UDWI REMC — June 2019 Indiana Connection

2

FEBRUARY 2019

from the editor

Power to the people What a difference 16 days can make. In just a little over two weeks, 14 Indiana electric cooperative lineworkers and two project leaders brought electricity to an east central Guatemalan village. Ninety homes, a school, two churches and a pump house were electrified, and villagers suddenly looked forward to opportunities they’d only dreamed about.

Through Project Indiana, an initiative created by Indiana’s electric cooperatives to empower underdeveloped countries, lives are changed forever.

Not only do the villagers — especially the children — look forward to brighter futures; the linemen, after helping change countless lives now and in the future, come home with new perspectives as well.

This month’s issue highlights the latest Project Indiana trip to San Jacinto, Las Conchas, Guatemala, early this spring. Indiana Connection Senior Editor Richard G. Biever accompanied the Project Indiana crew and documents the experience through words and pictures. Visit the Project Indiana website, projectindiana.org, to learn more about the trip, Project Indiana itself, and how to donate to this important cause.

Now, I invite you to turn to page 20 and take a virtual journey to San Jacinto. Because hardworking, skilled, caring lineworkers from right here in the Hoosier state shared their time and talents, sustainable global changes are happening. How exciting is that?

EMILY SCHILLING Editor eschilling@indianaec.org

On the menu: October issue: Pork recipes, deadline Aug. 2.

November issue: Olive oil recipes, deadline Aug. 2. If we publish your recipe on our food pages, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.

Exclusive discount! Indiana Connection readers can

receive $1 off each train ride ticket purchased in June by using code “CONNECTION” at hoosiervalley.org.

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 indianaconnection.org; email info@indianaconnection.org; or send to Indiana Connection, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606.

VOLUME 68 • NUMBER 12 ISSN 0745-4651 • USPS 262-340 Published monthly by:

Indiana Connection 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 292,000 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 info@indianaconnection.org IndianaConnection.org INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFICERS: Gary Gerlach President Walter Hunter Vice President Randy Kleaving Secretary/Treasurer John Gasstrom 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.

UNSOLICITED MATERIAL: Indiana Connection 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 Indiana Connection 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.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: Indiana Connection, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606. Include key number.

No portion of Indiana Connection may be reproduced without permission of the editor.

JUNE 2019

3

contents

JUNE

12

17

insights 03 FROM THE EDITOR 05 CO-OP NEWS What’s happening at your local electric cooperative.

food

16 INDIANA EATS American fare paired with American tradition: Bonge’s Tavern.

10 ENERGY Making cents of

17 FOOD

electricity demand.

20 COVER STORY Changing the world: Project Indiana provides tools to help rural Guatemalans better lives.

12 INSIGHTS 14 COUNTY OF THE MONTH Spotlighting Boone County.

30

Amazing avocado.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Indiana Connection

33

pets

26 EVENTS CALENDAR 28 DIY A new way to light your outdoor space.

travel

31 LEGISLATIVE SESSION RECAP 32 H OOSIER ENERGY/ WABASH VALLEY NEWS

Water recreation safety.

33 TRAVEL Explore Southern Indiana’s caves.

30 PETS

34 PROFILE

29 SAFETY

Do your homework before boarding your pets.

(Not in all versions)

Jeremy Miller: Clark County REMC.

On the cover Ethan DeWitt, a lineman at Northeastern REMC, right, shows a Guatemalan worker how guy wires for a pole will be attached to anchors as a Project Indiana crew of lineworkers begins securing power lines to a pole during the project in San Jacinto, Guatemala, in March.

PHOTO BY RICHARD G. BIEVER

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JUNE 2019

co-op news CONTACT US Office: 812-384-4446 / 800-489-7362 WEBSITE www.udwiremc.com OFFICE HOURS 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday STREET ADDRESS 1666 W. State Road 54 Bloomfield, IN 47424 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 427, Bloomfield, IN 47424 SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS To report service interruptions, call 812384-4446 or 800-489-7362 (day or night).

Please have your location number ready when reporting outages.

Routine questions are answered during business hours.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Williams, President Todd Carpenter, Vice President Sophie Haywood, Secretary Dax Collins, Treasurer David Burger W. Edward Cullison Shawn Dugan John Royal STAFF Doug Childs CEO Kim Todd Director of Member Services Shane Smith Manager of Operations and Engineering Michael Sullivan Chief Financial Officer Jared Pyne Line Superintendent Richard Bladen Human Resources Manager

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ udwiremc Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/udwiremc

Moving forward

Updates from your 2019 annual meeting In April, UDWI REMC held its 83rd annual meeting at the cooperative’s headquarters.

I would like to provide you, our members, an update on what took place.

Members voted in new directors, Edward Cullison and Shawn Dugan. The new board members join six current members who will continue to serve as directors for 2019-20: David Burger, Todd Carpenter (vice president), John Royal, Michael Williams (president), Dax Collins (treasurer) and Sophie Haywood (secretary.) UDWI has a very strong, engaged group of directors who bring a lot to the table. Our new board members will add to the productivity and strides forward this board has made over the last year. The co-op welcomes new ideas and discussions, something that helps UDWI keep improving each year.

For the second year, members had the opportunity to cast their votes online or by mail before the annual meeting. This produced strong voter participation with more than 1,800 votes cast, accounting for over 11% of the membership.

UDWI members in attendance at the annual meeting saw a new video showing demonstrations from the new onsite safety training yard. Poletop rescues, underground line maintenance, and threephase transformers work are among the training scenarios now available to the linemen at the co-op headquarters.

UDWI employees and the board also acknowledged retiring director Ron Thompson, who served the REMC for 21 years. We wish Ron the best and appreciate his years of service.

Your cooperative listens to its members and strives to make UDWI the best it can be, looking for the absolute best practices to implement. Members want reliability,

“

Your cooperative listens to its members and strives to make UDWI the best it can be ...

”

safety and value from the co-op, and that is our main goal.

In 2018, UDWI lowered rates by an average of 4% and decreased the facility charge by $2 as a result of dramatic budget cuts totaling more than $1.5 million across all areas of the organization and board.

Transparency between UDWI and its members was greatly increased, as well as the approach to safety for linemen.

The cooperative is on pace to replace 25 miles of line in 2019, the most in recent history and an increase from the four miles that were replaced in 2018.

In addition, UDWI plans to reduce its vegetation trimming cycle from 13 years to seven years. With this goal, problem areas in the service territory will be serviced in almost half the time, reducing the number of outages that are caused by overgrowth and trees on lines.

We will continue to look for ways to cut costs and provide reliable service to our members. See you at next year’s meeting!

DOUG CHILDS CEO

JUNE 2019

5

co-op news

News briefs Meter testing UDWI meter

Office closing

will be performing

UDWI REMC wishes everyone a

routine

happy Fourth of July! Our office will

meter tests

be closed on Thursday, July 4, for the

in our entire service territory over the next few

Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.

— U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

“Like” us on Facebook to stay up to date on current testing locations.

technicians

ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP

website at www.udwiremc.com or

years. Each employee will be driving a white utility van with our logo placard. Be sure to identify these items before approaching any vehicle that may be in your area. Report any suspicious behavior to your local law enforcement office. Please visit our

holiday.

Safe digging Planning a outside project that requires digging? Before you begin, make sure to call 811 a few days ahead of your start date to mark any underground utility lines.

Your electric cooperative values your feedback!

Please consider helping us by participating in our member satisfaction survey. Survey calls will

WORK continue until June 28!

RENESS

WATER RECREATION

safety

WATER AND ELECTRICITY DON’T MIX!

This summer, stay safe around pools, lakes and rivers with these tips.

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JUNE 2019

co-op news

Tips to maintain an efficient HVAC system Ah, summer. Cookouts, swimming pools, camping — it’s the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.

And when it’s time to come back indoors, there’s nothing better than that cool blast you feel from your home’s air conditioning unit.

Your heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system is essential to keeping your home comfortable during summer months, and if it breaks down, it’s also the most expensive equipment to repair or replace. Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to lengthen the life of your HVAC system.

• Change or clean filters. Dirty filters block airflow, which can greatly decrease the efficiency of your system. The Department of Energy recommends changing or cleaning filters every month or two during the cooling season. If your unit is in constant use or is subjected to dusty conditions or pet hair, consider checking filters more frequently.

• Clean the HVAC unit. Outdoor condenser coils can become clogged with pollen, dirt and small debris. Use a hose to spray the HVAC unit once each season to ensure maximum airflow.

(Warning: Do not use a pressure washer to do this, as it can damage the equipment.)

• Clear space around the HVAC unit.

Dryer vents, falling leaves and grass left behind from the lawnmower can create buildup. Remove any debris around the HVAC unit. If you have foliage near the unit, trim it back at least two feet around the condenser to increase airflow.

JUNE 2019

7

co-op news

Easy steps to greater efficiency Do you want to save money and electricity but have limited time, money and patience? According to the Department of Energy, a “typical American family” spends nearly $2,000 per year on its home energy bills. Much of that money, however, is wasted through leaky windows or ducts, old appliances or inefficient heating and cooling systems.

Programming your thermostat can help lead to energy savings.

Luckily, there are several relatively easy ways to save energy without a substantial commitment of time and money.

WHERE TO START According to Money Magazine, “improving the envelope” of your home is a good place to start. Sunlight, seasonal temperature changes and wind vibrations can loosen up even a tight home, increasing air leakage. Doors and windows may not close tightly, and duct work can spring leaks, wasting cooled and heated air. By placing weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors, you can keep cool air inside during warm months and prevent chilly air from penetrating the indoors during colder months. Sealing gaps around piping, dryer vents, fans and outlets also helps to seal the envelope and creates greater efficiency. Apply weather stripping around overlooked spaces like your attic hatch or pulldown stairs.

Replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs can make a big difference in home efficiency and is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bill.

According to the Department of Energy, by replacing your home's five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR rating, you can save $75 each year.

8

JUNE 2019

WRAPPING UP SAVINGS Installing a blanket around your water heater could reduce standby heat losses by 25 to 45 percent and save you about 7 to 16 percent in water heating costs, according to the Department of Energy.

Given that a large portion of your monthly energy bill goes toward heating and cooling your home, it makes sense to ensure your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is performing at an optimal level. Checking, changing or cleaning your filter extends the life of your HVAC system and saves you money. Air filters prevent dust and allergens from clogging your HVAC system, which can lead to problems, including reduced air flow in the home and up to 15 percent higher operating costs; lowered system efficiency; and costly duct cleaning or replacement.

Many HVAC professionals recommend cleaning the system filters monthly.

A simple task like changing the filters on your HVAC system makes your unit run more efficiently, keeping your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR ENERGY SAVINGS Take a look at your programmable thermostat. When was the last time you checked to make sure it was programmed for the current season and family schedule? This is one of the best energy-saving tools at your fingertips. It enables you to fine tune the temperature during particular hours of the day. Many models allow you to differentiate between weekday and weekend schedules, and internet-connected thermostats can learn your schedule and make adjustments automatically. Most models come with an override option so you can make manual adjustments without losing overall programing. You can only achieve these efficiencies and savings if it is programmed properly and adjusted periodically to keep pace with changes in household routines.

Remember: There are easy steps you can take now to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

energy

Making cents of electricity demand Proper planning can help reduce energy costs now and in the future Nothing feels more wel-

or buy enough capacity

Your plans can save!

air conditioners and water

come on a hot summer

to fulfill everyone’s needs

You can easily reduce your

heater load management.

afternoon than the air

on that one hottest day (or

energy use during times

These shift energy use to

conditioner kicking on. But,

coldest night) of the year.

of peak demand, provid-

times when electricity is

while your house is cooling

Simple supply and demand

ing savings for you and

in less demand. By doing

your local electric co-op.

this, the distribution co-op

Even simple steps like

and its generation and

raising your thermostat a

transmission cooperative

few degrees and closing

can avoid building new

the shades against the hot

facilities which can lead to

summer sun can help re-

higher costs for the local

duce the energy your co-op

electric cooperative and

needs to provide.

its members. Everyone can

down, electricity generation plants are warmed up and running full tilt to reliably serve everyone’s needs.

Like with other products, the rules of supply and demand apply to electric-

Your local electric coop-

ity. When businesses are

erative is part of a com-

operating and everyone

plex system that must

is running their A/Cs on

be prepared to meet the

a hot summer afternoon,

highest power demands

electricity prices on the

Additional steps that

of the year. This is similar

markets can soar because

can save even more and

to the way a mall parking

everyone needs it. You

improve problem areas of

lot may seem larger than

may not see these price

your home include air seal-

needed. When you pass by

differences on your home’s

ing and adding insulation.

on most days, the majority

electric bill because your

Properly sized and tuned

of the spots are empty. Yet

electric co-op may average

high-efficiency HVAC

on the day after Thanks-

all of these costs into one

equipment can also reduce

giving, customarily the

amount per kilowatt-hour

demand during peak times.

busiest shopping day of the

(kWh) regardless of the

year, the parking lot may

time of day you use the

be crammed with cars —

power. Eventually, high

and more ready to pounce

demand days can lead to

when a spot opens. Your

higher average costs for

electric co-op has to build

everyone overall.

have a role in reducing long-term energy costs for the local co-op — which, in turn, can help minimize the costs you will have to pay in the future as well.

Co-op offers savings programs Many co-ops offer free advice and power-saving programs for devices like

by

Steve Hite

Energy Advisor

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JUNE 2019

Hendricks Power Cooperative

insights

Cast your vote Tell us your favorites for the Best of Indiana Through the years, readers like you have shared your picks for our state’s best cup of coffee, best bed and breakfast, best flea market, and best community festival, among other things.

In the September issue, our popular “Readers’ Choice Awards” for the Best of Indiana return and we need your help to select the winners. This year we have five categories as you’ll note on the ballot below. We’re also asking you to share the name of any “hometown heroes” who are doing good things in your community. Tell us why this person is your hero. We may feature your nominee in a future issue of Indiana Connection.

BEST OF

indiana Readers’ Choice Awards

Give us at least four of your picks for Indiana’s best by July 1 and your name will be added to a drawing for three randomly selected $50 prizes. We’d like to highlight the unique things that make us proud to call Indiana “home.” Therefore, we hope you will avoid national chains and franchises when answering questions. Instead, tell us about the places you can find only in Indiana.

Mail your completed form to Indiana Connection, Best of Indiana, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Go to our website (indianaconnection.org) for an electronic form to fill out.

letter

to the editor TALKING TORNADOES Your article on page 33 in the April 2019 issue (Tornado Tips) is inaccurate. It says: “Never try to out run the storm. It moves at hundreds of miles an hour …”

This is what I found on the internet. “The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph but it may vary from stationary to 70

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Use a separate sheet of paper if necessary.

mph. Although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, they are found most frequently in the

NOMINATE YOUR CHOICES FOR BEST OF INDIANA

United States east of the Rocky

BAKERY:

summer months.”

Mountains during the spring and

BARBECUE:

The wind speed can exceed

DRIVE-IN THEATER:

100 mph, but not normally over

INDIANA MUSICIANS/SINGERS:

200 mph. Two hundred is not hundreds of miles per hour in

WATER RECREATION SITES:

my book. It might not be smart

HOMETOWN HERO:

to try to outrun a tornado, but the

NAME:

reason given is incorrect.

ADDRESS:

Carl V. Covely Jr., Lafayette, Indiana

CITY, STATE AND ZIP:

Editor’s note: Thank you for letter

PHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL:

and for pointing out the error in

YOUR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE:

the article.

12

JUNE 2019

county feature

Boone County

BY NICK ROGERS From historical events and culinary delights to beautiful parks and trails, Boone County offers enjoyable activities for everyone.

Founded in 1830 and named for legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone, the county is the site of Indiana’s first Rural Electric Membership Corporation. Today, it’s a day-trip destination from Indianapolis and surrounding counties.

In Zionsville, you can view live animals in the Zion Nature Center, recall Depression-era history at the Maplelawn Farmstead, and breeze into the Antique Fan Museum,

y t n u o C acts F FOUNDED: 1830

NAMED FOR: Daniel Boone POPULATION: 68,875 (2017) COUNTY SEAT: Lebanon NOTED FOR: Boone County Courthouse Dome Zionsville Fall Festival Starkey Nature Park Antique Fan Museum

whose 2,000-plus collection dates back to the 19th century.

Further on up the road, Lebanon boasts Indiana’s second-largest dome, atop the county courthouse.

There’s no better time than summer to gaze upon sunlight spilling through its beautiful stained-glass rotunda. Headed out in the evening?

Hit Mechanicsburg’s M.E.L.S. at the Starlite Drive-In Theatre. Since 1946, it’s been screening double features under starry skies.

Fall visitors can enjoy Lebanon’s late-September reenactment of Civil War battles and President Abraham Lincoln’s 1861 visit en route to Washington, D.C.; the early-September Zionsville Fall Festival; or Dull’s Tree Farm in Thorntown to pick pumpkins and walk a corn maze.

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JUNE 2019

Boone County’s Courthouse in Lebanon

Whenever or wherever you travel, good eats await. In Lebanon, there’s Donaldson’s Finer Chocolates and Titus Bakery (whose maple-iced, cinnamon-infused Pershing donut is a must). Zionsville is home to Traders Point Creamery (Indiana’s first certified-organic dairy farm) and a Bub’s Burgers location, where finishing a one-pound Big Ugly gets your picture on the wall … if fortune and digestive fortitude favor you.

And if you need to shed calories afterward, Boone County’s got you covered with more than a dozen parks and trails, including the 80acre Starkey Nature Park, the Big-4 Rail Trail (connected to a 20-mile network of paved pathways), and Creekside Nature Park, doubling as a kayak / canoe launch point onto Eagle Creek.

Freelance writer Nick Rogers is a communications manager for Purdue Agricultural Communications.

JUNE 2019

15

Indiana eats

American fare paired with an American tradition Tailgate while you wait for a table You’ll literally need to travel

fresh in season and can

off the beaten path down a

change daily in the summer.

few winding roads to find Bonge’s Tavern. Located 30 minutes from Indianapolis, Bonge’s is the claim-to-fame of the small unincorporated area known as Perkinsville.

And, it’s one of those mustvisit destinations for Hoosier foodies.

Opened as a tavern in 1934, the building sat empty for a few years in the mid-’90s.

That’s when Don Kroger happened upon the building, bought it and called his

Chef Tony’s favorite dish is the smoked salmon appetizer. But the most popular selection by far is the Perkinsville Pork.

Huelster says that’s because of “all the love we give it.

It’s a good quality, Indianaraised pork loin.”

While the menu keeps foodies coming back, the experience of waiting for a table has made Bonge’s legendary.

buddy — current owner and

Billing itself as a “tailgating

chef Tony Huelster — to help

paradise worthy of an adult

him bring Bonge’s back to

field trip,” the restaurant

life.

takes reservations for

Both veterans in the restaurant world, Kroger and Huelster collaborated on Bonge’s menu ideas and recipes.

parties of 10 or more. If you don’t have a reservation, you’ll want to be in line by 4 p.m. on weekends to get your name on the list and then head back to the

The menu, which is posted

parking lot to pass the time

on a chalkboard above

tailgating. The restaurant

the bar, is ever-changing.

encourages you to bring

Everything is made fresh in-

your own beverages, snacks

house – from salad dressings

and tailgating supplies but

to desserts. Perkinsville Pork

asks you leave the cornhole

is the menu staple. Duck,

boards and Frisbees at home.

New York strip steaks, and apple-smoked prime rib can always be found on the weekends. The chicken dish rotates. Seafood is served

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JUNE 2019

The restaurant also offers more tailgating tips with its “Bonge’s Tavern Summer Guide” available on its website.

BONGE’S TAVERN 9830 W. 280 N. Anderson, Indiana 765-734-1625 BongesTavern.com Tuesday–Thursday: 4:30–9 p.m.

Friday–Saturday: 4:30–10 p.m.

Reservations taken for groups of 10 or more. Must be 21 and older, 18 with a parent or guardian.

food

Amazing going beyond guac

food FO O D PREPARED BY I NDI ANA CO NNECT I O N S TA FF PHO TO S BY RI CHARD G . B I E V E R

Fava Bean and Avocado Dip Simon May, Fort Wayne, Indiana 10 oz. fava beans, shelled

Avocado Egg Salad Kathi Tooley, Berne, Indiana 4 large hard boiled eggs 2 avocados, peeled and pitted ½ t. salt

2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted

Black pepper to taste

2 cloves of garlic, minced

¼ cup mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt

A big handful of fresh mint, chopped 3 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped

1 T. lime juice

Juice of 1 lemon

1 t. sugar

Zest of ½ lemon

½ t. mustard

½ t. sea salt

Toast

1 large pinch of black pepper 2 T. olive oil

Mash and mix eggs, avocado, salt and pepper together. Add remaining

Cook the shelled fava beans in salted

ingredients and stir to mix. Serve

boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain well

open-faced on toast.

and cool. Place all ingredients except the olive oil into a food processor and turn it on. Drizzle in the oil while continuing the process. Serve with long dippers like pretzel rods or Avocado Egg Salad

crisp breadsticks.

Mexican Chicken Soup

In a slow cooker, layer carrots,

Patricia Piekarski, Harvey, Illinois

garlic, onion, and half the

2 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

Worcestershire sauce and 2

4 garlic cloves, peeled and halved

with 1 t. salt. Cover and turn on

1 white onion, sliced ¼ inch thick

“High;” cook for 4-6 hours. About

Small handful of cilantro 4 large bone-in chicken thighs 1 T. Worcestershire sauce 1 t. salt ⅔ cup rice

Mexican Chicken Soup

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JUNE 2019

cilantro. Top with chicken. Pour quarts of water on top. Sprinkle

1½ hours before serving, add rice. Cook until rice is tender.

Pull out chicken, remove skin and shred meat. Put meat back in. Discard cilantro. Scoop out inside of avocado and cut into

3 chiles, finely chopped (optional)

½-inch pieces. Serve soup with

1 ripe avocado, pitted

chiles, avocado pieces and lime.

1 lime, cut in pieces, for serving

Makes 6 servings.

Editor’s note: Add more water if necessary.

Changing the

WORLD

Indiana electric cooperative linemen, Jason Morrison, atop pole, and Clay Smith, prepare to hoist service line into place as a young Guatemalan woman walks her pigs to a field across the road from her home.

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JUNE 2019

Project Indiana provides the tools to help rural Guatemalans help themselves to better lives STORY AND PHOTOS BY RICHARD G. BIEVER

Chad Miller and Ethan DeWitt lead a group of local villagers pulling a stretch of wire past the San Jacinto village school.

T

he last morning 14 Indiana

power on in the tiny village of San

electric cooperative linemen

Jacinto, a dusty half-hour’s ride north

would spend at their worksite

on bumpy gravel roads from their

in rural Guatemala, Clay Smith was

hotel. Two weeks earlier: San Jacinto’s

handed a guitar at the hotel that had

electric system was just 50 bare poles.

been their home for two weeks. The

They had been set but were awaiting

33-year-old line foreman at Whitewater

the wires, transformers and hardware,

Valley REMC sat down in one of the

and the arrival of the Hoosiers. In the

worn armchairs in the entryway and

two weeks, Indiana linemen built 4.3

started squeezing a few notes from the

miles of power lines and wired almost

instrument’s dull nylon strings.

90 homes, two churches and a school.

Then, he started into the Top 40 hit from

“… But I don’t know what to do…”

1971 — “I’d Love to Change the World.”

A day earlier: The crew turned the wa-

“If I’m sitting around a campfire, that’s

ter back on at San Jacinto’s neglected

always my ‘go to’ song,” Clay said later.

pumping station. Months earlier: The

“It was the very first song my stepdad

2-year-old diesel generator and electric

ever taught me how to play. It’s the one

pump stopped working. A question

I took the time to learn from beginning

arose over who was responsible for re-

to end.”

pairs: the village or the municipality of

Marshall County REMC lineman Doug MacLain recognized the tune, looked up the lyrics on his cell phone, and both he and Clay started singing. “We were just in the moment, not even paying attention to what the song actually was saying,” Clay recalled. “Then one of the guys said ‘are you listening to the words?’”

Chahal, so nothing was done. Villagers resorted to making the long slog with containers to the stream that flows past the village to collect water, wash clothes and bathe. The Indiana crew took it upon themselves to fix it, and did.

project managers and support staff, traveled to Guatemala March 24 as part of the continuing initiative — “Project Indiana: Empowering Global Communities for a Better Tomorrow.”

In cooperation with NRECA International, Project Indiana’s mission is to bring electricity to developing rural areas of Guatemala, and provide the necessary knowhow the nascent utilities need to sustain themselves and

“… So I’ll leave it up to you …”

grow. The group returned to India-

The Indiana line crews had already

napolis April 9.

changed the world in San Jacinto.

San Jacinto is a village of about 150

That’s when the lyrics connected with

And they shared what they knew with

families tucked amid rolling hollows

the crew’s accomplishments in Guate-

thankful villagers eager to continue

and perched along steep hillsides of

mala.

what the Hoosiers started.

knobby karst landscape in eastern Gua-

“I’d love to change the world …”

A BETTER TOMORROW

temala. The villagers there live mostly

Two days earlier: The crew turned the

The 14 lineworkers, along with four

through subsistence agriculture. They

JUNE 2019

21

A girl walking home from school leaps clear of a power line that was soon to be raised into place.

Watching the work from the local market are adults and kids from San Jacinto. The market is a popular gathering spot, situated where the hilly and rocky dirt road to school connects with the main road through the village.

About

Guatemala The Republic of Guatemala is located south and east of Mexico’s southern border and is the largest of the seven Central American countries.

Size: Guatemala encompasses about 42,043 square miles, a bit bigger than the state of Ohio.

Population: 16,581,273 (2018 est.) More than half of its population lives below the poverty line.

Capital: Guatemala City Government divisions: Guatemala is divided into 22 departments (akin to states in the U.S.) which are sub-divided into about 335 municipalities (akin to U.S. counties).

Besides Guatemala itself, the Guatemalan national anthem includes the name of only one other political state … Indiana!

grow corn in small fields and in any

stay there. With it, they’ll have better

patch of soil between craggy outcrops

health, better schools, just an all-around

The eighth and final stanza of the anthem, written in Spanish and adopted in 1896, begins with “Ave Indiana,” which is translated to “Native Bird.” The line continues with “that lives in your seal, the protector of your soil…”

of rocks up the steep hillsides where it’s

better way of life.”

planted by hand. They produce beans,

LONG TIME COMING

The “native bird” to which the stanza refers is the resplendent quetzal, a colorful Central American rainforest bird that has a long tail.

As the anthem says, the bird figures prominently in Guatemala’s national seal, on its flag, and on its currency as a symbol of liberty. In Mayan culture, the quetzal’s tail feathers were traded as currency, and Guatemala’s currency today is the quetzal, named after the bird.

This was the fourth excursion Indiana

worked with Japan to build three small

co-ops made to Guatemala since Au-

hydroelectric generating stations along

gust 2012. Since Project Indiana began

with distribution systems in three

putting boots on the ground and up the

different areas. Service was built to 12

poles and into the clouds, 70 Indiana

small communities in the area, but the

lineworkers have now brought power

power line stopped just short of San

to over 500 rural homes, four schools,

Jacinto.

SOURCES: INDIANA CONNECTION, WIKIPEDIA AND OTHER VARIOUS INTERNET SITES

cardamom, chili, cacao (from where cocoa comes), bananas and other fruits, and raise chickens, pigs, and cattle.

and five churches.

Electricity came to the Las Conchas area near San Jacinto in 2009. That’s when the Guatemalan government

Enrique Rax Yat, 45, a community leader

“Words and pictures don’t do it justice,”

in San Jacinto, began asking the electric

said Jamie Bell of the harsh life the

utility to extend service six years ago.

crews find in Guatemala’s countryside.

When Indiana turned the lights on April

“You see how hard they work for the

2, he and his wife were home. “It was

little they have.”

beautiful,” he said. “I prayed, ‘Thank you,

This was the second Project Indiana

God, for this achievement.’”

trip for Jamie, a lineman from NineStar

Through an interpreter, Enrique said

Connect, who served as a coordinator

he hopes electricity will encourage

on this trip. “Electricity,” he added,

more younger folk, including his own

“gives them a powerful tool to better

four children, to stay there. “Maybe

themselves — to make them want to

people will not need to leave,” he said.

“

We’re trying to help

A MODEL COMMUNITY

Development Association Las Con-

Unlike previous project trips, Project

chas — attended along with interested

Indiana included an agreement that

consumers and past representatives.

every home that it wired in San Jacinto

these people have

In the course of the three-hour class,

was to have a cooking stove installed.

slowed by the translation from English

better opportunities.

While the simple stoves will burn the

into Spanish and the Mayan dialect

area’s abundant wood, they will have

called q’eqchí, which is the main lan-

stove pipes to ventilate the kitchen and

guage spoken in the area, Ron dis-

living quarters.

cussed how electric cooperatives work

“We’re excited to help you bring elec-

in the U.S. He noted running a utility

tricity to your homes,” Project Indiana’s

is a capital-intensive job that requires

board president Ron Holcomb told San

securing financing, growing the num-

Jacinto’s residents at a town meeting

ber of consumers, and setting rates

the day the crew arrived, “and we’re also

appropriate to maintain the assets and

very excited that you are going to have

infrastructure.

Electricity is an opportunity to have a better life here.

”

ERICK BERGANZA, NRECA International “They will be looking for better opportunities here.”

stoves in your homes.”

Ron, Jamie, and Hugo Arriaza, a Project Indiana contractor from Guatemala, attended a Chahal

“Some people will go to different states

municipality council meeting the

here in Guatemala,” said Erick Berganza,

evening after the lights were turned

the Guatemalan engineer with NRECA

on. They were invited to discuss

International who designed the electric

how Project Indiana, the local

system for San Jacinto. Erick also

government, and the electric

worked alongside the Indiana crew for

utility could cooperate on

the two weeks. “But a lot will go to the

providing the stoves and other

United States. They know that if they go

improvements to the village, such

to work hard in the U.S., they will make

as converting the diesel gener-

a lot more money than they will here.

ator-powered water pumping

“We’re trying to help these people have

station to total electric.

better opportunities,” Erick added. “Elec-

“San Jacinto will be a model com-

tricity is an opportunity to have a better

munity for others,” said Hugo.

life here.”

A girl washes potatoes as women prepare chicken soup for lunch at the school’s kitchen. Typical of those found in rural Guatemalan homes, the kitchen has a packed-dirt floor, an open wood-fire pit for cooking, and only openings in the sides of the walls to provide ventilation.

One Saturday morning during the project, Ron and Hugo held an informal seminar at a nearby school on sustainable electric utility management. Community representatives that make up the electric utility — Farmer’s Matt Bassett works atop a pole on a hillside in San Jacinto.

Just as linemen did before bucket trucks became standard, linemen on the project had to climb each of the 55 poles and mount the hardware and power lines while perched on top.

JUNE 2019

23

A family gives thumbs up when the lights came on.

2019 Project Indiana crew: Making the trip to Guatemala were: • Matt Bassett, Carroll White REMC • Kevin Bay, Johnson County REMC • Michael Bowman, Boone REMC • Brent Buckles, Northeastern REMC • Ethan DeWitt, Northeastern REMC • Jason Gates, Tipmont REMC • Travis Goffinet, Southern Indiana Power • Chad Griffin, South Central Indiana REMC • Matt Huck, NineStar Connect • Doug MacLain, Marshall County REMC • Jason Morrison, Jackson County REMC • Tyler Powell, Henry County REMC • Josh Sawyers, South Central Indiana REMC • Clay Smith, Whitewater Valley REMC

“Someday, we want to come to Gua-

gathering when

temala to drink cervezas with you. We

invited up for

don’t want to keep coming to build

some com-

power lines,” he quipped.

ments. “And

“Building poles and wire is just the beginning. They have to run a sustainable utility,” Ron said later.

While in Guatemala, Ron and Hugo also met with utility leaders from the three other utilities with which Project Indiana has worked to begin planning a multi-day conference to delve deeper into sustainable management practices for the directors and officials.

now, we are also part of your family.”

On the eight-hour

While waiting for the power to come on during a minor delay, mala City for the flight a San Jacinto family home, Travis Goffinet, a gathers around Kevin Bay as he shares lineman with Southern videos of his family in Indiana Power on his Johnson County on his cell phone. second trip, reflected:

drive back to Guate-

“The hardest thing

PART OF A FAMILY

about the project is you don’t get to see

The final day in San Jacinto, the Project

the fruit of your labor. We built the pow-

Indiana crew was celebrated like the

er line, which was the goal, but it wasn’t

heroes they were — surrounded by

the main goal. The main goal is to try to

hundreds of folks, young and old, who

change their lives, and you don’t get to

gathered and watched from the sparse

see that.”

midday shade along the walls of the Catholic church and other buildings.

Incense and Mayan dancing preceded the procession of the crew to a makeshift stage in front of the building that

“I would be interested to see what that place does in the next 10-15 years,” added Clay, “to see how they move forward.”

served as the utility warehouse. The

In other words, Clay and his co-op

The crew also included project

Guatemalan and U.S. national anthems

cohorts want to see just how they

coordinators and support staff:

were played and a prayer was said. Lo-

changed the world — or at least

• Joe Banfield, Indiana Electric

cal officials praised and thanked them.

changed San Jacinto.

“San Jacinto, you are now part of the

Richard Biever is senior editor of Indiana Connection.

Cooperatives • Jamie Bell, NineStar Connect

Project Indiana family,” Ron told the

• Richard G. Biever, senior editor of Indiana Connection • Ron Holcomb, Project Indiana board president/president and CEO of Tipmont REMC

SUPPORT PROJECT INDIANA AT PROJECTINDIANA.ORG Project Indiana is a 501c3 organization formed by Indiana’s electric cooperatives with the vision of helping developing global communities advance by adopting villages, bring them electric power and support them as they form electric cooperatives that enable them to enjoy a better way of life. Electrification projects are completed in partnership with NRECA International.

Visit ProjectIndiana.org to learn more and contribute.

24

JUNE 2019

JUNE 2019

25

calendar NORTHWEST

8

REMINGTON WATER TOWER DAYS, Remington (Jasper), Downtown. 5K walk/run, parade, kids’ area, kiddie tractor pull, vendors, free entertainment, dinners, breakfast, petting zoo, beer and wine garden. Free. 219-863-0999. remingtonindiana.com/remington-water-tower-days.aspx

1416

FULTON COUNTY HISTORICAL POWER SHOW, Rochester (Fulton), Fulton County Historical Society. Show features antique tractors, garden tractors, hit-nmiss engines, equipment, and antique trucks. Vendors, crafts, contests, toy show, tractor pulls and food. Breakfast buffet until 11 am, then lunch until 2 pm. fultoncountyhistory.org/ historical-power-show

29

VALPARAISO/PORTER COUNTY GARDEN WALK, Valparaiso (Porter). Sponsored by Porter County Master Gardeners Association and Purdue Extension. Master gardeners answer questions and explain plantings at numerous select private gardens. 9 am-4 pm CT. Cost: $8 presale; $10 day of the walk. 219-465-3555. pcgarden.info/gardenwalk-2019

CENTRAL

1-2

13TH ANNUAL MIAMI INDIANS ALL NATIONS GATHERING, Rockville (Parke), 11515 E. U.S. 36. Native drumming, singing, dancing, storytelling, and flutists. Over 20 native craft vendors and foods. Miami Living Village.

Admission charge. 765-473-9631. miamiindians.org/pow-wowgathering

PORTER FESTIVAL, 6-9 COLE Peru (Miami), Townwide. Music, theatre, tours, food, events, film and multimedia presentations.

Free. Charge for some activities.

765-472-7655. coleporterfestival.org

2830

INDIANA FIDDLERS’ GATHERING, Battle Ground (Tippecanoe), Tippecanoe Battlefield Park. Three-day acoustic music festival featuring old time, folk, swing, bluegrass and Celtic music. Admission charge. 765-588-1376. indianafiddlersgathering.org

SOUTHWEST

7-9

MEROM BLUFF CHAUTAUQUA FESTIVAL, Merom (Sullivan), Merom Bluff Park. Parade, BBQ/pork chop/chicken dinners, craft/flea market, free entertainment, kids’ games, living history area, bingo, and more! Admission charge. 812-356-4517.

2022

HAUBSTADT SOMMERFEST, Haubstadt (Gibson), Old Haubstadt Gym. Three days of rides, live music, food and Southern Indiana’s finest Bierstube! Laufenfest 5k Run, Walk and Lil’ Dutch Run on Saturday. Free. haubstadtsommerfest.com

26

JUNE 2019

22

CIRCUS DAY, French Lick (Orange), Downtown. Acrobats, fire eaters, clowns, games a live circus band and more.

10 am-4 pm. flwbmuseum.com

JUNE NORTHEAST

7-8

LAFONTAINE “ASHLAND DAYS” FESTIVAL, LaFontaine (Wabash), Branson Street and Wabash Avenue. Seth Zahalka Memorial Car & Motorcycle Show, lawnmower poker run, corn hole contest, live music, parade and more. Free.

260-330-0742

22

WINE IN THE PINES, Albion (Noble), Black Pine Animal Sanctuary. Wine tastings, hors d’oeuvres, music, animal art silent auction, and animals.

Must be 21 or over. 6-9 pm.

Reservations recommended.

Park Pal members eligible for early-bird reservations. 260636-7383. lori@blackpine.org. bpsanctuary.org/wine-in-thepines

27

FORT WAYNE PHILHARMONIC PATRIOTIC POPS CONCERT, Angola (Steuben), Pokagon State Park. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Free. Regular park entrance fees apply. In the case of rain or extreme heat, the concert will be held at the Angola High School Gymnasium. 260-833-2012. niball@dnr.in.gov

SOUTHEAST

1011

METAMORA STRAWBERRY DAYS, Metamora (Franklin), Historic downtown.

Strawberry shortcake and live music. Visit specialty shops and Metamora Grist Mill. Train and buggy rides. Free. 765-647-1212. metamoraindiana.com/index.php/events

22

RISING SUN’S BLUES & BBQ, Rising Sun (Ohio), Downtown.

BBQ cook-off, live blues music, hillbilly fashion show, arts, crafts, food vendors, and games.

BBQ competition (charge).

Noon-10 pm. Free. 812-4384933.

29

BROOKVILLE CANOEFEST, Brookville (Franklin), Franklin County Fairgrounds. Indiana’s largest canoe and kayak races.

Car show, princess contest, kids’ area, beer, music, wine tasting and fireworks. Free. 765-5471028. brookvillecanoefest.com

This calendar is published as a service to readers and the communities electric cooperatives serve.

Indiana Connection 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 Indiana Connection strives for accuracy, please note that events, dates and time may change without notice. Indiana Connection 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 indianaconnection.org; or mail your info to: Calendar, Indiana Connection, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Please submit info two months before the date of the event.

JUNE 2019

27

do-it-yourself

A

dding strings of decorative lighting outdoors can add ambiance for dining and entertaining, as well as a degree of safety and security to darkened pathways. It’s become quite a popular and fashionable way to enhance a space, and your lighting choices are many. What’s old is new again, as one type of lighting gaining popularity are old-style Edison bulbs — with a twist. Their visible filaments add a vintage, yet modern flair to your backyard spaces thanks to LED technology.

STEP 1 – PLAN IT OUT: Sketch out your desired overall lighting design. This will help determine how many strings and fasteners you’ll need to achieve your look and make sure your setup is safe. Measure the precise lengths of stringed lights and supportive cable guide wires (recommended) you’ll need to span your patio or yard. Allow enough extra length for slacked lines, access to an electrical source, and to double up the cable guide wire for extra stability at mounting points. Using twine as a stand-in will help you visualize how it will look and give you more accurate measurements.

STEP 2 – GO SHOPPING: Invest in commercial grade lights rated for outdoor use, which are more durable and waterproof. If you’re using several strings or criss-crossing Edison-style bulbs, remove the bulbs first so they’re easier to connect and drape, and they won’t get tangled. One advantage of LED lights is their energy efficiency. The manufacturer’s recommendations on how many strings you can connect together may be given in total wattage, not footage, so more strings and lights are OK with LED bulbs. But it’s still a good idea to check their recommendations on the number of strands you can safely connect end to end. If the strings you choose don’t already come with bulbs, be sure to choose bulbs with bases that are compatible with the sockets. If you don’t have an outlet nearby, get a heavy-duty

28

JUNE 2019

A new way to light your outdoor space outdoor extension cord long enough to reach one. You may need more than one to handle multiple groupings of strands.

STEP 3 – GATHER FASTENERS AND TOOLS: If you’re stringing your lights over a large expanse, you’ll need to pick up some hardware to securely fasten your strings to the cable guide wires and also the guide wires to the mounting points.

Turnbuckles, snap hooks, lock clamps, and pad eyes with screws are a good start.

Cable clips and zip ties are a must when using a cable wire suspension kit, preferably in a color that matches the light string. Lastly, have wire cutters and a drill on standby, along with a sturdy ladder.

STEP 4 – INSTALL THE HARDWARE: Screw hooks work well in trees, fences, porches, pergola roofs, or the eaves of your house. The more hooks you install, the less burden you’ll put on your cable wires and strings. If you don’t have existing natural supports, a common solution is to install posts with hooks on top into sturdy planters filled with gravel or buckets filled with concrete.

STEP 5 – START HANGING: The way you string your lights comes down to personal preference. Sometimes

straight rows look best, while a zigzag pattern can put a little more pizzazz into your patio. Have someone help eyeball the strings while you’re hanging them, making sure they’re well-spaced and have the right amount of slack. Plus, it’s always smart to have a spotter while you’re using a ladder. Plug in your extension cords then sit back and enjoy the magical glow of your handiwork.

Visit your local Do it Best store or doitbest.com for thousands of the best home improvement products, including varieties of stringed lights and fastening essentials to create a beautifully lit space, indoors or out.

BRIAN HOWENSTINE is the owner of Decatur Do it Best Hardware and Wabash Do it Best Hardware and is a memberowner of Do it Best Corp., a Fort Waynebased cooperative of thousands of hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards throughout the US and around the world.

(This article is for informational purposes only. Indiana Connection and Do it Best Corp. assume no liability for the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein, or for injuries, property damage, or the outcome of any project.)

POOLS AND LAKES AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY...

oh my!

Throughout the dreary winter, you

fun activities abound. But safety risks go

waited to open your pool, bring out the

hand-in-hand with the fun.

boats and soak up the sun. But before you dive into all the summer fun, remind yourself and your family of the dangers lurking inside pools and lakes. Remember: water and electricity don’t mix.

Avoid swimming or going in the water near boats plugged into shore power or docks with electrical services. If you

HOW TO SPOT

Electric Shock Drowning

are in the water and feel electricity, stay calm and swim to shore if you can but

SAFETY IN OR AROUND POOLS

WHAT IT IS:

do not touch a metal ladder or any other

It’s easy to hop out of the pool and not

metal objects.

think about turning up the radio or

If someone is in the water and is

jumping in and making a huge splash all

shocked, do not jump in. Turn off the

Occurs when marina or onboard electrical systems leak electric current into the water. The current then passes through the body, causing paralysis and drowning.

over electrical appliances. But doing so

power source and use an insulated

can be dangerous. Instead, use bat-

device to attempt to remove him/her

tery-operated appliances or waterproof

from the water. Electrical shock can

covers for items near the pool when pos-

cause paralysis and the victim will need

sible. This way, you and your family can

assistance immediately.

enjoy the day without worry of electrical shock.

When fishing on a dock, boat or just simply steering a boat, keep a distance of

If someone in the pool feels electricity

at least 10 feet between your fishing pole

(almost like a stinging feeling) or appears

or boat and nearby power lines. If your

to have been shocked, do not dive in

boat comes in contact with a line, stay

– you could be shocked, too. Instead,

in the boat and avoid touching anything

turn off the power and use a non-metal

metal until the boat drifts away or help

shepherd’s hook to pull him or her out of

arrives.

the water to safety.

SAFETY IN OR AROUND LAKES/RIVERS

Staying safe while near the water is simple but these tips can be easily forgotten.

So, create a checklist for your family and

Indiana has an abundance of lakes

friends to review before jumping in the

and rivers. From playing by the beach,

deep end.

fishing or taking the boat out for the day,

HOW TO AVOID: • Locate and label all power switches to pool, hot tub and spa equipment and lighting.

• Make sure all pools are 25 feet away from power lines.

• All wiring and repairs should be performed by an electrician.

• Install ground fault circuit interrupters.

• Maintain 10 feet between boats and power lines when in the water.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE ELECTRIC SHOCK DROWNING: • Do not enter the water.

• Turn off the power source.

• Use an insulated device to attempt to remove the person from the water.

• Call 911 immediately.

JUNE 2019

29

pets

Animal House

Do your homework before boarding your pet B Y B R IA N D . S MITH

internist Tracey Gillespie of IndyVet,

and your veterinarian. Check websites,

a 24-hour emergency hospital in

consult ratings services such as Angie’s

Indianapolis. Older pets, particularly

List and the Better Business Bureau, and

those that require regular medication,

don’t necessarily trust online reviews.

may be best left in the care of a trusted housesitter,

Call and ask questions: Is the facility

she says.

staffed 24 hours? Is anyone with veterinary training on site? How are

The dog days of summer can mean days without your dog – or cat, for that matter. It’s not easy to take pet

“And in general, cats do better in their

emergencies handled? If you’re happy

home environment,” Gillespie says.

with the answers, request a tour of the

“They’re pretty low-maintenance and

place. Go elsewhere if you can’t get one,

can be cared for once a day.”

says Dr. Suma M. Rao, clinical assistant professor at Purdue University’s

passengers on a vacation trip, which

Department of Veterinary Clinical

explains the burgeoning popularity of

Sciences.

boarding.

Carmen Rustenbeck, CEO and founder of the International Boarding & Pet Services Association, recalls that when she entered the industry in 2005, about 10,000 pet care facilities existed in the United States compared to 32,000 today.

Clearly, our pets are no longer backyard beasts; they’re four-footed family.

“We’ve moved from ‘doghouse outside’ to ‘bed inside,’” Rustenbeck says. “It’s a cultural shift.”

Accordingly, many vacationing pet owners would prefer not to leave their cherished companions home alone – but boarding facilities require vetting, no pun intended. “This industry, for

Notice whether the staff seems to enjoy interacting with the animals.

the most part, is totally unregulated,” Rustenbeck says. “So you shouldn’t

If boarding sounds like your best

assume it’s like a veterinarian’s office or

option, it’s time to research pet

a child care center.”

lodgings. Don’t wait till the week before your departure – start a month or two

And you shouldn’t assume that every

in advance. Get referrals from trusted

pet enjoys boarding, says veterinary

sources, such as friends, your groomer

30

JUNE 2019

Once inside, look for cages with full water bowls that are free of pet waste on the floor, Rao says. Notice whether the staff seems to enjoy interacting with the animals. Make sure the facility requires vaccinations for contagious diseases. Observe whether the animals look anxious or the dogs are constantly barking. Check that dogs and cats are not housed near each other, which can stress out felines.

Like what you see? Then gradually introduce your pet to the new digs, says Rustenbeck: “First, go there by yourself.

Then bring your pet for a meet-andgreet. Then try an overnight boarding.”

If all else fails, there’s always the back seat of the car – and one of the thousands of pet-friendly hotels scattered across America.

Brian D. Smith is a freelance journalist from Greenwood, Indiana.

2019 legislative

session recap

Since they were formed in the 1930s, Indiana’s electric cooperatives have maintained an active political presence to ensure policymakers have a good understanding of the unique needs of modern electric cooperatives and the communities they serve. Because cooperatives provide electricity at cost, decisions made in Washington, D.C., and in the Indiana Statehouse can impact how we deliver that essential service, and ultimately your pocketbook. Electric cooperatives accomplished a number of things during the 2019 Indiana legislative session.

Accomplishments HEA 1405 Data center taxation

HEA 1278 energy task force

SEA 460 Broadband Grants

Data centers are often the precursor to

Establishes a 15-seat task force to study

Affordable and reliable high-speed

larger economic development projects

the resiliency and reliability of Indiana’s

internet access means life-altering im-

that can bring quality jobs to our state

electric generation sources.

provements for rural Hoosiers. Because

and can spur additional investment in an area. Indiana did not provide sales

Effective upon passage

consideration for such projects. This establishes tax exemptions on certain IT equipment and energy used with a

the quality of life in the communities they serve, many are finding ways

tax exemption on equipment or energy use, which eliminated our state from

cooperatives have a vested interest in

SEA 240 employee intimidation

to use their existing infrastructure to deliver the essential service. This streamlines the state grant program that will eventually aware $100 million to

tiered investment approached based on

Utility workers often find themselves

rural broadband projects.

a county’s population.

working in extreme conditions. In

Effective upon passage

Effective July 1, 2019

addition to weather-induced conditions, it’s not uncommon for them to be threatened or intimidated while in the

HEA 1001: State Biennial Budget

course of their daily work. This enhanc-

Permits the Indiana Department of

es the criminal penalty for threatening

Transportation to transfer up to $100

a person while working in the course of

million into the rural broadband fund

their occupation.

established in SEA 460 for the purpose

Effective July 1, 2019

of awarding broadband grants for rural areas.

defeat SB 472 Generation Moratorium Indiana’s electric cooperatives support a responsible energy policy that balances Hoosiers’ energy needs with environmental concerns. Cooperatives continue invest in projects that make sense for their consumers while emphasizing energy efficiency and adding renewable energy generation sources. This would have established a moratorium on new electric generation projects with capacities larger than 250 MW.

JUNE 2019

31

Member satisfaction survey

Your electric co-op values your feedback Images Šwww.gettyimages.com/leylaynr, muchomor

Survey calls will begin soon, and your opinion matters!

Feedback from the surveys helps your co-op better serve your needs.

Questions?

Please contact your electric co-op.

travel

Explore

Southern Indiana’s Caves PHO TO CO URTESY O F I NDI ANA CAVERNS

BY NICK ROGERS

Indiana Caverns

Squire Boone Caverns

Satisfy your sense of adventure by exploring southern Indiana’s cave

Corydon, Indiana indianacaverns.com

Mauckport, Indiana squireboonecaverns.com

systems! Formed several million years

Indiana’s longest cave system offers

Visitors to these caverns (named for

ago as water dissolved limestone, these

regular tours or the Deep Darkness

Daniel Boone’s brother) can cover the

systems feature underground streams,

tour, a four-hour kayak excursion on a

system in about an hour. Be sure to

bountiful biodiversity and awe-inspir-

stream 200 feet underground! Want an

take in the underground waterfalls, the

ing formations. They’re a preservation

all-new above-ground thrill? The Bat

40-foot tall Rock of Ages, and massive

of Indiana history, a presentation of na-

Chaser, which combines a zipline, roller

stalactites (rock descending from the

ture’s splendor and a perfect road trip!

coaster and hang-gliding. Launching

ceiling) or stalagmites (rock ascend-

Below are details for four sites on the

from a 50-foot tower overlooking the

ing from the floor). The grounds also

Indiana Cave Trail (indianacavetrail.

caverns, it twists and turns across 603

include a grist mill, candy shop, country

com), as well as Wyandotte Caves.

feet at over 20 miles per hour.

store and zipline adventure.

Marengo Cave

Wyandotte Caves

Marengo, Indiana marengocave.com

Corydon, Indiana www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2976.htm

Bedford, Indiana bluespringcaverns.com

With the largest room of any Indiana

One of America’s oldest cave systems,

cave, this system has been open since

this attraction recently reopened after

You can ride down one of America’s

a pair of schoolchildren discovered

a seven-year shutdown. The site offers

longest known subterranean rivers

it in 1883. The Marengo Cave is filled

visitors the choice of Little (short, flat

here in Indiana, and perhaps spot some

with wonderful mineral formations

and easy) or Big (steep and stair-filled).

sightless Northern Cavefish. These

untouched by man since the cave’s

Big is home to Monument Mountain,

caverns include 21 miles of surveyed

discovery. Visitors can choose the

purportedly the world’s largest un-

passages, and the grounds feature a

Dripstone Trail (1 mile) or the Crystal

derground mountain, and you may

half-mile nature trail and 15 acre-wide

Palace (⅓ mile) — each covering unique

glimpse salamanders, crayfish or crick-

sinkhole.

sections of the system.

ets in either segment.

Remember to always bring layered clothing and sturdy shoes!

Bluespring Caverns

Freelance writer Nick Rogers is a communications manager for Purdue Agricultural Communications.

JUNE 2019

33

career profile

Motivated when serving members Top 3 responsibilities in a day: • Monitor the overall financial condition of the electric cooperative.

• Provide financial information to help with the decisionmaking process for various projects throughout the co-op.

• Complete any other duties as assigned by the general manager.

What’s a typical day like?

I wouldn’t say there really ever is a “typical day.” Each day involves managing various tasks, which makes every day unique.

What education and training was needed for this position?

I have a bachelor’s degree in accounting and am a certified public accountant.

What part of your job do you find the most fulfilling?

Serving our consumer-members.

Everyone at the electric cooperative has a duty to serve our members the best we can, and that’s what motivates me.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

The biggest challenge is effectively managing costs in today’s world.

We have experienced significant cost pressures over the last several

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Jeremy Miller Manager of Finance and Administration Clark County REMC

years, but we’re always trying to provide the best service to our consumers at the lowest possible cost. Because of this, we’re constantly looking at ways to be as efficient as we can.

How would you describe working for an electric cooperative?

I really do believe there is a “cooperative difference.” We strive

very hard to treat our members as more than just customers. There’s a connection we try to make that we hope makes us different.

INTERESTED IN AN ELECTRIC CO-OP CAREER? Visit WePowerIndiana.org to learn about available careers or tell us about yourself.

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