No Cooking Sunday!

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April 28, 2008

Sunday in Rutland was a day when Mom’s did not need to cook. There were lots of places to eat yesterday.  In addition to the Rutland Cafe, with expanded hours, it was the last Sunday of the month which meant the Rutland General Store had its Sunday buffet. The place was packed when our family dropped in.  Everyone enjoyed the spread of ham, roast beef, cheesy hash-browns, mashed potatoes, egg bake, waffles, caramel rolls and more.  After filling up at that feast, it was time to head home to rest up before Sunday afternoon Bingo at the Senior Hall where Yvonne Johnson continued her winning streak. Her husband Don won the blackout game but not in the 58 numbers to win the jackpot.  (Try next week for $90). During the break, Bingo players got to feast on pie, bars and beverages. Right after Bingo it was off to Rutland City Hall for the Park Board Baked Potato Feed which again drew hundreds to dine on potatoes with all the fixings along with lots of homemade desserts! Monday is “food hangover” day for Rutland and area residents.

Paris in Rutland with Snow

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This evening about 30+ Rutland area residents and a few from nearby towns are attempting to get into their “April in Paris” dinner at the Rutland General Store and they truly have a challenge if they are traveling from anyplace other than in town.  Snow is blowing fiercely sideways out here.  I thought April was supposed to bring some rain — we’ve already planted the potatoes and radishes and a few other things.  Spring is playing funny tricks on everyone this year.  At least the snow is expected to finish in plenty of time for Bingo and the Baked Potato Feed, both on Sunday.

Grants Workshop

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Today Diane Smith and Deborah Banish ventured to Jamestown for a full-day grantwriting workshop sponsored by Horizons and the ND Extension Service Center for Economic Vitality. The workshop was presented by Lynette Krenelka, Director of Distance Degree Programs at UND Grand Forks.  We covered the entire process of researching funding sources, identifying programs, writing applications and developing budgets.  Several of the attendees shared experiences in writing and obtaining grants.  There was time to utilize specialized resources such as the Foundation Center Foundation Directory Online (available only by subscription).  The information provided a good refresher for me on grantwriting and Diane also came away with a wealth of new knowledge.   We had access to the online resources through midnight so we gathered plenty of information on potential grant funders for projects related to housing, accessibility, trails, youth programs, building improvements, and emergency services — to name a few.  Now to find the time to proceed to the next phase and get some grant money for Rutland projects!!

Picture Perfect Rutland

On By rutlandramblingsIn Life In General3 Comments

rutland-by-val2.jpgVal Pherson has come through with another great advertisement for Rutland.  Val is a sophomore in Graphic Design at South Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota and worked on this for a class project.  She took pictures that are symbolic of Rutland and the area and placed them in the R U T L A N D letters.  The colors are magnificent and the whole poster is eye catching.  Val is working with her college instructor on how best to utilize this artistic piece.  We know that Rutland will certainly benefit from whatever she decides to do.  Thanks Val.  You are so talented.

Take A Hike!

On By rutlandramblingsIn Horizons Program1 Comment

Take a hike is exactly what I did early Thursday evening.  Along with Mark Wyum and Larry Christensen I hiked from the Rutland General Store and followed the existing railroad track for another two miles south of town (we made the trek in less than an hour). Mark is chair of our Hiking/Biking Trails committee to explore options for a route out to Silver Lake. The railroad track, owned by the State of South Dakota, is operated by the Dakota Missouri Valley and Western Railroad. It is one option for a hiking trail. This one provides a challenge with the sloughs in the area as well as the narrow bridge spanning the Wild Rice. I think I got a neck ache since I had to look down at every step and got a break only when I stopped to snap a few photos of the route we took.

April Showers Bring…..Snow??

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I thought it was springtime in Rutland already but boy was I wrong! Last evening as the rain turned to snow we got to watch a doe and her fawn walk within thirty feet of our living room.  The boys stood motionless and the deer seemed to look right at us.  The deer meanered through the trees and crossed north, disappearing into the falling snow.  I’d guess we got about 5 inches here.  If the weather makes the 60s next week as forecasted, maybe I can stir up some dirt.  Let’s hope that this time the warmth sticks around.