The Rooster Crows – May 14, 2021

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By Bill Anderson

Mother Nature has been cautious in her approach to Spring this year. The cool weather persists, although it has been gradually climbing into short sleeved shirt conditions, with highs in the upper 60’s and lower 70’s predicted for the coming weekend. Ma Nature has been sparing with the precipitation, too, as .1 to .2 of an inch of rain fell in the Rutland area on Wednesday, May 5. The cool, dry conditions have been great for getting the field work done, though. Planting has been proceeding at a rapid pace throughout Sargent County. Bruce Speich of Milnor reported on Monday, May 10, that he and his sons were down to 300 acres of beans and 110 acres of corn left to plant near Delamere. Rick Bosse reported on Wednesday, May 12, that Spring planting was nearing completion in the Brampton area, too. No predictions are being made as to what the results will be this Fall, but, for now, things are looking up.

CORRECTIONS! In the April 30, 2021, column, the name of Ted Lee was inadvertently omitted from the list of members of Bergman-Evenson Post #215 who comprised the ceremonial detail for the graveside service for the late Urban Hoistad. The service was held at the Nordland Cemetery southeast of Rutland on Monday, April 26. Ted Lee also serves as Post Chaplain for the Rutland American Legion Post.

In the May 7, 2021 column, the date on which Curt & Renee Larson observed their 50^th Wedding Anniversary by renewing their vows should have been Saturday, May 1, not Sunday, April 25. They were married on Saturday, May 1 back in 1971, and renewed their vows 50 years later, to the day. The author of this column apologizes to Bergman-Evenson Post #215 & Ted Lee, and to Curt & Renee Larson, for the omission and for the error.

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The Rooster Crows – April 30, 2021

On April 30, 2021 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

There was a smile under that mask! On Tuesday, April 27, the CDC revised its covid-19 pandemic facemask guidelines, no longer recommending that facemasks be worn while outside. In response, Mother Nature removed her mask, revealing bright Sun, blue skies, and a generally beautiful day. She has promised more to come, at least through the weekend, too. Facemasks are still recommended while indoors with unvaccinated people, but Mother Nature spends most of her time outdoors, anyway. The more people get vaccinated, the quicker we can get rid of the facemasks altogether. Oh, happy day!

Prior to revealing the bright, sunny side of her personality, Mother Nature bestowed approximately ½” of rain on Rutland and vicinity on Sunday night and Monday morning, April 25 & 26. Roger Pearson’s rain gauge registered just over .4 of an inch, and Norbert Kulzer’s gauge wasn’t quite up to the spot, just above the ½” mark, where it would start leaking out, so we’ll say “thanks for that.” Jim Lyon of Geneseo was in Rutland on Monday morning, April 26, and reported that moisture was good in that area of Sargent County. All he was waiting for was for the soil to get warm enough to germinate the seed, and for the sun to shine enough to let it grow.

The Rutland Senior Citizens Club thanked patrons of the Monday, Wednesday & Saturday morning coffee sessions at the Seniors Center for their generous free will donations with dinner at the dining room of The Lariat Bar on the evening of Wednesday, April 28. Twenty-nine coffee session patrons attended the event, including: Chuck & Mary Beth Anderson; Mark & Kathy Wyum; Norbert & Beverly Kulzer; Janny Kiefer; Delores Lysne; Rick Banish; Mike & Debbie Banish; Janice Christensen; Dianna Anderson; Yvonne Johnson; Joanne Harris; Steve & Sheila Wyum; Rick Bosse; Roger McLaen; Duane & Sharon Lock; Kurt Breker & Laura Mahrer; Bill Anderson; Roger Pearson; Joel Susag; Doug & Cher Spieker; and Hal Nelson. Guests ordered from the menu and report a very enjoyable evening with great cuisine, fine beverages, and outstanding company.

Some of Rutland’s stalwarts have been in the hospital during the past week. Calvin Jacobson was taken to a Fargo hospital following a fall from a ladder on Friday, April 23 that resulted in a fractured hip bone. No surgery was required to repair the break, and Cal was released from the Hospital on Tuesday, April 27. He is planning to take it easy for a few days before going back to work.

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The Rooster Crows 5/29/2020

On May 29, 2020 By rutlandramblingsIn Life In General, Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

Although field conditions in the Rutland area are still plenty wet and muddy, there hasn’t been much rain lately. That situation changed, a little, on the morning of Sunday, May 24, when a two-hour .16 of an inch drizzle gave the area a clean-up shower just before Memorial Day. There are no predictions about when the next rainfall might be scheduled, but the old-timers used to say that “Every day that it doesn’t rain is one day closer to the day that it will.” Can’t argue with that.

Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, dawned gray and overcast with a light wind out of the northwest. The air was humid, and the grass was covered with a heavy dew, a reminder of the light rain of the previous day. Despite the fact that the traditional Memorial Day program and pot-luck dinner had been cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic, a substantial number of current and former Rutland community residents were at both the Nordland and the Rutland cemeteries to witness the members of Bergman-Evenson Post #215 of the American Legion perform military rites honoring the memory of those honored dead who had served in the nation’s military services. Members of the ceremonial detail for 2020 included: Andy Hoflen; Rob Wyum; Ted Lee; Andy Harris; Larry Christensen; Doug Olstad; Roger Pearson; Calvin Jacobson; Doug Spieker; and Bill Anderson. Those who were at the cemeteries commented on the precision of the detail’s performance. Following the military rites at the cemeteries, Post Commander Larry Christensen called a brief meeting in Calvin Jacobson’s driveway at which the members approved a gift to Logan Wyum, SCHS Class of ’20, in appreciation for his services as Post Bugler over the past several years; elected Rob Wyum as Vice-Commander to replace former Vice-Commander and Past 10^th District Commander Tom Manley who has moved to New Mexico; and, awarded 50-year membership pins to Vietnam veterans Larry Christensen and Andy Hoflen. With the meeting concluded, those present commemorated the occasion with appropriate beverages served by the host, Sergeant At Arms Calvin Jacobson. A good time was had by all, and justifiably so.

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Hens Do Crow! May 22, 2020

On May 22, 2020 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

Members of the Rutland Community Club spent time on Friday, May 15, to brighten up the town. The adults and kids planted some bright purple petunias and other flowers in several flowerpots they had placed along the main business district. The block between Walock-Johnson and the Post Office has five beautiful large potted plants and one was also placed by City Hall. The businesses have been asked to water the plants to keep them looking lively for residents and visitors alike. Sargent County Bank also has two of their own flowerpots greeting patrons who stop in at the Bank.

The column last week mentioned the Birthday caravan that made its way through and around town. One birthday girl was missed. Kaitlyn Shirley Mahrer turned three last Thursday and the parade made sure to pass by there first to wish her a happy birthday. Then, as mentioned last week, the caravan made its way south to greet Anthony “Tony” Banish and then back through town and East to share the day with Audrey Anderson. Small towns can have big celebrations especially when three share the same date.

Word was received here on Tuesday, May 19, that Rutland native, John A. Lee, had passed away the previous evening at a Fargo hospital after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 76 years old at the time of his death. John was a son of the late Tollef and Ethel (Weller) Lee of this community. He was a member of the RHS Class of ’63 and was a frequent visitor in his old hometown. He and his wife, Cheryl (Halstenson) Lee, have made their home in Colfax ND since the 1970’s. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend with a party at their home organized by their two daughters. John had served as Mayor of Colfax for many years, and he was known to his many friends as the common man’s Renaissance man, multi-talented and always willing to share his talents to make life better, and living more enjoyable, for all. Funeral plans were not available at this writing.

Sargent Central High School finished up the school year on Wednesday, May 20^th. Students and parents lined up in their cars on Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon to return their books, computers, and other school materials that had been used for the past several weeks while COVID-19 kept most at home. A closed graduation ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 24, at 2 p.m. with only immediate family members allowed. A livestream video of the ceremony will be available on Sargent Central’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Vy4ocl4qO5k. Some graduates have postponed the customary reception following graduation with a few selecting to have the reception with guests spreading outside to conform with the six-foot distance suggestions.

Memorial Day military rites ceremonies will be held at the Nordland Lutheran Cemetery and at the Rutland Cemetery. On Monday, 25, the American Legion Post #215 ceremonial detail will be at Nordland Cemetery, (2 miles east and 1/2 mile south of Rutland) at 10:15 a.m. and will be at the Rutland Cemetery (east edge of town) at 10:30 on Memorial Day morning. Commander Christensen requests that all Post members, and all members of the public attending the services, observe social distancing guidelines and wear face masks or other appropriate face coverings to prevent the spread of the corona virus. Auxiliary members will also be at the ceremonies.

That’s it for this week in Rutland. Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend.

Hens Do Crow! May 15, 2020

On May 15, 2020May 15, 2020 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

Several members of the Rutland Community Club met on Monday, May 11, for an update on events and projects. The Missoula Theater Group still plans to be in Rutland June 22-26 for a community play unless cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Sargent County Fair has not been cancelled as of this writing and the Sargent County Queen pageant will be held even if it is cancelled. The ‘passing of the crown’ event for the new Miss Rutland has been done in the past at the Rutland Block Party. However, the Block Party may not be held so the new Miss Rutland, Cora McKinney, may be crowned at a smaller event. The Rutland Community Club has purchased flowers to be placed in the flowerpots that popped up around town and those will be planted on Friday afternoon to beautify the community. Planter boxes will be placed in Rutland this week with two planters by City Hall and two by the Rutland Senior Center. The Sargent County Garden Committee has been working with the NDSU Sargent County
Extension office, Sargent County Ambassadors, and the Master Gardener program. The group obtained donated wood to make the boxes and seeds for planting. Several boxes have already been delivered and planted in Forman and four will be placed in Rutland. The planter boxes by the Senior Center will provide vegetables for use at the Senior Center for meals. Two Sargent County Ambassadors, Tony Banish and Emily Hamilton, will help maintain the Senior planters. The planters by City Hall will be community gardens to be watered, weeded, and harvested by volunteers from the community. Katie McLaen will get a schedule for volunteers to help water and weed the boxes. The Community Club will provide additional funding for plants and tools needed for the project.

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Hens Do Crow! Jan. 31, 2020

On January 31, 2020May 7, 2020 By rutlandramblingsIn Life In General, Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

This is the one of the big weekends in Rutland. Sonja Christensen reported there are now more than 40 teams registered for the Pinochle Tournament on Saturday, February 1. The Rutland Community Club will be serving a noon meal and afternoon snacks. Watch for details next week on the names of the big winners. It is always a fun weekend in Rutland!

The American Legion breakfast slated for Sunday, February 2, has been cancelled so everyone now has a free Sunday to gear up for Superbowl– or for a quiet Sunday evening at home.

The Rutland Blood Drive will be held at the Town Hall on Thursday, February 6, sponsored by the Rutland Community Club. Call Janet Kiefer, Diane Smith or Sheila Wyum to sign up to donate. You can also sign up online at bloodhero.com and use the sponsor code rutland. Walk-ins are welcome so be sure to come on in to donate blood and snack on some have some great homemade treats and beverages after.

Just a reminder that this coming week, on Friday, February 7^th, the Rutland Community Club will be hosting the live improv comedy troupe, The LineBenders. The Lariat Bar will sell homemade pizza by the slice and there will be a cash bar. Tickets at the door are $10.00. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Mark your calendar for a fun night in town!

Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it – so you better plan to treat your sweetheart to an afternoon or evening out that Friday. St. Mary’s Church in Forman will be holding their annual Valentine Luncheon on the 14^th at the Parish Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The price is $8.00. They will be serving open-faced sandwiches, salads, desserts, coffee and punch and there will also be door prizes.

That’s it for this week from Rutland. The Rutland City Council will hold its next meeting on Monday, February 3, at 5:00 p.m. and the Rutland Community Club will meet on Monday, February 10. Check out other upcoming events in Rutland on the City website at www.rutlandnd.com. There are some fun events in March including the Sportsman’s Club Fish Fry on the 6^th and the Rutland Community Club Fun Night on March 15^th.