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.
June 17, 1965: The first of an annual presentation to the top athlete at McGaugh Intermediate School of Seal Beach was made this week by the Kiwanis Club of Leisure World. The “Athlete of the Year” trophy was given during graduation ceremonies.
June 17, 1987: “Board names Faye Cruse first woman GRF President” headlined a story about the Mutual 6 resident’s appointment to the top post on the Golden Rain Foundation Board. She had been active in civic affairs in Downey prior to moving to Leisure World.
June 18, 1962: The first residents moved in to Mutual 1, Wheel E, Block 1. This is Leisure World’s anniversary day.
June 18, 1975: There was a daylong celebration of the nation’s Bicentennial as one of two pilot programs for the programs to be held in 1976.
• June 18, 1986 State lawmakers have proposed a measure create an AARP-sponsored Mature Driver Improvement Program in California. Under this program, drivers 55 and over would be eligible to voluntarily enroll in a driver improvement course and, upon completion, qualify for a 10-percent discount on their annual auto insurance premiums.
June 19, 1975: Leisure World Table Tennis Club’s first annual ping pong tournament was held at the Amphitheater.
June 21,1990: The second edition of the Leisure World Cookbook was announced by the Leisure World News. The first edition was so successful that the paper printed a second edition. Copies are on file at the Historical Society Museum.
June 21, 2012: A Leisure World 50th Anniversary festival featured a carnival, games, food trucks, club displays, a parade and much more. Videos of longtime residents and the Festival were recorded. Go to the Historical Society Youtube. com channel to see the videos. June 22, 1967: A survey in June 1967 found “that more than a quarter ton of sand was being distributed from the city-owned wells into Leisure World every 24 hours.
A sand separator was installed to combat the problem.
June 22, 2002: The 40th Anniversary Festival Celebration
of was held. Watch the videos of the fest and parade on the Historical Society Youtube.com channel.
June 23, 1966: More than 100 members and wives of four Leisure World service organizations joined in a tour of the Nike-Hercules missile site and Air Defense Command Headquarters at Fort MacArthur.
June 24, 1965: The Golden Rain Foundation’s administrative offices moved from the Leisure World Shopping Center to Leisure World. The move was part of a plan to consolidate Leisure World administrative functions in one location.
June 25,1970: LW residents donated more than 1,000 pounds of supplies for earthquake relief for Peru. The devastating earthquake occurred in Ancash, about 150 miles from Lima.
June 26,1969: “Reservoir Dedicated Near Leisure World” was the caption under a photo of officials at the newly completed 4-million-gallon-capacity reservoir adjacent to the northeast corner of Leisure World. The reservoir encompasses a 40,000-square-foot area. The water is for citywide use in Seal Beach.
June 26, 1980: The Golden Rain Foundation purchased the land occupied by the Trailer Club from the Hellman Estate. The Trailer Club lot, now called the RV Lot, opened as a Leisure World amenity.
June 27, 1968: The North Seal Beach Community Center in Rossmoor Center was dedicated. The $58,000 structure has an auditorium-type room, office and kitchen in approximately 3,500 square feet.
June 28,1990: The Leisure World Friends of the Library Room was one year old. There were over 3,018 visitors to the room during the first year. Over $2,000 was raised from book and magazine sales. Membership in the Friends had increased by 25% that year.
June 29,1978: Emergency Meals was five years old. It began on June 4, 1973, with the serving of 15 meals. The program was started on a three-month trial basis.
June 30, 1966: Medicare, the $4.5 billion-a-year federal health care program, was to go into effect. An estimated 80,000 elderly people were eligible for hospital benefits in Orange County. The Leisure World Medical Center was a designated provider under Part B of the program.
June 30, 1977: The Federal Aviation Administration requested all pilots to give special consideration to Leisure World Amphitheater patrons when flying in the vicinity of the theater during that summer season.
