WK&T July/August 2013 Connection

The WK&T

Connection July/August 2013

Published for the members of West Kentucky & Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative

Green Houses

College students use technology to build green homes

Salute to Service

Pete Galloway retires after 41 years

New Area Code News that will change the way you dial

Industry News

Growth in the face of uncertainty FCC regulatory changes are creating challenges for rural telecommunications providers planning network expansions

By Stephen V. Smith, Editor

I

n the May/June issue of this magazine, Shirley Bloomfield talked about the newly unified NTCA, the association for which she serves as CEO. In a continuation of that interview, Bloomfield describes how changes in federal regulations are creating an atmosphere of uncertainty among rural telecommunications companies.

Smith: The telecommunications industry is in a state of transition. What challenges are rural providers facing?

Bloomfield: There are regulatory proceedings going on right now regarding Universal Service, which is regulated by the FCC. They have essentially turned on its head how this regulation works.

So far, they have cut and capped a lot of the support the rural telecommunications providers have been getting.

Smith: What is Universal Service, and how does it work?

Bloomfield: Universal Service allows carriers who provide service in rural, high-cost areas to essentially have support from the rest of the industry to keep their monthly subscription fees low.

Shirley Bloomfield NTCA CEO 2 | July/August 2013

Consumers in these rural markets benefit from this offset in terms of the actual cost of providing that service. It’s important to note that Universal Service is a support mechanism supported by other carriers. It is not a tax. It is not government support.

It is a fee that other carriers pay into the Universal Service Fund, or USF. Smith: How will rural telecommunications providers be affected by these cuts and caps to the USF dollars they depend on?

Bloomfield: It’s going to impact them in two ways. One, they are going to have a lot less money, and that’s going to mean a lot less investment. Two, the FCC wants to reassess every single year, which means providers won’t know until that next year if they are going to be able to recover any of their costs. Providers will be paralyzed, because the FCC has created this environment of regulatory uncertainty.

This is a capital-intensive industry. You can’t make investments if you don’t know if you can recover your costs.

Smith: Are we seeing this impact now in the industry?

Bloomfield: We are. In NTCA surveys, several rural telecommunications providers have told us they have actually cut back or eliminated an upgrade to their network or an investment in new construction that they had planned on making.

Smith: Why is it so important for providers to continually invest in improving and expanding their networks?

Bloomfield: Telecommunications networks are living, breathing operations.

You don’t just put broadband in and walk away, saying “job well done, now we have broadband.” There is so much more to consider. Maybe a provider offers DSL, but how do they get to a point where they can do fully interactive service? How do they provide enough bandwidth to allow rural hospitals to do diagnostics using fiber?

How can they support distance learning programs so schools can aggregate and share their resources? Broadband that was installed 5 to 10 years ago isn’t going to do the trick. Networks need constant upgrades and new deployment. And there are still people in some parts of rural America who don’t have access to broadband yet.

Smith: NTCA and its members work hard to strengthen and protect the rural telecommunications industry. Why are these providers so important to the rural markets they serve?

Bloomfield: I can’t stress enough the importance of local telecommunications providers and what a difference they make in their rural communities. They are so innovative and willing to try new things.

They are incredibly creative about the services they offer to their consumers. The people they serve are their neighbors and friends. The idea of customer service is important to them. For the consumer, it’s great to know you can pick up the phone and get help immediately, or sit down with folks who know you who can answer your questions as you look at new products. I can’t overemphasize what it means to be served by a locally owned and controlled telecommunications provider in this day and age, and what a driver that is for the rural economy. 

Digital Citizenship

Do you know the rules of the road?

By Carissa Swenson

W

e all know the Internet can connect us to the world, but do we really understand what that means? Understanding the power behind that connectivity is critical to becoming a safe, productive digital citizen.

What is digital citizenship? It is the “rules of the road” or guidelines we follow when interacting with others in the digital world.

The Internet is much like the roads we drive on every day. Each connection provides access to people, places and things all over the world. The devices we use to access the Internet, such as smartphones, tablets, computers and gaming units, are much like the cars we drive. Some are fancier with more buttons, but they all can get us to our destination.

Driving a car is a rite of passage that our youth anticipate and even study for.

They stay awake at night dreaming about the places they want to go and things they want to see. Meanwhile, parents stay up at night worrying about what their sons and daughters will do once they have that freedom: • What if they make poor choices while behind the wheel?

• What if their friends pressure them to do things we don’t approve of?

• How are we going to prepare our child to become a responsible driver?

Despite these concerns, teenagers are getting behind the wheel every day. Why do parents let their kids drive when there is so much risk? Because the rewards outweigh the risks.

Rules and rewards

The Internet should be treated the same way — yet often we aren’t asking these same types of questions when giving our youth access to the world via the Internet.

We are buying Web-ready devices for our

kids, but are we making sure they know the rules? After all, there is no Internet “drivers ed” or test to pass.

Knowing the rules of digital citizenship will help young users reap the rewards of a connected world. Being a good digital citizen means you: • Understand the impact of your digital footprint and your future • Know the risks involved with cyberpredators, cyber-bullies, sexting and other high-risk behaviors • Discover ways to protect your identity when going online

raising digital citizens

As adults, it is our job to teach our young people the rules of the digital road.

They may be able to text under the table during dinner and customize an iPad in record time, but do they understand the ramifications of their digital behaviors?

As adults, we don’t need to know how all these pieces of technology work, we just need to make sure we are teaching and practicing good digital citizenship.

Yes, there are risks to accessing the digital world. And topics like cyberbullying, sexting, identity theft and other online risks can make a parent want to keep their child unplugged. The idea, however, is not to disconnect, but to be aware — and to raise responsible digital citizens.  In our next issue, Carissa will share ways to protect your reputation, because “you can’t take back what you post online.”

Carissa Swenson is the owner and technology specialist of TechTECS, a technology training, education, consulting and support company.

Lifeline ‹‹ Service When you need help paying for telephone service Is your annual household income at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a household of its size?

Do you or someone in your household participate in any of the following lowincome government assistance programs?

If so, you may qualify for Lifeline Service.

• Medicaid • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Section 8 Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) • National School Lunch Program’s Free Lunch Program To find out whether you qualify for Lifeline assistance, customers must fill out standard forms, available at your local telephone company’s office, as mandated by the Federal and/or State government. Your telephone company is not responsible for determining who qualifies for these programs or who receives assistance. Customers must meet specific criteria in order to obtain assistance with their local telephone service, and qualifying is dependent upon government-established guidelines. To qualify for Lifeline credit, each customer must apply and provide proof that he/she, or a household member for whom he/she is financially responsible, participates in at least one of the programs listed above or that the customer meets the income-based requirements. Additional eligibility requirements may also apply. Customers must choose to apply the Lifeline discount to a landline or a wireless number, not both.

For more details about Lifeline Service and to apply for assistance, please contact your local telephone company.

July/August 2013 | 3

&

From the CEO

West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative

Time for FCC to count the cost Have you ever botched a job because you got in a hurry? Maybe you cut a 2-by-4 too short because you only measured once. Or perhaps you missed that big buck because you didn’t take time to aim.

“Haste makes waste” can be a hard lesson learned.

Sometimes you just need to slow down. And that’s the message hundreds of people who work in the telecommunications industry recently took to Washington, D.C. NTCA’s 2013 Legislative and Policy Conference was held toward the end of April. I attended the event, along with a delegation from WK&T. We joined some 500 other NTCA members from across rural America to take your concerns to Capitol Hill.

There are hundreds of companies like WK&T in the United States that are working hard to bring advanced broadband services to rural areas — communities where the cost of providing service is much higher than in the larger cities. As you have read in these pages before, we are concerned that changes in regulations by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are driving up the cost of delivering service to you. These changes are also making it difficult for companies like ours to predict how we will recover the cost of future investments in our networks.

In April, as we met with lawmakers and their staffs, we asked for their support in telling the FCC to slow down and count the cost. Specifically, we asked them to support a bipartisan bill that seeks greater analysis of the FCC’s 2011 Universal Service Fund (USF) reforms that are limiting support for many rural providers.

The bill, sponsored by Sens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Mark Begich, D-Alaska, calls on the Government Accountability Office to study the effects of the FCC’s reforms, and to give us a clear idea of how broadband speeds and rates are being impacted. At times it feels like the FCC has taken a “Ready, Fire, Aim!” approach to reforming the telecommunications industry, and it is time for a comprehensive study to gauge the true effect of the agency’s actions.

YOUR VOICE HAS BEEN HEARD In early June, NTCA informed us that the federal government is indeed listening to your voice, and that our outreach campaign was effective. The Government Accountability Office has confirmed that it will begin a study to provide answers to the questions we are all asking. Are the changes being made by the FCC actually improving broadband service in rural America? Are broadband speeds increasing? Are consumers paying more, less or the same for service? The GAO plans to report on its findings later this year.

This is an important victory for the communities we serve, for two reasons. Not only do we need to know whether the FCC’s changes are good for consumers today, but we also need the facts to help lawmakers and regulators make better, more informed decisions in the future. Our grassroots efforts are paying off as we work through our national association, taking your concerns to Washington to ensure that your voice is heard. Trevor Bonnstetter Chief Executive Officer 4 | July/August 2013

is your cooperative serving West Kentucky and Northwest Tennessee across more than 15,000 access lines. The company is dedicated to using technology to keep its members connected through local and long-distance calling, high-speed Internet, digital television and beyond.

Board of Trustees Joe Thompson President Jerry Holloway Vice President Beverly Taylor Secretary/Treasurer Bob Barnett Jeff Davis Algene Goatley Tony Goodman Ricky Littleton Delbert Newsome Jerry Stephenson

Vol. 5, NO. 4 July/August 2013

WK&T The WK&T

Connection is published by West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative, © 2013. It is distributed without charge to all members of the cooperative.

Send address corrections to:

WK&T Telecommunications Cooperative P.O. Box 649 • 237 N 8th Street Mayfield, KY 42066 Telephone: 877-954-8748 www.wktelecom.coop Produced for WK&T by: www.WordSouth.com On the Cover: Instructor John Moore, left, and Lawrence Brown work on the roof of WKCTC’s Green Energy Simulator.

See story Page 8.

West Kentucky

getting new area code

Timeline for change

Beginning early next year, the 270 area code will be joined by a new three-digit series at the front of West Kentucky telephone numbers.

Starting Feb. 1, 2014, residents in dozens of counties — including WK&T’s entire Kentucky service area — will have to start dialing 10-digit phone numbers in preparation for the new 364 area code overlay coming March 3, 2014.

The reason for the switch is simple: cell phones and a growing population has caused West Kentuckians to run out of phone numbers. Consider the fact that just a few years ago, every house had one phone. Now, in addition to the landline, often each family member has his or her own phone with its own number.

Rather than collecting a group of counties into a new area code and forcing thousands of individuals and businesses to change phone numbers, the overlay will allow new phone subscribers to get a new 364 area code to compensate for the growth.

Because the area code will be overlaid, no one will be required to get a new phone number.

Watch future issues of this magazine for more details about this switch.

August 3, 2013 Everyone should begin using the new 10-digit dialing whenever placing a call from the 270 area code. If you forget and dial just seven digits, your call will still be completed during this practice period.

February 1, 2014 Callers will be required to use the new dialing procedures for all calls. After this date, if you do not use the 10-digit dialing, your calls will not be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

March 3, 2014 New telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers with a new 364 area code.

Mark your calendars!

2013

WK&T annual meeting Saturday, July 20 Graves County High School in Mayfield, Ky. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m.

WK&T Telecommunications Cooperative

WK&T Sports adds racing, college shows WK&T Sports is excited to announce the addition of “The Red and Blue Review” and “Raceline” to our weekly schedule.

“Review” analysts Darrell Bird of the Cats’ Pause magazine (Kentucky) and Howie Lindsey of the Louisville SportsReport magazine keep fans up to date on the latest news and information about their favorite teams. The show airs Tuesday and Thursday nights at 5:30 p.m.

“Raceline” is America’s only weekly syndicated show dedicated to NASCAR racing.

“Raceline” can be seen Friday at 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at midnight and again at 5 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Despite rain, fiber crews still connecting 60 to 80 members per week There’s no way around it — crews can’t safely dig, bore and hang fiber lines in the rain. And when you’ve had as much rain as West Kentucky and Northwest Tennessee have had this spring, that fact means losing a lot of productivity.

“Our construction progress has slowed dramatically as a result of the rain,” says Sam Stitcher, engineering department supervisor.

But despite soggy conditions, crews were still able to complete nearly 200 miles of construction in the first four months of the year. That brings the total miles constructed to 1,500 — leaving only 700 miles to go.

Engineers still expect the mainline construction to be completed on schedule this fall and have every member connected by early 2014.

As of early May, almost one-third of broadband subscribers were on the Flite fiber network, primarily in Fancy Farm, Farmington, Cunningham, Puryear and Wingo. Early this summer, crews will connect members in Lowes, Yorkville, Brazil, Trimble and Mason-Hall. By late summer, engineers expect to be ready to cut over West Plains, Hazel, Cottage Grove, Sedalia, Kirksey and Lynnville.

When Flite service is available in your area, our sales team and customer service personnel will contact you to make an appointment to connect your home or business.

July/August 2013 | 5

Web-powered summer vacations

8 ways to use the Internet to create an awesome family vacation this summer

By Mariann Martin

D

oes the phrase “family vacation” bring back painful memories of long, boring drives, dozens of wrong turns and hotels with an advertised beachfront view that turned out to be a sandy parking lot? If those scenarios sound familiar, there is a solution — the Internet! Use websites for research and booking accommodations online to plan the details of your vacation before heading out for a relaxed, enjoyable trip with the family. Here are some tips:

1 Plan together

Get the entire family involved in planning your vacation with online exploration.

Most states, cities and parks have detailed websites that give an overview of available activities. Children can click through pictures, read about the destination points and pick out places of interest.

2 Be prepared

Find out what documents you will need by checking the websites of all the places you plan to visit. Make sure you have the right insurance cards, passports and travel documents before you head out the door. Also check the weather for your destination, so you can pack the proper clothing.

3 Book it

Hotels, car rentals and airline tickets can be purchased online, using various websites to find deals. Travel experts recommend searching at least three booking websites to find the best prices, which are frequently offered at the beginning of the week (especially on Tuesdays).

4 read Reviews

Even the most drab hotel can look good in a photo, so use the Internet to learn what other travelers think of the places you plan to visit. Websites such as TripAdvi-

6 | July/August 2013

sor include reviews from people who have visited the places, and can also offer useful tips and warnings.

stretching visit. Use GPS devices to skip all those wrong turns.

5 Save information

If your day trip to the water park gets rained out, use the Internet to quickly find the closest kids’ museum or other indoor activity. And if the wait is too long at the restaurant you planned to visit, get online to check nearby options.

Use online resources such as Google Docs or Dropbox to plan your itinerary and budget your trip. If you are traveling with other families, Google Docs allows multiple users to share plans and add information. During your trip, you can access your stored trip details.

6 On the road

To avoid the infamous “are we there yet?” chorus, download apps and activities to a smartphone or tablet to entertain the kids.

Research historical sites along the way and stop for a quick educational and leg-

7 Changing plans

8 Savor the memories

Once you return home, create an album on Facebook or a photo sharing website to upload your favorite photos from the trip.

You can share the album with friends and family, or click through them on a dreary winter day when summer vacations are only a distant dream. 

➜ Places to visit, sights to see Summer memories are filled with blue swimming holes, dripping ice cream cones and family vacations. From beaches and mountains to historical downtowns and outer space exploration, the Southeast abounds in unique spots ideally suited for family trips. These days, a well-planned and researched family trip begins with a few mouse clicks and a quick review of the endless resources on the Internet. Then set out to make memories in one of these breathtaking locations.

First stop on your vacation: the Internet Preparation is the key to success when it comes to family vacations.

Here are some state tourism sites to help you plan your next getaway.

• • • •

www.tnvacation.com www.alabama.travel www.kentuckytourism.com www.discoversouthcarolina.com

Photo courtesy of Kentucky Derby Museum

Kentucky Kentucky Derby Museum • www.derbymuseum.org The Kentucky Derby Museum offers visitors a chance to explore Kentucky’s rich horse racing heritage within view of the famed racetrack.

The smell of leather and the sound of thundering hooves are recreated through thousands of books, photos, films and racing artifacts housed in the museum. Visitors can also take guided tours for a behind-the-scenes look at Churchill Downs.

Photo courtesy of South Carolina Botanical Garden

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Alabama The U.S. Space & Rocket Center • www.rocketcenter.com Visitors to Huntsville’s U.S. Space & Rocket Center trace the history of ventures into space and watch as potential future scientists and astronauts train at the home of America’s space program since the early 1950s.

Visitors can “be an astronaut for the day” as they explore a rocket park, education training center and theater. The museum includes space hardware from the first trip to the moon, along with information about the space race, the Apollo missions and the International Space Station.

South Carolina Botanical Garden • www.clemson.edu/public/scbg Take a day away from hectic life to explore beautiful gardens and hike nature trails at the South Carolina Botanical Garden in Clemson. The 295 acres of beauty feature an arboretum, woodlands, streams, managed meadows, turf and shrubs filled with birds, fish and other wildlife.

The garden features a geology museum and an art gallery, as well as one of the largest collections of nature-based sculptures in the country.

South Carolina

Photo courtesy of National Park Service

Tennessee Cades Cove • www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, nature lover, photographer, hiker or history buff, Cades Cove should be at the top of your list of places to visit. Part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this broad valley features an 11-mile loop road that presents travelers with stunning mountain vistas; sightings of white-tailed deer, black bear, turkey and more; and a number of hiking trails. You will encounter several 18th- and 19thcentury structures, including churches, barns, log cabins and a working grist mill.

July/August 2013 | 7

Green House Classes

John Moore, construction program coordinator for WKCTC, discusses proper sealing techniques with student Ron Remien.

WKCTC offers training on energysaving construction techniques

By Andy Johns

T

he future of home construction is being put together in a lab in Hickory. But it’s not a top-secret government experiment. It’s open to anyone who enrolls in the right classes at West Kentucky Community and Technical College.

“This is the future,” says John Moore, program coordinator for construction technology at WKCTC. “This is where construction is going.”

From solar panels on the roof of a new 520-square-foot green construction simulation lab to ductwork insulation in the crawl space, students in WKCTC’s Construction and HVAC programs are learning how to plan, build, rework and install energy-saving materials and equipment.

“It shows all of the aspects of building a house,” says Lawrence Brown, a construction student from Mayfield.

As it sits this summer waiting for a new class of students to start work this fall, the simulator is a mock-up of a house complete with windows, doors and recessed lighting. The spring class built a roof on the simulator, as well as the subfloor and interior framing. As sheetrock is hung on the walls, students and instructors will add cut-away windows showing cross-sections of insulation, moisture barriers and wall joints.

The simulator, provided by $1 million in grants through the Kentucky Workforce 8 | July/August 2013

• Close curtains or shades to keep out the summer sun.

• Evaluate and replace damaged seals around doors and windows.

• Consider adding a programmable thermostat so you won’t run heating or cooling equipment when you don’t need it.

• Run ceiling fans and open windows rather than running the air conditioner.

• Add more attic insulation.

• Look at replacing old energywasting appliances with more efficient models.

• Replace your air filter on your HVAC unit regularly.

Source: Energy.gov

WK&T Telecommunications Cooperative

Investment Board, gives students hands-on lessons on new methods and materials. Mark Westerfield, who oversees the school’s Air Conditioning Technology program, says homeowners and the nation as a whole can save a tremendous amount of energy at home. With the rising costs of energy production, the time is right for students like those at WKCTC to go into the field equipped with this new knowledge. “Our electrical grid is right on the edge of capacity,” Westerfield says.

Students believe the experience will make them more employable by construction companies looking to stay on the cutting edge of technology. “Everybody is looking at building green because saving energy is big right now,” says student Aaron Clapp of Graves County.

Construction in context

Instead of just talking about the R-values of various types of insulation, the new lab enables students to see the products in action. Throughout the construction, Westerfield and Moore used various qualities of insulation, windows and doors. With thermal imaging cameras, they are able to show students which materials keep the most heat in or allow the least amount of conditioned air to escape.

They also used different techniques to build various joints where walls, floors and ceilings come together so students can see the effect of such methods.

“There are a lot of possibilities,” Westerfield says.

Overall, more and more science is being used in home con-

struction, and the courses represent that shift. In one session, Westerfield and Moore place a fan at the front door pulling air out of the house. The negative pressure in the house sucks air from outside at any crack, gap or faulty seam. If air comes in through leaky windows, bad joints or door seals, students will see it and learn how to correct the problem. Outside of the lab, in the real world, those trouble spots can waste energy and cost homeowners big money. “What they’re trying to do is make the building tighter,” Westerfield says.

Through the simulator, students will also learn about solar panels and geothermal heating and air units. “It’s not just about conserving what we’ve got,” Moore says. “It’s about finding new sources.”

The homeowners who ask for such features, either in new construction or through renovations, will enjoy not only the knowledge that they are being environmentally friendly, but will see a benefit each month when the bill shows up. “You wouldn’t believe what the electric bills look like for the people that do this,” Westerfield says.

A big part of the course’s mission, Westerfield says, is letting students and others know what products are available and what impact they can have. If more consumers demand energyefficient buildings, companies and contractors will adapt. “It’s all about awareness,” Westerfield explains.

And when construction companies look for people to lead these new green projects, they’ll have to look no further than the students at WKCTC. 

Above left: John Moore, center, with students Lawrence Brown of Mayfield, left, and Aaron Clapp of Graves County, discusses energy-effecient roofing. Above center: Moore teaches students about insulation. Above right: Mark Westerfield covers renewable energy sources like solar panels, all in an effort to help students build homes that draw less energy from the electric grid.

WK&T Telecommunications Cooperative

July/August 2013 | 9

Minor Attraction0 Stars of tomorrow and fan-friendly venues draw crowds

By Jeremy Wood

W

hen it comes to big-league rooting alliances, Southern baseball fans are mostly left listening to radio broadcasts of teams in faraway cities like Atlanta, St. Louis and Cincinnati. But the South has plenty of the next-best thing: the minor leagues.

The region’s rich baseball playing history and small-town style fit perfectly with the essence of minor league baseball, where teams send younger players to develop. The South boasts nearly 50 minor league teams, ranging in level from Rookie (just signed their first pro contract) to AAA (one step away from the big time).

Here are a few popular places to see a minor-league game in the South, along with their classification and big-league parent club. For a portal to every minor league team’s website, visit www.minorleaguebaseball.com.

Nashville Sounds

H Huntsville (Ala.) Stars (AA, Milwaukee Brewers) Tickets: $8 for adults, $5 for kids under 12 (all tickets are general admission and must be purchased at the ballpark).

At the park: An $8 ticket is a good deal for the upper minors and it allows you to pick from any seat at Joe Davis Stadium. Promotions this year include a bobblehead night on July 27, discounted drinks on Thirst-Aid Thursdays, fireworks and bingo games.

Watch for mascot Homer the Polecat, who was created in honor of a skunk that used to live behind the outfield wall.

While you’re in town: Take the money you save on baseball tickets and visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

10 | July/August 2013

Photo courtesy of Nashville Sounds

(AAA, Milwaukee Brewers) Tickets: $15 day-of-game, $12 when purchased in advance. They also offer a family ticket bundle that includes seats, hot dogs and sodas for four at a cost of $56.

At the park: There are six Faith Night promotions throughout the season, featuring live Christian music prior to the game. Sticking with the religious theme, there will be two “Bible Series” bobblehead giveaway nights during the season. The featured statuettes? David and Goliath.

While you’re in town: The Tennessee State Museum has exhibits covering 15,000 years of human history in the state. Best of all, museum admission is free.

Chattanooga Lookouts (AA, Los Angeles Dodgers) Tickets: Range from $5 for adult general admission to $9 for lower box seats.

At the park: Sitting on the third-base side offers a better view of the nearby mountains and shade from the setting sun, while the first-base side treats you to cars going by on U.S. 27 outside the park.

While you’re in town: Have dinner at Big River Grille and Brewing Works for a family-friendly menu. It’s a two-block walk from the restaurant door to the front gate of AT&T Park. If you’re a baseball history buff, Engel Stadium (which is no longer used by the Lookouts) has been open since 1929 and is a must-see.

H Jackson (Tenn.)

Generals (AA, Seattle Mariners) Tickets: $10 reserved, $6 general admission.

At the park: If you can make it for any Dollar Thursday during the season, general admission seats are knocked down to a single greenback (as are hot dogs, popcorn, soft drinks and beer). Sarge, the Generals’ bulldog mascot, was named by a six-year-old in an online contest.

While you’re in town: It’s a good place for railroad fans, who can visit both the Casey Jones Village and the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad Museum and still make a night game.

H Charleston (S.C.) Riverdogs (A, New York Yankees) Tickets: $8 to $17 for Friday nights, cheaper by $1 for all other nights except July 4.

At the park: Joseph P. Riley park was designed by the same architectural firm that worked on several modern major league stadiums. It is one of the most picturesque locales in the minors.

While you’re in town: If you can’t find a great meal at one of Charleston’s more than 350 restaurants, you’re not really trying. Chefs at places from famous staples like Hyman’s Seafood to hot new restaurants like Macintosh serve up their take on shrimp and grits, barbecued ribs and more every day. For non-culinary exploration, your best bet is to ride the ferry to Fort Sumter for some Civil War history and watch for dolphins while you’re on the boat.

H

Tennessee Smokies (AA, Chicago Cubs) Tickets: $11/$10 for adults/children infield box seats; $6 for all ages on grass outfield berm.

At the park: Located in Kodak, Tenn., a few miles east of Knoxville, the Smokies enjoy one of the minors’ more creative promotional teams. Movie Mondays weave great baseball movies into the live game experience, while country music fans can hit Kenny Chesney night on July 19.

While you’re in town: The glitz of Dollywood and Gatlinburg and the wilderness of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are both just a short drive away.

H Rome Braves (A, Atlanta Braves) Tickets: Club seats are $10 apiece; cheapest is $4 lawn seating.

At the park: Romey and Roxie are two of the biggest, bluest mascots in the minors.

Rome also hosts Superhero Night on July 6; dressing up as your favorite superhero is encouraged and Captain America will be in attendance for pictures.

While you’re in town: Grab dinner at local institution Schroeder’s on Broad Street in downtown Rome. If you have time for sightseeing, visit the campus of nearby Berry College to check out the exquisite Frost Chapel and a vintage overshot wooden water wheel.

Lexington Legends (A, Kansas City Royals) Tickets: The cheapest reserved seats are $14 when purchased in advance (add $1 to all prices day-of-game).

At the park: Kids receive a voucher for a free ballpark meal on Monday night home games. Also, the Legends will have three George Brett bobblehead giveaways this season, honoring one of the Royals’ alltime greats.

While you’re in town: The Kentucky Horse Center is referred to as “Disneyland for horse lovers.” It features two theaters and two museums on the grounds.

H Bowling Green (Ky.) Hot Rods (A, Tampa Bay Rays) Tickets: Highest are $12 for premium box seats; cheapest are $7 for general admission.

At the park: The parent club, Tampa Bay, has one of the best reputations for developing minor league talent in the business, and some of the Rays’ top prospects figure to be in Bowling Green this summer.

While you’re in town: If you love cars, check out the National Corvette Museum.

If the great outdoors is more appealing, enjoy an underground boat tour at the Lost River Cave & Valley on the outskirts of town.  July/August 2013 | 11

Safe

Eddie and Andrea Robertson protect their home with WK&T Security.

at home W

12 | July/August 2013

Some of the information in the Rutgers study was based on a 1994 study published by Northeastern University. In that study, researchers interviewed convicted burglars and found that most of them “wanted to avoid alarms altogether and, upon encountering such devices, abandoned all thought of attacking the dwelling.”

In addition to safety, the Robertsons were happy to discover another bonus from the system. After telling their home insurance company about it, their homeowner’s insurance rate dropped by about 10 percent.

WK&T’s Premium Secure Connect kit is $159 initially, with free installation on three-year contracts. The monitoring fee is as low as $25 per month.

Eddie Robertson is so pleased with the system and the installation experience that he has been spreading the word. “We’ve talked our son into getting one,” he says.

To speak with a WK&T Secure Connect representative, call 1-877-954-8748. 

➜

hen Eddie and Andrea Robertson heard of a rash of breakins near their home outside of Sedalia, they decided it was time to stop procrastinating.

They’d been talking about getting a security system for a few years, but decided last fall was the time to act. So they called WK&T. “I think we needed it more because we are a little farther back (from the road),” Andrea says. “It gives us security knowing it’s there.”

Law enforcement experts say the Robertsons picked the right time to install a system — before a break-in happens.

People often wait until they have a burglary before installing the system. By then, it’s too late.

The Robertsons say they are happy with the system because it protects them whether they are home or on the road. If they leave the house during the day, the security system is on to scare off intruders and notify police of a break-in. At night, the system is armed to alert them that someone might be in the house with them.

“I think it gives peace of mind either way,” Eddie says.

Statistics support that sense of safety.

In 2009, researchers at Rutgers University released a 300-page study on the effectiveness of alarm systems and found that having an installed alarm system makes a home less attractive to would-be intruders. In addition, the study concluded that higher numbers of alarm systems decrease the number of burglaries in an area.

“Neighborhoods in which burglar alarms were densely installed have fewer incidents of residential burglaries than the neighborhoods with fewer burglar alarms,” the study noted.

Security can cut insurance rates Most home insurance providers give customers a discount if they have a security system. If you already own one of WK&T’s systems, or if you are considering adding one, call your insurance company to see how much you could save.

WK&T’s Premium Secure Connect Kit includes: • Up to 3 Door or Window Sensors • 1 Interior Siren • 1 Motion Detector • 1 Touch Screen Control Panel • 1 Wireless Remote Control • Yard Signs and Window Decals Alarm #1547

WK&T Telecommunications Cooperative

Salute to Service: Pete Galloway retires as Graves County superintendent

In 41 years with Graves County Schools, Pete Galloway has seen a lot of changes in technology.

By Andy Johns

Leadership legacy

Colleagues at the district office say they’ve always appreciated the way the soft-spoken superintendent leads, inspires and involves all stakeholders in decisions.

Jennifer Smith, who was once a student of Galloway’s and now serves as assistant superintendent, says that goes back to WK&T Telecommunications Cooperative

‘‘

At the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves, ‘Is what we do good for the children?’ If we say yes, we’ve had a good day.

– Pete Galloway

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P

ete Galloway remembers a presentation by IBM in the late 1980s where the speaker told him and other educators gathered at Murray State that one day, a computer network would connect students in West Kentucky with other schools and institutions around the world.

“We said, ‘That’s not going to happen here,’” he remembers.

Twenty-five years later, sitting in front of his iPad and computer, the retiring Graves County Schools superintendent is willing to admit they underestimated technology.

“We’ve seen so much change,” he says.

Now the district is going to see one more change. After 41 years as a teacher, administrator and superintendent, Galloway has decided to step down from the district’s top post to spend more time with his family.

“This district’s been very good to me,” Galloway says. “I loved coming to work every day.”

when he was teaching agriculture and advising the FFA chapter at Farmington High School. “He just came in with the attitude that we’re going to be the best,” she says.

“He realized that we needed to believe in ourselves, too.”

Smith and others say Galloway was a strong leader, but not one who needed to show that strength by yelling or making snap decisions. “I’ve always heard people say, ‘Don’t mistake meekness for weakness,’” says Kim Harrison, who will take over as superintendent this fall. “That’s Mr. Galloway.”

Even though he oversaw 700 employees and 4,500 students, Galloway managed to stay in contact with individual students and teachers. On one busy April day, just two hours before a called board meeting, Galloway took time to make his regular hour-long meeting with a group of students at Graves County High School.

Sitting around a table, Galloway fielded questions on everything from changing technology to economic development issues for West Kentucky.

When asked about the meeting, he said

it’s a way to stay connected. “At the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves, ‘Is what we do good for the children?’” Galloway says. “If we say yes, we’ve had a good day.”

Retirement Plans

Galloway says he’s looking forward to being a more involved “Grandaddy” for his four grandchildren. The new schedule will also include several road trips with his wife Donna. “There are a lot of places in this country we haven’t been,” he says.

Donna Galloway retired from teaching first grade at Farmington Elementary a year earlier. “She’s been waiting on me, coming up with a list of things for me to do,” Galloway jokes.

But his replacement warns that when he travels, he needs to leave her a way to get in touch with him. “I hope he keeps his cell phone handy after he retires because we’re going to be calling him,” Harrison says. “Not many people get the advantage of having someone like him to call on for advice.” 

July/August 2013 | 13

Southern Kitchens

Every time I bite into a peach, the memories come flooding back.

My mother loved Anne P. Braly peaches, but her Food Editor favorite variety was one you don’t see very often these days: Georgia Belle. We had a summer home in the North Carolina mountains, and there was one roadside stand we passed every time we made the drive. When the sign went up saying Georgia Belles were in season, Momma would make a quick turn into the open-air market along Highway 64.

Momma’s gone now, Georgia Belles aren’t so easy to find anymore, and the last time I drove past, the fruit stand had closed. But farmers are now growing other good peaches, and they’re readily available this time of year. Here’s one of my favorite ways to use peaches on grilled chicken. For the best taste, make it the night before, put it in a sealed container and allow the flavors to marry.

Fresh Peach Salsa 3-4 1/4 2 2

1

1

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peeled peaches, diced cup fresh lime juice teaspoons honey tablespoons diced red bell pepper tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper tablespoon chopped cilantro clove garlic, minced tablespoons chopped red onion

Combine ingredients; refrigerate until serving time. Makes 1-1/2 to 2 cups.

Email Anne Braly at apbraly@gmail.com.

14 | July/August 2013

R

A passion for peaches

“After the 5-1/2-hour drive to Arkansas, we got back in the car and drove another 50 miles just to pick peaches from an orchard that Ronda Hays’ recipe was well-known for for her mom’s peach its beautiful and sweet pie brings back fruit,” she says. “There childhood memories. were acres and acres of peach trees loaded with ripe, luscious fruit ready for picking.”

After picking their fill — several bushels, Hays recalls — they got back in their car, having rearranged their luggage so that the peaches would have a protected place to travel.

“When the visit was over, our trip home was a constant reminder by the ever-present smell of fresh peaches and the thoughts of delicious treats to come,” she says. “Once home, Mom and Dad began the process of preserving the tasty peaches for us to enjoy during the cold winter months.”

Her love of peaches has never diminished, only bloomed. And though Hays prefers freestone peaches over any other — the pits are easier to remove and there’s less waste, she says — she really doesn’t have a preference about what specific variety she uses.

“I usually just buy the freshest-smelling the grocery store offers,” she says. “The same goes when I go to the local farmers’ markets in the summer.”

If it looks like a peach and smells like a peach, she bags it.

Though she uses frozen peaches when good fresh ones are not available, Hays’ favorite peach dessert is never made until this time of year when peaches are at their best. Her mother’s peach pie is special to her because it brings back such good memories.

“I remember her making it when my brother and I were children,” she says. “We could hardly wait for a slice of it every time she made it.”

So she, like you, has to wait no longer. Peaches are in their prime, right in time to please your peachy palate. Here are two of Hays’ favorite recipes. 

Photo by Thomas Jackson

The perfect peach

onda Hays of Cunningham, Ky., has a passion for peaches that goes all the way back to her childhood. She remembers a trip to visit family in Arkansas when she was about 10 years old, and on the way back to her home in Missouri the smell of peaches filled the car.

Peaches: The fresh taste of summer Peach-Blueberry Bread eggs cups sugar cup vegetable oil teaspoons vanilla extract cups all-purpose flour teaspoon baking powder teaspoon baking soda teaspoon salt teaspoons cinnamon cups diced peaches cup blueberries cup walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease and flour two 8-by-4-inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs lightly.

Blend in the sugar, oil and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; mix just to combine, but do not overwork the batter. Stir in the peaches, blueberries, and nuts. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool in loaf pans for 10 minutes. Turn the bread out onto the wire rack to completely cool. Serve with softened cream cheese or your favorite flavored butter.

Note: Frozen blueberries may also be used.

If frozen fruit is used, thaw and drain excess moisture prior to use.

Photo by Thomas Jackson

3 2 1 2 3 1 1 1 3 2 1/2 1/2

One of Ronda Hays’ favorite peach desserts is her mom’s peach pie.

Mom’s Peach Pie 3-4 2 1 2 1 1 1

1 1

peaches, peeled, pits removed graham cracker crusts cup water tablespoons cornstarch cup sugar (3-ounce) package peach gelatin (8-ounce) container whipped topping, thawed cup powdered sugar (3-ounce) package cream cheese

Slice peaches into crusts. In a small saucepan, add water, sugar and cornstarch, stirring and cooking until sugar is dissolved and mixture is clear. Add peach gelatin and stir to dissolve. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Pour mixture over peaches; place pies in refrigerator until they are set. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, blend whipped topping, powdered sugar and cream cheese. Remove pies from refrigerator, spread with cream cheese mixture, slice and serve. Store any leftovers, covered, in refrigerator.

Dessert, Decor and More Ronda Hays of Cunningham, Ky., has a knack for domestic creativity. In 2011, Hays turned her passion for home arts into All Things Home Related, a blog in which she shares favorite recipes and photo updates about life on the farm, as well as arts and crafts projects around her home. The recipe index makes finding just the right dish quick and easy. Hays’ recipes have been featured in various cookbooks and publications, all of which are listed on her website.

For more information or to contact Hays, visit her blog:

www.allthingshomerelated.com July/August 2013 | 15

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