A Lot of Heart at Victoria Elementary.  On Wednesday, February 15^th, over 300 students arrived at Victoria Elementary School an hour early.  There was no massive clock dysfunction in Victoria, and they were not handing out free ice cream.  They were, however, handing out jump ropes. 
These children volunteered to come to school an hour early to help raise money for the American Heart Association.  Upon arrival, they lined up with their groups and took turns jumping rope at their designated spots. Those Victoria students in the front lines of this photograph (l-r):  Amelia Repp. Jennifer Kiefer, Kaia Grobe  and Morgan Simon.
Part way through, they received a small break when a group of teachers took over.  The teachers entered and performed their warm-ups with army like precision.  Then they skillfully demonstrated a number of jump rope techniques as called out by Physical Education instructor, Sarah Peterson.  When finished, the real pros - the kids - jumped back in and finished the task.
More impressive than the kids being able to do all of that jumping the morning after eating a bunch of Valentine's Day candy, was the amount of money collected for the American Heart Association - over $14,000!  The representative from the American Heart Association not only commended the students for all of their efforts, but also said she just about fell out of her chair when she heard the school had over 70 parent volunteers.
I thought the whole morning was a testament to the great community in which we live.
Julie Kiefer
Victoria, Minnesota

Hockey at Breezy Point.   The Squirt C Blackhawks suffered two last second losses in the Breezy Point Ice Fest tournament on their way to a fourth place finish.  The weekend was, at times, exhilarating, physically and emotionally draining, nail-biting, and heartbreaking.  (Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be hockey players.)  But in the final analysis, it was playoff hockey at its best.  All of the tournament games were good games, including a prime time Satur-day night contest where the Black-hawks and their fans rocked to a 6-1 win.
Front (l-r):  Coach Nick Schindler, Jeff LaPrade, Andrew Kiesow, Jack Cummings, Jack Steine (Victoria), Megan Vandervest (Victoria), Coach Mark Vandervest (Victoria).  Middle:  Brett Struthers, Will Schindler, Kerry Blake, Nicholas Ottoson, William Rahl.  Back:  Coach Mark Kiesow, Ryan Schwarz, Koedy Burkel, Natalie Anderson-Dechantel, Ben Taylor (Victoria), Timmy Rohe, Coach Dean Taylor (Victoria).
Ann Rahl
Chaska, Minnesota

League Champions.  This is a photo of the Chaska Area Youth Basketball Association (CAYBBA) 4^th Grade Basketball League Champions!  Two of the boys on the team are Victoria residents.  Congratula-tions on an undefeated basketball season and winning the year-end tournament in the Chaska Area Youth Basketball Association. 
Front row (l-r):  Jacob Vipond, Mitchell Krause, Luke Johanson, Corey Binger of Victoria, Igor Velichkovich.  Back:  John Barnett, Tanner Kolle, Sam Loeffler of Victoria, Ben Schepers.

Thank you.
Sherri Binger
Chaska, Minnesota

Officers of the Mounted Posse.  Carver County Sheriff Bud Olson swore in the 2006 slate of officers for the Carver County Sheriff's Mounted Posse.  They are (l-r) Captain Jim Liddy of Waconia, First Lieutenant June Hilgers on Tonka Bay, Second Lieutenant Erin Owen of Excelsior, and Sergeant Emily Boote of Excelsior.  The Posse is a volunteer organ-ization that assists the Sheriff's Office with security and crowd control, search and rescue operations, community relations and outreach activities, as well as special missions as assigned.  New members are always welcome.  It is required that members have a horse and a means to transport it.  For additional informa-tion, contact me at 952-830-3332 (days) or 952-758-7388 (eves and weekends).
Julie Goetz, Carver County Sheriff's Office

Chaska, Minnesota

1^st Place Title Takers.  The Chaska Area Youth Basketball Association (CAYBBA) 8B Gold Team took first place in the Minnesota Youth Athletic Services (MYAS) Supersaver Tournament on Satur-day, February 18^th.  In the following weekend (Feb. 25-26), they placed 2^nd in a field of 16 at the Roseville Classic.
Team members are (front, l-r) Max Henkel of Victoria, Michael Soderlind, Michael Hongslo, Matthew Brockberg.  Back:  Logan Lantz, Max Billings of Victoria, Michael Geissler, Alexander Cook.
Thank you.
Scott Henkel
Victoria, Minnesota

Seth Steven Heaney.  I'm writing to announce the birth of our baby boy.  Our names are Cheryl and Steve Heaney.  Our baby Seth Steven Heaney was born February 4^th, 2006.  He weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20 ¼ inches long.  He was born at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.  Proud big brother and sister are Cameron and Brooke Heaney.  We all reside in Victoria.  I've attached a couple of photos for you to choose from.
Cheryl Bock Heaney
Victoria, Minnesota

Natalie Marie Schmieg.   Here's a picture and some information of our little one.  Natatlie Marie Schmieg was born to Joe and Dawn Schmieg of Victoria on January 23^rd, 2006, at 8:51 a.m. at Fairview Southdale Hospital.  She was 6 pounds 9 ounces and 20 inches long.  Grandparents are Jim and Jeanine Schmieg of Victoria and LaVerne and the late Al Schneider of Little Falls, MN. 
Joe Schmieg
Victoria, Minneosta

Good Neighbor.  Just a note to let you know that Elizabeth Diethelm of Victoria has been chosen from WCCO Radio 830 AM for their Good Neighbor Award.  It will be run on the radio on Tuesday, February 28^th, at 7:50 a.m., 12:40 p.m., and 5:50 p.m.  We are thrilled for her and are blessed by her compassion and care that she brings to the St. Victoria Parish Family and to each person she meets.
Patty Schlader
St. Victoria, Minnesota