To the Editor:
Could you please consider including this in your next Gazette?  A trail under-pass is being installed at Highway 7 and the North LRT Corridor Trail.  The High-way 7 trail crossing will be closed until the underpass is finished.  The North LRT Trail is closed at Steiger Lake Lane to accommodate replacement of the Steiger Lake Lane Bridge.  The trail segment will likely be closed for the remainder of the year.
Nancy Lauseng, Three River Park District

To the Editor:
In response to your request to correct the spelling and change our maps from "Steiger" to "Stieger," I checked with the DNR and have confirmed that their state records have the official spelling of the lake as Steiger.  I am sympathetic to the Stieger family's concerns, but I think it would be inappropriate and confusing to have our publications and maps contain a name different from the official published state name.  However, the DNR did indicate that if anyone in the Stieger family wants to pursue a name change, there is a formal process they can begin by first contacting Glen Yakel, Division of Waters, 651-296-4805.
Dawn Sommers, Three Rivers Park District

To the Editor:
In your "Wings of Youth" feature story in the July Gazette, you published a piece by Abby Welch.  In it she mentions her favorite teacher, Mr. Machtemes.  I am a teacher, a Mr. Machtemes, but not the same one, as I teach in Edmonton, Alberta.  I do genealogy, though, and have been researching the Machtemes family for family history purposes.  Would he have an e-mail address and would you know it?  Thanks for your help.
Mr. (Terry) Machtemes, machfam@shaw.ca
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

To the Editor:
I'm sending you an article from the Marshall, Minnesota, paper so you can get an idea of how exciting the State Basket-ball Tournament was this year for us.  Nate Dammann is the grandson of Yvonne and Jerry Beneke of Deer Run, Victoria, and Chris and Dawn Dammann of Victoria.  He is a junior at Hamline and plays baseball and football.  He was named to the All Tournament Team.  His stats for the weekend were incredible.  We are very proud of him.
The Benekes, Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
I am pleased to report that The Reverend Susan Plocher Thomas and her husband have accepted a call to a Lutheran Church in New Hampshire.  Her sister, Judy Kaaua, has flown to NH to help with the settling in.  Their two younger boys have come to start school in the States.  Their oldest son will remain with his father in Jerusalem so he can graduate with his class in June of 2003.  Then they both will go to NH.
Ron Holtmeier, Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
On Saturday, October 5th, there will be a 5k Run/Walk at Carver Park Reserve in Victoria to help raise research funds for Huntington's Disease.  This USATF certi-fied event begins at 9:30 a.m.  The course is a mix of paved and grass trails through the rolling hills of the reserve.  For further information and online registration go to www.raceberryjam.com or call Jill Sinclair at 952-657-2537.  Thank you very much.
Jill Sinclair, Mayer, Minnesota

To the Editor:
Everyone in the neighborhood of Horizon Ridge and Ridge Ponds Drive thanks the Victoria Fire Department for dispatching a fire truck to the September 7th block party.  If all members of the department are as professional as Troy Walsh, Victoria residents are in good hands.  Troy explained equipment to the kids and adults.  Also, the ladies enjoyed riding in the truck as much as the kids.  Thank you.
Bill Scholl, Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
Hello, Sue.  I'm looking for someone to give me some information about Vic-toria and the surrounding areas.  We are possibly relocating from Wisconsin to your area.  My husband will be attending Crown College in St. Bonifacius.  Can you fill me in on general information such as population, growth, family activity, churches, etc.?  If not, do you know someone who could?  Loved your pictures.  Thank you.
Lisa Roberts, via e-mail

To the Editor:
I attended Apple Day in Excelsior and found the fishhook in Leipold's ad on page 21.  Also saw my niece Joyce Burau at Apple Day.  Thank you.  Julianne Hennen, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

To the Editor:
Three Rivers Park District is hosting an old time music workshop and concert on November 2nd at the Lowry Nature in Carver Park Reserve in Victoria.  "Banjos to Birds" will feature instruction and per-formances by acclaimed old time music artists Dick Kimmel, Adam Granger, and Bill Hinkley.  A news release is attached.  For more information, please call Dianne Rowse at 952-472-4911.
Nancy Lauseng, Lowry Nature Center, Victoria, Minnesota

Click here for more October 2002 letters.