The Full Issue - North Itasca Electric Co-op

VOL. 19 NO. 2
Meter upgrade
PUBLISHED FOR THE MEMBERS OF NORTH ITASCA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Over the past year your cooperative
has upgraded the metering equipment at
each of our substations as part of a twophase meter upgrade project. The second
phase of this project is to replace the
meters at each of our service locations.
We have hired Chapman Metering,
a respected installation contractor who
works closely with electric cooperatives,
to complete our meter replacement
project. This work began in December
and will take two to three months to
complete. Chapman Metering crews will
be working throughout our service area
and will be driving white vehicles with
their company logo (shown) displayed
on the side. Crews will only need to
Spiritwood strengthens
local economy
access the cooperative’s metering
equipment and do not need to access
your home or business.
If you have any questions about this
process, please contact North Itasca
Electric at (218) 743-3131.
Water quality in the
Big Fork River Watershed
by Sally Sedgwick
A water quality meeting in Marcell
during January brought state and county
staff together with residents to look at
the Big Fork River Watershed progress
under WRAPS (Watershed Restoration
and Protection Strategy), a 10 year
project initiated by the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency and other state
agencies and departments. The project,
started in 2010, will look at the current
water quality in all of the 81 watersheds
in Minnesota and seek to create a local
framework to bring water quality up to
standards.
Currently 120 lakes and 33 river
segments in the Big Fork River
Water to p.7>
It’s a common sight to
see semi trucks hauling
grain near the farming
community of Spiritwood,
N.D.
That area became
busier last summer when
farmers started delivering
corn to the Dakota Spirit
AgEnergy ethanol biorefinery which began operations.
The
area
has
always been rich in
corn
production.
In
fact, Stutsman County
produced about 18.6
million bushels of corn
in 2014, the latest year
for which figures are
available.
“Dakota
Spirit
AgEnergy has created a
market for virtually every
bushel of corn produced
in the county,” said Terry
Wanzek, farmer and
Grant made to
Scenic State Park
(l) Shawn Conrad, asst. park manager-Scenic, Schoolcraft and Hill Annex
Mine state parks, and (r) Bill Swanberg, BVCF board member.
The Bigfork Valley Community
Foundation recently contributed $975
to the Scenic State Park to help with
the purchase of an AED for the Park
Bigfork
Valley
Community
Foundation exists to provide an
opportunity for individuals to
contribute to a 501c(3) private, nonprofit organization that will support
the betterment of Northern Itasca
Hospital District and its communities.
state senator for District
29,
which
includes
Jamestown, N.D.
That benefits farmers,
but also local cities,
counties, the state and
region.
“These
kinds
of
projects help everyone
because Dakota Spirit
AgEnergy takes a local
commodity, corn, and
they add value to it to
produce the end products
of ethanol, distillers
grains and corn oil that
are transported locally
and out of state,” said
Wanzek.
Dakota
Spirit
AgEnergy
is
owned
by Midwest AgEnergy
Group, an Upper Midwest
biofuels enterprise owned
by North Itasca Electric
Cooperative’s wholesale
power provider, Great
page 8
Winter Ag Meetings
page 11
According to farmer and
North Dakota State Senator
Terry Wanzek, Dakota Spirit
AgEnergy has boosted an
already strong market for corn
in eastern North Dakota.
River Energy, and other
accredited investors.
Dakota Spirit AgEnergy
The 65 million gallons
of high-octane ethanol
Dakota Spirit AgEnergy
produces each year is
blended with gasoline.
The distillers grains are
used for cattle feed. Corn
Spiritwood to p.5>
Business owners:
North Itasca Electric has hosted the Co-op
Connections® Card program for some time now,
and our members have been saving money by using
the cards. Through this program, businesses have
been receiving opportunities for additional business
and promoting their names. This card provides our
cooperative members access to many local and
national discounts. We think this is a great opportunity
to partner with those in our community and to aid in
their success.
Co-op Connections allows businesses to promote
and advertise to our members at NO COST. Businesses
may be promoted in a variety of ways including
Co-op to p.3>
• inside • inside • inside • inside • inside • inside • inside • inside •
Load management
radio receivers
FEBRUARY 2016
Meeting new EPA rule
page 4
North Itasca
Electric Co-op
WINTER HOURS
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
February 2016
page 2
4
8
~February Calendar~
Storytelling at Marcell Town Hall, 2-4 p.m. Everyone welcome, treats and coffee.
Women of the Woods meet at 10 a.m. at Sand Lake Community Center. Call Pat
Sievertson at 659-2157 or Marlys Maki at 659-2901.
8 Deer River ISD 317 School Board meets, DRHS Media Center, 6 p.m.
8 Blackduck ISD 32 School Board meets, 7 p.m., Media Center.
9 Stop and Stitch at Marcell Family Center, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring $1, project to work
on and a sack lunch. Come and go. Contact Rhonda 259-9220 or Judy at 832-3237
10 Bigfork Lions Club meets second Wednesday, 6 p.m. at Golf on the Edge.
10 South Koochiching-Rainy River School Board meets 7 p.m. at Northome ITV studio.
11 Evergreen Friendship Club meets at noon at a local restaurant. For more info, call
659-2683.
11 Classic Movie at the Edge Center in Bigfork, 6:30 p.m., Picnic (1956) starring William
Holden and Kim Novak. Free.
12-14 Valeries’ Valentines, two one act plays at the Edge Center, Bigfork. Friday and
Saturday at 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
13 No school, Northome School
15 No school, Bigfork, Northome, Deer River schools
15 Presidents' Day (Washington's Birthday) North Itasca Electric offices CLOSED.
15 VFW meets in Bigfork second Monday at 7 p.m.
16 No school, Bigfork, Deer River schools
16 ISD 318 School Board meets, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. public forum). Via teleprescnce at
Bigfork School.
20 Winter Fun Fest in Blackduck: Stump Jumpers Drag Races, snowsnoe race, scavenger
hunt, Frozen Fowl Polar Plunge (noon), ice auger rodeo, snow sculptures, Fun Run
(Sunday), more. Registration required for some events, see www.blackduckmn.com,
February calendar.
20 North Woods Craft Store Annual Meeting, 10 a.m. in the Community Room of
Northome Senior Apartments.
22 Women of the Woods meet at 10 a.m. at Sand Lake Community Center. Call Pat
Sievertson at 659-2157 or Marlys Maki at 659-2901.
23 Health Care Advance Directive and the Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney
workshop, Bigfork Valley board room, 6 p.m. Free. ALSO at 3 p.m. on Feb. 25 and
at 10 a.m. on Feb. 26.
25 Memorial Blood Centers Bloodmobile will be at Bigfork Valley Hospital, 10 a.m.2 p.m. Call Hunter at 743-6448 or Amy at (218) 256-6156 or online at mbc.org to
schedule.
29 Leap year!
29 Community Conversation on Healthy Weight to talk about obesity, identified during a
local health needs assessment by Bigfork Valley. Everyone welcome, 6-8 p.m. Supper
served, RSVP to Simone, [email protected] or (206) 724-1411.
WATTS NEWS
WATTS NEWS is published monthly by:
North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Inc.
301 Main Avenue
P.O. Box 227
Bigfork, MN 56628
Subscriptions for Members are included
as part of the annual membership dues.
$8.00 per year or partial year for nonmembers, billed and payable in January
for the following year.
Second class postage paid at Bigfork, MN
56680. USPS 016-849 POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to WATTS NEWS,
North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Inc.,
P.O. Box 227, Bigfork, MN 56628-0227
Office Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday
Telephone: (218) 743-3131
After hours (to report power outages):
(218) 743-3131 or (800) 762-4048
Web site: www.NorthItascaElectric.com
Chief Executive Officer: Jared Echternach
WATTS NEWS Editor: Sally Sedgwick
Send all calendar items, recipes, advertisements and other correspondence for
WATTS NEWS to the Editor at: P.O. Box
243, Bigfork, MN 56628
Board Meeting Highlights
The Regular Meeting of the Board was held at the Cooperative's
Office on December 17, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
Directors Present: Schmitz, Salmela, White, Breeze, Leino,
Kongsjord, Waller, Bain and Cox.
Absent: none
Also Present: CEO Echternach, Staff Assistant Karels, Line Supt.
Pederson, Mgr. of Finance & Office Services Corradi and Attorney
Shaw.
Line Supt. Pederson presented the Line Department, Safety and
Outage Reports. Pederson also reported on where the crews are
working and the Right-of-Way Clearing Program. Pederson also
reported that Engineer Pierson is working on the Long Range Pan
and the 2016-2020 Work Plan.
The written DSM Report was reviewed.
Mgr. of Finance & Office Services Corradi presented his Office
Report and 2015 write-offs. Corradi also reported on the Christmas
open house.
Due to the early December Regular Board Meeting, November
Financials were not complete and will be presented at the January
Regular Board Meeting.
CEO Echternach presented his CEO Report, which included
recaps of November and YTD sales statistics, state and federal
legislative issues, Northome TAP Grant and Northland Connect
Broadband LLC.
Round table discussions were held.
CEO Echternach and Staff presented the 2016 Budget and Work
Plan.
Waller presented the MREA Update.
Leino reported on the GRE Board Meeting.
CEO Echternach reported on the GRE MMG Meeting.
A list of upcoming meetings was reviewed.
Action Items:
-Approved Consent Agenda.
-Confirmed the next meeting date as: Thursday, January 28,
2016.
-Approved the 2015 write-offs.
-Approved to pass the GRE PCA of $5,240.04 onto the members.
-Authorized President Schmitz to sign a letter of support for the
City of Northome Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)
Grant Application.
-Approved the 2016 Budget and Work Plan.
Meeting adjourned.
North Itasca Electric Vision-Mission-Values
Vision - To be a progressive,
services.
safe and reliable cooperative Value - North Itasca Electric
trusted by our members.
Cooperative values honesty,
integrity and high ethical
Mission - Delivering value to
standards. We are accountable
our members and communities
to our members and committed
by providing safe, reliable and
to our communities.
progressive energy and other
North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Board of Directors
Chairman: Terry Schmitz, District 8
Vice-Chairman: Wes Waller, District 2
Secretary: Larry Salmela, District 3
Treasurer: Roy Bain, District 9
Rep. to GRE Board: Bruce Leino, District 7
James White, District 1 Walter Breeze, District 6
James Cox, District 4
Lloyd Kongsjord, District 5
February 2016
page 3
Using technology to improve service and reliability
Technology.
It’s often an overused and
ambiguous word that can
mean anything from a smart
phone to a gaming system to
everything in between, but
I wanted to take some time
this month to explain how
technology is helping your
cooperative improve service to
our members and the reliability
of your electric distribution
system. I’d also like to talk
about how we will continue to
pursue technological advances
that will improve how we
serve our members.
North
Itasca
Electric
Cooperative was formed 75
years ago, and in those early
years if a member experienced
an outage, they would write
a note on a postcard or letter
and pop it in the mail, or even
travel to the office to report the
outage. I remember hearing
stories of co-op employees
opening the mail to find a note
stating something to the effect
that ‘…the lights went out
about a week ago and the next
time you have a crew in the
area could they please stop by
and fix it?’ That mindset – and
patience – is unheard of today
and our expectations are much
higher. In our age of instant
gratification if a member is out
of power for hours we think
that is unacceptable.
Fortunately
today’s
technological advances have
allowed us to become more
efficient and effective in serving
our members. For example,
Oil Circuit Reclosures (OCRs)
allow the distribution grid
to restore power during a
momentary
interruption.
Automatic switches allow
our transmission operators to
switch feeds remotely rather
than sending a crew to a
location to operate the switch
manually. This was evidenced
recently as a transmission
Co-op Connections Card
outage disrupted power to
three of our five substations.
With the addition of the
Ortman Substation and remote
switching capabilities, what
could have been a two-hour
outage or longer was reduced
to minutes.
Meters have evolved from
electro-mechanical to digital.
Members who once read their
meters monthly no longer
have to trudge through the
snow to capture a reading and
report it to the office; it’s done
automatically. The new meters
currently being installed will
have even greater capabilities,
including voltage readings,
momentary and sustained
interruption
identification,
two-way communication and
hourly reads to name a few of
the bells and whistles.
An updated computer
system will provide easier
access to service location
information,
meter
data,
service order tracking, work
management, mapping and
financial reporting. Members
will have better access to
their electric use data so they
can proactively manage their
energy use if they so choose.
The bills will be easier to
understand and read. These
systems will be able to
communicate with each other
and integrate with an Outage
Jared Echternach, CEO
Management System that will
as
a
strategic
help predict where outages technology
have occurred before crews imperative for your cooperative.
arrive making it easier for It has been a long road with
our line crew to respond and much work yet to do, but we
restore the outage. We will also are excited to be implementing
know the exact location of our these technological advances to
vehicles and equipment thus improve safety and service to you,
improving safety and reducing our member-owners.
response times.
Three
y e a r s
An Old Fashioned General Store
ago your
board of
directors
Groceries, hardware, movies,
identified
gas, gifts, post office, waste
WILLIAMS SEPTIC & ELECTRIC, INC.
Licensed & Bonded
Spring Lake Store
coupons, licenses, housewares
MasterCard and Visa
Hours:
Mon-Sat: 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Sun: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
218-832-3626
On Hwy 4, 1 mile west of Hwy 29
Contact:
● Septic
Brian Williams at
Installation
(218) 659-4216
Inspection
Design
● Hauling & Excavating
● Residential & Commercial Wiring
P.O. Box 633 / 52034 Silk Rd. Squaw Lake, MN 56681
>from p. 1
newsletters, online and through other channels. The
program allows your businesses to reach consumers
locally and nationally. More than 23,500 plus
businesses currently offer discounts nationwide.
Call North Itasca Electric Cooperative today to learn
how you can get your business advertised through the
Coop Connections Card program.
Have you visited your Cooperative
online? www.NorthItascaElectric.com
Find contractors ● Pay your bill
Learn about load management programs
Rates ● Forms ● Rebates
Can’t make it South
to Golf?
Stay North!
Open all year round
Located 1 mile east of
Hwy. 38 on Co. Rd. 261
Like us on Facebook!
www.golfontheedge.com
Winter Hours:
Wed-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.+
Sun
11 a.m.-7 p.m.+
Mon-Tue CLOSED
Happy Hour Every Day!
3-6 p.m.
Fri, Sat 7-8 p.m.
BOGO drinks and beer
218-743-3626
Full swing indoor
simulator
52 PGA Tour courses
Open Dart League
Wednesday - 6 p.m.
> Open for lunch
> Take-Out available
> Full bar
> Party rental
> In-house catering
February 2016
page 4
2016 Rate Changes
EPA power plant rule sets ambitious emission goals
Effective with March 2016 Billing Cycle
Nationwide goal a 32 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions: North
Dakota reduction set at 45 percent
The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) released its final Clean Power
Plan this summer. The rule requires
states to meet emissions reduction goals
for carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from
existing fossil fuel power plants (i.e., coal
and natural gas).
The Clean Power Plan is expected to
achieve a 32 percent nationwide reduction
in CO2 emissions from the power sector
in 2030 from 2005 levels.
Like all utilities, North Itasca Electric
Cooperative and wholesale electricity
provider Great River Energy will be
affected by the rule, and they are working
hard to help state regulatory agencies
prepare compliance plans that minimize
negative impacts on members’ bills or
electric service.
“Great River Energy has several teams
of employees and consultants working on
this issue. We have teamed up to achieve
the goals of the Clean Power Plan with
the least burden on our membership,” said
Jerry Loney, load management specialist
at North Itasca Elecric.
Great River Energy’s three coal power
plants in North Dakota will be covered
by the Clean Power Plan. The plants are
among the most efficient and lowest in
CO2 emission rates in
How will states achieve reductions? North Dakota, due in part
The Clean Power Plan grants states flexibility in to Great River Energy’s
focus
on
achieving their emissions-reduction goals. Compliance continued
improving performance.
strategies can involve:
The
organization
is
1. Improving heat rates at coal power plants
2. Substituting generation from less carbon intensive working with other utilities
and officials as the state of
power plants (e.g., natural gas)
3. Adding low- or zero-carbon generation such as wind North Dakota develops its
plan to comply with the
or solar
EPA’s new rule.
4. Providing incentives for consumer conservation
Although Great River
5. Trading credits with other sources within or outside
Energy’s power plants in
the state
Minnesota are not subject
to the rule, the cooperative
is also engaged in
Minnesota’s stakeholder
process to help ensure
minimal impact to rates
and reliability from the
state’s plan.
The Clean Power Plan
sets CO2 emissions-reduction goals for each state.
The rule allows states to
trade under a multi-state
approach, which Great
River Energy has long
supported. States are required to file implementation plans to the EPA by
Sept. 6, 2016. They may
request a two-year extension at that time.
Coffee Break!
Get your morning joe at
the Kootasca Senior Center
in beautiful Northome
every
Tuesday
and
Thursday morning 8 to 9:30
a.m. All welcome! Call
Judy at (218) 897-5770 for
information.
The following is a synopsis of North Itasca Electric Cooperative's Rate Schedule. For a complete rate class listing and schedule, please contact the office.
Existing
New
$40.00
$0.110
$0.130
$43.00
$0.1174
$0.1374
Seasonal
Fixed Charge
Energy
Energy (June-­‐Aug)
$40.00
$0.110
$0.130
$43.00
$0.1174
$0.1374
Single-­‐Phase Commercial
Fixed Charge
Energy
Energy (June-­‐Aug)
$41.00
$0.110
$0.130
$44.00
$0.1174
$0.1374
Three-­‐Phase Commercial
Fixed Charge
Energy
Energy (June-­‐Aug)
$41.00
$0.110
$0.130
$44.00
$0.1174
$0.1374
Residential
Fixed Charge
Energy
Energy (June-­‐Aug)
Outdoor Lighting
Monthly Fee
CIAC (new)
$12.00
$100.00
No change
No change
Whole House Heat Pump (closed)
$0.100
No change
Electric Thermal Storage
$0.047
No change
Dual Fuel
$0.0565
No change
Interruptible AC (closed)
$0.0630
No change
Cycled AC (monthly credit)
($7.00)
No change
Ltd. Interruptible Space Heating (closed)
$0.070
No change
Ltd. Interruptible Water Heating (closed)
$0.070
No change
Interruptible Irrigation
$0.063
No change
$2.00
No change
Wellspring Wind (adder per 100 kWh)
Wellspring Solar (New) (adder per 100 kWh)
NA
$2.00
HOW WILL THE NEW RATES AFFECT MY MONTHLY BILL?
Fixed Charge
kWh used
Tax
Total 700
Under the Existing Rate
$40.00
$77.00
$8.04
Under the New Rate
$43.00
$82.18
$8.61
Difference
$3.00
$5.18
$0.56
$125.04
$133.79
$8.74
Example reflects the average consumer using 700 kWh per month on the general service during non-­‐summer months.
February 2016
Spiritwood
>from p.1
oil is essential in the production of
biodiesel.
The primary input to make those
products is corn—23 million bushels
per year, grown locally. This results in
a strong, year-round market for local
farmers.
Dakota Spirit AgEnergy is
operated by 38 employees who live
near the plant and operate it in an
efficient manner.
“Our highly skilled employees
work very hard to efficiently produce
high-quality renewable products from
about 70,000 bushels of corn per
day,” said Jeff Zueger, chief operating
officer of Midwest AgEnergy Group.
The ethanol biorefinery has a
much larger impact beyond its plant
site as the business generates about
2,000 indirect jobs through farming,
transportation and other businesses
that support the plant and employees.
Spiritwood Station
The ethanol biorefinery would not
exist without Great River Energy’s
Spiritwood Station at the center of
it all. The 99-megawatt combined
heat and power plant, which was
commercialized on Nov. 1, 2014,
generates electricity for the regional
market and process steam for Dakota
Spirit AgEnergy and an adjacent malt
plant.
Spiritwood Station is the only
major power plant in eastern North
Dakota, and it is operated by 30
people who primarily live within 30
miles of the site.
“The employees enjoy living in
this area and working at the plant.
They exhibit a great team effort when
operating the plant because they
realize the significant impact that it has
on the region,” said Jeff Krumwiede,
leader, plant engineering, Spiritwood
Station.
Local impacts
Dakota Spirit AgEnergy provides
a strong economic impact at the
local level, especially the farming
community.
“Farmers need every advantage
that they can get in the current farm
economy, and with Dakota Spirit
AgEnergy, they are able to market
their corn locally and with low
transportation costs,” said Connie
Ova, president of the Jamestown
page 5
Advance Directive workshop
The Health Care Advance Directive and the
Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney. These are
important documents to know about, says Bigfork
Valley Hospital Social Worker Kim Heise, MSW,
LGSW. In February, there will be three workshops to
explain what they are, why they are important and how
they differ held by Heise and Simon Childs-Walker,
University of Minnesota medical student with the Rural
Physician Associate Program.
What are your wishes for medical care? If you are
not able to communicate, who should make decisions?
Everybody over 18 should have an advance directive,
Heise said, to ensure that your wishes are honored.
Health issues and accidents start occurring more
frequently as people age, she explained. These
Spiritwood Station, owned by Great River Energy. Spiritwood supplies documents can help start important conversations with
thermal energy to the Dakota Spirit AgEnergy biorefinery, owned by family and loved ones.
There will be copies of both forms available at the
Midwest AgEnergy, a GRE company. Photo courtesy of GRE.
workshops.
Stutsman Development Corporation. the high quality, good paying jobs,
which benefit all of Jamestown and
High tech plants
Spiritwood Station is one of the Stutsman County. The success of the
Where skill meets compassion.
cleanest coal-based plants in the projects is due in large part to strong
public/private
partnerships.
world. In fact, it is compliant with
“All groups worked together to
the requirements of EPA’s Clean
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
make
possible a strong value-added
Power Plan to reduce carbon dioxide
ag processing plant that is benefitting
No referrals necessary
Mike Olson, D.C.
emissions.
“We receive a lot of positive farmers and businesses that serve
For appointments calls (218) 743-4340
feedback from people who visit the those farmers,” said Klose.
Those partnerships will be
plant,” said Krumwiede. “Visitors
essential
for continued growth
are impressed with how the plant
through
the
Spiritwood Energy
operates and how it generates
electricity and steam in a highly Park Association, an industrial park
developed by Jamestown Stutsman
efficient manner.”
Dakota Spirit AgEnergy also Development Corporation and Great
has low carbon intensity, because River Energy.
The
551-acre,
multi-tenant
the biorefinery uses steam from
industrial
park
provides
energy and
Spiritwood Station instead of owning
transportation
infrastructure
well
and operating its own boiler. Ethanol
suited
for
industrial
operations.
produced in Spiritwood is shipped
“The key to growing an
to markets in the United States and
agriculture-based
community is
internationally that require lower
diversification,
and
that includes
carbon fuels.
finding ways to add value to
Future growth
local commodities,” said Ova.
Mark Klose, chairman of the “Diversification is important if we
www.robpowellexcavating.com
Stutsman County Commission, are to add good quality jobs in the
said a major benefit of the new Jamestown and Stutsman County
facilities in the Spiritwood area are area.”
Chiropractic clinic
Electrical Inspections
Except for minor repair work,
all electrical work you do at your
home, cabin, or property is required to be inspected by a State
Electrical Inspector. A rough-in inspection must be made before any
wiring is covered. A final inspection is also required. Please visit
www.electricity.state.mn.us
for
more information. The inspectors
can be reached weekday mornings
between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
▪ Itasca County - Steve Bartlett
(218) 591-1616
▪ Koochiching County - Curt
Collier (218) 966-5070
▪ Beltrami, Clearwater counties Davis Smid (507) 227-2772
▪ Septic installation
February 2016
page 6
Arts on the Edge
by Paul Kraska hours) on the train ride to their
The Two Valeries present a honeymoon… they suddenly
find themselves alone together
Valentine's treat
Valerie Sobrack and Valerie and realize they have commitConner are directing two one- ted themselves to a lifetime toact plays for Valentine’s Day. gether and all that entails.” The
They’re calling the production resulting conversations are very
“Valeries’ Valentines: Love funny.
The second play, “That’s Not
Evolves in Two One-Act Comedies.” They will be presented How I Remember It,” by Don
on the Edge stage February 12- Zolidis, is done in the present
14. This EdgeWild players event day and is all about a husband
will be the directors' first plays, and wife explaining to their son
and will include in the team of how they met in the 1980s. But
on- and off-stage help students each parent has a different idea
of how their relationship began.
from the Bigfork School.
There are 21 characters
The first play “Here We Are,”
directed by Conner and writ- played by 16 different actors
ten by Dorothy Parker, has two in this comedy. Sobrack says
cast members. Conner says “… the play, “…tells the story in
It is about a very recently mar- flashbacks. Mom and Dad are
ried couple (less than three trying to describe to their son
Edge Gallery: Behind the Scenes
by Lynn Nachbar
Until April the Edge Center
Gallery has its Permanent
Collection on display during
office hours and events only.
Behind the scenes, plans are
being made for the upcoming
season. You can help in three
ways.
If you are an artist, winter is
a good time to create work. If
you think that you have enough
work, you may be interested in
a solo or group exhibit in the
Edge Center Gallery. In order
to be considered, the Gallery
committee needs to see several
photos of your work. These
images may be sent to the Edge
Center on a CD or emailed to
Lynn at [email protected].
The Gallery committee will
make decisions about the 2016
season by mid-February, so
submit your work soon. Later
submissions will be kept on file
for next season.
You may want to enter Art on
the Edge: Twelfth Annual Juried
Art Exhibit, which will be on
view in July. The submissions
are due in early May. A juried
art show has a time-honored
way of being organized. An
experienced independent juror
is picked because of his or
her involvement in the visual
arts. He or she is paid to select
from submitted artwork those
pieces that they think are the
strongest.
Inevitably some
pieces are rejected. The local
Gallery committee has no input
on this selection and the juror’s
decisions are final. There will
be more information in next
month’s WATTS NEWS. When
more details are available they
will be on the website www.theedge-center.org.
Become a “Friend of the
Gallery”. Your donations of
$30 go a long way toward
allowing the Gallery to present
diverse and fascinating exhibits.
Send a check to Edge Center
Gallery, PO Box 303, Bigfork,
MN 56628, or include a
donation with your Edge Center
membership or, easiest of all,
use the Online Donations link
on the Edge website, www.theedge-center.org.
how they first met. However,
each seems to remember very
different versions of the stories…The play is set in the
present, and Mom and Dad
first met in 1986. It's full of
fun 80s fashion and big hair,
80s rock music, and lots of fun
memories that almost anyone
alive today can recognize and
identify with.”
Please come and enjoy Valeries’ Valentines on the Edge
stage Feb. 12 and 13 at 7 p.m.
and Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets
$12 adults and $5 children.
2016 Promises to Be a Good
year at the Edge Center
Beside the February Valentine show, 2016 will include
some of the regulars we have
come to enjoy each year, and
then some nice new additions.
April will provide two interesting dance and residency
events. One is “We Wait In the
Darkness” by Rosey Simas, a
Native American choreographer based in Minneapolis.
And also in April, TU Dance,
based in St. Paul, will return
to the Edge with its residency
and public performance.
Sam Miltich and Charmin
Michelle will charm our au-
Edge Events
See www.the-edge-center.org for added
upcoming events and more information.
See http://edgecenterarts.blogspot.com/ for
descriptions of selected events.
dience with their
special
musical style in July, • February 11 - Picnic, Starring William
Holder and Kim Novak – 1956
and the Northern
Lights trio pres- • February 12 -14 - Two plays Here We
Are and That’s Not How I Remember It.
ents the piano bar
•
March
10 - Grapes of Wrath starring
and lots more in
Henry
Fonda (1940)
August.
We
have • April 9 – “We Wait in the Darkness”
learned to expect Native American Dance
the unexpected • April 23 – Minnesota-Based TU Dance
from this group. Performance
I wonder if they • July 15 – 17 Stages Children Theater
will bring “Jerry presents “Annie Jr.”
and the Jerryat- • July 28 – Sam Miltich and Charmin
rics” with them Michelle performance
for some rock- • August 13 – Piano Bar and the Northern
n-roll again this Lights Trio
• August 20 – Bill Kate Isles & Band
year?
Again some- performance
thing new will • September 11 – Tree Party alt-country
be here in August folk band performance
and September
with two new
Tree Party alt-country folk
musical groups.
band in September rounds out
First Bill and Kate Isles & the schedule so far.
Band bring an acoustic singer/
But remember, this schedsongwriter duo based in Du- ule is fluid and subject to
luth to show us their musical change. We try to keep you up
styles with “a performance to date with Facebook, Concarrying audiences through a stant Contact mailings, postbroad landscape of experienc- ers, and newspaper articles
es from metaphorical worlds plus advertising, our blogspot
to small town family stories and Edge Center home page
and to zany comedy.” Then a on the web.
scheduled performance of the
CLASSIC MOVIE SERIES
by Jack Nachbar
On a warm Labor Day
in a small Kansas town,
townsfolk gather for a Labor
Day celebration of the end of
summer. But, instead, the day
reveals loneliness, frustration,
and desperate hopes, all
brought into the open by the
stranger who had hopped off
the fright train that morning.
Picnic (1956) stars William
Holden as the stranger and
Kim Novak as the girl drawn to
him. The film was nominated
for six Oscars, including Best
Picture, and its musical theme
was one of the top hits of the
year. Picnic will be shown
Thursday, February 11 at Grapes of Wrath (1940),
6:30 p.m. at the Edge Center starring Henry Fonda, John
Carradine and Jane Darwell.
Theater in Bigfork. FREE.
March Classic Movie: John Thursday, March 10 at 6:30
Ford's masterpiece, The p.m. at the Edge
BE AN EDGE CENTER MEMBER!
___Enclosed is $35 to renew my membership (any amount is great!)
___$25 more for Gallery or Theatre equipment
___$1,000 Donors’ Club
___Please charge my credit card
_________________________________exp date_____
___I would like to receive updates via e-mail: _____________________________
Name:
Address:
Clip and send to: EWCC, P.O.
Box 303, Bigfork, MN 56628
February 2016
Big Fork River Watershed water quality workshop
>from p.1
Watershed between Dora Lake and Rainy Lake have
been analyzed, with 114 lakes and all river segments
meeting water quality standards. Examples of water
chemistry that reflect surface water quality are nutrient
loads (phosphorus and nitrogen) that create algae
blooms, clarity and pH (acidity).
Lakes that are already listed as impaired for too many
nutrients include Jesse Lake (2004), Round Lake (2008)
and Island Lake (2010). This has triggered a TMDL
(Total Maximum Daily Load) analysis that is complete
for Jesse Lake and is currently being done for Island
Lake. The TMDL looks at all sources of nutrients in an
effort to reduce the loading.
Lakes that did not meet the standards include
Bowstring, Shallow Pond and Little Spring lakes.
Together with Round Lake, these lakes act like shallow
lakes in their chemistry. Shallow lakes will mix easily,
even from wind action. That means that they may show
higher nutrients (nitrogen and/or phosphorus) from
natural causes.
Standards for the northern tier of Minnesota are
different and stricter than for central or southern
Minnesota. For instance, the latter two ecoregions
have different shallow and deep lake regulations unlike
the northern region which has a single standard. Mike
Kennedy, MPCA (Duluth) watershed project manager,
anticipates legislation providing a shallow lake or site
specific distinction to be coming in the future, and these
lakes will be re-evaluated then.
Progress in the TMDL analysis for Island Lake was
summarized by retired hydrologist Nolan Baratonio.
The analysis found that about 60 percent of the nutrient
load is from internal causes like the configuration of the
lake itself, about 24 percent is from the local watershed,
with 1 percent from failing septics and about 14 percent
from atmospheric deposition.
It would require about a 27 percent reduction in
load in order to meet the state standard. Baratonio
said his recommendation would be to start small, with
easily corrected items like fixing any septic problems.
Kennedy added that just being observant and slowing
runoff going into the lake during a rain to let sediment
fall out is another easy way to protect water quality.
Cost of showering and savings options
What is the cost of showering? Depending on family
behavior and the number of people in a family, the
amount of water needed to be heated plays a large role
in the cost of showering. In today’s market, shower head
designs have become ecofriendly, reducing the amount
of water consumed, but there are still a number of shower
stall installations which can consume a tremendous
amount of water. If you have watched a particular home
remodeling television show on Saturday morning, you
may have seen shower remodels where multiple shower
heads were installed. As fancy as they are, that luxury
does not come without a price. It take energy to heat
water and the more shower heads and larger shower
heads means higher energy bills.
Below is a chart showing the cost of taking a 5 minute
shower vs. a 10 minute shower using both a standard
shower head with a flow of 3 gallons of water per minute
and an energy saver shower head with a flow of 1.5
gallons per minute. You will also see the cost savings
using North Itasca Electrics ETS Storage Water Heating
Program.
page 7
About 20 residents attended the meeting, which
follows up on a meeting held last August. Residents
were asked for opinions on what clean water meant to
them, what threatened the resource, what major changes
in the area could affect water quality, and what water
protection projects could be done in the area.
Further information is available from Kim
Yankowiak, Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation
District ((218) 326-0017 or Jolen Simon, Koochiching
County SWCD, (218) 283-1180.
Pederson Hovila Agency
Insurance & Financial Services
Local, friendly, personal service for over 40 years
• MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS NOW AVAILABLE!
• FINAL EXPENSE PLANS now available!
• LIFE INSURANCE for all stages of life
• AUTO, HOME, FARM, HEALTH, etc.
Call Kevin for a no-obligation quote or policy review
218-743-3545 or www.phafinancial.solutions
401 Main Ave., Bigfork 56628 next to the post office
Cost of showering
Assumptions:
Standard electric rate
Storage electric rate
Propane cost per gallon
$0.11/kWh
$0.047/kWh
$1.39/gal
Standard shower head
Length of showers in minutes
5
10
Pounds of water to heat
83
166
Btus needed to reach 120 degrees
6,225 12,450
kWh needed to reach 120 degrees.
1.82
3.65
Gallons propane needed /shower
0.076 0.151
Energy Saver Shower Head
5
10
41.5
83
3,112 6,225
0.91
1.82
0.034 0.068
Using electric
Per shower with standard rate
Per shower with storage rate
$0.20
$0.09
$0.40
$0.17
$0.10
$0.04
$0.20
$0.09
Using propane
Propane cost per shower
$0.11
$0.20
$0.07
$0.14
Monthly cost per person
Standard electric
Storage water heating program
Propane cost @ 90% efficiency
$6.02
$2.57
$3.15
$12.04
$5.14
$6.30
$3.01
$1.29
$2.04
$6.02
$2.57
$4.08
Edge of the Wilderness Realty
Office- (218)832-4000
Toll Free- (800)767-4872
48921 State Highway 38 Marcell, MN 56657
“Get the Edge”
Located Next to Frontier Sports
Terry Schmitz
Broker/Owner
(218)244-1165
[email protected]
Top Producing
Real Estate Team
in Northern
Itasca County
Greg Anselmo
Broker/Owner
(218)244-4648
[email protected]
Check out our webcam on North Star Lake
www.EOWRealty.com
page 8
February 2016
Understanding your load management receiver
Load management control signals
Load management controllers are
used on both Minnkota and Great River
Energy's power grids. But the way of
controlling these devices are much
different in each case.
Minnkota uses what is called a power
line carrier which sends signals to a
ripple controller through the power lines,
communicating whether or not to open or
close relays which govern the operation
of heating equipment. Great River
Energy also sends signals to govern
heating equipment, but instead of signals
traveling through the power lines, they
travel through air waves much like the
signals we receive and turn up to hear our
favorite tunes played on the radio.
Below is a picture of Minnkota's
ripple controller with arrows indicating
the different parts involved. The other
lighting diagrams show different
indicator lights, depending on the type
of controlling equipment being used by
Great River Energy at your home.
Great River Energy receivers
Top left and right red light is for water storage only.
When red light is on, water heaters are turned off.
Middle right red light is for electric heating or cycled
air conditioning. When the red light is on, the
electric heat is off or air conditioning is being cycled.
Green light will blink upon receipt of sent signal
Optional lower left red light (if applicable) is for heat
storage or dual fuel. When the red light is on, the
heat storage or dual fuel is off.
Green light will blink upon receipt of a sent signal.
Right red light is for electric heating or cycled air
conditioning. When the red light is on, the electric
heat is off or air conditioning is being cycled.
Optional 3rd red light (if applicable) is for heat storage
or dual fuel. When the light is on, the heat storage or
dual fuel is off.
Left red light is for water storage only. When the left
red light is on, water heaters are turned off.
Right red light is for water storage only. When the
right red light is on, water heaters are turned off.
Green light is on only briefly when receiver is first
energized or when power is restored.
Middle red light is for electric heating or cycled air
conditioning. When the red light is on, the electric
heat is off or air conditioning is being cycled.
Top green light is on only briefly when receiver is first
energized or when power is restored.
Upper red light is for water storage only. When the
upper red light is on, water heaters are turned off.
Lower red light is for electric heating or cycled air
conditioning. When the lower red light is on, the
electric heat is off or air conditioning is being cycled.
You can go to
beltramielectric.com
to check the load
management status.
TAKE IT AWAY LLC
Property Clean-Out Service
Say goodbye to clutter today! We do attics,
houses, basements, sheds, barns, estates,
...and much more.
(218) 556-0075
takeitawayllc.com
We’ll take the clutter and stress away
leaving you with a broom clean space.
Note: any time power is interrupted to the unit – for any reason – the radio receiver is programmed not
to run for 15 to 30 minutes after the last time power was restored. DO NOT turn the breakers on and
off if your Off-Peak system(s) have not been operating. Instead, wait 15 to 30 minutes and the system
should operate. During the 15 to 30 minute period, both red lights will usually remain on.
YOUR LOCAL SOURCE FOR GASOLINE, ON ROAD
DIESEL, OFF ROAD DIESEL, LIVE BAIT AND
TACKLE, GIFT SHOP, PROPANE, GROCERY, AUTO
PARTS, AND YOUR LOCAL FEED STORE.
U.S. POST OFFICE BOXES AND STAMPS
AVAILABLE HERE
WE ARE LOCATED AT: 49926 STATE HWY 6 /
P.O. BOX 26 TALMOON, MN 56628
(218)-832-3804
February 2016
page 9
Bigfork Valley earns five star ratings
Bigfork Valley Hospital has again
topped the state in five star ratings for
Patient Experience of Care in the national
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
(CMS) Hospital Compare.
In the latest release, Bigfork Valley was
the only hospital in the state to earn five
stars for patient satisfaction in each of the
eleven categories measured plus an overall
summary rating.
“We are encouraged that our
commitment to deliver a quality hospital
stay is reflected in a patient’s own
experience,” said Aaron Saude, CEO.
The star ratings were released in
December and cover patient surveys
for the year ended March 31, 2015. The
ratings provide a way for consumers to
easily recognize and understand the data
that is posted on the Hospital Compare
site. That data summarizes the results of
surveys of patients with recent hospital
stays about their satisfaction with their
experience in a hospital.
The survey, called the Hospital
Consumer Assessment of Healthcare
Providers and Systems (HCAHPS),
was first launched in 2006 to provide
transparency for the hospital experience
provided to patients. Although data is
adjusted and hosted on the Medicare site,
the surveys are not restricted to Medicare
patients.
The survey covers such things as
communication with doctors and nurses,
explanation of medications and care,
cleanliness, nighttime quietness and speed
of response to a call, pain control, recovery
at home, patient’s understanding of care,
and overall rating and recommendation of
the hospital.
To receive a star rating, at least 100
surveys must be returned by patients after
a hospital stay over the year, and hospitals
must choose to publicly report results.
Patients from 129 hospitals are surveyed
in Minnesota, 83 are represented in the star
ratings.
In honor of its 75th anniversary, Blandin Foundation invites
you to nominate an individual or group that has displayed
an act of community leadership for the Foundation’s
North Woods Craft
Legacy and Leadership Awards
The Annual Meeting of the Northome
North woods Craft store will be held
on Saturday, Feb. 20 in the Community
Room of the Northome Senior Apartments
at 10 a.m.
All members – old and new – are
encouraged to attend this meeting.
Remember guests are also invited to
attend this meeting.
Muffins by Teener Swang, tea and fruit
punch will be served after the meeting.
Hope to see you there!
To nominate, visit www.blandinfoundation.org or call
Blandin Foundation offices at 218-326-0523.
Nominations will be accepted until May 15, 2016.
submitted by Betty J. Olson, secretary
Saarenpaa Firewood Processing
Construction Services Inc.
Cutting & pricing for wood by the cord up to
12 feet in length. Cut to length & split & piled.
“Serving the excavation needs of Itasca County
and beyond since 1968”
Stacking and clean up extra.
Ray V. Kongsjord & Sons
218-343-7219 | 218-343-7739 | 218-246-9208
www.rkconstructionservices.com
email: [email protected]
Office: (218) 832-2842
Cell: (218) 244-6201
39335 State Highway 286
Marcell, MN 56657
$35/cord + travel
• Demolition roll off service
• Site preparation • Landscaping
• Basements • Septics • Shoreland
• Gravel • Road construction
$0.45/mile from Little Bowstring, Deer River
All prices subject to change please verify.
èAll You Can Eat Fish Fry
Every Wednesday, 5-7 p.m. ~ $7.95
èBar Bingo Every Thursday at 7 p.m.
èBurger Nite–1/4 Lb. Burgers and Chips
as low as $3 ~ Monday 5-7 p.m.
Bonded and licensed - MPCA Lic. 1204
Squaw Lake
Best Breakfasts and Burgers Anywhere
743-3607
Hours:
Sun-Thurs: 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Fri and Sat: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
!
za
Piz
Friendly, small town atmosphere
Ice cream ... the dipping kind!
Pie
!
Wireless Internet available
Every Monday evening: 1/4 lb. hamburger & fries
Every Friday evening: fish or fantail shrimp
Every Tuesday 11am-2 pm: hot beef sandwiches
Every Thursday 11am-2 pm: hot pork sandwiches
Follow Fish Tales in Squaw Lake on
Facebook or call 218-659-4488 for
Specials and/or Events.
Second Saturday of Each Month
Steak Fry
8 Oz. Sirloin ~ 5-8 p.m.
Baked Potato, Coleslaw and Texas Toast
$
1095
èBREAKFAST HOURS:
èGRILL HOURS:
Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
Sundays 7 a.m.-12 noon.
Monday-Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Happy Hours 4-6 p.m. Monday - Friday
February 2016
page 10
Meter seals
If you or an electrician is performing electrical
work at your residence which requires opening meter
sockets or load control receivers, you need to contact
North Itasca Electric first.
By contacting North Itasca Electric, you can help
prevent possible problems which could occur when
North Itasca Electric finds that seals have been cut.
These problems would mostly be on sub meters where
load control meters are installed. This equipment is
owned, controlled and maintained by North Itasca
Electric.
These seals may only be cut if permission is
granted by North Itasca Electric in advance or deemed
an emergency by an electrician.
North Itasca Electric does realize that there could
be instances where work needs to be done, in such
cases; North Itasca Electric still needs to be contacted.
If it is determined that loads have not been
controlled during load control periods, demand
charges will be applied to your billing.
800-2521166 or 811
Whenever you plan to dig over 12 inches
deep, 2 days before you start, call Gopher One
at (800) 252-1166. It’s required by Minnesota
state law and it is a free service.
M-F 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
While visiting Bigfork Valley, visit the Gift Nest!
Gifts for staff and residents, jewelry, decor, cards,
kids’ toys, cookbooks, pot pourri, more!
218-743-4438 ◆ online at BigforkValley.org
We deliver phone orders on campus.
GUNSTOCK CHECKERING
All types of gunstock checkering
We can create virtually any design or use your own
We can recreate your worn-out checkering like new
We refinish stocks with the hand rubbed English oil method
Custom stocks built here. Boyds and Richards microfit
blanks.
RC Keith GUNSTOCK CHECKERING 218-897-5152
Cold Weather Rule Notification
What are the Cooperative’s responsibilities if a member does not pay the electric bill during winter
if electricity is the primary heating source? Following is the state law; please note that the member
must file a form with the utility showing income eligibility.
216B.097 COLD WEATHER
RULE; COOPERATIVE OR
MUNICIPAL UTILITY.
Subdivision 1. Application; notice to residential customer. (a) A
municipal utility or a cooperative
electric association must not disconnect and must reconnect the
utility service of a residential customer during the period between
October 15 and April 15 if the disconnection affects the primary heat
source for the residential unit and
all of the following conditions are
met:
(1) The household income of the
customer is at or below 50 percent
of the state median household income. A municipal utility or cooperative electric association utility
may (i) verify income on forms it
provides or (ii) obtain verification
of income from the local energy
assistance provider. A customer
is deemed to meet the income requirements of this clause if the customer receives any form of public
assistance, including energy assistance, that uses an income eligibility threshold set at or below 50 percent of the state median household
income.
(2) A customer enters into and
makes reasonably timely payments
under a payment agreement that
considers the financial resources of
the household.
(3) A customer receives referrals to
energy assistance, weatherization,
conservation, or other programs
likely to reduce the customer’s energy bills.
(b) A municipal utility or a cooperative electric association must,
between August 15 and October 15
each year, notify all residential customers of the provisions
of this section.
Subdivison 2. Notice to residential customer facing disconnection.
Before disconnecting service to a
residential customer during the period between October 15 and April
15, a municipal utility or coopera-
tive electric association must pro- not be disconnected until the utilvide the following information to a ity investigates whether the resicustomer:
dential unit is actually occupied. If
(1) a notice of proposed disconnec- the unit is found to be occupied,
tion;
the utility must immediately in(2) a statement explaining the cus- form the occupant of the provitomer’s rights and responsibilities; sions of this section. If the unit is
(3) a list of local energy assistance unoccupied, the utility must give
providers;
seven days’ written notice of the
(4) forms on which to declare in- proposed disconnection to the local
ability to pay; and
energy assistance provider before
(5) a statement explaining avail- making a disconnection.
able time payment plans and other (c) If, prior to disconnection, a cusopportunities to secure continued tomer appeals a notice of involunutility service.
tary disconnection, as provided by
Subd. 3. Restrictions if disconnec- the utility’s established appeal protion necessary. (a) If a residential cedure, the utility must not disconcustomer must be involuntarily nect until the appeal is resolved.
disconnected between October 15 Subdivision 4. Application to serand April 15 for failure to comply vice limiters. For the purposes of
with subdivision 1, the disconnec- this section, “disconnection” intion must not occur:
cludes a service or load limiter or
(1) on a Friday, unless the cus- any device that limits or interrupts
tomer declines to enter into a pay- electric service in any way.
ment agreement offered that day in History: 1991 c 235 art 2 s 1; 2001 c 212
person or via personal contact by art 4 s 2; 1Sp2003 c 11 art 3 s 2; 2007 c 57
telephone by a municipal utility or art 2 s 14,15
cooperative electric association;
(2) on a weekend, holiday,
or the day before a holiday;
(3) when utility offices are
If you cannot pay your winter
closed; or
heating bills, contact one of these
(4) after the close of busilocations for energy assistance
ness on a day when disconKOOTASCA ENERGY ASS'T.
nection is permitted, unless
201 NW 4th St., Ste 130
a field representative of a
Grand Rapids MN 55744
municipal utility or coopera218-999-0800
tive electric association who
877-687-1163
is authorized to enter into
BI-COUNTY COMMUNITY
a payment agreement, acACTION COUNCIL
cept payment, and continue
P.O. Box 579
service, offers a payment
Bemidji, MN 56601-0579
agreement to the customer.
218-751-4631
Further, the disconnection
ITASCA COUNTY SOCIAL SERV.
must not occur until at least
Itasca County Courthouse
20 days after the notice re123 NE 4th St
quired in subdivision 2 has
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
been mailed to the customer
218-327-2941
or 15 days after the notice
has been personally delivKOOCHICHING COUNTY
ered to the customer.
FAMILY SERVICES
(b) If a customer does not
615 4th St
respond to a disconnection
International Falls, MN 56649
notice, the customer must
218-283-8405
NOTE: if you are 60 or older, you may also contact Cindy
Brummer of the Home Visitor program at (877) 674-2491
to seek funding sources.
Energy assistance
LEECH LAKE ENERGY ASST.
115 6th St, Ste ECass Lake, MN
56633
218-335-8292
February 2016
page 11
Outage Report for December 2015
DATE OFF
AREA AFFECTED
OH/UG
CAUSE
TIME OFF
# MEMBERS
Monthly outage statistics
● Yearly average time a member is out of power is 307.01
minutes
● Yearly average number a member experiences a sustained
interruption: 3.90
● Yearly average time required to restore service is 78.80
minutes.
Outage chart shows what the Line Department
responded to during the month, including cause,
length of outage, whether the fault was overhead
(OH) or underground (UG), and the location.
Winter agricultural meetings
Tour de Forage
The annual Northeast Minnesota Forage and
Grassland Council meeting will be held at the Event
Center in Floodwood on Tuesday Feb. 2, 9:30 a.m.-3
p.m.
The day includes topics on grazing management,
forage research updates, double cropping and
interseeding as well as reports on field day and bus
tours.
For registration and an agenda, visit midwestforage.
org and click on Minnesota Tour de Forage Meetings.
www.mnlakeshoreproperties.com
at 5:30 p.m. The agenda includes presenters from
industry and the university, and covers grazing lands,
increasing feeder calf value, cow/calf confinement
systems, trace mineral nutrition and calf health
protocols.
For more information, and other locations and
dates, visit sites.google.com/a/umn.edu/cow-calfdays or contact the North Central Research and
Outreach Center at (218) 327-4490. Registration is
$20.
-Beautiful flowers for all
occasions
(delivery in Bigfork &
surrounding areas)
Cow/Calf Days
The University of Minnesota Extension Beef Team
tours the state annually to connect with producers on
current topics. This year the workshop will be at
the American Legion in Bagley on Tuesday, Feb. 9
DANGER!
Outlet Overload
Every year, U.S. fire departments respond to an
estimated 25,900 home electrical fires. These fires
cause an estimated 280 deaths, 1,125 injuries and $1.1
billion in property loss.
Thirty-nine percent of home electrical fires involve
outlets and receptacles, and other electrical wiring.
To ensure safety, you should only use about 80
percent of the available current for each electrical
outlet in your home.
Are you overloading outlets? Use this formula to
find out:
wattage/volts=amps
Example:
Let’s say you are using 2,000 watts of power
(for one outlet). Divide the watts by the volts in
your home (typically 120), and you come up with
16.6 amps of current being used. With a 20 amp
electrical outlet, you are using about 80 percent of
the available current.
Source: U.S. Fire Administration, Home & Garden
-Unique gifts
218-743-6315
202 Main Ave.
Bigfork, MN
-Local handcrafted items
-Craft supplies
-Tanning bed
(full line of tanning products)
Open Mon. through Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
February 2016
page 12
Bigfork Over 50
weekly events
Cribbage: Every Tuesday, 3-6 p.m. followed by a pot
luck dinner, Bring a dish to share.
Bingo; Every Thursday, 1-3 p.,m.,. donated prizes
are appreciated..
Senior meals: Every day Senior Meals at 11:30 a.m.
Call by 9:00 a.m. for reservations at (218) 743-3121.
Frozen meals are available, ask for information.
Bone Builders
Community Education
Bigfork: Register for classes at 743-3444 or Blackduck: Register and call for more
online at www.getlearning.org.
information at (218) 835-5206.
LEAP INTO BOOKS
Date: Mon., Feb. 29
Time: 3-4:30 p.m.
Location: Media Center
Fee: Free
For grades K-6. Stories, puppets, free books.
CREATIVE KIDS COOKING
Date: Weds., Feb. 3, March 2, April 6
Time: 2:30-5 p.m.
Location: School kitchen
Fee: $10
For grades 8-12. 3 sessions,
WEDS. NIGHT VOLLEYBALL & BASKETBALL
Date: Wednesdays when school is in session and
not let out early
Time: VBall 7-9 p.m., BBall 6:45-8:45 p.m.
Location: VBall HS gym, Multi-Purpose
Room; BBall elementary gym
Fee: $3
For 18 and over, graduated from HS.
Deer River:
Register for classes online at
Bone Builders, an ElderCircle program, offers
(218) 246-8241, Ext. 227 or www.getlearning.org
free fitness and strength building classes to adults of
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
all ages, but is formatted for older adults. (Attendees
Date: Fri., Feb. 5
range in age from 40-90 years old) The exercises
Call for more information at
Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
and stretches help build muscles and bone density, (218) 897-5275 (ext. 100)
Location: King Elementary Cafeteria
improve balance, provide socialization and much
OPEN GYM
Fee: Free
more. Anyone is welcome to join in or observe at
Date:
Sundays
when
school
in
session
Bring
blanket and pillow, snacks provided.
any time. Call Leah Fox at (218) 999-9233, Ext. 280.
Time:
3-5
p.m.
Children FIRST! event.
Scenic Highway 7, Lawron Presbyterian Church
Location:
Gym
(M 1-2:30 p.m.) (W 9-10:30 a.m.)
Fee: $1 per person, $5 per family
Bowstring, Bowstring Hall (Tu, Th 10-11:30
Cancellations posted on Facebook.
a.m.)
Bigfork Area, Old Scenic Community Church
Register for fitness classes at (218) 743-4133.
(M, W 9-10:30 a.m.)
Classes offered free to Fitness Center members; $2 per
Deer River, Bethany Lutheran Church (M, Th
Arrowhead Transit offers bus rides between Northome,
session to non-members. Classes are in Rehab Gym at
10-11:30 a.m.)
Alvwood, Squaw Lake, Inger, Ball Club and Grand Rapids
Bigfork Valley Hospital.
Northome, Kootasca Senior Center (Tu, Th
the first and third Tuesday of every month. Travel between
Tough Tuesdays | Tuesdays, 6:15 a.m.
9:30-11 a.m.)
Bigfork, Marcell and Grand Rapids are offered the second
High intensity circuit training class; must sign up in
Monday of the month.There must be five passengers,
advance.
call by noon the day prior (Friday or Monday) 800-862Pilates
| Wednesdays, 5 p.m.
0175. Open to all ages, fares vary, but are under $3 one
Stability
Ball Core Class | Fridays, 6:30 a.m.
way. Operated by the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity
Saturday Rocks | Saturdays, 8 a.m.
Agency.
High intensity circuit training class; must sign up in
advance.
Visit your co-op online!
Senior Fitness | Saturdays, 10 a.m.
www.NorthItascaElectric.com
Power Abs, Back and Core | Mondays, 4:30 p.m.
David Lick, CIC, LUTC
Northome:
Arrowhead Transit
Bill Sergot, CIC, AAI
Dan Drennen, CIC, LUTC
Sheila Gustafson
Greg Passard
Steven Swentkokske
Where skill meets compassion.
Bigfork Valley Fitness Center
Open 24 hours ♦ 7 days a week
Call 743-4133 for membership information
Rental lockers ♦ Showers
area bookmobile stops
Tuesdays: Feb. 9; March 1, 22
11:15-11:45 Spring Lake Store
1:15 - 2:00 Bowstring Store
2:15 - 3:00 Talmoon: Hayslip’s Corner
4:00 - 4:30 Effie: Effie Cafe
4:45 - 5:45 Bigfork: Main Street
6:45 - 7:15 Balsam: Comm. Center
Thursdays: Feb. 11; March 3, 24
1:15 - 2:00 Togo: School vicinity
Fridays: Feb. 5, 26; March 18
12:30 -1:00 Gemmel; Comm.Church
1:15 -1:45 Mizpah; Post Office
2:15 - 3:00 Northome; Post Office
3:45 - 4:45 Alvwood; Hoot-n-Holler
5:00 - 6:30 Squaw Lake; Community Ctr
Bookmobile or Mail-a-Book information: call
Arrowhead Library System at (218) 741-3840
Bigfork Valley Fitness
Area Resources
Blackduck
Community
Library: 835-6600
Sun, Mon.: Closed
Tues: 1-6 p.m..
Wed:9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Thurs:1-7 p.m.
Fri: 1-6 p.m.
Sat.: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Resource Centers:
Blackduck:
(218) 835-5768
Northome:
(218) 897-5952
Northome Library
Resource Center
897-5952
Mon: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tues: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wed: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Thurs.: 12-3 p.m.,
Fri.: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
AA meeting:
Old Scenic Community
Church, 25747 County Road
340, Thurs., 7 p.m.
Contact: Richard at (218)
743-3970 or Jim at (218)
245-1804
February 2016
Community News
Bigfork
page 13
Email editor at sedgwick@
paulbunyan.net, put Community
News in the subject line
Join a Community Conversation on Healthy Weight. Simone Childs-Walker, a U
of M Rural Physicians Associate Program medical student at Scenic Rivers Health
Services will facilitate a conversation about this complex issue raised as a topic of
local concern in a recent community health needs assessment conducted by Bigfork
Valley. Everyone welcome, meeting in the board room at Bigfork Valley, 6-8 p.m.
on Monday Feb. 19. Supper served, RSVP to Simone, [email protected] or (206)
724-1411.
Blackduck
Saturday, Feb. 20 come enjoy the Winter Fun Fest in Blackduck: 9 a.m. Snowshoe
Race in Tree Park; 10 a.m., Stump Jumpers Snowmobile Club drag races; 11 a.m.
scavenger hunt in Pine Tree Park; noon the Basketball Boosters Frozen Fowl
Polar Plunge - a fundraiser, you must raise at least $100 to jump!; 2 p.m. Ice
Auger Rodeo. Snow sculptures in Wayside Park. On Sunday there is a Fun Run.
Registration required for some events, see www.blackduckmn.com, February
calendar.
Effie
A group of volunteers has organized EOWSKI! (Edge of the Wilderness Ski) meeting
on the Old Effie School grounds 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. each Sunday through Feb.
21. Everyone is welcome to come for instruction and/or training (lessons noon-1
p.m.) followed by hot cocoa warmup at the church. Cross country/Nordic skis, boots
and poles can be rented all winter or bring your own. Suggested one time donation
$50/family or $30 per person for lessons and equipment, but any donation amount is
welcome to maintain and upgrade the equipment and sessions. Enjoy winter! Come
one Sunday or all of them. Call Sarah Stone at 743-7025 for more information.
Northome
Members and guests are welcome at the annual meeting of the North Woods Craft
Store on Saturday, Feb. 20 in the Community Room of Northome Senior Apartments.
Refreshments by Teener Swang will be served.
Marcell Family Center
218-832-3444
49023 State Highway 38 Marcell, MN 56657
Watch for the March Cabin Fever Reliever!
MFC hours:
Fitness Center, multi-purpose room,
public computer room and high
speed Internet wireless hotspot.
Mon: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
Tues, Thurs: 6:30-8:30 a.m. (8:30
library), 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.
Weds: 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. 11 - 2 p.m..
Fri: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wireless Internet Hotspot:
Fitness Center membership
FREE: Requires registration. Open
Eliptical Crosstrainer, Treadmills,
during MFC hours above.
Bike, Strength Training Machines,
Free Weights, more! Fee: MemberMFC Open Gym
Monday-Saturday. Call for hours.
ship (student, adult, family or day
Parents must accompany children
pass)
under the age of 16. Register at 218MFC Fitness walking
832-3444
Tu, Th 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Register at
Soma Yoga
getlearning.org.
Beginner yoga practice that will
strengthen your body, deepen your MFC Computer Room/
breath and soothe your mind. This Book Exchange
Book Exchange. Computer Room:
practice will help to create strength and
Computers and printers available for
flexibility and balance.
public-use. High-Speed Internet, Word
Tuesdays: 9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
Processing and more! Requires
Instructor: Patti Alt
registration and fees.
Location: Marcell Family Center
Fee: $10 per individual class/session
Register with Marcell Family Center,
218-832-3444
List of participating businesses, Co-op Connections Card
North Itasca Electric Cooperative 301 Main Ave., Bigfork (218) 743-3131
Buy 1 appliance at regular price, receive 15% off second appliance of equal or lesser
value. Receive an additional 10% off on each appliance if you pick up.
Anchor Inn Resort
55960 Co Rd. 4, Spring Lake (218) 659-2718
10% off gifts, garments, bait and tackle; 15% off basic cabin rental.
Cozy Air Heating and 46461 Alder Rd., Marcell (218) 832-3246
Plumbing Services
$50 off purchase off an Energy Star appliance with $1,000 purchase.
Dun-Rite Cabinets & 50917 E Dixon Lk Rd, Squaw Lake (218) 659-4797
Construction, LLC
Free octagon cedar bird feeder with the purchase of a full set kitchen cabinets.
Effie Café
100 NW State Hwy 1, Effie
(218) 743-3607
25% off purchase of second entree of equal or lesser value. Limit 1 meal per card per visit.
Effie Country Service
P.O. Box 14, Effie
12” sub sandwiches, $5; $5 off oil changes
Five Star Mechanical
5% off one service call.
375 SE Hwy 1
Frontier Sports & Grocery 48919 St Hwy 38, Marcell
10% off 14” pizza.
G & G Restoration, Remodeling 49653 S Jesse Lk Rd, Talmoon
and Roofing
5% off on all projects.
Timber Rose Floral and Gifts 202 Main Ave., Bigfork
10% off any one item in a day's purchases
Kocian’s Family Market
P.O. Box 225, Bigfork
(218) 743-3113
5% off on Tuesdays excluding lottery, tobacco and alcohol products.
Laurel’s All Needlecrafts Supply 40095 Hwy 2 E, Deer River (218) 246-8330
10% off needlecraft supplies with $25 purchase
Little Turtle Lake Store
49926 State Hwy 6, Talmoon (218) 832-3804
Save 3 cents per gallon of gas for cash sales only. (No department store or credit cards.)
My Lake Home B&B
50917 E Dixon Lake Rd, Squaw Lake (218) 659-4797
10% off of lodging of 3 nights or more.
Plum Tree and Co. 39362 State Hwy 38, Marcell (218) 838-2332
10% off total purchase
(218) 743-3616
Polar Insulation 3% insulation upgrade.
(218) 743-6145
Riley’s Fine Food & Drink
$1 off large pizza.
Sleepy Hollow Resort (218) 832-3901 10% off lodging.
(218) 832-6396
(218) 743-6315
51041 State Hwy 46, Squaw Lake
(218) 659-4351
46551 Riley Rd, Deer River
(218) 832-3656
64264 State Hwy 46, Northome (218) 897-5234
February 2016
page 14
GNTL transmission
line update
An administrative law judge has
recommended a route for the Great
Northern Transmission Line route
running from the Canadian border to
a new Iron Range Substation near the
present Blackberry Substation east of
Grand Rapids. The 500 kV line with
a capacity of 883 MW will be owned
by Minnesota Power and connect to
Manitoba Hydro. Planning for the line
began in 2012 and it is anticipated to be
in service by June 2020.
The ALJ recommendation will
now go to the state’s Public Utilities
Commission which will make the final
routing decision, expected in March.
The recommended route generally
follows the preferred northern blue
route with variations to move the route
eastward in the Effie and East Bear
Lake areas. In both these areas, the
route was recommended to reduce
forest fragmentation and leave intact old
growth forest, and protect biodiversity
and critical habitat. It was noted that
the variation was “supported by the
MnDNR, and is overwhelmingly
favored by the public and communities
in the Effie Variation Area.”
The recommended route map and
ALJ report can be accessed at www.
greatnortherntransmissionline.com.
Heavy line
shows ALJ
recommended
route for the
Great Northern
Transmission
Line.
Minnesota
Power has filed
a rebuttal. The
final decision
will be made
by the Public
Utilities
Commission.
Mail-a-Book
If you are homebound or live in a city without
a library and within the seven county Arrowhead
Library System, you may use Mail-a-Book.
Koochiching and Itasca counties are part of the
ALS.
This service will ship paperbacks, audio CDs
and DVDs to your home with a postage paid
return label and canvas mailing bag.
Catalogs are available on the Arrowhead Library
site: arrowhead.lib.mn.us, click on Bookmobile
and Mail-a-Book services for rural residents. You
can download the last four Mail-a-Book catalogs
or specialty catalogs for cookbooks, inspirational,
audio or video. You can also use other resources
like homework help, NoveList (find a book similar
to those you like), small engine repair, Chilton
Library for automotive repair information, and
magazine and newspaper searches.
No Internet? Call (218) 743-3840 to order a
catalog.
• recipes • recipes • recipes • recipes • recipes • recipes • recipes • recipes • recipes • recipes • recipes •
Hearty Ground Beef Soup
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 to 2 Tablespoons margarine
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon pepper
6 cups beef broth (6 bouilon cubes)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
6 carrots, thinly sliced
2 cups diced celery
1/4 cup raw rice
2 10 oz packages frozen mixed vegetables
1 16 oz can tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
Brown beef in hot margarine in large soup kettle
or Dutch oven. Drain fat from meat. Stir in salt,
Worcestershire sauce, pepper, broth, fresh vegetables
and rice. Briing to boil. Cover and gently simmer one
hour. Stir in frozen vegetables, tomatoes and sauce.
Simmer 10 minutes.
Pizza Dip
Thanks to Nancy Cummings for this February recipe!
1/2 lb. Italian sausage
1 24 oz jar favorite spaghetti sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese
4 slices (cut in strips) Muenster cheese
1 cup pepperoni, chopped
Cook sausages until no longer pink. Drain and add spaghetti
sauce. Cook on medium heat.
Gradually stir in mozzarella and Muester cheese until melted.
Add pepperoni.
Keep dip warm in a small crockpot. Serve with pita crackers
or bread sticks.
Please share your recipe with us! If your recipe is chosen, you will
receive a $10 credit on your electric bill from North Itasca Electric
Cooperative. Send your recipe to the editor, WATTS NEWS, P.O. Box
243, Bigfork, MN 56628.
February 2016
-SERVICES-
Two’s Company
218-244-1916
[email protected]
Interior/exterior
painting and staining,
window washing
fully insured, references
Penny’s Keepsake
Quilting
Turn your quilt top
into a keepsake.
Offering quality
machine quilting at
reasonable prices
(218) 832-3684
10% discount with ad.
Marcell Boat &
Mini Storage
Main Street Marcell
Call (218) 832-3500
Lepinski Painting
interior/exterior
Call for free estimate
15 yrs experience
-SERVICESGus’s Auto and
Recycling of Bigfork
Wanted: Junk.
Cars, trucks and other
property clean up.
Used auto parts, steel,
tires and bridge beams.
A buyer of metals
Snowplowing
Over 20 years experience
(218) 929-7117
Hm: (218) 743-3598
Gus David
Life’s Companion
Highland Care:
Home care providers
for elderly, adults,
special needs children.
“Our goal is to
maintain dignity and
independence in a safe
home environment.”
Call collect weekdays;
8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
(218) 326-1179 or stop
by at 111 NW 11th St.,
Grand Rapids, MN 55744.
We are an EOE employer.
218-743-6878 or Take It Away LLC
218-248-0717 Property Clean-Out Service
M.A.D. Gutters
Gutterglove® gutterguard
Ultimate gutter protection
Seamless gutter installation
(218) 743-6448
Cell: (218) 929-7134
Proudly made in the USA
www.madgutters.com
Monuments
and Markers
Available in granite
and bronze.
Also do final dating,
cleaning, foundation
work.
FREE estimates.
Serving your area.
Jerry Pula, sales rep.
Call (218) 743-3711
Say goodbye to clutter
today!
We do attics, houses,
basements, sheds, barns,
estates ...and more.
(218) 556-0075
takeitawayllc.com
We’ll take the clutter and
stress away, leaving you with
a broom clean space.
-WANTED-
Wanted: Quality garage/
house wood fired furnace.
Call (218) 254-3289 2/16
Wanted:
Memories of
a Small Town. Marcell,
MN, book by Curtis
Newstrom. Call (218)
2/16
832-3336 Check your ad! Make
changes before the
next ad deadline.
CLASSIFIEDS
-WANTED-
Wanted for free: Small
empty tube that sewing
machine oil came in with
the new Pfaff sewing
machines. Call (218-7433/16
3197
-FOR SALE-
For sale: 22 Cu. Ft.
Kelvinator chest freezer,
works great and is in great
condition. $400.
Call
(218) 244-1636 3/16
For sale: Mirror that
could be wall mounted or
set on a dresser, vanity,
etc.; has 2 small drawers.
New
$125, photo
available. Call (218) 2443/16
9905 For sale: Vintage heavy
gauge wrought iron unit
can be used on wall or
countertop. $15 Photo
available. Call (218) 2443/16
9905 For sale: 1 year old 38”
Vizio TV and RCA CD
player. $150. Call (2180
3/16
832-3520
For sale: Les Kouba
Darkhouse
Spearing
giclee on canvas, print
number 613/913, matted
and framed, 17 3/4" x 24".
$800. Call (218) 244-1636
3/16
For sale: Large vintage
solid oak office chair-very nice condition $50.
Call (218) 832-3488 2/16
For sale: Gun Scope,
Coyote Special 4x12
400 yd Nikon Quick
Target. Brand New in the
box $300. Fish Locator
Vexilar FL8 with Tri
Beam 8/12/20 degree
transducer. Nice. $ 150.
Call (218) 256-3829 3/16
-FOR SALE-
For sale: 22 cu ft
Kelvinator
commercial
chest freezer. Exc. cond.
$450, Call (218) 244-1636
2/16
Bigfork area -VEHICLES-
For sale: 1990 Chevy
4X4 PU with plow, new
battery, new alternator,
recent clutch, very good
tires, $1,500 Call (218)
3/16
360-3231 -POWER SPORTS-
For sale: 2000 Polaris
Indy 600XCSP snowmobile. 6,700 miles. Exc.
shape. Reg and trail sticker three 2017. $1,200. Call
(218) 263-8237 2/16
For sale: 3 snowmobile
helmets.
Used once.
Small, medium, and large.
$150.
Call (218) 2632/16
8237 For sale: 2008 Polaris
550 Edge, 2,478 miles,
exc. cond, includes roller
& jack stands + cover.
$3,500 OBO. Call (218)
2/16
743-3970 -REAL ESTATE-
HATCH LAKE: Private
setting located on 32 acres
with 3400’ of lakeshore
and 350’ on Twin Lake.
Available May 1, 2016.
Includes furnished year
round home, metal 40'x60'
storage building and
garage with concrete floor.
Abuts Federal land with
numerous trails for hiking,
hunting. Interested parties
contact owner for details.
Email [email protected]
or call (630) 584-3179
3/16
page 15
AD DEADLINE
for MARCH issue, WEDS, February 17
-REAL ESTATE-
For sale: Grand Cayman
Timeshare
–
Grand
Cayman Resort. We have
enjoyed Grand Cayman
and now it is your turn.
You can also trade your
week for anywhere in
the world. Book through
Intervalworld.com. This
resort is located next to
The Lakes Championship
Golf Course. Each unit
has a patio or balcony.
Onsite
amenities:
restaurant-bar-dive shoptennis court-pool-beach,
etc. Enjoy one week or
buy the timeshare. Paid
$5,600.
Make offer.
Maintenance fee is $670.
Call (218) 743-6275 3/16
PLACE AN AD
Contact the editor by
one of the ways in the
coupon at the bottom
of the page or bring
your ad into the office.
DISPLAY ADS
-FISHING-
Email your ad in pdf
format or ask us to
create one for you.
Ads run from $12 per
month for the business card size (3.25
inches wide x 1.75
inches high) to $24
per month for a square
3.25 inch ad, which is
our largest commercial ad size.
-FARM-
Services Classifieds
for businesses are $5
per month. Size is
limited. Text only.
For sale: 3 hp Jiffy 10
in ice auger with an 8 in
auger screw. $350 obo.
Call (218) 259-7106 3/16
For sale: Small square
bales, 1st cutting, stored
under cover, timothy/
clover/grass mix.
$ 4/
bale. Call (218) 256-3829
3/16
For sale:
HAY, small
square bales 1st cutting;
timothy, clover, grass mix.
Call (218) 256-3829 3/16
SERVICES
CLASSIFIEDS
Free to members,
$5 per insertion to
businesses and non
members (will be in a
box).
Place a Classified Ad Today!
If you are an individual member of the cooperative, classified ads are free as a service from your cooperative. If you are advertising for a business or are a non-member, please remit $5 per ad per month.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Run my ad for one month only.
Your ad will run for two months unless you
check this box. (Business classifieds are $5 per
insertion.)
Please note: We are as careful as possible, but are not
responsible for errors.
Send to:
Editor, WATTS NEWS,
P.O. Box 243
Bigfork, MN 56628
or call:
(218) 659-2779
or email: [email protected]
Put WATTS AD in subject line.
If no response, please resend.
February 2016
page 16
Value and price comparison for electricity
Grocery Shopping and Delivery Survey
ElderCircle's Groceries-To-Go program is seeking to expand
services to the Deer River and Bigfork areas. Please assist
us to expand this valuable service by completing this survey.
What is your age?
81+___
71-80___
61-70___
51-60___
How often do you get groceries?
___ 1-2 times a month
___ 3-4 times a month
___ 5 or more times a month
• Is it difficult for you to shop for your own groceries? (you are unable
to carry heavy bags, unable to drive, homebound, etc.) Yes__ No__
• Does someone else do your grocery shopping for you? Yes__ No__
If yes, who does this for you?________________________________
• Would having a volunteer shop for and deliver your groceries be
helpful so you can continue to live in your own home? Yes__ No__
• Would you use a volunteer grocery shopping and delivery service
if it was available in Deer River or Bigfork at no cost? Yes__ No__
• How far do you live from a Deer River or Bigfork grocery store?
0-5 miles___ 6-10 miles___ 11-15 miles___ 15+ miles___
Please drop this completed survey in the green box at
Northern Star Foods in Deer River, at Kocian's in Bigfork,
or send it directly to us:
400 River Road, Suite 1
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
218-999-9233
ElderCircle
Chore Service
ElderCircle
Chore
Service is available to
Itasca County Seniors age
60 and up who qualify via
County Waiver or LowIncome designations to
help pay for lawn mowing
and snow removal. Private
pay is also welcome.
License #060672-PM
33204 Shadywood Road • Grand Rapids, MN 55744
fax: (218) 327-9283 • [email protected]
Seniors typically choose
their provider but we will
help you find one in your
area if you do not have one.
Please contact ElderCircle (218) 999-9233 for
rates and applications.
Providers are needed
in the Bigfork and Deer
River areas, must pass a
background check.
811 or
(800) 252-1166
G&G
Lic. No. BC-667984
Restoration,
Remodeling, Roofing
● Free estimates ● Home repairs
● Additions
● Decks
● Licensed & insured
218-832-6396
218-398-0901