Why is it that holiday music played on the radio around this time each year, can transcend time and place, and transport us back to memories of long ago?  The popular tunes of Adele and Ed Sheerhan take a back seat for a couple of weeks to make room for songs made famous by Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, and Mitch Miller.  Is it that these songs are reminiscent of a bygone time that engages our brains in nostalgia and yearning for our childhood innocence?  Without question, when we hear the classic melodies of Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells, and our old friend, Frosty the Snowman, it evokes a warm and fuzzy feeling in most of us, and one that we replay in our minds, again and again.

The Country House, an assisted living in Yorktown Heights, is aware of the wonderful feelings that these holiday songs inspire.  Recently, this community formed their own holiday singing troupe, which they aptly named “The Country House Carolers.”  The group, under the direction of the Life Enrichment Director, Amy Pietrangolare, is comprised of 12 residents who love to sing, and one outside piano accompanist, who, likewise, enjoys playing these Christmas favorites.   The carolers’ weekly practices are fun and spirited and mostly, filled with holiday cheer.  Mary Hurley, a resident and member of the chorus believes that “Singing is fun and festive, and I thoroughly enjoy singing with a group.” And Anna Collins describes participation in this singing group as “A lovely experience… such a joy to be a part of the holiday celebration.”  The group has performed their arsenal of holiday cheer at the community’s own tree lighting ceremony, and they will be taking their Holiday tunes on the road with their scheduled live performances at two local nursing homes.  Donning white robes with red and green adornments, these carolers will bring smiles to all those lucky enough to experience the joy de vivre as they merrily sing, “Jingle bells and Santa Claus is coming to Town.”  And the carolers themselves will all tell you that singing these old classic holiday tunes brings them such merriment. Yes, they would all agree with the sentiment that “It’s the most wonderful time of the Year.”