Victoria MN Newspaper-Victoria Moments

SNOWBERRIES. The Minnesota Landscape is offering free gate admission to all visitors every day during the month of January 2015. There are 16 miles of trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing plus snowshoe rentals. You might see wild turkeys, woodpeckers, tree sparrows, snow buntings, juncos, and even a hardy robin or two. Most are visible through the Arboretum Restaurant windows. A magnificent orchid tree is on display in the Great Hall. Photo by Shari Beranak.

Barb DeGroot

MN Landscape Arboretum

HALL OF FAMER. The MN Lodging Association honored five outstanding individuals/companies at its gala 2014 Awards Ceremony on December 11th, 2014, at Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn. Bonnie Carlson of Victoria was named to the Minnesota Hospitality Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame inductees are considered "legends" of the Minnesota lodging industry. Bonnie Carlson has been endorsing the community of Bloomington as CEO and President of the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau for 29 years.

Bonnie got into the business by accident. She attended college at the University of Minnesota, where she considered going into law. Instead, she got married, moved to northern Minnesota, and began working in sales at a Holiday Inn.

She moved back to the Twin Cities a few years later and spent a few years with the Hyatt chain before moving on to the CVB. There she witnessed the first proposals to the city for developing the Mall of America. Bloomington's number one industry is hospitality. Through Carlson's knowledge, influence, and community connections, she has been able to reach beyond the borders of her city to attract more commerce for the state.

Carlson has been at the forefront of the hospitality industry, crafting and supporting policies and initiatives, while promoting the industry at every level -- local, state, national, and international.

She's also been an active MLA supporter and board member since 2007. Carlson is very active nationally in the travel industry. She is a past Chair of the Board of Directors for the Destination Marketing Association International formerly International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and has also served on the DMAI Foundation Board and the Meeting Professionals International Foundation Board.

Mary Smith

Minnesota Lodging Association

St. Paul, Minnesota

MORE VICTORIA MOMENTS IN PAPER EDITION.

Catholic United Financial

JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME

Waconia 952-442-2121

Victoria’s Corner Bar. Nightly Specials and Menus. 952-443-9944