Photo by Ellen Ferrara
The former Villagettes, now Reunion, rehearse for their August 20 benefit for the Bethany American Legion.

•August 11, 2021•
By Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer

Do you miss that great, ol’ time rock and roll music? Then pull up a lawn chair at the Bethany American Legion on Friday, August 20 from 6-8 p.m. and rock out with the former Villagettes to the great songs of the 60’s and 70’s.
The event is a fundraiser for the American Legion with pork burgers or a hot dog, chips and a cookie for $5.00. Beverages are also available, and all proceeds from the food sales go directly to the Bethany American Legion.
If you grew up in Bethany around 1967, you probably remember the Villagettes – an all-girl band of high school friends who played almost every weekend in Bethany, Sullivan, Lovington, Illiopolis, Decatur and other small towns in the area from 1967-1969 for sock hops and special events.
It all started when Dee Buker was the only girl in an all-male band. On one rare occasion the band got paid, and the guys divvied up the money but gave none to Dee. When she complained to her father, he said, “Why don’t you start your own band?”
She rounded up her best buds – Peggy Reeder (sax), Candy Monroe (bass), Cindy Sanner (drums), and one other friend to form an all-girl band. They called themselves the Villagettes because they came from a small village and to emphasize that they were a unique all-girl band.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.