1952: School News, Lucky Moms, and Well-Dressed Dolls

A look back at Lemon Grove, 59 years ago this week:

Kids on Parade:  Lemon Grove Kiwanis called on all local youngsters to participate in National Kids' Day on Sept. 27.

Kiwanians bankrolled the event, which included prizes for floats, costumes, bands and decorated bikes, as well as refreshments. An afternoon parade was planned, as was a talent show judged by famed radio talk show host, Monte Hall. There was a football game between Helix and Grossmont High Schools, followed by a hobby show at Grove Youth Center, followed by fireworks.

Said Kiwanis president Chan Mason, “With more than 500 kids participating, this will be the biggest, best, most mirth-provoking event ever staged in the community.”

Where's the Scrap?:  The Lemon Grove Lions Club launched its scrap metal drive in support of new uniforms for the Lemon Grove School Band.

"You tell us where the scrap is and we'll do the rest," said club president Bob Von Willer.

Twin Sets:  Westinghouse held a national contest targeting Sept. 23 as the day to give birth to twins and win big. Moms who delivered duos would win a twin Westinghouse Laundromat and dryer. The Lemon Grove Westinghouse franchise, C.P. Appliances, 7832 Broadway, threw in 750 units of Gerber's Baby Food.

In a separate promotion, Clarence Milbrodt, manager of Piggly Wiggly, also on Broadway, awarded a Babee-Tenda and a case of 24 cans of baby food to each of two winning new moms, Mrs. E. R. McCoy, Edgerton Drive, and Mrs. H. E. Fletcher, Marlborough Street.

No news on who won the Westinghouse goodies.

Crowded Classrooms:  Fall enrollment at Lemon Grove schools set a new attendance record with more than 2,500 youngsters crowded into double shifts.

School Unification: Following the heavily-attended third and final hearing to unify the Lemon Grove School District, the State Board approved the issue for inclusion on the November ballot. Unification would give the town a new high school. With some 1,500 Lemon Grove students headed for high school over the next three years, Helix High School had become too small.

The tax rate was $1.40 per $100 assessed valuation for elementary schools, plus 48¢ bonded indebtedness, plus 7¢ for non certificated expenditures. Existing high school taxes were 75¢.

Tony Sonka Says: Godfather of Lemon Grove, Tony Sonka of Sonka Bros' Store fame and underwriter of numerous school events, hung this poem in his store window:

“Where school kids play, watch every turn; let's help them live, as well as learn.”

Don't Blow It:  The California Highway Patrol reminded motorists of the 15 mph speed limit around all public schools and to stop when school bus lights flash red.

“If you should kill or injure a little boy or girl, even if you were legally in the clear, your conscience would never let you forget it,” counseled patrol officials. “In your heart, you'd know you blew it.”

Father Knows Best:  The Lemon Grove Review carried the syndicated column “A Peek at the Stars,” which noted that “Father Knows Best,” the hit radio series, was about to “go television” with its star, Robert Young, handling “Father” in both media.

All Dolled Up: Monterey Variety, 1811 Englewood Drive, offered large wardrobes for their 8-inch and 17-inch Vogue dollies retailing for $2.50.

“These dolls are considered to be the best dressed dolls anywhere—it's fun to make your doll's wardrobe as smart as you can,” proclaimed the ad.

Compiled by Helen Ofield, president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society, from newspapers archived at the H. Lee House Cultural Center.