Victoria MN Newspaper-Victoria Moments

VICTORIA HALLOWEEN PARTY. It rained during the night of Friday, October 23rd. The next morning, Saturday, October 24th, we woke to a misty coldness and grayness, certainly not the weather that would be inviting anyone to play games outdoors. But that very Saturday afternoon the sun came out, the sky turned blue, the leaves became more vibrant in color, and the Downtown Halloween Party began. As Mayor Tom O'Connor said about those planning the party (the Victoria Lions and the Victoria Business Association), "They must have had a crystal ball." Hundreds of kids in costume and their parents arrived for the fabulous event on Stieger Lake in Downtown Victoria. Members of the Lions and VBA were ready for them with games and prizes and treats, plus a kids' favorite hotdog supper. For the first time ever, the new bandstand was part of the backdrop from Bayfront Park and its festivities.

Sue Orsen

Victoria, Minnesota

LT. COMMANDER LEE ANN SINGLETON. Ralph and I see our daughter Lee Ann in her Navy dress whites so seldom, I snapped this picture before she had a chance to get in the door and change. Her rank is Lieutenant Commander and she's is currently stationed at the U.S. Navy Base in Millington, Tennessee. She was here with us in Victoria for four days in August.

The picture of Lee Ann and her dad was taken the same day. Ralph is a Navy Veteran of the Korean War and has been a member of the Chanhassen Legion Post 580 for 36 years, serving as the Post Historian 25 years.

Lee Ann and husband Jon have been coaching their daughter Lily's softball team. Lily is age 9 already. Fun days.

Jan Olinger

Victoria, Minnesota

RASPBERRY BOCCE CHAMPIONS. Congratulations to Victoria residents Gary Hicks and Junelle Grindberg on their title of 2015 Raspberry Bocce Tourney Champions. They defeated Edina native Dave Buyse and Victoria resident Karen Lanners in the finals of a full 32-team bocce tournament in September. Both Gary and Junelle had reached the finals in other years only to finish in second place. Paired together this year, each won their very first championship.

This tourney has been held annually since 1979 and hosted by Tommy and Marilee Hutton of Victoria. Tommy is originally from Hopkins, which is known as the Raspberry Capital. Since the late 1970's, his family has hosted a block party that originally corresponded with the Hopkins Raspberry Festival Parade each July. Each year guests of the party would play in a co-ed bocce tournament that started out as a small "just for fun" tourney. It soon became the highlight of the gathering and has expanded over the years into the big event it is today. Since moving from Hopkins to Victoria in 1995, the Raspbserry Bocce Tourney has moved from a summer to fall event. Everyone in attendance gathered on the Hutton's lighted front lawn in Victoria to watch and participate in this fall classic.

Tommy and Marilee Hutton

Victoria, Minnesota

ON HALLOWEEN. Hi, Mom. This year Addie dressed up as a Robber, and Gunnar is a Cowboy Riding an Ostrich. As you can see, Goliath is just himself.

Jenny Norgaard

Tioga, North Dakota

AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM. Hi, Mom. We took Sophie and Mia to the Minnesota Science Museum last weekend. They loved it.

Nick Orsen

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

Catholic United Financial

JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME

Waconia 952-442-2121

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