Seven decades after moving into Branner as a frosh, Janice Luebbermann Wilson, ’57, addressed a manila envelope to “people who like odd things”—aka STANFORD editors. We opened it and 1953 poured out. The only thing missing from Wilson’s perfectly preserved welcome packet, laden with coupons from local merchants, is a Perry Como soundtrack. A free cut with your first finger wave at Ivan Coiffeur Salon. One dollar off equipment at the Stanford Sport Shop. Free dry cleaning of one “plain dress” at Cardinal Cleaning.
Nylons, which every Stanford woman needs, are 59 cents. Marquard’s Drive-In hopes to see you soon. The winner of one raffle (there are so many raffles) will receive an Elioflex Camera—valued at $35—from a Palo Alto business known simply as Camera Shop. Today, that Bryant Street address houses a ramen restaurant. In fact, only two of the merchants from the packet still exist in recognizable form: the Peninsula Creamery, now on High Street, and Ernie’s Liquors on El Camino Real—though sadly, the latter’s offer of a free frozen mug of root beer and bowl of Midwest chili no longer stands.
Summer Batte, ’99, is the editor of Stanfordmag.org. Email her at summerm@stanford.edu.
