|
Island View Dining Waconia. 952-442-2956 |
|
CLICKSTART 952-902-2014 |
|
Leuthner Well Company Victoria * 952-443-2582 |
|
Swanson Insurance 952-448-4580 |
|
The Victoria Fire Department City of Victoria 952-443-2771 |
|
Headlines and bylines |
|
Front Page Feature Story |
|
From the Editor |
|
Sophie’s Drawing |
|
Letters to the Editor |
|
Victoria Moments |
|
Hook Line & Sinker |
|
Calendar of Events |
|
Click here to Advertise |
|
the Gazette |
|
Return to Home Page |
|
Order paper Gazette |
|
Notes and Quotes |
|
The Scoop at City Hall |
|
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas |
|
Dedicated to the sunshine of truth, the moonshine of meeting deadlines, and the starshine of Victoria. |
|
8661 Deer Run Dr. * Victoria 952-443-2351 |
|
The Victoria GAZETTE |
|
Victoria’s Corner Bar. Nightly Specials and Menus. 952-443-9944 |
|
by Sue Orsen/The Victoria Gazette It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Victoria on Saturday, December 1st. Santa was expected to arrive in a Victoria Fire Truck at 3:00 p.m. in front of the Victoria Library . But at 2:45 p.m. it started to snow, and snow, and it got heavier and wetter and deeper as the minutes to countdown continued. Would Santa be able to make it? Would any families get downtown to see him? Asked Joe Lieser, president of the Victoria Business Association, who was starting to panic, "Doesn't everybody know that Santa is coming? Where are the kids? We've got sugar cookies and apple cider and a place to be toasty warm and dry!" And then out in the street there arose such a clatter, we sprang up to see who made the pitter patter. When Santa Claus stepped off the red fire truck, everyone shouted their very good luck. And then in a twinkle he went up the stairs, dressed in all furs and those long curly hairs. His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow. Moms and dads with their girls and boys had also arrived with anticipated joys. And then sweet angelic voices filled all of the spaces in the halls of the City so full of young faces. The choir gave everyone pause and delight on this wet and snowy cold winter's night. Christmas carolers from the Chanhassen High School greeted everyone who came through the door at Victoria City Hall to visit Santa upstairs and participate in Christmas crafts at the Victoria Library. Much of the metro area and southern Minnesota were subsequently placed under a Winter Weather Advisory that evening into the next day. It's a good thing Santa has a sleigh for backup travel this time of year. *** Christmas began a little earlier at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. It began on Friday, November 23rd, the day after Thanksgiving and we showed up the very next day! Saturday, November 24th, wasn't a perfect winter evening either because the cold breezes found ways to invade the open spaces of coats and neck scarves. But the light displays that stretched across the acreage was so amazing we forgot it was cold outside. The Great Hall, which provided reprieve and refreshments, featured a 24-foot tall live poinsettia tree. The watering of it, alone, has got to be an amazing feat. The hundreds and thousands of lights and stars and decorated evergreen trees are magical. We hope to return soon to see the rest of the lights, only a mile from our front door. The show continues every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. through January 26th. Wow! *** There's no place like home for the holidays, and for many people that includes The Victoria House restaurant in downtown Victoria. On Sunday, December 2nd, the Victoria House hosted their 7th annual Brunch with the Victorian Santa, who happens to bear the officially recorded name, "Nicholas of the North," and is a close personal friend of Barbarajo, manager of the Victoria House. St. Nick makes a point of visiting all the tables and families, engaging in conversation and posing for pictures. Thank you, Santa and Barbarajo. Owner cousins John Lee and Bobbi Goral were also part of the festivities. The brunch buffet was delicious and bountiful and included their classic Greek Salad, a favorite of the Gazette editor. *** In a manner of speaking, the invitation was "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful," and so we did come to the annual Advent Dinner on Monday evening, December 3rd, at the St. Victoria Catholic Church. The most delectable dinner was catered by Kim and Kevin Heenie of Victoria, the couple who will be managing the new restaurant facilities when the Victoria Creamery project is completed in downtown Victoria. Several guests commented, and I agreed, that we've never tasted better roast beef, so tender, moist, and perfectly seasoned. The chicken entree was brand new to some of us and should be featured on the Food Channel. Maybe it has been. It was so good. Seated at our table that evening were (l-r) Allan, Gary and Bonnie Mohr, Rosie and Dave Williams, and Tom and Patti Stumpf. Tom led the crowd with St. Victoria's grace before meals, sung to the tune of "Edelweiss": Bless our food, Bless our friends, Come Oh Lord and be with us . . . Yes, indeed, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere we go. ~Sue
Click here to see related photos online in Sue’s Album.
|
|
December 2018 |
|
Sue’s Album A symphony of photos and fewer than a thousand words at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
