cooperative career Professional progression: GETTING THE BIG PICTURE

In four short years, Stefanie Lifford has gone from taking calls from individual consumers to now working on the electric distribution side monitoring power flow, troubleshooting outages, and helping keep the lights on for large numbers of consumers at a time.

“That was really the big picture for me,” she said. “As a customer contact representative, I would take calls from customers saying they have an outage and submit the ticket for service. I didn’t really know what happened after that.”

After moving to the dispatch side of the business, Lifford began assigning to crews and servicemen those outage tickets she used to create. “It was nice seeing it go full circle — what happens with that information, how it’s processed, and how we get that result for the consumers.”

Lifford, 30, began her career at a large investor-owned utility that serves a large portion of Indiana. There, too, she started in the call center before moving into the department that investigated meter tampering and electricity theft.

At that utility, she said she felt more like a number, not a person. Meanwhile, in the six years she was there, she kept hearing coworkers talk about South Central Indiana REMC.

“Everyone said it’s just a great place to work.” So, she applied and was hired at the REMC in June 2019.

“The work-life balance is here at the REMC, and the flexibility is here,” she said. “We just have a really good work dynamic. Everyone is willing to help each other out. It’s just very family-oriented here. If I hadn’t come to a cooperative, I don’t know that I still would be in this industry,” she said.

Soon after coming to South Central, Lifford said a coworker in operations pushed her to move to a dispatch position. Within a year, Lifford made that move and that employee became her mentor.

Lifford said she developed a passion for electricity and a love of learning as much as she could. The co-op enrolled her in the Northwest Linemen College where she is working to achieve system operator I certification. When that mentor left to pursue new opportunities at a cooperative in Colorado, Lifford was able to move up another notch.

The dispatcher and system operator, she explained, do the same thing. But the operator has more independence and is in charge. During an outage, for instance, an operator works with engineering to make decisions involving the remote switching that allows the co-op to reroute electricity from other substations to get around a problem area. This helps get affected consumers back in power more quickly. “I honestly love it,” Lifford said. “The switching part is kind of like a puzzle.”

She has now applied to Indiana Tech to earn an electrical engineering technology degree. “I would love to eventually move into management — but stay in the operation side, the electrical distribution side of everything.”

Icicles dangling from your home’s gutters may be a sign that problems are about to gush in.

Many people think of icicles as one of winter’s picturesque images. If your roof faces the south, you may even see icicles forming during the day as the sun melts the snow. Yet icicles elsewhere on the roof, or with significant ice buildup on the roof, can potentially lead to significant issues. Icicles can signal an ice dam, which occurs when melting snow or clogged gutters cause water to collect and freeze on the roof. Ice dams are typically a sign that water is collecting where it is not expected — and can be causing damage.

“My concern would be the level of insulation that they have up in the attic, or if they have air sealing issues,” said Steve Hite, energy services supervisor for Hendricks Power Cooperative. “When snow lands on the roof, you want that snow to melt at the top, outside. It’s the opposite when you see ice damming and icicles forming. You have the heat from the home escaping to the attic and melting the bottom of the snow, the part touching the shingles.”

Improper air sealing in the attic can cause issues, as leaks allow the warm air to move into the attic. A lack of attic insulation can let the home’s heated air escape and melt the snow on the roof.

Icicles can also form due to clogged gutters, which prevent water from draining as intended. As temperatures drop below freezing, the water that’s trapped in the gutters can freeze and form an ice dam. Over time, if snow accumulates in the gutters, melts, and then freezes again, it can cause the ice dam to get larger — and could potentially cause damage once the ice melts.

“Water damage is the big issue, because that water ends up getting trapped, and it’ll actually go up underneath shingles,” Hite said. “It can come all the way into the house and cause issues with your drywall and water damage as well.”

Ice dams are typically a sign that water is collecting where it is not expected — and can be causing damage.

You can prevent the potential for water buildup by ensuring that your gutters are clean of debris. If you are concerned about possible issues in your attic, contact a qualified contractor to request a “blower door” test. This will determine where any air leakages are located so you can figure out how to best address any issues. You also can contact your local electric cooperative’s energy advisor with questions about your home’s energy use.

THREE RS FOR ADULT GETAWAYS: romance, relaxation and recreation

Valentine’s Day falls perfectly between the year-end holidays and spring break, which is usually still a month or so away. In the deadest of winter, Valentine’s Day is a shining moment that gives everyone from harried parents to budding couples a chance for some rest and romantic relaxation.

Whether you live in the northern or southern half of Indiana, a romantic getaway is a short drive and an overnight or weekend stay away. Each location offers plenty of romance, along with nearby recreational opportunities from which to relax later.

The Story Inn, BROWN COUNTY

Hoosier cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients. The town’s former residences and workspaces have been transformed into 15 guestrooms and cottages. The inn encourages tranquility and therefore, doesn’t offer phones or televisions.

and Blue House, a home constructed in 1920.

The long and winding road to the tiny town of Story will never disappear — to invoke the Beatles’ classic song — at least not as long as the Story Inn provides its fine dining amid charming rustic lodging.

Deep in the hills of Brown County, the old Story General Store serves up

Staying in one of the unique rooms or cottages is a step back into the 19th century. Four rooms are located above the restaurant: the Blue Lady Room, named for a ghost seen over the years by guests; the Morrison Kelley Room, the largest; the Hedrick Room; and the Lieber Room.

Cabins and sleeping quarters include a renovated one-room schoolhouse; a loft in a historic grain mill; the Doc Story House, a historic Victorian-style home; appointed with modern conveniences such as a fireplace, a sunken whirlpool tub for two and a “Butler door” for private deliveries.

Just northwest of Story is Nashville, which features craft shops; restaurants; craft breweries and distilleries; bigname entertainment; and, of course, Brown County State Park. Story also sits on the north edge of the Hoosier National Forest with its many hiking trails, and Monroe Lake to the west.

Three winter getaway packages are offered through March that include dinner for two in the tavern. An extended stay weekday special is also offered.

To make reservations for dinner, lodging or both, call 812-988-2273, or email reservations@storyinn.com.

Serenity Springs is an award-winning couple’s resort with over 30 private cabins nestled on 85 wooden acres. Each cabin is designed to “allow couples to indulge in privacy, comfort and romance.” The cabins are

Located 20 minutes from the Indiana Dunes National Park, Serenity Springs is a perfect spot to unwind and reconnect with a loved one. Spend your visit relaxing in your cabin or venture out to experience the local attractions of the dunes, lakeshore or Michigan City. During the winter, bring your crosscountry skis, or Serenity Springs can lend you some snowshoes. Take a walk through the snow-covered trails or feed the feathered friends.

Feel like relaxing indoors? Stay cozy with the warmth of a beautiful fireplace and heated floors in your private cabin. No matter what you choose to do during your romantic getaway, Serenity Springs is your ultimate winter romance destination.

A variety of stay packages, from one night to five with weekday or weekend rates, are available. Every stay includes breakfast and snack baskets, and packages with amenities like plush robes and scented candles are also available.

For reservations, call 219-351-9849.