Name: Larry Banta () on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 17:48:55
E-Mail: uscad28@aol.com
Class: 78
City and State: Del Aire
Message: Just back from the SC bookstore and some last leg Christmas shopping. Wanted to make sure I tell everyone how much I enjoy sharing not only my memories and experiences but in many of yours too. John, everything you do here is greatly appreciated and everyone make it a great Christmas for you and your families.
Well thanks Larry. You too have a safe and Merry Christmas.

Name: Bud Rhoades () on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 17:36:33
E-Mail: budrhoades@earthlink.net
Class: 74
City and State: Seal Beach,Ca.
Message: Getting ready for a visit this weekend with Dave Butner and family from Seattle. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with the ones they love. Be safe and have a great holiday Cougs...
Same to you, Bud.

Name: Harry Plotkin () on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 17:32:26
E-Mail: hcharry@pacbell.net
Class: 52/97
City and State: harbor City, CA
Message: Hello John and all Cougartown,
It is indeed a small, small world. The other day I had occasion to call PERS regarding my health insurance. The young man on the other end of the line asked for my social security number. Upon complying he said, "Oh, Cougartown". He and his cousins went to Dana and HHS. His name is Ed (Max) Roelen. May you all enjoy health, wealth, and happiness this holiday season and throughout 2002!!!
Love to all, HCH
Hey Harry, Yes, Max is a member of our growing group on Ctowners. It's still a small Cougar world out there.
You and Kathy have a great Holiday and Janet and I will see you after the New Year.

Name: Sharon & Howard "Paco" Duran () on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 16:50:42
E-Mail: doo4usc@aol.com
Maiden: Schleper
Class: 61/62
City and State: Lake Forest Ca
Message: Just finished Paco's Salsa, now it's time to wish all you Cougars a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...I'll be open over the holidays so send'em in! Be safe!!
Hey Paco, You and Sharon have a Merry and a Happy. Talk to you next week.

Name: Matt Peterson () on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 15:10:57
E-Mail: mattpete6@yahoo.com
Class: 74
City and State: El Dorado Hills, CA
Message: I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I really enjoy this site. I hope everyone has an abundance of blessings throughout the new year.
Thanks Matt, you and yours have a Merry Christmas.

Name: Elizabeth Estrada () on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 15:10:40
E-Mail: dzlizzy219 @aol.com
Class: 69
City and State: Redondo Beach
Message: Christmas is upon us!! I will toast an eggnog to you all on Christmas Eve. Make some warm fussy memories with your loved ones this year and be safe. Feliz Navidad Dizzy Lizzy
Hey Dizzy, You and Feliz have a great one.

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 14:34:35
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
Class: 1977
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Message: Well, my tree is trimmed, the lights are up, the shopping is almost done. The kids are all excited about the event happening on the 25th. It is starting to look alot like Christmas in the Heider household! My youngest son Trevor is bound to be a thespian someday, his Christmas show was last night, and he stole the show! He hit all his lines, all with an ear to ear grin. To all the Coug's out there, may you all have the happiest of holidays. May 2002 find you and your family safe and sound and healthy. This Christmas carries a greater meaning this year for many of us. It is a bittersweet Christmas, in the fact that we have lost so many this year, but have found strength and courage to carry on, and not let those who hate us destroy us as people and as a Nation. To the Men and Women overseas, God Bless you. To us in Cougartown, USA Rules! Have a great Holiday everyone.
Thanks Jill, the same to you.

Name: Bob Anderson () on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 12:05:17
E-Mail: bob.anderson@itt.com
Class: 62
City and State: Colorado Springs, CO
Message: Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. John, I have thoroughly enjoyed this site and reading about old memories. Thanks for all your hard work.
Ahhh YES!! Yet another 62er checks in with Holiday Greetings. Good to hear from you, Bob. Glad you're enjoying the website and hope all your Christmas wishes come true.

Name: Judy Sundstrom Meintz () on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 09:33:18
E-Mail: jlmeintz@up.net
Maiden: Sundstrom
Class: 62
City and State: Powers, Michigan
Message: Merry Christmas from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, 100 miles north of Green Bay, Wisconsin. No snow here today. Maybe tomorrow. Have a good new year.
Merry Christmas to you and yours too Judy. Always nice to hear from members the GREATEST class ever to come out of HHS, The Class Of 1962.

Name: Greg Jones () on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 01:12:48
E-Mail: gjones1052@aol.com
Class: 1973
City and State: Hawthorne, CA
Message: Before you close down for the Holidays, John, I want to wish everyone in CT, whether you're here in the good ol' US of A or in some land far away, a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.
My sentiments too, Greg. CT will be here until Friday afternoon.

Name: Maurine () on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at 00:39:46
E-Mail: maurinekwhite@hotmail.com
Maiden: Endicott
Class: 59
City and State: Huntington Beach
Message: Just got a chance to catch up on CT and must add my little memory of Rite Note music. I took piano lessons from Mrs. Harvey on Ramona Avenue and got all of my beginning piano books at Rite Note. In fact I still have ALL of them! Good old "John Thompson" with my name written on all of them and Mrs. Harvey's comments in the margin indicating I needed more practice! I started piano lessons when I was a freshman at HHS and needless to say, my interests were "a change'n."
For you young Cougs, Rite Note was located on the East side of Hawthorne Bl. about 5 doors North of Broadway. Does anyone know when Rite Note folded its tent?

Name: Larry Biller () on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 22:29:35
E-Mail: LBILLER@yahoo.com
Class: 1967
City and State: Portland,Oregon
Message: I remember in the mid 60's alot of us who were in bands practicing at Del-Aire Park on ISIS Ave. We played at a dance there once and Emmit Rhoads sat in with us and did a drum solo that was just plain awesome! I also remember jamming at the Klingenhagen's and Susie your brother Tom played drums. He was another great drummer. With all the Cougar alumni who played music, I wonder if we might attempt an alumni jam?????
Everyone have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Larry

Name: Mike Backus () on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 16:12:13
E-Mail: michael@backusstudio.com
Maiden: Kringle
Class: '74
City and State: Far North of 90250
Message: When I was seven I thought that the whole point of Christmas was to find your presents before they were wrapped and put under the tree. From my fifth Christmas when I noticed "Made in Hawthorne, Ca, USA" on the Mattel toy rifle I received, I realized that Mom and Dad were behind the presents. Forget Santa, those presents were somewhere in the house and I was going to sniff them out! The first year I found them in my parent's closet. I think my parents noticed that the presents had been rummaged through, because the next year I had to turn the house upside down to the point of getting a ladder and going up into the attic crawl space. Once again my father seemed to know that he'd been had, because this time he said, "You know, little boys who get into their presents before Christmas might not get any next year". "Yeah, right", I thought. Like THAT could happen! Well, the next year rolled around. No matter how hard I searched, I could not find a single present. I looked in every corner of the attic. I belly crawled around under the house in that crawl space. Nothing. My father's words from the year before began to haunt me. "I wonder if it is possible to get nothing for Christmas?" By the time Christmas Eve arrived, I was a nervous wreck. The base of the tree was still barren. My dreams of Cox P-40 Tomahawk gas engine airplanes and Milton Bradly "Dogfight" board games seemed doomed to disappointment. I studied my father's face for signs of weakness. I saw nothing but satisfaction in the knowledge that the Christmas Bandit had finally been thwarted. On Christmas Day I was up early. I was almost afraid to look in the living room for fear that the Christmas tree would look as desolate as the night before. I was thrilled to find that Santa, that SOMEONE, had come during the night and that the tree was loaded. My parents rose soon after I did, and I could see that they were enjoying my obvious enthusiasm. My father and I made a silent pact; there would be no more sniffing out presents in advance, and the presents would be wrapped and under the tree well in advance of the 25th. It was years later before my father finally confided in me. The presents had been locked in the steel Gem Top camper shell on his pickup. And he had the only key.
I guess your father didn't know that Christmas time is the number one time for Camper thefts. If that would've happened you'd STILL be a believer.

Name: Dale Craig () on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 16:07:31 E-Mail: barbara.craig@worldnet Class: 76 City and State: Hawthorne Ca Message: TO RON TEH THANK YOU BEING IN THE GULF WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HELPING SUPPORT OUR TROOPS IN TORA BORA HOPEFULLY YOULL BE HOME SOME TO SHARE SOME STORIES OVER THE FEEDBACK PAGE. GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS AMERICA YOUR FRIEND AND TRUE COUGAR, DALE W. CRAIG SPIRIT OF 76

Name: Sharon MacDonald () on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 11:59:11
E-Mail: rmac@genevaonline.com
Maiden: Badger
Class: 1963
City and State: Burlington, Wisconsin
Message: Bill Sloey, where was the tree lot you were working at? I remember going with my mother to get a tree about 1963 or 1964 at a tree lot by the train tracks somewhere in Hawthorne to get a flocked tree. My mother is short but she always thinks big ... she picked out a tree that was HUGE and then asked the poor guy working at the lot to tie it on top of the car - a Volkswagen beetle. The tree made it home, but it was so big that when we put it in the corner she wanted it in, it covered up the only door to the kitchen ....

Name: Susie Russelle () on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 11:05:40
E-Mail: Mustangsusie21@msn.com
Maiden: Klingenhagen
Class: 1971
City and State: notfarfromRt.66,N.M.
Message: I started takin' guitar lessons in Jan,'61 from a (then) scary man named Joe Pressler. He had a house with an attached studio at 13030 Inglewood Ave. His wife taught accordion and they put a little band together of their best students. I also took lessons at Wallichs and especially remember the Beatles poster in the drum/guitar area. FYI, I still play, have a Dick Dale Strat on order, and I have my very 1st guitar...
HAPPY HOLIDAYS...
With that guitar you'll have to take Surf Music lessons and become a Deltone.
Thanks Susie, and Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Name: Mike Shay () on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 09:30:05
E-Mail: theshays@earthlink.net
Maiden: OS6-9393
Class: 61
City and State: Cerritos, CA
Message: Hi and Merry Christmas to all Cougars!! The lady at Right-Note was Bernice (AKA Bernie) The guy I remember at Melody Music was Chuck. Now I got a question, Was Melody Music in the same block as Phils Bike Shop (and cushmans)??
M.S.
CORRECT on the Rite Note answer. You get the 12 bonus points. Melody Music was right next door to Phils Bike Shop, but in the early 50's Melody Music was located close to Rite Note.

Name: bill sloey () on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 09:18:53
E-Mail: wsloey@aol.com
Class: 69
City and State: ecc
Message: As I sit back and admire the tree that I trimmed I remember the time when I worked at a Christmas tree lot during school break. I was 14 and Gary Beard and I worked Bill Gills tree lot(HHS Track Coach). We did about 10 hours a day so towards the end of our shift, 11 pm, we were pretty tired. Long story short, It was a great environment as everyone was so happy and thankful for us helping them get a tree, except one lady that I remember,whom would not have been happy in Heaven. She was in coach Gills face about how much she paid for the flock tree and we didn't do it right, we were ripping her off, and she just went on, and on. So Coach Gill gave her another discount to get her off the lot and asked Gary and myself to put this "ladys" tree in her car. Well there are two ways to put a tree into the car
1. top first, takes time to fold it getting it in the car, but easy to take out.
2. butt backwards, which takes no time to put into the car but.....try getting it out. yup we did it!!! and this memory is credited to JB and this memory machine called CT.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. #1 Bugeater
Hey Bill, Thanks for the Christmas tree lot memory. Hope you and all the little Sloeys have a great holiday.

Name: Sherry Wingo () on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 22:02:37
E-Mail: dscwingo@pacbell.net
Maiden: Peppers
Class: 1964
City and State: Haw. Ca.
Message: Talking about music, does anyone who lived in Haw. in the early sixties remember a place called The Red Wagon? It was a place my dad had. I remember Richie Valens, The Teddybears, and Thurston Harris performed there. There were many others, but I just don't remember. My mom seems to remember it was close to 120th. and Haw. Bl. There was another place in L.A. called the 97th Street Corral. My dad had that place too in about the early fifties. Some people who performed there were, Tex Williams, Smokey Rodgers, Doye O'Dell and Tennessee Ernie Ford. I remember the time Bonnie Guitar came over and she was trying to get my dad to manage a new group called the Fleetwoods. He was managing someone else at the time and turned her down! They're the ones that sang 'Come Softly To Me' and 'I'm Mr. Blue'.
Hi Sherry, I don't remember it but I bet someone does. You and Doug have a great holiday.

Name: EL ROJO () on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 21:14:29
E-Mail: I-DY-HO
Maiden: YOU KNOW
Class: DOOWOPLOVERS
City and State: THE PLACE THAT ucla wouldn't come to.com
Message: Ah the music thing. Well there was a little place that I used to frequent that was a little off the wall and the beaten path and it seems I came in to a few bucks due to an accident that Jude and I got into coming home from Doc and Bill's one night, so what better place to spend the money than on music and a little Tempest Storm on 5th and main. Thats another story altogether. But do any of you Cougs remember a place called Dolphins of Hollywood? Great location, 42nd and Vernon in LA Town, circa 1960. But if you guys remember Hunter Hancock and Johnnie Otis used to advertise for them. Well for a few weeks we made the trip, usually around 1 or 2 am, until the money ran out. But what an experience. If you were into blues or doowop they definitely had the tunes. And Rite Note and Music City, man we hit em all. Also I saw someone mentioned Art Laboe, he was the original oldie but goody hitmaker. I Still remember the Schrivners Drive In shows that he did. JB if you remember there was one across the street from what became Imperial Billiards. Next...no JB,I do not feel like an sc fan. I couldn't possibly have that metamorphesis this quick. I shudder to think of it. I mean what good would all the thrown sandwich'es and beers and pretzels be after ucla LOST to SC? They would have been wasted!:) Hey Cougs, you all have a wonderful holiday season. To all you GI's out there, we love you all and keep up the good work and thats from an ex-GI who spent 4 of 5 yrs away from home at Christmas. Happy Holidays, JAKE N JUDE! MAY THE COUGAR BE WITH YOU.
Thanks for the memories EL, and you and Jude have a great holiday yourself. WE LOVE YOU GUYS MAAAANN!!

Name: Denny () on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 17:43:18
E-Mail: anybodyelsegotroadrunnerslowdown
Class: 55
City and State: Del Aire
Message: Hey John, Rite note? What hemisphere of your head are you digging up these memories. Thought I was one of the few old enough to remember some of them. I think Rite note sold mostly sheet music (for kids taking piano lessons). Music City on Hollywood & Vine was an adventure with the booths of record players facing the streets. Could spend most of a night there just checkin out the sounds in the booth and they'd file the platters back in the right place when you left.
I knew that would "memory flog" some haytowner out there. I remember the large woman that owned Rite Note but don't remember her name. 12 bonus points to the first person that comes up with it.

Name: Tim Helble () on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 16:56:38
E-Mail: TKHelble@netscape.net
Class: 73
City and State: Columbia, MD
Message: Jill M - you reminded me of something I forgot - the voice I was thinking of was one from a commercial for another store - University Sterio - not Cal Sterio. Tom Campbell didn't really sound stoned - he just always seemed to be in hyper-drive.
I remember buying my first sterio at the old Cal Sterio over on Torrance Blvd where it crosses the Santa Fe railroad tracks. The store was just a converted home, and you just moved from small room to small room to check out different equipment. Too hip! When a train went by (about 10 feet from the building), the whole place just shook.
First album I ever bought was Jethro Tull's "Stand Up." Cost me a little under $3 at the Wherehouse in Torrance.
All this reminiscing and beach photos has me homesick. Will be flying out to CA from BWI this Friday to be with the family for Christmas. At least I'll be able to enjoy the west coast for a week. Merry Christmas Cougs!

Name: Howard "Paco" Duran () on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 14:29:58
E-Mail: doo4usc@aol.com
Class: 61
City and State: Lake Forest Ca
Message: I remember going to Wallachs Music City, which stayed open either all night or real late, then off to give our request to Dick Hug Huggy Boy..."I'd like to dedicate this song to all the fine, fine, superfine surfers girls at 26th st"...Don't forget Art Laboe.
Is Huggie Boy still doin' a Doo Wop show on KRTH in LA?

Name: Bud Rhoades () on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 14:26:36
E-Mail: budrhoades@earthlink.net
Class: 74
City and State: Seal Beach,Ca.
Message: John, I remember Wallachs Music City. However, there was something so urban and cool about Cranes. They would literally cut the shipping cartons of albums open, print the album title on it, price it, usually $2.88, and viola'. The majority of music heads at HHS were loyal customers. I also remember Melody Music on Hawthorne Blvd. I bought my first drum kit there in 78',ROGERS LONDONER 6. Happy Holidays....

Name: Bud Rhoades () on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 13:49:13
E-Mail: budrhoades@earthlink.net
Class: 74
City and State: sunny seal beach
Message: Cranes was theee place for us 70's kids. Neil Youngs' Harvest, A whopping $2.88. My morning coffee costs more, those were the days.
How about Hal Wallach's Music City??

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 13:24:20
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
Class: 1977
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Message: Hey Tim H., that "stoned" voice doing the ads for Cal Stereo was Tom Campbell, I think he is now doing ads for Magnavox. I worked at Cal Stereo's corporate office from 1978-1980, I saw them go out of business. What a crazy place of employment. Everyone was too hip. I had the interesting task of working with Tom Campbell, I would set up live radio spots during one of our big blow out sales, mostly in Bakersfield, but it was quite an adventure for a shy 19 year old. I did meet Shadoe Stevens (Federated spokesman) at a Consumer Electronic show, and his ego was too big for the room. Anyhow, you guys have brought back memories talking about Leo's, Federated and Cal Stereo.
Anyone remember Rite Note??

Name: Cindy Colby () on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 12:54:51
E-Mail: cindycolby@att.net
Maiden: Maxson
Class: 63
City and State: Laguna Hills, CA
Message: Hey Lee Roy, I remember you well, I had a huge crush on you and your white Impala, you were the coolest dude around. It is nice to see old friends on CT. My thoughts are with all of our mates who are keeping us safe around the world. Merry Christmas to all. I hope Santa brings everyone what they want. Cindy

Name: Sharon MacDonald () on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 11:37:45
E-Mail: rmac@genevaonline.com
Maiden: Badger
Class: 1963
City and State: Burlington, Wisconsin
Message: Honolulu at Christmas is a real festival of lights. The Honolulu Halle has decorations for every taste. There are parties everywhere. You can't help but be in a Holiday mood. New Years Eve is a real blast .... lots of fireworks.
And here in sunny Southeastern Wisconsin some folks are having a hard time getting into the Holiday Spirit because our average temperature for December has been in the 40's and we have yet to have a measurable snowfall. I myself am not having any problem - it's just like Southern California during the rainy season!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to all you Cougars out there!!!!!
Thanks Sharon, the same to you and yours.

Name: Sharon Branigan () on Tuesday, December 18, 2001 at 08:51:26 E-Mail: srbranigan.srb@verizon.net Maiden: Bierman Class: 76 City and State: Thousand Oaks, CA Message: Dear Ron Teh: I wish I had some way of reaching your family. I'd like to do something for them to let them know WE know the sacrifice THEY are making, not only in NOT having you at home, but knowing that you and others like you are in very real and direct danger. It's hard to find words to express how I feel about all our people who so strongly believe in the ideals and values of this nation, that they would leave their safe and warm homes and loved ones to put themselves at great risk defending the people and the spirit of America. I am truly amazed at the courage and strength of the men and women who serve.