Chula Vista Star-News from Chula Vista, California • Page 29

MEET 'AUNT HELEN' FAY THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1965 D-l HerThem Song Is 'Family leading' LEE CIIILSON'S 'DIRE NEED' TOLD SOUTIIBAY f- SCENE I ff, W)n "3 i' 1 IP' li She's 'Literary Missionary' to Kids, Adults By JANE LEHR "Aunt Helen" Fay, a sparkling, vivacious east- THIS WEEK RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: Take 300 high school kids, add a dash of good music, season well with the experience of pro Don Ward, sprinkle Goidance Center To Aid Nenf ally Dasf urbed Eyed with cooperation from school officials, add a good measure of school, spirit and the-, talents of a young music teacher named James Cusack. Mix well in a large gymnasium. The result: "Bye, Bye Birdie" as presented over the weekend at Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach. We must admit right here and now, we weren't ern-accented Book Lady! Plans for establishing a South Bay guidance center to aid the mentally disturbed and help prevent mental disorders were revealed this week in Chula Vista. Milton Grossman, Sweetwater High School District psychologist, who is acting chairman of a committee of 70 persons interested in the 7 move, said there is a dire need county, and then it may be too wrf I late to prevent mental illness.

Til V' piM AMM too anxious about going Friday night. We had heard most of the songs shrieked around the house during the past weeks by our No. 1 daughter. (She was the one at stage left in the rear). Besides, we were beat after a hectic week and it would have been nice staying home.

But we joined a couple hundred other people and made the trek to the high school gym. We were (once we were there and the show started) delighted. Everyone else in the gym seemed to share tht delight. The story centers around a teenage singing idle Conrad Birdie (Henry Escobar) and the trials aifp tribulations of Albert Peterson (Vance. Locke), hejd of Almaelou Music, and his girl, Rose Alvarez (lunette Rau).

The whole thing started off with a film th kids themselves took at the school. Flashed on the screen are newspaper headlines telling of Conrad's induction into the Army. Then Conrad visits the Mar Vis-tafcampus (on film) and a zillion girls go completely The scene we especially like featured Principal the South Bay for such' a mental health facility. Speaking to Southwest Lions of Chula Vista, he said the most urgent need at present is for $100 to buy stationery and postage. HE SAID the committee, composed of doctors, PTA officials, psychologists, school officials, a judge and city official, is seeking a two-room headquarters in which to start the center.

He indicated that a request would be made to the city for use of part of the building inspection office on Fourth avenue, formerly an Street School building. "Our next move," he said, "will be to name a board of directors, then try to raise some funds. "We have one doctor who has volunteered his services one night a week. "We feel," he continued, "if we can operate such a center for a year, it will become organized enough so that a group may come in and take over its operation. Eventually it might 'tfl i flitch Myron Smull as he flings his flees the school as hundreds 'AUNT HELEN' AND CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN SUZANNE From Marta, Steve and Catherine Wildberger, Star-News Photo JUNG ASSIST CHILDREN (61 Jamul Ave.

(J In-hot pursuit of Conrad Birdie. And midway through the production the voice Jbf a real live, performer came over the speakers: TA Sullivan. The scene showed Conrad (and his ifriends) about to appear on the Ed Sullivan TV jShow. And sure enough the familiar voice of Sullivan came through loud and clear. The kids had incited Sullivan to be their guest at one of the "Bye -Bye Birdie" performances, but he declined.

(You know how busy Ed is). He did the next best thing, though. He had his lines in the show taped and jnailed them out to the kids to be used in the production. become a- full-time guidance the countv on its Proposed oocenter." dinance tp require fencing all swimming pools, Vice Mayor HE SAID the committee met Eleanor Anderson this week twice with county Supervisor; proposed. GROSSMAN said initial plans call for keeping the proposed South Bay facility open evenings to better help in preventing mental illness.

He said the guidance center's work would not conflict with that of the Imperial Beach Family Service center, which specializes in family counseling. "We would concentrate in psycho logical problems," Grossman said. "Our work at first would be only a drop in the bucket, as we probably wouldn't see anywhere near the number who are in need of help in the South Bay." ack County On Pool Law, CV is Urged Chula Vista should support She noted that under the city's general plan, it is projected that considerable unincorporated areas in the- county eventually will be in the city, and jjools in that area, she said, should meet the same standards as those in Chula Vista, which already reauires fencinp. "If the ordinance would save the life of only one child," she continued, "we would accomplish something." However, before the city acts, City Administrator Fred Ross urged that it obtain copies of the proposed county or dinance. Councilman Standlee Mc-Mains questioned if there is.

any opposition to the county proposal and if the city might overstep its bounds to urge adoption of the ordinance. City Attorney Don Lindberg said he felt the city would be within its limits because of potential annexations and the "statewide nature of the problem." t.lt.nWf'-.lWiVjht!. who makes the printed page come alive tor men, women and children alike came to town this week. With her she brought book bags filled with the best in children's literature divided among all the age groups sne would meet in the Chula Vista library and in Lilian Rice Elementary school tomorrow. With her also she brought innumerable bits of wisdom and philosophy, anecdotes, the diplomacy of a true ambassador and advice she claims could revolutionize the South even all of southern California.

"AUNT HELEN" is the name by which she's known to young and old more than 3 million who've heard her tales of adventure with books in the last quarter century. "My theme song, if I have one," she says, "is family reading. "Everyone complains about the high price of books, but if they want to bring prices down they should buy more and read more." Speaking to a dozen mothers (she prefers small groups) in the home of her hostess, Mrs. Ben Segawa, 543 Welton Chula Vista, Aunt Helen told them: "LOAN YOUR books. Be enthusiastic a o'u them, never apologetic.

Everyone worth his salt should refine a sense of boldness." She didn't speak long but her varied thoughts could fill a book. The tall, attractive, white-haired literary "missionary" who says she. is "approaching 70," always illustrates her lectures. She makes writer Jennie Lindqustcomia alivg as she displayed 1 her book, "The Golden Name good, she said, for children from seven to readers -iri junior high. Author-illustrator Dorothy Lathrop's work she mentions over and over.

Aunt Helen, like a typical loving aunt, is apt to have a little gift for picture of a favorite author, lists of preferred reading matter and for newspaper reporters who take time to hear her, a fine sketch of a horse, cat or dog. She recommends the read-." ing lists in Horn Book magazine and ones put out by the National Council of Christians and Jews to help keep up with the 2,500 books published last year alone just for children, For California youngsters she recommends Don Freeman's "Beady Bear." All children, she says, must read Virginia Burton's "Mike' Mulligan's Steamshovel." "NANCY DREW" books have their place, she admits, but not under the Christmas tree as gifts. They aren't books of lasting value, she said, and in a drive for old books in a large cosmopoli- tan eastern city, more than half of those discarded were "Nancy Drew" mysteries. Walt Disney has done It would be difficult to outstanding they been named music critic of aityway) so we won't single out any one player. Our bduquet will hejumbo'size so all can share.

But" it was aft a lot of fun and we decided after all, getting out of th big chair in front of the Henry Boney to investigate the possibility of obtaining Short-Doyle matching funds, most of which now are allocated, he' said, to County Hospital in San Diego. The funds, he explained, are on a 3 to 1 basis, the state pay- ing 75 and the city 25. "We feel everything is go ing to San Diego," Grossman! said, "but it's a long way for' persons to drive clear tothe facilities on Kearny Mesat It takes six to eight months to get an appointment the were of Japanese descent, she wore her "international made by Czecko slovakian friends in Los An geles, but with a mandarin design. It's been across the continent 16 times and hasn't wrinkled yet, she said. When she removed it, she displayed underneath a red silk jacket purchased in a Japanese department store in New York especially for her visit to the Segawa home.

ice club, she may start off with a Mae West story the men will listen 10 minutes An uneducated ungram- matical man almost caught Aunt Helen off guard in one instance when he asked why his son had to "read all them thar fancy books." AUNT HELEN the diplomat, as usual, rose to the occasion and from her book bag took Bob Burns' barefoot "Grandpappy Snazzy" doll. "He didn't read books," she said, calmly watching the red-faced man sink to his seat. "I meet all types," she said, "but I was raised with brothers who taught me "to speak right up when men say absurd things and have it coming." Iri all great movements, she said, it's the women who do the work and. children. told the mothers their ideas on good children's literature could revolutionize their community, "maybe not at once, but in time to come." "If you' need something done," she said, "hand it over to Boys Scouts, Girls Scouts, Campfire Girls.

I've seen them build libraries and rebuild schools. I've seen more problems solved by giving responsibility to youth." PEOPLE today live at too fast a pace, Aunt Helen believes, and encourages mothers to get in their own reading by reading their books and magazines aloud to preschoolers. "It's your voice, not the words that comfort little ones," she said. "And mothers, too, need to satisfy themselves." Aunt Helen doesn't approve of people who would sujely worth it. Mi Don.

Ward (we remember him best as Professor Harold Hill in Starlight Opera's "Music directed, the show and James usack handled the music. After the final curtain there was no doubt bout it they both turned in exceptional jobs. 2The New York Daily News had this to say about JfBye Eye Birdie" when it first appeared on Broad- Jp'ay 'Bye Bye Birdie' is the funniest, most Captivating, most expert musical comedy We fouldn't have said it better right here in Imperial each. change "Little Black Sambo" to "Little Brave Sambo" or who object tp Mark Twain's use of "Nigger" in Huckleberry Finn. "You have to understand the times in which books are written," she said.

'Nigger', was the language of Twain's time." V. A FORMER history teach. er, "and now a teacher-at large," she says, she has re searched the U. S. Constitu.

tion seven years. "It is one of the most dramatic happenings in world history," she said. "Our country was settled mainly by people other countries wanted to get rid of. They weren't choice people. Those are, always in the minority.

But we were fortunate there were so many choice people around at the time the Constitution was1 written." Having no children of her own, Aunt Helen has "adopted the whole country as a result." She has a special feeling for minority groups, especially Japanese who were forced into camps in this country during the war. I'll spend my life making up to the Japanese what we did to them during the war," she says. "It was against all constitutional law." A FREQUENT visitor in eastern city settlement houses, Aunt Helen doesn't encourage the poor to buy books they can't afford, but to read what newspapers and magazines that are available to them. When speaking to various nationality groups, she tries always to carry an appro- priate book bag. (She has 22 from different countries.) In Chula Vista, where many of those hearing her Sit AND WHITE $1995 ANTENNA ONLY Wind tested 4 And while the f'Bye newspaper in the air and of teenaeers thunder bv pick out any one performer all were.

Besides we haven't this newspaper (not yet TV set Friday night was Bye cast presented a beauty. the subject of a TV show five lanmiages for foreign Bennett, Count Bfsie, Duke is not musical, this report Nuttall made a vow to thgir final performance Saturday night, music also magnificent things with children's stories, she says, but he's not the author, as many children are coming to believe, 'of such stories as the "Reluctant Dragon." Dr. Suess books, which are gaining wide notoriety are good, "but Dr. Suess is a millionaire "and doesn't need my help," Aunt Helen says. (She promotes the talents only of those who require her particular kind of help.) BOOK CLUBS have done fine things in getting some to read who never opened a book before, but many mis-.

represent themselves with "free" offers, she said. "You may be told you'll get three or four books in a year, bufrou end up with eight because you're too busy to notify the company 1 you don't want them," she explained. "And, you probably really wanted only one of the eight." an economic law you don't get anything for nothing," she said. On this, her second visit to Chula Vista, she has met with three groups in the library and tomorrow will visit classrooms at Rice School. Yesterday she visited the La Jolla Country Day School.

Aunt Helen in private life, Mrs. Joseph Juneman of Stockbridge, said her mother told her she was born with a book in her hand. It may be, but she's not a bookworm and doesn't approve of them. "THEY LlVii in an unrealistic world, Snd that's not healthful," she said. Quite the opposite, Aunt Helen is a swimmer, a whistler, a fisherman and a clam- digger.

She may get the attention of a group' of boys, none too interested in books, by breaking out her fishing pole and going on an outing with them. During the time she gets in her words of wisdom on books. She can handle men all right, too. If she's speaking to a serv- ing collided with one driven by Richard E. Bisby, 28, of 976 Widgeon Chula Vista, a Rohr Corp.

engineer, at Broadway and street. Police said the woman ap parently made a left turn from Broadway onto In front of Bisby. She was treated at South Bay General Hospital. THE THIRD accident occurred when a car driven by John T. Dawson, 44, La Mesa, went out of control on 30th street at avenue on the National City-Chula Vista' boundary, struck knocked down a pepper tree.

Dawson's cheek injury was treated at home. STATE DENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM filled the air out on Otay Lakes road. It was the third annual Stage Band Festival and Jazz. Concert at South western College. And it was To those receiving Old Age Se.

curity, also recipients of Aid to the Blind and Aid to the Disabled. Tour dentist can provide all needed dentistry through the Medical Care Trust Fund. As a result of additional funds available for medical Care, all necessary dental services will now be paid for by your county or its contracting agency. Any dentist participating in this broadened Medical Assistance program can serve you. If you The 18 young men, all decked out in bright red fackets and fronted by Jim Merrill, college band director, filled the college gym with the sweet sounds of "I Remember Clifford," "Moustache," SA Taste of Honey" and "Sister Sadie" among Others.

Highlight of the evening, of course, was Horn, who heads the Horn one of he finest jazz groups on the West Coast currently folding forth at Shelly's Manne Hole in Hollywood, pis selections with flute and sax with the college band were outstanding. 'Vj "3 5 I -''K'-l eligible for this new cover NEW ULTRA-SENSITIVE Horn, you'll recall, was are S. WHETSTONE Dentist age DR. L. and have no personal dentist, let us assist you.

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EHJngton, Cal Tjader, Woody Herman and other jazz grfats. To make our mns'cal weekend comnlete we-phistled and hummed the entire score from "Music Man" while mowing the beck lawn Saturday ifternoon; listened to all the lntsst Fenttle tunes Cm some kid's transistor while trying to pick out all players at little lefue tryoitfs; and tried to jfemember all of the lullabies we'd ever heard so fhat we would be equipped to welcome the new ittens at our house. (At last report Mother Cat GOLD ANODIZED to 100 mph 100 corrosion protection 1 INSTALLED ON YOUR TERMS AVAILABLE mast and $ni NEW LEAD IN I Complete NEW 40' installation $39.95 itlll doing fine but no action in the backyard ma- Two National City teenag ers sutfered possible whip lashes this week in a rear-end auto collision on East street in Chula Vista, while, in separate accidents, a Chula Vista woman suffered a cut lip and a La Mesa man, a cheek abra sion. Injured on street were James L. Miller, 18, of 310 24th driver of one car, and his passenger, JoAnn Rank, 18, of 2415 National Ave.

Both were taken to an El Cajon hospital. POLICE cited the driver of the other car, Andrew E. Nor man, 30, San Diego, an auto salesman, for failure to stop at a stop sign and speeding. Police said the car driven by Norman struck the rear of the one driven by Miller after Miller had stopped at Fourth avenue. Gladeys M.

Harris, 43, of 330 Fifth Chula Vista, a bank teller, suffered the nut lip after a car she was driv ernity ward). Meanwhile, although it from East County: Our Ruth Police said Dawson was south-bound on avenue, had stonped for heavy traffic on Immediate Attention to Plate Repairs My practice is limited to extracting teeth and plate work. Both partial and full dentures. Credit can be arranged Ground floor location No appointment necessary Free parking Dr. L.S.

Whetstone Office Hours: Week Days 9 to 12 and I to 5 Saturdays 9 to 10 a.ra by appointment only. 232 Third Ave. Phono 420-6030 Chula Vista CREDIT GLADLY GIVEN NO CARRYING CHARGES installed with ROM $84.95 best possible reception in this area! HOME TV SERVICE CALLS Free TV Service Calls with each new installation in in NATIONAL CITY CHULA VISTA 479-4388 427-1 224 Bonifa Valley Antenna Center 30th street and when an open ing appeared, accelerated rap- hefself that she would not get into (and you'll pardon the expression) a girdle or a dress during her two-wepk vacation no matter what. So when she spoke atja luncheon of the Grossmont-El Cajon League of Wtjtnen Voters, she appeared in a big sloppy shirt and impressed slacks. However, in deference to the league ladies, she donned along with the casual attire a fancy hat and fur stole before beginning her speech.

An5d from reports we get' she brought down the house. tflv to enter the traffic stream, Dawson said the' car to turn in a U. struck a curb and the tree in front of 1305 E. 30th National City. He was cited for speeding.

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