During the Polar Bear Queen Contest on February 15, Dr. Irene Jameson formally passed her title to the new queen, Pauline Taylor, and stepped down after serving as the city’s most well known Polar Bear Plunger for the last 13 years.
Taylor, 70, received her new title by outscoring three other contestants in a combination of categories, including funds raised for charity, personal interview, and over-all impression given to the judges.
The contest took place the night before the 2008 Sea Isle City Polar Bear Plunge at La Costa Lounge. In addition to Taylor, the list of queen-contestants included Trudy Craney, 53, Sea Isle City and North Wales, Pa.; Denise Bahr, 22, Southampton, Pa.; and Katherine Flounders, 21, North Wildwood.
Taylor, who has three children, nine grandchildren, and her first great-grandchild due to arrive later this year, is originally from Fall River Massachusetts, but now lives in Clermont, Dennis Township.
She has served as a hostess at Busch’s Restaurant, Sea Isle City, for 33 years, and is also well known for her work as the emcee at the Annual Sea Isle City Junior Miss and Little Miss Pageants for the past 30 years.
“I was going to take the plunge anyway,” said Taylor, “and then my children and my friends told me that I should enter the contest and try to be the new queen. I finally said ‘Why not?’ — and I am so glad that I did, because I had such a good time at the plunge this year.”
When asked how she enjoyed her dip in the water, Taylor replied, “I’ve taken the plunge in the past, but this year, the water seemed warmer than before. I was even warm while sitting on the throne of ice. I felt great!”
Unlike Jameson, Taylor will only hold the title of Polar Bear queen for one year. That’s because the Sea Isle City Tourism Commission plans to make the search for a new Queen an annual event, just like the Polar Bear Plunge itself.
The 2008 Polar Bear Queen will likely be seen at other city events in the coming months, and will no doubt go down in Sea Isle history as being a good sport who can brave the coldest days of winter in style.
“It’s a great day and so many people have a good time (at the plunge), said Taylor. “Plus, next year, my grandchildren want to take the plunge with me too, so I plan on going in again in 2009.”
Watch a video of Irene and Pauline below.
