The Table is Set  by Sue Orsen.  In this political season, the Gazette advocates a healthy balance of meat and potatoes along with a nice garden variety of fruits and vegetables … Click on Feature.
When the Frost is on the Punkin by Carol Vadnais, resident of Victoria.  "As my sister read the poem to me, I could picture the yellow shocks of corn and vines of pumpkins tangled in the patch …"
The Simple Heroines by A Friend of the Gazette.  "We don't usually honor the simple heroines among us who work courageously to provide for their children, family, and friends …"
Methinks That I Shall Never See by Tom Stumpf, Cowboy Correspondent.  "Perhaps the trees and stones do have spirits.  Certainly the sleeping hardwoods around our home are comforted to smell the sweet aroma of a fallen comrade, supplying heat in a final noble gesture …"
Ten Years Ago the Gazette featured Frank Jones who was welcomed as pastor of Lake Auburn Moravian Church on Sept. 13, 1992.
The Chamber's Channel by Laura Wood, Chamber President.  "The Victoria Chamber is proud to present the Home Based Business Expo on Saturday, November 16th, at the Victoria Hall on Rose Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. …"
Wartman's Welch's Wine by Mike Wartman, former resident of Victoria.  "Wine making was simple as we just mixed it all together in a big old pickle bucket, stirred it with a tick from the backyard, and let it settle for three minutes …"
Searching for Truth by Pastor Frank Jones, Lake Auburn Moravian Church.  "The Church has no place to begin except with the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the record of His life and teachings in the Bible."
On Returning by Pastor Ken Kotzer, Mount Olivet Church West.  "The presence of gratitude has the capacity to renew life.  It is the therapy of healing resentfulness and brokenness …"
What a Year by Tom Abts, Deer Run Golf Pro.  "As you're well aware, this was a tough year:  late spring, crummy summer, no fall, and record rain all year.  Tough times for a golf course …"
Code Corner by Tom Gray, Victoria Building Official.  "My philosophy is that in any situation, common sense needs no introduction. …"
Yes, You Can Say No by Jim Larkin, Amicus et editoris.  "Being unduly hard on yourself, and feeling guilty, can erode your effectiveness as an agent for good.  So make your decisions on priorities carefully …"
Gridiron Glory by Father Bob White, St. Victoria Catholic Church.  "The year was 1961.  It was the first day of summer football my freshman year in high school … It was my fantasy that football stardom would someday be mine …"
God Help Lady Justice by Pastor Bill Bonner, Waterbrooke Fellowship.  "It is the delusion that there simply is no absolute truth.  It masquerades under the misnomer of tolerance … If we throw out the Judeo Christian basis for truth, then we indeed are on a slippery slope …"
A Polished Off Car by Kyra Schindler, student friend of the Gazette.  "My mom says that homework comes before fun, my chores have to be done, and that I should change oil in the truck before I paint my fingernails -- for good reason, I suppose …"
One Biker's Perspective by Thom Derr, Rough Rider.  "In this biker's opinion, if you are having trouble finding something to be thankful for, do something for someone without your having a selfish motive, and watch the blessings come back …"
The Memo Book by Janie Jasin, motivational speaker.  "We must start now to memorize things 'by heart' so they will always remain in the memo book of our mind.  Begin with friends.  You can never have enough of those to write on your heart or in your mind …"
Senior Citizens Corner by Ethel Ausink, Sr. Citizens Reporter.  "I agree that society pays a terrible price for its failure to teach all children to read, and I'm a firm believer in drill and repetition …"
Sketches from Sara by Sara Hanlon, Mill House Gallery.  "In our attempt to recapture the nostalgia of Dickens or a Norman Rockwell painting, we work ourselves into a frenzy …"
Mass Casualty Drill by Bill & Virginia Standke, Carver County Red Cross.  "The Victoria Fire Department held a mass casualty incident drill involving a school bus and a car …"

Hook, Line & Sinker by Sue Orsen.  "According to reliable reports, the fish aren't biting at Leech Lake and the ducks aren't flying at Alexandria.  I can also tell you that the leaves aren't falling at Schutz Lake and the skies aren't clearing in Carver County.
So where does that place you and me?  About four miles too north.  That's just the kind of a year it's been.  Everything's just a little off kilter, and I wouldn't choose to be in a kilter unless of course I was a Scotsman.  And then I'd have to wonder about all kinds of other things, just as Mr. Wallace did.  Yes, Sir William Wallace is that fellow who was hanged and drawn and quartered several centuries ago by other tribes in those British Isles.  I watched it all in person, downstairs in front of a large screen TV, and so its images are seared in my mind forever.  What a barbaric history some of you folks have.  And also saintly.  I heard Mr. Wallace was under considera-tion for canonization.  But some of those canons are deadly, so watch where you worship.
And if you hail from the likes and lines of Captain Hook, you're certainly reading the right newspaper.  Just watch where you swing that arm when you turn the pages, especially if your husband is setting next to you at the breakfast table.  Ouch!
Now don't drop this newspaper until you've looked for the hook hidden carefully within it.  I can tell you that the fishhook hasn't changed in appearance for many, many years.  The line is inherently strong from whence it comes.  And if you find that fishhook, drop a short line to me here at Box 387 in Victoria, Minnesota, 55386, and sink it in the mail.  Your name will be entered into the Big Treasure Chest Drawing for Ten Bucks.
Helen Schimmelpfennig of Fish Creek, Wisconsin, gets the dough this month, finding the hook in the skeleton on page 17 of the October Gazette.  Yes, Helen hails (not the same as Helen Hayes) from just the right place in this world that is a little off kilter.  I bet ladies from Fish Creek, Wisconsin, are perfectly upright and due north.
And if I don't get a round tuit somewhere else in this paper, allow me to conclude here with Thanksgiving happiness and fulfillment to each and every one of you.  May your plates and pockets be always full.