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Published on 06/19/1995 All articles from this issue

25 and 50 years ago in the Town Crier

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According to the June 24, 1970 issue of the Town Crier, a public luncheon, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco on June 26, 1945 was held at Tresidder Memorial Union at Stanford.

Featured speakers were Dr. W. Glenn Campbell, Director of the Hoover Institute, and George W. Parkyn, a visiting Professor of Education from New Zealand.

Cost of the luncheon was $3.50.

Top scouting honors went to 16-year-old Steve Rempel, a member of Boy Scout Troop 36, when he collected his Eagle badge in June 1970.

Steve, a student at Awalt High, listed mountaineering as one of his hobbies. He and other fellow troop members planned to hike and climb in the High Sierras during the summer.

Stephen Newkirk of Los Altos spent four years designing and building the 20-foot high sculpture that won him a $4,500 prize over 109 competitors. The metal work was placed in front of the Foothill college library.

According to Newkirk, the sculpture didn't have a theme or "really represent anything," though some students could see an owl's face ( a campus symbol) in the imposing structure.

50 years ago in the Los Altos News

As reported in the June 21, 1945 issue of the Los Altos News, the Carl Soderbergs of Elizabeth Avenue, after spending the day in the city, returned to Los Altos to f ind their summer home reduced to ashes and slowly dying embers. Included in the estimated loss of $8,000 was $3,000 in valuable antiques.

Almost on the exact date in 1944, the house was partially burned by a similar fire. At that time, Soderberg was seriously injured trying to prevent the fire from spreading and spent several weeks in the hospital.

Since the ranch was about five miles from Los Altos and water had to be brought from a source at least a mile away, the Soderbergs decided it was wise to sink a well before proceeding with plans to rebuild their home again.

A former 23-year-old cook at the Los Altos Country Club was arrested in San Jose by the FBI for impersonating an officer, having three wives at the same time and masquerading as an AAF captain with a chest full of medals.

It was learned by authorities that he had been discharged "other than honorably" in 1942. It was also learned he had a wife and three children in Salt Lake City, had married a Palo Alto woman from whom he obtained $2,800 (her life savings) and had a third wife with whom he was living, an expectant mother and the daughter of a prominent San Jose family. The case was moved to San Francisco for trial.

Okinawa, a strategic island 350 miles southwest of Japan, was stormed April 1, 1945 by the largest American invading force of the Pacific war. It was secured on June 21, 1945 concluding the last big battle of World War II.

- Compiled by Ellen Shaw of the Los Altos History House Museum Association.