donnelly news

May 12-19th

Welcome to another edition of the Donnelly news.  Happy Mother's day to my mom up in Heaven

Since everything from community events to church services has been postponed or canceled due to the Coronavirus, I have decided not to list any events for the foreseeable future. Before you plan to attend any events, I have listed in my columns, please check to make sure they are still on. Since everything is constantly changing, please listen to local media and /or check fb posts for any updated info. Also, some of the meetings may be held virtually instead of physically, i.e., the MN state GOP convention on May 16th. Also, some Donnelly business may be temporally closed, have reduced hours, limited services, access, etc.

Weather News:  warmer, milder, weather has enabled some farmers to get started with fieldwork, but most days are still a bit on the chilly side as I am writing this Tuesday evening they are talking about frost later this week.

Until further notice, there will be no services and events at St. John's and Kongsvinger, Donnelly; Gslc, Morris, or any other church in the area. Some churches, pastors in the area are posting devotions, "services," etc. on places like Facebook, YouTube, the radio, etc. GSLC is going to have a parking lot service every Sunday at 10 a.m. at the church, and there is also a community service at the MAES parking lot at 9:30 a.m.  KMRS will broadcast that service. Pr Mike Hanson tells me he hopes to have summer services on Wed. eve again this year at GSLC

St John' s/Kongsvinger will honor this year's graduates from the parish in our newsletter(s). If you have a graduate from h.s. or higher-ed this year, please let the parish office know a.s.a.p.,   I will have my annual graduation edition in early June again if you want to give me their names

Pr Mike Nelson is scheduled to leave Donnelly later this month since we were unable to have a farewell service/dinner /program for him at this time; we are hoping he can come back sometime later this year for such an event. If you wish, you can send him a card at box 97 Donnelly MN. 56235 or leave one at the parish office for him. The Kopacek family and I were among those of us who took part in the farewell "parade" for Pr mike and Sue Nelson and family in Donnelly on May 3rd. You can watch his last service at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxuI6HbSZpE.

 The parish office is closed due to the COVID 19 outbreak, call, or e-mail if you need assistance.

Since it has been almost two months since I have been in Donnelly, I had to drive around town a little after the parade on Sunday to make sure everything was still there.

New address: Pr Mike and Sue Nelson

30 First Avenue East 

Federal Dam, Minnesota, 56641

There will be no Stevens County genealogical society meetings until Sept.

Postponed until a later date the annual VFW poppy drive

Former Donnelly resident Wally McCollar of Hancock passed away on May 1st; the family is hoping to have a memorial service for him later this year. His family built, owned, and operated the café in Donnelly for many years.

Former Donnelly area resident Greg Smith of Fridley passed away on May 4th; survivors include his brother Mike (Rhoda) Smith and family of Donnelly.

Deloris Braun, of Burnsville MN formerly of Donnelly, passed away on May 3rd

Like most towns, Donnelly has a # of organizations that have monthly meetings, i.e., rendsville 4-h, DFD, community club, etc. hopefully soon we all can start having regular meetings

Annual community events: Ice Cream Social in June, threshing Bee in August, Halloween party October. DFD turkey bingo in November, Santa Day in December except for the bee, all events take place at the community hall

Other events: Donnelly rod and gun club sponsors a summer and winter fishing contest and have their annual meeting at West Pomme in the spring

Tri-County Horseshoe league has games every week during the summer at the horseshoe courts uptown

Men's and/or women's SB games at Aanerud field during the summer

Annual church events: Kong Fall festival Nov. community block party July St John's. ; SS program(s) Christmas time Stj & Kong