December 13, 1964
Working for a paper in a place that still has a sense of community allows the staff to cover local stories that big papers ignore. Some people complain any time the front page has something that is not death or destruction related but there is plenty of heavy news on this page. I count 14 headlines crowded in, ranging from the trivial to major. The lead story is as serious as it gets, covering the re-trial of William J. Ford, charged with the murder of deputy sheriff Harvey Stahl.
The page has a cramped look; my guess is the typesetters had several short two-paragraph stories they could insert as briefs if a larger story ran short. Today page designers can see the type flowed onto the page and can watch it re-flow as they make adjustments. No early 1960′s page would be complete without the obligatory photo with the dotted line. It was the next best thing to instant replay. On a page laden with politics and mayhem the story about the high school formal seems to me to be a welcome breath of real life. The original caption follows, Martha Stewart, take notes.
Wendi Montgomery started her day Friday in sweat shirt, capris and tennis shoes as she helped decorate the Veterans’ Memorial Hall for the annual San Luis Obispo High School Christmas Formal. Then it was back to the dance floor that night, but what a change. Now it was formal, gloves and kicked-off shoes. Her escort is David Lawless. (Telegram-Tribune photo)
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Wendi Montgomery was glamorous, beautiful and kind to all. The photo doesn’t do her justice — one of the nicest people in the SLO class of 1965. Those were sweet times.
You can just see the excitement in her face — and her date’s. A lovely photo.
It’s interesting to note that, despite everything else that was happening in the world that day, the T-T devoted a big portion of its page to the SLO High winter formal.
Yes it is a beautiful photo and very refreshing. That is my mother and father and she passed away 9 years ago. She was also a wonderful mother as well as a good person.
Growing up in San Luis Obispo in the 50′s and 60′s, and San Luis High were the best of days, and Wendi was stunning! Welcome Home, Wendi.
I was just thinking about my brother who passed away in 1997. He was in Wendy’s class. I too remember her. She was adorable. I am sorry to hear she is also gone. But what a wonderful photo of her!
Yes it was great growing up in SLO back then in the 50′s and 60′s. There was no better place to live!