77 teams cross White Oak Classic finish lines 

It was perfect weather, said Race Marshal Dan Bergerson. And fast. The trail itself was fast and some of the teams were running harder, he said.

The White Oak Classic dog sled race began at the White Oak Fur Post just north of Deer River on Saturday, Jan. 9 and traveled to finishes at Gosh Dam Place (18 mile Recreational Class), Squaw Lake (38 mile Trophy Class), Northome (60 mile 8 Dog Pro class) and Marcell (130 mile 10 Dog Pro class).

Coming Saturday, Feb. 20: Bigfork Valley Winter Challenge  

If you like to ski, there’s a 4.5 mile classic cross country ski loppet. If you like to ice fish, there’s a kids’ fishing clinic and family fishing derby. If you like to ice skate, there will be a large skating rink. And if you like to roast hot dogs and s’mores over a fire, there’s that too.

Weather permitting, even guitarists can enjoy the outdoors in winter. Bring your acoustic instrument and join the first ever Frozen Finger Jam.

All this and more is taking place at the second Bigfork Valley Winter Challenge at Scenic State Park on Saturday, Feb. 20 between noon and 4:30 p.m. Admission is free, with a registration fee for those 16 and over for the loppet and fishing derby contests. All participants will receive a beanie cap while supplies last. Bigfork Valley is sponsoring state park vehicle passes for those who do not have one.

Pearsons' Addition 

Thomas and Sherry Pearson expanded their home on Little Jessie Lake in Bowstring. By removing their two stall garage, they expanded their living space by adding a two story addition giving them an additional 1,344 square feet and increasing their living space by 37.5 percent.

During the planning stage, the Pearsons consulted with North Itasca Electric on options available to heat and cool this new space and upgrade their existing home’s systems. North Itasca Electric was able to help them in this planning through performing heat loss calculations, rebates and lowering their heating costs through load control programs.

Huge savings on Steffes room heating units 

Steffes room heating units use a ceramic brick system to store heat during low cost times in order to release it during peak times. Now is an excellent time to invest in a Steffes unit because of a manufacturer’s rebate, an additional rebate from North Itasca Electric and a low storage heat energy rate. Good only on purchases made between January 1 and April 15, 2010.

Roxanne’s Sales Talk  

Minnesota state rebates

As many of you know, the state of Minnesota is planning an Economic Stimulus Trade-In & Save Appliance Program. This is targeted for a March 1, 2010 start. The Trade-In & Save Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will offer approximately 25,000 Minnesota homeowners a rebate for replacing their old appliance with a qualifying Energy Star model purchased from a Minnesota dealer.

It is estimated that this program will create 59 jobs and annually save 2,200,412 kWh in energy, 43,729,920 gallons of water and 4,705,065 pounds of carbon (CO2).

Installing an air source heat pump or central air conditioning this year? 

If you are, consider a contractor committed to the "Quality Installation Program" required by GRE (Great River Energy) and receive a $330 - $630 rebate. North Itasca Electric Cooperative will credit rebates to member’s accounts for installations performed by these certified contractors only.

Not only will you receive a generous rebate, you will also receive a quality installation which will save you even more money in energy savings. Research has discovered that:

• Improper Installations can reduce system efficiencies by 30%
• Unfortunately, 50-75% of cooling systems do not perform to their rated efficiency as a result of improper installation
• Improper installations can mean insufficient dehumidification and poor air circulation.

For more information, call Jerry Loney, energy management specialist at North Itasca Electric, (218) 743-1313.

Source www.energystar.gov

February 2010 Calendar of Events