Name: Jodi Weishaar ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Aug 20, 2006, 9:22 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Wilbanks
Class: 1976
City & State: Hawthorne C
E-mail
Message: Sharon...you're the best! You organized a great reunion! I had a great time talking to old friends, and Nikki had fun meeting them all. Of course it's hard for her to imagine that these people would still get together like this after 30 years! She also got along great with Mikey and Lori! Which leads me to my next question which is for your sister. Sue, Nikki can't remember Lori's my space name...could you either send it to me or have her look Nikki up under her email at xaxmarinesxlovex@aol.com. Again, the reunion was great! Dave, you're still as crazy as ever! Clark Millman...I love you!!!

Name: John Baker ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Aug 19, 2006, 11:07 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1962
City & State: Lomita, CA
E-mail
Message: Just got home from the Class of 1976 Reunion at the Ayres Hotel in Hawthorne and had a fun time reminiscing with lots of mid 70s Cougs; Dave Krikac, Clark Millman, John Achrem and Gloria Valencia, Sue Bierman, Jim Villanueva, Dale Craig and Teachers Mr. Harry Plotkin, Ms. Kathy Brooks, Mr. George Key HHS Principal, Mr. John McCarthy, Principal at Cabrillo, Mr Richard Allen, and Hawthorne's most treasured Journalism Teacher, Ms. Konnie Krislock.
Sharon Bierman Branigan and the rest of the 76 committee worked tirelessly on this one and it was a total success. In fact it's still going strong as I'm writing.
Thanks go out to Sharon and her committee for inviting me and for the wonderful time provided.
Sometimes we think of our own class as the ONLY class but I've seen that all classes have a profound love for HHS, Hawthorne, and their memories growing up in the best town in the US of A.
Hope to see lots of 76ers as well as all classes in attendance at Cruise Night tomorrow at 5pm at Fosters.
Thanks again for a fun evening. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Name: Dennis Kilroy ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Aug 19, 2006, 6:11 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1977
City & State: OC CA
E-mail
Message: Dear Dan, I am very sorry for your Mother's Passing. I remember your Mom coming to the field to see our Games. When I think back our Family's support was very precious. I also spent alot of time at the Cheek family house growing up. Hanging out with Brian. Also your step Dad, Bob, was my Baseball Coach for many years. He was always good to me. Please accept my condolences. Best Regards, Dennis

Name: Patti Smith ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Aug 19, 2006, 6:03 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Smith
Class: 1968
City & State: Cypress, CA
E-mail
Message: I just learned that the FoodNetwork show, Dining on Asphalt, which airs tonight at 9 (and other times during the week), ends the crosscountry journey with a tour of area eateries guided by the Hawthorne PD. One of his stops is our own beloved Foster's Freeze on Hawthorne Blvd.!! Might be a few more touristas there after this show.

Name: Roni Kobel ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Aug 19, 2006, 2:49 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Treckman
Class: 1976
City & State: Huntington Beach, CA
E-mail
Message: Dan, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. My mom (Marti Treckman) was also in the New Sounds of Hawthorne in the early 70's; I'll pass your post on to her, as I'm sure she must have known your mom.

Name: Neil Larson ~~~~~~~~~~ Sat-Aug 19, 2006, 9:39 am - HHS Time
Class: 1971
City & State: Cretsview, Fl
E-mail
Message: Climbing towers department- ?kids don?t try this at home!?-Back in the Seventies?Wow, how many times have we heard THAT ONE? ?Well, I had taken the leap so to speak by joining the ranks of fledgling hang glider buffs and also was a regular out at Lake Elsinore Drop Zone (Skydive). I guess it was a case of insomnia because I was walking past the football field at 3am on a very quiet Sunday morning. The sky was clear as I reached the top of the bleachers. Long story short ?I watched the sun rise sky blue pink as 747?s stacked out to the horizon approached LAX in a ballet of symmetry floating through the blanket of Smog. The airplanes look closer from atop the HalCap Field lights! And no body ever looks up there either! Solitude ?as the tower swayed gently in the breeze it gave me a very unique sense of life. Geez?where we ever so innocent? Thanks Jim Dally ?63 for thought.

Name: Dan Johnson ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Aug 18, 2006, 11:35 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1977
City & State: Sherman Oaks, CA
No E-mail
Message: It is my sad duty to report that my mother, Carolyn Cheek, passed away this morning at her home in Torrance. My Mom moved us to Hawthorne in 1969. Not only was she mother to this Coug, she was step mother to Cougs Doreen and Davey Whippo and later step mother to Cougs Robin and Brian Cheek. She was grandmother to my three Cougar nieces Shannon ('92), Michelle ('96) and Kristen ('00) Bamrick. My Mom was a member of The New Sounds of Hawthorne in the early 70s and she served as team mother/wife in both Hawthorne Pop Warner and Aviation Little League. My Mom was a longtime member of Hawthorne United Methodist Church, although more recently she attended Manhattan Beach Community Church after moving to Torrance. Just last weekend, we had a party for my niece's daughter's first birthday at Holly Glen Park -- the first time I had been there since the late 1970s. It was the last time I saw my Mom alive and she was very happy surrounded by her granddaughters (all 5, including my two girls!) and her great granddaughter. My Mom was a terrific lady and very connected to Hawthorne and HHS. She will be missed but she will live on in our hearts forever. I will post service information for those interested when it becomes available.

Name: Carl Rilling ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Aug 18, 2006, 10:46 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: os-51993
Class: 1959
City & State: Oregon City, Oregon
E-mail
Message: Don't miss a day of feedback cause ya never know what name will come up. MIKE ALSOP. I knew his mother from HHS and worked with his dad at Wynn Bros auto parts in Hawthorne and Manhattan Beach. His dad had a 62 Ford 406 supertuned by Jack Pelican High Performance plus a hemi dragster. And I did email lil Mike with alot of mom/dad stories. Thanks to you John Baker and this great Cougartown site.

Name: Cheri Longanecker ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Aug 18, 2006, 8:22 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Longanecker
Class: 1965
City & State: Gig Harbor, WA
E-mail
Message: I was very lucky to have Mrs. Lafferty in the 4th grade (we had just relocated to Inglewood from 105th & Central) at Jose Sepulveda and Mrs. Cahill in the 5th grade. Both were wonderful - back in the days when we had great field trips to San Pedro to see the Matson Ship Terminal, to watch a freighter off load, to take the ferry between San Pedro & Terminal Island, to the train yard in LA and to meet Debbie Reynolds' father - those were big deals back then. I also am sorry to hear of Mrs. Lafferty's medical issues. I wish her well.

Name: Linda Reynolds ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Aug 18, 2006, 10:26 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Jones
Class: 1962
City & State: Chatsworth, CA
E-mail
Message: Hi Everyone! Just a reminder to get your check to me for the "Class of 62 Turns 62" Reunion. We have 60 paid so far! The Reunion is the weekend of September 15-16-17. We will be staying at the Marriott - Manhattan Beach click here for reservations, where there will be a no host cocktail party in the bar. The Saturday Reunion will start at 4:00 at Hawthorne High School with some tours of all the new facilities and there will be hors d?oeuvres in the huge, fabulous new cafeteria starting at 4:30 along with some 50's and 60's music in the background, and dinner will be at 6:30 with some special presentations by George Rea and John Baker. It's only four weeks away so please send me your check for $39.62! See you there!

Name: Jim Sloey ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Aug 18, 2006, 9:54 am - HHS Time
Class: 1966
City & State: Solvang, Ca
E-mail
Message: Laura?s recent post reminded me of a reunion a few years back. A few years ago, a certain party who will go unnamed, was so excited about his 20-year reunion that he rented a room at the Marriott in Torrance, site of the big event. He also purchased a new suit and some new casual clothes for the breakfast the day after. The day of the big event he was entered locally in a slow pitch softball tournament that started at 9:00 AM. He felt he could play 1 or 2 games, go home get his clothes, check into the hotel, get a nap, shower, have a drink or two go to the reunion. Well this was great until his team had one its last game to qualify for the championship at 5:30. No problem games over at 6:30, he?ll still be able to make it. His team loses in 12 innings and at 7:00 there is barely enough time to get home, shower get dressed, pack and get to the reunion. All goes well until he sits on the bed to put on his socks now slightly ahead of schedule. He has played 6 games today all in the outfield, batted a total of 28 times. He gets a cramp, a Charlie horse that is beyond words as to how badly it felt. He immediately straightens his leg to alleviate the cramp. As he does, he lays back on the bed. He waits a few seconds to be sure the cramp has gone then begins his assent to finish putting on his sock. The cramp returns as he takes the same evasive action. This time he waits for what seems like a few seconds. He falls asleep. When he awakes, the clock on his nightstand says 4:35. He missed the whole party. So a word for the wise 76ers, NO SOFTBALL Saturday!

Name: Sharon Branigan ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Aug 18, 2006, 9:33 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1976
City & State: Thousand Oaks, CA
E-mail
Message: Speaking of tolling bells (okay, that was a stretch) we are down to the wire for the Class of 76 Reunion weekend. The big event is Saturday night at the Ayres Hotel. At this time we can still take a few walk-ins for dinner. A full program ticket (6 pm-midnight, includes social, dinner, program, etc) is $105 cash at the door. Anyone planning on "crashing" the event will not have access to the dinner program portion of the event, however, you may join us after the program (approx 9 pm) in the hotel atrium. The cover charge is $30 cash, you can check in with Louie and Guido at the registration table. We're gonna have a great time, can't wait to see y'all!

Name: Jim Dally ~~~~~~~~~~ Fri-Aug 18, 2006, 12:43 am - HHS Time
Class: 1963
City & State: Carson, CA
No E-mail
Message: A "few pages" ago some graduates were remarking about climb-ing up the inside of the Hawthorne Water Tower. I never did that but, I and Richard Gahlbeck (class of 61) climbed the inside of the 'New at the time' and not yet ready for mass; the St. Joseph tower on 119th and Acacia. For years there was nothing on that corner but an empty lot then the church built the new facility. Passing by one afternoon while the building was still under construction (but mostly complete) I went in and found the tower door and a steel ladder attached to the wall. The smell of damp cement was in the air. I climbed to the top and a great view of the Blvd was the reward. Back down and leaving I visited Richard and he was intrigued and wanted to see it too. We went back and up we went, fearing someone would see us and then we'd be in big trouble. I guess no one did. That church was built about 1957 I think. There's a corner stone on the bldg with the date. Years went by before they put mesh in the huge openings to keep out the birds that would roost up there.

Name: Rich Haffke ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Aug 17, 2006, 7:46 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1975
City & State: Sparks, NV
E-mail
Message: I was recently informed of the passing of Eddie Carter (class of 75) by his sister Beth. Here is a link to the Daily Breeze:
http://www.legacy.com/DailyBreeze/Guestbook.asp?Page=GuestBook&PersonId=18734302

Name: Laura Wang ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Aug 17, 2006, 7:12 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Geele
Class: 1976
City & State: Beach, CA
E-mail
Message: It's an omen! I just purchased some goodies at Trader Joe's to take to the '76 30th reunion on Saturday and the tally was $19.76. This must mean it's gonna be a great party (but only one potato chip per person as that was the remainder of our budget).

Name: John Baker ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Aug 17, 2006, 3:38 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1962
City & State: Lomita, CA
E-mail
Message: I just received a dues check from Chloe Ella Fackenthall; thank you very much. Chloe Ella, if you're out there, please add yourself to our Alumni List so I have some place to hang your star.

Name: Rosalie Russell ~~~~~~~~~~ Thu-Aug 17, 2006, 2:07 pm - HHS Time
City & State: Laguna Hills, CA
E-mail
Message: I'm just a Cougar by marriage (the wonderful Franz Russell) and over the years I have been privileged to meet and get to know many of you. Once a month (I think it's the third Sunday) there is a breakfast served at the Hawthorne VFW. For the last few years Jan Blomsterberg and his charming "Juice Maiden" Judy have worked this event. They have put together several tables for Cougar Alumni and it's a good time to say hi and at the same time support the Hawthorne Post which exists to support our Vets who gave their time and, in some cases, their limbs, eyes, etc to protect all of us. Jan has officially retired as Col. Flapjack Flipper and he and Judy will be in attendance this Sunday. Jan is a vet (Vietnam) and we owe him big time as we do all those who have served and those who are serving today in some pretty awful places. Is the breakfast as good as you'll get at the Marie Calendar Buffet, probably not, but it's considerably more reasonable and being able to visit with your friends is great. I didn't grow up in Hawthorne, but based on what I've seen over the years, a fine group of people have, salt of the earth types, the kind of people who make our country great. Hope to see more of you there this Sunday! Rosalie Russell

Name: Marilyn Ross ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Aug 16, 2006, 11:17 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Wisham
Class: 1956
City & State: Garden Grove, Ca
E-mail
Message: Wow, Michael Alsop. There is a mind blower. Last time I saw him he was a mere toddler. His mom was a good friend of mine in high school. You never know what you will find on this site.

Name: Bob Jensen ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Aug 16, 2006, 2:56 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1971
City & State: Upper West Side
No E-mail
Message: Recently I had the honor of attending Kitty Carlisle?s 96th birthday party. As expected the old Hollywood Guard was in attendance. Anne Jeffery?s (Marion Kirby of the Topper TV series), Jane Meadows (Steve Allen?s wife), Ann Rutherford (Scarlet?s youngest sister in Gone With the Wind Andy Hardy, etc.), Mary Ann Mobley (Miss America ?60?), Jo Anne Worley, Lilly Tomlin etc?. Gee I hate name dropping!
It was like going to a reunion of old friends. Amazingly there were a lot of young people there also. In the course of the evening?s conversation Brian Wilson?s name came up. It seems that Brian?s son, Michael, has a restaurant in Culver City. Culver City (the town I was born in) has become the hot new area for celebrity hang outs. I tried it and I liked it. Wilson?s is on Washington and is pretty good. Try the Rabbit Sloppy Joes. Other places are Ford?s Filling Station (Harrison Ford), and the Kirk Douglas Theater. For anyone in the South Bay or West Side it is an easy trip for a fun evening.