November 2026 - History Corner

#204 in an ongoing series about the history of the Hillside Club

Once Upon a Hillside: 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 years ago

November 1901

The Hillside Club was founded on 5 October 1898. There are no surviving records for the first four years, so we must make do with stories in the local newspapers. No newspaper articles about the young Hillside Club could be found for this month.

November 1926

Rental Rates for Hillside Club House

·      Dance, play, cards, etc.           $17 / evening, $15 / series

                                                       $10 / afternoon, $8 / series

10% reduction for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

·      Play, followed by a dance       $18.50 / evening, $17 / series

·      One evening rehearsal, $3

·      Punch service, $2 extra

·      Ice cream and cake service, $2 extra

·      Kitchen with gas service, $3 extra

·      Rental price includes fire in furnace or fireplace. If both desired, $1 extra

·      Members for private use will be allowed 20% reduction

Extravaganza, November 15

The combined Musical and Dramatic Sections will produce an original extravaganza, entitled “1950.” Whether the title refers to a sum of money, the combined ages of the performers, or to a problem in mathematics, the perpetrators refuse to divulge, explaining that all will be made clear—or as nearly clear as an extravaganza can make anything—on the evening in question. Rumor has it, however, that some of our theatrical talent and some of our songsters are hard at work rehearsing their parts, and that something unusual in the way of costuming, stage settings and music may be expected.

November 1951

Fireside Meeting, November 5

Mr. J. Hunter Clark, Chairman of the Civic Affairs Committee, announces that Mr. B. Charles Wansley, Manager of the Better Business Bureau, Alameda County, will be the speaker of the evening at the November Fireside. The subject of his talk is entitled “Don’t Be a Sucker,” and it is expected that Club members will find great interest in the workings of this merchant-sponsored civic organization.

Evening of Drama, November 19

A large and talented cast will present the play “No More Frontiers,” under the direction of Mrs. Muriel Burrows, for the Hillsiders enjoyment. This play, written by a student from Yale University Department of Drama, traces the history of a pioneer Idaho family for three generations, beginning with the year 1875 and closing with the year 1929. It is well-written in the spirit of true American tradition as well as being poetic in atmosphere. Mr. and Mrs. William R. Alexander, Chairmen of the Evening, have selected a cast that includes new as well as old troopers and the costume and stage committees will produce some unusual stage and lighting effects.

Notes

A last-minute change in the program for the October Fireside meeting resulted in our hearing Mr. Young Han Choo, Counsel General of the Republic of Korea, tell of the problems his government is faced with in the present conflict involving his country. Mr. Choo, a very forceful speaker, concluded his talk with a plea that one of the greatest needs at present was clothing, to assist his countrymen in weathering the coming severe winter and arrangements have been made to have any bundles Club members with to contribute, to be picked up at the club house. [The Korean War began on 25 June 1950, and lasted until 27 July 1953.]

November 1976

Fireside Meeting, November 1

At this fireside, the first of two programs sponsored by the International Relations Section, we are pleased to present Fay and John Parsons in a program on “Israel as viewed from a Kibbutz.” Last spring, the Parsons enjoyed the experience of living in a kibbutz while visiting their daughter Carol, her husband Saul, and their three children. This three-week visit gave them an opportunity to observe and take part in the lives of 600 people, living cooperatively and working on a farm of 600 acres. Their comments on Arab-Israeli life on a local level, on the economic conditions, as well as on the cultural and social values of communal living are interesting and enlightening.

Dinner and Theatre Party, November 5

The Dramatic Activities Committee has planned a most enjoyable evening for you: dinner at Kirby’s, El Cerrito Plaza, then a hilarious comedy, “The Orchid Sandwich,” at the Contra Costa Civic Theatre in El Cerrito. Dinner will be served promptly at 6:30, after no-host cocktails at 6. Curtain time is 8:30 but please be at the theatre by 8:15 to be sure of a seat. Dinner is $6.50 including tax and service; the show is $2.25. You may attend either or both.

Evening of Music, November 15

The Committee is pleased to present the following program: Soprano solos by Judy Whiting accompanied by Dick Hillman. Judy will sing selections from Jerome Kern’s “Showboat” and some American folk songs. You will also enjoy violoncello selections by a very accomplished cellist, Larry Granger, accompanied by Ruth Johnson playing some of our favorite numbers. A change of pace will be provided by 14-year-old Julia Ankunding, pianist, who will play selections from Scarlatti, Joaquin Turina, Brahms, and Eugene Goosens. Julie is an accomplished musician having entered the Junior Bach Festival twice; she has recently won a scholarship.

November 2001

The Club’s archive of printed monthly newsletters ended with the May 1994 issue. If you know of a source for any newsletters between 1994 and the Club’s renaissance in the early 2000s, your historian would love to hear about it!