Merle Monahan/Contributing Writer
merelmonah@aol.com

SEDLEY—Despite a cold dreary day, Santa Claus arrived at the Sedley Firehouse right on time Sunday, brightening the spirits of more than 75 youngsters and their parents.

Sponsored by the Sedley Women’s Club, the “Jolly Old Man,” settled himself in a comfortable chair and patiently listened as each child who sat on his knee whispered in his ear what he or she wanted for Christmas.

When each child departed, Mrs. Claus gave them a bag of candy.

“We were very happy with the turnout,” said club secretary, Anita Felts. “This event was a little special in that we added more attractions for the children.”

Prior to Santa’s arrival, Snow Queen Loraine Green read children’s Christmas stories to the youngsters as she described the characters which were shown on screen. At the end of her presentation, she presented the children with books about some of the stories she had just read to them.

On the other side of the station, other children had the opportunity to have their faces painted.

An attraction for the adults was a book signing by Donna Deekins, whose book on Santa Trains was for sale. The book contains a chapter on the Santa trains of Sedley.

At the end of the program, Sedley youth provided a live Nativity Scene for the audience, while the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke was read.

“We don’t have the visit from Santa every year,” said club member Anne Bryant, “so it’s hard to say how many years we’ve done it.

“It started some time during the 1940s, though.”

A short film showing the early Santa trains was also shown during the evening.