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@deacondave – The carolers sounded amazing in the sanctuary. Very festive. Can’t wait to hear them out on the town tomorrow

@patricereynolds replied to @deacondave – Thanks for your support!

@lolanotashowgirl – How do I get invited to the Dasher Valley Women’s Choir? I know I’m not a showgirl, but I can put on a show!

@therealmarilyn replied to @lolanotashowgirl – That’s what we’re afraid of

@DasherDailyDownload has removed a comment – Please remember to keep it classy, folks.

@bookstorebeth replied to @lolanotashowgirl – Join us! The more the merrier

@therealmarilyn replied to @bookstorebeth – She hasn’t practiced with us, Beth

@patricereynolds replied to @therealmarilyn – They’re Christmas Carols, Mar . . . not rocket science. I’m with Beth, @lolanotashowgirl . . . hope you’ll come along for the caroling fun.

@elenascafe – Sad I can’t sing this year. Stupid foot. Come to my house!

@lolanotashowgirl replied to @elenascafe – Will Gabe be there?

@DasherDailyDownload removed a comment – For the love of Santa’s reindeer . . .

Chapter 15

Beth

The Dasher Valley Women’s Choir Christmas Caroling Night is the stuff of legends.

We sing different carols each year, and we have practices once a week starting in October to figure out our lineup of songs and rehearse the choreography.

I use the term choreography loosely. We mostly sway. Sometimes we clap or shuffle. If we’re singing “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” we’ve been known to do a couple of spins.

But we keep it pretty basic.

The average age of the members of the Dasher Valley Women’s Choir is pushing seventy-five. I’ve got nothing against seventy-five-year-olds, but we don’t need anyone throwing out her back trying to shimmy to “Jingle Bell Rock.”

It was bad enough two years ago when Marilyn went too hard on the “looking” motion we’d come up with for “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” and got a crick in her neck that she complained about for the rest of the night.

My grandma sang in the women’s choir when she was a Dasher Valley resident, and I was excited to join when I moved back to the Valley after college. To me, it’s small-town life at its finest.

“Marilyn, your collar is tucked weird, come here.” Patrice motions for her friend to stop and tugs her to the edge of the sidewalk.

We’ve performed for seven of our ten prearranged houses already, singing “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

No, Wallace didn’t get to hear Patrice hit the high note on “O Holy Night” again this year, because we’re trying to keep things fresh.

Patrice did manage to hit the high harmony in “Silent Night,” though, so hopefully he gives us a good review.

The biggest surprise of the night has been Lola, our newest member. I’ve seen her at other Dasher Valley events, but I haven’t officially met her.

She works for a marketing firm in Milwaukee, but she moved to Dasher Valley this summer.

I expected her to be vapid and pushy, but she’s actually been shy and reserved. Apparently the forward side of her personality only comes out behind the keyboard.

“There you go.” Patrice pats Marilyn’s back. “Let’s carry on, ladies!”

We follow behind our fearless leader. Marilyn side-eyes Lola as she marches ahead. She’s been a bit less open-minded than I’ve been.

“Tough crowd,” Lola mumbles.