The All-Island Community Band played Safeway on Thursday.

The group of old-time musicians was bundled up and crammed beneath the strip mall roof just outside Safeway’s main doors. A few feet away in the parking lot rain was slamming into cars and a few pieces of wind-blown litter bounced around aimlessly.

It hardly seemed like Christmas, until the men in the band struck up “Jolly Old St. Nicholas,” and then the atmosphere changed. Sodden passersby looked up and smiled, and several thanked the musicians. The interest increased business for Salvation Army bell ringers Roger Leonhardi and Digger O’Dell, who sat in on the jam session. Appreciative shoppers dropped coins into the Salvation Army pot.

If you missed the Safeway concert, don’t despair. All Island Community Band will continue to bring Christmas music to where people are shopping. On Monday, Dec. 17 the band will perform in front of Kmart at 11 a.m. and at Marketplace at 1 p.m.

Their final appearance of the season will be Saturday, Dec. 22 from 2-4 p.m. at Christmas Village, located in Westgate Homes & RV Center on Highway 20 in Oak Harbor.