On a wintry afternoon Dec. 8, the sun shining, the air brisk, the historic Plumas County Courthouse in Quincy was full of joyful singing voices, accompanied by lovely music. The traditional 53rd Community Christmas Sing was hosted by Soroptimist International of Quincy.
The first Community Christmas Sing took place at the Plumas County Museum in 1969 and later moved to the courthouse in the late 1970s as the event outgrew the museum. At that time, the Soroptimists took over the sponsorship of the popular event.
This year the emcee was Kendrah Fredricksen, with Terry Gallagher as song leader and accompanist Diane Seibel. Other musicians included Elsie Palgue, pianist; Lucius Kitchens, guitar; and Johnny Walker, harmonica.
The soloists performing were Kelsie Johnson singing Mary Did You Know? Dana Krinsky singing Noel by Chris Tomlin; Nellie Bjelde singing Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel, with 12-year-old Lucius Kitchens on guitar. Jodi Beynon sang Somewhere in my Memory, from the movie Home Alone, Kendrah Fredricksen sang O Holy Night; and Johnny Walker completed the program with a traditional solo performance of Silent Night on harmonica.
The two choirs that performed were the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Friends singing Angels We Have Heard on High.
The Methodist Chancel Choir directed by Charlotte Walters sang a special tribute to the late John Probst, who wrote both the music and words to Christmas Lullaby. Probst’s daughter Jennifer Probst Hilderbrand, who lives in Reno, sang with the choir adding her voice to the special tribute to her father.
The first three stories of the courthouse were filled with children and adults looking down on the first set of stairs, where the performances took place. Eleven popular sing-a-long songs were led by Gallagher between performances. Santa even made an appearance, sitting in his comfy chair by the Christmas tree and adding to the festive and warm atmosphere of the afternoon.
