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Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative

J U LY 2015

Sharing the Road With Bikes Cyclists pedaled down Highway 73 during Bike Floridaâ€™s 2015 Caverns to Coast ride through the Panhandle. An estimated 600 riders participated in the weeklong trek, which started in Blountstown and ended in Port St. Joe. Read more on page 4.

Cooperative Announces Promotions PAGE 7

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Reflections on Earth Day 2015 PAGE 26

Gulf Coast

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. 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

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While you’re shaving, we’re shaving… …but the hot water stays the same. H2O Plus is a program that shaves—or reduces—energy use during times when electricity is most expensive. By reducing the impact of electric water heaters a few times a year, H2O Plus helps us avoid costly energy purchases. You still will have plenty of hot water for your everyday tasks, and we will have the energy we need to power our communities. Ask today how you can become an H2O Plus partner.

Inside

July 2015 Vol. 4, No. 9

Cookin’ Along 10

Passion for cooking and encouragement from family leads to national attention and an appearance on the Food Network. Also In This Issue Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Great Picture Hunt 18

Festival Roundup 22 Outdoor Pursuits 24 Parting Shot 30

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

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Gulf Coast

Sharing the Road With Bikes Cyclists travel the scenic back roads of the Panhandle By Lindsay Peak

When 600 bicyclists travel through Blountstown, Marianna and Port St. Joe, people take notice. That is exactly what Bike Florida, a nonprofit organization, wants people to do: take notice and talk about it. Formed in 1994, the mission of Bike Florida is to promote safe and responsible cycling in Florida. Through partnerships with the Florida Traffic and Bicycle Safety Education Program and organizations throughout the state, Bike Florida encourages bicycle safety through public awareness, educational programs and bicycle tours. Bike Florida helped establish the “Share the Road” campaign and specialty license plate program to fund the organization and the

Florida Bicycle Association. It strives to teach cyclists how to safely ride the roads with motorists and encourages motorists to share the road. For the past 21 years, bicyclists from around the world have traveled to Florida to participate in a spring bike tour. Bike Florida took control of planning and coordinating the tour after it was formed. Each year, the tour offers a

Cyclists took a break from the good food and music at the rest stop in Kinard to pose for a picture with the fire truck. 4

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new route with different areas to explore. This year, cyclists traveled to the Sunshine State from as far as Canada and California to take part in the 2015 Caverns to Coast tour. Cyclists took their bikes down the rural back roads connecting Blountstown to Marianna, then followed the streets lined with grassy fields intertwined with farms and small towns before reaching the shimmering bay waters in Port St. Joe. With seven-, five-, twoand one-day tour options, about 600 bicyclists of all ages, types and experience levels participated in the 2015 tour. Many are repeat riders looking to escape freezing temperatures at home and prepare for a season of bike tours. The full tour is seven days, with three move days during which cyclists travel 40 to 100 miles. Two days are spent in each host area so riders can soak up local offerings. Riders can participate in activities or enjoy one another’s company sitting around their campsites. This year, cyclists caught up with old friends and made new ones while enjoying the downtown music and beer garden at Blountstown Middle School, where the journey began. They hit the rural roads and headed toward their next stop, Marianna. Riders experienced breathtaking views while climbing

Riders traveled the rural back roads of the Panhandle during the 2015 Caverns to Coast tour.

through Falling Waters State Park and touring the only public cave system in Florida. Back on their bikes for move day No. 2, cyclists rode through several small towns, enjoying live music and Southern hospitality. A rest stop in Kinard offered riders a hot meal, live music and a dance floor. Kinard Volunteer Fire Department Chief Doyle Daniels helped coordinate the rest stop in Kinard. “They really like to bring new things to the community,” Doyle said. “They have never had this many bikes in Kinard.” He was pleased with the turnout and enjoyed talking with the cyclists who were passing through. Continuing along the winding path of farm fields waiting to be planted, riders had the opportunity to see the beauty of the dead lakes in Wewahitchka while heading toward the coastal waters. The steep climb up the

intercoastal bridge and the smell of salt was the reward for riders who pedaled from the caverns to the coast. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park offered a great bicycle path for cyclists to take in the beauty of the area. While in Port St. Joe, cyclists were greeted with a little bad weather, but not enough to keep many from exploring. Some trekked out to the tip of the cape, while others ventured to County Road 30A and back. Cyclists were treated to an end-of-the-ride party, where they gathered and recounted the tour’s many adventures before heading back to Blountstown to gather their things and head home. Bike Florida is committed to making a positive economic affect on the communities that support their tours and program. This year, Bike Florida donated almost $9,000 to the communities

they passed through and the nonprofit organizations that supported the ride. Ken Foster, the associate director of Bike Florida, said they like to have help from local people. “Our goal is to work with the community—not just come in with a pod of strangers and then just leave,” Ken said. “We want to interact with the communities.” Each tour is planned in pencil up to three years in advance based on a map that breaks the state into regions. “We like to feature the unique characteristics in each area we tour through,” Foster said. “We really like to drive through this part of Florida because everyone is always so friendly. Everyone in the communities was very welcoming.” He heard no reports of any driver harassment, and noted people really like to talk to the riders and ask about what they were doing in the area.

“The tour was a huge success this year,” Ken said. “We really focused on the three key ingredients: good food; good, adequate showers; and plenty of restrooms. This can be hard to achieve with 600 people, but we did it, and everyone was pleased.” Good food was provided to cyclists at rest stops and local restaurants. Catered breakfast and dinner was provided by The Dixie Grill, which tagged along during the entire tour. Showers were available with the help of the No Sweat Shower Service semi. Riders did not have to worry about their luggage or tent setup, thanks to Bubba’s Pampered Peddlers and Captain Quarters Sherpa Service. Each detail is carefully planned out to ensure cyclists have the most comfortable and enjoyable time possible. The 2015 Caverns to Coast tour had people talking, and with talk comes awareness. n J U LY 2 0 1 5

Gulf Coast

Waylon Graham

Jimmy Black

Eddie Jones

Rupert Brown

Doug Birmingham

Robert Byrd

Betty Moore

Board Elects Officers

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees recently elected new officers. They are Waylon Graham, president; Jimmy Black, vice president; Eddie Jones, secretary; and Rupert Brown, treasurer. Doug Birmingham will serve on the PowerSouth Energy Cooperative Board of Trustees, with Robert Byrd the alternate. Graham and Brown will serve on the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association Board of Trustees, with Jones the alternate. Betty Moore will serve on the PowerSouth Panhandle Committee. 

Need to Reach Your Cooperative? 9434 Highway 77 P.O. Box 8370 Southport, FL 32409 (850) 265-3631; (800) 568-3667 722 West Highway 22 Wewahitchka, FL 32465 (850) 639-2216; (800) 333-9392 6243 E. Highway 98 Panama City, FL 32404 (850) 481-1188 Online: www.gcec.com 6

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Birmingham Represents GCEC on PowerSouth Board Doug Birmingham of Wewahitchka was elected to the PowerSouth Board of Trustees May 22 as the representative for Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative. Robert Byrd is the alternate. “It is an honor to serve as a representative for the co-op members in my area as a PowerSouth board member,” said Birmingham. “PowerSouth’s success isn’t the work of any one member cooperative. We all work well together, which is a testament to the care and concern each board member has for his or her membership. I look forward to my term and plan to represent Gulf Coast EC well.” Birmingham is a retired Gulf County Clerk of Circuit Court. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Troy State University. Certified by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association as a Credentialed Cooperative Director, he has served on the GCEC board since October 2008. PowerSouth serves the wholesale energy needs of 16 electric cooperatives and four municipal electric systems in Alabama and northwest Florida, with more than 1 million consumers in 39 Alabama and 10 Florida counties. PowerSouth is dedicated to providing reliable energy at the lowest possible cost to its members.

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Welcomes Hassan Abdelhalim Frank Bailey

Cole Barfield

Justin Barnes

John Bartley

Chad Creamer

Kristin Evans

Peyton Gleaton

Francis Hinson

Baylen Price

Harold Ruth

Jim Vickers

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative is proud to announce the addition of Hassan Abdelhalim to its staff. Hassan joins the accounting Hassen Abdelhalim department. He earned a degree in accounting and finance from Florida State University.

Cooperative Announces Promotions Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative is proud to announce the promotion of the following employees: • Frank Bailey, line technician trainee III. • Cole Barfield, line technician trainee II. • Justin Barnes, vice president of member services. • John Bartley, chief financial officer. • Chad Creamer, line technician II.

• Kristin Evans, vice president of marketing and communications. • Peyton Gleaton, vice president of engineering. • Francis Hinson, vice president of operations. • Baylen Price, line technician trainee III. • Harold Ruth, senior warehouse clerk. • Jim Vickers, vice president of military affairs.  J U LY 2 0 1 5

Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Senior Warehouse Clerk Harold Ruth maneuvers a forklift through traffic cones as instructor Tracy Strickland observes. Forklift operators were required to drive the forklift around the cones, pick up wooden pallets, then back the forklift through the cones.

Employees Finish Forklift Training Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative employees recently completed forklift training conducted by Tracy Strickland of North Florida Safety and Health LLC. Strickland is a certified trainer in general industry and construction through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and a certified instructor through Chipola College. The training began with formal instruction, then moved outside, where employees performed practical exercises that Strickland evaluated. OSHA requires forklift operators to complete this training every three years. “This forklift training is part of GCEC’s safety program, through which we ensure that we are complying with all safety rules and regulations,” said Francis Hinson, GCEC’s vice president of operations. n 8

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Strickland, standing, reviews forklift controls with Ruth.

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Side Roads

Discoveries Off the Beaten Path

Cookin’ Along Passion for cooking and encouragement from family lead to national attention, Food Network appearance By Liesel Schmidt

Postcards From Florida

Morada Bay, Islamorada

“To me, this is a great representation of America the beautiful,” says Bob Weinshenker, who took the photo at sunset at Morada Bay on Upper Matecumbe in Islamorada. 10

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A can of Spam may not inspire most people to achieve culinary genius, but for 53-year-old Crestview resident Sherri Williams, that little tin of processed meat is full of endless possibilities. She has the awards to prove it. With a talent and a passion for cooking that she credits to a childhood spent watching her grandmothers, Sherri can find inspiration almost anywhere, turning even the most humble ingredients into something that delights the palates of the most demanding judges. Eyebrows arched and forks aloft, they experience for the first time what her friends and family have known all along: Sherri can cook. “My son has been telling me for so long that I should start entering contests,” Sherri says. “He’d always say, ‘We know how good you can cook, but the rest of the world needs to know how great you are.’ To me, though, this has always been something that comes naturally. I do it for the people I love, and I love doing it. It never even really occurred to me that I could win anything by doing what came so naturally.” In the past four and a half years, that natural ability has been her ticket to places Sherri never imagined, meeting people and winning prizes she says have “blessed her beyond measure.” Sherri has been so busy cooking, in fact, that she stopped working, trading her title of resort company rental and guest services manager for “competition queen.” It all began with one dish. “The Steve Harvey Show was having a Hillshire Farm sausage contest,” Sherri says. “At that time, I’d never even written down a recipe, but I decided to take a shot at it, so I typed up a recipe and sent it in—even though it was for a dish I’d never actually made before.”

Sherri Williams shows off a big mouth-watering grilled burger she prepared at home. Photo courtesy of Sherri Williams

A week later, Sherri got a call informing her she was one of three winners. She won a trip to Atlanta to appear on the show. “That was one experience I can’t even describe,” Sherri recalls. “When we got home, I was just thinking, if nothing else happens in my life with all this, I’ve had my 15 minutes of fame, and it was amazing to be recognized for something that you do anyway, something that you love to do.” The mere thought of cooking radiates joy for Sherri. “This is my passion,” she says with a smile and a shrug. “But here I am now, and I can’t believe all the things that I’ve been blessed with because of this. I’ve met so many wonderful people, and it’s so much fun. “Cooking isn’t just a hobby to me. It’s a part of me. It’s like breathing, and there’s never an hour that goes by in the day that I don’t think about something to cook or a new recipe to try. Something is always coming into my head.” Sherri’s head—and hands—are constantly busy, creating dishes that communicate her passion for cooking and her desire to capture the very essence of what

No Need to Fly to Africa to Experience a Safari

Sherri prepares to plate her creation for judges during the 2014 World Food Championships in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy of Alvin Logan

she feels good food is: love and comfort. She has posted more than 300 recipes on the Just a Pinch website, and won competitions all across the nation. All that cooking has earned Sherri a reputation with major players in the culinary world. Food Network producers hand-picked her as a contestant for its recently aired home cooking competition series, “All Star Academy.” Food Network chefs Alex Guarnaschelli, Bobby Flay, Michael Symon and Curtis Stone each selected and mentored four home cooks in a battle for $50,000. “I was totally shocked and honored that they wanted me there,” she says. Once there, Sherri still had to beat out other contestants to make her way into

the hearts of at least one of the mentor chefs—and she did. Week after week, she held her own on Team Alex, surviving the heat of Kitchen Stadium under the scrutiny of worldfamous chefs who tasted her food and confirmed Sherri’s talent is worth notice. In the end, she was eliminated next to last on Team Alex, making it close to the finale. For Sherri, the end was sweet rather than bitter. “I’ve been so blessed in these past few years with all the times I’ve won and the things I’ve gotten to do, and there’s enough for all of us,” she says. “I felt OK about leaving because I felt like it was my time to go. I was forever blessed, being on there, and if you never see me on another show, at least I was on that one.” n

If you have dreamed of taking the family on an African safari, but cannot find room in the budget, check out Safari Wilderness Ranch near Lakeland. Six miles north of Interstate 4 between Orlando and Tampa, surrounded by Florida’s Green Swamp, are 260 acres of pristine wilderness filled with wetland exotic species. The ranch is a natural adventure, not a zoo or theme park. Knowledgeable and experienced guides drive visitors in customized safari vehicles fitted with shade canopies. For an exotic adventure, view wild game on camel back or by horse-drawn carriage. Hundreds of animals in large herds from Africa, Asia and the Americas make the family-owned ranch their home. Species include elands, zebras, ring-tailed lemurs, water buffalo and one- and two-humped camels. Tours are by reservation. Hands-on activities—lemur and budgie feeding, and llama and horse rides—are offered, along with an outdoor aviary. Visitors are strictly limited in number, reflecting the sensitivity of the area and to protect the animals. The ranch is a Florida agritourism project accredited by the Zoological Association of America and licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For pricing and details, visit www.safari wilderness.com, or call (813) 382-2120.

Visitors feed ring-tailed lemurs.

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Planting in Summer’s Heat Don’t let the summer heat keep you from adding plants to your garden. Here are tips to make it work. By Kris Wetherbee

A misconception about gardening is you never should plant during summer when it is hot. Conventional wisdom says planting is best done in spring and fall, when the weather is cooler. But this only applies when transplanting or dividing, which is digging up and moving all or part of a plant that already is established. It is nearly impossible to dig up an established plant without destroying some of the roots. If you try to move the plant during the summer heat, when the plant is top-heavy with growth, the shock can be fatal. As daily temperatures rise, you still can fill the empty spaces in your garden with potted perennials, annuals and shrubs. Any shock from transplanting is essentially eliminated because you did not dig up the plant. Below are some planting tips for reducing heat stress. Find the Right Spot One of the great things about planting in summer is most plants are in their full flush of growth. This allows you to better visualize the total effect because you can see a plant’s form and the color of its foliage or flowers. The added dimensional aspect aids landscaping choices. Yet there are more than a plant’s good looks and your personal preference to consider when placing your plant. Anytime a plant goes into the ground, you should match the plant’s growth 12

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habits to the garden site. This is true in any season but especially in summer, when temperatures are more extreme. A plant that prefers part shade, but tolerates full sun, has a better chance of surviving in full sun if it is planted in spring rather than summer. This gives the roots enough time to establish themselves before the summer heat. When planted in full sun on a hot summer day, the plant might wilt before it has a chance to situate its roots. To plant in summer, give the plant what it prefers: a partly shady location. When planting in a sunny location, another way to protect the plant is to provide temporary shade for the first week or two using a light-colored umbrella, shade cloth or other structure that serves the purpose. Planting Particulars A little preparation goes a long way to determining whether a plant thrives or fails. When you plant can be just as important as how you plant. For best results, always plant on a cloudy day or in the cooler temperatures of the early evening. This minimizes weather-related plant stress. Cloudy days or cooler evening temperatures mean less transpiration loss from the plant’s leaves. Basic planting steps apply, regardless of the season you plant: Dig a hole a little deeper and about twice as wide as the plant’s root ball. After digging the hole, fill it with

water and let it drain before putting in the plant. This helps ensure an easier transition for the plant. Gently work the root ball loose with your hands or a garden fork. Put the plant into position and backfill with good soil mixed with a little compost. Tamp the soil to stabilize the plant and remove any air pockets, then water thoroughly. After the Fact Immediately after planting, give your plants an advantage over the summer heat by applying a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as compost, shredded leaves, cocoa bean hulls or bark dust.

cotoneaster, holly, honeysuckle, hydrangea, Japanese plum yew, juniper, rose, santolina and spiraea. • Persistent perennials: Japanese anemone, artemisia, aster, catmint, chrysanthemum, coreopsis, daylily, echinacea, geranium, goldenrod, helenium, liatris, ornamental grasses, phlox, plumbago, Russian sage, salvia, sedum, verbena, veronica and yarrow. • Late-color annuals: Celosia, chrysanthemums, coleus, cosmos, creeping zinnia, dusty miller, dwarf sunflowers, globe amaranth, impatiens, marigolds, nasturtiums, salvia, scaevola and zinnia.

This helps conserve soil moisture and keep down weeds, which compete for water and nutrients, whether your soil is loamy, sandy or clay. Water new plantings once or twice with a diluted solution of fish emulsion or liquid seaweed to help them settle quickly into their new environment. During the first week or two, you might need to water daily or every other day, depending on the weather, soil type and the plant’s growing requirements. After that, it is important to keep the soil slightly moist until the plant becomes established in the garden. For most perennials and shrubs, that usually occurs after the first growing season. The key is to water deeply and

thoroughly to encourage a deeper root system. It only takes a little extra attention and a few simple techniques to help new summer plantings thrive. So go ahead and take advantage of summer plant sales and fill in those empty spaces in your yard. The result cannot be anything less than beautiful. What to Plant Just about anything growing in a container can be planted in summer, though some plants stand up to the summer heat better than others. Here are several tough contenders for summer planting. • Standout shrubs: Barberry, boxwood, bluebeard, chaste tree, clethra,

Conquer and Divide An easy way to find new plants for the empty spaces in your yard is to divide perennials that already exist in your garden. September is a great time to dig in and divide plants such as asters, chrysanthemums, daylilies, iris, liatris, rudbeckias and ornamental grasses. Divide and replant perennials with vigorous clumps, barren or dead centers, and those whose flowers have become smaller or less abundant. The steps are basically the same, whether the plant grows from rhizomes, such as iris; has tuberous roots, such as daylilies; or are more fibrous, such as rudbeckia. Dig up the plant on a cloudy day, keeping as much of the roots intact as possible. Remove any loose soil so you can see the crown and roots, then divide the plant into smaller clumps using a sharp spade or sturdy knife, discarding any dead centers to the compost pile. Each division should have at least two to five vigorous shoots with ample roots attached. Cut back remaining foliage to half the plant’s height, then immediately replant the divided pieces into their new location. Any extras can be planted in potting soil in large pots and later given as gifts to friends and family. n J U LY 2 0 1 5

Water-Thrifty Plants for Your Garden A colorful summer garden does not need a lot of water. Keep your garden looking lush with these water-wise plants and gardening tips. By Kris Wetherbee

Rain might be ample in winter, but once the summer heat descends, rain often is nowhere in sight when plants need water most. When plants do not get the water they need, they dry up and die. Water is so essential to a plant’s health that many people devote up to 70 percent of residential water use to home landscapes. Keeping a garden irrigated can take a lot of work—and water. That is why a mix of water-thrifty plants and a few water-wise gardening tips is a great way to keep your garden thriving, without spending precious time and money on watering. Sizing up Plants A plant’s drought tolerance varies depending on your soil, climate and location. Plants suited to your personal growing conditions always give a better show with less care. For example, hollyhocks do fine without any supplemental water when grown in areas that receive summer rain. However, in drier climates, these statuesque blooms are left with a powerful thirst without water. Growing conditions also can vary within a single garden. Southern and western exposures tend to dry out more quickly than areas facing north or east. Position plants in areas where they can survive the occasional drought. Grouping plants according to their water needs 14

J U LY 2 0 1 5

makes for more efficient watering. Choose plants with a stronger tolerance to drought for southern and western exposure. Artemisia, cotoneaster, echinacea, rudbeckia, sedum and salvia are good selections. A few shade-tolerant plants that can handle the occasional drought include hostas, bear’s breech (Acanthus spp.), hardy geraniums, heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) and bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). Maximize Moisture Healthy plants can get by on less water than plants that are stressed. Timely weeding and feeding keep plants healthy. Adding organic mulch enhances the drought-tolerance of most plants. Start by mixing a 3- to 6-inch layer of organic matter, such as compost, into the soil before you plant. This increases the water-retaining capacity of the soil and creates an environment that encourages roots to grow deeper, which makes it easier for plants to find and absorb moisture during times of drought. Adding organic mulch—such as shredded leaves, herbicide-free grass clippings or aged sawdust— to the surface is a good idea. This will conserve water by preventing weeds—which steal water and nutrients—and keeping soil temperatures cooler and moisture levels more consistent, while reducing surface evaporation.

Water Wisely No plant can survive without water. Even water-thrifty plants need consistent water the first year or two before they become established. After that, the key is to water deeply and infrequently, which promotes a more extensive root system. The best time to water is early morning or evening, when more water seeps into the soil and less is lost through evaporation. The right type of irrigation system can do wonders to minimize moisture loss and excess runoff by distributing lower volumes of water over longer periods of time. Drip irrigation is best for spot watering around perennials, shrubs and other

permanent plantings. Low-volume sprayers or bubblers are ideal for trees and groundcovers. Weave soaker hoses through annual and perennial beds and borders. Hand watering can be highly efficient. Ten Drought-Busters Below are 10 drought-resistant plant suggestions that are a great addition to an easy-care garden. Using less water to produce a downpour of color will give you more time to sit back and soak it all in. • Agastache. This is known as a hummingbird plant, licorice mint, Mexican hyssop or anise hyssop, depending on the species. The showy group of perennial herbs has summer to fall trumpet-shaped flowers that attract

hummingbirds, sphinx moths and many butterfly species with nectar. Zones 5-11. • Artemisia. This textural group includes several species of perennials and evergreen shrubs noted for their aromatic and interesting silvery gray or white foliage. Common wormwood (A. absinthium), southernwood (A. abrotanum) and Powis Castle (A. “Powis Castle”) are especially carefree and attractive. Zones 4-11, depending on the species. • Germander. An evergreen shrubby perennial used as edging, a low-clipped hedge or small-scale groundcover. Whorls of nectar-rich, pink to purple flowers spike in summer rise on upright, woody-based stems that grow 1 to 2 feet tall. Zones 5-10. • Goldenrod. Nearly 100 perennial

species of perennials grow 2 to 6 feet tall with branching clusters of elongated flower heads bearing tiny golden yellow blooms from midsummer into fall. These are tough plants that thrive in less-thanideal soil. Zones 3-10. • Lady Banks’ Rose. An evergreen climber (deciduous where winters are cold) that grows to 20 feet or more. Small yellow or white flowers bloom in early to late spring. This tough contender is nearly thornless and nearly immune to pests and disease. Known to thrive and bloom without any supplemental water. Zones 7-10. • Lavender. Highly aromatic shrubs and subshrubs with fragrant spikes of lavender to purple flowers grow from 1 to 5 feet tall. Use in flower beds, the border or herb garden. Great as an informal hedge or edging. Zones 5-11. • Rudbeckia. Showy garden perennials known as coneflower or black-eyed Susan grow 3 to 7 feet tall, depending on the species. Daisylike flowers appear from late summer until frost. Zones 3-10. • Salvia. Extensive group of annuals, biennials and tender-to-hardy perennials grow 1 to 5 feet tall. Tubular flowers, with colors in shades from salmon to red, pink to dark purple, and pale lavender to blue, as well as yellow and white. Lowmaintenance plants with high appeal. Zones 4-11, depending on the species. • Sedum. A diverse group of succulents in a range of shapes, sizes and colors, with spring to autumn flowers followed by late autumn to winter seed heads. Sedum “Autumn Joy” and other taller cultivars are especially showy whether mixed in beds and borders or in container plantings. Zones 4-11, depending on the species. • Yarrow. Daisy family member with about 100 species of clumping or matforming perennials grows 1 to 4 feet tall. Flattened clusters of tiny flowers in white and pastel shades, bright colors and warm tones from gold to bronze appear in summer and early fall, and puts on a show of color even in dry summers. Zones 3-10. n J U LY 2 0 1 5

In the Kitchen

Recipes That Satisfy

Nutrient-Rich Summertime Sips Summer is all about long days and outdoor fun. Whether you are at the beach, a backyard barbecue or soaking in the sun at a music festival, you need to stay hydrated. A daily dose of proper liquid nutrition will have you feeling your best no matter where your summer adventures take you.

Fruits and veggies blend together for nutritious, delicious smoothies.

Red-Hot Blood Cleanser 2 cups watermelon chunks 1 small to medium beet, washed 1 apple, seeded and cut into cubes 1 tablespoon apple juice concentrate 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon turmeric

Place all the ingredients in a blender, with the watermelon on the bottom. Turn the blender on slow until the watermelon has liquefied. Increase speed and blend 1 minute or until all ingredients are liquefied. Serves 2

Courtesy of National Watermelon Promotion Board

Tart Cherry and Mango Smoothie 1½ cups tart cherry juice 1½ cups frozen mango chunks ¾ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt 1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey

Place all ingredients in a heavy-duty blender. Puree until smooth. Serves 2

Courtesy of ChooseCherries.com

Summer Sipper 1/4 heaping cup arugula 1/4 heaping cup romaine 2 leaves basil

J U LY 2 0 1 5

1/2 cup cantaloupe 1/2 cup blueberries 1 cup cherries, pitted 1 tablespoon chia seeds Coconut water to cover all ingredients

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Serve immediately. Serves 1

Courtesy of NutriBullet

1/2 cup watermelon 1 tablespoon goji berries 1/2 stalk celery Coconut water to cover all ingredients

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Serve immediately. Serves 1

Courtesy of NutriBullet

Vitamin Melon Blast

Raspberry Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

2 handfuls of spinach 1/2 cup cantaloupe 1/2 cup honeydew

1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt 1 cup frozen or fresh raspberries, unsweetened

Get your dose of raspberries and strawberries in a yogurt smoothie. For a different twist, add honey, cinnamon and chopped walnuts. 1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries, unsweetened ¾ cup low-fat milk or lactose-free milk 1 cup ice (about 12 cubes)

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Serve immediately. Serves 4

Courtesy of Midwest Dairy Association

Protein-Packed Berry Burst Smoothie 1 packet plain instant oatmeal ½ cup fat-free or low-fat milk 1/2 cup strawberries, hulled and chopped 1 tablespoon honey 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon walnuts, chopped

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Serve immediately. Serves 1

Courtesy of Milk-PEP

Watermelon Zapper 2 cups watermelon cubes 1/3 large lemon, peeled

11/2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled 2 medium carrots

Veggie De-Bloat Cocktail

Juice lemon, ginger and carrots in a juicer. Place watermelon in a blender, followed by the remaining ingredients. Turn the blender on low until watermelon is liquefied. Gradually increase speed. Blend for 2 minutes. Serves 2

1/3 medium cucumber, peeled 3 medium carrots 2 celery stalks ½ red pepper, seeded ¼ cup fresh parsley 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro 2 cups watermelon Dash of horseradish

Courtesy of National Watermelon Promotion Board

Using a juicer, extract juice from all ingredients. Serve plain or over ice.

Ginger Pineapple Limeade Blast 2 handfuls spinach 1/2 cup pineapple 1 chunk ginger 3/4 cup lime juice 6 cilantro leaves 1 tablespoon raw honey Water to cover all ingredients 1 cup ice (about 12 cubes)

Serves 2

Courtesy of National Watermelon Promotion Board

Banana PB & J Smoothie 1 cup chocolate milk 1 ripe banana, peeled and cut into chunks 2 tablespoons low-fat peanut butter 2 tablespoons strawberry or grape jelly

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Serve immediately.

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. For a colder smoothie, freeze banana chunks one day ahead.

Serves 1

Courtesy of NutriBullet

Courtesy of TruMooMilk J U LY 2 0 1 5

The Great Picture Hunt

Photo Tips from David LaBelle

Tips for Shooting Fireworks

Americans have a fascination with fireworks—a love affair that began many years ago and doesn’t seem to be fading. A baseball game that fails to draw a half-capacity crowd will sell out with announcement of postgame fireworks. No special event in cities such as Philadelphia or Pittsburgh would be complete without the beloved bursts in the sky. Fireworks are magical. They do something to us: connect us to our past, our liberty and independence, while stirring in us our childhood imaginations. Growing up, my family would curl in blankets on the beach, transfixed by the colorful, powerful explosions. I learned long ago people are easily impressed with pictures of sunsets and fireworks, though the latter are far more difficult to capture. When the fireworks begin, out pop the cameras of all make and model, including cell phone cameras. Some will record some amazing images, mostly by pure luck and

Provide a sense of depth and scale by including comparative elements in the foreground, such as people. Photo by David LaBelle

accident. Many more will be disappointed when their pictures don’t look like what they saw or experienced. What can we do to make the kind of pictures that reveal magic in the skies and twinkles in the eyes of the beholders? Let’s begin with exposure. Most firework pictures fail because exposures are wrong and cameras are not set correctly to record the beauty. The strength, color and duration of the illuminative bursts vary so much that predicting the proper exposure with any accuracy is next to impossible. That said, I would suggest you begin by choosing an ISO of about 400. You can

David LaBelle is an internationally known photographer, teacher, author and lecturer. He has worked for newspapers and magazines across the United States and taught at three universities. He grew up on a frog farm in rural California, roaming the creeks and hills with his coon dogs. Many of the lessons he learned during those magical boyhood years have been applied to photography and teaching the essence of this artform. For more information, visit www.greatpicturehunt.com.

J U LY 2 0 1 5

go less, but I wouldn’t go much higher. Higher ISO settings produce greater “noise”— what we used to call grain with film. If you have a noise reduction setting, turn it on. It is important to set your camera for a long exposure. If you have a T (time) or B (bulb) setting, this should allow you to keep the shutter open as you depress the shutter button. With your camera steadied, you can anticipate a burst, press the shutter, then close it after the burst. Or leave it open for several bursts. If you have a camera with shutter speed options, try varying from a quarter of a second to several seconds or longer. Lastly, if you can adjust your camera’s f-stops (lens opening), I have found f/4 or f/5.6 work best. Decreasing the diameter of the lens opening even one or two stops increases depth of field (what will be in focus), which increases your odds of sharp, focused fireworks. Here are additional tips:

• Foreground is key, as with most things photographed in the sky. A bridge, boats, statutes, human figures—these give firework pictures depth and scale and location. Like photographing sunsets or moonrises, the juxtapositions of other elements—mountains, oceans, people or structures—give the lighted balls in the sky context. Usually, the lower you can get to the earth with foreground shapes, the more interesting your fireworks pictures. • Hold the camera still. Whether on a wall, an automobile roof or a tripod, keeping the camera still is critical. • Experiment by popping a little flash during a long exposure. This will illuminate otherwise silhouetted foreground subjects. • Shoot a lot. The late Henry Cartier Bresson, a famous French photographer and painter, said it best: “You have to milk the cow a lot to get a little cream.” 

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Travel Journal

Satisfying the Appetite for Wanderlust

Resort to Some Vacation Fun

By the middle of summer, it is time to seek vacation destinations where the kids can stay busy and the adults have time for themselves. Stay in the Sunshine State or venture across the border for resorts that welcome—and entertain—the kids and teens.

North to Georgia An hour or so north of Jacksonville is Sea Island, Georgia, www.seaisland.com. Long known for its elegant Southern resort, The Cloister was built in 1928 for the wealthy. Today, it is one of three luxury resort properties on Sea Island that share a range of amenities, including three championship golf courses, 5 miles of private beaches, a Beach Club, squash and tennis courts, a shooting school, paddleboarding, fishing and a casual dining to Forbes’ Five-Star meals. Activities for the youngsters give adults the chance to dine in luxury, enjoy a round of golf or spend the day being pampered at the spa. West to Alabama Built in 1847 in Point Clear, the 550-acre Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa, www.marriottgrand. com, is known as the Queen of Southern Resorts.

Photo courtesy of Sea Island

Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico’s Mobile Bay, the hotel provides beach access for sailing, kayaking and other water sports. Enjoy a putting green, volleyball, croquet, bike rides and fishing. Daily Grand Fun Camp keeps kids ages 5 to 12 busy with arts and crafts and outdoor activities. Tennis clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and junior golfers’ clinics on Saturdays give teens a break from their parents. The European-style 20,000-squarefoot spa provides a private getaway for adults. Try casual dining for gourmet seafood with a view, or

Florida native Pamela A. Keene is a freelance journalist who specializes in travel, gardening, personality profiles and feature writing. The avid traveler also is a photographer and accomplished sailor. Her website is www.pamelakeene.com.

J U LY 2 0 1 5

choose a more elegant meal where coats and ties are preferred attire for boys and men. Stay In-State Several Ritz-Carltons offer resort vacations in Florida, www.ritzcarlton.com, including a property in Naples that features championship golf, gourmet dining, beach activities and family sports. For the youngsters, Nature’s Wonders, the resort’s environmentally focused program, immerses guests ages 5 to 12 in a living eco-sanctuary with 11 aquariums and naturalist-led outings. A gaming and interactive 3-D entertainment lounge with Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Sony Playstation 3 will keep teens busy while the adults play golf, take a backwater or deep sea fishing trip or relax while enjoying spa services.

July Travel Tips • If driving, pack a cooler with beverages and snacks. • Make regular stops. • Bring along comforts from home: pillows, games, DVDs, paper towels and a bath towel for unexpected spills. • Be prudent in packing. Organize each person’s suitcase based on your itinerary. Repeat wardrobe items. • Pack a safety kit with jumper cables, a flashlight, spare batteries and first-aid kit. • Organize the family’s medications in one place that you can keep close at hand. With one adult in charge, this will help keep track of who has taken their medications each day and when. • Create a family notebook, or ask each family member to keep their own travel journal to write down memories of your vacation. 

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Festival Roundup

Things to See and Do

July 3, Bushnell Patriotic Family Fun Day Kick off your Fourth of July weekend early with this fun family event at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park. Relays and game competitions such as an egg toss, skillet throwing, sack races and watermelon seed spitting start at 5 p.m., with a pet parade at 6 p.m. Charcoal grills are available on a first-come basis. Live music continues until 8 p.m. Free with regular park admission. www.floridastateparks.org; (352) 793-4781

July 3-5, Key West 3rd Annual Key Lime Festival A wacky pageant, stroll, talent show, and pieeating and cooking contests await visitors. www.keylimefestival.com

July 3-5, Marathon Super Boat International Offshore Race Powerboat racing returns under and along the famous Seven Mile Bridge. www.superboat.com; (305) 296-6166

July 4, Pensacola Ronald McDonald Firecracker 5K The 3.1-mile race starts at Seville Quarter at 7:30 a.m. and loops around downtown. A kids’ fun run follows. www.rmhc-nwfl.org; (850) 477-2273

How to Submit Events 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. July 4, Perdido Key All American BBQ Festival/Miss Firecracker Bikini Contest Celebrate Independence Day at the Flora-Bama with an all-American barbecue and watch the competition for the title of Miss Firecracker. www.florabama.com; (850) 492-0611

July 4, Pensacola 26th Annual Independence Day Celebration Sertoma organizations host the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast over Pensacola Bay. Allday activities begin at 11 a.m. in Seville Square. www.pensacolafireworks.com; (850) 434-1234

July 4, Panama City Star-Spangled Spectacular Celebrate in style with a day of hometown fun at Aaron Bessant Park and the biggest fireworks display along the Gulf Coast. The Panama City POPS orchestra performs at 7:30 p.m., with fireworks from both the city and county piers at 9 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets. www.visitpanamacitybeach.com

July 4-5, Sebring Red, White and Blues Festival Old-fashioned Americana comes to the Allen Altvater Cultural Center on the shores of Lake Jackson for music, a cake walk, baby bathing suit contest, patriotic pet costume contest, food vendors, a beer garden and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. on July 4. www.visithighlandscounty.com

July 5, Ocala Florida Safari Join park rangers at 10 a.m. for a one-hour trek exploring normally inaccessible areas of Silver Springs State Park by 4x4 and tram. See the impacts of resource management activities, residents of the woods such as gopher tortoises and wild turkeys, and learn about the unique ecosystem. Free with regular park admission. www.floridastateparks.org; (352) 236-7148

July 6-31, Wauchula Cracker Kids Camp: Learning Our Legacy Children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to experience the heritage of Hardee County through interactive learning and hands-on crafts from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at the historic train depot. Sessions are $75 a week. www.peaceriverexplorations.com; (863) 767-9999

July 9-12, Key West Mel Fisher Days Treasure-hunting enthusiasts, past and present crew and family members celebrate the 30th anniversary of Fisher’s discovery of the shipwrecked Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha. The charity event includes a treasure hunt on land with a $5,000 cash prize and a diver reunion. www.melfisherdays.com; (305) 296-6534

‘Treasure Diving: Everything You Want to Know’ World-renowned treasure hunter Captain Carl Fismer will discuss his more than 35 years’ experience diving wrecks throughout the world Wednesday, July 22, at the Keys History and Discovery Center, MM 82, Islamorada. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the lecture begins at 6 p.m. The cost for non-members is $25, which includes admission to the Discovery Center. For more information, visit www.keysdiscovery.com or call (305) 922-2237.

July 11, Pensacola Beach Air Show See the world-famous Blue Angels perform over Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island. www.blueangels.navy.mil; (850) 932-2257

July 11, Big Pine and Lower Keys 31st Annual Underwater Music Festival The nationally acclaimed submerged songfest at Looe Key Reef is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Music is broadcast underwater via speakers suspended beneath boats positioned above the reef. www.lowerkeyschamber.com; (305) 872-2411

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25th Annual Caladium Festival Travel by bus to the caladium fields during the annual festival in Lake Placid Friday, July 24, through Sunday, July 26. Visitors have the opportunity to buy many varieties of caladium bulbs and plants. More than 100 arts and crafts booths are set up in Stuart Park, which also features food booths and free entertainment. Nearby Devane Park hosts a car and bike show and an airboat and swamp buggy show Saturday, July 25. Parking and admission are free. For more information, visit www. visitlakeplacidflorida.com. Photo courtesy of Jan and Victor Larson

July 13-17, Homosassa Wildlife Ranger Camp Children ages 10 through 12 are invited to learn about Florida’s wildlife, preserving natural resources and wildlife habitats from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The $75 registration fee includes park admission, a T-shirt and supplies. Participation is limited to 20 campers. www.floridastateparks.org; (352) 628-5445 ext. 1006

July 13-17, Panama City Beach Wet and Wild Paint vibrant water scenes in watercolors, oil or acrylic during a new lesson each day. All skill levels are welcome. The cost is $475 for the week or $100 for the day. Sessions are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (850) 541-3867

July 15, Islamorada “Life Underwater” The History of Diving Museum at MM 83 continues the free “Immerse Yourself!” series with this 7 p.m. seminar presented by Aileen Soto. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy exhibits before the event. www.divingmuseum.org; (305) 664-9737

July 18, Pensacola Fifth Annual Running of the Bulls Run with the “bulls” through the streets of downtown Pensacola’s Seville Quarter at 9 a.m. during the family-friendly event. In place of angry

bulls, roller derby enthusiasts wield wiffle bats to chase the runners, who are required to wear white clothing and a red cloth around the waist and neck. Children younger than 10 and those who do not want to be hit should use the sidewalk. www.sevillequarter.com; (850) 434-6211

July 18, White Springs Antiques, Arts and Collectibles Day Collectors gather at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park to display antiques, unique art and collectibles from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy collections of teapots, linens, furniture, dolls, silver, farm equipment and more, and visit with the collectors. Free with regular park admission. www.floridastateparks.org; (386) 397-4408

July 18, Pensacola Red Trolley Tour Actors lead a treasure hunt in a spoof of history. The evening begins with ghoulish appetizers and a selection of pirate regalia for the children. Tours are about 90 minutes long and depart from the visitors information center at 6:30 p.m.

July 21-26, Key West 35th Annual Hemingway Days The celebration of the legendary author’s work and lifestyle features literary readings, book signings, running of the bulls, a short-story competition judged by his granddaughter, a marlin tournament, a look-alike contest, an exhibit of rare memorabilia and a party commemorating the 116th anniversary of his birth. www.fla-keys.com/hemingwaymedia; (305) 296-2388 (look-alike); 797-0579 (literary)

July 25, Bradenton Antiques, Arts and Crafts Show Artists and vendors display their goods inside Mixon’s Packing House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Groveside Café and gift shop are open. www.mixon.com; (941) 748-5829

July 26, Panama City Beach LAX Blast Watch youth ages 11 to 19 compete in a lacrosse tournament at Frank Brown Park. www.visitpanamacitybeach.com

www.piratetrolley.com; (850) 417-7321

July 19, Ocala Pickin’ in the Park Local and visiting musicians perform acoustic music in a scenic area in front of the headsprings at Silver Springs State Park beginning at 1 p.m. Free with park admission.

July 31, Pensacola Hill-Kelly Drive-In Movie Community Maritime Museum hosts a free, nostalgic, family-fun night watching “Home.” Parking begins at 6 p.m. The show is at 8:15. Watch from your car or the grassy lawn. Picnic baskets are welcome, and concessions are available.

www.floridastateparks.org; (352) 236-7148

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Outdoor Pursuits

Enjoying the Natural World Around Us

Knots for Anglers One essential—but often overlooked—fishing skill is knot tying. A good knot could be the difference between landing a whopper or seeing it slip away if the knot fails. Needs change depending on the situation, which is why knowing how to tie more than one knot is important. Two basic types of knots are used for most fishing: terminal knots and line-to-line knots. Subcategories of these include loop terminal knots and heavy-to-light-line knots. Not all knots are created equal. Each has specific purposes and strengths—and weaknesses. Terminal knots are used for tying on a lure or a fly, while line-to-line knots are designed to splice two lines together. Terminal knots come in a variety of configurations. Popular ones include the five-turn double clinch, which has been around more than 50 years, and the modern-day six-turn San Diego jam. The San Diego jam is preferred for its extra cushion and greater strength than the double

Knot failure is a constant concern for anglers. You never know when a knot might give out, so hedge your bet by selecting the right knot for the job. Avoid using a knot just because it’s the only one you know. Google “fishing knots” to see the variety of knots available and their uses. Photo by Jacom Stephens

clinch. There are dozens more terminal knots. There are just as many line-to-line knots. Favorites include the surgeon’s knot and J-knot. The drawback of these and other line-to-line knots is their inherent weakness. Monofilament line has a tendency to crack when the tight turns in this style of knot are compressed and come under pressure. Learn more about all kinds of knots—and how to tie them—at the Animated Knots website, www.animatedknots. com. There is also a smart phone app for the site. Outdoors 101: Four Tips to Avoid Blisters • It all starts with shoes that fit well. A rule of thumb

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 the opportunity to write about the outdoors and other subjects for more than 30 years.

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is there should be a half inch between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe. But they should fit snug enough that your heel does not rub up and down as you walk. Break in new shoes with shorter, easier hikes before tackling a long one. • Make sure your socks fit well, too. Use socks with cushioning in the heel and ball of the foot. Avoid tube socks or those with seams along sensitive areas that may rub and create blisters. Also, avoid cotton. Instead, wear socks made of man-made fibers, especially the newer, moisture-wicking materials such as CoolMax and Isolfil. • Stay dry. Just as important as the socks you wear is the habit of changing them as needed. Always take along an extra pair when hiking. Change halfway through the hike or when you notice your socks getting soggy. • Hedge your bets with lubrication. A number of products are made specifically for this purpose, or you can

dab on some petroleum jelly. Lubricate around your toes, heel and anywhere else there is friction or where you have had problems in the past. Eyeball to Eyeball With Wildlife Add impact to your wildlife photos by shooting from a low angle. Get down to your subject’s eye level or lower. It provides a different, moredramatic perspective. This gives you—and those who view your photos—a view from your subject’s vantage point. What Day is It? July 3, Stay Out of the Sun Day July 22, Hammock Day July 27, Take Your Pants for a Walk Day Show-and-Tell Time Send us your favorite outdoor photo, tip or story. If selected for publication, we will send you $25 for one-time use. Email your submission to www.floridacurrents.com. 

Gulf Coast

Trading Post For Rent Horse barn with five stalls, paddock and about 4 acres of pasture in Wewahitchka, one block from the old courthouse. Lease by the stall, with discount for multiple horses. (740) 334-0341. Three-bedroom, two-bath home in Parker/ Callaway. Living room has cathedral ceiling and fireplace. Separate dining room and eat-in kitchen. Two-car garage. Large, privacy-fenced backyard. Good neighborhood. Close to churches, shopping and entertainment. $1,095 a month. (850) 271-0289. Four-bedroom, one-bath, 1,800-sq.-ft. home in Scotts Ferry. Rents monthly. (850) 265-0872 or (850) 674-6409. Three-bedroom, two-bath home in Lynn Haven. Living room has cathedral ceiling and fireplace. Separate dining room and eat-in kitchen. Twocar garage and privacy-fenced backyard. More than 2,000 sq. ft. on dead-end street. $1,495 a month. (850) 271-0289.

For Sale Fresh figs. Healthy and delicious. Great for snacking and preservers. (850) 722-4226. 23’ Wellcraft boat with inboard motor. Teal and white. Cuddy cabin, open bow, seats eight comfortably. New aluminum trailer. $13,000 OBO. Email chasdimarco@msn.com for pictures. Four-piece cast-iron garden set. Victorian style with three-leg chairs, three-leg table and planter. $500. (850) 763-6338. Amish play set. 41’ x 21’ solid wood with new cedar shake shingles. Built with galvanized bolts. Swings, trapeze bars, fireman pole, teeter totters, tube and straight slides, two sand boxes, monkey bars, wooden bridge between towers, playhouse with stairs. Perfect for church playground, daycare or a family with lots of children. $4,500. Email for pictures: chasdimarco@msn.com. Trees: pomegranate, 10 varieties of figs, Japanese snowball, dwarf sweet lady finger banana and lemongrass. (850) 639-9698.

Pomegranates, figs and lemons. (850) 639-9698. Quarter horses. Ride well on trails, gentle, good for lessons. (850) 773-1957. Miniature donkeys. Jacks and Jennys, black, brown, gray and paints. All ages. $300 and up. Make great pets. Also standard donkeys. Betty, (850) 899-7424. 2003 Freedom Coachman, great condition. Less than 30,000 miles; new awning and tires; bedroom; bathroom with separate shower; kitchen with sink, refrigerator, stove and microwave. Asking $20,000. (850) 265-1265 or (850) 832-2234.

Real Estate Two- or three-bedroom cabin. About 1,200 sq. ft. with large screened porch. 150’ on West Arm Creek in Meeks subdivision. (850) 271-9040. 24x32 doublewide with new interior. Must be moved. (850) 209-9299. 2,700-sq.-ft. heated and cooled brick home on 100’x170’ lot on Chipola River in Scotts Ferry. One bedroom, one bathroom, kitchen and living room downstairs; two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen and living room upstairs. Additional features include 20’x24’ garage; 8’x36’ covered sunporch and fireplace. $159,900. (850) 674-8746. Three-bedroom, two-bath, 1,834-sq.-ft. brick home on 0.72-acre lot. Huge yard with detached garage/workshop, covered parking, fruit trees, greenhouse and covered porch. Next to park and baseball fields. Quiet street. X flood zone. Sheryl, (850) 229-9000 or (850) 227-5233. FSBO. Two adjacent lots, about 2.5 acres on paved road, 10 miles north of Wewahitchka, 45 minutes from beaches. Borders the Chipola River and Cypress Creek. Cleared and ready to build. Quiet and peaceful; no neighbors. Deeded restrictions. Underground utilities, deep well and many fruit trees. $69,900. (850) 648-4214. 1.5-acre lakefront property in Altha with threebedroom, two-bath mobile home. New metal roof, fireplace, front and back decks, shed and greenhouse. $155,000. (850) 896-3188.

Trading Post is a FREE service to members of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative. GCEC reserves the right to edit or reject ads. PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY OR TYPE.

Two-bedroom, one-bath home with deck and storage building on 100’ of Chipola River front in Scotts Ferry. $95,000. (850) 674-8746. One-bedroom (could be two), one-bath home on two lots (total size 327’x113’x270’x108’) on paved corner lot on Red Bull Island in Wewahitchka, close to rivers. Two large screenedin porches, central heat and air, wood-burning heater. Large oak trees, extra buildings, fenced with an electric gate opener. City water and sewer and a deep well. $89,900. (850) 832-7953. ½-acre corner lot. (850) 639-2220. Three-bedroom, two-bath doublewide mobile home with open floor plan, deck, central heat and air, fireplace and metal roof. On 0.6 acre on Chain Lake in Greenhead near Leisure Lake development. Five miles from Washington CI, 45 minutes from Panama City Beach, 60 miles from Destin, 30 miles from Panama City. Oak trees, white sandy beach along the deepest part of the lake. Asking $100,000. No realtors, rent-toown or owner financing. (850) 408-0923 or email for photos (chasdimarco@msn.com). One-acre lakefront lot in Leisure Lakes gated community. On the largest lake. Pete, (850) 722-4886. Two-bedroom mobile home at Douglas Landing. (850) 478-4232. Five-year-old doublewide on 40 acres with 36’x48’ barn, four box stalls and three tractor trailer boxes for storage. Approved at $130,000; asking $110,000. (850) 896-3633. Three-bedroom, two-bath home with handicap setup on 3.25 acres in Leisure Lakes gated community, just off Highway 77, 4 miles north of Highway 20. Gas log fireplace, two-car carport, 20’x20’ workshop, deep well. (850) 773-2924. 75’x135’ lot in Oak Grove Park, Cypress Creek, Dead Lakes, Wewahitchka. Septic tank, service pole, water. (334) 723-6082 or (334) 449-0677.

Wanted Motorized wheelchair. (850) 628-5834.

Please circle the category that applies: For Rent For Sale Real Estate Free Miscellaneous Trade Wanted

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Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone:

Mail your ad to: The Trading Post; Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative; P.O. Box 8370; Southport, FL 32409; return with your electric payment; or email ad information to tradingpost@gcec.com. ** Due to press deadlines, expect up to 60 days from submission for your ad to appear.

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Gulf Coast

Earth Day 2015: Tax Pollution, Not Profits Since 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22. Since its inception, it has morphed into disassociated worldwide events in 192 countries that demonstrate support for environmental issues. A statement by Margaret Mead, a wellrecognized anthropologist, environmentalist and author in the 1970s, has been adopted as the Earth Day gospel: “Earth Day is the first holy day which transcends all national borders, yet preserves all geographical integrities, spans mountains and oceans and time belts and yet brings people all over the world together into one resonating accord; is devoted to the preservation of the harmony in nature and yet draws upon the triumphs of technology, the measurement of time and instantaneous communications through space.” The annual celebrations and demonstrations around the world on Earth Day seem to have little connection to the holy day declared by Mead. The bizarre demonstrations, protests, marches and demands are like a circus and the participants as much clowns as activists. There is no single resonating accord. Technology is condemned—not recognized—for its triumphs. It is a shame some of the Earth Day demonstrations have become so outrageous. They cheapen what could be a true celebration of the world God provided us and how well it has served us. This year, one Earth Day announcement caught my attention—not because it was outrageous on its face, but because it defines the liberal road map for climate change. U.S. Rep. John Delaney, a Democrat from Maryland, announced at an American Enterprise Institute forum—a purportedly conservative think tank— that he will offer a bill titled, “The Tax Pollution, Not Profits Act,” that would 26

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Commentary By Gary Smith President and CEO

tax carbon dioxide emissions and could lead to the repeal of President Barack Obama’s Clean Energy Plan. AEI estimates the bill would raise $1.2 trillion in revenue during 10 years by taxing carbon dioxide emissions at $30 a ton, escalating annually by the inflation rate, plus 4 percent. As an offset, the corporate income tax rate would be reduced from 35 percent to 28 percent. Some of the revenue produced would be used to offset higher energy costs for American households, using federal income tax credits issued under a sliding scale, with families living at 150 percent of the nation’s poverty line (currently about $36,000) getting most of the benefits. Families with incomes of less than $48,500 would get smaller tax credits. The tax credits continue to decline as a family’s income increases. The bill also would provide a “multibillion dollar program to retrain and relocate coal miners and also provide long-term health care and early retirement benefits,” Rep. Delaney said. “In the scheme of the revenues that come from a carbon tax, you can fully take care of these individuals who are great Americans … for the rest of their lives.” How will that carbon tax work out for you? A $30 a ton tax on carbon dioxide emissions will increase your electric bill about 25 percent a year. That increase not only includes residential consumers

like you, but industrial and commercial customers. The tax would apply to gasoline and diesel fuel, which will increase the cost of driving a car and transportation of all goods and products. In fact, everything you buy or use has a fossil fuel input somewhere in the supply chain and will cost more—some more than others. But if your total family income is less than $48,500 a year, you will get some form of tax relief from the federal government. Good luck if it is more than $48,500. How will that work out for businesses? They will have additional costs of materials, energy, production and transportation. That will be offset by the reduction in their corporate federal income tax rate. Businesses would be able to keep more profits, but there will be a lot less profit for them to keep because their costs will be higher than the corporate tax savings. Their revenues also will decline because people like you and me will have less money to buy things. Tax revenue likely would decline year after year as people use fewer carbonintensive products, goods and services. As tax revenues decline, there will be less money for the tax credits back to the people and to offset the corporate tax reduction. That will result in more taxes to perpetuate the program. And we have not even talked about the cost of government administration of the program. We all will lose by paying more for everything we need or want, suffering higher and higher inflation. But the federal government gets a lot more tax revenue. Rep. Delaney’s carbon tax proposal is as much a circus as the other Earth Day demonstrations. However, those clowns are more fun to watch than politicians and not nearly as dangerous. 

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Gulf Coast

Tried and True

Twenty-two tips for buying and maintaining an energy-efficient manufactured home

•• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••

1 Make sure your dealer grades the site properly. Poor grading leads to settling and moisture problems. 2 Seal all plumbing and wiring penetrations. Use expanding foam for large penetrations and caulk for small penetrations. 3 Install storm windows and doors. Weather strip leaky ones.

4 Install vinyl or metal skirting or a foundation wall to protect the home’s underbelly and duct connections. 5 An Energy Star-qualified home guarantees effective insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction and efficient heating and cooling equipment. 6 Choose the lightest-color roof shingles possible to keep the attic from getting too hot. 7 Gable end and ridge vents provide ample ventilation. You should not need an attic fan.

8 Strategically plant trees to reduce sun exposure during summer and act as a windbreak during winter. 9 Make sure attic insulation has not shifted during transit before joining multi-section homes.

10 Ceiling fans should be turned off in unoccupied rooms. 11 Choose Energy Star products, including appliances, HVAC and lighting.

12 Make sure the “marriage walls” (where two sections join) are airtight with foam gaskets installed between sections.

4 3

13 Have HVAC system properly sized. Oversized systems contribute to high bills and high indoor humidity. Request a factory-installed heat pump instead of an electric furnace. 14 Have an experienced technician tune up your HVAC system annually to maintain maximum efficiency. 15 Set water heater thermostat to 120 degrees. 16 Keep all interior doors and air registers open for energy-efficient airflow.

17 Change return air filters monthly. Avoid pleated filters because they can restrict proper air flow. 18 On multi-section homes, make sure all ducts that cross over to another section are properly joined with a mastic sealer. 19 Set HVAC thermostat to about 78 degrees in summer, 68 degrees in winter.

20 Make sure the clothes dryer is vented to the outdoors and away from outdoor heating and air-conditioning components. 21 Choose an insulation package that maximizes energy savings. Consider more than the minimum requirement. 22 Install a continuous vapor barrier underneath the home. Heavy plastic works well.

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9 10

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Illustration by Ed Vernon, courtesy of Carolina Country

F E B R UA J URLY Y 2015

Parting Shot

Readers Share Their Special Photos

Last Call for Car Stories!

Do you own an awesome car, truck, tractor or other vehicle? It can be the prettiest, ugliest, fastest or most colorful around. Florida Currents will explore America’s obsession with vehicles in the August issue. But we need your help. Send us a picture of your car—you with it, if possible—and tell us what makes it so special to you. Please be sure to identify everyone, including pets, and tell us the story behind the photo and the vehicle. We will pay you $25 if we publish your story and photo in the magazine. Email high-resolution photos (must be a minimum of 1,000 KB) to photos@ floridacurrents.com. Please limit overall

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The deadline is July 6. If using traditional mail instead of email, send to:

Car Stories Florida Currents 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Hillsboro, OR 97124

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CEO/General Manager Michael E. White

Trustees President Waylon Graham Vice President Jimmy Black Secretary Eddie Jones Treasurer Rupert Brown Doug Birmingham Robert Byrd Gary Cox Kinneth Daniels Betty Moore Trustees normally meet the third Tuesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. CST. The board meets at the Wewahitchka office in even-numbered months (February, April, June, August, October and December) and the Southport office in odd-numbered months (January, March, May, July, September and November). The mission of GCEC is to continually evaluate and implement technologies and seek solutions that fulfill a diversified memberships’ changing expectations for cost-effective, dependable utility services through a dedicated and responsive workforce. 32

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GCEC President’s Message

Vacation Time: Give Your Home’s Energy Use a Break Summer is here. The kids are out of school, and you may be planning a vacation. That can take some time and work. A lot of people make a checklist to help them plan and ensure they do not leave anything behind or left undone. However, most people probably do not think to include their electric meter on their checklist. Whether you leave your home for a few hours or a few days, your electric meter continues to work. Anything left plugged in continues to use electricity. You can save energy in your home while you travel. Here are some tips from Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative that can give your utility bill a break while you take a break: • Water heater. Turn down the temperature or turn off your unit so it does not keep the water warm while you are away. • Thermostat. During hot weather, turn the thermostat higher on your air conditioning system. That way, you will save energy while ensuring your home does not get too warm. • Lights. Turn off all lights. You may want to install timers on one or two lights for security. • Electronics. Unless you are recording something while away, unplug all of your electronic devices: computer, monitor and printer, TV and cable boxes, DVD player, microwave and digital clocks. Any electronics with digital displays, instant-on features or remote controls consume energy even if not in use. n

Waylon Graham