While many houses in the 43-home ranch-style development on Laurelwood Drive and Mulberry Lane have changed owners since 1954, raising families and throwing festive parties like the one on Sept. 5 have remained a part of the neighborhood's identity, says 85-year-old Mille Russo. An original owner, she and her husband, Clarence, moved to Linden Oaks with their children in 1955.

The wide streets without sidewalks, mature oak trees and ranch homes designed by Bill Anderson and Bob Dodge, who was one of the builders of the Willow Ranch housing tract on Cottle and Westgate avenues, lend to the rural and close-knit feeling, says Sherri Osaka, a resident in the neighborhood for 10 years.

"It's very rare that people move in without kids," says Osaka, who headed the planning for the anniversary celebration, which included children's activities such as a parade, a jumphouse, fake tattoos and balloon animals.

John Bovone, Tom Zazueta and Michael Mulcahy—three fathers with young children—all echo the sentiment that the only streets their wives wanted to live on in Willow Glen were Laurelwood Drive or Mulberry Lane.

"The people are just unbelievable," Zazueta says.

A San Jose native, he and his wife and two young children moved to Laurelwood Drive 11Ž2 years ago from the Rose Garden because of the type of the neighbors Linden Oaks attracts.

"It's really retained the '50s feel," Osaka says. "When you want to raise a family, I feel living here makes it easier to be a parent."

Sarah Ebert, whose family has lived on the block for six years, agrees.

"Any of the kids can go to any of the homes," she says.

It's the generosity of residents like 83-year-old Marge Munger, who hands out candy to neighborhood children, and the Russos, who share their front-yard drinking fountain, that weaves relationships tighter, Ebert says.

The Russos constructed the water fountain for their own children to use during the 1950s and 1960s so all the neighborhood children wouldn't come inside for a drink and get the house messy, Mille Russo says. Although their own children have long since moved away, it still serves local children and all passersby.

"It's the only drinking fountain on the street," Russo says. "Everybody knows it. Even the postman stops."

While there's never a lack of water, Munger says the neighborhood also used to be known for something else. She remembers going to San Jose Fire Station No. 6 on Minnesota Avenue in 1964 to register to vote soon after she moved to Laurelwood Drive.

"A fireman told me, 'That's the worst neighborhood. They're a bunch of drunks,'" she says.

"Only Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays," Munger says, laughing.

Munger took it all in stride and discovered that good times have become plentiful in this section of Willow Glen, as evidenced by the fact that Linden Oaks neighbors never miss a chance to throw a party.

Neighbors socialize at the annual Labor Day block party, Christmas brunch, New Year's Eve celebration and the summertime Pupu—Hawaiian appetizers and island drinks—party for adults.

The Pupu parties over the years are particularly memorable for longtime residents.

Marilyn Dorsa, who has lived on Mulberry Lane in Bob Dodge's original house for 30 years, says Linden Oak's Pupu party tradition started in the days of the "two-martini lunch" and has stayed alive throughout the decades.

Clarence Russo, 86, says he still has the neighbors' bartending schedule from the Pupu party heydays when he was younger.

Munger remembers that the neighborhood children used to sit on the fence and watch the parents' Pupu parties. "Families tried to include them," says Munger, adding that sometimes the children provided the entertainment by doing skits.

This year, Kathleen Burroughs, Beth Schmidt and Kristen Clause captured snapshots and memories of the past by putting together a historical display of newspaper articles, old Pupu party invitations and family photos for the neighbors.

As the Russos reminisced over the history display and enjoyed drinks later with neighbors, who volunteered on the party's steering committee, Clarence says, "I'm proud of you gals. We used to organize dances, and you've kept these parties going."

For Munger, the sense of continuity came from watching a new generation of children playing in the street.

"We've got all these darling children that are going to be the new Rat Pack," she says.

Young or old, Ebert says, "This is a neighborhood that enjoys being together."

Any neighborhood whose 50th anniversary party includes neighbors forming their own band, letting older children drive go-carts on the blocked-off streets and opening a fully stocked "pub" on a front lawn creates a spirited community gathering, Osaka says.

The night, however, was not complete without a tri-tip dinner, birthday cake and awards ceremony for the six original homeowners who were still part of the community.

Dorsa also unveiled the original Linden Oaks wrought-iron sign, which is not on public display, but sits in her backyard for safekeeping.

Although the original builders were not able to attend, Dorsa lauded kudos on the Dodges and Alexanders for their foresight and vision to plant young oak and linden trees.

"The sign is a token of something special in our lives," she says.

While the Linden Oaks marker stood as a monument to past years, a local garage band called The One Night Band made up of adult and teenage musicians provided evening entertainment that kept the party mood lively.

"They've been practicing every night," says Kristen Clause, whose husband George played the lead guitar with sons Luke playing electric guitar and Jeffrey on bass. "Everyone comments on it."

The Clauses were also joined by Lauren Osaka on flute, Robert Vezzolini on drums and Mulcahy on vocals.

With Mulcahy belting out "I'll never dance with another" from the Beatles' song "I Saw Her Standing There," Munger says she was enjoying the band. "I like the spirit of it," she says.

And spirit is exactly what has sustained this pocket of Willow Glen since it was first developed back in the 1950s.