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Civic Association, merchants sponsor carol sing

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From left, Denise Hancock, Kathy Chumley, Frank Barrett and his wife, Mary, at the second annual Community Christmas Tree lighting and Carol Sing at the Community Center on Wednesday. CHUCK?BALLARO
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Don DeWitt and Jaine Milligan lead the caroling at the second annual Community Christmas Tree lighting and Carol Sing at the Community Center on Wednesday. CHUCK?BALLARO
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From left, Beau Partain, 6, Paul Partain, 4, Melanie McGee 2, and Clayton Chester 7, pose under the tree at the second annual Community Christmas Tree lighting and Carol Sing at the Community Center. CHUCK?BALLARO

There may not have been snow on the ground, but the atmosphere was as merry as what you would find in a small northern town around the holidays.

About three dozen people gathered around the front entrance of the North Fort Myers Recreation Center as the North Fort Myers Civic Association and the New Business 41 Merchants Association hosted the second annual community Christmas tree lighting and caroling event.

Mike Land, vice president of the Civic Association, said it all started because they just wanted to put on a happy holiday event.

“It started with the community Christmas tree. We decided if we were going to have a Christmas tree, why not have an event with caroling to go with it? Just trying to promote some community spirit,” Land said.

The community tree was lit as darkness fell, followed by an hour of caroling led by Graham and Jaine Milligan and Don DeWitt, with “Oh, Christmas Tree” being the first selection.

All the traditional favorites were played, from “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” to songs commemorating the baby Jesus such as “Silent Night” and “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.”

Milligan, a minister for the Assembly of God, runs a ministry that performs between 15 and 20 church services to numerous care facilities throughout Southwest Florida, as well as carol sings during the holidays.

“I love Christmas. It’s the most wonderful time of year. The best gift we ever had was eternal life given to us in the birth of Jesus Christ,” Milligan said. “What’s not to be happy about?”

After a slow start, more than 30 people gathered in the darkness, with only lamps to allow them to see the lyrics of what they were singing and for warmth from the slight chill in the air.

The hosts of the event were well represented. Arlee Michel, owner of Just Riding Along Bicycle Company, said it felt great to get into the Christmas spirit.

“It’s people coming together, singing songs you grew up singing and knowing. Rudolph was my favorite,” Michel said. “This was my first one and I loved it.”