Community Corner

1968: Cleanups, Couples and Curls Add to the Local Quality of Life

News from the Sept. 19, 1968, edition of the Lemon Grove Review.

A look back at Lemon Grove, 43 years ago this week.

Squeaky Clean:  The Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce launched “Clean-Up Week” on Sept. 22 with a massive no-litter-left-unswept effort. Kiwanis, Rotary, Soroptimist, churches and hundreds of residents signed on to wield brooms and shovels to remove “junk lying around on community streets.”

At issue was the county fee charged to local residents to use the dump. Apparently, residents tossed litter to the four winds rather than trek to the dump and pay the fee.

Find out what's happening in Lemon Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Said Frank Shugrue, a bank manager, “Lemon Grove is on the upswing. Housing and business needs are increasing. Presently all deposits at local banks are at an all time high. Let's keep the community looking sharp to continue our growth.”

Grand Openings: On Sept. 19, 1968, two new businesses, Len's Men's Wear, 763-65 Broadway, and Red's Western Auto, 7702 Olive St., threw open their doors to a grateful public for “four sizzling days of deals, deals, deals.”

Find out what's happening in Lemon Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Helmed by veteran businessman Len Farness, who had ascended from the clerical ranks at Brumley's Shoes (Lemon Grove, 1955), Len's Men's Wear offered Rough Rider, Arrow, Capri, Stern, Musingwear and other name brands, and was staffed by four local residents.

Frederick “Red” Harris, czar of Red's Western Auto, hired seven local residents to staff a full-service emporium where you could “get your engine overhauled, buy a TV or radio, choose lawn and patio furniture” and “practically anything.” Whoa!

D.Y.I. Steak Fry: The Couples Club of Lemon Grove Lutheran Church met at Mr. and Mrs. Palmer Svalstad's home on Longdale Drive for a steak fry. Couples brought their own table service, meat, beverage and dessert.

“Be sure to bring your own Scopes”—We haven't yet discerned what that was.

Honoring the Fallen: Army Sergeant Stephen O. Nussbaum, 21, of Watwood Road, Lemon Grove, died in Vietnam and was buried in Fort Rosecrans with full military honors. He had served 19 months in the army in Headquarters Company, First Battalion, First Infantry Division.

He was survived by his parents, grandparents and two sisters.

Free Fresh Air: “Central air-conditioning is no longer a luxury,” said Chuck May of Chuck May's Screen and Patio Service, 3510 Harris Street, “but who needs to up utility bills when you could enjoy the 'Best Climate on Earth' on your own patio?”

Chuck pooh-poohed the siren song of local air-conditioning contractors with a promise to install fiberglass screens and aluminum awnings around the house and let those Pacific breezes blow through free of charge.

Live a Little:  Jan's Hairstylists, 8249 Broadway, advertised a $10 cut and curl special (reg. $20).

“Curls are in your future! Be vivacious! Be frivolous and live a little! Join the 'Curly' trend at Jan's for half price through Oct. 1!” chirped the ad.  

Proprietor Jan Klawitter was aided by Lola Ramos, Sonya Nagle and Jane Rotsart in air-conditioned comfort Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Dent at Bowlero:  Supervisor Bob Dent, 3rd District, kicked off his re-election campaign at Lemon Grove Bowlero with a group of some 50 fans. He appointed Lloyd Fish, a retired Lemon Grove auto dealer and local Kiwanis president, as campaign chair.

Dent vowed to “fix what's wrong” in Lemon Grove. No word on what that was.

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


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here