Each year, since 1987, Patsy Cline fans from
around the world have journeyed to Winchester, VA over the American
Labor Day holiday weekend for the city's Patsy Cline Festival. Among
the events held are the annual fan club meeting, and fund raising
activities for the proposed Patsy Cline Museum. In addition, the Patsy
Cline Memorial Foundation, chaired by the Hensley family, has held an
invitation-only banquet.
Although I have been a member of the various Patsy Cline fan clubs over the years, I had never been able to attend these events. As the time for the 1998 Festival drew near, it appeared that, once again, I wouldn't be able to make the trip. Then, some changes were made to my work schedule giving me the necessary time off. Plus, I received an invitation to attend the Foundation banquet. Too good to be true. I invited my longtime friend, Molly Meridieth, to join me, and we began making plans.
Friday, September 4, 1998:
Molly and I have a safe and uneventful trip from Tennessee, arriving in Winchester around 3:00pm. There was a little down time before we had to get ready for the Museum Fund Raiser Dinner and Silent Auction at the Travelodge at 6:30. Molly and I were among the first to arrive. We looked over the items for the silent auction, then found a seat at a table with a nice lady named Louise Pickering. We had been talking for a few minutes, when I noticed fellow fan club members Jimmy Walker and Amber Miller come in (having seen both of their pictures, it wasn't hard to recognize them)and went to introduce myself.
Jimmy introduced me to Mildred Keith, who took
the picture of Patsy backstage in Kansas City (I bought a 5x7 copy
printed from the original negative). I also met Patsy's friend, Anne
Armstrong, from Canada, fan club members Barry Gardner and Margery
Harris from England, and a group from Wales.
Amber, Jimmy and I chatted for a little while, then I went back to my table to get my video camera so I could begin taping. I heard Molly and Louise talking, but couldn't understand what they were saying. All of a sudden, Molly said "Bill, look!" So, I turned around just as Louise was opening a letter and Christmas Card that Patsy had sent her in 1957. Needless to say, I made a video of the letter.
A very nice dinner was served, then the MC for
the evening, Kauleen Sharp of WINC Radio, welcomed everyone and
introduced Julie Armel of the Winchester Chamber of Commerce and
Celebrating Patsy Cline, Inc. Julie gave a brief speech, then
introduced Tim and Jane Radford of Cultural Communications, Inc. who
are working with the WCOC and CPC on efforts to build a Patsy Cline
museum.
Jane gave a brief overview of what the museum would be like, then announced the target opening date of September 8, 2001. Proposed is a combination museum and performing arts center, with Patsy themed cafes and an office for the fan club. One idea for the project that didn't meet with the fans' approval is a 60 ft. neon, winking, Patsy (I shudder to think of it).
Next, Phil Whitney from WINC was introduced, and
he shared his memories of Patsy as well as playing a snippet of an
interview he did with her after one of the Apple Blossom Parades in the
late '50's. He had it on a microcassette player, so the audio wasn't
the best quality (i.e. couldn't understand most of what she said).
Next, Julie introduced Louise, who told her Patsy story and read part
of the letter.
The evening's entertainment was provided by Vernon Taylor and White Lightnin'. Vernon was a DC based Rockabilly artist, and was managed by Don Owens at the same time Patsy was. Vernon had recording contracts with both Sun and Dot Records before giving up on a singing career in favor of a successful printing business (he's quite good, so I'm not sure why he didn't follow through).
Recently, Vernon's wife found a photo of Vernon,
Patsy and Don that had been taken as part of the promotional efforts
for the Coca-Cola bottler/distributor for the DC area. Vernon was
selling copies of this photo for $5 each, with all proceeds going to
the museum fund.
Patsy's husband, Charlie Dick, was there, of course. He arrived late for the dinner (he wasn't supposed to be there that night at all), greeted all of his old friends, then worked the room. Charlie came up to Molly and I and introduced himself. We chatted for a few minutes, then he invited us to stop by his suite at the Holiday Inn. We were tired from the trip, so we declined.
Saturday, September 5, 1998:
The Fan Club luncheon was held at the Holiday Inn
at 11:00am. The club set-up a table where the members could buy Patsy
T-Shirts, buttons, magnets, and assorted
trinkets. Also, a local gentleman was selling copies of his new
painting "Memories of Patsy" that had many scenes related to Patsy's
life and career. Mel Dick and J.D. Thompson shared the MC duties. Jane
Radford and Julie Armel were in attendance, and Jane gave her museum
overview again.
There was a display of the dozen roses the fan club bought to put on the grave, plus a life size cut-out painting of Patsy based on the picture from the Time-Life "Country USA" poster. A raffle was held for a Platinum Record for "12 Greatest Hits" and an airbrush painting of Patsy based on the picture from CD #3 of the MCA box set.
Hilda Hensley and George Hamilton IV were made
Honorary Fan Club members. Mario Munoz, of California, was recognized
for his efforts in getting Patsy a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
And, Pearl Yoakum, who was President of the Patsy Cline Fan Club during
the '60's, was made a lifetime member of APC.
After the luncheon, Molly and I went on a bus tour of Winchester. We stopped first at WINC Radio where Bud Armel came on board, shared his memories of Patsy, and answered questions. Then we were taken to S. Kent Street and shown the houses at 608 and 720 where Patsy and the family lived. We then went to Gaunts Drug Store, where we stopped and went inside. The sole remaining booth from the soda fountain area is right next to the front door. Pictures of Patsy line the walls, and her music was playing while we were there. We also went by Handley High School.  The Patsy Cline Memorial Highway Our final stop of the tour was Shenandoah Memorial Park, located on US 522 South (the Patsy Cline Memorial Hwy.).
Both the North and South Entrance Gates (which
were built by Charlie) contain a plaque dedicating them in Patsy's
memory. A 55 ft. Bell Tower, erected in Patsy's honor, is close to the
south gate.
Patsy is buried almost in the very front.
However, if the tour bus hadn't taken us right to the grave, I probably
would have had a hard time finding it on my own. Enter the cemetery at
the north gate, turn right on the first driveway. At the top of a small
hill, next to a bench, is a simple, flat, bronze headmarker that reads:
When we returned to the Holiday Inn, Molly and I
stopped by Charlie's suite for a few minutes. Charlie is a very amiable
fellow. He was talking about old cars and such, and mentioned that he
has a couple (as do I). I would have liked to have talked to him more
about that, but didn't get a chance.
I mentioned to Jimmy, who was there, that I had wanted to see the Patsy display at the Kurtz Cultural Center, but the bus tour didn't take us there. So, he, Molly and I went into town so we could visit and see the exhibit. Afterwards, using a "Patsy Sites Map", we found G&M Music, then drove down S. Kent St. again.
We returned to the Holiday Inn and joined the
caravan out to Bill Madigan's farm for the Fan Club picnic. This was
mostly a chance to socialize. There was karaoke, hay rides, etc. I got
a chance to talk to Charlie some more, then Molly and I had our picture
taken with him.
The Kountry Kracker Reunion Dance was held Saturday night at the Winchester Best Western. Surprisingly, many fan club members do not attend this. Molly and I had tickets to go, but decided not to so we could rest and enjoy our hotel's pool and exercise facilities. We chalked up the cost of the tickets as a donation to the museum fund. We later learned that people were hooping and hollering and literally dancing on the tables.
Molly and I stayed at our hotel most of the day,
as there was nothing special planned until mid-Afternoon. The George
Hamilton IV Gospel Concert was held at the First Baptist Church in
downtown Winchester at 1:30. This was set-up as a "freewill offering",
with all proceeds going to the museum fund.
A graveside Memorial Service was held at 3:00pm. It was conducted by Patsy's cousin, Patricia Brannon. A friend of the family read a letter from Patsy's sister, Sylvia Wilt. We said a couple of prayers, and sang "Precious Memories". I was interviewed by WINC Radio as to where I was from, how long I've been a Patsy fan, and do I relate to her music.
On our way back from the cemetery, Molly and I
drove down Pleasant Valley
Blvd., near our hotel, until we found Patsy Cline Boulevard. It's a
small street, connecting Pleasant Valley to Apple Blossom Dr. and the
Apple Blossom Mall. It runs between Books-A-Million and a Lowe's Home
Improvement Center.
Fan Club members not attending the Foundation Banquet journeyed to nearby Berkeley Springs, WV to Joltin' Jim McCoy's Troubador Club and Ampitheatre for a "Country Music Jam Session." Joltin' Jim was a DJ at WINC Radio, and led one of the bands Patsy sang with when she was a teenager.
Molly and I arrived at the Best Western for the
banquet around 5:15pm. We checked in at the door and went inside. There
was a sign posted that no pictures or video were to be made without the
express written consent of the foundation. It turned out that this was
only during the dinner itself, so I was able to get some footage.
As we entered, we immediately saw Patsy's mother, Mrs. Hilda Hensley. There was no mistaking her. I introduced myself, and she remembered the card I sent the previous Christmas. She was busy with banquet preparations, so our conversation was brief. I wanted to get a picture of Mrs. Hensley, but she declined.
We also met Sylvia. Both she and Mrs. Hensley
were very sweet and loving.
You could tell how close a family they were, and what a void there is
with Patsy gone. I talked quite a bit with Sylvia. It was a pleasure to
hear her point of view on various subjects.
There was a table full
of bonnets, dolls, vests, afghans and aprons (handcrafted by Mrs.
Hensley over the previous year) that were being sold, along with photos
of Patsy, as fund raisers for the foundation. I purchased one of Mrs.
Hensley's bonnets, and Molly purchased a bonnet and a doll. One of Mrs.
Hensley's gorgeous handmade quilts was also auctioned.
One of Patsy's dresses was on display (a gold and
black number which she wore in one of the more published photos), along
with a pair of shoes, Patsy's handwritten "idiot notes" (as she called
them) of the first draft of the "invite" list to her wedding with
Charlie, her bible from the '40's, and a scrapbook she kept as a
teenager. Also, books and magazines profiling Patsy, a plaque presented
to Mrs. Hensley by MCA Records commemorating the sale of 6,000,000
copies of the "12 Greatest Hits" album, as well as Patsy's "Lifetime
Achievement Award" from the Grammys. In addition, there were lyric
sheets in Patsy's own handrwriting for three songs: "Just Out of
Reach", "Haymakin' Daddy" and one called "The Last Tear. . ." or
something (I couldn't read all of the title the way it was displayed on
the table). Patsy used to write down song lyrics on paper and keep them
with her as she was learning them.
Molly and I sat with the 1998 Foundation scholarship winner, Karenna Vaughn. It was a great meal, and very elegant. Sylvia was MC for the evening. A video of Patsy singing "I've Loved and Lost Again" was shown. Sylvia pointed out (with pride) that her mother made the outfit Patsy was wearing in the clip, and explained in detail what all Mrs. Hensley had done to it.
Sylvia then presented the scholarship check to
Karenna. We were entertained by a local band and several soloists,
including Sylvia's daughter, Anita, who has a great voice.
Before we left, I thanked Mrs. Hensley for inviting me to the banquet. I hugged her, then kissed her on each cheek and told her that one was from me, and the other was from the fans who couldn't be there. She signed my copy of the program booklet for the evening: "To Bill, all our love and best wishes. Mom Hensley."
Everyone met at the Best Western just after
8:00am for the Fan Club breakfast. Molly and I sat with Jimmy, Amber
and Margery. Mel and J.D. made a few announcements, then we went
outside for a group photo. We posed for several pictures with various
members, then Molly, Amber and I went out to the cemetery so I could
photograph the bell tower and entrance gates, and visit Patsy's grave.
We left some money on the headmarker (as many people do), bid our
goodbyes, and headed home.
I did learn one interesting item: Shenandoah Memorial Park is collecting all the money left on the headmarker and putting it into a fund that will be used to run electricity to the bell tower so that it will finally play.
It was a fun, but exhausting, weekend. And, as it
turned out, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Mrs. Hensley passed away
on December 10, 1998. The Patsy Cline Memorial Foundation has ceased
operations, and the Kurtz Center has closed. I will always look back on
this September weekend with fond memories.
If you've never had the opportunity to attend the Patsy Cline Festival, I urge you to make the effort in the near future. You'll enjoy yourself tremendously. Plus, you'll have a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the music, and the life, of Patsy Cline. |
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