Hawthorne Feedback

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Hawthorne Time and
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It's Doo Wop Time Johnnie and Joe

Name: Bud Rhoades () on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at 11:46:12
E-Mail: bud.rhoades@fullmerinc.com
City and State: Seal Beach,CaI
Class: 74
Message: John, will there be a rescheduled Cruise night? I'm working on some fellow class of 74 er's, myself included to make an appearance at the next event, and a hello back to Jim Cicalese.
Trying for the middle of next month, Bud. I'll post it when I know.

Name: Jim Peppers () on Wednesday, March 26, 2003 at 06:46:16
E-Mail: jimpeppers@yahoo.com
City and State: Athens, Greece
Class: 61

Message: Hello Cougars, We're going through a lot of pain here because of the war. There are daily demonstrations and the anti-Americanism is at an all time high. Glad to hear you support the troops, as I. On the other hand, can't bring myself to support the war. We are very well informed here as we get CNN 24 hours a day, news from CBS, BBC, Fox News, Abu Dhabi TV, al Jazeera, and 10 Greek channels, so we hear both sides of all the propaganda. I hope that peace will come quickly and that Saddam soon will only be a bad memory. By the way, does anyone know how I can reach Kathy Tift? Pray that America wins this war faster than fast. My best to all, Jim Peppers
Hi Jim, Email George Rea. His email address is under the class of 62.

Name: Norv Vorhis () on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 23:53:45
E-Mail: olds88coupe@yahoo.com
City and State: Monrovia, Ca
Class: '59

Message: Jessie "Wannabe": Eucalyptus park wading pool is indeed still there, and is being renovated, along with the rest of the park. The handball courts are comming out and the "Larry Guidi Skateboard park" is going in. They were digging the hole yesterday.. The citys version can be found at: http://www.cityofhawthorne.com/news_rec-eucalyptusprk.htm

Name: Rick Trullinger () on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 23:31:49
E-Mail: Tapplefish@qnet.com
City and State: Independence, Ca.
Class: 73

Message: I had a cougar encounter last summer. I found a classic car restoration shop in Huntington Beach and decided to take my 57 Chevy down the some 300 miles to have some work done at D & P Classic Chevy. Upon talking to Daryl and Peggy Nance about cars, the beach and trout fishing in the Owens Valley.I found out he graduated from Inglewood High in 1973 and Peggy (Ommen) from Hawthorne in 1974. If any of you cougars need any top of the line tri-chevy (55, 56 & 57)work done they are the best.
And there's ANOTHER great "small Cougar world" story. Thanks Rick and you should have known Peggy at HHS.

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 16:21:39
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Class: 1977
Message: Hi everyone, hope everyone is having a good week. I have attached a website the defense department has set up for everyone who wants to send their best wishes to our troops can. http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html.
This only takes a second, and hopefully will encourage our men and women soldiers that even though we do not want war, we are 100% behind them.
I will get off my soapbox now, thank you for listening.

Name: Cindy Whittaker () on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 15:15:59
E-Mail: cindycwhittaker@msn.com
City and State: Gig Harbor WA
Maiden: Whittaker
Class: 1976
Message: Hey! Little Stevie glasses? We were in sunny California at Magic Mountain so it's the uniform isn't it? And he's a Hawaii boy so the glasses don't get far from his face even in the rain. That picture, by the way, was taken BEFORE I got talked into riding Deja Vu a.k.a. Deja PUKE. Man, who thinks up these rides anyhow? I must have been trying to impress the boy. Guaranteed it's not going to EVER happen again! My eyeballs are still not back in place...

Name: Jessie () on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 15:05:44
E-Mail: mikejessie@yahoo.com
City and State: LA, CA
Maiden: Corral
Class: Wanna be....
Message: Hey John, You actually found a place to swim in the pool!! I was lucky if I could find a place to stand ha! I think the only pool I ever really swam in was the Burk's or the Ziegler's. The Burk's had a really cool built up pool that their dad made, and the Ziegler's was a bulit in. The only one in the neighborhood. And believe me, we kids used it!

Name: Cindy Whittaker () on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 14:33:29
E-Mail: cindycwhittaker@msn.com
City and State: Gig Harbor WA
Maiden: Whittaker
Class: 1976

Message: John told me I had to check in more often so here I am! Got a new man, starting a new business, helped my honey find his missing daughter (kidnapped by the mom in 1998). Some folks in Cougartown helped me distribute flyers by email when I first started helping him so a big thank you to those that helped!! We recently took a trip to Vermont and he got to see her for the first time in 4 years (she's 7). Very cool weekend! They had so much fun together. She's coming here over spring break so we're looking forward to a happy ending for all. It really brought home the emotions of the Elizabeth Smart reunion since that happened not long after we got back from Vermont. Life is good! But now after seeing those pool pictures I want to go swimming! We've got sunshine but still coolish weather. The pools look much cleaner than what I remember. Or maybe it was all those kids packed in like sardines that made the water look a little 'ahem' cloudy? It was the only way to spend a summer day and all for a dime!
Yeah, I remember back in 57, you couldn't hardly find a place to swim in that pool. I wish people would take off their "Little Stevie" glasses so we could see what they look like.

Name: JAMES CICALESE () on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 14:24:04
E-Mail: jimc074@aol.com
City and State: Lakewood, ca
Class: 074

Message: Hi CT, just saw the pictures of Hawthorne and brought back memories. When I first moved to Hawthorne I lived on 131 near Inglewood ave. The last place I lived was 141 near Hawthorne blvd it was nice to see the street again. Also like to say Hi to Susan B and Bud.

Name: Keith D. Jones () on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 12:38:07
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
City and State: Honolulu, HI
Class: 76
Message: I was lucky enough to meet Ed Roth at a car show in Vegas about 3 years ago just before he died. I remember building every model he had. He was awesome.
Yes he was. A true free spirit that found a way to make a living doing exactly what he wanted to do in life.

Name: Robin () on Monday, March 24, 2003 at 22:25:26
E-Mail: 746west133rd.com
City and State: RB,CA
Class: 60
Message: Looking south on Ramona from 132nd to the legendary and flat 133rd, and up the hill to Ramona Elem. I wore a few bicycle tires out in that intersection John...:o)
YES, that's the picture, all right. I always pictured your house on the north side of 133rd.

Name: Pat () on Monday, March 24, 2003 at 20:02:53
E-Mail: onefamilyhistorian@socal.rr.com
City and State: Hawthorne, Calif
Class: 1963
Message: John, in the new photo is that 141st St. looking East from the top of the hill????
Hi Pat, 141st? - No...

Name: Cindy Whittaker () on Monday, March 24, 2003 at 17:49:10
E-Mail: cindycwhittaker@msn.com
City and State: Gig Harbor WA
Maiden: Whittaker
Class: 1976
Message: Hey! I missed the baby photo contest! Are they posted somewhere else or are they all gone and done and over? Waaaaaa!
Hi Cindy, All gone and done and over.....sorry.

Name: Jessie () on Monday, March 24, 2003 at 13:14:52
E-Mail: mikejessie@yahoo.com
City and State: Los Angeles, CA
Maiden: Corral
Class: Wanna be....

Message: Hi again! All this pool talk...Does anyone remember the little pool at Eucalyptus Park? I remember going there to play at the park and when it got hot we would just go over to the little pool. I wonder is it still even there? Do you know John if it is and do they still use it?
For any of you old dragsters out there check out the Rat Fink website. Come on you guys remember him! My brothers were all into that rat. www.ratfink.com buy your loved one a gift ha!
No, I haven't the foggiest. Does anyone else know?
Another site for the Rat Fink would be www.ratfink.org; this site is dedicated to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, who created Rat Fink among lots of other cool stuff. Rest in Peace, Big Daddy.

Name: Bud Rhoades () on Monday, March 24, 2003 at 12:37:38
E-Mail: bud.rhoades@fullmerinc.com
City and State: Seal Beach,Ca
Class: 74

Message: Its a small cougar world take 358. John how's this for a really amazing Cougar encounter? A couple of weeks ago I dropped by my next door neighbor's house to let them know Carolyn and I would be on vacation for a while. We were sharing a glass of wine and filling them in on our plans when my neighbors wife asked me where I grew up. I answered Hawthorne California. I thought the two of them were stroking out by the looks on their respective faces. "Hawthorne as in the Beachboys Hawthorne" was their reply. Yes that Hawthorne I answered. They looked at us and said, "do you realize that we both grew up in Hawthorne and both graduated from Hawthorne High?" This was absolutely out of the blue. My neighbors with whom we have shared bbq's, many a great bottle of vino, etc. etc. and we had no idea that we shared this common thread. Well you can imagine that the next hour or so was filled with "do you remember so and so?" and a really cool collection of old HHS memorabelia. It really is a small world. By the way, my neighbors are Richard and Linda Green, her maiden name being Linda Haley, Richard graduated in 59' and Linda in 61'. They are both doing terrific living down here in Seal Beach. Just thought I would share this with you, and if anyone would like to to get in touch with either one please let me know. Take care all.......
Now that's a GREAT "small Cougar world" story. Thanks for sharing it, Bud, and here's what they looked like at HHS, a few decades past. I'm sure they haven't changed one bit.

Thanks again.....

Name: steve () on Monday, March 24, 2003 at 02:02:44
E-Mail: sfraser53@hotmail.com
City and State: Huntington bch
Class: 66
Message: The LA Puddle as you call it was on Washington Blvd near the corner of Jefferson. In the mid fifties I raced 1/4 midgets at a track called "Little Indy" at that very location. My pit boss and starter was not only my older cousin, but the famous Cougar ...Robin Hood!!!! We spent many years racing and travelling in white shirts with red stripes that my mom sewed. Lee Leonard {66} and all of the Effler clan raced also. Hi to you all...Steve

Name: Nancy McConnell () on Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 21:20:09
E-Mail: simi4nem@aol.com
City and State: Simi Valley, CA

Maiden: Moffett
Class: 62
Message: Keith, it probably was Steve, he is an officer with the Hawthorne PD. Steve and my brother Randy were best friends and Steve's family lived next door to ours. Looking forward to Cruise Night, again. Remember our military in your prayers.

Name: Adrianne () on Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 19:06:22
E-Mail: addy57@msn.com
City and State: Cerritos, CA
Maiden: Longpre
Class: 63

Message: I'm wondering if everyone from c/o '63 received a dark green postcard from Creative Reunions and either thought it was junk mail and tossed it, or are holding on to them for awhile. Creative needs those cards back to be sure they have the correct addresses and also so we can see how many are interested in our 40th Reunion on October 18, 2003, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Redondo Beach. If you have not received a card, please call them at (800) 700-6607. We are looking for a good turnout.

Name: Pat () on Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 16:39:07
E-Mail: onefamilyhistorian@socal.rr.com
City and State: Hawthorne, Calif
Class: 1963
Message: The photo that John took of Thrifty/Rite Aid looking down hill is why I never worried about flooding during the rainy season. I lived on 141st. St. ¾?s of the way up hill (East) from Inglewood Ave. You people on the flatlands suffered all the nasty back up from the sewer system. LOL. Ya see, there is an advantage to living on the ?HILL.? John, just think in fifty years people will be scrambling to get these photos you took just a few days ago of ?OLD? Hawthorne. LOL.
Pat Underwood LHS class of 1963.

Name: Don (crow) Burns () on Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 13:22:02
E-Mail: burnslock@yahoo.com
City and State: Downey, Ca.
Class: 57
Message: Hey Cougs, The pic looks like 132nd st looking east from east of Ramona if I remember right. Lived there for about 4 yrs. Don
Yep, that's where it is, looking towards Thrifty-Rite Aid / Dennys. Thanks Don

Name: terrie kostiszak () on Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 11:44:08
E-Mail: terrielynnterrie@yahoo.com
City and State: Las Vegas, NV
Maiden: kostiszak
Class: 83
Message: Neighborhoods today are built without any sidewalks, the kids have to walk in the street, in the new condo areas. Memories of Aviation Pool come to mind. I remember the diving boards there, very high, it was an inside pool. I remember Hollyglen kiddie pool too!

Name: Keith D. Jones () on Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 04:13:57

E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
City and State: Honolulu, HI
Class: 76
Message: I was just watching The Man Show on TV and they featured the Hawthorne Police Dept. I remember one of the guys and hadn't seen him since 1975. I think his name is Steve Cruckshank.

Name: Chris Prewitt () on Saturday, March 22, 2003 at 23:48:39

E-Mail: cjprewitt@juno.com
City and State: Fullerton, CA
Class: 1967
Message: There are rumors that Steve Perdue class of 1967 is lurking around Cougartown. He has not signed up on the alumni list yet but if everyone who remembers him writes about him, I bet we could get some feedback from him.

Name: Cindy Colby () on Saturday, March 22, 2003 at 23:39:28
E-Mail: cindycolby@att.net

City and State: Laguna Hills, CA
Maiden: Maxson
Class: 63
Message: All of the talk about the pool where my dad taught me to swim, and the Alondra plunge really has me thinking. Does anyone remember the LA puddle? It was what is now Marina Del Rey. The Nichols family took me there several times to water ski, that was a pretty cool place.

Name: Kathleen Griffin () on Saturday, March 22, 2003 at 14:01:12
E-Mail: ct_helpdesk@yahoo.com
City and State: San Pedro, CA
Maiden: Nix
Class: 74

Message: Steve, I was in your intermediate and advanced swim class! I never thought about you being in high school since you seemed so mature to me, of course all us little girls in your class thought you were that "dreamboat" from mystery date.
I missed the photo of the pool but not the memories. Once school let out for the summer, I spent every day at the pool until summer was over. I remember how magical it was when I was finally pronounced old enough to go to the night swim at the pool. For me that was a magical time, spending summer nights in the water.

Name: Howard "Paco" Duran () on Saturday, March 22, 2003 at 12:02:25

E-Mail: doo4usc@cox.net
City and State: Lake Forest
Class: '61
Message: Before the Hawthorne pool we had to go to Alondra or the Inglewood plunge. I loved that old pool, I also had my first "Date" there.
Remembering Alondra Park's pool. It was unusual, as instead of straight up and down sides, you waded into it like at the beach. I remember the deep water barriers were yellow metal buoys strung together with rope.

Name: Jan (Janis) Peterson () on Friday, March 21, 2003 at 23:45:49
E-Mail: jpeterson50@comcast.com
City and State: Carmichael, CA
Maiden: Freeman
Class: 67
Message: John & Cougs, The pics of the pool brought back such memories. I remember a sign in the window of the office that read "We don't swim in your toilet, so please don't pee in our pool". Never was sure why that was there. Do NOW!, Especially since we now have a pool. I have shared in the greatest memories on this site. John you are an ANGEL for taking the time to put this together and keep it together so all of us can remember our pasts and friends. I can't even imagine the time you take to make this possible. I love reading Jean Caldwell's memories. We lived 2 doors from each other many, many years ago. I have been in touch with Roberta. Also with Cindy Maxon. (another neighbor). Fantastic fun! I lived in Hawthorne all my life in the same house until my family moved after my sophmore year at HHS. I didn't graduate from HHS, I graduated from South High in Torrance. But my heart will always be at HHS and 122nd. Street. Thank you John....
Jan (Janis Freeman) Peterson
Once a Cougar, always a Cougar, even if you graduated a Spartan. Glad you enjoy the website, Janis, and thanks for updating your dues too. It is appreciated. Please feel free to add to the website anytime. After all you're REALLY a Cougar.

Name: Keith D. Jones () on Friday, March 21, 2003 at 23:11:05

E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
City and State: Honolulu, HI
Class: 76
Message: If I remember right you had to be able to swim the width of the olympic pool twice (up and back) before you could swim in the 12' pool. That smell of the locker room is all of a sudden in my nose again.
Speaking of locker rooms the new COED locker room is going up as we speak.

Name: steve fraser () on Friday, March 21, 2003 at 21:44:56
E-Mail: sfraser@hotmail.com
City and State: Huntington Beach
Class: 1966

Message: It's been a while since I've been on Ctown, but the pictures of the pool really jarred some memories. I went to work there as a locker room attendant in 1965 along with some other Cougs: Ron Baumgardner, Michelle Trefz, Karen Armstrout {all '66}. After graduation, Ron and I became lifeguards and swimming instructors until we left for the service. Maybe some of you who learned to swim there were in one of our classes. By the way "Butch" , we used to throw people like you out!! Dime or no dime. My sisters, Debbie {72} and Kathy {75} worked there also. Belated birthday to Cuz Kell!! Condolences to the family of Jeff Bottoms....Always a wonderful guy. And the Plaza was originally built as a live stage theater complete with an orchestra pit long before they ever showed movies. The Rex theater was on the circle at 122nd and Acacia. My dad went there as a kid and watched the "Oater" serials every Saturday for a nickel. Hi to everyone!
Hey Steve, Glad you're still out there. Seems like the pool pics are re-awakening lots of good memories. Thanks for sharing....

Name: Jean MacErnie () on Friday, March 21, 2003 at 21:23:17
E-Mail: mamamac.1@juno.com
City and State: Albq NM
Maiden: Caldwell
Class: 68

Message: Thank you John for the picture of the Hawthorne Pool....I remember going there with my sister, Roberta (Caldwell, class of 67) and a few of our friends when we were very young. It seems that everytime we went home after a day at the pool we would be starving...My mom always had dinner waiting for us...
A few of my memories of good old Hawthorne.....Anitas dress shop, Lawrence drugs (ice cream cones, magazines, the old 10 cent phone booths, Folbs Toy store (I kept my favorite doll well dressed from that store!), Akron (art supplies), Safeway (I remember Dot. I didn't know she was so famous. She was officially Dorthea.) Green farms...Chicken Delight (Don't cook tonight call Chicken Delight...),The carnival on 115th (I was so afraid of that huge (?) merry go round)....The Hawthorne Fair and all that carnival glass I won. The Light House (We would go as a family there and I thought it was so awesome that they gave each of us our own tray for our food.) Biggies or Skippys after school, and the occasional head banging fights after school behind the place...Hawthorne Intermediate (Mrs McDaniel, Mr Hughes, and Mr Clayton.) Green Onion Restaurant (I remember one time when we left, the waiter asked my dad how his meal was. My dad is very up front. He told the guy that it was the worst damn mexican food he had ever eaten. My dad grew up in Southern NM. I think it was our only time going there. Anyway....I remember Chips (and all our gourmet french fries and coke meals with our friends) Clarks, Kresges and the Boys market (it stayed open til mid night didn't it?) There was Thriftimart (I remember that the meat managers last name was Bacon....) Aloha Drugs (I used to develop a roll of film every week and get a free roll of film..Never had to buy film.) And of course the day the Food Giant burned down....Melody music (My mom bought all the top 45 records. Every pay day we would go with her to help her out...We really kept her up with the latest songs. We were just so kind and considerate!)
Ok, I can go on and on and on and....but I think I will stop and save some of the other memories for another time...
MAN!! That was a load of memories right there. I called someone the other day and got the most horrendous sounding ring on my end of the call. It reminded me that when I was young, different areas had different rings. Just one more memory. Thanks Jean....

Name: Terrie Kostiszak () on Friday, March 21, 2003 at 20:22:46
E-Mail: terrielynnterrie@yahoo.com
City and State: Las Vegas, NV
Maiden: Kostiszak
Class: 83
Message: Great pictures of the pool, thanks. Brings memories of learning how to swim as a kid there while wearing pink bathing caps with plastic flowers, and the smell of Jasmine flowers at the entrance. Everytime I smell Jasmine Flowers it reminds me of summer hanging out in front of the HHS Pool entrance waiting for a ride home after swimming.

Name: Jessie () on Friday, March 21, 2003 at 19:10:29
E-Mail: mikejessie@yahoo.com
City and State: Los Angeles
Maiden: Corral
Class: Wanna be Cougar class of '74
Message: I remember that pool as being the best! I also remember my bottom getting pinched more often then not ha! I often wonder how none of us ever drowned. That pool was always jammed packed and I don't remember there being very many life guards around, or Moms and dads for that matter.
Yes, I remember paddling through the thermoclines and wondering why certain areas were warmer than others. hmmmmm.....

If you have comments or suggestions, please email me at john14@cougartown.com

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