Christmas in October?

River Falls Municipal Utilities hosted an open house at the power plant on Thursday, October 5, 2006 from 3 - 7 p.m. to celebrate Public Power Week October 1 – 7, 2006. The theme of the event was Christmas in October.

Festive holiday cookies, candy canes, and refreshments were available for customers. Santa and his elves (utility staff and commission members) were on hand to meet and greet customers while tours of the power plant were given, pedal power demonstrations were available, and a comparison of incandescent vs LED holiday light strings was set up with Kill-a-Watt meters to show the benefit of LED technology. Free strings of LED holiday lights were distributed while supplies lasted and energy savers calendars were given away as well.

Marcia Scheurman, Deb James, Bob Hetland, and Steve Tirrel were winners of the energy efficient prize baskets that were raffled off, that included occupancy sensors, holiday lights, decorations, and timers. The grand prize of an energy efficient refrigerator was also given away to lucky winner, Gini Lindquist.

This event was funded in cooperation with public benefits money and community contribution funds from Wisconsin Public Power Inc. (WPPI).

Image to right: River Falls Municipal Utility’s Commission President, Jim Dieck, and General Manager, Carl Gaulke, hope this year they will be on Santa’s (aka Electric Operations Superintendent, Chuck Beranek) nice list after celebrating Public Power Week with Christmas in October.