By Bill Anderson

Well, did you enjoy Spring this year? It commenced during the last week of April, and turned the corner into Summer on Monday, the 14^th of May. The birds, the bees, the grass and the trees are loving it. The Mayfly hatch has been in progress for the past week, and these insects that look like giant mosquitoes, without the deadly stinger, have been smearing windshields and providing nourishment for all kinds of wildlife, including fish. The fisherman who can make his bait look like a may fly when the walleyes are gorging on these bugs can usually count on some filets for the frying pan. Of course, luck may have some bearing on an angler’s success, too. Roger Pearson, an expert practitioner of the piscatorial arts, reports that he was fishing from the bank of one of our local lakes last week, with only a bullhead to show for his efforts, when a friend from Fargo who is a frequent Rutland visitor came down to the lake and began fishing some distance to the east of Roger’s position. As Roger watched, this fellow proceeded to cast his lure out into the water, and within 45 minutes he had caught his limit of 5 walleyes and was on his way home. Roger moved down the bank to the spot from which his friend had enjoyed such success, and, reports that his luck did not change. Still no fish. In his youth, Roger was an excellent baseball player, but occasionally he had to endure a slump when he couldn’t buy a hit. The only way to break out of a hitting slump is to keep going up to the plate and swinging at the pitch, and the only way to break out of a fishing slump is to keep going to the lake and tossing a hook into the water. A good hitter will eventually break out of a slump, as will a good fisherman. Of course, just because Roger says he’s not catching any fish doesn’t necessarily mean that he isn’t catching any fish. He is a fisherman, after all. Besides, as Roger has often said, “The worst day spent fishing is still better than the best day spent working.” A philosophy for the ages.

A pair of Rutland girls, Sonja (Anderson) Christensen of Wahpeton and Judie (Anderson-Seavert) Grohs of Rosholt SD were Rutland visitors on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 9. The two sisters joined friends for lunch at the Rutland Seniors Center and then stopped in for the season opener at The Old Parsonage where each found some items they could not live without. They plan to be back in the old home town on Monday, May 28, for Memorial Day.

Three volunteers from the Farm Rescue organization arrived at the Harvey & Judy Bergstrom farm in Ransom Township on Thursday, May 10, to help Harvey get his 2018 soybean crop planted. The volunteers, Mike Melaas of Minot ND, and John & Carol Andrews of Waukesha WI in southeastern Wisconsin, near Milwaukee, have traveled all over the U. S. to assist farmers who temporarily are in need of a helping hand. Harvey had suffered a severe heart attack back in November and is still recuperating from bypass surgery performed earlier this year. Equipped with a John Deere 4-wheel drive tractor and a 60’ John Deere planter furnished by RDO Equipment, the Farm Rescue trio got all of Harvey and Judy Bergstrom’s 950 acres of soybeans planted by the end of business on Monday, May 14. According to Carol Andrews, everything went well, “…except for those darned sloughs.” Carol said that her crew had worked out in western North Dakota before, where sloughs are not a problem. This was their first time in Sargent County, though, and now they are educated about sloughs and sidehills. The Rutland community extends its thanks to Mike, John, Carol and Farm Rescue for providing a helping hand to our good friends and neighbors, Harvey & Judy Bergstrom.

The Rutland Community Club met at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 14, with President Bonnie Anderson presiding. Secretary Andrea Erickson presented the Minutes of the April 9 meeting, and Club Treasurer Hal Nelson provided a report showing that $13,000.00 is in the Club’s accounts, but that amount will be reduced by about $4,000 after the new floor covering in the Town Hall kitchen is installed next month. The new electronic community bulletin board was discussed, and all present were very pleased with the appearance and the operation of the device. Any questions about messages to be posted should be directed to Club Director and Bulletin Board Coordinator Marcia Brakke at 763-221-7862. Katie McLaen reported that Total Home Co. of Oakes is scheduled to be installing the new floor covering in the Town Hall kitchen on Wednesday & Thursday, June 13 & 14, and some assistance will be required to move appliances & equipment around before, during and after the work. Bonnie Anderson reported that it appears that there are no girls in the Rutland Community of the appropriate age to compete in the Miss Sargent County Pageant this year. Katie McLaen reported that plans are on track for the 2^ndAnnual Rutland Block Party to be held starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 7, in the Veterans Memorial Park adjacent to the Rutland Town Hall. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved into the Town Hall. The entire community is invited for music, food, fellowship and fun. Nominations for the titles of Mr. Lefse and Miss Lefse for Uff-Da Day 2018 may be submitted by Wednesday, May 30, to Wendy Willprecht at 724-3118. Boys & girls from age 5 through age 12 are eligible. The titles will be awarded at the Community Block Party on Thursday, June 7. Katie also stated that an “Art In The Park” event is being planned to take place during the month of July. The cost will be $18 for children and $26 for adults, with the Community Club to pay ½ of the cost for each participant. Marcia Brakke reported that planning is on track for Uff-Da Day XXXIV on Sunday, October 7. The next meeting of the Rutland Community Club is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 11, in the Rutland Town Hall.

One of our neighbor boys, Cayuga native Randy Kiefer, is “On The Road Again,” without Waylon, Willy and the boys. Randy toured throughout Southeast Asia on a solo bike ride from November through February this past Winter, and now he’s on another solo bike ride from Southern California to Alaska. The following message was recently received from the world traveler:

Greetings, As the subject states, I am now in Canada, a kinder, gentler country. I started riding from Santa Barbara on 10 April. Below is a by the numbers summary to this point: 1) I was fortunate to have riding pals from the Apple Dumpling Gang (ADG) AKA “Flatlanders,” Dick Reis and Don Isensee, from ND & MN, and the BRC riders, Stuart, John, Shawn, & Miguel, from Irvine CA to join me for the start. Some of us took the train to Santa Barbara on the 9th to start riding on the 10th. 2) The BRC lads rode 3 days to Paso Robles where they went different ways. The ADG rode with me an additional 4 days to cousin Wayne Janish’s house in Redwood City, where he graciously hosted us. Dick returned to ND the next day, I stayed an additional 2 days. 3) After leaving Wayne’s I joined Don and his long-time friend Mike, on Mike’s sail boat in the Berkeley marina. I stayed 2 nights on the boat, although the weather only cooperated enough for one day of sailing. But that was a treat as we sailed over to Sausalito for lunch. 4) In addition to being a great sailor, and host, Mike provided me taxi service to Marin Co where the heavy lifting of riding started. 5) Those of you familiar with the California coast know that riding a bicycle in a northerly direction is not a good idea, and there is a reason for that. At any rate I struggled along at 60 to 70 mi a day. The best approach was to be on the road at sun-up, which was 6:30 a.m. In the afternoon I usually sat on the leeward side of buildings and cried. 6) Two hints when riding the Sonoma coast: a) The Manchester KOA has bike & hike sites for $10, and that includes free hot-tub time. b) The bakery at Stewart’s Point has the best cinnamon rolls west of Cayuga (right there with my Mom’s). 7) The coast, mountains, redwoods, and coastal towns of northern California never cease to amaze me. In the redwood forests I ride in awe of these beautiful giants. No fly covers my tent when I lay back and look skyward. I am at peace with the world. 8) There is also much beauty to see along the Oregon and Washington coasts as well. The hay-stack rocks of Oregon are oddities of the shoreline. Even the Washington coast along Olympic NP has some expanses of sandy beaches. 9)  While in Oregon I took a few days of R&R in Bend with Harry. He was generous to drive to the coast and taxi me to Bend for 3 days, then return me to the coast. With Harry it is the usual non-stop adventure. Live music and drinking while riding bikes. Fortunately, we remained upright until we reached the soft green landing grass of his house. 10) One of my more rewarding points of interest was a few hours at Fort Clatsop near Astoria, OR. This fort was built by Lewis and Clark and their 33 men as a winter lay-over for the winter of 1805-1806. Just a couple of interesting facts: a) of the 110 days at the fort it rained every day but 12. b) Because of all the fleas and ticks it was nearly impossible to get a decent night’s sleep. Ah the good old days. 11) I laid-over a couple of days at Port Angeles, WA. The snow-capped mountains of Olympic NP provide a scenic backdrop. 12) Victoria, BC is a grand old little city in the best English way. 13) As a first-time visitor to Vancouver, I am duly impressed by its cultural and ethnic diversity, population density, and incredible bike-way system. From separate parallel lanes, to green markings, to racks, this place has it all. 14) After 5 days of sleeping indoors, tomorrow I hit the road. The next big stop-over will be Bella Coola via Williams Lake. Not a great distance, but a solid mix of climbs and remoteness. My apologies on the lack of pictures. Trust me, the scenery has been great. All the best to you and yours. r/randy.

Thanks to the globe-trotting Mr. Kiefer for the report of his latest adventure. Randy plans to arrive in Anchorage, Alaska, sometime in the late Summer/early Fall, spend the Winter there, and then ride back to North Dakota for the Summer of 2019.

The annual meeting of the Rutland Cemetery Association was held at 5p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, in the Community Room of the Sargent County Bank’s Rutland Station. Secretary/Treasurer Casey Carlson presented the minutes of last year’s meeting, and a financial report showing approximately $28,700 in checking, savings and C. D.s in the Association’s “Perpetual Care” funds. Richard Lysne, who has been mowing at the cemetery for the past several years, informed the meeting that he is considering retiring from his mowing business at the end of 2018, but his plan is to stay at it until the end of the mowing season, and, depending on how he feels about it, he may reconsider. He also stated that pocket gophers had been attempting to invade the north edge of the cemetery, but that steps were being taken to keep the pests in check. Casey Carlson and Roger Pearson were re-elected to 2-year terms on the Association’s Board of Directors. The placement of grave markers and the planting of trees were discussed. It was decided that fees for burial sites and other services would remain “as is.” The annual meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Current officers and directors of the Rutland Cemetery Association are: Roger Pearson, President; Paul Anderson, Vice-President; Casey Carlson, Secretary/Treasurer; Norbert Kulzer, Director; Charles Sundlie, Director; and, Greg Donaldson, Sexton. The next meeting of the Rutland Cemetery will be held during the month of May, 2019.

It was a beautiful home opener for the Roosters team that day, they were playing the Spare Time Lounge of Enderlin on Tuesday, the 15^th of May. The Roosters got right down to work they didn’t take no jive, and they put away game one 14 to 1 in 5. The 2018 Men’s Slowpitch Softball season had opened on Tuesday, May 8, with the Roosters drawing a Bye, but they came out ready to play ball when they opened their season at Lou Sanderson Field in Rutland at 6:45 on the evening of May 15. The Rutland Park Board had the Concession Stand open and was doing a brisk business in hot dogs, bratwursts, popcorn and soft drinks. The Roosters looked good during their first 2 games of the season, exhibiting solid hitting, skilled fielding and smart base running. Game #2 on Tuesday evening was a tougher pull for the Roosters. The Enderlin team took an early lead, but the Roosters came from behind in the late innings to win the game in the regulation 7. The Roosters’ next game is also scheduled to be at home, with play commencing at 6:45 on the evening of Tuesday, May 22, at Lou Sanderson Field.

The Mayor has proclaimed it! The City Council has declared it! Saturday, May 19, is Spring Clean-up Day in Rutland. City Auditor Deb Banish sent out the following message after the Council’s regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 7: “Rutland’s City-Wide Clean Up Day will be from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2018.  The City’s inert landfill site northwest of Lou Sanderson Field will be open to receive: wood, leaves, branches and other inert material; white goods such as refrigerators, freezers, washing machines & clothes dryers; and, Electronic items such as TVs, computers & micro-wave ovens. Large oversize items such as furniture and mattresses will be charged the standard $20 per item fee for disposal. Contact Mayor Ron Narum at 680-9377 for large items, if needed, or if you have questions. NO TIRES ALLOWED. Time for Spring Cleaning!” Thanks to Debbie for the information, and to the City Dads & Moms for taking the initiative to get that Spring cleaning done.

Rutland will be welcoming some new residents in the next few weeks. Cheryl Mattson has informed friends here that her home at 322 Gay Street has been purchased by Randy & Vicki Huffman, former Rutland area residents who are moving back to “the little city that can”; and, the house owned by Bradley & Rebecca Christensen at 210 Anthony Street has recently been sold to Mr. Tyrone Halmrast, a native of the Milnor area. Both homes had been listed with Results Realty of Lisbon, with former Rutland Resident Brenda Smith as the Realtor. The Rutland community is sad to lose Cheryl, who plans to move back to the Minneapolis area, but welcomes its new citizens and reminds them to attend the Community Block Party on Thursday, June 7, to meet their new neighbors.

Dennis Goltz stopped in at The Lariat for coffee and conversation with The Assembled Wise Men on the morning of Wednesday, May 16. Dennis, who once maintained a herd of 47 American Bison, also called “buffalo,” reports that he is now just about completely out of the bison business. He states that he recently sold his last buffalo mount, a full head and shoulder mount, to a farmer who lives near Fredrick SD, north of Aberdeen. He still has one buffalo robe and several buffalo skulls in inventory, though. When they are gone, Dennis states, he will finally be completely done with Bison, and ready to embark on his next adventure.

As of Friday, May 18, there will be 69 weeks down and 139 weeks to go until January 20, 2021. Enough said!

Well, that’s the news from Rutland for this week. For additional information about what’s going on in the little city that can, check out the community’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com, and stop by the Rutland Facebook page while you’re at it, too. Don’t forget to patronize your local Post Office and remember to keep the pressure on the U. S. Postal Service and the North Dakota Congressional delegation to SAVE OUR POST OFFICE! Later.