2014 November Daviess-Martin County REMC Newsletter

NEWS FROM YOUR COOPERATI www.dmremc.com CONTACT US

Daviess-Martin County REMC TOLL FREE

800-762-7362

GENERAL MANAGER

Ken Frye

OFFICE HOURS

7:30 a.m.– 4 p.m., Monday-Friday STREET ADDRESS

12628 E 75 N, Loogootee, IN 47553 MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 430, Loogootee, IN 47553 SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS

To report an outage or emergency, call 812-295-4200 or 800-7627362 day or night.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dean Harrawood, PRESIDENT John Edwards, VICE PRESIDENT August Bauer, SECRETARY Michael E. Arvin, TREASURER Terry Chapman Dale Marchino Steve Streepy BILL PAYMENT OPTIONS

Online bill payment Budget billing Auto bank draft Drive-through window Night depository Credit card payment (VISA, Discover and MasterCard accepted) Pay-by-phone MISSION STATEMENT

“Our mission is to provide dependable electricity and quality services for our members at reasonable cost.”

Like us on Facebook www.Facebook.com/Daviess MartinCountyREMC

TIP OF THE MONTH

Lower water heating costs

To save energy this month, try lowering your water heating costs. Water heating accounts for 14 to 25 percent of the energy you consume. Turn the water heater’s temperature to the warm setting, which is around 120 F. This will save energy — and help you save on your monthly bill.

— U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

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Showing appreciation for members November is here again and that means the holidays are just around the corner. It seems incredible a year has flown past us already.

Cold weather returns to the Hoosier state, ushering in thoughts of the holiKEN FRYE day season ahead. Our free moments become more and more filled with anticipation of our Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

We plan time to honor our servicemen and women, visit with family and friends, decide what gifts to buy, what kinds of food to prepare, and take part in the many other traditions of the season.

We look forward to the holidays and the traditions that have become part of our lives each year. We anticipate gathering to celebrate the season with family and friends, experiencing the many joys it brings, and, over the years, sharing the memories of these holidays with those closest to us.

It seams no coincidence the holiday season comes as each year draws to a close, reminding us to be thankful for the many good things in our lives and to reflect on the importance of the people around us.

As a member-owner of Daviess-Martin County REMC, you are important to your electric co-op. As a member of our coop-

Daviess-Martin County REMC members enjoy lunch at our Member Appreciation Day, Thursday, Oct. 9. The event is held in October to celebrate National Cooperative Month. Members in attendance were entered to win four bill credits.

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“ As a member of our cooperative family, you can be sure now and throughout the year, we are doing everything possible to look out for your interests. In each decision made, we are always looking out for you.” erative family, you can be sure now and throughout the year, we are doing everything possible to look out for your interests. In each decision made, we are always looking out for you.

In celebration of National Co-op Month and to show our appreciation for our members, Daviess-Martin County REMC hosted Member Appreciation Day at the co-op on Thursday, Oct. 9.

Approximately 200 members enjoyed a lunch of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, chips, cookies and soft drinks. Each member received an insulated bag and lantern and a chance to win one of four $25 bill credits in a drawing. Winners of the bill credits were Monty Gregory, Carol Crays and Perry Graber of Loogootee, and Wilmer Lengacher of Montgomery.

KEN FRYE is general manager of Daviess-Martin County REMC.

IVE Time of use rate option available Daviess-Martin County REMC members can take advantage of lower rates with our time-of-use rate option.

Members who are conscious of energy use and are willing to adjust some daily routines can sign up for an off-peak rate of 7.3 cents per kilowatt-hour.

The program is designed to help with peak shaving, a process which reduces the amount of energy purchased from a utility company during peak hours when the charges are highest. For our cooperative, the targeted hours for reducing peak vary by season.

Winter on-peak hours, as they are termed, will be 6-9 a.m. and 6-9 p.m., Monday through Friday, from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28 or 29, depending on the calendar year. All other times are considered off-peak hours.

The same is true for summer. On-peak hours are 2-8 p.m., Monday through Friday, from June 1 to Aug. 31. All

CO-OP NEWS & NOTES

other times are off-peak hours.

The months of March, April, May, September, October and November are considered shoulder months — months when demand is naturally reduced under moderate conditions. All times during those months are offpeak hours.

Members interested in learning more about the costsaving program can contact Manager of Marketing Mark Belcher at 812-295-4200 during office hours. See rates below.

WINTER (December, January, February) On-peak: 23.5 cents per kWh Off-peak: 7.3 cents per kWh SUMMER (June, July, August) On-peak: 29 cents per kWh Off-peak: 7.3 cents per kWh SHOULDER (September, October, November, March, April, May) Off-peak: 7.3 cents per kWh

‘Win! Win! Win!’

Each month, Daviess-Martin County REMC asks our readers three questions to which the answers can be found in the articles of Electric Consumer. Follow these simple rules: 1.) Clip the coupon along the dotted line. 2.) Fill it out. 3.) Return it to our office with your monthly payment before the 20th of the month. (Delinquent payments are not eligible.)

Each month a winner will be drawn from the entries submitted. Make sure you bring or mail in your most recent coupon, as the coupons are dated monthly. Members with automatic payment accounts will be entered in the contest as well. Copies will not be accepted, and coupons are not available at the office! Winners will be notified and their names published in the following monthly issue of Electric Consumer. SEPTEMBER WINNER: Cline Grain,

Do we owe you capital credits?

A list of unclaimed capital credits can be found on the Daviess-Martin County REMC website at www.dmremc. com. We ask that you review this list and if you are named, or are the legal heir of someone named on this list, follow the procedures to claim your money. A claim form is included on the website. Questions may be directed to Sue Graber, 812-295-4200 or 800-762-7362.

Photo contest entries due Nov. 7

Daviess-Martin County REMC is seeking entries for the annual report cover photo contest. The winning photo will be featured as the cover of the 2014 annual report.

In addition, the first place winner will receive a check for $50. Second and third place winners each will receive a $25 check. Springtime pictures are preferred. A brief description of where the photo was taken, your name, address, telephone and account numbers must be submitted with the photo. Photos that include people must have written consent for publication. All entries must be submitted by Nov. 7, to our office at 12628 E 75 N, Loogootee, or mailed to P.O. Box 430, Loogootee, IN 47553.

Contact us at 800-762-7362 with any questions.

GPS data collection

Daviess-Martin County REMC and Alpha Engineering will be collecting GPS information for poles, transformers, security lights and meters supplied from the Loogootee Substation. This primarily includes areas surrounding Loogootee and Montgomery. The trucks will be labeled, and employees will be wearing shirts with company logos.

$50 MONTHLY DRAWING (FOR BILLS DATED NOV. 5; PAID BY NOV. 20)

1. For Indiana’s Electric Cooperative Community Day, Daviess-Martin County REMC employees worked at ________________ __________________________.

2. The deadline for entries for the Annual Report Cover Photo Contest is ______________ _________.

3. Every time you open the oven door to check on your dish, the temperature is reduced by as much as ______________________ degrees.

NAME: ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________________________________ ACCOUNT NO.: ________________________________ PHONE NO.: ______________________________________

Loogootee

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Daviess-Martin County REMC News

Serving our COMMUNITY Daviess-Martin County REMC takes part in statewide ‘day of service’ initiative

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ndiana’s electric cooperatives hosted the inaugural “Indiana’s Electric Cooperative Community Day” on Friday, Oct. 10. Twenty-eight of Indiana’s electric cooperatives completed projects that met a specific need within their service area.

Daviess-Martin County REMC employees, left to right, Rob Powell, Mark Working side-by-side, Indiana’s electric coopEdwards and Tony Massie work at Camp Illiana during Indiana’s Electric eratives demonstrated one of the core cooperative Cooperative Community Day. principles: concern for community. Nearly 50 unique Each individual cooperative focused on a need in its service projects were completed in a single day. This community.

Daviess-Martin County REMC worked on a initiative provided the cooperatives the opportunity to use lighting upgrade project to improve energy efficiency at their time, skills and expertise to make a positive impact Camp Illiana, a Christian-based summer camp in Daviess throughout the state of Indiana.

County that is served by the cooperative.

“Investing in the communities we serve is at the fore“A cooperative’s very reason for existing is to serve front of everything we do,” said Rick Coons, chief executive its community.

Daviess-Martin County REMC takes its officer of Indiana Electric Cooperatives. “Indiana’s Electric responsibility as a trusted member of this community Cooperative Community Day provided us with the opporseriously and is committed to being a benefit to those we tunity to work in tandem toward a single goal of making an serve,” said Ken Frye, general manager of Daviess-Martin impact on our state.”

County REMC. In addition to Community Day, Indiana’s electric cooperatives are involved with philanthropic activities throughout the state of Indiana and beyond. In the summer of 2012, 28 electric cooperative linemen and two executives completed one of the largest international endeavors undertaken by U.S. electric cooperatives by constructing 20 miles of electric distribution line in a remote area of Guatemala. The lines constructed as part of the “Hoosiers Power the World” project now provide power to three communities.

Indiana’s electric cooperatives have also been a proud supporter of the Ronald McDonald House since 2006. The cooperatives’ commitment and long-standing tradition of giving back to the community is a cornerstone of their — KEN FRYE, GENERAL MANAGER, DAVIESS-MARTIN COUNTY REMC foundation. …

“A cooperative’s very reason for existing is to serve its community.

Daviess-Martin County REMC takes its responsibility as a trusted member of this community seriously and is committed to being a benefit to those we serve.”

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Unwrap energy savings this winter

BY AMBER BENTLEY

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he holidays are upon us! It’s that special time of year when we spend a great deal of time with friends and family, either in the kitchen or out and about shopping for the perfect gift. As you find yourself wrapped up in the holiday excitement, Daviess-Martin County REMC reminds you of a few ways to be energy efficient during this busy time of year.

Efficient shopping k Purchase LED holiday lights. A string of traditional lights uses 36 watts of power and a string of LED lights only uses 5 watts.

They can even last up to 10 times longer! k Ask for Energy Star-rated TVs and appliances. The standbymode is lower and the device will use less energy overall. k Combine errands to reduce the number of small trips. To-do lists seem to pile up around this time of the year. Several short trips in the winter can use twice as much fuel as one longer trip covering the same distance as all of the shorter ones.

Cooking efficiently k Be kind to your oven. Every time you open the oven door to

check on that dish, the temperature inside is reduced by as much as 25 degrees. This forces the oven to use more energy in order to get back to the proper cooking temperature. Try keeping the door closed as much as possible. Also, remember to take advantage of residual heat for the last five to 10 min-

utes of baking time. If you’re using a ceramic or glass dish, you can typically set your oven 25 degrees lower than stated, since these items hold more heat than metal pans. k Give your burners some relief. The metal reflectors under your stovetop burners should always be clean. If not, this will prevent your stove from working as effectively as it should. k Utilize small appliances. During the holidays, the main appliances used are the oven and stovetop. Try using your slow cooker, microwave, toaster oven or warming plate often.

Home efficiency k Take advantage of heat from the sun. Open your curtains

during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home; close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows. k Find and seal all air leaks. Check areas near pipes and around chimneys, doors, windows and unfinished places. k Maintain your heating system. Schedule services for your heating system before it gets too cold to find out what maintenance you may need to keep it operating efficiently. k Eliminate “vampire energy” waste. When you are not using an appliance or an electronic device, unplug it. Power strips are a good investment. …

AMBER BENTLEY writes on energy efficiency issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

Seven Operation Round Up grants awarded locally

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he Daviess-Martin REMC Community Fund, Inc. recently awarded grants to the following organizations: Martin County Toy Store: $1,500 to provide gifts for children in Martin County whose parents and grandparents are in need of assistance; Hope House: $1,500 to purchase ground beef for families in need during two winter months.

Daviess Community Stroke Awareness

Theresa Showalter, REMC administrative assistant, right, presents a check to Curt Johnson, Martin County Toy Store chairman, and Pam Loughmiller, co-chair.

Team: $1,500 to provide blood pressure screening stations to two locations in the community and stroke awareness education and screening tools to raise awareness of, and provide free access to, blood pressure monitoring for individuals at high risk for stroke.

Mustering Elm Park: $1,000 to help purchase a mower and utility trailer for park maintenance.

Daviess County Partnership, Inc.: $1,500 to support Jubilee Christmas, a holiday assistance program for Daviess County. Jubilee Christmas serves families with children ages 15 and under that need help providing Christmas presents for their children.

Student Ministry of New Hope Christian Church: $1,000 to provide funds for 5th Quarter, a community outreach held at the Armory after home football games targeted to 7th-12th graders, offering a drug-free, safe option for socializing.

Still Waters Restoration Center, Inc.: $1,500 for assistance in refurbishing necessary household items for women and children living in the safe shelter home. …

The Daviess-Martin County REMC office will be closed Nov. 10, in honor of Veterans Day, and Nov. 27 and 28, for Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving from the employees and directors of Daviess-Martin County REMC!

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