The Voices of Fire is comprised of our top vocal jazz students, who all audition for their spots in the group.  There are ten students in the group.  The bass guitarist, Mr. Bill White, is their director.  Accompanist is Mrs. Kim White, Bill's wife.  Additional musicians are Alex Colleran ('07) on the drums, Sarah Kennedy ('06) on saxophone.  Voices of Fire is heading to Carnegie Hall this spring for the second time in three years, quite a feat for such a young group.  The group was formed back in 2003 when Bill White came on board as the vocal instructor at Holy Family Catholic High School.  Nikki Ruta ('06) is the only singer to have gone to Carnegie Hall two years ago with the 2004 group. 
Voices of Fire sang for President George W. Bush on December 9^th at the Minneapolis Hilton for a fundraiser for Mark Kennedy.  Mark and Debbie Kennedy have two children attending Holy Family, including Sarah who sings and plays sax for Voices of Fire.

I know Voices of Fire also loves to sing for the community!  They are (from left to right in your photo)
John Lano '07 (Shakopee), Sam Siegert '06 (Chanhassen),
Joe Thomas '06 (Excelsior), Sarah Johnson '06 (Chaska),
Jon Peterson '06 (Excelsior), Rae Heitkamp '06 (Victoria),
Chris Unseth '07 (Shakopee), Katie Raddatz '06 (Excelsior),
Paul Michell '08 (Chanhassen), Nikki Ruta '06 (Chaska). 
Katie Burke, Director of Communications
Holy Family Catholic High School, Victoria, Minnesota

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Thank you, Katie, for helping me with photo ID.  Everyone at the Victoria Lions Christmas Party (I had a front row seat) on December 10^th enjoyed the group tremendously.  The young people are excellent in both manner and matter.

State Champions.  On December 10^th and 11^th, Classic Gymnasts com-peted at the State Meet held in North St. Paul.  Girls from across Minnesota qualified to compete at this meet.  Level 5 gymnast, Alexanna Gluck of Victoria earned red ribbons on beam (8.95), vault (8.85), bars (8.775), and floor (8.775).  She finished with an all-around of 35.35.  Stasi Zabel of Victoria received red ribbons on vault (8.9), beam (8.7), bars (8.525), and floor (8.5).  She had an all-around of 34.625.  The Level 5 team took FIRST PLACE out of 35 teams with a 109.825!
Front (l-r):  Coach Kari Vaugh, Coach Sarah Braun, Owner Christa Sabby, Coach Will Vaughn.  Back:  Alexanna Gluck, Cameron Zuck, Allie Menk, Toria Ferrell, Stasi Zabel, Sarah Krahulec, Kalley West, Malena Larsen, Hannah Striker, and Alana Polsfuss.
Bonnie Koehnen, Chanhassen, Minnesota

Daddy's Helper.  While many of our residents look forward to the beauty of the first snowfall and all the activities that commence with its arrival, many also take the opportunity to lend a helping hand to those who need assistance.  Mark Collins, owner and manager of the Victoria AutoHaus, and his wife Shelly have generously assisted neighbors and friends with snow removal for many years.  This year they have a new assistant!  Jason Collins, their three-year old son, is following in their footsteps.  This photograph shows Jason at the end of a four-hour snow removal marathon - happily helping his daddy clear the last of a half-dozen driveways and walks of Victoria's first snowfall.
Richard and Faith Ann Tice, Victoria, Minnesota

After Swearing.  Carver County Sheriff Bud Olson congratulates Deputy Terry Thelemann after he swore her into the county's Mounted Posse Patrol.  The mounted horse patrol is on call for emergency situations that may arrive in or out of the county but also for scheduled security, patrolling, and community outreaches.  It is a volunteer unit.  If you have a horse and would like to help others, please contact the Sheriff's Department at 952-361-1212 or Jayne Meyer at 952-253-5612.  You do not have to live in Carver County.  Training will be given to you and your horse. 
Jayne Meyer, Carver County Sheriff's Mounted Posse Patrol

Best Basketball.  The CAYBBA 8B Gold team took FIRST PLACE in the Tartan Coaches Classic Tournament in Oakdale.  [It stands for Chaska Area Youth Boys Basketball Association!]  They are the 8^th grade Chaska traveling boys basketball team.  In the tournament they beat Armstrong, Woodbury, and Tartan.  Front (l-r):  Coach Scott Henkel, Michael Hongslo, Logan Lantz, Michael Soderlind, Matthew Brockberg.  Back:  Coach Mark Lantz, Michael Geissler, Max Henkel of Victoria, Alexander Cook, and Max Billings of Victoria.  Their website is www.caybba.com. 
Dawn Henkel, Victoria, Minnesota

Staying in Touch.  Several long-time, former, loyal members of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, who worked together for years on the Touch of Bavaria and the Victoria Fishing Contest, gathered at the home of Editor Sue for a little reunion and Christmas cheer in December.  Front (l-r):  Eileen Storms, Ruth Kroening, Editor Sue Orsen.  Middle:  Marlene Speltz, Mary Neubarth, Liz Ander-son.  Back:  Carol Jones, Dave Speltz, Wayne Neubarth, John Kroening, Frank Jones.  Happy New Year, good people.
Sue Orsen, Victoria, Minnesota

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