Victoria Gazette - Victoria Moments

A SHORT GLIMPSE INTO THE VICTORIA LIONS

2018 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY.

The party was held Friday evening, December 7th, in Elstan Hall at the St. Victoria Church.

Photos by Lion Bryan Olson

Victoria, Minnesota

160TH ANNIVERSARY of Lake Auburn Moravian Church.

Worshippers on our 160th Anniversary in October.

Ruth Stahlke, Lake Auburn Moravian Church

Victoria, Minnesota

TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I can't thank you enough for your generous support to the Aztec Bowl. The experience is something I will never forget. After the game, I was approached by two boys who asked me if I was #6. I replied yes. They told me that my catches were awesome. They asked me for my autograph so I took out my cleats, signed them, and gave them to the boys. Their smiles were endless. That will be a memory I will never forget. It was a perfect way to end my collegiate football career. Once again, thank you for making this opportunity a reality.

Nick Heenie

Victoria, Minnesota

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS MOVIE. The chairs are so plush at the Eden Prairie Center theaters that we can almost fall asleep, especially after the shopping and eating and entertaining that comes with the season. The day after Christmas I took our kids and grandkids to see "The Grinch." I had read that adults would also find merit in this animated feature sequel, and we did. Both young and old easily can understand that hearts beating inside angry or hateful people are small hearts, indeed, whereas hearts beating inside joyful and generous people are large, indeed. That's son Nick at the far left, daughter Jenny with the knee-high brown boots, and my four grandchildren. They all have big hearts. ~S.O.

CHRISTMAS AT THE LIBRARY. During Christmas in Victoria on December 1st, the Victoria Library and Friends of the Library welcomed families with open arms, open books, indoor activities, and a glowing fireplace! L-r: Joni and Hudson Starr, Debbie Johnson, Librarian Jodi Edstrom, and Phyllis Porubcan. ~S.O.

RASPBERRY BOCCE TOURNEY CHAMPIONS. Congratulations to Daryl Snader of Victoria and Kayla Loubser of Chanhassen on their title of 2018 Raspberry Bocce Tourney Champions. Despite playing in the worst rainy weather this event has ever seen, they defeated Tony Williams and Joni Hansen, both of Chanhassen, in the finals. In her first trip to the finals, Kayla became the youngest champion in the tournament's 40-year history. Her partner Daryl, playing his best bocce since he started playing in the tournament, captured his first championship in the 26-team bocce tournament this past October.

This tourney has been held annually since 1979 and hosted by Tommy and Marilee Hutton of Victoria. Tommy is originally from Hopkins, which is known as the Raspberry Capital. Since the late 1970's, his family has hosted a block party that originally corresponded with the Hopkins Raspberry Festival Parade held each July. Each year, guests of the party would play in a co-ed bocce tournament that started out as a small "just for fun" tourney. It soon became the highlight of the gathering and has expanded over the years into the big event that it is today.

Since moving from Hopkins to Victoria in 1995, the Raspberry Bocce Tourney has moved from a summer to fall event. Everyone in attendance gathered on the Hutton's lighted front lawn in Victoria to watch and participate in this fall classic.

Tommy Hutton

Victoria, Minnesota

PASSING OUT POINSETTIAS. Victoria Lions Club once again donated approximately 200 poinsettia plants to seniors living our community at Bethesda Cottages, Emerald Crest, Victoria Care Center, and Auburn Homes. Above is a grandchild of Lion Eric Huibregtse. The residents enjoyed seeing young kids. Said Lion Jon Carlson, "The poinsettias provided a wonderful opportunity to visit such nice people. As a new member of the Victoria Lions Club, I see it as a great example of the perks of being a Lion."

PASSPORT TO SPRING. This year's flower show is a Passport to Spring! People are invited to open the doors to the Arboretum's Great Hall and experience a world of lush spring flowers and incredible fragrances. Nine blooming vignettes feature France, China, Morocco, Mexico, Indonesia, Chile, India, South Africa, and the Netherlands through plants and culture. The show runs February 1st through March 3rd.

The centerpiece is a graceful French-inspired glass house from luxury conservatory company Conservatory Craftsmen of Minneapolis. The charming garden house is surrounded by a lavish kitchen garden/potager teeming with fragrant herbs, flowers, and plants.

Each country's design focuses on the fragrant flowers and plants of the region, from India's jasmine and African hydrangea to China's Sweet Olive, Perfume Plant, and butterfly bush. More than 40 species are included in the show as well as ever-changing fresh flower arrangements. The vignettes are displayed throughout the Arboretum's main buildings and Meyer-Deats Conservatory . It's a sensory escape that can't be topped during a Minnesota winter.

Susie Hopper, Communications

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

MORE VICTORIA MOMENTS IN THE PAPER EDITION.

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