donnelly news

Next edition June 1st -7th

Welcome to the graduation edition of the Donnelly news:  

Weather news: we had rain on and off much of last week which was just what the Dr. ordered to get crops off to a good start. Most farmers have their crops in except for some of the really wet fields. A lot of the grain and corn is up and looking good. I have not seen any beans up yet.

ST John’s/Kongsvinger News: The summer worship schedule starts June 2nd with services at St John’s at 8:30 am and Kong at 10:15 a.m.

There will be joint services at Kongsvinger on June 9th at 10:15 a.m.

Good Shepherd news: There will be an end of the year Sunday school picnic potluck at Green river at 11 a.m. on June 2nd

There will be a graduation open house for Taylor Johnson celebrating his graduation from Benson high school today (Saturday) from 1-4 pm at his house (1204 Atlantic avenue )Benson  His parent are Dan and Kathy Johnson, his grandparents are Ken and Ardyce Johnson of Morris

There will be a collection for the food shelf the first Sunday of every month.

Sunday school age kids will have an explorer vbs at Lutheran Island Bible Camp and Retreat Center near Henning MN on June 12th from 10 am 3 pm

June 14th is good shepherd day at Valley Fair. There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the church. For more info on either event contact a member of the youth committee or the church at 585-6868

Other church news:   The next performance of the New Wine Show “The Rock Slinger and his Greatest Hits” will be at Trinity Lutheran in Cyrus, on June 9th at 3 p.m.

Community news: the following events are taking place today (Saturday)

 There will be a memorial service in honor of Bert Willie   at 1 pm at the Willie farm, (46683 150th st), followed by refreshments served at West Pomme Lodge (former Perkins resort)

There will be open house bridal showers for Jenna Moser, bride-to-be of Reed Kampmeier from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church Hall in Chokio.

There will be open house graduation parties for the following in honor of their graduation from Morris area high school:

For MaKenzie Smith today (Saturday) from 1 to 4 p.m. at her home, 53522 160th Street Donnelly

For Tyler Heinrichs from 1 to 4 p.m. on June 2nd at the old #1 Southside Morris

For Lacy Eystad on June 2nd from 11 am- -2 pm at the hall in Donnelly

Leland James Burrow was born on April 18th to James and Jenna Burrow of Owatonna, grandparents are Scott and Beth Heinrich of Morris   Great Grandmother is Lillian Heinrich of Donnelly. There will be an open house baby shower for him on June 2nd from 2-4 pm at Morris sr center

I understand there will be 9 Little League Games in Donnelly this year; the rendsville 4-h will be selling lunch.

There will be a Fun Run to benefit Tatum Libbesmeier and Jace Jo Pederson on June 8th with registration starting at 10 am at the Herman Bar and Grill  and ending at the Place to be in Donnelly. There will be entertainment there starting at 5 pm and a live band at 9 pm more info 320-287-0983 or 701 306-7183

On June 3rd, The Red Hatters will meet at 9 am at the Herman Bar and Grill. The city council and rendsville 4-h, will meet at the city hall and fire hall in Donnelly at 7 pm. The community club will meet on June 10th at the Hall.

Accomplishments: Tiger girls track results sub section: (First)  Savannah Aanerud( 4th )800 sprint MaKenzie Smith (1st )1600 & 3200 & discus  Rebekah Aanerud (5th)100 intermediates 5th 300 lows 8th  relay   4x100 (2nd) (Beth Holland is a member of that team) 4x 400( third) Beth and MaKenzie were members of that team 4x800 (2nd )Savannah Aanerud is a member of that team.

As a member of the Owl track team Gabi Nienhaus finished 6th in the shot put and was a member of the 4 x 200 relay team that placed 4th in the conference meet.      During awards day she was recognized for being an o Ambassador

New members of the rendsville 4-h: Cassandra Fults (Joe and Jen), Charity Johnson, Connor Johnson, (Karla and Joel) Justin Miller (Jason and Julie) and Mason Perkins (Lisa and Toby)

Below are the graduates that I know of from the Donnelly area along with parents and grandparents where known unless otherwise indicated they are from Morris area high school* with honors # national honor society

James Burke (Pat and Barbra)

Lacey Eystad (Robert and Bernie) Don Bahr

Zach Giese (Brad and Kristi) Wally and Marlys 

Mike Michaelson (Tim and Jeanne)

Brandon Pry (David and Cora)

Amber Recker# (Roger, Deann) (Jason Fjeld) Marcella Recker George Hickman

MaKenzie Smith*# (Mark and Pat) Carlyon

Sara Stallman (Jeff and Marylyn)

Paige Strand (Kelly) Vern

Tom Holland*# (Joe and Linda)

Tyler Heinrichs (Scott and Dawn) Audrey and Nancy

Jesse Vavra (Mr. and Mrs. Vilem Vavra) Warren and Linda

Jana Lohr (Dickenson (ND) HIGH SCHOOL (Jerry JR., Jody), Bertha Larson

Samantha Larson (Herman) (Jon and Bev) Bertha Larson

Landon Strand (Herman) (Jason and Jodi) Vern

Chandler Erickson*(Chokio Alberta) (Dean and Jerri) Sam Logan

Ethan Nelson Hancock (Chuck and Lisa) Harvard and Karen Jaeck

Alisha Melberg University of Minnesota Morris (Jay, Penny) Audrey and Nancy Henrichs

Joan Kopacek was one of the speakers at the Memorial Day Program at the Morris Amory that many of us from the area attended on May 27^th Jeanne Ennen and MaKenzie Smith were in the line of Flag and Banner bearers marching from the Armory to the cemetery. In the afternoon, I attended the graduation open house for Tom Holland at the old # 1 Southside

A good crowd was on hand for the Little League Game in Donnelly on May 28th

donnelly news

It rained off and on most of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, bringing us some very badly needed moisture. Otherwise it has been sunny and mild. I understand some farmers have finished getting their crops in and others are getting close to getting it done. Some corn is already up.

In St. John’s/ Kongsvinger News: There will be joint services at St. John’s on May 26 at 8:30 a.m.

The summer worship schedule starts June 2 with services at St John’s at 8:30 a.m. and at Kongsvinger at 10:15 a.m. There will be several joint services during the summer. Service times will switch on July 1, and the regular schedule will resume in September.

Mason Dunn was recently recognized for having missed only four days in over ten years of Sunday school.

From Good Shepherd Lutheran Church: There will be no Adult Ed or Sunday school on May 26.

There will be an end of the year Sunday school picnic potluck at Green River Park on June 2 at 11 a.m.

There will be a graduation open house for Taylor Johnson celebrating his graduation from Benson High School on June 1 from 1-4 p.m. at his house, 1204 Atlantic Avenue, Benson. His parents are Dan and Kathy Johnson, and his grandparents are Ken and Ardyce Johnson of Morris.

The next performance of the New Wine show, “The Rock Slinger and his Greatest Hit” will be at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cyrus, on June 9 at 3 p.m.

There will be a memorial service in honor of Bert Willie on June 1, at 1 p.m. at the Willie farm, 46683 150th St., followed by refreshments served at West Pomme Lodge.

The Memorial Day program will be held on May 27 at 9 a.m. at the Morris National Guard Armory.

I understand there will be nine Little League games in Donnelly this year starting on May 28.

Happy 90th birthday to Virginia Long on May 23.

There will be open house bridal showers for Jenna Moser, bride-to-be of Reed Kampmeier, on Thursday, May 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Apostolic Christian Fellowship Hall, and on Saturday, June 1 from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church Hall in Chokio. Jenna is the daughter of Jon and Lori Moser and Reed is the son of Tim Kampmeier and the late Linda Kampmeier.

There will be a graduation open house honoring Tom Holland on Monday, May 27, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Old No. 1 Southside, Morris. Everyone is welcome.

There will be an open house graduation party honoring MaKenzie Smith on Saturday, June 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. at her home, 53522 160th St., Donnelly.

The Tiger girls’ track team competed in Ortonville recently. Rebekah Aanerud took first in 100 intermediates and 300 low hurdles, Savannah Aanerud was second in 800 sprints. MaKenzie Smith took first in the 400 and discus. At the West Central conference meet, Savannah was ninth in the 800, MaKenzie took first in the 1600, 3200 and discus; and Rebekah was sixth in the 100 intermediates and eighth in 300 low hurdles.

Gabi Nienhaus is a member of the Hancock girls’ track team. She finished sixth in the shot put at the Ortonville meet. She also won an award as a member of the Hancock FFA at the state convention recently.

The Tiger baseball team won the West Central Conference title. Members of that team are Bryce Jergenson, Chandler Erickson, Tyler Heinrichs and Tom Holland.

Adam Uphoff was recently named most improved for ninth grade at the Morris Area High School.

Joan Kopacek and I took in some of the rummage sales in the Donnelly area on May 17.

On May 18, Mark Koepke and I visited some of the residents at the West Wind Village.

Elaine Harstad and I attended the baccalaureate brunch and services at Kongsvinger on May 19.

Jim and Lou Eystad and I attended the visitation for Don Rosholt on May 20. We had an opportunity to visit with our former pastor, Luther Johnson and family from Springfield, Minn. Don and his wife Rosie were fellow members of the West Central Area Word Alone chapter.

On May 22 Mark and I had lunch at the Super Valu brat stand, then visited with Chuck Spohr at his home. Afterwards, we attended the Salvation Army rummage sale and dinner in Morris. In the evening, Mark and I stopped at West Wind Village to wish Virginia Long an early happy birthday, then Jim and Lou Eystad and I attended the memorial service for victims of abortion at Good Shepherd.

I will recognizing area graduates in my next column so if you have one please let me know.

If you have news to share, you can call me at 320-585-6435, or on my cell at 288-8692. My e-mail address is aeanders@fedtel.net; and mail can be sent to 11 9th Street, Morris, MN 56267. I also have boxes at the Post Office and HD & Co. in Donnelly, and McCollar Jewelry in Morris.

donnelly news

Next edition May 18th-24th

Welcome to another edition of the Donnelly news: This edition is dedicated to Mark’s foster mom, Elsie Koepke who passed away, May 16th 2005

  Weather news:In the past few weeks we have gone from winter, to spring, to summer ;as temperatures this week have been in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s. Farmers are busy making up for lost time to get their fields worked up, and the crops in.

ST John’s/Kongsvinger News: There will be joint services at Kongsvinger, at 11 A.M., on May 19th. This will be Baccalaureate Sunday, with a brunch at 10 am, to honor the graduates.

There will be a special congregational information meeting, following services for Kongsvinger members, to share info regarding the parish hall remolding project, on May 19th.

There will be joint services at St John’s on May 26th at 8:30 am

Good Shepherd news: Theresa Fisher of the Morris Life pregnancy center in Morris will give a presentation during Adult Ed on May 19th.

There will a memorial services for victims of abortion, on May 22^nd, at 7 pm

There will also be an ongoing collection for Christian Literature, for International Christian Literature Distributors, in the Twin Cities, for the next several months.

Other church news:   The next performances of the new wine show “the Rock Slinger and his Greatest Hits” will be at May 19th, and 22nd at 7 P.M., with dinner at 6 P.M., at First Lutheran Morris, tickets are on sale at the church, there will also be a show at Trinity Lutheran in Cyrus, on June 9th at 3 p.m.

Death notice Vi Wulf of Morris passed away on May 13th survivors include her daughter Cathy Backman and her husband Steve and their family. His mother is Liz Aschman. Jon and Lori Moser and I were among the many who attended the visitation for VI wulf at the Pedersen funeral home on May 15th. Her son Jerry was a classmate of mine.

Community news: there are garage sales in the Donnelly area today (Saturday)

There will be a memorial service in honor of Bert Willie, on June 1st, at 1 pm at the Willie farm, (46683 150th st), followed by refreshments served at west Pomme Lodge (former Perkins resort)

Rummage sale at faith Lutheran Morris to benefit the Salvation Army may 22nd 4-7 pm

Celebrations: Kayla Bork and Zachary Arnold are engaged to be married May 18th; Bork is the daughter of Michael and Pamela Bork of New London.  Arnold is the son of Steven and Karen Arnold of Morris.  The couple resides in Donnelly. There will be an open house wedding dance on Saturday, May 18 at West Pomme Lodge from 8 p.m. to midnight

Accomplishments: the Morris FFA recently came home with a “boatload of awards" from the statewide convention with some teams and individuals advancing to national competition.  Among them the ag issues team (Melanie Van Horn and Rebekah Aanerud were members of that team), Jonna Maser, was a member of the market plan teams  ;individuals receiving state FFA digress were Sara Stallman ,Tom Holland ,and Rebekah Aanerud; proficiency awards went to Tom Holland (ag mechanic repair and maintenance) (sate winner ); career development results include: teams: horse evaluation gold( 8th);team members include Rebekah Aanerud gold (4th) Savannah Aanerud ,silver; Ag Sales gold ;Tom Holland gold individually :crop evaluation: bronze ;Bryce Jergenson (bronze ) soils evaluation Brady Jergenson  (bronze); nursery; silver; Beth Holland (gold )dairy foods; silver ;Sara Stallman( silver) ; livestock; gold;( 5th )Joanna Moser( bronze ) small animal ;bronze ;Amy Disselkamp( bronze )Melanie Van Horn (bronze );farm management; (bronze)Tyler Henrichs ;silver ;parliament procedure novice bronze Becca Holland and Jonna Moser. Individuals Savannah Aanerud creed speaking (silver) farm bureau discussion meet Rebekah Aanerud. The chapter itself also received several awards at the state convention.

Environmental team results: “blimp” team advances to state; Beth Holland, Bryce Jergenson; are members of that team; Wormwood Pack 5th; Riley Biesterfeld  

Tiger Girls track: true team results (2nd):  McKenzie Smith 1600 (2nd); Savannah Aanerud (8th); 3200 McKenzie (2nd); 100 intermediates Rebekah (8th); McKenzie; discus (2nd)

Kayla Tinker of Pierre ,South Dakota was recently presented with the final doh 2012 secretary award ;her parents are George and Shirley Libbon

Several members of the Good Shepherd family were among those of us who attended the memorial for Steven and Luke Wink on May 11th at the funeral home; later I attended the fun expo in Herman,

May 14th, Gary and Karen Uphoff and I were among those who attended the mother’s day program at the west wing village. Virene Olson and I attended the ice cream social there on May 14th, later Mark and I visited with Geesien Kill in her apartment in Morris.

The Donnelly Community club had a meeting on May 13th, as we continue the process of making plans for the bee. This year’s show is August 24th and 25th and the feature will be gas engines. The next meeting will be June 10th.

May 13th I attended the final “word at work” course at Good Shepherd. Another one is planned for this fall.

If you put news of an event in my box please include contact info so I can call you if I need more info

donnelly news

Next edition May 11th-17th

Welcome to another edition of the Donnelly news: Mark and   I want to wish our Moms a happy Mother’s day, up in heaven. 

  Weather news: it appears that spring has finally arrived after a cool week last week the weather has turned sunny and mild this week.  Did see a few farm fields had been worked, in my travels on Sunday, however I have not seen much around here, appears they are waiting for things to warm up and dry up some more. As I am writing this on Wednesday evening, we are getting much needed rain.

ST John’s/Kongsvinger News: There will be joint services at Kongsvinger, at 11 A.M., on May 19th. This will be Baccalaureate Sunday, with a brunch at 10 am ,to honor the graduates. If you have one to be recognized, please contact the parish office, a.s.a.p.

Good Shepherd news: Six weekly studies on "The Screwtape Letters" ,by C.S.Lewis will conclude on May 15, at 10:30 A.M., and 7 p.m.

There will a memorial services for victims of abortion, on May 22nd at 7 pm

There will also be an ongoing collection for Christian Literature, for International Christian Literature Distributors, in the Twin Cities, for the next several months.

Other church news:   The next performances of the new wine show “the Rock Singer and his Greatest Hits” will be at May 15th, 19th, and 22nd at 7 P.M., with dinner at 6 P.M., at first Lutheran Morris, tickets are on sale at the church, there will also be a show at Trinity Lutheran in Cyrus, on June 9th at 3 p.m.

Community news:  The Donnelly community club will meet on May 13th, at 7 P.M., at the Donnelly Hall, as we continue to make plans for the threshing bee, and other events. As always suggestions and ideas for the bee, and/or other events are always welcome.

Death notices:  Russell Amundson of Norcross passed away on May 1st survivors include his daughter in law  former Donnelly area resident Diane (Bjorlin) and her husband Gary  and their son Cody, her father is Cliff, of Donnelly.  George and Shirley Libbon and I attended his funeral at the united Methodist church in Herman on May 4th

Eileen ruff of Denison TX passed away on May 3rd. survivors include her husband ,former Donnelly area ,resident John, and sister in law Lou (Jim) Eystad

Anna M Hamblin of Arlington MN passed away on April 6th. Survivors include her brother Paul (Betty) Sperr of Donnelly and their family

All three obits are posted on my blog and links are on the Donnelly news Facebook page

Celebrations: David Larson and Hannah Hilton are engaged his parents are Larry and Corrine Larson-tuffton and the late Elroy Larson his grandmother is Bertha Larson

Payton Marilyn Bigalke was born on April 18, 2013 at Stevens Community Medical Center, Morris, to Maria Beebe and Morgen Bigalke of Morris.  Grandparents are Bill and Allison Bigalke of Morris, Cheryl Beebe of Donnelly and Bruce Beebe of Farmington.

Accomplishments: tiger girls track: Marv Meyer invitational at Morris ,(tiger girls won the meet) Rebekah Aanerud 3rd in the 300 low hurdles and 6th in the pole vault; savannah Aanerud 3rd in the 800 meter run MaKenzie Smith first in 1600 and 3200 meter runs, and first in the discus.  Little Crow  (tiger girls finished 5th)Rebekah 16th in the 100 and 12th in the 300 hurdles;  MaKenzie 2nd in the 1600 run and third in the discus Beth Holland was member of the 4 x 100 relay team that finished first

Other news: Deb Kill and her daughter ,Jaclyn ,along with her children Tristan and Amaya, attended the 90th birthday party for Shirley Henrichs, in Milaca, on Apr 28th.

Harold and Karen Clausen, and I attended the Peoria Apostolic Church choir concert ,at the Morris elementary school music hall, on April 28th

Mark Koepke and I attended the ABC sale at Zion Lutheran on May 1st ,in the evening I attended the diabetes seminar ,at the senior center. Afterwards I went to the Morris Evangelical Free Church for the National Day of Prayer activities

May 3rd, Mark and I attended the memorial service for Bernice Boerner, at Trinity Lutheran church, in Holmes city ,in the afternoon, while taking in some rummage sales in Morris, I stopped to visit with Chuck Spohr. In the evening, Mark and I attended the Cinco de Mayo celebration, at Faith Lutheran , in Morris.

May 5th ,David and Jullete Jergenson, and I, attended the “Godly women out of history” play at Trinity, in Cyrus, and afterwards the 90th birthday party for Marcella Hansen. He said they had returned home on May 1st. In the evening I attended the “Heaven Bound Trio” concert at the Kensington community center

I attended the “Word at Work” course at Good shepherd, on May 8th , in the aft  Jack Fuchs and I helped Mark move most of his belongings out of his storage locker ,later while having lunch at McDonalds ,Mark and I had an opportunity to visit with Chuck Spohr.

If you have not been into HD & Co, in Donnelly, for a while, be sure to stop in, to see all the changes they have made in their store.

Paul Ersted, president of United Farmers and Merchants State Bank ,and Rod Fouberg, chairman of the board of Dacotah Banks, have entered into a Letter of Intent that will join both the Morris and Chokio branches to the South Dakota firm.

Amundson obit

Russell Amundson, 86, died Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at his home in rural Norcross.

Russell was born on the Amundson family farm in Gorton Township near Norcross, Minnesota, on May 26, 1926, to Ole Andrew and Lillian (Bruns) Amundson Jr. He obtained his early education in various country schools around Norcross, attended the West Central Agriculture School in Morris from September 30, 1940 to March of 1941 where he was a resident on campus, and graduated from high school in Herman in 1944. Following graduation, he returned to the farm.

Russell met Ione Lindor at a Whoopee John dance at the Armory in Morris, and she became the love of his life. They were married on June 27, 1953, at the First Lutheran Church in Kensington. To this marriage, eleven children were born.

Although farm life was busy, Russell cherished every minute of it, often stopping in the house to help change a diaper or see to anything else that needed to be done. Russell and Ione loved their family and all the grandchildren that were to follow.

Russell believed in serving community as well as God and served on various boards throughout his life. Russell truly loved the farm and loved helping with the planting and harvest and working side by side with his family.

Russell will long be remembered as a loving family man with a little bit of mischief in those twinkling blue eyes. He was called home on May 1, 2013, at his home surrounded by family and the support of Lakeland Hospice.

Survivors include his children Gary (Diane) Amundson, Jean (Kevin) Chisholm, Mark (Sue) Amundson, Duane (Darla) Amundson, Daryl (Connie) Amundson, Lowell (Julie) Amundson, Mary (Mike) Carmody, Brian Amundson, Janice (Brian) Bolcerek , Joyce (Roger) Schone, and Scott (Alicia) Amundson; 29 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; sister, Louise Neatherlin; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ione (2003), and his sister, Frances Marks.


Funeral service: 11:00 am Sat. May 4, Herman United Methodist Church, Herman
Clergy: Rev. Darrell Boe
Visitation: 4-7 pm Friday, Erickson-Smith Funeral Home, Elbow Lake; one hour prior to service at church on Saturday
Cemetery: Lakeside Cemetery, Herman

Hamblin obit

Anna Marie Hamblin (January 23, 1944 - April 6, 2013)  Send Sympathy Gifts Send Sympathy Card Guest Book | Sign Guest Book Anna M. Hamblin, age 69 of Arlington, died Saturday, April 6, 2013 at her home in Arlington. Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 13 at St. Pauls Ev. Lutheran Church in Arlington with Rev. Bruce Hanneman officiating. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, April 12 at St. Pauls Ev. Lutheran Church, and one hour prior to the memorial service on Saturday. Interment will be in St. Pauls Ev. Lutheran Church Cemetery in Arlington. Anna was born on January 23, 1944 to Henry and Frances (Chapman) Sperr in Morris, Minnesota. She married Darrell Hamblin on August 12, 1988 at St. Pauls Ev. Lutheran Church in Arlington. She worked as an Office Manager for Kidney Care Specialists for 22 years, she retired on June 30, 2006. She was a member of St. Pauls Church’s Choir and the Mission Society. She volunteered at the Treasure Haus, Arlington Good Samaritan Center and St. Pauls Church School reading with the children. She was also very active in Ala-non. She loved gardening, camping, vacationing, canning and most of all spending time with her family. Anna is survived by her husband, Darrell; children, Julie (Jeff) Hines, Patrick (Shauna) Caddell, Robin Hamblin, Dawn (Allen) Schwirtz and Jean (sp. friend, Todd Hudson) Hamblin; 18 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; siblings, Paul (Betty) Sperr, Vivian (Harvey) Graff, Edith (Roy) Tribe and Carrie (Rod) Mitzel; siblings-in-law, Ruth Mathews, Francis Hamblin, Viola Wurzberger, Virgil (Yvonne) Hamblin, Donnis Beneke, Harold (Violet) Hamblin, Carroll (Marlene) Hamblin, Josephine (Jerry) Kalis, Bill (Marilyn) Hamblin, Ronald (Kathy) Hamblin and Gale (Joann) Hamblin; and many nieces and nephews. Anna is preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Karl and Jenny Hamblin; son-in-law, Danny “Barney” Adams; brothers-in-law, Raymond Hamblin, Erwin Mathews, Joseph Wurzberger and Harvey Beneke; sister-in-law, Ann Hamblin and great-granddaughter, Stella Peterson-Caddell.

donnelly news

Next edition May 4th -10th

 Welcome to another edition of the Donnelly news

 Weather news: Last weekend was a case of if you do not like the weather, just wait and it will change.  We basically went  from winter to spring  overnight, with high temps going from the ‘30’s, to 50’s-60’s+  .As I remarked to Mark on Friday I cannot remember the last time I was out and about in short sleeves.  Needless to say most of the snow melted in a hurry, however last I saw there was still a lot of ice on area lakes. I would suspect by the time you read this, a few farmers in the area will be able to get in the fields. On my trip to Hutchinson on Saturday, I did a see a couple fields that had been worked up. Thankfully we escaped the snow some areas got on May 1st, with just some snow flurries here.

 ST John’s/Kongsvinger News: There will be joint services at Kongsvinger, at 11 A.M., on May 5th. This will be the last day of Sunday school, so the kids will be singing, and it will also be Sunday school awards day.

The May parish newsletter is now out, it includes a copy of the summer worship schedule, and extra copies are available in the narthex of each church.

 Good Shepherd news: Six weekly studies on "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S.Lewis will continue every Wednesday at 10:30 A.M.., and 7 p.m., until May 15th.

 The first Sunday of the month will be food shelf month; you can put items for it in the container in the fellowship hall. We will also be collecting Christian Literature, for International Christian Literature Distributors, in the Twin Cities, for the next several months.

 The May mission of the month is Christ Victory church in Redwood Falls MN, the coffee money will go to Lutheran Island bible camp near Henning MN.

 The May newsletter is now out, extra copies are available on the table in back hall.

 Other church news: the following events will be held on May 5th:

 The play “Godly Women out of History” will be performed at Trinity Lutheran church, Cyrus, @ 2 pm, in honor of Marcella Hanson's 90th birthday; Free will offering.

 Heaven bound trio will be in concert, at the community center in Kensington, at 6 p.m., sponsored by the Kensington Lutheran LCMC church, free will offering.

 The first performance of the new wine show “the Rock Singer and his greatest hits” will be at 7 P.M., with dinner at 6 P.M., at first Lutheran Morris, additional performances are on May 15th, 19th, and 22nd tickets are on sale at the church, there will also be a show at Trinity Lutheran in Cyrus, on June 9th at 3 p.m.

 Community news: there will an open house bridal shower for Mindy Janachovsky, bride to be of Scott Schmidt, on May 4th from 10:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M.at St John’s. Her parents Mark and Karen, grandparents are Milford and Janet Kahler.

 The red hatters will meet at the Herman bar and grill in Herman on May 6th at 9 A.m., the Rendsville 4-h, and city council, will meet at 7 P.M.at the fire hall, and city hall, in Donnelly.

 The Donnelly community club will meet on May 13th, at 7 P.M., at the Donnelly Hall, as we continue to make plans for the threshing bee, and other events. As always suggestions and ideas for the bee, and/or other events are always welcome.

Death notice:  former Donnelly resident Mable Realdson passed away on April 27th. Many of you will remember that she was the bookkeeper at the Donnelly elevator, when her husband Richard, was the manager there for 20+ years. Many of us from the Donnelly area attended the visitation for her, at the funeral home, on April. 30th.    Mark Koepke and I attended her funeral at St John’s, on May 1st.

 Former Donnelly area resident, Bernice Boerner of Alexandria, passed away on April 29th. Survivors include a step son, Tom.

 Accomplishments: now the weather is nice it means the spring sports season is finally under way :girls track results from Lac qui Parle Valley:  Rebekah Aanerud 4th in the 100 and 300 intermediate hurdles ;MaKenzie Smith first in 3200 meter run, and first in the discus.

 Becca Holland was a member of Tiger softball team that won its own tournament, on April 27th.

 4-h news: project bowl: Junior livestock team fished 3rd in state , Jon Moser  ,coach;  senior general livestock team placed 9th, Jonna Moser was a member of that team ,and Lee Johnston was the coach; senior horse bowl placed 9th, Rebekah Aanerud was a member of that team.

 Former Donnelly resident Karenna Johnson’s project received first place in the Physical Science category, at the regional Science fair in Mankato recently.

 Mark Koepke and I attended the Habit for Humanity pork chop fundraiser, on April 25th, at the old #1 Southside and the regional fitness center fundraiser spaghetti dinner, at the elementary school, on April 26th.

 April 27th I traveled to Glenwood, where I met Rev A.J. Kruger of Alexandria, from there we traveled to Christ the King Lutheran church, in Hutchinson, for the Lutheran Church in Missions, Augustana district, convention.  April 28th, Rosie Sax and I attended the Haining family concert, at Calvary Lutheran Free Church in Fergus Falls. Earlier in the day I attended the Wycliffe associates banquet, at the Bigwood event center, in Fergus Falls. While taking Mark home on April 29th we stopped at the Heritage Apartments, to visit with Irene Strand. In the evening the Stevens Community Humane society had their annual meeting at the Morris senior center. After the meeting, a lengthy discussion took place about the future of the society, due to a sharp decrease in members and revenue in recent years, and increased expenses.