Carolers, NS tree-lighting

Almost into the 60s today and still warm tonight—it's not beginning to look anything like Christmas. But fleece and light sweatshirts, rather than down parkas, heavy mittens, and mukluks, notwithstanding, the local carolers made it sound a lot like the beginning of a proper holiday season. The event was the annual tree-lighting get-together on the town green, and as the luminaria flickered and pointed the way to the tree, a fine crowd of local singers in fine voice broke into "O Tannenbaum" as the lights came on. Renditions of all the other classics followed, during which the kids got a visit from Santa, swooping in on a local fire truck since climate change made a sleigh impractical. Once the repertoire was completed, it was off to the local church social hall to warm up. Hot chocolate was not necessary.