Lustre News

The Lustre Volleyball Lady Lions lost to the Culbertson team in three well played matches, 25-23, 25-21, 25-17 on Oct. 21. It was good to see them volley long and hard. It was senior night for Katie Calderon of Circle, Rachel Pew of Wolf Point, Jaden Gibson and Abby Olfert both of Frazer, and Meridith Valentine of Portland, Maine.

The LCHS alumni hosted the NorVal annual meeting Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the gym. The LCHS choir under the direction of Pastor Wayne Hathaway sang our National Anthem, and colors were presented by a veteran in full dress. Corey Wheeler of Sidney gave the financial reports for his last time, and his successor was announced. Rick Stahl was elected for a three-year term to represent District 5 as a board member and Brian Miller of rural Wolf Point was elected to the board in District 6. Miller will be succeeding Ron Reddig who is stepping down after 30 years of service and Harvey Fast of past years to represent our area. His wife, Shari, is the daughter of Allen and Barb Wall and grew up in Lustre.

Guest speakers were Gary Wiens of Glasgow, CEO of Montana Electric Cooperative Association, and two student delegates that organization sponsored to the Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. Wiens updated us on the efforts needed to maintain and supply electricity to all of Montana, mentioning the power dams being compromised by regulations, though they are well able to care for our country. He reminded us of June 19, 1944, when ordinary people with whatever skills they had, helped in the cause to overcome Nazism.

“Anything you have can be used. Begin with a willingness to make a difference. We need ordinary people.” Remington Toavs (son of Scott and Jessica Toavs of Wolf Point) and Kimberly Dulaney (of Glasgow) gave very good reports of the 2024 youth tour they were privileged to attend. I believe you can hear Remington’s speech on line, and it is well worth hearing.

Board president Chris Christensen awarded service awards to their employees and recognized the years of service for men who have served on the board including Sam Gundermann (25 years), Rocky Kittleson (25 years) and Ron Reddig (30 years). The president and manager’s reports were given in an interview manner. Their goals are for safety (everyone goes home to their families), reliable, cost-effective electricity for folks, and a no-growth coop. General manager Gretchen Boardman and several of the board members gave tributes to Ron Reddig. Helping the central board get electricity from the Basin, serving on the Meca Board, president of Northern Electric and helping with the merger to NorVal, then serving as its resident, alongside coaching duties for LCHS, and taking care of his family were listed. They announced that the NREA awarded Ron with the Hard Riding Award this summer. The audience gave him a standing ovation at that news, for it is given a board member who has served faithfully in very hard family times. For Ron, it was caring for his family, his bedridden wife, Jeri (who has passed away and he has remarried), and his family without complaint, while facing health challenges of his own (liver transplant), and serving the community and LCHS as head coach, athletic director, running a windshield repair business, a farm and being a role model for the entire board in his faithfulness in the process.

Ron responded by asking if any remembered getting out of school for a week because the power was off, and they didn’t mind the cold houses and candles. A lot of hands in the audience were raised. He began serving in 1994, and saw the need for added safety for the linemen and began providing much needed things. He thanked his nominating committee and their participation, naming the priorities he had at that time, 1) tools for the linemen, 2) getting the power back on timely, and 3) said “a co-op is only as strong as the members, and the insights of the board members willing to be a team”. He closed by saying he was “thankful for wonderful friendships God has given me. God bless you as you ‘keep the lights on’.”

The event was well attended, even having to set extra tables Gretchen Boardman commended the families who brought their small children, saying “this is a family business, and let them dream of seeing our capital on the youth tour.” Applications are available, and open to sophomores and juniors. Prizes drawn in the evening included $100 (Lynette Froilland), $200(Deb Nelson) and $300 (Richard Wiens). There were many prizes for the children and adults. Thank you to the LCHS alumni and the executive who organized the food, and then served it to the coop members.