The Transformer by Canoochee EMC 2023 November

The Transformer OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF CANOOCHEE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION

November 2023

Canoochee EMC Seeks Applicants for College Scholarship n

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eligibility. In addition, a student’s specific financial needs are considered by the scholarship committee, which is comprised of directors and managers of Georgia’s EMCs. The committee’s goal is to award the scholarship to a remarkable arriso H er student who may otherwise not be able to afford college.

The Walter Harrison Scholarship was created in ch 1985 by the board of directors o la rs hi of the Georgia Electric Membership Corp., the trade association for the electric membership cooperatives of Georgia. The award pays tribute to the late Walter Harrison, a pioneer in the rural electricity movement and a leader at the local, state and national levels in the electric membership cooperative program.

Since 1985, Georgia’s electric membership cooperatives, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the Georgia Rural Electric Supply Corp. have awarded more than $250,000 to students through the Walter Harrison Scholarship program.

To receive a scholarship application, contact Joe Sikes at Canoochee EMC by email, jsikes@canoocheeemc.com.

Applications are due to Canoochee EMC by Jan. 15, 2024.

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anoochee EMC is accepting applications for the prestigious Walter Harrison Scholarship, a program sponsored by the member-owned electric cooperatives in Georgia. The $1,000 scholarship can be used for academic expenses at any accredited two- or four-year university, college or vocational-technical institute in Georgia.

“We’re proud to participate in the Walter Harrison Scholarship and offer financial assistance to students and their families,” says Joe Sikes with Canoochee EMC. “We recognize the growing cost of education, and we’re happy to play a part in helping members of our community.”

Students applying for the Walter Harrison Scholarship must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited undergraduate degree program, complete a two-page application and write a two-page autobiographical sketch with references to future plans and goals. The scholarship is available to any college-level student of any age.

The Walter Harrison Scholarship is awarded to students who possess exemplary academic records. GPA, SAT scores, academic standing and scholastic honors are all taken into account when determining a student’s

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Holiday Office Closing All Canoochee EMC office locations will be closed Thursday, Nov. 23, and Friday, Nov. 24, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Canoochee EMC Newsletter

A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative

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Supporting Education Year-Round

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anoochee EMC (CEMC) is proud to support education throughout our territory. During the school year, CEMC employees give their time to help local students understand what we do, while also understanding that electricity safety is vital. Our employees recently attended and supported the following events: • CEMC Lineman Cody Dotson visited Claxton Elementary School’s kindergarten classes’ career on wheels program.

• CEMC’s Keith Durance and Ted Sconyers visited Long County Elementary School to promote energy safety. More than 1,000 students heard the message that while electricity may be wonderful, we all must be safe in and around electricity.

• CEMC’s Aracely Flores and Jaye Hinson visited Tattnall County High School for Tattnall County’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Awareness Month.

Touchstone Energy Senior Citizen of the Month Congratulations to Leon Carr of Claxton for being selected as the November 2023 Touchstone Energy Senior Citizen of the Month.

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Georgia Magazine

November 2023

A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative

Canoochee EMC Newsletter

Don’t Let a Full House Send Energy Bills Through the Roof

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reparing a Thanksgiving feast means you’ll be using more energy than usual.

Here’s how to keep it under control: • Lower the heat a couple of degrees before company arrives.

You’ll be using the stove and oven all day, so the house will be warmer than usual anyway. Plus, people generate heat, so a cooler house will feel more comfortable.

• Keep an eye on the refrigerator and freezer so you’ll know the doors are closed. Doors that aren’t tightly sealed will send cold air into the kitchen.

• Wait until leftovers cool off a bit before placing them in the refrigerator. The appliance has to work harder to cool hot food than to keep cool food cold.

• Place lids on pots and pans as you

• Fill your oven with as many differ-

use them for cooking. Lids keep heat in so food cooks quicker.

• Heat up whatever you can in the microwave instead of on the stovetop or oven. Microwaves use about half the energy as your oven.

ent dishes as you can fit and cook them all at once. As long as the recipes don’t call for temperatures that vary by more than 25 degrees, everything should cook or bake evenly.

It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Your Old Electric Blanket

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f nothing makes you feel warmer and cozier than the electric blanket you’ve had since you were a teenager, it’s time to reconsider just how safe that old safety net is.

A majority of the 500 fires caused annually by electric blankets and heating pads start in those that are more than 10 years old. If yours is showing signs of age, consider replacing it with a new version with built-in safety features.

You’ll know it’s time to put your “blanky” to rest when: • You notice charring on the fabric.

This can appear as dark or frayed spots.

Canoochee EMC Newsletter

• The electric cord you use with the pad or blanket is cracked, frayed or worn.

A few safety tips for using electric blankets and heating pads include: • Never use the two together; don’t layer them.

• Don’t put anything on top of an electric blanket or heating pad that is plugged in. It could overheat.

That means you shouldn’t cover an electric blanket with a regular blanket or allow your dog or cat to sleep on top of it.

• Don’t fold the electric blanket when you’re not using it.

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• Don’t tuck it in under your mattress.

• Unplug it when you’re not using it. And always unplug it before you fall asleep. www.canoocheeemc.com 20C

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The Cooperative Principles

Cooperatives around the world operate according to the same set of core principles and values, and we trace the roots of these principles to the first modern cooperative founded in Rochdale, England, in 1844. These principles are a key reason that America’s electric membership cooperatives operate differently from other electric utilities, putting the needs of their members first.

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Voluntary and Open Membership

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Democratic Member Control

Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership.

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Members’ Economic Participation

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative.

Autonomy and Independence

Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.

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Education, Training and Information

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Cooperation Among Cooperatives

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Concern for Community

Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.

Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

While focusing on members’ needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

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Georgia Magazine

November 2023

A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative

Canoochee EMC Newsletter