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Transcript/ScriptTITLE: TV Christmas Caroling Block Party - Yoni
DATE: 12/22/2021 at 8:20am
HEADLINE: Neighbors Bond Over Fondness for Caroling
TEASER: A community in Centerville, Virginia, comes together to share the spirit of the holiday
BYLINE: Made Yoni
DATELINE: Centreville, VA
VIDEOGRAPHER: Maria Iman Santoso
PRODUCER: Miguel Amaya
VIDEO EDITOR: Maria Iman Santoso
SCRIPT EDITORS: KE, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): All VOA
PLATFORMS OPTION (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO
TRT: 2:38
VID APPROVED BY: BR
TYPE: TVPKG/ RADIO ))
[[INTRO]]
((It’s the holiday season in the United States. And for many, that means it’s time to sing Christmas songs. VOA’s Made Yoni reports on this story narrated by Maria Iman Santoso, who contributed to the story.
((upsound of caroling))
((NARRATOR))
Dewa Dirga and Kate Hopkins-Dirga, are a couple in the Washington suburbs.
Since moving to their Centerville, Virginia, neighborhood in 2016, they’ve taken part in Christmas caroling around their neighborhood.
For Kate, it’s a fond reminder of her childhood.
((Kate Hopkins-Dirga, Holiday Caroler)) ((female, in English))
“So when I am growing up in our neighborhood, I have a lot of good memories of our neighborhood getting together for Christmas caroling, and there was one family who always hosted an afterparty with cookies and hot cocoa. And I am sure the adults have something else, but the kids really enjoy the treats after caroling.”
((NARRATOR))
The activity also stirs warm memories of neighborly togetherness for Dewa, even though he grew up in Bali, Indonesia.
((Dewa Dirga, Holiday Caroler)) ((male, in Indonesian))
“I’m not a Christian but a Hindu. But I enjoy celebrating Christmas to support my wife and the whole family. So, I just participate in the festivities.”
((NARRATOR))
Every year, the two are joined by their neighbors Jill and Josh Paulin.
((Jill Paulin, Christmas Caroler)) ((female, in English))
“So much fun. We have great neighbors. It has been a fun experience for us to get together and spread Christmas cheer.”
((Josh Paulin, Christmas Caroler)) ((male, in English))
“Just a great way for neighbors to get together and have a good time.”
((NARRATOR))
You don't need to prepare or rehearse to join this neighborhood choir. Just bring some holiday and neighborly cheer.
((Sarah Lopez, Christmas Caroler)) ((female, in English))
“The thing is we come here not to be the best singer. More excited to come together and sing off key or on key, and just spread joy of the season to our neighborhood.”
((NARRATOR))
As an initiator of this holiday tradition, Kate also gets to choose the songs.
((Kate Hopkins-Dirga, Holiday Caroler)) ((female, in English))
“The first year we have a packet, and that didn’t work well, because nobody can find the right song in the packet, so we try to narrow it down. So, this year I just picked 10 songs that we really like. Some are secular. Some are more religious, like 'Silent Night' and 'The First Noel.'”
((NARRATOR))
This year, most neighbors are comfortable sharing in some physically distanced but socially engaging cheer.
((upsound The Jenkins, neighbors))
“We wish everyone a happy holiday and health, happiness and peace.”
((upsound The Johnsons, neighbors))
“We so enjoy the caroling, was just beautiful, the children were wonderful (thank you so much)”
((NARRATOR))
And after an evening of caroling, the carolers go back to the Dirgas' home and share more holiday spirit and, of course, some hot cocoa.
For Made Yoni in Centerville, Virginia, Maria Iman Santoso, VOA News.
NewsML Media TopicsReligion and Belief, Lifestyle and Leisure, Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Topic TagsChristmas
Party
Block Party
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 22, 2021 17:44 EST
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media
