Oakettes Perform Christmas Songs at Perry Hall McDonald's

Only a handful of places in Perry Hall regularly offer live music performances—one of them is the McDonald's on Belair Road. 

On Friday, Dec. 10, the restaurant hosted a holiday show with the Oakettes, a Seven Oaks Senior Center singing group of about 15 singers and musicians.

Starting at 10 a.m., they performed of mix of traditional Christmas carols like "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World," as well as contemporary classics like "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." The singers closed with "God Bless America" and an exit performance of Vera Lynn's famous "We'll Meet Again."

"I think it was wonderful, just fabulous," said Janet Vincent, 53, whose mother, Betty Vincent, 81, performed with the Oakettes.

Nearly every seat in the restaurant was filled during the show. Canes and walkers lined many of the tables, while audience members cheered, clapped and swayed to the holiday tunes.

Some incoming customers, apparently unaware that a show was scheduled, watched and clapped for the singers while waiting for their orders.

The group's director, Henry King, a 75-year-old Rosedale resident, said, "We all enjoy doing it. You have to love performing." At one point during the program, he donned antlers and a red nose and danced up and down the restaurant aisle.

Wanda Muse, McDonald's assistant manager, who cordinates several monthly events for local seniors, said she loved the music and festive atmosphere brought by the group.

"I love having them here. It was slow all week and then they come in and it livens everything up," said Muse.

The Oakettes' next McDonald's performance is on Feb. 11. They will perform love songs, said King.  

Members of the Oakettes include: Director Henry King (Rosedale), Pianist John Yeager (Perry Hall), Elizabeth Lewis (Essex), Carolyn J. Schmidt (Nottingham), Betty DeVaughn (Essex), Betty Vincent (Perry Hall), Gloria Rosenberger (Nottingham), Peggy Austin (Perry Hall), Bill Austin (Perry Hall), Vince Hitt (Nottingham), Loretta Rutkowski (Perry Hall), John Wright (Parkville), Frank Mannone (Parkville), Marge Sobus (Perry Hall), Ellen Dickens (Parkville), Walt Sobus (Perry Hall), June M. Ulrich (Kingsville), Helen Motto (Towson) and Maxim Hoffman (Perry Hall).

Names were recorded from a photocopied and handwritten roster. Please contact Emily Kimball at emilyk@patch.com in case of any errors.