from the editor
Dressed for success Regular readers of my column won’t be surprised by this revelation: I like
VOLUME 68 • NUMBER 4 ISSN 0745-4651 • USPS 262-340 Published monthly by:
to dress up for Halloween. If I’m confident enough to show 274,000 readers what I look like in clown makeup (see August issue), of course I’m game to wear a silly costume to work! For years, the Electric Consumer staff took top “group costume” honors at the annual office Halloween party and pitchin. The party had always been cohosted by Indiana Electric Cooperatives and Wabash Valley Power Association, which for years shared the office building with us. Our award-winning costumes were always handmade, utilizing lots of creativity but very little — if any — money. One year we were the components of “s’mores.” (See above.) I wore a cardboard placard hand colored to look like a graham cracker. Others were dressed as a chocolate bar and a marshmallow. We made our grand entrance in sequential order (cracker, chocolate, marshmallow, cracker), followed by a Boy Scout with a skewer and a costumed depiction of fire. Another year, we recreated the iconic scene from “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” in which the Peanuts gang go trick or treating. All it took were white sheets and a few props. In a nod to the popularity of social media, we were “social butterflies” several Halloweens ago, wearing garb to represent Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest — and butterfly wings. What will we dress up as this year? I’ve already got my thinking cap on and scissors, markers and glue gun ready. Let the fun begin! (BTW — another office Halloween party tradition is my famous “BOO-ffalo Chicken Dip.” Email me if you want my recipe, a perennial crowd favorite!)
EMILY SCHILLING Editor eschilling@electricconsumer.org On the menu: January — Instant Pot recipes: deadline Oct. 12. 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: Win your own Lil Bub! We’re giving away a plush toy
version of the adorable kitty featured in this issue. Tell us why you love Lil Bub and you’ll be entered to win her likeness. Deadline to enter is Oct. 15.
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.
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 317-487-2220 ec@ElectricConsumer.org ElectricConsumer.org INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFICERS Gary Gerlach President Walter Hunter Vice President Randy Kleaving Secretary/Treasurer Tom VanParis Chief Executive Officer 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. 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.
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