Ground Hog’s Day, Tuesday, February 2, was a grey and cloudy day in the Rutland area, and, although no one actually saw the local ground hog, Rutland Rasputin, the assembled wise men were of the opinion that he more than likely did not see his shadow on the appointed day. This means that there will not be 6 more weeks of winter, as there would have been if he had sighted his own shadow, and that it is likely that winter will be nearing its end in only 42 days, more or less. Other important upcoming indicators of Winter’s approaching demise include the commencement of Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, March 14, the day on which time miraculously springs ahead precisely 1 hour, and the Vernal Equinox which will occur on Saturday, March 20, this year. Time does march on, even though the near term weather forecast is for sub-zero temperatures that will freeze everything in place for the next week or so. Well, as the old timers used to say, “If you don’t like the weather in North Dakota, just wait a minute. It’ll change.” Those old timers knew what they were talking about, and even when they didn’t they sure talked as if they did. They could predict with certainty exactly what was going to happen, and they could explain, with equal certainty, why it didn’t. The times may change, but people don’t.

One of Rutland’s regulars, Joe Malstrom, has been in the hospital recently, receiving treatment for a stubborn infection. As of this writing, Joe is occupying a swing bed in the Lisbon Hospital. His many friends here wish him a speedy recovery and a quick return to his home in Rutland.

Mac Pherson of this community was also on the sick list for a few days last weekend. He was an impatient patient in Sanford Hospital, Fargo, from Friday through Sunday, January 29-31, and reported that he expected to be back home by Monday, February 1. His many friends in Rutland wish him a speedy recovery.

Bert Siemieniewski reports that she has recently sold her home on Anthony Street to Mr. Bob Adermann and his son. Bert has been employed by the U. S. Postal Service at Gwinner for the past few years, and has moved to an apartment in that city.  Bert and her late husband, Ray, purchased the home from the Eldon & Bernice Thorson estate back in 2001. Other owners of the property include: Carl & Tina Ahrlin; Blenda Ahrlin; and, Bill & Marcella Kastner. The Kastners built the house that is presently situated at the site. During her years in Rutland Bert has been active in the Rutland Community Club and she has served several terms on the Rutland City Council. The Rutland community extends best wishes to Bert in her new pursuits, and a warm welcome to the Adermanns. Thanks for picking Rutland for your new home.

The Rutland City Council had two applicants for the City Council vacancy. After a draw from the hat, the City Council appointed Lori McLaen to replace Bert Siemieniewski on the Council during the regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 1. Ms. McLaen had previously served several terms on the Council, so she knows the ropes. Welcome back, Lori.

Meanwhile, on the national scene, the second impeachment trial of former President Donald J. Trump is set to commence next Tuesday, February 9. The former President has been charged with inciting a mob to commit insurrection in the nation’s Capitol back on January 6, when he was still President. The House of Representatives charged him with the offense in an Article of Impeachment adopted on January 13. Mr. Trump’s term as President ended at Noon on January 20, but many of his followers have refused to accept the fact that Joe Biden won last November’s Presidential Election, and that Donald Trump lost. They tried to keep Trump in office by overthrowing the government of the United States of America. Millions of Americans, including nearly all of the Congressmen and Senators, heard the words and saw the actions that led to the impeachment. What the Senators do with the evidence is anyone’s guess, but early indications are that a majority, but not 2/3, of the Senators will vote to convict Mr. Trump, and to bar him from holding any other national office. Prior to his election in 2016, Mr. Trump had a well-deserved reputation as a penny-ante pettifogging windbag, and since January 6, 2021, his ambition to rise to the level of two-bit tin-pot tyrant has also been revealed. What’s coming next in the Trump drama is unknown at this time, but as history has shown, you can’t count him out. Like Count Dracula, until he is buried with an oaken stake through his heart, he’ll be back.

Well, that’s it from the little city that can for this week. For additional information about what’s going on in Rutland, and with Rutland folks, check out the community’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com, and stop by the Rutland Facebook page while you’re touring around in cyberspace, 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.