The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Virtual Musclewalk was Saturday, September 5, and Royce & Piper’s Rad Posse of friends and family members could be seen in their bright blue T-shirts as they walked through Rutland.  The Nelson’s, Maloney’s, Jacobson’s, Christensen’s, and other Rutland residents took time on the sunny afternoon to support the cause. This year’s event was done virtually due to the pandemic and they hope to have the MDA in-person walk again in 2021. The Rutland fundraising effort raised nearly $4000.00 to support MDA.  Congratulations to the Rad Posse for their annual participation and fundraising!

On Sunday, September 6, the Nordland Lutheran Church congregation welcomed Pastor Julie Johnson who began her ministry with the TNT Parish. The TNT Parish is comprised of Nordland Lutheran in Rutland along with Trinity Lutheran Church in Forman and Trinity Lutheran in Havana. Pastor Julie is a familiar face to many from this area where she grew up, but it has been over 40 years since she lived here. Her parents were Orville and Lila Nelson, who owned a farm not far from Silver Lake. Pastor Julie graduated from Sargent Central High School and then moved from the area. She has three children who live in Fargo. Pastor Julie most recently served the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church congregation in Hillsboro, ND. Welcome back home Pastor Julie!

The First Iowa Division of the North American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA) hosted a two-day motor car excursion in North and South Dakota. They excursion over the Aberdeen Subdivision of the Dakota Missouri Valley & Western Railroad (formerly Great Northern Railroad) started at Britton, South Dakota. On Sunday, the group headed east of Aberdeen and back to Britton before heading toward Geneseo, ND, that afternoon. The Sunday tour took them to Cayuga for a brief stop and then on to Geneseo for the turnaround back to Britton. Monday morning the caravan of putt-putt cars arrived in Rutland and the group of about 20 participants stopped to warm up and have coffee and a light snack at the Rutland Senior Center. The motor car caravan has been making the rounds through the area for several years and they plan to continue to come back again next year. The rail speeder – also known as a jigger, crew car, track-maintenance car, trike, quad, trolley, or inspection car – dates back to at least 1896 when the gasoline-powered car was created. The vehicle, with a speed of 15 mph, was used to help the maintenance of way crews and track inspectors move quickly to and from the railroad work sites. The car is called a speeder because it was faster than the handcar used as the time. The speeders that visited Rutland were refurbished by their owners. NARCOA operates in the U.S. and Canada and sponsors excursions that vary from a one-day 25-mile trip to multi-day, 1000-mile trips that cover several states and provinces.

The last Rutland Farmers Market will be held on Sunday, September 13, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park. Diggers BBQ will be set up so come for supper. There will also be an opportunity have pressure canner gauges tested so be sure to bring your gauge! Anyone can sell and everyone can buy. Come get your fresh garden produce before it is gone!

Monday, September 14, the Rutland City Council will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. on the 2021 City Budget. Following the public hearing, the Council will convene its regular monthly meeting. Tuesday, the Rutland Community Club meets at 5 p.m. for its monthly meeting to plan activities and events for the coming months. Stop in for either or both of the meetings that are open to anyone.

That is it for the news from Rutland this week. Stay up to date on what is happening in town by checking the Rutland website at http://www.rutlandnd.com or follow the news on the Rutland Facebook page.