Rutland, ND

Horizon Funds Allocated

Debbie — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:50:51 +0000

Members of the Horizon Steering Committee and some of the Action Plan Committee Chairs met in November to discuss how to allocate the $8500.00 remaining that was received through the Horizons Program. The group reviewed the community suggestions received (see earlier post for list) and determined that several of them met the goals and vision established at the beginning of the Horizons process. The group allocated $2,000 to Emergency Services to cover a portion of the cost for the new pump for the fire truck; $1,500 toward the City Hall renovation/remodeling (primarily for the furnace); $1,000 for the Recreation Program; and $1,500 to the Advertising Committee to fund a “welcome sign” at the two-mile corner. The group kept $2,500 in reserve to be utilized for future needs that are identified and that meet the vision and goals.

It’s Alive…………

Debbie — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:22:51 +0000

The new and improved Rutland ND website has been launched for your viewing pleasure. Please remember that much of this is still a work in progress and we will be making additions and changes over the next few months. There are many old Rooster Crows columns to be added (we were unable to transfer the data from the prior host site as they would not permit it; however, we’re cutting and pasting!).

The new site will be as active as everyone makes it. We hope to keep an active, updated community calendar posted — as the information gets to the webmaster — Deborah Banish. There is room for comments and memories so feel free to submit items. Share your pictures, thoughts, comments and suggestions to make this site what you want it to be!

Bingo!

Debbie — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:02:50 +0000

It’s that time of year again when the Rutland Community Club (RCC) starts its weekly Bingo game at the Senior Center. The games will commence on Sunday, ~~November 30~~, December 7, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. Carolyn Christensen and Diane Smith will be the organizers of the weekly sessions — they could use some help with the chores of calling the games, baking and serving the goodies for sale during the game, and probably a bit of help setting up and cleaning up too.

The Rooster Crows

Debbie — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:13:32 +0000

Hot off the press is the November 21, 2008 issue of The Rooster Crows. Bill Anderson’s ‘columns’ will be posted here until the Rutland ND website is unveiled — which is getting closer. Rooster writings will be intermittent but they have resurfaced which I am sure will delight many a resident, former resident or web surfer who may come our way. You can find the full entry on The Rooster Crows page (link at right).

Mayor Honored

Debbie — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:15:41 +0000

Rutland should be proud to learn that our Mayor was honored at the North Dakota League of Cities Annual Conference as the “Outstanding City Official for 2008.” Ron Narum has served as our Mayor for 36 years. During his tenure, the city streets have been resurfaced, additions were made to City Hall, and the sewer system was renovated and the lagoons were rebuilt. Ron was one of the founders of the Rutland Museum and serves as the caretaker of the museum, pioneer house and country school exhibits for 20 years.

Ron has been chief of the volunteer fire department and served on the board of the fire protection district. He is chairman of the county jobs development authority, a member of the county weed control board and president of the county historical society. He has served on the boards of the Rutland Community Club, the Rutland Community Development Corporation, Rutland Community Housing, the Lake Agassiz Water Authority and the North Dakota League of Cities. Prior to becoming mayor, Ron served as a city council member.

After receiving this award, Ron Narum said, “Well, this is a surprise. But, it isn’t just all my work…it isn’t just me…the community makes everything happen. And the community really appreciates when you can do even small things for them.”

Congratulations to Ron!

Flags Retired With Honor

carolyn1968 — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:20:47 +0000

I attended the Bergman/Evenson Post 215 Flag Retirement Ceremony on Veteran’s Day afternoon behind the Legion Hall in Rutland. Approximately 50 faded, tattered flags that have flown over the graves of veterans, or flown by homeowners or businesses were retired with dignity and honor. A prayer was given by Post Chaplain Milton McLaen, and Post Commander Larry Christensen presided over the retirement ceremony as each flag was placed on a fire in accordance with proper flag disposal. I was moved as I watched each flag being consumed by the flames, and as I remembered all the men and women who have so courageously served under our nation’s flag.

After the ceremony, the veterans were served a soup and sandwich supper by the Legion Auxiliary. The Nordland Lutheran Church parish hall was festively decorated with lace-draped tables, flags and thank you cards for our veterans and their guests. Six kinds of soup, three kinds of sandwiches and a variety of bars ensured that no one left hungry. Sonja Christensen, Auxiliary President, gave a reading on the birth of the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892 and the changes that have been made to it through the years. I don’t know that I had ever given much thought as to how the Pledge of Allegiance came to be. Sonja did a good job of enlightening us all.

Earlier Tuesday morning my husband had participated in a county-wide Veterans Day Program in Forman with two other members of the Rutland Post. The Auxiliary in Forman served them a nice lunch of hot chile.

That evening, my husband and I agreed that it had been a good day. We had spent Veteran’s Day remembering veterans and what they have sacrificed for our country. That’s what the day is all about.

Another Successful Fun Nite

carolyn1968 — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:53:53 +0000

The weather was absolutely beautiful. Why would anyone want to be inside on such a lovely afternoon? Lots of people, if you consider the crowd that attended Rutland’s annual Fun Nite. The Town Hall was packed with people playing Bingo or trying their luck for prizes at the variety of games available. The competition at the Cake Walk was pretty intense and some people went home with 3, 4 and 5 cakes. I worked in the kitchen serving pop, lemonade, coffee, hot dogs, nachos, walking tacos, bars, ice cream sundaes & root beer floats. My co-worker and I were sure kept hopping. Kids went home with full sacks of loot, maybe a bit of a sugar high and a big smile on their faces. The adults were also smiling after spending a nice afternoon visiting with friends and participating in the games with their children. Thanks to Diane Smith and Hilary Mehrer for putting together another great community activity.

Money to Spend!

Debbie — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:47:40 +0000

There will be a meeting of the Screening Committee/Action Plan Chairpersons on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Nordland Parish Hall. The Steering Committee will be discussing the suggestions for the use of the $8,500 we received for successful completion of the Horizon Project. Rutland residents have provided input through the suggestion boxes at the General Store and Cafe. Suggestions included:

A new projector for town usage
Housing (4) (sump pump, water leaks)
Roof repair for Legion Hall/Fitness Center
New pump for fire truck that broke down during Hal Nelson’s fire (4)
Welcome package to welcome new residents
Welcome sign at 2-mile corner
Sign at 2-mile corner listing local business, churches, etc. (3)
Dishwasher for General Store - Clean dishes benefit everyone!
Cell phone tower in town
Playground & swingset/slide for the kids (2)
Re-do tennis court (3)
New software for city for comp billing
Recreation & advertising
Pay 25% of furnace for town hall
Money into Fitness Center
Invest in savings bonds to earn money for city needs down the road
Buy freezer for Community Club
Money toward Town Hall projects
More advertising of Rutland, like in ND magazine.
Big sign at 2-mile corner

Rutland Website

Debbie — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:30:12 +0000

The Rutland ND website is getting closer to its new launch. If you checked in the last few days, you will have noticed that the domain rutlandnd.com is down. The domain is being transferred to a new server and host site this week. A new and improved rutlandnd.com should be unveiled soon. A link from this blog will be added when the new site is up. Check back for further updates on this long overdue project!

Publicizing Rutland

Debbie — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:11:11 +0000

Last week I took it upon myself to get some free promotion of Rutland. Today I received word that our town is included in the Roadside America website. If you are not familiar with the site, Roadside America offers maps, directions and tourist attraction details as a convenience to its users. The website authors knew about the Rutland grill sign but it was not on their site. It is now! Click here to check out Rutland’s entry at Roadside America.