‘Jolly Nuisance’: This O’Donnell Life – with an introduction by John Harms

December 13, 2025 by 1 Comment

Dips O’Donnell’s ‘Jolly Nuisance’ is a delightful collection of observational writing about everyday life. Read more about it in this post, which includes John Harms’s introduction to the book. A delightful Christmas gift for those who’ve followed Dips over the years on this site, and for those who appreciate insightful observational writing]

At Easter-time Stawell Giveth and Stawell Taketh Away

March 31, 2024 by 55 Comments

We re-visit this classic Almanac yarn each Easter (for good reason):

Dips O’Donnell tells the story of his crack at Stawell and what the event and the weekend mean to the O’Donnell family.

Stawell Gift Dinner tonight (BOOK HERE)

March 11, 2015 by 8 Comments

J. D. O’Donnell (Preston) off 8 3/4 yards got the chocolates (and a fair bit more) in the 1955 Stawell Gift. He’s telling his story over dinner this coming Thursday. Here’s a taste (thanks to his son Dips)