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Contents
Volume 69, Number 11, November 2015
“The Rural Voice of Nebraska”
Staff
Editor
Wayne Price
Editorial Assistant
Tina Schweitzer
Published by the
Visit us at www.nrea.org
General Manager
Troy Bredenkamp
President
Randy Papenhausen,
Cedar-Knox Public Power District
Vice President/Secretary
Ron Jensen,
Loup Valleys Rural
Public Power District
All Aboard!
Advertising in the Rural Electric Nebraskan does
not imply endorsement for products by the Nebraska Rural Electric Association. Correspondence should be sent to Wayne Price, Editor, Rural
Electric Nebraskan, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE
68501.
The Rural Electric Nebraskan is printed by Quad
Graphics, 2300 Brown Ave., Waseca, MN 56093.
Form 3579 should be sent to the Rural Electric
Nebraskan, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.
Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, Neb. POSTMASTER: send address changes to the Rural
Electric Nebraskan, 1244 K Street, Box 82048,
Lincoln, NE 68501.
Publication numbers are USPS 071-630 and ISSN
0193-4937.
Rates: $10 for one year; $15 for two years; $20
for three years, plus local and state tax.
November 2015
6
Wayne Glasser shares his experiences of working nearly 44 years
for the railroad with freelance writer LaRayne Topp. Glasser
turned much of his railroad memorabilia over to the Madison
County Historical Society, including passenger time tables,
outdoor railroad signs, and his telegraph key and sounder.
The Life of a Lineman
12
On a typical day, lineworkers maintain electrical distribution
lines or build service to new homes and businesses in Nebraska.
They endure harsh weather and long hours, all to make our lives
better. We often take power—and the men and women who
provide it—for granted. Let’s take a moment and stand in their
boots.
Treasurer
David Keener,
Niobrara Electric Association, Inc.
Published monthly by the Nebraska Rural Electric
Association, 1244 K Street, Box 82048, Lincoln,
Nebraska 68501, (402) 475-4988.
Features
Departments
EDITOR’S PAGE
4
SAFETY BRIEFS — Murphy
20
CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS by James Dulley
22
RECIPES
24
MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS
26
On the cover
As harvest season winds to a close, remember to be aware of power lines.
Look up and Live! Photograph by Wayne Price.
3
Change your furnace filter for savings
EDITOR’S PAGE
ne of my duties around the house is to
change the furnace filter. My plan
involves checking the filter every 30
days and changing it when it begins to collect
dust and dirt. It’s a small job in the scheme of
things really, but it’s also an important one.
If you’re concerned about energy efficiency in
your home, making a small change can often
lead to a larger impact. Changing the filters on
your HVAC system makes your unit run more
efficiently, which results in keeping your house
cooler in the summer and warmer in the
winter. It also saves money. That leaves more
money for other things that you want to do.
People often assume the main purpose of the
furnace filter is to improve indoor air quality
by filtering air inside the home. The filter does
perform this task but that is not its primary
job. Actually, the most important purpose of a
furnace filter is to reduce the amount of dust,
dirt and debris that builds up on components
inside the heating and cooling system.
Changing or cleaning your filters will help you
increase the efficiency and life expectancy of
your system while helping you reduce energy
costs. Clogged or dirty air filters can block air
flow and cause your system to run longer. And
the dirty air that gets past a filter can make its
way into the fan motor, coils, and other parts
inside causing damage to the components.
Normal activities around your home tend to
drive dust into the air from carpets, furniture
and drapes. Dust and dirt trapped in a system’s
air filter leads to several problems, including:
• Reduced air flow in the home and up to 15
percent higher operating costs
• Costly duct cleaning or replacement
• Lowered system efficiency
I’ve read articles from several heating and
cooling experts that recommend changing your
filter every month. While that may ensure you
never operate your system with a dirty filter,
you may be throwing a good filter away before
it needs replacing. If you are not sure how
frequently your filter needs replacement, start
by checking it monthly for a year. Some filters
may require replacement each time, but if your
system runs very little, you may get additional
use from the same filter. This is more likely to
happen during mild months in the spring and
fall. Remember that some filters are designed
O
by Wayne Price
4
to last multiple months, so check the individual
information on the filter. By checking the filter
and
following
manufacturers’
recommendations you will be able to calculate
how often you need to replace the filter.
Filters are available at most hardware stores
and home improvement stores. in a variety of
types and efficiencies, rated by a Minimum
Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). MERV, a
method developed by the American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers, tests filter effectiveness. The higher
the MERV number, the higher the filter’s
effectiveness at keeping dust out of your
system. While most types of filters must be
replaced, some filters are reusable. And don’t
forget about the winter months. Your heating
system needs to work as efficiently as possible
to keep you warm (and your loved one feeling
snuggly), and a clean air filter helps it do that.
Standard fiberglass filters have a MERV
rating of about 1 to 4. Medium efficiency
pleated filters have MERV ratings between 5
and 13 and high efficiency pleated filters have
MERV ratings from 14 to 16. HVAC
manufacturers suggest using filters with a
medium efficiency so you do not restrict air flow
enough to cause any problems. They just need
to be changed when necessary.
Heating
and
cooling
professionals
recommend turning your system off before
changing the air filter. Make sure that the
arrow on the filter – which indicates the
direction of the airflow – is pointing toward the
blower motor. When you’ve made the change,
turn your system back on.
Air filters for home systems can be difficult
to locate or hidden from view behind other
equipment. If it’s not obvious, check your
furnace manufacturer’s documentation for the
designated filter location. If you do not have
your documentation, try going to the
manufacturers’ website and downloading a
copy of the documentation. Beyond saving
money and improving the air quality in your
home, changing your air filter is a great
opportunity to teach your family more about
energy efficiency. By getting everyone involved,
the entire family will learn how simple changes
can make a big difference.
Rural Electric Nebraskan
TV Talk Show Doctor’s
Shocking revelation.
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Prevacid ® and Nexium ®... They Can Cripple You!
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Freelance Health Reporter
Recently, medical professionals and
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Real Customer Testimonial:
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FDA Warns About
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All Aboard!
Wayne Glasser shares his memories of
his days with the railroad
by LaRayne Topp
chool kids from Madison
County, Nebraska, lined up
eagerly, hair trimmed into a
flat top or pulled back into a pony
tail. Shirts were tucked into
dungarees or skirts, and saddle shoes
were neatly polished. In each hand,
each student tightly clutching a
special railway pass entitling the
holder to a train ride to the city and
back.
As the engine chugged alongside
the Madison, Nebraska, train depot,
agent Wayne Glasser punched each
ticket and the school kids were on
their way – fifteen miles and back. As
they rode, they took part in one of the
last scenes of Americana in
Northeast Nebraska—a ride on a
passenger car of the Union Pacific
Railroad, each railcar trailing behind
the one before it on the way from
Madison, Nebraska, to Norfolk.
Although the railroad line had
discontinued passenger service by
that time, Glasser wanted kids to
have the experience, so he lined up
the ride, called surrounding country
schools to invite the students, and
made up his own tickets, so that the
kids could have tickets for him to
punch.
“One day, when they’re married
and have kids, they can say, ‘I rode
the train,’” Glasser said.
Every so often, Glasser hears from
kids who rode the trains “some 50
years ago.” Many of them have
families of their own, and remind
Glasser of their fond memories of
taking a ride on the rail.
Glasser began working for the
S
6
railroad at a time when trains were
busy, loaded with almost 75 percent
of the freight carried between United
States cities. At one time, railroads
carried the nation’s mail, hauled
livestock to big city stockyards and
packing houses, and transported
tons of freight along with passengers
and their luggage to and fro. In the
train’s makeup were locomotives,
train cars, cabooses and train crews:
conductors, engineers and brakemen.
After the U.S. entered World War II
in 1941, the nation’s railroads
handled more business than ever
before. Passenger and freight trains
ran day and night, packed to
capacity. However, by the time the
war had ended in 1945, much of the
Wayne Glasser with railroad signs
set in place at the Madison County
Museum in Madison, Nebraska.
rail line’s equipment was worn out
from overuse, causing the railroad
companies to spend billions of dollars
to replace it.That’s when Wayne
Glasser entered the picture.
Wayne Glasser was born to a farm
family in 1928 in Hamilton County
near Polk, Nebraska. Following his
graduation from Polk High School in
1945 he knew he didn’t want to
follow in the dirt-packed, boot prints
of his farmer father. He recalled that
his uncle had made a decent living
during the days of the Great
Depression as a telegraph operator.
So he borrowed $200, a tidy sum in
those days, and headed off that fall
for telegraphy school in Chillicothe,
Missouri.
While taking classes, he learned
the Morse code, and how to operate a
telegraph key. The young Nebraskan
sat intently at the table, listening to
a series of dots and dashes. Short
dots and longer dashes, short gaps
and medium gaps, long gaps and
even longer dashes. He deciphered
this series of dots and dashes,
writing down what the sounds meant
on a piece of paper. Then he took hold
of the contraption in front of him, an
automatic key and sounder, and
tapped one way for dots and another
for dashes. The three letters word,
yes, for example, would sound like
dah-dit-dah-day, dit, did-dit-dit.
The work of the telegraph key
changed the dots and dashes of the
Morse code into electrical impulses
and sent them over telegraph wires,
a swift means of long-distance
communication. The International
Morse Code was used by the United
States Military, and American Morse
Code was generally used by the
railroad, Glasser said.
To the average person, the series of
dots and dashes was meaningless.
But to a trained ear, the signals of
the Morse code meant that skilled
telegraph operators like Wayne
Glasser could send messages across
the United States and even overseas.
While Glasser was at telegraphy
school, the American GIs were
coming home from the war. They
were lined up for classes too, so
Rural Electric Nebraskan
Left: Wayne Glasser shows Don Knapp how his telegraph key and sounder worked. Knapp is president of the Madison
County Historical Society and member of the Northeast Nebraska Model Railroad Association.
Center: Glasser's collection of railroad time tables at the Madison County Museum.
Right: Glasser looks over display cases with railroad memorabilia he donated to the Madison County Museum encased
inside. Photographs by LaRayne Topp
Glasser grew a mustache to appear
older than he was.
When he wasn’t in class in the
afternoons, he set pins in a bowling
alley. He earned ten cents an hour for
this task, setting the bowling pins in
place and then quickly pulling
himself out of the road so he wouldn’t
get smashed by the incoming
bowling balls.
As he kept at it, his practice at the
telegraph key, and moonlighting at
the bowling alley paid off. By March
of 1946, he was working for the
railroad. He started as a helper until
he could learn the ropes, with the
railroad sending him to locations like
Cozad, Lexington and Gibbon, where
he handled the mail at night. In that
way, the railroad could avoid giving
its regular agents overtime pay.
Railroads had wires connecting
their stations, and Morse code was
sent over these wires. Many clerks
could do other business while the
sounder was clicking out code,
tracking the code in his head until he
had a chance to write out the
message.
Eventually, Glasser became so
familiar with how other telegraphers
relayed messages he could tell by the
sound of it, who the transmitter was
on the other end of the line.
“When you’d hear it, you’d know
who it was. Some were slow and
some were bouncy,” he said. Each
operator had his own rhythm.
When Glasser was ready, he took
November 2015
the rules exam, passing the test in
July of 1946. Doing so, established
his seniority date as a telegrapher.
The seniority date was important to
the bidding process, as those with no
regular job bid on upcoming
positions as they came open. Those
with the oldest seniority date had a
good chance on getting the job,
Glasser said.
When Glasser was barely 17 years
old, a position at the Signal Tower in
Grand Island, Neb., came open. He
operated switching equipment in the
control tower while routing trains
onto tracks heading west. Within a
few months he got bumped through
the bidding process, and an opening
came up at the Signal Tower in
Council Bluffs, Iowa.
By then, he was married to his
wife, Dolores, and they stayed with
his wife’s sister and brother-in-law in
Omaha. On a trip back home to
Central City, his wife got on the train
at the Signal Tower at Council
Bluffs, while Glasser jumped on the
engine at the signal tower in Council
Bluff, leading the string of cars. By
the time Dolores got to Union
Station in Omaha, Wayne was
standing on the platform, waiting for
his wife.
It took 30 days to break in at
Council Bluffs, Glasser said. It was a
complicated job to learn. He was in
charge of 140 levers which relocated
short sections of track to sort ten
different railroads.
“One guy on the ground was on the
phone to the tower to tell which
switches to move,” Glasser said. It
was up to Glasser to pull the
switches and give the okay for the
trains to go ahead.
Before long Glasser was again
bumping a railroad employee so that
he could move up the ladder to a
larger, better paying station. This
time it was his brother who got the
bump, and Glasser ended up at a
station at Miller, northwest of
Kearney, Nebraska.
The town was so small, “You were
there a week and everybody knew
you,” Glasser said about the
community. While there, in the years
1948 and 1949, the community
experienced the worst blizzard since
1888. Snow was packed 14 foot deep,
Glasser said, piled up as high as the
eves of the depot. He called his wife
to say he couldn’t get home. During
the afternoon, however, the winds
blew so hard, by the next morning
the drift was gone, blown into the
next county.
The next position to come open was
one at the Bainard Depot. It was
bigger than the depot in Miller,
Glasser said, but he soon realized
that the Glassers were strangers in
town, in more ways than one. They
were the only Lutherans in a town
where many spoke a language that
was foreign to him as well.
“There were no Methodists; they
were all Catholics. They were
7
All Aboard
From page 7
jabbering in Bohemian, and I knew
there were talking about me.”
From
there,
Glasser
was
transferred to the Columbus Signal
Tower, and then on to Monroe.
“We made a lot of friends there at
Monroe, and played a lot of cards in
the evenings,” Glasser said.
But by then, Glasser’s draft
number had come up in anticipation
of the Korean War. The year 1952
found Glasser stationed at Ft. Eustis,
Virginia. Fortunately, he was
assigned to the transportation corps
where he served as First Sergeant.
“I was older than the rest, and with
railroad experience,” Glasser said.
He taught the soldiers about
dispatching trains for the entire two
years he was stationed there. While
in the military, Glasser and other
recruits were tested for their
proficiency in telegraphy. They were
all in the same room as the testing
officer began to tap out a message in
Morse code. He started out slow
enough, and everyone could keep up.
However, the messages came
increasingly faster and faster. One
after another the servicemen
dropped out, unable to decipher the
code at such a quick rate.
Finally, everyone in the room had
dropped out with the exception of
Glasser. He was still able to translate
each message from Morse code into
words.
“You must have had railroad
experience” the officer said.
While Glasser was nearing the end
of his time in the military, the station
at Polk came open, Glasser’s old
hometown, located near the farm of
Glasser’s in-laws. Because Glasser
was in the service, but knew his tour
of duty would soon be up, his brother
sent in an application on Glasser’s
behalf.
Although the Polk depot seemed
like the perfect setting, Glasser saw
he was soon to be bumped by
someone with 12 years seniority.
8
Glasser with framed collection of railroad emblems at the Madison
County Museum. A display of model trains are in the background.
Although it was hard to leave his
hometown, Glasser transferred to
Madison in 1957. He became the
agent there, at a station with two
trains a day plus freight runs.
The Madison railroad depot was
erected in 1907. It was a colorful
building, built of wood, painted
yellow and trimmed in brown. While
stationed there, Glasser worked for
the Railway Express Company,
where packages were sent on
passenger trains, similar to today’s
UPS package delivery service. In
addition to delivery of the packages,
Glasser’s main jobs at the Madison
depot were tracking the freight cars
and delivery of Western Union
telegraph messages.
One of the most difficult duties
while working for Western Union
was delivery of reports to the
families of those killed in the war.
Fortunately for Glasser, that
happened only three times: two
missing in action telegrams to
Brainard and Monroe, and one death
notice in Madison. He had to deliver
the telegram to the home of the
serviceman, “and that was the tough
part,” Glasser said.
Aside from the delivery of
telegrams, Glasser was busy with
other things a depot agent did. He
took tickets. He made up bills of
lading for the freight cars, along with
way bills for each, listing where it
came from, what it was filled with,
and the rate. He collected freight
from each customer, and wrote
monthly reports. And finally, he
completed yard checks in every yard,
On one occasion, he got a call
asking if a particular railcar was
parked in the yard, and if it was full
or empty. Glasser was not about to go
crawling on the top, he said, but the
caller insisted. Glasser said he didn’t
need to look into the car in order to
answer the man’s question. He could
tell by tapping on the side of the car
if it was full or empty after listening
for a ring or a thud. In addition, if the
springs beneath the car were
squashed down it was easy to
determine if it was full without
crawling up to look in. Glasser hadn’t
worked for so many years for the
railroad without learning a few
tricks of the trade.
Another time, a body was brought
back in a shipping case in one of the
passenger cars, a tag tied to one of its
toes. Glasser was talking to the
corpse, he said. The brakeman
panicked when he saw Glasser
talking to the body and he ran out of
the express car and up against the
grain elevator, Glasser said.
In the years Glasser worked as
Madison’s depot agent, numerous
cream cans were transported via
freight cars. He unloaded about 15 to
20 cans a day, destined for the
creamery at Madison. In return,
carloads of butter went out from
Rural Electric Nebraskan
Madison.
By 1965, few agents knew the
Morse code any longer, Glasser said.
Telephone messages replaced those
sent by wire. But there were many
more mistakes as they did so. One
word often sounded like something
else, Glasser said.
The work of the rail line was
reduced
to
freight
business
primarily, with not much work for an
agent. Fewer cars made up the train,
and those that did carried much of
the same freight. By 1970, the depot
in Madison closed, and Glasser
became a mobile agent. He was given
a van to drive, which he took from
station to station: Enola, Madison,
Humphrey, Platte Center and
Monroe. He billed out cars every day
from Monday through Friday.
Another agent ran lines further
south. Between the two of them, they
ran fourteen lines around Madison,
covering 3,000 miles in a month’s
time.
“There was plenty of work,”
Glasser said, “but not enough
business to keep the depots open.”
Eventually, the mobile agents were
eliminated too. Work was completed
by telephone and the mobile vans
relocated to St. Louis. The train
station at Schuyler was still
operating so Glasser put in his final
bid there. But gradually the work
slowed down and there wasn’t much
left to do. The railroad offered
buyouts to get rid of all the agents,
Glasser said. He retired at the end of
1989 after working nearly 44 years
for the railroad.
Even though Glasser’s time with
the railroad has come to a close, he
remains an expert in a part of
America that remains only in
memory. He’s turned much of his
railroad memorabilia over to the
Madison County Historical Society,
including passenger time tables,
outdoor railroad signs, and his
telegraph key and sounder.
His conversation is sprinkled with
railroad terms, as can only happen to
a railroad man. He calls an engineer
a hog head, and a caboose, a crummy.
Section men were gandy dancers,
November 2015
and a man who added engines to the
trains in the round house was a
hostler.
And throughout the day, the songs
of the train stations themselves play
in his heart as he recalls his days as
a depot agent: the chooga chooga
chooga of the engine and waaank of
the whistle, the clickety-clack of steel
wheels on the rails, and the dit-dahday of the telegraph key.
Editor’s Note
Wayne Glasser passed away on
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, at the
age of 86, not long after his
interview with LaRayne Topp. I
felt his story should still be
shared with our readers. I hope
you enjoyed it as much as I did.
9
UNWRAP
winter energy
savings
by Amber Bentley
he holidays are upon us! It’s that special time of
year when we spend a great deal of time with
friends and family, either in the kitchen or out and
about shopping for the perfect gift. As you find yourself
wrapped up in the holiday excitement, here are a few
ways to be energy efficient during this busy time of year.
T
Cooking efficiently
• Be kind to your oven. Every time you open the oven
door to check on that dish, the temperature inside is
reduced by as much as 25 degrees. This forces the oven to
use more energy in order to get back to the proper cooking
temperature. Try keeping the door closed as much as
possible. Also, remember to take advantage of residual
heat for the last five to 10 minutes of baking time – this
is another way to save energy use. If you’re using a
ceramic or glass dish, you can typically set your oven 25
degrees lower than stated, since these items hold more
heat than metal pans.
• Give your burners some relief. The metal reflectors
under your stovetop burners should always be clean. If
not, this will prevent your stove from working as
effectively as it should.
• Utilize small appliances. During the holidays, the
main appliances used are the oven and stovetop. Try
using your slow cooker, microwave, toaster oven or
warming plate more often. This will result in substantial
energy savings.
Home efficiency
• Take advantage of heat from the sun. Open your
curtains during the day to allow sunlight to naturally
10
heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the
chill from cold windows.
• Find and seal all air leaks. Check areas near pipes,
gaps around chimneys, cracks near doors and windows
and any unfinished places.
• Maintain your heating system. Schedule services for
your heating system before it gets too cold to find out
what maintenance you may need to keep your system
operating efficiently.
• Eliminate “vampire energy” waste. When you are not
using an appliance or an electronic, unplug it to save
energy. Power strips are definitely a good investment for
your home.
Efficient shopping
• Purchase LED holiday lights. A string of traditional
lights uses 36 watts of power and a string of LED lights
only uses 5 watts. They can even last up to 10 times
longer!
• Ask for Energy Star-rated TVs and appliances. This
will save you a lot of power use because the standby-mode
is lower and the device will use less energy overall.
• Combine errands to reduce the number of small trips.
To-do lists seem to pile up around this time of the year.
Believe it or not, several short trips in the winter can use
twice as much fuel as one longer trip covering the same
distance as all of the shorter ones.
Being energy efficient is usually not top priority when
celebrating the holidays, and most of us don’t realize the
lack of efficiency until the next bill comes in. Prevent your
post-holiday shock this year by thinking creatively and
remembering all of these tips!
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The life of a lineman
When severe weather causes an outage, it’s the job of the linemen to restore power to customers
hey wake before the sun,
pour steaming cups of coffee,
and kiss their family
goodbye. After swinging by the
office to get the day’s orders, men
climb into their trucks and head
out. Our lineworkers form a solid
team with one job: to deliver safe,
reliable electricity. But that job can
change in a million ways when
rough weather steps in.
We often take power—and the
men and women who provide it—
for granted. Let’s take a moment
and stand in their boots.
Linemen have to work safely,
smart, and efficiently—all while 40
feet in the air wearing sturdy, thick
rubber gloves. On a typical day,
lineworkers maintain electrical
distribution lines or build service to
new homes and businesses in
Nebraska. They have a lot on their
plates. But when our dispatch
center calls crews with a problem,
everything else takes a backseat.
As a lineman, sometimes we get
called out in the middle of the
night, any condition, rain, ice, snow,
said
Mike
Wiltse,
a
journeyman/lineman at Norris
Public Power District.
“When we go out in the middle of
the night, sometimes it’s pretty
cold,” said Derek Kinnett, Norris
PPD journeyman/lineman. “There’s
no getting away from it, nowhere to
hide out there. It’s cold.”
Power
restoration
takes
precedence on a lineworker’s to-do
list. These brave men are always on
call. We have crews standing by to
serve you 24 hours a day, in the
T
Norris Public Power District linemen Mike Wiltse, left, and Trevor Nitzel
enjoy working outside in all types of weather.
middle of the night or wee hours of
the morning, weekends and
holidays.
Can you imagine getting a call at
3 a.m. telling you to work outside
during bad weather? Not many
people are willing to face storms.
Our lineworkers face harsh
elements daily, all to serve you.
“We were called out one
Christmas and the snow was
blowing so hard, it was so deep,”
said Norris PPD maintenance
foreman Corey Lamprecht. “We
were repairing wire and you
couldn’t see the guy right in front of
you. It was bad conditions.”
Lamprecht said being a lineman
is difficult at time but it can be
Nebraska’s electric
rates are among the
top 15 lowest in the U.S.
12
Corey Lamprecht
Maintenance Foreman
harder for the people around him.
“I think our families sacrifice
more than we do,” he said. “The fact
that when we go out, they’re home.
You have to have good family and
Visit the website at:
www.workingfornebraska.org
Rural Electric Nebraskan
Nolan Whalen
Journeyman/Lineman
Derek Kinnett
Journeyman/Lineman
Trevor Nitzel
Apprentice Lineman
friends and an understanding wife.”
Lineworkers also focus on safety;
the lives of coworkers are on the
line. Job safety is important to
everyone, for lineworkers, there can
be no slip ups or careless actions.
Mistakes can cost a limb or life.
That’s one of the reasons lineman
form a brotherhood. When you put
your life in the hands of co-workers
every day, they become more than
colleagues. They’re family.
“I’ve got a very good group of guys
I work with,” said Nolan Whalen, a
journeyman/lineman at Norris
PPD. “You build a relationship with
them that is very important
because they’ve got your back and
you’ve got theirs and you put your
life on the line for them.”
That sense of family extends to
public power districts and electric
co-ops across the nation. One of our
principles is cooperation among
cooperatives. We help other rural
electric utilities in their time of
need, and they extend that service
to us, too. It’s reassuring to know if
a severe storm strikes, a national
team of lineworkers stand ready to
answer the call.
“Mutual aid is great. We love
helping our neighbors out, being
there for each other,” Lamprecht
said. “Sometimes when there’s an
outage at another system we have
to go help them. And if we need
help, they’ll come help us.”
Customers are often quite
appreciative of the lineman’s hard
work to restore the power.
Kinnett shared the story of when
he went to help Seward Public
Power District after a tornado went
through Beaver Crossing. He spent
about a week helping, working 16
hour days.
“There was a guy pulling a
smoker behind his truck. He had
everybody gather up and he fed us
all dinner that night,” Kinnett said.
“He was real thankful we were
there to help.”
To be ready to respond no matter
the situation or weather conditions,
linemen are highly trained. In
Nebraska, lineworkers go through
regular training to ensure they can
work safely with various kinds of
equipment. The equipment gets
tested regularly, too.
They take pride in working in
their local communities and helping
their neighbors.
“One night we responded to an
outage a few miles up the road from
my house,” said Trevor Nitzel, an
apprentice lineman at Norris PPD.
“I knew the lady and she actually
met me at the front door when I
came to tell her the lights were
back on. She was very thankful and
really happy that me and the other
guy got there so quickly.”
Being a lineman is rewarding,
Nitzel. “You get to work with some
great guys and at the end of the day,
after a big storm, the people are
thankful for getting their lights
back on. That makes you feel good,
like you’ve done something good.”
These highly skilled men light
our homes and businesses every
day. They endure harsh weather
and long hours, all to make our
lives better. Today (and every day),
please take a moment to thank
them.
November 2015
13
Safety tips for portable, standby generators
hen severe weather knocks
out power, many of those
affected turn to portable,
standby generators to help keep food
safe, lights on, and safety and medical
equipment operating. The growing
popularity of emergency generators
has resulted in several million being
placed in homes and small businesses
across the nation.
However, only a small percentage
are hooked up or used correctly.
SafeElectricity.org urges consumers
to understand proper generator safety
steps.
“Generators can be a lifesaver for
some and can improve the quality of
life after a natural disaster such as a
hurricane, tornado, or earthquake,”
explains Molly Hall, executive
director of the Safe Electricity
W
14
program. “However, it’s critical that
proper safety precautions be taken to
prevent accidents that could affect
you, a family member, neighbor, or
utility lineworker.”
Generators can be temporarily or
permanently installed. A permanent
generator is wired into a house by a
qualified electrician using a transfer
switch. This protects you, your
neighbors, and repair crews from
electricity back-feeding onto power
lines. This can seriously injure anyone
near those lines, especially rural
electric utility crews working to
restore power. A temporary generator
fired by gasoline or diesel fuel should
not be attached to a circuit breaker,
fuse, or outlet.
The improper use of a standby
generator can lead to injury or death.
using
a
generator,
When
SafeElectricity.org urges you to follow
these tips to keep you and your family
safe:
• Read and follow all manufacturer
operating instructions to properly
ground the generator. Be sure you
understand them before starting it
up.
• Standby generators should have
a transfer safety switch installed by a
professional. Portable generators
should never be plugged directly into
a home outlet or electrical system—
use an extension cord to plug
appliances into an outlet on the
generator.
• Never operate a generator in a
confined area, such as a garage.
Generators produce gases, including
deadly carbon monoxide. They require
proper ventilation.
• Remember, when venturing
outside after a severe storm, stay
away from downed power lines and be
alert to the possibility that tree limbs
or debris may hide an electrical
hazard. Assume that any dangling
wires you encounter are electrical,
and treat all downed or hanging
power lines as if they are energized.
Warn others to stay away and contact
the electric utility.
• Generators pose electrical risks,
especially when operated in wet
conditions. Use a generator only when
necessary when the weather creates
wet or moist conditions. Protect the
generator by operating it under an
open, canopy-like structure on a dry
surface where water cannot form
puddles or drain under it. Always
ensure that your hands are dry before
touching the generator.
• When you refuel the generator,
make sure the engine is cool to
prevent a fire, should the tank
overflow.
• There should be nothing plugged
into the generator when you turn it
on. This prevents a surge from
damaging your generator and
appliances.
• Be sure to keep children and pets
away from the generator, which could
burn them.
Source: SafeElectricity.org
Rural Electric Nebraskan
No
t
in Ava
S t ila
o r bl
es e
Thomas Kinkade’s
Mountain Retreat
Stained Glass
Lamp
Nearly
2 Feet
High
Thomas Kinkade’s vision of a perfect
mountain getaway is the centerpiece
of this handsome design. The artwork
panels are set off and high-lighted by
over 80 intricately hand-set pieces of
translucent glass in the vivid hues of
nature. The classically styled glass shade
is hand-fired, fusing the imagery and
the glass into one, creating permanent
colors for lifetime beauty.
Thomas Kinkade’s tranquil
artwork is illuminated from
within on a hand-crafted
stained glass shade
Exceptional value!
Order now.
More than 80 pieces of stained
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Pedestal lamp base, fluted
column, finial and elegant pull
chains (which control each
side separately) feature an
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Shown much smaller than actual
size of about 21 in. high, including
finial; 14½ in. diameter shade.
UL-approved; includes two FREE
CFL bulbs for soft illumination.
www.bradfordexchange.com/mountain
RESERVATION APPLICATION
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*Plus $23.99 shipping and service. Limited-edition presentation restricted to 95 firing days. Please allow 4-8
weeks after initial payment for shipment. Sales subject to product availability and order acceptance.
Samsung offers a
refrigerator featuring
Wi-Fi with a grocery
“app.”
Photograph
provided by Samsung
Saving energy and money in the kitchen
he holidays are upon us, which
means most of us will be
spending a lot of time in the
kitchen. Whether you are considering
replacing an appliance or simply
looking for small ways to be more
efficient, here are some tips to help
you save energy – and money!
It sits in the kitchen, quietly
humming away to keep your food
cold. Most people don’t think about
their refrigerator that often – as long
as it’s working. A refrigerator
typically runs for several years
without any problems – but that
doesn’t mean it’s performing to its
optimal capacity. Older refrigerators
use more energy. Upgrading this
appliance can bring a major return
on your investment.
According to Energy Star, if your
refrigerator is from the 1980s,
replacing it with a new model could
cut your electric bill by $100 a year.
If you bought your refrigerator in the
1970s, the savings could be as much
as $200 a year.
Cooking can also be a big energy
expender – in more ways than one!
T
16
But there are a few ways to save
energy while cooking. Placing the lid
on a pot of boiling water will trap
heat and cause the water to come to
a boil faster. And there is no need to
preheat the oven when cooking a
large piece of meat, like a turkey or
ham (you do need to preheat when
baking or cooking smaller dishes).
And, if you are planning on using the
oven for a long period of time – for
instance, when you are cooking one
of those large pieces of meat – you
might be able to turn down your
home’s thermostat. The simple act of
cooking will add warmth to the home
because the heat from the oven can
raise the temperature in the kitchen
and surrounding rooms. This is
especially true if you are hosting a
party. Once your home begins to fill
with people, the temperature will
quickly begin to rise.
Even after the meal is over, there
are still ways for you to save energy.
The first is to make sure that your
dishwasher is full before it’s started.
Next, make sure you are using the
right setting on your dishwasher.
Many newer dishwashers have
sensors that detect how clean your
dishes are. When these auto cycles
are used, they will get dishes clean
without wasting energy or water. The
sanitize setting should rarely be used
since it is energy intensive. It is also
a good idea to make sure the filter at
the bottom of the wash-tub is
cleaned. This will help the washer
work at its optimal level.
One of the cheapest and easiest
ways to save energy in the kitchen is
to replace existing lights with LEDs.
Not only do they use less energy –
you don’t have to replace them
nearly as often. Plus, their costs have
come down in recent years, making
them far more affordable to install.
(Note: if you currently have linear
fluorescent lamps, converting to
LEDs may be too expensive to
justify).
As you can see, there are many
different ways to practice efficiency
in the kitchen, and who knows – you
could even save enough money to
treat the family to dinner out a
couple of times a year.
Rural Electric Nebraskan
A
D
V
E
R
T
I
S
E
M
E
N
T
Clogged, Backed—up Septic System…Can anything Restore It?
Dear
Darryl
DEAR DARRYL: My
home is about 10 years old,
and so is my septic system.
I have always taken pride
in keeping my home and
property in top shape. In
fact, my neighbors and I
are always kidding each other about who keeps their home and yard
nicest. Lately, however, I have had a horrible smell in my yard, and also
in one of my bathrooms, coming from the shower drain. My grass is
muddy and all the drains in my home are very slow.
My wife is on my back to make the bathroom stop smelling and as you
can imagine, my neighbors are having a field day, kidding me about the
mud pit and sewage stench in my yard. It’s humiliating. I called a
plumber buddy of mine, who recommended pumping (and maybe even
replacing) my septic system. But at the potential cost of thousands of
dollars, I hate to explore that option.
I tried the store bought, so called, Septic treatments out there, and they
did Nothing to clear up my problem. Is there anything on the market I
can pour or flush into my system that will restore it to normal, and keep
it maintained?
Clogged and Smelly – Lincoln, NE
DEAR CLOGGED AND SMELLY: As a reader of my column, I am
sure you are aware that I have a great deal of experience in this
particular field. You will be glad to know that there IS a septic solution
that will solve your back-up and effectively restore your entire system
from interior piping throughout the septic system and even unclog the
drain field as well. SeptiCleanse® Shock and Maintenance
Programs deliver your system the fast active bacteria and enzymes
needed to liquefy solid waste and free the clogs causing your back-up.
This fast-acting bacteria multiplies within minutes of application and is
specifically designed to withstand many of today’s anti-bacterial cleaners,
soaps and detergents. It comes in dissolvable plastic packs, that you just
flush down your toilets. It’s so cool. Plus, they actually Guarantee that it
restores ANY system, no matter how bad the problem is.
SeptiCleanse® Shock and Maintenance Programs are designed to work
on any septic system regardless of design or age. From modern day
systems to sand mounds, and systems installed generations ago, I have
personally seen SeptiCleanse unclog and restore these systems in a matter
of weeks. I highly recommend that you try it before spending any money
on repairs.
SeptiCleanse products are available online at
www.septicleanse.com or you can order or learn more by calling toll free
at 1-888-899-8345. If you use the promo code “NESEPT3”, you can get
a free shock treatment, added to your order, which normally costs $169.
So, make sure you use that code when you call or buy online.
Three keys to
understanding
the EPA plan on
climate change
EPA CLEAN POWER PLAN TIMELINE
On August 3, President Obama announced the Environmental
Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to slow climate change
by reducing carbon dioxide emissions 32 percent by 2030.
Below are the key dates leading to the implementation of the plan
(unless they are changed by lawsuits or congressional action).
AUGUST 3, 2015
by Paul Wesslund
he U.S. is in the process of taking a
giant step in the noisy process of
changing how we generate and use
electricity now that the Environmental
Protection Agency has released the final
version of its Clean Power Plan.
That contentious process will continue for
years, or even decades, as advocates warn of
nothing less than destruction of the economy
on the one side and the destruction of the
planet on the other.
This current energy focus is the result of
President Obama’s August 3 announcement
of what he called, “A plan two years in the
making, and the single most important step
America has ever taken in the fight against
global climate change.”
Two days after that announcement, 16
states, including Nebraska, asked the EPA to
put a hold on the plan, calling it illegal and
saying it would raise utility bills.
The plan would reduce the burning of coal
to produce electricity, which now generates
more than one-third of our electric power,
and increase the use of renewable energy
sources like solar and wind. The huge effects
of those changes, and the complex and
controversial ways they would happen,
guarantee that the Clean Power Plan will be
setting the nation’s energy discussion for the
foreseeable future.
Here are the key things to know about the
EPA Clean Power Plan:
T
Over the next 15 years, the plan would
change the U.S. energy economy
The Clean Power Plan targets the 1,000
fossil fuel-burning electric power plants in
the U.S., aiming to cut carbon dioxide
emissions by one-third.
The Plan also sets out a way for that to
18
WHITE HOUSE
UNVEILS CLEAN
POWER PLAN
SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
STATES MUST
SUBMIT THEIR INTERIM
PLANS TO MEET
CARBON DIOXIDE
REDUCTION GOALS
SEPTEMBER 6, 2018
STATES THAT HAVE
BEEN GRANTED
TWO-YEAR
EXTENSIONS MUST
SUBMIT THEIR
REDUCTION PLANS
JANUARY 1, 2022
STATES MUST BEGIN
COMPLYING WITH
CARBON DIOXIDE
REDUCTION GOALS
JANUARY 1, 2030
32%
STATES MUST MEET THEIR
INDIVIDUAL REDUCTION
GOALS, ADDING UP TO A 32
PERCENT NATIONWIDE
REDUCTION IN CARBON
DIOXIDE EMISSIONS FROM
2005 LEVELS.
Rural Electric Nebraskan
The Clean Power
Plan targets 1,000
fossil fuel-burning
electric power plants.
happen. It calls for states to work
with the power industry and submit
a carbon dioxide emission reduction
plan to the federal government by
September, 2016. A two-year
extension
can
be
requested.
Reductions would begin in 2022 and
would be completed by 2030.
To replace fossil fuels, the Clean
Power Plan encourages renewable
energy.
Opposition could delay the plan
The 16-state request for a delay
actually seeks to kill the Clean Power
Plan. The request, in the form of an
August 5 letter to the EPA, says that
the agency should hold off on
implementing the plan because of the
states' intention to sue the EPA.
The planned lawsuit would claim
that the law the EPA is using as a
basis for the Clean Power Plan, the
Clean Air Act, does not allow the EPA
to require states to make such largescale changes to their energy
economies.
The EPA says the Clean Power
Plan has been carefully written to
comply with the law. The August 5
letter cites other objections to the
Clean Power Plan, including that it
would “coerce states to expend
enormous public resources and to …
prepare State Plans of unprecedented
scope and complexity. In addition, the
State’s citizens will be forced to pay
higher energy bills as power plants
shut down.”
November 2015
Additional lawsuits are expected
from other opponents.
There is also strong political
opposition. Elected officials in
Congress
as
well
as
state
governments have called on states to
refuse to submit carbon reduction
plans.
Electric utilities say plan would
raise electric bills, hurt rural
economy
Public power districts and electric
co-ops cite special concerns about the
effects of the Clean Power Plan
because of their higher share of lowincome
members
and
often
already-fragile rural economies.
The National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association warned of
the expected increase in electric bills
as a result of power-plant closures.
“Any increase in the cost of
electricity most dramatically impact
those who can least afford it,” said
NRECA. “The fallout from EPA’s rule
will cascade across the nation for
years to come.”
Paul
Wesslund
writes
on
cooperative issues for the National
Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service
arm of the nation’s 900-plus
consumer-owned, not-for-profit public
power
districts
and
electric
cooperatives.
19
Purchase and use space heaters carefully
SAFETY BRIEFS
ortable electric heaters can be
the right answer in certain
situations when it comes to
providing economical, comfortable
heat to a small area. However, while
comfort and economics may be the
reason for considering a portable space
heater, there are potential issues one
should be aware of!
Dubious claims of capability and
cost, as well as fire risks, ring a
cautionary note to homeowners if they
buy and/or operate space heaters.
P
A leading cause of home fires
If you plan to use space heaters to help
heat your home this winter, use
extreme caution, advises safety
professionals
at
Underwriters
Laboratories Inc. (UL). According to
the
National
Fire
Protection
Association (NFPA) supplemental
heating equipment, such as electrical
and kerosene heaters, is the leading
cause of home fires during December,
January and February and trails only
cooking equipment as the leading
cause of home fires year-round.
A lot of hot air
Here’s something else to be on the
20
watch for. Some advertisers promote
the sale of space heaters with, well, a
lot of hot air. You may have heard radio
ads or seen print ads that claim you
can lower your heating bill by up to 50
percent by just buying their electric
space heater. Not true. Consumer
Reports read dozens of reviews at
Amazon.com
and
InformercialRatings.com from owners
who say space heaters did not perform
as advertised. The advice offered by
your local electric utility on how to best
heat your home is to invest in
weatherization and insulation along
with a quality electric heating system
and adequate automated backup
heating system.
Some
of
the
safety-related
information about space heaters
includes:
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission estimates more than
25,000 residential fires each year
related to space heaters.
• An estimated 6,000 persons
receive hospital emergency room care
for burns each year.
If you will be using a space heater,
here are some tips to think about:
• When selecting a space heater, look
for one that has been tested and
certified by a nationally recognized
testing laboratory.
• Keep doors open to the rest of the
house if you are using an unvented
fuel-burning space heater. Even
vented heaters require ventilation for
proper combustion.
• Never leave a space heater on
when you go to sleep or leave the area.
• Never use or store flammable
liquids (such as gasoline) around a
space heater.
• Place heaters at least three feet
away from objects such as bedding,
furniture and drapes. Never use
heaters to dry clothes or shoes.
• Electric models designed so they
cannot cause burns or start fires are
preferred.
• Select electric models of space
heaters which are designed so they
cannot cause fires even if tipped over.
• Plug a portable electric heater
directly into an outlet with sufficient
power capacity. Attaching an extension
cord to the unit increases the chance of
overheating, fires, and electrical shock
injuries.
Source: Nebraska
Public
Power
District
Rural Electric Nebraskan
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Insulated window shades save energy
CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS
by James Dulley
When it’s cold out, my home
Q :feels
very chilly, especially near
comfort.
When selecting insulated window
the windows. I can’t afford energyshades, there are important factors
efficient replacement windows right
to consider such as the R-value, how
now, so can you offer alternative
well they seal when closed, ease of
options?
operation and appearance. Before
you make a purchase, try to operate
: If you feel chilly sitting near a
a sample insulated shade that’s
window, you’re likely losing
similar in size to your needs. If the
energy, which drives up your utility
shade is difficult to open and close,
bills. This is also true during the
you are less likely to use it as often
summer when heat transfers in and
as you should.
forces your air conditioner to run
Almost all commercially available
longer. If replacement windows will
window shades list the R-value on
exceed your budget, window shades
the packaging. They typically include
are a reasonably priced option that
some type of air barrier film sewn
will help.
inside the shade to
Remember
to
block
air
flow
caulk and weather
through
it. An
strip your windows
aluminized or other
before making any
type of low-emissive
other
window
film is best to help
efficiency
block the radiant
improvements. Move
heat
transfer
a stick of lighted
through the shade
incense near all
material.
gaps and watch the
There should
trail of the smoke to
be deep vertical
find air leaks. Do
tracks,
which
this during windy
mount on the sides
weather, or briefly
of
the
window
switch
on
an
opening, for the
exhaust fan to draw
edges of the shade
outdoor
air
in
material. Deeper
through the gaps.
tracks create a
An insulated window quilt
Installing
longer
path for air
shade in Dulley's home/office
insulated window increased the R-value of the leakage to travel, so
shades will provide windows from R-2 to R-8 and they provide a
the most improved reduced
seal.
air
leakage. better
comfort and energy Photograph provided by James Adhesive-backed
savings year-round. Dulley
vinyl tracks are
Several years ago, I
often included with
installed
Warm
the shades. Also,
Window shades with a R-6
look for brush or foam weather
insulation value in my home office.
stripping on the bottom edge where
This increased the overall R-value
it rests on the windowsill when
from R-2 to R-8 and improved
closed.
A
22
These are double-cell light-blocking
cellular shades. They slide in tracks
on the sides to reduce air flow and
drafts from the cold window glass.
Photograph provided by Cellular
Windowshades
If you buy insulated shades that do
not have vertical tracks, it is possible
to make your own. Buy long pieces of
aluminum U-channel. Most home
center stores carry them in the
hardware aisle. Stick them to the
wall with a strong double-sided tape,
or drill small holes and mount them
with screws. Aluminum is easy to
saw to length and easy to drill.
Cellular shades are a less
expensive option and are best to use
where you want some natural light
to get through. The double-cell
shades create an additional air gap
for better insulation. Since their
width grows as they are pulled up
and collapsed, side channels are not
very effective with this option.
The most common type of do-ityourself window shade is a Roman
shade design. The key to efficiency is
to make them as thick as possible,
while still being able to fold them up
when opened. Include a reflective air
barrier between the center layers.
Reflective Mylar film works well for
this and is very flexible.
Send inquiries to James Dulley, Rural
Electric Nebraskan, 6906 Royalgreen
Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit
www.dulley.com.
Rural Electric Nebraskan
Perfect Choice HD™ is simple to use, hard to see and easy to afford…
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leads a renowned hearing
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The unit is small and
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RETURN POLICY
COLOR
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price within 60 days
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you have it on. It’s
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make you feel like you
have something stuck
in your ear. It provides
high quality audio so
soft sounds and distant
conversations will be
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Try it for yourself with
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trial. Some people need
hearing aids but many
just want the extra boost
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gives them. We want
you to be happy with
Perfect Choice HD, so
we are offering to let you
try it for yourself. If you
are not totally satisfied
with this product, simply
return it within 60 days
for a refund of the full
product purchase price.
Don’t wait… don’t
miss out on another
conversation… call now!
Call toll free now for
our lowest price.
1-888-232-0149
Please mention promotional
code 101589.
1998 Ruffin Mill Road,
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
Perfect Choice HD is not a hearing aid.
If you believe you need a hearing aid,
please consult a physician.
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Perfect Choice HD is
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hearing instrument
specialist following
hearing tests and fitting
appointments. Once
the audiologist had you
tested and fitted, you
would have to pay as
much as $5000 for the
product.
Down Home Recipes
Transform a simple side dish into a meal
all is a busy time for families
on the go, but dinner can still
be
approachable
and
wholesome. One easy solution:
transform a simple everyday side
dish into a meal that will have your
family asking for more.
These
recipes,
created
in
partnership with lifestyle expert
Sandra Lee, feature Bob Evans’
collection of high-quality, like-scratch
side dishes ranging from mashed
potatoes to macaroni and cheese. The
sides, found in the refrigerated
section of most local grocery stores,
are made with real ingredients and
the perfect blend of seasonings to
make entrees taste just right.
Find more mealtime solutions that
put side dishes at the forefront at
Farm
Fresh
Ideas
(bobevans.com/recipes), a club that
provides recipes, a personalized
recipe box and helpful tips in the
kitchen.
F
Time Saving Tips
These simple tricks from Sandra
Lee will cut minutes off your
busywork, so you can get to the more
important things like enjoying fall
with your family.
1. Shave minutes off meals using
tools in original ways: An ice cream
scoop makes cookies and meatballs
in a flash; an egg slicer quickly cuts
mushrooms and berries.
2. To further speed up slow cooker
prep time, keep favorite premixed
seasoning
packets,
pre-sliced
vegetables and jarred sauces on
hand.
3. Desserts need not be made from
scratch to have a homespun feel. Dip
packaged cookies in chocolate,
embellish bakery cupcakes or create
lollipops from candies.
24
Mixed Berry
Cobbler
1
1
1
1
package Bob Evans Glazed
Apples
cup frozen sweet cherries
cup blackberries or
raspberries
cup pear, diced
Heat oven to 375 F.
In large mixing bowl, mix together
glazed apples and fruits. Pour into 9by-13-inch baking pan. Bake
uncovered for 1 hour, stirring
occasionally.
While fruit is baking, mix together
ingredients for streusel.
Streusel Topping
1
1
2/3
1
8
cup packed light brown
sugar
cup uncooked rolled oats
cup all-purpose flour
teaspoon cinnamon
tablespoons (1 stick) cold
unsalted butter, cut into
small pieces
Mix together brown sugar, oats,
flour and cinnamon until evenly
combined. With fingertips, blend in
butter pieces until small clumps
form and butter is well incorporated,
about 2 minutes.
Sprinkle topping evenly over fruit
and place back in oven uncovered.
Bake until streusel is lightly
browned and fruit is tender, about 30
minutes.
Remove from oven and let set 5
minutes before serving.
Rural Electric Nebraskan
Reader Submitted Recipes
1 1/2
1
2
1
2
1/2
1/2
1
1
Swedish Ham Balls
lb. ground pork
lb. ground ham
eggs beaten
cup milk
cups bread crumbs
cup white vinegar
cup water
cup brown sugar
tsp. dry mustard
Combine pork, ham, eggs, milk, bread crumbs and form into balls. Place
in ungreased 9” X 13” baking pan. Set aside. Combine vinegar, water, brown
sugar, dry mustard and pour over balls. Bake 1 hour at 325 degrees turning
when half done.
Barb Kruger, Minatare, Nebraska
Macwich
8
1
4
16
1
slices garlic bread, frozen
package Bob Evans
Macaroni and Cheese
slices cheddar cheese
dill pickle chips (optional)
can tomato soup, prepared
(optional for dipping)
In large non-stick skillet over
medium-low heat, heat 8 bread slices
for 3 minutes and flip over to evenly
warm through.
Prepare macaroni and cheese
according to package directions.
Place 1/2 slice of cheddar cheese on
each piece of garlic bread.
On 4 pieces of garlic bread, evenly
spoon 4 ounces (about 1/2 cup) of
macaroni and cheese on top of
cheddar cheese/ garlic bread slices.
Place remaining 4 slices of garlic
bread on top of macaroni and cheese
stack.
Toast both sides for an additional 2
minutes or until bread is toasty
brown and cheese is melted. Serve
with dill pickle chips and tomato
soup for dipping.
November 2015
1
1
3
1
2
1/2
1
1
1
Pumpkin Crunch Dump Cake
can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
can (10 oz) evaporated milk
eggs
cup brown sugar
tsp. pumpkin pie spice
tsp. salt
box yellow cake mix
cup pecans, chopped
cup butter
Toffee chips to cover top
Preheat over 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin,
evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Pour into greased
13” X 9” baking dish. Layer DRY cake mix evenly on top of pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle pecans on top of cake mix. Drizzle melted butter evenly over
the top. Bake for 50-55 minutes at 350 degrees. For the last 15 minutes
turn oven down to 325 degrees and sprinkle top with toffee chips. Return
to oven and bake until golden brown. Serve either warm or chilled with
Cool Whip or ice cream.
Judy Knutson, Atkinson, Nebraska
The Rural Electric Nebraskan will pay $25 to any reader who submits a
recipe which is selected for publication in the magazine.
Be sure to include a mailing address for payment purposes and a phone
number in case we need to contact you.
Recipes will not be returned and not all recipes will be used. Recipes should
be submitted in typewritten or printed form or emailed to Tina Schweiter at
[email protected].
Mail recipes to the Nebraska Rural Electric Association, Rural Electric Nebraskan Recipes, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.
25
MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS
26
Rural Electric Nebraskan
“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me,
it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.”
— J. Fitzgerald, VA
Easy-to-use remotes for massage/heat and recline/lift
Complete with
battery backup
in case of
power outage
Our Perfect Sleep Chair® is just the chair to do it all.
It’s a chair, true – the finest of lift chairs – but this chair
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you to pause the chair in an
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You’ll love the other
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This lift chair
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© 2015 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.
46383
We’ve all had nights when we just can’t lie down in
bed and sleep, whether it’s from heartburn, cardiac
problems, hip or back aches – it could be a variety of
reasons. Those are the nights we’d give anything for a
comfortable chair to sleep in, one that reclines to exactly
the right degree, raises feet and legs to precisely the
desired level, supports the head and shoulders properly,
operates easily even in the dead of night, and sends a
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Sit up, lie down —
and anywhere
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EVEN THREE IS A CROWD.
NEVER OVERLOAD OUTLETS.
Helping members use electricity safely, that’s the power of your co-op membership.
Learn more from the experts themselves at TogetherWeSave.com.