By Bill Anderson

Uff-Da! Sunday, October 1, 2023, Uff-Da Day XXXVIII, was a hot time in the little city that can, any way it was measured. It started out as a warm day, with a stiff breeze out of the south, and just got hotter and hotter all day long, with plenty of sunshine and enough wind to keep the flies grounded, hitting a record high for the day in the mid-90’s by midafternoon. The Sun really does always shine on Rutland, even when it’s sizzling! The streets were full of people, approximately 3,000, by some estimates, and every face had a smile. Thousands of lefse, many roasters of scalloped potatoes with ham, more roasters full of rice pudding, gallons of rommegrot, hundreds of Krumkakke, sandkaker & abelskievers, Uff-Da Tacos, hot dogs and bratwursts had been consumed by the time activities started to wind down. All that was left was the lingering aroma of good cooking. Among the highlights of this year’s event were: the 2023 car show organized by David & Pat Bladow, and members of their family, that included 112 antique, classic, restored & modified automobiles from throughout North Dakota, South Dakota & Minnesota; the sawmill operated by Dale McLaen, Alan Olstad, Joel Susag, and Sod Buster volunteers from Fort Ransom, powered by David Susag’s 70 Oliver tractor; musical performances by local talent at the Seniors’ Center and Town Hall throughout the day; The American Legion Color guard composed of Ted Lee, Larry Christensen, Andy Hoflen, Andy Harris & Calvin Jacobson that led the Uff-Da Day Parade through town; and, The now permanently reopened Lariat Bar, now under new ownership and new management, that supplied refreshments to patrons throughout the afternoon and evening hours.  Arts & craft vendors, more than 30 of them, reported a great day, and local youngsters with their wagon loads of pumpkins, squash and other garden produce did a land office business. The Nickel Scramble, once again sponsored by Joe’s Ag Supply and the Kenny & Tanya Hamilton family, had enthusiastic participation by kids of all ages.  According to Rutland Community Club President and Uff-Da Day XXXVIII Chairperson Katie McLaen, planning for Uff-Da Day XXXIX will begin at the next meeting of the Rutland Community Club on Monday, October 9, at the Rutland Town Hall. Uff-Da Day XXXIX will be on Sunday, October 6, 2024. Mark it on your calendar now, and don’t miss it.

Some of the Uff-Da Day visitors to Rutland on Sunday, October 1, included: Mary Ann (Nathe) Scheffler, Barnesville MN; Dave & Sharon (Lee) Butz, Chaska MN; John Hoflen, Bismarck; Bev (Bartunek) Schons, Fargo; Steve & Vicki (Bartunek) Renner, Des Moines IA; Sonja (Anderson) Christensen, Wahpeton; Judie (Anderson-Seavert) Grohs, Rosholt SD; Stephanie (Seavert) Watson, Rogers MN; Hannah Watson, Wahpeton; Blair Watson, Wahpeton; Marilyn Anderson, Wahpeton; Tom Thayer, Colfax ND; Pat Prindiville, Fargo; Mark Prindiville, Horace ND; Mr. & Mrs. Erling Lee, Columbus OH; Sarah (Lee) Dobmeier, Alexandria MN; Randy & Cheri Pearson, Milnor; Carol (Welle) Fridgen, Nevis MN; Telmer “Tex” & Lynn (Pederson) Kraig, Enderlin ND; Chuck & Mary Beth (Kraig) Anderson, Havana ND; Connie & Carol Newman, Ortonville MN; Clarence “Stub” & Sharon (Lee) Sundlie, Fargo; Kathy (Rien) Lee, Wahpeton; Mary (Olstad) Indridson, Cavalier ND; Tom & Linda (Fust) Young, Coon Rapids MN; Bruce & Jackie Peterson, Havana ND; Lonnie Hicks, Gwinner ND; and, many more.

Rutland was awakened by a rumbling, roaring thunderstorm on the morning of Friday, September 29. The rain gauge at the Lyle & Ann Erickson farm just east of town indicated that .75 of an inch of rain had fallen by the time the storm had moved on. It was reported that 1.0 inch of precipitation had been received at Forman.

The Rutland City Council voted to construct the sidewalk improvements on Main Street in accordance with the specifications described in the Local Transportation Alternatives Program (LTAP) grant application at the City Council meeting on Monday, October 2. The City has already been approved for a grant covering 80% of construction costs of the project. The Council also approved getting the process started to levy a special assessment to pay for the taxpayer’s share of the project’s estimated total cost. According to City Engineer Mike Bassingthwaite, the City can expect to have the project completed in 2025, in time for Uff-Da Day XL. The project as proposed will tear out the old, damaged sidewalk on both sides of Main Street, from Front Street south to the intersection with Arthur & Gay Streets. The City Council had made some temporary repairs to badly damaged portions of the sidewalk in front of the Lariat Bar and the Rutland Senior Citizen’s building before Uff-Da Day this fall, but those repairs are only temporary. Congratulations to the Rutland City Council for taking the necessary steps to keep the City’s infrastructure up to date in the years ahead.

Four of the 5 staff members of the Sargent County Public Health District were at the Rutland Seniors Center on the morning of Thursday, September 28, administering covid-19 booster shots; administering influenza vaccinations; and providing foot care services. Director Brenda Peterson; Deputy Director Brianna Spellerberg; Nurse Kelsey Nelson; and, Nurse Shay Lynn Nelson; kept the action at full boil throughout the morning hours. According to Director Brenda Peterson, “Thursday in Rutland was a great day for all of us. Flu Vaccines:   High Dose 26 and Regular Dose 1 (27 total); Covid-19 Vaccines: 21 shots; Foot Care Clients: 14. We have the RSV Vaccines available now. Our medical director recommends two weeks between other vaccinations and administering the RSV vaccine alone. The county map shows 2 active cases of covid-19 the week of 9/22/23 – 9/28/23 but those are only the ones reported to the state. We do not report positive home tests.” Thanks to Brenda for the report, and thanks to the staff of the County Public Health District for the excellent work they do on behalf of the people of Sargent County.

Rutland City Auditor Deb Banish has provided the following summary of the meeting of the Rutland City Council on Monday, October 2, 2023, in the Rutland Town Hall.

All Council members present, with City Auditor and City Public Works (Scott Haan) present.

Minutes of September 11 and 26 (special meeting) were approved as presented.

Issue of the water bill at the Rutland General Store building was discussed. The Council noted that the utility billing at the property was continuing the policy from the prior owner: Billing for the store, the apartment, and the café is separate. The café water meter has been turned off so the new owner is receiving two bills. The building is not operating as a separate business at this time and only the apartment is being used. The Council concurred that only one bill is needed as the business is not active at this time.

Lysne/McLaen moved that the Rutland General Store and the apartment be billed as one unit based on the same minimum (3,000 gals) as applied to all households and businesses in Rutland. Motion carried unanimously.

Anderson/Erickson moved that the City proceed with the sidewalk project as set forth in the ND Dept. of Transportation TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) grant application, to have new sidewalk installed on the East and West sides of Main Street from Front to Gay/Arthur Street. Motion carried: Anderson, Erickson, McLaen aye. Lysne nay.

Anderson/Lysne moved to adopt the Resolution of Public Necessity to declare the intent to establish a Sidewalk Improvement District, and to set a public hearing for the public and all affected persons to consider its establishment. Motion carried unanimously.

Scott Haan presented the quote to trade the City Bobcat for a new machine. Bobcat no longer has the municipal program so the cost is higher; with trade, the City will pay $5,413.05.

Anderson/Lysne moved to purchase the new Bobcat and authorize the Mayor and the City Auditor to execute all required documents for the purchase. Motion carried unanimously.

Scott Haan noted he has been working for the City for two years as of October 25^th. He requested a $2/hour raise. He does use his own vehicle and gas and is reimbursed $50/month for that purpose.

Lysne/Anderson moved to increase the public works pay to $23/hour plus $50/month for use of his personal vehicle for City-related needs. Motion carried unanimously.

McLaen/Erickson moved to increase the City Auditor pay to $24/hour effective November 1, 2023, with a 5% increase effective January 1, 2024, for five years at which time the salary will be reviewed. Motion carried unanimously.

September financials and current bills were approved.

The Council received the Certification of Uncollected Taxes for 2020-2022. The Auditor noted that the 2022 Uncollected Taxes for the 2010 Streets project is $2,401.81. The Council approved the one year special levy of $7,000 to cover current, and prior, shortages in order to meet loan payments.

The Council discussed the cost of a “roll-off” container for use during community Clean-up Day and concurred that only one Clean Up day per year should be held due to the cost and the small amount that is recovered by charging residents for disposal of large items.

Erickson said that the crew from Texas that cleaned the water tower stated it is one of the nicest to work on that they have come across. They took over 200 pictures of the interior; they stated that, in their opinion, it is in too good of shape to tear it down, and it would probably last another 15 years.

Mayor Mahrer said the City will continue with the water tower maintenance agreement, and should consider relining the interior of the tank, and exterior painting to maintain the tower.

The next meeting of the Rutland City Council will be at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2023, in the Rutland Town Hall.”

Thanks to City Auditor Deborah Banish for the foregoing report.

Disappointed that she could not make it home for Uff-Da Day this year, Rutland native Pat (Anderson) Kulzer decided to take a cruise on the internet to see what she could find on her old home town. What she found was the video made of the Rutland Centennial Celebration, “Pride of the Prairie,” that had been made back in June of 1982. Many of those who were involved in planning and preparing for the Rutland community’s Centennial have gone on to their reward, but many are still around to tell the tale, and keep the legend alive. Among them are: Norbert & Bev Kulzer; Edwin & Marlys Erickson; Jim Huckell; Roger Pearson; Bill Anderson; Paul Anderson; Calvin & Wendy Jacobson; Gary Thornberg; Joe Breker; Jeff Breker; Mitch & Dawn Mahrer; David & Pat Bladow; Dianna Anderson; Bill & Pam Gulleson; Janice Christensen; Yvonne Johnson; Lyle & Ann Erickson; Bill & Mary Woytassek; Randy & Cheri Pearson; Steve, Mike & Mark Wyum; and, many more. Here is the link that will take you to the YouTube video that is posted on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/100064627302100/posts/pfbid034qoKjRVzvz491Vxe7qv1ENrHTvbXpwE9YrC7RSCmFu6qoWQ6sdXzSJ82sjezszh7l/?d=n

That link will take the cyberspace explorer on a fantastic trip, not through space, but through time, back to a time when folks in the Rutland community dared to do mighty things, even though the risk of failure was high, and the people of Rutland all pulled together to make sure that their great effort was a success. Thanks to Pat (Anderson) Kulzer for finding this link, and for forwarding it on to the rest of us.

Meanwhile, on the national scene, Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has been fired from his position as Speaker of the House. Congressman McCarthy is the first Speaker to be fired since 1789. Well, he claimed to be a leader, and it looks as if he led the way, all right, right off the cliff. The next Speaker is likely to be louder than McCarthy, and not as smart. May God have mercy on the United States of America.

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.