Each year, Doug Minier of Williamsport and Emily Holmes of South Williamsport put on holiday shows for local nursing home residents.
Holmes is Minier's goddaughter, but he thinks of her as more of a niece.
When it comes to their love for music and performing, you can tell they're related.
Minier has been putting on senior shows since 1996 - the year before Holmes was born - so he's had something of a head start.
"I used to have three or four friends go with me and we would do an old-fashioned variety show. Each of us would do a little part, and then we sang together," Minier said. "It started out that way, but kept changing. For a few years, until Emily got older, I was doing these shows by myself."
Holmes, who is now 14 and a freshman at South Williamsport Area High School, has been performing with Minier since she was 8 years old.
According to Holmes, however, she's been a performer since day one.
"I've been performing my whole life," Holmes said. "I love to sing and act in school musicals and plays. I've always listened to music and I want to go to 'American Idol' next year. I really love singing. I sing everywhere - even in class."
Minier, who works for Interstate Photo as a photographer, said music always has been his first love.
"I grew up in a home where music was always being played," Minier said. "My mother always listened to country radio and my dad always watched the 'Lawrence Welk Show,' which I loved. I sing everything from country to pop. I'm always singing or playing. My whole life revolves around music."
Minier has recorded two Christmas CDs and three country albums. He is in the process of recording a Gospel album, and said he would like to record something with Holmes.
"I'd love to record a duet Christmas album with her," Minier said.
Minier and Holmes perform between six and 12 shows per year, from Thanksgiving through the end of December. They have performed at the Muncy Senior Center, ManorCare, The Meadows and Valley View, just to name a few.
"One year we were booked at every one of them," Minier said.
As you might expect, the shows mainly feature Christmas favorites like "Feliz Navidad," "White Christmas," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Silent Night."
Holmes said she enjoys performing these classic holiday numbers, but would also like to sing some of her own favorites.
"I love country music, so I'd like to sing some Carrie Underwood songs," she said.
For Holmes, performing for nursing home residents is a rewarding experience.
"I like interacting with the people there because most of them don't get to experience that very much," she said. "It's nice to make them feel happy. It makes me feel good inside to know that I'm doing something good for somebody. It's also really fun."
According to Minier, the residents' enjoyment is his greatest reward.
"It's a fun, upbeat show," Minier said. "We usually hand out candy. Sometimes I pick a member of the audience and have them sing along with me. The seniors enjoy it - they sing along. I love seeing their faces. They interact with us and have fun. They enjoy people coming in and taking the time to be with them. My mother was in a nursing home before she passed away, so I know what to expect. We try to keep our shows up-tempo and short."
As a photographer, Minier has made a career of documenting moments in time.
This habit inspired him to record his performances with Holmes.
"I have videos of every year we've performed together, going all the way back to when Emily was a baby," Minier said. "In the first one, she's 6 months old and I'm singing to her underneath the Christmas tree."
This year, Minier has something special planned for all those old videos.
"I want to try to work the videos into our performances this year," Minier said. "I'd like to project the videos behind us while we sing a song. This gives you some idea of how long we've been doing this."
Minier said "The Doug and Emily Spirit of Christmas Show" already has several dates booked for this holiday season, including Dec. 8 at Valley View Nursing Center, Dec. 13 at the Williamsport Home and Dec. 20 at ManorCare.
"We do this on a completely volunteer basis, so there's no charge," Minier said.
To schedule a show, email Minier at miniermusic@yahoo.com.
