Re-Creation USA, Inc.

06/07/2026

HELLO FRIENDS!

I wanted to let you know that the Re-Creation website has been running since the group's closing 3 years ago. The time is coming soon when the renewal on the hosting will lapse and the website will disappear.

If you want any of the pictures, write-ups or anything of that nature, be sure to go to the website and copy and paste what you would like to keep.

There's a treasure-trove of mission represented, and I'm sad to not be able to personally host the website forever. I wanted to give you a 'heads-up' in case you'd like to take advantage of all the great pics and stories.

https://re-creationusa.org/

- A lady in my aerobics class stopped me the other day and we started lamenting about Re-Creation's absence.

"Well," she said, "we just have to be grateful for the lovely, lovely gift it was for all those years. Such a gift."

She used the word "gift" multiple times.

And it was, truly.

Appreciate you all. I miss what we were privileged to offer to our Heroes, our companion Church-Goers, and our fellow Americans, every single day.

Talk soon,

Jay

The young people of Re-Creation were cited by the Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge as: “AMERICA’S AMBASSADORS to HOSPITALIZED VETERANS” RE-CREATION HISTORY: Hugh & Carolyn Brooks and their daughter, Katie, founded Re-Creation in 1976, after discussing the need for bright, positive entert...

04/11/2026

Scroll through pics to see former Re-Creation Board Members Betsy and Bryce Boyer!

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04/03/2026

for your Easter walk...
"THUNDER & LIGHTNING"
written by Dr. Hugh Brooks

Originally written by Dr. Hugh Brooks and arranged by Jan Esterline for RC 6, "Thunder & Lightning" became the hallmark of the Re-Creation Gospel program. Folks would drive for hours and miles to experience this amazing piece of work.

I was fortunate to sing this version in RC 11 and 12. I even sang the solo a couple of times...very impacting, humbling and sobering to sing those words.

I adore this song and think, truly, that everyone should hear it.
And I mean EVERYONE.

"Thunder & Lightning" has been re-worked a few different ways a number of times over the years. This is, essentially, the version performed from RC 6 though RC 12.

It was totally overhauled in RC 12 and used again in that iteration in RC 14. And then in RC 19, David Kazee and Dr. Brooks went back to the original arrangement by Jan Esterline that hearkened back to this version, combined with newer elements.

When I wanted to present it in RC 30, in 2004, I knew I had the singers. And I knew I wanted to do the original version. Dave Kazee made sure we had the instrumentation, hiring a fantastic band from Kentucky including live horn players and strings by The Nashville String Machine to add the final layer.

Interestingly, Jan Esterline made a surprise appearance on the property that year and we and the cast members got to talk to him extensively about the process of crafting "T&L." He's a great guy and we so loved chatting with him.

We recorded in Kentucky and Nashville with RC 30 and a couple special guests. It was a moment-in-time for all involved.

I adapted much of the original choreography by Katie and Carolyn Brooks. The dramatic poignance of the moves punctuate the pain, the angst, the power, and victory, perfectly.

We follow up this historical account of Christ's Passion with another song written by Dr. Brooks, and arranged by Dave Kazee. "Everlasting Song" unfolds the events following Jesus' death on the cross and the amazing manifestation of our gift of eternal life. It's a powerful companion piece.

Now it's your turn.

If you've heard "Thunder & Lightning" before, listen again with new appreciation.

If you've never heard it, may I suggest you set aside 15-20 minutes to really focus. Listen and watch. Clear any distractions.

This masterpiece of artistry will set the ambience...
and tell the Story of Redemption.

❤️ Thank you Hugh, Jan and Dave, and Carolyn and Katie, for one of the most beautiful settings of music anywhere in any time.

for your Easter walk..."THUNDER & LIGHTNING"written by Dr. Hugh BrooksOriginally written by Dr. Hugh Brooks and arranged by Jan Esterline for RC 6, "Thunder ...

03/27/2026

Hello Friends.

I'm sure you're all missing Re-Creation as much as I am! But remember, you can watch and listen to every video and album the group produced on the YouTube channel. I have been told that many care facilities make use of the channel to engage and entertain their patients and residents. What a blessing!

I hope you're all doing well and living your best life.

Jay

PS. If you ever have anything to ask or share, please feel free to do so in the comments. Reminiscing is fun!
Link to YouTube Channel

CLICK THE "POSTS" TAB FOR MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON RE-CREATION'S HISTORY, PROGRAMS, SERVICE and LEADERSHIP!

03/25/2026

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02/11/2026

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01/21/2026

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Your Show Choir ambassadors' influence extends to the cast members' classmates as well. This display in the SAHS hallway shows all the students the particular mission, care and extension of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered."

Students can see their fellow classmates serving our shut-ins and delighting appreciative audiences with a program comprised of more than just music! The show is a love-letter to our seniors and shut-ins and provides such a sense of community and joy. Imagine every student at SAHS being able to be drawn in to the magic of SSD!

Your support makes that goodwill possible.

COME SEE US!

🎟️ Friday, February 13, 2025
Selinsgrove Middle School
7:00 pm.
Admission is free. Donations to support service shows to area care centers will be encouraged.

Thanks for your consideration!

01/16/2026

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Join the Show Choir and the amazing SAHS Concert Band in a Holiday Finale!

01/09/2026

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