Red Hat Mommas.
Their motto is  "Kick back and have fun," which is exact-ly what these gals were doing at Floyd's Bar in Victoria one night in February.  Who are these Red Hatters?  According to Virgie Kunze (who is the sister of Donna Bill Schneider here in Victoria), "We are women to chose to celebrate, rather than dread, aging.  Our main objective is to have fun and celebrate life after 50." 
This particular group includes eleven women who formed as the Red Hat Mommas in August, 2003, and their goal is 12 members.  They meet bimonthly to "go out and eat," said Virgie.  "We don't volunteer.  We don't do fundraisers."  In order to belong to this world-wide phenomenon, one must be aged 50 or older, wear a red hat and a clashing purple outfit.  "It's a time when many women feel the responsibilities of home and community lifting," she said. 
Those photographed at Floyd's were  (l-r) Jane Salden of Mound, Percy Kunze of Waconia, sister Virgie Kunze of Waconia, Mary Spille of Norwood Young America, Sue Williams of Eden Prairie, Fran Huwe of Plato, and Monica Dertinger of Norwood Young America.  Their red hats were lovely

Like Granddaughter.  This picture of Mary Moore and Rich Gannon was taken on February 27th, 2004, at Founder's Day at Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria.  Mary is the daughter of the late Ben and Hilda Wartman of Victoria, not to mention the grandmother of Bailey Forcier of Victoria.  Rich Gannon, NFL quarter-back, will be the honorary chair of the school's second phase of its capital campaign.

Like Grandma.  This picture of Bailey Forcier and Rich Gannon was taken in the Spring of 2003 at Family Fun Night, a fundraiser for St. Hubert Catholic School in Chanhassen.  Bailey is the daughter of Tim and Judy Forcier of Victoria, not to mention the granddaughter of Mary Moore of Victoria.  Rich Gannon is a Victoria property owner who is most famous for playing with footballs.

From Russia With Love.
Help me extend a welcome to Elvira Alexandra Viet, new resident to Victoria.  It's a long way from Vladivostok!  She arrived from Russian just in time for a flu shot on New Year's Eve and has been getting acquainted with Minnesota snow and a routine of layers of snow clothes.
Elvira was a double blessing on Thanksgiving Day, 2003.  On November 27th, I was in court in Russia, and the next day, the American Thanksgiving of November 27th, she was placed in my care.  Traveling around the globe does strange things to time.
At the age of 5 years and 2 months, Elvira weighed 26 pounds, just a little heavier than the Thanksgiving turkey.  By the time we crossed the ocean and arrived in San Francisco, she had gained five pounds and has been gobbling ever since!
A special thank you to Wells Fargo, who voluntarily and personally delivered my passport in the middle of the night, when it had been left behind in a Xerox machine, thus enabling takeoff the next morning.
Today Elvira is happy, healthy, and waiting for the ice to melt on Lake Virginia so we can swim and jog the Regional Trail.  Her nickname is Olya, and it means "little girl," a variant of Olga which was her original name.  We changed it to Elvira, a common name in my family, so she'll have some "connections" here.  See you around.
Brennie Veit
Victoria, Minnesota

Visiting Victoria.
Enclosed is a photo and some information about a recent guest in our home.  Jenny Eriksson is from near Stockholm, Sweden.  She is in America under the auspices of the University of Minnesota's Minnesota Agriculture Student Train-ing Program (MAST).  Her interest is in horses and she is now training horses on a farm in New Jersey where she will be for nine months and then return to Minnesota for three months of classroom training at the University of Minneso-ta's St. Paul Campus.  People are invited become a Twin Cities Host for students such as Jenny.  Just call Sue Raines-Johnson at 612-624-3740.
Hey, Sue, note in the enclosed photo the Grimm Alfalfa seed sack in the background that I found in an antique shop in Jenkins.  I bet that Clarence Kelzer would have given his "eye teeth" to have found it before me.
Uncle Ron Holtmeier
Victoria, Minnesota
XOXOXOXO

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