By Bill Anderson

Those hazy, lazy, crazy days of summer are here at last – clear skies, warm nights, warmer days and the prairie wind holding its breath until it can decide which way to blow. The corn and soybean crops are still green and growing, getting taller, fuller and more magnificent by the day. Wheat fields are now burnished golden amber waves of grain, some almost ready to be cut, and some ready. Kurt Breker tried a field near Cayuga on Monday, July 30, but decided to give it another day or two. By the time this column appears in The Teller a lot of wheat will have been cut, threshed and either hauled to on-farm storage or straight to a grain terminal in town. Although wheat is no longer the dominant crop it once was on the northern plains, it is still a major cash crop and an important component of many crop rotation plans. Good old North Dakota hard red spring wheat is still the best wheat for making the flour that makes our daily bread, and for that every North Dakotan can, and should, be truly thankful.

Hal Nelson, sports correspondent for The Rooster Crows, reports that the Rutland Roosters Men’s Slowpitch Softball team played the Lidgerwood team in the final home games of the 2018 regular season on Tuesday evening, July 24, at Lou Sanderson Field. It was a beautiful evening, Hal states, and the field was in great shape, with the outfield grass as thick and lush as a green plush carpet. A mild breeze out of the northwest helped hold the mosquitoes down, and the fly balls in mid-air, allowing the outfielders time to get under them without having to swat mosquitoes and catch flies at the same time. The Roosters cruised to a 23-13 victory in 5 innings in game #1, but had a tougher time in game #2, squeaking out an 18-15 come from behind win in extra innings. The Rutland team was down by 3, 12 to 15, in the 7^th inning, Hal reported, but tied the game up in the 7^th, and then scored 3 more runs in the 8^th to seal the victory. Congratulations to the Rutland Roosters Men’s Slowpitch Softball team on another successful season, and thanks to Hal Nelson for another good report.

Lary Arneson, Roger Pearson and Rick Bosse traveled down to Pollock SD, on the Missouri River, for a fishing excursion from Monday, July 23 to Wednesday, July 25. The 3 anglers took Rick’s boat, a real walleye magnet, along, and it worked like a charm, Roger reports. “The boat has more bells and whistles than any of us knew how to use,” said Roger. But, plenty of time on the water, the boat’s depth finder and a lot of good luck produced a good catch for these determined practitioners of the piscatorial arts. Lary and Roger headed back to Pollock for another fishing adventure on the Missouri River on Friday, July 27, but without Rick in the boat their good luck deserted them. Thirteen hours of fishing on Saturday, July 28, produced one 14” walleye, Roger reported. Their luck on Sunday was better, with5 walleyes in the 14” to 15” category caught before the two anglers headed for home at Noon.

Norbert Kulzer celebrated his birthday on Friday, July 27, at morning coffee with the Assembled Wise Men in The Lariat Bar’s dining room. Those present enjoyed homemade lemon bars, Norbert’s favorite, created by Beverly, also one of Norbert’s favorites. Thirty-five days after Norbert was born Adolph Hitler sent the German Wehrmacht on its blitzkrieg assault of Poland to plunge Europe, and eventually the rest of the world, into World War II. The historical record does not indicate any direct connection between the two events.

Wedding bells were ringing on the afternoon of Saturday, July 28, when Mr. Rob Wyum of this community and Ms. Dana Bosworth of Ellendale exchanged vows in an outdoor ceremony at the Ransom Township farm home of the groom’s parents, Mark & Kathy Wyum. Also becoming part of the new family are Dana’s 3-year-old daughter, Briella, and Rob’s 7 year old son, Braylon. The ceremony was followed by a reception and dinner at the Coteau des Prairies Lodge southeast of Rutland. The groom is a farmer, working with his father and brother in the Wyum family’s farming enterprises, and the bride will be teaching elementary school at Sargent Central this coming school year. Rob, Dana & Briella are making their home at 409 Anthony Street in Rutland. Their many friends in Rutland extend congratulations to Rob & Dana Wyum on their marriage, and best wishes to them for a long and happy life together.

Shawn Klein took a few days off from her duties at the Sargent County Bank’s Rutland Station on Monday & Tuesday, July 30 & 31, to enjoy some vacation time. Julie Kudelka filled in for Shawn on Monday, and Carolyn Lewis filled in on Tuesday. Tuesday, July 31, was Carolyn’s last day on duty at the Bank’s Rutland Station, as she has announced her intention to retire as of August 15, 2018, after 44 years of employment at the Sargent County Bank. Carolyn’s many friends in Rutland wish her all the best in retirement and extend their thanks to her for 44 years of friendly and faithful service.

It will be a couple of months yet before the main corn harvist begins, but the 2018 sweet corn harvest is now in full swing. Kurt Breker brought a pickup load of sweet corn to Rutland on the morning of Friday, July 27, and left town with an empty pickup and a lemon bar. Local gardens have been yielding up their bounty for several weeks now, and the only thing better than having your own garden is having a neighbor who has one. Mavis Marquette was in town on Saturday, July 28, distributing some cucumbers to friends, and Sarah Pavek had a stand set up on Main Street, in front of the old Rutland General Store, on Monday, July 30. Sarah had cucumbers, Zucchinis, Zucchini bread and banana bread in her inventory. Also at the same location Lilith Pavek, Henry Pavek and Carl McLaen had a lemonade stand. Their great-great grandfather, Emil McLaen owned and operated the International Harvester dealership in Rutland during the 1930’s, 40’s & 50’s, about a block down the street from the location of his descendants’ lemonade stand. Could this be the beginning of a new family business dynasty? It was suggested that the location they selected would be a good spot for some enterprising young person to set up a store. Local folks are also reminded that this is the only time of the year when drivers have to remember to lock the doors on their vehicles when parking on Main Street in Rutland. Those who forget are likely to end up with a load of zucchinis to take home.

The Rutland Zoning & Planning Commission met at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31, in the Rutland Town Hall with Chairman Richard “Mac” Pherson; Andrew Woytassek; Lori McLaen; and, Bill Anderson; present. Commission Member Shannon Mehrer was in New York City on business and was unable to be present. The Commission members, under the capable leadership of Chairman Pherson, worked on the wording of several sections of the revised draft of the new Zoning Ordinance for the City of Rutland, and, after making some minor changes, approved the draft for presentation to the City Council. A public hearing on the final draft will be held during the Zoning & Planning Commission’s next scheduled meeting at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, August 28, in the Rutland Town Hall, after which the new ordinance will be presented to the Rutland City Council for consideration.

The 10^th Annual Rutland Rib Fest is scheduled for the afternoon and evening of Saturday, August 4, on Main Street in Rutland. The latest information is that six teams will be competing for the title of “Best Ribs In Rutland!” and more could be in the competition by Saturday afternoon. According to Mike Pyle of The Lariat Bar, some vendors may have ribs ready to serve as early as Noon. Rib judging is scheduled to take place at 5:00 p.m. Several “Farmers Market” stands will have garden produce for sale on Gay Street. Junkers and craft sale vendors will be set up on the Rutland Oil Co. parking lot; inside the Erickson Building; and, in the Sargent County Bank’s Community Room from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pam Maloney and helpers are running the Relay For Life Rummage Sale in the Rutland Town Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. with scallop potatoes being served from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., or gone, whichever comes first. The Dusty River Band is scheduled to start playing at Noon, followed by the Lonesome Road Down Band from 6:00 p.m. until 0 Dark 30. The Rutland American Legion Auxiliary will be serving pie and ice cream in the Senior Center starting at 4 p.m. Also, cold beverages will be available in The Lariat Bar and other locations throughout the day. The five Sargent Central students known as the SC Ambassadors: Tyler Banish; Eric Bergeman; Ethan Bergeman; Kiauna Bergh; and, Thomas Mehrer; will have a dunk tank set up on Main Street as a fund raiser for part of the day. They will take turns in the dunk chair, and donors will have the chance to throw 3 balls at the target for $5.00. The 5 students are raising funds to participate in The International Ambassadors of Music tour of Europe in 2019. There will be plenty of activity in Rutland on Saturday, August 4. Additionally, the Sargent Central Class of ’68 is holding its 50^th Anniversary Class Reunion out at Silver Lake that afternoon, and some of them may wander in to spend some time greeting old friends in Rutland, too. Thanks to Rutland City Auditor Debbie Banish for the Rib Fest schedule of events and activities.

Nordland Lutheran Sunday School Superintendent Kathy Wyum reports that the congregation will be conducting Vacation Bible School for Kindergarten through 6^th Grade students from Wednesday, August 8, through Friday, August 10, at the Church Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall at 311 Cooper Street in Rutland. Three instructors from Red Willow Bible Camp at Binford will conduct classes at Nordland, assisted by volunteers from the congregation’s membership. As of Wednesday, August 1, 25 students were pre-enrolled, Mrs. Wyum reported. All children, of any denomination, are welcome, she said. For additional information about Vacation Bible School at Nordland Lutheran Church, or to enroll students, call Kathy Wyum at 724-3704.

Meanwhile, as the trade war with China ramps up, it turns out that the first casualties may be right here at home, in the communities of Sargent County. An article entitled “China’s tariffs on U.S. goods could hit these communities the hardest; Sargent County would be among hardest hit,” was recently received from Mr. Terry Traynor, Executive Director of the North Dakota Association of Counties (NDACo). The article states,” The latest tariffs announced by China on June 15 would tax goods that accounted for about $45 billion in U.S. exports last year. It’s a tiny speck of the nation’s thriving overall economy. But those tariffs are no broadside threat. They’re targeted with laser like precision at farmers, ranchers and certain manufacturing workers, as well as at the local economies of rural and small-town America. (The article forwarded by Mr. Traynor contained links to several maps) These maps, based on data from the Brookings Institution, show counties with workers in China-targeted industries, with the circle sizes representing their share of total jobs. The maps don’t predict if, or how many, jobs could be lost, but they do show a pattern of where jobs and communities are most exposed to fallout from further escalation of trade hostilities.” “Trade wars are good, and easy to win,” our President has said. The question for Sargent County’s farmers and factory workers, though, is: Does it matter to you who wins the war if you’re one of the first casualties, dead on the battlefield? As of Friday, August 3, there will be 82 weeks down and 126 weeks to go until January 20, 2021. “You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time,” said Abraham Lincoln, “but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” Our current President, by word and deed, has paraphrased Honest Abe’s quotation to “You can fool all of the people some of the time, and you can fool some of the people all of the time, and for this President, that’s enough.”

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 around and about in cyberspace, too. Remember to patronize your local Post Office, and don’t forget to keep the pressure on the U. S. Postal Service and the North Dakota Congressional delegation to SAVE OUR POST OFFICE! Later.