PERRYSBURG – The songs will be familiar but the setting will be new when Katie Monroe performs at the
tree lighting at the Town Center at Levis Commons Nov. 28 at 6 p.m.
Monroe used to sing "O Holy Night" and "The First Nowell" during the Christmas Eve
services at her church, Zion Lutheran in Luckey, and those will be two of the songs, along with the pop
standards "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "I’ll Be Home for Christmas."
For Monroe, who has set her sights on a career in country music, the tree lighting will give her a chance
to showcase the vocal talents she’s been polishing since childhood.
The 2008 Perrysburg High School graduate, said while growing up she always sang in school choir, She
started taking music seriously in high school. "We had a great choir program and choir
teacher," she said. That teacher, Pam Williams, "really inspired me to learn and grow as a
singer."
At the high school she was a member of varsity choir, women’s chorus, women’s select ensemble and jazz
singers, her favorite singing ensemble.
What finally pushed her to pursue a music career was hearing Carrie Underwood in concert at the Seagate
Center in Toledo in her senior year. "Watching her on stage was just phenomenal. She’s such a good
person, such a good influence."
Monroe said she was ready to move to Nashville and has even visited with her singing partner Ali Seibold.
They’ve not made the jump yet. In the meantime, they look for chances to feature their talents locally
with a benefit show in the works for December.
Monroe, the daughter of Dave and Brenda Monroe, works at Fiddlesticks in Levis Commons.
The aspiring singer isn’t the only attraction at the tree lighting. She’ll have to share the spotlight
with Santa Claus.
There’ll be other performances, carriage rides and photos with Santa.
The event will also mark the beginning of Hannah’s Socks Holiday Drive. Hannah’s Socks, created by a
Perrysburg schoolgirl, provides socks and underwear to needy people. Collections are being received by
Stride Rite, Second Sole and The Shoe Dept.
The tree lighting also kicks off, holiday activities at the shopping center.
Those include:
¥ Visits from Santa every Friday in December from 5 to 9 p.m. and weekends from noon to 4 p.m.
¥ Carriage rides weekends from 6 to 9 p.m. starting on Chappel Drive in front of Licata Jewelers. Cost is
$5 for one, $10 for families.
¥ Breakfast with Santa PJ Party at Fat Fish Blue, Dec. 12 at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Donations to Hannah’s
Socks will be collected. Call (419) 931-8888.
