Turkey Day.  Only moments at my kitchen sink and window in mid November, I glanced up to see a flock of wild turkeys strutting slowly across our backyard.  Ten seconds one way or the other and I would have missed them entirely.  It wasn't yet Turkey Day so they knew they were safe.  On second thought, for these wild ones, every day is turkey day.  ~Editor Sue

Successful 4H Year.  The Carver County 4H Program held its annual Recognition Banquet on Friday, November 9^th, at the Mayer Community Center in Mayer.  Over 160 people attended.  Several 4H'ers were recognized for achievement including Zach Vadnais and Jason Kaare of Victoria.  The Dennis Gregory Memorial Award winner for 2007 was Missy Geiszler of Mayer.  This award was created a number of years ago in memory of Dennis Gregory, a 4H member from Victoria who was involved in the horse project and was accidentally killed in an accident. 
Photographed here are Jason Kaare and Sarah Johnson of Chaska. 
Mary Schuler, U of MN Extension, Carver County
Cologne, Minnesota

Rachel Bender, Carver County 4H Program Coordinator, was honored with the Achievement in Service Award for Minnesota at the National Association of Extension 4H Agents Conference held recently in Atlanta, Georgia.  Rachel began her work in Carver County as a summer intern and was then hired as the 4H Program Coordinator and has held that position for the past five years.  She is the first point of contact for youth, families, volunteers, and clubs in the Carver County Program, which reaches nearly 500 members in 18 clubs.  A lot of Victoria 4H kids know Rachel Bender.
Barbara Sorensen,  of MN Extension Service

Rebecca Friestleben, daughter of Michael and Tammy Friestleben of Victoria and a senior at Holy Family High School in Victoria, has been offered a full scholarship by St. Cloud State University's Women's Basketball Pro-gram.  She signed her National Letter of Intent in the Holy Family Catholic High School Gym on November 14^th. 
Becca is a 5'10" guard at Holy Family who averaged 23.8 points and 6.3 rebounds and shot 79% from the free-throw line during her junior season.  She is a three-time All-Conference player and the 2005-06 Conference MVP.  She is a 2006-07 All-State Honorable Mention team pick and has led the state in three-point baskets for three straight seasons, and has ranked in the top five in scoring in each of those years.
Becca has scored over 1,500 points and holds the record at Holy Family for points in a career for both boys and girls basketball.  She is also an All-Conference soccer player and conference MVP. 
Patrick Boughton/Sports Information Director
Holy Family Catholic High School, Victoria, Minnesota

Making a Difference.  On the day before the national Make a Difference Day, St. Joseph Catholic School students and parents took up their rakes and raked approximately 26 yards during their marathon for nonpublic education.  They raked yards of residents in Waconia, St. Bonifacius, and Victoria who were unable to do this kind of yard maintenance themselves.  Father Bob White's yard at St. Victoria was the lucky recipient of the hardworking children.
During this marathon time, the students also collected and brought items to the Waconia United Food Shelf, totaling 2,142 pounds.  The pre-kindergarten students painted pumpkins while kindergarteners made fall decorations and placemats for Auburn West Nursing Home.
Students hand painted T-shirts, celebrated Mass with Archbishop Harry Flynn, watched a magician show, and attended a spirit rally.  The entire experience was about the spirit and value of teamwork, as well as learning about the community and helping those in need.  Thank you to all Victoria residents who supported our marathon efforts.  We made our goal!
Lisa Whitaker and Maggie Smith
St. Joseph's in Waconia, Minnesota

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