WIN Energy REMC
YOUR INDIANA COOPERATIVE COMPANION
J ANUARY 2 0 1 9
IN AN INSTANT
Grab a pressure cooker to make this month’s recipes
Cheap tricks
Handy household hacks that use more imagination than money
APPLY FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS Check out these opportunities for our younger members
PAGE
20
from the editor
A boy named Boy Back in 1969, when Johnny Cash sang about A Boy Named Sue, listeners laughed about the improbability of anyone saddling their son with such a scandalous (for a guy) name.
VOLUME 68 • NUMBER 7 ISSN 0745-4651 • USPS 262-340 Published monthly by:
Fast forward a half century and unusual monikers are not so unusual anymore. In fact, nowadays it’s more unlikely that your name would be Tom, Dick or Harry than, let’s say, Liam, which was the most popular name given to newborn boys in 2018. But why pick a trendy name like Liam for your son when you can choose something as unorthodox as Sue was in 1969? The U.S. Social Security Administration has compiled a list of the weirdest baby names of 2017, and some of them are, let’s say, very creative. The oddest name in my opinion is Espn. I’m not sure how that’s pronounced and as for its origin, it has to be inspired by the sports network, right? I’m especially shocked that 12 girls and six boys born during the Year of the Rooster are walking around with this name. Though rare, can you believe this name caught the fancy of at the very least 18 parents?
ELECTRIC CONSUMER is for and about members of Indiana’s locally-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives. It helps consumers: use electricity safely and efficiently; understand energy issues; connect with their co-op; and celebrate life in Indiana. Over 272,000 residents and businesses receive the magazine as part of their electric co-op membership. CONTACT US: 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600 Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606 317-487-2220 ec@ElectricConsumer.org
One hundred six girls were named Empress and 145 boys were bestowed with the name Pharaoh. Those parents obviously have some lofty expectations of their children. Another boy’s name, Havoc, frankly scares me. I imagine destruction occurring wherever he heads. That may be bad enough when he’s a toddler but could get progressively worse as he grows up. Speaking of frightening treks to adulthood, 11 little boys were named Arson. That’s not a destiny to aspire to. I was especially surprised by two other names that were actually inscribed on multiple birth certificates in 2017. Believe it or not, at least 28 little boys are out there with the first name “Boy.” At least 19 girls answer to “Girl” with a capital “G.” That’s the best name their parents could come up with? If so, what’s wrong with Sue?
ElectricConsumer.org INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFICERS Gary Gerlach President Walter Hunter Vice President Randy Kleaving Secretary/Treasurer Elmer Stocker Interim CEO EDITORIAL STAFF Emily Schilling Editor Richard George Biever Senior Editor Holly Huffman Member Relations/ Advertising Manager Ellie Schuler Senior Communication Specialist ADVERTISING American MainStreet Publications, 512-441-5200; amp.coop Crosshair Media, 502-216-8537; crosshairmedia.net Paid advertisements are not endorsements by any electric cooperative or this publication.
EMILY SCHILLING Editor eschilling@electricconsumer.org
On the menu: April issue: Eggs, deadline Feb. 1. May issue: Southern Barbecue, deadline Feb. 1. If we publish your recipe on our food page, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.
Giveaway: Winner of the Lil Bub plush toy was Annette Coenen of
UNSOLICITED MATERIAL: Electric Consumer does not use unsolicited freelance manuscripts or photographs and assumes no responsibility for the safe‑keeping or return of unsolicited material. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $12 for individuals not subscribing through participating REMCs/RECs. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Readers who receive Electric Consumer through their electric co-op membership should report address changes to their local co-op. POSTAGE: Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, Ind., and at additional mailing offices.
Warsaw. Her parents, Tom and Donna Miller of Winona Lake, submitted her name in the giveaway. Winners of the $50 Amazon gift card in our “Rename Electric Consumer” contest were Bob and Diane Shockey of West Lafayette.
POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: Electric Consumer, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606. Include key number.
Three ways to contact us: To send us recipes, photos, event listings, letters and entries for gift drawings, please use the forms on our website ElectricConsumer.org; email ec@ElectricConsumer.org; or send to Electric Consumer, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606.
No portion of Electric Consumer may be reproduced without permission of the editor.
JANUARY 2019
3
contents
JANUARY
10
17
energy
03 FROM THE EDITOR 05 CO-OP NEWS What’s happening at your local electric cooperative. 10 ENERGY Understand the causes of increased winter energy use. 12 INSIGHTS
30
food
17 FOOD In an instant: No pressure with pressure cooker prep. 20 COVER STORY Hacking the hacks. Make something stylish, special and useful with finds from the bargain aisles at your local dollar stores.
14 COUNTY OF THE MONTH Spotlighting Monroe County.
Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ElectricConsumer Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/Electriconsumer Find us on Pinterest www.pinterest.com/Electriconsumer Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/ElectricConsumer
34
backyard
profile
26 EVENTS CALENDAR
31 P RODUCT RECALLS
28 DIY Winter survival guide to keep in your car.
32 H OOSIER ENERGY/ WABASH VALLEY NEWS
29 SAFETY
Biscuits and the Brickyard: Clabber Girl Museum.
Generator safety protocols for your home. 30 BACKYARD A breath of fresh air.
33 TRAVEL
34 PROFILE All in the family: Marcum continues Jack’s Donut legacy.
On the cover Whether you’re a crafty sort who revels in DIY projects or are all about savings strategies, you’ll want to don your tool belt, and pull out your hack saw, tools and trusty hot glue gun before turning to this month’s cover story, starting on page 20. We’ll tell you how to repurpose bargain store finds, and turn junk drawer staples into the used and useful. PHOTO BY RICHARD G. BIEVER
4
JANUARY 2019
co-op news
Providing opportunities for our youth www.winenergyremc.com CONTACT US Toll Free: 800-882-5140 Local: 812-882-5140 Fax: 812-886-0306 AUTOMATED EXPRESS SERVICES For outages and payments, call: 888-456-9876 OFFICE HOURS 7:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. local time Monday-Friday VINCENNES OFFICE 3981 S. U.S. Highway 41 Vincennes, IN 47591 PRINCETON OFFICE 1314 W. 100 N. Princeton, IN 47670 SULLIVAN OFFICE 2044 W. State Road 154 Sullivan, IN 47882 UNDERGROUND LINE LOCATING Please call 811 at least two business days before you plan to dig. 2019 OFFICE CLOSINGS New Year’s: Jan. 1; Good Friday: April19; Memorial Day: May 27; Independence Day: July 4; Labor Day: Sept. 2; Veterans Day: Nov. 11; Thanksgiving: Nov. 28 and 29; Christmas: Dec. 24 and 25; New Year’s Eve: Dec. 31. METER READING DATES Cycle 1: Jan. 2; Cycle 2: Jan. 7; Cycle 3: Jan. 16; Cycle 4: Jan. 25; Cycle 5: Feb. 1; Cycle 6: Feb. 1. JANUARY TREE TRIMMING LOCATIONS Tree trimming crews will be in the following areas this month: • Gibson County — Jefferson Township Washington Logan Township Township Madison Township Marion Township • Knox County — Patoka Township Harrison Township Washington • Pike County — Township Clay Township Specific locations can be found at www.winenergyremc.com. Like us on Facebook facebook.com/winenergyremc
With a new year comes new opportunity, and in 2019 your electric cooperative will continue to provide opportunities to engage and support the youth in our local communities. It’s one of our core principles — commitment to community. WIN Energy REMC is committed to enriching the lives of our youth and teaching them what it means to be a member of an electric cooperative. Your cooperative offers several youth programs. Now is the time to apply for these amazing opportunities. • For high school seniors: There is an opportunity to apply for college scholarships to support and assist them in their pursuit of higher education. Our scholarship program is available to students whose parents or guardians are WIN Energy REMC members. Scholarships are awarded based on the student’s academic achievements, school activities, leadership skills, and community involvement. Since the inception of the program in 2012, $40,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 50 local high school seniors. • For high school juniors: The Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., presents an opportunity of a lifetime. The week is interspersed with visits to many D.C. monuments and sites, including Capitol Hill. Students have the opportunity to discuss issues with legislators. Our chaperones are always impressed with the interactions and questions
asked by our students. In addition, there are opportunities to meet and interact with over 1,800 Youth Tour participants from across the country. For many teens, it may be the first time they have left the state or visited the nation’s capital. It is a great opportunity to meet other cooperative youth, learn about cooperative history, and gain an understanding of the impact that electric cooperatives have on the legislative process. • For sixth grade students: Touchstone Energy Camp in Brookston, Indiana, offers three days at YMCA Camp Tecumseh. The students’ agenda combines traditional outdoor camp activities with environmental education, electrical safety practices, and cooperative business education. This is a great way for students to learn about the role of the electric cooperative in their community. On top of that, they get to experience all the fun of camp.
At WIN Energy REMC, supporting our youth is just one way we can make a difference in our communities. There are many great cooperative programs that focus on youth education and engagement, which can be found on our website at www.winenergyremc. com. If you know any youth that would be eligible for these programs, please encourage them to apply and take advantage of these great opportunities. Please see page 8 for information on applying for these programs.
TOM NOWASKIE CEO JANUARY 2019
5
co-op news
Operation Round Up grants $8,945.24 The WIN Energy REMC Community Trust recently presented grants totaling $8,945.24 to four organizations across the counties WIN Energy REMC serves through our Operation Round Up program. Operation Round Up allows WIN Energy REMC members to reach out to worthy causes in their communities and work together to help others. Thank you to those members who round up their electric bills to the next highest dollar each month. Since the inception of the program in May 2013, 118 grants have been awarded to local organizations totaling about $368,000. Your small change is really making a big difference for organizations in our community.
Pictured from left: Roger Stonebraker, WIN Energy REMC Community Trust vice chair; Mary Ann Dudley, Carlisle Lions Community Ambulance Service CEO.
CARLISLE LIONS COMMUNITY AMBULANCE SERVICE received $1,020 to purchase a TV and sound system for its training center.
How to apply for grant • Grants are awarded quarterly. The next round of grants will be awarded in March. Applications are due by Feb. 1. • Any charitable organization within the WIN Energy REMC service territory is eligible to apply. The organization does not have to be a member of WIN Energy REMC. • Applications can be picked up at any of the three WIN Energy REMC offices or downloaded at www.winenergyremc.com. Please be sure to use the most recent application as periodic updates are made.
Pictured from left: Peg Callis, WIN Energy REMC Community Trust board member; June White, food pantry chair and church elder; Jo Ellen Bingham, clerk; Sydney Russler, WIN Energy REMC Community Trust board member.
PATOKA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH received $2,000 to purchase food for its food pantry.
6
JANUARY 2019
Pictured from left: Colin Mahoney, WIN Energy REMC marketing and communications coordinator; Rich Williams, 4-H Council member.
PIKE COUNTY 4-H COUNCIL received $2,500 to upgrade lighting at the horse and pony corral.
Pictured from left: Colin Mahoney, WIN Energy REMC marketing and communications coordinator; Kelli Gordon, Pike County CASA director.
PIKE COUNTY CASA, INC., received $3,425.24 to purchase backpacks and supplies for children in the program.
co-op news
Directors to be elected at 2019 Annual Meeting The credentials and election committee for the WIN Energy REMC board of directors will accept petitions for directors in districts one (1) and four (4). Any WIN Energy REMC member whose primary REBECCA WEST
residence is in a district up for election can become a candidate. If you would like more information,
ERICA RUSSELL
Employees graduate from leadership programs
please call the office and set
Two WIN Energy REMC employees grad-
leadership program offered by Indiana
an appointment with Thomas
uated from separate statewide leadership
Electric Cooperatives. The program is
Nowaskie, Chief Executive Officer.
and professional development programs
designed to create a network of leaders
At that time, the qualifications
in December.
among electric cooperatives. She was
needed to become a cooperative
• Rebecca West graduated from the
board member will be reviewed
Cooperative Leadership Edge program at
with you, and upon verification, you
the Indiana Electric Cooperatives Annual
In the first year of the professional
will be given a board of directors
Meeting. The program creates under-
development program, class members
petition. The petitions must be
standing of positive leadership behav-
attend retreats focused on the energy
returned to the REMC office by
iors and their impact on other people. It
industry, leadership basics and cooper-
features six core classes and two electives
ative business model education. During
1 p.m., EST.
that must be completed over two years.
the second year, participants step into a
These classes help build skills to be a
facilitation role where they gain valuable
The following districts are up for
leader in the cooperative. Each partici-
skills for presenting content, working as
election at the 2019 annual meeting
pant must complete a capstone project
a team and planning agendas.
which will be held Saturday,
before graduation from the program.
April 6, at 1:30 p.m. EDT, at
• Erica Russell graduated from the Rural
ulate both of these employees on all their
Electric Leaders in Training Exchange
hard work completing these programs.
Tuesday, Feb. 5, no later than
Vincennes Lincoln High School Ader Auditorium:
joined by 12 other Indiana electric cooperative employees from around the state.
WIN Energy REMC would like to congrat-
(RELITE) program. RELITE is a two-year
• District 1: Montgomery and Wabash townships in Gibson County; and Bethel, Center, Harmony, Lynn, Robb, and Smith townships in Posey County. • District 4: Harrison, Palmyra, and Steen townships in Knox County; and Jefferson, Patoka,
Rebates
Clarification
To qualify for the 2019 Residential Rebate Program, heat pumps do not need to be NEEP-certified cold climate heat pumps. This information was incorrectly noted in last month’s Electric Consumer.
and Washington townships in Pike
To qualify for a rebate, heat pumps should have a minimum 9.0 HSPF, 16.0 SEER
County.
rating for traditional or modular housing or minimum 8.0 HSPF, 14.0 SEER rating for mobile/manufactured housing. All systems must be matched to an AHRI Certificate.
JANUARY 2019
7
AP P LY FOR
YOUTH PROGRAMS PAGE DAY Spend a day in the Indiana Senate with
JAN. 23
students from REMCs around the state. See the Senate in action, observe policy debates, assist legislators during session, and
A P P LY NOW!
tour the governor’s office and Statehouse. REQUIREMENTS: You must be available on Jan. 23 and have reliable transportation to and
from the Indiana Statehouse that day. The program is open to high school students. Please confirm with school administrators, but Page Day is considered an excused absence in most instances. APPLY: Visit IndianaEC.org/?p=287.
INDIANA YOUTH TOUR
museums, legislators, friends, trip
JUNE 13-20
of a lifetime, history. Must be a high school junior to apply. APPLY: Go to www.winenergyremc.com
WIN Energy REMC
and click on the “News and Events”
wants to send you on a weeklong,
tab, and then “Youth Programs.” NEW
all-inclusive trip of a lifetime to
this year, applications must be
Washington, D.C. Monuments,
completed online by Feb. 15.
(To find your state legislator, visit iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/.) Submit your application by Jan. 11.
TOUCHSTONE ENERGY CAMP
JUNE 5-8
WIN ENERGY REMC SCHOLARSHIPS WIN Energy REMC assists our
and transcript to WIN Energy REMC
members pursuing higher
no later than Feb. 15.
education by awarding scholarships to graduating seniors.
A fun, powerful and
REQUIREMENTS:
unique camp experience designed
• The parents or legal guardians of
for students entering seventh grade
the applicant must be members of
in 2019. Horseback riding, canoeing,
WIN Energy REMC.
zip lining, trying out archery,
• Applicant must be a 2019
swimming, learning about electrical
graduating senior and have
safety and bucket truck rides.
maintained a cumulative grade
APPLY: Go to www.winenergyremc.com and click on the “News and Events” tab, then “Youth Programs.” NEW this year, applications must be completed online by Feb. 15.
8
JANUARY 2019
point average of a C or higher.
• Recipient must be eligible to enroll as a full time student in the fall of 2019. Proof of enrollment must be presented to WIN Energy REMC. • Full or part-time employees of WIN Energy REMC; or a spouse, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, grandchild, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew of an employee or board director of WIN Energy REMC are ineligible to apply.
• Applicant must provide a current high school transcript. • Applicant must submit application
APPLY: Download an application at www.winenergyremc.com. Applications are due by Feb 15.
Why is my bill higher this month?
energy
Understanding what causes increased winter energy use RECENT QUESTION FROM AN
stated in the question above. Chang-
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE MEMBER:
ing this setting could save as much as
“I’m calling because I received my December electric bill, and it seems a little high compared to my usual bill. We keep our house’s tem-
10 percent on a member’s heating cost. You may be thinking “that’s way too
Lifestyle When you use electricity is as important as how much energy you use. If you are willing to adjust the time of
chilly for cold winter nights!” You can
day you use your high use appliances,
certainly set your thermostat higher
you may want to participate in your
than 68 F. Just remember, the harder
co-op’s Demand Side Management
your furnace has to work to maintain
changed it much. Could you help
Program and move to the Time of Use
the temperature setting inside the
(TOU) rate. Contact your local elec-
my wife and I understand why our
home, the higher your use will be.
tric cooperative for more information
electric use increased last month?”
Increased Visitors
about these programs.
As member-consumers receive their
If you drew the short straw to host
Thermal Envelope of Home
first winter bill, this is a frequently
the holiday party this year, remember
asked question. Here’s some insight
If your home is not well insulated,
that having increased visitors in your
into understanding why your winter
or your windows or heating/cooling
home increases energy use. Maybe
ducts are leaking, your use may be higher. Simple fixes, like caulking
perature set at 78 F and have not
use may differ from the rest of the
you have children home from col-
year.
lege or on winter break from middle
around windows and doors, sealing
Seasonal Weather
school. Keep in mind that they are
your heating/cooling ducts, or adding
Winter is notorious for keeping us indoors during inclement weather, resulting in higher home appliance use and higher thermostat settings. When it’s colder outside than inside, your heating system has to work harder to maintain the temperature setting inside the home.
utilizing multiple appliances through-
attic insulation can make a big differ-
out the day; increasing the normal
ence in the energy efficiency of your
amount of electricity your home uses
home.
when you are away at work and your home is empty. Those additional showers with hot water, cooking with your electric oven, or snuggling up beside your electric space heater can all attribute to your higher energy bill
Thermostat Settings
in winter.
The biggest users of energy in the
Monitor Your Use
household are the furnace and air conditioner. If you are interested in saving energy easily and efficiently, the Department of Energy (DOE) recommends setting your thermostat at 68 F in the winter. This is a 10 F decrease from the setting of 78 F as
Interested in additional resources and information about energy savings around your home? Contact your local electric cooperative to schedule a home energy audit. Your electric coop offers many incentives and rebates. Visit your local cooperative’s webpage or call for more information.
Utilize your cooperative’s electric use app to target periods of high use. The hour-by-hour readings allow member-consumers to pinpoint when you’re using more electricity. They can also identify the appliance(s) that may be causing the increase.
by
Sharon Barnhart
Southeastern Indiana REMC
10
JANUARY 2019
M
New amplified phone lets you hear AND see the conversation.
o ct N tra e n Fe o Co N hly t on
Breakthrough technology converts phone calls to captions.
The Hamilton® CapTel® Captioned Telephone converts phone conversations to easy-to-read captions for individuals with hearing loss.
A simple idea… made possible with sophisticated technology. If you have trouble understanding a call, captioned telephone can change your life. During a phone call the words spoken to you appear on the phone’s screen – similar to closed captioning on TV. So when you make or receive a call, the words spoken to you are not only amplified by the phone, but scroll across the phone so you can listen while reading everything that’s said to you. Each call is routed through a call center, where computer technology – aided by a live representative – generates voice-to-text translations. The captioning is real-time, accurate and readable. Your conversation is private and the captioning service doesn’t cost you a penny. Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) is regulated and funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is designed exclusively for individuals with hearing loss. To learn more, visit www.fcc.gov. The Hamilton CapTel
phone requires telephone service and high-speed Internet access. WiFi Capable. Callers do not need special equipment or a captioned telephone in order to speak with you. Finally… a phone you can use again. The Hamilton CapTel phone is also packed with features to help make phone calls easier. The keypad has large, easy to use buttons. You get adjustable volume amplification along with the ability to save captions for review later. It even has an answering machine that provides you with the captions of each message.
NEW Wide Screen Display
“For years I avoided phone calls because I couldn’t understand the caller… now I don’t miss a thing!”
SEE what you’ve been missing!
See for yourself with our exclusive home trial. Try a captioned telephone in your own home and if you are not completely amazed, simply return it within 60-days for a refund of the product purchase price. It even comes with a 5-year warranty.
Captioned Telephone Call now for our special introductory price! Call now Toll-Free
1-888-738-8047 Please mention promotion code 110525. The Captioned Telephone is intended for use by people with hearing loss. In purchasing a Captioned Telephone, you acknowledge that it will be used by someone who cannot hear well over a traditional phone. Hamilton is a registered trademark of Nedelco, Inc. d/b/a Hamilton Telecommunications. CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc.
81138
Do you get discouraged when you hear your telephone ring? Do you avoid using your phone because hearing difficulties make it hard to understand the person on the other end of the line? For many Americans the telephone conversation – once an important part of everyday life – has become a thing of the past. Because they can’t understand what is said to them on the phone, they’re often cut off from friends, family, doctors and caregivers. Now, thanks to innovative technology there is finally a better way.
Phone Email Websi te
CON TAC T
insights
Support
PROJECT INDIANA
Indiana linemen featured in Project Indiana calendar
Tipmont REMC
JASON GATES
$20
price includes tax Shipping additional
Project Indiana, the philanthropic
rugged mountainous terrain to build 31
initiative founded by Indiana Electric
miles of power line — all by hand.
Cooperatives, is changing lives in underdeveloped countries and inspiring those of us in Indiana to do all we can to help our global neighbors. Electric Consumer’s November cover story included information on how you can help Project Indiana. And now, there’s another way you can support
2019
TE ROBERT WHI
Orange County
REMC
Project Indiana’s mission to empower global communities. The Project Indiana wall calendar includes color photos of 16 of the linemen who were part of the Project Indiana mission trip to El Zapotillo, Guatemala, in 2017. These linemen battled temperature extremes and
OCTO SUNDA
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SEPT M
Y
MOND
EMBE
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R 201 9 W T F
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TUESD
NOVE MBER 2019 S M T W T F S 3 4 1 2 5 6 7 8 10 11 9 12 13 14 15 17 18 16 19 20 21 22 24 25 23 26 27 28
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3 4 1 2 5 6 7 8 10 11 9 12 13 14 15 17 18 16 19 20 21 22 24 25 23 26 27 28
AY
WEDNE
6
7 us Day
20
27
14
21
28
22
29
THURS
30
FRIDA
17
24
Y
SATUR
DAY
4
10
16
23
DAY
3
9
15
is $20 (includes sales tax, shipping additional). Thanks to a generous donation from Fineline Printing, 100 percent of the proceeds from the calendar will go toward the 2019 electrification project in San Jacinto, Guatemala. To order the Project Indiana calendar, please visit ProjectIndiana.org or send a check or money order made out to “Project Indiana” along with the order form below to Indiana Electric Cooperatives, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
ISAAC
2
8
Columb
13
in a large format on heavy paper stock,
Kosciusko H A R P REMC
20 19
SDAY
1
The limited edition calendar, presented
5
11
18
25
12
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26
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ORDER YOUR 2019 PROJECT INDIANA CALENDAR TODAY! Please send _______ copy (copies) at $20 each plus $5 shipping per calendar to: Name: _______________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________ City, State and ZIP: _____________________________________________ Price includes shipping and Indiana sales tax. Make checks payable to “Project
Purchase your 2019 Project indiana calendar:
projectindiana.org
Indiana.” Send this completed form to “Project Indiana Calendar” at Indiana Electric Cooperatives; 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600; Indianapolis, IN 46240. You also can purchase a calendar online at ProjectIndiana.org.
Name game
THANKS FOR YOUR NEW NAME SUGGESTIONS Electric Consumer readers, we’ve discovered, have many good and creative ideas about a new name for our publication. We thank you for the hundreds of suggestions we received from you since we announced in December that we were rebranding ourselves. Starting with the March issue, a new cooperative magazine will be coming to your mailbox. But it will continue to focus on you, your co-op, how you can save money and energy, Indiana lifestyle and features you’ve grown to enjoy. And we’ll continue to evolve with new features and content in the months to come. Stay tuned as we unveil our new name. Will it be a name you suggested?
12
JANUARY 2019
JANUARY 2019
13
county of the month
Monroe County Electric Consumer presents a new page feature: County of the Month. Each month, we’ll focus on one of Indiana’s 92 counties, providing some basic data along with a brief story about places or events or people that make the county unique. As a gateway to Southern Indiana’s beautiful and rustic uplands and home to Indiana University’s main campus, Monroe County offers a wide range of recreational and cultural activities. The glaciers from the last Ice Age that scoured the northern two-thirds of Indiana flat stopped at the county’s doorstep. Left behind were a spine of tree-covered rolling hills and hollows all the way south to the Ohio River.
FOUNDED: 1818
NAMED FOR: James Monroe, fifth president of the United States, 1817-1825
POPULATION: 146,986 (2017)
COUNTY SEAT: Bloomington
14
JANUARY 2019
Monroe Lake was also the site of the reintroduction of the bald eagle in Indiana by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources back in the 1980s. Since then, a population of “native” Hoosier bald eagles has been sustained at Monroe and other Indiana reservoirs, lakes and rivers. And, since Indiana’s fickle winter weather rarely freezes Monroe Lake over, the open
In winter, the population of bald eagles at Monroe can double or triple, noted Jill Vance, the lake’s interpretive naturalist with the DNR. “One of the main reasons we do eagle events during the winter is indeed the addition of the birds that travel to us from northern areas,” she said. (See below for this year’s event.) Back up the newly-completed Interstate 69 extension from the lake is Bloomington, Monroe County’s seat. Bloomington is, of course, most noted for IU’s sprawling, beautiful campus of limestone buildings and trees. Indiana’s renowned “limestone belt,” which runs from Bloomington south to Bedford, has produced the stone facades for such famous buildings as the Empire State Building and numerous buildings in Washington, D.C. While some counties hibernate through winter, Monroe remains active: offering IU basketball to heat things up on the inside, and bald eagle watching outdoors.
The DNR will once again be hosting an eagle event this winter. Unlike recent years when events were held over a weekend, this year’s “Bald Eagle Driving Tour” will be held on the afternoon of Jan. 26. It will meet at Paynetown SRA and commence to various locations around Monroe Lake where eagles have been sighted. (Start time was not available when this issue of Electric Consumer went to press, but more up-to-date information should be found at http://bit.ly/monroelakeprograms).
event
y t n u o C acts F
The hill country just south of Bloomington is where the Hoosier National Forest begins and outdoor recreational opportunities abound. Beside the northern edge of the national forest, Monroe Lake is the largest body of water in the state and provides recreational boating, skiing and fishing opportunities.
water entices a bevy of bald eagles from the north to join the resident eagles for some inspiring winter bird watching for folks on shore.
Indiana eats
Hog Heaven
Holy Smoke family-owned, Christ-centered Locally-owned, one-of-a-kind restau-
ice cream for dogs on the menu,” Bray
rants are a foodie’s dream — and as
said. “If you order the ‘Reno Special,’
Indiana Eats has discovered, our state
you get a pup cup full of ice cream with
is blessed with many unique dining
mini hot dogs in it.” The Lawrences
options. For those who enjoy a tasty
named the special for “a very special
smoked meat meal, Holy Smoke Hog
pit bull who taught us all to live each
Roast in downtown Martinsville is a
day with joy and love everyone you
must-visit destination.
meet.” This fur baby treat is free when
Owners Roger and Mary Lawrence
added to any lunch or dinner entrée.
describe their fare as safe, whole-
Among Holy Smoke’s popular menu
some, simple, flavorful and affordable.
items are house made smoked sau-
Holy Smoke, located across from
sage, tater tot and pulled pork BBQ
the Morgan County courthouse, is
nachos, and baby back ribs. A lunch
a Christ-centered business and the
buffet featuring meats, sides, seasonal
entire Lawrence family is involved in
fruit and soft drinks is available every
running it.
day except Saturday. Holy Smoke
State Sen. Rod Bray hits Holy Smoke when he’s in the mood for tender slow-smoked brisket. But though he
serves a breakfast buffet with favorites like waffles and biscuits and gravy on Sundays until 1 p.m.
loves the restaurant’s smoked-on-site
The Lawrences also have catering
specialties, Holy Smoke’s dog-friendly
and bartending services available for
patio is something Bray finds espe-
special events like wedding receptions
cially intriguing. “This restaurant has a
and family reunions.
great outdoor dining and even has an
HOLY SMOKE HOG ROAST 43 S. Main Martinsville, Indiana 317-371-3861 Monday through Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday: 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sunday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
www.holysmokehogroast.com
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JANUARY 2019
ABOUT STATE SEN. ROD BRAY: Indiana State Sen. Rod Bray represents District 37, serving Johnson, Morgan, Owen and Putnam counties. An attorney, Bray serves as president pro tempore of the Indiana Senate.
food
Introducing the Instant Pot What’s an Instant Pot®? It’s the kitchen gadget world’s Jack of all Trades. It can pressure cook, slow cook, steam, make yogurt and even make cake. It’s been around since 2010, though its popularity exploded in the last couple of years. Be sure to read and follow the
in an
instant
No pressure with pressure cooker prep
accompanying instruction booklet when using your Instant Pot. Remember
Lemon Dill Salmon
to close the pressure-
2 3-oz. salmon filets, 1 inch thick
release valve for all cooking
1 t. fresh chopped dill
functions except “slow cook,”
½ t. salt
”yogurt” and “saute.” For both
¼ t. pepper
the “slow cook” and “saute”
1 cup water
functions, there are three
2 T. lemon juice
temperature settings — low,
½ lemon, sliced
medium and high. Since the Instant Pot is so versatile,
Sprinkle salmon with dill, salt and pepper. Place steam rack into
take the opportunity to try
Instant Pot® and pour water into pot. Place salmon on steam rack,
different recipes that utilize its various functions. The
skin side down. Squeeze lemon juice over salmon and put lemon slices on top. Click lid closed. Press the “steam” button and adjust time to 5 minutes. When timer beeps, quick-release the pressure.
following recipes will help
Use a meat thermometer to ensure fish has completely cooked to at
you explore all that an
least 145 F. Serve with additional dill and lemon slices.
Instant Pot can do. S A LMON PREPARED BY EM I LY SCHI LLI NG P H OTO BY RI CHARD G . BI EVER
JANUARY 2019
17
food Asian Pot Roast 3 T. olive oil 1 (2-lb.) chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat, or more to taste 1 onion, chopped 2 T. fresh ginger, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced Salt and ground black pepper to taste ⅔ cup water ¼ cup soy sauce 15 drops liquid stevia 1 beef bouillon cube 2 red bell peppers, cut into strips 2 T. arrowroot powder ¼ cup chopped cilantro
Turn on Instant Pot® and select “sauté” function. Add 2 T. olive oil. When hot, add chuck roast and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove roast and set aside. Add remaining olive oil to the pot. Add onion, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper; cook and stir for 5 minutes. Add water, soy sauce, stevia and bouillon cube.
Easy Maple Syrup Applesauce
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
2 ½ lbs. apples, peeled, cored and chopped
2 T. olive oil
3 T. water 2 T. maple syrup 1 cinnamon stick
Return roast to the pot. Close and lock the
¼ t. nutmeg
lid; set pressure to “high” and set the timer
Pinch of salt
for 60 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build. Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer’s instructions for 10 minutes. Release remaining pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer’s instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Remove roast and transfer to a plate. Add red bell peppers to the pot and whisk in arrowroot. Set pot to “sauté” mode; cook and stir until sauce is thickened and bell peppers are softened, about 5 minutes. Return roast to pot; stir until heated through, about 3 minutes more. Top with chopped cilantro.
18
JANUARY 2019
Combine apples, water, maple syrup, cinnamon stick and nutmeg in Instant Pot®. Close and lock the lid. Select “high pressure” according to manufacturer’s instructions. Set timer for 8 minutes. Allow 1015 minutes for pressure to build. Release pressure using the natural release method according to manufacturer’s instructions, 10-40 minutes. Unlock and remove lid. Remove cinnamon stick and season with salt. Blend with an immersion blender to desired consistency.
1 onion, chopped 1 lb. whole Brussels sprouts 1 t. salt ½ t. ground black pepper ½ cup vegetable broth Turn on Instant Pot® and select “sauté” function. Heat olive oil and cook onion until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts and cook for 1 minute more. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour vegetable broth over Brussels sprouts. Close and lock the lid. Select “high pressure” according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Set timer for 3 minutes. Allow around 10-15 minutes for pressure to build once 3-minute timer on Instant Pot has finished. Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer’s instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove lid.
Cheap tricks Handy household hacks that use more imagination than money LIST COMPILED & PHOTOS BY RICHARD G. BIEVER
F
ixing a recurring, irritating problem or adding just that right light touch to a drab room can be done without that hard-tofind “right” tool or “right” bauble. An effective solution could be
right under your nose at the local general store or already in that junk drawer in the kitchen. It just takes the right “hack” to give new life and purpose to old stuff or cleverly upcycle affordable finds into something that looks much more luxe. Fortunately, Pinterest, YouTube and other internet sites provide hundreds of household hacks right at your fingertips. And here are 22 hacks we’ve found or come up with that can get you started.
P HO TO S BY RI CHARD G . BI E V E R
We used inexpensive safari animals attached to wood plaques as both wall hooks and bookends.
NEED WALL HOOKS FOR A KID’S
dust your baseboards or even clean
a clear coat just on the handles if
ROOM? A stylish design these days
soap scum from the shower glass
you want to use the utensils for food
uses safari animals as the hooks. You
with them. And they leave the room
preparation.
can make these from inexpensive
smelling nice, too.
solid plastic animals. Simply place the animal in a vice and carefully cut them in half with, appropriately
PATCHING OR PAINTING WALLS? HAVE HARD WATER STAINS INSIDE
To remove the dust or cobwebs, etc.,
YOUR FANCY GLASSES THAT YOU
use a floor Swiffer or other mopping
CAN’T REACH INTO? Fill the glass
system with cleaning sheets. It
full of white rice, add water, cover
allows you to reach all the way to the
and shake. The rice acts like a gentle
ceiling and works a lot better than
abrasive to scour the nooks and
going up and down on a ladder with
crannies clean.
a towel and all that arm movement.
picture mounting hardware on the
If you ever watch Chip
A spring-loaded shower curtain
back of the critter to figure what
and Joanna Gaines on
rod over the bathtub makes a great
might work best for your particular
HGTV, you know WOODEN
LAUNDRY DRYING AREA for things
animal. You can even paint and
UTENSILS are a popular
you don’t want to put in the dryer.
mount the back half of the critter, if
kitchen display motif. You
Put the item on plastic hangers to
you want no piece of the animal to
can make these yourself
avoid rust stains, and the rod will
go unused.
with wooden utensils
hold a lot in a small space. As an
dipped in the paint of your
added bonus: if you don’t use the
choice to create “Magnolia
tub much for bathing, it works as a
Home”-style kitchenware.
second closet until you get time to
Use non-toxic paints and
finally put the clothes away!
enough, a hack saw. You can paint them to match the decor. To mount them to the wall, we recommend first screwing them onto a flat piece of wood or craft wood plaques by running a screw or two through the back of the wood into the animal. Or, if you want to mount them directly to a wall, experiment with using
FEATHER DUSTER FLEW THE COOP? Use dryer sheets. You can
JANUARY 2019
21
Make your own FOAMING HAND SOAP at great savings by refilling an empty foaming soap container a quarter of the way with regular liquid hand soap and the rest with water.
RUNNING OUT OF STORAGE SPACE IN YOUR HOUSE? Simply look up. In an unfinished basement for instance, you have lots of space between the floor joists. Run a wire shelf rack or scrap strips of wood across the joists, and you’ve just created a storage area that takes no additional space. Find boxes or get plastic containers that fit into the approximate 14-inch wide by 9-inch tall space to store Christmas decorations out of season or whatnots throughout the year.
ZIP TIES are the modern home’s “duct tape.” They can be used for almost anything that needs attached or extra securing. Unlike duct tape,
rope onto the glue. (To ensure the
they don’t leave a sticky residue
rope is extra secure, you may want to
behind. Think of using zip ties to
make two slits with an X-acto knife
temporarily secure items to other
just above and below the rope where
things without damaging either
it starts. Loop a zip tie through the
item. For example, zip tie a baby gate
slits, rotate its lock so it will not be as
to a stair banister for extra sturdiness
visible, and pull it tight to anchor the
without damaging the wood.
rope. Snip off the excess zip tie.)
MAKE A DRAIN SNAKE. Cleaning
Apply thin lines of glue a couple of
the most disgusting parts of cleaning
inches long every several inches
the bathroom, but it’s a necessary
horizontally around the basket. Wrap
task when the water won’t drain
copies of Electric Consumer, sewing
the rope around the basket on the
properly from a sink or bathtub. If
items, electronic chargers or snuggly
glue keeping it taut as you go. Then
you find yourself dealing with a
blanket handy beside your easy
apply glue right under the first line
clogged drain and you don’t have
chair? Here’s an easy solution that
of rope, and continue wrapping
a drain snake handy, don’t worry.
won’t cost fancy store prices.
the rope on the basket right against
Create a drain snake by cutting slits
the first line of rope. Continue
in a zip tie. And since zip ties won’t
alternating the glue and rope till you
slip off once you’ve zipped them
spiral to the bottom and your basket
through the lock, you can string your
is covered in rope. If you’d like, line
zip ties together to add to the length
Start at the very top of the basket and
the basket with an attractive piece of
of your snake to go deeper than ones
apply glue and press the end of the
cloth to finish it off.
you’d usually buy at the store.
Need a BASKET to keep your back
A simple plastic basket, some burly “nautical” rope and glue will make an attractive “rope basket” in no time.
22
JANUARY 2019
out a drain is quite possibly one of
Use zip ties or bungee cords to attach a battery-powered torch or flashlight tightly against the side of an empty plastic water or milk jug to get a bigger, brighter LANTERN.
Use a muffin tin to SERVE CONDIMENTS at a barbecue. It also cuts down on dishes to wash later!
Bird feeders are a delight this time of year, but the BAGS OF SEED are
Whenever you buy new garments,
When drilling a hole into dry wall,
often, plastic clothes hangers with
bend a Post-It note into a V-shape
clips comes with them. SNIP OFF
and attach it to the wall directly
THE CLIPS AND USE THEM TO
below where you need to drill to
SEAL OPENED BAGS OF CHIPS.
CATCH THE DUST.
sometimes a pain. They rip open, and in your rush to get out of the cold weather, you end up spilling
ELIMINATE STATIC ELECTRICITY
more seed on the ground than you
in your pants legs with a safety pin
get into the feeder. Or the bags fall
pinned in the cuff.
over and you spill seed. Cut the bottom from a plastic jar. Then, carefully slice open the a top corner of the feed bag and thread it through the bottom of the jar’s opening. Pull the plastic down around the outside of the jar and you have a pourable bag of seed. Screw the cap on the jar when done. The threads usually work over the plastic bag and make a tight seal. Or, cut the bottom off a plastic milk jug and you have scoop and a funnel to refill the bird feeder.
SPRAY PAINTING a small craft object like your son’s Pinewood Derby car or your animal wall hangers (see page 21)? Use a large corrugated box to keep the paint confined. Simply turn the box on its side. Prop up the object with scrap wood inside the box or dangle it from string tied through what’s now the top of the box. Use the flaps on the box as doors to control the size of the opening. You’ll still want to spray in an open area to avoid a build up of fumes, but the box will confine the overspray.
Cut the bottom side of a triangular plastic or metal coat hanger several inches from the corners and use it as a MOBILE PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER. Hang it on a cabinet handle or anywhere you need to clean up a spill or dab up the puppy’s “accident” so that the roll can stay
To PROTECT YOUR CAR DOOR AND/OR DRYWALL IN YOUR GARAGE, use a pool noodle or extra pipe insulators cut in half and mounted to the side of your garage.
cleanly above the fray. JANUARY 2019
23
s u l l e T
YOUR FAVORITE HACKS Email ec@electricconsumer.org with your favorite household hack, and we’ll add it to this story online and share it on our Facebook page.
Use a pool noodle under the fitted sheet on the edge of a bed to HELP KEEP RESTLESS SLEEPING TODDLERS FROM FALLING OUT OF BED.
List compiled by RICHARD G. BIEVER, senior editor of Electric
NO MORE FLOPPING OVER. Cut pool noodles to fit into tall leather boots when you store them to help keep their shape.
Running out of space in your basement? If you have an unfinished basement, take advantage of the space between the floor joists and add a wire shelf rack across the joists. See more about this hack on page 22.
24
JANUARY 2019
Consumer from internet sources, Facebook friends, and electric cooperative employees around the state.
calendar NORTHWEST
5
ANGELO CICCO, Valparaiso (Porter), Lambstone Cellars. Come hear this talented musician as he covers a wide range of musical styles and a repertoire close to some 1,000 songs. 5-8 pm. Free. 219-510-5673. www.allevents.in/indiana/ angelo-cicco-live-at-lambstone-cellars/20002866604623.
19
ANNUAL ICE FISHING DERBY, Morocco (Newton), Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area. Prizes for each age group. Must register to win and must weigh in before 11 am. Indiana fishing license required for those 18 and older. 6-11 am. www.southshorecva.com/event/ annual-ice-fishing-derby/11429.
2019, LaPorte 25- WINTERFEST (LaPorte), various locations. Ice 27 sculpture demonstrations, family
game night, “Snowball” softball tournament, community snow angel gathering, horse-drawn wagon rides and more. 219326-9600. www.cityoflaporte. com/450/WinterFest.
CENTRAL
12
CINDERELLA, West Lafayette (Tippecanoe), Elliott Hall of Music. Cinderella is the Tony Award®- winning Broadway musical from the creators of “The Sound of Music” and “South Pacific.” 7 pm. Tickets: $28-$60. 765-494-9712. convos@ purdue.edu. www.purdue.edu/convocations/event/cinderella.
FLY FISHING, 19- HEARTLAND Lebanon (Boone), Boone County 4-H 27 Fly fishing personalities, 20 Fairgrounds. the latest fishing equipment, locations to fish, fishing exhibits and tour guide info. Admission charge. www.heartlandflyfishingfestival.com.
DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD LIVE, West Lafayette (Tippecanoe),Elliott Hall of Music. Daniel Tiger learns what it takes to be King of the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Based on the PBS kids’ series. 3 p.m. Tickets: $17.50-$75. convos@purdue.edu. www. purdue.edu/convocations/ event/daniel-tiger.
SOUTHWEST
8
MARK WILLS, Mitchell (Lawrence), Mitchell Opera House. The Academy of Country Music award-winning artist, who charted two number one hits and several top 10 singles, will perform. 7 pm. Tickets: $20-35. 812-849-4447. www.mitchelloperahouse.com.
19
ANTIQUE SHOW, Huntingburg (Dubois), Huntingburg Event Center. Primitives, furniture, pottery, signage, glassware and more. 9 am4pm. 812-683-2221. www. huntingburgeventcenter.org.
26
JANUARY 2019
19
JEANNE ROBERTSON “ROCKING CHAIR” TOUR, Evansville (Vanderburg), Victory Theater. Jeanne Robertson continues to charm audiences with her humorous observations about life around her. The former Miss North Carolina has a vivacious personality, heart and sense of humor. 6 pm. Tickets: $26-$41. 812-422-8000. www.victorytheatre. com/events/ viewall/details/ ?event_id=182.
JANUARY NORTHEAST
1
FORT WAYNE HOBBY AND COLLECTIBLES SHOW, Fort Wayne (Allen), Classic Café Catering and Event Center. Kid-friendly event and environment selling modern and classic collectibles. This includes action figures, comic books, sports and non-sports trading cards, TV and movie memorabilia. Free. 260-4147053. mcgauleys@frontier.com. www.visitfortwayne.com/event/fort-waynehobby-and-collectibles-show/20393.
19
ENSEMBLE 4.1, Portland (Jay), Arts Place. One-of-a kind chamber group featuring oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn and piano with musicians from Germany’s top orchestras. 7:30 pm. Tickets: $18. 260-726-4809. www.artsland.org.
25
JOSH TURNER, Shipshewana (LaGrange), Shipshewana Event Center. The multi-platinum country music artist with several Grammy, CMA and ACM nominations performs. 7:30 pm. Tickets: $29.95-$99.95 (ticket only); $46.95-$116.95 (dinner and theater). 888-447-4725. www. riegsecker.com/shipshewana/ blue-gate-theatre/schedule/ index.php?artist=#1198.
SOUTHEAST
4-5
DERBY DINNER PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS: A TRIBUTE TO JOHN DENVER, Clarksville (Clark), Derby Dinner Playhouse. Hailed as one of the nation’s most exciting tribute bands, the award-winning Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon present a tribute to the music and legacy of John Denver. 7:15 pm. Tickets: $32$39. This show available for purchase by phone only. Please call the box office at 812-288-8281. amyers@derbydinner.com. www.derbydinner.com.
6
MEET THE PALEONTOLOGIST — FOSSIL FISH TALES, Clarksville (Clark), Falls of the Ohio State Park. Park paleontologist Alan Goldstein will focus on Devonian and Mississippian fossil fish describing why complete specimens are so rare in the Ohio Valley. 2-3 pm. Free. 812-2809970. www.fallsoftheohio.org/ event/meet-the-paleontologistfossil-fish-tales.
19
LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA: 1812 OVERTURE, New Albany (Clark), The Ogle Center at Indiana University Southeast. The Louisville Orchestra performs three beloved works by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. 7:30 pm. Tickets: $20 (adults), $10 (students). 812-941-2525. www.oglecenter. com/events/lo/louisvilleorchestra-011919.php.
This calendar is published as a service to readers and the communities electric cooperatives serve. Electric Consumer publishes events free of charge as space allows, giving preference to free community festival and events in and around areas served by subscribing REMCs/RECs. While Electric Consumer strives for accuracy, please note that events, dates and time may change without notice. Electric Consumer advises using contact phone numbers or internet sites to check times and dates of events before making plans. To add events to Calendar, please use the “Submit and Event” form under the “Talk to Us” or “Calendar” buttons at electricconsumer.org; or mail your info to: Calendar, Electric Consumer, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Please submit info two months before the date of the event.
JANUARY 2019
27
diy
flashlight and batteries
bag of abrasive material jumper cables
snow shovel
HAVE KIT, WILL TRAVEL
blankets, hats, gloves jackets
Prepare for the unexpected with winter driving kit first aid kit
In the Hoosier state, winter invariably brings freezing temperatures along with snowy and/or icy roads. While roadside breakdowns can strike at any time, unexpected automotive troubles during the winter months can be especially dangerous. Are you — and your vehicle — prepared to handle winter’s grasp if the unexpected happens?
flares or emergency triangles
AAA Hoosier Motor Club recommends that all automobiles be equipped with an emergency survival kit for winter driving. Make sure to include these items for a safe journey!
snow brush/ice scraper
Source: AAA Hoosier Motor Club
basic tools screwdrivers, pliers and adjustable wrench
rope
fire extinguisher windshield wiper deicer fluid
fully charged phone and car charger
28
JANUARY 2019
drinking water and snacks for pets, too!
safety
GENERATOR Dos and Don’ts DO operate a generator outdoors in an area with plenty of ventilation. DO install CO alarms
Generator
safety protocols
W
hen preparing for winter weather, many homeowners rely on whole house generators and portable generators to power their homes in the event of a long-term power outage. While they are great resources for your home, there are three major risks that are important to consider.
Risk #1: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning To prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, keep generators outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents that could allow CO indoors. CO can’t be seen or smelled; if you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air right away and call for assistance! To better prepare your home, install CO alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas.
Risk #2: Electrocution or Electric Shock Water and electricity do not mix – and that stands true with generator safety. To avoid electrocution, do not use in wet conditions to avoid electric shock. Before plugging in a generator, first check that the cord is undamaged and the plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin. To keep utility workers, neighbors and those in your household from electrocution dangers, never plug a stationary generator into a wall outlet. This process is called
inside the home to provide an early warning of carbon monoxide. DO NOT plug a generator into the wall without installing a
for your home
transfer switch to prevent
“backfeeding” and can be deadly to those nearby. “Backfeeding” sends power out through the main breaker to the transformer. It then converts it to volts and tries to energize local utility lines. Workers attempting to restore power might unexpectedly encounter this high voltage, which could cause fatal shock.
DO turn the generator
To prevent a “backfeed,” have a professional install a transfer switch.
Risk #3: Burns and fire When utilizing a generator, it’s always a good idea to have an extra fuel source. Store fuel for the generator in an American National Standards Institute-approved container in a cool, well-ventilated place. Check the instructions or the label on the generator to determine what type of fuel to use. To guard against accidental fire, do not store it near a fuel-burning appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage.
backfeed.
on before plugging in appliances. DO NOT touch the generator with wet hands to avoid electrocution. DO turn off the generator before refueling with gasoline to allow it to cool down. DO NOT overload the generator. DO use a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension
Before refueling your gas-powered generator, turn it off and let it cool. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite. Keep children and pets away as well. Many generator components are hot enough to burn you during operation.
cord that is rated at least
Keeping these three risks in mind when installing or utilizing your home’s generator will aid in the safety of you, your home and others.
as a permanent solution.
equal to the sum of the connected appliances. DO NOT use a generator
JA NU A R Y 2 019
29
backyard
A breath of
The Golden Pothos
Winter is the worst time of year for indoor air quality. House plants do more than simply make your home look better. These plants can help make your home healthier and better for you to live in by improving the air quality. racaena is a long striped plant that D can easily thrive in your home because it only needs small amounts of sun and moderate watering. However, it offers your home a range of benefits. Dracaena eliminates trichloroethylene, which comes from varnish and solvents. These chemicals are also found in printing inks and adhesives. When present in your home, they can cause headaches, dizziness, vomiting and drowsiness, which could lead to a coma with long-term exposure.
furniture and carpets. Placement in the bedroom will also help you have a better night’s sleep. I f you have trouble keeping plants alive, you’ll love the Golden Pothos. This plant is quite hard to kill and the vines grow quickly, which makes it a great hanging plant or one that is placed on an elevated surface. It’s considered to be one of the best starter plants for indoor plant newbies. Like the Snake Plant, the Golden Pothos is able to remove formaldehyde from the air, and it doubles as an effective carbon monoxide remover.
in the throat, heart problems, kidney damage and confusion. English Ivy is a great indoor plant because it spreads easily. It’s also very versatile when it comes to growing conditions and will not require much maintenance. This plant is recommended for households where there are smokers. The ivy is able to eliminate carcinogens from the air which is caused by second-hand smoke. This air purification is good for the lungs and for any children in the house. English Ivy is also able to remove trichloroethylene from the air and benzene.
The Dragon Tree is very popular in office spaces and homes because of its attractive look.
The Snake Plant The Snake Plant is one of the few plants that turn carbon dioxide into oxygen during the night. It’s best placed in bedrooms and living rooms because it removes formaldehyde from the air, which can come from wood
30
JANUARY 2019
You can even pot a number of these plants together and train them to grow into a braid. The Dragon Tree has amazing purifying powers, but you’ll need to be careful if you have cats and dogs as it can be toxic to them if they eat it. It pulls xylene from the air, which is a chemical released by cigarettes, car exhausts, and paints. Short-term exposure to xylene can cause irritation
English Ivy
Story provided by Comfy Home Corner, which is dedicated to creating a better environment for homes. For more information, visit comfyhomecorner.com.
product recalls
Are these products in your home?
They could pose a risk.
2
3
1 1. Wet/dry vacuum poses shock hazard
2. Bedside fire alarm can fail to fully alert consumers
3. Bathroom heater recalled for fire hazard
Emerson Tool Company has recalled RIDGID NXT wet/dry vacuums, models HD06000 (6-gallon) and HD09000 (9-gallon). The on/ off switch can become dislodged and expose energized wiring, posing a shock hazard to consumers. The orange and black wet/dry vacuum has four swivel casters, a carrying handle, a hose and accessories. RIDGID is printed on the front of the vacuum. The model number can be found on a silver product identification label on the back of the vacuum’s powerhead assembly. The vacuums were sold exclusively at Home Depot stores nationwide and online from March 2018 through July 2018 for about $50 for the 6-gallon wet/dry vacuum and for about $60 for the 9-gallon wet/dry vacuum.
A bedside fire alarm and clock has been recalled because it can fail to operate and fully alert consumers to a fire. This recall involves Lifetone HLAC151 Bedside Fire Alarm and Clock with serial numbers ranging from AC160600001 through AC160604102 and AC170100001 through AC170106030 only. The bedside alarm and clock is an assistive alerting device intended for in-home use by individuals with hearing loss.
The Smart Thermaflo Bathroom Heater Fan with nightlight has been recalled by its manufacturer, Seabreeze International. The safety cutoff can fail allowing the heater to rapidly overheat which can pose a fire hazard.
Call 888-847-8718 or go online at www. emerson.com/en-us/commercialresidential/emerson-tool-company and click on Safety Notifications.
The white, rectangle clock measures 8.5 inches wide by 4.2 inches high by 4.5 inches deep. The clocks were sold online at www. lifetonesafety.com for about $215 and installed by fire departments and the American Red Cross nationwide from November 2016 through September 2018.
As a service to our readers and to promote electrical safety, here are some recent recall notices provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Visit www. cpsc.gov/en/recalls for full details of these recalls and for notices of many more.
The alarm detects the T3 emergency signal given by existing smoke alarms and gives an alarm at a lower frequency, which may be better heard by individuals with mild to severe hearing loss. The alarm also gives spoken emergency signals “FIRE GET OUT.” But the optional bed shaker, if attached, will not operate.
The model SF14TA Smart Thermaflo Bathroom Heater Fan, manufactured in 2015 and 2016, is a white rectangle about 13 inches wide and 10 inches high with a plastic grill on the front. “Seabreeze International Corporation,” SF14TA and date code are on a label on the bottom or side of the fan. Affected units have a date code ending in 5 or 6. The fan was sold at Ace Hardware, Amazon, HomeDepot.com, Wayfair, Sharper Image, Brookstone and Air, and Water Inc. in store and online from August 2015 through May 2017 for between $60 and $65. Call 800-668-6095, email at SF14TA@ seabreeze.ca, or go online at www. seabreeze.ca and click on SF14TA Recall for more information.
Call 800-648-7923, or go online at www. lifetonesafety.com and click on the Product Safety tab for more information. JANUARY 2019
31
Hoosier Energy news
WINTER DRIVING safety
Tips to stay safe on the roads
Hoosier Energy Meter Relay Technician Don Small drives a lot – he has driven approximately 1.5 million miles to date as he moves between substations. Small shared what he
A Hoosier Energy employee who drives throughout central and southern Indiana shares some precautions he takes to stay safe and to keep your energy flowing.
does to stay safe while traveling, showing his commitment to be Safe by Choice.
Meter Relay Technician Don Small has
Small recommends using cruise control
Headrest: Ensure it is adjusted to
worked at Hoosier Energy for nearly 39
to regulate your speed. However, cruise
properly protect the back of your
years. He has accumulated approximately
control should not be used when the
head and neck in the event of an
1.5 million miles driving to different
roads are wet or slick.
accident.
He also recommends using fog lights to
Mirrors: Adjust all the mirrors to
substations and member cooperatives, averaging 40,000-60,000 miles per year.
help guide you when there is fog, rain or
As the weather turns bad, Small
snow. A common misconception is that
recommends using your vehicle’s backup
fog lights help you see ahead of yourself
camera in addition to your mirrors.
better.
The camera allows him to back up to a substation safely when he does not have another person to help guide him. “Use your mirrors because backup cameras don’t show you the side of a vehicle. If you only depend on the backup camera, you can hit something,” cautioned Small.
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“Fog lights are designed for you to be able
ensure you can see properly on all sides of your vehicle, especially if it is a vehicle you do not regularly drive. Lights: Turn on your lights and walk
to watch the center line and edge of the
around the vehicle to see if any are
road,” Small said.
not functioning properly.
Before traveling in inclement weather, don’t overlook the simple things.
Buckle up: Using a safety belt is important for the driver and passengers.
d n a Biscuits the
travel
Brickyard
Museum celebrates the life, times and contributions of the Clabber Girl – and her family BY RICHARD G. BIEVER If someday the mortar holding together the famed “Yard of Bricks” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is found to be mixed with baking powder — Clabber Girl Baking Powder, to be exact — it should come as no surprise. How the seemingly incongruent worlds of racing and baking forever merged at Indy dates back to 1945. But it’s a story worth hearing at the Clabber Girl Museum in downtown Terre Haute. At the museum, which has no admission charge, visitors learn the history of the Hulman family and its many contributions. One is the kitchen cupboard staple for more than a century that enhanced the art of baking. The other is saving and elevating the Indianapolis 500, Indiana’s most famous worldwide export, that enhanced the art of racing. A revolving door at the corner of Ninth and Wabash spins visitors back into the 1800s. The spacious and attractive museum inhabits the remodeled first floor of the Hulman & Company Building, which has served the Hulman headquarters since it opened in 1893. Through original and re-created artifacts, and late 1800s/early 1900s office and store-front settings, the museum shares the history of one of the oldest brands in America. It also features glimpses into the history of Terre Haute and the evolution of American baking over the past two centuries. The museum shows and tells how two German immigrant brothers, Francis and Herman Hulman, started their family business as a wholesale supplier of groceries, tobacco and liquor in Terre Haute in the 1850s. By 1878, the Hulman family company began manufacturing its first brand of baking powder called Milk Brand. In 1899, Milk Brand became Clabber
Baking Powder — with “Clabber” being a type of sour milk that in the early 1800s was mixed with pearl ash, soda, cream of tartar, and a few other ingredients to make what we know today as baking powder. In 1923, the name was changed to “Clabber Girl.”
If you go...
Terre Haute
In 1930, 29-year-old Anton “Tony” Hulman Jr., grandson of Herman Hulman, joined the company. He started a nationwide sales campaign and soon, Clabber Girl Baking Powder and its line of other baking products became household names coast to coast as Hulman became president of the family-owned business.
The Clabber Girl Museum
After World War II ended in 1945, Hulman purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from owner Eddie Rickenbacker, the World War I flying ace. During the war, the famed speedway had been neglected and was falling apart. Hulman sensed it was an opportunity to further promote Clabber Girl.
Museum Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.: 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Closed on Sundays
900 Wabash Ave. on the northeast corner of Wabash Avenue and Ninth Street in downtown Terre Haute
Terre Haute, Indiana 47807 Website: clabbergirl.com
PHO TO S BY RI CHARD G . BI EVER
Hulman rebuilt the track, and the race itself entered a golden era. Over the next 50 years, the Indy 500 truly became “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and remains the world’s largest single day sporting event. Each Memorial Day Sunday, one out of every 1,000 Americans will be perched somewhere around the 2.5 mile rectangular oval. Whenever it rains on race day, you can bet some radio broadcaster will relay at some point that a “break in the clouds,” “a window of opportunity,” has “opened up in Terre Haute” and is heading Indy’s way. Interestingly, that weather forecast seems to sum up the story of how the Clabber Girl and her plate of buttered biscuits came to utter “start your engines” for all these years at the Brickyard. And Indiana is forever better for her contributions to kitchens and race cars.
Admission to the museum is complimentary.
Groups of more than 10 people are highly encouraged to contact the museum for a guided tour and Bake Shop Café reservations.
RICHARD G. BIEVER is senior editor of Electric Consumer. JANUARY 2019
33
profile
family ALL IN THE
MARCUM CONTINUES JACK’S DONUT LEGACY BY H OLLY H U FF MAN At the age of 24, Jack “Lee” Marcum III had a choice: Come back home to run the family business or pursue a degree in computer science. Marcum went with his heart. He chose family and the business he came to love. Since then, the CEO of New Castle, Indiana-based Jack’s Donuts has continued the legacy started by his grandfather, the original “Jack.” The company, which began in 1961 when Marcum’s grandfather took over a New Castle doughnut shop, now boasts 21 locations in Indiana and in Utah. According to Marcum, the company is continuing to grow. We chatted with Marcum about his journey as a young CEO, running a growing family-based business, and the future of Jack’s Donuts.
You were 24 when you took the helm at Jack’s Donuts. Has it been challenging running the business as a young CEO? Yes, but it has made me tough. Being taken serious at a young age was not easy, but I was able power through. I’ve learned that people want a leader; they want to be led. I try to lead by example.
Your grandfather and father running the business previously. Did you feel like you needed to walk in their footsteps? Not for a second. My dad always told me to “be me“ and to do whatever I wanted to do. I never felt like I had to do this. It was my destiny.
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Your company has remained local since its founding in 1961. Why is that important to you and to the business? New Castle is where it all began. Jack’s Donuts wouldn’t be where it is without the great people of Henry County. We will one day be a worldwide company, but our headquarters will always be in New Castle.
Do other family members work for the company? Yes! My father, Jack Marcum II, works for me as well as my cousin, Austin Marcum. It is always nice to have someone that you can trust no matter what. Our company is full of great people, but having my dad and Austin around takes a big load off of my shoulder.
Describe the production process for the doughnuts. Some “wet“ ingredients are shipped into all Jack’s Donuts locations from New Castle, but the majority of everything is made in house. Each Jack’s Donuts franchise employs a skilled head baker who makes doughnuts by hand at each location.
What are your goals for the future of Jack’s Donuts? Two words — worldwide domination!
What has been your biggest accomplishment as CEO? The opening of Jack’s Donuts Utah. I remember thinking to myself originally,
JACK “LEE” MARCUM III “how am I going to pull this off?” We did, and Utah is now a very important part of our company.
What’s the most popular doughnut at Jack’s? The tiger tail doughnut. No matter where we go, that doughnut is always a hit!
What’s your favorite doughnut? The old school chocolate iced roll. I still eat a few every week. I love them!
Holly Huffman is member relations/ advertising manager at Electric Consumer.
Always call 811 before starting fencing & landscaping projects. Landowners completing these projects were more than three times more likely to hit a buried utility because they did not call 811 before breaking ground.