Someone found a lighted house late one night
And he saw through the window a sight
A big man in a chair
And little tiny men everywhere......> Beach Boys
Name: Keith D. Jones () on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 17:25:29
Email: cmi50@yahoo.com
City and State: Kona, Hawaii
Class: 1976
Message: I have it. A group of "roamimg" Cougartown reporters. They can relay to Big John cougar sitings, reunions, cruise nights, golf tournaments, get togethers, and general up to date info on fellow Cougars. We'll call them the "Baker's Dozen" of Cougartown. You know you have the Pacific Ocean freelance reporter right here. Do we have any in Canada, Europe, South America, Pacific Northwest, Midwest, etc. Cougartown could take over the world and make it a better place. It's already made all lives better. Mele Kalikimaka Hauoli Makahiki Hou
Hey Keith, That's what's happening now.
Name: Mary () on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 16:46:37
Email: meowry1953@charter.net
City and State: Oregon
Maiden: Mary
Class: 1970
Message: Merry Christmas everyone! I get kinda nostalgic this time of year,, and think of friends from many moons ago,, I lost the e-mail address of Jim Storie class of HHS class of 69,,if anyone has it please e-mail me at meowry1953atcharterdotnet One other question,, I recently learned an old classmate passed away ,, i guess, a long time ago,, Rick Gestone ,, anyone have any info regarding what happened,, when i was alot alot younger we attended the same church ,St Josephs, and i had a tad of a crush on him,, of course he never knew ,, those were the days.....
Name: Cliff Hitchcock () on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 16:39:56
Email: Cliffhitchcock@yahoo.com
City and State: Rancho Vista. Ca.
Class: 1973
Message: Its amazing how close a community there is here at Cougartown. Dave and I have received over 230 hits from Cougartowners on our site since his post last month. We want to say Thank You and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. See you in 2005.
Thanks Cliff, You and yours have a very Merry Christmas.
Name: David Neuschafer () on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 14:19:29
Email: Dendan2@aol.com
City and State: Vista, Calif.
Maiden: Leuzinger
Class: 1959
Message: Yeah,yeah,YEAH! "Friends of Cougartown"! That's cool! Where do we sign up? I want to sign myself and my sister Fern up as "charter members"!
As for Karen Graham, if she's what all Cougars are like, then the whole world should be Cougars! Thanks John!
Thanks Dave, I'll figure something out after the holidays.
Name: Adrianne DeAlejandro () on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 14:06:50
Email: addy57@msn.com
City and State: Cerritos, CA
Maiden: Longpre
Class: 1963
Message: Wishing all my fellow Cougars, and Friends of Cougartown, a Very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years. To Santa John, a thank you hug for placing all those beautifully wrapped memory gifts under our trees. God bless.
Thank you Adrianne, and Merry Christmas to all the DeAlejandro's. See you on Cruise Night....
Name: David Neuschafer () on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 12:37:06
Email: Dendan2@aol.com
City and State: Vista, Calif.
Maiden: Leuzinger
Class: 1959
Message: Hey Keith Jones where do we sign up? I too want to be counted in as a volunteer in Big John's Army! I mean, even we old Olympian's dig this class act site. I may not know everyone by name but I feel a "brotherhood-in-kind" just because we all came from the same town. Baxter Dodd, I must have met you at one time or another...you keep coming up with names and places that I know so well. I went to grade school with Richard Rapp and I too lived on 134th St. near Lemoli...I used to hang with the guys at the "Rapp Service station" on 135th and Lemoli and also skated with them in the "Hood". Merry Christmas everyone. Ooooh John, I sent you a copy of Karen Graham's book, "Hickson" I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Great story! She did good!...I mean, for a Cougarette!
Have had other non-Cougars that went to So Bay area schools request membership to Cougartown. Maybe we can start a "Friends Of Cougartown" membership too. Karen's a good Cougar (is there any other kind). I'm sure I'll enjoy her book. Thanks Dave and Merry Christmas.......
Name: Kelley () on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 10:29:45
Email: surfbabe@charter.net
City and State: Englewood,OR
Maiden: Currie
Class: 1967
Message: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERT (BE-BOP) HEGG..CLASS OF 1967.
Happy Bday Robert....
Name: David Kelly () on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 09:06:07
Email: dkelly@ppld.org
City and State: Colorado Springs, CO
Class: 1977
Message: While driving to work this morning, with a cool temp of 17 degrees outside and a forecast for some snow over night, I found myself remembering what my wife said to me earlier this week. She said," It will be a California Christmas this year". Her comment brought back some wonderful memories of Christmas past of my childhood in the South Bay area. Our local forecast is for a high temp of 46 degrees and plenty of sunshine on Christmas day. Not quite as warm as a California Christmas, but good enough.
Merry Christmas to All !
Hi David, Hawthorne's forecast for Christmas day says 69 for a high and 46 for a low, so we both have that 46 thing goin'. Thanks and Merry Christmas to the Kellys.....
Name: Sherry Wingo () on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 02:09:40
Email: dscwiingo@pacbell.net
City and State: Haw. Ca.
Maiden: Peppers
Class: 1964
Message: My husband and I enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the VFW on Sunday. Jan Blomsterberg is a great cook. Enjoyed the company of other Cougartown people. Merry
Christmas everyone. John, thank you for this website.
Hi Sherry, Merry Christmas to you and Doug and see you at Cruise Night on February 12th.....
Name: Baxter Dodd () on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 01:50:32
Email: baxterldo@aol.com
City and State: Riverside, CA
Class: 1957
Message: The only skating rink I remember going to in the early-early ?50s was the one in Lawndale on Hawthorne Blvd. I stayed with my Uncle for a while on 134th St near Lemoli (Leuzinger neighborhood.) The Rapp brothers (3 of them) lived behind us facing 134th Place. It was a short block with a flat, even sidewalk. There were about 7 kids who skated that block daily and they all became good. Gerald and Richard Rapp were the best and the most serious about it. Every dime they earned went for better equipment until they finally got lace-ups with wood wheels. Later I would see one or two of them on TV. At first they were ?pick-up? skaters. When an eastern Roller Derby team would come to Calif to skate against the local teams, they would fill their ranks with local skaters. The Rapps were often chosen. They did some spectacular things on skates. I remember asking one of them if Roller Derby was phony like TV wrestling. He said he thought there would be some theatrics until his first time out skating with a New York team against a local team in Bakersfield. He got bumped over a rail into the first-row seats and was unconscious for about 20 minutes. After that he got ?Rink Wise.? Later I heard that one of the brothers got hurt in a fall while working out on a gymnastics high bar or rings and was never the same.
Baxter
Name: Sharon MacDonald () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 22:38:25
Email: smacd63@hotmail.com
City and State: Sullivan, Illinois
Maiden: Badger
Class: 1963
Message: My older son was born at Hawthorne Community Hospital. When I talked to him this past week-end he asked where all the old records were going to be sent. As a records manager, I was thrilled that my son thought to ask. Does anyone know where the records from the hospital will be sent?
As for sports, has anyone noticed who is the number one basketball team in the NCAA.....
Oh I don't know, could it be Illinois.....HMMMMM??? Name: Dennis Campbell () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 19:55:05
Email: Denniscampbell2000@pacbell.com
City and State: Mission Viejo, Ca.
Maiden: RHDanathebest
Class: 1961
Message: Hey Harry?I knew you would come through Re the Lawndale rink. It was the very first place you inspired me to do the right thing in life when you had me go out on the floor and slow down the skaters? The thing you didn?t know then, 1955, was I didn?t know how to skate, but coming from my teach how could I refuse? Oh, I learned that night, Thanks to you!
Went on to try out for Roller Derby and meet people like Ralphy Valaderes. Thanks Mr. H see ya sometime next year I hope?.Love Ya Maaaannn!
Merry Christmas
FYI, the late 'Little Ralphy Valladeres", Tbirds star, was HHS class of 54.
Name: Keith D. Jones () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 19:31:23
Email: cmi50@yahoo.com
City and State: Kona, Hawaii
Class: 1976
Message: Remember Toni Tague of the Thunderbirds. She was also the Vice President of United California Bank (UCB). The tallest building in Los Angeles. Don't know what it's called today.
Name: Don Burns () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 16:30:45
Email: burnslock@yahoo.com
City and State: Downey CA
Class: 1957
Message: Hey Cougs, the Lawndale skating Rink was where I started skating & met people liken Ralphy Valederes, Richard & Gerald Rapp, Glenda Wilson, Jimmy Morton, & Dave Hill. After getting rained out too many times we went to Redondo Skateland, above the Penny Arcade, owned by Spec Saunders of the Thunderbirds Roller derby team. We then went to Westchester Skating Rink owned by the Weatherby Bros. One of the Bros. played the organ & the other took care of the Skates where I was a mechanic & on the speed team & dance team(never very good). Knew a lot of Haytowners that went there. Nice Memories. MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL be safe. Later Don
I've heard of Ralphy and Spec, but the rest might as well be right out of the phonebook.
Thanks Don and have a Merry Christmas yourself.
Name: Keith D. Jones () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 14:49:22
Email: cmi50@yahoo.com
City and State: Kona, Hawaii
Class: 1976
Message: John my youngest daughter lives in Tehachapi. They had a big place in Bear Valley then moved to Vegas and then back to Tehachapi. Also, is the skating rink on Sepulvada back in the day the one that is now a ice skating rink. We used to go ice skating at the rink on Crenshaw I think it is located in Torrance. Mele Kalikimaka Hauoli Makahiki Hou
The ice skating rink (used to be called Silver Skates) is still here on Western.
Name: Harry Plotkin () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 14:20:55
Email: hcharry@pacbell.net
City and State: Harbor City, CA
Maiden: Old Codger
Message: Happy Holidays to all Cougars and drive CAREFULLY.
I started at Dana in 1952(is anybody THAT old?) Being low man on the Totem Pole I was lucky to supervise our PTA monthly skating parties. Since I was young I really enjoyed them. The first few were in Lawndale- an open rink behind a building fronting Hawthorne Blvd. We then moved to Inglewood - a mostly open rink with a 20 foot shelter and a fireplace. These first two rinks were Dana's exclusively. The last party I supervised was not exclusive - it was open to anyone - East of Hawthorne on an east-west street on the south side of the street. I believe we only went there once. They were a lot of fun - even for this old codger. Again, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Love to all!!!
HCH
Name: Art LaMere () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 14:06:41
Email: artlamere@msn.com
City and State: Bettendorf Ia.
Class: 1973
Message: Ok the rink on Rosecrans was called roller rama it was on the right hand side of the street just past Western Ave.
Art
Name: Steve Temoshek () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 14:02:28
Email: stevet@govw.com
City and State: Lag HILLS,cA
Class: 1969
Message: I remember the roller rink it was on rosecrans down by western ave. The students at intermediate went there on a certain weeknight. Merry xmas to all, happy new year as well. Beer sex sin wine, we are the class of 69.
Name: KIRK C. GREASBY () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 13:50:59
City and State: COLORADO SPRINGS CO.
Maiden: SMOKEY TO THE RESCUE
Class: 1976
Message: REGUARDING THE SALVATION ARMY AND RINGING A BELL, I'VE BEEN A WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER FOR ALMOST TEN YEARS HERE IN COLORADO. I'VE BEEN ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST FIRES AND SOME LITTLE ONES. BUT MOST OF THE TIME WHEN WE'RE WALKING OUT THERE SITS A CANTEEN TRUCK, WITH HOT FOOD AND COLD DRINKS AND THE SIGN ON THEIR DOOR READS "SALVATION ARMY". EACH YEAR OUR CREW STANDS OUTSIDE WALMART AND WE RING A BELL TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THOSE MEALS. WE BRING SMOKEY BEAR AND WE SEEM TO GET A LOT MORE DONATIONS, PEOPLE HERE KNOW WHAT WE DO GREEN PANTS AND YELLOW SHIRTS JUST STAND OUT I GUESS, BUT WHEN WE TELL THEM THAT THE SALVATION ARMY FIXES OUR MEALS AND HELPS OUT WITH OTHER POLICE AND EMS SERVICES THEY DIG ALITTLE DEEPER. SO GIVE IF YOU WANT TO, OR WALK ON BY. BUT THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE MALIBU OR THOUSAND OAKS, OR A HAYMAN WILDLAND FIRE IN COLORADO, KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE HOT FOOD AND A COLD DRINK FOR THOSE EMERGENCY SERVICES.
AND AS FOR TERRI KLINE, I KNOW WHY I HAVE NIGHT TERRORS OF SANTA NOW!
Name: Ray () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 11:20:00
Email: rjshelley@sbcglobal.net
City and State: Mena, AR
Class: 1958
Message: Mom's and Son's, what a nice happening at Christmas time. Merry Christmas to you and yours John. - Ray -
Thanks Ray and Merry Christmas to the Mena Arkansas Shelleys too. Mom looks a little like Annie Oakley, huh. Name: Cindy Colby () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 11:13:00
Email: cindycolby@adelphia.net
City and State: Seal Beach, CA
Maiden: Maxson
Class: 1963
Message: Hey John and All, Merry Christmas to you, one and all. I remember a skating rink on maybe Florence or thereabouts near La Cienega in Inglewood, I am pretty sure of the location although it hasn't been there for years. I have lots of memories of Christmas as a kid, lots when my kids were little but I think my best ones are yet to come with my grandson Spencer, four and a half, this is all brand new to him. It is really fun to see the surprise on his face as he opens his presents.
Hi Cindy, Yep, that's the one Dennis and I remember....Thanks and Merry Christmas to you and the grandkids......
Name: Dennis Campbell () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 11:03:27
Email: Denniscampbell2000@pacbell.com
City and State: Mission Viejo, Ca.
Class: 1961
Message: Hey John?
The Skating Rink I remember was located in Inglewood on Manchester about a block west of Aviation / Florence real close to Randy?s Big donut just east of the rink? Oh, I should mention this is where R H Dana school Skating function was held once a month?Then there was the Rink located in Lawndale on the Boulevard we used one year I think in 1955? Geez that sounds like a lifetime ago?but feels like it was only yesterday?
Lets do the hokey pokey... everybody skate.
Merry Christmas to all you Coug?s out there?
Hey Dennis, I remember the one in Inglewood, but the one in Lawndale......not so much. Thanks and Merry Christmas to you and Eileen too.
Name: Deano () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 10:38:39
Email: DKarels@sbcglobal.net
City and State: tustin
Class: 1965
Message: Right on Marsha & John about Christmas. I think I'll add my wish's too, MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and to all a good night. PS John & Bob Jensen - bourbon or brandy plain or mixed it's all good.
Hey Deano, Merry Christmas and will try all your remedies, thanks..... Name: denny () on Monday, December 20, 2004 at 08:51:16
Email: denny?uncledennyscorner.com
City and State: Del Aire
Class: 1955
Message: JB wrote: Do any of you early Hawthorne Intermediate people remember where that rink was (All Skate). ~ The name of the wooden floor rink in Culver City was the Roller-drome and located on Sepulveda blvd. but I can't recall the cross streets. ~ (Couples Only)
Hey thanks Denny, I do believe that's the one....
Name: Tom Chadwick () on Sunday, December 19, 2004 at 21:23:12
Email: chd8t@aol.com
City and State: Templeton, CA
Class: 1972
Message: Merry Christmas to everyone! I am truly amazed at this website. It's Fantastic, great work John! I was reading a few pages back and someone mentioned the slides and the go-carts on Western Avenue but no mention of the roller skating rink on Rosecrans just west of Western...may have been more of an Olympian hangout. Take care.
Hey Tom, thanks for the nice thoughts. Speaking of roller skating, when I was in 7th or 8th grade we used to go roller skating as a school function, but it was in Culver City, I think. Do any of you early Hawthorne Intermediate people remember where that rink was, exactly? Merry Christmas to the Chadwicks and ALL SKATE!!
Name: Lillian () on Sunday, December 19, 2004 at 16:52:32
Email: diamondlil@swiftwireless.net
City and State: Havasu Lake, CA
Maiden: McDonald
Class: 1963
Message: WOW I don't tune in for just one day and all kinds of stuff is going on - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Boy that felt good -I once attended a church where the Pastor said if you take CHRIST out of Christmas all you have left is a MESS!! I think now we see what he meant - Anyway I'll say it again MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY (dead gay indians???)
Hi Lillian, Merry Christmas to you and all the Lake Havasu Parras and thanks for being a loyal Cougartowner.
Name: carole () on Sunday, December 19, 2004 at 16:22:06
Email: isahighcarole@yahoo.com
City and State: lake Isabella,ca
Maiden: anderson
Class: 1960
Message: John, I just wanted to say DITTO to Keith Jones message. I am even sending my last two years dues because I do enjoy Cougartown everyday. I have not been feeling too well this last year but reading Cougartown always makes me smile and even laugh once in a while.
Most people's memories are the same as mine so I don't always have something to add but I sure do love to read about it. Everyone please have a great Holiday and a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Ahh thank you Carole, that's very nice. Merry Christmas to the Lake Isabella Ferruccios.
Name: Art LaMere () on Sunday, December 19, 2004 at 10:03:33
Email: artlamere@msn.com
City and State: Bettendforf Ia.
Class: 1973
Message: Good morning COUGARTOWN anyway I'm working this weekend out of town so I had my wife and daughter drive to the town I'm in and spend the night anyway my daughter sent Santa a letter the other day and we dropped it off at the post office. When they saw me last night she told me she got a card from Santa I told her that was nice. Later my wife tells me that my daughter did not put a return address on the letter just her name. So is there a real SANTA?
Happy Holidays to all.
Art LaMere Family
Of course there is.......Merry Christmas to the La Mere family.
Name: EL ROJO () on Sunday, December 19, 2004 at 09:29:25
Email: I-DY-HO
City and State: KUNA, ID
Maiden: DON'T CARE
Class: 1961
Message: How about those T..jans?:-)) How about, ahh, never mind. MAY THE COUGAR BE WITH YOU! Jake N jude.
How about those Boise Staters.... Name: Keith D. Jones () on Saturday, December 18, 2004 at 23:53:18
Email: cmi50@yahoo.com
City and State: Kona, Hawaii
Class: 1976
Message: Not that he's a charity but I think everyone on Cougartown should donate to Big John's Army. He has Cougartown up and running like a well-oiled machine and as far as I know he does at least 99% on his own time and effort without hundreds of volunteers asking for donations. And it takes allot to keep Cougartown going besides an internet connection. I know you won't ever see little people with buckets asking for donations to Cougartown but I have to say that this site is probably one of my favorite daily rituals and I am more than happy to pay dues or donate. It has kept me in touch with many of my old friends and I've made many new ones. I get to re-live my past through this site and whatever John needs from me I will give him, even if I am 3,000 miles away. I don't know if Cougartown has saved lives but it sure changed many of them for the better. What better Christmas present can you receive. Mahalo Nui Loa John and Mele Kalikimaka
What can I say after that. Thank you Keith for the nice thoughts AND for the Cougartown dues plug. I may do 99% of the grunt work but the Cougs and, for that matter, the non-Cougs are the ones who add 100% of the color and warmth to Cougartown.
This site would be nothing without all your additions to this Feedback page, the Tributes, Teachers, Recollections, and Reunions pages. Those additions do not come from me, they come from all who contribute on a day-to-day basis. You are all why Cougartown is so far above a "Classmates" type website. You all make it live and breathe by adding feeling, warmth, and love, and that's the straw that stirs the drink; the fuel that warms the hearts of so many who come here every day from 3000 miles or more, away. For that I thank you all.
To Keith and all Haytowners, please continue to breathe life into Cougartown in the coming years. You are all are why it's such a special place to so many. You should be very proud.
I LOVE YOU GUYS MAAAANNN!!!
Name: Dawn Moffett () on Saturday, December 18, 2004 at 22:53:33
Email: dmoffett@clunet.edu
City and State: Simi Valley, Ca.
Maiden: Koch
Class: 1978
Message: Just wanted to wish you all a restful holiday. Be safe and take care of one another. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Dawn and thanks for caring about Cougartown.
