Submitted by Diane Gedatus, St. Croix Volunteer League
WOODVILLE, WI – It was a cold and windy day in Woodville on Saturday, December13, 2025. Everyone’s hearts were warm because Santa Claus was in town making his annual visit to Santa’s Workshop in Woodville. The children waited inside the Woodville Community Center (Lions Den) until they heard the sirens from the firetruck blaring. We all ran outside to see Santa exit the firetruck and politely open the back door for Mrs. Claus. Everyone followed Santa inside where it was warmer. The children got in line to tell Santa their wish list plus tell him about their lives and ask questions about the North Pole and his reindeer. Santa welcomed around 160 children into his lap, or they stood as far away from him as they could and still be in the picture.
After visiting Santa, the children were welcomed to the craft table with Santa’s elves. They could decorate a bag to keep their goodies in. They had Christmas cupcakes, Christmas trees and emojis ornaments crafts they could make. On the side they had Christmas tattoos and coloring sheets. When they were done with the crafts they could move into the kitchen for tasty treats, ice cream sundaes, trail mix, cookies and milk.
We would like to thank the Woodville Lion’s Club for sponsoring Santa’s Workshop. They have been sponsoring this event for over 50 years. It is an event that many family members have attended for generations. The St Croix Area Volunteer League enjoys organizing and running this annual event. I would like to say a huge thank you to the SCAVL volunteers who put a smile on the children’s faces. I appreciate their dedication to the organization.
We would like to say a HUGE thank you to Gateway Publishing’s Publisher Paul Seeling. I am sad the Woodville Leader will not be any more. Paul has been a dedicated reporter and friend. He has attended our annual Easter Egg Hunts, Halloween Festivals, and Santa’s Workshops for years. His dedication to Woodville and the surrounding communities is phenomenal. I will miss him saying to me during the event, “Diane, you will send me the information, right.” Enjoy your retirement, Paul. You deserve it!
