Florida Currents June 2015 by American MainStreet Publications

Peace River Electric Cooperative

J U N E 2015

Special Hurricane Issue In 2004, this home in PRECO’s service territory suffered the wrath of Hurricane Charley’s devasting winds. See page 4 for a guide to preparations.

Free Surge Suppressor Installation PAGE 26



Earth Day Celebration

PAGE 28

Peace River

Members acknowledge that $3.96, plus actual postage, is the cost to publish 12 issues a year of Florida Currents (USPS8300). Published by Ruralite Services Inc., 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124—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 Hillsboro, OR 97123 and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address corrections to 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124. 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, 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124; (503) 718-3717; email info@floridacurrents.com. Subscription services: Nonmember subscriptions $12 (U.S.) 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. Order online at www.floridacurrents.com. 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. 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

Contact Jessah Willis National Country Market 611 S. Congress Ave. Suite 504 Austin, TX 98704 (800) 626-1181 or (512) 441-5200 www.nationalcountrymarket.com

Where Will the Young Go?

Cooperatives committed to making opportunities available By Adam Schwartz

In June, Peace River Electric Cooperative will send Sean Spurlock and Cheyanne Pohl to Washington, D.C., for the annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour. They will join more than 1,600 high school students from rural areas around the country. As in past years, these young people will have the trip of their lives. They will meet senators and congressmen, hear from co-op leaders, see the U.S. Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, Smithsonian Institution museums and meet hundreds of kids just like them. They will return home with great memories. Then what? Where will the young go? Will they leave the place they have called home? Or will they stay to help create stable communities? Nearly 60 percent of rural counties shrank in population in 2013. The trend is up from 40 percent in the 1990s. While some economists might see this as simply the “market” acting efficiently, we know communities like ours cannot survive if this trend continues. According to a study on rural youth migration, many young people living in rural areas have a negative view of their community when

compared to major urban centers. There is a perception rural areas offer limited economic and social opportunities. As we all know, your perception is your reality. Cooperatives are a business model. But unlike investor-owned companies that focus almost exclusively on turning a profit, cooperatives serve both an economic and social purpose. If the cooperative is operating in concert with our seven principles and values, we can change the perception that rural areas offer limited opportunities. We can ensure young people know and understand they have a critically important role to play in our community. PRECO was created with the purpose to improve the quality of life in rural areas by providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity. While that mission has been accomplished, it needs to be maintained and expanded. Sending our best and brightest students to Washington, D.C., for a week is a wonderful first step. We are committed to engaging youth. Ensuring everyone in our community works together to find economic and social opportunities for them to stay in our community is our challenge. Together, we can do this.  Adam Schwartz is founder of The Cooperative Way, a consulting firm that helps co-ops succeed, and a member-owner of the CDS Consulting Co-op. You can follow him on Twitter @adamcooperative or email him at aschwartz@thecooperativeway.coop.

Inside

June 2015 Vol. 4, No. 8

Go Ahead, Make a MESS 12

Trend Offset Printing Services 10301 Busch Drive North Jacksonville, FL 32218

Inspired scientist creates hands-on lab that serves as a playground of discovery for explorers of all ages.

Also In This Issue

PRINTED IN FLORIDA

Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Great Picture Hunt 18

Festival Roundup 22 Outdoor Pursuits 24 Parting Shot 30

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

JUNE 2015

2015 Storm Names ANA BILL CLAUDETTE DANNY ERIKA FRED GRACE HENRI IDA JOAQUIN KATE LARRY MINDY NICHOLAS ODETTE PETER ROSE SAM TERESA VICTOR

The official hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. PRECO wants you to be adequately prepared, know what to expect and know how to react if a hurricane or strong storm becomes imminent. This issue of Florida Currents is devoted to keeping you and your family safe throughout the hurricane season.

Tis The Season – H

Be Prepared for the Worst H AV E A H U R R I C A N E E M E R G E N C Y K I T At a minimum, have these basic supplies: Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply) Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply) Flashlight Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)

Extra batteries First aid kit Medications (7-day supply) and medical items Multi-purpose tool Sanitation and personal hygiene items Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies) Cell phone with chargers Family and emergency contact information Extra cash Emergency blanket

WANDA

Source: American Red Cross

Generator Tip A generator incorrectly connected to your home’s electrical system can backfeed dangerous and deadly current onto power lines – a hazard for your family and our line crews. To avoid backfeed have a licensed electrician install a transfer switch. 4

J U N E 2 015

15-0049_PREC_June_FINAL.indd 6

Peace River Electric Cooperative

5/12/15 4:31 PM

– Hurricane Season, That Is Hurricane Tips A DVA N C E P L A N N I N G Have a game plan. Know in advance what you are going to do if you find yourself in the projected path of a major storm or hurricane. The best time to make plans is while skies are blue.

H U N K E R D O W N O R E VA C U AT E ? Pay close attention to your local emergency managers. If they recommend that you get out, don’t delay. Is your home prone to flooding? Don’t take a chance – move to higher ground. If you decide to stay, make preparations for after the storm – remember, power could be out for days or even weeks.

EXERCISE CAUTION High winds can bring trees and limbs crashing onto power lines, causing wires to droop dangerously low or bring them in contact with structures or the ground. Assume that all power lines are energized and stay away. Report downed power lines to PRECO immediately at 1-800-282-3824.

Hurricane Alerts H U R R I C A N E WAT C H :

Hurricane Categories

Hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale classifies hurricanes into five categories CATEGORY SUSTAINED WINDS

DAMAGE INTENSITY

H U R R I C A N E WA R N I N G:

STORM SURGE

74-95 mph

Some damage

3-5 feet

96-110 mph

Extensive damage

6-8 feet

111-129 mph

Devastating damage

9-12 feet

130-156 mph

Catastrophic damage

13-18 feet

157+ mph

Extreme catastrophic damage

19+ feet

www.preco.coop

15-0049_PREC_June_FINAL.indd 7

Hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours.

E X T R E M E W I N D WA R N I N G: Extreme sustained winds (115 mph or greater), usually associated with the eyewall, are expected to begin within an hour. Source: National Hurricane Service

J U N E 2 015

5/12/15 4:34 PM

J U N E 2 015

15-0049_PREC_June_FINAL.indd 8

Peace River Electric Cooperative

5/12/15 4:35 PM

View outages in real time at http://outage.preco.coop

Downed Power Lines! Stay Away!

Always assume downed lines are energized

Downed Line Disaster Could Spell Serious Injury or Death

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t approach a downed line

Hurricane winds are notorious for bringing down power lines. Protect yourself by following these simple guidelines:

For your safety, always assume power lines are energized and dangerous.

Even if a power line is dead, it could become energized at any time.

Never touch a downed power line or any person or object that is touching a power line.

If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with a downed power line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim.

Warn others to stay away from downed power lines.

If a power line falls across or near your vehicle, stay inside until help arrives. If you must exit, jump clear without touching the car. Keep both feet together and shuffle or hop away from the vehicle.

n n

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drive over downed power lines.

Do not try to move tree limbs that are on or near a power line.

Immediately report downed power lines to PRECO at 1-800-282-3824 or call 911.

n n n

www.preco.coop

15-0049_PREC_June_FINAL.indd 9

Our line techs are specially trained to work with power lines.

J U N E 2 015

5/12/15 4:36 PM

Powering Up When an outage occurs, PRECO line crews get going When the power goes out, most of us expect power to be restored soon. But when a major storm causes widespread damage, prolonged outages are likely. Co-op line crews work long, hard hours to restore service safely to the greatest number of consumers in the shortest time possible. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on if you find yourself in the dark.

1. High-Voltage Transmission Lines Transmission towers and cables that supply power to transmission substations (and thousands of members) rarely fail. But when damage occurs, these facilities must be repaired before other parts of the system can operate.

2. Distribution Substation

3. Main Distribution Lines

4. Tap Lines (Supply Lines)

5. Individual Homes

Each substation serves hundreds or thousands of consumers. When a major outage occurs, line crews inspect substations to determine if problems stem from transmission lines feeding into the substation, the substation itself or if problems exist down the line.

If the problem cannot be isolated at a distribution substation, distribution lines are checked. These lines carry power to large groups of consumers in communities or housing developments.

If local outages persist, supply lines, called tap lines, are inspected. These lines deliver power to transformers, either mounted on poles or placed on pads for underground service, outside businesses, schools and homes

If your home remains without power, the service line between a transformer and your residence may need to be repaired. To report an outage, call the PRECO Outage Hotline at 1-877-282-3656. Sources: Illustrations, Funnel Inc.; Text, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Power out? PRECO Outage Hotline 1-877-282-3656 8

J U N E 2 015

15-0049_PREC_June_FINAL.indd 10

Peace River Electric Cooperative

5/12/15 4:37 PM

HARBOR FREIGHT QUALITY TOOLS AT RIDICULOUSLY LOW PRICES

How Does Harbor Freight Sell GREAT QUALITY Tools at the LOWEST Prices?

SUPER COUPON

We have invested millions of dollars in our own state-of-the-art quality test labs and millions more in our factories, so our tools will go toe-to-toe with the top professional brands. And we can sell them for a fraction of the price because we cut out the middle man and pass the savings on to you. It’s just that simple! Come visit one of our 550 Stores Nationwide. R PE ON SU UP CO

FREE 20% OFF 6 LOT 69080 shown 69030/69031/47737

– Truckin' Magazine

9999

REG. PRICE

$279.99

METRIC

LOT 42305/69044

OVER

122

LOT 69039 shown 60727 62286

$177 $

$ 99

$15.99

27 LED PORTABLE WORKLIGHT/FLASHLIGHT

R PE ON SU UP CO

SAVE 62%

19999

Batteries included.

REG. PRICE

discount . Cannot be used with other supplies last. by calling 800-423-2567 or HarborFreight.com or l purchase with original receipt. Offer good while er per day. LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores . Limit one coupon per custom ses after 30 days from origina or coupon or prior purchal coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/21/15 Non-transferable. Origina

5999

REG. PRICE

$89.99

SAVE $85

R PE ON SU UP CO

SUPER QUIET

•

4000 PEAK/ 3200 RUNNING WATTS 6.5 HP (212 CC) 70 dB Noise GAS GENERATORS Level

SAVE $200 $

299

$159.99

LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/21/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

ON WOW SUPE18RVOCOLT UP CORDLESS /DRIVER

FOLDABLE ALUMINUM SPORTS CHAIR LOT 62314 66383 shown

• 250 lb. Capacity

2499

REG. PRICE

$39.99

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/21/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed • Over 25 Million Satisfied Customers

SAVE

54%

Includes one 18V NiCd battery and charger.

3/8" DRILL WITH KEYLESS CHUCK LOT 69651 68239 shown

$1599 $

2299 REG. PRICE

$34.99

discount . Cannot be used with other supplies last. by calling 800-423-2567 or HarborFreight.com or l purchase with original receipt. Offer good while er per day. LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores . Limit one coupon per custom ses after 30 days from origina or coupon or prior purchal coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/21/15 Origina le. nsferab Non-tra

• No Hassle Return Policy • Lifetime Warranty On All Hand Tools

• Extends from 6 ft. to 8 ft. 10"

7499

REG. PRICE

$99.99

R PE ON SU UP CO

72" x 80" MOVER'S BLANKET LOT 66537 shown 69505/62418

$ 99

99 SAVE

$499.99

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/21/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

$64

OVER

35 LOT 68862

REG. PRICE

hft_floridacurrents_0615_M-REG57163.indd 1

SAVE $

LOT 68528/69729/69676 shown LOT 69675/69728 CALIFORNIA ONLY

• Weighs 74 lbs.

SAVE 37% $

PER COUPON WOW1.5 HPSUELE CTRIC POLE SAW

LOT 67227 shown 69567/60566/62532

LIMIT 9 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/21/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LOT 69227/62116 62584/62590/68048 shown

R PE ON SU UP CO

$3999

discount . Cannot be used with other supplies last. by calling 800-423-2567 or HarborFreight.com or l purchase with original receipt. Offer good while er per day. LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores . Limit one coupon per custom ses after 30 days from origina or coupon or prior purchal coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/21/15 Non-transferable. Origina

PRICE $ 99 REG.$7.99

$299.99

REG. PRICE

55%

YOUR CHOICE!

LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/21/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

7499

LOT 95275 shown 60637/61615

SAVE

REG. PRICE

SAVE

OIL AIR COMPRESSOR

SAE

SAVE 62%

W10OFT.Wx 17SUFT.PEPORRTACOBLEUPGAONRAGE

RAPID PUMP® 3 TON HEAVY DUTY STEEL FLOOR JACK

ON WOW SUPE3RGALCOLESLONUP , 100 PSI S PANCAKE

LOT 69043/42304 shown

R PE ON SU UP CO

VALUE

LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/21/15. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.

9 PIECE FULLY POLISHED COMBINATION WRENCH SETS

• 580 lb. Capacity

SAVE $180

$ 99

ANY SINGLE ITEM

LIMIT 1 - Save 20% on any one item purchased at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon, gift cards, Inside Track Club membership, extended service plans or on any of the following: compressors, generators, tool storage or carts, welders, floor jacks, Towable Ride-On Trencher, Saw Mill (Item 61712/62366/67138), Predator Gas Power Items, open box items, in-store event or parking lot sale items. Not valid on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase date with original receipt. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/21/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LOT 95659 shown 61634/61952

WINNER

WITH ANY PURCHASE

1" x 25 FT. TAPE MEASURE

R PE ON SU UP CO

26", 4 DRAWER TOOL CART

SUPER COUPON

REG. PRICE

$17.99

66%

R PE ON SU UP CO

RETRACTABLE AIR HOSE REEL WITH 3/8" x 50 FT. HOSE

SAVE $90

LOT 69265/62344 93897 shown

5999

REG. PRICE

$149.99

• 550 Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com 800-423-2567

4/15/15 12:18 PM

Side Roads

Discoveries Oﬀ the Beaten Path

A Tool Crafted to Last Quality is the hallmark of knife maker’s creations By J.M. Garlock

Postcards From Florida

Jackie Robinson Ballpark, Daytona Beach

Photo by w

ORIDA.com ww.VISITFL

Relive history in this minor league baseball park where Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated Major League Baseball spring training game in 1946. Built in 1914, the park was renamed after Robinson in 1989. Home to the Daytona Tortugas, a Cincinnati Reds Advanced-A aﬃliate, the park features a statue of Robinson, historical markers and a museum. It is open for tours Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10

JUNE 2015

Gordon Romeis was in the Cub Scouts when he got his first knife. By the time he got to Fort Myers High School, he decided to make his own. “This was back when they had a shop class and you could do such things,” says Gordon, 57. “I decided to make my first knife out of a file. Around 1980, I had made a few knives and realized I liked the process and exploring my creativity.” Gordon sold his first knife in 1977 for—if he remembers correctly—$35. Since then, he has made around 2,000 knives, selling them for as much as $850. A full-time environmental consultant with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Gordon works only a few hours a day in the backyard shed that doubles as his workshop. “I enjoy making a special knife for someone based on their desires,” he says. “There is a satisfaction in creating a product that pleases someone.” Gordon makes knives for hunting, fishing and kitchen use, and has made knives for Navy Seals, Army Rangers and law enforcement officers. His small carrying knives are less than 4 inches overall. Some fillet knife blades are around 9 inches long, including the handle. He makes two basic types: the narrow tang where the handle end of the blade is completely surrounded by the handle, and the full tang where the metal of the blade runs completely through the handle from edge to edge and to the end. “I do not make knives out of materials that do not last,” says Gordon, a member of the prestigious Knife Makers Guild, which admits only masters of the craft. “I do not make folding knives or switchblades. I do everything I can to make these things as well as I can, both technically and aesthetically. I have made some swords, but they were more an exercise

Above, a drop point hunter knife crafted by Gordon Romeis. Opposite page, Gordon sharpens the blade of a knife in progress.

in technical creativity than something that I want to do.” His knives are guaranteed. “If it breaks or comes apart due to a flaw in the parts or the completion of the knife, that is my fault,” Gordon says. “I will repair or replace the knife. If the knife has been abused such as being used as a pry bar, I will inspect the knife and determine if it can be salvaged.” The prices of Gordon’s knives reflect the craftsmanship he puts into each one. “The price of a knife is based on the materials and the time it takes to make it,” Gordon says, noting it takes a minimum of six hours to make one. “Prices start at $50 for small blades. Hunting/skinning knives range from $150 to $250.” Those prices all are with Micarta handles—woven fabrics, typically linen or canvas cloth, encased in phenolic resin and attached with industrial strength epoxy. “You can literally pound on this with a hammer and it’ll just dimple,” Gordon says. “If it was a piece of wood, it’d bust all up. So it’s waterproof, blood, grease, whatever proof.”

Like No Other Place

Different dyes can be mixed in to produce colors. Other handle options— which come at a higher cost—include exotic woods, stag horn from the antlers of elk, bone and mastodon ivory. “I obtain the materials from various supply companies,” Gordon says, noting he likes to buy materials at trade shows so he can choose the most appealing materials. Gordon’s knife blades are made of 440C stainless steel, although he offers the option of Damascus steel. “My designs come from different sources,” he says. “Some are classic shapes that have stood the test of time. Some are customers’ designs that incorporate their thoughts on what will work for them in their particular circumstances. Sometimes I see a need and come up with a design that I think will address that need.” In terms of popularity, “sometimes I sell out of kitchen knives, while other times I sell all the Damascus knives that I have,” Gordon says. Tempering steel involves many timeconsuming steps. Gordon does some

of the work himself, but the pounding together of layers of steel that form the finished blade is done by a friend in Alabama. A heat-treater in Pennsylvania does further tempering. “It’s put in a vacuum with electronic coils and taken up to 1,900 degrees, then down to approximately minus 300,” Gordon says. “After I get the finished steel (already cut into a pattern) back, I finish grinding and put a handle on them.” Gordon is a perfectionist. “The hallmark of the custom knife is quality,” he says. “Every operation, each step, is fitted together to make the best blade that I can produce. I am my harshest critic. If a fatal flaw is found in the process of making a knife, and that process cannot be fixed, the whole knife is scrapped. “I love making tools that people can really use. When someone tells me, ‘I field-dressed two hogs and a deer with this knife, and it still shaves well,’ that’s all the testimonial I need.” n To learn more about Gordon Romeis’ knives, visit www.romeisknives.com.

Time, weather, geography, fire and water have created a varied landscape of sawgrass prairies, pine forests, hardwood hammocks, cypress swamps and mangrove estuaries that make up Everglades National Park. Annual cycles of extreme wet and dry conditions result in varying water levels and a profusion of unusual animals and plants in the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. Once spread out across 8 million acres, the Everglades ecosystem reaches from the Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee, where waters slowly move south toward Florida Bay. The Everglades are home to 67 threatened or endangered species, and is the only place in the world where the American alligator and crocodile coexist in the wild. Many adventures await. Take a short walk on the Anhinga Trail to spot turtles, herons and alligators. Glide over Florida Bay and glimpse a crocodile, manatee or dolphin. Paddle amongst the mangroves on Nine-Mile Pond or bike through the pinelands. Take a week-long canoe trip, camping along the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway. Climb atop Shark Valley’s 65-foot observation tower for a bird’seye view, or tour the historic Nike Hercules missile base. Watch as the sun sets over Flamingo, the southernmost point in mainland Florida. For more information, visit www.nps.gov.

Airboat tours are popular in the Everglades. Photo courtesy of www.VISITFLORIDA.com

JUNE 2015

Side Roads

Go Ahead, Make a MESS

Inspired scientist creates hands-on lab that serves as a playground of discovery for explorers of all ages By Susan Suggs

Looking for indoor activities in Pensacola with the chance to learn something new? The Pensacola MESS Hall is just the place. MESS stands for math, engineering, science and stuff. Not a typical science museum, it is part learning lab and part mental playground where all ages can unleash their curiosity. The founder behind this unique place is Megan Pratt, who grew up in Pensacola. She attended Washington High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a doctorate in neurobiology from Harvard. She was inspired to create the MESS Hall from the

popularity of the Science Saturdays and I LOVE Science programs she started as education outreach coordinator at the Institute of Human and Machine Cognition. “To learn, you need the opportunity to mess around and try things,” Megan says. “That’s why the museum name has ‘mess’ in it. It’s up to you to make your own discoveries. When you visit the MESS Hall, you can work like a real scientist, developing questions and trying things out. “It’s all hands-on. It’s an experience for the whole family. Here you sit together—or you don’t even have to bring a kid. Adults will come or students from NAS (the naval air station).”

Youngsters enjoy hands-on activities during a recent Saturday morning at the MESS Hall. At left, people of all ages are mesmerized by how the Bernouli blower suspends a ball in mid-air. At right, building a sail car is a popular way to learn elementary physics concepts such as lift and drag in motion. Tweaking the design may result in a faster car. 12

JUNE 2015

The experience offers a valuable social aspect: trying things together. “That’s what science is,” Megan says. “There’s always further that you can go. So often we forget there are fundamental learning and knowledge experiences you can have with basic experiments, understanding the forces at work.” Megan says she enjoys learning new things, how the world works and making connections. In the seventh grade, she found out she was good in math and asked her dad for advice. He told her people who are good at math become engineers. She wanted to know what math has to do with driving trains. “When talking about college, I asked where to go to be an engineer, and the answer was MIT,” she says. That is what she did. It also is where she met her husband, Jerry, who leads the IHMC robotics team and will be inducted into the Inventor’s Hall of Fame this year, along with Henry Ford. You could say science runs in the Pratt family. Megan and Jerry have two school-age children. Megan admits their dinner conversations may be different than some families, given their talk about work. Yet like all families, they juggle soccer, piano lessons, homework and debates about computer time. “My kids, like all kids, are into Minecraft, the video game, but what’s different

Summer Camps at the MESS Hall

MESS Hall Founder Megan Pratt sets up a kinetic sculpture at the hands-on science museum/lab in downtown Pensacola.

is they are creating a board game in Minecraft, along with kids in the neighborhood,” Megan says. “They are working together to make different sections of the game. What you are hearing is project management, delegation, teamwork and collaboration—the real-life lessons kids should be learning.” Megan has translated her love of exploring into MESS Hall kits. Like a cafeteria menu, you pick up the day’s kits and are free to explore and make a mess. Some kits contain nothing more than paper clips, straws or rubber bands, along with a question or experiment challenge. She designs many of the

kits, and outlines the math and science principles involved. She has brought kits home and spent hours experimenting with Jerry to identify the forces and concepts at work. While the kits may look deceptively simple, Megan says they can engage and challenge visitors from the time the museum opens until it closes. “These kinds of experiences help train your mind to think versus learning a specific fact,” she says. “There are fundamental hands-on learning and knowledge experiences behind math and science equations.” One idea behind creating the MESS Hall was to give people in math and science a place to connect and share.

“People in the science community work with so many people in their profession who don’t necessarily live in their community,” Megan says. While the United States has always done poorly on standardized tests compared to other countries, “what you don’t hear much about is that U.S. adults are more scientifically literate than many adults in other countries,” Megan notes. The U.S. has a great informal science education system, with PBS shows such as NOVA, and science museums, Megan says. “For us, learning is something you do for entertainment, and it’s fun,” she says. n

The Pensacola MESS Hall offers a variety of half-day summer camps designed for kids to have fun and learn more about a science topic. Camps are broken into grade levels: 1-3, 4-6 and 7-9. It is recommend campers be registered for the grade they will enter in the fall. Starting June 1, a special camp sampler is available for grades 1-5. Each day exposes participants to different camps. Middle schoolers can sign up for an inventors workshop, a mission to Mars, or code academy, where they create computer games while learning programming. Grades 7-9 can learn hands-on robotics with Lego Mindstorm robots. The half-day sessions are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. The cost for each weeklong camp is $100 for members and $125 for nonmembers. Registration is open online at www. pensacolamesshall.org. Everyone is invited to stop in and make a mess at the Pensacola MESS Hall at 116 N. Tarragona St. in downtown. Offerings include summer camps, special workshops and presentations Tuesday through Saturday. Schedules vary during the school year and summer. Memberships are available and include reciprocal membership in hundreds of science museums around the United States. Learn more at www.pensacolamesshall.org. JUNE 2015

Take Them or Leave Them

What to do with pets when the travel bug bites By Sharon Taylor

We love our pets. They are a constant source of joy, amusement and love. But sometimes they complicate our lives, such as when the travel bug bites. That is when we face the dilemma of whether to take them along or leave them behind. Take Them Along Dog whisperer and television personality Cesar Millan believes in taking pets along whenever possible. “Bringing your dog on vacation with you just adds to the fun and alleviates the worry of not knowing what’s happening with your dog while you’re on the road,” says Cesar. He advises people to do their homework when planning to travel with their dog. The same goes for other types of pets. Start early to prepare your pet for the trip. If it is not used to traveling, take it for drives so it can get used to the experience. Keep the trips short to begin with, gradually increasing the length and frequency of the trips until the pet is able to ride for a few hours at a time. Put together a travel bag with all of your pet’s needs. The bag should include food, water, bowls, leash, potty scoop, baggies, treats, grooming tools, a blanket and favorite toys. Also, bring along a pet firstaid kit and any medications it may need. Ensure your pet can be identified if it becomes lost or separated from you. Consider having an identification microchip implanted. At a minimum, 14

JUNE 2015

your pet should have a collar with ID tags that include your contact information. Before hitting the road, synchronize your pet’s feeding schedule. Feed it at least three hours before leaving. Make it a light meal of your pet’s usual food rather than taking the risk of experimenting with new food. Give your pet a good workout to burn off excess energy after eating. This will help to calm it down and reduce travel anxiety. Most pets travel best in a crate or carrier. This also is the best way to keep them restrained and safe. The carrier should be well-ventilated and provide enough room to stand up, turn around, sit and lie down comfortably. There also are many good harness systems on the market today. They are perfect for dogs and cats that do not ride well in a crate. Make occasional potty, exercise and water stops. Also, keep in mind some pets are prone to car sickness and you may need to make an occasional emergency stop. When traveling by means other than a car, there are additional things to consider. One of the most critical is to book early, since space for pets is limited on public transportation. Know the rules and costs of traveling by plane, train or ship with a pet. For example, some carriers require a health certificate for a pet. Smaller animals may be allowed to stay with owners,

as long as they remain in a crate, while larger animals will have to ride in the designated pet area. If you and your pet are going to be apart, it is important to keep it calm during the lead up. One way to do that is to crate it before getting to baggage check. Toss a favorite blanket or toy in the crate, and avoid long goodbyes, which can increase anxiety in pets. Leave Them Behind Some pets are not good travelers, and where you travel may not be pet friendly. In that case, common sense dictates it would be better to go without your pet. If that describes your circumstances, the best option is to have a friend or relative stay at your house while you are

Why Didn’t I Think of That?

An umbrella for Fido. This is just one of the models available. They range from $10 to$40.

A pet-activated water fountain by Doggie Fountain, $40. The company also makes Pawcet, $25.

away. This will stress your pet the least, since it will be in familiar surroundings and its own bed. “Any stress caused by your absence may be lessened by staying in a familiar place with a familiar person and keeping a familiar routine,” says Jolanta Benal, also known as The Dog Trainer and author of “Complete Guide to a Happy, Well-Behaved Pet.” This also is ideal when you have more than one pet. Another advantage is the person is house sitting as well as pet sitting. If the friend or relative cannot stay or does not feel comfortable at your house, an alternative is to leave your pet at their house. It is not as ideal, but you likely will find more people willing to agree to

that arrangement. Another option is to board your pet. Boarding facilities come in all sizes and price ranges. Some provide only the basics—care and feeding—while most also provide exercise time and interaction with other animals. Boarding can be a good option for social animals. However, it is not so good for those that need personal space. Pet spas may be an option for solitary souls, since spas tend to tailor care to the needs of individual animals. This is the most expensive option. Whether you choose to take your pet or leave it behind when traveling, be sure the choice is based on what is right for you and your pet. One or both of you will not be happy if it is not. n

Wet shake protection. This dog bath curtain by Help ‘em Wash, $25, features sleeves with gloves at the end of them for easier dog handling.

JUNE 2015

In the Kitchen

Recipes That Satisfy

Savor the flavors of this summer’s fresh fruit with homemade jam spread on fresh-baked bread.

Preserve Summer’s Bounty Create jams, jellies, sauces and syrups with inspiration from seasonal fruits

Twist lid bands so they are not loose, but not too tight. Let stand for 30 minutes to thicken. Refrigerate for up to three weeks, or freeze for up to one year.

Fast Fruity Freezer Jam

Courtesy of Mrs. Wages

1½ cups sugar or Splenda (granular) 1 package no-cook fruit pectin 4 cups crushed fruit of your choice, fresh or frozen

Combine the sugar or Splenda and pectin in a bowl. Blend well. Add the crushed fruit. Stir for three minutes. Ladle the mixture into clean jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe the jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. 16

JUNE 2015

Yields 5 pints

Best Blue Ribbon Basil Jelly 4 cups water 2 cups firmly packed fresh basil leaves, finely chopped 1 package fruit pectin 3 drops green food coloring, optional 5 cups sugar

In a large saucepan, bring the water and basil to a boil. Remove from heat. Cover

and let stand for 10 minutes. Strain and discard the basil. Return 32/3 cups liquid to the pan. Stir in the pectin and food coloring. Heat the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in the sugar and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam that forms on top of the jelly. Ladle the mixture into hot, clean jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Remove any air bubbles. Wipe the jar rims and threads, and cover with two-piece lids. Twist the lid bands so they are not loose, but not too tight. Process the jars for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath canner. Yields 6 half pints

Courtesy of Mrs. Wages

Best-of-Show Apricot-Pineapple Jam 51/2 cups fruit (about 21/2 pounds apricots and 11/2 pounds pineapple) ½ cup fresh lemon juice 1 package fruit pectin ½ teaspoon butter 8 cups granulated sugar

Pit and peel the apricots, then finely chop or grind them. Place 3 cups of apricots into an 8-quart saucepan. Cut, peel, core and finely chop the pineapple. Place 21/2 cups of pineapple into the saucepan with the apricots. Mix well. Add the lemon juice, pectin and butter. Stir over high heat until the mixture reaches a rolling boil. Add the sugar. Stir thoroughly until it resumes a rolling boil. Continue cooking for 4 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid scalding. Remove saucepan from the heat. Skim off any foam that forms on top of the jam. Ladle the mixture into hot, clean jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe the jar rims and threads. Cover with twopiece lids. Twist the lid bands so they are not loose, but not too tight. Process the jars for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath canner. Yields 8 pints

Courtesy of Mrs. Wages

Serrano Cherry Jam 1/4 cup olive oil 1 cup Serrano peppers, seeded and minced 16 cups cherries, fresh or frozen, thawed 4 cups sugar 4 cups water 1 package fruit pectin

Heat a large pot over high heat, then pour in the olive oil and bring to almost smoke point. Add the peppers and blister. Add the cherries and sugar. Reduce the heat, and add the water. Bring to a simmer to dissolve sugar. Add the pectin, and continue to cook for 15 minutes.

Remove from the heat. Skim off any foam that forms on top of the jam. Ladle the mixture into 16-ounce containers or freezer-safe zip-top bags. Refrigerate for up to three weeks, or freeze for up to one year. Yields 8 pints

Courtesy of Mrs. Wages

State Fair Strawberry Rhubarb Jam 4 cups crushed strawberries 2 cups chopped rhubarb 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice 1 package fruit pectin 5½ cups sugar ½ tablespoon butter

Combine the strawberries, rhubarb, lemon juice and pectin in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the sugar. Stir until dissolved. Return the mixture to a rolling boil, and add the butter. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Skim off any foam that forms on top of the jam. Ladle the mixture into hot, clean jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe the jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Twist lid bands so they are not loose, but not too tight. Process the jars for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath canner. Yields 6 half pints

Courtesy of Mrs. Wages

Blueberry Barbecue Sauce 2 teaspoons vegetable oil ¼ cup onion, minced ½ cup ketchup ¼ cup vinegar 1 tablespoon light brown sugar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 cups fresh blueberries Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Heat the oil in a non-reactive saucepan

Important Canning Note Fill the water bath canner with water to 2 inches above the jar tops. After processing time, remove the jars and place on a thick cloth or wire rack. Cool away from drafts. After 12 hours, test the lids for proper seal, and remove the rings if desired.

over medium heat. Add the onion, stirring until almost translucent (about 3 minutes). Add the ketchup, vinegar, sugar and mustard. Bring the ingredients to a simmer. Add the blueberries. Simmer over low heat, stirring until thickened (about 10 minutes). Purée the sauce in a blender or food processer until smooth. Pass through a strainer if a smoother consistency is desired. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Store the sauce in the refrigerator, but serve at room temperature. Yields 4 to 6 servings

Courtesy of Florida Department of Agriculture

Apricot Syrup 28 to 32 apricots, halved and pitted ½ to 1 cup honey 1 to 2 cups sugar ¾ teaspoon Fruit Fresh

Purée the apricots to equal one quart. Place purée in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Bring the mixture to a boil, and boil for 2 minutes. Pour the mixture into sterilized jars, and either freeze or process. To process, pour the syrup into clean, hot, half-pint canning jars to within 1/8 inch of the tops. Seal according to the jar manufacturer’s direction. Process the jars for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath canner. Yields approximately 4 half pints

Courtesy of Washington State Fruit Commission

JUNE 2015

The Great Picture Hunt

Photo Tips from David LaBelle

Smart Photos There is a joke that goes like this: I have this new 4G smartphone that connects me to the Internet. It also has GPS, shoots great photos and has incredible HD video. I can even make phone calls with it! Who would have thought, even 10 years ago, the digital age would change photography so radically? Thanks to the proliferation of smartphones and the selfies explosion, it is estimated nearly 1 trillion pictures were shot in 2014. In a 2014 study for Shutterfly, 81 percent of U.S. photo takers who had shot at least 10 digital photos in the prior 90 days used mobile or smartphones. Every two minutes we snap more pictures than the whole of humanity in the 1800s. Consider this: More than 350 million photos a day are uploaded to the social media website Facebook. In fact, there are 10,000 times more photos on Facebook than in the Library of Congress. I liken the cell phone revolution to the invention of the telephone, television and the Internet. Each of them changed our lives forever. At the very least, cell phone

David takes his students out of the classroom to teach them lessons about smartphone photography. Photo by Donna Adler

photography has made our world more accountable. It is a lot tougher for the “bad guys” to do evil things without someone recording it with their smartphone and sharing it with the world in seconds. For the cause of journalism—even citizen journalism—we now have a workforce with billions of eyes. The inexpensiveness of digital photography likely is the single factor contributing to the number of pictures made and shared today. We used to figure every photograph cost a quarter, just for the film. Now,

David LaBelle is an internationally known photographer, teacher, author and lecturer. He has worked for newspapers and magazines across the United States and taught at three universities. He grew up on a frog farm in rural California, roaming the creeks and hills with his coon dogs. Many of the lessons he learned during those magical boyhood years have been applied to photography and teaching the essence of this art form. For more information, visit www.greatpicturehunt.com.

JUNE 2015

we can shoot thousands of pictures at no cost and simply erase the ones we don’t like. It has been my observation, though, that with every advance in technology something is lost. In this age of instant gratification, I can look at the back of my camera or on my phone and see the results immediately. With film photography, there was always that dream, that anticipation of what the result would be. I miss those scenes of people squealing with delight after opening a pack of prints. Gone are the wonderful days in the darkroom with colleagues, working on prints, talking about issues and stories. One of the biggest challenges facing this relatively new technology is how to preserve the images. As file sizes grow, the need for faster computers with more storage

capability increases. A gigabyte—or even a terabyte, which is 1,000 gigs—can be gobbled up quickly when storing photos. Online storage companies are helpful, but be sure to back up everything precious and store in multiple places. As somebody who has lost everything in a flood, I feel that having keepsakes in different locations is critical. Here are a few things to consider when photographing with your cell phone camera: • Shooting moments with smartphones requires anticipating the action. The lag time issue—the delay from firing the shutter button and the time it takes to focus and record the image—has yet to be resolved. It takes time to “write” the image information. There are rapid-fire apps, but most reduce the file sizes. • Find a way to expose what you like in the scene. At present, I find iPhones do this better than Android phones. • Be careful what and with whom you share digital images. • Disable your GPS device so predators cannot track you by seeing where you shot your photos. There are simple tutorials online to help you do this with your specific phone. • Be more selective. The difference between a hacker and a craftsman is craftsmanship—thought, timing and carefulness. Make decisions. Imagine. • The greatest advantage, as I see it, is more social interaction. Camera phones force us to get closer, to interact with those we are photographing. No more hiding in the bushes with long lenses. 

Not getting the sleep you need?

Is your pillow the problem?

On its 10 year anniversary and with over five million satisfied customers, MyPillow® has been selected the Official Pillow of the National Sleep Foundation! How Well Did You Sleep Last Night? Did you toss and turn all night? Did you wake up with a sore neck, head ache, or was your arm asleep? Do you feel like you need a nap even though you slept for eight hours? Just like you, I would wake up in the morning with all of those problems and I couldn’t figure out why. Like many people who have trouble getting a good night’s sleep, my lack of sleep was affecting the quality of my life. I wanted to do something about my sleep problems, but nothing that I tried worked.

Mike Lindell Inventor of MyPillow®

The Pillow Was the Problem I bought every pillow on the market that promised to give me a better night’s sleep. No matter how many pillows I used, I couldn’t find one that worked and finally I decided to invent one myself. I began asking everyone I knew what qualities they’d like to see in their “perfect pillow”, and got many responses: “I’d like a pillow that never goes flat”, “I’d like my pillow to stay cool” and “I’d like a pillow that adjusts to me regardless of my sleep position.” After hearing everyone had the same problems that I did, I spent the next two years of my life inventing MyPillow.

MyPillow® to the Rescue Flash forward ten years and MyPillow, Mike Lindell’s revolutionary pillow design, has helped 5 million people improve the quality of their sleep. MyPillow has received thousands of testimonials about the relief MyPillow has brought to people who suffered from migraines, snoring, fibromyalgia, neck pain and many other common issues. Lindell has been featured on numerous talk shows, including Fox Business News and Imus in the Morning. Lindell and MyPillow have also appeared in feature stories in The New York Times and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. MyPillow has received the coveted “Q Star Award” for Product Concept of the Year from QVC, and has been selected as the Official Pillow of the National Sleep Foundation. MyPillow’s patented technology can help with all of the most common causes of sleep loss and allows you to adjust it to any sleeping position. You can even wash and dry MyPillow as easily as your favorite pair of blue jeans!

“Until I was diagnosed with various sleep issues, I had no idea why my sleep was so interrupted throughout the night. I watch Imus each morning and heard endless testimonials about MyPillow. I took his advice and ordered a MyPillow. Now I wake up rested and ready to conquer the day ahead. Thank you for helping me remember what it’s like to sleep like a baby!” - Jacqueline H.

Unprecedented Guarantee and Warranty I do all of my own manufacturing in my home state of Minnesota and all materials are 100% made in the U.S.A. I’m so confident MyPillow will help you, I’m offering an unprecedented 60-day money back guarantee and a 10-year warranty not to go flat! I truly believe MyPillow is the best pillow in the world and that if everyone had one, they would get better Michael J. Lindell CEO, MyPillow, Inc. sleep and the world would be a much happier place.

Get the Sleep You’ve Been Dreaming About Save 50% today when you use promo code: “CURRENT” BUY NOW AT:

mypillow.com OR call 800.683.1819

Travel Journal

Satisfying the Appetite for Wanderlust

Prepare to Engage Your Teen

Want to plan a family vacation everyone will like, even your teens? With competition from smartphones, tablets and other multi-sensory distractions teens have today, that might sound impossibile. Never fear. By providing interactive stops along the way, you can create family memories for years to come. Check out Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City, www.gulfworldmarinepark. com, where your teen can be a trainer for a day. Younger kids take part in Dolphin Day Camp. The rest of the family can enjoy the half-dozen shows, swim with the dolphins, and feed and touch sting rays. Another program features animal therapy for youngsters with special needs up to age 12. The nation’s first underwater park is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, www. pennekamppark.com. Spanning more than 178 nautical square miles in the Florida Keys, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972. It offers plenty of space for teens and other family members to get up close and personal with coral, colorful fish, gently waving sea fans, sea turtles and other sea creatures during a snorkeling tour.

Photo courtesy of Gulf World Marine Park

For the younger set, or those who want to stay dry, book a glass-bottom boat tour. To ride the waves, start at Sunrise Surf Shop, www. sunrisesurfshop.com, in Jacksonville Beach. Teens and parents can take surfing or stand-up paddleboard lessons. The store also offers street and park skateboards. If your teens spend the day in and around the water, they have no choice but to leave behind their phones and tablets. When they get home, they can tweet and post on Facebook about their fun summer vacation adventures.

Florida native Pamela A. Keene is a freelance journalist who specializes in travel, gardening, personality profiles and feature writing. The avid traveler also is a photographer and accomplished sailor. Her website is www.pamelakeene.com.

JUNE 2015

June Travel Tips The American Society of Travel Agents shares the following tips for traveling on vacation with teens. • Involve your teens in planning the vacation. Ask them to suggest a couple of activities they would like to do. You can even put them in charge of a day and let them decide the itinerary, encouraging them to do research online to discover options. • Plan some down time. Allow teens to sleep late while you play a quick round of golf, go on a shopping excursion or try out a fun brunch restaurant. • Book a suite with multiple rooms to give your teen space at least part of the time you are on vacation. The plus side is you will be able to have some privacy, too.

• Mix up the cuisine. Limit the number of fancy restaurants, add in a few fastfood stops and stick with places with traditional menus. • Give your teens a little freedom if they are old enough and responsible enough to explore on their own, with the caveat they check in periodically. Be clear about your expectations of return times and about how far they can venture from home base. • Recognize your teen will not completely put down technology during vacation, but set some guidelines, such as no texting during family meals and no late-night tweeting. After all, it is a family vacation—and even the teens need a vacation from technology. For more details, check out www.travelsense.org/tips/ teens.cfm. 

“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair. To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.” — J. Fitzgerald, VA

Remote Controls for Heat, Massage, Recline and Lift

Separate Heat and Massage Controls!

Our Perfect Sleep Chair® is just the chair to do it all. It’s a chair, true – the finest of lift chairs – but this chair is so much more! It’s designed to provide total comfort and relaxation no not found in other chairs. It can’t be beat for comfortable, long-term sitting, TV viewing, relaxed reclining and – yes! – peaceful sleep. Our chair’s recline technology allows you to pause the chair in an infinite number of positions, including the Trendelenburg position and the zero gravity position where your body experiences a This lift chair minimum of internal and external puts you safely stresses. You’ll love the other on your feet!

benefits, too: It helps with correct spinal alignment, promotes back pressure relief, and encourages better posture to prevent back and muscle pain. And there’s more! The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and unique seat design will cradle you in comfort. Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced arm support when sitting or reclining. The high and low heat settings along with the dozens of massage settings, can provide a soothing relaxation you might get at a spa – just imagine getting all that in a lift chair! Shipping charge includes white glove delivery. Professionals will deliver the chair to the exact spot in your home where you want it, unpack it, inspect it, test it, position it, and even carry the packaging away! Includes one year service warranty and your choice of fabrics and colors – Call now!

The Perfect Sleep Chair

Call now toll free for our lowest price. Please mention code 100631 when ordering.

1-888-873-0738 Long Lasting DuraLux Leather

DuraLux II Microfiber

Tan

Burgundy Cashmere

Fern

Chocolate Burgundy

Chocolate Indigo

46371

We’ve all had nights when we just can’t lie down in bed and sleep, whether it’s from heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back aches – it could be a variety of reasons. Those are the nights we’d give anything for a comfortable chair to sleep in, one that reclines to exactly the right degree, raises feet and legs to precisely the desired level, supports the head and shoulders properly, operates easily even in the dead of night, and sends a hopeful sleeper right off to dreamland.

Sit up, lie down — and anywhere in between!

Festival Roundup

Things to See and Do

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

June 2-20, Bradenton Manatee County Schools Exhibit Art comes alive through the work of more than 200 children from 16 elementary schools at ArtCenter Manatee. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. www.artcentermanatee.org

June 6, Wellborn 22nd Annual Blueberry Festival “Come Clown Around” is the theme of the event that features blueberry treats, entertainment, childrens’ amusements, and arts and crafts vendors. The day begins at Andrews Square with a blueberry pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. Activities end at 5 p.m. Admission is free. www.wellborncommunityassociation.com

June 5-7, Perdido Key Second Annual Shindig on the Sand The Flora-Bama’s annual beach party features more than 70 musical acts and 200 musicians. www.florabama.com; (850) 492-0611

June 5-7, Big Pine and Lower Keys 22nd Annual Dolphin Tournament Cash, prizes and trophies await anglers during the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce event. While dolphin is the only species eligible for cash awards, rods and reels are presented for the heaviest wahoo and tuna caught. Entry fees are $150 for open and $50 for youth. www.lowerkeyschamber.com; (800) 872-2411

June 6, Myakka Third Annual Dairy Day Festival Dakin Dairy Farms honors National Dairy Month from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an extreme grilled cheese experience, fresh roasted corn with homemade Dakin butter, milk shakes, pulled pork and family fun, including pig races, a fossil pit and mechanical bull riding. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children younger than 10 and free for those 2 years and younger. www.dakindairyfarms.com; (941) 322-2802

June 6-7, Pensacola 40th Annual Coin and Currency Show Buy, sell and trade coins, currency, stamps, jewelry, sports cards, tokens and other collectibles at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds. www.visitpensacola.com; (850) 982-4364

June 12, Sebring Artist Reception The Highlands Art League’s Yellow House artists honor local artists from 5 to 8 p.m. www.HighlandsArtLeague.org.

June 12, Sebring Annual Dog Daze of Summer Downtown comes alive with nearly 20 galleries and stores featuring one-of-a-kind art and gifts, entertainment, exhibits and special drawings from 5 to 8 p.m. www.DestinationDowntownSebring.com

June 12-14, Bradenton Inaugural Skyway Film Festival Manatee Performing Arts Center showcases the craft of storytelling, screening 50 films with filmmakers and actors from around the world, and hosting industry panels and workshops.

Creative Kids Camp The Highlands Art League in Sebring offers kids ages 6-12 the chance to learn new art skills during weeklong themed camps sponsored by Agero. Sessions are Monday through Friday, with the following themes: EcoArt, June 15-19; Beachy Art Week, June 22-26; Art Around the World, July 13-17; and Beachy Art Week, July 20-24. Instructors are Kristy Harris, Kathryn Obidzinski and Leslie Owens. Kids can sign up for full- or half-day sessions. Enrollment is limited to 15 students a week. Registration is $60 a week for half-day sessions or $100 for full days. Full-day students need to bring lunch. Register at www.HighlandsArtLeague.org or call (863) 385-6682.

JUNE 2015

www.bradentongulfislands.com/film-festival

June 13, Sebring Saturday Night Cruise Celebrate classic cars and listen to live entertainment the second Saturday of each month from 5 to 8 p.m. in the downtown circle. www.SebringCruise.com

June 17, Islamorada “On the Bottom: Early Open Water Submarine Salvage” The History of Diving Museum at MM 83 continues the free “Immerse Yourself!” series

Photo courtesy of Keys Weekly Newspapers

Swim Around Key West

Long-distance solo swimmers and relay teams of two to six people compete Saturday, June 13, in an event sanctioned by the World Open Water Swimming Association and permitted by the U.S. Coast Guard. The 12.5-mile swim starts and ends at Higgs Beach, circling clockwise around Key West. All age groups are welcome. Kayakers serve as support crew for the swimmers. For more information about the event, visit www.fkccswimaroundkeywest.com or call (305) 809-3562. with this 7 p.m. seminar presented by Angela Albanese. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Enjoy exhibits before the event. www.divingmuseum.org; (305) 664-9737

June 18, Key Largo 100 Fish Identification Class Learn about the fish seen in the Florida Keys and how to identify them with underwater photographers Allison and Carlos Estape at REEF headquarters, MM 98.3, at 7 p.m. www.reef.org; (305) 794-5081

June 19-21, Palmetto Bradenton Boat Show Boats, accessories, fishing gear, tips and apparel are showcased at the Bradenton Area Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5; children 12 and younger are admitted free. Parking is free. (727) 894-3644

June 20-21, Sebring 10th Annual Heartland Triathalon Swim, run, ride and conquer at the USA Triathalon-sanctioned event. Fun for all ages. www.HeartlandTri.org.

June 24, Islamorada “History of Filming in the Keys” The Keys History and Discovery Center at MM 82 hosts a presentation at 6 p.m. with Shirrel Rhoades, a syndicated film critic, New York University professor and film producer. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost for non-members is $25, which includes admission to the Discovery Center. Reservations are suggested. www.keysdiscovery.com; (305) 922-2237

June 25, Ona 8th Annual Youth Field Day Students ages 8-18 will rotate between six stations as they learn about agriculture and science from faculty and staff of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The event is at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center, 3401 Experiment Station, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. www. rcrec-yfd-2015.eventbrite.com; (863) 735-1314

June 26, Pensacola Hill-Kelly Drive-In Movie Community Maritime Museum hosts a free, nostalgic, family-fun night watching “Penguins of Madagascar.” The show begins at 8:15. Watch from your car or the grassy lawn. www.pensacolamaritimecommunitypark.com

June 26-27, Chipley 59th Annual Watermelon Festival Country music and slices of watermelon reign supreme at the Ag Center, with arts and crafts and food vendors scattered throughout the grounds. The parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday. www.panhandlewatermelon.com

June 27, Bradenton Antiques, Arts and Crafts Show Artists and vendors display their goods inside Mixon’s Packing House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Groveside Café and gift shop are open. www.mixon.com; (941) 748-5829

June 27, Chipley 37th Annual Hot Trot 5K and Fun Run The event starts at 7:30 a.m. CST at the Washington-Holmes Technical Center off Highway 90. It finishes at the same location. (850) 547-2244

June 27-28, Pensacola Beach Pensacola Fishing Rodeo Watch or participate as more than 1,000 anglers catch some of the largest king mackerel and cobia in the Gulf. Registration is $25. Takeoff and weigh-in is at Flounder’s Chowder House. www.pensacolafishingrodeo.com JUNE 2015

Outdoor Pursuits

Enjoying the Natural World Around Us

Things to Remember When Hiking With Your Dog Growing up, I always wanted a dog I could hike and explore the outdoors with. But our family dog, Smokey, was too ill-mannered to take along. He hated a leash, and he never saw a bird, squirrel or deer he didn’t want to chase. For a well-behaved, manageable dog, venturing into the woods can be a wonderful experience for owner and dog to share. Here are eight things to help make that a safe, enjoyable reality for you and your dog. • Keep your dog under control, especially where people or wildlife abound. Voice commands may be sufficient for well-trained dogs, but for most dogs it is safer to keep them on a leash; on most public trails, it is required. • Learn from Old Yeller. Who didn’t cry at the end of the movie “Old Yeller” when he had to be put down because he had contracted rabies? Rabies is a real danger. Make

Dogs love to hike with their owners, even if it’s at the end of a leash. They enjoy taking in all of the new sights, sounds and scents. Dogs are required to be on a leash on most maintained trails and public areas. It is also proper etiquette to keep them calm when other hikers pass, and to not allow them to antagonize wildlife. Photo by iStockphoto/ Sitikka

sure your dog’s rabies and other vaccinations are current. • Pack plenty of water. Be sure to have enough for both you and your pet. Actual water requirements will vary depending on the type of activity, intensity, weather conditions, and the physical characteristics of you and your dog. • Don’t let your dog drink from lakes, streams or puddles. You never know what nasty waterborne parasites might be lurking in those water sources. • Ensure your dog is protected from other types of parasites and pests. The big three are ticks, fleas and heartworm. • Wildlife is another concern. There is not a single,

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.

JUNE 2015

fail-safe method for how to deal with wildlife in a surprise encounter—it depends upon the circumstances and the type of wildlife—but generally you want to stay calm, restrain and calm your dog, and slowly back out of the situation. • It is OK to have your dog pull its own weight, in terms of carrying its food and water. Young, healthy dogs can haul as much as 25 percent of their body weight. • Follow the “leave no trace” philosophy. Pick up after your pet, and dispose of the waste properly.

outdoor activity, here are some tips to help beat the heat. • Adjust your expectations to match the temperature. You probably can’t hike as far or as fast in hot weather as you can when it is cooler. Instead, slow down and take more water breaks. • Get an early start. Mornings are the coolest part of the day. • Drink plenty of water— before, during and after an outing. • Finish with a splash. Plan a hike near a swimming hole, so you can wrap up the outing with a cool dip.

Fish for Free Florida offers another weekend of license-free fishing in June. Residents and nonresidents can enjoy freshwater and saltwater fishing without a license June 6-7.

What Day is It? June 6, National Trails Day June 18, Go Fishing Day June 24, Swim a Lap Day June 25, National Catfish Day

Outdoors 101: Four Easy Tips for Cooling It in the Heat Don’t let the heat keep you indoors. No matter what

Show-and-Tell Time Send us your favorite outdoor photo, tip or story. If selected for publication, we will send you $25 for one-time use. Email your submission to info@floridacurrents.com.

View outages in real time at http://outage.preco.coop

We’re powerless! …without your phone number.

Update your phone info before a major storm strikes. If an outage occurs and your correct phone number is not in PRECO’s outage management system, we cannot automatically track your location and dispatch crews to make repairs. No phone number means slower response and repair times.

Update your info by calling Member Services at 1-800-282-3824 or Outage Hotline at 1-877-282-3656 and update your account manually

www.preco.coop

15-0049_PREC_June_FINAL.indd 11

J U N E 2 015

5/12/15 4:39 PM

Best PRECO Online Tools to have after a Hurricane Bookmark these sites on your PC or mobile device. If a hurricane strikes, you’ll have easy access to up-to-

A hurricane is heading my way! What if I’m on life support? PRECO works hard to provide safe, reliable electric service to our members, but we cannot guarantee uninterrupted power at all times. With Florida’s abundance of trees and critters, outages are bound to occur at times. In the event of a hurricane, outages are almost certain. Members using life-support devices are strongly encouraged to have a backup plan to move to an alternate location with power in the event of an emergency. For your health and safety, don’t wait until the last minute to prepare.

T 1.

date info on repair efforts

Have a backup plan to move to a friend or relative’s home who is far enough away to not be affected by hurricane winds.

2. Consider purchasing a back-up generator for emergencies. 3. If you receive home health care, discuss your emergency

and helpful storm tips.

plan with your provider.

FAC E B O O K

“Like” Peace River Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Florida law establishes a program for individuals with special needs who require assistance during emergency evacuations and sheltering. Contact your local emergency management office to register.

Call area hospitals to learn what services are available in times of emergencies for those with critical medical needs.

Notify PRECO at 1-800-282-3824 if you have a medical necessity for electric service so we can note your account. Documentation from your doctor is required.

TWITTER

“Follow“ our official feed: @PeaceRiverEC

L I V E O U TA G E M A P

View outage repairs in real time at http://outage.preco.coop

J U N E 2 015

15-0049_PREC_June_FINAL.indd 4

Peace River Electric Cooperative

5/12/15 4:29 PM

Marketplace ical Med No xam E

Affordable Life Insurance $100,000 Age 45 55 65

Mo. cost 21.47 40.57 88.09

800-550-3204

FREE BOOKS/ DVDS With Coming Economic Collapse PREPARE NOW!

TBS, Box 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771

1-888-211-1715

thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com

Pre-Assembled - Installs in Minutes!

CasCade 5000

Ele

Floating POND FOUNTAIN! WateImprovnce r Q ed ua Aerator ilit y Now Available Factory Direct! MSRP ($1100) You Pay $698.95!

SHELL BEANS & PEAS FAST AND EASY! BUILD YOUR OWN SHELLER FOR UNDER $150. PLANS $15.

Complete with light & timer, 100 ft power cord, 1yr warranty!

ANDERSON ENT. PO BOX 237 ATMORE, AL 36504

Call 7days/week! FAST UPS shipping right to your door! www.fishpondaerator.com (608) 254-2735

USA Quality Steel Buildings

Farm • Industrial • Commercial

DELIVERED AND INSTALLED

25 Year Warranty on Roof & Walls; Prices F.O.B. Mfg. Plants; Seal Stamped Blue Prints; Easy Bolt Together Design.

866-961-3367 www.usabarnsandgarages.com

20x26 sale $3530

22x21 sale $4685

30’ x 50’ x 10’........$9,065 40’ x 60’ x 12’........$12,850 50’ x 75’ x 14.........$18,500 60’ x 100’ x 12’......$25,500 100’ x 150’ x 14’....$59,700

VISIT OUR WEBSITE 36x31 sale $8740 30x31 sale $9985 Many more styles and sizes available Se Habla Espanol

PRICES INCLUDE COLOR SIDES & GALVALUME ROOF

Arena Special (roof & frame) 100’ x 100’ x 14’...$37,200 (Local codes may affect prices)

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

F a x : 9 4 0 - 4 8 4 - 6 7 4 6 e m a i l : info@rhinobldg.com Website: http://www.RHINOBLDG.COM

Toll Free

1-888-875-8233

C E L E B R AT I N G 2 0 Y E A R S !

Premier

Building Systems, Inc.

“Steel Buildings Any Size”

1.800.882.5150 30 x 40 x 10.......$7,499 40 x 60 x 10.....$10,899 50 x 80 x 10.....$14,999 *Local codes may affect prices.

www.Premierbuildings.com

* Agriculture * Commercial * Industrial * Mini Storages JUNE 2015

PRECO Celebrates Earth Day with Butterfly Ga Rachel Spivey, ESE teacher, writes: Here at Braden River Elementary, we celebrated Earth Day by having four after-school classes come out and take part in creating our butterfly garden, all in thanks to a large donation from Peace River Electric Cooperative and volunteers from our PTO. At the same time, the children worked to beautify our existing garden. The students, grades 2nd through 5th, planted plants, raked pine needles, pulled weeds, potted milkweed (to feed hungry caterpillars), learned how to train passion vines (to attract butterflies), picked up trash, and painted benches for the butterfly house. The students also used their art and writing skills to create handmade plant labels. While gardening, many of the students commented on how this event was their first experience with plants. The students showed much enthusiasm for the project and are seen daily exploring the garden. As a teacher, it is thrilling to see excitement in the eyes of young learners even as they engage in challenging tasks. As a parent, I greatly see the value in teaching young children to appreciate nature. While the benefits of gardening with young children are vast, it is also wonderful to see children give back. In my opinion, school based activities should also reach the heart of the child, to help create individuals who are tuned into and care about the world around them. The butterfly house idea was primarily centered on the special education prekindergarten classroom. Many of these students have difficulty with attention or visually following objects as they move through space. So seeing a fast moving butterfly could be a challenge. Have you ever experienced the joy of a butterfly? To me it is a relaxing experience…like viewing moving art. I, along with PTO president Mrs. Mayo, wanted my students to share in that joy. Further, we wanted an outdoor classroom where my students could feel comfortable to wander in a hands-on environment. Upon entering the butterfly house for the first time my students were so calm. They sat quietly on the hand painted benches and watched the caterpillars wiggle. There on the benches one of my students asked his very first academic question! This formally non-verbal student asked, “What is that caterpillar doing?” At that moment, I was so proud and so grateful for the donation that made this possible. For the remainder of this school year and many years to come we will watch the butterfly life cycle and learn to appreciate the beauty in our world. Thank you for making this possible! Rachel Spivey, ESE Teacher PTO Volunteers: Sara Mayo, Rebecca Gurski, and Denise Drizos Volunteers: Amanda Kukoda and Peggy Sielaff Teachers: Mrs. Villa, Mrs. Mesinner, Mrs. Burch, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Minner

J U N E 2 015

15-0049_PREC_June_FINAL.indd 12

Peace River Electric Cooperative

5/12/15 4:41 PM

fly Garden for Braden River Elementary Free EnergySaving CFLs for Earth Day Vernon Allred visited PRECOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Headquarters Building and took advantage of our offer of a free CFL lightbulb on Earth Day. Vernon makes his home in Zolfo Springs where he has been a PRECO member for nine years.

www.preco.coop

15-0049_PREC_June_FINAL.indd 13

J U N E 2 015

5/12/15 4:42 PM

Parting Shot

Readers Share Their Special Photos

Tell Us Your Car Story! Do you own an awesome car, truck, tractor or other vehicle? It can be the prettiest, ugliest, fastest or most colorful around. Florida Currents wants to explore America’s obsession with vehicles in the August issue. But we need your help. Send us a picture of your car—you with it, if possible—and tell us what makes it so special to you. Please be sure to identify everyone, including pets, and tell us the story behind the photo and the than originals. Do not write on the backs vehicle. We will pay you $25 if we publish of photos because the ink can transfer from one photo to another and ruin it. your story and photo in the magazine. Please include caption information Email high-resolution photos (must and your story on a separate piece of be a minimum of 1,000 KB) to photos@ floridacurrents.com. If submitting prints, paper. Do not forget to include your mailing please send high-quality copies rather 10:42 AM SLR209-02_7.375x4.75_Layout 1 5/5/15 Page 1address for payment.

If using traditional mail instead of email, send to:

Car Stories Florida Currents 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Hillsboro, OR 97124

Famous Volcano Has Strange Effect On Women

This 4-carat stunner was created from the aftermath of Mount St. Helens eruption!

Man and nature collaborate to create a glamorous green ring guaranteed to rock her world! Own it today for ONLY $99 plus FREE studs with ring purchase!

n May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, sending a column of ash and smoke 80,000 feet into the atmosphere. From that chaos, something beautiful emerged— our spectacular Spirit Lake Helenite Ring. Created from the superheated volcanic rock dust of the historic Mount St. Helens eruption, helenite has become the green stone of choice for jewelry and fashion designers worldwide. Helenite’s vivid color and immaculate clarity rivals mined emeralds that can sell for as much as $3,000 per carat. Today you can wear this 4-carat stunner for only $99! EXCLUSIVE Our exclusive design highlights the visually stunning stone Helenite Studs -a $129 value- with a concave cut set in .925 sterling silver with purchase of Spirit Lake Ring loaded with brilliant white, lab-created DiamondAura®. The classic pairing of

FREE

colors in a vintage-inspired setting makes for a statement ring that’s simply impossible to ignore! Beauty from the beast. Also known as “America’s Emerald,” helenite is not an emerald at all, but a brighter and clearer green stone that gem cutters can facet into spectacular large carat weight jewelry. “It’s just recently that luxury jewelers have fallen in love with helenite,” says James Fent, GIA certified gemologist. “Clear green color in a stone this size is rarely found in emeralds but helenite has come to the rescue.” Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Bring home the Spirit Lake Helenite Ring and see for yourself. If you are not completely blown away by the exceptional beauty of this rare American stone, simply return the ring within 60 days for a full refund of your purchase price. It’s that simple. But we’re betting that once you slide this gorgeous green beauty on your finger, it will take a force of nature to get you two apart!

4 carat Helenite center stone • Lab-created white DiamondAura accents • .925 sterling silver setting • Whole ring sizes 5–10

JUNE 2015

What our clients are saying about Stauer Helenite jewelry: “My wife received more compliments on this stone on the first day she wore it than any other piece of jewelry I’ve ever given her.” – J. from Orlando, FL, Stauer Client Rating of A+

Spirit Lake Helenite Ring Total value with FREE studs $478* Now, Offer Code Price Only $99 + S&P Save $379!

1-888-324-6514

Your Insider Offer Code: SLR209-02

You must use this insider offer code to get our special price. * Special price only for customers using the offer code versus the price on Stauer.com without your offer code.

Stauer

® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Dept. SLR209-02,

Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

Technology Simplified – Bigger and BeTTer

Wow! A Simple to Use Computer Designed Especially for Seniors! Easy to read. Easy to see. Easy to use. Just plug it in!

NEW

Now comes with... Larger 22-inch hi-resolution screen – easier to see 16% more viewing area Simple navigation – so you never get lost Intel® processor – lightning fast Computer is in the monitor – No bulky tower Advanced audio, Better speaker configuration – easier to hear Text to Speech translation – it can even read your emails to you! U.S. Based Customer Service

FREE

Automatic Software Updates

– Janet F.

Have you ever said to yourself “I’d love to get a computer, if only I could figure out how to use it.” Well, you’re not alone. Computers were supposed to make our lives simpler, but they’ve gotten so complicated that they are not worth the trouble. With all of the “pointing and clicking” and “dragging and dropping” you’re lucky if you can figure out where you are. Plus, you are constantly worrying about viruses and freeze-ups. If this sounds familiar, we have great news for you. There is finally a computer that’s designed for simplicity and ease of use. It’s the WOW Computer, and it was designed with you in mind. This computer is easy-to-use, worryfree and literally puts the world at

your fingertips. From the moment you open the box, you’ll realize how different the WOW Computer is. The components are all connected; all you do is plug it into an outlet and your high-speed Internet connection. Then you’ll see the screen – it’s now 22 inches. This is a completely new touch screen system, without the cluttered look of the normal computer screen. The “buttons” on the screen are easy to see and easy to understand. All you do is touch one of them, from the Web, Email, Calendar to Games– you name it… and a new screen opens up. It’s so easy to use you won’t have to ask your children or grandchildren for help. Until now, the very people who could benefit most from E-mail and the Internet are the ones that have had the hardest time accessing it. Now, thanks to the WOW Computer, countless older Americans are discovering the wonderful world of the Internet every day. Isn’t it

time you took part? Call now, and a patient, knowledgeable product expert will tell you how you can try it in your home for 30 days. If you are not totally satisfied, simply return it within 30 days for a refund of the product purchase price. Call today. • Send & Receive Emails • Have video chats with family and friends • Surf the Internet: Get current weather and news • Play games Online: Hundreds to choose from!

Call now toll free and find out how you can get the new WOW! Computer. Mention promotional code 100630 for special introductory pricing.

81023

“I love this computer! It is easy to read and to use! I get photo updates from my children and grandchildren all the time.”

TO REPORT POWER OUTAGE CALL:

1-877-282-3656 CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

210 Metheny Road Wauchula, Florida 33873 Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F Telephone: 1-800-282-3824 FAX: 866-201-1814 MANATEE SERVICE CENTER

14505 Arbor Green Trail Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F Telephone: 1-800-282-3824 Fax: 941-752-4928 INDIAN LAKE ESTATES

17363 County Road 630 Lake Wales, Florida 33898 For your convenience, a payment drop box is located at the front gate. Payments will be posted on the next business day. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John Martin PRESIDENT

Hollis Albritton VICE PRESIDENT

Sam Rawls

S E C R E TA RY/ T R E A S U R E R

Maurice Henderson

A S S T. S E C R E TA RY/ T R E A S U R E R

Ellen Bachman DIRECTOR

Leonard Crawley DIRECTOR

Willie Dawes DIRECTOR

Chris Portale DIRECTOR

Bruce Vickers DIRECTOR

BOARD MEETING ATTENDANCE Any PRECO member may attend a Board Meeting. Due to building security requirements and for us to facilitate attendance, members wishing to attend a Board Meeting should contact the Cooperative in a timely manner for logistical information regarding the meeting. UPCOMING BOARD MEETING DATES June 23, 2015 July 28, 2015 August 25, 2015

PRECO is Prepared for Hurricane Season he National Hurricane Center has released its list of names for tropical storms and hurricanes for 2015. From Ana to Wanda, this list reminds us of how powerless we are when it comes to the weather. There is nothing we can do to keep hurricanes from striking here. But, I want you to know that PRECO will do everything reasonably possible to be prepared for a hurricane, if one should threaten. Your cooperative recently conducted a practice drill of its Randy Shaw General Manager & CEO Emergency Response Plan (ERP). Annually, the plan is tested PEACE RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE and evaluated to ensure that it remains valid and up-to-date with the latest information and technology. The first “real life” test of PRECO’s ERP took place in 2004, when Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne impacted every county in your co-op’s service territory. The plan successfully guided us as we replaced hundreds of poles and restored electric service to thousands of homes. The ERP is a roadmap to recovery, guiding us every step of the way. For example, as hurricane season approaches, the ERP advises your cooperative to increase inventories of construction materials — such as poles and wire — in case they are needed quickly. The plan instructs us to review and update hotel and food accommodation contracts annually to ensure that PRECO can house and feed repair teams. The ERP also includes important contact information, detailed departmental duties, power restoration procedures and much more. We take power outages very seriously. Whenever our electric distribution system sustains major damage, PRECO’s number one priority is your safety and the safety of our employees. Our second priority is to restore power as quickly as possible, with special emphasis placed on critical areas such as hospitals and emergency facilities. Your co-op’s ERP is current and ready-to-go at a moment’s notice. I strongly advise you to have a family emergency plan in place to provide for all of your family’s needs. Don’t wait until a hurricane is headed your way to make plans — by then it may be too late. PRECO’s designated toll-free outage hotline, 1-877-282-3656, is always available if you should experience a power interruption for any reason. As always, the cooperative you own is here to serve you. We are prepared for emergencies because it’s important to you that we “get the lights back on.”

J U N E 2 015

15-0049_PREC_June_FINAL.indd 14

5/12/15 4:43 PM