The Rooster Crows – Sept. 22, 2023

On September 22, 2023September 25, 2023 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

Summer ends, and Autumn begins, this weekend, at precisely 2:49 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, with the arrival of the Autumnal Equinox, when exactly half of our Planet Earth will be bathed in sunshine, and exactly half will be shrouded in darkness. There isn’t much difference between Summer and Autumn on that first day, but, by the time the Winter Solstice arrives, at 10:47 p.m. on Thursday, December 21, it is very likely that weather conditions will be described with 4 letter words such as: cold; snow; wind; and, others not printed in The Rooster Crows but occasionally exclaimed in an ice covered parking lot or a snow filled road ditch. Well, hope is only 6 months away, with the projected arrival of the Vernal Equinox at 5:58 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, according to Alexa who gets her info from The Old Farmer’s Almanac. So, enjoy that last day of Summer to the full. It will be a while before days like that become standard equipment again.

Soybean harvest began in the Rutland area on Thursday, September 14, when Chris Pearson had 3 combines straight cutting beans on fields 2½ miles southeast of town. The fields were located on land that was formerly described as “Maggie Flados’ Quarter,” and, “Melfin Erickson’s Quarter.” According to Chris’ Dad, Randy Pearson, the yields ran from fair to outstanding, depending on whether the combine was on a hilltop or down in the Wild Rice River bottom. According to Randy, the beans were filling the combine hoppers so fast that they had to haul them to 2 different elevators just to keep ahead of the combines. As a local philosopher once observed, “Even if it ain’t true, it ought to be.”

Steve Wyum and Bill Anderson of this community were among those who attended the public hearing held at the Forman Town Hall at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12. The public hearing concerned the proposal to change 2 County offices, County Auditor and County Treasurer/Recorder/Clerk of Court, from elected offices to appointed offices. State law and Sargent County’s Home Rule Charter authorize the County Commission to make the change and require that the people have the right to be heard on the matter at a public hearing. The Commission had previously held the required hearing at a time during a regularly scheduled meeting of the County Commission, but only 1 person had made an appearance, so the Commissioners called a second hearing to be held on September 12. The public will have another opportunity to be heard on the matter on Tuesday, October 3, either before or after the final hearing on the proposed 2024 County Budget. According to current County Auditor Pam Maloney, 26 people attended the September 12 hearing. Eleven of those in attendance were County employees, 3 elected and 8 appointed.

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The Rooster Crows – Sept. 15, 2023

On September 15, 2023September 13, 2023 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

Ahhh, September! Clear, cool, starlit skies at night, followed by warm, sun filled days. The long, hot days of Summer are finally behind us; The long, cold nights of Winter are still ahead of us; and the comfortable embrace of September is ours to enjoy for a few more days or weeks, depending on the whims of Mother Nature. For the first time since May, the morning temperature stood at 39 degrees on Wednesday, September 13. According to the TV weather gurus, temperatures are expected to be back up into the low 80’s for the 3^rd week of the month, but Wednesday’s 39-degree reading is a harbinger of things to come. As the late Clayton McLaen used to warn, “There are two seasons in North Dakota: Winter; and, getting ready for Winter.” The Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting another tough Winter ahead, so, it’s time to follow Clayton’s advice, and get ready!

Rutland natives John & Theresa Gulleson of Casselton ND & Peder & Connie Gulleson of Bismarck ND hosted a gathering of cousins from this area, and cousins from Norway at the Coteau des Prairies Lodge on the evening of Monday, September 4. Jon Erdik & spouse, Elizabeth Odegard-Erdik; and Esther Odegard; of Korgen, Norway, accompanied John & Theresa on a tour through Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, visiting family and friends on the way. Esther and Elizabeth are relatives of the late Clara (Mrs. Martin) Gulleson of this community. Esther is Clara’s niece and Elizabeth is Esther’s daughter. While at The Lodge they enjoyed a traditional North Dakota pot-luck supper, and treated the hosts to authentic “krinalefse,” a specialty of the Korgen area that is made by sandwiching butter & sugar between 2 layers of thick lefse and topping it with a mixture of thickened cream and sugar. The Gullesons remembered Grandma Clara making it for them when they were young. Following their visit to Rutland, they intended to visit the ND State Capitol and the ND Heritage Center in Bismarck; Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Medora Musical at Medora ND; and Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota; before returning to Minneapolis to catch their flight back to Norway. Korgen is in the far northern territory of Norway, near the Arctic Circle.

The Board of Managers of Rutland Improvement LLC d/b/a The Lariat Bar sent the following message to investors on Thursday, September 7, informing them of some upcoming changes at The Lariat. “Thanks to everyone for your continued support for the Lariat Bar. As you know, Shawna submitted her resignation, effective September 30th. As a board, we have been considering options for managing day-to-day operations at the Lariat and have made the decision to support a structure that includes a kitchen supervisor and bar supervisor(s). We are pleased to share that Sara Hernandez has accepted the kitchen supervisor position and Stacy Barber and Nicole Flannery will share bar supervisor duties. Patti Woytassek will continue to serve as the board liaison and the supervisors will report to her. Tremendous thanks to Patti for her willingness to serve in this role, which requires a considerable commitment of time!

We are pleased to be able to tap into the talent and skills of existing staff to manage the bar and we have assured them that our goal is to ensure that everyone has the ability to retain their hours, recognizing that with the departure of staff in the coming weeks there will need to be discussions and adjustment to some schedules to assure adequate coverage. We are currently working to ensure a smooth transition, including finalizing job descriptions and division of responsibilities for the supervisors, job descriptions for everyone that is employed at the bar, establishing a monthly work schedule, and capturing a full list and schedule of vendors who service the bar. We are optimistic that the changes ahead will be positive for employees and for the bar overall. To make it work, it will require everyone to work together in the true spirit of teamwork and with respect for one another. We are also challenging staff to come up with ways to increase revenue and hold down costs, including hunting season specials, hosting of holiday events and more. We look forward to a fun and productive fall! Regards, Paul Anderson, Chairman RILLC

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The Rooster Crows – Aug. 11, 2023

On August 11, 2023 By RebelRedIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

The old saying, “The Sun always shines on Rutland, even when its raining,” proved to be true once again on Saturday, August 5, as the Rutland Rib Fest tradition got started again after being interrupted by the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020 and by a 9½ month closure of The Lariat Bar in 2022. The first Rutland Rib Fest was held in 2009, when The Lariat Bar was temporarily located in the American Legion Hall at 123 Gay Street, while the new Lariat Bar building on Main Street was under construction. Beginning in 2010 the Rib Fest was held on Main Street, where it was scheduled to be held this year, too. The rain that began in mid-afternoon on Saturday required a change in plans, however. Event organizers in Rutland have always been able to adapt, improvise and overcome, and this year’s Rib Fest was no exception. Rib vendors moved their grills from Main Street to shelter under the front porch and in the back room of the Lariat, as did vendors of other items that pleased the palates of those who had come to Rutland to dine. Joe Breker recalled that the judges at Rutland’s first Rib Fest were: Jerry Sapa; Rodney “Guts” Nelson; and Alvin “Butch” Craig; all well-known rib gourmets in the local community. This year’s judges: Debbie Banish; Mark Wyum; and, Bill Anderson; did their best to uphold the tradition of professionalism and enthusiasm established by their predecessors 14 years ago. The ribs prepared by the team of Steve Hartze of Fargo and, Bill Hoflen of Rutland were selected as this year’s “Best Ribs In Rutland” by the 3 judges, and were also picked as “The People’s Choice,” in a ballot by diners. Steve & Bill received an attractive certificate and $100 from The Lariat Bar and The Rutland Community Club for their accomplishments. The team of Jenry Du Plessy of South Africa; and Phillip Praetorius of South Africa; earned 2^nd place honors in the competition and were awarded a handsome certificate and a case of premium beer in recognition of their efforts. Steve Hartze is a grandson of the late Joe & Helen (Silseth) Sapa, and a nephew of the late Jerry Sapa of this community. His mother, Margaret Ann Hartze resides in Fargo, but was back in her old hometown to witness her son’s championship performance in Rib Fest 2024. Bill Hoflen is a farmer/rancher in Ransom Township, working with his Dad Andy Hoflen, on the Hoflen family farm. Jenry & Philip are both employed by Woytassek Farms of Rutland and reside in the Wolters house on the NW corner of Anthony & Bagley Streets. The rain, which broke a Summer long drought, put the crowd in a very good mood, and many farmers, both young and old, elected to celebrate throughout the evening while standing out in the rain, smiling, and laughing, as the proverbial “Million Dollar Rain” saved their crops and, in some cases, their futures in farming. A large crowd stayed on throughout the evening to enjoy the music of “Raw Sugar,” the band that had also been moved from the street to The Lariat to keep instruments and electronics dry. Earlier in the day, several Junk Fest vendors had been enjoying a brisk, if low priced, business. Pam Maloney reported that the rummage sale and scalloped potatoes with ham dinner fund raiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association that had been held in the Rutland Town Hall raised more than $2,600.00 for the charity, with more coming in from on-line donations and other activities throughout the weekend. According to Shawna Bergh, Manager of The Lariat, the bar enjoyed its biggest business day of the year last Saturday. Rummage sale enthusiasts, garage sale devotees and barbecued rib fans should keep their eyes open for information about Rib Fest 2024, which is currently planned to be held during the month of August in the coming year. Next year will be a Leap Year and a Presidential Election Year, and in the event that those two events require any adapting, improvising and overcoming, you can be sure that Rutland folks will be up to the challenge.

The following information concerning the Muscular Dystrophy Association fund raiser held here on Saturday & Sunday, August 5 & 6, was supplied by Pam Maloney: “Royce & Piper’s Rad Posse held their virtual Musclewalk on Sunday, August 6 with myself; Brianne, Joshua, Piper & Royce Nelson; Taryn, Shane, Cohen, Beckette & Landrie Jensen; Carolyn & Larry Christensen; Shannon Jablonsky; Michael & Phyllis Wyum; Boyd Jacobson, Jr.; and Diane Smith; participating. Between the rummage sale & dinner, in-person & online donations, the total raised, so far, for the Muscular Dystrophy Assn is just over $4,300. Thanks to all who donated in any way!” Congratulations to Pam and family for a successful fund raising event, and thanks to Pam for the information.

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Rutland Ramblings – July 14, 2023

On July 14, 2023July 14, 2023 By RebelRedIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Debbie Banish

The Rooster has flown the coop but will return next week with sage advice and Rutland news. In the meantime, here are a few tidbits from Rutland this past week.

The Rutland Senior Center was a cheerful gathering place on Monday morning, July 10, when about twenty individuals gathered for the monthly birthday celebration. A bright red, white and blue layered cake was shared by all after a vibrant “Happy Birthday” was sung by those present. The five July birthday celebrants were Chuck Anderson, Michael Banish, Norbert Kulzer, Judy Silseth and Cher Spieker. The Senior Center holds the monthly birthday recognition on the second Monday of the month to be sure to stop by sometime to wish area seniors a Happy Birthday and enjoy homemade cake. The weekly coffee gatherings are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings starting around 9:15 a.m. Come visit and hear the last news and take a walk down memory lane. The group can be a rowdy and informative bunch!

The Rutland City Council met Monday, July 10, with all present by phone and in person. The Council approved a demolition permit for the removal of the house and garage at 206 – 2^nd Street West, discussed the recent Trailer Park inspection report, reviewed the property insurance coverage, and approved the payment of bills. The City Auditor announced that the city received $15,161.90 from the Federal/State snow reimbursement grant which was a one-time funding opportunity. The First Street sidewalk project was discussed, and the Council requested that the City Attorney draft a resolution of necessity for a possible special assessment project area to help fund the needed improvements on First between Gay/Arthur and Front Street. The City Engineer will meet with the Council on August 7 to discuss the scope of the project and present cost estimates for the sidewalk project and a water valve replacement project. The Council will also approve a 2024 preliminary budget and schedule a public hearing within the next two months. The meetings are at 5 p.m., the first Monday of the month (excluding holidays) and the public is always welcome to attend and watch the Council in action. There is time at the beginning of the meeting for public comments and input is always welcome.

Monday was a busy day in Rutland and the evening was no different. The $5 burger Monday night special at The Lariat Bar was a hit with locals and visitors as observed by the cars lining First Street. Mark your calendar for Monday night as the time to get to Rutland for a great burger special at the Lariat!

The Milnor Team canceled the Tuesday night game against the Rutland Roosters. Next Tuesday, July 18, the Rutland Roosters take on Riverside at Sanderson Field. Game time is 6:45 p.m. and the Park Board concessions will be open for ballpark food, snacks, and beverages.

The Rutland Community Club members decided to take a break and not meet in July, but they will meet in August to get Uffda Day planning in full swing.

The Community Club may be taking a break, but the Lariat Bar is in full-swing planning for Ribfest on Saturday, August 5. The event will begin with a community rummage sale at City Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A scalloped potato lunch will also be available at the Hall with sale and food proceeds going to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Junk Fest vendors will set up along Gay Street to sell their wares from 1 to 5 p.m. The American Legion Pie and Ice Cream Social will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Rutland Senior Center and ribs and more will be available starting at 5 p.m. The event will conclude with a street dance with Raw Sugar from 8 p.m. to Midnight. It will be a fun time in the old town, so be sure to come to town. More food/rib and junk fest vendors are welcome to participate. Check out the Rutland Facebook page for contact information.

Other events this week that should be in next week’s Rooster Crows include: The Rutland-Cayuga Fire District annual BBQ supper on Wednesday, July 12; the bid opening on Thursday, July 13, for the sale of the Rutland General Store; and Vacation Bible School at Nordland on July 18-20.

That’s it for this week from Rutland. Don’t forget the Sargent County 100^th Fair kicks off on July 20. See you at the fair!

The Rooster Crows – June 9, 2023

On June 9, 2023June 8, 2023 By RebelRedIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

The thunderstorm that rumbled through on the afternoon of Saturday, June 3, Presented Rutland with .65 of an inch of rain, according to Roger Pearson’s rain gauge, and with .6 of an inch of rain according to the rain gauge of his neighbor, Norbert Kulzer, a few feet to the east. The rain came in a hurry, with the storm lasting only a few minutes, but it was a welcome relief from the incessant wind and heat of the preceding week. Cameron Gulleson reported that the storm also deposited .6 of an inch of rain on the Gulleson Farm, a mile and a half east of town. The rain fell in a narrow band, with only a few drops north of ND Highway #11 and an equally parsimonious amount 2 miles south of town. Well, this is the time of the year when it does rain on the just and the unjust, alike, but neither at the same time nor in equal amounts.

Rodney Erickson reports that the process of acquiring a new Post Office in Rutland continues to make progress, although at what seems to an outside observer to be a snail’s pace. The Postal Service proposes to lease approximately 700 sq. feet of Rodney’s building, the original Prindiville’s Saloon, now at the corner of First & Arthur Streets, and has had an office floor plan drawn up that has been approved by the powers that be at the USPS and by Rodney. After the Post Office is up and running, Rodney will still possess enough space in the building to create a professional office and a small studio apartment. Rodney is hopeful that the new Post Office will be open before September 30, 2023, the second anniversary of the closure of the old Post Office. Rodney also reports that he has been working full time getting his new, well, new to him, ready for the upcoming aerial application season. His new spray plane is an Air Tractor Model 802, powered by a 1,350 horsepower turbo prop engine. He states that this plane has an 800 gallon capacity, about 300 gallons more than his old plane. The plane is currently housed in a hangar at Bear Creek Flying Service’s facilities at Oakes ND. Bear Creek Flying Service is owned by Rodney’s friend and fellow aviator, Travis McPherson of Oakes. Rodney says that he expects to be heading up north, to the area around Bottineau and Rugby during the last week of June to begin applying fungicide and herbicide in that area before moving down to Nebraska to apply agricultural chemicals to corn fields down there. Then he will be heading back to Central North Dakota to apply fungicides and insecticides to sunflower fields, and then back up to North Dakota’s northern tier counties, along the Canadian border, to apply herbicides and desiccants to wheat and canola fields in that region of the State. By then, it will be time to put the plane back into the barn and begin working on getting it ready for next year. Too bad that he can’t find anything to do in his spare time. Oh, that’s right, he owns and operates Wheaton-Dumont Co-op’s grain handling facility, the Rutland Elevator, here during the remainder of the year, when he isn’t remodeling his family’s home.

On Friday, June 2^nd, Renee Larson, Colleen Sundquist, and Diane Pierson presented a check to Chelsey, Four Seasons Healthcare Center Activity Director, in the amount of $2,085.00, the amount raised from the Spring Plant Auction held on Monday, May 22. Unable to attend were plant auction organizers Val Bjork and Ione Lunneborg. Sixty-three bidders vied for a variety of plants and garden items with the bidding getting very raucous at times to the delight of everyone. Miss Sargent County, Autum Zirnhelt and Miss Sargent County 1st runner up, Anna Hoistad assisted throughout the evening. Several residents of Four Seasons attended the auction, and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The committee extends a huge thank you to the community for helping raise funds to help fund various outings and events at Four Seasons. Thanks to Ione Lunneborg for the information in this report.

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The Rooster Crows – Apr. 28, 2023

On April 28, 2023April 27, 2023 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Bill Anderson

Fifty-one degrees above Zero on Tuesday, April25, and we’re not done, yet. The weather gurus are predicting highs of 59 for both Wednesday & Thursday, April 26 & 27, this week. It will only take a little push to get into the 60’s, where the reality of spring can finally sink in. The possibility of snow is still in the forecast, though, but maybe, just maybe, we are done with that nonsense until November.

Local farmers are beginning to get a little tense, as potential planting dates are crossed off the calendar without a wheel having turned anywhere in the County. If the cool damp weather persists, it has been suggested that ice plant may become 2023’s primary cash crop.

Speaking of cash crops, Chuck Anderson reports that he has been hauling corn from the Anderson Farm in Weber Township to the Cargill Company’s storage and loading facility at Fairmount this week. The corn was harvested last fall, and was contracted for delivery to Cargill this spring. Road conditions have required Chuck to take a roundabout route to Fairmount, though. He has had to drive west from the farm on a Township road, then north on the next Township road to County Road #5, and then west on County #5 over to ND Highway #32, then north on #32 up to ND #11 and then east to Fairmount. Chuck says that he’s just happy to have a route that enables him to get the corn to where it’s supposed to go by the time it’s supposed to get there.

Chuck Anderson also reported that word was received on Tuesday, April 25, that an old neighbor, Virgil Hoistad, had passed away that day. Virgil was residing at a nursing home in Moorhead MN at the time of his death. Obituary and funeral information was not available as of this writing.

The Lariat Bar is becoming an increasingly popular venue for meetings of all kinds: professional; personal; and, partying. On Wednesday, April 19, three old friends: Steve Wyum of Rutland; Dr. Jerry Waswick of Gwinner; and, Bill Anderson of Rutland; gathered at The Lariat Bar to enjoy the Noon Special, a hot roast beef combo, and to catch up on where life has been taking them. The three men had become friends while serving together on the Sargent County Commission from 2004 to 2020. On the evening of Wednesday, April 19, Ambulance crews, Fire Departments & members of the Sargent County Sheriff’s Department met to discuss the new Statewide Interactive Radio Network (SIRN) that will allow emergency responders to communicate with each other during emergency response situations, when clear and unambiguous communication is needed. On Tuesday, April 18, the Sargent County Chapter of Pheasants Forever held its meeting in the Lariat’s dining room. Among those attending the Pheasants Forever meeting was Sargent County’s rhubarb King, Terry Dusek of Milnor. On Saturday, April 15, descendants of Dianna Anderson and the late Larry Anderson met in the Lariat’s dining room. Earlier that week, on Wednesday, April 12, the Wild Rice Antique Tractor & Plowing Association met at The Lariat in the afternoon, and the Sargent County Farmers’ Union executive committee held its organizational meeting in the dining room of The Lariat that evening. On Tuesday, April 25, members of Bergman-Evenson Post #215 of The American Legion met in The Lariat’s Dining Room to review the “Poppy Posters” created by members of the 1^st, 2nd & 3^rd Grade Classes at Sargent Central’s Elementary School. Twenty-five posters had been submitted, and all were well done. The Poppy Poster Contest is sponsored by the Rutland Unit of The American Legion Auxiliary, and was coordinated by Auxiliary member Diane Smith.

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