Thursday, December 26, 2013

donnelly news

Next edition 12/28-Jan 3rd
Welcome to another edition of the Donnelly news.  I want to say “manga takk” to all my loyal readers for all their support during the past year to make this column the success it is.
It has been very cold the past week, plus some snow, and some blowing and drifting
In St. John’s/ Kongsvinger news: There will be joint services at St John’s on Dec. 29th at 10 am .services will also be broadcast on KMRS @ 11 am that day sponsored by Evelyn Underwood in memory of Bill and Jon uphoff
No Sunday school on Dec. 29th.
From Good Shepherd Lutheran Church:  there will be no ss on Dec 29th; this is a change from what was announced earlier
There will be an Epiphany Tree Burning Service Sunday January 5th, at 5:00pm sponsored by First-Morris @ engebreston’s sanitary disposal service
Pianist Jim Hendricks in Concert @ Trinity -Cyrus Dec 29th, @ 6 pm, supper at 5 pm
Russell Thomas Salverson passed away on Dec 7th survivors include his niece Debrah Danelz (Robert) of Donnelly. A memorial service will be held today (Saturday) at the Kingdom Hall in Morris
Jim and Lou Eystad and I attended the Sunday school program at Kongsvinger on December 19th.  A good crowd was on hand despite the weather.
Ezekiel Craig Swanson (Craig and Amy) was baptized at Faith on Dec 22nd
Congrats to the Morris Area Knowledge Bowl teams. They placed 1st, 5th, and 7th up at Concordia recently. The 5th place team had Dalton Luepke (Junior), Adam D. Uphoff (sophomore), Dakota Luepke (freshman), and 2 other freshmen
Arbela Rose was born on Dec 16th to Jake and Sheena grandparents are Alan and Mary Uphoff
Matt Flogstad was recently hired as a full time deputy sheriff for Stevens County
Kopaceks spent Christmas at their cousins Brian and Diane Richardson of Herman
Dec 13th I attended the visitation for Ray Thymian at Pedersen funeral home in Morris.  He and my uncle Larry often found themselves working togather, Ray installing furnaces, and Larry the ductwork.
Mark and I attended the living nativity at Faith on Dec 24th, later Jim and Lou Eystad and I attended services at Good Shepherd, in the evening Joan and John Kopacek and I attended services at St John ’s. Jim and Lou and I attended services at Good Shepherd on Dec 25th later they and Mark and I attended the community dinner at First Lutheran
Mark was my guest for Christmas Eve dinner
Reminder that if you are going to be gone for a while, for the holidays, or going south you can read my column online http://www.morrissuntribune.com/ or http://donnellyminn.blogspot.com/ .I have also posted a copy of my annual Christmas letter on my blog too.


Wednesday, December 25, 2013

christmas letter

Morris Minn. Christmas 2013
“Go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere go tell it on the mountain the Jesus Christ is born”
With the words of this hymn I greet you once again with my annual Christmas letter.
The '11-'12 winter started out like  last one but it did not last long about mid Dec the other shoe dropped and we had a lot of  snow and cold that lasted until almost the end of April ,one of the latest winters anyone can remember. Complicating matters were some ice storms during the winter that made everything very slippery.  Things finally warmed up and dried out enough for area farmers to get in the field in early May and from then on everything went quickly and by late May most farmers in the area had their crops in.  The big news in the summer was a severe storm that hit our area on June 21st with very heavy rains, hail, and strong winds that blew down a lot of tree limbs in the area and knocked out power to a lot of people in the Morris area some for several days.  Most of the summer was mild and dry but we had enough rain to enable the crops to pull through.  Late summer brought some of the hottest weather of the year. Fall harvest proceeded fairly quickly without too much delay and yields were better than many expected. There was some propane shortage in the area but the good news is that much of the crop did not need much drying. Winter has arrived early this year with several inches of snow and -0 temps in early Dec.
I put a lot miles on my car again this year as I traveled to many places around the area for community celebrations, parades ,fairs ,threshing shows, farm shows ,and other events.  The prairie pioneer days parade in Morris was rained out this yr., attendance was down at the Threshing bee, due in part to heat but we still we came out OK .The annual ice cream social, Halloween party, and community dinner/Santa day were the other community club sponsored events, this year some other events were open houses at Superior Industries, and the new Morris coop seed plant and my 40th class Morris high school class reunion.
Church news St J/ Kong: PR. Judy Gellinske our pastor for the 5 years decided to retire in July due to health problems her last Sunday here was, July 25th. She moved back to the  Faro-Moorhead  area to be near family, several area pastors filled in until Rev Mary Dodgson was installed as our interim pastor in late Oct. a position she still holds  We also had another successful block party at the threshing bee grounds in late July. During the summer an extensive remodeling project was undertaken mostly in the parish hall with new handicapped bathrooms and storage space added and new doors put in the church. In Oct we had a dedication service for a large gift a deceased member Lloyd Brandt left the church we had a guest pastor from Willmar remarks by his step daughters and a dinner. Lloyd was a longtime member of the Kong men's quartet when he became too ill to preform, it became the Kong men's trio, unfortunately another long time member (Henning Awsumb) passed away this year, but his son (Craig) took his place to form the new men's trio, and they sang several songs at the service. some other events I attended there were a Sunday school programs unday school programs.d ial and111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111a aa, 4th of July celebration ,KCLW brunch. Well I have not given up my membership at Kong at this point in time; I usually go to gslc here in Morris where I am an associate member. Two major events this year at gs: at our annual meeting last year we voted to proceed with building a new addition to our church .Construction was started in late summer and is almost complete. We added some classrooms for the SS, a lounge, bathroom, and expanded the dining room. We celebrated the new addition with an open house on Dec 15th. Freddie Hanson was born on Jan 21st to PR mike and PR Martha Hanson several of us from gs attended his baptism at st j Starbuck, on Mar 10th where she is the pastor. Other events this yr. were advent and Lenten services with supper proceeding it ,SS program, 6 week internet bible study institute for Lutheran theology  course ,a multi week study on revelation, weekly vbs in Aug., a concert by the chord Ayers a men's chorus from Milan in Sept, other church events in the area were a concert by the group “go fish”, “new wine “show and homecoming concert ,all state Lutheran choir, Haining family performances, a performance of godly women out of history  ,2 performances of angels among us by Wayne and Donna Jo Kopietze at faith Morris  and trinity in Cyrus.
Every so often someone asks me how I like living in Morris now my reply is that like a lot of things in life there are good and bad aspects about it. I do miss living in the country waking up in the am going outside breathing the fresh air and seeing what is going on etc., on the other hand I do not miss the struggles of getting in and out of my place in the winter, worrying about getting home or getting someplace and it is also nice to   have the luxury of attending events in Morris w/out having to travel, get supplies when I need them, go home, take a nap between events  pick up something I forgot or go back and get it etc.   As many of know my “Christmas present" last year was a new “brother”. A former neighbor of mine, Mark Koepke, moved to Fargo last year after living in FL for 30+ years. He came down for a visit in Aug. and we explored the possibility of his moving down here as he was living with a lady who had bipolar disease and was not taking her medicine like she was supposed to, and as a result it was causing problem for him. However time did not permit us to  explore all options, so he went back to Fargo  where  we continued to explore that option but for various reasons it did not work out,  so in December I invited him to come down and spend Christmas with me,. I got some nasty text messages from her in early Dec and once he got here she started harassing him via im and so we came to the decision that it was best that he give his landlord notice and get out of there, so in early Jan, we hired a moving co and drove up to Fargo to move his possessions down here.  We put them in a storage locker and he stayed with me until he was able to get an apt of his own.  It took some time but he finally was able to sign a lease on an apt at the Key row here in Morris in late Mar and he was able to start moving in, but due to the late spring, it was late April, b/4 he was able to move in and early May b/4 could get everything out his locker here.  His apt  is about  straight west of me but there is no direct route from here to there so we have to zig zag a lot, however it is close enough that we are back and forth a lot helping ea. other out. We have become quite close in the past year so much so that I consider him the “brother” I never had. We have a lot in common and really enjoy ea. others company and he has a great sense of humor, somehow in the course of the last yr. my cat became “Pastor Buttons” who is going to lead us in singing “onward kitty soldiers” .He has a rare skin disease that has caused problems with his eyes so this fall he had surgery on them down it the cities and so far it appears to have made his condition better. He had it done in Orlando about 10 years ago but it did not last hoping and praying that it does this time.  In early June his sister Linda from Wisconsin paid him a surprise visit she was here for her 50th class reunion from Herman Unfortunately time did not permit her to spend more than a couple days in the area.  Otherwise I am doing OK still doctoring for my diabetics trying to eat healthier and get more consistent with my blood sugars I am an active member of the st co rep party gen soc. and Donnelly community club.  Still writing the Donnelly news for the Morris s-t and spend a lot of time on line.   The rest of my real family is status quo Jan and her husband Dennis are still in Alex, my aunt Pearl is in apt here in Morris, my cousin Carl (Billy) his wife Pat and his sister Elnora still live in s.c. My contact info is e-mail aeanders@fedtel.net, physical ad is 11 e 9th st Morris MN 56267 my phone #'s are 320-585-6435 (h) 320-288-8692 (c) Mark's contact info is: 151 sunny slope rd. 324-114 Morris MN 56267 email firebird357@yahoo.com he has unlisted phone #. My website is http://donnellyminn.blogspot.com/ and Mark and I are both on Facebook.
As always we pause to remember those who have gone “home” during the past year happier occasions were some wedding anniversaries, birthday parties and other celebrations.
Now may the God of Christmas, go before you during the upcoming year.
Sincerely yours
Allen and “Pr. Buttons”

The Anderson’s

Friday, December 20, 2013

donnelly news

 Next edition 12/21-27
Temps have moderated some this week but it also has brought more snow. Nice to have a snow shoveler (Mark) these days
In St. John’s/ Kongsvinger news: There will be joint services at St John’s on Dec. 29th at 10 am services will also be broadcast on KMRS @ 11 am that day
No Sunday school on Dec 22nd and 29th.
From Good Shepherd Lutheran Church:  there is no ss on Dec 22nd this is a change from what was announced earlier
There will be a Poinsettia Gardens in ST. John’s and Kongsvinger this year contact the parish office (246-3211) for more info. Good Shepherd will also have one sign up in the back or contact Morris Floral
There will be Christmas Eve services at Good Shepherd at 4:30 p.m. and at St John's @ 9 P.M.; Christmas day services at both Kongsvinger and Good Shepherd at 10 a.m.
Living nativity services at faith-Morris on Christmas Eve at 3 and 5:15 p.m.
Community Christmas meal at 1st Lutheran -Morris at noon Dec 25th everyone welcome, free will donation.
There will be an Epiphany Tree Burning Service Sunday January 5th at 5:00pm sponsored by first-Morris @ engebreston’s sanitary disposal service
Pianist Jim Hendricks in Concert Trinity Cyrus Dec 29th @ 6 pm supper at 5 pm
Paul Gillespie of Johnson passed away on Dec 14th survivors include his daughter in law former Donnelly area resident Judy (Bjorlin) (Curt) Gillespie of Graceville and their family and a sister Donna (Lee) Eystad and their family from Donnelly
Former Donnelly area resident Sarah Johnson of Springfield was among those who recently helped her Dad DR B.C. Paul celebrate his 70th birthday in India
Kallen Roger Koehntop was baptized at faith on Dec 15th parents are Kyle and Mandi (Kloos)) Koehntop
Steven James Nohrenberg was born on November 2, 2013 at Stevens Community Medical Center, Morris, to Eric and Kayla Nohrenberg of Donnelly. Grandparents are Judy and Greg Udermann of St. Cloud, DuWayne Nohrenberg of Appleton, and Scott and Rachel Heins of Kasson and Tammy (Rob) Heitz of Donnelly

Sam and Dorothy Johrdheim recently traveled to Sauk Center to watch their grandson Owen Gibson play basketball
In the past week Jim and Lou Eystad and I have been to the following events at good shepherd: advent services, the SS program, and the open house at the church. George and Elaine Harstad and I attended the open house Birthday party for Les Bertram at his home in Herman, the Kopacek family and I attended the community club dinner and Santa day in Donnelly, Steve Fults and I attended the Stevens county republican party mtg at DeToy’s I have also been to open houses at the New Dimensions health care office (thanks for the door Prize I won there) cc drug and common cup coffee house; the cookie factory at faith, the Canadian pacific  holiday train in elbow lake
On Dec 16th Mark was my supper guest at Detoy’s in Morris to celebrate his birthday




Most Donnelly area business will close early on Christmas and New Year’s Eve an new years ly on d be closed all day on Christmas and New Year’s Day check with individual business for specific times
Reminder that if you are going to be gone for a while, for the holidays, or going south you can read my column online at the sun tribune website


Thursday, December 12, 2013

donnelly news

 Next edition 12/14-20th
It has been very cold the past week with -o temps and strong winds making for some dangerous wind chills.  Enough snow to keep the snow removal equipment busy.
In St. John’s/ Kongsvinger news:The Sunday school program will be held on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. followed by a time of fellowship. There will be only one performance this year.

There will be joint services at St John’s on Dec. 29th at 10 am services will also be broadcast on KMRS @ 11 am that day
No Sunday School on Dec 22nd and 29th.


From Good Shepherd Lutheran Church:  the Sunday School program will be held on Dec. 15 during the regular church services at 9 a.m. In the afternoon, there will be an open house from 1-3 pm to showcase the new addition and other improvements we have made to the church.  What we basically did was add some classrooms, a lounge, a new bathroom, and expand the dining area to enable everybody to spread out
The newest member of our Good Shepherd Lutheran Church “family” is Easton Anthony Hufford who was baptized at Good Shepherd on Nov. 30th.
Advent services will conclude on Dec 18th at 7 pm

St John’s, Kongsvinger and Good Shepherd Lutheran church are among the churches in the area that have a hat mitten/scarf tree for the Salvation Army again this year check with your church for details and deadlines
there will be a Poinsettia Gardens in ST. John’s  and Kongsvinger this year contact the parish office (246-3211) for more info. Good Shepherd will also have one sign up in the back or contact Morris Floral
There will be Christmas Eve services at Good Shepherd at 4:30 p.m. and at St John's @ 9 P.M.; Christmas day services at both Kongsvinger and Good Shepherd at 10 a.m.
living nativity services at faith-Morris on Christmas eve at  3 and 5:15 p.m.
Community Christmas meal at 1st Lutheran -Morris at noon Dec 25th everyone welcome, free will donation.


community hymn sing Dec 15th at 2 p.m. at First Lutheran-Morris subsequent ones will be held in Jan (Faith) Feb (Assumption) Mar (Good Shepherd)

There will be a community dinner at the town hall in Donnelly today (Saturday) sponsored by the community club and served by the threshing bee royalty beginning at noon. Santa will be at the hall at about 1 pm.
Open house 86th birthday party for Les Bertram at the Eden reformed church in Herman today Saturday from 11am-1:30 pm



Celebrations: Heather Schneider was named Morris Area School’s teacher of the year. Her husband Tom works at the Donnelly  co-op
Kody Armstrong was named to the A honor roll at West Central Area H.S., be sure to check out the list of the ones from Morris in the lasted edition of the sun-tribune too many to list here
Rayna Maye Olson was born on Oct 9th to Cindy and Brian of Carver grandparents are Vernal and Janet Olson of Hoffman great grandmother is Rosie sax of elbow Lake

On Dec 8th I furnished the cake for coffee hour at Good Shepherd in honor of Mark's birthday on Dec 15th

During the past week I have attended the funeral for AL Schmidt at Assumption (his son Doug was a classmate of mine) the spaghetti supper fundraiser for elementary students, at the Morris area elementary school, the activities at the Prairie renaissance cultural alliance, the museum., Sr center and world mission fair at federated church and “the service of remembrance at the pedersen funeral home” in Morris, the open house at the New Horizon’s health  services in Morris and advent services at Good Shepherd.

Friday, December 6, 2013

donnelly news

 Next edition 12/7-13th
winter has arrived early this year several inches of snow has made it a winter wonderland out there.  Schools dismissed early and most events in the area were cancelled or postponed on Wednesday aft. /eve due to the snow, blowing and drifting and icy roads, we had some freezing rain on Tuesday
In St. John’s/ Kongsvinger news: St. Johns' meat raffle will be held on Dec. 8th.  Tickets are available from any St. John's member or at the parish office.

The Kongsvinger Lutheran Church Women advent brunch will be held on Dec. 12 at 9:30 a.m. Please note the change of date.

The Sunday school program will be held on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. followed by a time of fellowship. There will be only one performance this year.
there is a hat /mitten /scarf tree at both churches again this year for the Salvation army  deadline is Dec 17th
Parish newsletter in now out, extra copies are available in the back of both churches
St. John’s WELCA meeting has been postponed to December 10th at 1:30 P.M.


From Good Shepherd Lutheran Church:  the Sunday school program will be held on Dec. 15 during the regular church services at 9 a.m. In the afternoon, there will be a dedication service for the new addition followed by an open house.
Mission of the month is the new Luthern  church in missions to chirst in Canby and the coffee money goes to  institute Lutheran theology

the church newsletter is now out extra copies are available in the back of the church
there will be a Poinsettia Gardens in ST. John’s  and Kongsvinger this year contact the parish office (246-3211) for more info. Good shepherd will also have one sign up in the back or call the church at 585-6868
There will be Christmas eve services at good shepherd at 4:30 p.m. and at 9 p.m. at st john's  ;Christmas day services at both Kongsvinger and good shepherd at 10 a.m.
living nativity services at faith-Morris on Christmas eve at  3 and 5:15 p.m.

other church news:  world mission mart at the federated church Morris on Dec 8th from  9 a.m. 2 p.m.  also at federated the women will have a holiday tea on Dec   11th 2-5 pm
community hymn sing Dec 15th at 2 p.m. at first Lutheran-Morris subsequent ones will be held in Jan (faith) Feb (assumption) Mar (good shepherd)

Dec. 7th will be a busy day with a number of open houses, bake sales, craft fairs, bazaars and other events happening around Morris. The museum, Senior Center and the PRCA all have events that day.

The Pedersen Funeral Home will have their annual Time of Remembrance on Dec. 8th at 4 p.m.

celebrations: jonna moser received the most improved award for the 10th grade ,as a Morris Area High School student of the quarter
Beth Holland received the 2013 Merle felstul award at Morris area high school

Mark Koepke was my guest for thanksgiving dinner on Nov 27th in the past week we also attended thanksgiving  eve services at good shepherd , and open house at ungers furniture.  Jim and Lou eystad and I attended the Christmas hymn sing at the Eden reformed church in Herman and helped decorate the church at good shepherd and I attended visitation at the funeral home and the funeral at faith in Morris for Majorie Armstorng.