Princess for a night

Memories of a special evening in Springfield long ago with a teenage boy who would later become famous in the sports world.

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-728520

Princess for a Night
By VTNative | Posted 10 hours ago | Charlestown, New Hampshire


CNN
It was May, 1965. The occasion was a cotillion held by the Springfield, Vermont Hospital Auxiliary - an annual event called the Apple Blossom Ball. I was a 16-year-old high school senior from a neighboring town served by the hospital. I was wearing the most beautiful gown I had ever laid my eyes on - and my first "purchased" dress, It cost $35 - a lot of money for my working-class parents, but they were proud and my Dad took this picture from the sidelines of the gymnasium where the cotillion was held. The theme was Spanish-inspired and we wore black "mantillas" on our heads; our escorts were formal in their black tuxedos. What an evening it was. Winning the title of Apple Blossom Queen did not come to be for me, but the night lives on as a wonderful memory. My escort was Carlton Fisk, someone I'd grown up with since kindergarten and a fantastic dancer. At that time he was known simply as "Pudge," but as the years passed he would become well known in the sports world as a first-class catcher for the Red Sox (remember that homerun?) and then for the White Sox. In 2000 he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Although we went on to our own endeavors, I'm sure he'd remember that night. I know I will never forget what it felt like to be a Princess for a Night.