October 23, 2020

By Bill Anderson

Mother Nature told Rutland and vicinity that “Enough is enough!” last week as she flipped the switch and turned off the pleasant autumn weather that had lulled some into thinking that Winter might never arrive this year. Old Man Winter hasn’t made his entrance, yet, but the sub-freezing temperatures at night, along with some cold rain showers, and even some light snow showers, are the calling cards announcing his intention to pay a visit in the near future. The cooler weather, along with harvest action, has livened up the whitetail deer bow hunting season, though, as more deer have gotten in the mood and are on the move. Jesse Brakke, with the advice and assistance of his great-nephew, Brody Mahrer, bagged a nice 4-point buck on the old Carl Christianson Farm in the SE¼ of Section 16 in Ransom Township last week, and other bow hunters have also reported success in the past several days. Those afield with shotguns, seeking the elusive ringneck pheasant have also been reporting good shooting in recent days. With nearly all of the soybeans and much of the corn in this area harvested and in the bin, the birds are now showing up and surrendering to their pursuers. The hunter still has to shoot straight, and the assistance of a good dog adds to the chances of success, but 2020 is shaping up to be the best year for pheasants in this area for quite some time.

Joe Breker reported that harvest activities on the Breker Farm south of Rutland wrapped up last week, the earliest harvest conclusion in many years. Joe said that all of the corn was dry enough to put in the bin right out of the field, eliminating the cost of drying that often adds to the expense of harvest. Joe practices “No Till Farming,” so his Fall tillage is done, too.

The big news in Rutland this week is, THE LARIAT BAR IS BACK! After seven months on the deceased list, the Lariat was open for business on Friday, October 16, with Peter & Michelle Denault at the helm. It was like a homecoming for the regulars, who settled into their appropriately socially distanced barstools as if the past several months had been nothing but a bad dream. The Denaults are from Abercrombie ND, and are residing in the Rutland RV Park, just east of The Lariat, until they get settled in. The kitchen is not yet open, but they expect that food service will resume by the time of their Grand Opening sometime in November. The Rutland community extends a hearty welcome to Peter & Michelle Denault and wishes them all the best in their new endeavor.

Wedding bells were ringing at the Coteau des Prairies Lodge on the afternoon of Saturday, October 17, as Miss Adrienne Jacobson, daughter of Calvin & Wendy Jacobson of this community, exchanged marriage vows with Mr. Brad Carman of Maple Grove MN. The bride’s twin brothers, Julian & Justin Jacobson, officiated at the ceremony. A reception for family and guests was held at the Lodge, followed by a dance and lunch at the Rutland Town Hall. Music was provided by Robin Adams of Lisbon. The newlyweds will be making their home at Maple Grove, where the bride is practicing veterinary medicine and the groom is employed as a computer consultant. The couple’s many friends in the Rutland community extend congratulations to them on the occasion of their marriage, and best wishes for a long and happy life together. Thanks to the bride’s aunt, Pam Maloney, for the information in this report.

The Rev. Julie Johnson was installed as Pastor of Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland, Trinity Lutheran Church in Havana, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Forman with rites of installation at each of the three congregations on the morning of Sunday, October 18. Pastor Johnson is a daughter of the late Orville & Lila Nelson, and she grew up on the Nelson family farm in Rutland Township. She is well known in this community, and this community knows her well. Welcome home to Pastor Julie Johnson.

Meanwhile, on the national scene, as of Friday, October 23, there are eleven days until Election Day 2020, and 89 days remaining until Inauguration Day, January 20, 2021. Both of the Major Party candidates for the U.S. Presidency are expected to be campaigning hot and heavy right up to Election Day, and probably beyond. The incumbent President wants four more years to complete the work of sowing discord and chaos here at home, dismantling America’s global alliances abroad, and turning the economic and political leadership of the world over to China and Russia, while his opponent, former Vice-President Joe Biden, wants the next four years to put Humpty-Dumpty back together again. That was a job that was too big for all the King’s horses and all the King’s men, but Joe is willing to tackle it. May God bless the United States of America, and have mercy on those who believe, as Abraham Lincoln believed, that this country is still “…the last best hope of humanity.” With a little bit of luck, we will still be able to say that after November 3.

For more information about what is going on in the little city that can, check out the community’s internet web site at http://www.rutlandnd.com, and stop by the Rutland Facebook page while you’re at it, too. Remember to patronize your local Post Office, and don’t forget to keep the pressure on the U. S. Postal Service and North Dakota’s Congressional delegation to SAVE OUR POST OFFICE! Later