Hawthorne Feedback

Name: Anita Bell ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 6:05 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Harmon
Class: 1969
City & State: Fair Oaks, Ca

Message: Wow...I really needed a Cruise Night! Someone told me once that as human beings, we were created to be part of a larger community. If so, then that is truly what you have created or maybe just re-created JB. Community doesn't have to be made up of family, all it really has to be is anything that connects you with people who share your interests and values. It was a whirlwind trip but Doris gets the prize for traveling all the way from Idaho. That trumps Sacramento. Sharon and Mike Branigan - you are the hosts with the most! Can't thank you enough. JB, I hadn't seen you in ages but you seem to be like that bottle of fine wine :) And the Helms Bakery truck - what a kick! Anyway, next time anyone wants to feel the sharing, mutual commitment and just enjoy the company of kindred spirits...come to a cruise night.

Name: Jill Jaynes ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 3:34 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: McFarlane
Class: 1977
City & State: Mission Viejo

Message: Sounds like Cruise night was a blast. For all you Cougars living in Orange County, we are having a really casual multi-class get together on April 10th, at Lampost Pizza in Irvine. We will begin at 3:00 till whenever. All classes and all counties are invited. I will post the address later. Reservations are not required, but if you are planning to go, please give Sharon or I a heads up. Hope to see you all on the 10th!

Name: Kent Conder ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 2:41 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1969
City & State: Hurricane, Utah

Message: Steve Fraser(HHS66). Did you ever get to ride the David Sailor's(HHS68) Dad's bike? The 500cc Indian single circa 50's/60's. John Oliva's(HHS69) Dad had a bike also, they lived a few doors down to the west. I remember David's Dad had a tube to carry what looked like blue prints on his bike. I have had several bikes over the years. Probably from watching the old bikes above. Everyone in the neighborhood probably remember our place. It always looked like a used car lot. With Conder Brother's and Anthony Brother's work trucks. Mom and us five boys vehicles. Lloyd(HHS59) would take me to Kindergarden in his 1950 Ford convertible. It was like riding in a boat, or maybe we were taking the corners on two wheels. I found an old picture, not very good. I also found a picture of the "Shock" (1950 DeSoto) with Don (HHS60) standing in front of it. Jim Raines(60?) sorry I haven't got back with you. Don is married to a woman from Brazil, they spend a lot of time there. After my bike was totaled I drove the hand me down 57' Chevy Pickup (dark blue) my Dad bought new $1500. That is what most of the HHS 69 Cougars will remember me driving. It spent a lot of weekends checking out the A & W. I also had a 48' Willy's Wagon. Great for hauling everyone to the beach. I had several guys with me the 1st time we cruised the Blvd and stopped at the A. This thing had 5 leaf springs. One across the front end. 3 speed on the column, flathead four banger with a manual over drive. We pulled in the "A" and ate. When I tried to backup it wouldn't move. Over drive I think was stuck. We pushed it out of the stall to the street and back on the Blvd. Away we went.

Name: Tom Shelley ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 1:54 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1962
City & State: Torrance, CA

Message: I am truly saddened at the news of the passing of Walt Dixon. Walt really was a Hawthorne treasure. Prior to opening his camera shop, Walt had a printing business in Hawthorne. That was around the time that I had my printing business in Hawthorne and that's how I first met Walt. Even then, however, he was more interested in photography than printing. In fact, Walt discovered that he could put light sensitive emulsion on square tiles and expose it through a negative and you could have pictures of your loved ones to look at while you showered!! I don't know how he did marketing that one, but it was pretty innovative for the early '70's. Walt also made a bid for mayor of Hawthorne around that time, but ultimately threw his support to, I believe, Hugh Cunningham who won the election and became one of Hawthorne's better public servants. I've been blessed to have known some of Hawthorne's real pioneers. And Walt is certainly up at the top of that list. Just as Karen and Bob, I too, am proud to have called Walt my friend. Rest in peace, my friend! Tom

Name: Don D. ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 1:03 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1975
City & State: South Bay

Message: It was great to see everyone at Cruise night. I haven't seen a Helms truck in years. Sorry to hear about the passing of Walt Dixon. I remember seeing him often at the VFW breakfast. His book about Hawthorne is wonderful (Images of America: Hawthorne, Dixon and Roberts, Arcadia Publishing -ISBN 0-7385-2971-0 can be purchased locally at Barnes and Nobles or Borders).

Name: Loretta Cuiper ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 11:32 am - HHS Time

Maiden: Morelli
Class: 1962
City & State: Hawthorne, Ca

Message: As Always it was good to see our Friends, I am sorry it was not as many people last night, but there really was the big hits with Rick's Race Car and the Helms Truck. It really is true that it brought so many Memories from the past back. Not only did they have the best Cream, Lemon, Jelly Donuts. Their Lemon pie was the best and Oh they had Pineapple Pies too! OMG I just put two pounds on just talking about all those goodies! Our Niece Lori Bjork came to Cruise Night, She writes for Examiner.com and planned to write about Cruise Night, Lori was so impressed about the Helms Truck, She was raised in Minn, she had never heard or seen the Helms Truck and the Helms Co was in California only. We all made her hungry telling her about all the goodies and the fresh breads too. It was a fun evening, It was great seeing Janet Frantz, Wish I had spotted you sooner and we could of talked more. My cousin Dennis and Tony Zam with Chris Kirkland all old ( St. Joseph) friends of Hot Rod Rick. I was glad they came, I hope they will make other cruise nights. It was great seeing everyone. Thanks John. ALWAYS A COUG

Name: Bob And Karen Fraser ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 11:18 am - HHS Time

Class: 1960
City & State: Hawthorne, Ca
No E-mail
Message: We, too, were saddened to hear of the passing of Walt Dixon. He truly was a Hawthorne treasure. He kept the history of Hawthorne alive for its citizens and many school children. He never missed an opportunity to share his knowledge. There will never be another like him. We were proud to call Walt a friend.

Name: John Baker ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 9:44 am - HHS Time

Class: 1962
City & State: Lomita

Message: Just heard the news that Walt Dixon has passed away. Walt owned B&B Camera in Hawthorne for many years and was Hawthorne's Historian. Walt graduated from Leuzinger High in 1941 and was deeply involved in Leuzinger's memorabilia days. He was also a Navy pilot in WWII. Walt, you will be missed by me and many of your good friends in and around Hawthorne. For more on Walt Dixon please go here.

Name: Mike Mecey ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 9:10 am - HHS Time

Class: 1961
City & State: Roseville, CA

Message: If anyone is looking for Royal & Pat Lord (1961), you will find them working for the LA Dodgers in Arizona at their Spring training camp. Royal loves baseball & the Dodgers. Even after moving to Northern California, he gets a gag reflex when he tries to mention the San Francisco Giants. I'm not sure if he is hawking popcorn or taking tickets at the Spring training camp, but I'm sure he is loving every minute of it. Royal, Ginny & I want to be there with you next Spring... Let's get together after you get back... Be sure to bring another job application with you. I want to get in line early...

Name: Sue Walsh ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 8:37 am - HHS Time

Maiden: Jolly
Class: 1961
City & State: Hesperia Ca

Message: Happy happy birthday to an old friend----Helen Teague, hope you have a fun day

Name: Patricia Allen ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 8:25 am - HHS Time

Maiden: Aumock
Class: 1964
City & State: Shawnee, Oklahoma

Message: Trying to contact Hazel Teston Peterson, Karen Avena Tamulonis and Marie Bennett Anderson. Hoping to reconnect with old friends.

Name: Richard Of ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 8:05 am - HHS Time

Class: 1969
City & State: LongBeach
No E-mail
Message: Another fine Cruise Night yesterday evening. Got to reunite with a classmate that I last saw 25 years ago. Anita, you look fantabulous! She, John Crotty, and I shared the deep dark secrets of classmates who weren't there, so remember, to protect your reputation, you gotta attend Cruise Night. Thanks JB1

Name: Beverly Manning ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Mar 21, 2010, 12:55 am - HHS Time

Class: 1968
City & State: Lomita

Message: Will there be a Las Vegas reunion? If so, where can I find the specifics regarding it?

Name: Jerry Rigney ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Mar 20, 2010, 11:22 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1959
City & State: Palmdale, Ca

Message: Linda "Walker" McDonald c/o '60, passed away on February 28th. of cancer. She was the daughter of Hawthorne Realtor and civic leader, Clyde Walker.

Name: Steve Fraser ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Mar 20, 2010, 6:52 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1966
City & State: Laguna Woods
No E-mail
Message: David Sailor's dad, Frank had a 500cc Indian single circa 50's/60's. Frank told me that if I could crank it over, I could ride it.

Name: Leo Ainsworth ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Mar 20, 2010, 11:25 am - HHS Time

Class: 1965
City & State: Saint Helena

Message: Wayne Bryan's (Class of 65) twin sons who are the world's best doubles tennis players will be on "60 minutes" CBS tomorrow night.

Name: Kent Conder ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Mar 20, 2010, 8:28 am - HHS Time

Class: 1969
City & State: Hurricane, Utah

Message: In a previous post I said that Scott Davidson lived across the street from us. It was David Sailer. His Dad had whatlooked like a Sportster. He often would pop a wheel running down the street. It was neat to watch. I was reading about all the things we had when we were growing up. I remember milk being delivered to the front porch. The top of the bottles had several inches of cream and a paper stopper. The bottles were clear at first, then they started coming in a brown glass bottle. The Helms truck I think only inched down our street. The neighborhood was all over it. Cream Puffs were the target, could not get enough. We had an incinerator in the backyard. I would take the trash out and burn it, then remove all the cans to go in the trash put out on the street. My Dad bought 450 Parakeets. We had a Hugh cage in the backyard and sold the young birds. That was an experience going into feed them through the double doors. A Coffee can of food in each hand. I would only take a few steps and would be covered head to toe with birds. We had a party telephone line. When we made a phone call we usually had to check before dialing because there was usually a neighbor on the line talking. We could go to North American Park and look across Aviation Blvd and see the Home of the X-15. The X-15 was often parked out in front. My brother use to tell me go play on the Freeway, so we did. The Freeway was being built and when the workers left the kids from the nieghborhood would go play on the equipment. Our Parents never worried about where we were. During the summers we were either at the Hawthorne High Swimming Pool, North American park and years later I spent a lot of time at D & W beach North of Play Del Rey. That should bring back some memories. One time I remember trying as hard as I could to get passed the waves. When I finally did I was sitting on my board near the Rock Pier resting and next thing I know there is a seal about two feet behind me barking at me. Sometimes I would be sitting there with my legs in the water and I could feel them swim passed under water and brush the bottom of my feet. Scared the heck out of me. We would go to Playa Del Rey late at night and watch the Grunion come in. Some people would take buckets and gather them up after they laid their eggs. We use to watch the air bubbles in the wet sand dig up the sand crabs and take a bucket of them to the Manhattan Pier. There was a guy that would buy them from the kids for .50 a bucket. Fun stuff.

Name: Mary Ann Martin ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Mar 20, 2010, 7:58 am - HHS Time

Maiden: Walton
Class: 1961
City & State: Nashville AR

Message: Speaking of nurseries, Eddie Yoshiki always donated trees to Hawthorne schools for Arbor Day. The Harry Rapella family had an orchid nursery off of El Segundo Blvd. I think it was on Kornblum. Their green houses were gorgeous!

Name: Jerry Rigney ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Mar 19, 2010, 10:24 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1959
City & State: Palmdale, Ca

Message: My cousin (by marriage) Janice "Hall" Rigney c/o '58, passed away on March 9th. after a long battle with ovarian cancer. The service was in Lancaster and interment in Palmdale on March 15th. (her 70th birthday). Her family owned Hall's Studio of Hawthorne. In the '50's they took many pictures for Hawthorne schools including the El Molino.

Name: Lee Ann Nixon ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Mar 19, 2010, 9:56 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Nixon
Class: 1964
City & State: Vancouver, WA

Message: I remember Rods because it was close to where I lived. I don't recall alot about it, but I know I went there more than once to eat the pastrami sandwich John is talking about. Actually, I remember the 76 station better and my last recollection of that place was that gas was 26 cents/gallon. One of my favorite food memories is the Brookdale ice cream at Thrifty's on (maybe 132nd) and Haw Blvd. Loved the chocolote chip.
Everyone have a great time at Foster's tomorrow night. I will, of course, miss it, but will see some of you in Sonoma in June.

Name: Clark Millman ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Mar 19, 2010, 7:55 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1976
City & State: Wichita,KS

Message: I'm very bummed I cannot be at Cruise Night tomorrow night. I always seem to meet interesting new friends at such a great Cougar gathering. I felt a strong need to have some kind of HHS activity this week in lieu of Cruise night so I hooked up with Pauline Potisha '74 yesterday for lunch. I'm sure Pauline is the only other Cougar here in Wichita. We had a great time bantering names and places from days gone by. We hadn't seen each other in over 30 years but it was like no time at all had passed. Cougar friends are definitely the very best! Everyone have a great time at Fosters! I'm hunkering down as a snowstorm is just starting outside and I should wake up to two or three inches!!