The Light Post, Escambia River Electric Cooperative, May 2026
ISSUE 08 | MAY 2026
JAY OFFICE
3425 Highway 4 P O Box 428 (mail) Jay, FL 32565
850-675-4521 or 800-235-3848
WALNUT HILL OFFICE
4950 Highway 99A Walnut Hill, FL 32568 850-327-4122
OFFICE HOURS
7:00 a m to 4:30 p m Monday - Thursday
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every other Friday
Closed on alternating Fridays Walnut Hill is closed from 12 :00 - 1:00 p m
STAFF
Ryan C. Campbell, P.E., CEO
Sonya Dooley, Director of Finance and Administration
Lanie Sells, Director of Engineering
Glenn White, Director of Operations
Cortney Owens, Manager of Marketing Communications
Derek Bridwell, Manager of Information Technology
Crystal George, Manager of Accounting
TRUSTEES
escambiariverelectric Your Monthly Newsletter
A MONTH OF CELEBRATIONS AND COMMUNITY
Ryan Campbell, P.E.
It’s been a busy and exciting month at Escambia River Electric Cooperative! We celebrated Lineman Appreciation Day, honored Gary McCaskill on his retirement after 46 years of dedicated service, and hosted our 87th Annual Meeting.
We also marked the successful third year of our Lineman’s Camp for high school students, announced four scholarship winners, and judged approximately 120 creative posters from 5th graders at local schools. On top of that, we were thrilled to participate in career days and egg drop events, all while continuing the essential work we do every day
And you know what? Next month marks the start of hurricane season, so we are already gearing up to keep our community safe and powered Preparing for storms is a team effort, and our linemen and staff are ready to respond at a moment’s notice to restore service and support our members It’s a reminder of the critical role our cooperative plays every day, not just during celebrations or special events, but in keeping homes and businesses running, no matter the circumstances
We truly love what we do, and it’s an honor to serve and engage with our community in so many ways. Each event, recognition, and program is a chance to connect with members, inspire the next generation, and show the heart behind the ur cooperative.
Wishing all the wonderful moms out there a
CELEBRATING GARY - 46 YEARS
After an incredible 46 years of dedicated service, Gary "Moose" McCaskill has retired from EREC as of April 1, 2026 Moose has been more than just a team member, he has been a cornerstone of the cooperative, embodying hard work, loyalty, and a true commitment to the community he served
Gary “Moose” McCaskill DistributionSystemsForeman
ZEST UP YOUR DAY!
Over nearly five decades, he witnessed countless changes in the energy industry
but remained a steady, reliable presence through it all As Moose steps into retirement, we celebrate not only his remarkable career but the friendships and memories he leaves behind
Thank you, Moose, for your unwavering dedication and service You will be deeply missed and always remembered as part of the EREC family
NO FUSS LEMON TART
1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Ingredients
8 full size graham cracker sheets
(about 1 cup once crushed into crumbs)
1 cup salted pretzel twists
6 tablespoons salted butter, melted
2 tablespoons + 1/3 cup honey
3 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons lemon zest
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups mixed fresh berries
Nutrition Information: Calories: 1847 kcal per serving
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 1hour
Total Time: 1hour 30 minutes
8 Servings
TEACHERS, WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!
As the school year winds down, it’s the perfect time to plan ahead for next year! EREC loves partnering with local schools for events like Career Days, Safety City, Egg Drops, and more. You can schedule EREC for your events by emailing cowens@erec.com or submitting a request online at erec.com/community/youthprograms/safety-city.
Let’s make next year’s school events fun, educational, and safe!
2 To make the crust In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers and pretzels into semi-fine crumbs. Add the butter and 2 tablespoons honey and pulse until the mixture holds together when pinched and starts to look like dough Press the dough into an 8 or 9 inch tart pan with a removable bottom to form a flat, even crust. Transfer to the oven and bake until toasted, about 8 minutes
3.Meanwhile, combine the heavy cream, remaining 1/3 cup honey, and lemon zest in a large pot, bigger than you think you'll need Set over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, boil 5 minutes and then remove from the heat and whisk in the lemon juice, vanilla, and a pinch of salt Let cool 10 minutes.
4.Carefully pour the lemon cream into the baked crust Cover and chill 1 hour or until set Before serving, remove the tart from the pan and top with fresh berries.
BodyGlo Soaps hand-crafts small-batch artisan soaps, lotions, and creams with love and high-quality, skin-safe ingredients
Each bar is hand-poured and cut, giving it a unique charm, and their luxurious scents like Golden Glo and Exquisitely Pink turn daily routines into spa-like moments They are passionate about creating products that nourish the skin and uplift the spirit. Their goal is simple: make self-care fun, functional, and something you can feel good about every day.
Breazeale Farm in the heart of Chumuckla is your local destination for a wide variety of plants and gardening supplies Open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., it’s best to call ahead in case a delivery is in progress.
The farm offers everything from hanging baskets and flats of flowers to ferns, herbs, vegetables, annuals, and more, perfect for gardeners of all levels.
Escambia County
Santa Rosa County
You? Isthis
You could win a $10 Bill Credit!
If the account number below matches yours, call us at (850) 675-4521 to claim a $10 credit on your next electric bill!
317167-001
SAVANNAH HUDSON
Herman D. Johnson Scholarship Recipient - Escambia County
Savannah Hudson is a senior at Northview High School and a dual enrollment student known for her strong work ethic and academic achievement She is a creative and dedicated writer who approaches challenges with determination and confidence She is actively involved in school clubs and community service, showing leadership and a commitment to helping others. Savannah plans to continue her college education to pursue a law degree. Her positive attitude, humility, and dedication to excellence make her a standout student with a bright future ahead.
PASSING BILLS
Please join us in thanking our local state legislators for passing Senate Bill 288 and House Bill 379, which support affordable, reliable energy, and for always supporting Florida’s electric cooperatives! A special thank you to the bill sponsors, Rep. Jason Shoaf (representing 5 panhandle coops) and Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez (representing Florida Keys Electric Co-op)
Herman D. Johnson Scholarship Recipient - Santa Rosa County
Brea Lyle is a senior at Jay High School and a dedicated student-athlete who serves as cheer captain while also competing in track & field, basketball, and tennis She holds numerous leadership roles, including Senior Class Senator, VP of the National Honor Society, VP of Senior Beta Club, VP of Christian World Outreach, and Secretary of the National Art Honor Society. Brea was also selected as an EREC Youth Tour Representative to Tallahassee in 2025. She would like to pursue a masters in nursing. Her leadership, involvement, and commitment to excellence make her a standout student.
EREC Votech Scholarship
Recipient - Escambia County
Tyler Carach is a senior at Northview High School planning to attend the Southeast Lineman Training Center to become a lineman Experiencing hurricanes firsthand, Tyler saw that linemen are more than utility workers they are lifelines, working tirelessly to restore power Inspired by their dedication, he has made it his personal mission to serve and support his community. Tyler is also the founder and executive director of I DONUT Need a Reason to Thank a Cop, a non-profit dedicated to honoring, supporting, and advocating for law enforcement officers and first responders.
Nicholas Baxley is a senior at Jay High School planning to attend Locklin Technical College to study HVAC An active athlete, he has served as a team leader in football, basketball, and baseball, and volunteers with various organizations Nicholas has been a member of Beta Club and was selected for the Hope Squad.
Known for his strong character, he approaches challenges with resilience and humility, responds to feedback with maturity, and treats others with empathy and respect. We look forward to watching Nicholas on his journey.
Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez Rodriguez Anamaria@flsenate gov
