Letters from the Holy City by Sue Orsen.  The Gazette receives e-mail letters from a Victoria family living and working in the midst of the nightmare in Jerusalem.  Click on Feature.
Peace is Still My Prayer by Pastor Frank Jones, Lake Auburn Moravian Church.  "As if yesterday, I remember the pastor of our church praying for peace in a far off place where some of the fathers of my friends were defending our country ..."
Senior Citizens Corner by Ethel Ausink.  "As I thought of Christmases past, I thought of the Christmas of 1945.  I was teaching in the state of Washington and my husband-to-be had just been discharged from the Army ..."
A Christmas Long Ago by Rough Rider Thom Derr.  "I was seven and I really wanted bicycle, but Dad said that money was scarce and not to get my hopes up.  Four of my uncles were in the military in Europe fighting a war for  democracy, but to me that bike was pretty important ..."
Room at His Inn by Jim Larkin, amicus curiae et editoris.  "God's love for each of us humans isn't mush.  It was an act of God's will that sent His Son to us on Christmas Day.  That should give us the confidence to use our free will to leap cultural barriers by focusing on our common heritage ..."
Choppers for Christmas by Mike Wartman, former resident of Victoria.  "To the unacquainted, a pair of choppers is that fabulous two-piece mitten set that adorned the hands of all kids when I grew up.  Now why do choppers symbolize all that is good for the holidays?"
Three Minutes to the Bell by Father Bob White, St. Victoria Catholic Church.  "Young Johnny is sitting in class three minutes before the bell is going to ring.  He needs to go to the bathroom sooooo bad, but he's too embarrassed to raise his hand to ask permission from the teacher so he decides to just wait it out ..."
'Twas a Time Before Christmas by Tom Stumpf, cowboy correspondent.  "When I was a young buckaroo, one thing that sticks in the old memory bank was the total anti-climax of the day after Christmas ..."
Bagger Vance by Tom Abts, Deer Run golf pro.  "You don't have to be a golfer to enjoy the movie, but if you are, I think you'll love it ..."
Protector of the Universe by Janie Jasin.  "It was our Grammy and Patrick evening at the Toy Store ..."
Christmas Letters by Steve and Kathy Schmieg, realtors.  "Real estate has been booming.  Home appreciation has continued to climb rapidly, and there still seems to be a shortage of inventory ..."
Mary's Song by Pastor Keith Olstad, Holy Cross Lutheran Church.  "Through her pregnancy, she believes, God will turn the world upside down, bringing the proud and arrogant to their knees and raising the lowly to unimagined heights.  Mary's song presents an utterly remarkable vision ..."
Heroes of History by Carol Vadnais.  "Although Minnesotans are made up of a variety of different nationalities, it's nice to pass on some of your own inherited traditions to your kids ..."
CAP Agency Needs You "For 35 years the CAP Agency of Scott and Carver Counties has been and continues to be a place for people to come when in need, whatever that need may be ..."
Children's Gifts in Victoria by Lee Clark, Victoria's practical pig.  "My hats off to Christine at Nature's Bounty for stocking such a wonderful assortment of gifts for both adults and children ..."
Ten Years Ago the Gazette featured Bill and Maddy Schalow in "A Match Made in Heaven."  Bill was the handsome athlete and Maddy was the effervescent, popular cheerleader ..."
Code Corner by City Planner Tom Gray.  "The purpose of permits is to ensure that the building project meets minimum safety, zoning, and aesthetic requirements enforced by the City of Victoria ..."
The Chamber's Channel by Marlene Speltz, Chamber administrator.  "Hear, ye! Hear, ye!  All townspeople are invited to the Chamber's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 2nd, at 4 p.m. ..."
Why December 25th? by Pastor Arnold Lemke, Faith Lutheran Church.  "A church father, Hippolytus (about 225 A.D.) is credited with being the first to settle upon the date ..."
From the Lions Den by Jim Erickson, president of the Victoria Lions.  "The Lions Pancake Breakfast will be held Sunday, December 3rd, at the Victoria Village Hall ..."
Are We Thankful? by Pastor Thomas Braun, Christ Victorious Lutheran Church.  "Recently I came across a Dennis the Menace cartoon where Dennis is talking with a friend and says, 'Thanks was okay, but I bet we'll have a lot more to be thankful for on Christmas ..."
Victoria Moments from the Editor.  "Thank you, Jesse Coghill, poet farmer from Jordan, for writing poetry for the Gazette.  Thank you, Jenny Orsen, dear daughter, for drawing cartoons for the Gazette.  Thank you, Kathy Kraemer, friend and ad manager, for being on the lookout for the Gazette and its advertisers ..."