It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Rutland thanks to the elves who installed the new snowflake lights along First Street. Last week, Jake Erickson and Evan Huemiller hung the decorations while Nick McLaen actually read the instructions on how they were to be installed. (We know guys do not usually read the instructions first, right gals!). A huge thanks also goes to the Rutland Community Club which purchased the decorations earlier this year. The Christmas lights will light up the night for residents and visitors alike for several weeks.

The coronavirus has been cutting a swath through North Dakota for the past several weeks, and it has not passed Rutland by. Roger Pearson of this community has been in the hospital battling the effects of the virus, plus pneumonia, since Thursday, December 3. As of Monday, December 7, he was at Sanford Hospital on Broadway in Fargo. Roger said that the nurses had him sitting in a recliner, drinking Coca-Cola and watching TV, so it was almost like being home. Roger is a member of RHS Class of 1958.

Larry Christensen reports that his cousin, Rutland native Ed Christensen of Bismarck, was recently released from the hospital there, after being besieged by Covid-19 for several weeks. Ed is a 1961 graduate of RHS. 

Rutland native Dr. Gary Narum is recuperating at the home of his daughter, Amy Narum, in the Twin Cities after suffering a fall in his lake home at Bad Medicine Lake in Minnesota in early November. Dr. Narum is a member of RHS Class of ’60. He retired as Vice-President for Student Affairs at NDSU in Fargo about 14 years ago. Dr. Narum has always maintained himself in excellent physical condition, and the exact cause of his fall has not yet been determined. His many friends in Rutland wish him a speedy recovery and return to his normal, active life style.

Nordland Lutheran Church Parishioners approved the kitchen remodel and the Church is seeking help to clean out cupboards & drawers to get ready for demolition and remodeling. There has also been an anonymous donation of $100 with a challenge to other members of the congregation to donate what they can towards the project. Watch for information on the project.

The Rutland City Council met on Monday, December 7, for the last meeting of 2020. There have been no applicants for the City Public Works position so the City will solicit bids for street snow removal as needed for the winter. President Mahrer was elected as the small city representative on the Sargent County Job Development Authority through December 6, 2022. The Lariat Bar and Grill beer and liquor license was approved for six months, January through June 2021. The financial reports and payment of bills were approved. The City Auditor reported that the City will receive $1,500.00 from the County for COVID relief, the Tree City USA 2021 application will be submitted this month, and the application for cost-share reimbursement for the tree removals done this fall will also be submitted. Mayor Mahrer reported that the City is waiting for State approval of the Lagoon samples in order to drain the Lagoon and do a cell transfer. Council Member Siemieniewski announced that the December 7^th meeting is her last official meeting as a Council Member. Her letter of resignation, due to moving out of the City, will be sent in later this month. Council Member Bert Siemieniewski has served on the City Council since June 2008. The Council thanked Bert for her years of service to the City. The Council will seek a resident to fill the vacancy until the next election, when the position will be on the 2022 ballot for a two-year term. The City Council will meet again next year on January 4, 2021.

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will not be travelling through the area this year but CP will be hosting a virtual concert in lieu of the typical CP Holiday Train. The Live Holiday Train event will be on Saturday, December 12th, starting at 7 p.m. CST, on Facebook Live. The event, hosted by The Big Pineapple Music Festival 2020, will raise money and awareness and help local food banks collect much-needed donations. Serena Ryder and The Trews will headline the CP “Holiday Train at Home” concert, which will also feature performances by JoJo Mason, Logan Staats and Kelly Prescott. CP will make a donation to the local food bank that they funded the last time the CP Holiday Train visited. With the “Holiday Train at Home” concert, CP also hopes to inspire donations even though local shows won’t occur. Viewers looking to donate will be directed to Food Banks Canada and Feeding America, the national organizations that support community food banks in their respective countries.

Mother Nature has been nice so far this year. Finally, something good is happening in 2020; however, we know that winter will soon blow through and bring colder weather. Get those Christmas packages wrapped soon, cards out, baked goods ready, but be sure to find time to relax! Stay up to date on Rutland events and activities by checking the website and Facebook pages for updates.