December 2014

Join
Today!
December 2014
FOR YOU...
“Barron Electric Cooperative is a
member-owned business that provides
energy, products, and services to improve
the quality of life in the area we serve.”
Barron Electric Cooperative
Students Learn About Solar Energy
W
oodland Elementary students had
the opportunity to learn about
Barron Electric’s Community
Solar Project. Student Jada Horstman said,
“The energy is created by the little ‘jumping
beans’ called electrons in the panels. The
system creates enough energy to supply
10 homes.”
Community Rays was energized on
September 11, and has produced over 20,000
kilowatt hours. Over 40 members are sharing
in the output of the system and receive a
credit on their electric bill. One Barron
Electric member said, “This is a timely way
to get energy now and a positive step for
the future.”
General Manager Dallas Sloan talked with Woodland Elementary
students about Barron Electric’s Community Solar Project.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
A
Woodland Elementary students check out Barron
Electric’s Community Solar Project.
re you looking for that perfect gift? Give the gift that keeps
on giving. A subscription unit is expected to generate
approximately 385 kilowatt hours annually. Participants
will receive a monthly bill credit for their share of the generation.
Members can purchase a subscription unit for $890 each, up to 10
units.
Members interested in learning
more about Community Rays should
contact Melissa Klump at 800-322-1008
or memberservices@barronelectric.
com. Information can also be found at
barronelectric.com, including frequently
asked questions and a subscription
agreement. Click on the graph to view the
solar production of the unit.
Scan to visit our
website!
Plan Ahead for
Storms
FFA Students Build Leadership Skills
The Barron FFA planted
corn on the eight-acres of
land donated by Barron
Electric Cooperative.
Kristin Hanson, Agriculture
Teacher and FFA Advisor,
said, “Profits from this
project will help pay for
FFA students to attend
leadership conferences. We
will also contribute to the
food pantry.”
O
ccasional power outages are
unavoidable. That’s why we
encourage all members to
plan ahead for storms or other service
interruptions. It is important that
customers with special medical needs,
or their caregivers, take steps to ensure
their safety by making arrangements
ahead of time to prepare for potentially
long-lasting interruptions in electric
service. Here are some things you can
do to be prepared for a power outage:
•Consider friends or relatives that
you could stay with during a power
outage.
•Research whether a portable
generator is appropriate for your
situation. Ask a licensed electrical
contractor for more information.
•Talk to your physician about
alternatives.
•Be prepared to seek medical
assistance if you experience a
health-related emergency during a
power outage.
Barron Electric appreciates your
patience as we work to restore service
as quickly and safely as possible.
Like us on
Facebook!
Visit our Facebook page at
www.facebook/barronelectric.
2
More Savings, More Memories
T
he Co-op Connections® program offers local and national discounts.
Jennifer Beaudette, Director of Member Services, said, “Our family saved
over $230 on dental visits through Blue Diamond by using the Co-op
Connections® card.” Carrie Baribeau, Marketing Specialist, added, “Our
family saved $1,000 at Kristo Orthodontics with the Co-op Connections card.”
Visit connections.coop for
local and national deals.
News for You_________________________________________________________________________ December 2014
Harvey Buchite Wins Megawatt Community Service Award
M
eet Harvey Buchite, Barron
Electric’s Megawatt
Community Service Award
winner. DeeAnn Cook said, “Harvey
isn’t the kind of guy who looks for
accolades for things he does, he just
sees the need and goes ahead and does
it.” Harvey is active in the Rice Lake
Lions Club, where he volunteers his
time watering petunia
baskets in downtown
Rice Lake, helps with
pancake breakfasts,
the Color Splash Run,
and various other
fundraisers. He has
helped build handicapped accessible
ramps and volunteers at the Pioneer
Village Museum. While vacationing in
Texas, he mentors 1st and 2nd grade
students. Lina, one of his students wrote,
“You helped me learn a lot more. You are
the best man in the whole world.”
Nominate a Member
Nominate a member for the
Megawatt Community Service Award.
Application forms are available at
barronelectric.com in the community
area or by contacting the Member
Services Department at 800-322-1008.
Each winner will receive a $50 electric
Harvey Buchite volunteers his time in Texas
bill credit.
helping elementary students.
Taxidermist Produces Lifelike Results
C
ustomers are greeted by a
variety of beautifully mounted
animals including a moose,
deer, and bear as they enter Longbow
Taxidermy. Owner Nick Ricci has been
doing taxidermy since 1984. “My goal
is to provide an excellent product that
customers will enjoy for years to come.”
The process of mounting an animal
takes time, but is well worth the wait.
Once the animal is skinned and salted,
the skin is sent to a tannery and tanned
into high quality. Nick commented,
“It is very important to use a good
tannery.” Once the skins are tanned,
they are mounted on a mannequin
which can be made from a variety of
different materials. The turnaround time
is generally six months or less.
Nick also enjoys photography.
In his spare time, he uses an antique
wooden camera and view camera.
He processes the photos in his own
darkroom.
Longbow Taxidermy, located on
Barron Electric lines, can be found
at 2760 Highway 63, Cumberland.
Nick added, “My business depends on
electricity. Coal produces the cheapest
electricity, and we have lots of coal. I
am thankful for Barron Electric.”
For more information, call
715-822-4257 or e-mail
nickricci2760@yahoo.com. Visit his
website at longbowtaxidermywi.com or
find Longbow Taxidermy on Facebook.
Left: Nick Ricci enjoys producing a high-quality product to meet his customers’ expectations. Right: Nick stands by a buck
that will be mounted for a customer.
News for You________________________________________________________________________ December 2014
3
Director Notes
Richard Bol represents
District 9 on Barron
Electric’s Board
of Directors which
includes the following
townships: Chetek,
Dallas, Sioux Creek,
Dovre, Sampson, and Sand Creek.
Condensed Board Minutes
September 24, 2014
• Director Helm gave the treasurer’s report, with
comments by Manager Sloan. A report of vouchers
for the month was presented as part of the board
packet as follows: #87023 thru #87161 of Central
Bank was in the amount of $297,911. Director
Helm reported on activity of total receipts in the
office - $2,885,927; total receipts by wire, ACH,
credit cards - $712,715; disbursements by ACH,
EFT, wire - $3,163,479; transfer of funds was made
for payroll – $187,778; power bill due 09/24/14 $2,191,181. A membership list of 106 was presented
and approved by the board.
• Form 219 summarizing construction activity for
the past month in the amount of $390,591.93
was presented for approval, and included new
services - $32,721.34; change jobs - $13,053.25;
miscellaneous - $344,817.34 and 2 retirements. The
Form 219 stood approved as presented.
• Outages year-to-date stand at 95,126 consumer
hours off, which is 12.4% above 2013 hours of
83,371. Overtime year-to-date is 2,680.50 hours,
which is 5.9% above 2013 hours of 2,522.25.
FOR YOU...
Barron Electric Cooperative
Dallas Sloan-General Manager
Carrie Baribeau—Editor
cbaribeau@barronelectric.com
Office Hours
7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday
1434 State Highway 25 North
PO Box 40 • Barron, WI 54812
(715) 537-3171
Toll Free: 1-800-322-1008
For Outages Only:
866-258-8722
www.barronelectric.com
Published for the members of Barron Electric.
If you have any comments regarding
the newsletter, please e-mail
cbaribeau@barronelectric.com
4
Cook’s Corner
Packer Pecans
Janet Philip
1 lb. pecans
1 egg separated
½ cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Beat the egg white until frothy. Mix pecans in egg white mixture. Mix ½ cup
sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. Coat completely. Bake 1 hour at 250.
Recipes Wanted for Cookbook
Barron Electric Cooperative would like your favorite recipes to include in
an 80th anniversary cookbook. Please send recipes to:
Carrie Baribeau
Barron Electric Cooperative
PO Box 40
Barron WI 54812
memberservices@barronelectric.com
Statement of Nondiscrimination
Even though Barron Electric Cooperative is no longer a recipient of federal financial assistance
from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we do
abide by Wisconsin law, the federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture Policy. The Department
of Agriculture Policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or
disability and other factors. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).
The person responsible for coordinating this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance
efforts in regard to the Department of Agriculture policies is Dallas Sloan, General Manager of
Barron Electric Cooperative. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this
organization has subjected them to discrimination, contrary to the rules of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, may file a written complaint with this organization or the Secretary, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Such complaints must be filed within 180 days after the
alleged discriminatory action, or by such later date to which the Secretary of Agriculture extends the
time for filing. Identity of complainants will be kept confidential except to the extent necessary to
carry out the purposes of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Additionally, Barron Electric Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer, as defined under
other federal and state laws, for all employees and candidates for employment. We support and are
committed to fully cooperating in the implementation of applicable laws and executive orders in all
of our employment policies, practices and decisions.
Pursuant to federal and state anti-discrimination laws, there shall be no discrimination against
any person based upon race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, marital
status, arrest or conviction record, ancestry, membership in the National Guard, state defense force or
reserves, age, disability, or status as a special disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era or in any
other manner prohibited under federal or state law, in any personnel action including recruitment,
selection, placement, training, compensation, or terms and conditions of employment.
All employees are expected to comply with this policy. All managers and/or supervisors who
are responsible for meeting business objectives are expected to cooperate fully in meeting our equal
opportunity objectives.
It is the special commitment of Barron Electric Cooperative to comply with all equal
opportunity laws and principals.
Questions or concerns in regard to our affirmative action programs may be referred to Barron
Electric Cooperative’s General Manager, Dallas Sloan, who has also been designated as the
Cooperative’s Compliance Officer.
News for You_________________________________________________________________________ December 2014