Hawthorne Feedback

Name: Jorge Llaves ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Feb 4, 2010, 8:33 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1980
City & State: PVE CA

Message: I rode my Harley with Danny Fix once in a while. He called me one mornin and said to meet him at Walkers cafe in San Pedro as they were having a big birthday party for MR T. I rode around PV to Walkers but no one was there. After waiting about an hour I gave up and left. The next moriung Danny said good thing I didn't show because about 100 showed up and three cop cars sealed them off and checked everyone for goodies and wrote a bunch of tickets. Thats all I would have needed is my picture on the front page of the BREEZE with headlines---HHS PRINCIPAL ARRESTED IN RAID ON HELLS ANGEL PARTY. Would you good kids have come to visit me in jail?

Name: Sharon Bierman Branigan ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Feb 4, 2010, 12:16 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1976
City & State: San Clemente, CA

Message: OH I forgot, Ric Colangelo will be racing in Fontana in the Nostalgia Sportsmans Shootout, April 23-25. I don't know the exact day/time but we will get more details as we get closer. Meantime there is a picture of his very awesome race car on his website under "The Car." I haven't been to car races since we were wee little children (dad was a race fan, I guess) but we're going to go to see Ric race- gotta support our Cougars!

Name: Sharon Bierman Branigan ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Feb 3, 2010, 6:36 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1976
City & State: San Clemente, CA
srbranigan@cox.net
Message: So we have a Cruise Night coming up! WOO HOO!!!!! Just talking with Ric Colangelo/76, he is going to come and bring a hot rod or two - he is a 3 time NHRA champ and going for his 4th title this year. He has a shop in Garden Grove so you car guys check it out. (www.colangeloracingstreetrod.com) It will be his very first Cruise Night so I hope a lot of our car guys come out to show off their awesome wheels!

Name: John Baker ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Feb 3, 2010, 1:23 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1962
City & State: Lomita, CA
jb1@cougartown.com
Message: ATTENTION all El Molino buyers. Just because your El Molino year isn't on the list, doesn't mean they don't have it (that was about a triple negative there boy). Anyway, if you're looking for a particular year and it's not listed, call anyway. You might get lucky.

Name: Linda Dill ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Feb 3, 2010, 12:33 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Sutton
Class: 1967
City & State: Redondo Beach
thedills101@aol.com
Message: John, Thanks to you and Bob, I called HHS and was able to get a copy of my senior El Molino (1967). My books were lost in one of the many moves in my 20's. Between my sisters I was able to see my other years, but have really missed having access to '67. I was so thrilled at having such a nice clean copy that I did not notice until I was almost in the car that the front of the book is embossed with the name, Mr. Nyman. I feel really honored to have this copy. There are still two copies for '67 left as of noon today. The new student store is on the north side of the new cafeteria. Some things change and some things remain the same. As I walked under the covered walkway, I recalled walking to class after lunch under that very same walkway one November day of my freshman year and seeing a girl running toward us crying, "President Kennedy has been shot!"

Name: Dennis Shelley ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Feb 2, 2010, 1:22 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1967
City & State: Santa Teresa, N.M.
dennis.shelley@dhs.gov
Message: Steve Curtin: My condolences to you and your wonderful family on the loss of Carl. My prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. Dennis

Name: Jack Dicus ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Feb 2, 2010, 1:05 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1968
City & State: Miramar Beach, Florida
tim@prolectron.com
Message: I have all my El Molinos. I am lucky my mom bought all of those (1965, 1966, 1967, 1968). Sometimes you don't realize how good your life was! If anyone needs any info from these(not the books themselves), I will help.

Name: Sharon Leach ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Feb 2, 2010, 12:54 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Moore
Class: 1966
City & State: long beach, ca
slleng@juno.com
Message: Bobby Jensen, you are truly the unofficial historian for HHS. You amaze me. Also, I think that you are very generous to let someone else purchase the years that you just purchased and donate the money to HHS. I still have the copies of the Cougar Newspapers that you sent me for all four of my years at HHS. I know it was very time consuming and very generous of you to copy and send them to me. I really appreciate them and your effort. I cannot thank you enough.

Name: Bob Jensen ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Feb 2, 2010, 11:03 am - HHS Time

Class: 1971
City & State: Los Angeles
No E-mail
Message: I confirmed with the school and the adminstration said to sell every copy. Baker, you will outlive all of us and so when the school finally does get those books back there won't be anyone around that would care. Live for the day!

Name: Bob Jensen ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Feb 2, 2010, 10:33 am - HHS Time
Class: 1971
City & State: Los Angeles
No E-mail
Message: Me again, not that I am a hoarder, there was only one copy of each left for 1968, 69 and 70. I only purchased the 1971 book when I graduated and have always regretted not having all 4 years. I will take them home, read them over, probably make a few copies of pages and then if anyone who does not have a copy of their graduating year book and wants to purchase, I will gladly take offers and the proceeds will go back to Hawthorne High School. Everyone should at least have the year book from their graduating year and what better way to help the school.

Name: Bob Jensen ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Feb 2, 2010, 9:00 am - HHS Time
Class: 1971
City & State: Los Angeles
No E-mail
Message: John, I always check my CT every morning when opening the office and low and behold, your note regarding the HHS Year Books. Being an early person and assuming that everyone else is also, I gave a call to Rushdi at the HHS student store and he answered. I purchased the last of the 68, 69 and 70 year books. Those were the administrators copies of which they are selling. It is sad that there will be no history or record keep at the school regarding the earlier years but the school needs the money. I would suggest that anyone in need of a yearbook should call Rushdi ASAP.

Name: Keith D. Jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 1, 2010, 5:51 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1976
City & State: Las Vegas, NV
hawaiifit@yahoo.com
Message: Sorry to say but I just learned that Richard "Dick" McCarroll. died yesterday. He was a Hawthorne Policeman. He rode a motorcycle and was very popular to us kids. He was a hero to me. His son Glenn was a close friend. I am sorry to hear about this.

Name: Sharon Leach ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 1, 2010, 5:00 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Moore
Class: 1966
City & State: long beach, ca
slleng@juno.com
Message: Steve Fraser, I remember that tornado. I had just graduated from HHS and had my first job with PacBell as an information operator. A call came in, and this lady was yelling that a tornado was going down her street. I can't remember the street name, but I do remember it was just a few blocks from our building on Hawthorne Blvd. just north of Foster Freeze. I turned the call over to my supervisor, who gave it to the head Adam. Unfortunately, there were no windows in our building, so we didn't see a thing. That was the way you could always tell a Pacific telephone switch building. All brick, no windows. I remember more than half the people I worked with had graduated from HHS. I guess they used HHS as their recruiting ground. Thanks for the memory Steve. And to everyone else, thanks for all bbb memories.

Name: John Baker ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 1, 2010, 8:47 am - HHS Time

Class: 1962
City & State: Lomita
jb1@cougartown.com
Message: It's Reunion time for the classes of 60, 70, 80, 90, and 2000. If you are a reunion committee member and have info on these reunions please let me know so I can add them to the Reunions Page. The class of 1990 is the only reunion we have listed right now. Also, please make sure your mailing and email address is up to date on the Cougartown Info System so your reunion committees can find you.

Name: Pat Bagby ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 1, 2010, 8:12 am - HHS Time

Maiden: Kavanaugh
Class: 1964
City & State: Astoria, NY
disc0pat@aol.com
Message: Thanks for all the wonderful Birdie/Fix stories. I am also tickled to see so many of the Birdie crowd, that I haven't seen since high school, on CT writing about this. One interesting note from the B'way program. The original version was just about a number of teens and had nothing to do with an Elvis-like character. Then they realized, with Elvis going in the Army, they had a ready made play. Only thing is, they named the character Conway Twitty, not knowing there was a real one! So they had to change it and Conrad Birdie it was! (My mom briefly wondered if it was a play about Communism, with the Comrade Birdie character, LOL!) Anyway, a little different subject. If any of you are LOST freaks, like yours truly, and need recaps of the last, very complex season, let me know your email and I'll send it to you. I just did a marathon re-watch and finally (sort of) understand Season 5. I hope to get to "NYs biggest LOST party" on Tuesday for the Season 6 opener. (PS. I never did spot Danny Fix's feet on LOST). :)

Name: Keith D. Jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jan 31, 2010, 10:20 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1976
City & State: Las Vegas, NV
hawaiifit@yahoo.com
Message: Not sure about this Bye Bye Birdie thing but I played Dudley Do-Right in my 5th grade play. So there

Name: Glenn Crist ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jan 31, 2010, 9:24 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1964
City & State: Sonoma Valley, CA
gfcrist@sonic.net
Message: So, I guess it’s about time to talk a bit about the tentative Wine Country Weekend 2 plans: Thursday evening, June 3rd, there will be a reception at Homewood Winery, with food, wine, and Cougartown camaraderie. Friday day, June 4th, we will tour and taste at local wineries. Saturday, June 5th, there are two possible options: (1) Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival at Infineon (Sears Point) Raceway, about twenty minutes away from Sonoma. Special pricing includes admission, parking and the Wine Country Pavilion with food and wine tasting. We realize that not everyone may be interested in the races, so (2) for those who’d like an alternative, a touring and tasting at Sonoma Valley wineries are in store. Saturday afternoon we'll barbeque, most likely at Larson Family Winery. That evening, they’ll bring about 30 vintage race cars into the Plaza in Sonoma. Sunday morning we'll have a get together over brunch (at Larson Family for those needing to leave early), or at Gloria Ferrer Sparkling Wine Cellars on the veranda overlooking the Sonoma Valley. There are wineries close by, so the fun doesn’t have to end there. Earlier in the week, there are some additional activities planned as well. Wednesday, June 2nd, there is a visit to Lagunitas Brewery for a tour and tasting and lunch at the pub there. Thursday, June 3rd we’ll visit three local award-winning cheese factories (Vella in Sonoma, Rouge et Noir in Petaluma and Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes Station then enjoy lunch at Point Reyes National Seashore before returning to Sonoma for the reception. And while not everyone will be here, will care to, or be able to spend that much time here in wine country, those who can will have those options are available to them. Lodging in Sonoma tend to be pricey; other options are available. If you think you’d be interested in attending, please E-mail me at gfcrist@sonic.net, and I’ll send you complete details and costs on lodging, along with a list of places to stay.

Name: Lee Ann Nixon ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jan 31, 2010, 7:54 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Nixon
Class: 1964
City & State: Vancouver, WA
lasurvivor@comcast.net
Message: Kathy Van Wesep's comment about the fishnet stockings reminds me of when my oldest son was involved in his high school drama plays at West Torrance High. He was the lighting tech and did some acting and singing. They were doing Guys and Dolls and, of course, they had the HotBox girls who wore fishnet stockings. I was recruited to do the job backstage, during the actual play, of sewing up the little broken black threads - while they were on the girl's legs. And it had to be done fast. Talk about pressure. I wonder if Bill Ennis would have liked that job. Ha!

Name: Enza Nicocia ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jan 31, 2010, 3:59 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1972
City & State: San Pedro Hill, CA
enico72@aol.com
Message: Sharon, the PC word is "Mature" people. To some 25 year old, WE are the 'OLD' people. I take issue w/that..I'm still YOUNG..dag-nag-it..lol! :) BTW, I care for a 96 year old, that is sharp as a razor. I told her that when, "I mature", I aspire to be just as sharp/independent as she is...she laughed - I'm the young one that hasn't the experience she has. You can get older w/the turning of the calendar..it doesn't mean you get any wiser. Some people NEVER 'mature'.

Name: J.B. Schroeder ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jan 31, 2010, 2:00 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1964
City & State: Springboro, OH
No E-mail
Message: Bye Bye Birdie again. Leuzinger, either 2 or 3 performances, Janyce Nyman was in the movie as one of the teen dancers. We practiced in her front room to audition for Albert and Rosie and ended up as the MacAfees, but got to sing about "What's the matter with kids" and "Ed Sullivan." I also convinced Tom Klingenhagen and Jim Ward to give it a shot. I believe Jim gave Sonny a run for his money as Birdie. I still remember Jim's Elvis. Personal footnote, I only did one other play, up to now. I was a Shark in my college senior production of West Side Story. Additional coincidence where life imitates art - The Birdie story takes place in small town Ohio, Sweet Apple to be exact. I ended up raising my family in small town Ohio, Springboro and Centerville, to be exact. And as Bob Hope used to say, "Thanks for the memories."

Name: Kathy Van Wesep ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jan 31, 2010, 12:16 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1965
City & State: Grand Rapids, MI
kvanwesep48@att.net
Message: Bye-Bye Birdie memories - WOW!. Yes that was my first musical which my brother Bob Arce forced me to audition for. I was terrified as prior to that I considered myself a dancer and not a singer, but who knew I could belt out a song like that before I was even 16 yrs. old. It was one of the highlights of my HHS experience and so many people only knew me as "Rosie". Bill Ennis claims that he was struck by lightening when he saw me at auditions and he ran outside afterwards and declared that he was my boyfriend. We still keep in touch. Sherry is right, my most embarrassing moment was wearing the Chita Rivera costume without the fish net hose and my butt cheeks were on display with Bill Ennis staring at my butt during the Shriner's Dance. Then someone in the light booth (Sherry) decide that putting a red light on me would be fun. I was mortified. Since then I have done a lot of community theatre and still love it. Thanks for the memories. And Sherry - I owe you one.