Oct. 2019 TCP

NEC 2019

ANNUAL REPORT Join us for our 80th Annual Membership Meeting on October 10! See inside for the official Annual Meeting Notice.

Registration Card

Y

The 2019 Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds, Robstown, TX. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.

Please tear along the line above. Sign the back and bring this card back to the 2019 Annual Meeting to receive a $10 bill credit!

Can’t attend? Send your Mail-In Ballot (received in late September) to be eligible for a $500 energy bill credit drawing!

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9/9/2019 1:36:41 PM

Nueces Electric Cooperative

Annual Report 2019

September 15, 2019 Dear Nueces Electric Cooperative Member, Electric Cooperative will be held at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds on Thursday, October 10, 2019 for the purpose of electing directors, presentation of reports covering the before the meeting.

Notice is further given that four directors (one from District 6, 7, 8 and 10) are to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Each Director will serve a term of (3) three years.

Nominees who successfully completed and returned the Director petition for their respective Districts are listed on this cover.

You may vote by mail or in person at the Annual Meeting.

This information is provided to you pursuant to the NEC Bylaws: Article I- §1; Article III- §1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; Article IV -§2, 3, 5.

A full copy of the NEC Bylaws is available online at www.nueceselectric.org under Transparency & Your Cooperative or a copy may be obtained by contacting NEC at 14353 Cooperative Ave, Robstown, TX 78380 or by phone at 1-800-632-9288. zine in the annual report. Members can access the full audit at nueceselectric.org under Transparency & Your Cooperative.

Sincerely,

-

If you are coming to NEC’s Annual Meeting and need assistance, please call Frank Wilson at 1-800-NEC-WATT. * Sign language interpreter * Spanish speaking only individuals * If you need assistance from your car into the building PLEASE CALL AT LEAST ONE (1) WEEK BEFORE OCTOBER 10th.

Si viene al la reunioun anual de NEC y necesida ayuda, favor de darle una llamada a Frank Wilson a 1-800-NEC-WATT. * Interprete del idioma de senas * Individuos que hablan espanol * Si requiere ayuda de su carro en el granero de la muestra FAVOR DE LLAMAR POR LO MENOS UNO (1) SEMANAS ANTERIOR EL 11 DE OCTUBRE.

David Rosse Secretary-Treasurer

Registration Card

Tarjeta del Registro

Thursday, October 10, 2019 Registration: 5:30-7:00 p.m. (Voting & dinner close at 7 p.m.)

Business Session: 7:00 p.m.

Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds

Jueves, 10 de Octubre de 2019 Registro: 5:30-7:00 p.m. (Cierra la votación y cena a las 7 p.m.)

Sesion del Negocio: 7:00 p.m.

Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds

Sign this card and deposit card at the registration desk to be eligible for prizes.

Firme esta tarjeta y entrege al Escritorio de registro para elegible para premios.

_______________________________ Member’s Signature

_______________________________ Firma del Miembro

_______________________________ Print Member’s Name Here

_______________________________ Escriba su Nombre Aqui

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1910_local covers black.qxp 9/13/19 7:08 PM Page 16

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October 2019

Since 1944

FA V O R I T E S Mason High’s Madelyn Heath fires up fans.

5

Letters

6

Currents

18 Co-op News Get the latest information plus energy and safety tips from your cooperative.

29 Texas History Charming the Soviets

By David Latimer

31 Retro Recipes Company Dinner

35 Focus on Texas Photo Contest: Giving Back

36 Around Texas List of Local Events

38 Hit the Road San Saba’s Team Spirit

By Chet Garner

ONLINE TexasCoopPower.com Find these stories online if they don’t appear in your edition of the magazine.

F E AT U R E S

Texas USA

8 12

A Final Score Food and fun activities draw teens to community gatherings after high school football games.

Guiding Your Garden

By Sheryl Smith-Rodgers

Story by Sheryl Smith-Rodgers | Photos by Scott Van Osdol

Observations

Putting Others First Volunteer fire departments, with strong ties to co-ops, sustain life in rural Texas.

Ranch Hands on the Wheel

By Brenda Kissko

Story and photos by Eric W. Pohl

NEXT MONTH In the Making Artisans infuse their singular creations with uncommon passions.

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31 35

29 FO OT BA L L G A M E : SCOT T VA N OS D O L . J E W E L RY: J U L I A R O B I N SO N

ON THE COVER

Cindy Lott and John Holzer train as North Hays County Fire and Rescue volunteer firefighters. Photo by Eric W. Pohl

T E X A S E L E CT R I C C O O P E R AT I V E S B OA R D O F D I R E CTO R S : Alan Lesley, Chair, Comanche; Robert Loth III, Vice Chair, Fredericksburg; Gary Raybon, Secretary-Treasurer, El Campo; Mark Boyd, Douglassville; Greg Henley, Tahoka; Billy Jones, Corsicana; David McGinnis, Van Alstyne • PRESIDENT/CEO: Mike Williams, Austin • COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE: Marty Haught, Burleson; Bill Hetherington, Bandera; Ron Hughes, Sinton; Boyd McCamish, Littlefield; Mark McClain, Roby; John Ed Shinpaugh, Bonham; Robert Walker, Gilmer; Brandon Young, McGregor • MAGAZINE STAFF: Martin Bevins, Vice President, Communications & Member Services; Charles J. Lohrmann, Editor; Tom Widlowski, Associate Editor; Karen Nejtek,

Production Manager; Andy Doughty, Creative Manager; Elaine Sproull, Advertising Manager; Chris Burrows, Senior Communications Specialist; Paula Disbrowe, Food Editor; Grace Fultz, Print Production Specialist; Travis Hill, Communications Specialist; Qasim K. Johnson, Administrative Assistant; Jessica Ridge, Communications Specialist; Chris Salazar, Digital Field Editor; Ally Schauer, Intern; Jane Sharpe, Senior Designer; Shannon Oelrich, Proofreader

TexasCoopPower.com

October 2019 Texas Co-op Power

3

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LETTERS More About Murata There is a section about Sachihiko Ono Murata and the Caddo Lake pearls [Caddo’s Gems, August 2019] in my dad’s book, Caddo Was ... . My dad writes that he interviewed Murata after the bombing of Pearl Harbor for a newspaper story. There were rumors that Murata was a spy and used “high-powered radio equipment” to report to the Japanese government.

But Murata had no electricity, and his radio equipment was “a collection of outdated throwaway junk, spliced together with pieces of discarded house wiring” powered by a dry-cell battery. After the article was published, the rumors disappeared.

Caddo Legend Rings True The lady who received $900 for her pearl was a neighbor of my parents and grandparents in the Lewis community in Cass County [Caddo’s Gems, August 2019]. Years ago, my mother told me about her first cousin, Louis Thrower. He wanted to get married but had no money.

He went diving for pearls and found one that enabled him to buy his fiancée a ring, and he even had a little money left over to start their married life together.

MARY ECHOLS | KILDARE | BOWIE-CASS EC

FRANCES HARE | GARLAND PANOLA-HARRISON EC

Early Days of Electricity We were living in Knox County, where my daddy’s family had settled around 1900. I remember the electric light that hung above my parents’ bed [Reliable as Electricity, August 2019]. Daddy loved to read, so after his day of farming and supper, he stretched out on the bed under the light to read.

One day in 1945, we had a thunderstorm, and like any 2-year-old, I sought safety next to my daddy when I was frightened. Imagine how scared we all were when lightning struck and a ball of orange fire came down that electrical wire and blew out the lightbulb.

MARILYN GODFREY | STEPHENVILLE UNITED COOPERATIVE SERVICES

Flicker of Truth Enjoy the tidbit info like Smokey Bear turns 75 [No Candles, Please, Currents, August 2019].

PAUL WATKINS | SAVOY GRAYSON-COLLIN EC

DANNY GEROLD | VIA FACEBOOK

Big Screen, Big Memories

Not Pulling Your Chain

C A D D O ‘ S G E M S : M A R COS C H I N . TC P A N N I V E R SA RY: DAV I D VO G I N

chain saw was introduced in 1946 by IEL with the model name Beaver. This saw took the industry by storm and forced other chain saw manufacturers to either design a one-man chain saw or go bankrupt.

I have worked in the chain saw industry almost my whole life and have collected them for about 20 years—having amassed about 250, dating from the 1940s.

I noticed an error in 75th Anniversary Timeline: Rural Life [August 2019].

Stihl would like people to think that it introduced the first oneman chain saw. In fact, the first one-man, gasoline-powered

I think my first was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The more I tried to remember the first movie I saw at my town’s iconic drivein, the more I remember all the great summer and early fall nights watching the big screen light up the whole parking lot.

Drive In, Chill Out [June 2019]

was quite a nice little invitation to remember an experience that newer generations can miss out on. I fully intend to make sure my children get to experience it.

ARGENTINA DEARING | NAVASOTA MID-SOUTH SYNERGY

GET MORE TCP AT

TexasCoopPower.com Sign up for our e-newsletter for monthly updates, prize drawings and more!

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ONLINE: TexasCoopPower.com/share EMAIL: letters@TexasCoopPower.com MAIL: Editor, Texas Co-op Power,

1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701 Please include your town and electric co-op.

Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

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Texas Co-op Power

TEXAS CO-OP POWER VOLUME 76, NUMBER 4 (USPS 540-560). Texas Co-op Power is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperatives (TEC). Periodical postage paid at Austin, TX, and at additional offices. TEC is the statewide association representing 75 electric cooperatives. Texas Co-op Power’s website is TexasCoopPower.com. Call (512) 454-0311 or email editor@TexasCoopPower.com. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE is $4.20 per year for

individual members of subscribing cooperatives and is paid from equity accruing to the member. If you are not a member of a subscribing cooperative, you can purchase an annual subscription at the nonmember rate of $7.50. Individual copies and back issues are available for $3 each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Texas Co-op Power (USPS 540-560), 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701. Please enclose label from this copy of Texas Co-op Power showing old address and key numbers. ADVERTISING: Advertisers interested in buying display ad space in Texas Co-op Power and/or in our 30 sister publications in other states, contact Elaine Sproull at (512) 486-6251. Advertisements in Texas Co-op Power are paid solicitations. The publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any manner any product or company included in this publication. Product satisfaction and delivery responsibility lie solely with the advertiser. © Copyright 2019 Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohibited without written permission. Willie Wiredhand © Copyright 2019 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

TexasCoopPower.com

October 2019 Texas Co-op Power

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CURRENTS HAPPENINGS

Camp Craig Allen Fundraiser Camp Craig Allen, a nonprofit dedicated to physically disabled adults, children and veterans of North Texas, holds its annual fundraiser, the AMATEUR BBQ COOKOFF AND MUSIC FEST, OCTOBER 11–12 at Toyota Stadium in FRISCO . The stadium is

powered by CoServ, an electric cooperative based in Corinth.

Camp Craig Allen promotes advocacy and independence through educa-

T E C H K N OW L E D G E

tional, recreational and therapeutic programs. Its goal is to build a completely

LAUDING LEDS

barrier-free facility where people with physical disabilities can participate in a variety of activities.

WEB EXTRAS

a Find more happenings online.

INFO a (940) 395-0226, campcraigallen.org

You already know residential LEDs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs—especially if they’re Energy Star certified.

But did you know the first patented LEDs were developed in 1962 by Texas Instruments? They were used with IBM computers to control punch card readers.

Something to think about October 7, National LED Light Day.

g LOOKING BACK AT

OUTDOORS THIS MONTH

IN THE 75 YEARS since Texas Co-op Power debuted in July 1944, the great outdoors of Texas has welcomed magnificent parks, breeding bats and even Willie Nelson.

1940s

1950s

1960s

1944 Big Bend National Park is established.

1953 Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower of the U.S. and Adolfo Ruiz Cortines of Mexico dedicate Falcon International Reservoir.

1960 The cavern that became Natural Bridge Caverns, the largest in Texas, is discovered.

1948 The San Jacinto Battleground is the new home for the battleship Texas, which becomes the first permanent battleship memorial museum in the U.S. The site has closed and the ship will be repaired and relocated.

1957 Monahans Sandhills State Park, which boasts dunes up to 50 feet tall, opens in West Texas.

1957 Sweetwater holds its first rattlesnake roundup.

1966 Texas, an outdoor summer musical at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, is performed for the first time.

1968 Padre Island National Seashore, encompassing a portion of the largest barrier beach in the U.S., is dedicated.

B OY: WAV E B R E A K M E D I A | S H U T T E R STO C K .CO M . L E D : V LA DYSTO C K | S H U T T E R STO C K .CO M . S N A K E : F I V E S P OTS | S H U T T E R STO C K .CO M . SA N D D O L LA R : M AT T H E W R . M CC LU R E | S H U T T E R STO C K .CO M

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Texas Co-op Power October 2019

TexasCoopPower.com

M A R K YO U R C A L E N DA R

MEANINGFUL DAY Chris Burrows Stevedore: A dockworker responsible for loading or unloading ships in port.

To commemorate National Dictionary Day, October 16, the writers and editors at Texas Co-op Power share words that recently sent them to a dictionary.

Travis Hill Prolix: So wordy as to be tiresome.

Charles Lohrmann Magisterial: Having or showing great authority.

Jessica Ridge Frontispiece: An illustration preceding and usually facing the title page of a book.

H I S TO R Y L E S S O N

ENERGY INFO

Going Hog Mild ZERO S, ONE CLEAN MACHINE

Tom Widlowski S’more: Looked up not for its meaning but for its spelling.

IN 1894, two steam engineers and an inventor in Germany released the first production motorcycle, eponymously called the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller.

In 2018, more than 350,000 two-wheeled machines were registered with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, but their mystique may be slipping. Eighteen percent more bikes were on Texas roads in 2013.

So manufacturers are going electric to broaden their appeal.

Harley-Davidson started taking preorders this year for its first all-electric motorcycle, called the LiveWire. The 2020 model boasts 146 miles of city range.

European manufacturers aren’t far behind. Triumph and Ducati have plans to develop their own all-electric bikes.

But Zero Motorcycles, a California company, beat them all to market in 2006. Their latest model, the Zero S, packs a 223-mile city range.

Century of Advocacy The League of Women Voters of Texas turns 100 this month. The nonpartisan political organization, formed October 19, 1919, focused its efforts in the early years on educating the newly enfranchised women voters of the state.

Today, the league promotes voter education and participation, and advocates solutions in the public interest on key policy issues.

LOOKING BACK AT

SOCIETY NEXT MONTH a

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

1970 Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site opens to the public.

1980 Renovation of the Congress Avenue bridge in Austin inadvertently creates an ideal bat roost on the underside of the structure.

Some 1.5 million Mexican freetailed bats spend their summers under the bridge.

1990 Travis County designates Hamilton Pool a nature preserve.

2007 Big Bend Ranch State Park opens fully to the public.

1991 Big Bend Ranch State Park opens on a limited basis.

2011 The U.S. and Mexico announce a binational cooperative conservation plan to protect and preserve the Big Bend/Rio Bravo region—North America’s largest and most diverse desert ecosystem.

1972 Guadalupe Mountains National Park, which includes Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at over 8,700 feet, is established.

1973 Willie Nelson holds his first Fourth of July picnic—at a ranch in Dripping Springs.

1986 The Don’t Mess With Texas anti-littering campaign begins with a TV commercial featuring blues great Stevie Ray Vaughan.

1996 Sea Center Texas, an aquarium, fish hatchery and education center located on 75 acres in Lake Jackson, opens. The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens also opens.

D I C T I O N A RY: T H O M AS M . P E R K I N S | S H U T T E R STO C K .CO M . M OTO R CYC L E : Z E R O F XS ST U D I O. W I L L I E N E L SO N : M I C H A E L O H S A R C H I V E S | G E T TY I M AG E S . BATS : KSA N A G RA P H I C A | S H U T T E R STO C K .CO M . F I S H : I R I N A K | S H U T T E R STO C K .CO M

TexasCoopPower.com

October 2019 Texas Co-op Power

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AFTER-GAME MEALS AND FUN KEEP TEENS SAFE ON

A

Final Score STORY BY SHERYL SMITH-RODGERS PHOTOS BY SCOTT VAN OSDOL

each cobbler? With ice cream?” says Kelcey Doss, a junior at Mason High School, as she fist-bumps the air while waiting in a serving line with other cheerleaders and football players. It’s nearly 11 p.m. on a Friday in October 2018, and the Mason Punchers have scored yet another victory on their way to a state championship. Win or lose, though, everyone makes a beeline from the stadium, nicknamed the Puncher Dome, to a postgame event called fifth quarter at the Mason Church of Christ.

Since 1969, teenagers have met inside the church’s fellowship hall for camaraderie and a hot meal. Tonight, the hall is decked out with tablecloths, party ware and fresh carnations in the Mason Puncher colors of purple and white. Doss carries her plates to a purple-topped table and plops down with five other girls. “I’m going to eat my dessert first,” she announces.

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Texas Co-op Power October 2019

Seated next to her, fellow cheerleader Grace Perlichek ponders a question in between mouthfuls of a sloppy Joe, piled high with corn chips. “Why do we come to fifth quarter?” she says. “Because it gives us something to do after the game.”

“And we can hang out,” adds Doss, who’s downed the cobbler and moved on to her sloppy Joe. “Plus, we get free, delicious food,” concludes Kendra Munsell, another varsity cheerleader sharing the table.

Across Texas, similar fifth quarter events shift into noisy gear once the Friday night lights go out. Each one’s different, but most are hosted by volunteers from community churches who want to provide a positive and alcohol-free place for teens to go after home football games. Food is the big draw, but many offer basketball, bonfires, pingpong, video games, music or door prizes.

“Our fifth quarters bring the community and churches together and provide a safe alternative for our young people after TexasCoopPower.com

FOOTBALL FRIDAYS

Clockwise, from opposite page: Mason High’s Otto Wofford warms up before his final home game. Cheerleader Sydney Anderson springs into action. Mary Hemphill started Mason’s fifth quarter 50 years ago.

Alexis Hernandez, left, and Isis Martinez have a blast.

football games,” says Laura Snyder, a member of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Salado, about halfway between Waco and Austin. “Our churches have hosted them for at least 10 years.

New volunteers always step up and keep the tradition going.”

Exactly when and where the tradition started is difficult to pin down. Try to trace who originally came up with the name “fifth quarter,” and it gets even dicier. In Blanco, west of Austin, Florine and Harold Lord, members of Pedernales Electri CoopTexasCoopPower.com

erative, both now in their 90s, recall hosting their first aftergame parties in 1971. “Back then, we hardly had any kids in our Methodist church,” Florine says. “There was nothing for them to do, either. So we invited schoolkids to our church after home football games. They’d eat and have fun. If we could keep one child from being hurt or killed, it was worth it.”

These days, ministers and church representatives with the Blanco Ministerial Alliance coordinate fifth quarter schedules.

Volunteers with participating churches host students. “Our goal is to provide a safe and spiritual place for our students after ballgames,” says Carlos Cloyd, pastor with the Blanco United October 2019 Texas Co-op Power

9

Above: Defensive back Tyson Keller becomes a trumpeter at halftime. Right: Punchers assistant coach Michael McLeod and player Jace Eckert in the chili line. Opposite: From left, Lucy, Trish, Jeff and Rudy Rochat celebrate a victory at the Puncher Dome.

Methodist Church, which is a member of PEC. “We want them to hear a message, have fun and get something to eat.”

In Mason, the tradition started in 1969, when members of the Church of Christ decided teens needed a place to go after home football games. “My husband was a church elder,” recalls Mary Hemphill, 85. “First, we fed them at our house. Then we cooked steaks at the church after the game. For 49 straight years now, we’ve cooked good stick-to-your-ribs food for the kids at the church.

“It doesn’t matter if they win or lose the football game,” Hemphill adds. “We celebrate the kids.”

Through the years, fifth quarters have spread across Texas.

In Palestine, southeast of Dallas, local churches have hosted fifth quarters since at least the early 1980s. “I graduated in 1984 from Palestine High School, and I remember going to them,” says Danny Rodriguez, administrative pastor with the Evangelistic Temple in Palestine. “This year, 17 churches partnered together and hosted separate fifth quarters for students at Palestine Junior High and Palestine High School.”

After home games, kids met at their respective school gymnasiums for food and games. “Our churches and school district worked together for the benefit of the kids,” Rodriguez says. “Our goal was to connect with kids and develop relationships with them. That way, if they ever need help, they know pastors they can call on.”

In Eldorado, south of San Angelo, members with the First 10

Texas Co-op Power October 2019

Baptist Church budget for their fifth quarter ministry. The money goes toward pizza rolls, taquitos, cheese dip, chips, sodas and lemonade. Kids can just hang out or play games, like pingpong and foosball.

“We host about 40 students after home games in our basement youth room,” says youth minister Jason Crookham. “Fifth quarters give us a way to support our kids and invite them into our building so they’ll feel more comfortable. Adults can then share time with them and let them know they’re welcome here.”

After home games in Carrizo Springs, in South Texas, teens hang out in the fellowship hall at the First Baptist Church. “We’ve hosted fifth quarters for six years,” says youth minister Jeff Janca.

“All kids are welcome, and we have them register and give an emergency number just in case. They start eating right away, and we let them chill down for 30 minutes. Then we have a worship time followed by games or activities.”

TexasCoopPower.com

Across Texas, similar fifth quarter events shift into noisy gear once the Friday night lights go out. “We want them to hear a message, have fun and get something to eat.”

Back at the Mason Church of Christ, Corky Mueller ladles seasoned beef from a jumbo roaster oven onto buns while other volunteers divvy out corn chips and shredded cheese. “This is a way of giving back to our community, and I’m a 1958 Puncher graduate myself,” says Mueller, who spent his afternoon cooking up 50 pounds of hamburger meat. “Mason has good kids, and there’s not a one who doesn’t tell us ‘thank you.’ ” Mueller and his wife, Brenda, are among a dozen church couples who sign up annually to prepare fifth quarter menus that feed 80–100 students. Pulled pork, Mexican stew and sliced barbecue rank among kids’ favorites.

“I came up with tonight’s concocWEB EXTRAS tion earlier today,” Mueller says. a Visit our website to “Frito pie seemed too bland, so I see a video of Mary decided to serve it on buns. We’ll Hemphill talking about see what happens. The kids may the fifth quarter tradithrow it back at me.” tion she helped start Misty Martin, a member of Cenin Mason 50 years ago. tral Texas EC, who graduated in 2001 from Mason High School, moved from Austin back to her hometown five years ago. “I had no intention of ever living in Mason again, but the people and community drew me back,” she says during halftime at the Puncher Dome. “Fifth quarters are TexasCoopPower.com

part of that. I remember how the food was always awesome.

We didn’t have a winning team my senior year. We lost bad, but the food at fifth quarters always made up for it.”

Losing wouldn’t be a problem in 2018. The Punchers finished an undefeated season by winning the Class 2A Division 1 state championship in December—the school’s second football title.

Jim Bob Smith, class of ’95 and a CTEC member, fondly recalls attending fifth quarters. “When you live in a small town like Mason, football is the go-to thing,” he says.

“Everyone attends Mason football games. Afterward, fifth quarters give kids a place to socialize in a safe environment. My oldest daughter, Steeley, went to fifth quarters.

Now our younger daughter, Sterling, who’s a junior varsity cheerleader, goes.”

Mason’s close-knit atmosphere impresses district superintendent John Schumacher. “There is a culture here where the school and community expect our kids to do their best,” he says.

“With that expectation, they each support them in reaching excellence. Everyone is behind each child.”

Head coach Kade Burns, a 1995 Puncher graduate, attended fifth quarters as a teenager. “My late father, Melvin, was head coach here for 11 years, and he had the most wins in our school’s history,” says Burns, who stepped down from coaching in February, when he was named Mason High School’s principal. “After a game, we’d always rush out of the locker room over to here. Fifth quarters are a fantastic way for kids to hang out and share stories.

They contribute to the overall culture of our school and give the kids a real sense of community.”

Over in the dessert line, Ethan Powell, a varsity football player, sums up the night while waiting for a bowl of cobbler topped with ice cream. “It’s neat how everyone comes to this church, no matter how the game turned out,” says the high school senior.

“They’re always so supportive of us, and they make such great food. That was the first time I ever had a Frito pie hamburger, and I was not disappointed.”

Sheryl Smith-Rodgers, a member of Pedernales EC, lives in Blanco.

October 2019 Texas Co-op Power

11

STORY AND PHOTOS

BY ERIC W. POHL

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS, WITH STRONG TIES

PUTTING

TO CO-OPS, SUSTAIN THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL TEXAS

F

or as long as he can remember, Mitch Creed dreamed of being a firefighter. He grew up in the North Texas town of Lindsay and, after getting married, moved to nearby Muenster. While working for a local machine shop, he realized his dream by joining the Muenster Volunteer Fire Department in 2009.

Creed enrolled in emergency medical technician courses at Grayson College and fire school at the Haz-Co Emergency Response Training Center in Denison, becoming certified as a firefighter and an EMT. When his wife, Kami, became pregnant, Creed sought a job with benefits. He found one at PenTex Energy, an electric cooperative based in Muenster, where he became a lineworker.

Working as a first responder for both the electric co-op and the volunteer fire department, he understands how the organizations work together in the community. “I’m surrounded by guys that I consider family,” says Creed, who moved up through the VFD ranks to become chief. “When you spend eight hours a day hanging out with your crew [at PenTex Energy], you make a tight bond. Then, of course, there’s a whole other group of guys at the fire department that you make tight bonds with.”

For Creed, the success of the co-op and VFD comes down to the people and the camaraderie. “Without bonds like these, both the co-op and fire department wouldn’t be able to function efficiently,” he says.

Across Texas, numerous co-op employees and board members serve their communities as volunteer firefighters. They comprise a diverse body of men and women who share a sentiment common among volunteer firefighters and electric cooperative team members—concern for community. Indeed, Concern for Com-

and my church taught me to put others first. In the rural areas, neighbors rely on neighbors in time of need and are there for each other.” Spiess spent 31 years with the Industry VFD—as a firefighter, an EMT, assistant chief and chief. Eight of his co-workers at San Bernard EC serve as volunteer firefighters.

Many Texas co-ops offer electricity safety training for first responders. Nueces EC, in South Texas, presents a 2.5-hour comprehensive safety class for fire departments. Live demonstrations show emergency personnel how to properly react to situations that involve electricity.

Lynn Simmons, director of communications for South Plains EC, in Lubbock, says several of her colleagues who are also volunteer firefighters exemplify the synergy among cooperatives, VFDs and the community. “South Plains EC appreciates and supports the local VFDs because they help protect our members and the co-op’s infrastructure,” she says. “We have about a halfdozen employees that are part of VFDs. Our employees wearing both a hard hat and fire helmet help us understand the value of cooperation in sustaining the quality of life in our local communities.”

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

S

mall towns and unincorporated areas depend on volunteer fire departments. In rural areas, VFDs provide the only available fire and emergency medical responders. According to the State Firefighters’ & Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas, 77% of fire departments in Texas are composed of all-volunteer crews. That’s higher than the national average of 65%, according to a 2019 report by the National Fire Protection Association.

OTHERS FIRST munity is one of the seven principles that guide cooperatives, which celebrate National Cooperative Month in October.

Sam Campbell serves as vice president of the board at Hamilton County Electric Cooperative and as secretary-treasurer for the Star Volunteer Fire Department. “Our motto for the Star Volunteer Fire Department is ‘Helping each other is what we do.’ We believe that if you help others when they need help, then they will help you in a time of need,” he says.

John Spiess, member services Volunteer firefighters with supervisor at San Bernard EC, North Hays County Fire and west of Houston, and a former Rescue in Dripping Springs volunteer firefighter, explains, gather for training. The de“Growing up in a rural community partment consists of volunteer and career first responders. and being involved in Boy Scouts TexasCoopPower.com

As communities depend on volunteer fire departments, the departments themselves depend on their communities. Most VFDs are nonprofits and receive little funding from local taxes, relying instead on individual donors and community fundraising.

Steve Doty, president of the Bleiblerville VFD, says his department’s annual fish fry is its only fundraiser. “All of our operating and equipment purchases must be covered by this single event,” Doty says. “Although we provide services to the community at no charge, we are a private, nonprofit corporation and receive no money from the government. Many people in our area are not aware of this and assume that their property taxes cover our expenses.” Bleiblerville VFD has about 35 active firefighters, including lineworker Greg Giebel and supply warehouse manager Carl Kokemor, who work for San Bernard EC. October 2019 Texas Co-op Power

13

North Hays County firefighters undergo swift-water rescue training on the Comal River in New Braunfels.

CO-OPS LENDING A HAND

I

n addition to local support, rural fire departments receive grants from organizations such as the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Lower Colorado River Authority and electric co-ops.

In 2018, Pedernales EC provided grants to volunteer fire departments in its 24-county service area, including more than $7,000 to Driftwood, North Hays County and Henly VFDs for training room and helipad upgrades.

“Volunteer fire departments are critical to our members’ safety, especially in the rural communities we serve,” says Caroline Tinsley WEB EXTRAS Porter, community relations coordia Read about how nator with Pedernales EC. “Without co-op members help their commitment to serving others, fire departments many families and businesses in when they round up our service territory would be at their bills. Also, see elevated risk.” how widespread the Bastrop-based Bluebonnet EC co-op connection partnered with LCRA last year to is to VFDs. support fire departments. Grants included $50,000 to South Lee County 14

Texas Co-op Power October 2019

VFD to help purchase a tender truck, $50,000 to the Dale Volunteer Fire Department to buy a cab and chassis for a new brush truck, and $25,000 to Salem VFD to help with a new storage building.

“We have awarded a lot of grants in support of the many volunteer fire departments and first responders across our 3,800-square-mile service area,” explains Melissa Segrest, manager of marketing and communications for Bluebonnet EC. “They are vital to the communities we serve.”

CoServ, based in Corinth, operates a charitable foundation that provides annual grants to volunteer fire departments. In the past two years, the foundation has awarded more than $75,000 to four nearby VFDs. Last year, Medina EC, in South Texas, provided grants to two volunteer fire departments. The Pearsall VFD received $2,000 to purchase a portable defibrillator, and the Devine Fire and Rescue Department received $4,900 toward a brush truck.

Campbell, of Hamilton County EC, knows firsthand how beneficial co-ops are to their communities. “As a director, I realize that other communities in our service area have special needs, and our electric co-op is always willing to lend a hand with equipment and employees,” he says. “Through the Hamilton Electric Co-op, our fire department has received grants from LCRA to establish a building to house our trucks, equipment and to provide a community center for our residents.”

Medina EC assists volunteer fire departments that serve its 17-county service area by donating retired coop vehicles. Since the inception of its vehicle donation program in 2015, Medina EC has donated vehicles to eight local fire departments.

Bandera EC supports more than 18 VFDs in its service territory, including Leakey, Pipe Creek and Medina. The co-op has provided personal protective equipment and satellite phones for first responders.

Two Bandera EC employees are volunteer firefighters. Technician Kenneth Alf has worked for the co-op for 29 years and has been with the Tarpley VFD for 30 years. Donny Rambin, a facilities maintenance technician, has been with the co-op for 13 years and the Medina VFD for 10 years.

“BEC has close ties with VFDs because the safety and wellbeing of our members is important to us,” says Samantha Gleason, BEC communications design specialist, whose brother and grandfather volunteer with the Pipe Creek VFD. “Volunteer firefighters work hard in rural areas like ours. These volunteers respond to more than just fires. They also respond to car accidents, loose cattle, downed power lines—you name it.

“VFDs provide life- and property-saving services, which align with our cooperative principle, Concern for Community, and our mission to improve the quality of life for our members.”

Writer and photographer Eric W. Pohl, a member of Pedernales EC, lives in Dripping Springs.

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Nueces Electric Cooperative

Annual Report 2019

CEO & President’s Message At Nueces Electric Cooperative, our member-consumers are at the center of all we do. In fact, this past year we’ve celebrated 80 years of member-focused performance at NEC. The idea of working each day to meet our members’ service needs is deeply rooted in our culture and genuinely embraced by the directors and employees throughout NEC. That’s because we understand that the electricity service we provide affects the quality of lives of the 30,655 members we are privileged to serve, the communities in which they live, and the businesses where they are employed.

At this year’s Annual Membership Meeting we celebrate our 80th meeting for NEC members. This meeting is our opportunity to gather to share NEC’s progress. It’s here that you learn how your investment in the Co-op benefits you, your family, and your community. We are here for you.

Financial Strength

2018 was a year of strength for Nueces Electric Cooperative.

For the year, our Cooperative received $108.8 million in operating revenues, compared with operating revenues of $105.8 million in 2017. Seventy-two percent (72%) of 2018 revenues were used to purchase 1,323,253,058 kWh of power for NEC CE members. All categories of NEC members increased their electricity purchases, with the exception of NEC’s lighting consumers, for an overall increase in purchases of 2.49%. The cost of purchased power was up slightly more, at 5.9% over 2017’s cost.

As fellow members, it continues to be our great privilege to return Cooperative margins back to the members we serve.

We work for you, and with each decision we make, our loyal NEC members are top of mind. Through the efficient management of your contributions to your Co-op, your Nueces Electric Board of Directors approved the return of more than $3.4 million in patronage capital back to its members in 2018, and another $4 million in Power Perks to NEC Co-op Energy power supply members, a total of $7.4 million returned to our members.

NEC’s management and Board are also tasked with the responsibility to ensure each different class of NEC consumers cover its fair share of the costs for the services through our rate structure. NEC hires expert consultants to review our cost of service and rates. As a result of this

NEC_Oct2019_TCP copy.indd 21

study, in 2018 NEC directors approved an adjustment to member delivery rates effective in March 2019. This action adjusted the rates for some power line consumers who were being subsidized by NEC Co-op Energy revenues.

New technology, rising costs of materials and supplies, regulatory pressures, and keeping up with the competitive pay and benefits required in a competitive labor market, all contribute to our rising cost of doing business.

Other financial highlights for 2018 include the sale of NEC’s original headquarters facility in Robstown for $655,000.

NEC also experienced 34 incidents of copper theft, along with many other area utilities. These thefts of almost 98,000 feet of copper, valued at $216,905, are a significant expense for NEC and our members. These criminals are skilled at eluding law enforcement. Members are encouraged to be vigilant and if you see any questionable activity along power lines, please call 911.

Focused on Our Members

NEC continues to focus on its mission and five strategic goal priorities. These five goals consist of Safety & Health, Member Satisfaction, Growth & Efficiency, Work Environment, and Key Message Communication. We measure these goals with 21 key performance measures to ensure that our business priorities align with these goals and our Mission. In 2018, NEC amended its Mission Statement to better reflect these goals. Specifically, NEC added safety to its mission. The mission of NEC, a Member-Owned Cooperative, is to help our members continually improve their quality of life by providing reliable and cost-effective electric service, in a culture where safety is a priority.

Each day, NEC employees and your Board of Directors work toward supporting this Mission. Across our service area in 2018, an average of 78 employees worked a total of 175,968 hours to maintain more than 3,200 miles of power line to deliver the most efficient and reliable service possible. The average outage time throughout the system for NEC delivery service members in 2018 was 2 hours and 19 minutes. This is a decrease over 2017 of 17.2%.

With the completion of the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), NEC is working on ways to further utilize this technology to better serve our members. While it didn’t rollout until 2019, NEC now has outage texting capability and better utilizes outage information in the system to improve our members’ power reliability.

9/12/2019 5:27:28 PM

ge

Annual Report 2019

Nueces Electric Cooperative

Varzavand “Avan” Irani & Brian Menking NEC Co-op Energy As a division of the Cooperative, NEC Co-op Energy is NEC’s affiliate, not-for-profit electricity provider. NEC CE passes through the electric charges at the cost of service and works to better manage the costs of the cooperative which are ultimately reflected in our members’ bills. In 2018, NEC sold the office that was home to NEC Co-op Energy, which has since relocated to South Corpus Christi. NEC Co-op Energy has been able to hold member rates stable in the last year, despite rising costs, thanks in part to the low price of natural gas.

However, NEC Co-op Energy saw a 3.86% growth in accounts largely due to digital advertising and word of mouth. NEC Co-op Energy continues to provide a brand members can trust with no gimmicks or contracts to entice consumers only to lock them into surprise fees and higher rates later. NEC Co-op Energy’s $50/$50 new member referral program had 1,221 member participants. Thank you for spreading the good word to your friends and family throughout the State of Texas. Your endorsement is the best form of advertising.

Through the support of NEC Co-op Energy members who donate to the Member-To-Member assistance program, NEC Co-op Energy was able to distribute more than $7,400 to area agencies in 2018 to help members pay their electric bills.

Safety & Compliance

Safety is our number one priority in everything we do, including the 42 weekly operations safety meetings and seven safety training days that we conduct, which help ensure that each employee thinks safety first. In 2018, NEC’s recordable and lost-time accidents decreased by 66% from 2017. Each year, we work to decrease any safety incidents to ensure that our employees and members are as safe as possible. NEC continues to train and provide hazard recognition training to encourage employees to always maintain safe practices and encourages reporting of all incidents, no matter how small so that preventative measures may be taken.

Our Communities

In 2018, $130,500 was distributed to 27 local non-profits to support our mission to improve members’ quality of life. This includes an annual $24,000 donation to our signature project, HALO-Flight. Other 2018 recipients include Rise School of Corpus Christi, Mission of Mercy, South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, Corpus Christi Metro Ministries, Brush Country CASA and many more. Nueces Electric Charities is funded through Operation Round Up, a program which allows all NEC members the ability to choose to round up their electric bills to the next dollar in donation.

Since 1997, Nueces Electric Charities has distributed more than $1.5 million in charitable giving to local community organizations in need. This community resource is available to those in need thanks to you, our loyal members. Thank you to the members who support Nueces Electric Charities through this program.

The Next 80 Years

We are honored to be working with NEC employees, leadership and your Board of Directors on new programs and processes to support the co-op’s mission for years to come.

NEC and other utilities continue to face a transformational wave – a mix of rising consumer demands, technology adoption and changing political dynamics. These require us to adapt how we operate and deliver value. The pace of change will only increase. We saw that clearly in 2018 – and don’t see it slowing down soon. But with change brings opportunity.

We’re executing our strategy, making needed adjustments to move toward our goals and will never lose sight of our mission to serve the members of NEC.

As regulatory requirements have grown in recent years NEC must maintain a culture of compliance. In 2018, NEC successfully passed a NERC/Texas Reliability Entity desktop audit. In addition, NEC maintained its payment card information compliance for another year, again reassuring our members that we take the protection of your secure payment information very seriously. NEC also completed a self-audit of its security practices and enhanced its cyber security programs.

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9/12/2019 5:27:29 PM

Nueces Electric Cooperative

Annual Report 2019

Director FAQ’s

Districts 1-9 are shown above.

District 10 (Retail) includes all areas outside of 1-9

Director Election Process

NEC prides itself on its director elections. The election process reflects one of the Seven Cooperative Principles - democratic member control: one member, one vote. Nueces Electric Cooperative is member-owned and is governed by a ten (10) person, member-elected board of directors. These directors represent the ten member directorate districts of the cooperative.

A portion of the co-op directorships stand for election each year - usually three districts. The board of directors determines the method for voting in the director election. For many years, the method of voting has been an inperson or proxy voting process which takes place in conjunction with the annual membership meeting. Relevant

NEC_Oct2019_TCP copy.indd 22

information about this meeting and the annual report appear in the Texas Co-op Power magazine. It is up to you, the members, to elect the directors best qualified to run your cooperative. There is no term limit for an NEC director but he/ she must complete the nomination process every three years and be re-elected by the members.

Nominating Process

NEC’s director nomination process begins each June as members in the districts up for election are invited, through the Texas Co-op Power magazine, to request petition packets to become candidates on the annual meeting director election ballot in accordance with the bylaws.

Any NEC member in a district up for election may seek to become a candidate. Those members interested in becoming candidates may request and sign for an official petition form and instruction sheet. At least fifteen (15) signatures of qualified members within the voting district, received at the co-op by the designated deadline, are required to nominate a member from a district for the Board. If more than two candidates are nominated for a directorship, a primary election will be held in the district to select two candidates who will appear on the election ballot. At the annual membership meeting all members of NEC may vote to elect the new directors in the districts up for election. All members will receive a ballot by mail or attached to the Texas Co-op Power Magazine. If members cannot attend the meeting, they may cast their vote by mailing in the ballot.

Director Responsibilities

Directors are tasked with the development of governance policies and monitoring the financial health of the cooperative. In addition, they are charged with keeping up-to-date on industry trends, legislative actions, and other pertinent issues affecting cooperatives as well as representing the membership at cooperative related functions.

Board Meeting Dates

Our Board of Directors meet the fourth Tuesday of every month at the NEC headquarters office - 14353 Cooperative Avenue Robstown, TX 78380.

9/12/2019 5:27:34 PM

Annual Report 2019

Nueces Electric Cooperative

Nominees For Director

District 6 Tommy Ermis Tommy Ermis has served on the Nueces Electric Cooperative (NEC) Board of Directors since September 1977 and has been an NEC member since February 1973. Mr. Ermis has earned his National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) certification, Board Leadership Certificate (BLC) and his Directors Gold Certification.

Mr. Ermis actively continues his education through NRECA and Texas Electric Cooperative (TEC) courses to achieve these certifications and stay up to date with current skills and techniques which help him serve in his role(s). Mr. Ermis currently serves as Assistant Secretary /Treasurer on the Executive Committee of the NEC Board.

He is the current Chairman of the Renewable Resources, a Committee member on Government Affairs, Annual Meeting and Building Study.

Mr. Ermis currently serves as NEC Director on the South Texas Electric Cooperative (STEC) Board. As a Board Director with STEC he also serves on the Power Delivery Committee and Power Supply Committee at STEC. Mr. Ermis proudly served as NEC Board President from 2005 to 2011. Mr. Ermis is a farmer who was born and raised in Aqua Dulce where he and his wife Connie currently resides.

He remembers his grandparents speaking of the time NEC was founded, and what life was like before electric service which helps give him a perspective to work for a strong cooperative that continues to focus on the needs of the members.

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District 7 Bill Hartman Bill Hartman has been an NEC member since October 1971. He served as a NEC Director from 1983-1986 and was appointed to the NEC Board in January 2004. He is a NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) and currently serves as VicePresident of Nueces Electric Cooperative. He currently serves as Chairman of the Retail Market Committee and the Building Study Committee. He also serves on the following Committees: Strategic Planning and CEO Evaluation, Governance, Director Screening/Interview, and Financial Committee. He is also a Director of Nueces Charities. Mr. Hartman believes the most important role of a director is to learn his/her duties and responsibilities, then use common sense and good judgement in carrying out those duties and responsibilities. Mr. Hartman is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.

Mr. Hartman has played an active role in his community in the following ways: member of First Lutheran Church – served on Church Council as Vice President, Treasurer and President. Mr. Hartman served on the OGISD School Board for eighteen years and served as President for sixteen years. Mr. Hartman lives in Orange Grove with his wife, Merline. They have three children and six grandchildren.

District 8 Brian Menking Mr. Menking has been an NEC member since February 1977 and was appointed NEC director in April 2007. He has completed the coursework for the NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) program, the NRECA Board Leadership Certification (BLC) program and the NRECA Director Gold Certification (DGC) program. As the current President of the Board, he actively serves on the NEC Budget and Finance Committee, the Building Study Committee, the District Boundary Committee, the Education Committee, and the Governance Committee. Mr. Menking is an engineer and a business owner. He is an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Mr. Menking believes the most important role of a director is to provide strong leadership in a fast and changing market. He feels that forty years of leadership experience and business ownership qualify him for the role as a Nueces Electric Cooperative Director. Mr. Menking resides in Alice with his wife, Ann, and is father to two children: Heidi and Christopher.

District 10 Gladys Lippincott Gladys Allen-Lippincott has been a NEC member since 1955 and has served on the Board since 1986 as part of a family legacy of Nueces Electric Co-op leadership.

Mrs. Lippincott is a NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD), holds her Board Leadership Certification (BLC) and has received the distinguished Director Gold Certification. She has chaired or served on several committees including the Building Study, Annual Meeting, Scholarship, Nueces Electric Charities and Retail Market committees. Mrs. Lippincott was involved in the Co-op’s transition into retail competition and the creation of the retail division which has enabled the Co-op to successfully expand its membership.

Mrs. Lippincott believes a NEC director is under an obligation of trust and confidence to those they represent and serve. She firmly recognizes, and has proven through her tenure, that the duty of a director is to act in good faith to ensure that the organization keeps within its authorized power and maintains its policies in the best interest of its members. Mrs. Lippincott looks forward to the challenges ahead to secure and maintain the lowest prices and continued growth possible.

She retired as a manager of Texas Legal Support Services in 1996. Mrs. Lippincott is a member of the Corpus Christi Symphony Guild, the Violet Historical Society, the Art Museum of South Texas, the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center and St. Pius Catholic Church. Mrs. Lippincott resides in Corpus Christi and is the proud grandmother of twenty.

District 10 Ken Combs Ken offers a fresh perspective and brings new approaches and ideas to drive the success of NEC. He is a business owner, retired college business professor, writer and public speaker with over 45 years of leadership experience. He has served on many local boards and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Coastal Community And Teachers Credit Union. Ken has the proper skills, perspectives and experience to guide NEC’s mission now and into the future. In today’s ever-changing environment, Ken will serve as your retail director to keep prices in check and growth in focus.

Thank you for your vote.

9/12/2019 5:27:36 PM

Nueces Electric Cooperative

Annual Report 2019

Treasurer’s Report Total Power Sold

Total Power Sold KWh

1,127,178,731

2017

2018

1,243,013,774

2019

1,323,253,058 1,000,000

500,000

measured in kWh

NEC Co-op Energy 2018 Power Resources Total Power Purchase = 1,243,013,774 Nuclear 2.4%

Renewable 9.1%

Coal/Lignite 36.2%

NEC_Oct2019_TCP copy.indd 24

Natural Gas 52.2%

Number of Members 30,655 Number of Accounts 43,956 Number of Facilities 6 Total Miles of Line 3,200 Number of Poles 85,099 Number of Transformers 24,697 Number of Employees 78 Executive: 6 Business Office: 20 Operations: 25 IT / Metering: 9 Engineering: 8 Compliance: 4 Retail: 4 Facilities: 2 Annual Miles Driven 712,496 Competitive Retailers in the NEC Territory 15

9/12/2019 5:27:37 PM

Annual Report 2019

Nueces Electric Cooperative

Balance Sheet

Operating Statistics

Assets: What We Own

Revenues: What We Took In

Net Utility Plant

$115,026,853

Operating Revenue

$108,869,524

Cash in Bank

$2,798,737

Nonoperating Revenue

$1,305,718

Investments

$63,891,510

Associated Cooperative Capital Credits

$4,696,225

Accounts Receivables

$2,211,736

TOTAL REVENUES

$114,871,467

Materials and Supplies

$1,989,330

Prepayments

$372,564

Other Current & Accrued Assets

$5,222,563

Deferred Charges and Other Assets

$1,007,448

TOTAL ASSETS

$192,520,741

Liabilities: What We Owe Membership Fees & Consumer Deposits

$2,490,146

Long-Term Debt

$66,925,775

Current and Accrued Liabilities

$14,064,650

Patronage Capital and Equities

$100,573,264

Deferred Credits

$8,466,906

TOTAL LIABILITIES

$192,520,741

Full audited report available at www.nueceselectric.org

How Your Dollar Was Spent in 2018 75.5¢: Cost of Purchased Power

NEC_Oct2019_TCP copy.indd 25

Expenses: What We Paid Out Purchased Power

$78,647,383

Operations and Maintenance

$5,178,578

Consumers Account Expenses

$4,847,908

Administrative and General Expenses

$5,456,602

Depreciation

$4,345,822

Interest

$2,785,999

Tax Expense

$1,309,962

Other Deductions

$260,190

Nonoperating Expenses

$106,575

TOTAL EXPENSES

$102,939,019

Margins: What We Had Left Operating Margins

$6,037,080

Nonoperating Margins

$5,895,368

TOTAL MARGINS

$11,932,448

5.3¢: 5¢: Distribution Admin & Operations & General 4¢: Maintenance 3¢: Depreciation 5¢: Member Net 1.3¢: Services & Interest Taxes Information

9/12/2019 5:27:37 PM

Nueces Electric Cooperative

Annual Report 2019

Minutes of the 2018 Annual Meeting October 11, 2018

Call To Order

The 79th annual meeting of the members of Nueces Electric Cooperative, Inc., was held on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds in Robstown, Texas. The number of members present was 803 with 288 ballots submitted at the meeting.

There were 6,353 represented by mail-in ballot, for a total of 6,641 voting members (Exhibit “A”). Upon determining that a quorum was present, the meeting was called to order by President Brian Menking at 7:00 p.m.

The U.S. Navy Color Guard from NAS Kingsville presented the colors, NEC 2018 Youth Tour Delegate Gracie Wernig led the audience in the National Anthem and Board President Brian Menking led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Beverly Patterson, St. Andrew Episcopal Church, Corpus Christi delivered the invocation.

Recognition of Groups/Individuals

President Menking introduced the Cooperative’s Board of Directors and CEO, members of the Community Involvement Committee and Special Guests. He also recognized the Halo Flight organization which provides the Guardian program to NEC members with an option to join the program for air ambulance service is case of an emergency and NEC employees who work year-round for the members of Nueces Electric Cooperative.

Recognition of Youth Programs District #1 Director, Dr. Rumaldo Juarez introduced the 2018 Youth Tour Delegates and Ramiro De La Paz scholarship winners.

Reading of Notice of Meeting & Proof of Mailing of Notice

President Menking read the “Proof of Mailing of the Notice of the Annual Meeting.” After the reading, the document was submitted to Executive Secretary, Liane Padilla for attachment to the official minutes of the meeting.

NEC_Oct2019_TCP copy.indd 26

Minutes of 2018 Annual Meeting

President Menking stated that the minutes of the 2017 annual meeting had been provided in the October 2018 issue of the Texas Co-op Power Magazine and the Annual Report booklet. Upon calling for corrections or additions to the minutes, a Motion was made, seconded and duly carried that the minutes of the 2017 Annual Membership Meeting be adopted as published.

Treasurer’s Report

President Menking stated the Treasurer’s Report had been provided in the October 2018 issue of the Texas Co-op Power Magazine and the Annual Report booklet. A Motion was made, seconded, and duly carried to approve the report as printed.

President & CEO Reports

A video of messages from CEO Trace McCuan and Board President Brian Menking was shown to our membership.

Every day we work to benefit our nearly 30,000 customers across our service territory.

In 2017, NEC maintained 3,454 miles of line, over 85,099 poles and over 16,515 transformers to deliver the most efficient and reliable service as possible.

In 2017, our revenue was about $111.5 million and about $98.3 million was used to run the cooperative resulting in $13.2 million in total margins. These margins are given back to our members as Capital Credits, these credits are your equity and patronage in the cooperative. In 2017, Capital Credits and PowerPerks returned over $6.2 million to members. Last year, NEC Co-op Energy’s $50/$50 new member referral program had 1,074 member participants.

Charities has distributed more than $1.5 million in charitable giving to local community organizations in need.

Member Voting

Survey and Ballot Systems (SBS) super-

vised the collection and counting of the ballots. Upon completion of the counting of the ballots, the following results certified by Richard Berg, a representative of SBS, and Assistant Board Secretary/ Treasurer Tommy Ermis announced the results: District 3 Director:

David Rosse 6,132 Votes

District 5 Director:

Maxine Stewart 5,976 Votes

District 9 Director:

Johnny Alvarado 6,036 Votes

It was declared that those elected as Directors for Districts 3, 5 and 9 are: David Rosse District #3; Maxine Stewart District #5 and Johnny Alvarado District #9, all for three-year terms.

Winners and Prize Drawings

Chief Retail Officer Frank Wilson announced the NEC Co-op Energy Referral Program winners. NEC Co-op Energy member Cynthia Tobar received a $500 electric bill credit for first place and Dennis Yaklin received a $250 electric bill credit for runner up. Prize drawings was held after referral program winners were announced.

Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

In 2017, Nueces Electric Charities distributed $141,442 to 21 local area non-profit organizations to support our mission to improve members’ quality of life. This includes a $24,000 donation to our signature project, HALO-Flight. Since 1997, Nueces Electric

9/12/2019 5:27:37 PM

Annual Report 2019

Nueces Electric Cooperative

A Farewell to Members With extensive safety training, continuous education and a team of dedicated, talented individuals, NEC was able to meet these challenges head on. In addition, the co-op saw many technological advancements during Trace’s time as CEO, advancements that have since been implemented to better serve our members and drastically improve our safety records.

After serving as Chief Executive Officer of Nueces Electric Cooperative for three and a half years, Trace McCuan announced his retirement effective June 1, 2019. Together with Trace’s leadership, NEC has made great strides towards fulfilling its mission of continually improving member’s quality of life by providing reliable. cost-effective electric service in a culture where safety is a priority.

Trace came to NEC in 2015 as Chief Executive Officer with over three decades of leadership experience in the electric utility industry. His background and leadership helped NEC overcome many challenges in recent years. Challenges that came in the form of strong storms, including Hurricane Harvey.

After working for over 37 years in the electric utility industry, Trace now enjoys a restful life of retirement with his wife here in the Coastal Bend. Trace plans on traveling the country visiting as many national parks as possible with his wife in their new travel trailer. He also plans on spending many of his days enjoying one of his favorite hobbies, fishing. While Trace is certainly enjoying retirement after decades working in the electric utility industry, the employees, board of directors and countless relationships he cultivated during his time at NEC will surely miss him.

With his retirement, Trace leaves behind a meaningful and lasting impact on the members and employees of NEC. His leadership and vision will continue to inspire the leaders of NEC and push the cooperative forward into a financially strong and successful future for our members. Thank you Trace for your dedication to NEC.

NEC Youth Programs 2020 Youth Leadership Tour

In 2020, NEC will send two exceptional students to The Government-in-Action Youth Leadership Tour. The program offers high school students an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to learn about various aspects of the government and meet other high school students from all over the nation. Winners also receive a $1,000 scholarship and $250 spending cash.

Ramiro De La Paz Memorial Scholarship

Each year, NEC awards twenty-two scholarships to graduating high school seniors who plan on attending 4-year universities. NEC also awards scholarships to high school seniors or high school graduates who plan on attending a 2-year vocational college or lineman’s college. Applicants must be NEC members or dependents of NEC members and meet the eligibility requirements set forth by NEC.

NEC_Oct2019_TCP copy.indd 27

Applications Open The First Week of October 2019 The complete Ramiro De La Paz Memorial Scholarhip and 2020 Youth Leadership Tour applications will be available the first week of October 2019 on our website at nueceselectric.org

9/12/2019 5:27:38 PM

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Electric Notes CONSERVATION AND SAFETY INFORMATION

Preparing for Winter

O L I V I E R L E M OA L | I STO C K .CO M

The main reasons your cold-weather bills may be higher

THERE IS NO SINGLE COMPONENT THAT CONTRIBUTES MORE TO

increased electric bills than heating in the winter. It accounts for 25% to 30% of a home’s annual energy costs and takes place over a three- to four-month period. Weather, inefficiency and home habits determine how big your bill will get. Below are some tips for fighting those factors.

Weather Keeping your home within a fairly consistent internal temperature range (65–75 degrees) means your heating system has to work harder when the temperature gap between the exterior and interior of your home increases.

If you have your home’s thermostat set at 70 degrees and the temperature outside is 50, for example, your system must only adjust for a 20-degree variance. However, when the temperature drops to 30 degrees outside, your system now must compensate for a 40-degree difference.

You can’t control the weather, but you can control your home’s thermostat setting. The smaller the gap between that setting and the outdoor temperature, the less electricity your heating system will use—and the less you will pay.

Inefficiency Wasted energy due to a home’s inefficiency can contribute to an electric bill being higher than expected. Combined with a 18

Texas Co-op Power October 2019

very cold winter, inefficiency is a double whammy for winter electric bills.

The older your home is, the more likely it is to have air leaks and insufficient insulation. Seal up cracks and gaps, and make sure the attic has sufficient insulation.

An older or poorly maintained heating, ventilating and air conditioning system will also elevate energy use. Be sure to perform regular maintenance, including frequently changing filters. And if your system is more than 10 years old, it is probably worth exploring the potential return on your investment in energy savings if you replace the system with a more efficient one.

Like HVAC systems, older appliances are less efficient and more costly to operate, so consider whether it’s time to upgrade. Also, if you keep an extra refrigerator in the garage or elsewhere, consider pulling the plug. Secondary refrigerators are typically older and way less efficient, making the cost of keeping a few beverages cool pretty high.

Home Habits It may be hard to accept, but higher bills are often due to our own habits. If your thermostat is set to 75 degrees in the winter, consider layering clothing and lowering the setting to achieve comparable comfort. And make sure you lower the thermostat even further at night, when you’re snuggled up under the covers, or during the day, when everyone is away from home.

You should also pay attention to the temperature setting on your water heater (120 degrees is optimal for efficiency); your refrigerator should be set to 34–37 degrees and the freezer between zero and 5 degrees. If any of these appliances has been hanging around for more than 10 years, you also should consider replacing them.

Simple things like washing clothes in cold water and only doing full loads will increase efficiency. Full loads for the dishwasher should also be the norm. Turn off lights when you leave a room, and switch out less efficient bulbs for long-lasting, high-efficiency LED bulbs.

Making the adjustments you have control over can go a long way to keeping this winter’s electric bills within your budget.

TexasCoopPower.com

Can You Hear Me Now? Be proactive in protecting your hearing OCTOBER ISN’T JUST NATIONAL COOPERATIVE MONTH. IT ALSO MARKS NATIONAL

Protect Your Hearing Month. Though perhaps not the most glamorous of topics, noise-induced hearing loss—and its prevention—are important public health concerns, especially since the condition’s ill effects are permanent.

As many as 24% of U.S. adults younger than 70 may have hearing loss in one or both ears from exposure to loud noise. Because the damage is often cumulative, the gradual pace of hearing loss can cause it to go unnoticed until symptoms become pronounced. Sounds might become distorted or muffled, or it might be difficult to understand conversations in person or on TV. Here is a primer on the categories of risk to help you gauge the auditory safety of your surroundings.

Sounds of up to 70 decibels are typically considered safe for any duration. A quiet barn, for example, is about 50 decibels, while most conversation occurs at around 60 decibels. A chicken coop is typically around 70.

Prolonged exposure to any noise at or above 85 decibels is where the risk of gradual hearing loss begins. A tractor with an enclosed cab or a crowded school cafeteria are good benchmarks for that level. The noise from a lawn mower is usually around 90 decibels.

No more than 15 minutes of unprotected exposure to sounds at or above 100 decibels is recommended. A tractor without a cab falls in this category, as would the noise from a woodshop.

Finally, regular exposure of more than one minute at or above 110 decibels risks permanent hearing loss. A chain saw registers 110 decibels, and a shotgun firing could top 150.

The best way to protect your hearing is to move away from the noise or wear hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs. Remember, the louder a sound is and the longer you listen to it, the more harmful it can be.

TexasCoopPower.com

EVEN WHEN YOUR ELECTRONICS ARE turned off, they still use energy if they’re plugged in. It’s called “vampire energy,” and it adds to your bill.

What better time to slay those vampires than Halloween? Here’s how: 1. Unplug any appliance or electronic device whenever you’re not using it, unless there’s some reason to leave it plugged into the wall. It’s not practical, for example, to unplug your cable box and wireless router. But you can unplug your TV, stereo, laptop, countertop kitchen appliances and cellphone chargers when they’re not in use.

2. Use power strips. Plug the devices that can be turned off into power strips so all you have to do is turn one thing off instead of going around the room switching everything off one at a time.

3. Setting computers and video game consoles to sleep mode in case you forget to unplug them at the end of the day will save some energy.

4. Choose new appliances and electronics that use less standby power than your old ones. Any equipment marked with the Energy Star seal has that feature.

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Texas Co-op Power October 2019

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Texas USA

Guiding Your Garden Enjoy the late bloomers as you prepare for spring

BY SHERYL SMITH-RODGERS

22

Texas Co-op Power October 2019

Footpaths wind through my yard’s garden beds of native plants. Most are staked with metal markers, emblazoned with the plants’ common names. Visitors often gasp at the diversity and volume of Texas species that my husband and I have planted since 2007. Their No. 1 question: How often do you water?

Hardly ever, we reply. Except, that is, during the hottest weeks of summer. Then we have to water every few days to help everyone get through the heat.

Trust me, it’s our least favorite time of year here in Central Texas. Come July and August, James and I roll out of bed before sunrise. He heads for the front yard. I take the back. For nearly an hour, we drag our hoses from bed to bed, watering the leafy friends that most need moisture to survive.

Perhaps someday we’ll consider an irrigation or sprinkler system. For now, we rely on mulch. We get as much as we need, compliments of our electric cooperative.

Contractors who trim trees need places to unload chipped-up limbs. When we run low, I call Pedernales Electric Cooperative and ask to be placed on the mulch list. One delivery lasts for more than a year.

Waterwise, we’re off the hook once summer ends. September and October bring cooler days and what we call our second spring. Salvias, lantanas, rock roses, firecracker bushes, fall aster, plateau goldeneyes and fragrant mistflowers bloom with abandon, drawing bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Some years in November, an early hard freeze ends the color show. Most plants turn brown and brittle. I don’t mind. Though bleak and

brown, the dead foliage and seed heads serve as winter cover and food sources for insects, birds and other wildlife.

On sunny days in January, I pull henbit deadnettle, common chickweed, field madder, dandelions and other introduced weeds, using a large fork to separate roots from dirt. With garden scissors, I trim back dead vines and other thin stems.

Hedge shears do nicely for inland sea oats and Gregg’s mistflowers, while garden loppers handle the thick branches of Turk’s cap, salvias, lantanas, Simpson’s rosinweed, Maximilian sunflowers and fragrant mistflowers.

Last spring, I permitted our plateau goldeneyes, blue curls and white avens to grow wherever they wished. Goldeneyes may have crowded out a white gaura.

The disappointing loss led to my new garden resolution: I must manage my plant friends with a stronger hand. It’s hard, but this year I’m yanking desirable seedlings, repotting when I can for sharing. “I’m sorry,” I tell the plants as I pull. “But you can’t grow here. We’ve got to stay within the lines.”

As for vegetables, we only plant a cherry tomato or two in the backyard.

However, landscape designer Cheryl Beesley’s Landscaping with Edible Plants in Texas: Design and Cultivation (Texas A&M University Press, 2015) tempts me to plant more. Her thorough manual covers site planning, fencing, soil preparation, fertilization, irrigation and mulches. Eight suggested designs range from formal hedged styles with geometric patterns to kid-friendly hideaways TexasCoopPower.com

SY LV I A H O F F LU N D

that encourage exploration and healthy munchies. The low-input plan looks appealing. I’m all for plants that require minimal care and water.

Nearly two-thirds of the book delves into edible trees, shrubs, perennials, herbs and vegetables that Texas landscapes are conducive to. Perhaps we should consider planting carrots as a feathery ground cover. Or maybe I’ll attempt pole beans on our chain-link fence again. Beesley offers a primer on each plant, including how to cultivate it and what varieties are available. Appendices address hybrid varieties, pest and disease control, and seed and plant resources.

In Circle Gardening: Growing Vegetables Outside the Box (Texas A&M University Press, 2018), plant-soil scientist Kenneth E. Spaeth Jr. digs deep on how to grow vegetables in circles instead of rows. Why? The arrangement “mimics natural plant distribution in the wild,” Spaeth writes. It also makes more efficient TexasCoopPower.com

use of time, compost, fertilizer and water.

The author goes on to discuss garden pathways, garden ecology, soil textures and health, plant attributes and basic botany, climate considerations, layout, design and management, diseases, pests and weeds. Spaeth devotes half his book to selected vegetable guides on beans, carrots, broccoli, squash, onion, peppers, tomatoes and more. Appendices cover garden and soil scorecards, composting, plant hardiness and freeze zone maps, and calculating fertilizer rates.

Fertilizers? That’s something we don’t use in our native gardens. Insecticides and pesticides? Rarely. When I’m not looking, James sprays ants marching up our home’s exterior walls and wasps’ nests located in high-traffic areas. Me? OK, I confess. I squash nonnative milk snails and curse fire ants. Nobody’s perfect, right?

Sheryl Smith-Rodgers of Blanco blogs about her gardening adventures at sherylsmithrodgers. blogspot.com.

October 2019 Texas Co-op Power

23

Observations

Ranch Hands on the Wheel Driving lessons, a bonding experience for many families, start early on the ranch

BY BRENDA KISSKO

24

Texas Co-op Power October 2019

Learning to drive is a rite of passage for most ranch kids. We drive before we’re old enough to carry a driver’s license, before we can even reach the gas pedal.

We learn by trial and error. It’s a bonding experience—and free child labor—for many families.

I started driving from my dad’s knee when I was about 3, and by second grade, I was steering solo in low gear while he shoveled out cottonseed from the bed of the truck.

I learned on a stick shift, gripping the wheel as my dad yelled from the passenger seat or my mom watched through split fingers over her eyes. Driving a standard transmission is a two-legged job. You need two legs, two hands—“at 10 and 2,” as Dad always reminded me—and at least four eyes to watch for a cow or deer that may decide to wander into the road in front of you.

Starting out with a standard is not as easy as an automatic. There’s a certain finesse that comes with hours of practice— and a lot of engine stalls.

My mom was definitely the more patient of my parents, but she had such fond memories of her father teaching her and her two sisters how to drive on their ranch that she felt that was how it should be for me and my sister with our dad. My mom was a self-described “Daddy’s girl,” and every time she heard Alan Jackson’s Drive (For Daddy Gene) on the radio, her eyes teared up. Drive came out around the time my grandpa entered an Alzheimer’s care facility. He could no longer remember those summers he let his three girls steer through the pastures for hours, giggling

as he grinned back at them over his hornrimmed glasses.

So she left the driving lessons to Dad. I had my first crash at age 8. Dad was trying to get some cattle to go through a gate, but the ’76 Chevy my sister and I sat in was too close, so he hollered to me to back it up a bit.

“But I haven’t learned how to back up yet,” I yelled.

“Just put it in reverse,” he shouted with eyes that added “—common sense.”

“Ooookay,” I thought, “this shouldn’t be too hard. Just put it in reverse. Reverse.

R. Over to the right and down.”

I was so focused on remembering “R” that I forgot to push in the clutch before turning the key. When you forget to push in the clutch, your truck leaps forward really fast. And your life flashes before you. All 8 years. We headed straight for a corner fence post. The cows leapt to get out of our way. My younger sister was crying and yanked at her seat belt to get it buckled before we wrecked. We went through part of a fence and over some mesquite trees before ramming into the post with a loud thud.

That thud felt like my last heartbeat. It was followed by total silence. When I finally mustered up the courage to peer over the steering wheel, thinking since the crash didn’t kill me, my father would, I was shocked to see Dad laughing. The trial-anderror method of teaching had backfired.

All the trucks we drove on the ranch had personalities of their own. They had names like Goldie, Crew Cab and Sammy.

All of them very old. We needed hardy TexasCoopPower.com

OT TO ST E I N I N G E R

vehicles that could climb rocky hills, traverse muddy draws and take being slapped around by thorny mesquites all day. Most didn’t have a working air conditioner, so we rolled the windows down to smell the countryside. If you hit the seats too hard, dust clouded around you.

Duct tape patched a cracked dashboard, and headliners sagged with age. We had grill guards to protect us from deer, headache racks to hold our gear.

When we got older, my sister and I started taking turns driving home from the mailbox—about 20 minutes down the road—where the bus dropped us off in the afternoons. Our rule still stands today: Shotgun gets the gate!

Dad made me learn how to change a flat and check my oil before I could get my driver’s license. To this day, if I get a flat, I TexasCoopPower.com

don’t need to call a man to come save me.

By gosh, I can fix it myself. My husband thinks that’s pretty cute, too.

Why was learning how to drive so important to me as a kid? It was the freedom it promised. I knew that if I could drive, I could arrive anywhere. This narrow dusty road connected our ranch house to the highway that led to interstates and metropolises, beaches and mountains.

This road led to friends’ houses, to all the parties we would go to, to all the dates we would have. These roads led to a world of possibilities.

Now, I choose to drive in the opposite direction down these caliche roads. Back to the ranch. Back to where it all began.

Brenda Kissko is a native Texan who writes about nature, travel and our relationship with land.

Visit her online at brendakissko.com.

October 2019 Texas Co-op Power

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Texas History

Charming the Soviets How piano virtuoso Van Cliburn twice helped thaw Cold War relations

B E T T M A N N | G E T TY I M AG E S

BY DAVID LATIMER

On May 20, 1958, a ticker-tape parade through the streets of New York cheered America’s hottest celebrity, a 23-year-old Texan named Van Cliburn. The honoree’s accomplishment? He had conquered Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, winning first place in the first International Tchaikovsky Competition’s piano division in Moscow.

The Soviet Union had intended for the event to demonstrate Russian superiority in music and achieve a propaganda victory.

The story of Cliburn’s stunning success in Moscow has been told in two recent books, Moscow Nights: The Van Cliburn Story and When the World Stopped to Listen.

Both books cover the competition, the improbable American victory and the historic Cold War context.

Harvey Lavan Cliburn Jr. was born July 12, 1934, in Shreveport, Louisiana, but his family moved to Kilgore in East Texas when he was 6. His father worked for the Magnolia Oil Company, and his mother, Rildia Bee, was a classically trained pianist. Her musical roots help explain Cliburn’s deep affinity for the dramatic Russian style of performance.

Bee studied in New York at the Institute of Musical Art, the predecessor of the Juilliard School, and was a student of Arthur Friedheim, a pianist from St. Petersburg.

This musicality was reinforced when Cliburn attended the Juilliard School in 1951, at age 17 and became a student of Rosina Lhévinne, who had graduated from the Moscow ConWEB EXTRAS servatory. When a Read this Cliburn auditioned story on our for her already-full website to class, she sensed in watch videos his technique the of Van Cliburn. tradition that was her own.

TexasCoopPower.com

Seven years later, by the time of the Tchaikovsky Competition finals in Moscow, Cliburn had won over the crowds. “His admirers in the concert hall and those who heard him on the radio or saw him on television were hooked from the moment the 23-year-old appeared on stage,” Stuart Isacoff writes in When the World Stopped to Listen. “But it wasn’t the music alone that drew them. His Southern charm was as thick as gravy on fresh biscuits as he greeted his new fans with the prim decorousness of a proper East Texas gentleman, unfailingly gracious at every turn.”

Following the Tchaikovsky piece, a Rachmaninoff concerto sealed the deal.

Showers of flowers fell on the stage, and the audience chanted “Vanya, Vanya”— their name for Cliburn. It’s likely that this frenzied adulation made sure the judges’ decision in favor of the American would not be overturned by Soviet edict.

Premier Nikita Khrushchev endorsed the choice and invited his new friend for return visits.

Cliburn enjoyed a successful concert Texan Van Cliburn wowed the audience and judges in Moscow.

and recording career for the next 20 years. He stopped performing in 1977, though he continued to make public appearances and to support the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, held in his adopted hometown of Fort Worth.

He returned to public performance in December 1987, when President Ronald Reagan hosted the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Washington. Cliburn played an after-dinner concert starting with the state anthem of the Soviet Union followed by The Star-Spangled Banner.

After the scheduled program, Cliburn played Moscow Nights, a popular Russian song that had the Russian delegation singing along. At Gorbachev’s invitation, Cliburn returned to Russia for a series of concerts and found an enthusistic welcome.

In 2012, Van Cliburn was diagnosed with bone cancer, and he died February 27, 2013. At his funeral in Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Orchestra and a chorus performed his favorite church hymns and then Moscow Nights.

David Latimer lives in Austin and teaches at Austin Community College.

October 2019 Texas Co-op Power

29

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Retro Recipes

Company Dinner Because it was served at almost every meal, some historians dubbed the 1950s “the meat decade.” After all, the era served up bacon and sausage for breakfast, saw the birth of Whataburger in Texas and celebrated special occasions with dishes like this simple yet sophisticated beef tenderloin served with a dollop of blue cheese butter, published in June 1959. To raise the bar (and add a modern touch or two), enhance the butter with a splash of cognac, roast the meat over sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme, and garnish with flaky salt. You can also serve the sliced meat with your favorite aioli and roasted new potatoes, or over arugula, with lemon wedges on the side.

PAULA DISBROWE, FOOD EDITOR

Imperial Tenderloin of Beef ¼ ½ 2

pound blue cheese, softened cup (1 stick) butter, softened tablespoons cognac or other brandy 1 beef tenderloin (4–6 pounds) Extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ cup (½ stick) melted butter 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 4–5 sprigs fresh rosemary (optional) Flaky salt, for serving

L I SOVS KAYA N ATA L I A | S H U T T E R STO C K .CO M

Watch Paula make this recipe in a video online.

1. Use a rubber spatula to combine the blue cheese, butter and brandy until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a large square of plastic wrap, roll into a cylinder and chill (this can be done up to two days in advance).

2. Drizzle the tenderloin with enough olive oil to lightly coat, and generously season with salt and pepper. Allow the meat to marinate at room temperature at least CONTINUED ON PAGE 32 October 2019 Texas Co-op Power

31

Retro Recipes Company Dinner

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

MELISSA TURLEY | BANDERA EC This dressed-up take on pizza will feed a crowd. “For the prettiest presentation, I like to use half a yellow and half a red bell pepper,” says Turley. “Served with a big salad, it’s the perfect colorful, festive dinner for company and sure to be a hit with all palates. Just switch up the fillings to suit your tastes.”

Supreme Pizza Braids FILLING 2 1

tablespoons (¼ stick) butter bell pepper, halved, seeded and thinly sliced 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons dried basil 1 cup pizza or spaghetti sauce, divided use 12 slices salami 10–12 slices cheddar cheese 10–12 slices provolone or mozzarella cheese 1 can (2.25 ounces) sliced black olives Parmesan cheese to taste

DOUGH 5 2 2 1 2 ¼ 1

cups flour tablespoons sugar tablespoons yeast teaspoon salt or garlic salt cups hot water (120–130 degrees) cup olive oil egg

1. FILLING: In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter, then sauté bell pepper, onion and basil until soft and lightly browned. Set aside.

2. DOUGH: In a stand mixer, combine dry ingredients, then slowly add wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Continue to mix about 5 minutes, adding flour as necessary to keep bowl clean, but dough should still be soft and slightly sticky.

Remove dough and cut in half.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet, spread out half of dough to form a large rectangle, about 10 by 14 inches.

4. Spread ½ cup of sauce down center third of dough. Spread half of pepper and onion mix down center on top of sauce. Layer salami slices over peppers and onions. Layer cheese slices, alternating flavors, down center of salami. Sprinkle with half the olives. Sprinkle generously with Parmesan.

5. Cut 6–8 slits diagonally down each outer third of dough. Alternating sides, lift, twist, cross and pinch dough, forming a long, twisted braid shape that encloses all the filling.

6. Repeat steps 4–5 for the other half of dough, creating a second braid on a second pan.

7. Bake about 15–20 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. a Serves 18–20.

30 minutes (or up to 1 hour). Meanwhile, combine the garlic and melted butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, just until the butter begins to sizzle. Remove from heat, stir in Worcestershire sauce and allow the mixture to cool at least 5 minutes.

3. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place the tenderloin on a rack fitted into a roasting pan, tucking the rosemary sprigs under the meat, and brush the entire surface of the tenderloin with the butter-garlic mixture. Roast 45–60 minutes, basting the meat with garlic butter every 15–20 minutes, until a meat thermometer registers 145 degrees. Allow the meat to rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm tenderloin slices drizzled with pan juices, if desired, and topped with a dollop of blue cheese butter (it should melt into the meat) and a sprinkle of flaky salt. a Serves 6–8.

Shrimp BBQ DARLYNDA CANALES | GUADALUPE VALLEY EC

Perfect for a casual dinner, this messy favorite is meant for dipping bread and using your fingers. “My daughter Marlyss had just seen the movie Forrest Gump and asked me how Bubba would be able to make barbecued shrimp,” Canales says. “Now we had made shrimp numerous ways, but never had I tried to make Shrimp BBQ. But I love a good challenge! This recipe is the one we came up with that we liked the best.”

SAUCE

IF YOUR RECIPE IS FEATURED, YOU’LL WIN A TCP APRON!

$100 Recipe Contest March’s recipe contest topic is Crawfish, Oysters, Crab and More. March is prime time for Texas seafood, before Gulf waters warm up. Send us your favorite ways to prepare and serve our coastal bounty.

The deadline is October 10.

ENTER ONLINE at TexasCoopPower.com/contests; MAIL to 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701; FAX to (512) 763-3401.

Include your name, address and phone number, plus your co-op and the name of the contest you are entering.

1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 1 1 ½ 1 ¼ 1

jalapeño pepper cup (1 stick) butter cup light brown sugar can (15 ounces) tomato sauce cup apple cider vinegar tablespoon Worcestershire sauce teaspoon mustard teaspoon salt teaspoon cayenne pepper tablespoon minced garlic cup chopped onion teaspoon cumin

SHRIMP 8 ½ 1

small frozen cobs of corn cup (1 stick) butter cup chopped onion TexasCoopPower.com

T U R L E Y: CO U RT E SY M E L I SSA T U R L E Y. P I ZZ A B RA I D : SA RA M | STO C K . A D O B E .CO M . BAC KG R O U N D : N Y ST U D I O | S H U T T E R STO C K .CO M

THIS MONTH’S RECIPE CONTEST WINNER

1 2

bottle (12 ounces) beer pounds uncooked medium shell-on shrimp, deveined

1. SAUCE: Roast the jalapeño over an open flame 2 minutes, then set aside.

2. In a saucepan, melt butter, then add brown sugar. Bring butter-sugar mixture to a low boil.

3. Meanwhile, in a blender, place the roasted jalapeño (destemmed), tomato sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion and cumin. Blend ingredients until smooth. Add this to the buttersugar mixture in the saucepan. Simmer about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. SHRIMP: Cook corn according to package directions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Add onion, stir to coat, and return to oven until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.

5. Remove dish from oven and carefully add beer, sauce, shrimp and corn. Stir together until all the shrimp and corn

cobs are coated with the sauce.

6. Return dish to oven and bake until shrimp are pink, 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking time.

Serve with toasted baguettes and coleslaw. a Serves 8.

COOK’S TIP To catch any spills, set the 13-by-9inch dish on a larger rimmed baking sheet before adding all the liquids, then put both pans in the oven together.

Blue Cheese Salad Delight PATRICK SPAGON | CENTRAL TEXAS EC

A big, tasty salad with lots of toppings is sometimes just the thing to make dinner special.

4 strips bacon 10–12 romaine lettuce leaves, washed 4 medium tomatoes 2–3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 12 pitted black olives, halved 3 tablespoons grated mozzarella cheese 1 cup blue cheese dressing

¾ cup crumbled blue cheese 1½ cups garlic croutons 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

1. Cook bacon until crisp. Crumble and set aside.

2. Tear lettuce leaves into bite-size pieces and arrange in a large, shallow salad bowl. Cut tomatoes into bitesize wedges and arrange on top of lettuce. Drizzle olive oil over tomatoes.

Add salt and pepper, preferably freshly ground.

3. Arrange olives in a circle near edge of bowl. Sprinkle mozzarella over top.

Pour blue cheese dressing over all.

Sprinkle blue cheese bits over dressing.

4. Add croutons and crumbled bacon evenly over top of salad. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh chives. Serve immediately. a Serves 4–6.

WEB EXTRAS

u Read these recipes on our website to see

the original Imperial Tenderloin of Beef recipe from June 1959.

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◆ 33

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Focus on Texas

Giving Back Some say they’re just being neighborly, and some prefer to remain anonymous, but Texans really love to lend a helping hand. From hometown to downtown, these folks have hearts as big as Texas. GRACE FULTZ WEB EXTRAS a See Focus on Texas on our website for more photos from readers.

d DENNIS DURKEE, Victoria EC: A chain of volunteers pass recycled oyster shells into the bay water at Goose Island State Park, near Rockport, to restore fragile oyster reefs.

o DENISE SELLERS, Pedernales EC: Volunteers read with students at Lago Vista Elementary School.

d JESUS ROJAS, Nueces EC: “Cooking for the Lenten season at our church.”

o MADELAINE PACK, Tri-County EC: Pack and Melony Block serve dessert at the Tri-County EC Annual Meeting.

UPCOMING CONTESTS

o HEIDI FRAZIER, Bluebonnet EC: As a Girl Scout troop leader for more than 15 years, Frazier has assisted Scouts with a number of community service activities. This year, her high school-age troop donated and installed a flagpole at the Caldwell Girl Scout House.

TexasCoopPower.com

FEBRUARY POWER

DUE OCTOBER 10

MARCH FIRST RIDE

DUE NOVEMBER 10

APRIL SUNSETS

DUE DECEMBER 10

Enter online at TexasCoopPower.com/Contests.

October 2019 Texas Co-op Power

35

Event Calendar

Around Texas Pick of the Month

October

Edom Art Festival

October 12 Midland Patsy’s Breast Cancer Cook-Off

8

Edom October 12–13 (903) 852-6473, visitedom.com/ edom-art-festival

Lewisville [8, 15, 22, 29] Rocktober Concert Series, (972) 219-3401, visitlewisville.com

The population of this northeast Texas town swells from fewer than 400 to thousands during this juried festival, which began in 1972.

Visitors will find jewelry, pottery, photography, sculptures, baskets, woodcrafts, and glass and garden art. They’ll find plenty of food, too.

10 Driftwood Friends Foundation BBQ Fundraiser, (512) 592-1345, thefriendsfoundation.org New Braunfels Bacon Brothers: The Shaky Ground Tour, (830) 606-1281, gruenehall.com

11 Fredericksburg [11–13] Texas Mesquite Arts Festival, (830) 997-8515, texasmesquiteartfestivals.com

12 Lago Vista St. Mary’s Oktoberfest, (512) 267-2644, stmaryoktoberfest.org Midland Patsy’s Breast Cancer Cook-Off, (432) 312-5944, patsyscookoff.com Rusk Fair on the Square, (903) 683-4242, ruskchamber.com

13 Pipe Creek PCVFD Annual BBQ and Raffle, (830) 535-4511, pipecreekvolfire.org

18 Canton [18–19] Texas Star Quilters Guild Annual Quilt Show, (903) 896-7100, texasstarquilters.wixsite.com/tsqg

PA I N T I N G : CO U RT E SY B E T H H U B B E RT. CO O K- O F F: A N E H A WA N PA H | D R E A M ST I M E .CO M . B U T T E R F LY: T H WATS | D R E A M ST I M E .CO M

BRENDA HARDESTY ELDORADO SECOND HARVEST FOOD PANTRY provides monthly food distributions to more thatn 60 households.

POWER OF OUR PEOPLE | SEPTEMBER 2019

Enter to win a Texas-made gift during our 75th Anniversary.

POWER OF OUR PEOPLE $100 WINNER

SORRELLS FARMS PECANS

Nominate someone today!

Tell us about somebody who improves the quality of life in your community. Email your nomination to people@texascooppower.com. Include the person’s name, co-op affiliation and a short description of his or her work in the community. Featured nominees will receive a $100 donation for their cause.

36

Texas Co-op Power October 2019

ENTER NOW

TexasCoopPower.com/contests

TexasCoopPower.com

19

26

Jasper Fall Butterfly Festival, (409) 384-2762, jaspercoc.org

Athens Tomato Town: Henderson County Master Gardeners, (903) 675-6130, txmg.org/hendersonmg

Taylor Bluebonnet Horse Expo, 1-888-542-5163, bluebonnethorseexpo.com Waco Oakwood Cemetery’s Walking Tales, (254) 717-1763, wacoheartoftexas.com

Point Venture Holiday Bazaar, (281) 799-0114, facebook.com/pvannualartsbazaar Waxahachie Texas Country Reporter Festival, (469) 309-4045, texascountryreporter.com/festival

Granbury Bow Wow Trick or Treat, (817) 964-0333

November

20

1

Brenham Butcher’s Ball, 1-800-778-3196, butchersball.com

Oakville Dobie Dichos: Campfires, Chili con Carne and the Words of J. Frank Dobie, (361) 319-3067, dobiedichos.com

Huntsville St. Thomas Church Fall Festival, (936) 295-8159, saintthomashuntsville.org/bazaar

2

Smithville St. Paul’s Catholic Church Bazaar, (512) 921-0751, stpaulsmithville.org

Jacksonville Cherokee Craft & Trade Fair, (903) 268-1598, kimfelt94@icloud.com

24

Pearland Pearland Opry on the Square, (281) 997-5970, visitpearland.com

Wylie Boo on Ballard & Night of Wonder, (972) 516-6016, wylietexas.gov

Pipe Creek Castle Lake Ranch VFD Annual Turkey Shoot, (830) 535-6611, banderacowboycapital.com

Groves [24–27] Pecan Festival, (409) 962-3631, grovescofc.com

25 Grapeland [25–27] Lone Star Blues and Heritage Festival, (936) 687-2594, lonestarbluesfest.com

Submit Your Event!

October 19 Jasper Fall Butterfly Festival

We pick events for the magazine directly from TexasCoopPower.com. Submit your event online for December by October 10, and it just might be featured in this calendar.

The Only Folk Life Festival in East Texas Restoring and Preserving Our History

In the heart of the Texas Hill Country visit 17 historic one-room schools built between 1847 and 1936 by following the 120 mile Gillespie County Country Schools Driving Trail through the scenic Fredericksburg,Texas countryside.

A Driving Tour map and an Open House schedule are available on our website.

WWW. HISTORICSCHOOLS . ORG All schools listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Member of Country School Association of America.

TexasCoopPower.com

31st Annual HERITAGE SYRUP FESTIVAL

NOVEMBER 9, 2019

HENDERSON, TEXAS • SUGAR CANE SYRUP MAKING • ANTIQUE CARS AND TRACTORS • FOLK ART DEMONSTRATIONS • MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT • SHOPPING VENDORS AND MORE

WWW.VISITHENDERSONTX.COM • 1-866-650-5529 • tourism@hendersontx.us October 2019 Texas Co-op Power

37

Hit the Road

With Chet Garner

Team Spirit Football field in San Saba, built over a cemetery, has a lively history

38

Texas Co-op Power October 2019

Make no bones about it: Rogan Field was haunted when Chet visited.

to the school, calling on all folks to come and claim the remains of their loved ones. As the season approached, with numerous bodies still unclaimed, the players simply moved the remaining tombstones and left the bodies to become the team’s first season ticket holders.

Since that 1935 football season, San Saba has enjoyed an otherworldly homefield advantage that gives new meaning to the term “school spirit.” Lucky for the Armadillos, the resident spirits seem to like their new placement and regularly perform strange feats in favor of the home team. Opposing players drop passes or trip for no apparent reason, leading fans to conclude that the spirits must be reaching up from the grave.

The Armadillos have used this legend to wage psychological warfare against opponents. Brad McCoy (father of former Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy), who coached at San Saba 1989–1994, even placed a sign saying “Welcome to the Graveyard” near the visiting team’s locker room. No team has been more cursed than

the Goldthwaite Eagles, who won two state championships in the 1990s yet lost four consecutive times at Rogan Field.

Knowing the field’s history, I expected to see an apparition in full uniform floating above the turf or a sign touting the field’s ghostly origin. Sadly, I saw the stadium has been completely wiped clean of any reference to the graveyard. The current coaches seem more focused on winning games the traditional way than relying on help from the beyond.

But regardless of whether the team will acknowledge their presence, I’m sure that when the game is on the line, everyone on the home sideline is hoping the spirits will rise up once more and pull out another mysterious feat to help the Armadillos. For many Texans, high school football has always been a life-or-death matter. But perhaps the folks in San Saba have figured out that sometimes it can be both life and death.

Chet Garner shares his Texplorations as the host of The Daytripper on PBS.

.

WEB EXTRAS a Read this story on our

website to see Chet’s video of his visit to San Saba High School’s Rogan Field.

TexasCoopPower.com

CO U RT E SY C H E T G A R N E R

Every sports fan witnesses moments of inexplicable athleticism or a notable lack thereof: A baseball player misses an easy grounder; a basketball player hits a last-second jumper with eyes closed; or a football player running for a gamewinning touchdown trips in the open field.

When such things happen on San Saba’s football field, the locals don’t ask why because they know the reason: spirits!

I visited Rogan Field on a cold February day, when the wet chill seemed to penetrate directly to my bones. My first impression was that this field looked like a normal high school football field: 120 yards long, goal posts at each end and a scoreboard painted in Armadillo purple and gold. But what I couldn’t see, and what makes Rogan Field eerily different, were the legends buried 6 feet below the turf. This field was built on top of a pioneer cemetery.

The tale begins in 1934, when San Saba’s high school football team played on the infield of a horse track north of town.

The team desperately needed a field closer to campus, and the coaches found the perfect lot adjacent to the Methodist church.

The only problem was that this lot was already occupied, and the inhabitants would not move. Since 1858, the property had been an early settler cemetery, but after years of neglect, it was overgrown and weedy. This wouldn’t have been a problem, except that when the Rogan family donated the land, they stipulated that it be maintained.

Even so, the team seized the opportunity. The Rogan family gifted the land

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*23235980 * 23235980

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

LIMIT 2 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

TWO TIER EASY-STORE STEP LADDER

RAPID PUMP® 1.5 TON LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM FLOOR JACK

Customer Rating • 225 lb.

capacity

• Weighs 33 lbs.

NOW

COMPARE TO $

99 59 • Air delivery:

SUPER Customer Rating COUPON

• Boom extends from 34" to 45" • Crane height adjusts from 69-5/8" to 82"

99 $139

HOT DOG

ITEM 97581, 37050, 64417, 64418, 61363, 68497, 61360, 61359, 68498, 68496 shown

SUPER COUPON

1 TON CAPACITY 18" x 12" FOLDABLE MOVER'S DOLLY SHOP CRANE

$

99

$ 99

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

9 $399

$5

VENOM $ 97

*23235345 * 23235345

*23234532 * 23234532

3 GALLON, 100 PSI OIL-FREE AIR COMPRESSORS YOUR CHOICE

NOW

COMPARE TO

MODEL: VEN4145

Customer Rating

SUPER COUPON

• 5 mil thickness

Customer Rating

HAMPTON BAY

*23226991 * 23226991 Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented.

Valid through 2/1/20 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.

*23227742 * 23227742

Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Central Machinery, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 2/1/20.

SUPER COUPON

• 4847 cu. in. of storage • 355 lb. capacity • Extra deep top compartment and drawer for maximum storage space

$

COMPARE TO ITEM 63878/63991 PERFORMANCE $ 52 64005/69567/60566 MODEL: W2364 TOOL 63601/67227shown

13

HONDA EU2000i

$

30" BULK STORAGE TECH CART

1299NOW

$8

ANY SINGLE ITEM*

SUPER COUPON

• 16 ft. of warm white LEDs

SAVE 72%

ALL IN A SINGLE SUPER POWERFUL LIGHT

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

SOLAR ROPE LIGHT

$

• Super-Strong, Ultra-Lightweight Composite Plastic • Magnetic Base & 360° Swivel Hook for Hands-Free Operation • 3 - AAA Batteries (included) • 144 Lumens

*23229787 * 23229787

ITEM 62523

20% OFF

WITH ANY PURCHASE

SUPER BRIGHT LED /SMD WORK LIGHT/FLASHLIGHT

1600

YES

SUPER COUPON

FREE

OVER 5,000 5 STAR REVIEWS

NOW

COMPARE TO

$

BUFFALO TOOLS $ 99

22

99

$7

99

10

K TOOL $ 42

151

ITEM 60497/61899/63095/63096/63097/63098 shown

$1 999

9 $599

COMPARE TO

MODEL: KTI63094

SAVE 65%

MODEL: HDFDOLLY

SAVE $ 91

NOW

NOW

$

$

7999

ITEM 64552/64832/64980 68053/62160/62516/60569/64545 shown

ITEM 67514

SAVE 40%

2999 $

COMPARE TO

WERNER

*23236746 * 23236746

*23239273 * 23239273

*23245937 * 23245937

*23248130 * 23248130

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

10 FT. x 17 FT. PORTABLE GARAGE

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

SUPER COUPON

Customer Rating

29 PIECE 14" ELECTRIC TITANIUM CHAIN SAW DRILL BIT SET

Customer Rating

Customer Rating

3388

MODEL: S322A-1

Customer Rating

NOW

9 $599 COMPARE TO

KOBALT

$

99

MODEL: SGY-AIR184

COMPARE TO

SAVE $ 39

$

ITEM 69265/62344/64685/93897 shown

99

79

$1 69

290

75 SHELTER $ MODEL: 76377 LOGIC

$1 0

99

SAVE $ 120 $19999

ITEM 62859/63055/62860 shown

SAVE 50%

NOW

NOW

COMPARE TO

DEWALT $ 14

68

MODEL: DW1369

SAVE 83%

$

99

99

18

ITEM 5889/62281/61637 shown

NOW

$

9 $399

99

49

COMPARE TO

CRAFTSMAN $ 74

80

MODEL: 071-45247

ITEM 64498/64497 shown

*23264038 * 23264038

*23272667 * 23272667

*23272725 * 23272725

*23281241 * 23281241

LIMIT 2 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

4 PIECE ANTI-FATIGUE 72" x 80" FOAM MAT SET MOVING • Each pad measures 25" x 25" BLANKET

40 PIECE, 1/4" AND 3/8" DRIVE SAE AND METRIC SOCKET SET Customer Rating

NOW

$499

49

$ 98 CRAFTSMAN MODEL: CMMT12018

COMPARE TO

SAVE $ 99 90% 5

NOW

$5 99

COMPARE TO

BLUE HAWK $ 99

19

SAVE 70%

Customer Rating

NOW

$699

Customer Rating

$ 99

8

COMPARE TO

NORSK $ 99

8

SAVE 65% 19 ITEM 40187/61607/62389/94635 shown

*23290233 * 23290233

*23292449 * 23292449

*23295066 * 23295066

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

ITEM 47902/975/63015/62843 shown

MODEL: 77280

ITEM 69505/62418/66537 shown

$ 99

*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 2/1/20.

MODEL: 001119346

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

SUPER COUPON

Customer Rating

3-IN-1 PORTABLE POWER PACK WITH JUMP STARTER NOW

9 $499

SAVE $ 44%

5999 89

$ 99 COMPARE TO SUPER START MODEL: 55001 ITEM 38391/62376/64083/56349/62306 shown

*23297673 * 23297673 LIMIT 2 - Coupon valid through 2/1/20*

At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

Annual Report 2019

Nueces Electric Cooperative

Nueces Electric Charities 2018 Grant Recipients •

Citizens For Education

•

Dress for Success Corpus Christi

•

Refuge of Hope

•

Corpus Christi Hope House, Inc

•

Sinton STEM Robotics Program

•

South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center

Association •

CASA of Kleberg County d/b/a

•

TAMUCC Young Authors Camp

•

Corpus Christi Metro Ministries

•

Corpus Christi Education Foundation

•

The Rise School of Corpus Christi

•

Children’s Advocacy Center of the

•

Brownsville Society for Crippled

Brush County CASA

Children Inc, dba, Moody Clinic

Coastal Bend •

South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind

•

Education Is Our Freedom

•

Mission of Mercy

•

St John Lutheran Church

•

United Way of the Coastal Bend

•

Education Service Center, Region 2

•

Focus Foundation

•

Corpus Christi Pregnancy Center,

•

Harbor Playhouse

Inc, dba Pregnancy Center of the

•

Palmer Drug Abuse Program of

Coastal Bend

Corpus Christi, Inc •

Presbyterian Pan American School

•

Behavioral Health Center of Nueces

•

Friends of the Corpus Christi Musuem of Science and History

•

West Side Helping Hand

County

In 2018, $130,500 was awarded to 501 (c) 3 organizations thanks to members who rounded up their electric bill through the Operation Round Up program. Grant applications can be found at www.nuecescharities.org. Grant deadlines are January 1 & July 1 of every year.

2019_AnnualMeeting_TCPDustCover copy.indd 23

9/9/2019 1:36:41 PM

Saturday, November 2 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

NEC Headquarters Building 14353 Cooperative Avenue Robstown, TX NEC will be giving away free trees to all members in honor of Texas Arbor Day. Bring a copy of your latest bill and receive either a Bur Oak or Lacebark Elm two-year old seedling.

TEXAS ARBOR DAY TREE GIVEWAY 2019_AnnualMeeting_TCPDustCover copy.indd 21

9/9/2019 1:36:40 PM