RE-CREATION 1 - 9
As legend tells, one night, on a car ride back home from an event, Hugh Brooks, his wife, Carolyn and their daughter, Katie, discussed the lack of positive, professional entertainment available to institutions—prisons, state centers, nursing homes, and the like. They decided they would try to meet that need! With a grand step of determination, they formed Re-Creation in 1976!
Mr. Brooks had been a Pastor for 20 years, and the family felt that, with the right cast, an organization that would benefit those institutions could be designed to also present the Gospel in Christian churches.
At that time, Mr. Brooks was an Instructor at The Pennsylvania State University. He drew his initial cast members from the student body. The ‘kids’ would go to school and perform at the same time! Joani Patterson came on as the group’s General Manager and she would remain in that position the entire run of the Brooks’s tenure. Her husband, Sam, was also instrumental in helping to keep the group on-the-road.
Shows began immediately, with stalwart concern for America and Her people. In 1977, Re-Creation was asked by the USO to present shows in VA Medical Centers.
The nation-wide USO VA program was to be dropped in 1982…no more shows would be provided for our recovering veterans. Washington D.C. called Hugh and asked if Re-Creation would be willing to make the program work. And of course by ‘make it work,’ they meant, ‘pay for it.’
Hugh and Carolyn made the decision to leave their full-time teaching posts…and all the security those positions afforded… and step out full-time in mission to America’s veterans and churches!
And not just any mission. This was a mission no one else wanted to undertake. This was a mission of daunting travails and obstacles. After all, powers and presences much larger had been forced to abandon the idea.
But this was also a mission of urgency and necessity!
Re-Creation and the Brooks’ went ‘full-time’ in 1982, picking up the responsibility for the entire national program of therapeutic entertainment to our nation’s hospitalized veterans, and testifying to their faith in churches everywhere.!
Hugh and Carolyn led Re-Creation around the country from 1976 through 1993! Their work affected countless lives.
Re-Creation started out to be only a summer group. But when the PA State Park Association asked Re-Creation to perform in all the state parks that first summer, the combination of Patriotism, Music, Youth and Faith captured an entire generation!
Since the appeal of the group was so wide, the decision was made to create another edition for the fall and follow through with the same approach for the following summer and fall term. So, we had groups 1, 1a, 2 and 2a between June 1976 and August 1977 with RC 3 starting the fall of 1977. Ever wonder why the number of years doesn’t match the number of editions? Now you know!
HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS DECADE:
- The first cross country trip to perform in Las Vegas!
- Singing in Veterans Homes and Hospitals for the USO!
- Performing at Camp David for the President of the United States!
- Cordless microphones were introduced in RC 10!
- Performers in groups 1-9 were full-time students, first at Penn State, then at Susquehanna University!
To enjoy an overview of Groups 1 through 7, please view these two wonderful documentary specials…
“The Brooks Years” – Variety Video Documentary
“The Brooks Years” – Gospel Video Documentary
RE-CREATION 1 and 1a (Summer 1976 and Autumn 1976)
Charles Alleman, Becky Antle, Donald Baxter Jr., Martha Baylor, Katie Brooks, Joyce Darden, Jan Esterline, Jeffrey Hall, Timothy Herd, Eileen Janzen, Susan Knepp, Susan Paradise, Scot Rudolph, Annie Seybert
July 4, 2016
“Forty years ago today I was in the epicenter for the nation’s Bicentennial Celebration, performing in Washington, D.C. with the touring group Re-Creation. On July 4, 1976 we entertained at Third & Independence Streets that morning and in front of the Jefferson Memorial that afternoon. Being part of that patriotic troupe is one of the highlights of my life.
In 1976 when I was 20 years old, I had been a part of my country for a tenth of its history. In the four decades since, I have become invested in the United States of America for a full quarter of its existence. Despite its alarming problems and tumultuous issues, I still believe this the greatest nation in the world, and I thank God for the grace He’s shed on us all. Happy Independence Day!”
TIM HERD | RC 1 – 2 | Alumni Projects
RE-CREATION 2 (Winter 1977 – Summer 1977)
Becky Antle Charles Alleman, Martha Baylor, Katie Brooks, Karen Collier, Jan Esterline, Carol Galimbertie, Jeff Hall, Tim Herd, Terry Havens, Scot Rudolph, Annie Seybert
“WOW! I remember taking my youth group to a Youth Rally in Selinsgrove back in 1977. I had never been to one before and did not know what to expect. Well, we were in for a surprise! A brand new Re-Creation was the special music for the event. When Re-Creation started with their performance, we were more than amazed and the kids could not stop talking about the group on our way home. We soon called the group and invited them to perform for us near Red Lion. The day of the concert arrived and we did not know how many would be there, since Re-Creation was new to the York area, but we knew God would have there who He wanted. To our amazement, 500 people attended. Two weeks later we saw them perform at Springettsbury Park for the 1st time there and again, everyone was in love with them. My husband and I have followed them ever since…for 47 years!
P.S. One of my favorite memories is when the Re-Creation needed lodging and we got to house the kids. We had some great times and got to know them better. We laughed so much playing jokes on each other and hearing their stories from the road. They became part of our family.” CONNIE CLINE | YORK, PA | F.O.R-C.E.S. Member for 36 years!
RE-CREATION 3 (1977-1978)
Katie Brooks, Jan Esterline, Charles Alleman, Martha Baylor, Ron Dillon, Dave Lewis, Carol Shaffer, Dave Wurster, Chris Wilson
RE-CREATION 4 (1978-1979)
Martha Baylor,, Katie Brooks, Greg Dotter, Jennifer Eshelman, Doug Hershey, Dave Lewis, Frank Raike, Lee Shaffer, Matt Shay, Kerry Trout, Chris Wilson
RE-CREATION 5 (1979-1980)
Martha Baylor, Katie Brooks, Jennifer Eshelman, Doug Hershey, Dave Lewis, Brendan Nolan, Lee Shaffer, Chris Sperry, Kerry Trout
RE-CREATION 6 (1980-1981):
Karen Deschamps, Jennifer Eshelman, Karen Haffke, Brad Heiser, Dave Lewis, John Miller, Chris Sperry, Mollie Templeton, Jim Worthing
“As full time students, we faced quite the challenges doing so many shows during the year while attending classes and STUDYING! As a student majoring in Music Ed, I was required to do additional hours of practice for both my voice and piano lessons. l was also required to perform in university music groups “officially recognized as part of the music department curriculum!” (Re-Creation did not count for ANY credits!) I recall rushing out of classes and even finals to make it to shows during the week and of course, doing shows all weekend. (No Penn State Football for us, haha!) We would arrive back to the dorms after programs, sometimes at midnight or later, and then get to an 8 AM class!
In the summer, we would arrive in the parks, race to assemble tents, run back to set up our sound system, then back to the tents to dress in costumes and apply our stage make-up (in those hot, cramped tents!). Then we’d perform uplifting professional shows for the campers. Then we’d sleep in those small tents and use the park public showers and restrooms, and the next morning head to the next park to do it all over again!
Perhaps you are asking, “Why did you do it?” Well, that answer is easy… nothing compared to the opportunity to give to others… nothing compared to the experience of seeing the joy on the faces of folks in our audiences… and nothing compared to hearing them thank us for “bringing light & truth” to their world.”
PS: “Great Memory – I was the girl-nerd for the 50’s medley. A Secret Service member escorted me around the back of the building, up an aisle & then stood nearby as I “pretend flirted” with President Jimmy Carter (in my full nerd attire!) during the intro of the 50’s medley. And I remember Dave Lewis sang “16 Candles” to the President’s daughter, Amy Carter!”
JENNIFER ESHELMAN SHAFFER | RC 3-7 | Miss Pennsylvania 1983
RE-CREATION 7 (1981- 1982):
Jennifer Eshelman, Dan Eyster, Carol Glenn, Dave Kemper, Doug Lechner, John Miller, Ed Palpant, Marina Persic, Mollie Templeton, Jim Worthing
“I remember the state park shows were fun, relaxed, well received, and the park rangers were always super helpful. More than a few of the rangers had Hugh Brooks as a teacher at Penn State in the Parks and Recreation Department. I also remember my first VA Show. It was at a facility outside Philadelphia. I realized the importance of the veterans service that day! My husband, also a Re-Creation alum, and I still follow and support the group.”
CAROL GLENN JONES | RC 6-10 | Alumni Projects
RE-CREATION 8 (1982 – 1983)
Dan Eyster, Carol Glenn, Doug Lechner, Rich Mextorf, Brenda Neiman, Ed Palpant, Greg Shirk, Mollie Templeton, Debbie Wambold, Jim Worthing
RE-CREATION 9 (1983 – 1984):
Carol Glenn, Lauri Wilkinson, Brenda Neiman, Mandy Daggett, Linda Smith, Jim Worthing, Greg Shirk, Mark Stoddard, Todd Murray, Kevin Wendt, John Imhof, Dan Eyster
“I saw Re-Creation perform at the Soldiers and Sailors Home in Erie, Pennsylvania. I spent two years traveling with this dynamic group back in RC 9 & 10. I was struck by one singular thing as I was watching those talented performers that day. NOW I UNDERSTAND! When people told us how much it meant to them (and they told us a lot, every day, several times a day.) I thought it was a nice thing to say, but I didn’t really get it (not like I do now anyway.) There’s something magical that happens when the lights come up and the music starts. I smiled that RC 44 used the same exact song to begin the show that I had sung 36 years ago! But it fits the mission so
well…”you wouldn’t believe where we’ve been, the cities and towns we’ve been in…” What I noticed – is how the vibration of the room went Straight Up! Those folks who were literally desperately in need of vibrancy and life and love and music were like dry sponges just waiting to soak it all in. I mean truly, this group gives a gift of life to those who are greatly in need. Thank you Jay and Mary Muller ( Director/ Vocal Director and dear friends) for the MAGICAL work that you have done
LINDA SMITH | RC 9, 10