All they want for Christmas is ...

The Woodbury Community Theater could use a new washer and dryer. Really.

The Washington County Historical Society would like a new roof for the Hay Lake School. For the Valley Chamber Chorale, a few superb tenors would do.

From a new performing arts center and more ice time to pencils and paintbrushes, cultural organizations across Washington County have plenty of things on their holiday wish lists.

At the top for most is to continue to have community support and volunteers to help keep programs vital.

"My one wish would be to find the next generation of community leaders who will perpetuate the success of the series," said Ellie Bruner, president of the Wildwood Artist Series in Mahtomedi.

Art Reach St. Croix is hoping the new year will bring a new crop of docents and community members to serve on committees, along with computers, projectors and art supplies needed for an expanding array of classes and programs. A snowblower and rakes would be welcome, too, said Executive Director Jessica Pack

And on a bigger scale, "We want a new dedicated place for the arts in Stillwater, she said.

"They're currently stuck in an old semitrailer truck on farm property in Cottage Grove," said Michelle Witte, the theater's president. "We'd be excited to get them out of there."

For now, the performing arts ensemble would settle for a washer and dryer so it doesn't have to ask volunteers to wash costumes at home.

Hail-damaged roof needs to be replaced

It's not a new home but a new roof that the Washington County Historical Society would like to have. The roof at the school in Scandia was damaged last summer by hail and needs to be replaced, said Executive Director Brent Peterson.

The repository for county history also would be grateful for good display cases, mannequins, newspaper subscriptions and acid-free boxes in which to store its rich textile collection.

Folks at the Washington County Library are always encouraging people to read, and one of the library's wishes is that people would read the 2011 One County, One Book selections and learn about the members of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War. The library is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the First Minnesota with a series of programs next year, said Joe Manion, a library spokesman.

The library also hopes to offer expanded access to downloadable e-books and audiobooks, as well as more services to help students and job seekers, Manion said.

All that takes money, so naturally, cash is on most arts groups' wish lists. The Valley Chamber Chorale says it would use money for lighting, and the Washington County Historical Society could use some green to keep programs up and running and to publish a Civil War book that's to come out next year.

"We're kind of orphans," Peterson said. "We're the only one [of 87 county historical societies] in the state that doesn't get county assistance."

And one more thing: "We'd like better weather so we don't have to cancel shows," Witte said.