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BON HOMME YANKTON ELECTRIC JUNE 2022 VOL. 23 NO. 2

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CONNECTIONS

Scuba Skills Scuba divers explore the depths Pages 8-9 E-bikes provide pedal power Pages 12-13

Nancy and Steve Nedved of Mitchell own Dakota Scuba and teach scuba skills to eager students from the Upper Midwest to the Caribbean

MANAGER’S COLUMN

Recent Bill Credit and Upcoming Annual Meeting I have two things to bring to your attention this month. One is a bill credit that members received, and the other is the B-Y Electric August 16th, 2022 annual meeting. First, the bill credit B-Y Electric members received. Because electric cooperatives are non-proﬁt, margins are returned to members. Last year, Basin Electric and East River Electric, our cooperative generation and transmission providers, experienced more 2021 margins than expected. As a result, B-Y Electric received a $267,000 Stephanie Horst horst@byelectric.com

With gas, groceries and other costs soaring, our members can feel confident that B-Y Electric is not contributing to those stresses and is actually offering some relief. bill credit on our January power bill. At the April Board meeting, your Board recognized that this bill credit is providing unbudgeted margins for B-Y Electric and decided to pass the bill credit back to the members based on eligible electric usage in 2021 which is reflected on their May 1, 2022 electric bill. With gas, groceries and other costs soaring, our members can feel confident that B-Y Electric is not contributing to those stresses and is actually offering some relief. Second, the annual meeting planned for

August 16. 2022. For the last couple of years, we have held our annual meeting differently because of Covid precautions. In 2020 we held a Drive-In meeting which had low attendance so in 2021 we shifted to a DriveThru meeting which unexpectedly provided more registered members than the in-person meeting held in the Beseda Hall. Because membership participation is vital to the health of our co-op and the favorable attendance in 2021, your Board has decided to have this year’s annual meeting Drive-Thru style again. Members will drive into Tabor and be directed through a series of stops to register, vote, receive their attendance gift and a $20 meal certificate to a local participating restaurant. Due to the record turnout, members experienced longer than expected time waiting in line. We have solved this by having more stations to move the line along more efficiently. All registered members names will also go into a drawing for door prizes. After the meeting adjournment, the drawing will be broadcasted live on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ BonHommeYanktonElectric/. More details will be announced in the next months’ issues of the Cooperative Connections. Our hope is that you enjoy a quick drive to Tabor on August 16th, exercise your membership privilege to vote for director leadership (details are on page 7 of this issue) and on other Cooperative business, and enjoy a meal with your certificate. As I end this praying for much needed rain, stay safe and remember to contact us early in your construction planning to ensure we have the materials for your project. For more information, call our office at (605) 463-2507 or email horst@byelectric.com

BOARD APPROVES $267,000 BACK TO MEMBERS Based on eligible electric usage in 2021. Bill credit was reflected on your May 1, 2022 electric bill.

2 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JUNE 2022

BOARD REPORT

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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

APRIL BOARD REPORT The April board meeting was held on April 20, 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, and Communications/Marketing Coordinator Jaclyn Arens, and Apprentice Lineman Sean Kafka. Aaron Clayton of Eide Bailly and Jeﬀ May of East River Electric Cooperative were present via Zoom. THE BOARD REVIEWED CONSENT AGENDA:

• • • • • • •

• Minutes of the Previous Meeting • New Members & Cancellations • Capital Credits to Estates Discounted $7,669.56 • Closed Work Order Inventory $231,354.90 • Review Special Equipment purchases None

NRECA Director Conference SDREA Report East River Report Legal Report 1Q 2022 Board & GM Expenses YTD Meeting Expenses CoBank 2022 Proxy Mail in Ballot Delegate CFC Notice of Annual Meeting & Voting Delegate NCSC Notice of Annual Meeting & Voting Delegate Integrity Fund Contribution Accept 2021 Audit Report as presented Operation Round-Up G&T $267,000 Power Cost Refund Annual Meeting Executive Session - Enter & Exit Next Meeting date set for May 18, 8am

•

THE BOARD REVIEWED AND APPROVED:

•

• • • • • • • •

• • • • • • •

Communication/Marketing Report Operation Round-up Presentation Operations & Safety Report Oﬃce & Financial Reports 2021 Audit Presentation - Aaron Clayton Cryptocurrenty & Block Chain - Jeﬀ May East River Cyber Security/IT Report General Manager Report Year-to-Date Comparison

Bon Homme Yankton Electric Cooperative Connections is

March-21 March-22 Total Revenue ...................................$841,824 .................................................. $898,505 Cost of Power....................................$479,088................................................... $515,405 Total Cost of Service ........................$813,637................................................... $818,975 KWH’s Purchased ............................7,392,854.................................................. 8,363,170 Residential Average kWh .......................1,496.......................................................... 1,730 Residential Average Bill .......................... $177 .......................................................... $193

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.

April 2022 Solar Stats

kWh

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

25 20 15 10 5 0

Day of the month

Welcome New Members

Consumer Directly

Energy to Grid

Tabor

Yankton

Lora & Chad Rolfes

Frederick Kopf

Steve Metteer

Renee Becker

Springﬁeld

Utica

Bart Souhrada

Water Management

Kurt Amundson

Tanner Schmidt

Damon & Jennifer Rusk

Solutions LLC

JUNE 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 3

NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH

June is National Safety Month While your local electric cooperative often focuses on electric safety and provides information to keep you and your family free from harm, there are many other dangers lurking out there. In recognition of National Safety Month, we’re sharing the National Safety Council’s list of the top causes of preventable injuries and death away from the workplace. POISONING. In 2011, accidental poisonings overtook car crashes for the first time as the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for all age groups combined. Poisoning deaths are often caused by exposure to gases, chemicals and other toxic substances, but prescription drug overdose is by far the leading cause. VEHICLE CRASHES. Crashes are the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death overall. Impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding and inexperience can cause a life to be cut short in the blink of an eye. FALLS. Falling is the third-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death over all age groups, but it’s the No. 1 cause of death for those aged 65 and older. CHOKING AND SUFFOCATION. Choking on food or other objects is a primary cause of harm and death. Suffocation and choking rank higher among the elderly and infants. DROWNING. It’s the No. 1 cause of death for children from ages 1 to 4, mostly due to children falling into pools or being left alone and unsupervised in bathtubs. FIRES AND BURNS. Fires often start at night, when families are asleep and most vulnerable. A working and well-maintained smoke alarm will cut in half the chances of dying in a fire. NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL INCIDENTS.

Weather-related disasters claim hundreds of lives per year. You should learn all you can about emergency preparedness and always have an emergency kit on hand in your home.

4 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JUNE 2022

BOWLING FOR CHARITY IN MITCHELL

More than 80 cooperative employees showed up in Mitchell for the 7th Annual Line Patrol Charity Bowling Tournament sponsored by Central Electric. The Lacreek Electric Headhunters shown above (Tiff Pettit, Terri Gregg, Cody Allen, Ryan Pettit) took top honors. The event was organized to raise money for a fund used to help electric co-op employees and their families in times of need. Find out more about this event and South Dakota’s electric cooperatives by visiting Cooperative Connections Plus. Simply scan the QR code at right.

Call 811 before you dig Maddy Pannell Maddy Pannell, age 10, reminds electric cooperative members to call 811 before digging into the ground when planting trees or pursuing other outdoor projects. Maddy is the daughter of Southeastern Electric members Scott and Kim Pannell of Sioux Falls. 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

EASY SHERBET

DELICIOUS DAIRY

Ingredients: 1 pkg. orange or lime jello 1 cup boiling water 3 cups milk Pinch of salt 2 tbsp. lemon juice 1-1/4 cup sugar

METHOD Dissolve jello in boiling water. Add remaining ingredients. Freeze until 1/2 inch thick at edge of tray. Empty into mixing bowl and beat thoroughly. Return to freezer. This works well if put in a loaf pan. Joy Hagen, Webster

EXTRA GRILLED CHEESE TUNA EGG SALAD

SWEDISH CREME

Ingredients: 2 cups heavy cream 1 cup, plus 2 tsps. sugar, divided 1 envelope unflavored gelatin 1 tsp. almond extract 1 tsp. clear imitation vanilla extract 2 cups (16 oz.) sour cream 1 cup fresh or frozen red raspberries

METHOD In a saucepan, combine cream and 1 cup sugar. Cook and stir constantly over low heat until candy thermometer reads 160 degrees, or steam rises from pan. (Do not boil). Stir in gelatin until dissolved; add extracts. Cool 10 minutes. Whisk in sour cream. Pour into eight dessert glasses or small bowls. Chill at least 1 hour. Before serving, combine raspberries and remaining sugar; spoon over each serving. Joanne Singrey-Johnson, Watertown

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, or to taste Ground black pepper, to taste 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2% fat 2 tbsp. mayo

METHOD Drain cans with tuna well. 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. Make Ahead: Tuna egg salad tastes best cold. For best results, refrigerate 30 minutes before eating. ifoodreal.com

Ingredients: 1 tbsp. butter, softened 2 tsp. Parmesan cheese, grated Dash of garlic powder 4 slices bread 2 slices sharp cheddar cheese 2 slices Swiss cheese

METHOD In a small bowl, combine butter, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Spread an even layer on one side of each slice of bread. Place 1 slice of cheddar cheese and 1 slice of Swiss between two bread slices, with the buttered side facing out. Cook in hot skillet for about 2 minutes, until the crust is golden. Flip sandwich and grill until crust is golden and the cheese is melted. Slice and serve. May add grilled onions if you choose. Just saute in the pan before cooking the sandwiches and add to the sandwiches between the cheese slices. Kristina Manecke, Midland

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.

JUNE 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 5

CAPITAL CREDITS

Do you know these people? We have lost touch with the following past members. Their 2011, 2012, or 2015 capital credit refund check was returned to us for lack of a current address or simply went uncashed. These members were on our lines from 19901995. Members have six months (until October 2022) to claim these funds before they become donated capital. If you know someone on this list, please have them contact our office. Due to new Red Flag regulations, a change of address affidavit will need to be completed. This form is available at www.byelectric.coop/capital-credits. If the members are no longer living, a family member should contact us. A JAMES F ALBEE ALFRED M ANDERSEN MARK ARAIZA KEVIN L ARTHAUD

ED BAKER LONNIE BERGER ROBERT BIERLE RALPH J BORKOWSKI STEVE E BOSTICK DENNIS BRAUNESREITHER ESTATE

CLAY E BURT LYNN CALCOTE KEVIN CONKLIN MICHAEL D CONKLIN JOSEPH COOK CARY H COOPER KELLY CRUMRINE MARK CUNNINGHAM CZECH INN (DAVID BURNISON)

CLARK DANLEY TIM DAVIS ROBERT C DOERING DAVID DUMMETT RAYMOND L DUNCAN

DON R ELLIOTT IRENE M EVENSON

SUSAN FAERBER DONALD R FLATAU ROGER L FREY

DONALD GANNON DAVID A GLAIM GREGORY GOEDEN

ALOIS H GREWE LLOYD GUTHMILLER

MARK J HALL ROBERT D HANSEN PHYLLIS A HARMS TIMOTHY J HAWLEY JOHN HELLMANN ROBERT HELSLEY CHARLES HODGKIN JOHN HOLMGREN JOSEPH R HONKOMP STANLEY J HUTH

CHRISTINE JENSEN MARK A JENSEN DAVID R JOHNSON GAIL JOHNSON MICHAEL JOHNSON WILLIAM R JOHNSON MICHAEL A JORDAN JERRY JORGENSON

CANDY KAFKA MICHAEL D KENNEDY ELTON KIRSCHENMAN DALE KLEINHEKSEL DAVID KOBLISKA PETER KOTALIK ESTATE ROBERT F KURTZHALS

JOHN LACAVA JR BRIAN L LAMB PETER LEIBFARTH LEWIS & CLARK LIMITED PARTNERS LEWIS & CLARK THEATRE ANTHONY LINNEN NEIL LIPETZKY

JEFFREY MARUSKA

6 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JUNE 2022

KATHLEEN L MATTHEW GERALD MCKISSOCH MIDWEST CABLE COMPANY DENNIS L MILLER RANDY MISCHKE MOM’S PICNIC PLACE ELDON J MOON

KATHIE NEAL PATRICIA J NELSON T S NIEDERT LADDIE D NOVAK

BRADLEY A OLSON

JOHN V PATTON EVERETT E PEARSON ULISES PESCE MARVIN A PETERSON MIKE PETERSON DUANE PFEIFER KATHIE N PREHEIM DANNY M PRIDIE JAMES R PRIVETT RICKY A PRUSATOR

R & R CORPORATION (DAM SPLASH) MARQUERITE RAINEY EDWARD REDLIGHTNING DIANE REHUREK MARQUES RHOADES MD LUTHER RICE ROBERT S RODGERS SR DALE ROTH TERRENCE L ROTHANZL

JAMES A SCHAEFFER HERMAN SCHWARZ BRADLEY SCOTT ROBERT J SEDLACEK

NORMAN SELWYN SHIP TO SHORE STORE DALE SIKKINK TERESA M SIMONSEN ESTATE HARRY A SKIBA DAVID SMITH WILLIAM M SMITH DAN E STARNS REID STEMPEL KEVIN L STOLZ SUNRISE CAFE & LOUNGE

CHRIS THOMAS ELDON E TIEDEMANN JOHN O TWEETEN

MICHAEL A VAN DRIEL JOSEPH A VAVRA JR

LANNY WALKER JAY D WEAVER JOEL WEGNER MARIA WERMERS JAMES WIGGS

LOUISE ZAPLETAL ZEEB FARMS

DIRECTOR NEWS

Director Petition Deadline June 15th DIRECTOR PETITION INFORMATION:

Bon Homme Yankton Electric’s annual meeting will be held in Tabor as a drive-thru meeting on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. Director positions with three year terms expiring this year are districts two and seven. Incumbent directors in those districts are: District 2 – Robert Ruppelt District 7 – Dave Sternhagen Any person wishing to run for a directorship of Bon Homme Yankton Electric must file a nominating petition. The petition needs at least 15 signatures of members living in the appropriate district in B-Y Electric’s service area. Petitioners must reside in the district and have an active membership in the cooperative. If you are interested, contact us, and we will send the petition paperwork via mail. Petitions have been available in the main office as of April 20th and must be filed at the B-Y Electric office by 4:00p.m. June 15, 2022. Contact General Manager Stephanie Horst for more information regarding the responsibilities and qualifications for being a cooperative director.

THE ROLE OF A DIRECTOR:

• Directors must abide by and uphold the bylaws of the cooperative. • Directors act as trustees for the assets of the cooperative and protect its assets. • Directors formulate, approve, and review policies to provide guidelines for the cooperative. • Directors are selected to serve on the boards of East River Electric Power Cooperative and South Dakota Rural Electric Association. • Directors are asked to attend educational seminars and represent the cooperative at meetings of associated organizations. • Directors are asked to remain informed on pertinent legislative issues and discuss the issues with elected representatives. • Directors need to keep informed on current Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and electric industry happenings and how they may aﬀect the cooperative. • Directors approve budgets, evaluate cooperative operations, and review ﬁnancial reports, work plans, and audits. • Directors need to be available to the members in their district to respond to members’ concerns and questions.

Incumbent Directors

Robert Ruppelt District 2

Dave Sternhagen District 7

JUNE 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 7

SCUBA DIVING

DEEP DIVES Dozens of scuba divers from South Dakota and Minnesota pursue their hobby not only in local lakes and rivers but also in the Caribbean. Photos by Steve Nedved

Divers explore underwater habitats from the lakes of the Upper Midwest to the Caribbean Billy Gibson billy.gibson@sdrea.coop

It’s a sunny springtime Saturday morning and outdoors enthusiasts all across the state are buzzing with excitement to kick off another weekend adventure. They’re saddling up their horses, slinging their fishing gear into their boats, cranking their ATVs and lacing up their hiking boots. In a small shop just south of Mitchell, there’s a different kind of energy and amped-up anticipation filling the air. Steve Nedved is busy rigging up scuba tanks and inspecting air regulators for about 20 fledgling divers eager to learn a new skill and experience new thrills. Nedved is owner of Dakota Scuba and he’s finding that more and more adventurists are becoming interested in exploring the aquatic world through a fisheye view, whether that’s in the chilly waters of the Missouri River or the crystal-clear surf of the Caribbean. While the scuba diving season in

the Upper Midwest is relatively short, Nedved stays busy most months out of the year teaching scuba lessons in the Mitchell area and tending to vacationing clients from his Villa Dakota retreat in Cozumel. It turns out that he and his studentclients can board a plane in Sioux Falls at 7 a.m., make a quick stop in Dallas-Ft. Worth, and be ready to hit the water in Cozumel just after lunch. “It works out pretty well, and people love to take a fall and winter vacation and explore Cozumel, which is one of the best spots for diving because the visibility can be more than 100 feet and there’s so much marine life to see,” Nedved said. The master diver’s interest in scuba was sparked back when he was a firefighter and paramedic in Mitchell. After responding to too many emergency situations involving bodies of water, he and his colleagues decided they needed to be trained in diving as part of meeting their professional responsibilities and serving the public.

8 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JUNE 2022

He received his certification in short order and later decided to venture down to Cozumel to earn his teaching certification through the Professional Association of Dive Instructors so that he could be qualified to train his colleagues back in Mitchell. He and his wife Nancy, who together own the Nedved Media radio network, fell in love with the tropical paradise and after a dozen diving trips decided it made sense to purchase a home right on the water. Before he knew it, he found many others were beating the same path to Mexico to enjoy the sun, sand and scuba adventures. “I didn’t really start it with the intention of going public, I just didn’t realize at the time how much interest there was,” he said. “People around here in Mitchell started asking me to train them for recreational certification and then they’d dive here or they’d go to Florida or Cozumel on vacation with their families. We started renting out our place in Cozumel to accommodate people during the times we couldn’t be there ourselves.” He also noticed an increasing interest in spearfishing in places like the Oahe

SCUBA DIVING

Steve Nedved is shown at left with his catch after a day of spearﬁshing at Sully Flats. Above, Nedved (at right) works with student Allen Hiller on open water certiﬁcation.

Downstream Recreational Area and Pactola Lake in the Black Hills, so he decided to open the shop to serve as a local and regional outfitter. Nedved, who has logged more than 1,000 dives since he started in 2006, uses the Mitchell Recreation Center for local training and has played a role in certifying individuals from age 10 to 70. “It’s not that physically laborious or difficult. Of course, you have to be in condition as with any kind of outdoor sport, but it’s not inherently dangerous in any way if you follow the guidelines,” he said. Allen Hiller of Pierre is one of Nedved’s recent protegees. Though he had done some snorkeling and diving at sites like Sully Flats, Cow Creek and below the Oahe Dam, Hiller decided he wanted to kick his scuba game up a few notches. So he enlisted Nedved’s services and spent eight days at Villa Dakota last March earning his open water diving certificate. At the age of 53, Hiller is a veteran of Desert Storm and Desert Shield, a former diesel and aircraft mechanic,

and spent nearly 20 years working for the Union Pacific Railroad in North Platte, NE. He describes himself as an avid hunter and fisherman who is always up for an adventure. Since his visit to the Caribbean, Hiller says he wants to expand his knowledge and experience under water. “I really caught the diving bug being down there in a beautiful part of the world with the sun and the sand and the clear water where it seems like you can see forever. I want to continue on and get my PADI certification, my night diving certification, and become a master diver,” Hiller said. “I also want to do a lot of spearfishing and learn how to get better at it. Steve was really great to work with.” Nedved said that once his students become accustomed to the awkward act of breathing through a mouthpiece, they begin to relax and enjoy the experience of discovering a new environment with different lights, colors and sounds. “People like to hunt for fish and explore underwater quarries and see what’s on the bottom of the river bed,” he said. “When I take them out for the first

SCUBA RULES Here are four requirements for scuba diving in South Dakota: • Divers are required to use a red and white Diver Down flag when diving • Dive flags must be at least 8″x10″ • Divers must stay within 75 feet of their dive flag • Boaters and vessel operators are required to stay at least 75 feet from dive flags time, we can’t really speak when we’re underwater, but when we come up they start chatting away with excitement about the things they saw. It’s really addictive. You rarely see just one person in a family that’s a diver. Usually, after one person does it, the others have to follow. It’s a good sport for a lot of people.”

JUNE 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 9

South Dakota Rural Electric

YOUTH EXCURSION

July 25-28, 2022

ALL EXPENSE PAID SUMMER TRIP: APPLY NOW! The Youth Excursion Tour will be held July 25-28, 2022 in Bismarck, N.D. All area high school students are encouraged to apply. Teens attending this event will: Have the opportunity to sightsee and meet new friends from other participating cooperatives. Learn about “The Story Behind the Switch” and see where South Dakota’s electricity generates. Tour the Great Plains Synfuel Plant, Freedom Coal Mine, and Antelope Valley Station Power Plant. Spend their evenings swimming, shopping, and cruising on the Lewis and Clark Riverboat. B-Y Electric will provide transportation, lodging, meals, entertainment, and sightseeing events. Students are only required to supply their own personal/shopping money. Apply online at byelectric.coop/youth-excursion. Or pickup an application from our office or your school’s guidance office.

Application Deadline: May 27th, 2022 at 4pm. Mail Application To: B-Y Electric PO Box 158 Tabor, SD 57063

More Info:

Jaclyn Arens (605) 463-2507 jarens@byelectric.com

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Apply Now!

CO-OP NEWS

ELECTRIC SAVINGS

DON’T BE FOOLED Tankless has its disadvantages

Water heaters are the second highest source of energy usage in the home – and the second most expensive monthly energy cost. Electric water heaters can help you cut costs from installation to reduced monthly energy bills. They are also more efficient and safer than gas water heaters. To learn about the benefits of going electric or to enroll in the load management program, contact your local Touchstone Energy® Cooperative or visit yourcooppower.com today.

At ﬁrst, it sounds like a great deal. It only runs when you need it, takes up less space, and promises to be better for the environment. But if you are thinking that installing a tankless water heater is the key to huge savings on your electric bill, be sure to do your research. You may ﬁnd that the cons outweigh the advantages. Tankless water heaters come with a high upfront purchase price and installation cost. Installation is not a do-it-yourself project, so the services of a professional electrician will likely be required. Also, since the units create a large draw, or “demand”, for energy the instant they are turned on, it’s a good bet that your electric panel will need to be updated and your service upgraded to handle the increased need for energy. A tankless water heater has a 20,000 watt element (sometimes higher), which goes to work in full force as soon as you turn on the faucet. In comparison, a standard water heater has two 4,500 watt heating elements, only one of which operates at a time. From your electric cooperative’s point of view, it is much better for our system to provide power to heat water at a steady load of 4,500 watts than for a 20,000

watt surge of power. Those surges and spikes of power translate into higher power costs when B-Y Electric purchases power to re-sell to our members. Other disadvantages include the fact that since tankless water heaters do not keep a supply of hot water “at the ready”, it can take longer to generate and deliver water of the desired temperature. Also, if you want to use hot water at several diﬀerent points simultaneously (think running the dishwasher and washing machine while you take a shower), chances are good that the tankless water heater will not be able to keep up with your needs. At B-Y Electric, we do our best to provide you with information to help you make good decisions, save energy, and money. If tankless water heaters were truly a great deal, we would deﬁnitely tell you so, and would actively promote them to our members. As it is, we’ll continue to advise a storage tank water heater connected to our load management program as the best solution for you and for the co-op.

RE-ENERGIZING EFFICIENCY JUNE 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 11

E-BIKES

PEDAL POWER Desmond Dean of Dakota Sports in Aberdeen says e-bikes are all the rage among outdoors enthusiasts. Photo by Billy Gibson

Electric bicycles give riders the little extra push they need - or not Billy Gibson billy.gibson@sdrea.coop

Sometimes when you find yourself struggling to move ahead, all you need is a little boost to get where you need to go. That’s the idea behind the invention of the electric bicycle. For those who enjoy mountain biking, pedaling for fitness or just commuting back and forth to work in the open air, the electric bike is becoming the cycle of choice. Desmond Dean is manager of Dakota Outdoors in Aberdeen and he reports that sales are brisk with his line of Trek e-bikes. The first misconception he typically has to address with his growing list of curious customers is that an e-bike isn’t a motorcycle. “It’s a bicycle. There’s no throttle and you’re in complete control the whole time. The battery and small motor are just there to give you some assistance when and if you need it,” he explained.

“They’re getting so popular because you can get a wide range of exercise. If you’re having trouble with the wind or going up a hill, or if you just want to increase your distance, you can get the extra push you need. You can get some assistance or no assistance.” A battery usually takes about 5-6 hours to fully charge and there are models built for navigating off-road trails, touring, cruising or just moving around town from one point to the next. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars for a youth model to several thousand bucks for adult versions. Some bikes can top out at nearly 30 mph in the highest gear settings and some sweat equity. Dean highly encourages his customers to take his e-bikes out for a spin around Aldrich Park across from the store because once the shopper puts the Trek through its paces and gets accustomed to the experience, “the bikes tend to sell themselves.” Mary Duvall, a state senator from

12 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JUNE 2022

Pierre representing District 24, is a life-long fitness buff and has done a lot of pedal pumping over the years. So when her husband Rob suggested they purchase a pair of e-bikes, she was admittedly skeptical. What would be the point of pedaling if you’re not going for the burn? “I looked at it like it would be cheating and we wouldn’t get a quality workout,” she said. “But I quickly learned I was wrong. I can work as hard as I want and get whatever workout I feel like, or take it as easy as I want, depending on the day.” The Duvalls invested in his-and-her Aventons with thick sturdy frames and wide tires for handling uneven surfaces like the Black Hills, the Badlands and the undulating terrain around Pierre. They also chipped in for safety helmets equipped with an intercom system so they can keep in constant audio contact. The couple covered 80 miles in a single day on the Mickelson Trail, stopped overnight in Hill City to recharge their batteries and their weary quadriceps, then rode another 56

E-BIKES

Shown at left, Mary and Rob Duvall of Pierre have enjoyed their investment in e-bicycles and can go for long distances to see new sights. Photos provided by Mary Duvall

miles the following day. They ended up encountering another couple who had hauled their e-bikes from Texas to tour the Mickelson Trail. Another couple they met from Minnesota were using their e-bikes to complete the entire trail from Edgemont to Deadwood. “We ride them at least once a month and they’ve opened up lots of options that we couldn’t tackle with regular bikes,” Duvall said. “It’s a fun way for us to get outside and enjoy some exercise and fresh air.”

Approximate number of e-bikes

40 million expected to be sold worldwide in 2023

Of course, the idea of attaching a small battery-powered motor to a bicycle frame isn’t new. The first patent for an e-bike was issued in 1895. There was a global surge in sales of 35 percent between 1993 and 2004 after Yamaha invented, manufactured and marketed

its own pedal-assist system. By the end of 2023, worldwide e-bike sales are expected to reach 40 million units, or more if gas prices continue to escalate. Surveys consistently indicate most e-bike buyers make the purchase with the goal of replacing trips they’d otherwise take in their cars. But Ron Block of Webster bought his for another reason: he needed to keep up with his wife Nancy, a school teacher who also

happens to be a competitive marathon runner. “She was leaving me behind, so I figured I needed some assistance to make it a little easier on me,” Ron said. “I rode a lot when I was a kid, but now I’m middle-aged and the bike gives me the ability to set the power to however much help I need.” The Blocks enjoy biking together each week as part of a local cycling club, though occasionally they like to venture farther afield. Last summer, they biked among the giant redwoods in northern California and Oregon and also pedaled the Katy Trail in Missouri. This year they plan to take a trip to The Netherlands and rent bikes to see the sights. Ron said he would encourage those who may be interested in purchasing an e-bike to find a nearby dealer, or find a friend who already has one and ask to take it for a test ride. “That’s what I did before I bought one and I’ve been very satisfied,” he said. “I’ve talked to a lot of people who have them and they’re very happy they made the investment.” Ron Block of Webster pedals his e-bike along a floating bridge on the Mesabi Trail in northern Minnesota. Photo provided by Ron Block

JUNE 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 13

CO-OP NEWS

Local Discounts with your Co-op Connections Cards 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.

PRE-PLANNING CAN

SAVE LIVES

DURING PLANTING

• 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

Now Selling Generac Generators! Call us for more information (605) 463-2507

When it’s go-time, it’s go-time. We understand that every second counts during planting season, but taking a moment to be mindful of safety during this anxious time could save you a lot of heartache in the long run. Remember to check your equipment, be aware of power lines, keep your cellphone on you at all times, dress appropriately and stay rested this spring.

Together we are

FA R M S A F E T Y 14 COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS | JUNE 2022

CO-OP NEWS

DON’T TOUCH THE GREEN BOX! Because it’s NOT just a green box. It’s a pad-mounted transformer attached to underground power lines. It makes electricity useable for your home. Be cautious! DO NOT touch, sit, play or dig around it. If you see a green box that is damaged or open, call your local Touchstone Energy® Cooperative to report it.

RE-ENERGIZING SAFETY Your local Touchstone Energy® Cooperative wants you to be safe. For more safety tips, go to yourcooppower.com.

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

July Issue Deadline: June 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. • FOR SALE: Older Two Story Farm House 1400 Square Feet. Fairly New Roof And Siding. To Be Moved. Make Oﬀer. Call 605-665-8682 • FOR RENT: 1 bedroom apartment. Tabor Manor. Contact Gary at 605-463-2209 or Ron at 605-463-2256. • 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 605-6600274 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.

JUNE 2022 | COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS 15

JUNE 17-18

Oahe Days Arts & Music Festival Steamboat Park, Pierre, SD, oahedays.com

JUNE 18

605 Summer Classic Beer & Music Festival Cherapa Place, Sioux Falls, SD, 605magazine.com/605summer-classic/

JUNE 18-19

Aberdeen Arts in the Park Melgaard Park, Aberdeen, SD, 605-226-1557

JUNE 18-19

JUNE 3-5 Lake Andes Fish Days Citywide, Lake Andes, SD

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:

Brookings Kite Festival Fishback Soccer Complex, Brookings, SD, 605-695-9071

JUNE 3-5

Fort Sisseton Historical Festival 11907 434th Ave., Lake City, SD, 605-448-5474

Crystal Springs Rodeo 17803 479th Ave., Clear Lake, SD, crystalspringsrodeo.com

MAY 28

JUNE 3-5

Lake Andes Fish Days Citywide, Lake Andes, SD, 605-487-7694

Black Hills Bluegrass Festival Rush No More RV Resort & Campground, Sturgis, SD, blackhillsbluegrass.com

JUNE 10-12

JUNE 24-26

Deadwood Live: Hank Williams Jr. Outlaw Square, Deadwood, SD, www.deadwoodlive.com Memorial Weekend in Mitchell Main Street, Mitchell, SD, 605-292-4444

MAY 28-29

Black Hills Renaissance Faire Manuel Brothers Park, Lead, SD, www.blackhillsrenfest.com

MAY 29-30

Annual Custer Oﬀ-Road Rally Various Locations, Custer, SD, custersd.com/Oﬀ-Road-Rally

JUNE 11

Back When They Bucked Days of ‘76 Arena, Deadwood, SD, 605-718-0810

The Big Mick George S. Mickelson Trail, Deadwood, SD, mickelsontrailaﬃliates.com

MAY 30

JUNE 16-18

Prairie Points Quilt Guild Show 204 Hodge St., Buﬀalo, SD, 605-641-5591

JUNE 2-4

Or visit https://sdrea.coop/ cooperative-connectionsevent-calendar to view more upcoming events.

JUNE 22-25

MAY 28

Annual Black Hills Quilt Show & Sale The Monument, Rapid City, SD, bhquilters.org/events

JUNE 2-5

Wheel Jam South Dakota State Fairgrounds, Huron, SD, www.wheeljam.com

Czech Days Lidice Street, Tabor, SD, 605-463-2478

JUNE 16-18

Wild Bill Days Main Street, Deadwood, SD, deadwood.com/event/wild-billdays/

JUNE 24-26

Main Street Arts & Crafts Festival Centennial Park, Hot Springs, SD, mainstreetartsandcrafts. com

JUNE 24-26

Quarry Days Citywide, Dell Rapids, SD, 605-428-4167

JUNE 26

Prairie Village Variety Show Prairie Village, Madison, SD, 605-256-3644

JUNE 30-JULY 4

Annual Black Hills Roundup 300 Roundup St., Belle Fourche, SD, blackhillsroundup.com

JUNE 16-19

South Dakota Shakespeare Festival Prentis Park, Vermillion, SD, 605-622-0423

Note: Please make sure to call ahead to verify the event is still being held.