As I was saying, I got hooked on the Victoria Gazette 25 years ago, just when Main Street Victoria seemed to have been reborn after the collapse of the 1960's.
For a time my Gazette office was on Main Street Victoria, as a matter of fact, in the back room of the old bank building.  The front room was full of antiques for sale on consignment.  I manned both rooms three days a week for close to a year.   It was a convenient office.
I walked across the street to C.H. Carpenter Lumber when I needed to use a bathroom.  I walked next door to see Postmaster Al Folden when I was having trouble with sorting zip codes and mailing the Gazette.  I walked to the Victoria Cafe on Thursdays for ribs and kraut.
During the hot summer months of that year I'd leave the front door wide open in order to catch a breeze.  Then a wall air conditioning unit was finally installed and it made so much noise but I appreciated it a lot.
Anyhow, people could hardly walk by without stopping for a look and a chat and an occasional purchase of something that reminded them of their grandmother's home.  When I wasn't too busy on the Gazette, I enjoyed the company.
During the school year I arranged for Jenny and Nick to get dropped off downtown Victoria so they could spend an hour or so with me before I closed up shop.  It was comforting to have them at my side.
Spending time "downtown" was a big deal for my little "country" kids, especially when I gave them some change to spend on treats at the Little Oak Grocery Store down the street.  Then they'd sprawl on the floor by me and color and cut and paste, on the order of what their mom was doing at the layout table.
When the Gazette officially became mine, the best part was moving my office home and not worrying about my kids.  They still sprawled on the floor by me with their crayons and markers even though they had the run of the whole house at their disposal. 
So I was hooked and that's my line!  Now it's your opportunity to find the fishhook hidden in this issue of the Gazette telling of its location.  Of course you gotta sinker in the mail to get credit for it and to get a chance at the $10 drawing!
Last month Mrs. David Gongoll of Mayer had her name pulled from the minnow pail to win the $10.  As many of you discovered, the fishhook was hidden in the pretty china cup of the General Store ad on page 24.  This time it's hidden in more of a manly spot so pull up your shirt sleeves and work up a sweat.
If you get hooked, let me tell you that I know the feeling.