Hawthorne Feedback

Page 563

Hawthorne Time and
Temperature

A pretty good guitar picker----Ry Cooder

Name: Pat Underwood () on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 at 16:22:40
E-Mail: onefamilyhistorian@socal.rr.com
City and State: Hawthorne, Calif
Class: 1963

Message: John when you said get a life I had to snicker because I think I?ve had quite a life. I have six children and one granddaughter. My children range in ages from 36 to 15 and two of them are still in high school. Thirty-six years of kids and teenagers tends to twist the adult mind beyond imagination. In their early years they said things like I love you daddy and yes daddy, but during puberty you hear things like NO, BUT EVERYONE ELSE IS STAYING OUT TILL MIDNIGHT, I HATE YOU and YOU?RE STUPID. Payback is part of life and I just haven?t hit that part yet. Wait till we get the ATV?s and they can?t ride them or when we get our ski boat and they can?t come along. Then showing up unannounced at one of their houses in the dead of winter, with our tanned bodies for dinner. My oldest son and his wife invited us to Cabo and we made the mistake of going. We couldn?t stay out late because my son said we had thing to do in the morning, so the wife and I snuck out. When we came home at 5:00 am, there was my son sitting on the couch saying things like where were you and I?ve been sitting here all night worried. See where I?m going with this, life isn?t over it?s just starting. So if for a few minuets a day I want to reflect in my younger days in high school by visiting Cougartown and say; ?Life without Cougartown for two and a half days is creepy? doesn?t mean I don?t have a life, it means I?m just getting started. Then maybe you are right and I don?t have a life and I just don?t see it yet. LOL. See how much fun that was. Pat Underwood Class of 1963
Great story Pat and glad you enjoy the website.

Name: Jan Peterson () on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 at 13:50:37
E-Mail: JPeterson50@aol.com
City and State: Carmichael, CA
Maiden: Freeman
Class: 1967
Message: I don't think that anyone that lived in Hawthorne in the 50's missed getting to go to the Plaza Theater. I am from a family of 5 kids and I know that my Mom looked forward to Saturday's where we would all go to the movies. What great experiences and memories. A Newsreel (that was kinda boring), cartoons, and 2 movies. All for 35 cents each, and that included the snack. My husband and I recently went to the movies and we saw coming attractions, 1 movie and shared a popcorn and lemonade and the total of the evening....$27.00! Have a great week all!! Jan
PS: to Pat Underwood. I want you to know that when I noticed the site having problems and then finally down, I too was totally devastated!. I love Cougartown. See John, you are OUR icon. And we can't Thank you enough for your total dedication to our past lives and future friendships!
Well thank you Jan. I do appreciate that....

Name: Lee Ann Roehm () on Monday, June 9, 2003 at 22:15:18
E-Mail: roehminla@earthlink.net
City and State: La Verne, CA
Maiden: Nixon
Class: 64

Message: Okay, John B, I just have to respond to your comment on the Plaza theater. You mentioned that it was a great memory. I'll bet your mom thought it was a great memory as well. I mean, where else can you get rid of a kid for that long and it's safe besides? Take it from someone who had 3 boys in 5 years, wish I had that going for me somewhere along the way.
Of course, had my first date there, whose name shall remain anonymous. Come to think of it, maybe it wasn't so safe after all.
Yes, the Plaza was a great stress reliever for lots of Haytown parents. They could give their child 35 cents to go to the Saturday Matinee and be kid-free the whole afternoon. A safe and cheap babysitter indeed.

Name: Pat Underwood () on Monday, June 9, 2003 at 19:35:58
E-Mail: onefamilyhistorian@socal.rr.com
City and State: Hawthorne, Calif
Maiden: lostand found
Class: 1963
Message: Cougartown is back online, man I thought my world had caved in. I e-mailed Lizzy and Paco to find out what had happened and came to the conclusion that there was a problem with hawthorns site (server). I even e-mailed John and asked if everything was okay and I got that one back as undeliverable. Thought of being blocked from Cougartown danced in my head, then Lizzy said ?Don?t worry big guy, it?s happened before they?ll be back?. I have too tell you, two and a half days without Cougartown is creepy. Pat Underwood Lawndale High class of 1963
No, we're back and Pat... you HAVE to get a life.

Name: Bud () on Monday, June 9, 2003 at 12:49:32
E-Mail: bud.rhoades@fullmerinc.com
City and State: Seal Beach,Ca
Class: 74

Message: Studios, ah yes. The lots in Culver City were often the final stage of mayhem on a friday night for a bunch of us 74ers. I can remember Dave Butner being chased through what I believe was the set for Combat. We, I wont implicate the innocent, supported Daves bravery by barraging his pursuers with dirt "bombs". He barely made it back over the fence and into our getaway car. Those were great times, innocent when compared to what kids do nowadays.

Name: Enza Nicocia () on Monday, June 9, 2003 at 11:51:09
E-Mail: antiquenza@aol.com
City and State: Hawthorne, CA
Maiden: believe in the power of prayer....
Class: 72

Message: Here is an update on momma Nicocia: She is home after a 11 day stay at Little Company Of Mary hospital. She has started her radiation therapy, and is in high spirits (with the help of her morphine patch), and has resumed ordering me around again. She looks great, and does not know her diagnosis, which we feel would be devasting to her. Thank you to all who emailed me with all your kind words, and also those who left feedback in CT~it is GREATLY appreciated!! I believe in the power of prayer, and I have faith that this mother of 11 children who has lived through her village being bombed in Sicily by the American's in WWII~immigrated to America at age 42, (with what they could carry in suitcases), AND was pregnant with twins (Annie and Nicky c/o 74), with SIX children in tow, can INDEED, at least, beat her 18 months that the Doctors say would be her time left here on earth. LET'S ALL PROVE THE MEDICAL SOCIETY THAT THEY DON'T ALWAYS KNOW EVERYTHING!!! Bless you all. Love always, Enza
We're all praying for you, Mama Nicocia.

Name: doris () on Sunday, June 8, 2003 at 17:37:28
E-Mail: yesofcoursewhatasillyquestion
City and State: whyamialwaysbeingquestioned?

Maiden: donaldson
Class: i'vedonenothing!
Message: YUP JB1 ... tried sending an email to you my own self and it came back (and boy! Was it ever an interesting one, too!!!) Just thought I'd let you know of the returned email, since it seemed somewhat of a question in your mind. Later Maaaaaannnnnn!
As of Monday morning everything, including the email address, is working again. Sorry for the inconvenience...

Name: Jan Peterson () on Sunday, June 8, 2003 at 11:57:06
E-Mail: jpeterson50@aol.com
City and State: Carmichael, CA
Maiden: Freeman
Class: 1967

Message: John, I sent you an eamil last night and it came back undeliverable. Then I couldn't get on the site. What a panic. I thought that Cougartown was down for good. My life flashed before my face. :o) Boy am I happy I was wrong. I sent you a mail to ask you if you had gotten my check for my Tshirt? I sent it to you about May 23rd. If you haven't, let me know, otherwise you can tell me to "chill" and you will mail the shirt soon. Have a great Sunday. Jan
Yes, I got your check. Unfortunately we're out of XLs. It shouldn't be long though and thanks for your patience.
Do not know why you got the undeliverable. Could be the reason I haven't received any email in the last 2 days.

Name: Ron Dokken () on Saturday, June 7, 2003 at 12:17:50
E-Mail: rdokk@yahoo.com
City and State: Endwell, NY
Class: 1955

Message: It must be this rainy morning...I read of tearing down the past - not only in Hawthorne, but also development pressure on civil war sites, and other things that define our culture. What will 2050 be like? 500 million people in the US. A nation of strip malls, freeways, and fast food. There is nothing in the constitution that gives you the right to own a car. The time is coming when one will have to prove the need to drive - like getting a hand-gun permit now. Only the politicos, and the famous will drive. The rest of us will be herded onto mass transit. Its like being on a runaway train - too fast to jump off, you just hope to survive the crash at the end. There's NO politician with the cajones to address the issue. Whew! Glad I got that off my chest. Its no fun being a cranky old man.
In 2050 I'll be 106 and on mobile life support, fishing with my 53 year old grandson.

Name: Paco () on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 20:20:55
E-Mail: doo4usc@cox.net
City and State: LF
Class: 61
Message: Lots of "studio stories", my house was once decorated in early studio...Learned how to drive at the studio's, and once had to walk/hitch home. Ask Dennis Campbell he'll tell ya some good stories!
Where has Dennis been anyway?? And speaking of studio stories, ask ANOTHER class of 61er, Mike Shay......

Name: Larry Biller () on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 17:15:49
E-Mail: lbiller49@yahoo.com
City and State: Portland(DeathValley)Oregon
Maiden: Usedtobecolder
Class: 1967
Message: I'm drippen wet from the heat....no a/c in this house.Anyway...There tearing down Foster's!!?? What's next the Plaza?!Then they'll want to go after Melody Music.
It's been cold and overcast here all week long.

Name: Pat Underwood () on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 17:00:48
E-Mail: onefamilyhistorian@socal.rr.com
City and State: Hawthorne, Calif
Maiden: comonducks
Class: 1963
Message: Does anybody remember sneaking into the MGM Studios? Mike Broken, Chuck Vogel and I (Lawndale High Class of 63) and Lance Scott (Hawthorne High Class of 64) had such an experience. We chose Sunday nights as our night of adventure. I guess in our teenaged minds we thought the guards would be resting because of the Friday and Saturday night sneakers in. During the next few months of the summer of 1963 we found out that Sunday was the busiest night for unwanted visitors to MGM. We would enter the studios on the Eastside through the baseball diamond. On one such night we had to wait because two other groups were waiting to climb the fence. We kept Sunday as our night because the guards were busy with all the other groups of teenagers terrorizing the overweight guards. The most exciting part of each visit was hiding from or running from the guards, who for what ever reason thought they could actually catch us. That summer of 1963 was the best year in high school, but it was our last years as friends and each of us moved on to the next part of our lives ADULTHOOD.
Yeah they might not catch you on foot but they had guns.

Name: Paco () on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 16:39:18
E-Mail: doo4usc@cox.net
City and State: Lf
Class: 61
Message: Just saw a piece on TV about Juan de Anza elementry, seems the school has changed abit!
Guess you missed the Juan de Anza pictures a few months back. Yes, they virtually rebuilt the school.

Name: Raymond Smith () on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 16:25:16
E-Mail: kawabunganorth@juno.com
City and State: Portland Oregon
Maiden: 95 and hot today!
Class: 1981
Message: Foster's may be torn down? OMG....that can't be since I plan on making a trip there this coming November. You guys got to make that place a Historical landmark to protect it! Surely they can build a drugstore around it. Heck, why not use the mall for a drug store...plenty of room there!
I agree, Ray...

Name: Amy Culver re: Patricia Hineline () on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 14:27:02
E-Mail: alculver@yahoo.com
City and State: Gilbert, AZ
Message: RE: Patricia Hineline
This is Pat's (Patty's) daughter. I am posting to let you all know that she passed away on 6/4. The services will be held on 6/28/03 at 11am at:
First Lutheran Church
215 N. Lemon St.
Fullerton, CA
714-871-7820
If you would like to contact me, my email is alculver@yahoo.com
and my phone # is 480-545-2834
Thank you
Thank you Amy. Always sad to lose a fellow Cougar. Our sincere condolences to you, and the rest of Patty's family.

Name: Charlotte DeSanto () on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 13:51:52
E-Mail: bigmommie57@yahoo.com

City and State: Pleasant Hill, Ca
Maiden: Newcomb
Class: 1961
Message: I am looking forward to the upcoming Reunion. I lost touch after I moved to Orange County and after I married to San Francisco. I enjoyed my year as Student Body Corresponding Secretary and look forward to renewing old acquaintances.
Hey, Gary and Karen, come on and go to the reunion!
Hi Charlotte and welcome to Cougartown....

Name: Jessie () on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 11:54:03
E-Mail: mikejessie@yahoo.com
City and State: LA, CA
Maiden: Corral
Class: '74 wanna be
Message: They are going to tear down Foster Freeze!? Just what I don't want to hear! Is nothing sacred anymore!?
Nothing!

Name: Gomez () on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 08:49:43
E-Mail: hothothot.com
City and State: Salem,OR
Maiden: Smith
Class: 1972
Message: When we would all gather at the skating rink on Rosecrans my girlfriends and I would stand in line to skate with Carly Hegg. He made all the girls feel like we were Champions on Ice. Next to dancing the Hokey Pokey that is.

Name: nick pappagiorgia () on Friday, June 6, 2003 at 00:21:51
E-Mail: n_pappagiorgio_44@yahoo.com
City and State: LV/NV
Maiden: rusty
Class: my own
Message: ya mean "rollerama"?

Name: Kelley () on Thursday, June 5, 2003 at 23:14:46
E-Mail: nevertobeagrandma.com
City and State: Englewood,Or
Class: 67
Message: CONGRATULATIONS GRANDMA DIZZY!!!!

Name: Janet () on Thursday, June 5, 2003 at 23:03:02
E-Mail: jreeves@cableone.net
City and State: Prescott, AZ
Maiden: Hardy
Class: 74
Message: Just wondering if anyone remembers the name of the roller skating rink on Rosecrans in the 60's. I think it was east of Crenshaw. I'm not sure if it was in Hawthorne or Gardena.
I remember the place, but don't remember the name. Anyone else?

Name: Jim Raines () on Thursday, June 5, 2003 at 21:02:32
E-Mail: fourwindspublishing@juno.com
City and State: Salt Lake City, Ut
Class: "62
Message: Hi, Can anyone tell me who the kid was that lived in the house on 120th where Manor Dr. is today? He was about my age. Manor Dr. took out his house which was next door, east, of Danny Kieffer's house. Back when Danny and I were about 12 years old we decided to through mud balls at the front of this kids house and after about a hundred mud balls Danny's Dad came home from work and took us both into the bedroom and took off his belt and let us have it good! Who lived in that house?

Name: Wade Greasby () on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 22:05:15
E-Mail: grizbear73@juno.com
City and State: SurfCity,CA
Class: 73
Message: Enza, my deepest sympathy to you and all of your family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss and I feel your sorrow and hurt. I met your mom once and she was very warm and beautiful and caring. God be with you and your family.

Name: Ray Shelley () on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 20:47:59
E-Mail: rjshelley@yahoo.com
City and State: Mena, Arkansas
Class: 58
Message: Steve, Thanks for responding to my post. I copied and pasted your comment about my brother Frank, to his e-mail address, that will make his day. Dennis retired a LT. for El Paso P.D., several years ago on a Friday and went to work for U.S. Customs on Monday. He spent a couple years teaching at the U.S.Customs Academy in GA. Currently he is a supervisor on the bridge in El Paso. He has had a very successful career in Law Enforcement. One of his son's followed in his foot steps and is an El Paso officer. Tough job as you well know.. John, I hope it's alright to use feedback to answer Steve's question. I thought if there were other folks that went to school with Dennis they would enjoy an update. Steve, thanks again, stay safe. Ray
Thanks Ray, and glad to hear Dennis is doing great.

Name: Jessie () on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 15:25:32
E-Mail: mikejessie@yahoo.com
City and State: Los Angeles
Maiden: Corral
Class: Wanna be....
Message: Hello all! My brother, Lupe was in town over the weekend and he wanted to take a drive down memory lane, so off to Hawthorne and Inglewood we went! He hadn't been "home" in 20 years. Poor guy was shocked to see how much both places had changed. He just couldn't get over it. He was glad to see that Foster's Freeze was still there. So there is where we ate lunch. I am so glad that we have all the wonderful memories that we have. Those memories still keeps Hawthorne and Inglewood forever beautiful in our mind.
Well rumors have it that the car dealer and Fosters are going to be torn down and a drug store will be going in there. That's all I know.

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 15:17:24
E-Mail: jillmcfar@aol.com
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Class: 1977
Message: JB, congrats to your kindergartner graduating! I thought my little kindergartner was the "magpie cum loudest" but apparently he is not. Speaking of kindergartners, mine had his big singing concert this morning. There is nothing cuter than a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds singing at the top of their lungs with big ol smiles on their faces. I admit, I had to wipe the tears from my face on more than one occasion. It is especially precious to me since I almost lost him 5 years ago. It's true, every moment counts. Congrats to all the Coug's that have loved ones graduating from Kindergarten, high school, college or boot camp!
I know what you mean. Those 5 and 6 year old, like fingernails on a blackboard, screechy voices can really bring a tear to my eyes too. Thanks Jill.

Name: Hoody () on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 09:23:55
E-Mail: sherwoodforest,com
City and State: Oregon
Class: 71
Message: Has anyone seen a guy prancing around in green tights with a bow and arrow, and a couple dozen merry men. We received a notice from Ramona Elementary and he has an outstanding milk money account from 1947. If you see him, pin a note to his shirt with directions to Redondo Beach, point him in the right direction and give him a little nudge. Thanks !
I thought he robbed from the rich and gave....well, you know...

Name: steve fraser () on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 04:52:02
E-Mail: sfraser53@h0tmail.com
City and State: HB, Ca
Class: 66

Message: To Ray Shelley..I was taken back by your story of your brother's printing business. I went to school with your brother Dennis. I spent many years doing fire prevention inspections for the HFD and it was always a treat to go to the printing shop on Yukon Ave. to see your brother. His shop was about the cleanest and well run of any in town. By the way, is Dennis still in law enforcement in Texas?

Name: Jim Peppers () on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 03:30:54
E-Mail: JimPeppers@yahoo.com
City and State: Athens, Greece
Class: 61

Message: Hi Cougs, Growing up in Hawthorne in the 50's was really special. And how I remember the Plaza movie theater. I also recall the chaos that reigned every weekend during the matinees. I also remember that we would watch serials. Does anybody remember watching Superman serials at the Plaza? If memory serves me well, I think that we could get a box of popcorn and a coke for around 20 or 25 cents. Indeed, it was sometimes difficult to hear the movie for all the noise from kids shouting, fighting, laughing, and just basically children having a good time. I also remember very well that one evening my mother took us there to see "The Thing". It really scared us all, including my mom, so much that the walk home was somehow very frightening in the middle of the night. I think walking home in the middle of the night in Hawthorne today would also be quite frightening, but for completely different reasons. I was there two years ago, and the changes were very sad to see. Greece is a backward country in many ways, but we live in a very safe society compared to what I saw in Los Angeles. I guess I'm a wuss, but the young people in Los Angeles generally scared me, whereas here the young people are generally nice, very educated, and goal oriented. Anyway, I was so impressed with other things in the United States. The people are so nice, so polite, the drivers so calm, the streets in such good condition, and public services actually serve the public. I was just amazed that it took me only a half an hour to get my California driver's license, and I had made an appointment by phone! The half hour included the test, pictures, filling out forms, and it only cost me 12 bucks. Here it is a minimum 5-month-process, and costs about $1500. And the people certainly don't smile. It was the smile that I hadn't remembered after being here so many years. And you have hot water all the time!!! And you have so many choices, and EVERYTHING is soooo cheap compared to here. Anyway, count your blessings that you live in the USA. There's no place like it. Be good cougs, Jim Peppers
Yep, just the way I remember the Plaza too. How about throwing the popcorn boxes at the screen. I don't remember Superman serials but I do remember Zorro, Tarzan, and Flash Gordon. It seemed like the Saturday matinee started about 1pm and we didn't get out until about 6:30. Great memory.....
Jim, just realized that you are about 10 hours ahead of us here. This was received about 1:30am here in CA, but you wrote it about 11:30am your time. I just put it on the website about 7am so I put it up 4 hours BEFORE you wrote it.

I need a math teacher.....M i s t e r Plotkin!!!

Name: Bob Veach () on Tuesday, June 3, 2003 at 21:28:49
E-Mail: GRV5891@aol.com
City and State: Long Beach, CA
Class: 1972

Message: Enza, so sorry to hear about your mother. I only met her once at your house, but see her all the time at your sister's. My prayers will be with you in this trying time. I'll get across the street to talk to Jackie this weekend. Sorry it can't be sooner, but I don't get home until 9:30 and she and Rick are usually asleep by then (unless my son is letting off firecrackers this time of year).
Hey Bob, Nice to see you're still out there.

Name: Paco () on Tuesday, June 3, 2003 at 21:28:31
E-Mail: doo4usc@cox.net
City and State: LF
Class: 61
Message: Back in the 50's I saw a "Queen For A Day" show and the Queen was from Hawthorne, she must have had her son on the show for some reason, because sometime later I was at the Plaza and sitting next to me was the same boy, I asked him if it was him and he said yes but seemed a little embarrassed by it.

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

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