Tag: blood drive

Rutland Ramblings – Feb. 2, 2024

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The Rutland City Council met on Monday, January 29, in lieu of a February meeting. The City Auditor informed the Council that two grant applications have been prepared to be submitted to the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District for the City sidewalk project and to replace the city street signs. The Council approved the applications. The Auditor will continue to seek other grant funding sources if these are not approved. There are two delinquent utility accounts in addition to one that is planned to go to small claims court. The City Auditor will not be available in February. The city voice mail will refer individuals to contact Mayor Mahrer or Scott for assistance. Individuals can contact Lori McLaen
regarding any Hall questions. The January water bills will be mailed out this week and the February utility bills will be mailed until after March 4. The next City Council meeting will be Monday, March 11.

The Rutland Vitalant blood drive was held on Tuesday, January 30, at the Rutland Community Center. Janet Kiefer reports that there were twenty donors, nine of whom were walk-in donors. Of those twenty, four were doubles for a total of 23 units of blood donated. There was one first time donor as well.

Bill Anderson was in the hospital in Fargo on Tuesday, January 30, for a brief stay. The report is that everything went well, and he is expected to return home on Thursday, February 1.

Sonja Christensen made her way to Rutland on Friday, February 2, to prepare for the big Anderson Pinochle tournament on Saturday, February 3, starting at 9 a.m. As of Wednesday, there were 49 teams registered according to Sonja, but she is expecting more by the end of the week. The Rutland Community Club will be preparing a scallop potatoes meal for the participants at the tournament. Watch for information on the results of the tournament next week.

That’s it for this week from Rutland. Be sure to check out the new Rutland app for upcoming events and activities. Good reviews have been coming in from users – especially for the weather updates (but then we’ve been having good weather!). Rutland activities and events can also be found on the city website.

Rutland Ramblings – Jan. 26, 2024

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It was a wild and crazy night on Friday, January 19th, when The Fun Pianos – Traveling Dueling Pianos rolled into town. Over 130 people attended the event at the Hall sponsored by the Rutland Community Club. The performers got the crowd involved and played many favorites submitted by those attending. The party, originally scheduled for two hours, rolled into three fun-filled, loud, and rowdy hours. Many of the party goers headed over to finish the night at The Lariat Bar.

Katie McLaen reported that she is Grandma – again – with the birth of Millie Eve LaCroix on Thursday, January 18th. Millie entered the world at 2:05 a.m. in Fargo weighing 7 lbs., 6 oz., and 19 inches long. Millie, named after “Millie” McLaen and Katherine “Eve” McLaen, joins older sister Charlotte. Proud parents are Catie and Cody LaCroix. Congratulations to the parents and grandparents on the new bundle of joy.

The Rutland City Council will hold its next meeting on Monday, January 29, starting at 5 p.m. in City Hall. The meeting is always open to the public and the agenda can be viewed on the City’s website. Be sure to check that out. Come attend the meeting to see what’s happening in town and what issues the Council is facing. If you are interested, be sure to grab the Petition for Nomination to run for a position on the City Council or Park Board. The positions of Mayor, two City Council Members, and three Park Board positions will be on the June ballot. Election petitions can be circulated and are due to the City Auditor by 4 p.m. on April 8, 2024.

The Rutland Vitalant Blood Drive will be held on Tuesday, January 30th, at Rutland City Hall starting at 2:45 p.m. If you haven’t already been called and are willing to donate, you can register online at Vitalant or just drop by the Hall before 6 p.m. to make your donation.

The teams are registering for the annual Anderson Pinochle tournament scheduled for Saturday, February 3, at the Rutland Hall. Sonja Christensen is organizing the event, and the Rutland Community Club will be serving the noon meal. Game time starts promptly at 9 a.m. If you are not yet registered, be sure to give Sonja a call at 701-642-6793. The cost is $40 per couple. The tournament is always a fun time and the teams are very competitive.

There is always something happening in Rutland. Remember to mark Friday, March 1, on your calendar for the annual Rutland Sportsmans Club Fish Fry that will be held that evening. Watch for information in the Teller.

Rutland Ramblings – Jan. 19, 2023

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This community was shocked and plunged into sadness on Sunday, December 24, 2023, when word was received here that Rutland native Shelly (Pherson) Fink had died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 33 years 4 months and 1 day. 

Shelly Jean Pherson was born on August 23, 1990, in Breckenridge MN to Dennis and Ione (Benson) Pherson of Rutland, ND. She grew up on the Pherson family’s farmstead on the north edge of Rutland.  She learned how to ride a horse almost before she knew how to walk.  Shelly was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland.  As a child, Shelly loved animals as much as she loved making people laugh. She was active in the 4-H horse program, Children’s Summer Theater, Rutland Community Theater, gymnastics, high school basketball and all things creative, including art. She shared her creative talents in countless ways throughout her life.  Shelly could always inspire smiles and laughs with her quick quips, one-liners and comebacks in any situation.

Shelly attended Elementary and High School at Sargent Central, graduating from high school in 2009. During her high school years, Shelly excelled in athletics, speech, Envirothon, served as a 4-H State Ambassador, and as Miss Sargent County 2007. She spent one summer learning to train horses and earned a spunky filly she named Oakley.

After graduating from high school, Shelly joined the North Dakota Air National Guard. She was proud to be one of North Dakota’s “Happy Hooligans”. After completing Air Force Basic Training, she enrolled at NDSU in Fargo, studying Ag Education. She joined the LineBenders Improv Comedy Group, fostered animals from the local shelter and helped them find homes, and shared her acting ability with police officers in Crisis Intervention Training. Airman Pherson served her country as an Air Transportation Specialist during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Shelly became a recruiter for the North Dakota Air National Guard in 2014 and educated all ages about the military – reading to classrooms, doing workshops with high school and college students, organizing activities in veterans’ homes, and helping young airmen get the most out of their military experience. Shelly was a proud member of Bergman-Evenson Post #215 of the American Legion in her hometown of Rutland.

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The Rooster Crows – June 2, 2023

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By Bill Anderson

The weather started out hot and windy on Monday, May 22, and stayed that way throughout the Memorial Day weekend. The conditions allowed field work to proceed at a rapid pace, and some local producers are getting close to the Spring Planting Finish Line. Hot weather conditions usually drum up a thunderstorm, and Memorial Day on Monday, May 29, was no exception to that old and honorable tradition. There were several episodes of thunder, followed by what Norbert Kulzer described as, “a 5 inch rain,” that is, a rainfall in which the raindrops were at least 5 inches apart. Roger Pearson reported .1 of an inch in his rain gauge on the morning of Tuesday, May 30, and Norbert Kulzer reported that his gauge, only a few feet east of Roger’s, registered less than a tenth on Tuesday morning. There is hope, though. At least there is hope, the drug that gives every farmer, and every banker, a high with every drop of rain.

Nine of the 12 surviving second generation descendants of Rutland area pioneers, the late Ole C. & Julia C. (Peterson) Anderson, enjoyed a reunion of first cousins on Thursday, May 25. The group included: Bill Anderson of Rutland; Paul Anderson of Rutland; Joanne (Anderson) Harris of Rutland; Andrew Harris of Rutland; Sonja (Anderson) Christensen of Wahpeton; Judie (Anderson-Seavert) Grohs of Rosholt SD; Jodie (Anderson) Bogenreif of Gilbert AZ; Beverly (Bartunek) Schons of Fargo; and Vicki (Bartunek) Renner of DesMoines IA. Also attending were Judie Grohs’ spouse, Steve Grohs of Rosholt SD; and Marilyn (Mrs. Arden) Anderson of Wahpeton. Unable to attend the reunion this year were: Marilyn (Bartunek) Sabe of DeFuniak Springs FL; Patricia (Anderson) Kulzer of Condon MT; and Jeffrey Anderson of Plymouth MN. First cousins who are deceased are: Richard M. Anderson; Harvey O. Anderson; Arden C. Anderson; and Nancy (Bartunek) Lee. Those attending gathered at the Rutland Cemetery in the morning to decorate the graves of parents, spouses, and grandparents for Memorial Day, and to discuss family history before having lunch at The Lariat Bar in Rutland. Main courses and beverages were ordered off the menu, and the group was treated with a rhubarb dessert made by Sonja Christensen from a recipe provided for one of the Rutland cookbooks by the late Helen (Hermanson) Anderson of this community. Terry Lee, surviving spouse of the Late Nancy Lee, also sent a generous supply of rosettes for all to enjoy. The cousins are descendants of the late Melvin & Ila Anderson; the late Rudolph & Edna Anderson; the late William & Norma (Anderson) Bartunek; and the late Earl & Irene Anderson. They were all impressed by the excellent cuisine furnished by The Lariat Bar, as well as with the prompt & efficient service provided by a member of the Lariat’s staff, Tyler Weatherby.

Larry Christensen, Commander of Bergman-Evenson Post #215 of the American Legion; and, Roger Pearson, a member of the Post; installed new crosses on the graves of veterans in the Rutland and Nordland Cemeteries on the morning of Friday, May 26. The new crosses are made of steel and have a durable white powder coat finish. Post members extend their thanks to the RayMac Company of Gwinner & Forman for manufacturing and donating the crosses.

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The Rooster Crows – Feb. 4, 2022

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By Bill Anderson

Here it is! The Rooster Crows is back! This writer’s move to a different residence in Rutland is still a work in progress, but the people and pets have relocated somewhat successfully. There are still boxes to open and unpack, and needed items to locate, but, on the bright side, some items have been found that haven’t been seen since the last move, back in 2019. If anyone finds a Rutland High School letterman’s jacket, Class of ’63, please let me know.

The bitterly cold weather endured by North Dakotans throughout the month of January has continued into February. The Ground Hog, Rutland Rasputin, saw his shadow on Ground Hog’s Day, Wednesday, February 2, presaging at least 6 more weeks of winter for this area. Had Rasputin not seen his shadow, winter weather would only have lasted for another 42 days. The high winds and blowing snow that hit the region on the evening of Monday, January 31, and continued on into Tuesday, February 1, even caused Waste Management to reschedule the regular Tuesday morning trash pickup to Wednesday, February 2. Rutland residents were notified of the change by telephone on Tuesday morning. A personal robo-call from the community’s garbage service provider is always appreciated.

The Rutland community was saddened to learn that Violet (Olson) Wyum, a lifelong member of the Rutland community, had passed away on the evening of Tuesday, February 1, at the age of 97 years. She was residing at Four Seasons Healthcare Center in Forman at the time of her death.  Additional information about Violet Wyum’s life among us will be in next week’s column.  Funeral arrangements had not yet been made as of this writing.  Price Funeral Chapel of Forman & Britton will be in charge of arrangements.

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The Rooster Crows – February 14, 2020

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By Bill Anderson

Mother Nature has been providing Rutland and vicinity with a roller coaster ride through the month of February, at least so far. The temperature has fluctuated from sub-zero to the verge of thawing a couple of times, with each change in the level of the mercury in the thermometer being accompanied by a change in the direction and velocity of the wind. On Wednesday, February 12, Lincoln’s Birthday, a 40 mph wind accompanied 2 to 3 inches of new snow as the temperature roller coaster began a plunge from the high 20’s to a predicted -15 below zero by Thursday morning, closing schools, courthouses and highways in its path. According to the assembled Wise Men, the changing locations and degrees of severity of arthritic aches and pains are as sure a predicter of changes in the weather as anything in the meteoroligists’ arsenal of scientific methodology, and the latest prediction from the Round Table is that Spring weather is bound to arrive sometime in the next 4 months, come heck or high water, or both. Something to look forward to!

Once again, on The afternoon of Thursday, February 6, sturdy volunteers in the Rutland community stepped forward, bared an arm and offered up a donation of a pint of 100% Grade “A” American blood to aid others in need of the life-saving fluid. According to local coordinator Janet Kiefer, 25 volunteers showed up for their donation appointments at the Rutland Town Hall and donated a total of 27 units of whole blood and red blood cells. Janet reports that there was one first time donor in the group. The February 6 event was the first of 2 blood drives scheduled for 2020 in the Rutland community. The second drive is tentatively scheduled to occur during the month of June. Among those who assisted during the February drive were: Janet Kiefer; Sheila Wyum; Joanne Harris; Renee Cramton; Diane Smith; and, Ron Narum. The post-donation lunch for donors was supplied by the Rutland Sportsmen’s Club. The Rutland community extends congratulations and thanks to the volunteers who assisted the professional staff during the drive, and to all those who donated the gift of life to someone they may have never met. Continue reading “The Rooster Crows – February 14, 2020” →