Name: Myrna Wood ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Oct 20, 2014, 11:35 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Bell
Class: 1966
City & State: Atascadero, CA

Message: Running behind on Cougartown, but my first car was a pea green 1960 four-door Studebaker Lark. We called it the chicken hawk. My grandfather stopped driving when I was a senior and he sold it to me for $120.

Name: David Barboza ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Oct 20, 2014, 11:07 am - HHS Time
Class: 1974
City & State: Long Beach

Message: A very Happy Birthday to Denise Dye Bartasavich. Hope your day is extra special and full of fun with family and friends.

Name: Lenora Puls ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Oct 20, 2014, 8:24 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Mills
Class: 1966
City & State: Murrieta, Ca.

Message: Happy Birthday to my wonderful sister-in-law. Have a fun day

Name: Mary Ann Martin ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Oct 20, 2014, 5:55 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Walton
Class: 1961
City & State: Nashville AR
No E-mail
Message: Happy B-Day Wishes to Dennis Morris.

Name: John Rout ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Oct 19, 2014, 8:55 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1963
City & State: Cerritos, CA

Message: Ernie Nixon, I don't think Pierre'Z Service Center was in Hawthorne. I used to take my old 260Z to a place of the same name that was located in Huntington Beach.

Name: Don D. ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Oct 19, 2014, 1:53 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1975
City & State: South Bay, CA

Message: Yes, Jody Weller, it was great seeing you at the VFW breakfast, Cruise Nights, and the picnics. I hope things work out well for you in San Jose.

Name: Jody Weller ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Oct 19, 2014, 11:18 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Halberg
Class: 1959
City & State: Hawthorne CA

Message: A BIG THANK YOU to all my friends and family at Cougartown for all the good times, fun, and well wishes for my move to San Jose. I will keep in touch. Love you all. JODY

Name: Don D. ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Oct 19, 2014, 10:40 am - HHS Time
Class: 1975
City & State: South Bay, CA

Message: George Key was a wonderful principal. We were fortunate to have him. Although against policy, he never made a fuss about us holding prayer in senior square before the start of classes both in 75 and 76. I found out about the illegality of doing so only long after graduating.

Name: David Barboza ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Oct 19, 2014, 6:55 am - HHS Time
Class: 1974
City & State: Long Beach

Message: We'll Remember We'll remember an educator, a mentor, a Principal, our friend, A man with school spirit right up to the end. We'll remember his love for his students, his care and concern, The effort he showed to help us to learn. We'll remember his soft gentle manner, and heart warming smile, His words of wisdom as we went through each trial. We'll remember his greetings as he walked the campus each day, A word of encouragement was always his way. We'll remember the man we all had the privilege to know, The man who wanted to see all of our dreams to grow. We'll remember this man who told us to strive, For the sun, moon, and stars all of our lives. We'll remember George Key as a bright shining star, The man who helped shape us into the people we are... With deepest appreciation, Thank you Mr. Key.

Name: Ernie Nixon ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Oct 18, 2014, 2:22 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1963
City & State: Atlantic Beach, Fl.

Message: Was just reading in a car magazine about a 72 Datsun 240Z that was bought in Hawthorne from a place called Pierre'Z Service Center. Never heard of this dealer. Does anyone have information about them?

Name: Mike Mecey ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Oct 18, 2014, 2:11 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1961
City & State: Roseville, CA

Message: My first car. A '51 Ford flathead. Blue on color jacked up in the back. We were featured one week in the Cougar paper. I found it in PV for $200. BUT! I did not have $200 so I went to the First Nation Bank of Grandma. She lent me the money but said I had to pay her back $25 every week until PIF... I don't know if she knew it or not, but there was a life lesson in that financial transaction... If you borrow something, return it when promised and in full... Doesn't matter if it is money or a cup of sugar. I knew that if I did not pay her back as promised, to never darken her door again no matter how big the "emergency" might be. I worked at Stellino's Market on 138th & Inglewood Ave. So every Friday when I got paid, the first place I visited was Grandma's pad... One night after football practice, I was stopped behind someone at a red light on Inglewood Ave and another car came from the adjacent lane & ran into me & pushed me into the car in front of me.... Totaled!!! To this day, a little tear forms when I think about that car. Lots of great memories that could never be duplicated no matter how new or fancy subsequent cars were.

Name: Judy Blomsterberg ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Oct 18, 2014, 8:11 am - HHS Time
Maiden: DeGrazia
Class: 1964
No E-mail
Message: Cougar Sighting: So who walks into the Hawthorne VFW last night but Jody Halberg Weller and her son, Bobby Poorman. My mom used to babysit Jody's kids when they were just babies, so I hadn't seen him in over 50 years. So this was a very special surprise for me...and he'll be at the VFW breakfast on Sunday. And a Happy BD to my sister under the skin, Sue Bierman. How does it feel to be Italian!!!!!

Name: David Barboza ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Oct 18, 2014, 7:21 am - HHS Time
Class: 1974
City & State: Long Beach

Message: A very big and warm Happy Birthday to Susan Bierman King! You rock girl. Hope your day is truly happy, blessed, and special, surrounded by family and friends. A big hug from me to you!

Name: Matt Peterson ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Oct 17, 2014, 9:47 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1974
City & State: EDH, CA

Message: Sad to hear of the passing of George Key. A great guy. After years of wearing my Cougartown tshirt and never running into anyone, I had a CT sighting. Tonight at a church dinner and dance I ran into Gino Skulick and his wife Yolanda both class of 73.

Name: Clark Millman ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Oct 17, 2014, 11:23 am - HHS Time
Class: 1976
City & State: Manhattan Beach, CA

Message: I was stuck to the heart last night reading of the passing of George Key. I never had the honor of meeting Wally Nyman but George Key was the best educational administrator I ever knew personally. Of Course Reese Walton was a star among stars too. I was especially hit because I was about two blocks from Georges home yesterday and I thought "I should drop in on Mr. Key one day" Unfortunately that thought came a little late. Mr. Key came to HHS in '72 and at our senior breakfast in '76 we awarded him with an honorary diploma from the class of'76 because his first four years at HHS were our four years there. Mr. Key was special because he wanted everyone to be proud of HHS. As Dave said, he attended many sports events, wandered the campus very often observing what was going on and interacting with the student body. We were honored to have such a man as our principal and he will live in our hearts forever! I remember him driving from P.V. to Fosters on his Harley in his 80s to attend cruise night. What a stud!

Name: Ray Shelley ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Oct 17, 2014, 8:59 am - HHS Time
Class: 1958
City & State: Mena, CA

Message: My first car. When I was 15 years old, I attended a City of Hawthorne auction. One of the items for sale was a 1947 four door Chevrolet. I think it had less then fifty thousand miles on the motor. I hate to tell this on myself! But, I will. I think the first bid was twenty-five dollars, I bumped the bid by ten dollars, then someone bid forty-five dollars, I bid fifty, the auctioneer said "going once, going twice, before he could say sold, to the young man with curly hair, I said seventy-five dollars. As you can see, I was out of my league, but I didn't want to lose that car. ha I sold the Chevy after a year and purchased a 47 Mercury, two door coupe. Paid seventy-five dollars. I drove the Merc. for a while. One day I was in Inglewood driving around when the car stopped running. Just so happened I was close to a salvage yard. I pushed the Merc into the yard and asked the owner what he would give me for my car. He said fifty dollars. Then I asked if he had any cars that ran. He told me he had a forty-one Buick, two door sloped back, he would sell me for seventy-five dollars. So, I left the salvage yard in my new ride, less twenty-five dollars and my 47 Merc. The Buick was black primer, and had zebra stripe upholstery. The first time I pulled into Frosties, the front end bounced up and down, due to bad shocks. My friends were all standing around the parking lot when I pulled in. They got a good laugh at my entrance, between bouncing, the zebra stripe upholstery, and the black primer, they labeled the Buick, " The Jungle Cruiser". The one saving feature of my Buick, was the radio, best sound I ever had in a vehicle... Sometime I'll tell you a story involving the radio. Thanks John for jogging my memory. I had some great times growing up in Hawthorne..

Name: David Barboza ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Oct 17, 2014, 8:29 am - HHS Time
Class: 1974
City & State: Long Beach

Message: To the family of our principal and friend George Key. My most heartfelt and sincere condolences. Mr. Key was so much more to HHS students than a principal. He was also a friend and a mentor to us all. He exemplified the spirit of the school. I don't remember playing any football games at home where Mr. Key wasn't there. He always had an anytime open door policy for the students and had a loving and compassionate heart. It was because of that love, compassion and concern that I even graduated my senior year. My love and respect for him knows no bounds. His passing is deeply felt, but the fond memories of him will always remain. I know he now rests in arms of our Lord and is at peace. His life made a difference in the lives of many. I know it did in mine. Thank you George Key for everything.

Name: Mary Ann Martin ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Oct 17, 2014, 5:21 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Walton
Class: 1961
City & State: Nashville AR

Message: M. Key was an outstanding educator. My prayers to his family - it's tough to lose your dad.

Name: Patty Saville ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Oct 16, 2014, 9:43 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Valencia
Class: 1974
City & State: Laguna Beach, Ca

Message: A very big loss to all of us. George Key was an upright guy- a total gentleman in every sense of the word. I loved him as a role model and as a friend. Rest in peace George. I hope Olena is spraying you in the face with heaven's water fountain!

Name: Tom Shelley ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Oct 16, 2014, 10:43 am - HHS Time
Class: 1962
City & State: Beaumont, CA

Message: John Guerra, yah, since I lived next door to Bob, you probably did see the '31 parked in the driveway. I can't say that I do remember your Vette. But, man, we'd be Rollin' in green if we had all those cars now. Oh and THANKS A LOT!, for reminding me about my b'day. I'm trying to hang on to the 60's as long as I can. Not really. I'll officially be an 'old man' in a couple of weeks. I didn't know Mr. Key but I have heard many good things about him. My condolences to his family.

Name: John Baker ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Oct 16, 2014, 8:50 am - HHS Time
Class: 1960
City & State: Lomita CA

Message: I received the email, below, this morning from Principal George Key's daughter, she writes,

Name: John Guerra ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Oct 16, 2014, 6:43 am - HHS Time
Class: 1960
City & State: Anaheim, Calif

Message: Hey Tom Shelley, read your post on the 31 Chevy, I think I saw it once when you, bob, your brother and I were talking in front of bobs house on birch st. do you remember my red 62 Vette that I bought from Harry Mann Chevrolet in 67 ? What a machine, nice good ole days my friend. ps, your birthday is coming up. adios amigo

Name: Judy Blomsterberg ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Oct 15, 2014, 6:42 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: DeGrazia
Class: 1964
No E-mail
Message: Thanx to all for the birthday wishes. I am still sitting here in the Ayres Hotel - Renaissance Room - waiting for the music and dancing to start. So far I've had to sit through a wedding and anniversary party and a bar mitzvah. I've kept a screwdriver buzz on for almost 3 weeks now and if no one shows up soon, I'm going over to the Proud Bird. To my hubby, Howie Noodleman, I got the cat and the bill and all I can say is that you are now about to witness a cat living till she's 40 or I want a refund. See you Sunday Sid, and none of those wet slobbery kisses from hell. (now I'm doomed for mentioning it).

Name: Janet Burkett ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Oct 15, 2014, 3:29 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Humphreys
Class: 1962
City & State: Ca
No E-mail
Message: Happy Birthday Judy!! Have a GREAT day and forget the dinner from Janny, go for the jewels!

Name: John Pritchard ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Oct 15, 2014, 2:09 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1969
City & State: Clayton, CA

Message: I can only second Paul Wieber's comments about the '69 reunion last Saturday at Tony's Pizza in Del Aire. We had a "proper chin-wag" as the English say. Since I'm an honorary class of '70 member (born in '52), I attended the earlier, four-class reunion. They had a great time, talking for hours. It may have been a second-unit at the mall last December, filming "Gone Girl", as Leo reported. Thought it looked familiar. If you think that you've had some bad relationships with difficult persons, see that long movie!