donnnelly news

Next edition Dec 29-Jan 4th

Welcome to another edition of the Donnelly news

  Weather news: We had a white, but very cold Christmas, with -0 temperatures and cold winds.  The roads are good now but it still very slippery around here. Mark talked to his sister in southern Wisconsin on Christmas Eve; they had about 15” of snow

ST John’s/Kongsvinger News: There will be joint services at Kongsvinger at 10 am on 12/30, no Sunday school. The regular schedule will resume on Jan 6th

The parish secretary has announced that she has resigned her position effective Dec 31st

Good Shepherd news:  worship services at 9 am on Dec 30^th followed by coffee fellowship.  Other activities will resume in early Jan.

Most Donnelly area business will close early on the 31^st and be closed all day on Jan 1^st

The bank in Donnelly is now closed

Former Donnelly resident James Flannigan of Alex passed away Dec 20^th his funeral was Dec 27^th in Benson

Alexander Brian Kolden was born on November 26, at Stevens Community Medical Center to Jeremy and Stacey Kolden of Morris. Grandparents are Bruce and Debra Koehntop of Morris and Debbie Kolden of Morris and the late Arnie Kolden. Great grandparents are LaVonne and Al Watson, Betty Kolden and Marvel Wagner of Hoffman.

Bentlee James Anderson was born on December 20 at Stevens Community Medical Center, to Jeremy Anderson and Stacy Ehrp of Donnelly Grandparents are Rick Ehrp of Chokio, Tammy Ehrp of Morris and Kevin and Sue Anderson of Nisswa.

Deann Recker was a nominee for support staff person of the year at Morris area school ,Vicky Beyer was awarded a 20 year pin, Lori Speer a 10 year pin during staff recognition day at the Morris area schools

Della Dunn was the grand prize winner in the St John’s “where’s the beef supper” raffle

Dec 19^th I met my cousin Jan Melchert at the Drew Drop inn in Hoffman for some pie and conversation.  I also stopped at the Hoffman home to wish Marvel Wagner a Merry Christmas. In the eve Jim and Lou Eystad and I attended the final advent service at good shepherd. 

Dec 20th I met Mark Koepke in Fergus falls. After stopping Elbow Lake for some business we traveled to Donnelly for the open houses at the elevator and post office in Donnelly; the bank and the federated telephone office in Morris, in the eve we attended the Sunday school program at Kongsvinger.

Dec 23^rd we attended the ss program at Good Shepherd Lutheran church.  In the eve we visited my aunt Perl A. Anderson in her apartment at the sunrise apartments to wish her a Merry Christmas. On the 24^th we attended the candle light service at Good Shepherd. Earlier I attended services at the Morris Evangelical Free Church and in the eve Jim and Lou Eystad and I attended services at ST John’s in Donnelly. 

Mark and I also attended Christmas services on Dec 25^th at Good shepherd. In the aft we attended the community meal at First Lutheran then visited some friends at the West Wing Village to wish them a Merry Christmas

Mark was my guest for supper on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, I talked him into eating some lutefisk, he kind of liked it, having1` had it only once before in his life.

 Sam and Dorothy Johrdheim were guests of Jeff and Gail Gibson and family in Avon on Christmas day.

Dec 26^th Mark Koepke and I traveled to Alexandria and visited with a friend in the Bethany home.  Later we stopped by Knute Nelson home to say “hi” to Dani Kloos’

Ryan and Anna Weispfenning from Minneapolis spent some time during the Christmas holidays visiting her mother Corinne Larson grandmother Bertha Larson and other family and friends in the area

Several family members gathered at the Don Larson home on the 25^th for a combination Christmas party and birthday party for Don.

As we conclude another year I want to say Mange Takk to all my loyal readers who have made this column the success that it is

2012 Christmas letter

Morris Minn. Christmas 2012

 “Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o'er the plains and the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strains” With the words of this familiar hymn I greet you once again with my annual Christmas letter

  The winter of 2011-12 was one of the mildest on record with little snow and there were several record or near record highs during the winter season.  There was one day of snow and stormy weather but it did not take long before it melted.  Spring came early and farmers were able to get there crops in early and without much delay in fact some held off planting for a while because it was so early. Crops emerged in a timely matter and some timely rains contributed to quick growth. Corn was about waist high by the 4^th.  It was a very dry summer but we had a few timely rains that helped the crops. It was an early and quick harvest season that produced a bumper crop.  By late Oct most farmers in the area had their crops harvested and fall field work done.  It has been a fairly nice and mild winter until the weekend of Dec 7^th when the “other shoe dropped” as we had 7” of snow and blizzard like conditions on the 9^th causing most services and other events to be canceled. Shovels, scoops, snow blowers etc. that sat idle most of last winter were pressed into service again

   As usual I spent most of my summer attending various community celebrations in the area, along with many other events; a luxury living in Morris now affords me.   In July I took a trip to DeSmet SD to see some of the sights, and attend their Wilder pageant. The threshing bee had a very successful run again this year with the parade and horse/pony pull again being the big events of the weekend, the ice cream social and Halloween party were well attended again this year. The community dinner and a visit from Santa were canceled due to the weather.in July the ufmsb celebrated its centennial in July with an open house at the bank, a picnic supper, a dance, and fireworks in the eve

   Church news: I am still a member of Kong but I do not attend many services or events there anymore preferring instead to do so at Good Shepherd in Morris where I am an associate member. The STJ/Kong parish again coordinated a block party in Donnelly this year it was held on the threshing bee grounds and featured a sb game between the rod and gun club members and the fireman, followed by a supper and beanbag tournament.  We raised about $1500 for the food shelf.  In Sept the KCLW guest night featured a program by Wayne and Donna Jo Kopietze of New London entitled “Angles Among Us” they also presented the program at Faith in Morris in Dec.  Other parish events included two presentations of the ss program, Lenten services and bible study, 4^th of July celebration, rally sun, confirmation, vbs, the Kong fall festival; Christmas carol sing a long, several joint services, and the usual assortment of pot luck meals. The highlight of the year at GS was a concert by the 2 x 4 family band, from Grand Rapids MN that I sponsored in memory of my Mom and Dad. In Feb I represented the church at a mission conference in Watertown SD, PR Mike and I attended the Augustana district convention in Hutchinson in Apr., in Nov we voted to proceed with expansion plans for the church, adding some class rooms and expanding the fellowship hall. PR Mike and PR Martha are expecting another boy in Jan.  Other events at GS include adult bible studies and forums after coffee hour, advent services, ss program, Lenten services, joint confirmation with Kensington Lcmc, and a vbs program for children and adults, the first installment of the ilt course, this fall, with another being planned for the spring, a summer book club, and weekly women’s Bible studies. A family from the church donated some trees to the church, due the drought I and others were kept busy watering them all summer. This fall some more trees were donated by former Donnelly area resident Dick Goldenstein, he and his wife were married in the church in 1955 ,I have taken over the gs fb page keeps me busy updating it. Other church events in the area include a concert by youth encounter at First Lutheran Morris and Dakota road at Trinity in Cyrus, the feed my starving children packing event had another successful stop in Morris ,several habit for humanity fund raisers and the dedication of remodeled house for a local family, the homecoming performance of new wine at first Lutheran, the Haineny family in concert in Dalton, the all-state Lutheran choir in concert in Spicer, a concert by Jim Hendricks at Trinity in Cyrus, a concert  by Luke Fickness and the faith/first bell choir at umm, the Gunderson harps at Messiah Hoffman ,movies courageous and Oct baby at the Morris E free church.

   Family news: Most of you are aware of this year’s sad news the death of my cousin Bev Hurlbut on July 29^th her funeral was at Kong on Aug 2^nd.  She had been ill for many years, so her death was not a total surprise; she had been moved to the Barrett care center late last year after the facility in Morris she had been staying at closed. I completed the sale of my farm this spring and soon thereafter the new owner cut down most of the tress and demolished the buildings with the exception of the machine shed that was sold and moved. I used the proceeds from my farm to upgrade the wiring of my house install a new garage door, buy another car among other things. I have been a full time resident of Morris for about a year now and slowly adjusting to life in town .I still miss the farm at times, but also like the convenience of living in town too. I am able to attend more events, get groceries and supplies, when I need them etc. I have a nice house in a nice location in Morris on a quiet street. I finally got my golf cart fixed and running good this summer so I used that to get around a lot. I still try and get back to Donnelly for various events and visit some people. In Apr my former neighbor Mark Koepke informed me that he had moved from Orlando to West Fargo, so in Aug. he took a bus to Fergus where I picked him up, and he spent several weeks visiting me, attending the bee and other events, before returning to his home in Fargo. He enjoyed    his stay so much he is considering moving down here permanently.  My aunt Pearl had an auction in May, and this summer sold her house in Donnelly. In July she fell and broke her hip spending some time at the WWV recuperating before returning to her apt in the sunrise apts. I still write the Donnelly news for the Morris paper which many people tell me they enjoy reading it, I am still a member of the St Co Genealogical soc. the Donnelly community club, and the St co Republican  party. I was happy to learn that my dog Duke was adopted by a farm family this year my cat buttons is still with me.  My cousin Carl (Billy) his wife Pat and sister Elnora still live in S.C., my cousin Jan and husband Dennis still live and work in Alex. My ad is 11 e9th st Morris ph. 320- 585-6435 e-mail aeanders@fedtel.net

  As usual we pause this time of the year to remember all the friends and acquaintances that have passed away this year, happier occasions were several birthday parties, a golden wedding celebration, a retirement party, and graduation open houses.

Sincerely yours

Allen and “Buttons”

The Anderson’s

DONNELLY NEWS

Next edition Dec 22^nd-28th

Welcome to another edition of the Donnelly news

  Weather news: some snow and freezing temps on the 15^th turned our area into a “skating rink”.  some sun shine ,warmer temps ,and hard work by city ,county, and sate crews have made the streets and roads better but one still has to be careful when walking around outside. Temperatures have not been too bad in the last week.

ST John’s/Kongsvinger News: Christmas Eve candlelight services with Holy Communion at Saint John’s @ 9 pm; Christmas day services at Kongsvinger at 10 am

There will be no Sunday school on the 23^rd or 30^th and no confirmation on the 26^th.

The Kongsvinger Church Lutheran Women are once again having a Christmas card club with donations going the Lutheran Campus ministry in Morris; deadline is Dec 23^rd

There will be joint services at Kongsvinger at 10 am at Kongsvinger on 12/30.

The parish secretary has announced that she has resigned her position effective Dec 31st

Good Shepherd news:  The Sunday school program will be held on the 23^rd at 9 am the choir will also sing, communion service to follow the program. Christmas Eve services with Holy Communion will be at 5 pm; Christmas day @ 10 am

Good Shepherd and St John’s /Kongsvinger parish will both have a poinsettia garden this year contact either church for more info.

Living nativity services at Faith Lutheran at 3 and 5 pm on Dec 24th

The Ophoven family will be in concert at the Morris Evangelical Free Church on 12/24 at 4 pm

There will be a community Christmas dinner at First Lutheran in Morris on 12/25 at noon

Most Donnelly area business will close early on the 24^th (the elevator will be closed that day) and the 31^st and be closed all day on the 25^th and the 1^st

There will be an open house at the bank in Donnelly on Dec 28^th. This will be the last one there as the bank will close for good on the 31^st

Della Dunn was the grand prize winner in the St John’s “where’s the beef supper” raffle

Jeanne Ennen and I attended the Thrivent open house on Dec 13^th. I also stopped at the open houses at the Riverwood and Bremer banks that day.

Nov 14^th I traveled to Glenwood to see the Canadian pacific holiday train. Enroute home I stopped to visit my friend Inga Mae Urke in Starbuck

 John and Joan Kopacek and I were among those who attended the Sunday school program at ST John’s on Dec 16^th.

Jim and Lou Eystad and I attended the final advent service at Good Shepherd on Dec 19^th.

Funeral services for Jerry Henrichs of Anoka were held on Dec 14^th at Mount Olive Lutheran church in Anoka.

Mark Koepke will be spending some time at my house during the holidays. If any of you are interested in visiting with him while he is here feel free to stop by my house or give me a call.  He is still hoping that he can move back down here sometime next year.

A reminder that if you are going to be gone over the Holidays or flying south for the winter you can read my news on-line at http://www.morrissuntribune.com

Columns-Donnelly news

donnelly news

Next edition Dec 15^th -21st

Welcome to another edition of the of the Donnelly news

Weather news: Our “mild” winter came to an abrupt halt over the weekend with snow, cold and stormy weather.  It started snowing some on Fri am and continued off and on the rest of the weekend with about 7 inches when all was said and done. Blizzard conditions on the 9th caused most services and other events in the area to be ppd or cancelled, Monday it was time to put the shovels, snow blowers, scoops, etc. back to work again.

ST John’s/Kongsvinger News: Service times will switch on the 16th with Kongsvinger worshiping at 8:30 a.m., and Saint Johns at 11 a.m.

The first edition of the Sunday school program will be held on 12/16 @ 9:45 am at Saint John’s the 2^nd addition will be held on 12/ 20 at 7 pm at Kongsvinger

There will be no Sunday school on the 23^rd or 30^th

Christmas Eve candlelight services with Holy Communion at Saint John’s @ 9 pm; Christmas day services at Kongsvinger at 10 am

The Kongsvinger Church Lutheran Women are once again having a Christmas card club with donations going the Lutheran Campus ministry in Morris; deadline is Dec 23rd

Contact the parish office (246-3211) for more info on either of these events

Good Shepherd news: The final advent service will be held on December 19th at 7 pm. The theme is: Witness, Mercy and Life Together in Advent: A Midweek Preaching Series.

The Sunday school program will be held on the 23^rd at 9 am the choir will also sing.  Christmas Eve services with Holy Communion will be at 5 pm; Christmas day @ 10 am

Good Shepherd and St John’s /Kongsvinger parish will both have a hat /mitten tree this year they will also have poinsettia gardens contact either church for more info.

There will be a cookie factory at Faith Lutheran today (Saturday) from 9 am – noon

Living nativity services at Faith Lutheran at 3 and 5 pm on Dec 24th

The Ophoven family will be at the Morris Evangelical Free Church on 12/14 at 4 pm

There will be a community Christmas dinner at First Lutheran in Morris on 12/25 at noon

Former Donnelly area resident Jerry Henrichs passed away Dec 9^th

Nov 29th I traveled to Breckenridge to hear Doug Ohman give a presentation on “Byways of Minnesota”

Elaine Harstad and I were among those who attended the prayer service for Florentine Erickson on Nov 30th at the funeral home and her funeral at Kongsvinger on Dec 1st.

Jim and Lou Eystad were greeters for the Halbakken- Tatge wedding on October 20th at first Lutheran

Jim and Lou Eystad and I attended advent services Good Shepherd on Dec 12^th.

Algene Larson was presented with her honorary pin at The Kongsvinger Lutheran Church Women’s brunch on Dec 6^th at the parish hall

Dec 7^th I traveled to the Fargo Moorhead area where I met Mark Koepke for lunch at the west acres mall then I went to Concordia for the annual Christmas carol concert.  It is possible that Mark may come visit me for Christmas and he is still hoping he can move down here sometime in the near future

Vedar Harstad and I attended the “Angles among Us” presentation by Wayne and Donna Jo Kopietze at faith on    Dec 8th   

Ennen Repair (Dale Ennen) is now the owner of triple t towing in Morris  

a reminder that if you are going to be out of town during the holiday season or flying south for the winter you can read my column online at       http://www.morrissuntribune.com.  –Columns-Donnelly news

My contact info is 585-6435; e-mail aeanders@ fedtel net; snail mail 11 e 9^th st; and there are mailboxes in Donnelly and McCollar Jewelry in Morris  

Delano Meyer, Pearl A. Anderson and PR. Mike Hanson visited me when I was in the hospital for some tests.