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Published on 05/22/1995 All articles from this issue

Twenty Five And Fifty Years Ago

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According to the May 27, 1970 issue of the Town Crier, an Earth Day field trip inspired 13 year-old Lyn Carvell to organize a clean-up campaign for the parking lots in downtown Los Altos.

About 20 classmates from Egan Jr. High School joined Lyn in volunteering clean-up services on May 17, forgetting that was the day after Los Altos' famous Pet Parade.

"We decided to just worry about the human trash," laughed Lyn, "such as cans and paper."

"America Street," a documentary made by Foothill College's radio KFJC-FM staff members in 1970, was selected by the National Educational Radio network for distribution to more than 200 member stations for national viewing.

The nine half-hour programs consisted of interviews with the residents of America Street in Sunnyvale, discussing such controversial topics as Vietnam, civil rights, drugs and the government.

Jeff Osborn, student producer-director, described the series as the voice of the "silent majority," a phrase that was made a household word by President Nixon.

The Recreation Center offered a new class in it's 1970 summer program, Tai Chi, an Oriental exercise-art from consisting of slow motion rhythmic exercises.

The instructor, Flora Yen, learned the art at an early age in Peking, China. She said it contributed to the "discipline of mind and relaxed the individual." (Flora Yen is still teaching Tai Chi through Foothill College and Adult Education)

Fifty Years Ago

The May 24, 1945 issue of the Los Altos News reported on the adventures of two-year old Jerry Potts, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Potts of Lundy Lane. He had been found after a five hour search, walking along the railroads tracks with his collie dog, two miles from home.

About 50 people had joined the search for the boy when he was missed at 5 p.m. The posse, led by three deputy sheriffs, was combing the town and hills when Jerry was found by a stranger.

May 25 and 26, were "Poppy Days" in Los Altos. The poppies were sold throughout the town by volunteers from the American Legion Auxiliary.

The poppies were made at the Veteran's Hospital in Palo Alto by disabled veterans of both world wars. All money collected was used for rehabilitating the veterans and for child welfare.

News about local servicemen included word that: John Gonzalves was commissioned a second lieutenant in the army. Sergeant Remo F. Morlini enjoyed a recess from aerial warfare at an Air Service Command rest home - an English manor where American airmen could relax between missions.

Staff Sergeant William S. Garrett was awarded a fourth Oak Leaf Cluster to add to his air medal and Lieutenant Pat Daley arrived home from Europe for a stay of 21 days.

-Compiled by Ellen Shaw of the History House Museum Association