Hens Do Crow! Oct. 18, 2019

On October 18, 2019October 17, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Deborah Banish

Mother Nature is not playing nice as everyone knows. September began with heavy rains during the first ten days of the month and October 10^th brought the first blast of winter weather that led to several school closings. While the kids enjoyed the snowfall, which was ideal for making snowmen, farmers see it as just another challenge to get the soybeans and corn harvest completed or, for many, to even get started. While most of the snow melted over the weekend, it just saturated the ground even more and blocked some roads with water making getting to the fields another headache to be dealt with. The forecast may provide a glimpse of hope before the next anticipated rainfall.

The Rutland Community Club met on Monday, October 14, at City Hall. Members present discussed Uffda Day – what worked, what didn’t and what needs to be changed for 2020. Katie McLaen and Lori McLaen agreed to head up the 2020 Uffda Day planning and organization; one additional person is needed to help as the three key persons. The lefse could be made further ahead of time to have more to sell; there were complaints about lefse selling out quickly. Santa Day will be held December 14 with Santa expected to arrive around 5:30 p.m. There will be kid crafts, bingo and a free-will meal. The two freezer meal sessions in October are filled. Zumba will begin the first Sunday in November, November 3, and will be held monthly; it is open to anyone. Planning is underway for the Kids in the Kitchen sessions on January 5 and 12, 2020. The next meeting will be November 12 at 5 p.m.

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Hens Do Crow! Oct. 11, 2019

On October 11, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Deborah Banish

Last weekend was the big celebration of the 35^th Annual Uffda Day. The sun was shining, and the wind was blowing but there was a large crowd of visitors. With the great weather, people came as far as Arizona and in-State as far as Pembina and Bismarck for the festivities. There were more vendors than prior years and they overflowed into the streets and alleys so there was a lot to see and do. The kids always enjoy the jump houses and the train rides, and the adults enjoy the company, the food, the vendors, and watching the kids. About 500 people took advantage of the homecooked scalloped potatoes and ham dinner at the Hall, while others enjoyed the Uffda tacos, brats, abelskievers and rommegrot. The parade had some new entries and old standbys and after the parade kids jumped at the opportunity to scramble for Nickels and do their best at the pedal pull. The evening ended with the Norsk-Ski competition that was won by the team of Philip Breker, Maria and Vance Zacharias and Corey Arnold. Needless to say, everyone was tired by the end of the day – even the troll in front of the Hall looked well-worn out on Monday morning.

The Rutland City Council held its monthly meeting on Monday, October 7, and received an update from the City Engineer on the emergency lagoon repair project. The lagoon is functional and ready for use. The contractor will be seeding grass, repairing the fence and cleaning up the project area. The Council adopted the 2020 budget and approved the bond sale for the lagoon project as recommended by City bond counsel. The Council also approved participation in the Sargent County Complete Count Committee for the 2020 Census. The Council discussed the condition of the City streets and stated that a repair or overlay will be needed next year which may require another special assessment. The next meeting will be Monday, November 4.

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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! August 16, 2019

On August 16, 2019August 14, 2019 By rutlandramblingsIn Rooster CrowsLeave a comment

By Deborah Banish

The Sargent County Farmers Union (SCFU) Education Program in Counties (EPIC) event was held at the Coteau des Prairies Lodge south of Rutland on Thursday, August 8. Elementary and teenage youth attended the event to learn about the farm to table process from Kyla Temple of Rutland, the SCFU Youth Director. The kids learned about the wheat planting, harvesting, and flour making process while making some fresh baked cookies. The older kids displayed their talents painting a canvas farm scene and the younger kids got some exercise doing youth yoga. Kyla Temple, SCFU Youth Director, organized the event sponsored by the Sargent County Farmers Union. The day ended with a family meal catered by The Black Pelican of Wyndmere and sponsored by Full Circle Ag of Britton.

Nordland Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School (VBS) started Wednesday, August 7, with Red Willow Bible Camp staff leading the group. The kids had a ball & they showed their stuff at a program on Friday, August 9^th, highlighting their busy week.

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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! 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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