Meet the Port City Ukuholics

Lisa is a retired x-ray tech from Connecticut who moved to Wilmington to be near her grandchildren. She is also a drummer in a local blues band. "What I love most about playing music is that it brings people together with a common purpose, no matter your age, gender, etc... And it's fun!" 

Janet was born and raised in Birmingham Alabama.  She is a retired nurse.

She and her husband, Henry did many years of missionary work in Africa- Israel- India- and Romania.  Now they are involved in local volunteer activities here in Wilmington including: International Seamens Center, Nursing Homes, New Hanover Sheriff’s Department and The New Hanover County Senior Center.  Being part of The Port City Ukuholics is very rewarding , but yet very challenging . Each time we get together and strum, I am so blessed to be a part of this group and hope we are a blessing to others.

​Patrick grew up on the northside of Chicago on lake Michigan in the village of Wilmette. He eventually moved South to Wilmington where he has been a longtime resident since 1984.  Patrick retired from the import lumber business after forty-two years of servicing the manufacturing industries of furniture building, yacht production, and architectural millwork. He has always enjoyed listening to great music and now he has time to explore making it. “A musical instrument  gives me a chance to be a player and have a great time with a whole new group of performers and music lovers.”

​Born in Columbia, SC, grew up in Greensboro, NC, Dargan studied mathematics at UNC Greensboro where he met and married his lovely and talented wife Virginia Wright-Frierson.  They spent six years in Tucson at the University of Arizona where he earned a PhD in mathematical statistics.  Next stop, Wilmington NC and UNC Wilmington, where he taught, did research, helped to raise two wonderful children, played some music and finally retired after 38 years. Now Dargan and Virginia take regular road trips to Seattle to visit their children and grandchildren. Dargan has been playing music since the age of 12 and loves being in the rhythm section of PCU.  His bass heroes are James Jamerson, Victor Wooten, and Leland Sklar.

Donna was born on Long Island NY but spent most of her life in Connecticut. She has three children and four amazing grandchildren. Her daughter, son and two grandchildren are also very musical.  Donna worked in the corporate office of the Aetna Insurance company, retired and became the program manager for an Art Gallery and Theatre in Hartford CT.  She’s now REALLY retired and loves being a ukuholic!

Frank Hallenbeck was born in Gloversville, NY and after a successful career in Pharmaceutical Sales he and his wife and retired and moved to Leland, NC in 2022.  He has been playing drums since he was eight years old in a variety of bands and now enjoys playing with the Ukuholics!  As a college intern at Warner Brothers Records he worked with many popular bands including Black Sabbath, ZZ Top and AC/DC.  

Watercolor artist, former broadcast producer and toy store elf... and once a member of the retro girl group Janie and the Eyeliners.  Born and raised in the Carolinas and happy to be picking up her favorite childhood instrument again.  Having fun roaming the countryside in her camper with hubbie and puppy!

Tom Jones hails from Shelby, NC and is married to Rebecca Yeomans. Reunited at their 10th high school reunion they went on to marry and have 2 beautiful daughters, Leigh and Anna. They moved to Wilmington from Asheville 42 years ago where Rebecca is a life long artist creating daily and Tom is trying to retire from the film/tv industry. Tom started his career in film construction in 1984 as a carpenter on “Cat’s Eye” and has become a leading Construction Coordinator for movie sets.  His first for “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” which was one of four films he was fortunate enough to collaborate with the Jim Henson Co.  The job of Construction Coordinator often presents various technical and logistical challenges to bring the script to the screen via sets - Spaceships, submarines, baseball and football fields, muppet-sized cities, racetracks for the Triple Crown, a 20,000 square foot swamp with mature cypress trees and countless other adventures have paved a circuitous path through the entertainment landscape.  Tom was singled out during a production meeting for “Halloween 2018” by the first assistant director that asked to give him “a look”. That “look” led to Tom being cast to play the part of Dr. Samuel Loomis in “Halloween Kills”. Forty two years behind the camera led to 12 hours in front of the camera! Tom was coerced into joining the Port City Ukuholics by Jim Rode and Rebecca and enjoys his ukuholic time!