Fielding the Victoria Field House:  A Decision to Build  by Sue Orsen.  "It didn't happen overnight.  It didn't happen with ease.  And it didn't happen with consensus.  But it happened just the same, and just in time for the New Year …" Click on Feature for the rest of the story.
Play Ball!  Winter Baseball Academy by Dennis Brown, VAA.  "This winter the Victoria Athletic Association will hold a baseball training academy for all boys and girls ages 6 to 16.  The academy will meet every Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. beginning January 6th at the Diethelm Park Sport Court …"
Victoria Bloodmobile will be held on Monday, January 28th, at the St. Victoria Parish Center from 1 to 7 p.m.
Pin the Tail by Lee Clark, the Practical Pig.  "Lead a normal life, they say, yet be on high alert.  I could scream.  Do I dare stray far from CNN?"
Code Corner by Tom Gray, Victoria Building Official.  "Plumbers have an old yarn about the threethings you need to know to become a plumber:  1) Payday is Friday, 2) The boss is an #@$#!, and 3) It runs downhill.  At least the last part is true, except when a force main is used."
Senior Citizens Corner by Ethel Ausink, Sr. Citizens Reporter.  "CBS writers have submitted manuscripts with the f-word included.  A producer of ABC wants his characters on his show to use more profane language than is already used on his show.  One producer says, "Broadcast television can grow up as the rest of the country does …"
Heroes of History by Carol Vadnais, Victoria friend of history.  "Samuel F. B. Morse was born in the beautiful New England area of Charleston, Massachusetts.  His great ambition in life was to be a painter."
Let's Play Yoo-ker! By Mike Wartman, former resident of Victoria.  "Victoria kids quickly learned right and left bower at the same time as nighttime teeth brushing or the weekly bath.  It may be odd, but no one was every taught how to play euchre.  Everyone just knew …"
Ten Years Ago the Gazette featured Ovid and Gen Northrop, celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary …
Sketches by Sara by Sara Hanlon, Mill House Gallery.  "I have way too much to do these days, and I love every minute of it …"
My Website should include a new entry in Sue's Album entitled, "Favorites from 2002."  These favorites, never before published, have a few flaws such as poor angles, poor composition, poor lighting, closed eyes.  But taken as a whole, the photos reflect a portion of my life in 2001, occasionally flawed, occasionally perfect …"
The Anchor Holds by Pastor Bill Bonner, Waterbrooke Fellowship.  "I grew up in the pleasant Ozzie and Harriet world of the '50's and while some say that world never existed, if it did it has once and for all been turned on its ear. It's not a beautiful day in the neighborhood …"
A Biker's Perspective by Thom Derr, Rough Rider.  "When trying to change an outlaw biker to a Christian, we go where they are and find some common ground, which in this case is a love of riding motorcycles."
FIRELINE by Tom Walsh, Victoria firefighter.  "We thank the John Noonan family for its generous donation of a six-wheel max unit and new snowmobile donated to the Fire Department recently …
KIDS TALK by Kyra Schindler, Student friend of the Gazette.  "My New Year's Resolution is to become more punctual.  I'll try not to be late for my classes, not putz in the halls, and work extra hard not to fall asleep in my classes …"
In My Backyard, Peace by Pastor Frank Jones, Lake Auburn Moravian Church.  "As I came into our drive, there were seven deer grazing peacefully in the church cemetery … I thought about the lion lying down with the sheep, and the child leading the wild creatures …"
Chamber's Channel by Marlene Speltz, President, Victoria Chamber of Commerce.  "Nearly 60 people joined in to celebrate at the Chamber Christmas party on December 14th … New officers are Pres. Laura Wood, VP Jeff Hartman, Sec. Michelle Asplin, Treas. Barb Gunning …"
The Sheriff's Shingle by Sheriff Bud Olson, Carver County. "Please remind your children to stay off of our lakes and ponds until a responsible adult tells them that it is safe to go out onto the ice …"
Credit or Debit by Jim Larkin, Amicus et editoris.  "If we do something generous, primarily because we want to help someone in need, that's good.  But if the primary purpose is to get public applause, that's not so good …"
For the Birds by Tom Stumpf, Cowboy correspondent.  "Some of you may not know it, but Yours Truly is an ardent pursuer of the Chinese ring-necked pheasant …"
On a Cloud of Prayers by Janie Jasin, Motivational speaker.  "My mom left on a cloud of your prayers, and Auburn Manor booked her in first class on Paradise Airlines …"
Are You Lost? By Pastor Thomas Braun, Christ Victorious Lutheran Church.  "Thanks be to God that if we keep our eyes on Jesus in this New Year, we won't get lost spiritually …"