Heads or Tales  by Sue Orsen. The editor presents a photographic recap of her personal Year 2000.  Click on Feature.
Scorecard Responsibility by Tom Abts, Deer Run Golf Pro.  "I'm sure that you're all tired of hearing about voting problems -- chads, legal, ballots, etc.  What made it interesting was how the courts and public disagreed on what constituted a legal vote.  Well, golf has had similar problems with accepting scorecards in tournament play ..."
Stressed Out?  by Pastor Thomas Braun, Christ Victorious Lutheran Church.  "Peter Larson came home one evening to find his wife exhausted, having spent hours on her hands and knees stripping old wax from their kitchen floor and buffing the new wax until it shone like the sun.  She sat at the table with a cup of coffee, recovering ..."
The Comfort Zone by Tom Stumpf, Cowboy Correspondent.  "People long for normalcy and relief is finally here. No more thing ice on Christmas Day.  Nor more golfing in early December.  No more putting up holiday lights in shirt sleeves.  And best of all, SNOW!"
The Healing of a Rip by Pastor Frank Jones, Lake Auburn Moravian Church.  "I view the document, 'Following our Shepherd into Full Communion," as the healing of a rip in the ecumenical fabric of part of the Christian church that happened some two centuries ago."
A Holy Sadness by Pastor Keith Olstad, Holy Cross Lutheran Church. "We at Holy Cross are struggling with saying goodbye.  We ask you to think about our closing much like a beautiful sunset after a day of mixed emotions."
The Chamber's Channel by Director Marlene Speltz, Victoria Chamber of Commerce.  "Welcome new member Cathy Tieden ... Thank you to all who have served on the board these past two years ... The next Chamber meeting is a Steak Fry on Tuesday, January 9th, at Sue Orsen's home."
He's Not a Kid Anymore by Father Bob White, St. Victoria Catholic Church.  "There's a freedom and exhilaration that a driver's license brings to the teenager who has just turned sixteen ... which is what just happened to my nephew Kyle not to long ago ..."
An Amazing Celebration by Janie Jasin, Author/Motivational Speaker.  "Twenty-five years ago this January, 2001, on a Superbowl Sunday, I lifted my glass for last drinks with a sick, hopeless, and driven search for festivity.  I was a 36-year old wife, mother, and party girl ..."
Heroes of History by Carol Vadnais, Resident of Victoria.  "As the New Year begins we move forward as Americans experiencing the unifying efforts of President-elect George W. Bush after a close and divisive election.  Looking back on our country's history, there have been few men more influential in unifying citizenry of this nation than Noah Webster."
It's in the Air by Jim Larkin, Amicus curiae et editoris.  "Many people who act arrogant and put on airs, don't love themselves.  That's why they try to put themselves up by putting others down."
Ten Years Ago the Gazette featured Dale and Marilyn Palmater in "A World of Many Flavors."  Dale is Victoria's new city councilmember.
Re-Solution by Lee Clark, The Practical Pig.  "A pretty good double entendre headline, if I do say so myself!  ... I resolve to find a support group for the mirror-reflection-challenged and join it ... I resolve to go to the January White Sales for bigger bath towels ..."
Victoria -- Minnesota Mining Capital by Mike Wartman, Former resident of Victoria.  "When the winter heavens dumped tons of snow upon the Village of Victoria, Victoria became a mining town.  There was no ore to be found in Victoria, but there was snow!  And the mountains of snow became a tunneling paradise as kids near and far burrowed their way to the center and bottom of the pile."
Escape to the Ski Trails by Nancy Lauseng, Hennepin Parks.  "Brimming with wildlife, the trails of Carver Park Reserve in Victoria traverse a terrain providing opportunities for skiers of all abilities."
Senior Citizens Corner by Ethel Ausink, Senior Citizens Reporter.  "In my collection of poems and things, I found some suggestions for a better future in 2001 ... Greet people by name .. Be generous with praise, but cautious with criticism ... Be eager to lend a helping hand ..."
FIRELINE by Tom Walsh, Victoria Fire Department.  "The Christmas week was busy for fire departments all over the state.  The Victoria Fire Department was called to two fires in homes.  Both of them could have been prevented by taking precautionary measures."
A Biker's Perspective by Thom Derr, Rough Rider.  "We can have our random acts of kindness and giving of ourselves throughout the year without the seasonal motivation.  Good will and memories are always important."
Code Corner by Tom Gray, Victoria Building Official.  "If a homeowner is planning improvements to the home and does not want to do the work himself, contractors are available to complete the work.  Care should be taken when choosing contractors.
Obituaries:  Celeste Aretz, 86; Lucille Williams, 85; Roland Bitzer, 90.