AUGUST 2016
VOL. 17 NO. 4
Berry Delicious Stewart’s Aronia Acres
P8-9
72
nd Annual
Bon Homme Yankton Electric
Meeting
Tuesday, August 16 Beseda Hall, Tabor, SD
Pork Loin Sandwiches Served from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Business Meeting 7:00pm Financial Report Director Election
Prize drawings after the meeting - You must be present to WIN!!
Don’t Forget Your Ticket!! Watch your mail the first part of August for your registration postcard! 2 August 2016 • Cooperative ConneCtions
Board
report
Cost of Service Analysis (USPS No. 018-973)
Bon Homme Yankton Electric Assn, Inc. PO Box 158 134 S Lidice St Tabor, SD 57063 Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30am to 4:30pm
To Report an Outage Call: Local From Tabor, Tyndall and Yankton 605-463-2507 or Toll Free in South Dakota 1-800-925-2929 NOTICE: Electric bills must be paid by 10:00am on the 20th of each month to avoid a $10 late fee. Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections is published monthly by Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc., PO Box 158, 134 S. Lidice St., Tabor, SD 57063-0158 for its members. Families subscribe to Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections as part of their electric cooperative membership. Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connection’s purpose is to provide reliable, helpful information to electric cooperative members on matters pertaining to rural electrification and better rural living. Subscription information: Electric cooperative members devote $6.00 from their electric payments annually for a subscription. Nonmember subscriptions are available for $12 annually. Periodicals Postage Paid at Tabor, SD 57063 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections, Bon Homme Yankton Electric, PO Box 158, Tabor, S.D. 57063 TELEPHONE (605)463-2507: FAX (605) 463-2419. Design assistance by TDG Communications, Deadwood, S.D.
Bill Edwards, Vice-President of Regulatory Affairs, and Josh Compton, Rate Analyst, from our lender, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) were present at the board meeting to discuss the results of the cost of service study. They explained that a cost of service study is a process which assigns costs to the classes of customers who have incurred the costs. Costs are incurred by: 1. Just by being a customer 2. Kilowatt (kw) demand or peak capacity 3. Energy use The results of the study include: 1. Individual Class revenue requirements 2. Investment incurred by class 3. Operating expense incurred by class 4. Determines the demand, energy, and customer costs by class 5. Measures the existing returns by class
For our small/residential classes, we have a two tiered rate which includes a facility/access charge and a rate per kwh used. The kwh rate includes a declining block rate. For larger services, we may have a two tier rate that includes kw demand and kwh or a three tier rate that has a facility/access charge, kw demand and kwh. The analysts discussed the nationwide trend towards a three tier rate system for all types of accounts putting more emphasis on the fixed rate and less on the kwh rate. They did caution that sudden changes in rate structures are hard to make and suggested a gradual change over several years. The board will be taking this study into consideration when designing future rates.
Welcome new Members Irene Hope Foster Tabor Whitney J Lord Yankton Darlene Ausdemore Cimpl's LLC Troy D Jones Shelby Hammitt Radim Miksik Morgan Privett Kyle Novak Todd Root Dan Slade Richard J Cameron David Burns
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statement of non-Discrimination This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.
Cooperative ConneCtions • August 2016 3
Safety
tips
Safety During Harvest Harvest season can yield higher numbers of electrocution, shock and burn injuries. Safe Electricity urges farm workers to avoid tragic accidents by using caution when completing farm activities that take place around power lines. Equipment contacting overhead power lines is the leading cause of farm electrocution accidents in the Midwest. Many of these accidents occur near grain bins when augers make contact with power lines. Many types of farm equipment can come in contact with overhead power lines, creating a direct path for electricity. Tractors with front-end loaders, portable grain augers, fold-up cultivators and equipment with antennas can easily become electrical hazards and must be operated with care. Know the location of power lines and keep farm equipment at least 10 feet away from them.
Farm workers should remember the following safety tips: • Always lower portable augers or elevators to their lowest possible level – under 14 feet – before moving or transporting; use care when raising them. • Be aware of increased height when loading and transporting larger modern tractors with higher antennas. • Use a spotter to make sure contact is not made with a line when moving large equipment or high loads. • Be careful not to raise any equipment such as ladders, poles or rods into power lines. • Use qualified electricians for work on drying equipment and other farm electrical systems. • Inspect farm equipment for transport height and determine clearance with any power lines that the equipment must pass. • Review the possibility of underground utility supplies for new or replacement power lines. • If you have a standby power system, review its location, operation and importance with all workers. • Never try to raise or move a power line to clear a path. What do you do if farm equipment or vehicles come in contact with power lines: • It’s almost always best to stay in the cab and call the local electric utility. If the power line is energized and you step outside, your body becomes the path and electrocution is the result. • Warn others who may be nearby to stay away and wait until the electric utility arrives to make sure power to the line is turned off. • If the equipment or vehicle is on fire, the proper action would be to jump out with both feet hitting the ground at the same time. Continue to hop or shuffle to safety, keeping both feet together as you leave the area. Do not allow any part of your body to touch the equipment and the ground at the same time. • Once away from the equipment or vehicle, do not go back until the electric utility gives permission to do so. 4 August 2016 • Cooperative ConneCtions
8/11 Day: Reminder to Call Before You Dig Aug. 11 provides a natural reminder for people everywhere to call 811 prior to any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. Every six minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first calling 811. Things to know about making an 8-1-1 call: • Every digging project requires a call to 811. • Calling 811 a few days prior to digging notifies utility companies of the intent to dig and gives representatives time to mark the appropriate lines. The call can be called from anywhere in the country. • A representative from your local one call center will answer the call to find out the location and description of the digging site. • The affected utility companies will be notified of the intent to dig. • The utility companies will each send a professional locator to the digging site to identify and mark the approximate location of the underground lines. • Once lines have been marked, you should respect the marks and dig carefully around them. • Hitting an underground utility line while digging can cause serious injuries, disrupt service to entire neighborhoods, and potentially result in fines and repair costs.
Kids’ Corner Safety Poster “stay away from fallen power lines.”
Ashley Placek, 11 years old Ashley is the daughter of Perry and Laura Placek, Ipswich, S.D. They are members of FEM Electric Association, Ipswich. Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). If your poster is published, you’ll receive a prize. All entries must include your name, age, mailing address and the names of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged.
Reader
recipes
Succulent Salads Layered summertime salad 2 cups gemelli or spiral pasta 1 cup mayonnaise 2 T. lemon juice 1 tsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 cup sliced green onion 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
4 cups torn romaine lettuce 1 cup snow peas, trimmed and halved 1 cup cauliflower florets 1 cup broccoli florets 1 large sweet red pepper, chopped 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
Prepare pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar and garlic powder; set aside. Drain pasta and rinse in cold water. Toss with onions and half of bacon. In a large bowl, layer one-half of lettuce, pasta mixture, peas, cauliflower, broccoli, red pepper, mayonnaise mixture and cheese. Repeat layers; sprinkle with remaining bacon. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Deloris Bachman, Rapid City
BLt salad 1-1/2 cups tubetti macaroni, cook until tender, drain and cool 1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled 1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped tomato Dressing: 1-1/2 cups mayonnaise 3 tsp. vinegar Salt and pepper to taste
Combine first 5 ingredients. Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add to pasta mixture. Barbara Angerhofer, Hendricks, MN
pineapple-pretzel salad 2 cups crushed pretzels 1 stick butter, melted 1 cup sugar, divided 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened 1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained
Combine pretzels, butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Spread in a 9x13-inch pan. Bake at 400°F. for 7 minutes. Cool. Break into pieces and set aside. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining sugar. Add Cool Whip and pineapple. Mix well and refrigerate overnight. Just before serving, add pretzel pieces. Cindy Krakow, Strandburg
texas new potato salad with Grilled red onions 3 lbs. small red potatoes 1 red onion, cut into thick slices 1 T. coriander seed 1 pinch cumin seed 1 T. oregano 2 serrano chiles or 2 jalapeño chiles, minced 3 slices bacon, crisply cooked and coarsely chopped
1 bunch fresh cilantro, thick stems discarded, coarsely chopped Dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil 1 T. red wine vinegar 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Cook potatoes in boiling water 20 to 25 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool to room temperature. Quarter the potatoes; set aside. Grill onion slices over high heat until lightly caramelized. Toast coriander and cumin seeds in small dry skillet on medium heat 1 minute or until fragrant. Add oregano; lightly toast about 20 seconds, watching for burning. Immediately remove spices from skillet. Mix oil, vinegar, toasted spices, salt and pepper in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Add potatoes, onions, chiles, bacon and cilantro; toss lightly. Yield: 8 servings Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories 212, Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 3mg, Sodium 381mg, Carbohydrates 30g, Dietary Fiber 4g, Protein 5g Pictured, Cooperative Connections RECIPE AND Photo CoURtESY oF MCCoRMICK GoURMEt
snicker salad 1 (3 oz.) pkg. instant vanilla pudding 1 cup milk 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip
3 to 4 apples, peeled, cored and cut into small pieces 6 Snickers bars, cut into small pieces
In a large bowl, mix together pudding, milk and Cool Whip. Chill for 1-1/2 hours. Add apples and candy bars; stir and serve. Amy Schoenfelder, Cavour
sunrise salad 1 large can crushed pineapple 1 pkg. lemon jello 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 cup green grapes, sliced 1 cup miniature marshmallows 1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip
In a saucepan, bring pineapple to a boil. Add jello; mix well. Add cream cheese, stirring until melted. Put in a bowl and refrigerate until thick. Add sliced grapes and miniature marshmallows. Stir in Cool Whip. Refrigerate until set. Sally Hlavka, Howes
Please send your favorite garden produce, pasta and crockpot recipes to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). Each recipe printed will be entered into a drawing for a prize in December 2016. All entries must include your name, mailing address, telephone number and cooperative name.
Cooperative ConneCtions • August 2016 5
Annual
report
2015 Proposed Annual Meeting Minutes The annual meeting of the members of Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association was held in the Beseda Hall in Tabor, South Dakota on August 18, 2015. The meeting was called to order by President Rick Koupal at 6:58PM and he welcomed the members and guests to the meeting. An Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice President Paul Voigt. The singing of the National Anthem was performed by Allison Carda of Tabor. Quorum - President Koupal announced that 320 members had registered at the time of the call to order and that a quorum was present. Introductions & Welcome of Guests – General Manager, Merlin Goehring introduced the Directors, Attorney and visiting guests to the meeting. The President called for the reading of the Proof of Mailing of the Notice of the Annual Meeting by the Secretary at which time the reading was made by Secretary Namminga. Minutes of the Previous Annual Meeting – President Koupal indicated that a copy of the previous annual meeting minutes had been printed in the Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections. It was moved and seconded to approve the previous annual meeting minutes as presented.
Motion carried. Seating of Directors – Since only one petition in each of the open districts had been taken out, Attorney Sheila Woodward asked for a motion to approve the petitioner in District #3 for David Sykora, a motion was made and seconded, motion carried. A motion was made and seconded for the petitioner in District #5 John Lillevold, motion carried. Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Darrell Beran presented the Treasurer’s Report. A motion was made and seconded to accept the report. Motion carried. Presidents Report – Rick Koupal gave a brief review of things taking place at the cooperative over the past year. Manager Comments – Manager Goehring introduced East River Electric Power Cooperative’s General Manager, Tom Boyko to the podium. Mr. Boyko reviewed the current issue regarding the new EPA rule and the potential affect it could have on power costs and reliability. Following the presentation Manager Goehring made a few brief comments regarding other issues at the cooperative. Manager Goehring introduced the employee group and then proceeded with the service awards. Service Awards presentations were made by Manager Goehring and
President Koupal. Retirement awards went to Matt Stone, director for 3 years of service and Joe Kostal was recognized for 18 years of service as director. Darrell Beran was presented with a gift for 40 years as director and employee Bob Felber was also presented a gift for his 30 years of service. President Koupal asked if there was any Other Business to be brought before the members. With there being no further business, a motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, motion carried. Prize drawings were held after adjournment.
2015 Grand Prize Winner Willis and Patty Gramkow
Participate in your country's political process! You will be able to receive information on where and how to register to vote at the Annual Meeting August 16, 2016.
6 August 2016 • Cooperative ConneCtions
Annual
report
Balance Sheet and Financial Statement as of Dec. 31, 2014 & 2015 assets
2014
Cost of utility plant $28,858,319 Provision for depreciation 9,379,444 Net value of plant 19,478,875 Investments in assoc. co. 4,908,450 Margin Stabilization Fund 975,044 Non-utility plant investment 10,815 Cash and cash equivalents 335,384 Accounts receivable 849,867 Material and supplies 581,942 Prepayments 15,461 Deferred Debits 33,648 Total Assets
$27,189,486
equities and Liabilities Patronage capital Other equities Long-term debt Current maturities of long-term debt CFC Line of Credit Accounts payable Customer deposits Taxes accrued Other current liabilities Customer prepayments Deferred revenuemargin stabilization Total Liabilities
2014
2015 $30,192,839 9,971,935 20,220,904 5,165,312 747,237 3,845 846,214 812,326 411,931 14,539 31,567
operating revenue
2014
Farm/Residential Sales Seasonal Sales Irrigation Sales Commercial Sales Large Commercial Public Street Lighting Public Authorities Other Revenues Deferred Revenues Total Revenues
2015
$5,684,456 191,745 331,690 1,388,204 736,355 12,072 263,390 64,447 292,545
$5,445,750 186,464 441,288 1,378,972 732,272 12,072 264,797 62,158 227,813
$8,964,904
$8,751,586
$28,253,875
2015
$8,296,475 1,130,747 14,291,091
$8,403,033 1,156,694 16,281,288
616,000 750,000 738,017 100,943 144,074 132,858 14,237
690,672 0 592,353 101,412 138,050 131,100 12,036
975,044
747,237
$27,189,486
$28,253,875
Average Number of Accounts Billed 3,685 Consumers per mile of line 2.83
operating expenses
2014
Cost of Power Operations Maintenance Customer accounting Customer service Administrative/General Depreciation Taxes Interest on long-term debt Other Deductions Total Expenses
$5,489,647 491,455 400,842 173,041 100,719 799,432 785,950 136,653 379,847 7,401
$5,071,710 513,005 430,055 186,558 96,529 857,410 840,668 131,131 408,529 5,195
$8,764,987
$8,540,790
Margins
2014
Operating margins Non-operating margins G&T & Other Capital Credits Total Margins
2015
2015
$199,917 52,003 336,252
$210,796 43,518 330,974
$588,172
$585,288
Cooperative ConneCtions • August 2016 7
Stewart’s Aronia Acres:
Spreading Berry Goodness A
astringent taste. That actually helps keep the antioxidant in the berry high.” Since most of the market for aronia berries is in the juice market, the Stewarts freeze much of the crop in two refrigeration units on site. “Right now the biggest use for the aronia berry is juice. You get more juice after the berry is frozen, so they go straight to the freezer,” Jeff said. “The freezing breaks down the fibers more.” But, before hitting the freezer, the thousands and thousands of pounds of berries must first be cleaned and destemmed, then bagged and boxed. The berry is native to North America and was used by indigenous people to make pemmican and also to help keep meat from spoiling while traveling.
Photos by Stewarts Aronia Acres
By Brenda Kleinjan
small plot of land in south central south Dakota is packing an antioxidant wallop for Jeff and Jolene Stewart of Wagner, S.D. Shortly after purchasing land near Wagner about a decade ago, the Stewarts planted field wind breaks and included a row of aronia berries to see how the fruit would fare. It did well. Very well. For Jeff, a forester by trade and Jolene, a nurse, pursuing the production of the berry made sense and they moved forward with planting 10.5 acres of the specialty crop in 2010 and 2011. “Most people wouldn’t consider them a first choice if picking berries to eat fresh,” Jeff acknowledges. “The tannins in the skin leave a bit of an
8 August 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
Photos Courtesy Stewart’s Aronia Acres
Left: Stewart’s Aronia Acres near Wagner, S.D., includes 10.5 acres of aronia berry bushes. Below: Haskap bushes – also known as honeyberries – are a new addition to the Stewarts’ operation. They are experimenting with five varieties on a 1.5 acre plot and will add two more varieties next season as they work to determine which variety will fare best in the southern reaches of the berry’s growing zone. Opposite Page: Jeff and Jolene Stewart stand among their Stewart’s Aronia Acres operation. Cover photo: The aronia berry is high in antioxidants.
“Aronia has the highest antioxidants of any other cultivated berry in the world,” said Jeff. He added that antioxidants can lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and stabilize blood glucose along with providing other health benefits. While they have had good harvests up until now – they harvested 32,000 pounds of aronia in 2015 – the fruit is really hitting its stride as it enters its fifth growing season, which should have the bushes yielding their full potential. An extreme drought in 2012 took its toll on the berries and the plants are finally recovering. “Timely precipitation is important for growing berries,” said Jeff noting that the 11 inches of rain received in May and June set a good foundation for a good harvest. In addition to the aronia berries, the Stewarts also have an acre of black currants. Like the aronia berries, the black currants have health benefits that appeal to the Stewarts and others. “Black currants have four times the amount of Vitamin C than the same amount of an orange,” Jeff said. “They are very, very nutritious as far as vitamins.” This season, the Stewarts added an experimental stand of honeyberries – also known as haskap – to the mix. The bush thrives in more northerly climes as a Zone 2 plant, so growing it on the Nebraska border is pushing its southern boundaries. “We are at the southern edge of where we think we can grow them,” Jeff noted. The Stewarts are experimenting with five different varieties of honeyberries on 1.5 acres to see which will do best. They plan on adding an additional two varieties in the 2017 season to further their experiments, which was funded in part by a South Dakota Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop block grant. The three berries each have slightly different, yet complimentary, harvest seasons. “The honeyberry ripens before most others,
so they’ll be ready to harvest before the black currants in mid-July. The aronia berry is the last to ripen with their harvest in mid-August. “It takes a full two weeks to harvest the berries,” Jeff said. The Stewarts have a berry harvesting machine – originally designed for currants, but has been modified to accommodate the aronia berries as well. But before the harvest begins, the Stewarts embark on a cleaning and disinfecting process for their certified organic operation. “It’s quite the process,” Jeff notes as he lists the equipment which includes totes used in the harvester, the refrigeration units, bagging areas and other aspects. “Everything has to be disinfected,” he said. And as the prep work for harvest takes place, the Stewarts will welcome others to learn from their operation as part of the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association’s Berry and Vegetable Tour. “It’s a slow process to inform people about the berry,” Stewart said. The tour should help spread the word. On July 30, the Stewarts, along with a nearby vegetable and melon grower, Pesicka’s Farm, will open their doors – or rather gates – for those interested in learning more about South Dakota’s growing speciality produce providers.
If You’re Going... The South Dakota Specialty Producers Association is hosting a Berry and Vegetable Tour on July 30 in the Wagner, S.D., area. Participants will tour Stewart’s Aronia Acres near Wagner and Pesicka’s Farm, a vegetable and melon grower, near Lake Andes. 1 p.m. Tour: Stewart’s Aronia Acres (29870 393rd Ave., Wagner) 2 p.m. Lecture: Better Living Through Fruit – Dr. Rhoda Burrows (SDSU Extension) 2:30 p.m. Depart for Pesicka’s Farm 3 p.m. Tour: Pesicka’s Farm (29139 389th Ave., Lake Andes) 4 p.m. Lecture: Dakota Fresh Food Hub – Kari O’Neill (SDSU Extension), Cornie Hofer and Tracy Pesicka Pre-registration required by July 27. Contact Cory Tomovick at ctomovick@hotmail.com Chefs can earn 2.0 continuing education hours at each location through the American Culinary Federation.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • August 2016 9
Co-op
news
Members File Director Petitions Director districts two and seven have terms expiring this year. Incumbent director David Sternhagen has filed a petition for re-election for district seven. David has served on the board for 27 years. He also serves as the cooperative's representative on the SDREA board. He farms near Utica in partnership with his son, Nick. His family also includes his wife, Cindy, son, Jason, and daughter, Susan. David is active at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and can often be seen sporting his classic Corvette during Classic Car Club summer dinner cruises. When asked why he is running for the board, David said, "I am very concerned about the rising cost of electricity. We have an aging system, with a lot of original poles and conductor. They are going to have to be gradually replaced to keep our system reliable. There are also Federal and environmental issues that are increasing the cost of electricity." Since no other person has returned a nominating petition for this districts, the petitioner will run unopposed at the 2016 Annual Meeting. Two members have returned nominating petitions for district two. Incumbent director Ernest Namminga of rural Springfield, has been on the board for nine years. He has been a dairy farmer for over
Ernest Namminga David Sternhagen Robert Ruppelt 40 years and is proud to be an organic He is the board chairman and farmer for eight years. Awana Commander at the Springfield He and his wife, Xinnia, have four Community Bible Church and is on the daughters and one son. board for the Bon Homme Bible Camp. Ernest has served as an elder on the He is also a previous member of the Bon Emmanuel Reformed Church board the Homme School board. board of Living Stone Prison Church "I have been a B-Y member for 36 and on the Avon School Board. years and I have seen the work done by "I would like to continue to provide the B-Y board. I would like to see the low cost and dependable electricity B-Y Electric Association continue with for each member of Bon Homme their good and economical service. I feel Yankton Electric. I would like to provide I have the time to commit to serving the reliable equipment and the best safety needs of the people in the B-Y Electric equipment for Bon Homme Yankton district." employees." Since there are two candidates Robert Ruppelt from the Tyndall area vying for district two, a ballot will be has also filed a petition for district two. handed out to registered members at Robert and his wife, Deb, have four the annual meeting. Memberships that children: Laura, Lisa, Brian and Eric. are businesses will need to bring the He worked at Mike Durfee State authorization for a person to vote on Prison for 29 years as a correctional behalf of the business in order to receive officer. He also drove bus for B-J School a ballot. This form will be included with Busses part-time for 25 years. the August 1st electric bill.
Classifieds September Issue Deadline: August 1, 2016. Email your classified ad to: by@byelectric. com. Members can post one free ad per year. Repeats or longer ads are $1/column inch. FOR RENT: 1 bedroom apartment. Tabor Manor. Contact John at 605-463-2478 or Gary at 605-463-2209.r Thinking about building a home? Don’t pick a floor plan or a builder until you’ve talked with the area’s ONLY Certified Aging-in-Place specialist, Certified Green Professional Builder and ENERGY STAR
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1 0 August 2016 • Cooperative ConneCtions
Thank You Note Bob [Felber, Member Service Advisor], Thank you for everything you do! Without your help, our Farm Safety Day Camp would not be a success. We at the 4-H Office are truly thankful for all of our kind volunteers and community members. Sincerely, Stephanie Siebrandt Yankton County 4-H
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Cooperative ConneCtions • August 2016 1 1
Aberdeen Water Ski Troupe is
Making a Splash F
20 years, the aberdeen aqua addicts water skiing team has been wowing summer audiences near the Hub City. One of two water skiing clubs in South Dakota (Catfish Bay Water Ski Team near Sioux Falls was formed in 1990), the Aqua Addicts formed in 1995 and began their public shows the following summer. The team has competed at regional and national water skiing competitions and performs shows throughout the summer at their home lake – Dahme Lake south of Aberdeen, S.D., – and in various communities. (The team signed an 85-year lease on the private lake about six years ago.) But, before the Addicts take a bow on their 2016 season with their anniversary show celebrating the team’s 20th year of performance on Aug. 20, team members will spend the day in the water making sure people who may not otherwise have the chance to water ski can experience the thrill of skimming or the past
By Brenda Kleinjan
12 August 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
along the water behind the boats’ powerful engines. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Aqua Addicts will host their second “Escape to the Lake” Adaptive Ski Event. In 2015, 30-plus skiers attended the event that was hampered a bit by weather. There, individuals of various physical abilities were able to shed their wheelchairs or other devices and ski using various adaptive equipment provided by the team. Already this summer, 44 individuals have skied with the Aqua Addicts through the YMCA DreamMakers program. “We’re hoping for more than 60 skiers this year,” said Todd Thorson, who serves on the Aqua Addicts board of directors and is the primary contact for the adaptive ski event. Half of the proceeds from the evening’s 20th anniversary show are being donated to the ASPIRE program in Aberdeen. ASPIRE, Inc., is a nonprofit agency that provides services to people with devel-
Photos Courtesy Aberdeen Aqua Addicts
Water Ski Show Basics
Above: The Aberdeen Aqua Addicts Water Ski Team will host an “Escape to the Lake” Adaptive Ski Event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 20 at Dahme Lake south of Aberdeen, S.D., on U.S. Highway 281. Organizers hope to have 60 people register for the event. Inset: Female skiers perform during a July 2016 show. Opposite page: Skiing in a pyramid formation is one of the more iconic portions of the Aqua Addicts’ show.
opmental disabilities. For 18 years prior to establishing the Aberdeen adaptive ski event, the team had been taking Hub City residents to North Dakota to participate in a similar event. Two years ago, they decided to bring the experience to northeast South Dakota. For Thorson, the show and the adaptive event are about promoting the sport he has been involved with nearly his entire life. The son of three-event skiers who competed in tournaments, Thorson started skiing at age 2. He’s spent the past 43 summers in the water and notes that his dad still performs in the show at age 72 doing a turn around on a trick ski. There are more than 100 USA water skiers affiliated with the Aqua Addicts and each week 60 people are needed to put on the show which consists not only of the skiers, boat drivers and spotters, but also dock help, music and comedy performers. The Aqua Addicts use six boats and will utilize more than 10,000 feet (nearly 1.9 miles) of rope in the course of the show. The final act alone uses 2,400 feet of rope (nearly a half mile) as 24 skiers enter the water at one time for the finale. The 2016 theme for the show is “Camp Aqua Addicts” and includes not only the expected skiing, but also a skit and music. Thorson notes that while skiers navigating the lake in the shape of a pyramid is one of the biggest icons of the show, the ballet swivel portions are crowd pleasers. “We have the reigning national free-style jump skier on the team, won the last two years in a row, plus the winner from the year before that,” Thorson added, noting the talent of team members, some who have skied professionally. The Aqua Addicts perform most Thursday nights June through August at Dahme Lake. For their complete schedule, visit http://aquaaddicts. org/2016-show-schedule
Show skiing has been called the most entertaining discipline in the sport of water skiing. It is fast-moving, exciting, graceful and most of all, fun to watch. Water ski shows feature several water ski acts choreographed to music and built around a theme that tells a story. Shows involve amateur performers with usually 30 or more members. Some shows even have more than 200 members! Age is not a factor since ski club performers can range from children to grandparents. The show incorporates numerous types of water skiing, however they generally focus on five major areas which include: 1. Team Jumping – For spectators, this is the most thrilling event. Usually three to five skiers will perform spins and flips over the 5-1/2-foot ski jump. Distances can exceed 100 feet and frequently spectacular falls occur during this act. Fortunately, the skiers wear protective clothing and know how to handle the falls safely. 2. Ballet and Swivel – Generally performed by young women, this act features a line of skiers choreographed to music. Some skiers may be using swivel bindings which allows them to make 180-degree turns or 360-degree spins. 3. Barefooting – Just as the name implies, this act involves skiers skimming across the surface of the water on nothing but the bare soles of their feet. Boat speeds are usually in excess of 35 mph. Watch for multi-skier barefoot lines and barefoot pyramids. 4. Doubles – Features a man and woman team performing various lifts (similar to ice skating) while being pulled by the boat. The male skier either holds onto a handle or is pulled along by a harness, thus freeing his arms to perform the overhead lifts. 5. Pyramid – Is the ultimate in team work. Using hundreds of feet of rope, skiers actually build a human pyramid on water. Look for pyramids up to five levels high where the top skier often is 25 feet above the water – a spectacular display of teamwork. Source: Aberdeen Aqua Addicts Water Ski Team http://aquaaddicts.org/about-show-skiing/
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • August 2016 13
Making Your Energy Dollar
STRETCH W
hat does the home of the future look like
By Brian Sloboda
to you? Perhaps the home of George and Jane Jetson comes to mind, where dinner and laundry are taken care of with the mere press of a button. Today, the average home may not quite be “Jetsons-esque,” but household appliances are becoming smarter and more energy efficient than ever before. A growing number of appliances now connect to the internet and offer new capabilities. In many cases, purchasing a new television, refrigerator or other large appliance will result in lower energy use, assuming you properly dispose of the
14 August 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS
old appliance. Many of these smart appliances offer features aimed at comfort, convenience and sometimes, energy savings. Manufacturers are adding communication modules inside many appliances, which often use Wi-Fi to communicate simple messages to a home’s wireless network. The messages vary from device to device, but typically include energy usage information, power control and thermostat settings. Efficiencysavvy consumers can potentially save energy and money using one of these systems. The bulk of the savings will come from the ability
to remotely control your air conditioning system’s thermostat. Studies have shown that consumers generally do not program their programmable thermostat, but smart phone apps associated with internet-enabled thermostats are often easier to use. These thermostats can also learn your daily routine by sensing when you are away from home and adjusting your thermostat to save energy and money. There are many devices you can install in your home’s electric panel that can educate you on the energy consumption of various appliances. These in-home monitoring devices provide more information to consumers about their household energy costs and have been shown to help people reduce their energy consumption. One study of 36 energy feedback programs concluded that when presented with information on energy consumption, consumers reduce their home energy use by an average of 4 percent to 12 percent. Consumers should note that in-home monitoring devices should be installed by a licensed and qualified electrician. Technology by itself will not save a significant amount of energy, but other activities, such as weather sealing and turning off lights when not in use, will save significant amounts of energy and money. Technology has an important role to play, but the key will be finding the right mix of technologies that fit your lifestyle and budget.
Improving energy performance of new homes Purchasing a newly constructed home is an exciting process and a major milestone. Whether you are building a custom home or buying a spec home, you will be making dozens of important decisions before moving in – from purchasing the perfect kitchen countertops to selecting a home financing package. The decisions you make about the energy efficiency of your new home will have lasting consequences. These energy-related decisions, such as how you heat, cool, light and insulate your home, are often overlooked. The first step to maximizing energy efficiency is to select a properly sized home that meets your family’s needs. America is known for its sizeable homes, but after hitting a peak of 2,268 square feet in 2006, the median size of new single-family homes started to trend down. According to a recent report by the U.S. Energy
Information Administration, “as square footage increases, the burden on heating and cooling equipment rises, lighting requirements increase and the likelihood that the household uses more than one refrigerator increases. Square footage typically stays fixed over the life of a home, and it is a characteristic that is expensive, even impractical to alter to reduce energy consumption.” According to the Department of Energy, appliances account for about 13 percent of the average household’s energy use. Clothes dryers, refrigerators/freezers, computers, microwaves, dishwashers and washing machines tend to use the most energy in a typical American home. Every appliance you purchase has an operating cost (i.e., the cost of the energy needed to power that appliance). To facilitate more informed shopping, the federal government requires many appliances to include an EnergyGuide label stating the approximate energy consumption and operating cost of the appliance. Appliances with an ENERGY STAR label use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard appliances. Another efficient option is a residential geothermal system. While they do not generate electricity, geothermal systems save energy by using heat from the earth to replace conventional heating and cooling systems. Throughout the year, the earth remains a constant, moderate temperature (i.e., 50 degrees Fahrenheit) just below the ground. Geothermal heating and cooling systems, also known as ground source systems, make use of this constant underground temperature by circulating water in a loop to exchange heat between your home, the ground source heat pump and the earth – providing highly efficient heating, cooling and hot water. Installing an easy-to-use programmable thermostat is also a great way to efficiently operate your home. ENERGY STAR estimates a typical household can annually save $180 by properly using a programmable thermostat. Regardless of the number of energy efficiency features in your home, occupant behavior is still a major factor in how much energy your household consumes. From unplugging appliances you rarely use, like a mostly empty second refrigerator, to making sure you run full loads in the washing machine, dryer and dishwasher, to turning out the lights – it all adds up in energy savings.
Brian Sloboda is a program manger specializing in energy efficiency for the Business Technology Strategies (BTS), a service of the Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • August 2016 15
regional Dateline
July 22-23 2016 Rock-N-Rumble Motorcycle Rally, Yankton, SD 605-665-3636 July 22-23 Storybook Land Festival Aberdeen, SD, 605-626-7015 July 22-24 Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant De Smet, SD, 800-776-3594 or 800-880-3383 July 24-September 4 Sunday Services at Oahe Chapel, 8 a.m. CDT, Pierre, SD 605-773-3458 July 29 Thunder on the Prairie featuring American Country Huron, SD, 605-352-0000 July 29-31 25th Annual Honey Days Bruce, SD, 605-627-5671 July 30 RSVP Outdoor Vendor and Craft Show, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In conjunction with Crazy Days Mitchell, SD, 605-995-8440 July 30 Black Hills Music & Food Festival, Rapid City, SD 605-645-1880 July 30 Local Folk Off & Rib Challenge Renner, SD, 605-543-5071
Events of Special Note August 12-14 26th Annual Old Fashioned Threshing Show, Bahnson Farm, Humboldt, SD 605-526-3495 or 605-251-9974
Photo CoURtESY oF SoUthEAStERN ELECtRIC CooPERAtIVE
July 22-23 South Dakota Senior Games Brookings, SD, Traci Saugstad at 605-692-4492
August 20 Riverboat Days Extreme Bull Riding, 7:30 p.m., Rodeo Arena, West 31st St (Hwy 50) Yankton, SD, 605-760-2153
To have your event listed on this page, send complete information, including date, event, place and contact to your local electric cooperative. Include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Information must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to your event. Please call ahead to confirm date, time and location of event.
August 4-7 Oglala Lakota Nation Wacipi Rodeo Fair, Pow Wow Grounds Pine Ridge, SD, 605-867-8416 or 605-867-8427 August 5-6 South Dakota Senior Games Yankton, SD, Kristi Hauer at 605-665-4685 or Tracy Grotenhuis at 605-668-5238 August 5-7 37th Annual Sioux River Folk Festival, Canton, SD 605-261-7414
August 15-21 Brown County Fair Aberdeen, SD, 605-626-7116
August 25-28 Hugh Glass Rendezvous Lemmon, SD, 605-393-5832
August 18-20 South Dakota Senior Games Watertown, Jeremy Herrbold at 605-882-6260
August 25-28 Prairie Village 54th Annual Steam Threshing Jamboree Madison, SD, 605-256-3644
August 19-21 Riverboat Days and Summer Arts Festival, Yankton, SD
August 25-28 State South Dakota Senior Games, Aberdeen, SD Howard Bich at 605-275-6891 habich@sio.midco.net southdakotaseniorgames.org
August 19-21 Riverboat Days, Yankton, SD 605-665-1657
August 5-14 Sioux Empire Fair Sioux Falls, SD, 605-367-7178
August 20 Wing & Brew Festival Brookings, SD, 605-692-7539
August 12-October 23 Heartland Country Corn Maze Harrisburg, SD, 605-743-5984
August 20-21 28th Annual Threshing Bee Rosholt, SD, 605-537-4426 www.rosholtthreshingbee.com
August 13 South Dakota Senior Games Huron, SD, LaRon Klock at 605-353-8533
August 24-28 Corn Palace Festival Mitchell, SD, 605-995-8430
August 26-27 Southern Hills Music and Arts Festival, Custer, SD 605-440-0640 September 10-11 Harvest Festival, Downtown and 1/4-mile west Delmont, SD, 605-933-0393 www.twinriversoldiron.org