Rutland Ramblings – Feb. 9, 2024

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Rutland was a busy place again last weekend. On Friday, February 2, the Lariat Bar hosted the third monthly trivia contest. Local residents joined teams from Britton, Wahpeton, and other towns for the competition. At the end of the four rounds, the winning team members were all from Britton. Joey and Tanya Pierson, Jesse and Pat Bolzer, Tom and Bridget Shileny, Jackie Vetlin, and Ben Krista were awarded the trophy again this month and their photo will continue to be displayed on the winner’s shelf in The Lariat. The next round of trivia will be Friday, March 8, beginning promptly at 7 p.m. at the Lariat Bar. The March Trivia event has been postponed one week for the annual Rutland Sportsman’s Club Fish Fry on March 1. Tickets for the 39th Annual Fish Fry are available at the Lariat Bar. The cost is $10 for all you can eat Alaskan pollock, serving 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Rutland Town Hall. Kids aged 7 and under eat free.

Fifty pinochle teams were present in the Rutland Town Hall on the morning of Saturday, February 3, when play commenced at the 28th Annual Rudy Anderson Memorial Pinochle Tournament. When the last cards were dealt at on Saturday afternoon, Dick and Larry Larson were declared the winners of the 28th Annual Rudy Anderson Memorial Pinochle tournament with a score of 1759 points. Local winners were Sam Smith, Wade Anderson, Roger McLaen, Dennis Goltz, Preston Avery, Wyatt Nelson, DeDe Cookson, Corinne Hanson, and Leonard Miller. Stella Bell and Roger McLaen who have played in all 28 tourneys, and Roger and Benita Ziegler have participated in 27 of the tournaments. Scalloped potatoes with ham, cooked carrots, and a variety of homemade desserts was served by the Rutland Community Club. This tournament is held in memory of the late Rudy and Edna Anderson who would have rejoiced in knowing that pinochle is still enjoyed by so many. As Rudy once said, “A place without pinochle may as well roll up the carpet and turn out the lights.” The invitation to the 29th tournament to be held on February 1, 2025, in the Rutland Town Hall was extended to all participants as they departed. Thanks to tournament organizer Sonja Christensen for the above report.

Bill Anderson had a brief hospital stay in Fargo and returned home over the weekend to recuperate. Paul Anderson headed back to Arizona on Sunday, February 4, to enjoy the slightly warmer weather there.

The Rutland City Office will be closed until Monday, March 4th, as the Auditor will be out of the office. Individuals are encouraged to contact the Mayor, Michael Mahrer, any Council member, or Scott Haan with any questions or concerns that need to be addressed during that time. The next Rutland City Council meeting will be Monday, March 11, starting at 5 p.m.

That is it for a while from this writer. Don’t forget to get your tickets for the fish fry. Keep up with Rutland happenings through the website and Facebook and find out the specials at the Lariat Bar on the bar’s Facebook Page. Hope everyone has enjoyed the brief warm spell as it appears that February will return to normal temperature by the end of the week.

Rutland Ramblings – Feb. 2, 2024

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The Rutland City Council met on Monday, January 29, in lieu of a February meeting. The City Auditor informed the Council that two grant applications have been prepared to be submitted to the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District for the City sidewalk project and to replace the city street signs. The Council approved the applications. The Auditor will continue to seek other grant funding sources if these are not approved. There are two delinquent utility accounts in addition to one that is planned to go to small claims court. The City Auditor will not be available in February. The city voice mail will refer individuals to contact Mayor Mahrer or Scott for assistance. Individuals can contact Lori McLaen
regarding any Hall questions. The January water bills will be mailed out this week and the February utility bills will be mailed until after March 4. The next City Council meeting will be Monday, March 11.

The Rutland Vitalant blood drive was held on Tuesday, January 30, at the Rutland Community Center. Janet Kiefer reports that there were twenty donors, nine of whom were walk-in donors. Of those twenty, four were doubles for a total of 23 units of blood donated. There was one first time donor as well.

Bill Anderson was in the hospital in Fargo on Tuesday, January 30, for a brief stay. The report is that everything went well, and he is expected to return home on Thursday, February 1.

Sonja Christensen made her way to Rutland on Friday, February 2, to prepare for the big Anderson Pinochle tournament on Saturday, February 3, starting at 9 a.m. As of Wednesday, there were 49 teams registered according to Sonja, but she is expecting more by the end of the week. The Rutland Community Club will be preparing a scallop potatoes meal for the participants at the tournament. Watch for information on the results of the tournament next week.

That’s it for this week from Rutland. Be sure to check out the new Rutland app for upcoming events and activities. Good reviews have been coming in from users – especially for the weather updates (but then we’ve been having good weather!). Rutland activities and events can also be found on the city website.

Rutland Ramblings – Jan. 26, 2024

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It was a wild and crazy night on Friday, January 19th, when The Fun Pianos – Traveling Dueling Pianos rolled into town. Over 130 people attended the event at the Hall sponsored by the Rutland Community Club. The performers got the crowd involved and played many favorites submitted by those attending. The party, originally scheduled for two hours, rolled into three fun-filled, loud, and rowdy hours. Many of the party goers headed over to finish the night at The Lariat Bar.

Katie McLaen reported that she is Grandma – again – with the birth of Millie Eve LaCroix on Thursday, January 18th. Millie entered the world at 2:05 a.m. in Fargo weighing 7 lbs., 6 oz., and 19 inches long. Millie, named after “Millie” McLaen and Katherine “Eve” McLaen, joins older sister Charlotte. Proud parents are Catie and Cody LaCroix. Congratulations to the parents and grandparents on the new bundle of joy.

The Rutland City Council will hold its next meeting on Monday, January 29, starting at 5 p.m. in City Hall. The meeting is always open to the public and the agenda can be viewed on the City’s website. Be sure to check that out. Come attend the meeting to see what’s happening in town and what issues the Council is facing. If you are interested, be sure to grab the Petition for Nomination to run for a position on the City Council or Park Board. The positions of Mayor, two City Council Members, and three Park Board positions will be on the June ballot. Election petitions can be circulated and are due to the City Auditor by 4 p.m. on April 8, 2024.

The Rutland Vitalant Blood Drive will be held on Tuesday, January 30th, at Rutland City Hall starting at 2:45 p.m. If you haven’t already been called and are willing to donate, you can register online at Vitalant or just drop by the Hall before 6 p.m. to make your donation.

The teams are registering for the annual Anderson Pinochle tournament scheduled for Saturday, February 3, at the Rutland Hall. Sonja Christensen is organizing the event, and the Rutland Community Club will be serving the noon meal. Game time starts promptly at 9 a.m. If you are not yet registered, be sure to give Sonja a call at 701-642-6793. The cost is $40 per couple. The tournament is always a fun time and the teams are very competitive.

There is always something happening in Rutland. Remember to mark Friday, March 1, on your calendar for the annual Rutland Sportsmans Club Fish Fry that will be held that evening. Watch for information in the Teller.

Rutland Ramblings – Jan. 19, 2023

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This community was shocked and plunged into sadness on Sunday, December 24, 2023, when word was received here that Rutland native Shelly (Pherson) Fink had died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 33 years 4 months and 1 day. 

Shelly Jean Pherson was born on August 23, 1990, in Breckenridge MN to Dennis and Ione (Benson) Pherson of Rutland, ND. She grew up on the Pherson family’s farmstead on the north edge of Rutland.  She learned how to ride a horse almost before she knew how to walk.  Shelly was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland.  As a child, Shelly loved animals as much as she loved making people laugh. She was active in the 4-H horse program, Children’s Summer Theater, Rutland Community Theater, gymnastics, high school basketball and all things creative, including art. She shared her creative talents in countless ways throughout her life.  Shelly could always inspire smiles and laughs with her quick quips, one-liners and comebacks in any situation.

Shelly attended Elementary and High School at Sargent Central, graduating from high school in 2009. During her high school years, Shelly excelled in athletics, speech, Envirothon, served as a 4-H State Ambassador, and as Miss Sargent County 2007. She spent one summer learning to train horses and earned a spunky filly she named Oakley.

After graduating from high school, Shelly joined the North Dakota Air National Guard. She was proud to be one of North Dakota’s “Happy Hooligans”. After completing Air Force Basic Training, she enrolled at NDSU in Fargo, studying Ag Education. She joined the LineBenders Improv Comedy Group, fostered animals from the local shelter and helped them find homes, and shared her acting ability with police officers in Crisis Intervention Training. Airman Pherson served her country as an Air Transportation Specialist during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Shelly became a recruiter for the North Dakota Air National Guard in 2014 and educated all ages about the military – reading to classrooms, doing workshops with high school and college students, organizing activities in veterans’ homes, and helping young airmen get the most out of their military experience. Shelly was a proud member of Bergman-Evenson Post #215 of the American Legion in her hometown of Rutland.

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Rutland Ramblings – Jan. 12, 2024

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The Lariat Bar was a very busy place again on Friday, January 5th, for the second trivia night of the winter season. Fourteen teams competed for the event with several teams making it through the first and second round of questions with perfect scores. Eighty participants shared their knowledge to try to take the first place this month. After four close and exciting rounds, one team advanced for the win followed by a six-way tie for second place! The winning team, “Buck the Fison,” members were all from Britton. Joey and Tanya Pierson, Jesse and Pat Bolzer, Tom and Bridget Shileny, Jackie Vetlin, and Ben Krista were awarded the trophy and their photo will be displayed on the winner’s shelf in The Lariat. The next round of trivia will be Friday, February 2, starting promptly at 7 p.m. at the Lariat Bar. The March Trivia event, scheduled for March 1, has been postponed. The first Friday in March is the annual Rutland Sportsman’s Club Fish Fry and the Bar is not going to compete with that event. Be sure to watch for information on the Fish Fry in the next few weeks.

The Rutland Seniors’ celebrated January birthdays on Monday, January 8th.  Only two of the birthday celebrants made it in for the event – Bill Anderson and Ann Erickson were there to celebrate with a batch of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. Others celebrating their birthday this month are Rick Banish, Andy Harris, Duane Lock, Pam Maloney, Hal Nelson, and Diane Smith. The seniors celebrate the birthdays on the second Monday of the month at their morning coffee.

The Rutland City Council held its first meeting of 2024 on Monday, January 8. All members were present for the short meeting. The Council ratified the Lariat Bar 2024 liquor license that was issued by the City Auditor in December, approved the December 2023 financials and the December transfer of $334.88 from the General Fund to the City Share of Specials to balance the fund. The City Auditor reported that the Tree City USA and Growth Award applications were submitted by the December 31, 2023, deadline. The State Auditor has not yet returned/approved the City 2021 audit, however, the 2022 audit has been approved by the State but the City Auditor is questioning several changes made at the State level that do not properly reflect the City Funds or accurately balance. The next meeting is Monday, January 29th.

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Rutland Ramblings – Dec. 29, 2023

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The Rutland Senior Center hosted the Annual Sargent County Senior Citizens December meeting and Christmas Party on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Kathy Wyum and her elves decorated the Senior Center and turned it into a very festive Christmas setting. The clubs from all four Sargent County senior centers were well represented – Cogswell, Forman, Milnor, and Rutland. A total of 26 seniors enjoyed the afternoon. Chuck Anderson called multitude rounds of Bingo and all guests won at least one prize and even more! Four beautiful door prizes were also given away. A wonderful lunch of sandwiches, salads and a variety of desserts followed Bingo to end a fun-filled afternoon.

Many Rutland residents made it out of town for Christmas celebrations before the ice storm hit on Christmas Day. The rain began early, turning to snow and then more rain and sleet to make the roads impossible for travel. The State plows were out on Tuesday to try to clear roads as much as possible.

Since this will be the last column for 2023, here is a summary of some of the year’s highs and lows:

The weather outside was frightful as below-zero temperatures continued into January, and most of the winter season. The cold never stopped the snowmobilers who made a poker run through the County with the last stop at The Lariat Bar. Several inches of snow fell again in February with days of blowing snow and high winds and no travel advised. March was no warmer and three-foot mountains of ice and snow cancelled many Rutland activities, but it didn’t keep residents from the Saint Patrick’s Day feast at The Lariat or Rutland Fun Night with nearly 170 people attending. There were 50 door prizes and at least that many cakes for the cakewalk. There were 9 carnival games as well as a Photo Booth and coloring table and a popcorn/cotton candy stand. The Rutland Volunteer Fireman served pizza and cookies for supper. By mid-April, the temperature finally registered 51 degrees followed by a wild thunderstorm that knocked out power to Rutland homes and businesses. Another cold front and rain hit the community in late May making it a challenging planting season. By late June, temperatures were nearing 100 degrees, by September they were back in the teens, but managed to hit the 90s for Uffda Day in October!

Rutland’s population grew by two with the births of Bridger Wyum, son of Rob and Dana Wyum, on January 11, 2023, and William Price Gulleson, son of Cam & Jenny Gulleson, born March 22, 2023.

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