Louisiana Country, Beauregard Electric Cooperative Inc, March 2026

Louisiana Country

A Century of MinistryUnder the Pines

Dry Creek Baptist Camp has shaped generations for 100 years Page 18

With its innovative design, modern comforts, and guest-focused philosophy, American Encore is not just a riverboat, it’s the finest expression of American river cruising ever built. Designed to host just 180 guests, American Encore features more square feet per guest than any other small cruise ship with the largest staterooms globally. Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly ®

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COMMUNICATIONS

Conley Bourgeois, CCC

ACCOUNTING

Beth Fraser

Board of Directors

President Michael Heinen

Vice President Roger Dale DeHart

Secretary/Treasurer Richard Sitman

Mike

Daniel

WIred for growth

Balancing data center demand and reliability

Data centers may feel like a big-city phenomenon, but more of them are showing up in rural communities like the ones we serve—and for good reason. Rural areas offer what data centers need most: affordable land, room to grow and access to transmission lines that can move large amounts of power.

What makes data centers different from other large businesses is their appetite for electricity. These facilities run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Servers must stay online constantly, which means power must be reliable every minute of every day.

For Louisiana’s electric cooperatives, the growth of data centers presents both opportunity and complexity.

On the plus side, data centers have the potential to bring steady, long-term load growth that helps support investments in local grids. With proper planning and policy support, those upgrades—including new substations, stronger lines and smarter technology—could benefit all co-op members and help keep electricity rates steady.

However, providing power to data centers presents challenges, too. These large facilities can be constructed and operating in as little as a year, but ensuring the necessary infrastructure, equipment, and electricity requires longer lead times and significant financial investment. Strategic planning and partnerships—as well as long-term power supply strategies—are essential to the process.

While most data centers operating in Louisiana are served by

investor-owned utilities, co-ops nationwide are fielding requests and inquiries from tech companies.

As member-owned utilities, electric cooperatives have a dual responsibility: to listen to the communities they serve and to provide reliable, affordable electric service to all co-op members.

Balancing those responsibilities is not always simple, especially as new types of large-scale energy users— such as data centers—become part of the local landscape.

Louisiana’s energy landscape continues to evolve, bringing both promise and new challenges. The board and employees of the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperative are committed to continuing to listen, communicate, and work with our member cooperatives, policymakers and community leaders to ensure decisions reflect the best interests of the people and communities we serve.

We encourage cooperative members to stay informed and engaged and to reach out to their local electric cooperative with questions about data centers, electric service or other energyrelated issues. Your voice matters. 

Big Data, Bigger Demands

HVAC. Constant cooling is needed to ensure servers function properly.

Server racks. Servers run applications and process data 24/7. One server rack can consume enough electricity to power a small home. A large data center can house thousands of server racks.

Power upgrades. Data centers often require new electrical infrastructure to meet their power needs.

Water source. Many large data centers are deploying evaporative cooling, which is more efficient than compressor-based systems.

Many companies are choosing rural areas for their data centers because of cheaper land, available power and potential tax breaks. Data centers require huge amounts of electricity to operate, which presents new opportunities and challenges for electric co-ops. Backup

Love the Boot Week is Louisiana’s largest litter removal and beautification effort, bringing awareness to our state’s litter problem while empowering organizations and individual citizens to clean up litter and beautify spaces in their communities.

This year, we are cleaning up in honor of America’s 250th birthday! Show your love for your country and your community by participating.

In 2025, 26,935 people volunteered a total of 81,852 hours at over 1,408 events, removing a record 514 tons of litter in all 64 parishes.

Let’s surpass last year’s numbers and grow our impact statewide.

WIN A PORTABLE BLACKSTONE GRILL

Make a $1 donation to the Cooperative Youth Leadership Fund to enter a drawing for a new grill. Tickets are available at your cooperative, and proceeds benefit the Louisiana Youth Leadership Council Representative Scholarship.

The prize drawing is held in July at the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives Annual Meeting in Baton Rouge. The winner is contacted by phone.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Donald Bush | District One

Ricky Deggs | District Two

J.R. Hickman | District Three

Alan Dane Slaydon | District Four

Jeff West | District Five

Dan O’Dell | District Six

Doug Sonnier | District Seven

Jeron “Scott” Kyle | District Eight

Tommy Cryar | District Nine

BEAUREGARD ELECTRIC CO-OP LEADERSHIP

Mike Viator | General Manager

Kay Fox | Vice President of Marketing and Member Services

Kelly Lewis | Vice President of Finance and Corporate Services

Kevin Aycock | Vice President of Engineering and Technical Services

Bobby Brown | Vice President of Operations and Construction Services

BEAUREGARD ELECTRIC OFFICES

Main office

1010 E. 1st St.

DeRidder, LA 70634

Phone: 800-367-0275

Moss Bluff

975 N. Perkins Ferry Road

Lake Charles, LA 70611

Phone: 337-855-6684

www.beci.org

Paying It Forward

The sixth of the Seven Cooperative Principles is Cooperation Among Cooperatives. This principle emphasizes cooperatives best serve their members—and strengthen the broader cooperative movement—by working together through local, national, regional and international structures. We saw this firsthand during the recent winter storms through the coordination of mutual aid.

Louisiana has a statewide association that supports our cooperatives, and the CEO of that organization leads our mutual aid efforts. Throughout the year, the group stays in close contact with all of the co-ops across the state, continually updating contact lists, emergency response plans and all the details involved in mutual aid. The association also meets frequently with leaders from other states to ensure plans are in place when resources need to be shared across state lines.

During the recent winter storms, CEOs and operations leaders from around the state met daily on a Teams call led by the Louisiana Statewide. These meetings focused on identifying which co-ops were most affected and what assistance they needed.

North Louisiana was hit especially hard, while here at Beauregard Electric Cooperative Inc., we were right on the edge of the most severe conditions. We experienced outages, but thanks to our manpower we were able to manage without outside support. Co-ops in South Louisiana were impacted the least and were able to send crews to help in the north.

The process is fairly straightforward. For example, one of our sister co-ops in North Louisiana, requested help after getting heavily hit. During our daily call, their CEO asked for 26 workers—based simply on how many they could adequately house and feed. With most businesses closed due to the weather, lodging becomes a major concern during events like this. Several Southern co-ops stepped up and offered resources, and by the end of the call, a coordinated plan was in place to meet their immediate needs.

Once the needs within BECi and across Louisiana are met, attention shifts to other states. In this case, northern Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee were all on the list of areas affected for weeks. Because Louisiana’s situation stabilized quickly, our statewide team was able offer to assistance to them as well. Specifically, BECi sent workers to help in Mississippi.

The cooperative world truly is unique. It’s more than a network—it’s a family.

As soon as our own household is secure, we look to help our neighbors. This isn’t done out of obligation but out of mutual respect for people who have become like family through our cooperative associations. And next time, we may be the ones in need.

On the Jeff Davis Electric Cooperative Facebook page, I read the caption of a picture that showed lineworkers deploying for Northern Louisiana to assist that read “Paying it forward.” Perfectly said.

Kind regards,

Volume 43, Issue 2

Louisiana Country (USPS 473-180) is published bimonthly by the Association of Louisiana Electric Co-ops Inc., 10725 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, in partnership with Pioneer Utility Resources.

Annual Subscriptions: Members $2.79. Nonmembers $5.

Postmaster: Send form 3579 to 10725 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.

Periodicals postage paid at Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821 and additional mailing offices.

Mike V.

You Could Win a $50 Bill Credit

Beauregard Electric offers its members an opportunity to win the co-op’s Lucky Account Number Contest by publishing four account numbers somewhere on Pages 18-19 of Louisiana Country. The account numbers are listed within the story on those pages, not on the magazine cover. To win, you must locate your account number (listed on your electric bill) on these pages and then contact the co-op. To claim your prize, call 800-367-0275 or 337-463-6221 by April 15.

Official Notice

The Annual Meeting of Members of Beauregard Electric Cooperative Inc. is 10 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the BECi office in DeRidder. A special drawing for door prizes will also take place.

Election of directors is conducted by mail in accordance with the bylaws, which provide for rules to be established by a credentials and election committee of BECi members. The business of the meeting is outlined in the bylaws.

Annual Meeting Agenda

• Reading of the notice of the annual meeting and proof of due publication of mailing thereof, or the waiver or waivers of notice of the meeting, as the case may be.

• Reading of unapproved minutes of previous meetings of the members and taking of necessary action thereon.

• Presentation and consideration of reports of board officers, directors and committees.

Report of the elections committee on the balloting for the election of directors.

• Unfinished business.

• New business.

• Adjournment.

For more information, call 337-463-6221. BECi bylaws are at www.beci.org/about-us/bylaws-cooperative-principles.

When the lights go out, lineworkers are ready to answer the call, day or night, to safely restore power and keep our communities moving forward. They take pride in powering the places we call home. Today and every day, we thank lineworkers for their service and commitment.

Lineworker Appreciation Day April 13, 2026

ReadyWhen i t Matters Most

Committee Oversees Annual Election Process

Each year, the Beauregard Electric Cooperative Inc. Board of Directors appoints co-op members to oversee the annual board election process. These representatives are responsible for validating board nomination petitions for the current election year, confirming the eligibility of mail-in ballots and verifying the official votes cast by BECi members.

This year, the election oversight committee includes representatives from all nine BECi districts: Gary Wilson, Elaine Fontenot, Liz Lewis, Jessie Warren, Doris Stuart, Heather Newton, Debra Tyler, Jerry Stokes, Tim Deason, Molly Poe, Wilbert LeBleu Jr., Jeff Ezernack and Michelle Free. n

Lighting a

Louisiana firefighter Coby Bailey wins ‘The Great American Recipe’

By Cheré Coen

Like many South Louisiana natives, Coby Bailey learned to cook from his parents and grandparents. But it took a fire station to turn it into a passion.

“It really wasn’t until I started as a firefighter that I enjoyed cooking,” Coby says.

That spark turned into a fire that landed Coby on Season four of “The Great American Recipe” show on PBS. After a month of competition, Coby took home the top award Aug. 15, 2025.

“Cajun Country for me is not just food and something to eat but a way of life,” he says. “Everything we do here in South Louisiana is centered around food. I wanted the Cajun culture represented well, and I think I did that.”

inspect their gear and get ready for the day. They’re usually done around 9 a.m. to either train or start cooking for lunch, Coby explains. Sometimes the firefighters make a run to the grocery store to pick up supplies. And yes, they take the fire engine and head off for emergencies when needed.

“We’ve left a lot of groceries in the truck,” Coby says with a laugh.

Back at the station, the fires they attended to were on the stove.

“I was fortunate to have a captain who loved to cook every single day,” Coby says. “He liked to get everyone involved, including other stations or people we liked around the community.”

The firefighters ate well.

“We’d have a great meal,” Coby says. “The other stations would come. We’d tell stories. And we’d always make enough so we’d have supper.”

At the Lafayette Fire Department, the crew arrives early to clean,

When Coby made captain—he’s been at the Lafayette Fire Department for 27 years after serving in the U.S. Navy, including during Desert Storm—he decided to carry on the tradition and teach others at the station to cook. One day, a firefighter approached him about watching his YouTube channel and encouraged Coby to create his own.

“I said, ‘Dude, I watch you every day. I don’t need to know what you do on your day off,’” Coby says with a laugh.

The firefighter challenged Coby to see who could attract the most followers on YouTube. Coby did, and his cooking videos took off. That’s how PBS producers discovered the Lafayette native to invite him to compete on “The Great American Recipe.”

Coby had two requests: He had to bring his own food, and the chief needed to give him a month off to travel to Nashville, where the show is filmed.

“I really didn’t have to sell him,” Coby says of his chief giving permission. “I said, ‘Let’s do it for Lafayette. Let’s do it for the food.’ And he agreed.”

The trick for this Cajun chef was cooking up his recipes with his needed tools in hand. Coby drove to Nashville with a pickup full of his beloved pots and pans, roux spoons and supplies.

Filming began around 6:30 a.m. in a barn where contestants prepared their recipes while telling storie. Filming ended around 8 p.m. The first exercise was for contestants to cook a dish that made them fall in love with cooking. Cody thought of eggs, so he prepared a unique boudin omelet.

“It was important to me to keep the Cajun food and the Cajun tradition in there,” he says.

Other recipes Coby delivered to judges Tiffany Derry, Tim Hollingsworth and Francis Lam were an alligator sauce piquante and seafood gumbo. During one episode, Coby related a heartfelt anecdote about his buddies in Desert Storm. He took the top prize after creating a Cypress knee shrimp po’boy and cornbreadstuffed chicken with andouille cream sauce.

In announcing Coby as the winner, Tiffany said, “This home cook stayed true to who they are through every last one of their dishes that truly represented the heart of their cooking and their great American recipe.” 

Coby Bailey’s Alligator Sauce Piquante

10 alligator legs

¼ cup yellow mustard

Capt. Coby’s Cajun Seasoning

2 cups regular coconut oil, not extra-virgin oil

1 cup flour

1 pound smoked sausage, sliced

2 medium yellow onions, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles

3 cloves garlic, minced

2-3 tablespoons dry roux

1 pound peeled Louisiana Gulf shrimp, 31-40 count (or best available)

1 bundle green onions, chopped, for garnish

FOR THE GRITS

1 pint heavy whipping cream

3 12-ounce cans chicken broth

2 sticks butter, divided

4 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste

16-ounce box quick 5-minute grits

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, apply generous amounts of mustard and Capt. Coby’s Cajun Seasoning to the alligator legs, and mix well. Melt coconut oil in a large cast-iron pot. Toss the alligator legs in flour, then add to pot. Cook until lightly browned. Add sausage, onions and peppers. Cook until browned and all brown bits are lifted from the pot.

Add in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic and dry roux. Let cook for 30 minutes. Stir in shrimp, and let cook for 15 minutes until all flavors come together.

To make the grits, add heavy whipping cream, chicken broth, 1 stick of butter and salt to a pot. Bring to a boil. After liquid comes to a rolling boil, pour in grits. Stir constantly until grits become firm and almost cooked, about 5 minutes. Finish by adding a stick of butter to the grits.

Serve alligator sauce piquante over grits, and garnish with green onions.

Monarchs

Protecting the

There are ways you can help

By Pamela A. Keene

Over the past several decades, the monarch butterfly population has declined because of habitat loss, increased pesticide use and climate variability.

The decreased availability of milkweed— the sole host plant and food source for monarch caterpillars— is another factor in the dwindling numbers of the colorful migrating butterfly. Deforestation, expanded lawn development and increased pavement contribute to reduced native habitats, putting insects at greater risk.

Monarchs are considered a high-profile species, and their plight is frequently described as a “canary in the coal mine” for environmental health. Studying their migration patterns and pollination activity as indicators of a healthy environment helps scientists better understand broader environmental changes.

“Monarchs are among the most recognizable butterflies in the United States,” says Morgan Christman, pollinator ecologist and assistant professor in the Department of Entomology at Louisiana State University. “Scientists and citizenscientists have been studying monarchs for decades and have seen the overall decrease in their populations, as well as environmental and ecological changes.”

sources, and the use of glyphosate herbicides. In Louisiana, we can plant pollinator gardens and include native milkweed species in place of tropical milkweed. We can promote preserving and constructing natural habitats that include places for shelter, breeding sites and nectar sources.”

Morgan’s lab at LSU researches native and managed pollinators across natural, agricultural and urban landscapes to advance understanding of their ecology, threats and conservation.

“As the first pollinator ecology lab at LSU, we aim to address gaps in pollinator research in Louisiana and to translate that science into educational materials for the public,” she says.

Studying Monarch Migration

Think Diversity for Pollinators

Choose colorful native flowers and foliage and heirloom plants for gardens. Pay attention to providing a range of heights, leaf shapes and plant forms. Combine trees and shrubs with perennials to create an aesthetically pleasing area for pollinators and humans.

Plant flowers of different varieties, colors and bloom schedules that give life throughout the year and attract an array of insects. Plant them in clusters to make it easier for insects to find them.

Colorful perennials, such as black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, asters, coreopsis, blazing star, goldenrod, American yarrow, swamp sunflowers and cardinal flowers, can be complemented by flame azaleas, flowering dogwood and coral honeysuckle.

Monarch Watch, an education, conservation and research program based at the University of Kansas, offers ways for the public to become involved in studying and supporting monarchs. One of its most popular endeavors—the Monarch Watch Tagging Program— encourages individuals, schools, nature centers and other organizations to help study migration by tagging monarchs in the fall. That’s when the butterflies make their long commutes from summer breeding areas in southern Canada and the northern United States to overwinter in the warmth of central Mexico.

While monarchs are not listed as threatened in Louisiana, Morgan says they’re worth studying because the species may soon be considered for protection under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species Act.

“It is important that all of us work together to mitigate threats to the monarch population,” she says.

“For instance, we can address the disappearance of habitats, the decrease in the availability of native milkweed and nectar

“The tagging program helps us understand more about the eastern monarch population’s fall migration,” Monarch Watch Director Kristen Baum says. “Since the start of the tagging program, the data we’ve collected with the help of many community scientists has revealed new information about the timing and pace of the migration, how weather can affect the migration, where migrating monarchs come from and more.”

Now in its 35th year, Monarch Watch sells tagging kits through its website. Each kit contains weatherproof adhesive tags with unique alphanumeric codes, datasheets for recording information about tagged monarchs, tagging instructions and other information. Visit monarchwatch.org for details.

Insects and butterflies seek sources for both pollen and nectar. Make sure to include a good assortment of each. Consider bloom time to ensure a continuous food source.

Pollinators and insects prefer differing flower shapes to accommodate their body types. For instance, butterflies prefer tubular blossoms so they use their proboscis to harvest nectar. Bees are drawn to bowl-shaped flowers, or those where pollen is easy to reach, where they have a place to land.

Remember to include a shallow water source or two, such as a saucer or a bowl that’s filled with small rocks.

Include at least one variety of milkweed. Not only do monarchs thrive on it, but other insects and butterflies are attracted to it as well.

Monarch Watch is a mark-andrecapture program, meaning its data comes from information participants provide when reporting insects’ recovered tags. Tagged monarchs are reported along the migration route, and some are recovered every year from overwintering sites in Mexico. Each year, Monarch Watch compiles and publishes this information for the public to view.

Monarch Waystations and Nectar Sources

Monarch Watch also developed the Monarch Waystation Program to encourage people to create, conserve and protect monarch habitats. The organization provides educational resources to help people establish and maintain Monarch Waystations, the program’s term for monarch habitats, to support butterflies during spring, summer and fall.

It’s easy to create a Monarch Waystation in home gardens, schools, businesses, nature centers and along roadsides. Sometimes all it takes is creating a small space with several nectar-producing plants and a clump of native milkweed. However, it is important to

have a plan to sustain the space, regardless of size.

Good practices include thinning plants, mulching, watering, avoiding insecticides and removing invasive species. It is also helpful to occasionally add more native milkweed plants.

To date, Monarch Watch has recorded more than 54,000 registered Monarch Waystations worldwide.

“The Monarch Waystation Program is celebrating 21 years this year, and it’s been incredible to see how many people have registered their habitats as Monarch Waystations,” Monarch Watch Communications Coordinator Jess Anderson says. “These habitats provide crucial resources for monarchs, and we need to continue planting milkweed and nectar plants. This not only will benefit monarchs but many other pollinators and wildlife.”

Native Milkweed Is Key

As monarchs’ sole host plant, milkweed is crucial to the future of the species.

“We urge people to only plant native milkweed,” says David Mizejewski,

naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation, a nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization.

In Louisiana, recommended native species include aquatic milkweed, swamp milkweed and butterfly weed.

“We strongly advise against planting tropical milkweed because it is nonnative and it can carry a parasite called OE (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha) that is harmful to monarchs,” David says. “Although tropical milkweed is sold at some retail nurseries, it’s not native to the United States. Its distinctive reddish orange and yellow blooms may be pretty, but they signal, ‘Don’t plant; nonnative.’

“The reason to plant native is that native wildlife and native plants coevolved together over millennia and, as a general

BELOW: Aquatic milkweed, asclepias perennis, is an exceptional native host plant for monarchs.

rule, rely on each other for survival in a way that nonnative plants often can’t replicate,” he says. “Nonnatives can also become invasive or spread disease to native species.”

OE can be present on all types of milkweed, but it’s most prevalent on the colorful tropical milkweed. Unlike native milkweed, tropical milkweed does not die back seasonally, allowing the parasite to persist year-round.

“The OE parasite’s life cycle on tropical milkweed is not interrupted,” David says. “When the native milkweed dies back, the virus dies with it.”

Debate about milkweed species sometimes stands in the way of taking action.

“Finding native milkweed can be challenging, but it is important to ensure that you’re only planting native,” David says. “Take the extra time to seek out native milkweed at native plant sales at public gardens, arboretums and area native plant societies, such as the

Louisiana Native Plant Society, lnps.org, that maintains a listing of plant sales, workshops and conferences.”

Ray Moranz, pollinator conservation specialist with Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation in the central region of the United States, says OE may not be the main issue around preserving monarch butterflies.

“The biggest concerns are the declines in the availability of milkweed and nectar plants,” he says. “Rising temperatures, loss of habitats and the use of pesticides are also some of the other major threats.”

Ray says places for monarchs to feed on nectar, lay their eggs and protect themselves from predators are vanishing as native and natural habitats disappear.

“It’s up to all of us to be aware of the monarch’s dwindling population and to each do our part to help them survive and thrive by creating pollinator gardens with plants that haven’t been sprayed with insecticides, reduce our use of pesticides and help preserve native habitats,” he says. 

Helpful Resources

Reputable organizations in Louisiana can provide a wealth of information about native plants and sources, monarch butterflies and pollinators. Here are a few resources:

 Louisiana Native Plant Society—Find native plant lists, plant seeds and sources, plus information about area-specific Native Plant Society Chapters; lnps.org

 Louisiana State University Agricultural Center—Provides Louisiana-specific recommendations and information about pollinators and monarch butterflies; lsuagcenter.com and lsuagcenter.com/ topics/lawn_garden/native-plants

 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries—Offers the Louisiana Native Plant Resource Guide; wlf.louisiana.gov

 Xerces Society—Is dedicated to protecting monarch butterflies; xerces.org/monarchs

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service— Home of the Save the Monarch initiative, fws.gov/initiative/pollinators/save-monarch

 Monarch Watch—Offers ways to support monarchs; monarchwatch.org.

The Rocker

at Dry Creek Camp

“Do you think now that rocker is worth $1,500?”

“No, it’s worth more like $15,000.”

It was a conversation I’ll always remember. Framed with a lesson I will not forget.

A special friend of mine, Karan Robinson, shoved a photo into my hand.

“Don’t you think that’d look good on the front porch of the Camp Tabernacle?” she asked.

The photo was of a huge rocking chair that held about six children. I smiled. There’s not much I wouldn’t do for Karan, a trustee of Dry Creek Baptist Camp.

We’d just finished another stage in the tabernacle renovation at Dry Creek. The new front porch was filled with six wooden rockers and several baby bear matching rockers.

“There’s a man in Arkansas who makes these giant chairs,” Karan said, continuing her sales pitch.

I asked the typical manager’s question: “How much would one cost?”

“Fifteen hundred (dollars),” she replied.

“Karan, I just don’t believe that’d be the best use of camp funds,” I said, grimacing.

“Brother Curt, it’d sure look good on the porch,” she countered.

“Yes it would, but I’m not sure we can do it at this time,” I said.

A month later, Karan drove up with a huge rocker on a trailer.

“Our church youth raised the money for the chair,” she said, pointing to the top of the rocker where it was engraved with Dry Creek Baptist Camp. “It belongs here.”

I could only nod. She was so right. The staffers positioned it on the front porch. Our first act was to make doorstops to place under the rockers so they wouldn’t move. It was heavy enough to pinch a toe off.

Two months later, Karan and I stood watching two dozen squealing preteen girls crowd onto the rocker as a counselor snapped their photo. She eased up to me and said with a grin, “Do you think now that rocker is worth $1,500?”

“No, it’s worth more like $15,000,” I said. “In fact, it’s priceless.”

It is symbolic of what the camp is about: a big God who has always worked at this place we love called Dry Creek Baptist Camp.

A camp that operated for 100 years. Its doors have been open through tough times—the Great Depression, a devastating World War, hurricanes and tornadoes. This Camp has a big God. He’s bigger than any of those.

I love to watch squealing campers crawling over the Big Rocker like cat squirrels, but I especially like to sit by it when the campgrounds are quiet and still.

I think of the refrain I’ve heard my entire life: “When I drive through those gates, I feel the presence of God.”

That God is much too big and powerful to sit in anybody’s rocking chair, but this beautiful cedar rocker is symbolic of His presence and watch care.

In the years since the Big Rocker arrived, I’ve helped my grandchildren up into the chair, as well as several octogenarians.

The Big Rocker was another big lesson for me. It’s a lesson that some things are priceless. Some expenses are not a true outlay, but an investment.

Thank you, Karan, for a good lesson on the economics of the heart. A lasting symbol of what makes Dry Creek Camp so special.

I hope you make a visit to Dry Creek. You’ll always be welcome. And while you’re there, climb up in the Big Rocker.

Curt Iles began attending Dry Creek as a child and worked every sweaty job to be found. In 1993, he became the manager of Dry Creek Baptist Camp and held the position until 2006. He still considers that time as one of the most fulfilling times of his life.

Curt Iles lives in Central Louisiana. He is a graduate of Louisiana College and McNeese State University. He has served as a teacher, coach, principal, camp director, missionary and writer. To see more work by Curt, visit www.creekbank.net.

A Century of MinistryUnder the Pines

By Mayson Victor

Tucked between the quiet waterways of Dry Creek and Bundick Creek stands one of Southwest Louisiana’s most enduring ministry landmarks.

Dry Creek Baptist Camp, now approaching its 100year mark, began with a simple gathering that would shape generations.

The camp’s story starts in August 1925, when the Baptist Young People’s Union of the Beauregard Association selected a hilly, tree-covered property for its summer meeting.

More than 100 campers arrived, pitching canvas tents and cooking over open fires. Worship was held outdoors, and baptisms took place in the cool waters of Bundick Creek. Account No. 8613-004

Before the gathering ended, attendees agreed to return each year and formally organized the Beauregard Baptist Association Encampment, electing Dave Sargent—later known fondly as Uncle Dave—as president.

Attendance grew quickly, and the camp soon adopted the motto, “An Encampment Built Around a Revival.” Other associations joined the effort, prompting a new name: Southwest Louisiana Baptist Encampment.

For many families, the annual 10-day encampment became a much-anticipated tradition. Services took place in an open-air tabernacle, meals were served beneath the tall pines, and churches built dormitories to accommodate the growing crowds. Residents still recall the long lines of cars rumbling down dirt roads each evening as thousands gathered to hear some of the era’s most

respected Baptist speakers. Account No. 102024-002

Through the 1930s and ’40s, and the years following World War II, Dry Creek continued to expand. A larger worship facility seating more than 1,200 was built in 1953, along with a swimming pool and additional cabins. These improvements supported the growing number of people who made life-changing decisions, committed to ministry or strengthened their faith at the camp.

Uncle Dave served for 39 years and became a cherished figure in the camp’s history. Today, Uncle Dave Sargent Tabernacle stands as a tribute to his decades of leadership. Account No. 130227-001

By the late 1950s and early ’60s, Dry Creek began shifting from extended family encampments to year-round ministry. The camp adopted the name Dry Creek Baptist Encampment and hired a full-time manager, Albert Hagan.

Under the guidance of the five local Baptist associations—Beauregard, Carey, Luther Rice, Mt. Olive and Vernon—the camp bought property from Dry Creek Baptist Church, enabling further growth.

A year-round lodge was built in 1972, followed by two dormitories and the acquisition of the former Dry Creek High School, which was transformed into the Adult Conference Center. These additions allowed the camp to host a wider range of events throughout the year.

In 1992, just before Albert retired after 26 years of service, the Ethert Hagan Prayer Garden was completed. The serene space beside a pond quickly became a favorite location for evening campfires and quiet reflection.

Albert was succeeded by Curt Iles, who became the camp’s third leader in nearly seven decades. Drawing from his years on summer staff, Curt focused on improving existing facilities and strengthening the camp’s programs.

Although the Country Store was the only new building built during Curt’s tenure, extensive renovations across campus increased the camp’s capacity to more than 400 guests. His largest undertaking—the renovation of Uncle Dave Sargent Tabernacle—modernized the worship space while preserving its familiar charm.

As Dry Creek continued to grow, leadership passed to the camp’s next chapter. Today, Dry Creek Baptist Camp is led by Todd Burnaman, who continues the tradition of stewardship, hospitality and ministry excellence. Under his direction, the camp remains committed to serving churches, families, students, and adults with year-round programming and Christ-centered retreats.

From tents and campfire meals to today’s full-service facilities, Dry Creek Baptist Camp remains rooted in its original purpose: offering a place where people can gather, worship, learn and experience spiritual renewal.

Nearly a century later, the same towering pines still stand, marking the ground where generations have encountered community, calling and the quiet, steady work of God. 

PLUGGED IN

Home Lighting 101

By Abby Berry

Lighting is something most of us don’t think much about—until it’s wrong. Maybe the living room feels too dim for reading or the kitchen lights cast an odd glow. We often grab whatever bulb or fixture looks good without considering how it will perform. With a little planning, your home can be brighter, cozier and more energy efficient.

Watts vs. Lumens

When shopping for light bulbs, it’s easy to focus on wattage, but that only measures how much energy is used. When it comes to brightness, what matters is the lumen count.

Lumens measure the actual light output. For example, an 800-lumen LED bulb gives off about the same amount of light as an old-fashioned 60-watt incandescent bulb.

You’ve likely replaced all incandescent bulbs with long-lasting, energy-efficient LEDs. If not, it’s time to make a switch.

A rule of thumb: The higher the lumens, the brighter the light while lower watts result in less energy consumed. Check wattage ratings for fixtures and install bulbs that meet the fixture’s wattage safety requirements.

Color Temperature and Consistency

Light bulbs vary in color temperature. This detail is often overlooked—until you replace one bulb and notice the new light

doesn’t match the others.

Consider installing bulbs of the same brand and wattage at the same time. That way, the look stays consistent, and you won’t be stuck hunting for a perfect match later.

Dimmers and Switches

Installing dimmers in place of on/off switches can be a game changer. Dimmers give you more control over brightness, help save energy and create a more comfortable atmosphere. Not all bulbs are dimmable, so double check labels before buying.

While thinking about light switches, consider whether you have enough of them and whether they’re in the right places.

A light you can only turn off from one end of a hallway becomes annoying. For installations or upgrades, it’s best to hire a licensed electrician to ensure everything is wired safely and efficiently.

Form Meets Function

Bulbs are only part of the equation—fixtures matter, too. Each type serves a purpose.

Ambient lighting from sconces or glasscovered ceiling fixtures provides general illumination. Task lighting—provided by pendants, desk lamps or track lighting— focuses light where you need it most.

When choosing a fixture, think beyond looks. Does the light provides the right amount of brightness for the space? A beautiful chandelier might look perfect over

the dining table but leaves the rest of the room too dim. Alternatively, an oversized fixture could flood the room with more light than needed, wasting energy and money.

Energy Efficiency Meets Convenience

Smart lighting adds a layer of control, but the real magic is convenience. With smart bulbs, you can adjust brightness and colors, and set schedules from your phone or an assistant such as Alexa or Google Assistant.

Want the lights to dim automatically for movie night or to turn on before you get home? Smart bulbs make it easy.

Smart lighting also personalizes your space. You can go classic with warm, white tones or experiment with colors to set the mood—anything from a soft glow for winding down to vibrant hues for a party.

Smart bulbs rely on power from a wall switch, which needs to stay in the “on” position for remote controls to work. If you prefer using a physical switch, consider pairing smart bulbs with a smart light switch.

Many of today’s smart switches also come with motion detectors, adding another level of efficiency and convenience.

Good lighting makes your home look better and feel better. You can create spaces that are welcoming, functional and energy efficient. Whether you stick to traditional bulbs and fixtures or explore the flexibility of smart lighting, thoughtful choices today will brighten your home for years to come. 

A Word About Water

Tap Into Water Heating Savings

If your home is like most, you and your family use about 64 gallons of water each day. If your water heater is electric, that probably accounts for about 18% of your power bill.

That makes your water heater the second-largest energy expense in your home. Why not use less electricity to heat it?

Today’s high-efficiency water heaters use much less energy than older models, so you don’t need to give up comfort for energy savings. That’s good news for your power bill.

There is a newer option to consider: an electric heat pump water heater. These units give you the hot water you need by pulling heat from the surrounding air to heat the water—like a refrigerator in reverse. Because they do not directly produce heat, electric heat pump water heaters are two to three times more energy efficient than standard units.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a family of four can save about $550 a year on water heating costs, which adds up to $5,610 over the lifetime of the unit.

A heat pump water heater may cost a bit more upfront than other models. However, according to the DOE, most people see a payback in less than three years due to the unit’s lower operating costs and energy savings. Look for the Energy Star label when shopping for a water heater.

Tankless electric water heaters are another option, but carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks. These smaller units quickly heat water to provide it when called upon, but can use eight times more electricity than a standard water heater.

This high demand increases your co-op’s cost of purchased power, which plays an important role in how much you pay for electricity. In some cases, people who use electric tankless water heaters must upgrade their home’s wiring to support the greater demand for electricity.

Other ways to lower your energy costs include setting your water heater’s thermostat to no higher than 120 degrees, fixing leaks, installing low-flow fixtures, and using energy-efficient dishwashers and washing machines.

Helping you save energy and money is another way your co-op is always here for you. n