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Page 1

May 2013 3

“The Rural Voice of Nebraska”

Volume 67, Number 5, May 2013

Features

Powering Up 6

Tornados, high winds, ice storms, blizzards—no matter the weath-er, the end result may be temporary power loss. Megan McKoy-Noe provides a look into how utility staff begin assessing stormdamage to get the lights back on.

Candle business shines brightly in Tekamah 12

From selling candles as a school fundraiser, Susie Robison hasgrown her candle-making venture to a store-front business,pouring enough hot wax to produce tens of thousands of candlesyearly. Freelance writer LaRayne Topp shares Robison’s story ofdetermination and a dream.

Departments

On the cover

Susie Robison changes items for sale seasonally, filling The Master’sHand in Tekamah with candy baskets and floral bouquets for Valentine’sDay, for example, and 11 beautifully decorated trees at Christmastime.See related article on page 12. Photograph by LaRayne Topp

Contents

EDITOR’S PAGE 4

SAFETY BRIEFS — Murphy 20

CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS by James Dulley 22

RECIPES 24

ADULT PEN PALS 25

MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS 26

Staff

Editor

Wayne Price

Editorial Assistant

Kathy Barkmeier

Published by the

Visit us at www.nrea.org

General Manager

Troy Bredenkamp

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.

orothy made getting caught in a torna-do look easy but I’m pretty sure we allrealize the reality of that situation.

May is the beginning of severe weather seasonhere in Nebraska and it’s a good time to put alittle thought into keeping your family safewhen the weather gets out of control. Knowing the steps to take when severe

weather hits is the best way to protect yourselfand family. I contacted KenDewey, a climatologist andsevere weather expert atthe University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s School of NaturalResources to find out whatways people could preparefor severe weather. Southeast Nebraska had

six tornadoes on April 14,2012 and there were 130-plus tornadoes that day inthe area where they hadbeen forecast, mostly in Kansas. Dewey notedthat an afternoon downpour that caused flash-flooding in southeast Nebraska stabilized theatmosphere with cooler air and preventedmore tornadoes from forming.Dewey urged people not to become compla-

cent because it didn’t get as bad as it couldhave, and to prepare for the rest of the stormseason, which normally peaks in June.He suggested that you pay attention to

weather forecasts and buy a weather radiothat receives broadcasts from the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration’sNational Weather Service. Pay attention whensomeone tells you to take shelter. Check theweather more frequently when severe stormsor tornadoes are forecast.“Own and use a weather radio,” Dewey said.

“Don’t depend on friends, TV or radio. Youneed a NOAA weather radio.”Having a plan already in place for where

you and your family will take shelter is anoth-er good idea. Understanding the differencebetween a tornado watch and a tornado warn-ing is also important. A tornado watch is issued when the weather

conditions are such that the formation of a tor-nado is possible. A tornado warning is issuedwhen a tornado has been sighted. Deweynoted that people need to know what a warn-

ing siren means in your community and totake it seriously. “If the weather is threatening and you’re

under a tornado watch, have a plan,” Deweysaid. “Are you in an area with a tornado siren?Do you have an escape route? Don’t head intoa congested area. Many deaths occur whenpeople are backed up in traffic jams.”You should have a plan at your home,

whether it is an apart-ment or a mobile home.Folks that live on theupper floor of an apart-ment should make friendswith people on the firstfloor. Mobile home resi-dents should have some-place else that’s safe to gowhen there is a tornadowarning in the area.

Dewey encouragedpeople to be aware of what

kind of building you might be in when there isa tornado watch. “Big box stores with big roofs are at risk of

collapse,” Dewey said. “Think about all thatstuff piled up on shelves, flying through atspeeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Somegrocery stores are okay because they put peo-ple in a reinforced room like a cooler.”Another tip from Dewey: wear shoes, or

make sure there’s a pair where you’ll be takingshelter, so that you’re not climbing barefootout of rubble. Knowing what steps to take after a storm is

also important. If a storm or tornado wipes oututility poles and wires, local lineworkersspring into action—and they have backup. TheNebraska Rural Electric Association workswith 34 public power districts and electriccooperatives across Nebraska to mount wide-spread restoration efforts for the electric con-sumers in our state.We never know when the next storm will

strike, or how widespread damage may be.Our purpose is simple: We exist to power com-munities and empower members to improvetheir quality of life. If a storm destroys powerlines, we restore electricity as quickly andsafely as possible. The power and determina-tion of the nation’s rural electric networkspeeds the process.

Rural Electric Nebraskan4

EDITOR’S PAGE

by Wayne Price

Be prepared for severe weather in Nebraska

D

A tornado moves through Polk

County. Photograph by John

Sundberg

May 2013 5

ublic power has always had itsdetractors, generally fromthose who wanted to benefit at

the expense of others. Today is noexception. There are those who feelthat the cost of their power is toohigh, or that alternative forms ofpower generation aren’t being adopt-ed fast enough. As has happened inthe past, and in keeping with todaysprevalent attitude of “you must agreewith me or you are the enemy andmust be destroyed,” there are thosewho would call for the end of publicpower. In this “go along to get along”world we live in, it’s politically incor-rect to openly disagree with anyone,yet we need to “collaborate forchange” to make a better world. I dis-agree, I believe it’s time to make astand and tell the world that publicpower is doing just fine, and that ifyou, the owners, want to change ityou can, without selling your abilityto control your own destiny for a fewdollars to stockholders in otherstates.

Local Control and Local OwnershipIn 1965, forty-eight years ago, at thetender age of ten, my father helpedme buy two shares of stock in WestarEnergy, an investor owned utility inKansas. Every year since then, I havebeen asked to attend their annualstockholder meeting, or better yet, toassign my proxy to the majority stock-holders so they can vote for me, inwhat they assure me, will be my bestinterest. What if I disagree and want-ed a seat on their board of directors?Unlike public power, where each

customer gets one vote, stockholdersget one vote per share of stock. Themajority of the stockholders of WestarEnergy also are the owners of themajority of its stock. So, even if Icould get all of the other stockholders,not on the Board of Directors to votefor me, I still wouldn’t win, since atbest I could only get 49 percent of thevotes.

Worse yet, if I was a customer, andthe utility refused to provide us withgood service, or put in place policiesthat were unfair to me and other cus-tomers, the Board would refuse totalk to me – they don’t have to. Theonly place we could turn to for justicewould be the utility regulators, theCorporation Commission.Commissions exist mainly to be surethat the rates of an investor ownedcompany are fair. Challenges to how autility operates are handled similarlyto the court system, which meansthat justice can be expensive and gen-erally slow.Here in Nebraska, you are the

owner, and you have a right to beheard by the board. In fact, if you feelstrongly enough, and can get othersto agree, you can be elected to theboard of your utility. This unique con-cept of local control and local owner-ship is what keeps utilities inNebraska doing what the majority ofthe people want, rather than beresponsible to special interest groupswith enough money to buy the publicpolicy they want.

The Cost of EnergySome of public powers detractorshave started making the case thatsince Nebraska electric prices havegone from 4th lowest in the nation to9th lowest, public power has failedand should be scrapped and sold.While I would prefer that the citizensof Nebraska pay less for their elec-tricity than 92 percent of the nation,paying less than 82 percent of thepeople is still a strong showing.Power cost is driven by many fac-

tors and is cyclical. Regulation, fuelsource, the need to build or replacegeneration plant, transmission plant,and the ability to sell excess poweroutside the state are all factors thatinfluence the cost of energy. Thisaffects the price of energy thatinvestor-owned utilities sell to theircustomers as well. One thing thatnever affects the price of public poweris profit. We never seek a rate ofreturn on our power sales to satisfythe stockholders; instead, we returnany profits or margins we make inthe form of lower energy prices. When the CEO of a public power

utility retires, there are no stockoptions to sell, or stock dividends tocollect; only passing on of the legacyof keeping the rates low.

Convenience vs. ConsolidationA common myth is that by mergingbusinesses you can make thingscheaper. It’s true, there are somemonetary economies of scale, withbigger businesses, but you also getwhat you pay for when it comes toservice. Utilities, especially rural util-ities, serve hundreds of miles of lowpopulation areas. Over the past 20years we have all seen the localoffices for our gas and phone compa-nies close, leaving us to deal with peo-ple who probably have never been toNebraska, much less the UnitedStates. Not too long ago, I had a con-

GUEST EDITORIAL

A Politically Incorrect Guide to Public Power

P

John HokeGeneral Manager

Niobrara Valley ElectricMembership Corporation

Please turn to page 23


aves of thunder rumble,then roar toward yourhome as strong winds

whip through the trees. Lights flick-er and fade as errant tree limbsbrush against power lines.Some storms are silent. In the

dead of winter, layer upon layer of icecollects on trees and spreads slowlyover power lines. One inch of ice on asingle span of electric wire weighs asmuch as 1,250 lb.—a force capable ofcausing far more damage than windas the weight drives branches andeven whole trees and power lines tothe ground.Tornados, high winds, ice storms,

blizzards—no matter the weather,the end result may be temporarypower loss. Public power districtsand electric cooperatives routinelytrim vegetation near their powerlines and remove trees hovering dan-

gerously close to them to preventoutages, a process called right-of-waymaintenance. But when nature pre-vails, lineworkers, engineers, andother employees are standing by,ready to take action to get your lightsback on.First things first: Report your out-

age by calling your electric serviceprovider. Then it’s a matter of wait-ing until repairs can be made.Ever wonder how your rural elec-

tric utility decides where to startrestoring power? When utility staffbegin assessing storm damage, theyfocus on fixing the biggest problemsfirst, prioritizing repairs according tohow quickly and safely they can getthe most homes back into service.

Step One: Clearing the pathThink of the flow of electricity as ariver in reverse. It originates at a sin-

by Megan McKoy-Noe, CCC WDon’t be left inthe dark onhow power is

restored after astorm

POWERING

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gle ocean of power (a generationplant) and diverges from there into aseries of transmission lines, substa-tions, and smaller feeder lines until itreaches homes and businesses at atrickle of its original strength. Transmission lines, which carry

power at high voltages from powerplants, and local substations, wherethe voltage is lowered for safe travelto residential areas, must both beinspected for damage and repairedbefore any other efforts take place.After all, if the substation linked toyour area’s power supply has beendamaged, it doesn’t matter iflineworkers repair every problemnear your home—the lights will stayoff.

Step Two: Bulk effortsAfter restoring the flow of power tolocal substations, rural electric utili-ties focus on getting power back tothe greatest number of consumers.Distribution lines in highly populat-ed cities and communities arechecked for damage and generallyrepaired first, delivering electricity tomost consumers.What does this mean? You might

live on a farm with neighbors a mileor two away, or you could live in aneighborhood surrounded by 10 or 20homes. Folks in neighborhoods orsubdivisions will likely see powerreturn before consumers in moreremote areas. Line repairs are onceagain prioritized by the number ofconsumers who benefit.

Step Three: One-on-OneAfter fixing damage blocking powerfrom large pockets of consumers,rural electric utilities focus on repair-ing tap lines (also called supply orservice lines). These lines deliverpower to transformers outside homesand businesses. This is the finalstage of power restoration, requiringa bit more patience. Individual households may receive

special attention if loss of electricityaffects life-support systems or posesanother immediate danger. If you ora family member depend on specialmedical equipment, call your localpublic power district or electric coop-

erative before an emergency arises.

Still in the dark?If you notice your neighbors havepower while you remain out of serv-ice, there might be damage betweenyour home and the transformer on anearby pole. If you didn’t report youroutage earlier, be sure to call yourrural electric utility so a line crewcan make repairs. There are limits to what the utility

can repair. You—not the utility—areresponsible for damage to the serviceinstallation at your home or business[although most PPDs and electriccooperatives hold to this standard,some rural systems still take care ofdamage past the meter—check with

your local distribution system. Call alicensed electrician to handle repairsif this is the case.

Stay Safe!After a severe storm, broken powerlines may land on the ground or inroadways. Stay away from all fallenpower lines and report them to yourPPD or electric cooperative.Electricity could still be flowingthrough the line, making them dan-gerous.While avoiding downed power lines

may seem simple enough, there areother deadly safety concerns after astorm. If a power outage lasts longer

May 2013 7


Top left: North Central PPD crews work on a line in Knox County west of

Verdigre, Neb. after a tornado. Photograph by Sherrie Zimmerer

Top right: A winter storm had crews from Seward PPD repairing lines.

Photograph by Tim Pozehl

Above: High winds brought down several poles near Beemer, Neb. Photograph

provided by Cuming County PPD

Opposite: Crews at Twin Valleys PPD work on lines near Alma, Neb. during the

2006-2007 ice storm recovery. Photograph by Karen Wright

than two hours, consider perishablefood. Throw away any food that’sbeen exposed to temperatures above40° Fahrenheit for two hours ormore. An unopened refrigeratorkeeps food cold for about four hours,while food in a full freezer stays safefor about 48 hours.If using a portable generator, con-

nect equipment you want to powerdirectly into outlets on the generatorwith a properly rated extension cord.Never operate a generator insideyour home—because of carbonmonoxide poisoning—or connect agenerator directly to your home’swiring unless your home has beenwired for generator use. Lineworkers’lives could be put in danger from

power backfeeding onto electric lines. Connecting the generator to your

home’s circuits or wiring must bedone by a qualified, licensed electri-cian who will install a transferswitch to prevent backfeeding.

Be PreparedWhile utilities work hard to reducethe impact strong winds and ice haveon power lines, it’s good to be pre-pared for any disaster that might hityour community.Store a few basic items in your

home. You should have at least athree-day supply of water on hand,one gallon per person per day. It’salso a good idea to have a three-daysupply of non-perishable, high-ener-gy food on hand—protein bars,breakfast bars, and canned food arewinners. Remember to store handy tools like

a radio, can opener, flashlights, extrabatteries, hand sanitizer, and firstaid supplies. Include a seven-daysupply of medications for you orother family members. Finally, retaincopies of important documents—birth certificates, passports, andinsurance policies.Those are the basics, but you can

further customize your emergencykit. Think about including familyphotos, candy, nuts or other snackfood, or a deck of cards to help passthe time. Rechargeable flashlights inkey areas of the home provideinstant light if the power goes out.To learn more about how to pre-

pare for storms and other emergen-cies, visit www.ready.gov. Sources: American Red Cross,Federal Emergency ManagementAgency, National Rural ElectricCooperative Association


Powering UpFrom page 7

Above: An ice storm brought Twin Valleys PPD crews out for repairs. Photograph

by Karen Wright.

Top left: An example of “Hoarfrost” collected on a line. Photograph by Joe Janosek

Middle: The Cuming County PPD crew worked long hours to restore power after an

ice storm in 2009. Mutual Aid was used and crews from Schmader Electric, Loup

Valleys RPPD, Twin Valleys PPD, Perennial PPD, and David City Electric

Department came to help restore power to over 1400 people. Photograph provided

by Cuming County PPD

Bottom: Niobrara Electric EMC crews work to repair a transmission line destroyed

by a tornado in 2010 in Holt County. Photograph by Joe Janosek

ou may not realize it, but thewater heater is the secondlargest user of energy in most

homes in Nebraska. Only space heat-ing and cooling systems use more.However, unlike heating and coolingequipment which are seasonal, yourwater heater works year round. Theaverage home uses 65 gallons of hotwater per day. If you pay an averageof 12¢ per kilowatt-hour for electrici-ty, you may be spending over $800per year for hot water!If you are shopping for a new or

replacement unit, there is a lot toconsider. With today’s technologies,there are several different types ofwater heaters available:• Conventional storage water

heaters offer a ready reservoir (stor-age tank) of hot water. • Tankless or demand-type water

heaters heat water directly withouta storage tank. • Heat pump water heaters move

heat from one place to anotherinstead of generating heat directlyfor providing hot water. • Solar water heaters use the sun's

heat to provide hot water. • Tankless coil and indirect water

heaters use a home’s space heatingsystem to heat water.Cost varies from technology-to-

technology. In general, more-efficienttechnologies cost more up front butprovide significant savings overtime, which reduces the totalamount you have to pay to have hotwater.You can save money by keeping

your water heater thermostat set tothe lowest temperature that pro-vides you with sufficient hot water.For most households, 120°F water isfine. Each 10°F reduction in watertemperature will generally save 3-5percent on your water heating costs.When you are going away on vaca-tion, you can turn the thermostatdown to the lowest possible setting,or turn the water heater off alto-gether for additional savings. Source: Nebraska Public PowerDistrict

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ummer vacation can be arecipe for high electric bills ifkids are home all day and a

swimming pool is in use. The U.S.Department of Energy (DOE) esti-mates that 9 percent of Americans’household energy costs are dedicatedto air conditioning alone, so try thesetips to keep costs down when the tem-perature rises.

Avoid ‘phantom’ loadGet your family in the habit of turn-ing electronics on and off via powerstrips as they move from one activityto the next. As electronics and appli-ances become more technologicallysavvy, they often draw power evenwhile turned off. A good indicator ofthis—called “phantom load”—is tocheck the device for a light that stayson all the time. Phantom load will add a few watt-

hours to energy consumption, but afew watt-hours on each of your manyelectronic devices adds up. To avoidthis silent power draw, unplug thedevice or invest in a “smart” powerstrip, which allows certain electron-ics—like a cable box, which takestime to reboot after it’s been

unplugged—to continue using elec-tricity while others can be completelyshut down.

Air-conditioning unitsMore people in the house plus doorshanging open from the last trip toplay outside plus high temperaturesequals an air-conditioning unit thathas to work harder to keep the housecool. Be sure to adjust settings tomaximize efficiency, such as using the“auto” function instead of keeping thefan running all the time. Regular maintenance to keep your

air conditioner or heat pump in goodworking order is a good idea, as ischecking and changing the air filterevery few months or if it’s dirty.Also, set your thermostat as high as

you can while maintaining your com-fort level—the smaller the differencebetween indoor air and the great out-doors, the lower your cooling costswill be. And make sure to rearrangeyour furniture so that appliances thatput out a lot of heat aren’t near thethermostat.

Keep the pool coveredAbout 70 percent of the heat lost from

swimming pools results from evapo-ration, caused by both wind andwater. That means tap water goes torefilling the pool, which means higherelectric bills to reheat the water. To save energy, cover a pool when

it’s not in use. Pool size and shape fac-tor into choosing the right cover. Themost expensive pool covers are incor-porated into the pool structure andcan come with an automatic retrac-tion and storage system. Manual cov-ers may be cheaper, but removingthem can be a dirty job. You can alsochoose solar covers resembling bub-ble wrap.

Your electric utility is a resourceAs you work this summer to stopenergy drains, don’t forget about yourlocal rural electric utility. An energyefficiency expert can help you deter-mine the right steps for your home,including whether an energy auditwill help find more savings. You canalso visit your utility’s website orTogetherWeSave.com to find out howlittle measures around the house addup to big energy savings.Sources: U.S. Department of Energy,Cooperative Research Network

SStop the energy drains at home

Look for Energy Star labels on room

air conditioners such as this Kenmore A/C unit,

mounted in a window. Photograph provided by Kenmore

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n 2003, Susie Wissmann foundherself one day to be a singlemom with kids to raise. She

had no job and no savings in thebank. What she did have was 55pounds of candle wax left over froma science experiment, four dozenglass jars and some wicks. She also

had a heartfelt desire to continuehome-schooling her children whiledeveloping a business that wouldallow her to do so. It couldn’t have happened at a

worse time. The country was strug-gling to recover from a worldwiderecession, with economic growthslowing to a crawl nationally. But Susie had a vision. Every

evening, after her kids were in bed,she stayed up until 2 a.m., sending

thousands of letters and emails toschools, asking if they were interest-ed in taking part in a fundraiser,selling candles. A fraction respond-ed, but when they did 50 percentplaced an order. In the first week ofDecember in 2003, Susie loaded herpickup with thousands of candles,making deliveries to schools inNebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin,

Candle business shines brightly in Tekamah

I

by LaRayne Topp


Susie sells a large variety of candies, especially milk and

dark chocolates, at the Serendipity Chocolate Factory.

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Minnesota, South Dakota andMissouri. From that humble beginning,

Susie has grown her candle-makingventure to a store-front business,pouring enough hot wax to producetens of thousands of candles yearly. “It’s a God story,” she said.Since those days, a new story has

been written, one that includes arecent marriage to husband ScottRobison. He’s joined in her in turn-ing The Master’s Hand into everywoman’s dream shop, carrying itemswomen love to see, eat and smell –flowers, chocolates, and lotions, plusso much more: clothing, jewelry,purses, antiques and holiday items.They also operate a tea room at thelocation.Even so men stop by – men such

as Lewis Miller of Beemer, who sayshe’s been a fan for a long time. “When I get this way,” he said, “I

always find an excuse to stop in.”Often that excuse is a bag of choco-lates.When Susie outgrew her home

location four years ago, she pur-chased a former appliance store onthe outskirts of Tekamah, Nebraska,a river town along the Missouri.With Pelican Point State Recreationarea to the east and Summit LakeState Recreation area to the west,plus two wineries and the impres-sive Burt County Museum, there’splenty in the area to see and do.“People come from Lincoln,

Omaha, Sioux City; they come fromall over,” Susie said. “Tekamah is alittle hot spot for day trips.”For example, a stretch-limo pulled

up one day and women fromVermillion, South Dakota, toppledout; they were enjoying a girls’ dayout.“It’s not so much a candle shop

and gift shop anymore, but a touristdestination,” Scott explained.To keep that destination spot run-

ning smoothly, Master’s Hand regu-

larly employs as many as 40 peopleon a part-time basis. They pour can-dles and assist with the gift shop.They arrange flowers for TekamahFloral. They concoct chocolatemorsels for Serendipity ChocolateFactory. And they set up bouncyhouses, shaved ice machines, andkiddie trains at county fairs, com-munity celebrations and the like. “I come up with ideas, but I can’t

do everything and be good at every-thing,” Susie explained. When shefinds someone who’s efficient at oneskill or another the store needs,flower arranging, for example, orsetting up eye-catching displays orcreating delicious lunches, Susiesteps back. “I get out of their wayand they do what they do well. TheLord puts key people in our livesand that makes the business suc-cessful.”The Robisons have been so success-

ful, in fact, that in 2012 The Master’sHand was invited to take part inGallup University’s Great ManagerProgram. Utilizing Gallup’s extensive


Candle business shinesFrom page 12

and ongoing research, the coursehelped the Robisons analyze theirstrengths in the way of humanresources, learning to build on thosestrengths to make them great. Theprogram taught them how to increaseproductivity by surrounding them-selves with engaged employees. Anactively disengaged employee comesto work only for the paycheck, Scottsaid, but an employee who loves whathe or she does will be an engagedemployee.“It’s a good philosophy.”The Master’s Hand is one of 4,019

customers served by the Burt CountyPublic Power District. The rural elec-tric utility provides electrical powerto Burt, Thurston, Dodge andWashington counties, with Dick Rayas its General Manager. The Master’s Hand is also a mem-

ber of GROW Nebraska, a non-profitorganization focused on supportingentrepreneurs and small businessesthrough promotion, access to marketsand education.It is also part of the Nebraska

Passport program, designed by thestate’s Department of EconomicDevelopment’s Travel and TourismDivision to line up themed adven-tures for travelers. Susie also promotes her businesses

heavily through Facebook postings,offering product coupons and adver-tising special events.With candle-making as the back-

bone of the business, Susie continual-ly adds new fragrances to her line ofcandle scents, while dropping thoseless popular. She typically offers 70fragrances of soy and paraffin waxblend candles in the shop, while sell-ing 20 favorites through her fundraising program.She thinks of herself as a dreamer,

a high-flying kite of ideas while herdaughter and the Robisons’ businesspartner, Nicole Lyon of Omaha, is onthe ground below, holding on to thestring. “I believe in the idea that you can

jump off a cliff and build your wingsbefore you hit the ground,” SusieRobison said. “If you have enoughfaith, you don’t need to see how farthat is.”

May 2013 15

Above: Susie Robison waits on customers Joann Snow, left, and Pat Shamburg,

two women from Tekamah who enjoy visiting the tea room.

Opposite: Women’s sweaters, scarves and jewelry are just a few of the wear-

ables available at The Master’s Hand. Photographs by LaRayne Topp

BrunswickKumm Gas Co., Inc402-842-2655ElkhornDenny’s Fix It402-289-3608

TecumsehTopp’s Small Engine402-335-2379

North BendMidwest Outdoor Power402-652-3910

BenkelmenOwen’s Implement & Supply308-423-2677

ScribnerWhite’s Service402-664-2716

MindenStadler Implement308-382-1660

BancroftMel’s Small Engine402-648-3475

Red CloudC & D Service Center Inc402-746-3601

LincolnGrass Kickers402-601-5841

KearneyLovitt Compact Tractor308-440-9738

TildenD & M Machinery402-368-2112

OgallalaRankin Sales308-284-0840

Grand IslandGrone’s Outdoor Power & Battery308-384-5168

HebronLinton Small Engine402-768-6597

WalthillWalthill Service LLC402-846-5450WaunetaMarks Repair308-394-5291

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elanie wants her home tobe comfortable, cheerful,and bright. Winter gusts

blowing across the Nebraska prairiesend her to the thermostat to fightthe chill. In the summer, she nudgesthe temperature down to keep cool,all while avoiding her husband’sdetection.Melanie’s husband, Scott, frowns on

tweaking the thermostat. He canvas-es the home, turning off lights. Whilehis wife finds comfort leaving lightson and turning up (or down) heat, hefinds comfort in lower utility bills.Fortunately, a comfortable middle

ground is bothaffordable andavailable toh o m e o w n e r sacross thenation. Energy-saving productscombined withefficient homedesign trendsand buildingtechniques arerevolutionizinghome energyuse.Regardless of

location or typeof residence, people like Scott andMelanie are finding that being ener-gy efficient at home not only bringscomfort, but also positively impactsboth wallets and the world.“If you’re concerned about the

environment, being energy efficient

is a priority,”says BrianSloboda, sen-ior pro-g r a mmanag-er withthe NationalRural Electric CooperativeAssociation (NRECA). “But efficientenergy use is important for otherreasons. First, you save money.Second, you save energy, whichleads back to saving money.”It’s easy for us to ignore being

wise with our energy consumption.After all, electricity is a good value,especially when compared to otherforms of energy. Unlike othersources of energy, however, electrici-

ty is very flexi-ble—we canuse electricityfor everythingfrom helpingwith cookingand cleaningto poweringentertainmentdevices andeven our auto-m o b i l e s .Regardless, itmakes sense(and cents) tobe more ener-gy efficient in

all areas, especially at home.“Energy efficiency is a pocketbook

issue,” explains Alan Shedd, directorof residential and commercial ener-gy programs for the NRECA’sTouchstone Energy Home program.“If you can do things to reduce the

cost of energy, you will have moremoney to spend on other things.Sure, we can’t control all energycosts—gasoline, for example—butwe can make a difference in our ownhome.”But how do we make that differ-

ence? How can Melanie still be com-fortable and avoid sending Scottinto a frenzy when he opens themonthly power bill? Experts say

future home construction andremodeling will focus onenergy efficiency. Oneof the key things tofocus on in new con-struction or remodel-ing is properly sealing a

home.“The best time to focus on

energy savings is at construction,”says Bob Dickey, manager of mar-keting and economic developmentfor Eastern Illini ElectricCooperative in Paxton, Ill. “We’vegot to do a better job of sealing pen-etrations and gaps between the con-ditioned space—areas of the homethat we heat and cool—and uncondi-tioned spaces. Find and seal gaps,cracks, and penetrations nearplumbing, cables, utilities, furnaceruns, fireplace installations, andelectrical wiring—anything thatmay let air move from one space toanother. When you seal these gapsin a typical home, energy costs candrop between 20 and 40 percent.”

Doing Detective WorkHome energy audits help consumersidentify points of energy loss thatcan eventually lead to savings ontheir monthly electric bill. Oftenperformed by electric utility employ-ees or other trained professionals,an energy audit uses special tools topinpoint potential improvements.Roger Hunt, a member of

Nebraska Public Power District’sEnergy Efficiency Team, conductsthorough energy audits through theutilities Home Energy Evaluation.After a quick safety check on ahome’s gas appliances and furnaces,experts such as Hunt place a blower


Getting comfortable with

Home EnergyEfficiency

by Les O’Dell


The 18 foot-long energy wall uses com-

pressed air flowing through the display

to demonstrate potential energy losses

that could easily be plugged with prop-

er caulking, insulation and various

sealants. Source: Illinois Country Living

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door on an exterior door. The devicepressurizes the home, making airleaks easier to locate.“The door simulates a 20 mile per

hour wind coming at the house fromall sides,” he explains. “It creates anegative pressure so we can find outwhat the biggest problems are whenit comes to comfort and energy.When we fix the comfort problem,we save energy, too.”“With the assistance of an

infrared camera,” Hunt explains,“we can find out what the biggestproblems are when it comes to com-fort and energy. Trouble spots can-not be fixed by rolling out moreinsulation, since it is not air sealing.The space needs to be specificallysealed.”Hunt acknowledged that most

leaks are in attics, but also notedthat like the flue chase, the chimneychase, plumbing stacks, electricalpenetrations, and around kitchenand bathroom soffits can be poten-tial locations for leaks.Hunt explained that before an

actual visit to a residence is per-formed, NPPD’s first line for infor-mation is through its customer carecenter colleagues (1-877-ASK-NPPD) who can direct customers toonline self-energy evaluation toolsthat will assist customers to betterunderstand their energy usage. Theenergy efficiency consultant wouldbe the next step where an evalua-tion of historical use would be pre-pared to determine further ques-tions to be asked of the residenceconcerning energy usage. “Sometimes the initial phone con-

versation offers a great opportunityto listen to the customer and to getto the root cause of the request, andat the same time, allows NPPD toexplain certain issues that a cus-tomer may not consider,” Huntexplained. “After that, an actualvisit could be made where an in-depth inspection would take place,including the use of the infraredcamera and door blower, to deter-

mine what the key energy lossissues are for the residence.”Hunt added that NPPD has com-

pleted energy audits on housesranging from new construction tocentury-old homes, and says manystates now require the test on allnew construction. States, such asNebraska, don’t require an energyaudit but may in the future.Wade Rahn, Customer Service

Coordinator at Butler Public PowerDistrict of David City, Neb. sayspublic power districts and electriccooperatives are always willing tohelp members find ways to maketheir homes more energy efficient.“We will gladly sell our customers

all of the electricity that they wantto use, but we encourage them to notwaste it either,” he says. “Each homeand how the individual customersuse energy varies drastically, so aone size fits all approach is not prac-tical. By tailoring the improvementsuggestions to each customer itallows them to maximize the bal-ance between their monthly energycosts and the funds available tomake these improvements.”

Designed to SaveRahn says older homes were built toa different standard, when energy

was less expensive and efficiencywas less important. Energy efficien-cy is a key concern for new homeconstruction, he adds.“Electrical rates will continue to

rise, so there has never been a bet-ter time to build an energy efficienthouse. Many options are available toconsumers building a new home.Calculators are available to us tohelp estimate energy savings basedon efficiency upgrades to tools thatverify the upgrades are performingproperly after installation,” Rahnexplains. “After a home is complet-ed, customers are not likely to makeenergy efficiency upgrades. There issignificant importance to make thebest decisions from the start to cap-italize on their investment.”Dickey’s electric cooperative

designed a demonstration tool forconsumer energy efficiency educa-tion. The 17-foot Energy EfficiencyWall is a popular exhibit at homeshows, fairs, and special events,showcasing more than a dozen waysenergy can leak through a home’swalls.“People see everything we’ve been

saying and it makes sense. Showingpeople what to do is different thantelling them. This has been a veryvaluable tool for us,” he explains.

Home Energy EfficiencyFrom page 16

Roger Hunt, a member of Nebraska Public Power District’s Energy Efficiency

Team, performs a blower door test for a customer. He uses smoke to check for

air leaks around a light fixture. Photograph by Steve Walker

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SAFETY BRIEFS

pring is traditionally thetime of year we turn ourattention to sprucing up

things both inside and outside ourhomes. And with May beingNational Electrical Safety Month,it’s also a good time to make sureyour home not only looks nice, but issafe from dangerous electrical haz-ards. To keep yourself and your family

safe from these dangers, the LevitonInstitute recommends a profession-al electrical safety inspection of yourhome and grounds every ten years.The Institute also encourages you toundertake an annual electrical safe-ty inspection yourself. Here aresome things to keep in mind:1. Water and electricity are a

potentially deadly combination.Avoid using power tools outdoors inwet grass or other wet or dampareas.2. Keep appliances like hair dry-

ers and radios away from the sink,tub, or pool, and make sure all out-lets near a water source areequipped with a Ground FaultCircuit Interrupter (GFCI). Thatincludes outlets in bathrooms,kitchens, unfinished basements, and

garages, and near swimming poolsand hot tubs. Make sure your out-door receptacles are GFCI protectedand that they are housed in weath-erproof covers.

3. Testing your GFCIs doesn't takelong. If your GFCI is a standardGFCI, plug a lamp or radio into theGFCI and turn the lamp or radioOn. Next press the TEST button andsee if the lamp or radio goes Off.Press the RESET button and thelamp or radio should go back On. Ifthe lamp or radio doesn't go Offwhen you push the TEST button,the GFCI isn't working properly andshould be replaced.4. Don’t overload an outlet.

Simply put, each household outlet israted for a safe amount of current,

typically 15-20 amps. Plugging toomany household appliances into thesame outlet can start a fire or createa shock hazard.5. Check all power and extension

cords for cracks or fraying. Thosethat are showing wear, and thosethat have been taped over in thepast, should be replaced immediate-ly. Never, under any circumstance,run extensions under carpets, rugs,or furniture, where you are unableto see their condition. When usingan extension cord outdoors, be sureit is rated for outdoor use.6. Make sure all outdoor tools and

appliances are unplugged whenthey’re not in use.7. All outlets that have loosefitting

plugs or are cracked or have brokenparts, and those that are hot to thetouch, are potential fire hazards andshould be immediately replaced.Switches that are cracked or are hotto the touch should similarly bereplaced.8. Be extremely careful when

using a ladder near overhead powerlines; even a wooden ladder contact-ing a power line can have potential-ly deadly results. Source: Leviton Institute

SProtect your home from electrical hazards


: We need replacement windowsfor our home. Every window

salesman makes his windows soundlike the best and most efficient. Howdo I choose among the various framematerials, styles, and glass types?

: It can be extremely difficult tosort through all the marketing

hype from salespeople to make theproper replacement window decision.Without telling salespeople who Iwas, I sat through many sales pre-sentations at my mother’s house. Iwas appalled at some of the absurdclaims I heard.It’s important to note that because

windows are an expensive project,energy efficiency should not be youronly reason to purchase new ones.Other efforts will save more money,and you can find ways to make yourexisting windows more energy effi-cient—try EnergySavers.gov. But ifyou truly need new windows, thereare some considerations.The proper selection not only

depends on the characteristic of thewindow, but also on your specifichouse and family lifestyle. What isbest for your next-door neighbor’shouse may not necessarily be best foryours. For example, you may want aview of a particular area outdoors orwant springtime ventilation whereasyour neighbor may keep their blindsclosed and air-condition continuously.You have mentioned the three main

decision criteria for selecting replace-ment windows: frame material, styleof window, and glass type. From thestandpoint of energy efficiency, theglass type and style of window aremore important than the frame mate-rial, which has a greater affect on thefunctionality, durability, mainte-nance, and appearance.The four most common frame mate-

rials for residential windows arevinyl, fiberglass, wood, and clad wood,and each has its own advantages.Vinyl is energy efficient and virtuallymaintenance free. They also are madeto the precise dimensions of the win-dow opening instead of having toshim out standard sizes.

In order to attain adequate rigidity,the vinyl frame extrusions havemany webs and chambers inside.These chambers create natural insu-lation, plus the vinyl material itself isa poor conductor of heat. For greaterR-value, several vinyl window manu-facturers inject expanding foam insu-lation inside the chambers as theframe is assembled.Always look for sash frames that

have welded corners for strength.Because the outer window frame isscrewed rigidly into the window open-ing framing, welded corners in it arenot as important as with the sashframes. If you select vinyl frames forlarge windows, especially in hot cli-mates, they should have steel rein-forcement internally. When vinyl getshot in the sun, it loses strength andrigidity.

Fiberglass frames are extremelystrong and can be painted any colorto match interior or exterior housecolors. Because its primary compo-nent is glass, fiberglass framesexpand and contract with tempera-ture changes about the same rate asthe glass panes to minimize stress.This characteristic is an advan-

tage for dark frame colors exposedto the sun, which can create a sub-stantial temperature rangethroughout the day and night. Thestrength of fiberglass frames is alsoan advantage for smaller windowsbecause narrower frame cross-sec-tions are acceptable. With otherframe materials, a thicker frame canreduce the glass area too much.Wood window frames have been

around forever, and when properlymaintained, have a very long life.Wood frames are also the mostattractive. This is true even if youchoose to paint the frames. It’s easi-er to cut more complex and sharpdetail into wood frame surfaces. Thedrawback of wood is some regularmaintenance is required for appear-ance and energy efficiency.Exterior vinyl- or aluminum-clad

wood frames greatly reduce themaintenance requirements. Thenatural wood can still be exposed onthe indoor surface so they look likewood windows from indoors. Somevinyl and fiberglass frames areavailable with natural wood indoorcladding to provide the appearanceof real wood frames.Because glass is most of the win-

dow, the type you choose is is the keyto its energy efficiency. Double pane-glass with low-E (low-emissivity)coatings and inert gas in the gapbetween the panes is adequate formost climates. Triple-pane glassmay make sense for severely coldclimates.

CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS

Cut through sales hype before replacing windows

by James Dulley

Q

A

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

The cavities and webs inside a vinyl

window frame improve insulation and

strength. Photograph provided by

Weathershield

May 2013 23

FREE AL 100 and $50 Mail-in Rebate offers through 6/30/13 with purchase of any STIHL Lithium-Ion unit and battery. While supplies last. See your participating STIHL Dealer for details. © 2013 CDC STIHL CDC13-2REN22-107297-2 STIHLdealers.com

Instant starts; the one battery system that delivers multiple yardcare solutions; quieter operation with no gas and no exhaust emissions. With purchase of one Lithium-Ion battery and one Lithium-Ion unit, receive a FREE AL 100 CHARGER – A $49.99 VALUE! And now, a LIMITED TIME $50 MAIL-IN REBATE makes the STIHL Battery KombiSystem even easier to buy. Ask your Dealer for complete details.

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versation with a service representa-tive who just couldn’t believe that thenearest Wal-Mart was over two hoursaway and finally just hung up on mewhen I wanted to exchange the prod-uct by mail.Because public power is local, you

can talk to people who understandyou, that realize that a trip to town isa thirty mile round trip, and if theyhang up on you can expect you to bethere in about fifteen minutes or less- unless you call your local directorfirst…Public power is yours to keep, or

yours to sell. Someday you may beasked to consider if a fist full of dol-lars is worth local service, control,and ownership at a price you canafford, so special interest groups candictate to you what you need andshould want. It’s okay with me if yougive them a politically incorrectanswer – I would.

John Hoke Guest EditorialFrom page 5


DOWN HOMERECIPES

1 10-ounce prepared thin pizzacrust (about 12 inches)1/2 cup pizza sauce2 cups (8 ounces) shredded pro-

volone cheese8 ounces bulk Italian sausage,

cooked, crumbled and drained1 4-ounce can mushroom pieces,

drained

Heat oven to 450º F. Spreadpizza crust evenly with sauce, onecup cheese, sausage, mushroom,and remaining cup of cheese. Bakedirectly on oven rack for 10 min-utes, or until crust is crisp andcheese is melted.

Cheesy Sausage andMushroom Pizza

Recipe provided by theNational Pork Board

Sloppy Joes

Moist Coffee Cake

Creamy Grape Salad

Doris J. Rempe, Lawrence, Nebraska

2 lbs. hamburger3/4 cup finely cut onions1 1/2 cup catsup1 tablespoon mustard2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce1 Tablespoon vinegar1/2 cup brown sugar1 teaspoon garlic powderSalt & pepper to taste

Brown hamburger and onion. Add rest of ingredients and heat well.Serve on buns.

Annie Mollring, McCook, Nebraska

Combine cake mix and eggs to make a very stiff batter. Stir in apple piemix and spread in a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch pan. Top with toppingand bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Kelly Schramm, Madison, Nebraska

1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese, softened1 cup sour cream1/3 cup sugar2 teaspoon vanilla 2 lbs. seedless green grapes2 lbs. seedless red grapes3 tablespoons brown sugar2 tablespoons chopped pecans

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla untilblended. Add grapes (I have cut the grapes in halves, your own prefer-ence). Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans just before serving. Serves20-24.

Mix: 1 box yellow cake mix3 eggs1 can apple pie filling (or 6 cooked and peeled apples)

Topping:1/2 cup brown sugar2 tablespoons flour2 tablespoons cinnamon2 tablespoons butter1 cup chopped nuts

May 2013 25

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

Look for Adult Pen Pals next month

ue to a low number of sub-missions sent in by read-ers for use in the May

issue of the Rural ElectricNebraskan, no Adult Pen Pals sub-missions will be printed thismonth. Submissions sent for use in the

May issue will appear in the June2013 issue of the magazineinstead.It is the policy of the Rural

Electric Nebraskan to run AdultPen Pal submissions only when atleast six letters have beenreceived by the Nebraska RuralElectric Association office in agiven month.The Rural Electric Nebraskan

Adult Pen Pal Service is exclusively for member-readers ages 18 and over.Adult Pen Pal submissions can be sent to Rural Electric Nebraskan AdultPen Pal Service, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

D


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