The square was getting busy with vendors who were getting prepared to cook hot dogs and hamburgers for the crowd. There was someone from Krispy Kreme there with
dozens of glazed and powdered donuts. The ladies from the church had a table of home made goodies outside the Woolworth store. The Girl Scouts were selling their cookies on the other side of the square. Boy Scouts and their troop leaders gathered in formation for the march.
Kids were lining up with their bikes and the clowns and jugglers were lined up behind them.
Sunshine High School band was in formation. Baton twirlers, cheer leaders and football players were in front of the procession. The police department cars and the Fire truck flashed their lights. There were also convertibles of many makes and colors driven by their owners. In the back sat city officials and the former Miss Sunshine Beach with her crown and sash over her red one piece bathing suit.
Rachel looked her over good. Her large breasts puffed up from the tight one piece ruched bathing suit. She wore black patent leather high heels. Her raven black hair was teased up into a bouffant style that looked like a hard beehive. The crown perched on top looked like a sparkling lightening rod. Someone said she was only 19 but to Rachel she looked much older. Maybe I have a chance Rachel thought but then quickly remembered her height and lack of pizazz and style.
Marsha had worked hard to help Rachel come out of her shell. She told her to lift her head and sit up straight and how to walk elegantly and to turn properly. She had her practice in front of the mirror balancing books on her head. They always watched the Miss America pageant and got ideas from the contestants. She had it down pat. What else could she do to prepare her for her modeling debut? Marsha felt certain her friend would win. Why didn't Rachel feel that way, too?
Both girls stepped up to the registration table. Taking a deep breath, Rachel wrote her name on the roster along with the other contestants. "There is no turning back now" she said as she walked away with her number that was to be pinned on her right hip.
They made their way to their place in line. The Mayor stood in the gazebo and the police car sounded it's siren. After a brief speech welcoming the crowd the Mayor announced the opening of Sunshine Beach for the season and the parade to the boardwalk started.
The line traveled around town square and then down Boulevard Ave. Eight blocks along the route people had heir lawn chairs at the curb or stood and waved and cheered as the group passed by them. Dads held small children on their shoulders. The turn out was bigger than it had ever been. There was a slight sea breeze that kept the temperature and humidity down. Everyone was excited to have the tourist season officially begin.
The boardwalk had been damaged from the hurricane the previous summer. Groups of
workers from the city and church volunteers collected money from anyone that would donate to it's repair. They got the project finished in the nick of time. Shops along
the boardwalk and pier were ready to have a surge of visitors. They had suffered damage
and lost money. Some had to close their doors. The promise of a new season gave them hope that they would recover and be able to make a profit this time.
As Rachel and Marsha walked along they saw friends from school and neighbors. They
waved hello and blew kisses. Even if she didn't win Rachel thought this was be the best day of her life. In the fall she would be going away to college. This was her last free summer to play.
She was ushered to the back of a row of cabanas along with the other girls. They were told to line up according to their height. Rachel immediately went to the back of the line.
Marsha whispered to her "That's just what I was hoping for! Being last you will make a better impression than being first or stuck in the middle. Don't worry! Now smile and get in there and change your clothes. I'll hold your dress and sandals."
One by one the girls stepped up to the stage. The M.C announced their names over the
microphone. The crowd clapped and whistled as each girl was introduced and she made her
quick walk turned and walked quickly back. There were a lot of contestants this year. It seemed to take forever for each one to take the stage. Rachel checked her hair and lipstick in a small compact mirror. Marsha gave her a smile and hug and then took her place at the front of the platform.
Rachel stepped onto the ramp in her bare feet. She took a deep breathe and beamed a smile when she saw how large the crowd was that had gathered. They were standing up and also in lounge chairs sprawled out across the sandy beach. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Rachel Morgan, age 18 from Sunshine Beach, FL!" Hoots and hollers and whistles filled the air. Rachel placed the satchel over her right shoulder and held the sunglasses
in her left hand. Carefully and slowly she walked like a ballerina across the stage.
She stopped and lifted the sunglasses to her eyes and turned looking over her left shoulder and dipping the glasses to look over the top at the crowd then put them back up to her eyes as she walked back to center stage stopped again and waved effortlessly. She made her way back to the ramp where she started. Marsha was there to greet her and tell her how perfectly she had done everything. Rachel wanted to throw up! "Quick, here is some cold water." Marsha said as she handed her a Dixie cup. Rachel sipped slowly and dipped her fingers in the cup and placed some of the cold water on her neck to cool off.
After what seemed like an eternity the M.C took the stage. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the judges have made their decision. "Our Miss Sunshine Beach 1958 is, Rachel Morgan!"
Marsha squeezed and hugged Rachel hard and pushed her toward the stage. Rachel was in shock. It felt like her feet were above the ground as she walked to the center of the stage.
The former queen removed her sash and placed it over Rachel's golden soft wavy hair and then placed the rhinestone crown on her head. The M.C. placed a bouquet of yellow roses
in her arms. Gracefully she walked to the end of the platform and waved at the crowd with a huge smile and tears coming down her cheeks.
The Mayor held out his hand to help Rachel into the sky blue Cadillac convertible. She sat up on the back of the rear seat and was given a ride back to the town square. People had waited in anticipation of seeing the newly crowned beach queen. Marsha rode up front with the Mayor.
Back at the gazebo a representative from McCalls magazine greeted her. She announced
her winning a modeling photo shoot and handed her an envelope. Inside the envelope was
two hundred dollars! Rachel had never won anything in her entire life. She thanked the lady and waved at the crowd of onlookers. People came and congratulated her. The
local band played hop music and several people began to dance the jitterbug.
"Rachel, you won, you won! I knew you would!" Both girls hugged and twirled around in circles celebrating!
The photo shoot was done in Miami Beach. Rachel sat on an elevated chair as a lady applied her makeup. Another lady gently styled her hair. They had her wear her winning bathing suit selection for the shoot.
The photographer instructed her to just sit on the sand casually and lean back slightly supporting herself with her hands. As she looked up a man handed her a bottle of Coca Cola. The photo was taken and published in the following month's issue and was sponsored by Coca Cola.
After that national recognition, Rachel was contacted by every modeling agency in the nation. They flew her to New York and Los Angeles and gave her spreads in other fashion magazines. Her natural look was a hit. Girls wanted soft flowing waves like hers instead of hair teased and sprayed. A fresh look in color choices of robin eggs blue, yellow white and lavender replaced black, red and green. Two piece bathing suits like hers started showing up in stores and flying off the shelves. Billboards with her sitting on the beach accepting a Coca Cola lined highways advertising Florida as the Sunshine State.
"Marsha, come to New York with me! I want you to be my manager. I can't do this without your help!" Rachel begged her friend.
"No, Rachel. I can't go with you. You are like a beautiful butterfly who needs to spread her wings and fly with your new career!" I have to get ready for school in a few weeks.
"Please?" Rachel pleaded with her friend as she started to cry. "I need you to protect me
and help me. I'm scared!"
A few years later in 1962 Marsha sat in the front row of the stage at the new Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Rachel was modeling a line by Oscar de la Renta. Jacqueline Kennedy was in attendance at the prestigious event. She loved his creations and since she was tall wore the dresses with elegance and grace that stunned the fashion world. She asked to meet the models backstage.
After the show Rachel was introduced to Mrs. Kennedy. Rachel quickly reached for Marsha's hand and introduced her. "Mrs. Kennedy, it's a pleasure to meet you. May I introduce my manager, Marsha Simmons." The ladies stood together talking several minutes. Jackie Kennedy even expressed interest in the evening gown Rachel was wearing! She told them she wanted them to do a fashion show at The White House to raise funds for charity. "I'll have someone get in touch with you and Marsha." Jackie said as the secret service escorted her from the room.
"Wow, can you believe that?" Marsha gushed. "Quick, pinch me that I'm not dreaming!" she told Rachel.
Back in the hotel suite Rachel looked out the window over the city of lights. She turned around and told Marsha she couldn't have done any of this without her help. "I'm so happy you decided to be my manager back when I begged you!" Arm in arm they exited the lobby onto the bustling street and had a night on the town with several handsome men paying them attention. They went to The Copa room at The Sands Hotel and saw the Rat Pack performing. They were on a roll!
Cathy Windham
3/25/13
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