79th Annual Membership Meeting - North Itasca Electric Coop., Inc. · 2019. 5. 25. · jason...

VOL. 22 NO. 6 PUBLISHED FOR THE MEMBERS OF NORTH ITASCA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE June 2019

Official Noticeof the Annual Membership Meeting of

North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Inc.Bigfork, Minnesota 56628

Notice is hereby given that the annual Meeting of the Membership of the North Itasca Electric Co-op., Inc. will be held at the Marcell Family Center in Marcell, Minnesota, on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 6:30 p.m., at which time and place the following business will be transacted:1. To elect three (3) directors for the Cooperative for terms of three (3) years each in Director Districts No. 7, 8 & 9.2. To hear, examine and approve reports of Officers, Directors and Committees.3. And for the transaction of such other business as might lawfully be brought up before the members of this Cooperative and as may be deemed to be for the best interest of said Cooperative.

Lloyd Kongsjord, Secretary

Jim WhiteDistrict 1

Larry Salmela District 3

Wes Waller District 2

VacantDistrict 4

Lloyd Kongsjord District 5

Walter Breeze District 6

Dinner 5:00 p.m., Annual Meeting 6:30 p.m.Thursday, June 13, 2019

79th Annual Membership Meeting

Marcell Family Center, Marcell

Grand Prize: Grill of your choice from North Itasca Electric

Election of directors in Districts 7, 8 and 9

Vote on bylaw change (see p.10)

Blood pressure checks by Pat Hill, Northome First Responder

Dinner catered by:Timberwolf Inn

$100 Earlybird prize

Families welcome! 2 certificates for kids’ bikes will go to lucky winners!

Receive a $15 credit after the meeting that can be used on your bill or in the store!

Music by Jason Waldron

DISTRICT 1

DISTRICT 3

DISTRICT 4

DISTRICT 8

DISTRICT 6

DISTRICT 2

DISTRICT 9

DISTRICT 7

DISTRICT 5

– DIRECTOR DISTRICTS –

For candidate profiles, see pages 6-7.

June 2019page 2

Brad Dolinski, CEO

Thank you all for coming out to North Itasca’s Mother/Father’s Day sale! The turnout was by far greater than we expected. Next year we will plan according-ly. I was telling friends later that

night how great of a time I had meeting the member-owners of North Itasca Electric, the food wasn’t bad either.

The next big event in planning is our Annual Meeting. This year we will be meeting in Marcell Thursday, June 13th. We’ll start serving supper

around 5:00 p.m. with the meeting to follow. Yes, we are trying something different this year.

Supper will be catered from the Timberwolf, sounds like a pork loin dinner. There will be an early bird drawing, and the grand prize will be a gas grill of your choice. We are cutting back on the vendor priz-es; the gift for attending the meeting will be a bill/stores credit for NIECI. You will get this credit after the meeting is over on the way out of the Marcell Family Center.

I expect this will be a fun, short meeting, I look forward to seeing you there.

Road restrictions go off tomorrow, summer con-struction will begin. Make sure you call the office early if you are in the market for a new service or are needing a change to your current service. We have a busy summer planned between Alder Road, County 45, Talmoon road move, and new services.

Daryl and the crews are looking at some trouble areas to tackle in the next work plan. We have some lines that are old, have served the members well over the years, now it’s time to look to replace some of these.

Right-of-way clearing and maintenance has begun for the year. Our contractor has hit some of the trouble areas with a mower and will circle back around to cut the bigger stuff when time and weather allow. I do understand that it is difficult to lose some of these trees. I ask for your under-

standing; we would not be there to remove the trees if they weren’t a safety and reliability issue. If you have any concerns, please contact the line department or our contractor prior to your area being maintained.

Outage season will start to fire up about the time the leaves hit the trees. Have you fired up your gen-erator to see if it’s working properly? More concern-ing, have you thought about electrical safety? Do you know what to do if the lines are down? STAY AWAY…. PLEASE! Just because the lines are down doesn’t mean they don’t have electricity on them. I have seen several videos lately of wires burning on the ground during storms. I urge you, let the profes-sionals take care of it. If the wires fall on your car and you can stay safely in the vehicle, do exactly that.

Electricity is a funny thing, you can’t see it, smell it, or hear it usually. Do you know if that line is dead? We don’t until we test for voltage. Let’s all have a safe fun summer, always be aware of electri-cal safety.

I hope all the Moms had a wonderful day Sunday. To all the fisherpersons, let the catch be as big as the story. I didn’t make it out on the water this weekend, I did spend many hours in the boat. I recently got a new-to-me fishing boat. I spent most of the week-end getting it ready for my opener. Ontario opens the third weekend of May, that is when my buddies and I go North to chase the Lake Trout around. I’m looking forward to another fun-filled summer around North Itasca; fishing, swimming, camping, golf, and good friends, I’ll see you out there.

By your side!Brad

CEO Report

WATTS NEWS is published monthly by:North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Inc.301 Main AvenueP.O. Box 227Bigfork, MN 56628

Subscriptions for Members are included as part of the annual membership dues. $8.00 per year or partial year for non-members, billed and payable in January for the following year.

Second class postage paid at Bigfork, MN 56628. USPS 016-849 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WATTS NEWS, North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Inc., P.O. Box 227, Bigfork, MN 56628-0227

Office Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-FridayTelephone: (218) 743-3131

After hours (to report power outages): (218) 743-3131 or (800) 762-4048

Web site: www.NorthItascaElectric.com

Chief Executive Officer: Brad Dolinski WATTS NEWS Editor: Sally SedgwickSend all calendar items, recipes, adver-tisements and other correspondence for WATTS NEWS to the Editor at: P.O. Box 43, Spring Lake, MN 56680

WATTS NEWS

North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Inc.Board of Directors

Chairman: Larry Salmela, District 3Secretary: Lloyd Kongsjord, District 5Treasurer: Roy Bain, District 9 Rep. to GRE Board: Bruce Leino, District 7

James White, District 1 James Cox, District 4 Wes Waller, District 2 Vacant: District 8

Walter Breeze, District 6

Mission of North Itasca Electric Cooperative

Delivering value to our Member-Owners and communities by providing safe, reliable energy and other services.

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June 2019 page 3

by Larry SalmelaJim Cox served the members of the North Itasca

Electric Cooperative beginning in 1990 until he died on April 28, 2019. Jim was by all measures the common man, your next door neighbor, the typical co-op member, and your friend who was approachable at any time to help with almost any need. The common man, he earned his living working with his hands. His hobbies were restoring old cars and snowmobiling. He lived peacefully in the north woods.

As we remember Jim, the phrase “served the members” stands out. Jim was dedicated to serving his community in many ways. He was a founding member of the Swampsiders Snowmobile Club. He served as a director of the North Itasca Electric Co-op. He served his church congregation as its pastor.

He had a very gentle manner, and he treated everyone with kindness and respect. Friends tell stories about everyone including Jim. His gentle manner was sometimes severely tested by the circumstances. There were stories told at his funeral about choice language in a loud voice when things were not going well in his garage.

Jim was the chairman of the North Itasca Electric board when I was first elected as a

director. He put me at ease immediately with his calm, low-key manner. I was greatly surprised about a year later when he saw his responsibility as the chairman to take another director “into the

woodshed” for inappropriate behavior at a board meeting. The entire board observed a strongly worded lecture for the individual who had misbehaved. There was no mistaking the seriousness of Jim’s complaint or the changes he expected to see. I hadn’t realized that Jim the gentleman had such tools in his arsenal until I saw him in action. I resolved that I would never put myself in a position to deserve similar

“woodshed” treatment.Jim left us with so many good

memories: the common man who steps up to serve his community, the gentleman who is kind, helpful and respectful to everyone and the sweet man who left the place in better condition than when he arrived.

In Memoriam

Jim Cox: Director

Jim Cox

Highlights from the Board RoomHere are the highlights from the Board of

Directors’ April 25, 2019, meeting. Board members, general counsel and management staff were in attendance.

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was held at the office of the Cooperative on April 25, 2019. Regular Board Meeting was brought to order. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

A motion was made to Adopt Agenda, seconded. Motion carried. A motion was made to Adopt Consent Agenda, seconded. Motion carried.

A. Shaw gave the legal update.Board Policy 100.50 - A motion was made to

adopt the amended director compensation policy with the new wordage, seconded. Discussions were held. Motion carried.

B. Dolinski held a safety discussion.B. Dolinski went over the Statement of Operations

& Balance Sheet. Discussions were held. A motion was made to accept the Statement of Operation/ Balance Sheet, seconded. Motion carried.

D. Pederson gave the Line Department Report. An engineer update was given. The first FEMA check has been received, and the second is expected shortly. Upcoming work plans and workplan forecast was discussed.

J. Loney gave the Member Service Report. $12,750 was awarded during the Operation Round Up Meeting on April 16.

B. Dolinski gave the Office Report. Bank account balances and upcoming accounts payable were gone over.

B. Dolinski gave his Manager’s Report. Our mission statement has been updated and will be posted in the breakroom and showroom floor.

Annual Meeting is set for June 13 at the Marcell Family Center.

B. Dolinski gave the Northland Connect Financial Report.

A motion was made to accept the Arbitration Bylaw Draft provided by A. Shaw, seconded. Motion carried. PCA charge of $679.15 was acknowledged.

MREA Board Report was given. House bills, special interest groups, the electric industry and losing our co-op voice were some of the topics discussed.

GRE Board Report was given. Positive margins, PCA credit, fly ash and business improvement projects were some of the topics discussed.

A motion was made to adjourn, seconded. Motion carried at 2:51 p.m.

Regular board meetings are generally held the fourth Thursday of every month. If you wish to speak with the board or have an item that you would like to have placed on the agenda, please contact CEO Brad Dolinski at least two weeks in advance to be included on the agenda.

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June 21, 2019 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

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Sunday Worship Service - 9 a.m.Sunday Bible Study - 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study - 7 p.m.

June 2019page 4

Energy efficiency starts with knowledge When one desires to reduce their energy costs,

the first step is understanding energy and the appli-ances using it.

Electrical appliances use energy in the form of watts per hour. All appliance consumption is not the same. Appliance consumption varies depending on the amount of work the appliance does. Some appliances even have variable settings enabling it to change the amount of work you would like the appliance to do. For example; electric space heaters.

Many space heaters have varying settings: low,

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medium and high. The low setting may consume 600 watts per hour, medium setting 1000 watts per hour and high 1500 watts per hour. Since all watts produce the same amount of heat energy per watt (3.412 Btus), the higher the setting, the higher the Btus delivered.

There are appliances that do not have settings to adjust the amount of work performed such as media equipment, non-variable speed motors, heat tape, etc. Televisions are another example of this. Newer LED televisions are now as low as 91 watts per hour.

How does one know the amount of energy an appliance consumes? All appliances have what is called plaque cards. This plaque card shows the amount of energy it consumes. When you find the wattage listed on it, this

tells you how many watts per hour (every 60 minutes) consumed. But you only used your new 91 watt LED television for 40 minutes. Simple math: 91 watts divided by 60 times 40 minutes = 60.6 watts.

Finding the amount of energy consumed may be good, but I want to know what it is costing me in dollars and cents.

Electrical energy is billed in kWh (kilo-watt-hours). With kilo meaning 1000, watts (consumption) and hour (60 minutes), you can work out the cost of operating your new 91 watt LED television set by the above calculations of 60.6 watts by dividing it by 1000 to equal kWh during that 40 minutes of use. (60.6 divided by 1000 = .06 kWh). With North Itasca Electric’s General Service Rate of 12.49 cents per kWh, the cost to operate your new television

set for 40 minutes is (.06 watts x12.49 = 0.7 cents). In doing the same math, you can figure out the cost of operation of your electric space heater for 40 minutes this past winter when set on its highest setting of 1500 watts, the cost of operation equates to 12.49 cents.

I hope this helps you to understand energy consumption a little better and can apply it to those energy questions you may have. I am also here to help you ... don’t be shy in giving me a call when you have questions!

Electricity is an important part of our lives. We strive to maintain power and minimize the length of time anyone has to be without power.

By being prepared and informed, you can help us restore your power as quickly as practical.When an outage occurs

• Check the fuses and circuit breakers in your home and on the meter pole to determine if the loss of power was caused by your system. The problem may be with your wiring and may require the services of an electrician.

• Call your neighbors to determine if they have electricity. This helps pinpoint the extent of the outage.

• If the cause of the outage is not in your wiring, please call (218) 743-3131 or (800) 762-

4048. The following information will be helpful:

- Name - Account Number - Location Number - Telephone Number - Any other information that

may help us locate the cause of the outage (for example, a downed tree, lightning strike, branch across a wire, etc.). How North Itasca Electric Co-op responds to an Outage

• The dispatch center reviews information to determine outage location and cause.

• Outage information is reported to the line crew.

• Line crews work to restore power as quickly as practical. Our goal is to restore power to the greatest number of customers first, and continuing until all power is restored.

North Itasca Electric Co-op., phones are answered 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. When the office is closed, a dispatch system will handle your call and forward reports concerning the outage to appropriate crews.

In the event of a widespread outage during non-business hours, our electronic outage system will receive your calls and respond with information about the outage. Should you find the phone lines busy, please be patient. We will answer your call as promptly as possible.Common Causes of Outages are:

• Storms • High winds • Lightning • Ice on power lines• Overloaded Equipment •

Traffic accidents • Construction work • Digging • Animals

Be prepared• Keep at least one good

flashlight with fresh batteries in your house.

• Place North Itasca Electric Co-op’s telephone number and your account number near your telephone.

• In a wide-spread outage, there may be a prerecorded message played over the phone from the dispatch center.

If Your Power Goes Off by Daryl Pederson, line superintendent

by Jerry Loney, member services manager

June 2019 page 5

1. Attorney Shaw called the meeting to order.2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Delegate 1 Myron Albrecht-Mizpah MN 218-897-5048Delegate 2 Dale Quandt-Wirt MN 218-659-2601Delegate 3 Marcie Lindgren 218-743-3261Delegate 4 Beth Rahier-Bigfork MN 218-245-3147Delegate 5 Kay Krueger-Talmoon MN 218-256-6545Delegate 7 Jack Kallroos-Squaw Lake MN 218-659-4344Delegate 8 Virginia Oja-Marcell MN 218-832-3300Delegate 9 Jack Schultz-Deer River MN 218-832-3784NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

Delegate 6 Mark Bitzer-Northome MNOTHERS PRESENT: Attorney Andrew Shaw, CEO Brad Dolinski, Office Manager Tina Danielson

3. The minutes of the last Nominating Committee Meeting held on May 1, 2018 were re-viewed.

4. Attorney Call for approval of minutes. Motion by Marcie Lindgren to approve minutes, seconded by Jack Schultz. Motion carried.

5. Attorney Call for nominations for Chairperson. Motion by Myron Albrecht to appoint at-torney Andy Shaw as chairperson, seconded by Kay Krueger. Motion carried.

6. Newly elected Chairman Call for nominations for Secretary. Motion by Kay Krueger to appoint Tina Danielson, seconded by Jack Schultz. Motion carried.

7. Chairperson call for nominations for Candidates for Districts 7, 8 & 9. Candidates will be listed in alphabetical order and incumbents identified on ballots.

8. Nominating Committee Member for District 7 presented their candidates. Motion made by Jack Schultz and seconded by Beth Rahier to approve Joan Hoeschen and Bruce Leino (Incumbent) as candidates for District 7.· Motion carried.

9. Nominating Committee Member for District 8 presented their candidates. Motion made by Dale Quandt and seconded by Myron Albrecht to approve JeffreyS Kilian, Teresa B Kittridge, Jeanette K Remmers, Karen E Senger, Harold A Stadstad and Elliott Wolfson as candidates for District 8. Motion carried.

10. Nominating Committee Member for District 9 presented their candidate. Motion made by Jack Kallroos and seconded by Marcie Lindgren to approve Roy Bain (Incumbent) as candidate for District 9. Motion carried.

11. The Chairperson instructed the Cooperative Representative to check each of the candidates to verify that they are shareholders, consuming members and residing in the districts nominated for,the same which was done.

12. CEO Dolinski gave an update on North Itasca Electric to the committee.13. There being no further business, motion made by Dale Quandt and seconded by Jack Schultz to

adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.Nominating Committee Secretary (Acting)

MINUTESNOMINATING COMMITTEE MEETING

5:30 p.m. – May 1, 2019North Itasca Electric Co-op., Inc. Headquarters, Bigfork MN 56628

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June 2019page 6

Candidate profilesDistrict 7

Joan Hoeschen Bruce Leino(Incumbent)

Jeffrey KilianTeresa Kittridge

Please tell the co-op membership a little about yourself:

My name is Joan Hoeschen and I have lived in beautiful Itasca County with my husband Mike and our two girls since 1990. I retired from ASV in Grand Rapids in 2016 where I was an Area Operation Manager. Prior to ASV, I worked for The Bergquist Company in Bigfork where I was the Plant Operations Manager. My post-secondary formal education was in Biology at the University of Kansas and then Business Management at the University of Minnesota, Itasca Com-munity College and St. Scholastica. I also currently serve on the Itasca County Personnel Board of Appeals and look forward to representing Dis-trict 7 for North Itasca Electric Co-op.

Why did you decide to run for direc-tor?

I have always been interested in our electric cooperative but work de-mands kept me from being able to be-come more involved. My passion to-wards renewal energy vs fossil fuels for electricity is very important to me as a user. I was very excited to hear that Great River Energy has commit-ted to 50 percent of the electricity we use will be coming from renewables by 2030 and as a board member I would continue to support these ef-forts.

What challenges do you see ahead for the co-op?

Maintaining the lowest possible electric cost for users while work-ing toward renewable replacement will need continuous evaluation. Team members will need to be prop-erly trained to support technology ad-vancements to assure a safe and pro-ductive transition as we implement changes needed.


My husband and I moved to Marcell 2 years ago from Waconia, MN and are so grateful to be living in this incredible area. I grew up in southwestern MN and my husband’s mother is from Pengilly. Over my professional career I have built and led organizations that span private, public and nonprofit sectors. I served as an elected officer of the MN House of Representatives for 20 years, Vice President/COO of the National Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI), served as President of two international Children’s publishing companies based in Mankato, and as President of MNREM, MN Renewable Energy Market place, a private sector led organization building talent and aligning resources to support the energy industry. I also served as School Board Chair and am an active community volunteer.Why did you decide to run for director?

I am a believer in the cooperative model. Terry Schmitz was our realtor, he was a big reason that we felt immediately welcomed in this community and he was an excellent model of service. Our experience with North Itasca Electric staff has been excellent as we have transitioned our home from a seasonal cabin to year-round and dealt with storm service outages. I also have had the good fortune through my professional career to work with electric co-ops at a local, state and national level. I know the importance of the work and the strength of local leadership. I believe I can add value to the board and members because of my leadership experience, career relationships, and developed networks while navigating the future energy impacts with our cooperative business model. >>


I am a lifelong resident and business owner living in Squaw Lake. I am married to Sandra Leino and have two children, a son Michael (Brigitte) with two children and a daughter Kari (Cory Smith) who all reside in the city here.

I have a BA from Bemidji State University and two years of graduate studies work in Management/Finance at St. Cloud State.Why did you decide to run for director?

Being an experienced board director currently serving on this board and the Great River Energy board and as a past bank board director, gives me an advantage by having been involved in the development of current co-op policies, corporate by-laws, budgets, federal funding, etc.

Beside corporate board experience, I am a coop member business owner with multiple electric meters and have a deep appreciation for electric co-op consumer’s/owner’s concerns. I have always advocated on the member’s behalf on fair electric rates and services while adequately providing expenses to maintain a reliable system.What challenges do you see ahead for the co-op?

The biggest challenge facing the North Itasca Electric Co-op is the lack of potential economic growth in the area. While the co-op staff has done a marvelous job of cost containment, expenses still go up but the revenue potential is limited. The current electric rates reflect the problems small rural utilities have with low population density (customers per mile of line), low member usage, no large scale industrial base user, and high percent of seasonal consumers. The board will eventually need to consider options for potential governance issues or mergers in the future.

District 8

> Kittridge, cont.What challenges do you see ahead for the co-op?

Climate and regulatory issues will dominate as we move towards a clean energy economy with rapid technological change. Our coops need to be at the table and engaged fully to be part of the solution in shaping regulation policy. I believe everyone wants clean energy to protect this beautiful area we live in. We need our business models to be healthy and growing as energy resource pricing and mix evolve, while we maintain the ability to deliver reliable and affordable energy to our members. We need engaged, active, knowledgeable board members, staff and membership for our co-op model to continue to be successful--that is something I am interested leading and supporting as we move into the future.


My name is Jeff Kilian. I grew up on Turtle Lake at Arcadia Resort. I have been a full time Marcell resident for over 50 years. My business is por-table welding and repairs, specializ-ing in aluminum, steel, cast iron and stainless.

Why did you decide to run for director?

I have always been interested in how the co-op is run. I would like to know how and why the rates continue to rise.


Trying to maintain reasonable rates with the new “green” mandates our legislatures are imposing on us.

June 2019 page 7

District 8Candidate profiles

Roy Bain(Incumbent)

Jeanette (Cox) Remmers Karen Senger Elliot Wolfson


Karen and her husband owned and operated Cedar Point Resort on North Star Lake for 17 years and raised their two children there. They just sold their resort in February and are staying on North Star Lake, because they love the area. Karen does like to be involved and volunteers her time to worthy organizations. She currently is a supervisor on the Marcell township board and secretary for the Marcell Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club. She was president of the Edge of the Wilderness Lodging Association (13 lodging properties in our area) and just stepped down as president of the Community of Minnesota Resorts (CMR), a statewide resort association.

Why did you decide to run for director? She feels it is important that our area

be adequately represented in the co-op. Although Karen was interested in the position in the past, there was no need to run because the late Terry Schmitz did such a great job. With the opening of the position, she wants to volunteer to continue that representation for the Marcell area. Also, she now has the time necessary to commit to the Director position.


Karen sees the biggest challenge for this co-op and many others is the cost. She knows that the rising cost of energy, especially for those on a low or limited income, is weighty. Renewable energy, reducing the need for more energy, and increasing energy efficient programs are considerations that she views as important to a co-op.


My husband James and I have been residents of Marcell since 2006, and I have lived in rural Bigfork most of my life. We raised our 3 daughters here, all of whom attended Bigfork School. We enjoy fishing, camping, vintage snowmobiling and many other activities that northern Minnesota living has to offer.

In the past I have worked at several local area businesses. For the past 8 years, I’ve been working for Scenic Rivers Clinic in Bigfork as their medical coder.

Why did you decide to run for director?

I have a strong connection to the North Itasca Electric Cooperative. Many years ago, my grandfather worked the crew that originally cleared the lines that ran out to the Scenic area, and my father was a board member for many years.


As an “almost lifetime” resident of the area, I am interested not only in the day-to-day operations of our power company, but also in the decision-making processes. I feel that I could shine a little “regular Jane” light on those topics of concern that arise and will try very hard to represent the people of the Marcell district in said decision making. We have in place a very strong and knowledgeable board of directors, and I would like the opportunity to join them, learn from them and work with them.


I have been a member of the North Itasca Electric Co-op since 1978. I am a father, a farmer, veteran, a grandfather, and a retired small business owner.

Why did you decide to run for director? I have served on the board for 31

years because I believe in the co-op way. I wish to help our member owners continue to keep our power rates reasonable and reliable. I want to ensure future generations that they will have the same opportunities we have with our electric co-op, today.


The biggest challenge I see in the future is keeping up with the ever-changing mandates, while still providing reliable and affordable electricity for our members. Another challenge is finding ways to ensure safety education about electricity for our employees, member-owners, and community.

District 9


I’m a full-time father of two busy kids, community advocate, and part-time author. Most recently, I’ve been working to secure better internet for Marcell and the surrounding areas. Before that, I’ve worked as an agricultural researcher, science teacher, studying infrastructure and development. My goal is to make sure this community will be a place my kids want to live when they grow up, and I can best do that by serving you.

Why did you decide to run for director? Several stakeholders within the

Marcell area reached out to me and encouraged me to apply. The more I looked into the position and interviewed members on the board, the more I realized I could dig into it, learn quickly, and be a helpful resource for my community. I’m here to serve the constituents in this voting district. Please reach out to me and let me know what you need.


Utilities industries, like electric co-ops, are continually under pressure to change. There are government policies, infrastructure upgrades, management of personnel, shifting political and natural environments, just to name a few. Let’s make sure we make the changes that will best serve the co-op members in our district, and do it in a way that will serve for years to come.

Quality and Compassionate CareFOR

Every Patient at Every VisitYour Local Cl inics

Bigfork Medical135 Pine Tree Dr(218) 743-3232Open Mon-Sat

Big Falls Medical410 2nd St NW(218) 276-2403

Open Mon, Wed, Fri

Northome Medical12052 Main St(218) 897-5222Open Mon-Fri

www.ScenicRiversHealth.org

Bigfork Dental303 Main Ave

(218) 743-3600Open Mon-Fri

June 2019page 8

2018 2017ASSETS AND OTHER DEBITS

1. Total Utility Plant in Service 35,076,835 33,223,587

2. Construction Work in Progress 489,800 989,531

3. Total Utility Plant (1 + 2) 35,566,635 34,213,118

4. Accum. Provision for Depreciation and Amort. 11,025,136 10,347,283

5. Net Utility Plant (3 - 4) 24,541,499 23,865,835

6. Non-Utility Property (Net) 61,457 61,876

7. Investments in Subsidiary Companies 189,895 196,053

8. Invest. in Assoc. Org. - Patronage Capital 3,148,587 3,023,645

9. Invest. in Assoc. Org. - Other - General Funds 3,635 3,735

10. Invest. in Assoc. Org. - Other - Nongeneral Funds 232,649 233,875

11. Investments in Economic Development Projects 0 0

12. Other Investments 13,116 8,135

13. Special Funds 0 0

14. Total Other Property & Investments

(6 thru 13)

15. Cash - General Funds 579,536 960,101

16. Cash - Construction Funds - Trustee 0 0

17. Special Deposits 0 0

18. Temporary Investments 382,047 129,788

19. Notes Receivable (Net) 36,874 26,905

20. Accounts Receivable - Sales of Energy (Net) 854,506 969,698

21. Accounts Receivable - Other (Net) 123,902 15,352

22. Renewable Energy Credits 0 0

23. Materials and Supplies - Electric & Other 279,152 326,702

24. Prepayments 68,781 34,987

25. Other Current and Accrued Assets 2,795 3,249

26. Total Current and Accrued Assets

(15 thru 25)

27. Regulatory Assets 0 0

28. Other Deferred Debits 380,959 406,544

29. Total Assets and Other Debits

(5+14+26 thru 28)

3,649,339 3,527,319

2,327,593 2,466,782

30,899,390 30,266,480

2018 20172018 2017LIABILITIES AND OTHER CREDITS

30. Memberships 0 0

31. Patronage Capital 6,860,981 7,321,309

32. Operating Margins - Prior Years 0 0

33. Operating Margins - Current Year 0 0

34. Non-Operating Margins 0 0

35. Other Margins and Equities 3,900,831 2,957,957

36. Total Margins & Equities (30 thru 35 ) 10,761,812 10,279,266

37. Long-Term Debt - RUS (Net) 0 0

38. Long-Term Debt - FFB - RUS Guaranteed 16,462,278 8,935,777

39. Long-Term Debt - Other - RUS Guaranteed 0 0

40. Long-Term Debt Other (Net) 7,934,143 8,468,617

41. Long-Term Debt - RUS - Econ. Devel. (Net) 0 0

42. Payments – Unapplied 6,189,160 522,980

43. Total Long-Term Debt

(37 thru 41 - 42 )

44. Obligations Under Capital Leases - Noncurrent 0 0

45. Accumulated Operating Provisions

and Asset Retirement Obligations

46. Total Other Noncurrent Liabilities (44 + 45) 0 0

47. Notes Payable 30,682 842,083

48. Accounts Payable 719,790 957,954

49. Consumers Deposits 65,800 63,600

50. Current Maturities Long-Term Debt 781,974 794,488

51. Current Maturities Long-Term Debt

- Economic Development

52. Current Maturities Capital Leases 0 0

53. Other Current and Accrued Liabilities 256,346 379,490

54. Total Current & Accrued Liabilities

(47 thru 53)

55. Regulatory Liabilities 0 0

56. Other Deferred Credits 75,725 68,185

57. Total Liabilities and Other Credits

(36 + 43 + 46 + 54 thru 56)

1,854,592 3,037,615

30,899,390 30,266,480

18,207,261 16,881,414

0 0

0 0

*Financials reported prior to acceptance of audit by NIECI Board of Directors**Preliminary financial reports

North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Inc.Balance Sheet comparison, 2017 and 2018

June 2019 page 9

Statements of Operations and Patronage CapitalYears ended December 31st, 2018 and 2017 2017 20181. Operating Revenue and Patronage Capital 8,431,291 8,690,317

2. Power Production Expense 2,193 2,801

3. Cost of Purchased Power 4,185,124 4,067,677

4. Transmission Expense

5. Regional Market Expense

6. Distribution Expense - Operation 195,678 245,058

7. Distribution Expense - Maintenance 848,402 578,320

8. Customer Accounts Expense 322,449 224,577

9. Customer Service and Informational Expense 157,468 149,884

10. Sales Expense 2,216 3,631

11. Administrative and General Expense 990,582 904,732

12. Total Operation & Maintenance Expense (2 thru 11 ) 6,704,112 6,176,680

13. Depreciation and Amortization Expense 1,001,818 1,087,872

14. Tax Expense - Property & Gross Receipts 35,404 32,360

15. Tax Expense - Other 527 542

16. Interest on Long-Term Debt 699,808 677,923

17. Interest Charged to Construction - Credit

18. Interest Expense - Other 6,391 13,342

19. Other Deductions -186,547

20. Total Cost of Electric Service (12 thru 19) 8,261,513 7,988,719

21. Patronage Capital & Operating Margins (1 minus 20 ) 169,778 701,598

22. Non Operating Margins - Interest 50,016 52,284

23. Allowance for Funds Used During Construction

24. Income (Loss) from Equity Investments

25. Non Operating Margins - Other -51,985 -59,721

26. Generation and Transmission Capital Credits 150,305 96,054

27. Other Capital Credits and Patronage Dividends 124,816 111,635

28. Extraordinary Items

29. Patronage Capital or Margins (21 thru 28 ) 442,930 901,850

800-252-1166 or 811

Call before you dig.

June 2019page 10

North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Inc.Minutes of the 78th Annual Meeting held June 9, 2018

Proposed Addition to the Bylaws

Any and all disputes, claims or controversies arising from or related in any way to the Cooperative’s provision of electricity or other services, or in its furnishing of any goods, or in the conduct of its operations, other than disputes or claims relating to the payment for electrical energy and/or other services provided by the Cooperative, that are not resolved by agreement of the parties, shall, at the request of either party, be resolved by binding arbitration. In the event the arbitration involves a sum in excess of $100,000.00, there shall be three (3) arbitrators, one picked by each party and a third selected by the two (2) arbitrators selected by the parties. In the event the dispute involves less than $100,000.00, there shall be one (1) arbitrator. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, the determination shall be made by the Minnesota District Court in Itasca County, Minnesota. The arbitration shall take place in Itasca

County, Minnesota, or as close to this location as possible, under and pursu-ant to the rules contained in chapter 572B of Minnesota Statutes, the Uniform Arbitration Act. The determination of any dispute in arbitration shall be gov-erned by the laws of the State of Minnesota. The cost of the arbitrators and the filing fees shall be shared equally by the parties. All disputes between the parties must be arbitrated individually, and not through a Class Action. Each member of the Cooperative, by virtue of their membership, agrees to ar-bitrate any and all claims or controversies according to these bylaws, and this agreement to arbitrate disputes shall survive any withdrawal from or termina-tion of a member’s membership in the Cooperative.

The Annual Meeting of North Itasca Electric Co-op was held on June 9, 2018 at the Bigfork High School in Bigfork, Minn. A breakfast was served by The Shining Light Cafe before the start of the meeting. Squaw Lake First Responders had a blood pressure clinic set up where members and guests could participate in this free screening. Jason Waldron entertained the crowd with live music.

President Larry Salmela called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. He welcomed the members and introduced the Board of Directors, CEO Brad Dolinski & Attorney Andy Shaw.

L. Salmela drew for the early bird prize and the kids’ bikes.

111 members were in attendance to hold the forum.

Jim Cox took a moment to have our Vets stand to acknowledge and thank them for their service. Jim led us in a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

President L. Salmela then intro-duced visiting Directors from neigh-boring Co-ops and Special Guest

Speaker Wes Waller (District 2).Attorney Shaw gave the

Nominating Committee Report and recognized the candidates, James White for District 1, Wes Waller for District 2 and Larry Salmela for District 3. A motion was made to accept the Nominating Committee Report, seconded. Motion carried.

Prizes were drawn.L. Salmela gave an introduction

of the Canvassing Board and a description of proposed Bylaw change. Polls were opened for ballots. After ballots were collected, polls were closed, and the nominating committee was excused.

Prizes were drawn.Secretary Lloyd Kongsjord asked

for any objections to the readings of the Official Notice of the Annual Meeting & Notice of the Mailing Certificate List. No objections. Prizes were drawn.

L. Salmela spoke about large changes in our industry and safety in his board chair remarks.

Prizes were drawn.L. Salmela introduced CEO Brad

Dolinski to speak. B. Dolinski gave an introduction on himself and spoke a little about his background. He introduced Sheila and Cole as the newest employees to North Itasca Electric, spoke about Tier, Otier, capital credits, growing equity, clean audit and the New Substation for 2020.

Guest Speaker Wes Waller spoke about the history of cooperatives, ways to reach out to our members to better communicate and the rates & reliability.

B. Dolinski spoke about the future of our co-op, renewables, generators, Operation Round Up, communication and future annual meetings.

L. Salmela took a moment to thank Janice Ward for bringing her Tesla car to the Annual Meeting.

Attorney A. Shaw gave the report on the Director Election. All nominated individuals for Director positions were re-elected to their positions and the Bylaw changes

passed.District 1- James White District 2- Wes Waller District 3- Larry Salmela

Walter Breeze stood and recognized a 105-year-old member of the audience and noted that they were present when power was brought into our service area back in 1940.

Prizes were drawn.L. Salmela presented Great River

Energy’s $1000.00 donation to Operation Round-Up President Vicki Smith. Vicki thanked GRE for their donation and our membership for ‘rounding up’ to the great causes in our service area.

President Salmela called for any old business, there was none. He then called for new business, there was none.

Prizes were drawn.There being no further business,

the Meeting was adjourned at 11:34.

Respectfully Submitted, Annual Meeting Secretary

ARTICLE II Insert New Section 3: Arbitration

The Board of Directors recommends a yes vote to adopt the proposed bylaw amendment to protect the members of this cooperative from potential excessive litigation costs and unwarranted jury verdicts in certain types of litigation currently affecting cooperatives nationwide.

218-743-6315202 Main Ave. Bigfork, MN

Open Mon. through Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

-Beautiful flowers for all occasions

(delivery in Bigfork & surrounding areas)

-Unique gifts-Local handcrafted items-Craft supplies-Tanning bed (full line of tanning products)

Pederson Hovila AgencyInsurance & Financial Services

Local, friendly, personal service for over 40 years

• AUTO, HOME, FARM, LIFE, etc.• FINAL EXPENSE PLANS now available!• LIFE INSURANCE for all stages of life

Call Kevin for a no-obligation quote or policy review 218-743-3545

401 Main Ave., Bigfork 56628 next to the post office

Appliance Repair

Itasca Appliance, LLC (218) 316-1703

June Special: Refrigerator Coil CleaningRegularly $79.90 This month $59.90

Some restrictions apply.

Help keep your Refrigerator running in tip top shape. Coils collect dust & pet hair, the refrigeration efficiency is reduced, which can prevent the appliance from cooling properly and efficiently.

June 2019 page 11

Roxanne’s Sales Talk by Roxanne Prather, member services representative

CLASSIC SERIES PERFECT WASH SYSTEMTC5 AWN632SP116TW01 $947.70 TR5 AWN63RSN115TW01 $869.703.2 cu. ft. Commercial Grade 3.2 cu.ft. commercial grade710 rpm, 473 rpm in “SLOW” setting 820 RPM0.5 hp 2 speed transmission motor 1 hp variable speed inverter motorNo lid lock With lock lid6 cycles, 4 temperatures 6 cycles, 4 temperatures 2 load sizes, default (off) & Deep Fill 3 load sizes + Auto Fill2 soil levels (default & Heavy) 1 soil level (default)Extra rinse, pre-soak + extra rinse Extra Rinse

Classic Wash: Perfect Wash: Tub & agitator work together210-degree agitation at 68 strokes to create a gentle wash action that moves strokes per minute on normal cycle, the maximum amount of water through the clothes 46 strokes per minute on delicate cycle. for premium wash and level of fabric care. *Fast Cycle Features: less than 28 min. (default) Less than 50 mins (default), perm press 37 min.Stainless steel wash basket/ porcelain steel Stainless steel wash basket, porcelain coated

outer tub steel outer drum.

Warranty: 3 years parts and labor, 5 yrs. motor, Warranty 5 years parts and in-home labor. 15 years transmission, lifetime inner & outer tub Lifetime warranty; outer drain tub and stainless steel wash basket.

Speed Queen is bringing back its old-style (wash action) transmission on one of their top load washers. I think people spoke and Speed Queen listened. Model TC5 will once again have the old-style transmission where the shaft moves separately from the drum.

Currently, the transmission and drum move as one. Both of these options work well, but the old style will be gentler on clothes. The new model will be referred to as the “Classic Series.” The difference between the TC5 “Classic Series” model and the TR5 are as follows:

Speed Queen is unique because you can still fill your machine however full you want, and can use 100 percent hot water if you choose to. But they do have an Eco-Friendly setting that uses less water and is more energy efficient than the other settings. The

Normal Eco setting uses 13 gallons of water on the standard wash and 16 gallons of water on the heavy soil setting. The Bulky/Sheets setting uses the most water at 16 gallons per fill on the normal wash and 19 gallons per fill on the deep wash.

Flowers:Eleanor Hastings Karen Pifher Geneva Francisco Joan Boege Ann Noble Mary Hafeman

Mugs:Greg Cook Ed Francisco

Mother’s Day winners

Mother’s Day/Father’s DayBrats and hamburgers on the grill greeted guests at the Mother’s Day/

Father’s Day combined Open House at North Itasca Electric. There were poppies at the front door and root beer floats inside, as well. Thank you to all who enjoyed the day with us!

Funkley Greenhouse and NurseryOpen 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

218-556-771928867 Hwy 71 NE Blackduck

Agitator: Agitator : Best In Class balancing system Best in Class Balancing System (steel Milk Stool) (steel Milk Stool)

Washer & Dryer Washer & dryer

June 2019page 12

Williams Portables, LLCToilet Rentals

218-290-7868 Cell218-278-4220 Home

Serving Effie-Bigfork and surrounding areas.

Clean portable toilet rentals Affordable prices.

Construction Services Inc. “Serving the excavation needs of Itasca County

and beyond since 1968”

Ray V. Kongsjord & Sonswww.rkconstructionservices.com

email: [email protected]

39335 State Highway 286Marcell, MN 56657

Office: (218) 832-2842Cell: (218) 244-6201

Bonded and licensed - MPCA Lic. 1204

• Demolition roll off service• Site preparation • Landscaping • Basements • Septics • Shoreland• Gravel • Road construction

Electrical Inspections Except for minor repair work, all electrical work

you do at your home, cabin, or property is required to be inspected by a State Electrical Inspector.

A rough-in inspection must be made before any wiring is covered. A final inspection is also required. Please visit www.electricity.state.mn.us for more information. The inspectors can be reached weekday mornings between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.▪ Itasca County - Steve Bartlett (218) 591-1616▪ Koochiching County - Curt Collier (218) 966-

5070▪ Beltrami, Clearwater counties - Davis Smid

(507) 227-2772

Bone Builders, an ElderCircle program, offers free fitness and strength building classes to adults of all ages, but is formatted for older adults. Call Cindy Stage at (218) 999-9233, Ext. 279, [email protected] Highway 7, Lawron Presbyterian Church

(Tues. 1-2:30 p.m.; Thurs. 9-10:30 a.m.) Bowstring, Bowstring Hall (Tues., Thurs. 10-11:30

a.m.)Bigfork Area, Old Scenic Community Church (Mon.,

Weds. 9-10:30 a.m.) Deer River, Bethany Lutheran Church (Mon., Thurs.

10-11:30 a.m.) Dora Lake, Kinghurst Town Hall (Tues., Thurs., 10-

11:30 a.m.)Northome, Kootasca Senior Center (Tues, Thurs 9:30-

11 a.m.)Togo, Carpenter Town Hall (Tues, Thurs, 9:30-11 a.m.)

Area BoneBuilders

Blackduck Community

Library: 835-6600

Tues: 1-6 p.m..Wed: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.Thurs:1-7 p.m.Fri: 1-6 p.m.Sat.: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Northome Library 897-5952

Mon: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.Tues: CLOSEDWed: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; 5:30-7:30 p.m.Thurs: CLOSEDFri: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Blackduck: (218) 835-5768

Northome: (218) 897-5952

Resource Centers:

Northome Food Shelf1st Monday: 9 a.m.-noon2nd Monday: 2-5 p.m.3rd Monday: 9 a.m.-noon4th Monday: 2-5 p.m.

12059 Main St Bring your own bags or boxes.

Cribbage: Every Tuesday Cribbage from 3 - 6 p.m. followed by a pot luck dinner, Bring a dish to share.

Bingo: Every Thursday bingo from 1 - 3 p.m. Donated prizes are appreciated.

Senior Meals: Every day Senior Meals at 11:30 a.m. Call by 9 a.m. for reservations at (218) 743-3121. Frozen meals are available, ask for information.

Bigfork Over 50 ClubCard BenefitCommunity members in Wirt are hosting a card

benefit for Dan Scheitler and his wife Nancy. Both financial help and encoragement are welcome as Dan receives a bone marrow transplant and Nancy takes a leave of absence from work.

Please send checks made out to to the Sand Lake Alliance Church (fiscal agent, 501c3 No. ES38802) and noted for Scheitler benefit to Cheryl Jackson, 53867 Jackson Road, Wirt, MN 56688. Cards of encouragement are welcome to Dan and Nancy Scheitler, 52325 County Road 31, Wirt, MN 56688.

License #060672-PM33204 Shadywood Road • Grand Rapids, MN 55744

fax: (218) 327-9283 • [email protected]

June 2019 page 13

MAY27 Memorial Day - see schedule of local events. North Itasca Electric

offices CLOSED. No school, all schools.31 Reception for “Overstories,” felting exhibits by Kristen Anderson at

the Edge Gallery, Bigfork, 5-7 p.m. Exhibit opens May 30. The Edge Gallery is open Thurs.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

31 Graduation, Blackduck 7 p.m.JUNE1 Graduation, Bigfork 2 p.m.3 ISD 318 School Board meeting, Admin Board Room, GR, 7 p.m. Public

forum, 6:30 p.m. At Bigfork School by telepresence5 Last day of school, Deer River School7-9 Take a Kid Fishing Weekend, Minnesotans 16 and over don’t need a

license if they are fishing with a youth 15 and younger8 Wilderness Days in Bigfork. Vendors, entertainment, games, displays,

parade. All day.10 Women of the Woods meet at 10 a.m. at Sand Lake Community Center.

Call Pat Sievertson at 659-2157.10 Deer River ISD 317 School Board, Media Center, 6 p.m. Public forum

5:45 p.m.10 White Oak Tractor Club meets at Blueberry Bowl, 7 p.m. New mem-

bers welcome!10 Blackduck ISD 32 School Board meets, Media Center, 7 p.m.10 VFW meets in Bigfork second Monday at 7 p.m. 11 Stop and Stitch at Marcell Family Center, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring $1,

sack lunch and a project to work on. Come and go as you please. 11 Mizpah City Council meets in Mizpah Community Center, 7 p.m.12 Bigfork Lions Club meets 2nd Wednesday, 6 p.m. at Golf on the Edge.12 ISD 363 South Koochiching-Rainy River School Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

Northome ITV studio.12 Bigfork Lions Club meets second Wednesday, 6 p.m. at Golf on the

Edge.13 North Itasca Electric Annual Meeting at Marcell Family Center;

dinner 5:30 p.m., annual meeting 6:30 p.m.15 Fun Day in Northome. Sidewalk sales, turtle races, crazy costumes,

bed races, city-wide rummage sales.15 The Edge Center, Bigfork presents Sam Miltich and Friends as they

present The Improvised Life: Exploring Intersections of Mental Health & Creativity through Jazz, 7 p.m.

15-16 Northwoods Saddle Club hosts a horse show at Itasca County Fair-grounds in Grand Rapids. Fri. 6 p.m. Jackpot Barrels, Sat-Sun WSCA Pleasure and Games shows. Spectators welcome. Northwoodssaddle-clubinc.com or facebook.

17 ISD 318 School Board meeting, Bigfork School, 7 p.m. Public forum, 6:30 p.m.

21 BigforkValley Pharmacy hosts a Drug Take-Back Event in partnership with the Itasca County Sheriff’s Department, 8-11 a.m.

22 The Edge Center, Bigfork presents Luke Votava on a new read-through, sing through musical, Dee and Jack, a true story of his grand-parents’ life placed in the 19402-602 in the Red River Valley.

25 North Woods Quilters, 9-11:30 am. Lessons. Lots of Show and Tell. Pot luck lunch served 11:30 a.m., bring a dish to share or bag lunch, smile and a coffee cup.

~ June Calendar ~

743-3607Hours: 6 a.m.-7 p.m.

Daily

Friendly, small town atmosphereIce cream - the dipping kind! WiFi available

Every Monday evening: 1/4 lb. hamburger & friesEvery Tuesday 11am-2 pm: hot beef sandwichesEvery Thursday 11am-2 pm: hot pork sandwichesEvery Friday evening: fish or fantail shrimp

Provided by: Effie American Legion Waldron-Flaat Post 182Friday, May 24: 1 p.m. - Bigfork Elementary School program honoring Veterans at the Edge CenterSaturday, May 25: 11 a.m. Bearville CemeteryMonday, May 27: 9:30 a.m. Effie Fredheim Cemetery 9:30 a.m. Stokes Cemetery 10 a.m. Memorial Day Program, at Bigfork School 11 a.m.: Bigfork Cemetery (at Edge Center if inclement weather) Lunch follows at Effie Community Center.

Monday, May 27: Bigfork VFW:Saturday, May 27: 8:45 a.m. Wirt Cemetery 9:25 a.m. Sand Lake Cemetery 10:10 a.m. Donnelly Cemetery 10:50 a.m. Jesse Lake Cemetery 11:30 a.m. Marcell Cemetery 12:10 p.m. Suomi Cemetery

Memorial Day services at Ardenhurst Township are generally between 11 a.m and noon) Memorial Day Luncheon immediately following at the Ardenhurst Township Hall. Residents and Veterans are encouraged to attend.

218-743-3626Like us on Facebook!

www.golfontheedge.com

One mile eastof Hwy 38 onCo. Rd. 261

Happy Hour3-6 p.m.

weekdays

>Open for lunch >Take-out>Full bar

218-743-3626

One mile east of Hwy. 38 on Co. Rd. 261

Happy Hour 3-6 p.m. weekdays

> Open for lunch > Take-Out > Full bar

9 HOLES and CART$20 per person (plus tax)

Expires 9/31/2018 ~ not good with any other offers

Like us on Facebook!www.golfontheedge.com

COUPONOpen for outdoor golf!Plan your golfing party with

family and friends!

Community News Email editor at [email protected], put Community News in the subject line

Effie

General Interest

If you would like to be in the Effie Rodeo Daze parade, please show up at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Highways 38 and 1. Veterans are welcome! Any ques-tions please contact, Lil Longtine at (218) 743-3836

College for Kids is a one week program from June 10-14 run by ICC for ages 4-12. Classes run from art to engineers, with cooking, sports, dancing and more as well. Classes are $25 each and run all week for about an hour daily. The pro-gram meetgs in the mornings, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For a catalog, visit getlearning.org and find under Online Catalog tab. Classes fill early. Register by June 9 at noon.

Memorial Day Services

Provided by: Bigfork VFW Foster-Bjorge Post 1764

Ardenhurst Township provided by: Nothome VFW Larry McKenzie Post 3869

Marcell Family Center

218-832-344449023 State Highway 38 Marcell, MN 56657

MFC hours: Fitness Center, multi-purpose room, public computer room and high speed Internet wireless hotspot.

Mon: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 4 p.m.-7 p.m.Tues, Thurs: 6:30-8:30 a.m. (8:30 library), 11 a.m.-

2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.Weds: 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. 11 - 2 p.m..Fri: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat:9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Don’t miss out!Keep your address and contact information current with us!

June 2019page 14

(l to r) Tom Boland, Edge of the Wilderness Ski (EOWSKI) Board Member, Nanci Zeine, Bigfork Valley Community Foundation (BVCF) Board Member, & Bigfork School skiers.

The Bigfork Valley Community Founda-tion recently contrib-uted $5,000.00 to Edge of the Wilderness Ski (EOWSKI) for their programming and trail needs.

The Bigfork Valley Community Founda-tion is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to ad-dress current and future needs of the Northern Itasca Hospital District and its communities through charitable con-tributions.

EOWSKI receives grant

• recipe • recipe • recipe • recipe •

Sand Lake Alliance Church55581 County Road 4

Spring Lake, MN 56680Pastor Zachery Ender

Phone: 218-256-4523www.sandlakealliancechurch.orgSunday Worship Service: 10 a.m.

Communion: 1st Sunday of monthBible Study: Wednesday evening 7 p.m.

$1500Lucy Kaczor, Deer River

$1,000Brianna Haley, Bigfork Samantha Hildebrandt,

Northome Jenna Meyer, BigforkKia Tower, Bigfork

Returning Adult Student Award

Colleen Elhard

$750Greta Anderson, Bigfork

Mason Johnson, Northome

Jessie Jourdan, Northome Madilyn Shandorf,

Bigfork Adnew Stueven,

Northome Jake Waldo, Northome

$500Levi Lindner, Northome

Bigfork High School winners of North Itasca Elec-tric Scholarships (l to r): Kia Tower, Brianna Haley, Jenna Meyer, Madilyn Shandorf, Greta Anderson.

North Itasca Electric Scholarships

Unclaimed capital credits are donated to create area scholarships for children of Member-Owners of North Itasca Electric. This year the following stu-dents received scholarships:

An Old Fashioned General Store

218-832-3626

Hours:Mon-Sat: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Sun: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Spring Lake Store

Sandwiches, salads, ribeyes and pork loins.

Free WiFiFireside Room

Deli cheeses and lunch meat

Kitchens & Bath DoorsRemodel Windows

Siding

HANDYMANSERVICE

Jerry’s218-910-7169

Free Estimates

Bigfork, MN 56628

Orange SaladMix with 2 cups hot water:

1 small pkg. orange Jello1 small pkg. lemon Jello

Add: 1 small can (cup) crushed pineapple1 can mandarin orangesjuice from oranges or pineapples

(easier to use pineapple juice)

Cool slightly.

Add 1 pint of orange sherbet, softened slightly. Mix all together and put in a Pyrex dish in the refrigerator to set.

Please share your recipe with us! If your recipe is chosen, you will receive a $10 credit on your electric bill from North Itasca Electric Cooperative. Send your recipe to the editor, WATTS NEWS, P.O. Box 43, Spring Lake, MN 56680.

Community Cafe The Community Cafe is available to anyone

who is in need of a meal. There is no income or financial qualification to receive a free meal. Each Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. (or until gone), a nutritious three-course meal is served. Location: King Elementary School.

June 2019 page 15

-SERVICES-M.A.D. Gutters

Gutterglove® gutterguardUltimate gutter protectionSeamless gutter installation

(218) 743-6448Cell: (218) 929-7134Proudly made in the USAwww.madgutters.com

Gus’s Auto and Recycling of Bigfork

Wanted: Junk. Cars, trucks and other

property clean up.Used auto parts, steel, tires and bridge beams.

A buyer of metals.Snowplowing

Over 20 years experience(218) 929-7117

Hm: (218) 743-3598Gus David

. Williams PortablesClean portable toilet

rentals.Serving Effie-Bigfork

and surrounding areas.Affordable prices.

218-278-4220Cell: 218-290-7868

Two’s Company218-244-1916

[email protected]/exterior

painting and staining, window washing

references available

Life’s Companion

Highland Care: Home care providers for elderly, adults, special needs children. “Our goal is to maintain dignity and independence in a safe home environment.” Call collect weekdays; 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

(218) 326-1179 or stop by at 111 NW 11th St.,

Grand Rapids, MN 55744We are an EOE employer.

-SERVICES-

Ellis Lake Home Services

Carpentry-PaintingRemodeling-Repairs

A LIFETIME of quality service,

since 1984Mike Ellis

218-506-0710See our page on

Facebook

Monuments and Markers

Available in granite and bronze.

Also do final dating, cleaning, foundation

work. FREE estimates.

Serving your area. Jerry Pula, sales rep.

Call (218) 743-3711

Penny’s Keepsake Quilting

Turn your quilt top into a keepsake. Offering quality

machine quilting at reasonable prices

(218) 256-900210% discount with ad.

Lepinski Paintinginterior/exterior

Call for free estimate20 yrs experience

218-743-6878 or 218-248-071710% discount with ad.

-SALES-Huge garage/estate sale June 27-28, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.& June 29, 8 a.m-noon. 53648 Sandy Point Dr,, DR. On Sand Lake off Co, Rd. 35, from Hwy 6 or 46.HUGE rummage sale, Sat., June 1 at Marcell Community Church.Come find treasures from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Baked goods & coffee also available.Vendors needed: Flea market vendors wanted to participate at the White Oak Antique Tractor Club’s annual show in Deer River on August 24-25. Call (218) 328-6247/(218) 246-8455.

-FOR SALE-For sale: 2009 Cub Ca-det 25 hp 50” Hydrostatic LT1050 lawn tractor with Kohler engine. Runs great, new starter and battery. Asking $995. Call (218) 743-3326 7/19

For sale: SRE-1550 Elec-tra-Ride Stairway Eleva-tor (electric chair for stairs) $100 obo. Call (612) 978-8714 7/19

For sale: Lovely Victorian sofa $400, matching chair $200, coffee table (Georgian Style) $100. Must see to ap-preciate. All sales firm-cash only. Call (217) 402-3746 For sale: G.E. gas range. Very clean. $50. Call (218) 398-1734 7/19

For sale: 5 ft. finishing mower, PTO 2 rear wheels. Tony Little Gazelle and Car-dio Glide exercise machine $50 each. Vintage Bel Air 606 sewing maching. Call (218) 910-6610 7/19

For sale: New-in-the-box Warn 2500 replacement winch. Never installed/used. 13” in total length, mounting holes 4 7/8” and 3” center to center. You will need your own cable and mounting bolts and nuts. $145 plus shipping.Call (320) 249-0330 or [email protected] for pictures 6/19

For sale: Smith & Co-rona typewriter. 8-12” Si-lent model. All keys work. Needs new ribbon. Cast iron. Excellent cond. $50. Call (218) 832-3791 6/19

For sale: Maytag wringer washer, 2 washtubs on stand. Works good. $75 Call (218) 832-3791 6/19

For sale: Older Westinghouse refrigerator. Runs good Good for extra in garage or cabin $20. Call (218) 832-3791 6/19

For sale: Canning jars. Pints and quarts. $10 a box or offer. Call (218) 832-3791 6/19

-FOR SALE-For sale: Several large pieces of unframed mirror. Good for crafts or framing. Make offer. Call (218) 832-3791 6/19

For sale: 1995 40’ x 28’ Skyline doublewide. To be moved. 3 bedroom ad 2 bath. In very good condition. Call (218) 743-3186 or (218) 244-1897

-VEHICLES-TIRES, ACCESSORIES

For sale: 4 Carlisle 4 x4 tires. Mod. All Trail II. 2-24 x 9.50-10 NHS, 2-24 x 10.50-10 NHS. Exc. treads, 176 hrs meter measured. Like new! $105 retail, sell for $50 each obo. Call (218) 897-5946 8/19

For sale: 4 All Season tires. P235 65 R17, asking $40 for the set. Call Kevin (218) 832-3524 6/19

For sale: 2001 1500 conversion van with new wheelchair electric lift. Tuned up and 4 brand new tires. Asking $6,000. Call (218) 832-3533 6/19

-POWER SPORTS-For sale: 1992 Polaris ATV, Model 250, 4WD. Runs well. $450 obo. Call (612) 840-4355 7/19

-BOATS-DOCKS, ACCESSORIESFor sale: 32’ steel roll-in dock. Additional 8’ section to be used on end for L-shape Located on Bowstring Lake. $450. Email [email protected] for pictures Call (763) 227-3985 7/19

For sale: Flo boatlift, 98” wide x 8’ long, 2,000 lbs. In very good shape. On Bowstring. $700. Call (218) 398-2953 7/19

-BOATS-DOCKS, ACCESSORIESFor sale: Alumacraft Trophy 170, custom made storage/travel/cover. Used one season. $250. Call (218) 256-0788 7/19

For sale: Kennedy 20 foot Pontoon boat. It’s from the 1970s and is in poor condition. However, it comes with a 40 hp Mercury Motor from the 1980s. Also a good trailer with new tires. It’s located in NW Itasca County. $1100. Call Tom (612) 875-1743 or email [email protected] 7/19

For sale: 2000 Lund Pro Sport 1700, 115 Johnson, Shorelander trailer, Eagle depth finder, canopy-full cover. $10,200 Call (218) 245-2502 6/19

For sale: 1977 Kennedy pontoon boat. 19 ft. w/15 hp outboard. New floor, carpet and anchor. No trailer, you must bring your own. $750 or best offer Call (218) 743-8479 6/19

For sale: ’79 pontoon, 20 ft., 10 hp motor, $500 or B/O. Motor runs, pontoon needs new floor. Call (763) 234-1153 6/19

-FARM-For sale: 4 beautiful bantam frizzle roosters. 3 white and 1 multicolored. $3 each Call (218) 743-3186. 6/19

-REAL ESTATE-FOR SALE OR RENT

For rent: 3 bdrm house. 5 mi. NE of Bigfork. No pets, no smoking in house. Rent includes heat and electric. Rent by the month. Deposit. Call (218) 743-3914 7/19

For sale: Wooded lake lot. 297 feet of lakeshore and 2.32 beautiful acres on Dora Lake. Great for camping or build your dream home. Zero down, exc. terms. No closing cost, no qualifying. No balloon payment, no pay-ments for 90 days. Call (218) 743-6566, x 204. For sale: 18 acres, 4 bedroom house, 2 car garage on Co. Rd. 42, Bigfork. Call (218) 256-1213 7/19

Need a place to stay? 2 bedroom cabin, private, no neighbors. Hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling in the Marcell area. Call (763) 843-4003 6/19

Place a Classified Ad Today!If you are an individual member of the cooperative, classified ads are free as a service from your coop-erative. If you are advertising for a business or are a non-member, please remit $5 per ad per month.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Run my ad for one month only. Your ad will run for two months unless you check this box. (Business classifieds are $5 per insertion.)

Send to: Editor, WATTS NEWS, P.O. Box 43 Spring Lake, MN 56680or call: (218) 659-2779or email: [email protected]

Put WATTS AD in subject line. If no response, please resend.

Please note: We are as careful as possible, but are not responsible for errors.

CLASSIFIEDS AD DEADLINE for the JULY issue, FRIDAY, June 14

June 2019page 16

Squaw Lake - (218) 659-4488Best breakfasts and burgers anywhere!Thurs. Bar Bingo & Meat Raffles 7 p.m.Weekly Specials 5-8 p.m. (dine in only)

▪ Off Sale▪ Happy Hour 4-6 p.m. Mon-Fri▪ Grill closes 9 p.m., Sun-Weds 10 p.m. Thurs-Sat▪ Private dining room

Mon: Open 11 a.m. Tues: Open 11 a.m. Weds: Open 11 a.m.Thurs-Sun: Open 8 a.m.

Call for the Fish Tales Burger of the Week

Squaw Lake - (218) 659-4488Best breakfasts and burgers anywhere!

Largest Collection of Specialty Beers in the area.Kitchen closes 9 p.m. daily.

Happy Hour Mon.-Fri. 4-6 p.m.Bar hours:

Mon - Weds: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thurs: - Sat: 8 a.m.-12 a.m.

Sun: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Thurs: Bar Bingo & Meat Raffles 7 p.m.Nightly specials 5-8 p.m.(dine in only)

Off sale ® private dining room

O V E R S T O R I E S

MAY 30–JUN 29

____________

RECEPTION FRI, MAY 31, 5–7 PM

(218) 743-6670

https://edgecenterarts.org

An exhibit in felt.

Edge Center Gallery in BigforkOpen TH, F, SAT 10–4

__________________________________

WILLIAMS SEPTIC & ELECTRIC, INC.

Licensed & Bonded

● Septic Installation Inspection Design● Hauling & Excavating● Residential & Commercial Wiring

P.O. Box 633 / 52034 Silk Rd. Squaw Lake, MN 56681

Contact:Brian Williams at(218) 659-4216

LOG HOME CARE SERVICES

Plus decks, all wood siding and interiors.Washing, sanding, staining, painting, chinking, minor repairs and damage prevention.

Specializing in log homes for over 10 years!

Contact Zach Ender for free estimates

[email protected]

J.V. Tree & LandscapingTree care - Landscaping - Bobcat Work

Cell: 612-987-9992Toll free: 866-232-5183Free estimates - Fully insured

RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIALTree Trimming & Removal - Stump Grinding

Woods & Lot Clearing

(218) 743-3358

Forevergreen Greenhouse

Open daily9 a.m.-6 p.m.

[email protected] us on Facebook

& Gifts

1 mile east of Effie on Hwy 1

Baskets, Proven Winners®, flowers, vegetables, gifts, flowers, herbs and more

Wilderness Day planned for Bigfork on June 8Congratulations to

you, if you have installed an Air Source Heat Pump. You’ve installed an energy efficient heat-ing and cooling system that uses 72 percent less electricity than conven-tional air conditioners and furnaces.• Today’s ASHPs can effectively heat your home when the outside temperature is at or above 25° F, which equals about 65 percent of all heating hours in Minnesota. Some newer ASHP set points are now lower than 25°F. If prop-erly set, your ASHP can serve as your primary source for a good part of our Minnesota winters.

• The balance point of your heat pump is the outdoor temperature at which your home HVAC system switches over to its backup heating system and was likely set by your installer. If your heat pump can keep your home warm down to a 25° F set point, but

your balance point is set to switch over to backup heat at 35°, then anytime the temperature is in the 35° to 40° range, you’ll be paying more than you should for heat.

• Aren’t sure of your ASHP’s balance point? Take note of the temperature where your backup heating source kicks in, and if it’s above the manufacturer’s specified set point, your balance point is set too high. You may also want to contact your installation contractor.

Should you have any additional questions, feel free to contact one our energy experts at North Itasca Electric Cooperative.

Again, congratula-tions on your energy-efficient air source heat pump installation. Make sure to take advantage of all the rebates offered by visiting us at: www.nor-thitascaelectric.com or give us a call.

Have an Air Source Heat Pump?-Have you ever seen a propane

tank on fire?-Like to watch marching bands?-Coming to Bigfork’s All School

Reunion?-Wonder what all the talk about

the restoration at City Hall is about?You will want to be in Bigfork

on Saturday afternoon, June 8 for the annual Wilderness Day, noon through the parade at 5 p.m.

A lot is planned, including a propane fire demo by the Fire De-partment at 1 p.m., live music by Jason Waldron and the We Ain’t Cowboys Band, caramel rolls at the Over 50 Club (8 a.m. until they’re gone) and a 50 ft. obstacle

course set up at the north end of town through the National Guard.

The north end of town is also hosting kid’s games at the kiosk. Want to get there from brows-ing vendor stalls along Highway 38? Take the horse drawn trolley! (You can stop for pony rides on the way.)

No-one should go hungry that day. There will be lots of food vendors, old favorites and new booths including fry bread, kettle corn, the VFW brats plus grill, a taco trailer and meat wagon, gy-ros and gourmet cupcakes.

Enjoy browsing while you eat? The vintage tractor club and the backdrop for some great selfies might catch your interest. Watch

for times on the Grand Opening for the restoration at City Hall. It’s a building on the National Historic Register and the commu-nity has worked together to bring it back to a classic look, inside and out.

Start your entry now to en-ter the rock decorating contest. “Back in the Day” is the event theme; do you remember the pet rock craze? If you are coming to the All-School Reunion, think of a great float to showcase your class!

The floats will line up near the hardware store for the 5 p.m. Grand Parade. There will be marching music provided by the Hibbing High School Marching Band.

79th Annual Membership Meeting - North Itasca Electric Coop., Inc. · 2019. 5. 25. · jason...

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