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Jan Olinger, CPE.

Electrolysis. Hair Removal.

Victoria * 9852-443-2479

Catholic Aid Association

Carol Lindner 952-657-2210

As we traversed many miles through the nearby states east and south of us -- Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, and back into Minnesota -- we must have crossed at least a dozen or so rivers and bridges and nowhere did we see anybody with a fishing pole. Don’t fish bite in April? They do! I heard they were biting on Lake Auburn here in Victoria and that they tasted mighty fine.

I like rivers and bridges and when it’s the Mississippi River I’m always reminded of Huckleberry Finn, not the movie but the book. I read all of it long ago. Pictures created by the mind’s eye from reading are oftentimes more indelible than pictures set in front of our face by a movie or television screen.

Yes, we crossed the Mississippi River more than once between here and there and I kept thinking about the sunny afternoon we spent in Hannibal, Missouri, a while back, where I purchased a copy of Joan of Arc by Samuel Clemens, alias Mark Twain. Maybe you know that he considered that book his best work.

On this latest road trip we also crossed the St. Croix River as we entered Wisconsin, the Chippewa River in Eau Claire, the Desplaines River near Chicago, and the Kankakee River before Rensselaer, Indiana, where we stayed at the White House. We did not cross the Ohio River but almost. Then we went over the Wabash River which is the state line between Indiana and Missouri on the way to St. Louis, the Illinois River at Peoria, and the Rock River at the Quad Cities. I’m not going to name the creeks!

But I will name the winner of the Hook Line & Sinker contest this month. It’s Len Girtz of Chaska. He found it on page six wrapped around the handle of the scoop. Congratulations, Len. The ten bucks will soon be on its way to you.

There’s another fishhook hidden in this issue of the Gazette. If you find it and want to spend a little time in the minnow bucket with all the other entries for the drawing, drop a line to Sue@VictoriaGazette.com or use P.O Box 387, Victoria, MN 55386 and sinker in the mail.

Now, whether you head up the creek or paddle down the river, “Keep your powder dry,” as a friend used to say before he met his Maker.