Happy Retirement, Sharon Eklund.  Upon noticing balloons, as well as a poster announcing Sharon Eklund's retirement and an invitation to stop for refreshments at the KleinBank of Victoria on June 1^st, I returned to my car for my camera.  Since Sharon had been employed as a receptionist, personal banker, and teller for seven plus years, that first day in June marked the last time I would see Sharon at the bank.  While this unexpected event prompted me to take pictures for personal reasons, it occurred to me that I should share this information with the Victoria Gazette and your readers.
Jo Mihelich
Victoria, Minnesota

Two by Land and Two by Sea.  The Carver County Sheriff's Office has just received two ATV's to assist with Park Patrol and two Jet Skis for Water Patrol.  The All Terrain Vehicles were received as part of a law enforcement loan pro-gram established by Yamaha.  The Sheriff's Office has the ATV's on loan from Yamaha-Lano Equipment in Norwood Young America until September. 
The two Kawasaki Jet Ski Personal Water-craft will be used to assist with patrolling our lakes and waterways.  They are from a law enforcement loan program established by Kawa-saki and are on loan from Kawasaki/Cities Edge Motorsports until November. 
This is a great way to partner with local businesses and provide better service to the Carver County residents without an increase in expenses.  Photographed are Bob Lano and Deputy Pat Running.
Sheriff Byron "Bud" Olson
Carver County, Minnesota

Girl Scout Troop #158 donated food scales to the Kids Against Hunger-West Metro site to be used in packing food for the hungry.  The girls donated three scales to commemorate the three years they were in Brownies.  Front (l-r):  Vanessa Robbin, Regan Skoogman, Beth Keske, Rachel Zittergruen, Joelyn Osmanski, Lisa Hanson.  Back:  Kelly Brakemeier (Troop Co-leader), Caitlan Smith, Becky Yarbrough, Maren Reder of Victoria (representative from Kids Against Hunger-West Metro), Gabbi Brakemeier, Amanda Wade, Jill Hanson (Troop Co-leader). 
Jill Hanson, Co-leader Brownie Troop 158

Making a Difference.  This statue currently stands outside the Iraqi palace, now home to the 4^th Infantry division.  It ill eventually be shipped home and put in the memorial museum in Fort Hood, Texas.  The statue was created by an Iraqi artist named Kalat who for years was forced by Saddam Hussein to make the many hundreds of bronze busts of Saddam that dotted Baghdad.  Kalat was so grateful the Americans' liberation of his country, that he melted three of the heads of the fallen Saddam and made the statue as a memorial to the American soldiers and their fallen warriors.  Kalat worked on this memorial night and day for several months.  To the left of the kneeling soldier is a small Iraqi girl giving the soldier comfort as he mourns the loss of his comrade in arms.  We don't hear about this in "the news" because it is heartwarming and praiseworthy.  It does not have the shock effect.  But we ourselves can pass it on to others, in honor of all our brave military who are making a difference for our world, for freedom.
Received from several sources
Via email