Christmas 2000 What’s new at the HILTS’
It’s incredibly hard to know where to start
for time has so quickly passed on;
And it’s also not easy to make it all rhyme,
or keep readers from giving a yawn!
So as I recap on this year of adventure
and pass on some new information…
I’ll try to be brief, without too much boasting
and minimal exaggeration!!
BARB
The house is alive with music most days,
with students on keyboards or flute.
Some having struggles, some have the gift,
a few of them just “kind-a cute”!
So teaching at home: like working full time,
to these 36 students in all!
But Barb also goes out “supplying”
when the School Board happens to call!
An exciting year for the symphony,
as they “shop” for a maestro replacement.
In the 4-concert season, 4 men will audition:
to find out who wins will take patience.
Barb is still playing the principle flute,
She’s happy -far as we can tell;
Each Thursday she visits the hospital,
and plays her flute there as well!
RICK
So little has changed that it’s gonna be easy
to pass on what’s new in my life;
still at the same job; same house; same dog;
and of course, the same dear sweet wife!
This year I’ll perform with our local chorus…
…the “Peterborough Singers”
Our most-recent concert was Handel’s “Messiah”
but we’ve done some other hum-dingers!
The transmission went in our ’92 van,
so we chose the expensive repair;
but seven weeks later, our van met it’s fate,
when a truck appeared out of thin air.
The force of the impact up-ended the pick-up,
yet thankfully, just scrapes and bruises
The young boy was charged for not yielding;
but both vehicles now rendered useless.
So like jolly St. Nick, we went lively & quick,
as from car lot to car lot we dashed;
We found a replacement; a 95 model;
a near-twin of the one that was crashed!
So, other than that, and monthly payments,
there’s not much else that’s new;
Unless “clearing a 12 year-old sewer clog”,
is news that would interest you!
JAMES & KATHERINE
James directed the student choir
in his final high school year,
And music is, unsurprisingly,
his number one choice of career.
With all of his Band experience,
and his excellent Clarinet playing,
He’s now in his first year at York in T.O.,
but unsure if he will be staying!
Since mid-October, a labour dispute,
has been putting a hold on most classes.
Despite some good offers, the groups involved
are acting a bit like JACK (posteriors)!!!
So now the semester’s in limbo a bit
and James is home for a while.
But it’s nearly Christmas, and honestly folks,
His mommy was missing his smile!
Next we have Katherine, Kat for short,
Who faces each day with great zest!
She has shown interest in driving,
and has passed the written test.
She’s in the school band, sings with the choir,
and sits on the Spirit Committee;
Their fund raising effort for “cancer research”
has brought global acclaim to our city!
Kat is learning to dance Irish Step,
She’s doing it just for the fun;
but talking to friends on the telephone,
…her favorite thing, second to none!
The band will travel to New Orleans, and if
you’d like to hear something funny…
with fund-raising on …Kat said to say this…
“Tell ev’ryone “$end ME $ome MONEY”
ANGELA & CLARA
So now that brings us to child number three,
The girl we named Angela Frances;
She recently showed with positive proof
that she not only sings,… she dances!
In the musical “Oliver”, convincingly sang..
“Who will Buy my Sweet Red Roses?”
Her music is very important to her,
and for hours, she sits and composes!
The school asked her help with a CD, recording
two songs of Millennium theme.
In “Charlie Brown” she was the “curly-haired girl;
and she joined the girl’s softball team.
Angela entered a contest last spring,
in which several schools took part.
After all sculptures & paintings were judged,
she had captured first prize with her art!
Clara has entered grade nine this year,
with all of the gusto she has.
Like her brother, she’s taking up clarinet,
in the Grade 9 music class.
She also plays in the junior band,
and sings with the choir as well;
She’s working towards her grade eight piano,
and where she will stop? we can’t tell!
Clara received the Arts Award
at her grade eight graduation;
sang in “Leader of the pack” as well,
by special invitation!
Clara’s a bubble of pure delight,
but only one think makes her sad:
She’s picked up guitar along the way,
but she’s not as good as her dad!!
SUMMARY
This holiday season, we plan to slow down;…
…do some things without reason or rhyme:
Others may thrive on life’s chaotic pace,
But “we” really miss having “time”!
Time to visit or time to call,
or time to write a letter:
My New Year’s resolution is:
“Keep correspondence better”!
And with this note we’re sending now,
we imagine your hugs and your smiles,
And you can imagine: we’ve blown you a kiss!
It has traveled for miles and miles.
May you have the blessings of peace this year
and a joyous 2001.
To each of our friends and family,
We love you all… everyone!
rwhilts 