Derek Brown

Residing now in Kelowna for the last 8 years after 7 great years in Calgary. Life is good here in Kelowna, but we do not like to tell anyone, so if asked.... traffic is bad , sun never shines, golf courses are expensive..wineries are over rated, too many people, the lake is cold..... etc. etc. My wife Leslie (Hammond) of West Vancouver and I have been together now for 17 years and life is busy like all young families with two kids both born in Calgary Devon (girl) 12 and Nathan 10. Dad enjoys coaching soccer and hockey and we try to get out and ski as much as possible through-out the winter, and oh yes the occasional round of golf over the summer . Look forward to hooking up with everyone in a couple of weeks, really enjoyed 10 years ago, especially the grad only night and hanging with the late crew that of course had to go hard into the wee hours ....... funny how life does not change.............mind you we were younger then...... See you all in a few weeks. Cheers Derek

Dave Tupper

Hello all - 30 years is a lot of time. A lot of great experiences by a lot of interesting people that are wonderfully told in your blogs. I think I enjoyed the stories of your kids as much as the ones about yourselves. I also reflect that as many 47/48 year olds have stickhandled another generation through to graduation, the collective wisdom at a 30th reunion should be quite awesome and most worth experiencing.

Living back in WV with kids in various stages of French Emersion at Sentinel (one graduated, one in grade 12 and one in grade 9). You have no idea how difficult it is for me to attend Sentinel sporting events and yell out in public, " Go Sentinel, Go!" (even after coaching the snr. girls fieldhockey team for 6 years - including for two years after our daughter's graduation - never was too observant). The experience is probably akin to being televised on Shaw cable hollering "Go, Handsworth!" in GM Place, hey Randy? (congratulations, by the way!). Which school was it they torn down again?? Oh ya!

Halfway through the 23rd year of wonderful marriage to Nicky Morgan, a Victoria girl with artistic flair - the one that deserves all credit for everything good around our house!! We have three kids that seem to be living lives more interesting than ours - they have certainly travelled more than we had by 20, 17 or 14 - collectively they have been on more continents than I! Sophie is in 3rd year at Ryerson, interested in PR, although carrying a second major in getting invited to film launches, celeb birthday parties, photographed by the National Post at functions and basically living the life fantastic in TO. Her younger brother Wynn keeps us guessing about which of his many talents he might put to good use after graduating, and then without any lead up announces he is grade 12 rep on student council - huh? Simon plays guitar, soccer and computer. The big iMac downstairs keeps him busy writing and playing and recording music so that girls are only half the distraction they might otherwise be (Facebook and MSN permitting of course). Bottom line, they are great kids that never cease to amaze me with their talents, abilities and confidence!

Me? Still hammering on rocks (geology; Dane - it is what geologists are supposed to use a hammer for) in places where most normal people don't go and where I am often offered things to eat that I can honestly say it is okay if you have missed out on - just in case some of you do feel that you must, I suggest you go with the yahk milk over the fermented mare's milk, but definitely stay away from ballute unless you really like duck (unhatched duckling to be more accurate). Jay - if you want me to consult for this winter's menu, just ask - love the restaurant - also loved the vid of you on your web site - you should all check it out - http://www.usefulandagreeable.com/resorts2.php?id=148 - I think Jay has less hair than I do.

Still riding my bike to work and recently re-discovered that not all wine is red. Who do I still see from school: Dave Zaruba is in a singing group with my wife (how weird is that? - Dave's pretty darn good!). I see Anne every once in a while - reunion and blog manager extraordinaire - great job Anne!! Jan's kid and mine have been known to kick soccer balls at each other on pitches around WV. Bill Mann and I are linked professionally, which allows us great opportunities to eat and drink beer together on expense. If I am not mistaken, Jan now owns Bill's parents old house (how weird is that? I wonder if has she found any stashes of John Seale's lemon gin?). See Brian Sheffield and Dave Mills at times. And I know we all live in awe of Gordon Ferguson and are forced to be content with brief glimpses of him on news casts saving lives with North Shore Rescue ("I knew him when..."). Used to see Alison Holbeck on Savary - we miss you Alison (her brother is a geologist too.) I bought bagels once in the same store as Tana Tocher. If so many of us still live on the NS, how come we don't run into each other more often? I am not paranoid, but I am beginning to think you are all avoiding me!! Not Jane Miller though - she and my wife dragged along with me to Mongolia this September - at least until they dumped me, swamping gers and camel milk cheese for a friend's swank Hong Kong Island apartment and "drinks".

Looking forward to the reunion, although I agree with Mia (a.k.a. - Barbie) - bring on the mosh pit!! It's 2007 and we are not 50...yet!!

Corinna Kitchen

It is hard to believe that 30 years have gone by since we left high school and since I moved from West Van to Toronto. Moving here to the "concrete jungle" was an adjustment as I missed the outdoor things like the beach and skiing. I did nothing to endear myself to the locals when I looked at Blue Mountain, the best ski resort in Ontario, and said "that is not a mountain, that is a hill". Needless to say I dealt with that shock by giving up skiing and began taking holidays down south instead. I now love what Toronto has to offer- great restaurants, good theater, multiculturalism, lots of local festivals and events. There is always something to do.
I have worked for the past 20 years with the provincial government in the area of corrections. Right now I work at the corporate level designing, implementing and monitoring programs for youth and adults before the courts . When I started I worked for many years directly with clients, as a probation and parole officer and as a social worker in a youth detention centre. Working with youth in detention was probably the most difficult part of my career as dealing with kids who have killed or committed seriously violent offences was something I really had to get my head around. Their life stories are a far cry from the idealic, secure and protected environment we grew up in in West Vancouver. I then worked as a Deputy Superintendent in an adult correctional facility where I was in charge of all rehabilitative programming for inmates, for 5 half way houses and for approving all temporary absence passes for guys to go into the community or home for visits. After that I coordinated provincial domestic violence programming for individuals appearing before the domestic violence courts. I have been really lucky have been able to be involved in a number of really exciting and innovative initiatives. It is very meaningful work and something I really believe in. My son Julian will be 12 in November. He is a handful but in a positive way. He is extremely bright which makes parenting him a challenge but never dull. He likes soccer and basketball and plays piano and I seem to be always driving him to one thing or another. I decided a couple of years ago that I needed to do some things for myself so I take belly dancing classes and also go Salsa dancing. In Toronto there are many latin clubs as the music and dancing are extremly popular here. It is a lot of fun.
I am not going to be able to make it to the reunion unfortunately but have really enjoyed catching up on what all of you have been doing. I was at the 20th and had a great time so I am sure you will all enjoy yourselves. I will be thinking of you. You can drop me a line at Corinna.Kitchen@ontario.ca . I would love to hear from you.
Corinna

Hillside 1977 30th Reunion

It may be hard to believe but it has been 30 years since we graduated from Hillside.

With so much time passing I’m sure you can understand it is getting a little harder to locate people to invite them to our class reunion.

the reunion will be held on Saturday, October 13th, 2007 at Saltaire Restaurant on Bellevue, in West Vancouver at 6:00 pm

Cost is $75 and you can register by sending a cheque to:

Hillside Grad Reunion 1977

3615 McKechnie Avenue

West Vancouver, B.C.

V7V 2M5

See Registration Form below

Now that you have these few important details we would really appreciate any assistance you can give in getting contact information (preferably an email address) for anyone.

Please leave a comment here with your contact information, or email us at anne.murdock@shaw.ca

This is also the place you can send in photos or stories from recent years, using the same email address.

Registration Form

REGISTRATION FORM
HILLSIDE SECONDARY SCHOOL 1977 30TH REUNION


When:

6:00 pm October 13th, 2007

Where:

Saltaire Restaurant
235 15thWest Vancouver, BC(604) 913-8439


Name

Address









Phone Number



Email Address



How Much: Send $75 Cheque along with this registration form to

Hillside Grad Reunion 1977
3615 McKechnie Avenue
West Vancouver, B.C.
V7V 2M5

Send an update of what you have been up to since the last reunion and we’ll post it on the blog:








Do you agree to have your contact information including email address passed on to other grads who request it for reunion purposes only. This information will not be posted on any website but only communicated as requested.

_____Yes _____No

Brian Topping

Too much to mention! Travel throughout Europe and the Middle East. BA Psychology, BA English and Teaching Certificate PDP SF. Child Care Worker for 3 years. Geological Exploration for 3 years. Serial Monogamist until 1998. Married to Cheryl, an amazing woman, since then, no kids. Teacher for 14 1/2 years: Outdoor Ed. for 7 years, Social Studies and Law for the last 7 1/2. House and property in Roberts Creek: B&B operator, beekeeper!
There. See you all soon

Shane Braddick

"Hi everyone. 30 years is a long time to recap but here goes. Bev and I live in Cloverdale and are coming up on our 25th wedding anniversary. We have 2 kids, Corey is 17 and graduated this past June. In a nutshell, he has, so far, carried on where I left off in a hockey way of life. As of now, he's playing in the BCHL, Junior A league. He's hoping to earn a scholarship through hockey and play some university hockey while getting an education. He scored his first BCHL goal this past weekend and we were lucky enough to be there. He's a great kid, graduated from high school with honors and seemingly making his way in life. Our daughter Nicole is 15 (going on 21 ugh! ) and in Grade 10. She's an accomplished equestrian and has her own horse, Stony Brook. Over the last 6 years she has competed in the Western and English disciplines and has won many national championships in the Paint and Pinto clubs. This year she decided to retire Stony as she is 19 now and just wants to have a fun time with her, with no pressure or stress. She's praying every day that we'll win the lottery so she can have another horse, but will never part with her 1st. Bev takes her all over the place as we have a horse trailer (yes, for those who no Bev, she's no city girl now it's truck and trailer and jeans and boots). Nicole and Bev are horse crazy and although it's a bottomless pit of money to have a horse, it makes them very happy, so I go on paying the bills. Nicole is a very laid back, happy go lucky girl, with a boyfriend (ugh!) and if that doesn't bring me to my knees, I don't know what else could. I now see the other side of the coin of raising a son, over raising a daughter. She's daddy's little girl and always will be but it's a scary time for me as she gets older and wiser. We are very proud of these two kids, they are our greatest accomplishments in life, not to say we don't loose sleep or pull our hair out sometimes. Can't believe we haven't run into some of you in Whistler as we too have a condo up there. Keep trying to hook up with Gord Smith and his family there, but so far no luck. For a few years we would see Graeme Fitch, but otherwise that's it. Weird, I don't think I look that different! My mom is still in N.V. as my Dad passed away about 4 years ago. She's doing great and thankfully sold the business (finally) last year so has time to spend with all of us and do her own thing as she pleases. Still very involved with the car club, she loves it. Bev's parents bought our previous house in Surrey from us and are loving being closer to us and being with their youngest grandchildren. Me, well I've given up the "playing hockey" days (knees just couldn't take it any more )however Bev and I finally got a chance to get back into the pre-kids life and do some fishing. Gotta love those big salmon. Job wise, I'm at Optimil Machinery and manage a couple of their divisions there, it's a family owned company and they are very good to me. I've been to New Zealand and Australia a few times, and been all over the States. Would love to live in Australia (if only my family would, how would we get the horse there and what about hockey rinks, few and far between!). Bev has been a stay at home mom since she gave birth to Corey. After a hard time having kids, there was no way she was going to give them to someone else to raise while she went to work. Now she is talking about finding something to do for fun in the workforce. She spends a lot of time at the barn so hopefully she may find something to do with the horses. Well, that's about it, I'm not sure we'll be able to make the reunion still, mine and Corey's schedule may not make it possible but I've enjoyed catching up with reading the blogs. Hi to Rick and Lesley Jeanes! Congrat's on becoming G. parents!! Lastly, Anne Murdock, you deserve a big thank you for spearheading this event and giving some of us a chance to remise about the ol' days! My best to everyone out there!

Chris Dennis

After mucking around for a few years, including working in a saw mill for a
year on the island and doing an apprenticeship in carpentry, I worked in
that line for awhile.
Well I did the Europe thing in 1981 and met an aussie girl who I
subsequently married and moved to Australia.
We have two girls, Tara 22, who is currently studying law at the University
of Western Australia, she finishes in december and will be a lawyer. very
scary. Shakira is 19 and in her second year of media studies at Uni. I split from my wife a few years ago and have now met a lovely lady from
Perth.
I have tried several jobs over the years, including working as a prison
guard, which was a life changing experience to say the least.
I guess I am back in the building industry now, although lately, I have been
working on my own place in Scarborough WA.
I was in Vancouver for a month this summer(my winter) and had a fantastic
time, camping and sight seeing the most beautiful place on earth. I hope to be back next summer, as there is so much more to see. Hope you all have a great time at the reunion, maybe catch you next time.

JULIE FREDLUND (ATKINSON)

JULIE FREDLUND (ATKINSON)

Wow, this site makes for an intriguing read. I am quite sure most of you will barely remember me (I was only at Hillside for 18 months before graduating) but your blogs have encouraged me to share my past 30 years with you all.

Where to begin? I jumped into “life” with both feet shortly after graduating. I met, fell in love and married an adventurous helicopter pilot. He persuaded me to move to Mackenzie, BC, where we operated a helicopter base for Alpine Helicopters. It was an exciting time and I consequently learned how to fly. Aviation became my life. However my flying was short lived after the birth of my first child and maternal instincts took over. I became a stay-at-home mom of 3 small children (Rachel, Jon and Jenny) with a pilot-husband who was home less than 3 months of the year. We moved around a lot!

The kids began school and aviation was still in my blood. I wrote the air traffic controller-qualifying exam…and passed. But I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving my kids to go to school in Cornwall, Ontario to complete the training. I answered an ad for the Nvan RCMP in 1993 and became a 911 dispatcher instead. But alas, that career was also short lived as I followed my husband to Calgary in 1995. I worked as a technical writer for a sports company and spent a short stint in the booming film industry. In 1998 my husband came home…for good, he wanted to retire from flying. But as it became obvious that I had become too independent and we had grown too far apart, we separated and later divorced. I moved back to the North Shore where the West Van Police opened their doors and radio room to me with open arms (there is always a shortage of 911 dispatchers).

Soon after moving back I met and fell in love with the boy next door (literally), well actually he’s a man, Mark, and we bought a house in lower Caulfeild 3 years ago. We love to travel, kayak, hike and generally enjoy life. Moving back to West Van has definitely given me the sense of “coming home”. Life is good and I am looking forward to October 13th. Oh, and the kids? Surprisingly, they turned out to be well-adjusted and responsible adults, though my son does have a bit of an adventurous streak!

Pola Schacter Ley

The past 10 years have been full. We closed a business, spent several years re-structuring while doing homestay with International Students. We opened a food importing business - my husband runs. I went back to catering as an on site chef/supervisor for 7 years. Just finished with that (you know shat they say about 7 year cycles). I even ran into a few Hillside grads at some of the functions I worked on. I have recently started a home based business with "Arbonne International" which allows me to work around my family and I am really loving that. My son just started at Kitsilano Highschool in french immersion. He is very musical, loves acting ... his idol is Jim Carey (oh! oh!) My daughter is 10, just became a girl guide. We are all involved in Soccer. I cheer on, while the kids play and Steven coaches for our Dunbar Soccer Assoc. We have a new member of the family "Pepper" part standard poodle and sheltie. He gets me out in the woods/trails where I get my exercise and breath amazing old forest oxygen. I look forward to re-connecting on October 13.

Pola