Victoria Gazette - Victoria Moments

THE JOE SMITH BRIDGE. There was a happening at Deer Run on Sunday May 29th. Many of us who play golf lost a dear friend last August 21st when Joe Smith, long time resident, finally succumbed to the ravages of ALS after a three-year fight. Joe was an exceptional golfer and worked at Elliott Aviation in Eden Prairie. The Gazette carried his obituary and a story about our bridge project after his death. One of Joe's wishes was to have Deer Run have a bridge built in his honor, similar to the famous ones at St. Andrews, Augusta National, and Hazeltine. A number of friends worked last fall under the direction of local resident Ron Smith, to construct a bridge that connects the cart part area and the fourth rear tee, in Joe's memory. I am attaching a photo that I took as we completed the finishing touches.

The course has erected a sign telling that it is The Joe Smith Bridge. The Deer Run golf community that knew Joe and was involved in the project are thrilled by the addition to the course. It is a special place to come and remember Joe every time we come to play #4. It's maybe somewhat similar to the Fred Plocher plaque on #15, but way different for so many reasons. Warmest regards.

Dan McQuillen, Jr., Victoria, Minnesota

MINNESOTA'S PENSTEMON. Once in a while I get lucky and take a pretty darn good picture of something. While out riding the trail the other day, I noticed an area alongside it that had a few clusters of the wild flower called penstemon. I consider it one of Minnesota's finest. I thought you might like to see it. Minnesota Trails magazine's facebook page has this picture.

Kurt Zuppke, Laketown Township, Minnesota

MEMORIES.

I was going through some of my scrapbooks and found this article that I had cut out and saved from an old issue of the Gazette. It makes me miss Al Folden.

Marlys Timm, Loretto, Minnesota

READY TO LAUNCH.

We got a slip on Shoal Lake here at Voyager Village in Wisconsin. Picking up our pontoon and launching it tomorrow morning, June 5th! It's Pam's new toy. Wine parties afloat to begin shortly! Come see us.

Chuck & Pam Freiberg, Webster, Wisconsin, Formerly Victoria

IN THE STATE HONORS PIANO CONCERT. Twenty-nine area students performed in the Minnesota Music Teachers Association's 81st annual State Honors Concert. The concert was held in the Auditorium of the Minneapolis Convention Center on Saturday, June 21st. The event consisted of 30 compositions for piano ensemble played by 700 winners of the MMTA STate Contest. Dr. Mary Kay Geston conducted the concert. The young musicians represent the top 5 to 7% of pianists in the State of Minnesota, each one diligently preparing and memorizing their contest piece, making sure to go beyond just the notes to prepare a musically artist performance. In February, approximately 2,800 students throughout the state competed in the preliminary contest.

Front (l-r): Evonne Domyahn (Victoria), Ann Patten (Rockford), Selena Zingsheim (Chaska), Annika Teh (Chaska), Erin Wohlers (Victoria), Katherine Johnson (Victoria), Hayley Mans (Chaska), Greta Sather (Chaska). Middle: David Acheson (Waconia), Bryce Wiitala (Excelsior), Tyler Spielberger (Chaska), Katelyn Krietlow (Edina), Claire Witcraft (Victoria), Elisabeth Gerebi (Victoria), Joseph Gerebi (Victoria), Nathan Krietlow (Edina), Ava Joos (Chanhassen), Amelia Wagner (Chanhassen). Back: Peter Larson (Victoria), Ryan Wellner (Chanhassen), Christina Theis (Chanhassen), Julian Calder (Shorewood), Oliver Calder (Shorewood), Benjamin Olson (Eden Prairie), Noelle Drapeau (Victoria), Zedekyah Teh (Chaska), Ryan Sajulga (Chaska), Michael Henry (Victoria). Not pictured: Christian Johnson (Victoria).