Monday, January 4, 1999 at 15:55:04
Name: Penny Prouty
E-Mail: PENNY.PROUTY@TRW.COM
Maiden: Penny Prouty
Class: '62
Message: Happy New Year! and Hi, again, to everybody!
John--sorry it's seemed like I've been away for quite a while (not writing in too often)....but I've been here--checking in & trying to keep up with all the latest news & notes from everyone--whenever I get the chance--or a break, here at work. It's great how more and more of us are coming together and unbelievably, the info about this website is spreading only by word-of-mouth!
GARY NELSON!!!!!!........I think I've finally found you! You're going to hear from me...so "brace" yourself! (Guess I've had the wrong web address for you all this time....) It's good to hear words from you on this website....you must have some good stories to pass on from those good ol' days?????!!!! Hope everything's going really well for you and your family....talk to you soon.
Penny

Monday, January 4, 1999 at 14:08:04
Name: Jim Schroeder
E-Mail: chezwizz@yahoo.com
Class: 66
Message: Waited till the very last of 1998 to post a message in hopes that something swell and/or bitchen might take place in my existance. Still waiting. Had one 6th grade student ask me how old I was. "Gee, you don't look 50," he replied. "You look about 80," he continued. Kid's say the darnest things! Needless to say this child will not get good grades from mean old Mr. Schroeder. Sloey; Young is fine(?) as a newly-wed, but is having a hard time staying warm. He's had to add about 50 lbs to his (used to be) swelt figure. It goes with the territory.
Dickey Dixon; your old neighbor Mike Conway bit the dust a year ago. (cancer) With that in mind, LIFE IS GOOD!
Let's party like it's 1999

Monday, January 4, 1999 at 13:57:21
Name: John Baker
E-Mail: jb1@cougartown.com
Class: 1962
Message: Just a note to say that on Wednesday morning I will be up north for about a week. If I don't answer your email promptly, you'll know why. Also, I will shut down the Feedback page on Wednesday morning, so please leave Feedback by tomorrow night at midnight. Thank you all for making this site what it is and I will read you when I get back.

Monday, January 4, 1999 at 13:33:02
Name: Alan Nelson
E-Mail: anelson@redrivernet.com
Class: 73
Message: To All:
Best Wishes in 1999 and beyond!
John, Couldn't help eavesdropping on your reply to Patty. If you're looking for class reps, I'll be happy to volunteer for 1973. There's a few of us listed in the alumni section, but not many are leaving feedback. Let me know what I can do to assist in your goal of ALL Cougars on our site.
Alan
Note: Thanks Alan. I will pencil you in.

Monday, January 4, 1999 at 13:10:57
Name: Keith D. Jones
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Class: 76
Message: Jodi, Jodi, Jodi (as Cary Grant would say) How are you? I'm sorry I haven't been back in your part of town for awhile. Been very busy. But I swear i will call you and we will get together. I hope my chest flexing didn't induce any permanent damage to your daughter. I can't wait for our 25th reunion. Hey Dale where are you? How about that cruise? I'm ready for a good "love boat" vacation. Planes are boring I think by sea will be allot more fun and exciting. I guarantee that the employees on that ship will never forget this cruise. I won't let them. happy new Year all!

Monday, January 4, 1999 at 11:18:16
Name: Jodi Weishaar
E-Mail: jwb2bomber@aol.com
Maiden: Wilbanks
Class: 76
Message: Just wanted to check in and wish everyone a Happy 1999. Keith, Keith, Keith....how have your survived all of these years!!! I love ya! By the way, my daughter still blushes when she remembers how you flexed your chest at her the day after the reunion at Jim Olson's house.

Sunday, January 3, 1999 at 22:19:39
Name: Patty
E-Mail: Pvalencia2@aol.com
Maiden: Valencia
Class: 1974
Message: John,
Well, well well. Think you can get by all of us with that non-response response to sue's questions about your true identity? No way, jose. Who are you and why did you create this wonderful place? How did you know how to do it? What, who, where, when, why, how? The political diplomacy doesn't work with us Valencias, bucko. Spit it out. NOW!!! :0D
Note: Patty, OK,OK.......I'll Talk, I'll Talk!!!

I'm John Baker and I graduated from HHS in 1962. I married my High School sweetheart, Joyce Savisky HHS 62, in 1963. We divorced in 1970 but we remain the best of friends to this day (had dinner with her and her husband Cliff last night). We had two children. Kelly, the oldest, is married with 1 son and living in La Quinta, CA. Johnny, the youngest, was diagnosed with bi-lateral Wilms Tumor (Cancer of the kidneys) and passed on in 1972. My background is electronics, but I've always wanted to do something in the art field. To shorten up this life story, now I do technical (CAD) drawings for an electronics company in Santa Ana. I work at home and am on the computer all day. I send drawings via the Net and consequently am checking my email all day long. A perfect job for a webmeister.
One day, around 2 years ago, I was messing with an idea for a website. Everyone had already done the "Family Website" thing. I wanted something a little different. I loved the "High School" part of my life and thought I could maybe do a site about where I came from in "Early 60's Hawthorne", hence the name. I think I started with the index page, hangouts page, car talk page, and memories page. I remember the very first person to "FIND" the site was Bob Rierdan HHS 61. We got to talking about the old days and different people who we knew in common. At that moment I knew what I wanted to do with the site. I wanted to find every person who'd ever gone to HHS. I knew if I could find a few people, it would get the ball rolling. I would search four11.com for Hawthorne High graduates and email them, asking them to check out the site. They did, and they told their friends. This site is "word of mouth" I tell you. The site is now dragging me along with it and I love it. I don't really know where we're going to end up, but we are finding lots of Alumni and have lots of things planned this year. No, there isn't a staff of people doing this site. It's ME. That is going to change this year. We're going to need class representatives from each class. I have a few that have volunteered already. Anyway, I will let you know more about that real soon.
I don't know what else to say. It was just an idea that..... well, worked. I've met so many great people from different classes. I feel I've known many of you for years. I've rekindled old friendships with my own classmates too. I don't know what the Magic is, but it's here, and it's becoming more Magical as time goes on.
Thank you all for your "Attaboys". That's what keeps me going, and stay tuned as we add a few new twists to Cougartown this year.

Sunday, January 3, 1999 at 00:47:35
Name: Sharon Branigan
E-Mail: srbranigan@aol.com
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 76
Message: Keith, it's good to know that you're still among us. Such kind words, I couldn't not respond. I like to think that Glo and I have grown up a little since those days, we were SO wacky... joined at the hip almost. Come to think of it, maybe it would be best if we DIDN'T grow up...what's the line, "wish I didn't know now, what I didn't know then..." We've all missed hearing of your adventures; I swear you should write a book! (Hmmm, "Keiths Playground Adventures? Confessions from First Base? The Life and Times of Keith D. Jones? Sounds like a James Thurber novel!) Please oh please, tell me another story!

Saturday, January 2, 1999 at 23:17:30
Name: Linda Dietrich
E-Mail: Leonard-Linda@juno.com
Maiden: Dawson
Class: 69
Message: I've been a little shy about writing here but today I thought I'd give it a try. Thanks so much John for all that you do. For so many of us that have moved away, these memories have just faded with time. You have brought back memories I never would have thought about in a million years. It's so strange to go back in time. I wish I had a time machine but this is the next best thing. My high school days were fun even if I wasn't very popular. I want to put in a pitch for the class of 1969. Hey, where are you guys? We had some great people in our class and so far only a couple of you have signed in. Lets hear from you. Don't be chicken, if I can write this so can you. Does anyone know about a 30 yr. reunion coming some time in the future? Please keep us updated as some of us live out of state and need time to plan our trips. I live in Kansas City, Mo. It would be nice to know how many of you still live in So. CAL. How many live other places and where? Hope to hear from more of the class of 69.--Linda
Note: Yeah, Come on class of 69. We all know you're out there. Get your feet wet here. If Linda can do it, you can too. BTW Linda, I will keep you posted on your reunion. I swear, if the class of 69 has a reunion, you'll know about it. Ginny May Bell was in the class of 69 wasn't she??

Saturday, January 2, 1999 at 16:13:50
Name: Bill Heronemus
E-Mail: n3evg@aol.com
Message: Nicely done web page. Our Class of 67 should have one this nice. Best of the New Year from Lewes, Delaware.

Saturday, January 2, 1999 at 14:18:53
Name: Keith D. Jones
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Class: 76
Message: I hope there is a reward. Cause if there is I turn myself in. Gloria that is awesome. I emailed you to explain why I haven't signed on lately. In short, I've been very busy. I reminisce (i know its spelled wrong) so much when I'm on this page. And I have to confess. One thing I think about everytime I see Gloria's name or Sharon's name is watching them practice cheerleading in those short outfits. There were a few pretty girls that stood out not only for their looks but for their personality and Gloria and Sharon stuck out the most. They both were so much fun. I wasn't into girls as much as sports when I was at HHS (which I made up for after HHS) but I did know what was nice. Anyway, I'm here and alive and well. I finally talked to my adopted dad Jim Sloey the other day. That was very nice. I still wish that Kathy Lynch would sign on here. My oldest daughter reminds me so much of Kathy. I tell her that all the time and she always asks who she is. She is so athletic and good looking. She is a great soccer player and skier just like Kathy was. She is so pretty and tall. Her mother is also pretty and tall but I think she got her looks from me. Well I truly hope everyone has a great New year. My first 40 years were for fun and excitement (which I achieved far beyond my expectations) and now the next 70 years (yes i will live to be 110 years old, and will die being hit by a home run ball hit by Mark McGwire's great great great grandson) will be for saving all the money I make instead of spending it all for fun. So, Happy New Year Cougars and keep it up (if you can).

Friday, January 1, 1999 at 17:44:29
Name: Ted Walker
E-Mail: tedwalker@prodigy.net
Class: 1963
Message: Holycow! I can't believe my eyes. What a "bitchin" idea for a web site. A flood of memories just inundated me. DON'T let Mrs. Marks edit this message, please. I should say hello to just a few close friends first; Hi Tippie,Rooster, Lent, Blain, Cass, Clark, Richmond,Stilwell, P. SMITH, G. Smith, Bechdolt, Watson, Lombardi, Franzen THE beautiful foreign exchange student from Costa Rica. Buenos Dias. I left Hawthorne about a year after I returned from the Vietnam fiasco to take up residency in Seattle where all my relatives were. I'm still here, but reflect more than just occasionally on one of the greatest periods of my journey. I'll reminisce later. Maybe some past acquaintances can be resuscitated. Talk at yas later. TED

Friday, January 1, 1999 at 14:31:38
Name: Susan King
E-Mail: sueking18@aol.com
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1974
Message: HAPPY NEW YEAR! To all Cougars - I wish you the best in 1999! This site has given me a renewed fervor for reconnecting with the people and memories of my youth and I have resolved to do just that this year. You are a warm and very special part of my life, indeed my very makeup, and I hope to share the next portion of my life as well.....I find that there were words unspoken, deeds undone, and even a few regrets. We each have the opportunity, through this medium, to "do-over" (and perhaps better.) Dear John: one of my first missions is to insist that us "later" Cougars get to know more about our earlier brethren, and I hope to begin with you. Your own classmates know so much about YOU and the rest of us are sooooo curious. Tell us about you. And spare nothing!! What a special and mysterious guy you are! I truly feel a kinship with the entire Cougar community - it's very odd. Is it my age or my own quirkiness or maybe is it the magic of this place you have so aptly named Cougartown? Thank you all for the happiness I feel each time I check in. A happy and healthy new year to you all -
Love, Sue
Note: Sue, Yes, you too have figured out the "Magic" of this site.
As for asking me to unveil my true identity, would be like asking Clark Kent to take off that white collared work shirt. :o) No, there's nothing special here. Just a real love of where I came from.

Friday, January 1, 1999 at 13:05:21
Name: John Baker
E-Mail: jb1@cougartown.com
Class: 1962
Message: I received a nice email from Gloria Valencia Herlosky this morning and she's a little worried about Keith. She suggested this. I hope it helps. :o)

Friday, January 1, 1999 at 12:19:25
Name: Susan Long
E-Mail: k9karma@webtv.net
Maiden: Watts
Class: 73
Message: Happy 1999 to all, can't believe it's here already. Still looking for Lisa Carey, last known living in Idaho...anyone know for sure?

Friday, January 1, 1999 at 00:01:20
Name: CHERYL NICOCIA
E-Mail: chernico@cvc.net
Maiden: CHRISTENSEN
Class: 62
Message: HAPPY NEW YEAR, MY FRIEND JOHN. I wanted to be the first to wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year. You are a dear friend and an all around great guy. I am grateful to count YOU as one of my "oldest" and dearest friends. You have no idea how many people you touch through your goodness and hard work. My whole family sends their love. Cheryl.

Friday, January 1, 1999 at 00:00:01
Name: John Baker
E-Mail: jb1@cougartown.com
Class: 1962
Message: Well, I've called and talked to bunches of friends tonight and wished them a Happy New Year; Joyce, Dickie, Linda, Janet. Bob, Cheryl, and Gordon (you weren't home). To all that I didn't get to talk to, have a great New Year and thanks to all of you for making Cougartown what it is......a great place for all HHSers to congregate and share stories of great times past and to re-acquaint ourselves with old friends. I know 1999 will find us more old friends . I do know that there are people out there that haven't signed in yet. What ARE you waiting for? Get your feet wet and join the party. No one is going to know you're there, if you don't add yourself to the Alumni List. 1999 is going to be the year that ALL CLASSES get their own piece of Cougartown. I will explain that a little later. Also, I want to not only find the "Email Cougars" , but the people that don't have email addresses. Our goal here is to find EVERYONE. We'll get into this as time permits. Thank you all for being out there and to all, have the Happiest of New Years.