Welcome to Twice Upon a Time

Inspiration for Cabin Scene

The long and winding road that leads to the cabin.

The church bell that was brought down from the top of the cabin. I think it’s fantastic that it was preserved in this way.

The beautiful lake that glistened when the sun was high in the sky and could be seen from the dayroom. We spent the night in the dayroom. There were no curtains in the room to cover the wall of windows, so when the sun came up, we were awoken to witness an amazing view.

The house that used to be the log cabin church.

The boats laying there gave me something for Gabe and Ella to talk about while waiting for Ella to calm down after her unexplainable experience.

The shed is where the twins were last seen playing. I was so happy to see it because I had no idea how I was going to play out the twins disappearance. It proved to be quite useful. I love how once I decided to use it, the scene with the mom and her garden, the kids counting fireflies played out.

Ella's World

A Look Into Ella’s World

Brownsville, Texas

Ella’s trip back in time takes her to her home town. She took me along with her, as she will, you, when you read her story. For me it was a nostalgic and pleasurable recollection of an era so different than the one we live in now.

I thought it would be fun to take a second look at those places visited by Ella, her family and friends in Twice Upon a Time. I know I’ll enjoy it and hope you’ll enjoy it too. With each location mentioned or visited, I’d like to give a brief overview and add pictures of then and now for each. I’ll include any photographs I find that I’m able to share, along with some of my own that I might have. If you have any to share I would love to include a few. Scenes take place at the following: Brownsville High School, The Library, Zesto’s, The Drive Inn in Matamoros, The Texas Café, City Hall, The Majestic, Fisher’s, The Vermillion, South Padre Island (the cabana area), Den Russ, Gio’s Villa, Eagles Nest, Sam’s Memorial Stadium.

Mentioned are: Brownsville High School Auditorium, Charro Days festivities and carnival, The Mustang Club in Matamoros, The Civic Center.

So start looking through your photographs to see if there’s some you would like to share.

The Majestic Theatre

The Majestic Theatre – Built 1948 – located at 1002 E. Elizabeth Street, Brownsville, TX

Majestic – an adjective - having or showing impressive beauty or dignity

Synonyms: magnificent, grand, splendid, glorious

The Majestic – 1966

This is what Gabe and Ella would have experienced on their date to The Majestic Theatre.

The Majestic Theatre was aptly named; it was all the adjectives mentioned above. It was extraordinary from its tall, beautifully lighted name and double marquis to the entrance of the Theatre lobby which boasted a pink and black speckled art deco floor. A stately curving staircase led up to the second floor which housed the balcony. A mural of colorful and exotic tropical flowers and foliage ran along the staircase wall up to the second floor.

As Gabe and Ella entered the lobby, they were immediately greeted by, first the scent of popcorn, and then the sound of continuous exploding kernels from behind the concession stand. An array of other candies and treats including huge dill pickles and soft drinks were also sold.

As they walked from the lobby through the doors into the Theatre, Ella and Gabe would be greeted as they entered the Theatre area by a uniformed usher. Once the movie started, the ushers would walk up and down the two main isles, occasionally shining the light on guys who propped their feet on the seats in front of them, or to discourage talking during the film.

There was also a cry room for moms with infants and young children. They were able to watch the movie without their children disturbing other viewers.

The Majestic ran first-run movies, and on Sunday’s they offered a sneak preview. Ella and Gabe would get to see the featured film followed by another for the same admission price. The Majestic was a favorite place to go on a date, and in a small city like Brownsville, they would run into many of their friends.

The Majestic – Today - 2018

Driving down Elizabeth Street toward 10th street, one can still see the tall, imposing Majestic sign. From a distance, one could almost think that nothing at all has changed. But as you approach the Theatre, you see there is nothing on the marquis except for a sign attached to it stating its new name, The Majestic Mall. It’s windows and door are now covered with sales notices in garish bright colors.

What is left of The Majestic is a mere relic of what it was in its glorious past. The Theatre has been gutted and converted into the Majestic Mall which houses stores and vendor stalls. The glass and metal counters and the colors of Mexico, which can be seen in the pottery, crafts and festive outfits, are such a contrast to the portion of the original mural that remains, as well as the grand curving staircase. The pink and black art deco floor remains, but without sheen. Dull and dirty is what it is now.

It was a real shock for me the first time I entered The Majestic Mall. It saddened me, and I immediately longed for those days when The Majestic stood proud, in all its glory. All I had left was a tiny hint of its past – a floor, a painted wall and an old staircase. As I stood there, I tried to block anything that didn’t belong, which was most of it, and I longed for the smell of popcorn. Darn, why couldn’t they have at least had a popcorn machine installed so that I could have closed my eyes, listened to the muffled sound of bursting kernels and enjoyed the smell of freshly popped corn? But would that have helped? Probably not.

The Majestic Theatre

1948

Wall Mural Section - Photo taken 2018

Majestic Theatre Usher

Postcard of the Majestic Theatre (Circa 1950's

Majestic Theatre Usher

Wall Mural Section - Photo taken 2018

Majestic Theatre Usher

Lydia Paredes was an usher at the Majestic Theatre - Photo submitted by her brother, Sergio Paredes

Wall Mural Section - Photo taken 2018

Lobby Mural Section - Photo taken 2018

Portion of Lobby Floor - Photo taken 2018

Lobby Mural Section - Photo taken 2018

Portion of Lobby Floor - Photo taken 2018

The Majestic Mall - Photo taken 2018

Portion of Lobby Floor - Photo taken 2018

About The Author

Me, an author? No way.

Writing a book never entered my mind. I would’ve laughed if anyone had suggested that I should. It happened quite by accident soon after having read the book, Collision, which is now one of my favorite books by Stefne Miller. She was a Facebook friend, and I soon began following her on her website. One day she presented a blog series which asked, “Are you the protagonist in your own story?” Your own story meaning your own life. Well, I knew the answer to that, so I decided to find out why not.

The first assignment was to write about my life as I remember it growing up. So that’s what I did, I began writing about my childhood in the 50’s and my teen years in the 60’s looking for clues. Wrote about playing outdoors with childhood friends and the transition into the teen years and dealing with the pressures of coming of age. I enjoyed the contrast of those times to what life is like now for children, teenagers and adults. I wrote it in detail and was amazed at how much I enjoyed the process and the trip back in time.

It didn’t take long for me to get sidetracked and with a little bit of serendipity and a lot of imagination “Twice Upon a Time” was born and so was my love of writing. How that assignment turned into a book that’s 426 pages long is still a mystery to me.

Twice Upon a Time is available for purchase on Amazon in paperback and Kindle version. I see it there with my own eyes, my book, my name and I still have trouble believing it’s true – I’m a writer, I’m an author.

Brownsville Historical Museum Book Signing - Dec. 6, 2018 - A 1960's Themed Event

With Brownsville High School Alumni

With BHS Class of 1966

With Brownsville High School Alumni

With my family, the Garza's

With Brownsville High School Alumni

With my family, the Garza's

With Armando Weaver

With Connie Neeley & Adrienne Simoneaux Merrell

With my family, the Garza's

With Cecily Runyon Wilson

With Connie Neeley & Adrienne Simoneaux Merrell

Country Casuals Book Signing Event - Oct 11, 2018

Olga Serna and Dalilah Garcia

With Timo Ruedas

Olga Serna and Dalilah Garcia

With Oralia Ochoa

Olga Serna and Dalilah Garcia

With Oralia Ochoa

With Yolanda Padilla & Maxine Garza

With Oralia Ochoa

With Yolanda Padilla & Maxine Garza

Billy Brito

With Yolanda Padilla & Maxine Garza

Gio's Villa - April 29, 2018

Gio's Villa

With Elvia Landin, Olga Hinojosa & Connie Neeley

With Maxine Garza

With Elvia Landin, Olga Hinojosa & Connie Neeley

With Maxine Garza

With Elvia Landin, Olga Hinojosa & Connie Neeley

With Yolanda Padilla

With Elvia Landin, Connie Neeley, Sandra Lara & Mary Lou Aguilar

With Elvia Landin, Olga Hinojosa & Connie Neeley

With Lynda Barrera Rodriguez

With Elvia Landin, Connie Neeley, Sandra Lara & Mary Lou Aguilar

Better yet, see me in person @ my next Book signing event !

Feb 9, 2019 5:30 pm @ Angelita's Casa de Cafe - 2200 Boca Chica Blvd, Ste 116, Brownsville, TX 78521 Website: angelitascasadecafe.com

Phone: (956) 621-3366

Books also available at

Brownsville Texas

Country Casuals

Corner Shopping

Center 2200 Boca Chica Blvd #110

956-546-3771

Mcallen Texas

Barnes & Nobles

4005 N 10th St

956-683-7773

South Padre Island Texas

Paragraph's Books

5505 Padre Blvd.

956-433-5057

Lali Serna Castillo

lalic@comcast.net

(281) 687-6390

Welcome to Twice Upon a Time

Welcome to Twice Upon a Time

Social

She Buried the Truth.....

A mysterious Cabin in the Woods

Be Careful what you Wish for.....

About the Mysterious Cabin

Inspiration for Cabin Scene

Ella's World

A Look Into Ella’s World

The Majestic Theatre

The Majestic Theatre – Built 1948 – located at 1002 E. Elizabeth Street, Brownsville, TX

The Majestic Theatre

1948

Wall Mural Section - Photo taken 2018

Majestic Theatre Usher

Majestic Theatre Usher

Wall Mural Section - Photo taken 2018

Majestic Theatre Usher

Wall Mural Section - Photo taken 2018

Wall Mural Section - Photo taken 2018

Lobby Mural Section - Photo taken 2018

Lobby Mural Section - Photo taken 2018

Portion of Lobby Floor - Photo taken 2018

Lobby Mural Section - Photo taken 2018

Portion of Lobby Floor - Photo taken 2018

Portion of Lobby Floor - Photo taken 2018

Portion of Lobby Floor - Photo taken 2018

The Majestic Mall - Photo taken 2018

Portion of Lobby Floor - Photo taken 2018

Portion of Lobby Floor - Photo taken 2018

About The Author

Me, an author? No way.

Angelita's Casa de Cafe Featuring Hanna HS Art Theatre Students

Hanna HS Arts Theatre Students Perform Book Readings @ Hanna Art Theatre

Hanna HS Art Theatre

Book Reading @ Hanna Art Theatre

Book Reading @ Hanna Art Theatre

Book Reading @ Hanna Art Theatre

Book Reading @ Hanna Art Theatre

Book Reading @ Hanna Art Theatre

Hanna HS Art Theatre

Book Reading @ Hanna Art Theatre

Hanna HS Art Theatre

Hanna HS Art Theatre

Hanna HS Art Theatre

Hanna HS Art Theatre

Hanna HS

Hanna HS Art Theatre

Hanna HS Students

Hanna HS Students

Hanna HS Art Theatre

Hanna HS Students

Brownsville Historical Museum Book Signing - Dec. 6, 2018 - A 1960's Themed Event

With Brownsville High School Alumni

With Brownsville High School Alumni

With Brownsville High School Alumni

With BHS Class of 1966

With Brownsville High School Alumni

With Brownsville High School Alumni

With my family, the Garza's

With Brownsville High School Alumni

With my family, the Garza's

With Armando Weaver

With Connie Neeley & Adrienne Simoneaux Merrell

With my family, the Garza's

With Cecily Runyon Wilson

With Connie Neeley & Adrienne Simoneaux Merrell

With Connie Neeley & Adrienne Simoneaux Merrell

With Connie Neeley & Adrienne Simoneaux Merrell

With Connie Neeley & Adrienne Simoneaux Merrell

With Connie Neeley & Adrienne Simoneaux Merrell

Country Casuals Book Signing Event - Oct 11, 2018

Olga Serna and Dalilah Garcia

Olga Serna and Dalilah Garcia

Olga Serna and Dalilah Garcia

With Timo Ruedas

Olga Serna and Dalilah Garcia

Olga Serna and Dalilah Garcia

With Oralia Ochoa