September 2023 Highline Notes

American families and businesses expect the lights to stay on at a cost they can afford. But that’s no longer a guarantee. Nine states saw rolling blackouts last December as the electricity demand exceeded the available supply.

This is no longer a theoretical conversation. And unless policymakers change course, it’s going to get worse.

America has a reliability problem. And with the help of co-op leaders nationwide, Cass County Electric Cooperative has been a leading voice in sounding the alarm on reliability. Today’s energy decisions will determine whether sufficient resources will keep the lights on tomorrow. First, lawmakers outside North Dakota need a reality check, must acknowledge the serious problem, and ought to identify the challenges and solutions. Seven issues are currently impacting the reliable delivery of electricity across

Congress needs to step up for electric cooperatives

availability during high-demand periods, especially in the cold months, because natural gas is simultaneously used for heating and power production.

the nation. They include:

1. Increasing demand for electricity as other sectors of the economy (the addition of electric vehicles) are electrified.

2. Decreasing electricity supply due to the disorderly retirement and insufficient replacement of existing baseload generation, namely coal and nuclear power generation sources.

3. Numerous federal regulations from the Biden administration directed at the coal industry threaten the future of reliable and resilient baseload power supply.

4. Lack of transmission capacity to move electricity from one region to another.

5. Permitting delays that prevent new electric infrastructure from being built and connected to the grid. It can take 10 years for a transmission line to get built.

6. Supply chain challenges, particularly electric transformer costs and delays.

7. Problems with natural gas

These challenges will be “challenging” to address and come at a high cost, but we can start by asking ourselves this: Is this what America should be? Should the threat of rolling blackouts be a permanent facet of U.S. energy policy? The answer to both questions is an obvious and resounding NO for electric co-ops and the communities we serve.

The long-term solutions require policymakers and regulators to recognize the need for more time (decades) to transition away from carbon-based fuels, technology development of carbon-free sources like modular nuclear and carbon capture systems for fossil fuel plants, long-duration energy storage systems, and new transmission infrastructure. These are the primary ingredients for an energy future that prioritizes reliable electricity for the 42 million Americans served by electric cooperatives, including the 57,000 accounts served by Cass County Electric Cooperative.

Marshal Albright, president/CEO Cass County Electric Cooperative

Scan to learn more about regulations threatening reliability

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MEMBER MEETING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2023, AT 5:30 P.M. HILTON GARDEN INN • 4351 17TH AVE S, FARGO

HEAR FROM COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP AS WE DISCUSS IMPORTANT INDUSTRY INFORMATION WHILE ENJOYING A DELICIOUS MEAL.

BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS - JULY 2023

The Cass County Electric board of directors met in person on July 25, 2023, and discussed the following topics:

• Moved to approve the July 2023 consent agenda of the regular board meeting consisting of minutes, monthly department reports, director expense report, and the June purchase power adjustment (PPA).

• President/CEO Marshal Albright gave the president’s report reporting on updates from meetings and conferences attended.

• Received the June 2023 financial report.

• Received a report from the Minnkota

board meeting.

• Received a report from the NDAREC summer board meeting.

• Received a report from the PURPA hearing.

• Received the annual IT security audit review.

• Moved to approve the July 2023 capital credit estate payments.

• Reviewed upcoming meetings and events.

The next board meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023.

COLOR CODE FOR UTILITY MARKINGS

PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION

SEWER

Highline Notes

Volume 81, Number 9

Communications:

Jocelyn Lura Hovland

Kaitlyn Hartman

Printer: Forum Communications Printing

Board of Directors:

Paul White, secretary

Douglas Anderson

Sid Berg

Stacey Ackerman

Tom Seymour

Glenn Mitzel, board chair

Wendy Loucks

Kalvin Hoff, treasurer

Terry Kraft, vice chair

Executive Staff:

Marshal Albright, President/CEO

Jodi Bullinger, VP of Engineering & Operations

Paul Matthys, VP of Member & Energy Services

Chad Sapa, VP of Corporate Services & CFO

Tim Sanden, VP of Information Technology & CIO

Highline Notes (USPS 244-740) is published monthly by Cass County Electric Cooperative Inc., 3312 42nd St. S., Suite 200, Fargo, ND 58104. Periodicals postage paid at Fargo, North Dakota 58104, and at additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Highline Notes 3312 42nd St. S., Suite 200 Fargo, ND 58104

© Copyright Cass County Electric Cooperative 2023. All rights reserved.

Questions: 701-356-4400 800-248-3292 info@kwh.com

Call Before You Dig: 800-795-0555 or 811

Cass County Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Information about the cooperative, articles of incorporation, bylaws and more can be found at CassCountyElectric.com.

The proof is in the print

Forum Communications Printing uses state-of-theart technology – and care – to deliver client dreams

by Kaylee Cusack, Senior

Specialist Minnkota Power Cooperative

The Highline Notes newsletter you receive every month doesn’t just … happen. It’s a collaboration between your team at Cass County Electric Cooperative (CCEC) and our business member Forum Communications Printing (FCP), a commercial printing and mailing company nestled in the northern industrial area of Fargo.

In his dual role of Plant Manager and Mail & Digital Operations Manager for the FCP Fargo location (one of three plants in the region), Jeff Foss’s kingdom is the facility’s sprawling production floor. That’s where the work of FCP Fargo’s 120 employees – from salespeople to machinists – collates into beautifully printed magazines, mailers, information sheets, education packets, postcards and a myriad of other paper-based projects.

“This press is brand new. We just put it in,” Foss said of the hulking Komori-brand eight-color sheetfed press stretching 50 feet beside him. “When the project goes through it’s done in one pass, versus the old press, where we ran it through, flipped that stack over, and printed the other side. Speed-wise, we’re at almost three times the speed of the old one.”

Foss and the FCP staff are investing in the enhanced speed of evolving technology to keep up with the requests of the company’s 1,200-plus recurring customers, which have spanned nearly every U.S. state and Canada. Pallets of college alumni magazines and grade-school planners wait to be sorted with smart mailing equipment, quickly replaced with bundles of the next client’s order.

Communications

Jeff Foss describes the many processes and pieces of equipment that Forum Communications Printing uses to produce materials for its customers.

CCEC Communications Manager Jocelyn Hovland says Highline Notes has been in this fast-paced rotation since 2009, and she has yet to notice a hiccup in the service she receives when she sends a newsletter design to print.

“You guys do a good job of making me feel really special when I’m just a minnow in this ocean,” Hovland told Foss during a recent tour. “It’s amazing. I had no idea!”

It takes a lot of electricity to power all of the innovative equipment that keeps the FCP ecosystem humming. The company’s new sheetfed press runs nearly 24 hours a day, producing around 15,000 sheets of product every hour. And that’s only one of several essential presses. Strong electricity is also needed for the lightning-fast mail sorter and the facility’s paper recycling system, which pulls paper trimmings through a series of tubes to be baled and delivered to the local recycling service.

The power need is high, but so is FCP’s trust that electricity will always be there. A recent upgrade to the substation that serves the facility and its neighbors will help to ensure reliability into the future.

“In the last 20 years, I can count the amount of times we’ve had problems on one hand,” Foss said. “When those web and sheetfed printers are running wide open, and you have a hard shutdown, it raises heck – everything wraps up. It’s a big thing if we get a power outage, and we’ve been very fortunate. We’ve had very few over the years.”

CCEC provides reliable service for Forum

Communications Printing, and that reliability goes both ways. FCP Customer Service Manager Carmen Wallander has been with the company for nearly three decades and has had the co-op as a client since the beginning, from member mailings to special projects to Highline Notes.

“They are never not on time,” Hovland said in praise of Wallander and her colleagues. “Getting specific messages out to the membership, especially ones that are time sensitive – if the magazine doesn’t go out on time, and the members don’t get those notifications, it’s a big deal.”

“I get warm fuzzies when clients are super happy and they reach out by phone or email and just say, ‘Thank you so much,’” Wallander said. “And I try to share those good stories with everyone here because it makes them happy, especially in the plant.”

Wallander and Foss know they are making a difference for their clients, and they find ways to go above and beyond at every turn. Profits are great, but it’s the people they serve that really matter.

“For me, with every customer I think about what we can do to better to help them,” Foss said, recalling a recent order for a California school system. In that case, he helped save the school district tens of thousands of dollars on packaging and postage costs by suggesting one simple sizing change on an order of 1.2 million reading program books. “Pointing that out to them and saving them money so they can turn around and do more down the road is kind of the goal to help them grow their business.””

Completed pieces await the next process of applying mailing information.

Fargo’s Darkest Day

North Dakota’s largest community recovers after shooting, police officer’s death

by Cally Peterson, editor North Dakota Living

Death and tragedy permeate Tim Mahoney’s hardest days on the job as mayor of Fargo.

First, it was the 2014 death of his friend and predecessor, former mayor Dennis Walaker, an undisputed giant in Fargo’s history.

Then, it was Fargo police officer Jason Moszer, who died in the line of duty in 2016.

And on July 14, perhaps Fargo’s darkest day, when Fargo police officer Jake Wallin was killed upholding his promise to protect and serve. Two other officers and a civilian bystander were shot and critically wounded.

“This one was different than the last one,” Mahoney says. “When (Fargo Police Chief Dave) Zibolski called me and said we have three officers down, it was like, ‘Holy cow, we have a major event going on in our

community.’ So, it was a shock, and then it was even more shocking as we got into what (the shooter’s) true intent was.”

Intending to kill

The July 14 shooter, Mohamad Barakat, likely had a much bigger and deadlier attack in mind, Mahoney says.

Over the past five years, Barakat’s internet searches included “kill fast,” “explosive ammo,” “mass shooting events” and a July 13 search for “area events where there are crowds,” which brought up a news article with the headline, “Thousands enjoy first day of Downtown Fargo Street Fair.” Both the street fair and Red River Valley Fair – events with large crowds – were taking place the day of the shooting.

Evidence suggests the shooter came upon a traffic crash by “happenstance,” parked to watch police and

Tim Mahoney overlooks downtown Fargo from his mayoral office in city hall. PHOTO BY NDAREC/JOHN KARY

“This could have been a triple tragedy. Thank God we trained people.”

–Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney

firefighters respond to the scene for several minutes, then aimed a .223-caliber rifle with a binary trigger out his car window and began firing, according to N.D. Attorney General Drew Wrigley. With no time to respond, three officers were shot – Jake Wallin, Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes – and fell in rapid succession, before Fargo Police Officer Zach Robinson engaged Barakat in a two-minute shootout, ultimately killing the shooter and eliminating the threat.

Robinson’s actions have been wildly heralded as heroic and by-the-training-book perfect. “What (Robinson) was standing between was not just the horrible events that were unfolding there, but between the horrible events that Mohamad Barakat had envisioned, planned and intended and armed himself for – beyond fully – that day,” Wrigley says.

Barakat’s car was loaded with guns, a homemade grenade, more than 1,800 rounds of ammunition, three containers of gasoline and two propane tanks with “explosive materials concocted at home, purchased lawfully.”

“My visions were, if he had gotten to the street fair, we would have had a huge disaster,” Mahoney says. “It would have been multiple casualties before the police could react.”

Seeing clearer, training better

Among the pictures, memorabilia and acquired treasures in the mayor’s office at Fargo City Hall is a stone paperweight engraved with the names of the three police officers who have been killed in the line of duty in service to Fargo – Officer F. Alderman (1882), Officer J. Moszer (2016) and Officer J. Wallin (2023). It’s a grim reminder two of those deaths occurred during Mahoney’s tenure.

Yet, Moszer’s death provided perspective in the “big small town” police department and community of Fargo.

“I think Jason Moszer’s death helped us see things more clearly, knowing an officer could get killed in the line of duty, and helped us to see the support the team needs,” Mahoney says. “What Jason taught us is how to react to it better, because a lot of times, we’d say, ‘Oh, that will never happen here.’ ‘Those types of things happen in big cities.’ ‘That happens in Chicago, that doesn’t happen in Fargo.’”

Following Moszer’s death, the city ramped up its investment in training.

Facing challenges in hiring and recruiting trained officers, the city started its own police academy under former Fargo Police Chief Dave Todd and graduated its first class of officers in 2020.

Wallin and Hawes were recent graduates of the Fargo Police Academy and still undergoing field training at the time of the shooting. Mahoney says the academy attracts a brand of individuals who are called to service, and Wallin, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Minnesota Army National Guard, is the perfect example.

“He had an outstanding resumé and character, and he chose the city of Fargo,” Mahoney says. “We’re getting remarkable different types of people who are called to serve and really welltrained, well-functioning candidates.”

And, training has been one of Zibolski’s priorities as police chief. Each Wednesday, all Fargo officers receive training, from use of force to how to handle diversity. The investment in training, Mahoney says, paid off on July 14.

“I felt my officers were much better trained, and they did react as I would expect, immediately,” Mahoney says. “Zach Robinson was fantastic.”

Robinson’s body cam footage shows him investigating the crash site nearly 75 feet away from where Barakat began shooting, before he radioed in calls of “shots fired,” then instructed dispatch to “send everybody.” As Robinson moved toward Barakat, one of his 30 fired rounds hit and disabled the gunman’s rifle.

Robinson, a seven-year veteran of the force and police academy training officer, ordered the shooter to put the gun down 16 times during the two-minute exchange.

“If you’re going to have a well-run department, you have to pay for it, you have to train them,” Mahoney says. “Training, to me, is critical.”

Without the city’s investment in good leadership, training, salaries and equipment –like police body cameras at a cost of $3.5 million – and the quick actions of first responders –including the Fargo firefighters on scene who administered life-saving care to Dotas and Hawes – Mahoney believes July 14 could have been much worse.

“This could have been a triple tragedy. Thank God we trained people,” Mahoney says.

Not a sleepy town

Fargo was a town of 60,000 when Mahoney moved there in 1980. Today, 130,000 call Fargo home.

“We’re not the sleepy town of Fargo. We are a major metropolitan area,” Mahoney says. “We’re also becoming a mosaic community, so you get the beauty and richness of a mixed cultural community.”

Fargo has experienced 20% growth in the last decade and increased diversity, from historically about 5% diversity to 20% today, Mahoney says.

“Twenty to 30% of the population in this community is all new people, whether they’re from a Class B town in North Dakota or Chicago or somewhere else,” he says.

Despite the changes of the past several decades, one constant pulses through Fargo, as mighty as the Red River forming the city’s eastern edge. You could call it Fargo’s core spirit – and it’s not sleepy. It’s resilient.

Demonstrated by law enforcement returning to the streets to protect and serve.

Shown through the love and support offered by the public in the aftermath of July 14.

And illustrated by Fargo’s 2009 flood fight.

When Fargo was deep into its 2009 flood fight, Mahoney was deputy mayor. A reporter from New York had been in town for days covering the story. The Red River was expected to crest on a Saturday, and the preceding Thursday, CBS aired a spot showing Fargo flooding.

That Friday night, the reporter told Mahoney the news crew was leaving.

“We’re cresting tomorrow,” Mahoney told him, shocked.

“There’s no way the city of Fargo will ever lose this flood fight,” the reporter replied. “You people are unbelievable. I’ve seen you sandbag when it’s snowing and sandbag when it’s raining. There’s no way you’ll lose this fight.”

Even on his hardest days as mayor, a spirit of resilience permeates through Fargo.

“It’s the tragedies that are really tough, but it’s also the ability to go through those tragedies and learn from them,” Mahoney says. “North Dakota is known for being rough and tough. We can get through anything.”

This story is being co-published with the September issue of North Dakota Living. Cally Peterson is editor of North Dakota Living. She can be reached at cpeterson@ndarec.com.

Tim Mahoney recalls one of his hardest days as mayor of Fargo, when three Fargo police officers were shot in the line of duty by a heavily armed gunman on July 14. Officer Jake Wallin died from his injuries. PHOTO BY NDAREC/JOHN KARY

EV Mythbusters

Every day, more and more electric vehicles (EVs) are rolled out on the market, but people still have a lot of questions about their capabilities. So, who are you going to call when you have questions about EVs? Your local electric cooperative! Cass County Electric Cooperative (CCEC) is here to help bust any myths you may have heard about owning an EV.

MYTH: EVs waste a lot of energy

Electric vehicles are more energyefficient than standard combustion vehicles, which leads to less wasted energy and reduced overall energy consumption. EVs typically convert 80% of their battery into driving power and consume very little power when stationary. Modern EV braking systems even allow the vehicle to store kinetic energy from braking for later use.

MYTH: EVs are more expensive

Let’s blast away the misconception that EVs are more expensive than traditional vehicles. EVs sometimes have a higher upfront cost, but drivers can receive up to $7,500 in tax credits with the purchase of a qualifying EV, and many current automakers have comparable price scales for EVs and their combustion engine counterparts. On top of that, EVs have little to no maintenance or fuel costs required, so you save more in the long run.

MYTH: EVs have limited range and charging options

Modern EVs are shattering the idea that you can only travel short distances at a time. Many new models offer ranges that easily exceed 200 miles and sometimes reach 300 miles on a single charge. And with an ever-expanding network of DC fast charging stations across the country, long-ranged travel in an EV is more possible than ever.

MYTH: You can’t drive an EV in the winter

Most modern EVs “ain’t afraid of no winter driving” because they are equipped with sophisticated battery management systems that help maintain optimal performance even on the coldest of days. While some EVs can lose up to 40% of their standard charge on an extremely cold day, heating and performance are never compromised. The precondition option in modern EVs helps a plugged-in vehicle warm the cabin before you even get behind the wheel.

North Dakota’s longest serving nonprofit celebrates 130 Years!

For 130 years Fraser, Ltd. has been providing support to all individuals throughout our community, annually supporting over 2,200 individuals.

Fraser, Ltd. was founded in 1893 as a Florence Crittenton Home for unwed mothers, and today supports many programs and services with the shared mission, “supporting children, youth, and adults on their life’s journey towards independence.”

Fraser Child Care Center provides a nurturing, inclusive environment integrating typically developing children and children with special needs.

Valley Hope Counseling meets a significant need for timely, quality mental health services.

Independent Living Services provide person-centered, individualized living and day program options for people supported with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Fraser, Ltd.’s Transitional Youth Services (TYS) serves youth and young adults aged 1626 who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. This program ensures

wraparound case management support from entry to exit of all programs. This includes Stepping Stones Resource Center (SSRC), Transitional Living Program (TLP), and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH).

Looking toward the future Fraser, Ltd. is near the end of a $6 million capital campaign for the expansion of the Stepping Stones Resource Center (SSRC) with $1.2 million left to raise.

This facility will offer an expansion of space and services to the already existing program established in 2009, Stepping Stones Resource Center. SSRC serves 16-26-yearolds, and their children, who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. SSRC served over 1,300 youth and young adults with over 4,600 touchpoints and provided over 7,000 meals last year alone. In addition to basic needs, SSRC also provides shower facilities, laundry, and computer access. Case managers at SSRC assist individuals in obtaining vital documents (i.e. state identification, birth certificates, social security card), and housing and employment applications. Providing this support allows youth to focus on other areas of independence and self-sufficiency.

off-peak rebates

save

How to take advantage of homeowner tax credits

Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, federal income tax credits for residential clean energy efficiency home improvements will be available through 2032. A broad selection of ENERGY STAR-certified equipment is eligible for tax credits. Taking advantage of tax credits in tandem with CCEC rebates provided to water heating, home heating, and EV charging members who sign up for our off-peak program is an excellent way to help make the transition to a clean energy future more affordable.

The Inflation Reduction Act includes funding for states and tribes to offer rebates to households that install new electric appliances, including super-efficient heat pumps, water heaters, and for households that make repairs and improvements that increase energy efficiency.

Federal income tax credits are available through 2032 providing up to $3,200 annually to lower the cost of energy efficient home upgrades. Ensure you hang on to your receipts and other proof of purchase info. Visit with your tax preparer in advance to ensure you qualify for the credits, as income and annual limits may apply. CCEC does not administer the credits, nor do we sell the products.

Visit the following websites and use the search bar using the phrase “Residential Energy Credits” to learn more:

www.EnergyStar.gov

www.IRS.gov

Building Products

• Insulation

• Windows & Skylights

• Exterior Doors

Heating & Cooling

• Air-Source Heat Pumps

• Biomass Fuel Stoves

• Central Air Conditioners

• Furnaces (Natural Gas, Oil, Propane)

• Boilers

Electric Panel Upgrade

Electric Vehicles

Home Energy Audit Incentive

Water Heating

• Heat Pump Water Heaters

• Water Heaters (Natural Gas, Oil, Propane)

Residential Clean Energy

• Geothermal Heat Pumps

• Fuel Cells

• Small Wind Turbines

• Battery Storage Technology

• Solar Energy Systems

Welcome to the team

Communications Intern

Anne

Kesler

Kesler is a senior at NDSU and is working on the communications team for the fall semester. Welcome to the CCEC team!

Hometown:

Mandan, ND

Education:

North Dakota State University –Strategic Communications with a minor in Business Administration

Tell us about your career: Before starting my internship at CCEC, I worked at the North Dakota Department of Transportation for over a year as their Marketing and Communications Intern. After completing my time with the NDDOT, I accepted the position as Editor-in-Chief for The Spectrum, a student-organized newspaper at NDSU. I hope to continue my career in the communications field. If I ever get over my stage fright, singing would be my ideal side job!

Tell us about your family: I am the daughter of Clarice and Bill Kesler. Clarice has worked for NDAREC for over 40 years. Bill works as the Financial Director for Stan Puklich Chevrolet. I have one sister, Kate Kesler. She is 21 months younger than me, but we are only a year apart in school. She is currently attending the University of North

Dakota to earn a degree in Pre-med and Biochemistry while interning at NASA. We also have a pet cat named Reno. With both sides of the family combined, I have approximately 52 first cousins and 25 aunts and uncles!

Hobbies:

Singing, playing ukulele, teaching myself guitar and piano, drawing, painting, tennis, and ping pong

What advice have you received that was the most impactful?

“There is a difference between feeling guilty about a situation and feeling bad about a bad situation.”

If you won the lottery, what is your first purchase?

A house for my godson and his mother.

What’s your dream vacation?

Egypt or Greece

What’s your favorite season?

Fall. I like to tell people that I have seasonal sadness in every other season.

What’s your favorite food?

Taco in a bag

REMINDER

Don’t forget to fill your propane tank.

TO OFF-PEAK MEMBERS

Check out our Pinterest page for more member recipes!

Cream cheese cucumber bites

Ingredients:

2 cucumbers cut into ½-inch rounds

Salt and freshly ground pepper

4 ounces cream cheese

2 Tablespoons mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons sour cream

1 teaspoon lemon juice

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

2 Tablespoons fresh dill

Optional Toppings

Additional dill sprigs

Grape tomatoes, halved

Bacon crumbles

Bite-size pieces of smoked salmon

2-bite cucumber appetizer

Ingredients:

16 ounce container sour cream

1 package (1 ounce)

Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix

1 cucumber, peeled & sliced

6-ounce bag New York

Style roasted garlic bagel crisps

Preparation:

Slice cucumbers. Mix dressing into sour cream. Place a dollop of ranch and sour cream mix onto a bagel crisp and top with a cucumber. Arrange on a serving platter or tray and look fancy.

Crispy cucumbers for the end of the season

Preparation: Arrange the cucumber slices on a baking sheet lined with paper towels or a tea towel. Season both sides of the cucumber rounds with salt. Let sit for 20-30 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder, and a few grinds of pepper together in the mixer bowl. Using the whisk attachment, mix until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the

Nana’s cucumber salad

Ingredients:

3 cucumbers, sliced

1 white onion, sliced

1 1/4 cup Miracle Whip

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon salt

Dill to taste

Preparation: Finely slice the cucumber and onion and place them in a bowl. Whisk the cream, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Pour over the cucumbers and let rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

chopped dill and mix until it is evenly dispersed throughout. Add salt and pepper to taste. Wipe any moisture and excess salt from the cucumber slices and arrange them on a serving platter. Using a metal measuring spoon, create a small divot in the center of each cucumber round. Top each slice with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture and any additional desired toppings.

Refrigerator pickle cucumbers

Ingredients:

2 cups cucumbers, sliced into coins or spears

5 large sprigs fresh dill, roughly chopped

4 small cloves garlic, roughly chopped

1 1/3 cups water

2/3 cup rice vinegar

1 Tablespoon salt

2 teaspoons peppercorns

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Preparation: Add the cucumbers, dill, and garlic in a quart-size mason jar. Tip: layer the dill and garlic between the cucumbers. Mix and briefly whisk together the water, vinegar, salt, peppercorns, and crushed red pepper flakes until combined. Pour the brine over the cucumber mixture. Then cover the jar securely with a lid and give it a good shake. Refrigerate for a day before eating. Will keep in the refrigerator for a week.

SAFETY TIP: Avoid overloading extension cords, power strips, or outlets.

safety

Think safety as your student moves into the dorm

It’s the time of year when college campuses are preparing for students moving all of their worldly possessions into their home away from home – the dorm! While this is an exciting time for the students, it can be a nerve-racking time for parents. Cass County Electric Cooperative (CCEC) reminds parents and students to keep electrical safety in mind.

• Don’t overload outlets, extension cords, or power strips.

• Use power strips with over current protectors. This will shut off the power if there is too much power being drawn.

• Only purchase and use electrical products tested for safety. Some common approved safety labels include UL, CSA, and MET.

• Keep all electrical appliances and cords safely away from bedding, curtains, papers, and

other flammable material.

• Make sure outlets around sinks are equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) before use. If they are not, contact the resident assistant, campus housing staff, or landlord.

• Unplug small appliances when not in use and all electronics when away for extended periods.

• Always use microwave-safe containers. Glass, ceramic containers, and plastics labeled “microwave-safe” should always be used. Metal and aluminum foil can damage the microwave or start a fire. If the microwave is damaged in any way, do not use it.

• Never disable a smoke detector; and never ignore a fire alarm or assume it is a drill. Every time a fire alarm sounds, residents should calmly and quickly follow practiced procedures and

immediately exit the building.

When planning to move into a shared space like a dorm or university housing, communicate with your roommates before shopping for items for the room. Oftentimes when there is no communication, rooms end up with multiple refrigerators and microwaves, which can lead to a circuit overload in a small space.

Students should check with their university’s housing department on their specific housing laws. Many colleges across the U.S. ban cooking appliances from on-campus housing, including hot plates, coffee makers, and microwaves. Many of these institutions provide a designated area for the use of these products.

For more information on electrical safety, visit CassCountyElectric. com/safety

ads

Member market

All ads must be 40 words or fewer and will be abbreviated following our guidelines. No real estate or commercial ads will be accepted. Ads are published for members at no charge as space permits on a first-received, first-printed basis. Ads are due by the 10th of the month prior to publication. Members may submit only one ad per issue. Editor reserves the right to edit or reject any ad. Email ads to: ccec@kwh.com

For Sale

2003 Harley Davidson Fatboy 100 anniv., 13k mi, fuel injected, detachable windshield, $9,500. 701361-2551

Rare Winchester Model 70 carbine in 30-06 caliber, 20” barrel, exc. cond., $650. 701-371-4714

3 orig. pieces of art, oil on canvas, framed, $50/ea. 701-977-0362

1992 specialized stump jumper bike, size 14.5, $200. 619-944-0624

Frigidaire 50-pint dehumidifier, $100. Lifetime basketball backboard w/ break-a-rim, $70. 4 Bridgestone tires 245/60R18, $60/ea. 701-566-7165

IHC #55 chisel plow, 35’ NH3 nitrolator, hydraulic switch rear hitch gandy unit w/hoses & brackets, best offer. 701789-0456

Powerhorse gas-powered pressure washer, new, 212 cc engine, 2.6 GPM at 3200 psi, $225. 2 IHC #46 small square balers, $500/pair. 701-840-5383

Small square bales of brome grass hay & wheat straw, $5/bale. 701-2382933

Brand new instant pot w/ air fryer, $85. 218-240-1938

Sve Den Pewter Viking collectibles 1997-2007, 1984 Holger Danste, 1988 Ragner Seland, 1994 Bjoni Herjulfsson Selandia & Olaf Den Hellige Pewter Viking collectibles. Viking Kings [Viking age 800-1050] Hakon D. Gode & Olaf Tryggvaon figurines from Olso, Norway, $15/ea or $250/15. 701-5664501

2 Tempur-Pedic twin mattresses, extra long, $300/ea or $500/both. 701219-5743

80 Formula Firebird, 400 engine 4-speed, 373 posi rear end, $10k. 701884-2193

2019 Grey Wolf 27rr toy hauler, needs 2 new stabilizer jacks, small rip in the awning, comes w/ 2 rugs, hitch, & 40-watt suitcase solar panel, $26k. 701-680-1053

P/U toolbox, alum. 70” wide, $25. 701799-1114

Antique 1800’s high chair w/ metal wheels, refinished, $250/OBO.

2 glass-top end tables w/ brass legs, $5. Burgundy couch, 50” long, $140. Small carousel horse on pedestal, $50. 701-371-3015

1993 F-150 pickup, red, single-cab, runs & drives great, 114,400 miles, $2,500. 701-491-0637

New Ashley lift recliner & swivel rocker in charcoal, $600/ea. Paddle boat, $50. Battery-operated scooter, $100. Boys 10-speed bike, $100. New trolling motor, $250. 2 paddles, $40. 701-8092524

1947 B John Deere, fully restored, runs, new back tires. 701-799-3835

HVLP prof. paint spray gun, $65. 100K BTU weed burner torch kit, $45. Drain pipe auger, 50’, $250. Sears hedge trimmer, $15. Agri-fab 15 gal. sprayer tank, $25. Contico utility truck storage box, $35. 4’ wood ladder, $10. 701-3670115

Federal duck stamp collector mugs, in orig. boxes, various yrs., $15/ea or $125 for all. Set of 4 Marlboro cowboy coffee mugs in orig. shipping boxes, $50/OBO. All mint. Text only. 701-2387334

Free

New GE dishwasher needs a control panel circuit board. 701-367-0115

Wanted Old, unwanted cast iron cookware, not modern-day cast iron. 701-7424928