By Editor's note: This is a reprint of an October 1998 Pages of the Past column the late Ellen Shaw.

28 years ago in the Town Crier: As reported in the Oct. 24, 1973. edition of the Town Crier, a joyful message on a hand-lettered sign tacked to a Los Altos telephone pole read, “Jennifer Is Home!”

A beloved golden retriever, missing for five days, had been returned to her owners, Linda and Bob Osborne and their 3-year old, T.J.

Emily Halber, who had found Jennifer suffering with sores over her feet and neck, had called a veterinarian in the middle of the night for help in removing the many thorns imbedded in the dog’s paws.

Recalling the response of the community to their plea for help in finding the family pet, the Osbornes said they were so gratified for all the concern shown and “were really glad to live in Los Altos.”

Though it was announced that a cure had been found for pear decline, a disease that had devastated Santa Clara County pear orchards, the cure came too late to save many growers who had succumbed to the pressures of urbanization and to pear diseases.

When pear decline hit the valley a decade earlier, there were close to 6,000 acres bearing pears. By 1972, there were about 2,600 acres. Once the third most important tree crop, pears represented less than 3 percent of the valley’s total production.

Local high school teams continued their football triumphs with Awalt High scoring 24-8 to defeat Wilcox. Los Altos High toppled the Sunnyvale Jets with a score of 39-6.

53 years ago in the Los Altos News: According to the Oct. 21, 1948, issue of the Los Altos News, the anticipated Los Altos movie theater was still under construction but its management arranged to place a “suggestion box” in Larry Nelson’s Pharmacy on Main Street. The public was requested to submit ideas concerning bookings for the theater.

A “telephone Romeo” was finally apprehended in Mountain View on three counts of disturbing the peace. He had been making numerous calls to the Los Altos Elementary School and always followed the same routine, said the young women of the school office staff. The caller would invite his listener to a meeting and then follow up with obscene language.

Numerous attempts were made to trace the calls, to no avail. Then, a trap was laid. One of the employees agreed to a meeting. Instead, a deputy kept the date. Telephone Romeo was caught.

An overflowing crowd packed Scout Hall on Oct. 23, 1948, to enjoy the debut of the Los Altos Arts Club orchestral ensemble.

The work of members of the art club, on display for the day, also drew a steady stream of visitors.

- Ellen Shaw of the Los Altos History House Association