VOLUME 65 | NO. 3 | MARCH 2020 BAUDETTE |

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS OPERATION ROUND UP® BLACK BEAN HAVE ACCESS TO $3,400 HELPS LOCAL PROGRAMS ENCHILADA CASSEROLE PAGE 3 PAGE 5 PAGE 7

LOCAL FAMILY CREATES WINTER FUN “NORTHERN TOBOGGAN” FINDS NICHE IN THE NORTH (READ MORE ON PAGE 4)

NORTH STAR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. MISSION STATEMENT To improve the lives of our member-owners and community by responsibly providing clean, affordable, electric energy and other beneficial services while maintaining the very highest standards of performance and member satisfaction. MANAGER’S REPORT – IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!

Rural electric coop- in excess of the expenses went into your eratives, like North capital credit accounts this month, and · As a cooperative, we are different. We are Star, are community if there is no catastrophe between now here for one reason, and that is for you, focused. We sell a and this fall, capital credit refunds will our member-consumers. product that most be returned to member-consumers in people would not September. want to live without, · Our most recent efficiency focus has been Ann Ellis but we do our best Co-op knowledge scholarships/ on promoting technology that heats and General Manager to sell you LESS! cash awards cools buildings with a high-efficiency system. How many business- High school seniors of es do that? Well, as a cooperative, we are North Star member- Operation Round Up® different. We are here for one reason, and consumers are eligible that is for you, our member-consumers. to participate in our I’d like to thank our volunteers who serve Cooperative Knowledge Scholarship on the North Star Electric Cooperative Energy efficiency competition this spring. Eight randomly Trust board of directors. They live Energy efficiency is a key component to selected students scoring 60% or better across our service territory, take their making a difference. Our most recent on the test win $100 cash prizes. Five responsibilities very seriously and some efficiency focus has been on promoting scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $400 drive LONG distances to participate in technology that heats and cools buildings are awarded to the top scorers. Testing their semi-annual board meetings. In with a system that is up to information and study materials for district order, these directors are Marlin 300% efficient. Air-source eligible students will be available at the Ravndalen, Marjie Sporlien, Gretchen heat pumps (ASHP) can Warroad, Lake of the Woods, International Thompson, Zelpha Crawford, Mary do this because they Falls, Indus and Littlefork-Big Falls schools Ellen Lehman, Angela Boes and Larry transfer heat, rather this spring (795-22-003-07, Jack Decker). Warrington. than creating heat. 300% Study materials are also available at www. efficient means that for every kWh you I’d also like to thank all of the applicants nse.coop. North Star also supports Dollars purchase, you get three kWhs worth of for grants, which are made possible for Scholars and provides an additional 100% efficient space heating/cooling. by the 67% of North Star’s member- scholarship at each of these schools. consumers who have chosen to round up To sweeten the deal, we even give rebates their electric bills to fund this program. to member-consumers who install a new This month’s sneak peek question is: The applicants have great devotion to ASHP – $500/ton for units with a SEER What must you do to become a making positive changes in other people’s rating of at least 17. member-consumer of North Star lives, and our member-consumers help And because 30% of North Star’s electricity Electric Cooperative? them make a difference. is already carbon free (wind and hydro), A. Buy electricity from North Star that means that 30% of the heating and So, whether you are seeking ways to lower B. Sign a membership application cooling done with electricity is also carbon your electric bill, help pay for college free. C. Pay a $5 membership fee education or support worthwhile tax- exempt organizations in our communities, D. All of the above 2019 was a good year for the cooperative North Star (meaning our 5,429 member- in several ways, including financially. Proof (D is the correct answer. This is all it consumers) is here to help you. of that is listed on your March electric bill takes to own a piece of North Star.) – your capital credits. The 2019 income At your service we remain … Ann

2 NORTH STAR ENLIGHTENER | MARCH 2020 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BOARDROOM PARENTS OF HIGH These are the highlights from the Jan. 8, the approval of the new Rural Utilities SCHOOL SENIORS 2020, board meeting. All board members Service loan, the prepayment of Federal were in attendance. In addition to routine Financing Bank loans, the status of actions, the board voted to approve the new phone system to be installed, If you are a current member and a parent the early but discounted capital credit ripple receiver testing, the correction of or guardian of a high school senior, payments to estates, to approve the nonshedding off-peak loads, rebates, the remember that along with encouraging allocation of the 2019 margins (revenue Baudette office fire alarm system, new your student to enjoy their last moments in excess of expenses) to the cooperative services, service upgrades, idle service of high school, also encourage them to members’ capital credit accounts, to retirements, AMI installations, right- participate in our Cooperative Knowledge approve out-of-state travel for training for of-way clearing, outages, large power Scholarship competition this spring. This AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) meter testing, and the future of the local scholarship competition is funded with for employee Daniel Fish, to approve all M-State Lineworkers’ Training Program. unclaimed capital credits and is a great North Star board members as delegates way for North Star to support the youth to the Minnkota and Square Butte annual Detailed minutes are available at the throughout our service area. North Star meetings and to approve the 2020 budget, cooperative for member review. Regular will award one $1,000 scholarship and which includes no increase to either the board meetings are generally held the four $400 scholarships to the students monthly service fee or the price per kWh. first Wednesday of every month. If you who score highest on the test. Students wish to speak with the board or have an scoring 60% or better on the test will be Staff reports included the safety report, item that you would like to have placed entered into a drawing for eight $100 federal changes affecting employers with on the agenda, please contact Manager cash prizes. Last year only 23 students employees holding CDLs (commercial Ann Ellis at least two weeks in advance to competed. The odds of winning are good. driver’s license), the financial report, be included on the agenda.

CAPITAL CREDIT ALLOCATION returned to you and the other members. Current margins are temporarily held in your capital credit account, which is your Your March bill will show your share of the 2019 margins share of the ownership of the cooperative’s assets. Over time, (revenue in excess of expenses) and your accumulated capital these capital credits are repaid to the members. Payment or credit balance. Because North Star is nonprofit and is owned bill credit is typically made in September. We have returned by those who purchase electricity from it, all margins are $12,962,698 of capital credits to our members.

DIRECTORS

Directors Secretary- Shelley Spears President Vice President General Manager Editor Treasurer Randy Bergan Steve Arnesen Michael Hanson Ann Ellis Kevin Holen Lorraine Nygaard Tom Smith Bruce Sampson

DIGGING SOON? LOOKING FOR One free, easy call gets your North Star lines SOMETHING? marked and helps protect you from injury and Past issues of the Enlightener are expense. Safe digging is no accident. on our website at ALWAYS CALL BEFORE YOU DIG. www.northstarelectric.coop VISIT WWW.CALL811.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

NORTH STAR ENLIGHTENER | MARCH 2020 3 Gabriel have given Dad a hand running LOCAL FAMILY CREATES WINTER FUN the business the past few years. Jackson, a manufacturing engineering manager at “Northern Toboggan” finds niche in the north Marvin Windows and Doors in Warroad, helps with the processes. Solveig keeps the books and handles shipping logistics. Gabriel, who works for a software development and IT consulting firm in the Twin Cities, has expanded the marketing effort by optimizing reach in search engines. When you search for toboggans on the internet, Northern Toboggan surfaces near the top.

“This is kind of our family farm business we help out with,” Jackson Harren said with a smile.

Jackson acknowledges that you can find a mass-produced toboggan for $100 at some online outlets, but he says they can’t match Northern Toboggan’s craftsmanship and detail.

Northern Toboggan’s downhill series red oak toboggans range from about $350 for a 4-foot model to $775 for an 8-foot model. The winter essential series red oak cargo toboggans range from $760 for a standard model to nearly $1,500 for a fully-rigged model with a sleigh box and canvas wrap.

“To get the quality of the product that we want and need typically requires a lot of hands-on work,” Jackson said. “We take One might say divine intervention played A carpenter by trade, Harren took advantage of power sanding and planing, a role in John Harren, a North Star Electric his uncle’s advice and training from a and we have a good band saw and joiner Co-op member-consumer, becoming a Canadian toboggan maker and began and those types of things. But there’s still master at building sleds and toboggans. developing what is referred to as old a lot of time that goes into them.” Hudson Bay’s toboggans. At the January meeting, $11,950 in Operation Round Up funds were distributed to various qualifying programs and After all, his uncle, Father Raymond The Harrens have a tradition of gathering organizations throughout the area, including: Deschênes, is the one who steered him “We send toboggans all over North over the holidays and testing out their into opening the business known as America, and we’ve really grown the snowshoes, sleds and toboggans (132- Northern Toboggan Company a few miles business in the last three, four years,” 25-001-05, Cecil Robbins). Several years northeast of Warroad, Minn. said Jackson Harren, son of John. “We’re ago, when a contractor was looking for getting into more niches, developing our a place to haul dirt from ditches he was Harren started crafting sleds and partnerships with the dealerships up cleaning nearby, John Harren agreed to toboggans in the mid-1990s after north. We sell a lot of toboggans across take the dirt with one stipulation: He Deschênes told him about the need for the Northwest Territories, and we’ve wanted the man to flatten the top of the somebody to build them for northern expanded now into the Arctic co-op dirt hill. Canadians who wanted to haul goods stores or Inuit stores up in Nunavut, a With that came a 30-foot spot where through the snow or enjoy a ride massive, sparsely populated territory in down a hillside. A toboggan business northern Canada.” the family can test and enjoy sleds and in Thompson, Manitoba, had become toboggans in close proximity to the shop. dormant. Jackson, his wife Solveig and his brother They call it Harren Mountain.

4 NORTH STAR ENLIGHTENER | MARCH 2020 OPERATION ROUND UP® HELPS LOCAL PROGRAMS

The North Star Electric Cooperative Community Trust Board met in January to review the Operation Round Up® applications, which they received requesting funding for various programs. The board awarded $11,950, so it was not an easy task selecting which group would get funding and what amount they would receive. Many local programs and organizations benefit from Operation Round Up®, a voluntary member-driven fundraising program of North Star Electric Cooperative, Inc., that is designed to provide financial assistance for worthwhile projects and charities in the area (556-14-006-03, Jacque Promersberger). Donations are given to organizations to help Operation Round Up recipients – Baudette make the area a more pleasant and safe place to live. Left to right: Troy Kalk, Boy Scouts Troop 4062; Marlin Ravndalen, Operation Round Up board member; Mike Hovde, Baudette Community Foundation; Karlene All funds for Operation Round Up are contributed by the Stay and Jennifer Hovde, Lake of the Woods Suicide Prevention; Susan Jochim, member-owners of North Star, and the money is placed into Lake of the Woods Food Shelf; Ann Ellis, North Star Electric Cooperative general a trust fund that is separate from electric accounts. The trust manager; Margie Sporlien, Operation Round Up treasurer. is administered by its own board of directors comprised of people from across the area. Operation Round Up directors are appointed by North Star’s board members and must be members of the cooperative. The cooperative’s general manager is a nonvoting member of the board. Organizations from the area may apply for a donation from the Operation Round Up Trust. The applicant must be charitable in nature and be working to meet a need in our area. The Operation Round Up board meets twice a year and decides if an application meets the Operation Round Up recipients – Littlefork Left to right: Larry Warrington, Operation Round Up board member; Lila Lehman, guidelines of the trust and if funds are available. Koochiching Aging Options; Thomas Holm, Northern Options for Women; Crystal If a member chooses to be part of Operation Round Up, their Lewis, Moose Creek Quilters; Michael Silvers, United Way for Northeastern Minn.; Karina McLellan, Falls Hunger Coalition; Captain Karla Salsbury, International bill is “rounded up” to the next highest dollar. For example, if Falls Salvation Army; Ariana Daniel, Servants of Shelter of Koochiching County; a bill is $96.47, the computer will round up the bill to $97. The Ann Ellis, North Star Electric Cooperative general manager; Zelpha Crawford, additional 53 cents will be placed in the trust and distributed Operation Round Up board member; Mary Ellen Lehman, Operation Round Up to local charitable and community-based programs. board president.

At the January meeting, $11,950 in Operation Round Up funds were distributed to various qualifying programs and organizations throughout the area, including:

True Friends...... Support of people with disabilities International Falls Salvation Army...... Emergency services Boy Scouts Troop 4062...... General camping supplies LSS Senior Nutrition - Baudette...... Meals - continued support Servants of Shelter of Koochiching County...... Temporary shelter Northern Options for Women...... Community outreach Koochiching Aging Option...... Senior Wheels Program Baudette Community Foundation...... Update and repair digital projector LOW Area Suicide Awareness and Prevention...... Suicide Outreach and LOW Food Shelf...... Food for the hungry Education Campaign United Way for Northeastern Minnesota...... Imagination Library Moose Creek Quilters ...... Warm a Heart 2020 - quilts Falls Hunger Coalition...... Hams for Easter

“Each member’s small change can make a BIG difference in our local communities.”

NORTH STAR ENLIGHTENER | MARCH 2020 5 STAFF REPORT – CAPITAL CREDITS PROBLEMS Do you ever wonder who owns your power company? If you get PAYING power from North Star Electric Co-op, the answer to that question is easy – look in the mirror! A portion of the electric bill you pay each YOUR month goes into building infrastructure – poles, wire, transformers ELECTRIC and substations – that brings you a steady and reliable supply of power. At this time of year, it is time for you to get the credit – BILL? capital credits, that is – for helping to build, sustain and grow your ENERGY local electric cooperative. ASSISTANCE Every February, we allocate capital credits to our members. This Robyn Sonstegard MAY BE Manager of Finance & allocation is based on how much electricity you purchased during the AVAILABLE! Administration year. You will see your allocated share of the 2019 margins printed on your electric bill this month in the Additional Information area. If you are receiving a low What are margins? Margins are the revenues left over at the end of the year, after all the income or are suffering from a bills have been paid. temporary financial shortfall, the following agencies may be When the financial able to assist you with your condition of the co- electric bill. We urge you to operative allows, your contact them immediately to board of directors ap- avoid disconnection if you feel proves the retirement you are eligible for aid. (or payment) of capital credits, which usually happens in the early LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY fall. At that time, you SOCIAL SERVICES will see a credit on 206 8th Ave SE, Suite 200 your bill for your share Baudette, MN 56623-2895 634-2642 of the retirement. How much money you get NORTHWEST COMMUNITY back depends on how ACTION COUNCIL much electricity you PO Box 67 have used in the past. Badger, MN 56714-0067 800-568-5329 This refund is to you what dividends are to KOOCHICHING COUNTY stockholders at for- COMMUNITY SERVICES profit companies. The difference is that we don’t aim to make a profit. Our goal is to 1000 5th St provide you with electricity that is as close to cost as possible, so more of your money International Falls, MN 56649-2243 stays in your pocket – up front! 283-7000 KOOTASCA COMMUNITY ACTION, INC. CURRENT ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS Grand Rapids, MN 55744-3984 Toll free 877-687-1163 Direct 218-999-0800 State law requires that every new electrical installation in any construction, remodeling, replacement or repair shall file a certificate for inspection and be inspected by a Minnesota electrical Fax 218-999-0220 inspector. For more information, go to the Minnesota Department of Labor and ARROWHEAD ECONOMIC Industries website (dli.mn.gov) and go to the electrical page. OPPORTUNITY AGENCY LAKE OF THE WOODS, ST. LOUIS and ROSEAU COUNTY 703 3rd Ave S KOOCHICHING COUNTIES Ronald Ditsch Virginia, MN 55792 Curt Collier 218.779.6758 [email protected] Call to set up an appointment 800-662-5711 218.966.5070 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Call to set up an appointment Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Monday - Friday

6 NORTH STAR ENLIGHTENER | MARCH 2020 NORTH STAR ELECTRIC WHERE YOUR POWER POLITICAL LEADERS COMES FROM: Congressman Collin Peterson Senator Mark Johnson FEDERAL LEGISLATORS CAPACITY ENERGY 2204 Rayburn House Office 2105 Bldg. President Donald Trump Building 95 University Avenue W. 34% wind 19% wind The White House Washington, D.C. 20515 St. Paul, MN 55155 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW 8% hydro 11% hydro www.collinpeterson.house.gov 651-296-5782 Washington, D.C. 20500 55% lignite coal 67% lignite coal 202-225-2165 [email protected] www.whitehouse.gov Fax: 202-225-1593 3% other 3% other [email protected] Representative 202-456-1111 STATE OF MINNESOTA 429 State Office Building Senator Tina Smith LEGISLATORS 100 Rev. Dr. Martin 309 Hart Senate Office Building Governor Tim Walz Luther King Jr. Blvd. Washington, D.C. 20510 Capitol Building, Room 130 St. Paul, MN 55155 www.smith.senate.gov 75 Rev. Dr. Martin 651-296-4265 202-224-5641 Luther King Jr. Blvd. [email protected] Fax: 202-224-0044 St. Paul, MN 55155 800-657-3717 Representative Senator Amy Klobuchar [email protected] 359 State Office Building 302 Hart Senate Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Washington, D.C. 20510 Senator Tom Bakk Luther King Jr. Blvd. www.klobuchar.senate.gov 2221 Minnesota Senate Bldg. St. Paul, MN 55155 202-224-3244 95 University Avenue W. 651-296-9635, 888-727-0979 1-888-224-9043 (Minnesota St. Paul, MN 55155 [email protected] office) 651-296-8881 Fax: 202-228-2186 www.senate.mn/members Representative Rob Ecklund Congressman Pete Stauber Senator Paul Utke 311 State Office Building 2366 Rayburn House 3403 Minnesota Senate Bldg. 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Office Building 95 University Avenue W. Luther King Jr. Blvd. Washington, D.C. 20515 St. Paul, MN 55155 St. Paul, MN 55155 www.stauber.house.gov 651-296-9651 651-296-2190 202-225-6211 [email protected] [email protected]

HOME COOKING

BLACK BEAN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE This hearty dish has all the great taste of traditional enchiladas – beef, beans, chiles and sour cream, without all of the fuss. It's a fast and easy favorite!

Prep Time Cook Time Total Time Servings 25 mins 15 mins 40 mins 8 servings

INGREDIENTS green chiles • 1 lb. hamburger • 3 green onions, sliced 3. Heat oil in skillet; add chopped onions and garlic; cook until tender. • 1 pkg. taco seasoning mix • 1/3 cup sour cream 4. Add beans, enchilada sauce and green chiles; cook and stir. • 2/3 cup water • 7-8 flour tortillas • 1 Tbsp. oil • 1/2 cup shredded cheese 5. Remove bean mixture from heat and stir in sour cream. • 1/2 cup chopped onion • 1 cup chunky salsa 6. Spoon the hamburger down center of tortillas. Roll up tortillas and place • Garlic in ungreased 9x13 pan with seam side down. INSTRUCTIONS • 1 - 15 oz. can black beans 7. Spoon bean mixture over rolled tortillas. Sprinkle with cheese and bake 1. Preheat oven to 4000. drained and rinsed for 10-15 minutes. • 1 - 10 oz. can enchilada 2. Brown hamburger; drain; 8. Spoon salsa down center of dish and sprinkle with sliced green onions. sauce add taco seasoning and • 1 - 4.5 oz. can chopped water; stir until thick. From the kitchen of Marge Block

NORTH STAR ENLIGHTENER | MARCH 2020 7

COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY North Star Electric Co-op donates unclaimed capital credits to local charitable organizations.

BACKPACK PROGRAMS Overview What is a backpack food program? Backpack food programs provide nutritious, nonperishable,­ easy-to- prepare food to children to ensure they get enough food on weekends and holidays to avoid hunger when they can’t depend on school meals. Every backpack food program is unique to the community and school it serves. By providing kids with the nutrients they need when they’re away from school, they show up on Monday morning healthy and ready to learn. Take action Not sure where to start? Follow these steps to start a backpack food program at your school: • Contact your local food bank to determine if existing backpack food programs are available and other Jeff Nelson, principal of Lake of the Woods School, receives an resources they can provide. unclaimed capital credit check from Todd Higgins, line sub-foreman, • Set up a meeting with the principal to discuss the representing North Star Electric Cooperative for the backpack possibility of starting a backpack program in your program. school.

‘LIKE’ US ON FACEBOOK OFFICE HOURS | 7:30 A.M. - 4 P.M. | MONDAY - FRIDAY TO STAY UP TO DATE Like your cooperative for outage Baudette 218-634-2202 or 888-634-2202 | Littlefork 218-278-6658 or 888-258-2008 updates during the winter season For credit card payment 855-874-5354 | Online billing info available via SmartHub app and other useful info. Electrical after-hours emergencies 1-888-6OUTAGE (1-888-668-8243) Email us at [email protected] | Visit our website at northstarelectric.coop /northstarelectric The Enlightener (USPS 024959), is published monthly by North Star Electric Cooperative, Inc., 441 St. Hwy 172 N.W., Baudette, MN 56623-0719. This institution is an equal opportunity Subscription price $1/year. Periodicals postage paid at Baudette, MN 56623. POSTMASTER: Send address provider and employer. corrections to The Enlightener, North Star Electric Cooperative, Inc., PO Box 719, Baudette, MN 56623-0719.