By Deborah Banish

The Sargent County Farmers Union (SCFU) Education Program in Counties (EPIC) event was held at the Coteau des Prairies Lodge south of Rutland on Thursday, August 8. Elementary and teenage youth attended the event to learn about the farm to table process from Kyla Temple of Rutland, the SCFU Youth Director. The kids learned about the wheat planting, harvesting, and flour making process while making some fresh baked cookies. The older kids displayed their talents painting a canvas farm scene and the younger kids got some exercise doing youth yoga. Kyla Temple, SCFU Youth Director, organized the event sponsored by the Sargent County Farmers Union. The day ended with a family meal catered by The Black Pelican of Wyndmere and sponsored by Full Circle Ag of Britton.

Nordland Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School (VBS) started Wednesday, August 7, with Red Willow Bible Camp staff leading the group. The kids had a ball & they showed their stuff at a program on Friday, August 9^th, highlighting their busy week.

The Bunkhous at 205 First Street in Rutland has been getting a face lift this week, courtesy of owner Lori McLaen. Lori has contracted with Russel Boutaine of Forman to replace some windows and eliminate a couple more, insulate the building and install old-fashioned metal siding on the exterior of the building. According to Lori, some of the corrugated metal sheets have “a patina of iron oxidation,” which some might confuse with rust, to provide the building with its rustic appearance. The metal siding was once on the exterior of Forman Fireworks, Lumber & Hardware, formerly SEL Lumber, now owned by Mr. Boutaine. The Bunkhouse began its existence as the office for the Thompson Lumber Yard in Cayuga, and was moved to its present location in Rutland by Lincoln Flados in the 1930’s to serve as the office for his International Harvester farm implement & machinery dealership. Over the years it has been used for many purposes, including: lumber yard office; implement dealership; barber shop; small appliance repair shop; coffee shop; private residence; hair styling salon; and, currently, as a short-term rental property. Rutland native Dick Meyers has made The Bunkhous his home for the past two summers. When Dick heads south with the snowbird migration in the Fall, duck, pheasant and deer hunters will take his place. For information about renting The Bunkhouse for a hunting trip, family event or just as a “get-away” place, give Lori a call at 680-3526.

The Rutland Community Club met at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 12, in the Nordland Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, with Club President Katie McLaen presiding. The financial report delivered by Club Treasurer Hal Nelson showed a little more than $16,000 available for community projects. Members reviewed the Community Block Party that was held during the first week in June and the “Art In The Park,” event that was held in July. Katie reported that both events were well received and had excellent community participation. Some upcoming Community Club events include: Freezer Meals in October; Kids In The Kitchen in November; Zumba at the Town Hall beginning on the First Sunday in September; and, Santa Claus Day in December. Paul Anderson and Bill Anderson had agreed to accept appointment as Co-Chairpersons for the 2019 Uffda Day Fall Festival, and reported on progress that has been made in lining up committees to organize the various Uffda Day activities. A sign-up sheet for those wishing to participate in lefse production will be available on Rutland’s internet website soon at www.rutlandnd.com. This will be the community’s 35th annual Uffda Day celebration. Uffda Day XXXV will be on Sunday, October 6, 2019. The next meeting of the Rutland Community Club is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 8, in the Rutland Town Hall.

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 Rutland’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com, and stop by the Uffda Day and Rutland Facebook pages for updates.