News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Tuesday December 23rd 2025
May 6th – MayDay Celebration: Parade 12pm, Festival 3pm
2018 MayDay Parade and Festival 12pm on Bloomington Av and 3pm at Powderhorn Park “WHAT YOU FEED, GROWS”
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Our DAD, Virgil Welna
By VIRGINIA M. MAGNER
He unlocks the door and cranks down the awning.
Then turns on the lights. A new day is dawning.
It”'s eight o”'clock sharp; all merchandise in its”' place.
For the next 10 hours he”'ll keep a steady pace.
Serving the needs of the young and the old.
And listening with his heart, I have been told.
Down creaky stairs, he heads for the basement.
To a child”'s eyes, it is a place of amazement.
Wood beams on the ceiling and limestone for walls.
And whiffs of machine oil I do recall.
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Virgil Welna 1929-2018 Vast legacy by quintessential storekeeper and community elder
Virgil Welna has heard the last bell signaling another person to meet and serve
By JENN WELNA
Born on March 24th, 1929 in Holdingford, MN to Alphonse (Al) and Anna, Virgil (Virg) Welna was one of six children. When he was in 8th grade, his family moved from their large house in the small town to a two-bedroom apartment in the Phillips neighborhood to ensure that each of their children could find a job and go to college. Upon his arrival in Minneapolis, Virg worked two jobs to pay his tuition to DeLaSalle High School: in the fruit department at the local grocer and at Dalsin Hardware where his father was the manager.
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