Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.
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NOVEMBER 2023
T WATTS
Celebrating 75 Years Members and special guests came together to attend the General Manager Juli Orme addressed the members Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative Annual Meeting on with information to help members stay informed about October 7th. Attendees heard from the General Manager, operations for CHEC. “It’s always a blessing to get met with the Board of Directors, together and meet with our members enjoyed entertainment from talented each year,” said Orme. It’s always a blessing musicians and vocalists, received a After the meeting, a drawing took $20 bill credit, and had a chance to place where over $5,000 in cash and to get together win over $5,000 total in cash and prizes were given away to attendees. and meet with our prizes. This year’s grand prize was $750 members each year. The event began with music and in cash awarded to Judy Duncan — GENERAL MANAGER JULI ORME entertainment from the Oklahoma from Sallisaw. We want to thank Moon Band. This marks the second Gordon and Terry Bird from Gordon year in a row that this group of Construction for donating $1,000 to entertainers has provided the music for the meeting. Boy be given away at the meeting. Cookson Hills Electric Scout Troop #731 presented the colors, and the talented Cooperative is extremely grateful to our members who Kate Stamper, from Stigler, performed an amazing were able to attend, and we look forward to the next 75 rendition of the National Anthem. years!
WATTS INSIDE Cloud achieves impressive feat in Texas heat
Five ways to safeguard your home this winter
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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
Scenes from CHEC’s 75th Annual Meeting
Pay-by-Phone: 1-888-678-1937 www.cooksonhills.com Alternate Emergency Only: 918-552-0016
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Joe Ogle, President Rocky Woods, Sr., Vice President Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer Dan Callahan, Trustee John Dillard, Trustee Dart Drummonds, Trustee Mike Rose, Trustee
District 6 District 1 District 7 District 2 District 3 District 4 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 Jeremy Stubblefield, Chief Technology Officer Brad Martin, Director of Member/Public Relations and Economic Development Dallin Shaw, Director of Engineering Kellan Lujan, Manager of Subsidiary Accounting
Russell V. Barber, General Counsel 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.
bit.ly/CHEConFB (case-sensitive)
2 | November 2023
CHEC offices will be closed Nov. 23 and 24 to celebrate Thanksgiving. Please call 1-800328-2368 to report any power outages or safety hazards.
Cloud Completes Habanero Hundred Trail Race CHEC engineer achieves impressive feat in Belville, TX While the weather has started to cool off in recent weeks, it was only a few months ago when temperatures reached triple digits. This is the time of year when most of us look for the nearest AC and avoid anything that requires being outside. However, Blu Cloud, a staking engineer for Cookson Hills Electric, isn’t like most people. Blu traveled to Belville, Texas, to compete in the Habanero Hundred trail race, where temperatures reached 114 degrees. This grueling event tests runners physically and mentally as they run the trail that horses have used for the past 150 years. In fact, between 2015 and 2022, only 115 people finished the 100-mile race under the 30-hour time limit. Blu Cloud can now be added to the short list of names of those who have completed this 100-mile scorcher. 786001 Cloud, of Vian, said he prepares for the race by running after work and on the weekends for six to eight weeks leading up to the race. He tries to wait until the hottest part of the day before he begins his 20-to-30-mile daily preparation
running to help acclimate to the heat runners face at the race. “The discipline to train leading up to the race is one of the most difficult aspects of the race. There are times after a long day at work when I don’t want to go for a run, but I know I have to if I want to be able to complete this type of race,” says Cloud. “Sleep deprivation might be the most challenging obstacle during the actual race. At one point, I started hallucinating, and everything turned pink in color. It was like I was wearing a pair of pink lenses, but it was just my body reacting to the situation.” I developed pretty bad blisters around mile 40, but I told myself I could run another 60 miles with some blisters.” Blu, 43, has been running since he was 17 and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. Despite losing toenails and enduring the extreme heat and painful blisters, Blu loves the physical challenge, “I want to use my body up and not have anything left at the end of the day.” Congratulations, Blu! We will see you in the winner’s circle again next year. www.cooksonhills.com | 3
Five Ways to Safeguard Your Home This Winter 1. Ensure carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working properly. If your detectors are battery-
make sure the strip can handle the electrical load. For a safer bet, look for power strips that include surge protection.
operated, replace the batteries annually. Test the detectors once a month and give them a good 4. Clean the fireplace to improve safety and dusting to ensure the sensors are clear of dirt and efficiency. There’s nothing better than a warm fire debris. on a chilly night, but it’s important to maintain 2. Inspect electrical cords. We depend on more your fireplace for safety. As wood burns, a sticky cords during winter, whether for holiday lighting, substance known as creosote builds up in the extension cords or portable heaters. Before using chimney. When creosote buildup becomes too any corded items, double check to make sure cords thick, a chimney fire can ignite. The chimney aren’t frayed or cracked. If you use portable space should be cleaned at least once a year to reduce fire heaters, remember to keep them at least 3 feet away risks. Regular cleaning also improves air flow and from flammable items. Use models that include limits the amount of carbon monoxide that seeps an auto shut-off feature and overheat protection. indoors. Space heaters can take a toll on your energy bills. 5. Practice safety in the kitchen. As we spend more Use them efficiently (to heat smaller spaces) and time in the kitchen during the holiday season, be safely. Never plug a space heater into a power strip. mindful of potential fire hazards. Never leave food Speaking of power strips… that’s cooking on the stovetop unattended. Clean 3. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and power and remove spilled foods from cooking surfaces strips. When overloaded with electrical items, and be mindful of where you place flammable outlets and power strips can overheat and catch items like dish towels. fire. If you use power strips for multiple devices,
New zones open now! Substation
Feeder
1 – STI 2 – ENT 4 – TEN 5 – SAL 6 – MUL 10 – KEO 12 – NIC 13 – VIA 14 – LIB 15 – AKI
1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2 1, 2, 3
Substation and feeder numbers can be found on your electric bill.