Name: Bill Sloey () on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 00:38:38
E-Mail: wsloey@aol.com
City and State: El Camino Village
Class: 69
Message: Being able to keep up with the pace of CT and ALL of the writeins lately I thought I would write in and see if I have the klez virus. I saw an old name on cougartown, Bob Valdez '68 I haven't seen him since my junior year and an electron went off in my head. I was catching him in Middle League at Hollyglen '66 playing on the Braves battling the Yankees, "Homer Smith's Franchise" one summer night. Billy Schultz and Pat Burris at the helm as our coaches.haha it gets funnier. The game took on an interesting profile as we were ahead going into the bottom of 6th inning, The Time limit on this game was running out and if the Yankees got three outs before the time limit was over, we were forced to play another inning. In these days we were a two ball league, meaning that if 1 ball was lost in the housing tract we had another ball to continue the game. Bobby was throwing airballs in the bottom of the 6th and the Yanks were swinging at everything, 2 outs were recorded with in three minutes. We had over 10 mins. in this inning and the hands signs were coming from the dugout like a teacher of the deaf tring to quiet an auditorium. I could not read them but on the next pitch Bobby threw it hit the batter. Well needless to say the Yanks protested this but not for long as another batter was in the box ready to swing at anything. This batter was just as lucky as the one before him as he was hit too. Warning went out, words were said, but the game went on. 2 on and 2 outs with 7 mins. to play and on the first pitch to the 5th batter he swings and fouls it into the houses that lined the left field line. Lost ball. The umpire pulls out a brand new ball and puts it into play by throwing it to Bobby, Bobby throws another airball and I catch it on the end of my middle finger breaking the nail off the finger. The ump stops the game and attends to my finger which was squirting red and time was running out for the YANKS, Bobby thanked me for the 1 finger catch over the cries of protest of the Yanks. By the time the ump and my chuckly coaches bandaged my finger the Time Limit was up. However the ump said we were to play 4 more minutes as my injury stop the clock. Bobby was upset but kept his cool, as he started his windup a smile comes over his face that I will never forget, he then launch the Last Ball over the backstop, landing somewhere near 132nd and Hindry, Ump called out the "GAME IS OVER" we beat the Yanks. $2.50 for a baseball, $10 Dollars for the split on my finger and beating the Yankees....Priceless.
JB, Have I ever told you, you are one heck of a guy? and that Cougartown is PRICELESS too.. Bill Sloey
(Here's the ending to Bill's story. See Keith, it's not just you.)
Hey Bill, Thanks for the priceless story, albeit a Westsider story. Also, glad you FINALLY had time to write. I guess the kids are sleeping by now. Hope to see you AND the kids at Fosters on the 14th too. It's been awhile, MAAAANN!!!

Name: Cliff Hitchcock () on Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 15:41:31
E-Mail: Zchicken@aol.com
City and State: Northridge, Ca
Class: 1973
Message: What a great place for old memories. Enza's post about Iva Miller brought back a flood of forgotten thoughts about her. Through high school I used to work at "Ivy's" coffee shop as a busboy. Mrs. Iva was one of the regular customers and I spent a lot of time with her talking about Jim Thorpe. She was a wonderful, sweet and kind lady who even left a tip for me on occasion.
Thanks to all who take the time to post here. It makes for fun reading.
Thanks Cliff.....

Name: Enza Nicocia () on Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 14:49:44
E-Mail: espresso.com
City and State: Sunny SoCal
Maiden: ever the inquisitive one...
Class: 72
Message: JB...VERY FUNNY. Maybe I should switch to decaf? :-)

Name: Ron Dokken () on Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 14:39:16
E-Mail: rdokk@yahoo.com
City and State: Endwell, NY
Class: 1955
Message: Speakin of drinken, my favorites in the 60's were: Sudden Discomfort (Southern Comfort), Black Russians, Vodka Martini rocks, Moscow Mule (in the tin mug), and later in SEA, lots of Gin Tonics (malaria you know). You could get a bottle of Lancers for a buck, beer 10c. Now, big doins for me is a diet coke - with a twist. This year I was going to try and make cruise night, but usair was charging $570 for the trip. Then they came up with a special Labor Day sale for $232 (no wonder they're bankrupt). Unfortunately, travel has to be over by 7 Sep. They don't call me a cheapskate for nothing. I just had a wild idea. Any 55ers want to have an informal get together? How about Sat 31 Aug, noon at El Toritos on the pier in Marina Del Ray? It will be easy to id me - I'll be wearing polyester bermuda shorts, hiked up to my arm pits, and wearing black shoes and socks - guming a taco. Seriously, lets do it. email if interested.
There you go 55ers. You've just got a party started by a guy who lives in New York and wants to meet you on the pier in Marina Del Rey. It'll be hard to say no to that one. Good luck and please, if you have a chance to be there, BE THERE!!!

Name: Enza Nicocia () on Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 12:55:37
E-Mail: antiquenza@aol.com
City and State: forever the Dodger...
Maiden: and Laker girl...
Class: 72
Message: Hey JB~I didn't know that your Grandparents lived so closed to us. Didn't you grow up on Cedar and 122nd, just the other side of the block from them. And, was that the Grandpa that hung out with Jim Thorpe? I know you and my sis-in-law Cheryl were/are good friends back in the 60's~did you ever hang out at our house when my brother Johnny and Cheryl were dating? Johnny had a great red Chevy hot rod back then, and all the other "Hot Rods" would cruise/race up and down Hawthorne Blvd. Were you one of the "Guys" that would race their cars down Hawthorne Blvd too? My Dad was not a happy camper when he came home with speeding tickets! :-(
Wade,Wade,Wade. In regards to your "I had a Hammmer" story. I too had taught my sister's daughter Christina (Annie c/o 74) the great folk songs of the early 70's. One day as they were pulling up to my Mom's house, Annie had the windows down, stereo blasting to Peter, Paul and Mary's "I had a Hammer"~and to my surprise my sweet little 5 year old niece singing her heart out. Brought tears of joy to my eyes! I just love, love this beautiful child! BTW, where was the Centinela? And, where was "Vinnie" last night. Why did they have two announcers calling the Dodger game? It's just not the same when "Vincent" is not there. Oh, one more thing. Did anyone catch Letterman last night? They had Roger Clemens, Yankee Pitcher, who is 6'4, 215 lbs AND 40 yrs old. WOW! This guy looks great for an old timer. Nice hands. :-)
Enza, to answer your questions: yes; yes; no; yes; Hawthorne Bl between 129th and El Segundo; don't know; always do on radio; no......

Name: Wade Greasby () on Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 10:08:24
E-Mail: wadekath@juno.com
City and State: Surf City, Ca
Maiden: Centinela
Class: 73
Message: JB, the Centinela was one of the most popular places in Hawthorne for all city employees. Mitch Skaff, and George Obresly would always have a Dr. Pepper for me. My dad would go down there with Joy West, former City Manager, and talk about Oklahoma and city politics. I remember playing pool in the backroom and coming in from the back door off the alley. When the Hawthorne Fair was going on and the parade would happen the best water fights between the clowns and city employees would take place in front of the Centinela or the fire station. Good times
Hey Wade, I remember my dad going in there and talking about uhhhhh City politics, yeah that was it, CITY POLITICS.
It was always a coke with ice in a glass for me from George or Mitch (still my favorite). I also would get a handful of pennies for the nut machines that lined the bar with either Spanish Peanuts or Pistachios. Remember the Pistachios that were red, with a salt covered white one every so often? Where did those go?

Name: Wendy () on Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 04:19:49
E-Mail: wjwalchli@aol.com
City and State: Murrieta, Ca
Maiden: Rideout
Class: 1964
Message: Haven't checked the feedback page in awhile and was sorry to hear about the Masonic Temple being torn down. I was a former Rainbow Girl as well as my sister Pam. My mom was also a Rainbow Girl and my dad DeMolay and a Mason. A lot of the boys in the 60's and early 70's may remember my dad, he was an advisor for DeMolay, fondly known as "Dad Rideout". He passed away in 1990 and is missed a lot.

Name: rusty () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 23:27:50
E-Mail: n_pappagiorgio_44@yahoo
City and State: las vegas
Message: lovely rita, meter maid..........

Name: Paco () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 20:41:49
E-Mail: doo4usc@aol.com
City and State: Lake Forest
Class: 61
Message: My son Randy was adopted, he is half Cherokee and half Irish. His mother was a nurse on the reservation, where his father was the son of the chief. I felt sorry for my parents after my son went thru high school..
So THAT'S what happened to your hair....

Name: Enza Nicocia () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 19:56:55
E-Mail: antiquenza@aol.com
City and State: whatwillwedo..
Maiden: ifthereisabaseballstrike. :-(
Class: 72
Message: Hey JB~I too have a connection to Jim Thorpe. When we immigrated to America in 1956, and landed in beautiful Hawthorne, unbeknownst to us lived a sweet little old lady two houses west of us. Her name was Iva Miller Davies. We called her "Mrs. Davis" out of respect. She was Jim Thorpe's first wife. She was a very kind woman, and I remember visiting her on a regular basis as a young girl. She would always have errands for me to do. She taught me how to bake simple coffee cakes, and I still have her cookbooks from the early 60's. I'll never forget how I would go to the mailbox on our corner (Broadway and Freeman Ave) and mail her letters for a dime! (Big money for a 7yr old). I also remember her Daughter Grace, who used to come and visit, would take my sister Annie to the Indian "Pow-wow's." Wonderful memories that I had almost forgotten about. Such a big part of my childhood was around her and her kindness that she showered all the Nicocia kids.
My grandparents lived about 5 doors north of you on Freeman in the late 40's. (351 Freeman at that time)

Name: Alan Nelson () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 19:00:12
E-Mail: boatcop@boatcop.com
City and State: Parker, Az
Class: '73
Message: Another thing that makes this a small Cougartown World. Ron Dokken! My wife, Kathy is also Cherokee, registered with the Cherokee Nation-West, and has several "Starrs" in her lineage. Although she doesn't drink, most of her family can pound down a few pretty well, too.

Name: Patti Smith () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 18:59:21
E-Mail: grnidl80@attbi.com
City and State: Cypress, CA
Class: 68
Message: Let's see...a birthday on 8/28. John, isn't that YOU?
I don't have those anymore.....

Name: Jerry Miles () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 18:22:38
E-Mail: jfmiles@pacbell.net
City and State: Fair Oaks, CA
Class: 66
Message: Jill, my apologies. I do know who will be watching Sheriff John to see if he gets mentioned on the 28th. Happy Birthday, John. Mine was yesterday.
Thanks Jerry, Happy Birthday yourself....

Name: Ron Dokken () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 16:48:33
E-Mail: rdokk@yahoo.com
City and State: Endwell, NY
Class: 1955
Message: Talking about the fishing barges reminded me of Gibb Starr. He was a hard drinking Cherokee Indian that married my Aunt (she could hold her own too). Gibb was a great guy, and we often went fishing in Santa Monica bay - when there were still fish there. He told me that another regular on the barges was Leo Gorcy? the dead end kid. I guess he acted just like his screen persona. When Gibb had a few he would tell me - with a low chuckle - that he was a chief. He tended bar at the Riviera Country Club. His sure fire cure for hangovers was to finish the night with Galliano on the rocks with 3 twists of lime. I was so numb in the AM, don't know if it worked or not. Too bad, the booze got him before he could grow old. I still miss him.
Hey Ron, Sounds like a fun guy all right. As long as we're dropping "Indian drinking buddy" names here, my grandpa Baker's drinking buddy in the late 30's was Jim Thorpe. They used to throw'em back at the Centinela in Hawthorne, owned by Jerry Skaff's (HHS67) dad. You wouldn't catch Jim or my grandpa drinkin' no sissy Galliano either.
I remember Leo Gorcey too. I remember dad wouldn't let me watch the deadend kids on TV because he didn't want me to grow up to be a "hooligan". Nowadays kids have snoop dog to idolize. Thanks Ron

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 14:18:07
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Class: 1977
Message: John, thanks for the info on the Princess Louise. It jogged a distant memory. It did sink in 1980, I remember that the company I worked for at the time (Who remembers Cal Stereo?) we had some sort of party there only the week before. Cal Stereo sank later that year.
You're welcome, Jill

Name: Alan Nelson () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 14:17:55
E-Mail: boatcop@boatcop.com
City and State: Parker, Az
Class: '73
Message: Thanks for all the response about my request from El Camino. It's being taken care of. You Cougars are truly a helpful bunch. Ciao!

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 14:14:13
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Class: 1977
Message: Happy early birthday Debbie, how is your Mom? Do they still own that little bait shop near Mammoth? To give a hint on whose b-day is 8/28, he is directly involved in Cougartown. I only remember his birthday because it falls on the same day as my youngest son Trevor, who will be 6.
Happy Birthday Trevor.....

Name: Jerry Miles () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 13:49:37
E-Mail: jfmiles@pacbell.net
City and State: Fair Oaks, CA
Class: 66
Message: Jill, I don?t know who?s birthday is 8/28 but the day before, 8/27, is the anniversary of the birth of Debbie Miles, class of ?77. Happy Birthday, Debbie.
Happy Birthday Debbie.....

Name: Chris Prewitt () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 12:04:50
E-Mail: cjprewitt@juno.com
City and State: Fullerton, CA
Class: 1967
Message: John, Didn't I understand that if someone gets their car shown on the Car Talk Page they are required to drive said car to Fosters on September 14th for cruise night? (Nice car Susie it looks like you have put some work into it.)
Yes, that is the case.
For all who don't do anything but the Feedback Page, there's a new Car Talk Page featuring Susie Klingenhagen's great lookin' Mustang. Please take a look.

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 10:55:46
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Class: 1977
Message: Rita, I will definitely tell Sandra you said hi. I remember hearing about that documentary on the Beach Boys. Can anyone tell me who from CT has a birthday coming up on 8/28?

Name: Dale Craig () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 01:30:45
E-Mail: CbrdcraigA@aol.com
City and State: Hawthorne Ca
Class: 76
Message: Dear Rita R Its was good to see you on the feedback page I was in Danville in 1999 for the bowling tournament I spent three days in Livermore had a great time bowled in Dublin & livermore please sent me an e mail when you can at CbrdcraigA@aol.com have a great day
your Dale

Name: Keith D. Jones () on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 00:24:48
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
City and State: Honolulu, HI
Class: 76
Message: Was just watching the Rerun Show and saw Ernie Curcio on it. Oh by the way my daughter just moved here with me and she got a job as jet-ski instructor out in Hawaii Kai. Then in December she is a Snow Board instructor at Lee Canyon. Not bad jobs for a 17 year old. I wish I was young again. At least she is having fun. She passed up a full ride to Louisburg College for soccer. Well she has her priorities.

Name: Rita Rosenthal () on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 19:35:28
E-Mail: callmr@pacbell.net
City and State: danville, CA
Maiden: Rita Kobold
Class: 78
Message: To Jill McFarlane, Sandra Bell was on my squad and we're in the Beach Boys documentary Endless Harmony available on VHS and DVD. Rita Rosenthal ( Kobold ) - give Sandra my best!

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 14:56:02
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
City and State: Mission Viejo
Class: 1977
Message: Ok, refresh my memory, was the Princess Louise docked in Redondo Beach near the Blue Moon Saloon. Didn't she sink like in 1982 during an El Nino, and if I recall, it took the saloon too. I seem to recall also there was a restaurant, and sometimes people would go there after a dance. Am I making this stuff up?
I think you're pretty close, Jill. You can read all about the Princess Louise here.

Name: tjb () on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 14:23:57
E-Mail: tjb888@aol.com
City and State: Monrovia, Calif
Class: 1967
Message: Does anyone know what happened to Benny Baruch class '67, or where he is?

Name: doris () on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 14:18:38
E-Mail: raydori@mindspring.com
City and State: twin falls id
Maiden: donaldson
Class: '57
Message: HEY COUGARS! Less than two weeks left in August and two weeks into September or SEPTEMBER 14TH, you KNOW what's happening, don't you?! Make your plans now folks so you don't say, "Oh I forgot" or "Gee I have OTHER plans". It's a happening: CRUISE NIGHT at Foster Freeze and I'm coming clear from Idaho and want to meet EVERYBODY!!!! :-D
YES!!! I would like to meet you face to face myself, Doris. Also Rich and Mary Sloan (HHS 60), Russ (HHS60) and Judi Kiester Jacobsen (HHS61) will be there from I-Dee-Ho. Scott (HHS58) and Joanie Bradford Nelson (HHS59) and Karen Kuehl Graham (HHS59), all from Templeton CA, plus lots of regular early HHSers like Richard Hanson HHS56, Dennis Unfried HHS55, Mike Shay HHS61, Jerry Rigney HHS59. I'm sure the 70's crowd will have their usuals too, so don't be shy. Come on out, have a burger and let's talk Hawthorne and HHS for a few hours.

Name: John Baker () on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 01:18:14
E-Mail: john@cougartown.com
City and State: Lomita
Class: 62
Message: The following was sent to me by Fred Rinaldi (Serra High 66) and is an update on what fellow Cougar Ric Colangelo (HHS76) is doing these days......He writes:
John I've visited your web page many times as I grew up in Hawthorne in the 50's & 60's. Went to Serra High but know many Hawthorne alumni. I recently got involved with a 76 Hawthorne alumni, Ric Colangelo who races Comp Eliminator in NHRA. I'm helping him on the Business side. Attached is a photo of Ric and his car. I know you like to update the alumni on who's doing what so I thought I'd send this along. If anyone wants to get in touch, call me at 310-334-0293
Thanks for the update, Fred.

Name: Tobey () on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 08:17:25
E-Mail: tobey@Props4YourScene.com
City and State: Redondo Beach, CA
Class: 1976
Message: The last barge that I knew of off Redondo was sold to some fishermen in Alaska. Early 90's maybe. WOW! When it comes to what was - I was on the Princess Louise the night she broke her moorings and had to be ""put-to-reef."" And Heck, when was the last time you found an urchin in the PV tide pools? Been a while?
Janet and I were just talking about the Princess Louise last weekend. I thought they had moved the ship. Didn't know they sunk it.

Name: Sherry Wingo () on Monday, August 19, 2002 at 17:44:38
E-Mail: dscwingo@pacbell.net
City and State: Haw. Ca.,
Maiden: Peppers
Class: 1964
Message: I'm proud to announce we are grandparents for the third time. It's a boy. His name is Cade Jonathan Wingo. He was born Aug. 16. We're so delighted.
Congratulations to you and Doug, Sherry. I'm going for number 2 next month. We're not that OLD, are we?? My mom still tells me what to do.

Name: Elizabeth Estrada () on Monday, August 19, 2002 at 16:27:20
E-Mail: dzlizzy219@aol.com
City and State: Redondo, CA
Class: 69
Message: Hello Everybody, I'm looking for Les Day from the class of '69. If you have a phone number or email address for him I would be grateful for the information. Thank you.

Name: Alan Nelson () on Monday, August 19, 2002 at 12:25:45
E-Mail: boatcop@boatcop.com
City and State: Parker, Az
Class: '73
Message: Does anyone live or work around El Camino College? There's something I want to get from the College, but won't be on the Coast for a while. If you can help, drop me an email. Thanks.

Name: Lyman Moss () on Monday, August 19, 2002 at 07:42:05
E-Mail: lyman.b.moss@boeing.com
City and State: Everett, wa.
Class: 59
Message: My thoughts and prayers are with you Roy McNally even though I haven't seen you or talked to you since High School, you were a favorite classmate and athlete. Get well soon Roy and I wish you Gods speed.

Name: John Baker () on Friday, August 16, 2002 at 15:45:14
E-Mail: john@cougartown.com
City and State: Lomita, CA
Class: 62
Message: Just heard from Bob Fraser HHS60. He said that Roy McNally HHS59 is gravely ill. Not only an HHS graduate; Roy was a teacher, Hawthorne policeman, and Hawthorne City Councilman. Please keep him in your prayers.

Name: Tim Helble () on Friday, August 16, 2002 at 14:56:38
E-Mail: TKHelble@netscape.net
City and State: Columbia, MD
Class: 73
Message: Hey Neal Anderson and Mike Shay - I heard somewhere that the barges were anchored at spots where old "Red Cars" were dumped to create artificial reefs. The Red Car - now there's a topic of discussion!
There's supposed to be lots of secret and not so secret artificial reefs out there off Redondo and Torrance. I heard the Meistrell brothers at Dive N Surf placed a bunch of old toilet bowls at one location to serve as lobster homes, but the artificial colony was quickly discovered by other divers looking for an easy catch of lobster.
Lots of the old Red Cars are in a railroad museum out around Perris CA. Talk about something you could ride for a dime.