BACK ON THE ROAD: ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL FESTIVITIES Dust off your license plate frames and crank up a little nostalgia, U.S. Route 66 turns 100 years old this year. Oklahoma’s stretch of the Mother Road is rolling out a summer of parades, rides, murals and family fun to celebrate. From the Arcadia Round Barn to the new neon signs throughout Central Rural Electric Cooperative’s service area, Route 66 is calling you to celebrate! Here’s everything you need to know to join the celebration and make your Route 66 centennial visit unforgettable. MAIN STREET OF AMERICA CENTENNIAL CARAVAN A nationwide, multi-week caravan will travel Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles in June, stopping to showcase preservation successes and community celebrations along the way. ROUTE 66 MURAL FEST July 18 • throughout Oklahoma This statewide mural fest is planned for mid-July, bringing artists to towns across the state to paint new Route 66-themed works and revitalize Main Street facades. Expect block parties, parades and more! THE 100 GREATEST MILES Oklahoma is celebrating the 100 greatest miles of Route 66 from
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Edmond to Sapulpa. June 6, there will be a Road Rally with 25 selfie spots and options to win prizes throughout the stretch of road. October 1-3, Sounds on 66 Live Music Festivals will take place in Edmond, Arcadia’s Round Barn, Wellston’s Butcher BBQ Stand and the Chicken Shack in Arcadia. ROUTE 66 BALLOON FESTIVAL September 23-27 • Arcadia Five days of family-friendly entertainment at the Parkhurst Ranch featuring over a dozen hot air balloons, kite shows, helicopter rides, tethered balloon rides, food trucks, live music and so much more! This event is celebrating Route 66’s centennial in a big way!
• Sally Carrera from Cars was inspired by Dawn Welch, the owner of the Rock Cafe in Stroud. The character is based on her life, including her experiences running a business on Route 66. • Route 66 was commissioned on November 11, 1926. It spans 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, with more than 40 miles inside Central’s service area.
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EDMOND CYCLE 66 October 5 • Edmond Take an unforgettable ride (on a bicycle) through historic Route 66. Choose one of the five races; a one-mile kids ride; or 18, 33, 66 or 100-mile distances. This event is a great way to celebrate Route 66 with the entire family. Tune in for more events in Central’s service area throughout the year, as the state celebrates the Route 66 Centennial!
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• Route 66 has been decommissioned as an official U.S. Highway since 1985, yet its cultural power has kept it alive through preservation groups. A R C A D ROUND I BARN A
LOCAL ICONIC ROUTE 66 STOPS Pops, Arcadia The Butcher BBQ Stand, Wellston Route 66 Interpretive Center, Chandler Route 66 Bowl, Chandler Rock Cafe, Stroud
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POWERING INTO A STRONGER YEAR As we step into a new year, I’m reminded of how much progress we can make when our communities move forward together.
JANUARY 2026 Central Board of Trustees: Sid Sperry, President (District 4) Greg Tytenicz, Vice President (District 2) Ken Starks, Secretary/Treasurer (District 5) Randy Wedel (District 1) Melanie McGuire (District 3) James Wells (District 6) Randy Ethridge (District 7) Executive Team: Shane Burgess - Chief Executive Officer Sondra White - Chief Financial Officer Mark Prather - President of Fiber and Technology Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Brand Strategy and Engagement Empowered Editors: Larry Mattox - Director of Marketing and Communications Kory Bowman - Marketing and Communications Specialist Ivy Swan - Marketing and Communications Specialist
Contact Us: editor@mycentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884 3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076 mycentral.coop facebook.com/MyCentralCoop instagram.com/MyCentralCoop Notice: Central’s office will be closed Thursday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day and Monday, Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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Approaching my first full year of serving as Central’s CEO, it has been a year of growth as I’ve learned from our members, worked alongside an incredible team and gained a deeper understanding of the values that make Central a strong cooperative.
Understanding how demand works helps us make smarter decisions as a cooperative and continue to provide reliable, affordable and safe service to the communities we serve.
I’m incredibly proud of the men and women who keep our cooperative running. From the account representatives who speak with members to our incredible linemen who restore your power even during the worst of weather. Their work is demanding, often unpredictable and always essential. Their dedication is a big reason our cooperative has seen such growth Shane Burgess, this past year. Central CEO
As we look toward the future, I want to touch on something that plays a big role in how we purchase and deliver electricity: demand. In simple terms, demand refers to those moments when many of us are using a lot of electricity all at once.
For me, it’s a bit like managing cattle; you can plan your day around steady routines, but when everything hits at the same time, it puts pressure on the whole operation. The same is true for our electric system. When usage spikes across homes, farms and businesses simultaneously, the cost of providing power during those peak moments goes up, even if overall energy use hasn’t changed.
We are proud to be the fastestgrowing electric cooperative in Oklahoma and hold the 78th spot nationally for 2024. That growth reflects the strength of our communities, our members and the dedication of our employees. Thank you for welcoming me during my first year and for continuing to support the cooperative’s mission. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, and I’m even more excited for what lies ahead in 2026. Together, we’ll keep building a resilient, member-focused cooperative for the future.
START THE YEAR WITH SOMETHING NEW
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Kick off the new year by exploring one of the many fun and enriching classes offered in Central’s service area. Whether you’re looking to spark a new passion, sharpen a skill or enjoy time together, there’s a new hobby waiting for you. BEGINNING WHEEL THROWING Prairie Arts, Stillwater Mondays starting Jan. 5 • 6-9 p.m. Dive into the world of pottery at this hands-on workshop. The workshop is ideal for those new to the pottery wheel or seeking to refine their basic skills.
FIBER ARTS GROUP THURSDAYS Prairie Arts Center, Stillwater Thursdays • 6-8:30 p.m. This free event allows you to bring your project along and work while engaging with others about fiber arts. While it is not a class, it’s an opportunity to connect with others.
PICKLEBALL Stillwater Indoor Pickleball, Stillwater Jan. 5 & 19 • 6-8 p.m. Learn how to play one of the fastestgrowing sports at these drills and play sessions. Private lessons are also available by request.
CROCHET AND PLUSH TOY CLASSES StillyArts, Stillwater Wednesdays & Thursdays • 5-6 p.m. Learn the very basics of crocheting, including essential techniques such as the slip knot, the chain stitch and the single crochet stitch. Perfect for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills.
TURNING TUMBLERS Metropolitan Library System, Luther Jan. 26 • 4-5 p.m. Explore an interactive setting that challenges your creativity with STEM. Perfect for kids and teens. ALCOHOL INK COASTERS Metropolitan Library System, Luther Jan. 27 • 4:30-7:30 p.m. Designed for older teens and adults, enjoy a fun night of alcohol ink coasters! Use sharpies and alcohol to spray ceramic coasters for a bold, one-of-a-kind design. No is registration required. LATIN DANCING CLASSES StillyArts, Stillwater Sundays • 2-4 p.m. Bring a friend or come solo; partners will rotate throughout class. Build your foundation with basic connection principles and stay active in a fun new way!
LINE DANCE CLASSES Tumbleweed Dance Hall, Stillwater Thursdays • 10 p.m. This line dance class caters to all skill levels with easy-to-follow instruction. Bring boots if you have them and get ready for a night of fun! KNIT AND CROCHET CLASSES Sealed With A Kiss, Guthrie This store offers a variety of knit and crochet classes. Courses are available virtually or in person at their store. GLASS BLOWING G Gallery and Glass, Guthrie Take an hour-long class and create a beautiful blown glass piece. Choose between a variety of projects.
NEW YEAR, NEW BILLS? NOT IF YOU AVOID THESE ENERGY ZAPPERS. Some things in your home are quietly eating up your electricity, and it’s not your pet. Meet the sneaky energy zappers and how to outsmart them before they drain your wallet. •
Devices can use electricity even when turned off. Things like chargers, TVs and gaming systems still use power when not in use. Use a power strip for these items to turn off multiple devices at once.
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Drafty doors and windows can keep your bill sky high. Be sure to seal leaks with weatherstripping or caulk and use draft stoppers at doors.
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Dirty HVAC filters clogged with dust and debris make systems work harder. Set a calendar reminder to replace your filters monthly during heavy use seasons.
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Keeping your refrigerator overloaded can reduce efficiency. Keep it 3/4 full for optimal cooling and avoid leaving doors open too long.
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CALLING CO-OP KIDS!
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Interested in a fun, free way for your children or grandchildren to connect with Central? Co-op Kids welcomes children aged zero to 18 to join the cooperative in a fun, interactive way! Through the Co-op Kids program, members’ children or grandchildren will receive an annual gift, invitations to events and information about scholarship opportunities, all designed to help them learn what it means to be part of a cooperative. The program is free and open to children and grandchildren of Central members. Scan the QR code to sign up or learn more.
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