Lidgerwood baby home - Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative

SEPTEMBER 2015
Baby Trevor Frolek, 1, is home
in southeast North Dakota after
345 days in the hospital.
Lidgerwood baby home
SEPTEMBER 2015
INSIDE
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• Safe farms=better productivity
• Intveld promoted to crew foreman
• Solar project generates $300 worth of power
D AKOTA VALLEY ELEC TR IC NEWS , S EP TEMBER 2015 C1
DAKOTA VALLEY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative
tivee
Trevor Frolek weighed just more than a pound
after he was born four months early in August
2014. The size of a corn cob, even preemie
E L E were
C T Rtoo
I C big for him.
diapers
DAKOTA
VA L L E Y
COOPERATIVE
Lidgerwood baby home
after nearly year in intensive care
BY KATIE RYAN-ANDERSON
[email protected]
t’s easy to describe Trevor Frolek’s
little life by the numbers:
23 weeks along
17 weeks premature
345 days in the NICU
$1 million-plus baby
But facts and figures can’t explain the
miracle of this child.
“For almost four months, we weren’t
sure if we’d have a child to take home,”
said Bo Frolek, Trevor’s dad.
Born the weight and length of a corn
cob, Trevor arrived Aug. 13, 2014 – four
months before his Dec. 10 due date.
One day in August, his mother,
Becky, felt something wrong. The
family arrived at the hospital at 7:15
I
p.m. About 30 minutes later, the child
was born and doctors asked Bo a
question no parent ever wants to hear:
How drastic of life support should
we try?
“I said, ‘Do whatever you can to save
him,’ ” Bo said.
So they did, rushing a priest in for a
quick baptism, Bo said.
“Trevor was so tiny, his hand didn’t
even fit around my finger,” Bo said.
Doctors saved Trevor’s life that night.
A month later, doctors called with the
family’s “worst nightmare,” Bo said.
“They said ‘Come quick. This
might be your last goodbye,’ ”
Bo remembered.
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Trevor wasn’t responding to his
feeding tube. His blood pressure
dropped. His family, including many of
Bo’s 11 siblings and Trevor’s 27 cousins,
gathered in Fargo to pray.
“I haven’t said so many Our Fathers
and Hail Marys in my life,” said Julie
Falk, Bo’s sister. “He’s a miracle baby.
Faith pulled him through.”
For almost a year, Trevor recovered
at the Essentia Health Neonatal and
Intensive Care Unit in Fargo. During
that time, his parents, Bo and Becky,
along with big sister, Brookelyn,
2, would drive from their home in
Lidgerwood and visit on weekends.
Today, Trevor is calm and smiley. He
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totters on two feet and smiles when he
hears the voices of mom and dad. Big
sister Brookelyn is still unsure. She gets
jealous when her parents feed and hold
him, but she encourages her brother
to stand and roll over: “You can do it
Trevor.” And not long ago, she gave
Trevor a special gift: the blanket she
doesn’t leave home without.
“It’s Trevor’s blankie now,” she said.
Trevor is home, but he still has special
needs. A sign on the door of the family’s
Lidgerwood home asks visitors to wash
their hands because Trevor’s immune
system is still weak. An IV tower stands
next to his crib. After eye surgery, the
boy wears glasses. And at midnight, his
parents add a dose of high-calorie baby
formula to the feeding tube in his belly.
Bringing a new child home is an
adjustment for every family, especially
the Froleks. The support they’ve
received – both locally and nationally –
made it easier.
A local TV station featured Trevor’s
homecoming in July. After that, the
story ran on news stations throughout
the country and even internationally.
With the media attention came a few
financial donations, but more valuable
than that were the letters of goodwill.
“A dad with a baby in the NICU
emailed saying he’d had a baby at 28
weeks, too. He said he appreciated us
sharing the story, saying it gave him
hope,” Becky said.
Along with national support,
some support is closer to home.
The Lidgerwood community had
held a fundraiser in Trevor’s honor
in February.
“I never thought I’d have a milliondollar baby but we do. We’ve exceeded
that,” Becky said.
The benefit included a dinner and
Valentine’s Day dance. While the
children frolicked on the floor, the
family hoped one day that Trevor could
dance, too.
The Lidgerwood community couldn’t
have done a better job supporting her
brother and his family, Julie said. As
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one of the benefit organizers, Julie said
families and businesses called her to DAKOTA
make donations, rather than the otherVA L L E Y
ELECTRIC
way around.
COOPERATIVE
Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative’s
Operation Round Up program donated
a grant to the family in May. Operation
Round Up benefits individuals and
organizations in need. Families can
use the money for medical bills,
hrough the generosity of Dakota
transportation, caregivers or whatever
Valley Electric members, Operation
they need most.
Round Up recently donated more
“Thank you doesn’t seem like
than $10,000.
enough,” Becky said.
Operation Round Up gives grants to
Medical professionals are keeping
local organizations and individuals in need.
close tabs on Trevor. Doctors want to
Co-op members fund the program by
see him in Fargo at least twice each
rounding up their electric bill to the nearest
month. That means a day off of work
whole dollar. That small change – an
and about 150 miles to make the trip.
average of 50 cents per month – adds up.
And if the Froleks thought they were
Each year, DVEC’s nine-member
busy now, life might get more hectic
Operation Round Up board disburses more
come fall. The Froleks are expecting a
than $20,000 to the community.
third child in October.
Grants approved in May include:
With all the pressure, the Froleks say
•
South Central Senior Services,
they are overwhelmed – overwhelmed
purchase refrigerator: $100
with support and overwhelmed
•
Rhett Lee, medical: $2,500
with love.
•
Verona Volunteer Fire Department,
“We’re grateful for the outreach from
equipment: $300
everyone, and especially for all their
•
LaMoure Lions Club, renovate Sunset
prayers,” Becky said.
Park: $100
To donate to the Frolek family, visit
•
LaMoure Community Development,
www.gofundme.com/trevorf. For more
community garden and Depot Park:
information on Operation Round Up,
$100
call 1-800-342-4671. n
•
Sargent County Fair Association,
horse barn: $100
•
Silver Lake Park, playground
equipment: $200
•
Richland County Historical Society,
renovate meeting room: $400
•
Trevor Frolek, medical: $1,500
•
Dave Braaten, medical: $1,500
•
Michelle Giesler, medical: $1,500
•
Alvin Reich, medical: $1,500
•
Gackle Area Food Pantry, chest
freezer: $135
•
Family Voices of ND, Family
Leadership Seminar: $130
The Frolek family of Lidgerwood said the
•
Ellendale Historical Society, data entry
community, both local and international,
has helped support them through
for artifacts project: $135
Trevor’s journey. Pictured at their home
For more information, or to apply, call
are, from left, Bo, Brookelyn, 2, Becky
1-800-342-4671. n
and Trevor.
Operation Round Up
approves charitable grants
T
D AKOTA VALLEY ELEC TR IC NEWS , S EP TEMBER 2015 C3
DAKOTA VALLEY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative
DAKOTA
VA L L E Y
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Jeff Sinner, Wahpeton,
practices repairing overhead
line at hotline school in
Mandan. Hotline work
means lineworkers make
repairs while the power lines
are still energized.
DVEC lineworker attends hotline school
T
he wind – and spirits – remained high during hotline school, an annual training event hosted by
the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric
Cooperatives. Hotline school teaches lineworkers safe
work practices when working around energized overhead and underground power lines.
Lineworkers from 11 of the state’s 16 distribution
cooperatives attended the two-session training, held July
27 to 31 at Bismarck State College in Mandan. Among
them was Jeff Sinner, a journeyman lineworker from
Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative’s Wahpeton outpost.
Hotline work means crews make repairs without cutting
power. Lineworkers continue working while 7,200 volts
C4 S E PTEM B E R 2 0 1 5 , DA KOT A V A L L EY EL ECT RIC N EWS
of electricity courses through the lines. While potentially
dangerous, hotline work means less inconvenience
for members.
“Hotline work, like all the work our crews do, requires
various safety practices and procedures,” said Craig
Rysavy, manager of operations. “That’s why hotline
school is so valuable. The newer guys practice and build
confidence while the more experienced linemen use it as a
refresher.”
New to this year’s training was an underground
terminating station. Participants learned EPZ (equalpotential zone) grounding, or how to maintain a safe work
zone when working to repair underground faults. n
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DAKOTA VALLEY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative
To stay safe
around overhead
power lines:
• Use a spotter when operating large
machinery near lines.
• Keep equipment at least 10 feet from lines
– at all times, in all directions.
• Inspect the height of the farm equipment
to determine clearance.
• Always remember to lower extensions to the lowest setting
when moving loads.
• Never attempt to move a power line out of the way
or raise it for clearance.
• If a power line is sagging or low, call
1-800-342-4671.
DAKOTA
VA L L E Y
ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE
Number of public
accidents reported to
Northern Plains and Dakota
Valley electric cooperatives:
2015: 65 (as of August 2015)
2014: 62
2013: 134
2012: 105
2011: 96
2010: 83
2009: 43
Safe farms = better productivity
T
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feet together and without touching the ground and vehicle at
the same time. Then, still keeping your feet together, “bunny
hop” away.
If you see someone’s equipment in contact with a power
line, the best help you can give is at a safe distance. During
one of these situations, make sure to yell out to, signal, or
call the equipment
operator to make
sure he remains
in the vehicle, and
notify the local
utility.
For more
information, call
1-800-342-4671. n
Safety on the farm
helps increase
productivity for
future generations.
Tim and Crystal
Lytle, Ypsilanti,
along with their
boys Tristen and
Ty, help bale straw
near Jamestown.
PHOTO BY KATHY BLOUIN
he rush to harvest can result in farmers working long
days with little sleep.
For those reasons, the U.S. Department of Labor
ranked farming and ranching as the eighth deadliest job in
America, following roofers and garbage collectors.
During harvest, farmers spend countless hours in
combines, tractors and trucks. Farmers transport large
equipment on roads, highways and underneath power lines.
Some workers are young or inexperienced. Dakota Valley
Electric Cooperative urges farmers and agricultural workers
to have a safe harvest season.
Before working in a field or around shops or grain
bins, note the location of power lines and stay a safe
distance away.
Power lines can pose a major hazard for farmers.
Typically, power lines over streets and rural areas have a
minimal clearance of 18 feet and 12.5 feet over residential
private property.
If contact is made with a power line, remember, it is
almost always safest to stay on the equipment. Make sure to
warn others to stay away, and call the local utility provider
immediately. The only reason to exit is if the equipment is
on fire. If this is the case, jump off the equipment with your
D AKOTA VALLEY ELEC TR IC NEWS , S EP TEMBER 2015 C5
DAKOTA VALLEY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative
DAKOTA
VA L L E Y
ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE
COATS
2
NEW OR GENTLY USED
COATS/HATS/GLOVES/ETC.
CANS
NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS
CANS/PANTRY STAPLES
WAYS TO GIVE
THROUGH OCT. 23
COOPERATIVE MONTH
CAN & COAT DRIVE
KINDLY DONATE:
Adult and children gently-used coats and nonperishable goods (cans, pasta, cereal, etc.).
Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative will distribute
the donations to local families in need. Questions?
1-800-342-4671.
C 6 S E PTEM B E R 2 0 1 5 , DA KOT A V A L L EY EL ECT RIC N EWS
DONATION SITES:
First Community Credit Union, Wahpeton
The Loft on Main, Oakes
Montpelier Public School, Montpelier
Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative, Edgeley
Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative, Milnor
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DAKOTA VALLEY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative
Intveld to lead Wahpeton crew
Mauer hired as power lineworker
D
akota Valley Electric
Cooperative added a new
face to its Wahpeton crew.
Journeyman Lineworker Nick
Mauer joined the crew this summer,
although it is not his first with Dakota
Valley. As an apprentice, Mauer
studied under Power Lineworker
John Krump in Hankinson during
the summers of 2007-2009. Mauer
graduated from Bismarck State
College and began working full time in
Breckenridge, Minn.
Prior to his work with Dakota
Valley, Mauer did overhead power line
construction in Williston. Mauer grew
DAKOTA
VA L L E Y
ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE
Nick Mauer
up and graduated from high school in
Wahpeton, so he’s looking forward to
being home. When he’s not working,
Mauer said he likes hunting, fishing,
four-wheeling and snowmobiling. He
also likes spending time with his fiancé,
Kasey, and their daughter, Masey.
Leading the Wahpeton crew is
Trevor Intveld, who was promoted to
foreman after the retirement of Jerome
Jorgenson. Intveld joined the co-op at
the Wahpeton outpost in 2002. He’ll
help Mauer as well as fellow Journeyman
Lineworker Jeff Sinner navigate the
Wahpeton territory which includes some
of the largest accounts on the system. n
Trevor Intveld
BY SPENDING A FEW MINUTES,
I’M SAVING A LOT.
Yea h , a fe w mi n u te s . Th a t ’s a l l t h e t i m e i t t a k e s m e t o c h a n g e m y h o m e ’s a i r f i l t e r
ever y mo n th a n d s a v e $ 8 2 a y e a r. No t b a d f o r a f e w m i n u t e s of w o r k , h u h ? W h a t ca n
you d o ? Fi n d o u t h o w t h e l i t t l e c h a n g e s a d d u p a t To g e t h e rWe S a v e . co m .
DAKOTA VALLEY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative
T O G E T H E R W E S AV E . C O M
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VA L L E Y
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C T R I C , S EP TEMBER 2015 C7
D AKOTA VALLEY ELEC TRECOOPERATIVE
IC
money back in 20-30 years. But as
technology improves, solar panels may
become more affordable. If they do,
the average member may not have to
invest as much and will therefore, see an
earlier return.
In the meantime, follow our
progress online. Or, give us a call.
1-800-342-4671. n
www.dakotavalley.com
www.dakotavalley.com
[email protected]
[email protected]
800 342 4671
800-342-4671
Is solar right for you?
Edgeley Offi7296
ce: HWY 281, Edgeley, ND 58433
BY CO-MANAGERS BRUCE GARBER AND DARRIN SAND
7296 HWY 281, Edgeley, ND 58433
14051 HWY 13, Milnor, ND 58060
Aug. 20, it generated more than 3.2
efore members install solar
Milnor Office:
mWh of power, the equivalent of $350
systems at their homes and
14051 HWY 13, Milnor, ND 58060
OFFICE HOURS:
worth of electricity. The output is near
businesses, they’ll ask a lot
Mon.-Fri. 8HOURS:
a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
OFFICE
the system’s capacity, which is what
of questions.
Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
we expect during the sunny times of
We built a system so we could
BOARD & MANAGEMENT:
Richard Schlosser, President...........................Edgeley
year. Based on the system’s generation
BOARD
& MANAGEMENT:
answer them.
Arden Fuher, Vice President .............................Edgeley
Richard
Schlosser,
President .............. Edgeley
and required maintenance, we’re still
When considering solar, members
John Hauschild, Treasurer ............................Wahpeton
Arden
Vice President .............. Edgeley
ConnieFuher,
Bitz, Secretary....................................LaMoure
on track with our 20-30 year return
will ask: How much electricity will this
John
Hauschild,
Treasurer ..............Wahpeton
Richard
Johnson.............................................Cogswell
on investment.
system generate? How long will it last?
Connie
Bitz, Secretary ......................LaMoure
Kim Rasmussen...............................................Havana
Dave Paulson...............................................Hankinson
Richard
Johnson ................................ Cogswell
How long will it take before you’ll
What will it take to maintain? Is it safe?
Matt Rasmussen
Thompson............................................Wyndmere
Kim
....................................Havana
start recommending whether people
To get unbiased answers to those
BlainePaulson
Lundgren...................................................Kulm
Dave
.................................. Hankinson
install solar systems?
questions, we installed our own system.
Matt Thompson ............................. Wyndmere
General Manager ....................................Jay Jacobson
Blaine
Lundgren ...................................... Kulm
That depends.
Sure, you could consult vendors,
Manager of Engineering........................Seth Syverson
Co-General
Managers ............... BruceBuchholtz
Garber
IT Manager...........................................Scott
It will take at least a year for us to see
bloggers or a crystal ball – but are those
DarrinRysavy
Sand
Operations Manager ................................Craig
what our system generates throughout
sources you can trust?
Manager of Engineering ...........Seth Syverson
Assistant........................................Michelle
Berry
ITStaff
Manager
............................. Scott Buchholtz
the four seasons. But, as any North
As your electric cooperative, it’s our
Dakota ValleyManager
Services Manager................Pat
Operations
.................. Craig Schaffer
Rysavy
Dakotan knows, each winter is unique.
role to research these systems on your
Dakota Valley News Editor...........Katie Ryan-Anderson
Business
Manager ...........................Kelly Wald
What the system generates year-to-year
behalf. We’re not selling systems; we’re
Staff Assistant ...........................Michelle Berry
NOW THROUGH OCT. 31
Dakota
Valley
may vary. Another factor to consider
not even selling panels for systems.
ELECTRIC WIRING, PLUMBING
Services
Manager
.......................... Pat Schaffer
& HEATING
SERVICES:
is the age of the system. When it’s
We’re simply offering unbiased
Dakota
Valley
Dakota Valley
Services - Edgeley
new, it generates at capacity. As the
information to any member who asks.
News
Editor
Katie Ryan-Anderson
800 726
8056 ..................
or 701 493 2283
system ages and parts weaken, will that
To those who ask about return
change? Also, as technology improves,
on investment:
ELECTRIC WIRING, PLUMBING
& HEATING SERVICES:
the cost of materials may decrease.
So far, we’re still in the early
ELECTRIC C
Dakota
Valley Services–Edgeley
We spent $14,000 on materials. Based
stages of research. We installed our
800-726-8056
or
701-493-2283
on our calculations, we’ll make our
6.56-kilowatt system in May. As of
Help celebrate Co-op Month! Your Touchstone En
B
2
WAYS TO GIVE
DAKOTA
As a co-op, Dakota Valley Electric is committed to community.
That’s one of our principles. In celebration, we’re conducting a
Can & Coat Drive through Oct. 31. Anyone willing to contribute
may drop donations off at headquarter offices in Milnor or Edgeley. Offices are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through
Fridays. Questions? 1-800-342-4671.
Total Energy Generated (kWh) 2015
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
YTD TOTAL
kWh
530
961
1065
668 (as of Aug. 20)
3,224
$
$57.61
$104.46
$115.77
$72.61
$350.44
C 8 S E PTEM B E R 2 0 1 5 , DA KOT A V A L L EY EL ECT RIC N EWS
DAKOTA
VA L L E Y
ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE
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