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Last Chance Rhythm Mares
All-Female Novelty "Kitchen Band"
1955-1971
The Last Chance Rhythm Mares were a novelty "kitchen band" musical group that performed from 1955 to 1971. They are seen here playing at the Fairgrounds, probably 1955.
Members included Bea Smith, Virginia Sorrels, Margaret Garrett, Marge Thistlewaite, Helen Dunlop, Dorothy Foster, Liz Vollertsen, Mildred Riley, Frances Synness, Peg Spalding, Edna Hinman, Justine Breckenridge, Esther Stewart, Polly Ragen, Dora Barney.
Unfortunately, it appears that no recordings of the Mares exist. If you know of any, please contact this site.
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Special Thanks to John Vollertsen for Sharing This Material!
First Newspaper Mention
At Practice
| Mares practice session. Smith (center, sitting on floor); Middle (l to r) Garrett, Synness, unknown, Breckenridge, Spalding; Standing in back (l to r), unknown, Vollertsen, Sorrels. Practice Session at home of Frances Synness, 30 N. Benton Ave.. |
A Mare's Tote Bag
| Liz Vollertsen’s “tote bag.” Most if not all members had similar tote bags to carry their instruments. They can be seen in the Butte TV station photo below. Courtesy of the John Vollertsen Collection. |
| The Rhythm Mares performing on Butte, Montana television, circa 1958. (l to r) Bea Smith, Virginia Sorrels, Margaret Garrett (drums), Unknown, Marge Thistlewaite, Helen Dunlop, Dorothy Foster, Liz Vollertsen (also dances Charleston), Mildred Riley, Frances Synness, Peg Spalding. |
At the Helena Trail Riders Building, County Fairgrounds, 1955 or '57
| Thistlewaite, Foster, Vollertsen, Hinman, Breckenridge, Sorrels. |
| Edna Hinman (with mask), Justine Breckenridge. |
| Spalding, Breckenridge (dancing Charleston), Foster, Vollertsen. |
At the River Inn, Townsend, Montana, 1957
| Synness, Spalding, Breckenridge, Vollertsen, Foster, Thistlewaite. At the River Inn, Townsend, Montana, 1957. |
| Smith, Vollertsen, Breckenridge, Thistlewaite, Spalding. At the River Inn, Townsend, Montana, 1957. |
At Fort William Henry Harrison, 1950s
| Hinman, Vollertsen, Riley, Breckenridge, Sorrels, Garrett, Smith. |
| (l to r) Frances Synness, Dorothy Foster, Edna Hinman, Liz Vollertsen, Mildred Riley. |
| Sorrels, Garrett, Smith, Spalding (Director). |
| Dorothy Foster, monkey, and toy 1953 Mattel Hurdy Gurdy. Similar one shown below. |
| Double Dancing. Names unknown. |
At the Consistory Shrine, Helena, Montana, 1950s
| Jackie Helberg (dancing), Smith, Sorrels, Garrett, Henry. Courtesy of the Floy Nicholson Collection. |
| Smith (Indian dance), Garrett , Venore Henry, Hinman, Helen Dunlop, Spalding (Director, standing). Courtesy of the Floy Nicholson Collection. |
In Costume
| Cave Women -- (l to r) Liz Vollertsen, Virginia Sorrels, Bea Smith, Peg Spalding. Cave Women. |
| Three Musketeers -- Peg Spalding, Liz Vollertsen, Bea Smith. |
1989 Reunion
| Frances Synness sitting at piano, Floy Synness Peterson (left end of piano), others unknown and are Helena High School students, Class of 1936 Reunion, September 10, 1989. Courtesy of the Floy Nicholson Collection. |
2020 Montana Senior News Article
About the Rhythm Mares
Click on image to open the PDF file
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