Name: Judy () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 18:04:18
E-Mail: Mac
Maiden: McLean
Class: '63
City and State: Santa Monica
Message: Mike Backus...Bet you didn't count on so many people coming out of the "sit com" closet when you mentioned the "Will and Grace" episode, which indeed did reference "Hawthorne Elementary" actually and "Go Cougars"...which must be a nod from someone who writes the show. I mean, jeez, they had their pick of a 1000 schools and came up with Hawthorne and The Cougars.... Good choice, I agree. Now, we can all go back to pretending we don't watch all that much tv.!!

Name: Elizabeth Estrada () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 17:29:43
E-Mail: dzlizzy219@aol.com
Class: 69
Message: I was just digging through my sock drawer searching for the match of the one I held in my hand when I realized I was contemplating the mystery of the missing sock. My God, I was about to be sucked into the dark hole of the mundane. Thank God you're BAAAACK! xoxoxoxox DZ
Easy girl, Back just in time. Glad I could help.

Name: Paco () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 16:17:31
E-Mail: doo4usc@aol.com
Message: Did anyone catch the " Go Cougars beat the Jackrabbits" on the "Danny loves Betty Show" last night? Really cool...

Name: Jerry Miles () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 14:15:26
E-Mail: jfmiles@pacbell.net
Class: 66
City and State: Fair Oaks, CA
Message: I just thought I?d try and put this Will and Grace thing to rest. Through the ?POWER OF THE INTERNET? I found listing of the shows transcripts. In an episode titled Alice Doesn?t Lisp Here Anymore written by Sally Bradford, Grace was at a funeral and said, ?Hi, Alice? It's me, Grace Adler. You probably don't even remember me. We went to Hawthorne Junior High School together a million years ago. Go Cougars. Grr. Ha ha. Um...?
Sally Bradford graduated from Oberlin College 1998 and is a Los Angeles native but I could not find which area. I think there is a Hawthorne Jr. High in the Beverly Hills area. Her father was a writer for Johnny Carson so that might be where she came from. I must have too much time on my hands to have done all this...haha.

Name: JIM SLOEY () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 13:07:19
E-Mail: bakerhasitfiguredsoihavetosneakoffto lbstateorucsdorcalpolytosendfeedback.com
City and State: REDONDO BEACH, CA
Message: A friend of mine asked didn't you go to Hawthorne High School? I said YUP, [everywhere we go people want to know yada yada yada] and he said "Who is this John Baker guy they mentioned on Will and Grace?" And I said How so? And he said the question was asked who is the king during a recent episode the reply was King John Baker and later they said something about HAwthorne High school and go Cougars. Who do we know, Alan Hauge? Your empire extends far and wide King John. I figured you were really special when REal Cougartown was unable to take away your loyal audience, even Robin quit tuning into our fabulous website. You da man Baker. One thing though John, when you are on the Today show, ask that Matt Lauer interview you.
Yeah right.......

Name: Greg Jones () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 12:43:41
E-Mail: gjones1052@aol.com
Class: 1973
City and State: Hawthorne, CA
Message: What has happened to our school? I had to go over there today to register a niece for this year and was totally shocked at the disarray Nyman Hall has turned into. The trophy cases are a disgrace. trophies from past achievements are moth-balled somewhere, it was a complete mess; and I don't think this had anything to do with the first day of school. The Wall of Shame, pictures of past SB presidents and exchange sudents, was missing names of people and hasn't been kept up very well. As sad as it is to say, if I never have to go back there the better because at least I'll have my memories to keep in mind. It's really sad the condition of our school.
I agree Greg, There's no sense of history at all. I've seen other schools and the wall of fame stretches back as far as the school itself. I'm sure something can be done to update the pictures and get the trophies back where they belong.

Name: Doris () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 12:31:42
E-Mail: raydori@micron.net
Maiden: Donaldson
Class: '57
City and State: Twin Falls, Idaho
Message: No, I did NOT die! I am alive and relatively well, living in beautiful downtown Twin Falls (and how I DO appreciate it after being in L.A. for several weeks!). Can't tell everyone how very disappointed I was at missing the PROM, after all the travel and planning and just plain raw excitement I had managed to muster over a little more than a year ... all because of the PROM! Oh well ... shit happens! I DID get to meet a few people on Friday before the Prom; Sharon Moore and Walter Holt, and a few others. But darn! I was so excited about being there, I completely FORGOT to look up old Sloey! OH! Jim ... thanks for the thoughts. Guess falling asleep and missing a reunion would be a bit worse than being sick as a dog! And I met even more people at the PPDP which was most enjoyable! Now I'm reading all the wonderful things everybody is saying about the PROM and I feel even WORSE!!! And have to admit that all the reports I've been reading on Mike aka "Jim" Backus and Dan Dye ... WOW ... got me a bit steamy just reading it! That Dis-E-Lizy is a live one! GO GIRL! What I DID participate in, I enjoyed to the MAX and will be there for the next PROM with bells on! Which reminds me, count me in on a couple of Cougarballs!! GO COUGARTOWN! What a swell place it is!
Hi Doris, Sorry we missed you too. Next time we'll bring it to your room.

Name: Fred Miller () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 12:11:28
E-Mail: phmeller@aol.com
Class: 54
City and State: Hillsdale, New Jersey
Message: I just discovered this website and I appreciate all the hard work that went into it. I hope to touch base with my old buddies and hope they'll look me up too. www.phredpianoexpression.com
Hey Fred, Glad you found your old Cougar home. Please stay in touch.

Name: Mike Backus () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 11:40:14
Class: '74
Message: Thanks Sherry, Norma and Steve for backing my daughter up on the "Will & Grace" story. She seemed pretty sincere about it. John was right about one thing, though; she does play her old man like a fiddle.
They all do, don't they??

Name: Barbara Duran () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 10:23:17
E-Mail: BJD2354@aol.com
Class: 72
City and State: El Segundo
Message: Gary Peterson...it's about time!

Name: Steve Eide () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 09:53:40
E-Mail: sreide@starpower.net
Class: 66
City and State: Alexandria, VA
Message: Mike Backus was right I too saw that episode of Will & Grace. The character of Grace did mention Hawthorne Cougars. Maybe one of the writers is an alumni.
Someone knows something. They wouldn't have randomly mentioned the BEST HIGH SCHOOL IN THE NATION!!

Name: Norma Jean () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 09:48:43
E-Mail: Nleonard48@aol.com
City and State: Haw
Message: I'd like to back up Mike Backus'daughters claim that they indeed mentioned "Hawthorne High" and "go Cougars" on the show Will & Grace prior to the prom. There...I've now admitted that I watch sitcoms...oh well.

Name: Mike Backus () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 07:52:03
Class: '74
Message: Hey, look who decided to come back! Did you have a good vacation, John? CT withdrawals have been ugly. We've been e-mailing each other, badmouthing you. :-D A rumor started (I don't know by whom) that you had gone snorkeling in Florida!
Yep, "neked snorkeling". You can now officially call me "Stubby". No, actually Janet and I went "Demolition Derbying" in Mariposa CA. Shown above is Janet's daughter, Tammy, at the wheel of the "Bashing Bunco Babes" entry. She wound up with second place honors and is now MY HEROine!! Quite a sport for a High school science teacher.

Name: Sherry (Rout) Ward () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 06:55:03
E-Mail: sherry_baby65@hotmail.com
Maiden: Rout
Class: 65
City and State: The Atomic City
Message: This is for MIKE BACKUS. My daughter and I watched the episode of Will and Grace you asked about. What we heard was "Hawthorne Jr. High", and she did say "Go Cougars". We did the appropriate amount of spazzing out, and "Oh my Gawd, did you hear that?!?!?" So, your daughter wasn't pulling your leg. She really did say that.
Too cool, huh?

Name: Jennifer Meeker () on Wednesday, September 5, 2001 at 00:35:06
E-Mail: dmode70@hotmail.com
Maiden: Gahan
Class: 93
City and State: Redondo Beach, CA.
Message: =)

Name: Keith D. Jones () on Friday, August 31, 2001 at 01:54:20
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Class: 76
City and State: Honolulu, HI
Message: John I'd love to send it again but I don;t have a copy and it is so long I can;t remember what I put anyway. And yea maybe I am too wound up. That what happens when you tend to do too much. Oh well I will getback to my old self now. Ouch that hurt. I hope some of you can make it out to my show next Memorial Day weekend. The show is getting bigger and bigger. Got two stations to come so far to cover it. Including the "E" channel. Got deals for everyone. And any of you beautiful cougarettes out there, the bikini contest prize money is now at $20,000. Start that stairmaster. Aloha

Name: JIM SLOEY () on Friday, August 31, 2001 at 00:44:11
E-Mail: maybeiamthefunniestpersoniknow.com
Class: 66
City and State: RB,CA
Message: Hey John you don't know who writes in and who doesn't by the nonsense you always write at the bottom when I get accussed of something I didn't do. But to tell you the truth I wish I had been that creative because that was some funny stuff whoever wrote it. 10 down and we move to Dorothy Kilgallen.
This boy is certifiably "March Hare" material.

Name: Elias Throckmorton () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 21:23:28
E-Mail: et@theonlybeachboy.com
City and State: Beverly Hills, CA
Message: From: Elias Throckmorton, Curator, Brian Wilson Archives- Dear Mr. Baker, The following correspondence was discovered while organizing Mr. Wilson's correspondence for an upcoming collection to be published in the Spring of 2002. Please let us know if you are the Mr. John Baker responsible for authoring the following letter in 1967. We feel it to be pivotal in Mr. Wilson's career and life.
"Hey Brian! What is up with this Pet Sounds album you guys made? What is a pet sound anyway? You have dogs barking in one part. Is that it? Weird. You guys used to be really cool but this stuff sucks! There are no car songs on this album. Your car songs are the only really cool ones. I was thinking you could write a song "She's Real Great, My '58". I have a '58 Chevy. That would be a cool song. The thing that really burns my butt is this Sloop John B song. My name is John B. Now all of my friends are giving me a ration, calling me Sloop John B and stuff. I hate it! Plus the song is really lame. "Ate up all of my grits?" Who eats grits? Hillbillies? If you guys can't be cool any more maybe you should stop writing songs before you embarrass us all to death. You keep writing these "trucks" (I call long songs with no real point trucks) about vibrations and girls and sloops and stuff. Who cares about that stuff? All of my friends are listening to the Beatles "Sgt. Pepper" album anyway. And it doesn't even have any car songs on it either! If my career was on the skids like yours I don't think I could get out of bed in the morning. Later, Gator- John Baker".
1sloeycust112.tnt3.redondo-beach.ca.da.uu.net 21:14:19 01/08/30
Geez, I wonder who wrote this one. Jim, do you have ANYTHING going when it's not baseball season??

Name: Jill McFarlane () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 21:10:34
Class: 1977
Message: Hey Mr. Baker, if you start putting the names of the people in the pictures from the prom, I'll stop calling you Mr. Baker. (ha ha).
So far all the pictures I have seen are of people looking like they are having a blast. It would be nice to know who these happy people are. I really regret not going, it's been almost two weeks and people are still going on and raving about it. Congrats to all those involved, y'all did Hawthorne High proud!
Thanks Jill, Actually, I don't know the names of most people in the pics that I have. If I put up a picture and you know who's in it, please tell me. BTW, if you haven't done so, please check out Pacos Pics. He's been adding new pics from the Prom every couple of days.

Name: JIM SLOEY () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 19:27:55
E-Mail: robinhoodisthefuuniestpersoniknow.com
Class: 66
City and State: REDONDO BEACH, CA
Message: Frank Romano get well soon! El Rojo I hope you are getting better too. Keith Keith Keith, my last message was 4 pages when I sent it. Doris maybe this story will cheer you up. In 1987 at my children's mother's [are all those apostrophes correct?] 20 year reunion, a member of the class of 1967, who shall remain nameless, was extremely excited about the 20 year reunion, that fell on a day when he had a slo-pitch tournamnent. He played 4 games that day and went home about 4:00 pm to take a shower, pack his clothes, even though he lived within 2 miles of the Marriott in Torrance where the festivities were being conducted, he was going to party hardy and he had a room reserved for the night. After he showered he laid on his bed for what he thought would be a 5 minute catch my breath and go nap. The nap turned into 10 hours and neither the festivities nor his room were available when he awoke. The morale of the story is there will always be other proms but when you miss your 20 year reunion that is gone for all time.
Don't worry Jimmy, no one missed you at the Prom, but they were asking about Bill, Jon, and Debby.

Name: Walter Holt () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 17:32:12
Class: 66
City and State: Orange, CA
Message: Keith......Dude maybe you you should come back to good ole Laid back place of Storms, Floods, Fires, Smog, Traffic,… Surf City…. Sounds like all that clear blue skies, clear ocean blue waters, beautiful mountain ranges, clean beaches and great food there in Hawaii has got your wires wound a little too tight.

Name: Cindy Lou () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 16:11:53
E-Mail: otptoy@yahoo.com
Class: 78
City and State: El Segundo
Message: Trying to locate a friend "Brenda Cunningham Sykes" class of 80. Any info would be much appreciated! Thanks (again) John for the great site!

Name: Mike Backus () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 15:49:39
Class: '74
Message: My daughter said that she heard Grace from the "Will & Grace" TV show say something about Hawthorne High and "Go Cougars". Did anyone else catch this? Is Daughter having Dad on?
I don't know if "Daughter is having Dad on" or not, but she's playing you like a Fiddle.

Name: Bob Jensen () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 15:49:07
E-Mail: robertjensen@satco-inc.com
Class: 71
City and State: Los Angeles, California
Message: I love the humor at Cougartown. It reminds me of my High School Days!
You mean that "pull the chair out from under her, and get sent directly to the office" kind of humor?

Name: EL ROJO () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 15:22:30
E-Mail: I-DY-HO
Maiden: YOU KNOW
Class: THEGOODONEBEFOREBAKER
City and State: I'M HAPPY
Message: First I would like to wish the best to Frank Romano. WE hope that the big COUG in the sky will shine down upon you. Second, Bobby Fitz., still haven't received my tape either. Just wanted to let you know. I know you've been busy, but...? And last, OK, OK, ....Happy...birthday...damn this is hard...happybirthday to yooouuuu...ah hell John you're only a couple of months older than me, whats the big deal. I'm glad you're still alive so we can keep the "1st Idaho Open Billiards Challenge" a possibility in the future. This will of course depend on who has "cojone's" or not. Although you know that you'll have to go easy on a guy with a bad back. Will you spot me the 6&7? Please? I know you're good! Thanks to everybody out there for the well wishes. I'm progressing just fine at this time. Glad to hear you all had a wonderful time on Prom night. Thanks JB and Harry Plotkin for the e-mail about my dedication to my wonderful wife. Theme from A Summer Place goes a long way for all of us. MAY THE COUGAR BE WITH YOU. JakeNJude!
Thanks Russ, and yes, you two were missed on Prom Night. As to the 1st IOBC; I will NOT give you the 6&7. You're way too good for that spot, but not QUITE good enough, heads up. Be a Coug, Boy.

Name: Bob Kyllonen () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 15:06:12
E-Mail: bkylnen@aol.com
City and State: Rancho Mirage, CA
Message: Vickie Willett, the name of the book is "The Voyage of the Beagle." I always knew that you only read the front and back cover flaps. Your request came in on a day when I needed a TA with a good sense of humor, and the office was never the same after that.

Name: Robin () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 14:54:53
E-Mail: Sloeylikesfunnypeople.com
Class: 60
City and State: Redondo
Message: John you have never cut any of my long posts short and I trust that what you are telling Keith is
slow day huh......

Name: Keith D. Jones () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 13:37:22
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Class: 76
City and State: Honolulu, HI
Message: John, you don;t have to post this. But like I said in my last message I wish that when I write something that the whole message gets posted. I can tell you that my messages aren't as long as alot of the ones you do post. It might not pertain to the 50's or 60's which I don;t and many others don;t but I was just hoping that I can voice my opinion when I can. And i really wanted my bro to see what I wrote. I'm not sure if I can keep messages down to 3 lines. I was just hoping you'd be fair and post my messages. This is I think the 6 or 7 time. Oh well.
Keith, I am NOT censoring your feedbacks. What I post is what was received. The long ones do, for some reason, sometimes get chopped. You are not the only one this has happened to. Please resend it, or the missing part, and I'll gladly tack it onto your other feedback, or just make a new one.

Name: Keith D. Jones () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 04:18:14
E-Mail: cmi50@yahoo.com
Class: 76
City and State: Honolulu, HI
Message: Happy BD John. Been so busy to write plus it's hard to write anything exciting living in Hawaii. No storms, hurricane's, floods, fires, smog, traffic (at least compared to LA), wars. It's hard to write anything good about clear blue skies, clear ocean blue waters, beautiful mountains ranges, clean beaches and great food. But when I can I will. I have to say to all who visit here, you have to take a drive up to Tantalus and drive around in the hills. It is absolutely the most beautiful area around. I love living near the beach but I got to tell you that I would move to Tantalus in a minute. WOW! ANyway, saw writing about Watne Bryan. He was one of my heroes when I was a kid. I helped him teach tennis at Holly Glen was I was probably 8 to 10 or something. When I say teaching I mean chase the tennis balls for him. He was awesome player. He owned the Pacific Palisades Country Club too. I remember when him and his dad took on Pancho Gonzales and his son in an exhibition match. I read a little earlier about some people sad childhood. I heard on TV today about the ill effects of spanking your kid. Where was that thinking when I grew up. Lucky for my dad and very unlucky for me his belts were made of leather. I cannot phantom the thought that people can blame childhood experiences for ruining or shaping there lives as adults. It may in some cases but not in most. People brought up rich are as scummy as people brought up poor. you just don;t hear about it. I can be pretty certain that the majority of the guys on this site were beaten by their dads big time. Whether by a belt, stick or hand everyone has been spank. Hell at Dana and Trinity Luthern the teachers and principals spanked the hell out of you. Believe me I should know. And imagine this. Growing up with an older brother that was perfect. A's on his report card, responsible as any adult, a celebrated eagle scout, made money since he was 10, scouted by major colleges, and supported in everything he does by his parents
Yeah, Nothing going on in Hawaii except good weather and PRICE GOUGING!! .......and I was spanked, but never beaten. Thanks Keith.

Name: Joe Bell () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 00:42:07
E-Mail: jb41jb@yahoo.com
Class: 59
City and State: Artesia CA
Message: Late I guess, but lets have many more of those Birthdays John. You, and 'Prom,' Cruises, have added Joy to my days under the sun. Still can't see where life will take me, but knowing you John, puts a lot into the Journey?
Enjoy today for all its worth
Thanks Joe......

Name: Larry Biller () on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 00:08:51
E-Mail: lbiller49@yahoo.com
Class: 1967
City and State: Portland,Northofcalifornia
Message: HAPPY BELATED B-DAY JOHN. Did you ever dream that when you started Cougartown that it would become what it is today! With what you've done with it who knows you could maybe start a cougartown museum or become the next HHS principal?
Hey Larry, No, I didn't have any idea. The Internet was all uncharted territory. New Cougars continue to walk into the city limits of Cougartown literally every day. I think I better stick to Ctown because in principle, I make it a principle to leave the principaling to the principals.

Name: JIM SLOEY () on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 at 23:54:26
E-Mail: billyschultzisthefunniestpersoniknow.comyousaidschroederwasthefunniestpersonyouknew
thenyousaidaljardinewasthefunniestpersonyouknew.org
Class: 66
City and State: condo, cal
Message: Hey John was it your birthday? Well its too late now I'll try to be more attentive next year when you are really old. Billy Schultz you look great. And you had to listen to Burris tell you how great those Trojans were going to be again this year, huh? My brother always thought the world of both of you guys, of course he was known to scrimmage without a helmet at Memorial stadium in Lincoln on occasion too. Be a coug!
No Jim, sorry, wrong guy......