By Bill Anderson

Uff-Da Day 2023 is only 2days down the pike. In keeping with the old tradition that “The Sun always shines on Rutland, even when it’s raining,” the weatherman is once again predicting beautiful weather for Sunday, October 1, the 38th Uff-Da Day Fall Festival in the little city that can. Rutland Community Club President and Uff-Da Day Chairperson Katie McLaen has furnished the following schedule of events for the day: At 10:00 AM Vendors and Craft Sales begin; Car Show on Gay St begins; Lefse, sandkakkes, Krumkakke & Goodies available at Senior Center on Main St; Freshly made Lefse for sale at the senior Center; and, the one-room country School House, Rutland Depot Museum & Pioneer House will be open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. At 11:00 AM Dinner at the Community’s Town Hall, $15 Adults, $6 children age 6-12, Under 6 free. Rommegrot will be served at the Senior Center. Uff-Da Tacos, hot dogs & brats will be on sale at the Fire Hall on Bagley Street, and Abelskievers will be made outside by the Legion Hall/Fitness Center. The Lariat Bar will be open at 9:00 AM with coffee, caramel rolls & drink specials. Check The Lariat’s Flyer for lunch options. At 1:00 PM it’s time for The Uff-Da Day Parade! 1:30 is the time set for the Nickel Scramble on Main Street, in front of Stock Growers Bank following the Parade. Bounce Houses for the kids will be Open from 10:30 to 12:30, and from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. At 2:00 p.m. big power will be on display with the Pedal Tractor Pull Competition on Main Street, in front of the Stock Growers Bank. Everyone is welcome, and everyone is invited to Rutland to meet old friends and make new ones at Uff-Da Day XXXVIII on Sunday, October 1. See you there, now then, don’t you know!

A classic September rainfall blanketed Rutland and vicinity on Saturday & Sunday, September 23 & 24. This was the most unusual rainfall of the year, though, as Roger Pearson’s rain gauge at 409 Gay Street and Norbert Kulzer’s rain gauge at 415 Gay Street both measured 1.5” when the raindrops stopped falling. The 2 gauges, only a few feet apart, seldom agree, and, when they do, we know that they are either both right, or that they are both wrong. Two miles south of town Larry Erickson reported an even 1.0” in his rain gauge, and Dale McLaen reported 1.1” at the McLaen farmstead 2 miles north of town. The rain brought harvest activities to a standstill for a few days, but most agreed that the delay will allow the green soybeans to catch up with the ripe ones, allowing the combines to roll with fewer interruptions once the harvest action resumes.

Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins from Rutland took some time off to attend the wedding of Mason Harris & Darrien Quagliata at old Fort Sisseton on Saturday, September 23. Mark & Kathy (Harris) Wyum; Bill & Pam (Harris) Gulleson; Rob & Dana Wyum and family; Cameron & Jennie Gulleson and family; and, Cody & Hannah Gulleson; were among those from this community who attended the wedding ceremony. Mason is the son of Mike & Christine (Hoistad) Harris of Crete, and his Grandparents were the late Marlin & Marlys (McDermot) Harris of Crete and the late Virgil & Donetta (Gulsvig) Hoistad of Rutland. The bride is a native of Clifton Springs NY. The newlyweds will be making their home at the Harris farm near Crete, in northwestern Sargent County. The Rutland community extends congratulations to Mason & Darrien Harris on the occasion of their marriage, and best wishes to them for a long and happy life together.

Robert “Bob” and Paulette (Anderson) Gulsvig have recently moved into the Ransom Township farm home that was formerly occupied by Paulette’s Parents, Dianna Anderson and the late Larry Anderson. The farmstead is situated in the SW¼ of Section 9 in Ransom Township, 3 miles east of the Rutland corner and on the north side of ND Highway #11. Paulette has been employed by Blue Cross-Blue Shield of North Dakota in Fargo and Bob is employed by the Noridian Company, also in Fargo. Fargo’s loss is Rutland’s gain. The Rutland community extends a hearty “Welcome home!” to Bob & Paulette Gulsvig.

Pastor Julie (Nelson) Johnson and Pam (Jacobson) Maloney of this community have been selected as cast members in a play that will be presented at the Lisbon Opera House in the near future. The Lisbon Opera House is a classic structure of the Victorian Era, and it has been in the process of being restored for the past couple of decades. The play to be presented is part of the restoration project’s fund raising effort. More about the play next week.

Dick Meyers has informed friends and family here that he will be heading back to Sun City AZ, via Minneapolis, on Thursday, September 28. Dick is a 1950 graduate of RHS, as was his spouse, the late Donna (Lock) Meyers. He spent the past summer in his old home town, teaching several old friends how to enjoy the game of golf while reminiscing about “the good old days.” He is planning to be back in Rutland sometime around Memorial Day next spring, and is looking forward to attending Rutland’s All School Reunion in July of 2024. Enjoy the winter, Dick, your many friends in Rutland are looking forward to welcoming you back home with the meadowlarks.

The family and friends of the late Kathleen Ann Brakke of this community will be honoring her memory with a Celebration Of Life from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, at the Rutland Town Hall. Kathy often contributed her artistic, musical and culinary talents to events in the Rutland Community, and her family invites the community to join them in celebrating the events and accomplishments of her life among us. Kathy’s son-in-law, professional photographer Robert Sebree, has produced an audio/visual presentation about her life that will be shown during the October 14 gathering in Rutland.

Three staff members of the Sargent County Health District Unit: Director Brenda Peterson; Deputy Director Brianna Spellerberg; and Nurse ShayLynn Nelson were Rutland visitors on the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, September 26. The 3 were checking out the availability of alternative locations for some Health District functions that might be necessary and useful in the event that some disaster emergency might damage or deny access to sites normally utilized for public health purposes. The three are also planning to be at the Rutland Seniors’ Center on the morning of Thursday, September 28, for a foot care clinic, and to administer flu and covid-19 vaccinations & booster shots. Call 724-3725 for additional information about the Sargent County Public Health District, or to make an appointment to obtain a vaccination or booster.

The Rutland City Council held a Public Information Meeting in the Rutland Town Hall at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26. Rutland City Engineer Mike Bassingthwaite of Interstate Engineering, Wahpeton, was on hand to discuss alternative methods of dealing with the damaged sidewalks on both sides of Main Street from Front to Arthur/Gay Streets. The City has been approved for 80% grant funding from the Federal Local Transportation Alternatives Program (LTAP) covering the construction costs of a project that would replace the sidewalks on both sides of Main Street with sidewalks that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The City would have to pay 100% of other costs, such as: pre-construction engineering; archeological and historic studies, etc. If the grant is accepted, and construction is completed according to Federal specs, it is estimated that the City’s share of the costs for the entire project could be in the neighborhood of $100,000. The City could reject the grant, only replace about 1/3 of the sidewalks involved in the original proposal, and get the work done for approximately $60,000 to $100,000. Either way, the cost to the City would be similar. Fifteen residents of the City of Rutland, including the Mayor and the members of the City Council, were present at Tuesday’s meeting. No decision as to how to proceed has been made, yet. The Council will discuss the matter further at the next regular meeting of the Rutland City Council at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 2, at the Rutland Town Hall.

Meanwhile, on the national scene, the Writers’ Guild strike that has had America watching TV re-runs for the past 6 months appears to be over. What a relief! We will soon have new trash replacing the old trash that has been filling the airwaves. That’s the ultimate in recycling. Perhaps someone can convince the writers to provide the current crop of Presidential hopefuls with ads that are a little more consistent. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has recently been on the air claiming responsibility for high employment; low unemployment; high wages; low inflation; and, improved economic conditions; while blaming the current President for high unemployment; low employment; low wages; high inflation; and, dismal economic conditions. Sort of like the Bible-Belt politician of a century ago, back when Prohibition was the Law of the Land, who was asked about his position on alcohol. “Well, sir,” he bellowed, “if you mean the Devil’s brew, the destroyer of fortunes, lives and families, I am against it! If, on the other hand, you mean that blessed amber brew, the nectar of the Gods, that brings solace to the bereaved, peace and harmony to the troubled mind and warms the hearts of the downtrodden, why then, sir, I am for it!” That’s what we need now, a man who says what he means and means what he says, but only if he really means what he says, and really says what he means. What!? Well, you figure it out. We have a little more than 13 months until Election Day.

Well, that’s the news from Rutland for this week. Your friends in the Rutland community will be expecting to see you here on Uff-Da Day, Sunday, October 1. For additional information about what’s going on in the little city that can, check out the community’s internet web site at http://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.