Butte Electric June 2019 Vol. 20 No. 2 Ready to Run: Road Races Marathons, and Half- Marathons Hit Region Page 8 Celebrating Midsummer at Dalesburg Page 12 CEO’S COLUMN ### Unplug to be More Connected SUGGESTED IMAGES (free for commercial and non-commercial “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Author Anne use, from Pixabay.com): Lamott cleverly captures the benefits of unplugging in today’s device-driven, multi-tasking world. Keeping up with work, family and school activities or the latest trends on social media makes most Mother and daughter with binoculars outdoors: https://pixabay.com/ of us feel compelled to constantly check our devices. photos/mother-daughter-laughing-family-937038/ Summer is a great time to take a family vacation, but it’s also a good opportunity to unplug from our devices and enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends. Research has shown that we all need Father and son hiking: https://pixabay.com/photos/family-hiking-fa- downtime after a busy day to recharge – even though we may resist it. Take a moment to slow down ther-and-son-father-1784512/ and enjoy some peaceful hours away from technology. While you’re unplugging from your devices, take a look around your home to identify electronics that consume energy even when they are not in use (this is known as “vampire” energy loss). TVs, gaming consoles, phone chargers and computers are some of the biggest culprits. John Lee, CEO If your summer plans include a staycation, take time to recharge your relationships and be more present with those you love. Stop by the Butte/Lawrence County Fair in Nisland, Festival in the Park [email protected] in Spearfish or any of the Downtown Thursday or Friday night events in Belle Fourche or Spearfish. Enjoy our beautiful surroundings with your family and friends. Speaking of spending time outdoors, you can also enjoy energy savings by incorporating LED products and fixtures for outdoor use, such as pathway, step and porch lights. Many include features like automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors. You can also find solar-powered lighting for outdoor spaces. Save energy by keeping warm summer air outside where it belongs. Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows. You can also employ a programmable thermostat to adjust the settings a few degrees higher when no one is home. In our connected world, we have forgotten how to slow down. We multitask and text. We check email, then voicemail, then Facebook. Do yourself and your family a favor. Put down the device and smell the fresh air. While Butte Electric can’t help you recharge your relationships, we can help you save money and energy by connecting you with our energy-saving programs and services. When you do plug back in, we’re just a call or click away. Shocking Facts About Lightning Nondiscrimination Statement There are more This institution is an equal opportunity than 25 million provider and employer. cloud-to-ground If you wish to file a Civil Rights program lightning flashes complaint of discrimination, complete the annually in the U.S. USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, Every year, 300 found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/ Americans complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA are struck by office, or call 866-632-9992 to request the form. lightning. Of those struck, You may also write a letter containing all of the 30 are killed information requested in the form. Send your and others completed complaint form or letter to us by mail suffer lifelong at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office disabilities. of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington D.C. 20250-9410, by fax 202-690- #StormSafety 7442 or email at [email protected] 2 Cooperative Connections | June 2019 CO-OP NEWS Butte Electric (ISSN 1531-1031) BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cris Miller, Spearfish – President Dan Marrs, Whitewood – Vice Pres. Thomas Brunner, Nisland – Secretary Steve Smeenk, Newell – Assistant Sec. Daniel Hefner, Whitewood – Treasurer Directors: Thomas Casteel, Vale Chandy Olson, St. Onge James Mortenson, Spearfish Travis Schenk, Spearfish STAFF AND OFFICE PERSONNEL John Lee – CEO Darick Eisenbraun – Dir. of Finance Kim Wince – Office Mgr./Accountant Colleen Schreiner – Billing Clerk Angie Alexander – Administrative Asst. Lee Ann Gaer – Customer Service Rep. OPERATIONS PERSONNEL Brett Fosheim – Operations Manager Bart McLellan- Member Services Mgr. Adam Zvorak – Foreman Chuck Even – Foreman Dan Kenoyer – Operations Technician Jeff Hughes – Foreman Journeyman Linemen: Corey Hines Mike Davis Jacob Breidenbach James Gyles Elliot Rayman Dave Pietz Adam Willuweit John Branham Brad Kari – Apprentice Lineman Craig Douthit – Work Order Clerk BUTTE ELECTRIC BEACON COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONS is published monthly Butte Electric Cooperative, Inc., PO Box 137, 109 S. Dartmouth, Newell, SD 57760 for its members. Families subscribe to Butte Electric Beacon Cooperative Connections as part of their electric cooperative member- ship. Butte Electric Beacon Cooperative Connections’ purpose is to provide reliable, helpful information to electric cooperative members on matters pertaining to rural electrifi- cation and better rural living. Mission Statement Subscription information: Electric cooperative members The mission of Butte Electric Cooperative, Inc., is to devote 50 cents from their monthly electric payments for a subscription. Nonmember subscriptions are available for $12 continually improve customer services; provide safe, annually. Periodicals Postage Paid at Post Office, Newell, SD 57760 and at additional mailing offices. reliable and competitively priced electricity; and POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Butte Electric continue to lead in developing our Beacon, PO Box 137, Newell S.D. 57760 TELEPHONE (605) communities for the benefit of our members. 456-2494; TOLL FREE 1-800-928-8839; FAX (605) 456-2496; E-MAIL [email protected] June 2019 | Cooperative Connections 3 SAFETY TIPS Summer Electrical Safety Tips for Kids As school begins to let out, families are starting to enjoy some outdoor time with their young children. Backyards, local parks and pools are great places to spend your summer days, but to ensure a happy, healthy and safe summer, parents should be aware of a few electrical safety basics to share with their children. Be aware of power lines around you and always assume that wires are “live and dangerous.” Never touch an outdoor wire with any part of your body, toys or other objects. Do not throw items such as gym shoes onto electric lines and equipment or try to retrieve items from around overhead power lines. Fly kites and model airplanes and other toys in large open areas such as a field or a park – safely away from trees and overhead power lines. Also, do not attempt to retrieve balloons, kites or other objects that may get stuck on power lines or other electrical equipment. KIDS CORNER SAFETY POSTER Do not climb trees near power lines. Even if power lines are not touching the tree, they could touch during climbing when more weight is added to a branch. “Don’t Never climb a utility pole or play on or stick toys around electrical equipment. in outlets” Never post or tie signs, hang banners or tie ribbons or balloons onto utility poles Jarron or other electrical equipment. This can Kruger, be dangerous to you and endanger utility 8 years old workers. Do not go into an electric substation Jarron is the for any reason – even on a dare. Electric son of Jarrod substations contain high-voltage and Cadgie equipment, which can kill you. Also, never Kruger, Dell attempt to rescue a pet that goes inside. Rapids, S.D. Instead, call your local utility company. They are Never try to rescue a family member, members of friend or pet that has come into contact Sioux Valley with any electrical equipment – Call 911 Energy, immediately. Keep electrical toys, appliances and tools Colman, S.D. at least 10 feet away from pools and wet surfaces. Never touch any electrical toys, appliance and tools while you are wet or standing in water. Energy flows easily through water, Kids, send your drawing with an electrical safety tip to your local electric coop- like a puddle or a pool. 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. Source: www.ehstoday.com 4 Cooperative Connections | June 2019 RECIPES DairyDairy DeliciousDelicious Orange Cream Chiller Monkey Bread with Sausage 3 oz. orange juice 1 small frozen banana 3/4 cup milk 3 (7.5 oz. each) cans concentrate refrigerated buttermilk 1 tsp. honey 1 pkg. McCormick® Original biscuits 1 cup milk Country Gravy Mix 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 lb. ground breakfast 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/4 cup melted butter sausage, cooked and drained Combine all ingredients; blend until smooth. Serves 2. 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided Stephanie Fossum, Hudson, SD Mix milk, gravy mix and melted butter with whisk in large bowl until well blended. Reserve 1/2 cup of gravy mixture; set aside. Rhubarb Dessert Cut biscuits into quarters. Add biscuit pieces to gravy mixture in large bowl; gently toss to coat. Stir in 1-1/2 cups cheese and cooked 2 cups flour Filling: sausage until well blended. Place biscuit mixture into greased 2 tsp. baking powder 3 cups rhubarb 10-cup bundt pan. Pour reserved gravy mixture over top. Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. 1/2 tsp. salt 1 (6 oz.) pkg. red gelatin Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Cool in pan 5 to 10 minutes. To unmold, loosen sides of monkey bread from pan with a 4 T.