Victoria MN Newspaper-Victoria Moments

FATHER BERNARDINE AND THE HEILANDS. Here is that photo I've been promising you! We were traveling on our way to Arkansas for John's squadron Navy Reunion last October. We felt we had to stop and see Father Bernardine. John's family knew him from his time at Guardian Angels in Chaska. Father Bernardine was at GA when their wonderful gymnasium was built. While at St. Victoria, the church was remodeled and Father Bernardine worked with my dad, Eugene Diethelm. He always tells me that my dad gave him approval for the big crucifix that hung above the altar and is still in the historic church. Both John's parents and mine knew Father Bernardine well.

Father was very good when we were there. His memory is sharp as a tack. He asked about several Victoria people, and we met several of the other friars at the friary. Very welcoming. Dinner smelled wonderful and they graciously invited us many times but we had dinner plans with John's brother who also lives in St. Louis. Even though it was too short of a visit, we were so glad we stopped. He gave us a gift, a book entitled Angels and Saints by Scott Hahn.

Joyce Heiland, Victoria, Minnesota

EDITOR'S NOTE: Thank you, Joyce, for the picture. Some Gazette readers know that Father Bernardine Hahn, OFM, is going to be 100 years old on December 13th of this year -- the same month and year and practically the same day that the City of Victoria was incorporated 100 years ago.

THANK YOU, LORRAINE BRAUNWORTH. In the process of searching for photos of the earliest mayors of Victoria, I contacted Lorraine Braunworth, former longtime resident of Victoria and wife of the late Lloyd Braunworth, son of former Mayor Bill Braunworth and a former mayor himself. Lorraine now lives with a daughter in New Germany, and I must say this was my first trip to New Germany, and Lorraine gave perfect directions. When I arrived, I not only got to choose from several photos of Bill Braunworth, I got to see the wedding album of Lloyd and Lorraine, and an old calendar from the Braunworth Hardware Store depicting a covered bridge like they have down in Madison County, Iowa. The calendar happens to be dated 1937, when William O. Braunworth was serving as President of the Village of Victoria. Thank you, also, Lorraine, for the coffee and cookies. I appreciated your time. ~Sue Orsen/Victoria Gazette

GOOD SHEPHERD.

The 25th Anniversary Midwest Book Awards has recognized Good Shepherd by Jerry Mevissen, former resident of Victoria, as a finalist in short story fiction. Winners will be announced at the Midwest Book Awards Gala on May 13th at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN.

The competition, sponsored by Midwest Independent Publishing Association, is judged by experts from all aspects of the book world -- publishers, writers, editors, librarians, teachers, and book designers, who select finalists and award winners based on overall excellence. Good Shepherd is published by Jackpine Writers of Park Rapids.

Good Shepherd is a collection of twelve short stories with each story featuring a resident of Good Shepherd Assisted Living Home in fictional Browns Prairie, MN. The stories mingle. You'll meet a character from story one in the hall in story five. In the final story, "Sweet Pot," two of the characters marry, and all residents attend the reception in a literary curtain call.

Win or lose awards, it's a fun ride. I share the honor with my readers and critics in the Jackpine Writers' Bloc and editor Deb Schleuter, layout artist Tarah Wolff, and line editor Sharon Harris. I gave them a good manuscript; they returned a better book.

Jerry Mevissen (former resident of Victoria), Sebeca, Minnesota

Many more Victoria Moments in paper edition.

Catholic United Financial

JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME

Waconia 952-442-2121

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