Sheryl McFarlane

This little gem of video footage comes by way of a retired teacher friend of mine in Alaska, Barbie Jackson.  Back when Barbie and I first met, in Ottawa in the early 1970’s, we were both a little homesick around Xmas time and went to the sing along version of The Messiah.  When she sent me this little treasure made in Quinhagak, Alaska yesterday, it brought all those wonderful memories rushing back.  Just so you know, Quinhagak is a tiny community of about 500 located about a mile from the Bering Sea near the Aleutian Islands . This video has broken a million views and I won’t be surprised if it doubles that by this Xmas.  You can easily see why.  It was made last year, just before Xmas, by the students, some community members and a grade five teacher whose students were too embarrassed to perform the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah in a Xmas concert.  The teacher came up with this idea instead.  I love teachers.  I love how creative and yet how simple this is.  It totally warmed my heart.  Thank you Barbie.  Friendship is a treasure isn’t it.

This is an incredibly moving video made by non-professionals that will bring a tear to the eye of even the most jaded!