The Rooster Crows – 9/13/19

On September 13, 2019September 13, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

Rain, rain, rain! With the rest of the world experiencing global warming, North Dakota, as usual, is bucking the trend. The Winter of 2018-19 was brutal, with more cold and snow than mortals should have to endure, the last blizzard was in mid-April, the snow didn’t go away until May and the temperature didn’t warm up until the end of June. July seemed to be hot only because it was warmer than June with higher humidity, and the weather has been cool and damp since the beginning of August. Now September has begun with 6 inches of rain in the first 10 days of the month, the same pace it hit back when Noah built the Ark. We are looking forward to an Indian Summer by the end of the month, but you have to have a Summer before you get an Indian Summer, don’t you?

Mr. Keith Olson of Minneapolis was in Rutland over the Labor Day Weekend visiting friends and family here. Keith is the son of the late Morris and Marcine (McNeil) Olson, Rutland natives who maintained loyalty and affection for their home community throughout their lives. Violet (Olson) Wyum; Shirley (Olson) Mahrer; and, Sharon (McNeil) Pearson are Mr. Olson’s aunts. Keith reports that his twp sisters also reside in the suburbs of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. He was heading for home on Wednesday, September 4, but stated that he plans to be back in Rutland for Uff-Da Day on Sunday, October 6.

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Hens Do Crow! Sept. 6, 2019

On September 6, 2019September 4, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Deborah Banish

D.L. Barkie Construction of Fargo, ND, moved into town on Friday, August 30, to start the City Emergency Lagoon repair project. The crew set up and started draining one of the cells to lower the level in order to make the repairs. The project is financed through a loan from the North Dakota Department of Health under the Clean Water Act and/or the Safe Drinking Water Act and grant funding through the Governor’s Emergency Community Development Block Grant funding. The loan will be repaid using the City Sewer and Lagoon Fund that is supported by the existing monthly fee on residential and commercial water bills rather than through any additional special assessments. The project is scheduled to be completed by September 16^th and the contractor off-site by September 30.

Claire Brakke of Madison WI was a Labor Day weekend visitor at the home of Jesse & Marcia Brakke. During her visit here, Claire also attended the wedding of a friend from her college days at UND at Aberdeen SD. Claire is currently working as an occupational therapist in the Madison area.

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Hens Do Crow! Aug. 30, 2019

On August 30, 2019September 4, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Deborah Banish

The Rutland Senior Center was the place to be on Thursday, August 22, when a large gathering of Senior Citizens enjoyed the music of the Tanner Family of Fairmont, West Virginia. The Tanner Family members sang a medley of religious songs with a bluegrass flair backed up by guitar, violin and mandolin. The group is making its way across the country stopping and sharing their talents at different Senior and community centers as they travel. It was fun entertainment in the old town!

On Tuesday, August 27^th, the City of Rutland Tree Committee – Delores Lysne, Chair, with Jeff Olson, Park Board President, and City Auditor Deborah Banish – cruised though the town with Mary O’Neill, Community Forestry Specialist from the ND Forest Service Lisbon Field Office. The four of them toured the town to identify City trees that need to be removed due to disease or condition requiring removal. The City has been awarded a matching grant up to $3,000 to remove 10 or more diseased and dying trees this year. Fifteen trees including ash, cottonwood, and Siberian elm trees were marked for removal. As required by the grant, the City will obtain three written bids for this project before selecting a tree-removal service to eliminate then. This is the second year the City has removed trees and the first year a grant has been obtained to help with the project. Once the trees are removed, the Committee and Ms. O’Neill will identify locations and species of trees to be planted next year. The City will be eligible to apply for another grant to help fund planting to ‘green up’ Rutland in 2020.

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Hens Do Crow! August 9, 2019

On August 9, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Deborah Banish

The Rutland City Council met on Monday, August 5, at City Hall with the 2020 budget the primary topic of discussion. Last year, the City levied 95.84 mills for the budget. As a Home Rule City, Rutland is not subject to the 105-mill maximum but the Council recognizes that it has levied larger than desired increases in recent years. The Council discussed the need for street repairs and sidewalk replacement near the Senior Center and Post Office. The City attempted to obtain grant funding in prior years for the sidewalk project but was never awarded funding. The Council is determined to repair the sidewalk in 2020 and allocated funds in the 2020 budget for that purpose. In other business, the Council was informed that the Emergency Lagoon project preconstruction conference (public meeting) is scheduled for August 14th at 1 pm at City Hall. The Contractor has signed the contracts, which are being reviewed by the Engineer, and, after review, the contracts will be sent to the city for signature. The City’s Community Development Block Grant request for additional funds is ongoing and the ND Department of Health Office is working on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and bond for the project. The City’s radar speed signs have been delivered and will be installed with one on the North and the other at the South end of town on County Road 10. The Council held the first reading of the proposed Health Ordinance, addressing abandoned housing, burning in the City and other items. The City Council scheduled the public hearing on the budget for 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9. The final budget will be approved at the October 7^th Council meeting.

Rutland Junk Fest and Ribfest was held last Saturday, August 3, along with the American Legion Auxiliary Pie and Ice Cream Social. Unfortunately, there was a low turnout in vendors as well as attendees this year which may have been due to events in Britton and Forman or simply the great weather that got people out of town before starting to plan for the return to school in a few weeks. It’s that time of year again kids.

The Rutland Community Club will meet on Monday, August 12^th at 7 p.m. in City Hall. Planning for Uffda Day and lefse production will be the primary focus of the meeting. Watch for a schedule of days and times when help will be needed for making lefse and other preparation for the big day. The parade information and sign-up sheet and the vendor registration form are both available on the City’s website at www.rutlandnd.com in the Visitors section on Uffda Day.

That’s it for news from Rutland for this week. If you have any events or news you wish to share for next week or on the Rutland website, please send the information to rutlandnd@drtel.net or drop a note at City Hall.

Hens Do Crow! August 2, 2019

On August 2, 2019August 3, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Deborah Banish

The Rutland Raiders 4-H Club had another strong showing at the 96th Annual Sargent County Fair and 4-H Achievement Days held July 25-28. Club members participated in the Fair starting at 8 a.m. Thursday morning with the horse show and were kept busy right all through the weekend. Several received purple and reserved champion ribbons in both the static and livestock categories and even a couple from the open class competition. Congratulations to all the 4-H Clubs and Members who participated in the Fair and keep up the good work. See you next year at the Fair!

Miss Rutland Jordan Peplinski participated in the Sargent County Fair Queen Pageant on Sunday evening. Jordan, daughter of Dale Peplinski and Ranae Sorenson, was selected as Miss Rutland at the Rutland Fun Night in July. Miss Rutland, and other Queen Candidates, performed several functions at the Fair including awarding the 4-H ribbons to the youth at the pet judging and other competitions during the Fair. Rutland extends its thanks to Miss Jordan Peplinski for representing Rutland so proudly at the Sargent County Fair.

The annual “Christensen Classic” was held in Forman on Saturday and Carolyn Christensen submitted the following information on the event:

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Hens Do Crow! July 19, 2019

On July 26, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Deborah Banish

Rutland is not a dying town but a town that tie-dyes as evidenced by over 80 people who attended the Rutland Community Club Groovy Art in the Park event on Thursday, July 11^th. Rutland residents were joined by families from Havana, Forman, and other towns for a fun night. Kids and adults alike tie-dyed T-shirts, socks, and bags with many outstanding designs and lots of color. Even the adults got some color, especially Bryce Carlson who had some beautifully colored legs thanks to his playful kids. The grass in the Veteran’s Memorial Park provided some color and many a child had colorful feet before they left. The Community Club provided refreshments and beautiful t-shirt cookies and multicolored cupcakes. Thanks to the Community Club and to everyone who attended to make this a successful event. Photos of the event and some of the completed items can be viewed on the Rutland Facebook page and the blog.

The Rutland City Council reconvened on July 11 to award the bid for the Emergency Lagoon Repair 2019 Project. Two firms bid on the project and City Engineer Tracy Eslinger, from Moore Engineering, summarized the bids for the Council. The Council voted to award the contract to D.L. Barkie Construction of West Fargo for a Total Base Bid of $174,599 plus Alternate 1 (Crossover Pipe and Gate Valve Bid) of $22,488 for a total project estimated cost of $197,087.00. Acceptance of the bid is contingent upon approval of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Community Development Block Grant for the additional funds to cover the increased costs. The City Council will hold its next meeting on Monday, August 5 when the 2020 preliminary budget will be approved, as required by State Law; the final budget is required to be adopted after a public hearing no later than October 10.

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