The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-03-26
GLIM p S ES
T III E p A S T
By CAROLYN LLOYD

When two women, one 88 and
one sc years of age announce
their intentions of entering the
MRS. America" contest, that is
news.
There is nothing new about
beauty contests, of course. The
poet Homer wrote of one that
was held around three thousand
years ago among the Greek god
desses on Mt. Olympus. In that
story Venus bribed an earthling,
Paris, to name her the goddess of
love and beauty by promising
him the love of the most beauti-
full woman on earth. AS a result,
he eloped with Helen, wife of the
king of Priam, and the Trojan
War ensued when the king and
his friends went to Troy in pur-
suit of the "face that launched
a thousand ships. Beauty con-
test judges have been on the spot
ever since, but the results Of con-
tests are seldom so drastic Moth
ing in mythology tells us whether
Helen was just a beautiful doll
Though her behavior would in
dictate that or whether she was
possessed of a talent for home
making, playing the lutte, or re-
citing little verses. If she lacked
these talents, she would not get
to first base in a modern contest,
for there has been a radical
change in the qualifications for
the title of Miss America.
When the miss America" con-
tests first began, all a girl had
to be was beautiful. If she/won,
she could count on getting in the
chorus line of the Ziegfield Fol-
lies until she could snare rich
man sold on the idea that "a
thing of beauty is joy forever.
Not so today. Miss America" to-
day must prove that in addition
to being good to look at, she has
brains, good manners, a charm
ing personality, and an out
standing talent.
And now we have 'tMrs. Amer
ica' contests, as well. The spon-
sors have announced that this
year the judging will be more on
the basis of homemaking ability
than on beauty. The contestants
will each be domiciled in small
apartment or house for several
days and judges will observe
them at all times. They will not
be allowed to use written recipes
while cooking. A woman's nerves
will have to be strong to pre-
vent her producing heavy bis
cults and fallen cakes under such
conditions as that, so perhaps the
older housewives will shine in
that department.
To be sure, the ladies of SO and
Sc are being bit whimsical in
stating that they do not fear the
competition of younger and more
beautiful women. They have
been around long enough to
know that a mans judgment
might be swayed momentarily by
a pretty face, though the biscuits
be burned-even if, or perhaps
especially if, the judges should
also be SO and sc. However, one
must admire their spunk.
It seems to me that Belhaven
is missing mighty good chance
for publicity by not sending a
contestant to Atlantic City. I
could name long list of likely
candidates, some of whom COM
bine youth, good looks, and
homemaking ability; and some,
who though long past their
youth, could challenge anybody
in the culinary department. Of
course, it is a little hard to vis7
ualize those in the latter category
strolling across the stage in a
bathing suit. -
Speaking as one who would
fail to qualify in either depart
ment, I feel free to say that the
men are demanding a lot of a girl
these days. What the women
should do is organize a "Mr.
America" contest. A candidate
for the title should be expected
to be as handsome as Stewart
Granger, sing like Perry Como,
play football like Choo Choo
Justice, be in an upper income
bracket, and prove his ability as
a handyman around the house.
The winner could then be award
ed miss America" as wife
that is, if two such paragons of
virtue could stand each other.