Miracle on 73rd Street  by Sue Orsen.  Within the past four weeks there has been extreme goodness in the Victoria neighborhood on 73rd Street and it occurred just in time for Christmas.  Click on feature.
From the Lions Den.  Victoria Lions President Ed Hjermstad presented prizes to grade school children who competed in the International Peace Poster Contest that the Lions Club sponsored ...
If Maude Had Visited Bethlehem by Fr. Elstan Coghill.  "I picture Maude, my toy dachshund, present at the events surrounding the most significant occurrence in the history of the universe, the birth of Christ …"
He So Loved the World by Pastor Frank Jones, Lake Auburn Moravian Church.  "The idea of Incarnation is far beyond the simple birth of a child.  It involves the real presence of God in human form …"
Ten Years Ago the Gazette featured "A Bavarian Holiday," a two-week trip taken by the editor and her husband to visit daughter Jenny who was studying in Munich during her junior year at Carleton."
Dear Humanity by Tom Stumpf, Cowboy Correspondent.  " … But most of all I wish you peace, an individual peace in your heart and mind and soul …"
Heroes of History by Carol Vadnais, resident of Victoria.  "Charles Dickens reminded us that it is in the giving that we receive the true blessing of Christmas, as Scrooge is transformed overnight into a new man …"
Home News by Realtors Steve and Kathy Schmieg.  "As another year comes to a close, we can say it was a great year and a horrible year …"
A Christmas Crisis by Jim Larkin, amicus curiae et editoris.  "As Thomas Jefferson once said, 'The price of freedom is eternal vigilance …"
FIRELINE by Tom Walsh, Victoria firefighter.  "Our prayers go out to the families and friends of those killed or injured on September 11th …"
Christmas Golf Clubs by Tom Abts, Deer Run Golf Pro.  "We all think that with the right clubs we could really play.  I'm here to tell you that you may be right …"
Working the Holidays by Thom Derr, Rough Rider.  "Here I was flying a multimillion dollar airplane at someone else's expense.  I was being paid to fly 250 people to a place where they could celebrate the holiday with their loves ones.  Life was really very good …"
A Wonderful Life by Fr. Bob White, St. Victoria Catholic Church.  "As the movie ends, I sit silent for a moment … I think of the times I've stood utterly discouraged by life …"
Open Up Christmas by Pastor Thomas Braun, Christ Victorious Lutheran Church.  "The more we open up God's Word, the more we read it, study it, and meditate upon it, and the more our focus this Christmas will be on Christ's birth in Bethlehem's manger …"
Bucky's Lucky Christmas by Lee Clark, The Practical Pig.  "It was a bitterly cold Christmas Day and he was alone on the Deer Run pond, stuck there for two days, as his tail was frozen into a big cake of ice …"
The Chamber's Channel by Marlene Speltz, president, The Victoria Chamber of Commerce.  "As another year comes to a close, it is a time of reflection and gratitude for those who have been involved with the Chamber in one way or another and helped make the year successful …"
Christmas Colors by Mike Wartman, former resident of Victoria.  "A sense of wonder and amazement occurred in the St. Victoria Catholic Church every Christmas holiday season.  Trees turned colors and it wasn't even autumn …"
Senior Citizens Corner by Ethel Ausink.  "Part of our American culture is the religious foundation of our country …"
Looking Back to Look Forward by Pastor Ken Kotzer, Mount Olivet Church West.  "We hope because we have history.  We are able to look at the future with hopeful eyes because we can look at the past …"
Kids Talk by Kyra Schindler, student friend of the Gazette.  "Things were a lot harder a hundred years ago when there were no batteries or heat at the touch of a button …"
A Year to Remember by Pastor Arnold Lemke, Faith Lutheran Church.  "For each of us, this may have been a year of ups and downs.  For many, the blessings may have been more visible than for others …"
Look Up by Janie Jasin, motivational speaker.  "So I stand and wave this red, white, and blue banner for the world to see.  America, an entrepreneu's dream in a free enterprise system …"
Code Corner by Tom Gray, Victoria Building Official.  "There are many variables and different ways of finishing a basement while meeting all of the code requirements …"
God's Peace by Pastor Maureen Bonner, Waterbrooke Fellowship.  "We all have our usual worries over our jobs, our children, and our health.  Then we add the holiday stress.  Scripture reminds us to pray about everything.  This isn't easy …"
Sketches from Sara by Sara Hanlon, Mill House Gallery.  "If we can see and believe in possibilities, we can turn potential into reality …"