Victoria Gazette - Victoria Moments

FIRE STATION TOUR. We conducted a fire

station tour on Tuesday, June 19th, for the Victoria

Elementary Preschool Class. Approximately

40 students attended and were able to sit in

a fire truck, try on our gear, and ask questions of our firefighters.

Chief Andrew Heger

Victoria Fire Department, Victoria, Minnesota

AT VICTORIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Nineteen Victoria Elementary girls participated in Girls On The Run (GOTR) this spring. They were coached by three of our staff members in this after-school program with the goal of supporting the girls to recognize their own inner strength. The Girls On The Run Community Impact Project was decided and planned by the team of 19 girls. They worked on coming to consensus and planning a project as a large group. Their impact was to promote local businesses in Victoria. In partners, the girls created signs for some of the businesses in Victoria and then stood in the Victoria Elementary car line to promote shopping locally. Each of the signs was then delivered to each of the businesses.

Jeremy Engebretson, Administrative Dean

Victoria Elementary School

MIGHTY MUSKIES. These two boys caught these Muskies minutes apart while fishing in June 2018 on Lake Waconia. Left is Caleb Robey, my grandson who fishes in tournaments for the Minnetonka High School Fishing Team, and his fishing partner Mike Zattera. Both fish were 44.5 inches long and were promptly released in good condition. A real thrill for these avid fishermen. There are about 150 on the Fishing Team and they compete with other schools.

Steve Leighton

Victoria, Minnesota

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS. Margaret Hanson of Victoria and Sister Therese Even, School Sister of Notre Dame in Mankato, celebrated their birthdays in June together with Louise Lehner and me. Sister has given missions and retreats all over the Twin Cities and the U.S.A. She is an inspiration to all who know her. Happy Birthday to two great women. Count the cheers, not the years.

Nan Emmer

Victoria, Minnesota

HAPPY 50TH. Jim and Sue Grahn of Mora, MN, formerly Excelsior and the St. Victoria Catholic Church, are celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary on Saturday, July 28th at St. Mary's Parish Hall in Mora.

DICHOTOMY IN DOWNTOWN VICTORIA. It's an unusual contrasting scene in downtown Victoria for the first time this summer of 2018. The classic cars are models of yesteryear, while the five-story building in the background is a model of the future. Classic Car Nights began in Victoria in 2010, according to Jerry Hartman of Hartman Communities, a leader in spearheading and working the popular Classic Car Nights. Groundbreaking on Victoria Flats began in 2016 and is now completed in 2018. Its 80 apartment units are already fully leased, according to The Beard Group, developer of the project. The young trees, which appear to be growing out of the pavement, lend a softening visual to the dichotomy. ~Editor Sue Orsen

FINISHING TOUCHES AT LIONS PARK. The outdoor paver patio and fireplace were constructed by Hartman Companies of Victoria at the Lions Pavilion in June. Hartmans also laid sod around the perimeter to help keep mud and dirt from being tracked inside the Pavilion.

The 86-inch big screen, sound system, and wifi have been installed and are working. The Lions have held, and are continuing to hold, soft openings with their Lions members and spouses, the contractors who worked on the building these past several months, and the city staff, council, and members of city committees. The Victoria Lions built and sponsored construction of the Pavilion and are giving it to the City of Victoria at no cost to the city taxpayers. It should become a source of revenue for the city.

The new facility will be ready for its "Grand Opening" at the upcoming 2018 Lions Softball Tournament on the Weekend of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday -- July 20th, 21st, and 22nd. The community is invited to enjoy good food and beer, camaraderie, ball games, and the new facility.

Thank you, Victoria Lions.

~Editor Sue Orsen

MORE VICTORIA MOMENTS IN THE PAPER EDITION.

JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME

Waconia 952-442-2121

Victoria’s Corner Bar. Nightly Specials and Menus. 952-443-9944