Hawthorne Feedback

Name: Jerry Rigney ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Jan 4, 2011, 8:52 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1959
City & State: Palmdale, Ca

Message: The Rite Note music store was owned by Bernice Setterberg. When her husband passed away in the early fifties her son Alan HHS c/o '59 and I helped her when we weren't in school. A few years later he worked for Boy's Market on the blvd. at 118th. st. and became the youngest manager in their chain. As Tom Shelley said, "she was a very nice lady" as was her family. Tucker was shining shoes at that shoe repair shop even before Meek bought it. As a very young boy I not only got my shoe's shined by him, he taught me how to shine shoes and even let me shine with him a few times. In about 1975 I happened to see him standing a couple of doors from where I worked in Inglewood and found he had been working in a machine shop there over twenty years, the entire time he had been shining shoe's in Hawthorne. I was told later of his passing.

Name: Karen Lemaistre ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Jan 4, 2011, 7:38 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Masters
Class: 1972
City & State: Hollyglen, CA

Message: For those that are interested...The Golden Phoenix is still there...I just got a flyer in my mailbox about a week ago! The address is: 12033 Hawthorne Boulevard

Name: Tom Shelley ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Jan 4, 2011, 5:27 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1962
City & State: Beaumont, CA

Message: Wow, Catherine, you have a truck load of memories! The Pizza Show guy that I remember from the early 60's was called "Frenchie" (hey I don't make 'em up, OK)? He was a very nice guy. Gave me free coffee more than once when he suspected that I had had a little too much "Friday night football". And you're right, Meeks and Tucker were really nice men. Treated everyone well. In a way I guess you could say that Hawthorne was the Mayberry of the West!

Name: Judy Degrazia-Blomsterberg ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Jan 4, 2011, 4:49 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1964
City & State: Torrance CA

Message: All this talk of shoe repair and Haw Bl. sparked some memories on Haw Bl and El Segundo (S.W. corner) In the 50's and 60's there was a shoe repair store that had a little mechanical manikin repair man in the window that hit a nail over and over again.. year after year he never stopped. Next to that was Mr. Robert's Beauty Supply and next to that was Joe Miller's (the mayor) Italian Deli. My parents bought that deli in the 80's.. Next to the deli was Satyr's Den. There was also a Curries ice cream store on the same block. All that's gone now, even the smell of a good mortadella hanging on a hook in the window of the deli.

Name: Suzy Beal ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Jan 4, 2011, 3:56 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1972
City & State: Los Angeles, CA

Message: Hi Neil, There was a grocery at the SW corner of Prairie and Imperial called Imperial Farms - is that the one you were thinking of? Kind of a ram shackle place, partly open-air, sawdust on the floor, etc. Maybe "Green Farms" was someplace else, though. - Suzy

Name: Carl Johnson ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Jan 4, 2011, 3:26 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1969
City & State: Torrance, Ca

Message: Marie and I cruised the boulevard north today to see if the Golden Phoenix was still in business or not. We shared the combination appetizer plate and some tea. Per the waiter, the restaurant did indeed close for some time but reopened under new management in February 2010. There were only 3 other customers while we there so it might not be there for too much longer. The pot stickers were good. The line for lotto tickets at Blue Bird Liquor stretched all the way down the block.

Name: Lillian Parra ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Jan 4, 2011, 2:13 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: McDonald
Class: 1963
City & State: Havasu Lake, CA

Message: I remember the shoe repair place next to the little record store where we would buy our 45's - there was a shoeshine guy with his shoeshine setup on the outside and then inside a different guy and the shoe repair place - I relied on that place for many years; the last time I was there was to get a pair of favorite heels fix'd up for my ten year reunion, I told him I planned to do some dancing! - the shoe repairman was so proud of his work he told me "you should be able to kick the ceiling in with these" They were both really nice friendly men - those were easy going days, I wish we could have them back! I remember everything you've been mentioning Rocco's, Pizza Show, Green Farms, boy those were the days weren't they! Thanks John, Happy New Year everybody:-) - Lil

Name: Dennis Shelley ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Jan 4, 2011, 1:27 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1967
City & State: Santa Teresa, N.M.

Message: John, I haven't posted in some time since I have been very busy on the southern border. Best wishes go out to you and to all Cougartown for a properous and happy New Year, especially to my 1967 graduate class. Dennis

Name: Catherine Robuck ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Jan 4, 2011, 12:01 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1971
City & State: San Pedro CA

Message: Hi Cougars, Tom Shelly (62) who's John R? Are you talking with my brother John Robuck elsewhere in the computer? Pls email me if so, I haven't talked with him in a while. "Rite Note Records"? Where exactly was that shop? I know it was on the east side of Hawthorne Blvd a tiny shop, very nice lady (Bernice)? that we'd sing a few words to her and she'd know the song and play the 45 for us to make sure it was what we wanted to buy and yes she did tell you Rowdy's to calm down or get out! now and then. I wish I was there to help empty the store when it closed but I'd probably be asking them to keep it open forever! Anyone remember Jack the Ice Cream man who regularly gave Free Ice Cream to kids without money on 119th and prairie in the early 80's? I also remember the Helms Truck at 617 Gale ave. where my grandparents and uncle Benny (Ben Baruch)lived. That was 1 blk east of Ing ave. and 118th st. He had a wonderful drawer of doughnuts as my grandma was buying bread etc. from him. We also had a Big Truck come down our street with a ride inside that we'd pay to ride. Anyone remember that? They also had kiddy rides to ride at 118th and Hawthorne Blvd. North West side of street, we'd go to on Sundays. My friend May and I ate at Golden Phoenix this past year. It's on the south west side of Hawthorne Blvd. and 120th St. south of a Shoe wherehouse and small gift shop next door. I hope it's still open and there? Ahh Pizza Show at the outside order window this guy (I useta know his name) he worked there a long time and would throw the dough way up high and we'd wait to see him miss and end up on his head but it never happened, he was too good at it. We had some real play with your food fun those days. He had short brown hair some kinda chains or necklaces maybe an Italian horn and had a cute accent in speaking. They have yummy submarine sandwiches which still bring me back there to eat. Also Rocco's on Inglewood ave. and 137th? It was a corner shop with Italian food and a pool table inside. Shoe shine guy we called Happy/Sunshine was definately all of the above and brought smiles to us many times going home from school at Hawthorne intermediate where we had a Biggie's Hamberger join and Mexican restraunt at the corner of the street our school was on ,east side of Haw blvd. Talk to me Cougars maybe some of this conversation will bring you out of the woodwork. Love ya and make your day Beautiful! I'm hungry Bye for now Cathie

Name: John Rout ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Jan 4, 2011, 8:21 am - HHS Time

Class: 1963
City & State: Cerritos, CA

Message: Tom S., The Golden Phoenix sign is still there, but the place has been closed for years. Anne and I went there about two years ago and it was nothing but dust on the inside. I think you're right about the record store. Isn't that the one that Bob Fraser cleaned out when it closed? Somewhere across from Chaney's wasn't it?

Name: Jim Sloey ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Jan 4, 2011, 7:01 am - HHS Time

Class: 1966
City & State: solvang

Message: Neil, the last information I had for Bryce was he was in Covina. My son was playing baseball at Cal Poly Pomona at the time and he was going to go to a game but schedules never meshed. Same old Bryce. I don't have any other info as it was on a computer that has since been replaced. This was about 2001.

Name: Carl Johnson ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jan 3, 2011, 10:02 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1969
City & State: Torrance

Message: Isn't it cool that the Golden Phoenix is still operating after all these years? Also the Pizza Show (I think).

Name: Neil Andersen ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jan 3, 2011, 9:41 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1962
City & State: Dallas, OR

Message: All you Cougar's in other places besides Oregon, It's so slow here it won't be New Years for another two weeks. Trying to find Bryce Barbosa, HHS 65, need some help please.

Name: Neil Larson ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jan 3, 2011, 5:22 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1971
City & State: Crestview Fl

Message: Cindy Wernicke- re... the pastrami place on the corner of Imperial. The best pastrami that “mom” could find was from Green Farms Grocery meat market /deli , it would come wrapped in that white paper with pink tape strip , the trouble was it tasted so delicious it never lasted long enough to get stale. Green Farms was up on Prairie north of Imperial if my memory serves me. If anyone can share more about Green Farms ,help!

Name: Tom Shelley ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jan 3, 2011, 4:33 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1962
City & State: beaumont, CA

Message: Thanks, John R. I couldn't remember the full name; and according to Catherine R., it's still there...could that be? Catherine, maybe the record store you used to frequent was "Rite Note Records". Owned by Bernice (?), a very nice lady who put up with a lot of crap from all us young "hoodlums".

Name: Clark Millman ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jan 3, 2011, 4:31 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1976
City & State: Manhattan Beach,CA

Message: Cougar sighting: Just went to my mailbox to pick up mail and I recognized a guy walking down the street..Bill Featherston! For those of you who don't know Bill, he was the student activities director at HHS in the 70s. Coolest administrator I ever knew at Hawthorne. I practically lived in his office my senior year, using the phone and organizing senior class activities. My favorite Cougar sighting to date.

Name: Catherine Robuck ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jan 3, 2011, 12:57 pm - HHS Time

Maiden: Robuck
Class: 1971
City & State: San Pedro Ca

Message: Hi Cougar people. Hope everyone enjoyed the Holiday and are looking forward to a Fresh and better than ever New Year. To make mine better, I've been walking 10 laps each morning around the block, it's really [got me going in circles] but gonna avoid diabetes, heart disease, alizheimers, fat and stuff like that. Ain't gonna describe me as Phat or Fluffy! Veggies, Fruit, the Apple a day keeps the Dr. away, YEA! Any other Cougars doing something good and new and just for you? Cindy, there is a Chinese place called Golden Phoenix on 120th and Hawthorne Blvd that's been there for years. Also a Chinese Laundry Cleaners owned by Mr. Wong was near the railroad tracks on Hawthorne Blvd. between 120th St and El Segundo Blvd. My friend since 6th grade, an HHS grad of 71 May Wong is one of his many daughters and 2 sons. Does anyone remember Happy, the black man that shined shoes near the tracks? He was so kind and cheerfull to all passing by and truely lived his name. I remember spending alot of my babysitting money on the latest 45 records at a little store in that general area but don't remember the name? And Ralphs use to be Boys Market and the bags said Where the boys love the girls. I rode in the carts with my grandma and laughed when I was placing my own tots in the carts. 1957 Chevys by day (surfers rule) and 1964 Impalas cruising at night. Drive in movies, bowling, Dances and pool and giant shrimp and fries roller skated out to your car. YUM! Just gotta love Hawthorne, "City of Good Neighbors" and all that we have in being a part of it. Eucalyptus park and carroms board games, hand ball, skating, swimming in the big round pool, Arts and crafts in the gym and you older kids were nice to us little ones but were very ruff and crazy to each other. I'd laugh and watch from afar to be safe but you knew how to have FUN! I see some of your names on this site. Make your day Beautiful, Cathie

Name: Marla Crane ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jan 3, 2011, 11:49 am - HHS Time

Maiden: Crane
Class: 1975
City & State: Corvallis OR

Message: We were playing Balderdash Saturday night and one of the acronyms to be described was BBFU. Guess what it stands for??? Beach Boys Freaks United. Of course that led me to discussing Cougartown and HHS' link to the Beach Boys.

Name: John Rout ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Jan 3, 2011, 8:23 am - HHS Time

Class: 1963
City & State: Cerritos, CA

Message: Tom Shelley, the name of that restaurant on Hawthorne Blvd. was Golden Phoenix and it was one of the best around.

Name: George Johnson ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Jan 2, 2011, 8:24 pm - HHS Time

Class: 1962
City & State: Palm desert, Ca

Message: John;I know that at one time in history that there were pig farmers in Hawthorne. My Grampa on my moms side moved here from Texas and had a small 3 or 4 acre farm where Mattel toys was built on Rosecrans Ave. near the train tracks, we used to refer to it as dog patch, and he had a couple of pigs. That's how come I know they call out suey, suey. suey, because that's what my Gramma used to yell when she called the pigs to eat. Also, as I got older and started dating, I went out with a few that were raised in Hawthorne, so this is kinda Hawthorne related LOL.Jorge