Rutland, ND

Members of the Renaissance Zoning Board, the Rutland Zoning Board and members of Action Plan committees met at 7:00 on Wednesday, January 30, at the Parish Hall of Nordland Lutheran Church. Irv Rustad of Lake Agassiz walked us through our Community Strategic Plan and helped us update language and content. He also explained Rutland’s official zoning ordinance and what the various terminology means. He emphasized that this will be an important tool as we go through the zoning process and strongly encouraged us to become familiar with its content. There was good discussion and Irv was very good at explaining all the unfamiliar language, as well as encouraging us to take a hard look at what we want for our city. Our next step is to take a city map and identify every building and vacant lot on it and the owners of these buildings and lots. We will meet with Irv again on Wednesday, February 20, at 6:00 pm at the Rutland General Store to report on and discuss the progress we’ve made, as well as to see what our next step should be. It is exciting to finally get a good start on our goal of establishing a Renaissance Zone. Without the cooperation of the City Council and the willingness of people to serve on the Renaissance Board, we wouldn’t be able to get anything accomplished. Thank you to all of you who are working so hard with us to make this happen.

What is a person to do on a cold, winter Sunday afternoon? Everything is closed and you’re bored. Well, have we got a deal for you! The Rutland Horizon Program has spoken with the Senior Citizens Center requesting use of their building on Sunday afternoons for Bingo. They said yes. Our next step is getting a license from the City Council to hold Bingo games. Stay tuned for a starting date and time.

Peder Gulleson, chairperson of the Rec Center/Rec Program Action Planning Committee, approached the council of Nordland Lutheran Church requesting use of the Parish Hall to house a Rec Center. He explained that it would be supervised by adult volunteers at all times and would be basically in use on the weekends. If there was a conflict with a church function, the Rec Center would not be open and the equipment would be removed. After discussion, the council unanimously approved Peder’s request. The Rec Center now has a home and there is already a donation of a foosball table.

Thanks to a private loan, the Rutland Cafe is sporting a new look. New, smaller windows, much needed insulation, a new door, freshly painted walls and ceiling tile, a lighted, pedestrian protective overhang spanning the width of the building and a new sign are all recent updates. The building, dating to the 1940’s, leaked like a seive and it was constant cleanup if it rained. The heating bills were astronomical as well because of the poor insulation and old windows. Friends and family will be insulating above the ceiling which has already been lined with plastic. Future endeavors include replacing the entire foot rest section. Their wish list also includes new stools, but the cost at present is prohibitive. The new look greatly enhances the looks of Main Street and the private lender deserves a big thank you for helping the Rutland Cafe continue to be a mainstay in Rutland.

It was great to read about your fitness center in town and the creativity used to get it rolling.  This is such a critical thing to keep us all healthy and congratulations to you all on getting this going. 

 Nice work on your blog as well!

Lynette Flage - ND Horizons Director

Peder and Connie Gulleson love to dance. What do people do who love to dance and have no place to dance? They decide to hold dance nights. The first of these dance nights was January 20 from 7:00 to 8:30. So, for those of us who have a difficult time staying up past 10:00, it was perfect. Two dollars a person covered the hall rental. We danced to a variety of music on CDs and enjoyed visiting in between. This is another activity under the auspices of the Park Board and part of the Rec Program that Rutland is developing. Other dance nights are planned for the first and third Sundays of the month. Look for flyers for exact dates.

Ione Pherson and Jen Christianson wanted a fitness center in town. Where to locate was a big problem. They approached the Bergman\Evenson Post of the American Legion and lo and behold, a lease was drawn up, equipment was donated by a number of people in the community, insurance was obtained and nearly 20 members utilize the facility. It operates under the auspices of the Park Board, which gave the Fitness Center $250 for start up costs. Cost of membership is $120 per year. As part of the program, there is aerobics in the Town Hall twice a week. Watch the town bulletin board on Main Street or the Community Calendar in the Post Office for dates and times.

Carolyn Christensen and Diane Smith met with the City Council on January 7 to recommend nominations for a new City Zoning Board. Ronnie Narum, Mayor; Bill Anderson, City Attorney; Mike Kulzer, extra territorial member; Shannon Mehrer and Gretchen Vann have been approved and will take as their mission an evaluation of current city zones and recommend possible changes. Our commercial district currently is limited and we are hoping the Board will be able to come up with a plan that will enable us to expand it.

The Rutland City Council, on Monday, January 7, approved the recommendations of Diane Smith and Carolyn Christensen for the Rutland Renaissance Zoning Board. We’re happy to have Lori McLaen, Rachel Olson, Shannon Mehrer, Larry Christensen, Deborah Banish, Norbert Kulzer and John Harris on the Renaissance Zoning Board. Diane Smith will be a non-voting ex officio member. She will deal with the administrative and promotional duties.

The new committee for Santa Day included something for all ages on Santa Day, December 15. Everyone enjoyed Bingo, the kids had a great time doing a variety of crafts, and Santa arrived with bags of candy for all. Pictures taken with Santa were popular, as well as pictures taken in Santa’s sleigh. The Luther League had a bake sale with a wonderful variety of goodies. They also sponsored a basket raffle and served a lunch of soup and sandwiches. After supper, the Earl Fust Family Band entertained the crowd and young and old enjoyed a little dancing.