Picking a Bohn  by Sue Orsen. We can pick cotton, pick a chicken clean of feathers, and pick pockets.  We can pick and choose, pick holes, and pick our way.  To Pick a Bohn, clean on Feature.
Torture in the Darkhouse by Mike Wartman, former resident of Victoria.  "Imagine a 9-year old being asked to sit in a smelly, smoky, and frozen space.  Now imagine this young child being asked to sit perfectly motionless for over two hours.  Further imagine this now cramped and still child not being able to mutter a sound for the same time …"
Jake, the New Guy by Pastor Frank Jones, Lake Auburn Moravian Church.  "Living next to Carver Park Reserve is an experience, some times more interesting than other times.  Since October there have been some wild turkeys coming in … and in … and in."
Does God Have Favorites? By Pastor Thomas Braun.  "God does not favor the beautiful over the ugly.  He doesn't care whether we are bald or have pimples."
A Biker's Perspective by Thom Derr, Rough Rider. "This article was going to be about working in the mines during summer vacations in Ohio, but Harley Babe said the editor called and said this was her Valentine's issue of the Gazette, so, just like pro-athlete Dion Sander, the baseball-football star, you readers will get both …"
Senior Citizens Corner by Ethel Ausink, Senior Citizens Reporter.  "Aloha!  One of the most enjoyable trips we took was a boat ride from Maui to the little island of Lanai …"
Ten  Years Ago the Gazette featured Regina Kerber, 88, in "Times Sure Have Changed."  The seventh of ten children born to Joseph and Susan Diethelm, Regina married Matt Kerber and they had five children.  "Life isn't all a bed of roses," she said, "but I got my health and my family is good to me."
Summer Hibernation by Father Bob White, St. Victoria Catholic Church.  "Just as I'm drifting off into Never Never Land, the door of my bedroom burst open.  In marches my mother.  She moves in with Gestapo-like swiftness.  I sense trouble.  I hear the shades snap up.  I'm like a mole trying to adjust to the light.  The bright sun about blinds me.  I close my eyes thinking that if I don't see her, my mother will somehow go away.  It doesn't work …"   
Sketches from Sara by Sara Hanlon, Mill House Gallery.  "Aren't all artists crazy?  As an artist I have heard this many times.  To the point that when the question is put before me, I respond, 'Yes, and proud of it!'"
Heroes of History:  Because of a Mother's Love by Carol Vadnais, resident of Victoria.  "Thomas Alva Edison entered school at age 7, but only attended three months until he overheard the schoolteacher tell a district inspector that the 'Edison boy' was 'addled,' not like the normal school boys, and would never amount to much.  At this news his mother, herself a former schoolteacher, reprimanded the schoolteacher and immediately pulled him out of school to teach her inquisitive son herself …"
Don't Play Golf Like the Vikings Play Football by Tom Abts, Deer Run Golf Pro.  "The Vikings are a good team.  They have talent and a good organization, but they are extremely poor at adapting to situations and changing strategies.  Ironically, the Vikings pride themselves on having a game plan and sticking to it--regardless of the weather, breaks, injuries, etc. …"
Leave it to Heaven by Jim Larkin, Amicus curiae et editoris.  "Why is it that many of the most vocal nonbelievers in God's role in politics want to ignore one of our most important founding documents -- the Declaration of Independence -- which recognizes God as the source of our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?  They even try to suppress religious expression in the public arena …"
On the Value of Small Rural School by Jack M. Geller, Ph.D., Minnesota State University, Mankato.  "It has always struck me odd that many education experts who advocate for smaller class size, greater parental participation, and safer schools fail to recognize these same attributes in small rural schools."
The Chamber's Channel by Marlene Speltz, Director, Victoria Chamber of Commerce.  "We will sponsor Home & Business Expo on Sat., April 7th …"
"I Love to Read" Month by Janie Jasin, Motivational Speaker.  "Cereal boxes, labels, envelopes, newspapers, magazines, flyers, and signs were my introduction to read, outside of the books my mother and Godmother read to me."
In Love -- With Maui by Lee Clark, The Practical Pig.  "Once upon a time there was a middle-aged couple that had worked hard for many years.  This couple vacationed in Maui and one day they asked themselves why didn't they live, and not just vacation, in Paradise?"
Who Could It Be Now? By Tom Stumpf, Cowboy Correspondent.  "Since the hockey season is still going strong, and the cowboy has not written any puck-related babble for a while, this would be a really good time …"
FIRELINE by Tom Walsh, Victoria Fire Department.  "Preparations are being made for the upcoming Victoria Fire Department's Annual Fishing Contest on Sunday, February 11th, which will run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m."
Beware of CO Poisoning by Tom Gray Victoria Building Official.  "Unfortunately this is the time of year we begin to hear about people and families affected, and sometimes killed, by carbon monoxide … A family wakes up ome children won't wake up at all …"