UDWI REMC — November 2018 Electric Consumer

UDWI REMC

YOUR INDIANA COOPERATIVE COMPANION

Project Indiana changes lives in underdeveloped countries

Beware of scams How to handle energy scammers

NOVEM BER 2 0 1 8

from the editor

You can make a difference!

It’s fitting that in this issue before Thanksgiving we provide an update on Project Indiana. Through this initiative, created by

VOLUME 68 • NUMBER 5 ISSN 0745-4651 • USPS 262-340 Published monthly by:

Indiana’s electric cooperatives to empower underdeveloped countries, we can change lives in so many ways.

In the last six years, linemen from electric cooperatives throughout Indiana have traveled to remote impoverished areas of Guatemala to build power lines and energize communities. Our crews have formed unbreakable bonds with grateful villagers, hardworking local men who work tirelessly alongside them to set electric poles and string power lines, and the children who regard the American linemen as superheroes who’ve arrived to provide them with a true superpower — the power of electricity.

Through each Project Indiana trip, the lives of not only the current villagers but those

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

of generations to come are radically improved. Tedious chores become easier with

317-487-2220

the help of electric appliances and productivity increases with electric machinery.

ec@ElectricConsumer.org

The ability to brighten a whole room with the flip of a switch is something we all take for granted but for those who have been unaccustomed to such a luxury, it’s a miracle that can lead to unimagined possibilities.

In 2019, volunteers from Indiana’s electric cooperatives will return to Guatemala to electrify another rural village. Lineworkers will tackle some of their greatest challenges amid rough terrain, high altitude and uncomfortable weather conditions. They do it because they can make a difference.

You can make a difference, too. This Thanksgiving, a time when we pause to give thanks for our blessings, consider getting involved with Project Indiana. Visit ProjectIndiana.org to learn how you can help our global neighbors.

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 Crosshair Media, 502-216-8537; crosshairmedia.net GLM Communications, Inc., 212-929-1300; glmcommunications.com Paid advertisements are not endorsements by any electric cooperative or this publication.

EMILY SCHILLING Editor eschilling@electricconsumer.org On the menu: February — Cheesecake recipes: deadline Nov.

16. March — Recipes using potato chips: deadline Nov. 16. If we publish your recipe on our food page, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.

Giveaway: Are you more than a “lil” crazy about Lil BUB? Tell us why you’d like to win a cute and cuddly Lil BUB stuffed animal. Include your contact information along with the name of your co-op with your entry. Put “Lil BUB” in the subject line of your email. The deadline to enter is Dec. 3.

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.

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.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: Electric Consumer, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606.

Include key number.

No portion of Electric Consumer may be reproduced without permission of the editor.

NOVEMBER 2018

3

contents

NOVEMBER

10

20

energy

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

10 ENERGY Applying energy-efficient calculations to appliances.

12 INSIGHTS 14 PRODUCT PICKS

cover story 16 INDIANA EATS Little Sheba’s: Food fit for a queen (or king).

17 FOOD Our state on a plate.

20 COVER STORY A reason to hope: Through Project Indiana, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on making a

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

4

NOVEM BER 2018

28

34

do-it-yourself sustainable difference in underdeveloped countries, lives are changed not only abroad but back home in Indiana.

profile

29 SAFETY Prevent home appliance dangers with good habits.

30 PRODUCT RECALLS

26 EVENTS CALENDAR

32 H OOSIER ENERGY/ WABASH VALLEY NEWS

28 DO-IT-YOURSELF Gift ideas for the handyperson.

34 PROFILE Pick of the litter: Lil BUB hits the big time.

On the cover Sometimes the greatest superpower is hope. Clad in a Superman-logoed sweatshirt, this youngster from the impoverished Guatemalan village of El Zapotillo faces his future with strength and hope, resolute to tackle the obstacles ahead of him. This haunting portrait is one of hundreds taken by Tipmont REMC CEO and Project Indiana Board President Ron Holcomb.

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 James Jackson John Royal Ronald Thompson

Training ground NEW TRAINING YARD PROVIDES BENEFITS AND SKILLS FOR LINEMEN UDWI REMC broke ground in September

service territory are underground. While

on its first ever, onsite training yard.

these lines are very reliable, when a

The facility will allow for more frequent

repair is needed it requires a very high

and effective training sessions for our

level of training, deductive reasoning,

linemen while reducing travel time and

and increased safety measures to restore

expenses. This yard will enhance safety

power.

and offer our linemen the opportunity to focus their training on specific equipment and conditions. Primarily recycled and reclaimed materials are being used to construct the training area.

and bucket rescues. The training yard will also serve as a resource that can be

electric lines, and buried equipment

used during interviews for apprentices

in a 10,000-square-foot area. The

or potential linemen.

on site. Without the ability to do a visual inspection, underground systems can create invisible hazards for our linemen and often make troubleshooting and isolating issues much more difficult than above ground systems. Once an issue is located, it is vital that our linemen learn how to safely troubleshoot and repair

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

installations, troubleshooting connection

poles, transformers, overhead

underground power systems training

Jared Pyne Line Superintendent

train on overhead system repairs, pole

designed the yard complete with

training area will enable us to conduct

Michael Sullivan Chief Financial Officer

area will include facilities required to

issues, meter repairs and replacements,

STAFF

Shane Smith Manager of Operations and Engineering

more than underground training. This

The UDWI Safety Committee

Doug Childs CEO Kim Todd Director of Member Services

In addition, the yard will provide much

the problem. The new training yard will

Outside experts in the field, along with some of our own linemen — including Jordan Clark, journeyman lineman and president of the UDWI Safety Committee — will lead the training. Clark has worked for the cooperative for 12 years and has been training others across the state for more than five years. Now his expertise can be utilized in our own training yard.

offer them an opportunity to increase

UDWI will focus on increasing safety and

skills by practicing repairs in a safe and

enhancing cross training for its linemen

controlled environment.

to ensure that all crews are able to safely

This yard gives us an incredible resource right here at the office, and our linemen can now get their required training onsite. According to Shane Smith, manager of operations and engineering, around 15 percent of the lines in our

handle any situation that they may encounter in the field. The training yard is expected to be fully operational later this fall.

DOUG CHILDS CEO

NOVEMBER 2018

5

co-op news

The value of electricity The cost of energy for member-consumers remains a good value as the price of other products increase. Throughout a 19-year period from 1998 to 2017, energy saw a 6 cent increase per killowatt-hour.

In comparison, the cost of ground chuck increased $1.90 per pound.

GROUND CHUCK (Price per pound increased $1.90)

Stay tuned to future issues of Electric Consumer for exciting information about your annual meeting!

REGULAR GASOLINE (Price per gallon increased $1.35)

COFFEE (Price per pound increased 76 cents)

WHITE BREAD (Price per pound increased 47 cents)

ELECTRICITY (Price per kWh increased 6 cents) Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hoosier Energy

6

NOVEMBER 2018

co-op news

APPLY NOW!

JAN.

23

INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

PAGE DAY SPEND A DAY in the INDIANA SENATE WITH STUDENTS FROM REMCS AROUND THE STATE

Ë See the Senate in action. Ë Tour the Statehouse. Ë Pass your own legislation during a mock bill activity.

APPLY BY JAN. 11 AT IndianaEC.org/?p=287

ART CONTEST

win $200 ENTER YOUR BEST ARTWORK

You could

Fill the pages of the 2020 calendar!

ELIGIBILITY Indiana public, private or home-schooled students in kindergarten through 12th grade during the 2018-19 school year are eligible to enter the contest.

DETAILS AND DEADLINE

REQUIREMENTS: You must be available 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.

A complete set of rules and required entry forms are available at ElectricConsumer.org/foryouth/2020-contest. Artwork must be received

by March 22, 2019.

Questions? Contact Electric Consumer, 317.487.2220 or ec@electricconsumer.org.

NOVEMBER 2018

7

co-op news

BEWARE OF SCAMS News briefs Scammers are continuously coming up with new angles to trick members into giving up their personal information or credit card numbers. We would like to remind our members to always be on the lookout for scams.

If you receive a call, text message or email asking you about your electric bill, demanding payment or personal information, it’s best to hang up immediately or ignore that request and call us directly at 800-489-7362.

When paying your bill online, always be sure you are at the correct website. The online bill payment customer service portal can be viewed at https://secure. udwiremc.com/oscp/. Access to this link can be found on the UDWI REMC website, www.udwiremc.com.

Meter testing

Members can click on the “My Bill” tab on our site’s homepage to be directed to the online bill payment site.

UDWI REMC wants to make sure you avoid any and all types of scams that could put you or your financial information in jeopardy. For questions or concerns, call us at 800-489-7362.

UDWI meter technicians will be performing routine meter tests in our entire service territory over the next few years. Each employee will be driving white utility vans 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 website at www. udwiremc.com or “Like” us on Facebook to stay up to date on current testing locations.

Pole testing in progress UDWI has RAMS (Resource Asset Management Solutions) working in the Center Point, Cory, Poland, Prairie City, Saline City, Stearlyville, and Guthrie areas. This company is testing our poles from now until the end of the year.

The company’s crews are instructed to wear traffic vests, carry identification and display the “UDWI REMC Vendor” magnet on each truck. Workers will also have a letter of introduction from UDWI to verify their authenticity. 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.

Office closings UDWI REMC will be closed for Veterans Day on Nov. 12, and on Nov. 22 and 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Daylight saving time ends on Nov. 4 Don’t forget to fall back on Nov. 4! Set your clocks back by one hour. It’s also a great time to check your smoke detectors.

8 NOVEMBER 2018

energy

energy-efficient calculations to appliances Applying

Whether you’re purchasing a new

your spending if your

washing machine, an electric stove or

current appliance is

that new deep freeze for the garage,

faulty, meaning that you

researching the durability, brand and

could be paying much

customer service that accompanies the

more than the calculated

appliance is common practice.

amount. Energy.gov

Another key topic to research is the energy efficiency of your new appliance, i.e., how much it’s going to cost to run after the purchase price is paid. To calculate the savings you

also provides different methods for getting an estimated cost that’s attuned to your appliance.

may receive by purchasing an energy-

Having an estimated

efficient machine, first you’ll need to

yearly expense will be

know how much you are currently

helpful as you search

paying when running your existing

for a new appliance.

appliance.

EnergyStar appliances

Contacting your local electric cooperative is always beneficial, but did you know the quickest and easiest way to estimate common appliance energy use is right at your fingertips through the resources offered on the Department of Energy’s website — energy.gov? Utilizing the appliance energy calculator, members can enter in a type of appliance, its wattage (listed typically on the label or box), the utility rate your cooperative charges

often have a higher purchase price, but their lower running cost and longer lifespans make them a much smarter investment in the long run. To determine your savings, compare the estimated energy cost of your old appliance with the EnergyGuide Label (shown above) on the new models that you’re looking to purchase.

per kWh (found on your most recent

Appliances are a necessity in running

electric bill), and how often and

the modern day household, but the

long the machine operates (national

cost of running older, less efficient

averages are given on the website).

appliances may be more than you

The calculation provided will give

think. By calculating these costs and

you an estimated cost of operation

taking advantage of the resources

for your old appliance. This estimate

provided in this article, you too can

may not be completely accurate to

determine the best appliance for both your home and your energy bill.

10

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United States Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation 1. Publication Title: Electric Consumer. 2. Publication Number: 0745-4651. 3. Filing Date 9/26/18. 4. Issue Frequency: Monthly. 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 12. 6. Annual Subscription Price: $4.07. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: Indiana Electric Cooperatives, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN 46240-4606. Contact Person: Emily Schilling. Telephone: 317-487-2220. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: Indiana Electric Cooperatives, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN 46240-4606. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Address of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: Indiana Electric Cooperatives, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN 462404606. Editor: Emily Schilling, Indiana Electric Cooperatives, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, Marion County, IN 46240-4606. Managing Editor: None. 10. Owner: Indiana Electric Cooperatives, 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240-4606. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates).

The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes has not changed during preceding 12 months. 13. Publication Title: Electric Consumer. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Oct. 2018. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: Electric cooperative members in Indiana. a. Total Number of Copies (Net press run): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 263,126. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 270,671. b. Paid Circulation (By Mail and Outside the Mail). (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 (Include paid distribution above nominal rate, advertiser’s proof copies and exchange copies): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 261,336. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 269,006. (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 (Include paid distribution above nominal rate, advertiser’s proof copies and exchange copies): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 0. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 0. (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 0. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 0. (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 0. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 0. c. Total Paid Distribution ((Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 261,336.

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 269,006. d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail). (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County Copies included on PS Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 527. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 223. (2) Free or Nominal Rate Copies In-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 0. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 0. (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 0. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 0. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 0. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 0. e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3) and (4): Average No. Copies of Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 527. No. Copies of Single issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 223. f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 261,863. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 269,229. g. Copies not Distributed (See Instructions to Publishers #4 (page #3): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 1,263. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 1,083. h. Total (Sum of 15f and g): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 263,126. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 270,312. i. Percent Paid (15c divided by 15f times 100): Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: 99.8. No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 99.9.

Publication of Statement of Ownership. If the publication is a general publication, publication of this statement is required.

Will be printed in the November 2018 issue of this publication.

17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager or Owner (Signed): Emily Schilling, Editor. Date: 9/26/18 I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

12

NOVEMBER 2018

insights

You can help rename ‘Electric Consumer’ For over 35 years, the publication

That’s why we are planning to change

you’re reading now has been called

our name in early 2019. And we’d like

”Electric Consumer.” That name was

to get you involved in the process!

chosen to represent the magazine’s commitment to its readership, the consumers of electric cooperative power.

Please send us your suggestions for a new name by Dec. 7. If you’d like, include your rationale for selecting this name.

But through the years, with the evolving focus of the magazine and the expanded service offerings of electric cooperatives throughout the

We will randomly select someone from all those we hear from to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

state, our name doesn’t seem to

To help us rename “Electric

fit us anymore. We’re a publication

Consumer,” send your suggestions

focused on enhancing your lifestyle

to us either by email (ec@

and promoting our state. We provide

electricconsumer.org, subject line

information on safety as well as saving

“Renaming EC”) or by mail to Electric

money and energy. We are a little of

Consumer, 8888 Keystone Crossing,

this and a little of that and so much

Suite 1600, Indianapolis, IN 46240.

more than our current title reflects.

A year’s worth of student art The 2019 Cooperative Calendar of Student Art is available at participating electric coop offices across the state. Copies are also available through the mail from Electric Consumer.

ORDER YOUR 2019 CALENDAR TODAY! Please send ______ copy (copies) of the Cooperative Calendar of Student Art 2019 at $6 each to: Name:

________________________________________

Address:

________________________________________

City, State and ZIP:

________________________________________

Price includes shipping and Indiana sales tax. Send this completed form to “Indiana Electric Cooperatives” at Electric Consumer Calendar; 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1600; Indianapolis, IN 46240.

‘Giving back’ guiding principle of Project Indiana This month’s issue of Electric Consumer highlights Indiana Electric Cooperatives’ Project Indiana initiative. The initiative, which began when two crews of Indiana electric cooperative linemen energized two rural Guatemalan villages in 2012, is going strong thanks to the philanthropic spirit of electric cooperative personnel and donors like you.

Linemen who have been a part of Project Indiana mission trips will tell you their efforts in Guatemala were just another example of the cooperative spirit.

It’s just what they do — they give back. to a part of the world that typically would be neglected.

To learn more about the life-changing Project Indiana trip to El Zapotillo, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpjGiZ9GSdY&feature=youtu.be.

PHO TO S BY DI ANE WI LLI S

In this case, though, giving back is bringing hope, progress and opportunities

NOVEMBER 2018

13

product picks

6

helpers

1

KITCHEN

With the holidays approaching,

2

most of us log extra kitchen time. Family dinners, special gatherings, a bounty of baking — every day’s a food festival. Here are a few tools that may make your holidays a little brighter.

by JAY N E C A N N ON

5 3 4 1

2

3

4

5

6

SMOOTHER OPERATOR

CUPPA CHEER

MAKE IT QUICK

HEATER HELPER

FREQUENT FRYER

RESULTS-ORIENTED

Call it culinary disaster aid.The KitchenAid 2-Speed Hand Blender comes to the rescue when sauces and soups need smoothing and gravies need de-lumping.

It’s a quick fix. Plug it in, immerse it in a liquid and watch it work its smoothing magic. $50.

800-462-3966; bedbathandbeyond.com

Still making that stop every day for a barista special? Save time and money when you add the Nespresso VertuoPlus to your kitchen counter.

This coffee maker uses barcoded capsules for ease and convenience (no mess or measuring!) and offers five cup sizes.

It also comes with a handy attachment to foam your cappuccino. $200.

800-562-1465; nespresso.com

Holidays keep you hopping, so shaving time off meal prep is one of the best gifts you can get. The Pampered Chef Quick Cooker and Accessories Set is a game-changer. Sear, steam, slow cook and pressure cook, all in one appliance. The included springform pan and ceramic pot take you from breakfast to dessert in record time. $285.

888-687-2433; pamperedchef.com

Getting the timing just right on a big meal is always a challenge. Everything is cooking along when you realize that you don’t have a burner to spare for the gravy. No room for a second stovetop?

That’s when you pull out the Salton Stainless Steel Portable Induction Cooker.

Cook when and where you need to and put the burner away when you don’t. $60.

800-462-3966; bedbathandbeyond.com

Let’s face it — holidays are often unkind to the waistline. Ditch the oil and the deep fryer and cook your chicken, fries, fish, steak and just about anything you like in a NuWave Brio Digital Air Fryer. Pre-settings make for foolproof results and hot-air cooking gives you crunch without calories. $100.

800-462-3966; bedbathandbeyond.com

Do you trust your oven to cook that expensive roast exactly like you want it? With the Anova Precision Cooker with Bluetooth, you eliminate the constant oven watch.

Set it and forget it while the water bath brings your food to the internal temperature you choose.

Perfect results every time, just like the pros. $159.

855-421-8282; anovaculinary.com

14

NOVEMBER 2018

Indiana eats

Food fit for a queen (or king) ‘Who do you think you are, the Queen of Sheba?’

By Nick Rogers What started as a saucy zinger in marital arguments between John and Sharon Kurtz became their restaurant’s namesake. For nearly 30 years, Little Sheba’s has been a mainstay in Richmond’s historic Depot District. It’s a few steps from the World’s Largest Chair and the Indiana Football Hall of Fame, and just a little more than 70 miles east of Indianapolis.

Those who savor sandwiches will find no shortage of selections — more than 40 specialty sandwiches in all, many with names inspired by puns and wordplay.

Among them: Dr. Jetmore’s Flame Thrower (roast beef, hot Mexican cheese and jalapeños), Kate’s Raisin Cain (hot ham and Swiss with poppy seed sauce and raisins) and, well, the one named after John — a ham, turkey and roast beef trifecta known as the John Boy’s Stupid Idiot. There’s also the Greek salad (a favorite among Sheba’s regulars) and, for the brave, the Cheese Explosion — a half-pound of beef, with bacon and American cheese … and grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches as the buns.

Current owner Steve Terzini has kept these standbys while expanding both the menu (the 10-page behemoth includes even more entrée options) and Little Sheba’s physical footprint across Fort Wayne Avenue. The restaurant has gradually taken up the brunt of the block — adding outdoor seating and a bar known as Zini’s Place.

Thanks to cozy touches, clever culinary creations and a commitment to preserving Richmond’s history, Little Sheba’s truly is, as their slogan says, “better than being home.”

Nick Rogers is a communications manager with Purdue Agricultural Communications.

16

NOVEMBER 2018

Grilled Salmon

Italian Sub Sandwich

LITTLE SHEBA’S 175 Fort Wayne Ave. Richmond, Indiana 765-962-2999 Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

www.littleshebas.com

Our state on a

plate

food

A taste of classic Hoosier favorites Hoosier Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

by Matt Uhl, Palmyra

Slice the tenderloin into six roughly 1 inch

the egg/milk dredge, then in the breading,

thick chops.

coating each side.

Pour about 3 inches of peanut or canola oil

Fry until golden brown and delicious. You

into a Dutch oven. Warm oil to 375 F.

may have to do one at a time depending on

Using two slightly moistened (with water

space and oil temperature.

6 Kaiser Roll buns

to ease in process) pieces of plastic wrap,

When done, place on buns and top as

2- 3 lbs. Indiana-raised pork tenderloin

place 1 chop between plastic wrap on solid

you desire with ingredients listed. We also

surface.

love a Southern Indiana staple, Duke’s

3 eggs 1½ cups whole milk 3 cups cracker-type tenderloin breading Leaf lettuce Thinly sliced onion American cheese slices Mustard Indiana tomato slices

Use a kitchen mallet (flat side) from the inside sliding outward to pound the tenderloin into ¼ to ⅓ inch thick cutlets.

Don’t worry if you have a few breakthroughs in the cutlet; it will fry fine.

Combine the eggs and milk in one dredge container, and in a separate container, spread out the breading. Dip each cutlet into

Mayonnaise!

Cook’s notes: Use a splatter screen and plan ahead for this meal. Each tenderloin cutlet will take approximately 4 minutes per side or more depending on your cooktop and the frying container used. A Dutch oven is preferable to a cast iron pan due to the amount of oil that makes flipping the cutlet easier. For years, we’ve used breading from Marion-Kay Spices, based in Brownstown, Indiana, for our tenderloins.

Indiana pickle slices

NOVEMBER 2018

17

food

Hoosier Fried Chicken 1 whole chicken, cut and quartered ½ cup flour 1½ t. salt ½ t. pepper ½ t. poultry seasoning Cooking oil 2-3 T. water 1 t. bacon drippings, optional

Hoosier Cream Pie

by Nyla Courter, LaFontaine ½ cup brown sugar 1 cup white sugar ½ cup flour ¼ cup margarine or butter 1 cup boiling water 1 t. vanilla 1 cup Milnot

Let chicken sit in refrigerator overnight. When ready to fry, roll pieces in mixture of flour, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.

Nutmeg Unbaked 9-inch pie shell

Heat ¼ inch of cooking oil in cast iron skillet until bubbly. Lower the heat slightly and put in pieces of chicken. Cook to a golden brown, turning

Preheat oven to 375 F. Mix the first six

often to brown evenly and to prevent sticking.

ingredients until dissolved. Add Milnot.

When all the pieces are golden brown, add water, cover tightly and cook

Pour into an unbaked 9-inch pie shell.

slowly in a moderate oven at 325 F for 40 minutes until fork tender.

Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Remove lid and cook chicken 5 minutes to re-crisp the coating.

Carefully place in oven. Bake 40 to 50

The chicken has an extra special flavor when oil is seasoned with

minutes until set in the center and crust

approximately 1 t. of bacon drippings.

is golden.

18

NOVEMBER 2018

Remember TO VOTE TUESDAY, NOV. 6: ELECTION DAY Visit action.indianaec.org to find your polling place.

NOVEMBER 2018

19

A reason to hope Project Indiana changes lives

THEY USED TO HAVE DREAMS. NOW THEY HAVE PLANS.

The bigger story is the lives Project Indiana changes — men, women and especially children — here in Indiana and there in Guatemala.

A labor of love The electric cooperative linemen from throughout the state who volunteered on any of the three Project Indiana mission trips over the past six years would agree: helping to change others’ lives changed their lives as well. Take Decatur County REMC lineman Brian AmRhein who helped electrify the remote northeastern village of Sepamac in 2015 for instance. “I was an Army veteran, deployed twice to Iraq,” he said. “All I’ve seen there is war. But going to Guatemala, I’ve seen a different part of life. I’ve seen love … and it changed my life.”

Love is something the Guatemalan villagers have in abundance, even though their possessions are few and far between. Despite language barriers and cultural differences, enduring relationships are formed every time the villagers interact with members of the Project Indiana team. Those relationships make Project Indiana, a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Indiana Electric Cooperatives, special for all involved. ”I think we did something really neat that was life-changing for the families of Sepamac,” said Keith Combs, a lineman at RushShelby Energy who helped string 11 miles of line and connect 76 primary and secondary poles, all by hand, when he was in Guatemala. “The friendships built amongst the linemen and people in the village … I’ll end up taking that to the grave with me.”

2012

Nueva Esperanza, Hoja Blanca Las Cuevas and Las Nubes, Guatemala

1,012 PEOPLE

28 LINEWORKERS

1 SCHOOL 1 CHURCH 184 HOMES

By Diane Willis The statistics are compelling. But numbers never tell the whole story.

BY THE NUMBERS

Project Indiana Board President Ron Holcomb, who’s made several trips to Guatemala over the past couple of years, focuses on friendships made when talking about the Central American people. “They’re just like you,” he said. “They have the same hopes, the same dreams. They want the same things for their children. They want the same things for their families that we do.

“We tend to think of people from other countries as different from us in some way.

They’re not.”

Just like here, the Guatemalans’ primary focus is on families and children. But, unlike most families in our country, those in Guatemala face tremendous difficulties. Dubois REC lineman Tyler Asbell, a 2017 Project Indiana volunteer, recalls those difficulties from his time in El Zapotillo, the village he helped electrify. “It’s a hard life,” he said, describing the back-breaking work that villagers face every day with no modern conveniences to lighten the load. “I don’t think very many Americans would survive there.”

But survive they do. That survival instinct is ingrained in the villagers early on. Many of the kids never have childhoods, because if you don’t learn to take care of yourself early on you probably won’t make it.

It was impossible for men like NineStar Connect’s Jeff Conley, a volunteer in 2015, not to empathize with those hardworking children, and commit himself to doing what he could to make sure they could look forward to a brighter future. “Their parents and grandparents are not going to be there forever. But those kids are going to grow up with that little bit of culture that we bring and instill in them. It was just an amazing feeling.”

Ron Holcomb, board president of Project Indiana, took the images to the left. When describing the photo of the boy in the Superman sweatshirt, he said, “There’s a million words in this one picture. Here is this 6- or 7-year-old little boy from El Zapotillo with the whole world stacked against him. He doesn’t know who Superman is, but he’s wearing this shirt.”

2015

Sepamac, Guatemala

902

14

PEOPLE

LINEWORKERS

1 SCHOOL 1 CHURCH 164 HOMES

2017

374

El Zapotillo, Guatemala

14

PEOPLE

LINEWORKERS

1 SCHOOL 1 CHURCH

68 HOMES 1 HEALTH CLINIC

NOVEMBER 2018

21

When morning temperatures dip below freezing, young El Zapotillo villager Maralinda tries to keep warm with a towel since she has no coat.

Faces of the children During his trips to Guatemala, Holcomb takes photos of the villagers. On return trips, he shares these portraits with them and they hang those images on their walls.

There’s a million words in each of his photographs, especially of children — a million piercing ways they stick with you.

Like the photo of 6-year-old Jennifer, serious beyond her years.

And 9-year old Maralinda, with no coat, only a towel to warm her in 30-degree morning temperatures.

The children’s eyes are often bloodshot since they live inside homes with inadequate ventilation and their food is prepared over fire. Their water is often contaminated. They have significant dental problems in their early teens because of malnutrition. In fact, half of Guatemala’s children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition. It’s highest in the rural areas that Project Indiana serves.

“That bothers me the most, knowing how hungry those kids are and how chronic malnutrition will affect them the rest of their lives,” said Scott Sikora, Kankakee Valley REMC lineman and 2015 Project Indiana volunteer.

Lineman Bob Palmer of Tipmont REMC was shocked by the hardships endured by the villagers when he volunteered in 2012. “I had no idea people actually, truly lived that way,” he said.

“That country doesn’t suffer fools. If you’re not tough and capable, it will eat you up,” Project Indiana Board Member Randy Price said, comparing the Guatemalan lifestyle to that in our country. “As we work with our own children here at home and they get second, third and fourth chances, in Guatemala, I’m not sure they get the first chance. It’s tough.”

Everyone is expected to work Children as young as two years old herd sheep. Everyone in the family is expected to work and contribute to the family’s meager success. Even when education might be a choice for some of them, their labor is more valued. So, they go to work.

Energizing the remote village of El Zapotillo, Guatemala, near Mexico’s southwestern border, was challenging for Indiana’s corps of volunteer electric co-op lineworkers. Orange County REMC lineman Robert White was one of the crew of 28 who battled extreme heat and rugged mountainous terrain to build 31 miles of power line, all by hand, back in 2017.

Jackson County REMC lineman David Guthrie has memories from El Zapotillo “of these little tykes running around, holding on to the horse ropes when they’re three feet tall and they’re out there handling 700 to 800-pound animals. That’s just life for them.”

P R OJE C T INDI ANA PHO TO S BY RO N HO LCO M B

“

It wasn’t enough for Indiana to just turn the lights on. We wanted to make life better, and you need more than electricity to do that.

”

JENNIFER RUFATTO, Indiana Electric Cooperatives

And girls like Guadalupe spend four to five hours a day hand-grinding corn into meal and fetching water from a well. A bright and eager 13-year-old, she proudly graduated from sixth grade in El Zapotillo, but can go no further.

Children like these spur Project Indiana volunteers to go beyond stringing wires to helping build schools and even digging into their own pockets to purchase school supplies. Project Indiana is also trying to get a junior high school started in the remote village of Agua Dulce so children can go to school to at least the eighth grade.

Supporting the growth of the cooperative business model in Guatemala will also make a difference. Because Guatemala is heavily rural, co-ops in Guatemala actually educate more children than the government does.

It’s no coincidence Project Indiana started here. “We’re kind of trailblazers,” Jennifer Rufatto, Project Indiana’s executive director and vice president of communication and human resources at Indiana Electric Cooperatives, noted. “The electric co-ops in Indiana led the nation on many fronts. It’s just in our DNA. I’m very grateful to Indiana and all the electric co-ops for having the vision to do this.”

Not only do Indiana’s electric cooperatives have the vision; they want to be there years into the future. “I just want to go back in 10 years and see where they’re at now, and how it’s helped,” said Eric Schlarf, Fulton County REMC lineman and 2015 Project Indiana volunteer.

Through Project Indiana, enduring friendships that blossom despite distance and language barriers are forged. Jennifer Rufatto, Project Indiana executive director (third from left), and Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative Board Member Steve McMichael (third from right), became fast friends with those they met on their June trip to Guatemala. Rufatto was especially impressed with the joy, resolve and work ethic of those she met while she was there.

“We needed to make a difference.”

Rufatto feels called to do this work. “When God calls, He will keep hunting you down.”

She laughs quickly, then turns serious. “And so you answer. The villagers will do whatever it takes to make their lives better. They work just as hard as we do, if not harder, and they are trusting strangers from another country to follow up on their word, so I don’t want to be that American that made promises and walked away and left broken hopes. I think that’s what makes Indiana different.”

Rufatto’s work for Project Indiana is a passion. It’s also a teacher. From her time with the Guatemalan villagers, Rufatto said she’s learned, “Joy is not circumstantial. They choose joy when — yes, their shoes fell off today because they fell apart. Or they ask, ‘Am I going to have enough to eat today?’

They hope tomorrow is better and they believe it will be and they’ll do whatever it takes to make tomorrow better, but there is a sense of joy there that I envy. They choose joy every day. They live in the moment. They are happy for this moment.”

Craig Smart, who volunteered with the 2012 Project Indiana work crew, noticed that joyful outlook when he was in Guatemala.

“It was very humbling to be with people who appreciate the small things in life. They were ecstatic to have just a lightbulb and an outlet,” the Jasper County REMC lineman said.

Rufatto was impressed the villagers’ diligence and dedication to improving their lives and their futures.

“They want to be part of the answer. They want to be part of the solution. They want to build a sustainable community on their own and they’re humble enough to ask for help,” she said.

Those in Indiana are more than willing to help. “We needed to make a difference. It wasn’t enough to go once and check a box,” Rufatto said. “It wasn’t enough for Indiana just to turn the lights on. We wanted to make life better and you need more than electricity to do that.”

What makes Project Indiana unique?

Project Indiana will continue to connect the dots, build relationships, find partners ­— in Indiana and Guatemala — so education, training, economic development and opportunities can make life better for the families in the villages. In that sense, electricity is a tool — it’s a means to an end, not an end in and of itself.

That vision and dedication means every single dollar donated for Project Indiana goes directly to mission projects in Guatemala as well as efforts to amplify the initiative’s work with potential sponsors. Your donation will be used to ensure villagers have the opportunities and resources we take for granted — including electricity, clean water, health care and schools.

The co-ops pick up all the administrative costs. “We have really tried to make sure we are good stewards of every resource and dollar donated. And we do it because of the donor. We respect that,” Rufatto said. “But we also do it because we have the faces of those families in our minds and we know that one dollar makes a big difference.”

“It’s the children,” Rufatto said simply. “They look to you with hope. When you walk in that village, you feel like you give them a reason to hope and that’s the most humbling and overwhelming feeling.”

Goffinet when he volunteered in El Zapotillo 2017. “It was difficult for me, because I have a heart for children … I wanted to take them all home.”

“When our linemen put shoes on the feet of children that hadn’t had new shoes in probably forever …” Rufatto recalled, tearing up, then continuing. “They need us. So, whatever the motivation people have to give and support this, it’s time to step up and do something. This is Indiana’s project. It’s not just the co-ops. It’s a state showing up and making a difference.”

It’s also individuals stepping up, and making a difference, Steve McMichael, who went to Guatemala in June as part of a Project Indiana training program, pointed out. “I’ll have my bags packed and ready to go as soon as I’m needed,” the Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative trustee said. “Those days in Guatemala were some of the most meaningful days of my life.

“The more you give without waiting or expecting anything in return, the more you’ll receive,” he said. “And I’m ready to give.”

Diane Willis is a freelance journalist from Indianapolis. She accompanied Indiana’s line crews on their first and second trips to Guatemala in 2012 and 2015. She wrote about those trips in the November 2012 and June 2015 issues of Electric Consumer. She also produced a PBS documentary about the 2012 trip called “Power to the People.” Willis is a member of Project Indiana’s board of directors.

The children motivated and inspired Southern Indiana Power lineman Travis

NOVEMBER 2018

23

How you can support Project Indiana Q: WHEN IS THE NEXT PROJECT INDIANA TRIP PLANNED AND WHAT IS THE DESTINATION? A: Indiana’s electric cooperatives return to Guatemala every other year to electrify a village. The next trip will be in the spring of 2019.

Although the destination of the next trip

Future opportunities abound as more people get involved in Project Indiana.

Various needs exist in the villages we visit. Be assured that your contributions to Project Indiana will go toward meeting those needs.

Q: WHAT HAPPENS ON A PROJECT INDIANA TRIP?

has not yet been determined, the villages

A: Quite simply, lives are changed

we have helped in the past have been in

during the trip — not just the lives of the

remote, rural areas. Some have been in

Guatemalan villagers who are introduced

jungles, some high up in the mountains,

to electricity for the first time but also

accessible only be narrow, winding dirt

the Project Indiana volunteers who are

paths. Residents of villages like these

touched by the hard-working, humble,

are the poorest of the poor. With the

welcoming, grateful villagers.

assistance of the Project Indiana program and caring folks like you their lives can dramatically improve.

Q: WHO GOES ON A PROJECT INDIANA TRIP? A: Since the core mission of the trip is to bring light to villages that do not yet

Like the Indiana electric co-op linemen who make the trip to Guatemala, you, too, can be a part of Project Indiana’s lifechanging experience. Your contributions go directly to the core mission of Project Indiana — electrifying and supporting our adopted communities.

Q: WHAT IS MY FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION USED FOR? WILL IT ACTUALLY BE USED TO HELP THE VILLAGERS? A: One hundred percent of all donations to Project Indiana go directly to the mission of electrifying and supporting the Guatemalan communities. (Indiana’s

have power, linemen from electric co-ops

Q: HOW CAN I HELP?

38 electric cooperatives cover all of the

throughout Indiana are key members of

A: The easiest way you can get involved

program’s administrative costs.)

in this mission is to contribute financially

Q: IS MY CONTRIBUTION TAX DEDUCTIBLE?

the Project Indiana team.

But because so much more can be

to the cause. Visit ProjectIndiana.org to

accomplished, while our group is there

donate. While at ProjectIndiana.org read

on previous trips, we have also helped

about past mission trips, watch videos

at nutrition clinics for children and

about this life-changing program, and

expectant mothers and village schools.

look at photos of people whose futures are brighter because of Project Indiana.

24

NOVEMBER 2018

A: All contributions are tax deductible.

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calendar NORTHWEST

34 910

43RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR, Bourbon (Marshall), United Pentecostal Church (201 N. Bourbon St.). Carnegie Center. Gift items, crafts, baskets, Christmas ornaments and decorations, baked goods and homemade cookies. 7 am-3 pm.

Breakfast served from 7-10:30 am. Lunch served 11 am-2 pm. Free.

574-527-2899. marcia_a_faulkner@hotmail.com.

PRAIRIE ARTS COUNCIL HOLIDAY ART SHOW AND SALE, Rensselaer (Jasper), Lillian Fendig Gallery, Carnegie Center.

Free. Friday: 5-6 pm for PAC members; 6-8 pm, public invited.

Saturday: 10 am-2:30 pm. 219-8635278. pacrensselaer@gmail.com. prairieartscouncil.net.

TRAINS, North Judson Dec. SANTA (Starke), Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. The train picks up Santa 1 Claus before continuing to English

Lake. Visit the museum’s website for ticket prices and departure times. 574-896-3950. marketing@ hoosiervalley.org. hoosiervalley. org. The trains also run on Dec. 8, 15 and 22.

CENTRAL

3

HOLIDAY BAZAAR, Bloomfield (Greene), Greene County 4-H Fairgrounds.

9 am-3 pm. Vendors, raffles and door prizes. Santa, 11am-1pm. Lunch available.

Bazaar benefits Greene County 4-H Poultry Club. Free. 812-384-5118, lmassette@ bluemarble.net.

10

ANNUAL COUNTRY BARN CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE, Kokomo (Howard), 3545 W. County Road 250 S. One-of-akind items, refreshments, door prizes. 9 am-5 pm. Barb Burge, 765-210-0971.

1617

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE, West Lafayette (Tippecanoe), West Lafayette Golf and Country Club. Holiday crafts, gifts, and baked goods. Friday, 11 am-8 pm. Saturday, 9 am-4 pm. Free.

765-427-5733. clbschmidt@ yahoo.com.

TREASURES, Lafayette (Tippecanoe), Tippecanoe County 23- SEASONAL Fairgrounds. A juried arts and crafts tradition for over 25 years featuring 30 local artisans. Friday, 9 am-7 pm. Saturday, 9 am-3 pm. Free. 76524 over 426-9723. thebasketlady@beebeesbaskets.com.

SOUTHWEST

1

TREEMENDOUS CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE, Rockport (Spencer), Lincoln Pioneer Village and Museum. Coincides with the Rockport Christmas Festival. Stroll through the cabins to view beautifully decorated trees from “Then & Now.” 12-4 pm. 812-6499147. njwkaiser@gmail.com. lincolnpioneervillage.com/2018/08/21/treemendouschristmas-in-the-village.

811

HUNTINGBURG CHRISTMAS STROLL, Huntingburg (Dubois), Historic 4th and Market Streets. Unique specialty and antique shops in a Victorian Christmas setting. Carriage rides, Christmas decorations and more! Free. 812-482-9115. duboiscountychristmas.com.

26

NOVEMBER 2018

1718

FERDINAND CHRISTKINDLMARKT, Ferdinand (Dubois). Over 200 booths, food and wine, and live entertainment. Market hours: Saturday, 9 am-5 pm; Sunday, 10 am-4 pm. Free.

800-968-4578. ferdinandchrist kindlmarkt.com.

NOVEMBER NORTHEAST

3

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR, Avilla (Noble), Immanuel Lutheran Church. Baked goods, cookie bar, candy bar, Green Grocer and crafts of local vendors from woodworking, iron works, jewelry, and handmade sewing items. 8 am-2 pm.

Lunch: 10:30 a.m. to 1 pm. imavilla@embarqmail.com.

10

34TH ANNUAL DELTS’ HOLIDAY CRAFTS & GIFTS SHOW, Portland (Jay), Jay County High School. Over 150 booths. Food available all day. dttcraftshow@yahoo.com.

Admission charge. 260-726-6729. visitjaycounty.com/see/festivalsevents/delts-holiday-show.

30

WINDMILL WINTER WONDERLAND, Kendallville (Noble), Mid-America Windmill Museum. Enjoy the magic and sounds of the season while walking the pathways on the museum grounds. Cost: Children 12 and under are free; $4 for adults and children age 13 and up. 5:30-8:30 pm. 260-318-0642. midamericawindmillmuseum.org.

Event also runs on Dec. 1 and 2 and Dec. 7-9.

SOUTHEAST

4

10

46TH ANNUAL BETA SIGMA PHI HOLIDAY BAZAAR, Batesville (Franklin/ Ripley), Batesville Primary School. Over 100 vendors will sell jewelry, vintage and gift items, wood crafts, seasonal decorations, and more. Raffle drawing and Cookie Walk. Lunch served while it lasts. 10 am-3 pm. 812-934-2374. batesvilleholidaybazaar@gmail.com. www.facebook.com/Theta-Nu-chapterof-Beta-Sigma-Phi-sorority-123514111131635.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TURKEY DINNER, Batesville (Franklin/Ripley), Batesville United Methodist Church.Annual turkey dinner served carryout style (seating available). 4-6:30 pm.

Cost: Adults, $10; Children 12 and under, $5. 812-934-3137. batesvilleum@etczone.com. www. batesvilleumc.org.

17

CLARK COUNTY EXTENSION HOMEMAKER’S ANNUAL BAZAAR, Charlestown (Clark), Clark County Fairgrounds. 9 am-3 pm.

Proceeds from the bazaar benefit 4-H. 812-256-4591.

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, P.O. Box 24517, Indianapolis, IN 46224. Please submit info two months before the date of the event.

NOVEMBER 2018

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safety

Prevent home appliance dangers with good habits It’s easy to underestimate the dangers posed by the appliances in your home because, let’s face it, they weren’t something you were taught to worry about. When you were a child, your parents handled all of the household duties. When you got your first apartment, your landlord took care of the problems. Now that you finally have your own home, it’s your responsibility to do the upkeep on all of those pesky home appliances. But where do you start?

It’s much easier than you think! Bad habits only increase the potential dangers looming in your home. Form good habits that your children can utilize now. That way, when they inevitably leave the nest they won’t second guess their electrical safety practices.

We use the refrigerator daily, but how often do you consider the dangers that can stem from it? Whether it’s a fire or foodborne illness, there are risks that can easily be avoided.

Remove dust and lint from the outside of the refrigerator, and be mindful of the cord if you move the fridge to clean.

Keep the coils of your refrigerator clean to avoid possible compressor failure and minimize fire risk. Make cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the fridge part of your routine every time you stock up on groceries.

Nearly every water heater risk results from poor venting or excessive pressure buildup. Poorly connected vents can lead to carbon monoxide and natural gas leaks, which are huge risks to your pets and family. To avoid excessive temperature and pressure, you should test the relief valve at least once per year. Typically, all you have to do is pull up the handle on the valve.

Always clean your microwave after use. Don’t let food waste or splattered grease and oils build up. If you fear there is a problem with any part of your microwave, contact a qualified professional. Because microwaves can deliver a shock even if they are unplugged, your best bet to stay clear of electrical hazards is to bring in a pro.

Create your own checklist for all your major home appliances and begin creating better electrical safety habits for your family.

NOV E MB E R 2 018

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product recalls

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1. IKEA Ceiling Lamps Pose Impact and Laceration Hazards IKEA has recalled its CALYPSO ceiling lamps. The glass shade on the ceiling lamp can detach and fall, posing impact and laceration hazards to consumers. The recall involves lamp units with manufacturing date codes between 1625 and 1744. The manufacturing date code is printed on a sticker on the lightbulb socket base plate. Please use caution when removing the lamp shade to see the sticker and code.

Call 888-966-4532, or go online at www.ikea-usa.com and click on “Press Room” at the bottom of the page, then on “Product Recalls” at the top of the page for more information.

2. Life Fitness Recalls PowerMill Climber Due to Fire Hazard Life Fitness has recalled its PowerMill climbers (models PMA, PFB, PMD, PFD, PMH, and PFH). The model letters appear at the front of the serial number on the bottom right of the unit, on the inside of the “step-up” support. The climbers were manufactured and distributed from 2014 through 2018. Electrical arcing can occur if liquid enters the power receptacle at the front of the climbers, resulting in sparking and smoking, posing a fire hazard.

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Call 877-423-3253, email at upgradesupport@lifefitness.com, or go online at lifefitness.com/pressreleases/life-fitness-recalls-powermill-climber-due-fire-hazard for more information.

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3. Provata Health Promotional Activity Trackers Can Cause Burns Provata Health has recalled its promotional activity fitness tracker. The wristbands were given to consumers as a promotional giveaway and feature a digital display, a charging terminal and a heart rate and step detector with Bluetooth technology. They were distributed in three colors: black, blue or mint green. The packaging displays the word “Provata” and “Activity Tracker [color]” printed on the front cover. The activity tracker wristband can overheat while the user is wearing it or when charging, posing a burn hazard.

Call 888-343-9820, or go online at www.provatahealth.com and click on “Recall” at the top of the page for more information.

4. Stinger Insect Zappers Recalled Due to Shock Hazard Kaz has recalled its Stinger BK series Insect Zapper electric insect/mosquito zapper including the Stinger Insect Zapper (Model BK 110v3), the Stinger 3-in-1 Insect Zapper (Model BK310v3) and the Stinger 5-in-1 Insect & Mosquito Zapper (Model BK510v3). The recalled models have codes ending in YTG and “Made in China” printed on the silver label on the bottom of the product. The insect kill grid can detach inside the housing, posing a shock hazard.

Call 888-480-2880, or go online at www.Kaz.com or at www.stingerproducts.com and click on “Recall Notice” for more information.

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.

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NOVEM BER 2018

4

Hoosier Energy news

Stepping

it up!

Backup transformer continues reliability of the electric grid

There is more than meets the eye with this 283,000-pound transformer at Hoosier Energy’s coalfired power plant. This equipment is in place to stepup or boost the energy being generated at the station before it is put onto the electric grid.

But what if this vital equipment fails?

There is not a “transformer store” that the electric cooperative can go to purchase a new one on the spot. It can take as long as a year to repair or replace a piece of equipment like this. For this reason, Hoosier Energy keeps a backup on-site.

Mark Hall, a substation design engineer at Hoosier Energy, said, “It is wise and responsible to be prepared. In this case, we save time and money while increasing reliability of the grid.”

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NOVEMBER 2018

profile

Pick of the litter LIL BUB HITS THE BIG TIME

BY ELLIE SCHULER

W

hen Mike Bridavsky rescued a tiny kitten from a tool shed in rural Indiana seven years ago, he had no idea this runt of a feral litter would become one of the “most famous cats on the planet.” But Lil BUB’s wideeyed face, with her trademark stuck-out tongue, is a feline phenomenon. She has been featured on Good Morning America, BuzzFeed and Animal Planet and has more than 3 million followers on Facebook and more than 1.8 million followers on Instagram.

BUB is a “perma-kitten,” which means she will always look like a kitten. She also has an extreme case of dwarfism; her legs are disproportionally smaller than the rest of her body. Her teeth never grew in, although she can still eat wet and dry food without problems. Because she’s missing her teeth, her tongue often sticks out of her mouth. She also is a “polydactyl cat” with one extra toe on all four paws.

Noting her unusual attributes, BUB’s original owner realized she needed special care. She was passed around to different friends, never quite finding her forever home … that is, until Bridavsky met her.

“I was enamored by her. She needed someone to take care of her, and I thought, ‘well, I can help her,’” Bridavsky said. “I assumed she wouldn’t live long based on her size and unique features, and my vet agreed.”

Bridavsky brought BUB to his Bloomington home when she was eight weeks old, and she’s now seven years old.

The vet thought the kitten would only live to be a few months old.

“She’s doing very well,” Bridavsky said.

“Everything with her is always kind of a mystery. But her demeanor, well-being and spirit seem just fine.”

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After the photogenic and mild-mannered BUB became a celebrity pet around Bloomington, one of Bridavsky’s friends started imprinting her face on T-shirts.

That led to Bridavsky creating a blog so people could see photos of her.

Unexpectedly, that blog developed a cult following and led to national attention.

Bridavsky said he has never tried to perpetuate the fame, but always makes sure there’s a charitable aspect to what they do. For instance, a portion of every sale at the Lil BUB store (store.lilbub.com) goes to the cat’s fund for special needs pets.

“If my pet’s going to be famous, I want people to know her real story, what she stands for and for there to be a real purpose,” Bridavsky said. “I certainly didn’t want my beloved pet to turn into a joke on the internet. I don’t care for the fame, but I do like the ability to spread a positive message and create some fun, creative content.”

Ellie Schuler is senior communication specialist at Electric Consumer.

PHOTOS PR OVID ED BY MIKE BR ID AV S K Y

Enter to win a plush Lil BUB! See page 3 for details.

NOVEMBER 2018

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.