By Bill Anderson

“Heat wave!” “Sweltering Heat!” Searing Heat!” “Hotter than the Sheriff’s pistol in a Roy Rogers movie!” “Hotter than the hinges of Hades!” All of the preceding descriptive phrases could have been used to describe the weather conditions that accompanied the first 4 days of September. The heat was accompanied by oppressive humidity that made conditions even more uncomfortable. According to Alexa, the little know-it-all who lives in the Echo Dot, between June 1 and September 4, Rutland & vicinity experienced 31 days with a temperature of 90 or above, and 4 days of 100 degree temperatures. That was not a record, however. There were 54 days with the temperature over 90 degrees back in 1988. Well, according to the weather experts on TV, we’re not done with hot weather, yet, but it is unlikely that we will experience any more days above 90 in 2023. Unlikely, but not impossible. Stand by!

Between 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 4, and 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 6, there was a 40 degree drop in the temperature reading. From summer’s heat to autumn’s cool in only 36 short hours. If you don’t like the weather right now, just wait a minute, it’ll change.

The following report on preparations for Uff-Da Day XXXVIII, coming up on Sunday, October 1, has been received from Rutland Community Club President Katie McLaen. “Looking for help for the following: Lefse making dates on September 12th 9am & at 6pm; and, on September 18th 9am & 6pm. Goodie dates: Sandkaker on September 25th at 9am and 1pm; Krumkakke on September 29^th.  A Community Club meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 11th of September, at 5:30 pm at the Rutland Town Hall. Some Uffda Day events to look forward to: Authentic Scandinavian Hall Meal, tractor pull, nickel scramble, parade, car show, lariat bar drink specials, bounce houses, 30+ vendors, and more.” Thanks to Katie McLaen and the Rutland Community Club for the information about Uff-Da Day XXXVIII, coming up on Sunday, October 1, in Rutland ND. 

Cameron Gulleson reports that he has been custom harvesting near Mott in western North Dakota for the Past month, and that he estimates he has at least another two weeks of work out there. The primary crop Cam has been harvesting is Spring Wheat, but he has also been harvesting some canola, as well. The wheat crop out west has been quite good this year, according to Cam, with most of it yielding in excess of 60 bushels to the acre, and some as high as 80 bushels to the acre. The canola has been full of weeds, and difficult to cut he says, but it, too, has been yielding well. Canola usually runs in the 1,000 to 1,500 pounds to the acre range, but this year it is running from 2,500 pounds to 3,000 pounds to the acre. Cam expects to be back home with trucks, combines and crew sometime around the middle of September.

The Jerry Sapa Memorial Golf Scramble was held at the Forman Golf Course on Saturday, August 25. Jerry’s sister, Jeannie Seifert of Fargo, reports that 18 teams, a total of 72 golfers, participated in this year’s event. Jerry passed away in February of 2020, and his friends have been keeping his memory alive by participating in one of Jerry’s favorite activities, the game of golf, each year since then.

Mr. Tom Staehnke of Jackson CA stopped in at the Rutland Seniors’ Center during the Noon dinner session on Wednesday, August 30. Mr. Staehnke was searching for information about his ancestors, Martin & Augusta Staehnke who settled in the Rutland/Havana area in the late 19^th or early 20^th Century. He states that his current home town, Jackson, is in the foothills of the mountain range east of Sacramento CA. He said that the heavy rains that inundated much of California earlier this year were very welcome, ending, or at least pausing, a decade long drought. If anyone has information about the Staehnke family in this area, Tom requests that they contact him at: Tom H. Staehnke, PO Box 478, Plymouth CA 95669. Tom’s e-mail address is: allcomtelecominc@gmail.com. Tom did make contact with a cousin, Gary Thornberg of this community, and took a tour of the area with Gary as his guide on Wednesday afternoon.

A letter from Mr. John J. Friederick of the United States Postal Service concerning the new location for the Rutland Post Office was received on Monday, August 28, 2023, and is posted on the bulletin board in the lobby of the U.S. Post Office in Forman. The letter states that the Postal Service intends to relocate the Rutland Post Office to facilities at 202 First Street, at the corner of First and Arthur Streets in Rutland. The new location is across Main Street from The Stock Growers Bank’s Rutland Station. The Postal Service proposes to occupy approximately 750 square feet of the building for the new Rutland Post Office. A lease between the building’s owner, Rodney Erickson, and the U.S. Postal Service has already been signed. Don’t hold your breath, but we just might have a new Post Office in Rutland before the end of the year.

Matt & Nicole Cramton invited friends here to join them at the “Coteau des Prairies Lodge on Friday & Saturday, September 1 & 2, the occasion being their 10^th Anniversary. Matt & Nicole and their children, Louella and Martin, make their home in New Brighton MN. Matt is employed by the Anoka MN Municipal Water Department. He is a 2001 graduate of Sargent Central High School and a 2004 veteran of the Iraq War.

Joel Susag hosted friends and family at his 70^th birthday party at the Rutland Seniors’ Center on the morning of Monday, September 4, Labor Day. Guests enjoyed cake & ice cream prepared by Joel’s sister, Caroline (Susag) Story of Park City MT and a cousin, Allison Hoflen of West Fargo. Among the guests from out of town were two of Joel’s brothers, David Susag of Fargo and Ivan Susag of Hawley MN. The Susag boys and girls grew up on the Susag Farm 1 mile west of town. The Susag farm has been part of The Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge since the early 1970’s. Joel is the only member of the Susag family who still makes his home in Rutland.

Meanwhile, on the national scene, North Dakota’s Governor, Doug Burgum, can’t seem to get his Presidential campaign off the ground. Perhaps the Governor should consider attempting to overthrow the Federal Government, or, inciting a riot at the Nation’s Capitol, in order to engage with the GOP electorate. That course seems to be working for one of Burgum’s opponents, former President Donald Trump. Mr. Trump’s popularity has increased within the Republican Party with each criminal indictment that has been directed at him by State and Federal Courts. So far, Mr. Trump has accumulated 4 indictments containing 90 specific allegations of criminal activity. It used to be that the “Law & Order” slogan had resonance among Republicans, but it now appears to be “Crime & Disorder” that thrills them. At this point, it seems to be unlikely that even conviction and imprisonment would derail Mr. Trump’s Primary Election campaign train. There is precedence for a candidate to conduct a Presidential campaign even while serving time in prison. Eugene V. Debs ran as the Socialist Party’s candidate for the Presidency back in 1920, while he was in the Federal Penitentiary at Atlanta GA, serving time for a violation of the Federal Espionage Act. Mr. Debs received more than 919,000 write-in votes for President that year, the highest number ever received by a candidate carrying the Socialist banner. Which candidate will be nominated, and which nominee will be elected in 2024 remain to be seen, but no one should underestimate the Trump cult’s ability to rouse up fanatical passion and irrational devotion among Mr. Trump’s disciples. Gov. Doug Burgum could just as well hang up his Presidential dreams for this cycle. He needs more time to develop his political instincts and sharpen his criminal skills if he expects to survive in the GOP as it currently exists. Well, time eventually ends all passions and ambitions, and, as one philosopher once noted, “When life’s chess match is over, the Kings and the pawns both end up in the same box.” So, there is hope that justice will prevail once again and that government of, by and for the people will be preserved in America, after all.

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.