History of Caroling
Each year someone asks when the caroling started in the Province Center at 305 Cable Street. The caroling is not a new tradition in Evergreen. In fact, it has been around for as long as the community has existed. Residents used to gather at the Schenley Rd school house or the church on Keswick Rd to start their trek of singing carols. It would be one of the coldest evenings in December as shivering carolers sang joyously to their neighbors while their gloved fingers turned pages of the song sheets.
The music sheets originated from the Evergreen Methodist Church on Keswick Road. We still have some of those old and tattered song sheets. Lifetime resident Helen Pittinger, who passed away 2008 at age 87, loved to reminisce about meeting at the old church as a child. “There was a right good crowd at that time. We used to read by candlelight at first, and then eventually flashlights.” Receiving an orange and a small box of chocolates was a highlight for the children at that time.
Above our long time (retired) Community Association President Jake Eldridge next to Sister Kathleen of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur during caroling in 2013. They both attended many times through 2022.
The Caroling moves inside
December of 1995, another attempt was made to gather residents to sing carols in the neighborhood. Only a small group congregated under a street lamp on Wilmslow Rd. It was the usual group of amateur singers.... with the exception of one new face. As Jenny, our long time resident remembers:
"Sister Edith Ann, a new member to Evergreen, joined us with her pleasant and joyous singing voice. The night was cold and few neighbors came out to acknowledge the singing. Sister Edith Ann graciously invited us to her residence, the beautiful Province Center of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur- or what was known as the “stables” to senior Evergreen residents. We enjoyed hot chocolate, home-made Christmas cookies and pleasant conversation with our new neighbor. We were intrigued at the center as Sister Edith Ann gave us a tour of the facility. We were especially impressed with the warm gathering hall and the grand piano in the corner of the room. I thought to myself: this would be a perfect place to meet and sing carols and stay warm!”
The following year, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur generously consented to the use of their facility for neighborhood caroling. Invitational fliers were handed out to each home in the community. There was no list-serv at that time. New song booklets were put together, and the Community Association provided cider and cookies. But would people show up?... and...would someone be able to play the piano? (or at least get the singers started in the right key).
Jenny: "Ironically, the first two people to walk through the front door were Virginia and Charles Laire. “Do either of you play the piano?” I asked. They both gave a hearty chuckle. “Oh, I think I can do that!”, stated Charles sarcastically. I handed him a pile of old music books I had gathered. “I don't think I will need those” he said as he proceeded to the grand piano and began playing carols from memory. Charles was a professional musician who was a church organist and choir director for over 50 years!! What fate!! More than 30 people of all ages attended that first caroling event in1996 in the Province Center. It was a huge success!"
The Tradition continues
For the next 12 years, Charles lovingly played music for the community and would even provide props and storytelling that delighted the children. Sadly, Charles passed away in 2008. Virginia died the year before. However, lucky for Evergreen, fate stepped in again as community musician Bob Friedman declared that the indoor caroling tradition must continue! He and Tom Pelton volunteered and have taken the reins of the caroling ever since. Songs now include solstice, Hanukkah and movie classics which turned the event in a seasonal celebration for all. Due to the Covid pandemic, 2020 was the only year caroling in the Province Center was canceled. The following year, to continue maintaining Covid precautions, caroling was held outside on the patio of the Province Center. It was a bit of a chilly evening but a large happy group attended anyway. Cocoa and hot cider were served as well as an assortment of cookies provided by the residents. Tom and Bob managed to lead the carolers joyfully despite numb fingers while strumming their guitars.
Each year is as amazing as the first year as new and longtime residents join the festivities. For the last years the musicians have grown in number. There was an extra guitarist, violinist, and a clarinetist. Many thanks to Bob Friedman and Tom Pelton for organizing Evergreen's annual caroling events. And of course so much gratitude goes to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur who so graciously make it possible to keep the tradition going in their beautiful Province Center.