CHICORA — Music returns to the streets of Chicora today.

Since 1954, the borough has boasted a sound system that plays the Westminster chimes on the hour and the half-hour. The bells ring out onto the street through overhead speakers.

But for the past couple of years, the equipment has been unable to perform its secondary duty: playing a different song every day at noon and 5 p.m.

Resident Dan Mortland, believing this is an endearing trait that helps make his hometown character unique, this week replaced the old analog machine with a new, computerized version.

The music was to resume at 10 a.m. in connection with the start of the annual Christmas in Chicora event. For the two-day event, holiday songs will play every hour on the hour. Then, in coming days, a song will play at noon and 6 p.m, with the traditional chimes still marking every hour and half-hour.

“I think half the people in Chicora have thrown away their watches,” Mortland said of the community's love of its “bells,” properly called a “carillon.”

The original bells were actually on a roller that played out over four speakers on the hardware store on Main Street. Store owner Ed Uber had traveled to other cities like New York as part of his trade, noted the bells and brought them home.

For years, people at the hardware store picked the songs to be played. On the first day of spring, the machine played “Here comes the Sun.” And throughout the year, it played seasonal, weather-themed, patriotic or religious tunes.

Uber's son, also named Ed, said growing up hearing the songs “you knew at noon it was time to go home because you heard the chimes or at five it was time for dinner.”

Over the years the machine wore out, and the younger Ed Uber replaced it with the tape player.

“We did it for the town,” said Uber, who continued picking and playing the music with his wife, Linda, after his father's death. “I wanted to carry it on for my father.”

When Uber retired in November 2009, District Judge Lewis Stoughton bought the machine.

Stoughton maintained the chimes from his office, and the overhead speakers were moved to the borough's former fire station.

Mortland, knowing it would not be long before the machine wore out entirely, began shopping for a new carillon.

Now a newly-elected borough councilman, Mortland, who already has been instrumental in preserving the borough's war memorial and honor roll on Main Street, said he also understood that such an expense wasn't feasible for a small community.

So he bought the machine himself. He installed it a few days ago in Stoughton's office between 2:30 and 3 p.m. so that no one missed a chime.

Borough Mayor Lisa Nagy said, “The chimes have always played a quaint role in the community. I can remember hearing them as a little girl, and they never missed a beat. Sometimes, when they're working accordingly one tends to take them for granted.

“However, anytime they don't play or are out of tune, your ears perk up, and you notice.

“I am so appreciative of Judge Stoughton keeping the old one until now, as well as this most generous contribution of the new chimes that Mr. Mortland has made to our town. They're going to help to bring the Christmas spirit to town.”

Christmas in Chicora also will offer handmade crafts and food at various sites.

Mortland said he anticipates the community will welcome back the music. About a year ago, while shopping for a new machine, he tested one he was considering by playing a song over the speakers.

“We got a lot of calls from people who thought the music was back,” Mortland said. “People are just that aware of it because its just been a part of daily life of this little town.”

Stoughton said the old bells will not go to waste. He plans to take them to his family farm in Concord Township and install speakers on a silo.