LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR The Front Line
April 2017 Vol. 77 No. 10
On the cover: Quentin Reuterskiold, Oakdale Electric Cooperative Apprentice Lineman, demonstrates the power and danger of electricity for elementary students at Lawrence Lawson School in Sparta. By using a hotdog to represent a finger, Reuterskiold showed youth the real effect electricity would have on their body if contact would be made with a power line. Photo courtesy of Deana Protz, Oakdale Electric Cooperative.
USPS number: 688-480.
Photo courtesy of Brenda Mazemke, Central Wis. Electric Co-op.
Photo courtesy of Nicole Whipp Sime, Chippewa Valley Electric Co-op.
Lineworkers are the backbone of reliable energy in co-op country, and on April 10, we celebrate Dana Kelroy, Editor them with National Lineworker Appreciation Day. We don’t have to look back too far to really appreciate our lineworkers. Just a few weeks ago in early March, most of Wisconsin was hit by very high winds, resulting in numerous power outages across the state. Linemen responded to the call and worked, most through the night, to restore power in less than ideal conditions. The extreme winds blew trees down on lines, and even snapped power poles in some areas. Our cover this month shines a light on an area of a lineworker’s job that we don’t always think about: safety education. Be it at a local festival or fair or in our child’s elementary school, lineworkers are also a co-op’s front line for educating members first-hand to keep safe around of electricity. So this April 10, hats off to Wisconsin’s co-op lineworkers!
Photo courtesy of Katie Jagiello, Oconto Electric Cooperative
The Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News (Formerly Wisconsin R.E.C. News) has been published monthly and distributed since July 1940 to members of Wisconsin’s non-profit, consumer-owned rural electric cooperatives. It is available to non-members for $10 per year or $28 for three years. Published by the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Steve Freese, president & CEO.
Postmaster: please send address changes to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Periodicals postage paid at Baraboo, Wis. Send correspondence to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Phone (608) 467-4650. Web site: www.wecnmagazine.com. Co-op Members: Please send address changes to your local electric co-op. Contact information can be found on page 18. Steve Freese Dana Kelroy Mary Erickson David Hoopman Ann Bailey Tina Walden Geri Miller
WECA president & CEO editor associate editor contributing writer graphic designer editorial assistant advertising consultant
For advertising opportunities please email ads@weca.coop. The appearance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised.
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