Rural Electric Nebraskan

August 2012

August 2012 3

“The Rural Voice of Nebraska”

Volume 66, Number 8, August 2012

Features

From Sea to Shining Sea 6

Finding ways to save on your energy bills can be as different asapples and oranges. The key is knowing which energy efficiencymeasures are best for your climate — and remembering to callyour local electric utility before tackling a major project.

America’s National Parks 12

America’s National Parks offer something for everyone for a rela-tively low price. You can enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, fishing,and rafting, shop for locally made crafts at gift shops, tour muse-ums, explore cliff dwellings, take guided full moon walks, and learnabout science and biology at ranger talks.

Departments

On the cover

Officially known as school District Number 21, the school at theHomestead National Monument of America was a center of education forprairie children from 1872 until 1967. See releated story on page 12.Photograph by Wayne Price.

Contents

EDITOR’S PAGE 4

SAFETY BRIEFS — Murphy 16

CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS by James Dulley 18

RECIPES 20

ADULT PEN PALS 21

MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS 22

Staff

Editor

Wayne Price

Editorial Assistant

Kathy Barkmeier

Published by the

Visit us at www.nrea.org

General Manager

Jay Holmquist

President

Gary Dill,

Roosevelt Public Power District

Vice President/Secretary

Randy Papenhausen,

Cedar-Knox Public Power District

Treasurer

Ron Jensen,

Loup Valleys Rural

Public Power District

Published monthly by the Nebraska Rural Electric

Association, 1244 K Street, Box 82048, Lincoln,

Nebraska 68501, (402) 475-4988.

Advertising in the Rural Electric Nebraskan doesnot imply endorsement for products by theNebraska Rural Electric Association.Correspondence should be sent to Wayne Price,Editor, Rural Electric Nebraskan, Box 82048,Lincoln, NE 68501.

The Rural Electric Nebraskan is printed by JacobNorth Companies, Box 82046, Lincoln, NE68501. Form 3579 should be sent to the RuralElectric Nebraskan, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE68501.

Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, Neb. POST-MASTER: send address changes to the RuralElectric Nebraskan, 1244 K Street, Box 82048,Lincoln, NE 68501.

Publication numbers are USPS 071-630 andISSN 0193-4937.

Rates: $10 for one year; $15 for two years; $20for three years, plus local and state tax.

might be biased, but in my opinion,public power districts and electric coop-eratives are great places to work. I

reached my 10 year anniversary at theNebraska Rural Electric Association lastyear and I had worked at Norris PublicPower District for eight years before that.When I graduated from the University ofNebraska-Lincoln with a journalism degreein 1992 I never expected that I would get ajob in the electric industry. That just sort of happened by chance. In

1994 I was working for the Beatrice DailySun, my first job with a daily newspaper. Icovered the city and agriculture beats andwas assigned a story on Norris Public PowerDistrict. I interviewed the general managerand when it was over he asked if I would beinterested in coming to his office to interviewfor a position in their marketing and com-munications department.I did and was offered a job writing and

designing their monthly publication, TheNorris Electric News. I was responsible forhelping to educate the customers about thedistrict’s programs and activities. I alsolearned how to do energy audits and metwith customers looking to save money ontheir electric bill. When I heard the position of editor for the

Rural Electric Nebraskan was open Iapplied. And the rest is history, as the sayinggoes. The electric industry is facing an interest-

ing time. Public power districts and electricco-ops expect nearly 10 percent of linework-ers and almost 18 percent of engineers andoperations staff will retire over the next fiveyears, according to Russell Turner, principal,human capital issues, for the National RuralElectric Cooperative Association (NRECA),the service organization for the nation’smore than 900 PPDs and electric co-ops.The Center for Energy Workforce

Development (CEWD), a non-profit group inWashington, D.C., that studies labor short-ages in the utility and nuclear power indus-tries, predicts that 46 percent of existingskilled technicians and 51 percent of engi-neers in the electric and natural gas utilitiesmay need to be replaced by 2015 because ofretirement or attrition.

So at a time when retirements are on therise, I wanted to take a moment to share theadvantages of working with our team.We are here to serve our customers not

only with safe, affordable, and reliable elec-tric power, but also with community supportand programs that help you save energy andmoney. Because we make a difference in peo-ple’s lives, those of us who work in the elec-tric utility industry tend to be a happybunch.In general, public power districts and elec-

tric co-ops offer competitive salaries andbenefits in a time when many companies arescaling back. And they offer a stable workenvironment. Many employees start hereand stay here throughout their career.While our lineworkers remain our public

face, it takes many more departments to runa public power district or electric coopera-tive. On a typical staff we have communica-tors; accountants; key accounts representa-tives, who work with our commercial andindustrial members; billing clerks; publicrelations professionals, who cultivate rela-tionships with local, state, and national opin-ion leaders and keep them updated on issuesimportant to us and the communities weserve; information technology professionals;warehouse staff; and staking techniciansand engineers, who plot where new powerlines will be built.The average rural electric utility has 48

employees. In Nebraska, Dawson PublicPower District in Lexington, Neb. employsthe most with 83 while Roosevelt PPD inMitchell, Neb. and Chimney Rock PPD inBayard, Neb. have the fewest with 11. Inmost cases, the largest group of employees atan electric utility is lineworkers, followed byadministrative assistants and engineeringand operations staff.I strongly encourage young people to con-

sider career opportunities within the electricindustry network. Working at a public powerdistrict or electric cooperative is a pleasure,and we’re looking out for you by recruitingthe best and brightest employees to serveyou to the best of our abilities.You can learn about job openings at

www.nrea.org or national opportunities atwww.TouchstoneEnergy.jobs.

Rural Electric Nebraskan4

EDITOR’S PAGE

by Wayne Price

It takes a village to run an electric system

I

Follow me

@RENeditor

August 2012 5

alk into your bathroom,turn on the light and fan,and the first thing you

think about is energy efficien-cy, right? Well, probablynot. But in any case your

bathroom’s exhaust sys-tem could be letting youdown. Many homes havebathroom fans that:• are too noisy • move little air • are not energy efficient • may cause backdraftSo how can you avoid these pit-

falls? First, identify what size of fanyou need. Fan size is usually ratedin the amount of air it can move interms of cubic feet per minute(CFM). Most experts recommendeight air changes per hour for bath-rooms. Determine your bathroom’svolume (cubic feet = length x widthx ceiling height). Take the cubic feetand divide by 60, which is the num-ber of minutes in an hour. Now mul-tiply by eight, which is the targetednumber of air changes. When shop-ping, round up to the nearest size.Next, choose the quietest, most

energy-efficient fan in the size rangerequired. Most fan labels haveHome Ventilating Institute ratingsso you can compare noise levels, aswell as their energy efficiency. Fannoise is rated in “sones.” The lowerthe sone rating, the quieter the fan.Efficiency can be compared by howmany CFM of air a fan moves perwatt of electricity the fan requires.The best fans have sound ratings of0.5 sones or less and move about21⁄2 CFM of air per watt. For addedassurance of quality and efficiency,look for the Energy Star labelThird, select low-resistance

(smooth) exhaust ducting. Seal thejoints and insulate sections that runthrough unheated spaces. This willhelp maintain the fan’s air volumerating while reducing the amount ofheat gained or lost while the fan isnot operating. Undersized or droopyflex ducting, ineffective or dirty

backdraft dampers and exhaust lou-vers can cut rated airflow by morethan 50 percent. Also, duct the

exhaust air to where it will notcause moisture damage.Many times, this requiresducting to the outdoors.

Remember, if youhave combustionappliances such asnatural gas or propanewater heaters, gas fur-naces, or gas fire-places, backdraft maybe a concern. Because

fans can have the potential to createa negative pressure in your livingspace, they may cause the combus-tion appliance exhaust to back upinto the indoor environment. Notonly should you assure this will nothappen by installing sealed-combus-tion appliances, it is always a goodidea to have a working carbonmonoxide detector in use for an

extra layer of safety.Fifth, install proper controls.

Bathroom fans connected to lightswitches start running when thelight is turned on. Often, users turnthe light “off” before all the moistureis exhausted after a bath or shower.However, a separate fan toggleswitch often means the fan is leftrunning longer than necessary.Instead, use a timer switch with amaximum of 60 minutes. Thisshould keep the fan running for atleast 10 minutes after you leave theroom to remove excess humidity.Following these simple steps will

help you save energy and confirminstallation of a quality, energy effi-cient bathroom fan that will provideyou years of service. For other ideason how you can become moreEnergyWise, visit with your localelectric utility or go towww.nppd.com/save-energy.Source: NPPD

Avoid the pitfalls of an inefficient bathroom fan

W


o matter where you live inthe United States, you canflip a switch and brighten a

room. However, finding ways to saveon your energy bills can be as differ-ent as apples and oranges. The key is knowing which energy

efficiency measures are best for yourclimate — and remembering to callyour local electric utility before tack-ling a major project, such asinstalling a new heat pump. Energyefficiency experts at your utility canguide you in making the best deci-sions for your area.

Feeling hot, hot, hotIn general, the U.S.can be divided intothree climates: hot,temperate, and cold.But it’s actually a bitmore complicated,especially across thesouthern tier of thenation. The south-west is hot and dry,the southeast hotand humid, with aslice running fromthe center of the Gulfstates north to south-ern Ohio and west toKansas defined as“mixed humid” —meaning sometimesit’s hot and humid,but sometimes tem-perate. Below the temper-

ate line, some of the

challenges are the same for home-owners and builders, such as control-ling heat gain from the sun andchoosing the proper heating and cool-ing system. But if you draw a linedown the middle of Texas, movingeast or west from that point changesthe dynamics of energy efficiency.For example, folks in the hot and

humid southeast must control seri-ous moisture issues, which are usual-ly handled through air conditioning,proper ventilation, and moisture bar-riers put in during construction.

Homeowners in thedry southwesternclimate, where daysare hot and nightscool, can takeadvantage of thechill eveningbreezes to give airconditioners abreak. In addition,they can designlandscaping to cre-ate more air flowthrough theirhouse.“If temperatures

fall below 68degrees at nightand humidity is low,you can open yourwindows and usefresh air to cool yourhome,” says BrianSloboda, senior pro-gram manager withthe CooperativeResearch Network,

an arm of the Arlington, Va.-basedNational Rural Electric CooperativeAssociation. “More importantly, natu-ral air cools objects — like walls andfurniture — that would take air con-ditioning hours to accomplish. If youuse natural ventilation, you probablywon’t need to run your air condition-er until much later the next day.”Landscaping, done the right way,

can help as well. Strategically plant-ed trees and shrubs provide a path-way for cool air to make its way intoyour home. However, if you keep yourair conditioner running all nightbecause you live in a high-humidityarea, it’s best to direct wind away

From Sea to Shining Sea

How energy efficiency varies across the country

by Megan McKoy-Noe

N

Your home’s windows can help

manage the interior tempera-

ture—whether you use natural

ventilation, apply a reflective

film, or simply shut the blinds

during the hottest hours of the

day. Photograph by Kelly

Trapnell

from your house.Trees in the right spot can

decrease your home’s energy use byup to 25 percent, according to theU.S. Department of Energy (DOE).By planting deciduous trees — thosethat lose their leaves every year — tothe south and west of your home,you’ll gain shade in the summer andsunshine in the winter. According toDOE, a 6-foot-tall, 8-inch-diameterdeciduous tree offers shade the firstyear and will begin block the sun onyour roof line in five to 10 years.If you want shade all the time or

need to block winter winds, chooseevergreens. But when choosing your

greenery, keep in mind that treesshould never be planted underneatha power line. Call your public powerdistrict or electric cooperative to findout how far from lines you shouldplant, and then check outArborDay.org to learn about thetypes of trees that are best for yourhome’s landscape.To block strong solar rays, you may

want to consider applying reflectivewindow film on east- and west-facingwindows that receive the most directsunlight. Your windows will appeartinted from the inside, obscuringviews from the outside and possiblyprotecting your home from burglars.

These films require special carewhen cleaning.

The big chillAlmost half the country falls into a“cold or very cold” climate, whichmakes adequate insulation and heat-ing choices important. While heatpumps are a perfect choice in a tem-perate zone, they can be problematicfarther north when temperatures dipbelow a certain point — about 20degrees Fahrenheit. In this part ofthe country, heat pumps require asupplemental heating source. “Here, dual fuel systems come in

handy,” Sloboda remarks. “The heatpump works through spring, sum-mer, and fall, and then a natural gas,propane, heating oil-fired or supple-mental-electric furnance kicks in onvery cold days. These setups can getpricey, but they solve the problemand allow homeowners to reap theenergy efficiency benefits of a heatpump.”Sloboda encourages consumers to

call their local electric cooperatives tofind out if they have incentive pro-grams for dual fuel systems.Whatever heating/cooling system

you select, it won’t help much if yourhome isn’t properly insulated. DOEestimates that only 20 percent ofhomes built before 1980 are well-insulated, so there’s a good chancethat adding more will help to cutyour energy bills. How much insulation you need andwhat kind really depends on yourhome. So do some research onEnergySavers.gov, and use DOE’sinsulation calculator atwww.ornl.gov. Also, of course, talk toa licensed professional about instal-lation, and Sloboda recommends onemore step.“Make sure to seal places where

outside air may infiltrate beforeadding insulation,” Sloboda notes.“Sealing ductwork with mastic,caulking and applying weather strip-ping around doors and windows, andchecking less-obvious culprits likerecessed canister lights are easyplace to start.”

August 2012 7

Please turn to page 8

United StatesClimate Zones

Coast-to-Coast SavingsEnergy expert Alan Shedd, director ofresidential & commercial energy pro-grams with Touchstone Energy®Cooperatives, the national brandingprogram of the nation’s public powerdistricts and electric co-ops, sharessome ways to save that work anytime, anywhere:• Unplug cell chargers — and other

electronics — when they are not inuse. “Plug loads” are one of the quick-est growing areas of energy waste,which can easily be solved by plug-ging these items into a power strip,and then flipping the switch on thestrip when you leave the house.“Smart” strips are even savvier —they have different outlets for differ-ent electronics, leaving items likeyour cable box on while turning offpower to your television.• Look for the Energy Star logo

when buying new appliances, light-bulbs, or electronics. Qualified itemsmeet federal energy efficiency stan-dards designed to save energy andmoney.• Choose compact fluorescent lights

(CFLs) or light-emitting diode (LED)lamps when replacing lightbulbs —and turn off those lights when youleave a room.• Use energy management features

on computers, electronics, and appli-ances — they won’t save energy if you

don’t tell them to.Shedd also directs energy-conscious

co-op members toTogetherWeSave.com to learn more.“The best feature of this website is

the ability to get local costs, notnational estimates,” he notes. “Enteryour ZIP code, and the websiteadjusts tips and prices to match thepart of the country where you live.You can also play games on the site tofind out how much money a certainaction will save, and read about waysother co-op consumers came up withtheir own energy efficiency solutions.”He concludes: “Overall, don’t be

wasteful. Turn items off when theyare not being used. Why pay for elec-tricity you really aren’t using?”Sources: Cooperative ResearchNetwork, U.S. Department of Energy

Magen Howard writes on con-sumer and cooperative affairs forthe National Rural ElectricCooperative Association, theArlington, Va.-based service armof the nation’s 900-plus con-sumer-owned, not-for-profit pub-lic power districts and electriccooperatives. Kelly Trapnell con-tributed to this article.


From Sea to Shining SeaFrom page 7

Following these steps will deliver the biggest bang for your energy effi-

ciency dollars in your region of the country.

West and Midwest:- Seal air leaks around windows and doors to protect against strong winds.

- Plant deciduous trees to block sunlight from the roof and walls during

summer while allowing sunlight to help heat your home in winter.

Southeast: - Install a high-efficiency air-conditioning system.

- Add reflective film on windows to block heat from the sun, making rooms

that receive direct sunlight cooler.

Northeast:- Properly insulate your home.

- Add landscaping that creates wind breaks.

Efficiency looks different depending on where you live!

Most homes built before 1980 need more insulation, according to estimates by

the U.S. Department of Energy. Measure the depth of your attic’s insulation,

then use DOE’s calculator to determine how much more is recommended.

Photograph by Kelly Trapnell

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Keep the heat outside

s summer rages acrossNebraska, the Alliance toSave Energy provides ener-

gy efficiency tips that can lowerhome energy bills even as the tem-perature soars outside.“Simple energy efficiency steps

can make your home more comfort-able while also easing the strain onyour budget,” says AlliancePresident Kateri Callahan.The Alliance has projected that

the average U.S. household willspend around $2,100 on home ener-gy this year, but these “no sweat”tips can help you beat the heat andsave money:• Plug energy leaks with weather

stripping and caulking, and be sureyour house is properly insulated, tosave up to 20 percent on energy bills.• Consider replacing single-pane

windows with efficient Energy Starqualified windows to save $150-$500 per year, depending on yourclimate.• Curtains and shades on the

sunny sides of your home will pro-vide additional relief.• Chose energy-efficient lighting,

since inefficient incandescent lightbulbs waste 90 percent of theirenergy as heat instead of light.Instead, choose efficient incandes-cents that use halogen technology,CFLs and LEDs, which are 25 to 75percent more energy-efficient thantraditional incandescents.• A programmable thermostat

automatically coordinates tempera-tures in your home with your dailyand weekend patterns to reduceyour bills up to 10 percent. Be sureto program the device properly toraise the temperature while yourhouse is empty and lower it againshortly before you return – to a cool,comfortable, energy-saving home. • Using ceiling fans to circulate

air will make you feel cooler and canallow you to raise the temperaturesetting on your AC by a few degrees.But be sure to turn the fan off whenyou leave the room, because fanscool people, not rooms.

A


hen temperatures hit thetriple digits, cattle produc-ers need to take steps to

ward off heat stress in their herds, aUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln beefspecialist said. Cattle can begin to experience

some level of heat stress when theheat index approaches 80 degrees,with most cattle being severelystressed when the heat indexexceeds 100 degrees, said TerryMader, beef specialist at UNL’sHaskell Agricultural Laboratorynear Concord.Also, when early morning tempera-

tures or the heat indices are in themid-70s, chances are cattle did notadequately cool down at night, andfeedlot managers should be preparedto provide as much relief to cattle aspossible during the day.Water is probably the best way to

dissipate heat, Mader said.Cattle normally take in about 5 to

8 gallons of water per day. However,when temperatures rise, thatamount can double or even triple.“It’s important to have plenty of

available water,” he said. “Whenthere is competition for water, it cre-ates problems because the dominant

animals will occupy waterer spaceand not allow other animals access.”If cattle are crowding around the

watering trough, add more waterercapacity or move some of the animalsto pens that will give them adequateaccess to water, Mader said.In an emergency, cattle can be

sprayed with water to cool themdown. However, once producers dothat, they need to repeat or continuespraying until the heat subsides.Spraying cattle with water willallow the animal to rapidly dissi-pate heat through evaporative cool-ing processes but this may limit theanimal’s ability to adapt to the heat. If the pen surface is dry, wetting

the pen also will provide relief toconfined animals. It is always bene-ficial to start the wetting or coolingprocess in the morning before thecattle get too hot.Another suggested heat stress

mitigation tactic is to use bedding todecrease surface temperatures ani-mals are exposed to, Mader said.Generally it’s thought bedding is forinsulation against cold stress.However, straw can aid in breakingup or diffusing the solar heat loadthat often contributes to heating up

dry, bare ground. The degree bed-ding is effective in doing this isunknown. However, if used, it is sug-gested bedding be placed in the penearly in the morning when theground has cooled; otherwise, heatwill be trapped in the pen surface.Also, wetting the bedding wouldallow for additional cooling to occurwhen the animal uses it.Producers should avoid handling

cattle when it’s hot and never after10 a.m. Cattle body temperaturescan rise an additional 0.5 to 3.5degrees during handling.Cattle yards also should be free of

any structures that restrict airflow.Cutting down vegetation aroundpens and moving cattle away fromwindbreaks can all help. Buildingearth mounds in pens also canincrease airflow by preventing cattlefrom bunching together. Other heatstress mitigation strategies include:providing shade, controlling bitingflies and other parasites, keepingvery current on cattle marketingsand being mindful of heat effects onpersonnel as well. Source: University of NebraskaInstitute of Agriculture and NaturalResources

WTriple digit temperatures mean watching cattle for heat stress

Keep an eye on cattle when the mercury rises

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by Karen Olson House

hen it comes to vacations,America’s national parksare a perennial favorite.

From roaring geysers and sandyseascapes to frontier forts and presi-dents’ homes, these unique treasuresboast magnificent landscapes andcultural enrichment.Lately, they’ve been getting even

better. Visitors are reaping the bene-fits of the American Recovery andReinvestment Act passed in 2009,which funded improvements tonational park facilities and roads.Ninety-nine percent of those parkprojects are completed, according toJeff Olson, spokesman for theNational Park Service (NPS) inWashington, D.C. As just one exam-ple, the scenic Skyline Drive inShenandoah National Park inVirginia sports dozens of new over-looks with jaw-dropping views andnew interpretative signs. National parks, nearly 400 now,

offer something for everyone for a rel-atively low price. You can enjoy hik-ing, biking, swimming, fishing, andrafting, shop for locally made crafts atgift shops, tour museums, explore cliffdwellings, take guided full moonwalks, and learn about science andbiology at ranger talks. There are several national parks

and monuments in Nebraska, includ-ing Scotts Bluff National Monument,and the Homestead NationalMonument of America.Scotts Bluff National Monument is

located on 3,005 acres next to theNorth Platte River, three miles westof Gering, Nebraska, and five milessouthwest of Scottsbluff. The visitorcenter is just off NE 92.Rising 800 feet above the North

Platte River valley floor, this massiverock promontory was a landmark onthe Oregon Trail, associated withoverland migration between 1843 and1869 across the Great Plains. Themonument museum contains exhibitsabout the human and natural historyof the area and also holds a uniquecollection of watercolor paintings bythe frontier photographer and artistWilliam Henry Jackson. The park’s Summit Road allows vis-

itors to drive to the top of Scotts Bluff

W

America’s National Parks: Big Value for a Low Price

Scotts Bluff was a landmark on the

Oregon Trail, associated with over-

land migration between 1843 and

1869 across the Great Plains.

August 2012 13

for a spectacular view of the valley.The 1.6-mile Saddle Rock Trail leadshikers from the visitor center to thesummit, and the 0.5-mile OregonTrail Pathway leads from the visitorcenter to the remnants of the OregonTrail.The park is open daily except for

Christmas and New Year's Day.The Homestead National

Monument of America is located fivemiles west of Beatrice, Neb. The parkincludes a Heritage Center andEducation Center and tells the home-steading story with new interactivedisplays, a magnificent view of thetallgrass prairie as early pioneersmight have seen and a one acre park-ing lot to give visitors a feeling for theenormous task homesteaders faced.

The Palmer-Epard Cabin, whichwas first built in 1867, now sits nearthe Heritage Center. The beauty and slower pace found

from a park vacation have a way ofdrawing families or couples together.Seeing birds flutter and animals for-age brings out the softer side ofhumans. Parents are reminded thatfood cooked over a campfire tastes bet-ter. Kids remember how to make theirown fun. Those in their twenties final-ly bond, adult to adult, with their par-ents. And even the most sullenteenager will crack a smile by the endof a day or two. “For generations now, people have

introduced members of their family tonational parks,” says Olson. “Parentsand grandparents are now introduc-ing their children to parks. These areplaces where you learn aboutAmerican heritage and culture.”Those who enjoy technology won’t

be disappointed. For example, visitorsto the National Mall in Washington,D.C., can use the NPS’s free app. Theapp displays the user’s location, high-lights historical and cultural points ofinterest, provides tour suggestions,and gives directions to more than 70sites. Inside other national parks(rural or urban), visitors can deepentheir experiences through their smartphones and other mobile devices atvisitors’ centers and exhibits. Parkwebsites sport live webcams, pod-

casts, and links to lively social mediaas well.For lodging, people sometimes pic-

ture a grand historic lodge or a tentcampground. While these are greatoptions, there are typically otherchoices through concessioners in thepark or in nearby towns. One reasonthat Great Smoky Mountains Park iscontinually ranked the No. 1 mostpopular U.S. national park is accessi-bility. It’s close to Gatlinburg, Tenn.,Cherokee, N.C., and Bryson City, N.C.,which cater to visitors with a widevariety of affordable accommodations,restaurants, shops, museums, andother attractions. Popular Acadia

National Park in Maine has no “roof”lodging in the park, but the historicvillage of Bar Harbor offers housevacation rentals, cottages, motels andB&B's that suit all budgets. Consider your priorities. Do you

want to drive your car, or fly to theclosest airport and rent one? Cook oreat out? Sleep under the stars in thebackcountry or on a real bed? Do youprefer to be near cities or to ventureout?People are surprised that some

parks are close to major metropolitanareas. Cuyahoga Valley NationalPark, blessed with a winding riverand fascinating canal history, is only30 minutes from Cleveland. It alsohosts scenic train rides and eveningconcerts. Stanford House, a bed-and-breakfast inn in the park, has a self-service kitchen and wireless Internet.The renovated farmhouse’s roomrates, which include a continentalbreakfast with cereal and fresh fruit,start around $50 for a small roomwith a bunk bed and shared bath. If you really want to get away from

it all, Big Bend National Park inTexas may fit the bill. It has spectacu-lar canyon and mountain scenery,with lots of plants and animals andmore types of birds than any othernational park in the United States. It pays to do your homework.

Biscayne National Park boasts urbanproximity, colorful coral reefs, andfirst-rate scuba diving and snorkeling.It’s within sight of downtown Miami,but that doesn’t mean its logistics areeasy. More than 95 percent of thismarine park is covered by water, sotransportation is by boat here. Finally, stay open to lesser-known

parks. A newer park, the BlackCanyon of the Gunnison in Colorado,receives a fraction of the GrandCanyon’s numbers. However, itscanyon’s combination of narrownessand vertical drop are unmatched byany other in North America.

Karen Olson House is a contribut-ing editor for Carolina Countrymagazine, published monthly bythe North Carolina Association ofElectric Cooperatives for itsmembers. She is based in Raleigh.

The Homestead Heritage Center is designed to represent the

Homestead Act of 1862 with its spectacular views and unique roof

line resembling a single bottom plow moving through the sod.


he countdown has begun tomove out of your parents’basement and into college

housing. Freedom is so close you cantaste it; no longer will your comingsand goings be monitored. You can eatpizza and cookies for breakfast,lunch and dinner. But before thesedreams become reality, there’s a lotof work to be done with thewhole relocation thing. Tohelp you combat packingpanic, here are 12 movingtips to get you smartly onyour way.

Start SortingBefore you begin loading upboxes, go through all yourstuff and weed out items youdon’t want. There’s no pointin adding this clutter to yournew place. Remember, oneperson’s trash is another’s treas-ure. Before dumping and donatingunwanted items, give friends andneighbors a chance to dig through forhand-me-downs. They’ll appreciatethe thought and it’s one less thing foryou to move.

Run Down the DamageCollege houses are not always in thegreatest condition. Since you don’twant to be on the hook for other ten-ants’ wild times, get together withthe landlord before you move in anddo a walk through. Document anyexisting damage, snap a few photosand get the landlord to sign off on alist of problem areas. This will ensureyou don’t get nailed for pre-existingissues.

Set Up Your ServicesBefore moving day, make sure to callthe electric, water and cable compa-nies so you have service as soon asyou arrive. There’s nothing more dis-appointing than moving in and find-ing the lights aren’t working.

Take Advantage of Your ScheduleOne of the many great things aboutcollege is flexible scheduling. If youhave the option, plan to move mid-week. This way, you can move at yourown pace and don’t have to competewith others cramming their move

into one hectic weekend. Also, mov-ing trucks are typically cheaper torent in the middle of the week.

Condense What You CanIf you have bags, suitcases or evencoolers, think about how you can usethem like boxes. Pack the small stuffinside larger items like Russian nest-ing dolls. The fewer trips you have totake back and forth, the more timeand money you’ll save.

Don’t Pay for PackingBefore you buy expensive pack-ing materials to protect yourprecious possessions, considerwhat you already have around.Dish towels, T-shirts and pillowsall make for great packing mate-rials. Your local grocery store willusually contribute some freeempty boxes if you ask nicelyduring off-peak times. To covermore delicate furniture, hit athrift shop for cheap blanketsand tape them in place.

Wait to BuyIf you’re the type that likes to planahead, it’s tempting to shop foreverything you think you’ll needbefore the big move. In many cases,you won’t need nearly as much asyou expect. Fill in the space withwhat you already have before pick-ing up a new sofa or coffee table.Once you know what you need, goshopping with roommates and saveon some shared items. Try usingcoupons for discounts on back-to-col-lege lines from stores like Target.They can easily be found at such sitesas CouponSherpa.com.

Bribe Family and FriendsTrying to lug a floppy mattress upthree flights of stairs by yourself is nofun at all. Your closest friends mighthelp you with the move, but likelywith some reluctance since no onelikes moving. Sweeten the deal byplanning in advance and offeringbribes. A free meal can make it hard-er to resist.

T

Tips for a successful college moving day

by Brandon Farestad - Rittel

Watch the SunYou won’t find much relaxation in ascented candle when it’s melted allover your clothes. Even though tem-peratures are dropping, mid-dayheat is still strong at the end of sum-mer. If you have items that can meltor will be damaged by the sun, makesure to pack them in an easily acces-sible place and unload them first.Don’t forget about the bathroom,either. Aerosol products, such asbody spray or sunscreen, can explodeafter sitting in the sun.

Ask About Student DiscountsYou’re already paying a ton fortuition; you might as well make themost of your status as a student.Whether you’re picking up packingsupplies, a new couch or just somesnacks, there’s no harm in askingabout a student discount.

Start Big, Finish SmallOnce you get settled in there’s goingto be plenty of time to unpack yourknick-knacks. Instead of worryingabout the small stuff, get majoritems out of the way first. Couches,beds and tables should all be in placebefore you begin putting up posters.Having your furniture set up willallow you to fill in the gaps andmake your new house feel like ahome.

Map Out a Floor PlanIt really helps to plan where furni-ture will fit before you move. Roughout a floor plan and fit in the majorpieces so you have a guide on movingday. It also helps to have someoneguide the move-in process. Spend theday playing traffic cop, indicatingwhere boxes and furniture should beplaced so you don’t have to moveeverything after your crew has left.

Brandon Farestad-Rittel is a col-lege-savings expert for KinoliInc. Based on his own collegeexperiences and extensiveresearch, this recent graduatehas covered a variety of topics,including the college selectionprocess, for-profit colleges, andthe modern era of textbooks.

August 2012 15

ost incoming college stu-dents have heard about the“Freshman 15”. It means

the average student gains fifteenpounds during their first year in col-lege. Whether it is true or not, keepthese tips in mind to help you eatand stay healthy as you adjust toeating on campus.1. Walk whenever and wherever

you can on campus. Campus may bebig or small, hilly or flat, but nomatter what: it’s most likely some-place you can walk. 2. Be part of an intramural sports

team. Intramural sports can be agreat way to learn a new sport, meetpeople, and stay healthy.3. Use the campus gym. It’s proba-

bly free, or very cheap. Find a work-out partner who is also interested ingoing on a regular basis, and helphold each other accountable.

4. Start your day with a healthybreakfast. Mom was right: your daydoes go better when you eat a goodbreakfast. Grab some oatmeal to go.5. Stock up on healthy snacks..

Even if you don’t have a fridge inyour room, you can keep pretzels,fruit (dried or fresh), healthy nuts,and energy bars on hand.6. Be smart if you order food late

at night. Studying late with yourroommate and want to order pizza?Choose cheese only instead of load-ing up on toppings.7. Treat yourself every once in a

while. Giving in to the self-serve icecream machine or the donut you arecraving for breakfast is fine. Justdon't do it every day. Remember, youdo deserve a treat every once in awhile!8. Do something physical every

weekend. Go for a run or bike ride.

Ways to avoid the “Freshman 15”

M


SAFETY BRIEFS

ust two seconds of exposure towater that is heated to 150degrees Fahrenheit will cause a

third-degree burn — the most seri-ous type — in most adults. Everyyear, almost 6,800 people are scaldedby hot tap water. Most of these acci-dents involve the elderly and chil-dren under the age of four. Water heated to 140 degrees can

result in a third-degree burn in justsix seconds. But if water is kept at120 degrees, it takes five minutes ofexposure to develop a serious burn. Burns have long been recognized

as among the most painful and dev-astating injuries a person can sus-tain and survive. Burns often requirelong periods of rehabilitation, multi-ple skin grafts, and painful physicaltherapy, and they can leave victimswith lifelong physical and psycholog-ical trauma.Children, especially ages four and

under, may not perceive danger, haveless control of their environment,may lack the ability to escape a life-threatening burn situation and maynot be able to tolerate the physicalstress of a post-burn injury. An aver-age of ten children ages 14 and under

die from scald burn-related injurieseach year. Children ages 4 and underaccount for nearly all of these deaths. Very few of us need to set our water

heater temperature to more than 120degrees; most dishwashers todaypreheat water to make sure thatdishes are sterilized. Setting yourwater heater temperature too high isjust an invitation for a serious acci-dent.

First check the temperature set-ting on your electric water heater.Hold a candy or meat thermometerunder the faucet to check water tem-perature. If the water is 120 degrees,the thermostat is fine. If it’s higher,you’ll want to reduce the thermostatssetting. Don’t use hot water for twohours before resetting your thermo-stat. To adjust the thermostat start by

shutting off the electrical current tothe water heater, then turn off thecircuit breaker to the heater orremove the fuse that serves theheater. Most electric water heatershave two thermostats; you must setboth to the same temperature forproper operation. To reach thesethermostats, remove the upper andlower access panels. Adjust the ther-mostat following the instructionsprovided with the water heater. If you’re not sure how to adjust

your electric water heater, call yourelectric cooperative for help. If youhave a gas water heater, call your gascompany for information.Source: Consumer Product SafetyCommission, National Safe KidsCampaign

JReduce water heater setting to avoid serious burn

August 2012 17

othing has the charm of an older home on a fam-ily farm or a cute cottage in a historical down-town district. But cosmetic and structural

upgrades are often packged with the cozy charm. When upgrading your home, a fresh coat of paint and

updated fixtures may come to mind. But what about hir-ing a professional to update the wiring behind a switchplate or outlet? Do you know the hidden dangers of agedwiring in your home? Don’t takeon wiring problems yourself —electrical upgrades often require aprofessional who knows whatinspections and permits are need-ed. Here are a few clues to find outif your home’s electric networkneeds a professional switch.

Type of wiring. Modern wiringis insulated, meaning it is coveredin plastic. Older homes may have copper or aluminumwiring. Copper wiring can work just as well as modernwiring if it is still in good condition and has not beenaltered or improperly installed. However, fire riskincreases in homes with both cooper and aluminumwiring. Corrosion to aluminum from copper can lead toloose connections causing fires. Use only aluminum-approved switches, outlets, and other accessories if yourhome has aluminum wiring.

Plugs fall out of outlets easily. Loose plugs are a high

fire danger. Older outlets that have lost their grip needto be replaced. Luckily this upgrade is affordable.

Not enough outlets. The increasing use of chargersfor phones and many other electronic devices means out-lets are in high demand, especially in older homes whereoutlets are not as plentiful. A lack of outlets can result inoveruse of extension cords and power strips. Be sure touse quality, 14-gauge or thicker cords that are approved

by Underwriters Laboratories(UL). Never overload an outlet.Overloading can cause heat, lead-ing to fire risk. Consider hiring alicensed electrician to add outletsto your home.

Danger in wet areas. GFCI(ground fault circuit interrupter)outlets are now required in areasaround water like near a kitchen

or bathroom sink or outdoors. But in older homes, GFCIsmay not have been installed. It is fairly simple to replaceold receptacles with GFCIs; hire a professional toupgrade outlets near water.

Wind causes lights to blink. If you notice your lightsblinking on windy days, it may be due to worn wiring inthe weatherhead (where overhead lines enter yourhome). Contact your public power district or electric co-op to check weatherhead wiring. Source: This Old House, Underwriters Laboratories

N

Don’t take onwiring problems

yourself.

Consider easy electrical upgrades to boost safety around an older home

Home Wiring Over the Hill?


: I like to cook, but the kitchengets uncomfortably warm during

summer, even with air conditioning.We are planning to remodel thekitchen soon. What are some tips tokeep it comfortable and efficient?

: Heat and water vapor buildupcan quickly take the fun out of

cooking. During summer, you can fig-ure on doubling the energy use of thecooking itself because the air condi-tioner is using more electricity toremove the extra heat and humidity.Because you are planning to remod-

el your kitchen, there are three basicconcepts to consider for efficiency —design/layout of the kitchen, selectionof appliances, and general kitchenefficiency tips. Your goal is to use aslittle heat as possible to prepare yourmeals. Keep in mind: All of the elec-tricity used, including for items likelighting, ends up as heat energy inyour kitchen.

LayoutWhen laying out the floor plan for

your remodeled kitchen, use the“kitchen triangle” concept for bothefficiency and convenience. The threeareas used most often are the sink,range, and refrigerator. Try to locatethese in an equilateral triangle asmuch as possible. If your kitchen isrelatively small, you may only have totake a step or two to get from one toanother.It might sound obvious not to put

hot appliances, such as the range ordishwasher, immediately next to therefrigerator, but I see it all the time.Even though a refrigerator has heavywall insulation, it will use more elec-tricity to stay cold while a turkey isroasting for hours inside the rangenext to it. A dishwasher gives off a lotof warm, humid air, which reduces

the efficiency of the refrigerator con-denser coils.Do not place the range under a win-

dow that you plan to use for naturalventilation. Even a small breeze cancarry away quite a bit of heat, whichshould be going into the pot and notout the window. Locating the sinkunder a window is good for naturallighting and to exhaust warm humidair during mild weather without run-ning an exhaust fan.

Choosing efficient appliancesSelecting appliances is the easiest

part of designing an efficient kitchen,and the refrigerator and range/ovenare good places to start because theyare the two greatest energy con-sumers in most kitchens. In general, a top-freezer style

refrigerator is the most efficient con-figuration, and the fewer featuresthat penetrate the door, the moreenergy efficient it is. But a chilledwater-to-ice dispenser in the doormay actually save electricity overallby reducing how often the door isopened.Select the smallest refrigerator

that satisfies your needs. A largermodel has more surface area so itabsorbs more heat from the room,and the compressor has to run longerto keep it cold inside. Each time youopen the door of a larger refrigerator,more warm room air, which must becooled, flows in than with a smallerone.Choose your dishwasher and range

based on the energy label and the fea-

tures you need. A range with a con-vection oven will cook more efficient-ly than a standard oven — theupfront cost is higher, but you’ll seesavings in energy and money.Ensure you purchase the most effi-

cient appliances by comparing theinformation on the yellow energylabel, and look for Energy Star mod-els. The Energy Star designation isearned by appliances that meet effi-ciency guidelines set by the federalgovernment. That designation comes in handy

when identifying efficient vent hoodsfor ranges. All of the Energy Starmodels use compact fluorescent(CFL) bulbs, which are up to 75 per-cent more efficient than standardbulbs. In addition, select a range hoodwith about 50 cfm of air flow per line-al foot of the range top. It should beinstalled no more than 30 inchesabove the cooking surface. If therange hood is too high or too small, itwill have to run much longer to ventthe hot humid air — if it can at all.

Basic tipsThere are some basic kitchen effi-

ciency tips that can reduce energy useand improve your comfort. Wheneverpossible, use a toaster oven or slow-cooker instead of the large oven. Itmight not cook quite as evenly, butheat buildup in the kitchen is muchless. Also, match the size of the pot tothe size of the burner or heating ele-ment to reduce heat loss.People typically buy a refrigerator

larger than they need “just in case.” Ifyou find yours is seldom full, put sev-eral jugs of water in the back. Thisholds the temperature steadier andreduces air loss when the door isopened. Set the refrigerator tempera-ture at 40 degrees and the freezeraround zero. Setting them too coldjust wastes electricity.

CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS

Creating kitchen comfort when remodeling

by James Dulley

Q

A

Send inquiries to James Dulley, RuralElectric Nebraskan, 6906 RoyalgreenDr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visitwww.dulley.com.

August 2012 19

ver wonder if turning yourcomputer off at the end of theday or unplugging unused

computer peripherals could save youmoney? Just ask AOL. AOL decom-missioned 9,484 servers in the lastyear, or about a quarter of its serversworldwide. Its savings included $1.65million in energy bills, $2.2 million inOS licenses and $62,000 in mainte-nance costs. It also gained $1.2 mil-lion from scrap and resale, andreduced its carbon emissions by 20million tons.A lot of the servers AOL replaced

were running applications and Webproperties that had "outlived theiruseful life," the company said.While you are not likely to have a

few thousand computer servers sit-ting around your home, there areways you can save energy with thehome office equipment you have.Consider the following:� Activate power-management set-tings. Home office electronics havemultiple power modes: active (or“on”), active standby (“on” but con-suming less than 100 percent power),and passive standby (or “off”), accord-ing to the nonprofit American Councilfor an Energy Efficient Economy(ACEEE), which promotes energyefficiency to consumers and govern-ment policy makers. You can instructyour computer to move into lower-consumption modes automaticallywhen you’ve stopped using it tem-porarily — during a lunch hour orphone call, for instance — yet alsowake up when you’re ready to resumeworking. Such tactics can reduce yourcomputer-related electricity costs by$25 to $75 per machine annually.� Use a power strip for your comput-er, printer, copier and other peripher-als. If you plug office electronics into apower strip, you can switch all ofthem fully off (versus leaving them in“standby” mode) with one button.Power strips cost around $3 to $12.Assuming your home office equip-ment represents about 4 percent ofyour electricity bill, you could save upto $4 a year.

� If you are investing in new comput-er equipment, look for Energy Star-rated computers, small servers,

copiers, fax machines and adapters.Energy Star estimates that usingthese rated electronics in your homeoffice can save $115 over the prod-ucts’ lifetimes.� Consider a laptop over a desktop.Laptops use one-third the power (22watts) of a typical desktop (68 watts)when in active mode, according toACEEE. Annually, a laptop couldsave you about $19 compared with adesktop.� Opt for a flat-panel versus a CRTmonitor. A cathode-ray tube monitoruses about 70 watts, while an LCD orflat-panel uses only 27 watts, accord-ing to ACEEE data. That’s about $1in savings over a year.For other ideas on how you can

become more EnergyWise, visit withyour local rural electric utility or go towww.nppd.com/save-energy.Source: NPPD

ESave money and energy by shutting down

Photograph provided by Touchstone

Energy Cooperatives


DOWN HOMERECIPES

1 pound boneless pork loin, cutinto 1-inch cubes1 10-ounce jar apricot preserves4 tablespoons orange liquor OR

orange juice2 tablespoons butter

Stir together apricot preserves,orange liquor and butter; simmer ina small saucepan until butter ismelted. (OR combine ingredients ina 2-cup glass measure; microwave onHigh 1 minute). Place pork cubes inheavy plastic bag; pour 3/4 cup apri-cot mixture over to coat. Marinate atleast 30 minutes. Thread pork onto 4to 6 skewers (if using bamboo skew-ers, soak in water for 20 to 30 min-utes before using). Grill 10 to 12minutes, turning occasionally. Basteoften with the marinade. Warmremaining apricot sauce to boilingand serve alongside kabobs, ifdesired.

Apricot Glazed Pork Kabobs

Recipe provided by theNational Pork Board

Mom’s CucumberRelish

Lemon Zucchini Bread

Lemon PuddingCheesecake

Ardyce Wolfe, Fairfield, Nebraska

Put in vegetables. Cook for 12-15 minutes until clear. Seal in jars while hot.Makes approximately 5 pints.

Joy Deterding, Cambridge, Nebraska

In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, pudding mix, baking soda, baking pow-der, and salt. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, oil, lemon juice and extract.Stir dry ingredients until moistened and fold in zucchini, poppy seeds andlemon peel. Pour in two greased 9 x 5 loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before remov-ing from pans. Makes two loaves.

Patti Klitz, Chadron, Nebraska

Mix wafer crumbs, 1 tablespoon sugar and butter. Press firmly onto bottomof 9-inch springform pan. Bake 325 degrees for 10 minutes. Beat creamcheese, remaining 3/4 cup sugar, flour and milk until well blended. Add sourcream; beat until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speedafter each addition just until blended. Stir in dry pudding mixes until wellblended. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 5 minutes to 1 hour and 15 min-utes or until center is almost set by testing with knife. Cool completely.Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake.Serve with strawberries or cherry pie filling.

Grind: 10 to 12 large cucumbers3 cups onion (ground)2 cups celery (ground)1/4 cup red and green peppersPut together with 6 cups water and

3/4 cup salt.

Let stand overnight. Drain well. Next morning boil:

4 cups vinegar5 cups sugar2 teaspoons mustard seed1 tablespoon celery seed1 teaspoon turmeric powder

4 cups flour1 1/2 cups sugar 1 pkg instant lemon pudding1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon salt4 eggs

1 1/4 cups milk1 cup vegetable oil3 tablespoons lemon juice1 teaspoon lemon extract2 cups shredded zucchini1/4 cup poppy seeds2 teaspoon grated lemon peel.

1 1/2 cups crushed nilla wafers (about 40 wafers)

3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided

3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

4 pkgs (8 oz. each) Philadelphia cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons flour2 tablespoons milk1 cup sour cream4 eggs2 pkgs (4 serving size each) Jello lemon flavor instant pudding & pie filling

The Cucumber Dip recipe in theJune issue was submitted by LanaGosch of Amherst, Neb.

Correction

August 2012 21

To appear in print

The Rural Electric NebraskanAdult Pen Pal Service is exclusivelyfor member-readers ages 18 and over.To be considered for use, submissionsmust: (1) Identify rural electric sys-tem providing magazine; (2) Include$6 to cover mail forwarding costs; (3)Be 25 words or fewer; (4) Include fullname and mailing address (will notbe used in magazine); and (5) Be firstperson, submitted directly by personto receive responses. Acceptance,editing and issue scheduling is at edi-tor’s discretion.Address all submissions to Rural

Electric Nebraskan Adult Pen PalService, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE68501. All responses received by theAdult Pen Pal Service are routeddirectly, postage paid, to the responsenumber assigned to each submission.

To write

To respond to one of the adult penpal requests, write letter, place inenvelope, seal and affix first classpostage. Address to full, correctresponse #, c/o Rural ElectricNebraskan Adult Pen Pal Service,P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.Your letter will be forwardedunopened. Do not send money oradditional postage; forwarding is pre-paid. Enclose your full mailingaddress for return correspondence.Once again . . . it is very important

that all responses carry the fullresponse number—both month andnumber—to be properly forwarded.

Abbreviation CodeC — Christian; C/W — Country-western;D — Divorced; F — Female; M — Male; NS — Non-Smoker; ND — Non-Drinker;R&R — Rock and roll; S — Single;W — White; Wid — Widowed

For a FREE color brochure send the ad couponor call toll free 800-658-7076 or fax 507-462-3211.

www.nordaashomes.comP.O. Box 116, Minnesota Lake, MN 56068-0116

REC

AUG-1: SWF, 19, from north cen-tral Nebraska. I’m looking to meetmy prince, an honest, good guy,between 19-21. Loves countrymusic, movies, going out on realdates. Someone who likes family,going for rides, dancing, laughingand a simple smile. No gamesplease. Write or send cell numberand picture.

AUG -2: Senior widow, NS, wouldlike to meet WidWM, 78 – 85 fromwestern Nebraska, who is lone-some, honest, healthy, and caringfor friendship and companionship,who likes to go on short trips, eatout and just enjoy life. Send photoand phone number. Will answer.

AUG -3: Widow desires NS/NDChristian 75-85 in town with nopets. Will answer all letters thathave picture, phone number andaddress.

AUG -4: SWM, NS, 64, country boy,looking for a self supporting countrygal, that likes to have fun. Trailrides, motorcycling or just jeepingat the river. Please send phonenumber and photo.

AUG -5: DWM, NS/ND, from northcentral Nebraska, looking for a lady40-60 who likes gardening , fishing,and fresh eggs. This means youaren’t afraid to work and get yourhands dirty. Please send photo andphone number.

AUG -6: SWM, 67, NS, from east-ern Nebraska, semi-retired, enjoysplaying cards and dining out.Looking for someone special tospend time with. Will answer all.

Plant Trees!Plant Trees!

See what a difference it makes...

Advertise in Rural Electric

Nebraskan Classifieds


MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS

MID-AMERICAPole Barn Co.

30 x 50 x 10 Galvalume

llaC eerF lloT

rehtO

elbaliavA seziS

Open M - F 8 to 5

1-866-456-0959

Price includes material, delivery,construction, factory trusses, screws

TOPLINE STEEL BUILDINGS

Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings.SAVE THOUSANDS

on Fac tory Direc t Pric ing!!!Ask about our Outstanding Warranties.

1-800-369-3882www.toplinebuildings.com

Toll Free 1-888-320-7466

F a x : 9 4 0 - 4 8 4 - 6 7 4 6 e m a i l : [email protected] e b s i t e : h t t p : / / w w w . R H I N O B L D G . C O M

25 Year Warranty on Roof & Walls;Prices F.O.B. Mfg. Plants; Seal Stamped Blue Prints; Easy Bolt Together Design.

Farm•Industrial •Commercial

VISITOUR

WEBSITE

PRICES INCLUDE COLOR SIDES

& GALVALUME ROOF

VISITOUR

WEBSITE

(Local codes may affect prices)

Arena Special (roof & frame)

100’ x 100’ x 14’...$35,581

30’ x 50’ x 10’........$8,57940’ x 60’ x 12’........$11,99960’ x 100’ x 12’......$23,84980’ x 100’ x 14’......$32,582100’ x 150’ x 14’....$55,759

Check out the classifieds in the

Rural ElectricNebraskan

Are you lookingfor some newtreasures?

The Nebraska Rural Radio Foundation wants your support as we

continue our work sharing the story of agriculture by offering

scholarships and grants!

to serve Nebraska agriculture!Another way...

Nebraska

Rural Radio

FoundationKRVN KNEB KTIC

___

_________

For more information call KRVN at 308-324-2391

Giving Opportunities include:

Endowments

Life Insurance Gifts

Bequests

www.nrrfoundation.com

For Sale1 Two-place 190 HP HW Airplane1 Herb Mingery “Keeper of theWord” Bronze Sculpture

3 48”x12” art glass lighting fixtureInquire 308/432-5212 or

[email protected]

OVER THE YEARS, WE’VE SEEN THE USES FOR ELECTRICITY CHANGE. BUT ITS VALUE HASN’T.

www.tristate.coop

If you question the value of electricity, consider its role in your daily life. From the

comforts and conveniences of home to the time-saving tools at work, electricity is vital

to how we live. In 1952, Tri-State was formed as a consumer-owned power provider with

the mission of delivering reliable, affordable electricity throughout the rural West. Today,

we generate and transmit electricity to our 44-member co-ops who, in turn, serve more

than 1.5 million people across a 200,000 square-mile territory. Collectively, we know

we’re delivering more than electricity. We’re delivering quality of life.

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association • P.O. Box 33695 • Denver, CO 80233 • Wholesale power supplier to 44 electric cooperatives in Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska and Wyoming.

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Rural Electric Nebraskan