Name: Jerry Miles () on Friday, July 8, 2005 at 20:30:42
City and State: Fair Oaks, CA
Class: 1966
Message: Well John, either the NM9 was restored as a Pack project by Cub Scout Pack, 856, Hawthorne, California or it was a trainer. Which one was it?
Whatever color, it has always been one of my favorites.
It was restored by the Chino boys, and the reason for the two color wings was so they could tell if it was flying right side up, or upside down, from the ground.
Name: Cal McDougal () on Friday, July 8, 2005 at 18:27:05
Email: themcdougals.centurytel.net
City and State: Enterprise, Alabama
Class: 1962
Message: The Northrop N9MB Flying Wing flew at the Planes of Fame 2005 Air Show at Chino in May. There are over a dozen pictures of it at this web site. Most of them in flight, including gear down and several attitudes. http://www.warbird-photos.com/pofairshow05-1/index2.html
John, Sorry for plugging another web site, Cal
Hey Cal, no problem plugging other websites. That's what the Internet is all about. Does anyone know why the N9M wing color is blue on one side and yellow on the other?
Name: Chris Prewitt () on Friday, July 8, 2005 at 15:19:13
Email: cjprewitt at juno dot com
City and State: Fullerton, CA
Class: 1967
Message: I checked out ebay for the year books then looked a little deeper and c/o '58 graduate Ken Huthmaker has a book there too. Would Bob Rierdan be considered a gate crasher crashing through a chain at good-year, cougartown.com/frosties.html?
Now see, Cougartown needs yearbooks and when you ANNOUNCE that there are yearbooks on Ebay then Cougartown is bidding against EVERYONE. I'll wait until the next yearbook.....
Name: Mike Shay () on Friday, July 8, 2005 at 14:31:08
Email: Shayshere@verizon.net
City and State: Cerritos, CA
Class: 1961
Message: Hey Ray Shelley; That wasn't just my freshman year, that was my very first day of high school. How cool huh?
I'll tell you how tough Ray Shelley was, You know the picture of Ray that John uses on the feedback page? The one with the little duster mustache? Well that's when Ray was eleven!
No Hard Feelings Buddy (Ya right)
Mike
Ray looked a little like Errol Flynn and a little like Boston Blackie.
Name: David Neuschafer () on Friday, July 8, 2005 at 13:06:48
Email: Dendan2@aol.com
City and State: Vista, Calif.
Maiden: Leuzinger
Class: 1959
Message: John, The post about the book, "Hawthorne" is something else! Walter Dixon was who I was looking for when I got the ticket for not wearing my seat belt near the City Hall! Heck, I could have save some time and trouble by just checking out C'town for the information, Huh? Darn! Next time I'll learn! I order the book! Thanks. For all who don't know who Walt Dixon is, he's a long time Haytowner. He graduated from Leuzinger High in the early to mid 40s and is now the Hawthorne Historian. This book is filled with pictures of our Hawthorne's past. If you want to know about Hawthorne's roots, this book is a must.... Go here to see and order the book
Name: Ray Shelley () on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 22:34:59
Email: rjshelley@sbcglobal.net
City and State: Mena, AR
Class: 1958
Message: Mike Shay; Happy Birthday! I just read your post. So, I guess all is forgiven, for me making you shine my shoes your freshman year?? Best shine I had in years.
Yep, That was Mike all right. He could really do some fine boot-kissin'.....
Name: Carol () on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 22:30:49
Email: misscaroll@aol.com
City and State: san bernardino, ca
Maiden: Shaner
Class: 1970
Message: Hi all..I haven't been to CougarTown for a visit in a while. I saw 3 El Molino year books on Ebay today for sale and it reminded me to check out whats been going on here. I hope everyone is good. I'll be sending in my dues soon. Carol
Thanks Carol
Name: Anita () on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 22:26:53
Email: anita.m.bell@erac.com
City and State: Fair Oaks, Ca
Maiden: Harmon
Class: 1969
Message: John,
I see here where on the fourth of July, you posed the question,"Wonder what Mike Love would be doing for a living had he not been Brian Wilson's cousin?".....I have your answer.
Michael's Grandfather started a sheet-metal business around the 1920's and both Mike's dad and his uncle joined Grandpa Love in the growing family-run business (Love Sheet Metal Company).
By the end of the fifties Mike didn't seem to have much direction in his life. He was in the oil business for a while. (Gas and oil, check the tires)
He worked the night shift at a Standard Oil station at Washington and La Brea. He hated it, particularly after he was held up at gunpoint. During the days, he was an apprentice at his father's sheet-metal factory.
By March 24, 1962 "Surfin'" had sold fifty thousand copies and reached number 75 in the Billboard charts. The Wilsons were in heaven.
Now that "Surfin'" was a hit, Mike Love didn't want to keep working at his father's sheet-metal factory, and told him so. Mike's dad asked him what he would do if this Beach Boy thing didn't work out? And Mike's reply to his father was and I quote, "So if it doesn't, I'll be back scraping s--t off metal."
And there you have it!
Just meant that question to be rhetorical, Anita, but he could probably handle that job.
Name: Sharon () on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 17:54:50
Email: sharonlleach@cs.com
City and State: Long Beach
Maiden: Moore
Class: 1966
Message: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE!
Just a reminder about CT's 2nd annual picnic. It's going to be at El Dorado Park in Long Beach. Come on you class of 75ers sign up. Your reunion is the same day. The class of 74 had their reunion the same day as the picnic and loads of them showed up. They had a great time as did everyone else. Go to the top of the page and sign up. Also, I need helpers. I can't do this all alone you know. We had over 150 cougars last year and hope to top it this year. Please have started signing up. I have reserved the area for 300 people. It is a bring your own picnic get together. There will be games, fun, and I hope some music. Walter our resident DJ, are you going to provide music?
Have a great Cougar day!
Hey Sharon, do not get stressed. Please let us know what kind of help and I'm sure some good Ctowner will volunteer.
Name: Mike Shay () on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 17:36:14
Email: Shayshere@verizon.net
City and State: Cerritos, CA
Maiden: OS6-9393
Class: 1961
Message: Gosh!!
Thanks to all of you for the birthday wishes. I really appreciate them. Having a group like you guys to grow up with was very special to me. I was an only child with a divorced mom and no relationship with my father for most of my childhood, but what I did have was a friendship with some of the finest, funniest, and most giving people on the planet. You know who you are and I love you all. Thanks for the last half century.
Mikey!
Thank you Mike, You left out GOOD LOOKIN' Name: Tom Shelley () on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 14:27:17
Email: tomshelley@earthlink.net
City and State: Torrance, CA
Class: 1962
Message: Hey Miguel, BIG 'OL HAPPY B'DAY to ya'!
Surf's up. What do you say we grab our boards and bongo drums and hit the sand and pick up some chi...Well anyway..., have a great day. Your friend Tom.
Name: Jim Peppers () on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 13:58:21
Email: JimPeppers@yahoo.com
City and State: Athens, Greece
Class: 1962
Message: John, I second the nomination. And while I'm at it, just to show how powerful my second is, I have already given my second to nominate Judge Judy for the Supreme Court. Have a goodun, and what a great guy Russ Jacobson, "El Rojo" is ...Wish I had known him better in high school. May the cougar be with you! Jim Peppers
Name: David Neuschafer () on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 13:22:31
Email: Dendan2@aol.com
City and State: Vista, Calif.
Maiden: Leuzinger
Class: 1959
Message: JB1, The motion has been raised & seconded...All in favor of Gibby being the spearhead, raise their hands! As for who would pay, I pledge the first $25 bucks if we can use Cougartown as the collection point for the funds. How about it John, ready to battle a little red tape? Please do not send me any donations for a monument speaker.
Name: Kelley () on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 13:10:52
Email: surfbabe@charter.net
City and State: Englewood,OR
Maiden: Currie
Class: 1967
Message: Hi out there in CougarLand..I'm look for any information about Bill Halford..some of you might know him as Bill Rodgers...class of 66..Please email me if you do..I hear he's not doing very good healthwise...Thanks so much..Sharon Halford if you are out that email me.
Name: nick pappagiorgio () on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 11:55:32
Email: n_pappagiorgio_44
City and State: LV NV
Maiden: rusty
Class: 1975
Message: Similar story: Bumped into Mike Love many years ago in Harrah's Casino, Lake Tahoe. One of the rudest a*#@holes I've ever met. Let's see...Harrah's Casino, Indian Casino...maybe he's just a loser. (Literally & Figuratively)
Name: Carol Olsen () on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 11:51:41
Email: carol409@myway.com
City and State: Lakewood, CA
Maiden: Lee
Message: I grew up in good ol' Hawthorne. My mom worked at Kressges. I attended Eucalyptus Elementary, Hawthorne Intermediate, and Hawthorne High.
It's really great that there is a website to log on to when I'm feeling reminesent!
Hi Carol, Glad you found us. Come on back anytime...
Name: Jim Gibson () on Thursday, July 7, 2005 at 09:38:47
Email: surfsup1765@sbcglobal.net
City and State: Redding, CA
Class: 1967
Message: Whiskytown Lake, about 7 miles from my home in Redding, was dedicated by President Kennedy just a few months before his assassination. At the site where the dedication took place is a small speaker (much like you would find @ the drive-in) that plays selected excerpts from the dedication speech. The same thing could be done (@ relatively minimal expense) @ the Beach Boys landmark. Press a button, hear a few samples of their music, maybe a comment or two from one or more of the guys. I think it would really enhance the landmark experience for visitors. I nominate YOU, John, to spearhead this effort! - Gibby
Hey Gibby, I can suggest it but I'm sure it would be a GIANT red tape issue. Who would pay? It's a state monument and seeing as Redding is closer to Sacramento than Lomita, I nominate YOU. Name: Keith Jones () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 23:28:01
Email: cmi50@yahoo.com
City and State: Kona, HI
Class: 1976
Message: I rread somewhere Ricky Nelson's name. When i was a kid my did alot of banking stuff for him. She notorized allot ofpaperwork. Her book had some pretty big names in it. her bank was at a good location in BH at that time.
Thanks for that....
Name: Carl Johnson () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 22:55:29
Email: cjohnson73@socal.rr.com
City and State: Torrance, Ca
Class: 1969
Message: As a major Beach Boy fanatic, I must cast my vote.
Although he has earned a reputation as the south end of a northbound horse, the Beach Boys would not have been the Beach Boys without Mike Love. I remember him insulting us as they performed at our 1969 prom and admire him today for keeping it going.
Thanks for your vote, Carl.....
Name: Steve Fraser () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 22:26:46
Email: sfraser53@lworld.net
City and State: Laguna Woods
Class: 1966
Message: The Flying Wings were destroyed because Jack Northrop refused to share the project with Boeing. In the mid 80's, a 3/4 scale wing was found in a hanger at the Chino Airport. Northrop asked for volunteers to help restore it. Never heard about the outcome.
The N9M is restored and flys at lots of air shows including Torrance AND Hawthorne. Thanks Steve....
Name: Bruce Downie () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 22:16:50
Email: brucerdownie@yahoo.com
City and State: Westchester, Ca.
Message: (WHS Comets'72)I follow your site religiously because, growing up in Westchester, we had a lot in common. Lately, there's been a lot of great stuff, but hopefully Dean Morris' wise statement about The Beachboys and the California myth will put some aspects of that subject to rest. Let's not "sniff the Saint's armpits". I still believe in that California myth although I know that it rates along with Santa and the Easter Bunny. For me, The Beachboys and other South Bay surf groups still evoke images of the beach, waves, girls, cars, etc. When my mind wanders to how that scene kind of went south, I just get up, have another beer and put on a different 45.
Hey Bruce, I couldn't have said it better myself. I wasn't trying to condemn Mike, just wondering how all else felt. Thanks for your comments.....
Name: Jim Dally () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 17:52:32
Email: jmd619atnetzero.com
City and State: Carson, CA
Class: 1963
Message: Ray Smith! Thanks for bringing up Northrop Aircraft. My family home was on Freeman Ave just North of 119th St. So, about two blocks south of us is where all the planes would be in their take-off mode. The Big Deal back then in the late fourties/early fifties was the flying wing. When we heard those engines rev up we would often go out to the sidewalk and watch it fly off. The later models were jet powered so, we REALLY knew when one was coming. Those things were a sight! An amazing aircraft! Back when 120th was half the width it is now and a DIRT road East of Kornblum I recall being at the fence (on the dirt section) and seeing a dozen or so prop-propelled flying wings taxiing around the field. (Boy, I wish I had some video of that). After they ran their course of appropriate flight time the governments (sic) wisdom decreed ALL 'wings' to be destroyed, saving not even one for the Smithsonian or some other credible place. And then there was the fighter jet that landed at Hawthorne Airport, couldn't stop, raised the landing gear, skidded to a halt with its nose partially over Prairie Ave. I DO have a picture of that.
Name: Larry Biller () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 17:39:44
Email: lbiller49@yahoo.com
City and State: Portland,Or
Class: 1967
Message: I agree that the "Boys" probably could have made it without Mike Love but his "signature" voice is part of a good memory.
As far as adding sounds at the monument all you gotta do is hire a DJ disguised as a security guard.
Name: Jeanne () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 17:32:28
Email: jccarrillo@aldephia.net
City and State: Carlsbad, CA
Maiden: Burk
Class: 1969
Message: Damn, I am so glad someone said what I felt for so long about Mike Love! A couple years ago, they were at one of the Indian Casinos and let me tell you he is an ass. Being a proud Hawthorne Girl, I got his attention and he was so rude to me and my friend. He would be dumpster diving without the Wilsons. Amen.
Name: Cindy Colby () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 17:21:02
Email: cindycolby@adelphia.net
City and State: Seal Beach, CA
Maiden: Maxson
Class: 1963
Message: I remember as a very young kid taking my nap, I could lay in my bed and look out the window and watch the airplanes come over our house on 122nd. after taking off from Hawthorne Airport.
My mother would take and pick up mail from their business at what is now LAX, there was like a central Post Office, that was before the airport crossed Sepulveda, and they needed the really long runway.
One other thing I remember from when I was little was that beets were growing in our back yard, they were from the farm that our housing tract obliterated.
Name: Debbie () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 14:41:07
Email: pinkelephant10atyahoo.com
City and State: Del Aire
Class: 1977
Message: On a happier note, if anyone remembers Donna, the niece of the Wilson's next door neighbors, she asked me to share that she spent many happy hours hiding up in the loft listening to the boys practice. We work together and she said if anyone remembers her, she says "hi".
Name: Raymond Smith () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 14:06:22
Email: Kawabunganorth@juno.com
City and State: Portland, OR
Class: 1981
Message: Hello to yee all. I been wondering if any of you remember Hawthorne Airport/Northrop Aircrafts during the 50/60's? I read that they used to produced aircrafts and certainly they would have to take off and fly right over HHS! (for flight testing out in the Pacific). I wonder what is was like back then?
Here's a flashback memory. I used to have a paper route and one of my customer was an old lady. She lived in Hawthorne all her life and lived in this house on 117th and Prairie Ave. She told me Hawthorne at one time used to be nothing but a Cabbage farm field. Well, not sure about that but I often wonder if Hawthorne had any other farming going on. Was there a dairy? Was there a apple field? Just curious.
Agriculture and Chickens. That's what I remember. B49 Flying Wing flew out of Hawthorne and I'm sure a few others, but before HHS days. Maybe an F89 Scorpion or two around 1954. The town was becoming too populated and Northrop moved its Aircraft testing to Edwards AFB in the early 50s.
Name: Anita () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 13:08:05
Email: anita.m.bell@erac.com
City and State: Fair Oaks, Ca
Maiden: Harmon
Class: 1969
Message: For those of you thinking about attending the California Beach Party Concert at the California State Fair on August 13, 2005.....beginning today at 10am fairgoers will be able to purchase priority seating in advance which will guarantee seating on designated rows near the GOLDEN 1 STAGE. Tickets are now available by logging on to www.tickets.com
I just purchased 6 front row seats (row A) and within minutes later Jerry Miles ended up with tickets in row D. The concert is featuring the Surfaris, The RICKY NELSON Legacy, and the Jan & Dean Show. Approximately 1,000 Golden Circle tickets will be available for this show. A maximum of six (6) tickets may be purchased by any one person or organization. Price of the ticket is $10
All California State Fair concerts are free with the price of State Fair admission, but if you want to get "up close and personal" .....it appears that these tickets may be going fast.
Hope to see lots of you Cougars there that day with your CT t-shirts on!
Thanks for the info, Anita....
Name: SYLVIA () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 13:04:35
Email: sycorona@aol.com
City and State: Downey, CA
Maiden: Corona
Class: 1986
Message: Lesly S. (Garcia) and Maria L. memories of Junior High and High School still there! as well as friendship!!!
Welcome, Sylvia and friends....
Name: Mary Ann () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 09:27:04
Email: mary-annmartin@sbcglobal.net
City and State: Nashville AR
Message: Without Brian, Mike Love would be a part time college student still trying to pass music appreciation and a gigilo. I mean, come on, the guy graduated from Dorsey. John, thanks for finally saying what a lot of people've thought for years. Supposedly, he co-wrote a couple of songs with Brian. Big deal. Mike WAS NOT our Beach Boys. His Beach Boys group performed in an Army town, Sierra Vista, Arizona a couple of years ago (where I used to live) and the local radio station couldn't give the tickets away. It was a bust and one person I know went and complained that "it was a waste of her money and all he did was screech and wiggle across the stage." She thought he was a jerk trying to be a teen again! Brian, Alan, Dennis and Carl and the days of jamming at the Wilson house - those are fond memories and you had to be a product of the 60's to understand it all. Nothing like it - never will be.
Name: RICHARD HANSON () on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at 09:24:12
Email: reh2469@aol.com
City and State: Simi Valley, Ca
Class: 1956
Message: John, join me in a big Cougartown HAPPY BIRTHDAY to OUR Best Friend (and my brother-in-law of 43 years) Mike Shay HHS61, who is 62 years young today.....
Yes I know, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKEY BOY!!!
I'll wait until the next yearbook.....
