The Rooster Crows — February 12, 2021

On February 12, 2021February 11, 2021 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

The month of February has brought with it the coldest weather of the year, making January, the usual cold weather champ, seem like a semi-tropical memory by comparison. Starting on Wednesday, February 3, the day after Ground Hog’s Day, the mercury began to drop and has only risen above the zero mark on a couple of occasions since then. But, while frigid temperatures are torture for some, they are opportunity for others. Mr. Sawyer Toepke, an elementary student at Sargent Central, reports that he is organizing a hockey team, and that he already has 20 prospective players lined up, if they can find 20 pairs of skates and 20 hockey sticks. Sawyer should probably be thinking of lining up a team dentist, as well. The optimism of youth sees opportunity where others see only misery and discomfort. Hang in there, Sawyer, and bring the NHL’s Stanley Cup back to Sargent County some cold winter day. That ought to make the sun shine! As the old timers used to say, “Nobody ever succeeded beyond their wildest expectations, unless they had some wild expectations to begin with.”

Ice fishing! The cold weather now has the ice on local water holes thick enough for reasonably sane anglers to get out there and go after the ever elusive walleye. Some reports have been received of a few fishermen having some success on a local body of water that bears the name of three former Sargent County Commissioners. If you know your county’s history, you might be able to figure out where that hot spot might be, but by then the fish will have quit biting. Have faith.

Rutland native Mavis (Hoflen) Wold called friends here on Friday, Feb. 5, reporting that she is still in the hospital recovering from the broken leg she suffered a month ago. Mavis said that she had been working in the kitchen of her Minneapolis home when she lost her footing, fell and sustained the broken leg. She is currently undergoing therapy, and hopes to be back in her home in the near future. Mavis is the eldest daughter of the late Oscar & Alma (Anderson) Hoflen of this community. She is a member of the RHS Class of ’47. Her many friends here wish her a speedy recovery and return home.

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Hens Do Crow! Dec. 11, 2020

On December 11, 2020December 11, 2020 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Rutland thanks to the elves who installed the new snowflake lights along First Street. Last week, Jake Erickson and Evan Huemiller hung the decorations while Nick McLaen actually read the instructions on how they were to be installed. (We know guys do not usually read the instructions first, right gals!). A huge thanks also goes to the Rutland Community Club which purchased the decorations earlier this year. The Christmas lights will light up the night for residents and visitors alike for several weeks.

The coronavirus has been cutting a swath through North Dakota for the past several weeks, and it has not passed Rutland by. Roger Pearson of this community has been in the hospital battling the effects of the virus, plus pneumonia, since Thursday, December 3. As of Monday, December 7, he was at Sanford Hospital on Broadway in Fargo. Roger said that the nurses had him sitting in a recliner, drinking Coca-Cola and watching TV, so it was almost like being home. Roger is a member of RHS Class of 1958.

Larry Christensen reports that his cousin, Rutland native Ed Christensen of Bismarck, was recently released from the hospital there, after being besieged by Covid-19 for several weeks. Ed is a 1961 graduate of RHS.

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The Rooster Crows

On October 23, 2020October 31, 2020 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

October 23, 2020

By Bill Anderson

Mother Nature told Rutland and vicinity that “Enough is enough!” last week as she flipped the switch and turned off the pleasant autumn weather that had lulled some into thinking that Winter might never arrive this year. Old Man Winter hasn’t made his entrance, yet, but the sub-freezing temperatures at night, along with some cold rain showers, and even some light snow showers, are the calling cards announcing his intention to pay a visit in the near future. The cooler weather, along with harvest action, has livened up the whitetail deer bow hunting season, though, as more deer have gotten in the mood and are on the move. Jesse Brakke, with the advice and assistance of his great-nephew, Brody Mahrer, bagged a nice 4-point buck on the old Carl Christianson Farm in the SE¼ of Section 16 in Ransom Township last week, and other bow hunters have also reported success in the past several days. Those afield with shotguns, seeking the elusive ringneck pheasant have also been reporting good shooting in recent days. With nearly all of the soybeans and much of the corn in this area harvested and in the bin, the birds are now showing up and surrendering to their pursuers. The hunter still has to shoot straight, and the assistance of a good dog adds to the chances of success, but 2020 is shaping up to be the best year for pheasants in this area for quite some time.

Joe Breker reported that harvest activities on the Breker Farm south of Rutland wrapped up last week, the earliest harvest conclusion in many years. Joe said that all of the corn was dry enough to put in the bin right out of the field, eliminating the cost of drying that often adds to the expense of harvest. Joe practices “No Till Farming,” so his Fall tillage is done, too.

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Hens Do Crow! Sept. 11, 2020

On September 11, 2020 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Virtual Musclewalk was Saturday, September 5, and Royce & Piper’s Rad Posse of friends and family members could be seen in their bright blue T-shirts as they walked through Rutland. The Nelson’s, Maloney’s, Jacobson’s, Christensen’s, and other Rutland residents took time on the sunny afternoon to support the cause. This year’s event was done virtually due to the pandemic and they hope to have the MDA in-person walk again in 2021. The Rutland fundraising effort raised nearly $4000.00 to support MDA. Congratulations to the Rad Posse for their annual participation and fundraising!

On Sunday, September 6, the Nordland Lutheran Church congregation welcomed Pastor Julie Johnson who began her ministry with the TNT Parish. The TNT Parish is comprised of Nordland Lutheran in Rutland along with Trinity Lutheran Church in Forman and Trinity Lutheran in Havana. Pastor Julie is a familiar face to many from this area where she grew up, but it has been over 40 years since she lived here. Her parents were Orville and Lila Nelson, who owned a farm not far from Silver Lake. Pastor Julie graduated from Sargent Central High School and then moved from the area. She has three children who live in Fargo. Pastor Julie most recently served the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church congregation in Hillsboro, ND. Welcome back home Pastor Julie!

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Hens Do Crow! Aug. 21, 2020

On August 21, 2020 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

Thursday, August 13^th, was a fun evening to be in Rutland as the Rutland Community Club hosted a Back to School Party at the Veterans Memorial Park by City Hall. Members of the Rutland-Cayuga Fire Department grilled burgers and hot dogs to feed the kids and adults who came for the event. The kids cooled off in the pool provided by the Fire Department and tossed the water balloons provided by the Community Club. Chalk art designs were drawn on the sidewalk to be admired by all. A scavenger hunt was available for kids and adults alike and the evening ended with fresh smores made at the fire pit. The Rutland Summer Block Party is usually held in June but, due to Covid-19, it was postponed to August.

At 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, family and friends gathered at the Rutland Cemetery to lay to rest the mortal remains of lifelong Rutland resident Sharon Pearson. The graveside service was conducted by Rev. Nicholas Rohde, pastor of Nordland Lutheran Church of Rutland. Among those honoring Sharon’s memory during the service were the members of the Bergman-Evenson Unit of the American Legion Auxiliary of Rutland. Following the service of the cemetery, a reception and luncheon were held at the Rutland Town Hall. Tributes to Sharon were presented during the reception by one of her daughters, Debbie Reuter of Fargo; and by 2 of her nieces: Tracy Wyum of Rutland; and Tammy Widmer of Devils Lake ND. Sharon Lee McNeil was born on September 27, 1942 to Vernal & Marcella (Johnson) McNeil in Britton SD. She grew up and attended school in Rutland, graduating from RHS in the Class of 1960. On September 23, 1961 she married Roger Pearson of this community at Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland. Following their marriage, they lived in Fargo and Hankinson before returning to Rutland to bring up their three daughters. Sharon was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, the Rutland Community Club and Nordland Lutheran Church. For many years she worked in the interior painting business with Phyllis Sjothun of this community. She passed away on April 14, 2020 after a long period of declining health. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; by three sisters: Marcine Olson; Janet Malstrom; and Loretta Arneson; and, by a brother, William McNeil. Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life are her husband of 59 years, Roger Pearson of Rutland; three daughters: Debbie (Jake) Reuter of Fargo; Brenda (Roger) Gibbon of Milnor; and, Becky (David) Hicks of Fargo; 8 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; 1 sister: Beverly (Harlan) Arneson of Wahpeton; numerous nieces and nephews; and, a host of friends. The Price Funeral Chapel of Britton SD and Forman ND assisted with arrangements. Sharon’s many friends in Rutland will miss her calm good humor and stead presence.

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Hens Do Crow! Aug. 7, 2020

On August 7, 2020August 7, 2020 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

Neither wind nor heat nor dark of night nor the coronavirus can stay a farmer from cutting wheat when it’s ready to harvest. Rodney Erickson reports that the 2020 harvest of Spring Wheat in the Rutland area began on Tuesday, July 28, when Nick McLaen hauled the first load to the Wheaton-Dumont Co-op Rutland Elevator. Both the yield and the quality of the crop were very good, Rodney said. The first wheat came in from one of Nick’s fields approximately two miles north of town. Rodney said that he expects more combines to be in the field, and more wheat to be coming in, during the first week of August. Spring wheat is not as big a crop as it once was out here on the northern plains, but it is still an important element in many crop rotation plans, and, if you want to eat good bread, you can’t beat bread made with flour that started out as North Dakota Hard Red Spring Wheat. If you don’t believe it, just ask Dennis or Nick. In addition to taking delivery of grain at the Rutland Elevator, Owner/Manager Rodney Erickson has been busy with aerial application of herbicides, fungicides and pesticides on crops throughout the region. Matt Smith is in charge at the Elevator when Rodney is absent.

Last month Darwin Brakke passed away at his home in Havana. Darwin attended Rutland high school, graduating in 1957, and he married Kathleen Bauman the same year. Together they had four children – Darby, Julie, Jesse, and Janelle. He married Pearl Parrow in 1990. Darwin was one of the original founding members of the Rutland Sportsman’s Club. Over the years, Darwin worked for Ronald Donaldson at Rutland Plumbing & Heating as a plumber and backhoe operation, he owned and operated the Lariat Bar, was a partner in J&B Excavating and was a loader operator for Bernard Mahrer Construction. A private burial for immediate family was held in Rutland and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

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