Rutland, ND

Yesterday, my family and I attended the 11th Annual “Youth Day” held at the John Narum Memorial Trap & Rifle Range near Silver Lake.  The event drew about 190 youth and their families from throughout the area.  Activities included trap shooting, archery, BB gun, 22 rifles and casting with rod & reel (into small swimming pools) and a coin scramble.  This was the first time we attended and we were all extremely impressed with the event and the size of the crowd.  The three hours flew by quickly and wrapped up with an impressive raffle of about 45 door prizes of hunting vests, decoys, bow sets, rifles, shotguns and BB guns and other items.  All the winners were full of smiles.  That included my son who won a 12 gauge shotgun that weighs considerably more than he does.  He is now looking forward to growing up so he can use that gun.  This annual event is sponsored by the Rutland Sportsman’s Club, Sargent County Pheasants Forever, and the Windy Mound Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.  Many “thank you’s” are in order from my son and I’m sure from all the other proud winners.  Congratulations to all the winners and a Big Thank You to everyone involved in helping with this event — which I understand is the largest youth event of its kind in the Upper Midwest.

The Rutland Sportsmen’s Club, along with the ND Game & Fish Department, is sponsoring a Hunting Education Course on Saturday, June 7 and June 14, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rutland Sportsmen’s Club.   Persons born after 1961 must complete a certified state or provincial hunter education course and present the certification card earned to the license vendor to purchase a North Dakota hunting license.  Youth must be 11 years old prior to taking the course.  Information on how to enroll for the course is available on the State’s website.

A Rural Community Forum will be offered on Friday, June 13, 2008 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (CDT) at the ND Heritage Center, 612 East Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, as an informal opportunity to learn from each other. Various panels will be there to offer experience and group discussion around a number of issues including; re-use of school buildings, community operated cafes, stores, local foods, learning based vacation opportunities, and community endowment funds. The registration fee is $20 to cover lunch and the registration deadline is June 1. A registration form is available on the ND Community Blog site (click here).

Imagine opening up the Sunday Fargo Forum and finding Rutland mentioned on the first page of the Valley R&R Section! That’s exactly what happened when I opened the paper and saw our very own Jan Brash pictured with other “Woolly Women.” Jan has been involved with the “Woolly Women” since 2000 and says she has learned a lot about sheep and working with wool. She also enjoys the camaraderie that the group shares.

Carolyn Christensen, Earl Cramton, Diane Smith and I ventured to Wahpeton on Friday, March 7, for the videoconference on “The Miner County Story.” Randy Parry and Kathy Callies from Miner County, South Dakota, discussed the grassroots efforts that began in 1996 as a way to reverse nearly a century of population decline. Their efforts resulted in a thriving community with new industry, new homes and an increased population. The road to change and growth may have its challenges but they clearly showed that a community that works together can triumph! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us Randy and Kathy.