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The Victoria Lions We Serve.

Weddings, Proms, All Formal Occasions

Waconia 952-442-6383

Crossroads Medical Centers, P.A.

Chaska 448-2050

Shakopee 496-6700 Prior Lake 447-1700

St. Bonifacius * 952-446-1338

Holy Family Catholic High School

Victoria * 952-443-4659

To the Editor:

In the August issue of the Gazette, I whined about the Victoria Lions not giving me a free 40th Anniversary Lions Softball Tourney hat, considering all I had done :) for that group in the early years. Well, thank you to Lion Jeff Chapman and others who did provide me with a free hat. Those Victoria Lions just continue to help with the charities of the planet, in this case the covering up of my bald head. Thanks, Lions.

Mike Wartman

Former Resident of Victoria

To the Editor:

I wanted to say a big “Thank You” to those who worked on creating a day of celebration for Victoria -- Volksfest!

Congrats to the main coordinators: Mary Erickson, Lois Plocher, Linda McNulty, Mary Hadaway, and I am sure there are tons of others who helped create a really great community event. Our own Gerda Schmieg of Victoria won the German Potato Salad Contest by a wide margin. Congratulations, Gerda!

Jim and I really got into the Bingo game. It was a really terrific day. Thanks for planning such a fun event.

Nan Emmer

Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:

I spent a recent morning at the Acorn House. It was quiet as I worked through the process of cleaning out Troop 337’s scout closet in back of the building.

For many, loss of the Acorn House will go unnoticed. They will say to themselves, “Oh, they tore down that old brown house” or “Look. That hole is where the new hockey arena will go.” Many will pass the spot without a thought. I, for one, will pass remembering that brown house.

Since I first walked in the door five years ago to my first Troop 337 scout meeting, the Acorn House has been home to Victoria’s Boy Scouts. I remember walking in the door that first Monday night for very selfish reasons. I wanted an excuse to go camping more. I sat down with a bunch of kids who were a lot louder than I had remembered, and a little rowdier, and began to teach them timber hitch knots and how to lash sticks together.

You may look at Acorn and think that’s all it was -- a place for boys to learn knots. I soon discovered that was not the case. It was a lot more.

I’ve watched kids work through their Communications Merit Badge, scared to death to give a presentation to a group, and overcoming that fear. I’ve watched boys, ages 14 to 16, plan their own meetings and take over the leadership of a boy scout troop with only occasional advice from the adults. I’ve seen boys who came into the troop, young and unsure, turn into phenomenal leaders who are now working toward becoming Eagle Scouts and who are now looked up to by their peers.

In this brown ramshackle house, we’ve sent holiday cards to soldiers overseas and used the kitchen to make meals for families in need. It was our troop base camp. Much time was spent sitting on the hearth of the fireplace and on the floor, figuring out what activities were coming up and what service projects we needed to work on.

One of the fondest memories any boy who spent time in the Acorn House will have is the pool table. Even speaking to older scouts who have since gone on to college, the Acorn House was the spot where they and younger scouts came together when they arrived early for meetings and where they bonded. At the end of the night, if a scout was waiting for their parents, they would end up back at that pool table.

Thank you, Acorn House, for your brown walls, your fireplace, your kitchen, your pool table, and your three dozen light switches that I never quite figured out. You’ve been a good friend to Troop 337. Even in the midst of hockey arenas and progress, you will be remembered for a long, long time.

John Gamades Scoutmaster

Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:

Looking forward to being with you for the Christmas Party at the Play-Mor Ballroom in Glencoe. We look forward to dancing the afternoon away with you and Allan. Glad you can go. I will get the tickets. Enjoyed your pictures online about our trip to New Orleans. You do a great job. Thank you.

Rosalie Pauly

Chanhassen, Minnesota