Got me runnin'
Got me hidin'
Got me run, hide, hide, run
Any way you wanna let it roll
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah Jimmy Reed
Name: Tom Buckingham () on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 11:20:17
Email: reddog27@gmail.com
City and State: Clovis,CA
Class: 1964
Message: Is anyone planning a post dedication gig?
I'll settle for a rootbeer freeze at Fosters afterwards. Thanks John and Cougartown for keeping the dream alive. Surfs Up.
No, nothing has been planned, but I guess we could all meet at Fosters after the dedication. Thanks Tom....
Name: Maureen Trott () on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 11:15:40
Email: momo90250@aol.com
City and State: Hawthorne, CA
Maiden: Trott
Class: 1964
Message: Hi Everyone...In regards to the Beach Boy Dedication. Yes Sharon, there is supposed to be port-a-potties available to the public. The area that will be available for the FANS to stand will be on Kornblum between 119th St and 120th, and a small lot on the S/E corner of Kornblum and 119th St.
Name: Christina Melton () on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 11:04:24
Email: Psalm121cjm@wmconnect.com
City and State: Hollywood, CA
Maiden: Melton
Class: 1973
Message: John, For those of us who are unable to make it to the dedication ceremony, exactly where is the Beach Boys Landmark located and the directions on how to get to it? For those of you who do go to the ceremony on Friday, have a great time!!!!!
The dedication will be on 119th St and Kornblum. The address of the Wilson house was 3701 W. 119th St. Just follow the crowd.
Name: al rocca () on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 10:25:40
Email: alfred.p.rocca@boeing.com
City and State: Mesa, AZ
Class: 1970
Message: Hi Chuck,
Hey that Dual Showman amp of the Beachboys at Melody Music you were talking about..my brother Bob Rocca bought that and it was at our house for years. I remember it had Beachboys black stenciled on the back. Not sure what ever happened to it. Small world huh??
Name: Chuck Armstrong () on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 01:51:29
Email: Chuck@ArmstrongConsultingGroup.com
City and State: Orcutt, CA
Maiden: KillerChuck
Class: 1967
Message: Mike from Mesa is a damned good button pusher. He comes to a site used by those of us who share fond memories about a place and time and proceeds to denigrates what we share. He uses words like ?cesspool,? ?scumbag,? and ?third world country.? He knows these words apply to this area and the people here because he has driven through Hawthorne on his ?runs? to L.A. He assumes that all the ?good people? left when the ?scumbags? moved in. I can think of one scumbag who didn?t stick around! When we respond to his button pushing, just as he would want it, he calls us cry babies. And then he defends himself against the charge of bigotry by holding up his wife and family as protection. He does all this without any of us knowing one substantive thing about him. Where the rest of us post our real names, e-mail addresses, the year we attended school and our pictures Mike hides behind a façade. One, I might add, that says more about his persona than his given name. IronMike! What a guy.
Name: Pat Underwood () on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 01:46:25
Email: onefamilyhistorian@socal.rr.com
City and State: Hawthorne, Calif
Maiden: Lawndale High
Class: 1963
Message: Inglewood Ave and Rosecrans, lets see northwest corner is Herb?s Signal station and the southwest corner is a vacant field all the way too Compton Blvd. The southeast corner is a vacant lot and the northeast corner is Shaw?s Marine and Boxing Club. Hey wait, that was forty years ago. Oh yes we?re talking about the changes in Hawthorne aren?t we. Where Shaw?s was is a CVS Pharmacy, the vacant lot is now a Mobil Station, Herbs Signal is now a small strip mall where you can get your VCR fixed and the vacant field is yes a Denny?s if you want too wait an hour and a half for a meal. Behind Denny?s is a Gold?s Gym where people want too stay in shape. The surrounding area is all residential with families just like we had when we were growing up. That intersection isn?t anymore dangerous then it was when I was growing up and you ask how I know this. Because I still live here in good old Hawthorne and have for over 50 years. I didn?t go too Hawthorne High I went too Lawndale High and if that makes me a scumbag then so be it, I accept the title. But I can?t accept the cesspool comment, towns change for the better and Hawthorne has surely stepped into the second millennium with pride and I am proud too live in a town such as Hawthorne. Even Mesa has changed for the better and you ask yourself, what does he know about Mesa? My oldest son lives in Mesa, raising his family in a nice residential area. Guess what? Mesa is no longer a saloon and a gas stop fifteen miles outside of Phoenix catering too cowboys and drunks, because it too has grown and the two towns now run together like Lawndale and Hawthorne. My son says he loves Mesa and he wouldn?t live anywhere else. I was there a few years ago and 115 degrees in the shade just isn?t my cup of tea. Oh yes, but then it?s a dry heat isn?t it. LOL.
Speaking of Golds Gym, where has Keith Jones been?
Name: Mary Ann () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 23:46:12
Email: Mavila7428@aol.com
City and State: Del Aire
Maiden: Stanley
Class: 1977
Message: Mike... Inglewood and Rosecrans...hmmm Denny's? You're right...I had the food there and it was dangerous!
Name: Armand Vaquer () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 22:06:06
Email: AMVaquer@aol.com
City and State: Tarzana, CA
Class: 1972
Message: RE: The Changed Hawthorne. Folks, Hawthorne is not the only town that has changed over the last 30 years. All of Los Angeles has changed.
Several years ago, I attended a funeral way out in Bell Gardens. Afterwards, I had to go to Hawthorne to my parents' house to pick up my daughter. So I took Gage Ave. from Bell Gardens to get to the Harbor Freeway. My Dad used to bowl in a league at Gage Bowl out in Huntington Park. So I was interested to see the area after 35+ years. I was shocked at how the area along Gage Ave. changed from the 1960s. Back then, it was predominantly black. Today it is predominantly Hispanic. It doesn't bother me what color people are, as long as they are decent, law-abiding people. My main gripe today is how overpopulated L.A. is. You can't go for a weekend drive in the city anymore without being stuck in traffic. It is like mid-week everyday!
While you're lamenting on the changes in Hawthorne, keep in perspective that all of the L.A. basin has changed as well.
Name: Mike () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 21:38:21
Email: ironmike552002@yahoo.com
City and State: Mesa, Az
Message: Geeeeez! I had no idea my passing comment would bring so many cry-babies out of the woodwork. One fellow had it right when he said in essence, when you don't have a valid response or argument, play the race card. I re-read my comment and I didn't see a single word pertaining to "race". I used the term "scumbag". And they do come in all shapes sizes and colors, don't they. Yes, I'm "White". So what? I'm a "bigot" as one called me because I don't go through life on a white guilt trip? My wife is Mexican (not "Hispanic", but Mexican. You know, her family came from Mexico). Hence the term, "Mexican". I have four cousins who are Japanese.(Not "Asian"...Japanese. You know, like their Dad is from Japan, hence the term, "Japanese". My sister's oldest is Black. Yeah, that's right, Black. Not "African-American". She incidently does not use either term. She is an American. I love my family dearly, so don't give me the knee-jerk race card, OK? It's been done to death already. And aside from that, you don't know what you're taling about. I stand by my original statement. If I'm wrong, Take a walk by yourself on Rosecrans and Inglewood Av tonight about midnight. Then tell me how wonderful your PSEUDO-diversity is. At my work place, where there are as many races represented as you could name, we have a poster that reads, "Diversity accomplishes nothing here. Competence and workmanship do". Sorry if I sound too harsh. Just don't start crying now!
HEY, I'm startin' ta like this guy.... Name: Sharon Branigan () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 21:02:25
Email: srbranigan.srb@verizon.net
City and State: Thousand Oaks, CA
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1976
Message: Great info on the event, thanks to all.
Now the most important question: will there be any bathrooms on site?
Women are always looking for a bathroom. Sharon, find a bush like a Boy Scout and enjoy the event.
Name: Anita () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 18:56:59
Email: anita.m.bell@erac.com
City and State: Fair Oaks, Ca
Maiden: Harmon
Class: 1969
Message: John, Busy day looks like..... Got to work this morning to find an e-mail from Jerry Miles ('66). Never knew him but just found out that apparently he lives about 5 minutes from me. He was saying he was jealous that I was flying down this weekend but that it just wasn't in the cards for him at this time so he said he took a vote and elected me the 'official Fair Oaks Ambassador' to the dedication. He said if I get a chance, to tell you hello for him. Since I have no idea if that is even a possibility, thought I would pass his greetings along to you now. And Jim, thanks for the parking tip, I will be picking up my rental car from LAX and will take my chances with Metro lot on Crenshaw.....keep your fingers crossed!
Thanks Anita, and HELLLLOOO Jerry, back at ya'. Hopefully we'll see you on Friday at the event.
Name: annalisa fagan () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 16:36:51
Email: annalisafagan@hotmail.com
City and State: london uk
Message: My name is annalisa fagan
Hi Annalisa....
Name: Jim Sloey () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 15:09:48
Email: hartje@msn.com
City and State: SOLVANG, CA
Class: 1966
Message: For those going Friday, you can always park at on of the green line parking lots ride to Crenshaw station for a quarter. Parking lots exist on Marine between Inglewood and Aviation, North side and Aviation and Imperial southwest side. Anita you can take a metro shuttle, I believe you catch it on the bottom floor of the airport to Aviation station board there toward Norwalk, Crenshaw is two stops from there.
Now you're thinking.... Great idea, Jim, thanks. How are you and split pea soup getting along? Name: EL ROJO () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 15:06:51
Email: jakejude@aol.com
City and State: Kuna, Id
Maiden: yes,no
Class: 1960
Message: Hey John, Cougs I'm back in circulation, so to speak. I was told that hip replacement surgery was a piece of cake. Seems it didn't turn out quite that way for me. We must have had awfully good water in Haytown as my surgeon said that I had the hardest bones of anyone he had ever worked on. They actually had to get a bigger Hammer in order to place the spike in the femur. Seems it bruised the holy crap out of my knee from the pounding, adding to the pain factor. And to really top it off I came down with a case of Giardia the day they released me from the hospital. Whew, it's been a hell of a couple of weeks. But i'm back on my feet, though quite slow still. And Dennis Mammal Cambell, I do remember that little burger stand on Imperial and Anza. I hustled papers there for the Herald Express on the North side of the intersection for some time when I was around 11 or 12. Man you could really put on the feed bag for very little back then in that place. Well good to be back. MAY THE COUGAR BE WITH YOU. Jake n Jude.
Hey EL, Didn't even know you lost your hip until now. Here we are some 40-45 years out of HHS and I can finally outrun you. Glad you're on the mend, man....MTCBWYT
Name: Adrianne DeAlejandro () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 15:06:50
Email: addy57@msn.com
City and State: Cerritos, CA
Maiden: Longpre
Class: 1963
Message: I had to go to lunch and work through my anger with Bob. I then started to reflect on the trip Alex and I made to Santa Monica Pier this past Saturday. As we were watching the fishermen, we struck up a conversation with a man who had gone to Westchester High c/o '65, and his dad had gone to Inglewood High. We shared so many beautiful memories of our areas. He now lives in Manhattan Beach. There were things we reminded each other of, and had a wonderful conversation. He even got excited remembering cruising A & W to the Wichstand. And the show of cars, of which he was a part of. I told him what a wonderful site CT is, and he should look in on it. After awhile we parted, and I noticed a glow about him that I didn't see when we met. Then Alex noticed I, too, was glowing. I am choosing to keep that feeling going, and cherishing my memories of my growing up in wonderful Hawthorne. Afterall, BEAUTY is in the eye of the beholder. Thanks, John.
Aw gee, Adrianne, you got me ta glowin' too. Thanks for a nice story. You too thoroughly understand what Cougartown is all about....
Name: Teri Hoenig () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 13:30:27
Email: teri8045@sbcglobal.net
City and State: Paradise, Ca
Maiden: Klein
Class: 1973
Message: Chuck Armstrong... is this rumor or fact...Did you play in "The battle of the bands" at Disneyland and win? What was the name of your band?
Name: Susan Ransom () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 13:05:39
Email: sransom@csulb.edu
City and State: Long Beach, CA
Maiden: Rose`
Class: 1975
Message: I have visited this website a few times and have enjoyed reading all the comments and recollections, but this is the first time I have posted anything. This is prompted by my visit to Hawthorne High School last Saturday. OhMyGod! (We are definitely not in Kansas anymore!) The last time I was there a few years ago it was fenced off and locked up, so all I could do was look through the bars. But this time it was open, maybe because there was some construction going on and workers were around. At any rate, I did something I have never done before; I parked in the lot for the teachers and administrators (gasp!) and walked around. I promptly got lost somewhere down memory lane.
It was mesmerizing and very bittersweet. On one hand it felt to me like the school was desecrated. There was some graffiti around, a few broken windows and a general appearance of neglect. But on the other hand, some of it hasn?t changed that much, and as I walked along the rows of classrooms the feeling of déjà vu was strong. Talk about kick-starting your memories! As I walked the images came flying out of some forgotten space in my memory: the bathroom where Kelly (Sullivan) & I would sneak a smoke (I still see Kelly by the way, we just went to Vegas together a couple of weeks ago), the auditorium where we sat in Driver?s Ed to watch that film (Red Asphalt?) designed to scare us into being responsible drivers, the walkways where John would walk me to classes, the classrooms that I peeked into that echoed with the talking and laughing from all those years ago. I also checked out the pool next to the school where I learned to swim, and that still looks the same. I peered through the gated entrance and still smelled that musty dampness that hasn?t changed; I spent a lot of my childhood summers at that pool.
I was in Hawthorne because I am working with Don Di Tomasso (Reunion Chairperson) and Robin (Morton) Wilson to help in planning the 30-year reunion for the class of 1975. We have had a lot of fun so far, even though there has been only the three of us for the last two meetings. The planning meetings have been like mini reunions, and it is incredible how our shared memories give life to that time. We are putting together some memorabilia for the reunion; we have some of the original Cougar newspapers from 1975, the program from our senior prom (complete with a badly typewritten note from our principal urging us to be responsible) and the last will & bequests of the senior class, among other things. Special note to the class of 1975: We would welcome help and/or input for this reunion, whether you want to help plan, or if you have any memorabilia that you could loan, or just in your presence at the reunion. We have shared a time and place in our lives, and woven together our memories remind us of who we were (for better or for worse!) and of how different and special that time was. Reunion info. can be found at the following website: http://www.elegantreunions.com/reunion.php?schoolId=43
Anyone interested in helping can contact Don at: dondt@hotmail.com
Any comments for me personally can be sent to: sransom@csulb.edu.
Hi Susan, Thanks for the input on good ol' HHS. Actually the school is going through a big change right now. No new grass will be laid down until all new walkways are installed around the center of the campus. Right now it looks a little like a ghost town, but by next spring it will transformed and restored.
Name: sharon () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 12:27:44
Email: sharonlleach@cs.com
City and State: long beach
Maiden: moore
Class: 1966
Message: No Playgirls, don't think that came out till the mid to late 70's and Burt Reynolds was the first centerfold. I still have that edition.
Name: Kim Begley () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 12:12:10
Email: krbegley@pacbell.net
City and State: Scotts Valley, CA
Maiden: Stembler
Class: 1973
Message: For those that need the address for the Metro (Green Line) lot, it is 11901 S. Crenshaw Blvd. According to the MTA website, the parking lot holds 500 cars, so plan accordingly. See you there!
Thanks for the info, Kim. Wear your Ctown Tshirt and we'll see you there.
Name: Joanne () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 11:20:43
Email: joannemunie@yahoo.com
City and State: new baltimore,MI
Message: Sorry, having trouble posting today for some reason!
Just letting people know if they don't already, that former Beach Boy David Marks is performing with his band in Anaheim on May 21st as part of the Landmark Dedication festivites. If interested go to www.infinitymusicinstruments.com
Thanks Joanne...
Name: Dick Dixon () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 10:33:45
Email: racerdick@hotmail.com
City and State: La Verne, CA
Class: 1963
Message: JB ... looking forward to expecially seeing you and other Coug's at the Beach Boy happenings. Been kicking asphalt and building a few project hot rods. Also going to the Thursday night BB gig. Hope all is well with all.
Hi Dick, Glad you're attending. See you there and EVERYONE wear your Cougartown Tshirt so we can spot you in the crowd.
Name: Sharon Branigan () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 10:25:30
Email: srbranigan.srb@verizon.net
City and State: Thousand Oaks, CA
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1976
Message: Any suggestions on what time to arrive at the Metrolink lot? Are we sure there's enough parking? Are there sidewalks up 120th or are we walking in the street? I don't remember sidewalks along there.
We're going to get there about 10 and maybe we can park close enough. The Metro Link parking lot is fairly big, but I think you could also park in Lowes too. No sidewalks as I recall. If you get there early enough you shouldn't have a problem.
Name: Sharon () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 10:09:06
Email: sharonlleach@cs.com
City and State: Long Beach
Maiden: Moore
Class: 1966
Message: Yea! LeeRoy's back. Missed ya'll. Now he's makin cents with his taulk.
Ya'll was talkin bout barba shops in Haytown. Well, do any of the women out there remember some of the great beauty shops. I remember Karen Skelton's ('66) mom had a shop on El Segundo Blvd. They did a mean bee-hive there. That's where I had my hair done for my senior picture. However, they only got it about two feet high and I was complaining it wasn't high enough. I look at it now and think, "Marge Simpson." However, I was really stylin then. What other great hair and beauty shop memories do the gals out there have. Oh, yeah, I remember I tried to get blonde streaks in my hair with regular bleach. Didn't work, just broke my hair off.
Did they have Playgirl mags in beauty shops? Name: Pat Underwood () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 09:28:50
Email: onefamilyhistorian@socal.rr.com
City and State: Hawthorne, Calif
Maiden: Lawndale High
Class: 1963
Message: I guess all this Estrogen and Testosterone slinging is usual among cougars and non-Cougars this time of year, what the heck it?s springtime. With the prospect of 5000 people showing up this Friday at the Beach Boy dedication and my chair not being powered I can?t make it, so take lots of pictures of the rich and famous for those of us that can?t attend. With the three bricks Cougartown added, I?m sure Dennis and Carl are looking down and saying ?Man we went too that school?.
There'll be a few pics, Pat, but not lots as I'm WAY behind on the others (reunion, cruise, etc).
Name: Lisa () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 08:53:35
Email: ldcp2001@aol.com
City and State: Ramona, CA
Maiden: Graham
Class: 1967
Message: HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO LYLE DAVIDSON. LISA
Happy Bday Lyle....
Name: Debra McGregor () on Monday, May 16, 2005 at 05:10:30
Email: Debratmcg@aol.com
City and State: Lancaster
Maiden: Lee(shouldastayedLee)
Class: 1972
Message: Wow, it's been a long time since I've checked in ... It's 3:00 a.m. in the morning (duh, I know a.m. means morning) and I'm looking over Feedback in Cougartown. It sounds so silly and maybe even a little immature, but I don't think outdated ... I lift up my two fingers as I have in many CT photos, PEACE ... love you all and have a great week. Summer's coming, enjoy the weather and I anticipate a great Foster's cruise coming up. Any date yet, John?
Enjoy life... Past, present, and future Hawthorne ... Enjoy
Still too far off to set a date, Debra. Let all know about the middle of July.
