LOCAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE EDITION JUNE 2005 PEACHES: RIPE OFF THE TREE PLUS: Fred Gipson and Old YellerYeller Summer Soups Boquillas Canyon Your safety is a top priority at your electric co-op. And it’s even more important when it comes to our kids. They don’t always know—or remember— what can be dangerous, so it’s up to all of us to watch out for their safety. Tree Climbing Tree Safety Rules for Trees: • Don’t plant trees or install tall playground equipment under or near power lines. • Don’t build tree houses in trees near electric lines. • Don’t allow children to climb trees growing near electric lines. • Teach your children always to look up to check for power lines before climbing trees or any tall objects. • Keep children away from ladders, DON’TDON’T GOGO poles or work equipment that may be near power lines. • Set a good example by following these rules yourself. OUT ON And the Number One safety OUT ON rule for everyone to remember is this: Don’t touch a power line or anything that’s touch- ing the power line. No one can A LIMB! tell simply by looking at a line A LIMB! whether it is energized or not, and contact with a power line can be deadly. Remember, electricity always seeks the eas- iest path to reach the ground, and, unfortunately, human beings are good conductors of electricity. Look up and live! This public service message is brought to you by your local electric cooperative. For more information, visit your local co-op. JUNE 2005 In This Issue A MAGAZINE ABOUT TEXAS LIVING It’s That Peachy Season Who doesn’t love a ripe, succulent peach? This month we introduce you to a family of peach farmers and the challenges they face. For your conven- ience, we’ve listed 26 spots to buy peaches fresh from the tree and a map to show you how to get there. Most of the peach stands listed are in Gillespie County, served by Central Texas Electric Cooperative. For residents of North Central Texas, Parker County, west of HORTON JODY Fort Worth, is another great source of The Hill Country peach harvest reaches its peak in June. Texas peaches.Tri-County Electric Cooperative serves Parker County. Wondering what to do with all those perfect peaches? Go to www.texas FEATURES cooppower.com/tcp/recipes.html and Peaches: Ripe Off the Tree . 6 click on Peaches (6/04). Story and Photos by Jody Horton Our second story is about Fred More than any other fruit, peaches are Gipson and his most famous book, synonymous with summer.This month, we visit Old Yeller.The Mason County native’s a small family-run orchard near Fredericksburg heart-warming, heart-wrenching story that specializes in delivering this summer treat. about a boy and his dog was made into a Disney movie. The recipe pages are dedicated to Hound-Dog Man and wonderful Summer Soups, and Festival His Old Yeller Dog . 12 of the Month takes us to the Belton By Shannon Lowry Rodeo, held each year during the Author Fred Gipson introduced generations town’s Fourth of July celebration. of children to an old yellow dog and taught We’ve included Fourth of July events them some facts of life along the way. in the June issue so readers can plan ahead.Texas, USA, highlights a won- DEPARTMENTS derful Rio Grande River canoe trip. Enjoy! Texas Living . 26 Summer soups. Belton Rodeo. Focus on Texas . 37 Picnics on the ground, picnics all around. Peg Champion Vice President, Communications/ Texas, USA . .38 Publisher By Isabel Bearman Bucher Big Bend á la Canoe, Boquillas Canyon. COVER PHOTO:JODY HORTON SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 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Martin Bevins, Advertising Director Louie Bond, Copy Editor/Writer • Limit your physical activity during Andy Doughty, Production Designer the hottest part of the day. Sandra Forston, Communications Assistant Irene Good, Communications Assistant • Kids, cars and heat make a Jo Johenning, Production Assistant deadly combination. Never leave Karen Nejtek, Production Coordinator a child—or pet—in a vehicle, Shannon Oelrich, Food Editor/Proofreader Ellen Stader, Proofreader even for “just a few minutes.” Heather Thompson, Communications Coordinator That’s long enough for a closed Cheryl Tucker, Field Editor vehicle to heat up to dangerous Issue Designer: Kathy Marcus levels, even on a 60-degree day. Texas Co-op Power (USPS 540-560) is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperatives (TEC). Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, COOL TIPS If someone has heatstroke- TX and at additional offices.TEC is the statewide association repre- COOL TIPS senting 75 electric cooperatives. 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This summer, ADVERTISING Advertisers interested in buying display ad space in Texas Co-op Power and/or in our 30 sister publications in don’t sweat it. Keep cool. other states, contact Martin Bevins at (512) 486-6249. Advertisements in Texas Co-op Power are paid solicitations. The publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any manner any product or company included in this publication. Product satisfaction and delivery responsibility lie solely with the advertiser. Direct questions or comments about advertising to Martin Bevins,Advertising Director. © Copyright 2005 Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohibited without This public service message is brought written permission.Willie Wiredhand © Copyright 2005 National to you by your local electric cooperative. Rural Electric Cooperative Association. See your local co-op for details. 4 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • JUNE 2005 TEXAS CO-OP PRINCIPLES IN ACTION Government-in-Action Youth Tour and ETREYS elping young people develop Several of the seven cooperative prin- Hleadership skills and encourag- ciples come into play in these efforts: ing an interest in community service (2) Democratic Membership Control; and government are established coop- (5) Education,Training and Informa- erative goals. tion; and (7) Concern for Community. Each year in June, 43 Texas electric “Anytime we can further a future cooperatives send more than 100 high member’s education, whether by school students to Washington, D.C., scholarship, travel or experience, we to join other co-op participants from improve our community,” said Bill across the United States and learn Harbin, Lighthouse EC general manag- about democracy in action. er. Lighthouse, based in Floydada, has spend June 17-24 in Washington visit- In addition, nine Texas electric awarded Youth Tour trips to 85 high ing key sites. Appointments are cooperatives in East Texas hold the school students since 1965. arranged for visits with each partici- annual ETREYS (East Texas Rural Elec- “Many of those students returned pant’s local congress member and a tric Youth Seminar) in midsummer on to make their own homes in our area, senator or two, followed by a tour of the campus of Stephen F. Austin State becoming civic and government lead- the House and Senate chambers. But University in Nacogdoches. Programs ers and darned good co-op members,” for most participants, the highlight of will focus on leadership development, Harbin added.