Remember When
The Leisure World Historical Society, a 501(c)3 educational foundation, is dedicated to preserving the history of Leisure World, which celebrates 60 years in 2022. Historical Society President Margaret Gillon has chronicled highlights in this weekly column. People are welcome to visit, volunteer for or donate memorabilia to the Historical Society, which is open every Thursday from 2-4 p.m. in Clubhouse 1. For more information, log on to LWHistory.org or SealBeachLeisureWorldHistory. org.
• Feb. 3, 1966—LW Garden Club launches landscape project The newspaper article discussed an extensive landscaping project to encompass all areas of Leisure World. The club wanted to concentrate on three main areas of beautification—median areas such as triangles between buildings, service areas around laundries and land surrounding unsold apartments. The program is to be coordinated through each Mutual president.
• Feb. 4, 1987—Frost on greens delayed Guys and Gals shootout The start of play was delayed for over one hour.
• Feb. 5, 1986 — LW security officers use radar guns
Security used the guns to monitor the speed of vehicles to increase safety. “Residents, employees, service people and guests who exceed the post speed limits may be cited.”
• Feb. 8, 1990—LW Swim Club is at capacity The LW Swim Club, which was installing officers for the new year, announced that it had become so large it could no longer accept members. This social club sponsored dances and trips, no swimming involved.
• Feb. 9, 1967—Leisure World sign erected on Del Monte
An 8-by-16-foot sign was erected to identify Seal Beach Leisure World to eastbound travelers on the Garden Grove Freeway. The sign was situated at the north end of Del Monte to provide directions for motorists on both the Garden Grove and San Gabriel freeways.
• Feb. 10, 1966—New Garden Grove Freeway routes announced
This began a long period of negotiation on the new freeway and its effect on Leisure World. All original routes proposed would “take a small slice from the northwest corner of Leisure World.”
• Feb. 10, 1977—Churches join for Brotherhood Service
The Religious Council planned a large annual observance of Brotherhood Week in Clubhouse 2. The Sweet and Lows, the Singing Strings trio and Leisure World Barbershoppers were to perform. There were also prayers and Bible lessons by local pastors and rabbis.
• Feb. 10, 1994—LWers help victims of Northridge quake
Members of the Leisure World Community were recognized for their efforts to help victims of the Northridge earthquake. Volunteers worked with various relief organizations and money was raised for food and shelter.
• Feb. 11, 1987—LW rejects day care center
After a long and difficult study, the results of a lengthy survey showed that LWers did not feel that the community needed a day care center. The survey received responses from 2,268 residents; 1,082 of respondents were over 77 years old. • Feb. 12, 1976—Jim’s Gate remodeled
Jim’s Gate at the end of Annandale Drive, designated for pedestrian traffic only, was remodeled to improve safety. Bike riders were surprised to learn Jim’s Gate was accessible only by turnstile.
• Feb. 12, 1986—LW marks 20 years of Minibus service The Leisure World minibuses were 20 years old this month. The service was started in 1966. In 1986 there were four separate routes around Leisure World, carrying about 400,000 passengers a year. The buses traveled about 100,000 miles a year according to Terry Sears, who was the head of transportation.
• Feb. 12,1969—Pool improvements were made
The Golden Rain Foundation Board decided to improve the community swimming pool. A new heating system was installed in a modified boiler room. Safety was given as the major reason for the improvements.
• Feb. 16, 1967—Cable was coming to LW
Community television came a step closer for residents with the announcement that preliminary engineering and cost studies had been completed for a proposed community antenna. Warner Brothers TV Services provided the antenna at a cost of no more than $3.25 monthly per resident.
• Feb. 17, 1966—LW Orchestra was inaugurated Plans were made to organize a symphony orchestra to take part in the Easter sunrise service in Leisure World. A meeting of LW residents musicians was held Feb. 18, with the first symphony orchestra was under the baton of Herbert Borodkin.
• Feb. 17,1994—Residential hotel considered for LW A proposal for a residential hotel in Leisure World was opened for community comment. The concept was never approved. Since then, several residential hotels have been built outside LW. There is an architectural design sketch of the proposed building at the Historical Society.
• Feb. 18, 1987—55 Alive driving classes offered for the first time The 55 Alive/Mature Driving course was offered for the first time in Leisure World. Former LW Security Chief Bob Harris and LWer Millicent Polley were the first instructors. The course was developed by the American Association of Retired People to improve the driving of senior citizens.
• Feb. 19, 1970—LW WWI veterans recognized
The national commander of the Veterans of World War I made an official visit to the Leisure World Barracks of the organization. The Leisure World Barrack was one of the largest groups of World War I veterans in the country with more than 500 members.
• Feb. 19, 1976—LWers send aid to Guatemalan quake victims
Leisure World residents, led by Le Roy Andrews, launched a concentrated effort to aid thousands of homeless Guatemalans who were victims of an earthquake. The magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck on Feb. 4. An entire truckload of supplies were collected and dispatched.
• Feb. 21, 1980—Garden Club celebrated 16 years
The headline on Page One of the newspaper was about the Leisure World Garden Club celebrating its 16th year.
• Feb. 23, 1967—Resales Office built
A new reception center was to be constructed at the Main Gate. Bids for construction of a sales center at the main entrance were opened to build a facility to house the on-site sales force in a continuing effort to maintain a low rate of vacancies in LW.
• Feb. 23,1978—St. Andrews Gate relocated
The St. Andrews gate was in the process of being relocated to its present position. Originally, it had been approximately 200 feet west of where it is today. The churches were then on the outside of Leisure World. Walls and sidewalks were moved to create the entrance that we know today and to bring the churches inside the community.
• Feb. 24, 1966—Lawn Bowlers singles tournament
A singles tournament was proposed to the members, with a goal of determining who should be classified as the better bowlers.
In the finals, John McIntyre was the winner.
• Feb. 24, 1977—Geology professor visits Lapidary Club Dr. Eugene M. Shoemaker, an internationally known professor of geology from the California Institute of Technology, lectured at the Lapidary Club’s meeting. Shoemaker, a fellow of the Geological Society of America and the American Geophysical Union, spoke on “The Trip of a Lifetime, Adventure into the Geological Past.”
• Feb. 25, 1987—Radio Club communicates with world The Radio Club reached the world through a Yagi Beam antenna, which was perched almost unnoticed at the northwest top corner of the Leisure World Amphitheater. Its metal tentacles reached out to communicate with the far corners of the globe. The Yagi Beam was the most recent addition to the Radio Club’s array of communication equipment.
• Feb. 26, 1976—Recreation reports 1975 figures
The GRF Recreation Department reported its figures for 1975. Total participation in the Amphitheater and clubhouses was 567,285, and the number of events increased by 995; 63,400 shuffleboard games and 90,831 rounds of golf were played.
• Feb. 26, 1986—Poetry contest is started
The Leisure World Writers Club announced the William Prietto Memorial Poetry Contest with prizes awarded in serious and humorous categories.
• Feb. 28, 1969—GRF accepts gift of clock
“GRF Board accepts handcrafted clock” was the headline. A hand-crafted grandfather’s clock that stood 8 feet high with a hand-carved walnut case was given to the community. The clock had two sets of chimes. Today the clock is in the lobby of Clubhouse 1.
• Feb. 28,1980—Solar heating in Mutual 8 “Mutual 8 installs first solar heating” was the headline over a story that reported the community’s considerable interest in using solar energy to heat laundry room water throughout Leisure World. Mutual 8 was actually the first to install a unit.
• Feb. 29,1968—Truck ladder comes to LW
“Truck-Ladder Rig Now In Operation” was the headline.
A truck equipped with a 36-foot ladder was the first of its kind in LW and was used by Service Maintenance employees to service and replace lights in Leisure World.
