By Bill Anderson

Ahhh, September! Clear, cool, starlit skies at night, followed by warm, sun filled days. The long, hot days of Summer are finally behind us; The long, cold nights of Winter are still ahead of us; and the comfortable embrace of September is ours to enjoy for a few more days or weeks, depending on the whims of Mother Nature. For the first time since May, the morning temperature stood at 39 degrees on Wednesday, September 13. According to the TV weather gurus, temperatures are expected to be back up into the low 80’s for the 3^rd week of the month, but Wednesday’s 39-degree reading is a harbinger of things to come. As the late Clayton McLaen used to warn, “There are two seasons in North Dakota: Winter; and, getting ready for Winter.” The Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting another tough Winter ahead, so, it’s time to follow Clayton’s advice, and get ready!

Rutland natives John & Theresa Gulleson of Casselton ND & Peder & Connie Gulleson of Bismarck ND hosted a gathering of cousins from this area, and cousins from Norway at the Coteau des Prairies Lodge on the evening of Monday, September 4. Jon Erdik & spouse, Elizabeth Odegard-Erdik; and Esther Odegard; of Korgen, Norway, accompanied John & Theresa on a tour through Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, visiting family and friends on the way. Esther and Elizabeth are relatives of the late Clara (Mrs. Martin) Gulleson of this community. Esther is Clara’s niece and Elizabeth is Esther’s daughter. While at The Lodge they enjoyed a traditional North Dakota pot-luck supper, and treated the hosts to authentic “krinalefse,” a specialty of the Korgen area that is made by sandwiching butter & sugar between 2 layers of thick lefse and topping it with a mixture of thickened cream and sugar. The Gullesons remembered Grandma Clara making it for them when they were young.  Following their visit to Rutland, they intended to visit the ND State Capitol and the ND Heritage Center in Bismarck; Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Medora Musical at Medora ND; and Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota; before returning to Minneapolis to catch their flight back to Norway. Korgen is in the far northern territory of Norway, near the Arctic Circle.

The Board of Managers of Rutland Improvement LLC d/b/a The Lariat Bar sent the following message to investors on Thursday, September 7, informing them of some upcoming changes at The Lariat. “Thanks to everyone for your continued support for the Lariat Bar. As you know, Shawna submitted her resignation, effective September 30th. As a board, we have been considering options for managing day-to-day operations at the Lariat and have made the decision to support a structure that includes a kitchen supervisor and bar supervisor(s). We are pleased to share that Sara Hernandez has accepted the kitchen supervisor position and Stacy Barber and Nicole Flannery will share bar supervisor duties. Patti Woytassek will continue to serve as the board liaison and the supervisors will report to her. Tremendous thanks to Patti for her willingness to serve in this role, which requires a considerable commitment of time!

We are pleased to be able to tap into the talent and skills of existing staff to manage the bar and we have assured them that our goal is to ensure that everyone has the ability to retain their hours, recognizing that with the departure of staff in the coming weeks there will need to be discussions and adjustment to some schedules to assure adequate coverage. We are currently working to ensure a smooth transition, including finalizing job descriptions and division of responsibilities for the supervisors, job descriptions for everyone that is employed at the bar, establishing a monthly work schedule, and capturing a full list and schedule of vendors who service the bar. We are optimistic that the changes ahead will be positive for employees and for the bar overall. To make it work, it will require everyone to work together in the true spirit of teamwork and with respect for one another. We are also challenging staff to come up with ways to increase revenue and hold down costs, including hunting season specials, hosting of holiday events and more. We look forward to a fun and productive fall! Regards, Paul Anderson, Chairman RILLC

Three dove hunting companions from the Twin Cities area: Chuck Juntunen; Adam Juntunen; and Frank Flett; joined friends Rob Wyum, Mark Wyum and Bill Anderson of this community at the Lariat Bar for lunch at Noon on Friday, September 8. The three hunters were planning a Mourning Dove hunt in the Sheyenne grasslands east of Lisbon for the weekend of September 8 through 10. They also intend to be back in this area during the month of October for some duck, goose and pheasant hunting.

Dana Wyum was at work brightening up Rutland’s Main Street on Monday, September 11, in preparation for Uff-Da Day XXXVIII by repainting the mural on the front of the old Franzen Hardware/Kulzer Hardware/Flados Hardware/Laundromat building. It is apparent that Dana is a talented artist, and her efforts are appreciated by all.

On Saturday, September 9, a group of ladies from this community: Beverly Kulzer, Rutland; Joanne Harris, Rutland; Kathy Wyum, Rutland; Janet Kiefer, Cayuga; Jackie Peterson, Havana; and, Judy Silseth, Havana; drove over to Park Rapids MN to take in the Carole King Tribute Concert at the Jasper Theater there. Jackie’s brother, Kent “Biff” Karsh, is a bass player and vocalist in the band. The ladies report that the concert was excellent, and that they had a very enjoyable time.

Steve Sandvig of Indianapolis IN was a guest at the Coteau des Prairies Lodge on the evening of Monday, September 11. Mr. Sandvig is an author and is doing research on a book about early settlers in the Coteau des Prairies region of North Dakota and South Dakota that he is now writing. Mr. Sandvig had previously published a work of historical fiction about the Dakota Sioux uprising of 1862. Joe Breker, Mr. Sandvig’s host at The Lodge, and Bill Anderson of this community met with Mr. Sandvigat The Lariat Bar on the evening of Monday, September 11, to discuss his upcoming book while enjoying a delicious supper prepared in The Lariat’s kitchen by Chef Kaden. Mr. Sandvig is a native of Aberdeen SD, and he says that his family owns 3 cabins at Pickerel Lake where he headquarters when in this area.

With the arrival of cooler weather, we are reminded that the season for covid-19, RSV, influenza, and other respiratory illnesses will soon be upon us. The following message was received from Sargent County’s Public Health District Administrator, Brenda Peterson, on Monday, September 11: “Our first flu clinic will be held in Rutland on Thursday, September 28^th at the Senior Center from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. We will also have Pneumonia, Tetanus, and possibly the new RSV vaccine available. Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized/approved updated (XBB.1.5 strain) mRNA COVID-19 (Moderna and Pfizer) vaccine products for use in the United States. This change includes authorizing/approving the 2023-2024 updated vaccines to be administered to individuals 6 months of age and older. The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has not yet issued their recommendation. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet tomorrow, September 12, and we expect the CDC recommendation to be issued shortly after.” Thanks to County Public Health District Administrator Brenda Peterson and her staff for the outstanding work they do on behalf of the people of Sargent County. For additional information, or to make an appointment to obtain an immunization, stop in at the County Public Health District’s office on Main Street in Forman, or give them a call at 724-3725.

The Rutland City Council met at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 11, in the Rutland Town Hall with Mayor Mike Mahrer; City Auditor Debbie Banish; Council President Rodney Erickson; and Council members Bill Anderson; Delores Lysne; and Lori McLaen; present. No members were absent. Also present were City Attorney LeeAnn Even, and City Engineer Mike Bassingthwaite. The Council convened the public hearing on the 2024 budget at 5:00 p.m. The hearing was closed at 5:05 p.m., as no members of the public were present. The regular monthly meeting convened at 5:05 p.m. 

Anderson/Lysne moved to authorize a temporary repair of the sidewalk in front of The Lariat Bar for safety reasons. Motion carried unanimously.

Erickson/Lysne moved to authorize the Rutland-Cayuga Rural Fire Department (RCRFD) to fill the area at the corner of Gay and Bagley Streets with clay and to remove old culverts and install new culverts for the new fire hall project. Motion carried unanimously.

The City Attorney reported that the sale of the former post office and Laundromat building on Main Street is currently in negotiations. A purchase agreement has been sent to the owner, but no action, yet.

No update on the roof replacement for the old jailhouse was available. According to State Law, an insured & licensed contractor needs to be hired.

Anderson/McLaen moved to approve the 2024 budget as presented, at the maximum 105 mills with anticipated revenues of approximately $32,957.05. Motion carried unanimously.

McLaen/Lysne moved to approve the Quit Claim deed conveying ownership of land to Andrew J. Woytassek and Jerry Woytassek described as Lots One and Two (1 and 2) in Block Five (5), Original Townsite, City of Rutland, Sargent County, ND. Motion carried unanimously.

Anderson/McLaen moved to authorize the City of Rutland’s participation in the Sargent County Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Response Plan. Motion carried unanimously.

The City Auditor reported that Building Permit #248-23 was approved for a garage and deck addition on Parcel # 29-9105000 Greene’s First Addition, Lot 7, Block 3 and vacated alley.

Erickson/McLaen moved approval of payment for registration, travel and lodging for the Auditor’s attendance at the North Dakota League of Cities (NDLC) and Municipal Finance Officers’ Association (MFOA) conference in Bismarck. Motion carried unanimously.

The Auditor reported that a City-wide cleanup day will be held Saturday, September 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. A roll-off has been ordered and will be at the City Shop. Electronics, tires, and white goods will also be accepted.

Anderson/McLaen moved to authorize the City Engineer to submit the pre-construction funding and lifecycle feasibility analysis to the State Water Commission before the end of October to start the water tower replacement process. Motion carried unanimously. City Engineer Bassingthwaite said the Council will need to determine where to locate the new water tower so the old tower can be removed at the completion of the project. The Council concurred that the new tower should be just north of the existing site.

Engineer Bassingthwaite said that the Council needs to decide whether to accept the State ND DOT Transportation Alternatives Program grant funding for sidewalk replacement on Main Street. The city cost share of the project would be about $100,000. The project was for the entire replacement along First (Main) street on both east and west sides from Front Street to Gay/Arthur Street. The Council scheduled a public information meeting/special meeting to discuss the sidewalk replacement project for 5 p.m., Tuesday, September 26, in City Hall to provide information to residents and property owners on the proposed sidewalk project on First Street between Front Street and Gay/Arthur Street. Information on the project, estimated costs and funding sources will be prepared by the City Engineer to present at the hearing. The Council is seeking public input to guide in making decisions on the project. 

The meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm. The next meeting of the Rutland City Council is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 2, 2023, in the Rutland Town Hall. All meetings of the Rutland City Council are open to the public, and members of the public are welcome to attend. Thanks to City Auditor Deb Banish for the information in the preceding report.

Rutland Community Club President Katie McLaen reports that preparations for Uffda Day XXXVIII on Sunday, October 1 are moving right along. She advises all to be prepared for a very good day and a very good time in Rutland.

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. Remember 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.