Issuu

Glades Electric Cooperative

M AY 2015

Members Celebrate GEC’s 70 Years To mark seven decades of service, Glades Electric Cooperative brought the Touchstone Energy hot air balloon to the Annual Meeting on March 21. GEC staff—including Chad Sevigny— assisted with setup, and members were treated to tethered rides. Read more about the Annual Meeting on page 4.

Take Time to be Safe

PAGE 25



Feeding and Visiting With Legislators PAGE 26

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

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

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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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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

Inside

May 2015 Vol. 4, No. 7

Life on the Track 10

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

Central Florida horse trainer turns untested thoroughbreds into racing champions.

Also In This Issue

PRINTED IN FLORIDA

Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Florida Gardener 18

Festival Roundup 22 Outdoor Pursuits 24 Parting Shot 30

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

M AY 2 0 1 5

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Members Celebrate GEC Annual meeting marks 70 years of service to neighbors

Many members attending the 70th Annual Membership Meeting of Glades Electric Cooperative on March 21 got to cross an item off their bucket list: taking a ride in a hot air balloon. It was all smiles as members climbed into the basket of the Touchstone Energy hot air balloon, with many members and employees heading straight out the door for their chance to take a ride—including GEC CEO Jeff Brewington and his wife, Michelle. The rides were short due to time and weather constraints. But that did not stop members from enjoying the chance to get off the ground and wave at friends and family. After taking a balloon ride, members registered and voted. They then were treated to refreshments; entertainment by singer Marti Capodiferro; and displays by the cooperative’s power supplier, Seminole Electric, the GEC Charitable

Trust, Friends of Istokpoga and Meter Treater. Although the many prizes given away at the end of the meeting are always a big draw for members, the annual meeting features a number of important business items that keep GEC running smoothly. The second cooperative principle, democratic member control, ensures members actively participate in setting policies and decision-making through the election of district trustees. Each year, one-third of the Board of Trustees is elected, or re-elected, to serve threeyear terms. Candidates are nominated by committee or petition from the membership and are voted on at the annual meeting. The Board of Trustees establishes the policies by which the cooperative conducts business. All three incumbents were re-elected this year: Jack Coxe, representing District 8, Lake

Glades Electric Cooperative staff members are ready to deliver door prizes to members at the 70th annual meeting. 4

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Josephine; Lee Henderson, representing District 6, Highlands Park; and Barney Goodman, representing District 2, Hendry County. As the meeting began, President Jack Coxe welcomed members to the 70th anniversary gathering and reviewed the cooperative’s history. He noted that in January 1945, 179 cooperative membership applications had been gathered, allowing the cooperative to conduct its first annual meeting on the steps of the courthouse in Glades County. In May of that year, GEC requested $475,000 from the Rural Electrification Administration to build its first generating plant and 132 miles of power lines. In April, the first employee was hired, a bookkeeper named Mrs. H.C. Keenan. The following year, an additional $238,000 was borrowed to extend power lines into Highlands County. Coxe described how much times have changed, relating the current cost of the same power lines would be $3.3 million, and just one of GEC’s backup generators would cost $1.75 million. Those original 179 memberships have grown to 12,278. The GEC system now includes 83 miles of transmission line, 2,581 miles of distribution line, 16 substations, 11 backup generators and 16,180 meters. The one employee has grown to a family of 63

The Touchstone Energy hot air balloon was a popular draw during Glades Electric Cooperative’s 70th Annual Membership Meeting. Left, the tethered balloon lifts off as CEO Jeff Brewington and his wife, Michelle, watch along with GEC employees. Above, a happy member gives two thumbs up after her ride with balloon pilot Dave Champion, background.

full-time, three part-time and four temporary employees. Coxe ended with a moment of silence in memory of former Trustee Irene Lofton, who passed away November 18, 2014. Irene served the

membership for more than 18 years, representing Okeechobee for District 9. Coxe turned the meeting over to CEO Jeff Brewington, who recognized several guests of honor.

First and foremost, Brewington asked all veterans to rise and be acknowledged. This year, he also recognized Chace Barnes, a GEC employee who served two tours of duty in Iraq with the

U.S. Army. Also recognized were Trustee Jim Aul, who served in Vietnam, and Trustee Shannon Hall’s husband, Ken, who served in Korea. GEC is proud to support not only these veterans, but the families who supported them and made sacrifices as the veterans protected our freedom. Brewington began the business portion of his comments by reviewing the continual challenges a rural electric cooperative faces, including the lack of growth the past 10 years, which created a difficult business environment. He noted the tenacity of members in our area. “We are a people that can fend for ourselves,” he said, reflecting on the founding of the cooperative. “We take care of business, even to the extent of building our own electric distribution system.” Continues on page 6 M AY 2 0 1 5

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Members Celebrate GEC Continues from page 5

One of the challenges Brewington has faced the past four years as CEO has been prosecution of employee fraud cases since 2011. The last case was set for trial in April. He said he looks forward to closing this difficult, time-consuming, distracting journey. Although faced with many challenges, Brewington emphasized the past year was successful overall. All required financial ratios and debt covenants were met. As a result, member equity in the cooperative has grown more than 2 percent to a total just shy of 27 percent. It is the third consecutive year the membership investment has grown. GEC is progressing toward the 30 to 35 percent range it needs to resume refunding capital credits. Brewington then turned his attention to other ways the cooperative has been successful the past year. In addition to providing

communities with affordable, reliable and safe energy, through GEC programs, members also support youth livestock programs, school athletics, school academic associations, teacher Golden Apple programs, Big Brother-Big Sisters and band boosters, to name just a few good causes. More than 71 percent of members participate in Operation Roundup, allowing the Glades Electric Charitable Trust to provide more than $52,000 to your neighbors and other helping institutions. Directors of the trust want to do more. They are restricted by whatever funds Operation Roundup generates, which is limited by the nature of the program to a maximum of $11.88 per year per partnering member. Recognizing that helping neighbors is what a rural electric cooperative is all about, the GEC Board of Trustees is starting Operation Roundup Plus, allowing members not only to round up their bill, but

Kelly Brantley is all smiles after winning a George Foreman grill. 6

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to donate whatever additional amount they choose to the Charitable Trust each month. Donations are tax deductible. Brewington recognized the great things done in our community through the Glades Electric Educational Foundation, which uses unclaimed capital credits to provide $32,000 a year for scholarships to graduating high school seniors. The cooperative also sends two high school juniors to Washington, D.C., as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Washington Youth Tour. Brewington emphasized the important role cooperatives play in ensuring costly, inappropriate legislation does not harm cooperative

members. NRECA calls upon cooperatives to help ensure all of our voices are heard in Washington, D.C. Lisa Johnson, CEO of Seminole Electric—GEC’s power provider—recently was called on by NRECA to testify before a congressional committee regarding coal ash issues. That was a first for Seminole and a testimony to her expertise. GEC is fortunate to have her as an ally. NRECA’s Action Committee for Rural Electrification helps finance battles such as coal ash issues. Brewington told members that a complement to the ACRE program, Cooperative Owners for Political Action, is an avenue for cooperative members to participate.

Above, Jerry Chasteen accepts the key as winner of the grand prize, a 2004 Ford Explorer, from CFO Jennifer Manning. Left, members enjoy their time at the annual meeting. Below, CEO Jeff Brewington addresses the members.

Florida is second in COPA supporters, only behind Ohio. Brewington is sure Florida can be in the lead quickly if even half of GEC’s membership joined COPA for as little as $2.08 added to their monthly bill. That support will help GEC and NRECA continue to fight for affordable, reliable and safe energy. Brewington ended his remarks by commenting on GECs new advanced metering infrastructure system—part of the Board’s continuous improvement directive. AMI allows GEC to read meters from the office through its own power lines. The system gives members options such as choosing a billing date, converting deposits to pay-as-you-go programs,

self-monitoring energy use and consistent billing periods. The project is at its halfway point, with more than 8,000 new meters installed. GEC expects to complete the installation process in July, with new opportunities available soon thereafter, including home energy audits provided by the cooperative’s meter specialists. “The Board and every employee is dedicated to your cooperative’s continued success and providing you and our homeland with exceptional service as a cooperative was designed to do,” Brewington said. He then welcomed honored guest and electric cooperative friend U.S. Congressman Tom Rooney, who noted how important rural communities

are to this country. He talked about the history of the StarSpangled Banner and how small communities such as ours played a large role in forming our country. Although Brewington allotted time for questions from the membership, it was clear all in attendance were ready for the next step on the agenda: the prize drawings. More than 110 prizes were awarded, including TVs, gift cards, an Android tablet, cookbooks and plants. All members present, including GEC employees who are members, were eligible to win prizes. Glades Electric Foundation scholarship winner Brittany

Day, 19, the daughter of GEC member Dawn Day, helped with the prize drawing. Thanks to the scholarship, she is attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. As excited members waved their tickets as their winning numbers were called, anticipation rose for the grandprize drawing for a 2004 Ford Explorer. When the winning number was called, a single hand in the second row raised high in the air. Jerry Chasteen from Lorida could hardly believe his ears. “I never win anything,” he said, as friends hugged and congratulated him. Chasteen called his wife, who could not attend. He said Sandra, the member services representative who registered him at the annual meeting and assigned him the winning raffle ticket, “deserves a big raise.” It is our sincere hope members enjoyed the Annual Meeting as much as Trustees, management and employees enjoyed hosting it. It is truly our honor to be “Neighbors Working for Neighbors.” n M AY 2 0 1 5

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Operation Round Up Monthly Report More than 70 percent of Glades Electric Cooperative members participate in Operation Round Up, which helps people in GEC’s service area who have exhausted normal avenues of financial assistance. Sign up today, and your electric bill will be rounded up to the nearest dollar. The extra is placed in the fund for deserving individuals and organizations. As of March 10, your Charitable Trust Board of Directors has approved $871,122.08 in disbursements. These funds have provided assistance with food, emergency lodging, disaster relief and specific

emergency needs for 563 individuals and/or families and 121 community organizations. The trust does not fund utility bills (electric, phone, water and gas) or budgets of organizations. Organizations in counties served may apply for funding for a specific need or project. The Charitable Trust Board of Directors meets monthly to review applications for funding.  If you know of people who need and deserve assistance and live within our service area, encourage or help them to complete an application. Applications can be picked up at each of our three offices: Moore Haven, Lake Placid and Okeechobee.

High-Quality Surge Protection Offered by GEC Glades Electric Cooperative is proud to offer members a new choice in home surge protection with Meter Treater, manufactured by M-Ti. This Floridabased company’s meter-base protection devices have been protecting Florida homes since 1986. M-Ti also manufactures superior surge protection devices for commercial and industrial applications. The company has earned a reputation for innovative design, high-quality workmanship and friendly, responsive customer service. Our members deserve nothing less! Contact a GEC office for more information.

Credit Winners

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

David McCadam District 8 Lake Josephine

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

M AY 2 0 1 5

Beverly Eaves District 2 Hendry County

Jerry Chasteen District 7 Lorida

Travis and Katie Nolen No. 108786-001 Ronnie Olden No. 77786967-002

Jack Wilson District 1 Moore Haven

Lee Andrus District 6 Highlands Park

$25

Florida Currents $25 Credit Glades Electric Cooperative P.O. Box 519 Moore Haven, FL 33471

Charitable Trust Board of Directors

Paula Byars District 9 Okeechobee

Church of the Month Bethel Holiness Church

317 Monte Real Boulevard Sebring, FL 33876-8060

The Charitable Trust Board of Directors will meet in Lake Placid on May 28 at 1 p.m.

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Side Roads

Discoveries Off the Beaten Path

Life on the Track Central Florida horse trainer turns untested thoroughbreds into racing champions By Pam Windsor

Postcards From Florida

Good Morning, Parrish

Photo by M

lanathan

egan McC

An early-morning job has its benefits, including spectacular sunrises. One of Megan McClanathan’s part-time jobs is working for a stable owner in Parrish off State Route 62. At the crack of dawn, she feeds and cares for the horses, including Steele, shown above. Megan has been riding and working with horses since she was 6 years old. 10

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David Scanlon remembers the rush of adrenaline, the roar of the crowd and the sheer awe he felt at Churchill Downs during the 2011 Kentucky Derby. He had the honor of escorting a horse he trained at his farm near Ocala to the paddock where the horses gather just before the historic race. “I walked over with Dialed-In, and when you see a crowd of 160,000 people suddenly start cheering when you walk by, and they start playing ‘My Old Kentucky Home,’ it’s something really special,” he says. David oversees the Scanlon Training Center in Williston, where he gives some of the best thoroughbreds in the country early training to prepare them for racing. He and his staff take the horses as yearlings and put the 2-year-olds through a school or basic training, of sorts. “They come here and are introduced to the saddle and bridle, and once they get used to that, they’re introduced to the rider,” David explains. It is a lengthy process that takes the horse step by step, introducing him or her to one phase of training at a time. When ready, the horse learns to run on a racetrack, load at the starting gate and, as David puts it, “how to be a racehorse.” After four to six months, the horse is sent to its trainer. The intense, results-oriented job offers challenges and exciting rewards. Many of David’s horses have gone on to win the Florida Derby, the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes and other major races. While he has not had one win the Kentucky Derby yet—the holy grail of thoroughbred racing—he has come close. “One year, of the 20 Derby horses, five were from our training center,” he recalls. While Kentucky has a reputation for turning out champion thoroughbred

horses, with so many born and bred there, Florida plays a critical role in the process. “Most of those horses start their early training here,” David says of the area. “I would say, at least, a good 70 percent of them head to Ocala (or Williston) to get that training.” The Robert N. Scanlon Training Center has operated for 15 years. It was started by David’s father—a former jockey, then trainer, who left his native Ireland at age 18 to work with horses in Ohio, New York, New Jersey and, finally, Florida. “He had been training at the racetrack in New York and New Jersey at Belmont Park and Monmouth Park and got tired of the racetrack life,” David says. “He moved down here and started breaking horses. He was still in the horse business, but didn’t have to travel as much.” David worked as his father’s assistant, then took over the operation when his father died in 2005. Horses have been a family business for the Scanlons. David’s brother was a jockey, and his mother runs the office. “Ever since I was little, I remember getting up and going to the track with my dad,” he says, noting that working

A Natural Wonder

David Scanlon watches young thoroughbreds go through their paces at his training center in Williston.

with horses quickly became a passion. “It’s almost like an addiction,” he says with a laugh. “We breathe and die with these horses.” It is a lifestyle that involves early mornings, long days and few weekends off. A regular work day usually starts with David meeting his head assistant by 6 a.m. to map out the day. “At any given time we have between 50 and 100 horses in training, and you’ve got to take every horse individually,” he explains. “Some are going to progress faster and some are going to need a little more time. It takes a great crew and staff to be able to pay individual attention.” He notes horses are like people with distinct, individual personalities. “They have their own quirks,” David says. “Some are nice, some are even-keeled and some are moody. And you never know what you’re getting each morning, either, because they can change, too.” He has worked with a number of champion thoroughbreds, including Afleet Alex, the 2005 Preakness and Belmont winner; Bernardini, the 2006

Preakness winner; and Rags to Riches, the 2007 Belmont Stakes winner. David says signs of greatness often come early, but not always. “A lot of those good horses have a certain presence,” he says. “There’s always a couple of surprises, though. Afleet Alex wasn’t obvious at first, but sooner or later his heart came through. Bernardini was a star from day one. And Rags to Riches cost $1 million to begin with, so she was a pedigree. She got off the truck knowing she was a queen.” Despite years in the business, David says he continues to be amazed by the beauty and grace of a thoroughbred. “I’ve always just loved the athlete,” he says. “You look into their eyes. There’s just something real raw and athletic about them. They’re tame but untamed.” He says there is no greater reward than seeing the horses evolve. “When they come in they know nothing, and when they ship out, they’re these full-blown, confident athletes,” David says. “To watch them go through that change is really spectacular.” n

Three miles north of Marianna is Florida Caverns State Park. It is one of the few state parks with dry, air-filled caves and the only to offer public tours. The caverns feature dazzling formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies. Guided tours are Thursdays through Mondays, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. The 45-minute tour is moderately strenuous. An audiovisual program about touring the cave and other natural areas of the park is shown in the visitor center. Tours sometimes sell out. Prior to departing for the park , call the ranger station at (850) 482-1228 to ensure tours are available. The caverns are just part of the park’s attractions. The Chipola River and Blue Hole spring provide areas for fishing, canoeing and boating. The park also is popular for camping, picnicking, hiking and horseback riding. Although it does not rent horses, stables are available. The park also has a nine-hole golf course set in beautiful rolling terrain. Built in 1941, the course is adjacent to the main park entrance. For more information, visit www. floridastateparks.org.

The Wedding Room in the Florida Cavern. Photo courtesy of Florida State Parks

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Side Roads

Hiking for a Cause

Businesswoman sets aside fears for adventure of a lifetime to benefit local cerebral palsy organization By Liesel Schmidt

Above, during her journey Nancy encountered all sorts of hikers, including a four-legged friend, Ryker. Top, a sign marks the halfway point of the 2,180mile Appalachian Trail. 12

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When Pensacola resident Nancy Silivos decided to pack up her gear and lace up her hiking boots for the adventure of a lifetime, she was not looking for some deep insight into her soul or to make peace with her demons. The self-proclaimed “50-something” was not in the midst of a mid-life crisis that forced her to prove she was still young and fit. She was looking for attention—not for herself, but for the children and families affected by cerebral palsy and other devastating conditions. As longtime supporters of Capstone Adaptive Learning—formerly known as United Cerebral Palsy of NWF—Nancy and her husband, Gus, knew fundraising could be an uphill battle. When Nancy felt the call to make raising money for Capstone her personal mission, she took that figurative hill and made it a literal mountain. “I’ve always had a dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail, but there were a million and one excuses holding me back,” says Nancy. “The one that held me back the most was my own fear of failing.” Instead of backing down, the selfemployed event planner and caterer faced that fear with both boots on, tackling the colossal collection of untamed miles. “The only true failure in life is failing to try,” says Nancy. She enrolled in boot-camp fitness classes and logged miles with her newly acquired hiking gear. Her next step was public accountability. She started a website and contacted the local media. Her journey was witnessed through regular video uploads and blog posts,

widening her community beyond the city she calls home. “Who can back out after doing that?” she asks rhetorically. “It becomes so much more of a commitment when you make it something more than just about yourself.” Nancy packed boxes of provisions and supplies and mapped out a timeline for scheduled mailings from Gus, ensuring deliveries at specific points along her route. The boxes were beacons of light, stocked with physical and emotional sustenance—affirmations that friends and family were with her every step of the way and that they believed in her. “The very first night I camped completely alone,” Nancy says. “I was on top of a mountain. The ground and trees were covered in ice, and the temperature had fallen into single digits. “I was in my sleeping bag, trying to concentrate on anything but the unfamiliar noises of the night, so I listened to a playlist my son had downloaded for me. “I was beginning to lose confidence and wonder if I’d lost my mind deciding to do this, and then this voice came through the earbuds—my son, telling me how proud he was of me. It was wonderful and uplifting, and it gave me determination.” From March to August, Nancy hiked on, drawing strength not only from the support of loved ones at home, but from the friendships she forged along the way. The hikers she met shared the commonality of the miles ahead and the desire to journey to the end. “The trials and triumphs were many and daily,” Nancy says. “Sometimes the biggest triumph was just being able to take one more step. Every day was the hardest day, and every day was the best

Above, Nancy Silivos hikes through the snow-covered Smoky Mountains with Paul, a fellow hiker she met on the trail. Below, Nancy is dwarfed by a few of her newfound friends on day three of her adventure.

day. There’s no better way to describe it. “There was always something incredibly wonderful in the midst of the misery, and most often it was the people. Friends were made quickly, and even though you may have only been with a person for one hour or one day, you felt as if they were a lifelong friend. I still don’t know some of their real names, just their trail names.” Traversing 2,200-plus miles of physically taxing terrain is a challenge often abandoned even by seasoned hikers when exhaustion, hunger, loneliness or illness make those last miles impossible. Nancy logged 1,500 miles of the 2,181mile Appalachian Trail and raised more than $54,000 before Lyme disease forced a halt to her adventure.

“Leaving the trail was extremely difficult,” she says. “For months, in my dreams, I was walking, pushing myself forward, trying to reach my next camp site.” Looking back, she rejoices in her accomplishments and finds comfort in knowing others will benefit from the miles on her boots. “I don’t walk in my dreams anymore,” she says. “I believe that the victory was in the starting. Life’s destinations change. It’s the journey that matters.” n Nancy is co-owner and operator of Nancy’s Haute Affairs, a full-service catering and event-planning company. For details, visit www.nancyshaute affairs.com or call (850) 434-0112. To learn more about the cause that motivated Nancy’s adventure, visit www.capstoneadaptivelearning.org or call (850) 432-1596. M AY 2 0 1 5

Travel on a Budget With a little research, you can save money and still have fun

By Karen Olson House

When I was growing up, my family did not have money for expensive vacations. But my parents loved to travel, so when we visited relatives we made the most of it along the way. During long drives to visit my grandmother, we always stayed at a motor inn that boasted a rarity at the time: a large indoor pool. After throwing our luggage in our room, we three kids tore across the lobby to the gleaming blue waters. We happily splashed about, feeling like the Rockefellers, while my parents perused their map for attractions ahead. The motel was a splurge, so the next morning we ate oranges and mini travel cereals we brought from home. No bowl was needed. Cut away the perforated top of the little rectangular cereal box and pour in the milk, kept cold in the motelâ€™s ice bucket. For lunch, we would eat homemade turkey and butter sandwiches at a roadside picnic table and draw lemonade from a green cooler. Once, on an all-night drive, my parents woke us from a sound sleep because the fog circling the mountains was so eerily beautiful. As we tumbled sleepily out of the car, our jaws dropped as we drank in the sight. On these trips, I did not feel like we were sacrificing by 14

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not dining at restaurants, and I was glad my parents woke me up to see magic. Most of all, I remember how relaxed my parents were on our affordable adventures. They did not stress about overspending because my parents stayed within their budget. Their simple approach helped us all savor special moments. Today, you have many more choices. Indoor pools are not uncommon, and many motels offer complimentary breakfast buffets. But people still have to watch travel costs, and still want to have fun. Love it or not, the Internet is the best way to find and compare a broad range of travel deals. Airline fares, lodging and package deals can cost less if you book them online. Many travel websites and service providers also offer a weekly email that caters to your specified interests and destinations. Here are some tips on how to get the best deals. Lodging With a database of more than 135,000 hotels in more than 60 countries, www.hotels. com offers discounts and convenience in searching for a room and rate. If you are willing to be flexible, you can get deep hotel discounts on www.priceline. com and www.hotwire.com by agreeing to buy a room before you are told the hotel name.

You can designate a hotelâ€™s star ratings, neighborhood and some amenities before buying. If you have a large family, sometimes it is cheaper to book a suite instead of two standard hotel rooms. Suitehotel chains with kitchens offer deals on weekends when business travelers are scarce. Consider renting a furnished condo or house at your destination through websites such as www.homeaway.com and www.vrbo.com. You not only save on meals, but rates often compare favorably to motels and hotels. Quiz the owner beforehand, ask for pictures and check references. Food Dining out three times a day can get expensive. Rely on portable breakfasts such as bagels, apples and baked goods. Consider packing lunch or buying sandwich fixings when you reach your destination. Keep the kids (and yourself) from getting grumpy by toting lightweight snacks such as nuts, cereal bars, apples and grapes. This can save a fortune and make dinners out special. Speaking of dinners, buy deeply discounted gift certificates at www.restaurant.com or order by phone at (888) 745-6991. The website lets you enter a ZIP code or town and state, then offers a list of restaurants with descriptions and menus. Routine deals are to pay $5 for a $10 gift certificate

or $10 for a $25 certificate. But the site offers even bigger discounts with $2 and $3 specials. You pay online and print a copy of the certificate. For restaurant reviews, try www.yelp.com and www. chowhound.com. Another way to save is to eat your main meal out at lunch time, when prices are lower. This not only is healthier, but allows your family to eat at more expensive restaurants. Remember to look for kidseat-free promotions. Check out www.mykidseatfree.com

Seek Out Free Attractions The word “free” is sure to bring a smile, especially when traveling. Paying for lodging, food and other basics can leave you feeling spent, and shelling out more money for expensive entertainment can batter your travel budget. Fortunately, even in today’s economy, admission is free at many excellent attractions. As with finding any travel bargain, it pays to do research. Here are ideas to get you started. XX City and state searches. Check the websites of visitors’ centers and chambers of commerce. If you do not see a link for free attractions, search the sites with those words. You can sort by city and type of attraction on many state tourism websites. Try www.travelingmom.com and www. free-attractions.com for listings that include free museums, parks, concerts, festivals and zoos. XX Museums. If you have a membership at a local museum, you may be able to get free admission at a partner museum at your travel destination through a reciprocity program. For a list of nearly 200 museums in the United States and Canada that participate in the Association of Children’s Museums Reciprocal Program, visit www. childrensmuseums.org/visit/reciprocal.htm. America’s science museums also have a reciprocity program that grants free general admission to members for other museums. Visit www.astc.org/members/passlist.htm. XX Scenic drives. Getting there can be half the fun. Take one of America’s many scenic byways, either to make the drive part of your entertainment or to take one as a destination of its own. America’s Byways, the term for a collection of 150 uniquely distinctive roads, are akin to hidden treasure. They take you through magnificent, unspoiled landscapes and introduce you to friendly small towns and local art, history and culture. For more information, visit www. byways.org or call (800) 4BYWAYS (1-800-429-9297).

and www.kidseat4free.com, or Google “kids eat free” and a city’s name. Airfare To find the widest variety of deals, use a search engine such as www.kayak.com or travel agency sites such as www.travelocity.com and www.orbitz.com for special deals brokered with travel providers due to high volume. Before you book, check an airline’s own site for fares. You may get a lower rate, especially in the case of

low-fare operators. Most airlines charge for checked baggage, and extra fees apply if you exceed weight limits, so travel lightly. Remember, you pay fees each way. Nest bags. For example, women can stow a purse inside a carry-on backpack as long as the backpack meets carry-on requirements. If you need to take lots of items, compare the airline’s fees with the cost to mail them to your destination. Visit www.airfarewatchdog.com to compare airline baggage rates.

Car Rentals Try a number of time combinations for your vacation stay. Sometimes reserving a car for a week—even if it sits some days—is cheaper than a daily rate for a shorter rental. It also pays to keep looking. Most companies do not require a deposit for reservations, so if you find a better rate you can cancel the first without penalty. Different companies are good for different situations. Enterprise and Hertz cater to business travelers and

discount weekend rates. Consider joining a rental car loyalty program, which offers members discounts. Package Deals Consider combining airfare, hotel and rental car costs in one deal. It may be cheaper than booking each element separately. Check www.vacationoutlet. com, www.applevacations. com, www.funjet.com, www. faredeals.com (800-347-7006) or www.affordabletours.com (800-935-2620). n M AY 2 0 1 5

In the Kitchen

Recipes That Satisfy

Fill corn tortillas with barbecue pulled pork and coleslaw mix for a tasty twist on tacos.

Enjoy Mexican Cuisine all Month Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican defeat of French military in 1862. This month, celebrate victory with the following touch-of-Mexico dishes.

Barbecue Pulled-Pork Tacos 2 pounds barbecue pulled pork, fully cooked 1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons sugar 12 ounces coleslaw mix 2 Granny Smith apples, washed and grated 8 6-inch corn tortillas Cilantro, chopped

Heat the pork and keep warm. Heat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar. Set aside. 16

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In a medium bowl, toss together the coleslaw mix and apples. Stir in the mayonnaise mixture. Toss to coat. Place the tortillas on the baking sheet. Bake about 1 minute, until edges begin to get crispy, but tortillas are still pliable. To serve, divide the warm pork evenly among tortillas. Top with the apple-slaw mixture. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.

4 8-inch whole-wheat tortillas ½ cup low-fat Monterey Jack cheese, shredded ½ cup salsa ½ cup green pepper, finely diced ¼ cup red onion, finely diced ¼ cup flat leaf parsley, finely chopped 1 cup lettuce, shredded 3 Roma tomatoes, finely chopped ¼ cup fat-free sour cream

Courtesy ByronsBBQ.com

In a large bowl, whisk together the lime juice, canola oil, garlic, chili powder, salt and pepper. Cut the chicken breast into ½-inch pieces. Toss with the oil mixture. Marinate the mixture in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours. Stir fry the chicken mixture in a large wok over medium-high heat until pieces are cooked and the juices run clear. Set the mixture aside. Heat oven to 400 F. Arrange the

Serves 4

Mexican Chicken Pizza 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 3-ounces chicken breast

tortillas on rimmed, foil-lined baking sheets. Divide the cheese and sprinkle over tortillas. Bake until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the chicken, salsa, green pepper, red onion and parsley. Mix well. Spoon the mixture onto the warm tortillas. Spread the mixture as evenly as possible. Place baking sheet back in the oven. Bake until heated through, about 5 minutes. Top with lettuce, tomatoes and a dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately. Serves 4

Courtesy of canolainfo.org

Ceviche-Marinated Grilled Shrimp Tacos ¼ cup lime juice ¼ cup cilantro, chopped 2 cups tomato juice 1 cup red onion, chopped 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder 21 to 25 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined 8 corn tortillas 1/2 pound red cabbage, shredded 1/4 cup salsa 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream

Heat a grill or grill pan to high heat. Mix the lime juice, cilantro, tomato juice, onion and chili powder in a bowl. When fully mixed, add the shrimp. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the marinade and place on the hot grill. Cook until the shrimp are done, about 4 to 6 minutes. Remove the shrimp from grill. Set aside. Lay the tortillas—a few at a time— over the hot grill until warm, about 20 to 30 seconds. On each tortilla, place three shrimp, shredded cabbage, salsa and sour cream. Fold in half and serve. Serves 8

Courtesy of Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board

Top mixed greens and mango with a refreshingly light dressing.

Mixed Greens with Mango and Pecans Salad 8 cups mixed greens 2 oranges, sectioned 1 mango, diced 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1/3 cup pecan halves 2 teaspoons lime zest

Dressing ½ cup orange juice 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon white vinegar 1/3 cup canola oil 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon tequila, optional ¼ teaspoon pepper

In a bowl, mix together the orange and lime juices, vinegar, canola oil, honey, tequila and pepper. Season to taste. Keep refrigerated until ready to use. In another bowl, toss together the greens, oranges, mango, onion and cilantro. Drizzle 1/3 cup of the dressing over the

salad. Garnish with pecans and lime zest. Refrigerate the remaining dressing for your next salad. Serves 8

Courtesy of canolainfo.org

Colorful Mexican Carne 17-ounce package fully cooked boneless beef pot roast with gravy 16-ounce jar prepared taco sauce 15-ounce can red kidney beans, drained 1½ cups frozen mixed red, yellow and green bell pepper strips, defrosted 4 to 6 packaged tortilla bowls ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Cut the pot roast into ½-inch pieces. Add the beef, beans and peppers to a Dutch oven. Heat through over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Place the tortilla bowls on a baking sheet. Heat in 350 F oven for 3 minutes or until golden. Divide the beef mixture among the tortilla bowls and garnish with cilantro. Serves 4

Courtesy of beefitswhatsfordinner.com M AY 2 0 1 5

The Great Picture Hunt

Photo Tips from David LaBelle

Effective Group Portraits Most of us have posed for a group portrait. Maybe it happened at a family reunion, wedding, graduation, anniversary or funeral. Or perhaps you lined up for a sports or business team photo. Invariably, somebody closed his or her eyes, and somebody else’s face is blocked with another’s head or hat. Maybe somebody turned and looked away the moment the picture was snapped. As I open the local newspaper, I am reminded of how bad many group portraits are made. I try to avoid words like bad in my photo critiques, but when it comes to a herd of people scattered in a frame with faces smaller than thumbtacks, the word is appropriate. Here are a few pointers to help you avoid ineffective group pictures. • Arrange your group so the camera lens sees every face. • Practice composing, filling the viewfinder with only what you really want to see and share. Are those monkey bars or hedges really important? • Attempt to get everybody

Avoid stale, unimaginative group photos such as the photo above left. Put some effort into your compositions. Tighten a loose arrangement and fill the frame with faces, like the large photo at left. Photo by David LaBelle

in focus. The closer you can get faces on the same plane, the greater success you will have. If those in the front row are four feet in front of those in the back, you will need to use a lens f.stop opening of 5.6 or 8 to carry the depth of field throughout the photograph. • Shoot several frames. People do look away to wipe their eyes, noses, scratch, blink, etc. It is human! • Keep groups away from walls, especially when using a flash, to avoid distracting shadows. • Look for clean, noncompeting backgrounds. Wires, trees and poles steal the attention from the faces and 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 art form. For more information, visit www.greatpicturehunt.com.

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ruin an otherwise pleasant photo. Eliminate unwanted, distracting backgrounds by getting low or high. Standing on a stool and shooting down on subjects helps minimize the height difference and ensures you will see faces. • Use flash on bright, sunny, shadowy days. It will fill deep shadows cast by hats and shelf-like foreheads. Flash also adds light and contrast to your group photos on gray, overcast or back-lighted days. • It’s not over when it’s over. Once you announce you are finished, stay alert. Often the most interesting, natural or relaxed pictures happen when subjects feel they are no longer “on camera.” • Experiment with attention-getters. Saying “cheese” is probably as old as photography. “Sex” is another favorite word to make the lips move and the eyes smile. Some count “one, two, three.” I tell the group I am going to count to five and then begin

shooting at three. I also like to say, “If you have teeth, I’d like to see them.” Ask subjects to make the scariest or most disgusting face possible. This can be a good icebreaker. Besides, you can get some really interesting results. • Tighten a loose arrangement. Have those on either ends of the assembly place their inner foot closely behind the person in front of them. This will eliminate dead space and help faces be more prominent. Organizing and finetuning a tight group portrait is a lot like putting sand in a jar of rocks. Once you have the space in the frame filled, start tweaking to get heads close together. • Tall in back and vertically challenged in front is still a good beginning when arranging a group. Especially for sports team photos, have those who are able kneel, keeping their outer knee up and the other on the ground. The center person sits or is on both knees. • Consider a theme. Matching shirts, colors or props make group photos more fun and cohesive. 

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Travel Journal

Satisfying the Appetite for Wanderlust

Treasures Await the Little Ones

What will you do with your under-9s this summer? Think about something different that even the older members of the family can enjoy. Let’s take a look at some Florida treasures for the little ones that will keep them entertained and give them a lifetime of memories.

Prehistoric Fun Maybe it is because of the singing purple dinosaur, or maybe it is just that dinosaurs don’t look like anything else around, but it seems like almost all little kids go through a dinosaur stage. Feed that interest and check out Florida’s Dinosaur World (www.dinosaurworld.com/ florida) in Plant City, between Tampa and Orlando on I-4. More than 200 life-sized dinosaurs are interspersed around the natural landscape, and there is a museum with fossils, an interactive bone yard, a giant skeletal playground, a fossil dig and the Dino Gem Excavation. MysteriousIslander posted a review on TripAdvisor: “What a wonderful surprise! Dinosaur World is basically a lovely botanical garden populated by a vast array of large to HUGE replicas of prehistoric beasts lurking in the jungle

Photo courtesy of Dinosaur World

foliage, soaring just above the surface of a stream and looming over the path. We loved it.” Life’s a Zoo ... and More A visit to the Gulf Breeze Zoo (www.gulfbreezezoo.org) between Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach puts the little ones at eye level with some of the zoo’s more than 850 animals, including monkeys, sheep, goats, pigs, bunnies and guinea pigs. The Safari Line Limited train journeys through the wild past hippopotamus, zebras, chimpanzees and gorillas.

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.

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Hands-on animal encounters, feeding sessions with colorful budgies and llamas, and behind-the-scenes tours will entertain and dazzle family members of all ages. Be sure to spend time in the petting zoo. Remember to bring a picnic lunch because the zoo does not sell food. Where can you touch live stingrays, horseshoe crabs, flounders and sea stars? The Imaginarium Science Center (http://i-sci.org/), owned by the city of Fort Myers. Visit the Animal Lab to see baby gators, iguanas, hissing cockroaches and reptiles, or Fisheye Lagoon to see migrating birds and feed all kinds of fish. May Travel Tips • To find activities and attractions your kids can enjoy,

check out www.Trekaroo. com. The website features kids’ activities across the United States, searchable by state and/or city. It includes multiple reviews of attractions, tips for traveling with kids and a forum for sharing with other families. • Here is a great checklist from Smart Travel Media to help you pack just right no matter where you are traveling: http://i.slimg.com/sc/ sl/graphic/c/ch/christine_ pack_list6_final.pdf. Fill it out before you start packing, then fill your suitcase only with the items you have indicated you will need for your trip. • To help you find the cheapest gas, at home or on a trip, install the GasBuddy app on your smartphone. Check it out at www.gasbuddy.com. 

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Festival Roundup

Things to See and Do

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.

April 30-May 2, Foley, Alabama 11th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival Enjoy tethered rides at dusk Friday and Saturday and a hot air balloon glow all nights, along with activities all day, at Foley Sports Complex. www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com

May 1, Islamorada Nick Sheahan Dolphin Rodeo Cash prizes—including $25,000 to the angler with the dolphin that beats the state record—is offered at Tavernier Creek Marina. The entry fee is $150 for adults, $35 for juniors. The event benefits a namesake community scholarship fund, distributing nearly $90,000 to date. www.nicksheahan.com; (305) 393-3733

May 1-3, Pensacola 31st Annual Crawfish Festival A taste of Louisiana comes to Bartram Park with crawfish poboys, crawfish pies, more than 16,000

pounds of boiled crawfish, chicken baskets, red beans and rice, deep-fried brownies and more. www.fiestaoffiveflags.org; (850) 433-6512

May 2, Key West Keystock Music Festival Head to the Truman Waterfront for an evening musical event sponsored by Lazy Lakes RV Resort and Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band. Proceeds benefit Homes for Veterans Inc. www.lazylakesrvresort.com; (305) 292-7729

May 2, Wauchula Cinco de Mayo Festival Cattleman’s Arena hosts the family friendly event that features music, food, bull riding, a pageant, folk dancers, mutton busting and more from 4 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10. www.peaceriverexplorations.com; (863) 767-9999

May 2, Perdido Key Rosamond Johnson Day Ceremony Share in a special remembrance of Korean War hero and Purple Heart recipient Rosamond Johnson, who was killed at age 17 while bravely attempting to save fellow soldiers. The celebration is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gulf Islands National Seashore. www.visitperdido.com; (850) 492-4660

May 6-10, Key West 20th Key West Songwriters’ Festival This showcase features America’s performing songwriters, with concerts in intimate settings. www.keywestsongwritersfestival.com; (305) 304-0814

May 7-8, Pensacola Naval Aviation Symposium Expert panels discuss tactical air reconnaissance, HA(L)-3 Seavolves, Navy assault helicopters in Vietnam and the future of naval aviation. A luncheon on May 7 features Jay Barbree, former NBC space correspondent and author of “Neil Armstrong: A Life of Flight.” www.navalaviationmuseum.org; (850) 452-3604

‘Reflections’ at Highlands Museum of the Arts Fifty original paintings by award-winning artist Luke Andrews featuring vibrant cityscapes and figures are displayed at the Highlands Museum of the Arts in Sebring through June. Andrews is a regular exhibitor in art galleries in Italy and throughout Europe. He is pictured with board members Cathy Albritton, Marie Boley, Barb Hall, Jeri Wohl, Anastasia Saunders and Nancy Palmer. For more information about the exhibit, visit www.highlandsartleague.org or call (863) 385-6682.

May 9, Panama City Beach 33rd Annual Gulf Coast Triathlon Headquartered at Edgewater Beach Resort, the event includes both sprint and half-iron contests for individuals and teams. The sprint includes a 500-yard swim, a 9-mile bike race and 3-mile run. The long course includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike race and 13.1-mile run. www.gulfcoasttriathlon.com

May 13-17, Panama City Beach Beach Blast Pilots from 16 countries compete in the world’s largest beachfront powered paragliding event in front of the Edgewater Beach Resort. www.beachblastppg.com

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Photo by Montserrat Cerf

A-Class Catamaran North American Championship

More than 50 boats are expected in Panama City from Tuesday, May 19, through Friday, May 22, for the A-Class Catamaran North American Championship, to be sailed on the waters of St. Andrews Bay. Racing starts each day at 12:30 p.m. Viewing is best from the city marina or along Beach Drive. For more information, visit www.acatnorthamericans.com or call (850) 769-2453.

May 14-17, Key Largo Key Largo’s Original Music Festival Enjoy food and entertainment during this singers and songwriters event. Multiple on-thewater venues feature Nashville’s hit songwriters and musicians, as well as local entertainers. Presented by the Upper Keys Business Group.

May 16, Pensacola Beach Pro Watercross Tour Watch world-class athletes compete in closedcourse personal watercraft racing and freestyle with big-air jumps and stunts.

www.keylargoriginalmusicfest.com; (305) 394-3736

May 16, Marathon Battle in the Bay Dragon Boat Festival The waters off Sombrero Beach host a day of dragon boat racing. Food, beverages, merchandise and entertainment are shoreside.

May 15, Pensacola 66th Annual Fiesta Day Parade Catch some beads and enjoy watching beautiful floats parade through downtown at 7:30 p.m. www.fiestaoffiveflags.org; (850) 433-6512

May 15-16, Key West Harry S. Truman Legacy Symposium “America’s Greatest Humanitarian Effort: The Marshall Plan,” is the topic of panel discussions, a reception and tours of the Little White House, where Truman spent many working vacations during his presidency. www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com; (305) 294-9911

May 16, Wewahitchka 25th Annual Tupelo Honey Festival Come to Lake Alice Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to taste and take home this delicacy, enjoy food vendors, arts and crafts, and live music. A blood drive runs until 1 p.m. www.tupelohoneyfestival.com; (850) 639-2605

www.pensacolasports.com; (850) 434-2800

May 17, Pensacola Beach Fiesta Family Sand Sculpture Contest Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Pensacola Beach Pavilion and judging is at 2 p.m. for the free competition, with more than $1,000 in cash and prizes awarded. Vote for your favorites. www.fiestaoffiveflags.org; (850) 433-6512

www.battleinthebaydragonboat.com; (813) 426-3544

May 16-17, Perdido Key Lionfish Festival and Tournament Divers and saltwater anglers are invited to remove lionfish from local reefs as part of a statewide cleanup. There is live music, family activities, a celebrity chef cook-off, filet demonstrations, food vendors, raffles, prizes and more at Plaza de Luna, Palafox Pier. www.gulfcoastlionfish.com

May 16-17, Pensacola Art in the Park Seville Square hosts more than 100 regional and national artists for a juried festival featuring ceramics, photography, jewelry, sculpture, paintings and more. www4.artintheparkpensacola.com; (850) 432-6247

May 20, Islamorada “Diving for a Living” The History of Diving Museum at MM 83 continues the free “Immerse Yourself!” series with this 7 p.m. seminar presented by Kerry Dillon. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy exhibits before the event. www.divingmuseum.org; (305) 664-9737

May 22-24, White Springs 63rd Annual Florida Folk Festival Enjoy cultural traditions from Florida’s many ethnic groups in the beautiful backdrop of Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. www.floridastateparks.org; (386) 397-7009

May 25, Islamorada Memorial Day Service The Matecumbe Historical Trust’s event begins at 9 a.m. at the Islamorada Hurricane Monument, MM 81.5 Overseas Highway. The program includes the history of the monument. (305) 393-0940

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Outdoor Pursuits

Enjoying the Natural World Around Us

Don’t Forsake Tried-andTrue Favorites Fishing catalogs feature hundreds of dazzling new lures each year. Who hasn’t been tempted to try a new doodad or two? Just make sure to leave room in your tackle box for these three types of tried-and-true bass busters. • Plastic worms and fluke baits. Gummy bait has been around since the dawn of modern fishing. It mimics natural bait, such as earthworms, minnows and other baitfish. It is simple, realistic, cheap and—most important of all—effective. A favorite use is the wacky rig, which works best for plastic worms. Hook the worm in its midsection, leaving equal amounts of the worm to dangle at both ends. The secret of this rig is the fluttering motion of the loose ends as the bait sinks. Bass can’t resist striking it. • Spinner baits. They are known by many names, and come in various colors and sizes. What all spinner baits have in common are a skirted hook to avoid snags and the spinning blades.

Get the recognition you deserve. Participate in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s catch-andrelease program called TrophyCatch. Get your picture on the website and have a chance to win prizes, including lures, rods and reels, gift cards and up to $10,000 cash. Go to www.myfwc.com/ fishing/freshwater/ fishing-tips/anglerrecognition for more information about this and other FWC recognition programs. Photo by Andy Bowlin

Those characteristics make them quite versatile, allowing the bait to dive, maneuver or skim the surface as needed. Spinner baits are effective because bass can actually hear, feel and see the lure as its blades spin and flash. The effect works well whether using a slow retrieve or a fast one. • Buzz baits. These lures are similar to spinner baits in that they have blades that spin as the lures move through the water. However, that is where the similarities end. Buzz baits come in many weights, shapes and sizes, some sporting as many as four blades. They get their name from the distinctive sound they make in the water. Rather than blades that flash, these blades churn the water

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

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to produce a throaty buzz. They are popular because they resist snags, and the blades can be bent to adjust the action of the lures. It also doesn’t hurt that they are extremely effective for catching bass. Free Fly-Fishing Clinics Fishing retailer Orvis sponsors free Fly-Fishing 101 clinics six weekends in May and June. Participating stores and outfitters are in Sandestin, Winter Haven, Ocala and other cities across the state. To see if there is one near you, visit www.orvis.com/ flyfishing101. Space is limited. Outdoors 101: Estimating Remaining Daylight A good skill to know is how to estimate how much daylight you have left when out fishing, hiking or boating. One way to do that is to measure time with your fingers. Generally, each finger equals 15 minutes. One hand equals an hour. Stack one hand on top of the other to

estimate two hours. Start by holding your hand horizontally, just above the horizon. Count the number of fingers or hands from the horizon to the bottom of the sun. That will give you a rough estimate of how much time you have until the sun sets. Estimates will vary, depending on latitude, time of year and the size of your hand. Practicing this technique will give you a more accurate estimate for each finger or hand. What Day is It? May 4, Bird Day May 5, Oyster Day May 15, National Bike to Work Day May 16, Love a Tree Day May 27, Sunscreen Day Show-and-Tell Time Send us your favorite outdoor photo, tip or story. If selected for publication in Florida Currents magazine, we will send you $25 for one-time use. Email your submission to info@floridacurrents.com.

Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Take Time to be Safe Did you know more than 140,000 fires are caused by electricity each year? Or that extension cords should not be used to provide power on a long-term or permanent basis? These facts are just the start toward understanding and appreciating electrical safety. In May, Glades Electric Cooperative and electric utilities across the country celebrate National Electrical Safety Month. Even though we dedicate the month to promoting and encouraging electrical safety, GEC strives to make safety a year-round priority for members and employees. The most effective way to practice electrical safety is to be aware of your surroundings and able to identify potential electrical hazards at work, at home and in your community. Although most people consider the home to be a place of protection and comfort, electrical hazards may be closer than you think.

Here are a few facts and tips from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the Electrical Safety Foundation Institution to help you put safety first: • Install smoke detectors in every bedroom, outside of each sleeping area and on every level of your home. Test them monthly and replace batteries annually to ensure they are working properly. Nearly two-thirds of firerelated fatalities result from fires in homes without working smoke alarms. • Assume all overhead power lines are energized, even if a wire is down or appears to be insulated. • Ensure all countertop appliances are located away from the sink. When you are finished cooking, always double check to make sure you turned off burners and appliances. Keep appliance cords away from hot surfaces such as the stove or toaster. • Frayed or damaged extension cords are dangerous

and never should be used. Damaged cords can expose wires and cause fires and shock hazards. • Use covers on outdoor power outlets, especially near swimming pools. Keep cords and electrical devices away from the water. Never handle any electrical device before you dry off. GEC values electrical safety and provides a

variety of employee training and education. In partnership with Seminole Electric Cooperative, GEC’s wholesale power provider, GEC is dedicated to providing you, our member-consumer, with safe and reliable electricity. Electrical safety awareness and education can save lives. For more electrical safety tips, visit www.gladesec.com or www.esfi.org. 

Glades Electric Cooperative Celebrates National Electrical Safety Month May is National Electrical Safety Month, and Glades Electric Cooperative is raising awareness about potential home electrical hazards and the importance of electrical safety. Every year, thousands of accidents occur due to shock hazards. Electric cooperatives are committed to educating the public about potential electrical dangers. In the U.S., home electrical failures or malfunctions cause more than 50,000 fires each year, resulting in 450 deaths, nearly 1,500 injuries and more than $1.5 billion in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association. “It is critical that members understand their home’s electrical system and the safety concerns associated with the latest

residential technologies before bringing them into their homes,” says Glades Electric CEO Jeff Brewington. “With newer technologies, such as solar panels, electric vehicles and more and more electrical gadgets in the home, members need to be well educated and make sure to have an electrical system that’s compatible with the increased load.” GEC strives for safety excellence year-round through safety presentations in schools and in the community, training and conferences to promote employee safety. The safety of our members and employees is a priority. Through electrical safety awareness and education, we can prevent electrical hazards and injuries.

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Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Feeding and Visiting With Legislators Great weather greets Florida electric cooperatives at annual cookout

There is one sure way to get the full attention of state politicians, and Florida electric cooperatives have figured it out. Host a gathering with amazing food from around the state and legislators are sure to come to you. Clay Electric Cooperative annually hosts this outdoor event. Participants such as Glades Electric Cooperative prepare foods reflective of their service area. The setting is the beautiful and historic Goodwood Museum and Gardens in Tallahassee, just a short drive from the Capitol. The March 11 gathering was a time to meet with legislators and discuss the future of electrical generation, transmission and distribution, as well as implications current or

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proposed legislation may have on the cooperatives’ members. Along with individual meetings, the cooperatives gather in a central location and invite the legislators to come to them for a relaxing atmosphere with great food. Glades Electric Cooperative offers fried gator tail, gator ribs and stuffed, baconwrapped jalapeno peppers. Legislators and their staffs look forward to this unique fare, and make a point to stop by and visit with their folks from back home. The neighborhood feel creates a comfortable setting in which representatives from GEC, including CEO Jeff Brewington, stand shoulder to shoulder with lawmakers and convey the ideas, comments and concerns of members.

Glades Electric Cooperative employee John Dean, left, works with GEC Trustees Barney Goodman and Jack Coxe to prepare food for the cookout. Below, Yvonne Bradley, left, director of employee services, and Michelle Brewington, wife of the cooperative’s CEO, serve the fried gator, gator ribs and jalapeno peppers.

It is a far cry from meeting legislators in their offices, where they are pressed for time, awaiting phone calls or have another appointment waiting in the next room. At the cookout, the legislators and their staffs can sit and visit with folks from their district and enjoy an uninterrupted conversation. It also is a terrific way for cooperative employees and trustees to mix and mingle with colleagues from other cooperatives, share ideas and overcome roadblocks. Meetings are scheduled through the Florida Electric Cooperative Association to report the status of pending legislation affecting cooperatives and develop materials to consolidate and clarify communications on upcoming issues of importance. This is critical to ensure

cooperatives are informed and deliver a consistent message to representatives in Tallahassee. Rural electric cooperatives enjoy a good reputation among lawmakers due to the integrity, openness and clarity of how they communicate the needs of their members. The cookout, as it has come to be called, is a great example of the cooperative principle Concern for Community. Glades Electric is pleased to have this opportunity to represent our members and the communities we serve, and carry their message to Tallahassee. We promise to always have our members’ best interests in mind and continue working hard to communicate their wants and needs to our legislators. We are proud to remain “Neighbors Working for Neighbors.” n

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Glades Electric

Neighbors Working for Neighbors

Make the Digital Switch Upgrade your lights from analog with LED bulbs By Anne Prince

Just as you upgraded your television, cable and telephone from an analog system to digital for better sound and picture quality, the lighting industry has been modernizing its options and products. For the past several years, traditional incandescent bulbs have been phased out in favor of halogen and compact fluorescent lights that offer greater efficiency. More recent innovations have focused on light-emitting diodes. LED bulbs are essentially digital light. Known for their longevity and efficiency, LEDs have an estimated operational life span of up to 50,000 hours. This equates to 17 years of continuous operation, or 34 years of 50 percent operation. LEDs are different from fluorescent and incandescent light sources, which

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contain a gas or filament. LEDs use semiconductors to create light. Two conductive materials are placed together on a chip, or a diode. Electricity passes through the diode, releasing energy in the form of light. Unlike fluorescent lights that require a few minutes to warm up before reaching their full level of brightness, LEDs achieve full illumination immediately. Analog-era lighting operates at only 20 percent energy efficiency. Eighty percent of the electricity from those bulbs is lost as heat. That inefficiency affects your wallet. If your electric bill for lighting with traditional bulbs is $100, you are spending $80 to heat the room instead of light it. Using LED illumination with 80 percent efficiency, your electricity cost would be about $20, saving you $80. LEDs are ideal for outdoor use due to their durability. They are resistant to vibrations, shock and external impacts such as exposure to weather, wind and rain.

Unlike fluorescent lights, which may not operate as well in colder temperatures, LEDs are temperature-resistant. LEDs also can be dimmed, allowing maximum flexibility in use. If you have a portable generator or battery backup, LED lights are a smart complement. Because they draw so little power, using LEDs instead of other bulbs allows you to illuminate more areas or use the saved energy for other applications. When buying an LED, look for the Energy Star label to ensure you have a high-quality product. Some bulbs manufactured outside of the United States use components that produce low light levels, do not stand up on service life or have exaggerated energy-saving claims. Like any other purchase, research before you buy. Visit www.energystar.gov for more information about LED lights. While LEDs generally cost more to buy than fluorescent and incandescent lights, they are much less expensive to operate over time because they are energy efficient and long-lasting. As with other electronics, prices are expected to fall as more products enter the market. But make the switch from analog to digital, and you will see an increase in your home energy efficiency and a decrease in your energy costs. To compare LEDs to new energyefficient incandescent bulbs and CFLs, visit www.energy.gov/energysaver. The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ free app, “Save Energy, Save Money” for iPhone, iPad and Android devices, includes a lighting calculator that shows the potential savings from replacing incandescent lamps with CFLs or LEDs. To learn about more ways to save energy around the home, talk to a member service representative at Glades Electric Cooperative at (863) 946-6200. n

Annual Meetings From Then and Now Members gathering each year is a tradition for Glades Electric Cooperative. The top two photos are from the cooperative’s archives. At right is a photo from the 2015 annual meeting, bridging the gap between old and new. Claude Howerton served as a Trustee from the 1950s to 1982, when he was elected to the Highland County Commissioners. This was the first time he attended an annual meeting since he was a Trustee. He says he figured the 70-year anniversary was a good time to return.

Stay Connected: Update Your Contact Information Rough weather will occur, and power outages sometimes cannot be avoided. But did you know you can ensure your electricity is restored as quickly and safely as possible? By keeping your contact information current, you can take full advantage of the services oﬀered by Glades Electric Cooperative. You may have noticed prompts through GEC’s Facebook page, Florida Currents magazine and bill statements asking for your updated contact information. That is because if GEC does not have the correct phone number linked to your home address, it makes it much more diﬃcult for you to report an outage. Remember when you had to speak to a member service representative to report an outage? Waiting on hold can be frustrating and time consuming. Today, you can report an outage with the press of a button. GEC uses the phone number you provide to link your service

address to the outage management system. When you call, GEC’s automated system instantly recognizes your phone number and can determine the particular service address from which you are reporting an outage. Once you give the system a response, your outage is reported. It is that simple. But this only works if your current phone number is linked to your service address. Updating your contact information also speeds up the power restoration process. With correct information, GEC’s outage management system can predict the location and possible cause of an outage, making it easier for crews to correct the problem. You also can sign up for an Alerts & Reminder service that notifies you via text or email for bill pay reminders and account notifications. Call (863) 946-6200 and make sure you are up to date.

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Parting Shot

Readers Share Their Special Photos

Tell Us Your Car Story! Do you own an awesome car, truck, tractor or other vehicle? It can be the prettiest, ugliest, fastest or most colorful around. Florida Currents wants to explore America’s obsession with vehicle 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. If submitting prints, please send high-quality copies rather

than originals. Do not write on the backs of photos because the ink can transfer from one photo to another and ruin it. Please include caption information and your story on a separate piece of paper. Do not forget to include your mailing address for payment.

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

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

Board of Trustees John “Jack” Coxe, President, District 8 Lake Josephine, (863) 655-3056 James “Jim” Aul, Vice President, District 7 Lorida, (863) 441-0441 Russell Henderson, Sec./Treas., District 3 Ortona and Palmdale, (863) 946-0865 Donnie Lundy, Trustee, District 1 Moore Haven, (863) 946-0402 Barney Goodman, Trustee, District 2 Hendry County, (561) 414-8837 Shannon Hall, Trustee, District 4 Lakeport and Brighton, (863) 946-3242 Ladd Bass, Trustee, District 5 Venus and Hicoria, (863) 441-2227 Lee Henderson, Trustee, District 6 Highlands Park, (863) 633-9281 Angela Hodges, Trustee, District 9 Okeechobee, (863) 801-3140 The next meeting of the Board will be at 9 a.m. May 28 at the Moore Haven headquarters office. Any changes to this schedule will be posted in the lobby of all three district offices.

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

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FL-153

CEO’s Message

Saluting Our Linemen

Members, thank you for attending your 70th Annual Meeting. I really enjoyed meeting you all face to face, and sincerely appreciate your comments and questions. There is a great summary article beginning on page 4 of this issue for those of you who may have missed the event. I look forward to seeing you all again next year when we return to Lake Placid. Acknowledging the perils and devotion of a lineman’s life, last December the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association passed a resolution to declare a national day of recognition. The resolution sets the second Monday of April Glades Electric Cooperative CEO Jeff Brewington with a framed copy of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association as National Lineman resolution honoring the nation’s linemen. It hangs on the Appreciation Day. Lineman’s Wall of Fame in the cooperative’s boardroom. To honor our linemen on the first National Lineman Appreciation Day on April 13, we took our Lake Placid linemen to breakfast and our Moore Haven linemen to lunch. A framed copy of the NRECA resolution was presented to each group as they were recognized. The resolution hangs in our boardroom on our Lineman’s Wall of Fame. Please consider giving these deserving guys a thumbs up the next time you see them in the field.