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Some days after I published the December 2015 issue of the Gazette, I realized there are two other people who contributed regularly to the Gazette over the years and came to author books of their own -- in addition to Father Elstan Coghill, Tom Stumpf, and Fred Plocher. Daughter Jenny, my longtime cartoonist before her daughter Addie took over that drawing corner, put out the History of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church 1914-2014. Her parish in Tioga, ND, was celebrating its Centennial, and the book project became Jenny's. She personally interviewed dozens of longtime parishioners, wrote their stories, took their pictures, and did the layout. It was her gift to the parish, and an outstanding book in substance, class, and quality. Janie Jasin, who wrote for the Gazette for some time under the pseudonym Vicky Victoria, has published several books, most notably, best seller and nationally recognized The Littlest Christmas Tree, in 1996. The Gazette has always attracted the best. *** Some days after my ten-hour drive in December 2015 to St. Louis, Missouri, to see Father Bernardine for his 100th birthday, I heard about the flooding in St. Louis, that the Meramec River started flooding in both directions at Interstate 44 and Interstate 55. I was just in that exact location, fortuitously, with perfect timing, prior to the flooding. I drove #44 and #55 to get to Father Bernardine's place at 3140 Meramec Street, and returned home safely in three days. It, too, was an Amazing Grace. Read about my trip on page 19. *** Some days after I sent my December 2015 letter to members of the St. Victoria choir and staff, I heard rumors about myself and what transpired. Funny how that works. Only way to squelch some rumors is to buy ink by the barrel. Yes, I quit the choir and the piano at church. No, I did not quit the Gazette. I still enjoy the Gazette very much. *** Some days after the second Victoria city council meeting of December 2015, which I had to miss on the 21st because of my Christmas schedule, I found a morning to myself so picked up pen and pad and sat down at my computer to watch the video on the city's website. As it turns out, the city's equipment skipped a beat that night, the meeting didn't get recorded, and so I missed it all. Well, not exactly. I had the council agenda on my iPad and so I read it and then asked city staff questions about decisions and discussions. You might be interested in the Master Plan Draft for Downtown Victoria. I report some of it on page 21. *** Some days after Halloween 2015, I learned that Hershey chocolate kisses were getting bigger. I thought to myself, "It's about time!" I like chocolate kisses, including those with the almond inside, but getting the foil off that tiny piece of chocolate was a pain and all I ever got for the effort was a tiny piece of chocolate. Bigger will be better. I've watched Milky Ways and Snickers and Three Musketeers and Babe Ruths and Butterfingers get smaller over the years. None has gotten bigger -- except, finally, Chocolate Kisses have also learned the meaning of "bite size pieces." *** Some days after Maureen O'Hara died on October 24th, 2015, I made a point to watch once again some of my favorite movies with the star. They include "How Green Was My Valley," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and "The Quiet Man." Each is outstanding and a classic unto its own. They speak to her legacy, her character, and what was important to Maureen O'Hara the person. It's been many months since we've gone to see a movie at the theater. Nothing draws me to see "Star Wars." Others on the roster seem pointless to me. But I did hear about a new movie coming up at Easter time 2016, "The Young Messiah." The trailers have already drawn me to it *** Some days after December 31st, 2015, I read an online story about the Top Travel Trends for 2016. At the very top of the lit of "hottest destinations" was the Blue Lagoon, certainly a personal favorite destination of mine. We had only stopped for an overnight in Iceland back in 2012 on our trip to Norway, but it was a memorable way to spend a long and leisurely afternoon. The geothermal pools, the moist ocean air, the volcanic earth, the northern lights, and the eerie silence all contributed to the ambience I believe it's time to travel again, but it won't be to Cuba, which was another location on the list of top travel trends. We've visited many other islands in the Caribbean and I'm just not being called to Cuba. *** Some days after December 31st, 2015, I realized I hadn't made any New Year's Resolutions for 2016. I was sitting at my breakfast table with family, still left over from Christmas, eating a delicious bacon sandwich when the topic surfaced. I know that food is a primary weakness in my life. I eat when I'm not hungry. I eat if something smells good. I eat when I know there's a box of thin mints or chocolate covered cherries on the shelf. Addie laughed when I said, "I'm starting tomorrow." |
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From the Editor |
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Dedicated to the sunshine of truth, the moonshine of meeting deadlines, and the starshine of Victoria. |
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The Victoria GAZETTE |
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Sue’s Album A symphony of photos and fewer than a thousand words at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
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January 2016 |
