The Grandest Lady at the Easter Parade: Bonnets of Years Past
April 6, 2023

Herald Circulation Manager Lugene Shelly provided this photo of her grandmother Ethel (Rhule) Shelly (left) and Edith (Greaser) Shelly donning bonnets.
"In your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it, you'll be the grandest lady in the Easter Parade..." so goes the song written by Irving Berlin and published in 1933.
Nearly 100 years later, there is no evidence of an Easter parade planned for Sunday on Fifth Avenue, New York City, or even a fancily decorated hat a woman might be sporting to church or lunch.
Were it 100 years ago, lines of cars and buggies would be long outside the large green building in Woodbury where Myra Richards and any number of workers turned out custom made women's hats of all style and material.
An even longe...
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