I just started reading your book and I’m loving it. Not only because it gives me an insight to the history of where I come from but the stories that you share allow me a glimpse into my family members lives when they were growing up. They make the stories that I have been told more true and my heart is filled.
My grandmother (Rosie Hidalgo Salas) read it in 3 days and she’s 81! We are now passing the book around to each other!
It made me sad to see my great-uncle/godfather Lino Hidalgo on the cover with you because there are very few pictures that I have and fewer memories as he passed when I was very young. But to know that he lived and to know that side of him gives me something I have never had before.
So, thank you.
I hope your granddaughter keeps asking you more questions. J
Have a great day.
Theresa Sala
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Hello!
I wanted to say thank you one for writing the book, putting my dad in it and giving me an insight into what it was like growing up on the Westside. I never knew (only through my own experiences which were limited in itself) how much hardship was felt. I miss my dad so much but reading the book was opening my heart and eyes to another part of him. He never talked about his youth not sure why. I love the picture of all of you in front of or rather on the side of Mitlas. That was a time when he was still feeling good the picture saddens me but makes me happy to because i know my dad was happy. Going to breakfast with the guys was one thing that my dad looked forward to every month (up until a month and a half ago). I guess he started feeling really bad (moreso than he would tell us) but his actions spoke louder. I remember him talking to my mom about your book and he til the day he dies referred to you as "MadDog." :) I took the book to hermosa and read some paragraphs. I am sure he was looking down smiling.
Maybe we can all get together for dinner and sit and talk. I would love to hear more about my dad and yours and his friendship.
You'll have to let us know when you are in town. I have such great memories of me, my mom, dad, and various family members camping in rosarito. Those for me as a child were the best times.
Again Thank you,
You were a good friend to my dad
Sincerely,
Melissa
(hija de tu compadre)
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Good afternoon,
I was at my grandmother’s house the other day and she brought out your book to show me. She went over the cover of the book and explained who was who to me. She then loaned it to me to take home. I am the grandson of Rosie Hidalgo Salas and Ernie Salas. I am also the grandson of Bob “Sonny” Gonzales and Rebecca Madrid - sister of Roy, Ruben, Frank, Rudy, Louie, Robert, and Joe. Seeing my great Tio Lino’s picture on the cover and reading my family members’ names in the stories is fascinating, as I am always looking to know more of my family’s history. I am truly appreciative to have been given this book to read, and I am sharing it with all of my cousins. I have always been proud to say that I am from the Westside of San Bernardino. I will never let its reputation overshadow the true character or our community or its history. Thank you for giving me a detailed glimpse of my family’s past. The look on my Grandma Rosie’s face as she read it was priceless. It made her feel like she was there all over again. She will be 81 years young on Dec. 2nd and she still acts like she is 50. What a wonderful gift! Take care and have a good day.
Ruben Gonzales Jr.
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I received my copy last night and I had to say. I LOVE IT!!! Very engrossing. So many familiar names and places. I recognized many events you detailed such as the Little League Team that went to the Pennsylvania series. I have a 8x10 copy of the team photo, my grandfather was on that team. He later played football with Rudy Aguilar, Sal Prado and Leo Gomez at San Bernardino High. He graduated with all those guys and Leonard Minjares and a Johnny Delgado. Well enough for now, back to my reading...
Ty Jenkins, Gatecity Publishing
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