Precise. Effective. Experienced. And that’s only our doctors we’re describing Saying you have the best technology is one thing. But backing it up with the experience of a highly skilled team of physicians with a proven track record using it matters most to patients. At Trinity Health we’ve performed hundreds of da Vinci® Si™ HD robotic surgeries. We were the first in the Dakotas to bring this level of HD technology to our patients. And that matters, because not only are you placing your trust in one of the most advanced surgical options available, but also in the experience and expertise that physicians at Trinity Health provide.
www.trinityhealth.org/davinci
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E
North Dakota LIVING is published monthly by white type >>>
NOVEMBER 2011 Volume 58, No. 5
Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative
North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative
North Dakota LIVING is published by North Dakota’s electric and telephone cooperatives, which take pride in advancing and enriching the quality of life in North Dakota.
ON OUR COVER Basin Electric celebrates 50th anniversary ....................... page 10
This look at the mid-1970’s construction of Basin Electric’s Antelope Valley Station, Beulah — and a Babcock & Wilcox worker — depicts a key part of the cooperative’s 50-year history. Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bismarck, is using its annual meeting this month as the focal point for the 50th anniversary celebration.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF BASIN ELECTRIC
Your Touchstone 3201 Nygren DriveEnergy NW Cooperative P.O. Box 727 Mandan ND 58554-0727 Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative (701) 663-6501 (800) 234-0518 Energy Cooperative NDARECYour is a Touchstone statewide association that represents North s 16 electric cooperatives. YourDakota’ Touchstone Energy Cooperative Visit our Web site at www.ndarec.com. Magazine Staff: Dennis Hill, CCC, editor-in-chief ................... dhill@ndarec.com Kent Brick, CCC, editor............................... kbrick@ndarec.com Edna Stoltz, center pages & publications services manager............ estoltz@ndarec.com Tammy Kear, editorial assistant ..................... tkear@ndarec.com J.C. Balcom, production & graphics services manager ............ jcbalcom@ndarec.com Carmen Devney, CCC, communications specialist............... cdevney@ndarec.com Public Relations Advisory Committee: Ron Kinzler, chairman ........... Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative Bob Huether .................................. Minnkota Power Cooperative Christine Peterson ................ North Central Electric Cooperative Bruce Carlson ............................ Verendrye Electric Cooperative Don Franklund .................................. Innovative Energy Alliance Jeanette Hoff ....................... Reservation Telephone Cooperative Joe Dunn ............................ Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Advertising Sales: Clark A. Van Horn, ............................................ (800) 234-0518 advertising manager....................... cvanhorn@ndarec.com National Country Market ................................... (512) 441-5200 The Weiss Group ............................................... (480) 860-5394 Advertisements in North Dakota LIVING are paid solicitations. The publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any manner any product or company included in this publication. Product satisfaction and delivery lie solely with the advertiser. Questions about advertising in this publication should be directed to Clark A. Van Horn, advertising manager. Magazine subscriptions: One year.................. $12.00 for members of subscribing co-ops One year.............................................. $14.50 for non-members Three years ......................................... $40.00 for non-members Single copy ........................................................................ $2.00 To subscribe: Call (800) 234-0518; or visit www.ndarec.com Circulation .....................................................................71,000 Corrections, clarifications: Send to: Editor, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727 Advertising: Space order by 1st of the month prior to publication month; copy due by the 5th. For advertising rates, contact Clark A. Van Horn, advertising manager, at (800) 234-0518. © Copyright 2011, by North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. No portion of the advertising or editorial content of North Dakota LIVING may be reproduced without permission. The opinions expressed in editorial and advertising content in North Dakota LIVING do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of NDAREC. North Dakota LIVING (ISSN-1539-0063) is published monthly by the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, 3201 Nygren Drive NW, Mandan ND 58554. Change of address: Subscribing co-op members send notification of change of address to your local cooperative. Other subscribers, send mailing label with changes to: Subscription Department, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727, or e-mail tkear@ndarec.com. Postage: Periodicals nonprofit postage paid at Mandan, N.D., and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727.
NEWS AND F E AT U R E S T O R I E S
SMART
SMART North Dakota LIVING .....................................page 6 Winter means safety preparedness.
Created with pride in Dakota ........ page 14
Honey products and painted palettes are two examples of what North Dakota Pride of Dakota merchants are offering.
Bloggers share stories from home ...................... page 20
Two young North Dakotans — with full lives and plates — are inviting Web surfers to visit their blogs, and come back again, anytime.
Doctors — and robots — make strides ..... page 22
With technology instead of scalpels at their fingertips, surgeons are changing the way they operate.
D E PA R T M E N T S News Connections
2
Teen-2-Teen by Jaron Dahle
27
Editorial by Dennis Hill
4
Calendar of Events
28
Recipe Roundup
30
Special session takes up redistricting State’s plan remains the clear choice
Country Line
New Dakota Carrier Network center nears completion
Inspired LIVING by Danielle Hance Extending family
Reader Reply
8
Balance your appetite for tech talk
A surprising secret
Healthy Hints by Julie Garden-Robinson 31 24 26
“Tell us how you use social media and blogs (Web logs) to sustain work, family and friendship relationships.”
Don’t give up on picky eaters
Farm Byline by Al Gustin
32
Marketplace Forum
34
Advertisers’ Index
35
Co-op Country
36
At the mercy of the market
Handy helpers
Local electric cooperative Center Pages ................C1 Local electric cooperative news in the “center” of magazine. (Not in all editions.) NORTH DAKOTA LIVING NOVEMBER 2011 1
NEWS CONNECTIONS
Special session takes up redistricting O
PHOTO BY KENT BRICK
n Monday, Nov. 7, at 9 a.m., the N.D. Legislature convenes in special session. Gov. Jack Dalrymple issued Executive Order 2011-28 calling the Legislative into this special session. The executive order is issued: “ … To provide for redistricting of government pursuant to Section 2, Article IV, of the Constitution of North Dakota, following the 2010 census and for such other purposes as the Legislature may deem appropriate.” This special session customarily occurs toward the end of the second year of a new decade, after the regular legislative session is completed earlier in the year. The primary purpose of this special legislative session is to adopt revised legislative district boundaries, based on the results of the decennial U.S. Census.
Sen. Raymond Holmberg (R-Grand Forks), second from right, chaired the Legislature’s Redistricting Committee. Rep. William Devlin (R-Finley), far right, was vice chairman and the committee was assisted by, from far left, Vonette Richter, counsel, and John Bjornson, counsel, N.D. Legislative Council.
ies of many of those districts is a reflection of these key factors: Statewide population growth of 4.7 percent over the last decade (672,591
“ … To provide for redistricting of government pursuant to Section 2, Article IV, of the Constitution of North Dakota, following the 2010 census and for such other purposes as the Legislature may deem appropriate.” Executive Order 2011-28 Issued by N.D. Gov. Jack Dalrymple The Legislature’s Redistricting Committee has prepared the district boundaries revision bill for the special session. The committee, chaired by Sen. Raymond Holmberg (RGrand Forks), has developed a bill which retains the state’s current number of 47 legislative districts (represented by two House members and one Senate member per district). Adjusting the boundar2
in 2010, up from 642,200 in 2000); however, population in only 11 counties grew while population in 42 counties declined; Adjusting legislative district boundaries so that each district contains close to 14,310 people (672,591 divided by 47). The plan adopted by the Redistricting Committee creates five districts (4, 6, 10, 14 and 19) with a surplus of incumbent leg-
NOVEMBER 2011 NORTH DAKOTA LIVING
islators who may have to compete against fellow legislators to retain their legislative seats. The map depicting the proposed legislative district boundaries is available at the “Legislative Redistricting Committee Maps” link at http:// legis.nd.gov/. North Dakota leaders are also working on and talking publicly about other legislation that may be addressed during the special session. This includes legislation on the state’s implementation of the health
benefit exchange provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act. The legislation is contained in a bill prepared by the interim Health Care Reform Committee, chaired by Rep. George Keiser (R-Bismarck). Legislative leaders have also said the special session may consider the University of North Dakota logo and nickname; assistance to flood victims; funding for infrastructure; and law enforcement and other needs in western North Dakota’s oil patch.
Contacting legislators
During the upcoming session, a legislator can be reached at the state Capitol through e-mail or by leaving a message with the legislative telephone message center at 1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or (701) 328-3373. Contact information (mail, e-mail, address, telephone) for each legislator is available through the Legislative Assembly link – 62nd (2011) – also at legis.nd.gov. Information about the special session is also available at www.ndarec.com, the Web site of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. www.ndarec.com
Amazon celebrates Grand Forks expansion ov. Jack Dalrymple, A ma zon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) and the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation (EDC) recently celebrated the opening of Amazon’s newly expanded customer service center in Grand Forks. The company will create more than 200 full-time jobs and hundreds of seasonal jobs at the facility by the end of 2012. Nodak Electric Cooperative, Grand Forks, serves the facility. “Our state economy continues to diversify and grow, and Amazon is part of that success,” Gov. Dalrymple said. “Our pro-business climate is attracting new companies and it promotes business growth. We’re pleased that Amazon appreciates our business
PHOTO BY GRETCHEN SCHMALTZ, NODAK ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
G
Participants in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Amazon Grand Forks facility included (from left) Hal Gershman, Grand Forks City Council president; Sen. John Hoeven; Jare’ Buckey-Cox, Amazon; Gov. Jack Dalrymple; and Emmitt O’Keefe, Amazon.
environment and we look forward to their expanding presence in North Dakota.” Amazon, a Fortune 500
company based in Seattle, Wash., operates to help customers find and discover anything they might
want to buy online, endeavoring to offer customers the lowest-possible prices.
OFFICIAL NOTICE OF PUBLICATION STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (REQUIRED BY 39 U.S.C. 3685) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Title of publication: North Dakota LIVING Publication No. 0393-880 Date of filing: Nov. 1, 2011 Frequency of issue: monthly 12 issues published annually Annual subscription price: $14.50 U.S.; $29.95 Canada Complete mailing address of known office of publication (street, city, county, state, ZIP+4): 3201 Nygren Drive N.W. (P.O. Box 727), Mandan, ND 58554-0727 (Morton County) 8. Complete mailing address of headquarters or general business office of publisher: 3201 Nygren Drive N.W. (P.O. Box 727), Mandan, ND 58554-0727 9. Names and addresses of publisher, editor and managing editor: Publisher: North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, 3201 Nygren Drive N.W. (P.O. Box 727), Mandan, ND 58554-0727. Editor: Kent Brick, 3201 Nygren Drive N.W. (P.O.
Box 727), Mandan, ND 58554-0727. 10. Owner name, complete mailing address: North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, 3201 Nygren Drive N.W. (P.O. Box 727), Mandan, ND 58554-0727 11. Known bondholders/mortgagees/other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds/ mortgages/other securities: None 12. Tax status (purpose/function /nonprofit status of organization and exempt status for federal income tax purposes): Has not changed during preceding 12 months. 13. Publication title: North Dakota LIVING 14. Issue date for circulation data: October 2011
Avg. no. of copies each issue during preceding 12 months
Actual no. of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date
15. Extent and nature of circulation A. Total number of copies (net press run) ...................................................................................... 82,321 ......................... 72,415 B. Paid and/or requested circulation: 1. Paid or requested outside-county mail subscriptions ............................................................ 79,290 ......................... 69,895 2. Paid in-county subscriptions (including advertisers’ proofs/exchange copies) ................................................................................................................ 0 ..................................... 0 3. Sales through dealers, carriers, street vendors, counter sales, other non-USPS paid distribution ...................................................................... 0 ..................................... 0 4. Other classes mailed through the USPS ......................................................................................... 0 ..................................... 0 C. Total paid and/or requested circulation (sum of 15b, 1, 2, 3 and 4) .......................................... 79,290 ......................... 69,895 D. Nonrequested distribution 1. Outside county as stated on form 3541 ........................................................................................... 0 ..................................... 0 2. In-county as stated on form 3541 .................................................................................................... 0 ..................................... 0 3. Through the USPS....................................................................................................................2,524 ........................... 2,013 4. Outside the USPS........................................................................................................................ 375 .............................. 375 E. Total free distribution (sum of 15d, 1, 2, 3 and 4) .........................................................................2,899 ........................... 2,388 F. Total distribution (sums of 15c and 1e) ...................................................................................... 82,189 ......................... 72,283 G. Copies not distributed ...................................................................................................................... 132 ................................. 132 H. Total (sum of 15f and 15g) ......................................................................................................... 82,321 ......................... 72,415 I. Percent paid and/or requested circulation ......................................................................................... 96% ............................. 96%
www.ndliving.com
Pride of Dakota shows
S
hoppers can find Pride of Dakota products at the upcoming Holiday Showcases: Grand Forks, Alerus Center, Nov. 5-6 Minot, N.D. State Fair Center, Nov. 12-13 Fargo, Civic Auditorium, Nov. 18-20 Bismarck, Civic Center - Dec. 2-4 Admission is $2; kids under 12 are free. Visit Pride of Dakota at www. prideofdakota.nd.gov.
NORTH DAKOTA LIVING NOVEMBER 2011 3
EDITORIAL by Dennis Hill
State’s plan remains the clear choice
N
PHOTO BY PHYNE PHOTOGRAPHY
orth Dakota’s rural electric cooperatives joined a broad cross section of political, energy, agricultural, business and community leaders last month in opposition to a proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) takeover of state regulations that deal with air emissions that contribute to regional haze. EPA’s regional haze program calls for state and federal agencies to work together on actions to reduce visibility impairments at national parks and wilderness areas such as Theodore Roosevelt National Park. An EPA hearing was held in Bismarck. At issue is whether the state of North Dakota should be allowed to continue its regulation of air emissions associated with regional haze, or whether the EPA should take over that regulation from the state. In the view of the EPA, the state should require certain power plants operating in the state to install an emissions control technology that would cost Minnkota Power Cooperative and Basin Electric Cooperative about $700 million, or 11 times more than the state solution. The North Dakota State Health Department has determined what it believes is the best available technology in controlling emissions from North Dakota power plants. It also believes that the EPA-backed technology has not been proven to work in cyclone boilers burning North Dakota lignite coal. The testimony at the hearing demonstrated that North Dakota’s power plants are only a minor contributing factor to any regional haze that occurs in North Dakota, with out-of-state sources accounting for most of the particulate matter in the air. Thus, the modest extra reduction in particulate matter that might be achieved if some of North Dakota’s power plants are required to use the very expensive technology proposed by the EPA would produce no perceptible improvement in visibility. In our testimony, we supported the state’s right to continue its oversight of air quality given to it by Congress when it passed the Clean Air Act. Here’s a summary of the testimony I presented at the hearing on behalf of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives: “ … The people who own and control 90 percent of the coal-based generation in North Dakota are member-owners of electric cooperatives throughout North Dakota, Minnesota and the Upper Great Plains. These generation and
Dennis Hill
transmission cooperatives (G&Ts) are not owned by foreign or out-of-state investors who could not care less about the social responsibility inherent in the power generation business. The G&Ts operating in this state were formed by farmers, ranchers, and small business owners with roots in the land and the small communities in which they live. These cooperative pioneers believed it should be okay to use North Dakota’s coal resources to generate affordable electricity to improve our quality of life, but it should not be okay to destroy our quality of life in the process. “This environmental ethic was voiced by former North Dakota Gov. Art Link in his famous speech at the 1973 annual meeting of our association when he described what North Dakota should be like after our resources are developed and ‘the landscape is quiet again.’ In his speech, he described his vision that after coal mining is over ‘and the last dragline has ceased to rip and roar,’ the land would be returned to a condition as good or better than we found it. Electric cooperatives embraced this vision and committed to reclaiming mined land before being required to do so by state or federal regulation. “The issue at this hearing has to do with regional haze, and whether the federal government is in a better position to issue orders and an implementation plan than the state of North Dakota. We support the state’s implementation plan as the most feasible and cost-effective response to the concerns about regional haze. We believe the federal implementation plan is a step too far, seeking to impose an extraordinarily expensive solution to a problem that does not impact health or our quality of life, and seeks to impose technology that has not been proved to work with North Dakota’s particular type of lignite coal. North Dakotans are a practical and common sense people. We believe in getting value for the money we spend. If we are to spend an additional $700 million for environmental upgrades to reduce haze issues in Class I areas, we would expect to see results that are obvious rather than imperceptible. “As we all know, our nation faces tough economic times. Just as we need to be good stewards of the environment, we should be good stewards of how we spend money to protect the environment. If we are not, then those who are against even the most beneficial environmental regulations will gain valuable ammunition in their fight against your agency’s rulemaking authority. In my view, the State Implementation Plan represents the right approach at this time and in this place. On behalf of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, I urge the Environmental Protection Agency to drop its proposed federal implementation plan for North Dakota dealing with regional haze.” n Dennis Hill, editor-in-chief of North Dakota LIVING, is executive vice president and general manager of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Mandan.
Comments may be sent to: Dennis Hill, NDAREC, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727 or by e-mail: dhill@ndarec.com. 4
n o v e m b e r 2 0 1 1 n NOR T H D A K O T A L I V I N G
www.ndarec.com
SMART
Welcome to Smart North Dakota LIVING, a new feature of your magazine. Smart North Dakota LIVING will be a periodic forum for looking at new technologies, power supply challenges and wise energy choices for cooperative members.
with
This month’s topic: Winter safety
Your Yo u Touchstone Energy Cooperative Y
Winter means safety preparedness SMART
by Christina Roemmich
W
inter is approaching and so are the storms. Now is the best time to begin planning for North Dakota’s brutal winter weather. Whether you bunker down for the winter or thrive on the recreation that winter offers, you should know there are a number of ways to keep your home and family safe.
with
Generator safety Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative
During a power outage, a generator may be used to provide temporary power. Despite their overwhelming benefits, generators do pose serious hazards when they are not used properly. These hazards include carbon monheavy-duty and designed for outdoor use. oxide poisoning, electrical hazards and fire. The wattage of the cord cannot exceed the Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from total wattage of the appliances. the use of portable generators in a confined Extension cords should be inspected prior space claims too many lives each year. Gento use and need to be in excellent condition, erators will produce a high level of CO within free from cuts and tears. minutes of use. Remember you cannot see or Protect the cord from being pinched or smell CO. Even if you do not smell exhaust crushed as it passes through a window or fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. door. NEVER use a generator inside your home, NEVER power the house by plugging the h it space, shed or similar structure. wcrawl garage, generator into the outlet of the wall. Your electric Opening windows, doors and fans WILL Disconnect your property from the powcprevent o o or p a t i v e NOT CO exposure poisoning.e r er grid while running a generator to prevent Deadly levels of CO will quickly build up backfeeding from the home to the utility transand will remain in confined spaces for hours, former, which poses an electrocution hazard even after the unit has been turned off. to the utility workers and neighbors. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, sick or weak If you see a utility crew in the area, be sure while using a generator, get to fresh air IMMEto let them know you are running a generator. DIATELY. DO NOT DELAY, as CO produced by Fire hazards occur with improper fuelgenerators will kill rapidly. ing of the generator and inadequate storage Remember, you CANNOT see or smell CO. of fuel. Be sure to review your owner’s manual pri Before fueling the generator, turn it off and or to each use. let it cool as fuel spilled on hot engine parts Electrical hazards such as shock and eleccan ignite. trocution occur when a generator is used in ALWAYS store fuel outside of your home, wet conditions, used with an inadequate away from any fuel burning appliances. extension cord, or when the generator is Store fuel in appropriate and labeled plugged directly into the outlet of your home containers. or other building. Keep a fire extinguisher readily available. If you must use a generator in wet conSnowmobile safety ditions, protect the generator from moisture Winter flurries bring welcomed winter recwith an open canopy. Place the generator on an elevated, dry reation for many and snowmobilers are no exception. The avid snowmobiler looks for chalsurface so water does not pool around it. Do not touch a generator with wet hands or lenging terrains in the hills and snowdrifts. Snowmobilers also travel in the ditches where if it is in contact with water. Ground the generator. power lines are often located. LOOK AROUND and plan your route when Extension cords should be three-prong, riding under a power line.
6
NOVEMBER 2011 NORTH DAKOTA LIVING
Avoid riding on the drifts under a power line as the drifts can come very close to an overhead line and the rider can invariantly come into contact with the line. Take care when riding in an area where a power line was down, as there may be debris covered in the snow. Watch for down guys (the anchor which secures the power lines), as they can extend into the ditches and pathways.
Safety around downed power lines
Wind and ice can have devastating effects on a transmission and distribution structures. When a power line is compromised by a storm, the power is not necessarily turned off. Snow is a great insulator for downed power lines and an electric current may still be traveling along the wires. ALWAYS take caution and NEVER approach a downed power line. The electric current can kill instantaneously. Report downed power lines to local authorities or to your local utility company. DO NOT approach or come into contact with a downed power line. DO NOT drive over a downed power line. Objects in contact with a downed power line can become energized, thus able to produce a deadly shock. If your vehicle, home or other structure comes into contact with a downed power line, STAY PUT and call 911 Safety is a core service and concern of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC). The NDAREC safety services department conducts safety education for the state’s electric cooperatives. NDAREC safety services professionals want cooperative members to take steps to assure personal safety during months when extreme winter conditions increase safety risks. “With winter, we face challenging conditions,” says Paul Davis, NDAREC safety services director. “We want co-op members to be reminded that the winter equipment we need requires careful operation.” Christina Roemmich is safety coordinator for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives.
www.ndarec.com
Energy Efficiency $$ North Dakota Utility Rebate Program Go to: Touchstone Energy www.ndarec.com Cooperatives of North Dakota
Cole Strong, North Central Electric Cooperative, Bottineau, is helping members install new air source heat pumps to get great rebates.
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of North Dakota ELECTRIC CO-OP MEMBERS: ● Talk to staff at your co-op; ● Take a look at the rebate application form (preview available at ndarec.com);
North Dakota Utility Rebate Program
● Learn from your co-op whether purchases under consideration qualify for a rebate; ● Purchase, install the equipment; ● With co-op’s help, complete and submit rebate application form; ● Check your mail - enjoy your rebate dollars - and the money saved from your energy efficiency investment!
The grant for N.D. Utility Rebate Program comes from the N.D. Department of Commerce, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Cash & savings! Flood assistance* now available! RESIDENTS can get up to $5,000* in rebates. These RESIDENTIAL rebates can come from: Energy efficiency technologies ● Air conditioners ● Air source heat pumps ● Attic, wall insulation ● Heat pump water heaters ● Thermal storage water heaters ● Thermal storage central furnaces And/or Renewable energy technologies ● Geothermal heat pumps ● Photovoltaics ● Wind turbines
BUSINESSES can get up to $15,000 in rebates. These COMMERCIAL rebates can come from: Energy efficiency technologies ● Efficient lighting ● Efficient motors ● Variable speed drives ● Air source heat pumps ● Thermal storage water heaters And/or Renewable energy technologies ● Geothermal heat pumps ● Photovoltaics ● Wind turbines
The Commerce department has authorized additional rebate dollars *forNOTE: FEMA-qualified homeowner flood victims. These flood victims can receive an extra flat $400 rebate for qualifying central air, air source and ground source heat pumps, and $100 for demand response and heat pump water heaters.
For eligibility rules, limitations and program details, go to www.ndarec.com. Disclaimer: This rebate program is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), administered through the N.D. Department of Commerce. The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) and its participating local distribution cooperative members have a limited amount of ARRA funds to distribute to electric cooperative customers who meet the eligibility requirements for the program. In distributing rebate funds, NDAREC agrees to comply with all the applicable federal non-discrimination laws, so that no person shall be denied the benefits of this program or be otherwise subject to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or age. There is a fund available for a variety of energy efficiency and demand response rebates. There is a separate fund to promote renewable energy from wind, solar and geothermal applications. Rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis from each fund, so consumers should not depend on the availability of rebate funds in planning energy efficiency or renewable energy projects. When a fund is depleted, NDAREC and the local co-ops have no further responsibility to provide rebates under this program. This program will terminate when the funds for the program are spent, or on December 31, 2011, whichever is sooner.
COUNTRY LINE by Kent Brick
New Dakota Carrier Network center nearing completion
T
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NOVEMBER 2011 ď Ž NORTH DAKOTA LIVING
PHOTOS BY KENT BRICK
he atmosphere inside the nearly completed new Network Operations Center (NOC) for Dakota Carrier Network (DCN) is marked by the buzz of workers completing a world-class technology center. Dozens of workers are tending to walls, flooring and ceiling work, to cabling, wiring and space furnishing, and getting the modern building into workplace readiness. In just over a year, the 42,000-square-foot facility has progressed from groundbreaking to the expected occupancy by DCN personnel and other users before the end of this year. DCN was created in 1996 by 15 independent rural telecommunications cooperatives and companies. This group today represents 85 percent of all the telephone exchanges in North Dakota and more than 90 percent of the state’s total surface area. For its member companies and now other user-groups, DCN operates a statewide high-speed, large bandwidth network making fast, reliable and versatile communications possible. DCN member companies currently serve over 164,000 customers in 250 communities with advanced hardware and software. DCN and its member companies have more than 20,000 miles of fiber optic cable installed across North Dakota.
DCN executives, from left, Don Peterson, Evan Hass and Seth Arndorfer have kept close watch on the impressive construction progress being made inside and outside the new Network Operations Center. www.ndatc.com
DCN’s new 42,000-square-foot Network Operations Center will be ready for occupancy by the end of this year.
The new Network Operations Center, located along the 43rd Ave. N. thoroughfare in Bismarck, will act as a “Fort Knox” for network connectivity, support and monitoring purposes. The building is a carrier grade hardened facility.
A growing number of private and public enterprises, including the North Dakota Information Technology Department (ITD), use DCN network services or locate data storage, routers and other critical network resources in DCN facilities. These entities require the utmost in uninterrupted operation of the information networks they employ. The new NOC is built to assure this performance level. “Dakota Carrier Network is our most significant provider of telecommunications facilities for government and educational facilities across the state,” said Duane Schell, director of telecommunications for ITD. “Through DCN, we know we will have a reliable and secure network infrastructure that is critical to all the technology initiatives we undertake.” In fact, the new NOC foundation, shell configuration and components are built to withstand F4 tornado-force winds. In addition, the NOC is equipped with a 1-megawatt generator and battery plant for power supply backup. As equipped, the new NOC will ensure 99.999 percent network “uptime” for customers. “The continuity of business is critical to our customers,” says Seth Arndorfer, DCN business development manager. He said this drove the decision to create a new facility with the carrier grade hardened standard. Arndorfer said the growth in customers and in the size of the DCN staff and space needed to accommodate customers is the other major factor in building a new facility. “Our owner companies are committed to delivering leading edge technology across North Dakota and to providing our customers with increased communications capabilities and business continuity,” said Evan Hass, DCN general manager. “Our new Network Operations Center is one more component in achieving ultimate connectivity for North Dakota organizations.” DCN is planning to host a grand opening of the NOC in July 2012. Kent Brick is editor of North Dakota LIVING. He may be reached at kbrick@ndarec.com.
NORTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVES 3201 Nygren Drive N.W. Box 1144 Mandan, N.D. 58554
(701) 663-1099 www.ndatc.com
Cooperatives
BEK Communications Cooperative ..................................... Steele Consolidated Telcom Cooperative ................................. Dickinson Dakota Central Telecommunications Cooperative ........ Carrington Dickey Rural Networks ...................................................Ellendale Nemont Telephone Cooperative ............................. Scobey, Mont. Northwest Communications Cooperative ...............................Ray Polar Communications Cooperative..............................Park River Red River Rural Telephone Association ....................Abercrombie Reservation Telephone Cooperative ................................. Parshall SRT Communications Cooperative ......................................Minot United Telephone Mutual Aid Corporation ...................... Langdon West River Telecommunications Cooperative ..................... Hazen www.ndliving.com
NDATC Officers
Leo Meier, President ................................. BEK Communications Stanley Vangsness, First Vice President ... SRT Communications Kent Klima, Second Vice President ....... Dickey Rural Telephone Brenda Volesky, Secretary/Treasurer ........ Consolidated Telcom Rodney Suko, Director .......................... Dakota Central Telecom Orvis Nelson, Director ................................... Nemont Telephone Robert Austreim, Director.............. Northwest Communications Ron Steinke, Director .............................. Polar Communications Ron German, Director ....................... Red River Rural Telephone Jeanette Hoff, Director............................ Reservation Telephone Richard Otto, Director...................................... United Telephone Randy Christmann, Director ........................ West River Telecom NORTH DAKOTA LIVING NOVEMBER 2011 9
COVER STORY by Kent Brick
Basin Electric celebrating 50th anniversary
This month, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bismarck, marks a milestone in North Dakota energy development with its 50th anniversary. Several special events will commemorate the 50th anniversary, with the focal point of the celebrations at the annual meeting Nov. 8-9 in Bismarck.
At the 2010 Basin Electric annual meeting, Basin Electric President Cliff Gjellstad, Norwich, spoke of the principles and values which make the cooperative strong at its half-century milestone. “The cooperative really is a ‘special glue’ that binds members together. No matter how things may change, one thing does remain the same: the strength that comes from unity of purpose, and the support we have for each other as a wholesale power provider, a member system and a rural consumer,” said Gjellstad, who is a director for Verendrye Electric Cooperative, Velva, and Central Power Electric Cooperative, Minot. He represents Central Power on the Basin Electric board.
A vision for the future
PHOTO COURTESY OF BASIN ELECTRIC
Ron Harper, left, Basin Electric chief executive officer, and Cliff Gjellstad, Basin Electric president, both say cooperative enterprise has been the lifeblood of the organization over its 50 years.
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NOVEMBER 2011 NORTH DAKOTA LIVING
On May 5, 1961, representatives of 67 rural electric systems signed documents that created Basin Electric Power Cooperative in Bismarck. From these beginnings, Basin Electric has advanced its core business of generating and transmitting wholesale bulk electric power, primarily to 135 member electric cooperatives in nine states. Its subsidiary, Dakota Gasification Company, owns and operates the Great Plains Synfuels Plant near Beulah. For the 50th anniversary, Basin Electric has published “Generation for Generations – A Vision For Giant Power,” a 50-year history. In the book’s opening, Ron Harper, Basin Electric chief executive officer, speaks about the origins and mission of Basin Electric: www.ndarec.com
Top photo: 1947 view of Williams Electric Cooperative connecting the Nasner farm, near Williston; second photo: 1947-1954 Garrison Dam construction helped launch regional rural electric power supply; third photo: in 1964, celebrating framing for the Basin Electric Leland Olds Unit 1, near Stanton, are, from left: Helge Nygren, Charles Tighe, Kenneth Roe and James Grahl; bottom photo: 1988 membership meeting in Bismarck, with Basin Electric President George Hargens hearing from Ray Jilek, Dickinson.
TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLISTON STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION, WILLIAM E. SHEMORRY COLLECTION; NEXT THREE PHOTOS COURTESY OF BASIN ELECTRIC
www.ndliving.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF BASIN ELECTRIC
“Much of the rural area of the Northern Great Plains only obtained central station electric service in the 1940s and 1950s. While many of us may not have directly experienced gathering buffalo chips, hauling coal or cutting wood as the only means to heat our homes, we’ve certainly heard the stories from our parents or grandparents. “When the barns and homes were wired and finally electrified, the demand for electricity grew rapidly because electricity created much easier, cleaner and hopeful lives. Soon the electric cooperatives that were initially formed to build the rural electric systems were looking for more capacity and that’s the very simple explanation of why Basin Electric exists. “Leaders from the rural areas of the Northern Plains who founded Basin Electric used Leland Olds’ giant power concept by pooling their power requirements to build a large generating station to achieve economy of scale and to serve as many in the region as possible. The plan was to build a large generating station in the lignite fields of North Dakota near the Missouri River, using the federal transmission system and a postage-stamp rate. “The founders required that the generating plants be built in a very environmentally friendly way. In fact, the cooperative became the first utility in the nation to require that surface-mined land be returned to rolling countryside. By the end of 2012, Basin Electric and its subsidiaries will have already invested more than $1.4 billion in various types of environmental controls on their facilities. “On behalf of all the members who have benefited from the vision
Leland Olds
of this organization, I thank those that carried the water, made the tough decisions, and pushed forward when outcomes were uncertain. Because of them, we and generations to come have a cooperative that has withstood the test of time and is well-positioned to meet the challenges of the next 50 years and beyond,” Harper said. “Generation for Generations” includes key segments describing how the cooperative and natural resources of North Dakota were mobilized to achieve the start of Basin Electric. The concept that evolved into Basin Electric emerged from debates over what kind of organization would be best suited to use North Dakota lignite to generate power for widespread consumption by rural consumers. The book points out that the Basin Electric plan involved building a generating plant to serve as continued on page 12
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continued from page 11
Basin Electric transmission lines, including this segment near Fort Thompson, S.D., are integrated into a large regional backbone of power transmission resources. 12
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BASIN ELECTRIC
a wholesale provider for a wider region – essentially the upper Missouri Basin – but only for electric cooperatives and other consumerowned systems. Power would be transmitted with postage-stamp pricing over the federal hydroelectric transmission system. Customers would be members and thus have control over the plant and its rates. This particular power supply vision is credited to Leland Olds, an early 20th century leader in the new realm of widespread electric power supply. James Grahl, Basin Electric’s first general manager, credits a North Dakota cooperative leader for critical advocacy of this plan. “Helge Nygren, chairman of the board of directors of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC), did much at this time to convince cooperative leaders and managers in the state about the salient points of the Basin Electric plan,” said Grahl, in a 1985 interview. Nygren was elected in 1962 to the first formal Basin Electric board of directors. Nygren, from Flasher, was president of the Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative board of directors. He represented Mor-Gran-Sou Electric on the NDAREC board. (Today, Nygren’s son, Ordean “Lars” Nygren,
James Grahl
Helge Nygren
is general manager of Capital Electric Cooperative, Bismarck.) “Generation for Generations” goes on to describe how the vision became reality for Basin Electric. On May 10, 1962, Basin Electric received its first loan of $36.6 million from the federal Rural Electrification Administration, for a large power plant in North Dakota. Art Jones, Britton, S.D., Basin Electric’s first board president, said this action had great import for North Dakota. “With the proper use of lignite coal resources, North Dakota will become the electric hub of the nation,” Jones said. The book continues: “…on June
22, 1963, more than 8,500 people gathered on a site south of Stanton near the banks of the Missouri River, sitting on the prairie at the groundbreaking for the Leland Olds Station. ... Two days later, Lawrence Carlson, Washburn, an employee of Northern Improvement Co., rolled his Caterpillar bulldozer out across that site. His dozer blade sliced into the prairie, and, with that, construction truly began on this giant plant that had started with one man’s vision and provided the power to fulfill the dreams of thousands.” Editor of North Dakota LIVING, Kent Brick, can be reached at kbrick@ndarec.com.
The blending of cooperative assets such as the Antelope Valley Station, background, with the Dakota Gasification Company synfuels plant subsidiary, lower portion, near Beulah, has been a key to Basin Electric’s strength.
NOVEMBER 2011 NORTH DAKOTA LIVING
www.ndarec.com
Great Regional Books from
DakotaBookNet.com
North Dakota Rodeo: an illustrated history of rodeos and their culture since the 1800 s, by CathyA. Langemo My Dakota -Tales of Happiness and Heartbreak on the Prairie: A novel by Alexander, N.D., native Alan Quale Guardians of the Frontier: Joseph Gavett's new book of a man's journey westward in the 1850s and the fur traders and Indians who influenced him. Memoirs of an Unknown Sportsw riter (Except in North Dakota): Longtime sportswr iter Abe Winter recalls his highlights of covering North Dakota sports over 26 years Sundogs and Sunflowers - Folklore and Folk Arts of the Northern Great Plains: The colorful folk heritage of the people who live on the Grea t Plains, by Timothy Kloberdanz and Troyd Geist Mr. Wheat - A Biography of U.S. Sen ator Milton R. Young: the life of North Dakota's longest-serving U.S. Senator and his influence on the state and nation
Exotic Western Caribbean for Seniors Belize, Roatan Bay, Costa Maya & Cozumel January 28 - February 5, 2012
Join Jack & Hazel Jensen, the owners of Jensen Travel, on a sun-filled, fun-filled, winter fling to the Exotic Western Caribbean. There is no better unspoiled corner of the Caribbean than this area. We’re excited about showing you the pristine scenery, wildlife and culture of these unique ports of call. Of course, we’ll be onboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, there is no other way to cruise. No dress up, no fixed seating for dinner, 13 dining rooms to choose from, all with a different menu. 15
entertainment venues each evening. We’ve often heard, “we’re too old for island hopping.” This is for seniors (one person over 50 in the room). Come join us, we’re seniors, and we’ll show you just how much fun you can have! Our major reason for hosting this event is “We want to do this trip!”, so why not surround ourselves with people just like us, who we’ll love spending time with.
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2011 Holiday Showcases North Dakota made gourmet food and beverages, apparel, accessories, decor, artwork, books, gift items and more!
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ADMISSION $2 - 12 and under FREE *Free reusable bag with paid admission *Bring your own reusable bag and save $1 www.ndliving.com
For more information: call 1-800-242-7535 or www.prideofdakota.com
N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 13
Created with pride ... in Dakota by Luann Dart
PHOTOS BY LUANN DART
A contemporary rendition of a familiar North Dakota scene is captured by artist Ellen Diederich.
I
n her Fargo studio, Ellen Diederich ponders the framing of a color-drenched field of flowers she’s artistically captured on canvas. In Linton, Kristy Llerenas labels the luxurious, honey-rich lotion she’s scientifically created. From Diederich’s brilliant brush strokes to Llerenas’ heavenly honey products, Pride of Dakota members are perfecting, polishing and packaging their products as they prepare for the Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcases across the state.
Linton businesses buzz
Kristy and Joaquin Llerenas’ businesses are “buzzing,” Kristy says with a chuckle – from Llerenas Apiaries to a retail store, A Touch of Honey, in downtown Linton, where they sell products made with honey from the family’s apiary. The store glows with golden bottles of honey on rich cherry wood shelves and a colorful array of blissfully luxurious beauty products, all made with “a touch of honey.” The blossoming business had a fortuitous beginning – when Kristy and Joaquin, members of KEM Electric Cooperative, launched their apiary in 1986, Kristy discovered she was severely allergic to bee stings. Despite her banishment from bees, she still had her hands in honey as she began dabbling with products made with honey. “I had lots of time on my hands and lots of honey,” she explains. “We always had plenty of honey around, so I was always torturing my kids and my husband with ‘Try this, try this, try this.’ ” In December 2006, after completely renovating a vacant building, Kristy opened A Touch of Honey in Linton. 14
NOVEMBER 2011 NORTH DAKOTA LIVING
Today, the shop carries 36 different lotions with designer fragrances such as Estee Lauder, White Diamonds and Blue Jeans, along with fragrances she has created herself, such as Citrus Awakening, a light fruity lotion. Mixing a base with honey, scents, oils and other secret ingredients, Kristy creates potions of lotions, soaps, bath salts and other products. Her concoctions are lightly scented with reminders of everything from citrus fruits to ice cream sundaes to baby powder. “Everybody has a different favorite, so to try and accommodate so many different people, especially so many age groups, that’s the biggest challenge,” she says. Kristy has also created a men’s line of lotion and shower gels with 12 different fragrances. She makes shower gels, lip balms, lotion bars and bath salts, too. And A Touch of Honey also sells honey, including 10 different flavors of creamed honey. She’s added a new creamed honey flavor – rhubarb – for the Holiday Showcases, and also sells liquid honey flavors of blackberry, cinnamon and chokecherry. To accompany the honey theme, Kristy also sells herbal teas and teapots. Using the 12th, 55-gallon drum of honey this year, Kristy perfects her potions through trial and error in the back of the store, where shelves overflow with an array of bottled scents and oils amid glass measurers, reminiscent of a science lab. “The more you play around with it, the better you get at it,” she explains. She melds the ingredients, then bottles everything by hand. She prints and applies the labels, designed by her daughter, Larisa, and seals the product – all within her shop. www.ndarec.com
The professional product is then placed in the store, where Kristy encourages customers to “smell and try” the samples and promotes the natural moisturizing and antibiotic properties of the honey in her products. The couple’s other daughter, Leticia, has also helped with the business and their son, Braden, is working in the apiary business alongside his father. A native of Mexico, Joaquin has been a beekeeper since childhood, an occupation which led him to the Linton area. Llerenas Apiaries manages approximately 11,000 beehives, producing about 1 million pounds of honey a year. The honey is processed in Linton, then shipped to Sue Bee Honey in Sioux City, Iowa. In late October or early November, the Llerenas Apiaries bees are trucked to California until May to pollinate plum, cherry and orange orchards. From those busy, buzzing bees, Joaquin and Kristy have created bountiful businesses.
Artist shares palette The tantalizing products offered by Kristy Llerenas at A Touch of Honey, Linton, include 10 different flavors of creamed honey, including a rhubarb flavor added for the Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcases.
In her cozy Fargo studio Ellen Diederich colors her canvas with lavish watercolors or acrylics, specializing in floral, architectural and domestic animal scenes. www.ndliving.com
From her lower level studio in her spacious Fargo home, Ellen Diederich colors her canvas with lavish watercolors or acrylics, creating rich recreations of floral, architectural and domestic animal scenes with a talent she discovered as a youth. “Somehow I always had art supplies,” she says, describing how her parents sold a cow so she could attend an art workshop. When she sold her first painting to her grandmother for $40, the family matriarch emphasized, “The only reason I’m buying it is to encourage you,” Diederich says with a laugh. That family support continued as she pursued degrees in fine art and art education from Minnesota State University Moorhead, drawing portraits to help pay for college. Painting professionally since 1985, she uses flat brushes to create shapes and lines reminiscent of calligraphy. “My paintings are neo-impressionistic, but I try not to vary the strokes, so you’re not aware of the tool,” she says. “I paint uninhibited,” she says, using broad strokes, an elegant palette and a eye for subtle humor. “I just love painting, yet there are many things about painting that are difficult,” she says. “Framing and marketing also require devotion and investment. I can see where a lot of people would back off. The work itself is a process of rejection. You not only get rejected, but you reject parts of your work, making it tough on yourself.” Diederich photographs flowers, animals or buildings that interest her, then organizes them into sketches. Creating about 30 paintings a year, she’s fascinated with the textures of acrylics and the transparency of watercolors, describing the creative process as almost spiritual. “When I’m in the zone, it’s a gift to be painting like that,” she says. That divine gift inspired the name of her publishing company, Givinity Press, through which she’s published two books, giclee reproductions, note cards and Christmas cards. “Where’s Petunia?”is a full-color children’s book illustrated and written by Diederich. The garden adventure follows two cats, Art and Petunia, who discover the names of continued on page 16 N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 15
continued from page 15
various flowers through Diederich’s illustrations. In another self-published book, “Progressive Painting: Your Creative Journey,” Diederich shares tips for successful painting. Diederich also instructs watercolor workshops around the country. Her spiritual art journey continues as she creates the “Healing Garden” series of paintings. Each 12- by 12-inch canvas features a dominant color and healing theme, so several canvases can be arranged into a meditation space.
Mixing a base with honey, scents, oils and other secret ingredients, Kristy Llerenas creates potions of lotions, soaps, bath salts and other products at her Linton business, A Touch of Honey.
Diederich finds solace in the space around her, connecting nature and paint to create tapestries of art. “North Dakota is a great place to be an artist,” Diederich says. Luann Dart is a freelance writer and editor who lives near Elgin.
For more information
Fargo artist Ellen Diederich prepares for the Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcases in November and December by creating some new art pieces.
Touch of Honey, 102 S. Broadway, Linton, ND 58552. Call (701) 254-5455 or (866) 236-0230; e-mail tofhoney@ bektel.com; or visit www.tofhoney.com. Givinity Press, 3374 Maplewood Court S., Fargo, ND 58104. Call (701) 235-4241 or (866) 221-5860 or visit www.givinity.com.
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NOVEMBER 2011 NORTH DAKOTA LIVING
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N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 17
North Dakota’s coal industry creates jobs and keeps the cost of living low. That’s the power of coal.
Affordable power supply keeps the cost of living low.
Coal provides 27,000 jobs in the state.
Each year, coal provides $3 billion in total business activity.
The coal industry pays $90 million in state taxes each year.
To learn more how coal keeps North Dakota strong, please visit powerofcoal.com.
e - N O R T H D A K O TA by Luann Dart
Bloggers sh F
PHOTO COURTESY N.D. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
A contemporary rendition of a familiar North Dakota scene is captured by artist Ellen Diederich. Sarah Wilson writes about her Jamestown farm family on her blog, with hopes of promoting North Dakota agriculture.
rom the serious to the silly moments on her Jamestown farm, Sarah Wilson shares her adventures in faith, family and farming through a blog titled, “Farmer on a Mission.” “We live our lives by faith, family and farming, in that order. If you want to watch things get messy, let those get out of order,” she says with a laugh. “Meanwhile, back at the ranch...,” Jessie Veeder Scofield’s blog, muses about both the mundane and magical moments of ranch life in western North Dakota. “I know how to catch a horse and where the creek winds. I know where my favorite birch tree lives ... and my favorite oak,” she writes. With a dab of humor, a dose of reverence and a dash of enthusiasm, the two young women declare their love for rural North Dakota through day-to-day observations about life on the farm and ranch with their blogs, which are Web site logs that share commentary, photos and videos with readers. “I hope people feel informed and I hope they can laugh a little bit,” Sarah says about her blog. “I hope at the end of the day, they have a better appreciation for agriculture and what we’re doing out here. I think farmers and ranchers are some of the most under appreciated folks in our society.” “I like sharing my story and I like showing what I love about the place and that’s where the blogging came in,” Jessie shares.
Stewards of the Wilson farm
COURTESY PHOTO
PHOTO BY LUANN DART
Her blond hair pulled into a ponytail, Sarah Wilson sits at the kitchen table with her husband’s 90-year-old grandfather, William Wilson, as he reminisces about plowing five acres a day with a two-bottom plow and a team of horses. “The technology that has come into this agricultural world in the last 10 years blows your mind,” he says. But the principles of agriSarah Wilson checks a cover crop in a nearby field, which includes culture remain, Sarah says, everything from turnips to peas prompting her to post everythat will be used to improve soil thing from grandpa’s historihealth on the Wilson farm. cal photos to her children’s antics on her farm blog to help tell the story of modern agriculture. “Here on the Wilson farm, we are faithful stewards of God’s creation,” she says. “We focus on ... having a positive impact on our community, our environment, our economy and our society. We work really hard on giving back to the community, and that we are also honoring the legacy,” she says. A fifth-generation farmer originally from Maryland, 32-yearold Sarah landed in North Dakota to attend graduate school and met her husband, Jeremy, through a Farm Bureau event. Married in 2006, the couple has three young children and Sarah works part-time for the Farm Bureau as coordinator of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Program. The 3,000-acre Wilson farm, served by Northern Plains Electric Cooperative, raises corn, wheat and soybeans.
Jessie Veeder Scofield shares her adventures on the Veeder ranch near Watford City, promoting the lifestyle she loves.
Read the blogs at: Meanwhile, back at the ranch: http://veederranch.com Farmer on a Mission: http://farmeronamission.blogspot.com
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NOVEMBER 2011 NORTH DAKOTA LIVING
www.ndarec.com
are stories from home PHOTO BY LUANN DART
Natives of the Veeder ranch
www.ndliving.com
COURTESY PHOTO
As a youngster, Jessie Veeder Scofield traipsed through the rugged hills of the 3,000-acre Veeder ranch 30 miles southeast of Watford City, singing with the coyotes. Following her father’s footsteps on the family ranch, she inherited his passion for music, horses and North Dakota. “I’ve had music as the base in my life forever and a lot of that creativity comes out,” she
Jessie Veeder Scofield still sings professionally, often writing songs about North Dakota.
says of the blogs she posts today. After recording her first CD when she was 16, she attended college, then began touring the country as a professional singer. While marrying her high school sweetheart, Chad, her heart was also with the Veeder ranch. In June 2010, Jessie and Chad returned home to the ranch, with Chad working for Marathon Oil in New Town. “There’s a lot of opportunities to be here right now and make a living and we’re really blessed to be in a good spot,” she says. Living in the house where her father was raised, Jessie’s blog echoes her songs, as she shares her reverence for family ranching and living in North Dakota – along with a humorous adventure or two. “I understood the power that social media had in connecting with people. ... That was something I learned from my music. I was always telling my story and I always wanted to write,” she says. She started a Web site to promote her music and the ranch, which the couple hopes to develop into a vacation destination. “It kind of went from there because I got some great responses. The stories I wanted to tell weren’t the logistics stories. They were stories about what it was like to be back here,” she explains. Using photography and video, she shares whispered moments during an Jessie Veeder Scofield helps elk hunt, or North Dakota with the family ranch near Watford trivia from an “impossible” City, which is served by McKenzie Electric Cooperative. old board game found in the back of a closet. “I turned it into a way to document my life and share,” the 28-year-old says. “When you’re writing about it, you observe a little bit more, listen to the conversation, you think about what it means in the greater picture and that’s what the blog has done is make me appreciate what we really have here,” she explains. “A lot of it is about connections to the land,” she says, such as sharing her thoughts and photos about walking through the coulees behind her house, cutting the family Christmas tree or sliding down a gumbo hill during a rainstorm. “It’s feeling like every day is an adventure,” she says. Her history on the Veeder ranch, which is served by McKenzie Electric Cooperative, results in exposing the flaws, too, she says. “This life right now is not perfect. ... Things need to be fixed and people get bucked off,” she says with a laugh. But people can relate to the flaws, as well as her passion for the ranch. “This is home to me,” she says. “I love this state.” COURTESY PHOTO
“I have a real passion for agriculture advocacy,” she says, which prompted her to start telling her story on the Internet. Blogging since 2009, she discusses both the controversial and the casual, all with a personal angle. “It’s those personal stories, where I can tie together stories about my children and farming. So I’m a mommy blogger with an agriculture emphasis,” she says. Sarah Wilson shares a farm story She tracks site visitawith her daughter’s preschool class. tion statistics, responds Copies of the book, “Star Becomes to reader comments and a Mother,” were donated by the perfects her site through Stutsman County Farm Bureau to each child in the class. trial and error, she says. “Stay positive, be genuine and take it to a personal level. Try to form those relationships and carry them into real life. Meet the people who are following your blog,” she advises other bloggers. “That’s been a huge encouragement to me as a mom and as a farmer is having those relationships and taking social media to the next level and making it a personal relationship. That has probably been the greatest reward are those personal relationships that have developed as a result of social media,” she shares. Her site has attracted 15,000 readers from hundreds of countries. “It’s been really amazing to watch it unfold,” she says. As a busy mother, she struggles to post regularly, but strives to tell a story when she does blog. “My biggest flaw as a blogger is irregularity,” she says. “But I really try to do memorable things and I always include pictures. ... I never would have thought that 15,000 people would think what I’m doing in my life is interesting.”
Luann Dart is a freelance writer and editor who lives near Elgin. N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 21
e - N O R T H D A K O TA by Carmen Devney
Doctors — and robots — make strides W
Robots transcend the movies Years ago, doctors might have performed open surgery to remove Eric’s cancer, resulting in considerable pain and a long hospital stay. Or, they might have performed laparoscopy, an operation using small incisions. “About 10 years ago, some people got the crazy idea that they could hook up a robot with doublecamera vision so they could have three-dimensional vision instead of two — and the robot was born,” explains Hedgepeth. While the technology didn’t take off right away, it continued to 22
PHOTO COURTESY OF TRINITY HEALTH
hen doctors performed a routine test to screen Eric Nostdahl for prostate cancer, elevated numbers flagged a potential problem. When further testing revealed he had cancer, Eric immediately feared three possible outcomes. At the age of 53, he could die from cancer. Or, after treatment, he could become incontinent or impotent. Some men prefer to die. Eric, a Bottineau resident and member of United Telephone Mutual Aid Corporation, met with Dr. Ryan Hedgepeth, a urologist at Trinity Health in Minot. Hedgepeth explained the specifics about prostate cancer to Eric and his wife, Penny, and gave Eric two options: try radiation, or undergo robotic surgery to remove his prostate and the cancer. “I told him I was concerned about the care in Minot,” Nostdahl admits. “Dr. Hedgepeth explained the benefits and risks of robotic surgery, and how it works in comparison to old-style surgery. He talked about how it is less invasive, and how much faster I would heal, and how there is less scarring. After having that discussion with him, I realized I was in the right place.” In June, Hedgepeth removed Eric’s prostate and cancer using the hospital’s da Vinci Surgical System robot. Eleven days after surgery, Eric had a date with his wife of 31 years. And it was good.
Dr. Ryan Hedgepeth, urologist and director of advanced robotic surgery for Trinity Health, Minot, says most patients who undergo surgery using the robot experience less pain, blood loss and scarring, and recover faster.
develop. And it didn’t take long for urologists to discover that using a state-of-the-art robot to perform intricate surgical procedures allowed them to better see into a microscopic space, control their movements, and minimize dissection and reconstruction. Impressed with the robot’s abilities, surgeons in other fields recognized the potential. With their hands at the controls, doctors could use the robot to perform thyroid surgery, gastric bypass, heart bypass, kidney surgery, microscopic surgery, hysterectomies and more. “The gambit of surgeries that can be performed using a robot is incredible,” Hedgepeth shares. Trinity Health introduced the da Vinci to the Minot area last July. Under the leadership of Dr. Hedgepeth, who serves as the hospital’s director of advanced robotic surgery, Trinity Health’s doctors have performed more than 200 procedures. Since that time, hospitals in Fargo and Bismarck also use the robot for medical procedures. In the 1970s, Star Wars introduced R2D2, a droid that made robots look cool and smart. Blasting the boundaries of the fictional universe 30-plus years later, the
NOVEMBER 2011 NORTH DAKOTA LIVING
da Vinci proves robots really can save lives. Doctors are pleased with the results they are seeing — and so are patients like Eric. Following a minimally invasive surgery performed by doctors using the da Vinci, most patients experience significantly less pain, blood loss and scarring, and recover faster than they did following open surgery or a laparoscopy procedure. Five months after his surgery, Eric is now cancer-free. While he continues to see Hedgepeth regularly to make sure he’s hitting his recovery marks, Eric’s outlook is good. “I was very impressed with the care,” Eric summarizes. “Everything Dr. Hedgepeth said he was going to do, he did, and it turned out the way he said it was going to happen.” Eric says he also appreciated that he didn’t have to travel across the state, or out of state, to receive first-rate treatment. For information on Trinity Health, visit http://www.trinityhealth.org/. To learn about the da Vinci robot, click on Medical Services, Specialties and then Urology. Carmen Devney is a communications specialist for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. www.ndarec.com
Link to in-home support and services for older adults and adults with physical disabilities. Toll-free
1-855-GO2LINK (1-855-462-5465)
www.carechoice.nd.gov
Fun
ND Relay TTY 1-800-366-6888
My Minot is my
day getaway Your fun day getaway is just a short drive away in Minot, North Dakota. Enjoy a day of shopping the malls, discount stores, boutiques and gift shops, wining and dining, and experiencing the friendly service and warm hospitality that keeps you coming back. Plan your fun getaway today at www.visitminot.org or by calling 1-800-264-2626.
w w w . n d l i v i n g . c o m NOR T H D A K O T A L I V I N G n n o v e m b e r 2 0 1 1 23
INSPIRED LIVING by Danielle Hance
Extending family W
COURTESY PHOTO
hen I think about Thanksgiving, the first image that comes to mind is sitting around the table with my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and usually one or two others who we have adopted into our family for the occasion. Although I have always been home for Thanksgiving, I am so thankful for all of the families who have demonstrated love by opening up their homes. When I did mission work in Ecuador three years ago, we stayed in host homes. We had not met the families previously, they just trusted who we were and opened their doors. I was most humbled on the outskirts of a coastal city when I walked up to a sugarcane house on stilts, and I was told, “We don’t have much, but we have a lot of love.” It was true. They had no indoor plumbing, no refrigerator. They had one bed, and the two parents and their baby daughter slept on a borrowed mat, so I could have a bed. They fetched water and food Danielle Hance from miles away, so I could wash and be fed. They gave me figurines of a bride and groom and of a baby girl, presents for their wedding and birth of their daughter that I had no right to have. They took giant risks and gave of themselves to show me love. In North Dakota, I have witnessed flooding in my hometown of Minot. My parents’ home was spared. However, like so many outside of the flood zone, they didn’t sit comfortably in front of the TV, watching as other people’s livelihoods disappeared under the rising water. They have taken in extended family, friends and friends of friends, sacrificing their own comfort. They didn’t hesitate to be covered in muck when it came time to clean out what had been destroyed. I have seen my flooded family help their neighbors, not just focusing on their own disaster. I have seen them persevere, even when they were filling dumpsters with books, clothing and the walls of their homes. Suddenly, family becomes so much larger. Back in my life as a college student, away from my family for the first time, my church became my family and offered me a warm meal every Sunday. Even during a month in “homelessness,” I was never without a bed to sleep on – somebody always opened up their home to me. And recently, far away
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in China, people who had been strangers welcomed me to their table. This is thanksgiving. God’s love is revealed when I think about all these people who have opened up their doors and welcomed me to their tables. He is an invitational God, who sent His son from heaven to Earth to humble Himself on a cross, die and rise again. God did this out of love for me and all humanity – in order that He might invite us to the heavenly banquet to spend eternity with Him. For me, this heavenly feast is on full display at Thanksgiving. There, in abundance, is inspiration by Him who risked it all to take risks for others. Answering the call to serve, I know that my indebtedness to God – the source of this abundance – is so great that all my good deeds could never compare. God’s love and blessings for me are the source of all I have to give. A few years ago, I took the risk of creating a ministry to welcome refugees. It’s called “Together Integrating Everyone.” My vision has been to better integrate new Americans into our community by offering them music lessons and demonstrating Christ’s love. Still, when I enter a home to teach a lesson, it is I who is humbled by the love I am shown. I am always met at the door and brought to the apartment. The whole family greets me. I am invited to sit down and a drink and plate of dessert is brought to me. For this short time, I am loved, cherished and a member of their family. This family doesn’t owe me anything. If they wanted to, they could be living in pity for themselves and what they have endured. They grew up in Iraq, where their parents hid them in bathtubs under mattresses to protect them from unpredictable gunfire and bombing. They fled Iraq on their wedding day because of death threats. They traveled from country to country, trying to find refuge. And when they thought they were safe, death threats came for their children, and they took refuge in the United States. I should pity them, yet they serve me. What love I have been shown! So, as Thanksgiving comes around again, I have more to be grateful for than ever. There is my family that extends beyond borders, ethnicities, income and social stigma. God has shown me what love is. His love becomes tangible in each and every one of them. And, here in North Dakota, I’ll take a seat at the Thanksgiving table with my own family, visible reminders of this love every day. n Danielle Hance resides in Fargo. She enjoys reading, making music and going on mission trips when she is not busy writing.
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N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 25
R E A D E R R E P LY
This month, we asked our readers to submit replies to the following...
“Tell us how you use social media and blogs (Web logs) to sustain work, family and friendship relationships.”
Minimizing the miles
Living 11 hours from my parents means we don’t visit them often. After our daughter was born, we received a Web camera and set up a Skype account. At first I was skeptical and reluctant. I wondered if our daughter should be exposed to screen time at such a young age. Now that she is 1 year old, however, Skype is the best way to keep in touch with my parents. Our daughter recognizes grandpa and grandma, and the full screen option allows her to see them clearly. Since our Web camera has a USB cable, my parents can watch our daughter play while we visit, even when she gets tired of sitting in front of the computer. Courtney Sprenger Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative
Staying connected
My mother and her siblings have kept in touch for 40 years using “The Robin.” With a round robin, a person writes a letter, mails it to the next person, and that person adds a letter and sends both letters on to the next person and so on, until the package of letters comes back to the first person who then removes his or her old letter and writes a new one and sends it on its way again. Mom and her generation still continue this tradition. My generation doesn’t have the time or patience to write let-
ters, and there are too many cousins to make a robin feasible. Then we discovered how Facebook allows us to share comments, photos and videos. We share joys and sorrows, successes and failures. It allows us to share our lives and stay connected. Bonnie Johnson Capital Electric Cooperative
UPCOMING READER REPLY QUESTIONS: DECEMBER: “In the spirit of Touchstone Energy’s commitment to community, share a story about an electric cooperative line crew and power restoration effort, in relation to flooding, snowstorms or equipment failure. Share a photo if possible.” Deadline for submission: Nov. 15 JANUARY: Meet the the 2011 Reader Reply winners. INSTRUCTIONS: Reader submissions should be no more than 250 words, typewritten or in legible handwriting. Include your name, complete address, daytime phone number and the name of the rural electric or telephone cooperative to which you belong. Note: Magazine staff reserves the right to make slight editing changes and cuts; major changes will be discussed with sender. We pay $25 for each letter we print. Send to: READER REPLY, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 585540727. Or send responses via e-mail to: cdevney@ndarec.com.
Fargo, ND
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www.ndarec.com
TEEN-2-TEEN by Jaron Dahle
Balance your appetite for tech talk
Y
call or get together to say “happy birthday” in person. Technology can also damage our written charisma with abbreviations. Once when writing a report for English, I accidentally put “IDK” instead of “I don’t know.” The majority of technology today is not doing what we cannot do, but rather what we do not want to do, and it is damaging our character. Technology certainly has its time and place — but it should not replace our ability to think, communicate or imagine. After all, we would not have advancements in technology if people had not used their imaginations. So cut yourself off from electronics for awhile, and save Jaron Dahle yourself from the rising pandemic of CPS (Couch Potato Syndrome). n PHOTO BY KIRSTI CRAIG
ou and a few buddies are driving through downtown Minneapolis, searching for Buffalo Wild Wings. After 30 minutes of unsuccessful exploration, one of your friends whips out his Android phone and uses the GPS. After five more minutes of driving, you arrive at your destination. The smart phone saved the day. Technology like this has made some positive impacts on society. GPS, or global positioning systems, helps us find destinations faster. Cell phones and computers speed up communication. Innovations in technology improve efficiency and save energy. But there is another, more negative side to the story. Dependency on electronics can decrease our satisfaction with life. Technology can deteriorate our imaginations, minds and critical thinking. It can distract us and make us lazy. In a National Geographic article, author George F. Will quotes Adam J. Cox, a clinical psychologist, who said, “Fifty years ago … boredom may have followed a two-hour stretch of nothing to do … . Boys today feel bored after 30 seconds.” The article stresses the negativity of our constant appetite for electronic connection. Dr. Cox also noted that as advancements in electronics increased, attentiveness decreased. I text a lot; most teenagers do. But things such as texting, the Internet, Facebook and other social media are putting a huge gap in our social lives. People “shoot” friends a text on their birthday rather than
Jaron Dahle, 16, is a junior at North Star High School where he is active in football, hockey, speech, drama, and the yearbook committee. He also enjoys riding dirt bike, reading and writing poetry, and is training to become an ambulance driver. Jaron is the son of Kevin Dahle and Michelle Faine, Cando.
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Allegiant Air has direct flights out of North Dakota to Las Vegas; Phoenix/Mesa;Los Angeles; Orlando/Sanford Call or e-mail for details on our many vacation destinations
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OUTLAW RANCH. Dreaming about owning a beautiful ranch under the open skies where you can enjoy ranching, wildlife and supplemental income? This 1,120 acre ranch is located in the sandhills of north central N.D., an hour east of Minot. With an excellent reputation and high dollar amount of hunts on the books for fall, Outlaw Ranch Outfitters is ready for 2011 season. Tastefully remodeled country home with outbuildings and corrals. Rustic hunting lodge provides top-notch accommodations for family/ guests. Lodge and high fence built new in 2010. Newly seeded alfalfa ground. Trophy bull elk herd included in sale. OUTLAW RANCH business name and Website transfer with sale. $1,400,000. RAY, ND. Farmstead and 20 acres within minutes of town. Beautiful tree filled yard, updated ranch style home, new windows, new siding and large family room addition. Two heated shops and outbuilding storage. $600,000 RAY, ND. Acreage. Located 1.5 miles north. Approx. 55 acres at $10,000/acre. Seller will split into smaller parcels. MEDORA, ND. There is nothing prettier than Autumn in the Badlands! Call me for properties available in the Medora area. BELFIELD, ND. New modular home on permanent foundation. Three bedroom, two bath. $150,000.
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• Two Complimentary, hot, cooked-to-order breakfasts • Free access to wireless high-speed internet • Indoor pool, whirlpool, exercise room & sauna Must present coupon at check-in. Not good with suites, during special events, or with any other discounts. Expires 11-30-2011. .
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or (701) 223-9151 www.daysinn.com/hotel/06755
Conveniently located off Exit 159 at the intersection of Hwy. 83 & I-94. November
N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G n nov e m b e r 2 0 1 1 27
CALENDAR OF EVENTS november 10 n Diabetes Health Fair, 1-3:30 p.m., North Dakota State University Research and Extension Center, Hettinger. (701) 567-6190. 10-11 n Sculpture Unleashed Art Camp, Theo Art School, Frances Leach High Prairie Arts and Science Center, Bismarck. (701) 222-6452. 11-12 n The Big One Art and Craft Fair, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Bismarck Civic Center, Bismarck. (701) 837-6059.
12 n Sustainable Farm Series: Farming Options, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Morton Mandan Public Library, Mandan. (701) 527-5169. 12 n Festival of the Arts, Radisson Hotel, Bismarck. (701) 223-5986. 12 n Arts and Crafts Bazaar, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 146 E. Main, Hazen. (888) 464-2936 or (701) 748-6080. 12 n Beveled Glass Ornaments Class, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Hansen Studio, Jamestown. (800) 222-4766 or (701) 251-9145.
Promote your communitY Event North Dakota LIVING publishes calendar events free of charge. We only publish the date, name of the event, time, place and location, and contact telephone number. To submit an item, e-mail cdevney@ ndarec.com or mail to: CALENDAR OF EVENTS, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727. North Dakota LIVING does not guarantee the publication of any event.n
12 n Zoolute to Soldiers, noon-4 p.m., Red River Zoo, Fargo. (701) 277-9240. 17 n Presidency Presentation by Bob Woodward, noon1:30 p.m., Ramada Plaza and Suites and Conference Center, Fargo. (218) 359-0524. 18 n Lisbon Area Health Services Foundation Gala, 6 p.m. social and 7 p.m. dinner, Ransom County Expo Center, Lisbon. (701) 6836400. 18-19 n BismarckMandan Symphony Orchestra “A Place of Celebration” Concert, Belle Mehus Auditorium, Bismarck. (701) 258-8345. 19 n Sustainable Farm Series: Marketing and Profitability, 9 a.m.4 p.m., Morton Mandan Public Library, Mandan. (701) 527-5169. 19 n Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m., KC Club, Jamestown. (800) 2224766 or (701) 251-9145. 19 n Einstein on Wine, 6:30 p.m., Frances Leach High Prairie Arts and Science Center, Bismarck. (701) 258-1975.
28 n o v e m b e r 2 0 1 1 n NOR T H D A K O T A L I V I N G
19 n Craft and Bake Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Parshall. (701) 862-3115. 18-20 n Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcase, 6-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Civic Center, Fargo. (701) 328-2231. 19-Dec. 19 n Coming Home for Christmas, Mandan. (701) 751-2983. 20 n Christmas Open House and Program, 13571 Hwy. 5, Cavalier. (701) 265-4561. 20 n Christmas at the Carroll House, 3-6 p.m., Fullerton. (701) 375-6049. 20 n Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker, 7 p.m., Chester Fritz Auditorium, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. (701) 777-4090. 22 n Holiday Lights Parade, 6:30 p.m., downtown, Fargo and Moorhead, Minn. (701) 241-1570. 24 n Turkey Trot Walk/ Run for Cystic Fibrosis, 8 a.m. registration and 9:15 a.m. race, Elks Lodge, Bismarck. (701) 222-3998. 25 n Wake Up Santa Fireworks and Lighted
Parade, Hettinger. (701) 567-2531. 25-27 n Dickens Village Festival, Garrison. (800) 799-4242 or (701) 463-2345. 25-Dec. 23 n Festival of the Season Art Show and Sale, 10:30 a.m.5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11- a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 2 N. Main St., Minot. (701) 838-4445. 26 n Roller Derby, Civic Center, Jamestown. (800) 222-4766 or (701) 251-9145. 26 n Holiday Dazzle Parade, Jamestown. (800) 222-4766 or (701) 251-9145. 26 n Parade of Lights, Ashley. (701) 288-3278. 26 n Santa Parade, Main Street, Cavalier. (701) 265-4288. 26-27 n Hometown Holidays, 416 Main St., Lisbon. (701) 683-5680. 26-Dec. 22 n Santa Village, 2902 25th St. S., Fargo. (701) 499-7788. 28 n Winter Wonderland of Lights, Casselton.
december 1 n Taste of North Dakota Open House, 5-8 p.m., National Buffalo Museum, Jamestown. (800) 222-4766 or (701) 251-9145. 1-31 n Christmas in the Park, 6-10 p.m., Lincoln Drive Park, Grand Forks. (701) 795-1115. 2 n Moonlight Madness and Fish Fry, Masonic Lodge, Cavalier. (701) 265-8898. 2-3 n Dickens Village Festival, Garrison. (800) 799-4242 or (701) 463-2345. 3 n Christmas on the Prairie, 3-7 p.m., Bonanzaville, West Fargo. (701) 282-2822. 3 n Kickoff to Holiday Season, 1-3 p.m., Lakota. 3 n Old-fashioned Christmas, downtown, Drayton. (701) 454-FISH. 3 n Holiday Vendor Fair, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo. (701) 282-7217. 3 n Clown for a Night, Civic Center, Jamestown. (800) 222-4766 or (701) 251-9145.
www.ndarec.com
Classic Tenderloin with Cranberry Drizzle Total Recipe Time: 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours
As friends and family gather, welcome them with the comforting aroma of a mouthwatering beef roast. Nutrient-rich beef satisfies the craving for a food that’s great tasting and good for you. Warm memories of delicious food, family and friends will bring people together year after year.
1
center-cut beef tenderloin roast (about 2 to 3 pounds) 2 pounds cipollini onions, peeled 2 pounds small Brussels sprouts, trimmed 1 tablespoon olive oil 1-1/4 teaspoons salt, divided 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme 1 tablespoon pepper Sauce: 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 3 tablespoons finely chopped shallots 1 can (16 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce 1. Heat oven to 425°F. Combine onions, Brussels sprouts, oil and 1 teaspoon salt on metal baking pan; toss to coat. Set aside. 2. Combine thyme and pepper; reserve 1 teaspoon thyme mixture for sauce. Press remaining thyme mixture evenly onto all surfaces of beef roast. 3. Place roast on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in
thickest part of beef. Do not add water or cover. Place vegetables in oven with roast. Roast beef in 425°F oven 35 to 40 minutes for medium rare; 45 to 50 minutes for medium doneness. Roast vegetables 45 to 50 minutes or until tender and lightly browned. 4. Meanwhile, prepare sauce. Combine vinegar and shallots in small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 3 minutes. Stir in cranberry sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 6 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in reserved 1 teaspoon thyme mixture and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Keep warm. 5. Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135°F for medium rare; 150°F for medium. Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10°F to reach 145°F for medium rare; 160°F for medium.) 6. Carve roast into slices; season with salt, as desired. Serve with vegetables and sauce. Makes 8 to 12 servings
For nutrition information and other recipes to help you celebrate, please visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
North Dakota Beef Commission
4023 State Street • Bismarck, ND 58503 • 1-877-321-BEEF • www.ndbeef.org
Funded by The Beef Checkoff
RECIPE ROUNDUP
A surprising secret by Carmen Devney
I
COURTESY PHOTO
From left, Elizabeth, Mark and Isabel Parton will someday learn that a variety of textures and flavors make many healthy foods taste great. 30
NOVEMBER 2011 NORTH DAKOTA LIVING
PHOTO BY CARMEN DEVNEY
sabel and Elizabeth Parton are not complainers — but they are picky eaters. If they don’t like Dad’s short-order breakfasts or Mom’s hearty suppers, they won’t criticize. But they won’t eat, either. Skipping a meal is not an option for Isabel, 11, and Elizabeth, 8. And cooking a separate meal for the kids is not an option for Verendrye Electric Cooperative members Janet and Chad Parton of Minot. Janet, a stay-at-home mom, and Chad, an employee of Hewlett-Packard Company, would like their daughters and 15-month-old son to eat nutritious foods that nourish their growing bodies. But they also want their children to enjoy food and family time at the table. To learn which foods their daughters would be more willing to eat and to give them more accountability at the table, Janet invited Isabel and Elizabeth into the kitchen to help with recipe selection and meal preparation. “Isabel likes to pick out recipes,” Janet shares. “Last summer she helped make a recipe that had pasta, broccoli and pesto. Then, she and her sister actually ate it — even though it had broccoli.” During most meals, the girls will eat noodles or rice and drink their milk, but politely decline many important vegetables, grains and protein foods. Janet admits their selective nature makes it impossible to ensure they are getting the necessary nutrition, so she gives them a daily multivitamin and continues to encourage them to give those foods a second and third try. When the girls were younger, Janet says she tried to cook well-rounded meals including meat and vegetables, but that the main course and side dishes were always separate. Now, she’s mixing ingredients together and making more casseroles, with the hope that their son won’t be as difficult to please as his sisters.
Janet and Chad Parton know their children’s food preferences will continue to develop as they age, so they continue encouraging their picky eaters to try new (and “old”) things.
This month, Janet shares one of those casseroles with North Dakota LIVING readers. She makes Creamy Turkey and Biscuits annually in honor of Thanksgiving, and says it’s a family favorite because the girls like the biscuits and Janet likes the creamy gravy and peas. “It’s very easy to make, and it always turns out. You can’t go wrong with it,” she recommends. She also shares her Popcorn Trail Mix recipe, which she concocted herself based on suggestions she found on the Internet. She says she makes this recipe when she knows the family will be traveling, because it’s tasty and portable. Being an active mom and wife keeps Janet busy, but she says she loves watching her children grow and take on challenges, and meet them. “I like being available and knowing what’s going on with them and their school and activities,” she says. In her spare time, Janet is in the process of reviewing and preserving the recipes her own mother collected and stored in a shoebox. One day, she hopes to make a cookbook for the girls — who will one day likely learn a surprising secret — that many healthy foods taste great, too. North Dakota LIVING thanks Janet for inviting us into her kitchen and for sharing her food and family with readers. Carmen Devney is a communications specialist for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Capital Electric Cooperative and Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative. www.ndarec.com
H E A LT H Y H I N T S
CREAMY TURKEY AND BISCUITS
Don’t give up on picky eaters
PHOTO BY CARMEN DEVNEY
Janet Parton, Minot Verendrye Electric Cooperative
POPCORN TRAIL MIX 1 6 cups popped corn ⁄2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 2 cups low-fat granola or ⁄2 cup sunflower kernels 1 granola clusters ⁄2 cup honey 1 1 cup quick-cooking oats ⁄3 cup butter or margarine, 1 cup sweetened dried melted cranberries non-stick cooking spray 1 cup raw almonds Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees F. Combine popped corn, granola, oats, cranberries, almonds and cinnamon in large bowl; set aside. Mix sunflower seeds, honey and butter together in small bowl. Pour over popcorn mixture; mix well with spoon sprayed with cooking spray. Spread mixture evenly on cookie sheet. Bake 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking time. Allow to cool 20 minutes before breaking clumps apart with spoon. Store in airtight container up to 1 week. Janet’s test notes: I use Kashi® GOLEAN® crunch cereal for the granola. In place of the cranberries, you could use any combination of dried fruit pieces.
Janet Parton, Minot Verendrye Electric Cooperative
North Dakota LIVING still values North Dakota cooks! Readers, please continue to send us: Cookbooks and recipes; Tips on great dining spots across North Dakota; and Family dining traditions. North Dakota LIVING pays $50 upon publication. To qualify, we need recipes unique to those we’ve published in the past, along with your complete contact information. Send your recipes to North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727, or e-mail your submission to cdevney@ndarec.com. We look forward to hearing from you! www.ndliving.com
hat is that green mush? Baby food?” someone teased. I was enjoying homemade split pea soup with c a r rot s, whic h happens to be pretty good for you. My coworkers proceeded to discuss all the foods they didn’t like. As I sipped my delicious, nut r itious s oup, I began thinking about strategies to get these adult picky eaters to try some- Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., L.R.D. thing new. When you’re introducing new foods, you need to be patient because it might take 12 separate exposures to a new food to get them to try it. I could make a pot of split pea soup, or another food they didn’t like, and bring it to work. I’d encourage them to taste just a small amount. With children, you’d let them decide the amount to taste, and that might be a half-teaspoon. Be a good role model when introducing new foods. In my case, I might need to enlist one of my friends at work to enjoy a bowl of split pea soup. We could talk about how good it tastes. However, we might have a vacant lunch room at this point. Offering a variety of textures also increases the likelihood that children will try a new food. With my adult friends, I might serve something crunchy with the soup, such as carrot and celery sticks or crunchy breadsticks. Invite everyone into the kitchen to help with preparation, because people who help make the food are more likely to eat it. Offer a favorite or familiar food along with a new food, too. If I brought fresh bread to go with my soup, they might eat it. They probably would eat anything if I brought chocolate cake. Until next time, pair some new recipes with old favorites during the holiday season!
Julie Garden-Robinson is an associate professor and food and nutrition specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service. To learn more, visit www.ndsu.edu/food.
N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 31
COURTESY PHOTO
cup chopped green pepper cup chopped onion T. butter cup biscuit/baking mix cup milk 10 ¾-oz. can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted 2 cups cooked turkey, cubed 1 cup frozen peas 2 71 ⁄2-oz. tubes refrigerated buttermilk biscuits 3 ⁄4 cup shredded cheddar cheese In a large saucepan, sauté green pepper and onion in butter until tender. Stir in biscuit mix until blended. Gradually add milk and soup; stir until blended. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir in turkey and peas. Transfer to a greased 13- x 9- x 2-inch baking dish. Separate biscuits and arrange over the top. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 425 degrees for 17 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serves 4 to 6. Janet’s test notes: I substitute celery for the green pepper, and use less onion. For the vegetables, you could also modify with a carrot and pea mix. To make more servings, double the turkey and soup filling.
“W
⁄3 1 ⁄3 3 1 ⁄4 11 ⁄2 1 1
FA R M B Y L I N E by Al Gustin
At the mercy of the market F
PHOTO BY LAYN MUDDER
armers and ranchers have little if any control over the price of what they produce. Through astute marketing, producers can influence the actual price they receive. But they have little control over the basic price of commodities. It’s always been that way. It was that way in the 1920s when the National Producers Alliance was formed and the Farmers Union Terminal Association. Producers know that what happens on their farm or ranch makes no difference in the price of wheat or corn or cattle. Given the fact that North Dakota produces a significant share of the nation’s crops like spring wheat, one might think that if all the farmers in North Dakota worked together, they could influence the price. That was the concept behind the state wheat pool put together in 1976. About 1.5 million bushels of spring and durum wheat were committed by farmers and sold through the state-owned Mill and Elevator to overseas buyers. But the pool didn’t really impact the price of wheat. If one state can’t impact farm prices, what about the entire country? That, of course, was the logic behind a
Al Gustin
series of federal farm programs that included acreage set asides or marketing quotas as a means of price support. In 1956, the government initiated a “Soil Bank,” retiring land to reduce surpluses and support price. Many other approaches were tried. But one analysis of the federal farm programs of the 1950s and 60s said, “neither the lowering of price supports nor the diversion of acreage stemmed the tide of ever-increasing output.” So, maybe a world approach was needed. Actually that had been tried earlier. In 1933, the International Wheat Agreement was signed by the major wheat producing regions of the world. It called for a 15 percent reduction in wheat production. It, too, failed. Commodity prices are dictated by supply and demand, and farmers, individually and collectively, have not been able to control those, or other, factors. And today, commodity prices are a function of much more than that, even European headlines about chances of default by Greece. One cattleman I visited had just taken some price protection on his feeder calves. He said despite the cattle market being well-supported by tight supplies and strong demand, you never know when a BSE case in Canada or some global economic scare could cause the market to tumble. Being at the mercy of the market is more true today than ever. n Al Gustin is farm news director for KBMR and KFYR Radio in Bismarck.
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32 n o v embe r 2 0 1 1 n N OR T H D A K O T A L I V I N G
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N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 33
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Acme Tools ..........................33 Advanced Surgical Arts Center ..................................25 Aging & Disability Resources Link ....................23 Bank of North Dakota ..........26 Braaten Cabinets .................26 Dakota Carrier Network........Inside back cover Dakota Booknet.com ...........13 Days Inn, Bismarck ..............27 Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort ..................................25 Farm Credit Services ...........33 Germans from Russia ..........17 Gorilla Glue Co. ...................17 Globe Travel .........................27 Grand International Inn, Minot ....................................17 Jensen Travel .................13, 25 Judy’s Leisure Tours Inc. .....17 Kelly Inn, Bismarck ..............17 KFYR Radio .........................32 Legacy Steel Buildings.........33 Medora CVB ........................ 5 Mid Dakota Clinic Center for Women ... Back cover Minot CVB ............................23 Naomi Rossow Realty LLC ..27 ND Beef Commission ..........29 ND Farmers Union Tours .....28 ND Soybean Council ...........28 ND Utility Rebate Program... 7 Partners for Affordable Energy ................18 Pride of Dakota ....................13 Radisson Hotel, Bismarck ....25 RTC......................................17 Satrom Travel & Tour ...........23 Sleep Inn & Suites, Minot.....19 Spine & Pain Center ............16 Trinity Health .......... Inside front cover
N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 35
CO-OP COUNTRY
Handy helpers
utting their heads and hands to work, these North Dakota P LIVING kids are building the skills and confidence necessary to one day lead this great state and nation.
VERSATILE VOLUNTEER: Josie Brennan fetches and cleans tools, holds the tape measure and keeps her family energized as they work to build a pole barn. Josie is the daughter of Gary and Lana Brennan, who are members of Slope Electric Cooperative. Gary submitted the photo.
MEASURABLE MOMENT: Drew Jordan makes sure his Uncle Pat and Grandpa Lyle build the deck straight. Drew is the son of Shane and Tara Jordan, the nephew of Pat Lavachek, and grandson of Lyle and Mary Lavachek, who are all members of Verendrye Electric Cooperative and SRT Communications Cooperative. Mary submitted the photo. NESTING NOOK: During a Boy Scouts’ workshop hosted by the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, Coleharbor, David Christianson carefully constructs a bluebird box. The eastern bluebird nests throughout North Dakota in appropriate habitat and produces one or two broods. David is the son of Brenda and Chris Christianson, who are members of Verendrye Electric Cooperative.
JOB SHADOW: When his family’s new house was being built, Shawn Pack became wellacquainted with the painter — and the bath tub. Shawn is the son of Chris and Becky Pack and grandson of Melinda and Richard Miller, who are all members of Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative. Melinda submitted the photo.
North Dakota LIVING is seeking photos of kids and winter activities, sleepy kids, and farm babies and kids! Of course, we also want other family favorites for upcoming Co-op Country pages. We’ll select and print them as space allows. Those whose submissions appear on this page will receive a check for $10 following publication of the magazine. We prefer high-resolution digital photos e-mailed to cdevney@ndarec.com, but you may also mail entries to CO-OP COUNTRY, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727. Readers, North Dakota LIVING will not publish low-quality photos such as those taken on cell phones. When submitting photos, please include the following information: your complete name and address, your daytime phone number, and the name of your electric and/or telephone co-op. We will contact you prior to publication. NOTE: Please keep a duplicate photo, negative or file; the magazine is no longer able to return submitted photos. 36
NOVEMBER 2011 NORTH DAKOTA LIVING
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