Empowered Newsletter September

Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of

INTERNS CLIMB TO NEW HEIGHTS WITH CENTRAL

Central Rural Electric Cooperative welcomed two students from Meridian Technology Center’s Energy and Power program this summer.

Landon Hurst, 21, from Stillwater and Caleb Wells, 19, from Perkins received hands-on experience while working alongside Central’s linemen during their summer internship.

“My first project was replacing a pole, which we had not done in class,” Hurst said. “It was covered in bushes, and they pulled the pole

with a chain. Then they used a digger machine to dig a hole for the new pole. We took two chemicals and mixed them to create a foam, placed the pole in and covered it with dirt. I never knew that’s how it happened, it was an amazing experience.”

The two-year program at Meridian Technology Center began in 2022 as an industry-driven response to the growing need for linemen.

“I’ve learned more in the two months of this internship than I have in class. There’s a difference between being in it for school and doing it for a job,” Wells said. “School is a lot more technical but here we get to learn by hand and from linemen who do it daily.”

Hurst and Wells were paired with linemen crews and assisted with projects from start to finish.

“We pulled two pad mount transformers, placed and wired them and when we powered it, it was perfect,” Wells said. “That was my first time doing that. I learned how to terminate underground primary. That’s not

something I learned how to do in class.”

Hurst and Wells began each day with Central’s linemen which included participating in morning meetings and daily safety checks.

“Both of these students learned and improved greatly during the past few months,” said Dewayne Drury, Central’s Director of Operations. “We are glad to be able to provide them with real-world experience.”

For anyone interested in a similar path, Wells offered, “Stay dedicated and stay focused. There’s a lot to learn and it’s a lot of work. If you want to become a master, it’s about time and dedication.”

Central interns Caleb Wells and Landon Hurst.

SEPTEMBER 2023

Central Board of Trustees: James Wells, President (District 6)

Gary McCune, Vice President (District 1)

Carol Dvorak, Secretary/Treasurer (District 3)

Greg Tytenicz (District 2)

Sid Sperry (District 4)

Ken Starks (District 5)

Bill Davis (District 7)

Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer

Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing

Larry Mattox - Director of Communications

Kory Bowman - Marketing and Communications Specialist

Ivy Swan - Marketing and Communications Specialist

POWER IN YOUR HANDS

Annual Meeting is set for Tuesday, October 3.

On one of my recent runs, I found myself on a dirt road. As I passed poles and miles of lines, I began thinking about the cooperative and the many members whose lives are powered by those lines.

As a cooperative, we operate a little differently than other utilities. Central’s decisions are made locally, by directors who live on the same lines as you.

future. Our success lies within your participation and satisfaction, which is why we offer these opportunities to engage and listen to what you have to say.

by Hunter Robinson, Central CEO

While we won’t have any bylaws for members to vote on at this year’s annual meeting, that does not make it any less important than in years before. All of Central’s staff and board members, myself included, are eager to meet with you and hear about your cooperative experience.

Notice: Central’s office will be closed on Monday, September 4 for Labor Day.

To Central, members are more than a customer paying their electricity bill. Yes, members pay for electricity used, but that money doesn’t line the pockets of shareholders five states away. It’s used to make improvements to our local system to strengthen service reliability. That money is reinvested into our electrical distribution system and our communities.

District Meetings, Kilowatts and Brats and Annual Meeting are all events Central hosts each year to meet with members so we can hear directly from you. Your feedback on the cooperative and our services is what we use to plan for our

At Central, members are at the heart of everything we do. While we’ve grown over the years, we’re still driven by the same guiding principles to serve our community.

We hope to see you at this year’s annual meeting at one of the four locations in Chandler, Guthrie, Perry or Stillwater on Oct. 3. This co-op was created by you and for you, the members. The power is in your hands to make your voice heard and to make a difference at your cooperative.

Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

TRAVEL CENTRAL

Dive into Central’s District 3, which includes stops in Stillwater, Perry, Marshall and Morrison. Travel throughout our service area as we visit each district throughout the year.

YOUR STOP:

DISTRICT 3

MEET YOUR DISTRICT 3 TRUSTEE CAROL DVORAK

Carol Dvorak joined Central’s board of trustees in 2012 and currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer. A member since 1978, she has also served on Central’s Community Foundation board and as a Central Ambassador. Co-owner of Dvorak Farms, LLC and owner of Carol’s Cattle Company. She is the Perry Community Liaison for Meridian Technology Center.

MUST VISIT SPOTS IN DISTRICT 3

CCC Lake & Park

1520 S. 4th St., Perry

Take your boat and fish, or bring the family to grill and picnic.

Lake Carl Blackwell

11000 W. State Hwy 51, Stillwater

3,350-acre lake with 800 acres of recreation for hiking, fishing, boating, sailing, swimming and fishing. Visit the RV campgrounds or rent one of the on-site cabins.

Lake McMurtry

30285 Bronco Curve, Stillwater

With multiple trails, including an ADA-accessible trail, Lake McMurtry is a must-visit for camping, boating, swimming, fishing and hiking. Kayak rentals are seasonal.

Perry Lake

24750 County Rd. 80, Perry

Two miles off Highway 77, this lake boasts full RV hookups, camping, swimming, skiing, boating and fishing.

GIVE HUNTING SAFETY A SHOT

Hunters have their sights on wild game when preparing for hunting season. A few moments devoted to safety can help prevent an accident with utility equipment. Central urges hunters to take precautions and be aware of potential electrical hazards while hunting.

Kumback Lunch

625 Delaware St., Perry

Welcoming visitors since 1926, step inside this historic cafe and dig into homestyle dishes such as chicken fried steak and chicken pot pie.

La Macarena

3101 W. Fir St., Perry

A Perry staple and one of Carol’s favorites, La Macarena offers fresh Mexican dishes and is located next door to the Exxon gas station.

Smokin Joes Stilly & The Pit Volleybar

616 Range Rd., Stillwater

Play a round of volleyball as you grab some of the best BBQ on Central’s lines.

The Vintage Steakhouse

318 Woolsey Ave., Morrison Featured on Discover Oklahoma, the Vintage delivers big flavors with their popular surf and turf and their monthly drink special. Reservations are a must for this steakhouse.

྆ Note the location of power lines and other electrical equipment before you begin a hunt. Be especially careful and observant in wooded areas where power lines are easy to overlook.

྆ Never use power poles to support a tree stand. Look for an ideal tree for your stand, one that is sturdy and alive. While going up to the stand, keep at least three points of contact while you climb.

྆ Never shoot nearby power lines or other electrical equipment. A single shot can cause vast damage to the electrical system. Damage to electrical equipment can result in power interruptions and physical risks to those nearby.

Provided by safeelectricity.org.

for sale

Great Plains no-till drill, 30 ft. Cat Challenger Ag 65C track tractor. Call 405-714-3422.

Two adjoining graveside plots at Gracelawn Cemetary in Edmond. $1,000 each. Call 405-277-0014.

4 Paws Inn and Spa

@4pawsinnok on Facebook and Instagram 405-377-3647 • 6304 S Perkins Rd., Stillwater stillwaterpetboardingservice.com

Nonprofit Postings

Central Community Foundation grant applications are due on September 15, to be reviewed at the October Foundation meeting. Learn more and submit your application at mycentral.foundation

SUBMIT YOUR AD

Submit your ad by email to editor@mycentral. coop by the 5th of each month! Ads will be edited and run as space allows.