By Bill Anderson

To the list of things to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving weekend, add sunshine and temperatures above the freezing mark. After putting up with snow covered ice for 2 weeks, we are ready to be done with Winter and all of its 4 letter gifts: cold; wind; snow; and, a 3 letter trinket, ice. Even though the first day of Winter is still a month in the future, it will be a relief to have the Sun take away its opening salvo. Sunshine and high temperatures in the mid to upper 30’s pushing to the end of November is certainly a blessing worthy of a sincere “Thank You!” to the one providing those conditions.

Work on The Lariat Bar, getting it ready for opening day, is progressing at a steady pace according to Patty Woytassek, a member of the Board of Directors, and the point contact person between the Board and Manager Sue Kaehler. Patty reports that some unexpected glitches have delayed the bar’s projected opening from December 1 to December 8. The Lariat’s work force of bartenders, waiters & waitresses, cooks and helpers has, for the most part, been hired, and is chomping at the bit to start meeting, greeting and serving customers. To the list of those who were workers at The Lariat Bar last week, the names of Janice Christensen, Denny Pherson, Jerry Woytassek, Nick McLaen, Dennis McLaen, Trent Nelson, Mike Nadler, Calvin Jacobson and Zach Jacobson have to be added. Janice, who had the building constructed back in 2009, was providing technical advice to those making modifications and connecting essential equipment; Denny was the “Go-Fer,” running for parts, supplies and, when necessary, lunch; Jerry & Nick were toting & hauling; Dennis delivered a new safe, although it is not clear whether or not he stocked its shelves; Calvin & Zach were servicing the cooler behind the bar; Trent was installing a new service window between the main barroom and the back room; and, Mike had been called in to move the electric line that was discovered to be in the center of the new service window. Patty also reports that a new, commercial, dishwasher has been acquired from the Brenco Co. of Fargo. Brenco will also be coming in to power scrub the floors and apply sealant prior to Opening Day. According to Patty, the Lariat has been an exciting place for the past few weeks, with vendors, suppliers, workers, and sidewalk supervisors coming and going. She says that, as much as possible, supplies will be obtained locally. Arrangements are being made to obtain most groceries through Central Grocery of Forman; potatoes will be supplied by Heimbuch Potato Farm of Cogswell; and, some meats, including Mark Wyum’s favorite hot dogs, will be acquired from Fairmount Meat Locker of Fairmount. Keep your eyes & ears open for any changes in the Opening Day schedule, but Sue & Patty are pretty confident that December 8^th will be the date.

One date is certain, and that is Saturday, December 17, as the date for Rutland’s 77^th Annual Santa Claus Day at the Rutland Town Hall. Activities are scheduled to commence at 5:00 p.m. with a visit from Jolly Old St. Nick during which children of all ages will be afforded the opportunity to tell Santa how good they have been during the past year, and to review their list of Christmas requests with him. There will also be a supper, games and the award of Christmas hams donated by Rutland businesses. Following Santa’s visit, everyone will have the opportunity to sample the products and hospitality of The Lariat Bar. Santa Claus is coming to town!

It was reported in the November 11 edition of this column that longtime Rutland resident Renee Cramton had passed away on Sunday, November 6, in Fargo. The memorial service for Renee Cramton was at 2:00p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland. Rev. Julie Johnson officiated at the service. Visitation was from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11, at the church, with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service. Private family inurnment of Renee’s cremains will take place at a later date. Renee Sheila Cramton was born April 1, 1945, in Sioux Falls SD to Martin and Elizabeth (Pullman) Erickson. She grew up on the family farm near Bridgewater SD and graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1963. Renee worked at the Sears Store in Sioux Falls for a period of time and later was employed at Northwest Bank, also in Sioux Falls. On March 8th, 1964, Renee married Arthur ‘Junior’ Kieper in Bridgewater. They made their home in Sioux Falls. Junior passed away on April 14th, 1979. On June 20, 1981, Renee was united in marriage with Earl Cramton at Sioux Falls SD. They made their home in Rutland. Earl was employed by the Melroe Co, later the Bobcat Co. in Gwinner ND, until his retirement in 2010. Earl passed away in February of 2013. Renee was a member of the Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland, where she was an active participant in the ELCW, Altar Guild, and also taught Sunday School. She was community minded, as was evidenced by her active participation in the Rutland Community Club, including volunteering to make lefse, and do other work, for Rutland’s Uffda Day. She was one of a group of church ladies who sewed quilts for community and foreign missions. She was also a 4H Leader for 29 years. In her free time, Renee enjoyed being a homemaker, gardening and camping with her husband and children while vacationing in the Black Hills. She was an avid quilter and sewer, making many quilts and blankets for family and friends. Most of all, though, Renee also enjoyed a cup of coffee with a friend, old or new. Renee passed away Sunday, November 6th, 2022, at Sanford Hospice House in Fargo ND, at the age of 77 years, 7 months and 5 days. She is survived by five children: Mike Kieper of Forman; Michelle (Ed) Asfeld of Fleming CO; Matt (Nicole) Cramton of Ramsey MN; Mark (Kim) Cramton of Fargo ND; Jim (Jessica Pieper) Cramton of Bemidji MN; five grandchildren: Julie, Steven and Paul Asfeld; and Luella and Martin Cramton; one sister: De Wiskur of Brookings SD; a number of cousins, nieces, nephews and their families; and a host of friends. Preceding her in death were her parents; her first husband, Junior Kieper; her husband, Earl Cramton; and, a brother, Loyal Erickson. The Price Funeral Chapel of Forman ND assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Mark Cramton, 1417 10th St. N, Fargo ND 58102. The Rutland community extends its condolences to the family and friends of Renee Cramton, a woman of great courage, strength and endurance who fought the good fight to the end, and whose example inspired all who knew her.

Some upcoming events in Rutland include: Nordland Lutheran Sunday School Christmas Program at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 4, at the Nordland Lutheran Church Sanctuary on Cooper Street in Rutland; Rutland City Council meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 5, at the Rutland Town Hall; Lariat Bar Opening Day on Thursday, December 8 at The Lariat Bar on Main Street; Rutland Community Club meeting at a time to be determined on Monday, December 12, at the Rutland Town Hall; and, Santa Claus’ 77^th Annual Pre-Christmas visit to Rutland on Santa Claus Day 2022, at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, at the Rutland Town Hall, come one and come all.

Meanwhile, on the national scene, The GOP’s slim majority in the U. S. House of Representatives is banking on most voters having short memories. Prior to the November 8^th election, the 3 big issues were: inflation; crime; and the border. Less than 2 weeks after the election, though, Republican Congressmen announced that their 3 big issues were going to be: investigate Hunter Biden; investigate Joe Biden; and investigate anyone who gets in their way. Inflation, crime and the border are not only off the table, it turns out that the GOP never had any plans for dealing with any of those matters, anyway. How about that? Well, the Democrats in the House & Senate, along with President Biden, had already taken action to address inflation and crime when the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 was enacted by the Congress and signed by the President last Summer. That only left the border to contend with, and that can be ignored until 2024, because the Republicans have no plan to address it, and don’t intend to cooperate with any Democrats to address it. Remember the Affordable Care Act of 2022, also known as the ACA? The Republicans promised to repeal and replace it back in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 & 2017. They came within 1 vote of repealing it in 2017, but never had a replacement plan. So, the lesson is: If you want to know what the GOP is not going to do, just go back and check out what they said that they were going to do before the last election. Inflation, crime and the border – good talking points for GOP politicians, but no plan produced, and no action expected.

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 during the Christmas Holiday Season and remember to keep the pressure on the U.S. Postal Service and the North Dakota Congressional delegation to SAVE OUR POST OFFICE! Later.