Rutland, ND

That sounds like a pretty good new slogan for Rutland doesn’t it?  We grow those worms pretty big around here as discovered by Herbie Donaldson a couple weeks ago.  He was making his morning rounds when he saw something in the road and got out to look.  It was a large earthworm on the road, unfortunately already driven over but none-the-less it proves we grow ‘em big around here.  Pam Maloney happened by and helped measure the worm — which was 60 inches long.  For a photo and more info go to the KFGO item (linked here).

A benefit is being planned for Jesse Brakke on Saturday, September 11, 2010, in the Rutland City Hall.

Jesse Brakke was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) in 1995.  In November 2007 he became ill with congestive heart failure and was hospitalized, having a pacemaker and defibrillator implanted.  Then, in December 2008 he became more short of breath and fatigued and was referred to Meritcare Cardiology. His case was too complex so he was referred to the U of M Hospitals in Minneapolis.  On March 17, 2009, Jesse had open heart surgery to receive a device to help pump his heart efficiently and prepare him over the next year for a heart transplant.  On February 2, 2010, Jesse became the 700^th heart transplant at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis.  He is now in the process of recovering and must go to Minneapolis every month for a heart biopsy and other tests to determine rejection.  He is on multiple medications at present and will be on rejection meds for life. 

Work is underway to gather items for the silent and live auctions and solicitation letters will be going out soon to area businesses and other organizations.  If you are not contacted and wish to donate something for this effort, please contact Kaia Mahrer or Deborah Banish at retmom@yahoo.com.  Silent auction items will be requested no later than Friday, September 10.

Events for the day will include games in the afternoon, a meal and silent auction followed by a live auction and a street dance and karaoke. If you can’t donate, come and participate in the days activities.

Due to maintenance on the Rutland ND website, you can find this week’s Rooster Crows right here!

Nordland Lutheran Church is celebrating its 125th Anniversary on the weekend of July 10 and July 11.

On Saturday, July 10, there will be a pie and ice cream social in the church parish hall at 3:00 pm.  There will also be a hymn sing and outdoor games for all during this time.  A light supper will be provided by the Luther League that evening with a free will offering.  This will be a great time to reminisce and visit with members and friends.  It can also be a time of touring the church and seeing all that has stayed the same, but also the many changes.

Sunday, July 11, will begin with a celebratory worship service at 10:30 am.  Following the worship service, a free will dinner will be served at the City Hall.  The menu will include Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy and lefse.  (RSVP required.) Following the meal, there will be a program of memories and music back at the church.  Between the meal and the program, all former pastors, as well as any descendants of the church’s founding families plan to gather at the church for photos. 

Items will be available for purchase during the celebration weekend.  At the current time, items to be offered are a Nordland Lutheran Church history book, Christmas ornaments and various clothing items.

This afternoon the rutlandnd.com website was being updated and there was a programming error after the update was successful.  So, you will find that our home site at rutlandnd.com is not available today. Please check back as we hope to have it up within 24 hours.

Leif Sundlie and Arthur “Rusty” Silseth were in town on Memorial Day, 2010, in Rutland.   Leif & Rusty were the principal pitcher and catcher, the battery, on the Rutland Roosters Baseball teams that dominated baseball in this area in the years following World War II.  The picture was taken by Leif’s son, Robert Sundlie of Troy, Ohio.  Leif has been inducted into the North Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame for his pitching prowess.  He set a record for strikeouts in a single North Dakota State Tournament game, 22, during one of the Roosters’ many appearances in the State’s baseball classic, but that is only one of his many achievements on the diamond.  Leif and Rusty worked very well together, and Rusty gave opposing batters the jitters with his constant stream of razzing chatter behind the plate, setting them up for a called strike or a missed swing as Leif worked his magic with the ball.  Those were the days, when “Take Me Out To The Ballpark” was almost as much the national anthem as “The Star Spangled Banner.”Bill

Those of us who are still breathing cannot repay the sacrifice made by those who fought for our freedom and who died in service to our country, but at the very least we must and can remember them. That’s exactly what Rutland did as part of its annual Memorial Day event. This year, the American Legion Bergman Evenson Post 215 held events at both the Nordland Lutheran Church cemetary and the Rutland Cemetary. Following visits to the cemetaries, more than 200 residents and visitors proceeded to City Hall for a short program. American Legion Members received member service awards:  Donald Donaldson and Milton McLaen received their 65 year awards, Norm Preble and Roger Nelson received 45 year member awards, and Andy Hoflen received the forty year member service award. Women’s Auxiliary President Sonja Christensen gave a thought-provoking speech. Musical entertainment included patriotic songs sung by local talent accompanied by Kathleen Brakke. Following the program a wonderful meal of scalloped potatoes and ham and a variety of salads and desserts was served.

Photos from the day’s activities have been posted on the Rutland, ND Facebook page and others will soon be available on the Rutland website.

The Friendly Garden Club annual plant auction was deemed a success by everyone who attended.  Nearly 50 avid and hobby gardeners attended and got deals on sedums, peonies, windchimes, tomato plants and more at bargain prizes.  At times the bidding was fast and furious and a few people were ‘upping’ their own bids!  In addition to the bargains, several attendees went home with plants that were given as door prizes.   The lunch committee put on a fabulous feast of sandwiches, salads and desserts.  A fun time was had by all!

Here’s some verse composed by Richard Bradbury, also known as R. Harrington Bradburry III, Millionaire, that commemorates the crack that developed in the big round table in the General Store last Tuesday, April 27.  For the full story read The Rooster Crows on the Rutland website.

The Cracking Time

A bunch of the boys were drinking it up at the Rutland General Store.
The java poured hot. Cake there was not, but cookies sustained the crew.
Coffee talk flew,  topics were few, but ideas were rife as the brew.
The table held ten, expanded and grew,  until there were a lot more.
The round thing was new, but was broken in, having hosted a dinner,
or two. It had set by the door a fortnight, or more, the topic of many a quip.
It’s yellow wood glew (glowed?) and it shined as with dew.
And it was the pride of the town.

But a fateful day fell and the thing raised all Hell,
When it let out a terrible smack.
Silence fell swift. All talk went adrift.
Wonderment struck with a whack.
The assembly was dumb, ’til fair Gretchen clumb
on the near side to survey the wreck.
Tight wood pores cried, “Jeez. Get off of me, please.”
And let go another loud whack.

The crack had traversed, then hit hard reverse,
Leaving a gap of a quarter of an inch.
So when you read this and wonder
Why the table went asunder in the year of twenty and ten,
You’ll know it’s not caused by  the wit, nor the paws, of the assemblage of Rutland’s Wise Men.

The Friendly Garden Club is planning this year’s plant auction for Monday, May 10, 2010 at the Nordland Parish Hall. starting at 7 p.m..  The event is open to anyone who wants to get some great deals on plants, flowers and more for their gardens.  A luncheon will also be served to attendees.  Come and join the bidding wars!