Page Title


	To the Editor: Early this spring I talked to you about the Hamburg Baseball Park in Hamburg, MN. No city taxpayer money has ever been used in this park. The baseball club raises all the money spent at this park. In August and September, 2007, Hamburg will again be hosting the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Tournament for the fourth time in recent years. Our partner this year is Norwood. Two Victoria residents, Chris Dammann and myself, are heading up the committee for Hamburg. We have worked for over three years getting the park ready. Over $60,000 has been raised for park improvements. Sales from ads for the tournament program will add another $40,000. The reason our volunteers work this hard for the ballpark is the pride of doing something for the community and hosting the Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament. I have enclosed for you a copy about the last tournament in 1998 written by Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. If you would like to see this park, I would be happy to take you to western Carver County and show you what a group of people can do, how to get things done in a short time, and that they are at it again! Thanks. Jerry Beneke Victoria, Minnesota EDITOR'S NOTE: Jerry, I'm happy to be a conduit for your information or photos that you might have. To the Editor: I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for the good article in the Gazette about the Tax Increment Financing and public parking spaces proposed for the Creamery property in downtown Victoria. It's amazing how you can capture and present such an in-depth meeting so precisely. We appre-ciate it. Barbara Zadeh/Counselor Realty Victoria, Minnesota To the Editor: My father, Phil Hallin, told me his most vivid graduation memory was this piece of advice: Success is a choice, and it's a choice you have to make. When I think of Minnetonka's 2007 graduates, it's obvious that these students have already made a choice for success, which has been reflected in their accom-plishments in our schools. Students in the Class of 2007 exhibit-ed a dedication to improving themselves while committing to helping others. More than 600 seniors, nearly the entire class, spent the last two days of their high school careers volunteering in the com-munity. Our recent graduates excel academ-ically. At graduation we announced 41 valedictorians. Over 85% of the class is college bound. Our varsity, treble, and concert choirs received a superior rating from judges at the state level this year. The concert choir was awarded outstanding performance of the day. Our drama students will perform in the world's largest and most prestigious theatre arts festival in Scotland this sum-mer. These students also shine outside of the classroom - in softball, golf, cross country, football, and baseball, and other sports and areas. Success is a choice that our commu-nity and recent graduates support. They will succeed because of their contribu-tions to themselves and their dedication to others. They will also succeed because of the commitment our community has made to help them learn and grow into the adults they are today. Lora Johnson, Communications Minnetonka Public Schools EDITOR'S NOTE: Thank you for writ-ing. I know we have some Victoria families that are part of the Minnetonka School District. To the Editor: I'm sending my column to you early since daughter Joanne and husband Don will soon be arriving and also their three children from South Carolina, Texas, and Hawaii, for my birthday celebration. Hope you can come. Ethel Ausink, Senior Citizens Reporter, Victoria Gazette To the Editor: Thanks for all you do for us. All you kids are so generous. Dad rode up to Warroad with Louie to look at a truck that's supposed to be cheap. I'm sure he's close to Jenny's place but left in ten minutes and probably won't think of it. See you. Thanks again. Love, Mom To the Editor: Just saw all your pictures online from our 60^th and also received the extra Gazettes. Thank you for all of your work and time and expenses. Love, Dad To the Editor: Hi, Sue. What a great Gazette you put out. The write-up and pictures from your parents' 60^th anniversary is really nice. Keep up the good things you do. The fishhook is on page 42 in the fitness center ad. Take care and have a fun day. Marie Otten Waconia, Minnesota Click here for more Letters to the Editor.