PEC Pickwick Electric Cooperative Time to give thanks
s families across the country manager/president, and it has been a Agather together to give thanks privilege for me to have worked for Pickwick this holiday season, we at Pickwick you for 40 years. The Lord willing, I Electric Cooperative are also count - look forward to continuing working Electric ing our blessings. And we have much for you. to give thanks for. We’ve had an interesting and Cooperative We all can be eventful year with an thankful for this ice storm in January, Serving members in all of beautiful corner of a tornado in May McNairy County and Tennessee we call and one of the portions of Chester, home and for the hottest summers on friendly, caring record with the Hardeman and Hardin neighbors who highest electric bills counties in Tennessee and in PEC’s history. make up the Alcorn and Tishomingo membership of The power was PEC. out for approximate - counties in Mississippi Our cooperative ly 75 hours during is blessed to be the ice storm and
served by well- Karl Dudley about 100 hours trained and courte - President following the torna - ous employees Pickwick Electric do. Although our who strive each Cooperative crews did not receive [email protected] 530 Mulberry Ave. day to deliver safe, much rest during this reliable and time, they managed P.O. Box 49 affordable electricity to more than to get the power restored without any Selmer, TN 38375 20,000 homes and businesses across accidents. our service area. If you were impacted by the ice We are thankful that we live in a storm or tornado, I want to thank you Phone Numbers: country blessed with the resources for your patience as our crews, with 731-645-3411 that make it possible to deliver help from our neighboring co-ops, electricity in this manner and for the worked around the clock to restore 731-632-3333 technology that allows us to do our your power. Your notes, e-mails and 1-800-372-8258 jobs more efficiently in providing phone calls expressing your gratitude better service to our members. Much were much appreciated. The help Website: of the world does not have this received from local farmers and www.pickwickec.com option. contractors stepping up to assist us On a personal note, as I look back reminded me that the cooperative These five pages contain at this past year, it was a pleasure for spirit is still alive and well in our communities. me to meet with the almost 700 local news and information people who attended our annual Thank you for your continued meeting marking the 75th anniver - support of PEC. May God richly for members of Pickwick sary of PEC. This was my 14th bless you and your family this annual meeting as PEC holiday season. Electric Cooperative.
16 The Tennessee Magazine PEC Pickwick Electric Cooperative PEC celebrates 75 years of service
pproximately 700 members and friends Aturned out for Pickwick Electric Coopera - tive’s 75th anniversary celebration on Thursday, Sept. 9. The McNairy County High School Little Theater was filled to capacity as PEC members enjoyed the entertainment provided by the Southern Harmony Quartet. The crowd also enjoyed hot dogs, Moon Pies and RC Colas, along with some nice door prizes. Each registered member received a Lodge skillet bearing PEC’s 75th anniversary logo.
Joining PEC President Karl Dudley, right, for the 75th anniver - sary celebration were Tennessee Electric Cooperative Associa - tion General Manager Tom Purkey and Laura Campbell, Tennessee Valley Authority general manager of customer service in West Tennessee.
PEC members admire the 75th anniversary quilt made by the Needles & Pins Quilting group of Bethel Springs.
Lilli Coats receives her Louie the Lightning Bug “tattoo” from Washington Youth Tour student Sarah Killingsworth.
From left, retired employees Linda Crotts, Glen Plunk and Jackie Inman enjoy the fellowship at the annual meeting. A large crowd attended the 2010 annual meeting.
November 2010 17 PEC Pickwick Electric Cooperative A chance to give back By Jack Cheshier, JC’s Children’s Shopping Spree coordinator County with a brighter Christmas. However, I soon learned that there My dream was to allow more chil - were differing viewpoints as to how dren to spend additional funds, but to select the most deserving children. the reality was that several obstacles Some teachers based a child’s need on whether he or she was a recipient Jack Cheshier, left, is JC’s Children’s of the free lunch program. Others Shopping Spree coodinator. considered factors such as family Below, National Honor Society size and socioeconomic status. Since students eagerly await the arrival of the kids to begin the shopping spree. our county had a high percentage of free lunch program recipients, it was decided that each teacher would use stood in our his or her best judgment and knowl - way. edge of the student’s situation to The first determine a child’s eligibility. major The final step was to see how s we approach the challenge much money we could raise to Aholiday season, we are was where to determine the amount to be allotted reminded life is all about get the funds for each child and how to include all choices, giving and receiv - to support five McNairy County elementary ing. Several years ago, such a large schools in our project. A decision McNairy County native project. Our was reached by teachers, business - Jack Cheshier chose to local Jaycee men and Jaycees to allot each child make a difference in his chapter $20. This was in 1982, and we felt community. This is his operated on a that amount was adequate for shop - story. limited pers to purchase worthwhile items. McNairy County is a budget, so I And we would be able to include all wonderful place to live and an ideal began contacting various people in the McNairy County elementary place to raise a family. One of the the business community for their schools in our project. reasons I believe this to be so is input. I was given the name of a local I then contacted the superintendent because of the way its citizens reach businessman who was known for his of schools to discuss the project and out to those in need. generosity in the past. I met with and confirm transportation arrangements. As a new member of the Selmer communicated to him what I felt was He readily agreed to the proposal and Jaycees, I was asked to accept a major drawback to our current offered to provide buses and ask for chairman of a project called the project in relation to our county’s volunteer drivers at no cost. Children’s Shopping Spree. At that need. Fortunately he was in a finan - Once again, after coming up with time, there was a budget of $350, cial position at the time to anony - a number of children to be included with approximately 50 children mously donate the funding necessary in this project, I met with my donor participating from Selmer Elemen - to spread our project county-wide. to explain the anticipated procedure tary School. This project involved In the next planning stage, the and the amount of funds needed. He soliciting donations for funding, focus was on the selection of the graciously accepted the task of coordinating the project with the participants. I met with several funding the project in full. The only McNairy County school system and faculty members of the elementary other item was to recruit enough determining a method for selecting school from which the Shopping volunteers to assist our shoppers in our neediest children who would best Spree had originated to determine spending their $20. be served by such an endeavor. their criteria for including children in It was suggested that McNairy The problem, as I saw it, was to this project. It was agreed that Central High School Honor Society’s increase our funding so that the students in grades K-4 would be our 25 members would be the perfect Jaycees could better provide under - targets due to peer pressure and group to serve as volunteers. They privileged children in McNairy budget issues. gladly accepted the responsibility, a
18 The Tennessee Magazine PEC Pickwick Electric Cooperative date was set and the first county-wide community become more aware of how much work is involved in Children’s Shopping Spree was about the need to encourage and support raising funds and taking care of all to become a reality. each other. Another significant result the necessary arrangements for an The Shopping Spree began with was the inspiration for other commu - undertaking of this magnitude. It is a the first group of children arriving at nities to implement similar ideas. It very important part of my Christmas Walmart at 8 a.m. These 50-70 was my hope and prayer that other season. People of all ages from all children from each of our county counties would see what McNairy over the county assist me because schools were given ample time for County was doing for their needy it’s such a rewarding experience. The browsing, trying clothes on or children and become involved in joy of spreading Christmas cheer to picking out special presents for helping their special children enjoy a these special children is contagious themselves or family members. They brighter Christmas. I am grateful that and draws volunteers and donors to also enjoyed the snacks provided by over the last 25 years, I have seen offer their time and money again and Walmart employees. By noon, the this become a reality. again. project was completed, and it was The funding necessary to finance God promises that if we will very difficult to decide who had this project has grown to approxi - concentrate on blessing others, he’ll reaped the greatest benefit — the mately $15,000 and includes many take care of our needs. There’s children or the many volunteers who local business leaders, corporations, almost nothing that God won’t do for had seen the joy and excitement on civic clubs, churches and great folks the person who really wants to help the shoppers’ faces. who walk up and put cash or checks other people. In fact, God guarantees Over the years, the Jaycees chose in my hand and tell me it is for the this blessing. In Luke 18, Jesus says, to discontinue this project. I decided children. “I guarantee this. Anyone who gives to set up a 501(c)(3) to be called JC’s I’ve had the honor and privilege of up anything for the kingdom of God Children’s Shopping Spree, a not-for- overseeing the Children’s Shopping will certainly receive many times profit organization that isn’t associat - Spree since the very first county- more in this life and will receive ed with any other club or organiza - wide project. This will be my 28th eternal life in the next world to tion. The Shopping Spree has ex - year, and I have raised in excess of come.” panded to benefit more than 300 $265,000 and helped approximately If you have an interest in participat - children every year, spending $40- 8,000 children experience a brighter ing in this worthwhile project or $45 each. Apart from the obvious Christmas. Anyone who has be - you’d like more information, contact growth of the project to reach more longed to a civic organization and me at 731-645-4972, ext. 230, or children, I believe it has helped our chaired a project of any type knows [email protected].
Celebrate Veterans Day this year by remembering those who have served our country and those who are serving today. Nov. 11 • Veterans Day
PEC would like to honor our veterans and all veterans who have served our country. Present and retired employees, direc - tors and attorney who served in the armed forces are Terry Abernathy, Bobby Barnes, Jerry Burks, Jimmy Dickey, Larry Gage, Clyde Garrison, Harold Finley, Robert Goad, Joe Gortney, Leslie Gwin, Jamie McAfee, John Mitchell, Layne Moffett, Terry Pearson, Glen Plunk, Maynard Smith, Joe Thomas, Jackie Weaver, Bobby Whitley, Marvin Wilkes and Robert Williams.
November 2010 19 PEC Pickwick Electric Cooperative Extension cord safety: Make smart connections uring the holiday season, families often string clearly marked “Suitable for Use with Outdoor Dtogether extension cords without a second Appliances.” thought. Unfortunately, not all cords are created • Extension cords should not be placed underneath equal. rugs or heavy furniture, tacked in place to a wall, Just because an extension cord can reach an taped down or used while coiled or bent. Match outlet across a room doesn’t mean it’s the right one the length of the cord to your needs. for the task at hand. If a tool, appliance or holiday • Store all cords indoors when not in use. Outdoor display draws more current than an extension cord conditions can deteriorate a cord over time. can carry, it may cause the cord (and whatever is • Unplug extension cords when not in use. The connected to it) to overheat and start a fire. cord will continue conducting electricity until Cords come in many lengths and are marked with unplugged. a size or gauge. The gauge is based on the Ameri - • On cords with more than one outlet, use the can Wire Gauge (AWG) System in which the larger covers provided for unused openings. Children the wire, the smaller the AWG number. and pets face serious injury if they chew on For example, a 12-gauge wire would be larger unused outlets or stick sharp metal objects into and power larger-wattage appliances than a 14- the openings. gauge wire. A cord, based on its gauge, can power • Do not use extension cords that are cut or dam - appliances of a certain wattage only at specific aged. Touching even a single exposed strand of distances. As the cord gets longer, its current- wire can result in an electric shock or burn. carrying capacity drops. • Never file or cut the plug blades or grounding pin Using the right cord for the job is only the first of an extension cord or appliance to plug it into step in using extension cords safely. Follow these an old outlet. tips to ensure safe use and make smart connection • As a safety feature, extension cords and most decisions: appliances boast polarized plugs (one blade wider • Look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) than the other). These special plugs are designed symbol. The UL mark means that samples of the to prevent electric shock by properly aligning cord have been tested for safety hazards. circuit conductors. If a plug does not fit, have a • Never use an indoor extension cord outdoors as it qualified electrician install a new outlet. could result in electric shock or trigger a fire. Extension cords that can be used outdoors will be Source: Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
This Thanksgiving, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
The crops are harvested, and the land rests, gathering its strength for another season of plenty. At this time of year we pause from our work to say thanks for the beautiful blessings that have been bestowed on us. One of the special blessings for which we say thanks is our pleasant association with you. Your trust, confidence and friendship — both in a personal and business manner — mean so much to us. May the Thanksgiving season be a joyous one for you and your loved ones.
The PEC office will be closed Thursday, Nov. 25, and Friday, Nov. 26, in observance of Thanksgiving.
20 The Tennessee Magazine