By Deborah Banish – and Bill Anderson

The Rutland Center Hall kitchen was a busy place on Wednesday, October 16, when ten women gathered to prepare freezer meals. This was the first of two Wednesday-night sessions under the guidance of Katie McLaen, President of the Rutland Community Club (RCC). The RCC has been sponsoring this event for several years. The final session was held Wednesday, October 23. If you missed it this year, be sure to watch for information next year right after Uffda Day.

Workers from Buskohl Construction of Milnor and from Dakota Design Landscaping of Wahpeton took advantage of pleasant weather to work at straightening, reinforcing and improving the appearance of the front porch at 217 First Street on Friday, October 18. The men from Buskohl Construction straightened a sag in the porch floor and installed bracing to keep it straight, while the Dakota landscaping crew placed landscape fabric beneath the porch to deter the growth of weeds and enhanced the appearance of the front of the house by installing lattice work around the base of the porch. The house, built in 1902 by pioneer Rutland businessman C. E. Johnson, is once again a showpiece on Rutland’s Main Street. It is currently owned by Bill Anderson and Kathy Brakke of this community.

The Rutland American Legion served up another fantastic pancake breakfast on Sunday, October 20. Fresh pancakes, eggs, sausage and orange juice was provided for a free-will donation. The Rutland American Legion Auxiliary members helped cook the pancakes and eggs and also held a free-will bake sale. A big thank you is extended to everyone who attended the event this year.

Nine members of the Rutland Raiders 4-H Club went door-knocking in Rutland on Sunday, October 20, to collect for the Sargent County Food Pantry. The Club extends a big thank-you to everyone who contributed food and cash donations for the Food Pantry.

The Rutland City Auditor will be contacting area residents to serve on the Census Committee known as the Sargent County Complete Count Committee. Members will be required to attend training on November 6th (Wednesday) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Gwinner Community Center. From January- April 2020 members will get the word out, plan local events, and meet every two weeks to a month until May 2020. Recruitment will begin soon as there has been no response to the “call” for volunteers. Please say “yes” when you get the call. It is important to get every resident of Rutland counted on the next census!

North Dakota’s Governor declared a Statewide Flood Disaster Emergency on Monday, October 21, as a steady rain dumped another 1.5 inch of precipitation on Rutland and vicinity. Water levels in the Wild Rice River and in many of the large sloughs in the area are as high, or higher, than they were during the flood disaster years of 2009, ’10 and ’11, and several Township and County roads are once again under water. It was noted that those formerly annual problem areas that were improved with the help of an 80% funding grant from the Federal Highway Administration back in 2013 are high and dry during the current flooding but would all be under water if the improvements had not been made 6 years ago. Sometimes spending money saves money, and those road improvements are an example of the truth of that axiom. The western portion of Sargent County is currently dealing with more water problems than is the east, but the excess water is adversely impacting the entire County, according to County Emergency Manager Wendy Willprecht. The Sargent County Emergency Manager’s Office; the Sargent County NDSU Extension Service Office; and, the Sargent County Public Health District; are currently assisting local units of government, farmers & ranchers and homeowners deal with the consequences of the high water. For the County Emergency Manager call 724-6241, Extension 113; for the Extension Service call 724-3355; and, for the County Health District call 724-3725. Reports are that Lenny Runyan, who resides on the old Maly farm at the top of the hills south of Rutland, has placed an order for a shipment of gopher wood, and will commence construction of an ark as soon as it arrives.

On Sunday, October 27, 2:00 p.m., the Rutland American Legion Auxiliary will “Trick or Treat” for gently used clothing (male or female), toiletries and personal care items and cash donations. Items will be donated to the Gladys Ray Shelter in Fargo.

Upcoming Rutland events: Sunday, October 27, 2 p.m. the Sargent County Farmers Union Annual Meeting in the Rutland Senior Center; Sunday, November 3, 5 p.m. the first session of Zumba will be held in Rutland City Hall sponsored by the RCC (held the first Sunday of each month); Monday, November 4, 5 p.m. Rutland City Council meeting; Monday, November 11, 5 p.m., Rutland Community Club; Saturday, December 14, Santa Day sponsored by the Rutland Community Club. Be sure to check the Rutland website for upcoming events.

That’s it from Rutland this week. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and on the Rutland blog. Keep up with events and announcements on the rutlandnd.com website and share your events by sending an email to rutlandnd@drtel.net. Later.