Each year in July, the third weekend to be exact, the Victoria Lions host their annual Tournament of baseball and softball games.  This year was no different.  From Friday, July 20th, through Sunday, July 22nd, the Victoria Lions attracted crowds of people to enjoy food and camaraderie, not to mention the ball games.  It is becoming obvious that the City of Victoria is a g rowing town and becoming a very young town.  Evidence follows!

John and Annmarie Biebighauser and their children Sophie and Jack moved to Victoria two years ago from St. Louis Park, MN.

Tom and Megan Pitzen and son Jonah moved to Victoria three years ago from Winona, MN.

Dan and Rhonda Notermann and their daughter Haley Jo have roots in Victoria and live here, too!

Hello, Victoria Lion Darvin Ische and daughter Lauren.   Lauren's mom is Samantha Ische, the very first Lady Lion ever in the history of Victoria Lionism.

John and Mary Jo Zirbus and children Kyla and Jaclyn live in Schneider's Court just outside of Victoria.  Mary Jo was a Schneider before marriage and is related to the Victoria Schneiders.

Hello, Margaret Worm (wife of Victoria Lion LeRoy) and grandson Mathew Fulkerson who is a son of daughter Ann Marie.  Mathew is from St. Boni.

Hello, Niles Cole and children Delaney and Larson.  Where is Mama Heather today?  The Coles moved to Victoria two years ago from Eden Prairie, MN. 

Some of Victoria's babies grew up to be teenagers.  Hi, Corey Aldritt, son of John and Julie; Andy "Spike" Meuwissen, son of Pete and Dianne; and Jordan Peterson, son of Tim and Dawn.

Some of the babies grew up to be members of the Victoria Lions Softpitch Team.  Back (l-r):  Bernadette McKenna, Cady Nielsen, and Jenna Wessels.  Front:  Bridget McKenna (twin of Bernadette), and Maddie Parcells.

Hello, wonderful Troop Leader Steve Olson and helpers (l-r) Drew Kvitek and Philip Olson.  Thank you for volunteering to help keep the grounds of Lions Park in good order throughout the tournament.  You and the other scouts are a welcome sight at so many Victoria functions.

Mary Daly (back, left) is the coach of this softball team, which consists mainly and mostly of her nieces and relatives from throughout the Victoria area.

Hi, Mike Wartman, son of Euch and Julianne of Victoria and current resident of Prior Lake who continues to write in the Victoria Gazette about adventures and misadventures of growing up in Victoria.  Love your stories!  And, hello, daughter Jessica.  Where are wife Jodene and son Ben?

Three generations?  Who would have guessed it!  That's Mary Moore of Victoria, granddaughter Leah Moore, and daughter in law Jean Moore (married to Bruce).

Is that Steve Schmieg or Greg Schmieg behind the glasses?  And is that Tom Schmieg sweating in the middle and Keith Schmieg on the right?  Say hi to Ray and Frannie.

Hello, smiling fans and supporters of the Victoria tournaments!  Front (l-r):  Lion Dennie Bjorklund of Victoria, Mary Daly of Chaska, Patti Fitzgerald of Fort Lauderdale, FL.  Back:  Peg Babcock, Patti Bjorklund (who used to be a Babcock) of Victoria, and Lion Terry Schwalbe.

Kissing under the Lions' rafters.  Hi, Kathy Kraemer, friend of the Victoria Gazette, flight attendant for Northwest Airlines, mother of Nicholas, Lance, and Jonathan, and … wife of Mike!

All the ballgames take place in Lions Park, which lies in the shadow of the St. Victoria Catholic Church, which helps to keep everybody in line, nicht wahr?

Why is there a sign posted at the Lions ballpark  that says, "No Golfing Allowed"?  The Deer Run Golf Course is at least five blocks away.

When it's hot and humid and 95 degrees, there's no place like under the Lions Shelter …

Except, that is, on Lake Minnetonka, a perfect place to relax after serving hamburgers for the Victoria Lions.