By Linda McNulty
Nothing stays the same in Victoria,
except that we continue not to have our own grocery store. It seems to be an
issue that will never be resolved. If I weren’t employed in Victoria,
I suppose I wouldn’t mind stopping in Chaska or Chanhassen to pick up groceries
on my way home. But I live and work here, and driving five miles to the nearest
grocery store is a real pain in the neck – and in the gas tank. We recently
held a Volksfest meeting at Floyd’s. After the meeting, the discussion turned
to the fact of Coborn’s retreat from the Shingobee plans for the 13.5 acres at Victoria
Drive and Hwy. 5. We agreed that it was a shame.
Someone suggested the idea of a Kowalski’s in its place. Wouldn’t a Kowalski’s
Market be just perfect for Victoria?
All eight of us in the conversation thought so.
So what are things that are changing? Developer Doran may be
coming in with a Walker-Methodist continuum of care facility on part of the 13.5
acres. The decision will be made at the city council meeting on June 12. This
will be a wonderful addition to Victoria
for many reasons, including employment and use of local businesses. The Senior
Commission is still pulling for the CDA-built
market-rate senior independent living apartments in the same neighborhood.
Then, we could plunk a Kowalski’s right there along side of it.
Going, going, gone
Mary Meuwissen and Barbara Zadeh’s building project in downtown Victoria
will be starting up sometime this fall. Down will come the Creamery building
and in its place will be two new buildings with retail on the ground floors.
Condos will take the upper floors of the north building and office space in the
other.
All four of the boarded-up buildings in downtown will be
demolished, the lots graded and seeded by July 2. And, there are more new ideas
floating around the downtown area. These are exciting times for Victoria!
Volksfest excitement builds
Other changes? The Volksfest is changing! This year’s event is
spilling over with new, fun activities, from early in the morning until midnight on Saturday, Sept. 20. We need
community members who want to be involved in shortterm projects that benefit
our city, its residents and businesses. If you are interested, and we hope you
are, please call Mary Hadaway at the Chamber office at (952) 443-2929.
New to this year’s Sept. 20 Volkfest is a Familie Tour de
Victoria bike ride. This is a 10-mile family bike ride touring Victoria,
with checkpoints, prizes and lots of family fun! The route is already mapped by
bike rider Mike Miles, who suggests the ride for ages 10 and up. Also new is
the Best of the Wurst contest, partnered with the Best of the Best!
Grilled brat and sausage from some of the state’s most prestigious meat companies
will be judged by the public – along side the Church Ladies’ German Potato Salad Contest. Entertainment will also
be a part of this afternoon of fun, food, music, and comedy.
Local artists, including nationally acclaimed sculptor Deb
Zeller will share their talents, and the Classic Car Show put on each
year by Dave Benecke and Jim Carlin will be bigger and better than ever. A Guitar
Hero contest will also take place, with prizes going to the 21 and under
crowd and over 21 age group.
The first ever Glory Game will take place at Lions
Park – a softball game
between the Victoria Fire Department and the Victoria Vics. Gloria, the
Traveling Trophy will be presented to the winning team, followed by a repast
back downtown for players, families and friends and the whole community. The Shaw Brothers will be playing music
that night and the final fun of the day will be the Jackson Jackpot.
Bring your Jacksons and come on
down! Emceed by comedian Bob DeMaris,
there will be drawings throughout the night for $2,000 in prizes. First place?
A flat screen TV!
The Medallion Hunt returns, featuring a special medallion
designed by Deb Zeller. Todd and DeeDee Triethart will be planning the
mysterious clues. Look for the first clues coming to you in the mail this
summer! Back by popular demand from last year will be the Minnesota Valley
Community Band, playing a whole new set of wonderful music for us. The
Kiddie Parade, inflatables, Sneaky the Clown, face painting and a new
pre-parade coloring contest will all be a part of the busy day.
Prior to the event, the Chamber of Commerce will be selling
chances to The Big 500; yielding twenty-five (25) $500 winners. The odds
are terrific in this 50/50 fundraiser, and a good way to for us to ensure this
wonderful day continues! Winners need not be present to win. Drawings will take
place during the “Best” contests mid-afternoon.
We are looking for artists to share their talents, volunteers to
help during the day, and food vendors, as well. The Volksfest team is excited
to promote Victoria businesses,
cottage industries and artists right here in town. The applications are coming
in – if you know of someone who you think should participate, call Mary Hadway
at the Chamber office, and she can send out the information.
Changes keep coming, and that is the way of things. Except not
having a grocery store in Victoria.
Only that seems to stay the same.
Linda McNulty is a Victoria resident and a member of the Victoria
Senior Commission. Her column appears monthly in the Victoria Town Square pages.