WE'RE ONLY A LITTLE OVER A WEEK AWAY FROM OUR KICK-OFF PARTY FOR THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM! HERE IS WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED AT THE MAIN LIBRARY FOR JUNE & JULY. (Check back from time to time as we may add additional programming) (fb)

This week's local history spotlight recalls when Huntington had the privilege of hosting Miss USA World in both 1962 and 1963. While national beauty pageants were usually held in glamorous venues like New York City or Miami Beach, these two years marked an era when the luxurious pageants instead took place amid the small-town charm of Huntington, WV. This unlikely occurrence followed the success of 1961's own Miss Huntington—JoAnn Odom Aldrich. Over the course of a week, Huntington transformed into a hub of celebration and beauty, led by 44 famed contestants. On September 22, 1962, after multiple festivities including dances and luncheons, the pageant began. In a thrilling competition, JoAnn Odom Aldrich crowned Amedee Chabot, making her the first Miss USA to ever be crowned in West Virginia. (fb)