
Evie Rothstein, 5, St. Stephen, and her mother Stephanie, color together as volunteer Cris Drais replenishes supplies in the background.

Seven-month-old twins, Chloe and Aiden, children of Joe and Becca Hartel, Sauk Rapids, snuggle into the arms of Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Winter Extravaganza which took place on Dec. 13 at City Hall in St. Stephen. In exchange for an unwrapped gift for the Giving Tree, visitors could enjoy cookies and cocoa, and participate in a wide variety of crafts ranging from coloring sheets and letters to Santa, to reindeer candy canes and pipe-cleaner jewelry. Santa and Mrs. Claus were also available for photos and to hear Christmas wishes.


The Sarff family of Sartell enjoys cookies and a visit from Santa at St. Stephen’s Winter Extravaganza. They are (from left to right) Jane, Scarlett, 2, Matthew, 2 months, and Matt.

Owen Seutter, 2, Sartell, places a gift beneath the giving tree as both his twin brother Issac, and Santa Claus look on.

Ethan Acker, 10, Sartell, makes a bag of “reindeer food,” comprised of a variety of seeds and red- and green sugar crystals.

This St. Stephen family and their young neighbor, enjoyed spending time making necklaces, bracelets, and even dog collars out of pipe cleaners and beads. They are (clockwise) Tucker Vanderweyst, 11, Michael Hommerding, 9, Jessica Hommerding, John Hommerding, and Ava Hommerding, 13.