By Bill Anderson

Just when it seemed that the old refrain, “It ain’t gonna rain no more, no more…” was accurately predicting the future, Mother Nature said “That just ain’t so!” and sent a thunderstorm to slake the thirst of the Promised Land at about 3:30 a.m. on the morning of Friday, June 11. Roger Pearson’s rain gauge showed. 65 of an inch after the storm moved on and the weather cleared, while the gauge of his next door neighbor, Norbert Kulzer, indicated .75 of an inch from the same event. Mike Mahrer reported that the gauge out at Mahrer Construction’s shop, on the north side of town, also showed .75 of an inch on Friday morning, while Mark Wyum reported that .6 of an inch was measured at the Rob Wyum farm 3 miles north and 1 mile east of town; at the Steve Wyum farm 1 mile east and 1½ mile north of town; and, at the Mike Wyum farm, 1 mile east and 1 mile north of Rutland. The storm also pushed the oppressive heat and humidity that had afflicted this area since the end of May on to the east, replacing high humidity and temperatures in the upper 90’s and lower 100’s with drier air and temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s. It has been clear skies and beautiful weather since then. “There is naught so rare as a day in June, “the late Earl Anderson used to say, and the past week, up to Tuesday, June 15, has been a series of perfect examples of just what he meant. Lyle Erickson reports that the corn and soybean crops had been doing OK with existing soil moisture prior to Friday’s thunderstorm, but appeared to have been expending most of their energy sending roots down rather than stalks up. The rain has given them a boost, and they are now growing in the right direction, reaching for the sky. Lyle said that the extended period of heat did have an adverse effect on his wheat fields, though, as that crop now appears to be in the “boot” stage. That is, it is as tall as his 8” work boots and is heading out. An electric shaver may be needed for the wheat harvest this year.

A ceremonial detail from Rutland’s Bergman-Evenson Post #215 of The American Legion was at Calvary Cemetery in Fairmount ND at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 4, to render honors at the interment of their late comrade, Richard Lysne of Rutland. Members from the Rutland Post included: Larry Christensen; Douglas Olstad; Roger Pearson; Ted Lee; and, Calvin Jacobson. A color Guard and Bugler from the Fairmount Legion Post and 2 members of the Army National Guard from Fargo completed the detail.

Rutland’s Roosters have hit a tough spot in their schedule recently. On Tuesday, June 8, the Roosters took on a tough team from Wyndmere at Lou Sanderson Field, and dropped 2 games to the visitors in front of the home town crowd. The Roosters have been playing well, but their opponents were playing better. Roger Pearson, an All-Star player with both the baseball & softball versions of the Rutland Roosters, is of the opinion that the new rules changing the strike zone and requiring less arch on the pitched ball have allowed hitters to get more power into their swings, resulting in more multi-base hits and home runs. Even though the final scores weren’t to the Roosters’ liking, the bratwursts, hot dogs and barbecue sandwiches at the Rutland Park Board’s concession stand were big winners with the fans at the ballpark. The Roosters’ next home games are scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, when they will take on the team from Havana at Lou Sanderson Field. Come on out to the ballpark to Root! Root! Root! for the home team, and have a good time doing it.