Downtown businesses open for Christmas caroling

Community volunteers braved wet weather over the weekend to participate in the Downtown Monroe Association's (DMA) first ever Main and Lewis Christmas Caroling Celebration and fundraiser.

The caroling celebration and pie-sale fundraiser took place 3 -5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, in downtown Monroe. The DMA set up pie sales inside the Doloff-Key building, as carolers warmed up and prepared to tour Main Street in a flurry of Christmas songs. Formed in August, the DMA's mission is "to enhance the historic charm of downtown Monroe while encouraging diverse commerce, tourism and increased sense of community utilizing the National Main Street approach.GÇ¥

The DMA is currently funded through member contributions. All funds raised during the event will be dedicated to the DMA's efforts to restore and revitalize downtown Monroe.

Community volunteer Amber Mehta helped support the event, along with students from her Frank Wagner Elementary Kindness Club. Park Place Middle School choral instructor Katie Carruthers brought singers from the middle school choir to perform for downtown businesses.

Carruthers helped bring choir back to the forefront at the middle school. It initially started out as a before-school club, until the school decided last spring that it would implement an official choir class in the 2014GÇô15 school year. Last year, the choir performed during the Monroe Chamber of Commerce's December meeting, and attendees were thrilled with the performance.

In addition to teaching students the basics of choral musicianship and harmonies, Carruthers teaches music theory, sight-reading, music history and choral techniques.

Despite the continuous rain, Carruthers and her choir garnered smiles and applause from patrons as they toured downtown businesses, such as Camp 1923, Las Tres Marias, the Main Street Caf+¬, Hardline Tattoo, Team Braga, My L.A. Fashion and Main Street Books. Real Deals owner Kayla Luke donated nearly 100 secret discount envelopes for the event, which were handed to guests who purchased pies.

The coupons varied in value, and are redeemable Dec. 17-19 at Real Deals, but must be opened in the store.-á

The Plush Pippin Pie fundraiser was spearheaded by DMA member Andy Martin, who pitched the idea during the Dec. 1 board meeting. Plush Pippin pies are made at a bakery in Kent, which offers affordable pastries to nonprofits for fundraising. The DMA featured apple and blueberry pies for $5 and $7, depending on the size.

Martin collected the pies in Kent on Friday, secured freezer storage and transported them to the Doloff-Key building on the day of the event. He also secured the use of the space inside Doloff-Key and worked with volunteer artist Terri Weigelt, who created signage promoting the event.-á

The Main and Lewis Caroling concept was initially formed by DMA President Dianne Forth, who recruited her husband to help set up the Doloff-Key building. The event was coordinated by Walmart co-manager and DMA member Ben Allen and Erin Angus-Snapka, who handled the logistics. Allen and volunteer Lara Thomas helped lead the singing group through downtown, while Design Committee Chairwoman Samantha Idle provided hot chocolate from a portable dispenser. DMA treasurer Jackie Kiter and vice president Teresa Willard hosted guests, greeted carolers and helped the event run smoothly.

For more information on the DMA, visit www.facebook.com/dtmonwa/?fref=ts. The group meets at 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday at in donated office space at 108 E. Main St., Suite 204, and at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at the Monroe Boys & Girls Club.-á -á