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LOCAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE EDITION OCTOBER 2007 ENERGY REALITY CHECK What’s on the Horizon for Texans and Their Co-ops? PLUS Van Cliburn Macaroni and Cheese Hit the Road: Huntsville to the Big Thicket Because many pieces of farm equipment reach heights of 14 feet or higher, always remember to look up when entering fields and barn lots to make sure there is enough room to pass beneath electric Farm Safety Farm lines. Electric contact acci- dents can result in loss of limbs or even death. Farm Safety Rules: • The number one electrical farm hazard is the potential contact from a grain auger to a power line. Always look up before raising or moving an auger. • The same is true of metal irriga- tion pipe, often stored along fence lines under an electric line. Never raise or move irrigation pipe without looking up. A few seconds of caution can mean the difference between life and death. • Be sure hand tools are in good working order and use them according to manufacturers’ instructions. • Ensure that the wiring in your workshop is adequate to handle your tools. And never operate any electric tools near water. CULTIVATECULTIVATE • Read labels and handling instruc- tions carefully and follow them when using chemicals and herbi- cides. Never leave chemicals where children or animals can get FARM into them; store them in a locked FARM cabinet if possible. Safely dispose SAFETYSAFETY of containers. This public service message is brought to you by your local electric cooperative. For more information, visit your local co-op. October 2007 VOLUME 64 NUMBER 4 FEATURES 6 Energy Reality Check By Kaye Northcott and Roxane Richter With Texas co-ops facing an energy crunch, we look at where we are now and what our options are for the future. 6 FAVORITES Footnotes in Texas History By Staci Semrad Van Cliburn 31 Recipe Roundup Macaroni and Cheese 32 Focus on Texas Hats and Caps 35 Around Texas Local Events Listings 36 Hit the Road By June Naylor Huntsville to the Big Thicket 38 The average single-family house has increased by 769 square feet 31 32 35 since 1976, putting more pressure on electricity providers. TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Greg Jones, Chair, Rusk; Ray Beavers, Vice Chair, Cleburne; Darren Schauer, Secretary-Treasurer, Gonzales; James Calhoun, Franklin; Steve Louder, Hereford; Gary Nietsche, La Grange; William “Buff” Whitten, Eldorado PRESIDENT/CEO: Mike Williams, Austin STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Roland Witt, Chair, Coleman; Bill Harbin, Vice Chair, Floydada; Texas Co-op Power is published by your Roy Griffin, Edna; Kim Hooper, Bluegrove; Steve Young, Hamiliton; Robert A. Loth III, Fredericksburg; Melody Pinnell, Crockett COMMUNICATIONS STAFF: Peg Champion, Vice President, Communications/Publisher; Kaye Northcott, Editor; Carol Moczygemba, electric cooperative to enhance the qual- Managing Editor; Suzi Sands, Art Director; Martin Bevins, Advertising Director; Andy Doughty, Production Designer; Sandra Forston, ity of life of its member-customers in an Communications Assistant; Melissa Grischkowsky, Communications Coordinator; Kevin Hargis, Copy Editor; Jo Johenning, Communications Assistant; Karen Nejtek, Production Manager; Shannon Oelrich, Food Editor/Proofreader; Dacia Rivers, Field Editor; Alex Sargent, Production educational and entertaining format. Artist; Emily Stewart, Intern COVER ILLUSTRATION by A.J. Garcés October 2007 TEXAS CO-OP POWER 3 THEY WANT OUR letters EYES ON THE SKIES Weather watchers, unite. The A SAVORY HISTORY LESSON scientists at the Community I really appreciate the history Collaborative Rain, Hail and of salt (“Texas’ White Gold,” POWERTALK Snow network (CoCoRaHS) August). A few years ago, want your help. during a family reunion of the The network of weather Bedells, I visited with a distant observers, which was founded cousin. She was almost 100 in 1997 in Colorado, is recruit- years old, and she told me ing citizen-meteorologists to COURTESY USDA NRCS about some of her aunts who add to its pool of 3,500 volun- were young women at the time teers in 18 states. The only of the Civil War. requirements are having an They told her they used to appropriate spot to place a ride sidesaddle with flowing rain gauge, an enthusiasm skirts under which they con- for watching and reporting cealed bags of salt, which weather conditions, and a they hung from their saddles desire to learn more about how to smuggle behind enemy lines weather can affect everyone. to reach their sweethearts who The duties of a volunteer needed salt for their meat. are simple: Report daily the VIRGINIA CASTRO EDWARDS amount of precipitation that THE MONTH TO SALUTE CO-OPS falls (or doesn’t). The tools are IN TOO DEEP also simple: a 4-inch rain October has been celebrated as National Co-op Month In the August issue, you have a gauge (available for purchase good article on bathroom safety. annually since 1930. Of course, in 1930, there were no at a discount) and an Internet However, the photo that accom- electric cooperatives. The first electric co-op in the connection. Observers also panies the article is showing a nation to string lines was Bartlett Electric in 1935, track snow and hail amounts very dangerous situation with headquartered in Bartlett, Texas. Today, that Central using a ruler for snow and an no mention of its risks. A child easily constructible foil-covered Texas co-op has more than 6,000 members. There are should never have a bathtub foam pad for hail. Training is deeper than his navel, as my 75 electric cooperatives serving the state, and nearly offered on the network’s web- mom used to say. A water level 3 million Texans benefit directly from our efficient and site, www.cocorahs.org. as deep as shown would cause economical form of operation. Various groups and agen- the child’s feet to float, upset- Foremost, electric cooperatives exist to bring a much- cies, such as the National ting him, yet he is unable to lift Weather Service, water plan- needed service to their members, not because they’re his face far enough out to ners and ranchers and farmers, breathe. Many “tub seats” are trying to turn a profit. And along the way, co-ops do can access the collected data, sold to help children sit upright, more than just keep the lights burning; they provide giving them a comprehensive but in my experience, they are jobs, services and opportunities for Texans. look at precipitation patterns. more easily upset than the child If you’re reading this magazine, it’s probably because Texas, which is divided into 13 himself and then hinder his regions, currently has more your electric cooperative provides it to you as a member attempts to right himself. The than 400 active members. tips in the article are valid, but benefit. Cooperatives and their employees are passion- State coordinator Troy Kimmel, photos model behavior, and this ately dedicated to their communities, providing a vari- a lecturer at the University of one’s lethal for babies. ety of contributions and services, such as scholarships, Texas and meteorologist for BRENDA ELVING, MOTHER OF SIX safety demonstrations and support for volunteer fire three Austin radio stations, Bluebonnet Electric hopes that will grow into the departments. thousands. Editor’s Note: The article and Co-ops are service-oriented, not money-oriented, To learn more about the photo did not appear in every and the way we do business has benefited Texans for weather network or to apply to edition. decades. And it works because local people—who put be a weather-watching volun- teer, visit www.cocorahs.org. the interests of their neighbors, friends and family Kimmel said he’d be glad to We want to hear from our readers. Send first—are at its heart. letters to: Editor, Texas Co-op Power, 2550 answer questions about the S. IH-35, Austin, TX 78704, or e-mail us at —Mike Williams, President/CEO project. He can be e-mailed at [email protected]. Please include the name of your town and electric co-op. Texas Electric Cooperatives [email protected]. 4 TEXAS CO-OP POWER October 2007 HAPPENINGS Texas is known for its larger-than-life figures. And one of the largest was Stephen F. Austin, who is depicted with a 60-foot WHO KNEW? concrete-and-steel statue—10 times life-size—on a 12-foot base in Angleton in Southeast Texas. The statue, which was erected in 2005, stands tall over the coastal plain in Henry EDD PATTON Munson Park just off Texas Highway 288. The park includes a museum devoted to the history of the “Father of Texas” and of surrounding Brazoria County. To help pay for further development of the 10-acre site sur- rounding the statue, the third annual STEPHEN F. AUSTIN BIRTHDAY PARTY AND CELEBRATION will be held October 27 at the park (Austin was born November 3, 1793). The event will feature that most Texan of events, a barbecue Members of the Brazos Militia cook-off, which starts at noon, and also include a visit by Austin himself, as portrayed by professional re-creationist Bob celebrate the statue’s completion HEAVENLY TEXAS in 2005. Heinonen. There also will be a raffle and children’s activities. Many Texas towns are named for the divine, no doubt inspired by the beauty and grace of the landscape. Here are some of our favorite heav- JEFFERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE RISES HIGH WITH UNIQUE STYLE enly Texas town names and counties. In 1932, most Texas towns were reeling from the Great Depression, but Beaumont’s oil ANGEL CITY Goliad reserves provided the city with enough money to build the 14-story Jefferson County BLESSING Matagorda Courthouse downtown. The stone and brick EDEN Concho building designed by Fred C.

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