Hawthorne Feedback

Name: Tom Nadal ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Dec 22, 2010, 9:00 am - HHS Time

Class: 1977
City & State: The OC

Message: Some of our friends had the metallic Christmas trees with a swirling light stand shining on it but we had a really cool tree that with a flip of a switch would magically make snow appear. Our tree stood in this giant cardbord bowl with a little electric pump in it. The pump was attached to a plastic tube that ran up the Christmas tree trunk all the way to the top. We would fill the bowl with tiny white plastic pellets. The pump would suck up the pellets, blow them through the hose to the top of the tree and they would come down snowing on our tree. It was very cool. My dad, aka Santa, always had a code phrase for any big special gift we got that didn't fit under a tree, like a bike or electric table football game. He would hide the big gifts in the bathroom and as we were opening our gifts he would call out to whoever was receiving the big gift, "Hey, can you get me a QTip?" We were so excited about opening the presents under the tree, we didn't think twice about dad wanting a QTip and we would always be surprised by what we found in the bathroom. It took us a few years to catch on. On Chritmas Eve we'll be at the annual Gutierrez Christmas party. It was always held at my Grandma's house on 118th, but now rotates to one of my aunt's houses so I'll be seeing a few Cougar relatives there. I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Name: Judy Degrazia-blomsterberg ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Dec 22, 2010, 8:48 am - HHS Time

Class: 1964
No E-mail
Message: RE: BOYS MARKET. When they first opened in the late 50's, they had a long line of tents in front to pass out samples of goodies they sold. (crackers, cheese, cookies, etc.,) so when St. Joseph's school let out, Margie Beebe and I (and many others) use to work that line till the end. Day after day, we snacked after school...Then Boys market got wise and the line was forbidden to us school kids after that. Seems like a lot of things were always forbidden in Catholic School. I can still remember walking to school and where the 99 cent store is now (and Kresges was earlier) there were brown stone buildings. I think they were little duplexes.

Name: Barbara Duran ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Dec 22, 2010, 7:48 am - HHS Time

Class: 1972
City & State: el segundo

Message: Speaking of Boys Market (well sort of) Janet Essner and I worked as candy stripers at Hawthorne Hospital near Boys Market. After my shift at the hospital, I worked as a hostess at La Fiesta Restaurant. They had the best food and the cleaniest kitchen. Both places left me with some fun memories. The trouble teenage girls and get in to. :)

Name: Robert (Bobby) Fitzgerald ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Dec 21, 2010, 11:09 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1960
City & State: Santa Ana,Ca.

Message: To all my Cougar friends and family, The Fitzgeralds want to wish all of you a very merry xmas and a happy new year, and please be safe.

Name: Sherry Ward ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Dec 21, 2010, 7:16 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Rout
Class: 1965
City & State: Somewhere in Tennessee

Message: The chat about the Boys Market reminded me of the 1959 Christmas season when I was just a little girl. They always had a gift section during the holidays, and I had saved my allowance all year to buy gifts for my family. After I had bought something for each of them, I still had a little money left over, so I bought myself a genuine pearl, teardrop necklace, and a sterling silver, marcasite cross necklace. I took really good care of them and actually wore the pearl in my senior pictures. I still have them both to this day. What is the chance that you could buy real pearls and sterling silver jewelry in a grocery store today? Fun times!

Name: Clark Millman ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Dec 21, 2010, 5:58 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1976
City & State: Manhattan Beach,CA

Message: Everyone is piping in about Boys market but nobody mentioned Tony Antinelli who was the manager when I started bagging in '74. Some jerk named jeff took over after Tony and then Golem followed. Boy we had great looking checkers led by Teri Hammon. We used to fight to bag for her. I remember my breaks real well. I'd always dash over to Clarks for a double dip rocky road cone and have just enough time to chow it down before it was time to get back to bagging or collecting carts. I remember John Dye 1973?) was an assistant manager over at Clarks. In the early 60s I remember my mom taking me shopping at Boys and she would leave her keys in the car! My how times have changed!

Name: Tom Shelley ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Dec 21, 2010, 3:09 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1962
City & State: beaumont, CA

Message: Speaking of this "Biblical" rain reminds me of when we first moved to California. Some of our relatives had moved here in the late 40's and were writing my mother about how the sun always shined in CA. 'The land of palm trees and sunshine!' That sounded good to us after many winters in Connecticut. My parents had come out for a couple of visits, (during the summer) and finally decided to "make the move". We arrived in Sunny California on October 1st, 1951, I think it started raining on the 2nd. and it rained for the entire month; and maybe more. Well my folks were ready to pack and hit the road back to CT. I don't know if the weather broke or if they just decided it would be too expensive to move back. What ever the reason, thank God we stayed. Merry Christmas y'all!

Name: Michael M Kratz ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Dec 21, 2010, 10:39 am - HHS Time

Class: 1971
City & State: Vegas

Message: What's with this Biblical rain.... wasn't it back in 1969, when it seem like it was never going to stop raining in Hawthorne?

Name: Bill Ferrier ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Dec 21, 2010, 9:58 am - HHS Time

Class: 1973
City & State: Woodland, CA

Message: Enza, you have a great memory of Boy's Market. I started working there at 16. Don Moran was the manager at the time. I believe Tony Golem replaced Don. I was taking German and Mr. Berger at the jewelry store used to coach me on my German. I worked every holiday I could for the "triple time." I worked every Saturday and Sunday morning from 6-3 after being out very late the night before, then Tuesday and Thursday nights 6-10.

Name: Bob Faulkner ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Dec 21, 2010, 7:22 am - HHS Time
Class: 1963
City & State: lake of the ozarks, missouri

Message: yes howard, and fellow "cougs" i attended the party in redondo beach and had a great time. a nice little turn out, and i would like to thank bill schultz for his hard work and dedication in putting it on. i would like to see more of these type of affairs because as we are getting older reunions seem to be a thing of the past. everyone have a very merry christmas and happy new year!

Name: Howard "Paco" Duran ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Dec 20, 2010, 11:35 am - HHS Time

Class: 1961
City & State: Lake Forest

Message: How did Bill Schultz's Redondo Beach get together turn out?

Name: Gary Bickers ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Dec 20, 2010, 8:59 am - HHS Time

Class: 1963
City & State: pve cal

Message: You will all be pleased that I have no incorrect deaths to report today. Christmas in Hawtheorne for about 12-20 of us was; Christmas morning with our families, early dinner with the families then surfing at 26th street followed by the midnite showing of the new James Bond movie that always opened on Christmas night in Hollywood.

Name: Jerry Rigney ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Dec 19, 2010, 11:37 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1959
City & State: Palmdale,Ca

Message: Enza, thank you, and you're right, it was Berger. I never worked there but my eldest son Dave, c/o '80 worked there seven years ('78-'85). Tony and I would have coffee and donuts while my wife shopped. Sometimes Carol, Herman and/or other customers would join us. Clarks was a favorite place for ice cream. Tom Hoffarth (father of 5 Cougars) and I would go almost every night for a cone or two. John, I know it tis the season but thank's to you, all that noise you hear isn't "Sleigh Bells", some of it's just "Brains Rattling and Re-memories ringing. Thank's again for all you do.

Name: Paul Wieber ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Dec 19, 2010, 10:58 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1969
City & State: Carmichael, Ca

Message: "Around, round, get around, I get around, yea"... lol... Hey, Sharon I now live near Sacramento in Carmichael. Still have my property in Arizona though. Have a Merry Xmas!

Name: Madeline Pelland ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Dec 19, 2010, 7:30 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Ryan
Class: 1969
City & State: Redondo Beach CA

Message: So you worked at the California Donut's @ The Boys Market too!! I can't remember when I actually started working there but I do remember very well I was working there on a day I will never forget June 5th 1968. I usually closed but this night I was getting off early to go with some friends of mine to The Ambassador Hotel to see Robert Kennedy because we lucky enough to be a part of his campaign for President. I got home and was changing and the tv was on and I heard my mother scream and say oh no it can't be and I sat on the end of the sofa not believing what I was seeing and hearing. It brought back the same numbing feelings I felt just 5 years earlier when President John F Kennedy was assassinated. So I worked there that summer. Does anyone remember the tv tube testing booth they had in the front of The Boys Market. My mother would send me down to test a tube because our tv was on the fritz. Sometimes we got lucky and just replacing a tube would do the trick. Yes I do remember a watch stand in there as well. I totally forgot all about that. That store seemed to have it all. It had a check cashing booth where one could go to cash just about any type of check and then just go shopping. There was also another California Donut shop in The Boys Market that was on Aviation Blvd in Hermosa Beach, now its a Big Lots. Every time I drive by there it brings back so very many memories. And yes Denny was a guy you didn't want to mess with but he was also very respectful of older people and he had alot of heart. He was a very loyal and protective friend.

Name: Enza Nicocia ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Dec 19, 2010, 6:31 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Nicocia
Class: 1972
City & State: San Pedro Hill

Message: Jerry, You are correct, it was Tony Golem that was the manager at Boys. Julio Berger's dad, Herman, was the Jewelry shop owner. Talk about an imposing man..Mr. Berger made my dad look like a creme puff..lol. Did you work there as well? I still remember the 'courtesy' that the boxboy's would do for the customers: Unload the shopping cart for the shoppers! I still try & do that for someone who is in front of me that is elderly, or cannot reach the bottom of the massive shopping carts that they now have. Now, that's customer service that's gone out w/the horse & buggy..just like someone pumping your gas & checking the oil & washing your windows...The good old days...lol :)

Name: Jerry Rigney ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Dec 19, 2010, 4:33 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1959
City & State: Palmdale, Ca

Message: Before his transfer to the Marina, the store manager at Hawthorne Boy's was Tony Golem and Carol Rauser was assistant manager. Julio Romero also worked there, his father owned the watch shop inside Boy's. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Name: Armand Vaquer ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Dec 19, 2010, 12:41 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1972
City & State: Tarzana, Karloffornia

Message: I missed the discussion on the L.A. Times and Herald-Examiner as I was running around Tokyo and Niigata. Back in 1977, I worked for both papers at the same time. For the L.A. Times, I was a telephone solicitor who called people asking them to subscribe. For the Herald-Examiner, I was doing feature photography for their South Bay section. One assignment was to cover Frazier Smith's gig at the Sweetwater Cafe in Redondo Beach. The Herald-Examiner may be long gone, but the old Her-Ex building still stands.

Name: Wayne Dickey ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Dec 19, 2010, 10:23 am - HHS Time

Class: 1969
City & State: La Palma, Ca.

Message: To those who only knew Dennis Zumwalt as a bad ass, he was also one of the most gifted baseball players to come from our area. I know this , because of my conversations I had with my father-in-law (Don Cook), who himself played major league ball. Don once said that Dennis had the talent and skills to play major league ball. On another note, Donna and I would like to wish everyone at Cougartown a safe and Happy Christmas and New Years.

Name: Carl Johnson ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Dec 18, 2010, 4:31 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1969
City & State: Torrance Ca

Message: Ron Treat it's good to hear from you on Feedback. I remember our days at Loyola Marymount with Rick Carden. Last I remember you were trying to hire a Hari Krishna drum group to be the band at your party, and Rick was pursuing a minor league opportunity with the SF Giants.

Name: Michael M Kratz ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Dec 18, 2010, 3:56 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1971
City & State: Vegas

Message: Boy! Do I remember the Zumwalts. I was with brother Paul(Butch) class of 69, and ran into the Zumwalts outside of the School grounds, I think this was either 68 or 69. My brother already knew the Zumwalts and I didn't. The older Zumwalt suggested I should fight his younger brother, yeah right! My brother knew I didn't know how to fight and pretty much ended that idea! I don't believe any of the Zumwalts graduated from Hawthorne High accept for their younger sister. Living on 130th and Shoup Street(Shoup Street Freaks) their were a lot of bad ass's that hang out at are house. I remember one night in 68 or 69 when Art Vadergalien and Timmy Fye were drunk hanging out in are front yard. They then headed over to Rick Lights house and knock out cold a friend of Rick Lights. They pick him up and laid him eagle style on the hood of a park car in front of Rick Lights house at 131st and Shoup. They then march back over to our house and ask who else thinks we are Narcs. Butch, Tony Carson and Greg Shambaugh all took cover in the house. But Ed Derriono(not sure about the spelling) went through the back side gate. Art Vandergailen and Timy Fye follow Ed through the side gate and caught up to him in our back yard. Where they proceded to carry Ed back to the front yard. With all this comotion going on, it woke my dad up. My dad went outside and caught Timmy Fye and Art dragging Ed out to the front yard, where they wanted to kick EDS butt. Ed was lucky to get away with his life that night. My dad ask Timmy and Art to leave... they refuse and I remember seeing Timmy peeing on the ground where my father stood. I was watching this from the windows of my house. My dad turn and headed for the house and told Timmy and Art not to be their when he comes back out. My dad return to the front yard with a Heavy Billy Stick that Police use. With my mom and I watching from the front door. I witness my dad plummeted someones head with three good hits which brought this tough guy to his knees. To protect the living and the dead I can't say who it was that my dad plummeted to the ground. But after that night I never knew my 47-year old dad who only weighed 130-pounds could take down a tough guy.