By Bill Anderson

It is the consensus of The Assembled Wise Men that the chances of an Indian Summer this Fall are getting pretty slim. The long-range forecasters are predicting that El Nino will produce a warm up by February. Wow! Is that good news, or what?!

A number of local farmers have completed the harvest of their 2018 soybean and corn crops, but due to wet conditions in some areas and other vagaries of fortune, there are still quite a few acres remaining to be harvested. Mark Wyum states that he does not mind an extended harvest season, though. “As long as the combines are working, there is still the potential for more income.” So, keep those big wheels turning.

The Rutland Community Club met at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 19, in the Rutland Town Hall with President Bonnie Anderson presiding. Secretary Andrea Erickson presented the Minutes of the October meeting, and Treasurer Hal Nelson reported that the Club currently has more than $20,000 on hand for community projects. Club members discussed the follow up to Uff-Da Day, and a few clean up issues that need to be dealt with prior to Uff-Da Day XXXV on the first Sunday in October of 2019. Katie McLaen reported that the 2 “Freezer Meals” sessions that were held in the Town Hall kitchen on October 10 & 17 were very successful, and that more will be planned. She also reported that another “Kids In The Kitchen” program will be held in January. Members discussed the community play and decided to look into contracting with the Missoula Summer Theater program for Children’s Summer Theater in 2019, if grant funding is available. Members voted to authorize Bonnie Anderson to purchase replacement electric roasters for the Town Hall, along with replacement roaster liners for those that are missing, and authorized the expenditure of up to $500.00 for that purpose. Members also voted to contribute $1,000 to support the 5 local students who are participating in the International Ambassadors of Music tour of Europe in the Summer of 2019, and also approved a donation of $1,000 to the City of Rutland for the acquisition and installation of a radar speed limit sign to be installed at the north edge of the City. That donation was in response to a request from the Rutland City Council. The Council explained that the problem of speeding through Main Street has gotten much worse this year, with many drivers, both local and those from out of the area, showing no respect for the posted Speed Limit and little or no concern for children, bike riders and pedestrians on the street. In one instance local law enforcement stopped and ticketed 8 speeders in less than half an hour, and, according to the letter, at least 10 more vehicles tore through the street at a high rate of speed within a few minutes after the officer had departed the scene. The estimated cost of the new Radar Speed Limit sign is $4,200, which the Council plans to fund with a combination of taxpayer’s money and grants from civic groups. One fellow who doesn’t have to be concerned about ground speed limits is Santa Claus, who travels at super-sonic speeds in a sleigh pulled by 8 reindeer, a method of transportation that should be checked out by some metropolitan transit authorities. Katie McLaen reported that Santa Claus is planning to make his 73^rd pre-Christmas visit to Rutland since the end of WW II amid festivities that are scheduled to commence at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, in the Rutland Town Hall. Santa has promised to consult with kids on their Christmas lists, distribute gift bags of candy , and hand out the Christmas hams donated by local businesses. A soup & sandwich supper, BINGO and crafts for the kids are also on the agenda for Santa Claus Day. Cher Spieker reported that a Community Christmas tree will be provided by the Coteau des Prairies Lodge, the family of Joe & Patty Breker and the family of Doug & Cher Spieker. The tree is expected to be in town before the end of November and will be put up and decorated at the corner of First & Arthur Streets by Santa’s helpers as soon as possible after that. The next meeting of the Rutland Community Club is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 10, in the Rutland Town Hall.

It was reported here last week that Allen Nelson, a longtime farmer and rancher in this area, and a good friend to many in this community, had passed away on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at his Weber Township home, 5 miles south of Rutland and 6 miles northeast of Havana. He had attained the age of 72 years, 7 months and 24 days at the time of his death. Allen Wayne Nelson was born March 25, 1946, in Veblen SD to Clifford J. “Jack” and Verna Erlanda (Reinertson) Nelson. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Havana. Following graduation from Havana High School in 1964, he served two years in the U. S. Army, and was stationed in Germany during part of that time. Allen related that on his return from Germany to the States he was traveling in uniform with several other soldiers from his unit who were returning to the Midwest. Their flight landed at O’Hare Airport in Chicago, where Allen and his companions were accosted and assaulted by “some hippies protesting the Vietnam War.” Allen said that he and his comrades had been on a military base in Germany and didn’t know much about the growing opposition to the Vietnam War in America, and the anger that some of their fellow citizens misdirected at American military personnel, but, “if those hippies wanted a fight, they were going to get one.” The soldiers were outnumbered but were gaining the upper hand when the Chicago police arrived. “Those officers hauled the hippies off to jail and told the soldiers to have a nice flight home. “I kind of liked Chicago cops after that,” Allen said. After his honorable discharge from military service, Allen lived and worked in the Lincoln NE and Denver CO areas for several years. In the early 1970’s, he returned to North Dakota and began farming with his parents and brother, Rodney. Eventually Allen bought the family farm and made his home there until his death. He had recently semi-retired, but still had a few cattle. He did like his cows. Allen was a member of Anderson Wertman Post #108 of the American Legion of Havana for nearly 50 years and was serving as the Post’s commander at the time of his death. Allen had played on the Havana Men’s Softball Team back in the 70’s & 80’s and enjoyed the camaraderie of the playing field. He greatly enjoyed hunting and shooting pool with friends. Allen enjoyed anything western, from his complete collection of Louie L’Amour novels to “Gunsmoke” on TV. Perhaps the only thing he enjoyed more than westerns was a chance to have a cup of coffee with a friend, and “chew the fat.” Allen is survived by: 1 sister, Dianne Thone of Horace ND; 2 brothers: Rodney Nelson of Havana; and, Kevin Nelson of Wahpeton ND; eight nieces and nephews; eleven great-nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; and, a host of friends. Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother-in-law, Jerald Thone. The memorial service for Allen Nelson will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 30, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Forman ND, with Pastor Nicholas Rohde officiating. There will be a lunch following the service at the Havana Civic Center in Havana ND. Interment of cremains will be private, at a time and place selected by the family. Price Funeral Chapel of Britton and Forman is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Rodney Nelson, 222 2nd Street, Havana ND 58043. The Rutland community extends its condolences to the family and friends of Allen “Leafy” Nelson, a thoughtful, steadfast friend and all-around good fellow.

Harvey Bergstrom reports that harvest was completed on the Bergstrom farm at 5:17 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21, the day before Thanksgiving. The harvest, he reports, was outstanding, truly one for which to be thankful. A year ago, Harvey spent Thanksgiving Day in the hospital, recovering from the heart attack he had suffered the day before, so he and his family were giving thanks this year that this Thanksgiving Day was both healthier and happier than the last one.

Norbert & Beverly Kulzer were Thanksgiving Day guests at the home of Norbert’s sister and brother-in-law, Karen & Merill Buisker, in Aberdeen. Also joining the Buiskers for Thanksgiving dinner were their sons, Matt & Ben, and their families.

Roger & Sharon Pearson were Thanksgiving Day guests of their daughter and son-in-law, Brenda & Roger Gibbon, in Milnor. Roger reports a good day, a great dinner and the pleasure of being surrounded by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Claire Brakke and Alex Markovich of Grand Forks were Thanksgiving weekend guests at the Ransom Township farm home of Jesse & Marcia Brakke. Joining them for Thanksgiving Dinner at the farm were: Leonard Heinen; Kathy Brakke; and, Bill Anderson. Alex made the dressing from a Serbian recipe he had obtained from his mother. Alex, a native of Chicago, had never been deer hunting before, but obtained a license to hunt in this area during the recently completed season. On Saturday, November 24, he bagged his first deer, a large doe, from a stand near the old Ahrlin-Hoffman farm site on the SW¼ of Section 15 in Ransom Township. If you’re in Grand Forks and develop a yearning for deer sausage, give Alex a call.

The Rutland Community Christmas Tree was delivered to the corner of First & Arthur Streets on the evening of Tuesday, November 27. The tree stand has been prepared, and it is expected that the 23-foot-tall tree will be upright and decorated by Saturday, December 1.

Some upcoming events in the Rutland community include: Rutland City Council meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 3, in the Rutland Town Hall; Nordland Lutheran Sunday School Christmas Program on Sunday, December 9, at Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland; Rutland Community Club meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 10, in the Rutland Town Hall; and, Rutland’s 73rd Annual Santa Claus Day, commencing at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, in the Rutland Town Hall.

Meanwhile, on the national scene, the President’s former campaign manager, a convicted felon who had made a deal with the Special Counsel investigating Russian involvement in the 2016 Election to provide truthful evidence, is in trouble again. This time he is in trouble for telling lies about the lies he had previously told the FBI and other investigators. Lies about lies, it’s no wonder the President likes him. It is enough to shake a person’s confidence in the current national Administration, though. If you can’t trust a thieving, lying manipulator in Washington DC, who can you trust? As of Friday, November 30 there will be 96 weeks down and 112 to go until January 20, 2021. Until then, just sit back and watch the show. A 78-year-old grandma will be taking over as Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives, and no one can get a house ship-shape like Grandma.

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 take a look at the Rutland Facebook page while you’re at it, too. Remember to patronize your local Post Office this Christmas season, 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.