Name: EL/IDA () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 21:33:24
E-Mail: jakejude@aol.com
Maiden: JACOBSEN/KIESTER
Class: 60/61
City and State: KUNA, ID(HOME OF THE KAVEMEN)
Message: To all COUGARS out there, it's been brought up that the old Cougs haven't been writing in. Well I had a phone coversation with Rich Sloan, A.K.A Mr. Cougar in my book,(sorry John, but, he's also not "The King") a couple of weeks ago. For most of the older Cougs, Rich and his wife, Mary as we well know, were one of the biggest reasons that "The first ten year" reunion turned into the wonderful event that it was. Anyway to the point. I had mentioned to Rich that I had "stood up" a girl, she was a frosh and I was a jr. She had asked me to a "backwards dance" and I declined and told her I already had a date, I lied. Rich said so did he! I thought all these years that I was a low life for doing this (with extenuating circumstances your HONOR) and found out that Rich had done it too! We thought that this might open a book of, maybe fun, or get your blood pressure to rise. I have made my peace with this young lady thanks to this wonderful site. It only took 40 years. But damn I did it! I guess the rest of the story will be forthcoming, if you Cougs deem this subject worthy. To my new found budds! Jim W., Sloey, Royal, Howard, Calvin Kappen( remember skateboards on the Torrance cliffs, ooohhh, scary!)Thanks Cougs. Jakejude! MAY THE COUGAR BE WITH YOU!
So, anyone else out there do the little white lie thing to get out of a dance/date with, or because of, another Coug? Hmmmmmmm.....

Name: JIM SLOEY () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 18:35:32
E-Mail: TURKEYSAREUS.COM
Maiden: AROWDYISABEAUTIFULTHINGMAN
Message: JB HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I would like to take a moment to thank two Cougarettes, aka Rowdys for their help in our Operation Drumstick at our Church! Mo "mighty MO" Trott, for her help and Judy "WUDY CHICKEN BOOTY" Degrazia" for the donation of some really wonderful ice cream. We were geared to feed 300, and at 1:30 we had fed only 1. Well GOD doesn't always work the way we suspect HIM to work. We got on the phone and found that the LONG BEACH MISSION was going to start feeding at 2, and they were real worried they would not have enough food. They got all of our food in 25 minutes and suffice to say GOD had given us the right count when we gathered the food, HE just didn't tell us where it would be eaten until the last minute. HE is so great! Happy Thanksgiiving to all of you and may GOD Bless you all! Robin thanks for the call WHEW! GO DUCKS! SLOEY
I wouldn't have wasted Gods time on that one Jimbo, as I could have called that one. How many starving homeless do you think live in Redondo Beach? Why don't you just have your church set up a soup kitchen on Rodeo Drive. Be a Coug boy.

Name: Steve Fraser () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 18:19:35
E-Mail: wheresbutch
Class: 66
Message: There was a used lumber yard just south of Broadway on Inglewood Ave. I went to school at Eucalyptus with a guy named Chet Raspberry, who's dad owned it. Next door was the Lyons Sporting Goods Store. (Tim and Lola Lyons' dad owned that) They lived in a house on the back lot behind the store. Where are they, anybody know?
Trivia for the old folks...Where was "Rod's" drive in, home of the beef-dip sandwiches, etc.?

Name: Judy DeGRazia () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 17:06:48
E-Mail: Redondo612@aol.com
Maiden: rowdygirlpicinCT
Class: 64
City and State: Torrance, CA
Message: Re: That freckled face girl's pic.. I'll say that ROWDY SANDY PEPPERS - before she was so Rowdy. So, what do I win? (don't go there John)
Judy DeGrazia THE ROWDYS.
Sorry Judy, the question has already been answered. You win the Booby Prize.....oops, sorry about that.

Name: pat desmore () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 17:04:26
E-Mail: gary.desmore
Maiden: trojans
Class: 61
Message: Sandy Peppers, Right Kenny!
Yes, It's Sandy Peppers and don't call me Kenny.

Name: Jerry () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 17:04:19
Message: Thanks John. I will put the shift kit with the rest of the "stuff" I don't use anymore, (tools for flat head fords, '59 cad taillights '63 studebaker lark gas cap etc.) Thanks again, I'm sure since you were kind enough to give it to me, (and I know you hated parting with it) I'm probably the only guy in the world to have one for that old car.

Name: pat desmore () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 17:02:22
E-Mail: gary.desmore@xylan.com
Maiden: trojans
Class: 61
City and State: woodland hills
Message: who lived across the street from Hawthorne high scool (Inglewood Ave.) and later became the post office? Hint his father owned a sporting goods co.
Hey Pat, Glad to see you checking in. I think i know this one. I'll leave it out there for someone elses keyboard.

Name: Chris Prewitt () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 16:39:42
E-Mail: cjprewitt@juno.com
Class: 7AF
City and State: Fullerton, CA
Message: John,
Could you explain what is an east-sider and what is a west-sider? I lived east of the 405 freeway (when it was finally built) and west of Inglewood Ave. I didn't technically live in Hawthorne they called it an unincorporated area of LA county. I know I was not an insider or hard cider is there such as a center sider? No wonder I had so many problems while growing up! I could not afford to buy a Pendleton and didn't wear khakis. I wasn't a surfer but I definitely wasn't a hodad and too young to be a beatnik. I refused my student deferment and asked my 1A-draft classification papers. The army didn't want me. And they think kids have identity problems today? I am still so confused!? Is anyone else?
Chris, An "Eastsider" went to, or should have gone to, Intermediate and a "Westsider" went to, or should have gone to, Dana.
I think you were an "OUTsider".

Name: John Baker () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 17:35:14
E-Mail: jb1@cougartown.com
Class: 7AA
City and State: Lomita, CA
Message:Does anyone know who this little freckle faced beauty is? No close friends or family allowed to guess. Hint: She's been at the last 2 Cougartown events. Can you name her?

Name: Diana Calabro () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 16:05:50
E-Mail: joe_diana@yahoo.com
Maiden: Thompson
Class: 1961
City and State: Hawthorne,Ca
Message: Hi John, Just checking in, it has been awhile. We had a loss in our family two weeks before Thanksgiving, trying to cope with this, but I am thankful our family was together for Thanksgiving. Hope all the Cougars and family had a great day. Will be checking in more often, it is nice to have friends out there, especially like you.
Thanks Diana, I'm glad to see you're still with us. Another Cruise Night January 9th. See if you can get Joe to show.

Name: Jerry () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 15:49:35
Message: Bob.... Thank you, your right about chuck's muffler, which later moved So. of El Segundo blvd. Before the church or Eucalyptus park, there was a lumber yard. Do you know the name of it? John.... Thank you but that buick had a stick behind a built straight eight. It was known as a "lead sled" because all the custom work was done with lead (before bondo). It was nosed, decked. frenched headlights & taillights. lowered custom grill, paint & full tuck & roll inside. I know you don't think it was fast, but with all the hot rods we had around town the only two cars that were any problem were '55 chevys & buicks. In 1955 the big race was between chevys and buicks.
Hey Jerry, Keep the Dynaflow shift kit. You never know when you might need it.
I have to add to the mid 50's hotties. The Kettering V8's (Olds and Cadillac, and maybe Studebaker) were in the loop with the 265 Chevy, but do NOT forget the Hudson flathead 6 with Twin H power. Great Memories Jerry, keepem comin'........

Name: Judy DeGRAZIA () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 14:53:11
E-Mail: REDONDO612@aol.com
Maiden: thedayafter-ugh!!!
Class: 64
City and State: Torrance, CA
Message: Quick note... ROWDY T-day dinner was a huge success.. you know the ROWDY slogan. If you can chew it, swallow it, or cook it-it's unacceptable.. & everything must go through a blender.."dinner was over in 5 minutes". Also, I was with my brother, Andrew, yesterday..and he said he can't access Cougartown from his puter.. but wants to contact or be contacted by old friends..so..his email address is handyman176@juno.net. (told him not to believe anything anyone says about me) and he knows his sis never lies. BTW..aren't we suppose to have a function when the pages turn 200? so what gives...24 more to go. Give us fair warning King John.. you know us ROWDYS have to primp. WAXING..BLEACHING..EXFOLIATION..MANICURE.. PEDICURE..MUD BATH..AND OF COURSE..IRONING OUR BRAS INTO A POINT.. (oops, slipped again King)
Judy DeGrazia THE ROWDYS
No, there wasn't a function that was going to happen on Page 200, but what the heck. Let's do another Cruise Night. Actually, let's have it on a certain day in "Honor" of 200 pages, so we don't have to wait and see when it's going to happen. I say we have it the 9th of January. That's a couple of weeks after Christmas, so the Rowdys will have to wax their mustaches and bleach their under arm hair....... or do I have that backwards? Anyway, see you all at Fosters on January 9th.

Name: Bob Rierdan () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 14:08:09
E-Mail: printer@cheerful.com
Class: 61
City and State: Mtn. View, Mo
Message: Jerry - I have placed my head in the microwave for 30 seconds and I am now ready to guess:
I think the muffler shop was Chucks.
I remember there being a baseball diamond at the SE corner of Inglewood & 120th in the 50's.
Bob

Name: Bob Rierdan () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 13:11:02
E-Mail: printer@cheerful.com
Class: 61
City and State: Mtn. View, Mo
Message: Jerry - You are correct, Sir. The Hoot N' Holler.
John - Tell him what he's won!
Muffler Shop could have been named The Start N' Staller.
Bob
Jerry, You've just won a 48 Buick Dynaflow shift kit. Enjoy it and thanks for playing our game.

Name: Myrna Bizzell () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 12:24:50
E-Mail: mybizz@thegrid.net
Maiden: Bell
Class: 66
City and State: Coalinga, CA
Message: Well, King John, here I am. I finally got my new computer, and am pretty much back in working order. It sure is hard to replace all those "borrowed" programs when you change computers!! Alan was asking where we were when we heard that President Kennedy had died. I had convinced my mother that I had cramps, so I was laying in bed, reading and listening to the radio. Mom was doing the laundry... I don't know, Elizabeth, but I think you maybe starting a feud between the East and the West... There were a lot of us "really cool" people on the East side, huh King John! Ed Carpenter - did you know my brother Gordon ('62) - he lives in Downieville... Cal - used to love the drain ditches. Especially the one on Cedar between 120th and 122nd. It stole an awful lot of our baseballs from playing in the street, would also crawl into the one at 120th and Cedar. We were always afraid we'd get lost or a flash flood would get us! Mike Wilking, where in Germany are you? My son is in the Landstuhl/Kaiserslatern area. As for a rowdy Thanksgiving, with oh so much to be thankful for, we went to Jack Stone's Barn (in Lemoore for those in the area) and there were about 160 of Jim's family there. There were quite a few missing too. Never been involved with a family this size before. Everyone remember to be thankful year round, and don't forget that the most special season of the year is upon us. Jesus is the reason!!
Hey Myrn', Although we ARE a little partial to the Eastsiders, I'd say Hawthorne had some fun people from both sides of the Blvd.
Hope you had a great day and email me and let me know what you ended up with, computer-wise.

Name: Janet Burkett () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 12:01:25
E-Mail: jburkett@compaq.net
Maiden: Humphreys
Class: 62
City and State: Mission Viejo, Ca
Message: Hope everyone had a GREAT Thanksgiving!
Thank YOU John, for being a part of our wild turkey day. By the way, you're only the YOU DON'T KNOW JACK champ until next time!!
JB (the other one)
NO PRACTICING!!!

Name: Keith D.Jones () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 11:34:07
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Class: 76
City and State: Las Vegas, NV
Message: I just read where someone said all the cool people lived in Holly Glen. You couldn't more right! We were cooler though I think because we lived closer to the beach and the cool air comes off the ocean ....and oh well you get the picture. I do realize though that growing up in Holly Glen limited our (at least mine) knowledge of most other places in Hawthorne. It wasn't until I graduated and left home that I really saw Hawthorne. I very rarely went east of the 405 except with my parents and to go to HHS and to work out at Doc's which was just one block east of the 405. Like always when I read this site I begin to look back when I was younger and miss the friends I grew up with. It was alot of fun though growing up in Holly Glen.

Name: LARRY BILLER () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 04:41:02
E-Mail: LBiller49@Yahoo.com
Class: 1967
City and State: PORTLAND,ORYGUN
Message: We had a great Thanksgiving across the river in Vancouver, Washington. Rained all day. Looking forward to seeing the sun again someday.
Hello to Alan Thayer, one of my ex-neighbors in Hawthorne who just checked in to Cougartown today!
OH YEAH AND TO JOHN BAKER: NO YOU'RE NOT BEING DEMOTED TO MAYOR. YOU'RE STILL THE KING!
Hey Thanks Lar'. If I get demoted to anything other than King, I lose my beheading power.

Name: Jerry () on Friday, November 26, 1999 at 02:48:18
Message: The name of the cafe was "HOOT N HOLLER. What was the name of the muffler shop?
Also, what used to be on the S.E. corner of 120th. ST. & Inglewood Ave. in the '50s.

Name: Michael McGrorty () on Thursday, November 25, 1999 at 23:25:23
E-Mail: www.michaelmcgrorty.com
Message: I am the son of former English teacher Joe McGrorty. Nice site here; there is an article about my old man on my site, www.michaelmcgrorty.com. Keep up the good work. Michael McGrorty, Leuzinger class of 1974, formerly of Gerkin Avenue, Hawthorne.
Michael, I know I'll check it out and thanks for letting us know.

Name: Keith D.Jones () on Thursday, November 25, 1999 at 23:13:49
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Class: 76
City and State: Las Vegas, NV
Message: Buurrrppp, Excussssseeee me. I just had three full plates and I'm now resting in front of my PC. I was always told that if you didn't burp after a meal it meant you weren't satisfied. So I hope that explains it. Anyway, hope everybody feels as good as I do and can't wait for that Christmas dinner now.
Hey Keith, I feel the same way. I stuffed myself at Janet Burkett's today too. Thanks Janet for everything. It was nice meeting the family and sharing the day. By the way, I am the "You Don't Know Jack" champion of Mission Viejo.

Name: Susan Walling () on Thursday, November 25, 1999 at 22:09:42
E-Mail: funds4kids@yahoo.com
Maiden: Ciampa
Class: 77
City and State: Still El Segundo, CA
Message: I currently have my house up for sale and an agent shows up at my door wanting to know if he can walk his clients through. We are all chatting for a minute and then I realize that this agent is none other than David Veerman, HHS Class of '77 Alumni... and was the saxophone player in the band. We started talking about all of the people we went to high school with and he asked if I had stayed in touch with any of the band members (mainly his old girlfriend!). I couldn't resist the opportunity to introduce him to Cougartown, so we left his clients to tour the house on their own while we toured CT. What a riot! In case any of you want to get in touch with David (like maybe someone who knows where we can find his old girlfriend!), his e-mail address is, soldbydavid@aol.com.
Susan
Hey David, Add yourself to the list and climb aboard. She WILL show up eventually. I guarantee it.

Name: Bill Sloey () on Thursday, November 25, 1999 at 20:46:36
E-Mail: wsloey@aol.cpom
Class: 69
City and State: Gardena, CA
Message: King John, I never disobey a direct order my response is of course a terrific Thanksgiving to all of CT, and all of its hardcore readers like me. I have been reading CT and adding very little, I love "CONFUSED SAY", why don't you let it rip it really helps the Blues Man!!!! Okay a few kudos for all the CT people and there on going support, it has really helped. Thanks Linda, Roger, Alan and many others. JB Thanks to you for all of this and more. I have flashed to the Thankfulness that we all share on this day, My thoughts goes to Mom & Dad whom are with me in spirit. Please take the time for all of you that have the time, to tell your parents for good or bad .. Thanks for the effort. You will feel better and they will too. I'M A COUG. Bill. Confused say MY OLdest Brother Talks to much. hahaha. CYA, Later
Hey Bill, It's nice to know you're out there. I can't see the lurkers from here and so I don't know who's..........well, lurking. Thanks for checking in Bill, and Mom, Thanks for the effort. I do love you.

Name: Elizabeth Castanon () on Thursday, November 25, 1999 at 20:23:17
E-Mail: lizcastanon6@hotmail.com
Maiden: Cary
Class: 1973
City and State: Amarillo Tx
Message: I've been sitting here at the PC on Thanksgiving night... Husband is at work and all the family have gone to see in-laws and other friends. So I log on to my new addiction, the Cougar web and go back and read feedback from when the web was new, listen to Barry White and reminisce. I wasn't one of the most popular kids in school, I pretty much kept to myself and a small circle of friends that included Debbie Hill, Janice Anderson, and Beth Millman. (any of those names click a memory?) I went to York, Hawthorne Intermediate and HHS all years and always stayed around the same group of friends. Briefly dated Jeff Nathanson, Bill Horton, Bob Skrimshaw and eventually David Bridgwater who I married and had six kiddos with. We divorced in 1994 and I remarried two years ago. I lived on Menlo and spent most of my years on 115th between Doty and Prairie. My dad and I used to walk to Imperial Farms for groceries during the week and on Sundays sometimes we would go to Dennys Burgers on the corner of Imperial and Prairie. I used to walk the drainage ditch between Debbie Hills house and the park behind Kornblum. All the cool people lived over in Hollyglen so when we could drive we would pick up McDonalds or Jacks and "cruise Hollyglen". I have so many great memories of growing up in Hawthorne and am looking forward to a reunion that I can attend. Keep up the great web. It truly is a trip in time.
Hi Liz, Who said ALL the cool kids lived in Hollyglen??!! I was an Eastsider just like you and plenty of cool kids lived on our side of the Blvd. I'm glad you're enjoying the website, and that it's keeping you close to your buds. That's what it's all about. The Internet can keep us all close no matter where we live. Thanks for being a part of Cougartown.

Name: Frank A. Romano () on Thursday, November 25, 1999 at 13:39:29
E-Mail: fromano@lvcm.com
Class: 1961
City and State: Las Vegas, Nv.
Message: Just what is it JB that you knew because you're old...I'm surprised you just didn't explain the mystery of royal knowledge... Tom's in the Weber so I've got a few minutes to kick back and wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. It's also a good time to take a minute and thank all of those of you have made another year possible. I would like to share my thanks with everyone at Cougartown, my heart donor and his family who made this year possible. At the same time I would like to remind everyone about becoming an organ donor. The number of people that are waiting is a staggering number. And I can only say I know the way I felt waiting and waiting. I also understand how important it is to recycle life... God bless and keep each and all of you.
Hey Frank, I forgot now.We're glad you're with us too Frank you're a big part of Ctown and I wouldn't want it any other way. God bless.

Name: Bob Rierdan () on Thursday, November 25, 1999 at 13:11:32
E-Mail: printer@cheerful.com
Class: 61
City and State: Mountain View, Mo.
Message: I have a Hawthorne Trivia Question - Name the café that was across the street from HHS, on Inglewood Ave. during the '50's. Rumor is that the school had something to do with its demise because students were forbidden to go into the place. The building later became a muffler shop. (John - you don't get to guess on this one because we've talked about this place before.)
Bob
OK Bob, You have a great T-day too.

Name: Harry Plotkin () on Thursday, November 25, 1999 at 12:53:53
E-Mail: hcharry@pacbell.net
Maiden: Old Codger
Class: 52/97
City and State: Harbor City, CA
Message: Hello Jack Young! So nice to see your name on feedback. The burning eyes go away once you have caught up. You live in a beautiful place. I was there a year ago. Regards to Peggy and Jerry and your brother. I have exhausted my superlatives (both of them) in describing King John's efforts on behalf of all Cougars...and others in the Hawthorne area. Thanks for your kind words, John. As a Westsider I'm sure you would have been an asset to the Dana student body.
Happy Turkey Day and love to all, HCH
Superlatives back atcha' Harry. You have a great day too. I LOVE YOU MAAAN!!!! If anyone has a picture of Mr. Plotkin in his school days, please scan it, and email it to me. A head shot is preferred. Thanks all

Name: Cal Kappen () on Thursday, November 25, 1999 at 09:51:47
E-Mail: ekap@worldnet.att
Class: 59
City and State: El Cajon Ca.
Message: Hi Cougs! Happy Thanksgiving to all! While I was putting the turkey in the oven, I had a childhood flashback. I hope you will excuse me; I barely survived the 60's. I was wondering if anybody else explored the drainage ditch tunnels when they were kids. We would enter somewhere near Prairie in Lennox. We would take our bikes armed with road flares and flashlites and ride as far north as we could. One time we crawled up a tube and popped up in the middle of Hollywood Park Racetrack. They had drained the lake and they were working on it. I was just wondering if anybody else explored the tunnels.
Man, I remember that. I could never get more than a few hundred feet from where I went in. I think we would go in on about York and Broadway. Just too scary for me at 9 years old. Great Memory Cal, Thanks.......

Name: Cheryl Nicocia () on Thursday, November 25, 1999 at 09:09:53
E-Mail: chernico@cvc.net
Maiden: Christensen
Class: 62
City and State: Keno, Oregon
Message: HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone. We are here in the South Bay (Redondo Beach) for the holiday, spending time with our three girls.(as you know JB). This year I am thankful for many things, and having all my friends and family is at the top of the list. Thank you John for nagging me till I got a computer, and for being a good friend for more than 40 years. (yes, I know some of you out there aren't even that old) So to my friends and family, and all of my unmet friends out there in C-town, be safe, be happy and be thankful.
Thank you Cheryl, I love you very much. Have a great Thanksgiving Day with the family. BTW, You STILL owe me an El Toritos salad.