Mission Accomplished  by Sue Orsen.  "The wind was brisk.  Some would say brutal.  It kept the flag unfurled and unfettered in the freedom of winter's spacious sky and unfruited plain.  But the fishermen and firefighters on Stieger Lake remained unflappable.  Click Front Page/Feature Story.
Council's Column by Mayor Jerry Bohn.  "The big news in Victoria is that the field house is open.  It is a beautiful facility …"
We Have a Field House by Tom Gray, Victoria Building Official.  "Grand opening is Saturday, March 15th, 2003.  Noon to 4 p.m. …"
Time to Reconcile by Pastor Frank Jones, Lake Auburn Moravian Church.  "Think about Lent as a need for our being reconciled spiritually to God, as a time for each of us to think about our imbalance and to prepare for God's loving act of Easter …"
The Chamber's Channel by Laura Wood, President.  "The Victoria Chamber of Commerce is excited to be hosting our annual Home and Garden Business Expo on Saturday, March 29th … While there, grab one of our 2003 scholarship applications.  We will be awarding $5,000 …"
Rules of Golf by Tom Abts, Deer Run Golf Pro.  "Sadly, the notion of manipulating rules for personal advantage has infiltrated even the purist of all games -- golf …"
Speaking of Armadillos by Tom Stumpf, Cowboy Correspondent.  "It has been said that the golden days of radio are gone forever , especially with regard to comedy … but if you listen carefully …"
Color-Coded Thoughts by Kyra Schindler, student friend of the Gazette.  "Sometimes I just want to hide under the covers all day and do nothing but lounge around my house drinking hot chocolate and pretending war and the color-coded warnings aren't issues …"
Play Ball with the VAA by Dennis Brown, Secretary, VAA.  "Youth baseball season is approaching… Spring training begins at the new field house… There are opportunities to work as umpires …"
Girls Softball: Alive and Well in Victoria by John Linforth, Victoria Lions Fastpitch Association.  "Players age 7 through 16, at all skill levels, are invited to join.  Registration period closes April 1st …"
From the Lions Den by Steve Reus, President, Victoria Lions.  "With all our guest speakers at our Lions meetings lately, we've been kept interested and informed …"
On Southern Roads by Thom Derr, Rough Rider.  "We are in Louisiana, and I am writing this from the Baton Rouge area.  We will avoid New Orleans and the big crowds …"
The X-treme Sacrifice by Pastor Arnold Lemke, Faith Lutheran Church.  "Turn that X ever so slightly, 45 degrees to the right, and you'll see it in another way when it becomes a cross …"
Unsound Fury by Jim Larkin, Amicus et editoris.  "Emotions are not bad in themselves.  They can move us toward good.  But we must be scrupulous in testing them for integrity and reasonableness …"
Carver County Comments by Gary Delaney, Board of Commissioners.  "Perhaps the most important issue challenging us and Carver County taxpayers is the State budget deficit …"
A Day at the Capitol by Paul Kohls, R-Victoria, MN State Representative.  "All District #34A residents are invited to a Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 13th, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. …"
Is Your Grandfather Irish?  by Ethel Ausink., Senior Citizens Reporter.  "I have always heard that Ireland is a beautiful country, and I found that to be true.  Because of the tremendous amount of rainfall and moderate temperatures, the countryside is always an emerald green …"
Stock Exchange by Father Bob White, St. Victoria Catholic Church.  "I see it in my mind.  There I am, Father Ward Cleaver, sitting in his den smoking his pipe.  There's a knock on the door.  I look up.  It's Eddie Hasko …"
Body Parts by Pastor Bill Bonner, Waterbrooke Fellowship.  "The Apostle Paul's favorite metaphor for the Church was the human body.  He often compared the body of Christ with our flesh and bones body …"
FIRELINE by Tom Walsh, Victoria Fire Department.  "How many times have you been in a bar or restaurant and looked around to find a table or chair blocking the exit you would need if you had to leave in an emergency, in the dark …"
To the Rescue by Pastor Thomas Braun, Christ Victorious Lutheran Church.  "That's where store coupons go when they die … to coupon heaven … but only the redeemed ones …"
At the Feeder by Pastor Ken Kotzer, Mount Olivet Church West.  "In these times of anxiety, let us pray for understanding and mutual respect between all peoples to avoid war and prejudice.  After all, we all deserve our time at the feeder, even the squirrels …"
Twenty Years Ago the Gazette featured George Moore and Bede Boll, volunteer basketball coaches at St. Victoria School, in "Remember the Trophies."
Ten Years Ago the Gazette featured the City of Victoria's first labor strike and picketing at City Hall in "History in the Making."
The Sheriff's Shingle by Bud Olson, Carver County Sheriff.  "Our concerns locally with terrorism are much like we have had for a number of years … Everyone should remain alert to their surroundings …"
The Beat Goes On by Janie Jasin, Motivational Speaker.  "My evolution of music and faith will be based on the music of yesterday, today, and tomorrow …"
Obituaries.  William Aretz, 74; Floyd "Nushie" Schmid, 82.  Mildred Fischer, 91.
Walking Home from School by Mike Wartman, former resident of Victoria.  "In the manner of Bill Keane and his Family Circus, allow me to chronicle a journey home from St. Victoria Catholic to my home in downtown Victoria …"