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To the Editor:

I am one of many faithful readers of your newspaper. I have a third cousin, Irma Lommen of Sittard, The Netherlands, who is a genealogist who has concentratetd on the emigrants from the Limburg Province and nearby Belgium and Germany who came to Carver County in the 1860 and 1880 period. Names such as Aretz, Jeurissen, Dressen, Geyen, Maas, Meuwissen, Dircks, Neutgens, Bongard, Heutmaker, Notermann, etc.

My purpose in writing this letter is that she, my cousin, reads the Gazette on the internet and would like to meet you. She is arriving on May 26th and staying for about two weeks.

Dennis Van Sloun

Minnetonka, Minnesota

To the Editor:

As you know, and as reported in the last issue of the Gazette, I have announced that I will not be running for re-election this fall. I wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent you in the Minnesota House of Representatives for the past eight years.

It has been an honor to serve as your representative in St. Paul, and I have enjoyed getting to know so many of you. Serving in the legislature is a privilege that few people get to experience, and I’m so grateful for your support.

It has been a challenging time to be in government. Our budget challenges will likely continue to dominate the debate for the foreseeable future, but I’m confident that the people of our area will send another common sense conservative to represent us in the Minnesota House.

On behalf of my family, I thank you for the kindness you have shown us and the trust you have placed in me to serve you in the legislature.

State Representative Paul Kohls

Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:

I enjoyed your Ave Maria story in the paper.

Teresa Winslow

Chaska, Minnesota

To the Editor:

I thoroughly enjoyed your essay/article/feature story and photos in the May issue of the Gazette. I am looking forward to Mary’s arrival on site. She will be beautiful there. Thanks again for such a lovely and enduring gift to our parish family.

Deacon Ray Ortman

St. Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:

Thanks again for your gift of the beautiful Madonna and Child. We have heard lots of compliments and many kind words already regarding this wonderful work of art that you commissioned for St. Victoria.

As we previously agreed, we did not publish anything concerning the sculpture until after you broke the story in your May issue of the Gazette -- a well received and touching set of stories by all accounts.

We do intend to feature the Ave Maria in our upcoming June newsletter here at St. Victoria with pictures to be taken by Julie Schmieg. Thanks again.

Deacon Ray Ortman

St. Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:

Your beautiful story about the Ave Maria sculpture brought tears to my eyes. It was a prayerful experience for me. I’m sure our Blessed Mother is overjoyed by your love for her and her Son. What a gorgeous statue from special people who labored to create something so lovely for you. Thank you to you and your husband for your gift of love. I can’t wait to see it for myself.

The story about your parents in “From the Editor” also resonated with me, a farm girl. Such precious memories.

I met Peter Doughtery just yesterday at the Arboretum. Wait until you see the building he is erecting there. All I could do was marvel at his talent. Another wonderful person. He is trying to come up with a name.

Sue, you do marvels with your newspaper. It truly brings a community together, as Jesus asked us to do. Much joy and peace be yours, as the Spirit continues to move among us.

Love and gratitude,

Mary Nick Eiden

Eden Prairie, Minnesota

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