A Breakthrough  by Sue Orsen.  "It took 35 years to get a public school back in Victoria.  It's a significant breakthrough.  Groundbreaking for the Victoria Elementary School occurred on Thursday, June 3rd, 2004.  Click on Front Page.
Who Said That? by Tom Stumpf, Cowboy Correspondent.  "The cowboy has some favorite quotes and quips which he has committed to memory over the years, most of them far too silly for print, yet entertaining enough to give them a chance anaways ..."
Guilty or Not Guilty by Jim Larkin, amicus et editoris.  "In the middle of the church service, a cell phone rang.  Its owner said something into the phone, got up, and walked out to ante-room still whispering.  He returned a little later, having missed the central part of liturgy ..."
Eternal Optimist by Pastor Tom Braun, Christ Victorious Lutheran Church.  "In kindergarten, when Billy was asked to draw a tiger and drew one with a crooked head and one eye that appeared to be shut, he told his teacher, 'The tiger's winking at you' ..."
God Bless America by Carol Vadnais, Student of History.  "Under President Reagan's two terms, we sisters had all finished college, met our future husbands, and married.  These were special years for us, years we hadn't had time to remember much as our babies were growing into teenagers ..."
Chamber's Channel by Paul Aspelin, President, Victoria Chamber of Commerce.  "Our membership continues to grow each month as the enthusiasm for our organization continues to spread ..."
From the Lions Den by Joe Schmieg, President, Victoria Lions Club.  "July 16th-18th is the Victoria Lions Roaring Softball Tournament Weekend.  This is our largest fundraiser and is also a time to see people that you probably have not seen since last year's tournament ..."
We Beat Augusta by Mike Wartman, former resident of Victoria.  "In a time long before mandatory seatbelts and everyone buckling up, there were dozens of kids hanging out of cars.  In a time long before a $4.50 Dairy Queen Blizzard, there were dozens of kids in a cue at the DQ ..."
The U.S. Open by Tom Abts, Deer Run Golf Pro.  "I hope you watched this year's U.S. Open ... Tiger Woods was never really a factor.  During the tournament Tiger denied his need for previous swing coach Butch Harmon.  Tiger better call Butch Harmon ..."
Idle Hands Are ... by Pastor Bill Bonner, Waterbrooke Fellowship.  "There was a time when whittling was still a legitimate use of a  young boy's afternoon but, boy, has the pendulum swung to the other side for not only our children but our adults as well.  What with year round hockey, soccer, youth baseball, football, basketball, karate, French lessons, piano lessons, computer camps ..."
Visiting Washington, D.C. by Gary Delaney, Victoria, Carver County Commissioner.  "President Reagan's funeral, and the activities associated with the funeral, were powerful.  A million people lined the parade route for the procession.  Tens of thousands stood in five-hour lines to view the deceased President ..."
Exploring City Parks by Tammy Abrahamson, Victoria Parks and Rec Director.  "We have tennis courts which are located at the Holy Family Catholic High School.  This project of building eight tennis courts in the community, for the community and the students of Holy Family, was a partnership ..."
Stieger or Steiger? by Tom Gray, Victoria Building Official.  "There is an ongoing silent argument bubbling within the bowels (this being a family paper, maybe I should have said 'innards') of Victoria.  The question of the day:  How do you spell the name of the lake that abuts (this being a family paper, maybe I should have said 'lies next to') the north side of downtown Victoria? ..."
Less is More by Steve and Kathy Schmieg, Coldwell Banker Burnet.  "A potential buyer might feel overwhelmed in a crowded house and might not be able to get a good sense of the structure of the house itself ..."
Stressed in Arkansas by Thom Derr, Rough Rider. "Yesterday we covered the remaining distance to our destination, Mena, Arkansas.  This part of Arkansas is in the tail end of the Ozarks, and the riding is excellent ..."
Ferrying to Nova Scotia by Ethel Ausink, Senior Citizens Reporter.  "Our journey took us to Portland, Maine, where we boarded a ferry at 7:00 in the evening.  This ferry, or ship, was large enough to take large trucks and our 48-passenger bus .  We spent the night on the ship ..."
Preparing for Alaska by Pastor Frank Jones, Lake Auburn Moravian Church.  "Sue wrote so glowingly of their trip to Alaska last summer that I could almost taste the salmon and hear the breezes in the fir trees an scrub willows.  Well, actually, before reading about Sue's trip, my wife and I had decided that Alaska was a place we wanted to experience for ourselves ..."
Commendations by Mayor Jerry Bohn, City of Victoria.  "Victoria was honored for the city's commitment of financial support to City Administration Steve Sarvi who is on active duty in Kosovo ..."
Twenty Years Ago.  The Gazette featured Lenny Ardes Koehne in 'The Old Man and His Lake.'  Their new home is just down the road on Pierson Lake.  Lenny's business was Koehnen's Standard in Victoria ...
Ten Years Ago.  "In 'On Hallowed Ground' the Gazette featured Dan Steinhagen, Carver County Veterans Service Officer, and the Victoria veterans honored and remembered at the American Legion building in Waconia ..."
The Right Direction by Paul Kohls (R-Victoria), MN State Representative.  "More Minnesotans are working now than ever before in state history.  After the slump in jobs in the aftermath of 9/11, we have seen significant job growth across the state and here in Carver County as well ..."
Obituary.  Marvin R. Hartman, 65, of Victoria died Saturday, June 26th, 2004, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.  Click on From the Editor.