CANOGA PARK : The Carolers Enjoy It as Much as Kids

Mary Radis spent her 89th birthday doing what she enjoys most: singing.

But instead of entertaining residents in a convalescent center or a retirement home, as she usually does with her singing troupe, the Golden Aires, the Northridge resident celebrated her birthday by singing holiday carols to elementary school children.

“It gives me joy to sing,” Radis said. “It’s much better than sitting home and feeling sorry for myself.”

As she played the piano in the auditorium of Winnetka Avenue Elementary School in Canoga Park this week, dressed in a red shirt and white slacks like the 26 other Golden Aires singing carols from the risers beside her, it was clear that Radis was enjoying herself.

In all, nearly 500 students saw the Golden Aires’ two half-hour performances, which marked the first time the group has sung together in a school. The singers, who practice two hours a week, perform throughout the Valley for senior citizens.

Between songs, some of the students shifted noisily in their folding chairs, giving away their excitement for the fast-approaching holiday vacation. But when the singers broke into “Jingle Bells,” nearly all of them joined in.

“It’s kind of special because we are the first ones to hear them,” said fifth-grader Julie Plummer after the show.

“It’s a treat for us to sing for children,” said Carol Joffe, a retired Los Angeles schoolteacher and one of the newest members of the group. “They send an energy to us; you can feel their enthusiasm from the stage.”

Elmer and Viola Fischer, who were married 56 years ago, have been in the group since it started about 1980. Elmer Fischer said singing for children is more fun than singing for seniors.

“We don’t normally sing for such an enthusiastic audience,” Fischer said. “These kids, they thrill you to death.”