By 50 years ago
In the News: The Ames Brothers top the popular music charts with “Sentimental Me” and “Rag Mop.” The long playing record - called the “LP” - is introduced by the recording industry.
In Los Altos: Nearly one-third of the land purchased by St. Nicholas Catholic Church for a new parochial school has been paid for by local parishioners, the Reverend Stanley J. Reilly revealed. The six-acre plot has been theoretically divided into 700 squares of which 200 have been sold for $25 each. The property is located at the corner of Rosita and Campbell.
Los Altans are warned that the polio season is upon us. The Santa Clara Association for Infantile Paralysis met with concerned parents at San Antonio School and issued a list of precautionary measures for those in charge of children during the epidemic danger period that runs through October.
The rules are: 1. Avoid crowds and places where contact with other persons is likely. 2. Avoid over-fatigue caused by active play, exercise or irregular hours. 3. Avoid swimming in polluted water. Use only beaches and public pools declared safe by public authorities. 4. Avoid sudden chilling. Remove wet clothes and shoes at once and keep extra blankets and clothing handy for sudden weather changes. 5. Observe the golden rule of personal cleanliness. Keep food tightly covered and safe from flies and other insects. Garbage should be tightly covered, and if other disposal facilities are lacking, it should be buried or burned. The following symptoms of infantile paralysis were listed: headache, nausea or upset stomach, muscle soreness or stiffness, and unexplained fever.
Dr. Kenneth Stephens stated, “Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can prevent serious crippling. Fear and anxiety should be held to a minimum. A calm confident attitude is conductive to health and recovery. Parents should remember that of all those stricken, 50 per cent or more recover completely.”
Fire Chief Bassett issued a notice that all citizens are to make any water supply available to the department for fire fighting purposes. Swimming pools should be kept full all year. Supply tanks should be kept full at all times and all tank values should be equipped with Fire Department threads.
As part of fashion week, local teens were invited to express their views of the new shorter skirt styles this year - as high as 2 inches below the knee. Evelyn Aberhard, a local high school junior said, “I like pleated and plaid wool skirts best. I am going to still wear them long - a little below the calf - maybe 10 inches from the floor. All the girls say they are sticking to longer skirts. Everyone likes the sweaters and skirts much better than dresses, but I also like the velvet dresses this year for evening.”
By Donna Shoemaker for the Association of the Los Altos History Museum. E-mail: LAHistoryHouse@aol.com.
