The Rooster Crows – Mar. 18, 2022

By Bill Anderson

Well, if Spring hasn’t sprung, it’s sure getting froggy. From below zero temperatures a week ago to highs in the 40’s and 50’s above Zero this week, the weather turnabout has improved outlooks and lifted spirits throughout the community. Cameron Gulleson says that it couldn’t have come at a better time. The Gulleson Ranch has about 100 new Black Angus calves on the ground, with another 600 soon to arrive, and new calves do a lot better at 50 degrees above zero than they do at 10 or 20 below. The Vernal Equinox occurs this Sunday, March 20, and that is the First Day of Spring, according to the Sun. History tells us that there will still be plenty of opportunities for blizzards and freezing weather between now and the First of June, but at least the end of Winter is near. Although weather historians tell us that we have endured tougher winters than the one just ending, this one, with its biting cold and fierce winds, seemed to be about as tough as we would want to have it. We North Dakotans will hang on to bragging rights for enduring Winter’s icy blasts, but there’s no sense in overdoing it. Enough is enough!

Twenty-one volunteer firemen, 16 from the Rutland-Cayuga Fire Protection District and 5 from the Forman-Havana Fire Protection District, gathered at the Rutland Fire Hall on Friday and Saturday, March 11 & 12, for vehicle extraction training. The Rutland-Cayuga Department had recently acquired the tools, including: the Jaws of Life; hydraulic powered cutting tools; a hydraulic ram; and a hydraulic power unit; and Rutland Fire Chief Jesse Maly had arranged for Rick Jorgenson from Lidgerwood, a North Dakota Certified Trainer, to lead the training exercises. During the course of the 2-day training session, the firemen cut apart 4 wrecked automobiles while learning how to handle the new tools. The new equipment was obtained from a dealer in central Minnesota who spends a lot of time hunting in the Rutland area each Fall, according to Cam Gulleson, a member of the Rutland Fire Department. All 21 of those who attended the training sessions are now certified to operate the Jaws of Life equipment, when and if necessary. The Rutland-Cayuga Fire Protection District will be holding its annual meeting this Thursday, March 17, at the Rutland Fire Hall. Bryce Carlson & Chris Jochim currently serve as the District’s board chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, and Kaia Mahrer serves as the District’s Clerk. Jesse Maly is Fire Chief and Travis Peterson is Assistant Fire Chief of the Rutland Department. Kurt Breker is Fire Chief of the Cayuga Department. Sargent County Emergency Manager Wendy Willprecht has commended those firefighters who completed the Jaws of Life training, increasing their ability to provide potentially life-saving services to the people of the community.

A large group of friends and family members gathered at the Jesse Brakke home in Ransom Township on Saturday, March 12, to present Jesse with a surprise 60th birthday party. Among those who came from a distance were: James & Sydney Brakke of Somerset WI; Claire Brakke & Alex Markovic of Madison WI; and Doug & Nancy Glarum from Detroit Lakes MN. Those in attendance report that a rollicking good time was enjoyed by all. Jesse’s birthday was actually on Sunday, the 13th, but, as long as everyone was there on Saturday, might as well party on.

Speaking of rollicking good times, Rutland Community Club President Katie McLaen reports that one was enjoyed by those attending Fun Night in Rutland on Sunday, March 13. More than 180 were present and having a good time in the Rutland Town Hall, according to Community Club board member Morgan Peterson. Twenty community volunteers manned the 12 game booths, the cakewalk, the BINGO game, and the lunch counter. Pizza & hot dogs were on the menu, as well as popcorn, cotton candy and Shirley Temples. You can’t beat that for a balanced diet! Sixty door prizes were awarded, and so many cakes had been donated for the cakewalk that, despite 2 hours of continuous action, there were still 15 cakes left at the end of the evening that also were awarded as door prizes. Congratulations to the Rutland Community Club and its officers on another great event in Rutland. The next Community Club event coming up in Rutland is the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, at the Rutland Town Hall.

Continue reading “The Rooster Crows – Mar. 18, 2022”

The Rooster Crows – Mar. 11, 2022

By Bill Anderson

“When March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb,” the old-timers used to say. So, what happens when March comes in like an iceberg? The first 10 days of March, 2022, have either been cold, or a lot colder, and the forecast doesn’t have any relief in sight. Daylight Savings Time begins at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 13; St. Patrick’s Day is on Thursday, March 17; and, the Vernal Equinox, the beginning of Spring, arrives on Sunday, March 20, according to the Sun; so we suspect that warmer weather may be arriving one of these days. So far no show, however. “If you don’t like the weather in North Dakota right now, just wait a minute and it’ll change,” is another of the old-timers’ sayings, and, although it is true, there is no guarantee that the new weather conditions won’t be worse than what you didn’t like in the first place, especially in March. Just be careful what you wish for. You might get it.

Mike & Debbie Banish drove to Fargo and then flew to Denver on Saturday, February 26, to represent North Dakota at the National Farmers Union Convention. The Banishes were delegates selected by the North Dakota Farmers Union to represent the State organization at the national level. Mike reports that the Convention was held in the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown Denver. According to Mike, the delegates discussed current farm policy and adopted resolutions and policy positions stating the Farmers Union’s aims and goals when it comes to national farm policies and programs. Past President of the National Farmers Union, Roger Johnson of North Dakota, was recognized for his years of meritorious service to the organization by current President Bob Larew, according to Mike. The Banishes returned home on Wednesday, March 2, and report that they had a most enjoyable and informative time at the National Farmers Union Convention.

Norbert Kulzer was a patient at Sanford Hospital in Fargo from Wednesday, March 2, to Monday, March 7. Norbert received treatment for a painful hip injury and for an infection in one of his feet. He is feeling much better now, but will be moving a little slower than normal for a while. Norbert’s many friends extend a hearty “Welcome home!” to one of Rutland’s stalwarts.

Continue reading “The Rooster Crows – Mar. 11, 2022”

Hens Do Crow! March 13, 2020

Rutland was quite a popular place to be this past week – but then isn’t it always?!

The Rutland Sportsman’s Club annual fish fry was held Friday, March 6, at the Town Hall with over 400 people attending this year. The pan-fried and deep-fried fish is always a hit. There were times when the demand was more than the supply, but the Club members kept those wait times short. Members of the Sargent Central Clay Target League held a free-will bake sale at the fish fry and there were plenty of desserts to be purchased. It was another great event. Put it on your calendar for the first Friday of March 2021!

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Rutland Fun Night

By Katie McLaen

It was a wonderful night in Rutland last night, June 6, 2019. The Rutland Block party of 2019 was a huge success. Jordon Peplinski was crowned as Miss. Rutland. The Rutland royalty continues with Brody Mahrer being crowned Mr. Lefse and Lucy Mahrer being crowned Miss Lefse. Over 800 water balloons were used and there are plans to cross the 1,000 threshold next year! Many volunteers made this event possible! Thank you to all!

Hens Do Crow – March 15, 2019

By Deborah Banish

After being postponed by bad weather on February 24, the Rutland Community Club Family Fun Night was not going to be defeated by the latest snowfall. Fun Night on March 10th drew a large crowd of kids, parents, grandparents and Rutland residents for the annual festival. Katie McLaen and Morgan Peterson spearheaded the event with the help of a crew to run the games and serve the free-will spaghetti feed. The kids took their chances playing bean bag toss, putt-putt golf, fish pond, kerplunk and plinko to win tickets to enter for prizes or play the cakewalk, fishing booth or claw machine or just get some good old-fashioned cotton candy. It takes volunteers to pull off events and the workers included Bonnie Anderson, Tyler Banish, Marcia Brakke, Carolyn Christensen, Abbie Erickson, Lori McLaen, Sara Pavik, Ione Pherson, and Bert Siemieniewski. Larry Christensen and Hal Nelson operated the bingo games: Tony Banish won the first bingo and Yvonne Johnson won the blackout. All the kids went away with lots of goodies and prizes; the coveted iTunes gift card winner was Eli Olson. Katie will make a report on the event at the next Rutland Community Club meeting.

The March Sargent County Breakfast was held on Monday, March 11 at the Golden Corral in Mesa and Curt Larson submitted a report: This month was our largest attendance of the winter season. The following were present: Charles Anderson & Patty Boehm; Al Ciota & Clarice Ordahl; Jim & Kathryn Gaukler; Carolyn Hopewell; Curt & Renee Larson; Duane & Sharon Lock; David & Lavonne Nelson; Orvis & Alphie Pearson; Pat Prindiville; Clarice Renschler; Kenny & Faye Waloch; Gwen Young; Harold Young. Guests: Dorn Crandall; Carol Kramer, daughter of Clarice Renschler; Carlie Jelacie, daughter of Carol Kramer. Many will be going back to North Dakota in the next few weeks. This is my last meeting for the season, as Renee and I are leaving on April 2 for Orlando, Florida first before driving back to Forman. We are hoping the snow will be melting before our arrival during Holy Week. That’s all from sunny Arizona and remember…keep smiling; people will be wondering what you’re up to. Curt Larson

Continue reading “Hens Do Crow – March 15, 2019”