Flags Retired With Honor

On November 14, 2008March 31, 2011 By rutlandramblingsIn American LegionLeave a comment

The Bergman/Evenson Post 215 held the Flag Retirement Ceremony on Veteran’s Day afternoon behind the Legion Hall in Rutland. Approximately 50 faded, tattered flags that have flown over the graves of veterans, or flown by homeowners or businesses were retired with dignity and honor. A prayer was given by Post Chaplain Milton McLaen, and Post Commander Larry Christensen presided over the retirement ceremony as each flag was placed on a fire in accordance with proper flag disposal. I was moved as I watched each flag being consumed by the flames, and as I remembered all the men and women who have so courageously served under our nation’s flag.

After the ceremony, the veterans were served a soup and sandwich supper by the Legion Auxiliary. The Nordland Lutheran Church parish hall was festively decorated with lace-draped tables, flags and thank you cards for our veterans and their guests. Six kinds of soup, three kinds of sandwiches and a variety of bars ensured that no one left hungry. Sonja Christensen, Auxiliary President, gave a reading on the birth of the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892 and the changes that have been made to it through the years. I don’t know that I had ever given much thought as to how the Pledge of Allegiance came to be. Sonja did a good job of enlightening us all.

Earlier Tuesday morning my husband had participated in a county-wide Veterans Day Program in Forman with two other members of the Rutland Post. The Auxiliary in Forman served them a nice lunch of hot chile.

That evening, my husband and I agreed that it had been a good day. We had spent Veteran’s Day remembering veterans and what they have sacrificed for our country. That’s what the day is all about. [Carolyn Christensen]

Another Successful Fun Nite

On November 14, 2008March 25, 2011 By rutlandramblingsIn Rutland Community ClubLeave a comment

The weather was absolutely beautiful. Why would anyone want to be inside on such a lovely afternoon? Lots of people, if you consider the crowd that attended Rutland’s annual Fun Nite. The Town Hall was packed with people playing Bingo or trying their luck for prizes at the variety of games available. The competition at the Cake Walk was pretty intense and some people went home with 3, 4 and even 5 cakes. I worked in the kitchen serving pop, lemonade, coffee, hot dogs, nachos, walking tacos, bars, ice cream sundaes & root beer floats. My co-worker and I were sure kept hopping. Kids went home with full sacks of loot, maybe a bit of a sugar high and a big smile on their faces. The adults were also smiling after spending a nice afternoon visiting with friends and participating in the games with their children. Thanks to Diane Smith and Hilary Mehrer for putting together another great community activity.

Money to Spend!

On November 14, 2008March 27, 2011 By rutlandramblingsIn Horizons Program1 Comment

There will be a meeting of the Screening Committee/Action Plan Chairpersons on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Nordland Parish Hall. The Steering Committee will be discussing the suggestions for the use of the $8,500 we received for successful completion of the Horizon Project.

Rutland residents have provided input through the suggestion boxes at the General Store and Cafe. Suggestions included:

A new projector for town usage
Housing (4) (sump pump, water leaks)
Roof repair for Legion Hall/Fitness Center
New pump for fire truck that broke down during Hal Nelson’s fire (4)
Welcome package to welcome new residents
Welcome sign at 2-mile corner
Sign at 2-mile corner listing local business, churches, etc. (3)
Dishwasher for General Store – Clean dishes benefit everyone!
Cell phone tower in town
Playground & swingset/slide for the kids (2)
Re-do tennis court (3)
New software for city for comp billing
Recreation & advertising
Pay 25% of furnace for town hall
Money into Fitness Center
Invest in savings bonds to earn money for city needs down the road
Buy freezer for Community Club
Money toward Town Hall projects
More advertising of Rutland, like in ND magazine.
Big sign at 2-mile corner

Publicizing Rutland

On October 30, 2008March 25, 2011 By rutlandramblingsIn Life In GeneralLeave a comment

Last week I took it upon myself to get some free promotion of Rutland. Today I received word that our town is included in the Roadside America website. If you are not familiar with the site, Roadside America offers maps, directions and tourist attraction details as a convenience to its users. The website authors knew about the Rutland grill sign but it was not on their site. It is now! Click here to check out Rutland’s entry at Roadside America.

Hal Nelson Benefit Fund

On October 21, 2008March 25, 2011 By rutlandramblingsIn EventsLeave a comment

As many of you have already heard, Hal Nelson of Rutland was seriously injured Saturday, October 18, when his house exploded. If you missed the broadcast you can view it at WDAY-TV which shows what little is left of his home. You can link to Hal’s CaringBridge site to keep updated on his steps to recovery or to post your words and thoughts for Hal and his family.

A benefit fund has been established for Hal to help him with the costs that will be incurred on his road to recovery. Donations can be sent to any Sargent County Bank (link for address) with a memo area notation “Hal Nelson Benefit.” Cash donations are being accepted in a donation jar at the Rutland General Store as well for the Fund.

City Hall Renovation Needs

On October 19, 2008March 25, 2011 By rutlandramblingsIn Rutland Community Club1 Comment

At the Rutland Community Club meeting earlier this week one of the items discussed was the bathroom renovation which had been in the planning stages for several months – or is it years? The discussion brought up the issue of all the needs in the Town Hall including a new heating unit and insulation in addition to handicap accessible bathrooms. We were told that if some maintenance is not done on the building soon we could lose it. It is estimated that the cost to update the building would be close to $100,000.

The City of Rutland does not have the funds to do what needs to be done. Residents are writing grants and planning fundraisers but that will not be enough. Letters have been sent to current and former Rutland residents informing them of these needs and to ask for donations for a maintenance and rehabilitation fund for Rutland Town Hall. As seen above, the building looks good from the outside and appears clean and white but as we know looks can be deceiving.

Donations are asked to be sent to the Rutland Community Club, PO Box 65, Rutland ND 58067. If anyone knows a potential source of large funding for a city building renovation, please let us know. During these tough economic times we need to identify and approach any and every available source.