Victoria Gazette - Victoria Moments

EMILY PATE OF VICTORIA has been awarded the UPHA Ribbons of Service Scholarship award again this year. She has won this scholarship for the past five years. It is an award presented from the United Professional Horseman's Association. It is based on fundraising, community service, and competing in horse competitions.

In the past five years, Emily Pate has raised over $17,340 for Minneapolis Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, The Arabian Horseman's Distress Fund, and this year for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. She has done over 379 hours of community service and competed in Local, Regional, and National Horse Show Competitions.

Emily will be receiving her scholarship award in February at the UPHA National Convention in Florida. Emily is a senior at Minnetonka High School.

Jane Pate

Victoria, Minnesota

ETHEL AUSINK AND FAMILY AT THANKSGIVING.

We got a great picture of most of us at Thanksgiving. The ones missing are three of Bob's boys and four great grandchildren. But I thought I'd pass this on for your album. We're happy that Mom's four children (Bob, Corie, Marianne, Joanne) and their spouses and many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren could celebrate Mom's 100th birthday together.

Love,

Corie Boyer

Excelsior, Minnesota

FIRST PLACE AT ANOKA AND INVER GROVE HEIGHTS. Congratulations to the 5th grade travel basketball team sponsored by Holy Family Catholic High School! The team was on FIRE, going undefeated in December taking 1st place in both of their tournaments -- at Anoka on December 3rd and Inver Grove Heights on December 10th. In the first tournament they played Anoka, Forest Lake, Minneapolis, and St. Louis Park. In the second tournament, they played Inver Grove Heights (x2), New Prague, and Eagan.

Front (l-r): Oliver Jost, Isaiah Mueller, Tyler Wujcik (Victoria), Tuey Foudray. Standing (kids): Will Pladsen, Lucas Arntsen (Victoria), Peter Hiebert, Jacob Clifford, Cael Chown. Back: Coach Alan Hiebert, Coach Matt Clifford, Coach Dan Mueller. Not pictured: Max Potratz (Victoria).

Jamie Wujcik

Victoria, Minnesota

FIRST PLACE IN THREE TOURNAMENTS. The Chanhassen fourth grade Gold basketball team took first place in their first three tournaments of the season. The Chaska tournament was played in Chanhassen, the second tournament was in Maple Grove/Osseo, and the last one was in Eden Prairie. Some of the teams they played were Eden Prairie, Chaska, Wayzata, Minnetonka, Lakeville South and North, and Farmington. They are now 16-0!

Front (l-r): Logan DeAlwis (Chan), Breck Neubauer (Chan), Garvin Bartels (Chan), Brady Kalvoda (Victoria), Charlie Bialke (Chan). Middle: Drew Simington (Victoria), Jack Carlson (Chan), Luke Thomas (Chan), Mason Kasid (Chan), Renner Fuglie (Chan). Back: Coach Patrick Kasid, Coach Matt Thomas, Coach Molly Thomas.

Angie Kalvoda

Victoria, Minnesota

TURKEYS IN THE STRAW.

I found some unusual visitors (Christmas turkeys?) today, December 13th, on the Creamery property in downtown Victoria.

Joe Lieser, KleinBank

Victoria, Minnesota

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Thank you, Joe. Readers might like to know that straw was spread on the ground all around the Creamery building in December to keep the frost from going down as winter weather drew nigh, in the event that construction might begin on the Creamery expansion project which is proposed to bring a new dining extravaganza to town. Are you singing Turkey in the Straw?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM. We made birthday flowers in the sand here at Marco Island, just for you. Love, Jenny

NEARLY 100 STUDENTS IN BAND AT VES. Victoria Elementary 5th grade band students played carolling songs throughout the school during their weekly lessons in December. Teachers and other staff members were able to sign up to invite Mrs. Leah Toppen, the band teacher, and her students to play for them. Students at Victoria Elementary could choose to join band in the fall, then they meet once a week for a small group lesson and twice a week to play with the entire band. This year there are nearly 100 students in band!

FUEL UP AT VES. Victoria Elementary is participating in a program called Fuel Up to Play 60, which is sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL. The program is a collaboration with the USDA to improve health and wellness for kids. In November, students were challenged to pose with Viktor the Viking while participating in a wellness activity. The students in the photo are showing their pride in their heart rate as they monitor it throughout PE class.

Jeremy Engebretson

Administrative Dean

Victoria Elementary School

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