Jerry Beneke of Victoria has been a fan of the Hamburg Hawks since he was a kid.  He announces a game here in the press box above the grandstand seats.  Other announcers are Chris Dammann of Victoria, son of Jerry's late wife Yvonne, and Rick Schug.  Nate Dammann, grandson of Yvonne, played for the Hamburg Hawks until this year when he became the Bullpen Catcher for the MN Twins.

Tour de Tonka.  The second annual Tour de Tonka bike ride is set for Saturday, August 4^th.  It begins at 7:30 a.m. with three different "rides."  The 15-mile goes through parts of Deephaven, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Chan-hassen, Shorewood, and Excelsior.  The 33-mile pedals through Deephaven, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Orono, Navarre, Tonka Bay, Shore-wood, and Excelsior.  The 65-mile goes through Maple Plain, Loretto, Delano, Water-town, Waconia, St. Boni, Mound, Excelsior, Deephaven.
Not Victoria?  Actually, we really, really tried to route the ride through Victoria just as we did last year.  However, due to road construction on Smithtown Road in Victoria - and various other county roads - we were unable to include Victoria.  The plan would be to try to do that next year and in future years, always depending, of course, on road construc-tion issues.  Safety for our riders is our first priority.
Gwynn Pletsch
Minnetonka Community Education
Excelsior, Minnesota

Behind the Scenes.  I took some pictures at the Victoria Lions 39^th Annual Softball Tournament held this year July 20^th, 21^st, and 22^nd.  Maybe you can use some of them in the Gazette.  The recycling members of Victoria Boy Scout Troop #337 are (l-r) Thomas Buan, Nathan Jackels, and Adam Cermak.  Working on the tomatoes is new Victoria Lions President Jeff Williams. 
Kurt Zuppke
Victoria Lion