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Published on 10/19/1998 All articles from this issue

Pages of the Past

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25 years ago in the Town Crier

As reported in the Oct. 31, 1973, issue of the Town Crier, trick or treaters were afoot in Los Altos on Halloween 1973. They sought victims who would treat them with goodies, or were collecting funds in small black and orange UNICEF boxes for needy children throughout the world.

Students at Santa Rita School celebrated Halloween with the traditional "Witches' Delight," sponsored by the school's PTA. A costume parade after school hours was followed by a haunted house and a spook skit. The bewitching hours concluded with a hamburger dinner for $1 to raise funds to help finance the sixth graders' trip to an outdoor education camp.

Young musicians of the Foothill Youth Symphonic Band held a "Halloween Magic" party for community youngsters. The event featured a costume parade, hobo banquet for 75 cents, a pumpkin contest and a costume dance.

Two Los Altans, Helen DeBevoise and Alice Arnold, were honored in October 1973 for contributing 5,000 hours each of volunteer service as members of the El Camino Hospital Auxiliary. They were each presented with an engraved silver tray, a gift with "heartfelt thanks" from the hospital administration.

50 years ago in the Los Altos News

According to the Oct. 28, 1948, issue of the Los Altos News, Halloween pranksters completely demolished the watering trough at Charles Moulds' store on Main Street. The trough was irreplaceable, according to Moulds, who had purchased it at an antique store in Los Angeles. He brought it up to Los Altos especially to accent his store.

No other Halloween damage was reported although some store windows were soaped and a street light at Loyola Corners was let down for a short period.

A masquerade dance, with a five-piece orchestra, was held at the Legion Hall on Halloween 1948, sponsored by the local American Legion and its auxiliary. The public was invited and asked, if possible, to come in costume.

Los Altans were invited to dedication ceremonies on Oct. 30, 1948, at the new fire house. At 12 noon, the flag was run up the flag pole in front of the fire house with Boy Scouts officiating. In addition to the ceremony and speeches, local volunteer firefighters demonstrated first aid and resuscitator equipment.

The new building was designed by Los Altan Lawrence Gentry, AIA, and built by Norman Lamb. The flag pole was a gift from R. A. Lockwood.

- Ellen Shaw of the Los Altos History House Foundation