Victoria Gazette - Victoria Moments

BILL PIWNICA of Victoria was announced as the girls head basketball coach on September 20th, 2018. Bill has been assisting in the program for the past eight seasons. Coach Piwnica was a three-sport athlete at Minnetonka High School. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins his senior year of high school. He opted not to sign professionally and played for the Minnesota Gophers for four seasons. After he graduated with a degree in economics, he signed a professional baseball contract and played in the Milwaukee Brewers Organization.

Coach Piwnica has since been in the medical device industry for over 30 years. His daughter Christine graduated from Southwest Christian High School, Chaska, in 2014 as a decorated alumna both in the classroom and as an athlete.

Bill and his wife Beth are high school sweethearts and celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary. They attend Westwood Community Church in Chanhassen.

Southwest Christian High School

Chaska, Minnesota

VICTORIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL first grade students experienced a variety of activities about Minnesota agriculture. Each teacher led an experience including a visit to the school garden and a session with Toni Dauwalter from the Minnesota Agriculture organization.

Jeremy Engebretson

Administrative Dean

Victoria Elementary School

Victoria, Minnesota

HEENIE BOYS AT AUGSBURG

Nick (#6) and Frank (62) Heenie, sons of Kevin and Kim Heenie of Victoria are football stars at Augsburg University in Minneapolis.

For the 11th time in his career, and 10th time in his last 13 games, Nick Heenie (a senior) reached the century mark in receiving yardage on September 15th, accounting for more than half of the total offense for the Auggies. He caught 9 passes for 110 yards to lead the Auggies, including a 15-yard touchdown pass.

On September 8th, Nick caught 11 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns. It was his third time claiming 150-plus receiving yards in his career.

Frank Heenie (a sophomore) plays special teams and lifted kicker Tyler Hanson of Prior Lake to celebrate the field goal.

Proud Nana (Louise Lehner of Victoria) poses with her two grandsons.

Kim Heenie

Victoria, Minnesota

JANIE JASIN of Victoria received the 2018 Alumnae Award from Divine Savior Holy Angels High School in Milwaukee, WI. Janie graduated from the school in 1957. She has over 35 years working as a nationally acclaimed professional speaker. She's given keynote and breakout addresses to nurses, caregivers, teachers, parents, corporations, and schools, and presentations and classes for other professional speakers.

Janie has spoken for audiences at all levels including the Mayo Clinic, Anderson Brothers, ANFP Association, Aurora Health System, and Methodist Park Nicollet and schools and banks.

Janie is also a writer and best-selling author, having sold more than 2 million copies of her book, The Littlest Christmas Tree. Mount Mary College was a stepping off point for art and speech skills. She worked in sales with Dale Carnegie training programs earlier in her career, doing so at a time when few women were entering the sales force. Her work at General Mills was part of her early career.

Janie sits on several boards including with the Minnesota Department of Corrections and the Minneapolis Cornerstone Treatment Center and is a member of the National Speakers Association since 1979. Her journey included Zig Ziglar, Cavett Robert, Og Mandino, and Patricia Fripp. And Janie was part of starting The Minnesota Chapter of the National Speakers Association.

OKTOBERFEST AT ENKI BREWING in Victoria meant souvenir steins, ice cold beer, firepits to help stay warm outdoors, and most people staying inside the Enki building where it was toasty warm on an otherwise rather cold day. Enki owners John Hayes (third from left) and Dan Norton (far right) were on hand to welcome visitors to their September 29th Oktoberfest. John reported that attendance exceeded their expectations by 50%. ~S.O.

ENKI OKTOBERFEST.

Mike and Beth Lauwagie of Victoria were part of the young crowd enjoying activities at the Enki Oktoberfest on September 29th. The guitarist that afternoon was Billy Johnson. In the evening, live music was provided by No Man's String Band. ~S.O.

JOHNSON FUNERAL HOME

Waconia 952-442-2121

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