You got soul, too much soul
Foxy clothes, the cutest nose
The greatest shape
There's nothing fake about you
Baby you got it> Brenton Wood
Name: Bill Ennis () on Friday, October 15, 2004 at 13:31:10
Email: bennis66@sbcglobal.net
City and State: Auburn, CA
Class: 1966
Message: John, Green Valley Farms was on the corner of 132nd. and Hawthorne on the SE corner... (I think) They had an upright rotisserie unit in the front window. I have NO idea of the timeframe for those memories...
Hi Bill, Just a little tongue-in-cheek there with Keith. He, and I'm sure you, are talking about Green Farms and not Green Valley Farms which was where you specified. Thanks....
Name: Dennis () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 21:02:18
Email: campbell901@cs.com
City and State: Mission Viejo, Ca.
Class: 1961
Message:Hawthorne Fair Wow Yes the biggest thing to come to town besides the Del Aire Building Fund Parade we had back in 1950 or 1951 Kenny & Donny Brand, and I think Bruce Hoover?s Dad helped get that building built on Aviation and 118th they were both with the Cub & Boy Scouts Pack (786) and served as Scout Master back then? Any of you Del Aire people remember the Parade going up 120th, down Aviation and over to the Scout house?
Do you remember hearing the guns being test fired across the street from the Scout building at Douglas Aviation?
I think it was from the Hell Cats or some such thing that Douglas was producing back then. First you would hear a whistle then you would hear a short blast from a machinegun?
The Korean War was going on and North American Aviation just down the street was building the F 86. I think this was one of the airplanes that changed the Korean war?
I?m sure that was why Hawthorne was considered ground zero back then. Do any of you remember the drill from School hiding under your school desk? Times are changing or are they?
Make sure Cougs get out and Vote next month...
Mammal
Hey Mammal, I don't remember that parade, being an Eastsider, but do remember the duck and cover drill. Also with Korea getting the bomb I sure hope North American has a few more of those Sabre Jets. We might need'em. Thanks Dennis for checking in....
Name: Miaaka DeForrest () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 20:43:52
Email: miaaka@hotmail.com
City and State: Cartago, CA
Maiden: Lester
Class: 1977
Message: Was reading back a couple pages to catch up and saw someone from my neck of the woods - Rick Trullinger from Independence CA. Didn't know anyone lived up here in the middle of nowhere, glad to know I am not the only Cougar here!! Welcome fellow Cougar - how long have you been here?
Name: Pat Underwood () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 17:55:33
Email: onefamilyhistorian@socal.rr.com
City and State: Hawthorne, Calif
Maiden: Lawndale HIgh
Class: 1963
Message: I remember the double-Ferris Wheel when it got to the top. I am deathly afraid of heights so the ride was a pants wetting experience. I was working at Northrop and in 1988 or 89 the Fair took up one of our parking lots and we had to find other parking, so I believe 88 or 89 was the last year of the Hawthorne Fair.
That sounds about right. Thanks Pat
Name: Charlie Fox () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 17:28:09
Email: jcfmosaics@cox.net
City and State: RPV, CA
Class: 1969
Message: Hawthorne Youth Camp in the 6th grade...yes, I got homesick, and it lasted for about half a day. By the time I had my sleeping bag unrolled in Sherman Lodge, everything was fine. Mike Kosha, a member of the Leuzinger wrestling team in 1961 or 62 (my math skills are out the window these days), was my counselor. Kum-ba-yah...
Hawthorne Fair...the smell of corn dogs and the scary-looking ride operators. The rides were gas-powered, so you could hear it every time they hit the throttle and sped things up. I won a duck at the fair, too, and after I got bored with it, my mom took it to Grandma's farm. The next time we went there, I asked where my duck was, and Grandma said there was a poor little girl down the road who didn't get anything for Christmas, so they gave her the duck. Yeah right...
Yeah she gave her the Duck....for CHRISTMAS DINNER!!!
The very first time I tasted pizza was at the Hawthorne Fair. I liked it, even though I had no other pizza to compare it to, I remember it was real tomato-y tasting. Well, what do you want for 25 cents a slice.
Name: Bud Rhoades () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 16:57:28
Email: bud.rhoades@fullmerinc.com
City and State: Belmontshore
Class: 1974
Message: Two memories from Hawthorne youth camp. As a kid staying there, not being able to wait to get home for a Roccos' submarine sandwich that we always had on Fridays, and as a counselor later on, getting away with the pranks and partying we all did up there, I remember a horse that got loose and, well thats another story.
Thanks Bud. How many of you 6th grade campers got hopelessly homesick?
Name: Sharon () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 16:49:11
Email: sharonlleach@cs.com
City and State: Long Beach
Maiden: Moore
Class: 1966
Message: Oh, the good old Hawthorne Fair. Lots and lots of memories there. My sister, Sheila Moore, was princess one year. I think around 1958 or 1959. Sheila went to Aviation High, as we lived in North Redondo during the late 50?s. However, my father, Chuck Moore, was Commander of the VFW in Hawthorne at the time and she ran for Queen under the auspice of the VFW. One year both my sister and I won ducks at the fair. We had them in our back yard and raised them for a year or so until my dad decided to barbeque them. Yuck! No one would eat them but him. He was raised on a farm and I guess that?s what they do when you lived on a farm. However, my sister and I mourned the loss of those two little duckies even though we never paid attention to them much when the were alive. My poor mom got that chore. Both my sister and I also won gold fish too. The VFW had the penny pitch concession and we would have to spend hours each night after the fair counting a rolling pennies. Actually, for a little kid it was a lot of fun counting all those pennies. Memories, memories, memories. Thanks John, I've kind of got a little tear in my eye.
Thanks for the Duck memory too Sharon. I had a duck once, but the backyard got so deep in duck dung that my dad said the duck flew away. I'm sure it was consumed as a chicken. Name: Jill McFarlane () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 16:25:57
Email: jillmcfar@aol.com
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Class: 1977
Message: John C., I loved 6th grade camp! I think it was the first time I was away from home, and to me it was an adventure. It was sort of cool to see your classmates and teachers away from the confines of a classroom. My oldest son will be going to 5th grade science camp in April, and boy is it expensive. I asked my mom how much it was to send me to 6th grade camp and she thought it cost about $10. One thing I remember about Camp Hawthorne, was that you always had one strange kid assigned to your cabin. Wait, I was that strange kid! I'm looking forward to reading all the camp stories, they should be fun.
Name: Debbie Miles () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 16:24:43
Email: pinkelephant10atyahoo.com
City and State: Del Aire
Class: 1977
Message: OK, Kirk. Since I was a Hawthorne Youth Camper in the early 70's, why not share some camp names. I'm sure it'll bring back some memories for counselors and campers alike. I was shocked when I went back there to be a 6th grade camp counselor, and the dining hall had shrunk so much. Amazing how things that seem so large when you're 11, seem so different when you're 17, LOL!
I remember Tommy Graves' camp name was "Tummy Tommy". God knows how that was remembered.
Name: KIRK C. GREASBY () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 15:51:34
City and State: COLORADO SPRINGS CO.
Class: 1976
Message: I USE TO WORK AT HAWTHORNE YOUTH CAMP, MUCH OF THE CAMP WAS BUILT BY THE CITY EMPLOYEES BACK IN THE EARLY 50's. IT WAS ALOT OF FUN, EVERYONE HAD CAMP NAMES AND TO THINK WE GOT PAID FOR ALL THE THINGS WE DID. SOME OF MY BEST SUMMERS WERE SPENT WORKING WITH JEFF SUTTON, MATT YOUNG, BOB KLIEN, LEROY FRY,THE CHADWICKS, AND KIDWELLS. I THINK MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS WORKED THERE TOO. I HOPE IT'S STILL THERE AND THAT JACKSON LAKE ISN'T A MUD HOLE. I HEAR THAT THE FOREST SERVICE HAS CLOSED THE FOREST IN THAT AREA DUE TO THE FIRE DANGER. IS IT TRUE?
Name: Keith D.Jones () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 15:27:41
Email: cmi50@yahoo.com
City and State: KonaHawaii
Class: 1976
Message: Well all's well in Hawaii. Getting ready for the Ironman Triathlon this Saturday. Kona is nuts. Any Cougar in it this year? I was watching TV Land which I love to watch. It shows so many of the good ol shows. What was some of your favorite TV shows from back then.
Gunsmoke, Get Smart, Hogan Heroes, Sonny & Cher, Gilligans Island
I liked Maverick, Mannix, Ozzie & Harriet, Hopalong Cassidy, Our Miss Brooks, Time for Beany (Puppet Version), The Range Rider, Cisco Kid, and Sky King, to name a few.
Name: John Crotty () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 15:16:04
Email: 21077@lapd.lacity.org
City and State: Hermosa Beach
Class: 1969
Message: I didn't go to Hawthorne Youth Camp, but I did go to 6th Grade Camp while attending Sepulveda School. I think this was a Wiseburn School District thing. Then, when I was a senior at HHS, I was a counselor at the same camp. I still can't believe they sent myself, Brad Bristow, Larry Robertson, Ron Fernandez, Rick Tenant, and I think Gary Peterson, as counselors during the same week. And our lead counselor, of all people was Bob Lee!!! Lotsa mischief, both from the kids and from us. I never completed my Chemistry assignments that week and was on the verge of receiving the first "F" in any subject in my life. I convinced my father to let me drop that class and saved my GPA!! Good thing too, because upon graduation I got into...Crenshaw Tech (otherwise known as El Camino). Like that mattered!!!!!
The counselors, when I went to HYC were Tommy Graves and Mike Hunter.
Name: Jill McFarlane () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 14:42:44
Email: jillmcfar@aol.com
City and State: Mission Viejo, CA
Class: 1977
Message: The Hawthorne Fair, wow have not thought about that for years. I've got another old event. I am not sure if this was something the older Cougs did, but did anyone ever go to Camp Hawthorne during the summer? I think it was run through the Memorial Center and/or the city of Hawthorne. I just know that Mom and Dad looked forward to sending us each year so that we would be gone for a week. They told us it was so they could discuss "Christmas presents" without being interrupted. Hmm. Hope everyone is having a good week. Sorry about the Dodgers loss, I was devasted, wish Lima could pitch every night!
Yes, I spent a week in the Summer of 1956 at Hawthorne Youth Camp. I guess it's still going strong.
Name: Dee () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 14:37:35
Email: dm_oachs@hotmail.com
City and State: Grants Pass, OR
Maiden: Hantgin
Class: 1984
Message: Remember the Fair in the 80's? Barely. But I do recall my little brother won a goldfish and he had that fish for about 2 or 3 years. Does the fair still happen? I have been away for too long...
Hi Dee, No, the fair is a distant memory. I believe the late 80s was its swan song. Does anyone know for sure? Chris Prewitt is usually up on these things.
Name: Sharon Branigan () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 11:46:05
Email: srbraingan.srb@verizon.net
City and State: Thousand Oaks, CA
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1976
Message: Loved the fair! Goldfish, horse races; won a huge Scooby Doo at the ring toss when I was about 13. Had it until last year (finally convinced Mikey to give it away!) One year Carmen Fischler conned me into a harrowing few minutes on a ride that locked you in a cage and tumbled around on a ferris wheel type structure. I don't know what we were thinking but it was NOT a pretty sight-our handbags, which we set on the seat beside us, tumbled all over that cage and everything inside ended up bouncing around the cage- coins, hairbrushes, wallets, whatever young s carry in their purses- me screaming at Carmen "I'll get you for this!" as we tumbled ass-over-teakettle; Carmen screaming back "I swear I've never been on this ride before- If I had I would remember!!!"
Ah, the good old days...
The ZIPPER!! What a barf blowing experience that was. I guess we were all there on the same night way back when, but just didn't know it. Name: Wade Greasby () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 11:41:22
Email: grizbear73@juno.com
City and State: Surf City, Ca
Maiden: Hawfair
Class: 1973
Message: The Hawthorne Fair was the best. Before the Memorial Center was constructed, the Big Top tent was the center of attraction. The fair grounds were huge, extending from Prairie east to Doty and from El Segundo north to the Northrop parking lot and train tracks. The Par-A-Chutes, Round-Up, and THE HAMMER were the best rides. The Kiwanis Club had the biggest grossing booth. Most of the city employees were gathered here. Thursday nights, parade night, had the biggest turn out of people. After the Bazooka Bubble Gum buzz from the Haw. Fire Dept Clowns, we would walk down El Segundo from the old fire station on Plaza Circle to the fair. There would be all the high school bands and the DRILL teams from these schools everywhere. They, the drill teams, would give us kids, 7,8,9, years old, their free ride tickets and we'd take them on the HAMMER to get them sick. One year,1960, my older sister, Janice, LHS '61, and I rode the HAMMER 4 straight times. I got a ride for free pass on all the rides for the rest of that fair. As I got older the place to go was the fair office. I was a runner for the Kiwanis Club's booth and gate attendants. Bring drinks and money exchanges. This was one event that, for years, brought the City of Good Neighbors, together. It seemed that nobody in the city took their vacations while the Fair was in town.
Sloey, what happened to BIG RED???
I agree, the Hawthorne Fair was a fun time for all who attended. Does anyone know the first and last years of the Hawthorne Fair? Thanks Wade...
Name: Chris Hood () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 10:15:05
City and State: Coos Bay, Oregon
Class: 1971
Message: Does anyone remember the double Fairs Wheel? While generally considered a docile ride as fair rides go, when you rotate two of them around each other as they spin individually, the feeling of going over the falls is amplified considerably and is quite the thrill. But one cannot speak of the Hawthorne fair without mentioning argueably the hottest fair game of all time, the pinball horse races. For hours at ten cents a pop, we would attempt increase the size of the prize horses (of which there were about forty sizes) with a goal of winning the coveted giant steed with the clock in it?s belly. The cool thing about that game was that you could bring your horse back from year to year (if you didn?t play with it in the mud) and keep trading up as you won. At the evening races with all the paddocks taken the excitement rose to a fury and you would have to wait forever to get a seat. After about five years and about a couple hundred bucks later, I believe John Abraham (66) won that twenty-dollar clock horse. But what the hay, its true what they say, the thrill was in the chase.
Yes indeedy, I do remember the Horse Race being very popular at the Fair. I also liked the rolling basketball. You would place some money on a spot that would say 2-1, 5-1, 8-1, etc and they would roll the ball across a table with 2-1, 5-1, 10-1, etc on it, and where it stopped is who won. Then they'd pay you 2 to 1, 5 to 1, or whatever it landed on. Got me very interested in percentages at a young age, as kids could gamble too. All for charity you know. Thanks Chris and glad you're still with us.
Name: jeff mann () on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 00:56:41
Email: vg8mann@netscape.net
City and State: valencia,ca
Class: 1975
Message: I won a fiberglass skateboard from "Soupy Sales" at the fair one year. I was on stage with about five or six other kids, and we had to blow up a balloon without using our hand until it popped. I was always "a bit larger than the other children" and I had no trouble popping the balloon with about three long breaths. I used to have my dogs pull me around the block on the board.
Ahh Yes, Soupy Sales. I loved that show. Soupy is alive and kickin' at 78.
Name: Andrea () on Monday, October 11, 2004 at 23:39:05
Email: ValleyofMyDolls@aol.com
City and State: Hawthorne
Maiden: Rossi
Class: 1982
Message: I remember the Hawthorne Fair! That place was so much fun! wait......were we supposed to go there and play games or meet guys?????? there Has to be someone out there from the 80s who used to go to the fair??????????
Name: Danny Bellare () on Monday, October 11, 2004 at 20:16:22
City and State: Trucker USA
Message: Hawthorne fair...Rick Smith and I ate at the Wooden Shoe on ISIS and hit the fair. The Octapus ride was all it took. The rest was history...Ricks mom had to bring him a new change of clothes. Could of used the dunk tank. LOL
Now that's a Hawthorne Fair moment. Name: Danny Bellare () on Monday, October 11, 2004 at 20:00:31
Email: dlbellare
City and State: San Marcos Ca
Class: 1976
Message: Hi Mr Polkin...Diane said to tell you Hi again!We made it throw the fires ok. Good to see you see you on C/town. Hi Debbie...Cant wait for Marky to get the HOG...You ready to putt?... Hi to everyone else in C?TOWN
Name: Susan King () on Monday, October 11, 2004 at 19:16:53
Email: sueking18@aol.com
City and State: Thousand Oaks, CA
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1974
Message: I remember that the pep squad served as targets in the dunk tank. Spent an awful lot of time in the water that summer. Geez, the throwing arms on those fellas........!!
Great memories of the Hawthorne Fair. I wonder if we could talk Larry Guidi into ONE MORE.....
Name: Howard "Paco" Duran () on Monday, October 11, 2004 at 17:28:01
Email: doo4usc@cox.net
City and State: LF
Class: 1961
Message: I have so many memories of the fair. Jayne Mansfield and Mickey.. The one in 1959 was the best, I was on the Hawthorne National Middle League All-Star team and rode in the parade, after I was interviewed by Bill Welsh under the Big Top with the Parade Princess Bonnie McDowell. Our league ran the dime toss concession, Bobby Bausman, Gary Persinger and I stayed overnight to make sure our prizes didn't get ripped off by the carnies..That was the summer and year of the greatest Rock and Roll songs ever!!
My personal favorite from 1959 was "Running Bear Loved Little White Dove". Now THAT was Rock & Roll..... Name: gary bickers () on Monday, October 11, 2004 at 16:29:09
Email: garybicdds@aol.com
City and State: pve cal
Class: 1963
Message: John, wasn't the Fair held on the corner of Prairie and El Segundo? I remember the fish I won cost me about $5.00 in quarters and lasted about 12 hours after I got it. That's about how long most of my relationships lasted in those days.
Yes, the Fair was held at Hawthorne Park and was the end of July/beginning of August, depending on what the city fathers had going in mid Summer. I didn't try to win a fish because I'd have to babysit it and couldn't go on any rides. The last thing I won at the Hawthorne Fair was in the mid-80s. I won a giant California Raisin.
Name: John Baker () on Monday, October 11, 2004 at 14:16:14
City and State: Lomita
Class: 1962
Message: Does anyone have special recollections of the Hawthorne Fair? I remember it was the very first time I saw a Frisbee type flying saucer. They were set up in the exhibitors tent and 2 guys were tossing it back and forth and making it curve. I thought it looked like lots of fun, but didn't want to blow the 75 cent price tag when I could use the money for rides.. That had to be about 1956.
Name: Richard () on Sunday, October 10, 2004 at 23:34:27
City and State: of Long Beach
Class: 1969
Message: Now showing on 'Showtime' channels, a two hour documovie "Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson". It gets upclose and personal about his recent release "Smile".
Might be a little late for this one.
Name: Elizabeth Aleccia () on Saturday, October 9, 2004 at 17:43:41
Email: dzlizzy31@hotmail.com
City and State: Redondo Beach,CA
Maiden: Estrada
Class: 1969
Message: Do our science teachers proud and go see, "What The 'Bleep' Do We Know?". It's quantum physics for the masses. It's funny and fascinating. Mr. Lynch taught at HHS in 1967 or '68 and I want him to give me retroactive extra credit. John..I would have liked your dad. dz
Thanks Liz, Everyone liked my Dad.
Name: Elizabeth Aleccia () on Friday, October 8, 2004 at 21:00:10
Email: dzlizzy31@hotmail.com
City and State: Redondo Beach,CA
Maiden: Estrada
Class: 1969
Message: Thanks to all the Cougars who have sent me emails, Sue, Robin, Princess Doris. But, please don't misunderstand...Cecil really is a wonderful man, just not mine. As my daddy used to say, "It's better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all." Cecil was the "E" ticket of my life and I have no regrets. Walter, Dude. I've decided not to make this my tragedy..afterall, it's really his. I love you guys. Lizzy, the big dog.
ROBIN!!?? I thought he quit checking this website. Great attitude Liz.... You must be a Cougar!! And like MY daddy used to say, "If you lose the E ticket of your life, go find the F ticket of your life". Good luck girl, and we'll see you at Homecoming.
Name: Walter Holt () on Friday, October 8, 2004 at 17:55:44
Email: wholt1948@yahoo.com
City and State: Costa mesa, Ca
Class: 1966
Message: Dizzy I sure am sorry to hear about Cecil...You deserve better girl .. I know you sure helped my spirits out after my accident & loss a few years ago and it was greatly appreciated...... Well Cougs, today was a banner surf day in Surf City. The waves weren't super big, 3-4' with an occasional 6-7', but they did pack a lot of punch. Condition were Foggy, Glassy, super tubing and Peaking both directions. Just the kind of day you could do a few off the lips, cut backs get locked in more than once occasionally and still beat the sections (well except for that 7 foot peak I dropped in on with guys paddling out close to the left & right me leaving me to tuck, pop the tail an get munched)..... Cowabunga !!!! Well I don't know about the rest of you Cougs who can make it but I'm looking forward to the Homecoming game!!! John do we buy tickets at the game?..
Yes, we buy them there. I'm hoping for a big turnout at the game. I'm sure lots will be going to the SnS afterwards. Come on out and cheer the Cougars on to victory.
Thanks Dennis for checking in....
