northern - Beltrami Electric Cooperative, Inc.

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February 2010
Beltrami Electric
Cooperative Inc.
®
Beltrami Electric Accepting Youth Tour Applications
Beltrami Electric Cooperative is accepting applications for its fun-filled 2010 Youth Tour, an all-expense paid trip to Washington,
D.C., June 12-17. Each year the cooperative sponsors one high school junior whose parent or guardian is a member of Beltrami
Electric Cooperative.
The successful candidate will join hundreds of other high school cooperative representatives from across the nation as
they tour our nation’s capitol, meet members of congress, visit historic sites and learn the role government plays in the electric
industry.
To qualify, candidates must submit an application, write a 500-word essay and submit two letters of reference from teachers,
group or community leaders.
Applications must be received by Monday, March 22, 2010, and are available through area high school guidance
counselors, downloaded from Beltrami Electric’s Web site at www.beltramielectric.com or at the Beltrami Electric Cooperative
office. Those interested should mail their applications, letters of recommendation and essays to Youth Tour, Beltrami Electric
Cooperative, Inc., PO Box 488, Bemidji, MN 56619-0488.
For more information, contact Mitch Raile at Beltrami Electric, 218-444-2540 or 800-955-6083, or visit www.youthtour.
coop for exciting highlights of past Electric Cooperative Youth Tours.
Northern Lights • February 2010 1
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Northern Lights (USPS 016488), Vol. 56, No. 11 is
published monthly by Beltrami Electric Cooperative
Inc., 4111 Technology Drive N.W., Bemidji,
Minnesota 56619-0488. Subscription rate $5.
Periodicals postage paid at Bemidji, MN 56601.
Postmaster: Please send address corrections to
Beltrami Electric Cooperative Inc., P.O. Box 488,
Bemidji, Minnesota 56619-0488.
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday
Customer Service: 218-444-2540
or 1-800-955-6083
www.beltramielectric.com
Board of Directors
President
Jack Swenson, District 4
Vice President
Rick Coe, District 6
Secretary
Arnold Christianson, District 7
Treasurer
Frank Zentek, District 5
Directors: Emmet Weidenborner, District 1,
(Square Butte Director); Lea Perkins, District 2;
Jeff Nelson, District 3; Terry Diffley, District 8,
(Minnkota Director); Judy Honer, District 9
General Manager
Editor
Lynette Nieuwsma
Mitch Raile
Minnesota State Electrical Inspectors
Beltrami and Clearwater Counties
Mark Smythe
218-751-0487 or fax 218-751-3900
e-mail: [email protected]
smytheelectricinspections.com
Cass and Hubbard Counties
Steve Schauland
218-652-2213 or fax 218-333-0451
These are the inspectors covering the area served
by Beltrami Electric. They can be reached by
phone Monday through Friday between 7 and
8:30 a.m. or by fax or e-mail as indicated.
Gopher State One Call
1-800-252-1166
Anyone who is planning to dig is required by law
to notify the state of their intentions at least 48
hours in advance.
All digging requires the 48-hour notification
so that buried telephone line, television cable,
pipelines, electrical lines, water lines and sewer
lines can be located to ensure that none will be
severed or damaged.
On the cover: Washington, D.C.,
awaits the winner of the 2010 Youth
Tour sponsored by Beltrami Electric
Cooperative.
2 Northern Lights • February 2010
Manager’s Desk
Across the
Lynette Nieuwsma, General Manager
The Mission of
Beltrami Electric Cooperative
To provide reliable electricity to our members and communities, with superior
customer service and innovative energy solutions at fair and reasonable prices.
The board of directors and management
staff have recently updated our mission
statement. The difference isn’t earthshattering, but it emphasizes what we
need to keep focused on. Even in the face
of rising electric rates, we believe the
components of reliability, customer service,
innovation, fairness and reasonableness are
important and will keep our cooperative
strong now and into the future.
As you have read for months in this
column, the cost of wholesale power and
subsequently electric rates are going up.
Not only are they rising locally, but all
forms of energy are moving upwards in
price on the national level as well. I want
to let you know that we are working to
keep the distribution operating expenses
from rising but still focusing on providing
you with reliable electricity and excellent
customer service.
We are also committed to helping you
conserve electricity in order to give you
a bit of relief on your monthly electric
bill. There are many different resources
available to give you tips on how to make
your home more energy efficient. One
source that you may consider is www.
togetherwesave.com, which will provide
you with numerous ideas on how to save.
As you have questions about saving energy,
feel free to call our office, where someone
will be able to give you some suggestions.
Youth Tour
Beltrami Electric is once again
sponsoring a trip to a local high school
junior, whose parents or guardians are
members of the cooperative, to Washington,
D.C., this spring. It is a great opportunity
for this one young person to meet members
of Congress, take a tour of the nation’s
capitol, visit the landmarks of the area and
learn about how our government works.
As we all know, the youth of today are our
leaders of tomorrow, so by providing this
chance to one deserving student, BEC is
investing in the future. Take a look at the
cover story for more information about
applying for this wonderful opportunity.
Touchstone Energy Community Award
Congratulations to the Northwoods
Garden Club of the Bemidji Area for
being named the recipient of Beltrami
Electric’s 2009 Touchstone Energy
Community Service Award. We are
happy to be associated with a group that
works to beautify the areas that we all
enjoy. Commitment to the community
is something BEC takes pride in. BEC
also thinks it is important to recognize
those who go out of their way to make the
Beltrami Electric service area a great place
to live and work.
Employee recognition
I would personally like to recognize
and thank a wonderful group of Beltrami
Electric employees who recently retired
from the cooperative. With a combined 138
years of service, Larry Schmidt (31 years),
Wayne Petersen (32 years), Andy Freeman
(37 years) and John Stebe (38 years) have
all recently decided to enter their retirement
years. On behalf of the member-owners
and the other employees of BEC, we thank
you for your long, dedicated service to the
company. I wish you all the best in your
retirement.
In addition, we recently celebrated
important milestones for 10 BEC
employees who have worked at this
cooperative for a combined 240 years.
RUDY
‘THE WONDER DOG’
When Rudy the dog jumps on
to Francine McClendon’s lap and
settles in, he rightly earns his place as
Francine’s best friend. But in a split
second the 11.5-pound, flop-eared pup
can turn into a potential lifesaver.
Rudy has been owner-trained to operate
Life Call, which is a program offered
through Northern Safety & Security
(NSS) - owned by several Minnkota
cooperatives.
“Rudy and I have just been a really
good fit,” McClendon said. “He’s very
loyal to me and he learns quickly.”
McClendon has suffered from
rheumatoid arthritis since age 7,
which makes it difficult to handle
small objects and depress the Life
Call wristband alarm that dispatches
medical assistance. However, Rudy has
taken on some of that responsibility,
pawing the stationary machine to set
off the alert.
And for his effort, the BichonPapillon mix was named North Dakota
pet of the year in the professional
category by the state Veterinary
Medical Association in August.
“They did a presentation with Rudy
doing Life Call and the audience was
just amazed,” McClendon said. “It
recognizes the hard work that we’ve
put in to training Rudy and his hard
work, too. He’s a little dog and a lot of
people don’t think that little dogs can
do anything.”
However, Rudy is believed to be one
of the few dogs who can call for help
through this program.
“I think Life Call is a good thing
to have because when I transfer, I can
fall,” McClendon said. “In this day and
age you can’t have too much security.”
Manager’s Desk
Across the
With a great deal of experience and
knowledge in the positions they hold,
these valuable men and women are assets
to the continued success of Beltrami
Electric. Thank you for your continued
service and we appreciate everything you
do on a daily basis to “keep the lights
on” for our members.
Until next month,
Securing the Future
Cooperative-owned Northern Safety & Security celebrates 10 years
After owning a lake home for 30 years, Ray German knows the routine. When it’s time to
depart from his Lake Tulaby home near Waubun, Minn., it’s time to close up the windows,
turn off and unplug appliances and lock each of the doors before he can leave the driveway.
But with the construction of a new house on his lot, German added another step to the
process last year. He turns on his home security system offered through Northern Safety &
Security (NSS) - owned in part by Beltrami Electric Cooperative.
German’s system monitors break-ins, low/high temperature and fire and water damage.
“We have three married children and seven grandchildren,” German said. “We built it
for family gatherings, so it’s something we wanted to protect.” And although he hasn’t had a
“real-life” problem, he has faith in the system. “We’ve had false alarms,” German said.
“We’ll authorize a contractor to go in and if they go out the wrong door, the alarm goes
off and we get a call. So we know it works.”
The construction project, which included the addition of a geothermal heating system,
was completed in the fall and followed with a celebration. In September, NSS had a
celebration of its own. The Bemidji-based company marked its 10th year of service.
“It’s a great service to be able to offer,” said Sam Mason, general manager. “It feels good
to know that you’re providing something that helps people.”
Customer commitment
NSS includes Minnkota members Wild Rice (Mahnomen, Minn.), Roseau (Roseau,
Minn.), Beltrami (Bemidji, Minn.), Red River Valley (Halstad, Minn.), PKM (Warren,
Minn.) and Clearwater-Polk (Bagley, Minn.). Paul Bunyan Telephone (Bemidji, Minn.) and
Itasca-Mantrap Electric Cooperative (Park Rapids, Minn.) are also partners. Together, they
share investment costs and a resource base providing a variety of services to 52,000 co-op
members and 150,000 households throughout Minnesota and eastern North Dakota.
Outside of the programs that German maintains, NSS offers smoke and carbon monoxide
sensors, a latchkey feature, gas leak monitoring, agricultural environment sensors, camera
systems and much more - along with a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week response center to ensure the safety of its customers.
“A major strength of this company is the employees,” Mason said. “They’re
knowledgeable in finding out what the customer’s needs are and they can design a
system that works for their specific needs.”
Recent expansion for NSS has come through the Life Call program for senior citizens
and people with physical impairments.
In the event of an emergency, users can press a button on a transmitter to have medical
assistance dispatched and to notify others who would be able to provide immediate
assistance. The program has aided people in remaining in their homes, as opposed to
assisted living facilities. And it’s saved lives, too.
“We get notes from our customers a lot. They’ve pushed the button, help came and
they’re here because of it,” office manager Lynn Johnson said.
Currently, NSS has 2,092 active clients, with 1,069 using medical and life safety
service and 1,023 using home and property security.
Mason says that NSS has enjoyed having a balanced business, but the customer base is
still growing.
“We’re growing every year,” Mason said. “We don’t have fast growth, but it’s steady.”
“A lot of what people are looking for is the life safety aspect of the security system,”
Johnson added. “People want to protect their family and loved ones more than just property.”
A humble beginning
NSS opened its doors Sept. 1, 1999, the day the company acquired Alarm Systems
North, along with its 118 customers. The early focus was to serve seasonal residents whose
lake homes would be susceptible to frozen pipes, furnace failure and intrusion during winter
months.
“We initially went in thinking residential and commercial monitoring for security was
our primary focus,” Mason said. “It was within a few years we realized that life safety
monitoring was going to be a major piece of our business.”
Through the last 10 years, Mason cites cooperative support as the foundation from where
the business has grown.
“Our strength has always been our cooperative owners,” Mason said. “Our members
and the general public value the security that they have in knowing that the co-ops are
behind us.”
Northern Lights • February 2010 3
Anderson, Chuck W; Cass Lake, Minn.
Anderson, David C; East Grand Forks, Minn.
Anderson, Donald A; Naples, Fla.
Anderson, Janice; Bemidji, Minn.
Anderson, Judy A; Bemidji, Minn.
Anderson, Martin J; Fergus Falls, Minn.
Aos, Alice; Gonvick, Minn.
Arlt, Joan C; Springfield, Ohio
Bailey, Beverly K; Bemidji, Minn.
Banaszek, Jean; Frisco, Tex.
Barker, Randy J; Bemidji, Minn.
Batchelder, Winthrop C and/or Toby;
Bemidji, Minn.
Baxter, Wayne; Rising Sun, Ind.
Beltrami City Waste Tran.;
Bemidji, Minn.
Benson, Todd; Bemidji, Minn.
Bjerke, JoAnn; Bemidji, Minn.
Blade, Colleen A; Blackduck, Minn.
Bleth, Pat; Albee, S.D.
Bontrager, Karen; Detroit Lakes, Minn.
Bradseth, Milton J; Tenstrike, Minn.
Bredon, James W; Red Wing, Minn.
Briggs, Ward D; Pennington, Minn.
Brun, Donald J; Red Lake, Minn.
Brun, Patricia R; Red Lake, Minn.
Buness, Diann; Bemidji, Minn.
Burkett, Eleanor R; Bemidji, Minn.
Carswell, Gerald W; Bemidji, Minn.
Chamernick, David; Hibbing, Minn.
Chiodo, Patricia K; Bemidji, Minn.
Clawson, Tami; Bemidji, Minn.
Clementson, Donna; Bemidji, Minn.
Cluff, Dean and/or Renee; Tenstrike, Minn.
Clyde, Carol; Laporte, Minn.
Colomb, Barbara; Foley, Minn.
Connolly, Joseph J and/or Colleen;
Cass Lake, Minn.
Cook, Craig A; Redby, Minn.
Cook, Leon F; Red Lake, Minn.
Cornelius, Michael; Cass Lake, Minn.
Cornelius, Michael L; Cass Lake, Minn.
Cove, Dr. William; Bemidji, Minn.
Cronk, Melinda; Bemidji, Minn.
Curtis, Misty; Bemidji, Minn.
Dancker, Charles and/or Julie Ann;
Wirt, Minn.
Dancy, Andrew; Blackduck, Minn.
Davey, Dr. James R Sr; Bemidji, Minn.
Listed below are members who have not cashed their capital credit checks. These refunds
will either be turned over to the State of Minnesota if the member’s last address was outside
of Minnesota or paid out in scholarship money to area schools if the member’s last known
address was in Minnesota. If you have a current address for anyone listed, please call the
cooperative at 444-2540 or 1-800-955-6083 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Davis, Lee D and/or Nancy;
Big Lake, Tex.
Depew, Douglas; Blackduck, Minn.
Dietman, Mary; Bemidji, Minn.
Dodge-Charlton, Polly J; Lakefield, Minn.
Dombeck, M A; Buffalo, Minn.
Dow, Chele; Warroad, Minn.
Dressler, Howard T; Wagner, S.D.
Drumbeater, Marilyn; Cass Lake, Minn.
Dunlap, Norman P; Green Valley, Ariz.
Edelbrock, Michael; Brainerd, Minn.
Edelbrock, Michael; Walker, Minn.
Ehrich, John; Puposky, Minn.
Eifert, Mark; Sleepy Eye, Minn.
Eischeid, Jean; Walker, Minn.
Ellenson, Dennis; Bemidji, Minn.
Engel, Joel; Hanover, Minn.
Enger, Helen; Waskish, Minn.
Englebert, Susan; Bemidji, Minn.
Ernst, Christine M; Blackduck, Minn.
Fairbanks, Mary E; Red Lake, Minn.
Fitch, Donald; Rapid City, S.D.
Fitzer, Richard A and/or Susan M;
Onamia, Minn.
Flynn, Edmund; Utica, Ill.
Ford, Shelley L; Bemidji, Minn.
Fourstar, Winona; Bemidji, Minn.
Fraser, Misty J; Madison, Wis.
Frenzel, Aaron L; Shevlin, Minn.
Fuller, Marlowe L; Worthington, Minn.
Garvick, Ina P; Bemidji, Minn.
Good, Karen E; Red Lake, Minn.
Graves, Karen L; Red Lake, Minn.
Hagen, Hans N; Blackduck, Minn.
Hagen, Pamela A; Williams, Minn.
Harmon, Greg M; Saint Cloud, Minn.
Harris, Lynn E; Bemidji, Minn.
Harvey, Cynthia; Blackduck, Minn.
Hawk, Michael J; Oklee, Minn.
Hawkinson, Timothy J; Minneapolis, Minn.
Haycock, Phyllis R; Bemidji, Minn.
Head, Marvin; Ponemah, Minn.
Headbird, Endonnis; Cass Lake, Minn.
Hegg, Monte L; Bemidji, Minn.
Heise, Erich K; Willmar, Minn.
Hendricks, Todd R; Superior, Wis.
Henjum, Steven; Saint Paul, Minn.
Herman, Paul; West Fargo, N.D.
Himmelright, William; Bemidji, Minn.
Holen, James V; Apache Junction, Ariz.
Holland, Roy D and/or Shirley J; Montgomery, Ind.
Holmgren, Darla; Grand Rapids, Minn.
Holte, Jim; Onamia, Minn.
Hoosier, Dale; Bemidji, Minn.
Horton, Patricia; Hines, Minn.
Howard, Kenneth S; Bemidji, Minn.
Huray, Robert; Bemidji, Minn.
Jablonski, Michael L; Minneapolis, Minn.
Jackson, Alvin; Cass Lake, Minn.
Jacobson, Todd D; Bemidji, Minn.
Jernberg, Marilyn; Moorhead, Minn.
Johnson, Dr D R; Bemidji, Minn.
Johnson, Helen A; Park Rapids, Minn.
Johnson, R D; Tucson, Ariz.
Jones, Rex L; Windom, Minn.
Jones, Viola; Kelliher, Minn.
Joy, Judy A; Blackduck, Minn.
Julin, LeAnna J; Bemidji, Minn.
Kavanagh, Kent; Bemidji, Minn.
Kearney, Wayne; Bemidji, Minn.
King, Daniel J; Redby, Minn.
King, Marie A; Bemidji, Minn.
Kingbird, Lisa A and/or Barrett, Joe;
Red Lake, Minn.
Kingbird, Marlene R; Red Lake, Minn.
Klug, Hazel B; Grand Forks, N.D.
Koebernick, Lynn; Blackduck, Minn.
Koehlmoos, Gregory E; Pace, Fla.
Koehne, Pamela; Bemidji, Minn.
Kroeze, Gary; Laporte, Minn.
Krogseng, Gerald P; Saint Paul, Minn.
Krook, Lynn F; Glenwood, Minn.
Kubian, Shirley J; Bemidji, Minn.
Labs, Dennis H; Shevlin, Minn.
Larson, Mark J; Winton, Minn.
Latterner, Richard and/or Caroline;
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4 Northern Lights • February 2010
Apple Valley, Minn.
Lewis, Scott R; Bemidji, Minn.
Lien, Steven J; Piedmont, S.D.
Lindner, Troy; Irving, Tex.
Loewen, Rick; Inver Grove, Minn.
Logan, Chad M; Bemidji, Minn.
Lord, Richard; Walker, Minn.
Loyson, Tyann L; Gilbert, Minn.
Lueken, Ken L; Cass Lake, Minn.
Lundeen, Carl H; Stillwater, Minn.
Lyons, Francis J and/or Heidi J;
Cass Lake, Minn.
MacDuffie, Bruce L; Hamilton, N.Y.
McGlynn, Mark and/or Karmen;
Bemidji, Minn.
McKennett, Rodney; Cass Lake, Minn.
McKenzie, Diane; Minneapolis, Minn.
Manning, Tammy; Bemidji, Minn.
Martell, Mary K; Bemidji, Minn.
Martin, Alex J; Belgrade, Mont.
Martin, Theresa L; Red Lake, Minn.
Martine, Lisa A; Phoenix, Ariz.
Mason, Mark; Big Lake, Minn.
May, Kenneth J; Sauk Rapids, Minn.
Mesna, Richard E; Osakis, Minn.
Meyer, Cheryl D; Bemidji, Minn.
Michaud, Michael J; Coral Springs, Fla.
Mihalik, Stephen; Warrenville, Ill.
Miles, Elaine; Pinewood, Minn.
Miller, Ben; Blackduck, Minn.
Miller, Delaine and/or Lisa;
Rapid City, S.D.
Miller, Jane M; Bemidji, Minn.
Miller, Shannon and/or Tim;
Bemidji, Minn.
Montgomery, James and/or Susan;
Sioux Falls, S.D.
Morris, Joy A; Cass Lake, Minn.
Mrazek, Mryna M; Bemidji, Minn.
Murdent, Shannon; Cass Lake, Minn.
Neadeau, Margaret A; Red Lake, Minn.
Neadeau, Vicki L; Minneapolis, Minn.
Nelson, Angela; Minneapolis, Minn.
Nelson, Sherri L; Austin, Minn.
Ness, Bradley D; Little Falls, Minn.
Nibbe, Ron W Jr; Bemidji, Minn.
Nordstrom, Debra; Saint Paul, Minn.
Norquay, Frances K; Fargo, N.D.
O’Brien, Kathy and/or Patrick;
Tenstrike, Minn.
Ohm, Keith J; Bemidji, Minn.
Olson, Caryll L; Cass Lake, Minn.
Olson, Jamie W; Tenstrike, Minn.
Olson, Marvin and/or Nancy;
Isanti, Minn.
Onefeather, Constance; Bemidji, Minn.
Osborn, Todd E; Pahoa, Hawaii
Ostby, John; Howes, S.D.
Otterstad, Richard; Turtle River, Minn.
Pedrys, Dawn M; Sauk Rapids, Minn.
Pequette, Theresa; Cass Lake, Minn.
Peterson, David E and/or Jacqueline;
Bemidji, Minn.
Peterson, Lisa K and/or Stephen; Kabetogama, Minn.
Peterson, Steven R and/or Kathleen;
Edina, Minn.
Pickering, Cheryl; Bemidji, Minn.
Pollock, Brian; Bemidji, Minn.
Poxleitner, Ruby A; Eden Prairie, Minn.
Rice, Kathy L; Fifty Lakes, Minn.
Ringhand, Cleo; Bemidji, Minn.
Ristau, Lon H; Bemidji, Minn.
Roberts, Mischelle L; Mankato, Minn.
Rodunce, Sidney and/or Arlene;
Fargo, N.D.
Rosch, Brenda; Bemidji, Minn.
Rustebakke, Inglef; Petersburg, N.D.
Sandberg, Jeffrey M; Pillager, Minn.
Sandwick-Laager, Thelma;
Bemidji, Minn.
Santizo, Vic; Wolcottville, Ind.
Scamp, Geri; Bemidji, Minn.
Seidel, Le R; Saint Paul, Minn.
Selzler, Melissa C; Bemidji, Minn.
Shanahan, Darrell C and/or Gloria;
Milaca, Minn.
Shemesh, Steven R; Bemidji, Minn.
Shimmer, Pam K; Watervliet, Mich.
Smallwood, Belva; Duluth, Minn.
Smith, Bonnie A; Bemidji, Minn.
Smith, Larry O; Bemidji, Minn.
Smith, Lisa M; Bemidji, Minn.
Snowdon, Joyce; Bemidji, Minn.
Spears, Rebecca J; Minneapolis, Minn.
Spears, Vickie L; Ponemah, Minn.
Stockland, Robert A; Willmar, Minn.
Strand-Anderson, Julie K;
Saint Paul, Minn.
Strong, Georgianna; Redby, Minn.
Stuarts Inc; Bemidji, Minn.
Stubbe, Shelly; Nemaha, Iowa
Suckert, Phyllis; Bemidji, Minn.
Sullivan, Mary B; Bemidji, Minn.
Swanson, Lonnie E; Bemidji, Minn.
Swartzer, Dennis; Blackduck, Minn.
Tankersley, Betsy; San Carlos, Ariz.
Thompson, John; Bemidji, Minn.
Thompson, Robert E; Bagley, Minn.
Thomson, Robert P; Bemidji, Minn.
Thorson, Terri-Sue E; Vining, Minn.
Tozzi, Barry; Naperville, Ill.
Tryon, Cheryl; Cass Lake, Minn.
Turtle Shell, Dick and Jo’s;
Shevlin, Minn.
Tyler, James; Bemidji, Minn.
Utley, Terri and/or Steve;
Blackduck, Minn.
Vitalis, Harland D; Waskish, Minn.
Walker, Don and/or Bonnie;
Owatonna, Minn.
Wambheim, Bruce; Bemidji, Minn.
Warren, Gerald; Grand Rapids, Minn.
Watson, Frank; Tenstrike, Minn.
Wedan, Janet; Pequot Lakes, Minn.
Weisert, Vonda; Blackduck, Minn.
Welch, Joyce L; Red Lake, Minn.
Welsh, Bergetta A; Apache Junction, Ariz.
White, Barbara J; Bemidji, Minn.
White, Orville D; Red Lake, Minn.
Whitmore, Charles M; Cook, Minn.
Wilson, Jill R; Blackduck, Minn.
Wimmer, Dan; Walker, Minn.
Wolfgarth, Herbert; Bemidji, Minn.
Wood, John C and/or Leslie R;
Pinewood, Minn.
Woodland, Jill C; Bemidji, Minn.
Yungbauer, Diane; Bemidji, Minn.
Zhang, Jun Y; Bemidji, Minn.
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Northern Lights • February 2010 5
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For Sale:
2007 6.5’ x 16’ Ice castle fish house 6 holes w/
knotty pine cabinets, $7,500, Chasidy, 308-1279.
Flatbed Trailer, ’93, $1,200, Tandem, 16 ft,
factory built, brakes on one axle, with ramps, 6000
gvw, 751-0035.
1998 Chevy cargo van ¾ ton, 169K, original owner,
$3,000/obo, 335-9872 after 6 p.m.
Oster sheep shears, EW610, excellent condition,
$50, 467-3442.
Large double wide to be moved, ’96 model ex.
cond., asking $28,000, 835-6753.
’71 Chevy pickup, $2,000/obo, ’96 Chrysler
Seabring, $2,500, 835-6753.
Electric potter’s wheel, Spinning Tiger brand, $450/
obo, 751-4910.
1997 Polaris Storm, 5,000 miles, excellent
condition, $1,700/obo, call 547-3090.
Band saw blade, ¾” x 300,’ Do-All brand, Carbon
steel and dispenser, $80; Wheel weights and
chains for 11” wheels with 4¾” bolt centers, $50,
755-1581.
Two well-broke Arabian mares, 8-year-old gray, 12year-old dark bay, great trail horses, bay has been
used for endurance, $1,000 each firm, 444-3996.
250 gal fuel oil barrel $75; 55 gal blended htg oil
w/barrel $75; Gilson 18” 4 HP gas snowblower,
$100, 766-0547.
’97 Chevrolet ext. cab Silverado LS 4x4, 350-V8
auto, 96,000 miles, fully equipped, auto start,
new exhaust, great condition for year, $8,250,
605-380-3829.
1989 Chevy pickup with topper, 4x4, V-6, 5
speed manual, 30 mpg, $2,000/obo 751-5515
or 556-6136.
Kasson 8’x4’ pool table, leather pockets. 3 piece
slate, excellent condition, $500, 751-7177.
Garmin GPS III Plus handheld GPS in new cond.,
$60, 751-9288.
Older Panasonic video recorder. $25 or obo. 4446331 after 5 p.m.
Pellet/corn stove, Breckwell SP 6000, used 9
months, excellent working condition, paid $1,400,
sell for $900, 701-345-8542.
Weider Club C650, weight bench system & 250# of
weights, new=$1,000, will sell for $500, 368-3388.
Dog Kennel - Wire 6x6 kennel, (4 panels, 1
entrance) like new, used about 6 months, $75,
547-2612.
’95 Saturn SC1 car, 146,000 miles, mpg in the high
30s, clean car, $1,400/obo, 689-8580.
Schwinn Air-Dyne exercise bike w/electronic
computer, $125, call evenings 647-8675 or
556-6832.
1995 Yamaha Venture 2up/snowmobile electric
start, reverse, $1,000, 835-7484.
’03 Ford Explorer XLT, 108K miles, burgundy,
4WD, 3rd seat, leather, running boards, NICE!
$8,500, 586-3743.
Sears pool table, 4’x6.5’, not slate, cue/sticks, balls
and rack included, $125; Sony color TV and remote,
36” about seven years old, large size and heavy,
$100/obo, 751-8356.
Jiffy Legend 10” 3 horsepower auger, $150,
444-7953.
’99 Polaris Classic 500cc, liquid cooled, x12
suspension, $1,800/obo, 333-0518.
3 100# LP gas cylinders, some have gas in them,
$30 each, 335-6404.
1996 Arctic Cat 440 snowmobile, runs great,
$1,000/obo, 556-4858.
Peach faced lovebird with green and blue body,
$50, 2-piece china cabinet, $300, silver trumpet,
$150, 444-5243.
1998 Chevy 3500 crew cab, dump bed, 2 wheel
drive, rear dually, 118,000 miles, ask $7,500/
obo, 368-5885.
Size 10 wedding dress, never worn, $85, 444-9846.
1989 Ford conversion van, great runner, $1,500,
444-2900.
2 Horses. ½ Arabian ½ Quarter mare and a Pinto
mare – both good riders and very friendly, looking
for a good home where they will be ridden and
loved, $800, 444-2900.
1998 Polaris XLT Special with 6,188 miles, 1997
Polaris XLT Limited with 5,281 miles, both are in
excellent shape and excellent runners, Floe Pro
Edition trailer included, covers for both sleds and
slush guard also included, $2,500.
Cross-country skis men’s 540, $25, size 13 ski
boots, $15, call 243-3443.
Multicolor, 8’ x 10’ area rug, $75, 556-4537.
Never used, 5 gal pail Valspar gray low haps primer,
product #354X1405, $50, Mike @ 243-2217.
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup white sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened
cocoa powder
1 cup milk
2 eggs
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon butter, softened
¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon milk
6 Northern Lights • February 2010
Hay, 2nd crop alfalfa square bales, no rain, stored
inside, excellent, 766-7150.
WD45 Allis Chalmers, narrow front end, $1,000,
444-8628.
Homemade crazy block quilts, twin $35, full $40,
queen $45, king $50; antique oak chairs $25
each, rockers $75, desk chair $100, parlor table
$75, sq. dining room table $275 obo, cabinet and
portable sewing machine $15 works good; Mesh
steel endgate $50; Weslo Cadence 815 treadmill,
$35, 243-2702.
Box of glass bead strands, new, retail $100, will
sell for $40, 444-7806.
Futon, full size, metal frame, very clean and fine
condition, $40, 835-7689.
Honda GX140 5.5 HP, Recoil Starter (Track Type)
snowblower, 444-2759.
New men’s bib overalls by Carhart, size 32 x 30,
$50; Frigidaire heavy-duty commercial upright
freezer, 22 cu ft, $130, 760-3415.
Hot Point Fridge, 6 years old, works good, asking
$200; GE electric range, 6 years old, works good,
asking $200, 444-9422.
Weider exercise bench with weights, $40; 2
Kenmore apt. size L.P. gas stoves, $75 each,
224-3284.
’95 Arctic Cat Cheetah Ext. 2-up, 1,800 miles,
$1,200, 243-2886.
Pekingese puppies, Persian kittens, Himalayan
kittens, call for more information, 647-8361.
Teleboom, good condition, 647-8361.
Wanted:
Will provide loving home for large adult short-haired
cat, tiger striped, tabby or calico, 444-5881.
Fisher wood stove, 3 point tandem disk, 467-3442.
Donations of skeins of yarn (washable, four ply,
acrylic) to knit slippers for American troops serving
overseas, call 766-4862.
Free:
Wrought-iron wine rack, holds 18 bottles, freestanding, $100, 751-3631.
Bible-based studies or materials to answer your
questions, 243-3112.
Small square straw bales, $2.75 each, call 7510408, leave message.
HP DeskJet 670C printer; KDS 17” multi-scan
computer color monitor, call Steve @ 224-2699.
Dell All-in-One printer (fax, e-mail, scan) A940 –
uses Windows 98-2000-XP, $75, 243-2312.
German shepherd/lab mix, call 368-3078 for
more details.
Corner cupboard: Chocolate waffles
1½ cups all-purpose flour
Anderson Windows, Screens & storm included – 1
Unit, 24” dbl. hung sides, 52” picture center, total
105” x 53”, $50; 1 Unit, 2 dbl. hung windows. Total
59” x 38” $25; 1 36” exterior door, storm door and
frame incl., $25, 835-4276.
Preheat waffle iron. In a large mixing bowl, stir
together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and cocoa.
Stir in milk, eggs and butter until mixture is smooth.
To make hard sauce: stir together softened butter,
confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract and milk. Sauce
should be fairly stiff.
Spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick
cooking spray. Pour mix onto hot waffle iron.
Cook until golden brown. Serve hot with hard sauce.
Notice to
cogenerators
In compliance with Minnesota
Adopted Rules Relating to Cogeneration
and Small Power Production, Chapter
7835, Beltrami Electric Cooperative
is required to interconnect with and
purchase electricity from cogenerators
and small power producers that
satisfy the conditions of a Qualifying
Facility.
Beltrami Electric has available and
will provide free information to all
interested members regarding rates
and interconnection requirements.
An application for interconnection is
required for a Qualifying Facility to
interconnect and operate in parallel
with the cooperative’s distribution
system and is subject to approval by the
cooperative.
Any disputes over interconnections,
sales and purchases are subject to
resolution by the Minnesota Public
Utilities Commission. For more
information, please call Sam Mason
at 218-444-2540.
The Northwoods Garden Club of the Bemidji Area wins
Beltrami Electric’s Touchstone Energy Community Award
Board Meeting
Highlights
Beltrami Electric’s board of
directors conducted its monthly
meeting Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009.
All directors were present. Also
present were General Manager
Lynette Nieuwsma, Manager of
Accounting Sid Sletten and
Executive Secretary Kay Olson.
Northwoods Garden Club of the Bemidji Area president Maggie Schwegman (right) holds the
plaque, while club secretary Karen Sollom accepts a $500 check in recognition of their 2009
Beltrami Electric Touchstone Energy Community Award. The group is the sixth winner and plans
to apply the award money to the garden on the Bemidji Library grounds.
Beltrami Electric Cooperative has named the
Northwoods Garden Club of the Bemidji Area the
winner of the local 2009 Touchstone Energy
Community Award. The recognition comes with a
$500 cash award donated to a community service
organization/project of choice and an engraved
Touchstone Energy Community Award plaque
signifying the organization’s commitment to
community.
The club, which formed in 2006 and boosts
between 25 and 30 members, promotes gardening
and related projects around the Bemidji area. Their
primary, ongoing campaign is caring for the garden
areas around the Bemidji Public Library. They see
this commitment as being something the whole
community can take pride in, while the value of
volunteerism really pays off in the long run.
“The Garden Club has gotten repeated
compliments and support from the community in
general for the work provided to the gardens (at
the Library),” they stated in their application.
“The Library has hundreds of people coming
and going daily and the improved grounds sends a
message of pride in caring for something in the
community.”
In its sixth year, the Touchstone Energy
Community Award recognizes individuals or
organizations for outstanding contributions to their
community. Past winners include Paul Bunyan
Broadcasting’s “Radiothon to End Child Abuse,”
Healthy Community Healthy Kids, Blackduck Tri
Sigma General Federated Women’s Club, Sexual
Assault Program of the Beltrami, Cass and Hubbard
Counties and the Bemidji Area Task Force on
Underage Drinking, Illegal Drug Use and Gang
Activity.
The Northwoods Garden Club of the Bemidji
Area’s application will be submitted for consideration to the statewide Minnesota Touchstone Energy
Community Award committee. The statewide award
recipient will be selected from numerous local award
winners throughout Minnesota and the overall winner
will receive $1,000 toward a community cause of
choice. It will be presented in February 2010 during
the Minnesota Rural Electric Association’s annual
meeting in St. Paul.
The following reports were given:
• The Manager presented her
monthly report, including a review
of current operations, wholesale
accounts, capital credits and
discussed the 2010 preliminary
budget, capital credit retirements
made and wholesale accounts.
• Sid Sletten reviewed the November
financial report and work order
inventories.
• Sam Mason reported on load
management hours, Incremental
Pricing Plan, Conservation
Improvement Program and
presented the 2010 Marketing Plan.
• District meeting dates, locations
and times for Districts 1, 5 and 8
were discussed.
• Sid Sletten reviewed the
preliminary Budget and Work
Plan for 2010 in detail.
• Terry Diffley reported on the
Minnkota Board meeting.
• Emmet Weidenborner reported on
the Square Butte Board meeting.
• Manager Nieuwsma presented a
revision to BEC Policy #214.
• Jeff Nelson and Judy Honer
reported on the Credentialed
Cooperative Director training.
• Frank Zentek, Judy Honer and Jack
Swenson were appointed to the
policy committee for 2010.
The following actions were taken:
• Approved the 2010 Marketing Plan
as presented.
• Accepted estate capital credit
retirements, membership list,
Safety Committee Minutes and
write-offs as presented.
•Approved revised BEC Policy
#214.
The next board meeting will be
Jan. 26, 2010, beginning at 9 a.m.
Beltrami Electric
recognizes longtime
employees
Beltrami Electric Cooperative recently
recognized 10 employees for 240 total years of
service to the company. To the right is a photo of
the 10 individuals, along with the number of
years they have served BEC.
Left to Right: (Years of Service) - Dave Ethen (30), Dan Dow (20), Randy Dahle (30), Arlene Hogquist (20), Jay Declusin
(10), Rick Eisenzimmer (30), Rebecca Johnson (10) Kurt Yerbich (30), William Haman (10) and Paul Cronemiller (30).
Northern Lights • February 2010 7
4111 Technology DR NW
PO Box 488
Bemidji, MN 56619-0488
218-444-2540 • 800-955-6083
www.beltramielectric.com
Dates:
Contractor training
set for February
Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Doublewood Inn, Fargo, N.D.
Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Hampton Inn, Bemidji, Minn.
Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Ramada Inn, Grand Forks, N.D.
8 Northern Lights • February 2010
•Registration starts at 7:15 a.m. each day.
•Courses begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.
•Cost is $60 per attendee and includes a noon hour lunch.
•Cancellations will be refunded in full with prior notification
up to the day before each workshop is held.
A brochure detailing the course descriptions and registration
instructions was mailed in late December and can be found at
www.minnkota.com. Completed registration forms need to be
returned by Jan. 29, 2010, to Minnkota Power Cooperative.
For complete details, see www.minnkota.com or contact Sue
Black, Minnkota Communications/Member Services Specialist,
at (701) 795-4292 or e-mail [email protected].
Please note that eight CEU credits for both the electrical and
builder workshops have been applied for and contractors cannot
attend more than one location to earn more than the eight CEU credits
offered.