I remember my parents being involved in the planning and decorating and dancing in many of these events while living in the Jerome LDS 2nd Ward in the Blaine Stake.
On March 22, 1946 just five weeks shy of my fourth birthday I was a 'flower girl' attendant to the Queen as well as four other little girls. Also, little Richard Gibbons, he was the Crown bearer. I thought he was so cute with the biggest ears. His parents and mine were friends and on occasion we were playmates.
I still have the dress that was made for me as you see in the picture and the picture of me wearing the dress. I am not happy. I remember my mother coaxing (begging me) to smile for this picture. She just didn't realize how scratchy the material was on my body even though it had a matching slip underneath. Where you see the little rosettes on the neck and the waist with ribbons hanging down, in the center of the rosettes were little buttons that looked like little beady eyes and they were scaring me. Also, it was too tight under my arms and no matter how many times my mother said to me "you will only be wearing the dress for one evening so get used to it and don't complain." Well, I didn't complain I just would not show joy on my face even though it was a big fancy event.
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| "Evaun Anderson ....who was crowned Queen of the L.D.S. Second Ward Green and Gold Ball here Friday evening" |
Gold and Green Balls today are not like what you see in this picture. Lots of planning and decorating and dance practices. It was a formal attire. The event was put on by the Mutual Improvement Association whose colors were Gold and Green which is where the name evolved from. Green stood for youth and growth; gold stood for purity and perfection. (This may be true today.)
My mother worked in the MIA program of the LDS Church for years and was involved in this event on both the Ward level and the Stake level. Not only was there a Ward event but, a Stake Gold and Green Ball event followed soon after each Ward event was held. This year of 1946 the G&G Ball was held at the local Moose Hall.
At 10:PM the floor show would begin. I do remember all the dancing. Adult couples would dance; maybe the tango or waltz etc. Then the 'All Girl' dance to the theme of that year. All dances were prepared weeks before the event which meant 'dance practices' for both adults and youth through the winter months.
And, always a live orchestra.
How to choose a Queen was done by whatever method a ward, branch, or stake chose. Sometimes it was by popular choice and voting, some were chosen because they sold the most subscriptions to the Improvement Era, or maybe they had the best record of meeting attendance or very simply drew their name out of a hat. I do not know when this practice of crowning a Queen ended. If you want to know more about Gold and Green Balls; Google it there's lots of info about it.
Thanks for stopping by.
5 comments:
What a fun memory, Renée. Poor you and the uncomfortable dress. I still find it hard to be happy when my clothes are uncomfortable. By the time we joined the church in 1986 I think these balls had passed out of existence. They sound like they could have been fun.
Hi Nancy,
Yes, That version of Gold and Green Ball went by the wayside in 1973. And, crowning a Queen went out way before then.
I guess you can calk it up to the "good ole' days,"
We didn't join the Church until 1992, but I do remember hearing about the Green and Gold Balls. In fact, I think they still had one here when we moved here. I know I saw a cultural hall all decorated and someone said it was for the Green and Gold Ball but maybe this is just in my imagination. But I have heard of them. Didn't realize they were for kids and adults. Thought they were only for adults. Interesting, the different ways people created entertainment for themselves.
Hey Margie,
I think any time a formal dance is planned by the MIA they still do call it a Gold and Green Ball. But, these type of dances are not planned often like way back when a G and G Ball occurred in the spring every year. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment.
Talk soon.
We've had the Gold and Green Balls every year back in the 1950s through today here in the North Florida areas I am sure they were ongoing in many areas of the South wherever there were a fairly large group of members as the South memberships only became large numbers from the late 40s and 50s. We always had a MIA Youth dance presentation, and the grand march as the last dance of the evening. Was a most wonder time with bits and pieces of long ago mixed into the evening with everyone wearing their very best with the Sisters wearing special made dresses and gowns. Wonderful memories.
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