BON HOMME YANKTON ELECTRIC AUGUST 2022 VOL. 23 NO. 4
ERATIVE CONNECTIONS
The success of the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally requires many megawatts of power provided by member-owned electric cooperatives, including lighting the main stage at the Buffalo Chip Photo by Travel South Dakota
The Rally Keeping the Sturgis Rally juiced up Pages 8-9 High-flying fun at Catfish Bay Pages 12-13
ANNUAL MEETING
You’re Invited! Make Plans to Attend the 2022 Drive-Thru Annual Meeting WHO: Bon Homme Yankton Electric Members WHAT: 2022 Bon Homme Yankton Electric Annual Meeting WHEN: Tuesday, August 16, 5:30-7:30 PM WHERE: Lidice Street (main street) Tabor
OFFICIAL NOTICE
Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc. Official Notice of Annual Meeting of Members Notice is hereby given that the 2022 Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc. Annual Meeting of Members will be held on Tuesday, the 16th of August, 2022 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at 134 S. Lidice Street in Tabor, SD to conduct official business of the cooperative that includes the secretary business, financial report, and director elections in District 2 and District 7. Petitioners filing for election are:
District 2 - Robert Ruppelt
District 7 - Dave Sternhagen
Respectfully submitted, Dave Sternhagen, Secretary
Watch your mail in August for your Annual Meeting postcard! Don’t forget to bring it to the meeting for fast and easy registration! Find more information on our upcoming annual meeting on page 11 of this publication and in the Annual Report insert! For questions, call our office at (605) 463-2507 or email jarens@byelectric.com.
2 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | AUGUST 2022
BOARD REPORT
ERATIVE
CONNECTIONS
BON HOMME YANKTON ELECTRIC (USPS No. 018-973) Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc PO 158 134 S. Lidice St. Tabor, SD 57063 Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm To pay by phone, call: 1-888-395-5315 To report an outage, call: Local call from Tabor, Tyndall, and Yankton: 605-463-2507 NOTICE: Electric bills must be paid by 10:00am on the 20th of each month to avoid a $10 late fee. Board President: Paul Voigt Board of Directors Dave Sykora - Vice President Dave Sternhagen - Secretary Robert Ruppelt - Treasurer Dean Sternhagen John Lillevold Rick Cheloha General Manager: Stephanie Horst Operations Manager: Ken Carda Office Manager: Nicole Einrem Marketing/Communications Coordinator & Editor: Jaclyn Arens
JUNE BOARD REPORT The June board meeting was held on June 15, at 8am. All board members were present. Others present were Attorney Sheila Woodward, General Manager Stephanie Horst, Office Manager Nicole Einrem, Operations Manager Ken Carda, Communications/Marketing Coordinator Jaclyn Arens, and guest employee Aaron Melichar. THE BOARD REVIEWED CONSENT AGENDA:
• • • •
• Minutes of the Previous Meeting • New Members & Cancellations • Capital Credits to Estates Discounted $6,984.32 • Closed Work Order Inventory $85,296.83 • Review Special Equipment purchases None
OTHER GOVERNANCE:
• Policy 70-24 Operation Round-Up Policy Approval • Policy 90-06 Authorized Signatures for Checks Revised • East River Annual Meeting Voting Delegate & Alternate • Executive Session - Enter & Exit • Next Meeting date set for Wed, July 20, at 8am
REPORTS: • • • • •
General Manager Report 2021 Annual Meeting Minutes Director Reports Legal Report
Communication/Marketing Report Operations & Safety Report ERP Certificate Office & Financial Reports East River Cyber Security/IT Report Year-to-Date Comparison
June-21 June-22 Total Revenue ...................................$817,569................................................... $831,372 Cost of Power....................................$450,336 .................................................. $493,032 Total Cost of Service ........................$742,987................................................... $823,129 KWH’s Purchased ............................6,505,323.................................................. 6,338,948 Residential Average kWh .......................1,076.......................................................... 1,094 Residential Average Bill .......................... $149 .......................................................... $150
Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections is the monthly publication for the members of Bon Homme Yankton Electric Association, Inc, PO Box 158, 134 S. Lidice St., Tabor, SD 57063-0158. Families subscribe to Cooperative Connections as part of their electric cooperative membership. The purpose of Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections is to provide reliable, helpful information to electric cooperative members on electric cooperative matters and better rural living. Subscription information: Cooperative members devote 50 cents from their monthly electric payments for a subscription. Non-member subscriptions are available for $12 annually. Periodicals postage paid at Tabor, SD 57063. Postmaster: Please send address changes to Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections, PO Box 158, Tabor, SD 57063; telephone (605) 463-2507; fax (605) 463-2419
June 2022 Solar Stats
kWh 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
1
2
3
4
Day of the month
5
6
Welcome New Members Tabor Kim Mullaney
Tyndall Jaylin Holton
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Consumer Directly
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Energy to Grid
Yankton
Rodrigo Lopez
Brian Munkvold
Alan & Carmel VanHouten
Cargill, Incorporated Sunset Acres, LLC Doug & Debra Lillie Veronica Lango
AUGUST 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 3
BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY
Electrical safety basics for children The back-to-school season is a time when parents and school children fall back into the familiar routine of getting up early, getting dressed, grabbing breakfast, preparing lunch and shuffling out the door each day. It’s a time when students return to a learning mindset, ready to take on new ideas, knowledge and information. Parents should seize the opportunity to teach school-age children a valuable and potentially lifesaving lesson: Respect electricity. Here are several electrical safety basics every child should know: • Mixing water and electricity can be deadly. Teach children not to use electric toys or other devices near water or in the rain. • Plugging multiple devices into a single outlet or power strip can create sparks and even cause a fire if that outlet can’t handle the load. Teach kids to plug into surge-protected power strips or to use one device at a time and unplug the rest. When they unplug those devices, they should grab them by the plug, not the cord. Yanking a cord out of an electrical outlet can damage the appliance, the outlet or the plug. • Electrical cords can be strangling hazards and might cause electrical burns if they are misused. Make sure youngsters keep cords away from their mouths and necks. It’s best to hide cords so they aren’t a temptation. • Electrical outlets are receptacles for electrical plugs only. Children should know from an early age that it’s a no-no to put foreign objects or fingers into power plugs. Sticking any other items into an electrical socket can lead to electric shock or death. Use childproofing outlet covers. • Flying kites and climbing trees are never safe activities near power lines. If a tree has a power line running through it - or if it’s even within reach of the line - it’s not a safe place to play. If a kite gets caught in a power line, the child should not tug on it to get it loose. The string could conduct electricity and seriously hurt the child. • Electrical substations are fenced off to keep children and animals out of the area. If a toy or small pet gets inside the fence, the child should inform a parent or teacher, who can call a trained worker to come and retrieve it.
4 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | AUGUST 2022
COOPERATIVES HELP OUR MEMBERS SOLVE PROBLEMS
Electric co-op member services personnel focus their attention on making sure co-op members get the power they need when they need it. They help homeowners and businesses solve problems and find solutions to operate more efficiently. A group of co-op representatives recently took a guided tour of the Riverview Dairy near Watertown to learn how the dairy functions and how the local co-op can provide better service to the facility. You can find out more about the many ways our electric cooperatives serve our members by visiting Cooperative Connections Plus. Simply scan the QR code at right.
Swim safely Alayna Smith Alayna, age 10, alerts both the young and old alike to refrain from swimming when any thunderstorms are around. Alayna is the daughter of Myles and Amber Smith and they are members of H-D Electric Cooperative based in Clear Lake. 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.
RECIPES
GARDEN VEGGIES ‘N ROTINI Ingredients: 3/4 c. oil 3/4 c. white vinegar 3/4 c. white sugar 1 tsp. garlic salt 2 tbsp. onion flakes 1 tbsp. mustard Bring the above ingredients to a boil and remove from heat. Cook 4 cups colored rotini noodles. Rinse and chill. Cut up the following in chunky pieces: 1 tomato 1 cucumber assorted peppers ½ red onion
TASTY SUMMER SALADS
METHOD Stir veggies together with the rotini and dressing. Chill before serving. Ginny Jensen, Volga
TUNA AND EGG SALAD
SHELL MACARONI SALAD
Ingredients: 1 7-oz. box of shell macaroni, cooked, rinsed and cooled 2-3 fresh tomatoes, chopped 1/3 green pepper, chopped 3 celery ribs, sliced thinly 1/4 c. chopped onion 1 cucumber, seeded & chopped Toss ingredients together; set aside. Dressing 1/2 c. canola oil 3/4 c. sugar 1/2 c. vinegar 3/4 c. catsup Dash of lemon juice
METHOD Mix dressing ingredients well with wire whip and add to veggies and macaroni. Joan Antonen, Arlington
Ingredients: 3 6-oz. cans tuna packed in water 3 eggs hard boiled, peeled and chopped 2 small dill pickles diced 1 large celery rib diced 1/4 cup red onion minced 1 tbsp. lemon juice or red wine vinegar 2 tsp. garlic powder, optional 1/4 tsp. salt, to taste Ground black pepper to taste 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2%+ fat 2 tbsp. mayo
METHOD Drain cans with tuna well by pressing hard on the lid while draining. Transfer to a large bowl and separate into flakes with a fork. Add chopped and peeled hard boiled eggs, pickles, celery, red onion, lemon juice, garlic powder (if using), salt, pepper, yogurt and mayo. Stir well with a fork and refrigerate. Serve cold in a sandwich or over salad greens. ifoodreal.com
NANCY’S MACARONI SALAD Ingredients: Dice: 1 onion 1 green pepper 1-2 carrots 1 cup celery 2 cups Velveeta Cheese Add: 1 can peas 1 – 16 oz. pkg. macaroni cooked and drained Dressing: 1 cup sugar 1 pint mayo 1 cup white vinegar 1 – 14 oz. can evaporated milk
METHOD Mix together gently and refrigerate, best overnight. Add any type of meat, boiled eggs etc., as desired. Nancy Nelson, Mission Hill
Please send your favorite 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 2022. All entries must include your name, mailing address, phone number and cooperative name.
AUGUST 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 5
CO-OP NEWS
Czech Days 2022 Above: L to R Wes Kloucek, Ken Carda, Tristyn Gullikson, Brodie Melichar, Ravenna Kloucek, Jozie Einrem, and Nicole Einrem.
We won the grand prize at the Czech Days parade this year! What an honor! We had a great time participating in the Czech Days parade this year, and we even took home the grand prize! Our special events committee consisted of Jaclyn Arens, Nicole Einrem, and Wes Kloucek. The float theme was “Czech Days 2022 - Just Roll With It,” and it featured giant kolaches and a giant Czech goose feather pastry brush. The large parade through Tabor was held on June 17th, and it included over 80 entries. Thank you to the employees’ kids and grandkids that gave up catching candy to ride and walk with our float! We also want to thank the 2022 Tabor Czech Days Queen candidates Layne Schmidt and Drew Hejna and the 2021 Czech Days Queen Camille Sykora who painted our office windows with Czech designs to help us prepare for Czech Days weekend! L to R: Layne Schmidt, Camille Sykora, and Drew Hejna.
6 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | AUGUST 2022
CO-OP NEWS
OPERATION ROUND-UP All B-Y Electric members will be automatically enrolled on November 1st, 2022 unless they choose to opt-out. INTRODUCTION
There are seven cooperative principles that are the backbone of B-Y Electric’s daily operations. One of these core principles is Concern for Community, which is why B-Y Electric’s Board of Directors voted to adopt the Operation Round Up® charitable-giving program in April 2022. Operation Round Up® (ORU) is a national program that’s been serving rural communities for over three decades. Since its inception in 1989, ORU has been adopted by over 350 electric cooperatives across the country, and has generated $50 million in charitable donations. SMALL CHANGE. BIG DIFFERENCE.
By simply rounding monthly bills to the nearest dollar, members can make a significant group impact. Every penny that is donated, will be pooled together to help local organizations and communities address unmet needs for youth, education, public safety, health, community, and emergency services. To impact the greatest number of people, communities and organizations, and in an effort to
give the Operation Round Up® program the best possible headstart, B-Y Electric will auto-enroll members into the program on November 1, 2022. Any member wishing to not participate, can opt-out at anytime before the program starts or after. Just call our office at (605) 463-2507.
the program before it begins. If members miss this window, they are able to opt out at any time, by visiting our office, calling (605) 463-2507, or emailing ebiz@ byelectric.com. Upon request, the Cooperative will offer a full refund to any member whose bill was rounded-up without their prior knowledge or understanding of the program. DISTRIBUTING FUNDS
Each month your electric bill is “rounded up” to the nearest whole dollar amount with the extra change going into a separate Operation Round Up® fund. For example, if your bill is $149.56, you will actually be billed an even $150.00 and the extra $0.44 goes towards helping various goodwill causes in our communities. On average, participating members can expect to donate $6 per year, and at most $11.88. Members are always welcome to donate additional funds to the program by calling the office.
A committee of cooperative members will oversee the program. These members will meet quarterly to review applications and determine how funds can best be used for the benefit of individuals and community projects. The B-Y Electric Board of Directors will appoint one committee member from each of the seven board districts. Non-profit organizations, groups, and individuals within B-Y Electric’s service area are eligible for Operation Round-Up grants. Applicants are not required to be members of B-Y Electric, and projects outside B-Y Electric’s boundaries will be considered if they benefit B-Y Electric members and our local communities.
Operation Round Up® is voluntary and B-Y Electric fully supports a member’s decision not to participate. In July 2022, we began a four-month campaign to advertise
Call our office at (605) 4632507 with any questions or if you would like to opt-out. Find more information on our website byelectric.coop/operation-round-up.
HOW IT WORKS
OPT OUT
AUGUST 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 7
POWERING THE RALLY
CO-OPS KEEP THE RALLY ROLLING
8 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | AUGUST 2022
Electric co-ops are committed to keeping The Rally energized Billy Gibson billy.gibson@sdrea.coop The frenetic atmosphere that has come to be associated with the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally can be loud, chaotic and well let’s just say - very colorful. But behind those vivid scenes are electric cooperative employees working hard to make sure the Rally has the juice required to keep the lights glaring, the amps blaring, the air conditioners humming and the blenders blending. The three local co-ops that serve the Black Hills and surrounding area are Butte Electric, West River Electric and Black Hills Electric. In conjunction with wholesale supplier Rushmore Electric in Rapid City and power generator Basin Electric based in Bismarck, N.D., the co-ops deliver much of the electricity used by campgrounds, restaurants, shops, concert stages, biker bars and other entertainment venues. The power providers are diligent about keeping pace with the increasing growth of The Rally, which is rebounding from a temporary drop in attendance brought on by the coronavirus pandemic over the past two years. Corey Trapp, chief engineering officer at Rushmore Electric, said power demand can increase significantly during The Rally. For instance, he indicated the area north of Sturgis served by Butte Electric that includes Full Throttle and other sites can jump from 1-2 MW to 8-9 MW during the event. At the Buffalo Chip, West River Electric has nearly 40 meters located across the 600-acre spread serving scores of bars, campgrounds and cabins, as well as the main stage. Power use skyrockets from about 30 KW to more than 4.2 MW. This year marks the 82nd installment of The Rally. Ten years ago, organizers were concerned about the potential future of the event if younger riders didn’t start joining in on the fun. According to data gathered by local government agencies, Mount Rushmore National Park and other sources, attendance is back on the upswing. An estimated 555,000 riders participated in the Rally last August, up nearly 14 percent from 2020 and an increase of 9.5 percent over the five-year average from 2016 to 2020. Statistics show that nearly 30 percent of attendees were first-timers in 2021, which is welcomed news for promoters who work year-around to keep The Rally rolling, including
POWERING THE RALLY
RALLY FACTS
🏍 555,000 – No. of 2021 🏍 participants age in 2019 🏍 5446.5– avg. avg. age in 2021 🏍 52% –- campground 🏍 attendees - hotel attendees 🏍 18% $81,005 - avg. income 🏍 household $382 - spent per day 🏍 85% - motorcycle 🏍 owners - Harley owners 🏍 81% $1,090,398 - raised for charity
the city of Sturgis, the South Dakota Department of Tourism, the Black Hills and Badlands Tourism Association and scores of business owners who depend on the seasonal revenue to sustain their operations. The increased buzz of activity keeps the V-twin economic engines purring throughout the Black Hills area, but delivering the power has its own set of challenges that may not be apparent to partiers. Electric cooperative officials report that global shortages in materials and supplies make it difficult to meet the increase in power demand, but they’re committed to doing everything possible to meet that demand. “We’re seeing delays in equipment necessary for infrastructure upgrades, but we know how important electricity is for The Rally to run successfully,” said Brett Fosheim, director of operations at Butte Electric based in Newell. “A lot of visitors and business owners are
An estimated 555,000 visitors enjoyed the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally last year. As attendance climbs, electric cooperatives are committed to delivering the power needed to keep the party going. Photos by South Dakota Travel
depending on us, so we’re prepared every year to step up to the plate with power that’s affordable, reliable and there when everybody needs it.” Fosheim said just as organizers work all year long to plan and promote the 10-day event, electric cooperatives also anticipate the rise in electricity demand and coordinate with their common power generator, Basin Electric, to fill the need and handle peak loads. Butte Electric serves Full Throttle, Days Inn Campground and the Sons of Silence Campground, among other venues. Because electric cooperatives are created by their members to serve their members, they’ve been delivering electricity since the early days of The Rally. The annual event traces its roots back to 1938 when a group of Indian Motorcycle enthusiasts led by local franchise owner Clarence “Pappy” Hoel got together to race one another, pull off some riding stunts and party together around a common interest in the brand. What started as a quaint occasion called the Black Hills Classic with just
nine racers and a sparse crowd has become an international attraction. Except for the World War II years between 1939 and 1941, The Rally has been a much-anticipated mainstay attracting visitors from across the planet. During the war, organizers suspended the event due to gas restrictions in support of the war effort.
While the current supply shortages mentioned by Fosheim have kept power providers on their toes and doubly prepared for The Rally, he said cooperatives are committed to delivering quality service not only during the event but long after the riders have peeled out of town.
AUGUST 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 9
CO-OP NEWS
Local Discounts with your Co-op Connections Cards
Tabor Town & Country Pool Project On June 10th, the B-Y Electric Operations Department volunteered for the Tabor Town & Country pool to help remove the old pool liner and prepare the pool to be renovated. The Tabor Pool Board of Directors is spearheading the renovation project, and they started the process of replacing the pool liner in 2019. The current board of directors are Katie Stutzman, Susan Shrader, and Amanda Richey. The board is excited to open the pool back up for the community. The pool was closed in 2020 because of Covid-19 and in 2021 because of delays in getting a new liner. The old pool liner was installed in 2015 and was intended to last seven years, but it fell short. The board is hoping the new liner will last at least 20 years. The new liner is a 60 mil PVC membrane system, that board member Katie Stutzman says is “the Cadillac of pool liners.” The Tabor Town & Country Pool Board is very thankful for all the community donations and support, but they are still raising money to build a new pump house and storage locker as well as a new lifeguard chair and pool seating. Contractors showed up on July 8th to begin renovating the pool, so the pool will be open by the end of the this summer. This summer is floating by, so make sure to visit the new pool and make a splash!
Your cooperative membership earns you discounts at local participating businesses. Simply show your Co-op Connections Discount Card and save. • Linda’s Angel Crossing in Yankton 20% off 1 Regular Priced Item. • Royal Sport Shop in Yankton 10% discount on in-store purchases. Some exclusions apply. • Head2Heels in Yankton 10% off any regular-priced item. • Mead Cultural Education Center in Yankton $3.00 Off Admission • Olson’s Pest Technicians in Yankton 20% off for new customers. • Elwood Family Dental Care in Yankton Free whitening strips at recare (cleaning) appointments. • Haase’s Main Stop in Scotland $2 Cheese sticks with specialty pizza order and/or Free 32oz fountain drink with a $5 deli purchase • Loving Hands Gifts in Tabor Pay CASH and receive $10 off purchases of $100.
For a full list of ways to save, visit www.connections. coop. To request a card or become a participating business, call (605) 463-2507 or email jarens@byelectric.com
Group picture L to R: Stephanie Horst, Wes Kloucek, Aaron Melichar, Travis Gause, Ken Carda, Tyler Suess, Sean Kafka, Gunnar Dally, Travis Zomer, and Alex Caba.
10 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | AUGUST 2022
ANNUAL MEETING Attendance Gift
HAVE A VOICE IN YOUR COOPERATIVE As a cooperative, one of Bon Homme Yankton Electric’s seven cooperative principles is Democratic Member Control. This principle states, “Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.” Be an active participant in your cooperative by attending Bon Homme Yankton Electric’s annual members meeting on August 16th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in Tabor.
Meal Certificate Choices
For attending, each membership will receive an attendance gift (first 500 receive the car sunshade pictured to the right) and a $20 meal certificate to your choice of The Keg in Tabor, Joe’s Substation in Lesterville, Dairy Dock in Yankton, or El Tapatio in Yankton. All registered members will also be entered for a chance to win five $100 bill credits. Find more information on the annual meeting including the agenda, map, and more in our Annual Report that is included as an insert in this publication.
FREE Classified Ad Service
Members can submit classified ads for the following categories: Giveaway, For Sale, For Rent, and Wanted Ads. All ads must be received by the first of the month to be included in the following month’s issue. Ads will run one time unless resubmitted. Bon Homme Yankton Electric reserves the right to edit content or exclude ads due to space restrictions. Email ads to Jaclyn Arens at jarens@byelectric.com.
CLASSIFIEDS
September Issue Deadline: August 1, 2022. Email your classified ad to: jarens@byelectric.com. Members can post one free ad per year. Repeats or longer ads are $1/column inch. • ESTATE SALE: Farmland, acreage, and farm machinery estate sale on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 11am. Owners: Hamberger Family Trust. Location: 30019 432nd Ave, Lesterville, two miles east of Lesterville. • FOR RENT: 1 bedroom apartment. Tabor Manor. Contact Gary at 605-463-2209 or Ron at 605-4632256. • Beseda Hall, Tabor, SD for rent for any special occasion such as weddings, anniversaries, graduation or birthdays!For more information contact Linda Bares at 605-661-6220 or snlbares@gmail.com. • FOR RENT: Tabor Self Storage. Call 605-660-0274 or 605-660-3497.
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.
AUGUST 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 11
CATFISH BAY
FAMILY FUN AT CATFISH BAY Summer fun for the entire family awaits at Catfish Bay Water Ski Park in Sioux Falls. Photos by Billy Gibson
Pigs fly and family fun abounds at Catfish Bay Water Ski Park Billy Gibson billy.gibson@sdrea.coop
If you stop by Catfish Bay, you probably won’t see a single catfish during your stay. But you will definitely see a pig flying, a chicken hurtling through the air and water skis sprouting up from a pocketful of magic seeds. Catfish Bay Water Ski Park, located just off I-90 in Sioux Falls, is a family entertainment venue where a squad of highly skilled skiers leap and spin and build four-tier human pyramids as they skim across the water’s surface. Billed as “The Greatest Show on H2O,” the event attracts spectators from miles around who show up each Friday evening during the summer months to see the high-flying theatrics reminiscent of Florida’s famed Cypress Gardens. The show features ski jumpers dressed as chickens, Hee Haw-inspired corn pone humor and a daredevil in a pig costume elevating 30 feet into the air astride a water-propelled fly board. The show is the brainchild of Jim
Bruns, an idea that spawned from his mind as “a God thing.” While he was a college student in the early ‘90s, Bruns joined the Sioux Falls Water Ski Club and honed his skills enough to turn pro. It was during college that he hatched a plan to establish a show similar to those being staged at SeaWorld and other similar sites. First thing he needed was a lake. He found the perfect spot when a contractor dug out a 25-acre borrow pit adjacent to the interstate. He bought the pit and – voila! – one man-made lake…just add water. Second thing he needed was a performing cast. Bruns gathered some of his fellow skiers of all ages and sizes, pulled together a program and then plowed forward for a few years determined to make the show a success. Just when he began wondering if he was going to be able to keep the labor-intensive venture alive, he experienced another epiphany. He needed to rededicate the program to building youth, strengthening families and developing leaders. He formed a
12 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | AUGUST 2022
mission statement: “MV2 – Mission, Vision and Values.” “It was a simple plan from the start,” Bruns said just before the start of the season-opening show on Memorial Day. “But in 2007 I hit a wall. I sat down and prayed about it and came up with MV2. Now I have so many stories of kids who have come out here and learned a skill and learned about teamwork and goal-setting. They learn how to overcome obstacles.” One of those youngsters is Beth Bruggeman, who serves as assistant show director. A recent college graduate, she has been involved in the program for 10 years. She was a 13-year-old gymnast and cheerleader when she decided to try out for the ski team and now she’s a star in the show with boundless energy, a beaming smile and a scar on her eyebrow as her personal badge of courage and grit. “One of the things I like about it is there are people who participate of all skill levels who are anywhere from 6 to 60 years old. You don’t find groups with that kind of diversity. You get to form different kinds of connections and friendships,” she said.
CATFISH BAY
Bruns’ own children, James and Amara, are two other stars of the show. Amara, 13, professes to be the more gushingly dramatic. A student at O’Gorman Junior High, Amara has been part of the act since she was 2, riding on her dad’s shoulders. Today she barefoots, swivels, climbs the pyramid and charms the crowd with her effervescent smile. “I like entertaining people and making them feel like they’ve come to a special place,” she said. Beside Bruns, Jeremiah Newman is another example of the motto: the family that skis together stays together. He and his children, 14-year-old Marissa and 12-year-old Tyler, are involved in all aspects of the show. He’s a member of the military and a former international professional skier who still competes around the region and specializes in performing flips and twists on an air chair hydrofoil. “This is such a family-friendly environment. It’s priceless. It keeps me active and it keeps our family close. Instead of sitting on the sidelines watching my kids, I get to be out there with them,” he said. “We talk about the importance of making a life-long commitment to fitness and good nutrition and things that will serve them well along the way.” While the skiers are preparing for their next set, attention turns toward the stage area and a charming recurring character named Norman, who always comes up with some crackpot scheme that never fails to fail. Bruns explains that the Norman character stands as a metaphor for anyone who has had a dream and felt the frustration of failure. “The thing about Norman that makes him different is that he never loses his enthusiasm and keeps on trying,” Bruns said. “His motto is to dream big and never give up.” Bruns is living out the dream he had as a younger man. To this point, Norman has never revealed his last name. But it could very well be Bruns. Below, Catfish Bay performers pull off a “four-stack” configuration. At right, the character known as “Norman” rides a flying pig.
AUGUST 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 13
SHORT GO SHIRTS
TOUCHSTONE SUPPORTS H.S. RODEO The Touchstone Energy flag has flown proudly at the last 20 State High School Rodeo Finals. Photos by Billy Gibson
Electric co-ops support high school rodeo through popular Short Go Shirt program Billy Gibson billy.gibson@sdrea.coop
Folks who attended the State High School Rodeo Finals in Fort Pierre this summer could see Tobi Hintz coming from halfway across the arena. Hintz is a student at Timber Lake High School and serves as the association’s 2022 Rodeo Queen. She cut a dashing figure at the event with her decorative sash, bright red lipstick, fringed shoulder bag, buckle-shaped sterling silver earrings and baby blue cowgirl hat with a sparkling tiara wrapped above the brim. Oh, and she can also ride pretty well, too. Over the past two years, she’s earned Touchstone Energy Short Go Shirts at the state finals in recognition of her rodeo skills in barrel racing and pole bending. This year marked the 20th celebration of the Touchstone Energy Short Go
Shirt program. Since 2002, Touchstone Energy cooperatives have donated more than $140,000 towards the program that honors contestants who make it to the Short Go round of the state finals competition in their respective events. This year in Fort Pierre, 145 studentathletes visited the Touchstone Energy booth to sign up for their shirts, which will be embroidered with the TSE logo and delivered to contestants this fall. While Hintz has a bubbly personality and a flair for fashion, she takes pride in wearing her two Short Go Shirts that identify her as an accomplished competitor. “It’s so cool and it’s such an honor to win a Short Go Shirt,” she said. “It’s so unique for us competitors because I don’t know how many states actually get the opportunity to receive something like this. Every contestant appreciates it. The more shirts the merrier!” Tobi, a national finalist in the rodeo
14 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | AUGUST 2022
queen competition two years ago, has been involved in rodeo from a young age and said she likes the friendships that are forged with her peers. “You meet so many people and make so many friends. Sometimes you wonder why you’re doing it, but then you learn that there’s a rhyme and reason for all the chaos and madness,” she said. Ann Sundermann has served as executive secretary for the High School Rodeo Association for the past 17 years. She describes the level of enthusiasm surrounding the TSE Short Go program that she’s experienced over the years. “Winning one of these shirts is the thing the kids anticipate the most,” Sundermann said during a brief pause in the rodeo action. “We’ll have 40 kids coming into the office asking where do they sign up for their Short Go Shirts. Then once they’ve been ordered they want to know when is their Short Go Shirt coming in. All the kids know about Touchstone because they’ve seen these shirts for the past 20 years.”
DAHL SADDLES SHORT GO SHIRTS
Over the past 20 years, electric cooperatives have distributed more than 3,200 Short Go Shirts.
Sundermann said she’s seen a lot of value from the program that demonstrates the electric cooperative system’s ongoing involvement in youth development, education, sports activities and overall community support. “It’s been a privilege to work with the local electric cooperatives. They take pictures of the kids with their shirts and run them in their magazines and the kids send the pictures to us. They give the kids a lot of recognition for all their hard work and all they’ve achieved. With the commitment cooperatives have to their communities and their support for this outstanding program, I think it’s a great long-term partnership and we look forward to continuing for many years to come,” she said. Marty Philips is public relations coordinator for the association. He noted that Short Go Shirts don’t spend much time stashed away and gathering dust in the closet. “The shirts get worn out because the kids wear them constantly. They’re right at the front of their closets. It’s such a great honor for them. They wear them to work, they wear them to school, they wear them to college and even when they’re adults. I see them all over the state,” Philips said. “They wear them
with pride because they know they earned it and they know they did the work to make it to the Short Go round. A lot of kids think it’s better than a buckle. We appreciate what TSE has done for the kids because that’s what this is all about, it’s all about the kids. Everything we do is for the kids.” Todd Eliason, a recent retiree from Rushmore Electric in Rapid City who administered the program for Touchstone Energy since it began in 2002, said he looked forward to working with rodeo organizers and the student-athletes each year. “These kids are our future, and to see how goal-oriented and determined they are and to see how hard they work, it really makes you feel positive about the future,” he said. Eliason cited Layni Stevens as a prime example. Not only did Layni earn a Short Go Shirt but she also punched her ticket to the national event in Gillette, W.Y., by finishing first in the girl’s cutting competition.
“I’m just grateful to be at the finals and it’s an even greater blessing to get to wear a Short Go Shirt,” Layni said. “It’s one of your goals to get to the Short Go round. Sometimes it doesn’t always go your way, but to know you get the reward of getting a shirt is just really cool. You can wear it all year long, to all kinds of events and to college.” To see a video of the event, visit
www.youtube.com/ watch?v=iT-oZ1Oxn7o
“It’s such an honor to receive a Short Go Shirt. The more shirts, the merrier!” - Rodeo Queen Tobi Hintz
AUGUST 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 15
REGISTER TO WIN! Bring this coupon and mailing label to the Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives booth at Dakotafest or the South Dakota State Fair to win a prize! Your Phone Number:__________________________________________________ Your E-mail Address: __________________________________________________
AUGUST 19-21
AUGUST 16-18 Dakotafest Photo Credit: AFBF photo/Philip Gerlach
Yankton Riverboat Days Citywide, Yankton, SD, riverboatdays.com
AUGUST 19-27
Central States Fair and Rodeo 800 San Francisco St., Rapid City, SD, centralstatesfair.com
AUGUST 20
Yankton Extreme Bull Riding 404 Paddle Wheel Dr., Yankton, SD, 605-760-2153
AUGUST 24-28
Kool Deadwood Nites Citywide, Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876 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. To view the publication’s master event calendar, scan the QR code below:
JULY 25-30
Days of ‘76 Rodeo and Parades 18 Seventy Six Dr., Deadwood, SD, daysof76.com
JULY 29-31
Badlands Astronomy Festival Ben Reifel Visitor Center, Interior, SD, 605-433-5243
JULY 29-31
Bruce Honey Days Various Locations, Bruce, SD, 605-627-5671
JULY 29-31
Paha Sapa Cowboys and Indians Art Festival Outlaw Square, Deadwood, SD, 605-578-1876
JULY 30
South Dakota Chislic Festival Prairie Arboretum, Freeman, SD, sdchislicfestival.com
AUGUST 5-6 Or visit https://sdrea.coop/ cooperative-connectionsevent-calendar to view more upcoming events.
Foothills Days and Rockin’ Ribfest Citywide, Wessington Springs, SD, 605-539-1929
AUGUST 5-7
Sioux River Folk Festival Newton Hills State Park, Canton, SD, facebook.com/SDFOTM/
AUGUST 5-13
Sioux Empire Fair W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls, SD, siouxempirefair.com
AUGUST 5-14
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Main St., Sturgis, SD, sturgismotorcyclerally.com
AUGUST 11-13
Clay County Fair 515 High St., Vermillion, SD, claycountyfair.net
AUGUST 12-14
Fort Pierre Trader Days Various Locations, Fort Pierre, SD, 605-412-8549
AUGUST 15-21
Brown County Fair 400 24th Ave. NW, Aberdeen, SD, browncountysdfair.com
AUGUST 19-21
Black Hills Threshing Bee 13380 Alkali Road, Sturgis, SD, 605-490-2024
AUGUST 25-28
Prairie Village Steam Threshing Jamboree 45205 SD Hwy. 34, Madison, SD, 605-256-3644
AUGUST 26-27
Hill City Wine, Brew and BBQ Elm St., Hill City, SD, hillcitywine brewandbbq.com
AUGUST 26-27
Sizzlin’ Summer Nights Main St., Aberdeen, SD, 605-226-3441
AUGUST 26-28
Fall River Hot Air Balloon Festival Various Locations, Hot Springs, SD, fallriverballoonfest.com
AUG. 30-SEPT. 4
Sturgis Mustang Rally Thunderdome, Sturgis, SD, sturgismustangrally.com
SEPTEMBER 1-5
South Dakota State Fair 890 3rd St. SW, Huron, SD, sdstatefair.com Note: Please make sure to call ahead to verify the event is still being held.