Florida Currents November 2013 by American MainStreet Publications

Glades Electric Cooperative

N OV E M B E R 2013

COVER STORY:

Chasing the Sun Snowbirds head to Sunshine RV Resort in Lake Placid and other locales in Florida each year to escape cold northern winters and experience a warmer, more active lifestyle. Read more on page 12. PHOTO BY CHELSEA LEVINE

GEC Transitions to New Meters PAGE 3

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Cost of Wholesale Power Increases PAGE 4

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Important Terms and Conditions: Promotional Offers: Require activation of new qualifying DISH service with 24-month commitment and credit qualification. All prices, fees, packages, programming, features, functionality and offers subject to change without notice After 12-month promotional period, then-current regular monthly price applies and is subject to change. ETF: If you cancel service during first 24 months, early cancellation fee of $20 for each month remaining applies. For iPad 2 offer, if you cancel service during first 24 months, early cancellation fee of $30 for each month remaining applies. Activation fee: may apply. Add’tl Requirements: For iPad 2 offer: customer must select Hopper system and minimum of America’s Top 120 package; allow 4-6 weeks for delivery; offer not available in Puerto Rico or USVI. Available while supplies last. Premium Channels: 3-month premium movie offer value is $135; after promotional period, then-current regular monthly price applies and is subject to change. Hopper Features: AutoHop feature is only available with playback the next day of select primetime shows on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC as part of PrimeTime Anytime feature. Both features are subject to availability. Blockbuster @Home Offer: 3 month offer value $30. After 3 months, then-current regular monthly price applies and is subject to change. Requires online DISH account; broadbandinternet to stream content; HD DVR to stream to TV. Streaming to TV and some channels not available with select packages. Installation/Equipment Requirements: Certain equipment is leased and must be returned to DISH upon cancellation or unreturned equipment fees apply. Upfront and additional monthly fees may apply. Recording hours vary; 2000 hours based on SD programming. Watching live and recorded TV anywhere requires a broadband-connected, Sling-enabled DVR and compatible mobile device. Misc: Offers available for new and qualified former customers, and subject to terms of applicable Promotional and Residential Customer agreements. State reimbursement charges may apply. Nominal new connect processing fees may apply. Additional restrictions and taxes may apply. Offers end 1/16/14. HBO®, Cinemax® and related channels and service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc. SHOWTIME is a registered trademark of Showtime Networks Inc., a CBS Company. STARZ and related channels and service marks are property of Starz Entertainment, LLC. iPad is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. , registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion. Internet Regular monthly rate and Promotional Rates for High Speed Internet Product varies by providers available at each individual address. $19.99 rate is most widely available product. Call for providers available.

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

GEC Transitions to New Meters 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. MANUSCRIPTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS

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Trend Offset Printing Services 10301 Busch Drive North Jacksonville, FL 32218 © 2013 Ruralite Services Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Preparations have begun at Glades Electric Cooperative to transition to new power line carrier automated meters. The new meters will improve the reliability and efficiency of the existing electric distribution system. The advanced metering infrastructure system uses two-way digital communication through power lines between GEC and its meters. Among the many benefits the new system will bring to members are: • Faster response to outages. • More efficient power distribution to help GEC keep costs from rising for members. • Improved power quality. • More accurate information about outages and restoration times. • More information for members about their power use. • Quicker connection and disconnection times. • Better detection of power theft. GEC will begin installing the new meters in the coming months and anticipates using the new functions of the meters beginning

in the spring of 2014. GEC expects the transition for all meters to be spread throughout at least 24 months. “The impact of the installation is minimal and the benefits are countless,” said Director of Member Services Margaret Ellerbee. “We are excited to be able to provide improved services such as more flexible billing options for members.” Members can expect to lose power for a few minutes on the day of the installation. The new meters will not affect the kilowatt-hour rate members pay. “The co-op anticipates that labor and cost savings from the program will allow the utility to recoup the investment quickly,” explained CEO Jeff Brewington. “The new technology will greatly improve our efficiency and reliability, while allowing us to provide additional services not previously available to our members.” Look for more information regarding the AMI system in the coming months in Florida Currents, at www.gladesec.com and on GEC’s Facebook page. 

Inside

November 2013 Vol. 3, No. 1

Chasing the Sun 12

Snowbirds head south to Florida to escape cold winter weather and experience a warm lifestyle. 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

NOVEMBER 2013

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

The Price of Power Seminole Electric Cooperative announces wholesale power rates for 2014

Glades Electric Cooperative works in partnership with Seminole Electric Cooperative to supply you with power when you need it at the most cost-effective rate. Beginning in January, Seminole’s wholesale cost of electricity will increase 4.2 percent. Wholesale power refers to the energy and capacity costs associated with generating electricity, which comprises about 70 percent of your electric bill. Although a rate increase during tight economic times is not ideal, Seminole has worked to keep the wholesale cost of power as low as possible. Its overall percentage increase is less than Florida Power and Light, Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric. Why is the cost of Seminole’s power going up in 2014? One of the main reasons is excess capacity. Seminole has more electricity

Seminole Electric Cooperative is one of the largest generation and transmission cooperatives in the country. Headquartered in Tampa, its mission is to provide reliable, competitively priced wholesale electric power to its 10 members, which include four of the largest distribution cooperatives in the United States. Seminole owns and operates a 1,300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Putnam County and an 810-MW natural gas power plant on the Polk/Hardee county border. Additionally, 6 percent of Seminole’s member energy sales come from renewable sources such as biomass, landfill gas and municipal solid waste. About 1.7 million people and businesses in parts of 45 Florida counties rely on Seminole member distribution cooperatives for electricity.

n o v em b e r 2 0 1 3

than it needs through 2016 due to lower population growth and decreased energy consumption. Annual growth for electric cooperatives in Florida historically increased an average of 4 percent a year. However, in 2006, the U.S. housing market took a massive and unexpected drop, leaving many homes unsold and vacant from repossessions and foreclosures. For Seminole, the annual growth rate declined to nearly zero. Plans that had to be put in place in advance of the expected growth resulted in a surplus of capacity. At the same time, consumer spending dropped, and people started using less electricity to save money, compounding the problem. Seminole, GEC and other utilities in the state could not have predicted the dramatic and unexpected shift in Florida’s load, growth and consumer use. Additional factors affecting the wholesale rate include increases in the costs of coal and natural gas, and expiring contracts for Seminole to buy electricity beyond what it is able to generate. Seminole supplies about 50 percent of its member energy needs through self-owned generation: 1,300 megawatts from its coal-fired facility and 810 MW from its natural gas plant. However, on any given day, depending on weather or demand, members may need more energy than what Seminole can generate. Therefore, Seminole buys energy from investor-owned utilities and merchant energy providers, securing short-, medium- and long-term contracts to complete its supply of

EPA Rules Could Affect Semiole Facilities

The natural gas-fired Midulla plant on the Polk-Hardee county border produces 810 megawatts for Seminole Electric Cooperative. The generation and transmission cooperative provides wholesale power to Glades Electric Cooperative. Photo courtesy of Seminole Electric Cooperative

energy to meet members’ needs now and into the future. These purchase power agreements—which are more cost effective than building additional generating plants—include more than 6 percent of renewable generation. That gives Seminole one of the state’s largest renewable energy portfolios. As older, existing purchase power agreements expire, Seminole must replace them with new contracts, usually priced higher. Seminole has worked to mitigate the wholesale rate increase by restructuring existing purchase contracts, where possible; deferring the addition of new power generation to its portfolio; and implementing cost-cutting measures at its facilities. Seminole staff is working to improve operational efficiency through better technology and reduce costs associated with maintenance. Although the road to economic recovery is slow, growth in Florida is beginning to increase. Because Seminole and GEC are not-for-profit electric cooperatives, the only way to recover the cost of buying and supplying power to you is to pass on those costs. As demand begins to rise, Seminole and GEC remain dedicated to meeting future power needs, while providing affordable and reliable electricity. 

on September 20, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed its revised rule issuing New Source Performance Standards for carbon dioxide emissions from new coal- or natural gas-fired electric generating units. In the revised rule, the EPA proposes carbon limits for any new natural gas- or coal-fired power plant that sells more than one-third of its output to the electric grid. The standard for new coal plants is so stringent it will require utilities to capture approximately 50 percent of the carbon dioxide they could emit. Therefore, new coal-fired units would have to install costly carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology. While EPA contends CCS is commercially available and economically viable, there are no full-scale CCS systems operating on any coal-burning power plants. Seminole Electric Cooperative uses a variety of generation resources, including coal, natural gas and renewable energy. because this rule does not apply to existing sources, it does not have any immediate impact on Seminole’s natural gasand coal-fired power plants. Any new fossil-fuel generation would have to meet the emission standards when finalized by the EPA. by requiring unproven and costly CCS technology, the proposed rule would make coal an uneconomic choice to meet Seminole members’ future needs. In June 2014, the EPA is scheduled to release its rule addressing carbon emissions from existing sources. The existing source rulemaking will be far more significant to Seminole, which relies on coal for about half of the energy its members need. Seminole completed construction of its coal units in the early 1980s. This was a time, following the first oPEC oil embargo, when Congress disallowed the continued use of natural gas for power generation and required new power plants to use coal as the primary fuel source. Seminole has invested more than $530 million in environmental pollution controls, making its coal-fired generating facility one of the cleanest power plants in the country. Seminole’s mission is to keep electric bills aﬀordable, while providing members the power they need to improve their quality of life. Seminole supports using a diverse fuel mix to generate electricity, including renewables, natural gas and coal. Seminole will join with electric cooperatives from around the country to fight any proposals that will adversely aﬀect the cost and the reliability of energy to our members. For more information, please visit www.seminole-electric. com or www.action.coop.

NovEMbEr 2013

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Gadgets That Get You Going By Mike Teegarden

We know our readers are active, not content to sit on the couch and read about other people’s adventures. Take a short break from your busy summer and check out some of these hip gadgets that will help you better enjoy an active lifestyle. BioLite Camp Stove Cook your meals using the BioLite Camp Stove (shown above) with nothing more than a few twigs and fir cones collected on your journey. This stove cooks using organic materials so there are no heavy, smelly, polluting fuels to carry. 6

november 2013

The stove weighs 33 ounces, and Biolite says it can boil one liter of water in about 41/2 minutes. While that water is boiling, a device in the stove converts heat to electricity, powering an internal fan that boosts the efficiency of the fire. Excess electricity is sent to a USB port, where any USB-capable device can be charged. Not just for campers, this stove is a perfect addition to an emergency kit. If the power goes out, grab some dry debris, head out to the deck and start cooking. While dinner is cooking, enjoy music from your mp3 player while it charges. $129.95—Available at www.biolitestove.com.

ThermaCell Heated Insoles Keep those tootsies warm and toasty on cold winter outings with ThermaCell heated insoles. A small rechargeable battery hidden in each insole eliminates the need for wires. A wireless remote allows you to change the setting from medium (100 F), high (110 F) to off. Each charge provides up to five hours of continuous heat, or extend the time by turning the units off and on as needed. Batteries are good for 500 charges. ThermaCell insoles are water resistant and can be used in boots, shoes and waders. They will fit any shoe from a woman’s 6 to a man’s 13. $129.99—www.thermacell.com

emiting diods that provide light for 20 hours at full power. The batteries will recharge in about eight hours of sunshine or in five hours by plugging into a powered USB port. The unit can recharge most smart phones in about two hours. $79—www.waka-waka.com

A Bright Idea The founders at ilumi believe they have invented the world’s smartest light bulb. Using LED technology combined with bluetooth capability, their bulbs may change the way we interact with our home lighting. Combined with a smartphone app, the ilumi LED bulb can change color and intensity based on a number of factors. The ilumi app can make the lights flash when your cell phone rings, change colors with music you play, or turn on and off as you walk past. $98/$88—www.ilumisolutions.com

WakaWaka Power During a prolonged power outage, not being able to charge the portable electronic devices we rely on daily can be frustrating. WakaWaka Power can solve that problem. WakaWaka means “shine bright” in Swahili. Using a solar panel to charge its 2,200 mAh LiPo batteries, the WakaWaka Power unit can charge any USB-capable device. The WakaWaka Power unit also has a pair of light

Mad Science relax at the end of your busy day with mad Science, edited by randy Alfred. Published by the folks at Wired magazine, this book explores the genesis of many of the technologies we take for granted today. Who invented the Xerox machine? The band-Aid? The container ship? What about the traﬃc signal and the shopping cart, or the transistor and the microchip? $13.88—www. amazon.com

Belkin Mini Surge Suppressor and USB Plug The Belkin BT300 lets you safely plug your electronic devices anywhere while you travel It features a 900-Joule energy rating, providing power protection for all your sensitive mobile devices. It has two powered USB ports (2.1 amp combined) for charging your tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices. It has wallmountable for three extra AC outlets without extra cords, and has a 360-degree rotating plug with four locking positions. $29.99—www.amazon.com November 2013

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Operation Round Up Monthly Report Charitable Trust Board of Directors 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 Jerry Chasteen District 7 Lorida David McCadam District 8 Lake Josephine Angela Hodges District 9 Okeechobee The next meeting of the Charitable Trust Board of Directors is 1 p.m. November 26 in Moore Haven.

NOVEMBER 2013

More than 72 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 October 9, your Charitable Trust Board of Directors has approved $800,233.18 in disbursements. These funds have provided assistance with food, emergency lodging, disaster relief and specific

emergency needs for 526 individuals and/or families and 105 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.

GEC Needs Your Help to Update Our Upgrade Glades Electric Cooperative’s phone system has been upgraded to make it easier for members to make payments and report outages. Members who have the most current contact information in our system will benefit the most. Please call a member services representative at (800) 226-4024 to make sure your contact information is current.

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Credit Winners Nicholas Dangelo No. 18210-001 Shirley Eaton No. 100896-001 Winners should call (800) 226-4024 or sign their name on this page and mail it to: Florida Currents $25 Credit Glades Electric Cooperative P.O. Box 519 Moore Haven, FL 33471

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Side Roads

Discoveries oﬀ the beaten Path

Thriving Against All Odds Political refugee escapes trouble, creates new life in the United States By Suzi Harkola

Historical Reflections: Defunct Stores

Montgomery Ward, 1872-2000

Founded in 1872, Montgomery Ward started as a mail-order company catering to rural residents. In 1926, it launched a brick-and-mortar department store. The chain ended its mail-order catalog business in 1985, was liquidated in 2000 and relaunched as an online company in 2004. F.W. Woolworths, 1878-1997 Gimbels, 1887-1987 G.R. Kinney Co. Shoes, 1894-1998 Western Auto Supply Co., 1909-2003 J.J. Newberry’s, 1911-2001 Kb Toys, 1922-2009 Waldenbooks, 1933-2011 Circuit City, 1949-2009 Ames, 1958-2002 Tower Records, 1960-2006 Linens ‘n Things, 1975-2008 10

NovEMbER 2013

John Gordon is not your typical 90-yearold. His quick step, as seen in the dancers he trains at Gotta Dance in Nokomis, is more than matched by his quick mind. A lifetime of intrigue, capture, toil and escape are documented in his daily diaries, kept since 1949. John arrived in America in September 1952, serving in a Polish military unit attached to the U.S. Army of Occupation of Germany, from which he was honorably discharged in June 1951. As a polical refugee under the auspices of the International Refugees Organization opposing the Soviet Communists’ domination of Poland, John and his wife, Anna Helen, were given the opportunity to emigrate to any western country. He chose the United States, landing in Cleveland, Ohio. Arriving with limited English skills, he turned to the Cleveland Plain Dealer as his English teacher. He read every word, paying special attention to the editorial pages. “I learned correct English from those writers,” he says. John lived in northern Poland before World War II. He was 16 years old when the war started in 1939. Germany desperately needed young workers and grabbed Polish people to do heavy labor in their country. John was deported to work at a granite quarry. “I knew I would be there six months to a year, and that was not something I wanted to do,” he says with a wry smile. “So in 1940, I escaped.” John was caught by the Gestapo, imprisoned and sent to repair railroad tracks in Berlin that had been damaged in aerial bombardments by Allied forces. “After one of those devastating air raids, I escaped again and went south, toward Bavaria,” John says. “I learned to speak and write French, which helped me in the later years, but I was caught again and incarcerated in Dresden. I was locked up in a third-floor cell, all alone. During one of

John Gordon, center, in LaCourtine, France, home to the Polish Army Central Command for demobilization. Opposite page, John has a lifetime of memories chronicled in more than 60 volumes.

the heaviest air raids yet, I was convinced I wouldn’t survive. The city was nearly destroyed but, miraculously, I was OK.” John was sent to work for a rancher. “With other forced laborers, I was housed in the barracks and escorted daily by armed guards to work in the fields,” he says. “As we were being marched through the forest, I saw my chance and, being relatively small, ducked out of the marching line and hid until the coast was clear. “Wanting to be close to the French or Swiss border, I started to work in a textile mill in Emmendingen of the Black Forest region, where a lot of volunteer French nationals were employed. Being volunteers, they were allowed to go home for the Christmas holidays in 1942. “This time, I escaped by mingling with them, and made my way to France. Once on French soil, I made contacts with some compatriots living there who helped me travel to Marseille in what was then called France Libre territory.” In Marseille, John became a crew member of a merchant ship transporting

Floridians Invited to Participate in Cancer Research Opportunity

coal to Spain. When the ship arrived in Barcelona, most of the crew, including John, sought political asylum. “We were sent to Toledo, then Gibraltar, then on a French ship to Casablanca,” he says. “Once we got to Casablanca, I took the train to Algiers and joined the Polish army. We landed in Naples, Italy, then in southern France.” Meanwhile, Germany surrendered and the Polish army was sent to demobilization centers in France and England. John’s unit was sent to La Coutrine, where he was demobilized in 1946. “From there, I was sent by the French military authority to Haslach in Germany in their occupied German territory as an interpreter and spokesman for Polish political refugees living in that area,” he says. John went to England and worked as an interpreter, becoming commissioned by the American Occupation Force via the Labor Service Co. The commission officially made him part of the U.S. Army. He and Anna Helen were allowed transit to the United States in 1952.

A business venture brought John to Florida from Ohio. He fell in love with the state’s climate, people and topography. “I went to Bartow to check out the plantation citrus and found the people so friendly,” he says. “I loved it and decided I would live here, so I opened gas stations in Bartow and Tampa.” In 1955, John was hired as a dance instructor in St. Petersburg. He owned the Fred Astaire Studios in Sarasota for 13 years, and has worked for studios in Port Charlotte, Naples, Ft. Myers and Nokomis. Anna Helen died 13 years ago, but John says he never feels alone. “The people at the studio are my family,” he says. “I’m busy and I love dance, both teaching and participating.” His survival skills continue. Hurricane Charley destroyed his house, but “this paled in comparison to what I had gone through in my earlier years,” John says. He encourages people not to lie down and wait for destiny, but to “stay active, alert, analyzing all situations along the way, and make good choices.” n

Through events in many states— including Florida—men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 are being asked to volunteer for a cancer prevention research study. In conjunction with local hospitals, the American Cancer Society’s Epidemiology Research Program is recruiting participants for the Cancer Prevention Study-3—a nationwide study aimed at better understanding the lifestyle, genetic, and environmental causes of cancer. To be eligible, participants must have no previous history of cancer. Highlands Regional Medical Center in Sebring is among many facilities partnering with the ACS. It will enroll volunteers Thursday, November 14, from 4 to 8 p.m. Sebring hopes to recruit 100 volunteers. Nationally, the study is seeking 300,000 people. Enrollment takes 20 to 30 minutes. Participation involves completing a survey, providing some physical measurements, giving a small blood sample and completing follow-up surveys at home every few years. The program will track participants for 20 to 30 years. For more information about the Sebring event, or for other locations, visit www.cancer.org/cps3 or call (888) 604-5888.

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Chasing the Sun Snowbirds head south to escape cold winter weather, experience warm lifestyle By Nancy Jorgensen

Ferne Tool, right, enjoys spending winters in her Lake Placid park model. Her son, Jim, left, stays in an adjacent fifth wheel with his wife, Shasta.

There’s a chill in the air, and it is time for birds to fly south— including snowbird Ferne Tool of Roodhouse, Illinois, who has spent 47 winters in Florida. “We go down to stay warm,” says Miss Ferne, as her friends call her at Sunshine RV Park in Lake Placid. “We enjoy the sunshine and have good times with our wonderful neighbors.” Ferne rides along when her son, Jim, and his wife, Shasta, take off in November in their diesel pickup, pulling a fifthwheel trailer complete with slide-outs and a fireplace. Ferne lives in her park model—a small, permanently parked mobile home—when they arrive. Jim and Shasta park their RV next to her. Ferne’s husband, Francis, raised corn and soybeans in Illinois. They started snowbirding in 1966, when a doctor advised Francis to go somewhere warm to ease his rheumatism.

They spent their first winter in the Keys, pulling a small trailer, and bought bigger trailers over time. Twenty-four years ago, Ferne and Francis bought the park model in Lake Placid. Jim and Shasta began joining them in 1991. Francis died a few years ago, but, as Ferne says, “We had a wonderful 68 years together.” Drinking in the Sunshine Ferne’s story reflects the evolution of many snowbirds who hit the Sunbelt for at least a month during the snowy season. Millions of Americans escape cold weather, traveling by car, recreational vehicle and air, and staying in mobile home parks, apartments and second homes. Like Ferne and Francis, they often start with small trailers and move up to larger rigs and, sometimes, to more stationary dwellings. “Snowbirds start coming south for a few weeks each winter when they’re still working, and the time they spend increases over the years,” says Jeff Crider, a consultant with the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

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Park models line the street along the entrance to the Sunshine RV Resort in Lake Placid, Florida, co-owned by Tim Duncan, opposite page. Photos by Chelsea Levine

Florida’s snowbird trend started in the 1880s, and got a boost in 1912 when Henry Flagler extended his Florida East Coast Railway to the tip of the Keys. The railroad glory days are long gone, but not so with RVs, which also came into being more than 100 years ago. RV numbers boomed in recent decades. At the same time, the snowbird population swelled with better highways and increased airline travel. RV park and real estate development came along with the snowbirds. The recession and higher fuel prices slowed the snowbird phenomenon a few years ago, but it is gathering steam again. “Snowbird numbers will likely grow as the Baby Boomer generation continues to age,” says Jeff. “People will flee the snow and cold weather up north so long as the Sunbelt offers an attractive refuge.” Snowbirds generally fly straight south. “People in the Northwest tend to go to the deserts in Arizona and southern California,” Jeff explains. “Those from the East go to Florida.” Visit Florida, a travel website, reports that in 2012 the state welcomed 91

million visitors who spent $72 million. According to estimates for 2013, Florida welcomed the largest number of first-quarter visitors in the state’s history. Visit Florida does not sort out snowbird numbers, but experts agree a significant share of visitors come for at least a month each winter. Then There are the Sunbirds While snowbirds live up north most of the year and escape to the Sunbelt in the winter, many longtime Floridians do the reverse. They nest in Florida in the winter, and cool off up north in the summer. No one tracks the number of sunbirds based in Florida, but the trend seems to be taking off. Bob and Cindy Gilbert have spent most of their careers teaching in Florida and Alabama, and taught in Wewahitchka in the Florida Panhandle the past several years. But when school is out, they make tracks for Bob’s hometown of Frederic, Michigan, where they live in an RV on their own property and reunite with friends and family. But don’t look for them to live up

Bob and Cindy Gilbert live in Wewahitchka in the winter and spend summers traveling. A recent trip was to San Francisco.

north full time. “Michigan is gorgeous in the summer, but the winter is hard,” Bob says. Will and Jacoba Swier also are sunbirds. Born in the Netherlands, the two have always enjoyed camping. In their younger days, they rode their motorbike throughout Europe. In 1964, they emigrated to Massachusetts, where Will worked as an engineer. They vacationed with their two daughters in a pop-up camper, eventually graduating to travel trailers and motor homes. In 1998, they planned to retire november 2013

RVers want even more in Florida. They scuba, go on cruises and social amenities. Games like take part in a prison ministry, traveling pickleball—a type of badmin- by motorcycle to visit inmates. ton played with small paddles Cindy creates and sells mosaic art. in small courts—are popular At 58, Bob hopes to teach a few more with seniors. years. Cindy teaches part time. They also want more space “When we’ve had enough of teachfor their toys. ing—if that ever happens—we’ll continue “Some parks are offersummering in Michigan and wintering in ing larger lots with oversized Florida,” he says. garages to house their RVs, ATVs and boats,” Ron says. Many Eventually Stay Put Tim Duncan co-owns G.R. Woods, known as Woodie, moved Sunshine RV Resort, where his RV around in his younger days, the Tools stay each year. Most but now lives year-round at Key Largo of Tim’s snowbirds flock in Kampground in Florida. from Michigan, Ohio and “I was here before the rocks got hard,” Jacoba and Will Swier maintain a condo in Lake Placid and travel New York, filling the park’s quips Woodie, now in his 80s. in the summer. A recent visit was to Alaska. 430 sites for RVs and trailers. Woodie and his wife, Janice, hauled from their jobs in Massachusetts and RV “It’s like a cruise ship,” Tim says. their RV between Florida and North year-round. “People keep active because there are Carolina until Janice became ill a few “The first year we retired we ended up more things to do here than back home.” years ago. After she died, his daughter in Lake Placid and started to explore the Guests indulge in water aerobics, line and two grandchildren—who live in area,” Will says. “The following spring we dancing, bocce ball, cards and fishing on Florida—convinced him to stay put. traveled cross-country for six months in the park’s pond. They get together for Originally from New Jersey, Woodie our motor home, and returned to Lake pancake breakfasts, ice cream socials and came to Florida to attend aviation Placid in the fall.” live entertainment. They fish and boat in mechanic school on the G.I. Bill after The Swiers bought a small condo as an nearby lakes. Golf courses, casinos and World War II. He worked as an airline investment, not intending to live in it. But Disney World are close by. maintenance supervisor, and then on a then both Jacoba and Will were diagnosed Ferne walks every day at the park— glass-bottomed boat at a state park. with cancer, and moved into the condo. something she could not do back home in Today, Woodie stays active flying “It has been a blessing for both of us, the snow. She works on crafts at the recreradio-controlled model airplanes. owning the condo while going through ation center, crochets dishcloth “scrubbies” He looks forward to autumn, when the cancer treatments,” Will says. to give to friends, takes in the park’s live snowbirds start filling up the 150 spaces While their Florida condo remains entertainment and attends church onsite. in Key Largo Kampground. their legal residence, the Swiers got back Neighbors threw a surprise party last “In the summer, only about eight to living their dream after their recovery. year for her 90th birthday. full-timers stay on, along with weekend They spend most of their time traveling The Tools fly in their RV, and usually spend summers home at Christmas in the mountains of North Carolina. to see the grandThey also have been to Alaska, the children, but are Northwest and New England. happy to get back to the park. Active and Social “There’s so Asked what they like about RVing, most much to do,” Ferne people mention the great social life. says. “My life has “Campers get together on a daily basis, been wonderful.” and there’s much more socializing than Bob and Cindy in condo living,” Will says. “We have cre- don’t stay in an RV ated many friends through this lifestyle.” park, but they are Ron Sleight, publisher of Compass active. They keep Marketing’s RV Reference Guide, says a 22-foot sailboat the Swiers are not alone in seeking out in Michigan and fun with friends. a small powerboat G.R. Woods—Woodie—flies his remote-controlled quad helicopter in Key Largo. 14

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warriors from Miami,” Woodie says. “I have many friends here in the wintertime.” RV Ownership Growing While the snowbird and sunbird trend cycles through ups and downs, if the number of people buying RVs is any indicator, the lifestyle is here to stay. A study by Richard Curtis, an RV industry analyst at the University of Michigan, reveals the number of RV-owning households grew to a new peak of 8.9 million households last year, up from 7.9 million in 2005. That is 8.5 percent of U.S. households. The economic downturn prompted some snowbirds to shorten their stays by a month or two. However, RV parks have seen an upswing in Canadian visitors the past two years as Canadian currency strengthened against the U.S. dollar. The cost of renting space may get more expensive in the future. Because of the rising cost of land, few new RV parks are being built today, says Ron Sleight. “This is forcing visitors to make reservations for premium spaces at premium times up to a year in advance,” he says. Economic Boost Whether they own a ritzy second home in Key Biscayne or pull a tiny trailer to Lake Placid, snowbirds make a tremendous impact on Florida communities. They are the mainstay of the state’s 850 RV parks, which host 100,000 sites, according to Bobby Cornwell of the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. “Ninety-five percent of our visitors are snowbirds who stay for the winter,” confirms Tim, of Sunshine RV Resort. Lots rent for about $700 a month during the peak season. Park models or apartments start at $1,000 a month. Snowbirds also are a boon to people who rent or sell condos and second homes, and to movie theaters, grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations. Tim and his business partner, Rick Viox, got into mobile home sales in the late 1970s when they lived in Ohio. Through the years, Tim and his wife, Debra, began traveling to Florida in their RV.

Tips for Snowbirds and Sunbirds  Start small. Before investing in a big RV or a second home, consider renting from a vendor such as Cruise America, or leasing a mobile home or apartment. “This lifestyle is not suited for everybody,” says Will Swier, who owns a condo as well as an RV. “My advice is rent and see if you like it before you invest your life savings.” According to an article on AARP’s website, www.aarp.org, “How to Buy an RV,” purchase prices range from about $5,000 to $500,000. You also will need to rent a space to park and to access electricity, TV, water and sewer hookups. Prices vary depending on the time of year, the location and amenities. You may receive discounts for staying longer.  Bank online. The Swiers handle most financial transactions through online banking, and pay most bills by automatic withdrawal. “Using your debit card, you can withdraw cash from almost any bank for a small fee,” Will says.  Forward your mail. The U.S. Postal Service allows you to forward your mail for up to six months to other post offices in care of general delivery. “It’s much easier to handle banking, charge cards, subscriptions and correspondence online or by phone these days,” says Bob Gilbert, who lives in Florida and Michigan.  Set up your own hot spot. The Swiers disconnected their landline and use cell phones. Working with Verizon, Will set up his cell as a Wi-Fi hot spot so he can

access the Internet, including email, throughout most of the United States. This also connects his computer. A landline was the only way the Gilberts could access reliable service in Wewahitchka, but they use a satellite Internet connection in Michigan and stop the service when they leave.  Take care of the home front. Ask neighbors to watch your home. Hire a service to maintain your yard when you are away, or consider low-maintenance landscaping. Some people gain security by living in gated communities and setting timers to turn on lights at night.  Ensure medical insurance. Most people over 65 are on Medicare, and it usually works in all 50 states. But your Medicare supplemental or Advantage plan may not. No matter your age, before you take off, check with your health plan to learn how and where you are covered.  Consider your tax bite. Some snowbirds save money by spending six months or more in states without state income taxes. Consult a tax specialist before making such a move. You need to take a few steps to change your new location to your permanent residency. RVers also sometimes license their rigs in states with more affordable plate rates.  Vote by mail. Increasingly, it is easy to vote from remote locations, but check it out before you leave home. n

Nine years ago, they left Ohio behind and partnered with the Vioxes to buy Sunshine RV Resort. “I love everything about it,” Tim says of owning the park. “The freedom, the people. I’m so glad I got into it.” In the summer, numbers in Tim’s park drop to a handful of full-timers. Some business owners find it tough to survive the slow season, but Tim says he does

not mind the summer doldrums. He and Debra go on vacation, leaving park management in the hands of work campers—guests who help out in exchange for free lot rentals. By October, Tim looks forward to snowbirds flocking back to the park, including old friends such as the Tools “You meet someone new every day,” Tim says. n

For a financial guide to long-term travel, visit the Wall Street Journal’s website, www.wsj.com, and search for “Tips for snowbirds before they take flight.” For information on where to go, Google “Top U.S. snowbird destinations.”

november 2013

In the Kitchen

Recipes That Satisfy

The Super Apple Hamn-Cheese pairs well with soup on a chilly fall day.

Savory Soup and Sandwich Duos Few things warm the body and soul quite like a bowl of hot and hearty soup. Pairing that with a delicious sandwich is an easy and affordable way to enjoy a healthy meal any time of day.

Winter Root Vegetable and Ham Soup 2 cups ham, chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large leek, chopped 4 cups butternut squash, diced 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced 2 large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced 16

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1 large parsnip, peeled and diced 1 large garlic clove, minced 1½ teaspoons ground cumin 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 cups escarole, chopped (kale or chard can be substituted) 3 cups vegetable broth

In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the leek and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally until soft, for about 5 minutes. Stir in cumin and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in broth, squash, carrots, potatoes, parsnip, ham and pepper. Over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables are almost tender, stirring

occasionally. Add escarole and cook 5 minutes longer. Serves 6

Courtesy of Smithfield

Beef and Horseradish Wraps 16-ounce jar sliced pickled beets, drained and chopped ½ cup carrots, shredded 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish ½ cup spreadable cheese (such as a goat cheese or herb/ garlic soft cheese) 2 large soft flour tortillas (about 10- to 12-inch diameter)

10 green onions (green part only) 10 thin slices deli roast beef

In a medium bowl, combine beets, carrots and horseradish. Spread ¼ cup cheese evenly over each tortilla, leaving 1-inch border. Arrange five green onions (do not chop) on each; press lightly into cheese. Place five slices of beef on each tortilla, covering green onions. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate up to 4 hours. To serve, remove plastic wrap and cut each tortilla in half. Serves 4

Courtesy of www.AuntNellies.com

Basil Rice and Tomato Soup 10-ounce bag of frozen precooked brown rice 24-ounce jar pasta sauce 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped Parmesan cheese

Prepare rice according to package directions. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine pasta sauce, cream and basil. Cover loosely and microwave on high for 5 minutes, or until heated through. Stir in prepared rice and top with cheese. Serves 4

Courtesy of Minute Rice

Super Apple Ham-n-Cheese 2 slices whole-grain bread 1 tablespoon butter, softened ½ tablespoon honey mustard 1 slice extra sharp cheddar 2 large slices deli ham ½ apple, peeled and cut in thin slices

Spread one side of each slice of bread with butter. Spread opposite side of bread with honey mustard. Place one slice of bread butter side down in skillet over medium heat. Layer one slice of cheese, ham and apple.

Spread second piece of bread with honey mustard and place honey mustard side down on top of sandwich. Cook 6 to 7 minutes, flipping to ensure each side is golden brown and cheese is melted. Courtesy of Borden Cheese

Autumn Acorn Squash Soup 1 small onion 1/4 cup celery, chopped 2 tablespoons sweet cream butter 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon 1/2 teaspoon dill weed 1/4 teaspoon curry powder Dash cayenne pepper 2 cups chicken bone stock 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 3 cups acorn squash, cooked and mashed Salt and pepper, to taste 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Sauté the onion and celery in butter in a large saucepan. Stir in flour, bouillon, dill, curry and cayenne pepper. Gradually add chicken stock and sweetened condensed milk. Boil for 2 minutes. Add the squash, salt and pepper. Place in a blender, and blend in batches until smooth. Pour into bowls and garnish with bacon. Serves 6

Courtesy of Eagle Brand

The Pastrami Reuben 12 slices rye bread 24 ounces sliced beef pastrami 12 thin slices Muenster cheese 11/2 cups sauerkraut, prepared and drained 1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing 2 ounces butter, at room temperature

Lay two slices of rye bread on a cutting board. Top first piece of bread with one slice of Muenster cheese, then about 2 ounces of sauerkraut, 4 ounces (roughly three to four thin slices) of pastrami and

Sandwich Expansions Experimenting with new ingredients can dress up everybody’s favorite sandwich. Create your own signature sandwich with additions such as: hh Fresh or sundried tomatoes hh Bacon or prosciutto hh Avocado hh Fresh herbs such as sage, basil,

oregano or cilantro hh Jalapeño hh Pickles hh Roasted red peppers hh Caramelized onions hh Flavored cheese slices such as pepper jack, smoked cheddar or bacon cheddar hh Apple or pear slices hh Dijon or honey mustard hh Smoked or mesquite turkey You also can change up things with different breads. Try pumpernickel, rye, seven-grain, sourdough or English muffin bread.

a second slice of Muenster cheese. Set aside. Spread second piece of bread with Thousand Island dressing and place on top of the other half of the sandwich. Brush the top and bottom of the sandwich with butter. If you own an electric sandwich maker or panini press, place sandwich inside for 21/2 to 31/2 minutes. If you don’t have a sandwich press, place sandwich in a sauté pan on top of the stove, set at medium heat. Cook for 31/2 to 41/2 minutes on each side. Remove sandwich. While still hot, cut in half and serve. Makes 6 sandwiches

Courtesy of Great Grains Foundation

november 2013

Florida Gardening

Advice From the Front-Yard Farmer

Time Now to Plant Onions, Strawberries Onions and strawberries have little in common—except perhaps in Florida, where gardeners plant strawberries and onions at the wrong time of year more often than any other vegetables frequently grown at home. Together, they serve as the poster vegetables of how the timing of sowing vegetables in Florida is vastly different than most other states. Growing onions and strawberries in the spring is more popular in this country than a cheerleader at the homecoming dance. Heck, it’s nearly a national pastime. It is no wonder so many Floridians follow suit and put out onion sets and strawberry plants as winter wanes and spring beckons. Unhappily, most of those Florida onions planted in the spring won’t have enough time between becoming established and the onset of summer heat to develop large bulbs. Strawberry plants have a similar problem with the heat. Plants put in the garden in the spring don’t have the time they need to produce a large numbers of berries before the heat puts the brakes on production.

Plant strawberrys in the fall and you will be harvesting berries by spring. Chandler strawberries, pictured growing in Northwest Florida, are among the cultivars recommended for Florida gardens. Onions also are best planted in the fall in Florida and harvested in the spring. Photo by Dennis Gilson

Instead of planting onions and strawberries in the spring and harvesting them during the summer, in Florida we plant them in the fall and harvest them in spring, or even earlier for strawberries. Both onions and strawberries grow well with the cooler temperatures and growing conditions that come with fall and winter, and both are very cold-hardy. In most of the state, onions are best put out in the garden November to early December (October to November in South Florida). If planting from seeds, they should be started in September to be ready for transplanting when the weather cools down. In Florida, we have the best success growing selected varieties of “short-day” onions.

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.

NOVEMBER 2013

Short-day onions require days that are only 11 to 12 hours long before plants switch from producing new foliage to growing bulbs. Suggested varieties of short-day onions are Excel, Texas Grano, Granex, White Granex and Tropicana Red. Granex is the variety used to produce the popular Vidalia and St. Augustine sweets. Onions can be harvested as soon as the bulbs are large enough for your needs. They are fully mature when the tops of the plants turn from green to yellow and the foliage flops over to the ground (late spring or early summer). Once picked, cure the plants by allowing them to dry in an airy, dry place for about a week. Then clip the roots and tops, leaving about an inch of the dry neck. Sweet onions, such as Granex, are not long-keeping storage onions. The longer keepers, such as Texas Grano, will keep for several months. Strawberries are planted in

October and November across Florida. Both bare-root transplants and tray transplants are planted at this time. The best choices for Florida are shortday varieties such as Sweet Charlie, Chandler and Selva. Strawberries often are planted in the home garden by setting plants 12 inches by 12 inches apart on mulched beds. Black plastic frequently is used as mulch, as is straw and hay. When planted in the fall, strawberry plants should begin to produce blooms during the winter as the days get shorter and cooler. Berry production soon follows and continues until the beginning of the summer heat, as late as May in north Florida. Unlike most other areas of the country, we cultivate strawberry plants as annuals in Florida rather than perennials. At the end of each growing season, we remove the plants from the garden and start over again in the fall with fresh, healthy transplants. 

Travel Journal

Tips for Affordable Family Adventures

Mining Volunteer Opportunities

gov/results.cfm Volunteer Portal rces Resou ral Cultu and al Natur ica’s Amer gency Team Intera al is built and maintained by the Feder best match the make to helps l on Volunteerism. The porta ties. rtuni oppo teer volun possible for florida.org/  Volunteer Florida: www.volunteer html unty. sbyco americorps/program a better Get involved to make your community and state place to live. .org  Volunteer Guide: www.volunteerguide teer volun nd fi to ble possi it s make This directory animal as such , cause ite favor your for ties rtuni oppo ntal onme envir nt, welfare, community developme Creek. An F-Troop volunteer trail crew works at Mills protection and more. Association  Volunteer.gov: www.volunteer.gov/

Photo courtesy of Florida Trail

Consider a Vacation That Gives Back Whether you have a few hours or a few weeks, opportunities to give back through a volunteer vacation abound. What piques your interest: community development, helping children or the homeless, environmental protection, animal welfare, greener lifestyles, helping find and preserve archaeological artifacts? Plan your next trip with an eye on volunteerism. Giving thanks by giving back is rewarding and life-changing. Nurture Nature Camp for free in exchange for helping park staff maintain camping areas, or work with rangers to remove exotic plants, assist with special events, or maintain a beach,

waterway or trail. At John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, opportunities for seasonal and year-round residents and overnight campers range from field and shop work to helping with interpretive materials and nature walks. (850) 245-2157; www.floridastate parks.org/getinvolved/volunteer.cfm

Enrich the Lives of Wildlife Become an ambassador for wildlife, help restore habitat or serve as a steward in your community with the National Wildlife Federation.

(800) 822-9919; www.nwf.org/How-toHelp/Volunteer/Become-a-Volunteer. aspx

Blaze a Trail Enlist in one of the Florida Trail Association’s programs

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.

and help maintain part of the state’s 2,000-plus miles of hiking trails. Training, safety equipment and some tools are provided. (352) 378-8823; www.floridatrail.org/ html/volunteering.cfm

Reef Restoration Work in a nursery and transplant growing coral. Divers can check out opportunities with the Florida Keys Coral Restoration Foundation or Reef Relief to restore, improve and protect Florida’s coral reef system. Check the websites to join existing dive trips.

(305) 453-7030; www.coralrestoration. org; (305) 294-3100; www.reefrelief.org

Build a Home Habitat for Humanity has affiliates throughout the state committed to building or repairing affordable housing. As a volunteer, you might assist with maintenance work, help draft assignments or support program operations. www.habitat.org/getinv

Find the Right Fit A volunteer vacation may seem daunting if you don’t know what to expect. Here are a few tips to help pave the way to an experience you will remember for a lifetime.  Consider your talents, where you want to volunteer, how much time you want to spend on a project and the type of volunteer work you prefer. Is your passion to work with wild animals, build houses for disaster victims, pave a nature trail, or protect and restore a healthy habitat for wildlife?  Ask if the volunteer project includes time for sightseeing or other tourist activities.  Find out exactly what you will do. Make sure it is compatible with your skills and physical abilities. Ask about the length of the project, number of people involved, what to bring, etc.  Before committing to any program or trip, visit websites, and post on Facebook or Twitter for input from someone who already has participated. NOVEMBER 2013

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WITH ANY PURCHASE 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 2/28/14. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

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9/17/13 9:50:23 AM

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.

November 1-3, Pensacola Great Gulf Coast Art Festival More than 200 of the nation’s best painters, potters, sculptors, jewelers, graphic artists, craftsmen and others gather for this juried art show. Live musicians play in Fountain Park and local dance school groups perform daily. Bring your kids and let them spend the day at the Children’s Art Festival next door in Bartram Park while you peruse the eclectic showcase. www.ggaf.org; (850) 434-1234

November 2, Myakka City Back to School Bash Open House See renovations of the 1914 schoolhouse twothirds finished from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the event hosted by the Myakka City Historical Society, 10060 Wauchula Road. Activities include Hole in the Head Gang shootouts in 1840s dress, Stacey Horton’s Cheer Jam students, Wee Care singing songs, a barbecue cook-off, a swamp cabbage butchering demonstration, a roping exhibition, live entertainment, food and games. Bring tricycles and push toys to walk the track. No coolers or alcohol are allowed. www.myakkacityhistoricalsociety.org; cannonmarcia@yahoo.com; (941) 704-1362

November 2, Sebring 47th Annual Fine Arts and Crafts Festival The juried show on Circle Park Drive and adjacent streets attracts artists and crafters from Florida and beyond. More than $3,000 in prizes are awarded. www.highlandsartleague.org/festival

November 2, Bradenton Braden River Bluegrass and Pig Pickin’ Festival Visit Linger Lodge for foot-stomping music while picking your way through the pig roast. www.lingerlodgeresort.com; (941) 755-2757

November 2-9, The Keys Bubbafest Bike Tours Cruise from Key Largo to Key West. Camp on the beach and enjoy activities and flat riding along The Seven Mile Bridge. Camping and select breakfast and dinners included in registration. www.bubbaspamperedpedalers.com; (321) 759-3433

November 7-17, Pensacola Frank Brown Songwriter Festival Get a lick of Flora-bama with seasoned and aspiring songwriters of country music. Past songwriters have worked with Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Dolly Parton and even Elvis Presley. Head to one of four venues around the Panhandle to boot, scoot and boogie. www.fbisf.com; (850) 492-7664

November 8-10, Islamorada All-American Back Country Tournament Anglers vie for snook, redfish, bonefish, tarpon and permit at the 2nd annual tournament. To sweeten the deal, end with a barbecue on the beach at Cheeca Lodge & Spa. www.cheeca.com; (305) 517-4449

November 10, Key Largo 2nd Annual Cruisin’ in Paradise Poker Run Bikes, boats and cars are welcome in the benefit for VNA/Hospice. Registration is at 9 a.m. www.vnahospicekeys.org; (305) 852-7887

Country Fair at the Museum

Photo courtesy of Fort Meade Chamber

Kitchen contests for pies, cakes, pickles, jams and jellies will be judged during the Fort Meade Historical Society event Saturday, November 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other features include entertainment, activities for kids, fine crafts, historic displays, a produce market and a judged people’s choice car show sponsored by Greenwood Chevrolet. Barbecue chicken dinners are $8, and are available from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Buy tickets early. For more information, visit www.fortmeadechamber.com or call (863) 285-8253.

November 12, Lake Placid Team Kick-off Party, Lake Placid Relay For Life Find out more about the town’s American Cancer Society fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express. Register your team that night and qualify for prizes. www.relayforlife.org; (863) 273-2820

November 15, Bradenton Health and Business Fair Mixon Fruit Farms offers 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

november 2 0 1 3

November 16, Bradenton Mixon Cooking Competition School culinary arts classes challenge each other to create the best menu using citrus from noon to 2 p.m. at Mixon Fruit Farms. Sample the creations once the judging concludes. www.mixon.com; (941) 748-5829 ext. 268

November 16-17, Estero 12th Biannual Estero Fire Art Show World-renowned artists display and sell jewelry, sculptures, paintings, photographs and works in glass, clay, wood and fiber from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Miromar Outlets. Young artists will be featured, along with demonstrations and entertainment. www.hotworks.org; (941) 755-3088

November 20, Bradenton Concert in the Grove The 1970s band “The Yesterdaze” will play groovy tunes from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mixon Fruit Farms. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Admission is $5 at the door. Parking is free. www.mixon.com; (941) 748-5829 ext. 268

November 21-24, Key West Inaugural Chalkfest From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., artists from around the state make everything from colorful creations to deceptive illusions along the promenade by the seawall at the Truman Waterfront. (305) 394-3804; javastudios@gmail.com

Photo courtesy of Andy Newman, Florida Keys News Bureau

Fifth Annual Key Largo Bridge Run Take in gorgeous views of the Florida Bay and Barnes Sound on Saturday, November 9, while running or walking across the 65-foot-high, 1.24-mile-long Jewfish Creek Bridge and the southern part of the 18-Mile Stretch, a segment of U.S. Highway 1 between Florida City and Key Largo. The course is flat and fast, with one big challenging bridge. The event begins with a health and fitness expo from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, November 8, at the Key Largo Holiday Inn. Register online or at the expo. For more information, visit www.keylargobridgerun.com. November 15-17, Islamorada “Ladies Let’s Go Fishing” Keys Fishing University for Women Leave the fellas at home. This lighthearted, skillheavy seminar has honed the skills in offshore, bottom, inshore and fly fishing of almost 7,000 graduates of all skill levels. Register in advance. (954) 475-9068

November 15-17, Pensacola Mahabhuta Yoga Festival Stretch out with more than 24 yoga workshops and enjoy LED Hoop performances, a marionette show and henna artists. Stay for the food with

abundant organic choices and drop the little ones off at the kids’ tent while listening to Sean Johnson & the Wild Lotus and Rising Appalachia. www.mahabhutayogafestival.com; (850) 572-6562

November 16, Pensacola Craft Beer Festival For microbrew connoisseurs and those who cannot tell the difference between an IPA and a stout, this festival offers every style of beer. Run off the calories you will gain ahead of time with the Electric Beer Mile Run and celebrate your accomplishment with light food and—you guessed it—beer. www.pcbeer.com; (850) 529-5665

November 23, Pensacola Snowball Derby Preview For the motor-crazy, sneak a peek of the action at Five Flags Speedway. Get your tickets early. www.fiveflagsspeedway.com; (850) 944-8400

November 23, Islamorada Pops in the Park Bring blankets or lawn chairs to Founders Park, MM87, bayside, at 4 p.m. for a free performance of the Florida Keys Community Concert Band. www.keyscommunityconcertband.org; (305) 853-7294

November 23-24, Bradenton Harvest Festival From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visit Mixon Fruit Farms for music, dancing, circus performances, crafts, food, pony rides, bounce houses and bungee jumping. www.mixon.com; (941) 748-5829 ext. 268

November 23-24, Pensacola 23rd Annual Santa Rosa Creek Indian Tribe Pow Wow and Indian Day Celebration This 23rd annual event includes intertribal dancing, drumming, singing, storytelling, colorful regalia, and displays and teaching of heritage and customs. Enjoy authentic Native American cuisine, crafts and vendors. www.santarosacountycreekindiantribeinc.com; (850) 944-4882 november 2 0 1 3

Outdoor Pursuits

Enjoying the Natural World Around Us

Take a Load Off Something that separates outdoor enthusiasts from tourists is the desire to get off the beaten path. Backpacking is one way to do that. However, hiking with a heavy pack is hot and strenuous work, even on those rare occasions when heat and humidity are at bay. A relaxing alternative is “backpacking” by boat. Let a canoe or sea kayak do the heavy lifting, while you savor the experience with less effort. There are many advantages to this method of trekking. In addition to being a low-impact mode of transportation, it allows you to bring along a few more comforts of home. It also affords more freedom to explore nooks and crannies that otherwise would be inaccessible. Florida is perfectly suited to backpacking by boat, since the state is surrounded and crisscrossed by water. Ten Thousand Islands Trail in the Everglades, the North Nest Key out-and-back route near Key Largo, and the Chipola

Canoe camping allows for larger payloads than backpacking, but space is still limited. You must pick and choose what to take along—or be prepared to live without it. Photo by David Lewis

River and Black Water River trails in the Panhandle are just a few of the state’s popular paddling routes. For more information about these and other great destinations, check out the Florida paddling trail guide at www.visitflorida.com or Google it at www.google.com; use the search term “Florida paddling trails guide.” Condensation Consternation Humidity is an almost constant companion in Florida, which is readily apparent when tent camping. The combination of breathing

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.

NOVEMBER 2013

and outdoor humidity can turn the inside of a tent into a dripping sauna. Proper ventilation is the key to minimizing condensation. Generally, the more ventilation the better. Keeping window and door flaps open as much as possible—especially at night—will help. A tent designed for humid climates, such as those made mostly of mesh material, is ideal for such conditions. Land Big Bass With Better Presentation Skills Pitching and flipping are two of the best ways to access bass hiding in thick cover. They allow you to put your lure where it needs to be with more precision. The key is to learn proper technique for both, and then practice, practice, practice. Rather than provide a long explanation for each

method here, check out one of the many demonstration videos online, such as those by bass pros Tim Horton, www.youtube.com/ watch?v=mBT0eZZi5k0, and Denny Brauer, www.youtube. com/watch?v=2QT9FzJbARc. What Day is It? • Marooned Without a Compass Day, November 6. • Take a Hike Day, November 17. • Go for a Ride Day, November 22. Go Ahead, Brag a Little Send us your favorite outdoor photo, tip 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

Control Your Holiday Cooking Costs The U.S. Department of Energy estimates cooking accounts for 4 percent of home energy use. This figure does not include energy costs associated with refrigeration, water heating and dishwashing. As holiday parties and potlucks gear up, DOE suggests you keep these tips in mind to control energy costs: • Don’t peek. Every time the oven door is opened, the temperature inside is reduced by as much as 25 degrees, forcing the oven to use more energy to get back to the proper cooking temperature. • Turn it down or turn it off. For regular cooking, it probably is not necessary to have your oven on as long—or set as high—as the recipe says. For recipes that need to bake for longer than an hour, preheating the oven is not

necessary. And residual heat from an electric oven or stovetop will finish the last 5 to 10 minutes of cooking time. Just remember to keep the oven door closed or the lid on until time is up. Alternately, if you are baking in a ceramic or glass dish, you typically can set your oven for 25 degrees less than the recipe says. Because ceramic and glass hold heat better than metal pans, your dish will cook just as well at a lower temperature. • Give your burners a break. For your stovetop to function effectively, it is important the metal reflectors under your electric burners be free of dirt and grime. • Don’t neglect your slowcooker, microwave, toaster oven or warming plate. The average toaster oven can

use up to half the energy of the average electric stove in the same cooking time. Information to help you estimate how much energy your appliances use is available at www.energysavers.gov. • Give your furnace the day off. If your next party involves a lot work for your stove, think about turning down your furnace to compensate. The heat of the oven and all those guests will keep the temperature comfortable. • Make contact. Heat can be transmitted only to pans in direct contact with electric stovetops; the less contact your pan has with the burner, the more energy the stovetop must expend to heat the pan. If cooking with your warped pan is taking longer than it should, it may be time for a flat-bottomed update. 

Happy Thanksgiving From Your Glades Electric Cooperative Family

NOVEMBER 2013

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Preventing ‘Cyber-tage’ Electric co-ops are taking the lead in protecting the nation’s electric grid from cyber attacks By Jo Ann Emerson

november 2013

Security of the nation’s electric grid has helping the North American Electric Reliability received a lot of attention lately. Reports of Corporation—the nation’s grid watchdog— high-profile hacking attempts on electriwrite Critical Infrastructure Protection stancal facilities by parties foreign and domesdards, the Cooperative Research Network—the tic, mischievous and nefarious, keep making research and development arm of the National front-page news. In fact, according to the U.S. Rural Electric Cooperative Association—has Department of Homeland Security, developed the Guide to Developing the energy sector was the target of a Cyber Security and Risk more than 40 percent of all reported Mitigation Plan. cyber attacks last year. This document, touted by the In today’s heightened political U.S. Department of Energy as a landscape, some have suggested that prime example for other utilities to onerous government mandates—as follow—and endorsed by the head opposed to our existing system that of grid security at IBM—provides provides flexibility to meet evera set of scalable, online tools that evolving threats—are necessary can help electric co-ops strengthen to protect the electric grid from their cyber-security posture. cyber assaults. But it’s not certain As perhaps the first approach more regulations will make us safer. Jo Ann Emerson to advancing cyber security at Consider these points: the distribution level, the Guide • Government mandates can’t keep pace to Developing a Cyber Security and Risk with innovation. Utilities, such as electric Mitigation Plan ties into the innate co-op sense cooperatives, are always deploying new techof member responsibility and commitment to nology—and so are cyber criminals and terror- continuous improvement. ists. By their very nature, top-down mandates While no one suggests it will prevent every will only address known dangers. Such a compossible act of “cyber-tage,” any step at mitigamand-and-control approach means we will tion means a significant leap toward bolstered always be fighting yesterday’s battle. cyber security. As a result, NRECA has offered • “Gold-plated” cyber-security measures the guide and template to others in the electric are not the answer. It is possible to build a car utility industry free of charge. that will survive any crash. But the cost of such The bottom line is that the past few years, a vehicle would be astronomical. Utilities need the North American electric grid has become the latitude to balance risk and cost for the more secure because of joint NERC-industry good of the consumer. efforts. On the executive-branch level, NRECA • Compliance is not a deterrent. For has discussed co-op leadership and concerns some, federal rules create a false sense of wellsurrounding this subject in meetings with being. The reasoning goes like this: “If I’m folPresident Barack Obama and U.S. Energy lowing all of the cyber-security regulations that Secretary Ernest Moniz. apply to me, then my system must be secure.” The perils posed by cyber attacks are real. However, bureaucracy cannot promulgate pro- But thanks to CRN and standards fashioned cesses that address every contingency. And by electric utilities under the current voluntary, any complacency opens the door to a possible collaborative NERC framework, electric coopcyber strike. eratives will be better armed to defend against Fortunately, America’s electric cooperatives any cyber menace. n have taken a lead role on this issue. In addition Jo Ann Emerson is CEO of the National Rural Electric to thousands of hours spent by electric co-ops Cooperative Association.

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Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Co-op Lighting Lessons 2014 brings brighter efficiency standards and savings By Amber Bentley

As federal efficiency standards phase out traditional incandescent light bulbs, electric co-ops are testing what lighting technologies work best for consumers. Co-ops have long championed compact fluorescent lamps—the first cost-effective, energy-saving alternative to traditional bulbs. “We see them as a quick, low-cost way our members can start saving on their electric bills,” says Kotzebue Electric General Manager Brad Reeve. By 2014, household light bulbs using 40 watts to 100 watts will need to consume at least 28 percent less energy than traditional incandescents. Because incandescents use 90 percent of their energy producing heat, upgrading saves Americans an estimated $6 billion to $10 billion in lighting costs every year. More lighting changes will roll out in coming years. The federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires that light bulbs become 70 percent more efficient than classic bulbs by 2020. LEDs already exceed this goal. Lighting accounts for roughly 13 percent of an average household’s electric bill. Hardware store shelves are

New incandescent bulbs are at least 28 percent more efficient than traditional bulbs. 28

NOVEMBER 2013

filled with light bulb options. What works best for co-op members? Electric co-ops teamed up on light bulb testing with the Cooperative Research Network—the research and development arm of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, an Arlington, Virginia-based service organization for the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric co-ops. “We found most residential consumers still prefer to use CFLs over more expensive, but more energy efficient, LEDs,” says Brian Sloboda, CRN senior program manager specializing in energy efficiency. “The price of LEDs for home use has substantially dropped, so we may begin to see more LEDs as it becomes more economically feasible to buy them.” A helpful addition to lighting products is the lighting facts label. Much like nutrition labels found on the back of food packages, this version shows a bulb’s brightness, appearance, life span and estimated yearly cost. It was created by the U.S. Department of Energy to help consumers understand the product and buy the most efficient light bulb. Consumers’ energy-efficient lighting options include: • Halogen incandescents. Use 25 percent less energy, and last three times longer than regular incandescent bulbs. • CFLs. Use 75 percent less energy, and last up to 10 times longer.

Light Output

LEDs

CFLs

Incandescents

Lumens

Watts

450

4-5

8 - 12

300 - 900

6-8

13 - 18

1100 - 1300

9 - 13

18 - 22

75 - 100

1600 - 1800

16 - 20

23 - 30

100

2600 - 2800

25 - 28

30 - 55

150

Top, a selection of bulbs that comply with lighting regulations that went into effect in 2012. It includes CFLs, LEDs and energy-saving incandescents. Right, this lighting facts label helps consumers make good choices about their lighting products.

• LEDs. Use between 75 and 80 percent less energy, and last up to 25 times longer. Federal light bulb standards have the potential to save consumers billions of dollars each year. For an average American house with about 40 light fixtures, changing just 15 bulbs can save about $50 a year per household, according to DOE. A word of warning when buying new types of bulbs: You generally get what you pay for. “Some manufacturers exaggerate claims of energy savings and life spans, and cheaper models probably won’t last as long as higher-quality bulbs,” Brian says. “If you look for the Energy Star label, that means the bulb exceeds minimum efficiency standards as tested by the federal government.” The best way to benefit from this fast-changing technology is to buy a more energy-efficient light bulb the next time one goes out, Brian says.  To learn about lighting options, visit www.energysavers.gov/ lighting. For shopping tips, visit www.ftc.gov/light bulbs. Amber Bentley writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for Touchstone Energy, the national branding campaign for more than 740 electric cooperatives.

App Calculates Energy Savings By Michael W. Kahn, Electric Cooperative Today Staff Writer How much can you save using CFLs? What does it cost to run the dishwasher for an hour? Answering those questions is easy with the Touchstone Energy app, available free for Apple and Android phones. It is called Together We Save—Save Energy Save Money, an offshoot of the popular Together We Save program. “It has two new calculators,” says Jason McGrade, senior web development and social media specialist at Touchstone Energy. One allows you to compare incandescent bulbs to CFLs and LEDs, based on the number of bulbs, the wattage and how many hours they are used per day. For example, a house with a dozen 75-watt bulbs running eight hours a day could save $223.70 a year by switching to CFLs, or $255.65 by converting to LEDs. Daily and monthly savings also are displayed. There is also an appliance calculator. “We’ve got it broken out into different appliances in different rooms of a house,” says Jason. Click on “Laundry,” then “Clothes Washer,” and select the number of hours it runs per month. The calculator will show what it costs to run per hour and per month. “All of the rates are customizable to a local cooperative,” says Jason. “When the app is downloaded, enter your zip code and a list of nearby co-ops appears. Simply select yours. The plan is to add additional calculators throughout the year, so we’ll have a full suite.” The app also pulls in alerts for weather, news “or anything that the cooperative wants to make their consumer-members aware of,” Jason says. Members can select the frequency they want to receive alerts, ranging from real-time to not at all.

NOVEMBER 2013

Parting Shot

Readers Share Their Special Photos

Diving In Face First

Raked leaves littering the front yard of his home in Bradenton are too much of an enticement for Colten Watson to pass up, as he takes a flying leap into the pile. Falling leaves help trees survive winter. In warmer seasons, leaves use sunlight, water and air to make the treeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food. The tree loses water through tiny holes in the leaves. In winter, the tree does not get enough water to replace what it would lose through the leaves, so the tree seals the spots where the leaves grow to survive. Photo by Maxine Watson, Bradenton, Florida. ď Ž

NOVEMBER 2013

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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. November 26 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

n ovember 2 0 1 3

FL-153

CEO’s Message

President’s ‘All-But-One’ Energy Policy Troubling By the time you receive this publication, if you were not already aware through our Facebook and website posting, most of you have noticed the increase in our wholesale power cost adjustment. Although this will amount to a little more than $4 a month for our typical member account—which concerns me very much—I am much more concerned about our current presidential administration’s “All-But-One” energy policy and what it will do to our power costs. This policy basically leads to the elimination of coal-fired power plants—one of the least expensive methods to produce electric energy. It is also the method Seminole Electric Cooperative, our power provider, uses to produce 52 percent of its electricity. The All-But-One policy assures no new coal plants will be built. More concerning for us is what’s next for existing coal plants like Seminole’s. New regulations being tossed about for currently operating coal-fired power plants could add upwards of $100 a month to each of your accounts. That is outrageous and unnecessary. Seminole’s coal plant had an initial cost of $900 million, which included $250 million of pollution control equipment. Since that time, an additional $280 million of pollution controls have been added, so 45 percent of the $1.18 billion plant is composed of pollution control equipment. Seminole’s coal plant is one of the cleanest operations in the nation, if not the world. I might add it was built at a time when our national government would only allow the construction of coal-fired plants, and now they want to cost us out of existence. I implore you to check out our website, www.gladesec.com, or our Facebook page for more information on these troubling matters. Please take action. On another matter for our members in the Lake Josephine area, Duke Energy will be making some transmission line upgrades this month, which will cause two outages on our system. As I write, the outages are scheduled for November 8 and November 15. Duke anticipates a four-hour outage to complete the work on both nights. The outages should start just before midnight. Continue to check our website and Facebook pages for further updates.

Jeff Brewington