April 2011 - Meeker Cooperative

Meeker Cooperative
PIONEER
In this issue...
Join us for our annual
energy tour to North
Dakota!
3
Annual meeting was a “hit!”
isn’t the
type of thing you’d expect
“Whac-A-Mole”
to see at a cooperative
annual meeting, but it was a fun and
visual way that CEO/General Manager
Tim Mergen used to present members
with the results of the recent Member
Satisfaction Survey.
April 2011
Receive substantial financial
assistance for installing a
geo-thermal system
4
20 new businesses added to
the Co-op Connections
Discount List!
6-7
“Every survey question is tied to the
performance of someone in the Co-op,”
Mergen said. “You may use a pen
instead of a mallet, but the effect is the
same. Sometimes we get whacked and
we know we have to do better.”
Overall, Meeker Cooperative received
high marks for overall performance, but
did get some “whacks” in the area of
bills being easy to read, electricity being
a good value, working to keep bills low
and competitive rates.
“We will use this information in our
strategic planning,” Mergen said. “We
appreciate all the members’ comments.
It’s not important what the employees or
directors say about Meeker Co-op. It’s
important what you, the member who
pays the bills, have to say about
the Co-op.”
A total of 875 members and guests
joined Meeker board members and
employees for a delicious pork roast
dinner compliments of Larson Catering.
Following dinner, members had their
choice of the annual Bingo challenge, or
to watch a cooking demonstration in the
Community Room. Bev Barrett of 4 B’Z
Event Center, Litchfield, presented tips
on how to prepare special Easter treats
in a fun and unique way. It was a “treat”
for all those who attended and got to
sample the goods.
CEO/General Manager Tim Mergen used the analogy of the Whac-A-Mole game to present the results of Meeker
Co-op’s Member Survey.
875 members and guests attended Meeker’s 76th Annual Meeting April 11.
During the business part of the annual
meeting, a special thanks was given to
outgoing public servants who have
dedicated a portion of their lives to the
betterment of our rural districts. A
certificate of appreciation was given to
former Litchfield Mayor Vern Madson,
former Darwin Mayor Orlan Cervin,
former Representative Al Juhnke, and
former Senator Steve Dille.
Those members who donate to
Operation Round Up® were entered
into a drawing for a “Lock ‘N Go”
portable electric grill. Evan Terning of
Dassel won the grill. This is one way
that Meeker Co-op expresses its
appreciation for all the members who
round up their bills to the nearest dollar
to benefit non-profit organizations in
their communities.
Volunteers counted the member votes
that had been mailed to the offices of
Thomton, Sperry, Jensen and Keithahn,
Ltd., and the following were elected to
the Board of Directors for a three-year
term: Incumbent Juanita Olsen of
District 1; Challenger Karen Becker of
District 2; and Incumbent Mark Larson
of District 6.
Following the business portion of the
Annual Meeting, the directors met
briefly to reorganize and elect officers
for a two-year term. Officers are:
President Karl Lundin, District 9; Vice
President Jim Wirz of District 3;
Secretary Jeff Anderson of District 5;
and Treasurer Mark Larson of District 6.
Official publication of
Light and Power Association
www.meeker.coop
Tom and Karla Ehlinger reported on their experience with the first Co-op 101
member education group over the past two years. They presented results of the
survey given to the group, which showed that the members enjoyed their
experience and felt it was very worthwhile.
Following the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors met to reorganize and elect
officers. Front Row, left to right: Jim Wirz, Vice President; Jeff Anderson, Secretary;
Karl Lundin, President; Mark Larson, Treasurer. Back Row: Larry Huhn, District 8;
newly elected Director Karen Becker, District 2; K. Bruce Krueger, District 7;
DeWayne Albright, District 4; Juanita Olson, District 1; and CEO/General Manager
Tim Mergen.

Operation Round Up Grants
Operation Round Up allows you, our members, and
our employees to donate extra change to make a big change in
their communities! Members who agree to round up their electric
bills (and employees who agree to round down their paychecks) donate this
change to a fund administered by the Electric Trust Board, a volunteer
member group who provides grants to local charities and non-profit
organizations that have applied to receive these funds. If you currently are
not giving to Operation Round Up and would like to, please contact
Kristin Dolan or Mary Alice Holm at 320-693-3231 or 800-232-6257.
Community Service
Eden Valley Food Shelf ..................................................................$500.00
Fire and Rescue, Eden Valley..........................................................$520.00
Historical Society, Cokato ..............................................................$500.00
Kimball Food Shelf..........................................................................$500.00
Living at Home/BN Prog., Atwater ................................................$800.00
Manannah Food Shelf ....................................................................$500.00
McLeod Emergency Food Shelf ....................................................$300.00
Meeker County Food Shelf ........................................................$1,100.00
Paynesville Community Services....................................................$500.00
Willmar Area Food Shelf ................................................................$300.00
Education and Youth
Community Education, Litchfield....................................................$750.00
Sponsor a Child Program..........................................$375.00
Community Theatre...................................................$375.00
ECFE, Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City ................................................$500.00
IMPACT ..........................................................................................$500.00
Meeker County 4-H........................................................................$750.00
Meeker County Child Care Assn....................................................$500.00
Post Prom, ACGC ..........................................................................$300.00
Post Prom, Dassel-Cokato..............................................................$300.00
Post Prom, Eden Valley-Watkins ....................................................$300.00
Post Prom. Litchfield High School..................................................$300.00
Non-Traditional Scholarship
Cheri Marelic..................................................................................$500.00
Total....................................................................................$10,220.00
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT YOUR BILL
In June Meeker Co-op will be utilizing a new billing and
member data software program. In preparation for this
change, we will be using up our current yellow billing
envelopes and planning for a new bill and envelope.
Residential Members: Your April, May and June bills will be
sent in a plain white envelope with a yellow remit envelope
for payment inside.
Commercial Members: You will receive the yellow selfsealing
billing envelope in April, followed by a plain white
envelope for your May and June bills with a yellow remit
envelope for payment inside.
This new billing software will allow us to share more
information with you about your account and will eventually
give you the option to view your bill online. We thank you for
your patience as we prepare to better serve you through the
implementation of this new software system.
Bev Barrett shows members tips to create fun, unique and delicious
treats for Easter.
Duane & Carol Sandgren
won the Bingo grand
prize of a smoker/grill.
More Annual
Meeting photos
Tim Mergen rides a Segway
brought by power supplier
Basin Electric Power
Cooperative’s Electric
Technologies Demonstrator
Michael Redman.
Karl Lundin, President — District 9
North Kingston, Kingston, Forest City in
Meeker
James Wirz, Vice President —
District 3
Luxemburg, Maine Prairie, South Maine
Prairie in Stearns; Forest Prairie in Meeker
Jeffrey Anderson, Secretary —
District 5
Fairhaven in Stearns; Cokato, Southside,
French Lake in Wright; Dassel in Meeker
Mark Larson, Treasurer — District 6
Harrison, Kandiyohi, Gennessee, Fahlun,
Lake Elizabeth, E. Lake Lillian in Kandiyohi;
Cosmos, Acton, Danielson, Swede Grove in
Meeker; Brookfield, Boon Lake in Renville
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Juanita Olson — District 1
Roseville, Irving in Kandiyohi; Paynesville
in Stearns; Union Grove in Meeker
Karen Becker — District 2
Eden Lake in Stearns; Harvey, Manannah
in Meeker
DeWayne Albright — District 4
Litchfield, Greenleaf in Meeker
K. Bruce Krueger — District 7
Collinwood, Cedar Mills in Meeker;
Stockholm in Wright; Acoma, Hutchinson in
McLeod
Larry Huhn — District 8
Darwin, Ellsworth in Meeker
Kim Keithahn — Attorney
USPS 018-308 ISSN 1525-1055
Periodicals Postage Paid at Litchfield, MN.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
Meeker Pioneer, P.O. Box 68,
Litchfield, MN 55355-0068.
The Meeker Pioneer is published monthly
for $5 per year for members and
$10 per year for non-members by
Meeker Cooperative, 1725 U.S. Hwy. 12 E, PO Box 68
Litchfield, MN 55355-0068
CEO/General Manager: Tim Mergen
Editor: Becky Sorenson
The Meeker Pioneer is the official member publication of
Meeker Cooperative and focuses on our members, programs
and events. All member story ideas and comments are
welcome. Send to Becky Sorenson at the address above.
MEEKER PIONEER
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
For 24-hour service call
320-693-3231 or 800-232-6257
Fax: 320-693-2980
Web site: www.meeker.coop
Use the “Contact Us” form on the home page
Meeker Cooperative
Mission Statement
“To enhance the quality of life of
the Cooperative’s Members and Customers
by providing safe, reliable, competitively
priced energy and other
value-added services, while practicing
environmental stewardship.”
Page 2 • Meeker Pioneer • www.meeker.coop

Hop on Board the bus for Meeker Co-op’s Annual
ENERGY TOUR to North Dakota!
First time ever! Tour Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s Antelope Valley Station, Freedom
Mine and Dakota Gasification Plant. Includes a two-hour tour inside the Garrison Dam!
Want a great vacation that also
teaches you something valuable?
Join Meeker Cooperative July 26,
27, 28, 2011 for a three-day Energy Tour to
North Dakota! Enjoy a stress-free luxury
motor coach tour and play games on the way,
stop for coffee and chat with fellow members.
When we get to North Dakota, we’ll enjoy
seeing where a portion of our electricity comes
from including:
• A tour of North Dakota’s Garrison Dam, the
5th largest earthen dam in the United States.
This dam had been closed by the Army Corps
of Engineers since 9-11 for security reasons.
It has recently been reopened and we will
enjoy a guided two-hour tour inside the dam.
• A tour of the Great Plains Synfuels plant
room-sized replica, displaying the technology
used in the manufacture of natural gas from
coal. The Synfuels plant is the only
commercial-scale coal gasification plant in
the United States that manufactures
natural gas. The Synfuels Plant also supplies
carbon dioxide to the world’s largest carbon
capture and storage project in the world in
Saskatchewan, Canada.
• Tour Antelope Valley Station, Basin Electric’s
coal-to-electricity production plant, as well as
the Freedom Mine, where coal is uncovered
and mined.
Most meals are included in this trip, including
lunch at the Golden Corral in Fargo…you
won’t believe the selection! Wednesday
evening we’ll enjoy dinner at the Knights Grill
Energy Tour Reservation
and Bar, a converted high school near the
Garrison Dam in Riverdale. We’ll also be
treated to an executive buffet breakfast our
final morning in Bismarck before heading to
the North Dakota Historical Center Museum!
We will be staying at the Ramkota Best
Western Hotel, with state-of-the-art exercise
equipment, a heated indoor pool featuring a
150 foot water slide, whirlpool, spa, sauna and
game room. It is located across the street from
the Kirkwood Plaza shopping center.
Children 10 and older are welcome when
accompanied by an adult. Please be prepared to
do considerable walking and standing.
Please reserve ______ places for the Energy Tour on July 26, 27, 28, 2011.
Name(s): ____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Account Number:______________________________________________________________________________________
Phone: ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Member Cost: $180 each
Amount enclosed: $ __________
Cost: $180 per person
Includes transportation, a two-night stay at the
Ramkota Hotel and most meals. Please be
prepared to pay extra for coffee breaks, the
first evening’s dinner (which is on your own),
and fast-food lunch on the way home.
Please complete the reservation form and
return it with your payment, Attn: Becky
Sorenson. Your host for this trip will be
WildBlue Technician Chris Larson.
Deadline to register: July 5, 2011.
Return to: Meeker Cooperative, ATTN: Becky Sorenson, PO Box 68, Litchfield, MN 55355.
Persons listed above will share a room.
Page 3 • Meeker Pioneer • www.meeker.coop

Energy Efficiency Tax Credits extended through 2011 at a reduced rate
In 2011 efficiency upgrade tax credits
drop, but don’t disappear. Tax credits of
10 percent of the cost of certain
qualifying improvements are still available to
homeowners. Below is a list of
improvements that meet the criteria.
For an expanded list including
qualifying models, please visit www.
EnergyStar.gov/taxcredits.
Since 2005, Congress has enacted a
series of tax breaks for consumers who
take steps to make their homes more
energy efficient. In December,
Congress approved extending some
popular efficiency tax credits through
December 31, 2011, although at
reduced levels from those originally
offered. Tax credits are beneficial
because they directly reduce, dollar for
dollar, any federal income tax you owe.
The credit applies to energy efficiency
improvements in the building envelope of
existing homes and for the purchase of highefficiency
heating, cooling and water-heating
equipment. The total lifetime credit that can be
claimed on energy efficiency improvements
made between 2006 and 2011 has been reduced
from $1,500 to $500.
The maximum tax credit for all improvements
made in 2011 is 10 percent of the cost—up to
$500—including tax credits for any
improvements made in 2006-2010. There are also
maximum allowances for different upgrades.
Eligible products/qualifications include:
• Windows ($200): All ENERGY STAR®
windows now qualify.
• Doors and skylights ($500): Must have U-factor
and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
ratings of less than or equal to 0.30.
• Fossil fuel water heaters ($300): Energy Factor
≥ 0.82 OR a thermal efficiency of at least 90
percent.
• Electric heat pump water heaters ($500):
Energy Factor ≥ 2.0. Tax credit includes
installation costs.
• Furnaces ($150): Must have at least 95
percent (up from 90 percent) annual fuel
utilization efficiency (AFUE). Oil
furnaces and boilers
were returned to the
single furnace
category at 95
percent AFUE.
• Advanced main air
circulating fan
($50): Must utilize
less than 2 percent
of a furnace’s total
energy
consumption.
• Central air conditioner ($300): Must have a
seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of at
least 16 and an energy efficiency rating (EER)
of at least 13.
• Air-source heat pump ($300): Must have at
least a heating seasonal performance factor
(HSPF) of 9, SEER of 16 and EER of 13.
• Biomass fuel stove ($300): Must have a thermal
efficiency rating of at least 75 percent.
no upper limit. All ENERGY STAR rated
geothermal heat pumps are eligible for the
tax credit.
Geothermal heat pumps are similar to ordinary
heat pumps, but use the ground instead of outside
air to provide heating, air conditioning and hot
water. Because they use the earth’s natural heat,
they have documented efficiencies of up to 400
percent and are among the most efficient heating
and cooling technologies available.
Contact your cooperative with any questions
about air-source and ground-source heat pumps.
To apply for tax credits, be sure to retain your
receipts and your Manufacturer’s Certification
Statement (manufacturers must certify, in
packaging or on the company’s website, which
products qualify for the tax credit). Claim the
credit on your taxes using IRS Form 5695.
Consult your accountant or tax professional for
more guidance on individual returns.
Source: Touchstone Energy; ENERGY STAR.
ALWAYS
CALL
BEFORE YOU
DIG
• Insulation materials ($500): Typical bulk
insulation products can qualify, such as batts,
rolls, blow-in fibers, rigid boards, expanding
spray, and pour-in-place. Also includes products
that reduce air leaks including weather
stripping, spray foam, caulk and house wrap.
• Geothermal Heat Pumps qualify for a 30
percent credit
Residential geothermal heat pumps installed
between January 1, 2009 and on or before
December 31, 2016 qualify for a 30 percent tax
credit, including installation and labor costs, with
One free, easy call gets your utility lines
marked AND helps protect you from
injury and expense.
Safe Digging Is No Accident:
Always Call 811 Before You Dig
Know what’s below. Always call 811 before you dig.
Visit call811.com for more information.
INSERT
CALL CENTER
LOGO HERE
Page 4

Popular KEEP program provides
low-cost training for K-12 teachers
If you live or teach in an area served
by Meeker Cooperative Light and
Power Assn., McLeod Co-op Power, or
Great River Energy, we have an excellent
opportunity for you! Great River Energy
and its 28 member cooperatives once
again will offer Energy Education in
the Classroom.
This teacher training course is part of the
popular Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education
Program (KEEP), which has received
positive feedback from teachers since it
began in 1997. KEEP and faculty from the
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will
share their exceptional energy education
tools to help teachers easily build energy
education into their curriculum.
The course will be held Aug. 2-3 at Great
River Energy in Maple Grove, Minn., in
From your curb to your outlet
When people drop trash off for curbside pickup,
that’s usually the last time they think about it.
Not so for the workers at the Elk River
Resource Processing Plant. When trash is sent out, that’s
when their job starts.
Sherburne and Anoka counties deliver municipal solid
waste (MSW) to the Elk River Resource Processing Plant.
Trucks drop the MSW on the tipping floor, where a grapple
crane removes large items that may damage equipment that
processes the MSW into refuse-derived fuel. “The Elk
River Resource Processing Plant helps Great River Energy
literally take what was trash, and turn it into the treasure of
electricity,” said Facility Manager Tim Steinbeck.
A series of 150-pound hammers and a nine-ton rotor form
what’s called a flail mill that shreds the MSW into smaller
pieces for further processing. Recyclable metal, which
makes up approximately 4 percent of MSW, is captured
with a magnetic separator and recycled along with
one of the state’s most talked about
green buildings.
• Great River Energy will provide
$420 scholarships to teachers who
live or teach in an area served by
Great River Energy
• On the first day of class teachers will
pay $100, which will cover one graduate
credit from UWSP and all materials
• Minnesota teachers must apply for
reciprocity (a quick, easy online process)
• Teachers will pay for lodging and
travel costs
Visit greatriverenergy.com/teachercourse
for details and to hear what teachers have
to say about the course.
aluminum. Processing continues when a primary and
secondary disc screen separate the smaller pieces of MSW
to be used as fuel for Great River Energy’s Elk River
Energy Recovery Station power plant.
About 90 percent of the MSW collected becomes fuel for
the plant.
~Great River News
INDUSTRY
News
Tallest skyscraper in
U.S. to become vertical
solar farm
The Sears Tower, renamed the Willis tower,
is about to pioneer a kind of crazy-innovative
window, one that produces power without
obstructing the view or letting in appreciably
less sunlight.
At first the Willis tower will only replace windows on
the south side of the 56th floor; eventually, the
whole south face of the building could be slathered
in glorious high-tech energy-generating windows,
enough to generate 2 MW of power. The windows
have the added benefit of keeping out the excess
heat energy that plagues glass buildings.
As incredible as these windows sound, they're only
a small part of a larger, $350 million initiative to
reduce electricity consumption of the entire Willis
tower by 80 percent. The most visible changes will
be noticed on the roofs of the building, which will
consist of gardens, solar panels and wind turbines.
~Grist
EPA compliance costly,
English warns
NRECA CEO Glenn English said co-ops are
concerned about the costs and compressed
time frame associated with a massive
regulation issued by the Environmental Protection
Agency designed to control airborne emissions of
mercury and other pollutants.
The rule, issued March 16, would have costs of
about $10.9 billion in 2016 by requiring coal-based
power plants to install new pollution control
equipment, EPA said. English said co-ops support
efforts to protect the public’s health and the
environment, and added that the association is
studying the potential consequences of the
946-page rule. But he cautioned that initial
indications suggest compliance, especially for
small systems, could be expensive and difficult, in
part because of the limited time available to
conform to the regulations.
“Electric cooperatives are deeply concerned that
the agency’s strategy to require very significant
emissions reductions of multiple pollutants with very
compressed timelines may be unachievable and
could damage the economy of rural America without
providing commensurate and meaningful
environmental benefit,” English said.
The standard for mercury, arsenic, chromium and
other air toxics comes at a time when EPA is
finalizing multiple regulations affecting air
pollutants, coal ash, greenhouse gases and other
substances, and that flurry of activity could cut
against co-ops, English said. “Cooperatives will
find themselves at a disadvantage when
competing for limited resources to add large
emission control projects, or, alternatively, to
build replacement generation for units that may
be forced to shut down.”
~Electric Co-op Today
Page 5

Co-op Connections
Business List
To date, Meeker Cooperative members have saved more than
$4,060.00 on pharmacy prescriptions with the Co-op
Connections card. That’s an average savings of 27.5 percent!
Use your card at these participating businesses!
Atwater
Atwater Ford, Inc.
Free tire rotation and battery test with purchase of
an oil change
Atwater Heating/Air Conditioning $30 off air conditioner or furnace service (parts
extra) Regularly priced $75
Family Massage Center
$5 off one-hour massage (regularly $45). Not
valid with other offers, programs or discounts.
Thrivent Financial
FREE Will-planning guidebook when you
complete a free estate analysis
Darwin
Darwin Municipal Liquor Store
Dassel
DC Parts, Inc.
Fireplaces by Design
Opsahl Plumbing and Heating, LLC
Sam Hendrickson Plumb/Heating
Shear Elegance Salon
Wild Bird Specialties
Eden Valley
Eden Valley Lumber
Heibel Stump & Hedge Removal
Mike’s Standard, Inc.
Thrivent Financial
Valley Inn Bar & Grill
Valley Liquor Warehouse
Valley Quick Stop
Free bag ice w/$10 purchase
10% Off (some exclusions apply)
10% off installed fireplace & venting
5% Discount on all HVAC Products
$10 off A/C or furnace service call
$50 off new A/C or furnace installation
$2 off haircut
$5 off color and perm
15% off any regularly price item
$3 off regularly priced gallon paint/stain
$1 off regularly priced quart paint/stain
10% discount on service
10% off labor on auto repairs
Free can of pop with $20 minimum of gas
Free financial review
10% discount on menu items (excluding alcohol
and tobacco) Not valid with other offers, special
events or holidays
10% discount on wine
Free Fries with purchase of burger
Free can pop w/purchase of 12-Pack of pop
Grove City
Roger’s Grove City Liquor
Kimball
10% off any regular-priced wine
in our wine cellar
A.M. Maus & Son
Free car wash with minimum of 12 gallons of gas
purchased only on Tuesday or Wednesday
Kimball Golf Club 18 holes with 1/2 cart $28
(weekdays and after noon on weekends)
18 holes for 4 with carts $88
(weekdays before noon)
Knaus Sausage House
Free 25 lbs. of sausage from trimmings when
purchasing either a quarter or half of beef or a
whole hog
Rohloff Bobcat & RBS Lawn Services $10% discount on labor for excavating,
landscaping, snow removel; one FREE mowing
with summer contract
Triple R Grill & Bar
$5 off purchase of $25 (1 per table, per visit.
Not valid with other offers or discounts)
Litchfield
All Star Realty, Inc.
$250 off Sellers’ Closing Costs; $250 off Buyers’
Closing Costs or Home Inspection, if home is
purchased from Gwen Cram
2nd Street Customs LLC 15% off labor
Binsfeld Tiremaxx
Half price front-end alignment ($24.50 value!)
Burger King
FREE medium fry with sandwich and drink
purchase at regular price
Carlito’s Mexican Market/Restaurant Purchase 1 dinner, get 2nd half-price
Center National Bank
Free box of Center Bank checks with new
checking account
Clipper World
$1 off regular haircuts (Senior &
buzz cuts exempt)
Danner, Brekke & Everts Financial Free magnetic calendar with insurance, financial
or legacy plan review
Ed Olson Agency
$300 credit on seller’s closing costs, when we list
& sell
$150 credit to buyer/seller when we represent
them on sale
Family Eye Center
20% discount on all complete eyewear purchases
(excludes all other discounts); 15% discount on
all contact lens purchases; 20% discount on Lasik
Refractive Surgery
Fantastic Sams Hair Salon $1 off haircuts, $1 off wax
Farm Bureau Financial Services Free financial review
Heartland Security Services $100 discount on a monitored security system
J.W. Anderson Insurance Agency Free pen
Larry’s Barber Shop & Style $11.75 haircut & scalp massage ($15.75 value)
Lifestyle Homes of Litchfield, Inc. Purchase a new Friendship Home and receive
FREE, one of these great packages: 1) Whirlpool
washer/dryer & $700 Sears gift card; 2)
Whirlpool washer/dryer & $700 Walmart gift
card; 3) $1,000 Sears or Walmart gift card.
Litchfield Chrysler Center 10% off and free loaner vehicle (except tires)
on all service
Free mud guards and tank of gas on any
vehicle purchase
Free first oil change on any new vehicle purchase
Litchfield Flooring
10% off materials
Litchfield Mobile Electronics Center 10% off any product/service priced $150 or more
The Marshall Estate and B & B 10% discount on bed & breakfast
overnight(s) stay
Meeker Cooperative
$15 credit when signing up for Auto Bill Pay
Menken Real Estate
Sign with Menken and receive up to $300 off
closing costs
Free market evaluation for seller; Free buyer
consultation & qualification
Page 6 • Meeker Pioneer • www.meeker.coop

Mid Minnesota Music
Pro Cellular
10% off any product/service priced $150 or more
10% off any accessory item
Rennie’s China Closet & Arts 20% off purchase of $15 or more of hand-painted
china by Rennie, as well as discounts on some
other items
Shirley Neighbors RE/MAX Realtors Free welcome basket when signing up to buy or
sell; $500 off closing costs
Smith’s Appliance
10% Discount on any EnergyStar rated new
appliance purchase; $15 off any appliance
service call
Snap Fitness
Free Enrollment
State Farm, Jason Tibbits, Agent Free atlas with insurance and financial review
Thrivant Financial
FREE Will-planning guidebook when you
complete a free estate analysis
Trebil Foundation Systems, Inc. $100 off full basement waterproofing
United Farm Credit Services $250 off Home Loan closing fees
$25 off Tax Services
Very Vintage
20% off total purchase
Zach Rogness RE/MAX Realtors $250 off closing costs
New London
Family Eye Center
Olivia
Family Eye Center
Paynesville
Ben Around Books
Blessing Well Gallery
20% discount on all complete eyewear purchases
(excludes all other discounts); 15% discount on
all contact lens purchases; 20% discount on Lasik
Refractive Surgery
20% discount on all complete eyewear purchases
(excludes all other discounts); 15% discount on
all contact lens purchases; 20% discount on Lasik
Refractive Surgery
Buy any book, get another book of choice free
40% off a wide assortment of frames (does not
include photo, art or labor)
Bugbee Hive Resort, Lodge, Retreat Ctr. 10% off on seasonal cottage rates
(based on availability)
$100 off banquet facilities for business meetings,
retreats/weddings or crafting workshops
Cliff’s Insurance Agency Free insurance review
Cyrilla Beach Homes
$500 discount on any new home purchase
Family Eye Center
20% discount on all complete eyewear purchases
(excludes all other discounts); 15% discount on
all contact lens purchases; 20% discount on Lasik
Refractive Surgery
H & L Express, Inc.
3¢ off per gallon of gas, 30-gallon maximum. Not
valid with any other coupons or discounts.
Excludes diesel.
Hilltop Restaurant
Free dessert with any dinner off the menu
$2 off any homemade pizza
It’s All About You Boutique 20% off any in-stock purse, excluding Miche
M & M Lumber
5% off regularly priced items
Paynesville Total Entertainment Center Rent 1 new release, get 1 catalog movie free
20% off any tanning package or lotion
Queen Bee’s Bar & Banquet Center Buy one meal, get second meal half price; 10%
off food for wedding booked in 2011-2012.
Sheri’s Photo Studio
3 free previews from any session
Sweetwater Cotton Shoppe 15% off purchases of fabric, patterns, thread,
books, notions, kits
The Managed Assets Group Free comprehensive financial review
Voss Plumbing and Heating $1,000 Instant Rebate on American Standard
Heat Pump & AC; $100 off Installation of
Fugitsu Ductless A/C & Heat Pump.
Westvig’s Dairy Queen
$1 off any DQ cake
St. Joseph
Paul Kollmann Monument
Watkins
Candy’s on Main Hair Salon
Affordable Pumping Service
Willmar
Family Eye Center
25% discount on price of cemetery monument,
marker or granite sign for business
4% discount on cemetery lettering (date of death
on existing monument, for example)
New Customers: $5 off perm or color on first visit
$10 off a septic or holding tank pumping. Valid
one time per year.
20% discount on all complete eyewear purchases
(excludes all other discounts); 15% discount on
all contact lens purchases; 20% discount on Lasik
Refractive Surgery.
To see national discounts available through the
Co-op Connections program, go to: www.connections.coop
Minnesota Twins vs. Seattle
Mariners at Target Field!
The Bus is Full!
Thank you for your participation
— enjoy.
Barbara Peterson of Hutchinson submitted this month’s winning recipe —
Lucy’s Company Cookies!
Barbara will receive a $10 credit on her electric bill.
For May, submit your favorite recipe using Cream Cheese.
Lucy’s Company Cookies
1 cup margarine
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup oil
2 eggs
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup Rice Krispies
2 tsp. vanilla
3-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 cup coconut
2 cups chocolate chips
Cream together the margarine and sugars.Add eggs, oil and vanilla. Sift together the dry
ingredients and add to the first mixture.Add remaining ingredients. Drop by spoonfuls
onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.
Please send in your favorite Recipe using Cream Cheese by May 2 to: Meeker
Cooperative, ATTN: Becky Sorenson, P.O. Box 68, Litchfield, MN 55355-0068
Page 7 • Meeker Pioneer • www.meeker.coop

Pioneer Ads Free want ad service for members.
Please limit your ad to nine words. Use the coupon printed below or available at Meeker Cooperative’s front desk to submit
your ad.Ads will be printed for one month only. Please submit a new ad if you want it published more than one month. Include
your name and address, which will be used for identification purposes only.Ads must be received by May 2 to be included in the
May issue.Thank you!
Please run this ad in the next Pioneer
Name: ____________________________________________
Address:
__________________________________________
Telephone number: __________________________________
Remember to limit your ad to nine words!
1__________________ 2__________________ 3__________________
4__________________ 5__________________ 6__________________
7__________________ 8__________________ 9__________________
For Sale - Miscellaneous
• Jazzy 600 power wheelchair,
works great. $500. 320-236-2315.
• Cherry curio, 5-shelf, 13”x31-
1/4”x76-1/2”. $250. 320-444-6357.
• Fresh beef, quarters or halves,
cut/wrapped/frozen.
320-593-1924/320-221-2649.
• Frigidaire Gallery microwave,
white, over-the-range, works great!
$100. 320-693-0335.
• StarCraft HL 150 runabout, 17’,
Shoreland’r trailer, access., no
motor, great skiing/tubing.
$1250/BO. 320-693-0335.
• Yamaha PW80L1 dirt bike for
youth riders. $500/BO.
320-693-0335.
• Gander Mountain fish house, 1-
man pop-up, used twice.
320-693-8492.
• TexSport propane stove, 2-
burner, new. 320-693-8492.
• Entertainment center, dark wood,
48”x49”, includes TV, works good.
$50/BO. 320-275-3911.
• Insert for wood-burning
fireplace. $100. 320-267-7611.
• Qualified cook stove/range, you
remove. 320-693-7589.
• Pontoon lift. $850. 320-877-7724.
• Pulvarized black dirt/landscape
rock/lakeshore rip rap.
320-582-0229.
• Couch, w/matching loveseat,
leather, rust color, exc. cond. $500.
320-583-9918.
• Invisible fence and training collar
system, Innotek Ultra Smart
Contain & Train. 320-593-0510.
Find your location number
Win $10 credit on your next bill!
Clip and Send to: Meeker Cooperative, P.O. Box 68,
Litchfield, MN 55355, ATTN: Cheryl Anderson
• Airborne combo trampoline/
enclosure, trampoline good
cond.,/enclosure needs repair. $50.
320-593-0510.
• 1847 Rogers silverware, full
service for 12, incl. chest w/drawer.
320-693-7653.
• 1916 library table; picture frames;
table lamps;Wild West tapes;
Norman Rockwell plates.
320-693-7653.
• Roll-in dock, alum., 32’ w/8’
platform, brand new. $2500.
320-398-4224.
• Hewitt boat lift, 1800#, w/canopy.
$1200/BO. 507-276-2999.
• 1979 Lund boat, 14’, w/trailer,
1998 25hpYamaha, low run time.
$2500. 320-693-9247.
• Clayton Marcus couch. $200.
320-275-0144.
• Lot on Union Lake, wooded, 150’
lakeshore. 320-894-1084.
• Wall mount for flat-screen TV, up
to 55” TV. $35. 320-250-5779.
• Bratz dolls w/access., airplane/
corvette/2 horses/3 cases/4 baby
Bratz. 320-275-9431.
• Location #40-03-101
• Peat dirt, 1000+ yards, you load
& haul. $2.50/yd. 320-857-2236.
• Cabin, 2BR, 2 bath, 150’ from
Leech lakeshore. $99,500.
507-766-0895.
• Kitchen table, oak finish, 18” leaf,
4 leather roller chairs, seats 8, exc.
cond. 320-764-7462.
• Lane recliner, teal-color, like new.
320-764-7462.
• Bobcat 610, older model, working
cond. Best offer. 952-446-1273.
Four location numbers have been
hidden within this Pioneer. If you
find your number and claim it by
calling Meeker Cooperative by May 2, you will
have $10 credited to your account! In March,
Audrey Hoffenkamp of Atwater found her
location numbers and will have $10 credited
to her account. Good Luck!
Please check ad category
___Giveaway
___For Rent
___For Sale
___Wanted
___Services
• Les Kouba doormats,‘Heading
for Shelter’ and ‘Darkhouse
Spearing’, new. $30 ea.
320-587-6707.
• 2005 Crestliner 1650 Fishhawk,
50hp elec. motor, E-Z load trailer,
access., two boat lifts.
507-834-6622.
• Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls, 16” &
7” sizes, also 11x13 pics.
320-693-2707.
• 2005 John Deere LT180 rider
mower, bagger/thatcher/spreader.
320-276-8204.
• Lund fishing boat, 14’, 15hp
Johnson motor, exc. cond. $1200.
320-693-8273.
• Yamaha keyboard, built-in rhythm,
variety of instrument sounds. $50.
320-693-8273.
• Whitetail deer head/shoulder
mount, 10-pt., exc. cond. $125.
320-693-8273.
• Lift chair, elec., clean, works
great. $150. 320-236-2315.
• Weslo Pursuit E45 exercise bike.
$50. 320-693-8315.
• ProForm Stride Select 825
elliptical machine. $50.
320-693-8315.
• Patio chimnea, black cast-iron.
$75. 320-593-0248.
• Sharpener for ice skates.
320-243-4381.
• 2006 Maytag air conditioner & A-
coil, 13 seer. $700/BO.
320-453-2469.
• 1986 Sylvan runabout, 16’, 75hp
Mercury, E-Z loader. $2000.
320-236-3020.
• Dirt-track go-kart, ready-to-race,
everything you need. $1200.
763-497-4535.
• Pontoon lift, elec. winch, new
battery, 25’ canopy. $2200/BO.
320-808-6847.
• Mobile home, 2BR, 3-season
porch, double walk-out, storage,
Clear Lk double lot. $150,000.
651-528-0953.
• Couch, double-recliner, dark tan
washable suede, matching recliner,
3 yrs. old. $150. 320-275-2421.
• Snapper snow blower, 10hp, 30”.
$595. 320-693-3251.
• Weed whip, large heavy-duty. $75.
320-221-1157.
• Ibanez AS73 elec. guitar
w/hardshell case, mint cond.
$350/BO. 320-262-0646.
• Marshall guitar amp, half-stack,
150-watt, used very little/exc.
cond. 320-275-2373.
• Poulan Pro 295 chainsaw, 20” bar,
clean. $85. 320-221-1157.
• 2003 Craftsman tractor
mower/snow blower, cab, 50”.
$1250. 320-693-9222.
• Sofa and chair, wrought iron &
wicker, exc. cond. $250.
320-267-5685.
• Polaris Sportsman 4x4, 400cc,Vblade,
extensions. $2200.
320-761-1334.
• Two trash pumps, 2”, 6.5hp, new.
320-221-0963.
• 1980 Suzuki, 550 GL, custom
paint, 27K mi., runs great.
$800/BO. 320-260-6267.
• 50s-style sideboard,
contemporary, brown.
320-398-5563.
• Vintage chimney cupboard.
320-398-5563.
• LG washing machine, model
#WM2442H, front-load, used very
little. 320-453-5631.
• Doors & screens, wooden frame,
different sizes. 320-275-9979.
• Velvet antler capsules, good for
your health. 320-453-5631.
• Pickup camper, full-size, 8’, 2-
burner stove, ice box. $300.
651-236-0048.
• Microwave-$25; vacuum, new-
$60; patio set, new-$175.
612-710-4112.
• Ruger MK III 22 target w/2 clips.
$350. 763-559-8942/763-300-0036.
• Plumbing supplies~metal & PVC
pipe, misc. parts. 952-938-8269.
For Sale - Agricultural
• Bucket off John Deere 148
loader, 5’ wide. $500/BO.
320-398-6138.
• Grass hay rounds, stored inside.
320-974-8469.
• Banty chickens. $5 ea.
320-693-2517.
• Livestock building, portable,
12x20, good cond. $500.
320-857-2720.
• Loftness stalk chopper, 15’, used
less than 400 acres/ like new.
320-583-3471.
• Mixed grass hay, 2nd crop, small
square bales, no rain, nice. $3/bale.
320-693-2054.
• Italian Rye grass, large round
bales. $30/bale. 320-699-9909.
• Two grain augers, 6’;Allis
Chalmers mounted corn picker.
320-453-7023.
• Bell City threshing machine.
320-453-7023.
• Mixed hay, good small bales.
$2.50/bale. 320-587-5404.
• Wheat, oats & alfalfa seed.
320-693-2766.
• Alfalfa, grass & corn stalk bales.
$2.20-$2.80/bale. 320-693-2766.
• White Muscovy drake duck.
320-693-2766.
• International 656 diesel tractor.
320-693-2739.
• International 706 tractor, loader,
gas. 320-693-2739.
• Brooder heater for chicks, gas,
good cond. 320-275-9979.
• Gooseneck livestock trailer, 24’
alum. 320-583-3131.
• Hay, 2nd crop. $2/bale.
320-583-3131.
• Allis Chalmers WD, wide-front.
$2450/BO. 320-453-3007.
For Sale - Automotive
• Cross rails for Jeep Grand
Cherokee, like new. 320-434-0752.
• 1948 Mash Ambassador car,
running straight, easy restoration.
$2950. 320-974-8743.
• 1986 Suzuki Samurai, 4x4,
removable top, fun drive.
$1500/BO. 320-221-4028.
• 2006 Pontiac G6 sedan, 4-dr.,
remote starter, 34K mi.
320-693-2739.
• 2000 Ford Explorer Sport, 4x4,
2-dr., runs good. $1800.
320-221-2353.
• 2002 Dodge Intreped, 153K mi.,
runs great. $3100. 320-221-2353.
• 1999 GMC Sierra 1500, ext. cab,
271, 174K mi. $6100.
320-221-2353.
• Factory exhaust system for 2000
Ford F150. $50/BO. 320-221-3461
after 4pm.
Wanted
• Water heater, elec., 40-50 gal.
320-693-7653.
• Guitars, amplifiers, musical
equipment, any cond.
320-275-5144.
• Boat lift, 900#-1200 #.
320-864-3757.
• Pigeons to be used for gun dog
training. 320-857-2912.
• Oat straw bales; used bricks;
field rock. 320-453-5155.
• Small trailer for 4-wheeler,
lawnmower or snowmobile.
320-293-1395.
• Book:‘Men To Remember’ by
Kenneth Rubhe. 320-693-8073.
• Accordion, 120 bass.
320-593-8978.
• Chain link fencing, reasonablypriced.
320-296-1765.
• Old guitar or drum set, will pay
cash! 763-291-0016.
• Someone to repair old pocket
watches. 320-275-2373.
• Archery wood bows & arrows
and misc., will pay cash.
320-221-1157.
• Wood burls, good cond., will pay
cash. 320-693-7546.
• Garden tiller; canoe; syrup tree
taps. 612-360-0342.
• Ruger, 10/22. 612-840-5894.
• New Idea 5109 or Case IH 1190
haybine. 320-453-5631.
• Handyman jobs, garden tilling,
small jobs. 320-275-3518.
Giveaway
• Electone console stereo,
w/record player & 8-track, good
cond., works! 320-262-0646.
• Suitcase on wheels, tweed,
matching toiletries bag.
218-232-5523.
• Console stereo, w/record player.
320-275-4778.
• MAD magazine collection.
320-262-0646.
• Location #37-31-301
• Young cats to a good home.
612-360-0342.
• Two chairs, metal & vinyl; elec.
fireplace. 612-710-4112.
Services
• Peterson Furniture Service~
stripping/refinishing/gluing/caning,
hardware avail. 320-693-6004.
• Complete lawn maint.,
comm./res., spring&fall clean-up,
weekly mowing, fertilize, fully ins.
320-699-0082.
• Gary Finken’s Painting~all
interior/exterior finishes, exp. &
insured. 612-965-8690/
320-593-6879.
• Bev’s Beauty Salon~hair &
tanning, Litch. 320-593-8163.
• Nistler Construction~post frame
buildings. 320-333-2048.
• Kimball Community Gardens~
50’x50’ garden plots avail.
320-398-5552.
• Welding/fabrication/installation of
stainless aluminum & steel.
320-764-2861.
• Bugbee Hive Resort, Lake
Koronis~wedding receptions/
outdoor ceremonies/lodging.
320-243-4448.
• Select Seamless~seamless rain
gutters, soffits, leaf covers, free est.
320-492-6780.
• Andrew Gilbertson Construction,
LLC~carpentry & concrete, lic.
#20631493. 320-221-3148.
• Painting/staining/wallpaper &
removal/window washing/power
washing/cabin cleaning.
320-275-9173.
• J Austin Construction~pole
buildings, concrete, steel/shingle
roofing, lic. & insured.
320-492-6364.
• Bruce Anderson Masonry~
footings/foundations/flats/blocks/
concrete. 320-243-4340.
• Anytime Fitness~gym
membership, feel better/get healthy
24/7. 320-593-0001.
• Larry’s Barber & Style, master
barber, 213 N Sibley-Litch,Tues-Sat
8:00-5:30. 320-693-2421.
• Joe Kelly Construction~for all
your concrete needs.
320-286-6394.
• Location #30-32-202
• Tree Masters~trimming &
removal, ins./qualified.
320-693-8315/320-693-8380.
• Custom-made Hunter Douglas
window coverings, affordable.
320-693-2074.
• Estate services~personal
property or real estate, lic. broker.
320-398-2273/612-802-3195.
• Holiday Beach Massage~
therapeutic massage services.
320-980-3487.
For Rent
• Cabin, 3BR, 2bath, Rice Lake-
Paynesville, quiet/relaxing getaway.
513-827-2942.
• Location #24-25-349
• Shed, large storage, rural
Litchfield, boats/campers/etc.3
20-267-7611.
• Sportsman Park clubhouse, 100
seating, patio & kitchen,
volleyball/swimming/landing.
320-275-9109.
• Log cabin, Silver Bay, Lake
Superior-Tettegouche State Park.
320-693-2094.
• Cabin, by-the-week, Lake
MinnieBelle near Litchfield.
952-448-2304.
Page 8 • Meeker Pioneer • www.meeker.coop