Out of the past: November 1962

Cleaner streets

"We must admit that we viewed plans for alternate side of the street parking with some degree of skepticism," wrote editor David A. Stein in a Nov. 29, 1962 editorial. The city had just instituted the very practice it is now proposing to curtail.

Mr. Stein was pleasantly surprised to discover the benefits of the practice. He went on to write: "In the past, similar programs of community betterment have begun with enthusiasm, only to fall apart in a few short weeks.

"Our skepticism has given way, now, to admiration for the excellent street cleaning job done by the Sanitation Department. The mechanical broom is a welcome daily visitor. Riverdale's streets are cleaner.

"Many motorists were inclined at first to resist the enforced change in their parking habits. Strict enforcement of the parking ban, emphasized by liberal dispensing of green $15 tickets aroused some resentment. By now, however, most car owners are resigned to the inconvenience they suffer. They realize that street cleaning can be accomplished only with alternate parking rules.

"So long as some good is done, Riverdalians are willing to make these concessions. And we must admit that the street cleaning program is getting results."

Poor bus service

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is still mulling the possibility of fare hikes for mass transit, despite service complaints. Back in November of 1962, bus service was so bad it brought on the following editorial:

"Next time you're in the vicinity of Broadway and 242nd Street, take a look at the buses that serve Yonkers. They're new, modern, clean.

"Then look at our own buses. By contrast, they're like Toonerville Trolleys. They're ancient, nondescript, subject to frequent breakdowns and have the musty appearance of vehicles that haven't been cleaned in years.

"We're told that drivers frequently report to work, but have no buses to take out. Some weeks ago, we heard that 100 new buses had been ordered. The Riverdale lines were supposed to get a few of them. So far there's no sign of any additions to our bus fleet.

"On Saturdays and Sundays, the No. 10 line has been discontinued altogether. This was to have been a temporary arrangement, but months have dragged into years without any sign that the buses will return.

"What makes the poverty of public transportation in Riverdale so unbelievable is the fact that the population here has doubled in the past ten years. Surely the use of buses should increase proportionately.

"Bus service has been so unreliable, however, that many would-be riders have given up. Long lines queue up for taxis during the rush hours. Riders would rather pay more for a trip than to be left out in the cold, waiting for a bus that arrives late if at all. What's more, the few buses that do run are usually so jam-packed that no more passengers can be squeezed into them.

"Bus transportation has never been given a chance in Riverdale. As far back as we can remember, service has been poor. We're given the barest minimum of runs. Frequently the buses are as crowded and uncomfortable as the subways.

"We believe more people would use public transportation if buses were scheduled more frequently and if they were made more inviting. We believe service on Saturday and Sunday should be restored. And it's high time to retire our antiquated buses and replace them with new ones that will not break down every few days.

"The bus lines have not kept up with the growth of the community. Instead they have fallen into the bad habit of ignoring Riverdale - a habit for which they have been notable throughout the years."

Undefeated

Legendary coach Frank Bertino ended another great year with the varsity football team at Riverdale Country School. That was no surprise. But the Fieldston Eagles also posted a rare undefeated season.

For Riverdale the star was senior tri-captain Mike Willie. In the teams' last game on Nov. 17, he scored all 33 points as the Indians - now they're known as the Falcons - defeated Hackley 33-21.

"The game," The Press reported, "which was the finale for both teams, gave Riverdale a season's mark of 7-0, extended the Indians' unbeaten string to 36, the longest in the Metropolitan New York area, and won for them their fifth straight Ivy Prep School League championship."

Willie's 33 points gave him total for the season of 105, first among the city's top scorers.

Riverdale's unbeaten streak dated back to October 1958 when the Indians lost to Horace Mann.

As for Fieldston, the Eagles' last game was a 26-6 drubbing of their perennial rival Woodmere Academy on their opponent's home field in Long Island. Co-captains Vic Sapirstein and Bob Blinick led the team and Sapirstein scored the Eagles' final touchdown with a 96-yard run from scrimmage.

The team's win extended their perfect streak to 15 games over a three-year period.

Singing Simon

Carly Simon may be the best known of Richard and Andrea Simon's four children, but by no means is she the only one with talent. Each has excelled in his or her own field. Peter is an award-winning photographer who began his career shooting for The Press.

Lucy recorded albums with Carly in her youth and went on to produce broadway shows. But Joanna has the biggest voice of them all. The Press noted her debut with the New York City Opera in a front page article on Nov. 15, noting that she received "rave notices in metropolitan papers."

"Miss Simon was Cherubino in Figaro and 'turned in a lustrous performance' according to reports," the paper said.

"Miss Simon, a tall, slender and handsome young woman, made a delightful gawk out of the lovesick adolescent [she was playing] but showed at the same time that page boys at Spanish courts were recruited from refined families. It was an immensely funny portrayal, but never tasteless. Her singing was warm and rich-toned. She electrified the audience when she appeared onstage," The Press gushed.

"It was a pity that Miss Simon had to wait until the last night of the season to be heard, but there will be other seasons," one critic exclaimed.