Cooperative News

Bott, Drummond, Dodd and Holland Re-elected to Board at Annual Meeting

&N Electric Cooperative (ANEC) gathered at Nandua High School in Onley. Cooperative attorney Henry P. Custis, membership re-elected four of its He also thanked cooperative employees Jr., conducted board elections. In addition Aboard directors and heard detailed and local farmers for their response to the to 2,430 votes cast by proxy, the 165 reports during the 78th Annual Meeting winter blizzard earlier this year, which members present re-elected Christopher D. on Aug. 23. brought heavy winds and snow into the area. Bott to his District 1 seat, E. Garrison In 2017, ANEC completed its Tangier “Area farmers assisted crews, using their Drummond to his District 2 seat, Ralph W. Island facility project, which included a personal equipment to access secondary Dodd to his District 4 seat and Penney P. new office building, upgraded substation roads that our equipment could not reach. Holland to her District 4 seat. and a renovated generator building. The The Board of Directors appreciates the ANEC CEO Butch Williamson addressed upgraded facilities will serve both Tangier great commitment to our members that upcoming initiatives, which will boost and neighboring Smith Island, Maryland, everyone displayed during the event, and value to services offered by the cooperative. well into the future, Board Chairman would like to extend a sincere thank you A highlight of those efforts are the phase- Addison Nottingham told the crowd to all of those involved,” Nottingham said. in of automated metering infrastructure

S The cooperative board honored former (AMI) over the coming year, which will O T

O chairman Phillip B. Tankard, who recently enhance billing options, improve meter H P passed away. Tankard served on the data with system operations and will M E I cooperative’s board for more than 50 years, lead to quicker restoration efforts. D

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A serving his last 11 as the board’s chairman. Williamson also touched on enhancing J His daughter, Cindy Lattimore, was the cooperative’s surge-protector program presented a framed resolution signed by and the potential of adding a household the current board. standby generator program for members. Nottingham announced that the board He explained that an approved increase recently voted to return $1.7 million in to the co-op’s base rate, the first since capital credits to the membership, which 1991, will more accurately cover distribution will be reflected as a notice on August costs and could result in lower electric An attendee snaps a selfie with LED Lucy billing statements. The cooperative has bills during “non-summer” months, prior to the start of A&N Electric Cooperative’s retired nearly $24 million in capital credits but members would see an increase in 78th Annual Meeting at Nandua High School. to the membership since 1981. costs during the four “summer” months

A&N ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE 21275 Cooperative Way P.O. Box 290 Tasley, VA 23441-0290 757-787-9750 • 800-431-2632

Office Hours: M-F, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. anec.com Payments: 1-855-386-9921

President & CEO Butch Williamson

Local Pages Editor Jay Diem A&N Electric Cooperative is an Members of the A&N Electric Cooperative Board of Directors present Cindy Lattimore with equal opportunity provider and employer. a framed resolution in memory of her father, Phillip B. Tankard, who served the cooperative for more than 50 years as a director.

18 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 A&N Electric Cooperative New rates expected to take effect Oct. 1

arlier this year, as communicated in Cooperative Living magazine, the cooperative’s website and local newspapers, A&N Electric Cooperative filed ANEC members listen to reports by cooperative staff during the meeting. Efor a rate adjustment to help it stabilize the annual revenue needed to cover its cost of service. While the Virginia State Corporation Commission’s final decision on the filing had not been made by printing deadline, the cooperative anticipates the commission will approve its proposal with some stipulations. The new rate structure is expected to take effect on Oct. 1, 2018. The rate adjustment will increase the monthly access charge and will establish seasonal rates based on four summer months (June-September) and eight non- summer months (October-May). CEO Butch Williamson greets members. This is the cooperative’s first true rate increase since 1991. “This rate adjustment will give A&N the revenue needed to cover the cooperative’s from June to September. fixed costs that are associated with the operation and maintenance of our distribution “Your participation in our Beat the Peak facilities,” said ANEC CEO Butch Williamson. “These proposed seasonal rates will program will help us keep costs as low as possible for you and your co-op,” he added. more accurately reflect our members’ energy use throughout the year.” Williamson also added that A&N is The cooperative is moving to a slightly higher fixed monthly access charge from among the first Virginia co-ops approved $8 to $14, which will reduce the revenue needed in the volume metric portion of to offer solar energy as a choice for a member’s bill. members. He said members can subscribe With the proposed rate adjustment, a residential bill with electricity use during the to 50-kilowatt blocks of energy through the Cooperative Sunshare program, with non-summer months could see a decrease in monthly costs, but during the summer much of this generated at the nearby months would see an increase depending on a member’s energy use. 20-megawatt Cherrydale Solar facility in For example, a residential member using 1,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity in the Northampton County. four summer months would see an increase of about $14 a month for that use with the More details about the Cooperative new rate, but that member would see a decrease of just over $1 a month in the eight Sunshare program can be found at non-summer months. anec.com. Old Dominion Electric Cooperative An additional rider will temporarily be included on electric service bills from October (ODEC) CEO Marcus Harris detailed the through December, but will be discontinued on Jan. 1, 2019. power-supply cooperative’s diverse assets For more details, log onto anec.com and click on the “Rates” tab. and reminded attendees of A&N’s representation on the ODEC board. He said, “Our goal is to be evolutionary, not revolutionary, so that we can provide you with affordable and reliable energy for decades to come.” Patsy Goard, who has served as ANEC’s Youth Tour chaperone for more than two decades, introduced the five high school students who participated in this year’s event. Attendees then enjoyed a video with highlights of this NRECA leadership development program that gathers co-op youth from around the nation for a week in Washington, D.C., including a meeting with Congressman Scott Taylor and Changing of the Guard ceremony at Arlington Cemetery. Immediately following the Annual Meeting, the board held officer elections, re-electing Addison Nottingham as its chairman, Christopher Bott as its vice chairman and Robert Nock as the board’s secretary-treasurer. anec.com October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 19 FINNEY WILLIAM P HARRIS ROBERT FIRST MED VIRGINIA INC HAUSER ERIN UNCLAIMED CAPITAL CREDIT CHECKS FISHER ANTHONY F HAYDEN DENISE L FISHER BRITTANY A HAYWARD SHANE P Listed below are the names of members who failed to claim capital credit FISHER ELOISE H HEADY ANGELA M FISKE CHARLES HELMKE CHRISTINE A refund checks that were issued in the year 2016. If your name is listed below, FITCHETT MARY ANN HENDERSON AJA R please contact the A&N Electric Cooperative Billing Department (option 2) at FLETCHER ELWOOD L HENDERSON MARY F FLEURANT JOHNY HENSON JOCASTA W 757-787-9750 or 1-800-431-2632, Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. FLOYD HERMAN H HEPBURN SARINA M FMA CORP HERNANDEZ GABRIEL H and 4:30 p.m. FOEMAN TONIA HERNANDEZ MATEO P FORMYDUVAL JIM HEROLD DUSTIN C FORMYDUVAL FLORIST HICKMAN HENRY FORST PAUL E HICKMAN JAMES A PLUS GOLD BUYERS LLC BOESENBERG ALEX P CHESAPEAKE OUTDOOR DAVIS ROBERT FOSQUE CURTIS S HICKMAN PRESTON ABBOTT FANNIE D BOGAN BRIAN ADVERTISING DAVIS RONNIE L FOSQUE GEORGE L JR HICKMAN WINFORD ABNEY MARY BOGUSKI JOHN O CHILDS ARTHUR G DAVIS TOWYNA FOSTER CHRISTOPHER D HIGGINS JESSICA ABRAHAM RACHEL G BOHL AARON E CHOPRE ARVIND DEAN JAMES E FOSTER JOSEPH P HILL IVAN ABRECHT WAYNE BONADIO DEREK R CHRISTIAN PRISCILLA DELISLE THOMAS J FRANCOIS WILBERT HILL-HARVEY KARIMU F ADAMS MARGARET A BONNIWELL CHRISTINA D CHURN C N JR DELMARVA ENTERPRISES FRAZIER BRANDON N HINES & WILSON ADAMS ROGER BONNIWELL JASON E CLARK NORMAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF VIRGINIA FRAZIER KELLYN A HINKLE ROBERT E ADDISON EULONDA S BONNIWELL RENE CLARK RICHARD DENNIS GEORGE FREIGHT & FORWARDERS CORP HISTORICAL PROPERTY LLC ADDISON STELLA S BOOKER BELINDA N CLAUSEN PAUL DENNIS WILLIAM S FREITAS LORRI K HOLDEN IDA C ADLER M PETER BOOTH MATTHEW W COBB CANDICE J DENSTON B F FRISCH ARLEAN HOLDEN JAUAN D ADNEY JAMES R BORCHERT JACQUELINE A COBB ISLAND INTERIORS DICKERSON C D FULMER CYNTHIA J HOLDEN KAVEN M ALLEN GEORGE P BOWEN RICHARD COCHRAN DANIEL C DICKERSON SUSIE O FULTON MICHELLE C HOLT GARY L ALLEN KENNETH R BOWSER JON M COHEN TAL H DICKINSON JOSHUA P FURNISS BURTON E HOOPER RALPH ALLEN WILLIAM E JR BRADE MARCIA G COLE ROBERT H DIEFENBACH JOHN J GALATI ANDREW F HOPE DORIS M ALLWINE L H BRADFORD JESSE E COLEMAN SHALONN DIEMEL JAMES J GALATOLO SALVATORE V HOPELAND FARMS INC AMES AUGUSTUS 3 BRADFORD SHERRY L COLES REGINALD DIX IRMA C GALWAY BAY CORP HOPKINS ROBERT AMES CARLAS L BRADSHAW DALLAS COLLINS AMANDA L DIXON ALVIN GARCIA ROSE HOPKINS STEPHEN M AMES GEORGE BRADSHAW VINCENT K COLLINS BRITTANY M DIXON HENRY B GARCIA JUAREZ WENDY A HORTENSTINE HENRY R III AMES T'KEYAH L BRADY ETTA COLLINS CHARLOTTE T DIXON ROBERT A GARDNER RUTH HOSTETTER MARY D ANDERSON EVELYN BRADY MARK COLLINS ERNEST DIZE WILLIS GARRETT DENNIS HOWARD ALICE M ANDERSON LOIS J BRADY MICHAEL W COLLINS JOHN E JR DOBRASKI MICHAEL R GARRIS AISHA HOWARD HAROLD M JR ANGLIM SUZANNE J BRAUNBERG ROBERT C COLLINS JOHN T DONAHOE PATRICK R GARRISON HOPE W HUBBARD JOAN ANOFILS MERCELIANE BRAUNBERG SHIRLEY A COLLINS LAWRENCE DONAWAY EMILY A GASKINS MARGIE HUDSON CHARLES D ARCE ANDREW A BREAD OF LIFE COMM CHURCH COLLINS SHIRLEY H DONOVAN ALTON GERALD LEWIS HUDSON DONALD E AROST IVIN BREAM ANTHONY P COMACHO JENNIFER A DORN OCTAVIA S GIDDENS JOHN H HUERTA PONCE MARCO A ASHBY GECOLA BRICKER DONALD E COMMONWEALTH CATHOLIC DORSEY YUL B SR GIDDENS PATORIA N HULL CLIP ASHMEN RICHARD T BRIDGEWATER ALFRED CHARITIES DOTSON SHARON GIDDINS GENEVA HUNGERFORD GORDON AYRES TAMMY L BRITTINGHAM REGINA CONKLIN DIANE DOUGHTY G N GILLESPIE C M HUNT ELIZABETH BAC FIELD SERVICES CORPORATION BRODERICK CLAIRE P CONNELL DUANE H DOUGHTY GEORGE N GILLESPIE DAVID C HUNTER MICHAEL L BAGDASARIAN GARY BROKENBOROUGH AMANDA CONNOR ERVIN DOUGHTY JAMES R GILLIS ELLA INTONDI DOLORES H BAGWELL LESLIE M BROOKS LINWOOD H CONTRERAS LOUIS DOUGHTY VINCENT D GILSDORF HERBERT IRENE'S HOUSE OF FUN BAILEY CASSANDRAS M BROOKS ROBERT L COOK BONNY E DOUGHTY BROS GIPSON ADAM E IRIZARRY EDSON G BAILEY CHRISTOPHER R BROOKS TAMMY COOK CRYSTAL R DOWNING DOROTHY GLADDEN ANA M IRIZARRY LUIS A BAILEY ROLAND BROUGHTON DELLA L COOLEY CHRISTIAN N DOWNING RESIA GLADDING ADRAIN ISABELLE RACHEL M BAILEY WILLIAM A JR BROWN ARTHUR COOPER JASON DOWNING TONIKA S GLADDING VIOLA ISHEE DIXIE W BAKER ALLEN S III BROWN BARBARA A COPES JACQUELIN K DOWNING WILLIAM H GLAESER LINDSAY C IVEY HUGHLAND EJR BAKER DWIGHT D BROWN CHARLES L CORBIN HARVEY W SR DOWNS BOBBY W GLASS-LOGAN NICHOLE R JACKSON THEODORE D BAKER JAZNUN V BROWN ELTON CORNELIUS CHADD T DREW JOHN GLASSMIRE CLAIRE E JACOBS GEORGE C BAKER JOHN J BROWN GARRISON M CORNETT BETTY J DREWER J E GOARD GLENN JAISWAL SONIA BAKER KEMPER W BROWN JOAN K CORNISH JEROME C DRUMMOND KELLEY GODBOUT THOMAS JANKOWSKI THOMAS J BAKER NYOKA F BROWN KIMBERLY A CORRIGAN GERARD DRUMMOND KIM O GODFREY GEORGE H JE SMITH & SONS BAKER ROSE BROWN KINDRA B COTTONWOOD RANCH & DRUMMOND MARTHA GODWIN DUSTIN E JEFFERSON KEISHA L BAKER WILLIAM F BROWN NICOLE LIVESTOCK CO DRUMMOND READE GOFFIGON HAROLD T JENKINS FAMILY TRUST 1997-DIP BALDWIN BRUCE T BROWN PAULA D COUSAR ANTONIO DRUY SARAH L GOINS JAMES JENNESTREET ELIZABETH D BALDWIN SARAH BROWN RUTH C COX CHRISTY V DUER PRODUCE FARMS GOMEZ FRANCISCO JENT BOBBY A BANKS CHIROPRACTIC BROWN SHANNON M COX DEBRA F DUKES THERESA A GOMEZ HORACIO JOANNIS JEAN C BANNISTER ELIZABETH BROWN TIFFANY T CRAWFORD MARY R DUNCAN COURTNEY A GONGORA ARNOLD JOHNSON CLIFTON BARBOSA MARCELO BROWN-JAMES VERETTA M CRAWFORD TAYLOR A DUNCAN RHONDA GONZALES CARLOS JOHNSON FLOYD BARCO ARTHUR JJR BRYANT JIMMY CREECH MICHAEL K DUNTON CARMEN A GONZALEZ XAVIER G JOHNSON GALE A BARKER JACOB J BUDD ADA CRENSHAW THOMAS JR DUNTON HENRY S GOODNIGHT KIMBERLY A JOHNSON HENRY BARR TIFFANY R BULL NORBERT J CROCKETT DENNIS DUVERNY GESNER E GORDON DEBRA K JOHNSON JOANNA L BARTLETT RALPH BUMGARNER JEFFREY CROCKETT HAZEL M E S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GORDON JOHN G JOHNSON THOMAS A BAUMANN THOMAS M JR BUNDICK MICHAEL CROCKETT LARRY GROUP GORSKE WILTON S JOHNSON TIMOTHY P BAYSHORE CATV BURGER RAY E JR CROCKETT REBECCA B EAST COAST BROKERS & PACKERS GOUGH JANIS JOHNSON VIRGINIA E BEACH BARBARA A BURGOS RIVERA CARMEN R CROPPER CATHERINE EAST COAST PROP HOLDINGS LLC GRANADOS R J JONES ANNE T BEACHAM PHILIP S JR BURNETT WALTER G CROSLAND ALNISE A EASTERN SHORE KITCHENS GRAVERSON KIM JONES BETTY W BECK WILLIAM H BURRELL RICARDO M CROSLAND MICHELL E EASTERN SHORE CABLEVISION GRAVES MICHELLE K JONES CASEY A BEETS BERT BURROUGHS JACK JR CROSS MONNIE EASTERN VIRGINIA REHAB GRAVINO VIRGINIA JONES GEORGE S BEHRMAN TERRI BURROUGHS DRIVE IN CROSS-BARNET CAITLIN EDGAR CASEY N GRECO JOSEPH F JONES JOHN D BELCHER SAMANTHA L BURROUGHS MARKET CROWDER BENJAMIN G EDGERTON DOROTHY H GREEN DONALD E JONES MELANIE R BELDEN CYNTHIA K BURTON GLORIA CROZIER GENE A EDGERTON ROBERT D GREEN GREGORY M JONES ROBERT L BELL ANDREW D BUSTELL MICHAEL W CRUDUP BERTIE W EDMUNDS MILTON B GREENE FRANK JORDAN LAKISHA C BELL PATRICIA M BUTLER ROBERT K CRUTCHLEY ROBERT K EDWARDS JENNIFER D GREENWELL CHRISTOPHER M JOSEPH COLBERT BELOTE SAM BYELICH JASON E CUCE ISA EDWARDS RAYMOND W GRIFFITH GIL A JOSEPH GLADIS BENDER JEFFREY R BYER KATHLEEN P CUMBERLEDGE CHARLES L ELEGANT INTERIORS, INC. GRIFFITH HARRY JOSEPH RUTH F BENNING ROBERT W BYRD GARFIEL CURRY JOHN J ELIASZ JAMES GRIMES GLADYS JOYNES ROSHAWN N BENSON JAMES R CALLAHAN VIOLET V CUSTIS CHARLOTTE S ELLER TIRE CO GROSS DOUG JOYNES SARAH H BENTON AMBER L CALLEJAS RUTH A CUSTIS JACQUEL ELLIOTT AUTO SUPPLY CO GROTON ROGER JUAREZ LETICIA BERGBOWER GRANT L CAMPER KENESHA CUSTIS M EMERY CHRISTOPHER P GUERRERO MARIA A JULIANO DOMINIC BERGEY WILL B CANTRELL CRAIG S CUSTIS MARY ENNIS CARL GUY GEORGE I JUSTICE EULAS BERK-SCHOLL ASTRID CAPPS BRANDON E CUSTIS RUTH N EPPS TERRANCE L HAGGERTY DEAN JUSTIS GARMON BESS JAMES E JR CARLSON MARGARET G CUSTIS TYQUINTA M ERNEST JEAN I HALL GEORGE T KAMM JANIS BESS SAMUEL CARPENTER MARY D CUSTIS, ADM JOHN P ESPARZA DEBRA D HALL HELEN M KARL PHILLIP H JR BIBBINS DEBORAH CARPENTER THOMAS CUSTIS, JR, ADM HENRY P ESPOSITO CARL HAMILTON BRIAN KARNES DELORIS BIBBINS ROBERT CARPENTER WARREN H CUTLER HORACE P ESQUE WILLIAM L HAMILTON EDWIN P KASPRIK JOHN A BIESINGER FRED A CARPENTER WAYNE L CUTLER VINCENT ESTATE OF HAZEL WISE HAMM ARLENE KASSNER ROBERT BINARD BROOKE A CARR DELORES L CUX-SANTAY JOSE EVAN-ROSENTHAL ANITA J HAMM FRED A KEELEN JAMIE P BIRCH GARY CARTER CHRISTEN DAGGINS CARRIE EVANS BRANDON L HAMMONDS KELLIE R KELLAM BELFORD D BIRCH GREGORY CASEBER SANDY L DALEY AUSTIN EVANS CONNIE HANDY ANGEL J KELLAM DEBORAH A BIRCH SUSAN CASSON RAYMOND DANES MARK EVANS DEBRA P HANDY DIXIE KELLAM DOROTHY BLACKHAWK CONSULTING, LLC CASTAGNA JOHN S DANIELS LEE C JR EVANS JAMES H HANDY MARY J KELLAM H L BLACKWELL PETER M CASTANEDA BRANDI L DANIELS RUTH A EVANS KIMBERLY A HANDY RENASHA D KELLAM JAMES F BLACKWELL TIFFANY A CATZIN GILBERTO DANIS LAUREN C EVANS SEVERN HANNA CLEVE A KELLAM KARLA W BLIGHT RONNIE R CERVERA GARCIA OSWALD DAUGHTERY REBECCA EWELL BETSY A HARMON JIMMIE D JR KELLAM KEITH BLOXOM BETTYE B CESIL GEORGE C DAVE'S CORNER FAITH TEMPLE CHURCH HARMON JUANITA J KELLAM MARGARET BLOXOM DANA M CHANDLER BETTY R DAVILA EDDIE L FARRANT JOHN W HARMON LEON S JR KELLAM NORMAN S JR BLOXOM VIRGINIA CHANDLER C M DAVIS APRIL M FAVA MORGAN L HARMON MARGARET KELLAM PATRICIA M BLY DANIELLE M CHANNELS CHARLES A DAVIS DONNA L FERGUSON JOHN L HARMON NATHANIEL R KELLAM RUTH T BLYLER CHRISTINE L CHARNOCK STANSBU DAVIS HARRY E FIDDEMON DARLENE C HARMON SARAH B KELLY BARBARA L BOBCZYNSKI NORMAN I CHEROMCKA LINDSAY DAVIS JEFFERY S FILIPIC DAVID A JR HARRIS FREDERICK JR KENNEDY LAVERNE T BOCHENEK ELEANOR CHERRIX ANDREW J DAVIS JOHN H FILIPIC DAWN R HARRIS JAMAR L KETTELLOSBORN NADINE B BOCHENEK PAULINE M CHERRIX GEORGE M DAVIS MARSHAL FINNEY TYRON D HARRIS MORENA N KEY JAMES M

20 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 A&N Electric Cooperative KEY STEVEN M MASON L PALMER ROSA ROBBS MICHAEL D SNIPS SHOP TURNER GEORGIE M KEYSER MARY JANE MASON AUTO SER INC PANNIER JASON ROBERSON JOHN R SNYDER DAVID T TURNER LINDA L KILLMON MARY V MASSEY KRESTY PAONE MARGARET E ROBIN'S REFRIGERATION SNYDER LISA M TURRIZIANI R V KILMON LINWOOD H MASSEY WILLIAM G PAPPAS NANCY L ROBINSON JOHN D SR SPACHMANN KATHLEEN A TUTHILL MANDI M KILMON SUSAN M MATTHEWS RICK PARAH MICHAEL C ROBINSON ROBERT SPADY ALEISHIA D TYLER CARL KIRKPATRICK NATASHA T MATTHEWS WILMER S PARIS GRETCHEN N ROBINSON ROSHONDA M SPARROW DONALD K TYLER RONA F KLACIK STEPHEN MAWHINNEY LAWRENCE M PARKER CRESTON E ROBINSON STEPHEN C SPEARS D'ANE TYNDALL RICHARD KLIMA OTTO MCALLISTER SUSAN E PARKER DONALYN ROBINSON WILL SPELL KATEY L TYREE RACHAEL A KNIGHT RAECHELLE J MCANDREW BETTY A PARKER EARL RODAS-VIDES TRISTA SPENCE FLOYD UHL MICHAEL A KNITTER SHEENA M MCCARTHY, EXEC CATHERINE L PARKER EDWARD M RODRIGUEZ JONAS N SPENCE-MATTHEWS JEANNE M ULISSE STACEY J KOCH TRACY L MCCOLLUM JONATHAN M PARKER FRED JR RODRIGUEZ ROLON JOSE L SPIVAK STEPHAN T ULYSSE SINEL KORLESKI JOHN MCCORMICK ARCHIBALD J PARKER JOHN W JR ROEHM EMILY A SPRAGUE NANCY W UPSHUR R C KOUHESTANI DANIEL A MCCRAY LATIA M PARKER RAY ROGERS YOLANDA M STAFFORD ROYCE F URBAN ANGELA M KRAMMES GLENN A MCCRAY PAUL A JR PARKER SARAH C ROJAS JAVIER H STAFFORD SARAH VALANIA ANTHONY J KRANZ WILLIAM MCCREADY CLARA PARKER TIFFANY J ROLANDER BRIAN C STAFFORD SUSIE A VAN KLEECK TIMOTHY M KRONE SUSANLYN MCCREADY MADELINE PARKER WILLIAM L ROLLEY OTIS STAR LIGHT PIZZA VANAMAN CHRISTY A KRUCZEK MATTHEW I MCGARVEY JAMES PARKS ANDREW R ROMAN COSME VICTOR A STARR WILLIAM F VANBREDA ARELIS KRUGER SR ROBERT A MCGEE MELISSA A PARKS JOHN L ROMAN TERON GERMAN J STAUFFER LYNN VANKESTEREN JOHN L L&M COMPANIES MCKNIGHT SHAWN H PARKS JUANITA M ROMANO THOMAS STEELMAN JOHN D III VARGAS APONTE JOSE A LAAKSONEN BIANCA MCSHANE JENNIFER K PARR JULIA ROSE JEAN STEFFENS RAYMOND W VEST HELGA I LACOMBE BRIAN M MCSHANE MARGARET PARRY EDWARD A IV ROSS CHARMAINE O STENSON JESSICA A VINTAGE GALLERY LAFFERTY ASHLEY L MEARS DEONDRA R PARSONS DENISE ROWLAND ROY STEPHENS HENRY T VUYST RICHARD L LAGRANGE PAULA J MEARS EDNA L PASCUZZO GIACOMIA ROWLEY ROBERT L STEPHENS TOM W T BRICKHOUSE POST#400 LAMBERTSON ALLEN R MEARS EDWARD PATEL GEETABEN A ROYALS LORETTA STERN GREGORY S WAGNER MARY E LAMBERTSON CHRISTOPHER MEARS L B PATRICK JOANN RUSHIZKY VICTOR T STEVENS BERNICE WAGNER ROBERT J LAMBIRTH SHARON E MEARS LUCY T PATTERSON COLLEEN E RYAN JENNA M STEVENS LILLIE V WALCZYK GAIL M LAMOUREUX ARCHANA I MEARS ROBERT S PATTERSON JEREMY J S & K NAILS CO STEVENS PAMELA D WALKER ELIZABETH H LANE LISA MEARS SANDRA K PAULUS LAURA F SALAZAR MELORY STITCHIN TIME WALKER ERNEST R LANE VIVIAN A MEHSLING DAMIAN J PAYNE ROBERT R SAMPLE CATHERINE STITH MARIE WALKER FREDERICK E LANG RODNEY C MELSON CYNTHIA PEARCE GARY SAMPLE SABRINA M STOCK LOAN SERVICES LLC WALKER WILLIAM C LANKFORD HAROLD MELSON WALTER E JR PEARSON GEORGIANNA SAMPLE STACEY STOKES JENNIFER N WALTER NATHANIEL D LATA JOSEPH MENDELSOHN BARRY PENDERGAST MAUREEN SAMPSON KEN STONE PETER N WALTERS PRESTON A LATHUM FLOYD MERCADO ORTIZ ROSA ANGELICA PENNO DAVID L SANDERS MELVIN L STONESIFER PHILIP WARD JEFFREY D LAVINE ASHLEY T MERRITT MICKEY M PEOPLES NANCY E SANTIAGO LUIS STRAND MARSHA D WARNER CHESTINE LAWRENCE CHARLES E MERTENS JOHN PEREZ ELFEGO R SANTIAGO RICARDO E STRAND SYLVIA WARREN DOROTHY M LAWS BETTY H METTLE GUY R SR PEREZ FRANCISCO J SANTIAGO PAGAN RAUL STRICKLAND CATHY WATERBURY DAVID E LEAVENWORTH RAYMOND C MICHAELANGELO II, LLC PERINI SHERI L SATCHELL CHARLES A STRONG LAWRENCE G WATERS WINFRED LEE JOHN P JR MILLER BERTIE PERRY BRIAN SATCHELL LISA S STUART RAY B WATSON JOYCE L LEE WILLIAM M MILLER DEBBIE PERSAUD PATRICK R SAUL ARLA STUBBS DANA A WATSON ROBERT S LEGACY KEVIN MILLER JOE PETERS DONALD J SAUNDERS JOE STURGIS BERNIE W WATSON ROGER LERCH DANIEL W MILLER MATTHEW W PETTIT LEON SAVAGE CORA L STURGIS MICHAEL J WATSON WILLIAM C LEUNG HANNAH Y MILLER MELVIN PHILLIPS JAMES K SAVAGE JERMAINE L SUMMERS DRAYTON T WATTS BOOKER LEUNG PETER S MILLER MICHAEL A PHILLIPS NELLIE SAVAGE MINNIE SUMNER GEORGE L WATTS VIRGINIA E LEVIN SUSAN R MILLER WAYNE L PIERRE MOLIERE SAVAGE SHERLENE C SUNCOM WIRELESS OPERATING CO WEBB WILLIAM W LEWIS FRANKLIN MILLIGAN BRYAN S PIHL MARIANNE SAYERS IRVING SUTTON ROCHELLE W WEIMER CONSTANCE S LEWIS GREGORY G MILLINER SAMUEL JR PINEDA JAMILET SAYRE SCOTT V TABORN ROBNAT WEISS SY LEWIS ROBERT F MITCHELL JAMES T JR PINEY ISLAND BUILDERS SCARBOROUGH SHANNON W TANKARD RODNEY WEITZNER ROBERT LEWIS ROSALIE S MITCHELL KENNETH D JR PLEDGER DOROTHY P SCARBOROUGH WILLIAM A TANNER MELODY P WELLES MEL LEWIS SEYMOUR MOLINAR NANCY PLEDGER LEON SCHNEEBELI WILLARD TATUM JOHN H WESCOTT JENNINGS W LEWIS SUE MOLNAR CINDY PLISKA MATTHEW S SCHOLZ LINDA M TAYLOR BRIAN WESSEL DANA M LEWLESS CLAUDETTE A MONICHETTI JOHN POND MICHELLE L SCHROEDER JAMES A TAYLOR CHAD WESSELLS KATHY J LIAM'S TOBACCO OUTLET LLC MONTAGUE GREGORY T POTATOE NECK DBA LA MER DESIGN SCHWARE ROBERT TAYLOR DOROTHY WEST CARLA R LIEBECK KENNETH R MOORE DANNY POWELL JEANNE E SCOTT CHERYL B TAYLOR FLETCHER L III WEST ELIZABETH LILLISTON SHANNA L MOORE DEMETRIUS L POWELL KATHERINE SCOTT HOWARD H TAYLOR G WHARTON CARNETTA LINDERER DOUGLAS MOORE J R POWELL LAKEILA T SCOTT JENNIFER P TAYLOR GEORGE W III WHARTON DORSEY LINTON PEGGY J MORALES SILVESTRE P POWELL MICHAEL J SCOTT JULIE K TAYLOR MAX R WHARTON SAVILLA W LIPTON BRENDA MORENO YAJAIRA D POWELL ROZELL SCULLY MICHAEL TAYLOR RENEA M WHITE CHARLES C LIVESAY HAZEL MORENO R JUAN M POWERS BILLYE H SEIF AMMAR A TAYLOR ROSE B WHITE DEBORAH A LIVIO JOSEPH MORETZ HAROLD PRESCOTT HOWARD A SR SELBY THOMAS TAYLOR SANDRA L WHITE ELMORE JR LLAVEN MARTINEZ IRMA MORGAN ANDREA PRICE JOHN H JR SELBY III HILBERT C TAYLOR TAMMY L WHITE KARLA N LOCKHART LAWRENCE M MORGAN JOYCE A PRINCE BILL SENATUS ELISSAINT TAYLOR TINA S WHITE SAPHRON A LOCKLEAR CHRISTOPHER A MORGAN THOMAS J PRISTACH M R SEPEDA CARRIE TAYLOR VINCENT F WHITE SARAH LOCKLEAR MELISSA D MORRIS KEVIN J PRUITT GARY W SEPEDA RHONDA B TAYLOR VIRGINIA L WHITE TIERRA LODER ANDREW MORRIS THOMAS H PRUITT JOSEPH SEWELL ANDREW J JR TEBO CRYSTAL D WILEY KRISTIE L LONG THERESA MT ZION A M E CHURCH PRUITT MANIE SHANNON FRANK L THE ESTATE OF OSWALD THOMAS WILKERSON LYLE D LOPER MICHAEL G MUMFORD LLOYD W PRUITT MARION SHEDRICK DONALD MASON JR WILKINSON THEODORE LOPEZ JOSE L JR MUMPOWER HARTSEL L PRUITT MARY BETH SHELLENBERGER JACK C THE WASH BOARD COMPANY WILLIAMS BEVERLY A LOPEZ PABLO MURPHY ROSEANNE PRUITT ROSALIE SHELTON RAYSTELL M THOMAS CHIQUITA M WILLIAMS CATHY L LOPEZ-ALVAREZ MARIA D NAGATY KAREEM M PULLING JACK W SHORE FERT AMMON CONV THOMAS EMILY M WILLIAMS JOANNA LORD JOHN M NAJMAN ALEX N QUINN PATRICIA SHORE INC THOMAS MARIAH P WILLIAMS LINWOOD LOUIS MIMOSE NEAL PAUL G JR QUINONEZ GABRIELA SHORT MICHAEL W SR THOMAS MICHAEL WILLIAMS MARJORIE B LOUIS ROBENSON NEAL SHANEKA N RADFORD PATSY R SHRIEVES JOHNNY JR THOMAS REBECCA P WILLIAMS WESLEY W LOWE PAUL NELSON ANDREA D RADZIEJEWSKI WALTER SHRIEVES MADGE THOMAS VICTORIA WILLIAMSON JAMES LOWERY JEFFERY NEW JOHN B RAGLAND B E SHRIEVES MARGARET M THOMASON SHARON L WILLIAMSON SONIA D LOWTHER ANNIE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH RAIFORD BARBARA SIGGERS SHARON THORNES APRIL L WILSON JAMIE L LUND AIMEE L NEWMAN CHARLES A RALEIGH EDWARD W SIMMONS CASSANDRA P THORNES CECIL C WILSON MARTHA L LUNN MICHAEL P NHEM SARKOL RAMDHANIE KAREN SIMPSON ISABELL THORNES CYNTHIA M WILSON RYSHEEKA L LYNCH JOHN H NOCERA TONY RAMER JESSICA SKOLNICK PAUL W THORNES ELTON C WILSON WAYNE H LYNCH RAYMOND NOCK COREY N RAMOS FLORES MELVIN SKOLNICK BEN-AVI MICHAEL THORNES JOHN D WILT RICHARD W LYNCH VIRGINIA NOCK ERIC S RAMOS-ORTIZ SYLVIA SLIVINSKI STANLEY THORNES JOHN R III WIMBER ADRIAN MADAY JANET A NOCK MOTORS RAMSAY ELIZABETH H SMACK ANNIE THORNES JOHNNIE WINDSOR STUART M MADONIA STEPHEN S NORDSTROM CLYDE JR RANDZA JOAN SMAW LEN C THORNES MEGAN B WISE ALBERTA M MADRE WALTER NORMAN MARYANN RANKIN JAMES V SMITH BARBARA THORNTON ARTHUR WISE BEN E MAGGITTI PETER E NORRIS HOWARD K SR RASHKIND SUZETTE SMITH C V THORNTON GAIL S WISE H A MAGNOR KATHERINE NORTHAM KENNETH M RAWLINGS JOAN SMITH CARLTON L THORNTON IDA WISE MARY A MAHER JAMES O NORTHAM MILDRED RAYMOND ASSOCIATES LLC SMITH CHAMPAIGNE Q TIPPS SAMANTHA WISE STANLEY L MAHOVIC MIKE NORTHAM WARREN E REEDER JAMIE A SMITH CHARLES W TOOLE JOHANNA WJW CONSTRUCTION MANTER SANDRA NORTHAN WILLIAM L REICHARDT VESTA SMITH ELIZABETH TORRES EMILY I WOOD GARETT T MANTRI ABHISHEK N NOTTINGHAM EDWARD REID EULONDA S SMITH HELEN D TORRES PAGAN ANGEL L WOODS RODRIGUEZ T MAPP CHRISTINE NYE GLENN REID JOYCE L SMITH JENNIFER B TOWNSEND LOUISE E WRAY MARY W MAPP MYRTLE OLIVER MARLENE REIGHARD LAUREN SMITH LEILA L TOWNSEND MARION WRIGHT TIMOTHY R MAPP TIFFANY S ONEIL PATRICK K REITER BRANDON D SMITH LUCILLE M TRAVERS CHRISTINE L WYNDER MARTIN G MARINER BARBARA K ORD PATRICIA M RENAUD MICHELLE SMITH MCKINLEY JR TREPANIER ANTOINETTE M YAQUB MAHDI A MARKS PATRICIA A OROPEZA KATELYN REUTER DAVID L SMITH MEAGAN C TREVINO JACINTO O YASAY DULCE AMOR Z MARMO JOAN OROSZ STEVEN R REYNA JUAN J JR SMITH MORRIS D TRIERWEILER LYNDSEY A YOUNG CATHERINE L MARROW DEBORAH OUTTEN AMY L REYNOLDS DORIS S SMITH O H TRIMBLE WILLIAM R YOUNG CRYSTAL A MARSH ALLEN OUTTEN NETTIE B RHYAN FINCH INC SMITH PATRICE N TRIMMINGHAM RHONEL L YOUNG RALPH MARSH EVELYN OWENS CHARLES W RIAHI JULIANNA SMITH PATRICIA TROWER MACON YOUNG RENADA A MARSH JOSH OWENS LAURA L RICE PAMELA K SMITH PHILLIP D TRUFANT DONALD J YOUNG WM A MARSHALL EARL JR OWENS VALERIE O RICHARDS ROBERT SMITH R PAULETTE S TRUITT WILLIS B YOUNGS MEAT BARN MARSHALL F G OYARO PRISCILLA A RIEFLER MICHELLE C SMITH SARAH M TRUMP JENNIFER L YOUNT IAN J MARTIN CRYSTAL K PACHECO-VELEZ CARLOS A RIVERA JUAN CARR A SMITH SHIRLEY A TUCKER JAMIE L ZAMORA ELAINE MARTIN GRIFFIN C PACZKOWSKI KEVIN K RIVERA WALBERTO A SMITH SUSAN TUCKER PRISCILLA A ZEBROWSKI MELVIN W MARTIN LAURA K PADDY BINDING W ROADY WILLIAM F SMITH TERRY L TUCKER YOSEF SR ZEYEN DEBRA K MARTIN SAMANTHA F PAGE ANGELA L ROBBINS APRIL A SMITH THEODORE R III TULL VICENTIA S ZUNIGA DE BUENTEL ALICIA MARTINEZ DELORRIS J PAK M S ROBBINS BEVERLY SMITH WILLARD M TUNNELL ALBERT W ZUNUN MARCELO D MARTTINEN SANDRA K PALMER ERNEST ROBBINS CAROL J SNEAD ERNEST L TURKUS JUDY anec.com October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 21 AMI Update ANEC experiences The test phase of A&N Electric Cooperative’s Advance Metering copper theft in area Infrastructure project is currently underway. At the end of August the cooperative n late summer A&N Electric Cooperative The cooperative has reported the selected a meter-installation contractor, began experiencing an issue with incidents to the Accomack County which will be handling the replacement Icopper theft in Accomack and and Northampton County sheriff’s of meters until the project’s completion. Northampton counties. offices. A small, 100-meter sample was Copper theft is a serious problem in our A&N Electric Cooperative crews in completed last month, and is being community that jeopardizes public safety clearly marked yellow trucks or the followed by a larger 1,300-meter test and can lead to severe injury or even cooperative’s contractor Rock Creek Line death. It is also not uncommon for electric phase in the Onancock area, stretching Construction Inc., in clearly marked utilities across the country. white bucket trucks, are the only to areas that include Bobtown, Thieves have been targeting neutral ones authorized to work on the Pungoteague, Melfa and Keller. distribution lines in Accomack County distribution lines. Members can expect to receive and later expanded to Northampton A&N Electric Cooperative reminds a phone call notifying them of their County. The method used to remove the our community members to be on the upcoming meter switch. Door hangers copper wire from the cooperative’s lookout for suspicious activity. If you will be left where a meter installation distribution poles is extremely dangerous. suspect someone of copper theft, please has taken place. Individuals are climbing distribution poles call the cooperative at 757-787-9750, Cooperative members can find more and cutting down multiple neutral spans. the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office information and track the project’s status These thefts can also lead to electric at 757-787-1131 or the Northampton at anec.com/content/meter-schedule. service reliability issues and come at County Sheriff’s Office at 757-678-0458. a hefty cost to the cooperative. Any information members of the ANEC Discontinuing Isolated, low-traffic areas of the community can provide is appreciated. Additional 1-800 Numbers distribution system are being targeted, due to their secluded nature. In an effort to reduce cost, A&N Electric Cooperative will discontinue the use of several additional 1-800 phone numbers. The main 1-800-431-2632 number will remain in operation. Co-op members are urged to use the cooperative’s 757-787-9750 number for general inquiries and to report outages moving forward. Members also have the option to report outages using the cooperative’s SmartHub app and can submit general inquiries through the Contact Us page on the co-op’s website anec.com.

MESSAGES FROM YOUR CO-OP ‰ Visit us at facebook.com/ ANElectricCoop and “like” us. ‰ Visit anec.com to sign up to receive Beat the Peak emails or text- message alerts.

‰ The Touchstone Energy ® Co-op Connections ® Card is FREE to all ANEC members . The card offers discounts at participating local and nationwide businesses, including prescription drug discounts.

22 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 A&N Electric Cooperative The Eastern Shore Artisans Guild is sponsoring its 16th Annual Holiday Tour

eld on the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving, the 16th Annual Artisans Holiday Tour is a free, self- Hdriving tour created to showcase the work of a select group of local artists. Forty-four of the Shore’s finest artists will have one-of-a-kind creations for sale at 15 stops from Onancock to just north of the Shore’s southern tip. Many studios and venues on the tour are located off the beaten path of U.S. Route 13. The tour’s sponsor, the Artisans Guild, is a nonprofit organization, which has promoted craftsmanship of guild members and supported creativity throughout the Eastern Shore community since 1996. Guild members work in a wide variety of media and include both contemporary and traditional styles. Featured artists include longtime tour member Maurice “Moe” Spector, who gets his inspiration from scenes from his Karyn Belknap creates hand-painted, hand-spun yarns and woven wearables from the flock she tends. farm in Pungoteague. Combining these with his memories and imagination, Spector carves sculptures of figurative pieces from large pieces of wood and stone. “I really enjoy meeting people and talking about the techniques I use,” he said. “After participating so many years, a lot of visitors have become regulars and their visits turn into a real party.” Also featured on this year’s tour is Karyn Belknap, a spinner for 25 years and a shepherdess for the last 20. Belknap will showcase her hand-painted, hand-spun yarns, knit and woven wearables and felted gifts at her booth location at Chatham Winery near Machipongo. Belknap has decades of experience with the medium and says she can trace some of her creations back to each member of her flock. Her business, Ten Good Sheep, uses natural fibers, such as Tibetan yak, baby camel, alpaca, silk, bamboo and even fibers from seaweed. Kurt and Sally Lewin at the Windsor House have also been on the holiday tour since its inception. “We’ve been involved from the very first year the event was held, and we still get a warm feeling when visitors now bring their kids or even grandkids to see our handmade and hand-painted furniture,” said Sally Lewin. Kurt Lewin started making traditional Windsor chairs, but over the years has added more contemporary designs. His hand-crafted products now include tables, shelving, natural edge pieces for mantels, cupboards, islands and cabinets. While Kurt designs and creates the pieces, Sally paints, stains and distresses them. The family business now also includes their son Van’s work. Kurt and Sally Lewin at the Windsor House Other artisans and their venues include an alpaca farm, have been on the holiday tour since its a glass-blowing studio, metal sculptors, watercolor and oil inception. Kurt started making traditional painters, potters, jewelers and more. Windsor chairs, but over the years has The tour is open on Friday, Nov. 23, and Saturday, Nov. 24, added more contemporary designs. While from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Kurt designs and creates the pieces, Sally For more information and a complete list of artisans, log onto paints, stains and distresses them. The esvaArtisansGuild.org or email [email protected]. family business now also includes their son Van’s work. anec.com October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 23 BARC News

Solar pioneer returns to Bath County by Jeffrey R. Yago, P. E. base laundry at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, consisting of a 10,000-square-foot solar ARC Electric is becoming one of array. Since then he has designed numerous the most progressive electric on-grid and off-grid solar electric systems Bcooperatives in the country when it including the 102-kW system installed comes to promoting the benefits of solar on the new multistory parking deck at electric systems to its members, but all this Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. began somewhere. He recently designed 28 separate solar- Thought to be the first and the largest powered well and stored-water grid-tied solar system connected into the purification systems for multiple remote BARC Electric Cooperative system at the African villages, including solar-powered time was the 23-kW grid-tie solar system lighting for the associated missionary installed in 2010 at the Coursey Springs centers and schools. Fish Hatchery on Indian Draft Road near Reviewing the history of solar in Williamsville. The system was designed by Virginia, in 1997 Yago testified before the Jeffrey Yago, a professional engineer with Virginia State Corporation Commission DTI Solar Inc. in Richmond, Virginia. requesting the state to allow solar net- Yago stated that during the design of the metering in Virginia. Up until that time, Coursey Springs solar system, he and his it was against the law for anyone to wife, Sharon, stayed in their RV during interconnect a solar-power system into any the construction process and both fell electric-utility grid. After his court testimony immediately in love with the area and and later allowing the judges to visit his Jeff and Sharon Yago. hoped someday to live in Bath County. solar home located in Gum Spring, Yago is considered by many to be one of Virginia, solar-grid interconnection became the pioneers in the solar industry, having legal in Virginia. Since then solar-system designed both residential and commercial installations have multiplied exponentially solar systems throughout many parts of throughout the commonwealth. the United States since 1972. In 1978 he Yago has written hundreds of articles designed and supervised installation of a discussing all types of solar-power systems solar system to supply all hot water for the for numerous national publications

BARC ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE P.O. Box 264 Millboro, VA 24460-0264 1-800-846-2272 Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. barcelectric.com barcconnects.net

Come join us on Facebook facebook.com/BARCElectricCooperative

Chief Executive Officer Michael Keyser BARC Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Above: Solar array supplying power to the Coursey Springs Fish Hatchery. Inset: View of fish hatchery from master bedroom window of their new home under construction.

18 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 BARC Electric Cooperative including Backwoods Home Magazine, clouds. They have actually looked down and his wife feel this now-completed circle Self-Reliance magazine, Mother Earth News, on military-training jets passing below as was truly a God-directed life adventure Home Power magazine, and many others. well as being above rainbows. Construction and not just a series of random coincidences. Last year his second book, Lights On , was documents to turn their design into reality Yes, they are returning home to a place ranked in the top 10 for sales at Amazon were completed by their son, Chris Yago, they never really left, and they want to in the category of emergency preparedness. a licensed architect in Richmond, Virginia. thank the many Bath County officials, the In addition to writing, Yago is invited to The house construction is being completed BARC Electric installation crews, and their speak at numerous self-reliance expos and by Bath County builder, Jim Tennant, and new neighbors for the assistance and warm energy conferences each year. So far this his team of local skilled craftsmen. Yago reception they have received. year he has already made presentations and attended book-signing events in Kansas, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, as well as Virginia. National Cooperative Month Kicks Off When Yago and his wife, Sharon, started looking for a place to build their retirement home, they remembered thinking the ARC Electric Cooperative (BARC) is celebrating National Cooperative Highland and Bath County area would be Month in October, along with 40,000 other cooperative businesses in the a great place to live. United States serving more than 350 million members. Nationwide, Their goal was to find a high-elevation B site where there would be less need for air cooperatives generate $514 billion in revenue and more than $25 billion in conditioning, as they wanted their retirement wages, according to a study by the University of Wisconsin Center for home to be as energy efficient as possible. Cooperatives, with support from USDA Rural Development (reic.uwcc.wisc.edu/ Realtors started showing them mountaintop properties in Highland default.htm). “Cooperatives — See the Future” is the theme of this year’s County, but most sites did not have the celebration, when cooperatives across the nation engage in efforts to improve views and high elevation they wanted. members’ quality of life. After multiple RV trips to meet with area realtors, they were ready to give up As member-owned and member-controlled businesses, cooperatives commit the search when the last realtor indicated to meeting the needs of their members and communities. BARC, along with she had one more possibility, but it was in other regional Virginia cooperatives, have been looking to the future with Bath County, not the Highland County area where they had been looking. broadband construction projects to bring needed infrastructure to the rural As they drove into Bath County with areas we serve that have been unserved with high-speed internet. Broadband the real estate agent but approached from a new direction, Yago suddenly realized projects allow cooperatives to upgrade power grids and close the digital divide he had been in the area years before. our rural service areas have experienced for far too long. Cooperatives across When they turned into the Peaksview the nation generate jobs in their communities and take part in community development on Indian Draft Road, he realized not only were they directly across improvement programs to ensure everyone has an opportunity to benefit from from the Coursey Springs Fish Hatchery, the cooperative experience. but the listed property was on a high Please join BARC in celebrating all cooperatives during October! mountaintop looking down on the solar system he designed many years earlier for the hatchery. In addition, this was the same mountain ridge he and Sharon had looked up to during the solar-system installation, and they both commented multiple times how great it would be to live up there, not knowing someday their dream would become reality. After multiple weekend trips in their RV to clear the wooded site and install driveways using his tractor, their new home is now finally under construction, and the view is spectacular. A large wraparound screened porch was a must in the design, as well as large windows to take full advantage of the amazing views. There are many mornings when the house site is sunny while the valley below is still covered by a blanket of barcelectric.com October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 19 Apply now for 2019 VMDAEC education scholarships The Cause of Blinking Lights ny high school or home- student has taken the SAT more than schooled senior graduating in once, he/she may take the best score ccasionally BARC members may the spring of 2019, and whose from each test (“Super Score”), but experience the common A both tests must be submitted in the primary residence is served by BARC Ooccurrence of “blinking lights,” Electric Cooperative, is eligible to apply package to qualify. or “blinks” for short. These short-duration for a $1,000 scholarship to be applied The Scholarship Foundation’s board power outages are actually a normal part to a two- or four-year college or trade of directors will select recipients based of the operation of a rural electric school. The online application is posted on criteria including financial need, distribution network. You see, rural at vmdaec.com and co-opliving.com/ academic achievement and a student’s electric systems are comprised of long community/scholarship.htm. personal statement. Successful “radial” feeders that sometimes run for The deadline to apply is Friday, applicants will be notified no later than many miles. This is unlike the electric Feb. 8, 2019. May 31, 2019 . systems in more densely populated urban Scholarships are awarded by the Since its inception in 2000, the areas. Also unlike urban systems, rural Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Foundation has awarded 683 feeders are usually not redundant due to Association of Electric Cooperatives’ scholarships totaling $582,500. the terrain and high cost to construct (VMDAEC) Education Scholarship Donations to this program are redundant lines across many miles. Foundation. An applicant must be welcome and are tax-deductible. To prevent larger outages, BARC entering his or her first semester at Questions about donations and the maintains devices called “reclosers” along a post-secondary or technical/trade application process should be directed the feeders. Reclosers are large circuit school in the fall of 2019 and to Sam Brumberg via email at breakers that automatically open and then scholarship funds must be used towards [email protected]. attempt to close in the event of a fault on tuition, student fees, room and board Founded in 1944, VMDAEC is the the line. When faults are momentary, the or textbooks. The application will be trade association for BARC Electric recloser operates (opens and closes) and open starting on Nov. 1, 2018. Cooperative and the 14 other not-for- that causes a blink. If the fault continues, Please note that to be considered profit electric distribution cooperatives the recloser will attempt to operate again. complete, SAT and/or ACT scores serving the Mid-Atlantic region. It is If the fault still does not clear, the recloser MUST come directly on an official based in Glen Allen, Virginia, and will lock open, waiting for a lineman to be College Board report and be uploaded provides safety and employee training, dispatched to find the fault. Without into our application system. This governmental relations and legislative reclosers, faults would travel up the feeder, information can be found on and communications services, including all the way to the substation, causing the collegeboard.org and the ACT report the publishing of Cooperative Living whole feeder to go down for an extended can be found on act.org. Scores listed magazine, for its member co-ops. period of time. on transcripts do not qualify. If a Even on a clear day, power interruptions (faults) can occur and last only a few seconds. These interruptions can be caused by a number of factors, including equipment that is failing or has been damaged, overgrown vegetation (tree TINA’s Tastings branches or other debris) touching the line, lightning strikes or animals BROCCOLI CASSEROLE interfering with Co-op equipment or facilities. Squirrels are often a likely culprit 2 packages (10 oz.) frozen chopped broccoli as they are active and can disrupt service 2 eggs (well beaten) ½ cup milk by grounding themselves as they make contact with equipment. Tina Glenn 1 can (10¾ oz.) cream of celery soup 1 cup mayonnaise If you consistently experience repeated 1 cup shredded sharp cheese blinks over the course of several days, this Italian bread crumbs could be a sign that an insulator or other equipment is about to fail, or that right-of- way may need trimming. We encourage Cook broccoli until tender and drain. Combine eggs, milk, soup, mayonnaise and members to report these types of blinks to cheese. Stir into cooked broccoli. Pour into a greased or sprayed 2-quart casserole our customer service team so that the dish and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or blinks can be investigated by our field until golden brown. personnel. It could prevent a larger outage from occurring if we catch the problem early.

20 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 BARC Electric Cooperative Community Electric Cooperative News

Community Electric Celebrates 80 Years, Elects Faulk, Edwards and Chesson to Board

ommunity Electric’s (CEC) membership celebrated their CCo-op’s ongoing 80th year of operations at its Aug. 21 annual meeting in Windsor. The membership re-elected directors Michael F. Faulk and Philip F. Edwards III and elected newcomer Douglas A. Chesson to serve three-year terms on the Cooperative board. Chesson will replace long-term director H. Garland Lowe Jr., who announced earlier this year that he would step down from the board at the conclusion of his current term. Entering the Georgie D. Tyler Middle School, members were greeted by Co-op staff clad in green number-80 (for 80 years) football jerseys emblazoned with “TEAM CEC” on the front and the that, “As we celebrate an astounding 80 employee’s name on the back. From left: CEC CEO Steve Harmon, newly years of success for your Cooperative elected director Douglas A. Chesson and Members enjoyed fellowship and a this year, let’s take a glance at our 79th H. Garland Lowe Jr. Chesson will replace gymnasium full of fun and educational year, 2017.” long-term director Lowe on the displays, exhibits and free gifts before the Jessica Parr, Community’s manager of Cooperative board. start of the business meeting. communications and the Co-op’s 2018 As business began, Board Chair Youth Tour chaperone, introduced Chair Everett discussed the Co-op’s Jeannette Everett welcomed the packed MaKayla Burks and Cameron Pagan, who successes over the past year, including auditorium of members and guests, noting attended this year’s Youth Tour and were more than $825,000 in capital credits sponsored by Community Electric. The returned to the membership and the girls described the great educational value Cooperative’s commitment to serving COMMUNITY ELECTRIC of the program, the many fun activities its membership. COOPERATIVE and the friendships made with other CEO Steve Harmon expanded on 52 W. Windsor Boulevard Youth Tour participants from across the the theme, outlining Community’s P.O. Box 267 country. Both girls sincerely thanked the achievements in safety, reliability, member Windsor, VA 23487-0267 Cooperative and the Co-op membership satisfaction and accountability, all in 757-242-6181 for the Youth Tour opportunity. keeping with the Co-op’s mission 1-855-700-2667 After-Hours Outages: Secretary-Treasurer Diana Beale statement. Harmon also noted the Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. comelec.coop reported on the Co-op’s sound financial contributions that Tidewater Energy performance during 2017, noting that the Services has made to Community Electric’s President/CEO Steven A. Harmon consolidated Community Electric/ success since its inception, and lauded Tidewater Energy Services balance sheet retired CEO Jim Reynolds for his foresight Local Pages Editor Jessica Parr reflected net operating margins of in starting the affiliated business. $1,030,000, with cash flow adequate to Underscoring the fifth and seventh Community Electric Cooperative is an handle all consolidated needs. cooperative principles, Harmon presented equal opportunity provider and employer. In her report to the membership, Board checks of support to Virginia, Maryland &

18 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Community Electric Cooperative Above: “TEAM CEC” employees, parents and children who participated in the Kids’ Corner pose with LED Lucy. Right, L-R: William R. Bracy, Michael V. Edwards and Robert Goode, Jr., have served on CEC’s Proxy Committee for many years.

Save money and energy Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives’ (VMDAEC) CEO with CREE LED light bulbs. Richard Johnstone for the VMDAEC’s Education Scholarship Fund; to Bob Felts and Herb DeGroft for the Paul D. Camp College Community Electric Co-op (CEC) is always looking for Foundation; and to Keith Harkins and Mary Jane Elkins for Southside ways to help members save on energy usage. Sometimes Virginia Community College’s Power Line Workers Training School. the smallest change can make the biggest difference! A highlight of the meeting was the surprise presentation of a A great first step towards energy conservation and savings framed resolution honoring the service of retiring director Garland is replacing incandescent and CFL bulbs with new LED Lowe for his 30 years on the Cooperative board. Lowe and his wife, light bulbs. LED bulbs give off great lighting in a room, Regina, were brought up onto the stage, where Harmon and Everett last for years, and the best part, they only use a fraction presented the framed resolution and gave Regina a bouquet of roses. of the electricity! Co-op attorney Josh Pretlow conducted the director election, in To help our members, CEC has partnered with CREE which Michael Faulk, Philip Edwards and Douglas Chesson were Lighting and 1000bulbs.com to offer a special deal on top- elected to three-year terms on the board. quality CREE LED light bulbs for a reduced price. Members Following the election, board members left the auditorium to meet can receive a 4-pack of CREE 60-watt-equivalent LED bulbs and reorganize, while the membership enjoyed the music of Luke for the low price of $9.97 per pack (plus shipping), or a Willette and the Show Me Band, featuring retired Community Electric 3-pack of CREE 65-watt-equivalent reflector BR30 LED Cooperative employee Art Forrester and his son-in-law, Luke Willette. bulbs for $17.47 per pack (plus shipping). For this promotion, In the board-reorganization meeting, Jeannette Everett was elected CEC members can order up to five total packs of CREE chair, Carey Copeland was elected vice chair, Diana Beale was elected bulbs for their home or business. Both bulbs are completely secretary-treasurer and John Stewart was elected assistant secretary- dimmable and designed to last up to 22 years. treasurer. To take advantage of this offer, you must be a member of The meeting concluded with door prizes and an 80th-birthday cake CEC. Go to comelec.coop for more information. and other refreshments served in the school cafeteria.

comelec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 19 Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative News

CBEC announces plans for construction of Ironto Substation

by Laura Emery, Field Editor process,” Jeff Ahearn, manager of electric For CBEC members in Montgomery distribution services at CBEC since early County, the new substation will raig-Botetourt Electric 2017, explains. dramatically increase voltage, bolster Cooperative (CBEC) has The $2-million project will dramatically reliability, and minimize exposure of the Cannounced plans for construction increase service reliability in Montgomery line. Ahearn explains, “The area was of a new high-voltage transmission County and for portions of Roanoke having persistent issues with right-of- substation in the Ironto area. “We’re County. “It’s 20-30 miles from the way outages, so we needed to come up currently going through the permitting substation, Stone Coal Gap, serving that with a solution to the problem. We’re area now, and it’s on a more reliable taking 20-30 miles of line exposure out transmission line that is networked (it can of the equation. Less circuit miles mean CRAIG-BOTETOURT be served from multiple locations). less potential for vegetation and tree ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Route 615 • P.O. Box 265 Additionally, we’re engineering it to be able outages, so it’s definitely a plus to those New Castle, VA 24127-0265 to backfeed the existing native load from members in Montgomery County — and 540-864-5121 • 1-800-760-2232 both Stone Coal Gap and Meadow Creek also those members in a portion of Office Hours: M-F, 7:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. substations in about four years,” he says. Roanoke County, who will also be served Website: cbec.coop CBEC is shooting for a completion date by the new substation.” Email: [email protected] near the end of 2019. The new Ironto Ahearn has plenty of experience President substation will be a 138-kV/25-kV managing the construction of transmission Jasper B. Persinger, Jr. substation with a full 100-foot-width right- substations. “I have over 20 years of of-way. “If the permitting process goes experience and I’ve worked on CEO Shawn C. Hildebrand well, we’re slated to break ground by third construction of over 15 substations for or fourth quarter of this year,” Ahearn previous employers,” he points out. Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative is an explains. “This is a project that we’re very Ahearn acknowledges the terrain in areas equal opportunity provider and employer. excited to announce to our members.” served by CBEC poses unique challenges

18 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative compared with places he’s worked before. “I’ve always worked on the coast, 2019 VMDAEC Education Scholarships so this terrain is new to me. When you look off a peak and see it drop down 500 ny high school or home-school senior graduating in the spring of 2019, and feet, it makes you wonder how they got whose primary residence is served by Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative, the poles set there.” is eligible to apply for a $1,000 scholarship to be applied to a two- or four- The construction of the Ironto A substation will mark the cooperative’s year college or trade school. The online application is posted at vmdaec.com and first major substation construction since co-opliving.com/community/scholarship.htm. The deadline to apply is Friday, the mid-1970s. CBEC currently has five Feb. 8, 2019. substations serving 1,197.96 miles Scholarships are awarded by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of throughout its seven-county service Electric Cooperatives’ (VMDAEC) Education Scholarship Foundation. An applicant territory. Substations are critical links in must be entering his or her first semester at a post-secondary or technical/trade the electricity distribution system that school in the fall of 2019 and scholarship funds must be used towards tuition, switch, change or regulate electric student fees, room and board or textbooks. The application will be open starting voltage. Before reaching homes and on Nov. 1, 2018. businesses, the high-voltage power flows Please note that to be considered complete, SAT and/or ACT scores MUST come through substations, which transform it directly on an official College Board report and be uploaded into our application to lower voltages that can be used in system. This information can be found on collegeboard.org and the ACT report can members’ homes and businesses. be found on act.org. Scores listed on transcripts do not qualify. If a student has According to Ahearn, CBEC’s taken the SAT more than once, he/she may take the best score from each test construction plans have been well- (“Super Score”), but both tests must be submitted in the package to qualify. received by Montgomery County The Scholarship Foundation’s board of directors will select recipients based on officials. “We don’t anticipate any problems,” he points out. After the criteria including financial need, academic achievement and a student’s personal permitting process is complete, statement. Successful applicants will be notified no later than May 31, 2019 . construction will begin in multiple In 2018, VMDAEC’s Scholarship Foundation awarded 56 scholarships as follows: phases. The new substation will be • 54 applicants received Worth M. Hudson Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each; located on a 3.5-acre property off • one applicant received the C. D Hypes Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000; Bradshaw Road in Montgomery County. • one applicant received the Gertrude Winston Memorial Scholarship in the amount “We’re excited to announce our plans of $1,000. for the new Ironto substation,” says Since its inception in 2000, the Foundation has awarded 683 scholarships totaling CBEC CEO Shawn Hildebrand. “The $582,500. Donations to this program are welcome and are tax-deductible. Questions new 138-kV/25-kV substation and about donations and the application process should be directed to Sam Brumberg associated lines will provide a much via email at [email protected]. more reliable source to better support Founded in 1944, VMDAEC is the trade association for Craig-Botetourt Electric present and future power demands for Cooperative and the 14 other not-for-profit electric distribution cooperatives serving our members.” the Mid-Atlantic region. It is based in Glen Allen, Virginia, and provides safety and employee training, governmental relations and legislative and communications services, including the publishing of Cooperative Living magazine, for its CBEC August Outages member co-ops. No major outages

Want to be involved with your Cooperative? Members interested in serving on the board or knowing of a member desiring to serve, please contact management, a director or nominating committee member. Volunteering for the Advisory Board, attending the annual meeting and reading Cooperative Living magazine are all very important for every member.

cbec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 19 PO WERING Meck lenburg E lectri c C ooperativ e THE NE XT GENERA TION

Firefighter’s Passions Build a Business

by Patrick Love, Contributing Writer

ne could easily believe that Halifax County native Monty OLowery was custom built to be a pioneer in an industry centered on aggressive, off-road firefighting capabilities. With a professional background in vehicle fabrication, decades of experience as a volunteer firefighter, and a passion for off-road racing, Lowery synced his experiences and hobbies together to form General Fire Equipment and Sales. The business builds and sells custom firetrucks, among other equipment, and specializes in brush trucks, heavy rescue vehicles, and quick-attack apparatus designed to respond to emergencies in places that typical firetrucks would have trouble reaching. “I knew the firefighting side of it, and I General Fire Equipment and Sales owner Monty Lowery grew up on the property in Virgilina knew the off-road side of it, and of course where his business is headquartered. the fabrication and so forth,” Lowery says. “I’ve always had a unique interest in “When we first started doing it, we were A native of Virgilina, Virginia, Lowery off-road vehicles; that’s always been my the only one,” Lowery says. At the time, graduated from Halifax County High passion. So I just kind of started from the no other business specialized in off-road School and attended Danville Community ground up and built my first truck as a fire apparatus beyond generic pick-up College where he studied automotive prototype.” That was in 2006, and that trucks and flatbed-style firetrucks, leaving technology. He worked in vehicle paint first truck sold to a fire department in a specialized market niche to a person and body repair for about 15 years after New Mexico. perfectly suited to fill it. college, while serving on the Midway Volunteer Fire Department. He served 27 years with the rural fire department, including 12 as chief, and founded the famous Midway VFD Mud Bog fundraiser. Through his experiences as a firefighter, Lowery recognized the need for a different type of brush truck. General Fire Equipment and Sales custom builds and handcrafts every truck and normally starts with something like a Ford F-550 cab and chassis and then builds the rest from the ground up — upgrading the suspension and lift systems, converting dual rear wheels into super singles, fabricating the body and adding pumps, tanks, lighting, sirens, off-road packages, bumpers, etc. The show truck built for Hot Wheels ® won Best in Show in its class at the prestigious SEMA “They’re unique, extreme, aggressive Show competition in Las Vegas, Nevada. trucks,” Lowery says. “They’re made to

18 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative Right: In addition to building custom off-road fire apparatus, General Fire Equipment and Sales offers reconfigure and repair services for existing firetrucks, such as this one for the fire department in Clarksville, Arkansas. Below: The aggressive, off-road fire apparatus that General Fire Equipment and Sales builds is fully customizable to the individual needs of contracted fire departments and other organizations. This one was shipped to an Air Force base in Montana.

‘The more fire departments we can help, the more people they can help!’

go in very rough conditions. Off-road “We’ve been pretty blessed,” Lowery says. even more fulfilling. He especially enjoys capability is our specialty.” “We’ve sold trucks all across the United working with local fire departments in Trucks are also customized to meet States — to military institutes, government Halifax County and surrounding areas. contracted fire departments’ specifications. bases ... trucks as far out west as California , “At some point in time over the years During this past summer, the company as far south as Texas and Florida, and as I’ve probably been working fires with all of shipped a brother-sister pair of trucks to far north as Connecticut and New York. those guys,” he says. “It prides me to be Wintergreen Ski Resort geared toward We’ve built a lot of trucks for the states of able to do the work for those guys, and do operating in wintry weather conditions. North Carolina and Virginia as well.” a good job; and I try to provide them with In addition to custom-built fire trucks, There are now a handful of other as much discount as we can feasibly do. he offers repair and reconfiguration businesses that build similar off-road fire I’m not in fire services or emergency services for existing fire apparatus. In the apparatus, and larger fire-apparatus services anymore, but it makes me feel shop at the same time, there was a truck companies have attempted to buy him out like that’s my way I can still help out from Clarksville Volunteer Fire and replicate his work. However, Lowery’s and contribute.” Department in neighboring Mecklenburg work remains well-known in the industry. General Fire Equipment and Sales is County. “They (Clarksville VFD) had He was contacted by the television show headquartered on the property where purchased that truck used, and some of Sons of Guns about partnering on a project, Lowery grew up and currently lives. His the compartment configurations didn’t fit but the show was later canceled. home and business receive power from their requirements,” Lowery explains. At one point, Lowery was contracted by Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC). “They sent it to us ... we reconfigured Hot Wheels ® to build a show truck. “We At one point, he upgraded his service everything, refabricated some things, and manufactured a firetruck for them, and because of the amount of electricity the gave them what they requested.” they only use it as a show piece,” Lowery business uses, and he says the entire Although it specializes in off-road says. “In return, they produced process was well-executed and efficient. trucks, General Fire Equipment and Sales a Matchbox Hot Wheels truck that’s a “The service has been outstanding, to also builds more generic styles of fire collector’s item.” Hot Wheels entered the say the least,” he comments. “When we apparatus. “Some fire departments don’t truck in the prestigious SEMA (Specialty upgraded, they were helpful and prompt, have a need for an aggressive truck,” Equipment Market Association) Show and the guys who did the work were Lowery says. “It just depends on competition in Las Vegas, Nevada, and outstanding. They’ve been Johnny-on-the- the needs.” won Best in Show in its class. Spot for us.” The business employs five people While the outside accolades are MEC is proud to serve this business that including a team of fabricators, an electrical exciting, Lowery says his business’ ability provides vital specialized equipment specialist, and an administrative assistant. to help fire departments help people is locally and across our nation. Since its founding in 2006 it has sold more than 80 custom firetrucks built for various organizations across the U.S. On average, For more information about his company builds and ships eight to 10 General Fire Equipment and Sales, complete trucks per year while taking on visit generalfireequip.com. five to six contracts for existing apparatus. meckelec.org October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 19 hen Stuart Clinedinst was only 15 years old, he signed up to Wbecome a volunteer with the Emporia Fire Department that serves the entire county of Greensville. “I joined the fire department just because I wanted to help in the community,” he mentions. “That’s the same reason I’m here at Is your name on Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC). the refund list? I want to serve the members and be available for them day or night — If so, we have a check for you! whenever they need my assistance.” A number of Capital Credit refund Stuart is equipment operator in the checks that were issued have never Cooperative’s Emporia district. Situated been cashed, and we are trying behind the control panel of a digger to locate members or former derrick, he expertly maneuvers a massive Stuart Clinedinst members so we can reimburse boom to dig holes, set 40-foot and taller Equipment Operator them. Inserted between pages poles, remove poles that need to be Emporia District 20 and 21 is a list of Mecklenburg replaced, hang regulators and transformers, Electric Cooperative members set pad mounts and anchor guy wires. 4 Years of Service who received electric service His expertise and precision in performing from us in 1999 and have Capital his duties may give a bystander the Stuart and Jacklyn each devote a lot of Credit refunds that have never assumption that operating this hydraulic time to their professions; but when they been claimed. equipment is an easy task ... IT’S NOT! have an opportunity for vacationing, they If your name is there, call our It takes hours of instruction and training enjoy time with family members and Capital Credit Hotline or contact us along with years of experience to be friends relaxing in Nags Head, North by email. If you see the name of a proficient equipment operator. Carolina. Stuart likes to attend local someone you know, please tell In addition to the skill of equipment sporting events in the spring and fall to that person to contact us so we operation, Stuart is knowledgeable in the root for his nieces and nephews as their can mail the refund. specifications of the National Electrical teams play baseball and football. Safety Code, line-design requirements of Of course due to his profession, Stuart’s PLEASE NOTE: the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), and attendance at sports activities and family This is the same list that was MEC’s system geography as well as gatherings is sometimes interrupted by in last month’s magazine. It flagging procedures. For the safety and weather-related power outages. A critical well-being of himself, his fellow workers, part of his job at MEC is to assist in is not necessary to call again and the public, Stuart adheres to MEC restoring power. Like the line workers at if you have already contacted safety rules and guidelines, is certified in MEC, he serves on a duty roster and is us. It is being republished First Aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary available 24/7 to assist members during an because we hope to reach as resuscitation) as well as use of an AED outage or emergency situation. He many people as possible. (automated external defibrillator). remarks, “I love working outdoors, even in Stuart and his wife, Jacklyn, live on extreme conditions of heavy rain, snow Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative lines and high winds. I always enjoy going out outside the city limits of Emporia. They during storm trouble ... I get to work in CAPITAL CREDIT HOTLINE: are natives of the area and started dating new areas as I assist others. It is definitely 434-372-6149 each other in the tenth grade. They will be a rewarding experience.” celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary Stuart continues, “I have an interesting EMAIL: next month. job and every day holds something [email protected] Jacklyn began her teaching career with different. I like being part of a team and first-graders at South Hill Elementary I’m proud to work for Mecklenburg School and is now resource teacher for Electric Cooperative.” As checks are claimed, they will be middle and high school students at reprocessed and mailed weekly. Brunswick Academy in Lawrenceville.

20 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative Technology ... Serving You Efficiently and Keeping Costs Low

he staff at your Cooperative clock. By entering your account number, Serving you is important to all of us at works diligently to ensure the you can hear your current bill balance and Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative, and Tdelivery of safe, reliable and make a payment. We also added online we do enjoy speaking with each of you; affordable energy. Our team certainly payment capability with your computer, however, using an automated system recognizes the importance of not only tablet or smartphone through our saves you time and saves the maintaining costs, but seeking every SmartHub application. Another option Cooperative money by allowing us to opportunity to reduce our overall is to use our 24-hour Easy Pay Kiosks at operate with less labor expense. expenses and your monthly bill. all three district offices. Each of these Keeping your bills as low as possible is As you would expect, the cost systems is user-friendly and helps us keep our goal as well as yours. of labor is one of those areas we your monthly bill as low as possible. We greatly appreciate the opportunity continuously review to make certain we These systems provide services around to serve you. Thank you for your are operating at the highest level of the clock, on weekends, and even on patience as we continue to review efficiency. Accordingly, over the past 10 holidays ... that’s a lot of SERVICE! every opportunity to assist you in the years we have reduced our staffing by as With these systems in place, as service most efficient manner. much as 15 percent. With that reduction representatives retire, we have been able we have been able to absorb increases to reduce the number of employees that in material costs for items like poles, previously received your payments or SUGGESTIONS FOR transformers and wire. answered the phone to look up your MANAGING YOUR We have been able to make these bill balance. MEC ACCOUNT staffing reductions with no impact on Please keep in mind that with reduced the quality of service provided to you staffing levels, using an automated system Due to an increase in the number through enhancements in the will provide the quickest opportunity for of telephone calls we receive on a technology we use every day. As an answers to many routine questions. daily basis, we suggest these options example, we increased payment When members use these systems for to reduce your wait time: convenience by offering a toll-free routine questions, this allows our telephone payment system (TeleLink), representatives more time to address (1) Use our automated TeleLink allowing you to easily pay your bill by your more specific inquiries. system or SmartHub application calling 1-877-541-5737 around the to check your balance, pay your bill or manage your account. (2) Call by telephone Tuesday through Thursday. Mondays and Fridays are our busiest days for phone calls, and we receive hundreds of calls in a day! Often members must wait to speak to a representative or the MEC has Free Halloween automated system. Bags for Trick-or-Treaters (3) Late morning and afternoon Be sure to stop by our office hours tend to be less busy and or our booth at the South would be better times to call. Central Fair or the Halifax (4) When possible, if making County Fair to pick up one changes to your account, call for each of your children. before the last few days of the month or after the first few days Supplies are limited. of a new month. (5) Most importantly, anytime you contact us about your account, have your 10-digit account number handy.

meckelec.org October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 21 22 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative October Is for Celebrating Cooperatives

Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative ...

• Is owned by those it serves. That’s why those who receive electric service from MEC are called members, not customers. • Has an 11-member board of directors who live and work in the communities they serve. They provide direction to management guided by always doing what is in the best interests of the members they represent. • Operates with a set of values: honesty, openness, caring for others and social responsibility. • Shows loyalty and commitment to the Southside Virginia and northern North Carolina region it serves. • Creates jobs, incomes and opportunity in communities in its service area and helps these areas grow. • Promotes environmentally friendly practices as it meets the needs of its members.

Recognizing Your MEC Employees

In order to be wary of possible scam artists who may impersonate Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC) workers, always remember that MEC employees who approach your home:

• Will be driving a company vehicle marked with our yellow logo; • Will be carrying proper identification; and • Will be wearing the uniform pictured with their first name embroidered on their right-hand side if they are field representatives.

If you are approached by someone claiming to be an employee of MEC and you are suspicious or want to be cautious, call our office immediately to verify that he or she is a representative of the Cooperative. MEC employees or any legitimate utility workers will wait patiently for you to get the verification you deserve. meckelec.org October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 23 EMPOWER Broadband Holds First Board Meeting

MPOWER Broadband, Inc., a subsidiary of Mecklenburg Electric ECooperative (MEC), has been established to provide retail broadband service across MEC’s service area, and the organization held its first board of directors meeting on July 18 at MEC’s headquarters office in Chase City. To begin the meeting, MEC’s board of directors was officially established to serve as the EMPOWER Broadband’s board of directors and its governing body. Each of 11 directors represents a different district served by Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative — from the eastern county of Sussex westward to Pittsylvania County. The directors are as follows: Chairman David Jones of Bracey, Vice Chairman Frank Myers of Gasburg, Secretary/Treasurer Stan Duffer of Red Oak, Assistant Secretary Donnie Moore of Chatham, David Hall of Hurt, Brandon Hudson of Virgilina, Bob MEC technicians Ben Moss (standing left) and Jay Belknap demonstrate for the EMPOWER Jones of Boydton, Larry Layman of Broadband board of directors the art of splicing a single strand of fiber as will be the procedure Halifax, Peggy Lee of Freeman, Mike when connecting customers to telephone, TV and ultra-high-speed internet service. McDowell of Vernon Hill, and Dr. Angela Wilson of Emporia. The first order of business at the the presence of EMPOWER’s directors, for the technical assistance, fiber-capacity organization’s initial meeting was the MEC staff members and associates. exchange, access to vendors and advisors, presentation of a Resolution of Gratitude EMPOWER Broadband President and and internet connectivity that has helped from EMPOWER Broadband’s board of CEO John Lee remarks, “Mid-Atlantic has make possible the creation of EMPOWER directors to Mid-Atlantic Broadband been a technology leader and champion Broadband.” Communities Corporation (MBC) for for Southside Virginia for nearly two In other business matters, the board providing a wide array of essential and decades providing an essential service that voted to approve by-laws as well as valuable services that helped make the has enabled businesses, schools, hospitals a master-services agreement and creation of EMPOWER Broadband and government agencies to survive fiber-lease agreement. possible. President and CEO John Lee read during a difficult economic period. In During the meeting MEC staff members aloud the resolution and Chairman David addition, their assistance has resulted in Dwayne Long, Carol Ann Jones, B.J. Jones presented the framed document to considerable opportunities for the Seamans and David Lipscomb took turns Tad Deriso, president and CEO of MBC, in members of MEC. We are most grateful presenting information on financials, grant updates, marketing, pricing and system engineering; and Jay Belknap and Ben Moss provided a hands-on demonstration of splicing fiber. Lee added, “EMPOWER Broadband’s Fiber-to-the-Home project will ultimately transform Southside Virginia and enable our region’s children to complete homework at home; our graduates to secure college degrees online; our young families to remain in Southside Virginia and live, work, worship and play here; and EMPOWER Broadband’s Chairman of the our senior citizens to secure the healthcare Board David Jones (right) presents a services they require via internet service. Resolution of Gratitude to Tad Deriso, Our members will enjoy these and many EMPOWER Broadband directors Stan president and CEO of Mid-Atlantic other critically important benefits that Duffer (left) and David Jones examine a Broadband, for the vital support it has citizens in the commonwealth’s urban sample of fiber-optic cable that will have provided to the emerging EMPOWER areas have been enjoying since the dawn the capability of serving nearly 5,000 homes. Broadband Fiber-to-the-Home project. of this century.”

24 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative Scholarships for 2019 Graduates

ne of the many benefits of being a Mecklenburg Electric Application Deadline: OCooperative member is the Feb. 8, 2019 opportunity for your graduating high school senior to apply for a $1,000 VMDAEC Education Scholarship. Students applying must meet the following eligibility requirements: MECKLENBURG ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE 1. Your primary residence must P.O. Box 2451 receive its electric power from Chase City, VA 23924-2451 Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative or Chase City District one of the other 14 member electric (434) 372-6200 cooperatives served by the Virginia, Graham K. Bryant, a 2010 recipient of Emporia District Maryland & Delaware Association of the VMDAEC Education Scholarship, (434) 634-6168 Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC). graduated from William & Mary in 2013 Gretna District 2. You must be a high school or and from William & Mary Law School in (434) 656-1288 home-school senior graduating in 2019. 2016. He is a licensed attorney and Power Failure & Emergencies 3. You must be entering your first currently serves as law clerk for Justice (877) 632-5688 William C. Mims of the Virginia Supreme semester at a post-secondary or Court. Bryant says, “Mecklenburg Electric Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. technical/trade school in the fall of 2019. Cooperative offers a variety of enriching meckelec.org Website: For complete details on how to apply, extracurricular activities for young Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative is an go to vmdaec.com and select the people, and I am grateful for the many equal opportunity provider and employer. Community Resources tab. opportunities that MEC provided me.”

Chase City Health and Rehab Begins 15th year

ecklenburg Electric Cooperative extends congratulations unit opened to help build a bridge from hospital to home for to one of its members, Chase City Health and short-term patients. MRehabilitation Center. The facility begins its 15th year The facility currently employs over 120 professionals, providing this month, as its first resident was admitted in October 2004. a sanctuary of rehabilitation, long-term and respite care to its An enhancement was added to the building in 2007 providing neighbors in Chase City and the surrounding communities. a 30-bed Alzheimer’s unit, and in June of 2017 a transitional-care Best wishes as you begin your 15th year!

meckelec.org October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 25 Northern Neck Electric Cooperative News 2018 Annual Meeting HIGHLIGHTS

n Thursday, Aug. 2, a large crowd of approximately 700 members gathered at Northumberland High School for Northern Neck OElectric Cooperative’s (NNEC) 81st Annual Meeting. Before the business meeting, members enjoyed a delicious meal with fried chicken, Carolina-style barbeque, Brunswick stew, cole slaw, and peach cobbler. From top: Members enjoy After dinner, members visited with the many vendors as they made their way to the a delicious meal before the auditorium. The vendor displays featured a wide variety of offerings, from energy-efficiency business meeting. President information to health screenings. & CEO Greg White presents At 7 p.m., Board Chair Steve Thomas called the business meeting to order. Board his report to the members. Board Chair Steve Thomas member Rusty Brown gave an invocation and the Northumberland JROTC presented our presides over the meeting nation’s colors for the National Anthem. Grady Jordan of Boy Scout Troop 250 then led as Boy Scout Grady Jordan leads members everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. in the Pledge of Allegiance. Secretary/ Board Secretary/Treasurer Ralph Sutton presented the financial report. He stated that Treasurer Ralph Sutton gives the financial even though the Co-op ended 2017 with a negative operating margin, additional interest report. Below, from left: Members visit income and noncash capital credit allocations from Old with the many vendors on hand and the Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) and others, resulted in Northumberland JROTC present our net margins for NNEC of $789,789. Also, the new base rates nation’s colors for the National Anthem. implemented in January 2018 will help NNEC maintain its financial integrity this year, and hopefully for many years to come, which is what members are accustomed to and expect. NORTHERN NECK President and CEO Greg White shared his remarks with the ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE crowd, highlighting a variety of topics from the past year. He 85 St. Johns Street P.O. Box 288 began by speaking of the widespread damage experienced Warsaw, VA 22572-0288 during the Friday, March 2, windstorm (Winter Storm Riley). 804-333-3621 • 1-800-243-2860 Over half of NNEC’s members lost power at some point during nnec.coop the windstorm, and crews from Georgia and Kentucky, along Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. President & CEO Greg W. White Local Pages Editor Jay Garner Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

18 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Above, from left: NNEC employees ANNUAL MEETING PRIZES Bill Clark (left) and Rich Steensma DONATED BY VENDORS: greet NNEC member Florence Mothershead. Delegate Margaret Bourne & Sons Inc. — Bucket/ Ransone (right) speaks with NNEC cleaning supplies member Helen Mitchell. NNEC United Utility Supply Corp — $25 Lowe’s employees register approximately gift card 700 members. Left: NNEC President SEDC — Five $50 Walmart gift cards and CEO Greg White congratulates the grand-prize winners Mary PowerTech — Cuisinart stainless steel Katherine Thomas (left) for winning 4-slice toaster the $200 bill credit and Frances Lewis National Transformer Sales — Two $25 for winning the $300 bill credit. Not Applebee’s gift cards pictured: Willard Bowen — $100 bill Transformer Maintenance & Service Inc. credit winner. All photos by Mary — Four $50 MasterCard gift cards Howell of VMDAEC and Steve Smith Altec Industries — $50 Lowe’s gift card; of NNEC. two $25 Lowe’s gift cards Graybar — $25 Lowe’s gift card with our right-of-way contractors, the first phase of the study has been responded to NNEC’s call for help in completed and found that a stand-alone Utility Service Agency Inc. — Mag-Lite flashlight restoration efforts. With the assistance fiber-to-the-home broadband project by from these parties, power was restored to the Co-op would not pay for itself and Special Fleet Service Inc. — Two Crockpots all members by March 4. was therefore not feasible. NNEC is now Irby — Keurig coffee maker studying if it is feasible to join with other White reported that ODEC’s Wildcat Anixter — Weber grill Point gas-fired power plant in Maryland is entities, such as fixed wireless, in order to Koppers Utility & Industrial Products — now on line and running very well. He economically reach members with $35 Walmart gift card said, “Wildcat Point has been called on to broadband. White said, “It is my hope that operate almost 80 percent of the hours of I will be reporting to you next year on Southern Partners — $50 Walmart VISA card the day over the past two months, how we are partnering with others and generating energy at less than 2 cents per helping to make broadband available to Asplundh — Two $50 VISA gift cards kWh when it is operating in its high- all members.” McFarland Cascade — Four $25 efficiency combined-cycle mode.” Lastly, White congratulated Abby Kiss Walmart gift cards Additionally, he stated, “With Wildcat and Lizzie Swann on winning scholarships SC360 Cleaning Service — $50 VISA gift Point now in operation, ODEC will be able from the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware card; four coasters; two pens Association of Electric Cooperatives. He to generate over 80 percent of its own Barbour Printing Services Inc. — Two sets power in coming years.” also applauded NNEC’s Blaine Swann, Will of 50 personalized Christmas cards Next, he discussed NNEC’s Community Schools and Davin Brann on winning at Utility Lines, Inc. — Two $25 Lowe’s this year’s Gaff-n-Go Lineman’s Rodeo. Solar Pilot Program, which will provide gift cards blocks of renewable energy for purchase. Cooperative attorney Fleet Dillard Napier — Cordless rechargeable The blocks of energy are the result of presided over the Board of Directors’ inflater; two hats ODEC purchasing offtake renewable election. With more than 600 members power from solar farms in Clarke and voting in person or by proxy, Wayne Wesco — $50 VISA gift card Northampton counties. White advised, Saunders, Steve Thomas and Holly Wargo Believers Lawn & Landscaping — Dog “The price of community solar energy is were elected to three-year terms. care basket/bowls, food, toys not cheaper than our normal supply The meeting ended with drawings for Otis & Sheila Chestnut — Three $100 service, but it may be less expensive than door prizes, gift cards and bill credits. This Rite Aid gift cards owning and maintaining solar panels on year’s grand-prize winners were Willard ODEC — Two sets of bag/umbrella/ your roof.” Bowen ($100 bill credit), William Howard light bulbs Thomas ($200 bill credit) and Frances White also gave an update on NNEC’s Terex — Six hats; toy truck broadband-feasibility study. He reported Lewis ($300 bill credit). nnec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 19 New NNEC Board Officers

orthern Neck Electric Cooperative’s be elected Board chairman and want (NNEC) Board of Directors to thank Steve Thomas for his many Nannounced that Hunter R. years of dedication and leadership as Greenlaw, Jr., from Stafford County has NNEC chairman. I will continue to been elected Board chairman, succeeding build upon Steve’s great legacy here at L-R: Board Chairman Hunter Greenlaw, Steve Thomas of Northumberland County. the Co-op as we forge ahead. I look Vice-Chairman Rusty Brown, Also, Russell G. “Rusty” Brown of forward to carrying on his vision of service Secretary-Treasurer Ralph Sutton. Richmond County has been elected as with the Board, NNEC staff and our vice-chairman, succeeding Greenlaw. members, to ensure our local, member- NNEC Board. Prior to Rusty Brown, Ralph E. Sutton of King George County owned electric cooperative continues to be Thomas was a NNEC representative for remains as secretary-treasurer of the an excellent provider of safe and reliable many years on the VMDAEC board, NNEC Board. electricity to the Northern Neck.” including serving a term as board Greenlaw has been a member of the New Vice-Chairman Brown was elected chairman from 1991-’93. In other NNEC Board of Directors since 1979 and to the NNEC Board in 1992. He serves as leadership roles with the VMDAEC, he vice-chairman since 1995. He is the Northern Neck region president for chaired its Finance Committee and was president of GLMG, Inc. General Contractors Union Bank & Trust. Since 2016, he has a member of its Nominating Committee. in Fredericksburg, and is one of two represented NNEC on the board of Thomas’ long record of distinguished NNEC representatives on the board of directors of VMDAEC. In addition, Brown service was recognized when he was directors of Old Dominion Electric serves on the board of directors of CoBank, presented in 1998 with VMDAEC’s Cooperative (ODEC), NNEC’s wholesale a nationwide bank based in Denver. highest honor, the Electric Cooperative power supplier. Greenlaw also serves as Secretary-Treasurer Sutton was elected Leadership Award. board chairman of Regional Headquarters, to the NNEC Board in 1998. He worked in The NNEC Board of Directors consists Inc., which owns the building outside public accounting for 49 years and has of Russell G. Brown from Richmond County; Richmond that houses the offices of both been a member of a grain-farming operation Hunter R. Greenlaw, Jr., from Stafford; A. ODEC and of the Virginia, Maryland & since 1976. He also serves as a member of Wayne Saunders from Lancaster; Ralph E. Delaware Association of Electric the VMDAEC’s Awards Committee. Sutton from King George; J. Steve Thomas, Cooperatives (VMDAEC). VMDAEC is a Thomas served as NNEC Board Sr., from Northumberland; Holly L. Wargo regional association for electric cooperatives. chairman for 32 years and will continue to from Westmoreland; and James A. Wise Greenlaw stated, “I am very honored to represent Northumberland County on the from Westmoreland.

’Tis the Season for Festivals and a parade through downtown King George at 11 a.m. For more information, all is the time of year that marks the more information, visit visitmontross.com/ visit kgfallfestival.com. end of the growing season and the fall-festival. In Stafford County, the Stafford County Fcelebration of a successful harvest. The Colonial Beach Fall Festival will Fair runs Oct. 18-21 . Come out for carnival Many of the towns in the Northern Neck take place on Oct. 27 . It will be a day full attractions, vendors, music, animals, car hold festivals in October as a way of of fun for the whole family! Vendor tents, shows, and antique tractors at its new celebrating bountiful harvests, great games, kids’ crafts, pony rides, bounce location in Celebrate Virginia North, Route friends, family and community. No matter houses, Trunk or Treat at 4 p.m., and a 17 in Stafford. To learn more about the fair, where you live in the area, there is decorated golf cart parade at 5 p.m. For visit staffordfair.com. something going on near you. If you are more information, visit colonial-beach- In Lancaster County, the Bay Seafood looking for a fun outing, here are some virginia-attractions.com/fall-festival.html. Festival will be held on Oct. 20 . The KIWS great weekend events. In Richmond County, Warsaw Fest will Rotary Club organizes and executes this In Westmoreland County, the Montross be held on Oct. 12-13 . Come out on all-you-can-eat buffet, including numerous Fall Festival will be on Oct. 6 . There will be Friday evening, Oct. 12, to the Warsaw varieties of seafood, side dishes and craft and food vendors, baby contests and Town Park for Family Fun Night, followed beverages, as well as live dance music. The a grand parade through town at 2 p.m. For by a full day of activities on Saturday, proceeds from the festival go to benefit Oct. 13. There will be a Car & Truck Show, local charitable organizations. For more kids’ zone, food vendors, baby & beauty information, visit kiwsrotary.com/index.html. contest, a Fireman’s Parade through town In Northumberland County, the at 12 p.m., and Oktoberfest from Northern Neck Farm Museum Fall Festival 5-10 p.m. For more information, visit will take place on Oct. 27 . This family- wrccoc.com/warsaw-fest. friendly event includes kids’ activities, In King George County, the 60th Annual antique farm equipment, and the King George Fall Festival happens on museum’s famous corn maze. For more Oct. 13-14 . Those attending will see craft information, visit facebook.com/Northern- and vendor displays, inflatables, games, Neck-Farm-Museum-113866688628733.

20 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Northern Neck Electric Cooperative 2019 VMDAEC Education Scholarships

Any high school or home-school senior Save money and energy with graduating in the spring of 2019, and whose primary residence is served by CREE LED light bulbs. Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC), is eligible to apply for a $1,000 Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) is always looking for ways to help scholarship to be applied to a two- or four- members save on energy usage. Sometimes the smallest change can make the year college or trade school. The online biggest difference! A great first step towards energy conservation and savings is application is posted at vmdaec.com and replacing incandescent and CFL bulbs with new LED light bulbs. LED bulbs give off co-opliving.com/community/scholarship.htm. great lighting in a room, last for years, and the best part, they only use a fraction of The deadline to apply is Friday, Feb. 8, 2019 . the electricity! Scholarships are awarded by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of To help our members, NNEC has partnered with CREE Lighting and Electric Cooperatives’ (VMDAEC) 1000bulbs.com to offer a special deal on top-quality CREE LED light bulbs for a Education Scholarship Foundation. An reduced price. Members can receive a 4-pack of CREE 60-watt-equivalent LED applicant must be entering his or her first semester at a post-secondary or technical/ bulbs for the low price of $9.97 per pack (plus shipping), or a 3-pack of CREE trade school in the fall of 2019 and 65-watt-equivalent reflector BR30 LED bulbs for $17.47 per pack (plus shipping). scholarship funds must be used towards For this promotion, NNEC members can order up to five total packs of CREE bulbs tuition, student fees, room and board or for their home or business. Both bulbs are completely dimmable and designed to textbooks. The application will be open last up to 22 years. starting on Nov. 1, 2018. Please note that to be considered To take advantage of this offer, you must be a member of NNEC and use the complete, SAT and/or ACT scores MUST “My Account” web portal or the NNEC mobile app to order your bulbs. For more come directly on an official College Board information, visit: nnec.coop/content/cree-led-light-bulbs. report and be uploaded into our application system. This information can be found on collegeboard.org and the ACT report can be found on act.org. Scores listed on transcripts do not qualify. If a Filter Easy allows you to order HVAC filters and have them delivered directly student has taken the SAT more than once, to your doorstep. With Filter Easy’s automatic delivery, you will receive new he/she may take the best score from each filters on a regularly scheduled basis, which can be a helpful reminder that it is test (“Super Score”), but both tests must be time to replace old HVAC filters. You don’t have to remember filter sizes or submitted in the package to qualify. The Scholarship Foundation’s board of when your filters were last changed, Filter Easy does it for you. directors will select recipients based on criteria including financial need, academic achievement and a student’s personal statement. Successful applicants will be notified no later than May 31, 2019 . Clean filters can help Since its inception in 2000, the to prevent expensive Foundation has awarded 683 scholarships totaling $582,500. Donations to this HVAC repairs, remove program are welcome and are tax- toxins from your home, deductible. Questions about donations and help to lower your and the application process should be energy bill. directed to Sam Brumberg via email at [email protected]. For more information, VMDAEC is the trade association for go to filtereasy.com or NNEC and the 14 other not-for-profit electric distribution cooperatives serving C L

L nnec.coop/content/ the Mid-Atlantic region. It is based in Glen Y H

P energy-conservation. Allen, Virginia, and provides safety and A R

G employee training, governmental relations O T and legislative and communications O H P

services, including the publishing of F F

O Cooperative Living magazine, for its - T F

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© nnec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 21 Sign up for NNEC’s Levelized Payment Plan today!

Would your monthly budget be easier to keep on track with the stability of NNEC’s levelized payment plan? By spreading out your energy costs over the year, you pay close to the same amount on your power bill each month. Imagine the ease you’ll enjoy when planning your budget without worrying about drastic changes in your bill, even in the very cold of winter or hot months of summer. K

C When levelizing the amount over the year, you pay for slightly more power than is O T S

K actually used during milder weather. During the winter and summer months you N I H T / pay for slightly less power than you are using. M O C .

K It’s a FREE service and here’s how it works. Each month, NNEC will average your C O T

S actual billing for the current month with the previous 11 months. Your bill will vary E L B

A slightly from month to month, but this “rolling average” evens out extreme highs / S E I

G and lows. O L O

N You’ll continue to receive a monthly bill. The bill will show your kilowatt-hour H C E T

consumption and the levelized bill amount that is due. It must be paid just the A R E same as a regular bill — on or before the late payment date. M E H Balance out your life — or at least one small part of it — by signing up for levelized payments today. Simply fill out the coupon below and return it with your electric service payment, or call us at 1-800-243-2860 or 333-3621.

* You must have been an NNEC customer for the past 12 months to sign up for this program. The account must have a $0 balance at sign-up and have and maintain a satisfactory credit rating with the Cooperative. The Cooperative reserves the right to remove from the plan any account that does not pay the amount due on or before the late-payment penalty application date. Levelized bill payments are determined for your particular residence and are not transferable. When service is terminated at one location, we close the levelized bill account and render a final bill.

Levelized Payment Plan Available to Residential and Seasonal Residential Accounts ONLY

I hereby make application for the Levelized Payment Plan:

Member name as it appears on the bill: ______

Service address: ______

Billing address (if different): ______

Telephone number at service location: ______

Account # of account(s) to be included in the program: ______

Member signature:______Date: ______

22 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Tired of Writing Checks? HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS Go Paperless to receive your bill online (email notification when Walk Safely your bill is available for viewing on My Account) to: • Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. • Pay your bill online; • Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking • Receive your bill two or three days sooner than through the mail; as you cross. • Have the bill sent to a second email address; • Put electronic devices down, and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street. • Eliminate clutter, save paper and the expense of postage; and • Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before • View your bill anywhere you receive email with a computer, crossing in front of them. tablet or smartphone. • Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings. SAMPLE EMAIL: • Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children Dear Valued Customer, to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars. Your online bill is now available. To view the bill and/or make a payment toward your account, Trick or Treat With an Adult click here . • Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night If your browser does not display an active link above, you can without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out select the following URL, copy it, paste it into your browser’s without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are address field, and then press Enter to access your bill: well lit and trick or treat in groups. https://myaccount.nnec.coop/oscp/ We appreciate your participation in this service; however, if you Keep Costumes Both Creative and Safe should choose not to continue, please login to your account to change your e-bill setting. • Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers Northern Neck Electric Cooperative and, if possible, choose light colors. (804) 333-3621 - Customer Service • Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of (800) 243-2860 - Toll Free masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.

nnec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 23 Lincoln’s Connection to Local Hanks Family S

any people know the Northern O T O

Neck is full of history. Among H P

other things, it is the birthplace R E

M N of three U.S. presidents — George R A G Washington, James Madison and James Y A Monroe — and two brothers who signed J the Declaration of Independence — Richard Henry Lee and Francis “Lightfoot” Lee. Historians have long called the Northern Neck the “Athens of the New World” given its contribution of men and ideas that helped establish and shape our country. Now, it seems Abraham Lincoln has a connection to the area as well. Recently, Lincoln research historian Paul Verduin met with Diane Franklin and NNEC member Keith Hanks at the Richmond County Courthouse in Warsaw. During his visit, Verduin Above, L-R: Keith Hanks, Paul Verduin and Diane Franklin. Left: Abraham informed Diane Lincoln 1865. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress. and Keith that new mitochondrial past executive officer within originally from “old Virginia — along the DNA evidence the Abraham Lincoln Rappahannock River.” Now DNA evidence discovered by the Institute of the Mid-Atlantic. has helped to justify these stories and Texas-based firm Diane Franklin and Keith connect Lincoln’s family tree to the Gene by Gene Ltd. Hanks are cousins within Northern Neck and the local Hanks family. for the Nancy the local Hanks family and Originally from Illinois, Verduin now Hanks Lincoln have had an interest in their lives in Silver Springs, Maryland. He said mtDNA Study, ancestry since 1980 when he became interested in the Lincoln-Hanks supports the claim an elderly Hanks family story when he was studying history in that Abraham member told them they were graduate school at the University of Lincoln is related related to Abraham Lincoln. Maryland. He visited the Richmond to the local For more than 150 years, County Courthouse in the mid-1980s Hanks family of historians have been and discovered several unindexed “loose Richmond County. debating the lineage of paper” documents about the Hanks family. Mitochondrial DNA is linked from Abraham Lincoln’s mother. To better Verduin explained, “I did not know generation to generation by a mother understand how Lincoln became such a what to expect coming to Virginia in the passing it to her daughters — as sons do great leader, there has been a desire to find 1980s and researching Lincoln given that not pass on this gene. Over several years, out more about who shaped his opinions. Virginia had been part of the South. As it the Nancy Hanks Lincoln mtDNA Study After his assassination, public interest grew turned out, the local people were very analyzed biological information from regarding his mother because Lincoln had accepting of my research and welcomed female descendants of Sarah Hanks, Lucy said, “All that I am, or ever hope to be, I my findings.” Hanks, and Ann Lee Hanks. They have owe to my mother.” He also stated in his This positive sentiment of Lincoln was now concluded that Nancy Hanks Lincoln 1860 presidential autobiography letter that also true within the local Hanks family. — Abraham Lincoln’s mother — was the his mother was Nancy Hanks, she was Keith Hanks stated, “There were members daughter of Lucy Hanks Sparrow, and born in Virginia, and she was related to of the Hanks family that fought on both Lucy was the daughter of Ann Lee Hanks Hanks family members living in Illinois. sides during the Civil War, but our family of Richmond County, Virginia. Subsequently, presidential biographers in has always talked very favorably of Verduin is nationally known for his the 1860s interviewed Illinois residents Lincoln.” Franklin concurred, “Our research on Lincoln. He is a former editor Dennis Hanks and John Hanks to find out family always viewed Lincoln with a of the The Lincolnian, a bi-monthly more information. Both men indicated that great sense of pride because he was such newsletter for the Lincoln Group, and a Nancy was part of the Hanks family a great leader.”

24 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Northern Neck Electric Cooperative Verduin explained that Joseph and Ann were most likely planted in the migrating be found at Lincoln’s Boyhood Home Lee Hanks (Lincoln’s maternal great- family’s conscience. National Memorial near Lincoln City, grandparents) lived in Richmond County Nancy Hanks went on to marry Indiana. near Peacock Hill — between present-day Thomas Lincoln in Kentucky in 1806, Keith Hanks said, “It was very Calvary Church Road and Sharps Road — and Abraham was born in 1809. Thomas, interesting to meet Mr. Verduin and to until January 1784. They had nine Nancy and Abraham moved from learn so much about the Lincoln children and prior to the Revolutionary Kentucky to Indiana in 1816, but tragedy connection to our family. What an honor War, the family attended North Farnham would soon strike. In 1818, when to have such a great man as Lincoln within Episcopal Church in Farnham. Joseph Abraham was only 9 years old, his mother our family tree.” Franklin agreed, “Being and Ann Lee’s teenage daughter, Lucy died from “milk sickness” caused when able to learn and discuss more about (Lincoln’s maternal grandmother), was not she unknowingly drank poisoned milk this branch of our family tree was married but gave birth to an illegitimate from cattle that had been grazing on the amazing. History is a great story that daughter, Nancy Hanks (Lincoln’s white snakeroot plant. Her gravesite can needs to be told.” mother), around the time the family left Richmond County. Joseph and his family stopped briefly in Hampshire County, West Virginia (which was part of Virginia during this time), before ultimately settling in Nelson County, Kentucky, in 1787. It is still unknown if Nancy was born in Richmond County before the family migrated west, but her birthday is believed to have been sometime between mid-1783 and mid-1784. The story of Nancy Hanks Lincoln being an illegitimate child first surfaced in the 1880s when Abraham’s former law partner, William Herndon, revealed that Lincoln told him on a buggy ride that his mother was the illegitimate daughter of Lucy Hanks and a well-bred Virginia farmer. Through his research, Verduin also believes the Northern Neck played a role in turning the Hanks family against slavery. It is well documented that Joseph Hanks was a plantation overseer near Sharps in the 1770s but was losing work opportunities because many estates were Above: Keith Hanks (left) and Diane Franklin using slaves instead of hired men. look on as Paul Verduin explains his research on Additionally, Joseph and his family had the Hanks family of Richmond County. Left: joined a new religious movement in the Nancy’s grave near Lincoln City, Indiana. Below: area — the Baptists — who were The Hanks family attended North Farnham preaching an anti-slavery message. Episcopal Church until the start of the Therefore, by the time the Joseph Hanks Revolutionary War. family left Richmond County, Verduin contends the seeds for being anti-slavery

nnec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 25 KEEPING CURRENT What makes electric cooperatives special?

October is Cooperative Appreciation Month by Priscilla Knight All systems work hard to provide reliable, safe, and economical energy service, but they operate differently. How so?

Take a guess: How many electric utility systems serve consumers in an Some Ways U.S. Electric Utilities Differ 80-mile radius of Washington, D.C.? The answer: Our region has 17 Ownership Customers Governance Profit-sharing electric systems, made up of five investor-owned utilities (IOUs), seven members – from a returned to few thousand to members public power/municipal systems, and board of directors Electric members in the more than a periodically after five cooperatives. Radio and TV stations elected by Cooperatives co-op’s territory million served recovering costs – report outage numbers of only the big members utilities when major storms occur, so the via generation & called CashBack high number of regional systems may transmission at NOVEC surprise you. municipal citizens – from small town used to recover P ublic Power/ local governments local governments Northern Virginia populations to costs and maintain Municipal Systems and their citizens elected by citizens almost 4 million in bond ratings Dominion Energy Virginia Los Angeles NOVEC Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative corporate share - usually millions of board of directors distributed to Investor-owned City of Manassas Utilities holders, often customers, often in elected by shareholders after Utilities Town of Front Royal worldwide several states shareholders recovering costs Town of Culpeper

(In Virginia, two IOUs, 13 co-ops, and 15 public power/municipal systems, and Cooperatives and public power/municipals answer to the people they serve rather than Virginia Tech provide electricity.) shareholders who may or may not be customers. Similarly, many co-op and municipal employees receive power from their systems. Therefore, they know their communities Maryland and can respond to local needs. In contrast, IOU employees may often live outside of states where their customers reside and may not be aware of local history, concerns, Potomac Electric Power Company and economic needs. Baltimore Gas and Electric Delmarva Power Electric cooperatives work with other electric co-ops to develop new technologies, Potomac Edison Company train employees, improve service, and — most importantly — assist each other when Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative widespread outages occur. One of the reasons why NOVEC restores service quickly Choptank Electric Cooperative after major storms is because of the mutual-aid cooperative network. During and after Hagerstown Light Department some major storms in recent years, including Winter Storm Riley in March, line techs Berlin Electric Department from other states have helped NOVEC restore service. In return, NOVEC crews have Easton Utilities assisted co-ops outside of Virginia, including systems damaged after Hurricane Williamsport Municipal Electric Light Matthew in 2016 and Irma in 2017. System “Our electric co-op members originally built our system,” says Tong Thomas, manager, Customer Care. “Members own and operate it democratically. They share in its profits. And they understand what their communities need and how the co-op can help. That’s the cooperative difference.”

*Seven Cooperative Principles

1. Open and voluntary membership 5. Education, training, and information 2. Democratic member control 6. Cooperation among cooperatives 3. Members’ economic participation 7. Concern for community 4. Autonomy and independence

18 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative Small change makes a big impact through Operation Round Up by Ashley Arnold

As a NOVEC member, you can help your community each month by simply rounding up your electric bill to the next whole dollar. While the difference is less than $1, this small change can generate thousands of dollars to help less fortunate families heat their homes this winter through Operation Round Up ®. For example, if your bill is $68.73, NOVEC rounds up the amount to $69. NOVEC takes care of all administrative costs, so the extra 27 cents goes into the ORU fund.

How ORU helps people in need stay warm

The ORU Advisory Committee determines the amount to be awarded to social service agencies that operate in the co-op’s service territory:

• The Salvation Army in Loudoun, Fairfax, and Fauquier County • Action in Community Through Service (ACTS), Prince William County • SERVE, a program of Northern Virginia Family Service, Prince William County • SERVE, Inc., Stafford County

These organizations then distribute funds to people who qualify for assistance. The groups say the money an individual contributes may seem too small to have an impact, but it makes a massive difference. “The money we receive from NOVEC helps us assist low-income families in emergency situations,” says Jessica Cartwright with SERVE, Inc., in Stafford County. “With these funds we help families stay warm in winter, stay out of the dark, and so much more.”

Donating to Operation Round Up is easy

NOVEC members may join ORU at novec.com/oru, or they may call the Customer Care Center Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500. A customer or noncustomer may donate by check in any amount, payable to NOVEC Operation Round Up. Send to: NOVEC ORU, P.O. Box 2710, Manassas, VA 20108.

Virginia Department of Social Services’ Energy Assistance Program

The Virginia Department of Social Services will accept applications for Fuel Assistance in its Energy Assistance program from Oct. 9 through Nov. 9. The program helps low-income people pay for home heating, whether from electricity, natural gas, liquid propane, oil, kerosene, coal, or wood.

For more information and an application, call (804) 726-7000 (main agency) or visit dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.cgi.

novec.com October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 19 Keep electrical safety hazards from haunting your Halloween by Emily Ready

Witches, ghosts, masked superheroes, and even cartoon characters will be out and about on Oct. 31 celebrating Halloween night and shouting “Trick or treat!” around the neighborhood. Some homeowners go all out when spooking up their homes, with everything from lights to fog machines to motion-sensor decorations that rattle, shake, and even talk at unsuspecting trick-or-treaters. Whether you’re handing out candy, putting on a costume, or aiming to have the spookiest house in town, NOVEC advises adults and parents to follow these tips for Halloween electrical safety:

• Make sure electrical decorations or wearables, like flashing • Never place cords in wet areas or submerge them in water. necklaces or costume pieces, are approved by a nationally recognized certification organization, such as Underwriters • Plug lights and decorations into circuits protected by Laboratories (UL). ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). If one is not accessible, you can purchase portable outdoor GFCIs at • Check that decorations used outside are marked for hardware or home-supply stores. outdoor use. • If using incandescent holiday lights that produce heat, • Inspect light strings for cracked, frayed/bare wires, or loose keep them away from children and away from flammable connections, and discard them if you find damage. materials like costumes or dry leaves and table decorations. If possible, use LEDs, which are cool to • Look for lights with LED bulbs. They consume less the touch. electricity, and therefore are less likely to overload a circuit. Always check the packaging to determine how many light • Have a fire extinguisher available and know how to use it. strings of that type can be safely connected. • Turn off all lights and decorations before leaving home or going to bed. 20 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative Meet nationally acclaimed authors during Fall for the Book, Oct. 10-13

“Beauty was considered an essential business tool for women. Office interviews routinely judged an applicant’s appearance, leaving space on evaluations for comments about her makeup and hairstyle. Some companies even included instruction on beauty techniques in their training programs. …” Lipstick Brigade: The Untold True Story of Washington’s World War II Government Girls, by Cindy Gueli

Dr. Gueli’s book tells how thousands of young women recruited by the federal government flocked to the nation’s capital in the 1940s to help fight World War II — wearing lipstick. Dr. Gueli will share some of their fascinating stories when she joins the book-author brigade of almost 180 writers during the 20th annual Fall for the Book Festival, Oct. 10-13.

Along with Dr. Gueli, meet favorite book club writers, historians, novelists, memoirists, science writers, and storybook creators at more than 100 events held at Fairfax County venues. All events are free and open to the public.

Some of the Many Fall for the Book Events, Co-Sponsored by NOVEC

Wednesday, Oct. 10 — Come hear multiple authors on the opening day. Paul Hawken will present his book, Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming , at 6 p.m. in the Harris Theater on George Mason University’s Fairfax campus. Cindy Gueli and Patricia O’Connell Pearson will discuss their books about women who helped “fight” during WWII at 7 p.m. at the City of Fairfax Regional Library. Tayari Jones , author of An American Marriage — an Oprah Book Club pick — will headline the festival’s opening day at 7:30 p.m. in the Harris Theater.

Thursday, Oct. 11 — U.S. Rep. John Lewis and Andrew Aydin will discuss their graphic novel, March: Book One , at 7:30 p.m. in Mason’s Concert Hall.

Friday, Oct. 12 — Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout will appear at 7:30 p.m. in Mason’s Harris Theater to discuss her new book, Anything Is Possible .

Saturday, Oct. 13 — Park free of charge on George Mason’s Rappahannock Parking Deck and head to Merten Hall for a lineup of authors, starting at 10:30 a.m. with Michael D. Leinbach and Jonathan H. Ward , authors of Bringing Columbia Home: The Untold Story of a Lost Shuttle and Her Crew . William Schneider and Stephen J. Farnsworth will follow at 11:30 a.m. and discuss their books about recent U.S. presidential elections. Deborah Baker will discuss her Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist, The Last Englishmen: Love, War, and the End of Empire , at 12:30 p.m. Michael V. Hayden , a retired four-star general and author of The Assault on Intelligence: American National Security in the Age of Lies , will speak at 1:30 p.m. Benjamin Percy, author of The Dark Net , a techno-horror thriller, and his sister, Jennifer Percy , author of Demon Camp: A Soldier’s Exorcism , will talk at 2:30 p.m. Elizabeth Kostova , #1 bestselling author of The Historian , will discuss her new book, The Shadow Land , at 3:30 p.m.

In conjunction with the City of Fairfax’s Fall Festival , Fall for the Book will treat children and adults to storytellers and interactive activities in Old Town Hall on Oct. 13.

For a full list of authors and venues, visit fallforthebook2018.sched.com or download the free app. novec.com October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 21 There’s a great efunturee in rgy

Think about it during Careers in Energy Week, Oct. 15-19 by Priscilla Knight

“I want to say one word to you. Just one word,” a middle-aged Many students today seem to want to be a part of this game neighbor tells Benjamin, a recent college graduate in the 1967 changer. “When I talk to high school students about careers, a movie, The Graduate . “Plastics. … There’s a great future in lot of them tell me they want to major in environmental studies,” plastics. Think about it.” says Allison Kane, NOVEC supervisor, human resources programs and services. “Where’s a better place to use This famous quote, ranked in the American Film Institute’s list knowledge about the environment than in energy? Workers of the top 100 movie quotations in American cinema, would can help develop renewable energy, focus on regulations and apply today if a neighbor or career counselor said “energy” policy, encourage consumers to use energy wisely, and instead of “plastics.” That is because energy careers manage vegetation safely to protect power-line corridors.” encompass a host of disciplines, including engineering, construction, computer science, risk management, business Part of the game change is the growing demand for workers in law, finance, public and government relations, vegetation the renewable-energy field. “Solar panel installers and wind management, technical services, human resources, turbine technicians are the two fastest-growing occupations in supply-chain management, customer service, auto mechanics, the U.S.,” the June 8, 2018, Kiplinger Letter said. “Neither CAD services, business management, and cybersecurity. position requires experience in a related field or college degree, but most wind turbine technicians learn their trade by attending During Careers in Energy Week, Oct. 15-19, and every week, a technical school.” the energy industry encourages recent high school and college graduates, and workers looking for an exciting career change, Energy Quickens the Pulse to consider the energy field. Jill Scherzer, NOVEC Electric System Operations manager, Skilled Occupations ‘Brain Drain’ says working for an electric utility often quickens the pulse: “An alarm gets our attention in the System Control Center when a “By 2030, 20 percent of all workers will be 65 or older — the power outage occurs somewhere along our 7,252-mile age usually associated with retirement,” The Kiplinger Letter distribution system. We’re always working against time reported in its May 25, 2018, issue. “Skilled occupations are because we want to restore service as quickly and safely especially vulnerable to the coming brain drain — financial as possible.” workers, nurses, teachers, utility workers, etc.” Adrenaline also kicks in when weather forecasters see a major According to Kiplinger’s , companies are trying to keep skilled storm on their radar. Scherzer says, “We activate our workers and attract new ones. Instead of watching retiring Emergency Service Restoration Plan and mobilize personnel. employees go out the door, employers are encouraging them to Almost everyone in the company — whether they fuel utility work part time or as consultants. trucks, get supplies and equipment ready, go into the field to locate and remove trees from power lines, climb power poles, Industry ‘Game Changer’ or communicate with members — works to restore power.”

The Virginia Energy Workforce Consortium says, “The energy industry is in the midst of a significant transformation with the implementation of game-changing technologies, a growing infrastructure, grid modernization, and regulation and policy changes.”

22 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative NOVEC Lead Line Technician Jimmy Mynhier works on NOVEC System Operations Manager Jill Scherzer and System utility equipment. Operations Supervisor Cason Garrison (seated) working in the control center.

Jimmy Mynhier, NOVEC lead line technician, likes the Four-Year Apprentice Programs exhilaration and rewards of his job. The former U.S. Marine • electric utility designer says, “I enjoy the challenge of a good storm when the power is • line technician out. This challenge comes with the reward of thank you’s from • quality assurance inspector our customers. I love my job and I would recommend it to • substation electrician anyone who looks forward to new challenges every day, wants to help people, and loves being outdoors.” Two-Year Apprentice Program John Nguyen works at a computer, but the economist agrees • system operator that working in the energy field is stimulating. “I work as a research analyst in the power supply department. My co-workers and I oversee and manage the energy resources NOVEC uses to meet current and future consumer demand. I enjoy being in the utility industry because it is constantly evolving and keeps you on your toes.”

NOVEC’s Apprenticeship Programs

NOVEC offers five apprenticeship programs. The Commonwealth of Virginia recognizes these programs, which combine on-the-job training with technical instruction for occupations that demand a high level of skill. After successfully completing the program, an apprentice earns the nationally recognized Commonwealth certification as a journeyman . Gwendolyn Belcher, a customer account specialist, speaks to a NOVEC customer on the phone.

Go to novec.com/careers to learn about a career at NOVEC and electricenergyjobs.com for more information. novec.com October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 23 ‘Fall’ for fairs, festivals, and fundraisers by Priscilla Knight

It’s time to fill in your fall calendars with fairs, festivals, and fundraisers that help the community. NOVEC urges Co-op members to participate in these fun events, co-sponsored by the Co-op and NOVEC HELPS.

ACTS IWALK 5K and Family Festival Also on Oct. 6, Action in Community Through Service (ACTS) will hold its IWALK 5K and Family Festival at 14900 Potomac Town Place in Woodbridge. The 5K walk/run registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m. Fees: $25 per person and various prices for families, depending on size. The free family festival, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will include hands-on projects, performances, and games. ACTS provides relief, fosters hope, and promotes self-sufficiency to Prince William residents in crisis. Learn more at iwalkforacts.com.

Youth For Tomorrow Country Fair and Auctions Youth For Tomorrow will hold its 33rd annual Country Fair and Auctions on Saturday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the YFT campus at 11835 Hazel Circle Drive in Bristow. Admission: $10; children 3 and under may enter free of charge. Joe Gibbs, former Washington Redskins head coach and founder of Youth For Tomorrow, will be on stage at the 12:30 p.m. live auction. Adults may bid on hundreds of auction items. Children may ride and play all day on more than 80 rides and amusements; they will love the petting zoos, and the horse and pony rides. NOVEC is co-sponsoring and participating at this event to benefit Prince William Recycles Day teenagers at risk. Learn more at youthfortomorrow.org. NOVEC distributes to customers renewable electricity generated at the Prince William County Landfill. Approximately 100 underground extraction wells capture gas released from decomposing trash and pipe it to Alzheimer’s Association Walk to generators. To see how trash-gas creates clean energy End Alzheimer’s and learn more about recycling — while enjoying entertainment, games, and more — attend Prince William Come join thousands of people across America who Recycles Day on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will walk this fall to end Alzheimer’s disease. NOVEC at 14811 Dumfries Road, Manassas, VA 20112. America HELPS and NOVEC employees will walk in the Virginia Recycles Day is a national educational campaign to Tri-Counties Walk on Oct. 20, starting at the Harris promote the importance of reducing waste, recycling, Pavilion in Old Town Manassas. Learn more at alz.org. and buying recycled products.

About NOVEC HELPS NOVEC HELPS, Hands Engaged in Local Public Service, is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization of NOVEC employees who volunteer their time to do community service. The HELPS board of directors votes on projects and events to support, whether with financial donations or with feet on the ground. Learn more at novechelps.org. Follow HELPS on facebook.com/novechelps.

24 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative NOVEC Board of Directors

Cynthia Gilbride District 1 Fairfax and Loudoun: northern Centreville, and parts of Herndon, Sterling, Ashburn, and Chantilly

Brent George District 2 Loudoun County, other than Aldie and District 1 areas Vice Chairman: James Chesley District 3 Town of Clifton, southern Centreville, parts of Fairfax Station and Fairfax; Yorkshire in Prince William

Treasurer: Ann Wheeler District 4 Northern Prince William, northern Fauquier, Aldie in Loudoun Chairman: Wade C. House District 5 Prince William: Between I-66 and Rt. 28. Fauquier: Between Rt.15/Rt. 29 and Rt. 28. Secretary: Michael Ragan District 6 Prince William: Manassas Park to Quantico Marine Corps Base and Montclair

Skip Albrite District 8 Prince William Forest to NO VEC Ener gy T ip: Rappahannock River in Keep y our ther mosta t a t 68° F when the Stafford; western Fauquier wea ther tur ns chilly . You ’ll sa ve ev en mor e by using a pr og rammable ther mosta t. Stan C. Feuerberg President and CEO For mor e w ays t o sa ve ener gy and reduc e y our elec tric bill , go t o NO VEC.c om/sav e t oda y! Keeping Current Local Pages Graphic Designer — Leslie Khamsivone Editor — Priscilla Knight WAYS TO SAVE NOVE P.O. Box 2710 C.COM Manassas, VA 20108-0875 novec.com

For updates and tips on safety and energy savings, find us on social media: @novec @novec @novec_electric

NOVEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

novec.com October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 25 Powell Valley Electric Cooperative News A message from your CEO: Co-ops are about the future

Mike Knotts anadian psychotherapist Nathaniel Co-ops are community-led. Your Board Interim CEO Branden once said, “The first step of Directors is passionate about looking Ctoward change is awareness. The out for the long-term needs of you and second step is acceptance.” your family. Our co-op belongs to the We have long been aware that the way communities we serve. This focus allows people use electricity is changing. The us to quickly adapt to evolving consumer evidence is all around us. From smart expectations. Our closeness to the community thermostats that better control our heat ensures a better response to these needs and air conditioning to electric vehicles, because we are led by the people we serve. continuing advancements in technology Co-ops are catalysts for good. We work and the growing expectations of our each day to make our communities stronger consumers impact much of what we do. and better prepared for the future. For POWELL VALLEY The struggle facing many utilities is how instance, later this month we will participate ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE to accept this change and respond in the Electric Co-op Day of Service, which 420 Straight Creek Road appropriately to the needs of our consumers. is an intentional effort for the state’s co-ops P.O. Box 1528 Fortunately, Powell Valley Electric has to get our hands dirty by serving our New Tazewell, TN 37824 been preparing for these changes by communities. On this day, Powell Valley Office Hours: M-F 8 a.m.–5 p.m. building a world-class smart grid right employees will take a few moments out of Tazewell Office: here at home. While there is much more to our day to focus on giving back. This will Service Requests: (423) 626-0707 be done to complete it, Powell Valley has be a small but real example of the many Billing Inquiries: (423) 626-0706 some of the most sophisticated technology ways our co-op impacts the community. Outages/Trouble: (423) 626-5204 in the world operating our electric system. The co-op business model is unique. It Other Inquiries: (423) 626-5204 The end result is fewer outages, blinks and is pragmatic, mission-oriented and puts Jonesville Office: interruptions to your power. We’ve made people first. Co-ops strive to be trusted Service Requests: (276) 346-6003 huge improvements in the past few years, voices in their communities. Co-ops have Billing Inquiries: (276) 346-6003 and there are more exciting changes to earned that trust because, while not Outages: (276) 346-6065 come that will make this area as perfect, they always have their consumers’ Other Inquiries: (276) 346-6016 technologically advanced as anywhere in best interests at heart and are determined to enrich the lives of those living and Sneedville Office: the world. Stay tuned. All Inquiries: (423) 733-2207 October is National Co-op Month, working in the communities they serve — which is the perfect time to highlight the now and in the future. Calls to all PVEC locations will be many ways electric cooperatives are unique. — Mike Knotts answered by emergency operators after office hours, on weekends & holidays. Visit us at pve.coop You may also contact us at [email protected] Mike Knotts Interim CEO Ronnie Williams Tazewell Area Supervisor Jason Stapleton Jonesville Area Supervisor Joey Southern Sneedville Area Supervisor

Powell Valley Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

18 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Powell Valley Electric Cooperative Billing Corner: Fall Into a New Habit

Location, Location, Location ith daylight-saving time ending Nov. 4th, remember “ ocation, location, location” does not or stop a problem from occurring. to change something other Having your physical address on file with W just apply to real estate sales. Being than your clock. The National Fire PVEC allows us to respond during a time L able to identify your location is very Protection Association recommends that important! Being able to supply your of need in a quick and efficient manner. you also change the batteries in your physical address to first responders, such Do we have your physical or 911 as police, fire department or the 911 address on file? You can verify this by smoke detector. According to NFPA, dispatcher, could save your life. Powell checking your PVEC billing statement smoke detectors have cut the number Valley Electric Cooperative (PVEC) can to see if the “SERVICE ADDRESS” is of home fire deaths in half since they also play a part in the first responders completed and is correct or by speaking were installed in homes during the helping you. How? We receive calls from with one of our customer service 1970s. Unfortunately, a third of those first responders needing us to cut power representatives at your local office. smoke alarms won’t sound due to dead, to clear a dangerous situation for them to Keeping us informed, helps us help you! missing or disconnected batteries, reach the person in need or to minimize Thank you for allowing us to serve you! according to NFPA. While changing your batteries, keep these other smoke alarm tips from NFPA in mind:

What’s a-Cooking? • Don’t paint the smoke alarm or place decorations near it that might ustomer service representative, Gerry Wright, shares her recipe for Spicy Buffalo Chicken Dip. Gerry has worked in the Tazewell area prevent it from working properly. since 2012. C • Test smoke alarms monthly by Ingredients: using the alarm’s test button. 2 large cans of chicken (drain well) 1 block of cream cheese • Replace the batteries in your 1 bag of shredded mild cheddar cheese smoke alarm to keep it in proper 1 small bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing working order. 1 small bottle of Texas Pete Hot Sauce 1 bag of tortilla chips • Your smoke alarm should be replaced once every 10 years. Directions: Mix drained chicken, cream cheese and shredded cheese until well blended. • Never “borrow” a battery from Put in small slow cooker on low, add ranch and hot sauce to taste. (Remember, the a smoke alarm. more hot sauce used the spicier the dip will be.) Cook on low for 30-45 minutes. Enjoy!

Local Spotlight: Hancock County, Tennessee

ancock County borders Clinch Mountain on its south. Newman’s Ridge and the Powell Mountains are on the north where it lies against the southwest border of HVirginia. The county was created from parts of Hawkins and Claiborne counties. The act to establish the county was passed by the state legislature in 1844. However, the county was not created until a ruling by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Hancock County is named after the Revolutionary War patriot John Hancock. The county seat is Sneedville, which was named in honor of attorney William H. Sneed. Some attractions located in Hancock County include Elrod Falls, the Appalachian Quilt Trail, Kyles Ford Hiking Trail and Edward R. Talley Bridge.

Sources: hancockcountytn.com; tngenweb.org/hancock

pve.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 19 Plan ahead for power outages

ommon sense tells us that it’s Other guidelines to keep in mind: always a good idea to be as well prepared as possible, and we’d like • Never use open combustion units C (gas or charcoal, etc.) inside to help you be prepared, in the event there may be an extended interruption of the home. electricity due to harsh weather. We’d like • Wear extra layers of clothing and use to share with you the following list of several layers of blankets. tips that could ease the burden of a power outage: • Do your best not to get wet if you Keep on hand: have no way to get dry. • Flashlights • Close off all rooms that are not in use and do not need to be heated. • Extra batteries • Candles and matches • To keep rooms warm, close curtains, shades and drapes. Cover doors • Wood for fireplace or wood stove and windows. • Kerosene, propane or oil lamp and • Some phones might not work during appropriate fuel a power outage. Make sure you have • Paper plates and plastic utensils at least one phone that you know will work if the power goes out. • Battery-powered radio • Wind-up or battery-powered clock • Keep your refrigerator and freezer door closed! A closed refrigerator • Extra blankets or sleeping bags will keep food chilled for several • Containers for storing water hours even if the power is off, but you must leave the doors closed. • Portable fire extinguisher The more you open the door of • Canned food that doesn’t require a refrigerator or freezer, the more cooking or other easily prepared cold air will escape. foods like fresh or canned fruit, powdered milk, dry cereals, canned tuna, meat spreads and peanut butter • Manual can opener

Tazewell Area Supervisor Ronnie Williams shares safety tips

alloween is one of the most anticipated holidays for a child. Oftentimes there is a fine line between holiday fun and child safety. This is why we would like to share some safety tips to help reduce the Hrisk of injury. • Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. Since masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision, try non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible.

• Have kids use glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.

• Stay alert for kids during popular trick-or-treating hours.

• When selecting a costume make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

20 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Powell Valley Electric Cooperative It’s time for an HVAC check-up

very fall before it gets too chilly outside, call a qualified Eheating and air-conditioning technician to give your central heating system a once-over. In fact, it’s important to have your heating system professionally maintained every fall. Regularly maintaining your heating will help prevent a breakdown on a cold night during the dead of winter. Between annual check-ups, you can head off trouble by paying attention to your heating system. The Power-Restoration Process Here’s how: • Replace your system’s air filters n order to help you understand the power-restoration process that must be followed during a major outage, we would like to illustrate, with the use of the diagram above, once every three months. Dirty the process by which service is restored. filters can get clogged and I prevent air from flowing through During the restoration process, service priorities must be followed in order to get the power back on as quickly and as safely as possible. Attention must first be given to them. That will make your restoration of service to the main power source — that is to the substation or main three- system work harder, which is phase lines, if there are problems affecting them. It’s comparable to electric service in your energy inefficient. home or business — it would be futile to plug an appliance into a wall outlet if your main switch is thrown. During a major power outage, it would be of no benefit for the • When you turn the heat on for cooperative’s crews to attempt to restore power to a tap line that serves your home if the the first time this fall, listen for problems back at the substation or main distribution line aren’t corrected first. banging, rattling or other In the illustration, all the houses are without electricity and there is no damage at the unusual sounds. They could substation. When the main three-phase feeder line is repaired, service to houses 2 and 3 be a symptom of a malfunction- should be restored automatically because there is nothing wrong with the line leading to in-the making. Call your tech to them. The next step would be to repair tap lines leading off the main feeder line. In the check it. diagram, the tree would be removed from the tap line and the line would be repaired. Service would be restored to house 4. • If your windows are steaming up Now, repairs would be made at individual homes. As this work is completed, electric or you see rust or a lot of dirt on service is restored to houses 1 and 5. Of course, this is an extremely simplified version of your heating vents, something is the power-restoration process, and the time involved would depend on the extent of wrong. A professional can damage to an electric utility’s system. diagnose the problem.

• And if some rooms in your Restoration Updates home feel cold, while others are comfortable, that’s a sign that Powell Valley Electric Cooperative will have updated radio announcements during a something’s not quite right. major outage regarding power restoration. For your information, we are providing a list Call for help. of radio stations where you may tune in for updates:

WNTT 1250 AM WMIK 560 AM WFXY 1490 AM Tazewell, Tennessee Middlesboro, Kentucky Middlesboro, Kentucky

WLMU 91.3 FM WCXZ 740 AM WANO 1230 AM Harrogate, Tennessee Harrogate, Tennessee Pineville, Kentucky

WJNV 99.1 FM WSWV 1570 AM or 105.5 FM Jonesville, Virginia Pennington Gap, Virginia

pve.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 21 Prince George Electric Cooperative News Malandro details R 4URALBAND launch; three directors re-elected at PGEC’s 79th Annual Members’ Meeting

njoying a fried chicken dinner and ice cream treats, more than 120 Emembers and guests gathered Aug. 27 for Prince George Electric Cooperative’s (PGEC) 79th annual meeting at co-op headquarters in Waverly. Over 850 members were represented by proxy or in person to participate in this important business meeting. After registering, members attending the meeting received a small gift, had the opportunity to share a picture with Above, L-R: PGEC CFO Robert Hall, PGEC LED Lucy, to pick up numerous energy- board member and VMDAEC Chairman efficiency materials, and to speak with Herbert Patrick and VMDAEC VP of representatives from Fort Lee Federal Governmental Relations Brian Mosier. Credit Union. Attendees also had the Below: CEO Mike Malandro (right) talks chance to tour Prince George County’s with a PGEC member before the meeting. Safety Trailer that helps kids of all ages learn about fire safety. Donnie Drew provided the invocation, PGEC member with LED Lucy. observing a moment of silence for PGEC Vice Chairman Herbert F. Scott, Jr., who had passed away just a few days earlier after nearly 30 years of service on the PRINCE GEORGE co-op’s board of directors. ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Recognizing representatives from the Headquarters: Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association 7103 General Mahone Hwy. P.O. Box 168 Waverly, VA 23890-0168 Customer Service Office: 5718 Courthouse Road Prince George, VA 23875 24-Hour Emergency Service 804-834-2424 Website: pgec.coop Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

President & CEO Mike Malandro, P.E. Prince George Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer. PGEC members enjoy a hearty fried chicken dinner before the meeting.

18 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Prince George Electric Cooperative Above, L-R: PGEC re-elected board members Christopher T. Parker, Denya C. Hankerson and Paul H. Brown. Right: 2018 Grand-prize winners Mrs. Janis Chappell and Franklin W. Williams. Below: Members register for the 79th Annual Meeting. Inset: PGEC Board Chair Paul Brown talks with ODEC CEO Marcus Harris after the business meeting. of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) and Scholarship Foundation and Old Dominion Electric Cooperative four high school juniors who (ODEC), Board Chairman Paul Brown participated in NRECA’s annual joked in reference to the steamy weather, Youth Tour. “if you happen to have a fan, share it with Co-op attorney Lewis Wyche the person next to you!” conducted the election of directors for for three $250 bill-credit certificates given CFO Robert Hall reported on the co-op’s Districts 2, 5 and 7, in which directors to both attendees and those voting by recent successful audit and review of Paul H. Brown of Petersburg, Christopher proxy. The door prizes continued with internal controls, noting PGEC retired T. Parker of Wakefield and Denya C. co-op employees hand-delivering a variety $930,000 in patronage capital at the end of Hankerson of Disputanta were re-elected of gift certificates and special prizes for 2017, for a total of more than $30 million. by acclamation to three-year terms. youthful attendees. Congratulations to After providing a brief history of the The meeting was capped with drawings grand-prize winners Irving Wright Sr., cooperative business model, PGEC Chappell Farms, LLC, and Franklin President & CEO Mike Malandro detailed Williams, as well as our proxy grand-prize progress on PGEC’s fiber-to-the-home winners James Loftis, Faith Holness and program. Following a successful pilot and Robert Lee. aided by public/private partnerships in Prince George, Surry and Sussex counties, the co-op debuted the name R 4URAL BROADBAND on Aug. 18, announcing their goal of providing a “4th utility” that will benefit rural residents as did electricity more than 75 years ago. “You don’t like slow internet, I don’t like slow internet, so we’re going to make it happen — and make it fast!” Malandro said. He showed a video on broadband’s benefits for education, small business and medical providers before concluding, “We plan to expand service by about 1,000 homes and businesses each year, until all of our members have access.” Marketing Manager Glenn Horst recognized local business partners, including Fort Lee Credit Union and the Prince George Fire Department for bringing their safety trailer for the annual meeting. He also recognized the two high school seniors who received scholarships funded by the VMDAEC Education pgec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 19 AMI notification — PGEC to install new meter technology.

n the continuing effort of developing the most modern infrastructure to Ibetter serve its members, Prince George Electric Cooperative (PGEC) will be installing new electric meters throughout its service territory over the next few PGEC Enterprises, LLC, announces months. The Cooperative began installing 4 the new meters in August in north Prince the launch of R URALBAND George and expects the project to be completed by late spring 2019. The new rince George Electric Cooperative’s (PGEC) subsidiary, PGEC Enterprises, meters will improve reliability and LLC, continues to expand the availability of last-mile broadband service to efficiency of the existing electric area homes and businesses. As part of a live demonstration event hosted by distribution system. P “The new meters will allow members the Virginia Rural Center in Prince George County on Aug. 16, PGEC announced to see more detailed information about the launch of R 4URALBAND, its gigabit-speed fiber-broadband service. their energy use when logging into the “We wanted a name that reflects Southside Virginia’s landscape,” explained SmartHub portal, says PGEC Marketing PGEC President & CEO Mike Malandro, adding that “the four Rs stand for Rural, Manager Glenn Horst. “Members will be able to see daily use, which will promote Reliable, Revolutionary and most of all Responsible.” He continued, “Our goal is to greater awareness of daily patterns and make R 4URALBAND the long-awaited solution for equal access.” activities that should promote better PGEC estimates that within the next year, more than 650 of the co-op’s energy-efficiency decisions. “If you haven’t registered your account on SmartHub, commercial and residential accounts will have been connected to reliable, now is a great time to do so,” notes Horst. high-speed internet. “It’s easy and takes less than two minutes “In doing so, we’ll, enhance educational opportunities and foster workforce to sign up.” SmartHub allows members to development that will support economic growth, including home-based pay on their account(s) securely 24/7, sign up for auto draft and even start certain businesses,” Malandro said. service-order requests. To have the necessary infrastructure to expand R 4URALBAND, PGEC is building The impact of the installation will be a system-wide fiber-optic network that will eventually connect all of its distribution minimal with all activity being completed equipment, improving the efficiency, reliability and security of its services. outside of your home and conducted by uniformed employees of Anixter, a “This fiber network will expand our communications bandwidth, enable us to contracted vendor for PGEC. Anixter incorporate smart-grid technology into our daily operations, improve integration of employees will be driving vehicles with distributed energy resources such as renewables, and help our members lower their PGEC Contractor signs, letting you know electricity bills through interactive energy-management programs,” Malandro continued. they are working for PGEC. In addition, your next bill after the installation will As construction progresses, new substation areas to be served will be announced show two readings: one from your old through the website pgecfiber.com, Cooperative Living magazine, the co-op’s social meter and one from the new meter — media channels, and other member-communication outlets. each reading will include the new and old “In the same cooperative spirit that brought electricity to rural areas in the late meter numbers. “Once fully deployed, the new meters 1930s, we’re following the mantra of providing service to those who might will allow for expanded billing options like otherwise go without,” Malandro concluded, adding, “R 4URALBAND is proving to a PrePay option that has shown to help be a fan favorite!” some members manage their energy use more effectively,” Horst says. As the deployment schedule continues, we will post notices on social media identifying areas where the new meters are being installed. Should you have any questions about the new meter deployment, please call Customer Service at 804-834-2424.

20 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Prince George Electric Cooperative Innovative solutions highlighted at Virginia’s Rural Center Roundtable for PGEC’s ‘R 4URALBAND’

early 150 state and local officials and business leaders convened in NPrince George County on Aug. 16 for an Innovation in Broadband Roundtable, sharing updates on the tangible successes and ongoing challenges faced by rural Virginians lacking increasingly vital high- speed internet access. “Universal broadband is an economic necessity, it’s an educational necessity, it’s a moral necessity,” said panelist Evan Feinman, executive director of the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and chief broadband advisor to Gov. Ralph Northam. The event was hosted by the Virginia Rural Center and held at the Prince George Central Wellness Center, one of Nearly 150 state and local officials and business leaders, including PGEC CEO Mike Malandro the first places in the largely rural county (third from left), convened Aug. 16 for an Innovation in Broadband Roundtable. to have received broadband thanks to a promising fiber-optic cable-deployment can start doing it,” said Prince George administrator for Prince George County. program piloted by Prince George Electric County Administrator Percy Ashcraft, The roundtable concluded with a Cooperative (PGEC). When asked about noting that the county has won five awards presentation from Dr. Ted Raspiller, the decision to provide fiber-to-the-home from state and national organizations for president of John Tyler Community services, Mike Malandro, president & CEO its broadband partnership with PGEC. College. As online classes continue to of Prince George Electric Cooperative, Building on the success of its pilot shape the face of higher education, said, “It was the right thing to do. Rural broadband program, PGEC formally Raspiller said his rural students need 4 communities are challenged with announced the launch of R URALBAND, quality internet access. If a student tries to workforce-development issues, stagnate a new gigabit high-speed internet service download a 15-minute lecture video using economic growth and an array of problems offering that will soon be available to its DSL, he said, it can take up to 45 minutes. that can be addressed with access to high- residential and commercial customers. That same video might take actual days to 4 speed internet services. Because of the With R URALBAND or R4, which stands download using dial-up. “High-speed digital divide, rural communities are for Rural, Reliable, Revolutionary and broadband will open the door to suffering, yet are coping in innovative Responsible, the service will be delivered workforce-development issues in rural ways with the help of strong leadership over a system-wide fiber-optic network Virginia,” Raspiller added. from rural electric cooperatives. Rural that PGEC is building to connect all Raspiller’s presentation demonstrated electric co-ops are more than just poles distribution equipment on its grid. new technologies for delivering distance- and wires; they are economic drivers for “We are using the history of the electric learning programs in rural Virginia with the communities they serve.” co-op to chart a new course for fiber the high-speed internet services. As part of “When you have the right partner, you broadband in Prince George County the broadband demonstration, Raspiller can stop talking about broadband, and you today,” said Jeff Stoke, deputy county placed a video call to Kenyada McLeod, an instructional designer at JTCC, who spoke about how internet access made her master’s degree possible. “What I did not want was to have to report to a college campus after having worked all day and send my son somewhere else while I attended classes,” McLeod said, “so distance learning was my answer, and it is because of that little internet connection that I am where I am today.” The demonstration was made possible using the broadband service, R4URALBAND from PGEC Enterprises, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prince George Electric Cooperative.

pgec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 21 A Lifetime of Service: BRIAN CARR

ther than the obvious 24/7 preparedness for restoring power Oduring unexpected outages, lineman Brian Carr shares some insight on his decision to live a life of service to the community at Prince George Electric Cooperative (PGEC). At Prince George Electric Cooperative, Carr has become a local favorite within the company and the community. Carr has been with Prince George Electric Cooperative since 1978. He’s a local celebrity and well-known throughout Virginia for his animal-rescue efforts. Carr is fearless. When he’s not keeping the lights on at PGEC, he can be found volunteering his personal time rescuing “anything” that needs assistance. He lives in Sussex County — but his Ford truck with IGOJUMP on the tag frequently rolls all over Virginia to rescue cats and parachutes stranded high in trees. Carr is a fixture at PGEC and he downplays his love for the life of a lineman. “I thrive on storm work, and I am at my best in times of emergency,” stated Carr. “I never turn down an opportunity to help other cooperatives when they need it.” Carr’s theme throughout the entire conversation was his Carr has been with Prince George Electric Cooperative since 1978. commitment to He is a fixture at PGEC, and he downplays his love for the life of a working hard, lineman. In fact, many of Carr’s colleagues would not want anyone getting the job done else by their side in times of emergency. and giving back to others. In fact, many an area devastated Professional linemen have an inherent risk of Carr’s colleagues by a storm,” Carr with the work they do. There are long would not want anyone said with a big hours, severe weather conditions, training else by their side in smile on his face. requirements, safety requirements and an times of emergency. “Everyone should intense amount of responsibility to deal “For me, it’s the mental spend a day in the field with daily. All of these circumstances can and physical challenge of with a lineman and they be demanding on their own. what the new workday will would come to appreciate His father is the retired manager of bring. You’re never 100 percent the job. When you are knee-deep Prince George Electric Cooperative. PGEC certain if the hot or the cold or a storm is in cottonmouths and fire ants, your is very fortunate to have a committed team going to throw a monkey wrench into appreciation for the work changes.” of employees to include Brian Carr. He is, your normal day. The element of not Carr’s passion for helping other co-ops without a doubt, a superstar within PGEC. knowing what’s around the corner keeps it is evident through his stories about We can rest a little easier knowing Carr is interesting for me. You could be hooking mutual-aid support to other co-ops in on the job and part of our team of up new service one day and then being Virginia and other states, which he has led committed and well-qualified professionals dispatched in the middle of the night for and been a part of throughout his career. keeping the lights on.

22 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Prince George Electric Cooperative The Dreaded Vampire Loads by Tom Tate Fortunately, none of the remedies of fable are necessary. You just need to erhaps you are familiar with an change how you handle these energy- undesirable aspect of the electronic sucking electronics. Here are a few Pand IOT (Internet of Things) suggestions. revolution: vampire loads. Vampire loads come from devices that use electricity even • Unplug chargers when not in use. when they appear to be off. The primary • Invest in smart power strips. These culprits are chargers, set-top television look like normal power strips but boxes, instant-on televisions and gaming have a twist; one of the outlets is the systems. There are others, but these four “master” that receives power all the represent the major offenders. time. The others are off. When the Let’s look at how these vampire loads device connected to the master outlet occur and why they are approaching turns on, the rest of the outlets receive 10 percent of average household electric power too. Ingenious and perfect for use according to the Environmental entertainment setups. Have the Protection Agency. television in the master outlet and Chargers take the 120 VAC (volts when you turn it on, the set-top box, alternating current) power at the outlet speakers, streaming devices, etc., will and reduce it down to the voltage required turn on too. They are also ideal for by the connected device, usually 5 to 12 PCs and their peripherals. VDC (volts direct current). Obviously, when your device is charging, the charger • Turn off the instant-on function on is using electricity, but you might be your TV. Turn off set-top boxes that surprised to learn that chargers are still do not contain the DVR functionality using small amounts of energy even when or use a smart power strip. they’re not connected to a device. Television set-top boxes also consume • Disable automatic updates in gaming energy when they appear to be inactive. consoles and turn the console Anytime the set-top box’s lights are on, it is completely off when you finish using power. Like chargers, they use more using it. when the television is on, but they are always working — even when the TV is • When replacing any device or off. This is especially true for those devices appliance, look for an ENERGY with a DVR function that records your STAR -rated product. favorite TV shows. Vampire loads are a real problem that The instant-on television is another will only continue to grow as the digital culprit. The intention of the “instant-on” age advances. But you can fight the feature is instant gratification for the vampires with vigilance and application viewer, meaning no waiting for the TV to of the recommendations above. turn on and warm up. Unfortunately, for Contact Prince George Electric that convenience, the TV must be on at Cooperative for additional suggestions nearly full power. So, in this mode, it can and energy-saving advice. be a real energy drain. The typical gaming console can use as Tom Tate writes on cooperative issues for the much energy as a regular refrigerator even National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, when it’s not being used. Make sure to the Arlington, Virginia-based service arm of the check the console settings and disable nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit automatic updates, which is where the electric cooperatives. energy drain comes from. Games on the console are frequently updated, which requires a lot of electricity. So how does the average family combat these dreaded vampire loads? Garlic garlands? Silver bullets?

pgec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 23 Apply Now for 2019 VMDAEC Education Scholarships

ny high school or used towards tuition, student achievement and a student’s personal home-school senior fees, room and board or statement. Successful applicants will be Agraduating in the textbooks. The application notified no later than May 31, 2019 . spring of 2019, and whose will be open starting on Since its inception in 2000, the primary residence is served Nov. 1, 2018. Foundation has awarded 683 scholarships by Prince George Electric Please note that to be totaling $582,500. Donations to this program Cooperative, is eligible to VMD AEC Ed uca tion considered complete, SAT are welcome and are tax-deductible. SCHOLARSHIP apply for a $1,000 FOUND A TION and/or ACT scores MUST Questions about donations and the scholarship to be applied to come directly on an official application process should be directed a two- or four-year college or trade school. College Board report and be uploaded into to Sam Brumberg via email at The online application is posted at our application system. This information [email protected]. vmdaec.com and co-opliving.com/ can be found on collegeboard.org and the Founded in 1944, VMDAEC is the trade community/scholarship.htm. The deadline ACT report can be found on act.org. association for Prince George Electric to apply is Friday, Feb. 8, 2019 . Scores listed on transcripts do not qualify. Cooperative and the 14 other not-for-profit Scholarships are awarded by the If a student has taken the SAT more than electric distribution cooperatives serving Virginia, Maryland & Delaware once, he/she may take the best score the Mid-Atlantic region. It is based in Glen Association of Electric Cooperatives’ from each test (“Super Score”), but both Allen, Virginia, and provides safety and (VMDAEC) Education Scholarship tests must be submitted in the package employee training, governmental relations Foundation. An applicant must be to qualify. and legislative and communications entering his or her first semester at a post- The Scholarship Foundation’s board of services, including the publishing of secondary or technical/trade school in the directors will select recipients based on Cooperative Living magazine, for its fall of 2019 and scholarship funds must be criteria including financial need, academic member co-ops.

24 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Prince George Electric Cooperative pgec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 25

OCTOBER 2018 #WeAreREC Connected to the Communities We Serve

Energy use and electricity are rarely two concepts associated with a strong commitment to the community. Unless you are Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC). At REC, the word “connection” means more than the link between the power lines and your home or business. REC is your local, hometown electric cooperative. This October, during National Co-op Month, the cooperative is celebrating the important role it plays in your communities. From being your trusted energy experts, to restoring power when storms pummel the service territory, to supporting the programs and organizations that matter to you, REC is committed to you and your communities.

18 myrec.coop Rappahannock Electric Cooperative #WeAreREC Connected to the Communities We Serve

“The communities we serve are the backbone of everything we do,” said Kent D. Farmer, president and CEO at REC. “We believe in doing our part to support our schools, emergency services and other charitable organizations, because we are all in this together. Your communities are our communities.” REC’s employees live in your neighborhoods. Many of concepts many might never have expected to be a reality. them volunteer on their own time at organizations you may Today it means viewing their energy use in near real support, and as a company REC has dedicated time for time through an app on their mobile device or computer, its employees to make a difference. So far this year, they learning about electric vehicles and charging stations, and have supported and participated in nearly 200 community offering the ability to invest in solar energy by installing events at schools, county fairs, festivals, farmer’s markets panels at your home or participating in the Cooperative and other local gatherings. Sunshare program. “I see REC employees everywhere,” said Kaci Daniel, Aside from in-person involvement in the communities 4-H extension agent in Orange, speaking at the Therapeutic it serves, REC has replied to nearly 1,500 messages on Adventure Camp of Orange, where REC employees were social media and has taken more than 177,000 phone calls volunteering to help children with disabilities. “They from members. The energy experts at REC are available volunteer at county fairs. They help out with events like this to answer questions so members understand how to use Therapeutic Adventure Camp, and I’ve also seen how they energy wisely and to identify potential issues that could be help out with school programs.” causing higher-than-normal energy use. Electric cooperatives like REC are a catalyst for good in “We care about our members and if their bills are higher their communities. than expected, we want to provide them the tools and “They just serve the community in so many ways that support to understand why and how to make changes,” people don’t think of,” said Natalie Heiser, a Culpeper explained Farmer. High School student who participated in the Youth Tour REC energy advisers have conducted nearly 100 energy program, joining other students on a co-op led trip to audits since January and provided more than 1,000 energy Washington, D.C., last summer. “Many think, ‘Oh they fix consultations for members with questions or concerns. the power lines when they’re down.’ But it’s so much more In addition to the knowledgeable employees available to than that. They care about the community, and they care answer your questions, REC provides useful energy advice about the people they serve.” on the myrec.coop website. Co-ops not only engage with their members in their “The bottom line,” added Farmer, “is that if something is communities, they enable them to engage with new important to our members, it’s important to us because in the end, we are all REC.” October 2018 myrec.coop 19 MEMBER News As the Season Changes, So Do Your Rates

Autumn in Virginia brings a bounty of joy such as cooler temperatures, beautiful foliage and a drop in humidity. For members of REC, the season also brings lower rates. Beginning Oct. 1, members will notice a decrease in their electric rates as REC returns to non-summer rates. REC introduced summer rates in June, with members paying slightly more for electricity June through September and less October through May. Summer electricity use drives the cost REC pays for electricity all year. The State Corporation Commission (SCC) approved the implementation of summer rates early in 2018. REC’s SCC-approved rate adjustment went into effect in March. Learn more at myrec.coop/rates.

Cooperative Sunshare “Through Cooperative Sunshare, members get many of the benefits of solar energy without any onsite equipment Solar Made Easy or maintenance,” said Matt Faulconer, manager of external affairs at REC. “It’s a simple way for members to embrace Perhaps you’ve considered putting solar panels on solar power and support renewable energy.” your home or business. Or maybe you’ve determined Members may purchase 50 kilowatt-hour (kWh) blocks the upfront costs of purchasing panels was too high of solar energy for only $1.22 more than they pay now. or found the location of your roof was not optimal to The price for solar energy will remain fixed for three years receive enough sunshine. and is not subject to generation charges, including power Thanks to a new program offered by REC, members cost adjustments or other riders. The program is risk-free can now embrace clean, renewable energy without — members can cancel or change their subscription at any trying to find a way to install panels on your own. time without penalty, although only one change is allowed Cooperative Sunshare allows members to purchase in a 12-month period. blocks of solar power directly from REC. Learn more at myrec.coop/sunshare.

Blocks of solar power are now available to REC members.

20 myrec.coop Rappahannock Electric Cooperative My Usage To access the tools: 1) Sign in to MyREC SmartHub. 2) Click My Usage. That’s It! MyREC SmartHub has all the tools you need If you don’t have a MyREC SmartHub profile, to monitor your energy use daily, monthly and please enroll free using a computer at even compare year-over-year usage. These handy tools are provided free to REC members and all myrec.smarthub.coop. Click on the link next you need is a MyREC SmartHub profile. You can to New User. download the MyREC SmartHub app for iOS or Android, or access the website at From here you can find your kWh usage for myrec.smarthub.coop. the month or day, and compare with what you were using the previous year.

REDUCE THE CLUTTER OF MONTHLY BILLS. Sign up for paperless billing from REC.

Get a notification each month when your bill is ready. View and pay your bill online.

Sign up today in MyREC SmartHub.

October 2018 myrec.coop 21 Reliability

System Inspections Aim to Improve Reliability

REC often asks members to prepare for outages before they occur. And while we can’t predict or prevent storms, we take steps all year long to keep the electric system reliable and secure. With more than 17,000 miles of line across the co-op’s 22-county service territory, REC follows a comprehensive inspection schedule so it can make repairs or upgrades as needed. The following are just some of the proactive system inspections performed by REC on a regular, rotating basis:

• Aerial inspections: Throughout REC’s service territory, there are nearly 400 miles of transmission and subtransmission lines that are patrolled annually by helicopter. The aerial surveillance provides a better vantage point for some concerns, such as conditions of the top of the pole and top side of cross-arms. • Ground-level pole inspections: REC works with a contractor to inspect between 18,000 and 19,000 poles each year, so every pole gets inspected once every 10 years. Inspectors look for signs of wood decay and use special measurements to determine whether a pole can remain in service or whether it needs to be replaced.

2022 myrec.coop Rappahannock Electric Cooperative FIRE SAFETY

REC’s top priority is safety. That’s why the cooperative advocates for the safety of members and employees. October is National Fire Safety Month. The number of residential house fires has decreased over the years thanks to in-home safety alert systems and devices. But, it’s still important to be prepared. Smoke detectors should be installed in bedrooms, outside sleeping areas and on every floor of the house — including basements and attics. “The placement of smoke detectors is important in the case of an emergency, but you also need to make sure they work properly,” said REC’s John Crawford, manager of safety, risk and operational support services. “To ensure proper functioning, smoke detectors should be tested monthly.” According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of every five home fire fatalities resulted in homes with no smoke alarms or inoperable smoke alarms. The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that 11 percent • Substation inspections: These inspections are done monthly of fatal residential fires are the result of an and include checking all electrical equipment as well as electrical malfunction. facilities such as fencing and related structures. REC uses “As a cautionary measure, check plugs infrared inspection equipment at substations twice a year. and cords to make sure they are not • Downline equipment inspections: These inspections are frayed, worn or damaged in any way,” performed annually and include checking on voltage added Crawford. “Likewise, lint is highly regulators, reclosers and other related equipment. flammable, so be sure to clean the lint filter of your dryer after every load.” “After safety, keeping the lights on and providing reliable The American Red Cross encourages electric service is REC’s top priority,” said Sam Wilson, director of you to coordinate and practice a fire substation and transmission engineering and technical services. escape plan. If a fire does occur, get out, stay out, and call 9-1-1. Do not go back inside for anyone or anything.

October 2018 myrec.coop 23 TOGETHER Throwing Shade We Save Landscape Your Way to Energy Savings

The heat is easing up a bit, and cooler fall temperatures are just around the corner. Now’s a great time to knock out some yardwork — and maybe even plant a few trees or shrubs. What you plant and where you plant it can impact your electric bill. Smart landscaping is an easy, cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing way to lower your home energy costs. Did you know? • Strategically positioned trees can save up to 25 percent of a household’s energy consumption for heating and cooling. • Shading an air-conditioning unit can increase its efficiency by up to 10 percent. • On average, a well-designed landscape creates enough energy savings to pay for itself in less than eight years. • To cool the air before it reaches your home, plant Planting trees, bushes or shrubs to shade windows, shrubs and groundcover plants. roofs and air conditioners help reduce solar heat gain in your home, surrounding air temperatures and A windbreak reduces heating costs by lowering the wind overall energy costs. Here are some tips to consider: chill around your home. It also creates dead air space that • Plant a 6- to 8-foot deciduous tree near your home insulates your home in the summer and winter. and it will start shading your windows in the • Plant coniferous trees and shrubs to the north and first year. Deciduous trees block solar heat in the northwest of your home to stop wind. Coniferous trees summer and lose their leaves in the fall, which lets and shrubs have leaves year-round, which provides sunlight in during the winter. continuous shade. • Plant trees with crowns lower to the ground on • Make the distance between your home and the the west side if you want to shade from lower, windbreak about two to five times the height of the afternoon-sun angles. mature tree for maximum protection. • Plant deciduous trees to the south of your home; • Build a fence or wall, in addition to planting coniferous they can screen 70-90 percent of the heat. trees, to deflect the wind over your home. • Plant bushes, shrubs or climbing vines with a • Plant low shrubs on the windward side of the trellis to shade your patio area. windbreak to trap snow before it blows next to your home.

24 myrec.coop Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Throwing Shade President & Chief Executive Officer: Landscape Your Way Kent D. Farmer to Energy Savings Board of Directors: Chairman Christopher G. Shipe Region II

Vice Chairman Darlene H. Carpenter Region III Secretary Linda R. Gray Region VI

Treasurer Michael W. Lindsay Region I

Sanford Reaves, Jr. Region IV

Jesse R. “Randy” Thomas Region V

J. Mark Wood Region VII

William C. Frazier Safety First: Can You Dig It? Region VIII

Eugene L. Campbell, Jr. Region IX

REC NEWS Local Pages Editor – Casey M. Hollins, CCC Staff Writer – Brian Baer

Maybe you’ve waited all summer to plant just the right tree in your yard. Contact Information: But before you grab your shovel, pause and play it safe: Call Virginia 811. P.O. Box 7388 Make the call at least three days before you plan to plant to have your Fredericksburg, VA 22404 800.552.3904 underground utility lines marked. [email protected] If you discover while hand digging near a marked underground line a line that it is too shallow, please contact REC at 1-800-552-3904 so that FIND US ON: we may address the situation. REC maintains our power lines at a depth of at least 24 inches below the surface.

October 2018 myrec.coop 25 FREDERICK

City of Winchester Shenandoah Valley Electric CLARKE WARREN SHENANDOAH

PAGE

Cooperative News ROCKINGHAM

HIGHLAND

AUGUST A

Support SVEC Energy Assistance This Winter

who have financial stress during months only be accepted through Operation when bills tend to increase because of Round Up and no longer can be added colder weather. People receiving SVEC onto winter bills. Energy Assistance funds must be member- Operation Round Up is a program owners of SVEC, but this does not mean where SVEC member-owners voluntarily the support will be only for electric bills; “round up” their bills to the nearest dollar, it will assist with any type of energy costs and the cents flow into a charitable fund (i.e., electric, oil, gas or wood). However, to aid area civic clubs, volunteer the funds will not be available for use as organizations, nonprofits and more. utility deposits. The average amount someone SVEC’s Energy Assistance is participating in Operation Round Up henandoah Valley Electric administered by a number of outside would give is $6 a year. If you want to Cooperative (SVEC) is asking organizations listed below. make a bigger impact for SVEC Energy Smember-owners to consider Anyone wishing to contribute to the Assistance, please consider giving supporting fellow member-owners who fund should sign up or donate a lump sum a lump sum to Operation Round Up, face financial hardships in paying their amount to SVEC’s Operation Round Up. either separately from registering for electric bills this winter. Please note that this arrangement is a new the program or in addition to your The Energy Assistance Program way for member-owners to participate in voluntary enrollment. is designed to aid individuals and families Energy Assistance. Contributions will Ways to Contribute Please bring a check made out to SVEC’s Energy Assistance Partners Operation Round Up to any SVEC office, Member-owners requesting assistance should contact one of the organizations listed in or mail a check payable to Operation their county. The distribution of Operation Round Up funds will begin in January 2019. Round Up to Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative at P.O. Box 236, Mount Frederick, Warren and Clarke counties Page County — Crawford, VA 22841. and City of Winchester — Page One Congregational Community Action 42 W. Main St. You may also sign up and contribute Project (CCAP) Luray, VA 22835 to Operation Round Up through 112 S. Kent St. svec-online.coop by selecting “Operation Winchester, VA 22601 Shenandoah County — Round Up” found under the “Account” St. John Bosco Catholic section on the left. Rockingham County — Outreach (SJBCO) Please help support SVEC Energy Harrisonburg-Rockingham County 315 N. Main St. Assistance and those less fortunate than Salvation Army Woodstock, VA 22664 yourself; remember, this is member- 185 Ashby Ave. owners helping member-owners. Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Augusta County — Staunton-West Augusta County Highland County — Salvation Army Highland County 1700 West Beverley St. Evangelistic Association Staunton, VA 24401 P.O. Box 143 Monterey, VA 24465

18 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative SVEC Celebrates New Complex

henandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) celebrated the opening of its Rockingham Complex with a ribbon cutting and open house on Saturday, Sept. 8. SAbout 250 people attended the event throughout the afternoon. The Cooperative opened the complex in July, addressing a growing need for space since the acquisition of parts of Alleghany Power’s service territory in 2010. It includes a combined headquarters and Rockingham District office building, district warehouse and garage. Visitors received tours of each of the buildings to gain a better understanding of the many aspects involved with providing reliable and safe electric service at the lowest possible cost. “This is not an expense for the Cooperative, as much as it is a long-term capital investment,” SVEC President and CEO Michael Hastings said. “The Rockingham Complex enhances our member service experience and improves employee efficiencies in a property that will suit everyone’s needs for the foreseeable future.” The Rockingham Complex is at 180 Oakwood Drive in Rockingham, Virginia. S O T O H P

N O S P M O H T

Y M M O T

Top: Instead of a traditional ribbon, President and CEO Michael Hastings and Board Chair Fred Garber cut a piece of underground cable with the rest of the Board of Directors surrounding them. From above, right: SVEC Board Chair Garber addresses the audience at the ribbon- cutting ceremony, which was held in the garage at the Rockingham Complex. Among special guests in attendance were, right to left, Frank Tamberrino, president of the Harrisonburg- Rockingham Chamber of Commerce; Del. Steve Landes; Sen. Emmett Hanger and his wife, Sharon; and Del. Ben Cline. Left: SVEC staff took visitors on tours of the office space and warehouse at the new Rockingham Complex. svec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 19 Your Co-op’s ‘Front Line’ Have a Question? MSRs Have an Answer

by Preston Knight, SVEC Writer situation. “You need quick thinkers.” The MSRs handle a myriad of issues, t’s plastered over all things at from taking outage calls to providing Shenandoah Valley Electric information on Cooperative programs, or ICooperative (SVEC), but with a accepting applications for electric service, wall-sized artistic rendering overlooking to name a few, said Barbara Frye, manager them, June Grove and Jenny Tilburg are of Member Services. If they do not know definitely in no position to overlook it: an answer to a question, they at least know “We exist to serve our member-owners.” where to go to find it. While the Cooperative’s mission Helping member-owners understand statement is a guiding principle to their bill and consumption history is one employees across all departments, of the most common daily tasks for MSRs. perhaps nobody carries it out more on It’s one that Grove, in particular, embraces. any given day than member service “I enjoy the satisfaction of helping representatives (MSRs). They are the others,” she said. “If I can sit down with ones answering the phone each time you one of our member-owners and go over call SVEC and they are present to address a high-bill concern by using resources your needs as soon as you enter any available to us, and the member leaves Cooperative office. with a good understanding of their bill, Susan Alexander, an operations member “We’re the front line,” said Grove, then I feel a sense of accomplishment. service representative, designed and a lead MSR in the Augusta District. “We are always billing a month behind painted the wall in the Augusta District to As a lead, she oversees and trains her and sometimes with the seasonal changes, reflect the Cooperative’s commitment to district’s MSRs, who include Tilburg. it is hard to remember how cold or hot it its member-owners. In the unlikely case SVEC’s mission was the previous month. We can look and statement were to ever be lost on them, pinpoint dates and times when someone’s it is drawn — along with sketches of a usage was very low or high.” lineman, person on the phone and light Through what’s known at SVEC as the bulb — on the back wall of the Augusta Command Center, MSRs can access a District MSR area. member-owner’s electricity consumption SHENANDOAH VALLEY “We’re often the first point of contact relative to daily high and low temperatures. ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE for member-owners. First impressions From there, they can answer any account- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 236 Mt. Crawford, VA 22841-0236 are lasting impressions. You have to be related questions and even provide charts friendly, courteous, respectful and for the member-owner. Physical Address: 180 Oakwood Drive Rockingham, VA 22801 knowledgeable,” Tilburg said. “It’s “It can be a challenge to break it all 800-234-SVEC (7832) important to know customer service and down,” Grove said, “but if you are Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. a little bit about everything at SVEC.” successful, it’s like a light bulb going off in svec.coop Grove adds: “‘We exist to serve our that member-owner’s head. Sometimes, it President and CEO member-owners.’ That’s big for me. is just a matter of helping the member- Michael W. Hastings I enjoy dealing directly with member- owner remember a period of time when Board Chair owners and not only meeting, but also the temps were either very low or very Fred C. Garber exceeding their expectations.” high, they previously had an appliance, Local Pages Editor heat pump or well pump issue, or Kathleen Josephson Handling All Thrown Their Way additional people were in the home. All Writers Cammie Tutwiler Across five offices, SVEC employs of these drive up usage.” Preston Knight 31 MSRs, including a lead for each Frye said: “This information from building. They field well over 100,000 SVEC’s metering system, combined with For all questions concerning advertising, contact Cooperative Living at 804-346-3344. business calls a year, with an average the MSR’s training to evaluate the speed of answering these inquiries of information, is a valuable tool to assist This institution is an equal opportunity about a minute. member-owners in their energy- provider and employer. SVEC supports our armed services and veterans in “You’ve got to be a chameleon,” management efforts. This attention to employment opportunities. Tilburg said, referencing an MSR’s ability member-owner service makes the to adapt to a member-owner’s specific ‘Cooperative Difference. ’”

20 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative Additionally, member-owners can those facing challenges with making their is already on the wall: They exist to serve analyze their bills on their own and payments, or for those who perhaps member-owners. calculate how much electricity-specific simply forgot to pay, it’s important to “I don’t like leaving them with a feeling appliances consume through SVEC’s understand that there are two bills and a that they didn’t get an answer to their Home Energy Advisor, found at svec.coop. delinquent notice sent before electricity is question,” Grove said. “We certainly don’t SVEC has the lowest residential rates cut off. Altogether, payment is 50 days past have all the answers, but we do know per 1,000 kilowatt-hours among due before disconnection occurs. where to go to get them. This may require electric cooperatives regulated in the But MSRs want to help member-owners researching and calling the member-owner commonwealth, and MSRs seek to avoid getting to that point. back or referring it to another department maintain that status. “We’re parents. We have children in the to follow-up. “Some of us are member-owners home. We’ve had hardships. We’re human. “When a member-owner calls back to ourselves,” Tilburg said. “We want to keep We’re empathetic,” Tilburg said. “We’ll thank me for helping them, it really makes our own bills down as much as possible.” follow up with people to make sure they my day.” are being taken care of.” There to Help Days that might be spent assisting One of the toughest parts of the job, member-owners with high-bill concerns MSRs say, is trying to accommodate or working with those in difficult SVEC July Major Outages member-owners who are struggling financial times require a “tough person,” financially. In these situations, the earlier said Alice Kenney, an MSR in the 7/4 South Braddock Street area someone can express their hardships to Winchester District. 1,000 members out for 3 hours the Cooperative, the better. “All of us work really hard, and some Live tree off of right-of-way “If member-owners will contact us far days it’s easier. That’s why it’s important to South Braddock Street area enough in advance, we can offer payment have good lead MSRs so that we’re all 7/15 1,000 members out for 3 hours arrangements, or suggest local agencies for treated equally,” she said. “If it ever gets to Lightning assistance,” Grove said, adding that calling the point of being too stressful, you just try 211 or visiting 211.org is a good resource to take a deep breath, and try to laugh.” 7/25 Fort Valley, Mt. Olive and Deer to find what’s available in your community More often than not, an MSR ends the Rapids areas for assistance. day with a sense of accomplishment, 2,500 members out for 1 hour The disconnection of a member-owner’s knowing the next day will bring a new, Snake in substation service does not occur overnight. For unpredictable set of questions. The writing

Important Tips from MSRs MSRs offer the following pieces of information in hopes of allowing them to be as efficient and effective as possible. 1. Keep your phone number current. You can update this without calling or visiting an office by logging onto the e-Business page at svec-online.coop. 2. When placing a work order, please have as much information about the project as possible. 3. Do not be concerned with paying by credit or debit card over the phone. The system that SVEC uses is set up to keep a member- owner’s information secure, and MSRs do not have access to your credit or debit card numbers.

svec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 21 October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

ccording to the Centers for Disease so important to take this form of Control (CDC), one in four violence incredibly seriously because Awomen and one in seven men face it doesn’t just leave a scar. It severe physical violence by an intimate destroys lives. partner at some point during their lifetime. New Directions can be reached by Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative calling its 24-hour crisis line at is committed to supporting employees (540) 886-6800 or visiting who are victims of intimate-partner or newdirectionscenter.org. family-member violence by providing referrals to community resources and/or Beth Ogle, court time off. In recognition of October as and community Domestic Violence Awareness Month, collaboration below are messages from area personnel coordinator, Response Inc. who work year round on the issue. (Shenandoah County) It’s important to know that the most Manuela S. Vazquez, community dangerous time for a survivor is when they outreach and volunteer coordinator, leave the abusive relationship. We urge First Step (Rockingham County) anyone who is thinking of leaving to reach Domestic violence includes various out for services first. A domestic violence types of abuse, such as: verbal, emotional/ advocate can help you develop a safety psychological, economic/financial, sexual plan to make sure you get out safely and assault and stalking. Although physical with the least amount of difficulty. abuse is more commonly known and is People who are exposed to intimate- the trunk of a car, at a friend’s home, or a the most noticeable, it’s important to note partner violence face trauma that can affect local domestic violence program’s office. the prevalence of other types of abuse their physical and mental health. It can Choices of Page County can be reached by and keep in mind that these are not influence every aspect of their life, from calling (540) 743-4414 or visiting mutually exclusive. productivity at work and school, to their choicesofpagecounty.org. We hear daunting stories of someone ability to interact with their peers. When being killed at the hands of their abuser a community understands the dynamics Faith Power, executive director, and we think, “How could this have of intimate-partner violence, they can The Laurel Center (Winchester and happened?” Something most of us find better respond to the needs of the survivor Frederick/Clarke/Warren counties) surprising is that abusive relationships and help them recover from this trauma This month presents us with an often begin in verbal abuse, which can more effectively. opportunity to recognize the individuals gradually turn into physical abuse as the Response can be reached by calling its and organizations that work tirelessly to perpetrator continues to manipulate the hotline at (540) 459-5161 or visiting prevent domestic violence throughout our other person. responseva.org. region. Many organizations that help First Step can be reached by calling survivors of domestic violence will be (540) 434-0295 or visiting firststepva.com. Debbie Dart, director, Choices/Council holding events to raise awareness. on Domestic Violence (Page County) Participation in these events is an Kara Marushi Pyles, director of Common misconceptions regarding important way to raise awareness and to programs and development, New domestic violence are that a person in a help break the cycle of violence in our Directions Center (Augusta County, violent relationship can leave anytime he communities. Some other ways you can Staunton, Waynesboro) or she wants. This is not true. Fear is a make a difference are to volunteer, donate There is not one person or community very powerful tool. Victims of domestic goods, distribute purple ribbons to visible that is immune from becoming the victim violence believe that their partners are community members, and make small of intimate-partner violence. It affects omnipotent. They believe the threats of donations to shelters and agencies that run all socio-economic classes, ages, suicide and homicide. They believe it on shoestring budgets. ethnicities and communities; however, when abusers tell them that “no one will Together we can make change and the warning signs or red flags of domestic believe anything that you say.” Abusers are bring domestic violence out of the violence are still rarely talked about or often more likely to seriously injure or kill shadows and help ensure that victims widely known, making prevention their partner when they leave. receive vital services. extremely difficult. In a rural area, advocates and victims The Laurel Center can be reached at its Without education on the dynamics have to get creative to maintain safety. 24-hour hotline at (540) 667-6466 or by of domestic violence, people are more Safety planning is crucial prior to leaving a visiting thelaurelcenter.org. susceptible to becoming entrapped in a violent relationship. For example, having violent and lethal situation. According to signals worked out with neighbors, i.e., the CDC, half of all female homicide blinds up or down, porch or barn light left victims are killed by intimate partners. It’s on, and hiding important documents in

22 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative Let Your Voice Be Heard: Register to Vote

Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) encourages everyone to vote in this year’s elections on Nov. 6. The first step is to make sure you are registered to vote. In September, SVEC began holding voter-registration drives throughout its service territory, including on National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 25. These efforts continue the first part of October, so please contact SVEC, visit svec.coop or check any of its social media channels to learn where additional events will be held. The deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration, is Monday, Oct. 15. Voting is an important right for every American. At SVEC, the civic virtue of voting is in our DNA. Encouraging voter participation in elections is one of the ways we demonstrate our cooperative principle of Democratic Member Control. Hosting opportunities for our communities to register to vote is a second way this voter- registration program demonstrates our cooperative principles, our Concern for Community. Aside from general elections, mid-term elections being held this year are the highest profile elections in the country and give voters a chance to affect the makeup of the House and the Senate as well as to select their local legislators. One challenge has been inspiring rural populations to turn out to vote. Research has demonstrated that updating voter registration in advance is the surest way to ensure people have trouble-free experiences at the polls. Please consider registering to vote this year and let your voice be heard at the ballot box!

Happy National Co-op Month!

ctober is National Co-op Month, which is the perfect time to Ohighlight the many ways cooperatives stand out. Cooperatives exist to meet a need that was previously unmet in the communities they serve, and they are ever striving to anticipate and plan for the future needs of their member-owners. Co-op Month has been a nationally recognized celebration since 1964, when U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman, a former Minnesota governor, proclaimed October as Co-op Month. There are more than 40,000 cooperative businesses in the United States with 350 million members, many of whom belong to more than one co-op. Cooperatives abide by seven guiding principles, such as Democratic Member Control and Concern for the Community, all of which show a commitment to members’ needs. Please join Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative in celebrating co-ops across many facets of our area this October! svec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 23 It Takes a Village ... Creative Works Farm Makes Anything Possible M

R by Preston Knight, SVEC Writer “Every building and every road, we A F built. It’s been a true blessing,” he said. S K

R earch for Adaville, Virginia, on a “I’m just a big kid. I love being with the O W map and you will come up empty. kids and hanging out with them, and E V I

T The only way to find this tiny hopefully making a small difference in A

E S

R hamlet is to drive deep into the gated their lives.” C

F community along a gravel road, past a Camp LIGHT stands for “Love Inspire O

Y large barn on your left and swim complex Give Hope Teach” and brings in youth S E

T off in the distance to your right. It’s an ages 6-17 for weeklong experiences R U

O unexpected spectacle of yesteryear, this throughout the summer. An adult camp C

S 1950s-era village that has everything was introduced this year. O T

O except humans. Children and adults with special needs H P There’s a pool hall, diner, gas station, are invited to attend the camp. More than general store, theater, barber shop, town half of them also have some level of hall and, to literally top it off, a 14-foot-tall behavioral diagnosis. This is one way in statue of a soda jerk keeping watch. If the which Camp LIGHT shines. whole place were to serve no greater “Some camps may not accept children purpose than to just exist, it would be with behavioral issues because it does one of the coolest spots in the change the dynamic, but we are fortunate Shenandoah Valley. to have counselors who understand how But it’s much more than that. to work in these situations and how to Adaville is the main hub of the help kids decompress,” said Kelly Truxell, 160-acre Creative Works Farm outside Creative Works’ development director and of Waynesboro. Creative Works Farm Scott Balsley’s sister. “It’s important that the doubles as the name of a non-profit kids get to interact with others who are organization that provides agricultural facing similar obstacles. They realize they educational opportunities for anyone but are not so alone, and they build friendships From top: The makeshift 1950s village at primarily operates Camp LIGHT, which with peers they wouldn’t meet otherwise.” Creative Works Farm features a pool hall, serves more than 150 children and adults Most children attend the camp from diner, gas station, general store, theater, with special needs each summer. within a 40-mile radius, though with barber shop, town hall and more. They were A carpenter by trade, Scott Balsley long-term plans to host overnight camps, all built by founder Scott Balsley. Balsley said opened the farm and camp with his wife, the reach will likely expand. At that point, he’s just a “big kid” who enjoys “making Cathy, in 2014 and has progressively Truxell said the number of campers served things that are fun and silly.” Opposite top, developed Adaville to be an integral part of would be able to increase to about 600 from left: Camp LIGHT campers. The diner. both in the years since. a year.

24 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative O T O H P

T H G I N K

N O T S E R P That’s quite a jump considering the ability to make it come to fruition. during camp, that building is only open humble beginnings operating out of one It’s hard not to direct your focus to on the final day so it doesn’t distract from bay of a three-bay garage on the property. Adaville, and it’s difficult to imagine a other recreational opportunities kids would Then again, you can’t stop progress when more stunning gift for children and “big not normally have. a burgeoning town needs the space. kids” alike to enjoy. The gas station has a “People don’t get enough of that, just “ring bell for service” button that, when enjoying the big outdoors,” Truxell said. Home of Fun and Silly pressed, initiates an engine that revs With that, it’s worth viewing Creative The Balsleys purchased the property and car headlights that flash. Kids build Works Farm as more than Adaville. It has from a stranger named Walton Thompson, a pinewood derby car in the shop a corn maze, hiking trail, garden, pool, who agreed to donate 40 of the 160 acres during camp. fishing pond, archery area, horseback and finance the rest. He then surprised A music store enables you to stand in riding, and future plans to add many more everyone at Creative Works Farm’s ribbon front of a green screen, wear your costume amenities, including a zip line. The barn cutting in 2014 by announcing he would of choice and create a music video to take that you pass on your left upon entrance forgive any remaining debt and donate the home on DVD. You can get fun tattoos in a is nearing completion, and will be an entire property to the non-profit. tattoo parlor, take photos in a camera additional educational resource as well as In creating Adaville, the Balsleys store, hang out in a 1950s-replica diner small event center. returned the favor, as best they could, to and hold a theater production inside a School groups frequently visit the farm Thompson. Ada is the man’s late wife, the makeshift television set. while special events are held year round to general store is called Thompson’s and the Then there’s the 14-foot “Sam the Soda benefit Camp LIGHT. To those who have road through the makeshift town is Jerk,” which is fashioned after the Midas attended the program, they don’t need to Walton’s Way. “Muffler Man.” To make Sam, Balsley look for it on a map. It’s home to them. “He calls us his children,” Scott Balsley borrowed a mold of the Midas statue from “For parents, it’s a trusting place to send said of Thompson, who is now 97 and his friend Mark Cline, a well-known artist your kids. They overcome fears. They try lives in Madison County. “His gift was who is famous for making whimsical, new things and learn to stretch their such a huge thing for us.” eye-popping works locally, such as the limits,” Truxell said. “Seeing kids do things Balsley and Truxell grew up in a home Foamhenge display now in Centreville. they thought they never could, to go from, environment that they said stressed the “I like making things that are fun ‘I can’t do it,’ to being able to do it is just importance of giving back and accepting and silly,” Balsley said, channeling his really cool. You can’t help but feel fulfilled others, especially children with special inner-Cline. after spending time with them. There are needs. Creative Works Farm is the Truxell said birthday parties are just so many moments that warm your heart.” byproduct of that upbringing, and welcome in Adaville since the pool hall For more information, visit Thompson’s generosity accelerated their makes for a perfect play spot. However, creativeworksfarm.org.

Creative Works Farm hosts several events throughout the year, with its biggest endeavor being “Farming in the Valley,” through a partnership with the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce. Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative is proud to be one of the sponsors of this event. What: A family-friendly festival geared toward educating children about agriculture

O through a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, corn maze, pony rides and more. T O

H When: 12-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7 P

T Creative Works Farm, 107 Creative Works Lane, Waynesboro

H Where: G I

N Cost: $5 for adults; $3 for kids 5 and up; children 4 and under free. Tickets can be K

N purchased at the gate on the day of the festival. O T

S For more information, visit farminginthevalley.com. E R P svec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 25 Your Co-op Your News

We’d like to thank our members for attending the 81st Annual SEC Celebrates Membership Meeting! National Co-op Month This year marked the 81st annual meeting and it was held on Sept. 22. It takes a lot of time and hard work by each ctober is National Co-op Month, where other utilities did not find it of the employees and directors to plan which is the perfect time to economically feasible. and execute an annual meeting. A big highlight the many ways electric Cooperatives exist to meet a need that thank you goes out to the employees O for keeping the members in mind when cooperatives are unique. Cooperatives are was previously unmet in the community, planning for an event like this. The locally governed, looking out for the long- and they are ever striving to anticipate and meeting is for you and we want you to term needs of their members. plan for the future needs of their members. have an enjoyable experience. Electric cooperatives belong to the Electric cooperatives often partner with We want to thank all of the members who attended this year’s meeting. It is communities they serve. This heightened local groups to bring economic opportunity hard to believe that Southside Electric community focus allows us to quickly to their local community. It is this Cooperative first began in 1937. We still adapt to evolving consumer expectations. facilitation role that is often the most value the same mission 81 years later, Our closeness to the community ensures valuable strength of the co-op. which is to efficiently deliver safe, reliable a better response to these needs because The co-op business model is unique. electric service to our members. We were pleased to provide members we are led by the people that we serve. It is pragmatic, mission-oriented and puts attending the meeting with an LED people first. Co-ops strive to be a trusted Co-ops are a catalyst for good battery-operated lantern. Southside voice in their communities. Co-ops have Electric Cooperative also gave away Electric co-ops, like Southside Electric earned that trust because, while not many other great prizes! As always, one Cooperative (SEC), are a catalyst for of the main draws was the grilled chicken perfect, they always have their members’ lunch! Look for photos from the event in good in their communities. Co-ops best interests at heart and are determined the November-December issue of engage their members to do things that to enrich the lives of those living and Cooperative Living magazine. might otherwise be impossible or difficult, working in the communities they serve –– like more than 75 years ago when now and in the future. electric co-ops brought power to areas SOUTHSIDE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE 1-800-552-2118 Outages Only: 1-866-878-5514 Central District/Hdqtrs. – Crewe Eastern District – Dinwiddie Northern District – Powhatan Western District – Altavista Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Website: sec.coop President & CEO Jeffrey S. Edwards Local Pages Editor Lauren A. Irby

Southside Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

18 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Southside Electric Cooperative Energy assistance for members available through the Virginia Department of Social Services

s cooler weather approaches, Southside Electric Cooperative Fuel Assistance: Helps (SEC) wants to ensure that eligible households with the A costs of heating their homes. eligible members are aware that the Applications will be accepted Virginia Department of Social Services from the second Tuesday in offers assistance with paying energy bills. October until the second In order to qualify for this benefit Friday in November. program, members must be a resident of Crisis Assistance: Helps the state of Virginia and must require households in heating- financial assistance for home energy costs. emergency situations with For more information, visit sec.coop/ primary-heat security deposits, EnergyAssistance or contact the Virginia utility heating bills, repair/ replacement of heating Department of Social Services through equipment, primary heating commonhelp.virginia.gov or fuel or emergency shelter. 1-855-635-4370.

Fall and Winter Energy-Saving Tips from the U.S. Department of Energy

Take Advantage of Heat • Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades Maintain Your Heating Systems on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing. from the Sun • Schedule service for your heating system. • Open curtains on your south-facing windows Adjust the Temperature • Furnaces and heat pumps: Replace your during the day to allow sunlight to naturally • When you are home and awake, set your filter once a month or as needed. Find out heat your home, and close them at night thermostat as low as is comfortable. more about maintaining furnaces or boilers to reduce the chill you may feel from and heat pumps. cold windows. • When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10-15 degrees • Wood- and pellet-burning heaters: Clean Cover Drafty Windows for eight hours and save around 10 percent the flue vent regularly and clean the inside of the appliance with a wire brush periodically • Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a year on your heating and cooling bills. to ensure that your home is heated efficiently. a frame or tape clear plastic film to the A smart or programmable thermostat can Find other maintenance recommendations insides of your window frames during the make it easy to set back your temperature. for wood- and pellet-burning appliances. cold winter months. Make sure the plastic • If you have a heat pump, maintain a moderate is sealed tightly to the frame to help setting or use a programmable thermostat Lower Your Water Heating Costs reduce infiltration. specially designed for use with heat pumps. • Turn down the temperature of your water R

E heater to the warm setting (120 degrees

D Find and Seal Leaks D

A Fahrenheit). You’ll not only save energy, L • Seal the air leaks around utility cut-throughs R you’ll avoid scalding your hands. E

N for pipes (plumbing penetrations), gaps E • Find other strategies for energy-efficient W

around chimneys and recessed lights in F

O water heating. insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces Y S

E behind cupboards and closets. T

R Lower Your Holiday Lighting Costs U

O • Find out how to detect air leaks.

C • Use light-emitting diode — or LED —

O

T • Learn more about air sealing new and holiday light strings to reduce the cost of O

H existing homes.

P decorating your home for the winter holidays. • Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air • Learn about the advantages and potential leaks around leaky doors and windows. cost savings of LED holiday light strings.

sec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 19 BUSINESS PROFILE What’s brewing in Powhatan? Local brewery offers unique experience

By Lauren Irby, Communications Specialist

t’s a warm Friday afternoon in Powhatan, and those weary from a long week are beginning to Imake their way to the area’s hidden gem: Fine Creek Brewing Company. The laughter of children playing on the spacious lawn surrounding the Southside Electric Cooperative-served business greets visitors upon arriving. The occasional afternoon breeze that blows through as the sun heads west makes this a perfect evening to spend outside. Indoor and outdoor fireplaces and a fire pit create cozy spots to relax with friends in the cooler months. Fine Creek Brewing is located roughly 10 minutes from Powhatan State Park. In the fall, the foliage in the area makes for a peaceful backdrop. Perched at From top: Daniel Chiles, taproom manager, prepares a glass of Helles Lager for a customer. the top of a small hill, the brewery has a gorgeous Head Brewer Gabe Slagle crafts each brew with view of the foliage of the surrounding wooded area care and creativity. Right, from top: The grilled as well as the unique locations that accompany it.

pizzas, served on slate, are a crowd favorite. Fine O T

“We are a family-owned business, and there are O

Creek Provisions offers guests an assortment of H P three parts to all that we have going on,” says

local products and dessert items. Fine Creek G N Taproom Manager Daniel Chiles. I

Brewing Oud Bruin Mixed Culture Sour Beer in W E

“We have a private events venue, The Mill at Fine special bottle packaging. Below: Fine Creek R B

Creek. They do mostly weddings, but they have K

Brewing offers visitors indoor and outdoor E E business functions, private parties and host charity seating options. The menu at Fine Creek Brewing R C dinners there as well. Second, we have the cottages features many local ingredients, including some E N I and general store (Fine Creek Provisions) that has from their own backyard garden! F

20 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Southside Electric Cooperative locally sourced goods. There are 13 cottages can still help them enjoy a crazy IPA or a for those who order Oktoberfest pours that are open to the public. Then, of fruity beer. We really want to be a place during the event, there are one-liter steins course, the brewery and taproom.” where everyone can enjoy. We work hard made in Germany and stemmed glasses as This convenient setup nestled off of the to make sure that our staff is well educated part of a “steal the glass” deal. main highway offers a charming experience on what we have and are comfortable with Wanting to give back to the community, for all guests, whether they like beer or helping everyone. I’d like to think that is the group holds charity nights two not. On this particular day, upon entering something that keeps people coming back.” Thursdays each month where a portion of the taproom the mouth-watering smell of While the event venue has been in the proceeds for the evening goes to local grilled veggie pizzas beckons you to operation for 15 years as of October, the causes. Chiles explains, “It helps to promote investigate the menu offerings for the day. brewery has been open for 17 months. their mission, and the local groups we Chiles explains, “One of the biggest While there seems to be a healthy stream partner with are very supportive.” things that sets us apart is that we have our of guests, the brewery doesn’t do much Fine Creek Brewing’s taproom is open own kitchen with a chef that makes her advertising. It has been able to gain all year, Thursday through Sunday. For own menu. She has creative freedom and exposure through word-of-mouth from hours of operation or venue and cottage works with our team here and also happy customers. reservations, please visit finecreekbrewing.com collaborates with the chefs from the Mill at “It’s a great place to come spend an or email info@finecreekbrewing.com. Fine Creek. Our menu changes weekly. afternoon or evening. We do get a lot of We do try to source as many ingredients people that end up spending two or three locally when we can, including what we hours here. We have a lot of regulars get from our own gardens here. We have whom we know on a first-name basis who 12 garden beds where we get many herbs, live in the area,” says Chiles. vegetables and flowers. We also grow a “We are a little off the beaten path,” he small batch of cascade hops we use in one continues. “The space is something that beer yearly.” also sets us apart. We try to make it Chef Sarah Tocco has total freedom with manageable in the heat with fans in the the menu. The food menu rotates, with covered areas, and we have a ton of outdoor past offerings including grilled pizzas, seating. We get a lot of families out here. smoked salmon and English-style savory One of the owners (Mark Benusa) and I

hand pies. both have kids so we want to make this S O

“We try to mix it up and get creative,” place accessible to people with kids.” T O H P

Chiles adds. Fine Creek Brewing’s big event each G N

The brewery currently has 12 beers on year is Oktoberfest, which takes place the I W draft. Head Brewer Gabe Slagle works to last two weekends of September — E R B

offer a wide variety of brews to meet every adhering to the traditional Oktoberfest K E taste preference: Helles Lager, Grisette, time period. E R C

Pale Ale, Lemon Zest Cream Ale and Thai The event offers the release of E N I

Tea Milk Stout to name a few. German brews like Bavarian Hefeweizen, F Chiles adds, “While we do a lot of Oktoberfest Lager, Rauchtoberfest and Below: The cottages are located between ‘complex’ beers, the biggest thing I enjoy is Weizenbock. Of course, a festive-themed the brewery and the venue, making the trying to make all the beer here approachable menu is offered and live music is featured location perfect for wedding parties to everybody. So, if they like domestics, I on both Saturdays. And as an extra treat and guests.

sec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 21 Tree Trimming on SEC Power Lines

By Louis Urbine, Contractor Administrator

rees benefit us in many ways. They provide shade in the summer, protect us against cold winds in the winter, provide Thabitat for wildlife, and filter our air and water. They also continue to be the leading cause of outages for Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC), causing thousands of outages each year (see Figure 1). Each August, SEC analyzes and designates which lines will be trimmed during the following year, based on information related to the last trim and outage history. Currently, our trim cycle averages around seven years, which means a crew will be trimming the circuits about every seven years. With just under 7,500 miles of overhead line (primary and secondary), and an estimated 2,300,000 trees along our rights-of-way, it is important to ensure the trees are trimmed properly so SEC can provide safe and reliable electricity to Figure 1. 2017 Top Six Vegetation-Related Outage Types our members. Once the Cooperative designates the circuits to be trimmed, And finally there is the mowing crew. This crew grinds any brush crews are notified, and letters are mailed to the members on those that was cut by the trimmer or bucket trucks in unmaintained areas. circuits. Letters normally arrive approximately two weeks prior to SEC has transitioned to forestry heads on skid steers in most cases, crews starting the circuit. The work is spread throughout the year, so as the forestry heads are able to provide a cleaner final product in there are multiple crews working on the system at any given time. the rights-of-way. Crews are instructed to mow along both sides Once the crew starts on a circuit, the first thing members will see of the right-of-way (see Figure 5), and remove any brush that is the mechanical trimmer (see Figure 2). The trimmer is a large, exceeds 3 feet in height. There are times that tractors with mowers wheeled, off-road machine that trims the limbs along the right-of- are still used in certain areas. way. Trimmers can reach around 70 feet high and have an Our members will see multiple crews working at any given extendable boom with a saw blade. time. Please remember each has a task to complete during the The second phase will bring the bucket trucks (see Figure 3). trimming process. This crew will remove any hazard trees, trim yard trees and trim any There are several ways our members can help the Cooperative other area that the mechanical trimmer is not able to complete. manage its rights-of-way. First, don’t plant trees in the right-of-way. These crews trim to obtain enough clearance for the tree to last until Those 1-to-3-foot trees will continue to grow, and without proper our next cycle, trimming 30 feet in width for single-phase lines and homeowner maintenance could pose a threat to the line in as little as 40 feet in width for three-phase lines. Crews are also instructed to three years. Second, if you have a tree that is dead, diseased or in get at least 10 feet below the system neutral. Fast-growing yard trees some way poses a threat to the line, call the Cooperative and report may require additional clearance to remain clear of the line until it. An SEC representative will come out and evaluate the tree and crews arrive during the next cycle. Members will see limbs in their provide you with information on what, if anything, needs to be yard once this work is completed, and our goal is to have limbs done. As a reminder, SEC’s line personnel do not clean up trees they located in maintained areas removed within three working days. trim or cut down. They will work with the member to trim or cut Next on the list will be the chip crew (see Figure 4). Those crews down hazard trees, but they will leave the debris and wood on the chip any brush within maintained areas. Crews may also transport member’s property as the member owns the tree. the chips to members in the immediate area who may want to use For more information, visit sec.coop or call 1-800-552-2118. them as mulch. We get many requests from our members who utilize the chips from these crews.

Figure 4. Bucket truck with chipper Figure 2. Mechanical trimming

Figure 3. Bucket trimming Figure 5. Mowed right-of-way

22 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Southside Electric Cooperative Member Spotlight Jim and Gladys Bennett

By Mark Thomas, Community Relations Coordinator

t was a community project that grew out of a summertime conversation on Jim Iand Gladys Bennett’s front porch. Jim Bennett and neighbor Dennis Ramsey often talked about how their rural Paineville community in Amelia County needed its own fire station. Bennett says the county had mentioned it, but didn’t have the money nor the interest. During a summer discussion on the porch in the late 1980s, Bennett and Ramsey decided to start a department and enhance fire Spearheading the fire department has Jim and Gladys Bennett outside their protection in the community. been just one of the volunteer projects in community’s fire station. The Bennetts A Northern Virginia resident with which Jim and Gladys Bennett have spearheaded work to start the department. roots in Paineville donated the land. participated. Fundraising yard sales and potluck “We retired from our jobs and then we board and was on the Board of Supervisors dinners started taking place. Gladys started volunteering. And we enjoyed it,” when a cemetery for veterans was located Bennett, Janet Ramsey and other ladies says Jim Bennett, who’s 90 and retired after in the county. Then-Gov. George Allen sold hot dogs and bowls of pinto beans. 37 years with what is now Dominion appointed Bennett, who served in the U.S. People donated items to auction. Energy. Gladys Bennett spent 25 years at Army, to the cemetery’s first board. “We were selling anything we could get the Department of Motor Vehicles before For the Bennetts, volunteering has been our hands on,” Jim Bennett remembers. retiring. The Bennetts will be married a way to help others, to treat them the way Bennett recalls that people would just 67 years on Oct. 27, the same day Gladys they wanted to be treated. Jim Bennett says hand him money for the firehouse. All Bennett will celebrate her 84th birthday. it’s not about being praised. total, he says some $38,000 was donated. They’ve been Southside Electric “Leave something behind that shows Others volunteered equipment and time to Cooperative members since 1974. you helped the world as you came build the 2,400-square-foot metal building. Gladys Bennett served on the county through,” he says. Other fire departments donated trucks. electoral board, as a library trustee and For Gladys Bennett, it was that and While they were working on the project, part of the auxiliary for all of the county also being a good role model for the next they were also praying. Jim Bennett fire departments. With the auxiliary, she generations. The Bennetts have three remembers a time when he had about helped start a clothes closet for people children, two grandsons and three great- $2,200 in bills with no more money to pay who had lost their possessions in fires. grandchildren. Her greatest accomplishment, and no materials to keep building. The That closet now serves anyone in need. she says, is reading the Bible through Bennetts and others started praying, and She and her husband also picked up trash 35 times. Her husband says he’s done that he put the word out that funds were needed. for years as part of the Adopt-a-Highway 51 times. Daughter Sandra, who sat in on The late Mike Salster, who was then program with the Virginia Department of the living room conversation with her editor of the local newspaper, told Bennett Transportation. Jim Bennett just received parents, has read it through 25 times. he was going to send a letter to a friend a certificate for 30 years of service. The Bennetts attend Sandy Creek and sign Bennett’s name. That letter Jim Bennett was on the Amelia County Baptist Church, and Jim Bennett still picks brought a $6,000 check. Planning Commission and also spent up trash and works a precinct on Election “There’s no doubt in my mind (the Lord 20 years on the Board of Supervisors. He Day. Both laughing, they say there is one answered our prayers),” Bennett says. “I was on the board when Amelia began volunteer project they won’t do. felt like hollering praise the Lord when I taking outside trash, which continues to “I’ll never build another firehouse,” opened that envelope.” bring added revenue to the county. He he says. On July 18, 1993, the Paineville helped extend public water lines, saw a “I’m too old to sell pinto beans on the Volunteer Fire Department building was new library built and worked on paving side of the road,” she adds. dedicated and turned over to Amelia roads. Bennett says when he went on the County. The department now has about board, the county had about 70 miles of This article is part of a continuing series to 15 members to answer calls in the western unpaved roads; he says it’s now around 30. recognize SEC members for their contributions part of the county. Jim and Gladys Bennett He adds he pushed to have revenue from to the community or something that makes deflect any recognition for their work on county decals go for paving and them unique. Readers are invited to suggest the project, instead saying it was the maintaining roads. members to be featured by emailing community that did it. He served on the Piedmont Regional Jail [email protected]. sec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 23 Shooting event helps fund 2019 scholarships

keet and trap shooters will be in All proceeds from the shoot will are Cooperative members. Appomattox Saturday, Oct. 6, to take support Southside Opportunity Fund Last year’s inaugural shoot raised Saim at flying clay targets and to raise scholarships for graduating high school $10,000 for the Southside Opportunity funds for local scholarships. seniors in Southside Electric Cooperative’s Fund, helping provide 22 scholarships Plans are being finalized for the second (SEC) 18-county service area who are for $26,000 this past spring. Graduates annual Opportunity Fund Skeet & Trap headed to college or a trade/technical at 14 high schools in the service territory Classic at the Holiday Lake 4-H Educational school. The SEC Board of Directors created received grants. The annual Opportunity Center. Participants will shoot a round the nonprofit Southside Opportunity Fund Golf Classic, Hooper Park rentals each of skeet and trap, enjoy breakfast and Fund, and in three years, 52 scholarships and other donations also support lunch, win prizes and take home awards totaling $56,000 have been awarded to scholarships. for their marksmanship. students whose parents or guardians The scholarship program is a key part of SEC’s efforts to enhance the quality of life for the members it serves with electricity. Information about the next round of scholarship applications will be available early in 2019 at sof.coop and from guidance counselors at area high schools. Any business or individual interested in supporting the Opportunity Fund Skeet & Trap Classic and the scholarship program should contact Mark Thomas, community relations coordinator in SEC’s Altavista office, at 434-645-3276 or [email protected].

24 | Cooperative Living | October 2018 Southside Electric Cooperative Upcoming Events

Charity Home Tour: Smith Mountain Lake, Oct. 5-7, times vary. smlcharityhometour.com

Campbell County Heritage Festival: Naruna, Oct. 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. campbellcountyva.gov/568/Heritage-Festival

Opportunity Fund Skeet & Trap Classic: Appomattox, Oct. 6, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. sof.coop

Powhatan Festival of the Grape: Powhatan, Oct. 6, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. powhatanfestivalofthegrape.com

Taste of Brunswick Festival: Alberta, Oct. 13, 10 a.m-4 p.m. tasteofbrunswickfestival.com

Town of Victoria Annual Autumn Days: Victoria, Oct. 13, times vary. victoriava.net

Truckers Parade Against Cancer: Charlotte Court House, Oct. 13, activities throughout the day, parade starts at 3:30 p.m. truckersparade.com

Historic Railroad Festival: Appomattox, Oct. 13-14, times vary. appomattoxrrfest.org

Virginia Children’s Book Festival: Farmville, Oct. 17-19, times vary. vachildrensbookfestival.com

Blackstone Wine and Beer Festival: Blackstone, Oct. 27, 12-6 p.m.

Richard Bland College Pecan Festival: Petersburg, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. rbc.edu/pecan-festival

sec.coop October 2018 | Cooperative Living | 25