Underage Drinking Awareness

On Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 6:00 PM, the Sargent Alcohol Coalition will sponsor an Underage Drinking Prevention Town Hall Meeting to raise awareness of the risks of underage drinking.  The Town Hall Meeting is a national effort by the Federal Government’s Interagency Coordinating Committee for the Prevention of Underage Drinking  to inform youth, parents, caregivers, community leaders & other adults about the harmful effects of underage drinking.

The event will be held in the Rutland City Hall, starting with a meal provided and served by the Nordland Luther League.  The Keynote Speaker is Anne Buchanan, with the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver’s License and Traffic Safety Division’s Parents LEAD (Listen, Educate And Discuss alcohol with your kids) Program, and a parent who has lost a child due to the consequences of binge drinking.  The event will conclude with a  panel discussion with Ms. Buchanan, local law enforcement, court officials, & parent(s) and a Question & Answer segment.

Quilting with Style

Rutland QuiltersSewing machines were humming along yesterday at the Rutland General Store (RGS) during a quilting class.  Seven area women worked on lap quilts under the guidance of Ginny Zietlow from Lidgerwood.  Stunning pieces in vibrant violets, greens, blues and yellows and mauves and reds were carefully placed and sewn by the participants.  The photo at left shows Ann Erickson and Joanne Harris, both from Rutland, working on quilts with the guidance of Ms. Zietlow.  The quilts were not completed during the class but we look forward to seeing them on display soon.  Classes are held periodically at the RGS and another is being planned.

Easter Egg Hunt Fun

On Saturday, March 22, about 2 dozen children turned out for the sixth annual Rutland Easter Egg Hunt held at the Lou Sanderson Field. The snowfall made it a bit more difficult but not impossible to find about 400 eggs. Following the search, the hunters and their families gathered at the Rutland Café to open each of their plastic eggs for the candy and prize slips Easter at the Rutland Cafeinside. In addition to numerous small prizes each of the participants received, two bicycles were also awarded through a separate drawing. Gracie Baumgarten from Casselton won the smaller bike and Josephine Nelson of Rutland Township won the Grand Prize bicycle. The annual Easter Egg Hunt is sponsored and organized by the Rutland Café and the Leinen Family with some assistance from the Rutland Community Club. My boys always look forward to this event and enjoy it even more every year. Thanks again to the Leinen Family and Rutland Community Club for sponsoring another successful and fun Hunt!

Easter Feast

Easter Sunday’s Brunch and fundraiser was a resounding success as demonstrated with 250+ attending to take in the spread offered at the Rutland Town Hall. The Rutland-Cayuga Volunteer Fire Department crew, with the capable staff from the Rutland General Store, served the bountiful feast for the families who chose to fully enjoy Easter rather than spend time cooking at home. It was a difficult choice on where to start with more than 15 selections plus all the desserts. My boys enjoyed the ham, rolls, pancakes and desserts while my husband and I filled up on those as well as the baked egg dishes, vegetables, salads and other items. This was an easy and enjoyable Easter for our family and many others. Congratulations to the volunteer firemen and the General Store for making this a success!

A Family New Year’s Eve

The Leinen family wanted families to be able to enjoy celebrating New Year’s Eve together with other families. They sponsored a New Year’s Eve party at the Rutland Town Hall with lots of food, karaoke, games, dancing, hats and noisemakers. All they asked was a free will offering to help defray some of the expense. This isn’t the first event the Leinen’s have organized. They have sponsored the annual Easter Egg hunt for many years giving away a boys and girls bicycle each year, in addition to lots of candy and other small prizes. They’ve also held kite flying contests. Jerry and Jeanne and their family are avid supporters of family fun.

Santa Day 2008 For All Ages

The new committee for Santa Day included something for all ages on Santa Day, December 15. Everyone enjoyed Bingo, the kids had a great time doing a variety of crafts, and Santa arrived with bags of candy for all. Pictures taken with Santa were popular, as well as pictures taken in Santa’s sleigh. The Luther League had a bake sale with a wonderful variety of goodies. They also sponsored a basket raffle and served a lunch of soup and sandwiches. After supper, the Earl Fust Family Band entertained the crowd and young and old enjoyed a little dancing.