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Glades Electric Cooperative

A P R I L 2015

An Uncommon Bond Page 12

Caregiver Shuree Sleeper has been a bright spot in the life of baseball Hall of Famer Robert “Bobby” Doerr for nearly 30 years. PHOTO BY DAVID LABELLE

Turn Off the Juice if it is Not in Use

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Clearing for Reliability PAGE 28

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Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Members acknowledge that $3.96, plus actual postage, is the cost to publish 12 issues a year of Florida Currents (USPS8300). Published by Ruralite Services Inc., 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—the magazine serves the communications needs of consumer-owned electric utilities in Florida. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Hillsboro, OR 97123 and at additional mailing offices.

GEC: 70 Years of Service

Postmaster: Please send address corrections to 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124. HOW TO CONTACT FLORIDA CURRENTS

Have a problem receiving your edition of Florida Currents? Utility members should contact the local utility office listed on the back cover. Nonmembers should contact Ruralite Services, 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124; (503) 718-3717; email info@floridacurrents.com. Subscription services: Nonmember subscriptions $12 (U.S.) per year; $25 (foreign) per year. Prepayment required. Allow 4 to 8 weeks for first issue. Be sure to identify which local edition you want to receive. Order online at www.floridacurrents.com. Extra copies: $2 each, pre-payment required. Supply is limited. Identify edition, month and year. Contact Ruralite Services. Reprint permission: Direct all requests to Ruralite Services. MANUSCRIPTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS

Please do not send unsolicited materials. If interested in writing for Florida Currents, query first. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for writer’s guidelines. Address requests and queries to Ruralite Services. DISPLAY ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

Contact Jessah Willis National Country Market 611 S. Congress Ave. Suite 504 Austin, TX 98704 (800) 626-1181 or (512) 441-5200 www.nationalcountrymarket.com

Above, the main control station decades ago. Top, linemen from a bygone era.

Inside

April 2015 Vol. 4, No. 6

An Uncommon Bond 12

Trend Offset Printing Services 10301 Busch Drive North Jacksonville, FL 32218

Shuree Sleeper has put the “care” in caregiver, looking after baseball Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr nearly three decades.

Also In This Issue

PRINTED IN FLORIDA

Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Florida Gardener 18

Festival Roundup 22 Outdoor Pursuits 24 Parting Shot 30

Your utility pages: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32

APRIL 2015

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Historic Beginnings GEC’s commitment to consumers 70 years ago remains the same today: provide affordable, safe and reliable electricity

When we pause to consider how electricity powers our lives, we realize how truly remarkable it is. In today’s modern times, enduring 24 hours without electricity may sound impossible, but only a few generations ago, there was no electricity. People were forced to rely on sunlight during the day and candlelight at night. Benjamin Franklin conducted an experiment that would spark change and alter the way we live forever. During a thunderstorm in 1752, Franklin flew a metal key on the end of a kite and made the life-changing discovery that lightning is electrical. Since this electric energy disappeared in a flash, no one could find a way to use this current continuously. For more than 100 years after Franklin’s discovery, scientists and inventors researched and experimented with ways to capture electricity. In 1879, Thomas Edison invented the light bulb and later launched his business, the Edison General Electric Co. Edison continued his career by building a small-scale power plant in New York that delivered electricity to homes and businesses in the area. This plant quickly led to power industry development across the county. While larger, more populated cities used electricity by the 1930s, most of rural America still lived in the dark. Recognizing the need for power in rural areas, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Rural Electrification Administration Men raise a power pole during the early days of the Rural Electrification Administration. in 1935. The REA—now Photo courtesy of “The Next Greatest Thing” © NRECA known as the Rural Utilities 4

APRIL 2015

Service—offered loans to electric cooperatives so they could supply electricity to rural homes, business and farms. In 1937, REA drafted the Electric Cooperative Corporation Act—a law permitting states to create and operate not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives. Later that year, Florida’s first electric cooperatives were formed, and started setting poles and stringing electric wires to serve rural consumers. Established in 1945, Glades Electric Cooperative has been serving members, such as you, for 70 years. For distribution electric cooperatives to guarantee a supply of affordable and reliable electricity, they formed generation and transmission cooperatives to pool their purchasing power for wholesale electricity. In 1948, several of Florida’s distribution cooperatives—including GEC— formed Seminole Electric Cooperative, the G&T that supplies wholesale power to GEC to this day. Seminole has become one of the largest G&T cooperatives in the country, supplying electricity to about 1.4 million individuals and businesses in 42 Florida counties. GEC and Seminole have worked together for decades and are committed to continue this partnership to provide affordable, safe and reliable electricity. The idea of lighting a room with the flip of a switch may have seemed unbelievable to our ancestors, but today, electricity is a resource we depend on. The discovery of electric current and the inventions leading to energy products such as the light bulb played a critical role in how we use that power today. From charging our electronic devices to powering the appliances around our home, electricity keeps us connected morning, day and night. n

A barn newly electrified in an area served by the Tennessee Valley Authority blazes with light in the early 1940s. Photo courtesy of “The Next Greatest Thing” © NRECA

APRIL 2015

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Glades Electric Cooperative Celebrates National Lineman Appreciation Day Thank a lineman for keeping the lights on, often in challenging conditions

Glades Electric Cooperative Linemen Greg Culbertson, left, and Kyle Altman work on power lines.

APRIL 2015

America’s electric cooperatives have designated the second Monday of April as National Lineman Appreciation Day. On April 13, 2015, Glades Electric Cooperative will honor the hardworking men and women who often work in challenging conditions to keep the lights on. Following is the full resolution unanimously adopted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Board of Directors: “Whereas linemen leave their families and put their lives on the line every day to keep the power on; “Whereas linemen work 365 days a year under dangerous conditions to build, maintain and repair the electric infrastructure; “Whereas linemen are the first responders of the electric cooperative family, getting power back on and making things safe for all after storms and accidents; and “Whereas there would be no electric cooperatives without the brave men and women who comprise our corps of linemen; “Therefore be it resolved that NRECA recognize the second Monday of April of each year as National Lineman Appreciation Day and make available to electric cooperatives materials and support to recognize the contributions of these valuable men and women to America’s electric cooperatives.” We proudly recognize all electric linemen for the services they perform around the clock in dangerous conditions to keep power flowing and protect the public’s safety. “Electric linemen do not often receive the recognition they deserve,” said Glades Electric Cooperative CEO Jeff Brewington. “They work all hours of the day, often in hazardous conditions far from their families, going above and beyond to restore power to their communities. Our linemen, as well as linemen from across the nation, truly deserve this special day of recognition.” GEC invites members to take a moment to thank a lineman for the work they do. Stop by the office, leave a comment on our Facebook page or email dwhitehead@gladesec.com to have your message sent to our lineman. Use #ThankaLineman to show your support for the men and women who light our lives. n

APRIL 2015

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Operation Round Up Monthly Report More than 70 percent of Glades Electric Cooperative members participate in Operation Round Up, which helps people in GEC’s service area who have exhausted normal avenues of financial assistance. Sign up today, and your electric bill will be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The extra is placed in the fund for deserving individuals and organizations. As of March 10, your Charitable Trust Board of Directors has approved $864,637.19 in disbursements. These funds have provided assistance with food, emergency lodging, disaster relief and specific

emergency needs for 560 individuals and/or families and 121 community organizations. The trust does not fund utility bills (electric, phone, water and gas) or budgets of organizations. Organizations in counties served may apply for funding for a specific need or project. The Charitable Trust Board of Directors meets monthly to review applications for funding.  If you know of people who need and deserve assistance and live within our service area, encourage or help them to complete an application. Applications can be picked up at each of our three offices: Moore Haven, Lake Placid and Okeechobee.

Tap Into Savings With the Co-op Connections Card One of the ways Glades Electric Cooperative looks out for you is with the Co-op Connections Card. The nationwide membership program is designed to save you money on everything from prescriptions and home goods to restaurant dining and hotel rooms. The card does not cost you anything. It is a benefit of GEC’s partnership with Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. To browse national and local offers, incentives and discounts that come with using the Co-op Connections Card, visit www.connections.coop. A search feature allows you to locate goods and services by zip code. Please support the local merchants who participate in the program.

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Kelly Brantley District 3 Ortona/Palmdale Dori Evans District 4 Lakeport Lori Thompson District 5 Venus/Hicora

David McCadam District 8 Lake Josephine

Winners should call (863) 946-6200 or sign their name on this page and mail it to:

APRIL 2015

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Jerry Chasteen District 7 Lorida

Odalys Leal No. 109607-001 Franklin and Linda Mohrdieck No. 7522-001

Jack Wilson District 1 Moore Haven

Lee Andrus District 6 Highlands Park

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Charitable Trust Board of Directors

Paula Byars District 9 Okeechobee

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North Okeechobee Church of God 15949 NW 30th Terrace Okeechobee, FL 34972

The Charitable Trust Board of Directors will meet in Moore Haven on April 30 at 1 p.m.

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Side Roads

Discoveries Oﬀ the Beaten Path

The Southernmost Fringe Producing artistic director is the driving force behind unique Key West theater By Kathy Sympson

Postcards From Florida

LaBelle, City Under the Oaks

ale Conyer

Photo by D

Living up to its reputation as the “City Under the Oaks,” the streets of LaBelle are lined with beautiful old live oak trees. Dale Conyers of Moore Haven took this picture of the sunlight filtering through the limbs of the grand trees. 10

APRIL 2015

Imagine sitting in a 1907 Key West Fire Station watching a dramatized episode from the life of Bum Farto—the real Key West fire chief who vanished in 1976 after being convicted of drug sales. Such is the modus operandi of the Fringe Theater Key West, which presents serious plays and Key West caricatures to small audiences in unusual venues that resonate with each production. As producing artistic director, Monica “Monnie” King is the driving force. “Monnie is the Fringe,” says Caroline Stover-Sickmen, Fringe’s executive director. “It is her labor of love, and she’s the reason that Fringe is what it is and that the venues and things you love about Fringe exist.” Monnie comes to Fringe via a corporate career with no relation to theater. She has an MBA and worked in business planning, marketing and consulting in various places from Chicago to Honolulu. Her husband, Peter, also did well in the corporate world. “In the millennium, my husband and I left our jobs and came to Key West full time,” says Monnie. “We ran away to join the circus, as we say. He said he wanted to study acting, and I was absolutely shocked because I had been thinking about musical theater.” She shared this with friends, who convinced her she was nuts to believe parts would be available for someone her age. “What got me into serious dramatic acting was that there was no hope for me in musical theater,” Monnie says. The roots of her choice lie in her past. Monnie did no acting as a child, but from second grade through junior high school, she was on stage with her two sisters playing multiple instruments. The trio frequently performed in talent contests, and “we were actually pretty

good,” Monnie says. Monnie also wrote a lot. “Even in grade school, I was writing things outside of class,” she says. “I remember one teacher in particular would accept my writing and critique it with me. Just lovely.” Their choice made, the Kings spent two years in London training for new lives. Monnie attended the Royal Central School in London, which boasts Sir Laurence Olivier, among other famous alumni. In 2003, she earned a master’s in classical acting. She was the oldest in class. “What it awakened me to is this remarkable process of making the magic,” Monnie says. “Having an audience suspend their disbelief and taking them with you is lovely.” She was talented enough to be in a Mayfair production of “All My Sons” immediately upon graduation. She continues to act at Fringe and elsewhere. While doing her dissertation, Monnie reconnected with her passion for writing. “If you really want to share an emotional experience or a perception, doing it in words means it’s permanent and you can revisit it,” she says. Monnie now writes plays—some serious and others humorous. Her first, “Mother’s Gift,” won awards and has been produced in Miami and Key West. “Apple Falls” portrays a family caring for a mentally ill child. In its third season at Fringe, “Conch Republic the Musical,” with music by Gayla Morgan, describes the 1982 secession of Key West from the Union. It opens April 23 and runs four nights. Monnie has been involved with Fringe since 2011, when it formed after reorganization of the People’s Theater of Key West. This use of “fringe” stems from 1947 when uninvited troupes crashed the

Monnie King, second from right, takes a hands-on approach with every aspect of the Fringe Theater Key West. Here, she poses actors for a promotional shoot for the Noel Coward production “Private Lives.” From left, Justin Ahearn, Jessica Miano Kruel, Quincy Perkins, Monnie and Kitty Clements.

inaugural Edinburgh International Festival and performed at locations around the fringe of the festival. The meaning stuck and now commonly is applied to smaller-scale theaters in nontraditional settings. As artistic director, Monnie handles the creative decisionmaking—most importantly, choosing Fringe’s plays and venues. She prepares at least a year in advance. She works on auditioning, casting, and plans costumes and sets. She does Fringe’s marketing, supervises volunteers and raises funds, including through grant-writing. Her office is a bedroom in her home. She washes costumes, cleans venues and moves sets. She haunts charity shops for costumes and laughingly describes

scoring the perfect pair of shoes, only to find the actress she bought them for had donated them in the first place. Occasionally, she seizes an acting role and can spend months learning complex lines. Whenever there is a gap, she is there. Fringe occupies her 24/7. She takes not one dime for her efforts, and raves about everyone from the board and volunteers to the actors. “It’s an army of lovely, hard-working people,” Monnie says. She is their general. Truly dynamic, people gravitate to her vision. She is proud of their mission to entertain, educate and enrich the community. Besides regular performances, the Fringe sponsors Shakespeare in the Schools in Monroe County, presents free

Fringe Benefits plays to the public and has started a writers’ workshop. “We really do have a different niche, and that’s the point,” Monnie says, noting the plays probably would not otherwise be seen in Key West because they are less commercial. She likens an evening of theater to a mental vacation. Fringe “is a more intense experience because the audience is up close, and sometimes if you put out your hand you’re touching the actor,” she says, challenging anyone who thinks they dislike theater to call. “I will give them a free ticket to one of our shows to prove that I can change their mind.” n For more information about the Fringe, visit www.fringetheater.org or call (786) 529-2281. APRIL 2015

An Uncommon Bond Caregiver Shuree Sleeper has been a bright spot in the life of 96-year-old baseball Hall of Famer Robert “Bobby” Doerr for nearly a half century Story and photos by David LaBelle

“Good morning, Bob,” Shuree Sleeper shouts, greeting the oldest living member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. “Oh, hi honey,” responds 96-year-old Robert “Bobby” Doerr, running a hand over his scalp. “How’s my hair?” “You look good!” Shuree shouts again. “Well, OK,” he says, fixing his aqua blue eyes on the rust-haired woman he has known for nearly a half century. Shuree is a private caregiver to the last living man to play major league baseball in the 1930s. Though his hearing has faded, his wit and recall seem unimpaired. He is thoughtful and speaks deliberately, careful to say only what he means. “I heard you took a trip to the hospital last night,” Shuree says, leaning over her boss and lifelong friend. She doesn’t baby talk the aging celebrity, like some well-intentioned caregivers. “Yeah,” Bobby says matter-of-factly. “I had a little trouble.” Shuree spots the IV stint still in his

arm, and a fire grows in her hazel eyes. As protective as a mother cat, she growls, “They didn’t remove the stint.” She wants to know why. A Life-Changing Opportunity The two first met when Shuree, 50, was just a little girl and attended the same church in Junction City, Oregon. But the bond was forged when the then 23-yearold unwed mother began cleaning the house of Bobby and Monica Doerr. “I was dead broke, had a 2½-monthold baby, all of that, and it was just rough,” remembers Shuree. “They had no questions, no this, no that, and it was just well, OK. They took me as I am and we just got on so well. “They were so funny, you almost had to make them let you do stuff for them. It took me, I don’t know how long, to dust the whole house and the den. Monie would go, ‘Oh, just vacuum over there. That is enough for today.’ They were always concerned they were going to wear me out. It cracked me up.” Thankful for the work, but still

“I can’t imagine how different my life would have been without Bob and Monica. She was so sweet, so kind. They were so much alike, like two peas in a pod.” —Shuree Sleeper

Shuree experiences a range of emotions as she talks about her life since meeting and working for Bobby Doerr and his wife, Monica. 12

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insecure about her job future with the Doerrs, Shuree fondly remembers one reassuring day. “I was inside cleaning, and Bob and Monie were working outdoors when the phone rang,” Shuree says. “I answered. Turns out it was Ted Williams.” Dubbed the greatest hitter who ever lived, Ted was a former teammate of Bobby’s from the Boston Red Sox. “He didn’t say who he was,” Shuree says. “Bob gets quite a few people who call him. No biggie.” “Well, do you think you can find him for me?” the caller asked. “This is Ted.” “I went Ted? Uh? Then I heard him laugh in the background.” “You just tell him that Ted’s on the phone, and he’ll know who I am.” “I put down the phone and went running outside to find Bob, who was hoeing weeds and talking with Monie. I told him there is a Ted on the phone.” “He said, ‘Ted?’ Then Monie looked at him. ‘Ted Willams.’ “’Ted!’ he cries, as he drops the shovel and goes chugging into the house. ‘Ted!

Longtime friends Shuree Sleeper and baseball Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr chat and hold hands as he prepares to autograph baseball cards and pictures for his fans.

Hey, how are you? You didn’t yell at her too hard, did you? We’d kinda like to keep her around.’ “He told Ted Williams he would kinda like to keep me,” Shuree recalls, her voice cracking. Not Just a Job A job cleaning for the Doerrs that began 27 years ago has grown into an enduring friendship. “They are like family,” says Shuree. The later years she was a personal caregiver for Monica, who battled multiple sclerosis since her late 30s and died in December 2003. Shuree then cared for Bobby and his sister, Dorothy. The pair lived together for about a year until Dorothy’s passing at 91, three years ago. “I can’t imagine how different my life would have been without Bob and Monica,” Shuree says. “She was so sweet, so kind. They were so much alike, like two peas in a pod.”

Shuree describes herself as a Type A personality: hyperactive, often anxious and admittedly insecure. In contrast, Bobby is calm, confident and steadfast. Through the years, her relationship with the wise and gentle celebrity has become more like that of a father and daughter than a client and caregiver. Although the Doerrs had a son, Don, they never had a daughter. Shuree says Bobby has always “kinda settled” her, and through tough times would calmly encourage her. One thing they share is a youthful appearance. Both look and act much younger than their years. Approaching the century mark, Bobby is as handsome late in life as he was as a young man. He has his own teeth, a healthy head of white groomed hair and striking blue eyes. Trim, with a little girl’s face, Shuree, 50, has the look of a woman years younger.

Not Her Intended Career Plan Shuree cleaned houses while in high school and volunteered at a nursing home. “I just got on with the people,” she remembers. “I would hold their hands, talk to them and listen to their stories.” She continued to clean houses after graduation, always determined to get a college degree “to prepare for a better life.” She did not intend to make a career of caregiving, nor did she plan to continue cleaning houses. But 30 years later, she still is doing both. In her early 30s, Shuree enrolled in community college and began pursuing a bookkeeping degree, which she says was no small feat. “I was having a hard time for a long time because I struggled in school,” she says. “I had to get A’s, and I about made myself a nervous wreck.” It was during this difficult time her clients, including Bobby, gave her the april 2015

greatest support. “I have never been a confident person, and these people have been a balm to my ego and my soul,” she says. “They’re just wonderful to be around. They are like, ‘Honey, you are just so wonderful. We just love you. Please don’t ever leave me.’ They get tears in their eyes if they think I am not going to be there any more.” Shuree fights her own tears remembering some of the people she has cared for. “I just love these people,” she says. “I love ’em to death. I connect to them. I don’t see them like a lot of people do. I find them fascinating, vibrant, loving. They are the most appreciative persons.” After earning her associate degree, Shuree felt relieved and “a sense of accomplishment” and found work as a bookkeeper. “When I graduated from college, I said, ‘I’m not going to be doing that anymore,’ ” she remembers, laughing. “I said I have been housecleaning for a long time. It is hard, hard work. I can’t do this forever.” But after three or four years, she realized bookkeeping was not where her heart was. She missed the human interaction. “I will just sit in an office and do bookwork?” she asks rhetorically. “No! I don’t know. I just gravitated right back to it. “I keep thinking, ‘Shuree, you’re just cleaning stuff again. What were you thinking? All that money and all that effort and nearly a nervous breakdown getting though school, and you are back at it?’” She rolls her eyes. A Balancing Act With at least eight clients to care for and houses to clean, in addition to being a wife and mother, her life now is a complicated balancing act. Shuree and her husband, Scott, recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, and have two sons together: Morgan, 27, and Alex, 18. She said she has “tried and tried” to find part-time work that allows her to work around when Bobby needs her, but that it is not easy to find. “There is no way on earth I would leave Mr. Doerr,” she says adamantly. 14

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Bobby holds a Merchant Marine flag aloft as Shuree pushes him during a local Fourth of July celebration.

She refers to him as Mr. Doerr, but calls him Bob to his face. She laughs, thinking how difficult it was to learn to call her boss by his first name. “It was hard for me because I didn’t call Mr. Doerr anything but Mr. Doerr until after Monica died,” she says. “He is sitting there at breakfast one day and says, ‘Shuree, do you think we’ve known each other long enough now that you could call me Bob?’” Shuree works for Bobby three days a week now, but usually stops by daily to check on her friend. As difficult as her life is now—juggling caregiving, housecleaning, marriage and motherhood—she assures she “wouldn’t trade it for money.” “I have been so lucky,” she says. “It’s been wonderful, a wonderful time.”

Bobby’s son, Don, 71, is naturally protective of his aging father. “I trust her totally,” he says of Shuree. “She has been a faithful caregiver, always going out of her way to help and protect Dad with his correspondence, medical deliveries and other issues. Frankly, without her assistance, I don’t think he’d be able to function as well as he does, even with the staff support at the retirement center.” A Two-Way Fan Club Bobby and Shuree have mutual admiration for each other. “Anybody who is around you is a better person,” Shuree says, raising her voice loud enough so Bobby will be sure to hear her. Bobby hears and modestly deflects the praise.

“She does everything for me,” he says. “I’ve known her for years, and she’s right there all the time. She’s a good one.” Shuree credits Bob and Monica. “They make you a better person,” she says. “People who have been around them have been better people. He has really touched and moved people, and they even made changes in their own lives. It’s just remarkable. To this day, they still write him and thank him.” Shuree turns and shouts, “I love you to bits, honey, you know that. You’ve been awfully good to me.” Bobby dodges the praise. “Well, you are easy to be good to,” he says. Asked if Shuree has been like a daughter to him, Bobby’s blue eyes open wide and twinkle. He smiles unabashed and pats her on the knee. “Oh, yeah, she was my daughter alright, whether or not I had her,” he says. “She’s my girl, from that high.” He extends his right hand from the lap of his wheelchair and measures about two feet from the floor. “You and Monie always said you’d adopt me,” Shuree shouts. “I was awful grateful for that. But my dad decided he’d hang onto me anyway.” He pats her folded hands and adoringly repeats, “Whether or not I had her, she’s my daughter.” Shuree gets quietly emotional thinking about the inevitable day when she no longer will be able to say good morning or watch “Wheel of Fortune” or a baseball game with the man she adores. Her eyes begin to fill with tears. “I don’t know,” Shuree says. “He’s so grounded and so assured in his faith that I keep remembering, it’s not like I’m not ever going to see him again.” There is a long silence and then the nursing home intercom squawks with the day’s announcements. “I wish we had an off switch for that thing—it drives me nuts!” barks Shuree, seizing the opportunity to escape her melancholy and recapture her feisty spirit. “What time does Boston play?” Bobby asks. n

photo courtesy of the Boston public library, leslie Jones Collection

The Bobby Doerr Story Bobby Doerr has embraced five great loves in his life: family, faith, friends, fishing and baseball. He graduated from Freemont High School in los angeles in 1936. a year later, he began his major league baseball career with the Boston red Sox, getting three hits in five at-bats in his first game. Bobby moved to Oregon in the 1930s, where he met and married a teacher named Monica Terpin in 1938. They had a son, Don, in 1942, and the family lived in tiny illahe, Oregon. Though he loved the West Coast, his Oregon home and fishing, he played all of his 14 major league seasons on the East Coast with the red Sox. One of the most productive second basemen of all time, Bobby had 12 consecutive seasons with 10 or more home runs and 73 or more runs batted in. “The silent captain of the red Sox,” as Ted Williams called his close friend, Bobby, batted over .300 three times, hit more than 20 home runs three times and knocked in more than 100 runs six times. Doerr served in the army during World War ii and missed the 1945 baseball season. He returned the next season, helping the red Sox win the pennant. During the World Series against the Cardinals, Doerr batted .406 with one home run and three rBis.

adding to his offensive proficiency, the soft-handed Doerr was one of the best fielding second basemen of all time, ending his 14-year career with an incredible .980 fielding percentage.

By the Numbers hh 2,024 career hits hh 1,247 runs batted in hh 1,094 runs scored hh 693 extra-base hits hh 223 home runs hh 89 triples hh .461 slugging percentage hh .362 on-base percentage hh .288 career batting average hh Nine-time All Star hh Bobby averaged 177 hits, 108 RBIs and

95 runs scored per season hh Second base was the only position he ever played hh Played for only one team: the Boston Red Sox hh Oldest living member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame hh Last man alive to play major league baseball in the 1930s hh Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986 hh His jersey No. 1 was retired by the Red Sox in 1988

april 2015

In the Kitchen

Recipes That Satisfy

A warm breakfast of oatmeal, bacon and a soft-cooked egg provides a whopping 25 grams of protein.

Power Your Morning with Protein A breakfast with enough protein can help you feel fuller longer, so you are more likely to stick to a healthy eating routine.

Savory Oatmeal with Soft-Cooked Egg and Bacon 1 cup low-fat milk ½ cup old-fashioned oats, uncooked Pinch sea salt 1 teaspoon cooking oil (or ½-second spray) 1 large egg 1 tablespoon cheddar cheese, shredded 1 slice bacon, cooked and coarsely chopped 2 teaspoons green onion, sliced Salt and pepper, optional

Combine the milk, oats and salt. Cook according to package instructions. While the oats cook, heat a small, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Lightly 16

APRIL 2015

coat the skillet with cooking oil. Add the egg and cook to the desired doneness, about 3 to 4 minutes for a runny yolk. Serve oatmeal in a bowl topped with the cheese, bacon, egg and green onion. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 1 Protein: 25 g

Creamy Green Goddess Smoothie 1 cup low-fat milk 2 cups spinach 1 small banana, peeled, sliced and frozen 1 cup pineapple chunks, frozen ½ small avocado, sliced

Combine the milk with spinach in a blender. Pulse several times just until spinach has been incorporated. Add the remaining ingredients; blend

until smooth and creamy. Serves 2 Protein: 21 g per serving

Nutty Blueberry Quinoa Oatmeal 2/3 cup low-fat milk 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats ¼ cup quinoa, cooked ¼ cup blueberries 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or sweetener of choice) 2 tablespoons pecan pieces 2-3 dashes cinnamon

Combine the milk and oats. Cook according to package instructions. Stir in the quinoa, blueberries, maple syrup, pecans and cinnamon. Serve hot. Serves 1 Protein: 6 g

Whole-grain muffins deliver 5 grams of protein per serving.

and keep warm. Bring the milk and salt to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Slowly whisk in the polenta, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Cover and keep warm. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Crack the eggs into the pan and cook until the whites are set and the yolks are cooked to the desired doneness, about 4 to 6 minutes. To serve, divide the polenta among four shallow serving bowls; top with the marinara and an egg. Sprinkle with chopped basil. Serves 4 Protein: 17 g per serving

Apple-Cinnamon WholeGrain Pancake Muffins Oil spray 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour or white whole-wheat flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¾ cup low-fat milk 2 large eggs 2 tablespoons real maple syrup or honey ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted, or canola oil 1 medium apple (use a tangy-sweet variety), peeled and grated

Coat the muffin tin generously with oil spray. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Pour the milk into a 2-cup measuring cup or bowl. Whisk the eggs, syrup and vanilla into the milk. Add the milk mixture and coconut oil to the dry ingredients. Stir with a whisk just until small lumps remain. Do not over mix. Sprinkle in apples and gently stir a few times. Using a scoop or measuring cup, fill the muffin tins about halfway with the batter. Bake on the middle oven rack until lightly golden, about 15 minutes. Cool

for a few minutes, and then cut around the edges of the muffins with a knife to release. Note: Prepare the grated apples before combining the wet and dry ingredients. As with any pancake batter, it should be baked immediately to ensure adequate rising. Makes 6 servings, 2 muffins each Protein: 5 g per serving

Skillet Eggs and Polenta Oil spray 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 1 cup red bell pepper, cut into strips 1 cup zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced into half-moons 32-ounce jar marinara sauce 2½ cups low-fat or fat-free milk Salt ½ cup polenta or oatmeal, finely ground 2 teaspoons olive oil 4 eggs Fresh basil, chopped

Spray a large nonstick skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, bell pepper and zucchini. Sauté until vegetables soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Add the marinara and simmer to heat through. Reduce the heat to low

Chicken Sausage Scramble Oil spray ½ cup chicken apple sausage, diced ¼ cup onion, diced ¼ cup red pepper, diced ¼ cup sweet potato, diced 4 eggs 2 tablespoons low-fat or fat-free milk 1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves, chopped Salt and pepper 2 whole-wheat English muffins, split and toasted

Coat a nonstick skillet with spray and heat over medium heat. Add the sausage, onion, red pepper and sweet potato. Cook, covered, stirring often, until vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, beat the eggs with milk in a small bowl until blended. When the vegetables are tender, transfer them to a plate. Return the skillet to the burner. Add the egg mixture and cook, stirring often, until eggs are softly scrambled. Remove from the heat and stir in the spinach, reserved sausage mixture, salt and pepper. Serve with a toasted English muffin half. Serves 4 Protein: 22 g per serving

Recipes and photos courtesy of milklife.com APRIL 2015

The Great Picture Hunt

Photo Tips from David LaBelle

Tell a Complete Story With Just One Picture If a photograph shows a person squealing with delight or wincing in pain, most of us want to know what the person is reacting to. In a publication, a headline or caption will often provide that information, but without words we are left to guess. If This photograph was taken in Israel. It tells a complete story by itself. You can see what there is no written caught the young boy’s attention. Even the faces around him tell you something about the explanation, a secmoment. ond photo often is Photo by David LaBelle used to complete the story. one frame—is a lot more This cause-and-effect phoThere isn’t always space challenging than it may seem. tography concept can be used for a second photo. A single When life events unfold to tell happy and fun stories, image that shows cause and before your viewfinder in real as well as sad ones. effect reveals what happened time, being able to position It is similar to writing the immediately and therefore is a yourself to compose and capopening line of a story and last story in itself. ture storytelling scenes that sentence in the same image— Being able to tell stories reveal an action and reaction something like Dickens’ great with pictures—especially in requires practice and an opening line in his novel “A understanding of your camTale of Two Cities:” “It was the era’s lens and depth of field. best of times, it was the worst David LaBelle is an internationally known photographer, teacher, author and lecturer. He has The late Kevin Carter’s of times.” worked for newspapers and magazines across the Pulitzer Prize-winning Strive to make your photoUnited States and taught at three universities. He photograph of a starving child graphs more compelling, more grew up on a frog farm in rural California, roaming in Sudan and a nearby vulture sophisticated and better storythe creeks and hills with his coon dogs. Many of the graphically illustrates this tellers. Practice composing all lessons he learned during those magical boyhood years have been applied to photography and storytelling concept. You can of the elements in your viewteaching the essence of this artform. For more information, visit view Kevin’s photograph at finder in such a way as to tell www.greatpicturehunt.com. www.pulitzer.org/awards/1994. viewers a complete story. 

While conducting a workshop and looking at hundreds of photographs recently, I found myself repeating the same advice to students trying to improve their visual storytelling skills: “See if you can do in one frame what you are doing in two,” I challenged. The goal is to study scenes more carefully, and to try to integrate what is happening in foregrounds and backgrounds harmoniously to tell a more complete story. To capture fleeting, storytelling life moments in one frame is a lofty goal for most serious photojournalists. When we are successful in quickly composing life moments in a single frame, the result is an immediate, sophisticated and often more powerful communication. After all, why say in two sentences what you can say in one, unless it is for effect.

APRIL 2015

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Travel Journal

Satisfying the Appetite for Wanderlust

Spectacular Garden Color Awaits Florida is in full bloom with the advent of spring, so April is the perfect time for an outing to a spectacular garden near you. If you live in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, the 120-acre Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo (www.flbg.org) is a go-to. It is a major tourist destination. To the northeast a bit, check out the Kanapaha Gardens (www.kanapaha.org), An Idea butterfly rests on flame vine at Butterfly World in Coconut Creek. a 62-acre showcase in Gainesville. With 24 collecmansion with a wrap-around the formal gardens, enchanted tions, giant blooming waterporch, part of the original forest and labyrinth in Ocala’s lilies in the water garden Wesley Homestead built in Sholom Park (www.sholom and rare prehistoric plants in 1897, includes a collection of park.com) is an oasis from the the Cycads garden, it leaves antiques. hectic pace of everyday life. visitors of all ages in awe of With butterflies and birds Meadows, woodlands, walknature’s beauty. from five continents, walking trails and the rose garden Other botanical and wildthrough aviaries at Butterfly continue the vision of garden life treasures across the state World in Coconut Creek visionary Sidney Colen “to offer up-close-and-personal near Fort Lauderdale (www. create a source of inner peace encounters with native plants, butterflyworld.com) bring for all who visit.” colorful birds, interesting wild- winged creatures right to visilife and blooming tropical. tors. Butterflies—many raised Tasty Bites from Florida Santa Rosa Beach’s Eden at the facility’s research cenOn National Radar Gardens State Park (www. ter—and brightly feathered National Public Radio recently floridastateparks.org/park/ exotic birds are not shy about profiled Jerry’s Drive-In in Eden-Gardens) in Northwest landing on guests’ shoulders Pensacola (www.JerrysDriveIn. Florida offers 163 acres of in what is billed as the world’s com), giving it rave reviews for natural gardens with azaleas, largest butterfly park. its grouper, burgers, chicken camellias, roses and towering For a peaceful respite filled livers and friendly service. moss-draped oaks. A stately with native plants, ornamenJane and Michael Stern of white-columned two-story tals, perennials and annuals, www.Roadfood.com told the story of Jerry’s “perfect drivein hamburger” at the restauFlorida native Pamela A. Keene is a freelance rant that has been around journalist who specializes in travel, gardening, since the late 1930s. personality profiles and feature writing. The avid You can get three squares traveler also is a photographer and professional sailor. Her website is www.pamelakeene.com. at the all-American diner and learn about Miss Faye, cited by 20

APRIL 2015

Congress for 50 years of service at Jerry’s. Just be sure to bring cash or a local check. The restaurant doesn’t take credit cards. MSN.com has selected the top snack foods in all 50 states. Florida’s Anastasia Coconut Patties, made in Orlando, represent the Sunshine State. Among MSN’s other must-have snacks are Indiana’s corn dogs, Maine’s whoopie pies and Nevada’s Navajo pies. For the complete list, see http://tinyurl.com/qb9oeoa. April’s Travel Tips Fresh from the Dallas Morning News, here are top trends for families traveling this year: • Multigenerational travel opportunities for the entire family, including destination resorts, cruises or reunion locales. • Behind-the-scenes tours, volunteer tourism and local immersion create authentic experiences. • Accommodations for families in suites with multiple adjoined sleeping rooms and private common space within suites. With school out soon, think about a family vacation with the grandparents, your kids and even some cousins to create lasting family memories. And check out group rates at attractions on your itinerary to save on admissions. 

HEL704-04_7.5x9.75_Layout 1 2/19/15 9:28 AM Page 1

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Festival Roundup

Things to See and Do

April 2-4, White Springs 27th Annual Antique Tractor and Engine Show American farm machinery is featured from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. Watch demonstrations of wheat threshing, shingle milling and corn grinding. See flywheels, hit-and-miss engines, water pumps, vintage pedal tractors and antique cars. Compete in tractor pulls, barrel races and a blind race. Children’s events include pedal-powered tractor races, needle-in-a-haystack and rooster crowing. Enjoy root beer floats, hamburgers and hot dogs, barbecue and kettle corn. www.floridaparks.org; (386) 397-2733

April 4, Key West 6th Annual Ocean Festival and Waterfront Craft Show Mote Marine Laboratory hosts the family friendly event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. Attractions include music, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, a silent auction, educational displays, and food and beverages. www.keysoceanfest.org; (305) 393-6022

April 5, Islamorada Underwater Easter Egg Hunt Clad in a giant bunny suit and dive gear, Captain Spencer Slate hides brightly colored Easter eggs on the sand, adjacent to a shallow coral reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, for divers and snorkelers to find. The event benefits a local charity for children. www.captainslate.com; (305) 451-3020

April 8, Bradenton High Tea and Fashion Show Mixon’s in the Grove presents a fashion show by Lily Bliss, tea sampling, a hat contest, tea sandwiches, scones and sweets from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $25. Seating is limited.

April 11, Panama City Race the Riviera The criterium features 10 categorized races that pass McKenzie Park, where athletes and spectators can enjoy an all-day expo. At noon, race fans can watch a one-lap public officials contest. www.srs-racing.com

April 13, Key West 20th Annual Taste of Key West Scores of area restaurants present mouthwatering samples of their cuisine to benefit AIDS Help Inc. The culinary celebration is on the Truman Waterfront overlooking Key West Harbor. April 15, Islamorada Man’s Relationship With the Sea History of Diving Museum’s Alyssa Engiles of the History of Ding Museum, MM 83, presents the special event at 7 p.m. Enjoy the museum’s exhibits before the talk. April 17, Key Largo Aquaponics, Sustainable Agriculture in the Florida Keys Dr. Bill Irwin is featured during the free Ocean Life Series event at the Murray E. Nelson Government and Cultural Center. A meet-andgreet is at 6 p.m. The lecture is at 7 p.m. www.seas.fiu.edu; (305) 396-7000

April 17-26, Key West 33rd Annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration Activities range from a wacky bed race to a lighthearted sea battle featuring tall ships.

April 9-12, Clewiston 29th Annual Sugar Festival Celebrate the end of the sugar cane harvest with free concerts by country music artists Cassadee Pope and Native Run, food vendors, arts and crafts, kids’ rides, information booths, a car show, sports events, parade and rodeo.

April 18, Key West 2nd Annual Cow Key Channel Bridge Run Dubbed the “only Zero K bridge run,” dress up for the costume contest at 10 a.m. and race across one of the shortest bridges in the Keys at noon. The event is free. T-shirts and number bibs are available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Monroe County Sheriff’s Animal Farm. www.cowkeybridgerun.com

April 11, Parrish 14th Annual Fall Native Plant Festival and Sale Learn about native plants and the birds and butterflies that depend on them during a free community event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sweetbay Nursery, 10824 Erie Road. Talk with conservation and plant experts, and buy native trees, shrubs, grasses, blooming wildflowers and environmentally friendly FloriMulch.

April 18-19, Coral Gables Bromeliad Society of South Florida Show and Sale This annual event from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, 10901 Old Cutler Road, showcases the rarest and most beautiful bromeliads in a judged show. Learn how to grow these show-stopping plants and stay for rare plant auctions both days. Many rare plants are available to buy.

www.fnps.org; (941) 518-9341; (941) 776-0501

www.bssf-miami.org; (305)546-4438

APRIL 2015

April 18, Bowling Green 2nd Annual Gator Bite SUP Race Form a team and compete in a stand-up paddleboard relay race or an open class race at Hardee Lakes Park. The $20 registration fee benefits local first responders. Races run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.peaceriverexplorations.com; (863) 767-9999

www.divingmuseum.org; (305) 664-9737

www.conchrepublic.com; (305) 296-0213

Want to include a family-friendly event in an upcoming listing? Please send details to info@floridacurrents. com. Include the date, town, times and a way for readers to get more information. Please submit the item at least 60 days before the event. If you own rights to a high-resolution photo promoting your event, attach it along with photo credit information.

www.aidshelp.cc/taste; (305) 296-6196

www.mixon.com; (941) 748-5829

www.clewistonsugarfestival.net; www.facebook. com/sugarfestival

How to Submit Events

April 18, Marathon 34th Annual 7 Mile Bridge Run Some 1,500 runners participate in the foot race across the longest of the 43 bridges that comprise the Florida Keys Overseas Highway. www.7mbrun.com; (305) 395-7040

April 18, Belle Glade 36th Annual Black Gold Jubilee A 5K walk/run is followed by all-day free children’s activities, rides, games, entertainment, food, arts and crafts booths, a car show, corn contest, art show, volleyball tournament, photography display and fireworks at dusk. www.facebook.com/blackgoldjubilee

April 18, Perdido Bay Mullet Man Triathlon Begin with a half-mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, transition to an 8.5-mile bike race on four-lane paved highway and end with a 4.2-mile run. www.florabama.com; (850) 483-6267

April 19, Islamorada 21st Annual Bay Jam Artists perform at the ICE Amphitheater at Founders Park, MM 87 as attendees savor the sounds from midday through sunset. www.keysice.com; (305) 394-2765

April 22-26, Panama City Beach 17th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival Award-winning artists hit the stage at Aaron Bessant Park. Tickets are available for one or multiple days. www.seabreezejazzfestival.com

Field Day at Range Cattle Research and Education Center

Photo by Tyler Jones, UF-IFAS Communications

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences presents field tours, faculty reports and graduate student research Thursday, April 9, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Grazinglands Education Building, 3401 Experiment Station, Ona. Topics include fetal programming in livestock, replacement heifer economics, selenium status of forage-fed cattle, control of perennial grasses, and the environmental and economic cost of wild hogs. The $15 registration fee includes literature and a steak lunch. Registration is required by Friday, April 3. To register, or for more information, visit www.rcrec-fd-2015.eventbrite.com or call (863) 735-1314.

April 24-26, Perdido Key Interstate Mullet Toss Participants throw a dead mullet from a 10-foot circle in Alabama across the state line into Florida during a huge beach party. www.florabama.com

April 25, Avon Park 5th Annual Blueberry Festival It is all about blueberries from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Donaldson Park in the Rotary fundraiser. www.rotaryblueberryfestival.com

April 25, Big Pine Key 20th Annual Earth Day From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bahia Honda State Park, enjoy live music, food and family fun. Attractions include exhibits by local environmental groups and two marine life touch tanks. Create a fish

print wall hanging or join face painting, a sand sculpture contest and childrenâ€™s games. www.floridastateparks.org; (305) 872-9807

April 25, Islamorada Young Musicians Concert The Keys Community Concert band presents a free concert at 4 p.m. at the ICE Amphitheater, Founders Park, MM 87 bayside. Bring blankets; no chairs are provided. www.keyscommunityconcertband.org; (305) 853-7294

April 25, Panama City Beach 5th Annual Beaches, Bugs and Buses The public is invited to the free German Metal VW Club car show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Spinnaker Beach Club. The cost to exhibit is $20 if pre-registered or $25 the day of the show. www.beachesbugsbuses.com

April 30-May 3, Key West Paddleboard Classic During this ocean paddleboard race, participants enjoy a challenging 12-mile course. The race is open to paddlers on stand-up paddleboards, prone boards, outrigger canoes, dory boats, surf skis and kayaks. Other weekend beach and paddling activities are planned. www.lazydog.com; (305) 304-4259

May 2, Wauchula Cinco de Mayo Festival Cattlemanâ€™s Arena hosts the family friendly event that features music, food and merchandise vendors, bull riding, a queen pageant contest, folkloric dancers, pinatas, charros, mutton busting and bounce houses from 4 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the gate. www.peaceriverexplorations.com; (863) 767-9999

APRIL 2015

Outdoor Pursuits

Enjoying the Natural World Around Us

The Path of the Paddle Hurtling across the water at 35 knots in a powerboat is an adrenaline rush. Yet as exhilarating as that is, there is something to be said for enjoying the water at a slower pace. Canoeing and kayaking offer a different kind of boating experience. The Outdoor Industry Association estimates more than 20 million Americans enjoy these two activities. Participants are drawn to them for many reasons, but most appreciate the quiet, solitude, and the ability to discover and explore areas unreachable by other means. Whether you are a firsttimer or an old hand, here are five tips to ensure your paddling experience is a safe one: • Do your homework. Get a map of the area. Study the water route, and identify possible hazards and takeout points. Just before leaving, check current weather and water conditions. • Go prepared. At the very least, you should take

Kayakers venture up a scenic creek that flows into the Suwannee River. The Suwannee and its tributaries represent only a fraction of the 11,000 miles of Florida’s inland waterways that are well-suited for exploration by canoe or kayak. Photo by istockphoto/suwanneeredhead

along life vests, a first-aid kit, an extra paddle, sunscreen, bug repellent, a cell phone, a map and drinking water. • Leave a travel plan. Make sure somebody back home has a detailed itinerary of your trip. Don’t forget to let them know when you return, so they don’t worry unnecessarily. Also, leave a copy of your float plan in your car. • Anticipate obstacles. Submerged objects and sweepers on corners are the most common hazards. Also, stay alert for motorized watercraft;

Many of Curtis Condon’s fondest memories involve outdoor adventures with friends and family, whether fishing with old school buddies, backpacking in the mountains of the Northwest with his sons or bird watching along the Gulf Coast with his wife. He feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to write about the outdoors and other subjects for more than 30 years.

A P R I L 2 0 15

turn into their wakes to avoid being swamped. • Know your limits. Waterways come in all shapes, sizes and technical difficulty. The upper portion of rivers tends to flow faster and have more potential dangers. Lower rivers are generally wider and slower flowing. Match your skill level to the waterway accordingly. Outdoors 101: Finger Meets Fish Hook What angler hasn’t stuck a finger with a fish hook? Deep hooks should be treated by a medical professional, while superficial cases can be selftreated with the jerk-string method of removal. Tie or loop a string or length of fishing line around the bend of the hook. Gently press down on the

eyelet end of the hook to disengage the barb. While continuing to press down, give a quick jerk on the string. The hook should pop out without much pain or difficulty. Be sure to wash, disinfect and cover the wound. Monitor it for signs of infection. As they say, pictures are worth a thousand words. Here is a link to an illustrated guide to removing a fish hook on The Art of Manliness website: www.tinyurl.com/pz94smc. What Day is It? • April 3, National Walk to Work Day. • April 14, Look Up at the Sky Day. • April 17, Bat Appreciation Day. • April 22, Girl Scout Leader Day. 

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Programmable Thermostats Offer Options By Tom Tate

Did you realize the programmable thermostat is more than 100 years old? Honeywell introduced the first programmable thermostat in 1906, naming it the Jewell. The simple clock-powered product allowed you to establish times for the temperature to go up and down. While crude by todayâ€™s standards, it was a pioneering product. The basic programmable thermostat offers four programming periods: wake, leave, return and sleep. Set the time of day and target temperature for each period according to the days of the week. The lowest-priced models offer you a five- and two-day option. Set the four periods for the work week (Monday through Friday) and the weekend

(Saturday and Sunday). The next model up offers a 5-1-1 option. This allows different schedules for Saturday and Sunday. Other models allow you to program each day of the week individually. While offering the most flexibility, programming each day can become tedious. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established recommendations for proper programming. Through the years, thermostats have come with preprogrammed suggestions, which you can override. It makes for an easy set up. EPA suggests a heating maximum of 68 F and a cooling minimum of 78 F when you are home. You can save about 1 percent on your energy bill for every degree of temperature change when away. On average, expect to save about 10

percent on your annual heating bill. EPA says a 10- to 15-degree change during an eight-hour period provides the best savings. Note: You should not use a programmable thermostat for heat pumps. While fine in cooling mode, they make the heat pump inefficient in heating mode. Look for thermostats specifically designed for heat pumps. The next generation of programmable thermostats is their smart relatives, such as the Nest. You set and forget them, allowing their software to build a program around the way you live. You also can interact with them via the Internet or a smartphone. Prices are starting to drop. While a programmable thermostat will save you money, experimentation is needed to determine the best settings for your home, as each is different. ď Ž

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APRIL 2015

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Turn Off the Juice if it is Not in Use Conserving energy saves you more than money By Anne Prince

Reducing household energy use does not mean doing without. It does not require walking around your house wearing extra sweaters and earmuffs in the dead of winter, or stripping down to the bare essentials in the summer. It means being smarter about how you manage the energy you do use. Consider Glades Electric Cooperative your trusted resource for exploring energysaving strategies. Not-forprofit, member-owned electric co-ops want to help their member owners. Sometimes

that involves helping members lower their bills. Other times it involves increasing efficiency options to reduce operating costs. Energy efficiency means performing the same job and getting a similar outcome using less energy. This efficiency is often achieved through a mechanical change, such as replacing an older, less-efficient appliance or mechanical unit with a new model, but sometimes a minor change of habit is all that is needed. Examples include dimming lights, turning down the thermostat or washing clothes in cold water instead of hot. Why are energy conservation and energy efficiency more important than ever to our members? What are

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Set a programmable thermostat to turn down the heat when the house is empty or everyone is asleep.

Insulate your electric water heater.

Plug leaks around windows, doors and power outlets with caulk and weatherstripping.

Purchase Energy Star® products.

Monitor your energy use to spot trends and sudden changes.

APRIL 2015

the benefits of efficiency and conservation? The short answer is energy reduction in your home saves you money; improves our economy by enabling consumers and businesses to spend and invest in other areas; and reduces the amount of pollution emitted from power generation. The more complex answer is modern life means we are placing increasing demands on all forms of energy. For example, consumers are more reliant on devices, computers, phones with charging stations, sophisticated media/home entertainment and video gaming systems, and smart technology that all rely on electricity. The wide array of new electronic devices is improving our quality of life, and electric co-ops are promoting efficiency to bring new conveniences at a lower cost. Americans are increasingly aware of the importance of reducing energy consumption. Many now call energy savings the “first fuel” because the easiest way to reduce fuel cost and carbon emissions is to save energy. Energy is a valuable commodity. While the discussions about climate change and carbon footprints continue, we must all do our part to conserve this precious resource. Protecting and preserving the quality of water and air is also our shared responsibility. Using less energy may even boost the economy by relieving the ever-tightening family budget, allowing dollars to be

spent on more tangible goods. Americans have demonstrated a willingness to take steps to reduce their energy consumption, both to save money and out of concern for the environment. According to a January 2014 Nielson U.S. Consumer Energy Sentiments Report, 91 percent of consumers are willing to change their energy-use behavior to save money on energy costs. The same report indicates 77 percent would change their behavior out of concern for the environment. Consumers recognize conserving energy and becoming more energy efficient are the smart and right thing to do. But they also are looking for guidance on how to do that. Your electric co-op is a great resource for helping you develop individual plans tailored to your needs and the local environment. GEC offers energy-saving tips in our offices and at www.gladesec.com, as well as resources through www. togetherwesave.com to complete a whole home energy self-audit. The first step is easy: Reach out and take control of your own energy use, and you will be well on your way to achieving the ideal balance of efficiency and conservation. In turn, you will help yourself, your community and the environment—and that benefits all of us. n For information on how you can be more energy efficient, contact GEC at (863) 946-6200.

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Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Clearing for Reliability Maintaining the right of way is critical to keeping the lights on By Meghaan Evans

There are many ways Glades Electric Cooperative provides you with safe, reliable electric service. One of the most common—and crucial—is referred to as right-of-way clearing, or vegetation management. A right of way is the strip of land underneath or around power lines that your electric cooperative has the right and responsibility to maintain and clear. Trees must grow far enough away from conductors where they will not cause harm to individuals or disruption to electrical service. Specifications can vary, but a general guideline is maintaining a clearance of 15 feet on either side of the primary

conductors and 20 feet above the highest wire on the pole. Clearing the ROW is critical to keeping members’ lights on. An average of 15 percent of power interruptions occur when trees, shrubs or bushes grow too close to power lines. If a tree encroaches on this safe distance, our vegetation management team will trim back branches and brush using chainsaws, bucket trucks, tree climbers, brush chippers and mowers. Chemical control methods also can be used to support the growth of low-growing plant species that will outcompete the tall trees growing beneath power lines.

Right of way: Refers to a strip of land underneath or around power lines that your electric cooperative maintains and clears. Trees must grow at a distance far enough from conductors where they will not cause harm to individuals or disruption to electrical service. 15 percent of power interruptions occur when trees, shrubs or bushes grow too close to power lines. By managing vegetation, your electric cooperative keeps power safe and reliable.

APRIL 2015

ROW clearing keeps your family safe by ensuring tree branches do not become energized due to close contact with a downed power line. Power lines carry exceptionally high voltage. An energized tree branch is incredibly dangerous—even deadly. Be mindful when around trees close to power lines. Make sure your children know that climbing trees near power lines is extremely dangerous. ROW clearing is also critical to ensuring we provide members with affordable electricity. Staying ahead of the game keeps us from having to come out after a storm to restore power due to fallen trees. n

Exercise caution when using farm equipment and working near power lines.

Root Your Planting Season in Safety Agriculture is a yearlong process in Florida—a backbone of industry in the state. Glades Electric Cooperative and the Safe Electricity program urge local farmers to be particularly alert to the dangers of working near overhead power lines. Operating large equipment near these lines is an often overlooked, potentially deadly hazard of working on a farm. Start by making sure everyone knows to maintain a 10-foot minimum clearance from power lines. “Sometimes a power line is closer than it looks,” says Molly Hall, executive director of the Energy Education Council’s Safe Electricity program. “Helpful safety steps include using a spotter and designating preplanned routes that avoid hazard areas.” Be aware of increased height when loading and transporting tractors on trailer beds. Many tractors have tall antennas extending from the cab that could make contact with power lines. Avoid raising the arms of planters or cultivators near power lines, and never attempt to raise or move a power line to clear a path. Simply working too close to a power line is dangerous, as electricity can arc or “jump” to conducting objects, such as a ladder, pole or truck.

Remember, non-metallic materials such as lumber, tires, ropes and hay will conduct electricity depending on dampness, dust and dirt contamination. “If your equipment does come into contact with power lines, stay in the cab and call GEC for help,” says Hall. “If the power line is energized and you step outside, your body becomes the path to the ground. “Even if a line has landed on the ground, there is still potential for the area to be energized. Warn others who may be nearby to stay away and wait until help arrives.” If exiting the cab is absolutely necessary because of fire, the proper action is to jump—not step—with both feet together, hitting the ground at the same time. Do not allow any part of your body to touch the equipment and the ground at the same time. Hop to safety, keeping both feet together as you leave the area. n For more tips and information about how to stay safe this planting season, visit www.SafeElectricity.org. Safe Electricity is the safety outreach program of the Energy Education Council—a nonprofit organization with more than 400 electric cooperative members and many others who share the mission of educating the public about electrical safety and energy efficiency. APRIL 2015

Parting Shot

Readers Share Their Special Photos

Never Bite the Hand ...

As evidenced by the big smile on her face, Pam Malinoski was really happy when she caught this nice Bonnethead shark from her boat in Tampa Bay. Looks like the shark knew it was going back in soon because it also smiled for the camera. Pam did release it after pictures. “That should be the end of the story, and was, until someone told her they are cartilaginous—that sharks could bend around and bite her hand,” says Larry Malinoski. “So I forgot to mention that little tidbit to her at the time? She was not happy with me. Not happy at all, and I learned my lesson. Never do anything that could bite the hand that feeds you.” Larry Malinoski, Sundance, Florida

We always are looking for photos to feature in Parting Shot, and pay $25 for one-time use. Please send your best shots (must be a minimum 1,000 KB file size), along with the story behind the photo and your name and mailing address (for payment) to photos@floridacurrents.com.

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Offices Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday 26733 U.S. Hwy. 27 East/P.O. Box 519 Moore Haven, FL 33471 (863) 946-6200 Fax: (863) 946-2150 214 SR 70 West Lake Placid, FL 33852 (863) 531-5000 111 SW Park St. Okeechobee, FL 34974 (863) 467-5111

Power Interruption Number Moore Haven..............................(863) 946-6200 Phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. Please have your location or account number handy when you call.

Board of Trustees John “Jack” Coxe, President, District 8 Lake Josephine, (863) 655-3056 James “Jim” Aul, Vice President, District 7 Lorida, (863) 441-0441 Russell Henderson, Sec./Treas., District 3 Ortona and Palmdale, (863) 946-0865 Donnie Lundy, Trustee, District 1 Moore Haven, (863) 946-0402 Barney Goodman, Trustee, District 2 Hendry County, (561) 414-8837 Shannon Hall, Trustee, District 4 Lakeport and Brighton, (863) 946-3242 Ladd Bass, Trustee, District 5 Venus and Hicoria, (863) 441-2227 Lee Henderson, Trustee, District 6 Highlands Park, (863) 633-9281 Angela Hodges, Trustee, District 9 Okeechobee, (863) 801-3140 The next meeting of the Board will be at 9 a.m. April 30 at the Moore Haven headquarters office. Any changes to this schedule will be posted in the lobby of all three district offices.

Executive Staff CEO Jeff Brewington CFO Jennifer Manning CTO Jesse Wallace Dir. of Business Development Paul McGehee Dir. of Employee Services Yvonne Bradley Dir. of Engineering Travis Turner Dir. of Member Services Margaret Ellerbee Dir. of Operations Tracy Vaughn

APRIL 2015

FL-153

CEO’s Message

Long Live Rural America Recently my schedule opened and allowed me the privilege of attending the Glades County Youth Livestock Show and Sale. What a great night! It was filled with so many wonderful things I left reflecting on how rural life in Florida is so special. The evening started with a delicious steak dinner prepared and served by parents of the youth and other stalwarts of the community. It was good to see my old friend—old in years of friendship—Pastor Charlie, who provided the blessing over our meal. It was even better getting one of his bear hugs. During dinner, I met up with several other old friends I hadn’t seen in quite some time. This event brought everyone in from the fields Jeff Brewington and the woods. After dinner, we all headed to the rodeo grounds just out back for the big show. Talk about excitement! Kids of all sizes handled animals of all sizes. There were even youngsters weighing maybe 80 pounds, if that, leading 1,200-pound steers around. The local festival queen started the program with a prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance before the festivities began. The first event was the pee-wee league showing off their piglets. One of these showmen was the great-grandson of a cooperative Trustee. The Trustee was in the audience, of course, with other great-grandchildren, grandchildren and children gathered around him. Ah, rural America. The cooperative had two additional Trustees in attendance with other family members as well. A steer provided to a youth by one of these Trustees earned special recognition in the show. Concern for community is one of the seven cooperative principles, and your rural electric cooperative believes wholeheartedly in that principle. As we have done for many years in Glades as well as Hendry, Highlands and Okeechobee counties, the cooperative supported this event through the purchase of a steer from one of the young ladies. It was donated back for resale, with proceeds benefiting Project Graduation. Your cooperative proudly supports the youth livestock programs in each of the four counties we serve. It is what we do; it is how we live out here. Long live rural America!