Name: Rick Salisbury ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-May 15, 2008, 5:37 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1975
City & State: Seattle, Wa.
E-mail
Message: O-M-G, wow John, thanks for link! We close on the 3 acres on the 29th. I'll send you pictures after that if you want. Cougarland???

Name: Jon M. Sloey ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-May 15, 2008, 3:47 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1969
City & State: Hawthorne
E-mail
Message: Mr. John Baker, there is a group of Cougars that are going to the Dodger, Cardinal game on Sunday afternoon, May 25th. Some of the people that are coming out are Bill Schultz (and group other Cougars) Gary & Billy Beaird (and other family members) Bill Sloey & family, Bruce Tinker, Bill and Steve Tamburrino are coming up from San Diego, and many more. We have a few tickets left, price is only $6.00. So if anyone would like to be part of a great afternoon with other Hawthorne Alumni, e-mail me at, fun1runnerv2spd@yahoo.com or call 310 903-0807. Thank you Mr. Baker

Name: Linda Reynolds ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-May 15, 2008, 12:56 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Jones
Class: 1962
City & State: Chatsworth, CA
E-mail
Message: Hi John! Class of 62 checking in. It was nice speaking to you this week and catching up. You're one of my oldest friends, that is to say it's not that you're old, it's just that I've known you since 7th grade........although.....I've known Danny Dye since 4th grade....Anyway, I will see you in June for a Reunion dinner/meeting so come with lots of ideas for our 50th Reunion. I look forward to seeing you! I love ya! PS Anyone from class of 62 having any great ideas, please email to me.

Name: Penny Prouty ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-May 15, 2008, 12:51 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Prouty
Class: 1962
City & State: Torrance, CA
E-mail
Message: Dean, Yes I remember Mr. Clark and his wonderful storytelling at 6th grade camp, very well. And MaryAnn! I had no idea it was your dad who created that great program.....the days at camp with Mr. Hood's 6th grade class and our cabin counselor, Jean Kistler, were among the best of my childhood memories........I was also a camp counselor my senior year... Mr. Clark and his stories were the highlight for me at those campfires (or our gatherings around the fireplace at the lodge). Thanks for bringing back those fun times.

Name: Mark Hanson ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-May 15, 2008, 6:59 am - HHS Time
City & State: Buena Park CA
E-mail
Message: I was trying to find something on the Hawthorne Viet Nam memorial and found your site. I grew up in the neighborhood near 124th and Inglewood but we moved away in 1966 when I was 12. I went to Trinity Lutheran School on 130th and Inglewood so walked by HHS many times. I rode my bike through HHS many times as well. I just wanted to add I'm sorry the Vietnam memorial was tucked away in a distant corner of the city. I discovered it while walking near the Marine Ave. Metro station some time ago. Thanks, peace, MARK

Name: Mary Ann Martin ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-May 15, 2008, 6:39 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Walton
Class: 1961
City & State: Nashville AR
E-mail
Message: Mr. Clark had that special knack with his story telling and a special way with each camper. I was a counselor my junior and senior years at the Wiseburn outdoor education camp. My dad, Reese Walton, established the program with the Hawthorne School District, and wrote his master's thesis at USC on the fundamentals of the camp. Both school districts offered the unique experience for both students and couselors for many years. I don't know if it's still in place or not.

Name: Rick Salisbury ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-May 15, 2008, 4:27 am - HHS Time
Class: 1975
City & State: Seattle/North Bend, Wa.
E-mail
Message: What ever happened to Hawthorne Youth Camp? Is it still there?

Name: Lisa ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-May 14, 2008, 6:49 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Graham
Class: 1967
City & State: Ramona, CA
E-mail
Message: Happy Birthday to Lyle Davidson. Lisa

Name: Dean Morris ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-May 14, 2008, 3:41 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1972
City & State: Vallejo, CA
E-mail
Message: Does anyone else remember from Dana or Hawthorne Youth Camp, Mr. Raymond Clark? I believe he was a Dana PE Teacher and he also ran youth camps. I remember him as a legendary, camp fire story teller with a flair for the dramatic who told a parable every year about a wise old Indian Chief who answered the question of a prankster about the fate of a dying bird. Anyway, I am garbling the story, but does anyone remember this round and jolly fellow? If anyone remembers the story, they can straighten me out on that too.

Name: Karen ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-May 14, 2008, 9:07 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Masters
Class: 1972
City & State: Hollyglen, CA
E-mail
Message: Beverly, I am so sorry to hear about Brian. I remember him as being so full of life and such fun to be around. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Name: Petey Smith ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-May 14, 2008, 6:59 am - HHS Time
Class: 1972
City & State: Oregon
E-mail
Message: Bev, I remember Brian as if it was yesterday. I'm really sorry for your family's loss. Take care.

Name: Beverly Smith ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-May 13, 2008, 9:45 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Manning
Class: 1968
City & State: Lomita, CA
E-mail
Message: For all those you knew Brian Manning... my brother passed away Monday morning, 12 May 2008, at the age of 52. He was a graduate of HHS and the school mascot. We will miss him, his sisters: Maureen, Beverly and Susie.

Name: SHARON LEACH ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-May 13, 2008, 5:19 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: MOORE
Class: 1966
City & State: LONG BEACH
E-mail
Message: I want to give a great big public THANK YOU to Jerry Miles. Jerry I finally looked at the CD's you made for the 66/67 reunion. They are FABULOUS. You did a great job. It was a wonderful ride down memory lane. However, I cried all the way through the memorial section. Some very near and dear friends, especially Carol Rugtive. Ron Brevig, who was the boyfriend of my dear friend Lenora Mills is very much missed too. Jerry you did a marvelous job. Sorry it took so long for me to view them. I am sure the rest of the classes of 66/67 have enjoyed your work. THANKS AGAIN, Jerry. Thank you John for this forum to publicly thank Jerry.

Name: Jim Nemish ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-May 13, 2008, 1:41 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1960
City & State: Escondido, CA.
E-mail
Message: I did it John. A little push from Rich Sloan, a win on the golf course, and a great week-end and what choice do I have. Cougartown is a great web page and I'm now glad to be part of it.

Name: John Crotty ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-May 13, 2008, 8:34 am - HHS Time
Class: 1969
City & State: Hermosa Beach
E-mail
Message: Oh JB, you would show the Anza hallway that led straight to the Pricipal's office.......are you picking on me?

Name: keith d jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-May 12, 2008, 7:31 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1976
City & State: Las Vegas
E-mail
Message: I saw someone mention Trinity Luthern. I went there till 3 grade and got kicked out. Then went to Cabrillo, DOn Smith, Peter Burnett and then Dana. All within one block. I remember making my mom an ashtray in 3rd grade at Trinity Luthern, I led the school in paddlings. I think I made the principles arm hurt.

Name: Eric Larson ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-May 12, 2008, 6:16 pm - HHS Time
City & State: Rosamond, CA
E-mail
Message: I am trying to locate a neighborhood buddy that graduated from HHS in 1969. Strange... his name is NOT on the Alumni List. If anyone knows how to contact Craig Foster and passes it on, I'd be obliged. He served in the US NAVY after he graduated and later followed his fathers example by becoming a Los Angeles County Firefighter. Sad to see Anza going down. I remember my neighbor Al Rutter graduated in the first HHS 4 year class sometime in the 50's. I was at his house when his little boy Tommy started telling everyone about the great teacher Mrs. Slayback. My quip about having her as my first teacher and how great she was and how old she must be was trumped by Tommy's dad saying he had Mrs Slayback too. She must have been everyones kindergarten teacher.

Name: Dennis Campbell ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-May 12, 2008, 4:56 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1961
City & State: Mission Viejo, CA
E-mail
Message: CTown Golf update: Yes there was a golf outing this weekend. Thanks to Mr. Rich Sloan for keeping it alive. 3 4’s from the class of 1960, 1961 and 1971 (didn’t get the class of 71' names as they were running late to a wedding, hey guy’s send us your e-mail address and we'll get you pictures later). Longest drive contest beating out Rich Sloan’s 265 yard drive by only 1 foot, the class of 1971, the big guy. The longest putt of the day was won by Rich with a neat 40’ on the 12 hole. 1st Place Team Jim Crawford, Jim Perry, Bobby Fitzgerald and Jim Nemish, 2nd Place Team Rich Sloan, Jerry Daquila, Dave Cato and Dennis Campbell. 3rd Place Team class of 1971. Pictures of the event / award banquet coming soon. (Rich get the pictures to JB ASAP)

Name: Sue Hans ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-May 12, 2008, 1:59 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Hans
Class: 1961
City & State: San Mateo
E-mail
Message: WOW!!! What memories of Dana, Mr. Goode, Mr. Manion and my favorite Mrs. Sproul. She was my 7th grade teacher and half way through the year she died of cancer. I remember going to her home to visit and say good bye. Several of us went. She was the first person in my life to pass away and it had a huge impact on me. She was also a wonderful teacher the short time I had her. We DIDN'T PLAY IN OPEN FIELDS ON 124TH Street but ran the neighboorhood at night playing BANG BANG. The Thompson girls, Darleen, Judy, Diane and Cheryl lived next door and we were always out playing. Ray Sutton and David Hazelrag always did the chasing, from 123rd Pl. I think maybe Dennis Campbell may have been there too! Is that right Dennis?

Name: Kathy Mandel-Reese ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-May 12, 2008, 10:18 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Tift
Class: 1962
City & State: Tustin Ranch, CA
E-mail
Message: $1000. REWARD!!!!THAT'S RIGHT, a $1000. FOR ANYONE GIVING INFORMATION THAT HELPS FIND INGRID & RONALD BECKMAN. We're trying to raise the $$$ now, but should have it by the time we find them!! I'm trying to find kids that lived on my street, 118th street, names are Ingrid and Ronald Beckman. They moved out of the neighborhood to Inglewood around the 6th grade, but kept in contact with several of us in the neighborhood for a few years afterward. Just wondering if anyone out there might know where they are and might have kept in touch with them. We're planning a 118th street get-together with the Niemelas, Bill Watkins, Judy Wareham, Sherri Jones Niemela, Sue Smith Kross, and others (if you're out there and lived on or near our street, please email me ASAP). So, if you know where the Beckmans are, please, please holler!!! Thanks, Kathy (Tift) Mandel-Reese

Name: Armand Vaquer ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-May 12, 2008, 10:11 am - HHS Time
Class: 1972
City & State: Tarzana, CA
E-mail
Message: During my time at HHS, the morning (piped) bugle call in the morning was "To The Color." This link contains a recording of it (click the little red speaker symbol). (http://bands.army.mil/music/bugle/tothecolor.asp

Name: Adrianne DeAlejandro ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-May 12, 2008, 9:35 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Longpre
Class: 1963
City & State: Cerritos, CA
E-mail
Message: Mr. Goode's name stirred up nice memories. After being at Trinity Lutheran for so many years, I wanted to try public school. I was able to attend Dana for 7th grade, but got "too educated", and was yanked out and put back at Trinity for 8th grade. The only sentiment I remember in my autograph book is Mr. Goode's. How many other student's books did he write, "Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better, and your better, best." I will never forget it. He deserved to go further in the school system.

Name: Denny Unfried ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-May 12, 2008, 8:31 am - HHS Time
Class: 1955
City & State: Del Aire
E-mail
Message: I keep having flashbacks when looking at the Wiseburn photo. Can't remember which grade but before Mothers Day we made ash trays for them. We took a large leaf from a shrub and pressed it onto a piece of flattened clay which left a pattern and then cut off the left over clay and turned up the edges. At that time there was a basement where the janitor (Whitey) hung out which housed a steam boiler that the radiators used to heat the rooms. There was also a pottery kiln in the basement and so we did the first firing. Then we got to finish paint them green with our names on the bottom then off to get a finish firing. The Friday before Mothers Day they came to school to receive their present and the kids got to serve the Mothers cookies and whatever. The only problem was that my mother didn't smoke so it ended up dads ash tray. I can still remember it in the house when I was in high school but it probably ended up in that big ash tray heaven in the sky.

Name: Jerry Miles ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-May 12, 2008, 7:46 am - HHS Time
Class: 1966
City & State: Fair Oaks, CA
E-mail
Message: Although it might have changed after I left but we would always face towards the administration offices during the playing of the National Anthem. That was because that even though we often couldn’t see them, the flag poles were just on the other side. It’s almost hard to believe that once you actually got into “trouble” for being disrespectful during the raising of the flag. I guess it is just another indication of how times have changed.

Name: John Crotty ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-May 11, 2008, 8:01 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1969
City & State: Hermosa Beach
E-mail
Message: Well JB, I've got a good one for ya! An old Partner of mine from LAPD contacted me after years of absence. We were partners at Venice Division for eight years...good old 14-Adam-63. He googled my name and found me through Cougartown. We lost contact after he retired years before me and moved to Santa Barbara! Amazing...Cougartown did it again!!!! Also, my siblings and I were discussing various teachers we had at HHS and Mrs. Brennan name came up. I never had her, but she sent Larry Biller and I to Mr. Wetzler's Office for talking during the pre-classes morning flag ritual. None of us could remember what exactly we did during that ritual. I know we had to stop wherever we were and face towards the cafeteria, where the flag was raised, but what the heck was blasted on the loudspeakers? Was it the National Anthem or Pledge of Allegiance...none of us could remember?

Name: Armand Vaquer ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-May 11, 2008, 3:20 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1972
City & State: Tarzana, CA
E-mail
Message: I'm surprised that Dean didn't mention old Coach Walsh at Dana. Funny guy and he was the only male coach there, as I recall. I got my best grades ever in math in Mrs. Carr's class. She had the patience to work with students. Mr. Johnson was a riot. Who can forget roll-call in the bus on a field trip in Mr. Johnson's class? The whole bus broke out in laughter (including Johnson) over the way one guy responded when his name was called. I remember Mr. Williams falling over Mr. Johnson's little desk in front of the classroom. Mr. Mack: the man with the permanent toothpick in his mouth (some speculated that he whittled them down from two-by-fours). Another fun field trip was to Griffith Observatory in Mr. Griffin's science class. We stopped at Airport Village for munchies afterwards. Yes, the assemblies were boring, except the one with Suzie "Klink" and Jerry McGuire performed "Hey Joe." The graduation party theme was "Sugar Shack," which was rather nerdy considering it was mid-1968.

Name: Lyle Tucker ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-May 11, 2008, 12:55 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1977
City & State: Roswell, NM
E-mail
Message: Ahh, sad to see that Mr. Williams passed on. I had him for art class all 4 years that I went to HHS and improved greatly in my skills, mainly because of the discipline of having to turn in a drawing every week. I was always amazed at how supportive he was towards anyone's mode of expression, encouraging them to excel in their vision and rarely trying to impose his own on their work. No matter how drug-y or surreal the subject matter might be, he criticized or applauded the technique, not the subject matter. Plus, although he played classical music in class Mon-Thur, he willingly tolerated whatever rock records we wanted to play on Fridays. Even though he seemed something of an old fogey to this punky teenager, he truly was one cool dude!

Name: Jim Armour ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-May 11, 2008, 4:13 am - HHS Time
Class: 1970
City & State: Atlanta
E-mail
Message: Happy Mothers Day to all the Cougartown Mothers out there. Where would us guys be without you. My Mom is 3000 miles away in Oregon so I wont be with her today. I'm just glad she is still around to want to be with on Mothers Day. Miss you Mom.

Name: Dean Morris ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-May 11, 2008, 12:44 am - HHS Time
Class: 1972
City & State: Vallejo, CA
E-mail
Message: Best RH Dana Memories: Five minute sprints to school every morning; Fabulous Cafeteria lunches for 25 cents, including desserts; Boys PE in school clothes without showers; Best buddies Larry King, Marty Sasaki, Martin Serota, Mike Gilbert, Perry Cohen, Mike and Jerry Scott; Friday night dances with old classics songs like Blue Velvet, Cherish, but no good rock'n'roll since it was too racy; Shaving before Friday night dances and trying to stop the bleeding with Brut cologne; Beating HHS Senior Pat Hammond in arm wrestling; Defeating "bad ass" Jim Bolinger in regular wrestling only to lose the school championship to Larry King by a point; Boring assemblies, hilarious student government campaigns and speeches; Graduation at Leuzinger High inspired by the choir's performance of "Climb Every Mountain", the same song played at both my brother and sister's graduations; Classes with truly great teachers Mr. Plotkin, Mrs. Toftness, Mr. Ziff, Mr. McCann, Mr. Mack who prepared us so well for high school and life beyond...

Name: Keith D. Jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-May 11, 2008, 12:13 am - HHS Time
Class: 1976
City & State: Las Vegas
E-mail
Message: John I didn't have Mr. Plotkin. I had his counterpart. Some lady I can't remember her name but she was mean too. Mr. Mack was also a favorite teacher of mine there. I think I led the class in broken band saw blades. I built a really neat bird house for our cabin in Running Springs. The first snow fell and it broke. I also made the sign out in front of the entrance to our little community there called Luring Pines that said Jones.

Name: Eric Larson ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 11:57 pm - HHS Time
City & State: Rosamond, CA
E-mail
Message: Greetings Ray, to a fellow Antelope Valleyite. The only other HHS people I have run into here in the A.V. were Mike Ohren (several times since moving here in 1987) and Jim and Katrina Dorsom. My last sighting was last fall as we ran into each other in front of a store where they were going to purchase a computer for their college bound daughter. I married the former HHS graduate Deborah Hoover and we have 4 great adult children. None are Cougars though. Happy mothers day Deb. I've passed through Cougartown a couple times in the last month. What is the status of the Cockatoo Inn? I enjoyed many a fine meal there and wish I could experience the exquisite oral pleasantries again. It looked to me like it was shut down.

Name: Karen ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 6:07 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Harrison
Class: 1971
City & State: Manhattan Beach,CA
E-mail
Message: Thanks for the picture of Dana, I too had classes in that end of the building, both years with Mr. Harry Johnson. I know he is now deceased as is Mr. Ziff. Does anyone remember Miss Pat Alt or Mrs. Opal Carr? They were 2 of my favorites tho' I was not musical nor a good math student...does any one know there whereabouts? Happy Mother's Day to all of you.

Name: Keith D. Jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 4:22 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1976
City & State: Las Vegas
E-mail
Message: I saw someone mention Mr. Brunton. He was my homeroom teacher in 7th grade. He always read to us. It was very calming. He had really bushy eyebrows. He was very nice. I created Lake Dana one year when I broke the water fountain off the wall just outside his room, They couldn't figure out how to turn off the water for the longest time. By the time they did, enough water leaked out to cover almost the entire playground area. They had to shut off the main somewhere and some of the houses didn't get water for awhile. Remember Miss Sandler. She was really mean as was Mr. Helvey. He was really mean. I caught his prized thermofax machine on fire. He didn't like me. Mr. Manion was the principal and Mr. Goode was the vice principle. Mr Goode made sure I didn't get in serious trouble cause he was friends with my dad and also coached little league. He was very nice. Some great teachers at Dana. And of course the hottest teacher was Mrs Putnam.

Name: Jerry Miles ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 2:48 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1966
City & State: Fair Oaks, CA
E-mail
Message: Mister Sloey’s mention of R.H. Dana’s book Two Years Before The Mast and it not being required reading did remind me of what was required when I attended there. Sometime during the school year we all gathered in the Cafetorium and watched at least part of the 1946 movie based on the book. I remember being even more proud of my school when I discovered what its namesake had experienced. We were to gather again in that same Cafetorium to select as our school mascot the "intelligent" Dolphin. But that is a whole other story and reinforces the joy when I finally became a Cougar.

Name: Ray Castillo ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 1:45 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1973
City & State: Palmdale, Ca.
E-mail
Message: My friend Neil raised a good question. I know I married a fellow Cougar, and we have one great kid. He's a freshman at CSUN, and plays on their baseball team. Although he didn't go to Hawthorne, his high school colors were the same. I was going to mention a Cougar sighting, but Debbie Lee beat me to the punch. She goes to our yearly charity event where us musical types get together and raise money for a local charity. It's always nice to see her there!

Name: Jon Sloey ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 12:31 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1969
City & State: Hawthorne
E-mail
Message: Seeing the picture of Richard Henry Dana brings back memories. I had two classes in the rooms that face out. One was an art class with Miss Polyia and a history class with Mrs. Jacobson over 40 years ago. My only regret was that they did not make "Two Years Before the Mast" required reading. It was a book that Dana wrote in his early twenties on his adventure from Boston around Cape Horn and up the California coast in 1834. He speaks of being in the Los Angeles area when a man was attacked and killed by a bear. Mr. John Baker you add to all of our lives!!!! Happy Mothers Day To All

Name: Michael Kratz ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 12:31 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1971
City & State: Vegas
E-mail
Message: Since were on schools: What's up with the 600 student melee, at Locke High School this week. The High School is only a few miles west of are own Hawthorne High. Boy! I'm sure glad I grew up in the best of times.

Name: Marsha Russell ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 11:47 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Russell
Class: 1964
City & State: Redondo Beach
E-mail
Message: Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful women out there in Cougarland. Sandy Cooper (Peppers) sent our little group of friends an email this morning to wish us a Happy Mother's Day and I want to pass it on to all of you, she said it so well! Doesn't matter whether you have children, these days some of us are mothering our mothers, grandmothering grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and even friend's children, and children abroad.

Name: Harry ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 10:55 am - HHS Time
City & State: Harbor City, CA
No E-mail
Message: Wayne: Tony Magliari went on to become superintendent of schools in Ridgecrest, CA
Paco: Your unknown teacher at Peter Burnett is Nolan Brunton, deceased.
A VERY, VERY HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL YOU LOVELY MOMS IN COUGARTOWN... YOU ARE THE GREATEST!!! Love to all,HCH

Name: Bonnie Driscoll ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 10:24 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Brodeur
Class: 1980
City & State: Laguna Hills CA
E-mail
Message: Hi Cougars Yes Neil Thanks For your Post. My Son Bryan attended Hawthorne High School. He had some of my teachers in his Freshman year. Mr. Sloan asked his class to raise their hand if he taught their parents. Bryan said there was quite of few students that raised their hands. Bryan is really good friends with alot of the kids he grew up with and that I went to school with their parents. When Bryan got married in September there were alot of Hawthorne High alumni kids.

Name: Keith D.Jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 9:34 am - HHS Time
Class: 1976
City & State: Las Vegas
E-mail
Message: I remember growing up having the best touch football games across the street from my house in the field and also over the line games. Me and my brother, John and Donald Dye, Ricky and Danny Johnston were regulars. We had a great little basketball court at our house and we played that too. Me and my brother would play horse or go across the street and play some game where we took a tennis ball and use a broom stick. We would play in one of the handball courts at Holy Glen. I played a lot of tennis and would help Wayne Bryan sometimes when he taught at the park. When I think about when I was a kid I really did have a good life. One thing I remember is being very regimental. We always ate at the same time each day and always together, we watched TV together, we weren't allowed to eat anything outside the kitchen, we went grocery shopping every Friday at Ralphs in Westchester. On that day my mom would work late at the bank so me, dad and my brother would have to cook our own dinner so we always had TV dinners. Then we would meet my mom at the grocery store since it was by her bank. It was neat back then. Something nowadays doesn't happen much. One thing I really like now that two of my childhood friends Kurt Morlock and Greg Staffon are still me close friends and we literally talk almost at least once a month if not more. And for the past 20+ years we always call each other on our birthdays. Kurt just had a shoulder replacement surgery but it looks like he will be alright. I love talking to people from my past. Keeps me young. And I still do not have one wrinkle on my face, so I still look pretty young except for the gray hair in my mustache.

Name: KAREN BEARNS ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 8:51 am - HHS Time
Maiden: WEBSTER
Class: 1972
City & State: REDONDO BEACH,CA
E-mail
Message: I WANTED TO WISH ALL THE COUGAR MOTHERS A GREAT MOTHERS DAY. ENJOY YOUR DAY THAT YOU DESERVE. COMETBOY AND I WILL BE ENJOYING OUR MOM. WITH LOVE TO ALL, KAREN

Name: Rick Salisbury ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 5:52 am - HHS Time
Class: 1975
City & State: Seattle/North Bend, Wa.
E-mail
Message: Hey John, by chance do you have a cure for the addiction of looking at this page everyday. It's a cross between memory lane and still learning about the past. It even sparks memories, giving life a new meaning. I grew up with many friends from the Wiseburn School District through church and remember asking my mother that was a substitute teacher in the Hawthorne School district, why she never taught over there. Of course I had a crush way over (from just east of Haw.bl) in the Wiseburn district. My daughter Shelby is 14 now, this page, and this web site is actually helping me raise her. It's not just me or her mom saying things. I can point to the monitor and say things like, look at the words we used to use to upset our parents, "see you're really not the first child on earth to try to get under your parents skin"! I've loved the vacant lot stories too. Yesterday, I drove my concrete mixer, up Cougar Mountain Way, to the top of Cougar Mountain and the world - what a view on a clear day! Today I'll probably take the family, Dad 85, son 29, daughter 14, wife and myself to see the Cougars at this little zoo up here. We need to learn more about them since we're moving into their back yard next month. I already know this, pound for pound, the Cougar, is, the most powerful cat, in the world. I need to know more about what attracts them, and what discourages them, to keep the grandchildren safe when they visit. Thanks again for the site. By the way, my daughter doesn't believe that picture is me. I must have done a good job growing up since then. She use's words like, O-M-G. The new text genaration.!?:o)
Happy Moms day everyone!

Name: Neil Larson ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-May 10, 2008, 5:38 am - HHS Time
Class: 1971
City & State: CRESTVIEW, FL
E-mail
Message: The first class year to (escape) aha hum, that is to say graduate from HHS was back in the mid 50's, I have been wondering if there are any "SECOND GENERATION COUGARS". HHS graduates who's parents actually graduated from Hawthorne High also. Just curious how many Cougars who married Cougars, then took up residence in the nearby area. ???? Anyone?, Bueller?, Anyone? It would certainly be cool to see a show of hands of those who are 2nd-Gen-Cougs...

Name: Wayne Gratiot ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-May 9, 2008, 11:55 pm - HHS Time
City & State: Summerland, CA
E-mail
Message: Thanks for the name of the game Gary. As I recall, we played it on the corner of the "blacktop" playground closest to 135th St. and not on the grass. The soft ball would deform slightly if you whacked it pretty hard and could be hard to catch in the air or on the ground. I meant to say we played it in the late 50's and not the 60's as in my last post. I imagine it was also played in the 60's too, but I was "kidnapped" out of the 8th grade by my parents when we moved to Oxnard on Jan. 1st, 1960 and I never saw the game played anywhere else after that.......Also, seeing how much so many people miss their favorite art teacher, Mr. Williams, I was wondering if anyone remembers Mr. Magliari and knows what happened to him since I had him for 5th Grade at Burnett in 56-57. He was my first male teacher and my favorite teacher in the time I lived in Hawthorne. He was really a nice guy and made you actually want to go to school because of the fun we had in his classes. I still have the two class pictures from that year, one was the individual pictures of us from the start of the schoolyear and the other was a group picture from April 57..... I actually have the class pictures from 4th and 5th grades at Burnett and 6th, 7th and 8th from Dana along with the 58 HNLL Red Sox and Middle League 59 Cubs and 60 RedMen. I can e-mail any of them to anyone who might be interested or I also thought I would see if John would like me to mail the originals to him to be scanned and added to his collection of Hawthorne stuff. I remember some of the names in the photos and anyone who thinks they may have been in some of them can e-mail me and discuss it.....John, has anyone ever put together a list of photos like this with the names of who has them so that we could go through and e-mail each other for copies? Might be fun and after all, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

Name: Ricki Farrell ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-May 9, 2008, 10:38 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Valencia
Class: 1961
City & State: Tucson AZ
E-mail
Message: I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you Cougars who have written e-mails to me regarding Clayton Williams. Your stories were heartfelt and relayed the essence of his persona beautifully. I'm sure that he is smiling down on us with his special grin. Thank you John for giving us this wonderful site that helps us get through these rough times and keeps us from having to deal with them alone.

Name: Gary Miller ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-May 9, 2008, 9:45 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1964
City & State: Concord, Ca
E-mail
Message: The name of the game with the flat bat was Sacket.

Name: Bonnie Driscoll ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-May 9, 2008, 9:09 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Brodeur
Class: 1980
City & State: Laguna Hills CA
E-mail
Message: Just wanted to check in and wish all Cougar Moms a Happy Mothers Day.

Name: Jim Raines ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-May 9, 2008, 4:49 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1962
City & State: Salt Lake City Ut.
E-mail
Message: Hey Ron Kritz, I remember your brother Jack and his outa'sight deep maroon "56 Buick Century. Your family lived down next to Imperial Hwy. on the west side of Sundale. I lived up the street where Sundale and 118th st. met, between the Guterrez' and Winkly's. Bill Bass lived a couple of houses east of me and the Trotts lived across the street. My uncles were Roy('54) and Shelby('53) Clonts. Does any of this ring a bell?

Name: Denny ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-May 9, 2008, 4:12 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1955
City & State: Del Aire
E-mail
Message: Looking at the Wiseburn photo ~ the main building out to Aviation blvd is a large plot of ground where there was a Victory garden and it was our job to weed and give it lots of TLC. I think most schools with room had them to raise vegetables for the war effort. We were also encouraged to grow gardens at home for our own use which meant more food for the troops.