Hawthorne Feedback

Name: Armand Vaquer ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Apr 20, 2009, 10:58 am - HHS Time

Class: 1972
City & State: Tarzana, Karloffornia
E-mail
Message: A milestone was reached last Friday (April 17) that was overlooked. 45 years ago last Friday, Ford Motor Co. unveiled its newest car - The Mustang - at the 1964 New York World's Fair. Ford projected selling about 100,000 units. Instead, they sold 417,000 units that year. Since then, they've sold 9 million Mustangs. I've a 1980 Mustang LX and my daughter drives a 2000 Mustang.

Name: Enza Nicocia ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Apr 20, 2009, 8:55 am - HHS Time

Maiden: Nicocia
Class: 1972
City & State: San Pedro Hill, CA
E-mail
Message: Hey Dean great story! I can just hear you now in that conference room explaining/arguing why you wanted to be in another classroom. Honors English among your other Honor classes you were in at HHS, started at an early age, no doubt. Being our 1972 Valedictorian could of turned out differently if you didn't have your special teachers/principals to see your potential. Your mother was a smart lady to have a home within walking distance from the Wiseburn Library AND the baseball fields...she knew her two sons would EXCELL in both: brians & brawn. AND, speaking of JESSIE OWENS, I am currently caring for a NYC retired attorney living in PVE, who's daughter-in-law's grandfather WAS Jessie Owens!! AND, her daugher, who is a Sophomore at South High, is being groomed for the next Olympic's, as she is a GREAT Soccer player. The name to look for at those games is: COOPER. She is also being asked to go up to Standford University this June,(one of your Alma Mater's, Dean), for a FULL scholarship when she graduates. She is someone to keep your eyes on if you are a soccer fan. Ironically, Mr. Cooper, my client, also graduated from Standford as well. As a side note, all of Mr. Cooper's children (6) are all Ivy League graduates. AND Attorney's! The Peacocks in P.V.E are NOT the only ones who are strutting, my NYC retired attorney is SO proud of his granddaughter, and so rightfully so! Way to go Dean!..at age 10, I was still looking down at my shoes, not making eye contact with many people...(shyness/insecurities are a terrible thing when you are a child). GREATt teachers guide us to be GREAT people. Mrs.Hopkins,(Washington Kindergarten teacher), Mrs. Donohue (1st grade), Mrs. Frazier (5th grade), & Mr. Johnson (6th grade), I WILL NEVER FORGET THE SPECIAL ATTENTION YOU GAVE THIS IMMIGRANT, SHY CHILD. YOU INSTILLED IN ME LESSONS TO THIS DAY I STILL CARRY WITH ME....THANK YOU ALL!

Name: Walter Holt ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Apr 20, 2009, 5:16 am - HHS Time

Class: 1966
City & State: Havre de Grace, MD
E-mail
Message: Welcome to Cougartown Lyn Biggers....Long time, I do remember you from HHS...Good to see you here. If someone could help Joe Lamonica out that would be great as he got me my job at OC Nissan before I left for MD. Sorry to hear of your job loss. I had to get out of the car biz before I starved to death...It took me 5 months to find a new one so hang in there Joe.

Name: Dean Morris ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Apr 19, 2009, 12:29 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1972
City & State: Vallejo, CA
E-mail
Message: My thoughts on Jack Fitgerald: While I didn't have the frequency of contact with Mr. Fitzgerald that Keith Jones experienced, I do remember two very important times where he made a difference in my life. The first time came in 5th grade where I had the misfortune of a class assignment with a teacher whose specialty was "scaring hell out of discipline cases" to preserve order in the classroom. Well, in less than a month, I grew to hate school because of this teacher Mrs. S, and for the only time ever, I asked for a transfer to another class. Mr. Fitzgerald held a conference with me, my parents and the unnamed teacher who had a total personality conversion on the day of the conference. Mr. Fitzgerald listened to my opinion as a 10 year old and agreed with me, liberating me to go to another classroom where I enjoyed one of my best teachers ever, Mrs. Mickelman, who was a cross between Lucille Ball and Alice from the Honeymooners. Everyday this woman brought laughter and joy to her class and this helped convert a lost and depressed kid to a happy one. The other time I remember Mr. Fitzgerald was a school assembly following our annual school Olympics. I had won the blue ribbon in the softball throw the hardway. After fouling on my first two attempts, I finally launched a school record toss of 225 feet which would only last until Mike Colbern or Scott or Keith Jones broke it in the next year or two. At our assembly, Mr. Fitzgerald turned me into an object lesson of perserverance under pressure. He hammed up the story so much you would have thought I was Jesse Owens in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Anyway, the man instilled pride in me which was something young kids don't often get to taste. For a day, he portrayed me as a school hero and a champion. No doubt, this came from his competitive, athletic background and being a baseball player. In any case, there are too few like Jack Fitzgerald, a real pro and good man, and the world is a much poorer place without him.

Name: Keith D. Jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Apr 19, 2009, 8:12 am - HHS Time

Class: 1976
City & State: Las Vegas
E-mail
Message: I saw Greg Goode post. I remember Greg and I remember his dad. His dad saved me numerous times from getting in major league trouble. If I remember right Mr. Goode was the Vice Principal at Dana when Mr. Manion was the principal. Alot of times when I would get sent to the office or detention room I got to talk to Mr. Goode instead of Mr. Manion. Back in 3rd grade when I was at Don Smith I think Mr. Goode was the principal. He was also the Manager of the Wildcats (i think that was the name). My dad was the Manager of the Phillies or was helping with the Wildcats. I can't remember. All I remember is Mr Goode and my dad were good friends and he seemed to like me enough to save me sometimes. Say hi to your dad Greg.

Name: Jean Macernie ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Apr 18, 2009, 9:25 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Caldwell
Class: 1968
City & State: Albq NM
No E-mail
Message: The subject of trees sure has become a popular one! So, heres mine....On 122nd St (Close to Burl Ave) we had this huge tree in the back yard. My mom purchased it at Nakai (?) nursury. She told them she wanted something that would grow to about 8 feet. I guess they thought she said 80 feet....I am not sure how big it was or what it was called.....It was tall enough that the branches took up the entire back yard. I think it was the tallest tree in the area. The roots grew under the house. Our service porch had a big crack in the wall and ceiling making it impossible to shut the back door. I remember my dad had to tear up the front yard because the roots caused a lot of damage to the plumbing. After we moved the new owners cut the monster down. They left the trunk and make a table out of it. I remember the Maxsons Avocado tree too....It was huge. Laura Maxson and I would try to climb it a few times. I think they had a lemon tree too. I remember the Withrows (across the Street from us) had a guava tree. Mrs Withrow would give my sister and I bags of guavas. The Greens (Vickie) had a banana tree in their front yard. I remember finding a few small carrots and radishes growing in the front yard. My dad grew all sorts of plants in the backyard...wish I could remember their names. He grew all sorts of flowers in the front yard along with a couple small trees. My Mom grew poinsettias the west side of the fence. Every year she would take some to work and share them with other employees. I never really thought about it before, but trees (and other plants) were certainly an important part of our lives in Hawthorne.

Name: Greg Goode ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Apr 18, 2009, 9:19 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1974
City & State: Templeton, California
E-mail
Message: Christie, Sorry to hear about your father's passing. You might not know of the name but my dad, Jack Goode, was a principal in the Wiseburn School District along with your father at the same time in the 1960?s. Your dad was a principal at Peter Burnett when I went to school there in 5th and 6th grade...I had a few encounters with him...one that I will always remember. I can remember going to a professional wrestling match with your father and my dad in the '60's...we may have seen a wrestler by the name of Bobo Brazil...I remember his purple leotards he wore that night (Bobo's, not your dad's) We had a great time. When I went to the Cougar page tonight, they had a memorial to your father and I thought of that night. My father might be the last of those principals still alive at 87. I had heard Mr. Ziff and Mr. Manion passed on some years ago. Dad will be saddened by your dad?s passing. I'm sure there will be people remembering good times with your pops in the upcoming months. May those stories bring many happy times to the family. With Love, Greg Goode

Name: Dan Johnson ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Apr 17, 2009, 12:21 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1977
City & State: Hermosa Beach, CA
E-mail
Message: Hello all. As you may have seen, many Cougars have been showing up recently at the shows put on by my Pink Floyd tribute band, Which One's Pink? Pam McClinden showed up back in downtown LA last November, Russ Painter/Brian Bourginion and Mitch Boley last week in San Diego and Margie Galindo two weeks ago in Redondo Beach. A couple years back John Heinie and Tracy Turner showed up at a show we did at Fiesta Hermosa on Labor Day. Well this year we're playing the Memorial Day version of Fiesta Hermosa on May 25 at 11:00 a.m. It's a free show in the South Bay and it's always a good time at Fiesta Hermosa. So if you like Pink Floyd even a little bit, come on down and check out the band and perhaps meet up with some Cougars!

Name: Mike Mecey ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Apr 17, 2009, 8:07 am - HHS Time

Class: 1961
City & State: Roseville,CA
E-mail
Message: Now that our tax returns are filed, many of us can reflect on the sad fact that our federal & state refunds were better investments than our 401k contributions.

Name: Rich Sloan ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Apr 16, 2009, 7:20 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1960
City & State: Laguna Hills, Ca
E-mail
Message: The following are funeral arrangements for Mr. Fitzgerald: Tuesday, April 21 - 11 a.m. (viewing will be held at the church beginning at 10 a.m. in the Relief Society Room) LDS Chapel - Woodland Hills Ward 4501 Deseret Drive, Woodland Hills, Ca. 91364 Phone: (818)591-0424 Internment will be at the Anaheim Cemetery: 1400 E. Sycamore St. Anaheim, Ca. 92805 Directions from CA-91 East -Take the East St. exit toward Raymond Ave. Turn right onto N. East St. Turn left onto E. Sycamore St. Will be arriving at the cemetery around 2-2:30 p.m.

Name: Susan King ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Apr 16, 2009, 6:17 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1974
City & State: Thousand Oaks, CA
E-mail
Message: It was a really great time at Anita's house last night in Sacramento. I emailed the group that I was headed there for work this week and wondered if they'd want to visit. Anita offered up her place and we had snacks, pizza, wine and cheesecake. It was great to see Anita, Matt and Max (Ed to those of you who knew him at HHS), Jerry and met Kristen. Jan Freeman couldn't make it this time but I'll be back in May and June and maybe we could do it again? I could have talked and laughed all night long but alas, it was a work night. And John, that was a pretty bad "patch" job you did on the picture - I actually took the photo so wasn't a part of it. Geez, could you have picked a worse shot of me???!! Love you anyway for the effort. For those of you who have never done such a thing (dinner, not the photo) I highly recommend it. Warm fuzzies all around!

Name: Dana Salley ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Apr 16, 2009, 3:57 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: salley
Class: 1978
City & State: Simi Valley CA
E-mail
Message: Hi Everyone: Reminder that this weekend is the party/get together at the Stick N Stein. We will start arriving at 3. So far we have about 20 confirmed, a few from class of 77 are confirmed too. See you there!!!

Name: Matt Peterson ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Apr 16, 2009, 7:50 am - HHS Time

Class: 1974
City & State: EDH, CA
E-mail
Message: John, I had Cougars sighting last night. The HHS alumni that live in the Sacramento area got together at Anita Harmon?s house. Besides Anita there was Jerry Miles, Kristen Rice, Sue Bierman, Max Roelen and his wife LaVerne. What a great time. Lots of great stories about Hawthorne, HHS students and staff. Boy, could the ladies talk. Anita told me lots of stories about my older sister Kathy. Kathy for a small fee I won?t tell mom about the mischievous things you and the rowdy raiders did. :) John, again this site brings people together. Thanks.

Name: Keith D. Jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Apr 16, 2009, 1:17 am - HHS Time

Class: 1976
City & State: Las Vegas
E-mail
Message: I remember Mr. Fitzgerald very well. He was the Principal at Peter Burnett when I went there from 4th to 6th grade. When I was the window monitor in 4th grade I put my hand through the window and cut three of my fingers almost off. I ran to his office bleeding and they called my dad who came and got me and took me to our doctor to sew everything back on. Mr. Fitzgerald was very nice but very stern. He liked me cause of the baseball I played. I was a regular in his office when I got in trouble. He definitely left his mark on alot of people.

Name: Mike Shay ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Apr 15, 2009, 7:27 am - HHS Time

Class: 1961
City & State: Cerritos, CA
E-mail
Message: Trees?? The only tree experience I ever had in Hawthorne was in Mr. Bakers (John's dad) back yard. I don't remember if it was growing in his own yard or hanging over the neighbors fence but in was loaded with the best looking tangerines you ever saw. I asked John if they were good and he said "oh man, they're the best". I opened one up and took a serious bite and I didn't de-pucker for about a week. The tree was a cross between a tangerine and a land mine. Thanks for the memory J.B.

Name: Betty Rodriguez ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Apr 15, 2009, 7:07 am - HHS Time

Maiden: Kean
Class: 1969
City & State: Kingman, AZ
E-mail
Message: Larry-My sincere sympathy to you and all your family on the loss of your mom. I have great memories, having spent much time at your home with Lynn and Donnie Matteson. I was so happy to have seen her back in 2001 at your Uncle Dwight's birthday party. Betty Rodriguez

Name: Glenn Crist ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Apr 14, 2009, 10:32 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1964
City & State: Sonoma, CA
E-mail
Message: I don't have a Hawthorne tree story. However, my dad had a great collection of green, growing things in the yard, including a greenhouse full of orchids, an ornamental banana tree with small non-edible fruit, Hawaiian ginger that perfumed the entire backyard when it bloomed, and one big barrel cactus. My sister was climbing on the back fence, started to fall and slid down that prickly pear laden brut. I?m not sure she had a ?tree-hugging? experience. However, she did experience one of those events that she has most likely remembered all her life. I spent many a weekend day when I was growing up, at Hawthorne Nursery. Dad used to say ?I?m going to see Peat Moss? and I?d say, ?Can I go see Peat, too? ?So the tree thread, huh. Not Haytown related, but I can tell it anyway, OK, John? The lady I was with shortly after I moved to Sonoma, had a four year old daughter. We went to visit my grandmother in Modesto, and we stopped to see a cousin there. On each side of their front door were two black bing cherry trees, loaded with fruit. As we approached, Tauri?s eyes got ?as big as saucers.? ?Are those cherries,? she asked (not whether sure she had connected where the things she ate actually came from). ?Yes,? I replied. ?Do you think I could have some,? she asked. Her eyes sparkled when I said I thought that would be OK. She only picked and ate three, as I remember. But we had a bag full with us when we returned home.

Name: Jim Sloey ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Apr 14, 2009, 9:49 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1966
City & State: solvang, ca
E-mail
Message: Larry, my condolences to you on the loss of your mother. It is a sad time in our lives when we lose a parent, regardless of their age, as we become orphans, whether you are 1 or a 100. I reached for the phone to call my DAD at 3:00 everyday for 6 months after his death and almost a year after my mom passed away. I still occasionally reach for the phone to tell each something the kids have done [I am going to be a grandfather in August and September and I would so love to make that call] and it is still an awakening they are no longer with us. However, there is an old Gaelic saying [actually I don't know who started it but I have claimed it for the IRISH] a sorrow shared is halved and a joy shared is doubled. Therefore know that your Cougar family shares the sorrow of you losing your mother but at the same time we share the joy of of all your wonderful memories. God Bless the Bach family!