The weather was perfect for the Second Annual Hal Nelson Classic Men’s Slowpitch Softball Tournament at Rutland’s Lou Sanderson Field on Saturday, August 21. Heat, humidity, clear skies and a blazing sun combined to make ideal conditions for enjoying an ice cold beverage and watching the slow-pitch version of America’s pastime. Six teams, from Rutland, Havana, Forman, Enderlin, Lidgerwood and Wahpeton competed in the “pool play” invitational tourney. Play commenced at 9:00 a.m. with Rutland taking on Havana in game #1. It looked as if the hometown boys were headed for the Championship game, until the semi-final round in which the locals participated in a rip-roaring, nail-biting slugfest with the team from Wahpeton, a contest from which Wahpeton emerged the victor by a score of 17 to 16. In their next game, the contest for 3rd place, Rutland shut-out the opposition and cruised to a 12 to 0 victory over Enderlin. Wahpeton then clinched the Championship with an 11 to 7 win over Lidgerwood, according to Home Plate tournament umpire Bruce Peterson. Between games, teams also competed in a Beanbag Tournament, a competition from which Enderlin emerged triumphant, defeating the Forman team for the 2010 beanbag title. Net proceeds from this year’s Hal Nelson Classic have been pledged to the Jesse Brakke Benefit which will be held here on Saturday, September 11. The Third Annual Hal Nelson Classic is set for the 3rd Saturday in August, 2011, at Lou Sanderson Field. The tournament is sponsored by the Rutland Park Board.
Two well known characters who have figured large in the history of this County and this Community passed from the scene this past week. First, Murdean Gulsvig of Havana passed away at St. Catherine’s Nursing Home in Wahpeton on Wednesday, August 18 at the age of 87 years. Murdean had served on the Sargent County ASCS Board for many years, making sure that the interests of family farmers were the primary consideration in the implementation of Federal farm policy in Sargent County. He also served on the Sargent County Park Board, overseeing many of the improvements now enjoyed by visitors to Silver Lake Park, and was an active member of the Sargent County Historical Society. Murdean and his wife, Doris, managed The Farmer’s Inn, Havana’s community owned café, for many years, as well. He was also well known throughout the area for his work with The Gideons, making Bibles available to U. S. military personnel and to travelers. The funeral for Murdean Gulsvig was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Forman on the morning of Saturday, August 21. Murdean’s many friends in the Rutland community extend condolences to the Gulsvig family on the passing of this family and community patriarch.
Second, the Rutland community was saddened when Edith (Thornberg) Pherson passed away at the Oakes Hospital on Friday, August 20, at the age of 92. Edith was one of 13 children of Sargent County pioneers John and Johanna (Olness) Thornberg. She married Percy Pherson of this community in 1935, and they farmed in the Rutland area until Percy’s death in 1990. During their marriage, Percy and Edith were also involved in several business ventures, including constructing and operating the Rutland Theater here. Throughout her life, Edith never forgot the hard lessons learned growing up in a large family beset by drought and Depression in the 1920’s & 30’s. She and Percy often went out of their way to encourage hard working, enterprising and thrifty neighbors who showed some grit, but had little patience with those individuals who wouldn’t try, or who failed to pull their own weight. She was active in church and community activities throughout her life, providing bars and cakes for a myriad of events, and making lefse for Uffda Day, well into her 90’s. Edith remained a strong and independent person until the end, residing on the Pherson farm in Tewaukon Township until a heart attack forced her to the Oakes Hospital a few days before her death. She is survived by two daughters: Selvia Jean (Jerry) Johnson, of Alberta MN; and, Marlys (Edwin) Erickson, of Milnor; and by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Percy; by one son, Dennis Pherson Sr.; by one grandson, Lenny Pherson; by one great grandson, Tyler Erickson; by her parents; and, by 12 brothers and sisters. The funeral for Edith Pherson was at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 24, at Nordland Lutheran Church with Pastor Justin Fenger officiating. Price Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Rutland Cemetery. The Rutland community extends its sympathy to the friends and family of Edith Pherson, a stalwart matriarch for her family and a loyal supporter of her church and community.
Larry & Dianna Anderson and Bill & Mary Woytassek hooked up their travel trailers and headed off to Washburn ND, via Jamestown and Bismarck, on Friday, August 20. The Rutland foursome toured the Great River Energy power plant and ethanol plant, as well as the Falkirk coal mine near Washburn, reports Larry. Officials at the ethanol plant informed the group that they had to construct a roof over the fermented mash used to produce the ethanol, because the bald eagles in the area got into it and became intoxicated. Well, a drunk eagle becomes an ill eagle, and that’s not a good thing when they are flying overhead. The Andersons and the Woytasseks returned to Rutland on Tuesday evening.
Morris Seal Coat & Trucking swept up the excess chips from Rutland’s streets on Monday, August 23. This was the final step in the street repair and resealing project aimed at maintaining the community’s paved streets for another 10 to 15 years.
At a pre-construction conference held in the County Courthouse last Wednesday, August 18, Riley Bros. Construction of Morris MN informed State and County officials that the company intends to begin work on the installation of two 10 X 12 concrete box culverts through County #10 two miles south of Rutland during the week of August 30. Travelers between Rutland and Havana should consider alternate routes while construction work is in progress. The installation of the new culverts, coupled with raising the grade by 2 feet at the Wild Rice crossing, is intended to keep flood waters from overtopping the road and washing it out, as it did in the Spring of 2009. Riley Bros. also has the contract to pave the short section of ND Highway #11 that had to be raised this Spring due to unexpected flood waters overtopping the State roadway 1½ mile east of the intersection with ND #32. It is expected that the company will complete both jobs in the next couple of weeks.
Paul & Sue Anderson drove to Adel Iowa, about 30 miles west of Des Moines, on Sunday, August 22, to attend the funeral for Sue’s uncle. They were accompanied by Sue’s mother, Etha Brust, of Phoenix AZ. Mrs. Brust had flown into Fargo on Saturday afternoon, and spent Saturday night in Rutland. They returned to Rutland on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, Paul was installing metal roofing on the house at 301 First Street which he plans to utilize in his vineyard and winery enterprise.
Wedding bells will be ringing this Saturday, August 28, for Nick McLaen of this community and Katie Rust of Brampton. The groom is the son of Dennis McLaen and Lori McLaen of Rutland. The bride is the daughter of Don Rust of Brampton and Tammy Rust of Bismarck. Nick is involved in the McLaen family’s farming operations here. Following the wedding the couple will be making their home on Nick’s farmstead 4 miles north of Rutland. The Rutland community extends congratulations and best wishes to Nick and Katie for a long and happy life together.
Sargent Central students received a reprieve this week, when the commencement of classes for the 2010-2011 school term was postponed from Monday, August 23, to Monday, August 30. The postponement was required due to the ongoing construction at the Sargent Central school building in Forman. According to school officials, the 5 days of classes will be made up during the school year, barring some unforeseen natural or man-made disaster.
The High School football season started this week, with or without classes, and the Sargent Central boys got off to a good start by marking up the Cadets’ first victory since the 2007 season. Playing Ellendale on Sargent Central’s home field, the Cadets had battled to a 16 – 16 tie at the end of regulation play. In the overtime session, Ellendale had first possession, and marched in for a Touchdown in 4 downs, but failed to convert on the extra point. The Cadets, with Quarterback Jared Huckell of this community calling the plays, then showed their mettle by taking the ball in for a touchdown in 4 plays, and then scoring 2 extra points on the conversion as Quarterback Huckell ran the ball into the End Zone for the winning points. Final score: Sargent Central 24; Ellendale 22. Congratulations to the Sargent Central Cadets on ending a losing streak and, hopefully, beginning a winning streak. It is said that, “It matters not if you win or lose, but how you play the game,” and we have no doubt but that is true. It does, however, feel a lot better to win.
On Friday, August 27, a birthday celebration for Pastor Justin Fenger will be held in the Dining Room of the Lariat Bar, commencing at 8:30 p.m. The occasion is Pastor Fenger’s 30th birthday. This weekend will also be Pastor Fenger’s last as minister to Nordland and Trinity Lutheran Churches in Rutland and Havana. A farewell pot-luck barbecue will be held in honor of Pastor and Mrs. Fenger at the Nordland Fellowship Hall, commencing at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 29. The meat dish will be provided, and those attending are asked to bring a dish to pass, says Nordland secretary Pam Maloney. Pastor Fenger’s replacement, Pastor Katy Jerabek, also an intern at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, is scheduled to arrive here on Wednesday, September 1. Pastor Jerabek is a native of Iowa, reports Hilary Mehrer, a member of the Nordland Church Council.
Last week, on Thursday, August 19, America’s last combat troops departed from the country of Iraq, fulfilling a promise made by President Barak Obama in July of 2009. There are still 50,000 American military personnel remaining in Iraq, however, there to support the efforts of Iraqi police and military forces in providing security for the people of that nation. The President has also pledged to begin drawing down the American troop commitment in Afghanistan by July of 2011. The misadventure in Iraq, and the missed opportunities for victory in Afghanistan have, so far, cost the nation more than $3 trillion in borrowed money, and the lives of more than 4,400 of our best and brightest, as well as thousands more who bear the debilitating scars of physical and psychological wounds. History will judge whether or not the result is worth the sacrifice of lives, blood and treasure. It is often said that those who die in war have “sacrificed their lives for their country.” Not so! The lives of those soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who die in war were not “sacrificed” by themselves, Their lives were sacrificed by their countrymen who sent them to war. When we Americans make the decision to go to war, to sacrifice the lives of someone’s child, parent or spouse, we have an obligation to those whose lives we will be spending, and to those they leave behind, to make sure that their loss is not for some frivolous or transient reason. For now, Iraq is stable enough for our combat forces to leave, but to expect continued stability in a region which has not seen any for a couple of thousand years may not be realistic. We should be considering how to get the rest of our people out of there before the roof falls in. In Afghanistan, a concerted effort should be made to put Ussama Bin Laden’s head on a stake, after which victory should be declared and we should get the heck out of there, too. “We must be the friends of Liberty everywhere,” American patriot John Adams said to his son over 200 years ago, “but its defenders here at home.” A wise man, our John Adams.
Well, that’s it for this week. For more information about what’s going on in Rutland, check out the community’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com, and stop by the Rutland blog and Facebook pages, too, while you’re at it. Later.
The Rooster Crows – August 27, 2010
The weather was perfect for the Second Annual Hal Nelson Classic Men’s Slowpitch Softball Tournament at Rutland’s Lou Sanderson Field on Saturday, August 21. Heat, humidity, clear skies and a blazing sun combined to make ideal conditions for enjoying an ice cold beverage and watching the slow-pitch version of America’s pastime. Six teams, from Rutland, Havana, Forman, Enderlin, Lidgerwood and Wahpeton competed in the “pool play” invitational tourney. Play commenced at 9:00 a.m. with Rutland taking on Havana in game #1. It looked as if the hometown boys were headed for the Championship game, until the semi-final round in which the locals participated in a rip-roaring, nail-biting slugfest with the team from Wahpeton, a contest from which Wahpeton emerged the victor by a score of 17 to 16. In their next game, the contest for 3rd place, Rutland shut-out the opposition and cruised to a 12 to 0 victory over Enderlin. Wahpeton then clinched the Championship with an 11 to 7 win over Lidgerwood, according to Home Plate tournament umpire Bruce Peterson. Between games, teams also competed in a Beanbag Tournament, a competition from which Enderlin emerged triumphant, defeating the Forman team for the 2010 beanbag title. Net proceeds from this year’s Hal Nelson Classic have been pledged to the Jesse Brakke Benefit which will be held here on Saturday, September 11. The Third Annual Hal Nelson Classic is set for the 3rd Saturday in August, 2011, at Lou Sanderson Field. The tournament is sponsored by the Rutland Park Board.
Two well known characters who have figured large in the history of this County and this Community passed from the scene this past week. First, Murdean Gulsvig of Havana passed away at St. Catherine’s Nursing Home in Wahpeton on Wednesday, August 18 at the age of 87 years. Murdean had served on the Sargent County ASCS Board for many years, making sure that the interests of family farmers were the primary consideration in the implementation of Federal farm policy in Sargent County. He also served on the Sargent County Park Board, overseeing many of the improvements now enjoyed by visitors to Silver Lake Park, and was an active member of the Sargent County Historical Society. Murdean and his wife, Doris, managed The Farmer’s Inn, Havana’s community owned café, for many years, as well. He was also well known throughout the area for his work with The Gideons, making Bibles available to U. S. military personnel and to travelers. The funeral for Murdean Gulsvig was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Forman on the morning of Saturday, August 21. Murdean’s many friends in the Rutland community extend condolences to the Gulsvig family on the passing of this family and community patriarch.
Second, the Rutland community was saddened when Edith (Thornberg) Pherson passed away at the Oakes Hospital on Friday, August 20, at the age of 92. Edith was one of 13 children of Sargent County pioneers John and Johanna (Olness) Thornberg. She married Percy Pherson of this community in 1935, and they farmed in the Rutland area until Percy’s death in 1990. During their marriage, Percy and Edith were also involved in several business ventures, including constructing and operating the Rutland Theater here. Throughout her life, Edith never forgot the hard lessons learned growing up in a large family beset by drought and Depression in the 1920’s & 30’s. She and Percy often went out of their way to encourage hard working, enterprising and thrifty neighbors who showed some grit, but had little patience with those individuals who wouldn’t try, or who failed to pull their own weight. She was active in church and community activities throughout her life, providing bars and cakes for a myriad of events, and making lefse for Uffda Day, well into her 90’s. Edith remained a strong and independent person until the end, residing on the Pherson farm in Tewaukon Township until a heart attack forced her to the Oakes Hospital a few days before her death. She is survived by two daughters: Selvia Jean (Jerry) Johnson, of Alberta MN; and, Marlys (Edwin) Erickson, of Milnor; and by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Percy; by one son, Dennis Pherson Sr.; by one grandson, Lenny Pherson; by one great grandson, Tyler Erickson; by her parents; and, by 12 brothers and sisters. The funeral for Edith Pherson was at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 24, at Nordland Lutheran Church with Pastor Justin Fenger officiating. Price Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Rutland Cemetery. The Rutland community extends its sympathy to the friends and family of Edith Pherson, a stalwart matriarch for her family and a loyal supporter of her church and community.
Larry & Dianna Anderson and Bill & Mary Woytassek hooked up their travel trailers and headed off to Washburn ND, via Jamestown and Bismarck, on Friday, August 20. The Rutland foursome toured the Great River Energy power plant and ethanol plant, as well as the Falkirk coal mine near Washburn, reports Larry. Officials at the ethanol plant informed the group that they had to construct a roof over the fermented mash used to produce the ethanol, because the bald eagles in the area got into it and became intoxicated. Well, a drunk eagle becomes an ill eagle, and that’s not a good thing when they are flying overhead. The Andersons and the Woytasseks returned to Rutland on Tuesday evening.
Morris Seal Coat & Trucking swept up the excess chips from Rutland’s streets on Monday, August 23. This was the final step in the street repair and resealing project aimed at maintaining the community’s paved streets for another 10 to 15 years.
At a pre-construction conference held in the County Courthouse last Wednesday, August 18, Riley Bros. Construction of Morris MN informed State and County officials that the company intends to begin work on the installation of two 10 X 12 concrete box culverts through County #10 two miles south of Rutland during the week of August 30. Travelers between Rutland and Havana should consider alternate routes while construction work is in progress. The installation of the new culverts, coupled with raising the grade by 2 feet at the Wild Rice crossing, is intended to keep flood waters from overtopping the road and washing it out, as it did in the Spring of 2009. Riley Bros. also has the contract to pave the short section of ND Highway #11 that had to be raised this Spring due to unexpected flood waters overtopping the State roadway 1½ mile east of the intersection with ND #32. It is expected that the company will complete both jobs in the next couple of weeks.
Paul & Sue Anderson drove to Adel Iowa, about 30 miles west of Des Moines, on Sunday, August 22, to attend the funeral for Sue’s uncle. They were accompanied by Sue’s mother, Etha Brust, of Phoenix AZ. Mrs. Brust had flown into Fargo on Saturday afternoon, and spent Saturday night in Rutland. They returned to Rutland on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, Paul was installing metal roofing on the house at 301 First Street which he plans to utilize in his vineyard and winery enterprise.
Wedding bells will be ringing this Saturday, August 28, for Nick McLaen of this community and Katie Rust of Brampton. The groom is the son of Dennis McLaen and Lori McLaen of Rutland. The bride is the daughter of Don Rust of Brampton and Tammy Rust of Bismarck. Nick is involved in the McLaen family’s farming operations here. Following the wedding the couple will be making their home on Nick’s farmstead 4 miles north of Rutland. The Rutland community extends congratulations and best wishes to Nick and Katie for a long and happy life together.
Sargent Central students received a reprieve this week, when the commencement of classes for the 2010-2011 school term was postponed from Monday, August 23, to Monday, August 30. The postponement was required due to the ongoing construction at the Sargent Central school building in Forman. According to school officials, the 5 days of classes will be made up during the school year, barring some unforeseen natural or man-made disaster.
The High School football season started this week, with or without classes, and the Sargent Central boys got off to a good start by marking up the Cadets’ first victory since the 2007 season. Playing Ellendale on Sargent Central’s home field, the Cadets had battled to a 16 – 16 tie at the end of regulation play. In the overtime session, Ellendale had first possession, and marched in for a Touchdown in 4 downs, but failed to convert on the extra point. The Cadets, with Quarterback Jared Huckell of this community calling the plays, then showed their mettle by taking the ball in for a touchdown in 4 plays, and then scoring 2 extra points on the conversion as Quarterback Huckell ran the ball into the End Zone for the winning points. Final score: Sargent Central 24; Ellendale 22. Congratulations to the Sargent Central Cadets on ending a losing streak and, hopefully, beginning a winning streak. It is said that, “It matters not if you win or lose, but how you play the game,” and we have no doubt but that is true. It does, however, feel a lot better to win.
On Friday, August 27, a birthday celebration for Pastor Justin Fenger will be held in the Dining Room of the Lariat Bar, commencing at 8:30 p.m. The occasion is Pastor Fenger’s 30th birthday. This weekend will also be Pastor Fenger’s last as minister to Nordland and Trinity Lutheran Churches in Rutland and Havana. A farewell pot-luck barbecue will be held in honor of Pastor and Mrs. Fenger at the Nordland Fellowship Hall, commencing at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 29. The meat dish will be provided, and those attending are asked to bring a dish to pass, says Nordland secretary Pam Maloney. Pastor Fenger’s replacement, Pastor Katy Jerabek, also an intern at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, is scheduled to arrive here on Wednesday, September 1. Pastor Jerabek is a native of Iowa, reports Hilary Mehrer, a member of the Nordland Church Council.
Last week, on Thursday, August 19, America’s last combat troops departed from the country of Iraq, fulfilling a promise made by President Barak Obama in July of 2009. There are still 50,000 American military personnel remaining in Iraq, however, there to support the efforts of Iraqi police and military forces in providing security for the people of that nation. The President has also pledged to begin drawing down the American troop commitment in Afghanistan by July of 2011. The misadventure in Iraq, and the missed opportunities for victory in Afghanistan have, so far, cost the nation more than $3 trillion in borrowed money, and the lives of more than 4,400 of our best and brightest, as well as thousands more who bear the debilitating scars of physical and psychological wounds. History will judge whether or not the result is worth the sacrifice of lives, blood and treasure. It is often said that those who die in war have “sacrificed their lives for their country.” Not so! The lives of those soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who die in war were not “sacrificed” by themselves, Their lives were sacrificed by their countrymen who sent them to war. When we Americans make the decision to go to war, to sacrifice the lives of someone’s child, parent or spouse, we have an obligation to those whose lives we will be spending, and to those they leave behind, to make sure that their loss is not for some frivolous or transient reason. For now, Iraq is stable enough for our combat forces to leave, but to expect continued stability in a region which has not seen any for a couple of thousand years may not be realistic. We should be considering how to get the rest of our people out of there before the roof falls in. In Afghanistan, a concerted effort should be made to put Ussama Bin Laden’s head on a stake, after which victory should be declared and we should get the heck out of there, too. “We must be the friends of Liberty everywhere,” American patriot John Adams said to his son over 200 years ago, “but its defenders here at home.” A wise man, our John Adams.
Well, that’s it for this week. For more information about what’s going on in Rutland, check out the community’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com, and stop by the Rutland blog and Facebook pages, too, while you’re at it. Later.