Note: The comments related to the Youth Center on Las Vacas produced memories Rhorwyn (Weissman) Rathert, Class of 1963 wishes to share. Rhorwyn's photos are not that clear, but the point is she hopes other alumni will share their memories and photos related to the Youth Center.
With reminders of the Youth Center building on Las Vacas in recent Wildcat news, I went digging for some of the many 8 x 10 glossies that make up a memory book from my school years in Del Rio. I'm sure I wasn't alone in my eagerness following dances, programs, and special events to get to the Barry's studio on North Main and select photos to order and keep.
Some of these largely forgotten photos are testament of the selfless efforts of Freddie Brockwell to raise funds for this same Youth Center. He put together grand collections of showtunes and skits, probably writing, choreographing, costuming and staging everything himself. We practiced everywhere…..at the Youth Center, on the high school stage, and in Freddy's living room. He managed to involve most everyone in his revues, if only as extras mouthing the chorus.
My partner in crime (singing duets) was Janice Fricke, and we were quick to volunteer our talents. I no longer remember the theme of the grand assembly of characters in the 1960 photo featuring Alice Junior Cauthorn, Billie Ruth Hill, and Johnny Lee Brockwell. I see movie stars being interviewed, an airline pilot, and, in the finale, a Frenchman with a beret (anyone know who?).The 1961 duet was "Doin' What Comes Natcherly" from "Annie, Get Your Gun", and the hillbilly theme is evident in the backdrop where Bobby Paul, Toni Sellers, and Charlene McLaughlin can be seen. Freddie even tried a chorus line in the fashion of the Rockettes in 1961. Mary Pettit, Janice and myself did a medley of songs from American states wearing……what else, but a red dress, white dress, and blue dress!
I do know that we had a fabulously fun time participating in these things. Our vocal trio made our own Uncle Sam hats out of poster board and glitter to use as props for the medley. I remember digging out an old pair of flats to "sacrifice" for the chorus line because Freddie spray-painted all of our shoes with silver. Janice and I made pigtails out of yarn and swim caps for our country cousin duet. None of that would make it in today's electronically enhanced and professionally perfect performances. In 1960, Freddie stood at the back of the auditorium shouting….."Sing louder, I can't hear you!" And we did!
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