By Deborah Banish

The 18th Annual Rutland Community Easter Egg Hunt was organized, produced and presented by the family of Jerry & Jeanne Leinen on the morning of Saturday, April 20, 2019, in the Rutland Town Hall. Leinen family matriarch and primary organizer of the event, Jeanne Leinen, reports that 1,015 Easter Eggs, one dozen more than last year, each one containing a prize or a prize certificate, were hidden throughout the Hall, waiting to be discovered by the 87 youngsters who enthusiastically participated in the event. After the eggs had been found, the boys and girls were admitted to “Grandma’s Garden,” where they were allowed to choose gifts from a vast selection compiled by Jeanne since Easter of 2018. In a new event for this year, the “Willy Wonka Contest,” youngsters who Found the Golden Tootsie Pop Stick were entered into a drawing for age appropriate gifts. Willy Wonka winners were: 0-2 years old, Vagda Schuster, Starbuck MN – Water Park Set; 3-4 years old, Corbin Carlson, Rutland – Race Game; 5-11 years old, 3 Winners: Eli Olson, Rutland – Blue Tooth Boom Box with Speaker; Brooklyn Pherson, Rutland – Frogger Video Game; Julia Mahrer, Rutland – Drone Flyer; The “Grand Prize Winners were: 0-1 year old, Bronson Heting, Napoleon ND – Stuffed Bunny Rabit; Dylan Gulleson, Rutland – Elephant Parade; Vagda Schuster, Starbuck MN – Little Girl’s Kitchen; 2 year old: Raegan Roney, Rutland – Little Girl’s Kitchen; Lincoln Mahrer, Rutland – T-Ball set; 3 year olds (3): Mia Leno, Wahpeton ND – Pony Land; Ruth McLaen, Rutland – Pony Land; Reece Halmrast, Rutland – Adventure Force Robot; 4 year olds (4) Keegan Dockter, Hugo MN – Gorilla; Marckus Gray Hawk, Fairmount ND – Superman Tower Garage; Natalie Hanson, Forman – Keyboard; Adalyn Mahrer, Rutland – Princess Kingdom; 5-7 year olds (5) Kyler Pherson, Rutland – Road Racing Set; Cohen Jensen, Wyndmere ND – Folding Spiderman Scooter; Brooklyn Pherson, Rutland – Nail Polish Maker; Chino Gray Hawk, Fairmount – Bee-ol-ogy learning Kit; Paislee Pherson, Rutland – 2 Little Treasure Dig Boxes; 8-11 year olds (2) William Kromschroader, Fisher SD – Camera Drone Flyer; and, Camden Bidle, Medina MN – 9” electronic Tablet. A special Grand Prize, a “Talking Rocking Horse,” was won by Mia Leno of Wahpeton. Debbie Banish of Rutland won the only adult prize, a pair of ceramic Easter Bunnies. Deb’s age bracket was not disclosed. About 100 parents, grandparents and other onlookers were on hand to observe all of the activity while enjoying a cup of coffee and a cupcake. A large, pink Easter Bunny who bore a striking resemblance to Jim Brown was also Making the rounds, visiting with kids and posing for pictures. The happy event ended on a down note, though, and with a challenge to the Rutland community. Jeanne Leinen announced that the 2019 Easter Egg Hunt would be her last as Chairperson, although she is willing to assist anyone who steps up to take over organizing the event. Jeanne states that the Easter Egg Hunt is several times larger than it was back in 2002, and she is now 18 years older than she was back then, too. The Rutland Community extends its thanks and appreciation to Jerry & Jeanne Leinen and their family for organizing and producing this event that has become an Easter tradition in Rutland. Thanks to Jeanne Leinen for the names of prize winners and the other information in this article.

The Sargent Central State Bound Music Concert will be held Monday, April 27, 7:00 p.m. at the Sargent Central Activity Center in Rutland. The concert will feature the groups who starred at the Regional Contest on Saturday, April 13. Be sure to get over to see the talented students who will be heading to the State Contest May 3-4 in Bismarck.

The Rutland Community Club spring theater production will be held on May 18th starting at 7 p.m. at the Rutland Hall with a free-will meal starting at 5:30 p.m. presented by the Sargent Central Ambassadors. The Director of the play, Diane Smith, promises a fun and entertaining trip down memory lane. Be sure to watch for further information on the showtime!

The Rutland American Legion Auxiliary met on April 22 to finalize the Memorial Day Program that will be held on Monday, May 27, at the Rutland Town Hall.

The Rutland Community Club approved switching the Rutland website to a new host and provider. Some of the work may result in the website being unavailable for a short period of time. The Rutland community blog has already been redesigned and the annoying advertising has been removed. The blog will host the Rooster column while it continues and will also be the location for sharing thoughts and ideas from the area. The blog address has changed to a shorter link and can be found at http://www.rutlandramblings.com The www.rutlandnd.com website will focus on resident features and reminders – like recycling day – and will also make it easier to find forms and information that residents and visitors alike have tried to find on the current website. Pictures from Rutland will be featured primarily on the blog and on Rutland’s Facebook page. Comments, questions, and suggestions can be left on any of the Rutland online locations or by calling the City Office at 701-724-3081.

Upcoming events: May 6 – Rutland City Council meeting; May 13 – Rutland Community Club meeting; May 18 – Rutland Theater; May 26 – Sargent Central High School Graduation Ceremony; May 27 – Memorial Day Program.