Dear Friends,

In an effort to go more “GREEN”  (OK, I know... it's actually RED! I like red!) this year, I have decided to post my annual Holiday Letter online.

It seems, when I look back, much of my year was spent following the fun and hysteria of the pageant industry, but it didn’t start out that way I missed a planned trip to Las Vegas for Miss America due to illness, but I soon recovered and was still able to watch TLC’s fun live telecast. TLC will again broadcast “Miss America Live” from Las Vegas on January 30, 2010.

Anyway, it was not long before “pageant people” invaded the PLANET HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS to crown Miss USA 2009. And this time, I was happily among them. Despite the “Larry King” moments that followed the event itself was a lot of fun. Special thanks to Nevada-USA director, Maureen Atwell of the Atwell Group for holding her fabulous  “True Beauty Expo” &  “Fashion Rocks the Universe” events where a good time was had by all!

Another highlight was the Coronation Ball after that now famous NBC telecast. Many, many thanks to my amazing friends at the Miss Universe Organization (especially Paula Shugart, Rachel Frimer, Lark Anton, Gail Holmes, Esther Swan and all the rest for everything they did, so we could enjoy this amazing poolside party at the Planet Hollywood….

We're looking forward to returning to the Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas for the crowning of Miss USA 2010, again telecast live on NBC on Sunday Evening, April 18!

Another fun event we attended this year was “General Hospital Fan Club Weekend!” Mom and I really enjoyed all the events planned by our good friend, Debby O’ Connor, a bittersweet moment occurred Sunday afternoon, as our dear Rick Hearst hosted his final GH fan event. Earlier this year Rick re-joined the cast of “The Bold & The Beautiful” as “Whip Jones” We’re so excited that Rick has been given this wonderful opportunity, but were sad to come to the end of a great GH Weekend tradition!

Rick and his family are so sweet, however, that Mom and I have been able to stay in touch and hope to do so for years to come!

 One of Mom's dreams came true this year as we visited my brother & his wife, Kevin & Felicia, in Missouri and they took us to Springfield, IL where we visited the Abraham Lincoln Museum & Library.

Finally, November rolled around and it was time to crown Miss California-USA 2010 at the Agua Caliente Resort in Rancho Mirage. My wonderful friends Shanna Moakler, Keylee Sanders, and Keith Lewis not only got the show on the road—but for the first time in 15 years on statewide TV as well!

I was especially proud when Tami Farrell finally received the crowning moment as Miss California-USA that she so richly deserved. Congrats Tami and thank you for uplifting the image of Miss California-USA!

And congrats and best wishes to Miss California-USA 2010, Nicole Johnson. Good luck @ Miss USA 2010…

I also wish the best to US Figure Skating Team as they prepare for the Olympics in Vancouver, Canada this coming February – Especially Tannith Belbin & Ben Agosto – GO FOR GOLD!

…And our best to everyone. May 2010 be the year all your dreams come true……….

Love Always,

The Bakers

John, Joann & Shandi