| Subject: Former Miss Canada honoured by MP |
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 Tommy
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Date Posted: 14:11:55 07/29/08 Tue
Posted By DAVID NESSETH, STANDARD-FREEHOLDER
Barbara Joan Markham gave a queen-like wave as she cruised down Pitt Street Monday holding a bouquet of roses in a sky blue 1968 Chevy.
It's familiar territory for the 75- year-old Cornwall native, who grew up on the city's main drag, eventually to be crowned with the prestigious modelling title of Miss Canada in 1954. No other local woman has held the honour.
"I'm flabbergasted," Markham said Monday, appreciative of the commemoration ceremony held for her by local MP Guy Lauzon at his Cornwall office.
Lauzon said he wanted to honour the former Miss Canada's achievement because he felt it was something that had fallen well under the radar in recent times.
"A lot of people don't know about this. It's a great news story for Cornwall," he said. "We have a star, a legend in out midst. Born and raised on Pitt Street."
At 5 feet 9.5 inches tall, 145 lbs. (37- 26-37), dark brown hair, a fair complexion and blue eyes, Markham wowwed the legendary pageant's judges at the week-long competition in London, Ont. She beat out 22 other ladies at the event.
While it was impossible to argue that Markham didn't look great in a swimsuit or an evening gown, it was the talent portion of the competition that really set her apart. Her paintings were impressive, and partly the reason she entered the Miss Canada competition in the first place.
"I did it to promote my paintings. I got a bit of notoriety," said the Moulinette Island resident.
While pageants may be more glamourous nowadays, she said, they don't place the same emphasis on talent.
Markham was and is a portrait artist. She had attended the Ontario College of Art and Design and wanted to continue her studies abroad in Paris and Rome. She presented Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent with a portrait of himself and also did one of Cornwall native Nathan Phillips, who was mayor of Toronto at the time.
On July 31, 1954, all of Cornwall welcomed Markham with a homecoming parade. Posters read: "We have the Seaway and Miss Canada too!"
Markham said she was OK sharing the spotlight with the mighty Seaway project. "It was great publicity for both of us."
She travelled all over the U. S., and even competed in the Miss America pageant, where she finished 12th out of 50 contestants.
http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1133838
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