The seventh annual “Yule Sing” show almost became the song of Christmas Past until a couple of holiday helpers stepped up to keep the music going.
Lynne and Bruce Greenberger saved the Christmas musical spirit by taking over the charity sing-a-long Friday at La Hacienda Recreation Center.
Nearly a dozen popular Villages performers took part in the show, which raises money for the USO and collects items for the Congregational Church of the Villages Infant and Toddler Pantry.
Jim Beddia formed the Sing-A-Long Club seven years ago but had to step aside this year. That’s when the Greenbergers decided to pick up the yuletide slack.
“We took it over because we had to keep it going,” Lynne Greenberger said. “We’re helping the USO and we’re helping the infants who need help.
“But more than that, this is a way to generate holiday spirit in The Villages and give everybody a chance to sing along with their favorite Christmas songs.”
Bruce Greenberger agreed.
“It isn’t easy; we’ve been working hard all year for tonight. Everyone appreciates what Jim Beddia started and we were determined it wasn’t going to end. It means too much: everybody loves the holidays and everybody loves to sing.”
The Sing-A-Long Club has about 80 members and over the years has raised over $10,000 for the USO, Bruce Greenberger said.
Billie Thatcher kicked things off in style with a rousing version of “We Need a Little Christmas.” Diana Arlt made like Karen Carpenter with a stirring, “Merry Christmas Darling.” Later in the show, Arlt led the audience and cast singing “Silent Night” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
When it comes to music, Arlt is overflowing with the Christmas spirit.
“Christmas music unites everybody,” she said. “When you hear Christmas songs, you want to join in.”
Donna Francis brought the blues to “Please Come Home For Christmas” while B.J. Odendahl had some fun with a rollicking “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas.” She ended up with a baby hippo on her shoulder.
Theresa Kress led a sing-a-long to “Silver Bells” and came back with a jumping version of “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.” Lynne and Bruce Greenberger added holiday punch to that number with some rock and roll swing dance moves.
Charlie Snyder and Barbara Hanberry turned up the heat up on a country version of “Blue Christmas,” covering a Lady Antebellum version of the song.
Jim Beddia delivered some powerful words, reciting “One Solitary Life” and then earned some laughs on “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” Nancy Knight and Glorianne Lowe shook things up island style with “Christmas Island.”
Jan Lavin offered an elegant and moving “Christmas In America” while the group A Capella Gold flashed some jazzy holiday spirit on “Zat You, Santa Claus?”
Shirley Knight had some fun reading “The Angel on the Tree.”
The Skipper, aka Mark Finkle, stole the show with a couple of numbers. The Skipper displayed his soulful side, playing guitar and singing “Children Go Where I Send Thee.”
Next was the comical highlight of the evening as The Skipper detailed the Jewish side of the holidays with “Ain’t Nobody’s Business (Hanukkah).
Janet Maloney Brobst brought nostalgic warmth to “White Christmas” and Sue Schuler gave a masterful and emotional performance on “Grown Up Christmas List.”
