Today in Mississippi May 2017 Local Pages by American MainStreet Publications

Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)

News for members of Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi

igns S Times of the

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Old roads paved way to modern living

13 Marigolds deserve

space in every garden

14 The Cooking Ladyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Southern kitchen

10 I Today in Mississippi

May 2017

CENTRAL ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION A tradition of dependable, hometown service since 1937 Carthage 601-267-5671 Rankin 601-829-1201

Philadelphia 601-656-2601 Sebastopol 601-625-7422

www.centralepa.com

Power strips versus surge protectors As the proliferation of electronics impacts our daily lives, we realize there simply are not enough outlets in our homes. This is particularly true for older homes. As a result, we end up with a number of “outlet expanders,” more commonly known as power strips. Power strips are generic and fulfill a very simple function. They are inexpensive, and the quality is usually on par with the price. Keeping this in mind, let’s look at factors to consider when purchasing a power strip or a surge protector.

Important tip: Make sure you know the amperage rating of the outlet into which you are connecting the strip and other equipment. A residential circuit can overload if you are not careful. • Look for power strips with a built-in circuit breaker. If you connect too many electronics and devices, the strip will kick out the circuit breaker rather than causing the breaker in your electric panel to trip. • Pay attention to the orientation of the outlets. The typical design is along the length of the strip, facing the bottom or end of the strip. Power strips with the outlets perpendicular to the length of the strip are recommended. • Get a smart strip. These are becoming more common and less expensive. With smart strips, one outlet serves as a master, receiving power all the time. The other outlets do not receive power until the master device is turned on. This is ideal for home entertainment setups.

Purchasing a power strip: If you are connecting expensive electronics, you may want to consider a surge protector. Here, price is even more important because a cheap surge protector can be worse than

none at all for two reasons. One, they use cheap, small surge fighting components. Two, these components can fail and the strip still will provide power, all without any indication that its protective side is gone. Like power strips, there are some key factors to consider when buying a surge protector. • Go for a significant joule (jewel) rating. This is a measure of how much energy it can withstand. • Cable and internet connection protection. You may want to consider this for your entertainment and computing needs as surges can enter via any wired connection. Be sure the protector is designed to handle a digital television. Otherwise, it can cause pixilation if it’s only designed for analog signals. • Indicator light that shows if protection has burned out. • The same outlet orientation as previously mentioned. • Power conditioning feature (for PCs, this is a nice-to-have feature but not a necessity). • A smart capability as mentioned above.

Power strips and surge protectors are worth the investment when you follow these simple suggestions. Don’t get “burned” by purchasing cheap, inefficient strips and protectors.

May Is National Electrical Safety Month

plug into safety Never use electrical equipment near water and other liquids.

Never use electrical cords that are frayed or damaged.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Never use light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage for any lighting unit or fixture. Treat all downed power lines as energized and contact your electric cooperative to report downed power lines. While pruning trees or working near overhead power lines, do not touch anything that comes into contact with the power line.

Think safety FIRST!

May 2017 I Today in Mississippi

Create

‘keep-cool strategy’ to save on energy this summer

Like most things in life, saving money on airconditioning bills is most likely if you have a plan. Plan a strategy for keeping your home cool this summer without breaking the bank. Here are six tips: 1. Get a qualified service technician to your house to give a once-over to your central airconditioning system and any window units you might have. Like any appliance, a well-tuned air conditioner will operate in the most energy-efficient way. 2. Set your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home, and higher before you leave the house for the day. If you have a programmable thermostat, it will set itself.

3. Turn ceiling fans on when you enter a room and off when you leave. A ceiling fan doesn’t cool a room; it moves the air around so anyone in the room will feel cooler. So there’s no benefit to running a fan when nobody is around. 4. Notice the outdoor temperature every evening. If it’s cool enough, turn the a/c off and open the windows before bedtime. 5. Close your drapes or blinds when it’s sunny outside to block the heat, but leave them open on cloudy days to get some natural daylight into your rooms. 6. Avoid cooking in your kitchen on hot, summer days. Instead, grill outdoors, serve cold dishes, order take-out or heat food up in the microwave oven.

Why is my electric bill so high? If your electric bill seems higher than it used to be, it’s time to investigate. 1. Check your history. First, verify that the bill actually is higher. Visit your electric cooperative’s web site or ask someone there for help pulling up your bills for the past year. You might be surprised to see that your electricity use fluctuates depending on the season, and that your bill is always higher in the summer. 2. Check your non-electrical activity. Does your high bill reflect a past-due amount or any one-time service fees, like deposits, disconnection fees or returned check fees? 3. Check the weather. Fluctuations in outdoor temperatures can lead your family to turn the air conditioning up a little higher on especially hot days. Most people with air conditioning use more electricity during the hottest summer months than at other times of the year. 4. Check how many days are in the billing cycle. Depending on the number of days in the month and whether the bill comes due on a weekend or holiday, it could cover a couple of extra days some months. That would make the bill slightly higher.

5. Check what’s plugged in. If you thought your bill would be lower during a month when your family was gone on vacation part of the time, you might be surprised to realize that your appliances still use substantial electricity when the house is empty. Your refrigerator, landscape irrigator and well pump, for instance, keep running while you’re gone unless you have unplugged them. In fact, any appliance that is plugged into the wall will use electricity while you’re on vacation, even though nobody is home to use them. 6. Check your equipment. As appliances like refrigerators and water heaters age, they become more inefficient. If your air conditioning and heating system or another large appliance is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a more energyefficient model. 7. Check your lifestyle. If your college-age children are home for the summer, chances are, your electric bill will be a bit higher than it was while they were away. If your grandkids are enjoying their vacation at your house, your bill could go up. If you’ve had house guests, you’ve used more electricity. And if you have added a major

MAY 29, 2017

appliance, like a pool with a pump, a hot tub or even an oversized TV, that has affected your electric bill. 8. Don’t check with the neighbors. No two families use electricity the same way, so if you believe your bill is too high because your neighbor’s is lower, you’re not making an even comparison. The better comparison is between your use of electricity now compared with the same time last year. If you still think your bill is higher than it should be, contact your electric cooperative for help in determining the reason.

We will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day. In case of a power outage or emergency, please call 1-866-846-5671. CEPA Dispatcher on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Central Electric wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday!

Today in Mississippi

May 2017

Power strips

versus surge protectors As the proliferation of electronics impacts our daily lives, we realize there simply are not enough outlets in our homes. This is particularly true for older homes. As a result, we end up with a number of “outlet expanders,” more commonly known as power strips. Power strips are generic and fulfill a very simple function. They are inexpensive, and the quality is usually on par with the price. Keeping this in mind, let’s look at factors to consider when purchasing a power strip or a surge protector.

Purchasing a power strip: If you are connecting expensive electronics, you may want to consider a surge protector. Here, price is even more important because a cheap surge protector can be worse than

May Is National Electrical Safety Month

plug into safety Never use electrical equipment near water and other liquids.

Never use electrical cords that are frayed or damaged.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Never use light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage for any lighting unit or fixture.

Power strips and surge protectors are worth the investment when you follow these simple suggestions. Don’t get “burned” by purchasing cheap, inefficient strips and protectors.

Treat all downed power lines as energized and contact your electric cooperative to report downed power lines. While pruning trees or working near overhead power lines, do not touch anything that comes into contact with the power line.

Think safety FIRST!

May 2017

Today in Mississippi I 11

Watch out for power poles! Farm equipment’s a lot taller and wider than it used to be. That’s why you should use extreme caution when operating equipment near power poles and lines, leaving a clearance of at least 10 feet. Knocking over a power pole or getting tangled up in the lines can be dangerous — even deadly. So think safety around power lines.

MAY 29, 2017

We will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day. Dispatchers will remain on duty and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend. Call 662-624-8321 to report an outage.

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May 2017

Communicators: Melissa Russo and April Lollar For Today in Mississippi information, call 877-7MY-CEPA (877-769-2372) www.coastepa.com

Watt’s up this month

Where our members have the power CEO’s message My first month as the president and CEO of your cooperative has certainly been a busy and productive one. I want to thank you all for welcoming me in this new role. I know I see a lot of you out and about in our communities and I want to make sure I meet as many of you as possible. You are the member-owners of our cooperative and our business doesn’t work without your involvement. In June, I will be visiting our Gulfport, Bay St. Louis and Picayune offices to have meet and greets with you. I want us to get to know one another and I want to hear your comments, questions and suggestions. We’ll have coffee and refreshments for you, too. I hope to see you there. May is one of the first months temperatures are consistently hot after months of mild weather. Remember that your electric use is affected by temperatures and your next bill could be higher than the ones you saw in March and April. We recommend a setting of 78 degrees on your thermostat when your AC is on. Besides keeping your eye on

the thermostat and on energy efficiency, I hope you take some time this month to inspect your Ron Barnes President and CEO home to make sure it is safe for you and your family. May is Electrical Safety Month and we’ve got some great tips for you in the following pages. Take a bit of time to do a walk through of your home to make sure your outlets aren’t overloaded, that cords aren’t frayed and that there aren’t any hazards that could put you or your family at risk. There is no more important priority at Coast Electric than safety and that doesn’t just go for our employees; it goes for you too. Let’s make sure we all do what we can to ensure our homes are as safe as possible for those we love. If you have any questions about electrical safety or energy efficiency, please know we want to be your source for information. Give us a call – we can help!

CEO MEET AND GREET We want you to get to know our new CEO! Join us in June for coffee with your co-op and a meet and greet with Ron Barnes.

Gulfport office on June 1, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Bay St. Louis office June 2, 9 a.m. - 11a.m. Picayune office June 5, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. We hope you stop by to get to know your new CEO!

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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

I CEO meet and greet

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I I Am A Member

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I May is National

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I Energy Fairs

Electrical Safety Month I Fill a bucket

food drive, May 9 I Glow Run, June 17

Coast Electric offices will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of

Memorial Day. Dispatchers will remain on duty and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend. If you need to report an outage, please call 877-769-2372 or use our free CE on the Go mobile app. Let’s all spend time this Memorial Day honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of our country and freedom.

May 2017

Today in Mississippi

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I Am A Member at Coast Electric Cooperatives like Coast Electric are guided by a set of seven principles that have led co-ops for generations. One of those principles is voluntary and open membership. Open membership means that everyone who lives in Coast Electricâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s territory will be served by the co-op without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination. It also means that everyone served by Coast Electric receives the same member benefits. We hope you will be an active part of our cooperative and carry your Coast Electric membership card with you. Your membership card includes your account number and is helpful when you need to make a payment or report an outage. If you present your member card at any Coast Electric office, your name will go into a drawing for a prize that will be awarded in June. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a card? Our member service representatives will gladly give you a card. We hope to see you in our offices and we hope you will proudly show us your member card!

Did you know

Did you know that you can recycle your old CFL bulbs at any Coast Electric office? As you are replacing your CFL bulbs with more efficient LEDs, bring your old bulbs in to any Coast Electric office. There are recycling buckets behind the desks at all of our offices. Give your CFL bulbs to a member service representative and they will make sure it is properly recycled.

Energy Fairs We hope you will join us for our 2017 Energy Fairs! Our energy efficiency experts are always available to help you determine how you can use less energy and save money at your homes and businesses, but we set aside the days listed below to offer a comprehensive showcase of all of the programs and services available to you. You will learn about our Time of Use rate, cooperative solar program, Comfort Advantage home program and so much more. Stop by and let us be your source for energy savings.

Poplarville Energy Fair

May 3

Coast Electric office on Hwy. 53

8 am-2 pm

Coast Electric office on Hwy. 11

8 am-2 pm

Picayune Energy Fair

Bay St. Louis Energy Fair

May 3 June 2

Coast Electric office on Hwy. 90

8 am-2 pm

Coast Electric office on Hwy. 603

8 am-2 pm

Kiln Energy Fair

June 2

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Today in Mississippi I May 2017

Create ‘keep-cool strategy’ to save on energy this summer Like most things in life, saving money on air-conditioning bills is most likely if you have a plan. Plan a strategy for keeping your home cool this summer without breaking the bank. Here are six tips: 1. Get a qualified service technician to your house to give a once-over to your central air-conditioning system and any window units you might have. Like any appliance, a well-tuned air conditioner will operate in the most energyefficient way. 2. Set your thermostat to 78 degrees while you’re home, and higher before you leave the house for the day. If you have a programmable thermostat, it will set itself. 3. Turn ceiling fans on when you enter a room and off

when you leave. A ceiling fan doesn’t cool a room; it moves the air around so anyone in the room will feel cooler. So there’s no benefit to running a fan when nobody is around. 4. Notice the outdoor temperature every evening. If it’s cool enough, turn the a/c off and open the windows before bedtime. 5. Close your drapes or blinds when it’s sunny outside to block the heat, but leave them open on cloudy days to get some natural daylight into your rooms. 6. Avoid cooking in your kitchen on hot, summer days. Instead, grill outdoors, serve cold dishes, order take-out or heat food up in the microwave oven.

ESFI warns public about the dangers of electric shock drowning Despite being categorized as leisure activities, swimming and boating can quickly become dangerous. While watersafety behaviors such as wearing life jackets and maintaining safe boating speeds have become commonplace, a serious hazard remains that is often overlooked. This silent killer, classified as electric shock drowning, occurs in fresh water when a typically low level alternating current (AC) passes through the body, which causes muscular paralysis and eventually leads to drowning. According to ESFI’s president Brett Brenner, “although there are reported incidents every year, there is a lack of awareness about the dangers of Electric Shock Drowning.” A 21-year-old Illinois man died in 2015 when touching a dock ladder at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Additionally, there were at least two fatalities in Kentucky in 2013, and a pair of deaths in both Missouri and Tennessee during the Fourth of July holiday in 2012. Each of these victims was under the age of 13. Further, Electric Shock Drowning deaths are usually recorded as drowning because victims show no signs of burns, so many instances remain undocumented. While a lack of awareness persists about the dangers of Electric Shock Drowning, positive strides are being taken to combat the problem. In Tennessee, state legislators passed the Noah Dean and Nate Act in 2014, which protects state residents from electric shock injuries and drowning deaths near marinas and boat docks. The bill is named in memory of 10-year-old Noah Dean Winstead and 11year-old Nate Lynam, who died from electrical injuries they suffered on July 4, 2012 at a marina in Tennessee. Jessica Winstead, Noah Dean’s mother, was the driving force behind the bill as a result of her tireless crusade to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. An inspection following the tragic incident found that the marina did not have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Under the “Noah Dean and Nate Act,” Tennessee

marinas must install ground fault protection, post notices about the danger of electrical leakage into waters surrounding a marina, and undergo a safety inspection conducted by the state fire marshal between Jan. 1, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2017, and every five years thereafter. The law went into effect April 1, 2015. A similar law was passed in West Virginia in 2013 following the death of Michael Cunningham, three years after he passed away at the age of 15, as well as in Arkansas in 2012 after several electrocutions near docks there and in surrounding states. The 2011 National Electrical Code ® addresses the dangers in marinas and boatyards by requiring the main overcurrent protective device to be GFCI-protected. However, this only applies to installations and inspections, which are recommended annually but not enforced. Protect yourself and your loved ones from the risk of electric shock drowning and common boat electrical hazards with these handy tips from ESFI. • Don’t allow yourself or anyone else to swim near docks. Avoid entering the water when launching or loading your boat. • Always maintain a distance of at least 10 feet between

your boat and nearby power lines. • If you feel a tingle while swimming, the water may be electrified. Get out as soon as possible avoiding the use of metal objects such as ladders. • Have your boat’s electrical system inspected and upgraded by a certified marine electrician who is familiar with National Fire Protection Association Codes: NFPA 303 and NFPA 70. • Have GFCIs installed on your boat, and test them once a month. • Consider having Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupters (ELCI) installed on boats to protect nearby swimmers from potential electricity leakage into water surrounding your boat. • Only use shore or marine power cords, plugs, receptacles and extension cords that have been tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Intertek (ETL). • Never use cords that are frayed or damaged or that have had the prongs removed or altered. • Never stand or swim in water when turning off electrical devices or switches. • Electric Shock Drowning can also occur in swimming pools, hot tubs and spas. Have an electrician inspect and upgrade your pool, spa or hot tub in accordance with applicable local codes and the National Electrical Code (NEC). For ESFI’s complete collection of Boating and Marina Safety resources, visit www.esfi.org. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home and the workplace. ESFI proudly sponsors National Electrical Safety Month each May, and engages in public education campaigns throughout the year to prevent electrical fires, injuries, and fatalities. To learn more about ESFI and electrical safety, visit www.esfi.org.

May 2017

Today in Mississippi

10c

May Is National Electrical Safety Month

Power strips

because a cheap surge protector can be worse than none at all for two reasons. One, they use cheap, small surge fighting components. Two, these components can fail and the strip still will provide power, all without any indication that its protective side is gone. Like power strips, there are some key factors to consider when buying a surge protector.

• Go for a significant joule (jewel) rating. This is a measure of how much energy it can withstand. • Cable and internet connection protection. You may Important tip: want to consider this for your entertainment and Make sure you know the amperage rating of the out- computing needs as surges can enter via any wired connection. Be sure the protector is designed to hanlet into which you are connecting the strip and other equipment. A residential circuit can overload if you are dle a digital television. Otherwise, it can cause pixilation if it’s only designed for analog signals. not careful. • Indicator light that shows if protection has • Look for power strips with a built-in circuit breaker. burned out. If you connect too many electronics and devices, the • The same outlet orientation as previously strip will kick out the circuit breaker rather than causmentioned. ing the breaker in your electric panel to trip. • Power conditioning feature (for PCs, this is a • Pay attention to the orientation of the outlets. The nice-to-have feature but not a necessity). typical design is along the length of the strip, facing • A smart capability as mentioned above. the bottom or end of the strip. Power strips with the outlets perpendicular to the length of the strip are Power strips and surge protectors are worth recommended. the investment when you follow these simple sug• Get a smart strip. These are becoming more common and less expensive. With smart strips, one outlet gestions. serves as a master, receiving power all the time. The Don’t get “burned” by purchasing cheap, other outlets do not receive power until the master device is turned on. This is ideal for home entertain- inefficient strips and protectors. ment setups.

Purchasing a power strip: If you are connecting expensive electronics, you may want to consider a surge protector. Here, price is even more important

Plug into SAFETY SAFETY TIPS Never use electrical equipment near water and other liquids.

Never use electrical cords that are frayed or damaged.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Never use light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage for any lighting unit or fixture. Treat all downed power lines as energized and contact your electric cooperative to report downed power lines. While pruning trees or working near overhead power lines, do not touch anything that comes into contact with the power line.

Think safety FIRST!

10d

Today in Mississippi May 2017

Third Annual Glow Run set for June 17 Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 17, for Coast Electric’s third annual Glow Run! This exciting event features a one-mile fun run and a 5K for adults and children alike. Last year, runners from Mississippi and Louisiana raised thousands of dollars for the

American Cancer Society. We thank each and every one of our participants and can’t wait to host even more runners this year. This race is a ton of fun featuring:

A race course on the beautiful beaches of Hancock County Professional timing services provided by Diva Timing Online registration Discount codes announced on the Glow Run Facebook page Fun with your fellow runners at The Blind Tiger Glow accessories so you can light up the night And so much more!

Visit our Coast Electric Ready, Set, Glow 5K page on Facebook.

Tip of the Month

Periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material – not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages. #energyefficiency Source: U.S. Department of Energy

May 2017

The danger isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always so obvious. Be aware. Everywhere. Fortunately, power is everywhere in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, the risks may be out of sight or out of mind. Stay alert and stay clear of power lines. Call 811 before you dig. And learn more about electrical safety at BeAwareEverywhere.com.

Today in Mississippi

May 2017

Greenwood • Winona • Clevel

May’s

Farm Fresh New store a veggie lover’s heaven

By Debbie Stringer The word “fresh” is no idle claim at the new May’s Farm Fresh produce store. All the vegetables and watermelons sold in the store come from the May family’s own fields. “It’s all picked daily. It hasn’t been sitting on a truck for a while,” said Brenda May, who with husband Myron owns and operates the Farm Fresh store and farming operations, and May’s Corn Maze. Farm Fresh’s produce bins will begin filling later this month with squash, cucumbers, snap beans, sweet corn and green tomatoes. In July, the farm’s peas, butterbeans, cantaloupes and several varieties of watermelons will come in. Customers can choose seeded or seedless, red or yellow watermelons. “We’re known for some awesome watermelons,” Brenda said. Fresh peaches from Prospect Produce Farm, near Houston, Miss., will arrive at the store in June. “They are the most awesome peaches. You don’t eat just one,” Brenda said. The store keeps a list of customers who call to request produce. Brenda calls them back when it’s ready to pick up. Not all the Mays’ produce is for sale. The family runs a U-pick operation that helps them gather crops and helps people in need— at no cost. “They pick the produce and we take half and they take half, and it doesn’t cost them anything,” Brenda said. “So there’s no need for anybody to go hungry because there’s plenty to be picked.” Brenda and Myron got the idea from a similar U-pick program in the Jackson area. “We just knew it would work here. There are always people needing fresh vegetables, and

this way they can have them at no charge,” she said. For years the Mays sold Farm Fresh produce from their store on Lodi Road in Montgomery County, until they decided to relocate to U.S. 82 one mile west of Stewart. The former store now serves as the office for their corn maze. The idea behind the relocation was to offer more convenient access for their regular customers and attract new customers traveling the highway. “We love it here. It’s working out great,” Brenda said. “It’s a lot easier for people to get to us here instead of coming seven miles out in the country on a dirt road.” The Mays erected the metal building last year to house their store and a large warehouse. The store’s deep front porch, adorned with flowering plants and rockers, welcomes visitors in country style. The store’s growing inventory includes not only produce but fruit preserves, salsas, relishes, gift items, dip mixes, container plants and ferns, potting soil, decorative flags and yard art. There are supplies for hunters, deer corn, coolers, oak rocking chairs and Rada knives. Filling two freezers is a huge assortment of Sysco foods, from potato logs and chicken strips to shrimp and gumbo. “You name it, we can get it from Sysco,” Brenda said. Most of the store’s specialty food and gift items are produced in Mississippi, including Delta Blues Rice; Hillside Vineyard & Berry Farm jams, jellies and muscadine juice; and handmade soaps from Ashwater Soap Co. “We try to sell Mississippi-made products. I think that’s important,” Brenda said. Plus, it

May 2017

land • Indianola

gives out-of-state travelers a little piece of Mississippi to take home. The whole family is involved in the farm: adult children Marlena, Rex and Ben, as well as son-inlaw George Hubbard. “My kids are glad they’re farm kids,” Brenda said. “They don’t want to go anywhere else. They want to farm and live in the country.” Agriculture is stressful work—the Mays dealt with flooded fields earlier in the spring—but Brenda says the beauty and peace of country living tip the scale in farming’s favor.

Top: Brenda May stocks her family’s store with specialty food and gift items from Mississippi producers. Right: Workers plant watermelon seedlings in mid-April as Myron May eases his tractor down the row. They will plant several varieties of red and yellow watermelons. Above and far left: Flowering plants brighten the store’s front porch.

“There’s nothing like making a plant grow and seeing what it produces. We love what we do,” she said. For more information, call 662-262-4802. For produce availability, visit the farm on Facebook at May Farm Fresh Inc.

Today in Mississippi

Today in Mississippi I May 2017

Dixie Electric is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Energy efficiency makes a difference for all of us

Randy Smith General Manager

Dixie Electric is committed to educating our members on energy efficiency by providing programs that promote wise electric energy use. Comfort Advantage is a great program that offers incentives for energy efficiency construction. We began offering Comfort Advantage in 2015 and certified the first home in early 2016. The program continues to grow, and we want to encourage our members who are building new homes to consider it. Comfort Advantage provides a series of energy efficiency construction standards and offers financial incentives for achieving those standards. For existing homes the program offers incentives for upgrades to your heating and cooling sys-

tems. There are specific standards and guidelines that must be met to receive these financial benefits. Each summer we offer Energy Fairs to educate the public on ways to save on their electric bill. The Energy Fairs will be held again in late June at local retail stores. We will provide more information on the Energy Fairs in next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Today in Mississippi. At the Energy Fairs we offer a lighting demonstration highlighting LED bulbs. LED bulbs last longer, use less electricity and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give off as much heat when compared to other types of bulbs. In addition, we have free energy calculators on our website, which provide a wealth of informa-

Open the door to savings with your new home Your local electric cooperative is your partner in energy efficient construction. Let us help you make smart energy decisions when you build your new home. Our Comfort Advantage program can earn rebates for you now and save on your electric bill well into the future.

tion. You simply enter basic information about your home, and it will provide you with energy saving tips and suggested projects. The calculators are mobile friendly and easy to use. Another benefit we offer is the SmartHub app. The app provides your daily electric energy use, so you can monitor how much electricity you and your family are consuming. Begin making small changes by switching to LED light bulbs and see the difference these changes can make. When you have a moment, visit dixieepa.com. There is an Energy Savings section on our home page that will provide you with energy saving tips and information.

May 2017 I Today in Mississippi

Create ‘keep-cool strategy’ to save on energy this summer

Right-of-way clearing projects underway Dixie Electric Power Association clears trees, limbs and underbrush from the area around and below the power lines, called the right-of-way. Right-of-way clearing decreases the number of outages and reduces the risk of someone coming in contact with the power lines. Here are the substations’ surrounding communities that are either currently being cleared or will be cleared soon: • Diamond substation – Holly Bush Church Road, Highway 84 East of Waynesboro, MathersvilleDiamond Road, Boice, Cypress Creek, Chapparal, Highway 45 North, and Shubuta • Cleo substation – Poole Creek, Highway 84 East to the Jones/Wayne County line, Magnolia Road, Mill Creek Road, Beaver Dam Community, SandersvilleEucutta Road, Freedom Road and Walters Loop Road • West Richton substation – Runnelstown, Ovett, Goodhope, Buck Creek, McSwain Community, Clay Hill Community, Whitfield, Pumping Station, Corinth Church, New Augusta, Mahnad

The danger isn’t always so obvious. Be aware. Everywhere. Fortunately, power is everywhere in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, the risks may be out of sight or out of mind. Stay alert and stay clear of power lines. Call 811 before you dig. And learn more about electrical safety at BeAwareEverywhere.com.

The right-of-way for the following substations will be sprayed to help control the underbrush: • West Moselle substation - Rainey, Sweetwater, Seminary and Old Sanford Community • Highway 588 substation - Pine Grove, Sandhill, Oak Bowery, Buffalo Hill and Ellisville • West Laurel substation - Pendorff, Ellisville, Pleasant Ridge, Graves Road, Soso and Big Creek • Whistler substation - Strengthford, Pleasant Grove, Beat Four and Altair Clearing the right-of-way protects individuals from the hazards of electricity and makes power restoration quicker and safer for Dixie Electric’s line crew personnel.

Today in Mississippi

May 2017

East Mississippi Electric Power Association

Spring has sprung Louisville 662.773.5741

Meridian 601.581.8600

Quitman 601.776.6271

DeKalb 601.743.2641

A message from your CEO

When I was a young boy, spring was the time my grandfather and my dad would get their old Farmall Super A’s out of the barn for spring planting. They would disk up the garden patches and then put the plows on the tractor to get the rows ready for planting seeds that would eventually become the fresh vegetables for late summer, fall and winter. Jim Rohn, a man many considered to be America’s Foremost Business Philosopher, summed up how I believe my grandfather and dad felt about raising food when he said, “Everyone has to get good at one of two things; planting in the spring or begging in the fall.” Today we are blessed with many places we can purchase our food. Although we don’t have to beg for our food, others still must put in the hours of work required to supply our food needs. Raising food still requires planting in the spring, tilling the soil,

removing the weeds and harvesting the crop at the appropriate time. When others do their job well, we all benefit from the abundance. Being successful at raising America’s crops requires careful planning and awareness of the conditions that impact the harvest.

We at East Mississippi Electric Power Association also pay careful attention to the forces that impact providing electric service to our members. Each spring we begin many of our planning cycles to ensure we are ready for the spring storms, summer heat and hurricanes as well as winter peak demands and ice storms. While we hope the summer heat is not severe and the hurricanes don’t come,

MAY 29, 2017

we must be prepared in case they do. EMEPA tills up the soil of our emergency plan each year. We review our employee assignments to ensure we are prepared to answer the calls, dispatch the proper response teams and communicate with our members in the most efficient way possible. This planning also involves communication with the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi statewide association and other cooperatives so when we can call on them, or they on us, we know in advance that we are prepared. Load requirement studies and construction work plans provide the planning tools that ensure our distribution system is ready to meet peak loads of summer and winter. Just as with planning for storms, we cannot afford to wait until the demand on the distribution system reaches a critical peak to begin building the lines required to deliver the power our members need to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This spring we are also going through a strategic planning process. We want to evaluate how well we are doing things, what we can do better and what our members would like for

CEO Randy Carroll

us to look at doing to better meet their needs. Beginning in mid-June, a random sample of our membership will receive a survey call from the Marketing Research team at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) asking for your input. I apologize in advance because I too prefer not being bothered by phone calls at dinner, but in this case, I would appreciate you taking the time to participate in your cooperative’s planning process and give us your feedback. We value and welcome your opinions as we continually work to improve the service we provide to the people of east Mississippi. Your input will truly make the harvest plentiful.

We will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day. Dispatchers will remain on duty and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend. Call 601-581-8600 to report an outage.

May 2017

Today in Mississippi

EMEPA hosts the 4th Annual

Sixty-five teams gathered at Camp Binachi in Lauderdale County on Friday, March 31 for East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s Fourth Annual Shoot For A Cure event. Through this annual clay shooting event, EMEPA employees and supporters raised nearly $20,000 for the American Cancer Society. “This event not only gives us the

opportunity to enjoy a day of fun and friendly competition, but also allows us to help support those who are battling cancer,” said EMEPA Chief Executive Officer Randy Carroll. “We’ve all been touched in some way by this horrible disease, and helping to raise funds that go to research and patient support is the least we can do.”

Thank you to our sponsors for the 4th Annual Shoot For A Cure • A&B Electric Co, Inc • Asset Engineering • National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) • CoBank • Cooperative Energy • D&H Construction • Davidson Hauling, Inc. • Deanco Auction Co. • Deviney Construction Company

• Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi • Ed Chaney Tire Pros • EMEPA Board of Directors • Emerald Transformer • First Guard • Fulton Line Service • Garner Lumley Electric Supply • Gresco Utility Supply • Heblon Heating & Air • Howard Industries • Jackson Thornton & Co

• Jon T. Flint, DMD, PLLC • Liberty Fuels Company • LPK Architects • Osmose • Prime Developers, Inc. • SEDC • Silicon Ranch • Slay Steel, Inc. • Southern Business Supply • Southern Clearing, LLC • Southern Tire • Storm Services, LLC • Stuart Irby

• T&Z Hydraulic • Tad and Laura Campbell • Thomasson Company • Waters International Trucks • Woodall Electric, Inc. • Xtreme Truck

Thank you Thomas Gun and Pawn in Meridian for donating a Remington 870 7-round, 12-gauge Tactical shotgun that was raffled off at Lauderdale County’s Relay For Life on Friday, April 28.

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Today in Mississippi

May 2017

May Is National Electrical Safety Month Power strips versus surge protectors As the proliferation of electronics impacts our daily lives, we realize there simply are not enough outlets in our homes. This is particularly true for older homes. As a result, we end up with a number of “outlet expanders,” more commonly known as power strips. Power strips are generic and fulfill a very simple function. They are inexpensive, and the quality is usually on par with the price. Keeping this in mind, let’s look at factors to consider when purchasing a power strip or a surge protector.

Power strips and surge protectors are worth the investment when you follow these simple suggestions. Don’t get “burned” by purchasing cheap, inefficient strips and protectors.

Plug into safety Never use electrical equipment near water and other liquids.

Never use electrical cords that are frayed or damaged.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Purchasing a power strip: If you are connecting expensive electronics, you may want to consider a surge protector. Here, price is even more important because a cheap surge protector can be worse than

While pruning trees or working near overhead power lines, do not touch anything that comes into contact with the power line.

Think safety FIRST!

May 2017 I Today in Mississippi

Create ‘keep-cool strategy’ to save on energy this summer

Why is my electric bill high? If your electric bill seems higher than it used to be, it’s time to investigate. 1. Check your history. First, verify that the bill actually is higher. Visit your electric cooperative’s web site or ask someone there for help pulling up your bills for the past year. You might be surprised to see that your electricity use fluctuates depending on the season, and that your bill is always higher in the summer. 2. Check your non-electrical activity. Does your high bill reflect a past-due amount or any one-time service fees, like deposits, disconnection fees or returned check fees? 3. Check the weather. Fluctuations in outdoor temperatures can lead your family to turn the air conditioning up a little higher on especially hot days. Most people with air conditioning use more electricity during the hottest summer months than at other times of the year. 4. Check how many days are in the billing cycle. Depending on the number of days in the month and whether the bill comes due on a weekend or holiday, it could cover a couple of extra days some months. That would make the bill slightly higher.

Tip of the Month

5. Check what’s plugged in. If you thought your bill would be lower during a month when your family was gone on vacation part of the time, you might be surprised to realize that your appliances still use substantial electricity when the house is empty. Your refrigerator, landscape irrigator and well pump, for instance, keep running while you’re gone unless you have unplugged them. In fact, any appliance that is plugged into the wall will use electricity while you’re on vacation, even though nobody is home to use them. 6. Check your equipment. As appliances like refrigerators and water heaters age, they become more inefficient. If your air conditioning and heating system or another large appliance is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a more energyefficient model. 7. Check your lifestyle. If your children are home for the summer, chances are, your electric bill will be a bit higher than it was while they were away. If your grandkids are enjoying their vacation at your house, your bill could go up. If you’ve had house guests, you’ve used more electricity. And if you have added a major appli-

ance, like a pool with a pump, a hot tub or even an oversized TV, that has affected your electric bill. 8. Don’t check with the neighbors. No two families use electricity the same way, so if you believe your bill is too high because your neighbor’s is lower, you’re not making an even comparison. The better comparison is between your use of electricity now compared with the same time last year. If you still think your bill is higher than it should be, contact your electric cooperative for help in determining the reason.

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May 2017

Please make room for roadside crews By Abby Berry When the power goes out, so do East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s line crews. Lineworkers are the first to respond after an outage occurs, and they work tirelessly to restore power to the communities we serve. If you’re traveling and see one of our crews on the side of the road, we kindly ask that you move over if possible and give them a little extra space to work. We deeply care about the safety of all, and this extra precaution ensures just that. If you approach a crew while traveling on a twolane road, moving over to the next lane might not be an option. In this case, we simply ask that you slow down when approaching roadside crews. If you approach a crew while traveling on a four-lane road, and safety and traffic conditions allow, we ask that you move over into the far lane. In fact, in the state of Mississippi it’s the law. Mississippi’s Move Over Law requires passing

motorists to slow down and yield the right-of-way by changing lanes keeping at least one lane between them where possible. If a lane change is impossible because of road or traffic conditions, a motorist must slow down and be prepared to stop if needed. Utility crews aren’t the only ones who could use the extra space. Emergency responders, such as police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians, often find themselves responding to emergency situations near busy roadways. We ask that you follow the same procedures mentioned above to help keep these crews safe. There’s plenty of room for all. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe on our local roadways. Abby Berry writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

CAUTION MEN AT WORK

May 2017

Today in Mississippi

Stay connected by updating your contact information In the utility business, we know rough weather will occur, and sometimes power outages simply can’t be avoided. But did you know there are steps you can take to ensure your electricity is restored as quickly and safely as possible? By keeping your contact information up to date, you can take full advantage of the services East Mississippi Electric Power Association offers. If we don’t have the correct phone number linked to your home address, it makes it much more difficult for you to report an outage. Remember when you had to speak to a member service representative in order to report a power outage? Waiting on hold could be frustrating and time consuming. Today, with the press of a button, you can easily report an outage. At EMEPA, we use the phone number you provide to link your service address to our outage man-

agement system. For example, if you call us to report an outage, our automated system instantly recognizes your phone number and can determine the particular service address from which you are reporting an outage. Once you give our system a response, your outage is reported. It’s that simple! But remember – this only works if your current phone number is linked to your service address. Updating your contact information is helpful because it also speeds up the power restoration process. With correct information, our outage management system can predict the location and the possible cause of an outage, making it easier for our crews to correct the problem. Call your local EMEPA office, and make sure you’re up to date.

Co-op Connections Business Spotlight Each month, EMEPA spotlights local businesses that participate in the Co-op Connections Program. This month’s featured businesses are: The Paint Store @ North Hills 10 percent off purchase EMEPA has been delivering value to our communities for more than 78 years and now we are proud to offer another member benefit – the Co-op Connections Card. Through this free program, you will receive discounts on products and services from participating local and national businesses. The card is a simple membership card that in identifying you as a member, also qualifies you for special discounts and

offers at local participating businesses. There are no sign-up or participation fees and we do not track your participation or purchases. There is no charge to you for this program. This is just one more way you benefit from being a cooperative member. To receive discounts, simply show your Co-op Connections card to any participating business.

4636 Poplar Springs Dr. Meridian

601-482-5254 Any purchase over $40 receives 5 percent off. A purchase over $100 receives 8 percent off. Feed and fertilizer excluded.

Today in Mississippi

May 2017

Board of Directors

www.4county.org • 1-800-431-1544

YOUR COOPERATIVE By Joe Cade CEO/General Manager

Grooming youth is key to future leadership In June, 4-County Electric Power Association will send three high school juniors to Washington, D.C., for the annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Charlie Brand of East Webster High School, Noah Methvin of Starkville Academy and Tyler Dickerson of Starkville High School will serve as delegates in our nation’s capital. There they will join over 1,600 high school students from rural areas around the country. Like past years, it is expected that 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 filled with great memories. Youth like Charlie, Noah and Tyler are the future of our nation, state and local communities. We hope these young leaders across the nation will continue to call their rural communities home. 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. So if the cooperative is operating in concert with our seven cooperative principles and val-

ues, we can change the perception that rural areas offer limited opportunities. We can ensure that young people know and understand they have a critically important role to play in our community. 4-County 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 to Washington, D.C., for a week is a wonderful first step. Ensuring that everyone in our community is working together to find economic, educational and social opportunities for our youth to stay and grow in our communities is a key goal. Together, we can do this. And don’t forget about the 4-County Annual Meeting Thursday, June 1, at East Mississippi Community College’s Mayhew campus. Join us at 9 a.m. for registration, lunch at 10:15 a.m., and the business meeting at noon. We’ll share information about the cooperative, elect directors and give away a few prizes, including the grand prize (a retired 4-County fleet truck). We hope to see you there!

Marty Crowder, President John E. “Jay” Gilliland Jr., Vice President Johnny Johnson, Secretary/Treasurer Mike Banks Bill Bell Kenneth Seitz Ernest H. “Bud” Tumlinson

Here’s An Idea

Efficiency tips for outdoor shops and barns There are many benefits to having an energy efficient outdoor shop or barn. Aside from saving energy, an efficient outdoor building can keep the environment around your structure healthy and safe; save money on your water bill; keep your animals happier and healthier; and save you from costly structural repairs. Whether you are looking to build a new structure, or make changes to an existing structure, there are many ways you can make your outdoor shop or barn more energy efficient. Are you planning to build a new structure on your property? Follow these tips to achieve energy efficiency: • Location matters. If possible, carefully consider where you build your shop or barn. Consider drainage, sun exposure and how the building may affect your neighbors. • Start with a sustainable design plan. A sustainable design plan, according to the U.S. General Services Administration, includes the ability to use environmentally preferable products; protect and conserve water; enhance indoor environmental quality; and optimize operational and maintenance practices.

• If you are hiring a contractor to help build your structure, make sure you look for companies who specialize in energy efficient practices. • Choose efficient building methods. Pole barns offer reliable shelter without costly excavation, concrete foundations or general site disruption.

Follow these tips to make energy efficient upgrades to an existing structure: • Replace indoor lighting with energy efficient LED bulbs. • Ensure your existing structure has adequate insulation levels. • Choose outdoor lighting designed to be energy efficient, and install motion detectors to reduce energy consumption when not in use. • Plant trees around your metal shed or barn. In colder climates, trees act as a windbreak, and in warmer climates, trees have a natural cooling effect that can reduce temperatures in your metal building 3 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit. • Consider adding a ceiling fan to circulate air. Typically, there is a 2 degree Fahrenheit temperature increase for every one-foot increase in ceiling height. A ceiling fan can help keep warm air close to the ground in the winter, and circulate fresher, cooler air in the summer.

Co-op Connections Card saves Since the Co-op Connections Card was unveiled in September 2011, 4-County members have saved over $541,169 on prescription drugs through March.

Look here each month to see the savings total!

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Annual membership meeting set for June 1 The 4-County Electric Power Association annual membership meeting will be held Thursday, June 1, at the East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) auditorium in Mayhew. Registration and a health fair will begin at 9 a.m. Lunch for members will be at 10:15 a.m. The business portion of the meeting will be held at noon. Held in conjunction with the annual meeting, the health fair will provide consumers the opportunity to receive healthcare screenings from a variety of vendors. In addition to the pre-meeting health fair, the business session will include financial and management reports along with the election of two directors to the Association’s board of directors. Two incumbent directors, Bill Bell of Noxubee County, District 7 (At Large), and Mike Banks of Macon, District 4 (Noxubee County) are up for reelection.

The current board members’ names were placed in nomination by the Association’s nominating committee at its March 23 meeting. In accordance with the Association’s bylaws, the candidates’ names were placed in nomination for election to three-year terms, beginning June 1 at the cooperative’s annual membership meeting. No additional nominations were received. Ballot/proxies will be mailed by May 1 to all 4-County members. Members will also have the opportunity to vote online. The deadline for returning ballot/proxies is noon, May 25, six days prior to the annual membership meeting, June 1, at noon. Cooperative members also have the

option to go online to cast votes for board of directors. Online voting will work just like the paper ballot members receive in the mail every year, but instead of using the mail, they will be able to cast their votes via the Internet. When Mike Banks the annual meeting notice and ballot arrives at member homes in May, it will include instructions on how to cast a vote online instead of returning a paper ballot. The online voting option will feature easyto-use instructions and candidate biographies, and has the option to alert members when their votes have been successfully submitted for counting. Members may receive an election reminder by e-mail. Members returning their proxy/ballots, as well as those who attend the meeting, may qualify to win valuable prizes. Those returning their proxy/bal-

Bill Bell lots (by mail, proxy or online voting) may qualify to win one of three $1,000 credits for electricity. Those attending the meeting may qualify for the grand prize, a retired 4-County fleet pickup truck. Other attendee prizes include weather radios and a variety of other prizes. Attendees of this year’s annual meeting can also enjoy a variety of displays. Employees will be on hand to provide information. For more information on the 4-County annual meeting, call 1-800-431-1544 and ask for the marketing department.

4-County’s statement of nondiscrimination 4-County Electric Power Association complies with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which

provide that no person in the United States on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap shall be excluded from participation in, admission or access to, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any of this organization’s programs or activities.

The person responsible for coordinating this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Brian Davis, manager of human resources and training. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination may obtain further information about

the statutes and regulations listed above from and/or file a written complaint with this organization, to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Washington, D.C., 20250. Complaints may be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination. Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest extent possible.

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May 2017

Purchasing a power strip: If you are connecting expensive electronics, you may want to consider a surge protector. Here, price is even more important because a cheap surge protector can be worse than none at all for two

reasons. One, they use cheap, small surge fighting components. Two, these components can fail and the strip still will provide power, all without any indication that its protective side is gone. Like power strips, there are some key factors to consider when buying a surge protector. • Go for a significant joule (jewel) rating. This is a measure of how much energy it can withstand. • Cable and internet connection protection. You may want to consider this for your entertainment and computing needs as surges can enter via any wired connection. Be sure the protector is designed to handle a digital television. Otherwise, it can cause pixilation if it’s only designed for analog signals. • Indicator light that shows if protection has burned out. • The same outlet orientation as previously mentioned. • Power conditioning feature (for PCs, this is a nice-to-have feature but not a necessity). • A smart capability as mentioned above.

Power strips and surge protectors are worth the investment when you follow these simple suggestions. Don’t get “burned” by purchasing cheap, inefficient strips and protectors.

plug into SAFETY Never use electrical equipment near water and other liquids.

Never use electrical cords that are frayed or damaged.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Never use light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage for any lighting unit or fixture. Treat all downed power lines as energized and contact your electric cooperative to report downed power lines. While pruning trees or working near overhead power lines, do not touch anything that comes into contact with the power line.

Think safety FIRST!

May 2017

Create

‘keep-cool strategy’ to save on energy this summer

Today in Mississippi

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Why is my electric bill so high? If your electric bill seems higher than it used to be, it’s time to investigate. 1. Check your history. First, verify that the bill actually is higher. Visit 4-County’s website, www.4county.org, or ask someone there for help pulling up your bills for the past year. You might be surprised to see that your electricity use fluctuates depending on the season, and that your bill is always higher in the summer. 2. Check your non-electrical activity. Does your high bill reflect a past-due amount or any one-time service fees, like deposits, disconnection fees or returned check fees? 3. Check the weather. Fluctuations in outdoor temperatures can lead your family to turn the air conditioning up a little higher on especially hot days. 4. Check how many days are in the billing cycle. Depending on the number of days in the month and whether the bill comes due on a weekend or holiday, it could cover a couple of extra days some months. That would make the bill slightly higher. 5. Check what’s plugged in. If you thought your bill would be lower during a month when your family was

gone on vacation part of the time, you might be surprised to realize that your appliances still use substantial electricity when the house is empty. Your refrigerator, landscape irrigator and well pump, for instance, keep running while you’re gone unless you have unplugged them. In fact, any appliance that is plugged into the wall will use electricity while you’re on vacation, even though nobody is home to use them. 6. Check your equipment. As appliances like refrigerators and water heaters age, they become more inefficient. If your air conditioning and heating system or another large appliance is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a more energyefficient model. 7. Check your lifestyle. If your college-age children are home for the summer, chances are, your electric bill will be a bit higher than it was while they were away. If your grandkids are enjoying their vacation at your house, your bill could go up. If you’ve had house guests, you’ve used more electricity. And if you have added a major appliance, like a pool with a pump, a hot tub or even an oversized TV, that has affected your electric bill.

MAY 29, 2017

8. Don’t check with the neighbors. No two families use electricity the same way, so if you believe your bill is too high because your neighbor’s is lower, you’re not making an even comparison. The better comparison is between your use of electricity now compared with the same time last year. If you still think your bill is higher than it should be, contact 4-County for help in determining the reason. Please refer to www.4county.org to use our energy-use calculators.

We will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day. In case of a power outage or emergency, we have a dispatcher on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 4-County wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday!

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May 2017

CCA receives incentive from 4-County/TVA Columbus Christian Academy (CCA) has received a financial incentive from 4-County Electric Power Association and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), through the EnergyRight Solutions for Business program. Brent Lochala, 4-County key accounts executive, recently presented the $6,273 check to CCA Administrator Sandra White. The school made the switch to light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The energyefficient move will result in long-term savings. White said school officials are pleased with the incentive, lighting changes and the long-term opportunities to save on

power costs. The lighting changes could result in $600 to $700 in monthly savings, or about $7,500 per year. 4-County CEO Joe Cade says helping members is 4-County’s main mission. “From the largest factory, to our area schools to the smallest mom and pop corner store, we know that our businesses, organizations and industries are the lifeblood of our communities. We are always looking for ways to help them remain strong and this program does just that,” Cade said. For more information about the program, call Lochala at 1-800-431-1544.

4-County cooking up ways to help Looking for something to cook for dinner? Look no further than the 2017 4-County Relay For Life Cookbook. For $15, you can get a cookbook full of dinner, lunch and breakfast recipes—plus a little dessert. It’s 120 pages of delicious. And it’s for a good cause. All proceeds will go

towards the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. All recipes, including the recipe below, were contributed by 4-County employees and retirees. To get a cookbook or for more information, call Becky Canull or Jima Branning at 1-800-431-1544.

Bacon Cheeseburger Dip 6 oz. real bacon bits 1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey 2 cans Rotel tomatoes 1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, cubed 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

(add 2 pkgs. Velveeta shredded cheese for a creamier dip) 1 tsp. dried minced onion 1 tsp. dried parsley

Brown ground meat and drain. Combine all ingredients in a covered casserole dish. Cook in microwave in 5-minute intervals until cheese is melted. Heat in a slow cooker on low for about 1 hour; turn to warm. Serve with assorted chips.

Watts Happening THURSDAY, MAY 4 Starkville’s Observance of The National Day of Prayer; Starkville Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane; Noon; details, (662) 552-8854. FRIDAY, MAY 5 Mississippi University for Women Choral Concert; Poindexter Hall in the Connie Sills Kossen Auditorium on the campus of MUW in Columbus; 7:30 p.m.; (662) 329-1191. Market Street Festival Riverstock Concert; Riverwalk near downtown Columbus; 7 to 10:30 p.m.; details, (662) 329-1191. SATURDAY, MAY 6 MSU Run for the Roses Banquet; Mill Conference

This listing of area events is compiled from information provided by area chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus. The events listed are subject to change. Please call to confirm dates, times and additional details.

Center, 600 Russell St. in Starkville; 4:45 to 6 p.m.; Tickets $35 each; details, (662) 325-7466. TUESDAY, MAY 9 Wine & Wishes; Hewett Stables, 804 Woodside Drive in Starkville; 7 to 9 p.m.; Tickets $25 each; details, (601) 366-9474. THURSDAY, MAY 11 A Southern-Fried Comedy: “Dearly Beloved”; Columbus Arts Council, 501 Main St.; 7:30 p.m.; continues through Saturday, May 13 (2 p.m. matinee); $10 advance ticket, $12 at door; details, (662) 3282787. FRIDAY, MAY 12 King Cotton Crawfish Boil; Paige Avenue in the

Cotton District of Starkville; 6 to 8:30 p.m.; details, (662) 323-3322. SATURDAY, MAY 13 Columbus Choral Society; First Baptist Church, 202 Seventh St. N.; 7 p.m.; details, (662) 329-1191. Lion Hills Golf Course Two-Man One-Day 27Hole Scramble; Lion Hills Center and Golf Course, 2331 Military Road in Columbus; (662) 328-4837. WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 Police Week 2017 Prayer Breakfast; First Baptist Church Ministry and Activities Building, 3000 Bluecutt Road in Columbus; 7 a.m.; details, (662) 364-1829.

May 2017

Today in Mississippi

Giles named purchasing manager 4-County Electric Power Association veteran employee Rob Giles has been named purchasing, inventory and facilities manager at the cooperative. Rob takes over the position from Andy Williamson, who recently left 4-County after 25 years of valued service in a variety of positions. Rob began working with 4-County in March of 1999 in the rights of way department. He moved into the lineman program later that year and became a journeyman lineman in 2004. Rob was then promoted to lead lineman in 2005 and then promoted to heavy construction foreman in 2011.

Rob has an associate’s degree from EMCC and will soon be finishing his B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies concentrating in Business Technology and General Business Aaron Gatlin from Mississippi State University. Rob brings valuable experience and leadership into the purchasing area, and 4-County officials say they are looking forward to his future contributions. Congratulations, Rob!

Quinn is doing his homework

Starkville High student receives co-op scholly

Brady Hunt of Starkville High School has been awarded a $4,000 college scholarship from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and 4-County Electric Power Association through the TVA Power Play Scholarship Program. Brady is the son of Denton Hunt, a near 28-year veteran of 4-County. “This scholarship really means a lot to me, especially receiving it from TVA and 4-Coun-

Tip of the Month

ty. My father is a long-time employee at 4-County and that helps make it even more special. I’m looking forward to furthering my academic efforts,” Brady said. He plans to put the scholarship to good use. “It’s going to come in handy,” the rising high school senior said. Brady will attend Mississippi State University and major in chemical engineering.

Stephen Quinn spends a lot of time in the kitchen these days. It’s not to eat, however. He’s quick to point out that it’s time spent at the kitchen table assisting with homework for his daughters, Kierston, 8, and Khloe, 7. “I’m getting a refresher course on reading, writing and arithmetic,” he said with a laugh. In fact, most of his free time is spent with his wife, Heather, Kierston and Khloe, and son, Knox (nine months old). “Kids, kids, kids,” Stephen said. “And I love every minute of it.” He began working at 4-County in February 2004. First, he worked with Harold Tallent’s crew at the Corporate Center as an apprentice lineman 4. He then transferred to Starkville and worked for Bobby Macon, Denton Hunt and, now, Richie Orr. Stephen became a journeyman lineman in 2009. The 4-County veteran also enjoys sports. He and co-worker Hayden Nickels play softball with former major league baseball great Roy Oswalt on a Starkville team. “Anything competitive, I do it,” Stephen said. He also enjoys lifting weights. The Quinn family attends Maben First Baptist Church.

He also enjoys his work family. He serves on the co-op’s activities committee and the safety committee. And he served two years as a member of 4-County’s Hot Line Demonstration Team. Stephen said he is proud to be a lineman. “We’re elite,” he added. “Not many people do our job. It’s very dangerous and keeps my mind strong. The people I work with on a daily basis are great.” Memorable experiences are common for linemen, Stephen said. Storm work always creeps to the forefront of most memories. “Working on the Mississippi Gulf Coast assisting cooperatives there in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is up there. We had to get our own lights own and then go down there to help them for about two weeks. That was rough,” he said. But not the roughest. “The toughest storm I worked was the Arkansas Ice Storm in 2009. The wind was so cold, and there wasn’t a pole standing anywhere.” Working at a rural electric cooperative is special, he stressed. “They take good care of us,” he said of 4-County. “We have good equipment. It’s just a great place to work. I’m blessed to be here.”

Today in Mississippi

May 2017

Power strips

Purchasing a power strip: If you are connecting expensive electronics, you may want to consider a surge protector. Here, price is even more important because a cheap surge protector can be worse than

none at all for two reasons. One, they use cheap, small surge fighting components. Two, these components can fail and the strip still will provide power, all without any indication that its protective side is gone. Like power strips, there are some key factors to consider when buying a surge protector. • Go for a significant joule (jewel) rating. This is a measure of how much energy it can withstand. • Cable and internet connection protection. You may want to consider this for your entertainment and computing needs. Be sure the protector is designed to handle digital television. Otherwise, it can cause pixilation if it’s only designed for analog signals. • Indicator light that shows if protection has burned out. • The same outlet orientation as previously mentioned. • Power conditioning feature (for PCs, this is a nice-to-have feature but not a necessity). • A smart capability as mentioned above.

Power strips and surge protectors are worth the investment when you follow these simple suggestions. Don’t get “burned” by purchasing cheap, inefficient strips and protectors.

Plug into safety Never use electrical equipment near water and other liquids.

Never use electrical cords that are frayed or damaged.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Never use light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage for any lighting unit or fixture. Treat all downed power lines as energized and contact your electric cooperative to report downed power lines. While pruning trees or working near overhead power lines, do not touch anything that comes into contact with the power line.

Think safety FIRST!

May 2017

Going out in style By Elissa Fulton Maegin Anderson has always had a passion for making people beautiful. From her earlier days as a teenager, she confessed to sneaking her friends and family members into her parent’s home as her early clients. Today she is a mother of two boys and coowner of Unique2 salon in

that the last time you see a person is really important,” said Anderson. She was 19 the first time she styled her friend’s grandmother, and now at 29 she’s been regularly working for Cooks Funeral Home for about five years. Anderson really looks at her co-workers as a family and they have to have a sense of humor to get through the obvious sadness of preparing the deceased for their loved ones. When asked if she was ever squeamish or felt strange with the post mortem, she said, “No. Really, to be honest, McComb, Miss. the hardest part for me I guess is when I walk in the room When Anderson was very young, she and her cousin and they have them covered. The first three seconds of buried their dreams in a box. Approximately 10 years ago, uncovering their face is hard, and then I’m good.” as she was beginning cosmetology school, they dug their Anderson says that both of her jobs are dreams back up and read them. All those years ago, on a very demanding, so managing her time folded up piece of paper, she wrote that she wanted to do can sometimes be difficult. hair, or find a cure for cancer. However, her living clients know about her side occupation and are very understanding when she has to work at the funeral home. “What’s crazy is I’ve developed a clientele with the dead,” says Anderson. “I meet family members, but I do it the same way as I would do if they were sitting in my chair at the salon.” The upbringing Anderson received from her family is what she feels gives her the strength to do what she So how did this ambitious young woman go from does. She believes in God, and though she doesn’t want styling clients in her salon chair to styling clients on a mor- to think about it, she likes to think that all of her clients tuary table? are in a better place. With all of the things a family goes “My best friend that I grew up with went to college in through when they are grieving, she does not want them Hattiesburg, and her grandmother who raised her became to worry about what their family member looks like. It is ill with cancer. I sat with her grandmother a lot since my how she feels like she can give back to her community. friend was at the university and I was going to cosmetology “It does really make me feel good that I can sort school closer to home,” she said. “When she died, the first of extend my talent out to someone who really thing I did was put a wig on her and style her hair. I really appreciates it,” she said. “So, when I do it, just learned from doing loved ones.” I think it’s more of a privilege for Anderson really has a passion for what she does now. me than a job.” She works at her salon most days, but on Thursdays and Fridays when the funeral home calls, she will go in before she starts her work day to make her deceased clients look beautiful one last time. “I really like it and I take it real serious, because I think

“When I do it, I think it’s more of a privilege for me than a job.”

Today in Mississippi

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Today in Mississippi

May 2017

2017 Annual Meeting held at new MEP office A larger-than-normal crowd attended the 2017 Magnolia Electric Power Annual Meeting, which was held at the new headquarters in Summit. The meeting was held March 23 in the auditorium of the new office and three incumbent directors were re-elected to their posts. Bluegrass gospel group Alan Sibley and the Magnolia Ramblers band, featuring banjo player Larry Wallace of McCall Creek, entertained the crowd with bluegrass gospel prior to the business meeting which is a part of the annual meeting. During the business meeting, Dennis Wilson, of Amite County; Scott Smith, of Lincoln County; and Bruce McCaffery, of Walthall County were re-elected to three-year terms on the board of directors. The election of the board members was directed by the board attorney, Reggie Jones. As part of the business meeting, Auditor Mark Biggs informed the crowd that MEP remains in sound financial condition, and Magnolia Electric’s General Manager Darrell Smith gave his Annual Meeting report, while illustrating his information with a PowerPoint presentation. Smith stated that the purpose of his report is to keep the members apprised of the financial condition of the cooperative and the improvements made since the last meeting. He also described the plans for the year ahead to keep Magnolia Electric Power a reliable and efficient source of their electrical needs. “In 2016, we spent approximately $16 million to improve and maintain the reliability of our cooperative,” Smith said, “The number of meters served by Magnolia Electric increased by 245 from the previous year, bringing us to 31,451 meters served. We sold 649,272,620 KWHs in 2016, a reduction of 74,535,827 from 2015.” Smith conveyed to the members that there was no rate increase for 2017, nor in 2016. Smith said that “at the end of 2016, the Board of Directors authorized the return to the membership of $3,281,368 in capital credits. Since 1960, Magnolia has

returned to our members $43,984,138 in capital credits.” Always working to make improvements to the grid, Smith reported that Magnolia’s main objective is “to keep the lights on, and when they go out sometimes, due to severe storms southwest Mississippi is noted for, to restore power as quickly as possible.” He continued, “In 2016, we changed out 18 miles of old copper line to aluminum in Amite, Pike and Walthall counties. We also converted 12 miles of power lines in Lincoln, Pike and Walthall counties to three phase.” The right-of-way (ROW) program is an ongoing work plan at MEP. “As part of our ongoing ROW program, last year we trimmed over 610 miles of power lines in the Jayess and Dexter substation areas. This keeps us on our plan to trim the entire service area every 5 years,” said Smith. He added, “Additionally, we applied herbicide to the floor vegetation on 700 miles of ROW from our substations serving the Salem, Tylertown and Liberty areas. We also bush-hogged 500 miles of ROW in our Progress, Friendship and Arlington substation areas.” “Our herbicide program is very successful, thus far, and has allowed us to reduce our bush-hog tractors by half,” Smith said. “This year we will be trimming the Norfield, East Lincoln and Brookhaven substation areas and spraying the Jayess and Dexter areas. “We have a very aggressive ROW program at Magnolia Electric which allows us a great advantage in keeping the power on and helps us restore power much quicker when we do have outages.” Smith, who has always been a supporter of Youth Leadership and safety programs, gave detailed informa-

tion on the 2016 programs. “In 2016, we held our “Safety Around Power Lines” program at 10 schools in our service area reaching 862 students,” Smith said. “We also held a program for two fire departments which involved 60 firefighters. “Our Youth Leadership Program was continued in 2016, and 4 students were selected to take part. They are: Abby Griffin from Franklin County High School; Precious Thompson from South Pike High School; Konnor Battle from Lawrence County High School; and Nick Brumfield from West Lincoln High School.” In his closing remarks, Smith said, “I want to close with an overview of our headquarters facility. This facility was built after 71 years in our old facility. We had outgrown it 20 years ago. We were struggling to function day-to-day, but events such as Katrina and Isaac quickly made improving our workspace a necessity. This facility will serve our members for 75 years into the future and probably beyond.” To illustrate his point, during this time of his report, Smith’s PowerPoint presentation showed pictures of the new building and explained how the new spaces will help the cooperative in the time of a crisis. Before the Annual Meeting was dismissed, winners’ names were drawn for those in attendance. Peggy Henderson won $500 worth of electricity in the prize designed to encourage attendance at the meeting. Additional $50 awards for electricity were given for those in attendance. Those winners in attendance were: Noel Andrews, Grace Grenn, Mamie Kettle and Thomas Roberts with Roberts Farm. Prior to beginning the meeting, winners from those who sent in proxies were drawn. The proxy winners, who have been notified by mail, include: Bessie Fisk, $500; Patricia H. Allen, Charles T. Dixon, Theodore Manning Jr., Darry Wallace and George L. Walsten, $50. Magnolia Electric Power is an electric cooperative and holds an annual meeting for its members. Members participate by either returning their proxy or attending the annual meeting.

MEP employees were giving golf car rides from the parking lot to the front door of the new building for members attending the Annual Meeting. Magnolia Electric Power’s General Manager Darrell Smith presented certificates to the winners of electricity that attended the 2017 Annual Meeting. The winners are (from left) Peggy Henderson, $500; and $50 winners, Noel Andrews, Thomas Roberts with Roberts Farm, Helen Newsom, Grace Grenn and Mamie Kettle.

May 2017

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Far right and below: Members register for the Annual Meeting. Right: Young volunteers help Member Services Director Lucy Shell draw for door prizes.

Left: Alan Sibley and the Magnolia Ramblers band, featuring banjo player Larry Wallace of McCall Creek, entertained the crowd with bluegrass gospel at the 2017 Magnolia Electric Power Annual Meeting. Above: A MEP member cast a ballot for the 2017 board elections. Below: A large number of MEP members attended the 2017 Annual Meeting held this year at the new office, located at 3027 Highway 98 West, Summit. The new auditorium was very full with those members in attendance.

Hollis Alford Board President

John McCabe Board Secretary/Treasurer

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Today in Mississippi

May 2017

Dairy Fest coming...

Saturday, June 3, marks the 40th anniversary of Walthall County’s Dairy Festival, believed to be the largest “free” festival in the area. The festival committee plans to make the 40th festival an extra-special event. Over 50 volunteers on the committee plan the family-friendly free event, always held on the first Saturday in June. Free dairy samples will be available, as always, and this year the committee has agreed to purchase additional ice cream sandwiches to supplement those donated by the dairy industry. Already some 800 cartons of chocolate milk, 250 cartons of regular milk and 300 ice cream sandwiches have been donated. The committee has agreed to purchase an additional 1000 ice cream sandwiches to make sure everyone has a chance to sample the treat. Political cartoonist Ricky Nobile will be on hand throughout the day drawing free caricatures for festival-goers. Activities and events begin with the opening ceremony at 8 a.m., immediately followed by the Walthall Homemakers Volunteers baby contest; a flower show at 9 a.m.; the Dairy Festival Queen pageant for ages 4-16, sponsored by Trustmark Bank; Walthall General Hospital’s Bake-Off, cake baking contest at 10:30. Also back this year will be the Pedal Pull, sponsored by Sunshine Equipment in Franklinton. It’s a big event for kids, and the lineup of John Deere brand toys given away as prizes make it a really big hit, especially with the contestants. State Farm’s ice cream eating contest starts at 11:30 a.m.; and the butter churning contest at 11:45 a.m., put on by Walthall tax assessor, Peggy Hilburn and her mom, Jeanette Dillon, takes center stage. The homemade butter from the butter churning contest and cakes from the bake-off are auctioned following the conclusion of the butter churning contest

May 2017

by Rev. Jerry Wayne Dillon. Around 12:30 p.m., the Dairy Fest sack races take place; the Pike National Bank mooing contest at 1:30 p.m.; and around 2 p.m., registration begins for the turtle races. Mooing, cow calling and bubble gum blowing are also on tap for the kids. And the big attraction, Rotary’s International Turtle Race Association turtle

races begin at 3:15 p.m. Last year’s turtle races attracted in excess of 200 entries. Other activities during the day include the Spring Fling drawing for prizes; the Dairy Fest gospel sing and after nightfall, Citizens Bank’s fireworks display brings a colorful and “explosive” conclusion to the day. • Farm Bureau sponsors Kirkland Farms Petting Zoo. Brandi Ellis Kirkland brings her seven different types of rabbits, mini-chickens, Chinese silky rooster, Muscovy

MAY 29, 2017

Today in Mississippi

ducks, red and gold pheasant, tea cup pig, mini pygmy goat, hair sheep, chinchilla, ferret, unscented skunk and ponies. They’re offering free pony rides to kids, too. • Cream Pitcher Fun Farm, Pike National Bank’s games and jumpers area • Antique engines and tractor show • Ham radio demonstration • Arts and crafts vendors • Food concessions • Street rods and vintage cars–the Cow Bag Nationals–sponsored by Mac’s Used Cars • Guess the cow weight, sponsored by Livestock Producers Walthall Livestock Association • Commercial displays • Political booths • Air ambulance/ground ambulance •Tylertown Fire Department truck • Shiitake mushrooms • Chainsaw art by Mike Hobgood • Free kiddie train rides on the Southland Express sponsored by Southland Trucking • Kids’ activity from the National Guard •Spinning wheel demonstration by Dale Majorie • Free helium-filled balloons from Golden Living Center Tylertown Police and Walthall Sheriff’s Office will be on hand for traffic control and parking. Limited parking is available inside the park, but Southwest Events Center is the preferred area–easy-in and easy-out–with direct walking access to the festival grounds. No private tents can be pitched on the main festival grounds; however, families and individuals may use a set-aside area to the west side of the road, right after entering the park grounds, bordering Magee’s Creek near the observation deck. You’ll still be within walking distance of everything in the park. As always, no pets are allowed at the festival–no dogs, cats or pets of any type, with the exception, of course, for service animals.

Our business office will be closed Monday, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day. Dispatchers will remain on duty and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend. Call 601-684-4011 to report an outage.

Today in Mississippi

May 2017

Providing affordable, reliable electricity to our members since 1936.

MONROE COUNTY ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION

Power strips

Purchasing a power strip: If you are connecting expensive electronics, you may want to consider a surge protector. Here, price is even more important because a cheap surge protector can be worse than

May Is National Electrical Safety Month

plug into safety Never use electrical equipment near water and other liquids.

Never use electrical cords that are frayed or damaged.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Never use light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage for any lighting unit or fixture.

Power strips and surge protectors are worth the investment when you follow these simple suggestions. Don’t get “burned” by purchasing cheap, inefficient strips and protectors.

Think safety FIRST!

May 2017

Create ‘keep-cool strategy’ to save on energy this summer

Tip of the Month

Today in Mississippi

May 2017

Power strips

Purchasing a power strip: If you are connecting expensive electronics, you may want to consider a surge protector. Here, price is even more important because a cheap surge protector can be worse than

May Is National Electrical Safety Month

Plug into safety Never use electrical equipment near water and other liquids.

Never use electrical cords that are frayed or damaged.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Never use light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage for any lighting unit or fixture.

Power strips and surge protectors are worth the investment when you follow these simple suggestions. Don’t get “burned” by purchasing cheap, inefficient strips and protectors.

Think safety FIRST!

May 2017 I Today in Mississippi

2017 Scholarship Recipients

Eight 2017 graduating high school seniors were each presented the Northcentral Electric Power Association scholarship for academic achievement and leadership. Each received a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to the college of their choice.

Our congratulations go to these outstanding graduates.

Lane Oxner

Olivia Emmich

Lewisburg High School Lane will begin his studies at Mississippi State University this fall majoring in animal and dairy science. After graduation, he plans to attend veterinary school at MSU.

DeSoto Central High School Olivia plans to major in mathematics at Mississippi State University and then attend nursing school. Her goal is to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Kyla Johnson

Olive Branch High School Kyla plans to attend the University of Mississippi and earn her degree in social work and counseling. Her goal is to help people and make a difference in their lives.

Whitt Rodgers

Marshall Academy Whitt will attend the University of Mississippi to first earn a degree in exercise science and then continue his education toward a degree in physical therapy.

Brooke Starnes

Brianna Lee

Center Hill High School Brooke will attend the University of Southern Mississippi where she will major in elementary education and minor in art and special education.

DeSoto Career and Technology Center East Brianna will attend the University of Mississippi to major in biology or nursing. She plans to earn her master’s and become a nurse practitioner.

Alexis Lunsford

Home School Alexis plans to obtain her degree from Northwest Mississippi Community College prior to attending the University of Mississippi earning her degree in special education with an emphasis in deaf education.

Louis Steen

Northpoint Christian School Louis is leaning towards attending Delta State University and majoring in commercial aviation or another college and major in engineering. He plans to earn at least his master’s degree and return to DeSoto County to give back to his community.

Northcentral Electric has an app that lets you I I

pay your bill with your smartphone I keep up with multiple accounts view your billing history I view payment history I track your use

Apps for iPhone, iPad and Android are available to download and they’re free! Search in Apple App Store or Google Play Store for Northcentral.

10 Today in Mississippi

May 2017

PRVEPA Contact Information Columbia: 601-736-2666 Hattiesburg: 601-264-2458

Purvis: 601-794-8051 Wiggins: 601-928-7277

To pay bills or report outages:

855-2PRVEPA (855-277-8372)

Member owned. Locally operated. That’s the cooperative difference.

Visit us online at www.PRVEPA.com

May Is National Electrical Safety Month Plug into safety Never use electrical equipment near water and other liquids.

Never use electrical cords that are frayed or damaged.

Choosing power strips or surge protectors As the proliferation of electronics impacts our daily lives, we realize there simply are not enough outlets in our homes. This is particularly true for older homes. As a result, we end up with a number of “outlet expanders,” more commonly known as power strips. Power strips are generic and fulfill a very simple function. They are inexpensive, and the quality is usually on par with the price. Keeping this in mind, let’s look at factors to consider when purchasing a power strip or a surge protector.

Important tip:

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Never use light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage for any lighting unit or fixture. Treat all downed power lines as energized and contact your electric cooperative to report downed power lines. While pruning trees or working near overhead power lines, do not touch anything that comes into contact with the power line.

Think safety FIRST!

Make sure you know the amperage rating of the outlet into which you are connecting the strip and other equipment. A residential circuit can overload if you are not careful.

• Look for power strips with a built-in circuit breaker. If you connect too many electronics and devices, the strip will kick out the circuit breaker rather than causing the breaker in your electric panel to trip. • Pay attention to the orientation of the outlets. The typiPower strips and surge protectors are worth the cal design is along the length of the strip, facing the bottom or end of the strip. Power strips with the outlets per- investment when you follow these simple suggestions. pendicular to the length of the strip are recommended. For more information, call Pearl River Valley • Get a smart strip. These are becoming more common and less expensive. With smart strips, one outlet serves as Electric Power Association at 601-736-2666. a master, receiving power all the time. The other outlets do not receive power until the master device is turned on. This is ideal for home entertainment setups.

Purchasing a power strip or surge protector: If you are connecting expensive electronics, you may want to consider a surge protector. Here, price is even more important because a cheap surge protector can be worse than

May 2017 Today in Mississippi

Make the most of ceiling fans By turning on the fan, you can turn up the savings! If you are like most Americans, you have at least one ceiling fan in your home. Ceiling fans help our indoor life feel more comfortable. They are a decorative addition to our homes and, if used properly, can help lower energy costs.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR CEILING FANS: FLIP THE SWITCH – Most ceiling fans have a switch near the blades. In warm months, flip the switch so that the blades operate in a counter clockwise direction, effectively producing a “wind chill” effect. Fans make the air near them feel cooler than it actually is. In winter, move the switch so the fan blades rotate clockwise, creating a gentle updraft. This pushes warm air down from the ceiling into occupied areas of the room. Regardless of the season, try operating the fan on its lowest setting.

ADJUST YOUR THERMOSTAT – In the summer, when using a fan in conjunction with an air conditioner, or instead of it, you can turn your thermostat up three to five degrees without any reduction in comfort.

Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

This saves money since a fan is less costly to run than an air conditioner. In the winter, lower your thermostat’s set point by the same amount. Ceiling fans push the warm air from the ceiling back down toward the living space, which means your heating unit won’t turn on as frequently.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE – Make sure your ceiling fan is sized for the room. A fan that is 36-44 inches in diameter will cool rooms up to 225 square feet. A fan that is 52 inches or more should be used to cool a larger space.

TURN IT OFF – When the room is unoccupied, turn the fan off. Fans are intended to cool people not rooms.

Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association is helping you save as the weather heats up.

LARGE TREES

MEDIUM TREES

Height/spread of more than 40 feet, such as:

Height/spread of 25 to 40 feet, such as:

Avoid planting within 20 feet of power lines. When planting within 20 feet is unavoidable, use only shrubs and small trees.

• Maple • Birch • Sweetgum • Oak • Spruce • Linden • Pine

• Washington hawthorn • Goldenraintree • Eastern redbud • American arborvitae • Dogwoods

Height /spread of no more than 25 feet such as:

Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association

• Star magnolia • Crabapple • Lilac 40ft.

40ft. high or les less

Trees beautify our neighborhoods, and when planted in the right spot, can even help lower energy bills. But the wrong tree in the wrong place can be a hazard... especially to power lines. A message from

SMALL TREES

Tree pruning zone

Maximum tree height 25ft.

70ft.

60ft.

50ft.

40ft.

30ft.

20ft.

10ft.

Be safe! Always call 811 before you dig to locate any buried utility lines. Source: The Arbor Day Foundation and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Today in Mississippi

May 2017

Pontotoc Electric Celebrates Employee Service Anniversaries

Chuck Howell, 40 years General Manager

Willie Ware, 40 years Manager of Customer Service

Rhonda Parker, 20 years Bruce District Service Clerk

Frankie Moorman, 20 years Assistant Foreman

Ben Hogan, 15 years Bruce District Manager

Johnny Wilder, 10 years Member Services Representative/ Pontotoc ROW Coordinator

Mason Tutor, 10 years Apprentice Lineman

Jenna Kentner, 10 years Electrical Engineer

Fagan Jackson, 10 years Journeyman Lineman

Neil Clayton, 10 years Electrical Engineer

Thank You... for your years of service to the members of Pontotoc Electric Jennifer Johnson, 5 years Manager of Human Resources

Karen Laprade, 5 years Payroll Clerk

May 2017 I Today in Mississippi

Pontotoc Electric families celebrate their graduates Peyton Michael Johnson Peyton is a 2017 graduate of Pontotoc High School. He has been a member of the Pontotoc High School Bowling Team for five years and accomplished bowling a perfect game in 2016. Peyton has been a member of the Pontotoc Warrior Marching Band for four years, playing the trombone.

Peyton was a cast member of the junior play entitled “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer.” Peyton is a member of Valley Grove Baptist Church where he is involved in the youth group. He plans to attend Itawamba Community College and then the University of Mississippi to major in sports broadcasting. Peyton’s parents are Barry and Jennifer Johnson. Jennifer is Manager of Human Resources at Pontotoc Electric.

Colby Roberts Colby is a 2017 graduate of Bruce High School, where he is a member of the high school BETA club, and serves as treasurer. He is a member of the varsity baseball team, a member of the VEX Robotics/Engineering Competition team and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is a member of the Class of 2017 hall of fame, honor roll, principal’s student and scholar athlete. Colby plans to attend Northeast Mississippi Community College to pur-

sue an associate degree in civil engineering technology and transfer to the University of Mississippi to earn a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Colby’s parents are B. J. and Stacey Farmer. B. J. is the Right-of-Way Coordinator for the Bruce District of Pontotoc Electric Power Association.

Joseph Alonzo (J. A. ) Staten J. A. Staten is a 2017 graduate of South Pontotoc High School. He has played varsity football for four years and varsity powerlifting for one year. J. A. is a member of Boy Scout Troop 106,

where he has achieved the Eagle Scout, BSA Triple Crown, BSA National Youth Leadership Society, Provost Scholar and BSA Ranger Awards. J. A. plans to attend the University of Mississippi. J. A. is the son of Anthony and Paula Staten. Anthony is the Data Entry/Processing Clerk for Pontotoc Electric.

MAY 29, 2017

Hunter Swords A 2017 graduate of Ripley High School, Hunter has been a member of the National Honor Society for three years. He plans to attend lineman school and pursue a career as a lineman. Hunter is the son of Lisa Moore and Jackie Swords. Jackie is a Journeyman Lineman at Pontotoc Electric Power Association.

Bailey Jenise Moorman Bailey Moorman is a 2017 graduate of Pontotoc High School. She played on the Lady Warriors fast pitch varsity softball team for six years. Bailey held a starting position as first baseman, left fielder, right fielder and catcher. She held a starting position on the varsity volleyball team during her freshman and sophomore years. Bailey was a member of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) for two years and a member of the science club and Spanish club. Bailey received the citizenship award, the 400 Club Award for softball, and the 2014 best defensive player award for softball. She received the best offensive player award for volleyball in 2014, the 2015 Division I 4A Honorable Mention Award, the 2015 Division I 4A All Division Volleyball Award and the 2016 Division II 4A All Division Award. Bailey has volunteered with Pontotoc Park and Recreation as a coach for three-year-old soccer, officiated for 12-

year-old soccer, volunteered with Special Olympics for two years, volunteered at several softball camps and played travel softball every summer since the age of eight. Bailey received a certificate in health sciences from the Pontotoc Ridge Career and Technology Center and has already completed two college courses and plans to take additional courses over the summer. In the fall, Bailey plans to attend Itawamba Community College to major in biochemistry, then transfer to the University of Mississippi and enroll in the pharmacy program. Bailey’s parents are Frankie and Angie Moorman. Frankie is assistant foreman at Pontotoc Electric.

Congratulations

Class of 2017 Pontotoc Electric will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day. To report a power outage after hours or during the holiday, please dial: 662-489-6711 (Pontotoc) or 662-983-2727 (Bruce)

10 I Today in Mississippi I May 2017 Pay Bill

Mike Smith, General Manager & CEO Lorri Freeman, APR, Manager of Public Relations Amanda Parker, Public Relations Specialist

Report Outages

Check

Singing River Electric is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Energy Use For more information, call 601-947-4211/228-497-1313 x 2251 or visit Contact Us our website at www.singingriver.com

Round Up Bill

View Outage Map

CEO’s Message

Safety

Energy Fair slated for June 29 in Lucedale

is a Call to Action Mike Smith General Manager and CEO Singing River Electric

It is easy to take electricity for granted. We flip a switch, and our lights come on. But it is also easy to forget the risks. Electric cooperatives have a culture of safety. We train and educate our employees to know that safety is a call to action. It is an action that demands to

be ever-present and top-of-mind. Working safely takes education, forethought and responsibility. It can also carry severe consequences when not followed properly. Safety is addressed daily, and employees are required to attend monthly training meetings to go over different aspects of safety on the job. Singing River Electric employees serve on safety committees to assess and plan safety education at all offices. As we celebrate Electrical Safety Month this May, I encourage our members to consider electric safety at

home. Visit our electrical safety website BeAwareEverywhere.com containing safety tips, videos and illustrations. Watch for our new “Be Aware. Everywhere.” safety campaign in newspapers, online and on television. Remember, it is easy to forget the risks of electricity, especially when you can’t see the dangers. Stay alert and stay clear of power lines. Call 811 before you dig. Be aware everywhere, and stay safe around electricity.

Upcoming Right-of-Way Clearing Projects Singing River Electric clears trees, limbs and underbrush from areas around and under power lines, called the right of way. Right of way clearing helps decrease the number of power outages and reduces the risk of someone coming in contact with power lines. Here are the substations and surrounding areas that are either currently being cleared, or will be cleared soon:

• Escatawpa Substation Saracennia Road, Coda Road, and surrounding areas.

• Forts Lake Substation Forts Lake Road, Highway 90, and surrounding areas.

• Howell Tanner Chapel Tanner Williams’ Road, Howell community, and surrounding areas.

• Hintonville Substation Highway 15, Hintonville Road, Arlington Road, and surrounding areas.

Clearing means safer and more reliable electric service to you.

Jeff Gray Member Services Representative gray@singingriver.com

Thank you to all Singing River Electric members who joined us first at our Gautier Energy Fair, and second at the Energy Fair held at the Knobtown Community Center. We enjoyed meeting everyone and are always ready to talk energy efficiency. Our next Singing River Electric Energy Fair is slated for Thursday, June 29, at our Lucedale office located at 11187 Old 63 South from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Singing River Electric members who attend the Energy Fair will receive oneon-one advice from our trained professionals about many efficiency subjects including lighting, home additions, infiltration, insulation, and more. Tips shared at the Gautier and Knobtown Energy Fairs included: • Flip the switch on ceiling fans to blow air down to make you feel cooler in summer. • Replace your most used bulbs with LEDs to use 70 percent less electricity. • Wrap water heaters in unconditioned spaces to save on your electric bill. • Caulk and use foam sealant around penetrations to stop infiltration. For more energy efficiency tips, visit singingriver.com and join the conversation on social media including Facebook/Instagram (SingingRiverElectric) and Twitter (SRECooperative).

Annual Meeting set for June 29 May 2017

Today in Mississippi 10a

New proxy design makes mail-in simple

Singing River Electric’s annual membership meeting will be held Thursday, June 29, at the Singing River Electric office located at 11187 Old 63 South in Lucedale. The Energy Fair will begin at 9 a.m. and continue through 6 p.m., with annual meeting registration beginning at 4:30 p.m. The business portion of the annual meeting will begin at 6 p.m. In addition to the pre-meeting Energy Fair, the business session will include the cooperative’s financial, management and board reports, as well as the annual board of directors elections. Singing River Electric has a nine-person board of directors elected from the membership in the three geographic districts. Each district is represented by three directors. Each year, one director from each district is up for election. Nominations for election to the board of directors are made by petition. Interested members must acquire signatures of 25 Singing River Electric members on a form provided by the association. Applicants must complete and return a director candidate packet to the Lucedale office and be certified by the credentials and election committee before being placed on the ballot. The deadline for nomination by petition to be placed on the annual meeting notice was March 31, 2017. This deadline was posted in the February and March issues of Singing River Electric’s 2017 Today in Mississippi publication. This year’s candidates include: District 1 – William A. Hollinghead and James Robert Steele; District 2 – Roy C. Grafe; and District 3 – Kristal K. Sisson. The slate of nominees was approved by members of Singing River Electric serving on the credentials and election committee. According to association bylaws, the candidates’ names were placed in nomination for election to a three-year term, beginning June 29 at the cooperative’s annual meeting. To conduct business at the annual meeting, a quorum of at least 10 percent of the membership is necessary. The quorum is derived by adding the number of members present at the meeting, the valid online votes and the number of valid proxies received. Annual meeting notices and proxies will be mailed on May 16 to all Singing River Electric members.

Members will also have the opportunity to vote in director elections online beginning May 16. The deadline for returning proxies and voting online ends on June 16 at close of business. Any member may vote in person at the June 29 meeting, online or by proxy. Each member is entitled to one vote regardless of the number of accounts in the member’s name. A proxy may be assigned to either a member of the current Singing River Electric board of directors or to another association member. A member can vote up to 200 assigned proxies at any membership meeting. The presence of a member at the meeting, or in the case of a joint membership, the presence of a spouse, shall revoke a proxy. All proxies must be received by Singing River Electric’s Lucedale office by close of business on June 16. Members returning their proxy, voting online, as well as those who attend the meeting, may qualify to win valuable prizes. Those returning their proxy or voting online may qualify to win up to $500 in cash. Those attending the annual meeting will receive an attendance prize and may be eligible for door prizes. For more information, visit www.singingriver.com. Singing River Electric bylaws are available online.

2017 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

1. DETACH PROXY TO MAIL 2. NO ENVELOPE NEEDED 3. NO STAMP NEEDED 4. DROP IN THE MAIL

return proxy or vote online by June 16 deadline to be eligible to win up to $500 Thursday, June 29 – Meeting begins: 6 p.m. WHERE: Lucedale – 11187 Old 63 South

10b I Today in Mississippi I May 2017

SAVE THE DATE

2017 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Thursday, June 29 WHERE: Lucedale – 11187 Old 63 South registration opens: 4:30 p.m. Meeting begins: 6 p.m. energy fair: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

online voting

begins Tuesday, May 16, at 8 a.m. & closes at 5 P.M. Friday, June16.

100% MEMBER-OWNED At Singing River Electric, you are a Member, not just a customer, and there is power in your membership, power in your vote, and power in your participation. We encourage you to attend the 2017 membership meeting because your vote is crucial to the success of your electric cooperative.

you are a member! VOTE AND ensure your voice Is heard. Cast your vote ONE OF THREE WAYS 1 IN PERSON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. 2 return your proxy mailer. 3 vote Online USING THE MEMBER NUMBER LOCATED ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD.

you could win

$500 ca$h!

Cast your vote by proxy mailer

Vote Online or use the smarthub app

Included in the mailed annual meeting notice will be your proxy form.

1. Visit singingriver.com on your computer, or go to our SMARTHUB APP on your mobile device.

1. Complete the Proxy. 2. Sign and date.

3. Detach Proxy to mail. 4. No envelope needed. 5. No stamp needed. 6. Drop in the mail.

7. Must be received by June 16.

FIND OUT WHY YOUR MEMBERSHIP MATTERS.

singingriver.com/mymembershiP power in membership information. access our smarthub app.

2. Click “vote here” button. 3. Enter Membership ID located on your membership card & zip code. 4. Cast your vote. It only takes a minute, AND IT’S An official 2017 VOTE

May 2017 I Today in Mississippi I 10c

Audubon Center offers fun and education for all ages By Elissa Fulton Nestled in the heart of downtown Moss Point, between charming residential homes and local businesses, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center stands as a nature conservatory for the community. A short walk up the pervious gravel driveway unearths the eco-friendly building that nearly blends into its environment. The original Audubon Center was established in 2006 to focus on the Pascagoula River through educating the community about the nature that exists along this free-flowing river. When the center was founded, the business plan was focused on nature tourism, teaching the local

Since the center has been established, the staff and local volunteers have been tasked with protecting the river on two separate occasions from organizations wishing to dam the river. If that materialized, it is very likely that much of the wildlife specific to the region could become endangered. Aside from nature preservation, the center offers many programs for members of the community. Guided tours, workshops and Toddler Tuesdays are just a few of the popular activities that occur daily on the site. Dr. Mark LaSalle, a fisheries biologist and ecologist, has been with the center since its inception. His staff includes Chaille Munn, outreach and facilities managers; Erin Parker, education programs manager;

Pascagoula River Audubon Center 5107 Arthur Street, Moss Point

Hours of Operation: “Our favorite thing to do on Tuesday’s is Toddler Tuesday. Our awesome educator, Erin, takes these kids outdoors, and it’s all about getting dirty and learning about nature. Once they are done, they can play in the nature playground.” - Dr. Mark LaSalle, center director

weekly Toddler ldren as part of the Center’s chi h wit cts era int er, nag ms ma door activities. Erin Parker, education progra nce and nature with fun out scie ut abo ple peo ng you se ches the Tuesday event. The event tea

residents about the river and how to conserve it, and a commitment to children and education. In Oct. 2015, through generous donations and community support, the immaculate facility was unveiled to the public and replaced the much smaller, original location. The building houses objects and wildlife from the river and the surrounding lands, as well as an interactive map to tell the story of the region's cultural history. The center is a part of the National Audubon Society. Of the approximately 40 Audubon centers across the United States, it is the latest, and likely the last, to be erected for an unforeseen time. The funding is strictly through private donations and community support, which is key for its survival.

and Mary Cowan, finance coordinator. The team has a great passion for the center and its success and works hard to make it a place for the

community to enjoy. The property has a rich and interesting history. It was once a trolley line used for transporting materials from Moss Point to the coastline of Pascagoula. Today, it is a 10-acre tranquil setting with nature trails, decks and botanical gardens supporting its natural environment. There are so many activities for all ages to enjoy at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center. From organized tours, children’s activities, community events, boat tours and even a kayak launch, this center surely has everything necessary to enjoy a day in nature. For more information or to schedule an event or tour, call 228-475-0825 or visit www.pascagoulariver.audubon.org.

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday Closed Sunday and Monday

Admission: Adult $8, Children $5 *Center memberships available Educational Opportunities Include: On site school visits and outreach Scout group activities Yoga classes Summer camps for grades 2-12 Junior Naturalist Program Master Naturalist Program Teacher Naturalist Program Weekend lecture series Citizen science projects Senior citizens groups • Pre-K programs Boat tours are available from the Center through McCoy’s River & Marsh Tours Wednesday - Saturday Adult $30, Children 2-12 $22 *Reservations are required Senior citizen and active U.S. military discounts available Visit www.pascagoulariver.audubon.org for a list of upcoming local events.

10d

Energy Fairs Today in Mississippi

May 2017

Save the Da Lucedale Ene

Thursday, Jun e

Provide Practical Info to SRE Members

rgy Fair

29, from 9 a.m

. – 6 p.m. SRE’s Lucedale off 11187 Old 63 ice at South

Members who attended the Gautier and Knobtown Energy Fairs left inspired to make energy-efficient changes in their homes to save money on their electricity bills. Stations at the Energy Fairs included insulation, air filters, weather stripping, caulking, seasonal ceiling fan use and lighting.

Member Services Representatives Jeff Gray and Josh Havard along with Manager of Member Services and Facilities Nick DeAngelo speak to members at various Energy Fair stations.

Member Services Representative Jeff Gray demonstrates how weather stripping is installed to a member at the Knobtown event.

Tip of the Month

Manager of Member Services and Facilities Nick DeAngelo explains the different types of insulation to a member at the Gautier Energy Fair.

At the Energy Fair in Knobtown, Member Services Representative Josh Havard explains the benefits of using LED bulbs.

Member Services Representative Jeff Gray shows a member what to look for when buying caulk and sealant.

May 2017

Today in Mississippi

plug into safety Never use electrical equipment near water and other liquids.

Never use electrical cords that are frayed or damaged.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Never use light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage for any lighting unit or fixture.

Treat all downed power lines as energized and contact your electric cooperative to report downed power lines.

While pruning trees or working near overhead power lines, do not touch anything that comes into contact with the power line.

Think safety FIRST!

May Is National Electrical Safety Month

10 I Today in Mississippi I May 2017

Siegfried named Southern Pine President/CEO Southern Pine Electric has named Jason S. Siegfried as president and chief executive officer. Siegfried replaces Donald L. Jordan, who retired May 1. He becomes the fifth CEO in Southern Pine Electric’s nearly 80 years of operation. Siegfried has more than 15 years of experience with the cooperative working in engineering,

“There will be a high level of focus on strengthening the connection we have with our members. Today’s modern world does everything it can to undermine people-on-people connections.” –Jason Siegfried operations, economic development and rate making. The last five years he has served Southern Pine as assistant general manager overseeing all day-to-day operations. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He then completed the Robert Kabat Management Internship Program at the University of Wisconsin. In 2008, he received a master’s degree in business administration from the Else School of Business at Millsaps College. Since graduating from college and throughout his career, Siegfried has focused his time and energy on the

electric utility industry. Siegfried is a graduate of Mississippi Economic Council’s Leadership Mississippi. He received the Business Leaders of Mississippi’s Top 40 Under 40 award, and has been the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Recognition for his work as a Rotarian. Additionally, Siegfried has served as a director for the Mississippi Burn Foundation, the president of the Rankin County Rotary Club and the president of the Engineering and Operations Division of Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi. In his new role, Siegfried will serve on the board of directors for Cooperative Energy, the wholesale power supplier for 11 distribution cooperatives, Jason Siegfried including Southern Pine. Also, he will join the board of directors for Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi, the statewide service organization serving the state’s 26 electric cooperatives. Siegfried was born and raised in Jackson County and currently resides in Hattiesburg with his wife, Marie, and their children. “The history of growth and resilience at Southern Pine Electric is a wonderfully inspiring story. It’s truly a humbling honor to be entrusted

Southern Pine Electric offices to close May 16 All Southern Pine Electric offices will be closed on Tuesday, May 16, so our employees can participate in staff development. Dispatchers will be on duty around the clock. To report an outage or other emergency, please call 1-800-231-5240. Offices will reopen for normal business hours May 17.

with this opportunity. I feel very blessed to be given such a powerful platform for helping people have a better quality of life,” Siegfried said. Siegfried said his vision for Southern Pine Electric is to continue to be member-focused and raise the bar with higher standards for reliability and innovation. “There will be a high level of focus on strengthening the connection we have with our members. Today’s modern world does everything it can to undermine people-on-people connections. We will work hard to connect with our people,” he said. “Mr. Jordan and the others before me laid a foundation of leadership that is a tough act to follow. Southern Pine is well positioned to become the flagship cooperative in the southeastern United States.” In 1938, Southern Pine received its charter to serve just under 500 homes and farms. Now with over 10,000 miles of electric distribution lines across an 11-county service territory, the cooperative serves over 66,000 members, making it one of the largest electric cooperatives in the nation.

Let’s get social Did you know you can keep up with outages and learn how to save energy by following us on social media? Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/mysouthernpine or follow us on Twitter @SouthernPineEPA. Social media is especially useful when storms hit our territory. When there are major outages, we try to keep our members up to date on what’s happening with outages.

Efficiency Tip Keep warm summer air outside where it belongs. Add caulk or weather-stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows. It costs only a little but can save a lot!

May 2017 I Today in Mississippi

Power line down? Stay away! Imagine this: You are sitting at your home when severe weather strikes. As the lightning pops and the wind howls, suddenly your power goes out. You ride the storm out into the night, and as day breaks there are trees and power lines down. Like any homeowner, you want to begin the process of cleaning up your home and property. A tree has fallen across a power line on your property and you are getting ready to cut it. (I know nothing bothers me more than things being out of place.) Your power is out so the line must be de-energized right? Wrong! Just because a power line is on the ground does not mean it is dead. The above scenario is, sadly, a common situation in the United States. Most people don’t understand the danger involved in touching or being near a downed power line. Let’s talk voltage for a second. In your home the voltage ranges from 120 to 240 volts for your major appliances. It stands to reason that same voltage is carried in the power lines right? Wrong!

At Southern Pine Electric, our voltages range from 7,620 to 14,400 volts. Our linemen have the knowledge, skills and equipment to deal with these high voltages safely and efficiently. Our members do not. May is National Electrical Safety Month. There are a few things to remember. Electricity, when used and treated with respect, is a phenomenal thing. Always be aware of your surroundings, especially after severe weather has Wes Lee come through the area. Remember, just because a power line is on the ground does not mean it is de-energized. If you have power outages or see a downed power line, please call your Southern Pine district office or 1-800-231-5240. It is our pleasure to be your provider of electricity and we are here to serve you. Wes Lee is manager of Safety and Compliance for Southern Pine Electric.

Consumer interest driving co-op solar Driven by increased interest among consumers as well as declining costs, electric cooperatives across the country are finding a multitude of ways to bring the benefits of solar to their members. America’s electric co-ops expect to double their current solar capacity by the end of 2017, adding more than 480 megawatts of solar this year for a total capacity of 872 megawatts nationwide, according to figures from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Southern Pine Electric and its wholesale supplier, Cooperative Energy, are part of the solar movement. Cooperative Energy in 2015 executed an agreement with Origis Energy USA to build a 52-megawatt solar energy facility near Sumrall in Lamar County. The project, when completed, will produce enough energy to power 10,000 homes in the first year. In a recent nationwide survey, electric co-ops were asked why they offer or support solar options. More than two-thirds of respondents said they were motivated by a desire to increase

consumer-member satisfaction, and a majority cited member demand. Increased affordability also played a role, with nearly half of respondents citing the decline in the cost of renewable energy as a factor in enhancing their solar energy program. As consumer-owned utilities, electric co-ops view solar as a consumer resource. That’s why co-ops lead the utility sector in developing community solar or “shared solar,” a program that enables co-op members to invest in solar farms built and operated by the co-op. In 2016, cooperatives announced nine joint projects involving more than 200 local co-ops. Cost savings from the economies of scale in large projects make these projects more affordable. Cooperatives are developing a variety of solar options, from huge arrays covering hundreds of acres to residential solar installations. Regardless of size, circumstances or geographic location, all electric co-ops want to help their members make energy choices that are right for them.

The dangerr isn’t alw ways ays so obvious. Be aware. Everywhere. Fortunately, power is everywhere in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, the risks may be out of sight orr out of mind. Stay alert and stay clear of power lines. Call 811 before you dig. And learn more about electrical safety at BeAwareEverywhere.com.

Today in Mississippi

May 2017

Serving our Cooperative Members P.O. Box 5 • 18671 Highway 61 • Lorman, MS 39096 601-437-3611 or toll-free 1-800-287-8564 • Fax: 601-437-8736

Southwest Electric receives help after tornado

Adams • Amite • Claiborne • Copiah • Franklin Hinds • Jefferson • Lincoln • Wilkinson Southwest Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Purchasing a power strip:

Southwest Electric assessed the damage after the April 2 tornado ripped through portions of Franklin and Lincoln counties and quickly determined that additional crews would be needed to restore power to our Members. Central Electric, an electric cooperative based in Carthage, sent crews to help our crews replace 24 poles and several cross-arms. Power was restored to all Members with serviceable meters by the evening of April 4. The National Weather Service has classified the April 2 tornado as an EF-1 with 110 mph winds. It was on the ground for almost 17.5 miles and was over half a mile wide. We appreciate our Members’ patience as we worked as quickly and safely as possible to restore power in early April 2017.

If you are connecting expensive electronics, you may want to consider a surge protector. Here, price is even more important because a cheap surge protector can be worse than

Power strips and surge protectors are worth the investment when you follow these simple suggestions. Don’t get “burned” by purchasing cheap, inefficient strips and protectors.

May 2017 Today in Mississippi

Employee

Spotlight

David Strittman, Line Superintendent David Strittman has worked for Southwest Electric for more than 28 years. His entire career has been dedicated to building and maintaining over 4,200 miles of lines. David started as a Serviceman’s Helper and quickly became a Lineman Trainee. He was promoted to Serviceman in 1999. After his return to a line crew in 2001, he was promoted to a Foreman in 2008. His current position is Line Superintendent. He manages and supervises five construction crews and their work. David and his wife, Irene, have two children and live in the Loyd Star area. He enjoys hunting and spending time with his family.

Odell Halford, Right-of-Way Foreman Odell Halford has worked for Southwest Electric for over 20 years in the Right-of-Way Department. The Right-of-Way Department is tasked with keeping the trees and brush trimmed back from the power lines. Odell began his career as a tree climber, trimming limbs and cutting trees with a chain saw. He was promoted to Foreman of the climbing crew in 2004. Odell and his wife, Naomi, have three children and live in Crosby. He enjoys hunting.

Tip of the Month

MAY 29, 2017

The danger isn’t always so obvious.

Be aware. Everywhere. Fortunately, power is everywhere in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, the risks may be out of sight or out of mind. Stay alert and stay clear of power lines. Call 811 before you dig. And learn more about electrical safety at BeAwareEverywhere.com.

We will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day. Dispatchers will remain on duty and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend. Call 800-287-8564 to report and outage.

10 I Today in Mississippi I May 2017

Twin County

For after-hours outages, call

Electric Power Association

866-897-7250

The power of working together

It gets personal at the

Green Grow-cery By Debbie Stringer How does a local garden center compete with the bigbox stores? By cultivating not only high-quality plants but also relationships with customers. Billy Fountain built Fountain’s Green Grow-cery on this philosophy, starting in 1971 on six acres of farm field in Greenville. Today, the Grow-cery’s new owners, John and Jessica Milam, continue the Fountain tradition of quality, personal service and competitive prices. “Basically, people are shopping here for quality. We grow most of our own product, all of our bedding plants. On the bedding plants, 90 percent of the time we’re less expensive than the box stores,” John said. The parents of two young children, the Milams bought the plant nursery and garden center from Fountain in August 2015. On weekdays, Jessica works at Planters Bank in Indianola while John manages the garden center, a member of Twin County Electric Power Association. John’s only prior experience with horticulture was that of an avid home gardener—and the never-ending yard work he did as a boy growing up on five acres in Greenville. Yet he was eager to learn the horticulture business and felt it would be a good fit for him. “I like being outside, I like working with people and, most important, I’m a busy body—I always like to keep moving. So this accomodates me very well because you never stop moving out here,” he said. The transition to nursery owner was made easier, John says, by his experienced employees. “Mr. Fountain had some great employees and I was lucky enough to inherit them,” he said. Anthony Henderson, a 35-year Green Grow-cery employee, manages plant production in the garden center’s 10 greenhouses, which cover 30,000 square feet. His expertise is invaluable to both customers and the Milams. “We joke that I’m the owner but he’s the boss. He’s got the most knowledge,” John said. “McClain [Bowman] has been here nine years and used to work at Wayside Nursery. He’s very knowledge-

Greenville native John Milam and his employees at Fountain’s Green Growcery raised these geraniums from cuttings they started in December. The nursery uses its own hand-mixed potting soil for all its production, and offers bags of the mixture to customers. The location encompasses 10

greenhouses and a shop stocked with gift items, garden art and supplies, decorative planters, hammocks, seeds, fertilizers and other basic gardening chemicals. A member of Twin County Electric Power Association, the Green Grow-cery serves both retail and wholesale customers in the Delta.

able too, so we wear those two out asking questions.” McClain creates custom combination plantings for

relevant details before choosing plants that will look (and thrive) the best—and please the customer. “Our people here take the time to help you, tell you what we think will work and give you options. I think there’s a huge benefit to that,” John said. His aunt, June Weathers, helps run the office. “She’s got that positive personality and she can joke with everybody. I’m very thankful for the crew we have here,” John said. Another of Fountain’s competitive advantages is the care given to plants to acclimate them to hot, humid summers in the Delta. The rose bushes the nursery sells, for example, come from rooted cuttings grown in its

“Our people here take the time to help you, tell you what we think will work and give you options. I think there’s a huge benefit to that.” —John Milam customers who drop off a planter or pot. He talks with each customer to determine color preferences and other

May 2017

Anthony Henderson, left, tends to a small portion of the thousands of plants he manages in Green Grow-cery greenhouses. McClain Bowman, below, prepares a custom combination planting for a customer. In accordance with the customer’s needs and color preferences, he chose to use foxtail ferns in the center, surrounded by Diamond Frost euphorbia and ivy. Both Henderson and Bowman have decades of experience in the horticultural business.

John helps customer Gayle Lutken, a Twin County member, with answers to her questions about vegetable plants. Personal service is a hallmark of the Milams’ business. At right, a family makes selections for springtime planting, with one wagon for plants, another for the kids. Proven Winners’ Holy Moly Superbells, far right, is a hot seller this spring for sunny gardens.

own greenhouses, not from those in cooler northern states. In June, Grow-cery employees will start garden mums for the fall season. In July, it will be some 10,000 poinsettias for the holiday season and in August, pansies. Customer favorites in bedding plants this spring include colorful Supertunias and Superbells (a miniature petunia). These don’t arrive on a truck ready to sell; the nursery grows them all from small cuttings. “We’re growing a lot of the Proven Winner varieties this year, and that’s what you’re seeing in the magazines,” John said. It’s tough to hang on to a bad mood at Fountain’s Green Growcery. Friendly, helpful employees and thousands of colorful blooms lift the spirits of everyone who walks in. “People enjoy this stuff so it’s a happy place,” John said. And dealing with happy customers makes the work much more enjoyable for him. Fountain’s Green Grow-cery is located at 3100 East Reed Road, in Greenville. For details, call 662-335-7960 or get updates on Facebook.

Today in Mississippi

May 2017

May Is National Electrical Safety Month

Plug into safety Never use electrical equipment near water and other liquids. ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION

Never use electrical cords that are frayed or damaged.

Yazoo Valley Electric participates in Yazoo County High School

CAREER DAY Yazoo Valley Electric recently participated in Yazoo County High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Career Day event. Yazoo Valley Safety Coordinator Dennis McFee and Lineman Jonathon Demita and William Johnson presented information to YCHS Juniors and Seniors on careers in the electric utility industry.

Do not overload electrical outlets.

Never use light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage for any lighting unit or fixture. Treat all downed power lines as energized and contact your electric cooperative to report downed power lines. Above left: Linemen William Johnson (left) and Jonathon Demita (right), and Safety Coordinator Dennis McFee represent Yazoo Valley at YCHSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Career Day. Top Right: Dennis McFee shows the students the safety equipment used while working on high voltage utility lines. Above right: Linemen William Johnson and Jonathon Demita visit with Devin Ammons and Taylor Bridges. Below: Linemen demonstrate the tools they use on their daily jobs at Yazoo Valley Electric.

While pruning trees or working near overhead power lines, do not touch anything that comes into contact with the power line.

Think safety FIRST!

MAY 29, 2017

We will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day. Dispatchers will remain on duty and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend. Call 1-866-484-4277 to report an outage.

May 2017

By Elissa Fulton The farming industry is shifting daily with ever-changing technologies that make it nearly impossible for small landowning farmers to compete in the agricultural market today. As a former Benton business owner for over 27 years, Yazoo Valley member Vince Davis is no stranger to taking risks. Shortly after selling his long-term business last year, he began looking for new opportunities. After information about a bamboo manufacturer came across his desk, he began researching the opportunities available in a bamboo species called Moso Bamboo. The company, Only Moso, has locations all over the world that yield giant bamboo plants for industrial and commercial use. The United States operation, known as Only Moso, U.S.A., is based in Sunrise, Florida. Davis was intrigued and quickly saw a new frontier that he could explore. With the support and prayers of his wife Marion and father-in-law Roland Ledbetter, he recently took a chance and met up with the group at their headquarters in southern Florida. The Moso Bamboo plant is native to China and Taiwan and, given the right conditions, can grow to heights of 92 feet. The plant is in high demand. The United States imported over 75,000 tons of the plants’ shoots last year for consumption alone. Aside from consumption of the shoots, which is hailed as a super food, the plant is used in clothing, paper manufacturing and building materials. “If we were to take over the market, which we don’t have the capabilities today, it would take us 26,000 acres just to meet that demand,” said Davis. “That’s not even counting the paper market, the flooring market or the textiles. The market is there. All we want to do is meet that demand.” Collaborating with Only Moso, U.S.A., Davis has been able to recruit a few local landowners to plant the bamboo on small land parcels in Yazoo and Sharkey counties. The only requirement for the plant to be productive is that the soil has low potential of hydrogen (pH) levels. The plants are sold to farmers through Only Moso, - Vince Davis U.S.A., and are then planted locally by hand. The first two years is crucial to the rest of the plant’s useful lifecycle. It must be watered and fertilized with a time-released fertilizer twice a year. After the first two years, it becomes a low maintenance plant for the rest of its lifetime – approximately 100 years.

“The market is there. All we want to do is meet that demand.”

Today in Mississippi

Vince Davis (left) and Roland Ledbetter (right) stand in the first Moso Bamboo field to be planted on Ledbetter’s property in Benton.

The first phase of this endeavor is to put the plants in the ground. Although it can be a lucrative crop over time, there is likely little to no revenue source for the first two years while the plants are established. “We will plant in the spring and again in the fall and we will harvest in the spring and the fall. The time to plant is not based on heat, but according to how close the sun is to us,” Davis said. The mother plants will get up to five to seven feet tall and will eventually expire. For the first two years, this plant runs underground in what is known as rhizomes, and they will begin to shoot up through the ground. After two years, the farmers will begin to harvest about two thirds of the shoots as the others continue to grow. In the fall, the rest of the crops will be harvested. By the fifth year, when the barrels are big enough to harvest for textiles, they will be harvested. The cycle will continue in a kind of select cut as the others continue to grow. “With anything there is a certain risk and people understand that,” said Davis. “We will guarantee that we are going to buy everything produced from the farmer for 10 years.” Mississippi’s climate makes this area a prime location for Moso crops. Although there are no insurance policies for loss of production at this time, the crops will be eligible for insurance policies resulting in loss from acts of God and fire when the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) releases the official Risk Management Agency (RMA) number for this region. Local resident farmers pioneering this innovative crop alongside Davis are: Roland Ledbetter and Bill Pierce of Yazoo County, and Jerry Stevens and Greg Domino of Sharkey County.