Issuu

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative

AU G U S T 2015

Trip of a Lifetime Billy Bradley and Lexi Rudd saw the Washington Monument and all of the major sights in the nation’s capital as representatives of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative during the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Washington Youth Tour. Read more on page 4. PHOTO BY ALISIA HOUNSHELL

GCEC Awards Scholarships PAGE 6

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Tracking Down Electricity Thieves PAGE 28

Gulf Coast

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Inside

August 2015 Vol. 4, No. 10

History Re-Enacted 10

Chad Light tells the story of St. Augustine as he takes on the persona of explorers who discovered the area. Also In This Issue Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Great Picture Hunt 18

Festival Roundup 22 Outdoor Pursuits 24 Parting Shot 30

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

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Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative representatives Billy Bradley and Lexi Rudd saw all of the major attractions in and around the nationâ€™s capital during a whirlwind week of sightseeing. Among the stops were, clockwise from top, Arlington National Cemetery, the White House and the Lincoln Memorialâ€”a good backdrop for Lexi to take a selfie with her new friends. Photos by Mark Sellers

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Gulf Coast

Students Tour Nation’s Capital Local pair joins youth from around the country for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to visit Washington, D.C. Billy Bradley and Lexi Rudd, seniors at Deane Bozeman School, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Washington Youth Tour. Billy and Lexi were eligible for the trip as winners of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s Youth Tour contest. Each year, the cooperative sponsors the contest for 11thgraders whose parents or guardians are members of GCEC. Contestants are interviewed by a panel of three judges from the electric cooperative industry. Two winners are chosen to travel on the allexpenses-paid trip to the nation’s capital in June. While in Washington, the students toured museums; Arlington National Cemetery; the Iwo Jima Monument; the U.S. Capitol area; the mall; the Korean, Lincoln, Vietnam, FDR, Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr. and World War II memorials; Mount Vernon; and the National Cathedral. They also attended the U.S. Marine Corps Sunset Parade, a boat cruise and dance on the Potomac River and a play at the Kennedy Center. A highlight was the National Youth Day rally, where they joined nearly 2,000 students representing electric cooperatives from across the United States. “We were proud to have Billy and Lexi representing Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative in Washington,” said GCEC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kristin Evans. “Over and over again, the Youth Tour trip has been referred to as the trip of a lifetime, and we hope that it truly was for these exceptional students.” The Youth Tour program started in 1957 when co-ops sent students to Washington, D.C., to work during the summer. By 1964, the program caught on, and NRECA began coordinating the effort. Since then, thousands of young people have experienced this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit our nation’s capital and learn about our government. n

Students representing electric cooperatives from throughout Florida traveled by chartered bus during their tour of Washington, D.C. The group is dwarfed by the National Cathedral. Photo by Alisia Hounshell AU G U S T 2 0 1 5

Gulf Coast

GCEC Awards Scholarships Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative recently awarded nine scholarships—eight to recent 2015 graduates and one to the AfricanAmerican Collegiate Scholarship Fund. Each award was for $250. Recipients of individual honors were: • Braylee Brown, Bay High School • Samantha Gardner, Deane Bozeman School • Cordale Green, Wewahitchka High School • Caleb Greenwood, Port St. Joe High School • Genny Kunkel, Vernon High School • Logan Lee, Rutherford High School • Santana Lee, Blountstown High School • Logan Sweares, Altha Public School Kristin Evans, GCEC vice president of marketing and communications, presented the scholarships. “Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative recognizes how important education is to the youth of our community,” Evans said. “For this reason, we are proud to award scholarships to students in our service area who reside with a parent or guardian who is a GCEC member.” n

Roy Lee Carter of the African-American Collegiate Scholarship Fund.

Braylee Brown, Bay High School.

Samantha Gardner, Deane Bozeman School. 6

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Cordale Green, Wewahitchka High School.

Logan Lee, Rutherford High School.

Caleb Greenwood, Port St. Joe High School.

Santana Lee, Blountstown High School.

Genny Kunkel, Vernon High School.

Logan Sweares, Altha Public School.

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Gulf Coast

More SEER Means More Savings

Office numbers:

Southport .............. (850) 265-3631 Wewahitchka ......... (850) 639-2216 Panama City .......... (850) 481-1188

Every summer as the temperature and air conditioner use rises, so do questions about energy costs. Although as much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating, ventilation and air conditioning, it can be tough to consider the long-term payback of a more energy-efficient HVAC unit. As a result, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative offers a heat pump rebate of up to $600 per ton to members who upgrade their heat pumps to a more energy-efficient air-source, dual-fuel or geothermal model. The heat pump must be installed by an HVAC contractor on GCEC’s approved list. The program is our way of rewarding your efforts to be more energy efficient. Air conditioners are measured by the seasonal energy-efficiency ratio. SEER is calculated by dividing the amount of cooling provided during a normal year by energy used. Regardless of your HVAC unit’s current SEER rating, replacing your unit with one rated higher can bring lower energy costs—as much as 10 percent on cooling costs—as long as everything is installed correctly. The higher the SEER, the higher the initial investment. That is why GCEC’s rebates make a big difference. Why not upgrade today and start enjoying savings? For more information, call us at one of our office numbers listed at left, or visit our website at www.gcec.com. 

Reduce Electrical Demand With H2O Plus H2O Plus, a program available to you from Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, can dramatically reduce the demand for electricity. But we need your participation. Using energy wisely has never been easier. A device is installed on your electric water heater that allows our power supplier to cycle your unit for short periods. By managing energy use when demand is high—when you and your neighbors are using the most electricity— our supplier can reduce demand when electricity is most expensive, delaying the need to build facilities to generate more power, alleviating or pushing those costs out to the future. An added benefit is reducing the

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amount of greenhouse gases, thereby helping the environment. You still will have enough hot water for showers and household chores. In fact, you shouldn’t even notice a difference in the amount of hot water available. For more information, please call GCEC Energy Services Representative Manuela Heyn. She will take down your information and, after ensuring the program is a good fit for your household, schedule an installer to visit your home and install the device at no cost to you. In fact, for your participation, we will make a one-time credit of $25 to your electric bill. We look forward to hearing from you soon. 

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Requires two C batteries and one AA battery, not included.

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Side Roads

Discoveries Oﬀ the Beaten Path

History Re-Enacted Chad Light tells the story of St. Augustine as he takes on the persona of explorers who discovered the area By Pam Windsor

Postcards From Florida

Southernmost Point, Key West

Photo by Pam

Blair

A massive, colorful concrete buoy marks the Southernmost Point in the continental United States. Erected in 1983 by the city of Key West, it sits at the corner of South and Whitehead streets. Originally, the spot was marked with a sign. It was often stolen, so the city placed a marker that could not be removed. Tourists from around the world visit to take photos. Watch people come and go at www.southernmostpointwebcam.com. 10

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For the past six years or so, Chad Light has been the man behind the two Spanish explorers responsible for discovering St. Augustine. If not dressed up and portraying Juan Ponce de Leon, the first European to set foot on this part of Florida in 1513, he is portraying Pedro Menendez de Aviles, the man who founded the city in 1565. This year marks the 450th anniversary of America’s oldest city. “Two or three times a month, I’m making appearances at different functions,” says Chad. Like so many others who live in St. Augustine, Chad says he feels a responsibility to share a piece of history so many Americans know so little about. “We know the Spanish were here before the British, but nobody outside St. Augustine knows that,” he says. Most people believe Jamestown, Virginia—the first permanent English settlement—is America’s oldest city. “We have teachers and licensed educators who look at you like the RCA dog on the phonograph when you tell them it’s St. Augustine,” Chad says. “Jamestown is just so ingrained as a national site. So you present them with the numbers: 1565 came before 1607.” Chad’s love and appreciation of history—specifically St. Augustine’s— comes from his parents. His father taught history at the college level and drove home the importance of knowing where you come from. His mother is a native of St. Augustine. Part of her family goes back 16 generations in the area. “Although I did not live here as a child, I spent my summers here, and my relatives and cousins were here,” Chad says. “It was definitely home base.” He moved back as an adult. An actor, director and producer by trade, Chad was first asked to play Ponce de Leon

Chad Light invites visitors to St. Augustine during his portrayal of Pedro Menendez de Aviles, above, and makes landfall in a re-enactment of Ponce de Leon’s landing, opposite page. Photos courtesy of www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com

after he did well portraying a conquistador on a trip with the state’s governor to promote Florida tourism. Chad takes his roles as Ponce de Leon and Menendez de Aviles seriously. He says he rarely relaxes or watches TV, using much of his free time to study. “I have a passion for accurate history,” he says. “You need to know the details inside and out, not just about their lives, but about the world they lived in.” Evidence of that world—as well as their Spanish heritage and influences—are found throughout St. Augustine. Chad’s dedication to sharing and teaching St. Augustine’s history runs so deep he volunteers his time and invests his own money in costumes and accessories. “Over the past six years, I’ve spent over $20,000,” he admits, noting he has the tax records to prove it. He says props are critical in getting people interested enough to hear the stories and the history behind them. Kids, especially, lock eyes on the swords.

Spanish Style Remains

“Everything about your behavior, your clothing, the accoutrements you’re wearing—and swords are included in that—matter,” Chad says. “If someone approaches you and asks a question, that’s your opening to get people interested in learning more. You want them to find it fascinating, to be interested in their own history.” Chad and other volunteers are involved in numerous events marking St. Augustine’s anniversary—especially in September, when the city plans a historical re-enactment of the Menendez de Aviles landing, a music festival, Spanish wine festival and more. The re-enactment will be an international event capped by a procession from the landing site to The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine for a commemorative Mass. The king and queen of Spain have been invited to join in the festivities.

“There will be ships from around the United States, several hundred re-enactors, a lot of dignitaries from Spain, as well as Florida and Latin America,” Chad says. “All in all, we expect about 300 people to be in this procession.” Chad’s devotion to Florida’s history extends beyond the St. Augustine anniversary. He has been involved in a recent documentary on African Americans’ history in Florida called “Journey: 450 Years of the African-American Experience.” Self-described as “Florida-centric,” Chad says he plans to continue helping others discover all he has learned and continues to learn about his amazing state. n Anniversary events in September include a musical festival September 4-5; the Menendez de Aviles landing re-enactment, procession, commemorative Mass and street festival, September 8; and Spanish wine festival, September 9-12. For a full list of anniversary festivities, visit www.StAugustine-450. com or Facebook.com/450th.

Forty-two years before the English colonized Jamestown, Virginia, and 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, the Spanish established America’s first enduring settlement at St. Augustine. Turbulent times took a toll on the town’s earliest structures. Only the Castillo de San Marcos, completed in the late 17th century, survived destruction of the city from invading British forces in 1702. However, vestiges of the colonial period remain, with 36 buildings and 40 reconstructed models standing in the Historic Colonial District. The narrow streets and balconied houses also are identified with the architectural style introduced by settlers from Spain. The Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the country, sits in the middle of downtown. Built in 1887, the former Hotel Ponce de Leon now houses Flagler College. Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, a popular attraction for visitors to St. Augustine, sits on the original site of the Spanish settlement. While there is debate about whether Ponce de Leon actually discovered the Fountain of Youth, the artesian spring here was used by the Timucua Indians long before the Spanish arrived.

Photo by Pam Windsor

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An American Romance Readers share photos and the stories behind the vehicles they love

1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 In 1958, my father, Gary McGehee, bought this for $3,695. The car has always been lovingly referred to as “The Queen.” Garage- kept, all original and having only 24,961 miles on it, Papa turned the keys over to his oldest grandson, my son, Joshua, in 2008 on the 50th anniversary of purchasing the car. Still garage-kept at the family farm and all original, having only 25,132 miles on it, Joshua and The Queen can occasionally be seen cruising down Highway 66 and Payne Road in Sebring. —Beth Weldy, Sebring

1954 International When I was 15, I bought a 1954 International. The truck was up on blocks and did not run. I went to junk yards for parts and hand painted it. I purchased it for $20, and two years and a lot of teenage driving memories later I sold it for $200. Years later I regretted having sold it and started looking for one, not realizing how rare it was. In 2011, a friend saw this one in a trade magazine, so 41 years later I bought this one with an original off-frame restoration. The color, Apache Yellow, is the original color of the truck. What a find! Now I enjoy it with my wife. We are making more memories traveling at a slower pace and getting ice cream with our grandchildren. —David Page, River Ranch (and Indiana)

2012 Chevrolet Corvette Many years ago, my husband and I had a red Corvette. Financial issues forced us to give her up. Life is now good, and we decided that the time had come. A replacement was purchased just days ago. Who said you only live once? —Jeanne and George Richter, Marathon

1966 Chevrolet Corvette I was a contractor in Pennsylvania many years ago. This lady wanted a new kitchen so I negotiated for this Corvette. Contract price: $2,500. My wife wants to sell it, but I want to pass it on to one of my children. My wife says two sons and one grandson— all would like to have it, but there’s only one Corvette. —Richard Hannan, Lake Wales

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1957 Chevrolet Belair and 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS My husband, Rick, purchased his two-door hardtop in 1968. He pulled the motor and sold it before going into the service for three years. He didn’t want his baby brother to drive it. When he returned, he got it ready to drag race. He dropped a 327ci 450hp in it and a Muncie M22 4-speed. He removed the power steering for better control and changed to bucket seats. After racing for a few years and having a lot of fun with it, he slowly started to do a frame off restoration. He put it back to look like the original, with a few modifications. It now has a 350ci 340hp, dual Edelbrock Thunder series carbs, Muncie 4-speed, awesome repaint of Corvette yellow and original interior with upgraded sound system. He just retired from being a master tech, so he knows how to keep it running. A few years ago, we went to Phoenix to purchase a 1969 Camaro SS—much like my first muscle car I didn’t keep—and drove it back here. Now we are both on the road again in our nostalgic rides. Life is good! —Nancy Yenter, Panama City

1957 Thunderbird E-Code It began in high school, but didn’t continue until I came home after college and he came home after the service in 1964. We ran into one another at the beach, talked and went our own way. The next weekend, we both went looking for one another. Jim was driving his ’57 T-Bird E code (2-4 carbs) with 3-speed overdrive, of which they made few. Most E codes were automatics. It still is my favorite of all our cars. In the 50 years we have been married, we have acquired a ’66 Ford Fairlane GT 390 ci with a 4-speed, a ’73 Plymouth GTX Roadrunner with a 440 ci, ’87 and ’90 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupes, and two cars that still need restoring: a ’55 Thunderbird and a ’67 Ford Fairlane R code convertible. He keeps his old cars and his old women, so I know I’m safe. —Robin Worley, Lake Placid

1994 Chevrolet Corvette I have always loved Corvettes, especially the look of the C-4 series, 1984 to 1996. I thought someday I would like to own one. A little over a year ago, my wife, Linda, bought me this one for my 70th birthday. I now enjoy restoring it to its original condition and showing it in local car shows and cruise nights. My car has already won its first trophy. —David Wellette, Parrish

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1995 Jeep Wrangler I have been a Batman fan since I was a little kid. After purchasing this flat black Jeep, I decided to make it a little more interesting looking by adding pinstripes and door bats. Still more stuff to come for the Batmojeep. If I can make even one person a day smile, I have reached my goal.

1964 Chevelle Malibu SS For most of my life, Dad’s car had always been “a hunk of junk”—at least that’s what everyone called it. The car was tinkered with here and there, but mostly sat underneath the hot South Florida elements and, indeed, looked like a rusted piece of junk. Dad thought (and knew) differently. You see, Dad’s car, Lou’s Boo, was a hot rod drag racing machine in its day, racing on the Thunder Valley drag strip in Bristol, Tennessee. Dad had plenty of trophies. He and his cars were well known around that town. Don’t mess with Lou! I didn’t know much about Dad’s obsession with his cars other than he could fix them all—no matter make, model or year. Dad would make deals to buy cars for $50 and then resell them for $100. Dad became ill in the late ’90s and kept tinkering with his cars. In the mid-2000s, it was clear Dad’s health was deteriorating, and one of the things he wanted most was to fix up his Boo. Thinking this would be an opportunity to make Dad happy his last few years, I offered to do the project. Little did I realize, Dad wanted ME to fix it—hands-on, with his guidance and supervision. I don’t get my hands dirty too often; just not that kind of gal. But to honor Dad, I said yes. We went through catalogs and picked out some of the parts he thought the car needed. I highlighted all the screws, door knobs, window cranks, door locks, etc. adding a Post-it note on each page with the directions Dad told me. After taking a look at all of the Post-it notes and highlights, I knew I could never do this by myself. As life happens, I simply could not get to the project. Dad passed in early 2009; the car was in the same shape it had been in, and I felt guilty about not being able to fix Dad’s car as I promised. This project became a priority. I was going to do this for Dad. A few months after my father’s passing, we found someone who was willing to restore Dad’s car. I was elated. My mom cried when the tow truck came to take the car away, but I assured her it would be OK. Four years later, we have Dad’s car, restored to what he wanted with the integrity of keeping Dad’s spirit. Every Sunday morning, I take a short drive thinking about him. I know Dad’s with me and enjoying the ride. I’m not really sure what’ll happen to Lou’s Boo in the future, other than enjoying it and remembering Dad. I know for certain though, no one will ever again think of it as a “hunk of junk.”

—Mika Reijonen, Lorida

—Tracy Hess, Ft. Lauderdale

1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria This underwent a complete restoration in 2010 and we enjoy driving and showing it. The mandarin orange paint color was only offered in 1956. —Terry and Sylvia Winpigler, Palmetto

1990 Mazda Miata MX5 We have a vacation home in the Upper Keys and come almost every weekend to relax in our Florida paradise. I look forward to driving my little convertible in the company of my dog, Beauty, with the top down. I drove the Miata for the first time back in San Jose, California. My friend Steve was looking to buy a car and he wanted my opinion. I loved it. The car was fun to drive, and I was surprised to experience how fast and powerful that little engine was. I dreamed about driving the Miata again, and my dream became a reality thanks to my good friends, who gave it to me about five years ago. The blue Miata became our vacation home car. —Raul Medina, Key Largo

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1960 Plymouth Savoy I drive this every day. Pulled it out of the woods in 2009 and spent five years restoring and upgrading it to a usable vehicle. I owned one of these in 1960 when I was 20 years old, and when I found this one I turned it into my time machine. I get in and put on a ’50s or ’60s rock ’n’ roll tape, and if you don’t look around too much while driving it is like going back in time. 1960 was the first year of Chrysler’s slant six engine. With a few modifications to run on unleaded fuel, it is the original engine. It does not burn oil and runs beautiful. I have put over 50,000 enjoyable miles on it. It is nice to own a little piece of the past, as most cars today all look the same. You can spot this car a block away. Looks like a whale in a goldfish bowl. —Stephen Susta, McDavid

2001 Diablo Lamborghini and 2006 Ford GT Here are two of my exotic cars. My wife and I drive them each year in the Toys for Tots charity parade among 250 other exotics. The Diablo was a special edition Lamborghini, created when Audi bought the company in 2001. They produced only 10 cars in Monterey blue worldwide. The Ford GT was a special edition run to celebrate the 40th anniversary of winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. This car was one of 318 GTs painted in the Gulf Heritage colors, the same as the car that won the Le Mans in 1996. —Don Firth, Key Largo

2000 Ford F-250 conversion My husband, Crockett, built this truck for our family of six. We often take friends and family with us on road trips, but finding room for all of us plus anyone else was difficult. I have had this four-door Ford for about eight years, and this year my husband chopped the back off of it and attached the back two doors from another four door onto mine, making it a six door. I’m proud of him and super proud of my ride that he built me. —Monica Turner, Lake Placid

1956 Dodge C1 This was purchased in the Los Angeles area in March 2013. We went with another couple. We agreed to fund the fuel and eating expenses. They supplied lodging in their motorhome. To make the trip more interesting, my friend had been looking for a 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan and had seen one for sale in the LA area. I told him if his plan to buy it failed, I had seen an advertisement for a 1956 Dodge pickup. After all, we could tow only one vehicle behind the motorhome. Turns out the car had been sold several years ago. I got in contact with the seller, and the rest is history. The truck was last driven in 1984 and put in storage. Upon arriving back in Florida, I got it running and used it for several months. I decided to rebuild the engine and transmission, rebuild the radiator, upholster the seat and install power steering. The truck has been modified with a Mopar 383 V8 engine with an 883 four-speed transmission with a Hurst floor shifter. The truck is an everyday driver now, but a wood bed re-floor and new paint is in the near future. The primer paint isn’t an issue at this time and is kind of unique. —George Fowler, Bradenton

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In the Kitchen

Recipes That Satisfy

Big Flavor, Little Time When crunched for time, choose recipes with basic ingredients and easy preparation Chile Lime Tacos ½ pound Yukon Gold or red potatoes, cut into bite-size cubes Olive oil cooking spray 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced 1/4 cup poblano, Anaheim or bell pepper, finely chopped 1 teaspoon Mexican seasoning blend 1/2 cup red chile enchilada sauce 1/2 cup reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, shredded 8 small corn tortillas, warmed, or crunchy taco shells 8 lime wedges Optional toppings: shredded cabbage or romaine lettuce, diced tomato, diced avocado, thinly sliced radishes, fresh cilantro leaves, salsa

Place the potatoes in a microwavesafe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 5 to 7 minutes. Liberally spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Add the potatoes and onion; cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring and coating with cooking spray occasionally. Stir in the chicken, pepper and seasoning, and cook 5 minutes more. Add the red chile enchilada sauce and simmer 5 minutes. Place equal amounts of cheese on each tortilla and heat in a skillet until cheese is melted. Add the potato mixture and any other desired toppings. Serve with lime wedges. Serves 4

Courtesy of Wisconsin Potatoes

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With a preparation time of 5 minutes and a cooking time of 20 minutes, chili lime tacos are ready in a flash.

Easy Chicken Parmesan 15-ounce can tomato sauce 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided 6 small boneless skinless chicken breasts, approximately 1½ pounds 3/4 pound spaghetti, uncooked 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat oven to 375 F. Pour the tomato sauce and undrained tomatoes into a 13-inch-by-9-inch baking dish. Stir in 4 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese. Add the chicken; turn to evenly coat both sides of each breast with sauce. Cover and bake 30 minutes or until chicken is done (165 F). Meanwhile, cook spaghetti as directed on package, omitting salt. Top the chicken mixture with the remaining Parmesan cheese and the

Create a filling salad by topping mixed greens with sliced pork, apples and nuts.

mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until mozzarella is melted. Drain the spaghetti. Serve topped with chicken and sauce.

bowl. Garnish with nuts and serve with your favorite salad dressing.

Courtesy of Hunts

Classic Spaghetti and Parmesan Meatballs

Serves 6

Fresh Pork and Apple Salad 1 pork tenderloin, seasoned with peppercorn and garlic 7-ounce bag mixed salad greens 2 apples, thinly sliced 1½ cups assorted fresh vegetables cut into bite-sized pieces (red onions, sugar snap peas, radishes) 1 cup cashews or almonds

Cut the tenderloin into thin strips or cubes. Heat a large skillet over high heat; spray with nonstick cooking spray. Sauté the pork strips for 2 to 3 minutes until browned. Layer the salad greens, apples, vegetables and tenderloin in a large

Serves: 6

Courtesy of Smithfield

1 pound ground round beef 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided 1/4 cup fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley, chopped 1 egg, slightly beaten 3 teaspoons garlic, finely chopped and divided 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon olive oil 3/4 cup yellow onion, finely chopped 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained 2 cups tomato sauce 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 12 ounces dry spaghetti, uncooked

Heat oven to 375 F. Combine the beef, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, 1 teaspoon garlic and salt in a medium bowl. Divide the mixture into 12 portions; shape into balls and place on shallow baking pan lined with aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until done (160 F). Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and cook 4 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add the remaining garlic; cook 1 minute more or until fragrant. Stir in undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, remaining Parmesan cheese, basil and sugar. Bring to a boil. Add meatballs to the sauce and gently stir to coat. Reduce the heat and simmer 10 minutes or until sauce has thickened slightly, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain. Top with sauce, meatballs and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serves 6

Courtesy of Hunts

Tuna Edamame Salad 1 cup frozen shelled edamame, cooked according to package directions 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half 1 cup carrots, shredded 6-ounce can tuna, water packed, drained ½ cup golden raisins ¼ cup red onion, diced ¼ cup reduced-fat Italian salad dressing Pita bread or whole grain crackers (optional)

Mix the edamame, tomatoes, carrots, tuna, raisins and onion in a medium bowl. Pour dressing over the salad and toss until combined. Serve with pita bread halves or whole grain crackers. Serves 4

Courtesy of Soyfoods Association of North American

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The Great Picture Hunt

Photo Tips from David LaBelle

The Wisdom of Picking a Spot Early in my career, I covered a lot of college and professional sporting events. I remember pacing the sidelines of football games concerned that the best pictures were happening on the other side of the field—in a spot where I wasn’t. I would stride from end zone to end zone, always trying to get a better position or angle for key plays. Then, one day, I watched a veteran photographer at work. This man had covered the sport for years. Calmly, he chose one spot, used a long telephoto lens on one camera body and a shorter lens on a second body that he kept at his side. He didn’t get up and down continually, or run around like a chicken with its head cut off. He knew the game and where key action was most likely to happen. Instead of chasing every play, he let the action come to him. A Lesson in Patience I learned a lot watching that professional, and eventually I learned the value of slowing down and picking a good spot.

In a way, my early, unsettled shooting behavior was a metaphor for my young life— always moving, never sitting still long enough to let the fruit ripen or allow the play to come to me. Though I occasionally revert to such hyperactivity when shooting important events, now I am much more likely to pick a spot and let the game come to me. This approach has served me well when I photograph news events, sports and wildlife. By slowing down and choosing a good vantage point from which to watch and shoot, you are more likely to feel the rhythm of an event and be better able to anticipate where the representative

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

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or meaningful picture will happen. Sitting still and observing—whether your camera is in your lap or on a tripod—also should help you make more deliberate, more artistic compositions. It also should increase the odds of getting your subjects in sharp focus. Best Seat in the House I suggest you find a “watering hole,” a place where the animals—or humans—come to eat or drink or think. Not only will you enjoy watching natural behavior play out, you also might enjoy experiencing peaceful, introspective thoughts, without a telephone or a computer. Pick a spot—a bus stop or a park bench—where people congregate. If you happen to see a great picture and miss it one day, chances are the scene will repeat itself another day. People and animals are creatures of habit. There are people who eat their lunch on the same park bench every day for years. They often

Photo by David LaBelle

repeat behaviors. Be sensitive, move slowly and make eye contact when possible. Not everyone appreciates candid photography. Usually a smile dismisses fear, but courtesy sometimes dictates you offer subjects an explanation and perhaps even ask their permission, depending on the location and how you intend to use the pictures. We live in a country where we still enjoy the freedom to photograph just about anything the public can see. How you use or share photographs you make is another matter. There are photo hackers and there are artists. Like unskilled hunters, photo hackers thrash about scaring game, get in the way of others or generally cause a scene. Artists, on the other hand, are invisible. They move slowly, observe and appreciate, while considering how to arrange what they see in their medium of choice. Be an artist. A patient one. 

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Travel Journal

Satisfying the Appetite for Wanderlust

Starry Nights: A Chance to Cool Off

If you are into exploring beyond the borders of Florida to the edges of the universe, August is a great month to check out your nearby planetariums and observatories. Not only is this a great way to escape the heat, but the Perseid meteor shower peaks August 12-15. Florida offers many ways to view this fantastic light show in the early morning sky. The state’s dozens of observatories and planetariums offer real-time sky observations, animated high-tech shows and even HD movies. Check out the surface of the moon through a high-powered telescope or settle in for an entertaining look at all things astronomy, suitable for all ages. Shrinking the Universe Planetariums bring Earthdwellers closer to the edges of the universe. Even if you are not a science geek, the shows are mind-boggling. As one of Florida’s newest, the Planetarium at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach (www.moas. org) takes visitors through the wonders of the universe in a 94-seat theater under a 40-foot observation dome with surround sound. “The Sky Tonight” highlights celestial happenings in real time.

Photo courtesy of the Planetarium at the Museum of Arts and Sciences

The Miami Planetarium at the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science (www. miamisci.org) is home to the Public Broadcasting System’s “Jack Horkheimer’s Stargazers,” an internationally syndicated astronomy show. With a 65-foot dome, the 231-seat theater immerses guests in a three-dimensional experience. The first Friday of each month, guests can view solar systems and deep-sky objects, including the rings of Saturn, galaxies and double stars. Mark Bennett, planetarium manager, says to grab a lawn chair, find a dark-sky location away from the city and just look up. Scan

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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the sky toward the northeast. For folks in the Panhandle, check out the Tallahassee Astronomical Society (www. stargazers.org). Club member Ken Kopczynski says the volunteer club has a dark site about 20 miles east of Tallahassee at Cypress Landing that is open to the public during significant astronomical events, including the peak of the Perseids. The club also hosts a free planetarium show the first Saturday of each month at the Challenger Learning Center downtown (www.challengertlh.com).

Many of Florida’s colleges and universities operate observatories. Check with one near you to find out when these facilities are open to the public. If you are not into crowds, beaches away from populated areas and many of Florida’s

state parks offer excellent viewing opportunities. August Travel Tips • Slather on the sunscreen when headed outside, even if it is overcast. Apply a pingpong ball amount liberally, and refresh every couple of hours—more if you have been in the water or perspire a lot. • Don’t be a bug magnet. Seek a repellent that does not include the chemical DEET and apply regularly. Choose from sprays, creams or lotions. • Schools resume in midAugust. By Labor Day, the family will welcome a minivacation. Check with your convention and visitors bureau to see what out-of-towners are enjoying in your area and become a tourist. You may be surprised by the number of fun things to do within a 30-minute drive of home. 

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Festival Roundup

Things to See and Do

August 1-2, Panama City Beach Big Shots Summer Invitational Arnold High School hosts a premier youth basketball tournament. www.bigshots.net

August 8, Perdido Key Sandstock In the spirit of Woodstock, Flora-Bama hosts great music and food beginning at noon. Dress in hippie-style threads and receive free peace sign beads while supplies last.

August 6-7, Key Largo Hooked on Kids Charity Fishing Tournament Enjoy a day of flats fishing at the Marriott Key Largo Bay. A captain’s party with dinner and silent auction is Thursday, with fishing and awards on Friday. Proceeds benefit Sheridan House Family Ministries.

www.florabama.com; (850) 492-0611

www.sheridanhouse.org; (954) 983-4360

www.SebringCruise.com

August 6-9, Key West Lobsterfest Celebrate the start of the Keys’ lobster season with lobster-inspired culinary creations and a free concert.

August 8, Pensacola Paws on Palofox 3K Walk Support the Pensacola Humane Society with this family- and dog-friendly event that begins at 7:30 a.m. at Community Maritime Park. Registration is $20 per person.

www.keywestlobsterfest.com; (305) 744-9804

August 8, Sebring Saturday Night Cruise Celebrate classic cars and listen to live entertainment the second Saturday of each month from 5 to 8 p.m. in the downtown circle.

www.blabtv.com/paws-on-palafox; (507) 828-2476

August 7-9, Panama City Sun and Surf World Series Showdown Teams from throughout the country compete in a fastpitch tournament geared to girls 8 to 18 years old at Frank Brown Park. www.fastpitchshowdowns.com

August 8-9, Pensacola Comic Convention Fans of science fiction, horror, fantasy, gaming and more gather for celebrity meet and greets, discussion panels, workshops, screenings,

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. demonstrations, gaming and various contests from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds Expo Hall. Admission is $10 or free for children 7 and younger. www.pensacolacomiccon.com; (850) 941-4321

August 12, Milton Milton Garden Club Luau An aloha theme welcomes back members and launches a new garden season and open membership drive with a luau at 11 a.m. www.miltongardenclub.com

August 14, Sebring Artist Reception The Highlands Art League’s Yellow House artists honor local artists from 5 to 8 p.m. www.HighlandsArtLeague.org

August 14-16, Key West Second Annual Mystery Writers Fest Fans of mystery fiction can learn how their favorite authors craft tales of murder and mayhem. The event offers aspiring writers a chance to pitch their plots to editors and e-book publishers. www.mysterywriterskeywestfest.com

August 15, Sebring Downtown Community Sidewalk Sale Bargain shoppers are encouraged to browse the monthly sidewalk sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.DestinationDowntownSebring.com; (863) 382-2649

Port St. Joe Saltair Farmers Market Enjoy fresh bounty, arts and crafts from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern on the first and third Saturdays at the corner of Reid Avenue and Highway 71 in City Commons park. The market runs April through November. Among the vendors are Barnhart Farms, which features watermelons and fresh vegetables. For more information, visit Port St. Joe Saltair Farmers Market on Facebook. Check your community for farmers markets.

August 15, Key Largo Anything That Floats Regatta Grab your oars and anything that floats and head to Blackwater Sound, MM 104, at 3 p.m. to enjoy this family-fun race of vessels crafted from items around the house. Live music follows. www.keylargoanythingthatfloatsrace.com; (305) 451-4502

August 16, Ocala Pickin’ in the Park Listen to acoustic music at 1 p.m. in a scenic area in front of the headsprings at the main entrance to Silver Springs State Park. Free with park admission. www.floridastateparks.org; (352) 236-7148

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Photo courtesy of NorthWest Florida Astronomy Association

Star Gazing

Volunteers from the NorthWest Florida Astronomy Association will set up several telescopes for public viewing of the sun, moon and stars Friday, August 14, from 4:30 to 10 p.m. at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin. All participants need to arrive prior to sunset, which occurs at 7:30 p.m. Flashlights are recommended and should have a red lens. Event is weather permitting and free with regular park admission. For more information, visit www.floridastateparks.org or call (850) 650-5928. August 18, Pensacola Beach Sea Turtle Baby Shower The family-friendly celebration from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Park West includes sea turtle education, games, activities and music. www.visitpensacolabeach.com; (850) 916-6971

August 19, Islamorada “Lighthouses of the Florida Keys” The History of Diving Museum at MM 83 continues the free “Immerse Yourself!” series with this 7 p.m. seminar presented by Larry Herith. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.divingmuseum.org; (305) 664-9737

August 20-23, Key Largo Third Annual Upper Keys Reef Crawl Be amazed by the abundant sea life from Key Largo to Islamorada as you dive, snorkel, kayak

and paddle along amazing reefs and participate in seminars by the Coral Restoration Foundation and REEF organization. www.reefcrawl.com

August 22, Bradenton Antiques, Arts and Crafts Show Artists and vendors display their goods inside Mixon’s Packing House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Groveside Café and gift shop are open. www.mixon.com; (941) 748-5829

August 26, High Springs Feed the Tortoises Stop by the O’Leno State Park nature center from 3 to 4 p.m. and help a ranger feed the turtles and tortoises. Learn about their different habitats and the foods they like best. www.floridastateparks.org; (386) 454-1853

August 27, Pensacola Heroes Among Us Join local veterans at Veterans Memorial Park at 6 p.m. and hear their military experiences on the 70th anniversary of World War II Victory Night. www.veteransmemorialparkpensacola.com

August 28, Pensacola Hill-Kelly Drive-In Movie Enjoy a free showing of “Paddington” at 8:15 p.m. at Community Maritime Park, watching from your car or the lawn. Parking begins at 6 p.m. www.pensacolamaritimecommunitypark.com

August 29-30, Panama City Beach PCB Hurricane 7s Tournament The Panama City Beach Rugby Club hosts open rugby practice and matches at Frank Brown Park. www.pcbeachrugby.com

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Outdoor Pursuits

Enjoying the Natural World Around Us

Take the Slow Boat When exploring Florida’s waterways, slo-mo may be the way to go. The Outdoor Industry Association estimates 20 million Americans enjoy canoeing and kayaking. Participants are drawn to these activities for many reasons, but most appreciate the quiet, solitude, and the ability to discover and explore areas unreachable by other means. Whether you are a firsttimer or an old hand, here are five tips to ensure your paddling experience is a safe one: • Do your homework. Get a map of the area. Study the water route, and identify possible hazards and takeout points. Just before leaving, check current weather and water conditions. • Go prepared. At the very least, you should take along life vests, a first-aid kit, an extra paddle, sunscreen, bug repellent, a cell phone, a map and drinking water. • Leave a travel plan. Make sure somebody back

A canoeist passes through a mangrove tunnel on the Turner River in Big Cypress National Wildlife Refuge. Trips in this area depend on water level: too much water and you can’t get through the mangrove branches, too little and the canoe grounds. Photo by Mike Taylor

home has a detailed itinerary of your trip. Don’t forget to let them know when you return, so they don’t worry unnecessarily. Also, leave a copy of your float plan in your car. • Anticipate obstacles. Submerged objects and sweepers on corners are the most common hazards. Also, stay alert for motorized watercraft; turn into their wakes to avoid being swamped. • Know your limits. Waterways come in all shapes, sizes and technical difficulties. The upper portion of rivers tends to flow faster and have more potential dangers. Lower rivers are generally wider and slower flowing. Match your skill level to the waterway accordingly.

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

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Presentation is a Key to Catching More Fish Getting your bait where you want it is every bit as important as the bait or the lure itself. The better your presentation and accuracy, the more fish you will catch. As with most endeavors, practice makes perfect. Start with overhand casts. Practice trying to hit targets, such as buckets, boxes or rings. Start with large targets, then try your hand with smaller ones. Once you’ve mastered overhand, try sidearm and underhand. And don’t forget the flip and pitch techniques. Outdoors 101: Keep Your Knife Healthy With DOCS Dry—Water and metal don’t mix. The same goes for metal and sweat. Keep you knife dry to avoid rust and corrosion. Oiled—A little 3-in-1 oil or other lightweight oil goes a long way toward keeping your blade and moving parts in good working condition.

Clean—Moving parts also work better when they are clean. Sharp—As most outdoor enthusiasts know, a sharp knife not only cuts better, but it’s also safer than a dull knife. Fish Slime Clean-Up Tip Disposable alcohol wipes are great for removing dirt, gunk and grime that inevitably accumulates on the handles of fishing rods and other fishing gear. Any brand of alcohol wipe will do. What Day is It? August is National Catfish Month August 10, National S’mores Day August 31, National Trail Mix Day Show-and-Tell Time Send us your favorite outdoor photo, tip or story. If selected for publication, we will send you $25 for one-time use. Email your submission to info@floridacurrents.com. 

Gulf Coast

Trading Post For Rent Horse barn with five stalls, paddock and about 4 acres of pasture in Wewahitchka, one block from the old courthouse. Lease by the stall, with discount for multiple horses. (740) 334-0341. Four-bedroom, one-bath, 1,800-sq.-ft. home in Scotts Ferry. Rents monthly. (850) 265-0872 or (850) 674-6409.

For Sale Classic 1969 Ford Bronco. Black and white sporty two-seater with 6-cylinder engine, roll bar and truck bed. In good condition; needs some TLC. $13,500. (850) 814-8444 or (850) 814-9696 for appointment or photos. Local gallberry, tupelo and wildflower honey. (850) 832-0457 or (850) 628-1361.

1949 Schwinn bicycle. Only manufactured three years (1949-1951). In original, great condition and ready to ride. $1,200. (850) 870-9991.

Two- or three-bedroom cabin. About 1,200 sq. ft. with large screened porch. 150 ft. on West Arm Creek in Meeks subdivision. (850) 271-9040.

Pomegranates, figs and lemons. (850) 639-9698.

1.5-acre lakefront property in Altha with threebedroom, two-bath mobile home. New metal roof, fireplace, front and back decks, shed and greenhouse. $155,000. (850) 896-3188.

Muscadines. Great for snacking, jelly and winemaking. (850) 722-4226. 2011 EZ-GO 2x2 sport golf cart. Garage kept; excellent condition. (850) 260-2045. Cedar log quality outdoor furniture. Swing, loveseat and two chairs. (850) 260-2045. Small creek-style boat. Used to run great. Needs work; haven’t used lately. $500. (850) 814-8444 or (850) 814-9696 for appointment or photos. Trees: pomegranate, 10 varieties of figs, Japanese snowball, dwarf sweet lady finger banana and lemongrass. (850) 639-9698.

Riviera 14 ft. bay boat and trailer. Six-seater with windshield, Mercury 40hp. In fair shape; perfect for bays and scalloping. $1,200. (850) 814-8444 or (850) 814-9696 for appointment or photos.

Quarter horses. Ride well on trails, gentle, good for lessons. (850) 773-1957.

2001 Coachmen travel trailer. Catalina 366 TBS model. Two bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths, two slides, 36 ft. Needs a little TLC. $4,500. Willing to trade up to $1,200 of the asking price for minor home repair and yard maintenance. Must be licensed/insured in Florida. (850) 647-9227.

CharBroil gas grill with cover. Needs some TLC. (850) 647-9227.

2008 Jayco Eagle 32 ft. camper. Two slides, front kitchen, king bedroom, trailer hitch, sway bars. Very clean. (850) 265-2088 or (850) 866-1951. 2001 Victory cruiser motorcycle. New seats, tires and brake pads. $4,000 OBO or trade for a lifted, gas golf cart. (850) 227-6043. Miniature donkeys. Jacks and Jennys, black, brown, gray and paints. All ages. $300 and up. Make great pets. Also standard donkeys. Betty, (850) 899-7424.

Free

Real Estate 40 acres on Marianna bypass with 5-year-old mobile home and barn. Motivated seller. (850) 896-3633. Lakefront lot on Lake Talquin. 95 ft. of waterfront and 350 ft. on road. Reduced to $90,000; owner financing available. (850) 227-5479. ½-acre lot on Doc Whitfield Road in Howard Creek with well, septic and pole barn. $40,000. (850) 827-1127. 24x32 ft. modular home/camp with new interior. Must be moved. (850) 209-9299.

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

RV lots starting at $27,900, only steps from St. Joe Bay. Water and sewer available. A rare find and the closest RV-allowed lots near Port St. Joe in an up-and-coming area. Free survey with purchase. (850) 227-5569. ½-acre corner lot. (850) 639-2220. FSBO. Two adjacent lots, about 2.5 acres on paved road, 10 miles north of Wewahitchka, 45 minutes from beaches. Borders the Chipola River and Cypress Creek. Cleared and ready to build. Quiet and peaceful; no neighbors. Deeded restrictions. Underground utilities, deep well and many fruit trees. $69,900. (850) 648-4214. One-acre lakefront lot in Leisure Lakes gated community. Located on the largest lake. Pete, (850) 722-4886. About 150-acre tract bordered on west side by 3,850 ft. of navigable Wetappo Creek with high bank. 20 to 30 acres cut for quail plantation look and about 1,000 ft. gyro-tract cut in November 2012. Perimeter road parallels creek, with about 400 ft. of paved frontage on Highway 386 and about 135 ft. of paved access off Jarrot Daniels Road. Property zoned 4DU/acre with agricultural (greenbelt) tax classification. (850) 227-5569

Wanted Employment as a caregiver for an elderly person. I have seven years’ experience, references and am listed on a hospice sitters list. Bay County. (850) 276-8201.

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

Items:

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

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

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Gulf Coast

Please Use Generators Safely Flashlights, bottled water and portable generators—these are but a few of the items many residents in the area have on hand during hurricane season. More people are investing in generators to power refrigerators, freezers, lights, fans and other appliances during a power outage. While generators can be convenient and useful at these times, they also can be dangerous—even deadly—to their owners and utility workers. It is important to be aware of the manufacturer’s safety and operating instructions for the generator before using it. The first danger is carbon monoxide poisoning. The colorless, odorless, tasteless, poisonous gas is in the engine exhaust. Exposure can be fatal. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, never run a generator in your home, garage or other enclosed space. Operate it only outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area away from air intakes to your home. As an additional precaution, install an inexpensive CO detector in your home. Another danger of using a generator is electrocution—not only for you, but

for utility workers. To avoid this, plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load. Never attempt to operate more appliances and equipment than the generator’s output rating. This can overload and damage the generator and possibly cause a fire. If you connect a portable generator to the main electrical supply coming into your home, the electrical generator could feed back into Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s system and electrocute workers who are repairing electrical lines. To avoid back-feeding electricity into the utility’s system, you must have a qualified, licensed electrician install a double-pole, double-throw transfer switch between the generator and utility power in compliance with all state and local electric codes. This switch connects your home to the generator, but

disconnects it from utility power. GCEC can provide information on GenerLink—a 5-inch device installed behind your electric meter that automatically disconnects your house from the electric utility grid, preventing the possibility of back feed. All generator installations must be inspected by GCEC prior to hookup. For an appointment or for more information about generators, please call Supervisor of Engineering Sid Dykes at (850) 2653631 or (800) 568-3667 or email him at sdykes@gcec.com. n

We Need to Know Which Members Have Generators

YES, I plan to use a portable generator during an extended power outage.

If you plan to use a generator at your home during an extended power outage, GCEC must know about it. So this can be noted on your account, please complete and mail this form to:

Name on account________________________________________________________

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Attention: Sid Dykes P. O. Box 8370 Southport, FL 32409

Service address (if different than mailing address)_____________________________

Account number________________________________________________________ Mailing address_________________________________________________________

Telephone number______________________________________________________ Generator size__________________________________________________________

With this information, GCEC can prevent its employees from being harmed. Thank you for your cooperation.

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Do you have an automatic disconnect?

 YES

 NO

Did a licensed electrician install your generator and transfer switch?

 YES

 NO

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Gulf Coast

Tracking Down Thieves Tampering with electric meters is dangerous, dishonest and illegal—and offenders will be caught

A member cut this meter seal to illegally gain access to GCEC’s meter. 28

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Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative is committed to cracking down on energy thieves. When meter tampering is discovered, the sheriff ’s office is called. The cooperative’s collections department takes members with meter tampering charges on their accounts to small claims court to recover funds if charges are not satisfied in a timely manner. GCEC’s service territory is outfitted with Two-Way Automatic Communication System meters, which alert the co-op if meter tampering is taking place. The result is lower line loss revenue. Tampering instances also are discovered by GCEC employees or are reported by concerned members. When tampering is reported, a line technician goes to the address and checks the meter box. If tampering has occurred, the technician photographs the meter box for proof of the tampering. Typically, the energy thief has cut the meter seal to gain access to the box. The technician then turns the meter off, locks the box with a strong lock rather than a seal, and places a sticker on the box as a reminder that it is illegal to steal energy services. The technician returns to the office with the photographs and the damaged meter seal, if he is able to locate it. With the assistance of office personnel, he completes a report outlining all of the circumstances, attaches photographs and gives it to management for review. The member now owes not only for services consumed, but the review results in a hefty fine that is added to the member’s account. The fine may be higher if the meter was destroyed. What has been accomplished by tampering with the meter? Nothing. GCEC personnel have to take time away from their other duties to deal with this. There is no excuse for meter

Please Report Suspicious Activity to the Co-op Most cases of power theft are caught by the cooperative. However, from time to time, the cooperative receives tips of suspicious activity. If you are aware of power theft, you are encouraged to report it. It is your right and responsibility. Power theft not only creates a dangerous situation, it costs each and every member money.

tampering. It not only is dangerous, but power theft eventually results in higher rates for everyone—not to mention that stealing electricity is a crime. Dangerous Power theft is extremely dangerous. Energy thieves steal power through amateur engineering experiments. These methods have resulted in explosions, shocks, electrocutions and fires leading to personal property damage and even death. Sometimes, the perpetrator may not be injured, but the meter is left in such a hazardous condition that innocent family members, friends and neighbors have been injured. An Arkansas man was killed when trying to reconnect his own power, and a Georgia man tampered with a meter and caused a fire, resulting in the death of his daughter. Dishonest When energy thieves steal power, they not only steal from the cooperative, they steal from everyone who is an honest, paying member. Just as shoplifters cause the price of merchandise to rise, energy thieves cause

Right-of-Way Trimming Necessary to Ensure Safety and Reliability

After GCEC’s meter was removed, the member used pieces of aluminum to receive electricity.

the price of electricity to increase. Utilities lose billions of dollars each year to energy theft. Unfortunately, these costs are passed on to consumers. Illegal Florida Statutes, Chapter 812, address theft, robbery and related crimes. Florida Statutes 812.14 specifically addresses trespass and larceny with relation to utility fixtures. Meter tampering is theft. The statute allows for those discovered to have tampered with a meter to be charged an amount equal to three times the amount of services unlawfully obtained or $3,000, whichever is greater. Most cases of power theft are caught by the cooperative. However, occasionally the cooperative receives tips of suspicious activity. If you are aware of power theft, you are encouraged to report it. It is your right and responsibility. Not only is it creating a dangerous situation, it is costing every member money. n

After being disconnected for nonpayment, a member bypassed Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s meter by using jumper wires. The wires melted, damaging the meter.

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative has about 2,600 miles of distribution line. If vegetation comes into contact with power lines, it can interfere with your electric service and cause a dangerous situation. It is vital this vegetation be cleared from the power lines to provide reliable electric service and prevent a hazardous condition. When a person signs up to be a member of the cooperative, there is an agreement between the member and Gulf Coast Electric to allow rightof-way maintenance. This agreement gives GCEC the legal right to remove from the right of way anything that could interfere with the cooperative’s ability to ensure safe, reliable electric service for all members. If the cooperative’s right-of-way clearance is not maintained, tree limbs and other growth coming into contact with power lines would greatly increase the number of power outages experienced by members. The cooperative tries to work with each landowner to preserve landscaping when maintaining rights of way. GCEC recognizes most property owners regard trees as an asset; however, federal law states it is the co-op’s responsibility to eliminate hazardous conditions. During August, GCEC crews will be clearing right of way in Ebro and Wewahitchka. Thank you for your patience and understanding as the cooperative works to bring you quality, reliable service.

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Parting Shot

Readers Share Their Special Photos

A Family Inheritance

Sometimes the attachments we have with four-wheel motorized transportation is not all about shiny and new. Sharon Hysinger recently inherited this 1951 Ford 8N tractor from her father, Carl. Growing up, she and her family all helped grow their own vegetables. Occasionally, Sharon was allowed to ride the tractor, named Groot, for fun. “We have made the necessary repairs to enable Sharon to ride again, and she certainly enjoys it every time,” says her husband, Steve. “Groot is a happy addition to the family, and we will do what it takes to keep him going.” n —Steve Hysinger, Panama City

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The doctor’s inspiration to defeat the powers-that-be that kept inexpensive hearing aids out of the hands of the public actually came from a cell phone he had just purchased. “I felt that if someone could develop an affordable device like an iPhone® for about $200 that could do all sorts of things, I could create a hearing aid at a similar price.”

RATING

FL-154

Offices 722 West Highway 22 P. O. Box 220 Wewahitchka, FL 32465 (850) 639-2216 or (800) 333-9392 9434 Highway 77 P. O. Box 8370 Southport, FL 32409 (850) 265-3631 or (800) 568-3667 6243 East Highway 98 Panama City, FL 32404 Phone: (850) 481-1188 www.gcec.com

CEO/General Manager Michael E. White

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

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GCEC President’s Message

Supreme Court Blocks EPA on Air Quality Rule The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked the Obama administration’s curbs on emissions of mercury and air toxics, saying the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should have considered costs as part of the “appropriate and necessary” statutory requirement for the rulemaking. EPA acted “unreasonably” under the Clean Air Act by foregoing a cost analysis when it decided to regulate the emissions, the court held in a 5-4 decision. The standards affect about 1,400 units at 600 plants nationwide—most of them coal-based—and have been in effect since December 2011. “The agency must consider cost—including, most imporWaylon Graham tantly, cost of compliance—before deciding whether regulation is appropriate and necessary,” Justice Antonin Scalia wrote for the majority. Electric co-ops challenged EPA’s actions through their involvement with the Utility Regulatory Air Group, which sued the agency. That case was combined into the court’s ruling in Michigan v. EPA. Energy industry groups and 23 states backed the lawsuits. “We’re delighted that the Supreme Court ruled that the EPA must consider cost as one factor when determining whether it was ‘appropriate’ to regulate mercury emissions,” said Jo Ann Emerson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. “Today’s ruling is a victory for a balanced approach to regulating one of the drivers of our nation’s economy.” The Supreme Court did not vacate the rule. It sent the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, which will determine whether to vacate the rule or let it remain in place until EPA takes additional required action. According to agency estimates, curbs on mercury, acid gases and hazardous air pollutants would cost the industry $9.6 billion annually. Scalia’s majority opinion said those costs were between 1,600 and 2,400 times greater than the “quantifiable benefits” of the rule. EPA contended costs would be offset by gains in public safety, health and emissions reductions of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, though they have their own regulatory program. “By EPA’s logic, someone could decide whether it is ‘appropriate’ to buy a Ferrari without thinking about cost because he plans to think about cost later when deciding whether to upgrade the sound system,” Scalia wrote. The ruling applies to the mercury regulations and not necessarily to EPA’s Clean Power Plan, which the agency plans to release as its first-ever controls on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The Clean Power Plan is based on a different section of the Clean Air Act. Reprinted with permission from Electric Co-op Today