Our Military Man  by Sue Orsen. "Since October 1st, 2001, our military man in Victoria has been arriving at Victoria City Offices in his army duds and dog tags …" Click on Feature.
Meeting More Victoria Heroes by Sue Orsen.  "The Victoria Volunteer Fire Dept. held its annual Open House on October 6th."  For an array of photos, click on Sue's Album at www.VictoriaGazette.com.
Pilgrims of Excelsior by Carol Vadnais, Resident of Victoria.  "My children and I had fun in the quaint town of Excelsior the other day, looking around and enjoying the fall decorations in the different shops …"
The Lions Den by Pres. Ed Hjermstad.  "We sponsored, along with Chaska H.S., our annual cross country meet, and it was a huge success …"
My Website by Sue Orsen.  "My website continually changes.  I'm having the most fun with all those pages and pictures hiding behind Sue's Album, that icon with the red heart in the center of my home page …"
A Biker's Perspective by Thom Derr, Rough Rider.  "The season of rallies and rides is over, but there is plenty of planning for next year within the Christian Motorcycle community …"
A Different  Place by Pastor Frank Jones, Lake Auburn Moravian Church.  "Some time has passed now since the attack on us in September 11th, and life is not the same, nor should we expect it to be …"
You Are Invited ...The annual Community Thanksgiving Service in Victoria will be held this year at the St. Victoria Catholic Church on Wednesday evening, November 21st, at 7:30 p.m.  Pastor Bill Bonner of Waterbrooke Fellowship will give the message.
Kids Talk by Kyra Schindler, Student friend of the Gazette.  "This is no doubt the flu season.  Everyone is either walking around in t-shirts with kleenexes while the smart ones are in jackets and sweatshirts …"
The Chamber's Channel by Pres. Marlene Speltz.  "We welcome Brian Krause of Krause Electric as a new member to the Victoria Chamber.  At our Nov. 1st meeting, Mayor Mary will give a presentation …"
Ten Years Ago the Gazette featured Vic and Fr. Conran Schneider in "The Brothers of Lake Bavaria."  The farm was homesteaded by their great, great grandfather in the mid 1800's."
Code Corner by Tom Gray, Victoria Building Official.  "Public safety could be the mission statement of the building inspection's dept.  The charge of protecting lives is an awesome responsibility …"
Attorney Alert by Lee Clark, The Practical Pig.  "If any attorney can't give you five minutes for a free informational phone call, dial on, and be forewarned enough to ask if the money meter is running …"
Spasms of Fear by Jim  Larkin, amicus curiae et editoris.  " … In our Civil War, both sides claimed God was with them …"
Hook, Line, & Sinker by Sue Orsen.  "If you think our dinner menu here on Lilac Lane now includes a lot of ducks and geese and pheasants, you're very right.  'Tis the season …"
Cross Country Team Successful at Holy Family by Coach Jeff Lenzmeier.  "We had great finishes by all our runners …"
Johnnies and Tommies by Fr. Bob White, St. Victoria Catholic Church.  "This is not just any game.  This is THE game.  The one everyone has been waiting for.  It's the Johnnies versus the Tommies …"
Senior Citizens Corner by Ethel Ausink, Sr. Citizens Reporter.  "My brother is dying of acute myelocytic leukemia.  He had difficulty keeping his balance and noticed a definite weakness …"
Fixer Man by Janie Jasin, Motivational Speaker.  "After living alone without a manly man who fixes things, I long for a fixer.  It's not that I crave romance.  I crave a real live fixer man …"
Sketches from Sara by Sara Hanlon, artist friend of the Gazette.  "Art affects us in so many ways, not the least of which is laughter, so good for the soul.  That Charles Schulz gave to all of us …"
What a Good Dog by Tom Stumpf, cowboy correspondent.  "She was an escape artist of unparalleled form.  She would chew through chicken wire, claw through plywood doors and rusty truck floorboards, and Bessy could climb chain link …"
Shortage of Adoptive Parents by Beth Voigt, MN Dept. of Human Services.  "Today more than 650 Minnesota children are waiting for a mily to adopt them because they cannot safely return to their birth families."  EDITOR'S NOTE:  Somebody call Mary Jo Copeland.
The Heart of the Matter by Pastor Thomas Braun.  "The story is told about a little boy who had a very bad heart and was going to have open heart surgery to see exactly what could be done …"
That First Whiff by Mike Wartman, former Victoria resident.  "There is probably no smell better than that of a freshly lit cigarette …"
Winter Tune-Up by Tom Abts, Deer Run golf pro.  "Just got my car back from a winter tune-up, not real exciting but it relates to golf …"
Obituaries:  Catherine S. Miller, 96; Clarence Schwalbe, 89; and Charles "Chuck" Chapman, 71.