By Bill Anderson
The rain last Thursday & Friday, April 27 & 28, and the wind that ripped and roared through the community from Thursday April 27 through Monday, May 1, felt more like late March or early April than late April and early May, but a quick check of the calendar has confirmed that we are already into the 5th month of the year with no appreciable field work on the 2023 crop yet completed. Even though the high temperatures have only been up in the mid-50’s lately, the lengthening days have done away with most of the snow that blanketed Sargent County with a layer of the white stuff several feet deep only a few short weeks ago. The forecasted high temperature of 72 degrees for Wednesday, May 3, was the first time that the thermometer has hit the 70 mark since November 1 of last year.
Local farmers are anxious to get into the field, but some neighbors may have thought that Joe Breker was rushing the season a bit when they spotted Joe out with a self-propelled combine on recently tiled fields on the northerly 2/3 of Section 6, Twp. 129 Rge. 54 LTL, in Tewaukon Township. Joe explained that he was using the weight of the combine to level the filled trenches of the tiling project so he can plant a crop of radishes without wrecking his planter on rocks and dirt clods that were brought to the surface when the tile was installed. The radish seed won’t be ready for harvest until mid to late August. According to Joe, the tile was installed last Fall as part of “The Tri-Farmer Tile Project”, a cooperative effort that involved Joe, Dennis Pherson Jr., and Jerry Woytassek. The tile lines, once installed, allow what used to be excess spring moisture to drain away, taking alkali and other undesirable elements with it, leaving a field that can more easily be planted, and harvested. Joe says that the radishes he plants this Spring will hopefully yield seed that will be sold to other farmers to seed a soil conserving cover crop once their main cash crop, usually corn, soybeans, or wheat, has been harvested. So, although a combine on a bare field at the beginning of May might not be the conventional method of employing that particular implement, it is all part of the no-till and minimum till farming methods employed by many progressive, conservation minded farmers in this 3rd decade of the 21st Century.
Hal Nelson & Bill Anderson of this community drove up to Fargo-Moorhead on Friday, April 28 on a multi-purpose mission. Bill visited his wife, Kathy Brakke, at Lilac Homes Memory Care in Moorhead; Bill & Hal called on Joel Heitkamp at radio station KFGO AM 790 to discuss North Dakota current events and history; and they stopped in to check out preparations for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day program and exhibit that would be presented at the Fargo Air Museum at Hector Airport on Saturday & Sunday, April 29 & 30. They also checked out gas prices at a major Fargo discount store and discovered that the price there was 5 cents a gallon higher than Rutland Oil Company’s price right here at home. That will teach them to buy at home!
Sunday, April 30, was the 5th Sunday of the month, and was Pastor Julie Johnson’s day off at the TNT Parish. At the Nordland Congregation here in Rutland, lay members presented a skit about the blind beggar whose sight was restored by Jesus on the Sabbath Day. The established church leaders 2,000 years ago condemned both Jesus and the blind man for healing and being healed on the Sabbath. Actors in the skit were: Mike Wyum; Randy Pearson; Steve Wyum; Carolyn Christensen; Kathy Wyum; and Larry Christensen. Those involved delivered the message proficiently, efficiently, and effectively.
Last week it was reported here that former Rutland resident Virgil Hoistad had passed away on Tuesday, April 25, but complete information about Virgil’s life among us was not available at that time. The following information was obtained from the Bolger Funeral Home’s internet web site. Virgil Hoistad passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead MN, at the age of 94 years, 2 months and 2 weeks. Virgil Reinold Hoistad Sr. was born on February 11, 1929, to John and Mabel (Larson) Hoistad at Rutland, North Dakota. He grew up on the Hoistad family’s farm in Weber Township, southwest of Rutland, and attended school in Havana, graduating in the HHS Class of 1948. On December 21, 1952, he was united in marriage with Donnetta Gulsvig, daughter of Silas & Nora Jeanette (Trygstad) Gulsvig. In March of 1953, Virgil joined the U.S. Army, and was later stationed at Metz, France. After earning his Honorable Discharge from the Army, he & Donetta moved to Anoka, MN, where Virgil was employed by Scott-Atwater, worked part-time for Sears, was Caretaker of 4 apartment buildings, and attended welding classes at a local vocational school. Virgil & Donetta moved their growing family back to the Hoistad family’s Weber Township farmstead in 1964. Virgil farmed, drove the school bus, and later worked for the Sargent County Highway Department as an equipment operator for 25 years. He took pride in working for the county, keeping the roads checked and maintained, and in hearing positive comments about the quality of his work. Virgil was a lifelong member of Nordland Lutheran Church of Rutland. After retirement, he took up golfing, and once made a hole in one on the Forman Golf Course. He enjoyed putting jigsaw puzzles together, card playing, woodworking, shooting pool, roller skating, ice skating, and water skiing. He enjoyed watching baseball. His favorite team was the MN Twins, and he once had the opportunity to take in the MN Twins game with his two sons and two of his grandsons. Virgil loved to listen to country music, and he and Donnetta both enjoyed yodeling. Virgil is survived by his seven children: Dorreen (Alan) Olstad; Virgil Hoistad Jr. (Cynthia) Hoistad; Denise (Bill) Huckell; Karen (Jason) Medhaug; Kristine (Mike) Harris; Janelle (Curt) Hansen; and, Joel (Sandy) Hoistad; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jean Haugtvedt and Marlene (Bob) Maeser; 2 sisters-in-law, Ethel Hoistad and Lois Hoistad; and, by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Virgil was preceded in death by his wife, Donnetta, by his parents, by his in-laws, and by nine siblings. A CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland ND, with Visitation at the Church one hour prior to the service. Everyone is welcome to attend this service. For those who are unable to attend, the service will be live streamed on the Bolger Funeral Home’s website. BURIAL will be at 2 PM on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Pleasant Valley Cemetery near Kidder, South Dakota. Bolger Funeral Home of Fargo ND is in charge of arrangements. The family suggests that Memorials be directed to: Sanford Hospice, Fargo ND; Nordland Lutheran Church, Rutland ND; or, Bergman-Evenson Post #215 of The American Legion, Rutland ND.
The Rutland City Council met at 5:10 p.m. on Monday, May 1, with Mayor Mike Mahrer, Auditor Debbie Banish, and Council Members Bill Anderson and Lori McLaen present. Also present was Rutland resident Dave Young. Mr. Young discussed the tile drain that begins in the slough west of the County weed department building and extends south, across Cooper Street West (County Road #3) to County Drain #8. The Mayor suggested installing a new tile line to drain water to the west, into that part of County drain #8 that is north of Cooper Street. Council members Anderson and McLaen concurred in replacing the old drain tile with a new line extending west to County Drain #8. Mayor Mahrer will discuss the matter with the City Engineer before a final decision is made. The discussion on the water main gate valves and lead service line inventory assistance was postponed to the June meeting when the City Engineer will be present. Council Member Lysne arrived at 5:20 p.m. The City Attorney has delivered a letter to Dr. Hamilton regarding the removal of vermin from his building on Rutland’s Main Street and directing that the building either be repaired or removed. Dr. Hamilton’s response deadline was Tuesday, May 2, seven days from receipt of the letter. The Council discussed the building condition as demolition of the building is a possibility. The Council expressed its preference to save the building, if possible, as the exterior is not in as bad a shape as the interior. The ceiling is collapsing, and a portion of the floor is falling. The matter will be on the June agenda for discussion pending receipt, or lack thereof, of a response from Dr. Hamilton.
Council President arrive at 5:30 p.m.
The Mayor noted that the roof on the storage building that is situated northeast of the Rutland Town Hall, near the siren, needs roof repair. The shingles are rapidly deteriorating. Council Member Anderson reported that the concrete building was a 1930’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) project and that it was intended to serve as the City jail. To the best of anyone’s knowledge, only one prisoner was ever held in jail, for disturbing the peace during the Rutland’s Celebration & Horse Show back in 1948, and the door was never locked. The prisoner just stayed put because his jailers, the City Fathers of the day, had told him to stay there until he sobered up. The Mayor will get estimates for either new asphalt shingles or for a steel roof on the building. Saturday, May 20, was designated as City-wide cleanup day in Rutland. The Council discussed the possibility of obtaining a yard waste dumpster due to the condition of the access road into the City’s municipal waste site. In the event that a dumpster is not obtained, branches and yard waste can be brought to the City site.
The City Auditor reported that an email had been sent to 30 residents (all the City has e-mail addresses for) regarding an Automated Clearing House (ACH) option for paying water/sewer/garbage bills. Of the 30, two said no and 23 said yes. There are also other residents who may elect to use this option. It will be a significant time saver for the city when processing bill payments and when reconciling bank statements. The initial cost is $995.00 with an annual $195.00 maintenance fee cost for the ACH software. That cost would be allocated to the three enterprise fund accounts. McLaen/Erickson moved approval of the Banyon ACH software module at the cost of $1,190.00 with an anticipated start date for the June utility billing. Motion carried unanimously.
Council President Erickson reported that he had received a cost proposal for replacing the 2 south doors on the Town Hall from The Valley Glass Shop, LLC. Valley Glass proposes to install two commercial grade doors and frames for the city at a cost of $7,350.71. Anderson/Erickson moved acceptance of the proposal from The Valley Glass Shop, LLC., to remove/replace the two front doors on the Hall and to install two commercial grade doors at a cost of $7,350.71. Motion carried unanimously.
The Auditor reported that the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) final report was submitted prior to the April 30 deadline, as well as was the Snow removal disaster Grant Early Season application for the period Oct-December 2017 through 2022. The full season snow removal disaster grant application is due May 30 for the period October through April of each of those years. The annual Municipal Water System backflow report is due on May 1, and has yet to be filed. The Records Retention report is due the end of May and will include the ‘routine’ items that can be shredded/discarded. The issue of old documents such as the minutes and other items that are eligible for transfer to the State Archives will be discussed with additional information later. The Auditor also reported that Rutland City has been recognized as a 2022 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Mayor Mahrer suggested repairing the south road into the Christensen Addition, which is on the north edge of the railroad right of way. The road has been continuously used for access to the property since the 1880’s. Prior to the 1970 merger that created the Burlington Northern, the Great Northern Railway had charged the City $1.00 per year to use its right of way for the access road. Since 1970, the BN, and its successor, the South Dakota Rail Authority, has not exacted any charge for the use of its right of way. The mayor estimated that two or three loads of gravel are needed to bring the center of the roadway up to grade. It is now lower than the shoulders and holds water after a rain. The Council concurred with the mayor’s suggestion. Following a review of the City’s finances and authorizing the payment of the City’s bills, the Council adjourned at 6:10 pm. The next meeting of the Rutland City Council is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 6, at the Rutland Town Hall. All meetings of the Rutland City Council are open to the public, and Rutland residents are encouraged to stop by to observe their city’s governing board in action.
Silvia Brooks arrived back home in Rutland on the afternoon of Sunday, April 30, at the conclusion of a month long visit with family in Bakersfield CA. Silvia and Aaron had departed Rutland right after the last blizzard in March and just before the first blizzard in April, headed off to a vacation visit with members of Silvia’s family in the Bakersfield area. Aaron returned to Rutland, and back to his employment with the RayMac Company, on April 10, but Silvia stayed in California until Spring was imminent up here on the northern plains. Welcome home, Silvia and Aaron.
Kathy Wyum of Rutland and one of her sons, Jesse Wyum of Minneapolis, are planning to head for Las Vegas on Wednesday, May 3, to enjoy some of the shows in the city that never sleeps. Kathy Plans to be back in Rutland on Saturday, May 6.
The Rutland Cemetery Association’s annual meeting is scheduled to be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, in the Community Room of the Rutland Station of Stock Growers Bank. The Association will discuss repair & maintenance work that needs to be done; elect directors for the coming year; and approve a budget for the Association’s operations. If you have family members buried at the Rutland Cemetery, or own rights to burial lots at the Cemetery, you are entitled to participate at the Association’s annual meeting. Association Directors are Norbert Kulzer, Roger Pearson, Casee Carlson, Chuck Sundlie, and Paul Anderson.
The Coteau des Prairies Lodge is still taking reservations for its annual Mothers’ Day Seafood Boil that will be served on Saturday & Sunday, May 13 & 14. Mothers’ Day is on the 14th. Lodge manager, Olivia Stenvold, reported that, as of the evening of Tuesday, May 2, there were still 5 reservations available for Saturday’s 5:00 p.m. session, and 10 reservations available for the 6:30 p.m. session. On Sunday, there were still 5 reservations available for the 1:30 session, and no reservations had yet been made for the 3:00 session which had just been opened up. To make reservations or obtain additional information, give Olivia a call at 701-680-1175. Give Mom a day off from kitchen duties.
Meanwhile, the North Dakota State Legislature adjourned on Sunday, April 30, after passing nearly 600 bills, some of them bordering on lunacy and adopting a 2 year budget of $19.6 Billion. Yes, that’s right, 19.6 billion. The new budget, which applies to the 2023-2025 Fiscal Biennium, is approximately $2.4 billion larger than the current 2021-2023 Budget which was, in its turn, approximately $2.2 billion larger than its 2019-2021 predecessor. And we still can’t afford to provide a hot lunch for every public school student in the State. The recently concluded session used 75 of its Constitutionally authorized 80 business days, so it could still reconvene to pass a few more laws authorizing the imprisonment of school librarians and other desperate criminals. Perhaps Sunday School teachers need some tuning up, too.
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 remember to keep the pressure on the U. S. Postal Service and the North Dakota Congressional delegation to SAVE OUR POST OFFICE! Later
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