The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

November 26, 2009

Choir to help dedicate Sophia lights

By Michelle James

A mass choir will help get Sophia residents in the holiday spirit Saturday during the dedication of the town’s Christmas lights.

The dedication will begin at 6 p.m. in the stage area on Main Street.

A benediction will be led by Stotesbury Community Church and Sophia Recorder Ron Mills will speak on behalf of the veterans since part of the ceremony is dedicated to those who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

“We have this really awesome (Korean War) memorial in town and we’ve got the VFW just up the road and those guys are instrumental in everything the town does,” said Billie Coleman, co-founder of the Christmas spirit committee.

“We need to recognize them.”

This is the first year for the mass choir, which was organized by Councilman Gary Basham and will be under the direction of Independence High School band director Cindy Martin.

Those wishing to join in on the caroling will meet at the Sophia City Fire Department bingo hall for rehearsal at 4 p.m., and will then gather in the town hall parking lot for caroling at 5:15 p.m.

Basham said the choir, which will include more than 100 people, will perform popular Christmas songs and lyrics will be provided to anyone who needs them.

“I encourage everyone, even if they don’t want to sing, to come and enjoy it,” he said, adding he hopes to make this an annual event. “If they’ll come out, it will really put them in the Christmas spirit, and once we sing and they start turning the lights on, it’s going to be real festive.”

Coleman says she hopes to see a large turnout for the dedication.

“We’re a small town and everybody knows everybody,” she said.

“When everyone gets together, we always have a good time.”

The lights, including the new life-size angel, will be turned on this evening.

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