Skating Figures.
Margie Pappa and Katie Moss, both of Victoria, competed in the Roseville Open Figure Skating Competition in Roseville, MN, on May 16th-18th.  The annual competition drew 347 skaters from throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.  Margie took first place in the Pre-Preliminary Compulsory and third place in the Limited Beginner Freestyle event.  Katie placed third in the Limited Beginner Compulsory event and fifth place in her Freestyle event. 

Check the Chamber.
Newest members of the growing Victoria Chamber of Commerce are (l-r):  Jan Sutton of Country Life Therapeutic Massage, Barry Kyllo of Edward Jones Investments, Jeff Takala of the Victoria State Bank, Matthew Koivisto of Edward Jones Investments, Michael Drazan, CPA, of Ryan Hodsin & Associates, Dr. Jamy Antoine of Victoria Family Chiropractic.
Other new members are Mary Ann Walstrom of Re/MAX Action West, Michael Fiala of The Fiala Group, Pete Bren of Peter J. Bren and Son Inc., Paul Aspelin of Re/MAX Action West, Kare Peterson of Stampin' Up and Highlights Jigsaw, Kevin and Kathy Rittgers of Exceptional Realty, Chad Johnson of Bearfoot Landscaping, Candy Almquist of Kid Talk Inc., and Chuck Weller of Irrigation Resources.

"Marlin" Brando with Tony and Joy Harris.
On April 23drd, 2003, while on vacation on the Kona Coast of Hawaii, Tony Harris of Victoria caught a 12-foot, 581-pound blue Marlin.  It was a half-day fishing charter on Illusion in Kailua-Kona, with Captain Tim Hicks.  Toward the end of the charter, the line went "zing" and it was "FISH ON!"  It took about an hour and 15 minutes to land the fish -- the workout of a lifetime -- and the charter captain and deck captain to haul it on board.
The fish, "Marlin Brando," is expected to grace a wall at the Harris home in Victoria, after a trip from Hawaii to Gray Taxidermy in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Tony Harris, former director of advertising, promotions, and event marketing with Life Time Fitness, was on the charter with his wife Joy; Mick Anselmo and Brian Seesz of Clear Channel Radio and Brian's wife Courtney.
The trip to Hawaii was an incentive trip with Clear Channel and its clients.  Tony now heads Power Marketing LLC, a marketing consultancy focused on sports, entertainment, and lifestyle market-ing. 
Thanks, Sue.
Joy Harris
Victoria, Minnesota

192 Years of Service!
CART volunteers were presented with "Years of Service" awards for years of volunteer ser-vice to Carver County residents.  Total numbers of years of service for 22 volunteers was 192 years!  CART provides rides for those county residents who have no means of transportation.  We are in need of more volunteers from all over the county. 
Victoria residents are picked up on Wednesdays around 9 a.m. and can ride to Mackenthun's County Market in Waconia.  They are picked up again around 11 a.m. and can stop at Dueber's variety store in Waconia at that time.  Alas, none of the CART drivers are from Victoria.
Alan Herrmann
CART Transportation, Cologne, Minnesota

Phairly philatelical.

Members of the Lake Minnetonka Stamp Club volunteer at schools in the metro area, teaching kids how to correctly collect stamps.  For example, used stamps must be soaked off of envelopes in water and then dried.  Special hinges must be used rather than tape or glue.  Ron and Harriet Holtmeier of Victoria volunteer in Mr. Osborn's 4th grade class at Hilltop School in Mound.
According to Mr. Tom Osborn, "This was a great expo-sure to the hobby of collecting stamps.  Students learn about history, geography, famous people, modes of transportation, to name just a few.  They are really pumped to start their collec-tions."
Wrote one of the students to the Holtmeiers, "Thank you for the sport stamps and other prizes you brought in.  Thank you for the book that tells us how much stamps are worth if they are used or unused and what date they are from.  We all hope you come again."

Click here for more Victoria Moments.