 Daffodil Parade Festival Award for the float most closely adhering to the festival theme of "Golden Future" was sponsored by the Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot. Its theme was "We weave the golden future." It featured a revolving spinning wheel that wound out skeins of golden thread to eight spools, with labels like shipbuilding and aircraft, most probably referring to the industries that would fuel the Northwest economy in the future. The float used over 60,000 daffodils. A large basket in the front held the daffodil "wool." TPL-8301
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot (Tacoma);
This flower covered San Francisco trolley car won first place in the retail division for Steve Pease. Steve Pease owned Steve's Gay '90s, a South Tacoma landmark and popular nightspot of the fifties and sixties. This trolley was an actual San Francisco street car that Pease bought at auction in San Francisco, outfitted for street driving and drove back to Tacoma. It became a centerpiece at his restaurant and served as the inspiration for his Cable Car Room.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma);
The Cammarano Brothers' float won second place in the Industrial Division of the 1955 Daffodil Parade. It depicts the Golden Future of space travel. Two big headed Kewpie doll figures light a rocket ready to shoot off into space, while markers show the distance to the moon, sun and Milky Way. The crowd shields itself from the rain with umbrellas while the float rolls past. The best seats for the parade this year were the upper story windows, where viewers were shielded from the elements.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma);
A smiling, waving young woman rolls down the street in a huge bright yellow daffodil ballgown with matching hat. The dress hides the means of conveyance of this float. This entry was sponsored by the Lions Club.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lions Club (Tacoma);
The theme of the Tacoma Kiwanis Club float was "Peace, the Golden Future." The float won second place in the Service Club Division of the 1955 Daffodil Parade. On the float, three girls sit amidst what appear to be blossoming cherry trees and doves. The girls appear to be shivering in their lacy shawls in the cool spring air.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kiwanis Club (Tacoma);
The first place winner in the Education and Youth Division of the 1955 Daffodil Parade was this floral beauty sponsored by Pacific Lutheran College. A flower bedecked representation of the world is topped by a cross. A bridge or a rainbow leads from the globe to the front of the float. The 1955 parade also had a touch of Hollywood glamour as the honorary Grand Marshall was Marjie Millar, Tacoma native and the star of television and movies. This was the first time that a woman had served as Grand Marshall.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;
The winner in the Fraternal Organization division of the 1955 Daffodil Parade was sponsored by the Tacoma Elks Lodge # 174. A fountain at the front of the float spouts floral spray, followed by the flags of many countries leading to a floral depiction of the globe. Young women in evening gowns ride on the float. The one in front laughs with the crowd as she covers her head against the misty rain that plagued the parade this year. Despite the rough weather conditions, a record crowd turned out to cheer the parade on.
Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);
