Tag: Rutland General Store

The Rooster Crows – Aug. 11, 2023

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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 2nd 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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The Rooster Crows – July 21, 2023

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By Bill Anderson

While the rest of the Country continues to swelter under record high temperatures, in the triple digits in many areas, Rutland and vicinity has been enjoying moderate, even unseasonably cool, weather conditions. A return to hot weather is in the forecast for the week beginning on Sunday, July 23, and for the rest of the month, however. The recent respite from excessive heat has saved the wheat, corn & soybean crops, so far, but some rain is going to be needed to bring the crop through to harvest. 

August in Rutland is going to be starting out with a bang, and with the aroma of barbecued ribs. The following information was recently obtained from Rutland Community Club President Katie McLaen: A Community-wide Junk Fest is on the schedule from 1:00 to 5:00 on Saturday, August 5, with Deb Banish, phone # 701-680-2458, in charge; Rutland’s American Legion Auxiliary will be serving a Pie & Ice Cream Social at the Rutland Senior Center, starting at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 5; a Community Rummage Sale accompanied by a scalloped potato lunch will be held at the Rutland Town Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with the proceeds going to the Muscular Dystrophy Association; and, The Rutland Rib Fest, with ribs being served by various vendors, is scheduled to commence serving at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, from booths on Main Street. As in past years, Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from the intersection with Front Street on the North to the intersection with Arthur/Gay Streets on the South, to allow for the placement of picnic tables. Rib vendors will be assessed a $25.00 fee to compete for the “Best Ribs In Rutland” title, and prizes for 1st place, 2nd place,3rd place and “People’s Choice” will be awarded. All food vendors, not exclusive to ribs, are welcome, and will also be assessed a $25 .00 vendor’s fee. For additional information, and to sign up to participate as a vendor at Rib Fest, contact Shawna Bergh at 701-680-0780. As with most events in Rutland, there is no admission charge. You only pay if you buy something. The August 5 Rib Fest will conclude with a Street Dance featuring “Raw Sugar” from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. So, put on your rib bib and your dancing shoes, and plan to be in Rutland for Rib Fest on Saturday, August 5.

Bill Anderson, accompanied by Great-Grandson Brody Mahrer, departed Rutland in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 9, bound for Hector Airport in Fargo and a 5:30 a.m. airline flight that was the first leg of a trip that landed them in Branson MO at about 6:30 p.m. that same day. The flight from Chicago O’Hare Airport to Springfield/Branson International was delayed for several hours while a problem with the aircraft’s ventilation was repaired. The reason for the trip was the annual reunion of Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, the unit in which Bill had served as an infantry Platoon Commander when he first arrived in Vietnam back in January of 1970. Time and age are finally accomplishing what the VC and NVA could not accomplish more than half a century ago, bill reports, as this reunion had the smallest number of Marines in attendance of any that he has been at since his first in 2012. During their stay in Branson, Bill & Brody took in the Clay Cooper Show on the evening of Monday, July 10, and the Evening Dinner/Show Cruise on Table Rock Lake aboard The Branson Belle showboat on Tuesday evening, July 11. Additionally, Brody got to hone up his skill playing the “Back Alley” card game, a game that was popular among the Delta Co. Marines back in 1969-70, when they were in Vietnam. Bill & Brody returned home through American Airlines’ hub terminal at Dallas/Fort Worth, on Wednesday, July 12, so Brody could play baseball in the District playoffs with his Babe Ruth baseball team from Gwinner. The temperature at Dallas/Fort Worth was +105, and the temperature at Fargo was +71 on Wednesday afternoon. 

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The Rooster Crows – June 23, 2023

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By Bill Anderson

THE ROOSTER CROWS

06/23/23

“hotter than the hinges of Hades,” the old-timers used to say about summer time temperatures that neared the triple digit mark, and on Monday & Tuesday, June 19 & 20, those hinges were smokin’!  On Monday, June 19, the temperature hit a blistering+92 degrees, and on Tuesday, June 20, the high temperature in Rutland hit 97 above, just 1 degree shy of the 98 degree record for that date that was set back in 1910.  Less than 2 months ago most of North Dakota, including Rutland, was still covered with ice and snow, and nighttime temperatures were still dropping below the freezing mark.  The old timers also used to say, “If you don’t like the weather here, just wait a minute…it’ll change.”  It has changed, and, if you don’t like this weather, just wait another minute and it will change, again.

Dick Johnson of Hot Sulphur Springs CO stopped in Rutland on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 14, for a brief visit with one of his cousins, Bill Anderson of this community.  Dick’s paternal grandmother, Emma (Peterson) Johnson, and Bill’s paternal grandmother, Julia (Peterson) Anderson, were sisters who had accompanied their parents, Jon & Maria Peterson, from Sweden to a homestead in Rutland Township back in 1887.  Dick grew up in Drayton ND where his Dad, Chad Johnson, served the community as President of the local bank.  Back in the 1950’s, Dick was a member of the Drayton American Legion Baseball team that won the North Dakota State Championship, won the Midwest Regional Championship and went on to be one of 12 teams that competed for the National Title.  Dick usually makes an annual trip to Drayton for a reunion with his old friends there, and usually includes a stop in Rutland and Forman to visit friends and family here.  When he stopped last week, Dick was on his way back to Colorado after a visit in Drayton and a fishing trip up in Ontario.  The fishing was good, he reported, as was the reminiscing with companions from  the good old days.

Members of Bergman-Evenson Post #215 of The American Legion conducted a Flag Retirement Ceremony at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, at Lou Sanderson Field.  Post Commander Larry Christensen; Acting Sergeant At Arms Tom Manley; and, Post Adjutant/Acting Chaplain Doug Olstad presided over the ceremony at which approximately 50 soiled or damaged American Flags were honorably retired from service and properly destroyed by fire.  Other Post members and guests present included: Roger Pearson; Doug Spieker; Calvin Jacobson; Andy Harris; Bill Anderson; Carolyn Christensen; Pam Maloney; Joanne Harris; and, Kelly Hawkinson.  Prior to 2022, the local Legion Post conducted the Flag Retirement Ceremony on Veterans’ Day, November 11, but the combination of cold, wind & snow that tends to prevail on Veterans Day convinced Post members to change the date to June 14, Flag Day, instead.  It was hot in 2022, and hotter in 2023, but for the Post members who are, for the most part, in their 70’s & 80’s, heat is better tolerated than is cold.  The 2024 Flag Retirement Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 14, 2024 at Lou Sanderson Field, weather permitting.

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The Rooster Crows – Oct. 29, 2021

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By Bill Anderson

The rain keeps on coming, a little here, a little there, and the next thing you know, we’re talking real water. Roger Pearson’s rain gauge registered .8 of an inch after the rain stopped on Wednesday, October 20, and held another .55” after the rain on the afternoon of Sunday, October 24, while Norbert Kulzer’s gauge registered nothing from either event, as he had taken his gauge in so it doesn’t freeze up when the hard freeze does finally arrive. Mike Banish reported that the gauge out at the Banish farm, 2 miles south of town, held .88” on the 20th, and .55” on the 24th; and Chuck Anderson said that the gauge at his farm in Weber Township measured .79” from the 20th and .42” on the 24th. As of this writing, on the morning of Wednesday, October 27, it is raining again, and Chuck Anderson reported that .4” had fallen at his place by 9:00 a.m. Tune in next week for the complete report.

Sargent County Public Health District’s nurses are scheduled to be at the Rutland Senior Citizens’ Center from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, November 1, to administer covid-19 booster shots. These boosters are the Moderna brand. There is no charge, so stop by and get boosted. Sargent County Public Health District Administrator Brenda Peterson reports that Health District nurses have also been delivering the Pfizer booster. According to Ms. Peterson, those seeking a booster for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are being referred to the Forman Drug for assistance. Ms. Peterson also reported that there are still some folks who are coming in for their first vaccination shots. For information about covid-19 vaccinations and boosters, call: Sargent County Public Health at 724-3725; Forman Drug at 724-6222; or Sanford Clinic at 742-3267. In Sargent County, the vaccinations are not only administered with efficiency, but those getting a shot will also receive a big smile, free of charge. A new staff member, Tracie Ruch, has recently joined the Sargent County Public Health District team. Her position is funded by a grant, according to Ms. Peterson. The grant is good to 2023 and will have to be reapplied for at that time.

The Rutland Community Club met at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 20, in the Rutland Town Hall. President Katie McLaen reports that the first topic of discussion was a review of Uff-Da Day XXXVI that was held on Sunday, October 3. All agreed that the event was a big success, and planning for next year’s Uff-Da Day, scheduled for Sunday, October 2, 2022, has begun. There will be some tweaking of the formula, with some new Uff-Da Day events and activities in the development stage. The preliminary financial report indicates that the 2021 version of Uff-Da Day resulted in net income of approximately $13,000 for the Community Club. In other business, club members present approved the purchase of new Christmas decorations and banners for Rutland’s Main Street. Santa Claus has accepted Rutland’s invitation to make his 76th annual pre-Christmas visit to Rutland since the end of World War II travel restrictions. Santa Claus Day in Rutland will be on Saturday, December 11, this year, with Santa scheduled to make his appearance at the Rutland Town Hall from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Mark it on your calendar: Santa Claus Day in Rutland on Saturday, December 11.

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Hens Do Crow! Feb. 28, 2020

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Last Saturday, February 22, was a day for celebration when ten Rutland residents headed to Claire City for dinner to celebrate Bev Kulzer’s birthday. The ladies who accompanied Beverly were Kathy Wyum, Ann Erickson, Janice Christensen, Dianna Anderson, Sheila Wyum, Cher Spieker, Janet Kiefer, Joanne Harris and MaryBeth Anderson. They planned the excursion earlier that week at coffee at one of their smaller coffee gatherings (some of the ‘regulars’ at coffee felt left out as they did not know about the big party!). Everyone made it back home safe and sound after the party and Beverly is doing great for 80!

This evening, Friday, February 28, the Lariat Bar is hosting its first ladies night with buy-one-get-one drinks from 9-11 p.m. and special $5.00 drinks along with karaoke from 7 p.m. until close. Men are welcome too of course and they can 50¢ off drinks from 9-11 p.m. Be sure to come out for some fun and hear all the talented singers!

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The Rooster Crows – December 16, 2011

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By Bill Anderson

David-1, Goliath-0, so far, anyway. The Rutland Post Office, and other post offices in rural communities, have been saved, at least temporarily. Word was received here on Tuesday, December 13, that the U. S. Postal Service has imposed a moratorium on Post Office closings until May 15, 2012. The moratorium was imposed in response to a request from a substantial number of United States Senators, including those from Montana and South Dakota. Neither John Hoeven (R-ND) nor Kent Conrad (D-ND) were among the Senators requesting the moratorium, an omission that has not gone unnoticed by those engaged in the struggle to maintain services in rural North Dakota. The notice sent out by the Postal Service stated that the review process would continue during the moratorium period, so rural Post Office patrons will still have to pay attention lest they lose their appeal rights during the moratorium period. The hard work and diligent effort of Rutland postal patrons who wrote letters and sent in their comments on the Postal Service’s proposal to close the Post Office here has paid off, at least temporarily, with a moratorium that may lead to a permanent rescue of the local Post Office. Congratulations to the Rutland Community Club for leading the fight. The fight is not over yet, though, as this moratorium is only temporary, so rural postal patrons will have to stay awake and pay attention to make sure that a permanent fix for the Postal Service’s woes is found.

Chuck Sundlie of this community headed off to Palm Springs CA on Sunday Nov. 27, to visit at the home of his parents, Leif & Phyllis (Donaldson) Sundlie. Chuck Traveled via Allegiant Air to Los Angeles, then accompanied his brother, Stan, to Palm Springs. He reports that the weather was very nice, and a few rounds of golf were played. Chuck returned to Rutland on Sunday, December 4, and found the weather here to be pretty nice, too, at least for December.

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