Victoria MN Newspaper

To the Editor:

Hi, Sue. Here's something for your Quotes in the Queue from Pope Francis: "One day we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open too all of God's creatures." These are words of comfort to any of us who have lost a beloved pet. Thank you.

John White

Laketown Township

EDITOR'S NOTE: As is customary in the "popular" media, they get things wrong. The New York Times had a story under the headline: "Dogs in Heaven? Pope Francis Leaves Pearly Gates Open." But Pope Francis never said anything to a sad child about puppies in paradise. In fact, Pope Francis commented in November that he perhaps agrees with Pope Paul VI, who once said to a young boy that his dog would be with him in heaven.

I will give you an accurate quote, John, from my good friend Father Elstan Coghill who was especially fond of his Frieda, then Maude, then Aida -- all of the Toy Dachshund variety. In regard to our pets in heaven, Father Elstan said, "We will have in heaven what makes us happy." I suspect Father Elstan is enjoying time in heaven with Frieda, Maude, and Aida, for they made him very happy.

To the Editor:

I grew up with practical parents. A mother who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused. She was the original recycle queen before they had a name for it. A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away.

I can see them now, Dad in his trousers, tee shirt, and a hat, and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand and dish towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.

It was a way of life. Then my mother died. Sometimes what we care about most gets all used up and goes away, never to return. So while we have it, it's best we love it and care for it and fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick.

This is true for marriage, old cars, children with bad report cards, dogs with bad hips, aging parents and grandparents. Some things we keep! Happy New Year.

Mal MacAlpine

Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:

Happy New Year to you, Editor Sue, and to your staff and all the Gazette readers.

I had wanted to write after reading all the recipes in the December issue of the paper, but guess I didn't. It's almost a new cookbook! I never knew what capers were. Thought maybe they were some type of fish and I wouldn't like it. A friend told me they were little salty berries, probably in the olive aisle of the grocery store.

Another thing I came across, I wanted to ask you if you have ever been to the Big Yellow Candy Store. It's located between Jordan and Belle Plaine or thereabouts. I was there last fall and saw the name "Claeys" on a package of hard candies and wondered if it could be your relative.

The fishhook is on page 27 on the bottom of the little snowman. Excuse my writing today. Seems every winter my fingers get cracks in the skin, sometimes painful and hard to write.

Ethel Schneider

Shakopee, Minnesota

EDITOR'S NOTE: I've seen Claeys Candy in other stores and have purchased it. Tasty, but I prefer gummy things rather than hard candy. Am I related to the Claeys Candymakers? I have no idea. It's fun that you've noted my maiden name.

To the Editor:

On behalf of the American Red Cross, I want to thank all those local residents who attended our blood drive on Wednesday, January 21st. I and the ultimate recipients of your donations truly appreciate your gifts. I also want to thank all who volunteered from the Victoria Lions Club to support the event, as well as the City of Victoria for allowing us to use the Recreation Center for the drive.

Brian Tjenstrom

Blood Drive Coordinator

Victoria Lions, Minnesota

To the Editor:

That was a nice photo and article in the last (January) issue of the Gazette about the Victoria Library. I did volunteer to work there if they ever need a substitute. It looks incredible.

Kathy Perschmann

Carver County Library System

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