Rural Electric Nebraskan - 11/15 by Nebraska Rural Electric Association

November 2015

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Contents Volume 69, Number 11, November 2015

“The Rural Voice of Nebraska”

Staff

Editor Wayne Price

Editorial Assistant Tina Schweitzer Published by the

Visit us at www.nrea.org General Manager Troy Bredenkamp

President Randy Papenhausen, Cedar-Knox Public Power District Vice President/Secretary Ron Jensen, Loup Valleys Rural Public Power District

All Aboard!

Advertising in the Rural Electric Nebraskan does not imply endorsement for products by the Nebraska 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 Quad Graphics, 2300 Brown Ave., Waseca, MN 56093. Form 3579 should be sent to the Rural Electric Nebraskan, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, Neb. POSTMASTER: send address changes to the Rural Electric Nebraskan, 1244 K Street, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

Publication numbers are USPS 071-630 and ISSN 0193-4937. Rates: $10 for one year; $15 for two years; $20 for three years, plus local and state tax.

November 2015

Wayne Glasser shares his experiences of working nearly 44 years for the railroad with freelance writer LaRayne Topp. Glasser turned much of his railroad memorabilia over to the Madison County Historical Society, including passenger time tables, outdoor railroad signs, and his telegraph key and sounder.

The Life of a Lineman

On a typical day, lineworkers maintain electrical distribution lines or build service to new homes and businesses in Nebraska. They endure harsh weather and long hours, all to make our lives better. We often take power—and the men and women who provide it—for granted. Let’s take a moment and stand in their boots.

Treasurer David Keener, Niobrara Electric Association, Inc.

Published monthly by the Nebraska Rural Electric Association, 1244 K Street, Box 82048, Lincoln, Nebraska 68501, (402) 475-4988.

Features

Departments EDITOR’S PAGE

SAFETY BRIEFS — Murphy

CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS by James Dulley

RECIPES

MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS

On the cover As harvest season winds to a close, remember to be aware of power lines. Look up and Live! Photograph by Wayne Price.

Change your furnace filter for savings EDITOR’S PAGE

ne of my duties around the house is to change the furnace filter. My plan involves checking the filter every 30 days and changing it when it begins to collect dust and dirt. It’s a small job in the scheme of things really, but it’s also an important one. If you’re concerned about energy efficiency in your home, making a small change can often lead to a larger impact. Changing the filters on your HVAC system makes your unit run more efficiently, which results in keeping your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It also saves money. That leaves more money for other things that you want to do. People often assume the main purpose of the furnace filter is to improve indoor air quality by filtering air inside the home. The filter does perform this task but that is not its primary job. Actually, the most important purpose of a furnace filter is to reduce the amount of dust, dirt and debris that builds up on components inside the heating and cooling system. Changing or cleaning your filters will help you increase the efficiency and life expectancy of your system while helping you reduce energy costs. Clogged or dirty air filters can block air flow and cause your system to run longer. And the dirty air that gets past a filter can make its way into the fan motor, coils, and other parts inside causing damage to the components. Normal activities around your home tend to drive dust into the air from carpets, furniture and drapes. Dust and dirt trapped in a system’s air filter leads to several problems, including: • Reduced air flow in the home and up to 15 percent higher operating costs • Costly duct cleaning or replacement • Lowered system efficiency I’ve read articles from several heating and cooling experts that recommend changing your filter every month. While that may ensure you never operate your system with a dirty filter, you may be throwing a good filter away before it needs replacing. If you are not sure how frequently your filter needs replacement, start by checking it monthly for a year. Some filters may require replacement each time, but if your system runs very little, you may get additional use from the same filter. This is more likely to happen during mild months in the spring and fall. Remember that some filters are designed

O by Wayne Price

to last multiple months, so check the individual information on the filter. By checking the filter and following manufacturers’ recommendations you will be able to calculate how often you need to replace the filter. Filters are available at most hardware stores and home improvement stores. in a variety of types and efficiencies, rated by a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). MERV, a method developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, tests filter effectiveness. The higher the MERV number, the higher the filter’s effectiveness at keeping dust out of your system. While most types of filters must be replaced, some filters are reusable. And don’t forget about the winter months. Your heating system needs to work as efficiently as possible to keep you warm (and your loved one feeling snuggly), and a clean air filter helps it do that. Standard fiberglass filters have a MERV rating of about 1 to 4. Medium efficiency pleated filters have MERV ratings between 5 and 13 and high efficiency pleated filters have MERV ratings from 14 to 16. HVAC manufacturers suggest using filters with a medium efficiency so you do not restrict air flow enough to cause any problems. They just need to be changed when necessary. Heating and cooling professionals recommend turning your system off before changing the air filter. Make sure that the arrow on the filter – which indicates the direction of the airflow – is pointing toward the blower motor. When you’ve made the change, turn your system back on. Air filters for home systems can be difficult to locate or hidden from view behind other equipment. If it’s not obvious, check your furnace manufacturer’s documentation for the designated filter location. If you do not have your documentation, try going to the manufacturers’ website and downloading a copy of the documentation. Beyond saving money and improving the air quality in your home, changing your air filter is a great opportunity to teach your family more about energy efficiency. By getting everyone involved, the entire family will learn how simple changes can make a big difference.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

TV Talk Show Doctor’s Shocking revelation. If you suffer bouts of acid reflux, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas or IBS; beware of digestion remedies like Prilosec ®, Prevacid ® and Nexium ®... They Can Cripple You! By Damian Wexler, Freelance Health Reporter Recently, medical professionals and alternative medicine experts have taken to the airways to reveal a simple secret that amazed millions who suffer with digestion nightmares. And people haven’t stopped talking about it since. Real Customer Testimonial:

For the better part of my life I purposely avoided a lot of foods. Especially ones with even a tiny bit of seasoning. Because if I didn’t, I’d experience a burning sensation through my esophagus- like somebody poured hot lead or battery acid down my throat. Add to that those disgusting “mini-throw ups” and I was in “indigestion hell”. Doctors put me on all sorts of antacid remedies. But nothing worked. Or if they did, it would only be for a brief period. And then boom! My nightmare would return. Then one day at dinner, a friend of mine said, “Why don’t you try an aloe drink?” I said, “Aloe drink? Jeez. That doesn’t sound good at all!” The next day he brought me a case of something called AloeCure® I was shocked! AloeCure® tasted pretty good too. It has a pleasant grape flavor that I actually enjoy drinking. I decided to experiment. I stopped taking the PPIs altogether and replaced it with a daily diet of AloeCure® Then something remarkable happened - NOTHING! Not even the slightest hint of indigestion. And here’s the best part. The next day we had Italian food - my worst enemy. But for the first time in 40 years I didn’t need pills or tablets to avoid indigestion. Thank you AloeCure®! - Ralph Burns

“I’d give anything to make it stop!” That’s what most people will tell you when asked about their digestive problems. “It’s just horrible,” says Ralph Burns, a former digestion victim. “I was tortured for years by my Acid-Reflux.”

FDA Warns About Popular Antacids A recent FDA warning explained that excessive use of antacids could lead to an increased risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures. Especially in people over the age of 50. So when AloeCure® was presented on National TV, you can imagine how thrilled people were to find out they could finally get relief. Now, your stomach problems could be over by simply drinking a small amount of a tasty Aloe Vera extract everyday. It’s as simple as that!

Finally There’s Hope... At first, the thought of drinking aloe vera might make some people back away. But in fact, this delicious “digestion cocktail” is doing amazing things for people who suffer with digestive problems --- even if they’ve had them for years. Here’s how it works…

Stop Stomach Indigestion Your stomach naturally produces acid so strong, it can dissolve an aluminum spoon in just 30 minutes! And when excess acid escapes into your esophagus, throat and stomach lining, it unleashes discomfort and more misery. Add the problems of stress, and “all heck breaks loose.” Dr. Liza Leal, a well known expert on chronic pain management explains... “The AloeCure® can work genuine miracles. It buffers high acid levels with amazing speed. So your stomach feels completely at ease just moments after drinking it.” In fact, it could wipe out stomach discomfort and frantic runs to the bathroom.

Until Now, Little Could Be Done... But “AloeCure® can help virtually anyone. Even people with chronic stomach indigestion can start to feel better right away,” says Dr. Leal. And what’s really exciting is AloeCure® aids in keeping your digestive tract healthy, so with regular use intestinal distress stops coming back. As Ralph Burns goes on to say, “I know AloeCure® never claimed to be a substitute for drug store products and is only meant to be a helpful supplement. Now though, AloeCure® is the only product I need for all my digestion issues”

Digestion Defender #1: Balances Stomach Acid Your first line of defense is calcium malate. This natural acid buffer instantly sends stomach acid levels plunging. And holds acid levels down so they are not likely to return!

Doctor recommended AloeCure® may be the most important application ever discovered for digestive health!

Digestion Defender #2: Instant, Soothing Relief AloeCure® is brimming with polysaccharides, a “wonder” compound that gently coats the throat, esophagus and stomach, carrying instant relief to cells scorched by excess acid.

Here’s What Doctors Are Saying! AloeCure® is backed by important scientific studies that confirm... aloe calms stomach acid and allows your body to heal itself. Dr. Liza Leal, M.D & Chief Medical Officer at Meridian Medical. says, “That’s why I recommend it to patients who suffer from bouts of heartburn, Acid-Reflux, ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome...” Dr. Santiago Rodriguez agrees. “Just two ounces of AloeCure® reduces the acids in your stomach by ten times.” Francisco DeWeever, a Certified Nutritional Microscopist, “My patients report their IBS, Crohn’s, Colitis, Constipation, Acid-Reflux and a host of other digestive problems have all but disappeared.” After conducting an unpaid investigation about AloeCure® claims and success stories, pure Aloe Vera extract like AloeCure® may be the most important application ever discovered for digestive health.

Safe And Easy To Use With no sugar, no stimulants, and zero calories, AloeCure®is safe and all-natural. It’s tasty, drug-free, and simple to use. Just drink two ounces, once in the morning, and once at night, and start enjoying immediate relief! The makers of AloeCure® have agreed to send you up to 6 FREE bottles PLUS 2 free bonus gifts with your order— they’re yours to keep no matter what. That’s enough AloeCure® for 30 days of powerful digestive relief, absolutely free! To order simply call our toll free hotline: 1-800-330-0061. But hurry! This is a special introductory offer, reserved for our readers only. Call now, supplies are limited!

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. INDIVIDUAL RESULTS MAY VARY. *ALOECURE IS NOT A DRUG. IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY TAKING A PRESCRIPTION DRUG YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE USE. FOR THE FULL FDA PUBLISHED WARNING PLEASE VISIT HTTP://WWW.FDA.GOV/DOWNLOADS/FORCONSUMERS/CONSUMERUPDATES/UCM213307

All Aboard!

Wayne Glasser shares his memories of his days with the railroad by LaRayne Topp chool kids from Madison County, Nebraska, lined up eagerly, hair trimmed into a flat top or pulled back into a pony tail. Shirts were tucked into dungarees or skirts, and saddle shoes were neatly polished. In each hand, each student tightly clutching a special railway pass entitling the holder to a train ride to the city and back. As the engine chugged alongside the Madison, Nebraska, train depot, agent Wayne Glasser punched each ticket and the school kids were on their way – fifteen miles and back. As they rode, they took part in one of the last scenes of Americana in Northeast Nebraska—a ride on a passenger car of the Union Pacific Railroad, each railcar trailing behind the one before it on the way from Madison, Nebraska, to Norfolk. Although the railroad line had discontinued passenger service by that time, Glasser wanted kids to have the experience, so he lined up the ride, called surrounding country schools to invite the students, and made up his own tickets, so that the kids could have tickets for him to punch. “One day, when they’re married and have kids, they can say, ‘I rode the train,’” Glasser said. Every so often, Glasser hears from kids who rode the trains “some 50 years ago.” Many of them have families of their own, and remind Glasser of their fond memories of taking a ride on the rail. Glasser began working for the

railroad at a time when trains were busy, loaded with almost 75 percent of the freight carried between United States cities. At one time, railroads carried the nation’s mail, hauled livestock to big city stockyards and packing houses, and transported tons of freight along with passengers and their luggage to and fro. In the train’s makeup were locomotives, train cars, cabooses and train crews: conductors, engineers and brakemen. After the U.S. entered World War II in 1941, the nation’s railroads handled more business than ever before. Passenger and freight trains ran day and night, packed to capacity. However, by the time the war had ended in 1945, much of the

Wayne Glasser with railroad signs set in place at the Madison County Museum in Madison, Nebraska.

rail line’s equipment was worn out from overuse, causing the railroad companies to spend billions of dollars to replace it.That’s when Wayne Glasser entered the picture. Wayne Glasser was born to a farm family in 1928 in Hamilton County near Polk, Nebraska. Following his graduation from Polk High School in 1945 he knew he didn’t want to follow in the dirt-packed, boot prints of his farmer father. He recalled that his uncle had made a decent living during the days of the Great Depression as a telegraph operator. So he borrowed $200, a tidy sum in those days, and headed off that fall for telegraphy school in Chillicothe, Missouri. While taking classes, he learned the Morse code, and how to operate a telegraph key. The young Nebraskan sat intently at the table, listening to a series of dots and dashes. Short dots and longer dashes, short gaps and medium gaps, long gaps and even longer dashes. He deciphered this series of dots and dashes, writing down what the sounds meant on a piece of paper. Then he took hold of the contraption in front of him, an automatic key and sounder, and tapped one way for dots and another for dashes. The three letters word, yes, for example, would sound like dah-dit-dah-day, dit, did-dit-dit. The work of the telegraph key changed the dots and dashes of the Morse code into electrical impulses and sent them over telegraph wires, a swift means of long-distance communication. The International Morse Code was used by the United States Military, and American Morse Code was generally used by the railroad, Glasser said. To the average person, the series of dots and dashes was meaningless. But to a trained ear, the signals of the Morse code meant that skilled telegraph operators like Wayne Glasser could send messages across the United States and even overseas. While Glasser was at telegraphy school, the American GIs were coming home from the war. They were lined up for classes too, so

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Left: Wayne Glasser shows Don Knapp how his telegraph key and sounder worked. Knapp is president of the Madison County Historical Society and member of the Northeast Nebraska Model Railroad Association. Center: Glasser's collection of railroad time tables at the Madison County Museum. Right: Glasser looks over display cases with railroad memorabilia he donated to the Madison County Museum encased inside. Photographs by LaRayne Topp Glasser grew a mustache to appear older than he was. When he wasn’t in class in the afternoons, he set pins in a bowling alley. He earned ten cents an hour for this task, setting the bowling pins in place and then quickly pulling himself out of the road so he wouldn’t get smashed by the incoming bowling balls. As he kept at it, his practice at the telegraph key, and moonlighting at the bowling alley paid off. By March of 1946, he was working for the railroad. He started as a helper until he could learn the ropes, with the railroad sending him to locations like Cozad, Lexington and Gibbon, where he handled the mail at night. In that way, the railroad could avoid giving its regular agents overtime pay. Railroads had wires connecting their stations, and Morse code was sent over these wires. Many clerks could do other business while the sounder was clicking out code, tracking the code in his head until he had a chance to write out the message. Eventually, Glasser became so familiar with how other telegraphers relayed messages he could tell by the sound of it, who the transmitter was on the other end of the line. “When you’d hear it, you’d know who it was. Some were slow and some were bouncy,” he said. Each operator had his own rhythm. When Glasser was ready, he took

November 2015

the rules exam, passing the test in July of 1946. Doing so, established his seniority date as a telegrapher. The seniority date was important to the bidding process, as those with no regular job bid on upcoming positions as they came open. Those with the oldest seniority date had a good chance on getting the job, Glasser said. When Glasser was barely 17 years old, a position at the Signal Tower in Grand Island, Neb., came open. He operated switching equipment in the control tower while routing trains onto tracks heading west. Within a few months he got bumped through the bidding process, and an opening came up at the Signal Tower in Council Bluffs, Iowa. By then, he was married to his wife, Dolores, and they stayed with his wife’s sister and brother-in-law in Omaha. On a trip back home to Central City, his wife got on the train at the Signal Tower at Council Bluffs, while Glasser jumped on the engine at the signal tower in Council Bluff, leading the string of cars. By the time Dolores got to Union Station in Omaha, Wayne was standing on the platform, waiting for his wife. It took 30 days to break in at Council Bluffs, Glasser said. It was a complicated job to learn. He was in charge of 140 levers which relocated short sections of track to sort ten different railroads.

“One guy on the ground was on the phone to the tower to tell which switches to move,” Glasser said. It was up to Glasser to pull the switches and give the okay for the trains to go ahead. Before long Glasser was again bumping a railroad employee so that he could move up the ladder to a larger, better paying station. This time it was his brother who got the bump, and Glasser ended up at a station at Miller, northwest of Kearney, Nebraska. The town was so small, “You were there a week and everybody knew you,” Glasser said about the community. While there, in the years 1948 and 1949, the community experienced the worst blizzard since 1888. Snow was packed 14 foot deep, Glasser said, piled up as high as the eves of the depot. He called his wife to say he couldn’t get home. During the afternoon, however, the winds blew so hard, by the next morning the drift was gone, blown into the next county. The next position to come open was one at the Bainard Depot. It was bigger than the depot in Miller, Glasser said, but he soon realized that the Glassers were strangers in town, in more ways than one. They were the only Lutherans in a town where many spoke a language that was foreign to him as well. “There were no Methodists; they were all Catholics. They were

All Aboard From page 7 jabbering in Bohemian, and I knew there were talking about me.” From there, Glasser was transferred to the Columbus Signal Tower, and then on to Monroe. “We made a lot of friends there at Monroe, and played a lot of cards in the evenings,” Glasser said. But by then, Glasser’s draft number had come up in anticipation of the Korean War. The year 1952 found Glasser stationed at Ft. Eustis, Virginia. Fortunately, he was assigned to the transportation corps where he served as First Sergeant. “I was older than the rest, and with railroad experience,” Glasser said. He taught the soldiers about dispatching trains for the entire two years he was stationed there. While in the military, Glasser and other recruits were tested for their proficiency in telegraphy. They were all in the same room as the testing officer began to tap out a message in Morse code. He started out slow enough, and everyone could keep up. However, the messages came increasingly faster and faster. One after another the servicemen dropped out, unable to decipher the code at such a quick rate. Finally, everyone in the room had dropped out with the exception of Glasser. He was still able to translate each message from Morse code into words. “You must have had railroad experience” the officer said. While Glasser was nearing the end of his time in the military, the station at Polk came open, Glasser’s old hometown, located near the farm of Glasser’s in-laws. Because Glasser was in the service, but knew his tour of duty would soon be up, his brother sent in an application on Glasser’s behalf. Although the Polk depot seemed like the perfect setting, Glasser saw he was soon to be bumped by someone with 12 years seniority.

Glasser with framed collection of railroad emblems at the Madison County Museum. A display of model trains are in the background.

Although it was hard to leave his hometown, Glasser transferred to Madison in 1957. He became the agent there, at a station with two trains a day plus freight runs. The Madison railroad depot was erected in 1907. It was a colorful building, built of wood, painted yellow and trimmed in brown. While stationed there, Glasser worked for the Railway Express Company, where packages were sent on passenger trains, similar to today’s UPS package delivery service. In addition to delivery of the packages, Glasser’s main jobs at the Madison depot were tracking the freight cars and delivery of Western Union telegraph messages. One of the most difficult duties while working for Western Union was delivery of reports to the families of those killed in the war. Fortunately for Glasser, that happened only three times: two missing in action telegrams to Brainard and Monroe, and one death notice in Madison. He had to deliver the telegram to the home of the serviceman, “and that was the tough part,” Glasser said. Aside from the delivery of telegrams, Glasser was busy with other things a depot agent did. He took tickets. He made up bills of lading for the freight cars, along with way bills for each, listing where it came from, what it was filled with,

and the rate. He collected freight from each customer, and wrote monthly reports. And finally, he completed yard checks in every yard, On one occasion, he got a call asking if a particular railcar was parked in the yard, and if it was full or empty. Glasser was not about to go crawling on the top, he said, but the caller insisted. Glasser said he didn’t need to look into the car in order to answer the man’s question. He could tell by tapping on the side of the car if it was full or empty after listening for a ring or a thud. In addition, if the springs beneath the car were squashed down it was easy to determine if it was full without crawling up to look in. Glasser hadn’t worked for so many years for the railroad without learning a few tricks of the trade. Another time, a body was brought back in a shipping case in one of the passenger cars, a tag tied to one of its toes. Glasser was talking to the corpse, he said. The brakeman panicked when he saw Glasser talking to the body and he ran out of the express car and up against the grain elevator, Glasser said. In the years Glasser worked as Madison’s depot agent, numerous cream cans were transported via freight cars. He unloaded about 15 to 20 cans a day, destined for the creamery at Madison. In return, carloads of butter went out from

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Madison. By 1965, few agents knew the Morse code any longer, Glasser said. Telephone messages replaced those sent by wire. But there were many more mistakes as they did so. One word often sounded like something else, Glasser said. The work of the rail line was reduced to freight business primarily, with not much work for an agent. Fewer cars made up the train, and those that did carried much of the same freight. By 1970, the depot in Madison closed, and Glasser became a mobile agent. He was given a van to drive, which he took from station to station: Enola, Madison, Humphrey, Platte Center and Monroe. He billed out cars every day from Monday through Friday. Another agent ran lines further south. Between the two of them, they ran fourteen lines around Madison, covering 3,000 miles in a month’s time. “There was plenty of work,” Glasser said, “but not enough business to keep the depots open.” Eventually, the mobile agents were eliminated too. Work was completed by telephone and the mobile vans relocated to St. Louis. The train station at Schuyler was still operating so Glasser put in his final bid there. But gradually the work slowed down and there wasn’t much left to do. The railroad offered buyouts to get rid of all the agents, Glasser said. He retired at the end of 1989 after working nearly 44 years for the railroad. Even though Glasser’s time with the railroad has come to a close, he remains an expert in a part of America that remains only in memory. He’s turned much of his railroad memorabilia over to the Madison County Historical Society, including passenger time tables, outdoor railroad signs, and his telegraph key and sounder. His conversation is sprinkled with railroad terms, as can only happen to a railroad man. He calls an engineer a hog head, and a caboose, a crummy. Section men were gandy dancers,

November 2015

and a man who added engines to the trains in the round house was a hostler. And throughout the day, the songs of the train stations themselves play in his heart as he recalls his days as a depot agent: the chooga chooga chooga of the engine and waaank of the whistle, the clickety-clack of steel wheels on the rails, and the dit-dahday of the telegraph key.

Editor’s Note Wayne Glasser passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, at the age of 86, not long after his interview with LaRayne Topp. I felt his story should still be shared with our readers. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

UNWRAP winter energy savings by Amber Bentley

he holidays are upon us! It’s that special time of year when we spend a great deal of time with friends and family, either in the kitchen or out and about shopping for the perfect gift. As you find yourself wrapped up in the holiday excitement, here are a few ways to be energy efficient during this busy time of year.

Cooking efficiently • Be kind to your oven. Every time you open the oven door to check on that dish, the temperature inside is reduced by as much as 25 degrees. This forces the oven to use more energy in order to get back to the proper cooking temperature. Try keeping the door closed as much as possible. Also, remember to take advantage of residual heat for the last five to 10 minutes of baking time – this is another way to save energy use. If you’re using a ceramic or glass dish, you can typically set your oven 25 degrees lower than stated, since these items hold more heat than metal pans. • Give your burners some relief. The metal reflectors under your stovetop burners should always be clean. If not, this will prevent your stove from working as effectively as it should. • Utilize small appliances. During the holidays, the main appliances used are the oven and stovetop. Try using your slow cooker, microwave, toaster oven or warming plate more often. This will result in substantial energy savings. Home efficiency • Take advantage of heat from the sun. Open your curtains during the day to allow sunlight to naturally

heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows. • Find and seal all air leaks. Check areas near pipes, gaps around chimneys, cracks near doors and windows and any unfinished places. • Maintain your heating system. Schedule services for your heating system before it gets too cold to find out what maintenance you may need to keep your system operating efficiently. • Eliminate “vampire energy” waste. When you are not using an appliance or an electronic, unplug it to save energy. Power strips are definitely a good investment for your home.

Efficient shopping • Purchase LED holiday lights. A string of traditional lights uses 36 watts of power and a string of LED lights only uses 5 watts. They can even last up to 10 times longer! • Ask for Energy Star-rated TVs and appliances. This will save you a lot of power use because the standby-mode is lower and the device will use less energy overall. • Combine errands to reduce the number of small trips. To-do lists seem to pile up around this time of the year. Believe it or not, several short trips in the winter can use twice as much fuel as one longer trip covering the same distance as all of the shorter ones. Being energy efficient is usually not top priority when celebrating the holidays, and most of us don’t realize the lack of efficiency until the next bill comes in. Prevent your post-holiday shock this year by thinking creatively and remembering all of these tips!

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The life of a lineman When severe weather causes an outage, it’s the job of the linemen to restore power to customers hey wake before the sun, pour steaming cups of coffee, and kiss their family goodbye. After swinging by the office to get the day’s orders, men climb into their trucks and head out. Our lineworkers form a solid team with one job: to deliver safe, reliable electricity. But that job can change in a million ways when rough weather steps in. We often take power—and the men and women who provide it— for granted. Let’s take a moment and stand in their boots. Linemen have to work safely, smart, and efficiently—all while 40 feet in the air wearing sturdy, thick rubber gloves. On a typical day, lineworkers maintain electrical distribution lines or build service to new homes and businesses in Nebraska. They have a lot on their plates. But when our dispatch center calls crews with a problem, everything else takes a backseat. As a lineman, sometimes we get called out in the middle of the night, any condition, rain, ice, snow, said Mike Wiltse, a journeyman/lineman at Norris Public Power District. “When we go out in the middle of the night, sometimes it’s pretty cold,” said Derek Kinnett, Norris PPD journeyman/lineman. “There’s no getting away from it, nowhere to hide out there. It’s cold.” Power restoration takes precedence on a lineworker’s to-do list. These brave men are always on call. We have crews standing by to serve you 24 hours a day, in the

Norris Public Power District linemen Mike Wiltse, left, and Trevor Nitzel enjoy working outside in all types of weather. middle of the night or wee hours of the morning, weekends and holidays. Can you imagine getting a call at 3 a.m. telling you to work outside during bad weather? Not many people are willing to face storms. Our lineworkers face harsh elements daily, all to serve you. “We were called out one Christmas and the snow was blowing so hard, it was so deep,” said Norris PPD maintenance foreman Corey Lamprecht. “We were repairing wire and you couldn’t see the guy right in front of you. It was bad conditions.” Lamprecht said being a lineman is difficult at time but it can be

Nebraska’s electric rates are among the top 15 lowest in the U.S.

Corey Lamprecht Maintenance Foreman harder for the people around him. “I think our families sacrifice more than we do,” he said. “The fact that when we go out, they’re home. You have to have good family and

Visit the website at: www.workingfornebraska.org

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Nolan Whalen Journeyman/Lineman

Derek Kinnett Journeyman/Lineman

Trevor Nitzel Apprentice Lineman

friends and an understanding wife.” Lineworkers also focus on safety; the lives of coworkers are on the line. Job safety is important to everyone, for lineworkers, there can be no slip ups or careless actions. Mistakes can cost a limb or life. That’s one of the reasons lineman form a brotherhood. When you put your life in the hands of co-workers every day, they become more than colleagues. They’re family. “I’ve got a very good group of guys I work with,” said Nolan Whalen, a journeyman/lineman at Norris PPD. “You build a relationship with them that is very important because they’ve got your back and you’ve got theirs and you put your life on the line for them.” That sense of family extends to public power districts and electric co-ops across the nation. One of our principles is cooperation among cooperatives. We help other rural electric utilities in their time of need, and they extend that service to us, too. It’s reassuring to know if a severe storm strikes, a national team of lineworkers stand ready to answer the call. “Mutual aid is great. We love helping our neighbors out, being there for each other,” Lamprecht said. “Sometimes when there’s an outage at another system we have to go help them. And if we need help, they’ll come help us.”

Customers are often quite appreciative of the lineman’s hard work to restore the power. Kinnett shared the story of when he went to help Seward Public Power District after a tornado went through Beaver Crossing. He spent about a week helping, working 16 hour days. “There was a guy pulling a smoker behind his truck. He had everybody gather up and he fed us all dinner that night,” Kinnett said. “He was real thankful we were there to help.” To be ready to respond no matter the situation or weather conditions, linemen are highly trained. In Nebraska, lineworkers go through regular training to ensure they can work safely with various kinds of equipment. The equipment gets tested regularly, too. They take pride in working in their local communities and helping their neighbors.

“One night we responded to an outage a few miles up the road from my house,” said Trevor Nitzel, an apprentice lineman at Norris PPD. “I knew the lady and she actually met me at the front door when I came to tell her the lights were back on. She was very thankful and really happy that me and the other guy got there so quickly.” Being a lineman is rewarding, Nitzel. “You get to work with some great guys and at the end of the day, after a big storm, the people are thankful for getting their lights back on. That makes you feel good, like you’ve done something good.” These highly skilled men light our homes and businesses every day. They endure harsh weather and long hours, all to make our lives better. Today (and every day), please take a moment to thank them.

November 2015

Safety tips for portable, standby generators hen severe weather knocks out power, many of those affected turn to portable, standby generators to help keep food safe, lights on, and safety and medical equipment operating. The growing popularity of emergency generators has resulted in several million being placed in homes and small businesses across the nation. However, only a small percentage are hooked up or used correctly. SafeElectricity.org urges consumers to understand proper generator safety steps. “Generators can be a lifesaver for some and can improve the quality of life after a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake,” explains Molly Hall, executive director of the Safe Electricity

program. “However, it’s critical that proper safety precautions be taken to prevent accidents that could affect you, a family member, neighbor, or utility lineworker.” Generators can be temporarily or permanently installed. A permanent generator is wired into a house by a qualified electrician using a transfer switch. This protects you, your neighbors, and repair crews from electricity back-feeding onto power lines. This can seriously injure anyone near those lines, especially rural electric utility crews working to restore power. A temporary generator fired by gasoline or diesel fuel should not be attached to a circuit breaker, fuse, or outlet. The improper use of a standby generator can lead to injury or death.

using a generator, When SafeElectricity.org urges you to follow these tips to keep you and your family safe: • Read and follow all manufacturer operating instructions to properly ground the generator. Be sure you understand them before starting it up. • Standby generators should have a transfer safety switch installed by a professional. Portable generators should never be plugged directly into a home outlet or electrical system— use an extension cord to plug appliances into an outlet on the generator. • Never operate a generator in a confined area, such as a garage. Generators produce gases, including deadly carbon monoxide. They require proper ventilation. • Remember, when venturing outside after a severe storm, stay away from downed power lines and be alert to the possibility that tree limbs or debris may hide an electrical hazard. Assume that any dangling wires you encounter are electrical, and treat all downed or hanging power lines as if they are energized. Warn others to stay away and contact the electric utility. • Generators pose electrical risks, especially when operated in wet conditions. Use a generator only when necessary when the weather creates wet or moist conditions. Protect the generator by operating it under an open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface where water cannot form puddles or drain under it. Always ensure that your hands are dry before touching the generator. • When you refuel the generator, make sure the engine is cool to prevent a fire, should the tank overflow. • There should be nothing plugged into the generator when you turn it on. This prevents a surge from damaging your generator and appliances. • Be sure to keep children and pets away from the generator, which could burn them. Source: SafeElectricity.org

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Saving energy and money in the kitchen

he holidays are upon us, which means most of us will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Whether you are considering replacing an appliance or simply looking for small ways to be more efficient, here are some tips to help you save energy – and money! It sits in the kitchen, quietly humming away to keep your food cold. Most people don’t think about their refrigerator that often – as long as it’s working. A refrigerator typically runs for several years without any problems – but that doesn’t mean it’s performing to its optimal capacity. Older refrigerators use more energy. Upgrading this appliance can bring a major return on your investment. According to Energy Star, if your refrigerator is from the 1980s, replacing it with a new model could cut your electric bill by $100 a year. If you bought your refrigerator in the 1970s, the savings could be as much as $200 a year. Cooking can also be a big energy expender – in more ways than one!

But there are a few ways to save energy while cooking. Placing the lid on a pot of boiling water will trap heat and cause the water to come to a boil faster. And there is no need to preheat the oven when cooking a large piece of meat, like a turkey or ham (you do need to preheat when baking or cooking smaller dishes). And, if you are planning on using the oven for a long period of time – for instance, when you are cooking one of those large pieces of meat – you might be able to turn down your home’s thermostat. The simple act of cooking will add warmth to the home because the heat from the oven can raise the temperature in the kitchen and surrounding rooms. This is especially true if you are hosting a party. Once your home begins to fill with people, the temperature will quickly begin to rise. Even after the meal is over, there are still ways for you to save energy. The first is to make sure that your dishwasher is full before it’s started. Next, make sure you are using the right setting on your dishwasher.

Many newer dishwashers have sensors that detect how clean your dishes are. When these auto cycles are used, they will get dishes clean without wasting energy or water. The sanitize setting should rarely be used since it is energy intensive. It is also a good idea to make sure the filter at the bottom of the wash-tub is cleaned. This will help the washer work at its optimal level. One of the cheapest and easiest ways to save energy in the kitchen is to replace existing lights with LEDs. Not only do they use less energy – you don’t have to replace them nearly as often. Plus, their costs have come down in recent years, making them far more affordable to install. (Note: if you currently have linear fluorescent lamps, converting to LEDs may be too expensive to justify). As you can see, there are many different ways to practice efficiency in the kitchen, and who knows – you could even save enough money to treat the family to dinner out a couple of times a year.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Clogged, Backed—up Septic System…Can anything Restore It? Dear Darryl DEAR DARRYL: My home is about 10 years old, and so is my septic system. I have always taken pride in keeping my home and property in top shape. In fact, my neighbors and I are always kidding each other about who keeps their home and yard nicest. Lately, however, I have had a horrible smell in my yard, and also in one of my bathrooms, coming from the shower drain. My grass is muddy and all the drains in my home are very slow.

My wife is on my back to make the bathroom stop smelling and as you can imagine, my neighbors are having a field day, kidding me about the mud pit and sewage stench in my yard. It’s humiliating. I called a plumber buddy of mine, who recommended pumping (and maybe even replacing) my septic system. But at the potential cost of thousands of dollars, I hate to explore that option. I tried the store bought, so called, Septic treatments out there, and they did Nothing to clear up my problem. Is there anything on the market I can pour or flush into my system that will restore it to normal, and keep it maintained? Clogged and Smelly – Lincoln, NE

DEAR CLOGGED AND SMELLY: As a reader of my column, I am sure you are aware that I have a great deal of experience in this particular field. You will be glad to know that there IS a septic solution that will solve your back-up and effectively restore your entire system from interior piping throughout the septic system and even unclog the drain field as well. SeptiCleanse® Shock and Maintenance Programs deliver your system the fast active bacteria and enzymes needed to liquefy solid waste and free the clogs causing your back-up. This fast-acting bacteria multiplies within minutes of application and is specifically designed to withstand many of today’s anti-bacterial cleaners, soaps and detergents. It comes in dissolvable plastic packs, that you just flush down your toilets. It’s so cool. Plus, they actually Guarantee that it restores ANY system, no matter how bad the problem is.

SeptiCleanse® Shock and Maintenance Programs are designed to work on any septic system regardless of design or age. From modern day systems to sand mounds, and systems installed generations ago, I have personally seen SeptiCleanse unclog and restore these systems in a matter of weeks. I highly recommend that you try it before spending any money on repairs. SeptiCleanse products are available online at www.septicleanse.com or you can order or learn more by calling toll free at 1-888-899-8345. If you use the promo code “NESEPT3”, you can get a free shock treatment, added to your order, which normally costs $169. So, make sure you use that code when you call or buy online.

Three keys to understanding the EPA plan on climate change

EPA CLEAN POWER PLAN TIMELINE On August 3, President Obama announced the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to slow climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions 32 percent by 2030. Below are the key dates leading to the implementation of the plan (unless they are changed by lawsuits or congressional action). AUGUST 3, 2015

by Paul Wesslund

he U.S. is in the process of taking a giant step in the noisy process of changing how we generate and use electricity now that the Environmental Protection Agency has released the final version of its Clean Power Plan. That contentious process will continue for years, or even decades, as advocates warn of nothing less than destruction of the economy on the one side and the destruction of the planet on the other. This current energy focus is the result of President Obama’s August 3 announcement of what he called, “A plan two years in the making, and the single most important step America has ever taken in the fight against global climate change.” Two days after that announcement, 16 states, including Nebraska, asked the EPA to put a hold on the plan, calling it illegal and saying it would raise utility bills. The plan would reduce the burning of coal to produce electricity, which now generates more than one-third of our electric power, and increase the use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. The huge effects of those changes, and the complex and controversial ways they would happen, guarantee that the Clean Power Plan will be setting the nation’s energy discussion for the foreseeable future. Here are the key things to know about the EPA Clean Power Plan:

Over the next 15 years, the plan would change the U.S. energy economy The Clean Power Plan targets the 1,000 fossil fuel-burning electric power plants in the U.S., aiming to cut carbon dioxide emissions by one-third. The Plan also sets out a way for that to

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Rural Electric Nebraskan

The Clean Power Plan targets 1,000 fossil fuel-burning electric power plants.

happen. It calls for states to work with the power industry and submit a carbon dioxide emission reduction plan to the federal government by September, 2016. A two-year extension can be requested. Reductions would begin in 2022 and would be completed by 2030. To replace fossil fuels, the Clean Power Plan encourages renewable energy. Opposition could delay the plan The 16-state request for a delay actually seeks to kill the Clean Power Plan. The request, in the form of an August 5 letter to the EPA, says that the agency should hold off on implementing the plan because of the states' intention to sue the EPA. The planned lawsuit would claim that the law the EPA is using as a basis for the Clean Power Plan, the Clean Air Act, does not allow the EPA to require states to make such largescale changes to their energy economies. The EPA says the Clean Power Plan has been carefully written to comply with the law. The August 5 letter cites other objections to the Clean Power Plan, including that it would “coerce states to expend enormous public resources and to … prepare State Plans of unprecedented scope and complexity. In addition, the State’s citizens will be forced to pay higher energy bills as power plants shut down.”

November 2015

Additional lawsuits are expected from other opponents. There is also strong political opposition. Elected officials in Congress as well as state governments have called on states to refuse to submit carbon reduction plans. Electric utilities say plan would raise electric bills, hurt rural economy Public power districts and electric co-ops cite special concerns about the effects of the Clean Power Plan because of their higher share of lowincome members and often already-fragile rural economies.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association warned of the expected increase in electric bills as a result of power-plant closures. “Any increase in the cost of electricity most dramatically impact those who can least afford it,” said NRECA. “The fallout from EPA’s rule will cascade across the nation for years to come.” Paul Wesslund writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit public power districts and electric cooperatives.

Purchase and use space heaters carefully SAFETY BRIEFS

ortable electric heaters can be the right answer in certain situations when it comes to providing economical, comfortable heat to a small area. However, while comfort and economics may be the reason for considering a portable space heater, there are potential issues one should be aware of! Dubious claims of capability and cost, as well as fire risks, ring a cautionary note to homeowners if they buy and/or operate space heaters.

A leading cause of home fires If you plan to use space heaters to help heat your home this winter, use extreme caution, advises safety professionals at Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) supplemental heating equipment, such as electrical and kerosene heaters, is the leading cause of home fires during December, January and February and trails only cooking equipment as the leading cause of home fires year-round. A lot of hot air Here’s something else to be on the

watch for. Some advertisers promote the sale of space heaters with, well, a lot of hot air. You may have heard radio ads or seen print ads that claim you can lower your heating bill by up to 50 percent by just buying their electric space heater. Not true. Consumer Reports read dozens of reviews at Amazon.com and InformercialRatings.com from owners who say space heaters did not perform as advertised. The advice offered by your local electric utility on how to best heat your home is to invest in weatherization and insulation along with a quality electric heating system and adequate automated backup heating system. Some of the safety-related information about space heaters includes: • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates more than 25,000 residential fires each year related to space heaters. • An estimated 6,000 persons receive hospital emergency room care for burns each year. If you will be using a space heater, here are some tips to think about: • When selecting a space heater, look

for one that has been tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. • Keep doors open to the rest of the house if you are using an unvented fuel-burning space heater. Even vented heaters require ventilation for proper combustion. • Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep or leave the area. • Never use or store flammable liquids (such as gasoline) around a space heater. • Place heaters at least three feet away from objects such as bedding, furniture and drapes. Never use heaters to dry clothes or shoes. • Electric models designed so they cannot cause burns or start fires are preferred. • Select electric models of space heaters which are designed so they cannot cause fires even if tipped over. • Plug a portable electric heater directly into an outlet with sufficient power capacity. Attaching an extension cord to the unit increases the chance of overheating, fires, and electrical shock injuries. Source: Nebraska Public Power District

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Insulated window shades save energy

CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS

by James Dulley

When it’s cold out, my home Q :feels very chilly, especially near

comfort. When selecting insulated window the windows. I can’t afford energyshades, there are important factors efficient replacement windows right to consider such as the R-value, how now, so can you offer alternative well they seal when closed, ease of options? operation and appearance. Before you make a purchase, try to operate : If you feel chilly sitting near a a sample insulated shade that’s window, you’re likely losing similar in size to your needs. If the energy, which drives up your utility shade is difficult to open and close, bills. This is also true during the you are less likely to use it as often summer when heat transfers in and as you should. forces your air conditioner to run Almost all commercially available longer. If replacement windows will window shades list the R-value on exceed your budget, window shades the packaging. They typically include are a reasonably priced option that some type of air barrier film sewn will help. inside the shade to Remember to block air flow caulk and weather through it. An strip your windows aluminized or other before making any type of low-emissive other window film is best to help efficiency block the radiant improvements. Move heat transfer a stick of lighted through the shade incense near all material. gaps and watch the There should trail of the smoke to be deep vertical find air leaks. Do tracks, which this during windy mount on the sides weather, or briefly of the window switch on an opening, for the exhaust fan to draw edges of the shade outdoor air in material. Deeper through the gaps. tracks create a An insulated window quilt Installing longer path for air shade in Dulley's home/office insulated window increased the R-value of the leakage to travel, so shades will provide windows from R-2 to R-8 and they provide a the most improved reduced seal. air leakage. better comfort and energy Photograph provided by James Adhesive-backed savings year-round. Dulley vinyl tracks are Several years ago, I often included with installed Warm the shades. Also, Window shades with a R-6 look for brush or foam weather insulation value in my home office. stripping on the bottom edge where This increased the overall R-value it rests on the windowsill when from R-2 to R-8 and improved closed.

These are double-cell light-blocking cellular shades. They slide in tracks on the sides to reduce air flow and drafts from the cold window glass. Photograph provided by Cellular Windowshades If you buy insulated shades that do not have vertical tracks, it is possible to make your own. Buy long pieces of aluminum U-channel. Most home center stores carry them in the hardware aisle. Stick them to the wall with a strong double-sided tape, or drill small holes and mount them with screws. Aluminum is easy to saw to length and easy to drill. Cellular shades are a less expensive option and are best to use where you want some natural light to get through. The double-cell shades create an additional air gap for better insulation. Since their width grows as they are pulled up and collapsed, side channels are not very effective with this option. The most common type of do-ityourself window shade is a Roman shade design. The key to efficiency is to make them as thick as possible, while still being able to fold them up when opened. Include a reflective air barrier between the center layers. Reflective Mylar film works well for this and is very flexible.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, Rural Electric Nebraskan, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

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Down Home Recipes

Transform a simple side dish into a meal all is a busy time for families on the go, but dinner can still be approachable and wholesome. One easy solution: transform a simple everyday side dish into a meal that will have your family asking for more. These recipes, created in partnership with lifestyle expert Sandra Lee, feature Bob Evansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; collection of high-quality, like-scratch side dishes ranging from mashed potatoes to macaroni and cheese. The sides, found in the refrigerated section of most local grocery stores, are made with real ingredients and the perfect blend of seasonings to make entrees taste just right. Find more mealtime solutions that put side dishes at the forefront at Farm Fresh Ideas (bobevans.com/recipes), a club that provides recipes, a personalized recipe box and helpful tips in the kitchen.

Time Saving Tips

These simple tricks from Sandra Lee will cut minutes off your busywork, so you can get to the more important things like enjoying fall with your family. 1. Shave minutes off meals using tools in original ways: An ice cream scoop makes cookies and meatballs in a flash; an egg slicer quickly cuts mushrooms and berries. 2. To further speed up slow cooker prep time, keep favorite premixed seasoning packets, pre-sliced vegetables and jarred sauces on hand. 3. Desserts need not be made from scratch to have a homespun feel. Dip packaged cookies in chocolate, embellish bakery cupcakes or create lollipops from candies.

Mixed Berry Cobbler 1

1 1

package Bob Evans Glazed Apples cup frozen sweet cherries cup blackberries or raspberries cup pear, diced

Heat oven to 375 F. In large mixing bowl, mix together glazed apples and fruits. Pour into 9by-13-inch baking pan. Bake uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. While fruit is baking, mix together ingredients for streusel.

Streusel Topping 1

1 2/3 1 8

cup packed light brown sugar cup uncooked rolled oats cup all-purpose flour teaspoon cinnamon tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Mix together brown sugar, oats, flour and cinnamon until evenly combined. With fingertips, blend in butter pieces until small clumps form and butter is well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle topping evenly over fruit and place back in oven uncovered. Bake until streusel is lightly browned and fruit is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let set 5 minutes before serving.

Rural Electric Nebraskan

Reader Submitted Recipes

1 1/2 1 2 1 2 1/2 1/2 1 1

Swedish Ham Balls

lb. ground pork lb. ground ham eggs beaten cup milk cups bread crumbs cup white vinegar cup water cup brown sugar tsp. dry mustard

Combine pork, ham, eggs, milk, bread crumbs and form into balls. Place in ungreased 9” X 13” baking pan. Set aside. Combine vinegar, water, brown sugar, dry mustard and pour over balls. Bake 1 hour at 325 degrees turning when half done.

Barb Kruger, Minatare, Nebraska

Macwich 8 1

4 16 1

slices garlic bread, frozen package Bob Evans Macaroni and Cheese slices cheddar cheese dill pickle chips (optional) can tomato soup, prepared (optional for dipping)

In large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, heat 8 bread slices for 3 minutes and flip over to evenly warm through. Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Place 1/2 slice of cheddar cheese on each piece of garlic bread. On 4 pieces of garlic bread, evenly spoon 4 ounces (about 1/2 cup) of macaroni and cheese on top of cheddar cheese/ garlic bread slices. Place remaining 4 slices of garlic bread on top of macaroni and cheese stack. Toast both sides for an additional 2 minutes or until bread is toasty brown and cheese is melted. Serve with dill pickle chips and tomato soup for dipping.

November 2015

1 1 3 1 2 1/2 1 1 1

Pumpkin Crunch Dump Cake

can (15 oz) pumpkin puree can (10 oz) evaporated milk eggs cup brown sugar tsp. pumpkin pie spice tsp. salt box yellow cake mix cup pecans, chopped cup butter Toffee chips to cover top

Preheat over 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Pour into greased 13” X 9” baking dish. Layer DRY cake mix evenly on top of pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle pecans on top of cake mix. Drizzle melted butter evenly over the top. Bake for 50-55 minutes at 350 degrees. For the last 15 minutes turn oven down to 325 degrees and sprinkle top with toffee chips. Return to oven and bake until golden brown. Serve either warm or chilled with Cool Whip or ice cream.

Judy Knutson, Atkinson, Nebraska

The Rural Electric Nebraskan will pay $25 to any reader who submits a recipe which is selected for publication in the magazine. Be sure to include a mailing address for payment purposes and a phone number in case we need to contact you. Recipes will not be returned and not all recipes will be used. Recipes should be submitted in typewritten or printed form or emailed to Tina Schweiter at tschweitzer@nrea.org. Mail recipes to the Nebraska Rural Electric Association, Rural Electric Nebraskan Recipes, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

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