Florida Currents February 2014 by American MainStreet Publications

Glades Electric Cooperative

F E B R UA RY 2014

Azaleas are a classic flowering shrub wellsuited to central Florida. Gardening in this area requires different plant varieties than up north, which is why acquiring seeds locally is an appealing alternative. See the story about seed libraries on page 12. PHOTO BY BRENDA SOMES

69th Annual Meeting Set PAGE 4

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Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Official Notice Members acknowledge that $3.96, plus actual postage, is the cost to publish 12 issues a year of Florida Currents (USPS-8300). Published by Ruralite Services Inc., 2040 A St., Forest Grove, OR 97116—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—the magazine serves the communications needs of consumer-owned electric utilities in Florida. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Forest Grove, OR 97116 and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address corrections to P.O. Box 558, Forest Grove, OR 97116. HOW TO CONTACT FLORIDA CURRENTS

Have a problem receiving your edition of Florida Currents? Utility members should contact the local utility office listed on the back cover. Nonmembers should contact Ruralite Services, P.O. Box 558, Forest Grove, OR 97116-0558; (503) 357-2105; email info@floridacurrents.com. Subscription services: Nonmember subscriptions $12 (US) per year; $25 (foreign) per year. Prepayment required. Allow 4 to 8 weeks for first issue. Be sure to identify which local edition you want to receive. Extra copies: $2 each, pre-payment required. Supply is limited. Identify edition, month and year. Contact Ruralite Services. Reprint permission: Direct all requests to Ruralite Services.

Glades Electric Cooperative Inc. Annual Meeting March 15, 2014 Glades Electric Cooperative Inc.’s 2014 Annual Meeting will be Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Clewiston Middle School, 601 W. Pasadena Ave., in Clewiston, Florida. The purpose of the meeting is to elect Trustees, vote on proposed By-Law changes and hear officers’ annual reports. Registration, entertainment and voting will begin at 8 a.m. The business meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Join us for great entertainment, fun and prizes, including a 2003 Ford Expedition for one lucky member. Plan to attend!

MANUSCRIPTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS

Please do not send unsolicited materials. If interested in writing for Florida Currents, query first. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for writer’s guidelines. Address requests and queries to Ruralite Services. DISPLAY ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

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Trend Offset Printing Services 10301 Busch Drive North Jacksonville, FL 32218 © 2014 Ruralite Services Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Inside

February 2014 Vol. 3, No. 4

Green-Thumb Librarians 12 Seed libraries are cropping up across the country, increasing access to both local and unique plants. Also In This Issue Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Florida Gardener 18

Festival Roundup 22 Outdoor Pursuits 24 Parting Shot 30

Your utility pages: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32

F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

69th Annual Meeting Set Members will meet March 15 in Clewiston

The annual meeting is just around the corner and everyone at Glades Electric Cooperative is busy preparing. We hope to see all of our members on Saturday, March 15, at Clewiston Middle School. Annual meetings are special times for cooperatives and part of what makes us different from any other type of electric utility. Part of our uniqueness comes from the cooperatives principles under which we operate. One is democratic member control: “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. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.” During the annual meeting, members elect Trustees and vote on proposed changes to the organization’s By-Laws. Trustees must be current members of the cooperative and can either be nominated by committee or petition to serve on the board. A thorough explanation of the nominating process is in the By-Laws, which are available at each GEC office. Each year, Trustees from three of the nine districts are elected to three-year terms. Being a Trustee

Goodwill

Clewiston Middle School 2014 Annual Meeting Location

W. Circle Drive

Lopez Street

N. Berner Road

Wal-Mart

is a demanding responsibility because he or she directly represents the other members in their district and makes critical business decisions affecting all members of the cooperative. Trustees are expected to complete a certification course to familiarize themselves with the industry and the specific responsibilities the position entails. In addition to electing Trustees, members will vote this year on proposed changes to GEC’s By-Laws. The ballot language, followed by an explanation of why each change is proposed, is explained on page 5. The annual meeting is extremely important to the functioning of your cooperative. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be fun and informative, too. GEC prides itself on showing members great hospitality. We have a diverse mix of vendors and informational displays, great refreshments and entertainment. Our members can enjoy coffee, soft drinks, donuts and cookies as they listen to live music. Upon completion of the business meeting, members have a chance to win prizes. So come to YOUR annual meeting and see what being a member of cooperative is all about. Remember, GEC is proud to be Neighbors Working for Neighbors! n

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Proposed By-Law Amendments Glades electric constantly seeks ways to more eﬀectively and eﬃciently manage your cooperative. Changes to procedures and policies have led to cost savings and improved service to our members. Periodically, we ask members to consider amending the By-Laws of the cooperative to help us better manage their investment. With this in mind, we ask you to consider the following amendments (changes are underlined).

First Proposed Amendment Explanation: This remedies a lack of a solution in the event an election for trustee should result in a tie vote. We are suggesting the trustee retain their seat, the rationale being an incumbent has not been defeated if their opponent did not receive more votes. RESOLVED, that the By-Laws of the cooperative be, and they are hereby amended, by adding after the last sentence of the first paragraph of Article IV, Trustees, Section 2: Election and Tenure of Office a sentence stating: “In the event of a tie vote between an incumbent trustee and any opposition candidate, the incumbent shall retain the position.”

Second Proposed Amendment Explanation: This helps ensure trustees have suitable credentials and exhibit the qualities required of this demanding position. Also, this helps eliminate the possibility of any conflicts of interest by restricting a trustee from being (or becoming) an employee of any entity owned, or controlled, by the cooperative for a period of 5 years. RESOLVED, that the By-Laws of the cooperative be, and they are hereby amended, by inserting at the beginning of the sentence in item a and by inserting within the sentence of item D and by adding after the existing item e of Article IV, Trustees, Section 3: Qualifications: a. Be a natural person or individual and be a member of the cooperative for at least 12 months, maintain their primary residence in the district which the trustee represents and purchase electric energy from the cooperative at that residence; D. Not be employed by the cooperative or any entity controlled by the cooperative or an entity in which the cooperative owns a majority interest and must not have been employed by the cooperative for a period of two

five years before becoming a trustee, and no trustee may become an employee of the cooperative or any entity controlled by the cooperative or an entity in which the cooperative owns a majority interest for a minimum of two five years after leaving the board of trustees; f. Not been convicted of a felony or any misdemeanors involving dishonesty; G. Subjected to a criminal background check administered by the cooperative; H. Subjected to and passed the initial drug screenings administered by the cooperative for its employees; I. Subjected to a credit check performed by the cooperative without evidence of a history of financial irresponsibility; and J. Is a member in good standing of the cooperative without any disconnections for nonpayment of utility services within the last five (5) years. all persons desiring eligibility to become or remain a trustee shall be required to (1) execute a document that aﬃrms compliance with the qualifications as stated in this article IV, Section 3 of these by-laws, and (2) provide a release for the cooperative to investigate and acquire reports necessary to aﬃrm such compliance in order to be deemed qualified.

Third Proposed Amendment Explanation: This aligns the annual meeting notification parameters with the production and mailing schedule of Florida Currents magazine, the cooperative’s newsletter. This alleviates the need to delay, or otherwise alter, the normal mailing date of Florida Currents and provides GEC members with additional notification of the annual meeting. RESOLVED, that the By-Laws of the cooperative be, and they are hereby amended, by the following change to the first sentence of Article III, Meeting of Members, Section 3: Notice of Members’ Meetings: Written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting or an annual meeting at which business requiring special notice is to be transacted, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be delivered not less than 10 days nor more than forty-five 75 days before the date of the meeting, by or at the direction of the secretary, or by the person calling the meeting, to each member.

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Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Annual Meeting Entertainment

We Need You to Vote For Trustees, By-Laws

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual meeting entertainment will be provided by Marti Capodiferro, who performs throughout Central and South Florida, including at the Lake Placid Arts and Craft Fair and the Caladium Festival. Her repertoire includes every genre. She says if it moves her, she learns it. Marti will begin her performance at 8 a.m. in the Clewiston Middle School gymnasium.

In addition to three positions on the Board of Trustees up for election, GEC has proposed three changes to the By-Laws. Please see page 5 for details about each of the amendments.

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F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4

Glades Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees

Jack Coxe, President District 8

Jim Aul, Vice President District 7

Russell Henderson, Secretary/Treasurer District 3

Jeff Brewington General Manager

Donnie Lundy District 1

Barney Goodman District 2

Shannon Hall District 4

Glades Electric Cooperativeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to provide exceptional service.

Ladd Bass District 5

Lee Henderson District 6

Irene Lofton District 9 F E B R ua r y 2 0 1 4

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Operation Round Up Monthly Report More than 70 percent of Glades Electric Cooperative members participate in Operation Round Up. This program helps people in GEC’s service area who have exhausted normal avenues of financial assistance. Sign up today, and your electric bill will be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The extra is placed in the fund for deserving individuals and organizations. As of January 13, your Charitable Trust Board of Directors has approved $805,488.65 in disbursements. These funds have provided assistance with food, emergency lodging, disaster relief and specific

emergency needs for 534 individuals and/or families and 109 community organizations. The trust does not fund utility bills (electric, phone, water and gas) or budgets of organizations. Organizations in our service counties may apply for funding for a specific need or project. The Charitable Trust Board of Directors meets monthly to review applications for funding.  If you know of people who need and deserve assistance and live within our service area, encourage or help them to complete an application. Applications can be picked up at each of our three offices: Moore Haven, Lake Placid and Okeechobee.

Tap Into Savings With the Co-op Connections Card One of the ways Glades Electric Cooperative looks out for you is with the Co-op Connections Card. The nationwide membership program is designed to save you money on everything from prescriptions and home goods to restaurant dining and hotel rooms. The card does not cost you anything. It is a benefit of GEC’s partnership with Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. To browse national and local offers, incentives and discounts that come with using the Co-op Connections Card, visit www.connections.coop. A search feature allows you to locate goods and services by zip code. Please support the local merchants who participate in the program.

Barbara Hughes District 1 Moore Haven Beverly Eaves District 2 Hendry County Kelly Brantley District 3 Ortona/Palmdale Dori Evans District 4 Lakeport Lori Thompson District 5 Venus/Hicora Lee Andrus District 6 Highlands Park

$25

Credit Winners

Jerry Chasteen District 7 Lorida

Diane Judge No. 77784244-001 William and Sandra Kakritz No. 112774-001

David McCadam District 8 Lake Josephine

Winners should call (800) 226-4024 or sign their name on this page and mail it to:

Angela Hodges District 9 Okeechobee

Florida Currents $25 Credit Glades Electric Cooperative P.O. Box 519 Moore Haven, FL 33471

Charitable Trust Board of Directors

F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4

Church of the Month Palmdale Baptist Church 510 Seminole Ave. Palmdale, FL 33935

The next meeting of the Charitable Trust Board of Directors is February 27 at 1 p.m. in Moore Haven.

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Departs May - September 2014 Visit eight National Parks! Witness King’s/Sequoia’s scenic forests, Yosmite’s waterfalls, Zion’s domes and the spectacular Grand Canyon. Explore Bryce Canyon, Arches and Capitol Reef National Parks. You’ll also tour Salt Lake City, Reno, Lake Tahoe and Moab and spend three nights in Las Vegas. *Includes taxes and services, hotels, sightseeing and more. Seasonal rates may apply.

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Side Roads

Discoveries Off the Beaten Path

Growing Through Gardening Pensacola nursery offers life-enhancing therapy, education for Arc clients By Susan Suggs

Postcards From Florida

End of the Rainbow

Photo by Pam Blair

The end of U.S. Highway 1 is proclaimed as the “end of the rainbow” in front of the Monroe County Courthouse on Whitehead Street in Key West. The sign is underneath a huge kapok tree. 10

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One visit to Arc Gateway in Pensacola and you know this is not just another nursery and garden shop. The smiles, warm greetings and gentle spirit of the staff make this nursery special. The Pensacola nursery started in 1964 as a therapy program for children and adults with developmental disabilities who are clients of Arc Gateway—a nonprofit organization that provides life-enhancing programs with a focus on ability, not disability. “Our clients participate in gardening as a fun, enjoyable activity, as well as a form of education and therapy,” says Sydney Poulos Haynes, the horticulture manager. “It is an endeavor that goes well beyond a basic client activity, and has become a significant revenue producer to support and sustain the agency.” The nursery gives Arc clients an opportunity to earn income, boost their confidence, become valuable members of the community and build friendships through work experiences they may have missed out on throughout their lives, says Sydney, who joined the Arc staff in May. “Watching the clients learn one another’s strengths and weaknesses and cater to each other is truly heartwarming,” says Sydney. “There is a definite level of compassion and understanding that’s reciprocated. It’s something that is inspiring to work around.” With the dedication of staff and clients, the nursery has grown into a largescale business. “Most people are initially shocked at how vast the nearly 5-acre nursery is when they arrive,” says Sydney. “We have a wide variety of seasonal flowers, grasses, woody ornamentals and trees, since we cater to landscapers and the public.” Arc’s main greenhouse was completed in 1985. Prior to 1988, the nursery horticulture program served eight to 10 agency workers with one full-time staff

Above, Sydney Poulos Haynes has served as horticulture manager at Arc Gateway since May. Opposite page, an Arc client tends to planted containers.

member. In 1988, the nursery served 18 clients with two full-time staff. Now, it serves up to 40 clients with three fulltime staff, two part-time staff and one full-time case manager. Sydney joined Arc as horticulture manager after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and soil science specialization. She did not intend to go into agriculture, but always had a garden and grew up with a family of gardeners. “After one walk through the grounds and meeting the people served at Arc Gateway, I knew I could contribute and gain so much from the horticulture program,” Sydney says. She now works with plants that come from all across the United States. Since the agency is nonprofit, many local nurseries and customers donate plants when they have a surplus. Arc also reproduces plants from cuttings and seeds, and orders plants at all different stages— from tiny plug sprouts to fully grown trees. “Our days start early at the nursery,” Sydney says. “Clients arrive as early as 6:30 a.m. We start watering right away with

Preserving the State’s First Botanical Garden

sprinkler rotation for different areas and spot watering extra-thirsty plants. Once all the clients have arrived, the supervisors and I assess daily needs and delegate different tasks to groups of clients.” Tasks vary by day, and may include loading trucks for deliveries, weeding containers, re-potting, breaking up overgrown plants, organizing, cleaning or lining up plants for inventories. “From watering and re-potting to assisting customers, the clients are involved with all stages of operation at the nursery,” Sydney says. “They help with all aspects of plant growth and care, starting with seeding, all the way to the final plant delivery to customers.” An early focus of the nursery was to produce plants that meet standards for the landscaping industry. One of Arc’s biggest customers is Habitat for Humanity. Arc designs low-maintenance packages for each Habitat house design. “Landscaping is still the main focus today, although the inventory has grown

to include fruit trees, herbs and many native plants,” Sydney says. “We also sell large quantities of perennials and seasonal herbs and vegetables. “During Christmas and Thanksgiving, our freshly cut Frasier firs and poinsettias are huge sellers and an important fundraiser for the agency. One of my favorite things to make for customers is dish gardens. Low-light, low-water indoor plants bring a little pop of the outdoors to an indoor desk or table. They make great gifts for any occasion.” Arc Gateway sells wholesale and retail, and will design packages to satisfy landscaper or home gardener needs. It rents plants for events, makes arrangements by request, and is available to assist with any planting or gardening need. n Arc Gateway Plant Nursery, 1112 E. Fairchild Drive, is open Monday through Friday, with some Saturday hours during the holidays. Stop by for a tour or to ask gardening questions. Funds from the nursery go back into Arc Gateway programs. To find out more, visit www.arc-gateway.org/ plant-nursery or call (850) 469-0849.

In 1885, Henry Nehrling, a 31-yearold Wisconsin schoolteacher and naturalist, bought 40 acres in Gotha. He dreamed of a garden where he could grow tropical and subtropical plants outside year-round. At the turn of the century, Henry’s Palm Cottage Gardens was a popular destination. Many prominent people visited, including Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Edison and David Fairchild, the famous botanical explorer. Palm Cottage became Florida’s first experimental botanical garden. Henry tested more than 3,000 plant. More than 300 new and beneficial plants were introduced into Florida’s landscape, including caladiums, hybrid amaryllis and gloriosa lilies. These plants formed the foundation for Florida’s nursery industry. In 1999, the Henry Nehrling Society was established to preserve Henry’s home and legacy. In 2000, Palm Cottage Gardens was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2009, the all-volunteer organization acquired the property and began rehabilitating the gardens as a community enrichment center.

This 1880s wood-frame home was moved by ox cart when Henry Nehrling brought his family to Florida from Wisconsin in 1902. Photo by Theresa Schretzmann-Myers

f e b r ua r y 2 0 1 4

Green-Thumb Librarians Seed libraries are cropping up across the country, increasing access to both local and unique plants By Hannah Doyle

Melissa DeSa swings a hoe on a quarteracre plot of land, tilling up the ground. Wiping the sweat from her brow in the Gainesville sun, it is hard to believe the green thumb she has acquired sowing plants was actually blue 10 years ago. Since moving to Gainesville from Canada, Melissa has learned a thing or two about gardening in different climates. “I have to coach a lot of people when they move to Gainesville and they wonder why plants aren’t doing well,” Melissa says. “The gardening is completely reversed. You’re gardening at different times, different crops, different expectations, different problems.” When Melissa started farming in Gainesville as part of a nonprofit venture called Forage with her friend, Anna Prizzia, their mission was to educate others on the value of food and land, and encourage farming.

How Seed Libraries Work Check out a packet of seeds based on your skill level. Most packets are marked from beginner to expert. XX Plant the seeds. XX Let one plant reach full maturity and go to seed. XX Harvest the seeds. XX Return harvested seeds to the seed library. XX

f e b r ua r y 2 0 1 4

Forage cofounders Melissa DeSa, left, and Anna Prizzia spend time in the garden. Forage is a Gainesvillebased nonprofit organization that hosts seed libary events to encourage gardening and local seed growth. Photo courtesy of Forage

Forage hosts biannual seed library events to encourage local seed growth. Melissa helps gardeners from beginner to expert borrow seeds to plant, harvest and return the following season. “We started the seed library as a way to continue to connect people to one another and to take the burden off of new gardeners for what they should plant,” Melissa says. A Communal Start Although Melissa’s seed library functions as an event, there are as many different kinds of seed libraries as there are organizational systems out there. Some seed libraries take the form of wooden card catalogs in local libraries, while others function seasonally inside small bins at local churches. Although the methods are different, the underlying theme is the same: community.

“This has really connected people to one another in a really positive way because everyone eats,” Melissa says. Four years ago, the New York Times documented 10 seed-saving entities. Now, there are more than 55 internationally. You can find the ones nearest you at www.seedlibrarian.com. Planting seeds from a seed library allows the seeds to adapt to the local climate and produce a better harvest each season. With each generation, greater varieties and hybrids that cannot be found commercially can grow. Preserving the Seed With any public sharing system— whether golf club rentals or a book from the library—items show signs of wear and change. The same applies to seeds, which makes proper cultivation all the more important. However, you don’t need a

Anna Prizzia, right, helps at a seed distribution event. Forage’s seed library receives seeds that have been saved locally, increasing the likelihood of a better harvest for the next planter. Photo courtesy of Forage

The purpose of seed libraries is to perpetuate plant varieties by making seeds available to local gardeners. In turn, they agree to let at least one plant go to seed and replace the original seeds following harvest. Photo by Mike Teegarden

green thumb to do it. “People could be getting seed that they might not expect,” Melissa says. “That’s a part of the package when you have a free program.” Saving seed requires space, extra time, knowledge and then putting the seeds back, she adds. Fortunately, seed libraries have a builtin network of gardeners at all skill levels, and learning is as easy as asking. Most seed libraries have a booklet or binder with directions on how to save seed, and many libraries host workshops on growing your skill level to graduate from harvesting tomatoes to more difficult varieties, such as squash. “It just requires a little bit of forethought,” Melissa says. “You can’t just throw something into the ground and hope for the best.” What makes one seed more difficult to save than others is its potential to cross-pollinate. While many gardeners breed different varieties and mix species on purpose, cross-pollination can happen by accident. Wind or bees carry the pollen from one plant to another close by, tampering with the final harvest and, thus, its seed. “Some plants that are insect- or f e b r ua r y 2 0 1 4

wind-pollinated—you can’t just have one—you can (get cross-pollination), but you don’t get a good genetic gene pool,” Melissa says. “You need to plant at least 30 pumpkins in order to get a decent seed set.” If unfamiliar with hand pollination, tenting and other isolation techniques for open-pollinated plants, it is best to plant self-pollinating seeds. That ensures a harvest the same as its parent plant, and prevents your lot from premature death or being inedible. Photo by John Kroetch

Check Out These Other Types of Libraries Did you know there are libraries that offer something other than books or seeds? They lend everything from tools to toys. Here are a few examples. XX Tool library: Check out everything from shovels to lawn mowers for an allotted number of days. Most tool libraries require memberships for a small monthly fee. XX Clothing library: Have a job interview or fundraiser you need to dress up for? How about Halloween? There are major online sites such as www. renttherunway.com, but local clothing libraries in your area let you borrow clothing for an affordable monthly fee. XX Toy library: The games and puzzles available for checkout make a membership worthwhile far longer than a child’s toddler years. XX Kitchen library: High-speed blenders, dehydrators and other tools for special diets can be expensive. For occasional use, kitchen utensil libraries can save money over time.

Diverse Digging Planting seeds from seed libraries allows cultivation of different colors and shapes that give the concept of free food a new meaning. When gardening open-pollinated plants, your garden can hold more variety than can be found in your local grocer’s produce section. Melissa has found that Seminole pumpkins are a type of squash that thrive in Forage’s garden. “Seminole pumpkins grow great for the South and withstands droughts,” she says. They are “one example of the type of crop we would really like to start growing up on a serious basis, and get it more common instead of just being in the hands of a couple of people who save the seed,” Melissa says. Relying on planters who save the seed is especially important in difficult gardening climates, such as Florida. While most seed libraries start out with donated

f e b r ua r y 2 0 1 4

Planting for the Future More than getting local and unusual plants, the communal nature of the seed library integrates learning and fulfillment similar to its literary counterparts. “There are so many great things that can happen when gardeners connect with each other,” Melissa says. Most seed libraries are embedded in another form of sharing, whether for books or household items, which offers an opportunity to swap skills that help outside the garden. “I’ve seen a lot of really great friendships happen and connections happen when people are sharing a lot of other resources besides seeds,” Melissa says. “I’ve seen someone swapping their eggs for someone’s seeds and tilling up gardens. This informal bartering or sharing system is really huge.” For seed libraries to work, altruism is involved. The gardener must allow a plant to grow past its ripening and harvest its seed for the sake of the next gardener. “The network set up can go on without us, which was one of my major reasons to start Forage,” Melissa says. “I wanted people to get involved.” n

Gardening in Florida—particularly in the central and southern parts of the state—requires different plant varieties than up north, which is why getting seeds locally at seed libraries is an appealing alternative. Photo by Marje/istockphoto.com

seed from wholesalers, many do not harvest well. “We used to get donations from seed companies,” Melissa says. “It’s great, except for our climate. Their varieties don’t really do well here or they are unknown.”

Growing Children In the Garden By John Bruce

Kids love to garden, and gardening helps children grow into responsible adults. A little patience, imagination and good advice go a long way toward instilling a lifelong interest in gardening. Gardening is handed down from one generation to another. Typically, people are introduced to gardening by their parents or grandparents. The best thing a gardener can do is to mentor and teach a child the benefits of gardening. It helps to have a short-handled shovel, rake, trowel, a small watering can and a small wheelbarrow to equip children for their gardening experience. Besides a regular range of gardening tools, you should remember to keep a camera close by to record what likely will be long-lasting memories. Keeping the garden fun is a must. To avoid frustration, give a child his or her own garden plot. It’s a good idea to start out small. You can create a child’s garden plot by building a 4-foot-by4-foot or 3-foot-by-6-foot raised bed enclosed by timbers in a sunny spot near a source of water. Invest in some seasoned manure or compost if you don’t have any on hand. A simple alternative is to garden in pots and containers anywhere there is sun. Containers dry out much more quickly than garden plots. Container plants depend on regular, daily care. Regular feeding with liquid plant food is part of the routine. Recommended vegetables for young gardeners to grow include beans, sunflowers, radishes or cherry tomatoes. Start plants from seed

The garden can be a classroom for children. Planting seeds, nuturing plants and watching them grow gives children not only an appreciation for gardening, but also teaches them important life lessons. Photo by Slobodan Vasic

indoors using recyclable containers such as egg cartons, and watch as the child becomes fascinated by the progress of growth. If faster results are desired, then buy garden vegetable and flower seedlings to plant in the child’s garden. You can spice up your child’s gardening adventure by planting vegetables of unusual colors or sizes. Purple Queen, a bush bean, doesn’t require support. Its ripe purple beans are easy to spot at harvest time. The Easter Egg radish matures in a rainbow of red, purple and white in 30 days. Mammoth sunflowers grow up to 12 feet tall with huge flowers and edible seeds. Speaking of sunflowers, why not create an outdoor imagination station for your child? One way is to try planting four tall-growing sunflowers in the corners of a 4-foot square. Plant morning glory seeds around each sunflower when they are about a foot tall. Let the vines climb the stalks. When the sunflowers reach about 5 or 6 feet, tie a

“net” of strings between them on three sides and across the top. Tend the vines so they grow on the strings and create the walls of a room. Let your child help plan the garden and select what seeds or seedlings to plant. Help the child keep a journal. Record-keeping and organization are lessons to learn by keeping a garden. A wealth of resources available to provide excellent pointers to interest children of all ages in gardening. Start with these two books that provide some ideas. “Gardening with Children” by Monika Hanneman, et al, published in 2007 by Brooklyn Botanic Garden—the oldest continuously operating children’s garden in North America—is a handbook to help adults introduce gardening to kids. “A Child’s Garden: 60 Ideas to Make Any Garden Come Alive for Children” by Molly Dannenmaier and published in 2008 by Archetype Press Books is a guide for parents interested in creating natural spaces in the garden where children can play and explore. n

f e b r ua r y 2 0 1 4

In the Kitchen

Recipes That Satisfy

Looking for a sweet treat that boosts your vegetable intake? Try chocolate bread with a “secret” ingredient: zucchini. Photo by Grabill Creative

Deceptively Delicious Vegetables and beans amplify nutrition without sacrificing flavor By Hannah Doyle

Nutritionists recommend children eat three cups of vegetables a day. That can be hard to achieve when children turn up their nose at broccoli and peas at dinnertime. Fortunately, it is possible to sneak vegetables and legumes into something sweet for healthier dessert alternatives that will satisfy everyone’s appetite—and their conscience. 16

F e b r ua r y 2 0 1 4

Chocolate Zucchini Bread 1½ cups almond flour 1½ teaspoon baking soda ¼ cup cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup zucchini, finely grated 1 large egg, room temperature ¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream ¼ cup butter, softened 3 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar ½ cup pecans, chopped (optional) ½ cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Mix almond flour with baking soda, cocoa powder, cinnamon and salt.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg until foamy. Beat in yogurt, butter, vanilla, honey and vinegar. Combine well and stir in grated zucchini, pecans and chocolate chips. Fold in flour mixture and stir until combined. Spoon the batter into an 8½-inch by 4½-inch medium loaf pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack and serve. Bread can be stored up to 10 days in an airtight container. Adapted from Adriana Harlan at www.living healthywithchocolate.com

Triple Layer Cauliflower Raspberry Mini Cheesecakes Crust 2 ounces almonds 1/2 cup flour 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 egg yolk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of muffin tins with parchment paper circles. Toast the almonds and let cool. Place the almonds and flour in a food processor and pulse until almonds are fine. Add the butter and pulse about 15 seconds, just until incorporated. Add the egg yolk and pulse another 15 to 20 seconds, until the dough balls up. Gather the dough and press into the pan. Bake for 20 minutes, until the crust is set and golden brown. Let cool. Cheesecake 2 ounces raspberries, fresh or frozen 1/4 cup champagne vinegar 1 small head purple cauliflower 1 small head white cauliflower 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil 2 cups ricotta cheese 6 tablespoons creme fraiche 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 eggs, separated Rind of one lemon, freshly grated 1 tablespoon shallots, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh herbs 1 teaspoon horseradish Salt and pepper, to taste

Macerate the raspberries in a bowl and add the champagne vinegar. Refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 375. Chop the purple and white cauliflower into florets. Place in a baking dish and toss with oil. Roast for 30 minutes, until slightly browned and fragrant. Let cool. Reduce oven temperature to 350. In a food processor, mix the ricotta, flour, creme fraiche, egg yolks, herbs

and lemon rind until well blended and creamy. Split this mixture among three bowls. Add shallots and horseradish to two of the bowls. Put about 1 cup of white cauliflower into the food processor and chop finely. Pour into one of the bowls with shallots in it. Repeat with the purple cauliflower. In the third bowl, add the macerated raspberries with about 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Add additional lemon peel. Add salt and pepper to taste to each of the three bowls. Whip the egg whites until stiff. Distribute among the three bowls and fold in to lighten. Layer the purple cauliflower, the white cauliflower, then the raspberry layer into the pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until set and golden on top. Makes 12

Courtesy of Carolyn at www.eatabeet.com

Strawberry White Bean Blondies 15-ounce can white beans, drained and rinsed 2 ripe bananas 1/3 cup agave nectar or honey 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup instant oats 1/3 cup strawberry jam

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients except oats in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth, scrapping sides as needed. Stir in the oats and pour batter into a greased 8x8 pan. Bake about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool before slicing. Note: If you find these brownies are too soft or too fudgey, add another 1/4 cup oats or flour. Courtesy of Aylin Erman at www.glowkitchen. com

Avocados are a great source of monounsaturated fats—which can lower bad cholesterol—and contain both insoluble and soluble fiber. Reap the health benefits of this versatile fruit while treating yourself to chocolate mousse. Photo by Patrick T. Power

Chocolate Avocado Mousse 3 medium ripe avocados 1 cup cocoa powder ½ cup honey 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon milk (optional for thinner consistency)

Halve avocados. Remove pits and scoop pulp into a food processor. Add cocoa powder, honey, vanilla and salt. Blend until fully incorporated. Add milk to desired consistency. Chill and serve. Makes 4 to 8 servings

Courtesy of Alexandra Sechler at www. creativesimplelife.com

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Florida Gardening

Advice From the Front-Yard Farmer

Winter Squash to Try in 2014 Am I the only one to think winter squash is only meant to be grown late in the year in Florida, and only eaten during the winter? I know better now, but before I grew winter squash in my garden, I thought this was the case. It largely is this way in many parts of the country. The plants grow all summer, and the fruit is harvested after the first frost. It is consumed during the winter because most kinds of winter squash do not store well beyond two or three months. Besides, they are too yummy to leave in storage. While winter squash is often sown in late summer in Florida home gardens, late winter also is a terrific time to grow a crop of winter squash. The young plants seem to thrive in the cooler days of late winter over the heat of August and September. The longer, brighter spring days help increase yields over the shorter, more subdued days of late fall. Not surprisingly, homegrown winter squash served in late summer is a welcome, tasty treat on the dinner table, just as it is during the cold days of winter.

Late winter is a terrific time to grow wint Butterbush squash shown here. This squaer squash. Many varieties are available to the home gardener, such as the sh grows on bush-type plants that extend only 3 feet. Photo by Dennis Gilson

Winter squash can be sown March through April in north Florida; February through March in central Florida; and January through February in south Florida. Visit my website, www. frontyardfarmer.com, for complete planting dates for homegrown vegetables in Florida. I have tried many varieties of winter squash in my spring and fall gardens. Here are some you may want to consider in your garden this year. Pilgrim Butternut Squash.

New to my garden last year, Pilgrim winter squash was my star performer for 2013. The semi-bush plants produced a large crop in a small space— 35 pounds in a 10-foot

Dennis Gilson lives and gardens in Niceville. Widely known as the Front-Yard Farmer, Dennis has grown vegetables, fruits and berries in the Florida Panhandle for more than 30 years. He shares his experience and offers timely advice at his website, FrontYardFarmer.com.

F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4

row—and the fine-fleshed, cream-colored fruits were full of nutty, buttery flavor. The meaty fruits resist cracking, and the plants are resistant to powdery mildew. The vines produced fruit well into the summer. Pilgrim squash proved to be an enormous favorite on the dinner table in my home.

black. Each fruit can weigh about a pound, and is ideal for baking and serving in halves.

When I saw the name “Honey Bear” acorn squash, I had to give it a try. I’m glad I did. This isn’t your traditional acorn squash. The texture of its flesh is finer and starchier than ordinary acorn squash— and as sweet as a girlfriend right before Christmas. This 2009 All America Selections Winner hybrid squash is perfect for containers and small gardens. Each plant—tolerant to powdery mildew—bears 3 to 5 fruit. The fruit are such a dark green they can appear nearly

Burpee’s Butterbush Squash. If a traditional but-

Honey Bear Acorn Squash.

Acorn Table Queen Squash.

This heirloom variety of acorn squash dates back 150 years or more. It is a vining squash, so it can take up some space in the garden. The sweet flesh is a golden yellow that turns more orange in color during storage. ternut squash is too large for your table, Burpee’s Butterbush is an excellent alternative. With fruit that averages one and a half pounds or less, it is just right for two. Its deep red flesh has tremendous butternut flavor. I prefer the taste to the classic Waltham Butternut. The Butterbush is a spacesaver in the garden, too. The bush-type plants grow only 3 feet long. Each plant bears 4 to 5 butternut-shaped fruits. 

Everybody’s Favorites Order your copy of our newest cookbook. Nearly 300 reader-submitted recipes are sure to please at your next family gathering. Main dishes, appetizers, drinks and desserts are all represented. Give this as a gift or add it to your collection. The cost is $8, shipping included. Order online at www.ruralite.org, over the phone by calling (503) 357-2105, or complete the form below and mail it with your credit or debit card information, check or money order made out to Ruralite Cookbooks to: Ruralite Cookbooks P.O. Box 558 Forest Grove, OR 97116

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Travel Journal

Tips for Affordable Family Adventures

Heading Out on the Road There is no better time to take a road trip. The winter season is ripe for adventure as the roads are less crowded and you avoid the summer and fall hurricane season. While the destination is a highlight, remember that part of the adventure is in the journey. Naturally, the first step is to plan what you want to see and do in advance. But the journey will be that much more enjoyable by making sure your car is road trip ready. Check under the hood and make sure all your fluids are full, including the oil, windshield wash, transmission fluid and radiator. Tune in to your tires and tank. Check to see if your tires are properly inflated. Add air, if needed, and fill your tank with gas. For future fill-ups, map out the cheapest places to buy gas on the go with a smartphone. Apps such as GasBuddy (www.gasbuddy.com/ GasBuddyMobileApps.aspx) will help you locate the best deals. Or go online at www.

Photo courtesy of Panama City Beach

fuelcostcalculator.aaa.com to check out the best gas prices and calculate the estimated fuel cost of your road trip via an online fuel cost calculator. Don’t forget to load the car with economy-sized bags of everyone’s favorite snacks and with a cooler well-stocked with water, soft drinks and other beverages. Above all, plan time for the unexpected. You don’t want your trip so overscheduled that there is no time for unexpected detours and surprising adventures you encounter along the way. Blast From the Past For those of you who love vintage and classic cars, you certainly will satisfy your passion at Florida’s car museums. If Tallahassee is on your

Kris Wetherbee is an author and award-winning recipe developer. She writes about outdoor living, travel, gardening, natural health and cooking for numerous publications, including Florida Currents. Visit her website at www.kriswetherbee.com.

F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4

radar, be sure to check out the Tallahassee Automobile and Collectibles Museum (www. tacm.com), which houses a collection of rare, historic and unique automobiles from all around the world. Planning a trip to the Tampa-St. Petersburg area? The Tampa Bay Auto Museum (www.tbauto.org) has an amazing collection of vintage cars and vehicles. Head south for the secondoldest continuously operating antique car museum in the country. The Sarasota Classic Car Museum (www.sarasotacarmuseum.org) has an array of antique, exotic, European and one-of-a-kind classics. Did You Know? According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Marion County has the nation’s highest number of horses and ponies. Within the county lies Silver Springs, one of the state’s earliest tourist attractions and home to famous glass-bottom boats.

Convention and Visitors Bureau

Silver Springs also is home to the largest artesian spring formations in the world. Reader Tip “One of my family’s favorite things to do is to go to the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach. If you wait for a cold Florida night (January to early March) and go first thing in the morning you’ll see hundreds of manatees. And if the water is clear on the day you go, you’ll also be able to see sting rays, small sharks and various fish. It’s free to get in. Bring a picnic lunch and make it a half-day outing.” —Jamie Roger, Tampa Bay Share Your Travel Tip What’s your favorite activity in winter, spring, summer or fall? Where’s the best beach and why? Where do you like to go for a weekend getaway? What hidden gem or familyfriendly activity is your go-to? Send us your reader travel tip in 100 words or less to info@floridacurrents.com. 

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Festival Roundup

Things to See and Do

How to Submit Events Want to include a family-friendly event in an upcoming listing? Send it to info@floridacurrents.com. Include the date, town, times, details and a way for readers to get more information. Please submit the item at least 60 days before the event. If you own the rights to a high-resolution photo promoting this year’s event, or from a past year’s event, please attach it along with photo credit information.

Through March 9, Islamorada Cuba: The Natural Beauty Renowned landscape photographer and environmentalist Clyde Butcher showcases the natural beauty of Cuba in images of remote and mountainous island locations during a traveling exhibit at the Florida Keys History and Discovery Museum at the Islander Resort, MM 82. The museum is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12. www.keysdicovery.com; (305) 522-0948 or (305) 304-0052

February 1, St. Joseph St. Joseph Bay Buffer Preserve Winter Bay Day Enjoy a shrimp boil and learn more about St. Joseph Bay, take a guided tour of the preserve, and enjoy food and music. www.stjosephbaypreserves.org

February 1, Panama City Beach 3rd Annual Oyster Bash Help fund restoration of Sealab 1 before its 50th anniversary this summer. Tickets are $25 a person ($35 at the door) for all-you-can-eat raw and steamed oysters from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Dive Lab. Hot dogs and sides will be available. Kids 10 and younger admitted free. www.maninthesea.org

February 1, Osprey Tree Hugger ’60s Fest Enjoy groovy music from the 1960s while communing with nature from 1 to 4 p.m. at Oscar Scherer State Park. The cost is $5 a person, plus normal entrance fees. (941) 486-2155; ashley.melton@dep. state.fl.us

Fifth Annual Chili Cook-Off Amateur and professional cooks will compete for top honors Saturday, February 15, and Sunday, February 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Islamorada Moose Lodge, MM 81. Attendees can vote for their favorite amateur entries. Winners among the professionals—chosen by a special judging panel—qualify for the world championship chili cook-off. The event includes music, line dancing lessons, food and drinks. Proceeds benefit Coral Shores High School athletics, The Good Health Clinic and Islamorada Boy Scouts. For more information, contact Nancy Saxe at buckinancy@aol.com or (305) 664-1086.

februar y 2 0 1 4

February 1, Pensacola Pensacola Double Bridge Run A 15K course takes runners over Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound bridges. A 5K walk/run starts at Gulf Breeze and ends at Pensacola Beach. Registration closing date is January 26. www.doublebridgerun.com; (850) 434-2800

February 1, Bushnell Trash to Treasure Crafts Turn yesterday’s trash into tomorrow’s treasure from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park. The cost is $5 a person, but free to those 17 and younger. (352) 793-4781; kristin.n.wood@dep. state.fl.us

February 1-2, Ellenton 14th Annual Plantation Festival Visitors to Gamble Plantation Historic State Park will enjoy an arts

and crafts show, a school art competition, free tours of the Gamble Mansion and the Patten House, and food and beverage vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking is free. www.floridastateparks.org; (941) 723-4536

February 7-9, Key West 28th Annual Civil War Heritage Days This event at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park features a sea/land battle with schooners, patrol skirmish, period demonstrations, campsite tours, blockade runners’ trial, a memorial service, a parade down Duval Street, ladies’ tea and more. Free with park admission. www.floridastateparks.org; (305) 292-6713

February 12, Panama City Native Plants as Food and Medicine At 2 p.m., venture through maritime hammock along St. Andrews State Park’s Gator Lake Nature Trail for a 1-hour, half-mile hike as you learn about plants native to Northwest Florida. Program is free with regular park entry fees. www.floridastateparks.org; (850) 233-5164

February 13, Sarasota Moonlight Bike Ride Meet at the Visitors’ Center at Myakka River State Park at 5:30 p.m. for a 10-mile leisurely ride. View sunset across Big Flats and the moon over Upper Myakka Lake. Learn a little of Myakka’s history, watch for deer and listen for barred owls. Bikes must be equipped with front and rear lights. Bug spray is a must, and a helmet is mandatory for anyone younger than16. The cost is $10 a person. Reservations are required. (941) 373-7839

February 15, Islamorada Pops in the Park Bring blankets or lawn chairs to Founders Park, MM 87, bayside, and listen to the Florida Keys Community Concert Band at 4 p.m. www.keyscommunityconcertband.org; (305) 853-7294

February 20-21, Okeechobee 7th Annual Battle of Okeechobee Re-enactment of the largest and fiercest battle in the Seminole Wars fought on Christmas Day will be staged at the Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park. www.Okeechobeebattlefield.com; Dowling Watford, (863) 610-2333; Battle of Okeechobee on Facebook

February 21, Bradenton Health and Business Fair Mixon Fruit Farms will be the site of free health screenings, document shredding, giveaways and raffles from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featured businesses include Goodwill, Meals on Wheels, the American Red Cross and the Bloodmobile, Manatee Memorial Hospital, AAA, Humana, Natural Therapies, Eye Associates and the Food Bank of Manatee County. www.mixon.com; (941) 748-5829 ext. 268

46th Annual Pioneer Park Days More than 400 antique tractors, along with steam engines and farm equipment, will be displayed February 26 through March 2 at Pioneer Park, U.S. Hwy 17 and S.R. 64, Zolfo Springs. A tractor parade is planned at 2 p.m. each day. The Florida Frontiersmen will demonstrate 1800s-era living, including Dutch-oven cooking, wood burning, basket weaving, pioneer toys, and how to make and play a flute. Tools, crafts and more will be sold from 491 flea market booths. Musicians and cloggers will entertain daily. Admission is $2 a day or $5 for a weekly pass. For more information, visit www.hardeecounty.net/pioneerdays.html or call (863) 773-2161. February 21-22, Marathon Crane Point Museum/Nature Center Fundraiser “Mother Truckers,” a comedy performed by local actors, and a raffle highlight the annual dinner catered by a local restaurant. The event at the Key Colony Beach City Hall Auditorium funds operations of the nonprofit museum of natural history and the 63-acre hardwood hammock with hiking trails open to the public. Tickets are $60 a person ($65 at the door, if tickets remain), or $540 for a table for 10. Call for reservations. www.cranepoint.net; Loretta@cranepoint.net; (305) 743-3900

February 22-23, Islamorada 19th Annual Upper Keys Gigantic Nautical Flea Market Find hundreds of marine- and watersportsrelated vendors offering wares to thousands of buyers seeking deals on new and used boats, marine equipment, electronics, fishing tackle, dive gear, nautical arts and crafts, and more at

Founders Park, MM 87 bayside, Plantation Key. The event raises money used to fund college scholarships for Upper Keys youth. www.keysrotary.myevent.com

February 23-March 2, Big Pine Key 30th Annual Winter Star Party About 600 astronomers from around the world gather to view southern constellations, comets and stars in the Lower Keys’ clear night skies — virtually the only place in the continental U.S. where they can be viewed. Lectures, programs and workshops round out the event. (305) 661-1375; www.scas.org/winterstarparty.htm; heinrich1@windstream.net

February 28-March 1, Panama City Beach Mardi Gras at the Beach Celebrate the season with a parade and music festival in the heart of Pier Park. www.mardigrasatthebeach.com

March 1, Marathon Annual House and Garden Tour and Celebrate Spring Flower Show The Marathon Garden Cub will host a judged flower show, “Celebrate Spring” at its headquarters, MM 50 bayside, along with its annual house and garden tour showcasing the inside and outside of six homes and gardens in the Key Colony Beach area. Both events begin at 10 a.m. and run until 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 or $20 if purchased in advance. Art images will also be raffled off at the club house. Cindy Wooten, (305) 289-7700 or clmwooten@aol.com

March 1-2, Bradenton Orange Blossom Festival From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, visit Mixon Fruit Farms for music, dancing, circus performances, crafts, a variety of food, pony rides, bounce houses, bungee jumping and more. www.mixon.com; (941) 748-5829 ext. 268

februar y 2 0 1 4

Outdoor Pursuits

Enjoying the Natural World Around Us

Fishing Words for Success: ‘Dear Journal’ An angler’s success is shaped in large part by the sum total of his or her experiences. The lessons they learn, retain and act upon make them better fishermen. A fortunate few can keep all of that information in their heads. But for most people, things get overlooked, mixed up or forgotten altogether when relying on memory alone. That is when a fishing journal comes in handy. By recording details about each trip, anglers can learn from their successes and failures, identifying and exploiting patterns and other insights the journal entries hold. Where are the best places to fish? What is the best water temperature for a given fishing hole? Which lures are most effective? After keeping a journal awhile, you will be able to make educated guesses about those questions and more. Fishing journals come in two basic formats: notebook or smartphone apps. A water-resistant notebook is a good investment if you go the hard copy route. One

fishing club or similar organization. • Sell it on eBay or at a garage sale. This works best with high-end rods. Pressure Pointers Correct bicycle tire pressure is important. It will improve the comfort of the ride, extend tire life and minimize flats. If your tire pump doesn’t have an air-pressure guage, buy a pocket gauge. Check your tire pressure at least once a week if you ride frequently. If you only ride occasionally, check it before each outing.

A thermometer with a long probe is useful for targeting zones where bass most likely are lurking. Above, an underwater view of a largemouth bass hooked on a red crank bait about to be lifted into the boat. Photo by Jack Bissell

source is www.riteintherain. com, a website that offers allweather notebooks and pens used by law enforcement and the military. Many fishing journal apps are available for smartphones. Two popular ones are My Fishing Journal Widget and MFP Fishing Log. The advantage of using a smartphone is the ability to take pictures, in addition to recording notes.

Many of Curtis Condon’s fondest memories involve outdoor adventures with friends and family, whether fishing with old school buddies, backpacking in the mountains of the Northwest with his sons or bird watching along the Gulf Coast with his wife. He feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to write about the outdoors and other subjects for more than 30 years.

F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4

Whatever format you choose, keep the journal simple. Maintaining it shouldn’t feel like a chore. However, at a minimum the journal should contain the following information: date, time, location, water temperature, weather and hotspot locations. Also, record catches, with information about species, weight, length and bait used. The more details included, the better. Four Things to Do With a Broken Fishing Rod • Fix it and re-use it yourself or use the repaired rod as a loaner for kids or other fair-weather anglers. • Cannibalize it for parts. • Donate it to a youth

What Day is It? Boy Scout Day, February 8 Boys Scouts of America was founded on this date in 1910. Approximately 150 million boys and adult leaders have participated in the program during its 104-year history. Pistol Patent Day, February 25 This day celebrates Samuel Colt’s invention of the Colt revolver. He received U.S. Patent No. 138 for his sixshot, revolving cylinder design on this date in 1836. Got a Tip or a Whopper? Send us your favorite outdoor tip, photo or story. If selected for publication in Florida Currents magazine, we will send you $25 for onetime use. When sending a photo, identify people and pets, and tell us the story behind the picture. Email your submission to info@ floridacurrents.com.

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Seminole Generating Station:

30 Years and Counting Providing a clean, reliable source of electricity

Birthdays, wedding days and graduations have one thing in common: anniversaries. Anniversaries can be celebrated with friends, family, even coworkers. Seminole Electric Cooperative— Glades Electric’s wholesale power provider—celebrated one of its own anniversaries at the start of the new year. January marked the 30th year Seminole’s coal-fired power plant, the Seminole Generating Station, has been producing electricity for its members. The decision for Seminole to build a coal-fired power plant was a result of the 1978 Power Plant and Industrial Fuel Use Act, banning the use of natural gas for power generation. Approval from Seminole’s Board of Trustees, made up of 27 member trustees, including three GEC board members, kick started Seminole’s goal to provide members power through self-owned generating facilities at a wholesale rate. After several years of planning and construction, the first of two coal units at SGS became commercially available in January 1984. The second unit came online later that same year. Consisting of two 650-megawatt coalfired generating units, SGS is located on a 2,000-acre site in Palatka, about 60 miles south of Jacksonville. To supply the coal needed to operate SGS at full capacity, Seminole operates seven 100-car trains that deliver coal from mines more than 800 miles away. Maintained by teams of specially

More than half a billion dollars has been invested in pollution-control equipment at the Seminole Generating Station.

trained employees, SGS produces enough electricity to power about 850,000 homes. In 2003, Seminole’s Board of Trustees made a strategic decision and a crucial investment that is paying off today: agreeing to invest millions of dollars in upgrading and retrofitting the two coal-based generating units at SGS with state-of-theart environmental control equipment. In total, SGS has more than $530 million invested in control equipment, reducing emissions and protecting the environment. Today, SGS is one of the cleanest coal-fired power plants in the United States and one of the most reliable. In partnership with GEC, Seminole has worked diligently to meet ongoing energy needs and to exceed in complying with federal regulations. For 30 years, SGS has been a cornerstone for Seminole, its members and its energy portfolio. Thanks to the foresight of Seminole’s board of trustees in 1984, members will continue to receive affordable and reliable electricity from a generation facility we are proud to own. 

Seminole believes it makes good business sense to have a diversified generation portfolio. In addition to coal-based generation at SGS, Seminole generates electricity from natural gas, and now boasts Florida’s largest renewable portfolio. The diversity in Seminole’s generation mix reduces exposure to changing market conditions and helps keep rates competitive. Coal, which was once a mandated fossil fuel for power generation, is now being restricted and overly regulated. As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gears up to release strict federal regulations for existing power plants, including coal-fired facilities such as SGS, cooperatives all across the U.S. and their members are urging EPA to keep an “All-of-theabove” energy approach. Visit www. action.coop for more information.

F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Meet LED Lucy

New Bulb on the Block A new lighting mascot is in town. CFL Charlie—a cartoon mascot for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, the brand identity of the nation’s not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives—helps families become super savers by switching to energy-efficient light bulbs. In 2013, he was joined by LED Lucy—a dazzling, spunky mascot lighting the way for even brighter bulb savings. Lighting standards started shifting away from traditional light bulbs in 2012. CFL Charlie and LED Lucy want to make sure Glades Electric Cooperative members know about all lighting options. “I’m older than I look,” LED Lucy confides. The mascot’s light-emitting diodes beam. “The first LED was created in 1927,” she says. “Since then we’ve added stylish colors, and costs dropped. I love bargains, and LED prices get lower every year.” The mascots share a few pointers on their energy-efficiency namesakes.

Compact Fluorescent Lights CFL Charlie—and other bulbs like him— are the most common and economical efficient light bulbs on the market. The swirly style is linked to the concept of efficient lighting, but some consumers have not warmed to the design. “Not everyone likes to see my swirls,” explains Charlie. “That’s fine by me. Everyone has a different sense of style. Several of my friends are designed to 26

f e b r ua r y 2 0 1 4

look just like a traditional light bulb.” CFLs offer 75 percent energy savings compared to traditional incandescent bulbs and pay for themselves in nine months, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Light-Emitting Diodes Light emitting diodes have been used for years in cell phones and other electronics. Most diodes are small—about half the size of a pencil eraser. By banding several small diodes together, a bright and dependable light emerges.

As their popularity grows, some companies are making light with a single, bright LED chip. New ways to build LEDs will help drive down costs. “It’s going to be fun to watch LED Lucy gain fans,” says Charlie. “She uses a little less energy than me, and lasts 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.” Since lighting adds up to 10 percent of a home’s electric bill, every bulb counts. n To help children learn more about lighting, visit www.kidsenergyzone.com. Check out LED Lucy’s page and download her coloring book page.

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Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Animals and Power Don’t Mix Electric cooperatives take measures to protect wildlife and prevent outages By Megan McKoy-Noe

What do birds, squirrels and power outages have in common? Animals trigger 11 percent of power outages across the nation. “Our members sometimes shake their heads in disbelief when I blame a squirrel or frog for an outage,” says Jeff Brewington, CEO at Glades Electric. “We spend a lot of time each year addressing animal management and removal.” To ensure safe, reliable power delivery—and healthy wildlife—GEC goes to great lengths to keep animals away from electricity.

Animal Attraction Electricity seeks the fastest route to the ground. Utility pole insulators keep power flowing safely in your neighborhood, but unwitting squirrels or frogs offer highvoltage electricity a way around insulators. If an animal doesn’t jump far enough, a powerful electric current—up to 12,500 volts—makes the animal a conduit to the ground. The animal does not survive. If an animal’s body falls to the ground, the power blinks, but stays on. If it falls

By moving an osprey nest from power equipment to a nearby nesting platform, utilities protect wildlife and keep power flowing in the community. Photo by Susan Larson

f e b r ua r y 2 0 1 4

3M’s Electrostatic Animal Guard acts as an electrified fence. Wildlife receives a mild shock if too close.

into equipment, such as a transformer, safety measures shut off power. Glades Electric must send a lineworker to remove the animal and restore power. Squirrels and frogs are the main culprits, but they are not alone. Opossums, raccoons, foxes, snakes, birds and other animals trigger outages, too. Animal attraction to power infrastructure hurts animals and leaves frustrated GEC members in the dark. Clean up, recovery and restoring power costs utilities between $15 million and $18 million a year, estimates Tyco Electronics, a utility equipment firm. Grid Guardians No one wants wildlife hurt. Eighty percent of electric co-ops, public power districts and public utility districts install animal guards to protect equipment and wayward animals. 3M’s Electrostatic Animal Guard resembles a tarantula. A dozen metal rods arch like bent legs around an insulator, forming an electrostatic barrier. Errant wildlife receives a mild shock if it gets too close. “Electric co-ops can minimize outages without injuring animals,” says Jim Stanley, a product marketing manager in 3M’s Electrical Markets Division. “Guards can be installed easily without

Animal guards come in all shapes and sizes, including these discshaped shields by Rauckman. Often, the guards can be installed without interrupting the delivery of power.

de-energizing the circuit.” Alternatives such as the Rauckman Wildlife Shield and ZAPShield create a barrier to keep teething squirrels, rodents, snakes and other animals away from dangerous parts of electrical infrastructure. Frisbee-sized plastic or metal discs guard equipment in substations, too. Animal guards are not foolproof, but the measures help reduce the number of outages caused by animals. Another option is building habitats to help animals and power safely co-exist. Osprey and other birds of prey are attracted to poles as perches. Raptors often nest on top of utility poles—a dangerous spot. An osprey’s nearly five-foot wingspan can form a conduit between an energized power line and a neutral wire. Some co-ops encourage birds to settle on manmade nest platforms. The utility removes a dormant nest from electrical equipment and places the nesting material on a nearby raised platform, which is as tall or taller than the utility pole.

Causes of Interruptions

Line Foreman Josh Reeves of Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association rescued this squirrel during a flood. Co-ops try to protect wildlife.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service claims the odds are good the birds will use the safer structure when they return to the area. Glades Electric Cooperative has installed quite a few nesting habitats for birds throughout its service territory. “By giving raptors an alternative and much safer place to perch, we’ve reduced our number of bird-related outages, which are primarily caused by the nesting material itself,” says Brewington. 

Weather................................................. 31% equipment ........................................... 14% Maintenance ....................................... 12% animals ................................................. 11% Planned outages .................................. 7% Other ........................................................ 7% Power supply ........................................ 5% Public ....................................................... 5%

Prevention Strategies Tree trimming ..................................... 87% Lightning arrestors ........................... 81% Line patrol ............................................ 81% animal/squirrel guards.................... 80% Covered jumper wires...................... 64% Grounding improvement ............... 59% Consumer education ....................... 56% Converted overhead lines to underground ................................. 35% Source: NRECA

f e b r ua r y 2 0 1 4

Parting Shot

Readers Share Their Special Photos

Swimming Above Water Look, up in sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s ... a giant fish? Glenn Cummings captured this image as he and his wife, Eileen, watched the sun set from one of their favorite spots, the Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar in Islamorada. “Everyone there was amazed at what appeared in the sky,” says Glenn. “It couldn’t have been more fitting.” Visiting from New Jersey, the couple long to move to the Keys, leaving behind the snow for more fabulous sunsets.  Photo by Glenn Cummings, Mount Arlington, New Jersey

We are always looking for photos to feature in Parting Shot, and pay $25 for one-time use. Send your best shots, along with information about the photo, to photos@floridacurrents.com.

Featuring Nationally Acclaimed Tellers: Bill Harley, Michael Reno Harrell Megan Hicks, Barbara McBride Smith & Carol Cain, Master of Ceremonies

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F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4

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Offices Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday 26733 U.S. Hwy. 27 East/P.O. Box 519 Moore Haven, FL 33471 (800) 226-4024 or (863) 946-6200 Fax: (863) 946-2150 214 SR 70 West Lake Placid, FL 33852 (800) 226-4025 or (863) 531-5000 111 SW Park St. Okeechobee, FL 34974 (800) 226-4023 or (863) 467-5111

Power Interruption Number Moore Haven..............................(800) 226-4024 Phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. Please have your location or account number handy when you call.

Board of Trustees John “Jack” Coxe, President, District 8 Lake Josephine, (863) 655-3056 James “Jim” Aul, Vice President, District 7 Lorida, (863) 441-0441 Russell Henderson, Sec./Treas., District 3 Ortona and Palmdale, (863) 946-0865 Donnie Lundy, Trustee, District 1 Moore Haven, (863) 946-0402 Barney Goodman, Trustee, District 2 Hendry County, (863) 983-7324 Shannon Hall, Trustee, District 4 Lakeport and Brighton, (863) 946-3242 Ladd Bass, Trustee, District 5 Venus and Hicoria, (863) 441-2227 Lee Henderson, Trustee, District 6 Highlands Park, (863) 633-9281 Irene Lofton, Trustee, District 9 Okeechobee, (863) 467-1219 The next meeting of the Board will be at 9 a.m. February 27 at the Moore Haven headquarters office. Any changes to this schedule will be posted in the lobby of all three district offices.

Executive Staff CEO Jeff Brewington CFO Jennifer Manning Dir. of Business Development Paul McGehee Dir. of Employee Services Yvonne Bradley Dir. of Information Technologies Bradley Hill Dir. of Member Services Margaret Ellerbee Dir. of Operations Tracy Vaughn

february 2 0 1 4

FL-153

CEO’s Message

Our Outage Seasons Year after year, our records display specific outage seasons. Our first outage season of a year begins with Florida’s rainy season. Full-time residents know what that brings: lightning galore. With our utility poles the highest structure around in our flat lands, our system takes many hits, leading to blown fuses, destroyed transformers, broken cross arms and braces, and split or burning poles. There is not much we can do about direct lightning strikes, but to mitigate and dissipate the damage, we use lightning arrestor devices on about every third pole. Each year after the rainy season we inspect and replace any lightning arrestors damaged doing their Jeff Brewington job to mitigate lightning damage. Following the rainy season comes what we call the frog outage season. The rain brings standing water, which creates insect- and frogbreeding grounds. We are grateful for the frogs so some of the mosquitoes are eaten. However, these creatures like to hide during the day in every crack and crevice they can find, and then stretch out at night to feed. Unfortunately, too often that stretching brings them in contact with lines connected to our transformers, and they cause a short and blow a fuse. 2013 was a year of record rainfall and led to record frog production which, in turn, led to record frog-caused outages. Animal outages are not limited to frogs. Squirrels, birds and snakes contribute, too. See the story on page 28 for details. In the case of birds, many times a blink or outage is caused by the conductive droppings left behind as they take flight or simply nesting materials falling into the lines. The prolific rainfall of 2013 also brought record vegetation growth. We have a yearround growing season, but this added water led to a vine crisis on our system—so much so that we had to call in help from our right-of-way maintenance contractor. Vines and tree branches grow into the lines and can cause blinks and outages. In late summer and early fall, agricultural activities take off. Our lines run close if not through these active areas. As crops are planted, cared for and harvested, our insulators become dirty. This, in itself, is not a problem. But we also tend to get light or misty rains at this time of year. When that happens, our insulators are not washed clean, as in a heavy rain. This leads to the electric energy tracking down the contaminants on the insulator as it drools away in the light rain, and we experience more blinks and outages. Finally, the beautiful winter weather arrives and we find some relief. We don’t stop at identifying our outage seasons. In 2014, we will begin using a new animal guard and higher-rated line insulators, and modify our right-of-way program as we continue our mission to provide exceptional service.