Remember When

The Leisure World Historical Society, a 501(c) 3 educational foundation, is dedicated to preserving the history of Leisure World, which is celebrating 60 years this year. 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.

March 1, 1979— The lead story was a familiar one. A Leisure World driver lost control of his car and landed in the bottom of the drainage channel. This was at least one of five times it has happened.

March 1, 1990— The Friends of the Library established a literacy program. It was to be a series of workshops for those with reading problems. When the program was announced, 24 residents volunteered to be instructors.

March 2, 1967— Final drawings were approved for a travel office and physical property department in the Amphitheater. The new offices were to be housed between the projection booth and the concession stand. Another renovation of the Amphitheater was the installation of direct heat tubing on the stage hanging between the drop curtains.

March 2,1978— The Friends of the Leisure World Library were delighted to announce that longtime Los Angeles Times columnist and author Jack Smith was to be the speaker at its annual dinner. “Since Smith seldom appears as a dinner speaker the Friends were pleased that he will appear at Leisure World.”

March 3, 1966— This is when it all began. “A Social Security representative will be available for Medicare enrollment on Mondays during this month beginning March 7. Anyone who became 65 prior to Jan. 1 of this year must enroll by March 31 in order for coverage to begin July 1.”

March 3, 1977 —Leisure World artist Clyde Winslow gained national recognition when an editorial cartoon published earlier in the Golden Rain News won the principal award in the national Freedoms Foundation Awards contest.

March 3, 1988—“ Sweet and Lows celebrate 25 years of song” was the headline. The story explained that in 1963 a group of women gathered with a director to sing for fun. The director’s instructions were to sing “sweet and low” to enhance older voices. Thus, the name “Sweet and Low” was born.

March 4, 1965— Community Church’s dome raised. “With all the excitement of a circus big top going up, the dome of the Community Church was raised into place Saturday morning in one of the final stages of construction.