Name: Jan Peterson () on Monday, July 12, 2004 at 15:03:52
Email: jpeterson50@aol.com
City and State: Carmichael, CA
Maiden: Freeman
Class: 1967
Message: I have to add a footnote to Mike M's feedback. I am so sorry that the memories of your childhood were so bitter. Maybe it was best for you to move out and on. I know that we can not go back to where we came from and find what we had. But I wouldn't trade any of my memories for anything in the world. My sincerest wish today is that my grandchildren could have a piece of what I did growing up. Flying the kites, picnics in the park, hide-n-seek until late hours, trick or treating with no feeling of danger, the list goes on. Hawthorne, California is a huge part of my life and a huge part of who I am today. Because of John and this website I get to re-live it any time that I want. I guess that you can make anywhere a "dump".....I sure am glad that the people that chime in on CT don't feel that way. Have a great week Cougs, and thank you John! xo Jan
I feel the same way about Hawthorne, growing up. No one had cell phones or pagers. We all played in the street or played hide and seek in the dark. No one was worried about anyones kid being abducted by some sexual pervert. No one was training their child to scream "kidnapper" when someone stopped their car on the street to ask directions. I could go on and on; MY Hawthorne wasn't perfect, but it was very OK.
Name: Walter Holt () on Monday, July 12, 2004 at 13:27:31
Email: wholt1948@yahoo.com
City and State: Costa Mesa, Ca
Class: 1966
Message: Mike......Denial???? Nope no denial here... I am sure we all have had some ups and downs growing up etc....but for the most part here we choose to rekindle, share the good times we had and have with each other. If you are that bitter with your past and possibly your present life then, and I say this in all sincerity and no malice intended, do your self a favor and seek professional counseling. Life is too short and precious to carry a lot of baggage in it.
Hey, if a teacher wasn't calling me an ass about twice a year, I figured I wasn't doing my job.
If a teacher called you that today, you could sue for defamation.....AND WIN.
Name: Jerry Miles () on Monday, July 12, 2004 at 13:25:46
Email: jfmilesATpacbellDotnet
City and State: Fair Oaks, CA
Class: 1966
Message: This belly aching must be contagious. Come on John, it?s only 1296 tries (36 squared). The last one you just pull and spin. I?ll bet you did a little DoSaDo in your day.
I'm totally lost, What is DoSaDo???
Name: Sharon () on Monday, July 12, 2004 at 11:42:20
Email: sharonlleach@cs.com
City and State: Long Beach
Maiden: Moore
Class: 1966
Message: Great seeing the combo locks we used on our lockers at HHS. 32-10-16 and 10-20-48 were my book locker and gym locker combos for four years. Those numbers are embedded in my head as is the dilogue from my Spanish I class that I can still recite word for word. Not sure if I know everything I'm saying, but I memorized the words back then and they are still with me today. Scary. But don't ask me what I had for lunch yesterday.
Nope, I tried them and they don't work on mine, but with 363 ways to open these darn things, I'll be here for awhile.
Talk about embedded, 10-0-34 was my book locker for 4 years.
Name: Marsha Russell () on Monday, July 12, 2004 at 11:29:10
E-Mail: Mrussell90277@aol.com
City and State: Redondo Beach
Maiden: Russell
Class: 64
Message: For those that have not looked at Paco's pics, it is a must!
Be sure to scroll to the last picture and see the three hotties............
such a cute picture.
Name: Cal McDougal () on Monday, July 12, 2004 at 07:11:19
Email: thencdougals@centurytel.net
City and State: Enterprise, Alabama
Class: 1963
Message: John there is hope for your gym lock. I had one like that but without the coaches keyhole when I was a sophomore. I carried it around in my jacket pocket and tried to open it in my idle moments. One day walking along the tracks towards Holly Glen I was spinning the dial in my coat pocket. The lock opened! Now I had a lock that was open and I still didn't know the combination. What could I do with it?
Remember those gates that slid across the wall locker cubbyholes at HHS? I just sort of added to the security system. I locked one of them closed after school one day. Next day it had been removed so I can only imagine the problem I caused. The custodians were so good they probably cut it off before anyone got to school.
So you're the one that did that. I didn't have to strip that day.
Name: carol binder () on Monday, July 12, 2004 at 07:08:55
Email: cannbyucaipa
City and State: yucaipa,calif
Maiden: heddaeus
Class: 1963
Message: i think you can have a little more understanding of the feedback in mike's letter when you lok at the year in which he graduated--as one who had left the state and came back to work at hawthorne community now rf kennedy, there is no question that the town i knew as a kid no longer existed--here's hoping venting has helped to release some of mike's disappointment over his teenage years and i do think there is some truth in the idea that most of us look back with a protective filter--if it was all beer and schnitzel during your teenage years, you were unbelievably lucky.
Name: Raymond Smith () on Monday, July 12, 2004 at 03:17:50
Email: Kawabunganorth@juno.com
City and State: Portland, OR
Class: 1981
Message: Got a comment about Mike Mueller. I know a few people who where glad to be out of HHS but overall I bet less then a few percent of people didn't like HHS. I was sadden that I had to leave HHS because it was the best of times of my life and it is beyond words and passion that I lived in my 4 yrs at HHS. I could of graduated early but hey, I am having fun! I sorely miss my friends but thanks to the internet/and cougartown I can find my ol' buddies whom I loved so much but time and distance drifted us apart. Those were the real friends, no matter how long it's been. I have so many fond memeories you could see a smile upon my face. I was so involved with sports, people and so forth. I'm glad I grew up there. Now, life is alittle diffent for our childrens and we tell them how our life was and you can see their jaws open with big eyes wishing they live upon our lives. So, Times has change, yes and we move on but what we expirence will last a loving liftime.
Name: Alan Nelson () on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 19:27:46
Email: boatcop@boatcop.com
City and State: Parker, Az
Class: 1973
Message: I thought denial was a river in Egypt??? Oh well. Have a great Cougartown day.
Man that is older than the hills on my grandmas back 40.
Name: Pat Underwood () on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 18:35:04
Email: onefamilyhistorian@socal.rr.com
City and State: Hawthorne, California
Maiden: Lawndale High
Class: 1963
Message: I guess those of us that went too Hawthorne Intermediate in the early years had the better life. I grew up in Hawthorne and My Mom and step Dad went square dancing at least three times a week. My parents didn?t divorce, my dad died when I was ten years old. I smoked cigarettes and got into fights. Yes I flew kites at the park or at the beach, but this wasn?t a bad time in my life.
I remember my years in high school was a time when we didn?t care about the news events of the day; we just cared about what we were doing. Fun Fun Fun was our world and nothing else. A time when Sheriff John danced in our heads and he paraded in our streets.
A time when the Light House and the A&W thrived and the children of Hawthorne and Lawndale were coming of age and rejoicing in their youth.
My son Louie and my daughter Cynthia went to Anza and on to Dana. My daughter graduated from St. Bernard with a 4.0 grade point average and Louie attends Hawthorne High and just like Carl and Denny Wilson, he hates school. An average teenager of the times and yes John, Louie does play the guitar.
To Mike M: Yes I did get your last feedback and no I won't add it. No sense adding fuel and wasting Ctown bandwidth.
Name: Sharon Branigan () on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 14:22:33
Email: srbranigan.srb@verizon.net
City and State: Thousand Oaks, CA
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1976
Message: Cougar sighting! Met Tom Brewer, c/o 66, at the launch ramp at Lake Tahkenitch on the Oregon coast Friday.
Gave him full details on CTown and hope he checks in soon.
Well thank you Sharon. Sounds like a great sighting.
Name: Charlotte () on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 13:29:44
Email: bigmommie57@yahoo.com
City and State: Pleasant Hill CA
Maiden: Newcomb
Class: 1961
Message: Still looking for JoAnn Mote. Anybody have any information? Please email.
Name: Terrie () on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 13:22:20
Email: terrielynnterrie@yahoo.com
City and State: Las Vegas, NV
Maiden: Kostiszak
Class: 1983
Message: Those of us whom attended the 1983 reunion last year have not received the photo reunion book. It has been over a year, we ALL PAID for the book. I called head of reunion, Solis, and she said she did not have enough money to pay for the books, I called the photo place who make the books and they confirmed that they have trying to get a hold of Diane Solis and her sister, but they wont pay for the books. WE PREPAID for the books. Who is pocketing the money. MANY 1983 Cougars have called me to find out if we will get the books. ANYONE KNOW...Here is the info:
Class of 1983 - 20 Year Reunion
Was held on Aug. 2, 2003 at Ritz Carlton
4375 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA
Reunion Committee Members:
Diane Solis Dominic (310) 648-2544
Cindy Bell Stinson (310) 643-7455
Thanks
Name: Don Burns () on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 12:22:49
Email: burnslock@yahoo.com
City and State: Downey, CA
Class: 1957
Message: Hey Cougs, this is a reply to Mike Muellers post about all the crap he had to endure during his childhood in the dump called Hawthorne. Like him, I put up with the same things, but am not in denial because it gave me the desire to acheive better things than my family had or could have had, so get off the pity potty and start remembering all the good, and let go of the bad. Sorry about the soapbox, later Don
Well said, Don......
Name: Elizabeth Estrada () on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 12:10:31
Email: dzlizzy31@hotmail.com
City and State: lalaland
Class: 1969
Message: John, I just read your thoughts on getting older. You know, they say therapy can help you deal with aging...I say, denial is a whole lot cheaper and easier to schedule. Cecil and I have come to our six month mark....and he's still hanging in there, bless his heart. He's thirteen years younger so we've decided to split the difference. From now on, I'm 45 and so is he. See? Denial is a wonderful thang.
Just read "Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love" So funny I about pee'd my pants.
Have a great week everybody! DZ
Well Liz, Sounds like, in the end, age DOES matter. Here's wishing Cecil never ends up in the Zorro pile.
Name: Mike Mueller () on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 02:59:57
Email: mud@surfboardbid.com
City and State: Pasadena, Ca.
Class: 1979
Message: Dana Jr. High. I knew I was in the big time when I got an "Organizer" notebook.
Math teacher Mr Helvey shouted "Mueller you are first class ass" while I was sitting in detention.
Cabrillo Elementary, Mr Moss, square dancing, 6th grade camp, diahreah, fights in the playground, kite flying after school, more fights...
Hawthorne High, parents divorced, drunk abuseive fther, lots of dope, started smoking cigarrettes which I bought at the market right across the street from campus.
Glad I grew up and moved away from that dump..
C'mon people, High School wasn't that great. I'm not alone here. I bet a lot of you hated that period in your life. You're just in denial, admit it.
Hmmmmm, teacher calling you names, fighting, smoking (luckily, you could buy them close to school), drunken abusive parent, lots of dope, square dancing, have diarrhea, and flying kites.
I would say, and I'm not an expert, but it was square dancing that made you turn against society, your town, and good old HHS. It's a known fact, there is no known cure for square dancing. OH, and Mr Helvey may have been correct.
Name: tony DeSimone () on Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 00:21:16
Email: tony91843@webtv.net
City and State: San Francisco Cal.
Message: My nephew Don melon (sonny) went to hawthorne high . He died Probably thirty years ago . He had a brother Bobby , that i am looking for . If you have any information on him it would be appreciated .
God bless
Tony
Name: Charlotte Newcomb DeSanto () on Saturday, July 10, 2004 at 22:58:59
Email: bigmommie57@yahoo.com
City and State: Pleasant Hill CA
Maiden: Newcomb
Class: 1961
Message: Gary, saw you on the Feedback page several times. Don't you work? We are home from Italy--great time.
Email people, email
Name: Sheila Szabo () on Saturday, July 10, 2004 at 18:53:40
Email: sheila@buyartbysheila.com
City and State: Hawthorne, CA
Maiden: Varga
Class: 1990
Message: Hi everyone from Hawthorne and beyond! I just created my own website displaying some of my artwork, and a short history of my life. Take a look and enjoy!
www.buyartbysheila.com
Have a fabulous day!
Name: Kelley () on Saturday, July 10, 2004 at 10:21:53
Email: surfbabe@charter.net
City and State: Englewood, Or
Maiden: Currie
Class: 1967
Message: John, what's up i miss reading CT for a day and miss a picture which seems to include many familar faces..could you post it again or send it to me..thanks John...and about that July 4th Party!?
If you missed the 4th of July party, you've been away for more than a day. You guys are going to have to keep up. There WILL be a test on this stuff.
Name: Sharon () on Friday, July 9, 2004 at 18:15:54
Email: sharonlleach@cs.com
City and State: Long Beach
Maiden: Moore
Class: 1966
Message: Great thoughts, John. Enjoyable reading.
Thanks Sharon
Name: doris () on Friday, July 9, 2004 at 16:19:55
Email: dorisjeanatmindspring.com
City and State: twinfalls, id
Maiden: donaldson
Class: 1957
Message: JOHN! Enjoyed your story for the "young'uns", but have to tell you I enjoyed it as well. What I "gleaned" from your story is this:
OH PHOOEY! I'M OLDER THAN YOU ARE! LOL! But then it doesn't SEEM like I'm older, because I am 19 at heart! BUT GOSH! I wish my body and skin would quit this sagging stuff, ya know!?? LOL! I sure could have lived without THAT! Thanks John, for sharing those thoughts and for having thoughts to share! WE'RE LUCKY!!!
Thanks Doris, Lots of comments via email this morning. Thanks to all for your thoughts.
Name: Larry Bach () on Friday, July 9, 2004 at 14:34:00
Email: Startnofyr@socal.rr.com
City and State: Torrance, CA
Maiden: Geunine former virgin
Class: 1972
Message: Apropos to the middle league photo posted above, on June 26th, at the wedding of Jenny Purchase, daughter of HHS '72 grads Dave and Dori Purchase, I saw the uncle and cousins of Dave Purchase, Mr. Joe Jenks, Bob Jenks (HHS '65) and Cathy Jenks (HHS '70). Does this count as a Cougar sighting?
A Cougar sighting is a random encounter, not a function where known Cougs will be present, but thanks for the info anyway, Larry.
Name: Tom Buckingham () on Friday, July 9, 2004 at 14:24:42
Email: buckinghamtom@netscape.net
City and State: Clovis.CA
Class: 1964
Message: That is Larry Anderson HHS '64 standing next to Mr. Heckman
Right you are, Tom, thanks.
Name: Bob Reagan () on Friday, July 9, 2004 at 12:58:29
Email: bob@instantautotransport.com
City and State: Redding,CA
Class: 1962
Message: The first person in the second row of the Hawthorne American Middle League picture is Steve Curtin, my neighbor for many, many years.
Hey Bob, Yes, you are CORRECT ol' friend-o-mine and thanks for letting all know you're still alive. I tell them but they don't believe it.
Name: Ron Reinholdson () on Friday, July 9, 2004 at 12:26:37
Email: r_reinholdson@juno.com
City and State: Claremont, CA
Class: 1965
Message: Second row, second from left (Indians) is Jim Eakin
Sorry Ron, Nice try.....
Name: Jim Fox () on Friday, July 9, 2004 at 11:52:29
Email: puffup@pacbell.net
City and State: Hawthorne Yet
Class: 1966
Message: John... Some warm memories of my own came to mind while reading your great literary effort, "Life Lasts a Long Long Time." But are we really getting older, or just more worldly? Just a thought.
Thank you Mr. Fox, Sir; Hmmmm, Older or More Worldly........sugar coat it any way you want, Jim.
Name: Marsha Russell () on Friday, July 9, 2004 at 11:45:43
E-Mail: mrussell90277@aol.com
City and State: Redondo Beach
Maiden: Russell
Class: 64
Message: Top row next to Steve Anderson is Craig Farlow.
Top row left end is Joe Jenks.
Very good Marsha. Were you hanging around Jim Thorpe Park after school?
Name: Art LaMere () on Friday, July 9, 2004 at 11:31:37
Email: artlamere@msn.com
City and State: Bettendorf Ia
Class: 1973
Message: John, that was awesome. Anyway the end of the month we are going to have some Cougar sightings in Bettendorf. My family will all be coming with the exception of my brother David class of 85 or 86 to the wedding of my youngest son Matthew to a very nice and sweet girl named Nancy. Any one interested in seeing the engagement photo can go to www.qctimes.com under engagements and look up LaMere have a wonderful weekend all.
Art
Thanks Art, Sounds like a fun get together and good luck to the Bride and Groom.
Name: Jim Sloey () on Friday, July 9, 2004 at 11:17:17
Email: hartje@msn.com
City and State: redondo beach
Class: 1966
Message: RE the Middle League Picture:
Next to Iron Rod is Paul Douglass and next to him is Gary Stevenson. The coach on the left is Mr. Jenks, Bob and Phil's pop a former professional ball player and a great guy, the other coach in the middle is Mr. Heckman, Barry, Rod and Ward's pop. Bob Jenks is in the back row with O on his cap.
Nice going Mr. Sloey, you've done well.
Name: Cindy Colby () on Thursday, July 8, 2004 at 23:11:57
Email: cindycolby@adelphia.net
City and State: Seal Beach, CA
Maiden: Maxson
Class: 1963
Message: John, you made me cry. That is a beautiful story, don't you worry though, we are all there with you. Thanks for all you do and for adding your sentiment. Everyone: go check out John's story please.
Ahhh thank you Cindy. Lots of people have emailed. It's just something I've been thinking about and wanted to put into words....glad you liked it.
Name: BILL YOUNG () on Thursday, July 8, 2004 at 22:59:42
Email: BILLYOUNG 1031 @MSN
City and State: PHOENIX OR
Class: 1966
Message: THE MIDDLE LEAGUE PHOTO SHOWS LARRY SKEEN LOWER LEFT, NEXT TO HIM IS DON BLACKBURN AND ROD HECKMAN. THE MIDDLE ROW CUB LOOKS LIKE JIM SCHROEDER
I don't know if that's JB or Jim (Never could tell those two apart). Nevertheless, good job Bill.
Name: Elizabeth Cary () on Thursday, July 8, 2004 at 21:37:22
Email: lizaca6@hotmail.com
City and State: Lubbock TX
Maiden: Cary
Class: 1973
Message: I too have very fond memories of the Helms man and his magic truck..especially the tour in 2nd grade with the mini loaves of bread..I can smell them right now, can't you? My dads Aunt worked for the Helms bakery, and from time to time when she visited she would bring extra goodies for us.
To the alumni that had Ms. Griffin, I also had her for eighth grade, and loved her class. I went back to visit her every year that I was at HHS, and she was always very sweet and supportive.
Yes John, I have been in Amarillo for the last 22 years, but was recently promoted with my company and transplanted to Lubbock. I plan to check in more often now that my life has slowed down a bit, and hope to make it out to an event soon..
Thanks Elizabeth, look forward to it.