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APR I L 2016

T H E M AGA Z I N E YO U C O M E H O M E TO

Staying power Allegheny celebrates 70 years of serving cooperative communities

PLUS

Clean and green A question of rice Natural light indoors

Contents

APRIL 2016 Vol. 51 • No. 4 Editor Peter A. Fitzgerald Senior Editor/Writer Katherine Hackleman Contributing Columnists James Dulley Janette Hess Marcus Schneck Layout & Design W. Douglas Shirk Advertising & Circulation Vonnie Kloss media & marketing specialist Michelle M. Smith Penn Lines (USPS 929-700), the newsmagazine of Pennsylvania’s electric cooperatives, is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266. Penn Lines helps 166,000 households of co-op consumer-members understand issues that affect the electric cooperative program, their local co-ops, and their quality of life. Electric co-ops are notfor-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed, and taxpaying electric utilities. Penn Lines is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. The opinions expressed in Penn Lines do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, or local electric distribution cooperatives. Subscriptions: Electric co-op members, $5.42 per year through their local electric distribution cooperative. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Harrisburg, PA 17107 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes with mailing label to Penn Lines, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266. Advertising: Display ad deadline is six weeks prior to month of issue. Ad rates upon request. Acceptance of advertising by Penn Lines does not imply endorsement of the product or services by the publisher or any electric cooperative. If you encounter a problem with any product or service advertised in Penn Lines, please contact: Advertising, Penn Lines, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Penn Lines reserves the right to refuse any advertising.

4 FIRST WORD

More power to you

6 Keeping Current News from across the Commonwealth

cover: Staying power llegheny celebrates 70 years of A serving cooperative communities

10 feature: Clean and green Raystown hydro facility earns environmental certification

12 Energy Matters

America mobilizes for energy efficiency

14 Time Lines

Your newsmagazine through the years

14a Cooperative Connection Information and advice from your local electric cooperative 16 spotlight

50th Anniversary Contests

20 COUNTRY KITCHEN

A question of rice

21 Smart circuits

How to use more natural light indoors efficiently

22 Classifieds 24 OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Tick, Tock, TICK!

25 TECH TRENDS

How plug-in electric vehicles compare to conventional vehicles

26 Punch Lines Board officers and staff, Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association: Chairman, Leroy Walls; Vice Chairman, Tim Burkett; Secretary, Barbara Miller; Treasurer, Rick Shope; President & CEO, Frank M. Betley © 2016 Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Exercised: Earl turns broken New Year’s resolutions into moneymaker

27 Rural Reflections

It’s finally spring!

Visit with us at Penn Lines Online, located at: www.prea.com/Content/ pennlines.asp. Penn Lines Online provides an email link to Penn Lines editorial staff, information on advertising rates, and an archive of past issues.

| APR I L 2016

ON THE COVER Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc., celebrates its 70th anniversary.

firstword

More power to you Seventy years of staying the course By Frank M. Betley

t’s an anniversary year for your cooperative power supplier, Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Allegheny). Formed in 1946 to serve the 13 rural electric cooperatives in Pennsylvania (and later one in New Jersey), Allegheny turns 70 this year. In this volatile age when many companies don’t reach one decade, it’s nice to see that your generation and transmission cooperative has stayed the course through seven decades. Of course, the world was a different place in 1946, with many momentous changes taking place. But as we look back on that year, we can see that the events of 1946 have a lot of bearing on things taking place today. As the world turned away from war, the newly formed United Nations held its first meeting of the U.N. General Assembly in 1946. It was also the year that Winston Churchill gave his famous “Iron Curtain” speech, setting the stage for the coming Cold War. The shifting balance of power back then continues to shape today’s international political landscape. In a display of a different kind of power, the United States developed the Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer (ENIAC) — the world’s first real computer — in 1946. It cost nearly a half-million dollars (or $6 million in today’s dollars), weighed about 30 tons and took up the space of a large room. These days, you can hold a smartphone in your hand for a couple hundred dollars and have the computing capacity of about 10 million ENIACs. That’s really powering up.

Today, many cooperative consumers power their smartphones with electricity generated from nuclear energy. Commercial development of nuclear power began in 1946 with the establishment of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. The agency, later succeeded by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, helped shape the development of nuclear energy as a commercial electric generation resource. Now, in 2016, electric cooperatives in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are getting more than half of their power from clean, reliable nuclear generation. That power is generated at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (Susquehanna), a two-unit nuclear facility in Luzerne County that Allegheny co-owns with Talen Energy Corporation. The Susquehanna plant represents a major part of your diversified cooperative power mix — a mix that also includes the Raystown Hydroelectric Project in Huntingdon County, hydro power from the New York Power Authority, and other resources secured on the wholesale power market. All of this power is managed cooperatively through

| APR I L 2016

Allegheny, with leadership made up of directors from each of the 14 member cooperatives, including yours. Before Allegheny was formed in 1946, Pennsylvania cooperatives bought power individually from private power companies — and were paying among the highest rates around. Allegheny was established to negotiate power contracts on behalf of the cooperatives, and later invested in its own generation resources. Seventy years later, Allegheny’s generation rates are now among the lowest — and most stable — in the entire region. Allegheny was formed in the same cooperative spirit that brought electricity to our rural areas. It was people pulling together for the benefit of all. That formula worked in 1946, and in 2016, it’s why Allegheny continues to thrive today. Just last year, Allegheny’s Susquehanna plant recorded its highest power production, sending 20,561 gigawatt-hours of electricity to the grid. The previous production record at Susquehanna was 19,492 gigawatt-hours in 2009. That’s more power to you, so happy 70th anniversary. l

Frank M. Betley President & CEO Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc.

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keepingcurrent

News from across the Commonwealth

State unveils new logo, slogan inspired by Declaration of Independence The Pennsylvania Tourism Office and the Pennsylvania Tourism Partnership unveiled a new logo and slogan on March 8, 2016, at the Glades Pike Winery in Somerset County. The new slogan — “Pennsylvania. Pursue Your Happiness” — is a takeoff on the phrase, “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,” found in the United States Declaration of Independence. Officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and

Economic Development, noting tourism is a $40 billion industry in the state, said the new slogan and logo establishes a unified identity for tourism that will inspire travelers to explore the Commonwealth while on their personal pursuit of happiness. The new tourism slogan replaces the 2004 slogan, “The State of Independence.” Earlier tourism slogans included: “Pennsylvania Memories Last a Lifetime,” “You’ve Got a Friend in Pennsylvania” and “America Starts Here.”

Crashes involving cellphones decline The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports crashes involving cellphones declined between 2004 and 2014 (the latest information available) with a 6 percent decline in rural counties and a 25 percent decline in urban counties.

THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD: This drawing, left by a child at the Flight 93 National Memorial as a tribute to the passengers and crew members of the airliner hijacked on Sept. 11, 2001, is one of a number of tributes that have been left by young visitors at the memorial. The “Through Their Eyes” exhibit, featuring children’s images, words and objects, was held in March at the recently opened Learning Center. More of the site’s collection of tributes and other items will be displayed in future temporary exhibits.

In 2014, there were 976 vehicle accidents in Pennsylvania where a driver was reported to be using a cellphone. Twenty-four percent of those were in rural counties. About 1 percent of all crashes — both in rural areas and urban areas — involved cellphones. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nationwide, there were 1,513 fatalities related to driver cellphone use from 2012 to 2014. Tennessee, Texas and California each had more than 130 fatalities related to cellphone use, while Hawaii, Alaska, Vermont and Rhode Island had the lowest number of fatalities (three or fewer). Pennsylvania ranked 10th highest with 37 fatalities.

Fishing app popular with anglers in Pennsylvania In its first year in operation, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s free app called FishBoatPA has been downloaded

| APR I L 2016

nearly 35,000 times. The app shows anglers the locations where trout have been stocked, and also provides driving directions to those waters using the smartphone’s GPS coordinates. Upcoming stocking schedules that can be sorted by county are also available, and a “Near Me” feature locates and displays trout waters within 5, 15, 25 and 50 miles of the user. Once the angler has caught a fish, a photo can be posted on the “My Trophies” section. The app also provides a link to nearby locations where fishing licenses can be purchased. The app is available on Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

Deer harvest up from previous year The Pennsylvania Game Commission reports hunters harvested nearly 316,000 deer during the 2015-16 deer seasons, which closed in January. That is an increase of approximately 4 percent compared to the 2014-15 harvest of nearly 304,000 deer. The current total included 137,580 antlered deer, an increase of about 15 percent compared to the previous license year, when 119,260 bucks were taken. The most significant change was the percentage of older bucks harvested — 59 percent of the whitetail bucks that were taken during the 2015-16 seasons were 2 1/2 years or older, the highest percentage of adult bucks harvested in decades. l

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Staying power Allegheny celebrates 70 years of serving cooperative communities By Kathy Hackleman Senior Editor/Writer

lectricity can be compared to flowing water – only in reverse. Instead of starting with a small stream that flows through larger streams and rivers to the ocean, the flow of electricity starts with an ocean of power (the generation plant), then diverges into a series of transmission lines and substations (the rivers) until finally it flows like a small stream into the service lines that provide power to residences and businesses. In Pennsylvania, one of those “oceans” — Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc. — is observing its 70th anniversary in 2016. Every rural electric cooperative member is familiar with the small stream — that’s the electricity you count on to be there for you when you flip on a light switch, plug in the coffeemaker or power up your television. Most members can tell you about their cooperative’s main office and maybe

even the substation that provides their power. Few can trace their power back to its generation source. In Pennsylvania, more than twothirds of all electricity that flows to approximately 220,000 rural electric cooperative members is generated at power plants owned by Allegheny

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POWER UP: Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc., the wholesale power supplier for 14 Pennsylvania and New Jersey cooperatives, provides approximately 60 percent of Allegheny’s member cooperatives’ power needs through its 10 percent ownership share of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, a nuclear plant near Berwick, Pa.

Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Allegheny), a wholesale power supply cooperative formed in 1946 by the 13 Pennsylvania cooperatives plus one in New Jersey. The remaining percentage of the members’ power needs is purchased on the open market through Allegheny, which is headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa. For the past 70 years, Allegheny has been providing safe, reliable and affordable power to consumer-members of its 14 affiliated cooperatives, powering communities across the Commonwealth and New Jersey. Like all electric cooperatives, Allegheny is governed by an elected board of its members (each one of the 14 cooperatives elects one of its directors to serve on the Allegheny board). “Since Allegheny’s first board meeting in 1946, there have been incredible transformations in the industry,” says Frank Betley, president & CEO

of Allegheny and the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association (PREA), the statewide organization representing the Pennsylvania and New Jersey cooperatives. “We’ve transitioned from buying all of our power to owning the majority of our generation. We’ve seen an increase in renewable sources of power and the deployment of smart meters. We’ve realized the ‘greenest’ — and most cost-effective — kilowatt-hour is the one that is never generated, so we’ve been leaders in developing energy efficiency initiatives.” While the industry continues to face changes, including the potential for national environmental regulation of power plants to combat climate change, Betley says one thing has remained the same through the decades. “Our mission has not changed,” he emphasizes. “Our one main goal continues to be supplying cooperative members with safe, reliable and affordable electricity. And we are well-positioned to continue to carry out that mission into the future. We meet nearly 70 percent of our generation needs from our own clean, carbon-free resources, including hydro and nuclear power. That means, regardless of the carbon regulation changes the industry faces, we will continue to be able to provide competitively priced electricity to our members.”

nia’s rural electric cooperative consumer-members were paying more for their electricity than nearby city and suburban residents. Realizing there would be cost savings associated with larger purchases, Pennsylvania cooperatives voted to form a wholesale power purchasing cooperative to buy power in bulk for all of them. The first formal step toward the creation of what would become Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc. was taken on March 17, 1944, at a PREA meeting. (PREA was established by the 14 cooperatives in 1942 and its board is also made up of one director from each cooperative.) There was an immediate reaction when the plan to form Allegheny became public: private power companies filed a lawsuit to deny the incorporation of the new cooperative, claiming Allegheny would be a public utility and therefore must come under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. The lawsuit went all the way to the state Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the cooperatives. Soon after

the ruling, the state granted a charter to Allegheny. The first official meeting of the new generation and transmission cooperative was finally held on July 24, 1946. The first order of business was to begin negotiations with private power companies to purchase power at discounted prices. By October 1947, the private power companies had agreed to rates that would save the Pennsylvania and New Jersey cooperatives (and their members) approximately 20 percent over the previous rates. A few years later, Allegheny and PREA, working together, hired their first, full-time manager, who, among other tasks, was asked to work with the General Assembly on territorial legislation that would prevent private power companies from pirating territory in rural areas. It would take time, but finally in 1974, the Pennsylvania legislature passed a bill defining rural electric cooperative areas and allowing cooperatives to continue serving areas where they had historically provided power. In 1966, Allegheny took action and (continues on page 18)

The cooperative way Although Allegheny’s first official board meeting wasn’t held until the summer of 1946, the wholesale power supplier’s history begins years earlier. Back in the early 1930s, only about 6 percent of rural Pennsylvanians had electricity. After the establishment of the Rural Electrification Administration through an executive order by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935, and the subsequent formation of rural electric cooperatives in the Commonwealth, electricity became more available in rural areas. However, the price of the wholesale electricity being purchased by each cooperative for its members was significantly higher than the U.S. average, meaning Pennsylva-

LOAD CONTROL: Tony Vincik, Allegheny/PREA manager of energy management systems, at screen, provides a look at information related to instantaneous load and weather conditions used to make load control decisions at the coordinated load management system facility at Allegheny’s headquarters in Harrisburg, Pa.

| APR I L 2016

Clean and green

Raystown hydro facility earns environmental certification By Kathy Hackleman Senior Editor/Writer

ome of the power that lights the homes or charges the cellphones in Pennsylvania comes from some of the cleanest energy around. The Raystown Hydroelectric Project (Raystown) in Huntingdon County is a cooperative-owned facility, and it produces clean, renewable hydroelectricity.

Recently, Raystown was recognized again for its continuing stewardship of the environment. The Low Impact Hydro Institute (LIHI), a national independent environmental organization dedicated to monitoring the impact of hydroelectric generation, has recertified Raystown as a “low impact” facility, which means it has met the organization’s rigorous environmental criteria. This designation, first issued in 2006, is now effective through 2022. Owned by Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc., the power supply cooperative formed in 1946 by the 14 Pennsylvania and New Jersey rural electric cooperatives, Raystown was

the first hydroelectric plant in Pennsylvania (and the 23rd nationally) to earn this recognition. The nonprofit Low Impact Hydro Institute certifies environmentally low impact hydropower facilities nationwide to help energy consumers and support market incentives to reduce the effects of hydropower dams on the nation’s rivers and streams. There are only three other Pennsylvania hydro facilities currently holding the certification: Holtwood Hydroelectric Power Plant, Mahoning Creek Hydroelectric Co. and York Haven Hydroelectric Power Plant. In discussing the recertification, Frank Betley, president & CEO of Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Allegheny) and the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association (PREA), the statewide organization representing the 14 cooperatives, stated, “It says a lot about the way that Raystown is RAYSTOWN POWER: Power generated at the Raystown Hydroelectric Project, located at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County, historically provides enough electricity to power approximately 8,500 rural residences.

| APR I L 2016

designed, operated and managed that no modifications were required for either the first certification or this recertification. There are stringent requirements to meet related to a range of benefits associated with healthy rivers, but for Raystown, it’s just been normal operations.”

Rigorous standards To be certified by the LIHI, a facility must meet eight environmental criteria, including river flow, water quality, fish passage and protection, watershed health, endangered species protection, cultural resources, recreation use and access, and whether or not the dam itself has been recommended for removal. If any of the eight criteria are not satisfied, the facility cannot be certified as low impact. The 21-megawatt, run-of-river plant located on the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River at the base of Raystown Dam in Huntingdon County is operated by Allegheny in close cooperation with the Baltimore District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (which operates the dam). Bill Shearn, plant superintendent, explains that the water released from Raystown Lake enters the plant through an intake (a concrete structure that rises 22 feet above the water level in the lake). Velocity limiters and trash racks prevent fish and debris from entering the intake. It then flows through a 930-foot, concrete-lined tunnel and a 550-foot steel pipe called a penstock to the turbines/generators. “When the water reaches the turbines, it goes through an open valve and then through the turbine, which is the modern-day equivalent of a water wheel,” Shearn says. “The turbine shaft is connected to the generator shaft. The electrical field, created by inducing DC voltage, interrupted by the rotating generator shaft and rotor against the stationary generator stator, produces AC electricity at 6,900 volts. That electricity is transmitted to the transformer, where the generator voltage is changed to transmission line voltage of 46,000 volts, and then delivered into the local transmission grid system. The water then goes through the draft tube gates into the open channel called a tailrace below the powerhouse. There is no increase in water temperature as it leaves the plant.”

Powering rural homes In a typical year with average rainfall, the plant delivers enough electricity to power roughly 8,500 rural residences. The hydroelectric plant, an integral part of Allegheny’s power portfolio came on-line in June 1988. It provides an average of 2.5 to 3.5 percent of the power annually supplied to cooperative consumers. “We are proud to have Raystown as part of our power mix,” Betley notes. “It’s a proven and reliable source of low-cost, clean generation for electric cooperative consum-

er-members, and we anticipate it will continue to operate at a high availability level for many years to come.” Because of Raystown’s classification as a “Tier I” renewable generation resource by the Commonwealth’s Alternative Energy Program, backed up by its certification as a low impact hydro facility, Allegheny is eligible to market renewable energy certificates. Certificates generated by the plant are sold to other load-serving entities in Pennsylvania. One certificate represents proof that one megawatt-hour of electricity was generated by an eligible renewable resource. The sale price of renewable energy certificates is based on supply and demand.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: Raystown continues to be recognized as a “low impact” hydro facility with its recent recertification by the Low Impact Hydro Institute, which requires a number of rigorous environmental criteria be met before granting the certification.

Revenue from the sale of the renewable energy certificates funds PREA’s Renewable Energy Assistance Program (REAP). REAP was created to assist cooperative consumer-members who want to install a renewable distributed generation system at their home or farm. The program provides grants to Pennsylvania and New Jersey cooperatives to help cover certain interconnection costs to ensure other cooperative consumer-members are not required to subsidize the operation or installation of the small renewable energy generation system. Since 2003, Raystown has produced $3.77 million in revenue from the sale of renewable energy certificates, averaging approximately 87,000 renewable energy certificates annually. Customers include voluntary purchasers and also load-serving entities required to meet Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards mandated by the Commonwealth. “The sale of renewable energy certificates has evolved, and now provides a unique opportunity for Allegheny to continue to fund REAP to promote the development of renewable distributed generation systems by consumer-members,” Betley adds. Additional information about the Low Impact Hydro Facility designation is available at www.lowimpacthydro.org. l

| APR I L 2016

energymatters

America mobilizes for energy efficiency Progress since the first Earth Day continues By Paul Wesslund

pril 22 will mark the 45th celebration of Earth Day. The rallies and marches in the spring of 1970 called for more attention to protecting the environment. If you measure the success of that cause by greater energy efficiency, the results have been remarkable and the future holds great promise.

Here are a few examples of increases in energy efficiency during the past decades: k The fuel economy of cars and other motor vehicles in the U.S. has improved from 12.2 miles per gallon in 1975 to 17.6 in 2013. You might think this would mean cars have lost some of their “giddyup,” but horsepower steadily increased during that time, and 0-60 mph acceleration went from 14 seconds to 8 seconds. k New lightbulb technologies shine when it comes to using less energy. The U.S. Department of Energy says that from 2001 to 2010, lumens per watt rose from 45 to 58. That resulted in a 9 percent drop in the amount of electricity used for lighting during a decade when the number of bulbs increased 18 percent. k The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star program of efficiency ratings for everything from appliances to buildings says people bought 5.2 billion Energy Star-rated products, saving $34 billion in energy bills since the program began in 1992. Here’s what experts predict for the future. k The U.S. Department of Energy reports that super-efficient, light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs saved $1.8 billion in energy costs in

2013, and that $39 billion would be saved if all bulbs were switched to LEDs. k A report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) says, “There are large and cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities that, by 2050, can collectively reduce energy use by 40 to 60 percent relative to current forecasts.” “The best is yet to come,” says Brian Sloboda, an energy expert with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Sloboda sees “amazing new technologies” that will continue the progress in energy efficiency. He cites lighting as an example of how far we’ve come and how far we can still go. Lightbulb efficiency has skyrocketed in the last 20 years, from incandescent lights, to compact fluorescent lights (the curly CFL bulbs), to LEDs. A promising new technology, OLEDs — organic light-emitting diodes, isn’t even a bulb, but lighting made of flexible material that can be applied to a variety of surfaces. “Instead of having ceiling lights, the ceiling would actually be made

| APR I L 2016

of OLED material. During the day, it looks like a regular ceiling, but at night the ceiling itself would glow,” says Sloboda. “Instead of having light poles or roadway lighting, you could actually make the OLED material into the roadway so the stripes on the road provide the lighting. It could completely change the way architects design our buildings.” The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy lists a variety of steps for a more efficient future. Those include better energy habits in our own lives, more efficient electronic equipment and smart systems (like thermostats) that adjust to your daily schedule. “If we aggressively pursue these efficiency opportunities,” ACEEE officials say, “we can roughly double the rate of efficiency improvement in the next 35 years relative to the past 35 and reduce energy use to half the current forecasts.” l Paul Wesslund writes on cooperative issues 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.

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timelines

Your Newsmagazine Through the Years

2006

For nearly 1 million Pennsylvania anglers, the first day of trout season provides more than a chance to catch a fish — it’s a rite of passage.

enn Lines takes a look back at the widespread damage done by avian influenza (more commonly known as bird flu) in the 1980s. When a mild strain of the bird flu was detected in April 1983 in Lancaster County, few alarm bells were raised. By that October, however, the virus had changed into something highly lethal. Scores of chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl in Pennsylvania died as the rapidly expanding disease produced mortality rates near 100 percent. As the bird flu rolled into neighboring states, a task force of more than 500 federal and state officials descended on the Mid-Atlantic region in an effort to contain the damage. A state of emergency was declared and workers began carrying out a massive eradication program, destroying entire flocks. Over the next two years, 17 million birds on 400 farms in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia were killed. The staggering losses sent Pennsylvania’s poultry industry reeling and egg prices increased 30 percent. Total costs to consumers reached $350 million. Many farms were devastated. By 2006, however, the poultry industry had bounced back in Pennsylvania, generating $700 million in revenue per year, second only to dairy operations in terms of raw economic output.

| APR I L 2016

1996

1986 Spring is maple syrup time in the northeastern United States, a time when sunny days and cold nights combine to make the “sugar water” flow.

Penn Lines offers a guide for voters who will be selecting the political leadership in the state and nation in the years ahead.

1976

TRUTH BE TOLD, YOUR ELECTRICITY COMES FROM PEOPLE POWER. Thankfully, there’s one energy source that co-op members can always depend on – the hard-working dedication and efficiency of your electric co-op linemen. Learn more about the power of your co-op membership at TogetherWeSave.com.

TOGETHERWESAVE.COM

| F| E A BPRRUA I LRY 2 02 10 61 6

spotlight

50th Anniversary Contests Penn Lines staff

his year marks the 50th anniversary of Penn Lines. As part of the anniversary celebration, we asked readers to participate in a number of contests (all contest entries are now closed). Throughout 2016, we will be printing winning entries, plus selected other entries, in the magazine.

This month’s winning entry — submitted by Jacqueline Bylsma, a member of Adams Electric Cooperative — is for the essay contest answering the question, “How Does Penn Lines Help you as a Cooperative Member?” The winning entry was randomly drawn from all submissions in that category. Announcements coming up later in 2016 will include one winner in each of the two remaining essay contests: “My Earliest Memory of Penn Lines” and “What Does Penn Lines Mean to Rural Pennsylvania.” Winning entries from the five anniversary contests will receive a $50 gift card (the winning entry from the “Oldest Penn Lines” was published in February and the winning entry for the “Most Well-Traveled Penn Lines” was published in March). Here is Jacqueline Bylsma’s winning entry:

viduals and groups who seek to make our state a better place to live. The final “N” refers to the nutritional (and maybe not-so-nutritional) recipes for such dishes as hearty soups, family Penn Lines: The name of the newscasseroles, holiday meals and even the magazine reveals, letter by letter, how it questionable breakfast treat, “Crispy helps me as a cooperative member. S’mores Bars.” The “P” gives me a panoramic view of A newsmagazine also requires the the state and local issues that affect my “E”: entertainment. I am always amused life and my community. by Earl’s words of wisdom as well The “E” represents the as some of the ads — who nn Lines Pe educational articles appearing wouldn’t be enchanted by prodeach month that keep me ucts that restore my clogged knowledgeable about such septic system or rid my lake of years topics as technology, health muck! 6 19 6 6-201 and the environment. Drawing up the end is the “S,” The “Ns” provide me with which represents the safety articles current news and feelings of nostalgia and tips that prevent me from being foolevoked by articles about past ways of life. ish around electricity and my “It’s not “L” identifies the newsmagazine’s rocket science” husband. features about leisure activities to enjoy Combined, these nine letters spell the with family and friends, while “I” repname of a publication that makes me an resents the inspirational stories about my informed and conscientious cooperative community’s volunteers, the dedicated member. employees and leaders from PennsylvaJacqueline Bylsma — nia’s electric cooperatives, and those indiAdams Electric Cooperative

Here are some of the entries in the well-traveled magazine division:

CANADA: Susanne Brown (Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative), Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada, Nova Scotia

ITALY: Ray/Kathy Novak (REA Energy Cooperative), Florence, Italy

| APR I L 2016

COLORADO: Brenda Welshans (Sullivan County Rural Electric Cooperative), Denver, Colo.

Reach nearly 166,000 rural Pennsylvania households! Advertise in Penn Lines. For more information, please visit our website at www.prea.com/Content/pennlines.asp or call 717.233.5704

Farms are part of our electric cooperative.

Staying power (continued from page 9) entered into a long-term, low-cost power supply agreement with the Power Authority of the State of New York (now known as the New York Power Authority or NYPA). Since then, this agreement to purchase hydropower from NYPA has saved Allegheny’s member cooperatives an estimated $389 million compared to the cost of buying power from other sources.

Our own power Recognizing that the sure-fire way for cooperatives to control their destiny was to have their own generation, Allegheny researched a number of possible power supply sources, eventually purchasing a 10 percent ownership in the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (SSES), a nuclear plant near Berwick, and constructing a small hydroelectric project at Raystown Lake near Huntingdon. The path toward partial ownership of the nuclear power plant was announced in 1972 after a series of studies and negotiations with Pennsylvania Power and Light (now known as

TRANSMISSION OF POWER: High-voltage transmission lines, such as this SunburySusquehanna line, transmit power from where it is generated to cooperative substations. From the substations, electricity is transmitted via distribution lines to cooperative consumer-members.

RAYSTOWN CONSTRUCTION: The Allegheny-owned Raystown Hydroelectric Project, shown during construction in this historic photo, began commercial operation in 1988. It provides between 2.5 and 3.5 percent of Allegheny’s member cooperatives’ power needs annually.

PPL Corporation). The nuclear plant contracts were not finalized until 1977. More than a decade after Allegheny began talks to be a part of the SSES project, Unit 1 began commercial operation in June 1983. Unit 2 took the same step in February 1985. This marked the first time Allegheny was able to provide cooperative-owned power to its member cooperatives. Today, 10 percent ownership in the nuclear power plant, which has been modernized to increase its generation capacity in recent years, provides approximately 60 percent of the annual power needs of Pennsylvania and New Jersey cooperatives. Now operated by Talen Energy Corporation, the facility set a generation record last year, sending 20,561 gigawatt-hours of electricity to the grid. During the same time frame it was waiting for SSES to come on-line, Allegheny was also working to secure other power generation sources. In August 1986, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Raystown Hydroelectric Project, and construction began soon after. The hydroelectric project began commercial operations in June 1988; it historically provides 2.5 to 3.5 percent of the cooperatives’ power needs each year.

Efficiency leaders Allegheny was also exploring other

| APR I L 2016

methods to bring affordable, reliable power to its member cooperatives. In 1983, a pilot project at three Pennsylvania cooperatives — Wysox-based Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative, Cambridge Springs-based Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative, and Somerset-based Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative — revealed direct control of home electric water heaters could be used as a method of smoothing out peak periods of electric use to reduce the monthly demand charges for cooperatives. Electricity is the most expensive during peak use, so curbing demand during these periods reduces costs for cooperatives — and, ultimately, you, the member. The project showed that actively managing electric loads during peak times could lower overall demand for electricity, reducing the need to purchase more expensive power on the open market. Putting this into practice, Allegheny member cooperatives launched the coordinated load management system in 1986. Since then, this initiative has resulted in a total savings to cooperatives of nearly $130 million in avoided purchased power costs, and has been recognized as a model of energy efficiency and demand response innovation. “This system works because cooperatives are built to keep power costs affordable for members — not

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Building for the future Along with keeping generation rates competitive, Allegheny strives to keep a reliable flow of electricity to members. Given the unique — and often challenging — terrain of cooperative service territories, that task requires constant vigilance. Because electric cooperatives are connected to the grid with other utilities, Allegheny works NEW YORK POWER: A 1966 long-term, low-cost power supply agreement between Allegheny and the New York Power Authority that allowed Allegheny to purchase hydropower generated in New York, including from the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant, below, has saved Allegheny’s member cooperatives an estimated $389 million compared to the cost of buying power from other sources.

hard to ensure those utilities connected to cooperative delivery points play their part in maintaining grid infrastructure and equipment. Through a legal agreement, Allegheny has been able to direct where other utilities must invest in system improvement projects. Through a formalized planning process established in 1998, this effort has provided close to $70 million for more than 600 projects to help maintain reliability to cooperative areas. “This means fewer outages for cooperative members, and that’s the goal,” Sallade explains. “The point is to ensure these improvements are continually made, and that they’re made at no cost to cooperatives.” From the first power supply contracts to owning their own generation resources, Allegheny and its member cooperatives have come a long way in 70 years. Through numerous industry challenges, they have managed to persevere and even thrive, observes Betley. “Electric cooperatives have staying power,” notes Betley. “Companies come and go, especially in the volatile energy industry. But cooperatives, because of their member-driven focus, are built to adapt to changing conditions in order to meet member needs. That’s why, after 70 years, Allegheny continues to successfully provide a reliable and competitive flow of power to its members. Cooperatives are built to last, and Allegheny looks forward to the next 70 years of serving its members.” l

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to maximize profits,” explains Todd Sallade, Allegheny/PREA vice president — power supply & engineering. “Because cooperatives are memberowned, there’s an incentive to keep costs down. The load management system helps to do that.” Sallade notes that the load management system is one of the contributing reasons cooperative rates are so competitive today. “Every little bit helps,” he says. “The early contract with NYPA, and then ownership in the nuclear plant and the hydroelectric plant, along with the load management program, have been key factors in Allegheny’s success in keeping generation rates for consumer-members among the lowest and most stable in the region.”

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countrykitchen

A question of rice By Janette Hess

f potatoes or bread can serve as an anchoring ingredient in a brunch casserole, why can’t rice? If potatoes or pasta can star in a chilled salad, why can’t rice? If a meal calls for an elegant side dish, why can’t rice step up to the — literal — plate? This month’s Sausage and Rice Brunch Casserole proves rice’s suitability for the morning menu. The recipe for Rice and Artichoke Salad takes a shortcut in the form of a packaged rice mix, but the resulting dish is anything but short on flavor. Springtime Risotto spotlights a lesser-known variety of rice, Arborio rice. When slowly stirred and simmered with broth, this rice transforms into a creamy, company-worthy dish. Unquestionably, rice can be much more than a nondescript afterthought used to soak up sauce or fill out a bare-looking plate! l

Sausage and Rice Brunch Casserole 4 cups cooked brown rice 1 pound sausage 1/2 onion, diced 4 ounces fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped 6 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup milk 1/2 cup sour cream with chives 1 teaspoon celery salt 2 cups (8 ounces) grated, extra sharp cheddar cheese Paprika for garnish

Rice and Artichoke Salad 1 4.3-ounce package long grain and wild rice mix (with seasoning packet) 1/3 cup (approximately) uncooked long grain white rice 2 1/4 cups water 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 12-ounce jar marinated artichokes 1 2 1/4-ounce can sliced black olives, drained

1/2 red bell pepper, diced 4 green onions with tops, chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese Freshly ground pepper to taste

Springtime Risotto 6 to 8 ounces fresh asparagus spears, tough ends removed and discarded Olive oil cooking spray 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 cups lower sodium chicken broth, plus extra as needed

6 green onions 1 cup uncooked Arborio rice 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest Freshly ground pepper

| APR I L 2016

A trained journalist, Janette Hess focuses her writing on interesting people and interesting foods. She is a Master Food Volunteer with her local extension service and enjoys collecting, testing and sharing recipes.

Spread 2 cups cooked rice in bottom of 9-by-13-inch greased or sprayed baking dish. If desired, a round casserole dish can be used. Set aside. In large skillet, brown sausage. Drain fat, if needed. Add onion and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in spinach and sauté 1 minute. Spoon mixture over rice. In large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sour cream and celery salt. Stir in cheese and remaining rice. Spread mixture over sausage. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes, or until set. Serve with salsa, if desired. Makes 12 servings. In measuring cup, combine rice mix with enough white rice to equal 1 cup. Combine rice, water, olive oil and seasonings in saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for approximately 25 minutes, or until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Cool to room temperature. Drain artichokes, reserving 1/4 cup marinade. Roughly chop artichokes, discarding any tough outer leaves. In large bowl, combine rice, vegetables and parsley. Whisk together mayonnaise, thyme and reserved marinade; add to rice mixture. Add freshly ground pepper to taste. Top with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately at room temperature, or chill until serving time. Makes 6 to 8 servings. Serving suggestion: For an easy, main-dish salad, add chopped, deli-roasted chicken. Arrange asparagus in single layer on foil-lined baking sheet. Spray generously with olive oil cooking spray. Roast at 425 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness of stalks. When cool enough to handle, cut off tips and dice stalks. Set aside. Begin heating chicken broth. Melt butter in large sauce pan. Slice off bottom 3 inches of green onions; dice and add to melted butter. (Diced tops will be added later.) Sauté for 2 minutes. Add uncooked rice. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add 1 cup hot broth to rice. Continue cooking and stirring at medium to medium-high heat until broth is absorbed. Gradually stir in remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time, until broth is completely absorbed and rice is tender but slightly chewy. If needed, add additional broth 1 tablespoon at a time. Remove from heat and fold in asparagus, diced onion tops, Parmesan cheese and lemon zest. Add freshly ground pepper to taste. Makes 6 servings.

smartcircuits

How to use more natural light indoors efficiently By James Dulley

ear Jim: I would like to bring in more natural light and use fewer lamps to save electricity. Installing a big skylight sounds expensive and inefficient. What other options and simple tips are there? â€” Roni H. Dear Roni: Although the amount of electricity consumed for lighting, especially with LED bulbs, is relatively small compared to heating and cooling, it still adds up. Natural lighting is free, does not damage the environment and many people see better under natural light. There are two aspects to effective natural lighting. One is getting the natural light indoors efficiently and the other is maintaining its brightness indoors. Skylights bring in a lot of light, but the big opening in the ceiling insulation envelope does lose energy. Before considering any major improvement projects, such as new doors or windows, work indoors to improve light reflectivity. Something as simple as painting the rooms a bright, even better white, color reduces the amount of natural light absorbed and lost. Placement of mirrors opposite windows can be effective to reflect light. For a window near a corner, place the mirror on the adjacent wall close to the window. Most of the natural light comes in through windows. If you have relatively efficient, newer windows, open the curtains or use just sheers to allow light in. If you have old single-pane windows, use insulating shades. Opening them would lose more energy than you save on lighting. Prune back shrubs that are blocking some glass area. Tubular skylights are an efficient and

effective alternative to a large skylight. They are efficient because only a 1- to 1.5-foot hole needs to be cut into the ceiling and roof. On a sunny day, a small one-foot tubular skylight can produce as much light as four 100-watt incandescent bulbs. A tubular skylight is a sheet metal tube that extends from a hole in the ceiling to one in the roof. Its interior surface is reflective so very little light brightness is lost as the rays bounce back and forth coming down into the room. A clear dome is sealed over the top and a diffuser snaps on the bottom at the ceiling. It looks like a recessed light. If they are too bright at times, an optional solar-powered, remote damper is available. For bathrooms, select a tubular skylight with a built-in vent fan. Dear Jim: I am adding a first-floor bathroom onto my family room. My house is airtight and I do not want to

| APR I L 2016

make any more exterior penetrations than is necessary. How can I vent the new plumbing? â€” Phil T. Dear Phil: Installing a small air admittance valve (AAV) can take the place of running a standard plumbing vent pipe up through the roof. Since there is no roof penetration, they are easier to install and more efficient. An AAV is a 6-inch valve that allows air to enter the drain system, but it does not allow smelly sewer gases to exhaust. It works like a one-way check valve. One costs from $20 to $30 at plumbing supply outlets. l

Have a question for Jim? Send inquiries to James Dulley, Penn Lines, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

Classified Advertisements

ISSUE MONTH AD DEADLINE June 2016 April 18 July 2016 May 18 August 2016 June 17

Penn Lines classiﬁed advertisements reach nearly 166,000 rural Pennsylvania households! Please note ads must be received by the due date to be included in the requested issue month. Ads received beyond the due date will run in the next available issue. Written notice of changes and cancellations must be received 30 days prior to the issue month. Classiﬁed ads will not be accepted by phone, fax or email. For more information please contact Michelle M. Smith at 717-233-5704.

Please submit a clearly written or typed sheet with the following required information: oC ooperative members should please submit the mailing label from Penn Lines as proof of membership. oN on-members should submit name, address, phone number, and email address, if applicable. o Month(s) in which the ad is to run. o Ad copy as it is to appear in the publication. oH eading ad should appear under, or name of special heading (additional fee). See below for FREE heading options. FREE Headings: • Around the House • Business Opportunities • Employment Opportunities • Gift & Craft Ideas • Livestock & Pets • Miscellaneous

• Motor Vehicles & Boats • Nursery & Garden • Real Estate • Recipes & Food • Tools & Equipment • Vacations & Campsites • Wanted to Buy

ANTIQUES

ANTIQUES, VINTAGE, RE-PURPOSING. Open 6 days a week - Closed Mondays. 2-year anniversary on April 16. Timeless Treasures Antiques. 250 S. Main St., Cambridge Springs, PA. 814-853-3580. AROUND THE HOUSE

SPECIAL OFFER – BOTH COOKBOOKS FOR $12. “Country Cooking” – $5, including postage. “Recipes Remembered” – $7, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are a collection of recipes from men and women of the electric co-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to: Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P. O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks. CLOCK REPAIR: If you have an antique grandfather clock, mantel clock or old pocket watch that needs restored, we can fix any timepiece. Macks Clock Repair: 814-421-7992.

CARPENTER BEES BE GONE!!! Stops boring. No chemicals. Bees enter, can’t get out. Easily dispose of dead bees. Trapped bees are visible. Traps dozens of bees. Hang in problem areas. Treated wood construction. Mounting hardware included. $25. Buy 4 – free shipping. Information/ order: 814-333-1225. Email: gburch54@ windstream.net. BUILDING SUPPLIES

STEEL ROOFING AND SIDING. Over 25 years in business. Several profiles cut to length. 29 and 26 gauge best quality residential roofing – 40-year warranty. Also, seconds, heavy gauges, accessories, etc. Installation available. Located northwestern Pennsylvania. 814-398-4052.

FACTORY SECONDS of insulation, 4 x 8 sheets, foil back. R-Value 6.5 per inch. Great for pole buildings, garages, etc. Many thicknesses available. Also blue board insulation sheets. 814442-6032.

CLASSIFIED AD SUBMISSION/RATES Electric co-op members: $20 per month for 30 words or less, plus 50¢ for each additional word. Non-members: $70 per month for 30 words or less, plus $1.50 for each additional word. Ad in all CAPITAL letters: Add 20 percent to total cost. SPECIAL Headings: $5 for co-op members, $10 for non-members. Fee applies to any heading not listed under “FREE Headings”, even if the heading is already appearing in Penn Lines. For ads running a special heading in consecutive months, the fee is a onetime fee of either $5 or $10 for all consecutive insertions. PAYMENT: Please make CHECK/MONEY ORDER payable to: PREA/Penn Lines. Insertion of classiﬁed ad serves as proof of publication; no proofs supplied. SEND COMPLETED AD COPY AND PAYMENT TO: Penn Lines Classiﬁeds • P.O. Box 1266 • Harrisburg, PA 17108

BUSINESS OPORTUNITIES

RESTAURANT: Building, ample parking, ground, all equipment and inventory. Grill and desserts. Near resort. Faithful clientele. Leave message 814599-7906. CHURCH LIFT SYSTEMS

Make your church, business or home wheelchair accessible. We offer platform lifting systems, stair lifts, porch lifts and ramps. References. Free estimates. Get Up & Go Mobility Inc. 724-7460992 or 814-926-3622. CLASSIC FARM EQUIPMENT

McCormick Farmall 230 (Serial #1383) w/manual. Runs well, new battery. Snow plow, mower, etc. included. Currently housed in Bedford County. $750/OBO. 703-538-5333. CONSULTING FORESTRY SERVICES

NOLL’S FORESTRY SERVICES, INC. performs Timber Marketing, Timber Appraisals, Forest Management Planning, and Forest Improvement Work. FREE Timber Land Recommendations. 30 years experience. Call 814-472-8560.

CENTRE FOREST RESOURCES. Forest Management Services, Wildlife Habitat Management, Timber Sales, Appraisals. College educated, professional, ethical foresters working for you. FREE Timber Consultation. 814-5717130. CRANE SERVICE

NEED A LIFT? Crane service for all your lifting needs. Experienced, fully insured, OwnerOperated and OSHA- certified. Precision Crane LLC, Linesville, PA 814-282-9133.

| APR I L 2016

ELECTRIC MOTORS

FARM, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, NEW AND USED MOTOR SALES. Complete repair facility with over 30 years experience. Most sizes in stock. Emergency repair available. Ludwig Electric LLC. 814-948-4471. GIFT AND CRAFT IDEAS

CENTRE HALL GUN SHOW. April 23-24. Centre County Fairgrounds. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Firearms, knives, hunting & shooting supplies. $5 admission, kids under 16 free. Food and free parking. www. oscshooting.com/gunshow. HEALTH AND NUTRITION

Tired of all those medicines – Still not feeling better? Do you want to feel better, have more energy, better digestion, less joint stiffness, healthier heart/circulation and cholesterol levels? Find out how to empower your own immune system – start 1-26 today! It’s safe, affordable, and it works. Call 800-557-8477: ID#528390. 90-day money back on first-time orders or call me 724-454-5586. www.mylegacyforlife.net/ believeit.

BROOKSIDE MANOR PERSONAL CARE HOME – Portage, Pa. Accepts VA benefits. Peaceful place in the country. Reasonable rates. Ask for Sharon. 814-736-8505. www. brooksidemanorportage.com.

Classified Advertisements HEALTH INSURANCE

DO YOU HAVE THE BLUES regarding your health insurance? We cater to rural America’s health insurance needs. For more information, call 844-591-2797 (PA). Call us regarding Medicare supplements, too. LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT

HARRINGTONS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, 475 Orchard Rd., Fairfield, PA 17320. 717642-6001 or 410-756-2506. Lawn & Garden equipment, Sales – Service – Parts. www. HarringtonsEquipment.com.

GETTYSBURG RENTAL & OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT CENTER, 720 York Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325. TORO, ECHO, STIHL Sales & Parts. Contractor & Homeowner equipment rental. Small Engine Repair, All makes/ models. Wedding/Event/Party Rental. 717-3340021. www.gettysburgrentalcenter.com. LIVESTOCK AND PETS

PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI Puppies – AKC, adorable, intelligent, highly trainable. Excellent family choice. Reputable licensed breeder guaranteed “Last breed you’ll ever own.” 814587-3449. BEAUTIFUL ALPACA and also agora goat yarn. Some wool added. Various weights and colors. All from our own animals. No synthetics. Call Sue Graver at 717-487-0785. FENCE INSTALLATION – Rohrs Farms LLC installs, maintains and repairs all types of livestock fencing. Contact us now to schedule your fence project for the spring. 814-279-5167 or RohrsFarms@yahoo.com.

BAREFOOT TRIMMER specialties. Laminitis founder. Navicular-soundness. Proven 15 years. 603-660-6432. LOG CABIN RESTORATIONS

VILLAGE RESTORATIONS & CONSULTING specializes in 17th and 18th century log, stone and timber structures. We dismantle, move, re-erect, restore, construct and consult all over the country. Period building materials available. Thirty years experience, fully insured. Call 814-6961379. www.villagerestorations.com. MISCELLANEOUS

FOR SALE: Buckets, forks, thumbs, grapple buckets and pallet forks for skid loaders, backhoes and excavators. Tires for backhoes, rubber tire loaders and excavators also. Call 814-329-0118. MOTOR VEHICLES

1993 NISSAN V-6 4 X 4 PICKUP for parts. 86K on engine, good transmission, tires, wheels. Come get it. Make offer. Mooresville area. 814667-3444. MOTORCYCLE-SNOWMOBILE INSURANCE

For the best INSURANCE RATES call R & R Insurance Associates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800442-6832 (PA).

NURSERY & GARDEN

MASON POLLINATOR BEES, Nests, Live Larvae for sale. Mason Bees, a native North American Pollinator. 250 Mason Bees pollination = 60,000 Honey Bees pollination. Text, call, info., Dick at 814-547-1116. PENNSYLVANIA HUNTING LAND WANTED

OUR HUNTERS WILL PAY TOP $$$ to hunt your land. Call for a free base camp leasing info packet and quote. 866-309-1507. www. BaseCampLeasing.com. REAL ESTATE

TIOGA COUNTY, Gaines Township, approximately 4 acres mountain property, 1 1/2 story home, 1,713 sf, glass front, 468.38 sf deck, cathedral ceilings, balcony, LR/DR, kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, laundry area, 4 LP heaters, wood stove, 4-car garage, security system, water cond., 52” crawl space, tool/wood shed, heated workshop 44x24, two attached bays, $195,000, 814-435-3547, shooting range. PEACEFUL PLACE in the country – Lake and gamelands access, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 3-car garage. Year round or seasonal. Highland Lake, Warren Center, PA. 570-637-1459 Patricia Them. ‘A’ FRAME – 6½ acres, bedroom loft living. Kitchen, screened porch, decks front and back, electric heat, wood stove. Clean, tasteful furnishings. Large storage shed. Sleeper sofa, two double beds, microwave, dining table, chairs. 717-664-3344. CAMERON COUNTY, PA: Luxury 20+ room 5,000 sq. ft. exquisite 1935 estate mansion. Period correct, wide plank oak floors, 2 kitchens, 7 fireplaces, 8 bathrooms, 2 garages. A must see! Excellent hunting and fishing area. Elk- viewing area nearby. $549,000 w/38 acres or $649,000 w/100 acres. Motivated seller! Serious inquiries only. 570-439-8025 or email: stceellc@gmail.com. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY – 2,800 SF log home on 68+ acres. 3 bedroom/3 bath. 2-car attached/2-car detached garage. Asking $579,000. Available to view after April 1, 2016. Need prequalification. Call 570-778-6504. HUNTINGDON COUNTY, Cass Township. 39 acres, fertile farmette, hunting, 2-story, 3 bedrooms, DR/LR, laundry, sunrooms, modern kitchen and bath, attic, cement basement, 2-car garage and sheds. 814-448-3957. 814-6430688.

BEAUTIFUL CHALET on 3 acres. Two bedrooms, fully furnished, above New Paris, great hunting and fishing. Minutes from Blue Knob. Great views. Gated. Rent or own. Free-standing fireplace. 724537-9139. RECIPES AND FOOD

| APR I L 2016

SAWMILLS

USED PORTABLE Sawmills and COMMERCIAL Sawmill Equipment! Buy/Sell. Call Sawmill Exchange 800-459-2148. USA and Canada. www.sawmillexchange.com. SHAKLEE

FREE SAMPLE Shaklee’s Energy Tea. Combination red, green and white teas that are natural, delicious, refreshing, safe. For sample or more information on tea or other Shaklee Nutrition/ Weight Loss Products: 800-403-3381 or www. sbarton.myshaklee.com. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

JOHN DEERE 450B bulldozer with 6-way blade. Good condition with only 2,785 hours. $10,000 or best offer. Call 610-585-1489.

NEW HOLLAND 575E backhoe/loader. 4-wheel drive with extend-a-hoe. Very good condition with only 3,212 hours. $29,500 or best offer. Call 610585-1489. TRACTOR PARTS – REPAIR/RESTORATION

ARTHURS TRACTORS, specializing in vintage Ford tractors, 30-years experience, online parts catalog/prices, Indiana, PA 15701. Contact us at 877-254-FORD (3673) or www.arthurstractors. com. VACATIONS AND CAMPSITES

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida condo rental. Two bedrooms, two baths, pool. 200 yards from beach. NA February. No pets. $500 weekly, $1,800 monthly. Call 814-635-4020.

RAYSTOWN VACATION HOUSE Rental – Sleeps 11, four bedrooms, table for 12, 2 satellite TVs, 2 flbaths, 2 hfbaths, linens/towels provided, boat parking. One mile from boat launch. Call 814931-6562. Visit www.laurelwoodsretreat.com. WANTED TO BUY

TRACTOR OR JEEP. 1940s Empire tractor or 1940s Willys or Ford Army Jeep. Rusty or broken down in field OK. 570-395-4127. Email: ironrider111@yahoo.com.

Reach nearly 166,000 rural Pennsylvania households! Advertise in Penn Lines. For more information, please visit our website at www.prea.com/Content/ pennlines.asp or call 717.233.5704

outdooradventures

Tick, Tock, TICK! By Marcus Schneck

t’s going to be a bad year for ticks. Of course, it’s never not a bad year for ticks anymore.

Regardless of your beliefs about climate change and its effect on the spread of things like ticks, you must be seeing the increase in the tiny, blood-sucking, disease-carrying arachnids nearly every time you step outdoors. If you’re not, science needs to study your diet, your hygiene habits, your very DNA for something that might help the rest of us. I don’t remember ticks being a concern when I was a kid spending my days in the fields, forests, swamps and all other tick-friendly habitat. There must have been some, but I don’t remember anyone ever pulling one off of me or even suggesting that they might check. I continued to feel pretty invincible to the Lyme-injecting critters throughout most of my adult life. Sure, I found them on me, sometimes in disconcertingly high numbers, and on my dogs with disheartening regularity. But the precautions I took with repellents and tick-adverse clothing seemed to prevent most of them from getting a good hold on me. That changed last year when a member of my family was diagnosed with Lyme disease and the litany of symptoms, some life-threatening, that come along with it. We beat most of the symptoms, and we’re dealing with some that will require treatment for life. There never was a bull’s-eye rash that we know of, and we think a more generalized rash may have been our first warning. We believe the offending tick hitched a ride into our home on one of our dogs. We live on the edge of a woodland and we encourage an

PREVENTION IS KEY: Take action to prevent tick bites. If one does bite, seek medical advice on how to proceed.

abundance of shrubs, wildflowers and what you might call weeds, both for the pollinators and for the wild-food they produce. Now, as I write this, I am coming to the realization that over the past few months I, too, may have been experiencing many of the milder symptoms of Lyme disease. Being doctor’s office-adverse, I’m hoping it’s just the latest killer flu from some exotic spot on Earth that will either pass on its own or kill me outright. (In reality, I am only a few days away from making an appointment with my doctor. It’s not a procrastination I would recommend to you, dear reader.) What I would pass along your way are these tick prevention tips from the Tick-Borne Disease Alliance: Buy and wear long-sleeved, full-legged, tick-repellent clothing, especially clothing treated with permethrin, an insecticide that repels and kills ticks. (Light-colored clothing makes for

| APR I L 2016

easier tick spotting.) Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants legs into your socks. Apply approved insect repellent to exposed skin. Keep to the center of woodland trails as much as possible. Check for ticks immediately after you’ve been outdoors. Remove the clothes you wore outdoors and run them through the dryer at high heat. Shower immediately after you’ve returned indoors, using shampoo and soap that contain natural, tick-repelling ingredients. Inspect your pets every time they return indoors. It’s a hassle, but not as much as the hassle of dealing with Lyme disease. l Marcus Schneck is outdoor editor for PennLive.com and The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa., and the author of more than two dozen books on nature, the outdoors and travel. You can follow him at www.marcusschneck.com.

techtrends

How plug-in electric vehicles compare to conventional vehicles By Brian Sloboda

he electric vehicle market is evolving and maturing. Although the concept of electrically powered vehicles was pioneered over a century ago, only recently have they become a viable vehicle choice for most Americans.

Since the launch of the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf in 2010, growth of the plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market has been exponential with over 215,600 PEVs added to American roadways. Although PEVs still represent just a sliver (0.38 percent) of the total cars in the U.S., drivers’ attitudes towards electric vehicles are changing. A recent Consumer Reports study found that 60 percent of Americans would consider a PEV when making their next vehicle purchase. Electric vehicles are designed to either supplement an internal combustion engine (ICE) or eliminate the need for an ICE altogether. Electric vehicle system components generally include a battery for energy storage, electric motor for propulsion, mechanical transmission and power control system. A primary benefit of PEVs is that trips to the gas station are either vastly reduced or eliminated altogether. However, in lieu of gas refueling, PEVs need to be recharged by plugging into the electric grid. Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) is the technical term for a PEV charging station. EVSE ensures that a safe and appropriate amount of electrical energy is delivered to the PEV from an electricity source. AC (alternating current) Level 1 charging infrastructure, which is used for most residential PEV charging, is

minimal, involving just one cord that connects the PEV to an electrical outlet on a dedicated 110-volt 15- or 20-amp circuit. AC Level 2 and DC (direct current) Level 3 charging stations have more complex infrastructure requirements that can be costly, ranging from a minimum total cost of $650 to a maximum of $80,400, depending on the application. All-electric vehicles do not have conventional transmissions or petroleum-fueled engines — making maintenance and upkeep generally cheaper than for an ICE vehicle. One study found that the maintenance costs of PEVs are approximately 35 percent lower than those of comparable gasoline-powered vehicles. However, battery replacement can be very expensive should it be required before the end of the vehicle’s life. Pricing for the Nissan Leaf battery currently starts around $5,499. As plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have internal combustion

| APR I L 2016

engines, maintenance costs and regularity falls somewhere between all-electric and conventional vehicles. The Chevy Volt oil change interval is 30,000 miles, significantly extended over the 5,000mile interval for ICE vehicles. The regenerative braking feature of PHEVs also reduces brake wear, and the PEV electrical system (battery, motor and associated electronics) typically requires minimal maintenance. Servicing PEVs can require specialized technical skills and tools, leaving PEV owners to rely on dealers for servicing. This may be unappealing for car owners who prefer to use a local mechanic or service their vehicle themselves. On average, the fuel cost per mile for an electrically powered car is about one-third the cost of driving a gasoline-powered car. In some regions of the U.S., the total cost of owning a PEV is already lower than the total cost of a conventional vehicle. As PEV battery costs drop and charging infrastructure expands — it is likely that PEVs will become a mainstream vehicle choice for many Americans within the next few decades. PEVs offer fuel cost per mile savings for most drivers and can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. l Brian Sloboda is a technical research analyst specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy for the Business Technology Strategies (BTS), a service of the Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

punchlines

Exercised: Earl turns broken New Year’s resolutions into money-maker By Earl Pitts, American

ur spring flowers haven’t even started bloomin’ and my better half, Pearl, has already given up on the latest portable fitness gym thingy she just HAD to have for Christmas, so I was gettin’ ready to pick it off the coffee table and throw it in the garage with the rest of her exercisin’ stuff. You know how elephants got a secret graveyard — known only to them — and Tarzan? Pearl’s exercising stuff has got the same secret graveyard, only it’s in our garage. And that’s when I got this brainstorm. Let me ask you a question. When you drive anywhere in this town, you pass all these little shopping plazas, right? And what is inside every shopping plaza you pass? That’s right — some kind of exercising place. You got your 24-hour fitness place, your 48-hour fitness, your five-hour fitness. These dang places is all over. And people are spending billions and trillions of dollars to join these places. And that’s how come I have opened Pitts Fit — a neighborhood redneck fitness gym — in my garage. It dawned on me — I had all the equipment. I just had to dust it off and plug it in. So if you live out our way, join Pitts Fit. It’s just $20 a month — with no membership commitments. We got all of your state-of-the-art exercisin’ equipment. We got two little gazelles, a skiing machine that is missin’ one ski, but I’m fixin’ to fix that. We got ab rollers, ab flexers, ab crunchers and ab smashers. We got the Chuck Norris Total Gym, for a manly workout, along with a BowFlex machine. We got shake weights, a rowing machine, three treadmills and two stationary bikes.

We also got a mat over in one corner by a TV and a VHS machine. Feel free to pop in a Richard Simmons’ sweating video, or a Jane Fonder one. You could tae bo with Billy Blanks or stop the insanity with Susan Powter. And remember — it’s just 20 bucks a month with no long-term membership. Wake up, America. I’d really like to tell you more about the Pitts Fit Gym, but I gotta run. I’m leading a Pilates class in a half-hour.

his is gonna blow your mind, but I swear it’s true. I was watching this TV show about the circus the other day — and did you know — all the clowns at the circus are graduates of the Clown College? I did not even know there was an institution of higher learning for clowns. I know a lot of clowns that have been to college, but it wasn’t Clown College. That I know of. I mean, I watch a lot of college football, and I have never seen the Clown College Bozos play a game. They must be Division 3 or maybe 4. That would be a hoot to watch, though, wouldn’t it? A 50-man football team comes out on the field in one little car. And I’m thinking, how heartbreaking that must be for your mamas and your daddies, to tell their friends

| APR I L 2016

they’re going to parents’ weekend at Clown College. They probably make something up. They probably tell their friends you’re at the DeVry Institute, or kidnapped by gypsies. I got to believe you have crushed your parents’ dreams when you tell them you want to go to Clown College. It’s a dead-end job, people. The number of successful clowns in this world — you can count on one hand. Ronald McDonald. Bozo. And maybe one or two of the presidential candidates. If you graduate from Clown College with a PHD, does that stand for Pies, Horse costumes and fake Dynamite? Can you major in balloon animals? I don’t know. Do you walk up on stage and get a diploma, and a pie in the face? This is all just too weird to me. Wake up, America. Good luck finding a job after you graduate. There’s already too many clowns in this world. In this world full of idiots and politicians, you’re just another clown. I’m Earl Pitts, American. l Social commentary from Earl Pitts — a.k.a. Gary Burbank, a nationally syndicated radio personality — can be heard on the following radio stations that cover electric cooperative service territories in Pennsylvania: WANB-FM 103.1 Pittsburgh; WARM-AM 590 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton; WIOO-AM 1000 Carlisle; WEEO-AM 1480 Shippensburg; WMTZ-FM 96.5 Johnstown; WQBR-FM 99.9/92.7 McElhattan; WLMI-FM 103.9 Kane; and WVNW-FM 96.7 BurnhamLewistown. You can also find him at earlpittsamerican.com.

ruralreflections

se Andrea Kovacs Ro C RE y nt Tri-Cou

Bruce Broglie REA Energy

Robert Brown United EC

S Diane Layden Valley REC

It’s finally spring!

pring is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the weather, and to take some photos for the Rural Reflections contest. Amateur photographers are encouraged to send photos to Penn Lines Photos, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg PA 17108-1266. Include name, address, phone number and the name of your electric cooperative. 2016 winners in each of five categories — artistic, landscape, human, animal, and editor’s choice — will receive $75 and runners-up will receive $25. Please send summer photos by May; fall photos by July and winter photos by September (hint: save your spring photos for next year). We will return photos in early 2017 if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. l

| APR I L 2016

Springtime Planting Bargains!

FREE “THANK YOU” GIFT WITH ORDER OF $10.00 OR MORE!

THUJA ‘GREEN GIANT’

One of the highest quality evergreens available! Green Giant was introduced to the gardening public by the U.S. National Arboretum. And what an introduction! This outstanding variety is a vigorous grower often growing over 3′ per year. Adaptable trees grow in almost any soil conditions. Extremely uniform in pyramidal shape and require no trimming. Green Giant is very tolerant to pests and diseases. Eventually reaches a height of 60′ tall with a base measuring between 12-20′. Grow as a specimen tree or as an evergreen windbreak. Plant 5-6′ apart for a really fast privacy screen, otherwise 10-12′ apart. Green Giant can be trimmed to any height and width. Supplies are limited so make sure to order yours early!

N7948 $5.99 each 2 for $11.79 4 for $22.99 8 for $43.99 16 for $84.99

GIANT QUINAULT EVERBEARING STRAWBERRIES Bears all season!

If you love strawberries but don’t like to pick them, grow Quinaults. THEY ACTUALLY GROW BIG AS TEA CUPS! And they’re just as delicious as they are big. These firm, deep red berries make fancy “restaurant” desserts. Excellent for preserves, freezing and eating fresh, too. When planted in April, Quinaults will produce July through September — right up until frost! Treat yourself to big luscious berries all season.

N6607 25 for $6.99 50 for $12.99 100 for $23.99

HARDY ENGLISH LAVENDER Hardy, sub-zero variety!

(Lavandula augustifolia ‘Munstead’) World famous for its dried blooms that fill sachets with a long-lasting fragrance. Lavender-colored flowers on spikes up to 18″ tall. Good for flower beds and low hedges. Adds color, beauty and fragrance to gardens from June until autumn. Thrives in full sun. Zones 5-9.

N6869 $1.99 each 3 for $4.99 12 for $17.88

ORDER ONLINE AT www.HouseOfWesley.com/quickorder.asp

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If any item you purchased from us does not live, for a one time FREE replacement just return the original shipping label along with your written request within 1 year of receipt. Replacement guarantee is VOID unless the original shipping label is returned. For a REFUND of the purchase price, return the item and the original shipping label with correct postage affixed, within 14 days of receipt.

E OV PR

HOUSE OF WESLEY

1704 Morrissey Drive DEPT. 955-9066 Bloomington, Illinois 61704 Name _______________________________ Address _____________________________ City ____________________ State _______ ( ) Zip ____________ Phone _______________ Email _______________________________

Please send the items indicated below:

FORSYTHIA HEDGE Springtime spectacular!

(Forsythia x intermedia ‘Golden Bell’) The earliest blooming shrub in the spring! As big as a small tree (grows 9-11′ high) so thick and bushy you won’t be able to get your arms around it. Lovely golden flowers burst into full bloom before the first green leaf appears. Plant 4′ apart in full sun for a dense hedge and 8′ apart for a loose hedge. Very hardy. Fast growing. Drought tolerant. Nice 1-2′ plants. Zones 5-9.

N6141 4 for $5.80 8 for $10.99 16 for $19.99 32 for $38.49

CREEPING RED SEDUM

Cover bare spots with blazing color!

HOW MANY

(Sedum spurium) You’ll be thrilled with this hardy ground cover sometimes called Dragon’s Blood. Fills those ugly trouble spots with attractive, thick evergreen foliage all year and amazes you with brilliant, starlike red flowers June through September. These are hardy, northern, nursery-grown plants.

N7036 12 for $3.89 24 for $7.69 48 for $14.99 96 for $27.99

ROSE OF SHARON HEDGE

A friendly fence that blooms all summer!

Delightful blossoms of red, white, or purple each summer in a lifetime fence of natural beauty. These hardy shrubs will grow naturally to 5-10′ for an informal privacy screen or can be trimmed for a neat colorful hedge. Bursts into brilliant bloom in mid-summer and continues to flower through fall. Order today and receive 1-2′ shrubs. Our choice of colors.

N6877 (30′) 6 for $4.29 (60′) 12 for $8.49 (120′) 24 for $16.69 (240′) 48 for $32.39

Item #

DESCRIPTION

N6141 N6607 N6869 N6877 N7036 N7948 —

Forsythia Hedge Q. Strawberries H. English Lavender Rose of Sharon Red Sedum Thuja Green Giant Hardy Gladiolus (our choice)

COST

FREE

“Thank you” Gift FREE with a $10 order!

4.95 Shipping & Processing $_______ SUBTOTAL $_______ IL Residents add 6.25% Sales Tax $_______ MN Residents add 6.875% Sales Tax $_______ TOTAL ENCLOSED OR CHARGED $_______ ❒ Check or Money Order enclosed. ❒ Mastercard ❒ VISA Credit Card # _________________________ Expiration Date _______________________ Signature ____________________________