MONROE - The Turner Hall of Monroe will be turning back the hands of time to a period in the not-so-distant past when Christmas observances were much simpler and without the trappings of modern-day consumerism. An Alpine Christmas Carol Sing and Tree Lighting will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, in Turner Hall's Grand Hall as part of its 2008 Swiss Heritage Series.
The informal family-friendly gathering will feature the lighting of a freshly-cut live evergreen tree with candles, a custom that was common in many European and American households before the advent of electricity, commercialism and artificial trees.
Members of the Monroe Swiss Singers will share some of their memories of Christmas traditions in Switzerland and Germany, and there will be group singing of Christmas carols after the tree is lit. Donna and Stan Oxenreider of Stan's Rock and Tree Farm have donated the tree for this year's lighting. Hot cider, hot chocolate and Christmas treats provided by The Swiss Colony of Monroe will round out the evening. There is no admission charge for the event, but free-will donations will be accepted for the Turner Hall of Monroe.
The informal family-friendly gathering will feature the lighting of a freshly-cut live evergreen tree with candles, a custom that was common in many European and American households before the advent of electricity, commercialism and artificial trees.
Members of the Monroe Swiss Singers will share some of their memories of Christmas traditions in Switzerland and Germany, and there will be group singing of Christmas carols after the tree is lit. Donna and Stan Oxenreider of Stan's Rock and Tree Farm have donated the tree for this year's lighting. Hot cider, hot chocolate and Christmas treats provided by The Swiss Colony of Monroe will round out the evening. There is no admission charge for the event, but free-will donations will be accepted for the Turner Hall of Monroe.
