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[cover]
January 2016 Glass pony created by Peg Brocker from Walden. Cover photo by brentwardphoto.com.
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Viewpoint Letters
6
Calendar
7
Co-op News
12
NewsClips
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Co-ops Using Drones
16 20 Recipes
Electric co-ops start the conversation about net energy metering
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[contents]
Go hog wild for delicious pork tenderloins, ribs
22 24 25
High flying drones have the ptoential to benefit co-ops
Horse Crazy
Colorado artist surrounds herself with her art and the horses she loves
1983
Martin Luther King Jr. Day bill was signed by President Ronald Reagan
®
Gardening
Seasoned garderner shares her canning secrets
Outdoors
Writer has second sighting of elusive, unexpected visitor
Energy Tips
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Extra content: x
x
coloradocountrylife.coop
This month’s online extras ➤ FIND more ways to enjoy winter on the website calendar ➤ TRY more delicious pork recipes ➤ READ previous outdoor columns
29 Funny Stories
➤ DISCOVER great books in the book review section
30 Discoveries
➤ FIND more book reviews to enjoy
50%
of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February, based on 2007-2011 annual averages
$5.899 average price per pound for bacon as of October 2015
The official publication of the Colorado Rural Electric Association || Volume 47, Number 01 COMMUNICATIONS STAFF: Mona Neeley, CCC, Publisher/Editor@303-455-4111; mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org Donna Wallin, Associate Editor; dwallin@coloradocountrylife.org ADVERTISING: Kris Wendtland@303-902-7276, advertising@coloradocountrylife.org; NCM@800-626-1181 SUBSCRIPTIONS: info@coloradocountrylife.org
EDITORIAL: Denver Corporate Office, 5400 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216; Phone: 303-455-4111 • Email: mneeley@coloradocountrylife.org • Website: coloradocountrylife.coop • Facebook: facebook.com/COCountryLife • Twitter: @COCountryLife Colorado Country Life (USPS 469-400/ISSN 1090-2503) is published monthly for $9/$15 per year by Colorado Rural Electric Association, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216. Periodical postage paid at Denver, Colorado. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Country Life, 5400 N. Washington Street, Denver, CO 80216 Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual.
[viewpoint]
Starting a Conversation About Net Metering Electric co-ops have much to consider as they develop NEM policies BY KENT SINGER || CREA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR || KSINGER@COLORADOREA.ORG
H
Here’s a test. How many of you can define the term “net energy sufficient power to offset what they metering?” I bet those of you have installed rooftop solar panels consume and not become power supplior some other type of renewable energy source at your home ers. The bill also authorized the Colorado understand the term. Even if you haven’t installed solar panels Public Utilities Commission to establish and don’t intend to, net energy metering, or NEM, still impacts rules for member-owners’ interconnecyou as an electric co-op member. tions to co-op systems. Simply put, NEM is the mechanism whereby utility customers Over the last couple of years, many receive credit for the renewable energy that they generate from state legislatures and public utility comfacilities installed on the customer’s side of the meter. In most missions have been examining whether Kent Singer cases these systems are rooftop solar panels, but they can also be the existing rules for NEM are fair to wind generators, biomass, small hydropower or other sources of both the utilities and to the customers who are producing power renewable energy that a customer owns and maintains. on their own premises. In Colorado, our Public Utilities ComOver the course of a billing period, the amount of electricmission spent about 18 months examining NEM and considered ity produced by the member-owner’s renewable generator will testimony from many stakeholders. Last summer, the combe different from the amount of electricity from the co-op mission decided not to make any changes in the rules for net consumed by the member-owner. If the metering as they apply to the investor-owned member-owner uses more energy from utilities. the co-op than he or she generates, the The Colorado Rural Electric Association apmember-owner only pays for the “net” pointed a Net Metering Task Force comprised energy used from the co-op system. In this of eight Colorado co-op CEOs. Over the next scenario, the member-owner of the co-op year or so, the task force will take a look at the receives the retail value for each kilowattcurrent NEM law and develop policies and best hour generated from the on-site system. practices for co-ops to consider as they work If, on the other hand, the memberwith co-op member-owners across the state. owner’s renewable generator produces more These positions will not be binding, but they Net energy metering in electricity than he or she consumes in a are intended to assist the co-ops as they work given period, that energy goes out onto the with their member-owners in implementing most cases is from roofco-op system and is used by other memberNEM in the co-op service territories. top solar panels, but it owners. The co-op is required to give credit One of the critical questions is how NEM to the member-owner for this excess energy can be implemented without unfairly shifting can also be from wind produced, on a one-to-one basis, until the costs from those member-owners who wish to generators, biomass, small end of an annual true-up period. One of install renewable generators to those who do hydropower or other the key questions in the NEM debate is how not. The basic question is whether or not those to value any excess kilowatt-hours at the member-owners who choose to install generasources of renewable end of the true-up period. Under current tion on their side of the meter are paying their energy that a customer Colorado law, electric co-ops get to decide share of the fixed costs of operating the co-op how much to pay the member-owner for system. owns and maintains. this “net excess generation” or NEG. There are many complicated technical and Colorado’s electric co-ops support financial issues related to the topic of net the general concept of NEM (sometimes metering and I plan to discuss more of these referred to as just net metering). Back in 2008, we worked with issues in future columns. Colorado’s electric co-ops support a group of stakeholders to pass H.B. 08-1160, the legislation the integration of additional on site renewable power sources, that establishes the NEM rules for electric co-ops. H.B. 08-1160 and we want to treat all member-owners in a fair manner while basically requires that co-ops pay the retail value for energy recovering the costs of operating your co-op’s system. that is produced to offset the member-owner’s consumption, but the co-op is authorized to determine the value of the excess kilowatt-hours in the manner deemed appropriate by the co-op. The bill also places caps on the size of customer-owned renewKent Singer, Executive Director able generators so that co-op member-owners may only produce
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JANUARY 2016
coloradocountrylife.coop
[ letters] Two Views of a Cover The September issue (Rockestra) was a real departure from previous issues. Is this a move toward a hip and innovative publication? Perhaps an article in February’s issue should showcase Snowdown or Music on the Mountains in July. These are all great venues in southwestern Colorado and worthy of your attention. Congratulations to the citizens of Grand Junction for organizing an energizing musical performance.
Leetra Jurkens, Durango
You sent out a magazine with a satanic symbol on the front cover! Are you so naïve as to think that your customers do not know what this is? I do object to this cover. Use better judgment in the future.
Felecia Dinsmore, Pueblo West
Support for Keeping Rates Down In your December issue, one letter writer pens how unhappy he is with (Executive Director) Kent Singer’s position on the Clean Power Plan. Somehow, the letter writer has construed that it is Kent’s job to become an activist for the alternative electricity movement now in vogue in the elite Boulder/Aspen/Steamboat communities. I could not disagree more. As director of our electric trade association, Kent works his tail off and discloses his views about how he is focused on keeping prices down for customers. I appreciate his understanding of what I want my co-op to do.
Keith Fullmer, Roggen
Thumbs Up for Books Thank you for an interesting and informative magazine (November ’15). I look forward to reading it from cover to cover every time it arrives. As a retired public school educator of 39 years, I found this month’s magazine personally and professionally interesting. The articles (about books) were wonderful and the writing was excellent.
Barbara Keltner Mountain View Electric member
Thanks for the great write-up on my pack guides in the November Colorado Country Life.
Rod Martinez, Grand Junction
coloradocountrylife.coop
JANUARY 2016
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[calendar]
January January 7-9 Vail Big Beer Festival Vail Cascade Resort & Spa bigbeerfestival.com January 8-10 Denver Denver Boat Show Colorado Convention Center denverboatshow.com January 9 Denver Orchid Showcase Opens Denver Botanic Gardens botanicgardens.org January 9-24 Denver National Western Stock Show National Western Complex 866-464-2626 nationalwestern.com January 9 Greeley “Rapunzel” Theater Performance Union Colony Civic Center 7 pm • 970-356-5000 January 9 Lafayette Quaker Oatmeal Festival and 5k Walk/Run Various Lafayette Locations lafayettecolorado.com January 12 Bayfield Author Pam Houston Appearance Pine River Library 6 pm • 970-884-2222 January 13-16 Breckenridge Ullr Fest Various Breckenridge Locations gobreck.com January 14-17 Ouray Ouray Ice Festival Ouray Ice Park ourayicepark.com January 14-17 Telluride Fire Festival Telluride Mountain Village telluridefirefestival.org
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January 15 Denver Pixar in Concert Boettcher Concert Hall 7:30 pm coloradosymphony.org January 16-17 Durango Winterfest Purgatory Resort 970-247-9000 purgatoryresort.com January 16-17 Estes Park Winter Festival Various Estes Park Locations 12-5 pm • visitestespark.com
January 16-17 Copper Mountain Center Village, 9 am-4 pm To support the National Ski Areas Association’s Safety Awareness Month, Copper Mountain brings you Safety Fest. This event is designed to educate skiers and snowboarders about safety on the slopes with demonstrations, discussions and giveaways. For more information, visit coppercolorado.com.
January 16 Fort Collins Winter Farmers Market Opera Galleria 9 am-1 pm nocofoodcluster.com
January 23 Monument Ice Fishing Tournament Monument Lake 8 am-1 pm woundedwarriorusa.com
January 18 Cortez Free Admission Day Mesa Verde National Park 970-529-4461 • nps.gov/meve
January 24 Pueblo “The Producers” Theater Performance Pueblo Memorial Hall 3 pm • 719-295-7200
January 21-24 Beaver Creek Winter Culinary Weekend Various Beaver Creek Locations beavercreek.com/culinary January 21-24 Golden Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering Miners Alley Playhouse/American Mountaineering Center 888-718-4253 coloradocowboygathering.com January 22-24 Colorado Springs “Buyer & Cellar” Theater Performance Fine Arts Center 7:30 pm • 719-634-5581 January 23 Grand Lake Winter Carnival Various Grand Lake Locations granbychamber.com January 23 Lakewood Wolf Full Moon Hike Bear Creek Lake Park 4:30-6 pm • lakewood.org
January 27 Pagosa Springs Local Appreciation Day Wolf Creek Ski Area 970-264-5639 wolfcreekski.com January 27-31 Crested Butte Fat Bike World Championships 601 Elk Avenue cbchamber.com January 28-31 Aspen Winter X Games Aspen Snowmass aspensnowmass.com January 30 Grand Lake Groundhog Gala Grand Lake Golf Course Clubhouse 5:30-8 pm • 970-627-8324 January 30 Steamboat Springs Strings Music Festival Fundraiser with Fei-Fei Dong Strings Music Pavilion 7 pm stringsmusicfestival.com
February
February 2 Berthoud Colorado Precious Metal Mining Presentation McCarty-Fickel Home 7 pm • 970-532-2147
February 4-5 Loveland “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, LIVE!” Theater Performance Rialto Theater Center 8 pm • 877-544-8499 February 5-7 Pueblo Eagle Days Various Pueblo Locations 719-227-5204 puebloeagledays.org February 5 Pueblo Photography Show and Reception Rawlings Library 5 pm socolophoto@gmail.com
SEND CALENDAR ITEMS TWO MONTHS IN ADVANCE TO: CALENDAR Colorado Country Life 5400 N. Washington St. Denver, CO 80216 Fax to 303.455.2807 or email calendar@ coloradocountrylife.org. Items will be printed on a space available basis. For more information on these and other events, visit coloradocountrylife.coop. coloradocountrylife.coop
Looking Forward to the New Year
Unpacking PVREA’s Strategy Map
At PVREA, we are more than just the utility that provides your electricity. We are the utility you count on, the electric cooperative who not only provides reliable and affordable power, but makes a difference in our community. This is why we have a mission backed with a strategy to fulfill a bigger picture than just turning on your lights. In this first issue for 2016, I want to share with you PVREA’s Strategy Map that will guide us for the next two years.
Jeff Wadsworth, CEO
The image below illustrates our main goals and objectives in the Strategy Map. At the top of the map is PVREA’s mission, purpose and values. This mission is the overall target and drives how we fulfill our purpose. The mission embodies our values and it
Our Mission Providing the power to enhance our members lives through Visionary Planning Reliable and affordable service, Environmental stewardship and Accountability for today, tomorrow and forever
Our Purpose To Serve Our Members
Member
Our Values
Safety
Equality
Respect
Value
Exceptional Service
Integrity
Commitment
Member Offerings
Affordability
Control Distribution Operating Costs
Internal Processes
M1
Operational Efficiencies
A1
System Reliability
Manage Wholesale Power Cost
Employees Safety
Community-Wide Safety Awareness and Education
Renowned Member Experience
Financial Stewardship
Operational Excellence
Team Synergy
Operational Excellence
Leverage Technology I3
Collaboration, Cooperation, Interaction E1
S1
Financial Stewardship A3
I2
Embrace Succession Planning, Knowledge Transfer and Retention
Continued on page 10......
M3
A2
I1
For example, one of our goals is to broaden our safety education reach to the membership and general public. This objective is found in the strategic initiative Quest for Zero. To address our strategic initiative of Renowned Member Experience, we are beginning specific member-
Renowned Member Experience
Member Engagement
Competitive Rate Structure
To map it out clearly, each of these areas is color-coded and has specific objectives. The objectives have specific action items and measurements we will use to achieve results. Our successful completion of these various strategic initiatives over the next two years will aid us in accomplishing our purpose - to serve our members.
2016 - 2017
Equitable
M2
represents five, broad areas of strategic focus: the Quest for Zero (safety), Team Synergy, Operational Excellence, Financial Stewardship and Renowned Member Experience.
Team Synergy
E2
Enduring Safety Culture
Quest For Zero S2
Quest for Zero
Sponsoring the
Future Generation
Here at Poudre Valley REA, we pride ourselves in supporting a variety of groups in the communities we serve, especially our future generation. The Colorado Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have been proud sponsors of Matchwits, an academic quiz program for high school teams, for several years. And this year, PVREA is proud to announce our recent partnership with the Fossil Ridge High School Ridgebotics FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) team.
Fossil Ridge High School Ridgebotics Team Shows PVREA What They’re All About Forty-three extremely dedicated students make up The Fossil Ridge High School Ridgebotics FIRST team who design, build and program robots to complete specific tasks in competitions. One of their biggest competitions is at Denver University, March 23-26, 2016. Following very specific qualifications and rules, they will have six weeks to create their masterpiece.
PVREA Systems Control Technician Wade Avery decided to become a mentor for the team. “I enjoy teaching and I like watching the kids grow, learn, and accomplish their goals. I look forward to watching the younger students progress in the next couple years,” he said. Carissa, explained that through her Ridgebotics team and Girl Scouts, she is able to reach out and be a mentor herself. She is part of a team made up of 10 girls that travels to a middle school on a regular basis to show projects she has done and talk about Ridgebotics and leadership to female students.
On top of focusing on specific math and science topics and building their robot, these students learn many more skills that are applicable to the “real world”. Ridgebotics team member Hunter said that through Ridgebotics, he has bettered his time management and learned how to be a problem solver in any situation thrown at him. Henry said he has improved his social skills and is now able to have a real, meaningful conversation with someone he doesn’t already know. He has learned the value of teamwork. Carissa has learned how to be a better leader. “Ridgebotics has students work together and collaborate as a team toward a common goal in a way that no other school program can. This program has helped me gain skills for the future including interpersonal “This program has helped skills, me gain skills for the future communication, including interpersonal skills, problem solving communication, problem and handssolving and hands-on technical on technical expertise,” Geordi said. expertise,” Ridgebotics member Geordi said. There are 15-20 mentors that help the students throughout the year. All of the students explained how important the mentors are to them and how they are a vital piece in the big picture. The mentors become more than just a mentor. They coach, guide, challenge and become friends with the students. After seeing a Ridgebotics presentation at the PVREA office,
www.pvrea.com
PVREA presents a sponsorship check to the Fossil Ridge High School Ridgebotics team.
“I have a passion for getting more girls into STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs,” she said. It is never too young to start learning about these subjects and there are now great opportunities like Ridgebotics to challenge young students even more. “Society is realizing we don’t have to be older or in college to learn more elaborate topics, we just need to be exposed to them at a younger age,” Ayden said. Follow the Ridgebotics team on their website at www.ridgebotics.com or Facebook to find out how they do in this intense competition, stay up to date on where they will be in our communities and the results of other competitions.
Let Us Help Power Your Home or Business Don’t forget to check into your co-op’s energy efficiency and rebate programs for your home or business. Find more information online at pvrea.com/rebates. For the Business
For the Home
• Commercial Lighting • LED Refrigerated Case Lighting • Electrically Commutated Fan Motor Retrofit for Refrigerated Cases • LED Street Lighting • Pole Mounted LED Lighting • Electric Motors • Variable Speed Drives • Industrial & Ag Process Auditing
• • • • • • • • • •
Refrigerators Freezers Clothes Washer & Dryers Dishwashers LED Light Bulbs Insulation Water Heaters Electric Heat Pumps Air Conditioners Weatherization
Cheering On Our Local High Schools at the Matchwits Competition
The Matchwits Team from Poudre High School grab a quick picture with Power before taking off to Pueblo for the Matchwits Competition taping.
Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are proud to sponsor Matchwits, an academic quiz program produced and aired by Rocky Mountain PBS. This year will be the 30th season where viewers watch Colorado high school teams put their knowledge to the test in an on-air, single elimination tournament. There are three rounds, each one more difficult than the next. This year we are proud to cheer on three, local high school teams: Poudre High School, Windsor High School, and Fort Collins High School. Matchwits airs on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. starting January 3, 2016 and the final round is on April 10, 2016. Make sure to tune in and cheer for our local Northern Colorado teams on their first rounds! January 10, 2016 Poudre High School vs. Vanguard High School January 24, 2016 Windsor High School vs. Sargent High School January 31, 2016 Fort Collins High School vs. Swink High School
www.pvrea.com
Looking Forward to the New Year .....continued from page 7
centric training for our employees, starting an e-newsletter, and other services to provide better experiences with PVREA for members. All of PVREA’s strategic activities, and many of our business-as-usual activities, have direct connections to our Strategy Map. To become more efficient, maintain costs and provide better service to you, a forward thinking plan is a crucial step. We have a mission, and we give ourselves defined steps and resources to get there so we can better serve you. I hope this article and the presentation of our Strategy Map helps you better understand how we’re looking out for you, our member. It is important for PVREA to not only have a strategy, but to successfully execute our strategy to fulfill our mission. By successfully executing our strategy, we will be able to deliver even more value to you, our members. Keep reading further issues of the Colorado Country Life throughout the year as we continue to unpack our strategy map and demonstrate the Cooperative Difference - how we’re looking out for you. After all, that’s why co-ops stand apart.
Jeff Wadsworth
They went paperless, and they won!
Last July through December we held a paperless billing contest. A member in Windsor was the lucky winner in November’s prize drawing, and we had another winner in December. They won for being enrolled in paperless billing! Although the contest is over, you can still win - going paperless saves you the time and hassle of having to file away or shred your electric bill. Simply sign up for SmartHub and be alerted via email when your bill is ready. Simply pay online, and all your past bills are saved in your account. Hassle free!
CEO, Poudre Valley REA
Be Prepared for a Storm New Newsletter Look! This month features our newly designed co-op newsletter titled the Poudre Valley Connections. As a cooperative, it is part of our moral obligation to communicate safety and energy messages as well as connect us to our members through the monthly newsletter. The Poudre Valley Connections is just one of the ways we’re looking out and serving you.
PVREA is ready for what Mother Nature has in store, and we want you to be ready, too. During a power outage, our crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power, but there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself.
Stay Warm
Plan to use a safe alternate heating source, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove during a power outage. Never leave the heating source unattended.
Stay Safe
When an outage occurs, it usually means power lines are down. If you encounter downed lines, always assume they are live. Stay as far away from the downed lines as possible, and report the situation to our dispatchers by calling 1-800-432-1012 if possible.
Stay Informed
Follow your co-op on Facebook and Twitter and check out www.pvrea. com to receive the most up-to-date information about a power outage. During large power outages, we will update local radio stations as well.
POUDRE VALLEY REA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Thaine Michie Larimer County
Sec./Treas. James F. Fender Larimer County
Director Roger Alexander Larimer County
Director Jan Peterson Larimer County
Director Ronald G. Sutherland Boulder County
Vice-President Rick D. Johnson Larimer County
Asst. Sec./Treas. Georglyn Diehl Weld County
Director Steven Anderson Larimer County
Director Jack Schneider Weld County
CEO Jeff Wadsworth
1-800-432-1012 | PO Box 272550, Fort Collins, CO 80527 | www.pvrea.com
[food+
ArJvl'.'rtic::emer t
survival]
Readers Set To Get Free Survival Food Farmers vow to keep up with the demand to supply all who call toll free and beat the deadline to claim up to four free 72-hour survival food kits.
hi\~ criSiS,yolAY11\IAMber 011\e 11\eet! iS ÂŁood. But not just any food. What everyone needs is good-for-25-years survival food that you can rely on when the time comes that food is scarce. Well right now - in what is truly an unprecedented move - 72-hour survival food kits from Food4Patriots are being given away to readers of this publication as long as they call a special toll-free hotline and beat the program deadline. "The world is rapidly changing," explained Frank Bates, a spokesman for the company. "Every day Americans face very real threats. For sure, terrorism is a huge worry. But so are natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and whatever else Mother Nature might have up her sleeve."
Military-grade Mylar pouches ensure these meals stay fresh for 25 years or more .
"It'~MoreiMporfall\t thtAII\ ever tobe preptAret1." "Hey, we've seen what happens when a crisis hits. Stores quickly shut down or looted by hungry mobs. People forced to dig through dumpsters to find anything edible. Thousands standing in line to get a meal from FEMA or some other relief agency.
coloradocountrylife.coop
Thousands have already claimed free Food4Patriots survival food kits . Giveaway ends 02/15/2016 .
"That's not what I want for my family or anyone else's. Honestly, I believe each of us has a responsibility to ensure our loved ones will have the food they need to survive an emergency - without having to rely on handouts." Experts say that everyone should have at least a 72-hour supply of non-perishable food on hand at all times. Unfortunately, too many people make the mistake of choosing products that were never intended to be survival food. They end up with expensive stockpiles that are too big and too bulky to move, should an emergency force them to leave their homes.
(htAII\Ce~ tAre, theirfoot!~ were or 11\ot ptAcktA1et1 for IA 25-yetAr More~helflife. Mo~ttAre11\ot. And if they were unlucky enough to stock up on MREs, they'll be depending on a product that can actually make you sick if you eat it for too long. Food4Patriots survival foods are made of the finest ingredients, grown and packaged right here in the USA. They taste great. They provide the nutrition you need. And they were developed specifically for use in emergencies although a lot of folks sometimes like them for a quick meal or snack. Bates explained, "These are homestyle meals that we package in airtight and resealable military-grade Mylar pouches that keep them fresh and delicious until they're needed. Your family will enjoy meals much like they're already eating every day." Every 72-hour kit that's being given away contains four servings each of such
familiar dishes as Liberty Bell Potato
Cheddar Soup, Blue Ribbon Creamy Chicken Rice, Travelers Stew,and the always loved Granny's Homestyle Potato Soup. The company's usual price for the 72-hour kit is $27.00 plus shipping. But readers who act quickly can claim as many as four free kits and pay only a $9.95 fee to help cover shipping and handling for each. "We're trying to ensure no members get left out, but they have to hurry because we have a limited supply of the 72-hour kits we can give away," Bates warned. "Once word got out that we were actually giving away free survival food, our phones have been ringing off the hook. We even had to add extra agents to keep up with the incredible demand." There is still time to take advantage of this free food offer, but be aware the program will end no matter what promptly at midnight, February 15, 2016.
HOW TO GETYOUR FREE 72-HOUR SURVIVALFOOD KITS: Food4Patriots is committed to giving up to four free 72-hour kits to every reader of this publication who calls their toll-free hotline. Just give the agent the approval code shown below. Provide your delivery instructions and agree to pay the $9.95 fee to help cover shipping and handling for each. That's all there is to it.
Approval Code:72FREE Toll-FreeHotline: 1-800-936-0211 Offer Cut-Off Date: 02/15/2016 Please note: Food4Patriots says they will continue to give away these 72-hour kits for as long as their supplies last. Due to media exposure, their phone lines may be busy. Just keep calling and you will get through.
JANUARY 2016
<4. 11
[newsclips]
Magazine Says Goodbye to Longtime Editor/Designer
C
Colorado Country Life Associate Editor Donna Wallin is retiring at the end of January. For 19 years, Donna has been an integral part of publishing this magazine for your electric co-op. With a strong background in desktop design and printing, Donna came to work for the communications department of the Colorado Rural Electric Association in September of 1997. Since then, she helped plan, design and put together an average of 15 versions of Colorado Country Life each month. (One version for each of the subscribing co-ops.) Today, there are 17 subscribing electric co-ops, which creates an additional 68 pages of information, photos and articles that she is responsible for designing and/or overseeing each month. Through the years, Donna won numerous awards for her work, including awards for the covers she created and the design of the magazine. Judges for these contests have said, “These are the best covers I have judged so far in the competition,” and “Strong covers are a strength of this publication. A nice job of
design and editorial flow makes the statewide and local (co-op) pages work together.” Donna also been a pivotal part of many other projects for the communications department at CREA, including the annual directories, meeting and educational class materials, marketing programs, brochures and postcards and more. She also led the bicycle team for Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives as they rode in Pedal the Plains the last four years. And Donna enjoyed meeting many co-op members and loyal readers of Colorado Country Life during her frequent attendance at co-op annual meetings around the state. She will be missed greatly.
Co-op Power Supplier Supports Conservation Award
C
Colorado is looking for agricultural landowners who have showed outstanding stewardship and management of natural resources for the Leopold Conservation Award. Tri-State Generation and Transmission, which supplies electricity to 18 of Colorado’s 22 electric co-ops, is a major sponsor of the award along with American AgCredit, DuPont Pioneer, The Mosaic Company and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Applications are being accepted through March 8 for the award given in honor of conservationist Aldo Leopold. It includes a $10,000 award plus recognition for private landowner voluntary conservation. In his influential 1949 book A Sand County Almanac, Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, which he called “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.” “Ranchers are the original environmentalists. The Leopold Conservation Award recognizes a long history of caring for the land, while rewarding ranchers who are excelling in their holistic approach of stewardship,” said Bob Patterson, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association president. The award is presented annually in April by Sand County Foundation, the Colorado’s Cattlemen’s Association, the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, Tri-State G&T and American AgCredit.
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Better Lightbulbs Saving Energy People switching their old incandescent lightbulbs for new light emitting diodes, or LEDs, and upgrading their washing machines and air conditioners have done more to reduce carbon emissions than all of the wind, solar and natural gas was recently added to the electricity system. That according to a study by Wood Mackenzie LTD. Carbon emissions from generators of electricity fell by 15 percent in 2013 from 2005, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. And as those who predict the demand for energy in the future look ahead, they are now taking into account this change in lighting. Lighting accounts for 5 percent of a home’s energy budget, and switching to more efficient bulbs is one of the fastest ways to cuts those costs. LEDs use 75 to 80 percent less energy than incandescents and last 25 times longer. They will account for 83 percent of the lighting market by 2020, according to the EIA. Lower demand forecasts mean utilities will need to have less power generating capacity, and that can mean costs will not go up as fast for energy consumers.
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[newsclips]
More Solar for Low-Income Families
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A Western Slope electric cooperative is expanding its solar farm to benefit low-income families in its area. Grand Valley Power in Grand Junction has again joined with GRID Alternatives Colorado, the nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer, to expand the co-op’s solar array along Interstate 70 in Grand Junction. Last May, GVP and GRID switched on 29 kilowatts of solar power in the country’s first-ever solar garden dedicated exclusively to serving low-income households. The goal of the project was to offset electricity bills for families in need, allowing them to be able to afford their electric bills in the long term and have more resources to take care of their family’s other needs. The project partners originally worked with eight families to utilize the capacity of the array. Ten additional families were on the wait list to participate in the program. With additional support from the HDR Foundation, the solar farm has
Volunteers install solar panels at Grand Valley Power’s solar farm.
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increased 300 percent in size from 29 kW to 100 kW. This will allow 20-25 more families to participate. The goal is to save each household $500-$600 per year in electricity costs. Brenda Lange and her partner Herb Sanders were among the first participants who subscribed to the array earlier this year and are excited to see more families benefit from this innovative solar project. “Every month our energy bill seemed like it was getting higher, and when you live on a fixed income, you can’t afford that,” said Brenda. But now, the solar farm subscription helps them save about 50 percent on their electric bill. “We can apply the savings to our other bills, keep fuel in the car and buy groceries,” Herb said.
As an electric co-op, GVP is pleased to be able to bring more renewable energy onto its system in a way that benefits those members who can use the help.
More Solar Stats to Be Made Available BY STEVEN JOHNSON
Solar generation is still just a drop in the electricity bucket but the federal government is starting to measure the bucket more diligently. The Energy Information Administration is stepping up its reporting of small-scale solar generation. The EIA now will calculate small-scale solar photovoltaic generation by state and sector, no small task considering the hundreds of thousands of small residential and commercial rooftop systems in place. That will give the number-crunchers a better grip on how much solar comes from roofs, in addition to community solar and utility-scale projects familiar to electric cooperatives. The initial estimate: about one-third of the 3.6 million megawatt-hours of solar generation in September 2015 came from small-scale PV, EIA reported. “Although EIA has provided annual estimates of capacity and generation for small-scale PV systems at the national level in the Annual Energy Outlook for many years, it has not previously developed monthly state-level estimates for small-scale PV that could be integrated with EIA data for utility-scale generation and capacity,” the agency reported. Total U.S. solar generation still lags behind most other power sources, representing about 1 percent of electric generation, though it is growing at a fast clip. There was a nearly 30 percent jump in U.S. distributed PV generation between September 2014 and September 2015, according to EIA. The bulk of the small distributed PV capacity is in California, which has 3,057 megawatts, or about 40 percent of the nation’s total. New Jersey is an unlikely second at 793 MW. EIA attributed that to consistent state solar PV policies and incentives. Arizona, Massachusetts and New York round out the top five for distributed solar PV capacity. To estimate small-scale solar PV at the state level, EIA developed methods that use the data it collects from electric utilities and third-party owners in conjunction with other information. The reports will be available in EIA’s Electric Power Monthly. — ECT.coop
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[industry]
Flying a drone over an area can capture detailed images of the situation and help a co-op dispatch the right crews with the right materials to the right location.
How Electric Co-ops Could Put Drones to Use BY TOM TATE
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Drones are in the news — a lot. Apart from military uses, commercial applications are growing. Amazon wants to use drones to deliver your packages. There is a rumor of a northern Minnesota retailer wanting to use them to deliver beer to ice fishermen. Farmers are testing them for crop management. So, will drones someday find a home working for your co-op? It’s likely. But first, a little history. The first recorded use of drones for warfare occurred on August 22, 1849, when Austria attacked Venice, Italy, using unmanned explosive-laden balloons. Since then, military applications drove most of the advances. Drones are a perfect solution when you need to access information about areas that are either hard to reach or dangerous. Drones are more properly known as
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unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, and are either autonomous or remotely piloted. Autonomous models follow a preprogrammed flight plan, whereas a licensed pilot flies the RP vehicle from a remote location. This remote location can be half a world away in military applications. For commercial use, significantly shorter distances are involved. Regardless of operation type, modern drones are either fixed-wing or rotary models.
But how can your co-op use a drone? Assessing storm damage springs to mind. A helicopter or airplane can be used instead, but these options suffer from two issues. First, they are likely to be grounded for some time following the storm for pilot and crew safety. Co-op crews are in the field as soon as possible, often in the
midst of the storm. Second, these alternative aircraft are expensive to operate. So with ground access frequently blocked by debris or flooding, getting a comprehensive assessment of damage is both time consuming and dangerous. Flying a drone over the area can capture detailed images of the situation and help the co-op dispatch the right crews with the right materials to the right location. This kind of intelligence gets members’ lights back on faster. Drones have significant potential in preventive maintenance. Programmed to fly over far-flung transmission and distribution lines using the co-op’s mapping data, a drone camera can record the route and return with an assessment of potential tree or vegetation problems. By integrating global positioning system coloradocountrylife.coop
[industry] data, the exact areas needing attention are pinpointed and crews are then dispatched to correct the issues. This eliminates a lot of time and expense patrolling lengthy rights-of-way. Anticipating privacy concerns, drones will be programmed to fly specific routes as mentioned above. They won’t be looking at meters or the service wires from the pole to homes and businesses. Most video and other photographic data will never be seen by a human operator. It is simply too time consuming, especially when the co-op is restoring an outage. Software will analyze the imagery and identify potential problem areas for additional human interpretation. Further applications include equipping the drone with an infrared camera to search for hot spots on power lines or inside substations. Many co-ops use handheld IR devices for just such purposes today. With a drone, they could cover far more area at a much lower cost. Problems could be solved before causing an interruption to your service.
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Drones have significant potential in preventive maintenance. Programmed to fly over far-flung transmission and distribution lines using the co-op’s mapping data, a drone camera can record the route and return with an assessment of potential tree or vegetation problems. The use of 3-D imaging to assess the condition of poles and towers in hard-toreach areas is a possibility. Likewise, the impact of construction on wildlife could also be monitored if required by government agencies. Once in widespread use, you can be sure many more applications will develop. Delivering light materials to field crews? Pizza? However, getting a drone in the air is
not a trivial matter. Since recreational use of drones has created some issues, the Federal Aviation Administration is regulating their use for commercial activities. The co-op needs to get approval from the FAA to operate a drone and the pilot has to be FAA licensed and backed by dedicated and certified ground support. This will keep drones out of regular airspaces and away from sensitive areas. While the FAA was directed to streamline and expedite approvals for commercial drone use (the latest approval took exactly 90 days), getting ready to apply takes a lot of time and effort. Finally, drones capable of utility tasks can be expensive, ranging from a few thousand to half a million dollars. As with all technology electric cooperatives investigate and deploy, drones — if they prove to be a feasible option — would be used to reduce operating costs and increase reliability. These amazing craft have significant potential to do both. Tom Tate writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
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Gordon and Peg Brocker stand among some of their beloved horses on their Walden ranch.
HORSE
y z a r C BY H E L E N W I L L I A M S
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Frostys Charmer
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Peg Brocker knows she is one of the lucky ones. In love with horses, she breeds and trains them and is able to express her passion for them by creating beautiful, unique pieces of art. Her colorful and whimsical fused glass horses are the most sought-after of her varied artworks. Peg Brocker sits in her studio, where the magic begins.
“All the things I know and see in live horses I exaggerate and put in my glass horses — the variety of colors and personalities and how beautiful they are and the differences,” Peg said recently, perched on a stool in the cozy studio on her ranch. “My glass horses are each unique and I see that in live horses, too, when I’m training. Three horses of the same color look completely different to me — like a rancher can see the differences in his black cows. I want all my glass horses to have that kind of personality.” Peg has learned a lot about horses in the 36 years she has lived in the West.
Longing for the West “When I was a teenager, I always wanted to go to the mountains and the cowboy thing was really cool to me,” Peg said. “I started liking horses in high school — I had a couple friends who had horses and we used to ride a lot and I loved it. When I started college, I chose the University of Wyoming so I could get out West. I liked the wide open spaces and knew I didn’t want to live near a city. “When our vaca“I came out by train from Chicago. My dad was a huge train buff, and tion ended, I quit it was the easiest way to get out here my job in Illinois with my stuff. I was excited to finally and moved out be coming west and it was really cool on the train, watching the landscape here,” Peg said. change and those majestic mountains “I fell in love with rising ahead of us. Then in 1979, I came back to Colorado, with a girlthe area — it’s friend, a road trip,” Peg said. pretty and the “(My friend) had friends in Colopeople were rado Springs that we stopped to see, and my brother had friends in Gould friendly.” that we stopped to see. We were going to stay overnight but stayed three days, and in those three days, I got a job at the Gould Cookhouse,” Peg recalled. “I didn’t apply for the job.
My brother’s friend worked at the Gould Cookhouse and we hung out there. The owner asked me if I wanted a job. “When our vacation ended, I quit my job in Illinois and moved out here,” she said. “I fell in love with the area — it’s pretty and the people were friendly.” After the stint at the Gould Cookhouse, where she waited tables, bartended and helped with the baking, she took on many odd jobs in Walden: painted houses with an all-woman crew, worked on the town maintenance crew and did some bartending, anything to be able to stay in the North Park area of north central Colorado.
The Art of Horses Peg majored in art (and geology) in college and soon after her move to Colorado she began painting in pastels and watercolors. She noted that when she sold her first pieces in the ’80s, she wasn’t really trying. “Someone saw something and admired it and I said, ‘You want to buy it?’ I never thought much about selling it. Artists are all about the process, doing it.” It wasn’t until the Green Otter Gallery opened in Walden in 2006 that Peg brought out her paintings of cows, horses and rural scenes for public display. She discovered an affinity for fused glass art a few years ago when she signed up for a workshop put on by an artist in Lara[continued on page 18]
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mie. “It just took one time making fused glass items and I fell in love with it,” Peg said. “I went home and dreamt about it. “For a year, I went back and forth to Laramie to work with (the artist) and use her kiln and materials. Finally, I started buying my own glass. I eased myself into it.” Now, in Peg’s studio, the air is filled with light filtered through her fused glass creations. There are horses, sun-catchers, dipping bowls, plates, jewelry — anything one can imagine made out of fused glass. “I used to work the glass in the house and afterward everything had to be put away and the house cleaned up; a real pain. Then a few years ago, Gordon (her husband) built a small studio for me in the barn. Now I have a place for all my material and equipment and I don’t have to put it all away every time.” The colored glass Peg works with comes in 4-foot-square sheets, which she then cuts into 2- by 2-inch or 1- by 1-inch pieces. Different kinds of glass melt at different rates — but this glass has to all melt at the same rate. She buys it at The Glass Warehouse and it is specifically made for fusing. She cuts it with a glass cutter for straight pieces or a mosaic cutter for random shapes. Peg has her own small four-program kiln. There are different firing schedules; it’s computerized so she doesn’t have to sit and watch it. The segment she uses for glass goes up in 300 degree increments until it gets to 1,150, holds it for five minutes, and then goes up until it gets to 1,460 degrees. That’s the temperature she uses to get glass completely flat. For the horses and the plates, it then goes in the kiln at a cooler temp to make the glass slump and the legs or plate edges drop down into a mold. “A lot of my art, I’d get thinking about things, and a lot of it is subconscious,” Peg said. “Sometimes I start dreaming ideas and wake up and write them down. I had a vision, an idea, of how these horses would look, and they have turned out pretty close to what I envisioned. This beautiful landscape and the horses I paint, my own horses, are beautiful. I try to express that beauty in glass. Animals in a landscape add a lot, and it adds that Western flavor without adding cowboys. Sometimes I see a scene in my daily work that I want to capture; sometimes I get an idea of something I’d like to do and go out and look for a scene. “It’s hard to talk about it,” Peg said pensively. “That’s why promoting it is so hard. I can’t articulate a lot of this, I just express my feelings in my art. It doesn’t always make sense; weird ideas pop in my head and I have a new idea. I don’t know if there is an explanation for how it evolves; maybe that’s the artist in me. If I’m talking to another artist, it’s more about process and materials, equipment.”
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Peg displays a variety of her glass art.
Horse Inspiration Peg’s inspiration for her glass horses comes from the horses she and her husband, Gordon, raise on their 65-acre ranch just outside Walden. They married in 1987 and started raising horses that year but decided to do it as a business in 1993 when they were living in Montana. They named it Brocker Quarter Horses and moved it back to Walden in 1995. Gordon works with Sessions & Sons, a construction company in Walden, but helps Peg with the horses on weekends. He is from a pioneer ranching family that homesteaded in North Park in the late 1800s. “After we got married we decided to breed one mare — Gor-
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Peg’s work is available at Circle Seven Fine Arts in Steamboat and at her studio in Walden. She has a Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/ PBArt-589181021165081, or she can be reached via email at bqh@centurytel.net.
don had done it before — and then decided to do it again,” Peg explained. What she didn’t know about caring for horses, Gordon helped to teach her. Half of their small ranch is in hay, enough to feed during the winter, depending on how many horses they have. (The most they’ve had was 21; currently they have 13, counting the three new foals born this year, Sprite, Jingle and Red Rover, one colt and two fillies.) Generally, the mares deliver without help, and Peg and Gordon step in only if there is a problem or if the mare is having a hard time. Mares, unlike humans, don’t transfer any antibodies through the umbilical cord, so the foals are susceptible to everything until they can get the protection from the colostrum, the mare’s first milk. The first thing Peg does is treat their navels with iodine or Nolvasan and keep them clean until they get some colostrum. Mares carry for 11 months, so the Brocker mares are bred in May and deliver the following April. Peg keeps the foals penned with their mothers for the first few days, especially since the spring weather in North Park is so unpredictable and Red Rover the foals’ little bodies
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don’t regulate heat well. North Park is known for its cold winters and unpredictable springs, but Peg said the climate isn’t a problem. “What we do for our horses is ideal for the horses: leave them outside. They have shelter, they have windbreaks when they need it. Makes them tough and they are meant to be outside. When they’re kept inside, horses develop respiratory problems, obsessive-compulsive disorder problems.” And when the foals are new, “We get our hands on them, because we imprint train them,” Peg said. “When they’re first born, we do a lot of handling, touching them all over, getting them used to people. You need to keep doing that for days. The first day I go out three or four times and handle them. The second day we put a halter on them, pick up their feet. All the things they are going to have to get used to we do when they’re just born. “We’ve bred back four of our mares this year,” Peg said. “They have a foal heat usually five days after delivery. Some ranchers breed them during that heat. We like the mare to have that four weeks of cleaning, while things inside get straightened up, before we breed them again.” Frostys Charmer is their stallion, a majestic red roan they bought when he was 2. He is now 19 and they plan to keep breeding him as long as possible. “We are now looking for a replacement,” Peg said. “We’re thinking about using one of ours if we get a perfect colt, one we like. In case we don’t, we’re shopping around.” It is Peg’s ideal life as she works with the horses and colts in the spring and summer and with her art the rest of the year. She knows she is lucky to be surrounded by the horses she loves and live in the West as she always dreamed she would. Writer Helen Williams, a member of Mountain Parks Electric, loves sharing the stories of her multitalented neighbors in Jackson County. This is her third article for Colorado Country Life.
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[recipes] Photo courtesy of PEPCID
Pig Out on Pork Products Recipes you will go hog-wild over
BY AMY HIGGINS || AHIGGINS@COLORADOCOUNTRYLIFE.ORG
Tender splendor To avoid overcooking, use a meat thermometer when cooking pork. Most pork products are ready to be eaten when the internal temperature reaches approximately 145 degrees.
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Bacon, chops, ribs, tenderloin — they’re all American fan-favorites. In fact, Americans consume approximately 50 pounds of pork per year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. Packed with protein, zinc and B vitamins, pork has substantial health benefits, when eaten in moderation of course. In honor of the National Western Stock Show, we’re highlighting “the other white meat” with recipes you’ll want to share … or hog to yourself.
Cornbread-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin 7 slices thick-cut hickory smoked bacon, divided 3 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup apple cider 3/4 cup cornbread stuffing mix 1/3 cup chopped red cooking apple 3 tablespoons dried cranberries 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted 1 peppercorn-and-garlic-seasoned pork tenderloin
Ready or not? Let your pork sit out of the refrigerator for a bit before cooking. While getting the inside to the ideal temperature, the outside will overcook if the meat is too cold.
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Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cut 3 slices bacon into 1⁄4-inch wide slices. In medium saucepan, cook over medium heat until crisp; drain. Leave 1 tablespoon grease in pan. Add butter and apple cider; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in cooked bacon, stuffing mix, apple, cranberries and pecans. If needed, add additional cider to moisten stuffing. Place remaining slices of bacon about 2 inches apart down center of 15-by-10-by-1-inch baking sheet. Cut down center of tenderloin but not all the way through; lay flat on top of bacon slices. Spoon stuffing down center of tenderloin; wrap bacon slices around tenderloin, overlapping on top. Secure with wooden picks. Bake 40-45 minutes until internal temperature of stuffing reaches 160 degrees. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Photo courtesy of Smithfield
Ribs With Homemade Raspberry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce 4 1/2 pounds pork ribs Salt and pepper 1 package (6 ounces) fresh raspberries 3 chipotle peppers from a can of chipotles in adobo sauce 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from the peppers 1 tablespoon tomato paste from a tube 5 tablespoons cider vinegar 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 1 tablespoon soy sauce 3 cloves garlic, peeled 2 tablespoons water Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place ribs on roasting pan and season with salt and pepper on both sides. Cook for 20 minutes. Flip ribs and cook for 20 more minutes. While ribs are cooking, combine remaining ingredients in blender and pulse on high. Once thick, scrape into bowl. Reduce oven to 325 degrees and baste ribs with sauce. Cook for another hour. Repeat twice, basting once an hour. Serve with extra sauce on the side. Visit coloradocountrylife.coop for more delicious pork recipes. coloradocountrylife.coop
Pork Tenderloin with Cranberries, Shallots & Apples 2 pork tenderloins (2 pounds) sea salt or kosher salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 12 medium whole shallots, peeled 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 3/4-inch thick slices 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped 1/2 cup burgundy cooking wine 3/4 cup cranberry juice 1/4 cup dried cranberries Heat oven to 400 degrees. Season pork tenderloins with salt and pepper. In large skillet over medium-high heat, add 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Add tenderloins one at a time and brown well on all sides. Transfer to mediumsize, nonreactive baking pan. Add 2 more tablespoons olive oil to skillet. Stir in shallots and cook until lightly browned on all sides. Transfer shallots to baking pan. Add apples to skillet and brown on all sides. Transfer apples to small bowl and set aside. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in skillet and add garlic and thyme. Cook garlic until golden, then pour in cooking wine. Bring wine to a boil, scraping brown bits at bottom of pan. Add cranberry juice and cranberries. Bring back to a boil, then pour liquid over pork in baking pan. Transfer baking pan to oven, cover and braise for 15 minutes. Add apples to pan, cover and braise another 10-15 minutes, or until thermometer inserted into pork registers 155 degrees. Transfer pork to platter and return pan to oven for 10-15 minutes more, until shallots are tender. Cut pork into 1-inch thick slices and spoon shallots, apples and cranberry-wine sauce over pork.
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[gardening]
Making Garden Goods Marvelous Year-Round Seasoned Highline Electric employee cans goods for good
BY KAREN ORTNER, PUBLISHER OF THE HOLYOKE ENTERPRISE || REPRINTED WITH PRERMISSION
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Not many would put the words “canning” and “relaxing” in the same sentence, but Nancy Berges certainly does. Berges, who has worked at Highline Electric Association (in Holyoke) for over 51 years, cans 1,500 jars of food in an average year. “My record is 2,252 cans in a year,” said the woman who loves to give to anyone who asks and teach anyone willing to learn. Few would guess that Berges hated to help her mother can foods “with a passion” growing up, having to wash and scald dirty jars by hand. Over the years, however, family and community involvement have kindled a genuine enjoyment in the process for her, and great generosity in giving it away. Berges first began with canned fruits, when her husband, Raymond, was told he needed to reduce his sugar intake. From there, her recipe box gradually expanded to include a variety of Nancy Berges jellies, vegetables, pickles, meats, stews and pie fillings. “I can get a good meal for 10 people ready in 15 minutes,” said Berges of the contents of her pantry. And it’s an ability she takes advantage of often, entertaining friends, family and hunting parties. This year, the Berges family farm, now in its fourth generation, saw 15 friends and family members for opening day of “The absolute best hunting season, and Berges was sure to pull out all the stops pickles are when you keeping company fed. “The amount of food you go through pick the cucumbers in a weekend is unbelievable,” she stated, comparing hosting from the garden, take a hunting party to feeding a harvest crew. them in and process Her sons and grandchildren them immediately.” are avid hunters, accounting for some of her more unusual — Nancy Berges canned meats, such as antelope and wild boar. “One of my granddaughters got that boar with a 6-inch bowie knife,” she said proudly of the jarred meat, adding that boar doesn’t taste much different than pork. Between hunting, gardening and friends in the community with garden foods to share, Berges doesn’t have to buy much of what she cans besides fruit. Friends bring in their home-grown
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produce, she cans it and they split it, or else they share in both the harvest and the canning process. “The absolute best pickles are when you pick the cucumbers from the garden, take them in and process them immediately,” she shared. Her pickles in particular come from quite a special recipe, having been passed down from her mother in her final years. After her mother passed, Berges couldn’t bring herself to make pickles for a couple of years, and their return at the Thanksgiving table brought back sentimental memories for her siblings and family. “It’s nice to be able to pass that stuff down,” said Berges, whose sister, nieces and grandchildren often join her to learn the canning process and master her recipes. “You can’t buy this stuff.” Her recipes range from simpler sweetened fruit recipes, which only take about 25 minutes after getting up to pressure, to the lengthy Alaskan salmon, which requires 100 minutes. Some of Berges’ more challenging recipes are her most talked about, like her “to-die-for” apple pie filling or the relish recipe in which she has to grind every single ingredient. For those who might have a jar of Berges’ relish in their own pantries right now, it’s been told that adding it to deviled eggs is a real game-changer. More people may have some of Berges’ handiwork in their pantries than one would think. As for Berges, it’s the sharing that really makes it worthwhile. Whether it’s a friend or relative “loading up” after a visit from out of town, or one of the many
previous gardening columns at coloradocountrylife.coop/category/living-in-colorado/gardening.
JANAURY 2016
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silent auction baskets she’s arranged for various events over the years, Berges simply overflows with generosity and care for those around her. Living in Sedgwick County while working in Phillips County means twice the community involvement and twice the fundraisers for Berges, who over the years has been active in the Historical Society, Red Cross Society, Rural Fire District board, Conservation board, the Credit Union board, Progressive 15, the Republican Party and the Chamber of Commerce, to name a few. She also is a go-to helper for Dragon’s Wagon Preschool fundraisers, Relay for Life, the Lincoln Day Dinner and basically anyone who calls. “There’s certain people in the community that get things done, even if they’re the busiest people,” said Berges. “I’m one of those people.” Berges might joke that canning keeps her “off the streets and out of the pool hall,” but it is clear where her heart is — in her family and the community. “I’m really interested in the community in both cities,” she stressed, meaning both Julesburg, which she lives near, and Holyoke, where she works. “It’s only through sharing and volunteering that they thrive.”
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[outdoors]
Mystery of the Lone Chukar
A sighting of the elusive bird is truly a head scratcher BY DENNIS SMITH
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Last November, a few days before Thanksgiving, a chukar partridge flew into our yard and began strutting around like he owned the place. He hung out for a little over an hour, scratching in the garden, pecking bugs (I presume) off the wooden bedding frames and otherwise making himself at home. At one point he flew up onto our pool cover to help himself to a drink, and then went back to pecking at weed seeds and whatever it was he found so interesting on the bedding frames. Employing all of my Elmer Fudd skills, I was able to sneak within a few yards of him and shoot some photos while he busied himself exploring the rest of the garden. Now, chukars aren’t exactly common around here. Historically, they were introduced into almost every county in the state at one time or another, but most of the plantings failed. Biologists determined the hatchery-reared birds they released probably lacked the critical survival skills needed to endure in the wild and fell prey to various natural factors: starvation, predators, weather extremes and a general inability to adapt to the environment. Chukars are actually native to Asia and the Middle East and best suited to remote, rocky hillsides with sparse vegetation. Transplanted coveys have done well in eastern Oregon, Nevada, Idaho and Utah and parts of western Colorado, like Mesa County. But no viable populations of wild chukars existed on Colorado’s eastern plains until 2014 when Colorado Parks and Wildlife planted 168 wild birds from Utah in the rugged terrain midway up the Poudre Canyon — which is a solid hour and a half drive from where I live. Every one of those birds was tagged with identifying leg bands and 60 of them were fitted with radio collars for tracking purposes. This bird had neither, so he certainly
The chukar partridge isn’t common in this part of the country but was comfortable in Dennis Smith’s backyard this fall.
wasn’t from any of the Poudre Canyon coveys. There are several private hunting clubs and upland game preserves in Colorado that release chukars, pheasants and quail for their clients and guests to hunt, so I suppose it’s possible he was one of those fortunate enough to escape the guns of the club hunters. But, with few exceptions, all of those clubs are hundreds of miles from here. I’m aware of three or four within a 50-mile radius. So where this chukar came from remains a mystery. Now the really odd thing is that this happened to us once before. In 1982, when we lived just south of Loveland, a chukar partridge showed up in our yard one day, took up with our flock of laying hens and stayed for months. He would fly up to the roof of the coop each morning and crow loudly, “Chuk, chuk, chukar, chucker!” then fly down and hang out with the hens all day. In all that time, I never thought to take his picture. This time I had the camera ready.
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[energy tips]
EXPLORING INNER SPACE (Heaters) BY PATRICK KEEGAN
STAY IN TOUCH WITH LEGISLATORS
Colorado’s General Assembly Convenes January 13 Order copies of the printed directory for only $1 at 303-455-4111 or at crea@coloradocountrylife.org or get the mobile APP now! Download CREA’s Legislative App from Google Play or the APP Store for only 99¢ COLORADO RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION 5400 WASHINGTON ST. • DENVER, CO 80216 • CREA.COOP
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In the dead of winter it can be more cost effective to run a space heater than to turn up your central heating, but if you’re not careful, you may increase your electric bill. Generally, it is best to run a space heater when you need to heat just one or two rooms, or if you need temporary heat in a normally unheated area like a garage or shed. If you have a particularly coldsensitive person in the home, it can be more efficient to use a space heater in the room he or she most often occupies rather than overheating the whole house. However, be mindful of the costs that these little heaters can add to your electric bill. Nick Photo courtesy Freeimages.com/Ryan Bourne Rusnell, an energy advisor with HomeWorks TriCounty Electric Cooperative in Portland, Michigan, said, “During an energy audit, I found three 1,500-watt A small infrared space heater can heat a frequently used heaters in the room more efficiently than house of a co-op heating the entire house. consumer with a high-bill complaint. I did a cost analysis for him and he was shocked.” Do your own calculations for how much running one, two or three in your home would cost. And beware the efficiency hype around space heaters: Electric space heaters are 100 percent efficient at turning electricity to heat, but an Energy Star air source heat pump can be 300 percent efficient. If you need a space heater to keep your home comfortable, this may be a sign that your home needs insulation or air sealing, both of which can be great investments and significantly reduce your energy bills. Learn more about heating with space heaters. Visit coloradocountrylife.coop. Look under the Energy tab for Energy Tips.
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[marketplace] Advertise in MarketPlace and everyone will know your BUSINESS.
Who? Who will know your business? Everyone!
Call Kris for information at 303-902-7276
WiseSavers
Inspect your hot water pipes for leaks. The smallest drip can wreak havoc on your electric bill. coloradocountrylife.coop
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[classifieds] TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD Please type or print your ad on a separate paper. Indicate how many months you would like your ad to run and which month to start. There is a minimum of 12 words at $1.63 per word/ month. Be sure to include your full name and address for our records. Check MUST accompany this order or call to pay by credit card. Send your ad before the 10th of the month to: mail: Colorado Country Life 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 phone: 303.902.7276 fax: 303.455.2807 email: classifieds@coloradocountrylife.org
ANTIQUE RESTORATION
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
CHAIR CANING Hand caning, machine caning, fiber rush caning. Pueblo West, 719-547-0723. chaanita@q.com (858-10-16)
PIANO TUNING PAYS. Learn with American School home-study course. Tools included. Call for info. 800-497-9793. (158-11-16)
ANTLERS
STORE/RESTAURANT in GROVER with RECORD of SUCCESS! 4,720 SqFt, includes trade fixtures, inventory…, for ONLY $285,000! Call Benson 970-744-0223! (27001-16)
ANTLER CHANDELIERS made only from REAL antlers. We are the manufacturer and we sell all of our products at wholesale prices; save as much as 60% from store prices. Many other antler products and mounts, including 56” elk mount, giant moose paddles, and elk antlers. Showroom now open year ’round in Granby, CO. 18 years at this location, over 900 satisfied customers! Designers: We can provide you a single item or a whole houseful. Call ! (970) 6273053. (085-09-16)
BOOKS/CDs/DVDs CHANT OF A CHAMPION: Auctioneering DVD from World and International Champion Auctioneer John Korrey. Let John show you how to improve all aspects of your auctioneering chant. Order online at www.chantofachampion.com (210-04-16) KANE MOSS, a tale of reckoning. Western fiction novel by Colorado author C.D. Tuttle . A riveting tale of vengeance, wrapped in an intriguing web of suspense. At Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, autographed copies CDTuttle.com (279-02-16)
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES (These opportunities have not been investigated by Colorado Country Life.) HEALTH FOOD STORE & DELI: 2 turnkey businesses in one. Strong income/customer base. Colorado mountains (970-641-5175), leave name & number. (252-04-16)
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FREE
REAL ESTATE
WANTED TO BUY
FREE BOOKS/DVDS. Soon the “Mark of the Beast” will be enforced as Church and State unite! Let the Bible reveal. The Bible Says, POB99, Lenoir City, TN 37771. thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com 888-211-1715. (814-04-16)
OWN PROPERTY? NEED INCOME? We’ll rent exclusive hunting rights from you. Looking for antelope, goose, duck, coyote, & prairie dog habitat. Encourage young sportsmen by providing safe, private access. You make the rules. 303-460-0273 (069-04-16)
BUYING AUTOGRAPHS (all kinds), sports cards (pre-1980). Vintage sports and music collectibles (albums, etc.). Cash paid. Established dealer since 1986. Mike 720-334-0206, mmunns1@hotmail. com (245-01-16)
HELP WANTED LEGITIMATE WORK AT HOME opportunity. No sales, investment, risk. Training/website provided. Monthly income plus bonuses, benefits. Call Carrie 303-579-4207, www.workathomeunited.com/ ourabundance (932-02-16) NEED HELP COUNTING ADS. Win a $25 gift card. Email the number of classifieds on this page and your address to classifieds@ coloradocountrylife.org. Put “New Year Classifieds” in the subject line. We’ll draw one name January 15 to win.
MACHINERY & PARTS
www.clockrepairandrestoration. com DURANGO AREA. CLOCKS of all kinds repaired. Antique and modern. Clocks bought and sold. bob.scott@usa.net Call Robert 970-247-7729. (109-04-16)
www.sawmillexchange.com SAWMILL EXCHANGE: North America’s largest source of used portable sawmills and commercial equipment for woodlot owners and sawmill operations. Over 800 listings. THE place to sell equipment. 800-459-2148. (26709-16)
FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE
CLOCK REPAIR & RESTORATION
12” HYDRAULIC TREE SHEARER. Put on any front end loader. $1550. Call 719-676-2929 (280-01-16) ALLEN ORGAN - 2 manual, full foot pedals. Needs new home. Value $1200. Priced to sell, OBO. Buena Vista, 719-395-4966 (272-01-16) OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS - $380 with warranty. Also sell portable concentrators and oxygen supplies. Repair and service of equipment. Aspen Concentrator Repair Service 719-471-9895 (040-04-16)
DUPLEX plus eleven lots in Wiggins, Co. Great investment opportunity. $382,500 or best offer. Let’s talk. Frank, 303-503-9210 or fsmith070@ gmail.com. (275-04-16) FSBO / DURANGO – GREAT PROFESSIONAL OFFICE on Main Ave. Conveniently located downtown in modern building across from Buckley Park. Two rooms, large windows, two assigned covered parking spaces. $155,000. Roger, 970-799-2871. (265-02-16)
RENTALS MILLION DOLLAR VIEWS overlooking Glacier Club Golf Course, Durango. Furnished studio, $980 includes: Cable TV, internet, water, trash, HOA fees, and phone! Owner/Agent metlc@icloud.com 480-710-1682. (276-01-16)
TICKETS NFR & PBR RODEO TICKETS – Las Vegas. Call 1-888-NFR-Rodeo (1888-637-7633). www.NFR-rodeo. com A+ rated BBB Member. (91201-16)
VACATIONS GROUP ON PRINCESS CRUISES to Alaska, 7 nights, July 30. Roundtrip Seattle. Includes Glacier Bay and coastal towns. $100/person deposit to hold cabin. Call Bon Voyage, 719-596-7447. (226-01-16)
VACATION RENTAL BAYFIELD ATTIC INN – Downtown Bayfield, Colorado. 1 bedroom, ¾ bath, tv. $75/nt or $500/wk. 970-759-6957, bayfieldatticinn.com (263-01-16) COME STAY on SHADOW MOUNTAIN LAKE! Charming, cozy, all season cabin. VRBO.com #699584 (274-04-16) KAUAI VACATION RENTAL, 2bdr, full kitchen. Minutes from beaches. $600/wk. 808-2456500; mokihana@hawaiian.net; kauaiweddings.com. (756-05-16)
AR Winner for December was Mathew Krening from Fort Morgan. Mathew is the winner of a $50 gift card. Congratulations.
D.R. FIELD or BRUSH mower. Either walk behind or tow behind. Tom, 970-531-1552 (273-01-16) NAVAJO RUGS, old and recent, native baskets, pottery. Tribal Rugs, Salida. 719-539-5363, b_inaz@ hotmail.com (817-06-16) OLD COLORADO LIVESTOCK brand books prior to 1975. Call Wes 303757-8553. (889-02-16) OLD COWBOY STUFF – hats, boots, spurs, chaps, Indian rugs, baskets, etc. ANYTHING OLD! Mining & railroad memorabilia, ore carts! We buy whole estates. We’ll come to you! Call 970-759-3455 or 970-5651256. (871-01-16) OLD GAS AND OIL items: Gas pumps, advertising signs, globes, etc. Pieces, parts, etc. considered. Also 1932-34 Ford cars and trucks, parts and pieces, too. Any condition. Brandon, 719-250-5721. (519-11-16) OLD POCKET WATCHES – working or non-working and old repair material. Bob 719-859-4209. (87012-16) WANT TO PURCHASE mineral and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: PO Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201. (402-03-16) WANTED: JEEP CJ OR WRANGLER. Reasonably priced. No rust buckets. 888-735-5337 (099-04-16) WE PAY CASH for minerals and oil/gas interests, producing and nonproducing. 800-733-8122 (09902-16)
FIND HIDDEN TREASURE IN THE CLASSIFIEDS Read through the ads and FIND the CCL classified explaining how to WIN a $25 gift card. It’s easy. You could WIN.
The classified ads December winner was Nancy Shetler from Berthoud. She correctly counted 30 ads.
coloradocountrylife.coop
[funny stories] When our granddaughter was in second grade, she was identified as a gifted student. Our son called us to share the good news. I told him that was great news and asked, “How come you didn’t do as well in school as your daughter?” Without hesitation, he responded, “Better parenting.” It seems our son’s gift is a quick wit. Bob Selle, Calhan
La Plata Electric member Dawn Clark visits Sweden. Jeana Johnson of Julesburg shares her magazine with grandson, Knox, who loves animal and tractor pictures.
riski eresa B ir and Thnt took th.e k r a M onume varia of M zine to Bar m ag a
John Krizmanich of Howard visits Iceland.
A friend in her final week of intense preparation for the Rim Rock Marathon near Fruita was feeling the pains of many miles of training. But, as a grandparent, baby-sitting duties also continued. After a time on the floor with her grandson, she couldn’t help but groan as she got up. Hearing this, her grandson innocently commented, “Grandma, you really ought to get in shape!” Jim McKelvey, Black Forest
We took our daughter to the emergency room thinking she may have appendicitis. I went in with her and came out to report to my husband and 8-year-old granddaughter, Katrina, that the doctors took her to get a CAT scan. Katrina was concerned about her mom and in deep thought. Finally, she said, “Do you think it could be a hair ball?” (They have four cats.) Charlotte Inskeep, Loveland
This month’s winners are John and Maria Green from Colorado Springs. They were in Belize for their 40th anniversary.
Take Your Photo with Your Magazine and Win! It’s easy to win with Colorado Country Life. Simply take a photo of someone (or a selfie!) with the magazine and email the photo and your name and address to info@coloradocountrylife.org. We’ll draw one photo to win a $25 gift card each month. The next deadline is Friday, January 15. This month’s winner are John and Maria Green from Colorado Springs. They were in Belize for their 40 year anniversary. coloradocountrylife.coop
My son was an early adventurer. He and the police were well-acquainted as he was often brought back home from many of his wanderings in their patrol car. One time it took quite a spell to find him, and I explained how worried we were that we didn’t know where he was. He looked up at me and said, “I knew where I was.” Billie F. Luchi, Fountain Hills, Arizona
$15
We pay $15 to each person who submits a funny story that’s printed in the magazine. At the end of the year we will draw one name from those submitting funny stories and that person will receive $200. Send your 2016 stories to Colorado Country Life, 5400 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216 or email funnystories@coloradocountrylife.org. Don’t forget to include your mailing address, so we can send you a check.
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[discoveries]
No Limitations There are no limits to what you can find at Colorado Limited. From hoodies to home goods, hats and socks, this Denver company has it all. Every piece manufactured includes the Colorado flag or the much-loved Colorado “C.” In addition, Colorado Limited revitalizes its inventory throughout the year to ensure you have something new to look forward to when visiting its website or one of its stores in Vail and Denver and Denver International Airport. For more information, visit coloradolimited.com.
Stick With It Adhere your Colorado pride to just about anything with Sticker Art. These colorful stickers are made by Colorado artists and inspired by the amazing landscape that surrounds us. Choose from styles that portray your favorite outdoor activity, like skiing or camping, or beloved areas of the Centennial State. The Sticker Art company is based in Durango but the products can be found in stores throughout Colorado. Sticker Art stickers cost $12 for a pack of four. To find a Sticker Art retailer near you or to buy online, visit stickerart.com.
CLOAKED IN COLORADO At first glance, you would think a Colorado Caliber T-shirt is simply donning a Colorado flag. Look closer because this Adams County-based company is covert when it comes to design. Each Colorado Caliber T-shirt has a theme and within the Colorado flag you’ll see what it is. Inspect the “Wildlife” design, for example, and you will locate a variety of animals native to our great state. Founded by Adam Sinclair and Will Bynum, U.S. Navy veterans, Colorado Caliber was developed with the outdoors in mind. Additional themes include “Fly Fishing” and “Second Amendment.” Camping, skiing and snowboarding options are in the works. Choose from T-shirts, hoodies and stickers. For more information, call 303-956-7640 or visit coloradocaliber.com.
Kind Colorado (and Beyond!) Coloradans remember the devastation that occurred in Boulder, Lyons and surrounding areas in September 2013 when flooding destroyed homes and businesses and displaced countless locals. Kind Design founder and designer Damon Baz Redd was one of those folks. On September 12, Redd awoke to find 5 feet of water in the basement of his Boulder home, which also served as his business headquarters. Nearly all his equipment and inventory was destroyed and Kind Design faced extinction, until the first full-custom hats he designed showed up at his doorstep. Shortly after, Redd posted 30
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his new hats on Facebook and told his story. To his astonishment, the post went viral and support spread like wildfire. Soon, preorders of the hats started coming in, enough to save his business. ”It wasn’t just local support either. We received orders from all 50 states, which was incredible,” Redd shared. “After this happened, I vowed to make customer satisfaction my number one priority.” Kind Design sells everything from clothing to mugs and dog gear, all with the venerated Colorado logo we love so much. Order your favorite at kinddesign.com.
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Chicago Doctor Invents Affordable Hearing Aid Outperforms Reported by]. Page CHICAGO: A local board-certified
Ear, Nose , and Throat (ENT) physician , Dr. S. Cherukuri , has just shaken up the hearing aid industry with the invention of a medical-grade, affordable hearing aid. This revolutionary hearing aid is designed to help millions of people with hearing loss who cannot afford-or do not wish to pay-the much higher cost of traditional hearing aids.
"Perhaps the best quality-toprice ratio in the hearing aid industry" - Dr. Babu, Board-Certified
Many Higher Priced Hearing Aids • Designed by a Board-Certified Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Doctor • Doctor-Recommended, Audiologist-Tested • ***** Top Rated Hearing Aid OnlineThousands of Satisfied Customers • Batteries Included! Comes Ready To Use • FDA-Registered • Save Up To 90% • Free Shipping Available • 100% Money-Back Guarantee affordable device like an iPhone ®for about $200 that could do all sorts of things, I could create a hearing aid at a similar price:'
ENT Physician
Dr. Cherukuri knew that untreated hearing loss could lead to depression , social isolation , anxiety , and symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease. He could not understand why the cost of hearing aids was so high when the prices on so many consumer electronics like TVs, DVD players, cell phones, and digital cameras had fallen . Since Medicare and most private insurance plans do not cover the costs of hearing aids, which traditionally run between $2,000-$6 ,000 for a pair , many of the doctor's patients could not afford the expense. Dr. Cherukuri's goal was to find a reasonable solution that would help with the most common types of hearing loss at an affordable price , similar to the "one-size-fitsmost" reading glasses available at drug stores. He evaluated numerous hearing devices and sound amplifiers, including those seen on television. Without fail, almost all of these were found to amplify bass/ low frequencies (below 1000 Hz) and were not useful in amplifying the frequencies related to the human voice.
Inspiration from a Surprising Source The doctor's inspiration to defeat the powers-that-be that kept inexpensive hearing aids out of the hands of the public actually came from a new cell phone he had just purchased. "I felt that if someone could devise an
Affordable Hearing Aid with Superb Performance The high cost of hearing aids is a result of layers of middlemen and expensive unnecessary features. Dr. Cherukuri concluded that it would be possible to develop a medical-grade hearing aid without sacrificing the quality of components. The result is the MDHearingAid PRO, under $200 each when bu y ing a pair. It has been declared to be the best low-cost hearing aid that amplifies the range of sounds associated with the human voice without overly amplifying background noise.
Tested by Leading Doctors and Audiologists The MDHearingAid PRO has been rigorously tested by leading ENT physicians and audiologists who have unanimously agreed that the sound quality and output in many cases exceeds more expensive hearing aids .
MDHearingAid ®))PRO
Doctors and patients agree: "BEST QUALITY SOUND" "LOWEST AFFORDABLE PRICE"
"I have been wearing hearing aids for over 2 5 years and these are the best behind-the-ear aids I have tried. Their sound quality rivals that of my $3,500 custom pair of Phonak ®Xtra digital /TE." -Gerald L. "I have a $2,000 Resound ®Live hearing aid in my left ear and the MDHearingAid PRO in the right ear. I am not able to notice a significant difference in sound quality between the two hearing aids." -Dr. May, ENT Physician
"They work so great, my mother says she hasn't heard this well in years, even with her $2,000 digital! It was so great to see the joy on her face. She is 90 years young again." -Al P.
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