The Rooster Crows – March 14, 2008

On March 14, 2008May 3, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

Sunday, March 9, brought in Daylight Savings Time and, with it, the first real Spring-like weather of the season. Daylight Savings Time is now in effect from early March to early November, so we now have 4 months of Standard Time and 8 months of Daylight Savings Time, the result being that Daylight Savings Time is now Standard and Standard time is now not. As it seems that, despite all of the saving of daylight we now do from March to November, we still don’t have any more daylight in December and January than we did before the current time regime went into effect, we should consider changing the name of Standard Time to Daylight Deficit Time, thereby prompting government studies and a Federal program to remedy the situation. Perhaps a Daylight Stimulus Plan, in which the government would borrow daylight from foreign countries and issue 300 lumen Daylight Stimulus checks, redeemable at Walmart for sunshine produced in China, to each taxpayer would help to increase the amount of available daylight in the good, old U.S.A. Well, it does seem to have been a long Winter. Sunshine and a southerly breeze brought the mercury up to the mid-40’s on Monday, March 10, and into the mid-50’s on Tuesday, March 11, lifting spirits and brightening attitudes. Pairs of Canada geese have also been observed, seeking good nesting sites near likely looking prospective soybean fields. This week’s Spring weather was preceded by Ten degrees below zero on the morning of Friday, March 7, and the weatherman is predicting another relapse into Winter by this coming weekend, just to keep us on our toes.

Six young men of this community passed the “First Responders” test which was given at the Rutland Fire Hall on the evening of Tuesday, March 4. The six, also members of the Rutland-Cayuga Volunteer Fire Department are: Doug Askerooth; Alan Murack; Cameron Gulleson; Jim Fust; Zach Temple; and, Rob Wyum. The Rutland community extends its congratulations to these community volunteers and thanks them for their service to their fellow citizens.

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The Rooster Crows – March 7, 2008

On March 7, 2008May 3, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

March is supposed to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb, but 2008 will be recorded as the year that March entered like a kangaroo, jumping from cold to warm and back again during the first few days of the month. On Tuesday, March 4, the day started out at 16 degrees, then climbed up to 43 and sunny, before sliding back below freezing as a snow front moved in that evening. Forecasts call for below zero before week’s end, and not much hope for relief from Winter’s icy grip before the Ides of March. That’s O.K., though, as there will be some hot times in the old town this month to keep everyone warmed up.

Denny Pherson and Jason Smykowski were in Wichita Falls TX last week to attend a national convention of custom combine operators. Chad Haugen of Dazy ND accompanied Denny and Jason on the trip. They returned to Rutland on Sunday, March 2. Denny reports that the winter wheat crop from northern Texas through Kansas appears to have been severely damaged by the ongoing drought in that region.

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Taking Back a Community

On March 7, 2008March 26, 2011 By rutlandramblingsIn Horizons ProgramLeave a comment

Carolyn Christensen, Earl Cramton, Diane Smith and Deborah Banish ventured to Wahpeton on Friday, March 7, for the videoconference on “The Miner County Story.” Randy Parry and Kathy Callies from Miner County, South Dakota, discussed the grassroots efforts that began in 1996 as a way to reverse nearly a century of population decline. Their efforts resulted in a thriving community with new industry, new homes and an increased population. The road to change and growth may have its challenges but they clearly showed that a community that works together can triumph! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us Randy and Kathy.

North Country Trails

On February 29, 2008March 26, 2011 By rutlandramblingsIn NatureLeave a comment

Last Sunday, Mark Wyum, Peder Gulleson and Deborah Banish attended a meeting in Lisbon on the North Country National Scenic Trail which starts in NY and presently ends in ND. They are attempting to form a local chapter to help expand the trail through the State. We made new contacts and received information on establishing and maintaining trails, working with landowners and the railroads, obtaining easements, and learning of potential grant funding sources for our future trail. The Rutland Trails Committee will review the information when it meets sometime in April.

The Rooster Crows – February 29, 2008

On February 29, 2008April 22, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

Well, we’re not at the end of Winter, yet, but we might be at the beginning of the end. Last Wednesday’s 25 to 30 below was succeeded by a weekend that saw the mercury hit 40 above on Saturday and 41 on Sunday. This week more moderate temperatures, in the upper 20’s have prevailed, with the forecast being milder temperatures coming up in the first weekend of March. And, if the weather isn’t enough to make you feel good, wheat was selling for more than $21.00 per bushel in local elevators on Tuesday, February 26, $21.28 in Forman and $21.33 at Lidgerwood. The price at Minneapolis was $24.25 on Monday. What would Percy Pherson, Oscar Hoflen and Art Brown think about that? Soybeans and corn are also paying up, at more than $13.00 and $5.00 per bushel, respectively. A flock of new pickups has been appearing on local streets, with the 4 wheel drive, ¾ ton, 4 door, diesel powered behemoth being the weapon of choice for use on local roads. The high price of gasoline and diesel fuel arouses comment, but doesn’t seem to have slowed many down, at least not yet. Meanwhile, the new farm bill is stalled in Washington, with the Congress and the President disagreeing over how, or whether, it should be paid for. The Congress wants to use a phony credit card, while the President favors rubber checks. At least the weather doesn’t require government regulation or taxpayer support, not yet, anyway.

Members of the Rutland City Council, Renaissance Zone Board, Zoning Board, Community Club, Horizons Program Committee and Community Development Corporation Met at the Rutland General Store at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20, to review proposed changes to the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance with Mr. Irv Rustad of the Lake Agassiz Regional Council. The group is scheduled to meet again, this time at the Nordland Fellowship Hall, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3, to approve the final draft of the revised Comprehensive Plan. The various groups will then develop their own programs to implement the plan. The plan aims to guide future commercial and residential development in the community.

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Nine Attend CPR Training

On February 27, 2008March 26, 2011 By rutlandramblingsIn Rutland Cayuga Fire DepartmentLeave a comment

Nine people attended the CPR training at the Rutland town hall on February 21. Some had never had a CPR class before & the only thing they knew about it was what was learned in a high school First Aid class. Since that was over 40 years ago, things have changed. Since some are visual & kinetic learners, a good video & dummies to practice on helped them understand the material completely. Defibrillators were on hand and some had never seen a defibrillator before except in the movies; that whole process seemed more than a little scary. Many were surprised at how easy it could be for anyone to use. The machine tells you what to do so you just follow its directions. Marwood and Shelly did a really good job of explaining details and answering questions. The two hours went by fast & we all passed the test. There are now nine more people in Rutland and surrounding area that may be able to save your life. Thanks to the Rutland/Cayuga Fire Department for sponsoring the class.