North Dakota LIVING March 2013

As a volleyball player for Kenmare High School, Halie Nelson always loved the action.

So when a series of knee injuries threatened to sideline her for good, both she and her family looked to Trinity for help.

Dr. Ravindra Joshi and Trinity’s experienced orthopedic team helped repair Halie’s damaged knees, which allow her to continue an active lifestyle.

“Because of their care, I’m not only walking without pain, but also back on the court playing the game I love.” –Halie Nelson Trinity Health is growing to meet the needs of the region and continues to help patients like Halie receive the type of medical care that has the power to change lives.

www.trinityhealth.org

During the annual Winter Festival at Cross Ranch State Park, visitors can cross-country ski, snowshoe, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride and attend a birding program.

Served by Roughrider Electric Cooperative, the Cross Ranch State Park is open year-round. In this month’s North Dakota Living local pages, learn more about the many winter activities the park has to offer.

MARCH 2013

North Central Electric Cooperative • Bottineau, N.D.

MARCH 2013

NORTHERN LIGHTS December 2010

Small rate increase scheduled for july

R

esidential electric rates Tim Fedje, left, and Bill Hoffman, lineworkers for the from North Central Electric cooperative, attach hardware to a pole before placing it. You can expect quality service from your cooperative to continue, Cooperative will increase in spite of a small rate increase this year. $3 a month when the cooperative implements a rate increase with the July electric billing.

The board of directors approved the small rate increase, which will increase the monthly grid access fee from $31 to $34, but will leave actual energy rates unchanged.

Three-phase services will see a $7 a month increase, from $74 to $81. Oil pumping services will increase from $124 a month to $143 a month.

The rate increase amounts to a 2.36 percent average increase for the cooperative.

A member using 1,000 kilowatthours in a month will see his or her electric bill increase from $106 to $109.

“Wholesale power costs to the cooperative have increased more than 20 percent from 2011 to 2013,” explains Wayne Martian, general manager of the cooperative.

Up Fortunately, the cooperative has been C2 Operation Round help able to absorb much of the increase. to C4 New technology bill Martian says wholesale power costs are forecast to stabilize, which C5 Lower your electric his is good news for the cooperative and C6 Michel shares its members. Basin Electric Power music Cooperative, the cooperative’s primary power supplier, anticipates stable to a minimum. This growth, if it wholesale rates from 2014-2016. continues, will help the cooperative Energy rates, which for residential keep rates stable in the near future. users are 7.5 cents a kilowatt-hour, “We have some of the lowest electric at several different rate options and remain unchanged. rates in the country,” Martian claims. decided this option was the most “We’re doing all we can to keep The cooperative has worked hard equitable,” Martian says. electric rates stable,” Martian says. The through the years to keep electric rates If you have questions about the cooperative’s growth, primarily in oil908 4th Ave. NE - Watford City, ND; Outpost - Killdeer, ND; 701-444-9288related - 800-584-9239 - www.mckenzieelectric.comlow while providing quality electric electric rate increase, please call the energy sales, has enabled the service. cooperative at 701-228-2202 cooperative to keep the rate increase “The board of directors looked or 800-247-1197.

NORTH DAKOTA March 2013 Volume 59, No. 9

INSIDE

MARCH 2013 IN THIS ISSUE • Winter fun at Cross Ranch • Cherney retires • Steier earns journeyman status • Report from board of directors

www.roughriderelectric.com

Thank you to all who volunteer to keep us safe

NORTH CENTRAL ELECTRIC NEWS , MARCH 2013 C1

www.nceci.com

LIVIng

Jesse Hanson, North Dakota Parks and Recreation, provided horse-drawn sleigh rides for people attending the Cross Ranch annual Winter Festival.

YOUR LOCAL COOPERATIVE NEWS

ROUGHRIDER ELECTRIC NEWS , MARCH 2013 C1

THE FIREFIGHTER’S PRAYER

www.mckenzieelectric.com

pages C1-C8

McKENZIE ELECTRIC

When I’m called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage, give me strength to save a life, whatever be its age.

Help me to embrace a little child, before it is too late or save an older person from the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert, to hear the weakest shout, and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me, to guard my neighbor and protect his property.

And if according to your will, I have to lose my life, bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife.

McKENZIE ELECTRIC NEWS , MARCH 2013 C1

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FEATURES 4

page 10

Center 8-page section, following page 18 (most editions) Editorial by Dennis Hill Everyone benefits by passing a farm bill

7

Prepare for late-season storms Tips from your electric cooperative.

10

Growth drives University of Mary remodel U-Mary adds space, energy efficiency to campus.

14

Marketplace Foods uses Verendrye’s online charting With tips from their electric co-op, Marketplace Foods improves its energy-efficiency, bottom line.

20

Building future leaders through 4-H, FFA Ingrained in rural communities for years, 4-H, FFA develop youth into community, career and family minded leaders.

FAVORITES

page 20 page 14

2

News Connections Medal of Honor winner receives N.D. flag

6    

NORTH DAKOTA LIVIng Educates members of electric cooperatives in North Dakota Publishes articles of interest to co-op members and all North Dakotans Presents local co-op news in center pages (most editions) Features articles for telecommunications cooperative members

8 16

Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative

www.ndarec.com

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Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative www.twitter.com/ndarec Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative www.youtube.com/ndarec Supported by

Discovering Dakota by Curt Eriksmoen Brynhild Haugland and half-century of service

24

Reader Reply “The NOOK®, Kindle® and iPad® have surged in popularity.

What do you have, what do you use it for, and why do you like it?”

26 Touchstone Energy Cooperative North DakotaYour Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives

Country Line NDATC, member co-ops achieving progress on legislation

Published by

white type >>>

Legislative Update NDAREC sees favorable progress on several bills of interest

Teen-2-Teen The secret diary of an energy hoarder

28 30

Calendar of Events Recipe Roundup Turn a memory book into a cookbook

32

Farm Byline by Al Gustin Develop vision, mission for your farm

34 35 36

Marketplace Forum Advertisers’ Index Co-op Country Gentle giants

ON THE COVER North Dakota Association of Telecommunications Cooperatives

www.ndatc.com

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The University of Mary’s main campus, in south Bismarck, is attracting more students and adding energy-efficient facilities in response. The main campus of U-Mary is served by Capital Electric Cooperative.

Photo by Jerry Anderson, U-Mary.

NORTH DAKOTA LIVING  MARCH 2013 1

NEWS CONNECTIONS

Medal of Honor winner receives N.D. flag

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PHOTO COURTESY GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

ov. Jack Dalrymple and First Lady Betsy Dalrymple were joined last month by congressional and state officials, veterans, military members and the public to honor former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha, a Minot resident, who was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military recognition, for courageous service during an enemy attack in Afghanistan. President Obama presented Romesha with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony at the White House last month.

“What Staff Sgt. Romesha accomplished while wounded and under heavy fire is remarkable,” Gov. Dalrymple said. “He disregarded his own safety to rescue injured soldiers,

Gov. Jack Dalrymple, left, presents a North Dakota flag to Clinton Romesha, a recent Medal of Honor recipient.

retrieve the fallen and take the fight to the enemy. He is a true American hero and we are proud to call him a North Dakotan.

“Staff Sgt. Romesha acted with incredible bravery and this country owes him a great debt of gratitude,” Dalrymple said.

“We congratulate Staff Sgt. Romesha on receiving the

Medal of Honor and we wish him and his family the very best.”

Romesha, 31, is the fourth living recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading the charge against hundreds of Taliban fighters during an Oct. 3,

2009, siege on U.S. troops at a small combat outpost in Afghanistan. Romesha served for 12 years in the U.S. Army and deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. He lives in Minot with his wife, Tammy, and their three children.

Dalrymple presented Romesha with a North Dakota flag that has flown over the state Capitol.

Romesha’s reception, held in the state Capitol’s Brynhild Haugland Room, was also attended by Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley, Sen. John Hoeven, Congressman Kevin Cramer, Major General David Sprynczynatyk, N.D. adjutant general, and Jim Hatlelid, president, Minot City Council. n

Air filter checks good for efficient heating, cooling

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2

results in higher energy bills and – potentially – system failure.

Successful filters have a short life – the better a filter catches dirt, the faster it gets clogged and must be cleaned or replaced. Leaving a dirty air filter in place cuts a home’s air quality and reduces HVAC system airflow.

The U.S. Department of Energy advises checking an air filter once a month and replacing it at least every three months.

It’s critical to inspect and replace filters before seasons of heavy use like

march 2013 n NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

Marking inspection or replacement dates on air filters helps track the scheduled checks which assure optimal filter performance.

PHOTO COURTESY NRECA

logged air filters impact electric bills every year. Checking, changing or cleaning your filter once a month saves money and extends the life of your home’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.

While air filters prevent pesky dust and annoying allergens from clogging your HVAC system, dirt builds up over time. If left unchecked, a dirty filter forces the HVAC system to work harder to push conditioned air through tight spaces. This

summer and winter.

Turn your heating and cooling system off before checking your filter.

When replacing the filter, make sure the arrow on the filter indicating the direction of the airflow points toward the

blower motor. To help schedule monthly checkups, write the date on the side of the filter so you know when it needs to be checked again. n From National Rural Electric Cooperative Association w w w. n d a r e c . c o m

Life is too beautiful not to smile.

Remember laughing? Remember smiling?

Dr. Heringer enjoys putting smiles back on faces. Call us at 701.255.4850 or toll free 866.503.3883. Or visit drheringer.com today.

Discover North Dakota made products & membership opportunities at

www.prideofdakota.com Pride of Dakota is a program of the ND Dept. of Agriculture w w w. n d l i v i n g . c o m

NORTH DAKOTA LIVING ď Ž MARCH 2013 3

EDITORIAL

BY

DENNIS HILL

Everyone benefits by passing a farm bill

N

PHOTO BY PHYNE PHOTOGRAPHY

orth Dakota is fortunate to have Sen. John Hoeven and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp on the Senate Agriculture Committee.

There’s unfinished work to do.

Congress failed last year to pass a new farm bill. Instead, at the last hour, it approved a one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill. While better than nothing, the Senate approved a bill that provided permanent disaster assistance for livestock, eliminated direct payments to farmers, improved insurance protection, created a revenueDennis Hill based safety net, cut $23 billion out of future federal spending and yet funded conservation and rural development programs.

For the future, our farmers and ranchers deserve more certainty in what a farm bill can provide in terms of crop insurance in case of disasters. Consumers deserve more certainty in what a farm bill can provide in terms of food safety and security. And low-income consumers deserve more certainty in what a new farm bill can provide for the nation’s vitally important food stamp program, now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. For as important as these concerns are, a farm bill should have sailed through last year. Former Sen. Kent Conrad and Sen. Hoeven both supported a new, fiveyear bipartisan farm bill that passed the Senate with 67 votes. The House Agriculture Committee also passed a bipartisan bill. And yet, House Speaker John Boehner

NORTH DAKOTA March 2013 Volume 59, No. 9 Circulation: 75,000

LIVIng

Published monthly by white type >>>

North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives 3201 Nygren Dr. N.W., P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554 © Copyright 2013 NDAREC; North Dakota Living Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative (ISSN-1539-0063) Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative Your Touchstone Contact us: Energy Cooperative

800-234-0518; 701-663-6501; www.ndarec.com Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative

Staff:

Your Touchstone Cooperative Dennis Hill, CCC, Energy editor-in-chief Kent Brick, CCC, editor Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative specialist Carmen Devney, CCC, communications Clark A. Van Horn, advertising mgr.

J.C. Balcom, production & graphic services mgr.

John Kary, graphic designer Tammy Kear, editorial assistant

4

MARCH 2013 

made the decision not to bring the bill to the House floor for a vote because it lacked support within his caucus.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack weighed in on the farm bill discussion last year at a national farm forum.

He challenged rural America to be more relevant, saying rural America should do more to be inclusive in its attitudes over issues such as food safety and security, immigration and nutrition programs. If the entire focus is on production agriculture, he said urban votes in Congress will be increasingly hard to come by in order to pass a farm bill.

Rural electric cooperatives understand the need to reach out to those who do not share the legacy of rural America. Our electric cooperative heritage is serving America’s farmers and ranchers. But increasingly, urban America has grown into rural America, and we provide electric service to an entire new generation of members who do not farm or ranch for a living.

If invited, we believe these consumers, too, will support a new farm bill that helps guarantee the security of a network of family farmers across the land; assures consumers that America’s food supply is safe and secure; and lends a helping hand to those less fortunate who rely on federal nutrition programs.

Having conversations that build understanding is what it will take to pass the next extension of a farm bill for America’s farmers, ranchers and consumers. It’s time to finish this work.  Dennis Hill, editor-in-chief of North Dakota Living, is executive vice president and general manager of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Mandan. Comments can be mailed to Dennis Hill, NDAREC, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727 or by email to dhill@ndarec.com.

Public Relations Advisory Committee: David Sigloh, chairman, Upper Missouri G&T Electric Cooperative Russ Berg, Cass County Electric Cooperative Don Franklund, Innovative Energy Alliance, LLC Chris Baumgartner, Innovative Energy Alliance, LLC Jeanette Hoff, Reservation Telephone Cooperative Dan Price, Roughrider Electric Cooperative Lauren Klewin, Slope Electric Cooperative

Advertising sales:

Paid advertising accepted, in conformity with NDAREC policy. Rates, editorial calendar, specifications, deadlines, contacts available at www.ndliving.com. Direct advertising orders, questions, comments about ad content to: Clark A. Van Horn, cvanhorn@ndarec.com; 800-234-0518.

NDAREC neither endorses nor guarantees products or services described in these advertisements.

Subscriptions:

Members of electric cooperatives subscribe to North Dakota Living as part of their membership with and service from the cooperative. Non-members of electric cooperatives may purchase subscriptions at these levels: 12 issues - $14.50; 36 issues: $40. Single copies: $2, plus postage. Subscription purchase information is available by calling 800-234-0518; or at www.ndarec.com.

NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

Addresses/address changes/subscription terminations: when the member terminates service from the electric cooperative, the North Dakota Living subscription terminates. Non-member subscribers should communicate with NDAREC about address changes; send magazine label with former address, a note bearing new address to North Dakota Living Subscriptions, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554; or contact tkear@ndarec.com.

U.S. Postal Service

Periodicals nonprofit postage paid at Mandan, N.D., and at additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: North Dakota Living, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture Policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

No portion of the editorial or advertising content of North Dakota Living may be reproduced without permission. w w w. n d a r e c . c o m

Network failure turns your world upside down.

To keep your business running smoothly, trust your network to the failsafe provider with 99.999% reliability—Dakota Carrier Network.

Businessability = your ability to conduct business without interruption— available when you tap into the reliable network services of DCN. Wide Area Network | High Speed Internet | Data Storage | Carrier Ethernet Service | Co-location Facilities

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TurN This over To puT your worlD BaCk iN orDer.

L E G I S L AT I V E N E W S

by

Kent Brick

NDAREC sees favorable progress on several bills of interest

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Tax relief SB 2325 is a bill to provide a mechanism for property tax relief for electric cooperatives. This is to assure that tax relief for electric cooperatives will at least keep pace with the relief given to assessed property taxpayers this session, including the investor-owned utilities. SB 2325, which lowers the co-op $1 per megawatt-hour tax on retail sales, came out of the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee with a 6-0 “do pass” recommendation, but with an amendment to lower the tax to 85 cents per megawatt-hour instead of 75 cents per megawatt-hour as was in the original bill. The full Senate passed SB 2325 by a 46-0 margin.

N.D. One Call By a vote of 82-7, the House of Representatives approved the One Call bill, HB 1359. This bill, supported

by NDAREC, proposes to make underground facility marking less onerous for facility owners (such as cooperatives) and to foster better communication between facility owners and excavators.

Scrap metals The Senate passed SB 2151, a bill requiring scrap metal dealers to make detailed records and use certain payment methods when buying scrap metals, including copper. NDAREC supports the legislation, in the interest of member cooperatives, who have been victimized by copper thieves. The bill is intended to make the sale of stolen copper, and other stolen metals, easier to track.

Net metering SB 2291 is a bill requiring distributors of electricity to purchase electricity from a consumer who generates electricity beyond what that consumer uses, and requiring the Public Service Commission to adopt rules concerning this purchase obligation process. The Senate Natural Resources Committee heard the bill, in late February.

NDAREC testified in opposition to the bill. NDAREC opposition was based on two reasons: 1) co-op boards of 6

march 2013 n NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

FILE PHOTO BY J.C. BALCOM

or electric cooperatives, the first two months of the North Dakota Legislature have produced favorable progress on several bills, including those dealing with taxation, One Call system regulation, and regulation of scrap metals. The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) represents the interests of member cooperatives at the Legislature.

“Thus far, we are very satisfied with how legislators are responding to our input and with the direction bills of interest are proceeding,” said Harlan Fuglesten, director of communications and government relations for NDAREC. In addition to Fuglesten, Dennis Hill, NDAREC general manager, represents NDAREC before the state Legislature.

This is a recap of the progress of bill of particular interest to NDAREC:

Dennis Hill, center, NDAREC general manager and registered lobbyist, conducts recent conversations at the state Capitol.

directors, which are charged by law with the responsibility to manage the business and financial affairs of their co-ops, should continue to be responsible for establishing policies that are fair and serve the best interests of their members; and 2) the bill would require utilities to pay prices well above wholesale market rates for electricity from small generation units (such as wind or solar units), whether or not the utility wants or needs the electricity.

The Senate Natural Resources Committee gave SB 2291 a “do not pass” recommendation.

Economic outlook update Last month, state legislators, leaders and agencies, received a report on the economic outlook for the state, and the legislative revenue forecast. State Budget Director Pam Sharp and the managing director of Moody’s Analytics, Steve Cochrane, provided the report.

For the first time in several years, the revenue forecast was revised downward from the previous forecast, but only slightly. Sharp explained that for the current biennium ending June 30, 2013, the general fund revenue forecast was revised upward by about $41 million and the forecast for the 2013-2015 biennium was revised downward by over $45 million or about 1 percent.

Sharp said a big reason for the downward change is the reduced oil rig count that has started to occur in the state as the rigs become more efficient in filling in the spacing units. As a result, the prediction is that job growth will not be as rapid as earlier forecast, which will lead to a slower rise in sales and individual income tax collections.

Cochrane predicted North Dakota would again lead the nation this year in economic growth. n For updates on the progress on bills of interest to NDAREC, go to www.ndarec.com.

Kent Brick is editor of North Dakota LIVING. He can be reached at kbrick@ndarc.com. w w w. n d a r e c . c o m

PREPARE FOR

LATE-SEASON STORMS with these tips from your electric cooperative

Y

our electric cooperative strives to provide you with reliable, uninterrupted service every day of the year, but sometimes Mother Nature creates unavoidable power outages. Your electric cooperative wants you to remain safe during severe weather. While spring is just around the corner, late-season storms can cause devastation and power outages.

OPERATE GENERATOR SAFELY If your standby electric generator has been in storage for a few months, make sure it is still operating properly — before an outage occurs.

And always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to use your generator. Most important is the transfer switch that disconnects the farm or home from the power line and connects it to the generator. It must be a double-throw transfer switch which prevents the generator from feeding electricity back onto the power line. This protects the lineworkers who may be working to restore your service.

If you have additional questions, please call your electric cooperative. We will be glad to work with you to make sure your generator is used properly.

STAY AWAY FROM DOWNED LINES! Mother Nature isn’t always kind to power lines.

Winter winds, snow and ice often prove to be too much for utility poles and power lines. If you see a downed power line or utility pole, contact your electric cooperative immediately. Do not go near the line or the pole. Just because it’s on the ground doesn’t mean it’s safe to approach.

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PLAN AHEAD  Make sure you have a battery-operated radio to provide local weather information.  Make sure you have working flashlights.  Have extra batteries for flashlights and portable radios.  Have a non-cordless phone in your home (phone lines operate independently of power lines).  Store extra water and nonperishable food.  If your home has a fireplace or wood stove, keep a good supply of dry wood on hand.  If you have extra heaters that use kerosene or another fuel, make sure you have adequate supplies of fuel available. Use fuel-burning heaters ONLY in a wellventilated area. NEVER burn charcoal indoors! The fumes are hazardous. And always store the fuel in a cool, dry place — not in your home.  Keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut. A closed refrigerator will keep food chilled for 12 hours.  Dress warmly, both during the day and while sleeping. Several layers of light clothing or blankets are better than a single, heavy layer.  Know how to shut off the main water valve to keep water pipes from bursting.  After the storm ends, remember to be careful when shoveling snow. It is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks. 

NORTH DAKOTA LIVING  MARCH 2013 7

COUNTRY LINE

BY

KENT BRICK

NDATC, member co-ops achieving progress

T

he North Dakota Association of Telecommunications Cooperatives (NDATC) is marking the halfway point of the 2013 North Dakota Legislature with satisfaction concerning the progress of legislation of greatest concern to NDATC. “The members of our association have been actively engaged in monitoring legislation affecting our cooperatives, and we have achieved some very positive results thus far,” says David Crothers, NDATC general manager.

Jason Hill, Northwest Communications Cooperative, Ray, testified that cable cuts by those who do not use One Call can be very disruptive to services to customers.

HB 1359 – One Call revision

8

Hart testified that the recent explosion of oil-related activity has had a direct impact on the daily operations of the cooperative in many areas with the greatest of these being the need to flag and mark (locate) the routes of these underground cables.

Hart testified, in 2012, RTC spent just over $1.3 million in cable locating expense compared to $400,000 just three years earlier. Also, in 2012, the cooperative received 30,639 locate orders compared to 10,900 locate orders in 2009. Of the 30,639 locate orders received in 2012, 40 percent were re-spots. Hart said re-spots are locate orders that have already been called in and the cable has been located, but needs to be “re-spotted” or remarked with fresh paint and flags because the initial markings are too old (older than 10 days) or no longer in place due to weather or human intervention. He said the duration of the validity of the original cable spotting needs to be extended from 10 to 21 days.

“We believe the North Dakota One Call excavation notice system is a great system that needs a few minor adjustments for the benefit of all. The changes needed are to allow the locate to be valid up to 21 days versus 10 days and the ability of the owner of the

MARCH 2013  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

infrastructure in the ground to charge the responsible party for multiple respots,” Hart concluded.

Also providing testimony was Jason Hill, construction supervisor from Northwest Communications Cooperative (NCC), Ray. NCC provides landline telephone, high-speed Internet and video services to more than 6,000 customers in Burke, and parts of Williams, Divide and Mountrail counties. Hill and his coworkers are responsible for not only the installation of communication cabling, but also the maintenance and locating of all cable facilities (fiber, twisted pair copper and coaxial).

PHOTOS BY KENT BRICK

Crothers cites work on House Bill 1359 as an example of effective work NDATC member organizations are accomplishing at the state Legislature.

HB 1359 is a bill designed to change the North Dakota One Call law, which governs the notification and identification system in place for the protection of buried utility facilities.

With the strong economic activity throughout the state, this system has become an increasing expense for underground facilities operators, including telecommunications and electric cooperatives. The changes to the One Call law are designed to reduce the number of re-locate requests for the same excavation site, to foster better communication among excavators and underground facility operators, and to curb possible abuses of the One Call system.

At the hearing on the bill, before the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee, representatives of NDATC member cooperatives provided testimony.

Shane Hart, assistant general manager for Reservation Telephone Cooperative (RTC), Parshall, provided testimony on HB 1359. RTC provides landline telephone, Internet and video services to 18 different communities in western North Dakota, many of which are located in the Bakken oil industry sector. RTC has in excess of 6,600 miles of buried copper and fiber cable throughout its service territory.

One Call importance in northwest N.D. In his testimony, Hill emphasized increasing the penalties for excavators who do not use the One Call system, and cut buried cable, which interrupts services to consumers, and is expensive to repair.

“House Bill 1359 is very important to all rural utilities in North Dakota and especially northwest North Dakota because of the increase in excavation construction throughout the Bakken formation,” Hill testified. “Increased penalties would help protect the communications infrastructure that North w w w. n d a t c . c o m

on legislation Shane Hart, Reservation Telephone Cooperative, Parshall, testified that cable locating expenses for the cooperative have more than tripled since 2009

Dakota citizens rely on for essential day-to-day activities. Rural telecommunications cooperatives provide services for local telephone traffic, wireless backhaul, broadband access, and special access for businesses, hospitals, schools, homeland security, border patrol, immigration and other federal, state and local agencies. One cable cut could affect all of these services. With all the activity, multiple cuts on the same day have become commonplace.”

Hill testified about the recent NCC experience with the expense of locating underground cables. Hill described

the regular One Call notification process: Before contractors begin excavation, they call the North Dakota One Call Center and describe the location of the excavation. North Dakota One Call notifies all the entities with underground facilities in that vicinity of the proposed dig. The facility owner then must mark the location of the underground facility with flags or paint.

The excavator then can safely dig after the location has been marked, usually within 48 hours.

Hill testified that in 2007, NCC spent $88,181.16 on locating expenses.

In 2012, NCC spent $697,069.34 to locate its cable for excavators. Hill testified, on an average month, about 40 percent to 60 percent of locates are respots. Re-spots are required for active construction sites after 10 days for the initial contact with N.D. One Call, and then every 10 days thereafter, until the project is complete “We have to pass on those costs to our subscribers or cut back on capital investments that are critically needed to provide modern communications to our farming communities as well as new businesses that have come to our region.”

Hill concurred with Shane Hart’s encouragement that the committee pass a version of HB 1359 that would lengthen the duration of location marking to 21 days and to shift costs of re-spotting to parties demanding re-spotting.

After taking testimony, the House Industry Business and Labor Committee gave HB 1359, with amendments, a “do pass” recommendation.

The House of Representatives passed HB 1359 by an 82-7 margin.  Kent Brick is editor of North Dakota Living.

He may be reached at kbrick@ndarec.com.

Updates on all legislation of interest to NDATC are available at www.ndatc.com

NORTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVES 3201 Nygren Drive N.W. Box 1144 Mandan, N.D. 58554

(701) 663-1099 www.ndatc.com

Cooperatives

BEK Communications Cooperative ..........................................................Steele Consolidated Telcom Cooperative ..................................................... Dickinson Dakota Central Telecommunications Cooperative ...........................Carrington Dickey Rural Networks ........................................................................Ellendale Nemont Telephone Cooperative .................................................Scobey, Mont.

Northwest Communications Cooperative ................................................... Ray Polar Communications Cooperative .................................................Park River Red River Rural Telephone Association ....................................... Abercrombie Reservation Telephone Cooperative..................................................... Parshall SRT Communications Cooperative ..........................................................Minot United Telephone Mutual Aid Corporation ..........................................Langdon West River Telecommunications Cooperative ........................................ Hazen w w w. n d l i v i n g . c o m

NDATC Officers

Stan Vangsness, President ....................................SRT Communications Ron German, 1st Vice President .....................Red River Rural Telephone Jeanette Hoff, 2nd Vice President.........................Reservation Telephone Lorena Lambrecht, Secretary/Treasurer.........Northwest Communications Leo Meier ..................................................................BEK Communications Jan Stebbins ............................................................. Consolidated Telcom Rodney Suko ......................................Dakota Central Telecommunications Ralph Neu................................................................Dickey Rural Networks Jim Salvevold ................................................................ Nemont Telephone Ron Steinke .............................................................Polar Communications Lorne Field ..................................United Telephone Mutual Aid Corporation Matt Erhardt ............................................. West River Telecommunications NORTH DAKOTA LIVING  MARCH 2013 9

Expansion, efficiency mark

PHOTO BY KENT BRICK PHOTO BY CARMEN DEVNEY

ARTWORK COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF MARY

The proposed student center for the University of Mary is, in part, a response to the increasing number of students that are residing on the main campus.

Inset photo: University President Monsignor James Shea, left, and Wes Engbrecht, director of communications and public relations, Capital Electric Cooperative (which serves the entire main campus), met recently to review expansion plans and energy efficiency accomplishments at the University of Mary.

T

he University of Mary is building.

It is building upon the vision of the Benedictine Sisters. Members of this Roman Catholic order of nuns first arrived in Dakota Territory in 1878, bringing ministries of healing and learning. Eighty years later, in 1959, they achieved a milestone in their mission of service, opening Mary College, high on a hill south of Bismarck.

U-Mary is building upon a collaboration ethic. This has long been a key to the success of the Benedictines’ ministries here, and its expansion today, across North Dakota, the United States and as far as Rome, Italy.

The university is also involved in a very significant campus building campaign. It is taking big – and efficient – strides in remodeling several existing buildings and adding new space to its bustling Bismarck campus.

Capital Electric Cooperative, Bismarck, serves U-Mary at this location.

Since 2009, a devout, exuberant son of rural North Dakota – Monsignor James Shea – has been leading this building surge, as the University of Mary president. At its core, says Shea, is “the deep ethic of service” – U-Mary’s lifeblood.

“This is about the people that the University of Mary serves,” Shea says. “This is about how we can be better for Bismarck, and Mandan, and North Dakota, and beyond.

It’s for our students and their parents, for our adult students and their lives, their families and their careers.”

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New buildings, efficiency emphasis Last fall, U-Mary’s leadership publicly announced their ambitious plans for expanded physical facilities on the main campus. Shea outlined a $40 million capital campaign under way to, among other goals, improve existing facilities, create substantial new dormitory space and construct a new student center. The expected increase in on-campus residency was sited as pointing to a significant need for a social community focal point.

“The student center is a commitment to the quality of life here on campus,” Shea says. He notes that while U-Mary may not traditionally been thought of as a residential campus, that is changing. Enrollment – now near 3,200 across the university’s campuses – is growing, but there are residential quarters for only about 800 of the 1,900 students attending classes at the main campus just south of Bismarck. Shea said more dormitory space – through building renovation and new construction – is part of the campaign.

Shea calls the new student center “a living room for the campus.” He sees it as a safe and comfortable 24/7 space for social gatherings, study sessions and meetings. It is expected to be the new home of the bookstore and coffee shop, currently located elsewhere on campus. In addition, the Marauders Athletics Hall of Fame will move to the student campus center. Bookstore and coffee shop moves will create space for expanding Mary’s growing physical therapy program. w w w. n d a r e c . c o m

University of Mary progress BY

K E N T B R IStore C K manager,

PHOTO BY KENT BRICK

Craig Heupel says Marketplace Foods’ energy consumption can be monitored on a monthly, daily or even hourly basis using Verendrye Electric’s online display.

The plan calls for the student campus center to be located between the McDowell Activity Center and the Leach Field House. Its cost is estimated at $7.1 million; about 80 percent of those funds have been secured. Shea foresees it becoming a reality within the next two to four years.

Energy management Energy efficiency and a developing a culture marked by a lighter environmental footprint are a significant focus of the building development and renovation under way at U-Mary.

Mark Stephens, the university’s physical plant director, says energy efficiency has been a targeted priority for some time. “For the past 18 months, we’ve been involved in an energy savings and an energy management plan,” Stephens says. He says heating and cooling technologies have been evaluated and many energy equipment replacements have been done. Some 50-year-old boilers have been replaced with new highly efficient boiler heating units.

Stephens says lighting replacement has also been a major undertaking – one expected to deliver rapid payback on investments due to lower energy consumption. He says old fluorescent ballasts have been replaced with highly efficient, environmentally acceptable lighting technologies.

Part of the energy management initiative has been the development of central, computerized control of all energy consumption on campus. With this resource, it is possible to control the thermostat settings based on activities in buildings and classrooms. Activity sensors are now operating, which control the shutting-off of lights. Several heat

pumps operate on the campus, and Stephens is attuned to avoiding running several simultaneously and incurring extensive peak demand costs.

The energy efficiency and energy management priorities at the university will influence greatly the designs for new buildings coming to the campus. “Energy efficiency is a big part of what we do anytime we get going on a new project,” Stephens says.

Shea says U-Mary has made a $7 million investment in energy management and energy efficiency. He says the investments are calibrated to ensure that energy cost savings will be realized to cover that investment.

“We decided to dedicate these funds to energy efficiency in order to be better stewards of our resources, to set a good example and create this culture for our students,” Shea says.

Wes Engbrecht, director of communications and public relations for Capital Electric Cooperative, says U-Mary continues to be an excellent member of the cooperative family.

“Capital Electric has provided service to the University of Mary for a long time. The university is our biggest consumer and we appreciate this energy efficiency effort,” he adds. Engbrecht says energy conservation at U-Mary helps the cooperative keep its power supply costs as low as possible.  Kent Brick is editor of North Dakota Living. He may be reached at kbrick@ndarec.com.

related story on page 12 w w w. n d l i v i n g . c o m

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 3 11

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF MARY

PHOTO BY KENT BRICK

The University of Mary’s main campus location, in south Bismarck, continues to grow to help advance the education mission of the Benedictine order of sisters who opened the institution as Mary College, in 1959.

Inset photo: Mark Stephens, the university’s physical plant director, says new, efficient heating and cooling systems have been installed in buildings all across the main campus.

I

President Shea: rural N.D. roots

PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF MARY

“To grow up on a farm, to grow n significant ways, University of up in a strong, faith-based family, Mary President Monsignor James in a small community – that had Shea is a product of rural North a deep effect on me,” Shea says.

Dakota. Shea’s priestly formation He is grateful he was shaped by a and higher education achievements circle of his parents, teachers and have taken him around the world, coaches, who wanted good and but he still prizes his roots. right things for their children.

“I grew up in KEM Electric “They were dedicated to the territory,” Shea says. He is oldprospect that my brothers and I, est of eight children in a family my friends and schoolmates had that farmed two miles north of a bright future and could have Hazelton, served by KEM Electric a much brighter future if Cooperative, Linton. Of the eight we received certain values.” siblings, only one – the youngest – is a girl.

Shea says he developed his keen interest in the world from his “We milked cows and had North Dakota farm home base. small grains and made hay, which was my favorite job. I liked “I would spend hours on a every part of it: the mowing, the tractor, and have the opportuUniversity of Mary President Monsignor James raking and the baling. But, picknity to think about things pretty Shea says his rural North Dakota upbringing ing rocks and shoveling grain – deeply,” Shea says. He says a was very formative in his life’s calling.

I had more ambiguous feelings World Book Encyclopedia in his about those. It was a terrific way to grow up.” childhood home provided him with late-night revelations about marvelous faraway places and intriguShea says his early years were spent experiencing ing lives. “There was a wide world that was beyond my and helping his family work through the farm econphysical grasp, but it was something I could delve into. omy difficulties commonplace at the time. He rememRural North Dakota gave me the space in order for that bers his dad working on power line construction crews, to happen,” Shea says. in addition to operating the farm, during his youth. “I remember working hard and remember the hardships Now, as president of U-Mary, Shea is building on this we faced,” he notes. appreciation of the world beyond the physical confines of the Bismarck campus. Collaborating with key supShea says his pathway to the religious life and educaporters and partners was a vital operating mode estabtional leadership started with those early experiences. lished by the founding Benedictine Sisters in 1959. It is a mode the university continues today.

As the sisters started this college, “they couldn’t rely only on their religious community, or on their Catholic community,” Shea says. “They needed collaborators from throughout this community and throughout this region – men and women of good will who would help them in their great project. That spirit continues today.”

Currently, U-Mary, with host institutions, operates satellite campuses in Alexandria, Minn.; Billings, Mont.; Tempe, Ariz.; Kansas City, Mo.; Fort Riley, Kan.; and Rome, Italy. U-Mary also has branches in downtown Bismarck and Fargo.

Recently, Shea and U-Mary announced a new collaboration with Dickinson State University, to provide master’s degrees to complement DSU programs in counseling, business, health studies and education.  The streets of Rome are now home to a University of Mary satellite campus.

12 M A R C H 2 0 1 3  N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G

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Marketplace Foods uses Verendrye’s online charting BY

KENT BRICK

T

hese days, Craig Heupel, store manager for Marketplace Foods at the Dakota Square Mall in Minot, is an eager student of energy consumption.

Verendrye Electric Cooperative has been a great source for his education. With the co-op’s help, Heupel is confident energy steps being taken are making the popular store even stronger financially.

“I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support I’ve gotten from Verendrye Electric,” Heupel says. “They have called me, and they have come in and done free consultations. We walked through the entire store, and

Craig Heupel, Marketplace Foods store manager, and Tom Rafferty, Verendrye Electric community relations manager, discuss recent benefits as a result of lighting changes in the store.

14 M A R C H 2 0 1 3  N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G

they shared ideas with me. They help you learn about energy consumption.”

Heupel has been employed with this store and in the grocery business since he graduated from high school in Minot. Marketplace Foods operates four stores in Minot.

The Marketplace Foods group of stores originated about 60 years ago in Fargo with the Johanneson family as the owners. Today, this family’s supermarket business features stores in North Dakota and Minnesota, with more than 1,000 employees.

The supermarket Heupel manages was built in 1982.

Among his challenges is replacing old, original energy-consuming features with new technologies.

“Some energy efficiency improvements were in order,” Heupel said. One of the big steps he has taken is to bring Verendrye Electric staff and other electrical professionals into the store for their analysis. Changing out old-style lighting was one of the first recommendations.

“They came in and looked at our lighting and said we can cut our energy consumption in half, by switching from T-12 to T-8 technologies,” Heupel says. He has called this to the attention of the Marketplace corporate management, and they are taking steps to initiate lighting efficiency improvement at many of their supermarkets.

Heupel said he also saw another opportunity to economize on lighting costs, when the decision was made in 2011 to reduce the store’s operating hours. At the time of the flooding in Minot, the management determined that closing the store from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily was prudent, given w w w. n d a r e c . c o m

Store manager, Craig Heupel says Marketplace Foods’ energy consumption can be monitored on a monthly, daily or even hourly basis using Verendrye Electric’s online display.

the major disruptions occurring in the community.

For the closed period, when restocking and cleaning were occurring, Heupel said they concluded the store needed only half the lighting. What he needed was expertise to re-do the complex network of circuit breakers serving the facility. Verendrye Electric and local electricians came in, redesigned the breaker configuration, and soon the store had a fully automated “full on/half off” system for the store’s lighting.

Now, two of the four Marketplace Foods stores in Minot are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; the other two are open 24 hours a day. The Dakota Square Mall location, in addition to a full complement of groceries, has a liquor store, a meat smoking service and a video store. This location also has a full bakery which supplies the new Arrowwood Marketplace Foods location with baked goods.

The latest resource Verendrye Electric has developed for Heupel and other members is a real-time, online charting and display of energy consumption.

“Now, on the Verendrye Electric website, you can check your energy consumption monthly, daily, even hourly,” Heupel says. He says he now knows the store, with its vast array of cooling, lighting and heating components, uses about 8,000 kilowatt-hours (KWH) per day. He says the energy usage tracking on the website is a true reporter of the low consumption occurring overnight, transitioning upward as the morning opening period arrives.

With this tool, Heupel, for example, can manage the store’s air conditioning economically. The freezers work from a network of six compressors, and the energy consumption tracking software sends him signals about how well the network is performing. Unusual energy use spiking in the compressor network is a sign one of the components is underperforming.

“When I see huge spikes, then I know I better have someone come and look at our system. That helps me save a potential loss,” Heupel says. He adds that breakdowns of refrigeration and freezer equipment can produce economic w w w. n d l i v i n g . c o m

losses in the range of $50,000 in just a few hours, when food spoilage and equipment repair costs are combined.

Verendrye Electric has made this online energy use tracking system available to co-op members in recent months. The cooperative is taking this step as communications technologies have combined with power distribution technologies to help make it happen.

“All of our accounts have access to this resource, whether it’s one for an apartment or for a large grocery store. You can check your usage by the hour,” says Tom Rafferty, community relations manager for Verendrye Electric, in Minot. “We hear a lot about smart grid and smart metering – we have it right now,” Rafferty says. He says the online, real-time charting is the tool today’s tech-savvy consumers expect.

“We feel this is the future and we’ve worked hard to accomplish it for our members,” he says.

Heupel says this approach aligns perfectly with modern management practices the Marketplace Stores network emphasizes. The Johannesons, and their local store managers, have made energy use monitoring and energy cost savings practices a high priority.

“There is always this battle of whether you are saving energy or not. This clearly shows that we are saving energy.

It’s a no-brainer. I feel good about that,” Heupel says.

Heupel also feels good about the popular profile his store has in Minot, and the region.

“This is strong store,” Heupel says, adding that throngs of visitors from Canada are common. “They love to shop at the mall, stay at the Sleep Inn, come grocery shopping here and head home,” he says. He says a lot of store visitors come from western North Dakota communities like Stanley and Tioga. Heupal is pleased the Marketplace Foods stores are also playing an important part in Minot’s rebound from the 2011 flooding.  Kent Brick is editor of North Dakota Living. He may be reached at kbrick@ndarec.com.

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 3 15

D I S C O V E R I N G D A KO TA

BY

CURT ERIKSMOEN

Brynhild Haugland and half-century of service

A

t one time, a person from North Dakota served in the state House of Representatives longer than any other state legislator in the United States. When you consider that the legislator was a woman, it is even more remarkable.

Brynhild Haugland, from Minot, was elected to represent her district a record 26 consecutive times, serving from 1939 to 1990. Haugland lost only one election in her political career – her first try at the state Legislature in 1936. A broken leg kept her from campaigning and she lost by only 100 votes.

Haugland chose to run again for the state House in 1938, won, and her constituents re-elected her to the North Dakota House 25 more times in a row. Haugland retired from the state Legislature after the 1990 session. In recent years, her national record of consecutive elections was eclipsed, by Hugh Gillis of Georgia.

Haugland was born a twin on July 28, 1905, to Norwegian immigrants, Nels and Sigurda (Ringoen) Haugland, in Minot. When her twin brother died in infancy, she took on the mantle of living up to the expectations of being both a son and daughter. From her parents, she developed a sense of patriotism, and learned the importance of commitment and the need to be sensitive to the feelings of others. Haugland exhibited these qualities throughout her long political career.

Haugland entered Minot Model School, now Central Campus School, on its opening day Sept. 30, 1913. She completed her elementary teaching certification at Minot State Normal School in 1924, her two-year standard in 1928, and then taught for two years in rural Ward County. More than 30 years later, she returned to her alma mater, Minot State College (now Minot State University) and received a bachelor of

This portrait of Brynhild Haugland hangs in the state Capitol’s Rough Rider Hall of Fame gallery.

arts degree in 1956.

Haugland quit teaching to help her parents develop their dairy business and continued to operate the farm even after her father’s death. She became active in Republican politics in the mid-1920s. Although she remained a Republican throughout her long career, Haugland was concerned with social issues and did not always vote along party lines. The Republican Party dropped her from the ballot as a House candidate in 1962, but she won in the primary, running as an independent, and then went on to win in the general election.

Haugland, as a woman, certainly represented an elected minority in state politics in the mid-1930s. The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution had been ratified in North Dakota in a special session of the Legislature Dec. 2, 1919. This not only gave women the right to vote, but also allowed them to seek elective office.

The first state election after full women’s suffrage was in 1922. That year, two women – Minnie Craig of Esmond and Nellie Dougherty of Minot – were elected to the Legislature.

By the time Haugland began

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serving as a legislator in 1938, only eight women had been elected in the state’s history to serve in the North Dakota House. Only one woman, Minnie Craig, served for more than one term. Haugland was the only female legislator in North Dakota during the 1941, 1943 and 1945 sessions. Throughout her career in the North Dakota House, Haugland’s main causes centered on education, the environment, agriculture and the handicapped. She is given primary credit for establishing the North Central Experiment Station, the North Dakota state prison, and multicounty health units. She received well over 100 awards, culminated by being selected to the state’s Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Hall of Fame in 1994. Officials from North Dakota further attested to her accomplishments by naming the largest conference room in the state Capitol the Brynhild Haugland room. She died in 1998, at age 93.

Haugland lived by her motto: “Most any good thing can be accomplished eventually, if you are not particular who gets the credit.” However, people certainly did recognize that Haugland was involved in many good things that were accomplished in North Dakota.

Former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, in her 1954 book, “Ladies Of Courage,” best illustrated this by writing: “Go down the list of laws passed by the North Dakota Legislature in the last 15 years to help meet farmers’ problems and improve his living conditions, and you will find that Brynhild Haugland had a hand in every one of them.”  Curt Eriksmoen, with his spouse, Jan, publishes articles about noteworthy North Dakotans in history. They have published several volumes of these articles in their “Did You Know That…?” series. For more information, visit www.eriksmoenenterprises.com.

w w w. n d a r e c . c o m

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Building future leaders through 4-H, FFA BY

LI N D A LE I E R TH O M A S O N

N

orth Dakota families involved in 4-H and FFA should be proud and grateful. Both organizations have been ingrained in rural communities for decades, building multiple generations of state leaders. As times change, so do the organizations and their programs, but the mission of developing youth into community, career and family-minded leaders has never strayed.

Chartered in 1929, North Dakota FFA today has 4,453 members (56 percent male and 44 percent female). In 1904, 4-H started in the state with contests for farm boys and girls sponsored by the North Dakota Agricultural College. Today, there are 5,034 members in 444 community clubs with 53 percent of the members being female and 47 percent male.

State leaders of both 4-H and FFA are alumni members of their respective organizations and each is wellvested in ensuring success of not only his organization, but also the youth. Brad Cogdill, chair of the Center for 4-H Youth Development, a

Brad Cogdill

The 2012-13 N.D. FFA state officer team includes, left to right, back row: Phillip Wanner, Wishek, state secretary; Justin Zahradka, Park River, northwest region vice president; middle row: Brian Anderson, Harvey, northeast region vice president; Daniel Bjertness, Kindred, state president; Andrew Kreidt, New Salem, southwest region vice president; front row, from left: Bailey Dockter, Medina, state parliamentarian; and David Leier, Napoleon, southeast region vice president.

1971 graduate of the United Public School District (DesLacs and Burlington), was a 10-year 4-H member who served in several club and county officer roles in addition to being a National 4-H Congress state winner in horticulture. Steve Zimmerman, supervisor for agricultural education/ state FFA advisor, a 1972 Fessenden High School graduate, was a four-year high school FFA member where he served as chapter sentinel and president. He earned his State FFA Degree in 1972 and also was elected to state office as the Central Region vice president.

“4-H had a significant impact on my becoming a first-generation family member to receive a college degree,” Cogdill shared. “It also prepared me with great leadership and communication skills. So, it causes me sleepless nights now, knowing that there are

20 M A R C H 2 0 1 3  N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G

youth who can benefit from 4-H but do not have access to fully participate.”

Reflecting, Zimmerman adds

Steve Zimmerman w w w. n d a r e c . c o m

Elizabeth Gunderson

that he attains the greatest sense of accomplishment today by seeing students and teachers whom he has worked with succeed.

Two of their success stories are David Leier and Elizabeth Gunderson.

Leier, a 2012 Napoleon High School graduate and the current Southeast Region vice president, earned a State Star Farmer Award at the June 2012 state convention. As an aspiring agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor enrolled at North Dakota State University (NDSU), Leier said that FFA has instilled three core values in him: authentic leadership, dedication and a passion and love of agriculture and life.

“I admire Brian Schneider, my chapter advisor, because he always put his students and members ahead of himself and made class and FFA an enjoyable learning experience,” he said. “Mr. Schneider truly showed me the meaning of hard work, dedication and leadership. He encouraged me to be my best and unlocked my potential.”

Gunderson, a 4-H ambassador currently enrolled at NDSU, was a Lake Country Leaders member in Ramsey County for 10 years. “4-H taught me parliamentary procedure and instilled leadership and social skills in me,” she revealed. “I have made a lot of friends and it got me out of my shell and made me want to meet new people. I enjoy assisting at county events, because I know a lot of the members and it is fun w w w. n d l i v i n g . c o m

to watch them grow and see how 4-H impacts their lives.”

Both Zimmerman and Cogdill hope to continue to attract members like Leier and Gunderson, but are acutely aware of competing interests and the declining student population. Cogdill conveyed that the number of youth available to reach has been declining for many years in the state due to an aging population.

“This makes it challenging to maintain a community-based program like 4-H when viability of communities and school structure has changed so much,” he said. And, according to Zimmerman, competition with course work has reduced student opportunities to enroll in many ag courses in the smaller schools.

“With FFA being integral with ag education, loss of one reduces the other,” he revealed. “However, much of this has been overcome by developing our curricula around career paths that allow FFA members to tie both classroom instruction and FFA experience with specific career goals.”

Learning to adapt to community and student changes is integral to organizational survival for both Cogdill and Zimmerman. The biggest change Zimmerman has seen for FFA members during his tenure is their willingness to adapt to technology and its impact, even to the global level.

“Our students understand that agriculture is no longer about feeding themselves, but rather about feeding the world. To do this requires communication, precision and accountability,” Cogdill said. “Technology plays a more significant role in the individual lives of the young people today than at any previous time. It influences how they spend time, interact and connect with the world. My perception is that technology has to be balanced with human interaction in order to have a healthy individual and a healthy world.”

Both leaders are grateful for the recognition and funding to keep their organizations relevant and current in a rapidly changing world. Cogdill believes the highest honor 4-H receives is county, state and federal elected

David Leier

officials continuing to fund 4-H work.

“This level of support affirms confidence that these funders are receiving a good return on their investment of public money,” Zimmerman concurred. “Passage of Public Law 105-225 by Congress gave substance to FFA by recognizing it as part of the overall education system, not just another club for kids to join.”

Even with this recognition, Cogdill’s greatest wish for his organization is additional financial resources to reach a larger number of youth who have limited opportunities due to financial constraints.

“My greatest wish for our youth members is that they would choose to participate until age 18 because the longer they do, the more likely 4-H will have a significant positive impact on their future.” And Zimmerman’s greatest wish – that FFA members never lose sight of the values of family, community and country because combined, they build character.

Building character in North Dakota youth who become leaders is what both 4-H and FFA do quite well. Cogdill and Zimmerman are a testament to this generational building and their prodigies, Leier and Gunderson, and so many other members like them, are the future of North Dakota.  Linda Leier Thomason is a 10-year Logan County 4-H alumni and the proud aunt of David. Her Kintyre family is served by KEM Electric Cooperative.

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 3 21

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R E A D E R R E P LY

This month, we asked our readers to submit replies to the following...

“The NOOK®, Kindle® and iPad® have surged in popularity. What do you have, what do you use it for, and why do you like it?”

Books I love books! Real, hold-in-yourhands books! I love opening the cover of a book, creasing my finger down the spine, turning the pages and feeling the paper. Sometimes the texture is smooth; the page feels cool to the touch, and the crisp, clean scent of fresh ink wafts up to me. Other times, the pages are thick and rough-textured, perhaps with uneven, feathered edges and a musty smell that reminds me of the good old days when Grandma used to read to me. I love owning books so I can write my thoughts in the margins while I am reading, and highlight and underline the statements and passages that intrigue me or deserve emphasis. I loved reading and re-reading favorite books to my boys when they were young, and am so happy to get to do so again now that I have a granddaughter!

Cindy Klapperich, Oakes Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative and Dickey Rural Networks

Kindle® One of my favorite hobbies is to read a good novel or series. To me, the best part about a Kindle is that

you can order a book at the touch of your fingertip. When you are reading a series and you finish one book, it leaves you immediately wanting to start the next one. And, when you’re like me and live more than an hour away from the nearest book store, or when you finish a book after business hours and don’t want to wait until the next day to purchase the next one, the Kindle is very convenient.

Another great benefit available with a Kindle that you don’t have with paperback books is that by touching a word or group of words, you can instantly learn the definitions.

I have the Kindle Fire, which has Internet access, unlike the first Kindle. With the Internet, the Kindle is a lot like an iPad but can be purchased at a more affordable price. They have since come out with the Kindle Fire HD, which has a bigger screen and would also work great for watching movies. I would recommend a Kindle to all my bookworm friends out there! n

Emily Piatz, Napoleon KEM Electric Cooperative and BEK Communications Cooperative

UPCOMING READER REPLY QUESTIONS: april: “In this ‘Take Care’ issue, share an experience on a health screening evaluation that made a positive difference in you or your family’s life.”

Deadline for submission: March 15 may: “In honor of Mother’s Day, share a favorite story or memory about your mother, and tell us why she means the world to you. Submit a photo!”

Deadline for submission: April 15 we want to hear you: Submissions should be no more than 250 words, typewritten or in legible handwriting. Include your name, complete address, daytime phone number and the name of the rural electric or telephone cooperative to which you belong. Note: Magazine staff reserves the right to make editing changes and cuts. We pay $25 for each letter we print. Email to cdevney@ndarec.com or mail to READER REPLY, North Dakota Living, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727.n 24 m a r c h 2 0 1 3 n N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G

Nook® As a librarian, I figured it was good to keep up with the latest information systems, which certainly includes e-books. I bought my Nook at a Black Friday sale and have not yet exhausted the free books that came with it. I particularly like the flexibility in selecting print size. I am using it to read through the Bible in the English Standard Version, and find it convenient and a good size to take along. By the way, I don’t fear losing my job of librarian because of these readers, since there is nothing that can replace the feel of a real book. n

Priscilla Backstrom, Maddock Northern Plains Electric Cooperative

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TEEN-2-TEEN

by

Ethan M ic h els o n

The secret diary of an energy hoarder

I

COURTESY PHOTO

hide it underneath my bed.

The beast that feeds my life — it’s not the boogie man, but it scares me just the same. It’s the power strip that connects all of my electronic gadgets.

I have so many I fear it will cause a citywide blackout. Every now and again, I consider eliminating some of those cords. But truth be told, I’d rather trigger a massive power outage than unplug technology that entertains me and allows me to instantly connect to the world.

I could not unplug my computer, which I need for homework and music.

Ethan Michelson I could not unplug my TV, which helps me keep up with Friends and late-night infomercials.

I could not unplug my cell phone charger. My phone needs enough power to send hundreds of texts every day — and to call my mom in the next room, so I do not have to get up to ask her a question.

My energy hoarding goes on and on. I need my tablet to keep up with friends (not the TV show); I need my alarm clock so I will not wake up halfway through the school day; and so on.

Just looking at my power strip and the highway of wires connecting me to instant communication gratification, I think about the juice it takes to power my gadgets — and ultimately how my family’s electrical cooperative works hard to supply enough electricity to satisfy my needs — in addition to everyone else’s.

While I’d like to reduce the size of the beast under my bed, I’m going to stay connected — and safe. At this time, I haven’t overloaded the power strip, and my hoarding hasn’t caused a widespread outage. Now, if I can just keep my cat from chewing the cords … . n Ethan Michelson, 16, is a junior at Rolla High School.

Involved in speech, FCCLA, church and Boy Scouts, Ethan’s passion lies in journalism. He currently works for the Turtle Mountain Star, KEYA Radio Station and BEK Sports Broadcasting. Ethan is the son of Cameron and Dainelle Mickelson, who are members of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative.

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N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G n m ar c h 2 0 1 3 27

CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARCH THROUGH March 31  Youth Art Month, with reception from 1:30-4 p.m.

Sunday, March 10, Plains Art Museum, Fargo.

701-232-3821.

THROUGH May 19  Exhibit of “Andy Warhol: Creating Myth and Icon,” Plains Art Museum, Fargo. 701-232-3821.

THROUGH June 23  Exhibit of “Beyond Convention: New Work

by Jessica Wachter,” Plains Art Museum, Fargo. 701-232-3821.

7-10  Red River Valley Sportsmen Show, Fargodome, Fargo. 701-241-9100.

8  Wine Tasting, 7-10 p.m., Bismarck Country Club, Bismarck.

701-223-5986.

8-10  Home and Garden Show, Civic Center, Jamestown.

701-252-8088.

8-10  KXMC Sports RV and Boat Show, noon-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, N.D. State Fair Center, Minot. 701-852-2104.

9  National Quilting Day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Frances Leach High Prairie Arts and Sciences Complex, Bismarck.

701-224-1259.

9  Animal Ed-Ventures: Busy Bunnies, 2-4:30 p.m., Dakota Zoo, Bismarck. 701-223-7543.

9-10  Deer-Gun Show, Armory, Carrington. 701-650-1233.

9-13  Film Festival, Fargo Theatre, Fargo.

701-239-8385.

12-13  KUMV TV Farm and Ranch Show, Raymond Family Community Center, Williston.

701-774-9041.

13-April 13  Youth Art Show, MonDak Heritage Center, Sidney, Mont.

406-433-3500.

14-17  Scrapbooking Retreat, 1 p.m. Thursday-3 p.m. Sunday, Red Willow Bible Camp, Binford. 701-676-2681.

15  3C Christensen Ranch Bull and Heifer Sale, 1 p.m., at the ranch, Wessington, S.D. 605-350-2018.

15-17  Sports and Recreation Show, Raymond Family Community Center, Williston. 701774-9041.

16  Badlands Trail Riders “Spring Fling,” 6-10 p.m., Governor’s Room, Ramkota Inn, Bismarck. 701-220-6363.

16  St. Patrick’s Parade, downtown, Fargo and Moorhead, Minn.

701-364-9867.

16-17  Mini-Winter Junior Zookeeper Camp, 1-4 p.m., Dakota Zoo, Bismarck. 701223-7543.

16-April 15  “Key Ingredients: America

by Food,” a Traveling Smithsonian Exhibit, City Hall, Underwood.

701-442-5482.

18-May 4  Don Marvine Art Show, MonDak Heritage Center, Sidney, Mont. 406-433-3500.

19  Artful Happy Hour for Adults, 5 p.m., The Arts Center, Jamestown.

701-251-2496.

19  Kiwanis Pancake Day, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, Carrington. 701-652-2524.

22-23  Archery Shoot, Civic Center, Jamestown. 701252-8088.

22-23  Easter Eggstravaganza, Children’s Museum, Yunker Farm, Fargo. 701-232-6102.

23  Easter Egg Hunt, 1-3 p.m., Dakota Zoo, Bismarck. 701-223-7543.

23  Polish Food Fest, 3-7 p.m., Minto Community Center, Minto. 701248-2005.

29-30  Wild About Wheels, 2005 Burdick Expy. E., Minot. 701857-7620.

30  Easter Egg Hunt, 11 a.m., McElroy Park, Jamestown. 701252-3982.

31  Easter Egg Hunt, Chateau de Mores, Medora. 701-623-4910.

APRIL 3  Fraternal Order of Police Concert, Civic Center, Jamestown.

701-252-8088.

5  Dakota Digital Film Festival, Belle Mehus Auditorium, Bismarck. 701-258-8767.

5-6  Spring Big One Art and Craft Fair, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, N.D. State Fair Center, Minot. 701-837-6059.

5-6  Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Rodeo, Fargodome, Fargo. 701-663-6098.

6  March of Dimes March for Babies, 9 a.m. registration and 10 a.m. walk, Civic Center, Bismarck. 701-235-5530.

6  Performance by Just for Kix, Civic Center, Jamestown. 701-2528088.

6  Nano Days, 1-4 p.m., Gateway to Science Center, Bismarck. 701258-1975.

12  Performance by “Celtic Woman,” 8 p.m.

Chester Fritz Auditorium, Grand Forks. 701-7774090.

12-14  El Zagal Shrine Circus, Fargodome, Fargo. 701-2419100.

12-14 and 19-21 

Performance of “Gypsy,” 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m.

Sundays, Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre, Fargo. 701-235-6778.

13-14  Red River Valley Motorcycle Show, Alerus Center, Grand Forks. 701-792-1200.

13-14  Home Show, Dickinson Rec Center, Dickinson. 800-279-7391 or 701-225-1374.

13-14  Prime Steel Car Show, Purpur/ Gambucci Arena, 1101 Seventh Ave. S., Grand Forks. 218-779-5377.

27  Garden Party, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Rheault Farm, Fargo. 701499-7788.

PROMOTE YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT North Dakota Living publishes calendar events free of charge. We only publish the date, name of the event, time, place and location, and contact telephone number. To submit an item, email cdevney@ndarec.com or mail to: Calendar of Events, North Dakota Living, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 585540727. North Dakota Living does not guarantee the publication of any event.

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MARCH 2013  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

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North Dakota Farmers UNioN

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N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 3 29

RECIPE ROUNDUP

BY

CARMEN DEVNEY

Turn a memory book into a cookbook M

y grandmother is an amazing woman. She taught me how to start vegetables from seed. She taught me not to take the Lord’s name in vain. And she’s been trying (and trying, and trying) to teach me how to prepare meals from our German-Russian heritage, like shoupf noodla, strudels, and my family’s favorite, kaseknoepf soup.

So far, I’ve been a slow study.

The problem is not her. Ida Zimmerman, a Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative member from south of Carson, is sharp as a tack at 97 years old. The problem is me. Even though I’m 38, I haven’t spent a substantial amount of time in the kitchen — mostly because I never had the desire to learn. I regret that now, as a wife and mother of two.

Another reason I’ve been reluctant to make these meals: Some of the recipes lack exact measurements. In a handwritten letter from my grandmother, the kaseknoepf soup recipe reads, “If the dough is too stiff, add a little egg.” A “little” egg? What does that mean, to an inexperienced cook like me? I have so many questions.

To help myself learn while preserving our family history, I decided to make a cookbook. Again. Years ago, my cousins and I talked about making a cookbook using all of grandma’s recipes. The thought alone was overwhelming. Creating a cookbook takes a tremendous amount of time and work — and grandma has a lot of recipes.

Last year I started over, taking the “less-is-more” approach. To minimize the work, I narrowed my recipe selection to grandma’s German recipes. Instead of typesetting the ingredients and directions, I took a scanner and laptop to the farm, and scanned the recipes; many of which were handwritten by my grandmother. Then, I went through photo albums and scanned pictures of my immediate family members who were either working in the kitchen or garden.

Every photo I chose is so incredibly special, featuring four generations of family. There’s one of my aunt as a baby, sitting naked in a dishwater basin. There’s one of my dad and his brother washing dishes as teenagers. There’s one of my grandma cooking kaseknoepf soup. There’s one of my grandfather, Rubin Zimmerman, eating prunes with my daughter. There’s one of my nephew baking cookies. There’s one of my son taking a bath in the kitchen sink. And then, there’s the photo of grandma

30

MARCH 2013  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

Ida Zimmerman, a Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative member who lives southeast of Carson with her husband, Rubin, makes her family’s favorite German meal: kaseknoepf soup. In the handwritten recipe she gave her granddaughter, Carmen Devney, Ida wrote, “There’s no trick to it, really. I hope you have good luck.”

picking tomatoes in her garden, taken just a few years ago. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in that garden with my grandma, sister and cousins, climbing crab-apple trees, picking gooseberries, weeding and watering, and playing hide ‘n seek. When I think of heaven, I think it must be an extension of grandma’s garden (without the weeding).

To start my cookbook, I uploaded my electronic photos and recipes to www.shutterfly.com, which is one of my favorite websites. I’ve used the site to make keepsakes including birthday invitations, calendars and photo books. At the time, the site didn’t have a book “style” for a cookbook like it does now (called “favorite recipes”), so I chose a traditional style and surfed through hundreds of backgrounds until I found color schemes in red, grey and black, that resembled vintage wallpaper.

Because I started the electronic design from scratch, I used Shutterfly’s “storyboard” feature that allowed me to place photos and recipes on specific pages. Then I went through each page and customized the font, layout, background and embellishments.

Making an electronic cookbook is as easy — or as intimidating, complicating and time consuming — as you choose for it to be. While w w w. n d a r e c . c o m

I used scanned recipes to feature my grandmother’s handwriting and personal notes, you can certainly typeset the recipes and use the site’s embellishments as design elements (in this case, clip art like utensils, pots and pans, a chef’s hat, etc.).

I chose to keep my book simple. The only embellishments I incorporated were Bible verses that reminded me of the kitchen and of my grandparents. One of my favorites is, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything, give thanks.” I THESSOLONIANS 5:16-18 There were many advantages to doing this project myself. I could work on it when I had time. I didn’t have to research printing companies, paper and binding. I didn’t have to order huge quantities to get a deal. Shutterfly creates a quality product for a very reasonable price. As a member and frequent user of the site, I receive emailed coupons for reduced prices and free shipping. I took advantage of a sale and paid less than $25 per book.

I was also fortunate to have access to a scanner and laptop. It’s okay if you don’t have the equipment; there are businesses that can help you with the labor. This step will cost you more, but it’s also an opportunity to get those old-time photos scanned and burned to a CD or DVD, and preserve the past.

The bad news for readers: This book is not for sale. It is a personal treasure that I made for myself, my sister, our parents and grandparents.

After we received our books, I gave my book to my grandma and asked her to write a story about how she learned to cook on the inside back cover. She did, and I’m so thankful to learn of her journey, and to know that mine is still waiting to be discovered.

The good news: I’m sharing two of grandma’s handwritten recipes with North Dakota Living readers.

At the end of the kaseknoepf soup recipe (sorry; this family gem remains a secret), grandma writes, “There’s no trick to it, really. I hope you have good luck.” On that note, I better head to the kitchen, figure out what a “little” egg is, and give that recipe an honest try. I’m sure that with some experimentation and a few flops, I’ll figure it out.  Carmen Devney is a communications specialist for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Capital Electric Cooperative and Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative. w w w. n d l i v i n g . c o m

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 3 31

FA R M BY LI N E

by

Al Gustin

Develop vision, mission for your farm

I

PHOTO BY LAYN MUDDER

attended meetings recently of the Agriculture Committee of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce and a focus group of the Northern Great Plains Research Lab at Mandan. Both have developed vision and mission statements. In fact, as a member of both groups, I provided input on those statements.

I must admit that when the subject came up, I probably rolled my eyes as I thought, “Why don’t we just get our work done instead of wasting time going through this exercise?” In retrospect, I was wrong.

The mission statement of the Al Gustin focus group says: “Our mission is to ensure USDA-ARS research continues to have a positive impact on the lives of Northern Great Plains farm families in this and future generations.” It then lists how the group will accomplish that.

The mission statement of the Ag Committee says its goal is to “create an awareness of the impact of agriculture on the Bismarck-Mandan community and to support current and future agricultural entities in our community.”

The statement is followed by a list of action plans.

I was at a meeting not long ago where the featured speaker suggested farms and ranches should have vision

32 marc h 2 0 1 3 n N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G

and mission statements, especially multi-generation farms or farms with hired help. That way, he said, everybody’s “on the same page” when it comes to the work that needs to be done. Put the statements in writing, he said, and hang them on the wall somewhere.

A vision statement outlines where you want to be, for example, “Our vision is of a family farm that uses resources wisely, and is productive, profitable and sustainable for this generation and the next.”

The mission statement would outline how you plan to get where you want to be, with goals or action plans.

Some producers may already have created such statements without thinking much about it. One purebred cattle producer had this in his annual sale catalog: “Here at the ranch, our goal is to produce the kind of bulls and females the cowman is looking for – strong maternal traits, carcass quality, growth and eye appeal.”

Another seedstock producer wrote this in his catalog: “Our mission is to provide genetics that will generate increased profits for our customers. How we do it is changing rapidly.”

Do you have a vision and mission for your farm or ranch? You might not actually formalize and write them down, but just giving it some thought has merit. n Al Gustin is a retired farm broadcaster, active rancher and a member of Mor-Gran-Sou Electric.

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M A R K E T P L A C E F O R U M R E A L E S TAT E • F A R M & R A N C H • W A N T E D • F O R S A L E • T R AV E L REAL ESTATE FOR SALE • Absolutely beautiful Little Missouri River Ranch west of Grassy Butte with 2,360 deeded acres, plus 250-head national grasslands grazing permit. More than $500,000 in recent improvements. New home, second home, new shop, etc. Awesome hunting ranch allowing for bonus income. $2,800,000 • 7-acre ranchette on Hwy. 85 two miles north of Grassy Butte. $299,000 • 10 acres adjacent to Hwy. 85 just north of Grassy Butte. Great commercial or industrial location! $300,000 • Awesome 158-acre property 10 miles east of Dickinson, with the Heart River and Green River running through the property. Great hunting or recreational property or a place to build your dream home.

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34 M A R C H 2 0 1 3  N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G

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 Acme Tools ........................................33  Advanced Surgical Arts Center ..........23  Ann Andre, Realtor .............................26  Basin Electric Power Cooperative ...... 18  Dakota Carrier Network ...................... 5  Days Inn, Bismarck ............................26  Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort .......28  Deines Mfg. .......................................29  Design Homes, Inc. ...........................29  Farm Credit Services ......................... 19  Farm Credit Services of Mandan .......23  Golight ...............................................33  Grand International Inn, Minot ...........27  Heringer Dentistry .............................. 3  Heritage Modular Homes ...................27  Jensen Travel .....................................23  Judy’s Leisure Tours Inc. ...................27  Junk Yard Chic ...................................27  KFYR Radio........................................32  Kvamme Travel & Cruises ..................27  Lake Region State College ................. 19  Luter’s Supply ....................................28  Mid Dakota Clinic..................Back cover  Naomi Rossow Realty LLC................. 17  National Information

Solutions Cooperative ........................25  ND Farmers Union Tours ...................29  Nordaas American Homes ................. 17  North Dakota Living .......................... 17  Prairie Public......................................23  Pride of Dakota ....................................3  R&S Building Systems, Inc. ..............28  Radisson Hotel, Bismarck ..................29  Regional Neurological Center ............ 24  Satrom Travel & Tour ....................17, 26  Spickler Ranch ...................................33  Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives of North Dakota ..................................22  Trinity Health .............. Inside front cover  University of Mary.............................. 13  West Dakota Chevy Dealers ............ Inside back cover

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 3 35

CO - OP COUNTRY

Gentle giants

F

inding a trustworthy partner and making a forever friend is priceless.

North Dakota Living thanks these electric cooperative members for sharing their joy and memories.  SPRING BRANDING:Larry Frei and his team watch a cattle roundup in progress. They give rides to and from the branding site, and teach kids what life was like in the good old days. Larry and his wife, Sarah, farm and ranch with their son, Cody, and his wife, Cathy, near Halliday. They are all members of McKenzie Electric Cooperative. Cathy shared the photo.

TRICK PONY: Gentle and smart, “Bud E.” will do tricks for Beau Bitz and his sister, Bailey, and follow the kids everywhere. Parents Dion and Kari Bitz submitted the photo; they are Capital Electric Cooperative members.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Kade Nitschke is practicing his balance, and plans to be ready to ride when the perfect pony comes along. He is the son of Jared and Sky Nitschke and grandson of Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative members Deborah and Jeffrey Nitschke. Debbie submitted the photo.

CHARMING CHATTERBOX: A bubbly, verbal toddler, Clarissa Klug talked non-stop to this yearling palomino.

After some cautious curiosity, “Candy” moved closer to hear more secrets. Clarissa is the daughter of Allen and Julie Klug and great-granddaughter of Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative members Don and Peggy Heth.

Peggy submitted the photo.

North Dakota Living is seeking photos of kids related to technology, school and spring!

Of course, we also want other family favorites for upcoming Co-op Country pages. We’ll select and print them as space allows.

Those whose submissions appear on this page will receive a check for $10 following publication of the magazine. We prefer high-resolution digital photos emailed to cdevney@ndarec.com, but you may also mail entries to Co-op Country, North Dakota Living, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727. Readers, North Dakota Living will not publish low-quality photos such as those taken on cell phones. When submitting photos, please include the following information: your complete name and address, your daytime phone number, and the name of your electric and/or telephone co-op. We will contact you prior to publication. NOTE: Please keep a duplicate photo, negative or file; the magazine is no longer able to return submitted photos.  36

MARCH 2013  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

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Where there’s a will in West Dakota, there’s the Silverado way.

Around here, the work never quits. Fortunately, neither does a 2013 Chevy Silverado. With valuable factory incentives and lots of inventory at your local West Dakota Chevy Dealer, now is a great time to buy your next Silverado 1500 Crew Cab or 2500 Crew Cab. They’re the most dependable, longest-lasting full sized pickups on the road — with the lowest cost of ownership in depreciation, fuel and maintenance. See them at WestDakotaChevy.com.

D&S Motors, Inc. • Rugby Hazen Motor Co • Hazen Kupper Chevrolet • Mandan Murphy Motors • Williston Puklich Chevrolet • Bismarck “Lowest cost of ownership” by Vincentric.

Rensch Chevrolet • New Town Ripplinger Motors • Harvey Ryan Chevrolet • Minot Sax Motor Co. • Dickinson Theel Inc. • Bottineau

®

West Dakota Chevy Dealers