A Hatful of Fun

In decades past, an outfit was not complete without a hat. Milliners, artisans who specialized in creating unique hats, thrived in Sault Ste. Marie from the turn of the century to the mid 1960s. Milliners constructed pillbox hats, bonnets, fascinators, tilts, sun hats, cloches and berets. Hats were worn for nearly every occasion, and it was commonplace for women to have a hat made to match their dresses, suits and coats. 

No hats, however, were quite like the hats made for Hadassah’s Hatful of Fun events from 1959 - 1964.

Hatful of Fun was a fundraiser put on by the Samuel Kleiman Memorial Chapter of Hadassah, a local branch of the Hadassah Organization of Canada. The Chapter's upcoming Hatful of Fun event was announced to the parent Hadassah organization in a letter from Samuel Kleiman Chapter President, Faye Libman, on September 11, 1959, and to the general public in a Sault Daily Star article the following day. Hadassah’s fundraising efforts went towards Youth Aliyah, Camp Pawauting, the Santa Claus Fund, and the Cancer Society, among others. In addition to fundraising, Hadassah’s policy was to “add something unique to the social life of Sault Ste. Marie”, which is how Hatful of Fun came to be. 

Sault Daily Star, 1959

The following is a transcription of the original letter sent to the Hadassah Organization of Canada, pictured below.

September 11, 1959.

Dear Madam President and Members,

Our Chapter of Hadassah is delighted to bring to your special attention a gala night which we are calling “Hatful of Fun”. This will be our main money-raising function for the season, and it promises to be a unique affair in your social calendar.

As the name implies, the evening will feature hats, displays both of fall hat fashions, as well as hats from such prominent women as Mrs. Diefenbaker, Dr. Charlotte Whitton, Janet Leigh, etc (even Sophie Tucker). We are offering prizes galore for different categories of hats worn by the audience (about 40 prizes).

We cannot disclose all the surprises and fun in store for you, but we can tell you that this will be a first for Sault Ste. Marie, and that this affair will be broadcast through the courtesy of C.J.I.C. (Al Brown, the Bunny Man, is our M.C. The station is sending six announcers)

Besides your entry, your ticket entitles you to a delicious dessert and coffee and a chance at our Fabulous Door Prize - a week’s stay for two at one of the most luxurious Miami Beach hotels, The Saxony.
Our Hatful of Fun will be held Monday evening, September 28th in the Armoury Drill Hall at 8 PM. Price of admission is $1.00. (We hope to have 1000 women).

May we have the pleasure of seeing you there.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Faye Libman, President,
Samuel Kleiman Memorial Chapter, Hadassah.
(Your ticket also entitles you to a chance at winning the famous hats!!)​

Organizers of the first Hatful of Fun event were listed as follows: Mrs. Libman, convenor. Mrs. Garshowitz, contact. Mrs. Littner, tickets. Mrs. M. Kert, Mrs. Ostrov, Mrs. Yan, publicity. Mrs. M. Kert, fashion coordinator. Mrs. Bregman, Mrs. Kates, Mrs. Richardson, decorations. Mrs. Albert Fishman, prizes. Mrs. Alex Fishman, refreshments. Mrs. Bodnoff, prominent women’s hat display.

Preview photos of some of the novelty hats that would be worn at the event by Hadassah members were published in the Sault Daily Star in the week prior to the event. In addition to all Hadassah members, tickets were advertised through a variety of shops, including Bara Lee, Northern Bargain Store and Con Ell Furs.

Mrs. Kert holds Sophie Tucker's hat. Promotional material for Hatful of Fun, 1959. Sault Daily Star photo.

Hatful of Fun promotion. Mrs. Bregman, Mrs. Kert and Mrs. Basest. Sault Daily Star photo, 1959.

The first Hatful of Fun was a smashing success. 2000 tickets were sold, with all proceeds going to aid needy children. Hats were made of clothespins, door knobs, Christmas trimmings, plumbing fixtures and bells. The Florida vacations were awarded to Mrs. W Leaney and Mrs. Dick Scott. Silliest Hat Awards went to Mrs. L. Walsh, Mrs. K. Armstrong, Mrs. G. Mallory, Mrs. F. Redmond and Mrs. G. Moss. Most Beautiful Hat was awarded to Mrs. T. Danz, described as a creation of autumn leaves. An award was given to the lady wearing the oldest hat (Mrs. I. Taylor), and an orchid to the oldest lady present at the event (Mrs. Stroyan). Hats came from near and far for the event, travelling from the likes of Italy, Spain, Finland, Iraq, New York and Mexico. Mrs. Patsky, who had arrived in Sault Ste. Marie from Hungary the night before the event, won an award for the furthest distance travelled to attend the event.

Mrs. Alec Fishman. Mrs. Shirley Davis, 1960.

After the success of the first Hatful of Fun event, three members of the local Hadassah chapter attended the national organization meeting in Montreal. Mrs. Isobel Kert was asked to speak on their recent fundraising efforts. Another local attendee, Mrs. Melita Kates, said “You could’ve heard a pin drop while she was speaking. After it was over, the women crowded around Isobel, asking about the project and requesting more details. And after that, delegates would read our name cards and say “Oh, Sault Ste. Marie, we’ve heard so much about your chapter!"

In July, 1960, the next Hatful of Fun event was announced. A Hatful of Fun float was organized by Mrs. Kates for the community night parade to drum up interest for the September event. The official announcement went out on September 10th, 1960, with a new program: C.J.I.C. television hosts and personalities, a rare collection of costumes and jewellery, and a collection of personal ties and autographs from famous men on display, including Tony Curtis, Ed Sullivan, Bob Hope and Oscar Hammerstein. The 1960 door prize was a genuine mink stole, courtesy of Goldenberg Furs. The hat categories for 1960 were zaniest, most beautiful, most original, best club hat, hat that travelled the farthest and oldest hat. Judging the handmade hats were Jack Gates, Mrs. D. Young, Harold Tolley, Mrs. John Lang, and Mrs. Ilia Paris.

Hatful of Fun tickets - 1960 and 1961.

The Sault Daily Star described the second annual Hatful of Fun as “A rollicking night of mad hat fun and frolic”. The ladies of Sault Ste. Marie showed up in an even wider range of hats, donning everything from live goldfish to balloons. Winner of the most beautiful hat was Mrs. Shirley Morettin, and the zaniest was Mrs. Marilyn Kozen in a unique balloon creation. The oldest hat was 150 years old, worn by Mrs. Lowry Walsh, and the most original hat was a relief map of Israel worn on the head of Gwen Mallory. Best club representation went to Mrs. Kurt Kunzel, representing the Music Teachers Association. Winner of the Goldenberg mink was Mrs. T. Gillespie.

1960's Hatful of Fun winners Mrs. Shirley Morettin, Mrs. Marilyn Kozen and Mrs. Lowry Walsh

​At the Samuel Kleiman Chapter of Hadassah’s AGM, a cheque for $1000 was sent to the hospital campaign, and another to Camp Pawauting to allow a child to attend. The Hadassah executive set a date for the third annual Hatful of Fun - October 16, 1961.

​The categories for 1961 were most beautiful hat, zaniest hat, best club representation hat, best period hat, calendar hat and local interest hat. The top door prize was once again a Goldenberg mink stole. Other prizes from the 1961 program included a diamond caravelle wrist watch and a fox collared cashmere sweater. Hats from around the world were featured in a fashion show, alongside haute couture from Israel. The commentators in 1961 were George Jonescu and Grace Pitt, and judging the hats were Roy Drayer, Lt. - Col. Norman Currie, Bob Boston, Don Nixon, Harold Tolley and Frank Ianni. Entertainment for the evening was the Border Chorders, Rhoda Cohen and the Hilderley Sisters.

Taking the top prize for most beautiful hat was Mrs. E. Wall in a fur and feather creation. The best club hat went to Mrs. I. Shanahan, representing the Police Association Ladies ‘ Auxiliary. The period hat prize went to Mrs. Sally Watson, who donned a turn-of-the-century hat from the late milliner Miss Toombs, and the prize for the best local hat went to Mrs. P. Ross. The best calendar hat was awarded to Mrs. J. Elliot, and the zaniest hat award went to Mrs. Shelia Hamilton. Additional prizes were awarded to the oldest woman in attendance, the newest bride and the woman with the most children. The door prize was won by Mrs. Walter Patrick, and the wristwatch was won by Mrs. K. Booth.

Mrs. E. A. Wall and Mrs. Sally Watson. Collection of the Sault Ste. Marie Museum.

The dates were changed for the fourth year of Hatful of Fun. Formerly held in autumn, a new date was chosen in May, 1963. Hat categories included the best club hat, twist hat, United Nations hat, Mother’s Day hat, hobby hat and best astronaut hat. 1963 also introduced a men's hat category. The special entertainment for the evening was CBC radio and television star Juliette.

The Star described the fourth annual event as “the best to date,” with almost 2000 tickets sold. After a warm address by Mayor McIntyre, the event began. Each category was introduced by George Jonescu, and the parade of ladies and hats were led by John Rhodes who donned a hat to suit each category. Mrs. J. Wilson played the organ for the hat parade. Following the showing of hats was a display of fashions commentated by Grace Pitt. The star described Juliette as the “highlight of the evening. From the moment she stepped onto the stage, she had her audience in her palms”, singing songs such as Getting to Know You and My Fair Lady. Prizes awarded included Mrs. Friedman for most beautiful hat and Mrs. Yvonne Coletti for best club hat. Mrs. Gwen Mallory won for her United Nations hat depicting an ice hockey game, Mrs. Sally Zeppa for her astronaut hat, and Mrs. Neda Beltrano won for best hobby hat, which was a wedding cake atop her head. Hector McGrigor won in the men’s category for his Lions Club creation.
​

Juliette, Sault Daily Star.

Space themed hats at Hatful of Fun, 1963. Sault Daily Star

After the success of the spring date in 1963, May was chosen again for Hatful of Fun in 1964. Special guests Tommy Hunter and Pat Hervey of CBC Hoedown fame were announced in April, and planning for the program commenced. Only four hat categories were announced: most beautiful hat, best hobby hat, best teen hat and best club hat. Judges for the program were the Honourable A. A. Wishart, Tom Parish Jr., and Mr. L. G. Rogers. Once again, John Rhodes led the hat parade.


The first half of the program consisted of a sportswear fashion show, followed by a teen review of summer fashion. Special guests of the evening were ladies from the Davey Home, who received perfume and corsages. The second half of the show was the hat parade and contest, and energetic performances by the CBC stars. Accompanying the vocalists were Ollie Strum, Al Cherney and local cellist Jim MacKay. Winners of the hat contest were Mrs. Ada Hermiston for her Sooette club hat, Mrs. Nelda Beltrano for her hobby hat and Mrs. Roy Humphrey for her pink netted creation in the “beautiful” category.

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The fifth Hatful of Fun proved to be the last for Hadassah. The following year, it was announced that the social fundraising event for Hadassah would be a concert by the Shalom Trio at the Armoury, an Israeli fashion show for the two years following, and a fine art auction in later years. 


The end of Hatful of Fun coincided with ladies' everyday hats beginning to fall out of fashion - The last ladies' millinery parlour in Sault Ste. Marie, the French Hat Shoppe, closed its doors around 1965. Youthful styles of the mid ’60s had left the hat behind, and by the 1970s, they had largely disappeared from everyday fashion. Even the Catholic Church, which had required head coverings for decades prior, revoked its hat rule in 1967.  Although hats were still sold in department stores like Sears and Walker's and had a brief resurgence in the 1980s and 1990s, they never regained their pre-1960s popularity.