Happy President’s Day

On February 20, 2012 By rutlandramblingsIn Life In GeneralLeave a comment

As we celebrate George Washington’s 280th birthday, and Abraham Lincoln’s 203rd birthday this month, I can’t help but think the achievements of our great American leaders aren’t given enough credit. Their wise words are lost in the hyper-partisan political climate of today’s world.

So, this Presidents Day, I ask you to pause and remember the political courage of our nation’s greatest leaders.

GEORGE WASHINGTON: “We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.”

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: “It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong.”

THEODORE ROOSEVELT: “Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.”

FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.”

We must also remember that more important than the words they spoke, were the actions they took at critical times in the history of the United States – to preserve it, to improve it, to guide it, and to build it.

Those presidents who were great presidents had visions and dreams for America that were larger than themselves. Their purpose aimed this country toward goals many considered unattainable.

I remember what Harry S. Truman said about the promise our our nation.

“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbounded determination to do the job at hand.”

God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America.

[Pam Gulleson]

Rutland Travel Guide

On February 14, 2012May 9, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Life In GeneralLeave a comment

This week in the US Postal mail I received the ND Legendary 2012 Travel Guide. Rutland is making a name for itself by being listed in the Guide for the past few years, notably for the annual August Ribfest and of course for Uffda Day (this year on Sunday, October 7, 2012). We had several people come to Rutland for the 2011 Uffda Day because of the “Experience Rutland” brochure they found at a ND rest stop. It is good to see Rutland get some more free publicity any way it can.

Tell your friends to pick up the latest guide and the “Experience Rutland” brochure when they stop at a ND rest stop. The ND tourism website includes the Rutland events and the Coteau des Prairies Lodge too!

Santa Claus Day

On December 16, 2011November 7, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Events, Rutland Community ClubLeave a comment

Congratulations to the Rutland Community Club which sponsored another successful Santa Day on Saturday. The sun was shining brightly on the town. The kids headed to the Bank Building for some holiday cartoons while the adults stopped in at the Rutland Senior Center. At the Center, the Rutland Raiders 4-H group held a bake sale and the Seniors sponsored a BBQ lunch. Bingo games were called by Paul Anderson, RCC President, with the prize of $5 in Rutland Bucks for each winner.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Santa Claus stopped in the Hall and the kids were ecstatic to see him. A few took the opportunity to have a friendly chat and get in their Christmas wish list while Santa was in town.

Following Santa’s visit, the annual turkey raffle was held and thirty-eight turkeys were awarded to lucky registrants. The turkeys were donated by Rutland residents and area businesses. (For a full list of winners and the donors, check out The Rooster Crows of December 16).

The Rooster Crows – December 16, 2011

On December 16, 2011November 7, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

David-1, Goliath-0, so far, anyway. The Rutland Post Office, and other post offices in rural communities, have been saved, at least temporarily. Word was received here on Tuesday, December 13, that the U. S. Postal Service has imposed a moratorium on Post Office closings until May 15, 2012. The moratorium was imposed in response to a request from a substantial number of United States Senators, including those from Montana and South Dakota. Neither John Hoeven (R-ND) nor Kent Conrad (D-ND) were among the Senators requesting the moratorium, an omission that has not gone unnoticed by those engaged in the struggle to maintain services in rural North Dakota. The notice sent out by the Postal Service stated that the review process would continue during the moratorium period, so rural Post Office patrons will still have to pay attention lest they lose their appeal rights during the moratorium period. The hard work and diligent effort of Rutland postal patrons who wrote letters and sent in their comments on the Postal Service’s proposal to close the Post Office here has paid off, at least temporarily, with a moratorium that may lead to a permanent rescue of the local Post Office. Congratulations to the Rutland Community Club for leading the fight. The fight is not over yet, though, as this moratorium is only temporary, so rural postal patrons will have to stay awake and pay attention to make sure that a permanent fix for the Postal Service’s woes is found.

Chuck Sundlie of this community headed off to Palm Springs CA on Sunday Nov. 27, to visit at the home of his parents, Leif & Phyllis (Donaldson) Sundlie. Chuck Traveled via Allegiant Air to Los Angeles, then accompanied his brother, Stan, to Palm Springs. He reports that the weather was very nice, and a few rounds of golf were played. Chuck returned to Rutland on Sunday, December 4, and found the weather here to be pretty nice, too, at least for December.

Continue reading →

Honoring Local Veterans

On November 18, 2011December 19, 2011 By rutlandramblingsIn American Legion, EventsLeave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

On Friday, November 11, the American Legion Auxiliary held its annual soup and supper meal for the Rutland area Veterans and their spouses. Auxiliary members provided a fine selection of soups, sandwiches and desserts. Following the meal the Auxiliary provided a short program including readings, stories and information of the Pocket Flag program. Following the meal and Auxiliary program, attending Veteran’s provided stories of humorous events during their boot camp or service years.

To Our Veterans

On November 11, 2011 By rutlandramblingsIn American Legion, Life In GeneralLeave a comment

At 11:11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918, the guns fell silent on the “Western Front,” and World War I, the war that had been called “The Great War” and “The War to End All Wars,” was over. More than 2 million American soldiers served in France during the fierce fighting that broke the German Army’s will to continue the war. This year, at 11:11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year of the 21st century, for the first time since 1918, there will be no American Veteran of the vast American Army that won the war in France to observe the anniversary of the end of that conflict. The last American veteran of World War I died this year, joining ranks with the millions of his comrades who exist only in memory and history.

That generation had served their country in peace as well as in war. They were builders as well as warriors. Among the structures for which they laid the foundations and commenced construction were the Veterans Administration and the veterans’ health care system, intended to fulfill the nation’s promises to those who had answered the call of duty and borne the burdens of battle. The foundations laid by the veterans of World War I were expanded and strengthened a generation later, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed, and Congress adopted, the GI Bill of Rights of 1944, providing health care and disability benefits for returning veterans of World War II and, as important, educational benefits that gave America a generation of skilled workers, teachers, administrators and executives who led this nation to a half century of unprecedented progress and prosperity.

Veterans Day, we should remember, is not a day to honor America’s dead, but a day to honor the living. It is a day set aside to honor those who have dedicated a portion of their lives to service in our nation’s military, and have gone on to continue their service to community, state and nation as productive citizens.

Today, more than 20 million of our fellow Americans are military veterans. Two million of those are veterans of the current military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The foundations laid, and the institutions built, by them and their predecessors continue to deliver on America’s promises to those who go in harm’s way for their country. Three years ago, the Congress adopted the GI Bill of Rights, the most comprehensive package of rights and benefits for America’s military veterans since the original GI Bill of Rights of 1944, containing educational incentives as well as medical, disability and rehabilitation benefits for veterans.

There are those in Congress today who would renege on America’s commitment to veterans.

As Americans, our commitment to this nation’s veterans must be as unquestionable, as unshakable, as unswerving as their courage in battle. We must continue to build on the foundations laid by those who forced the guns to fall silent on Nov. 11, 1918, so that we might hear the blessed song of peace. So, on this Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2011, let us commit ourselves to continue the work they have begun, to build a nation that honors the sacrifice and service of those who have worn the uniform of our military services. To America’s veterans on this Veterans Day I say, “Thank you for your service, and welcome home!” Together, we will continue to build a better, stronger America.

Pam Gulleson