2 Rodeo - Lake Region Electric Association Inc · Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Tim McIntyre General Manager We’ll See You June 2 It’s that

RodeoHigh School Athletes Compete P8-9

JUNE 2016 VOL. 17 NO. 2

2 June 2016 • COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS

Grand Prize – $750

75th Annual Meeting

ATTRACTIONS Thursday, June 2 • Britton, S.D.

Lake Region Electric Association

Exhibits• Blood Pressure Screenings• SmartHub Demonstrations• Smart Home/Smart Thermostats – Border States• Electrical Safety – Basin Electric• Meter Technology• Safety Town• LED Lighting

Prizes• $100 Bill Credit• $50 Bill Credit (multiple to be given away)• Keurig 2.0 • Stanley FatMAX mobile work station • 50-quart, five-day Rubbermaid Dura Chill Cooler • Fitbit• Tablet• Children’s Bike• Garden Scooter• Hose Reel Cart• And MUCH MORE! Roast beef meal will

be served at 5:30 p.m.

Please note, some of the exhibits will be present-ing information in 15-minute intervals, begin-ning at 4:30 p.m. Times will be posted at the meeting. Also, all exhibits are free of charge.

(We WILL be giving away the grand prize to one attendee – must be present to win.)

All registered

members will receive a

commemorative jar.

Food DriveAny member that brings a nonperish-able food item or monetary donation will be entered into a special drawing for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card.

COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS • June 2016 3

(USPS 018-904)

ColumnManager’s

Board of DirectorsKermit Pearson, PresidentRodney Tobin, Vice PresidentThomas Jones, SecretaryJason Medhaug, TreasurerThomas SteinerAmy KueckerRoger KulesaDanny Smeins, LREA Attorney

General ManagerTim Mc Intyre

LREA Staff MembersTrudy Smith, Manager of Office ServicesJim Grimes, Manager of OperationsBrett Kwasniewski, Manager of Member ServicesTim Gaikowski, Manager of Technology Services

Lake Region Electric Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Like us on Facebook: Lake Region Electric Association Inc.

LAKE REGION RIPPLES COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS is the monthly publication for the members of Lake Region Electric Association, Inc., PO Box 341, 1212 N Main St., Webster, SD 57274. Lake Region Electric Cooperative Connections’ purpose is to provide reliable, helpful information to members on electric cooperative matters and better living.

Subscription information: As part of their membership, Lake Region Electric members devote 50 cents from their monthly electric payments for a subscription. Nonmember subscriptions are available for $12 annually. (USPS 018-904) Periodicals Postage Paid at Webster, SD 57274 and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Lake Region Ripples Cooperative ConnectionsPO Box 341, Webster, SD 57274Telephone 605-345-3379; Toll Free 1-800-657-5869; Fax 605-345-4442 E-mail: [email protected]

Design assistance by TDG Communications and SDREA.

24 hour Dispatching/Outage Line1-800-657-5869

BEFORE YOU DIG,CALL SD ONE-CALL

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Tim McIntyreGeneral Manager

We’ll See You June 2It’s that time of year again – annual meeting time! On behalf of Lake Region Electric, I would like to personally invite you to join us on Thurs-day, June 2 at Britton, S.D. We look forward to gathering with you, the member-owner, to catch up, hear what you have to say and enjoy some good food and fellowship.

This is an occasion to discuss and learn more about the issues affecting your cooperative. It’s also an opportunity for you to exercise one of the great-est benefits of being a member of an electric co-op, by voting for the upcoming year’s board of direc-tors. A democratic and open election is one of the many elements that make our electric cooperative

stand out from other utilities. Lake Region Electric is proud to be serving Day, Marshall and Roberts counties

for the past 75 years. We encourage all the members to help us celebrate this mile-stone and look forward to an enjoyable evening.

We hope to see you in Britton, S.D., on Thursday, June 2!Tim McIntyre

Employee News

Gaikowski Named Manager of Technology ServicesLake Region Electric is pleased to announce the promotion of Tim Gaikowski to the position of Manager of Technology Services.

Tim joined Lake Region Electric in May 2012 as an IT/meterman. Tim’s meter knowledge and computer skills are two major assets that will aid in his transition to the new position.

Please join us in congratulating Tim on his promotion and in wishing him continued success with the cooperative.

Have you checked us out?

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www.facebook.com/Lake-Region-Electric-Association-Inc

WELCOME TO OUR NEW

MEMBERSWilliam Bednar, Jr.

Bruce HouchLana Little Bird

David Maag

4 June 2016 • Cooperative ConneCtions

Safety tips

Summer Electrical Safety Tips: Outdoor HazardsSummer is the time when everyone wants to play outside, so it is important that everyone knows what possible electri-cal safety hazards to avoid in the out-of-doors. Go around the outside of your home and through your neighborhood with your family and show them where telephone poles and electri-cal lines are located. Explain the following so that everyone understands the dangers associated with them:

• Never play near or touch a power line with any part of your body, a toy, a stick or any other object whatsoever. As-sume at all times that any power lines you see are live and dangerous. If you see a downed power line, stay well away and report it to your local utility company immediately.

• Never approach an electrical substation (or downed power lines) for any reason whatsoever. Period. If a friend, family member or a pet has entered this area, do not try to rescue them yourself – call 911 immediately.

• Never climb on or play around a utility pole. In fact, never post any signs or flyers on utility poles either as this can endanger you and utility workers that have to work on those poles.

• Never throw shoes or articles of clothing up onto power lines and never try to retrieve any object already hanging from a power line.

• To avoid getting kites, model aircraft or any other airborne toys stuck in power lines, play with these things in wide open spaces like parks or fields far away from power lines.

• Kids love to climb trees in the summer, but they should never climb trees that are too close to power lines; even if the tree isn’t touching a line, the extra weight from someone climbing the tree could cause a branch to touch the line, which would be dangerous. In fact, if you feel that any trees in your yard or neighborhood are too close to power lines, talk with your local utility about having them trimmed or possibly removed.

• Keep an eye on the weather. Almost 100 people die each year and another 500 are severely injured from lightning strikes. If a thunderstorm is approaching, go indoors and stay there until the danger has passed.

Source: rootelectric.com

Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local electric coop-erative (address found on Page 3). If your poster is published, you’ll receive a prize. All entries must include your name, age, mailing address and the names of your parents. Colored drawings are encouraged.

Lyla Michalek, 7 years old Lyla is the daughter of Anthony Michalek, Okaton, S.D. He is a member of West Central Electric Cooperative, Murdo, S.D.

Kids’ Corner Safety Poster“Keep extension cords out of high-traffic areas like doorways or walkways where they pose a tripping hazard.”

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Cooperative ConneCtions • June 2016 5

DairyDelicious

recipesReader

strawberry Frozen Yogurt squares1 (14 oz.) can fat-free sweetened condensed

milk, dividedNon-stick cooking spray1 cup Post Grape-Nuts® or similar cereal1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Pinch ground cloves1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen strawberries, about 2-1/2 cups3 cups fat-free strawberry yogurt

Measure 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk; set aside. Line 8x8-inch baking pan with foil; spray with non-stick cooking spray. In medium bowl, combine cereal, cinnamon, cloves and remainder of sweetened condensed milk. Spread cereal mixture evenly on bottom of pan, place in freezer. Place strawberries and yogurt in a blender; cover and blend. Add 1 cup sweetened condensed milk; blend until smooth. Pour mixture over cereal, smoothing to edges of pan. Cover with foil (or plastic wrap) and freeze 8 hours or until firm. Use edges of foil to loosen and remove from pan; let recipe thaw for 5 to 10 minutes. Cut into squares and serve. Squares may be individually wrapped and stored in freezer for single servings. Makes 9 servings.

Nutritional Facts Per Serving: Calories 200, Total Fat 0g, Sat Fat 0g, Cholesterol 5mg, Sodium 150mg, Total Carbohydrates 42g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 7g, Calcium 20% Daily Value

Pictured, Cooperative Connections

Becki’s Coconut Cream Cake1 white cake mix3 eggs1/3 cup vegetable oil1/2 tsp. coconut extract1 cup sour cream1 (8 oz.) can coconut milk

Frosting:3 (4 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese,

softened1 cup powdered sugar1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip

Combine the cake mix, oil, eggs, sour cream and coconut milk. Mix until well blended. Spread batter in greased and floured 9x13-inch pan. Bake at 350°F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. For frosting, mix cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in Cool Whip. Frost cooled cake and sprinkle with additional coconut.

Becki Hauser, Tripp

elvis pie1 cup creamy peanut butter1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese,

softened1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup sugar,

divided1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups cold heavy cream, divided1 (9 inch) graham cracker

piecrust2 large bananas, cut into 1/4-inch slicesChopped roasted peanuts

Cream together peanut butter, cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar and vanilla at medium speed. In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup heavy cream until soft peaks form. Carefully fold whipped cream into peanut butter mixture until completely combined. Scrape half the filling into the piecrust and smooth with spatula. Layer sliced bananas on top of filling. Spread remaining filling over bananas. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, at least 1 hour. To make topping, whip remaining cream and sugar together until soft peaks form. Spread over pie. Sprinkled with chopped nuts.

Lynn Holzerland, Waubay

French vanilla Coffee Mix1/3 cup instant coffee1 cup instant powdered milk1/2 cup nondairy creamer

1/3 cup sugar1/4 cup French Vanilla instant

pudding mix

Combine all ingredients; store in a glass jar. For each serving, put 3/4 cup boiling water in mug. Add 2 heaping tsps. of mix; stir well.

Mary Jessen, Holabird

Please send your favorite dessert, salad and garden produce recipes to your local electric cooperative (address found on Page 3). Each recipe printed will be entered into a draw-ing for a prize in December 2016. All entries must include your name, mailing address, tele-phone number and coopera-tive name.

Johnny Cake1/2 cup butter3 eggs, beaten1 cup sugar1/2 tsp. salt1 cup sour cream

1 tsp. soda1/2 tsp. baking powder1 cup flour1 cup corn meal

Combine all ingredients. Pour into a 9x9-inch or 9x13-inch pan. Bake at 400°F. for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Judy Jensen, Langford

potato salad Dressing1/2 cup sugar2 eggs1/4 cup vinegar3 T. butter

1 tsp. mustardSalt and pepper to taste1 cup mayonnaise

In a saucepan, mix together sugar, eggs, vinegar, butter, mustard, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; boil until thick. Cool. Add mayonnaise; stirring well. Toss with your favorite potato salad ingredients

Mary Alice Bartel, Wolsey


SmartHub:What is SmartHub?

SmartHub allows you to access your account(s) through your smart phone, tablet or computer. SmartHub allows you to view your usage or pay your bill 24/7.

What Can I do With Smarthub?• Make payments

– Credit or debit card – Checking or saving account

• View usage history graphs.• Get usage with an overlay of average daily temperatures.• Get your daily usage.• Get utility expenses for the year. • Access your payment history.• Receive email notifications.

Is it Secure?The SmartHub system uses banking standards to securely store your credit or debit

card along with checking or savings accounts.

How do I sign up?From any computer you can go to

LREA’s website lakeregion.coop and select the online bill pay option in the Quick Links section. This will take you to SmartHub where you can set up your NEW USER name and password. You will need to enter your member number when you sign up.

From Mobile devices, get the SmartHub app for free. Just search for SmartHub in Google Play store for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.

Co-op News

Lake Region Electric Association to Refund $400,000 to MembersBelonging to a cooperative has its privileges. Part of the activities at Lake Region’s annual meeting is demon-strating those cooperative differences. It’s time for YOUR benefit as a co-op member.

As a not-for profit electric co-op, LREA allocates any excess margins to its consumers after paying all the bills and reinvesting what it needs to keep electric costs as low as possible. Lake Region tracks the allocations and eventually refunds the money. As cash positions allow, LREA returns a portion of these dividends or capital credits back to the

co-op’s consumer/owners. The refund depends on the electricity purchased during the years for which capital credits are being paid.

By repaying capital credits to the members, even a small cooperative makes a substantial contribution to the local economy. This year’s payout covers 100 percent of 1989’s margins, 49 per-cent of 1995’s margins of and 25 percent of 2015’s allocated margins.

Co-op membership is rewarding. LREA provides reliable electric service at the lowest cost possible plus returns any excess earnings to you, the own-

ers of Lake Region. Since your co-op was created, we have returned more than $5.8 million to our members. By continuing our method of retiring the oldest capital credits along with a partial payment from the most recent operat-ing year, ALL of Lake Region’s members get to enjoy the benefits of cooperative ownership.

Checks will be available at the annual meeting, mailed to those members not attending or applied to energy accounts for members whose check is less than $10 or for accounts that have an overdue balance.

Sign up for SmartHub now through July 1st and receive a onetime $10 bill credit. To register visit www.lakeregion.coop and click on SmartHub to get started.

SmartHub is also a free app for any Android or Apple device. Download the free app for Apple or Android devices in the App Store or Google Play.

The $10 bill credit will automatically show up on the bill you receive in August.

If you have questions or need assistance signing up for a SmartHub account please contact our office at 1-605-345-3379 or toll free at 1-800-657-5869.

Sign up for SmartHub

The New Color of Money Series 2004A Safer. Smarter. More Secure. $10 Note — Face

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www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney


2015 Dedication to Youth and CommunityScholarshipsKyle Johnson of Webster was selected to receive the Basin Elec-tric/Lake Region Electric $1,000 scholarship. Preston Ochsner of Britton was chosen to receive the Duane Snaza Memorial $1,000 scholarship.

Touchstone Energy® Scholars of the WeekLindsey Vogl – Webster Area High SchoolLevi Olson – Waubay High School

EducationYouth Tour Washington, D.C.Heather Block – Watertown

Youth ExcursionTwo students represented LREA on the 2015 excur-sion to North Dakota. Riley Johnson of Webster, S.D. and Grant Gonsor of Water-town, S.D.

LREA Partici-pates in Enemy Swim Day School Career Fair

Country Kids 4-H Club Learns About Electricity

Co-ops in the ClassroomLake Region Elec-tric, along with East River Elec-tric’s educational/outreach specialist visited five school districts to bring them a presenta-tion about electricity. The fourth grade students learned about static electricity, renewable energy, energy efficiency, generators and much more.

DonationsThird Annual Employee Food Drive – LREA em-ployees donated more than 310 pounds of nonperishable items to the local food pantry.

Annual Angel Tree Dona-tion – Employee contribu-tions gifted 10 children a present for Christmas.

Kyle Johnson Preston Ochsner

Commitment to Community

Kyle Johnson Preston Ochsner

ByBrenda

Kle in jan

Competing with HeartS.D. High School Rodeo Athletes Hit the Arena

While many of the area’s high school athletes will have put their sports gear away for the summer having competed in their sport’s state event, the South Dakota’s high school rodeo athletes are just hitting their stride.

For high school rodeo athletes, June is their month. South Dakota regional rodeos are set for the first two weekends in June with Buffalo, Wall, Highmore and Huron hosting events June 3-5 while arenas in Dupree, Sturgis, Fort Pierre and Watertown will welcome athletes June 10-12. In Minnesota, regional rodeos are scheduled for week-ends in May at Verndale, Long Prairie and Fergus Falls and June 4-5 in St. Peter with the state finals held June 10-12 in Hugo.

No matter where they compete, the approxi-mately 450 members of the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association will have their sights set on Belle Fourche, host of the 2016 South Dakota High School Rodeo Finals June 14-18.

For Digger Rutten, public relations chairman

for South Dakota High School Rodeo Association, high school rodeo is at the heart of keeping the spirit of the West going.

“It’s a good event and keeps the western heritage alive in South Dakota is what we stress with the athletes,” said Rutten.

He notes that you’ll find the state’s high school rodeo athletes competing in school events through-out the year from football and volleyball to basket-ball and wresting and golf and track.

“The kids are involved in other sports in their school, too, but the high school rodeo is something the whole family travels together. It’s more of a fam-ily sport,” said Rutten.

Rutten estimates that 300 contestants will qualify for the state finals. And, in the stands will be hundreds of family members and friends.

“It’s a great fun family event, fun to compete in and fun to watch,” said Rutten.

South Dakota’s Touchstone Energy® Coopera-tives have been supporters of high school rodeo


On the cover: Siarra Johnson of Castle-wood was the Barrel Racing Champion with 76.0 points. Below: Jeremiah Johnson of Huron competes in steer wrestling.He placed 15th overall in the 2015 finals.Photos Courtesy CowboyImages.net

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Huron to Host National Junior High Finals RodeoThe South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron, S.D., has been selected to host the 2018 and 2019 National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) by the National High School Rodeo Association. The NJHFR is the second largest rodeo in the world with approximately 1,000

contestants and over 1,500 entries. During these events, three countries are represented including 42 U.S. states, five Canadian Provinces and the country of Australia.

While the official rodeo performances take place over the course of seven days, the entire event encompasses a total of 15 days from set-up to tear-down. Along with the rodeo, comes one of the largest western trade shows in the nation. There are also a myriad of other contestant recreational and sporting activities including one of the fastest growing shoot-ing competitions in the U.S. Officials estimate the event will have an economic impact of over $9.2 million for Huron and the surrounding area.

“This is going to be a great undertaking for Huron and the SD State Fairgrounds,” stated Peggy Besch, SD

State Fair manager, “but, we are up for the task! This will clearly be a partnership between the State Fair, the City of Huron, Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau, Beadle County, businesses and organizations in the Huron area, and many volunteers.”

“Not only is this event great for Huron and the SD State Fairgrounds, but it is great for the entire state,” said Laurie Shelton, president and CEO of the Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau. “All of these people will be traveling through South Dakota. They will be stopping for fuel, food, lodging and visiting the many tourist attractions along the way.”

The NJHFR is scheduled for June 24-30, 2018, and June 23-29, 2019, in Huron, S.D.

Created in 2004, the NHSRA Junior High Division was established to bring the excitement of the sport to sixth, seventh, and eighth graders and to serve as a feeder system into the high school ranks of the Association. Today, all 48 states and provinces that belong to the NHSRA also produce a Junior High Division as well, with over 2,500 members in total now competing. Junior High Division students compete in a variety of events, including Barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping, tie-down roping, chute dogging, team roping, ribbon roping, junior bull riding, bareback steer riding and saddle bronc steer riding.

Gallup, N.M., hosted the NJHFR from 2005 through 2013. The rodeo moved to Des Moines, Iowa, for 2014-15 and the 2016 NJHFR is set for June 19-25 in Lebanon, Tenn., which will also host the 2017 finals. South Dakota’s state junior high finals were held May 13-15, 2016, in Rapid City.

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for several years. The cooperative brand adorns barrels used in regional and state competitions in the Rushmore State. And, athletes who earn short go shirts through their performances will carry a bit of co-op pride with them whenever they wear their shirt. As the short go shirt sponsors, the Touchstone En-ergy Cooperatives logo is stitched onto the shirt.

Nearly 120 such shirts were awarded after the 2015 finals.According to Rutten, athletes qualify for the state final’s

short go by combing the scores earned at the regional rodeos with the results of the first two go’s at the state rodeo.

The top four point getters in each event qualify for the national team while the 11 other athletes are recognized for making the short go.

In South Dakota, rodeo athletes compete in bareback riding, barrel rac-ing, breakaway roping, bull riding, boys’ cutting, girls’ cutting, goat tying, pole bending, reined cow horse, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down. There is also a queen competition and shooting events.

“High school kids aren’t running for money. They rodeo for the points and prizes,” said Rutten, noting some differ-ences between high school rodeo and pro rodeo.

“It’s more the competition to see how good you can be versus going for some money,” he said.

Additionally, high school rodeo has events that one doesn’t see in some other levels of rodeo.

“Pole bending is something you see in high school and 4-H rodeo, but not at some of the other levels,” Rutten said. “We have goat tying which you don’t see in the pros and cutting and reined cow horse is a new event for us.”

Behind the scenes at the rodeos are dozens of volunteers who work to keep the sport going for the teens.

Each one of the committees that hosts a regional rodeo has a committee of vol-unteers that puts on the regional rodeos.

A state level board of directors helps oversee things statewide, but regional committees and the state finals host committee are crucial to the program’s success.

“The regional meets are designed so that they don’t have to travel more than 200 miles to compete,” said Rutten.

For more on Minnesota High School rodeo, visit http://www.mnhsrodeo.com/. For more information on South Da-kota High School Rodeo, go to http://www.sdhsra.com/

Rachael McCoy (top) and Lathen Stevens (below) were among recipients of the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association’s short go shirts. McCoy earned her shirt in the pole bending event while Stevens competed in the saddle bronc event. They were among nearly 120 SDHSRA athletes receiving short go shirts in 2015.


Co-op News

ElRose (Baukol) Anderson is a native of the Day County area and remembers receiving electricity for the first time on the farmstead clearly.

ElRose grew up with her father, the late Alfred Baukol, on a farmstead in Liberty Town-ship. She was the youngest of four children. One of ElRose’s older sisters gifted a diary to her. She took the time to record memorable events. It was very important to her and the family to receive electricity. She noted, “Fri. Apr. 2, 1948 – They (electricians) were here and inspected the house.”

ElRose attended Roslyn School and her junior year was especially memorable. In the spring of 1948 the Baukol farm-stead received electricity from LREA. She wrote, “Sat. Apr. 3, 1948 – We got REA today! At 12 o’clock noon. Sure wonder-ful!”

ElRose experienced many first because of electricity. An-other entry stated, “Sun. July 11, 1948 – Good cold milk for dinner.” She graduated in 1949 and continued her education

that summer and received her teaching permit. She taught

in Egeland Township for two years. During that time she con-tinued school and got her first-grade teaching certificate.

She then began to teach in Independence Township. Throughout the first portion or her adulthood, ElRose received power from REA.

Below are some entries from ElRose’s diary. Lake Region Electric would like to thank ElRose for sharing

these valuable moments in time. We are here today because of our yesterdays.

The Day the Lights Came On

As a teen, ElRose (Baukal) Anderson documented many things in her diary. Here, in her own hand, she has copied some of her ob-servations from 70 years ago when rural electrifica-tion came to the area.

ElRose Baukol Anderson Senior Photo, 1949


Co-op News

As dairy farmers in the 80s and 90s, we never missed a milking because of outages. The crews at LREA were always on top of the needs of the rural community. They were in constant contact with us, knowing that our elec-tricity source was our livelihood. Being able to turn the electric milk pump on was never a question and the depend-ability of our co-op was unmatched. Thank you, crews of the past, present and future!

Paul and Karen Johnson, Webster

The ice storm of 2005 right after thanksgiving was one of the longer outages I remember. We had a tractor generator, but my brother and I shared it. So, we had to move it back and forth between farmsteads. LREA of-fered portable generators for members to use. They came and connected it and after the outage we had the chance to purchase it.

Leon Beisch, Waubay

“I look forward to receiving the newsletter every month! I enjoy all the articles and read it cover to cover. It’s nice to know what is happening at Lake Region Electric.”

Delores Lesnar, Grenville

“The 2005 ice storm was the longest outage – about one week. Another lengthy outage was the wind storm of

2008. We had to rig up generators for the fridge and freezers to keep food from spoiling.”

Leonard Naessig, Webster

“The cooperative has done a very fine thing for the community and if it wasn’t for the guys that pushed it years ago where would we be.”

Una Tvinnereim, Webster

“One of the best things that ever happened in my lifetime. Until we received electricity when we butchered we had to smoke and can the meat. Once having electricity we didn’t have to preserve the meat in those ways, instead it was placed in the freezers. Lake Region Electric has had great leadership in both the board of direc-tors and managers, along with terrific employees.”

Leonard Naessig, Webster

“I know we can’t do without (elec-tricity). It’s a great need and valuable resource. If there is an outage it doesn’t take crews long to figure out the prob-lem and get it repaired.

Leon Beisch, Waubay

“My husband and I moved to the farm in 1948 and we didn’t have power, it came shortly after in 1949 and the first electrical appliance we purchased was a refrigerator.”

Tina Beisch, Waubay

“In the late 1940’s when the rural areas were first getting electricity, my dad hired a man from Webster to come out and wire our farm buildings. It was winter and getting the yard poles set in the frozen ground was a problem. So the fellow took a crowbar and water and pounded a hole in the frozen ground the size of a stick of dynamite. He inserted a stick of dynamite and detonated it. The result was the nicest round hole to set the power pole in. One of the poles he set in is still standing and in use today with a yard light on it.”

Wes Jensen, Bristol

Above: Pictured is the original pole that was set on the farmstead. Right: The first electri-cal appliance purchased for the Jensen’s farm-stead was an Interna-tional refrigerator.

Roger Pesall wrote that he remembered when Lake Region’s office was located in the building just south of the old Reporter and Farmer building on Main Street in Webster, S.D. The of-fice was located here prior to 1951.

Left: Lake Region’s original office was located on Main Street downtown. Below left: Construction on LREA’s “office on the hill” was completed in 1954. Below Center and Below Right: The front of the building has changed over the years. Right: An extensive remodel in 2015changed the look of the LREA building exterior.

LREA Members Take Us Down Memory Lane


By Just in LaBerge

Co-ops VoteCo-ops Launch Non-Partisan Voter Engagement Program

America’s electric cooperatives have launched a non-partisan, nationwide effort to promote civic engagement and voter participation in the commu-nities they serve.

Jeffrey Connor, interim CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, unveiled the Co-ops Vote program in time for the 2016 election

cycle.“Through Co-ops Vote, we want to help our

members know when elections are, what’s at stake and how to make their voices heard,” Connor said. “Who folks vote for isn’t really as important as the fact that they do vote.”

The Co-ops Vote initiative focuses on eight

VISIT VOTE.COOP TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CO-OP VOTER.


1 https://ballotpedia.org/Margin_of_victory_analysis_for_the_2014_congressional_elections2 http://atr.rollcall.com/elections-2014-running-unopposed-congress/

issues that are important to health and prosperity of communities served by electric cooperatives:

Rural Broadband AccessHiring and Honoring Veterans Low-Income Energy AssistanceCybersecurity Water RegulationRural Health Care Access Affordable and Reliable EnergyRenewable Energy“Electric cooperatives are perfectly de-

signed to help address these important issues,” Connor said. “We can make politics ‘local’ again because civic engage-ment is part of our DNA.”

A new website, vote.coop, offers co-op members information on the voter registra-tion process in their state, dates of elections, informa-tion on the candidates running in those elections, and explanations of the eight key issues the campaign aims to address.

In keeping with its non-partisan goals, the initiative will not be endorsing specific candidates for office.

Mel Coleman, president of NRECA and CEO of North Arkansas Electric Cooperative said the program would help ensure the voices of rural Americans are heard.

“We want to make sure our govern-ment knows that rural America mat-ters,” Coleman said. “This campaign isn’t about divisive, partisan issues. It’s about real people in real places facing real challenges. It’s about our co-ops liv-ing out the principles of our movement: Concern for community and democratic control.”

Connor cited partisan gridlock in Washington, the explosive growth of money in politics and the effects of ger-rymandering as important reasons for launching the program. In 2014, 318 of

435 House races had a margin of victory of 20 points or more1, and 30 House candidates – 16 Democrats and 14 Re-publicans representing 11 states – didn’t even face an opponent in the general election2.

“Elections aren’t won and lost in November anymore,” Connor said. “They’re really decided in primaries months sooner, when fewer voters recognize the opportunity to vote, fewer participate and only a handful of issues

are up for debate.”This results in a Congress where more members

represent the extremes of each political party

and are less inclined to seek compro-mise and bipar-tisan solutions to problems.

“The electric cooperative move-

ment has always been non-partisan,

and our communities are facing too many chal-

lenges to have a government crippled by bickering,” Coleman said. “When our parents and grandparents set out to electrify rural America, they didn’t have time to ask the person next to them about their views on economic or social policy. Their economic policy was ‘we need to save this community’ and their social policy was ‘let’s do it together.’ I hope the Co-ops Vote program can help rekindle that spirit of cooperation.”

For more information about Co-ops Vote and the impact of these eight key issues on the people of South Dakota, western Minnesota and north central Nebraska, contact your local electric cooperative or visit vote.coop.

Justin LaBerge writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the na-tion’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

VOTE.COOP

Pledge to be a co-op voter

Find key election information

Register to vote

Learn about the issues

TAKE THE PLEDGE

Commit today to make your voice heard on Election Day!

Get reminders about theupcoming election. Recruit your friends, family, and co-workers to become co-op voters today.

VOTE.COOP


Right: Lake Region Electric teamed up with Codington-Clark Elec-tric for a float in the 1955 Tom Tom Days parade. Far Right, top: A school bus warming shelter helped adver-tise LREA’s presence in the community. (Photo year and location unknown.) Far Right, bottom: Visitors to an LREA booth were urged to use energy wisely.

Above left: LREA crews work on a pole installa-tion. Above center: This 1989 photo shows LREA crews using a digger to make a hole to place poles. Right: Lake Region Electric employees hoist the American flag outside the Webster office, August 2003. Below right: After flooding in the 1980s and 1990s filled area lakes, LREA crews had to work at straightening a pole that is now surrounded by water. Below left: LREA crews move lines for a barn move in the area. Left: LREA’s yellow bucket trucks have been replaced with white ones.

75 Years of Photgraphs and Memories


Above: LREA’s 50th annual meeting was in Webster. Above right: A photo of the crowd at an undated annual meeting. Right: An undated annual meeting held in Roslyn. Below right: A Basin Electric employee leads the Story Behind the Switch program presentation at an area school in the 1990s. Below left: People attend a member appreciation event.

75 Years of Photgraphs and Memories

Above: LREA members look over a railing during a power plant tour. Below right: Members board the bus for a member tour. Left: Members peak in the boiler of Antelope Valley Station, a coal-based power plant completed in 1984. Above left: Tour participants pose in a dragline bucket.

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regional Dateline

July 7 Naja Shrine Circus Fairgrounds, 6 p.m. Faith, SD, 605-342-3402

July 8 Naja Shrine Circus Fairgrounds, 6 p.m. Hettinger, ND, 605-342-3402

July 9 Naja Shrine Circus, Rodeo

Grounds, 2 and 7 p.m. Deadwood, SD, 605-342-3402

July 9 Dare to Dream Conference Convention Center Watertown, SD, 605-361-3171

or 800-640-4553 www.sdparent.org

July 10 Naja Shrine Circus, Rodeo

Grounds, 2 p.m., Philip, SD 605-342-3402

June 4 Casey Tibbs Match of Champions, Stanley County

Fairgrounds, Fort Pierre, SD 605-494-1094

June 4-5 Spring Volksmarch at Crazy Horse Memorial Crazy Horse, SD, 605-673-4681

June 9-12 South Dakota Shakespeare

Festival, Prentis Park Vermillion, SD, 605-622-0423

June 10-11 Two Rivers Exposition Expo Center, Fort Pierre, SD 605-224-8686

June 10-11 South Dakota Senior Games Spearfish,SD,ContactKris

Harwood at 605-722-1430

June 10-12 Trail Days, Ipswich, SD 605-426-6155

May 20-22 South Dakota Birding Festival Pickstown, SD, 605-487-7603

May 27-October 10 Legends in Light® Laser Light

Show, Nightly, Crazy Horse Memorial, Crazy Horse, SD

June 1-2 Governor’sAgSummit Brookings, SD, 605-773-5711

June 1-4 South Dakota Senior Games RapidCity,SD,ContactKristi

Lintz at 605-394-4168

June 2-5 RibFest, W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls, SD 605-367-7288

June 3-4 The Original SD BBQ Championships, Huron, SD 605-353-7340

June 3-4 South Dakota Senior Games Sioux Falls, SD, Contact Scott

Juhnke at 605-367-8222

June 3-5 Wheel Jam, Huron, SD 605-353-7354

June 3-5 Black Hills Quilters Guild Quilt Show and Sale Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Rapid City, SD [email protected] www.bhquilters.org

June 11 ArtandWineFestival Rapid City, SD, 605-716-7979

June 11 Blue Star Fundraiser Quilt

Show/Garden Tour, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Buses running from Beresford Library, Rural Beresford, SD, 605-661-9151

June 11-12 Siouxland Renaissance Festival, Sioux Falls, SD 866-489-9241

June 16-19 Czech Days, Tabor, SD www.TaborCzechDays.com

June 17-19 Crazy Horse Stampede Rodeo

and Gift from Mother Earth Crazy Horse, SD

June 24-25 South Dakota Senior Games Mitchell, SD, Contact Barb

Pierkowski at 605-995-8048

Events of Special Note

To have your event listed on this page, send complete information, including date, event, place and contact to your local electric cooperative. Include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Information must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to your event. Please call ahead to confirm date, time and location of event.

June 3-5 Fort Sisseton Historical Festival, Lake City, SD 605-448-5474

June 14 SeventhAnnualAgWomen’s

Day, First Lutheran Church ActivityCenter,Brookings,SD

605-692-8003 Ext. 2

Documents

2 Rodeo - Lake Region Electric Association Inc · Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Tim McIntyre General Manager We’ll See You June 2 It’s that