1998 Peterborough Hilts Connection
…SUMMARY OF WHAT’S NEW HERE…
This is our annual attempt at keeping in touch with so many of you, and although it is not all that personal, it is sent in the spirit of sharing our joys with our friends and family. It is not an attempt to brag about our own accomplishments, but rather, our blessings.
Daisy: The family pet; real name “Daisy-Mae-Ice-NottaCow”; just turned 4 on Nov. 28; favorite pastime besides eating is to carry various items of clothing around the house. (It used to be just socks but now things are a little more personal). We are sure that she feels it is part of her job as a retriever to track down all of the dirty underwear from under the beds, etc., and plop them down in the middle of a class of music students!
Clara: Started Grade 7 this year; she is the tallest on her basketball team, which is a city leauge sponsored by the local high schools (they just won the first of two play-off games, and will advance to the top 4 playoffs spots); has a wonderful teacher this year, who is very athletic, and who prior to teaching was an olympic hopeful for Canada in rowing; has taken over a paper route; continues to shine musically, at the grade 6 Conservatory Level in piano. Favorite pastime (besides singing) is punching her brother’s arm at dinner.
Angela: Movin’ on up, she’s in Grade 9 this year, and oh those boys are wonderful (her term = HOT). Has made a big impression at her school by Yodelling for the opening full-school assembly, with her recently-shortened-and-red-dyed hair. She is now displaying a passion for prose and poetry, and composing song lyrics, etc.; this year’s music focus is the guitar (Country Roads is sounding pretty good) and so far seems to like her teacher, (even though he told her to be careful about accepting her dad’s guitar advice)! Hmp!!
Katherine: Grade 10 this year, and becomeing a real lady at record speed; her social activities keep her very busy, with involvement in youth groups (one of which she helped to form at her school), and with choir at the teen mass here. This year she has taken up French Horn lessons, and plays in the school band; but why stop there?? since James her brother was running the band at Sea Cadets, and they needed horn players, guess who signed up?? Oh yeah, the telephone is still a fundamental of life, but now you can add e-mail to Katherine’s list of hobbies.
James: In grade 12, and still not sure of career direction totally, but a few ideas have sprouted; still in Sea Cadets, and recently approved for the rank of Chief P.O.2nd Class, the second-highest achievable rank for Cadets in Canada. He still leads the band, as well and marching in local parades often. James takes lessons from the most reknowned clarinetist in Peterborough (they call him Johnny “O”); At school he’s in the concert band, the wind ensemble, and the jazz band, and he has also evolved a little to the tenor-sax.
Barb: Still enjoying the challenge of 1st chair flute with the Peterborough Symphony, and has taken on the chore of boosting spirits via the “social committee” (Barb and a few others). Has settled in and is enjoying a new church connection at St. Anne’s, and the choir involement has been a great boost! This year Barb’s student count is lower, mostly to free up time for the course in Primary Education which she is taking as a night class through Queen’s University’s off-campus program. We are not sure what is in store for music education at the primary level in schools, but the provincial government can’t wipe it out completely, can they????
Rick: Alias the taxi driver! That’s right. Those with memories of teens can relate …those without the memories can only imagine!! Well, in March of this year, I relocated to a school 2 blocks from home and now can come home for lunch every day. I can also be home in a matter of minutes, ( which makes it easier to zoom out and drive someone somewhere). This fall there were also a number of staff changes, including the principal, so some days are a challenge. I am also happy with the choir involvement, which Barb and I share, and the best part is that they needed us (in my own humble opinion). It is also a treat to not be in charge of everything, as we were for the previous 13 years. I had a guitar re-furbishing, and the choir director immediately arranged to pay half,..was I to say No??
SOME THINGS INVOLVE THE WHOLE FAMILY: In the spring we sang in the Kiwanas Music Festival in the family+1 music catagory and received 2nd place. This fall, the three girls sent in a tape to audition for this year’s First Night Celebrations, and were selected to perform downtown on New Year’s Eve. The committee is very professional, and the girls are equally excited!
We apologize to those of you who were looking forward to something poetic this year, but maybe next time; this is the HILTS family signing off,…all of the blessings of Christmas to you and your families in the days ahead! Much love from all of us!
Rick, Barb, James, Katherine, Angela and Clara Hilts. (&Daisy)
rwhilts 