By Debbie Wagner
The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year for music, caroling, festivals and walks down memory lane to Christmases past. I hope the Q&A below inspires you to reflect on holiday cheer from prior years … because music and memories are the greatest gifts of all!
What are your memories of Christmas caroling, musicals and shows, church musicals or Christmas festivals?
“I loved Christmas caroling so much. One year, I convinced my best friend to go caroling with me on Christmas Eve, with my cassette player as an accompaniment. Neither of us have great voices … but she is a great friend to do this, isn’t she?”
-Jenni Wilson Bartling, Sewickley
“Every Christmas Eve was spent with our grandparents for a fabulous Italian dinner. The kids sat at a little table in the living room and the adults sat at the dining room table. My aunt always had a special ornament for all the kids at their seat. My grandparents had their homemade wine and we always got a little sip. Being together was priceless.”
-Kathy Steines, Beaver County
“When we were kids, we had to learn how to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in different languages for a Christmas program at church Christmas program. I still remember how to say it in Gaelic. In my high school concert choir, we walked around the hallways the day before Christmas break and sang carols. It was a lot of fun!”
-Alicia Shafer Bloom, Pittsburgh
“I remember stopping at a live nativity scene with my boys running around. I stepped up and joined them in singing. One of my favorite memories.”
-Sandra Jacobs, Rochester
“My hometown held a community Christmas carol sing-along in front of the bank. We took over the street, led by high school music teachers and choruses. It put me in the holiday spirit!”
-Holly Mathias, Ambridge
“Christmas caroling with the church, going from home to home visiting shut-ins.”
-Eddie Marx, Butler County
“Christmas caroling with the St. Peter’s Pipers church group at the senior citizens home in Evans City.”
-Al Mazuch, Butler County
“My grandma took us to see ‘The Nutcracker’ and it was lovely! I didn’t expect to love something so much that had no words!”
-Erika Homapoor, Wexford
“As a longtime member in our church choir, I remember visiting the local nursing homes to sing Christmas carols. Very poignant and gratifying at the same time.”
-Mary Scoumis, Beaver County
“My oldest daughter’s birthday is in December. We always had a sweet party making jingle-bell necklaces and caroling in our cul-de-sac.”
-K. M. Moffatt, Pittsburgh
“My family participated in a neighborhood Lumineers tradition in the North Hills when I was young. My brothers and I lit all the Lumineers. It was really a big job! We have a lot of funny memories about it and laugh a lot when we discuss it.”
-Dave Wagner, North Sewickley
“When my sons were young, we used to go Christmas caroling with Dr. David and Lisa Cahill every year. It was a very special experience because the Cahills had a large family and their children brought all their friends. I used to lead the group and their voices were so sweet because there was such a mix of children’s ages. Afterwards, we went back home for hot cocoa and treats. Great memory!”
-Debbie Wagner, North Sewickley
Vintage Debbie is a vintage history buff and performance artist with a unique style of era-specific music, dance and dress. She entertains area seniors through an interactive and fun music memory experience in Beaver, Lawrence and Butler counties. To learn more, follow Vintage Debbie’s World on Facebook, search Vintage Debbie’s music videos on YouTube, or view videos of her performances by visiting pittsburghseniornews.com. To book her for an event, email wagner.debbie@ymail.com.