Issuu

Peace River Electric Cooperative

JA N UA RY 2016

PRECO’s 2016 Photo Contest This image of nesting ospreys, one of last year’s photo contest winners, was shot in Polk County by Janice Cook. Submit your entries to the 2016 photo contest now. The deadline is January 15. See page 4.

Operation Round Up Scholarships PAGE 5 District Meetings Upcoming PAGE 28 n

Peace River

Plan a Year’s Worth of Savings Members acknowledge that $3.96, plus actual postage, is the cost to publish 12 issues a year of Florida Currents (USPS8300). Published by Ruralite Services Inc., 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—the magazine serves the communications needs of consumer-owned electric utilities in Florida. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Hillsboro, OR 97123 and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address corrections to 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124. HOW TO CONTACT FLORIDA CURRENTS

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

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

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

Trend Offset Printing Services 10301 Busch Drive North Jacksonville, FL 32218 © 2016 Ruralite Services Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Got cabin fever? Spend time making your home more energy efficient and start saving for your summer vacation. You can trim your electric bill by taking a few simple steps. Following are recommendations for year-round energy and money savings. January: Lower your thermostat a few degrees during winter and save as much as $85 a year. Programmable thermostats make it easy to save by offering preprogrammed settings to regulate a home’s temperature throughout the year. February: Adjust your water heater. Turning down the temperature gauge to below 120 F can heat up your savings. March: Stop air from escaping your home and money from escaping your wallet. Head down to your home’s basement and seal those leaky ducts. April: A little caulk can go a long way. Air leaks add up. Caulking cracks and openings to the outside could save more than $200 a year. May: Put your refrigerator on your spring cleaning to-do list. Throw out expired items, clean the refrigerator inside and out, and check the temperature gauge. For maximum efficiency, a refrigerator’s temperature should be between 37 and 40 F. June: When was the last time you changed a filter? Replacing furnace and air conditioner filters regularly can have a big effect on a home’s energy use. Dirty filters restrict air flow

and reduce the overall efficiency of your cooling system, forcing it to work harder on hot summer days. July: Heading out of town on vacation? Unplug all of your electronic devices, such as computers, monitors, printers, TVs and cable boxes, DVD players and microwaves. Electronics with digital displays and instant-on features consume energy even if not in use. August: Your home’s cooling costs can skyrocket—right along with the temperature outside—during summer. Keep your thermostat set between 78 and 80 F to save up to 8 percent monthly on cooling bills. September: Be a “fan-atic.” While they do not replace an air conditioner or a heat pump, fans move the air so everyone feels more comfortable. On a milder day, a fan is a more energy-efficient choice than cranking up the air conditioning. Fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave the room. October: Get ready for winter by insulating your attic. Adding 9 or more inches of insulation could save $150 a year. November: As the weather cools down, pull up your window shades. Keeping blinds open during cooler weather lets heat from sunlight in, reducing the need to turn up your thermostat. December: Top your Christmas wish list with an Energy Star appliance. Upgrading appliances such as washing machines to Energy Star-rated models can save up to $140 a year. n

Inside

January 2016 Vol. 5, No. 3

A Walk of Faith 12

Sarasota-based aerialist Nik Wallenda is firmly grounded by God and family. Also In This Issue Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Great Picture Hunt 18

Travel Journal 20 Festival Roundup 22 Parting Shot 30

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

J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 6

LAST CALL FOR PHOTOS! PRECO Cover Photo Contest

JANUARY 15 DEADLINE This is your last chance to enter Peace River Electric Cooperative’s 5th Annual Magazine Cover Contest. The best photo will be honored on the cover of our Florida Currents magazine.

PREVIOUS WINNING ENTRIES:

Rules

WIDTH

Eligibility: PRECO members and immediate family (Not eligible: PRECO employees and family)

Limit: three (3) entries per person Location: PRECO service area. Submit photos taken in Brevard,

HEIGHT

DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Osceola, Polk or Sarasota counties

File type: JPEG digital images File size: minimum 300 pixels per inch at 9x11 inches; maximum 10 megabytes

Ownership: Image must be an original work you own Permission: You must obtain the permission of anyone depicted Deadline: January 15, 2016 Format: “Portrait” orientation only... see example on the right >>>

Prizes A maximum of six (6) winning photos will be selected. Winners receive a $50 electric bill credit. 4

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Portrait:

When the height is greater than the width.

Entry Form Visit www.preco.coop to download the entry form. All entries become the property of Peace River Electric Cooperative, Inc. Questions? Email Mark.Sellers@preco.coop. Peace River Electric Cooperative

12/11/15 2:56 PM

Operation Round Up Offering $75,000 in

College Scholarships!

Peace River Electric Cooperative’s “Operation Round Up” charitable foundation is “lighting” the way for college students. Eligible Graduating high school seniors Students already attending college Adults of all ages seeking a college degree

Application Available online at www.preco.coop in early January or at your High School Guidance Office

Deadline Must be postmarked by February 28

“When my parents couldn’t afford to send me to college, a scholarship from Operation Round Up made it possible.”

www.preco.coop

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J A N U A R Y 2 016

12/11/15 2:57 PM

PEACE RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Annual Membership Meeting S P E C I A L E N T E R TA I N M E N T:

Tommy Brandt Inspirational Country Music Award winner!

www.TommyBrandt.org

PRECO Members are invited to join us on

Saturday, March 19, 2016

AT P R E C O P A R K , 2 2 0 K N I G H T R O A D, WA U C H U L A , F L

Come celebrate your Co-opâ€™s 76th birthday!

FREE: Hotdogs n Soft Drinks n Ice Cream n Fries n Kettle Corn n Funnel Cakes n Live Music n Kids play area n Informational & educational booths n Great door prize drawings for registered PRECO members

Commemorative 76th Anniversary registration prizes BRING YOUR PHOTO ID TO REGISTER! 6

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Peace River Electric Cooperative

12/11/15 3:00 PM

PRECO Secures Matching Grant for Local Athletes E N T:

ner!

Through our partnership with CoBank, a national banking institution, PRECO applied for and received a matching grant of $1,000 for Hardee Athletic Foundation. Since its launch in 2012, CoBank’s “Sharing Success” program has generated nearly $14 million for rural, non-profit organizations throughout the country. For 2015, CoBank’s board of directors set aside $3 million for Sharing Success, offering grants on a first-come, first-served basis. “We are proud of the work that Hardee Athletic Foundation accomplishes in the community,” shares Randy Shaw, PRECO CEO. “Without their support, many local athletes would not be able to fully participate in all that the sports program has to offer. With this grant from CoBank, our $1,000 donation was doubled to $2,000 for this worthy organization.” The Hardee Athletic Foundation assists athletes by supplying funding to individual athletes in furthering their education through an academic coach at Hardee High School. ACT and SAT Prep Classes are held each semester. These classes help athletes increase their score on these exams that are required for college entrance.

“Individual Sport Camp participation amongst athletes in Hardee County is minimal,” explains Tanya Royal, Hardee Athletic Foundation executive director. “Athletes who lack financial resources may apply for funding through the foundation. All applications are reviewed by HAF’s Board of Directors based on proof of participation.”

“The Hardee Athletic Foundation is grateful for the support of Peace River Electric Cooperative,” adds Tanya. “PRECO has supported our mission since 2008, and we are so thankful to receive this grant check for $1,000 through their partnership with CoBank and the Sharing Success program. It is because of relationships with businesses like PRECO that our foundation can continue to assist Hardee Athletes.” CoBank is a $107 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural utilities in all 50 states. PRECO is pleased to support numerous civic organizations, schools, clubs, and other causes through goodwill donations. It’s our way of giving back to the communities we serve.

Randy Shaw, PRECO CEO and Tanya Royal, Hardee Athletic Foundation executive director www.preco.coop

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12/11/15 3:02 PM

B E E N E R G Y S M A R T W I T H H E L P F R O M P E AC E R I V E R E L E C T R I C CO O P E R AT I V E

How to Use Space Heaters Efficiently by Patrick Keegan

In certain conditions, it may be more cost-effective to run a space heater than to turn up your central heating, but if you’re not careful you could increase your electric bill.

Wattage

Hours Used per Month

Co-op’s kWh rate/1000

Monthly Cost

Most space heaters are 1500 watts. If you’re operating a space heater 8 hours a day and your rate is $0.12 per kWh = (1500 watts X 240 hours/month X $0.12/kWh) / 1000 = $43.20/month Photo above: FA N - F O R C E D CO N V E C T I O N S PAC E H E AT E R Photo Credit: Freeimages.com/Chris Witham

Generally, it is best to run a space heater when you need to heat just one or two rooms, or if you need temporary heat in a garage or shed. If a particularly cold-sensitive person is in the home, it can be more efficient to use a space heater in the room they most often occupy rather than overheating the whole house. However, be mindful of the costs that these little heaters can add to your electric bill. Do your own calculations for how much running one or more would cost.

If a space heater is right for you, remember a few things to save energy and money:

When using a space heater in one or two rooms, turn down your central heating so you don’t heat up rooms you aren’t using. Close doors to rooms that are being heated to avoid heat loss. Turn off the heater when not in use or get one with a built-in timer. Use the lowest thermostat setting that you are comfortable with. Select a unit that is sized correctly for the room (most have sizing info on the box).

I N F R A R E D S PAC E H E AT E R

Photo Credit: Freeimages.com/Ryan Bourne

There are two types of electric space heaters:

Infrared heaters: Radiates heat to the

objects and people directly in front of it. If you are often sitting in one place, such as at a desk, this can be a good option. Note that the surface of these heaters can get very hot. Convection heaters: Uses convection to warm and cycle the air in a room. They are relatively quiet and can be warm to the touch, but not so hot as to burn you. Some models use fans to push the air over warm coils; they can warm a room faster, but are usually noisier.

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For safety, avoid portable propane and kerosene space heaters. Even when installed properly, these types of heaters can emit low levels of carbon monoxide. Remember to use space heaters safely, comfortably and economically. Patrick Keegan writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

Peace River Electric Cooperative

12/11/15 3:03 PM

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Side Roads

Discoveries Off the Beaten Path

A Historic Anti-Bullying Lesson Second-generation survivor of the Holocaust stresses the importance of thinking instead of blindly following By Pam Windsor

Postcards From Florida

Key West

com

itFlorida.

is rtesy of V

u Photo co

Cats roam freely in Key West at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, which was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1968. The Nobel Prizewinning author was known for his sixtoed cat, Snow White. Some of the 40 to 50 felines that wander the grounds today are descendants of Hemingway’s cat. 10

J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 6

Harry Heuman has found a way to make the lessons of one of the worst tragedies in world history relevant today. His parents lived in Germany when the Nazis began persecuting those of Jewish faith. His mother and father were sent to concentration camps, making him a second-generation survivor. Many family members were killed. As a tour guide at the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, Harry uses the experiences of his parents and others to teach young people why bullying is wrong. “Many of them come away from the museum with a feeling of ‘Oh my gosh, what happened here?’” he says. Harry not only shares how Jews were treated during the Holocaust, but how many of them later were treated in the United States. “I experienced anti-Semitism in the small town where I grew up when I was in elementary, middle and high school,” he says, noting he grew up in New York and moved to the Tampa/St. Petersburg area as an adult. “Knowledge of the Holocaust wasn’t very prevalent in school studies or the newspaper in the ’50s and ’60s.” After the war ended and the camps were liberated—his mother from Auschwitz, his father from Dachau— his parents reunited. Harry was born in 1946 in a displaced persons camp. His family immigrated to the United States. He uses what happened to millions of Jews and other minority groups persecuted by the Nazis—such as homosexuals and the disabled—to show how people often blindly follow the crowd in what they say and do. He stresses the importance of thinking before acting. “I emphasize the concept of critical thinking,” he explains. “What would you

do if you had a choice? There is never a right or wrong answer, but my goal is to let people understand: Do you want to be a victim, a perpetrator or a bystander?” Florida’s Holocaust Museum—one of the largest in the country—was the vision of St. Petersburg businessman Walter P. Loebenberg, who fled Nazi Germany in 1939. Numerous special and permanent exhibits, displays, timelines and photos help tell the story of the 6 million Jews and 5 million others who were killed. Harry points to one display of preHolocaust photos showing normal people living regular lives. “These are average people working at grocery stores and bakeries,” Harry says. “They are doctors and professors, mothers, children playing, just normal people. But they were different because Hitler and a lot of other people decided that a religious group should be picked on, then persecuted.” The museum has one of the few remaining railroad boxcars used to carry many men, women and children to concentration camps. While many died at the camps, others—packed in the cars with little room to breathe and no sanitation—never survived the trip. “I know my parents went on quite a few trips in these boxcars to different camps, let alone millions of other people,” Harry says. “There was no air conditioning, no windows and no bathrooms. People took

Mardi Gras Extravaganza

Harry Heuman in front of a railroad boxcar used by the Nazis to transport Jewish men, women and children to concentration camps. It is among the exhibits at the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg. Opposite page, tiles created by children with comments about the Holocaust are displayed at the museum.

care of their natural priorities standing in place. They died in place, vertically.” Harry and his sisters have donated a number of his family’s belongings to the museum, including a violin. His father, a doctor, had his violin taken from him, but found another after he was liberated. “He didn’t know at the time that my mother was alive and used the violin to assuage his feelings about worries about his family, his parents and other relatives I’ll never get to know because they died in those camps,” Harry says. The museum honors those who died and suffered, and strives to create awareness in the hope of preventing future atrocities against groups of people. But Harry and others at the museum also draw attention to something all too prevalent among young people—especially in the digital age, where much of it is done through social media. “Bullying has been around for decades, if not centuries,” says Harry. “How can the consequences of bullying be taught

to young people? It’s quite challenging. People start thinking of reality in their own lives, in their own neighborhood or walking down the hallway between classes. What would you do?” The museum highlights some of the heroes of the Holocaust who risked their own lives to help the victims, including Oscar Schindler, featured in the film “Schindler’s List,” and Miep Gies, who hid Anne Frank. “Again, what would you do?” asks Harry. “You get people to think.” In addition to his work at the museum, Harry visits area schools. As a member of the “second generation”—a term used to refer to children of Holocaust survivors— he says he has a responsibility. “The world needs to know,” Harry says. “It’s important to me and many others to make sure the world never forgets what happened.” In the process, he is helping others use the Holocaust to relate to choices they make in their own lives today. n

Pensacola kicks off its Mardi Gras season celebration with the 12th Night on Friday, January 8, at 5 p.m. on the historic streets of downtown. Join the town crier, the krewes, their king and queens for the launch of a month of festivities, including a number of charity balls. The Krewe of Blues Pin and Bead Festival is Sunday, January 17, at 11 a.m. in Seville Square, with music, games, competitions, food and fun. Activities conclude with a trio of parades the first weekend of February, beginning with the Krewe of Lafitte illuminated nighttime parade Friday, February 5, at 8 p.m. That is followed by Pensacola’s Grand Mardi Gras Parade Saturday, February 6, at 2 p.m. and the Krewe of Wrecks Pensacola Beach Parade Sunday, February 7, at 1 p.m. The grand parade—the largest annual event in downtown Pensacola—draws more than 100,000 people, and includes more than 250 entries and 6,000 participants. Before, during and after the grand parade, organizers work to ensure a no-alcohol children’s viewing area with kid-friendly food, face painting and family-oriented entertainment. The family-only area allows children to catch beads and candy with no competition from teenagers. Mardi Gras events conclude with a Fat Tuesday street party February 9.

Colorful beads decorate the hood ornament of a classic car during the Mardi Gras parade. Photo courtesy of Visit Pensacola Inc.

J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 6

A Walk of Faith

Nik Wallenda is firmly grounded by God and family By Pamela A. Keene

Walking across the cable suspended above Niagra Falls in 2012 was just another day at the office for aerialist Nik Wallenda of Sarasota. With a bird’s-eye view of the roaring falls, Nik reflected on the two-year journey that brought him to this point: changing laws in two countries, months of engineering and rigging, and faith that moves mountains. Setting another world record—he holds 11 so far— Nik further cemented his family’s daredevil legacy. “Never give up” is Nik’s credo—a heartfelt source of 12

J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 6

inspiration that drives his approach to life. Even more importantly, he says, his belief in Jesus Christ guides him. His parents led by example. Their strong faith was everpresent for Nik and his older sister and only sibling, Lijana. “I was just 4 when I accepted Jesus Christ into my life and from then on I realized that I must depend on God—a source of strength that no human can supply— for my blessings and the ability to turn my long family legacy, marked by deadly tragedies, to triumph,” says Nik. Seven generations of the Wallenda family have accomplished the impossible and the improbable, creating amazing feats high above the ground. For the famed circus family, it was understood the Wallenda name would carry on. Parents taught their children to walk

the wire, and their children taught their children. The Wallenda name became synonymous with the world of the Big Top across Europe in the 19th century. In 1928, fourth-generation Karl left Germany and headed to the United States to join the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Not content simply to walk a tight wire, he and family members created and performed the seven-man pyramid. It features four base walkers crossing the wire while supporting two additional aerialists standing on bars, who in turn support a seventh who sits and then stands on a ladder-back chair. The seven became the Wallendas’ signature act. While performing it in January 1962 at the State Fair Coliseum in Detroit, tragedy struck. Midway through their

high-wire walk 36 feet above the arena floor, the pyramid collapsed, sending part of the group to the ground. Two performers died that night. Another—Karl’s son Mario—was paralyzed from the waist down. Karl cracked his pelvis. The next morning, Karl checked himself out of the hospital and performed on the wire that evening. “Our family has always lived by the words, ‘The show must go on,’ ” says 36-yearold Nik. “That belief is in our core. Karl always said, ‘Life is on the wire; everything else is waiting,’ and that’s how we live our lives today.” In his 2013 book, “Balance: A Story of Faith, Family and Life on the Line,” Nik openly speaks about his Christian journey, his trials, challenges and struggles to carry on the Wallenda name.

Nik Wallenda walks across the Little Colorado River Gorge near the Grand Canyon in 2013. His feat was shown live on national television. Photos by Tim Boyles

Like his great-grandfather, Nik understands the modernday decline of the circus and the need to be innovative for the legacy to continue. “I do everything I do to make sure that Karl would be proud,” he says. “That’s my goal: to raise the bar and do things better. He was always exceeding and excelling, and that’s what my whole career has been about: continuing to push to do great things.” Nik holds 10 world records, including the first person to wire walk 1,800 feet across Niagra Falls in 2012; the first to traverse 1,400 feet across the Little Colorado River Gorge in northeastern Arizona near the Grand Canyon, which he did in 2013; and his sky walk between skyscrapers in Chicago, including performing one segment blindfolded, in 2014. He achieved his most recent record in May when he walked the Orlando Eye with no harness or safety net live on the “Today” show.

Nik attributes his accomplishments to his faith. “I grew up in a God-fearing household,” he says. “Our faith was always part of our lives.” He, his family and crew pray before and after every performance. Nik audibly prays as he crosses the wire, just as Karl did. “I have always prayed on the wire, but I never realized that my great-grandfather did until after my Niagra Falls walk,” Nik says. “A reporter from NPR told me that Karl had prayed during his 1970 walk across Tallulah Falls. That was the first time I had heard about it. “I pray to give God the glory. I’m a person who realizes that if someone says something is impossible and can’t be done, that’s even more of a reason to make it happen. I believe that with God all things are possible. That’s where my never-give-up approach comes from.” Through the years, Nik has come to know and trust

Nik’s life on the line is balanced by his Christian faith and his family.

several spiritual leaders, including Joel Osteen and Kerry Shook, who he counts as friends and mentors. “When my family is not traveling, we have our home church, but with technology today, your home church can follow you anywhere,” Nik says. “As my career has progressed, they’ve seen that I am a man of faith, and I hold nothing back, whether I’m on TV or not.” While it seems Nik moves from one world record to the

next, his life is also filled with family performances, appearances at events across the United States and around the world, and planning for his next great adventure. His wife, Erendira, also is a multigeneration circus performer. They have three teenaged children and live close to his parents, Delilah and Terry. These days, Terry oversees rigging for Nik’s projects. Delilah, who still walks the wire, makes Nik’s shoes. Sister J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 6

Lijana continues to perform. In addition to Nik’s solo career, the family is part of the nonprofit Circus Sarasota. For a short time when he was a teen, Nik considered leaving life on the wire to pursue a career in medicine. “I had seen the struggles of our family over the years and knew that the circus was in decline,” Nik says. He enrolled at Southeastern University in Lakeland, but still walked the wire with his family. At 19, Nik and the troupe traveled to Detroit to recreate the seven. “When I saw the attention of the world on my family, I chose a career in performing,” Nik says. “I just knew we needed to change the way we were doing things if the Wallenda legacy was to continue.” In 2001, Nik and his family set their first world record, creating the first-ever fourlayer, eight-person pyramid in Kurashiki, Japan. Nik formed his own troupe in 2005. It includes his sister. He set a second world record on the “Today” show

Before and after every performance, Nik gathers in a prayer circle with his family and friends. From left, Pastor Joel Osteen, Nik, wife Erendira, daughter Evita, son Yanni, father Terry Troffer, mother Delilah Wallenda and son Amadaos.

in 2008 when he walked across a 250-foot cable nearly 14 stories above the ground in Newark, New Jersey, then crossed back on a bicycle. At one point, the bike slid backward, but Nik refocused and completed the stunt. “It was a little nerve-racking at the end,” he said at the time. Five years later, he admitted it was the closest he had come to disaster. “It really shook me up,” he said in an interview in 2013. Fifteen members of the Wallenda family are active in the business—mostly Nik’s

cousins—though none has achieved the international recognition Nik has gained. As a byproduct of his financial success, he created the Nik Wallenda Family Foundation, Never Give Up, to support inner-city youth outreach and children’s cancer research. It is his way of giving back to the community and inspiring young people to share his dedication and faith. Nik credits his family for their strong support of his passion to walk the wire. He says he realizes the

Wallenda name carries with it a living legacy that began long before his great-grandfather Karl came to America. “Karl was always the leader of the family, and he kept the family in line and directed,” Nik says. “Although I never met him, I feel this connection to him that’s really strong.” If he could ask Karl a single question, what would that be? Without hesitation, Nik answers, “I would ask him if he believed that Jesus Christ had died for his sins, because as in eternity and life, that’s the only thing that matters.” n

Despite His Tragic Fall, Uncle Mario Never Gave Up Life as an Entertainer Paralyzed in a tragic fall in January 1962, Mario Wallenda always persevered. The son of Karl Wallenda and his second wife, Helen Kries, grew up in the family business as an accomplished aerialist and key member of the famed seven-man pyramid. “Uncle Mario was 18 when he lost the use of his legs, but he never gave up,” says Nik Wallenda. “The entertainer still lived in him. Your life doesn’t stop when you lose the use of your legs.” “He had a very active life and a full-time job,” says his niece Delilah Wallenda. “He cut his own grass. He never gave up and was always encouraging others.” Mario died in April, a few weeks after Delilah’s mother, Jenny. Delilah and Nik recall Mario’s support as they trained for the seven-man pyramid for a 1998 performance in Detroit in the same place tragedy befell the Wallenda family 36 years earlier. It was 18-year-old Nik’s first time participating in the seven.

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Although “he thought we were tempting fate, that it wasn’t a good idea,” Nik says, Mario showed up often for training and traveled with the family to Detroit. After the performance, Nik spoke with his uncle backstage. Mario chastised him for not paying attention when he advised him not to attempt the seven. “But aren’t you pleased, Uncle Mario?” Nik asked. Tears in his eyes, his uncle nodded his head and said, “Yes.” “I know it was hard for him to watch, but he did it all the same, giving us notes to help with the performance,” Delilah says. “He was always there for Nik as well, encouraging him and coaching him as he developed his career.” Despite the accident, Mario continued to perform. One of his greatest accomplishments was his high-wire ride on a special “sky-cycle” over the Chicago River in 2006.

Legacy Lives On for the Wallendas By Pamela A. Keene

In 1993, “The Last of the Wallendas” hit bookstores. Written by Karl’s granddaughter, Delilah, it tells the story of the famous circus family’s successes, trials and tribulations through the generations. Delilah wants to set the record straight. “Not having written a book before, it turned out that I didn’t have any say in the title,” she says. “The publishers thought it would be a good title to help sell books, but I didn’t even know what the title was until after it was published. It’s certainly not the title I would have chosen.” Today, more than 20 years later, the title is—at best—misleading. Delilah’s son, Nik, is carrying on the family legacy on the international stage, setting multiple world records for feats of daring. At the time the book was published, Nik was a teen just starting his circus career on the wire. His mother, Delilah, and father, Terry Troffer, performed across the country at circuses and events, including re-creating Karl’s famous seven-person pyramid on the high wire. From the time she was young, Delilah trained to be a performer alongside her grandfather, uncles and cousins. The family booked performances across the country, but life was always a struggle to make ends meet and line up the next gig. Sensing the need to create the ultimate performance, Karl chose Georgia’s Tallulah Gorge for his most amazing feat. On July 18, 1970, at age 65 years, Karl walked across the 1,200-foot cable suspended 750 feet above the canyon floor. “My grandfather said later that the only time he was really frightened was when he crossed Tallulah Gorge,” Delilah says in her book. Delilah married Terry in her early 20s, and both continued performing. “He taught us the two-person high (where one person stands on the other’s shoulders as the bottom person walks the wire),” Delilah recalls. “When I stood on his (Karl’s) shoulders it was like standing on solid ground. He always wanted me

to do skywalks, but part of my challenge was being a woman.” In 1978, Karl traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for a skywalk between two hotel towers. Midway across, he fell to his death. The family attributes the tragedy to improper rigging. Delilah was 25 at the time. She remembers her grandfather’s dedication and his pride in the Wallenda name. “He would have wanted the Wallenda name out there and for all of us to carry on the legacy,” she says. “And that’s what we all did, for his honor and memory.” Nik was born in 1979. Soon after he could walk, he took to the practice wire in the family’s backyard. His first public performance on the wire was at age 13. By his early 20s, he was setting world records and had rekindled the worldwide fame of generations that preceded him. “Terry and I never pushed Nik toward a life of performing,” Delilah says. “In fact, we tried to push him away from this life because it has always been so difficult. But once he had made up his mind, we’ve been right there to support him.” In June 2011, Nik and Delilah returned to Puerto Rico to the site of Karl’s last walk. As a tribute to him, they started at opposite ends of the 300-foot cable suspended 10 stories above the ground, slowly making their way to the center, where Delilah sat down and Nik stepped over her. They then continued their walk. At age 62, Delilah practices on the wire every day and works with young people aspiring to a life of performing. “I’m not as active as I was and I’m getting older, but I do miss performing regularly,” she says. “I would love to perform more, but I’ve been so blessed to work with Nik. I know my grandfather would be so very proud.” n The Wallendas’ feats of daring are captured in early family photos, at right. Top, Delilah holds her clearly delighted toddler Nik as he practices his balance on the wire. Center, Nik carries his sister, Lijana, across the wire during their early teen years. Bottom, Nik and the Wallenda family set their first world record, creating the first-ever four-layer, eight-person pyramid in Kurashiki, Japan. J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 6

In the Kitchen

Recipes That Satisfy

Enjoy a hearty cup or two of chili as the action heats up on football Sundays.

Super Bowl Homegating The ultimate “homegate party” is not only about the football game, it is about the food. When friends and family gather, give them extra reason to cheer with spiced-up recipes.

Super Good Chili 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 11/2 pounds ground beef chuck 1 large onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon ground cumin 12-ounce can diced tomatoes 2 16-ounce cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed 16-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 12 ounces beer 4-ounce can diced green chilies 1 tablespoon Tabasco original red sauce 1½ teaspoons salt 16

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Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, shredded; optional

Heat oil in a 5-quart saucepot over medium heat. Add the beef and cook until well browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove to a bowl. Add onion and garlic to the drippings in the saucepot. Cook over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Return the meat to the pot and stir in cumin. Cook 1 minute. Stir in the diced tomatoes with liquid, pinto beans, red kidney beans, beer, green chilies, Tabasco sauce and salt. Heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer 20 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. Serve with cheese, if desired. Serves 6

Courtesy of Tabasco

Honey Dijon Pretzel Chicken Tenders 1¼ pound chicken tenders 1 egg, whisked 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon garlic powder Salt and pepper 1 cup crushed pretzels 1 cup crushed honey Dijon-flavored almonds

Heat oven to 375 F. Mix egg, mustard and spices. In a small bowl, coat raw chicken with mixture, and marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Mix the pretzels and almonds, and spread on a large plate in an even layer. Coat each chicken tender in the pretzelalmond mixture, then place on a greased

spray. Bake for 15 minutes to crisp. Sprinkle equal amounts of the cheese into each skin. Stir together the chicken and wing sauce, and spoon over the cheese. Top with nut chips and almonds, and bake for 5 minutes. Add a dollop of sour cream to each and sprinkle with green onions. Serve with additional wing sauce.

cheese mixture, coating on both sides. Place in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove with spatula and serve warm.

Courtesy of Blue Diamond

8 ounces cream cheese 4 ounces diced green chiles ½ cup salsa 3 green onions (green and white parts), diced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese 1/3 cup minced cilantro 10 to 12 small flour tortillas Olive oil spray

Serves 6 to 8

Bacon Avocado Dip

Tasty toppings make potato skins the hit of the gameday buffet.

baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Servings: 3 to 4

Courtesy of Blue Diamond

Blazin’ Buffalo Potato Skins 3 pounds small russet potatoes Olive oil cooking spray 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce 1/2 cup crushed Blue Diamond Hint of Sea Salt Nut-Thins 1/3 cup chopped smoky-flavored almonds 1/2 cup sour cream 1/4 cup sliced green onion tops

Heat oven to 450 F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Rinse the potatoes and pat dry; pierce with a fork or sharp knife. Place potatoes in a large microwave-safe bowl; cover and microwave on high for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft when gently squeezed. Remove and let cool slightly. Cut each potato in half and scoop out insides, leaving 1/4-inch rim of potato inside the skin. Place potato halves on the prepared baking sheet. Liberally spray both sides of potato skins with cooking

1 large avocado, peeled and mashed 1/2 tomato, seeded and chopped 1/3 cup jalapeno flavored almonds, chopped 1/4 cup diced red onion 3 strips cooked bacon, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons sour cream 1 teaspoon minced garlic Juice of 1/2 lime Salt and pepper, to taste

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Serve with tortilla chips or your favorite crackers. Makes 1 cup

Courtesy of Blue Diamond

Zucchini Parmesan Rounds Nonstick cooking spray 2 medium zucchini (about ¾ pound) 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese ½ cup plain dry bread crumbs 1/8 teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Paprika, to taste

Heat oven to 450 F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with the nonstick cooking spray. Slice the zucchini into ¼-inch thick rounds, leaving the skin on. Place rounds in a resealable plastic bag with the olive oil, and shake to coat all sides. Combine cheese, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and paprika in a small bowl. Press each zucchini round into the

Courtesy of Midwest Dairy Association

Creamy Chicken Taquitos

Heat oven to 425 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick liner. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the cream cheese, diced green chilies, salsa, green onions, garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and chipotle chili powder. Stir frequently until cream cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove mixture from the heat. Stir in the chicken, pepper jack cheese and cilantro. Add about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture to each tortilla, placing it slightly off center and keeping the mixture about 1 inch away from the edge. Roll up the tortilla and place seam side down on the baking sheet. Gently mist the taquitos with olive oil. Bake for about 15 minutes, until lightly golden brown and the edges are crisp. Serves 5 to 6

Courtesy of Sabra

J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 6

The Great Picture Hunt

Photo Tips from David LaBelle

Critique Honestly But Gently

Many years ago, a pack of prankster photographers convinced me to play along with a joke on one of their co-workers who was anxious about attending a photography workshop and having her portfolio critiqued. They wanted me—if only for a few seconds—to act tough and pretend I did not like her pictures. Foolishly, I agreed to play along. I met the young photographer, introduced myself, and asked her about herself and how long she had been shooting. I looked slowly through her portfolio, wearing a serious, stern expression. Doing my best to “act” concerned, I looked up and said, “I don’t see anything in here that suggests that you should keep going in this profession.” The color drained from her face. I was sure she was going to cry. In that split second, I realized the cruelty of the joke. I felt sorry and embarrassed. After they quit laughing and saw her wounded expression, her colleagues also felt bad.

Donna Wallin reviews the results of her photo assignment with instructor David LaBelle during a Ruralite workshop. Photo by Mike Teegarden

Though I immediately apologized profusely, flailing helplessly to repair the psychological damage I caused, she stormed away, humiliated. I am confident she hated me that day and probably still does. It is a lesson that still stings. Separating ourselves from our creations is difficult. Many feel deeply connected to their art—be it a piece of furniture or a photograph—and can be so wounded by criticism they quit something they love. I am a believer in the positive power of honest critique, and abhor ego-driven criticism, which kills the spirit.

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.

J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 6

How we critique is the difference between the recipient hearing and contemplating the evaluation, or closing their ears and heart to what is said. • Begin with the positives. “I love what you did here.” “Wow, you did that really well.” Once someone trusts that you care and are trying to be helpful, they usually will swallow the medicine that follows. • Avoid the judgmental terms “good” and “bad.” With most creative endeavors, good or bad is a judgment in the eyes of the beholder. I have heard people declare a photograph was great just because it was a picture of cat. Never mind that it was blurry and poorly composed. I try to replace the word “problem” with “challenge,” and substitute “interesting” or “uninteresting” for “good” and “bad.” • Be specific. “That works for me” or “It doesn’t work for me” is not helpful. Better

to say, “Perhaps if your subject wore a different color dress that didn’t clash with the background, the picture would be more pleasing.” Or, “Maybe if you had used a shallower depth of field to place greater emphasis on your subject, your focal point would have been clearer.” • Keep in mind what you hope to accomplish. Some people want affirmation more than an honest critique. Others sincerely want to learn techniques to help them improve. What is the goal? I have learned with age and experience to choose my words carefully, realizing how fragile talented people might be in the beginning of their careers or avocations. My goal is to be honest with my appraisal, but to wrap my words—my opinion or judgment—in a blanket of kindness and support that cherishes another’s precious spirit. n

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Travel Journal

Satisfying the Appetite for Wanderlust

Lighting the Way to Oceanside Views

The romance of the high seas comes to life when you visit Florida’s lighthouses. With nearly 45 in Florida, chances are at least one is within an hour’s drive of your home. Many are open for tours. You can climb to the top of some for a spectacular view. Others have museums that tell the colorful histories of these oceanside beacons. Here is a sampling from the peninsula down the Gulf Coast, to the Keys and back up the Atlantic to inspire you to plan a visit. Each lighthouse offers a distinct experience. Pensacola Light Built in 1858 at the entrance of Pensacola Bay is the 150foot-tall Pensacola Light (www. pensacolalighthouse.org). By climbing its 177 steps, you can see three forts, Pensacola Pass, the city’s skyline and the historic Navy Yard. The landmark includes the lighthouse and a museum. It is at Naval Air Station Pensacola, so make sure you have proper identification to enter the military base. Dry Tortugas Light Seventy miles west of Key West is the 151-foot-tall Dry Tortugas Light (www.nps.

gov/drto/learn/historyculture/ lighthouses.htm), maintained by the National Park Service. Accessible by ferry, boat, boat or seaplane, the island of Garden Key also includes Fort Jefferson. Be sure to read “Things to Know Before You Come” on the website to visit this remote National Park. Cape Canaveral Light Cape Canaveral’s launch pads are visible from the grounds of the picturesque Cape Canaveral Light (www.cape canaverallight.org) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base. Originally built in 1848, it was relocated in 1868. The lighthouse keeper lived inside the 151-foot-tall iron lighthouse tower. It reopens for tours this month after being closed more than a year. Amelia Island Light The state’s oldest existing active lighthouse, Amelia Island Light (www.fbfl.us/index. aspx?NID=474) was built in 1830 in extreme northeast Florida near Fernandina. It is the only lighthouse in Florida that has survived with no major rebuilding. Tours are offered the first and third Wednesdays of

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

J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 6

Cape Canaveral Light—which reopens for tours this month—has a direct view of the space shuttle launch pads. Photo by Tony Gray

every month at 10 a.m. The grounds are open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. At 64 feet tall, it takes 69 steps to reach the top of the structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other Bright Lights Inspired to visit other lighthouses? Check out these: • Ponce de Leon Inlet Light (www.ponceinlet.org) near Daytona is the tallest in the state at 175 feet. • St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum (www. staugustinelighthouse.org) has a distinctive barber-pole tower and red lantern house. • St. Marks Light (www. fws.gov/refuge/st_marks) on Apalachee Bay is the secondoldest in Florida.

Family Travel Tips Traveling with small children can be challenging, so try these tips to make it a little easier and more peaceful. • Let each child pack his or her own travel bag with a handful of toys or games suitable for use in the car. • Stop about every 90 minutes to allow for potty breaks and a chance for the kids to burn off energy. • Choose mostly healthy snacks for the trip, including fruit, juices and sandwiches. An occasional cookie or piece of candy is fine, but remember the sugar may rev up their energy level. • Buy removable window shades, especially for side windows, to protect passengers from glare and heat. n

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Festival Roundup

Things to See and Do

Submit Your Events January 1, Pensacola First Day Hike Meet a staff member of Tarklin Bayou Preserve State Park, 2401 Bauer Road, in the parking lot at noon for a 1-mile leisurely walk while learning about native plants. www.floridastateparks.org; (850) 492-1595

January 2-3, Estero 17th biannual Fine Art Show Up to 175 original juried artists display and sell their works— paintings, sculpture, clay, glass, fiber, wood, jewelry, photography and more—from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Miromar Design Center. www.hotworks.org; (941) 755-3088

January 6-February 6, Pensacola 62nd annual Youth Art Focus See the best from more than 500 Escambia County art students and educators Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. www.pensacolamuseum.org; (850) 432-6247

January 7-10, Key West 34th annual Literary Seminar Examine and celebrate literary short forms at the gathering that features readings, discussions

and lectures led by contemporary writers. A first-come, first-seated Sunday afternoon session is free and open to the public. www.kwls.org; (888) 293-9291

January 7-17, Islamorada Uncorked ... the Key Largo and Islamorada Food & Wine Festival Culinary experts present 30-plus savory events to please virtually every palate and budget, spread among numerous Upper Keys venues. The outdoor “A Grand Tasting” is January 16. www.floridakeysuncorked.com; (305) 394-3736

January 8-10, Marathon The Florida Keys Celtic Festival The event at Marathon Community Park, MM 49, features Irish and Scottish dancing, Highland athletics, Celtic merchandise, food and beverage booths, and children’s activities. www.celticheritageproductions.com/ keys; (941) 625-8544

January 9, Key Largo Brew on the Bay Presented by the Rotary Club of Key Largo, the festival includes a home brew competition and more than 100 craft beers from around the world showcased in an unlimited

Winter Art and Antiques Show Fifty dealers from the U.S., Canada and Europe present furniture, rare books, paintings, silver, bronzes, porcelain, crystal, jewelry, pottery, prints, watches, vintage clothing, accessories and more Friday, January 15, through Sunday, January 17, at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail. Hours are Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 and good for entry all weekend. An early-buying preview party to benefit Designing Women Boutique is Thursday, January 14, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.dolphinfairs.com or call (954) 202-1955.

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Want to share a family-friendly event? Please send details to info@florida currents.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. tasting with food, music and entertainment along the waterfront at Rowell’s Marina, MM 104.5. www.keylargobrewonthebay.com; (305) 304-0554

January 13-16, Fort Meade 29th annual Swap Meet and Tractor Pull See antique engines and tractors and a tractor pull at the Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club’s event at the organization’s park, 7000 Avon Park Cutoff Road. www.floridaflywheelers.com; (863) 285-9121

January 15-17, Islamorada 4th annual Baygrass Bluegrass Festival Various genres are featured at the ICE Amphitheater at Founders Park, MM 87. Tickets are available online or at the gate. Funds provide music, dance and art scholarships for local students. Blankets and lawn chairs are permitted, but not coolers. www.baygrassbluegrass.com; (305) 587-0901

January 15-16, Key West 56th annual Key West Historic House & Garden Tours Tour elegant and unique private homes, with transportation on the Conch Train. Proceeds benefit the Old Island Restoration Foundation. www.oirf.org; (305) 294-9501; tickets@oirf.org

January 15-22, Florida Keys Florida Keys Paddle Challenge Paddlers journey 70 miles from Long Key State Park to Key West, taking in sea turtles and Henry Flagler’s Railroad. Registration closes January 1. (352) 377-8342; bill@paddleflorida.org

January 16, Pensacola Beach Pensacola Beach Run Half Marathon 10K/5K Run through Gulf Islands National Seashore’s undeveloped sand dunes. Races begin at 7:30 a.m. www.pensacolarunners.com; (850) 435-9222

January 16-17, Key West 11th annual Florida Keys Seafood Festival Enjoy food, drinks, marine-related crafts, youth activities and music Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bayview Park. Admission is $5. (305) 872-9026; vicki@fkcfa.org

January 16, Plantation Key 33rd annual Art Under the Oaks Artists and crafters from around the country display and sell their goods from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at San Pedro Catholic Church, MM 89.5. Enjoy food, entertainment, raffles and a bake sale. Admission is free. Parking is $5 at the church or free at Coral Shores High School, with a shuttle bus to the event. www.artundertheoaks.com; (305) 360-8556

January 17, Key West Half Marathon and 5K Run Recognized by Runner’s World magazine as one of the 10 great half-marathons of the winter season, the event attracts more than 1,000 participants and follows a course through Old Town Key West, past historic landmarks and the island’s scenic waterfront. (305) 240-0727; bwpromo3@bellsouth.net

January 17-22, Key West Quantum Key West Race Week The annual challenge features more than 100 world-class competition and yachting teams from more than 12 countries and 24 U.S. states. Fans can watch from land or spectator boats. www.yachtscoring.com; (914) 834-8857

January 23, Big Pine No Name Race Join a 5K walk and run that benefits the Domestic Abuse Shelter of the Florida Keys. The race begins at 8 a.m., covers 3.1 miles and is based at the Old Wooden Bridge Guest Cottages & Marina on Big Pine Key. (305) 743-5452

12th annual U.S. Sport Aviation Expo Zenith Aircraft CH 750 company president Sebastien Heintz, left, joins more than 120 exhibitors from the U.S. and Europe displaying aircraft and other aviation equipment at Sebring Regional Airport Wednesday, January 20, through Saturday, January 23. Noncurrent pilots can attend free Rusty Pilots seminars, demo flights will be offered for interested buyers, and owners can display aircraft for sale. For details, visit www. sportaviationexpo.com. January 23, Islamorada Pops in the Park “Around the World in 60 Minutes” is the theme of the free event by the Florida Keys Community Concert Band at 4 p.m. at Founders Park, MM 87. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. www.keyscommunityconcertband. org; (305) 451-4530

January 23, Marathon January Jamboree Local plant experts answer questions, and vendors sell plants and orchids geared for the Keys climate and soil conditions during the Marathon Garden Club event. Jewelry, pottery, rummage sale items and hot dogs also will be sold.

January 29-30, Wauchula 2nd annual Peace River Pro Rodeo Classic Hardee County Cattlemans Arena hosts the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, with shows Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Events include bull riding, bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping. www.peaceriverexplorations.com

January 23-24, Boca Raton 7th annual Fine Art Show Original works will be displayed and sold by 165 artists from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Sanborn Square Park and Federal Highway between NE 2nd Street and Palmetto Park Road.

January 30, Sebring 29th annual Art and Fine Craft Show Sixty artists display their works at the free Lake Placid Art League show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bert J. Harris Agricultural Center. Exhibits include paintings, jewelry, pottery, metal crafts, wood carving and turning, clothing and children’s books. Visitors receive free tickets for donated art for drawings held every 30 minutes. Food is available for purchase.

www.hotworks.org; (941) 755-3088

www.lakeplacidartleague.org

January 27-31, Key West Key West Food and Wine Festival Top chefs and restaurateurs showcase their culinary creativity and the Keys’ indigenous cuisine. Attendees participate in food-related events, brewing competitions and more.

January 30, Sebring 11th annual Big Winterfest See real snow and go down a 12-foot snow slide at the outdoor community event that benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs in Highlands and Hardee counties. The festival at Sebring International Raceway also features a rock wall, inflatables, laser tag,

www.marathongardenclub.org; (305) 743-4971

www.keywestfoodandwinefestival. com; (800) 474-4319; (305) 304-5218

video games, food trucks, carnival games and live entertainment. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5, with children younger than 3 admitted free. www.bbbsun.org; (863) 402-9001

January 30, Moore Haven 10th annual Art in the Park Area artists and craftsmen are invited to exhibit and sell their original work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Glades County Library and the adjacent park along the Caloosahatchee River. There also will be music and food. Mary Booher, (863) 946-0744

January 30, River Ranch Craft Show The annual River Ranch RV Resort show is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Mustang Center. Parking and admission are free. The vendor deadline is January 10. Janice, (863) 632-7291

January 30, Okeechobee 9th annual Family Health and Safety Expo Learn about health- and safetyrelated services at more than 100 vendor booths, first responder vehicles and helicopters. The free family-friendly event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center, 4601 Highway 710, features entertainment, kids’ activities and a free lunch, while supplies last. (863) 462-5000 ext. 257

January 30-31, Key West 31st annual Key West Craft Show Tens of thousands of attendees browse and buy from juried artisans and crafters who display their talents along Whitehead Street. www.keywestartcenter.com; (305) 294-1243

January 30-31, Key Largo 7th annual Key Largo Stone Crab and Seafood Festival Crabs, conch, other seafood, music, cooking demonstrations, entertainment, arts and craft vendors, a kids’ play area and costume contests are featured at the festival at Rowell’s Marina, MM 104.5. Admission is $5 for ages 12 and older. www.keylargoseafoodfestival.com; (305) 451-4502

January 31, Milton 3rd annual Bridal Show Meet bridal experts at the Milton Garden Club event. Doors open at 1 p.m. The show starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. www.miltongardenclub.com

January 31, Key West 22nd annual Key West Master Chefs Classic Local restaurants vie for top honors in appetizers, entrees and desserts. Participants taste the food, and judges pick the winners. The benefit for ReMARCable Citizens will be from 4-7 p.m. at the Westin Key West Resort & Marina Pier, 245 Front St. www.marchouse.org; (305) 294-9526

J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 6

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AC V S . D C

“The ‘Currents Battle’ that allowed rural electrification” Long before the name “Tesla” was associated with highperformance electric vehicles and renewable-energy batteries, it belonged to an unconventional inventor who transformed how electricity is used today. AC vs. DC Nikola Tesla was born in 1856 in what was then the Austrian Empire and is now Croatia. After immigrating to the United States at the age of 28, Tesla began to work for the leading inventor of the age, Thomas Edison. Edison tasked Tesla with redesigning the Continental Edison Company’s direct current generator, promising him a substantial bonus if successful. Upon completing the task, Edison told Tesla he had been joking and that there was never a bonus to receive. Understandably, Tesla resigned a short time later. Edison was a proponent of direct current (DC). We use direct current today in just about anything powered by a battery – cell phones, solar cells and car ignitions. But powering the nation with electricity was a different matter. Electricity generated with DC is unable to travel long distances, so power plants had to be within about a mile of the end user. Tesla, born into a rural family, saw the limitations

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of direct current. After his exit from Continental Edison, he started Tesla Electric Company in 1886. He patented technology using alternating current (AC), which could travel long distances by being stepped up to higher voltages, and then stepped down to safe, usable levels, before it entered homes. Tesla leased his patents to George Westinghouse in 1888 and began working for him. With this new working relationship, the two “currents” were on a collision course. So what happened next?

The “Current Battle” Edison launched a campaign against AC and spread “misinformation” to deter its adoption. Alternating current, according to Edison, was dangerous - but Tesla and George Westinghouse continued their efforts. The turning point in the “current battle” came not in the U.S. but in Germany in 1891 at the International Electro-Technical Exhibit. There, by using AC, motors moved and lights glowed, thanks to power generated

more than 100 miles away. By the next year, Edison, then working for General Electric (GE), saw his DC dream disintegrate when GE merged with Thompson-Houston and immediately invested in AC power.

Implications Edison’s technology simply did not allow for electricity to travel the distances needed to reach the countryside, and it would have been prohibitively expensive to build power plants everywhere that electricity was needed. Thanks to Tesla’s alternating current victory, electricity

can travel hundreds of miles before reaching its final destination. For instance, Seminole Electric Cooperative, PRECO’s wholesale power provider, generates electricity that powers homes all across Florida. Headquartered in Tampa, Seminole owns and operates generating stations in Palatka and Bowling Green, Fla. This electricity travels hundreds of miles over high-voltage transmission lines before reaching PRECO’s distribution lines, which carry safe, reliable and affordable electricity to your home.

J A N U A R Y 2 016

12/11/15 3:04 PM

PRECO is Looking for the Next Generation of Leaders What do 1,500 high school students, our nation’s capitol and electric cooperatives have in common?

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour! Youth Tour was established with one thought in mind – to inspire our next generation of leaders. Since 1964, more than 50,000 young Americans have taken advantage of this special opportunity offered by their electric co-op. PRECO alone has sent 24 students since 2007. It all takes place in June, when hundreds of electric co-ops across the country send participants to Washington, D.C.

for a chance to learn about the cooperative business model and a week of sightseeing.

Or, perhaps you know of an exceptional student who would be a great candidate for the program. If so, please share this article with them.

While in D.C., participants have a chance to meet their elected officials and discuss the issues that are important back home. Without a doubt, Youth Tour has grown into an invaluable program that gives young Americans an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Students who are interested must submit an application to their Guidance Office. The school selects one candidate to submit to PRECO as a semi-finalist, then PRECO judges all applications submitted and selects the two final winners to attend Youth Tour all-expenses-paid.

Youth Tour is so much more than a sightseeing trip. Students have repeatedly shared that this experience has helped them grow into successful professionals. It has also benefited our local communities. Youth Tour participants return home with a deeper understanding and skillset of what it takes to be leader, and as a result, they put these skills to use right here in our community. If you are an 11th grade student interested in traveling to Washington, D.C. to experience the trip of a lifetime, Youth Tour may be the perfect opportunity for you. 26

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The deadline for students to submit an application to their Guidance Office is January 12, so don’t delay. Act now. To learn more, contact your Guidance Office or call PRECO at 1-800-282-3824.

Sean Spurlock and Cheyenne Pohl, PRECO Youth Tour 2015 delegates, tour the World War II memorial Peace River Electric Cooperative

12/11/15 2:54 PM

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Bylaws Notice: District & Annual Meetings A RT ICL E I I I. M EETI NG OF MEM B E R S

Section 1. Annual Meeting. The Cooperative shall annu-

ally hold a meeting of the members at a date, time and location within a county served by the Cooperative determined by the Board of Directors and which shall be designated in the notice of the meeting, for the purpose of passing upon reports for the previous fiscal year, seating of newly elected Directors and transacting such other business as may come before the meeting.

Section 5. Voting. If the member is present in person and presents identification or proof of Cooperative membership as reasonably required by the Cooperative, then, regardless of the value or quantity of Cooperative services used, the member may cast one (1) vote on a matter for which the member is entitled to vote. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, members approve a matter if: (1) a member quorum is present in person and (2) a majority of members who are entitled to vote on the matter, vote in favor of the matter.

A RT ICL E I V. DI REC TORS.

Section 2. Qualifications and Tenure. The Directors of

the Cooperative named in the articles of incorporation, consolidation, merger or conversion, as the case may be, shall hold office until the next following annual meeting of the members or until their successors shall have been elected and seated. Any person shall be eligible to become and remain a Director in the Cooperative who meets the following: (a) Be a member of the Cooperative for at least 12 months, maintain their primary residence in the district which the Director represents and purchase electric energy from the Cooperative at that residence. (b) Not be employed by or have a material financial interest in a competing enterprise or business that sells electrical energy or a supplier, contractor, consultant or any other entity with which the Cooperative does a substantial amount of business. (c) Not have a Close Relative employed by the Cooperative; The word “Close Relative” shall be a defined word as used in

these bylaws and shall mean: children or their spouses, grandchildren or their spouses, husband, wife, sister, brother, parent, step-parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and their children, mother-in-law or father-in-law, sisters-inlaw or brothers-in-law. (d) Not be employed by the Cooperative and must not have been employed by the Cooperative for a period of two years before becoming a Director. No Director may become an employee of the Cooperative for a minimum of two (2) years after leaving the Board of Directors; and (e) Attend at least three-fourths of the regular monthly Board meetings during any twelve-month period beginning with the first month the Director takes office unless the failure to attend a meeting is excused by Board action. After being elected, designated, or appointed, if a Director does not comply with all Director qualifications, then, except as otherwise provided by the Board for good cause, the Board shall disqualify the Director and the individual is no longer a Director if: n the Board notifies the Director in writing of the basis for, and provides the Director an opportunity to comment regarding, the Board’s proposed disqualification; and, n within 60 days after the Board notifies the Director of the proposed disqualification, the Director neither complies with nor meets the Director Qualification.

If a majority of Directors authorized by these Bylaws complies with the Director Qualifications and approves a Board action, then the failure of a Director to comply with the Director Qualifications does not affect the Board action.

J A N UA RY 2016 Nominating Committees meet and select Board of Director nominees. Our bylaws also provide for nomination by petition, not less than 25 days prior to the date of the District Meeting; contact the cooperative for more information. An official notice containing nominee and District Meeting information will be mailed to the voters in each District.

FEBRUA RY 2016 District Meetings will be held and a Director elected.

MA RCH 2016 Newly elected Board Members will be seated at the cooperative’s Annual Membership Meeting.

J A N U A R Y 2 016

16-0001_PREC_2016_Jan_v3.indd 12

Vickers

Martin

Dawes

Director Seats Expiring 2016 DISTRICT 3

BRUCE VICKERS

DISTRICT 6

JOHN MARTIN

DISTRICT 9

WILLIE DAWES Peace River Electric Cooperative

12/11/15 3:05 PM

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

DIST R IC T M EETI NGS 2016 Members of Districts 3, 6 and 9 are invited to attend their District Meeting and vote for a director. Directors hold office for a term of three years. Each registered member shall be entitled to one vote and no member shall be permitted to vote by proxy or mail. DISTRICT

DATE

MEETING

LOCATION

District 9 February 8 6:00 pm 7:00 pm Bereah District 3 February 9 6:00 pm 7:00 pm Kenansville 4:30 pm 7:00pm Lakewood Ranch District 6 February 11 Meeting. Early registration and voting is available for those unable to attend the meeting (Photo-ID, such as a driver’s license, is required to register). Polls will close when all registered members have voted. Registered members receive a $10 electric bill credit and will be entered in a drawing for an iPad Mini. Refreshments will be served and door prize drawings will be held (you must be present to win). Quorum. Bylaws require attendance of at least one percent (1%) of the district members to obtain a quorum, so your attendance is very important. If you are unsure about the district in which you reside, please contact PRECO’s office toll-free at 1-800-282-3824. Notification: In February, members of Districts 3, 6 and 9 will receive a flyer in the mail with District Meeting details.

UN SUR E OF WHI CH BOA RD D I STRI C T YOU LIVE IN? C HECK YOUR ELEC T R IC BI LL.

Cycle: 5 Bill Date: 01/01/2016 4/2015 Service Period: 11/25/2015 – 12/2

Board District: 9 Rate: RESIDENTIAL

Important Nominating Committee Information The Board of Director Nominating Committees will meet January 2016 to select candidates for the upcoming elections of directors for Districts 3, 6 and 9. If you would like to be a director nominee in your district or know someone who may be qualified, please notify a member of your nominating committee as soon as possible. At each District meeting, one member will be elected as director.

www.preco.coop

16-0001_PREC_2016_Jan_v3.indd 13

DISTRICT 3

DISTRICT 6

DISTRICT 9

Jimmy Jeffries

Mal Gurian

David Arnold

95 Pine Drive Kenansville, FL 34739 (407) 436-1296

5245 88th Street East Bradenton, FL 34211 (941) 752-1122

4901 US Hwy 98 W. Frostproof, FL 33843 (863) 528-1183

John Roland McNeal

Bob Shapiro

Lee Barberee

P.O. Box 98 Kenansville, FL 34739 (772) 453-6190

11120 Lost Creek Terrace, Apt. # 106 Bradenton, FL 34211 (941) 251-8259

PO Box 982 Frostproof, FL 33843 (863) 232-8632

Andy Shiner

590 East Bereah Rd. Fort Meade, FL 33841 (863) 528-0214

Lee Partin P.O. Box 99 Kenansville, FL 34739 (407) 342-8178

10643 Glencorse Terrace Bradenton, FL 34211 (941) 201-4860

Nathan Crews

J A N U A R Y 2 016

12/11/15 3:06 PM

Parting Shot

Readers Share Their Special Photos

Attention, Collectors, Antiquarians, Hobbyists and Connoisseurs Some people collect stamps or coins. Others collect comic books or Beanie Babies. Gas pumps, anyone? How about old tractors? We want to know what you collect. Florida Currents is planning a story about collectors—and you could be a part of it. Send us a high-resolution (900KB or larger) photo of you with your caboodle. We know there is a good story, so tell us about your collection, what you have accumulated, your favorite treasures and why you collect. If we use your submission, we will pay you $25. Both a photo and story are required. Don’t miss this opportunity to share the story of your prized possessions. Email your photo and information to info@floridacurrents. com, putting “Collectors” in the subject line. Include your name, postal address and the name of your electric cooperative.

Some people collect teacups as mementos of their travels. Photo by Mike Teegarden

Submissions also can be made via regular mail: Florida Currents, Collectors, 5605 NE Elam Young Parkway, Hillsboro, OR 97124. We always are looking for photos to feature in Parting Shot, and pay $25 for one-time use. Please send your best shots (must be a minimum 1,000 KB file size), along with the story behind the photo and your name and mailing address (for payment) to photos@floridacurrents.com.

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210 Metheny Road Wauchula, Florida 33873 Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F Telephone: 1-800-282-3824 FAX: 866-201-1814 MANATEE SERVICE CENTER

14505 Arbor Green Trail Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F Telephone: 1-800-282-3824 Fax: 941-752-4928

The Power of Operation Round Up It started as a simple idea 27 years ago at one co-op in South Carolina. Just round up the co-op member’s electric bill to the next dollar, and then use it to do good work in your community. Today, hundreds of electric co-ops throughout the country, including PRECO, use this idea to help members and organizations close to home.

All co-ops adhere to the Seven Cooperative Principles, including “Concern for Community.” The Operation Round Up program is the perfect embodiment of this core INDIAN LAKE ESTATES 17363 County Road 630 principle. The average member donation is only $6 per year, with a maximum of no more Lake Wales, Florida 33898 than $11.88 per year. This may not seem like a large amount, For your convenience, a payment drop box is located at the front gate. Payments but when combined with your fellow co-op members, it adds will be posted on the next business day. up to make a significant impact. More than 80 percent of BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRECO’s 38,000 accounts – or approximately 31,000 homes and businesses – participate in John Martin Operation Round Up. PRESIDENT Hollis Albritton The Operation Round Up Charitable Foundation is governed by a board VICE PRESIDENT of volunteers. This board, which is different from the board of directors Sam Rawls S E C R E TA RY/ T R E A S U R E R for the electric co-op, is comprised of nine individuals who are PRECO Maurice Henderson members too. This ensures that decisions are made in the best interest of our A S S T. S E C R E TA RY/ T R E A S U R E R Ellen Bachman members and the community. DIRECTOR The program is always voluntary, and at any time, members can change Leonard Crawley DIRECTOR their minds about participating. Once folks see the good work the program Willie Dawes DIRECTOR does in their community, they almost always keep contributing. Randy Shaw General Manager & CEO Chris Portale Since PRECO first formed the foundation in 2005, Operation Round Up PEACE RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE DIRECTOR has provided over $1.4 million back to the local communities we serve. For Bruce Vickers DIRECTOR example, your rounded up donations helped a family after they lost everything in a house BOARD MEETING fire, assisted a local food pantry, aided a drug addiction facility and so much more. The ATTENDANCE program also provides college scholarships to motivated students. Any PRECO member may attend a Board Meeting. Due to building While every co-op responds to the needs of its members in its own way, one of the security requirements and for us to facilitate attendance, members great attributes of co-ops across the country – and the world – is their willingness to share wishing to attend a Board Meeting information about the programs that have been successful. Operation Round Up is a perfect should contact the Cooperative in a timely manner for logistical example of that cooperative spirit. information regarding the meeting. PRECO is pleased to offer Operation Round Up. We will continue to “borrow” ideas from UPCOMING BOARD MEETING DATES other co-ops and welcome your participation. We thank our members who make Operation January 26, 2016 Round Up possible through their voluntary donations. Operation Round February 23, 2016 March 22, 2016 Up is “small change that changes lives.” 32

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