Saturday, December 19, 1998 at 18:26:33
Name: Cheryl Nicocia
E-Mail: chernico@cvc.net
Maiden: Christensen
Class: 62
Message: Hey SHARON KIRSNIS, Cheryl here. Imagine my surprise when I looked in on my buddy Johns Web site (like I do EVERY DAY) and seeing your message. Small world , huh? I forgot you went to good old HHS with sister-in-law ANNA. It was great running into you while I was down south for T-Day, also. Isn't this site great? John and I went to school together from 8th grade on, and have remained in touch all these years. In fact he is the reason I own this computer, and he is my long distance tutor. Love that guy. Sharon, you have a Great Christmas and say hello to your family. I sent you my address so now you can email me....TTYL, Cheryl

Saturday, December 19, 1998 at 16:19:54
Name: Judy DeGrazia
Maiden: DeGrazia
Class: 1964
Message: Love this Website... But I've been looking for old friends from Morningside High too, and hope someone will have that Website name for me. Maybe some of you remember that a great Morningside High hang out was Ah Ha's, located on Century Blvd. just west of Crenshaw.. Not to mention the Century drive in right across the street. If anyone can help me, please either leave a message or call (310) 793-5910.

Saturday, December 19, 1998 at 15:40:04
Name: Keith Jones
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Class: 76
Message: Well, my recollection of my past is baffling to me too. I barely remember what I did yesterday but for some reason I can remember things better from my far past. Shannon are you the younger brother of Brett. If so say hi to him.

Saturday, December 19, 1998 at 10:59:55
Name: Mandy Martes
E-Mail: mandymart@earthlink.net
Maiden: Treckman
Class: 81
Message: Hey Shannon. Yes, it used to be Amanda.....then I met this real cute guy in college, and he liked Mandy better. Mandy it's been ever since. People from high school and my family still sometimes call me Amanda. It used to bring a pit into my stomach because hearing it would bring me back to the insecure feelings of youth. Finally grew past that, though. I don't think people should legally be called adults until they're at least 30. Some of us later, too. Can you believe they let 18 year olds vote? And drive? Scary. :) Seeing your name reminds me of the good ol track and cross country days. Aviation-Rosecrans-Inglewood and back. Of course, we used to stop at the Gertens for a couple of beers when Tony Cherbak wasn't following us in his Gremlin. My folks were always so proud of me for hanging around with the athletes at school. If they only knew. Remember the tent at cross country camp? And Jeff coming back from the 12 miler without his socks?
BTW, I was wondering the same thing about Keith Jones.... Hey, Keith, what a memory! Sounds like you had an eventful childhood. Do your own kids spend any time in the principal's office? Just wondering... Speaking of kids, if I have to answer how many days until Christmas one more time, I may scream.
Merry Christmas, Cougars!

Friday, December 18, 1998 at 23:29:45
Name: Shannon Keys
E-Mail: skeys@uswest.com
Class: 81
Message: Hey Mandy (didn't it used to be Amanda?), several weeks back I too issued the challenge/request to hear from those sleepy late seventies's, early eighty cougars. I at first thought it only my dear friends who lacked the 90's communication tools and skills. Now, judging from the response, or lack of from the classes that started the eighties, my buds must be the norm.
Keith Jones. What kind of Viagra-like drug do you take to enable the regurgitation of the vaguest of yesterdays memories? I ask that with both envy and jealousy, as well as admiration for your enthousiasm of your yesteryears.

Friday, December 18, 1998 at 12:27:18
Name: Sharon Kirsnis
E-Mail: sskrb@aol.com
Maiden: Irvin
Class: 1974
Message: Hi John, Great page! I've had a blast looking through the past. Sure brings back some memories that have been hidden for a long time.
I have a favor to ask...please change my first name to SHARON on the alumni list. Somehow it got listed as Karen.
Keep up the great job...this is fun! Sharon
Note: Sharon, Sorry about that name thing. Consider it changed and thanks.

Friday, December 18, 1998 at 12:07:23
Name: Keith Jones
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Class: 76
Message: I know Tracy very well. Our family were friends. Tracy played with several teams. I heard he has a radio show in Cincinnati. He isn't a twin but has brother named Terry (a cop) and his little bro Heath who is a umpire in professional baseball. Krista I don't know what she is doing. His parents still live in Hawthorne I hear. Hope everyone has a great Christmas.

Friday, December 18, 1998 at 03:08:30
Name: Carole Campbell
E-Mail: rugrats@tfs.net
Maiden: Castillo
Class: 1979
Message: John, Got a chuckle out of your saying that somebody had made Hawthorne sound like Jurassic Park. I can remember my math teacher at Dana (Mrs Carr) she used to tell us all the time about how when she first started working at Dana there was nothing but bean fields and it would sometimes be so foggy that they had to ring a bell for the kids to find there way across the fields and to the school. Was wondering about you Keith. Are you related to Tracy Jones? I think he went to Lawndale.
Note: Carole, Wasn't Tracy Jones a twin, and didn't he play baseball for, or in, the Cincinnati organization?.

Thursday, December 17, 1998 at 18:34:36
Name: Barbara Smith
E-Mail: barbara.smith@supply.ge.com
Maiden: Skelton
Class: '64
Message: I just got a Christmas card from Wendy "Rideout" who told me about the web site. Glad to find out about it. It's fun to take the trip down memory lane. I live in Hawaii now, but see folks from home once in a while.

Thursday, December 17, 1998 at 09:49:47
Name: Vickie Arestegui
E-Mail: arstgui@aol.com
Maiden: Arestegui
Class: 1984
Message: John, thanks for the musical upgrade!! Loved hearing your rendition of "Merry Christmas Sandy".....I remember my musical roots!! Good Holiday to all and hope everyone has a great new year!!

Wednesday, December 16, 1998 at 15:03:09
Name: Susan King
E-Mail: sueking18
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1974
Message: Ok Bud -- I don't remember the message quite the way you did - in fact, the one I'm thinking about actually made it into the El Molino if I'm not mistaken (I hear yearbooks opening and pages turning) - the message I remember IS respectable enough to repeat! Email me the one you are thinking of...George - perhaps YOUR gang was the one who did the deed I am thinking of - I'm looking for the entire list of felons here! And the message - no points until you fess up! The event(s) sure made us all laugh! Wish I'd been there! Mandi - so they continued the tradition, huh? As it turns out the Treckmans and the Biermans have a current connection - Beth and my sis Sharon work together with scouts - small world....Joan Dunklau Forbess, Wayne and Diane Dorsheimer Harris, Jeff Roy and Tim Long, Geno Effler - let's get some postings from the keepers of the memories - former Cougar Staffers and Yearbook editors....
By the way John, LOVE the Christmas music! Is it just me or can anybody else visualize the HHS Drill Team doing a routine to this song at the Christmas assembly in the gym in either 1972 or 73? I always think of that when I hear this.....Michelle, I bet you remember.....You were wearing your flannel jammies.....

Wednesday, December 16, 1998 at 14:16:13
Name: Keith D. Jones
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Class: 76
Message: Betsy, You came up with a name I fondly remember. Candace Pakes. She was in my kindergarten class, I think 3rd grade and 5th grade Mr. Weiss. She was my first love (in my mind anyway). I remember in 5th grade I was Dudley Doright and Candace and Luella Dariano was going for the part of the girl I rescue off the railroad tracks then kiss at the end. I remember practising kissing with Luella and Candace. It was my first real kiss. I thought Candace was the prettiest girl in the world. Anyway, enough about puppy love. I love this site and keep up the great work John, I admire your dedication to HHS.

Tuesday, December 15, 1998 at 21:36:07
Name: Mandy Martes
E-Mail: mandymart@earthlink.net
Maiden: Treckman
Class: 81
Message: Hey Susan King! I was CRACKING up when I saw your post from Dec. 7. I can't even believe you remember the thing about Coach Minami too. Every year on Dec. 7 I think about him. Isn't that silly? Poor guy. I actually saw him at the gym in Torrance a couple of years ago. He looked the same. I wonder if anyone from the late 70s/ early 80s ever checks in here. Don't see many posts. Maybe you're out there lurking, too shy to post.

Tuesday, December 15, 1998 at 21:26:4
Name: Larry Christensen
E-Mail: imnotone@yahoo.com
Class: 60
Message: Hi guys. I've been living in Oregon for 23 yrs. What have you all been doing lately?

Tuesday, December 15, 1998 at 21:25:22
Name: George Hunter
E-Mail: EZ4U2G@aol.com
Class: 1974
Message: Susan, Bud: Let's not forget Art Hernandez who for the 2nd night in a row (changing the sign)was picked up by HPD and had them take him to my house where my mom comes out with her irish accent and keeps asking for George while Art keeps saying it's OK mom it's OK. I still don't think she knows what was going on.

Tuesday, December 15, 1998 at 18:53:08
Name: Betts Wright
E-Mail: Betttsann@aol.com
Maiden: Watts
Class: 76
Message: Mr. Plotkin: I loved math until 9th grade!!I missed you when they put me in that algebra class, at that big school! My bro said Jackie Jugend came to appraise his house when he left LA for Houston. Thanks for the #, I'm gonna put my mom in touch with her. Leslie Carlisle: Where is Tina? Were you guys majorettes with us in the Hawthorne Youth Band, with Candace Pakes?

Tuesday, December 15, 1998 at 16:45:48
Name: John Baker
E-Mail: jb1@cougartown.com
Class: 62
Message: Sandy Wyatt, The mom and pop market on Cedar and El Segundo Bl. was called "OK Grocery". Just got that information at the barber shop this afternoon. Thanks for asking.

Tuesday, December 15, 1998 at 15:53:48
Name: Bud Rhoades
E-Mail: budrhoades@earthlink.net
Class: 74
Message: Susan, I remember that night on the marquee quite well, you see I was one of the unlucky ones who didn't make it over the fence fast enough and was driven home by the Hawthorne Police Dept! Thank God my parents were out to dinner. Also participating that night I believe was Jim Magdeleno, Randy Leonard, Dave Butner to name just a few. As far as the new message, it was a bit off color so I'll just say it had to do with one person sitting on another persons particular body part. I think you get the drift.

Tuesday, December 15, 1998 at 15:22:04
Name: Keith D. Jones
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Class: 76
Message: A quickie about Miss Findlater. She was my 4th grade teacher at Peter Burnett. She was one of my favorite teachers I've ever had. She was so nice. When I was the window monitor and put my hand through the window and cut four of my fingers nearly completely off she was so concerned she came to the hospital with me. I remeber her very fondly. Another teacher that I liked very much was Coach Minami. He really helped me. But as I look back there were so many teachers that really were great. And, by the way I'm still waiting for that time machine to take me back.

Monday, December 14, 1998 at 23:02:43
Name: Ricki Farrell
E-Mail: farrell8@worldnet.att.net
Maiden: Valencia
Class: '61
Message: John, my best childhood friend from the time I was four years old just emailed me. I haven't seen him since about 1966, if then. It was through this site that I was able to email him first. Thank you so much. This was a real Hallmark moment. I think that this site is beyond great!
Note: Well finally......someone likes my idea. :o) Thanks Ricki, Isn't it great when you connect with that someone you'd never have talked to again in this lifetime. I just love that feeling. Oh.... and stick around, cause it WILL happen again.

Monday, December 14, 1998 at 12:12:25
Name: Betty East
E-Mail: bettye@amgen.com
Maiden: Wright
Class: 74
Message: To Mr. Plotkin: I was an adult the last time I saw Miss Findlater (can remember the year, late 70s maybe). I visited her at Peter Burnett School. Hadn't seen her in years. She came out from the teacher's lounge and recognized me immediately. She gave me the biggest bear hug; I'll never forget her. I'm so saddened to hear of her passing. She certainly was a very special person. Thanks for letting me know.

Monday, December 14, 1998 at 11:40:44
Name: Susan King
E-Mail: sueking18@aol.com
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1974
Message: Does anybody recall the event in our senior year when "The Boys" crawled up the marquee one night, stole the letters and rearranged them to spell something else? 10 points to the person who can remember and recite the "new" message left there. (Actually, I think a recall game on this site could be quite novel and interesting!) "The Boys" included, I think, Danny Forbess, George Hunter, Randy Beck, Greg Goode - am I right? Next posting, we'll revisit "The Phantom" and "The Green Hornet". (No, not the superheroes.....)
Note: Susan, That sounds like a fun page.

Monday, December 14, 1998 at 11:19:28
Name: Patty Valencia
E-Mail: PValencia2@aol.com
Class: 1974
Message: Hi again everyone. I just went pulled my El Molino out of mothballs to look at our senior year in pix. Has anyone heard from Jeff Roy? Looking through the Alumni listing I see that a lot of people have signed in, I think that's great. John, is there a tracking device that lets you know how many of us are checking in on average? That would be fun to know. Thanks again for bringing back our friends from that other lifetime. It's uncanny to be able to leave the 90's for a bit and reminisce. I wonder whether the longer we sign on to this town we will actually experience a virtual aging to bring us all back up to date, en masse?!! Outer Limits stuff, I guess.
Note: Patty, Nothing really sophisticated. I know that we started this list about 14 months ago and I know there've been 75 new additions since 11-12-98. I do know it's picked up in the last 90 days. It's "word of mouth" now, and that's what it's going to take to find EVERYONE.

Sunday, December 13, 1998 at 22:05:05
Name: Dale Tobiason
E-Mail: redragon@dreamsoft.com
Class: 70
Message: I always seem to find a name or things remembered everytime I check out this site. My kids have been getting a real kick checking out the cars & such, as all that I have here in the shop are, as they call them, "CARS FROM THE STONE AGE" Thanks again.

Saturday, December 12, 1998 at 22:34:06
Name: Leslie Hamburger
E-Mail: laburger@cyberdude.com
Maiden: Carlisle
Class: Lawndale High 1974
Message: Wow, so many wonderful childhood memories forgotten, but fortunately not lost...thanks to this wonderful site. Having grown up in Holly Glen I remember fondly Off-Ramp Liquor, the great pizza at Luigi's, the smelly horse stables (my parent's still live in the house that backs up against Aviation, near Rosecrans - no more smells, just a lot of noise), the Big "T". And how could I ever forget my sweet kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Chaudet, the cake walk at the Cabrillo Fair, attending Don Smith briefly where my 2nd grade teacher was Susan Gooch, who later started the highly successful natural grocery store, "Mrs. Gooch's" (recently bought out by Whole Foods). I also worked briefly at Mattel Toys and had tested toys there as a child. Does anyone else remember how beautiful Rosecrans was when it was lined with eucalyptus trees? Oh and all the friends that passed through our lives during those school years. I remember Keith Jones, Betty Wright and many other names. Sharon (Shufler) Demarest is the only childhood friendship (HI SHARON!)that continued into adulthood and remains a constant and important part of my life. What a great stroll down memory lane. Thanks for the memories.

Saturday, December 12, 1998 at 20:10:45
Name: Ron Householder
E-Mail: RHouse348@???.???
Class: 59
Message: I didnt know this page was here. Thank you for putting it here.
Note: Ron, Thanks for finding the site. Could you please email me and let me know where Jonette is located?? She's on our "Missing List" and no one in the class of 62 has a clue. Thanks, John B

Saturday, December 12, 1998 at 19:41:09
Name: Alan Nelson
E-Mail: anelson@redrivernet.com
Class: 73
Message: Did anyone else earn money folding donut boxes at Winchells for 1 cent a box and all the donuts you could eat? And what was the name of the Toy store in the same block? They had Santa every Christmas and we all used to get our "Trolls" there.
Note: Alan, The toy store was Folbs Toyland.

Saturday, December 12, 1998 at 08:44:32
Name: William Homberg
E-Mail: fmf6667hm3@aol.com Class: 65
Message: Been sort of surfing through all the sections. Very nice set up, brings back Lots of memories. Best wishes to all the Cougars out there. Have a safe and sane Holiday season. Looking for anyone who was in Mrs. Ton's speech class in '65 would like to hear what's happening with any old class mates who remember me.

Saturday, December 12, 1998 at 07:41:38
Name: Reggie Allison
E-Mail: ReggieCan@aol.com
Class: LHS 71
Message: NOT a HHS graduate (let's try Leuzinger Olympian, Class of '71)...but talk about a memory generator. My, how the world...and that little corner of it specifically...has so dramatically changed. But something tells me we all have too. Thanks for the effort of putting this site together.

Friday, December 11, 1998 at 19:40:17
Name: Harry Plotkin
E-Mail: hcharry@pacbell.net
Message: For Betty:
Carol Findlater was a very special teacher. In Nov. of '87 she died from a blood clot following knee surgery. For Betts: Jackie Jugend's mother, Jewel-643-6555 For John B: Wiseburn's 6th school site was named after the 1st Superintendent, Don Smith. He is living in Redondo Beach and is 93. I saw him in Sept. at our retirees breakfast. He hired me.(oh well, you can't win them all) Thanks, John ,for your great work and happy holidays to all!
Harry
Note: Mr Plotkin, Thank you for the information. I came from the OTHER corner of Hawthorne and never heard the words Don Smith School until yesterday.....Amazing

Friday, December 11, 1998 at 18:36:17
Name: Keith D. Jones
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Class: 76
Message: Don Smith school was nest to Holy Glen Park in Holy Glen. It was on the corner of 137st and Isis. Right across from Wisburn Little League. It was a small school I think only went to third grade. After that you either went to Cabrillo or Peter Burnett. Remember the fair at Cabrillo. I remember the cake walk. I had Miss Findlater, Mr Weiss and Mrs Kilgore at Peter Burnett. Remember at Dana Mr. Burnham (I think the guy with real bushy eye brows) reading stories to us). Mrs Sandler was the meanest. I remeber going to HHS for orientation. Coach Yost saw me and wanted me to wrestle, So, he had me wrestle some guy who was all-league. I pinned him. Yost was so excited but I decided not to wrestle when I got to HHS. Just baseball and football. I remember the band that played, we used to sit in the driveway and listen as little kids.How about those Dana dances on friday nights. All I did was play ping-pong. What a miracle...I'm getting my memory back.

Friday, December 11, 1998 at 13:53:08
Name: Betty East
E-Mail: bettye@amgen.com
Maiden: Wright
Class: 74
Message: I agree...the chili at the baseball field was the best! Spent a lot of time at that field. Love baseball, still do. I was in 2nd grade when Don Smith School was completed. Before it was named Don Smith, it was called Site Six School. Half way through 2nd grade, Mrs. Jones' class was sent over from Cabrillo. I remember I really like our classroom. For 3rd grade, I was sent back to Cabrillo (Mrs. Sullivan). If I remember correctly, the school wasn't there for very long. Mrs. Findlater was my 5th grade teacher at Peter Burnett. Very shortly into the school year, I had knee surgery and was out for 6 weeks. She came to my house everyday after school and tutored me. I lived on 137th Place, right up from the school. When I was able to go back to school, I was way ahead of the class, so I was the teacher's helper. She made me feel very special. Does anyone know where she might be? Used to spend my dollar allowance at Luigi's - small cheese pizza. Yum. My family moved to Hawthorne in 1960. The Mattel Toys sign was always a fond memory as a child. Ended up working there from '74-81. Great place. Does anyone remember a "garage" band on 137th Street, across from Holy Glen park? All us kids would gather and listen. They were pretty good. Omigosh, I can't believe all these memories are coming back. THANKS!
Note: I have no idea what or where Don Smith or Site Six School is. Is it in Hawthorne??

Friday, December 11, 1998 at 10:09:56
Name: Alan Nelson
E-Mail: anelson@redrivernet.com
Class: 73
Message: Vickie,
The big "T" you remember was the Thriftymart that was essentially the back parking lot of HHS, between the school and the freeway on El Segundo. We were rousted out of there many times for hanging out during breaks and assemblies, and a few of us had cars towed for illegal parking.