Hens Do Crow! June 19, 2020

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Rutland natives Dave & Pat Kulzer, now residents of the Swan River Valley in western Montana, report that a bear has been making regular trips through their yard. The most recent sighting of the critter, believed to be a cinnamon colored black bear, was at about 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, June 14, Flag Day. The bear had passed through the Kulzers’ yard heading south about ten days earlier, and it is believed that it was patrolling its territory, warning unfriendly bears and other heavy-duty predators to keep their distance. Although black bears may weigh up to 300 to 400 pounds and can be dangerous, they are neither as large nor as ill-tempered as their grizzly bear cousins. The bear that passed through the Kulzers’ yard had neither the dished face nor the hump on its back that are characteristics distinctive to the grizzly. Just to be sure, Pat did some research, and this is what she found:

“I found this info re the grizzly’s hump at https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Grizzly-Bear :  “Grizzly bears are large and range in color from very light tan (almost white) to dark brown. They have a dished face, short, rounded ears, and a large shoulder hump. The hump is where a mass of muscles attach to the bear’s backbone and give the bear additional strength for digging. They have very long claws on their front feet that also give them extra ability to dig after food and to dig their dens. An animal fact guide says that grizzly cubs are born blind, hairless & toothless but within a month, while nursing from their mother, they grow teeth & fur & have opened their eyes and are ready to venture out of the winter den. The cubs are able to climb trees but lose that ability when their claws get fully developed.  Pat.” 

There haven’t been any grizzly bears out here on the prairie for about 200 years, but, just in case they start reclaiming their ancestral range, this is good information to know. Thanks to Pat & Dave Kulzer for the report.

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Hens Do Crow! June 12, 2020

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On Wednesday, May 27, 2020, Vernon Leist of this community was injured when the motorcycle he was driving was struck by a wild turkey. The accident occurred on ND Highway #11, near the Southeast Water Users water plant about one mile east of the Rutland corner. The impact of the 10-12-pound bird in flight was enough to cause Mr. Leist to lose control of the motorcycle which tipped over and slid along the pavement. He suffered numerous cuts, abrasions, and several broken ribs because of the collision and contact with the road surface. Vern was taken to the new Sanford Hospital in Fargo by the Sargent County Ambulance Service, Forman squad, and received medical treatment there for more than a week. He is now undergoing rehabilitation treatment at Cobalt Rehabilitation Hospital, 4671 38th Street South, Fargo ND 58104. Mr. Leist said on Saturday, June 6, that he still has no clear memory of the accident and does not remember if he was going to Lidgerwood, or coming home from Lidgerwood, at the time it occurred. His many friends in the Rutland community wish him a speedy recovery and a quick return to his home here.

The Nordland Lutheran Church Council met on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, to establish a schedule and procedures for resuming worship services and other activities in the congregation’s Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall in Rutland. According to Nordland Council Chairman Hal Nelson, Sunday worship services will resume at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 14, with Pastor Nicholas Rohde officiating. Hal said that face masks and social distancing will be required of all in the sanctuary, except those who are excepted by CDC guidelines. “The coronavirus pandemic is still on the move,” he said, “and we don’t want anyone to become infected, or to infect others, while attending worship services.” He urged anyone who has questions to check the Nordland Lutheran Church Facebook page.

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Hens Do Crow! June 5, 2020

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The Rutland City Council met on Monday evening, June 1, at City Hall with all members present.  Calvin Jacobson was present to discuss the matter of sump pumps and discharging them onto the lawns or into the streets. He expressed concern with the number of low spots and areas where the water would settle and not flow. The Council noted the problem with the volume of water into the City lift station when the sump pumps are drained into the sanitary sewer. The Public Works vacancy was discussed, and the position will be posted and advertised. The Council reviewed three responses to the City’s request for qualifications for the City Engineer and selected Interstate Engineering as the new City Engineer effective at the reorganization meeting. Building permit No. 230-20 was approved for Chuck Sundlie and Kim Kohler for a new metal shed 20’ x 14’ x 14’ high to be placed on their lot. The financials and bills were approved as submitted. The Council discussed several yards with overgrown grass, abandoned homes and unlicensed vehicles in town. People have been contacted about grass that needs to be mowed. Owners of vacant and abandoned property and unlicensed vehicles will be contacted to clean-up the property and/or remove the blight. The Council reorganization meeting will be held Tuesday, June 23 at 5 p.m. The next regular City Council meeting will be held Monday, July 6, when the Council will begin discussion of the preliminary 2021 budget.

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The Rooster Crows 5/29/2020

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By Bill Anderson

Although field conditions in the Rutland area are still plenty wet and muddy, there hasn’t been much rain lately. That situation changed, a little, on the morning of Sunday, May 24, when a two-hour .16 of an inch drizzle gave the area a clean-up shower just before Memorial Day. There are no predictions about when the next rainfall might be scheduled, but the old-timers used to say that “Every day that it doesn’t rain is one day closer to the day that it will.” Can’t argue with that.

Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, dawned gray and overcast with a light wind out of the northwest. The air was humid, and the grass was covered with a heavy dew, a reminder of the light rain of the previous day. Despite the fact that the traditional Memorial Day program and pot-luck dinner had been cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic, a substantial number of current and former Rutland community residents were at both the Nordland and the Rutland cemeteries to witness the members of Bergman-Evenson Post #215 of the American Legion perform military rites honoring the memory of those honored dead who had served in the nation’s military services. Members of the ceremonial detail for 2020 included: Andy Hoflen; Rob Wyum; Ted Lee; Andy Harris; Larry Christensen; Doug Olstad; Roger Pearson; Calvin Jacobson; Doug Spieker; and Bill Anderson. Those who were at the cemeteries commented on the precision of the detail’s performance. Following the military rites at the cemeteries, Post Commander Larry Christensen called a brief meeting in Calvin Jacobson’s driveway at which the members approved a gift to Logan Wyum, SCHS Class of ’20, in appreciation for his services as Post Bugler over the past several years; elected Rob Wyum as Vice-Commander to replace former Vice-Commander and Past 10th District Commander Tom Manley who has moved to New Mexico; and, awarded 50-year membership pins to Vietnam veterans Larry Christensen and Andy Hoflen. With the meeting concluded, those present commemorated the occasion with appropriate beverages served by the host, Sergeant At Arms Calvin Jacobson. A good time was had by all, and justifiably so.

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Hens Do Crow! May 22, 2020

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Members of the Rutland Community Club spent time on Friday, May 15, to brighten up the town. The adults and kids planted some bright purple petunias and other flowers in several flowerpots they had placed along the main business district. The block between Walock-Johnson and the Post Office has five beautiful large potted plants and one was also placed by City Hall. The businesses have been asked to water the plants to keep them looking lively for residents and visitors alike. Sargent County Bank also has two of their own flowerpots greeting patrons who stop in at the Bank.

The column last week mentioned the Birthday caravan that made its way through and around town. One birthday girl was missed. Kaitlyn Shirley Mahrer turned three last Thursday and the parade made sure to pass by there first to wish her a happy birthday. Then, as mentioned last week, the caravan made its way south to greet Anthony “Tony” Banish and then back through town and East to share the day with Audrey Anderson. Small towns can have big celebrations especially when three share the same date.

Word was received here on Tuesday, May 19, that Rutland native, John A. Lee, had passed away the previous evening at a Fargo hospital after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 76 years old at the time of his death.  John was a son of the late Tollef and Ethel (Weller) Lee of this community. He was a member of the RHS Class of ’63 and was a frequent visitor in his old hometown.  He and his wife, Cheryl (Halstenson) Lee, have made their home in Colfax ND since the 1970’s. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend with a party at their home organized by their two daughters. John had served as Mayor of Colfax for many years, and he was known to his many friends as the common man’s Renaissance man, multi-talented and always willing to share his talents to make life better, and living more enjoyable, for all. Funeral plans were not available at this writing.

Sargent Central High School finished up the school year on Wednesday, May 20th.  Students and parents lined up in their cars on Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon to return their books, computers, and other school materials that had been used for the past several weeks while COVID-19 kept most at home. A closed graduation ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 24, at 2 p.m. with only immediate family members allowed. A livestream video of the ceremony will be available on Sargent Central’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Vy4ocl4qO5k. Some graduates have postponed the customary reception following graduation with a few selecting to have the reception with guests spreading outside to conform with the six-foot distance suggestions.

Memorial Day military rites ceremonies will be held at the Nordland Lutheran Cemetery and at the Rutland Cemetery. On Monday, 25, the American Legion Post #215 ceremonial detail will be at Nordland Cemetery, (2 miles east and 1/2 mile south of Rutland) at 10:15 a.m. and will be at the Rutland Cemetery (east edge of town) at 10:30 on Memorial Day morning. Commander Christensen requests that all Post members, and all members of the public attending the services, observe social distancing guidelines and wear face masks or other appropriate face coverings to prevent the spread of the corona virus. Auxiliary members will also be at the ceremonies.

That’s it for this week in Rutland. Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend.

Hens Do Crow! May 15, 2020

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Several members of the Rutland Community Club met on Monday, May 11, for an update on events and projects. The Missoula Theater Group still plans to be in Rutland June 22-26 for a community play unless cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Sargent County Fair has not been cancelled as of this writing and the Sargent County Queen pageant will be held even if it is cancelled. The ‘passing of the crown’ event for the new Miss Rutland has been done in the past at the Rutland Block Party. However, the Block Party may not be held so the new Miss Rutland, Cora McKinney, may be crowned at a smaller event. The Rutland Community Club has purchased flowers to be placed in the flowerpots that popped up around town and those will be planted on Friday afternoon to beautify the community. Planter boxes will be placed in Rutland this week with two planters by City Hall and two by the Rutland Senior Center. The Sargent County Garden Committee has been working with the NDSU Sargent County
Extension office, Sargent County Ambassadors, and the Master Gardener program. The group obtained donated wood to make the boxes and seeds for planting. Several boxes have already been delivered and planted in Forman and four will be placed in Rutland. The planter boxes by the Senior Center will provide vegetables for use at the Senior Center for meals. Two Sargent County Ambassadors, Tony Banish and Emily Hamilton, will help maintain the Senior planters. The planters by City Hall will be community gardens to be watered, weeded, and harvested by volunteers from the community. Katie McLaen will get a schedule for volunteers to help water and weed the boxes. The Community Club will provide additional funding for plants and tools needed for the project.

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