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Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of

APRIL IS LINEMAN APPRECIATION MONTH

Devastating storms, freezing arctic blasts and blazing heat will not keep them away. No matter the time of day or day of the week, if the lights go out, so do Central Rural Electric Cooperative’s linemen.

Central’s 22 extraordinary lineworkers maintain 4,500 miles of line in Central’s service territory, and without them, our communities would be dark. During April, we honor the lineworkers who often work in dangerous and challenging situations. These brave men and women repair damaged lines and maintain critical infrastructure for our members, oftentimes during dreadful weather conditions. “Most power outages are impossible to predict and can occur during a bad

weather event or even a sunny day,” said Dewayne Drury, Director of Operations at Central. “Nevertheless, our linemen are there when our members need them most.”

Linemen not only work on the electrical lines but also are out in our communities providing educational opportunities and at local schools conducting safety programs. They have also helped beyond Central’s service area by providing aid to neighboring communities and states following major power outages. “Linemen are at the heart of our cooperative and everything we do,” said Hunter Robinson, CEO of Central. “We appreciate their sacrifice and dedication for keeping the lights on and the public safe.” Join Central in showing our appreciation to our linemen for the work that they do by using #ThankALineman on social media. Tag @MyCentralCoop, and Central will share your posts with the men and women who light up our communities and our lives.

#THAN K

ALINEM

ra l at Tag C e n t p n t ra lC o o @MyC e n sh a re s o we c a li ne me n ! w it h o u r

Help us thank our linemen by using #ThankALineman on social media!

YOUTH POWER ENERGY CAMP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

APRIL 2022 Central Board of Trustees: Carol Dvorak, President (District 3) James Wells, Vice President (District 6) Gary McCune, Secretary/Treasurer (District 1) Greg Tytenicz (District 2) Sid Sperry (District 4) Mark Pittman (District 5) Bill Davis (District 7) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Larry Mattox - Director of Communications Kory Frazier - Marketing and Communications Specialist Ivy Hill - Marketing and Communications Specialist

www.mycentral.coop facebook.com/MyCentralCoop twitter.com/MyCentralCoop instagram.com/MyCentralCoop

Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Each year Central sponsors two eighth-grade students to attend the Youth Power Energy Camp held at Canyon Camp near Hinton, Oklahoma.

pole, ride in a bucket truck and learn about electric cooperatives. They’ll take home a newfound confidence and a host of new friends from all over Oklahoma.

Energy Camp is a four-day actionpacked adventure for eighth-graders that helps develop leadership skills and promotes teamwork while teaching about cooperative enterprises, the rural electrification program and electrical safety.

To enter, current eighth-graders attending school within Central’s service territory can submit a 400 to 600 word essay addressing the topic: “The need for rural electricity has been established for nearly a century. In the age of technology, why is it important for rural America to have a reliable source of internet.”

While Energy Camp offers many traditional summer camp activities like swimming, hiking and basketball, students also have the unique opportunity to climb a utility

Entries are due by 5 p.m. on April 15 and can be submitted at mycentral. coop/youth-programs.

FIRST-EVER CO-OP KIDS DAY The first-ever Co-op Kids day is set for April 30 and will give participants a fun-filled look into the wonderful world of electric cooperatives. Interactive stations will be set up throughout the cooperative to teach children about electrical safety, what happens at Central and so much more. Children can participate in Co-op Kids day by becoming a Co-op Kid! To learn about the program and this fun day or to register your children for Co-op Kids visit mycentral.coop/ coopkids. The Co-op Kids program is free and designed to introduce children

ages 0-18 to the world of electric cooperatives by providing agespecific gifts throughout their childhood, invitations to special events and information about scholarship opportunities. Co-op Kids is free, fun, educational and open to Central members’ children or grandchildren!

EXPLORE HIKING TRAILS IN CENTRAL’S SERVICE AREA Arcadia Conservation Area

Lake Carl Blackwell

Arcadia Lake, 7201 E 33rd St Edmond, OK 73013 Hiking Trail: .75 miles

11000 Oklahoma 51 West Stillwater, OK 74074 Blackwell Beatdown Loop: 4.5 miles Yellow Trail: 5.76 miles Orange Trail: 7.76 miles Blue Trail: 10.1 miles Pink Trail: 12.6 miles White Trail: 18.5 miles

Bell Cow Lake 880589 S 3405 Rd Chandler, OK 74834 Flat Rock Trail: 12.4 miles Redbud Trail: 22 miles

Lake McMurtry 30285 Bronco Curve Stillwater, OK 74075 Red Trail: 7.6 miles Yellow Trail: 7.7 miles Orange Trail: 9.1 miles Blue Trail: 7.3 miles Green Trail: 2.5 miles

Deer Time Ranch 334491 E Hwy 105 Perkins, OK 74059 E.C. Hafer Park 1034 S Bryant St Edmond, OK 73034 Hiking Trail: 1.5 miles

Liberty Lake 7413 S. Academy Road Guthrie, OK 73044 Liberty Trail: 6.2 miles

Kaw Lake Osage Cove at Kaw Lake Ponca City, OK 74604 Eagle View Trail: 12 miles

Hiking

Tatanka Ranch 820343 S 3480 Rd Stroud, OK 74079

Swimming

Camping/Cabins

Biking Trails

Hunting

Fishing

Horse Trails

Disc Golf

Archery

Boating/Canoeing/Kayaking

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG Spring brings flowers, warmer weather, new outdoor projects and safe digging month! Whether it is a small project or a major home improvement, National Safe Digging Month is a great reminder to call 811 before starting any digging project. According to OKIE811, every nine minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without contacting 811. Whether it is putting in a fence, planting a tree or building a deck, knowing where your power and water lines are before you dig can save a lot of time, money and headache. Before you contact OKIE811, outline your proposed excavation area with paint or flags. This will decrease your chances of delayed locates and errors when the utility company marks their lines. When within two feet of the utility line markings hand dig rather than using tools that could puncture lines. Contact OKIE811 before you dig! There are several free and easy ways to contact OKIE811. You can create a locate request through okie811.org, call 8-1-1 or 1-800-522-OKIE (6543) or log in through the OKIE811 portal. Be sure and contact or submit your ticket at least 48 hours in advance, but try to give OKIE811 up to 10 business days in advance of your project start date. Happy safe digging month!

What’s coming up at Central

youth power Energy Applications Due April 15 Essay contest open to 8th graders in Central’s territory April 30th 10 a.m. to Noon

Day 2022

2022 annual meeting Drive-thru

Open to Co-op Kids participants!

Learn more inside the newsletter!

October 6th Chandler • Guthrie Stillwater • Perry

6-7:30 pm • June 15 Stillwater • CREC

6-7:30 pm • June 22

Chandler • Tilghman Park

more details at mycentral.coop 4