Rutland Ramblings – Oct. 20, 2023

More than 100 family & friends signed the Guest Book at the Celebration of Life honoring the memory of the late Kathleen A. (Bauman) Brakke Anderson on Saturday, October 14, at the Rutland Town Hall. Kathleen passed away on June 3, 2023, at Lilac Homes Memory Care, Moorhead MN. Among those from out of town who attended the event were: Stacey Biewer, Pelican Rapids MN; Marilyn Anderson, Wahpeton ND; Sonja Christensen, Wahpeton ND; Curt Stofferahn, Fargo ND; Marcie, Brendon & Jax West, Springfield IL; Sadie & Josh Church, Lidgerwood ND; Darby Brakke Sebree, Cincinnati OH; Robert Sebree, Cincinnati OH; John Bauman, Stevenson WA; Janelle Brakke, Fargo ND; Karen Christianson, Lake City SD; Joan Beyer, Breckenridge MN; Anita, Micah & Miles Moxness, Breckenridge MN; Thomas Banish, Lidgerwood ND; Carol Fridgen, Nevis MN; Terry W. Lee, West Fargo ND; Bev Schons, Fargo ND; Claire Brakke, Madison WI; Alex Markovic, Madison WI; Christine Tauer, Oak Grove MN; Laura Feltes, Anoka MN; Shirley Mahrer, Hankinson ND; Steve Thorfinnson, Fort Ransom ND; Randy & Jeane Koch, Fargo ND; Bonnie and Ronald “Red” Bauman, Fergus Falls MN; Kim & Mark Cramton, Fargo ND; Amy Martinsen, Minot ND; Mark Prindiville, Horace ND; Pat Prindiville, West Fargo ND; Mike Prindiville, Minneapolis MN; Judie Seavert, Wahpeton ND; Carol & Sid Harrison, Fargo ND; Doug & Nancy Glarum, Clitheral Lake MN; Dana & Wanda Rasmussen, Detroit Lakes MN; Dan Carlisle, Ottertail MN; Bill Spear, Wadena MN; James & Sydny Brakke, Somerset WI; Deb Gaukler, Lidgerwood ND; Bill Gaukler, Lidgerwood ND; Glen Larson, Watertown SD; Victoria Parker Christensen, Denver CO; Katheryn Parker Tagg, Anoka MN; Marcia Brakke, Delano MN; Dr. Gerald Parker, Casselton ND; Judy Isensee Anderson, Fargo ND; Don Isensee, Perham MN; and many more from Rutland and other Sargent County communities. The ladies of Nordland Lutheran Church served a Noon dinner of Kathleen’s favorites: scalloped potatoes with ham, ham sandwiches, rommegrot and Rice Krispy-peanut butter bars with chocolate frosting. At 1:00 p.m. a video produced by Kathleen’s son-in-law, Robert Sebree, was presented, followed by reminiscences from Kathleen’s friends and fellow music, painting, and quilting enthusiasts. All agreed that the video set the tone for a very pleasant afternoon. A granite grave marker bench prepared by the Fergus Falls Monument Co. had been placed in the Rutland Cemetery on Wednesday, October 12, and Kathleen’s cremains will be interred there later. Her husband, Bill Anderson; her children: Darby Brakke (Robert) Sebree; Jesse R. Brakke; and Janelle Brakke; her grandchildren: Kaia (Kyle) Mahrer; James (Sydny) Brakke; and Claire Brakke; and her Great-Grandchildren: Brody; Julia; Adalyn; and Kaitlyn Mahrer; express their thanks and appreciation to all those who joined them at the Celebration of Life last Saturday.

Former Rutland community residents Bill & Mary (Kulzer) Woytassek were visitors in their old hometown on Tuesday, October 17. The Woytasseks now make their home in Detroit Lakes MN, but like to stop in Rutland occasionally, just to keep up on what’s going on. Mary enjoyed dinner and visiting with friends at the Rutland Seniors’ Center on Tuesday, while Bill enjoyed a “play day” with son, Jerry, and grandson, Andrew, on the farm, getting caught up on the new technology used to deal with old problems encountered during the harvest season. Mary said that they intend to head for their Winter base at Green Valley AZ as soon as the coming winter makes its presence felt.

The Rutland Housing Association, Inc., met at the Rutland Town Hall 4:45 p.m. on October 12, 2023. Present were President Delores Lysne, Manager Bert Siemieniewski, Secretary Carolyn Christensen, and Board Member Bill Anderson. The Secretary’s Report was read and approved. The checking account has a balance of $12,439.49 and approved the payment of bills. A new stove was purchased for a tenant in Building 2. Tree branches have been trimmed at Building 3 but trees at Building 2 still need trimming. Gutters have been ordered for Building 2 at a cost of $5,190 for gutters and installation. Gutters on Building 3 need to be cleaned out. The exterior light on Building 3 has been fixed. All the buildings are full with one person on the waiting list and the possibility of a second person being interested. Apartments in Building 1 need work done in kitchens and bathrooms. The Manager will print the ESA Policy to distribute to Board members.  The problem of snow removal was discussed, and a possible resolution identified. Tenants would like sidewalks cleared early in the day and they would like notification to move their cars when parking lots are to be cleared. The Manager would like tenants to notify her whenever there is a problem with their apartment or the building so the problem can be rectified as soon as possible. Work is being done on the proposed budget.  The meeting was adjourned at 5:36 p.m. Next meeting will be during the week of October 23rd.

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The Rooster Crows – Oct. 13, 2023

By Bill Anderson

Nature seems to have exhausted its ability to super heat when it topped the 95 degree mark on Sunday, October 1, Uff-Da Day. Since then, the mercury has plummeted more than 65 degrees, bottoming out at a freezing temperature of 30 degrees for more than 2 hours on Saturday morning, October 7. The 2023 growing season was definitely put to rest on the morning of Tuesday, October 10, when the low for the night hit 28 degrees, and stayed there for 5 hours. The final nail in the coffin of summer ’23 was driven home by a low temperature of 26 degrees on the morning of Wednesday, October 11. Goodbye to green leaves, and hello to the lawn rake. The snow shovel is still on standby, confidently and patiently waiting for its turn on the front line.

Combines are grinding away on corn and soybeans, and some local growers are getting close to being done with the 2023 bean harvest. Joe Breker estimated that about 1½ days of soybean harvest remained on his farming operation as of Tuesday, October 10. Joe reported that the yield had generally been better than average, running from 45 bu. per acre to much better than that. No corn has been harvested on the Breker farm, yet, but Joe estimates that the 2023 corn crop will come in well above average, too.

Noah Breker, grandson of Joe & Patty Breker of this community, established an outstanding record in track while a high school student in Minnesota, but he is now a freshman at the University of North Carolina, and is getting ready to make his mark in big college, national track meets. Noah will be competing at the U of Wisconsin in the Honeycombe Classic this coming Friday, October 13. Joe & Patty are planning to be there to see their grandson compete. On their way back home they plan to stop to observe another grandson’s sports debut. Their grandson, Gideon Breker, will be playing football for Armstrong High School of Plymouth MN.

Wedding Bells were ringing from the hilltops on Saturday, October 7, when Jacob Mehrer and Courtney Stevens were married in an outdoor ceremony up at the Coteau des Prairies Lodge. The reception and dance were held at the Rutland City Hall. Courtney is the daughter of the late Lisa Stevens and Rian Stevens of Luck, Wisconsin. Jacob is the son of Hilary and Shannon Mehrer of Rutland. The bride and groom are currently making their home in Grand Forks ND where Jacob works for a property management company while finishing his college degree at UND, and Courtney works as a legal secretary for a law firm in Grand Forks. The Rutland community congratulates Jacob & Courtney on their marriage, and extends best wishes to them for a long and happy life together.

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The Rooster Crows – Sept. 29, 2023

By Bill Anderson

Uff-Da Day 2023 is only 2days down the pike. In keeping with the old tradition that “The Sun always shines on Rutland, even when it’s raining,” the weatherman is once again predicting beautiful weather for Sunday, October 1, the 38th Uff-Da Day Fall Festival in the little city that can. Rutland Community Club President and Uff-Da Day Chairperson Katie McLaen has furnished the following schedule of events for the day: At 10:00 AM Vendors and Craft Sales begin; Car Show on Gay St begins; Lefse, sandkakkes, Krumkakke & Goodies available at Senior Center on Main St; Freshly made Lefse for sale at the senior Center; and, the one-room country School House, Rutland Depot Museum & Pioneer House will be open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. At 11:00 AM Dinner at the Community’s Town Hall, $15 Adults, $6 children age 6-12, Under 6 free. Rommegrot will be served at the Senior Center. Uff-Da Tacos, hot dogs & brats will be on sale at the Fire Hall on Bagley Street, and Abelskievers will be made outside by the Legion Hall/Fitness Center. The Lariat Bar will be open at 9:00 AM with coffee, caramel rolls & drink specials. Check The Lariat’s Flyer for lunch options. At 1:00 PM it’s time for The Uff-Da Day Parade! 1:30 is the time set for the Nickel Scramble on Main Street, in front of Stock Growers Bank following the Parade. Bounce Houses for the kids will be Open from 10:30 to 12:30, and from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. At 2:00 p.m. big power will be on display with the Pedal Tractor Pull Competition on Main Street, in front of the Stock Growers Bank. Everyone is welcome, and everyone is invited to Rutland to meet old friends and make new ones at Uff-Da Day XXXVIII on Sunday, October 1. See you there, now then, don’t you know!

A classic September rainfall blanketed Rutland and vicinity on Saturday & Sunday, September 23 & 24. This was the most unusual rainfall of the year, though, as Roger Pearson’s rain gauge at 409 Gay Street and Norbert Kulzer’s rain gauge at 415 Gay Street both measured 1.5” when the raindrops stopped falling. The 2 gauges, only a few feet apart, seldom agree, and, when they do, we know that they are either both right, or that they are both wrong. Two miles south of town Larry Erickson reported an even 1.0” in his rain gauge, and Dale McLaen reported 1.1” at the McLaen farmstead 2 miles north of town. The rain brought harvest activities to a standstill for a few days, but most agreed that the delay will allow the green soybeans to catch up with the ripe ones, allowing the combines to roll with fewer interruptions once the harvest action resumes.

Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins from Rutland took some time off to attend the wedding of Mason Harris & Darrien Quagliata at old Fort Sisseton on Saturday, September 23. Mark & Kathy (Harris) Wyum; Bill & Pam (Harris) Gulleson; Rob & Dana Wyum and family; Cameron & Jennie Gulleson and family; and, Cody & Hannah Gulleson; were among those from this community who attended the wedding ceremony. Mason is the son of Mike & Christine (Hoistad) Harris of Crete, and his Grandparents were the late Marlin & Marlys (McDermot) Harris of Crete and the late Virgil & Donetta (Gulsvig) Hoistad of Rutland. The bride is a native of Clifton Springs NY. The newlyweds will be making their home at the Harris farm near Crete, in northwestern Sargent County. The Rutland community extends congratulations to Mason & Darrien Harris on the occasion of their marriage, and best wishes to them for a long and happy life together.

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The Rooster Crows – June 9, 2023

By Bill Anderson

The thunderstorm that rumbled through on the afternoon of Saturday, June 3, Presented Rutland with .65 of an inch of rain, according to Roger Pearson’s rain gauge, and with .6 of an inch of rain according to the rain gauge of his neighbor, Norbert Kulzer, a few feet to the east. The rain came in a hurry, with the storm lasting only a few minutes, but it was a welcome relief from the incessant wind and heat of the preceding week. Cameron Gulleson reported that the storm also deposited .6 of an inch of rain on the Gulleson Farm, a mile and a half east of town. The rain fell in a narrow band, with only a few drops north of ND Highway #11 and an equally parsimonious amount 2 miles south of town. Well, this is the time of the year when it does rain on the just and the unjust, alike, but neither at the same time nor in equal amounts.

Rodney Erickson reports that the process of acquiring a new Post Office in Rutland continues to make progress, although at what seems to an outside observer to be a snail’s pace. The Postal Service proposes to lease approximately 700 sq. feet of Rodney’s building, the original Prindiville’s Saloon, now at the corner of First & Arthur Streets, and has had an office floor plan drawn up that has been approved by the powers that be at the USPS and by Rodney. After the Post Office is up and running, Rodney will still possess enough space in the building to create a professional office and a small studio apartment. Rodney is hopeful that the new Post Office will be open before September 30, 2023, the second anniversary of the closure of the old Post Office. Rodney also reports that he has been working full time getting his new, well, new to him, ready for the upcoming aerial application season. His new spray plane is an Air Tractor Model 802, powered by a 1,350 horsepower turbo prop engine. He states that this plane has an 800 gallon capacity, about 300 gallons more than his old plane. The plane is currently housed in a hangar at Bear Creek Flying Service’s facilities at Oakes ND. Bear Creek Flying Service is owned by Rodney’s friend and fellow aviator, Travis McPherson of Oakes. Rodney says that he expects to be heading up north, to the area around Bottineau and Rugby during the last week of June to begin applying fungicide and herbicide in that area before moving down to Nebraska to apply agricultural chemicals to corn fields down there. Then he will be heading back to Central North Dakota to apply fungicides and insecticides to sunflower fields, and then back up to North Dakota’s northern tier counties, along the Canadian border, to apply herbicides and desiccants to wheat and canola fields in that region of the State. By then, it will be time to put the plane back into the barn and begin working on getting it ready for next year. Too bad that he can’t find anything to do in his spare time. Oh, that’s right, he owns and operates Wheaton-Dumont Co-op’s grain handling facility, the Rutland Elevator, here during the remainder of the year, when he isn’t remodeling his family’s home.

On Friday, June 2nd, Renee Larson, Colleen Sundquist, and Diane Pierson presented a check to Chelsey, Four Seasons Healthcare Center Activity Director, in the amount of $2,085.00, the amount raised from the Spring Plant Auction held on Monday, May 22. Unable to attend were plant auction organizers Val Bjork and Ione Lunneborg. Sixty-three bidders vied for a variety of plants and garden items with the bidding getting very raucous at times to the delight of everyone. Miss Sargent County, Autum Zirnhelt and Miss Sargent County 1st runner up, Anna Hoistad assisted throughout the evening. Several residents of Four Seasons attended the auction, and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The committee extends a huge thank you to the community for helping raise funds to help fund various outings and events at Four Seasons. Thanks to Ione Lunneborg for the information in this report.

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