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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Hens Do Crow! June 12, 2020

On June 12, 2020 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

On Wednesday, May 27, 2020, Vernon Leist of this community was injured when the motorcycle he was driving was struck by a wild turkey. The accident occurred on ND Highway #11, near the Southeast Water Users water plant about one mile east of the Rutland corner. The impact of the 10-12-pound bird in flight was enough to cause Mr. Leist to lose control of the motorcycle which tipped over and slid along the pavement. He suffered numerous cuts, abrasions, and several broken ribs because of the collision and contact with the road surface. Vern was taken to the new Sanford Hospital in Fargo by the Sargent County Ambulance Service, Forman squad, and received medical treatment there for more than a week. He is now undergoing rehabilitation treatment at Cobalt Rehabilitation Hospital, 4671 38th Street South, Fargo ND 58104. Mr. Leist said on Saturday, June 6, that he still has no clear memory of the accident and does not remember if he was going to Lidgerwood, or coming home from Lidgerwood, at the time it occurred. His many friends in the Rutland community wish him a speedy recovery and a quick return to his home here.

The Nordland Lutheran Church Council met on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, to establish a schedule and procedures for resuming worship services and other activities in the congregation’s Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall in Rutland. According to Nordland Council Chairman Hal Nelson, Sunday worship services will resume at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 14, with Pastor Nicholas Rohde officiating. Hal said that face masks and social distancing will be required of all in the sanctuary, except those who are excepted by CDC guidelines. “The coronavirus pandemic is still on the move,” he said, “and we don’t want anyone to become infected, or to infect others, while attending worship services.” He urged anyone who has questions to check the Nordland Lutheran Church Facebook page.

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Hens Do Crow! March 27, 2020

On March 27, 2020May 1, 2020 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

Rutland has been a bit quieter and less busy the past two weeks or so. Meetings and events have been cancelled and restaurants and bars have cut back hours or closed — and school is out. Yes, the Sargent Central students had a nearly a two-week ‘spring break’ but are not returning to the classroom for now. Classes are expected to resume, online, on April 1 and will continue until the end of the school year. The busyness has slowed down but that doesn’t mean that this rural area is closed. It has been fun heading to Forman to window peak at the Four Seasons Manor and Villas to wave and visit with the elderly through the open window. Then, ordering food to be delivered to your car to take home for a family sit-down meal. We can keep in touch with people and family in other states and countries so much easier than was possible during the flu pandemic of 1918 which infected over a third of the world’s population and ending the lives of 20-50 million people. The community has stepped up with making grocery runs and dropping off necessities for families. The Sargent County Courthouse may be closed but families are still able to get supplies from the Food Shelf. Where there is a will, there is a way.

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Hens Do Crow! Feb. 28, 2020

On February 28, 2020May 7, 2020 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

Last Saturday, February 22, was a day for celebration when ten Rutland residents headed to Claire City for dinner to celebrate Bev Kulzer’s birthday. The ladies who accompanied Beverly were Kathy Wyum, Ann Erickson, Janice Christensen, Dianna Anderson, Sheila Wyum, Cher Spieker, Janet Kiefer, Joanne Harris and MaryBeth Anderson. They planned the excursion earlier that week at coffee at one of their smaller coffee gatherings (some of the ‘regulars’ at coffee felt left out as they did not know about the big party!). Everyone made it back home safe and sound after the party and Beverly is doing great for 80!

This evening, Friday, February 28, the Lariat Bar is hosting its first ladies night with buy-one-get-one drinks from 9-11 p.m. and special $5.00 drinks along with karaoke from 7 p.m. until close. Men are welcome too of course and they can 50¢ off drinks from 9-11 p.m. Be sure to come out for some fun and hear all the talented singers!

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Hens Do Crow! August 16, 2019

On August 16, 2019August 14, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Deborah Banish

The Sargent County Farmers Union (SCFU) Education Program in Counties (EPIC) event was held at the Coteau des Prairies Lodge south of Rutland on Thursday, August 8. Elementary and teenage youth attended the event to learn about the farm to table process from Kyla Temple of Rutland, the SCFU Youth Director. The kids learned about the wheat planting, harvesting, and flour making process while making some fresh baked cookies. The older kids displayed their talents painting a canvas farm scene and the younger kids got some exercise doing youth yoga. Kyla Temple, SCFU Youth Director, organized the event sponsored by the Sargent County Farmers Union. The day ended with a family meal catered by The Black Pelican of Wyndmere and sponsored by Full Circle Ag of Britton.

Nordland Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School (VBS) started Wednesday, August 7, with Red Willow Bible Camp staff leading the group. The kids had a ball & they showed their stuff at a program on Friday, August 9^th, highlighting their busy week.

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