The unfamiliar, bright object that was sighted in the sky over North Dakota last Friday turned out to be the sun, a celestial body whose existence had been rumored, but not confirmed, for quite some time.  The return of daylight after an absence of 2 weeks brightened spirits and allowed folks to get reacquainted with their shadows, those normally constant companions that had been conspicuous by their absence the previous couple of weeks.  Several consecutive days of sunshine and warm temperatures since last Thursday, have now allowed spring planting to resume, and a number of local producers report that wheat and corn seeding have been completed and the planter has been switched over to soybeans for the rest of the season.  With about a third of normal crop acres presently under water, frogs, mosquitoes and ducks are now in full production mode, too.  If cash money was being paid for those 3 commodities, all notes would be current.

Shane and Karla Breker drove up to Fargo on Saturday, May 15, where they attended commencement exercises at North Dakota State University.  The Brekers’ son, Shawn Breker, graduated from NDSU with a degree in Civil Engineering.  Also attending the ceremony were Shawn’s sisters, Shantelle and Sheena.  Shawn, a 2005 graduate of SCHS,  plans to spend a couple of weeks at home in Tewaukon Township, helping his  Dad on the farm, and then will embark on a trip to Australia for some post-graduate engineering studies on the continent down under.  While a student at NDSU, Shawn earned several academic and leadership honors, including membership in the prestigious Blue Key Honor Society.  The Rutland community extends congratulations to Shawn and to the Breker family on his graduation and accomplishments.

Bryce Carlson of Rutland and Miss Casie Hawkinson of Britton SD exchanged marriage vows in a private ceremony at Nordland Lutheran Church at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, in the presence of immediate Family & a few close friends.  Rev. Justin Senger of Nordland officiated.  The groom is the son of Clifford Carlson of Rutland and Charlotte (Stenvold-Carlson) Diehl of Glen Ullin ND.  The bride is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Steve Hawkinson of Britton.  Her great-grandparents were the late Henning and Agnes Hawkinson of Rutland.  The wedding of this young couple had originally been scheduled for June 18, but the ceremony was moved up due to the serious illness of a family member.  Bryce and Casie intend to re-affirm their Vows and host their wedding reception here on June 18, as originally scheduled.  The Rutland community congratulates Bryce and Casie on their marriage, and extends to them best wishes for a long and happy life together.

Stu Carlson of Mohall ND, accompanied by Stu’s Dad, Rutland native Frank Carlson of Bismarck, visited in Rutland last weekend.  They attended the wedding of Frank’s great-nephew, Bryce Carlson and his bride, Casie Hawkinson.

Kim Rasmussen of Taylor Township stopped in at the Rutland Café on Sunday morning, May 16.  Kim reports that the area west of Havana received about an inch of rain during the preceding week.  Kim has managed to get his wheat and corn fields planted, despite wet conditions, but says that about 20% to 30% of the normal crop acres are under water and do not appear likely to re-surface during the current growing season.  He is set to get started on soybeans this week.  Kim also received a compliment when a young woman in the café described him as “lovely.”  She did confess that she had left her eyeglasses in her car, though.  Kim graciously accepted the compliment.

One of the advantages of living in a small town in a rural community is that the beauty of nature and the wonder of wildlife are all around us.  Sometimes, the beauty and the wonder become a little intrusive, though.  About Noon On Sunday, May 16, Kathy Brakke was going down the steps to the basement in her home at 318 First Street, when she heard  a quacking sound.  When she reached the bottom of the steps, she was greeted by an adult mallard hen that was quacking out what sounded like, “Who am I and what am I doing here?”  Kathy tossed a blanket over the dazed duck, bundled up the bewildered bird, took it outside and turned it loose.  When last seen it was headed south across the Prindiville farm.  It is believed that Kathy’s big Siamese cat, Benson, had brought the duck into the house and turned it loose, presumably in an attempt to stock new range.

Janet Kiefer was back on the job at the Rutland Seniors’ Center on Wednesday, May 19, after a long weekend trip to Texas and back.  Janet and Cliff had flown down to Houston last Thursday, May 13, for a visit with their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. Andy Kiefer, at Lufkin TX, but, more importantly, to allow Granny Janny and Grandpa Cliff their first opportunity to spoil their new grandson, Drew Clarence Kiefer, born on April 21.  Grandma reports that little Drew Clarence is a “perfect baby” in every way.  She’s probably the only grandmother who has ever thought that about her first grandchild.  On Monday, May 17, they joined Janet’s brother, Joe Breker, and other family members in Austin to attend a retirement party honoring Janet’s sister, DeAnn (Breker) Paulson.  DeeAnn, a 1964 graduate of Sargent Central High School, retired after a 42 year career of teaching music that included more than 20 years in the Austin school system.  The Kiefers and the Brekers arrived back home on Tuesday night, tired but very pleased with their trip.

This community was saddened on the evening of Wednesday, May 19, when word was received that life-long Rutland resident, Clifford Carlson, had passed away at his home here following a year long battle with cancer.  He was 58 years old at the time of his death.  Clifford was the son of the late Robert and Joyce (Jacobson) Carlson of this community.  He is survived by one son, Bryce, who has been residing with his father in Rutland during his last illness; by one daughter, Brooke Devitt of Fort Ransom; by 5 sisters; 1 brother; numerous nieces and nephews; and, by a host of friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and by one brother, Arthur.  Funeral arrangements had not been made as of this writing.  Clifford’s many friends in the Rutland community extend their heartfelt sympathy to the Carlson family on their loss.

Bituminous Paving of Ortonville MN has been awarded the contract to resurface a 3 mile stretch of County #10, from the 4 mile corner south of Rutland south to County #7, and then east on County #7 for 2 miles to connect with a portion of the roadway that was resurfaced about 6 years ago.  The contractor met with County officials at a pre-construction meeting at the Courthouse in Forman on Wednesday, May 19, and stated that they intend to commence work on the project during the second or third week in June.  He anticipated that it will take about 1 week to complete the 2” maintenance overlay project.  This project was originally been on the schedule for an overlay during the 2006 construction season, but the project was put on hold due to lack of funds when the price of asphalt paving and oil went through the roof.  A major source of funding for the project this year is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the Economic Stimulus Bill of 2009.  Bituminous Paving also has a contract with the North Dakota Department of Transportation to resurface ND Highway #32 from Forman south to the State Line.  They expect to begin work on that project when the County job is completed.

The City of Rutland will be holding a public hearing on Monday, June 21, to hear protests and obtain public input on a street repair and resealing project planned for completion this Summer.  City Engineer Les Norton of the KLJ engineering firm in Valley City, expects that the City will be receiving bids on the project sometime in June, as well.  Rutland’s streets were last resurfaced in 1994.  The streets were originally paved in 1970, and a resealing project was completed in 1983.  The inordinately wet conditions of the past 17 years have not been kind to roads of any kind, and Rutland’s streets are no exception.  Repairs are needed in several areas, and a reseal coat of oil and chips will help to preserve the rest.  It’s not cheap to have paved streets, but the alternatives of mud and dust are less than desirable for any progressive community.

Paul and Sue Anderson have purchased the property at 301 First Street formerly owned by Andrew Harris.  The Andersons intend to utilize the property in their vineyard and winery enterprise.  The Harrises, Andy & Sheila, recently moved to Breckenridge, but are considering another relocation to Providence, Rhode Island, says Andy.  Paul and Andy both have a family connection to this property, known to old timers as the “Burke House,” as it was the first residence occupied by Ole & Julia Anderson, Paul’s grandparents and Andy’s great-grandparents, when they moved to Rutland from Cayuga back in 1909.  According to an account by the late Rudy Anderson, shortly after the family moved into the house, it was discovered that the cellar was occupied by a den full of skunks.  Julia’s uncle, Franz Peterson, who had been a soldier in the Swedish Army prior to immigrating to America, crawled under the house and “cleaned out the skunks bare-handed,” said Rudy.  Not willing to be evicted without protest, though, the skunks put up quite a stink about the circumstances, and Rudy recalled that the Anderson family had to take up rooms in the Rutland Hotel for several weeks, until the odor dissipated.  If there are any skunks in the cellar this time around, Andy says that he will not charge any extra for them.  During the time that Ole & Julia resided in the Burke House, Ole, an accomplished carpenter and house builder, was constructing the house at 309 Gay Street which Paul and Sue renovated a couple of years ago, and where they now reside.  The house at 301 First Street is one of the oldest in Rutland, appearing in the earliest photographs of the community.  Property records show that the real estate was owned by Robert Bagley, the first agent of the Great Northern Railway in Rutland, back in 1887, and it is believed that the main part of the house was constructed by him at that time.

Well, that’s it for this week.  For more information about what’s going on with Rutland folks, wherever they may be, check out the community’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com.  Stop by the Rutland blog and Facebook page, too, while you’re at it.