Dean Hill's Friends

Dean Hill's Page

About Me:: What do I say about myself after so many years?

I spent 40 years in journalism, the last 24 at the Los Angeles Times, where my last nine years were in IT doing tech support.

I left the Times last August after my IT job was outsourced to India.

I didn't mind, though, because it was time anyway, and I'm now semi-retired and get to spend lots of time with my granddaughters.

I also get more time to play my banjo and sing. I love bluegrass music and particularly bluegrass gospel music. I don't practice the banjo as much as I should so I'm only so-so at it and have an adequate singing voice.

I sing in my church choir and where ever else I get the chance to minister with a good gospel song.

My wife, Nancy, and I have been married 40 years, and our son Jason turned out better than we expected. He's an excellent high school English teacher, advises the school yearbook and was JV baseball coach at the school.

He has two beautiful girls, ages 10 and 6, and they love learning, reading, soccer, and best of all, softball (and baseball), which we consider the family sport, since I played the game, my Dad played in high school and college, and their Mom (and her sisters) played the game. :-)

Not sure what else to say right now. I already see folks I know on here and I've got one or two I can invite.

Cheers...Dean

Children/Grandchildren: One son (Jason) and 2 grandchildren (Madyson, 10, & Morgan, 6)

Favorite Memory from Arcadia: I attended Arcadia from opening day through my junior year.

I had attended 8th Grade at Kiva, where Dr. Bullington was principal. It seemed like a good idea to follow this wonderful man and educator to Arcadia. I'm so happy I did.

I have wonderful memories of my years at Arcadia, though I transferred to Scottsdale High to baseball with Jim Palmer and graduated from there in '63. (I get a couple of wonderful reunions to attend every few years.:-)

I still consider Arcadia a home and loved the Glory Years reunion where I caught up with old friends and made many new ones.

I was an oddity in high school, a math & physics geek and an athlete. At one time I even carried a slide rule in a "holster." I can't believe I did that.

I can't pinpoint one memory as the best, there are so many. Or maybe that part of my memory banks is a bit rusty now. :-)

At 6:51am on August 21, 2008, Doug Hilker said…: I tried to leave a note, but the laptop I was using did not work well. Alexandria has changed, not so much the city itself. It has roughly the same population and area. Arlington and Fairfax county have surrounded it. The area is totally urban beyond Dulles Airport and halfway to Fredericksburg. I actually live in Fairfax county within in a mile of Alexandria city line and 2 miles south of Arlington. The old private airport between King St and Seminary Rd is now Skyline City, condos, shopping center etc. Old town Alexandria is beautiful. It has spruced up the old buildings and built a great waterfront area to rival Georgetown. It is worth seeing if you get the chance. I graduated Arcadia in 61. Just retired from the MD State govt in July. Guess I will go back as a consultant. Hope to hear from you soon. Doug Hilker

At 2:25pm on August 15, 2008, Peggy George said…: Hi Dean,
What a great write-up for your first post! It was so interesting to hear what you've been up to and your memories from Arcadia. Do you have any of your music posted online (YouTube?) that you could share it with us by posting it on our site? Would love to hear some of that bluegrass gospel music! :-) Feel free to add anything to the site. Isn't retirement great!! :-) I'm loving it! I didn't remember that Dr. Bullington was the principal at Kiva before he came to Arcadia, but then I just moved to Phoenix when I started high school and attended my first two years at Scottsdale High before they built Arcadia. Have you seen the new construction at Arcadia? Lots of changes and improvements to the old school. :-) I should go by and take a few pictures to post on our site.
Peggy