Tag: Rutland City Council

The Rooster Crows – July 16, 2021

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By Bill Anderson

It really rained after the rain was over. The rain showers started at about 10:00 p.m. on Friday, July 9, and, after about .1 to .2 of an inch had fallen here, the TV weather reporters declared that it was all over. No more rain for the foreseeable future. the weather gurus may have their charts, insights, incense and incantations to guide them, but the weather gods are not to be trifled with. No one tells them what to do. After the rain was officially over, the clouds opened up to give Rutland and vicinity another .5 to .8 of an inch of much needed precipitation. Norbert Kulzer reported a full 1 inch in his rain gauge, while next door neighbor, Roger Pearson, measured .75 of an inch in his. Chuck Sundlie reported .8 of an inch in his gauge on Saturday morning, but he had dumped out what he estimates to have been about .2 of an inch when the rain stopped the first time. Harvey Bergstrom reported .83 of an inch at his farm 2½ miles south of Cayuga; Kurt Breker measured .62 of an inch at his farm 1 mile south of Cayuga; Mark Wyum received .6 of an inch at his farm northeast of Rutland; Chuck Anderson came in with the low reading for the event of .43 of an inch at his farm in Weber Township, between Rutland & Havana; and, Cam Gulleson’s rain gauge 1½ mile east of town gets the prize for the highest reading at 1.11 inch on Saturday morning. Several of the Assembled Wise Men around the coffee table at the Rutland Seniors Center on Saturday morning even observed that the grass was beginning to turn green, again. So, in the “Every Silver Lining Has Its Cloud” department, now they will have to start mowing lawns, again.

The 26th District Democratic-NPL Party’s Executive Committee met at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 8, in the Community Room of the Stock Grower Bank’s Rutland Station. District Chairman Jim Dotzenrod of Wyndmere had called the meeting to discuss the need to plan for the re-drawing of District boundaries by the Legislature later this year, the need to prepare for a possible legislative election in the event new District boundaries result in a significant change in the population of the District; and, to plan for a rally/fund-raiser in cooperation with District #25 on Thursday, August 19 at the Joel Heitkamp residence at Lake Elsie, near Hankinson. About a dozen members of the Executive Committee were present, including former legislators Jerry Kelsh of Fullerton and Al Peterson of Forman. Notices of the upcoming Rally/Fund-Raiser will be published on-line, as well as in the local newspapers in Sargent, Dickey, Ransom & Richland Counties. Officers of the 26th District Dem-NPL for 2021-22 are: Jim Dotzenrod, Chairman; Jayne Pfau & Cameron Gulleson, Vice Chairpersons; Bryce Carlson, Secretary; and, Sheila Wyum, Treasurer.

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The Rooster Crows – July 9, 2021

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by Bill Anderson

“All day we’ve faced the barren waste without a taste of water. Cool, clear water.” Sang The Sons Of The Pioneers years ago, and their words were about to become the 2021 theme song for Rutland and vicinity, until the morning of Tuesday, July 6, when the hot, dry barren waste was replaced by cool, clear water in the form of a 60 degree temperature reading and a misty, drizzly rain that was not a desert mirage but the real thing. It wasn’t a big rain, but, as The Assembled Wise Men observed, “It was better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.”  Roger Pearson reported .3 of an inch in his rain gauge on the east end of Gay Street, Mark Wyum reported .6 of an inch at his farmstead about 2 miles northeast of town, Jesse Brakke’s electronic gauge between Rutland & Cayuga recorded .46 of an inch of rainfall; DuWayne Baldwin reported .47 of an inch of precipitation south of Geneseo; and, Chuck Anderson’s gauge at the Anderson’s Weber Township farm 5½ miles southwest of town held .58 of an inch of blessings from Heaven; when the rain stopped. The relatively cool weather that is predicted for the rest of the week will allow the rain to soak in and do some good for the growing corn and soybean crops. According to Mr. Baldwin, the corn plants have perked up their ears and the beans are smiling.

Former Rutland community members Bill & Mary Woytassek paid a visit to their old friends in the old home town on Wednesday, June 30. The Woytasseks had been on a vacation trip to Granite Falls MN on the previous weekend, and decided to pay a visit to Rutland on their way back to their home at Detroit Lakes MN. They pulled in on the evening of Tuesday, June 29, parked their travel trailer in the Rutland RV Park, and then stopped in at the Rutland Seniors Center on Wednesday morning to catch up on the news and have coffee with the home folks.

Dave Kulzer, who has been visiting in Rutland since Monday, June 28, went out for lunch with the ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) group at Noon on Thursday, July 1. Regulars included: Dale McLaen; Mark Wyum; Bruce Peterson; and, Bill Anderson.  Guests were: Jackie Peterson; Kathy Wyum; and, Dave Kulzer. This was the first outing for the ROMEO group since March of 2020, and they chose to check out the fare at the Geneseo Bar, which they found to be excellent. Charter members of the ROMEO group were: the late Earl Cramton; the late Richard Bradbury; Mark Wyum; and, Dale McLaen. The resumption of their weekly meeting is one more sign that life is returning to normal since the covid-19 pandemic has loosened its grip.

Speaking of covid-19, the pandemic may havelessened its ferocity since vaccines became available, but it is still a threat to public health. Statistics released last week indicate that 99.2% of those who have died of covid-19 during the month of June had not been vaccinated, while only 0.8% of those who died of the disease during the same period had received a vaccination. Sargent County Public Health District Administrator Brenda Peterson reports  that this County has not had an active covid-19 case since June 24, and her team is working to keep it that way. Sargent County has not quite reached the goal of having 70% of adults vaccinated by the 4th of July, but is continuing to work toward that goal, too.  To make an appointment to schedule a covid-19 vaccination, call: Sargent County Public Health at 724-3725; Forman Drug at 724-6222; or, Sanford Clinic at 742-3267.Paul Anderson reports from Spider Lake, near Nevis MN, that his grandson, Rhys Elfering, and granddaughter, Arlo Elfering, ages 2 and 4 months, respectively, were his guests at the lake on Friday, July 2. Rhys enjoyed piloting Grandpa’s pontoon, the SS Swamp Rat, around the lake, according to Paul.  Rhys & Arlo were accompanied by Paul’s daughter & son-in-law, Katie and Josh Elfering. The Elferings make their home in Seattle WA, and had flown back to the Midwest to visit family and friends over the Independence Day holiday weekend. Paul also reports that the Nevis area received 2½ inches of rain on the morning of Tuesday, July 6.  The rain was very welcome, as that area has missed out on even the small showers that have been keeping crops in Sargent County green and growing.

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The Rooster Crows – June 11, 2021

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By Bill Anderson

Hot! Hot! Hot! Hotter than the Hinges of Hades, with wind to boot. The temperature has been pushing, or pulling, the 100 mark every day since Memorial Day on Monday, May 31. The heat has roused up some thunderstorms with downpours and high winds, in some areas to our north, but nothing in Sargent County, so far. Here, it’s heat and wind, but no downpours. The corn, soybean and wheat crops appear to be tolerating these conditions pretty well as of Tuesday, June 8, but the sustained combination of high temperatures and high wind speeds is not conducive to a good harvest. Well, as the old-timers used to say, “Every day that it doesn’t rain is one day closer to the day that it will.” The rain will come. Will it be enough? Will it be in time? Just relax. Mother Nature will furnish the answers in her own good time, and nothing we can do will change her pace.

A crew from the Indigo Sign Co. of Fargo worked through the drizzly rain on Thursday, May 27, the last significant rain that has visited Rutland, to install the new Stock Growers Bank sign in front of the bank’s Rutland Station. The new sign replaced the Sargent County Bank sign that had been in front of the bank’s station here since it opened on November 1, 1976. The name changed on September 14, 2020, when the Sargent County Bank of Forman, Gwinner, Rutland, Milnor and Lisbon merged with the Stock Growers Bank of Napoleon ND. Signs at all of the Bank’s locations have been in the process of being changed since then. So long, Sargent County Bank, and a hearty “Welcome!” from the Rutland community to the Stock Growers Bank.

Bill Anderson, Bev & Norbert Kulzer, Joel Susag, Debbie Banish by the new sign

Family & friends of Orvis Pearson of Rutland gathered at the farm home of his granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Betsy & Tyler Speich of Delamere, on Monday, May 31, to celebrate Orvis’ 96th birthday with him. Orvis grew up on the family farm east of Rutland and took over the farming operation when his parents, Gottfried & Martha (Anderson) Pearson retired in the early 1950’s. Their son, Randy, took over the farm about 30 years ago, but Orvis & his wife, Alphie, continued to make the farm their home base until moving to Four Seasons Villa in Forman back in 2019. Alphie passed away later that year. Orvis & Alphie’s grandson, Chris Pearson, now makes his home on the farm east of Rutland. Orvis many friends in the Rutland community extend congratulations and best wishes to him on the occasion of his 96th birthday. May there be many more.

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The Rooster Crows – May 7, 2021

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By Bill Anderson

Big trucks, little trucks, big tractors, bigger tractors, planters, rock rollers, rock pickers and every other kind of machinery needed to plant a crop have been moving through Rutland this week as spring planting finally got into high gear. Commodity prices are up, covid-19 cases are down, the Sun is shining, the sky is blue, God is in Heaven and all is right with the world this week, at least so far. The temperature is still going up and down, too, from a high of 86 on Saturday, May 1, to a predicted low of 50 on Wednesday, May 5. In between, though, there was a very comfortable 74 on Sunday, May 2. Reports from the field are that the timely rain received back in April was just what the Doctor ordered, as soil moisture is good throughout the area. Even some combines have been observed, heading off to the shop to be serviced and made ready for the upcoming harvest season. Hope still springs eternal, on the farm as well as on the ball diamond.

The Sargent County Public Health District has reported more encouraging news on the covid-19 front this week. According to District Health Nurse Briana Spellerberg, there were 8 active covid-19 cases in Sargent County as of Tuesday, May 4, down from 16 a week earlier, and the percentage of adult County residents who have received at least 1 vaccination shot is at 53.6%, up from 52.8% a week ago. County Health Nurses Spellerberg and Chapin will be administering vaccinations to workers at the Bobcat Factory in Gwinner later this week. To make an appointment to obtain a vaccination, call: the Sargent County Public Health District in Forman at 724-3725; Forman Drug in Forman at 724-6222; or, Sanford Clinic in Oakes at 742-3267. All 3 of the currently approved vaccines: Moderna; Pfizer; and, Johnson & Johnson; are now available, although they may not all be available at the same time from the same supplier. Congratulations to the personnel of the Sargent County Public Health District, Forman Drug and Sanford Clinic for the work they are doing to protect the people of Sargent County from the ravages of the coronavirus.

Kaia Mahrer of this community was in Grand Forks on Thursday & Friday, April 22 & 23, completing her final examination for certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). She started the course last fall, and, due to covid-19 restrictions, completed most of her studies in a virtual classroom, on line. As a music teacher at Sargent Central, she’s used to teaching that way, and now she’s used to learning that way, too. Kaia will be working with the Forman Ambulance Squad of the Sargent County Ambulance Service. Congratulations to Kaia on her accomplishment, and on her dedication to community service.

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The Rooster Crows – April 9, 2021

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By Bill Anderson

Good things come to those who wait,” the old timers used to say, and once again, they were proved right on the evening of Tuesday, April 6, and the morning of Wednesday , April 7. The drought was not broken, but the edge was taken off of it as a steady drizzle deposited .4 of an inch of rain on Rutland and vicinity as of 9:15 on Wednesday morning, according to Norbert Kulzer’s rain gauge at 415 Gay Street. Roger Pearson, whose rain gauge issituated only a few feet away from Norbert’s, and generally measures less rain than Norbert’s, hadn’t checked his gauge yet, so, at least for now, Norbert’s rain gauge is right. Large amounts of precipitation are not in the near term forecast, but the weather gurus are predicting that showers and damp weather will persist until the weekend. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, “This rain may not be the end of the drought; it may not even be the beginning of the end; but, it may be the end of the beginning.”

The Rutland community is beginning to move to the “New Normal” of the post covid-19 world. On Saturday, April 3, The Rutland Community Club resurrected the community’s traditional Easter Egg Hunt for children in the community.  The event was held in the Rutland Town Hall and in the adjacent City park & playground. The following reportwas received from Community Club President Katie McLaen: “There were over 3,000 eggs hidden and over 50 kids hunting. In addition to the usual prizes, the Rutland Volunteer Firemen donated 6 bicycles as Grand Prizes. Nate Peterson; Raegan Roney; Ruth McLaen; Axel Hanson; Corbin Carlson; and, Jemma Schuster; won them. The Lariat Bar served rolls, juice, bloody Mary’s and mimosas. Hiding the eggs took almost an hour, with 7 people. Finding the eggs only took about 10 minutes.” Thanks to the members of the Rutland Community Club for starting the community revitalization process, and thanks to the Firemen for donating the bicycles.

Despite rapid progress being made on the vaccination front, the covid-19 battle is not yet won, according to Sargent County Public Health District Administrator Brenda Peterson. Ms. Peterson reports that adequate supplies of vaccine are now being received, and that all County residents 18 and older are now eligible to be vaccinated against the virus.  Sargent County now has all three of the vaccines approved for use in the U. S.: Pfizer; Moderna; and Johnson & Johnson; available.  She also said that the County’s nurses will be administering vaccinations at each shift at the Bobcat factory in Gwinner this coming week. Additionally, they will be in the three public schools in Sargent County: Sargent Central; North Sargent; and, Milnor; administering vaccinations to students who are age 16 or older, with parental permission, beginning next week. Sargent County’s covid-19 case count has been at or near 10 for a while, but 10 new cases were reported as of Tuesday, April 6, so the virus is still a threat to public health and the fight is not yet over. Sargent County Public Health has worked through its waiting list, said Ms. Peterson, so those who want a vaccination can now obtain it very quickly. To make an appointment for a covid-19 vaccination call: Sargent County Public Health at 724-3725; Forman Drug at 724-6222; or Sanford Clinic at 742-3267.

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The Rooster Crows- March 12, 2021

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By Bill Anderson

From below Zero on Monday, March 1 to 62 above Zero on Monday, March 8, a very welcome respite from Winter, but “respite” is the operative word. Monday’s high temperature broke a record that had stood since 1911, when the mercury soared to 54 above zero. Tuesday’s high of 65 degrees above Zero was also a record, eclipsing the 58-degree mark that had been set in 2015. Winter is not done, yet, however. On Wednesday, March 10, the weather gurus are predicting a high of 35 and possible snow. You can rest easy, though, as Winter’s days are definitely numbered.  Daylight Savings Time is scheduled to make its arrival at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 14, and the Vernal Equinox, the First Day of Spring, according to the timetable established by the Creator of the Universe, makes its arrival on Saturday, March 20. These two harbingers of better days ahead are more precise and dependable than the groundhog, the snow geese and the first robin, although not nearly as colorful, active and noisy. Once the Vernal Equinox arrives, spring has definitely sprung, regardless of what the thermometer says. So, just sit back and relax. Winter will make its exit and Spring will make its entrance in their own good time, and all of our questions, comments and complaints will not alter their pace one whit. Meanwhile, keep your snow shovel handy, just in case you have to shovel some of that Spring sunshine off your driveway.

Paul Anderson of this community reports that he is a grandpa, again. Miss Arlo Lake Elfering was born on Monday, March 1, 2021, in Seattle WA to Paul’s daughter & son-in-law, Katie & Josh Elfering. She weighed in at 7 pounds 7½ ounces, according to Grandpa, but he wasn’t sure how tall she was on arrival. Her Mom is 5’2” and her Dad is 6’8”, so she has possibilities in either direction. Arlo joins her big brother, Rhys, in the Elfering household. Congratulations to the Elferings, and to Arlo’s proud Grandpa Paul.

CORRECTION: In last week’s report of the Monday, March 1, Rutland City Council meeting, the last names of City Council member Colton Corry and City Engineer Mike Basingthwaite were misspelled. Apologies are extended to Mr. Corry and Mr. Basingthwaite for the errors, and thanks to City Auditor Debbie Banish for noticing the errors and providing the corrections.

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