Well, the weather hasn’t been too bad for the month of March. Cold, drizzly rain; raw winds; and, temperatures in the 30’s and 40’s; have everyone anxiously awaiting the return of April. Wait a minute. April was last month, when it was sunny, warm and dry, wasn’t it? This weather is sure confusin’, even if it isn’t very amusin’. About 1½ inch of rain fell in the Rutland vicinity from Friday, May 7, to Monday, May 10, with another 1½ inch of precipitation predicted for Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Spring planting has wallowed to a halt, as local farmers await drier field conditions. “There’s better times a’comin’, though,” says the weatherman, as predictions are that an oncoming warm front will push the mercury into the 80’s by next week. Of course, warmer temperatures means more mosquitoes, but that’s a small price to pay. Well, on the average, it’s comfortable.
Rodney Pearson of Minneapolis was visiting friends in Rutland on Thursday, May 6, accompanied by his mother Marie (Mrs. Gordon) Pearson, of Forman. Rodney grew up on the Pearson farm in Rutland Township, where he attended grade school at Rutland Consolidated and graduated from Sargent Central High School in 1967. He was employed by the telephone company in its various incarnations, from the late 60’s until retirement last year. He toured the Rutland General Store and the Rutland Café during his time in the old home town. Rodney had not been in Rutland for several years, and was impressed by the improvements on Main Street.
Raymond Erickson was passing a photo of his latest sweetheart around the Rutland Café late last week. Ray said that his wife, Phyllis, approves of the new relationship, too. They don’t call him “Sugar Ray” for nothing. The photo Ray was proudly displaying was of his newest great-granddaughter, Madelyn Marie Erickson, born at St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge MN to parents Rodney and Andrea Erickson on Thursday, May 6. She joins her big sister, Abigail, age 5, as the junior princess in the Erickson home. Madelyn’s grandparents are Lyle and Ann Erickson of Rutland. The Rutland community extends a hearty welcome to Madelyn. She is now the youngest member of the Uffda Day lefse committee.
Vern Liest of this community was up in the VA Medical Center in Fargo last Thursday, May 6, and had his left knee replaced. He had undergone a similar operation on his right knee a year ago. Vern was back in Rutland on Saturday, and reported that this surgery went much better than last year’s procedure. Vern says that he is making a rapid recovery and expects to be back on his motorcycle in short order. He has also picked up some new stories for the Round Table sessions at the General Store.
Mr. & Mrs. Don Franzen of Britton SD stopped in Rutland on the afternoon of Friday, May 7, while on their way to visit their daughter and her family in Wahpeton. Don reports that the high water in Britton, and throughout Marshall and Brown Counties in South Dakota, is causing a great deal of damage to basements, foundations and roads, in addition to flooding several thousand acres of formerly productive farmland in that area. The house that neighbors his home in Britton suffered cracking and heaving of the basement floor and one basement wall caved in, all due to the increased pressure of the excess water, he stated. Don’s parents, Carl & Ruth Franzen, owned grocery, hardware and funeral home businesses in Rutland from the 1920’s through the 1940’s. Don grew up in Rutland during the drought years of the 1930’s, and survived the dry climate of the 1970’s and 80’s in Britton, and he is not anxious to experience those conditions again, either. Don is impressed with the improvements made on Rutland’s Main Street during the past several years, and would like to see an effort to restore the building that was built by his Dad, Carl Franzen, to house the family’s hardware and grocery store business in Rutland after the disastrous fire of August 1941. The U. S. Post Office currently occupies a portion of the south half of that building. The Franzen Building is now owned by Dr. John Hamilton, a dentist from Williston ND.
For the fourth time in the past 9 years, the Sargent County Envirothon team has captured the North Dakota State Title and the opportunity to compete at the National Envirothon competition. The State competition tested the knowledge, skill and presentation techniques of teams from across North Dakota, from Thursday, May 6, to Saturday, May 8, at Crystal Springs, North Dakota. The national meet will be held in Fresno CA this August. The Sargent County team, all students at Sargent Central High School, consists of: John Breker of rural Rutland; Jana Bopp of Forman; Shireen Nour of rural Havana; Bre’anna Hanson of rural Forman; and, Greg Breker of rural Havana. The Sargent County Envirothon team is sponsored by the Wild Rice Soil Conservation District and coached by Conservation District Secretary Bonnie Anderson of Rutland. The Rutland community extends congratulations to the District, the coach and the team members for their achievement.
Calvin & Wendy Jacobson of this community, accompanied by Shawn and Amanda Jacobson of Fargo, Zach Jacobson of Fargo, and Justin & Julian Jacobson of Rutland, drove to Ames Iowa, last weekend to attend graduation ceremonies at Iowa State University. The Jacobsons’ daughter, Adrienne, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science on Saturday, May 8. Adrienne has been accepted in Veterinary School at Iowa State and will begin her studies to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine there this Fall. Congratulations to Adrienne, and to the Jacobson family.
Val Pherson of this community earned her degree in Computer Graphic Design from Dakota State University in Madison SD on Saturday, May 8. Val is a daughter of Denny and Ione Pherson of Rutland. Also attending the graduation ceremonies were Val’s sisters, Lisa Pherson of Sioux Falls SD, and Shelly Pherson of Rutland. The Rutland community congratulates Val and the Pherson family on her accomplishments.
Shelly Pherson flew home from Lackland AFB, San Antonio TX on Friday, May 7, to attend Val’s graduation. Shelly and Lisa departed Rutland on Wednesday, May 12, bound for McGuire AFB in New Jersey, where Shelly will receive additional advanced training in handling military cargo for the U. S. Air Force.
John Hoflen arrived in Rutland on Saturday, May 8, to spend some time visiting with brothers Rob and Andy, as well as with many friends in the community. John has been working on a new accounting, bookkeeping, and billing system for the city, which he demonstrated on Monday, May 10. The City Council has been working on this project with John for the past several months, and has decided to replace the existing 20 year old computer and software with the new hardware and software package put together by John. City Auditor Doris Hoistad, who will be working with the new system, was pleased with the prospect of a more user friendly product.
The Rutland Home Rule Charter Committee conducted a public hearing to obtain comments and input on the proposed new City Charter at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, in the Rutland Town Hall. About a dozen interested citizens were in attendance, and comments were positive. Home Rule allows the citizens of a city more flexibility in managing their financial and political affairs than does the statutory system currently imposed by State law. The Committee, composed of: Paul Anderson, Chairman; Calvin Jacobson; Bertha Siemieniewski, Larry Christensen and Gretchen Vann, had been appointed by the Council on April 5, had completed its proposed draft by April 22, and distributed a copy of the proposed Charter and a notice of Tuesday’s public hearing to every household in Rutland on April 26. The Committee members intend to present the proposed Home Rule Charter for the City of Rutland to the City Council at the Council’s June meeting. The Council will then decide whether and when to submit the Charter to a vote of the people. A simple majority vote will put Rutland’s new Charter into effect.
Meanwhile, on the sports scene, local golfer Richard Bradbury shattered a 35 year record this week by missing Men’s night at the Forman Golf Course for 3 weeks in a row. Over the years, few obstacles have deterred Brad from golfing on Men’s Night, or from dining on steak at the clubhouse after a round on the links, but those three 4-letter words: cold; rain; and, wind; finally combined, for 3 weeks in a row, to keep him snug at home on a Wednesday evening. Brad states that, “Come heck, hurricane or high water,” he expects to be in attendance at Men’s Night on the course next week. He is running short of quarters, and expects that his golfing partners will replenish his supply.
Local attorneys Trent Mahler and Bill Anderson joined Sargent County States Attorney Lyle Bopp in the courtroom of the Sargent County Courthouse on Tuesday, May 11, not to argue a case, but to act as coaches for the defense, prosecution and judge in a mock trial exercise completed by the Law & Justice class from Sargent Central High School. The entire class, as well as most of the other students at SCHS, participated in the exercise. Sargent Central High School teacher Chris Larson was in charge of the project. The case involved the prosecution of a “power line protester” for the alleged destruction of a power line tower. The prosecution team, composed of Justin Jacobson of Rutland, Nadine Smith of Havana and Shelby Heimbuch of Cogswell, and the defense team, composed of John Breker of Rutland, Cam Enderson of Havana and Will Rush of Cogswell, presented evidence, questioned witnesses, argued objections and points of law, and made opening and closing statements before Judge Drew Smith of Forman and a jury of their peers. At the end of the trial, the jury concluded that the evidence was not sufficient to prove the charge “beyond a reasonable doubt”, but they were all pretty sure that the defendant was guilty anyway. Congratulations are due to Mr. Larson and the students in the Law & Justice class for this demonstration of the rights and duties of citizenship in a nation that is governed by laws, not men.
High school graduation ceremonies will be held at Sargent Central on Sunday, May 23. Rutland Seniors graduating this Spring are: Chase Christensen, son of Bradley & Rebecca Christensen and Penny & Randy Beckstrom; Julian Jacobson and Justin Jacobson, sons of Calvin & Wendy Jacobson; and, Allan Rohrbach and Shelby Rohrbach, sons of Vaughan & Polly Rohrbach. The Rutland community extends congratulations to these young men, and to their parents, for their accomplishments, so far. But this is not the end, only the beginning. It is expected that Chase, Julian, Justin, Allan and Shelby will do themselves, their families and their community proud, as they go out into the world, taking some of that “can do” and “never give up” Rutland spirit with them. They and their classmates are the last class of the first decade of the 21st Century. Congratulations to the Class of 2010.
Well, that’s it for this week. For more information on what’s going on in the little city that can, check out the community’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com. While you’re doing that, check out the Rutland Blog and Facebook page, too. Later.
The Rooster Crows – May 14, 2010
Well, the weather hasn’t been too bad for the month of March. Cold, drizzly rain; raw winds; and, temperatures in the 30’s and 40’s; have everyone anxiously awaiting the return of April. Wait a minute. April was last month, when it was sunny, warm and dry, wasn’t it? This weather is sure confusin’, even if it isn’t very amusin’. About 1½ inch of rain fell in the Rutland vicinity from Friday, May 7, to Monday, May 10, with another 1½ inch of precipitation predicted for Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Spring planting has wallowed to a halt, as local farmers await drier field conditions. “There’s better times a’comin’, though,” says the weatherman, as predictions are that an oncoming warm front will push the mercury into the 80’s by next week. Of course, warmer temperatures means more mosquitoes, but that’s a small price to pay. Well, on the average, it’s comfortable.
Rodney Pearson of Minneapolis was visiting friends in Rutland on Thursday, May 6, accompanied by his mother Marie (Mrs. Gordon) Pearson, of Forman. Rodney grew up on the Pearson farm in Rutland Township, where he attended grade school at Rutland Consolidated and graduated from Sargent Central High School in 1967. He was employed by the telephone company in its various incarnations, from the late 60’s until retirement last year. He toured the Rutland General Store and the Rutland Café during his time in the old home town. Rodney had not been in Rutland for several years, and was impressed by the improvements on Main Street.
Raymond Erickson was passing a photo of his latest sweetheart around the Rutland Café late last week. Ray said that his wife, Phyllis, approves of the new relationship, too. They don’t call him “Sugar Ray” for nothing. The photo Ray was proudly displaying was of his newest great-granddaughter, Madelyn Marie Erickson, born at St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge MN to parents Rodney and Andrea Erickson on Thursday, May 6. She joins her big sister, Abigail, age 5, as the junior princess in the Erickson home. Madelyn’s grandparents are Lyle and Ann Erickson of Rutland. The Rutland community extends a hearty welcome to Madelyn. She is now the youngest member of the Uffda Day lefse committee.
Vern Liest of this community was up in the VA Medical Center in Fargo last Thursday, May 6, and had his left knee replaced. He had undergone a similar operation on his right knee a year ago. Vern was back in Rutland on Saturday, and reported that this surgery went much better than last year’s procedure. Vern says that he is making a rapid recovery and expects to be back on his motorcycle in short order. He has also picked up some new stories for the Round Table sessions at the General Store.
Mr. & Mrs. Don Franzen of Britton SD stopped in Rutland on the afternoon of Friday, May 7, while on their way to visit their daughter and her family in Wahpeton. Don reports that the high water in Britton, and throughout Marshall and Brown Counties in South Dakota, is causing a great deal of damage to basements, foundations and roads, in addition to flooding several thousand acres of formerly productive farmland in that area. The house that neighbors his home in Britton suffered cracking and heaving of the basement floor and one basement wall caved in, all due to the increased pressure of the excess water, he stated. Don’s parents, Carl & Ruth Franzen, owned grocery, hardware and funeral home businesses in Rutland from the 1920’s through the 1940’s. Don grew up in Rutland during the drought years of the 1930’s, and survived the dry climate of the 1970’s and 80’s in Britton, and he is not anxious to experience those conditions again, either. Don is impressed with the improvements made on Rutland’s Main Street during the past several years, and would like to see an effort to restore the building that was built by his Dad, Carl Franzen, to house the family’s hardware and grocery store business in Rutland after the disastrous fire of August 1941. The U. S. Post Office currently occupies a portion of the south half of that building. The Franzen Building is now owned by Dr. John Hamilton, a dentist from Williston ND.
For the fourth time in the past 9 years, the Sargent County Envirothon team has captured the North Dakota State Title and the opportunity to compete at the National Envirothon competition. The State competition tested the knowledge, skill and presentation techniques of teams from across North Dakota, from Thursday, May 6, to Saturday, May 8, at Crystal Springs, North Dakota. The national meet will be held in Fresno CA this August. The Sargent County team, all students at Sargent Central High School, consists of: John Breker of rural Rutland; Jana Bopp of Forman; Shireen Nour of rural Havana; Bre’anna Hanson of rural Forman; and, Greg Breker of rural Havana. The Sargent County Envirothon team is sponsored by the Wild Rice Soil Conservation District and coached by Conservation District Secretary Bonnie Anderson of Rutland. The Rutland community extends congratulations to the District, the coach and the team members for their achievement.
Calvin & Wendy Jacobson of this community, accompanied by Shawn and Amanda Jacobson of Fargo, Zach Jacobson of Fargo, and Justin & Julian Jacobson of Rutland, drove to Ames Iowa, last weekend to attend graduation ceremonies at Iowa State University. The Jacobsons’ daughter, Adrienne, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science on Saturday, May 8. Adrienne has been accepted in Veterinary School at Iowa State and will begin her studies to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine there this Fall. Congratulations to Adrienne, and to the Jacobson family.
Val Pherson of this community earned her degree in Computer Graphic Design from Dakota State University in Madison SD on Saturday, May 8. Val is a daughter of Denny and Ione Pherson of Rutland. Also attending the graduation ceremonies were Val’s sisters, Lisa Pherson of Sioux Falls SD, and Shelly Pherson of Rutland. The Rutland community congratulates Val and the Pherson family on her accomplishments.
Shelly Pherson flew home from Lackland AFB, San Antonio TX on Friday, May 7, to attend Val’s graduation. Shelly and Lisa departed Rutland on Wednesday, May 12, bound for McGuire AFB in New Jersey, where Shelly will receive additional advanced training in handling military cargo for the U. S. Air Force.
John Hoflen arrived in Rutland on Saturday, May 8, to spend some time visiting with brothers Rob and Andy, as well as with many friends in the community. John has been working on a new accounting, bookkeeping, and billing system for the city, which he demonstrated on Monday, May 10. The City Council has been working on this project with John for the past several months, and has decided to replace the existing 20 year old computer and software with the new hardware and software package put together by John. City Auditor Doris Hoistad, who will be working with the new system, was pleased with the prospect of a more user friendly product.
The Rutland Home Rule Charter Committee conducted a public hearing to obtain comments and input on the proposed new City Charter at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, in the Rutland Town Hall. About a dozen interested citizens were in attendance, and comments were positive. Home Rule allows the citizens of a city more flexibility in managing their financial and political affairs than does the statutory system currently imposed by State law. The Committee, composed of: Paul Anderson, Chairman; Calvin Jacobson; Bertha Siemieniewski, Larry Christensen and Gretchen Vann, had been appointed by the Council on April 5, had completed its proposed draft by April 22, and distributed a copy of the proposed Charter and a notice of Tuesday’s public hearing to every household in Rutland on April 26. The Committee members intend to present the proposed Home Rule Charter for the City of Rutland to the City Council at the Council’s June meeting. The Council will then decide whether and when to submit the Charter to a vote of the people. A simple majority vote will put Rutland’s new Charter into effect.
Meanwhile, on the sports scene, local golfer Richard Bradbury shattered a 35 year record this week by missing Men’s night at the Forman Golf Course for 3 weeks in a row. Over the years, few obstacles have deterred Brad from golfing on Men’s Night, or from dining on steak at the clubhouse after a round on the links, but those three 4-letter words: cold; rain; and, wind; finally combined, for 3 weeks in a row, to keep him snug at home on a Wednesday evening. Brad states that, “Come heck, hurricane or high water,” he expects to be in attendance at Men’s Night on the course next week. He is running short of quarters, and expects that his golfing partners will replenish his supply.
Local attorneys Trent Mahler and Bill Anderson joined Sargent County States Attorney Lyle Bopp in the courtroom of the Sargent County Courthouse on Tuesday, May 11, not to argue a case, but to act as coaches for the defense, prosecution and judge in a mock trial exercise completed by the Law & Justice class from Sargent Central High School. The entire class, as well as most of the other students at SCHS, participated in the exercise. Sargent Central High School teacher Chris Larson was in charge of the project. The case involved the prosecution of a “power line protester” for the alleged destruction of a power line tower. The prosecution team, composed of Justin Jacobson of Rutland, Nadine Smith of Havana and Shelby Heimbuch of Cogswell, and the defense team, composed of John Breker of Rutland, Cam Enderson of Havana and Will Rush of Cogswell, presented evidence, questioned witnesses, argued objections and points of law, and made opening and closing statements before Judge Drew Smith of Forman and a jury of their peers. At the end of the trial, the jury concluded that the evidence was not sufficient to prove the charge “beyond a reasonable doubt”, but they were all pretty sure that the defendant was guilty anyway. Congratulations are due to Mr. Larson and the students in the Law & Justice class for this demonstration of the rights and duties of citizenship in a nation that is governed by laws, not men.
High school graduation ceremonies will be held at Sargent Central on Sunday, May 23. Rutland Seniors graduating this Spring are: Chase Christensen, son of Bradley & Rebecca Christensen and Penny & Randy Beckstrom; Julian Jacobson and Justin Jacobson, sons of Calvin & Wendy Jacobson; and, Allan Rohrbach and Shelby Rohrbach, sons of Vaughan & Polly Rohrbach. The Rutland community extends congratulations to these young men, and to their parents, for their accomplishments, so far. But this is not the end, only the beginning. It is expected that Chase, Julian, Justin, Allan and Shelby will do themselves, their families and their community proud, as they go out into the world, taking some of that “can do” and “never give up” Rutland spirit with them. They and their classmates are the last class of the first decade of the 21st Century. Congratulations to the Class of 2010.
Well, that’s it for this week. For more information on what’s going on in the little city that can, check out the community’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com. While you’re doing that, check out the Rutland Blog and Facebook page, too. Later.