By Bill Anderson

Tis the season to be jolly, and local businesses have been encouraging that attitude by showing their appreciation to their patrons during the past few weeks. On Friday, December 14, the Sargent County Bank served coffee, cider and cookies to clients at its facilities in Forman, Gwinner, Milnor, Lisbon and Rutland. Shawn Klein, Manager of the Bank’s Rutland Station, furnished the following report on the event here, “Throughout the morning I had around 50 Bank patrons come through, some just picked up a cookie and cider and then left, but others stayed and visited. At one time I had a lobby full of the local men sitting around visiting and telling stories, and then, later on, I had a lobby full of the local ladies visiting and enjoying the treats from Rosie’s Bakery that we shared. It was such a nice day and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Door prize winners were: Mike Pyle, Janet Kiefer, Glenda Haring, Mac Pherson, Phyllis Erickson, Norbert Kulzer, Kathy Wyum, Hal Nelson, and Bill Anderson. I want to thank everyone who made my lobby very fun that day and let you know how much I appreciate your business and the friendship and kindness everyone shows me here.” Thanks to Shawn for the report, and for the friendly, efficient service she provides throughout the year. The Rutland community also extends its thanks to the Sargent County Bank’s management for staffing its facility here with outstanding employees since it opened its doors here back on November 1, 1976.

Senior citizens from around Sargent County gathered in Rutland on the afternoon of Thursday, December 20, for an annual Christmas gathering. Janet Kiefer provided the following report of the event: “About 20 members of Senior Citizens groups from Rutland, Cogswell, Milnor and Forman participated in the Sargent County Seniors’ Christmas party at the Seniors’ Center on Main Street in Rutland on the afternoon of Thursday, December 20. BINGO, called by Hal Nelson, was played for about an hour. Cher Spieker entertained the group with a Christmas song, and Janet Kiefer led the entire group in some familiar Christmas Carols. A lunch was served by the ladies. The visiting groups brought salads and goodies to go along with the open-faced sandwiches furnished by the Rutland club. All agreed that it was a very nice afternoon. Have a Merry Christmas. Janny.” Thanks to Janny for the report, and for the great meals she prepares at the Rutland Seniors’ Center throughout the year.

Miss Claire Brakke of Grand Forks visited at the Jesse & Marcia Brakke home in Ransom Township from Wednesday, December 19, to Saturday, December 22. During her visit here, Claire and a friend from High School days, Amy Martinson from Forman, helped out at the Old Parsonage’s close-out sale. On Friday, Claire accompanied her Grandmother, Kathy Brakke, on a business trip to Britton SD. Claire and Alex Markovitch will be spending Christmas at the home of Alex’s parents in Chicago and will then be flying to San Antonio to spend a few days with college friends before returning to Grand Forks on January 4, 2019.

Former Rutland resident Janet Bradbury sent an e-mail report from her Winter haven on the Warren Ranch near Rapid City SD on Friday, December 21, the day of the Winter Solstice. According to Janet’s calculations, using the astronomical tables, solar schedules and astrological tea leaves, the Winter Solstice gave 8 hours and 38 minutes of sunlight to Rutland and vicinity while treating southwestern South Dakota to 8 hours and 52 minutes of sunshine, 14 minutes more there than here. Well, we’ll get it back on June 21, the Summer Solstice, when the Rutland area will get the benefit of 14 minutes more daylight during the growing season, when it will do some good. Janet reports that, while her friends in Sargent County were enjoying temperatures in the mid-40’s during the preceding 10 days, her part of the country was experiencing temperatures in the mid-50’s.She reports that the snow is almost gone, but a new covering is being predicted right after Christmas. Her son and daughter-in-law, Curtis & Marlene Bradbury of Bismarck, are planning to spend a few days with Janet at the Ranch during the Christmas holiday, and then travel on to Minneapolis and a return trip to Bismarck before New Year’s Day. Her daughter and son-in-law, Carrie & Mark Springer, and their children will be in Bismarck for Christmas, Janet reports. She states that she is looking forward to the return of the red-wing blackbirds and to crocuses in the pasture this coming Spring. Aren’t we all? Thanks to Janet for the report.

Miss Betsy Anderson of Lincoln NE arrived in Rutland on Saturday, December 22, to spend Christmas at the home of her Dad, Paul Anderson of this community. Miss Anderson is a Student Adviser for students at a Community College in Beatrice NE, a short distance from Lincoln, and also teaches history on-line for a college in Texas and a college in Mississippi. After visiting friends and family in this area, she intends to return to Lincoln on Wednesday, December 26. Miss Anderson was accompanied on this trip by her black cat, Bruce, who is unlike most cats in that he is a good traveler who does not fill the time with idle chatter.

Meanwhile, on the national scene, Christmas week is just a normal week: the national government is shut down on the orders of President Rush Limbaugh; the stock market is plummeting to its worst showing since December of 1931; the trade war with China continues; The Secretary of Defense has resigned because the President doesn’t know what he’s doing; and, the Special Counsel’s noose around the White House continues to tighten; among other catastrophes, both minor and major. The chaos would be entertaining if it wasn’t so dangerous. As of Friday, December 28, there are 100 weeks down and 108 weeks to go until January 20, 2021.This Christmas, the following verses from “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day,” seem to be appropriate: “Then in despair I hung my head, ‘There is no Peace on Earth,’ I said, ‘for hate is strong and mocks the song of Peace On Earth Good Will To Men.’ Then pealed the bells, so strong and deep, ‘God is not dead, nor does he sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail with Peace On Earth, Good Will To Men.’”

Well, that’s the news from Rutland for this week. The Teller had an early deadline due to the Christmas holiday, so there wasn’t a lot, but the next one will probably have more. 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. Don’t forget to patronize your local Post Office during the Christmas season, and remember to keep the pressure on the U. S. Postal Service and the North Dakota Congressional delegation to SAVE OUR POST OFFICE! Merry Christmas to all, and may the Blessings of Christmas be yours, now and throughout the year ahead.