Bon Homme Yankton Electric November 2021 Cooperative Connections Issue

BON HOMME YANKTON ELECTRIC NOVEMBER 2021 VOL. 22 NO. 7

ERATIVE CONNECTIONS

Clarence Kooistra of VFW Post 628 in Sioux Falls salutes military veterans interred at the South Dakota State Cemetery

Honoring our Veterans A new resting place for fallen soldiers Pages 8-9 First responders in rural South Dakota Page 12

OFFICE MANAGER’S COLUMN

Calling ALL B-Y Electric Members! Please confirm or update your phone numbers for our records.

Nicole Einrem Office Manager

Just like the rotary phone, landlines may soon be a thing of the past. Future generations will have no need to call the local phone company to set up a phone number when they move into a new home. Even some of our longtime members have been going fully mobile.

Most people may not be worried about their electric company calling them and some may even try to avoid our calls, but with new technology in play, having valid contact information is more important than ever.

We use phone numbers to contact members about billing or payment issues and to notify them about planned outages. In a recent planned outage phone campaign, we called 300 members, and 20% had disconnected phones.

Another detail that members may not be aware of is that when you call in an outage after hours, the phone number you call from is used to find your account. You can report your outage electronically using your phone number or you can wait for an operator to take your report. Both methods work the best when you are calling from a phone number saved in our records.

We are asking all members to update or confirm their phone numbers in our system.

There are multiple ways to update your digits and bring your data up-to-date: You can list up to three phone numbers in order of importance and any existing numbers that aren’t on the list will be deleted.

We have the ability to note which cell phone number belongs to each person in a joint membership if you provide that specific information.

Pick your method and update your digits today!

For more information, call our office at (605) 463-2507 or email by@byelectric.com

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Ways To Update Your Digits Simply write your current contact numbers on your payment coupon.

Fill out the coupon on this page and send it to the office by any means available to you.

Go to BYElectric.coop and click on the Update Your Digits button in the upper right corner.

Log into your SmartHub account and update your billing or personal information. Instructions on page 6 of this magazine.

Email our office at ebiz@byelectric.com.

Call us at 1-605-463-2507.

Update Your Digits Form Name: __________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Account #: _____________________________________ Phone Number (1st Choice): ___________________________________________________ Phone Number (2nd Choice): ___________________________________________________ Phone Number (3rd Choice): ___________________________________________________ Email Address: ___________________________________________________ Please return this coupon to our office by any means available to you.

Bon Homme Yankton Electric, PO Box 158, Tabor, SD 57063

BOARD REPORT

ERATIVE

CONNECTIONS

BON HOMME YANKTON ELECTRIC (USPS No. 018-973) Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc PO 158 134 S. Lidice St. Tabor, SD 57063 Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm To pay by phone, call: 1-888-395-5315 To report an outage, call: Local call from Tabor, Tyndall, and Yankton: 605-463-2507 Toll Free in South Dakota 1-800-925-2929 NOTICE: Electric bills must be paid by 10:00am on the 20th of each month to avoid a $10 late fee.

Board President: Paul Voigt Board of Directors Dave Sykora - Vice President Dave Sternhagen - Secretary Robert Ruppelt - Treasurer Dean Sternhagen John Lillevold Rick Cheloha

SEPTEMBER BOARD REPORT The September board meeting was held on September 22, at 8am.

All board members were present. Others present were Attorney Sheila Woodward, General Manager Stephanie Horst, Office Manager Nicole Einrem, Operations Manager Ken Carda, and Communications/Marketing Coordinator Jaclyn Arens.

THE BOARD REVIEWED CONSENT AGENDA: • Minutes of the Previous Meeting • New Members & Cancellations • Capital Credits to Estates Discounted None • Closed Work Order Inventory - None • Review Special Equipment purchases $39,668.29

• • • • •

August-20 August-21 Total Revenue ................................$1,050,560 ............................................... $1,152,762 Cost of Power....................................$626,039 .................................................. $643,496 Total Cost of Service ........................$926,982 .................................................. $973,296 KWH’s Purchased ............................9,270,359................................................ 10,469,218 Residential Average kWh .......................1,514.......................................................... 1,496 Residential Average Bill .......................... $184 .......................................................... $183

Yankton Electric Association, Inc, PO Box 158, 134 S. Lidice St., Tabor, SD 57063-0158. Families subscribe to Cooperative Connections as part of their electric cooperative membership. The purpose of Bon Homme Yankton Electric information to electric cooperative members on electric

kWh

cooperative matters and better rural living. Subscription

35

Non-member subscriptions are available for $12 annually.

Periodicals postage paid at Tabor, SD 57063.

• • •

Year-to-Date Comparison

the monthly publication for the members of Bon Homme

from their monthly electric payments for a subscription.

•

Communication/Marketing Report Operations & Safety Report 2021 Capital Budget: Crimper Office & Financial Reports 2020 990 Review

Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections is

information: Cooperative members devote 50 cents

General Manager Report Strategic Plan Review East River Cyber Secuirty/IT Report Director Reports Legal Report Generac Agreement with Union County Electric Withdrawl from Basin FERC Docket 2022 Basin Load Forecast Review and Resolution Policy 20-04 Review - Director Fees, Per Diem, Expenses Policy Policy 50-14 Uncontrolled Heat Rate Executive Session - Enter & Exit Next Meeting date set for Wed, October 20, at 8am

• •

THE BOARD REVIEWED AND APPROVED:

General Manager: Stephanie Horst Operations Manager: Ken Carda Office Manager: Nicole Einrem Marketing/Communications Coordinator & Editor: Jaclyn Arens

Cooperative Connections is to provide reliable, helpful

• • • • • •

September 2021 Solar Stats

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Postmaster: Please send address changes to Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections, PO Box 158, Tabor, SD 57063; telephone (605) 463-2507; fax (605) 463-2419

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Energy to Grid

Welcome New Members

Tabor

Brittany & Carter Lake

T-Mobile

J. Scott Schrempp

Irene

Chad & Karen Altwine

Marla Beermann

Tyler Lange

Tripp

Dean & Elaine Sudbeck

Doug Knutson

Kelly Rowland

Wendy Jungemann

Scotland

Yankton

JAB Property Rentals LLC

Richard & Colleen Viet

River Bend Edge LLC

DHS Lodging LLC

NOVEMBER 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 3

THANKSGIVING SAFETY

A house full of Thanksgiving safety

GOVERNOR’S STUDENT To encourage and uplift the next generation of South Dakota artists ART COMPETITION submissions are open for the

Nearly every household uses extra electricity during the holidays - for cooking, decorating and heating. Take extra care to use electricity safely and to ask family members and house-guests to do the same. Here are some tips: • Stay in the kitchen when broiling or doing any stovetop cooking.

• Keep children well away from cooking appliances while the appliances are in use.

• Keep towels, potholders and curtains away from hot surfaces in your kitchen.

• One of the riskiest holiday behaviors is overloading your electrical outlets. You will overload your wall outlets if you string strand after strand of holiday lights together and plug them into an extension cord that you plug into an outlet.

• Plugging multiple strands of cords into a power strip does not add any juice to the electrical circuit that powers the outlet you plug the strip into.

• Check decorative lights for damaged cords, plugs and sockets. Replace anything that’s frayed, cracked or broken.

Buy cords that are certified by UL; look for the UL symbol on the package.

• Don’t run extension cords under rugs, carpets or baseboards, or anywhere they can be a tripping hazard.

• Only use decorations and cords outdoors that are properly rated for outdoor use.

• When you put up outdoor decorations, do not string lights in trees near power lines. Fasten outdoor lights carefully and securely with clips, never nails or tacks.

• Keep electric lights away from decorative metal trees.

• Keep all light strings and other decorations away from pets so they don’t get tangled in them or chew the wires.

• Keep all decorations - and everything else - at least three feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces and space heaters.

• Always turn off your decorations when you leave home and when you’re sleeping.

• Make sure smoke detectors are present and working properly.

• Use space heaters properly and safely. Keep them out of high-traffic areas and at least three feet from anything that can burn.

• Do not leave a space heater running unattended. Turn off space heaters and unplug them when you leave the room or go to sleep.

• Never leave an open flame, including your fireplace or a candle, unattended.

4 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021

The Governor’s Office and the South Dakota Arts Council TWELVE talented student artists invite students to participate in the Governor’s Student Art from FOUR age divisions Competition. will have their work selected Students in K-12 will compete in four age divisions. Winfor display in the South Dakota Capitol Building ning entries will be exhibited in the State Capitol from January AND have the chance to sell their artwork through September 2022. Submission deadline is Nov. 12, to become part of the state art collection!

2021. All artwork is to be submitted electronically as a high-resolution jpeg image, along with the Artwork12, Submission 2021 Form November DEADLINE: and the Authorization Release Form. guideSouth Dakota students all K-12Competition is open to The competition artwork may submit their whonecessary lines, instructions and all forms are accessible at for consideration in the exhibition. https://artscouncil.sd.gov/events/student_art_Main.aspx.

Contact Rebecca.cruse@state.sd.us or call 605-773-3301 for details.

Submissions are accepted electronically.

Details can be found on the South Dakota Governor’s Student Art Competition page at

artscouncil.sd.gov

Don’t plant trees by power lines Jazzlyn Magera Jazzlyn shares good advice to avoid planting trees near power lines. Jazzlyn attends Brandon Elementary School and is the daughter of Rachel Schettler. They are members of Sioux Valley Energy.

Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). If your poster is published, you’ll receive a prize. All entries must include your name, age, mailing address and the names of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged.

RECIPES

SLOW COOKING BRINGS OUT FLAVORS OF FALL WHITE PHEASANT CHILI

BABY BACK RIBS

Ingredients: 2-1/2 lbs. pork baby back ribs, cut into eight pieces 5 cups water 1 med. onion, sliced 2 celery ribs, cut in half 2 tsps. minced garlic, divided 1 tsp. whole peppercorns 1/2 cup barbecue sauce 1/4 cup plum sauce (Asian section of grocery store) Dash of hot pepper sauce

METHOD Place ribs in a 5-qt. slow cooker.

Add water, onion, celery, 1 tsp. garlic and peppercorns. Cover and cook on low for six hours or until meat is tender. In a small saucepan, combine the barbecue sauce, plum sauce, hot pepper sauce and remaining garlic.

Cook and stir over medium heat for five minutes or until heated through. Remove ribs. Discard cooking juices and vegetables.

Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray before starting grill. Brush ribs with sauce. Grill, uncovered, over medium low heat for 8-10 minutes or until browned, turning occasionally and brushing with remaining sauce. Can also be finished in the oven using the broil setting.

Melissa Roerig, Sioux Falls

CHILI BEEF AND PASTA

Ingredients: 2 lbs. lean ground beef 2 packages McCormick® Chili Seasoning Mix 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes 2 cans (8 oz. each) tomato sauce 1 cup coarsely chopped bell pepper 1 cup frozen or canned whole kernel corn 1 cup elbow macaroni, cooked and drained (about 2.25 cups) 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

METHOD Cook ground beef in large skillet on medium-high heat until no longer pink; drain. Place in slow cooker. Stir in Seasoning Mix, tomatoes, tomato sauce, bell pepper and corn until well blended. Cover. Cook six hours on low or three hours on high. Stir in cheese and cooked macaroni during the last 10 minutes of cooking. mccormick.com

Ingredients: 3 boneless pheasants cooked and shredded 1 large onion chopped 4 Tbsps. butter 1/4 cup flour 3/4 cup chicken broth 2 cups half and half 2 cans Navy beans 1 tsp. Tabasco sauce 1-1/2 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. cumin 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper 1-2 jalapeno peppers 1-1/2 cups Monterrey jack cheese 1/2 cup sour cream

METHOD Cook and shred pheasant. Set aside. Cook onion with 2 Tbsps. butter until soft, add flour and remaining butter, whisking constantly. Add broth and half and half while whisking.

Bring to boil for 5 minutes, or until onions are tender. Put in crockpot and add remaining ingredients. Put on high heat for one hour then reduce to low heat for one to two hours.

Alice DeHaai, Keystone

Please send your favorite holiday dessert recipes to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3).

Each recipe printed will be entered into a drawing for a prize in December 2021.

All entries must include your name, mailing address, phone number and cooperative name.

NOVEMBER 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 5

UPDATE YOUR DIGITS

UPDATE YOUR DIGITS ON SMARTHUB Desktop Computer SmartHub Instructions 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Go to byelectric.smarthub. coop and log into your SmartHub account. (You can also go to byelectric.coop and log in on the homepage).

Click the “My Profile” tab in the main navigation bar.

Then select “My Information” from the drop down menu.

Click “Update My Billing Address & Contact Information.”

Scroll down to the Phone Numbers section.

Disregard the labels, and add your first choice for us to call (probably a cell number), second choice, and third choice.

Finish by clicking “Save” at the bottom of the page!

First Choice Second Choice

Third Choice

Mobile SmartHub App Instructions 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Open the SmartHub app on your phone.

If you don’t have the SmartHub app, you can download it on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Click the hamburger menu icon in the left corner of your screen to get to settings.

Select “Contact Methods.”

Follow steps 6 and 7 from the desktop computer steps above.

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First Choice Second Choice Third Choice

CO-OP NEWS

Above: Gunnar Dally creates an arc on the high voltage trailer.

Right Top: (From L to R) Travis Gause, Robin Meyer, Ray Haenfler, Joe Paulsen, Mark Johnson, Gunnar Dally, and Kevin Meyer Right Middle: Kevin Meyer shows middle schoolers the electrical damage to an orange (demonstration of human organs) Right Bottom: Kevin Meyer shows elementary kids the electrical damage to a hot dog (demonstation of human flesh)

High Voltage Trailer Demo for Fire Safety Week in Avon B-Y Electric teamed up with the Avon Fire Department to put on an electrical safety demonstration for Fire Safety Week (Oct. 3 - Oct. 9).

Preschoolers through high schoolers attended High Voltage Trailer demonstrations in sessions throughout the morning on Wednesday, October 6th. The final session at 11:00 AM was open to the public.

Kevin Meyer, Travis Gause, and Gunnar Dally of B-Y Electric used the South Dakota Rural Electric Association (SDREA) High Voltage Trailer for the demonstrations.

They used hot dogs and oranges to demonstrate what electricity can do to a human body.

Throughout the high voltage trailer presentations, Avon firefighters reminded kids of the fire

safety tips they had been learning in their classrooms for Fire Safety Week.

Avon firefighter Robin Meyer says, “The more education that someone has, the more likely they will make better choices. Even if it’s just that little bit that can help save someone.

These demonstrations are great, because they really stick with you.”

This is the second year that B-Y Electric has joined the Avon Fire Department to put on an electrical safety presentation for Fire Safety Week. Last year, we used our PowerTown display and gave presentations to preschool through 5th graders.

If you are interested in organizing an electric safety demonstration, contact Jaclyn Arens at jarens@ byelectric.com.

NOVEMBER 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 7

SD VETERANS CEMETERY

A PLACE TO REST The South Dakota Veterans Cemetery located northeast of Sioux Falls provides a new resting place for U.S. military veterans and their families. Photos by Billy Gibson

State Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls opens new options for military families Billy Gibson billy.gibson@sdrea.coop

A dozen distraught family members surrounded the casket conspicuously draped with a bright, crisp American flag. The brilliant hues of red, white and blue stood in stark contrast to the slate gray sky hanging overhead and the slight chill that filled the air.

As the gathered mourners paid their last respects and turned back toward the administration building at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, the clouds suddenly burst open and a heavy rain began to fall.

“Well, your daddy was a rancher,” the grieving widow said to her son as they made their way down the hillside. “A good rain is exactly what he would have wanted. This would have made him smile.”

Erin Brown is director of the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery (SDVC) located northeast of Sioux Falls and she often hears stories that family members share about their loved ones who arrive at their final resting

place there. A military veteran herself, Brown said those stories bring added meaning and significance to her work.

“The veterans – and their families – are very important to us,” she said.

“When I hear those kinds of stories and hear them describe a lifetime of memories and all the good times they had together, it reinforces the idea that there’s real value in what we’re doing here at the cemetery.”

The SDVC is the first federally funded, state-owned and operated veterans cemetery in the state, although there is no residency requirement for military veterans to be interred there. The Black Hills National Cemetery is located a few miles east of Sturgis.

The facility is located on 60 acres donated by the City of Sioux Falls and ultimately will have enough space for over 28,000 casket grave sites, cremation grave sites, a columbarium for cremated remains and a scattering garden. More than 600 in-ground crypts have already been installed. The facility was made possible by more

8 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021

than $7 million in federal money, state funds and private donations.

Since the ribbon-cutting ceremony last Memorial Day, the cemetery has seen a steady stream of burials. There were four on a recent Friday.

SDVC staff works with the families to arrange details of the burial services which typically include a final pre-service consultation with the families, a processional to the committal shelter, a 15-20 minute service, folding and presentation of the flag, and a rifle salute and Taps presented by local military-related volunteer organizations.

SD VETERANS CEMETERY

Members of the grounds crew are all veterans and can relate to military families in their time of grief.

Clarence Kooistra is one of those volunteers who donates his time to make sure veterans receive a proper burial and their families receive the proper respect. He’s a member of the VFW Post 628 Honor Guard based in Sioux Falls.

“I just feel it’s very important that these men and women are treated with the respect they deserve for the sacrifices they’ve made to preserve our freedoms and democracy in our country,” Kooistra said. “It’s a privilege for me to come out here and do this for the families.”

While construction commenced on the cemetery two years ago, it took several years to bring the project to fruition. At the time the first federal grant application was submitted in 2017, Brown was serving as a veterans program manager in the State Department of Veteran’s Affairs helping veterans navigate through the federal bureaucracy to receive their rightful benefits. She often found, however, that some of the former soldiers would balk at the benefits “so that someone they felt needed it more than them could get it.”

When the cemetery director position opened up, she jumped at the chance to find another way to help veterans.

In performing her job, Brown

calls on her own military experience, developed personal relationships which includes joining the Minnesota with the families whose loved ones National Guard in high school and are interred at the facility. During receiving advanced individual training their visits to the cemetery, family at Fort Lee in Virginia. She returned members often express their gratitude and attended college for three years to the staff for their work in keeping before getting deployed to Iraq for the facility well maintained and give nearly two years. updates on how the family is faring She worked in supply management and if they have any further needs. at a Marine base between Ramadi and Brown said she is looking toward Fallujah and eventually left the service the future with optimism for the as an E-5.

When she and her staff are interacting with veterans and their families, they have little difficulty relating to them on a personal basis.

“The military is the kind of experience that you don’t know you want or need until you have it,” she said. “All The Committal Shelter is the site of many outdoor of those experiences funeral services for veterans. have put me into one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve been cemetery and its mission, especially able to do. Without it, I wouldn’t be after the South Dakota Veterans able to relate to the families and get Council last summer announced the help they need and have earned. a $2.1 million donation from Once they realize I’m also a veteran, philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, things change and they see me PREMIER Bankcard CEO Miles differently.”

Beacom and his wife Lisa.

Brown and her staff - all of whom For more information, visit https:// are veterans themselves - have vetaffairs.sd.gov/veteranscemetery/.

NOVEMBER 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 9

CO-OP NEWS

ITEMS FOR SALE

BY SEALED BIDS Bon Homme Yankton Electric is offering the following pieces of equipment for sale by sealed bids.

Submit your bid to: Sealed Bids, Bon Homme Yankton Electric, PO Box 158, Tabor, SD 57063 by 4:30pm on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 to be considered.

Include your name, address, phone number and which equipment you would like to bid on and your bid for that equipment.

Contact the office at 605-463-2507 to make an appointment to see the equipment during regular office hours which are weekdays from 7:30am to 4:00pm.

Winners will be notified Friday, November 12, 2021 and will have one week to claim their purchase. Bon Homme Yankton Electric reserves the right to refuse any or all bids.

1985 MODEL 826 JOHN DEERE SNOW BLOWER

1999 FLATBED TRAILER

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CO-OP NEWS

RIGHT: 1980 DOUBLE REAL TRAILER

BELOW: 1990 POLE TRAILER

Our office will be closed on November 25th and 26th for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be an outage crew on call throughout the holiday week.

Call (605) 463-2507 to report an outage.

NOVEMBER 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 11

RURAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE

THE FIRST TO ACT The state’s emergency medical services workforce declined 30 percent last year, though some are still eager to serve.

Though rural South Dakota is experiencing a shortage of first responders, some are still eager to bear the responsibility Billy Gibson billy.gibson@sdrea.coop

The early morning fog had already settled in heavy and thick as a damp blanket when Joey Denison pulled out of his driveway in Lake Norden. He was headed to Lake Preston for his job as an electric lineman and just happened to be fresh off earning his paramedic license in his spare time.

Within just a few minutes of driving along Hwy. 81, the blurry image of a wrecked semi came into view through the haze. The rig was overturned and rested across the roadway. At first blush, the scene appeared to be a one-vehicle accident, but Denison soon saw the small pickup that was crushed beneath the trailer.

When he got close enough to peer inside the vehicle, he saw a young woman who had clearly sustained severe damage to her skull. His four years of training through EMT and paramedic school kicked into high gear.

“There were cars still running into the semi from the other side so I positioned

my truck where no one could run into her car,” Denison recalled. “Then I pulled her car out from underneath the trailer with my truck. I could see her head was shattered and someone had already called 911 to report that she was dead. Eventually, we were able to get her out with the Jaws of Life and transport her to the hospital in Madison.”

The young lady made a full recovery and she and Denison still stay in contact three years later.

Denison doesn’t characterize his actions as heroic; he sees his response as something that neighbors and citizens simply do for one another. Spurred on by his passion for helping others, Denison began his EMT training seven years ago and now volunteers his services in Lake Norden and the surrounding area.

“I always kind of regretted not going into the military, so this is my way of being a community servant,” he said.

These days he teaches classes in emergency training and notes a shortage of qualified volunteers to staff rural first responder operations.

12 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | NOVEMBER 2021

According to the South Dakota Department of Health, over the past year the active EMS workforce has declined 30 percent.

Denison said assumptions sometimes depart from reality when it comes to EMS work, and he encourages those who have a penchant for serving others to consider first responder training.

Joey Denison says emergency response work is both challenging and rewarding.

“The physical act of rendering first aid is a lot of repetitive training and muscle memory, but people think it’s too complex. If you can catch a baseball, you can put your hand over a cut. It’s not that hard,” he said. “We can’t be afraid to help someone in need in an emergency situation. Someday it could be you who needs the help.”

CO-OP HALL OF FAME

A LIFETIME OF CO-OP SERVICE TO MEMBERS Co-op leaders recognized at SDAC Hall of Fame banquet Billy Gibson billy.gibson@sdrea.coop

Harry Thomas still remembers turning on the “power switch” for the first time at his home when he was a youngster.

That was made possible by his local electric cooperative, and for Thomas it was a life lesson about the great things that can happen through co-op organizations. He went on to serve for nearly four decades on the board of Venture Communications and was one of four recent inductees into the South Dakota Association of Cooperatives Hall of Fame.

Thomas and Paul Symens were recognized as 2021 inductees at the ceremony held in Watertown Sept. 22, while Chuck Birkholt and Dan Lindblom were honored as 2020 inductees. Last year’s banquet was canceled due to the pandemic.

“I’ve been around cooperative systems all my life,” Thomas said. “I remember when the co-op brought power to the farm and when Sully Buttes built the first telephone line out there. Those things would not have happened if not for cooperatives. The Bell companies built in the towns, but they had no

Inducted into the South Dakota Association of Cooperatives Hall of Fame were Harry Thomas, Chuck Birkholt and Paul Symens. Not shown is Dan Lindblom, who was unable to attend the induction ceremony in Watertown.

interest in going into the country.” as a laborer at Cam Wal Electric in Selby.

Symens served on the board at Lake He went to work “digging holes and setRegion Electric in Webster before he ting poles” for 85 cents an hour until he was elected to the state Legislature in discovered he could make more money 1987 and again in 1996. He was a board as a lineman. member for Farmers Union Marketing He worked at the co-op for 45 years, and Processing for 36 years. the last eight as general manager. He “I’ve put in a lot of time with coopera- went on to serve on the board at Venture tives and I know how co-ops work. I was Communications for the past 21 years. raised in co-ops and it has been a plea“I told my wife I always wanted to see sure to be a part of that process. The magic of co-ops is people working together to help each other, and as long as board and management do their jobs, it’s going to be successful.”

Symens said his advice for the younger generation of co-op leaders Hall of Fame inductee Chuck Birkholt addresses the audience at the would be to learn Watertown Event Center. about the history of cooperatives, how they were founded what it was like on the other side of the and why they exist. board table,” he said. “But I think she “Learning from history will teach just wanted me out of the house.” you a lot and keep you from making Lindblom, a long-time board member mistakes,” he said. at Black Hills Electric in Custer, was Birkholt started his cooperative career unable to attend the banquet.

NOVEMBER 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 13

CO-OP NEWS NEWS CO-OP

Local Discounts with your Co-op Connections Cards

Your cooperative membership earns you discounts at local participating businesses. Simply show your Co-op Connections Discount Card and save.

• Linda’s Angel Crossing in Yankton 20% off 1 Regular Priced Item.

PowerTown Presentations at Mazing Acres On October 10th, B-Y Electric Marketing and Communication Coordinator Jaclyn Arens put on electrical safety presentations for elementary to middle school-age kids at Mazing Acres Pumpkin Patch.

Jaclyn used a PowerTown display for the safety demonstrations. PowerTown is an interactive display that uses real electricity to teach children how to be safe around electricity and electrical equipment.

Contact our office at (605) 463-2507 if you would like to arrange a safety demonstration.

If you are interested in organizing an electric safety demonstration, contact jarens@byelectric.com.

• Royal Sport Shop in Yankton 10% discount on in-store purchases. Some exclusions apply.

• Head2Heels in Yankton 10% off any regular-priced item.

• Mead Cultural Education Center in Yankton $3.00 Off Admission • Olson’s Pest Technicians in Yankton 20% off for new customers.

• Elwood Family Dental Care in Yankton Free whitening strips at recare (cleaning) appointments.

• Haase’s Main Stop in Scotland $2 Cheese sticks with specialty pizza order and/or Free 32oz fountain drink with a $5 deli purchase • Loving Hands Gifts in Tabor Pay CASH and receive 10% off purchases of $100 or more.

BH Homecoming Parade Our General Manager Stephanie Horst, Office Manager Nicole Einrem, and Marketing and Communications Coordinator Jaclyn Arens had a blast participating in the Bon Homme Homecoming Parade of Lights in Tyndall on September 23rd.

The theme was “Victory Lies in the Lights of Emerald City.”

For a full list of ways to save, visit www.connections. coop.

To request a card or become a participating business, call (605) 463-2507 or email jarens@byelectric.com

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CO-OP NEWS

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF PUBLICATION STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (REQUIRED BY 39 U.S.C. 3685)

Heating season is upon us!

If you have an electric heat meter, be sure to check that the breaker to the heat meter is turned on to collect the discounted heat rate! Call our office with any questions (605) 463-2507.

1. Publication Title: Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections 2. Publication No.: 018-973 3. Filing Date: 09/27/2021 4. Issue Frequency: Monthly 5. No. of Issues Published Annually: 12 6. Annual Subscription Price: $6.00 Members $12.00 Non-Members 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 134 S Lidice, PO Box 158, Tabor, SD 57063 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 134 S Lidice, PO Box 158, Tabor, SD 57063 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Address of Publisher, Editor & Managing Editor: Publisher: Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc. Editor: Jaclyn Arens Managing Editor: Jaclyn Arens 10. Owner: Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc.,134 S Lidice, PO Box 158, Tabor, SD 57063 11. Known bondholders/mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: Rural Utilities Service, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, CoBank 12. Tax Status: Purpose, function and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 13. Publication Title: 14. Issue Date of Circulation Below: Oct. 2020 Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections Avg. No. of Copies Each Single Issue 15. Extent and Nature Issue During Nearest to of Circulation Preceding 12 Months Filing Date A. Total number of copies (net press run) ............................................... 3090............................3116 B. Paid and/or Requested Circulation 1. Paid/Requested Outside County Mail Subscriptions ..................3028........................... 3055 2. Paid In-County Subscriptions.......................................................... 0.................................0 3. Sales Through Dealers, Carriers, Street Vendors &Counter Sales .... 0.................................0 4. Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS ........................................ 0.................................0 C. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation ..............................................3028........................... 3055 D. 1. Free Distribution by Mail................................................................. 51............................... 51 4.Free Distribution Outside the Mail ....................................................7................................. 7 E. Total Free Distribution .............................................................................58............................... 58 F. Total Distribution .................................................................................3087............................3113 G. Copies Not Distributed ..............................................................................3................................. 3 H. Total ................................................................................................... 3090............................3116 I. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation ............................................ 98%............................98%

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation as of October 1, 2021

FREE Classified Ad Service

Members can submit classified ads for the following categories: Giveaway, For Sale, For Rent, and Wanted Ads. All ads must be received by the first of the month to be included in the following month’s issue. Ads will run one time unless resubmitted.

Bon Homme Yankton Electric reserves the right to edit content or exclude ads due to space restrictions. Email ads to Jaclyn Arens at jarens@ byelectric.com.

CLASSIFIEDS

December Issue Deadline: November 1, 2020. Email your classified ad to: jarens@ byelectric.com. Members can post one free ad per year. Repeats or longer ads are $1/column inch.

• FOR RENT: 1 bedroom apartment. Tabor Manor. Contact Gary at 605-463-2209 or Ron at 605-463-2256.

• Beseda Hall, Tabor, SD for rent for any special occasion such as weddings, anniversaries, graduation or birthdays! For more information contact Linda Bares at 605-661-6220 or snlbares@gmail.com.

• FOR RENT: Tabor Self Storage. Call 605-660-0274 or 605-660-3497.

Statement of non-discrimination

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www. ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

NOVEMBER 2021 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 15

NOVEMBER 13

Deadwood’s Big Whiskey Fest Main Street, Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876

NOVEMBER 13

Sisseton Area Merchants and Crafters Holiday Open House Extravaganza Sisseton, SD, call Beverly at 605-698-7425 for more info

NOVEMBER 19-20

Holiday Arts Christmas Show Masonic Hall, Mitchell, SD, 605-359-2049

NOVEMBER 20

Little Norge Fest: A Taste of Scandinavia Canyon Lake Activity Center, Rapid City, SD, 605-342-4226

Thanksgiving November 25, 2021

To have your event listed on this page, send complete information, including date, event, place and contact to your local electric cooperative.

Include your name, address and daytime telephone number.

Information must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to your event. Please call ahead to confirm date, time and location of event.

To view the publication’s master event calendar, scan the QR code below:

OCTOBER 31

Halloween Bash Weekend at Mazing Acres Pumpkin Patch 30851 433rd Avenue, Yankton, SD, 605-760-2759

Parade of Lights Dakota Avenue, Huron, SD, 605-352-0000

OCTOBER 22-24, 28-30

NOVEMBER 4

OCTOBER 23

NOVEMBER 6

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD, visit https://www. washingtonpavilion.org/ for more info and tickets

Governor’s South Dakota Showcase 1201 N West Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, 605-773-3301 A Little Piece of Heaven Grand Opera House, Pierre, SD, call 605-224-7826 to purchase tickets

Aberdeen Oktoberfest Aberdeen Civic Arena, Aberdeen, SD, 605-380-8448

OCTOBER 29-30

Deadweird Various Locations, Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876

OCTOBER 30

16th Holiday Shopping Extravaganza Davison County Fairgrounds, Mitchell, SD, call Cindy at 605-999-8563 for more info

OCTOBER 30

Scare in the Square Main Street Square, Rapid City, SD, 605-716-7979 Or visit https://sdrea.coop/ cooperative-connectionsevent-calendar to view more upcoming events.

NOVEMBER 26

OCTOBER 22-23

OCTOBER 30

Yankton’s Harvest Halloween Downtown, Yankton, SD, email mandi@bostonsyankton.com for more info

Chris Young Famous Friends Tour Summit Arena, Rapid City, SD, 605-394-4115 Cyrus Steele Comedy Show Homestake Opera House, Lead, SD, visit https://www. homestakeoperahouse.org/ for more info and tickets

NOVEMBER 5-7, 12-14, 19-21

NOVEMBER 26-28

NOVEMBER 27

Holiday Celebration and Winter Market/Festival of Lights Parade Downtown, Rapid City, SD, 605-381-4204

DECEMBER 2

Julius Caesar Black Hills Playhouse, Rapid City, SD, visit https://www.bhct. org/ for more info and tickets

Christmas on the Prairie 526 North Broadway Avenue Miller, SD, 605-853-3098

NOVEMBER 12-13

Handel’s Messiah First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, SD, 605-367-6000

Sioux Empire Arts and Crafts Show W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls, SD, 605-332-6000

NOVEMBER 13

Christmas at the Homestead Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve, North Sioux City, SD, 605-232-0873

DECEMBER 3

DECEMBER 4

Rapid City Garden Club’s Wreath & Centerpiece Sale Central States Fairgrounds, Rapid City, SD, 605-343-0710 Note: Please make sure to call ahead to verify the event is still being held.