Tag: Rutland Senior Center

The Rooster Crows – Apr. 21, 2023

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By Bill Anderson

April, it seems, has become the new March up here on the northern plains, at least during 2023. Weather conditions have been swinging back & forth, like the pendulum on a Grandfather’s clock, between winter and spring. Mother Nature has become an exotic dancer, enticing observers by removing one layer of ice & snow at a time, turning up the heat and turning it down to serve her purpose, her preference, and her passion. The thermometer registered fifty-one degrees above Zero on Wednesday, April 12, while those with memories recalled that a week earlier Rutland was in the midst of a great blizzard that hammered the region with high winds, heavy snow and frigid temperatures. Spring will arrive in its own good time. Meanwhile, though, we might as well relax and enjoy the show. Mother Nature is bound to regain her usual modesty one of these days.

Rutland and vicinity were rocked by a wild thunderstorm at about 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 19. The thunder wasn’t the first we have heard so far this spring, but it certainly was the most emphatic. Lightning, wind and heavy rain provided accompaniment for nature’s symphony of thunder. In what was most likely a “first” in broadcast history, WDAY News, which began broadcasting on the radio back in 1922, 101 years ago, reported the rainfall amounts from both Rutland and Brampton in the same report, .62 of an inch at Rutland and .5 of an inch at Brampton on Wednesday, April 19. Congratulations folks, we’ve finally made the big time!

The combined effects of thunder, lightning, wind and rain also knocked out the supply of electricity from Otter Tail Power Co. to homes and businesses in Rutland on Wednesday morning. The power went off right after the storm hit, but Otter Tail’s repair crews had the power restored shortly before 6:30 a.m., in time to make breakfast for the kids before sending them off to school. The Rutland community extends thanks to the Otter Tail service technicians who went out into the storm to make the needed repairs. There is an old saying that, “We don’t miss the water until the well runs dry,” and we could add that we don’t miss the electricity until the lights don’t work and the coffee maker quits.

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The Rooster Crows – April 6, 2023

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By Bill Anderson

Well, we got shoveled out from last week’s snowstorm just in time to welcome this week’s blizzard. The snow started falling at the rate of about an inch per hour around 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, and kept up a steady pace all day. Most of us have been fed up with the snow, ice, cold, wind and the other accouterments of Winter for 3 or 4 months now, but dedicated snow removal experts like Rutland’s Jim & Shari Brown and Larry Christensen are made of sterner stuff and find the prospect of taking on the worst that Winter can offer armed only with a snow shovel to be an exhilarating challenge. They have kept their assigned territories free of ice and snow since early November, and they’re not about to give up now. About the only thing that could keep them from battling Winter would be a plane ticket to Aruba, Miami Beach, Puerto Vallarta or some other tropical paradise where the only ice is in the drinks, and a snow shovel is thought to be a long-handled pizza pan. Larry, Jim & Shari don’t have to worry about losing their jobs, though, as more snow is forecast for this coming December. According to the weather experts on TV & radio, there is no snow in the short term forecast after this weekend, though, and the temperatures are predicted to be up in the upper 30’s to mid-40’s. Not exactly Spring, but at least Spring-like. We do like Spring – we do, we do, we do! Please don’t take it away.

Paul Kiefer used his fish measuring ruler to try to figure out how much snow had been received in Cayuga by the morning of Wednesday, April 5, and came up with approximately 9 inches. Jesse Brakke estimated that 12 inches of snow had been dumped on his farmstead along ND Highway #11, between Rutland & Cayuga, and Kyle Mahrer estimated that 9 inches of new snow had been acquired by Rutland as of 9:30 a.m. on April 5. There’s more snow, and more wind, to come, though, and it may be necessary to revise these numbers prior to next week. It’s bound to end one of these days.

The Old Timers used to say that Spring would not arrive until Easter arrived, and that an early Easter meant an early Spring and a late Easter meant a late Spring. Those Old Timers weren’t always right, but they sure hit the nail on the head this year. Easter is on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Spring Equinox, and this year that Sunday is this weekend, April 9. Holy Week services in the Havana Trinity, Rutland Nordland & Forman Trinity (TNT) Parish are scheduled as follows: Maundy Thursday Pot-Luck Dinner Service at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Forman; Good Friday Service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Havana; Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, April 9, at Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland, followed by fellowship, coffee & rolls in the Nordland Fellowship Hall; Easter Sunday Service at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 9, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Forman; and, Easter Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 9, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Havana. Check the TNT Parish internet site for any changes which may be necessitated by drifting snow, soggy roads, or high water. Easter Sunday Worship Service is also scheduled to be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 9, at Sts. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church in Cayuga. 

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The Rooster Crows – Mar. 17, 2023

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By Bill Anderson

 Winter’s winds can blow and blow, bringing in mountains of ice and snow. Winter’s wild, wooly, and rough as a saw, but it can’t beat Rutland – We’re hanging on til the thaw! Winter storms during the last week of February and the first 2 weeks of March have been the worst 3 weeks of the winter for delays, postponements and cancellations, so far. Since Ash Wednesday on February 22, half of Nordland Lutheran Church’s Lenten and Sunday services in Rutland have had to be cancelled because of impassable roads and impossible driving conditions. In Rutland, the continuous process of removing several inches of new snow, along with newly formed snowdrifts, from the City’s streets each day has left each City block looking like a snow fortress, with parapet walls of packed snow several feet high lining the sides of the streets, and huge piles of snow, resembling the towers and turrets of ancient castles, at each street corner. Caution is advised when crossing any intersection in Rutland these days. Well, this coming Monday, March 20, brings with it the First Day of Spring, and the possibility that Winter’s mighty fortresses may soon be vanquished by a fresh supply of high-powered sunshine. Time (especially Daylight Savings Time) is on our side, and victory in this battle is all but assured.

Saint Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17, in Rutland will be observed with the traditional Irish dinner of boiled potatoes, corned beef & cabbage being served at The Lariat Bar. True sons & daughters of Ireland will want their traditional Irish banquet to be served with a traditional Irish beverage, a pint of Guinness, a dark, stout beer that is made from Irish barley, hops, water and a specific strain of ale yeast that has been used since Arthur Guinness first made the beverage in his brewery at St. James’ Gate, Dublin, back in 1759.  Dublin was also the original home of Jameson Irish Whiskey, a beverage that is also frequently consumed on St. Patrick’s Day in toasts to St. Patrick; to the Irish people; to their history as poets, dreamers, schemers and fierce fighters; and, to their fondness for strong drink and lost causes. So, if you’re feeling lonesome for the Auld Sod of the Emerald Isle this Friday, whether your last name is O’Brien, O’Johnson or O’Kaczinski, stop in at The Lariat Bar in Rutland for a traditional dinner of corned beef & cabbage and the beverages that go with it. You will be entitled to “The Luck Of The Irish,” for the remainder of the year.

City Auditor Deb Banish reports that it was Rutland’s Mayor, Mike Mahrer, who made the temporary repairs to the Rutland Town Hall’s kitchen entrance door. A permanent fix is still being sought, but, for now, Mayor Mike has saved the day.

Birthday cake was on the menu during the morning coffee session at the Rutland Senior’s Center on Monday, March 13. The cake, this month made by Joanne Harris, was in honor of those morning round table regulars with March birthdays, including: Debbie Banish; Kurt Breker; and, Jim Lunneborg. The honorees were treated to a large slice of cake, a hot cup of coffee and a virtuoso performance of “The Happy Birthday Song,” emphatically sung by those present.

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The Rooster Crows – Feb. 3, 2023

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By Bill Anderson

Button up that overcoat! Baby, it’s cold outside. Saturday, Sunday & Monday, January 28 through the 30th, showed North Dakota what winter could be like if it wasn’t for global warming. Sub-zero temperatures for daily highs, and sub-sub-zero double digit low temperatures for each morning. Monday morning, January 30, had the lowest thermometer reading at -24. It might have been colder, but the thermometer didn’t go any lower than that. Starting with Tuesday, January 31, the daily high peaked above the Zero mark, even though the morning low stood at 10 below. It’s still going to be cold on Ground Hog’s Day, Thursday, February 2, but by this weekend the weather gurus are predicting a warmup, all the way into the mid-30’s by Saturday, February 4. 

January’s cold didn’t stop local residents from enjoying some arctic fun. More than fifty snowmobiles and approximately 100 riders, passengers and 4-WD pickup drivers stopped at The Lariat Bar in Rutland on the evening of Saturday, January 21. The event was a Poker Run, and Rutland was the last stop. The trip had begun in Wyndmere, then went west, through Delamere, Milnor and Gwinner, then south to Forman, and then east to Rutland. Just for fun, some riders continued east to Cayuga, Geneseo and Lidgerwood, before arriving back at Wyndmere. They had the staff at the Lariat hustling for drinks & food, and a good time was enjoyed by all.

Hal Nelson, a die-hard Minnesota Twins baseball fan, drove to Minneapolis on Friday, January 27, with the intention of attending the Twins’ mid-winter “Meet The Team” event on Saturday, January 28. Unfortunately for Hal, his brother-in-law, Alan Wilke, who had planned to accompany him, fell ill on Saturday morning, and Hal decided to forego exposing the Twins 2023 lineup to whatever illness had felled Alan. Hal must have been immune to the bug that ailed Alan because he didn’t get it.  Despite not getting to meet the Twins’ lineup, Hal said that he still had a good weekend visiting with his sisters, Becky Wilke & Tammy Tipton, and their families. Hal said that the Twins apparently did not miss him, as he did not receive any calls or text messages from the Twin’s Front Office inquiring about his absence. Hal usually purchases an autographed team baseball at the mid-winter event, but so far at least, the spot reserved for the 2023 ball on his display shelf is still vacant.

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The Rooster Crows – Jan. 13, 2023

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By Bill Anderson

The Rooster Crows is back, for a while, anyway.  Life throws us a curve ball once in a while, and you never know when the Umpire is going to shout “You’re Out!” as the ball hits the catcher’s mitt. This past Christmas the weather gods blessed Rutland and vicinity with ferocious blizzards, arctic temperatures and multiple feet of snow. The only time that the weather wasn’t atrocious was when it was worse. Additionally, an epidemic of respiratory infections, influenza and, more than likely, some kind of covid-19 variant swept through the community like the Grim Reaper on steroids, bestowing generous supplies of wheezing, sneezing, aches & pains upon the populace. Fortunately, most around here have had their vaccinations & boosters, so the infections were not fatal, although some victims feared that they might die, and others were afraid that they might not. When the door slammed on 2022 it was “good riddance to bad rubbish,” and no one was sorry to see the old year leave.  Its replacement, 2023, has been calm and peaceful by comparison thus far, but that’s a situation likely to change, too. As of Friday, January 13, it is only 66 days until the Vernal Equinox, the First Day of Spring in the northern hemisphere, and we can do that standing on our heads. Until then, keep your overshoes on, your cap pulled down, your collar turned up and your stick on the ice. 

The Rutland City Council met at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9, in the Rutland Town Hall with City Auditor Deb Banish; City Council President Rodney Erickson; and Council members Lori McLaen; Delores Lysne; and, Bill Anderson; present.  Mayor Mike Mahrer was absent. Council President Erickson conducted the meeting until Mayor Mahrer arrived.  The financial report showed all funds to be in the black. The Auditor reported that the City has acquired the tax forfeited property identified as Lots 1 & 2 of Block 5, Original Addition from Sargent County. Some prior owners of this property include: Mr. & Mrs. Charles Weller; Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Weller; Andrew & Esther Sundlie; Jeff & Katy Kulzer; and, Brad & Rebecca Christensen. The property will be put up for sale on bids later this year. The Council approved an increase in the garbage collection fee of $5.00 per container, and an increase in the sewer fee of $1.00 per household. The Auditor mentioned that the City had not increased garbage & sewer fees since 2005, despite the fact that costs of operation had increased by about 53%, due to inflation, since then. Mayor Mahrer arrived at the meeting in time to conduct the vote. The sidewalk replacement project on the east side of Main Street will be discussed with the City Engineer at the March Council meeting. After reviewing the City’s bills, the Council authorized payment and adjourned.  The next meeting of the Rutland City Council is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 6, at the Rutland Town Hall. All meetings of the Rutland City Council are open to the public, and Rutland residents are invited to stop in to observe their city government in action. 

The Rutland Community Club met at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9, at the Rutland Town Hall, following the Rutland City Council meeting. President Katie McLaen reported that club members reviewed the annual Santa Claus Day event that had been held at the Town Hall on Saturday, December 17, and concluded “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Santa Claus will be invited to make his 78th annual pre-Christmas visit to Rutland in December of 2023, so, he’s coming back, and you had better be good! The next Community Club sponsored event will be the 27th Annual Rudy Anderson Memorial Pinochle Tournament on Saturday, February 4, in the Rutland Town Hall. The Community Club is once again planning to serve the scalloped potatoes with ham dinner to tournament participants. Anyone wishing to help out should contact Katie at 701-680-9354. The next Community Club event after the Pinochle Tourney will be the annual Fun Night & Carnival on Sunday, March 26, at the Rutland Town Hall. Club members also discussed a plan to acquire some additional aluminum bleachers for use at Lou Sanderson Field. Uff-Da Day revenues will be used to make  the purchase. The next monthly meeting of the Rutland Community Club is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, at the Rutland Town Hall. Everyone is invited.

Rutland native Sonja (Anderson) Christensen, a daughter of the Late Rudy & Edna Anderson of this community, and one of the organizers of the upcoming 27th Annual Rudy Anderson Memorial Pinochle Tournament that will be held in the Rutland Town Hall on Saturday, February 4, reports that, as of Sunday, January 8, 24 teams had already pre-registered to participate in the tourney. One of the teams includes a 93 year old Dad who resides in Minnesota, and his son who makes his home in Seattle WA.  Sonja states that 2 locals: Roger McLaen; and, Stella Bell; have participated in all 26 prior tournaments, and she expects to see them at the 27th, too. A couple from Forman, Roger & Bonita Ziegler, have played in all but one of the preceding 26 tournaments.  Sonja says that anyone who wants to register for the tournament should call her at 701-899-1463 or 701-642-6793, or send an e-mail to cschristensen@midco.net.  Sonja states that she is looking forward to greeting many old friends, and making some new ones, at the 27th Annual Rudy Anderson Memorial Pinochle Tournament on Saturday, February 4, at the Rutland Town Hall.

Morning coffee hour participants with January birthdays were honored with a chorus of the “Happy Birthday” song and a big slice of birthday cake on the morning of Monday, January 9, at the Rutland Seniors’ Center. Among those with January birthdays were: Ann Erickson; Hal Nelson; and, Bill Anderson. Those not present included: Andy Harris; Pam Maloney; Rick Banish; and, Boyd Jacobson Jr.  Happy Birthday all!

Randy McGinnity of RPM Sound Design of Wheatland ND was in Rutland this week, installing new audio-video-streaming equipment at Nordland Lutheran Church. The new equipment is expected to improve sound quality in the Church Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall, and to enhance the worship experience for those tuning in to Nordland’s on-line ministry.

Some upcoming events in Rutland include: Nordland Lutheran Church Annual meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 22, at the Church building in Rutland; 27th Annual Rudy Anderson Memorial Pinochle Tournament on Saturday, February 4, at the Rutland Town Hall; Rutland City Council meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 6, at the Rutland Town Hall; Rutland Community Club meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, at the Rutland Town Hall; Annual Rutland Sportsmen’s Club’s Great Northern Pike Fish Fry on Friday, March 3, at the Rutland Town Hall; and Rutland Community Club’s Annual Fun Night & Carnival on Sunday, March 26, at the Rutland Town Hall.

Well, that’s the news from Rutland for this week.  For additional information about what’s going on in the little city that can, check out the community’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com, and take a look at the Rutland Facebook page while you’re at it, too. Don’t forget to patronize your local Post Office, and remember to keep the pressure on the U.S. Postal Service and the North Dakota Congressional delegation to SAVE OUR POST OFFICE! Later.

The Rooster Crows – Dec. 9, 2022

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By Bill Anderson

Three inches of new snow on Tuesday, December 6. Three degrees below Zero on the morning of Wednesday, December 7, the 81st anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Was this a repeat of that dastardly sneak attack, this time pulled off by Mother Nature? Predictions for next week, 13 inches of new snow, will have us looking back at this week with nostalgia. Well, we’ve survived sneak attacks and tough winters before this one, and we’ll still be around when Spring arrives, too. 

Ms. Maggie Ness, representing the Alzheimer’s Association’s Fargo office, accompanied Morgan Biss of Ransom-Sargent Senior Services, Lisbon, to the Rutland Seniors’ Center on Wednesday, November 30, where she spoke to the Rutland Seniors about The Basics of Dementia & Alzheimer’s. Her presentation included a discussion of risk factors that make the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s more likely. One week later the members of the Rutland Senior Citizens group still remembered Ms. Ness’s name and the topic of her presentation, so, things are looking good at the Rutland Seniors’ Center. Anyone who has questions for Ms. Ness may contact her at 701-356-2085, Extension 8639.

The members of the Board of Managers of Rutland Improvement d/b/a The Lariat Bar LLC met at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 1, at The Lariat Bar in Rutland. Members Present were: Paul Anderson; Michael Wyum; Patty Woytassek; Rob Wyum; and, Katie McLaen; Also present was Manager Sue Kaehler. It was reported that all liquor and sales tax licenses have been obtained and are ready to be displayed as required by law. The Tobacco license has been applied for but has not yet been received.  Insurance policies covering the structure, furniture, equipment, and premises business operations has been obtained. The liquor liability insurance application has been submitted & is awaiting approval. All inventory has been ordered, and most items have been delivered. The Board decided to replace the refrigerator in the kitchen. It was reported that the new dishwasher has been delivered and is ready for installation. Installation of the Point Of Sale (POS) equipment and programming is proceeding slower than anticipated. This has been holding up getting the bar opened for business. All staff members: bartenders; waitresses; and cooks; have been hired and must be trained in the operation of the POS system before opening, otherwise the old-fashioned system known as “CASH” may have to be used. The menu and pricing have been completed and have been sent to the designer for layout & printing. Payroll will be done using QuickBooks and has been set up. Rutland Improvement has retained the services of a CPA, and the company’s Treasurer, Mike Wyum, will be working closely with Manager Sue Kaehler and the CPA to make sure that the train stays on track. Painting, except for the west wall, has been completed. A wallpaper border remains to be added in the hallway. Lights in the kitchen and hallway will be switched to new LED fixtures. The Brenco Company of Fargo has power scrubbed the floors, but they have not yet been resealed. The Aramark Co. has been contacted to get a quote for rugs with Rutland logos imprinted on them. The price quoted was $17.50 per rug every 2 weeks. A quote for rugs without logos is also being obtained. Security cameras for the exterior and interior of the Bar have been ordered and are expected to be installed by the opening date. The tentative opening date is December 10th depending on when the Point Of Sale System is fully installed & operational. Check Rutland’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com or the Rutland Facebook page for definite information on Opening Day for The Lariat Bar.

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