Landmark Among Lakes by Sue Orsen.  "The Victoria Elementary School was built on a grand hill with a panorama of lakes, valleys, and wide open countryside …"  Click on Front Page.
The Big Picture by Tom Abts, Deer Run Golf Pro.  "I believe that people's golf swings are a result of their big picture of the golf swing.  If you're looking for a big picture view of a good golf swing, it is this …"
So Help Me, God by Tom Stumpf, Cowboy Correspondent.  "In my opinion, there really can be no complete separation of people's spiritual beliefs and the way we attempt to govern ourselves -- no more than one can completely separate night from day …"
Carver County Comments by Gary Delaney, Carver County Commissioner.  "The terrible hurricane, Katrina, spreads its aftermath to Carver County.  Our county has appropriated over $55,000 to pay for the services of four deputies and two squad cars …"
From the Lions Den by Kurt Zuppke, President, Victoria Lions Club.  "New this year for us is funding for a Carver County project called Restorative Conferencing.  It offers a highly cost-effective way to address juvenile crime and disciplinary problems …"
North of the Gulf by Tom Gray, Victoria Building Official.  "It is recognized that it is next to impossible to construct homes that are hurricane-, earthquake-, tornado-, fire-, and flood-proof homes that are affordable and yet still attractive … unless you like the Fred Flinstone type of home …"
Meet the Real John Deere by Carol Vadnais, Hero of History.  "Hard work and opportunity are the story behind many a successful American entrepreneur … The name of John Deere grew with the success of American agriculture, and today John Deere still ranks as one of the largest industrial corporations in the United States …"
Just Kicking Back by Thom Derr, Rough Rider.  "A good ride is any time you are on the motorcycle.  A very good ride is when you don't get wet.  An exceptional ride is when there are more pine trees than pig farms …"
It's the Gas Prices, Silly by Ethel Ausink, Senior Citizens Reporter.  "Because we depend largely on Gulf Coast oil, Congress needs to take a good hard look to other areas of our nation for new oil drilling, notably the arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the coast of California …"
Chamber's Channel by Jennifer Chapman, Director, Victoria Chamber of Commerce.  "Thanks to everyone who helped to make the Volksfest a success …"
What's in Your Bag?  by Pastor Frank Jones, Lake Auburn Moravian Church.  "There are those of us who keep a full tank of gas in the car, fresh batteries for the flashlights, and a stock of other survival needs.  When I was a kid I put my survival kit together in a tobacco pouch …"
Fireline.  A letter from the Shakopee City Council thanked many people, including the Victoria Fire Department, for helping put out the fire at the St. Mark's Catholic Church in Shakopee …
Victoria:  Part of the Parade.  The 58th Annual Parade of Homes Fall Showcase is almost history.  There are 1,126 model homes in the Parade, 16 of them located in Victoria.  Note the wide array of builders.  Note the high end prices …
Scents and Sensibility by Steve and Kathy Schmieg, Coldwell Banker Burnet.  "Smell has the power to influence our mood, how long we stay in a room, who we talk to, and who w want to see again.  If this is true, it makes sense that it also could have a substantial impact on how buyers perceive your home …"
Some Like it Rare by Mike Wartman, Former Resident of Victoria.  "Because it is fishing and hunting season, I will focus on the rarities in the fish and wildlife kingdom …"
20 Years Ago the Gazette featured Wilbur and Esther Krey in "The Work of a Man's Hand."  The Kreys, who retired from farming about ten years ago, recall having 20 men in to help with the threshing, cutting corn with a binder, picking butternuts, and wild grapes …
10 Years Ago the Gazette featured the recent Chamber event in "We Can Touch Bavaria."  Roots of a community run deep and provide an everlasting sense of identity.  Victoria Drive is our Rhine River along which lies Lake Bavaria, historical churches, cemeteries, and homes …

Words on Wings by Sue Orsen.  Today Victoria is the "City of Lakes and Parks," but that's not its history.  About 150 years ago it wasn't a city - or even an ink spot on the map.  It was wilderness.  Less than 50 years ago, before slogans and mottos and mission statements became all the rage, Victoria could have been called the "City of Barns and Farms."  That means, of course, there were more tractors than snowmobiles in town.  But at least one tractor still roams the streets of Victoria, pulling a hayrack piled with people and hay bales.  Thanks for the annual hayride, Jerry Michel, and thanks for your hospitality, Jane Michel.
Now that we've climbed off the hayrack and stepped online at www.VictoriaGazette.com, we can find the tractor driving along-side the boats on Lake Minnetonka.  It has become, after all, the City of Lakes and Parks and we've had one heck of a wonderful boating summer.  As the leaves turn into those colors on the other end of the spectrum, I'll think about our summer boating time on Lake Minnetonka, as well as the hayride.  Thanks for the memories, good friends.  Enjoy the new batch of pages in Sue's Ablum.  Quite a ride.