Victoria MN Newspaper-Victoria Moments

EMILY PATE of Victoria was awarded the UPHA Arabian Breed Equitation College Scholarship on February 12th in Boston, Massachusetts. This is Emily's 3rd year of winning the scholarship award. She was awarded a $2,500 college scholarship at the UPHA (United Professional Horse Association) Annual Awards Banquet. Emily participated in the Ribbons of Service program which is based on fundraising, volunteer hours, and riding competitions.

This year Emily raised $3,350 for Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, volunteered numerous hours at Cedar Ridge Arabians with children's riding lessons, church charities, and Feed My Starving Children. She rides and competes for Golladay Training at Cedar Ridge Arabians in Jordan, MN. Emily is 16 years old and a sophomore at Minnetonka High School.

Jane Pate

Victoria, Minnesota

MEET & GREET DR. SCOTT JENSEN. On Tuesday, January 19th, Joe Scott and I hosted a Meet & Greet for Dr. Scott Jensen as he works towards becoming our next Minnesota State Senator for Senate District 47 in Carver County. Attending this event at the Stieger Lake Condos in Victoria were 35 residents from Victoria, Chaska, and Waconia. Dr. Jensen is a resident on Pierson Lake. Our thanks to all who attended. We took a couple photos for the Gazette.

Randy Miller, President

Victoria Business Association

Victoria, Minnesota

BASKETBALL FOR BRADY. Mayor Tom O'Connor reported on January 11th that he received a letter from Brady Kalvoda, a 7-year old resident of Victoria who had questions about basketball. The mayor invited Brady and his parents, Ron and Angie, to the following city council meeting.

Impressed with Brady's letter, the Mayor stated, "One of the hardest things for a mayor is to effectively communicate with the residents, and one way to effectively communicate is to write a letter." Mayor O'Connor invited Brady to the dais where he was greeted and shook hands with the councilmembers.

Brady, a second grader at Victoria Elementary School, tells the story: "I like to play basketball and I asked the mayor if a basketball court could be built closer to Applewood Circle. He wrote a letter back to me telling me there is not land near Applewood Circle that the city owns where a court could be built. He told me about some other courts in Victoria, like at the Recreation Center and Lions Park in the summer." Brady has a big brother Mason, 14, and sister Isabel, 11. ~Sue@VictoriaGazette.com

DUKE PIEPER. My new and spectacular coaching client is Mark Pieper, also known as Duke, a 22-year old man whose journey from being a hockey guy in high school -- slated for the big time -- suffered a brain bleed at the age of 15. Battling through months of paralysis, multiple surgeries, and massive nerve damage, Duke had to relearn to breathe, swallow, walk, talk, and live again.

Mark is taking his book, I'm Alive: Courage, Hope, and a Miracle, and persona to groups who invite him to speak. Duke Pieper is a fellow we want our sons to grow into and our mates to imitate and our dad's to be. Who should read his book? People and parents and kids who believe that fame and sports are life's magic happiness. I am deeply moved by his demeanor and humility.

Janie Jasin - Speaer/Coach/Author

Victoria, Minnesota

MANY MORE VICTORIA MOMENTS IN PAPER EDITION.

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