Stories | Recipes | Events | People | Places | Things | Local News September 2020
North Alabama Electric Cooperative
www.naecoop.com
Cooking with Brenda Fall planting Clearing the way
Right-of-way crews help keep power on
North Alabama Electric Cooperative
Where eagles fly
The magnificent golden eagles that fly during Auburn football games are trained just two miles from campus at the Southeastern Raptor Center. For active duty birds, the traininng is rigorous.
“Making Electric Energy available to its members at the lowest cost, consistent with sound economy and good management since 1940.” ALABAMA LIVING is delivered to some 420,000 Alabama families and businesses, which are members of 22 not-for-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed and taxpaying electric cooperatives. Subscriptions are $12 a year for individuals not subscribing through participating Alabama electric cooperatives. Alabama Living (USPS 029-920) is published monthly by the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Alabama, and at additional mailing office. POSTMASTER send forms 3579 to: Alabama Living, P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, Alabama 36124-4014. ALABAMA RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION
AREA President Fred Braswell Editor Lenore Vickrey Managing Editor Allison Law Creative Director Mark Stephenson Art Director Danny Weston Advertising Director Jacob Johnson Graphic Designer/Ad Coordinator Brooke Echols
20 F E A T U R E S
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VOL. 73 NO. 9 SEPTEMBER 2020
Keeping lines clear
Crews ensure electricity flows without interruption.
Promoting agriculture 24 Rick Pate’s parents taught him the
importance of giving back to his community, and he’s now serving the state as Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.
Setting the bar 34 Creating a food bar lets your family
make their own meal with as many ingredients and toppings as they like.
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American MainStreet Publications 611 South Congress Ave., Suite 504 Austin, Texas 78704 1-800-626-1181 www.AMP.coop www.alabamaliving.coop USPS 029-920 • ISSN 1047-0311
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11 Spotlight 28 Crossword 34 Cook of the Month 38 Outdoors 39 Fish & Game Forecast 46 Hardy Jackson’s Alabama ONLINE: alabamaliving.coop ON THE COVER
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D E P A R T M E N T S
Brenda Gantt never imagined her cooking videos would become a sensation on Facebook. Now, she has fans and followers all over the world who tune in to watch her cook, laugh and reminisce. PHOTO: Simply Shawna Photography
34 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
ONLINE: EMAIL: MAIL:
www.alabamaliving.coop letters@alabamaliving.coop Alabama Living 340 Technacenter Drive Montgomery, AL 36117
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FARM FRESH
North Alabama Electric Cooperative
Where to find the best local produce
Payment Options By Mail: P.O. Box 628 Stevenson, AL 35772 By Phone: 800-941-3561 Online: www.naecoop.com/ pay-bill In Person: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Woodville Office: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Contact Us Headquarters: 41103 U.S. Hwy. 72 Stevenson, AL 35772 256-437-2281 Electric Service: 256-437-2281 or 800-572-2900 Fiber Service: 256-437-5000 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. After Hour Emergencies: 256-437-1100 or 800-572-2900 Fiber - 256-437-5000 4 SEPTEMBER 2020
There’s nothing better than fresh fruits and vegetables as part of your favorite home-cooked meals. Buying local from farmers markets in your area is a great way to get healthy produce for your family, and there are plenty of options in North Alabama. n
Maggie Valley Berry Patch and Gardens
Crow Mountain Orchard
Berries and flowers, pick-your-own or chosen for you by the owners
Where: 6236 County Road 39, Fackler, AL 35746 When: Open seven days a week, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 458 Babe Wright Road, Grant, AL 35747 When: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. See Facebook for additional hours.
Jackson County Farmers Market Fresh produce and more from farmers across Jackson County Where: 218 Bob Jones Road, Scottsboro, AL 35768 When: Tuesday through Saturday, 6 a.m.-12 p.m., May to November
Variety of fruits hand picked for you
Guntersville Farmers Market Products grown or made in the Guntersville area, from produce and flowers to locally sourced hand scrubs and jams Where: 880 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, AL 35976 When: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. daily, April to November
Does your classroom look different this year? NAEC is here to help you connect! Eligible families could get FREE INTERNET service through Alabama’s “ABC For Students” program. If you’ve received a program voucher in the mail recently from the State of Alabama, call NAEC to get connected. Visit abcstudents.org for program information or give us a call.
Fiber
256-437-5000 844-387-5130
www.alabamaliving.coop
JOB HUNTING in the modern age From submitting your resume to interviewing, it’s an online world Technology has changed the way we look for a job. A high-speed NAECFiber connection is more important than ever to making a good impression with the first round of interviews often held online through videoconferencing. Even with a crystal clear connection, it is a whole new world for today’s job hunters. This guide can help you navigate it to find and land that dream job.
Job boards
These days, most job opportunities are found through online sources, such as job boards where employers post openings and describe the position, job duties and type of candidate they are seeking. Some of the most popular job boards include Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder and Glassdoor. These sites will allow you to post your resume for employers to review. They also let you search for openings based on location, career field or keyword. While they may have some differences, most job boards have the same basic features. They allow you to search for jobs you may qualify for, and they often let you apply directly from their site. Others may link you to the employer’s site to submit your resume and fill out an application.
Resume
Your resume is your calling card. It is the first thing a potential employer will see when determining if you are a good candidate for the opening. A resume should be simple and easy to read. It should be concise and only contain relevant information. It should summarize your accomplishments and highlight relevant skills. Here are some tips to help you create a winning resume.
§ Keywords — Look for keywords in a job posting that describe what the employer is looking for and use those words in your resume. § Font — Always use a basic, clean font Alabama Living
like Arial or Times New Roman. Keep your font size between 10 and 12 points. § Information — Keep your resume as brief as possible, without leaving out key information. Only include relevant information that highlights your qualifications for the position. § Design — Make sure your resume is clear and easy to read, with defined sections and appropriate margins.
Social Media
Networking is the new king of modern job hunting. That’s why some social media sites like LinkedIn have become go-to sources for employers and job seekers alike. According to The Muse, an online source for job seekers, 92% of employers are using social media to fill their ranks.
LinkedIn is probably the most popular social media site for job hunters. It is an excellent source to find job postings as well as to network with others within your field. But LinkedIn isn’t the only social media site companies are using. According to The Muse, 93% of employers use LinkedIn to find candidates. About 66% use Facebook, and 54% use Twitter. The Muse also warns candidates to review and clean up their social media sites, because the majority of employers review a candidate’s social media posts for questionable content. Remember, it is a two-way street. Just like employers are evaluating you to determine if you are a good fit for their team, you should be evaluating whether the job would be a good fit for you. n
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TRAILBLAZERS Right-of-way crews clear the way for reliable power
When Brandon Evans first took over as right-of-way foreman about five years ago, North Alabama Electric Cooperative had just changed its approach to tree trimming. For the last few years, he had worked on the crew trimming back the vegetation around electric lines by the hour. It wasn’t working. “We weren’t accomplishing anything; we were just surviving,” Evans says. “Then, we started trimming by the mile, and if crews didn’t trim the way they should, they didn’t get paid. It made a world of difference.” These days, Evans estimates NAEC’s two four-man contract crews that trim by the mile can each clear around 10 miles per month. Their work frees up a third crew to focus on hot spots around the system, where they can cut down a tree threatening to fall on electric equipment or deal with a section of line experiencing frequent outages. Along with the cooperative’s two in-house right-of-way crew members, including Evans, NAEC works on a four-year cycle for trimming and a five-year cycle for mowing to cover the entire system. In between those five-year mowing cycles, the crews also spray to keep vegetation growth to a minimum. “That’s why it’s so crucial for us to maintain the right-of-way,” says Evans. “The member has to realize when we’re trimming we may not be back through there for a few years because we’re on a schedule.”
As far as Evans is concerned, maintaining right-of-way is the most important work the cooperative does, after protecting the safety of its linemen. Late night restorations might draw much-deserved praise. But without consistent right-of-way clearing, the lights would rarely stay on in the first place. “One of the greatest things about our job is to have the feeling of knowing we made a difference at the end of the day,” he says. “Not just for us but for the members, because our work benefits everybody.” n
A smart investment Clearing right-of-way pays off by: • Improving the reliability of electric service • Keeping electric rates low for members • Protecting members who rely on medical equipment
Making a difference Evans understands that some members may not be happy to see his crews come around. Not every member wants their trees trimmed, and, in some cases, they may not need it. Those with backup generators might not be inconvenienced by an electric line to their home going down periodically. But it is important for members to keep in mind that they may not be the only ones affected. “They might not mind if their power goes out, but what if they have a neighbor down the road who is on oxygen?” says Evans. “She needs her power. Some folks have to have it to survive, and then it becomes an issue.” In some cases where trees have needed to be cut down entirely, NAEC has replaced them by planting new trees away from electric lines. After all, the right-of-way team’s ultimate goal is to improve the reliability of members’ service, not mess with their landscaping. “We’re not cutting to harm them or damage their property,” says Evans. “We’re here for the member, so when that storm comes, maybe they have power all night instead of having a tree or a limb knock it out.” 6 SEPTEMBER 2020
www.alabamaliving.coop
A CUT ABOVE Clear the way
NAEC clears growth 15 feet from each side of an active power line, resulting in: 30 feet of space around active, single-phase poles.
Who turned out the lights? Some of the most common causes of electric outages include: • Falling trees and limbs • Wildlife contacting power lines
38 feet of space around active, three-phase poles.
• High-speed winds • Lightning • Vehicle collisions
Maintain a ‘safe zone’ when planting trees Tall Zone
50 feet farther from the Maintenance Zone. Examples: Maple, Spruce, Oak, Pine.
Medium Zone
20-50 feet or farther from the Maintenance Zone. Examples: Holly, Ornamental Cherry.
Low Zone
10-20 feet or farther from the Maintenance Zone. Examples: Redbud, Dogwood.
Maintenance Zone
No vines, shrubs or trees should be planted within 10 feet of the farthest point on a utility pole.
Alabama Living
SEPTEMBER 2020 7
WHO OWNS WHAT?
Where NAEC equipment ends and member-owned equipment begins When storms hit, North Alabama Electric Cooperative is responsible for repairing any damage to its equipment while members are responsible for fixing their own. But how can you tell member-owned equipment from the cooperative’s? This illustration shows which equipment connected to your home is your responsibility and which parts are owned by the cooperative. If member-owned equipment needs repairs, members should hire a licensed electrician to make them. n
Co-op owned Member owned Power distribution lines
Service point Transformer Weatherhead
Service line
Service mast guy
Tree trimming Trimming trees around service line is the member’s responsibility
Service mast
Power pole
Meter socket and jaws
Service panel
Note: This graphic depicts overhead and underground service. Please be aware of which type of service you receive at your home or business.
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Meter Meter socket
Padmounted transformer
Service line www.alabamaliving.coop