Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Contact Us

If you want to send me a note, or tell me about your memories of Orange County, e-mail them to: steve@cleardigitalmedia.com

64 comments:

  1. Hi Steve,what a wonderful project your site is, I thought I was the only person to miss the landmarks of OC,especially Santa Ana. I was born and raised there in 1953. I was born at Santa Ana Community Hospital, on Washington Street. Back then, your Birth Certificate came with the baby's "footprints",sadly mine didn't survive the Taffolla family mementos,but I still remember looking at all of our 5 sets.
    We lived on 2nd/Bristol,across the street from the "Key" hamburger joint,which was next to Johnson Chapel.On 1st street,there was a place just East of Bristol that you could rent time on a trampling,it was every kids dream to jump on them.We did all our family grocery shopping at "Reds Ranch Market on Harbor Blvd,but did our day to day shopping at "Norris Superette" on St .Andrews street once we moved to Evergreen St. close to the Kerr Glass/Cherry Rivet plant near Standard/Warner Ave.What I remember most about the old days is the Helms Bakery Truck,that used to cruise the neighbor hoods in a bright yellow van/truck,what I wouldn't give for one of those Cream Puffs! The way the driver would stop the truck,get out and come around the back to swing open those two back doors,pull out the deep shelves while we waited anxiously to see all the different donuts,chocolate cupcake,and best of all,those light as air cream puffs!
    Once again,thank you for providing a place for us old cronies to reminisce of the good ole days,too bad these simple things are a thing of the past!
    Gloria Taffolla, Anaheimmom@AOL.com

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    1. Hello Gloria Taffolla,
      I think I know you and your family. I think I met you at Norris Superette. Do you remember Pete the owner and Sunny? We Ivied on Orange three house's off of St. Andrews. I only had to walk six houses to get to Edison where I went to School. Yes I also remember the Helms Bakery Truck too! I went to Lathroup Jr High that's where I think is where I met Frank if you are who I think you are (your brother). My family moved from 2005 Orange Ave to 2320 S. Evergreen St. on Dehi side next to Cherry Rivet's and close to the Sugar Factory. Yes, you are right it was the best times!

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  2. This is a wonderful project!
    Does anyone remember a restaurant that was located inside South Coast Plaza from the 80's called 20th Century Limited? It was a restaurant inside an actual railroad car. I remember this only vaguely from childhood.

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    1. I used to work there. It was a lot of fun.

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  3. I remember 20th Century Limited. I had lunch there with a friend and her mom when I was about 8 or so. The sugar bowls had multicolored sugar in them and I thought the whole train concept was so sophisticated!

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  4. This is a great website!! It brings back so many memories and reminds me of everything that made us what we are today!! Does anyone remember a miniature golf course on Glassell St. in Orange, just off of the 22 fwy, across from Hart Park? It had a Hawaiian or Polynesian theme and sat where the Yen Ching restaurant is today. Does anyone have pictures? How can I find out more about it?

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    1. The Holo Wai Miniture Golf Course (Running Water).
      576 South Glassell St
      Orange, CA
      (714) 532 2020

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  5. Wow! A quick glance around this site has brought back alot of images. I was born in Anaheim in 1966. My brother and myself lived with our Grandparents at 322 N. Harbor until 75 or so. I can still remember the phone number, JE-10823. We attended Hazard Elementary. My Grandfather, John M. Deck, had a small engine shop next door. It had a big black clock on the roof. I wouldn't be surprised if somebody here remembers it. Kona Hawaii and the Crows Nest were just down the street along with Crocker bank. In those days my brother and I would walk to the bank with my Grandmother to make the deposit. I doubt you would even dare think about that now. Once in a while we would walk down to McDonalds and take our lunch on down to Prentice Park to see the monkeys. There were a few years were I lived in Westminister as well as Garden Grove. That pic of HWY 39 Drive-In is awesome. I remember being devasted when I went back for a visit and saw the Wal-Mart. How about the slot car track at Hobby City? Or all the cool things that used to go on at Mile Square Park? Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble. I could go on and on. It was fun.

    Regards,
    James A. Deck

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  6. I WENT TO SAVHS AND GRADUATED IN 1964. THERE WERE A FEW FIGHTS, BUT THEY WERE ARRANGED. BEST I EVER SAW WAS TOMMY MARTIN AND JOE PRYNE. WE CRUISED MAIN STREET, WENT TO THE LEGION, WENT TO THE SHOW, SNUCK PEOPLE IN THE DRIVE IN BY PUTTING THEM IN THE TRUNK, AND DRANK COUNTRY CLUB STUBBIES WHENEVER WE COULD GET SOMEONE TO BUY THEM. MY BUDS WERE KARL GIERKE, LARRY "WEASLE" WILLIAMS, BOB THOMPSON, RON CLOYD, PUFFY, TIM COX AND A HOST OF OTHERS. VALLEY WAS GREAT. IF IT"S BAD NOW, IT IS ONLY BECAUSE OF DISRESPECTFUL PUNKS THAT MAKE IT THAT WAY. TOO BAD. I ALSO REMEMBER MRS. MINARD.

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  7. One morecomment about 1967. I had a brother in-law that played in the Chantays. Three older (2)sisters and (1)brother. Remember Mike Grey and Steve Grey I thinkin a great fight. Both became good friends after beating the crap out of each other. (A DRAW)My sister graduated in 66 and brother in 65. I had many secret loves and Julia R. was one and Linda W. was another. Treasure your memories. My oldest sister was in the 3rd graduating class of SAV class of 63.RIP

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  8. I was born at Santa Ana Community Hospital, on Washington Street in 1947. Back then, your Birth Certificate came with the baby's "footprints", I still have mine one of the few things that survived. But I found out that it is not a legal document because it doesn’t have the Californian Stamp on it. The new ones are very simple with no finger or foot prints & look like there easy to forge. My feet are bigger now, size 13 LOL but I’m sure my foot prints haven’t changed.

    BTW, Neat site, thanks.

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  9. I wonder if anybody remembers "The Haunted House" in Santa Ana. It was boarded up and had hub caps and crosses nailed to trees and walls. At night you'd see an old lady through the slats of the window. I don't remember the street it was on, but it was a corner house that faced a major street and a residential street. People would drive by out of curiosity. I was a teenager at the time but I never forgot how creepy that house was. Some of the neighbors on the street would shoo the kids AND adults off, because EVERYBODY would slow down, stop cars, or get out and take a peek around the house...

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  10. A search function might be in order. I wanted to look up gilmore's restaurant in Anaheim to see if there were pix of the t-rex that was part of the old mini golf course behind the old restaurant (it has since been rebuilt). I wanted to see if there were maybe behind the scenes pix of mickey rooney aound the 'set' of saint catherine military school. I forget the name of the movie though. I think it was 'Boy's Town'. Speaking about movies, what about drive-ins???

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  11. I know that I may not be near as old as most of the posters and readers here, but I must say this is probably the best site that I have ever come across. I have lived in OC my whole life and have only heard of the old days and how things used to be. This is the best time capsule I have ever seen.

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  12. Anyone remember Rosemary Shea (Shay?), a 1956 employee at Vandermast's in the second floor accounting office. That fall she enroled at Scripps College in Claremont. And then...?

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  13. I do not have a history of ever going to the farm, but I do have some history if you are interested. I do know that Walter Knott's parents are buried in Iowa and I know the town. My fathers Grandmother was Walters sister who stayed in Iowa with her parents while Walter was on the Mormon
    Trail on his way to Ca. If the family would like more information, please contact me.

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  14. I am looking for some history on the Greenbriar Inn. My mother & grandmother both worked there. Mom seems to remember that one of the owners murdered the other one, and that, some years later he was also murdered. How do I find out the real story?
    We live in Oregon now, but I grew up in Orange County in the 60s. I spent many great hours at Knott's Berry Farm, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and at Disneyland. Does anyone remember the ticket books you used to get for the rides at Disneyland? There were tons of "A" tickets for the lesser attractions, and very few "E" tickets for the best rides.
    How different it all is now.
    Steve, what a great project! Thanks for walking us all down memory lane!
    Joanne

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  15. I grew up in Huntington Beach in the 1960's.One day we were playing army on the hill that is located at Beach Blvd. and Ellis ave. it used to be old farm land and nothing but fields going down the hill on Ellis ave. digging our army foxholes we came across a large indian burial site, you can emagine the look on our parents faces when we returned with pottery and human bones!!! It was all donated to the Bowers museu in Santa Ana. Today there are condos covering that grave site,I wonder if the owners know whats under them? reguards Rick

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  16. This truly is a wonderful site. I stumbled on to it, looking for information about the The Jolly Knight, my husband and I would go there for special occasions. Any way it lead me to Orange County Memories. This site has brought back so many memories and takes me back home, if just for awhile. I live in Pennslyvania and long for my sunny home near the sea. I grew up in Santa Ana and went to George Washington Elamentary and McFadden Jr. HIgh as well as Saddleback High, Beep Beep!!! As little kids growing up on Baker Street near Menmorial Park we had a good child hood. With so many good memories, hanging out at the park was a very cool thing to do, near the handballl courts of course! Any one remember Lovers Lane? Any way we spent many hours at the skate ranch, and peaple talking about the Old West Coast theater on Main street along with the Broadway. It cost us .50 cents to get in. I remember watching the Plantet of the Apes there with my Mother and going to see Yellow Submarine and of course The night of the living Dead there, with other nieghborhhod kids. I could go on and on about our life in Orange County, to many memories to list, but I tell you what, when ever I come home for a summer visit, I bearly recognize it. It has changed so much. Thank goodness though for the Orange County Market Place, or as we called it when I was in High school the Orange County Swap meet,It stays un changing and we love to visit it, and of course our OC Fair, best fair in the united States, well at least to be anyway. It brings me home.

    Suzie CA

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    1. I helped build the Jolly Knight into an English Pub....Eddie Ansell's place....wife Lila ? I scalped new timbers & stained them dark in an effort to replicate old timber. about 1955

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  17. Hi SuzyCA!
    I grew up in OC and now live in PA as well! I long for California. I had the time of my life growing up in OC! I went to Killybrooke Elementary, Tewinkle Middle School and then graduated from Costa Mesa High in 1988.
    I find if funny that I have trouble sometimes remembering my name but I have glimpses of attending Small World Preschool in Costa Mesa, competing in parades as a member of the Costa Mesa Westernettes drill team ( I think our biggest rival was the Westminster Coronettes?) and many, many other great times.
    I am grateful to have come across this site. Thanks to all who post for the wonderful memories.

    Sincerely,
    Nicole Prevenslik Bosley

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  18. does anyone have any pics of the old shopping center in costa mesa in the 60's pantry market carnation ice cream parlor whats was the name of the dime store in the center.pixiejae@hotmail.com

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  19. I am looking for a photo of St. George & the Dragon - for an upcoming anniversary. Does anyone have one?

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  20. What a very cool site. Having lived in Southern California (Orange County, primarily) since 1941, I know and can remember a ton of restaurants and bars that I frequented. No time now to reminisce, but at a later date, I'll post some comments about a number of restaurants .... and people, too. majskyking@gmail.com

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  21. Does anyone have the Rueben's Restaurant recipe for Vinaigrette Dressing? If so, will you please post? Thanks!

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  22. Orange Newport HB chapJanuary 16, 2010 3:35 AM

    Thanks for this blog. I can read all the experiences and relive the places. I look every now and then for a site like this. This is it. May it prosper. If people could submit photos.
    I miss the open fields, groves, etc. Thanks.
    PETE PETE PETE

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  23. anybody out there remember eddie munoz? from buena park lookn for old lost comrades from winds of the old days....jaywalker62@hotmail.com

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  24. someone was looking for the recipe for Bullock's TeaRoom chicken salad. I ran across this one and it sounds as close as we're going to get.
    1 qt. baked chicken, cut in bite sezed pieces
    1 sm can water chestnuts, drained and sliced
    2 C. chopped celery
    1 1/2 lb. red grapes cut in half
    1/2C. toasted slivered almonds

    Sauce: 1 1/2 C. mayonnaise
    2T. soy sauce (?) may not have been in original recipe
    1 level tsp curry powder
    Mix well, pour over salad, mix and refrigerate

    Hope this is close. As for the popovers, I have made just a simple recipe and they taste just like the large ones from the TeaRoom.
    Enjoy! Dorothy

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    1. Ah ! Thank you ! Thank you, Dorothy !!!
      My aunt used to take me there for a
      wonderful lunch !

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  25. I stumbled across this site while trying to find something on the Charioteers Car Club of Tustin in the early to mid 1960's. My older brother belonged to it and lived for that club.
    This is an amazing walk down memory lane - certainly tickles the memory bank.
    Lowell, Lathrop & Santa Ana High - I remember seeing West Side Story at the Broadway theater & watching Keith, Earl, Denny & other Jr. High guys reinacting the Jet's & Shark's scene in the alley next to the theater - Couldn't get much cooler than that - at least we girls thought so.
    Summer Days spent hanging out at 17th St. in Newport. Taking the ferry from the peninsula to Balboa Island - Eating Frozen Bananas,sno-cones and ordering custom made bikinis.

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  26. Wow! This is great! We moved to Santa Ana in 1968 Lived off of Chestnut street near 1st St and Jackson. Remember the Barracade fence on Jackson so No cars could drive through from 1st street to Mcfadden. How about the Dichondra farm behind Harbor Drive in? They would shoot you with Salt rifles if they caught you cutting through. How about Orie Tuckers Horse rides corner of 17th and Fairview. Remember in 69 or 70 when the Riverbed almost overflowed? We used to play on the train track bridge in the riverbed btwn 5th and 17th street. Red Ranch. Consumer city, How about a store named CAL that used to be on Westminster and Brookhurst? We lived right next to the ABC store which closed in 1970. My dad would buy me matchbox cars there.The gas station stayed open a couple more years. I remember gas being 29 cents a gallon in 72. How about Crown Department store on Warner and Harbor? Or the tr"A"tel trailor park on the corner of GG Blvd and Harbor.. I remember being at Zodys grand opening in 68 Lilac and Harbor. How about Woolco? I remember when Santa Anita park was built. I was at Mile Square Park on opening day.. Years later moved to Euclid and Edinger. Remember in the Alpha Beta parking lot there was a sign for years say Pioneer Chicken coming soon. Does anyone remember the sky slide and trampoline pits on 17th street? Also miniature golf? I could keep going on and on Thanks for letting me remember the fond memories..Oh yeah how about the House of Suzuki on Harbor? Or the Go carts on Harbor?

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  27. Anyone remember the Boathouse on main st. Santa ana, with all the junk inside and 25 cent beer nights. Sawdust on the floors. I remember going to Buffums downtown shopping with my mom, dressing up. And the Christmas manger scene at the Bullocks on main in the fountain outside.

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  28. Ahhhh, the Boathouse, 515 s. Main (someone used a marker to add a "0", making it "5150"). Cops, Marines, office gatherings, rats running across the rafters, Jerry the bouncer/bartender, cheap beer, those new things called video games :), wildest St. Patrick's party in town!!!

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  29. Just want to Thank You so much for this website. So many memories. During the recent lapse in new posts I was worried the Blog had gone to Blog Heaven. So glad that is not the case. Mark from Cowan Heights here.

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  30. Hey Steve,
    Just found your site cruising the net. I grew-up with the Fisher family. Great people, great history. Anaheim would not be the same without the Fisher family.

    Dan Rea

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  31. Just wanted to say to James A. Beck; Yes I do remember the slot car track at Hobby City. Spent many a young evening there. No beer required for fun, only lots of quarters. Great memories.

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  32. Audrey Boteilho RodriquezOctober 04, 2010 3:03 PM

    Back in 1955, my family moved from Kula, Maui to Linwood Street,Santa Ana, a 12 house cul-de-sac off Fourth Street to begin a properous life,when there was hope for the future. Dad landed a job with Kerr Glass Company on Standard Street, who took us for a tour of how how Ball Mason Canning Jars were made. On Wednesday evening's, we looked forward to the Helm's Bakery truck to pull up in front of the house,toot his whistle. Before we could get to the sidewalk, the driver pulled out his donut and sweet roll drawers that were lined also other pastries. By 5pm in the autumn or winter,the driver faithfully showed up,holding an umbrella in the rain too. Between the bread man and the Fuller Brush who generally showed up monthly, offering his FREE lint brush with the hopes you'd purchase his products. Those were the days my friends, and we really did feel they would never end. My parents being of the Big Band era, made a monthly purchase of 45 records at Gracy Records on Broadway St.,where you could go into a booth to listen to the sample on the record player. And on the way home it was a real treat to have a piece of pie at the 302 Cafe on Main Street and watch the patrol cars leave the police station, like on the Dragnet Show. On a typical day after school, my sister's and I would sit on the floor to watch Black and White TV on the floor, no one grumbling at each other and see our favorite member of the Mickey Mouse Club Show.
    So where the Mousecateer's today? Annette is very ill with MS,but Disney is still a big deal. What use to cost a whopping $14.00 for a tickets to the Magical land, a package is outlandishly over $100.00 p.p today. It's better to take a hike today at Newport's Back Bay where nature is still FREE to embrace.

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  33. Anyone know the name of the cute craft boutique/candy store in the Vons shopping center at Magnolia and Atlanta in Huntington Beach during the 1990's? It was in the corner, closest to Vons.. They sold homemade crafty knick knacks and had all kinds of candy in glass jars.. Two women friends owned it together and it was such a cute shop.. I cant remember the name.. Ughh... I just drove by there and the store is no longer there :-(

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  34. This will be the longest long shot ever! I remember a restaurant 'somewhere' in OC, big claim to fame was their desserts. They were in a big glass cylinder that turned so you could see all of them. My husband dragged me there and then a few years later, back again and now he cannot remember it at all! It was what I would call an "old fashioned" type place and very possibly could have been inland, half an hour from Huntington Beach, maybe even over the line into LA county...Bellflower? They had meat loaf and lots of what I would call mid-western type food but the dessert was the thing. Any ideas would be welcome, maybe it will jog my memory.

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    1. Sounds like Belisle's restaurant on the corner of Harbor Blvd. and Chapman Ave. Not there anymore.....redeveloped into a tourist attraction with new restaurants about 10 years ago...

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  35. I graduated in 1961- I always thought there would be a class reunion- never happened- I am now in Lebanon,Oregon- anybody remember Broadway Blvd? Well, I lived right across from the Broadway Baptist Church- Lathrop Junior High was close by-My folks ran South Main Beverage-It sounds like things have really changed down there- I wish I could get aquainted again with some of my classmates-Anybody remember Mr. Anderson from Choir? well, that is it for me

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  36. The restaurant you're referring to is Belisles. They were on the corner of Harbor and Chapman. It was a family tradition to go there after visiting Disneyland.

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  37. I remember a Scandinavian smorgasbord type restaurant near the corner of Whittier Blvd & Beach Blvd in La Habra, that I believe is no longer there. I haven't lived in So-Calif for many years. This place would have been there in the 70's and early-to-mid 80's. IF ANYONE REMEMBERS THE NAME OF THE RESTAURANT & ANY OTHER DETAILS ABOUT IT, I'd love to hear your remembrances ! I recall the LIMPA (Swedish Rye Bread) that was not only at the buffet, but also was made available as whole loaves for pick-up. When I was a teenager, my parents would call in their order for this Swedish bread, and then have me drive over there and pay for the loaf (or loaves) & pick them up to take home. I have a bad memory for the restaurant name, but it might have had the word "Scandia" in it. There had been a Shakey's Pizza place across the street, on the other side of Beach Blvd, at the time I remember this Scandinavian Place. You can e-mail your memories of this place (including verifying the name, if you recall it), to Monterey Jackson at joyacademy8@yahoo.com and put the name "Monterey Jackson" in the subject line.

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  38. I remember 2 other OC faves (for restaurants.) I noticed someone mentioned the Burger Q on the comments. I would like to know, was it a chain or a one-of-a-kind restaurant ? I remember the Burger Q that was across from La Habra High School. I used to love the BBQ sauce on the sandwiches, the fruit punch that tasted natural rather than fake, and that there was both drive-thru & in-store service. I remember a juke box in the store. I would like to know also - what were the nearest cross-streets to this Burger Q on Whittier Blvd, across from La Habra H.S. ? AND, when did this Burger Q leave that locale, and what restaurant or business replaced it ? The second OC restaurant I'm inquiring about was The Elegant Elephant near the campus of California State University in Fullerton - somehow I most remember the desserts in general, but no specific memories. Something was special about the desserts, but I don't recall. Can anyone out there share any memories of The Elegant Elephant ? And when did they leave, and what replaced it ? I know it was there in the 1970's and maybe 1980's. Folks out there, feel free to share memories and trivia about these restaurants by e-mailing Monterey Jackson at joyacademy8@yahoo.com ; please put "Monterey Jackson" in the subject line.

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  39. One more OC restaurant I recall, I'm trying to find out more info on - if any folks out there recall. There was a spacious restaurant that was open all night in the 1970's and it may have been there into the 1980's, and it was on Beach Blvd. in La Habra, near the southwest corner of the Fashion Square Mall (which is now called something else, but I don't remember), not far from where Imperial Blvd. intersects Beach Blvd. The mall then had a Buffum's and a Bullock's, for major department stores. I am interested in this restaurant, because I spent many all-nighters there with friends - it was a fancy coffee-shop (nicer than a Denny's or Big Boy), but it didn't seem to be a chain restaurant like Coco's. DOES ANYONE RECALL THE NAME OF THIS RESTAURANT, AND OTHER DETAILS ? Please feel free to share them with "Monterey Jackson" at joyacademy8@yahoo.com ; please put the name "Monterey Jackson" in the subject line.

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  40. Remember the La Habra Corn Festival ? I have seen that they are still going strong, by their website on the internet. I remember going there in the 1970's. Because I was so young then, the memory "haunts" me (in a nice way) the way a lot of memories from youth "haunt" me. The memory is there, including some vivid details, but then other details are totally forgotten ! This festival may be the first place I ever tasted cotton candy, as a child. But it is the grilled corn which is the fondest memory of all. I was about 6 years old the first time I went to the festival. The Corn Festival was one of my fond memories of childhood, as were the mega-displays of Christmas lights (etc.) in La Habra in December. I believe there were Home Xmas Display CONTESTS then, which seemed to bring out the most elaborate & artistic displays in La Habra neighborhoods.

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  41. What was the name of the restaurant in Tustin, back in the 1980s, where they would put on a lingerie lunch show one day per month (like the last Friday of each month)? Models would stroll through the restaurant wearing the lingerie. If you purchased the lingerie the model was wearing, you were allowed to go back with her to the dressing area where she would remove the garment in front of you and she would then box it up for you.
    Oh, work lunches meetings were so different back then.

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  42. Ok my name is Dalia, I went to Saddleback High and grew up off Edinger. Does anyone remember "IN & OUT" burgers. oh yumm I did work at Kerr for most 79-92 when it was shut down. Matter of fact I even got a facebook page just for those of us who remember Kerr and would love to link this site to the FB site. I live in NY now with my husband and I have so many fond memories of Santa Ana. Madison Elem., Lathrop Jr.High, & Saddleback. Hope to get some feedback or comments

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    1. henry_campos@aol.comDecember 13, 2013 12:58 AM

      Hello Dalia, I think I know you. Do you have a twin sister? If you are who I think you are, both you and your sister wore glasses back in Lathrop and part of Saddleback, but did you and sister move away and not finish at Saddleback? Please let me know if you are who I think you are! And yes I do remember "IN & OUT" burgers. I used remember Kerr as the Glass Factory. 12 years is long time I worked for 10 years at the South Coast Plaza Hotel 75-85. I now live with my wife in Phoenix, AZ.

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  43. By the way Does anyone have any photos of old Kerr Factory in santa ana? still looking

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  44. TO AUDREY RODRIGUES, I KNOW SEV. PPL THAT WORKED AT KERR AS MYSELF. WONDER IF WE ALL KNOW EACH OTHER OR YOUR FATHER.

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  45. Remember The Skate Ranch in Santa Ana, I can remember falling and almost killing myself a few times but kept getting up and loving every minute of it. Watching The Lionettes play at Hart Park. The Spring Fling at Disneyland, Seeing The Animals at Melodyland Theatre across from disneyland before it became a church. Driving down a one lane road leading from Newport Avenue to OC Airport. Watching Robert Shuller give his sermons at the Orange Drive In

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  46. I remember Knotts before the fence went up. The only attractions were the carousel and the one street of ghost town. We went to the toy store there to get my tinker toys and ride on the carousel. A few years later i would go to people watch at the candy kitchen or ride mules throughout the park for like 50 cents. Later in high school, before they required you to buy tickets, we would get in on the weekend for $1.5o and spend the evening scoping out boys and getting them to pay our way on rides. The John Wayne theater would frequently have bands, I remember going to see the Beach Boys for free a lot.

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  47. Hello Steve - Just a quick note to thank you for this project. I stumbled upon it looking for some history on the Retail Clerks Hall in Buena Park and found a great blog on Crescent Jr. high where I attended. I used to play At Crescent at assemblies and at Retail Clerks Hall in a front band for many well-known OC bands like Dick Dale and the Deltones and Eddie and the Showmen. "Be There or Be Square" was their monniker We started palying there in a Battle of the Bands during the Surf Music Era. That was probably the best time of my life and through your web site I am reconnecting with some names. places, and people which are very meaningful to me as I am getting close to retirement and want to finally do some catching up. Again a big THANK YOU for your digital memory lane, it means a lot to me and apparently a lot of others who have chimed in over time! Rene F. Macare - rene.macare@cox.net

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  48. I was born 1947 in L.A., moved to Santa Ana in 1954 after a tour of several East Coast Marine bases. I caught this site doing a Google Search for Joe Pryne, who was a friend of mine as SAVH, where I graduated in '65. I think I know Fred of the comment above, as I was good friends of Tim Cox's brother Jim, and somewhat knew a number of Tim's friends. I used to play in the lima bean fields which later became South Coast Plaza, and hunted jackrabbits in the hills where UCI now stands.

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  49. Do you happen to know the year that Wimpi's Drive Thru in Huntington Beach opened? and also is there a site or anywhere that I can purchase a t-shirt from Wimpi's???? Thanks!!!

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  50. Does anyone have pictures of the "Pier" in Costa Mesa, Ca. .. "The Cave" in Huntington Beach. "The Skate Ranch" in Santa Ana..oops ! "Retail Clerks" in Buena Park. "The In Crowd" in Huntington Beach." I would love to see them or hear stories.

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  51. Wow !!!! Just found this awesome blog...Great stuff dude ! In your archives by subject i am
    surprised not to see a surfing and beach section ?
    I grew up in H.B. Golden West St.and Bolsa... We
    use to play in the field that is now Westiminster
    mall... Good stuff Steve...Good ole' Days....
    A BIG THANK YOU....WARREN WISHING HE WAS BACK IN
    H.B. NOW CERES CA

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  52. pacostas54 and anonymous brought back some serious wild times by chatting about the Boathouse. You name the junk, it was affixed to the walls!! Every Marine in El Toro went thru there at one point or another, and it made the wildest St Patricks parties!! I would always meet people under the plexiglas nosecone hanging from the ceiling, and on queit nights, you could catch a rat making a raid on the popcorn popper for a kernel or two. Zeb,the prpritor, used to be a Marine, and had plenty of them in there to make him feel at home. At the time, it was a jarhead supermarket for me and my girlfriend J!

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  53. I am researching Walter Hill, son of the famous railroad magnate/robber baron James J. Hill from Minnesota, who owned a ranch and hotel in Midway City, California in 1930's. That's about all I know. Would you have any suggestion on where I might find out more information? Thank you...

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    1. As a former St Paul ite, know well of J.J. Hill. Visited his Summit Ave. mansion. My school mate is or has written a book about Sr. Hill so likely knows of Walter. Author/researcher is Ken Pierre....Google him in either St Paul or Minneapolis.

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  54. I grew up in Seal Beach and Westminster in the 50's and 60's. We liked to eat out, and no matter how many times I'd been to a place, it always seemed like an adventure. One of my fave restaurants as a kid in the early 60's was Slip's steak house on Westminster Blvd., near the intersection with Brookhurst. Still a lot of strawberry fields around there then. The Carl's (pre-carl's jr.)just down the street had great burgers and French Dips. We would go to Knott's Berry Farm, when you just parked in the dirt lot and walked right in. We'd eat at the fried chicken restaurant in Ghost Town, when Ghost Town was about the only attraction there. A couple of places I loved, though not real sit-down restaurants, were the Orange Julius in Garden Grove (I think it was next to the old Post Office), and, in Huntington Beach, the A@W Root Beer stand on Beach Blvd., if I remember correctly. The mugs were frosted and there was a thin layer of ice on top. The burgers were the best! I could go on and on. I'm glad I was fortunate enough to have grown up there in that era.

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  55. I graduated from Valley in 1968, but memories of Santa Ana were great I will list a few. Shopped for clothes at Jackman's and Carat's, went to the Broadway and West Coast theaters, wore skunk tennis shoes,levis and Bleading Indian Madres shirts, and all of the girls would pull off the loop on the back, Harbor drive in and the Warner drive in in Huntington Beach, worked at Lukins Dairy, worked at Thom Mcann shoes store when the Southcoast Plaza opened, going to the Valhalla night club, went to Smedley Jr High, remember the griffens and 5 beta nema, club,

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