1962: When Half Moon Bay Was A Very Small Town…

From the Half Moon Bay Review, 1962

“Coastside People View Program on Alcatraz Island”

“Helping to whoop it up recently at the Alcatraz Island Frontier Nite were many citizens from the coastside, all guests of Mrs. Anne Howe, proprietor of the House of Doors on San Mateo Road in Half Moon Bay. Among those present were the chief of the Half Moon Bay police, Donald Pearman and his wife; Manuel G. Sousa, postmaster, with his family; Mr. and Mrs. Gino Granelli of the Half Moon Bay Inn with daughter Judy and guest Claire Byrne of the Intermediate School; Dante Pompati with is entire family; Mr. and Mrs. Si Moyer with Mr. Eddie Andreini and fiancee; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Pedeuboy; Mr. and Mrs. Louie Tucker.

“Wagonmaster duties were shared by Warden Blackwell and Mrs. Howe, with the honor guest being Marshal J of TV fame. All western props were frunished by Mrs. Howe, and despite the unseasonable warmth, the hosting group and Mrs. Howe wore full Western regalia. Entertaining  were Louise O’Neal and Bob Grey of Half Moon Bay playing accordion and guitar; and there was a Boy Scout troop who did several Indian dances. The grand finale of the show consisted of a male group done up as dance-hall girls, which brought down the house. Thanks to Helen Doherty, president of the Alcatraz Woman’s Club, all went smoothly, and the entire cabaret show was a howling success, said many of the spectators.

“An unexpected highlight of the evening was a surpise presentation to Anne Howe of a Certificate of Honorary Membership in the Alcatraz Woman’s Club, in appreciation of all her continuous efforts in their behalf over the years.

“A further surprise was the knowledge that the pilot of the launch which brought people to and from the “rock” was an old friend and near neighbor of Jack Pedeuboy’s uncle, William Britton of Cazadero, where he goes to hunt in his free time. Jack learned this while he and Louie Tucker were riding the launch back and forth to cool off on the warm evening.

“Mrs. Howe was thanked by those who participated in the entertainment program; those who visited the prison island from the coastside.”