Issuu

Peace River Electric Cooperative

JA N UA RY 2017

A PRECO SOLAR PROJECT

Cooperative Solar, a joint project by PRECO and Seminole Electric Cooperative, was recently unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This project will expand the availability of safe, reliable solar power for PRECO members,” said Lisa Johnson, Seminole CEO. See page 4 for details.

College Scholarships Available PAGE 8 Capital Credit Refunds Go Unclaimed PAGE 25 n

Peace River

Savings for Every Season Members acknowledge that $4.08, 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, prepayment 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.

Saving money through energy efficiency is a year-round objective, but actions vary by season. During fall and winter, the goal is to keep cold air out. In spring and summer, it is to keep hot air from getting in. To maintain a warm indoor environment in chillier weather, examine seals on doors, windows and outlets for air leaks. Caulk and weatherstrip as needed. Install gaskets around outlets to prevent drafts. During the day, open drapes on southfacing windows to use sunlight to heat your home naturally. Close them at night for an added layer of window insulation. As the temperature drops, schedule a service appointment for your heating system to ensure it operates at an optimal level. Use a programmable thermostat to set the temperature as low as is comfortable when you are home—ideally around 68 degrees. When you are asleep or away, turn the temperature down 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours. According to the Department of Energy, this can help you save about 10 percent a year on heating costs. During warmer months, energy savings and efficiency require different measures. If you live in a cool climate, open windows in the evening and turn off the cooling system

To learn more about additional energy-saving tips and programs, contact your electric cooperative.

Inside

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

January 2017 Vol. 6, No. 3

Bridges and Angels 12

Embracing traumatic life experiences, David LaBelle captures quiet moments and humor in pictures.

PRINTED IN FLORIDA

Trend Offset Printing Services 10301 Busch Drive North Jacksonville, FL 32218 © 2017 Ruralite Services Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Also In This Issue Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Great Picture Hunt 18 Photo by Donna Adler

while sleeping. In the morning, shut windows and blinds to hold in the cool air. Where practical, plant trees and shrubs that provide shade in warm months and sunlight in winter. Well-placed trees can take heat gain from the sun and provide needed shade by creating a canopy for the house. In extremely hot weather, your cooling system works harder to close the gap between high outdoor temperatures and the cooler indoor thermostat setting. To lessen the difference between the two, and to lower cooling costs, set the thermostat as high as you can while maintaining your comfort level. Using a ceiling fan in conjunction with your air conditioning allows you to increase the thermostat setting about 4 degrees with no reduction in comfort levels. During the hottest months, it is even more critical to replace remaining incandescent bulbs with LEDs. Waste heat from incandescents impacts energy use, and creates wasteful and unwanted heat. Set a programmable thermostat a few degrees higher when no one will be home or your family is sleeping. n

Travel Journal 20 Festival Roundup 22 Parting Shot 30

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

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New 2.2-Megawatt Cooperative So

The dedication service included a ribbon-cutting ceremony. From left, PRECO board members Ellen Bachman, Leonard Crawley, Maurice Henderson, Hollis Albritton, John Martin, and Willie Dawes, join PRECO CEO Randy Shaw.

Last month, PRECO participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Hardee County to commemorate the unveiling of “Cooperative Solar,” a new 2.2-megawatt solar facility. 4

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“Interest in expanding the use of solar-generated power is growing among our members,” explains Randy Shaw, PRECO CEO. “However, for many of our members it is out of reach because they don’t own their home, have trees that block the sun or have a roof that is unsuitable for solar panel installation.”

“Cooperative Solar was developed to ensure that co-op members can have safe, hassle-free access to solar energy,” Randy adds. “Unlike a privately-owned solar panel system, with Cooperative Solar, PRECO members can utilize solar power with no up-front investment or financing costs, no long-term contracts, no holes in their roof and no system maintenance hassles.”

Peace River Electric Cooperative

12/12/16 11:05 AM

ve Solar Facility Unveiled A PRECO SOLAR PROJECT

“We are careful about how we plan and use resources today, and we are working to embrace new resources for the future,” remarked Lisa Johnson, Seminole’s CEO. She was joined on the stage by Seminole’s board president, William Hart.

More than 100 people attended the event, including local dignitaries, electric co-op employees and board members, Hardee County officials and members of the press.

Approximately 100 people, including PRECO staff and board members were on-hand for the ribbon-cutting event. The ceremony was presided over by Seminole Electric Cooperative’s CEO and General Manager, Lisa Johnson, and the President of its board of directors, William Hart. Seminole Electric Cooperative is PRECO’s wholesale power provider. Cooperative Solar, comprised of more than 8,000 solar panels, is located on the grounds

The Cooperative Solar project consists of more than 8,000 solar panels on 29 acres of land in Hardee County.

of Seminole’s combined cycle natural gas-fired Midulla Generating Station. This facility will be the first large-scale, Cooperative Solar project jointly partnered by Seminole, PRECO and other Florida electric co-ops. PRECO members will be hearing more about the Cooperative Solar program in the near future as we work to expand the use of solar power in central Florida.

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Randy Shaw, PRECO CEO, joins with others involved in Co-op Solar as he signs a commemorative solar panel mockup.

Mounted on a single-axis tracking system, the panels will follow the movement of the sun throughout the day.

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12/12/16 4:37 PM

6th Annual PRECO Magazine Cover Contest

Submit your best photos to PRECO in our 6th annual Magazine Cover Contest, with the winning shot featured on our Florida Currents magazine. RULES

PREVIOUS WINNING ENTRIES:

Eligibility: PRECO members and immediate family* Limit: three (3) entries per person Location: PRECO service area. Submit photos taken in Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Osceola, Polk or Sarasota counties File type: JPEG digital images File size: minimum 300 pixels per inch at 9x11 inches; maximum 10 megabytes Format: â€œPortraitâ€? orientation only

HEIGHT

WIDTH

Portrait: When the height is greater than the width.

Ownership: Image must be an original work you own Permission: You must obtain the permission of anyone depicted

PRIZES A maximum of six (6) winning photos will be selected Winners receive a $50 electric bill credit

DEADLINE: January 16, 2017

ENTRY FORM Visit www.preco.coop to download the entry form. By entering the photo contest, you grant Peace River Electric Cooperative permission to use your photos in our magazine, website, social media and any other PRECO publication. Questions? Email mark.sellers@preco.coop. * PRECO employees and immediate family are not eligible 6

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Peace River Electric Cooperative

12/12/16 11:06 AM

PEACE RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Annual Membership Meeting PRECO Members are invited to join us on

Saturday, March 25, 2017

AT P R ECO PA R K, 220 K NI G HT ROA D, WAU CHUL A, FL

Come celebrate PRECOâ€™s 77th birthday! S P E C I A L E N T E R TA I N M E N T:

Gulf State Quartet

Prime Country Duo with Rodger Brutus & Cory Greenway

FREE: n Hotdogs n Soft Drinks n Ice Cream n Fries n Kettle Corn n Funnel Cakes n Live Music n Kids play area n n Informational & educational booths n Great door prize drawings for registered PRECO members BRING YOUR PHOTO ID TO REGISTER! For faster registration, bring a copy of your electric bill. No Smoking. No Pets. Please be advised that photos will be taken at this event for publications/social media.

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12/12/16 11:07 AM

O P E R AT I O N R O U N D U P : P R E C O â€™ S C H A R I TA B L E F O U N D AT I O N

$75,000 in College Scholarships Available! Apply Now for an Operation Round Up College Scholarship Who can apply? Graduating high school seniors Students already attending college Adults of all ages seeking a college degree

Application Application available in early January by visiting www.preco.coop or your High School Guidance Office

Deadline Must be postmarked by February 28

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Peace River Electric Cooperative

12/12/16 11:08 AM

B LL Bu ig -NE tt ge W on r s

s o N act r nt

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IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc. Your invoices will come from GreatCall. Plans and Services require purchase of a Jitterbug phone and a one-time setup fee of $35. Monthly fees do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges and are subject to change. Coverage is not available everywhere. 5Star or 9-1-1 calls can only be made when cellular service is available. 1We will refund the full price of the Jitterbug phone and the activation fee (or setup fee) if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will be deducted from your refund for each minute over 30 minutes. You will be charged a $10 restocking fee. The shipping charges are not refundable. There are no additional fees to call GreatCall’s U.S.-based customer service. However, for calls to a GreatCall Operator in which a service is completed, you will be charged 99 cents per call, and minutes will be deducted from your monthly rate plan balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Operator. Jitterbug and GreatCall are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. ©2016 GreatCall, Inc. ©2016 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.

Side Roads

Discoveries Off the Beaten Path

Rescuing All the Lost Souls Empathetic woman feeds her need to save those who cannot care for themselves By Liesel Schmidt

Postcards From Florida

Fort Lonesome

loria Welch

Photo by G

An afternoon fall thunderstorm resulted in a radiant rainbow photographed by Gloria Welch looking east from her home in Fort Lonesome. 10

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Most stories of animal rescue begin similarly: a lost and wandering dog seen along the road, a cat abandoned in the neighborhood, a horse abused and left to helplessly live out its last days in hopelessness. But for Amy Shepherd, her mission to rescue lost animals began with a stuffed toy dog left out in the rain. Saving that stuffed animal was the natural instinct of a little girl with a heart for lost things. When Amy saw something that needed saving and nurturing— something without a home to give it safe shelter—her rescuer spirit cried out to move her to help. And that was just a foreshadowing of things to come. Not long after bringing in the raindrenched plush puppy, then 12-year-old Amy faced another opportunity to step in when she got wind of a pony down the street that needed a new home. “I knew I needed money to buy it, so one Saturday while my mom was at work, I had a yard sale and sold my toys,” Amy says. “I made exactly $100, walked down the street and bought the pony.” One might expect her parents would buck the idea of taking on the care of a pony. But Amy’s parents encouraged their empathetic little girl, later buying a piece of property large enough to accommodate her growing desire to be a rescuer. As the years passed, Amy’s love for animals continued to grow. During high school, she volunteered at a local veterinarian clinic. That fed her passion for rescue. When animals were left behind, Amy took them home—a habit she carried on into college. After graduation, Amy’s career literally took flight. She took a position with a major airline as a flight attendant, but realized her true mission in life was with animals. She left her job flying the friendly skies

for a life back on solid ground, where she started a business as a pet sitter and doggy day care owner in Atlanta. Another turn of events brought Amy home to Panama City, where she met her husband, Scott. The relationship was helped by the fact his dog and two cats seemed to play nicely with her cat and two dogs. Their happily blended family grew with the birth of their first baby, and Amy started a business inspired by one of her other great loves: children. Amy’s children’s shop, Grasshoppers, was a gateway to her beginning an online magazine for local mothers called Southern Child. As readership grew, she found another outlet for rescue with the opportunity it offered to feature articles on foster children who needed homes. “I’ve always had a passion for older children in foster care, so we started featuring these kids in every issue of our magazine so that people could read their stories and get to know them,” Amy says. That first family magazine turned out to be only the beginning. It led to a pet magazine with features on homeless animals in the local area that needed rescue. Through Southern Child magazine, Amy gained a global readership that ultimately served as a platform for placing foster children with adoptive families. “I received so many letters in the mail telling me that a child had been adopted after being in our magazine, and it was

A Tribute to the World’s Sport Fishing Capital

Amy Shepherd has such a soft spot in her heart for animals that she created Heartland Rescue Ranch to care for those that are abandoned, neglected or in need of a new home. She provides a safe haven for a variety of animals, including donkeys Bonnie and Clyde, who are sanctuaried at the ranch for educational purposes. Photo courtesy of Hardy’s Heirlooms

better than getting a check for $1 million,” Amy says. One would be wrong to assume Amy has completed her mission of rescue. In 2008, she felt a push to do more. “I was holding my newborn son in my arms on Christmas Day, thanking God for all the blessings in my life, and I told Him the only thing I wanted was the opportunity to bless others the way I had so richly been blessed,” Amy says. “Almost immediately, I had this vision, this dream place in my heart of owning a large piece of property where people helped animals and animals helped people.” Four years later, after losing her mother to pancreatic cancer, Amy volunteered at an area horse rescue. “Working with those horses was like therapy for me as I worked through all of those emotions, and it really brought

me to the realization of how powerful that connection between animals and people can be, how healing it can become,” Amy says. Her dream of a large property came true in 2015, when she bought a piece of land to begin Heartland Rescue Ranch— an organization that saves and cares for abused and abandoned dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, ponies, donkeys and birds. Amy is not satisfied her work is done. “My ultimate dream is to start a village for homeless animals, children in foster care and senior adults,” she says. “There are so many souls with so much love to give, and so many who are lost and need to be given that love. I want to help bring them together, and I believe that dream can come true.” n For more information, visit www.adoptapet.com/ heartlandrr or visit www.facebook.com/heartlandrr.

New Jersey artist David Dunleavy has completed the largest outdoor work ever created in the Keys at Tavernier Creek Marina in Islamorada. “Dolphin Rodeo” features a bull and cow dolphin fish—also known as mahi-mahi—jumping out of the water to feed on flying fish. It stretches 252 feet wide and 32 feet high. The bull dolphin is more than 60 feet long. It is the 62nd in a series of outdoor murals David has painted in the U.S., the Bahamas and Australia, and his fourth in the Keys. He worked seven to eight hours a day for 23 days to create the mural, using more than 400 gallons of paint. It was drawn freehand, with no grids, lasers or projectors. The marina’s location just off the Florida Keys Overseas Highway ensures the aquatic artistry will be visible to southbound motorists. “Islamorada is the sport fishing capital of the world, and there’s no better location for this mural,” David says. “I want to inspire people to put down their smartphones, go out and experience sea life, whether they go fishing, kayaking or scuba diving. “It’s about making a difference and inspiring people to educate themselves about conservation and protecting our oceans for future generations.” n

David Dunleavy poses with his larger-than-life mural at Tavernier Creek Marina. Photo by Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

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Bridges and Angels Embracing traumatic life experiences, David LaBelle captures quiet moments and humor in pictures By Denise Porter

“When I look back through my archives, I am reminded the pictures I care most about, that are the most authentic to who I am, are about relationships and story.”

The Student Years Looking at his list of professional accolades, it may be hard to believe that in 1966 David nearly became a high school dropout. He says three people were truly instrumental in his life. “My mother was my matrix,” he says, “and there was my high school photography teacher, Denning McArthur.” The third person was Margaret McKean, a news reporter with the Ventura County Star-Free Press from 1969 to 1979. Raised on a 10-acre farm in Oakview, California, David loved learning and says he was curious about life. However, sixth grade meant change in the form of a bus ride to an urban school. The city school was a place of turmoil. David had to take to his fists in a “hit-or-be-hit” lifestyle. “That was a hard time for me as a kid,” he recalls. David’s hands still bear scars from those years. He had attended fewer than 40 days of education his sophomore year at Ventura High School when a school truant officer finally caught up with him. What had he Karen Loy shares her anguish about living on the streets with David LaBelle in been doing? Mostly this image captured by a student in a Pictures With Purpose Workshop he taught in Ventura, California, in July 2009. “This beautiful homeless person died hunting and hidsix months later ... on the street,” David says. “Breaks my heart.” ing out in the hills, Photo by Francis Gardler but also taking David LaBelle knows first-hand how grief can shape a person’s life. He also knows the power a positive mentor can hold over an unruly teenager. He has used both grief and teaching as cornerstones of his professional photography career. David has been employed at 20 newspapers and magazines in nine states since 1967, and is featured in this magazine. He has taught at four universities—despite only having a high school diploma—and seven of his students have earned Pulitzer Prizes for photography. He describes his body of photography as a combination of “human and humor,” and says that to be human means to have extremities in both joy and sorrow. “Often, humor and sadness are on display at the same time,” David says.

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—David LaBelle

photos with his mom’s Kodak Brownie Hawkeye camera. David says about the only thing that kept him coming to school at all was the chance to walk down the hallway near the photography classroom and stare at work displayed on the walls. Photography class was popular, the waiting list was long and David was a troubled student with a poor track record. School officials told him there was no way he would be allowed to enroll. Seeing her son struggle was hard for Jeannette LaBelle, says David. In secret, Jeannette sought out Denning, the school’s photography instructor, and begged him to take on her son. “He told me 25 years later what she’d done,” David recalls. “He said, ‘I couldn’t say no to her. I had 300 other people waiting to get into class, but she pleaded for her son.’ ” Once enrolled in Denning’s class, David says his life as a student changed. “Photography gave me a reason to get up and go to school—it gave me a voice,” he says. “I wasn’t a good writer or speaker. In this way I could show what I felt.” David’s grades improved and he became a focused student. Denning’s class was more than a photography basics tutorial.

Henry and a friend’s dog, Dutch, in a classic Norman Rockwell-style slice of Americana photo. “It is a moment I will cherish forever—a reminder of a time when Henry, my youngest child, was a carefree cherub,” David says.

“He read to us about the Vietnam War,” David explains. “He taught us that life was first and photography was second.” The Big Flood David was a 17-year-old high school senior when devastation hit Ventura County in January 1969. The skies poured and the rivers flooded in monumental proportion. The LaBelle home was completely lost as San Antonio Creek rushed through it. David, his mother, younger brother

Steven, sister Susan, and two neighborhood friends, John and Cindy—who had spent the night—were tossed into the current. David’s father—separated from his family when he went to his nearby Quonset hut garage—was clinging to the roof of the structure when he was plucked to safety by a helicopter. David watched as his mother was swept away by the current—one of 13 people who died in the flood. “Each of us—except my mother—were rescued by helicopter, me being the last,”

David says. “I almost drowned. I was barely alive. “Watching my mother die—well, that was going to change me, of course.” A day or two after the flooding, David recalls a news reporter calling his father, Charles LaBelle, and asking to speak with the family about their experiences. It was then that David met Margaret McKean. “She was so compassionate,” he says of the woman who interviewed him. “She was professional, but she was so compassionate and I remember thinking, ‘I want to be like her. I want to be there to help (people at their most vulnerable times). I want to be a bridge for them. I want to be a comfort.’ ” David returned to school and to Denning’s class. “He never said much,” David remembers of the time, but Denning pulled David aside after class one day to give him a quilt and share a few quiet words. The instructor’s steadfastness was an anchor for the grieving teen. Their friendship would continue for the rest of Denning’s life. J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 7

You looking at me? I’m looking at you. A convalescent home in Southern California brings in animals to stimulate residents. “I have seen dogs, cats and rabbits, but never ducks,” David says. “The ducks are as curious about the residents as the residents are about the quacking fowl.”

Survivor Turns Photojournalist As David took stock of his life after the flood, he realized this event and the people most influential to him would be a platform for his life focus. “I thought, ‘I want to be a teacher like him, and a journalist like her, and I want to have compassion and see the best in people, like my mother,’ ” he says. David took a job with the Ventura County Star-Free Press and began his career as a photojournalist while still in high school. Like many aspiring photographers, he yearned for recognition.

The sign in the Anchorage, Alaska, rescue mission aids in understanding the story. “I am attracted to these gentle sermons that remind us life is hard and lonely at times,” David says. “Though I have never spent the night in a shelter, as such, I have been where this man is several times.”

“When I was younger, like anybody, I was hungry for awards,” he admits. David began earning them. His first professional award came at age 19, when he received the National Press Photographers Association’s Region 10 Photographer of the Year Award. He captured the award the next two years, too. “Suddenly, I was in this national spotlight,” David recalls. “I went from Ventura as a real hot shot.” He yearned for a Pulitzer Prize, and took news jobs in some of the hardesthitting areas in California, including

A lifelong Dodger fan, David fulfilled a bucket list dream to photograph both Cactus League and Grapefruit League spring training baseball in 2013. “One of my favorite players, Dodger Andre Ethier, sent female hearts racing when he came near the dugout and began signing,” David says. 14

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Ontario and San Bernardino. “Both cities were violent,” David says. “I think during my first week in Ontario there were eight people killed.” Burnt out, he took a job doing manual labor in the California oil fields. David realized he was not making a difference, so he resumed his photojournalism career, spending a year at a paper in Anchorage before returning to California. When the newspaper in Goleta folded, the ownership group offered him a job as a reporter/ photographer at a paper in Kansas. “After a month or so, it was clear I was a far better photographer than reporter or writer, so they made me their first full-time photographer,” David says. “I’ve always been a kind of brush breaker. I’m going to go through the stickers and break a path.” Becoming a Teacher About this time, David realized his professional focus had changed. “Twenty or 30 years ago I decided I was going to be a better teacher than a globetrotter photographer,” he says. “I also wanted a family. That was a choice I made, and I wouldn’t change it. In my life, the greatest thing that defines me is that I am a connector.” Throughout his news career, David always taught photography on the side. “I was a year out of high school when I taught my first class,” he says.

Tips for Creating Engaging Photos

Titled “The Last Cowboy,” a portrait of David’s 88-year-old father. “My dad has never been a cowboy,” David says. “Matter of fact, I am not sure he has ever been on a horse, but it is the spirit of a cowboy: independent, wanderlust, reckless, at home in open spaces and easily disturbed, if not suffocated, by constraints of any nature, especially traffic, cities or clusters of civilization. The humble, bent body posture of a man who once rode motorcycles and was likely to fight at the sound of a challenging word, against the backdrop of space, still holding a gun, speaks volumes of his salty nature.”

A conversation with the photo editor at The Sacramento Bee changed his life. “He was from Western Kentucky University, and he said they needed a photo teacher there,” David says. “I didn’t have a college degree, but he convinced me to interview for the job anyway.” David landed the job at age 36. Western Kentucky had created the first Photojournalist in Residence program in the country, recognizing work experience was equal to a college degree. “The students were so hungry,” David says. “They asked so many questions. We turned that sucker around.” He went on to instruct students at the University of Kentucky and Kent State. In 2016, he began building a program at a university in Florence, Italy. David feels deeply that he made the correct choice balancing his talents. “A friend once told me, ‘David, since I’ve known you, you’ve always wanted to change the world—and you do that through teaching,’ ” he says, then chuckles. “I tell my students, ‘You are my epistle read by all men.’ ”

David has never stopped chronicling life through a camera lens—and he especially delved into it working alongside his students. He has worked on special projects featuring both homeless people and those in the final stages of life. As a photographer, David says his greatest influences have been Jesus Christ and Norman Rockwell. He wants to showcase life and love through the everyday man. David says that showing love through action is the most important gift he received. He says he often thinks of the kid he once was, and hopes how he lives his life honors those who helped him. Today, David travels the country hosting photography workshops. He covers basic questions about using a camera, but his focus is how to connect with a subject. “It’s the human connection that’s at risk of going extinct,” David says. “We had better take time to preserve what’s important.” n

Perhaps you are attending your niece’s birthday party and you want to bring your camera along. Maybe you are taking photos of the holiday bazaar your church is hosting, and you would like to submit one of the photos to the local newspaper. Maybe you would like to take in-the-moment images of your child playing. Whatever the reason, taking compelling photojournalistic images requires a different mindset than portrait work, says David LaBelle. Here are a few tips to make your photos memorable: XX Begin with curiosity. Imagine yourself in each person’s skin. This will help you anticipate what might happen next. XX Shoot action. Do not pose subjects. XX Try a variety of angles. Start by shooting wide. This means to capture photos from far off, taking in what is happening. Then tighten in and capture images of a person, or a couple of people, interacting. XX Bad is good. You want action and reaction, cause and effect. XX The best stories are about relationships. Never view a photo subject as an object. Every subject is a person. XX Invest with people. Talk with them. Discover their motivations for being in the moment you are capturing. Photographers often shoot too much at people and not with them. XX Answer the question, “Why are these images important?” Most stories fail to connect because they fail to show the “why.” XX Invest the time it takes to make that one intimate photo. Sometimes this means going back later to capture a last scene, or coming early to look for the “before” shot. Look for other photography tips on David’s website, www.greatpicturehunt.com.

For David LaBelle’s perspectives on photography and life in general, visit his blog, bridgesand angels.wordpress.com. J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 7

In the Kitchen

Recipes That Satisfy

There is more than one way to season Sweet Dumpling Eggs-in-aNest. Go spicy with paprika, cumin, chili powder or harissa, or take a sweet route with cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup and a pinch of cayenne.

New Year, New Breakfast Ideas Sweet Dumpling Eggs-in-a-Nest

Two small sweet dumpling squash (or any small winter squash) Olive oil Salt Pepper Fresh thyme 2 eggs Hot sauce, optional

Heat oven to 425 F. Cut off the top half of each squash, leaving about ¾-inch deep “nests” (you can roast the tops along with the squash bottoms and eat them on the side). Drizzle the squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and a pinch of fresh thyme. Place cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until tender and browned, about 25 minutes. 16

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The time may vary depending on the size of your squash. Crack the eggs into individual ramekins. Remove the squash from the oven, flip the squash upright and slide the cracked eggs into each “nest.” Return to the oven and bake until the eggs are set and the squash is a deep golden brown. Serve with hot sauce, herbs and any seasonings you desire.

Swiss Chard, Feta and Leek Frittata 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large leek, white and light green parts only, halved, cleaned and roughly chopped 1 small bunch of Swiss chard, stems discarded and leaves roughly chopped (about 4 cups)

8 eggs, beaten 1/4 cup heavy cream 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 cup feta cheese Salt Pepper

Heat oven to 375 F. Warm 1 tablespoon of oil in an 8-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring often, until the leeks begin to soften and become fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in the chopped chard leaves. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the leaves begin to wilt, about 3 minutes. While the veggies cook, whisk together the eggs, cream, spices and 1/4 cup of the feta cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Remove veggies from the pan and stir them into the egg mixture until everything is well combined. Wipe out the skillet with a towel and heat the

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg Pinch of fine sea salt 1/4 cup toasted walnuts for topping

Whether it is served in a glass or in a bowl, a carrot cake smoothie is a great way to start the day.

remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the skillet over medium-low heat. Pour the egg/ veggie mixture into the pan and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Cook over medium-low until the edges begin to firm, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven to finish cooking, about 10 minutes more, until the eggs are set and golden brown at the edges. Remove the frittata from the oven and set aside to cool for about 5 minutes before enjoying.

Maple-Glazed Breakfast Apples With Cashew Ricotta Sweet Cashew Ricotta 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes 1/4 cup almond milk (or water) 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons maple syrup 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of fine sea salt

Maple-Glazed Apples 2 apples (a good baking variety works well) 1 heaping tablespoon good quality unsalted butter (or walnut oil for a vegan version) 11/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Prepare the cashew ricotta by draining the soaked cashews. Place them in a powerful, high-speed blender along with the rest of the ingredients and whirl away until creamy. Taste for seasonings and set aside. Cut the apples into ½-inch chunks— no need to peel. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter. Once the butter begins to bubble, add the apples and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Add the maple syrup, spices and salt. Continue to cook until the apples are tender and glazed in the butter/syrup mixture, about 5 to 7 minutes longer. Remove from the heat, divide apples between two bowls and top with cashew ricotta and toasted walnuts.

Almond Spiced Honey Oatmeal Muffins 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup rolled oats 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon fine sea salt 1 egg, lightly beaten ½ cup almond milk ¼ cup walnut oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract ½ cup honey

Heat oven to 425 F. Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners or generously coat the tin with oil. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, oil, vanilla, almond and honey. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin

cups. Bake until lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of a muffin, anywhere from 16 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.

Carrot Cake Breakfast Smoothie 11/2 large ripe bananas 2 cups almond milk (homemade or store bought) 1 cup chopped carrots (if you don’t have a good blender, boil the carrots until fork tender so they are easier to blend; let them cool before making the smoothie.) 5 Medjool dates, pitted and soaked in water for 30 minutes (or substitute 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup) 2 tablespoons almond butter 1 tablespoon chia seeds 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger Pinch of ground cloves A few ice cubes Walnuts/pecans Shredded coconut Small drizzle of pure maple syrup, optional

Place all ingredients except shredded coconut and nuts into a high-speed blender and whirl away until smooth. Taste test and then top with nuts, coconut and syrup, if desired.

Recipe Author This month's recipes are courtesy of Andrea Bemis, a farmer and food blogger in Parkdale, Oregon, and a member of Hood River Electric Cooperative. Andrea's first cookbook, “Dishing Up the Dirt,” will be released in March 2017. For more information about Andrea and to read her blog, go to www. dishingupthedirt.com.

J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 7

The Great Picture Hunt

Photo Tips from David LaBelle

Give Credit Where It is Due When putting your signature on another artist’s work, be respectful and add value

I remember walking into a café in Arizona and being met by a large photographic print of the Grand Canyon. What struck me first was not the majesty of the beautiful cavity, but the size of the photographer’s name printed in giant, bold type beneath the image. How arrogant, I thought. The photographer had done so little—basically made a record, a copy of another’s artwork—then had the nerve to shout his name on the print as though he had done something great, too. His bold name sought equal billing with the One, the artist who fashioned the canyon. If you created something beautiful or even unique and I put my name on it, wouldn’t you feel robbed? OK, so I am being a bit dramatic here, but it is to make a point: Taking a few snapshots with a digital or film camera of another’s

By having a vision and waiting for a modern automobile to pass and contrast those autos pictured, I added my signature to one of the beautiful floodwall murals designed and painted by Robert Dafford and the Dafford Muralists of Lafayette, Louisiana, on the Ohio River near Paducah, Kentucky. The project began in 1996; the last panel was completed in 2007. Photo by David LaBelle

creation, another’s artwork, does not make me an artist. It makes me a copy machine. I am not diminishing the eye of the artist—whether with brush or camera—but unless I add new composition, light, vision, perspective, interpretation or point of view, I am little more than a copy machine. If I put my name on

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 applies many of the lessons he learned during his magical boyhood years in rural California to photography. For more information, visit www. greatpicturehunt.com.

J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 7

another’s artwork, isn’t this a form of visual plagiarism? Reproducing another’s artwork is a way of honoring the artist. But when we make a picture of another’s artwork— painting, mural, sculpture, statue, building, bridge, etc.— then strut around like we have done something great, we ought to consider who gets the greater credit. By incorporating human forms or dramatic light, interesting foreground or background, you create new composition and reverently put your signature on another’s artwork, be it landscape, mural, architecture or bronze or marble sculpture.

God gives us everything— the light, the color, the eyes to see and compose and interpret, even the heart to appreciate. He allows us, even encourages us, to add our point of view. With any creation, any art, shouldn’t we tread quietly, reverently, giving honor and glory to the true artist? Challenge yourself to put your signature on another’s artwork, like comments in a gallery book. See the creation in a different, maybe dramatic, light. Compose a portion of the artwork using shadows and life forms reacting or participating in the artwork. As with any gift, we ought to give thanks to the creator. n

Eliminate Belly Fat with Vinegar! Find Out How…

by James Victor If you want to lose weight and keep it off -- hate dieting and are tired of taking pills, buying costly diet foods or gimmick “fast loss” plans that don’t work-- you’ll love the easy Vinegar way to lose all the pounds you want to lose. And keep them off! Today, the natural Vinegar weight loss plan is a reality after years of research by noted vinegar authority Emily Thacker. Her just published book “Emily’s Vinegar Diet Book” will help you attain your ideal weight the healthiest and most enjoyable way ever. You’ll never again have to count calories. Or go hungry. Or go to expensive diet salons. Or buy pills, drugs. If you like food and hate dieting, you’ll love losing weight the Vinegar way. Suddenly your body will be energized with new vigor and

zest as you combine nature’s most powerful, nutritional foods with vinegar to trim away pounds and look years younger. You’ll feel and look years younger shedding unhealthy pounds that make one look older than their age. In fact, the book’s program is so complete that it also helps you: • Learn secrets of ageless beauty and glowing skin • Help build the immune system, to fight arthritis and disease • Speed the metabolism to use natural thermogenesis to burn fat PLUS so much more that you simply must use the book’s easy Vinegar way to lose all the weight you want to lose--and enjoy all its other benefits-- before deciding if you want to keep it. TO ORDER A COPY of Emily’s Vinegar Diet Book see Savings Coupon with Free Gift Offer

Do Amish People Know Something That Doctors Don’t? by James Victor If you are concerned about prescription drugs and their side effect... not to mention their spiraling cost... Look at the Amish. They are robust and healthy. Yet they rely on simple, drug-free home remedies and folk medicine for their everyday health problems. Their philosophy is “What’s old is of the good.” They claim their folk medicines, handed down from generation to generation, still work today for everything from colds to kee-gretz (foot fungus.) An encyclopedia of their natural health secrets, called Amish Health Secrets is now available to the general public. It has hundreds of proven home remedies using simple items you have around your home like vinegar, salt, soda, onions – even olive oil. You’ll be amazed at the ordinary spices and herbs the Amish use for their health qualities. Learn natural Amish folk medicine secrets for common health problems like these:

• Backache? This home-made liniment has been used for years to relieve aches and pains. • Poor memory? The Amish swear by this common seed to sharpen the memory. • Can’t take aspirin? Discover the natural ingredients that have pain killing properties. • Allergies? Learn how to use nature’s antihistamine. • Arthritis pain? An all-natural tonic can give hours of relief. • Prostate trouble? A good dose of this ordinary tea is the Amish secret. • Trouble sleeping? This simple remedy is said to induce a peaceful slumber. • Nervous? Enjoy blissful tranquility without drugs. Amish Health Secrets also reveals natural health tips for: constipation, cold sores, menopausal problems, sinus trouble, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, age spots, flu and more. TO ORDER A COPY of the Amish Health Secrets see Savings Coupon with Free Gift Offer

Vinegar is like a Drugstore in a Bottle by James Victor Thousands of years ago ancient healers trusted apple cider vinegar, and modern research shows - vinegar truly is a wonder cure! From the Bible to Cleopatra to the fierce Samurai warriors of Japan, vinegar has been documented as a powerful tonic to ensure strength, power and long life. You’ll get easy recipes that mix vinegar with other common household items to help: • Calm an upset stomach • Ease leg cramps • Soothe sprained muscles • Control appetite to lose weight • Relieve coughs • Banish nausea • Arthritis pain • Make hiccups disappear • Cool a sunburn • Boost memory • Reduce sore throat pain • Relieve itchy skin • Lower blood pressure & cholesterol • Eliminate bladder infections • Chase away a cold • Treat burns • Reduce infection • Aid digestion

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Travel Journal

Satisfying the Appetite for Wanderlust

Speed Demons

The deafening roar of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona January 26-29 is just one reason to put the world of autos on your to-do list this month. The sports car endurance race (www.daytona internationalspeedway.com) signals the beginning of the 2017 International Motor Sports Association season. Fifty or more cars in four different classes go nonstop, with drivers tagging in and out and pit crews battling the urge to sleep as they keep their teams circling the track. If you cannot get to the Rolex 24, you can still experience the thrill of sports-car racing by touring the Daytona International Speedway, which underwent a $400 million renovation about a year ago. In addition to visiting the track and pit road, get up close to displays of all the big names in motorsports at the new Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Last summer, it moved from Detroit to Daytona, which is quickly becoming the epicenter for all things racing. For a little slower pace, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum

Sports cars race around the track during the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. Photo courtesy of Daytona Speedway

(www.sarasotacarmuseum.org) showcases antique cars and the history of the automobile. John Lennon’s 1965 Mercedes Benz, Paul McCartney’s Mini Cooper and John Ringling’s Rolls Royce collection are just a few of the vintage cars on display. Check out Mount Dora’s Museum of Speed (www. classicdreamcars.com/ THEMUSEUM.html) and the Tallahassee Automobile Museum (www.tacm.com) for more transportation history. Scenic Highway Sings That 28.5-mile stretch of road that traces the Gulf along the Panhandle, Scenic Highway

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 A N UA R Y 2 0 1 7

30A (www.floridascenic highways.com/scenichighway-30a) connects 12 towns and offers plenty to do any time of year. If music is your game, the 8th Annual Songwriters Festival from January 13-16 brings together more than 175 songwriters who perform 225 concerts in 25 venues in South Walton County. Hear Cheap Trick, John Prine and Dr. John & the Nite Trippers during this four-day music event. Top Travel Lists A pair of Florida towns have earned spots on MSN lists. Cedar Key (http://visit cedarkey.com) has made the national MSN Travel list of “40 Charming American Towns You’ve Never Heard Of,” but most Floridians discovered the quaint west coast fishing village years ago. The

island has excellent restaurants and lodging options for an overnight, weekend or extended stay. MSN ranked St. Augustine (www.visitstaugustine.com) among its “Top Small Towns to Visit Across America.” Immerse yourself in 450 years of history, international cuisine and culture, or just hang out with the family on the beach. Building A Kingdom On January 12, Winter Haven’s Legoland (www.legoland.com/florida) opens Lego Ninjago World, a new interactive theme park focused on all things Ninja. The Lego Ninjago immerses guests in a competitive “dark ride” with animated fireballs and 3-D villains. Zane’s Temple Build and Kai’s Spinners challenge visitors’ agility, balance and imagination. n

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Festival Roundup

Things to See and Do

Submit Events To include your event, send details 60 days in advance to info@florida currents.com. Include the date, town, times and a way for readers to find out more. If you own rights to a high-resolution photo promoting the event, please include it.

Through March 5, Islamorada Trailblazers: The Perilous Story of the Tamiami Trail The trail’s history, impact on the Everglades and plans to mitigate damage are featured in a traveling exhibit at the Keys History & Discovery Center, MM 82. www.keysdiscovery.com; (305) 922-2237

January 5-15, Upper Keys Uncorked ... Key Largo and Islamorada Food & Wine Festival The food, wine and spirits showcase features 30-plus events to please

virtually every palate and budget, spread among numerous venues with fresh, locally sourced seafood and international-style dishes. www.floridakeysuncorked.com; (305) 522-1300

January 6, Pensacola Pensacola’s 12th Night Kick off Mardi Gras at 5 p.m. with a free celebration downtown. www.pensacolamardigras.com; (850) 436-7638

January 6-7, Key Largo Brew on the Bay The craft beer festival presented by the Rotary Club of Key Largo includes a home brew competition and a main event featuring more than 100 craft beers from around the world, showcased in an unlimited tasting with food, music and entertainment along the waterfront at Rowell’s Marina, MM 104.5. www.keylargobrewonthebay.com; (305) 304-0554

January 6-9, Marathon Florida Keys Celtic Festival Celtic musical masters, Irish and Scottish dancing, Highland athletics and Hickory Stick Golf Tournament are featured at Marathon Community Park, MM 49. www.floridakeyscelticfestival.com

January 8, Lake Placid Highlands County Audubon See bluebirds, meadowlarks, quail and wild turkey at Lake Istokpoga and Royce Unit. Meet at Lake Placid Tower at 8 a.m. Bring lunch. Roberta, (863) 599-0124

History of Fashion The Daughters of the American Revolution hosts a luncheon exploring how politics, economics and education have affected women’s choices of styles and fabrics demonstrated through a private collection of 25 vintage wedding gowns. The event is Friday, January 27, at 11 a.m. at the Hilton Key Largo Resort. Also see if your lineage includes Revolutionary War patriots. Tickets are $50 and must be reserved. To RSVP, email flkeysdar@gmail.com or call (443) 631-2551.

J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 7

January 13-15, Islamorada Baygrass Bluegrass Festival Variations of bluegrass are featured at the 5th annual event that supports music, dance and art scholarships for local students. Buy tickets online or at the gate. The main event is at the amphitheater at Founders Park, MM 87. www.baygrassbluegrass.com; (305) 587-0901

January 14, Tavernier 34th annual Art Under the Oaks Enjoy fine art, crafts, food and music from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at San Pedro Church, MM 89. Admission is free. Onsite parking is $5. www.artundertheoaks.com; (305) 664-0888

January 14, Lake Placid Highlands County Audubon Brian Garrett will lead a trip to Stormwater Treatment Area 5/6— an area accessible by permit only. Meet at Lake Placid Tower at 7 a.m. Roberta, (863) 599-0124

January 14-15, Lower Keys Nautical Flea Market Find deals from nearly 200 vendors on things for boating, fishing, diving and more at the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce grounds, MM 31, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission and parking are free. www.lowerkeyschamber.com; (305) 872-2411

January 14-15, Key West 12th annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival Enjoy food, drinks, marine-related crafts, youth activities and music at Bayview Park. Admission is $5. http://monroe.ifas.ufl.edu; (813) 362-9555

January 15, Key West Half Marathon & 5K Run Labeled as one of the 10 great halfmarathons of the winter season, more than 1,000 participants run through Old Town past historic landmarks and the waterfront. (305) 240-0727; bwpromo3@ bellsouth.net

January 15-20, Key West 30th annual Quantum Key West Race Week Watch from land or boats as more than 100 world-class competition and yachting teams from more than 12 countries compete. www.keywestraceweek.com

January 17, Pensacola Glenn Miller Orchestra The 19-member band performs jazz and big band music at 7 p.m. at the National Naval Aviation Museum. General admission tickets are $30. www.nationalaviationmuseum.org; (850) 453-2389

January 18-21, Fort Meade 30th annual Antique Engine and Tractor Swap Meet The Florida Flywheelers host a swap meet, tractor show, flea market and Saturday car show. www.floridaflywheelers.org; (772) 316-1750

48th annual Suncoast Antique Bottle and Tabletop Collectible Show Collectors from across the United States and a husband/wife team from Germany display wares to buy, sell and trade—with collectible bottles dating from the 1600s to the 1950s. Collections feature perfume, bitters and food flavorings and extract bottles; historic flasks; inks; decorated stoneware; glass rolling pins; old advertising on tin signs, sewing display cases and papers; and trading cards. The event is Saturday, January 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Admission is $4 for adults. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. For more information, call (941) 722-7233 or email OriginalSABCA@aol.com. January 19-21, Kissimmee Florida China Painting Convention and Show See works from artists worldwide, watch demonstrations and try your hand at china painting at the Park Inn Resort and Convention Center. (863) 840-1233; carr5600@gmail.com.

January 20-22, Middle Keys Island Boat Show Test ride boats brought in by dealers and attend fishing seminars at Hawk’s Cay Resort and Marina, MM 61. Proceeds benefit Island Christian School. www.islandboatshow.com

January 20-22, Palmetto Bradenton Boat Show Get fishing tips from experts and shop for boats and gear 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. www.bradentonboatshow.com; (727) 894-3644

January 21, Marathon Garden Club Jamboree Local plant experts answer questions, and vendors sell plants and orchids geared for the climate and soil conditions in the Keys at the Marathon Garden Club, MM 50, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. www.marathongardenclub.org; (305) 743-4971

January 25-28, Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo Learn about, try, buy and sell light sport aircraft and fixed-wing trikes, powered parachutes, motor-gliders, gyroplanes, electronics and related products from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sebring International Raceway. www.sportaviationexpo.com

January 25-29, Key West Key West Food and Wine Festival Top chefs and restaurateurs showcase their culinary creativity and the Keys’ indigenous cuisine. Attendees can participate in food-related adventurous events,

brewing competitions and more. www.keywestfoodandwinefestival. com; (800) 474-4319

January 26, Lake Placid Highlands County Audubon Meet at Lake Placid Tower at 8 a.m. for an excursion to Fort Pierce Inlet State Park and Ayalon State Recreation Area. Roberta, (863) 599-0124

January 28, Key Largo Country Western Jamboree The Keys Community Concert Band will present a free outdoor concert at 4 p.m. on the lawn of the Murray Nelson Government Center, MM 102. Bring lawn chairs or blanket. www.keyscommunityconcertband.org; (305) 853-7294

January 28, Moore Haven 11th annual Art in the Park Enjoy arts, crafts and more beginning at 9 a.m. at Glades County Public Library and the neighboring park. The event

includes an antique car show, food booths, the band Buckshot, raffle drawings and a non-juried art show. www.facebook.com/art-in-the-parkmoore-haven; (863) 946-0744

January 28, Sebring 30th annual Art & Fine Craft Show Sixty artists display their works at the free Lake Placid Art League show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bert J. Harris Agricultural Center. Exhibits include paintings, jewelry, pottery, metal crafts, wood carving and turning, clothing and children’s books. Visitors receive free tickets for donated art for drawings that occur every 30 minutes. www.lakeplacidartleague.org

January 28-29, Key West 32nd annual Key West Craft Show Tens of thousands of attendees browse and buy among juried artisans and crafters who display their talents along Whitehead Street. www.keywestartcenter.com; (305) 294-1243

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Outdoor Pursuits

Enjoying the Natural World Around Us

Add a Little Spice to Your Outdoor Routine Once in a while, it’s fun to add a change of pace to outdoor workout routines to break up the monotony. One way to do that is with orienteering. Orienteering is called the “thinking sport” because it combines mental challenges with physical ones. It is an activity for young and old, athlete and nature lover. Participants are given a map of the event area with various terrain features circled and numbered. The object is to find all of the terrain features—in order—as quickly as possible. Competitive participants run from point to point, while most people enjoy the course at a more leisurely pace. Multiple courses are offered at each event. They are set up on the basis of experience, with something for beginners as well as advanced participants. Map-reading skills are more important than knowing how to use a compass. The compass is primarily used to

Orienteering maps have more detail than regular maps, including trails, buildings and elevation contours. Even things as small as boulders, fences, pits and springs appear on orienteering maps. Map courtesy of Columbia River Orienteering Club

orient the map to the terrain or to determine direction of travel. Most organized events provide brief training sessions for newbies, including how to use a map and compass in tandem. There are two orienteering clubs in Florida: Florida Orienteering in the Orlando area and Suncoast Orienteering in the Bradenton area. The clubs hold events from late fall through the end of spring. For more information, visit the Florida Orienteering website at www.floridaorienteering.org. It also features information about events hosted by Suncoast Orienteering.

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

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Outdoors 101: Use Caution With Cotton Cotton socks are comfy for relaxing or kicking around, but they may not be the best choice when picking up the pace. Cotton sucks up sweat and water, clings to the skin when wet and dries slowly. Those properties increase the risk of blisters. Synthetic and light merino wool socks are better choices for active sports. Bike Tires: Rotate or Not? Rotating car or truck tires is highly recommended because it evens out wear and extends tire life. However, bike safety advocates do not recommend rotating bicycle tires, since it can be hard to keep track of mileage and wear. Instead, they suggest replacing tires as they wear out. There’s No Time Like the Present for Bargains January is one of the best months for shopping. Most

outdoor stores have a deepdiscount section, such as the bargain cave at Cabelas. They often have more selection right after Christmas than at other times of the year, due to holiday closeouts and overstocked items. Mail-order retailers offer the same kind of deals in spades. Two companies you should check out online are Sierra Trading Post (www. sierratradingpost.com) and Campmor (www.campmor. com). Both retailers offer lots of closeout specials this time of year. Got a Tip or a Whopper? Send us your favorite outdoor tip, photo or story. If selected for publication, we will send you $25 for one-time use of the item. When sending a photo, identify people and pets, and tell us the story behind the picture. Email your submission to info@ floridacurrents.com. 

PRECO Capital Credit Refunds Go Unclaimed Check the list and claim your refund PRECO is a not-for-profit cooperative owned by the members it serves. As a member-owner of PRECO you share in the profits (called margins). These margins are returned to our members in the form of Capital Credits. T H IS IS A T WO - S T E P P RO C E S S W H I C H STARTS W ITH T H E A LLO C AT I O N O F C AP ITAL CRE D I TS I N T H E YE A R T H E M ARG IN S A R E G E N E R AT E D.

Step 1: Each year, PRECO collects revenue in excess of expenses. Any excess margins are allocated to each member in proportion to the amount of electricity they purchase. Step 2: In the future, when itâ€™s financially sound to do so, PRECO disburses the Capital Credits through the retirement process. A number of the Capital Credits checks issued in 2013 were either returned by the post office as undeliverable or were not cashed. PRECO is now attempting to notify affected members. We have compiled a list containing the names of individuals and businesses that may be entitled to a refund of unclaimed Capital Credits. The list may be viewed online or at a PRECO office. If your name is listed, call us at 1-800-282-3824, extension #4705, to inquire about a possible refund. The last day to claim these funds is March 31, 2017. O N LINE

Visit our website at www.preco.coop O F F ICE

PRECO Headquarters Building 210 Metheny Road Wauchula, Florida 33873

Manatee Service Center 14505 Arbor Green Trail Lakewood Ranch, Florida 34202

Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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12/12/16 11:08 AM

Floridaâ€™s 30 delegates will tour the Capitol Building and meet their congressmen

Weeklong Trip To Washington DC For 11th Graders! The 2017 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour PRECO will send two winners to Washington, DC, in June for the trip of a lifetime Winners: Join more than 1,500 young people from across the country

Visit historic monuments and museums

Boost their community service and engagement

Meet their local U.S. legislators

Students should contact their Guidance Office immediately to apply. The deadline is January 10th!

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PRECO Youth Tour 2016 delegates Jaimie Davis and Kevin Harkins

Peace River Electric Cooperative

12/12/16 11:04 AM

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J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 7

District Meetings 2017 Members of Districts 1, 4 and 7 are invited to attend their District Meeting and vote for a director. Directors hold office for a term of three years. Each registered member shall be entitled to one vote and no member shall be permitted to vote by proxy or mail. DISTRICT

DATE

MEETING

LOCATION

District 1 February 9 6:00 pm 7:00 pm College Hill Community Center, Bowling Green District 4 February 16 6:00 pm 7:00 pm Craig’s RV Park, Arcadia District 7 February 13 8:00 am 7:00pm Risen Savior Lutheran Church, Bradenton Meeting. Early registration and voting is available for those unable to attend the meeting (Photo-ID, such as driver’s license, is required to register). Polls will close when all registered members have voted. Registered members receive a $10 electric bill credit and will be entered in a drawing for an iPad Mini. Refreshments will be served and door prize drawings will be held (you must be present to win). Quorum. Bylaws require attendance of at least one percent (1%) of the district members to obtain a quorum, so your attendance is very important. If you are unsure about the district in which you reside, please contact PRECO’s office toll-free at 1-800-282-3824. Notification: Members of these Districts will receive a flyer in the mail with full details.

UNSURE OF WHI C H BOARD DISTRI C T YOU LI VE I N? CH EC K YOUR ELEC TRI C B IL L.

Cycle: 5 Bill Date: 01/01/2017 16 4/20 12/2 – 16 5/20 Service Period: 11/2

Board District: 9 Rate: RESIDENTIAL

Board of Directors Elections A fundamental part of the cooperative difference is that Peace River Electric Cooperative is a democratically controlled electric utility. We embody democracy through the annual election of individuals to the Board of Directors. Each year, PRECO members elect other members from their district to serve as directors for a period of three years. With members serving members, everyone’s best interests are represented by the Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors and would like more information, please contact Charlotte Heston at 1-800-282-3824 or at Charlotte.Heston@preco.coop.

January 2017 Nominations for Board of Director by petition must be submitted no later than January 9, 2017. An official notice containing nominee and District Meeting information will be mailed to the voters in each District.

February 2017 District Meetings will be held and a Director elected.

CRAWLEY

ALBRITTON

PORTALE

March 2017

Director Seats Expiring 2017

Newly elected Board Members will be seated at the

DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 4 DISTRICT 7

cooperative’s Annual Membership Meeting.

LEONARD CRAWLEY HOLLIS ALBRITTON CHRIS PORTALE

YOUR DISTRIC T NUMBER IS PRINTED ON YOUR ELEC TRIC BILL 28

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Peace River Electric Cooperative

12/12/16 11:09 AM

Notice: District Meeting Bylaws A RT ICL E I V. DI REC TORS Section 5. Elections One Director shall be elected from each District not less than fifteen (15) days or more than forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the current term of each District Director. (a) Nominations of Director Candidates

N OMIN ATI NG COMMI T TEE NOMIN AT IO N S At least one hundred twenty (120) days before the expiration of the current term of each District Director, the Board of Directors shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of not less than three nor more than five members residing in the District. No member of the Board of Directors may serve on such committee. The nominating committee shall meet at least ninety (90) days before the expiration of the current term of each District Director and nominate at least one qualified individual to run for election as Director. If, before the scheduled election, a nominating committee nominee dies, becomes incapacitated, or ceases to be qualified to be a Director, then the nominating committee may nominate another individual.

MEMBER P ETI TI ON NOM I NATI O N S Members may nominate, through petition, a qualified individual to run for election as Director. Member petition nominations must be delivered to the Cooperative at least seventy-five (75) days before the expiration of the current term of office of each District Director. Valid petitions shall: 1. list, on each page of the petition, the name of the nominee and the Director position for which the nominee will run; and 2. contain the printed names, addresses, and original dated signatures signed within thirty (30) days after the first signature of at least twenty-five (25) members of the District. All Director candidates are required to execute a notarized affidavit affirming their compliance with the Director qualifications as described in Article IV, Section 2, of the bylaws. (b) Election at District Membership Meeting If more than one qualified Director candidate accepts the nomination for a Director position, the Director shall be elected at a District membership meeting. The Board of Directors shall call and set the date of such meeting. The Secretary of the Cooperative shall send a notice to each member residing in the District not less than ten (10) days before the meeting announcing the names of all qualified Director candidates and the date, time, and place of the District membership meeting. One percent (1%) of the members of the District shall constitute a quorum for any District Membership meeting at which an election is required. Upon a member being present for any purpose at the member meeting, the member is deemed present for member

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quorum purposes for the remainder of the member meeting and for any adjourned member meeting. If less than a quorum is present at any District membership meeting at which an election is required, a majority of those present in person may adjourn the meeting to a date no less than fifteen (15) days before the annual meeting. The Board may appoint any member of the Board of Directors to act as the Chairman and preside over any District membership meeting. If the Board fails to appoint, or the appointed chairman is unable to attend, a Chairman may be selected from the members present. A Secretary for said meeting may be furnished by the Cooperative or selected by the members present and shall record the proceedings of said meeting. At the beginning of the District membership meeting, the Chairman shall inform the members present of the qualified Director candidates who have accepted the nomination. There shall be no additional nominations from the floor. The meeting shall then proceed to the holding of an election for Director. Each member present and in person at the District membership meeting shall be entitled to one vote. Upon voting for the Director candidates, the candidate receiving a plurality of votes cast by those present and qualified shall be declared by the Chairman to be the Director-elect and shall be seated at the annual meeting of the Cooperative. In the event of a tie vote, the winner of a coin toss shall be declared Director-elect. (c) Uncontested Election If only one qualified Director candidate is nominated or accepts nomination for a Director position, the Cooperative will dispense with balloting, no quorum will be required, and the candidate will be declared the Director-elect at the District membership meeting. The good faith, inadvertent, and unintended failure of a member to receive notice of a District membership meeting does not affect an action taken at the District membership meeting. The Cooperativeâ€™s attorney shall have the authority to rule upon all questions that may arise relating to member voting and the election of Directors. J A N U A R Y 2 017 29

12/13/16 2:24 PM

Parting Shot

Readers Share Their Special Photos

Colorful Calm Before the Storm This photo of Boot Key Harbor near Marathon was taken from the entrance to the old Boot Key bridge at sunrise while Hurricane Matthew was churning its way up from the Caribbean in October. “At the time, it wasn’t clear that the Florida Keys would be spared,” says Loretta Alkalay. “I was thinking of all the lives aboard in Boot Key and how they would fare in a storm.” —Loretta Alkalay, Marathon We always are looking for photos to feature in Parting Shot and Postcards From Florida. We 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 information about where it was taken. Include your name and mailing address (for payment purposes) to photos@floridacurrents.com.

T:7”

T:4.875”

Kids will spend 8 minutes decorating their little brother. How about two minutes to brush their teeth? Brushing for two minutes now can save your child from severe tooth pain later. Two minutes, twice a day. They have the time. For fun, 2-minute videos to watch while brushing, go to 2min2x.org.

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o ct N tra e n o Fe N hly t

New amplified phone lets you hear AND see the conversation.

Breakthrough technology converts phone calls to captions.

The Hamilton® CapTel® Captioned Telephone converts phone conversations to easy-to-read captions for individuals with hearing loss.

A simple idea… made possible with sophisticated technology. If you have trouble understanding a call, captioned telephone can change your life. During a phone call the words spoken to you appear on the phone’s screen – similar to closed captioning on TV. So when you make or receive a call, the words spoken to you are not only amplified by the phone, but scroll across the phone so you can listen while reading everything that’s said to you. Each call is routed through a call center, where computer technology – aided by a live representative – generates voice-to-text translations. The captioning is real-time, accurate and readable. Your conversation is private and the captioning service doesn’t cost you a penny. Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) is regulated and funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is designed exclusively for individuals with hearing loss. To learn more, visit www.fcc.gov. The Hamilton CapTel phone requires telephone service and high-speed

Internet access. WiFi Capable. Callers do not need special equipment or a captioned telephone in order to speak with you. Finally… a phone you can use again. The Hamilton CapTel phone is also packed with features to help make phone calls easier. The keypad has large, easy to use buttons. You get adjustable volume amplification along with the ability to save captions for review later. It even has an answering machine that provides you with the captions of each message.

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81135

Do you get discouraged when you hear your telephone ring? Do you avoid using your phone because hearing difficulties make it hard to understand the person on the other end of the line? For many Americans the telephone conversation – once an important part of everyday life – has become a thing of the past. Because they can’t understand what is said to them on the phone, they’re often cut off from friends, family, doctors and caregivers. Now, thanks to innovative technology there is finally a better way.

“W

TO REPORT POWER OUTAGE: Use SmartHub mobile app or Call 1-877-282-3656

Vegetation Management Keeps the Power Flowing

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 210 Metheny Road Wauchula, Florida 33873 Hours 8 am to 5 pm, M-F Telephone: 1-800-282-3824 FAX: 866-201-1814

F LO R IDA’S TRO P IC AL CL IMATE PROV IDE S U S WITH A THICK C AN O PY O F B E AU TIFU L G R E E N TR E E S. B U T,

MANATEE SERVICE CENTER 14505 Arbor Green Trail Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 Hours 8 am to 5 pm, M-F Telephone: 1-800-282-3824 Fax: 941-752-4928

W HE N TR E E S M E SH WITH P OWE R

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

G ROWIN G TO O CLO SE TO P OWE R L IN E S

Hollis Albritton

A N D DISTR IB U TIO N E Q U IPM E N T IS A

L IN E S, THE Y B E CO M E HA Z AR DS C APAB L E O F C AU SIN G FIR E S, IN JU RY O R P OWE R O U TAG E S. V E G E TATIO N – TR E E S, SHRU B S AN D B RU SH –

PRESIDENT

T H R E AT TO SE RV ICE R E L IAB IL IT Y.

Maurice Henderson VICE PRESIDENT

In 2015, trees growing into or falling onto our power lines were responsible for nearly 200 outages, affecting more than 6,200 services.

Chris Portale

S E C R E TA RY/ T R E A S U R E R

Leonard Crawley

To mitigate potential tree-related problems, PRECO maintains a perpetual right-of-way maintenance program. Our contractor, Georgia Right of Way, headquartered in Forsyth, Georgia, maintains a fleet of top-of-the-line equipment designed for clearing right-of-way while minimizing environmental impact. GAROW works daily to trim and remove vegetation growing under lines, overhanging branches, leaning or other “danger” trees that could pull down power lines, and trees that could grow into lines.

A S S T S E C R E TA RY/ T R E A S U R E R

Ellen Bachman DIRECTOR

Willie Dawes DIRECTOR

John Martin DIRECTOR

Bruce Vickers DIRECTOR

BOARD MEETING ATTENDANCE Any PRECO member may attend a Board Meeting. Due to building security requirements and for us to facilitate attendance, members wishing to attend a Board Meeting should contact the Cooperative in a timely manner for logistical information regarding the meeting.

UPCOMING BOARD MEETING DATES January 24, 2017 February 21, 2017 March 28, 2017

Randy Shaw

General Manager & CEO PEACE RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

In Florida, the growing season is nearly year round, so keeping the lines clear is a never-ending task. By the time GAROW crews complete trimming activities along our entire 3,500 miles of power lines, vegetation is already beginning to grow back at the starting point. That’s why we need your help.

In order to keep your electricity flowing, please notify us if you see trees or limbs that could pose a risk to power lines. Just as important, before planting trees at home, think about how tall and wide they may become. Ideally, 10 feet of ground-to-sky clearance should be available on each side of co-op power lines, so choose tree varieties with care and plant with power lines in mind. When landscaping your yard, don’t plant trees and shrubs near those green metal cabinets which house electrical equipment – we call them underground transformers or secondary vaults. Never dig near one of these cabinets; striking a buried power line can result in injury or death. In addition, a line worker could become entangled in trees or shrubs and fall into energized line equipment. At Peace River Electric Cooperative, our goal is to provide you with safe, reliable electric service. To report problem trees, call us toll-free at 1-800-282-3824.

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12/12/16 11:11 AM