Singer to Frolic for seniors

A future career in performing began for Eulaine DelMonico at the age of 2 1/2. That's when she first sang "Jesus Loves Me."

From there DelMonico went on to sing for the Wheeling West Veterans Radio during World War II and entertained at the veterans' hospitals.

"Then I got married," said DelMonico.

It was a quick change, but marriage didn't signal the end of her career. In fact, it made it better.

"In 1955 I formed the group the Del Aires with my husband 'Stretch.' It was a quartet. My husband and I worked our way across the country performing at different venues, with two other men.

"I sang and played the cocktail drums, the stand-up kind. We did shows at various Elks lodges, at homes, and the Eagles lodge every Saturday night."

It was during their travels that the DelMonicos fell in love with Reno. So in 1957, they moved there.

DelMonico recalls seeing many of her friends during that time getting married and divorced, and it was a big reason for settling down that she and Stretch chose to work on "them." And it worked, for 43 years. All the while, still enjoying their love for singing.

"In 1987 I was Ms. Senior Washoe County and participated in the Ms. Senior Nevada pageant. I didn't win, but it was fun. I was the second runner-up.

"And I've participated in the pageant every since."

DelMonico works part-time at Washoe Medical Center, taking pictures of the newborn babies in the maternity ward. She has done this for the past eight years and "just loves her job."

She is also a Retired and Senior Volunteer Program volunteer, donating her time at the Washoe County Senior Center in Reno. It was four years ago she and Stretch saw the Senior Follies show for the first time and Eulaine said to herself she wanted to be in it.

"I thought since I was from Reno there might be some resentment from the other participants, but there's been none at all. Everyone I work and play with here is great. They are just fantastic."

She is passionate about supporting veterans, the theme of this year's show.

Two featured solos by DelMonico during the Senior Frolics performance are "White Cliffs of Dover" and "Elmer's Tune."

One of the songs sung by the entire cast of the Senior Frolics is, "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire." DelMonico recalls standing on a stage with Horace Height singing the same tune.

"It's one of my favorite songs," said DelMonico. "It brings tears to my eyes.

"By performing in the Senior Frolics, it helps me get any frustrations out of my system. I like to use up that extra energy. And I couldn't be having more fun doing it."

IF YOU GO

What: Senior Frolics 2000

When: 7 p.m. May 25 and 2 p.m. May 27

Where: Carson City Community Center

Tickets: $10 ($8 for seniors and children under 12), available at the community center, Carson Senior Center or Gottschalks.