Name: nick pappagiorgio () on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at 12:55:06
Email: n_pappagiorgio_44@yahoo.com
City and State: LV, NV
Maiden: rusty
Class: 1975
Message: To Jean: Are you referring to "Don the Beachcomer" in Marina Del Rey?
Name: John Crotty () on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at 09:45:08
Email: 21077@lapd.lacity.org
City and State: Hermosa Beach, CA
Class: 1969
Message: J.B. I think the answer to Jean Anne's question is...or was...the "Pieces of Eight," restaurant. Was that it Jean Anne? They had the best steak teriyaki. I took a date there once when I was 21 years young. We ordered the steak and something in my little brain told me to ask about what credit cards they accepted. My father had insisted that I get a "Diner's Club" card when I turned 21. Well, much to my embarrassment, they didn't accept DC, and I didn't have enough cash in the old wallet, so my date and I had to slink outathere. I think we settled for Tommy's!!!!
Now THAT'S embarrassing, Thanks John....
Name: Barbara Duran () on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at 09:42:15
Email: BarbaraDuran@aol.com
City and State: El Segundo, CA
Class: 1972
Message: John Field, I loved your letter...will you marry me?
Watch out for those older women, John. Name: John Field () on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 23:15:04
Email: pds3n@earthlink.net
City and State: bothell, WA
Class: 1974
Message: OK- It?s about time I checked in. I?ve been popping in and out for a long time and occasionally compose something but don?t send it. I?ve written a lot of emails but instead of hitting send I let them get ?saved to draft.? Now I know why.
As amazing of an adventure this has been, I enjoy hearing and reading about your embryonic journey more than I care to write about my own. In my time at Haytown I had the privilege of knowing a lot of you. Whether it was in crafts with Miss Allison, Math with Mr. Smith or out on the tracks with Captain Jack. Maybe it was in that mysterious mist that hovered on the HHS campus one unbelievable night. There seemed to be a lot of people out there but the fog went from the ground up to our armpits & when you stood up above the fog you couldn?t see anybody unless they happened to stand up at the same time. Or maybe the night we climbed the fence to lay down on that field and watch for meteorites. All was quiet then, chh chh- what the hell was that. The sprinklers!!!! Runnnnn.
I will say this about that; Life?s been good to me so far. (an understatement really but hey, it?s not about me)
When I look back I see only good things. I know however that there were bad things too, I just can?t remember them. Maybe it was the meds I donno. There were a lot of amateur pharmacists honing their skills in the early 70?s. All I can say is that it was good for me. I hope it was good for you.
Now, the reason for this little riff. If there is anybody out there that looks back to those years and sees some guy that was ?just having a good time? but somehow hurt you; please contact me and allow me an attempt to grovel for your forgiveness. Even if you have no interest in seeing the grovel part but just want to let me know what a sh*t I was, I will listen in silence without a defense. If, on the other hand, I somehow lifted you up & you?d like to share, that?d be great too. Or maybe we just choked on some burning rope together?. You get the idea.
One last thing. I just read through the tribute page. Mike McClain, you always made me laugh or smile. You seemed to be just a half step ahead of the moment and were waiting to give somebody a lift. What a HUGE heart. Go with God my friend. I?ll see YOU later.
I add my comments to Anita's; Kathy Burns, what a sweet child you were. Every time I saw you I just wanted to pick you up and give you a big hug. I can see that bright smile with the mischievous sparkle in your eye like it was yesterday. Thank God for tender mercies.
To the both of you. I am deeply saddened to hear of your passing. Know that this life was made better because of you. I hope that in some small way I was somehow there to make you smile too. If I wasn?t, I think/hope you understand. I?m trying harder every day.
As for the rest of you, email me or call me or send a box of flaming sh*t to me. Bring it on baby. I want it all. A special Whoowaaaa to Mike Aceves and your family. We had some times. I?d love to hear from the gang. One last thing. Marsha Fotos (sp?) Ouija Board, Red Bug. OMG
Viya con Dios
Hey John, Glad you got that off your chest. You know, you could write a little more often and not have to do this War and Peace thing. Name: Frank Romano () on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 21:47:33
Email: fromano@lvcm.com
City and State: Las Vegas, NV
Class: 1961
Message: JB/Jean Anne... If I'm not mistaken the place was and still maybe the pieces of eight... It and the Masonbelle were the only two places open when we began sailing out of that harbor. Some wonderful memories. Good sailing also up between the hulls, watching the flying fish, pointed ends west, and tie off the helm... yep. That's living real large.
There's no doubt that Mr. Nelson enjoyed his work and he did the job well, and with such gusto. At least he had a little sense of humor. Ya have to wonder which nut case stuck out in his mind?
There was a place over there with a Tiki theme but I'll be darned if I can think of any place but Charley Browns.
Name: EL ROJO () on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 20:46:33
Email: I-DY-HO
City and State: Kuna, ID
Maiden: Didn'tstudy
Class: 1960
Message: Jim Peppers, thank you. I truly thought I was one of the only ones who had been singled out by The Management during my young years at HHS. I had 15 truant's my JR.year( I knew I would never get punished or caught) and was silly enough to wonder why Mr. Wetzler called me in his office one bright spring day. Duh? One of the worst moments in my life, bar none. Made me call my folks right there or get suspended for the 2nd semester. That was the horror of horrors. The worst phone call I've ever had to make to this day. I was only suspended for three days, whew. Folks not real happy. But then again I looked like Richie Cunningham and could fake a good cry.:-) Mom bought it and all was well. Jim Schroeder... now I know why the music didn't die!!! I knew I was cool and could boogie. I may be doing the Karaoke, in November after the Alumni game. I can feel maybe, a Charlena or something like that coming, with JB as the Tenor.:-) MAY THE COUGAR BE WITH YOU. Jake n Jude.
I'll be right there, but I was thinking more on the lines of Marvin and Johnny's "Cherry Pie". Cherrrry-Cherry Pie BAH-DO-BAH-DO-BAH....
Name: Miaaka DeForrest () on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 20:27:16
Email: miaaka@hotmail.com
City and State: Olancha, CA
Maiden: Lester
Class: 1977
Message: Hi all - just spent a few days in good old Hawthorne this past week, seeing my sister Shannon (HHS 75)recouping from a hospital stay and can't believe the changes at HHS. Can't wait to see it finished. Also has anyone seen the old Masonic Hall recently? Was inside there this week wow what a difference, they have turned the place into a Math and Science Academy an it looks great.
Name: J.D. Simpson () on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 20:25:00
Email: Pierfviewsm@aol.com
City and State: Santa Monica, Calif
Message: Yes, both my wife and I attended the TAMI show. We went to Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI). A large part of the audience was students from SAMOHI. Would love to obtain a copy of the TAMI Movie. Got any leads? Thanks J.D. Hey J.D. Sorry about beating you guys back in 1959.
OK seriously now. The TAMI Show is on DVD. and can be purchased at this website. Thanks for joining in and when you receive it how about inviting all of us Cougars over to your place to watch it?
Name: Alan Nelson () on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 20:05:18
Email: boatcop@boatcop.com
City and State: Parker, Az
Class: 1973
Message: Jim Schroeder's post about lip-syncing in front of the mirror spawned some fond memories. And if anyone wants to recreate those memories, I'm having a special on "Air Guitars" through the end of the year. Just send me $24.95, in care of Cougartown, and you'll be up and playing like Jimmy Paige in no time.
Now MY favorite was Long Tall Sally by Little Richard. We had a piano in front of a round mirror in the dining room and after about 4000 takes, I got it down perfectly. Name: Jean Anne Waring () on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 18:52:45
Email: jeanniew@gwgc.com
City and State: Westminster, CA
Maiden: Wright
Class: 1966
Message: Does anyone remember the name of the restaurant in the Playa Del Rey marina. It was a Hawaiian one that most of us went to for proms.
Name: Eddie Braun () on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 14:46:47
Email: Crsh4csh@aol.com
City and State: Manhattan Beach Ca
Class: 1979
Message: Hello John and everyone , i havnt had a chance to check Ctown for quite a bit , seems like all things are well. ive been working way too hard , and am due for a long break. I took some time last week to just drive around old hawthorne are look at some of the places that i used to invade , wow what a change. anyway if you get a chance John , go and see a couple of films that i have out right now , both are silly , but kinda funny , "Anchorman" or "Dodgeball" if you do see them , make sure to stay for those stupid little end credits and look under, stuntmen....(P.S. if you dont like the films , dont ask me for your money back)
take care , Eddie Braun
Actually I want to see Anchorman. Maybe this weekend.Thanks Eddie.....
Name: Keith D.Jones () on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 14:46:07
Email: cmi50@yahoo.com
City and State: KonaHawaii
Class: 1976
Message: Just saw the movie Riding Giants. I reccomend it to anyone who has surfed. This is the best surfing movie made. I know you guys from the 60's will relate to it.
Name: Jim Peppers () on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 13:58:40
Email: JimPeppers@yahoo.com
City and State: Athens, Greece
Class: 1961
Message: Dear John and all the Cougars out there,
Just caught up on reading the feedback. I broke out into cold sweats when I read the name, MR. NELSON. I got busted innumerable times by him. I got so good at copying my mother's writng that he thought the real notes from her were forged. I'll never forget the shock he gave me on graduation day when he came up to me and said that I shouldn't be graduating. I asked him why and he said that he had counted the number of days that I had been at school and it came out that I had attended only two years in total. And he said that that was stretching it! Nevertheless, I graduated in the top fifth of the class, but the fact is I was truly not a dedicated student. I much more enjoyed ditching and going to the cliffs at P.V. with Nadine Hollingsworth, or Stepahnie Hall, or my first wife, Rikki Pritchard, or Phyllis Adams, or Kathy Tift or .... One time Nadine and I managed to get into Marineland the back way! How the hell did I end up in education? Oh well, thanks once again for the memory! By the way, it looks like the Olympics are going to happen. Any more Cougars coming to town? Take care, Jim Peppers
Great memories Jim, thanks and I too remember long and lanky Rikki and the rest. Fun days in the early 60s.
Name: Jim Schroeder () on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 12:21:54
Email: chezwizz@yahoo.com
City and State: Orbiting, Oregon
Class: 1966
Message: Why Jim, Why? What's the Solvang thing all about? Is that on my way south? Perhaps a respit from the white-line freeway fever - to break up the 10 hour monotony from here to eternity.
#2 - Mr Baker, did you recieve a care package? I felt the prize would of been the Hawthorne handbook from Northrup, but the way things seem to be jelling, you already have one?
#3 The common factor that unites people who enjoy music from "the day" (50's up to disco) is that they relate a song with a situation, a girl, or guy. A stimulus / response kinda thing. Mostly good times. In "the day," the music was interactive. Lip-syncing in front of the mirror. Lurching about spazmodicly to music that pushed my Prussian genes to their limits - to dance and not march. Live music was everywhere. Dance clubs proliferated. The Drop-In. The Grand, Harmony Park, etc. Out of necessity we created our own mental video to songs. I don't see that in the youth of todays world? Its not a judgment call, not better or worse, just different. Has MTV robbed the youth of America of the opportunity to be imaginitive with music? They dictate what you see when you hear a song. Again, not better or worse, just a technologically different world. Anyone? Anyone?
#4 Miss Clark awoke me to the possibilities of a very cool world that I had no clue about. She let me sit on top of the closet in the back of the room. Her and Coach Bunyard shaped a part of me.
Hey Jim, YES, I did receive your package, but believing it was Cougars only, hadn't opened it until now. Man, this stuff is great. Even the ongoing Jim Schroeder football highlight clippings from the local Haytown rags of the day (obviously a proud parents scrapbook to be). These clippings would've made Al Bundy jealous. You must've been all WORLD in 1966.
This will take me some time to peruse, but there has to be some real Hawthorne gold here. Your parents raised quite the nice young man/football hero.
Thank you very much and tell mom thanks too.
Name: Frank Romano () on Monday, July 26, 2004 at 18:49:03
Email: fromano@lvcm.com
City and State: Las Vegas, NV
Class: 1961
Message: Hi Jim... sounds like you're on your way to a wonderful time. Don't get too crazy with the cookies up there, that habit could cost you all sorts of belt sizes... And if you find the bakery, that can make the cookies look like gaming checks, let us all know...
All the very best.
Name: Sharon () on Monday, July 26, 2004 at 17:08:38
Email: sharonlleach@cs.com
City and State: Long Beach
Maiden: Moore
Class: 1966
Message: The flyer for the August 21 picnic at El Dorado Park in Long Beach will be going out on Wednesday via e-mail to everyone who e-mailed me that they wanted one. If you want a flyer regarding the picnic, please e-mail me and I will send you one on Wednesday. Looks like we are going to have a pretty good turn out. FUN, FUN, FUN! The flyer will be in an executable (.exe) format. That way you can open and run the flyer whether or not you have that program on your computer. Hope to see everyone on the 21st of August.
Thank you Sharon. I want one too....
Name: Ricki Farrell () on Monday, July 26, 2004 at 00:57:59
Email: rfarrell@busd.k12.ca.us
City and State: Fullerton
Maiden: Valencia
Class: 1961
Message: Hi John...love those pics of HHS. You do a great job with the camera. HHS is beginning to look like a community college. The cafeteria must have cost a mint, especially the architect.
About the mosaic.
I think that it went up shortly after the cafeteria did. I remember Mr. Williams talking about it and I believe that either he or one of his students designed it. I'll ask him when I talk to him. During the late 50's and early 60's HHS paid $100.00 yearly to a professional and well known artist (selected by Clayton) and received a painting or drawing for the library. At the same time an art student was selected and given the honor to donate a piece of art for the library. We Cougars had quite a collection. I know that at one time the old librarian began handing them out to classrooms until Mr. Williams heard and became involved. I wonder what became of all that art. They're probably worth a fortune because not only were the artists well known, the pieces were truly brilliant. The student work was also incredible. I think that some of the students were Victor Barratucci ('59), Raymond Jonas ('60), Sharon Hall ('61), and Les Johnson ('62). These were all Hallmark Award winners in New York. This was one of the most prestigious high school competitions in the nation. HHS students won the top awards the 7 out of the 8 years that were entered. Clayton Williams was an awesome teacher.
Thanks Ricki, I know that HHS student artists were the best and Mr. Williams was the best art teacher EVER, at HHS.
Name: Jim Sloey () on Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 19:51:08
Email: hartje@msn.com
City and State: SOLVANG, CA
Class: 1966
Message: John just a word before we get out of Dodge. It's been great living in the South Bay for forty-two years as we head north tomorrow. I will miss the haunts and the many friends-ok two-we have made especially because of this site. Your friendship John I shall always treasure bonded by the many days of riding on the beach. Cold mornings but great times! My brudder, Bill, who has lived next door to me for the past year and who isn't much of a neighbor but you don't get a brother any better than he. And my other riding buddy and golf buddy Danny Dye. What a gift his friendship has been to me and will continue to be. If anyone is looking for a friend, they don't come any better than Danny. You aren't bad either John but we have both agreed on innumerable occasions, Danny is the best. So as we head for the Danish valley of the sun, to paraphase Glen Campbell, our door is always open. And I believe Coach or Mr. Bravo, played for the Raiders too. And for sure he was a defensive back and as of 2 years ago I think he could still play. See ya! Best to all the Cougs and their families.
Man, I know you're serious. This is the very FIRST time you've ever left your REAL email address.
All I can say is if it wasn't for Cougartown, you and I would've never met, so thank God for Cougartown. I'm very glad we did. We've had many days of fun and a little pain hanging out on the Strand in the mornings, but lots of good times all around. Debby is the best too, and in fact she's the reason I started hanging out with you in the first place. Seriously, you both will be greatly missed by me, and lots of your South Bay friends, Dan Dye included. Have a great life in Solvang and please let's stay close friends, Jim. You are one in a million and I'm going to miss you and Debby bunches. I LOVE YOU GUYS MAAAANN!!!!
Name: Keith D.Jones () on Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 19:31:17
Email: cmi50@yahoo.com
City and State: KonaHawaii
Class: 1976
Message: I feel really bad about Mike Smith. I lived with him for awhile and he partied so much and so hard all the time. We drove down to San Felipe Mexico together and it was a blast. He was very much into the outdoors and camping. His family is great. His mom and dad are so friendly and his little sister Kim is beautiful. I am sorry for his loss and wish his family good will. He touched allot of people.
Name: Jodi Alexander () on Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 00:50:26
Email: Ibjodi@aol.com
City and State: Bakersfield, Ca.
Maiden: Torgerson
Class: 1975
Message: Hi All, hope everyone is having a great summer!
I was wondering if anyone heard anything about Mike Smith, class of 75 recent death. I have tried to locate his family and have had NO luck. I started school with Mike and would really like to send a note to his family.
Oh and Enza, Pictures are headed your way this week!
Always True to my school..........Jodi
Name: Chris Prewitt () on Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 20:11:33
Email: cjprewitt@juno.com
City and State: Fullerton, CA
Class: 1967
Message: John, With all of your photos do you have any of the plaques on the chairs in Nyman Hall?
Hi Chris, No, I think Nyman Hall is fenced off as part of the construction site right now. It's a hard hat area.
Name: doris () on Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 17:23:44
Email: dorisjeanatmindspring.com
City and State: Twin Falls, ID
Maiden: donaldson
Class: 1957
Message: I may have a decade on you, Larry, but that evening at PaddyO's sounds like it was a blast (ooops! Guess that expletive dates me a bit. LOL!). And Mr. Baker, I kept wondering why I couldn't remember the mosaic in the cafeteria ... it's because there WAS NO CAFETERIA during my tenure at HHS, '53 - '57. LOL! I'm SO glad to be a COUG! Have a good and safe weekend, all!
No one has come forward with the mosaic story yet. Does anyone have an inkling where it came from?
Name: Richard () on Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 16:36:30
City and State: of Long Beach
Class: 1969
Message: Three songs that still bounce around in the ole cranium; Witch Doctor ('58) by Ross Bragdasarian (aka: David Seville); Purple People Eater ('58) by Sheb Wolley (not only a music composer, but also and actor- Giant, War Wagon, Outlaw Josie Wells, & TV's Rawhide as Scout Pete Nonan); and Monster Mash ('62) by Bobby "Boris" Picket.
'Novelty Songs', the best of 'Camp' Humor.
And of course, after leaving HHS, the tune would have to be- They're Coming to Take Me Away ('73), by Dr. Demento.
Name: Bill Ennis () on Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 15:05:05
Email: billennis@foothill.net
City and State: Auburn, CA
Class: 1966
Message: Let me try and understand this, John, you just happened to have a color photo of the mosaic that hung in the cafeteria 40 years ago just ready to go with Sherry's feedback??? And I thought I saved some strange things....
I recall that I did like that mosaic, but it looks just a tad dated now.
Hey Bill, Well, not exactly. Our class had a reunion a couple of years ago and a few of us went over to HHS to take some pictures. I took the above panorama and lucky I did as it is probably one of the last good pictures of the inside of the old cafeteria. The mosaic just happened to be on the wall, and that's where I got it. Hope it's still around somewhere.
Name: Larry Biller () on Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 13:14:05
Email: lbiller49@yahoo.com
City and State: Portland,Or
Class: 1967
Message: Well the karaoke nite a PaddyO's turned into a mini reunion. Ken Roberts showed up as did John Crotty, followed by his sister Noreen, and her husband. It's the first time I have heard my brother Kenny sing and was happy I finally got to hear him. We talked John Crotty into getting up on stage and sang "Peaceful Easy Feelin". Nice job Kenny and John!
Thanks Larry, glad you had a fun time. That's what it's all about.
