H T WATTS
Muldrow students return from a funfilled week at Energy Camp
Two local students were among over 70 students from across Oklahoma who participated in this year’s Energy Camp.
Todd and Trenton Fitzgerald, from Muldrow, participated in the four-day camp held at Canyon
Camp in Hinton, Oklahoma. Students learned about Oklahoma electric cooperatives, sharpened their interview and leadership skills, made new friends, and much more during the week.
In addition to learning about cooperatives, campers also climbed an electric pole, rode in a bucket truck, created and performed a skit about one of the seven cooperative principles, and enjoyed the time to meet new friends and dance the night away at a neon dance party on the final night of camp.
The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives organizes and participates in the camp each year, along with co-op employees from around the state who attend as camp counselors. “Our ultimate goal of Energy Camp is that students return to their homes, communities, and schools as better, stronger, and more confident leaders,” says Stacy Howeth, Energy Camp Director. “Electric cooperatives believe it is important to invest in today’s youth because they are the leaders of tomorrow. Energy Camp is a great way to prepare students for whatever their future holds.”
Each year, Cookson Hills Electric awards trips to eighth-grade students who reside within the CHEC service territory. If you or someone you know is interested in attending Energy Camp, please visit our website at www.cooksonhills.com/youthpowerenergy-camp or call Brad Martin at 800-328-2368.
WATTS INSIDE Upcoming District Meetings >> page 2 Cookson Hills Connect makes history >> page 4 JULY 2023 Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Headquarters Office
PO Box 539 • 1002 E. Main Stigler, OK 74462 • 800-328-2368
Branch Office
PO Box 587 • 1800 KOA/Power Drive
Sallisaw, OK 74955 • 918-775-2211
Pay-by-Phone: 1-888-678-1937 www.cooksonhills.com
Alternate Emergency Only: 918-552-0016
CHEC announces 2023 District Meetings
The details for Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative District Meetings 5 and 7 are set for August 2023. Postcards with information about the meeting were recently mailed out to members residing in each district.
Official notices will be mailed out in late July to members in each district, and we encourage members to review your official meeting notice for additional details pertaining to your specific district meeting. [44301]
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Joe Ogle, President District 6
Rocky Woods, Sr., Vice President District 1
Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer District 7
Dan Callahan, Trustee District 2
John Dillard, Trustee District 3
Dart Drummonds, Trustee District 4
Mike Rose, Trustee District 5
STAFF
Juli Orme, General Manager
Mark Blaylock, Director of Operations — Stigler
Marty Huff, Director of Operations — Sallisaw
Ellen Mattison, Manager of Accounting Services
Kristie Cash, Manager of Office Services
Rockey Oldham, Manager of Broadband Services
Jeremy Stubblefield, Chief Technology Officer
Brad Martin, Director of Member/Public Relations and Economic Development
Dallin Shaw, Director of Engineering
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. welcomes members to submit photos, and articles which will be subject to editing. Cookson Hills reserves the right to publish or modify any article. Companies and individuals featured in the Hot Watts newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or view of Cookson Hills.
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
If you find your account number hidden in this issue of the Hot Watts, you’ll receive a $25 credit on your electric bill.
The District 5 meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 10th at 6:00 p.m. in the Stigler High School Auditorium, and the District 7 meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 7th at 6:00 p.m. in the Webbers Falls School Cafeteria.
Both incumbent trustees, Mike Rose representing District 5, and Ronnie Pevehouse representing District 7, have announced their desire to continue serving as trustees for Cookson Hills.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
CHEC offices will be closed Tuesday, July 4, to celebrate Independence Day. Please call 800-328-2368 if you experience a power outage or safety hazard.
bit.ly/CHEConFB (case-sensitive)
Russell V. Barber, General Counsel
2 | July 2023
MIKE ROSE DISTRICT 5 TRUSTEE
RONNIE PEVEHOUSE DISTRICT 7 TRUSTEE
HAPPY
More CHEC scholarships awarded
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative is pleased to announce this year’s CHEC scholarship recipients. Chloee Smith, Saylee Smith, Emilee Jo KyDale Ary, and Keigan Good each earned a $500 scholarship. Chloee and Saylee are recent graduates of Keota High School, and Emilee and Keigan are both Stigler High School graduates.
The scholarships are awarded to high school students whose parents or
guardians are Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative members. Applications are reviewed by a seven-member committee looking for good character, good citizenship, and an ambition to continue their education at a college or technical school offering an associate or bachelor’s degree. Congratulations, and good luck to this outstanding group of students!
Mathews awarded Foundation Scholarship
Congratulations to Elijah (Eli) Mathews on receiving a $1,000 scholarship from Cookson Hills Electric Foundation. Eli is the son of Shawn and Joey Mathews and a recent graduate of Muldrow High School.
Eli will be continuing his education and plans to be a high-voltage lineman upon graduation. Good luck, Eli!
Join us for our Annual Meeting Saturday, Oct. 7! Registration begins at 8 a.m. at Sallisaw High School gymnasium. More details to come. www.cooksonhills.com | 3
CHLOEE SMITH
KEIGAN GOOD
EMILEE JO KYDALE ARY
SAYLEE SMITH
Making History
How Cookson Hills Connect is making history one internet connection at a time
Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative board of trustees and employees recently celebrated reaching a new milestone as world-class technology continues to reach our rural Oklahoma communities.
Less than three years ago, the board of trustees for Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative began extensive research on the possibility of bringing fiber optic technology to the members of CHEC.
In the fall of 2022, the Board of Trustees announced plans to serve Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative members with high-speed internet and phone services. In the relatively short time since that commitment, Cookson Hills Connect is nearing the 5,000 subscriber mark.
“Launching an internet company is a remarkable achievement for anyone, but especially a rural electric co-op,” said General Manager Juli Orme. “It perfectly demonstrates our mission to provide for our members in any way possible. They tell us their concerns, we listen, and we try to create solutions at an affordable cost while maintaining the reliability of our electric system.”
Cookson Hills Connect’s availability continues to grow, as members in the Stigler and Enterprise areas are now eligible to sign up for services. See the list of available feeders on the right.
GENERAL MANAGER JULI ORME New zones open now! Substation Feeder 1 – STI 1, 2, 3, 4 2 – ENT 3, 4 4 – TEN 1, 2 5 – SAL 1, 2, 3, 4 6 – MUL 1, 2, 3, 4 12 – NIC 1, 2, 3 13 – VIA 1, 2, 3, 4 14 – LIB 1, 2 15 – AKI 1, 2, 3 Substation and feeder numbers can be found on your electric bill.
It perfectly demonstrates our mission to provide for our members in any way possible. They tell us their concerns, we listen, and we try to create solutions...
