By Bill Anderson

Mother Nature has been sparing of rain so far this year, but more than generous in the supply of wind provided to her loyal patrons in Sargent County. The rain that fell on Rutland and vicinity last Wednesday & Thursday, May 19 & 20, measured between .18 and .38 of an inch, depending on whose rain gauge you checked, but the 40 to 50 mph winds of Monday & Tuesday, May 24 & 25, whisked most of it away to parts unknown before it could be utilized by thirsty crops. Well, Memorial Day weekend is coming up, and, as the old-timers often observed, if we don’t get rain over Memorial Day, “Katy bar the door!” as the Summer is likely to be long, dry and hot. Of course, once in a while the old-timers were wrong. Let’s hope so!

Some Rutland folks have already rung up 2021 as a success. Larry Christensen of this community reports that his brother, Leo, now a resident of Papillion NE, a suburb of Omaha, called on Thursday, May 20, to inform his younger brother that he had just hit a hole-in-one on a par 3 hole on a golf course near Papillion. In keeping with the ancient tradition regarding such things, Leo bought a round at the clubhouse for everyone who was at the course at the time of his accomplishment. Skill finally triumphed over luck. Leo is one of the sons of the late Fred & Laura Christensen of Rutland. He is a 1961 graduate of RHS, a combat veteran of the USMC and a longtime employee of North Central/Republic/ Northwest/Delta Airlines, first in Fargo and later in Omaha. His wife, Gayle, is a daughter of the late Floyd & Salina Arneson of this community. Leo’s old friends in Rutland extend their congratulations to him, and expect to hear the complete story the next time he visits in his old home town.

Things are looking up on the covid-19 pandemic front, too. No dramatic holes-in-one, but steady progress provides the encouragement. The following report was received from Sargent County Public Health District Administrator Brenda Peterson on Monday, May 24: “the state is recommending we follow CDC guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/participate-in-activities.html If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities that you did before the pandemic, without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. This is different in health care settings also. The link to the website may be your best option for scientific data. I understand the studies have found vaccinated people are not carriers, but that is just my unscientific generalization. 

We are vaccinating weekly and we are finding new arms each week, but at a much slower rate. We are at 55.9% with one dose coverage and 53.7% up to date. We have 4 active cases according to the ND dashboard. (That’s down from 7 two weeks ago.) We are also vaccinating several that work in Sargent County but live in other counties, which helps to slow the spread. …” Thanks to Administrator Peterson for the report. To make an appointment for a covid-19 vaccination, call: Sargent County Public Health @ 724-3725; Forman Drug @ 724-6222; or, Sanford Clinic @ 742-3267. Stay healthy, be safe and stay connected.

The way Rutland folks have been heading to the hospital this past week, the community may soon qualify for group rates from Fargo healthcare providers. Yvonne Johnson was in Sanford Hospital from Thursday, May 20, to Saturday, May 22, recuperating from a nosebleed that wouldn’t quit; Joanne Harris spent from Friday, May 21, to Monday, May 24, in Essentia Hospital, recovering from a stomach ailment; Sharon Lock was also in Essentia from Tuesday, May 18, to Saturday, May 22, with a stomach ailment; and, Dianna Anderson was taken to Essentia Hospital on Saturday, May 22, for treatment of injuries sustained from a fall down a stairway at the Kenny & Tanya Hamilton home. She had surgery to repair a fracture in her shoulder on Monday, May 24, and is reported to be doing well. Their many friends here wish Yvonne, Joanne, Sharon and Dianna speedy recoveries and returns to their homes here.

Four members of the SCHS Class of ’70: Janet (Breker) Kiefer of Cayuga; Allison (Hoflen) Glarum of Fargo; Rita (Grammond) Trygstad of Redfield SD; and, Mary (Faye) Kerbaugh of Fargo; gathered in Cayuga on Saturday, Sunday & Monday, May 22-24, for an annual reunion of old friends. In previous years, they have gotten together on Memorial Day weekend to decorate family graves and to catch up on events in their lives, but schedules required moving their gathering to the weekend before Memorial Day this year. Back in the 60’s, they were all girls together. Now, they are all Grandmas together.

Rutland native Mike Kulzer, now a resident of Fargo, was a visitor in his old home town on Tuesday & Wednesday, May 25 & 26, residing in his mobile home on Bagley Street, across from the Rutland Fire Hall. Mike reported that he has spent several days out at Washburn ND this spring, assisting his son, Jeff, with spring planting and entertaining the grandchildren. Mike said that there had been no measurable precipitation at Washburn since July of 2020, but that about an inch and a half of rain had been received there in the past week. Conditions in western North Dakota were bleak, said Mike, but the situation looks a little more encouraging now. It’s amazing what a little rain can do, for crops and for attitudes. Mike said that he and Diane are planning to visit their eldest son, Chad, at his home in New Richmond WI over the Memorial Day weekend.

Due to continuing concerns about covid-19, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Rutland Community Club will not be having the usual Memorial Day program and dinner at the Rutland Town Hall this year. The American Legion Post will, however, perform military rites on the morning of Memorial Day, Monday, May 31: at 10:15 a.m. at the Nordland Cemetery 2 miles east and ½ mile south of town; and, at 10:30 a.m. at the Rutland Cemetery on the east edge of town. The plan is that all 3 components: the military rites; the Memorial Day program; and, the traditional pot-luck dinner; will all be back for Memorial Day in 2022.

Upcoming events in Rutland include: Memorial Day observances at Rutland area cemeteries on the morning of Monday, May 31; United Blood Services June blood drive, commencing at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1, in the Rutland Town Hall; Rutland City Council meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 7, in the Rutland Town Hall; Rutland Community Block Party commencing at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, in the City Park adjacent to the Rutland Town Hall; first Farmers Market of 2021 commencing at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 13, in the City Park adjacent to the Rutland Town Hall; and, Rutland Community Club meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 14, at the Rutland Town Hall.

Meanwhile, on the national scene, amid all of the political controversies, disagreements and hijinks, Americans are preparing to honor the memories of those who have honorably served in their nation’s military services and have now gone to their eternal reward. We do this to remind ourselves of where we Americans came from; of what we have been; and, of who we are. We do this to honor the service and sacrifice of those who have gone before us, and to remind ourselves of our duties and responsibilities as Americans. So, as we pay our respects and enjoy our holiday, we should remember that freedom is not free, and that the price of our freedom was paid by those who have gone before us. The price of freedom has to be paid by every generation that expects to enjoy its blessings, and to pass on the opportunity to the next generation. The lives of our honored dead are given meaning when we, the living, rededicate ourselves to the great cause to which they gave their allegiance and, in some cases, the last full measure of devotion. “Lest we forget…”

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 the community’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com, and take a look at the Rutland Facebook page while you’re at it, too. Don’t forget to patronize your local Post Office, and don’t forget to keep the pressure on the U. S. Postal service and the North Dakota Congressional delegation to SAVE OUR POST OFFICE! Later.