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Published on 09/14/1998 All articles from this issue

Pages of the Past

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25 years ago in the Town Crier

As reported in the Sept. 26, 1973, issue of the Town Crier, Los Altos High School math instructor and renowned water polo coach John Felix had just returned from a six-month journey across Europe that had him attending mathematics classes and researching methods of math instruction. He gained entrance into those schools by contacting other water polo enthusiasts who helped him receive permission for his research.

"Most kids in Europe feel it is a privilege to go to high school, not a right," he said. They attend school nearly all year, six days a week, and there was a formality in the classrooms, a radical change for the Los Altos High teacher.

After all his traveling and experience, Felix said, "There is nothing like this country. I don't think we realize how fortunate we are."

"Saluting Space Exploration" was the theme of a San Jose stamp show in September 1973 that drew stamp dealers from all across the country.

Among the several award winning exhibits was a collection of autographed covers of the astronauts from the Mercury days to the days of the Apollo program. The United States Postal Service also exhibited several of the denominational stamps, commemoratives, posters, mini-albums and cards it had printed.

50 years ago in the Los Altos News

As reported in the Sept. 23, 1948, issue of the Los Altos News, more than 1,000 attended the Peninsula School's Annual Field and Horse Play held at Hidden Villa. After a morning filled with turtle races, a magic show, fortune telling, games of skill, food and fun, the crowd was treated to the big entertainment, the horse show. All ages with riding ability were involved. Gate admission was $1 for grown-ups and 50 cents for children.

Los Altos school registration records were broken when young Arthur Perez became the one-thousandth pupil registered at the elementary school in September 1948. He was immediately preceded by his brother and sister who were 998 and 999 on the enrollment list.

Fresh produce, often advertised as fresh from area farms, was readily available in Los Altos markets and frequently home delivered in 1948. Foodliner at Second and San Antonio advertised potatoes at 49 cents for 10 pounds; eggplant, 5 cents each; cantaloupe, two for 19 cents and celery at 9 cents a pound. Gordon's on First and Main advertised fresh, local carrots, 5 cents a bunch; artichokes for four for 25 cents; local grown spinach, 19 cents for two pounds, and seedless grapes, three pounds for 25 cents.

- Ellen Shaw of the Los Altos History House Association