Tag: Rutland Senior Citizen's Center

The Rooster Crows – Oct. 28, 2022

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By Bill Anderson

The weather roller coaster continues. From downright cold at the middle of last week to pleasant, with the temperature in the high 60’s on Friday & Saturday of last week to windy with a high of 77 on Sunday, culminating in a thunderstorm on Sunday evening that plunged the mercury into the 30’s and made up for its lack of rain with an abundance of violent wind, sharp bolts of lightning and ominous claps of thunder. Up to ¼ inch of rain from Sunday’s storm was reported from Weber Township, Forman and Cayuga, but Rutland and surrounding area received less than .1 of an inch amid all of the sound and fury. Well, as is written in Scripture, it does rain on all, the just as well as the unjust, alike, just not in equal amounts.

Pam Maloney reports that her high school graduating class, the Sargent Central Class of 1977, held a 45th Class Reunion at the Coteau des Prairies Lodge earlier this month. About one-third of the graduates attended and all had a good time reminiscing about the good old days. Pam stated that they enjoyed looking through the old Sargent Central annuals that have now been digitized and posted on Sargent Central’s internet web site at www.sargentcentral.org/digital-yearbooks. Even the handwritten notes and quotes are visible in the on-line versions of the annuals. Sargent Central’s first year, and first annual, began with the 1959-1960 school year. At that time, the District was made up of the Brampton, Cayuga, Cogswell and Forman School Districts. The Rutland and Rutland Consolidated School Districts joined Sargent Central in the fall of 1963, and the Havana School District became part of Sargent Central in the fall of 1969. According to Pam, most of her classmates have now figured out what they want to be when they grow up. Discussions are underway for the 50th Reunion in 2027.

Dan Carlyle of Wadena MN and Dan Kuffler of Scottsdale AZ were in Rutland from Thursday, October 20 to Sunday, October 23, hunting ducks and pheasants in the company of their sons. The group stayed at Ione Pherson’s short term rental property, “The Bird’s Nest,” during their Rutland visit. The 2 men have been frequent hunting season visitors in the Rutland area since the late 1980’s. Mr. Kuffler states that he recently acquired a summer home at Battle Lake MN, where he finds relief from Arizona’s oppressive summer heat. Mr. Carlyle was a classmate of Bill Anderson’s in the University of North Dakota Law School Class of 1988. After several decades practicing law in the courts of Minnesota, he recently changed careers and is now General Manager of the Todd-Wadena Rural Electric Cooperative, a co-op that provides electrical service to farms and rural communities in Todd and Wadena Counties. During many previous visits to this community, the Carlyle-Kuffler duo has been accompanied by Mr. John Nelson and Mr. Bill Spears of Wadena, but those 2 gentlemen stayed home to tend to other business this year. Dan & Dan report that both Mr. Nelson and Mr. Spears are in good health, as full of good stories and as ornery as ever. If any of those stories aren’t true, they should have been. Their many friends in the Rutland community extend best wishes to all 4 of them.

Jesse Brakke of Rutland; Claire Brakke of Madison WI; Janelle Brakke of Fargo; Robert & Darby (Brakke) Sebree of Cincinnati OH; Kaia Mahrer and children: Brody, Julia, Adalyn & Kaitlyn of Rutland; Steve Thorfinnson of Fort Ransom ND; and, Dana & Wanda (Brakke) Rasmussen of Moorhead MN; enjoyed lunch with Kathy Brakke of this community on Thursday, October 20, at the “Porter Creek” restaurant in Fargo. Kathy is the mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law and aunt of various members of the group. She currently resides at Mapleview Memory Care Center in Fargo. All those who attended the gathering report a very enjoyable time.

Rutland native Bonnie Anderson, now a resident of Brookings SD, was a visitor in her old home town from Friday, October 21 to Sunday, October 23. Bonnie was a guest of her sister-in-law, Dianna Anderson, and helped Dianna celebrate her birthday at the Rutland Seniors’ Center on Saturday, October 22. Bonnie’s primary reason for making the drive up to Rutland was to give her younger brother, Jerry Nelson, a training session in how to make apple pies the way their Mother, the late Betty (Colby) Nelson, used to make them. Many here remember that Betty was an outstanding cook, baker & pastry chef, and if anyone went away from her table hungry, it was their own fault. Betty also often contributed her considerable culinary talents to her sister and brother-in-law, Lois & Ralph Nelson, when they owned and operated the Rutland Café from 1962 to 1998. Those were the days!

Six first cousins, descendants of Rutland pioneers Ole & Julia (Peterson) Anderson, held a reunion at Prante’s Restaurant in Wahpeton on Friday, October 21. The following brief report was received from presiding Family Matriarch Sonja Christensen: “…Seven of us gathered at Prante’s – Beverly (Bartunek) Schons of Fargo; Steve & Vickie (Bartunek) Renner of Des Moines IA;, Joanne (Anderson) Harris of Rutland; Paul Anderson of Rutland; Judie (Anderson-Seavert) Grohs of Rosholt SD; and, me, Sonja (Anderson) Christensen of Wahpeton. Beverly & Vickie are daughters of the late Bill & Norma (Anderson) Bartunek; Joanne is the daughter of the late Melvin & Ila (Kronk) Anderson; Paul is a son of the late Earl & Irene (Henjum/Brown) Anderson; and, Judie & Sonja are daughters of the late Rudolph & Edna (Bernt) Anderson. A lot of stories and laughter proceeded around the table. Paul had to leave early to attend to some lake responsibilities, like leaves, dogs, etc. We then went over to my apartment where we had apple crisp and ice cream. The party ended too soon, but a special time was had by all. …” Thanks to Sonja for the report.

Kathy Wyum drove to Minneapolis on Friday, October 21, for a visit with one of her sons, Jesse Wyum, who resides in the area near Lake Bde Makaska, formerly known as Lake Calhoun. Kathy reported that they rented rooms in the Radisson Hotel that is attached to The Mall of America, and took advantage of the very pleasant weather to explore the area around Lake Bde Makaska that includes many classic homes from the Victorian era. Kathy returned home on Sunday, October 23.

John Hoflen of Bismarck ND visited family and friends in the Rutland area from Friday, October 21 through Monday, October 24. John, a 1962 graduate of RHS, was a longtime member of the North Dakota Army National Guard’s pistol and rifle marksmanship teams, and reported that he and his brother, Rob, used up a good part of last Saturday sharpening their shooting skills at the Rutland Sportsmen’s Club’s John Narum Trap & Rifle Range near Silver Lake. He headed back to Bismarck on Monday, October 24, after one more round of coffee and conversation with the Assembled Wise Men at the Rutland Seniors’ Center.

Stephen Kulzer of Hartford SD and his son, Will Kulzer of Brookings SD, along with their hunting dog, Indy, were visitors at the home of Stephen’s parents, Norbert & Beverly Kulzer, from Friday, October 21, through Sunday, October 23. Stephen & Will were hunting for wild ducks and ring neck pheasants, and had some luck on both counts. One of the ducks bagged by Will had a band on its leg, and he intended to check with the US Fish & Wildlife Service to find out when & where the duck had been banded. During the previous week, from Wednesday, October 12, to Saturday, October 15, Brooke Kulzer, one of Stephen & Ann Kulzer’s daughters, had been a guest of her grandparents in Rutland. Brooke is a graduate of SDSU in Brookings, working on her Master’s Degree, and had just completed a project studying shorebirds and other wildlife on the “Outer Banks” islands on the coast of North Carolina. One of the species they worked with was the sea turtle, which has become an endangered species in recent years, in part because of human encroachment on the turtles’ nesting habitat. Earlier this year Brooke had worked on a waterfowl banding project in southern Arkansas, and she is interested in finding out if the banded duck bagged by Will this past weekend was one that she banded last Spring. Brooke’s & Will’s sister, Lauren, is also a graduate of SDSU at Brookings, and is currently an RN working at a large hospital in Kansas City MO.

Members of Rutland Improvement d/b/a The Lariat Bar LLC Board of Managers met on the afternoons of Sunday, October 23 and Monday, October 24, in The Lariat Bar building on Rutland’s Main Street to interview applicants for the Bar’s management position. A meeting of shareholders has been called for 7:00 p.m. on the evening of Thursday, October 27, at the Lariat Bar.

Mike Harris, accompanied by Mike’s brother, Andy Harris of this community, arrived in Rutland at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 25. Andy had flown from Fargo to Mesa AZ on Thursday, October 20, and met Mike there. Mike had started heading this way with his pickup and 5th wheel travel trailer from San Diego CA a few days earlier. On Monday, October 24, Mike & Andy were in Amarillo TX at 6:30 in the morning, and decided to drive as far north as they could make it that day. They kept driving, stopping only for fuel, and made it all the way to Rutland in one, long, day of driving. Mike is now fully retired from the U. S. Navy, and plans to get in some pheasant hunting around the old home town before moving on.

Meanwhile, Halloween, with ghouls, ghosts, goblins and prowling politicians is just around the corner. Monday, October 31, is the big day for the ghouls, ghosts and goblins, but the politicians have to wait until Tuesday, November 8, for their ship to come in, or sink, whichever it might be. President Biden and former President Trump are not on the ballot this year, but they are hovering over it like a couple of Charles Dicken’s ghosts. Many voters are not enamored of President Biden, but they sure don’t want to return to the mean spirited incivility, chaos, corruption and calumny of another Trump Presidency, either. In the U.S. House of Representatives, Americans will choose whether America’s toughest Grandma, Nancy Pelosi, will be wielding the gavel, or if the whimpering wavering, quivering & quavering Kevin McCarthy will take her spot at the Speaker’s Rostrum. In the Senate, the choice is whether the fast talking New Yorker, Sen. Chuck Schumer, or wily Kentuckian, Sen. Mitch McConnell, will be setting the agenda. Big choices for a big country. In North Dakota, another 2 years of control of the State by big oil and big money appear to be on the horizon. Well, as one pro-Union South Carolina politician said of his State just prior to the Civil War, more than 162 years ago, “It’s too small to be a republic, and too large to be an insane asylum.” Some things in the body politic, like a bad dinner, just have to work their way through the system.

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. Remember to patronize your local Post Office, and don’t forget 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 – Oct. 14, 2022

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By Bill Anderson

Step, pause, step, pause, step, pause, the inexorable march on the down staircase from Summer into Winter is under way. A fast-moving front brought a change in the weather on Thursday, October 6, bringing with it a hard freeze on Friday, October 7. Afternoon highs got back up into the 60’s & low 70’s by Saturday afternoon, but the morning lows hovered near the 32-degree mark through Monday, October 10. Another fast-moving front warmed things up to near 80 on Tuesday the 11th, but the temperature was predicted to plummet by Wednesday morning, with highs sliding into the 40’s & 50’s and lows below freezing for the rest of the week. No rain has accompanied these changes in the weather, and none is being predicted for the foreseeable future. Well, that just means that every day we are getting one day closer to a day that will bring rain to the area. Local farmers are now transitioning from harvesting 40 bushel $14.00 soybeans to 175-bushel $7.00 corn, with yields varying from field to field and prices varying from day to day. They would just as soon have the rain hold off until the crop is harvested and either the grain is in the bin or the check is in the bank. As the late Lou Sanderson once wrote in his Sanderson Sez column many years ago, “The frost is on the pumpkin, and the corn is in the shock; the wheat has all been threshed, and the cash is in the sock.”

Friends here were saddened on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, when it was learned that Terry Price, owner & operator of Price Funeral Chapel of Britton & Forman, successor to Franzen Funeral Home, had passed away in Milbank SD at the home of his daughter and under the care of hospice, at the age of 67 years, 9 months, and 9 days. He had been battling cancer for several years. Terrance J. Price was born December 18, 1954, in Milbank SD to John Francis and Marjorie Twilight (Anderson) Price. He attended his K-12 schooling in Milbank, graduating from Milbank High School in 1973. He soon found his passion for music, and expanded his talents by participating in chorus, playing the trombone in the Milbank School band, and performing roles in school plays. Terry had a natural gift for playing by ear, and later honed his skills with years of lessons. Following graduation, he took a year off before college and worked for Jim Emanuel at the Emanuel Funeral Home in Milbank. Working for the Emanuel family helped him realize his calling to the funeral business. He began the process of becoming a funeral director by first attending Northern State College in Aberdeen from 1973-1976 studying pre-mortuary science. From there he went to San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and earned his mortuary degree in June of 1977. He became a licensed funeral director/embalmer in August of that year. Terry always said that he acquired his greatest treasure when he met Pamella Puetz, the love of his life. They were married on September 19, 1981, at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Sioux Falls SD. Their first child, Katie, was born in September 1986. Katie passed away from SIDS at the age of 6 weeks. Two years later their twins, Robb and Betsy, were born. Their fourth child, Scott, arrived 18 months later. In 1993 Terry was offered a job with Franzen Funeral Chapel at Britton by the owner, John Scott. Terry’s lifelong dream of owning his own funeral home became a reality in January 1999. He operated Price Funeral Chapel for over 23 years, and will be remembered for his kind, compassionate services, and his generous nature by all the families who entrusted him with their loved one’s final services. Terry shared his musical talents by singing in choirs, playing organ for many churches, singing at funerals, and was always willing to share his musical gift with others in any way he was able. He was a member and director of a 42-man barbershop group for many years! Along with his musical talents, he was an overall creative person. He found comfort in working on Tunisian crochet afghans (taught to him by Grandma Emanuel), needlework, baking pies, word games, and handmade projects for loved ones. Terry loved to make others laugh and always had a funny story or a good joke ready to go. His willingness to serve others was evident in his community involvement and his service on many charitable & community boards. He had a naturally generous spirit and caring heart that will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Pamella, of Britton; their children and their spouses: Robb (Gabbie) of Harrisburg SD, Betsy (Andrew) VanLith of Milbank SD, and Scott (Ashley) of Castlewood SD; his grandchildren: Lincoln and Myah Price and Wyatt and Claire VanLith; his sister, Jamey Price of Columbus NE; and his brothers: Tom (Pat) Price of Sioux Falls SD and Todd Price of Minneapolis MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant daughter, Katie; his brothers: John “Jackie” (Mary) Price and Tim Price; his in-laws George and Mavis Puetz; and, by his brother-in-law, Scott Puetz. The Mass of Christian Burial for Terry Price was at 10:30 am on Friday, October 7, 2022, at the Abbey of the Hills, 46561 147th St., Marvin SD. Rev.Fr. Mike Kelly officiated, and interment was in the Milbank City Cemetery in Milbank SD. Visitation was from 4-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at the Price Funeral Chapel in Britton, and continued for one hour before the service at the Abbey of the Hills on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be given to one of the following charities: Special Olympics South Dakota, 800 E I, 90 Ln, Sioux Falls SD 57104, www.sosd.org; Marshall County Ambulance, PO Box 130, Britton SD 57430; Marching Medics Cancer Walk Team, 301 Flynn Dr., Milbank SD 57252; and, Marshall County Pantry Shelf, PO Box 734, Britton SD 57430. Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Pam Price, PO Box 216, Britton SD 57430. The Rutland community extends condolences to the family and friends of Terry Price, a loyal friend who served the community with kindness, compassion and grace. He always enjoyed Uff-Da Day in Rutland, and those Rutland scalloped potatoes were among his favorites.

Workers employed by Western Area Power were replacing power line poles along the Wild Rice River south of Rutland on Wednesday, October 5. The double pole setting adjacent to the River two miles south of town was in danger of being washed out and falling into the Wild Rice. The men made arrangements to join diners at the Rutland Seniors’ Center for Wednesday’s Noon meal: barbecued chicken breast, green beans, au gratin potatoes and a baked apple. A good time was had by all.

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The Rooster Crows – April 8, 2022

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By Bill Anderson

Spring has been behaving like a reluctant maiden for the past few weeks, first bestowing her warm and radiant smile on her ardent suitors, then chilling their enthusiasm with a dousing of rain, snow and slush. Well, maybe it’s all part of an elaborate April Fools prank. Sooner or later, Spring is bound to bestow the warmth of her embrace upon the land, but, until then, she is delivering the promise without the squeeze. The 3 inches of new snow that fell on Sunday, April 3, was a reminder that April showers do not only bring May flowers. Those showers may also bring snow, slush and hazardous driving conditions. On the bright side, Janelle Brakke drove from Rutland to Fargo on Sunday afternoon, and reports that the clean snow removed all of the exterior dirt & grime from her car, as nicely as if she had purchased the high-priced option at the car wash. Every cloud has its silver lining.

A large group of family and friends gathered at the Rutland Town Hall on the afternoon of Saturday, April 2, to honor Delores “PeeWee” Breker on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Delores is one of the daughters of the late Mr. & Mrs. Harold Evenson. The Evensons made their home in Rutland when Delores was born, but later moved to Cogswell where she grew up and went to school. When she married Ralph Breker, she again became part of the Rutland community, residing on the farm southeast of town where Shane & Carla Breker now make their home. Guests from North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota were on hand to help Delores celebrate, and Stephen Ricksecker, a nephew who had made his home with Ralph & PeeWee during his high school years, flew all the way from California to attend the party. PeeWee’s many friends in this community extend an enthusiastic “Happy Birthday!” to her, and best wishes for many more to come.

Confirmation students at Nordland Lutheran Church: Greta Bladow; Kaycee Hamilton; Whitney Mahrer; and Charlize Willprecht; presented their Affirmation of Faith statements to the Congregation; and, 5th Grade students: Julia Mahrer; Loden Jochim; Lilith Pavek; and, Krosby Willprecht; had their First Communion; during worship service at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 3.  The Confirmation service, also called Affirmation of Baptism, for Greta, Kaycee, Whitney, and Charlize is scheduled for Sunday, May 1, at Nordland Lutheran Church. This is an impressive group of young ladies: intelligent; articulate; and, confident; of whom their families and their community can be proud.

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The Rooster Crows – Nov. 12, 2021

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By Bill Anderson

The first weekend in November may have been the last weekend of “Indian Summer” for the year of 2021. Friday through Sunday had temperatures in the 60’s, topping out at 67 degrees (that’s above Zero) on Saturday, November 6. Monday and Tuesday, November 8 & 9, were both bright, sunny days with the mercury hitting the mid-50’s, but the TV weather experts are assuring us that the pleasant conditions will end by Wednesday, November 10. Those dreaded 4 letter words, rain, cold, wind and snow are in the forecast for the days ahead. Farmers with crops still in the field have been running their combines and trucks day and night, trying to reach the end of the harvest before Mother Nature puts an end to it for them. Well, it’s not as if we didn’t know it was coming, and it won’t be the first time, nor the last, that mud and snow have made life difficult for local farmers. Still, it’s always preferable to have the harvest all wrapped up before Old Man Winter arrives, rather than to have him riding in the combine cab with you.

The 2021 North Dakota rifle season for Whitetail deer opened at Noon on Friday, November 5, but local hunters are not reporting much success, so far. The weather has been too nice, and neither the deer nor the hunters have been in the mood for the chase. The situation is expected to improve this coming weekend, though, as more seasonal conditions move into the region.

There has been one report of deer hunter success so far this week. Jim Huckell, who has been successfully hunting deer in the coulees of the Coteau des Prairies Hills south of Rutland since the days of John C. Fremont and Joseph Nicollette, well, maybe not quite that long, bagged a good sized 4 X 5 buck just before sunset on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 9. Jim has farmed and ranched in the hills since his childhood days, and knows every draw and coulee like the back of his hand. When you know the land you’re hunting on; the habits of the animal you’re hunting; and, the characteristics of the weapon you’re hunting with; you’re halfway to deer sausage on the grill.

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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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