Marketing Grant Award

On By rutlandramblingsIn Nature, Rutland businesses, UffDa DayLeave a comment

The North Dakota Department of Tourism recently announced the sixteen recipients of the event or marketing grants and, yes, Rutland got a portion.  The  Coteau des Prairies Lodge, Rutland, received a matching grant award for marketing of the new guest lodge currently under construction.  You can follow the construction progress at the Coteau des Prairies Lodge website. (And while there, check out the great video from Rutland’s Uffda Day 2011 celebration!)

The Events Grant Program and Marketing Grant Program provide a maximum of $5,000 in matching funds for promotion of regional events and for specific tourism marketing plans. A total of $69,100 was awarded between the two programs. For more information on tourism grants, contact Dean Ihla with North Dakota Tourism at 701-328-3505 or dihla@nd.gov.

Pam Gulleson puts Rutland on the map

On By rutlandramblingsIn Life In GeneralLeave a comment

The following article is reprinted from the Fargo Forum – Published September 26, 2011.

Forum editorial: Candidate for House gets roses
PRAIRIE ROSES: To former North Dakota legislator Pam Gulleson for jumping into the nomination race for a chance to run for the state’s congressional seat. Gulleson, a Democrat, wants to challenge the Republican candidate for the seat being vacated by Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D., who is running for the U.S. Senate seat now held by retiring Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. We’re a long way from newspaper political endorsements, but Gulleson’s candidacy is noteworthy. She has excellent legislative experience, including leadership. She worked for former Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and therefore has experience in federal policy that affects North Dakotans. She is from rural North Dakota with roots on the farm near Rutland. At this point, the only other announced candidate in the race is Republican Brian Kalk, a North Dakota public service commissioner. The campaigns have just started, but it’s good to see an experienced candidate like Gulleson in the race.

Post Office Closings

On By rutlandramblingsIn Life In General, Rutland businesses1 Comment

Government is at it again trying to find ways to cut costs at the sake of the citizens.  The latest battle round is focusing on rural Post Offices.  On July 26, the US Postal Service released a long-awaited “post office study” of nearly 3700 potential closings in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.  The list was developed based on customer foot traffic and post office employee workload. The US Postmaster General is recommending closing facilities in rural communities which will have little impact on the PO budget but will significantly affect each community.

Last year the US Postal Service had a net loss of $8.5 billion; in 2009 it had a $3.8 billion loss.  The Postal Regulatory Commission has found that maintaining rural post offices only amounts to 0.7 percent of the USPS’s total budget.   The Postal Service has reduced its staff over the past several years, has cut billions from its costs and has asked Congress to cut delivery to five days a week and to reduce its contributions toward future retiree health benefits.

Rutland, Havana and Cayuga stations are on the closing list.  The first step was a Rutland community meeting last week to initiate a call to action by Rutland residents. Over 40 individuals attended the meeting to hear about the proposed closings and to identify steps to take to challenge the closing of the Rutland Post Office.  A petition was started and many residents took copies to obtain signatures of area residents .  Secondly, we are all asked to send letters to our Congressional Delegation:  Congressman Rick Berg, 3170 43rd Street S, Fargo, ND 58104; Senator Kent Conrad, U.S. Federal Building, Room 306, 657 2nd Avenue North, Fargo, ND 58102; and Senator John Hoeven, 1802 32nd Avenue South, Room B, Fargo ND 58103.  Letters should also be sent to our local legislators: Senator Jim Dotzenrod, PO Box 69, Wyndmere ND 58081-0069; Representative Bill Amerman, PO Box 43, Forman ND 58032-0043; and Representative Jerry Kelsh, PO Box 27, Fullerton ND 58441-0027.

Click here for a sample letter that you should modify to make the letter more personal about how the closing will affect you and/or your businesses.  A “Rutland Fact Sheet” is also included for your information.  Don’t forget to mail your letter at the Rutland Post Office!

Ghost Chasers

On By rutlandramblingsIn TheaterLeave a comment

The annual Entertainment Unlimited Children’s Summer Theater production provided another round of very entertaining theater.  “The Great Ghost Chase” was presented August 3, 4 & 5, to rave reviews.

I took the opportunity to attend all three shows this year. For the dress rehearsal, open to Senior Citizens, I was a “backstage Mom.” I got to follow the script and help nudge the kids onstage – we did miss one cue but it was great to see the kids do so well — even with missed lines, only the director and the players could tell.

The second night brought a large crowd of parents, grandparents and other visitors. It seemed the final night had the largest number of audience members in attendance and it was really fun to see them all improvising on the last performance.

“The Great Ghost Chase” was written by Tim Kelly and produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service Inc. The cast of characters for “The Great Ghost Chase” were: Jayden H. as the Zombie (and the Poltergeist); Tatum W. as Miss Pierce (the nurse); Hailey H. as Harriet Hollyhock; Tia G. as the Cabdriver; Tracy H. as Madam Mysteria; Ethan H. as Dr. Roy; Jacob M. as Sergeant Ruff; Kaleb S. as the Orderly; Emma H. as the Cleaning Woman; Jacob N. as Honcho; Aaliyah G. as Constance Bulonia, the Realtor; Evan H. as Jimmy Valentine; Kael M. as Elmer; Emma G. as Dorothy (and Betty); Josephine N. as Peggy (and Miss Lemming); Emily H. as Joan Carter (the bride); Josephine H. as Joy (the real nurse); Kian M. as Horace; Edwin H. as Wally Allen;  Hannah S. as Pvt Waite; Tyler B. as Pvt. Howard; Kyle M. as Detective Pepperday;  Sabrina H. as Lydia Snoop; and Thomas M. as George. 

Kudos to every one of the performers in the program. My favorite (other than my son), was Tracy Haussler as Madame Mysteria. Her performance will be remembered by everyone for years to come.

This project was supported in part by a grant from the ND Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the NEA.

Rutland Raiders Rock! July 2011

On By rutlandramblingsIn 4-HLeave a comment

Congratulations to the Rutland Raiders 4-Hers who participated in the July 2011 Sargent County Fair and especially to all the Purple Ribbon winners. In the Static Display category, the Rutland Rockets managed to get 10 of the 40 purple ribbons and paraded their wares for the premium sale: K-nex Rollercoaster – Tyler B.; Farm to Table Display – Emma G.; Leather Shield – Thomas M.; Raspberry Pie – Hailey H.; Flower Pot – Emma G.; Wagon (welding) – Jacob M.; Raspberry Muffins – Emma G.; Braided Bread – Hailey H.; Yellow Onions – Emma G.; and Beets – Emma G. Emma G. also received a purple ribbon for her calf.

The kids deserve a big round of applause.  We look forward to seeing their accomplishments each and every year at the Sargent County Fair.

Riding For Dreams

On By rutlandramblingsIn Life In GeneralLeave a comment

I always loved horses when I was young and I took every opportunity to ride.  It’s funny that now when I have moved and live in the country I stopped riding.  That is not due to a lack of opportunity but time.  However, I still love to support those equestrian causes and there is one close to home that serves the Southeast corner of the State:  Riding For Dreams.  Riding For Dreams was founded in 2009 and organized for the charitable and educational purposes of developing children and adults by incorporating horses into therapeutic and learning programs.  The group is fundraising for funds to cover annual expenses and to build the therapeutic riding program.  Right now they are trying to get a Pepsi Refresh Everything Grant and they need your help.  If they get to the top at the end of voting, they will receive a $10,000 grant from Pepsi.  Voting ends July 20 so get busy and vote. You are given 5 votes everyday, but you cannot consecutively give all 5 votes the Center, you may need to log out and log back in later in the day.

To vote follow this link.. www.refresheverything.com/ridingfordreams

or text 107288 to Pepsi at 73774
*standard text messaging rates may apply*

For More Information on the Pepsi Refresh Project checkout   www.refresheverything.com