Victoria Gazette - Victoria Moments

CELEBRATING MADDISON MERTZ. On May 1st, 2018, kids and families will celebrate the life of Maddison Mertz (5-26-2009 to 5-29-2017) and begin Brain Tumor Awareness Month by Trick or Treating for Maddison. Pediatric cancer has affected many families in Carver County. Let's make a difference for all children who have and who are currently battling cancer.

Maddison Mertz, or Moo to loved ones, was a 2nd grader from Victoria. She turned eight May 26th, 2017, and passed away from a Stage IV glioblastoma brain tumor May 29th, 2017. In the seven months that Moo battled this monster, she demonstrated the strength of a superhero. She was a miracle to all who knew her and, in her name, Maddison Mertz's Miracles was founded. Always joyful and cheerful, Maddison began dressing up in costume at age four and knocking on doors to trick or treat, regardless of the month. The response was always the same. Those who adored her were delighted to fill hands with candy and hear giggles of Moo and her little buddies.

We are trick or treating for coins in honor of Maddison on May 1st. May is not only a special month to celebrate Moo. It is also Brain Tumor Awareness Month. If you would like to donate, please be generous when you hear the doorbell ring on May 1st. Donations can also be made online at childrenscancer.org/4maddison.

Donations will go to Children's Cancer Fund and be distributed through Maddison Mertz's Miracles Fund to continue Moo's legacy. Funds will be designated for brain tumor research. Currently, just 4% of all federal funding dollars goes to childhood cancer research. Our goal is to raise funds so that other children with cancer will be able to have lives filled with more candy and unlimited giggles. We believe a world without childhood cancer is possible. Your support in sharing this event is greatly appreciated.

Jennifer Grauwels

Victoria, Minnesota

SUNSHINE AND WARM BREEZES. I've been in Mexico -- Nuevo Vallarta -- so I won't have an ad for March. Can't wait to read the March Gazette. Loved Mexico. On the beach with no crowds. I'll send photos. There was a turtle released at sunset one evening. Little hatchlings are released at sunset so they can make it to the water before birds swoop down to catch them.

Nan Emmer

Victoria, Minnesota

AT VICTORIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Our preschoolers enjoy all kinds of hands-on learning experiences throughout their days. Recently they learned about dinosaurs and were even archaeologists digging up dinosaurs in the snow. Also, they found space in the hall to measure themselves to see how tall a dinosaur can actually be. Students also had fun celebrating Valentine's Day by creating a variety of creative containers to receive Valentines from classmates. Love the Valentine smiles! ~Jeremy Engebretson, VES Administrative Dean

CHAMPIONS AT MANKATO MELTDOWN. Congratulations to the CCHA Squirt B Golden Knights for bringing home their third championship of the season, defeating St. Peter in the finals of the Squirt B Mankato Meltdown the first weekend of February. We beat Luverne 12-0, Blaine 10-0 (Nine different CCHA players scored a goal!), and St. Peter (CCHA won in a shootout with a game score of 2-2). Congratulations to them and the Mankato Hockey Association for putting on a great tournament.

Front (l-r): Jack Wiens, Grant Atterson, Travis Fraley. Middle: Sam Tsu, Dawson Perry, Noah Galvin, Blake Kennedy, Beau Fraley. Back: Gavin Schmid, Tyler Evans, Peyton Chase, Gavin Anderson, Will Bushey, Carson Uhlenkamp. Not pictured: Wyatt Moore of Victoria.

Matt Chase, Team Manager

Carver, Minnesota

Everyone has a story to tell. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is honored to present the stories of local Somali artists living and working in our communities.

Featuring contemporary artist Ifrah Mansour, photographer Ridwan Omar, painter Asiz Osman, plus two installations from Hands Across the World, this engagement in the Arboretum's Reedy Gallery offers a glimpse into the lives -- past, present, and future -- of these accomplished artists from another culture who now call Minnesota their home.

"We are thrilled to host this inspiring show funded in part by a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council," said Arboretum Fine Arts Curator Wendy DePaolis. "The Arboretum is a welcoming place for all people and through projects such as these, we are able to bring people together and build bridges while surrounded by the flora and fauna of this spectacular place."

The show, "Then and Now: Somali Stories Through Art," runs from February 22nd to April 22nd.

Susie Hopper

MN Landscape Arboretum

MORE VICTORIA MOMENTS IN PAPER EDITION.

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