Silver City surveyor's family seeking stories

Many mourned the passing of William "Mike" Donovan, the crusty Silver City surveyor and miner who died Jan. 15, even those who had run-ins with him.

Donovan was described at his memorial service as the quintessential Nevadan: hardscrabble, defiant, with a deep love of the land and its history.

Members of Donovan's family were very touched by the stories told at the memorial, and would like to create a compilation of stories as a family history.

The Donovan family would like to hear from anyone with a story to tell from Lyon or Storey counties or Carson City, said sister Sheila Donovan Moser, of Santa Cruz, Calif.

"I have been away from Nevada for a long time, and had been in contact with my brother mostly by phone," she said. "The memorial was a wonderful perspective of my brother's life and a reminder of my Nevada heritage."

She said she was grateful for the turnout at the memorial.

"The Donovan family wishes to thank all the people who attended Mike Donovan's memorial," she said. "Wonderful stories were told about Mike, his father, Bill, and other members of the family."

She plans to compile stories about the family for a history. If you have any memories of the Donovan family of Silver City, send it to sheilam@baymoon.com or mail to Sheila Donovan Moser, 1031 Live Oak Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95062.

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Tanya Edmondson, school counselor at Dayton Elementary School, also has a thank you to the people of Dayton for coming through for the kids this Christmas.

"Our community never ceases to amaze me," she wrote. " This was our third year we implemented the Helping Hands Program that assists families less fortunate during Christmas. This year, 188 names were placed on mittens requesting wishes and clothing needs.

"Once again, every single name was chosen. Thank you so much teachers, friends, neighbors, local firefighters and postal workers, churches, pizzerias, bunko groups, local businesses and everyone that made Christmas special for children throughout Dayton. You are what Christmas and community is all about.

"If any of you out there quit believing, call me ... I can attest. Thank you again and God Bless."

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The Lyon County commissioners will be getting together on Feb. 22 to craft a mission statement and goals for the county.

Chairwoman Phyllis Hunewill said that late last summer and fall, the department heads developed mission statements and goals, and she feels the commissioners were left out of that process.

County Manager Donna Kristaponis told the commissioners that the staff's work was a precursor to the commissioners' statement, not a replacement for it.

"We expect you to make it your own," she said.

Kristaponis admitted that some of the staff's goals were "pie in the sky, by and by" which the commissioners could bring down to earth, if they chose.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.