Sunday, April 11, 1999 at 11:18:14
Name: Myrna Bizzell
E-Mail: mybizz@aol.com
Maiden: Bell
Class: 66
Message: John, I haven't been avoiding you at all. In fact I have typed in this little box a number of times, I just couldn't get it to go anywhere. Recently did some upgrades on my computer, and VOILA... I have a "to submit" option available to me now. I have chewed you out on a number of occasions. I guess the biggest problem is this love/HATE relationship I have with computers. Most days I want to throw it out the window. Everytime Jim walks by and hears me swearing at it, he reminds me why he has never become involved with computers. I'm soooooo happy that you will now be able to read my rantings .... I probably will visit the site more often. About the Plaza Theatre .... the Tarzan movies were the greatest!! The Blob, Black Scorpion, etc..... it was so great to be raised in an area and an era where we could just walk (or ride the bus to Inglewood and up Imperial) and get around. I remember many times riding our bicycles down Imperial for a day at the beach. My son was not so lucky to have that freedom, at least not until we moved to Coalinga. (And there wasn't even a theatre in '85 when we arrived here) It's funny that you mentioned that my mom was a piano teacher - I took lessons from Mrs. Walker also. I remember taking fifty cents with me every time I walked over there. I also remember deliberately forgetting my lessons during the summer - there was ALWAYS better things to do than to take lessons and practice, practice, practice .. it never ended .. also, it never did me any good. I even took lessons from Edith Salisbury (Bruce '67 and Kathy '69) in high school. I still can't play a song because I have about zero rhythm in my sole. Gotta run - thanks for the memories ....

Sunday, April 11, 1999 at 00:05:54
Name: Max Lewis
E-Mail: rmaxlew@lightspeed.net
Class: 68
Message: Sign me on.
Note: Hi Max and welcome aboard. Please go to the Email List to add yourself to our forum here. Thanks

Saturday, April 10, 1999 at 21:21:14
Name: Keith D. Jones
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Maiden: always been jones
Class: 76
Message: Bill SLoey of course I remember you. You scared the hell out of us. For the few who don't know who Bill Sloey is he was a former football star at HHS and then went to Nebraska. I think he got hurt. If I remember right I think me and Kurt Morlock borrowed a leather football from you that you had won (or something) and when we were playing it landed in a palm tree and popped. We were so afraid that you were going to kick our butts. Luckily we lied good enough so you let us go. Does anyone remember the Renassaise Gym on Hawthorne Bl. Bill Sturges was the last guy to own it. But I went to Kauai one weekend and was driving out in the middle of nowhere by Waiamea Canyon and there was this little ice cream store. I stopped by to get something to drink and eat and the owner was working. He mentioned how I looked like I was bodybuilder or powerlifter and said how he used to own a gym. We got to talking and he said it was in Hawthorne. I told him I was from there and he said it was named (I'm not sure) but that he had sold it to Bill Sturges. That was kind of neat meeting someone from Hawthorne who owned a business out in the middle of nowhere. Are any of the people we used to go water skiing with all the time down near San Diego out there. We used to go with Larry King (Stone) all the time. How about the Wednesday nights at the ice skating rink in Torrance. I sure am glad I don't have Alzimiers yet. I love looking back and remembering.
Note: Keith, Before it was the Renaissance Gym, it was called Vic Tannys.

Saturday, April 10, 1999 at 21:18:22
Name: John
E-Mail: jlkafel@netscape.net
Class: 60
Message: Does anyone know where Chris Montez is now. He isn't with Herb Alpert's record label any more. I would like to say HI, and let him know he is still a big star with all the old gang...

Saturday, April 10, 1999 at 20:22:25
Name: John Kafel
E-Mail: jlkafel@netscape.net
Class: 1960
Message: If we had only known that these really were the best of times, at a school that was so special. How many times has my mind gone back to some small but happy memories when all of us and the world seemed fresh and new... We were so lucky, take it from someone that knew , even then how special OL' Hawthorne High really was.
Note: AMEN to that.

Saturday, April 10, 1999 at 19:09:21
Name: Cyndi Hewitt
E-Mail: chewitts@aol.com
Maiden: Laird
Class: 75
Message: This is a great website! I was up late last night reading all the past feedback and it brought back alot of memories. Keith Jones -- I remember you. I've been living on Oahu since 1979. If I ever ran into you I probably wouldn't have recognized you anyway. I remember you as a cute little 15 year old. Faelin is living in Chico with her daughter. They were in Hawaii visiting me last July. Faelin is the founder and director of The Sunshine Kids Club, a group she started to help build self esteem and support special needs kids. She was featured as a Woman of the Year in the December '98 issue of Glamour magazine. Her daughter wrote in to the contest and Faelin was one of 3 winners nationwide.
I also may know where Dianne Plink is. My sister Sandy ('78) was friends with her. I'm trying to find out for you. Sandy and Dave Krikac now live near Nashville, Tenn. with their two kids and they are loving it.
Susan Bierman I want to apologize to you for being a rude, selfish 16 year old and exploding at you that summer of '73 at pep squad practice. Do you remember on the football field?? I'm sorry!!! I'm glad to hear you are doing well.
I remember Kathy Nix too. I remember playing at your house when I was in elementary school. I used to live right down the street from you on Glasgow Pl. near Anza school. Our family must have been in Boy Scouts and Little League with your family. Did you used to have a big, black furry dog?
Denise Dye are you on line yet???? It was great seeing you and Donna a couple of years ago when I was out there.
Thanks again for making this website. I was dreaming about California all last night!
Note: Cyndi, I'm glad you're enjoying the website and hope it's bringing you ever closer to your roots. BTW, are you related to Sonya Laird HHS62? Just wondering. Thanks

Saturday, April 10, 1999 at 16:01:17
Name: Harry Plotkin
E-Mail: hcharry@pacbell.net
Maiden: Dana School
Class: 52/96
Message: Happy Spring to all. re: bus drivers at Wiseburn/Dana. Marge Jensen was a great bus driver and demanded good behavior from the student/riders. When going on a field trip the teachers were happy to have her as the bus driver. Her granddaughter substituted at Dana while having her family. I'm sure she is teaching full time somewhere. Bus driver Jimmy is probably Jimmy Eno, a very nice man with a perpetual smile on his face. He moved to one of the beach districts, maybe Redondo as head of maintenance. I thoroughly enjoy reading everyone's comments and recollections. A big HELLO to the Durans - wonderful youngsters in school. I met their dad at one open house - one of the girls must have applied a little pressure! I believe former student Mike Ohren worked out with Doc. He carried on the tradition. He taught at Dana before moving to the Antelope Valley to go into Administration. Sorry about the length of this. Love to all, Harbor City Harry

Saturday, April 10, 1999 at 15:00:44
Name: Bob Rierdan
E-Mail: printer@cheerful.com
Class: 61
Message: John, That Helms drivers picture is tooooo much... great stuff!! In that picture of Curries there is that little Italian market/deli, right next door to Roths. They made the best salami and Italian Pepper sandwiches on Earth. I've never found rolls like they had there. Is it still there?
Bob
Note: Bob, That IS a great picture of the Helms drivers huh. Dewey Storie, Thanks a million. As for the Italian place, I don't think it's still there.

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 23:21:12
Name: Sharon MacDonald
E-Mail: rmac@genevaonline.com
Maiden: Badger
Class: 63
Message: Just was catching up on the Feedback from the last week. I was out of town for a few days buying a few old memories to sell at the Antique & Collectible shows this summer. I love buying and selling American made tin-lithograph toys that were made in the late 1940's through the 1960's. One of the items I brought home from Indiana is a large Marx doll house - I'll bet a few Cougars remember playing with those or seeing their sisters play with them. My younger brother Tim (then known as Timmy) was on the Engineer Bill show sometime in 1962 when he was 5 or 6 years old. To this day, I don't think I've ever seen him as excited as he was when they pulled his letter from the mail bag!

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 22:28:14
Name: Steve Kristof
E-Mail: insp68@Juno.com
Class: 61
Message: All this time, I've Claimed to be in the class of 61, but technically I, and a few others, graduated mid year of my Senior year, and went on to El Camino. I think I still regret not finishing off my year with the rest of my Class! So, technically I'm one of the few who are in the Class of 60 1\2! Here's something that may strain your memory! Do you remember a Hawthorne Policeman we called "Pinky", and his three wheeled Harley?
Note: Hi Steve, Glad you've added yourself to the mix here. I remember Pinky and his 3 wheeler. I think he was the parking ticket guy in those days. A real nice guy as I remember. How about Sargent Williams. He stopped us guys one night with a whole car load of Country Club Stout Malt Liquor. He told us to pour it out in the street and go home. We did too.

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 22:15:38
Name: Loretta Cuiper
E-Mail: LCuiper@aol.com
Maiden: Morelli
Class: 62
Message: Hello Ted---I'm with John, I would be happy to sign that petition, but John is partially right, they are building on that corner and we have been told there will be a Luckys Market and another Save on. The Mall it self is just sitting there with that huge parking lot awaiting for the WHO KNOWS WHAT! So many stories going around we just don't know who to believe. One story is that they are planning to have a school built there, good if it is true, but most likely not true. I do agree it would have been so much better if they had left some things alone. Maybe they should put one of the apartment complex for those over 55, maybe with a small golf course,that area is big enough for a nice complex. They need to do something with that area, we sure don't need any more shopping centers. We just have to go a few miles and Manhattan Beach is putting shopping centers one after another. Just saw another one going up on Rosecrans, around the corner of Aviation.

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 21:33:23
Name: Ricki Farrell
E-Mail: farrell8@worldnet.att.net
Maiden: Valencia
Class: '61
Message: Myrna, the place on Broadway and Hawthorne Blvd. was Lawrence Drugs. I remember it as near Chaney's and Dexter's. Boy it was sad seeing that photo of the Plaza theater being torn down. It was truly a Hawthorne oldie treasure. My old piano teacher, Mrs. Walker lived right across the street. I remember going there once a week. Did anyone else take piano from her? John...I think we all had to have music. I thought Mrs. Boucher was very nice, but I never would have chosen music. My mom made us all take piano. I would have preferred baseball. I liked art and sports. Oh yeah, and Tim Considine. Actually my biggest crush came later in the form of Dr. Ben Casey.
Note: Ricki, It's funny you referring to Myrna, and YOUR piano teacher in the same Feedback. Myrna's mom was a piano teacher too. Small world. My mom somehow wanted me to play the Violin. I went to music class twice a week from the 1st through the 6th grade at Hawthorne Christian. Mrs Josephine Shumway was my teacher. At the end of 6 years of Violin........I couldn't play a note. It wasn't your fault Mrs. Shumway. :o)

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 18:39:44
Name: Susan Walling
E-Mail: funds4kids@Yahoo.com
Maiden: Ciampa
Class: 77
Message: I also remember the old Plaza Theatre and riding my bike in the street around the park. How many of you remember all of the small planes that took off from Hawthorne Airport and went down in Plaza Circle? I can remember hearing the sputtering, only to look up and see the plane heading for the ground! They always seemed to "just miss" the theatre though. Anyone remember Chips Restaurant and the old S.S. Kressges(? with the restaurant inside), both on Hawthorne Blvd. by the old Crocker Bank and Boys Market?
Yep... they tore down Paradise and put up a parking lot.... boy how things have changed.
Susan

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 17:28:30
Name: Kathleen Griffin
E-Mail: Spirithart@yahoo.com
Maiden: Nix
Class: 74
Message: This is for "Too Embarrassed".
ahemmmm.... "We'll have some pie and sandwiches and chocolate ice cream too. We'll sing and play, the day away and one more thing I'm gonna do... I'm gonna light the candles on my birthday cake, comeon and take some birthday ca-ake, put another candle on my birthday cake I'm another year old today, yes sir! I'm another year old today!" I never claimed I could sing.. I was in the band though :)
Note: Great voice Kathleen. Perfect pitch too. :o) For everyone with Audio. Click on the "Blue" above to get the REAL words. Be patient now.

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 17:21:33
Name: Kathleen Griffin
E-Mail: Spirithart@yahoo.com
Maiden: Nix
Class: 74
Message: I would like to thank you all for helping me remember all that I didn't know I had forgotten! The dance shows... let's see, there was Shindig, 9th Street West and Hullabaloo. 9th Street West was the local dance show sponsored by KHJ radio. The Real Don Steele was the host. Bobby Sherman hosted Shingdig, it too was a local gig. I'm wondering if any of these could be the dance shows you are trying to recall.
As for the Helms Bakery, it was still in business when I was in the 4th grade (which would have been around 1964) because we went on the infamous bakery tour as well. Anyone remember Jimmy the bus driver from Dana Jr. High?

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 16:14:04
Name: Ted Gioia
E-Mail: tedgioia@hotmail.com
Class: 75
Message: I was really struck by the photo of them tearing down the Plaza Theater. I could easily be convinced that the previous poster was right when he called this the "saddest day in Hawthorne history." I'm sure many of us were initially fascinated by the arrival of the Hawthorne Mall and the promised "commercial revitalization" which it would supposedly bring. (Hey, I even had a summer job working on the Mall construction site.) But in retrospect the Mall's arrival clearly signalled the end of the golden age for the "city of good neighbors."
I only went to the Plaza Theater a few times when I was very young -- my older brother would take me there for matinees -- but the recollections have a magical ambiance about them, amplified by the timeless architecture of the building and the sunny, open atmosphere of location set back from the more crowded Boulevard. Perhaps we should start a movement to tear down the Mall, and rebuild the Plaza. Who wants to sign a petition? Ted
Note: Ted, I would gladly sign it but The mall is being REbuilt as we speak. The corner of El Segundo and Hawthorne is new AGAIN. New palm trees have been planted and new buildings are going up now.

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 15:57:21
Name: Loretta Cuiper
E-Mail: LCuiper@aol.com
Maiden: Morelli
Class: 62
Message: Hi John,-- I remember an Ice Cream Parlor on the corner of 129th and Hawthorne Blvd, was that Curries? This place had alot of Red and White, small round tables and the counter stools were of bright Red. If not Curries, what was the name of this Ice Cream Parlor, Also I think they went out of business before the 60's.
Note: Yes, That was Curries and I think it did go out in the 60's. See picture below. Thanks Loretta

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 15:40:11
Name: Kathy Duran-Reese
E-Mail: Kuchacho@aol.com
Maiden: Duran
Class: 1964
Message: Hey! It is so good to hear from all of you. I have followed, sort of, in Dad's steps. I've been teaching exercise classes for 17 years! And Dennis, I'm still tough on them!! I recently got married, and a lot of the gym guys came!! It sure was fun.
Again, thanks for all the nice thoughts of Dad.
See Ya! Kathy

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 15:21:12
Name: barbara duran
E-Mail: natl098
Maiden: duran
Class: 72
Message: dennis campbell AAAGGGHHH!! remember me howard's little sister?. i just wanted to thank you, the sloeys & keith for all the nice things you've said about my family. actually, you guys have left some pretty nice memories yourselves.

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 12:21:00
Name: Dennis Campbell
E-Mail: ddcampbell
Class: 61
Message: Welcome to the Duran's
Looking back over the years. I remember your Dad like it was yesterday and the whole Duran family all you girls and big brother Howard, who was one of my best friends. I remember jumping in your family Cadillac heading for the gym in Inglewood Vic something (what was the name of that gym?) Mrs. Duran in the front seat all us kids in back seat '0' that was some much fun you girls were so young and Howard & I were so much older and smarter than you guys. Sleepovers remember hang out going to downtown Hawthorne to pick up the lasted records (Kathy Clown) How Sweet It Is. Working out in the first new gym in the garage. Kathy you gave me so much support '0' My I'll never forget you for that but you were so young.
Hey I get back to work & stop looking back to 1954/1955 "WOW"

Friday, April 9, 1999 at 11:49:05
Name: barbara duran
E-Mail: natl098.aol.com
Maiden: duran
Class: 72
Message: hi there keith jones, what a culture shock...hawaii to vegas. you're probably there for the show girls-right?! and hey, janis freeman better known as aunt gee! i love being able to do this. it's great. oh and keith, the tall guys first name is bruce. silly wabbit!