Bright Magazine: Community 2025

North Platte Canteen

Remembering Heather

Dust to Dazzle

Explore North Platte, Nebraska

Sprouting good will

BRIGHT MAGAZINE is published by NorthWestern Energy. The publication is free with postage paid by NorthWestern Energy. It is printed and published by the Communications & Creative Services Department, 11 E. Park St., Butte, MT 59701.

Although Bright Magazine is copyrighted, permission to reprint articles is available by contacting our office.

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VOL 5 // ISSUE 1 // COMMUNITY

Editor in Chief:

Bobbi Schroeppel

Managing Editor:

Erin Madison

Creative Director:

Brandy Powers

Designer:

Cassie Scheidecker

Breezy Gibson

Jake Mahan

POSTMASTER

Production Support: Nina Nichols

Send address changes to: Bright Magazine, NorthWestern Energy, 11 E. Park St. Butte, MT 59701

Preferred periodicals postage paid.

Photographers:

Brenda Ayres

Jo Dee Black

Alissa Byrd

Emily Cleghorn

Amy Grisak

Ann Hamilton

Erin Madison

Lincoln County

Historical Museum

Cassie Scheidecker

Judy Stulken

Eric Thorsrud

Contributing

Writers:

Jo Dee Black

Alissa Byrd

Mike Cashell

Rich Daum

Miranda Edwards

Amy Grisak

Mitch Hegman

John Jones

Erin Madison

Micah Mehus

Eric Thorsrud

By Eric Thorsrud

NorthWestern Energy employees volunteer on Earth Day during NorthWestern’s Week of Service event, picking up litter along Continental Drive in Butte, Montana. This image captures just one part of a large community effort — 88 employees volunteered across the city, helping clean up three separate areas, supporting the local YMCA and assisting with a Habitat for Humanity build.

NorthWestern Energy employees come together to make a difference during our Week of Service.

NorthWestern Energy’s Al Hess is leading the restoration of a historic locomotive.

Microfiche to Advanced Meters Celebrating Nancy Heath’s 35-year legacy.

How the North Platte Canteen lifted soldiers’ spirits during WWII.

Linemen Highlands College Pre-Apprentice Line Program shapes future linemen with safety and expertise

Angel She Needed’ NorthWestern Energy Anaconda town manager’s timely help prevents potential tragedy.

We

appreciate it when our customers take the time to extend a thank you to our employees. Here’s what some of our customers have said recently:

“Our names are Cathy and Ernie. We live south of Butte. On April 22, 2025, while out for a walk, I (Cathy) came across several people walking the sides of Continental Drive with huge garbage bags picking up the garbage of the lazy and ill-mannered people of Butte (and there was a lot of garbage!).

As I approached each individual, they were so pleasant and happy to help. Wow! People could really learn from these individuals. Who could be so pleasant while picking up other people’s garbage?

I thanked these people as I walked my route. I wanted to share with you that you are blessed with wonderful personnel employed at your company. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM ARE DELIGHTFUL PEOPLE! When I returned home, I told my husband all about them.

We cannot express the appreciation for these folks. Be sure to give them a pat on the back for their hard work and delightful disposition, and count your blessings to have them be part of your organization.

Sincerely,

Cathy and Ernie, Butte, Montana

We love hearing from our readers. We welcome all your comments, questions and letters to the editor. We’ll edit letters as needed for accuracy, style and length, and we will feature letters in future issues.

Write us at:

Bright Magazine

NorthWestern Energy 11 E. Park St. Butte, MT 59701

Or email us at: bright@northwestern.com

“Dear Judy and the whole NorthWestern Energy crew, Thank you so much for taking the time to volunteer at SPURS and help us get some projects done! It was an immensely joyful day, and we were so blessed to have you all out volunteering. Your help and time mean the world to us, and we are beyond grateful. You all make a difference, and it is because of amazing people like you all that SPURS is able to exist and change so many lives. We are truly thankful for your support of our program.

The SPURS Team from Aberdeen, South Dakota

“Editor’s note: The group of NorthWestern Energy employees who Cathy encountered and the group that worked with SPURS were volunteering as part of our Week of Service in April. Read more about Week of Service on Page 12.

“Elizabeth called to let us know she had worked with our customer service representative Jalenne. She said that Jalenne was so sweet, kind, and incredibly understanding. Jalenne walked her through everything she needed on her account, and she was thrilled to work with such a great customer service representative!

One of the qualities of NorthWestern Energy that I appreciate the most is the genuine care of our employees anytime a need arises. It doesn’t matter whether it is a fellow employee who may be going through a hard time or a community event in need of volunteers, our employees always rally to help in any way that they can. This care and support have been consistent in the nearly four decades that I have been with the company and, in my view, is a major contributor to the “family feel” at NorthWestern.

In addition to providing critical, reliable service to our customers, I’m also very proud and feel fortunate to be part of an organization that is dedicated to playing an active role in the communities we serve. In 2024, NorthWestern Energy contributed $2.3 million in charitable donations and sponsorships, economic development opportunities, scholarships and professional association dues across our territory.

Perhaps even more important than those monetary donations, our employees are active volunteers in their communities. At nearly any community event across our service territory, you’ll most likely find a NorthWestern Energy employee or retiree pitching in to make the event a success.

I have deep roots in Butte, Montana. I was born and raised here and graduated from Butte High School and Montana Tech. It’s touching for me to see how supportive my company and my colleagues are to my hometown. NorthWestern Energy and our employees give generously to

United Way. Many employees volunteer as youth coaches, as firefighters and at community events.

Of course, it’s not just our Butte employees who are dedicated to their communities. In this issue of Bright, we highlight how NorthWestern Energy and our individual employees give back to their communities across our service territory. You’ll read about our recent Week of Service, when more than 300 NorthWestern Energy employees volunteered in their local communities. You’ll also find an article about a restoration project for a historic locomotive that once powered trains over the steep grades of Homestake Pass and that has deep ties to Al Hess, Foreman of Building Maintenance for NorthWestern Energy. One NorthWestern Energy community is a shining example of community dedication: North Platte, Nebraska, fed every military member who passed through via

Mike Cashell Vice President – Transmission

We’ve been busy attending events across our service territory (shaded in green). We loved getting to see so many people in person! Here are some highlights of events, sponsorships and more.

South Dakota – NorthWestern Energy and our partner Flynn Wright took home a silver ADDY award this spring during the South Dakota Chapter’s American Advertising Award show. The “Starts with Us” advertising campaign won the award. The campaign focuses on highlighting NorthWestern Energy employees and the crucial roles they play.

Mitchell – Mitchell Technical College recognized NorthWestern Energy as a 2024 Platinum Employer. Platinum Employers are acknowledged for hiring the highest number of new graduates into first-destination careers.

Aberdeen – The Aberdeen office recently welcomed 21 enthusiastic Cub Scouts and their parents from Pack 18 for an engaging and educational evening focused on electric and gas safety. During the presentations, the Scouts learned about the importance of calling 811 before digging. They also learned what to do if they encounter a downed power line and the proper response if they smell gas. The Cub Scouts asked good questions, enjoyed trying on some of the PPE and learned about real-life safety scenarios.

Brookings – Congratulations to the Brookings Division for earning the “Most Festive” spot in the 2024 Festival of Lights! It was heartwarming to see everyone, from employees to their children to retirees, joining forces to raise $2,800 for Downtown Brookings.

De Smet – We’re proud to support the 2025 De Smet Area Concert Series with a $500 donation.

Sioux Falls – NorthWestern Energy Vice President of Technology Jeanne Vold got to see her parents featured on CBS Evening News. Don and Marilyn Barnett have been married for 68 years. Their secret to a long and happy marriage – Don singing to Marilyn every night before bed. Their nightly musical ritual was featured on CBS Evening News’ segment of “On the Road” with Steve Hartman.

Missoula – The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) presented the Emergency Response Award to NorthWestern Energy following the severe thunderstorm in Missoula in July 2024. The EEI Emergency Response Award recognizes recovery and assistance efforts following service disruptions caused by extreme weather or other natural events. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process.

Anaconda – In February, Dave Gates Generating Station celebrated 15 years without a safety incident or recordable!

Anaconda – Supporters of Special Olympics Montana jumped at the chance to raise money for the organization during the Southwest Montana Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Silver Lake, west of Anaconda. We’re honored to donate $500 in recognition of our employees who took the plunge.

Butte – Sixteen employees volunteered to set up mats for the 20th Annual Cyclops Wrestling Tournament in Butte. Almost 1,200 young wrestlers filled the Civic Center for the two-day wrestling tournament.

Butte – More than four dozen Butte Division team members spent a day of friendly bowling competition with the satisfying sound of pins crashing down and more than a few disappointing gutter balls while raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butte Silver Bow. Bowl For Kids’ Sake is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and NorthWestern Energy employees showed up. NorthWestern donated $5,300 in recognition of our employees’ volunteerism.

Helena – We were proud to sponsor the Community Impact Award at the Montana Beer Awards in Helena in February. Shannon Heim, Vice President of Government Affairs at NorthWestern Energy, presented the award to Matt Muth, Owner of 406 Brewing in Manhattan, Montana. This small brewery has become a cultural hub for its community by hosting fundraisers, local meetings, and pop-up shops, all while providing a family-friendly atmosphere that strengthens the bonds of Manhattan.

Butte – NorthWestern Energy Accountant Billy Robinson appeared on Family Feud in January. Billy and his four siblings traveled to Atlanta in April 2024 to film the show. Billy’s sister applied to be on the show around 2019.

Helena – NorthWestern Energy employees recently helped give students a glimpse into career options in the energy industry at the 2025 Ignite Montana Conference, hosted by the Jobs for Montana Graduates (JMG) program. Students even got to try assembling a crossarm while wearing heavy insulated gloves.

Fort Benton – We’re proud to support the Fort Benton School’s Robotics Teams again this year! We helped students learn engineering skills, understand control systems, apply mathematical concepts and have fun while doing it.

Fort Benton Robotics Coach Brady Farwick was presented with a $500 donation from NorthWestern Energy by NorthWestern Energy Fort Benton Small Town Manager Josh Anderson and Community Relations Manager Shane Etzwiler.

Black Eagle – We rely on fire departments to keep the communities we serve safe. These first responders are valuable partners. We’re honored to have donated a $2,500 multi-gas detector to the Black Eagle Volunteer Fire Department in Cascade County so that firefights can be alerted to dangerous conditions before they enter a structure or confined space. We also provided $500 for the department’s fund for a new building.

Bozeman – A team of employees represented NorthWestern Energy at the 2025 Women in Engineering dinner hosted by the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering at Montana State University. NorthWestern Energy is proud to be a sponsor of the Montana State Women in Engineering program.

Lewistown – During Fire Prevention Month, we collaborated on power line safety training to better equip our local firefighters with the knowledge and skills needed to handle emergencies safely. Additionally, we donated $2,000 to the Heath Rural Fire District and $2,000 to the Lewistown Fire Department to support their vital work.

Kids’ Chance scholarships transform lives after workplace injuries.

EMPOWERING Futures

By Erin Madison

A workplace injury can take a major toll on a family. An injured parent might end up in an outof-town hospital for weeks; the other parent may have to travel to stay with them; the kids may end up staying with grandparents or a neighboring family.

“A work-related injury can really derail a family,” said Trevin Anderson, Safety Manager at NorthWestern Energy.

Kids’ Chance, a nonprofit organization, aims to help children whose parents were injured or killed on the job by providing scholarships for college or trade schools.

“It sets kids up for success,” said Trevin, who serves on the board of Kids’ Chance of Montana.

Kids’ Chance was founded in 1988 by Robert Clyatt, a workers’ compensation attorney in Georgia. Robert saw firsthand the life-shattering impact serious workplace injuries had on the children of those workers. Kids’ Chance of Georgia began reaching out to other states to encourage them to set up similar organizations. Kids’ Chance of Montana was founded in 2017, and by 2022, every state had a Kids’ Chance scholarship organization.

Jason Merkel, NorthWestern Energy Vice President of Distribution, served on the founding board of the Montana chapter. Jason’s passion for workplace safety led to him being recommended for the board.

“I just understand how much injuries impact workers,” Jason said. “Even if it’s not a life-threatening injury, it can be a life-changing injury, and it can have a huge impact on a family.”

Kids’ Chance of Montana is funded entirely through donations. Last year, the organization provided scholarships to 15 students. In addition to scholarships, the organization provides care packages for students every fall and spring and gives them gift cards when they graduate.

Learn more about Kids’ Chance at kidschanceofmontana.org.

Please bee a part of our latest survey

Your feedback is as sweet as honey to us, and it helps us create a buzz-worthy experience for everyone.

By taking just a few minutes to share your thoughts, you’ll be helping us gain a better understanding of what readers want to see in Bright magazine. We promise it won’t sting! The survey is short and sweet.

As a token of our appreciation, we’ll send you a Wyld Bees lip balm made with Montana beeswax.

Sprouting good will

NorthWestern Energy employees come together to make a difference during Week of Service

By Jo Dee Black

Armed with shovels, trash bags, paintbrushes and plenty of elbow grease, more than 300 NorthWestern Energy employees came together for the second annual Week of Service. This event saw employees from all departments contributing to their communities.

In recognition of their volunteerism, NorthWestern Energy will donate more than $30,000 to various community organizations. This annual event underscores our commitment to enhancing the lives of those in the communities we serve.

“Our employees are deeply involved in the communities where they work, live and raise their families,” said NorthWestern Energy Vice President of Customer Care, Communications and Human Resources Bobbi Schroeppel. “The Week of Service was created to boost employee involvement in our program that acknowledges their outstanding volunteer work with donations to the organizations they care about.”

Participation in our employee volunteer program increased by 45%, with more than $138,000 donated in recognition of more than 3,000 volunteer hours in 2024. The Week of Service also provides an opportunity for our employees to collaborate with co-workers from different departments while contributing to meaningful causes.

“In Huron, South Dakota, we spent an afternoon cleaning up trash along the highway,” shared our Digital Content Specialist Alissa Byrd. “I had the chance to collaborate with co-workers I hadn’t met before. I’m already looking forward to next year.”

In Butte, Montana, a crew of 29 employees collected 80 bags of garbage along the roadway in just two hours.

“Drivers honked, waved and gave our crews thumbs-up,” said NorthWestern Energy Communications and Marketing Coordinator Eric Thorsrud. “Another crew doing trash pickup uptown in Butte had several people stop to thank them. It’s been rewarding to come together and make a positive impact in the community. We’re building stronger partnerships with organizations we’ve worked with for many years and forming new ones with other organizations.”

Beyond trash cleanup, our crews assisted at a middle school archery tournament in Great Falls, Montana, planted trees in North Platte, Nebraska, prepared bag lunches for school-aged children in Bozeman, Montana, painted stalls for an organization that provides therapy using horses in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and more.

“A lot of good will sprout from this,” said NorthWestern Energy Director Community Relations Rick Edwards.

If you have a community project in mind for NorthWestern Energy’s 2026 Week of Service in April, please contact NorthWestern Energy Communications and Marketing Coordinator Eric Thorsrud at eric.thorsrud@northwestern.com or 406-497-2443.

Week of Service projects included (clockwise from top left): cleanup and restoration of the city park and city building in Platte, South Dakota; interior work at the city building in Platte; cleanup around Engine 25 in Butte, Montana; helping at the NeighborWorks Cleanup Event around Black Eagle, Montana; cleaning up trash along the Big Sioux River Greenway in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; participating in a Habitat for Humanity build in Butte; putting siding on a lean-to at SPURS, a horse therapy facility in Aberdeen, South Dakota; trimming trees at SPURS. Thank you to 5518 Designs for designing our volunteer t-shirt that all participants received.––

Aberdeen: Helped at SPURS, a horse therapy facility, to side a lean-to shelter and clean stalls.

Butte: Painted and did yard work at Habitat for Humanity homes on Iron Street.

Platte: Helped with the cleanup and restoration of the city park and city building.

Willow Lake: Helped clean up the ballpark, concession stand and bleachers.

Week of Service Projects Across Our Service Territory

Great Falls: Helped at North Middle School Archery Tournament.

Helena: Cleaned kennels at the Lewis and Clark Humane Society.

Madison: Installed smoke detectors with the American Red Cross.

Madison Dam: Removed noxious weeds along the Madison River.

North Platte: Worked with Lincoln County Historical Museum to remove and replace a tree and paint a building.

Whitehall: Helped with the Whitehall Garden Club event.

Aberdeen

Willow Lake

Huron

Madison

Yankton

Sioux Falls

Platte

North Platte

Bozeman: Filled kids school packs with healthy food and goodies and cleaned up a garden area at the Bozeman HRDC.

Billings: Cleaned up Billings Blue Creek Bike Park and Fishing Access Site.

Butte: Picked up trash along Continental Drive. Also cleaned up around the Engine 25 display and trails behind at the Butte Civic Center.

Butte: Cleaned up the Blacktail Creek Trail and George Street.

Butte: Helped at the Uptown Butte Neighborhood Cleanup in coordination with 5518.

Butte: Helped clean up the Butte Family YMCA.

Colstrip: Helped at the community cleanup event.

Great Falls: Helped at the NeighborWorks Cleanup Event around Black Eagle.

Havre: Helped at the Havre Chamber Cleanup Event.

Havre: Cleaned up Beaver Creek Park.

Huron: Picked up trash along Highway 37.

Laurel: Helped at the Build a Better Laurel Cleanup Event.

Lewistown: Helped clean up trails around Lewistown.

Missoula: Helped at the Clark Fork River Cleanup.

Sioux Falls: Helped with the Big Sioux River Greenway Cleanup.

Yankton: Volunteered with the Keep Yankton Beautiful Cleanup Project.

Havre

Great Falls

Missoula

Butte Helena

Whitehall

Madison Dam

Lewistown

Bozeman Laurel

Billings Colstrip

Al

Hess and the Engine 25 Restoration Project

By Eric Thorsrud

Al Hess has always had a strong connection to Butte’s rich railroad history — one forged not only by geography but by family legacy. Today, as Foreman of Building Maintenance for NorthWestern Energy in Butte, Al is leading a heartfelt effort to restore a cherished local landmark: Engine 25, a 125-ton steam locomotive that once powered trains over the steep grades of Homestake Pass. Built in 1899 by Schenectady Locomotive Works in New York, Engine 25 served the Northern Pacific Railroad and played a key role in Montana’s booming mining and freight economy. Like many steam engines of its time, it was retired in the 1950s to make way for diesel locomotives. But for the Hess family, this engine is more than just machinery — it’s a piece of personal history.

This engine is part of Butte’s identity. It tells a story about where we’ve come from and the people who helped build this place. “

Al’s father, Glen Hess, was the last engineer to run Engine 25 before its retirement. He knocked the final fire from its belly, closing a powerful chapter of Montana’s railroading past. After Engine 25 was moved to its current location outside the Butte Civic Center in 1958, Glen never forgot the old engine. In fact, decades later, he purchased a replacement brass bell to one day restore what had been stolen from the engine shortly after it went on display. He made it clear, however, that the bell would only be donated if the engine was protected and restored.

“

Following Glen’s passing in 2014, Al picked up where his father left off, determined to carry out his vision. For years, he appealed to local officials and community members, hoping to gain support for a proper restoration of the historic locomotive.

In 2023, his persistence paid off with the formation of the Engine 25 Restoration Group — a volunteer team of passionate Butte residents, business leaders and preservation advocates.

Since then, the project has gained momentum. With support from Butte-Silver Bow’s Historic Preservation Office, the Butte Parks and Trails Foundation, and businesses including Town Pump, Hawe Steel, Highlands College and NorthWestern Energy, the group has developed detailed plans to repaint the engine, reconstruct the original cab and build a protective structure to shield it from the elements. The project also includes landscaping improvements and interpretive signage to help the public understand the engine’s significance.

Al’s vision isn’t just about restoring a machine, it’s about preserving a story, honoring a community and fulfilling a promise made between a father and son.

“This engine is part of Butte’s identity,” Al says. “It tells a story about where we’ve come from and the people who helped build this place. It deserves to be treated with the respect it earned.”

NorthWestern employees pitch in

During NorthWestern Energy’s 2025 Week of Service, 28 Butte employees volunteered to clean up Continental Drive on Earth Day. Through the company’s Charitable Team Participation Grant program, their efforts will result in a $2,800 donation to the Engine 25 Restoration Project, distributed through Butte Parks and Trails Foundation.

Support the Engine 25 Restoration Project

The community can help keep this effort on track. Tax-deductible donations to the Engine 25 Restoration Project can be sent to:

Butte Community Federal Credit Union Engine 25 Restoration Project 2901 Grand Ave., Butte, MT 59701

For those who prefer to give online, scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to make a donation via the Butte Parks and Trails Foundation.

 Al Hess, Foreman of Building Maintenance for NorthWestern Energy in Butte, poses with Engine 25, a 125-ton steam locomotive that Al’s father used to operate.

FROM MICROFICHE TO ADVANCED METERS

By Jo Dee Black

Nancy Heath brightens her hometown of Kimball, South Dakota — along with the community of Chamberlain, South Dakota, 22 miles down the road - greeting NorthWestern Energy customers who stop in with a caring, familiar smile.

“Our customers share their news, joyful and heartbreaking, and I’ve tried to be a bright spot, a listening ear and to give some encouragement, if possible,” said Nancy, who worked as a Customer Associate in Kimball two days a week and commuted to Chamberlain the other three days.

Nancy retired at the end of April. NorthWestern Energy’s Kimball office will no longer have customer walk-in hours with the end of her tenure. Customers continue to have several ways to stay connected with NorthWestern Energy – by phone and online. The Chamberlain office has walk-in hours and a payment drop box.

The change is bittersweet for everyone.

“Nancy is irreplaceable, we will miss her, our customers will miss her,” said NorthWestern Energy Customer Associate Supervisor Tiffany Skinner. “She’s been dedicated to work in both the Kimball and Chamberlain offices, but her retirement is well-deserved. We want to assure our customers we will

continue to be here for them, even though we won’t be able to offer walk-in service in Kimball.”

Nancy’s journey with NorthWestern Energy began in 1990 shortly after her fifth child was born. “Before that, I owned a restaurant with my mom. I loved it, but the hours were tough on my family,” she recalls.

During one point of her career, Nancy was a meter reader. One of her most memorable years was the one where the snow was so deep that all meter readers had to wear snowshoes.

Customers and opportunities have made Nancy’s NorthWestern Energy career long and enjoyable, she said.

“When I first started in Kimball we received microfiche in the mail each day, and that is what we’d look up people’s accounts with,” she said. “Today, we have Advanced Meters. There’s been a lot of changes. I love our customers, and I love the variety of the work I’ve been able to do.”

Retirement will give Nancy the flexibility to travel, help out at her family’s lumber business, and spend more time with her grandchildren. But she will miss serving NorthWestern Energy, especially her regular customers.

 Nancy Heath recently retired as a Customer Associate in Kimball, South Dakota. Nancy worked for NorthWestern Energy for 35 years.

“ are the best and I appreciate all of them.

makes a payment,” she said. “Our customers are the best, and I appreciate all of them.”

Nancy’s retirement marks the end of an era for NorthWestern Energy’s Kimball office. Her legacy of kindness and dedication is appreciated by NorthWestern Energy and will be remembered by all who have the pleasure of knowing her.

A taste of home

By Erin Madison

How the North Platte Canteen lifted soldiers’ spirits during WWII.

Imagine being away from home for the first time, barely an adult, headed overseas, knowing you might never return. That was the reality for many soldiers during World War II as they rode troop trains across the country. Many of those trains passed through North Platte, Nebraska, a major hub for the Union Pacific Railroad.

Russ Fay was just 18 in the summer of 1944. Freshly graduated from high school, Russ found himself on a train headed from Chicago to California for basic training. The cross-country train trip was crowded and hot. Every meal was the same. “Pretty soggy food,” Russ described it in the book “Once Upon a Town” by Bob Greene. “We just sort of accepted that it would be that way the whole way.” As the train rolled into North Platte, it came to a stop. The depot platform was full of people carrying baskets who boarded the train. “We don’t understand it,” Russ said, “They’re offering us sandwiches and these little glass bottles of cold milk.” The stop only lasted about five minutes but left a lasting impression on Russ and his fellow military members.

During World War II, more than 6 million servicemen passed through the North Platte Canteen – a grassroots volunteer effort where troops being transported on train were served a taste of home. “I would say the majority of the men on the battlefields knew exactly what North Platte was, and what it meant,” Russ said. “They would talk about it like it was a dream.” For the rest of the train ride, Russ and his fellow passengers hoped there might be another stop like the one in North Platte. “We wanted it to happen again,” he said. “But it never did.”

A bittersweet miscommunication led to the beginning of the North Platte Canteen. In December 1941, word spread that a local Nebraska National Guard Unit would be passing through North Platte via train about a week before Christmas, according to the Lincoln County Historical Museum. Families gathered at the train depot with gifts for their loved ones. When the train arrived, it turned out to be a National Guard Unit from Kansas, not Nebraska. Despite the mix up, the waiting loved ones began handing their gifts to the grateful troops. The gratitude expressed by the soldiers gave local store clerk Rae Wilson an idea. The next day, she began an effort to create a canteen for every train carrying troops through North Platte.

The North Platte Canteen was set up and ready to meet its first train on Christmas Day 1941. The troops weren’t allowed off the train, so the volunteers handed baskets of goodies through the train windows. Eventually, the canteen was moved into the vacant lunchroom in the North Platte train depot, and troops were allowed a brief stop.

Some days as many as 5,000 military members were served at the canteen, with as many as 24 trains per day arriving in North Platte from 5 a.m. until midnight.

In the 1940s, North Platte had a population of about 12,000, so it was no small feat to provide free meals to 5,000 people per day. Residents from surrounding communities pitched in to make sure the canteen was never short-staffed. From 1941 until the canteen closed in 1946, 55,000 volunteers from 125 differ ent towns gave time or food to keep the canteen in operation.

In one month in 1945, the North Platte Canteen distributed more than 40,000 cookies, 30,000 hard-boiled eggs and nearly 3,000 pounds of sandwich meat. A tradition at the canteen was to give a birth day cake to every serviceman who was celebrating a birthday. The canteen averaged about 20 birthday cakes per day, according to the Lincoln County His torical Museum.

The abundance of food at the North Platte Canteen is especially impressive when you consider the rationing that took place during the war. Many volunteers donated their extra ration stamps so the canteen could purchase sugar, coffee, cheese, milk and other goods. Nearby farms donated produce rather than selling it and pooled their gas rations so the produce could be delivered to North Platte.

Hazel Pierpoint baked hundreds of angel food cakes for the canteen. Rather than using chicken eggs, she was able to get turkey eggs from her cousin’s farm. It takes a dozen chicken egg whites to make an angel food cake, but only about six turkey egg whites. Hazel told author Bob Greene that baking cakes made her feel whole. “I could bake a cake, and that’s what I could do for the servicemen,” she said. In return, she received many letters thanking her for the birthday cakes.

The North Platte Canteen was not the only canteen to welcome troops during World War II. Some 120 volunteer canteens were set up across the country during the war, but the North Platte Canteen was by far the largest.

When the war ended in August 1945, the canteen continued to operate, greeting troops on their way home with the same hospitality they received on their way to war. Eventually, the frequency of troop trains slowed, and the North Platte Canteen officially closed on April 1, 1946. The last birthday cake went to Edwin Adams, a sailor returning from the Philippines. It was Edwin’s second birthday celebration at the North Platte

Canteen. Exactly two years earlier, he was given a birthday cake on his way to the Pacific, according to the book “The Canteen” by Eric Groce.

The stop at the North Platte Canteen typically only lasted about 15 minutes, but the kindness and generosity of the North Platte community became legendary.

Russ Fay ended up serving in an infantry field artillery infantry division in France and Europe.

“All the way over there in Europe, across the ocean, you would hear about North Platte,” Russ told author Bob Greene. “We were scraping the bottom of the barrel of food, eating field rations, and someone would say, ‘I wish we had some of those sandwiches like they gave us in North Platte.’”

Learn More About the North Platte Canteen

The depot that housed the North Platte Canteen was torn down in 1973. Today, a simple red brick monument marks the spot where the depot stood. The Lincoln County Historical Museum offers an exhibit on the North Platte Canteen, featuring artifacts, thank you letters and more.

The museum is in the fundraising phase of creating a 6,600-square-foot addition to house the canteen exhibit. The new addition would offer a more immersive experience of what it was like to visit the North Platte Canteen. Learn more at lincolncountymuseum.org.

Photographs Courtesy of the Lincoln County Historical Museum, North Platte, Nebraska

Buildings Tour

$20 per ticket Tickets available at sites on tour day.

925 W. Quartz - 1015 W. Broadway - 1251 Caledonia 423 N. Jackson - 701 S. Arizona - 156 W. Granite Visit buttecpr.org for advance ticket sale locations. Silent Auction at Butte Carpenters’ Union Hall - 156 W. Granite

 The 2024 Dust to Dazzle tour focused on buildings in the Floral Boulevard area of Butte.

TO Dazzle

Parade of Homes-style tours are common in many communities – a chance to see new, high-end houses. A tour in Butte, Montana, takes this idea and puts a unique spin on it.

“What sets us apart from other home tours is we’re focused on history and architecture,” said Kelly Rose, Coordinator of the annual Dust to Dazzle tour.

Dust to Dazzle started two decades ago when Butte Citizens for Preservation and Revitalization, known as Butte CPR, was looking for a way to promote historic preservation.

“Their thought was to showcase properties going through various stages of historic restoration,” Kelly said. “It just kind of blossomed from there.”

The goal of the tour is to inspire people to do their own historically appropriate restoration. Rather than ripping everything out of an old home and replacing it with modern finishes, Butte CPR encourages restoration that preserves the historical character of the many old buildings that remain in Butte.

Over the years, the Dust to Dazzle tour has featured everything from an old grocery store to grand mansions. Ideally, a property is on the tour before it’s been renovated, and then a few years later it’s featured again after it’s been fixed up.

“That’s the really exciting part when we can actually follow a dust to a dazzle,” Kelly said.

One year, the tour featured a “dust” house where the woodwork had been painted, many windows were boarded over and all the ceilings had been lowered. After a busy year of restoration, the same house was featured the following year, and tour-goers could see the revealed box beams, beautiful woodwork and original windows.

Money raised through the Dust to Dazzle tour helps fund future historic improvement projects. Property owners can apply for grants through Butte CPR to make exterior improvements.

NorthWestern Energy has sponsored Dust to Dazzle since the beginning.

“NorthWestern Energy has been an important part all along,” Kelly said.

By Erin Madison

NorthWestern typically promotes energy efficiency during the tour – an important topic when it comes to renovating old buildings. Numerous employees and retirees volunteer at the event. It takes about 60 volunteers to hold the tour, Kelly said.

NorthWestern also prints all the posters and tickets for Dust to Dazzle. NorthWestern Energy Graphic Designer Cassie Scheidecker designs the posters, tickets and the informational signs displayed at each property.

“That has saved us thousands of dollars,” Kelly said.

A Butte native, Cassie started helping with Butte CPR after her mom, who is involved with the organization, “volunt-told” her. Now she looks forward to making the printed materials and volunteering during the event.

“I love that it shows all the potential for the houses,” Cassie said. “Butte has so much character, and it’s great to see everyone turn out to appreciate it and to appreciate all the work everyone is doing to take these houses from dust to dazzle.”

Bobbi Stauffer, Regulatory Process Lead at NorthWestern Energy, has volunteered with Dust to Dazzle for about 10 years and currently helps publicize the event.

“It is truly one of my favorite days of the year,” Bobbi said. “Celebrating the diversity of Butte’s historic architecture and meeting the people who do amazing work bringing new life to old buildings is really inspiring and uplifting.”

The Dust to Dazzle committee starts planning each tour in January, and the event is always the last Saturday of June. In addition to the tour, a silent auction also raises funds for Butte CPR. Learn more at buttecpr.org/dust-to-dazzle.

 NorthWestern Energy employees Miranda Edwards, Erin Madison, Cassie Scheidecker and Bobbi Stauffer volunteered at the 2024 Dust to Dazzle event.

STUDENTS SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS

The Aaniiih Nakoda Workforce Expo offers hands-on, interactive career exploration.

By Jo Dee Black

Eighth grader Ryder Runs About from Box Elder, Montana, is a computer enthusiast who dreams of becoming a technician someday. But in late April, he found himself gripping the edge of a NorthWestern Energy bucket high in the air.

“It was scary up there,” Ryder admitted with a grin once his feet were safely back on the ground.

Ryder was one of more than 600 students from northcentral Montana and the Montana Hi-Line who attended the first Aaniiih Nakoda Workforce Expo at Fort Belknap at the end of April. The event featured more than 50 businesses and organizations, offering hands-on, interactive demonstrations and activities in fields ranging from construction and fish and wildlife services to law enforcement and healthcare.

NorthWestern Energy’s crew from Havre, Montana, set up two bucket trucks and a power pole for a climbing lesson.

“You can’t be afraid of heights,” said Box Elder Public Schools freshman Jeffery Rider when asked what he learned about being a lineman. “But you get to work outside, which is pretty fun.”

NorthWestern Energy Lineman Luke Wass, who spent the day coaching students on how to climb power poles safely, emphasized the importance of solid math skills and physical fitness for linemen. Luke shared his journey, starting as a summer crew

member and meter reader before securing an apprentice spot.

This kind of career insight is exactly what the Aaniiih Nakoda Workforce Expo aimed to provide, explained Fort Belknap Tribal Employment Rights Office Director Nancy Boushie.

“We want the students to talk to folks and find out what they had to do to be successful in their career,” she said. “This is a chance for these students to ask questions, see a lot of examples and find things that capture their attention.”

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry partnered with local officials from Fort Belknap to plan the expo, with the goal of giving students access to a wide range of careers to explore.

“It’s been great to hear students say, ‘Wow, I had no idea I could do this job here,’” said Montana Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson.

The expo also served as an opportunity to broaden understanding about the work linemen do to deliver reliable energy service, noted NorthWestern Energy Engineer Shawn Solomon.

“The students have a better appreciation for what we do when we’re up in the air in a bucket truck,” he said. “And they also have a better appreciation of safety and how important it is to stay away from any downed powerlines.”

By Eric Thorsrud

At Highlands College in Butte, Montana, the Pre-Apprentice Line Program isn’t just about teaching technical skills — it’s about building a foundation of safety, character and confidence for a demanding yet rewarding career in the powerline industry.

For Brandon Cassidy, one of the program’s lead instructors, this mission is personal. His career began unexpectedly in 2001 when a casual opportunity shifted his path from sales to the high-voltage world of powerlines. Brandon spent more than a decade working across the U.S. — from Arkansas to California, and through restoration efforts after hurricanes Katrina and Rita — before becoming a journeyman lineman and eventually settling in Butte to work for NorthWestern Energy. In 2022, driven by a desire to give back to the industry that shaped his life, Brandon joined Highlands College as an instructor.

Now, Brandon and the team of seasoned instructors at Highlands are using their decades of field experience to shape the next generation

of linemen, with a laser focus on safety.

“Our industry proves to be one of the most dangerous work environments,” Brandon said. “That’s why safety is the subject that carries the most weight within our program.”

A culture of safety and readiness

From the start, safety is ingrained into every aspect of the 16-week training program. Students learn how to identify and mitigate hazards through simulated scenarios, documented case studies and firsthand stories shared by instructors — often dubbed “Story Time.” These reallife accounts from the field not only captivate students but also reinforce the critical lessons that can mean the difference between life and death on the job.

OSHA 10 ET&D certification is required for all participants, ensuring that each student leaves with a nationally recognized safety credential. Beyond certifications, however, the program emphasizes a deep,

Highlands College Pre-Apprentice Line Program shapes future linemen with safety and expertise.

 Students in the

Line Program at Highlands College in Butte.

personal understanding of safe work practices. Students are trained to the same standards expected by employers, making them valuable assets from day one.

The program’s close partnership with NorthWestern Energy strengthens this commitment. Feedback from working linemen directly informs the curriculum, allowing instructors to continuously adapt and fine tune their approach. This strong industry connection has helped many graduates secure positions with NorthWestern.

Who the program is for

Brandon says students often fall into one or more of three categories: those who prefer hands-on work over a four-year academic degree, those who love the outdoors and physical tasks with tangible results, and those drawn to the adrenaline of a highstakes, high-reward career. Regardless of background, every student who enters the program is met with high expectations — and the full support of a team that believes in their potential.

“We expect our students to meet industry standards while they’re still in the program,” Brandon said. “We want them to be ready to contribute to a crew the moment they graduate.”

Growth, grit and pride

The transformation students undergo in just 16 weeks is often dramatic. From learning to strap on climbers for the first time to confidently performing tasks aloft, progress happens quickly — and with plenty of pride.

“Instructors get to witness those ‘light bulb’ moments when students finally understand something that once seemed impossible,” Brandon said. “That’s where the real reward lies — watching them grow not just as linemen but as people.”

How to apply

Individuals interested in launching a career in the powerline industry through the Highlands College Pre-Apprentice Line Program can apply by visiting the Highlands College website at:

mtech.edu/highlands

The program is offered twice a year, and spots are limited, so early application is encouraged. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and meet basic physical requirements, as the job is demanding and requires strength, stamina and a strong sense of responsibility.

With its strong safety foundation, dedicated instructors and industry ties, Highlands College is preparing the next generation of linemen not only for the job ahead — but for a safer, stronger future.

A student practices his skills in the Pre-Apprentice Line Program at Highlands College in Butte.

 Brandon Cassidy is a lead instructor at the Highlands College Pre-Apprentice Line Program. He previously worked as a lineman for NorthWestern Energy.

Riches to Resilience

By Eric Thorsrud and Erin Madison

Uniquely Butte art piece on display in Butte General Office.

Kathy Cashell, artist and owner of Sand Creek Studio in Butte, Montana, found a unique canvas on which to capture the history of Butte – a 20th-century secretary desk.

After countless hours of work over two and a half months, the desk captures Butte’s mining history, from tragedies to celebrations.

“My painting follows the flows into the Butte hill and cascades down into the sweeping beauty and legacy of Columbia Gardens,” Kathy said. “Much like in life, not every brush stroke is flawless.”

Kathy spent about 300 hours researching the scenes she painted. She captured many of Butte’s mines and headframes. She even met the great-great-granddaughter of Con O’Neill who died trying to rescue fellow miners during the North Butte Granite Mountain Speculator Mine fire. Con is included on the desk. So is Manus Duggan, who also perished in that disaster but first saved 25 men. The Speculator Mine disaster is depicted on one leg of the table with a fire shown at the bottom of the shaft.

Along with Butte’s history, Kathy also weaves in her family history, which includes a tight link to NorthWestern Energy. The back of the desk shows paintings of dams and line workers.

“The back is kind of my tribute to Mike and the NorthWestern family,” Kathy said.

Kathy’s husband, Mike Cashell, serves as NorthWestern Energy’s Vice President of Transmission and has worked for the company for 39 years.

Currently, the desk can be viewed in the lobby of NorthWestern Energy’s General Office in Butte.

In addition to the thousands of brushstrokes Kathy put into the table, she also included a self-portrait of sorts. A shamrock painted on the side of the desk honors the Kelley Mine.

“But if you see the little lines all through it, that represents me as a stained-glass artist,” Kathy said.

 Kathy Cashell poses with the 20th-century secretary desk she painted to depict the history of Butte.

Heating system confusion

By Micah Mehus, Energy Auditor with DNV/NorthWestern Energy

I met with a customer a couple weeks ago who recently moved from an 80-year-old single-family home into a new townhouse. Her previous home was in great shape but was more than she wanted to maintain at that point in her life. She really liked the new place but was having comfort issues, and her heating costs were the same as her previous home, which was twice the size.

This customer went from a house with a natural gas furnace and water heater to a townhouse with a mini-split heat pump, resistance electric heat, and a 50-gallon electric water heater. Her old furnace had a thermostat on the wall. Her new system had a remote, along with another remote for the electric fireplace.

When she moved in, she was informed that the townhouse was equipped with the newest technology from the heating and cooling system to the foam panel walls to the large “highly efficient” windows. The problem was she was never given any specific information on how they work or how to use them.

Upon inspecting the home, we found several reasons for the high bill and comfort issues. She was unaware that there was an energy recovery ventilator in the home. The ventilation unit was running 24/7, which was more than she needed for a healthy air change. We discussed a control setting that made more sense for her. Similarly, we found a circulation pump on the water heater that was also running 24/7. The pump had a built-in timer, and we adjusted the run time down to five hours per day.

Like most customers, she didn’t really know what a heat pump was let alone how it worked. She also didn’t realize the difference in “cost per therm” for different heat system types. Price per therm is the main reason her previous home had relatively lower heating costs.

Currently natural gas is the most cost-effective heating fuel provided by NorthWestern. I explained that the heat pump was more economical and should be used as the primary heat, but that the more expensive electric resistance baseboard heaters would probably be needed as supplemental heat during the coldest months in winter.

The customer had high-quality cellular blinds on her very large living room windows, but said she never closed them because privacy wasn’t an issue and the windows were highly efficient. I explained the relatively low R-value of windows and how little they do to slow down heat loss. I encouraged her to close the cellular blinds overnight and anytime she wanted to improve comfort on the coldest or hottest days.

In the end, she was very pleased to have a much clearer understanding of her new home. While none of the conventional efficiency upgrades were applicable, the customer’s knowledge and understanding were of great value. We see this more every day. As the existing housing stock becomes fully upgraded and new homes have more and more technology and automation, I believe that customer education will increasingly be the most important factor for achieving optimal home energy efficiency.

Get a Free Home Energy Assessment

The Home EnergyCheck and Home EnergySurvey are FREE services for qualifying customers that help you understand how energy is being used in your home and where changes could be made to help you save energy and money.

Sign up at NorthWesternEnergy.com/EnergyCheck or by calling 800-823-5995.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera to learn more.

ENERGY-EFFICIENCY SUCCESS STORIES

Rebate education

By Rich Daum, Energy Auditor with DNV/NorthWestern Energy

In early April, I performed onsite audits on an old duplex in Butte, Montana. I met with the owner, who lives in the upper unit of the duplex. The lower unit of the duplex was vacant at the time of the audit.

While I was there, a local heating contractor was replacing the natural gas forced air furnace that heats the lower unit of the duplex with a high-efficiency natural gas forced air furnace. The heating contractor was also replacing the non-programmable thermostat with a programmable thermostat.

I told the owner that she more than likely would qualify for a rebate for the furnace and a rebate for the programmable thermostat. She was unaware that NorthWestern Energy offers rebates and was very excited to hear that she might qualify. While I was discussing the rebates with her, she actually got her cellphone out and I helped guide her through the website to the rebate form. She said she would be applying for the rebates as soon as the heating contractor finished the job and gave her the bill.

As I was leaving, she thanked me for all that I had done during the audit and all of the helpful information that I had provided to her.

Efficiency Rebates and Incentives

NorthWestern Energy offers a variety of rebates and incentives to help improve the energy efficiency of your home.

To learn more, visit NorthWesternEnergy.com/rebates or scan this QR code with your phone’s camera.

* Available in Montana only.

SAFELY INTERCONNECTING SOLAR

By John Jones and Mitch Hegman

Hooking up a new solar array is not “plug and play.” A safe and compliant interconnection is necessary to operate a grid-interactive solar photovoltaic system to its designed specifications. In fact, the National Electrical Code (NEC) dedicates an entire chapter to interconnection rules and requirements.

In this article, we’ll examine how solar-produced electricity connects to and integrates with a home’s electrical circuitry and utility power supply via a grid-interactive (grid-tied) design. We’ll also illustrate com-

ponents and mechanics that facilitate power transfer and use among the solar array, home and grid.

We’ll address several issues related to the physical interconnection — ones that can lead to additional costs or require changes to the home’s existing electrical infrastructure. Although not the norm, these are valid considerations worth understanding before purchasing solar. Customer aptitude is key to successful solar ownership, starting with learning about the basic design and flow of grid-interactive systems.

Grid-Interactive Solar PV Design and Flow

Load Side #1 Solar PV Array - The panels within the solar array capture sunlight and convert the sunlight into DC electricity.

Load Side #2 Solar Array DC Disconnect - The DC disconnect is required between the solar array and inverter and allows emergency or maintenance shutoff of array electricity to the inverter.

Load Side #3 Grid-Interactive Inverter - The inverter converts the DC electricity into AC that matches the voltage and frequency of the utility supplied electricity.

Load Side #4 PV System AC Disconnect - In an emergency or maintenance situation, activating the AC disconnect shuts down AC electricity from the inverter to the home’s electrical system and utility grid.

Load Side #5 Electrical Service Panel - The service panel manages and distributes solar PV and utility power to the home’s electrical loads through a series of breakers and circuits.

Line Side #1 Electrical Grid and Supply - Utility power can meet part or all of the home’s electrical needs and is instantaneously available when solar production doesn’t meet the home’s electrical demand.

Line Side #2 Net Meter - A bidirectional net meter calculates a customer’s utility supplied power consumption against solar produced electricity that goes back onto the grid.

Line Side #3 Service Entrance Cable - The service entrance cable is the physical connection (cable) that supplies grid electricity to the home’s electrical system at the electrical panel.

* NorthWestern Energy requires an external (outside) AC disconnect switch (EDS) within 10 feet of the net meter. It must be visible and lockable. Depending on the specific PV system and design, a single AC disconnect can serve both NEC and NorthWestern requirements.

* Systems must pass local/state electrical permitting/inspections before NorthWestern will activate the net meter.

How a Grid-Interactive System Manages Dual Electrical Power

In a non-solar home, the utility supply is the sole power source. When adding a solar array, the PV electrical output becomes the second power supply.

In this case, the home’s electrical service panel serves as the management mechanism that distributes solar or utility power (or a combination) to home electrical circuits and loads. The panel controls the flow of utility and solar power based on the home’s real-time solar production and electrical use.

There are a variety of power production and use scenarios. In all instances, they depend on two factors: the immediate solar production and the home’s electrical use. For example, on a sunny day when the

house is empty and there is minimal electrical use, the panel will transfer excess solar to the grid for credit. No utility power is needed.

On the other end of the spectrum, the electrical panel transfers power solely from the grid if it is nighttime (no solar production) and occupants are using lights, appliances, and devices.

Between the above scenarios, there is the common daylight condition with fluctuating solar production and changing electrical use. In this case, the electrical panel manages both sources to supply home loads. The panel will first use the available solar production, and the utility supplements any load deficit.

Understanding Line-Side (Utility) and Load-Side (Customer) Responsibilities

The illustration separates the line side (utility) and load side (customer) of the grid-interactive system. NorthWestern Energy is responsible for line-side equipment and service, and customers are responsible for the same on the load side. That does not change when the system is operational and requires troubleshooting or repairs.

The Grid-Interactive Interconnection Point

The most common interconnection point for residential grid-tied solar is through a backfed breaker within the electrical service panel. The solar contractor installs it, and its purpose is to export electricity from the solar array to the home and/or grid.

The solar backfed breaker differs from other breakers in the panel. In a backfed solar connection, utility power enters the electrical panel through the main breaker at the top, and the solar feed enters near the panel’s bottom. This is called a dual power source (see illustration).

The NEC has strict rules regulating the amount of solar backfed to the electrical panel, based on the panel’s rating (in amperes). The typical panel rating in most homes is between 100 and 200 amps.

Per the NEC, a standard 100-amp electrical panel’s solar input cannot exceed 3.84 kilowatts, and a standard 200-amp panel cannot support more than 7.68 kilowatts. This limitation is causing a more frequent home-

Getting a Positive Outcome

As this article points out, the solar array on the roof is only part of a grid-interactive system. When getting a bid, we suggest you ask specific questions about the compatibility of your home’s electrical service with the proposed solar array. Our experience is that customers who take the time and initiative to learn about solar pre-purchase usually have a positive outcome. We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to that.

Some customers, through misinformation or misunderstanding, contact the utility when there are solar production problems. The solar contractor should be called instead. We suggest that customers request a reasonable line-side installer maintenance warranty.

owner dilemma due to the trend toward more powerful arrays. How can you safely plan for a larger array (pre-purchase), or what are the options and costs to safely connect an already purchased but oversized array?

Before discussing backfed connection alternatives, we caution customers to avoid solar sales that do not include a pre-sale contractor inspection of the home’s electrical infrastructure. Sales offers based only on offsetting the home’s electrical use (usually by reviewing the customer’s utility bills) are only part of the equation. The contractor must also ensure the electrical panel can safely service the proposed solar array size without modification or new electrical service equipment.

Alternatives and remedies exist, including upsizing the existing panel, reconfiguring the main breaker within it or requesting a line-side connection between the net meter and the home’s electric service.

These can add complexity and cost to the project, sometimes in the thousands of dollars.

An electrical inspector will not allow a backfed amount that exceeds NEC regulations. Doing so will not only cause performance issues but could also be the source of a serious fire hazard.

John Jones and Mitch Hegman have developed renewable energy curriculums and trained Montana solar installers, electricians, regulators and others since 2005. In line with the solar industry’s growth and technology changes, their portfolio includes more than 20 solar and energy storage courses and seven industry publications. Together with the Montana Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (MEJATC), they provide renewable energy education for Montana contractors, electricians and apprentices.

‘THE Angel SHE NEEDED’

By Jo Dee Black

NorthWestern Energy Anaconda Town Manager’s timely help prevents potential tragedy.

Derinda Johnson, 71, of Anaconda, Montana, found herself in an unfortunate situation on a sunny winter Friday afternoon when she took out the trash without a coat. Almost immediately she regretted her decision. As she stepped onto her icy walkway, she slipped and fell. Thankfully, she wasn’t injured, but she found herself unable to get up. Because her daughter was not due home until 11 p.m., Derinda realized she was in quite a predicament.

Desperately, she waved at passing cars and shouted for help, but no one seemed to notice.

“I was on the ground for about half an hour,” she recalled. “Then, a truck stopped. I never felt so relieved as when I saw him come through my front gate.”

The driver approached and asked, “Can I help you?” Derinda’s response was an enthusiastic, “Yes!” She later described him as the angel she needed at that moment.

Realizing she hadn’t caught the name of her rescuer, Derinda reached out to Butte radio station KBOW’s Ron Davis for assistance.

“We know her as Ms. Rindy,” Ron said. “She mentioned that the man wore a NorthWestern Energy shirt with the name Tom on it.”

Tom Wind, the NorthWestern Energy Anaconda Town Manager, has a habit of glancing at Derinda’s yard when he leaves work.

“In the summer, her garden is full of blooming flowers, and she’s

usually out there,” Tom explained. “That evening, I looked over and thought I saw someone on the ground.”

Tom quickly swung around through the alley and helped Derinda into her house.

“She insisted she wasn’t hurt and didn’t need medical attention,” Tom said. “She’s a client of my wife’s hair salon, so when I got home, I asked my wife to check in on her.”

As it turned out, Derinda had an appointment scheduled at the salon. By the time she arrived, she had already tracked down Tom’s name with Ron’s help.

“He saved my life,” Derinda said. “It was going to get dark and cold, and I didn’t have a coat on, just a sweater. I admire him so much. That he would stop — it was the greatest thing in the world for me.”

“I would have done it for anyone, but I am glad it was you,” Tom told her.

“This is a powerful reminder of the value of our employees — not only in their professional roles but also in the way they contribute to and care for the community,” said NorthWestern Energy Operations Planning Supervisor Kyle Caldwell. “We are truly fortunate to have someone like Tom on our team, someone who consistently goes above and beyond for others.”

 Derinda Johnson of Anaconda, Montana, poses with NorthWestern Energy Anaconda Town Manager Tom Wind after Tom helped her after a fall.

REMEMBERING

By Miranda Edwards

Heather Bellamy was one of the strongest women I’ve ever known in my life. As Community Relations Manager for NorthWestern Energy, it was Heather’s job to support Bozeman and its neighboring communities. For those of us who worked alongside her in the Bozeman office, we knew she was more than our fearless leader. She was one of these amazing humans that could hold all emotions, persevering by embracing life and all that it encompasses. She showed this strength in her constant support of her family, friends, and the communities she served.

Heather championed the Polar Plunge, a fundraiser for Special Olympics, similar to how she supported the Bozeman community as a whole – with passion and grit. Every year, she would make sure that she rustled up support within NorthWestern Energy with as many will-

ing participants as she could find. For every person who participated in the plunge, Special Olympics would receive $100. The first year, she was able to get 22 participants, and Special Olympics received $2,200 of support from NorthWestern Energy. Over the last five years, she was able to give Special Olympics a total of $4,100 on behalf of NorthWestern Energy.

One of the most honorable and noble aspects of Heather’s amazing personality was that she knew herself and her limits. She gave endlessly to her community, friends and co-workers, and every year, she organized a team of plungers to support the Special Olympics. But she drew the line at jumping into a frozen pond in the middle of February, in below-freezing weather, and we, as her minions, could appreciate and honor that decision.

Heather

 Heather Bellamy, center, Community Relations Manager in Bozeman, Montana, was a champion of the Polar Plunge. Heather passed away in late 2024.

 Miranda Edwards, the author and NorthWestern Energy Project Manager, poses with Heather Bellamy.

When Heather received her cancer diagnosis in 2021, she embraced all that the diagnosis meant for her and her family. She accepted the good days as well as the bad days, and she chose to show the world only her best. When she was sick, she would still come into the office to say hi to everyone, and she looked as gorgeous as always. She ensured that the way people remembered her before her cancer diagnosis would be the way we would always remember her. She made sure the cancer did not define who she was.

This year, NorthWestern Energy employees participated in the Polar Plunge in her honor. She inspired us to support our community, and we decided to honor her spirit and her style by wearing blond wigs – either long and flowy of previous years, or short and curly as she wore it after her first recovery. We had fantastic attendance because she touched so many lives in such a positive way, raising $2,400 for the Special Olym-

pics. She may not have been there for the event, but her spirit most certainly was.

Heather was always quick to tell you she loved you – she was always warm and welcoming, always ready with her fierce hugs. She was a self-proclaimed introvert, but knowing her, it was hard to believe. When I asked my co-workers to tell me a story about Heather, the response was always how she made them feel part of the team and how her uniquely direct but loving encouragement inspired them to move forward. If she was an introvert, she also loved her people enough to do the work to be around them, support them and be present with them. She was loved beyond measure in return. She was direct, bold, appreciative and she never forgot anyone. She will be missed greatly, and we are all better people to have known her and to have been part of her life.

Season Extend the Growing

By Amy Grisak

Spring is a fickle time of year. One minute, the weather is warm, sunny and perfect, the next, it’s snowing. It’s rough on the plants unless you give them protection to smooth out the cold nights and inclement weather.

The good news is that with a wide array of season-extending techniques, the revered last frost date is practically irrelevant. Although soil temperature will dictate when you can plant certain plants, the season is much longer for cold-climate gardeners who can’t wait to put seeds and plants in the ground when you use these handy tools.

Warm the Soil

No matter what time of the spring, the key to a successful early season garden is warm soil. Even cool-season-loving crops such as lettuce and spinach will only germinate when the soil is at least 35 degrees Fahrenheit. You could plant in March, but they won’t grow until the soil reaches that desired temperature. However, if you warm the soil using black or clear plastic for a week beforehand, your seeds — or plants — will be much happier.

Protecting What You Plant

There are some seasons when spring doesn’t feel like it’s ever going to arrive, and cold weather persists. Once your soil is warmed to the point where the seeds or plants won’t languish in the cold ground, there are a number of materials and techniques to encourage growth and protect them from the frosts, freezes and outright blizzards we often see during this chaotic season.

Floating Row Covers: These lightweight spunbonded polyester or polypropylene blankets are a lifesaver

Handy tips for cold-weather gardeners.

to those who like to start gardening early and continue later into the season. Typically, the “garden quilt” type weight (versus a sheer fabric that is great to use in the summer to discourage insects) will provide an extra 4 degrees of protection and give you a terrific boost on either end of the gardening season. This heavier row cover allows 70% of the sunlight to enter yet is lightweight enough to set directly on top of shorter plants.

For early crops, such as lettuce, spinach and other greens, plant as soon as the soil is warm enough, then set the floating row cover directly on top of the bed. You’ll have to remove it to water unless you set up drip irrigation, but it benefits those early crops. For taller vegetables, such as peppers, it’s often better to use some sort of hoop, such as one fashioned from PVC, to support the fabric over the plants to create a warmer microclimate underneath.

danger of frost has passed. But if you’re going to take it off, be sure to do so before the plant is too big, or you could damage the vegetation. At the end of the season, drain out all of the water, dry thoroughly, and store for next year. Some people rinse out the cylinders with a mild bleach solution, especially if algae grew during the summer.

Wall-O-Waters: These are the best things ever created for tomato lovers. Developed in Kalispell, Montana, about 40 years ago, the ingenious design creates a water tipi around the plants, allowing the water to absorb the sun’s heat during the day and gradually release it at night. You can put tomatoes in the ground (after the soil is warm) up to eight weeks before the last frost date, and the plants will withstand even being buried in snow as long as they are entirely inside the Wall-O-Water. In addition, tomatoes and other plants planted inside of the Wall-O-Water typically produce earlier than those outside of one.

To use them, plant your plant (this can be tomato, pepper, eggplant, squash or practically anything) and set a five-gallon bucket over it. Open the empty Wall-O-Water and slide it over the bucket. Using a hose, fill each of the cylinders to approximately three-quarters full. Once all the cylinders are filled, gently pull up the bucket, and the Wall-O-Water will close in at the top.

As the plant grows, open the

Solar umbrellas and portable cold frames: Both solar umbrellas and portable cold frames create an ideal, protected climate for early-season plants and are super easy to use. As the name implies, the solar umbrella is a clear, umbrella-shaped device that opens on a central post and covers the plants. This is ideal for taller plants, especially in windy situations, because it will protect them from the battering breezes of the early spring. If there is enough ventilation, they can be left over the plants long into the season.

Portable cold frames share the same concept of protecting the plants, yet oftentimes with a larger footprint. Several models are on the market and are excellent to use throughout the season. They help start the garden early and give peppers, basil and other heat-loving crops the optimum climate all summer. Most portable cold frames have zippered vents on either side, allowing you to adjust the temperature since the most significant challenge with any cold frame is overheating the plants.

Simple cloches: If you don’t want to invest much money into gear this spring, one very simple technique that is available to nearly everyone, or at least those who drink milk, is to use empty milk jugs as simple cloches. Cut off the bottom of the plastic jug and push it into the soil around each plant. Don’t forget to remove the lid during warm spring days, or you could have cooked plants by the afternoon. But overall, this is a very effective method and is very helpful in giving those heat lovers the climate they need. Remove the cloche when the plant starts

You don’t have to wait until the magical last frost date to plant your garden or until Mother Nature turns up the heat to encourage plant growth. Equip yourself with any of these tools to protect your young plants from the harsh cold and enjoy a long and bountiful harvest.

Amy Grisak is an avid gardener and writer. Her writing appears in everything from the Farmers’ Almanac to Popular Mechanics, along with her books, “Nature Guide to Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks” and “Found Photos of Yellowstone.” Amy lives in Great Falls, Montana, with her two sons and her husband, Grant, who is a biologist with NorthWestern Energy.

 Green houses, Wall-O-Waters and solar umbrellas are all great ways to protect plants in the early season.

North Platte, Nebraska, has long been a crossroads for traders and travelers. The city is located at the confluence of the North Platte and South Platte rivers. Founded as a railroad town, the Union Pacific laid out North Platte in 1866, and the tracks arrived that fall. North Platte boomed, being dubbed “Little Chicago” in the early 20th century for its lively nightlife and the active role the town played in bootlegging during prohibition. North Platte is still a major hub for the railroad, and its railroad history is proudly on display. It was also home to Buffalo Bill Cody. In addition to its unique history, North Platte is a great destination for breweries and wineries, bird watching, hiking and more.

Take in the world’s largest railyard –

The eight-story Golden Spike Tower offers a bird’s-eye view of the Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, which is the largest railyard in the world. From the tower, you can watch 10,000 railcars pass through the 2,850-acre railyard every day. The better-known golden spike is located in Promontory Summit, Utah, where the east and west sides of the Transcontinental Railroad met. However, there was also a golden spike driven in North Platte where the Union Pacific and Central Pacific rail lines met. You’ll also learn about the history of the railroad, orphan trains and the North Platte Canteen. goldenspiketower.com.

Climb aboard a rare steam locomotive – For true train lovers, the fun doesn’t stop at the Golden Spike Tower. Head across town to the Cody Park Railroad Museum to see the only Challenger 3900 series steam locomotive on public display in the world. You can even climb aboard and imagine what it was like to be a steam locomotive engineer. You can also see one of the largest diesel locomotives ever made, and you can take a stroll through a historic rail depot. Open May through September. visitnorthplatte.com/things-to-do/attractions/ trains-railroads/cody-park-railroad-museum.

NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska

By Erin Madison

Say hi to the animals – The Cody Park Railroad Museum is just one small corner of Cody Park. Next wander over to the animal enclosures to see deer, elk, burros and sheep. On the way, you’ll likely spot a peacock or two as well as some ducks and geese.

Sample a taste of El Salvador – If you’ve never had a pupusa, you’re in for a treat at Alicia’s Pupusas, 503 N. Cottonwood St. Pupusas are a corn cake stuffed with cheese, beans or meat. Alicia’s Pupusas are handmade and available with a variety of fillings. Pick up pupusas for lunch or dinner and head back to Cody Park for a picnic.

Learn the history of North Platte – At the Lincoln County Historical Society, you’ll learn about the history of the railroad, Old West, early pioneers, agriculture and World War II. Explore the Western Heritage Village, which has buildings dating back to the 1860s, including a Pony Express log cabin, a country church and a barber shop. You’ll also find an exhibit on the World War II North Platte Canteen and a large collection of antique farm

Antique in style – After you float the river in a stock tank, you’ll definitely want to shop for antiques in a grain bin! Grain Bin Antique Town offers a unique shopping experience consisting of 20 separate grain bins and a large barn full of antiques. Wander from grain bin to grain bin and browse the wide selection of everything from antique tools to signs to furniture. Open year round. 10641 South Old Hwy 83.

Take a spin on the carousel – Continue your tour of Cody Park and head over to the carousel. This amusement park ride dates back to 1913 and was made by the Herschell-Spillman Company, one of the most popular and successful American carousel manufacturers of the early 20th century. Cody Park has a variety of other kiddie rides that are open May through September.

Eat authentic Mexican food – Noel’s is a great place to grab a quick and delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner. Breakfast burritos are served all day, and there are different specials every day. Try the deluxe burritos, chimichanga or carnitas tacos. And be sure to visit the salsa bar to top them with your favorite sauces. 320 E. Francis St.

Step back in time at the Fox Theatre

– The North Platte Community Playhouse is housed in a theater that first opened in 1929 for vaudeville productions. Later, it was transformed into a movie theater, and today the Fox shows older and current movies each weekend. It also hosts plays, concerts, a lecture series and other live events. 301 E. 5th St. northplattecommunityplayhouse.com.

Buy, browse or make art – The Prairie Arts Center offers art exhibits, classes, a gift shop and more. The art center is located in a historic Italian Renaissance Revival-style building that was originally home to the North Platte Federal Center. The local arts council took ownership of the building in 2008 and renovated it, starting with the first floor and working up to the third floor, which now includes art classrooms, a ceramics studio and studio spaces. Exhibits at the Prairie Arts Center change monthly, so there’s always something new to see. 416 N. Jeffers St. prairieartscenter.org.

Sip a local beverage –North Platte is home to three breweries and two wineries. APEShip Brewing offers a nautical theme where you can sip a beer at an old boat turned into a bar. Pals Brewing features a two-acre outdoor space with picnic tables and games. If you prefer wine over beer, visit Feather River Vineyard, one of Nebraska’s largest vineyards. Old Depot Vineyard and Winery is located in a historic railroad depot in the nearby town of Brady. visitnorthplatte. com/things-to-do/breweries-wineries.

Explore the historic Canteen District – The North Platte Canteen District pays homage to the community’s rich history while offering a modern downtown experience. The building that housed the North Platte Canteen is no longer standing, but North Platte isn’t going to let that important part of its history be forgotten. The Canteen District offers a variety of dining, shopping, entertainment and more. Start with a walk down Dewey Street and then wander through the surrounding area. visitnorthplatte. com/things-to-do/shopping/downtown-canteen-district.

NORTH PLATTE CANTEEN PICNIC

During World War II, more than 6 million servicemen passed through the North Platte Canteen – a grassroots volunteer effort to feed troops as they were transported across the country. In the era of rationing,

Beef Salad Sandwiches

INGREDIENTS

roast beef, ground up pickle relish homemade mayonnaise

Homemade Mayonnaise

INGREDIENTS

2 eggs

½ cup sugar

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup vinegar

1 cup water

1 tablespoon flour

1 teaspoon mustard powder cream or Miracle Whip

Molasses Popcorn Balls

INGREDIENTS

1½ cups fancy molasses

¾ cup sugar

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

4 quarts popped popping corn

Angel Food Cake

INGREDIENTS

1 cup sifted cake flour

1 ½ cups sugar

12 egg whites (room temperature)

1 ½ teaspoon cream of tartar

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon almond flavoring

the volunteer cooks, who made sandwiches, cakes, cookies, popcorn balls and more, had to be resourceful to find enough ingredients. Here is are a few recipes similar to those typically served at the canteen.

DIRECTIONS

Combine roast beef, pickle relish, and homemade mayonnaise and put on two slices of bread.

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients and cook over a double boiler until thick. Cool. Add cream or Miracle Whip until right consistency.

DIRECTIONS

1

2

Combine fancy molasses, sugar and butter or margarine in a 2-quart saucepan.

Dissolve sugar by stirring. Cook over medium heat until mixture forms a hard but not brittle ball (250°-266°F) when dropped in cold water. Stir constantly.

3

Dribble syrup over popped corn, stirring to coat it all. Make balls with buttered hands when cool. Wrap in waxed paper.

DIRECTIONS

1

Sift flour with 3/4 cup of sugar four times to ensure that they are combined thoroughly.

2 Beat whites, cream of tartar, salt, vanilla and almond until stiff enough to hold up in soft peaks but still moist and glossy.

3 Add remaining 3/4 cup of sugar to whites a little at a time, beating after each addition.

4

5

Sift about 4 tablespoons of flour mixture over whites. Fold in flour mixture by fourths.

Bake in ungreased tube pan at 375° for 35 min. Hang pan to cool.

Giving Back to Our Communities

NorthWestern Energy wants to make the communities we serve better places to live, work and prosper. That’s why we’re proud to donate to a wide range of worthy causes. In 2024, we gave more than $2.2 million across our service territory. Scholarships

Total $2,235,309

Our economic impact

Each year, we ask Bozeman, Montana-based Circle Analytics to complete an economic impact analysis related to NorthWestern Energy. In 2024, NorthWestern Energy generated more than $3 billion in total economic impact across our service territory.

Circle Analytics uses a database model to calculate NorthWestern’s economic impact. The model uses our revenue and standard data for the impact of electric and natural gas energy companies.

Definitions:

Gross Economic Output: The aggregated market value of goods and services produced by enterprises in the economy. It is essentially equal to the revenue collected by a businesses.

Gross County Product: The total value added created by the production of goods and services in the economy. It represents the sum of labor compensation, capital type income and indirect business taxes. Gross County Product is best described as new money added to the county.

Jobs: The number of jobs generated within the impact area including full-time and part-time positions, salaried workers and sole proprietors.

*Note: Butte Division totals include

Total employees: 1,585

Montana employees: 1,277

South Dakota & Nebraska employees: 308

Total employees over time:

2024 - 1,585

2023 - 1,573

2022 - 1,530

2021 - 1,483

2020 - 1,530 (As of Dec. 31 for each year)

Average tenure: 10.2 years

36% of Montana employees are represented by a labor union

54% of South Dakota/ Nebraska employees are represented by a labor union

Customer growth

Our data on customer growth offers a glimpse into the population changes taking place in communities across our service territory

Missoula Helena Bozeman Billings

North Platte Kearney Grand Island Brookings Yankton Mitchell Huron Aberdeen

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THE LOCATION OF THESE PHOTOS?

Do you recognize the location of any of these photos? Send us your guesses to be placed in the drawing for a prize. Guesses should be specific, such as naming a feature in the photo or giving the exact location.

Send your guesses to bright@northwestern.com. Be sure to include your name, mailing address and phone number so we can contact you if you’re a winner.

NEBRASKA

SOUTH DAKOTA

Answers from the Environment issue

Montana: That is downtown Livingston, as recognized by several readers. We drew Megan M. of Butte as the winner.

South Dakota: Several readers recognized Rapunzel in Storybook Land in Aberdeen. Of the winning guesses, we drew Jill T. of South Dakota as our winner.

Nebraska: We had five correct answers identifying the photo of Buffalo Bill’s house at Scout’s Rest Ranch outside North Platte. Our winner is Mary Ann H. of Grand Island.