Lighting the Christmas season - Northern Plains Electric Cooperative

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DECEMBER 2014
News from Northern Plains Electric Cooperative
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www.nplains.com
justask@nplains.com
800 882 2500
Cando Office:
609 4th Ave., Cando, ND 58324
Carrington Office:
1515 West Main, Carrington, ND 58421
OFFICE HOURS:
Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
BOARD & MANAGEMENT:
President ..............................................Tracy Boe, Mylo
Vice president ...............................Curtis Wiesz, Heaton
Secretary/treasurer ...........Russell Carlson, Jamestown
Assistant Secretary/treasurer .....Randy Simon, Oberon
District 1 .........................................Mark Brehm, Cando
District 1 .........................................Bruce Olsen, Cando
District 2 .........................................Dave Teigen, Rugby
District 3 ........................................Jack Geske, Pingree
District 3 .................................Curtis Hanson, Pettibone
General Manager ....................................Jay Jacobson
Manager of Engineering...............................Gary Allen
IT Manager...........................................Scott Buchholtz
Operations Manager ................................Craig Rysavy
Director of Communications and
Public Relations......................................Connie Krapp
Chief Financial Officer .............................Bruce Garber
Director of Business Development ...Joann Rodenbiker
Northern Notes Editor ..............................Connie Krapp
Northern Notes Asst. Editor..........Katie Ryan-Anderson
Lighting the Christmas season
DECEMBER 2014 INSIDE
www.nplains.com
• Students, co-ops help those in need
ORTHERN
• #CoopClipND
• Museum features localPLAINS
lineworker
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Electric Cooperative
N O R TH ER N N O TES , D EC EMB ER 2 0 1 4 C1
NORTHERN
PLAINS
Electric Cooperative
LIGHTING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
Co-op lineworker
continues holiday tradition
BY KATIE RYAN-ANDERSON
katieA@nplains.com
L
ighting the way is a legacy many lineworkers leave their families.
For the Peterson family, it’s a Christmas tradition.
This is Dustin Peterson’s third year decorating his hometown of
Robinson with lights and holiday fanfare. It’s a custom he inherited from
his father, the late Keith Peterson.
Dustin, a power lineworker for Northern Plains Electric Cooperative
in Robinson, adopted the practice of decorating the town after his dad’s
death. Keith died of esophageal cancer in November 2011. For 28 years,
Keith worked in the Robinson outpost as a power lineworker for Northern
Plains Electric Cooperative.
About 30 people live in Robinson, which is located in Kidder
County, 30 miles west of Woodworth.
Hanging holiday décor isn’t the only tradition Dustin acquired.
Like his father, Dustin is also a member of the Robinson City
Council and the Robinson Lions Club.
“I used to help my dad hang the lights when I was a kid, so it’s
only fitting I continue the tradition now,” Dustin said.
Northern Plains Electric Cooperative allows lineworker
to do community-minded projects like this during the
business day. Dustin uses his Northern Plains Electric
bucket truck to post the lights, which crisscross Main
Street.
“One of our cooperative principles is commitment to
community,” said Craig Rysavy, operations manager.
“Using the co-op’s time and equipment is a way we
demonstrate that.”
To hang the strands of multi-colored LEDs, Dustin
solicited the help of his whole family, including fiancé
Krissy Clark, brother, Darin and his girlfriend, Cally
Musland, sister, Danielle, and Danielle’s husband, Mike.
Attending to her ailing father, Dustin’s mother, Julie, was
unable to attend. Her father passed away last month.
“It broke my heart not to be there, but I look forward
to helping in the future.”
And this year, a special guest helped. The Petersons
passed on the tradition to a third generation – Dustin’s
son, Dylan Keith Peterson, who celebrates his first
birthday on Dec. 24. n
The Christmas tradition continues.
Dylan Keith (pictured above) is a thirdgeneration decorator of Robinson, N.D.
during the holidays. Dylan, who is Dustin’s
son, and Keith’s grandson, celebrates his
first birthday on Dec. 24.
Dustin Peterson, right, strings lights through the town of
Robinson, N.D., each Christmas. It’s a tradition he inherited
from his father, the late Keith Peterson (left). For 28
years, Keith worked for Northern Plains Electric Cooperative
from the Robinson outpost. Dustin filled his father’s position
after Keith’s death in 2011.
C2 DEC E M B E R 2 0 1 4 , NORT HE RN NOT E S
www.nplains.com
NORTHERN
PLAINS
Electric Cooperative
Students, co-ops partner to help those in need
Pingree-Buchanan students donate 1,000 items to Co-op Month Can & Coat Drive
S
ometimes the smallest of groups
are also the mightiest.
At five students, the senior
class at Pingree-Buchanan High School
isn’t big in numbers, but it is big of
heart. The students, Meggan Domek,
Jenna VanRay, Cole Diede, William
Widmer and Ian Snow, coordinated
a supply drive in conjunction with
Northern Plains Electric Cooperative’s
Co-op Month Can & Coat Drive.
With the help of their teacher,
Chantel Grosulak, the students
collected food and winter apparel
items. In a month, they collected
more than 1,000 items. The items
combine with donations collected at
Northern Plains’ offices in Carrington
www.nplains.com
and Cando.
On Friday, Nov. 7 – the opening of
deer season and also a day of no school
– the students met at 8 a.m. to launder
the winter apparel items. From there,
the co-ops donated the winter apparel
items to families in need throughout
the service area.
“These students set the bar,” said
Steve Homes. Homes is the foreman
of the Jamestown crew at Northern
Plains Electric Cooperative. He is also
a member of the Pingree-Buchanan
School Board. “I’m proud of them.”
Members – the people who use the
cooperatives’ products and services –
own co-ops. Because of that, service
drives co-ops, not profit. Thousands
of cooperatives operate in dozens of
industries throughout the world. Rural
electric cooperatives formed more
than 75 years ago. Back then, the cost
to string poles and wires through the
countryside discouraged for-profit
utilities from providing electricity to
rural areas.
“We’re proud to have served for
more than 75 years,” said Darrin Sand,
co-general manager. “As a thank you
every year, we organize this Co-op
Month Can & Coat Drive. We ask
the public to help. Our boards give a
financial donation, too.”
After collecting, the co-ops will
donated the items to families in need
throughout the service area. n
N O R TH ER N N O TES , D EC EMB ER 2 0 1 4 C3
NORTHERN
PLAINS
Electric Cooperative
<
How we traded this
For this
<
<
We traded the cookbook for this $60 Wishek Sausage Gift Card,
courtesy of Tracie Bettenhausen, Basin Electric Power Co-op.
A native of Wishek, we got to know Tracie better, plus raised
awareness to a business in her hometown.
We traded the Gift Card
for an Instant Hunting
Package with Basin CEO
Paul Sukut. Sure, our knees
shook a little, asking such
a high-ranking member
of the co-op family to
participate. But he agreed
and we’re so grateful (and
relieved!). Added Bonus:
Paul donated the gift card
back, so included in this
hunting pack is $60 worth
of Wishek Sausage.
<
C 4 DEC E M B E R 2 0 1 4 , NORT HE RN NOT E S
www.nplains.com
NORTHERN
PLAINS
Electric Cooperative
#CoopClipND
Northern Plains Electric
Cooperative began with this
purple chip clip. We traded it for
a Founding Fathers cookbook,
courtesy of Rep. Jessica Haak,
D-Jamestown, and North Dakota
Farmers Union.
<
www.nplains.com
Co-ops raise
$1,500 for charity
The results are in: Northern Plains Electric
Cooperative raised $200 as part of the
#CoopClipND project.
But the value of the project isn’t limited to dollars
and cents.
This fall, five rural electric cooperatives began with
something small – like a paper clip - and traded it for
something big. What resulted were new and enhanced
relationships, raised awareness to co-op projects and
the cooperative difference and increased revenue to
charities across the state.
The project is based on the book, “One Red
Paperclip,” by Kyle MacDonald. In the memoir,
MacDonald begins with a red paper clip. One year
and 14 trades later, he exchanges it for a house
in Saskatchewan.
Northern Plains Electric Cooperative began with a
purple chip clip. From there, the co-op traded several
times, all the way up to an instant hunting package,
courtesy of Paul Sukut, chief executive officer of Basin
Electric Power Cooperative.
The money benefits Northern Plains Electric
Cooperative’s Operation Round Up program. Funded
through the generosity of members who round up
their power bill, Operation Round Up gives grants to
local individuals and organizations in need.
In total, the co-ops raised more than $1,500 for
their respective charities.
Other participating co-ops include:
• KEM Electric, Linton, which raised money for
its Operation Round Up program
• North Central Electric, Bottineau, which raised
money for its Willie Wired Hand Christmas
Giving Fund
• Dakota Valley Electric, Edgeley and Milnor,
which raised money for its Operation Round
Up program
• Basin Electric, Bismarck, which raised money
for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the St.
Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck
For more information regarding #CoopClipND,
visit www.CoopClipND.com, www.Facebook.com/
CoopClipND or email KatieA@nplains.com. For more
information on Operation Round Up, visit www.
dakotavalley.com or call 1-800-882-2500. n
N O R TH ER N N O TES , D EC EMB ER 2 0 1 4 C5
NORTHERN
PLAINS
Electric Cooperative
Museum exhibit features local lineworker
T
he image of a lineworker
from Northern Plains Electric
Cooperative is featured in a
North Dakota museum.
Lineworker Chris Schroeder is
one of five life-size cutouts in the
Power to the People Exhibit at in the
Governors Gallery at The Heritage
Center in Bismarck.
Schroeder, Rolla, joined the staff at
Northern Plains Electric in 1999.
The Governors Gallery features
traveling and temporary exhibits.
The gallery’s first display – Power
to the People - features rural North
Dakota residents and how their lives
changed from using kerosene lamps
to having electricity.
Power to the People features the
history of rural electric cooperatives
as well as their vision for the future.
The Heritage Center and State
Museum – a collection of North
Dakota history – re-opened in
November. The opening coincided
with the state’s 125th birthday.
The museum is open 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday through Friday and 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Admission is free. n
C 6 DEC E M B E R 2 0 1 4 , NORT HE RN NOT E S
www.nplains.com
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
YOUTH TOUR
June
,
13 to 19
2015
• To enter the essay-writing contest, you must be a
junior or senior in high school in the fall of 2014.
• You and your parents or guardian must be served by
Northern Plains Electric Cooperative.
ING
WRITE A WINN IP
TR
A
IN
ESSAY AND W
E!
M
TI
OF A LIFE
• Essay is not to exceed two standard 8½- by 11-inch
typewritten, double-spaced pages on this topic:
-paid
An all-expense
trip to
HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS & SENIORS
.
.C
WASHINGTON, D
Many North Dakota electric cooperatives are or
will soon be celebrating their 75th anniversaries.
Describe how rural electrification and rural
electric cooperatives have contributed to the
quality of life in North Dakota and your local
community.
• Submit your essay in hard copy or electronic format
to Northern Plains Electric. Electronic submissions
• To enter the essay-writing contest, you
should conform
to athe
two-page,
double-spaced
must be
junior
or senior
in high school
guideline in
described
the fall ofabove.
2015.Include a cover page
with your name, date of birth, school and grade
in 2014,•parent
or your
guardian’s
address
and
You and
parentsname,
or guardian
must
telephonebe
number.
served by Northern Plains Electric
Cooperative.
• The deadline is Jan. 31, 2014. Emailed entries
• Essay
is not
to exceed two standardand
8½should be
directed
to katiea@nplains.com,
11-inch
typewritten,
double-spaced
hard-copybyentries
mailed
to: Youth
Tour Essay
pages onPlains
this topic:
Contest, Northern
Electric Cooperative, 3322
you were
asked to
uence other
Hwy. 281 IfNorth,
Jamestown,
NDinfl
58401.
students your age to become more
involved
in their
• If you haveactively
a question,
contact
Katieelectric
RyanAnderson,cooperative—including
Northern Plains Electric,attendance
at the address
at the
electric
cooperative
annual
listed above,
or call
701-252-1474
during
regular
meeting—what would you tell them
business hours.
and why?
3
TOP
REASONS TO ENTER
THE ESSAY-WRITING CONTEST
1. All-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., compliments of
Northern Plains Electric Cooperative.
2. A whole week to visit unforgettable historic monuments, museums
and the U.S. Capitol.
3. A learning experience you’ll never forget.
CHECK IT OUT AT
www.ndyouthtour.com and www.youthtour.coop
www.nplains.com
• Submit your essay in hard copy or
electronic format to Northern Plains
Electric. Electronic submissions should
conform to the two-page, double-spaced
guideline described above. Include a
cover page with your name, date of
birth, school and grade in 2015, parent
or guardian’s name, address and
telephone number.
• The deadline is Jan. 30, 2015.
Emailed entries should be directed to
katiea@nplains.com, and hard-copy
entries mailed to: Youth Tour Essay
Contest, Northern Plains Electric
Cooperative, 3322 Hwy. 281 North,
Jamestown, ND 58401.
• If you have a question, contact Katie
Ryan-Anderson, Northern Plains
Electric, at the address listed above,
or call 701-252-1474 during regular
business hours.
N O R TH ER N N O TES , D EC EMB ER 2 0 1 4 C7
NORTHERN
PLAINS
Electric Cooperative
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www.nplains.com
justask@nplains.com
800-882-2500
CANDO OFFICE:
609 4th Ave., Cando, ND 58324
CARRINGTON OFFICE:
1515 West Main, Carrington, ND 58421
Dale Auka
Rylen Wick
Congratulations to Dale Auka and Rylen Wick!
B
oth boys are winners of the
2014 Color & Win Farm
Safety Contest. Northern
Plains Electric Cooperative randomly
selected Dale and Rylen as our contest
winners. Dale and Rylen helped
remind farmers to “Look Up & Live.”
Dale, age 12, is the son of Stephanie
and Russell Auka, Mylo. Rylen, age
8, is the son of Mary and Trevor
Wick, Woodworth.
As the winners, Dale and Rylen
will receive NPEC prize packages in
the mail.
Thank you, Dale and Rylen, for
spreading the word about farm safety.
As a rural electric cooperative,
farmers and farm workers are close
to Northern Plains Electric’s heart.
Stay safe! n
SAVE
SAVETHEDATE
NORTHERN PLAINS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
2015 DISTRICT MEETINGS
TUESDAY, FEB. 10, Rolla
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11, Maddock
THURSDAY, FEB. 12, Pingree
MORE INFORMATION AT WWW.NPLAINS.COM
C8 DEC E M B E R 2 0 1 4 , NORT HE RN NOT E S
OFFICE HOURS:
Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
BOARD & MANAGEMENT:
President .........................................................
Tracy Boe, Mylo
Vice president .................................................
Curtis Wiesz, Heaton
Secretary/treasurer .........................................
Randall Simon, Oberon
Assistant Secretary/treasurer .........................
Dave Teigen, Rugby
District 1 ..........................................................
Mark Brehm, Cando
District 1 ..........................................................
Bruce Oisen, Cando
District 3 ..........................................................
Russell Carlson, Jamestown
District 3 ..........................................................
Jack Geske, Pingree
District3 ...........................................................
Curtis Hanson, Pettibone
Co-General Managers ....................................
Darrin Sand
Bruce Garber
Manager of Engineering ................................
Seth Syverson
IT Manager ......................................................
Scott Buchholtz
Operations Manager .......................................
Craig Rysavy
Business Manager ..........................................
Cheryl Belle
Director of Business Development .................
JoAnn Rodenbiker
Northern Notes Editor .....................................
Katie Ryan-Anderson
NORTHERN
PLAINS
Electric Cooperative
www.nplains.com