Tag: Easter Egg Hunt

The Rooster Crows – April 14, 2023

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By Bill Anderson

Spring has finally sprung! All of nature broke into a full throated version of creation’s Hallelujah Chorus on Easter weekend as the last vibrations, tremors and aftershocks of what is hoped to have been the last winter storm of the season died away, the Sun broke free of its winter imprisonment the temperature climbed into the 40’s and southerly breezes brought warm temperatures to the region. The 9 to 12 inches of new snow that had arrived on April 4 & 5, in addition to the several feet of old snow that had been petrified in place since the storms of November and December, began to melt, producing rivers of slush wherever drifting snow met warm pavement. Every kind of wild goose known to North America flew over Rutland, singing their joyous chorus of spring, and they were joined by chattering ducks of every description, the crowing of rooster pheasants, the plaintive cry of the mourning dove, the cheerful songs of robins, red-wing blackbirds & meadowlarks, and other songsters too numerous to mention. The receding mountains of snow revealed new sources of sustenance to the herds of whitetail deer that had been scrounging a meager existence from tree belts and cattail slough for the past several months. Easter, the affirmation of resurrected life, brought the restoration of the possibility of life to all of nature’s creatures, including the human kind. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Winter is dead! Long live spring!

The Rutland City Council met as the city’s Board of Tax Equalization at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 3, at the Rutland Town Hall, with Mayor Mike Mahrer; Auditor Debbie Banish; and, City Council Members Rodney Erickson; Bill Anderson; Delores Lysne; and, Lori McLaen; present. Also present was Sargent County Director of Tax Equalization, LaJuana Hayen. The Board approved two Homestead and three Veterans exemptions as provided for in State Law, and as presented by the County Director. The County Director noted that the State had increased the valuation of residential property, making an increase in the tax levied on property more likely. The Board approved the Assessment Books as presented. No members of the public had appeared before the Board to comment on, or object to, property valuations or taxes levied on property within the City. The Board of Equalization adjourned at 5:10 p.m.

The monthly City Council meeting was then convened at 5:15 p.m. by Mayor Mahrer. City Auditor Banish, Council President Erickson and Council Members Anderson, Lysne & McLaen were present. Council President Erickson reported that he recently met with Rutland native Tanner Hambeck concerning the replacement of the main entrance and kitchen entrance doors on the Rutland Town Hall, and that he is currently waiting for a cost estimate for the replacement of the two South doors.

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The Rooster Crows – April 6, 2023

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By Bill Anderson

Well, we got shoveled out from last week’s snowstorm just in time to welcome this week’s blizzard. The snow started falling at the rate of about an inch per hour around 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, and kept up a steady pace all day. Most of us have been fed up with the snow, ice, cold, wind and the other accouterments of Winter for 3 or 4 months now, but dedicated snow removal experts like Rutland’s Jim & Shari Brown and Larry Christensen are made of sterner stuff and find the prospect of taking on the worst that Winter can offer armed only with a snow shovel to be an exhilarating challenge. They have kept their assigned territories free of ice and snow since early November, and they’re not about to give up now. About the only thing that could keep them from battling Winter would be a plane ticket to Aruba, Miami Beach, Puerto Vallarta or some other tropical paradise where the only ice is in the drinks, and a snow shovel is thought to be a long-handled pizza pan. Larry, Jim & Shari don’t have to worry about losing their jobs, though, as more snow is forecast for this coming December. According to the weather experts on TV & radio, there is no snow in the short term forecast after this weekend, though, and the temperatures are predicted to be up in the upper 30’s to mid-40’s. Not exactly Spring, but at least Spring-like. We do like Spring – we do, we do, we do! Please don’t take it away.

Paul Kiefer used his fish measuring ruler to try to figure out how much snow had been received in Cayuga by the morning of Wednesday, April 5, and came up with approximately 9 inches. Jesse Brakke estimated that 12 inches of snow had been dumped on his farmstead along ND Highway #11, between Rutland & Cayuga, and Kyle Mahrer estimated that 9 inches of new snow had been acquired by Rutland as of 9:30 a.m. on April 5. There’s more snow, and more wind, to come, though, and it may be necessary to revise these numbers prior to next week. It’s bound to end one of these days.

The Old Timers used to say that Spring would not arrive until Easter arrived, and that an early Easter meant an early Spring and a late Easter meant a late Spring. Those Old Timers weren’t always right, but they sure hit the nail on the head this year. Easter is on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Spring Equinox, and this year that Sunday is this weekend, April 9. Holy Week services in the Havana Trinity, Rutland Nordland & Forman Trinity (TNT) Parish are scheduled as follows: Maundy Thursday Pot-Luck Dinner Service at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Forman; Good Friday Service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Havana; Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, April 9, at Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland, followed by fellowship, coffee & rolls in the Nordland Fellowship Hall; Easter Sunday Service at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 9, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Forman; and, Easter Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 9, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Havana. Check the TNT Parish internet site for any changes which may be necessitated by drifting snow, soggy roads, or high water. Easter Sunday Worship Service is also scheduled to be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 9, at Sts. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church in Cayuga. 

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The Rooster Crows – Mar. 31, 2023

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By Bill Anderson

Oh, it’s Springtime in North Dakota, and there’s still three feet of snow; Yes, it’s Springtime in North Dakota, and the wind chill’s at 29 below; It will soon be Summer in North Dakota, but it’s warming up so slow; When it’s Summer in North Dakota, will it still be 29 below?

The month of March, 2023, is on course to be one of the coldest since records have been kept. According to the official records of the U. S. Weather Bureau, the highest temperature recorded, so far, this March has been 37 above. There have been no 40 degree days since early November. In Rutland, the mercury registered 9 degrees below Zero at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29, and the “wind chill index” was at -29. Well, it has been said that March is the month that God put on the calendar so that people who don’t drink can know what a hangover feels like. His point has emphatically been made in 2023. We are ready to swear off sub-zero temperatures indefinitely.

As usual, the Rutland Community Club (RCC) has been maintaining an active schedule of events for adults and children, alike, undeterred by snow, cold, wind and other obstacles created by inclement weather and the perversity of nature. Community Club President Katie McLaen has provided the following report on the Community Club’s annual Fun Night, held this past Sunday, March 26, and on other events coming up in the near future: “By my best calculations we had 170 people at the Rutland Town Hall for Fun Night… a larger crowd than expected so we ran out of pizza! There were 50 door prizes and at least that many cakes for the cakewalk. There were 9 carnival games as well as a Photo Booth and coloring table and a popcorn/cotton candy stand. There was BINGO, with Norbert Kulzer hitting the jackpot, winning once at regular Bingo and also winning the final bingo game of the night, which was blackout! Norbert credits his success to his BINGO skill and know-how. The Rutland Volunteer Fireman served pizza and cookies for supper. Our next community club meeting will be at a date & time to be determined, taking into account religious observances, family events and community activities during the Easter holiday. The Annual Rutland Community Easter egg hunt will be held at the Rutland Town Hall on Saturday, April 8th, at 10am, with Easter egg prizes furnished by the RCC and bikes donated by the Rutland fire departments fundraising efforts as the Grand Prizes. The Rutland American Legion Auxiliary ladies will be serving breakfast treats to kids and adults in attendance.” Thanks to Katie McLaen for the information in her report. 

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The Rooster Crows – Apr. 22, 2022

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By Bill Anderson

The more the weather changes, the more it stays the same. Like the movie “Ground Hog’s Day,” every day is a repeat of the day before: windy; cold; and, wet. There was a hot time at the old Town Hall, though, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, as more kids than you could shake a stick at gathered for the Annual Rutland Easter Egg Hunt. The event had been planned to take place at a more spacious venue in the great outdoors, Lou Sanderson Field, but the inclement weather forced the sponsor, the Rutland Community Club, to move it indoors. According to Community Club President Katie McLaen, the Easter Bunny, who remained at the scene for photographs, had hidden 3,000 eggs for the kids to find, and 100 for the participants in the newly added adult Egg Hunt. The Rutland-Cayuga Volunteer Firemen donated six bicycles that were awarded as door prizes to 6 fortunate youngsters. The ladies of the Rutland American Legion Auxiliary served caramel rolls, cupcakes, muffins, juice, and coffee to those in attendance. Congratulations to the Rutland Community Club for another successful community event. President McLaen also reports that the search is on for Miss Rutland 2022 to compete for the title of Miss Sargent County this coming Summer. The Community Club will also be hosting the Annual Rutland Community Block Party, to which the entire community is invited, in early June. The next Community Club meeting is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 9, at the Rutland Town Hall. “Things are happening in the little city that can,” says Katie.

Local churches were full on Easter Sunday morning, it is reported. All three churches of the TNT Parish: Trinity Lutheran of Havana; Nordland Lutheran of Rutland; and Trinity Lutheran of Forman; were filled up, and it is also reported that all seats were filled at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Cayuga. 

Easter dinner guests at the Joanne Harris home in Rutland were Andy Harris; Paul Anderson; and Bill Anderson.

Easter weekend visitors at the home of Norbert & Beverly Kulzer were Stephen & Ann Kulzer of Hartford SD and their son, Will, of Brookings. Norbert reports that their two granddaughters were out of the area, Lauren working at a hospital in Kansas City, and Brooke working with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in North Carolina. Stephen, Ann & Will departed for home on Sunday afternoon, after the snow let up.

More rain on the morning of Wednesday, April 20. According to Chuck Anderson and Mike Banish, the correct amount received as of 10:00 a.m. was either 3 tenths or 30 hundredths, take your pick. This is added to the snow received last week and on Easter Sunday. As it stands right now, there should be enough moisture to start a crop, if only the weather would warm up a little.

Last week it was mentioned in The Rooster Crows that Noel Liermark of this community had passed away on the morning of Thursday, April 7, at his home in Rutland. Noel had attained the age of 81 years, 8 months and 14 days at the time of his death. Noel Gary Liermark was born in Brooklyn NY on July 24, 1940, to Ivan & Dorothy (Weissman) Liermark. His parents brought him up in the Jewish faith. According to Noel, his first name was supposed to have been Noah, but a clerk at the hospital typed in Noel and it stuck. During World War II Noel moved with his parents to Long Beach CA, where he grew up and attended school. According to his lifelong friend, Mike Silverberg, who flew in from Hawaii to speak at Noel’s funeral, he had the normal interests of a teenage boy of the 1950’s, sports, cars, and girls. He graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1958. Following his graduation from high school, Noel worked with his father in the metal salvage business in Long Beach for a year before enlisting in the U. S. Army in August of 1959. During his time in the Army, Noel served a tour of duty with Military Assistance Command-Vietnam (MAC-V), headquartered at Saigon. During that time, American military personnel in Vietnam were officially considered to be Advisors, but the Viet Cong guerillas considered them to be combatants, and did not hesitate to take them under fire. Noel continued to serve in the Army until his Honorable Discharge in 1962. After returning home, he decided to go up to Lake Tahoe for a weekend, and ended up spending more than 40 years there, working in the gaming industry, for many years as a floor supervisor at Harrah’s Casino, one of the most prestigious of the Lake Tahoe gaming venues. It was at Lake Tahoe that he met Debra Vanderwolf, the love of his life. They were married on May 27, 1989, at Beaverton OR. They continued to make their home at Lake Tahoe until moving to Rutland in 2006. He developed a passion for cooking and enjoyed the company of his pet cats and dogs. Noel was a kind and gentle man who played a large role in the lives of his nieces and nephews. He is survived by his wife, Debra Liermark of Rutland; by a brother-in-law, Klaas Vanderwolf of Forman; and by several nieces, grandnieces, and grand nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; by Debra’s parents, Hein & Toos Vanderwolf; and, by a sister-in-law, Gretchen Vann. The funeral service for Noel Liermark was at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19, at Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland, with Pastor Julie Johnson officiating. Military honors were rendered by Bergman-Evenson Post #215 of The American Legion. Interment will be in the Rutland Cemetery at a later date. Price Funeral Chapel of Britton & Forman was in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to Debra Liermark, 213 Anthony Street, Rutland ND 58067. The Rutland community extends its condolences to the family and friends of Noel Liermark, a kind and decent man to whom strangers were just friends that he had not yet met.

Well, on the Post Office front, it’s still 3 out of 4: no action; no service; no Post Office. We can’t say “no information” any longer, however. Rodney Erickson reports that he has been contacted by an official at the U.S. Postal Services office in Colorado, and that he has submitted paperwork for a new Post Office location in Rutland. According to Rodney, the USPS now has some new requirements which it is doubtful whether any of the Post Offices currently in use in Sargent County satisfy. One of them is a requirement for at least 9 parking spaces, 2 of them handicapped accessible, and a number of them on private property. We’ll have to check out the Fargo Post Office one of these days, just to see how it stacks up. Representatives of the U.S. Postal Service were in Rutland on the morning of Wednesday, April 20, removing the Post Office boxes and other equipment from the former Post Office building. It was reported that the equipment would be stored at the Gwinner Post Office until a new facility in Rutland is secured.

Rutland native David Sundlie (RHs & SCHS Class of ’65) reports that his current hometown, Bismarck ND had more than a foot and a half of new snow dumped on it during last week’s 3-day blizzard that had most of the State shut down for several days. According to Dave, with the snow that fell down, was blown in and shoveled up, he now has about 4 feet of snow under the deck on his house, and he is looking for a neighborhood youngster to handle the snow chores from this point on. But then, Bismarck had it easy compared to Minot, where 3 feet of snow fell during the blizzard, and another 12 inches was added on Easter Sunday. With western North Dakota having suffered through 2 years of drought, the precipitation is not unwelcome, but cattlemen who are trying to raise a calf crop could do with a little less snow and a lot more sunshine right now. It’s hard to tell which has to be tougher, the cows or the cowboys.

Some upcoming events in Rutland include: Rutland City Council meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 2, at the Rutland Town Hall; Rutland Community Clean Up Day on Saturday, May 7, all over town, with drop off points at the City’s inert landfill west of Lou Sanderson Field and at the City shop for electronic items; Rutland Community Club meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 9, at the Rutland Town Hall; and, Memorial Day observances in Rutland commencing with military rites at 10:15 a.m. at the Nordland Cemetery & 10:30 a.m. at the Rutland Cemetery on Monday, May 30. The military rites will be followed by a program at the Rutland Town Hall, and by the traditional community pot-luck dinner at the Town Hall following the program.

The Rutland Cemetery Association reports that it has recently received 2 substantial donations to the Perpetual Care Fund. The first was a $10,000 donation from Jean Hauge, a daughter of Rutland natives Henry & Bertha (Moe) Skaarer, whose remains are buried in the Rutland Cemetery. Mrs. Hauge commended the Cemetery Association’s Board for the excellent care and maintenance that is provided for the cemetery grounds. The second donation was a $900 gift received from the Rutland Sportsmen’s Club’s gaming fund. The Rutland Cemetery Association is grateful to Mrs. Hauge and to the Rutland Sportsmen’s Club for their generous donations.

Meanwhile, on the North Dakota State scene, incumbent U.S. Senator John Hoeven is breathing a sigh of relief after narrowly fending off a challenge for the Republican Party’s endorsement during its recently concluded convention. Sen. Hoeven was challenged by ultra-conservative State Representative Dr. Rick Becker of Bismarck. Had Dr. Becker’s challenge succeeded, it would have been the first time that an incumbent U.S. Senator from North Dakota had been knocked off in a party convention or primary election since NPL candidate Wild Bill Langer beat out fellow NPLer Lynn J. Frazier back in June of 1940. It is alleged that Sen. Hoeven secured his renomination the same way he secured the GOP endorsement for Governor back in 2000, he bought it. According to Representative Becker’s supporters, Sen. Hoeven is not a bad guy, he’s just a bad Senator. That conclusion is probably the one and only thing on which Becker’s supporters and North Dakota Democrats agree.

Well, that’s the news from Rutland for this week. For additional information about what’s going on in the little city that can, check out the community’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com, and take a look at the Rutland Facebook page while you’re at it, too. Don’t forget to patronize your local Post Office and remember to keep the pressure on the U. S. Postal Service and the North Dakota Congressional delegation to SAVE OUR POST OFFICE! Later.

The Rooster Crows – Mar. 25, 2022

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By Bill Anderson

“Follow me,” cry the wild geese, as northward they fly; Follow me to the Arctic’s cold and the midnight sun, our journey’s end for centuries gone by. Their cries move on, and soon they’re gone, ‘til Autumn’s migrants fly, and once more their calls of “follow me” echo through the sky. This Fall, I just might heed the call, to see what I might find, and keep company with the wild geese, I’m sure that they won’t mind.

The joyous Spring song of the wild geese is one of our rewards for enduring Winter on the prairie. The annual migration of snow & blue geese began moving into Sargent County last week, with the first large flocks flying over town on Monday, March 14. The Spring conservation hunting season is underway, too, so the birds have run a gauntlet all the way from Texas to North Dakota.  Despite the liberal rules of the hunt, the population of these prolific birds seems to be holding its own. Perhaps that means that the management plan is working.

Scott Haan of this community joined a cousin, Rick Kuhn of Grand Forks, to make a 4-wheel flight to Sun City West AZ a few days back. The 2 men departed Rutland at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, and arrived at the home of Rick’s father, Bob Kuhn, in Sun City West on the morning of Friday, March 11. The occasion for the trip was to help the elder Mr. Kuhn celebrate his birthday, as well as to soak up some Arizona sunshine and warm weather. Scott & Rick reversed course on Monday, March 14, and were back in Rutland on Tuesday, March 15, the Ides of March. Scott brought back a big box of tree ripened Arizona lemons that he shared with friends here. Arizona sunshine juice, wrapped in a lemon peel.

A follow-up to the story about the wild palomino stallion, Golden Sovereign, that was in last week’s column. According to Gary Thornberg, his friend, Neil Herman, had told him that his Dad, Meredith Herman, had taught his favorite riding horse to jump fences in an attempt to keep up with the rampaging Golden Sovereign when the wild stallion was running free across the prairie and through the hills south of Rutland. Meredith taught the horse so well that, even after Golden Sovereign was caught, his horse still remembered how to jump a fence, and kept practicing the skill on his own. Finally, Meredith had to sell his horse to someone with taller fences, and more time to chase a fence jumping horse. As the Old Timers used to say, “Be careful what you want. You just might get it.” 

The sun has been shining, the wind has been blowing, the snow has been melting and the water has been flowing. Finally, the One who put it there is taking it away. Rutland’s maintenance man, Scott Haan, was opening culverts on Monday, March 21, helping the water find its way to Hudson’s Bay. The 6-foot snowbanks are down to 2 feet now, and some lawns are bare. The transition from Winter to Spring is moving fast. Winter may yet attempt a comeback, but the handwriting is on the wall as far as Winter’s future is concerned. Local farmers are beginning to move equipment around, so it won’t be long until reports of the first outfit stuck in the mud are received. Then, Spring will really be here.

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The Rooster Crows – April 9, 2021

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By Bill Anderson

Good things come to those who wait,” the old timers used to say, and once again, they were proved right on the evening of Tuesday, April 6, and the morning of Wednesday , April 7. The drought was not broken, but the edge was taken off of it as a steady drizzle deposited .4 of an inch of rain on Rutland and vicinity as of 9:15 on Wednesday morning, according to Norbert Kulzer’s rain gauge at 415 Gay Street. Roger Pearson, whose rain gauge issituated only a few feet away from Norbert’s, and generally measures less rain than Norbert’s, hadn’t checked his gauge yet, so, at least for now, Norbert’s rain gauge is right. Large amounts of precipitation are not in the near term forecast, but the weather gurus are predicting that showers and damp weather will persist until the weekend. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, “This rain may not be the end of the drought; it may not even be the beginning of the end; but, it may be the end of the beginning.”

The Rutland community is beginning to move to the “New Normal” of the post covid-19 world. On Saturday, April 3, The Rutland Community Club resurrected the community’s traditional Easter Egg Hunt for children in the community.  The event was held in the Rutland Town Hall and in the adjacent City park & playground. The following reportwas received from Community Club President Katie McLaen: “There were over 3,000 eggs hidden and over 50 kids hunting. In addition to the usual prizes, the Rutland Volunteer Firemen donated 6 bicycles as Grand Prizes. Nate Peterson; Raegan Roney; Ruth McLaen; Axel Hanson; Corbin Carlson; and, Jemma Schuster; won them. The Lariat Bar served rolls, juice, bloody Mary’s and mimosas. Hiding the eggs took almost an hour, with 7 people. Finding the eggs only took about 10 minutes.” Thanks to the members of the Rutland Community Club for starting the community revitalization process, and thanks to the Firemen for donating the bicycles.

Despite rapid progress being made on the vaccination front, the covid-19 battle is not yet won, according to Sargent County Public Health District Administrator Brenda Peterson. Ms. Peterson reports that adequate supplies of vaccine are now being received, and that all County residents 18 and older are now eligible to be vaccinated against the virus.  Sargent County now has all three of the vaccines approved for use in the U. S.: Pfizer; Moderna; and Johnson & Johnson; available.  She also said that the County’s nurses will be administering vaccinations at each shift at the Bobcat factory in Gwinner this coming week. Additionally, they will be in the three public schools in Sargent County: Sargent Central; North Sargent; and, Milnor; administering vaccinations to students who are age 16 or older, with parental permission, beginning next week. Sargent County’s covid-19 case count has been at or near 10 for a while, but 10 new cases were reported as of Tuesday, April 6, so the virus is still a threat to public health and the fight is not yet over. Sargent County Public Health has worked through its waiting list, said Ms. Peterson, so those who want a vaccination can now obtain it very quickly. To make an appointment for a covid-19 vaccination call: Sargent County Public Health at 724-3725; Forman Drug at 724-6222; or Sanford Clinic at 742-3267.

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