Miss Vera Richardson, Dean of Girls at Acalanes was asked to select three senior student women to be princesses to celebrate the opening of the new freeway. Betty Clark, Dolores Roeschen and Patricia Whitehead were selected, one of whom would be chosen queen after participating it all the festivities of the Fiesta. There were luncheons and dinners at the local restaurants to celebrate, culminating in the grand opening of the freeway.
On a lovely summer day we rode on the brand new infrastructure in convertibles with local dignitaries. In our car was Jerry Brown whose father Edmund Brown was about to become the Governor of California. Helicopters swirled in the air east and west breaking the ribbons to open the freeway! The California Highway Patrol officers were there in abundance as were the town residents young and old to cheer at the great event! With this opening the town and the county would be changed forever.
After the ceremonies, a large group adjourned to the El Nido Rancho for the final luncheon celebration where Betty Clark and Patricia Whitehead “polish” the crown of queen Dolores Roeschen. Joan Whitehead shows the Fiesta poster hailing the event at the end of the exciting day, and all three “royalty” were awarded a John Robert Powers modeling course!
Video courtesy Patricia Whitehead Wendt.
Listen to Patrica Whitehead Wendt’s Oral History.
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