2016 November GCEC Florida Currents

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative

N OV E M B E R 2016

Committed to the Herd Janice Aria and Mysore, a 71-year-old retired circus performer, love on one another during feeding time at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Conservation Center for Elephants.

Read more on page 12.

Serving With Distinction PAGE 4    Lending a Hand After Hurricane Hermine PAGE 28 n

Gulf Coast

Members acknowledge that $3.96, plus actual postage, is the cost to publish 12 issues a year of Florida Currents (USPS8300). Published by Ruralite Services Inc., 5605 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—the magazine serves the communications needs of consumer-owned electric utilities in Florida. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Hillsboro, OR 97123 and at additional mailing offices.

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Tree-Trimming Program Ensures Safety, Reliability Do you live in the Crystal Lake or Fountain areas? Gulf Coast Electric will be clearing rights-of-way in those areas during November.

GCEC has about 2,600 miles of distribution line. If vegetation comes into contact with power lines, it can interfere with your electric service and cause a dangerous situation. Vegetation must be cleared from power lines to provide reliable electric service and prevent a hazardous condition.

When a person signs up to be a member of the cooperative, there is an agreement between the member and GCEC to allow right-of-way maintenance. The agreement gives GCEC the legal right to remove from the right-of-way anything that could interfere with safe, reliable electric service for all members.

The co-op realizes most people regard trees as an asset, but if the cooperative’s right-of-way clearance is not maintained, tree limbs and other growth coming into contact with power lines could increase the number of power outages.

GCEC tries to work with landowners to preserve landscaping when maintaining rights-ofway. However, federal law requires GCEC to eliminate hazardous conditions. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to bring you quality, reliable service. n

Inside

November 2016 Vol. 6, No. 1

Committed to the Herd 12

The last of the performing elephants have been retired, but are not forgotten at the Conservation Center for Elephants.

Also In This Issue Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Great Picture Hunt 18

Travel Journal 20 Festival Roundup 22 Parting Shot 30

Your utility pages: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32

NOVEMBER 2016

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Gulf Coast

Serving With Distinction Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s Frank Bailey reflects on being awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement

By Lindsay Peak

Before beginning his career at Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, Line Technician Frank Bailey served four years in the U.S. Army and two years in the Army Reserve.

“Joining the military was a spur-of-the-moment decision that turned out to be the best choice I could have made for myself,” says Frank.

He served in active duty from 2008 to 2012 and as a reservist from 2012 to 2014.

Starting off as a diesel mechanic with the rank of specialist, Frank was ambitious and demonstrated a good work ethic. That earned him notice by his superiors and led to his selection to fill a position as a CH-47D heavy lift helicopter door gunner.

Frank says the job was challenging and required motivation and drive. He describes the training process as detailed and thorough, noting soldiers must become familiar with the aircraft system, weapon system, how to engage targets while flying and air crew coordination.

Even with the pressure of learning the job in a combat zone, Frank completed his training in about a month.

Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, the knowledge and skills of Frank and his unit were often tested while flying through known enemy locations.

Frank took part in more than 20 mixed multi-ship air assault operations and flew more than 25 combat night vision goggle hours in support of International Security Assistance Forces.

He was involved in more than 20 general combat support operations that assisted in the movement of soldiers and supplies to areas only accessible by helicopter.

Specialist Bailey in his dress uniform.

Frank also provided inflight security 4

NOVEMBER 2016

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative Line Technician Frank Bailey proudly displays the Air Medal he earned while serving with the U.S. Army. Frank is one of numerous veterans working for GCEC.

while helping the crew chief maintain the aircraft.

Dedicated to every aspect of his job, Frank meticulously cared for the aircraft’s weapons and munitions to ensure his unit was ready for action. He volunteered to serve as the door gunner during training missions to allow other soldiers to prepare for combat.

Frank’s courage and dedication were honored with award of the Air Medal in August 2010.

The 16-point compass rose medal represents the global capacity of American power, the ability of the United States to wage war from the air, and the high ideals of American service members. The medal honors those serving in or with the U.S. armed forces for heroic or otherwise exceptional achievements while carrying out flight or aerial combat operations.

“I never expected to receive this medal,” Frank says. “It is the proudest moment of my entire military career.” n

Attention, High School Seniors!

Are you a college- or trade school-bound high school senior, or do you have a dependent who fits this description? Could you use help with the costs of furthering your education?

In 2017, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative will disperse $2,500 in scholarship funds to deserving high school seniors. To apply for one of the $250 scholarships, you must be an active member or a dependent of an active member of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative.

Completed applications, along with an essay of no more than 500 words and two letters of reference are due to your high school guidance department or organization representative no later than Friday, January 27, 2017. Winners will be announced in February.

Applications are available in the guidance department of the following high schools: Bay County XX A. Crawford Mosley High School XX Bay High School XX Deane Bozeman School XX Rutherford High School Calhoun County XX Altha Public School XX Blountstown High School Gulf County XX Port St. Joe High School XX Wewahitchka High School Washington County XX Chipley High School XX Vernon High School

For more information, call (800) 568-3667, email kevans@gcec.com or see your high school guidance counselor.

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Gulf Coast

Help Gulf Coast Electric Help You Please give the co-op your current information

Did you know you can help Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative personnel with the power restoration process? How? By making sure all of your account information is up to date.

Having the correct phone number listed on your account is important to our outage restoration efforts. If the automated system answers your call, enter the number listed on your account—either your cell or land line. If you call from a different number, the system won’t recognize your location, delaying our response time.

After hours, the cooperative uses its automated power outage response call handle equipment system. Our automated system is capable of answering up to 96 calls at once and can call back 30 residences at a single time to verify your power has been restored.

The system is easy to use and guides you through the outage reporting process. Information can be entered into the system using a touchtone phone or by speaking answers to the system prompts. If circumstances permit, a live operator can be accessed by staying on the line. During a multiple-outage situation, the system provides callers with a recorded list of areas where crews have been dispatched.

Please allow sufficient time for repairs before

calling GCEC to report an outage again, especially during major weather events such as tropical storms or hurricanes. GCEC employees work hard to restore electric service to members as quickly and safely as possible, but some repairs take a lot of time—especially if debris hinders their work.

During outages that follow severe storms, repairs are made in a sequence that restores service to the greatest number of members in the least amount of time. Working out from the substations, line crews concentrate on repairing the three-phase feeder lines (main lines) leading from the substations first.

The closer a home is to a substation, the sooner power will be restored to that home. Next, the first sets of breakers on a section of line are fixed. Each section is energized before crews move on to the next set of breakers, while gradually working out to the single-phase taps.

To ensure we have your correct information on file, please complete the form below. We will make sure the information on your account is correct so your power can be restored as quickly as possible after an outage. Please return the form with your electric payment or mail it to Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative; Attention Kristin Evans, P.O. Box 8370, Southport, FL 32409. n

Don’t Be Left in the Dark! Make Sure We Have Your Phone Number Our automated power outage reporting system identifies your location and other pertinent information by capturing your phone number when you call to report a problem. If we do not have your current phone number listed in our system, you will be identified as not listed, delaying our response time. Please help us by providing the information below and returning the form to GCEC. Name: Mailing address: Physical address of service location: GCEC account number: Service location phone number: Cell phone number:

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NOVEMBER 2016

Fall Back on November 6 Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before retiring for the night Saturday, November 5.

At 2 a.m. Sunday, November 6, daylight saving time ends, and the time will revert to 1 a.m.

In the 1770s, Benjamin Franklin was the first to discuss the idea of a time change after he woke up early one morning to find the sun already shining bright. Not until 1915, when British builder William Willett revisited the idea, was it taken into consideration.

Germany was the first to adopt the time change, followed by Britain.

Eventually, during World War I, parts of Europe, Canada and the United States jumped on board.

After the wars, the states in the U.S. were free to choose whether to observe daylight saving time and the calendar start dates of the time change.

The result was time confusion.

In 1966, the U.S. enacted the Uniform Time Act, making any state that participated in daylight saving time start and end on the same day.

Through the years, the start and end date has changed several times, most recently in 2005, when the Energy Policy Act was passed.

Now, daylight saving time begins on

the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November.

The reason for observing daylight saving time is because the sun rises earlier in the spring and summer months, giving you more daylight during the evening hours. In the fall, the exact opposite happens, so we set our clocks back to gain an extra hour of sunlight in the morning.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, daylight saving time decreases the country’s electricity use 1 percent each day.

The use of energy and demand for electricity for lighting homes is related directly to the times people go to bed and rise. Daylight saving time saves energy for lighting in all seasons, but saves the least amount during the four darkest months of the year: November, December, January and February.

With clocks set back, it gets darker earlier, making it a challenge to complete outdoor tasks.

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative can help by offering a variety of outdoor lighting options. Choose which best fits your needs.

For more information on lighting options, please contact one of our offices or access the necessary paperwork at www.gcec.com. n

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Gulf Coast

Help Reduce the Demand for Electricity Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s H2O Plus program can dramatically reduce the demand for electricity. But we need your participation.

Using energy wisely has never been easier. A device that allows our power supplier to cycle your unit for short periods is installed on your electric water heater.

By managing energy use when demand is high—when you and your neighbors use the most electricity—our supplier can reduce demand when electricity is most expensive, putting off the need to build facilities to generate more power, alleviating or postponing those costs.

An added benefit is the

Gulf Coast Electric Co-op Contributes Funds to Buy New Band Uniforms Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative recently donated $3,000 to Wewahitchka High School for band uniforms. According to Gulf County Superintendent of Schools Jim Norton, the school band has not had uniforms in a decade. The cooperative’s contribution will wrap up the band’s fundraising efforts for the new uniforms.

Pictured, from left, are Brooke Wooten, Gulf County School Board member, District 2; GCEC Board President Waylon Graham, District II, Group 1 trustee; Doug Birmingham, GCEC District II, Group 2 trustee; Jim Norton, Gulf County Superintendent of Schools; Jay Bidwell, Wewahitchka High School principal; and GCEC Board Secretary Eddie Jones, District II, Group 3 trustee.

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reduction of greenhouse gases, which helps the environment.

You still will have enough hot water for showers and household chores. You shouldn’t even notice a difference in the availability of hot water.

For more information, please call GCEC Energy Services Representative Manuela Heyn. She will take your information and, after ensuring the program is a good fit for your household, schedule someone to come to your home and install the device at no cost to you.

For your participation, GCEC will make a one-time $25 credit to your electric bill.

We look forward to hearing from you soon. n

Three Locations to Serve You XX

Southport 9434 Highway 77 (850) 265-3631; (800) 568-3667

XX

Wewahitchka 722 W. Highway 22 (850) 639-2216; (800) 333-9392

XX

Panama City 6243 E. Highway 98 (850) 481-1188

Gulf  Coast

Trading Post For Rent Horse barn with five stalls, paddock and about 4 acres of pasture in Wewahitchka, one block from the old courthouse. Lease by the stall, with discount for multiple horses. (740) 334-0341.

Three-bedroom, two-bath home in Lynn Haven.

2,000+ square feet on a dead-end street with cathedral ceilings in the living room, fireplace, separate dining room, large eat-in kitchen, twocar garage and a large privacy-fenced backyard with weeping willows and banana trees. $1,495 a month. (850) 271-0289.

For Sale Totem pole. Hand carved and painted in Indonesia. Great shape (has been kept inside).

Cut to fit and display in a corner. 8 feet tall. $45.

(850) 773-1970.

Miniature donkeys. Jacks and Jennys, black, brown, gray and paints. All ages. $300 and up.

Make great pets. Also standard donkeys. Betty, (850) 899-7424.

Quarter horses. Ride well on trails, gentle, good for lessons. (850) 773-1957.

La-Z-Boy couch and chair. Manually recline with patterned cloth material in good condition.

Couch is 80 inches long and chair is 33 inches wide. $300 for both. (228) 209-2445.

Discontinued Noritake China. Casual Gourmet.

Gourmet Garden pattern: 6 dinner plates, 4 salad plates, 4 rim cereal bowls, 4 coffee mugs, 1 round serving bowl, 1 oblong serving bowl and 1 teapot. A variety of flower designs on the set.

A $425 value on Replacements, Ltd. website.

Asking $225. (850) 227-6336.

2014 Kodiak Dutchmen. 200QB. Loaded. Average National Automobile Dealers Association value is $20,965, will take $12,950. (850) 871-5278.

and dryer, showerheads, weather-stripping, curtain rods, blinds, etc. (850) 722-4619 or (850) 596-2788 or email proactivems@outlook.com for more details and free estimates.

build. Quiet and peaceful; no neighbors. Deeded restrictions. Underground utilities, deep well and many fruit trees. $69,900. (850) 648-4214.

Complete home maintenance service: replace all filters, clean A/C coils, flush water heater, clean dryer vent, clean drains, lubricate all hinges, locks and doors. Inspect all home equipment including fireplace, fire extinguisher, garage door opener/motor, well pump, and sprinkler system.

Free estimates. (850) 722-4619 or (850) 596-2788 or email proactivems@outlook.com for details.

13 acres on the Intercoastal Waterway. Property is quiet, secluded, with water deep enough to dock a boat, great fishing and within minutes of the beach. Property has been subdivided into four lots and can be purchased together or separately. One lot has a camp with well and septic already on it. (850) 648-4214

Real Estate 3.45-acre lot with 115 feet on the Intercoastal Waterway. About 115 feet runs along Wetappo Creek. Beautiful, quiet and secluded property close to the beach. Water is deep enough to dock a boat of any size. $199,000. (850) 648-4214.

Two- or three-bedroom cabin. About 1,200 square feet with large screened porch. 150 feet on West Arm Creek in Meeks subdivision. (850) 271-9040.

½-acre corner lot. (850) 639-2220.

Two cleared adjoining lots. 50x135 feet each, near post office and stores in Fountain. Highest offer will be considered. Call (850) 387-3214.

No text messages.

Wanted Donated or reasonably priced treadmill for a disability patient for rehab. Would be a blessing.

(850) 773-1970.

FSBO. Two adjacent lots, about 2.5 acres on paved road, 10 miles north of Wewahitchka, 45 minutes from beaches. Borders the Chipola River and Cypress Creek. Cleared and ready to

Trading Post is a FREE service to members of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative.

GCEC reserves the right to edit or reject ads. PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY OR TYPE. Please circle the category that applies: For Rent

For Sale

Real Estate

Free

Miscellaneous

Trade

Wanted

Items:

2013 20-foot Carolina Skiff DS Fun Chaser boat.

Aluminum/stainless steel composite. 150hp Honda with 70 hours. Aluminum trailer and cover. $26,900. (850) 871-5278.

Poulan riding lawn mower. 42 inches, 17HP. $650.

As is. You pick up. Cash only. (850) 763-6112.

Miscellaneous Third-generation old-world custom wood worker. Can build kitchens, furniture and remodel homes. Many references available. Call (850) 867-7480 for estimate.

Home service installations: child protection devices, pet doors, closet and garage shelving/ organizers, flat-screen TV mounts, surround sound, surveillance equipment, digital thermostats, whole-house water filters, washer

Name: Address: City:

Phone:

Mail your ad to: The Trading Post; Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative; P.O. Box 8370; Southport, FL 32409; return with your electric payment; or email ad information to tradingpost@gcec.com. ** Due to press deadlines, please expect up to 60 days from submission for your advertisement to appear.

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Gulf Coast

Light Out? We Need to Know Streetlights make our roadways and sidewalks safer for vehicles and pedestrians. An outdoor light on your property also can provide a sense of security and keep you from fumbling for your keys in the dark. However, these benefits can’t be realized if a light is inoperative. If you know of a malfunctioning outdoor light in our service territory, please let us know so that we can make sure it is repaired. When reporting a light out, please provide: XX

The specific street address where the light is located.

XX

A description of where the light is located on the property.

XX

A description of the nature of the malfunction of the light.

XX

Sufficient contact information, including your name, address, telephone number, GCEC account number and email address so cooperative personnel can contact you with any questions.

We appreciate your help. Safe, reliable service. That’s our promise.

To report an outdoor light that is inoperative or malfunctioning, call: Panama City (850) 481-1188

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NOVEMBER 2016

Southport (850) 265-3631 (800) 568-3667

Wewahitchka (850) 639-2216 (800) 333-9392

Gulf Coast

GCEC Lends a Hand After Hurricane Hermine While Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s service territory was spared from the worst of Hurricane Hermine, our cooperative neighbors to the east experienced extensive damage. Wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour knocked down power lines and trees, causing extended power outages.

A group of GCEC employees left for Tallahassee on September 2 to help Talquin Electric Cooperative restore power to its service territory.

Chris Melvin, Cole Barfield, Isaac Madrid, Jason Curry, Jeremy Horton, TJ Davis and Will Coatney volunteered to make the trip.

“Even though we are in an advanced state of technology from reading meters remotely and reporting outages via a smartphone, there will always be one thing that cannot be replaced, and that is the hardworking effort of committed employees,” GCEC CEO Michael White said of the employees who volunteered to go to Tallahassee.

TEC provides electricity to about 53,000 members in Gadsden, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties.

After taking a hard hit from the storm, close to 39,000 TEC members were without electricity. GCEC worked with TEC and several other 28

NOVEMBER 2016

Volunteering to help neighboring Talquin Electric Cooperative with repairs to its system were, from left, Isaac Madrid, Cole Barfield, Will Coatney, Jason Curry, TJ Davis, Jeremy Horton and Chris Melvin.

Chris begins repairs, grounding the line. It is marked with a red flag to alert other crews not to heat the line back up.

cooperative crews removing trees and debris, and repairing lines and equipment. Once most of the service territory was repaired and restored, GCEC employees returned home on September 8.

“GCEC was blessed during

Isaac ties the neutral back in on a VA1 after a tree fell and broke the primary and neutral lines.

the latest hurricane; however, some of our sister cooperatives received enormous damage,” White said. “GCEC was able to send crews to Tallahassee to assist Talquin in their time of need. That is the cooperative way of doing business and

what separates member-owned utilities from all the others.

“As an employee of your electric cooperative, we take our responsibilities seriously.

I am proud of our employees and their contributions to the Talquin members.” n

Mekena Taunton, left, and Rebecca Daniels visited the sites in Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas during their weeklong trip to the nation’s capital in June. Among the stops was the White House.

Get Ready for Youth Tour 2017 Attention, high school juniors. Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative is recruiting students for the 2017 Washington Youth Tour competition.

High school juniors whose parents are members of the cooperative are eligible to participate.

Each student nominated for the competition wins a T-shirt and a two-day trip to Tallahassee to tour the state capital. Applicants participate in a 10-minute interview with three judges, who choose two students to travel on the all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in June.

After the judging, students and their families are invited to a banquet, where the winners are revealed.

Applications are available from the high schools and civic organizations listed at right.

For more information, see your guidance counselor, or contact GCEC at (800) 568-3667 ext. 3002 or kevans@gcec.com. n

Civic Organizations hh Blountstown Woman’s Club hh Dalkeith Volunteer Fire Department

hh Wewahitchka Search and Rescue hh Wewahitchka Volunteer Fire Department hh Wewahitchka Woman’s Club

hh Ebro Volunteer Fire Department

hh White City Volunteer Fire Department

hh Greenhead Volunteer Fire Department

High Schools

hh Howard Creek Volunteer Fire Department

hh A. Crawford Mosley High School

hh Kinard Volunteer Fire Department

hh Altha Public School

hh Mossy Pond Volunteer Fire Department

hh Blountstown High School

hh Overstreet Volunteer Fire Department

hh Chipley High School

hh Sand Hills Volunteer Fire Department

hh Deane Bozeman School

hh Scotts Ferry Volunteer Fire Department

hh Port St. Joe High School

hh Stone Mill Creek Volunteer Fire Department

hh Rutherford High School

hh Wetappo Creek Volunteer Fire Department

hh Vernon High School

hh Wewahitchka Ambulance Service

hh Wewahitchka High School

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FL-154

Offices 722 West Highway 22 P. O. Box 220 Wewahitchka, FL 32465 (850) 639-2216 or (800) 333-9392

9434 Highway 77 P. O. Box 8370 Southport, FL 32409 (850) 265-3631 or (800) 568-3667 6243 East Highway 98 Panama City, FL 32404 Phone: (850) 481-1188 www.gcec.com

CEO/General Manager Michael E. White

Trustees President Waylon Graham Vice President Jimmy Black Secretary Eddie Jones Treasurer Rupert Brown Doug Birmingham Robert Byrd Gary Cox Kinneth Daniels Betty Moore Trustees normally meet the third Tuesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. CST. The board meets at the Wewahitchka office in even-numbered months (February, April, June, August, October and December) and the Southport office in odd-numbered months (January, March, May, July, September and November).

The mission of GCEC: Fulfilling the changing needs of our membership and communities by providing cost effective, reliable and safe utility services through a dedicated and responsive workforce.

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GCEC President’s Message

Co-ops Drive Democracy It has been said those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. It is easy to take our right to vote for granted, maybe because there are so many opportunities to exercise that right. There are national, state and local elections for political offices. There are elections for social or other civic organizations.

If you own stock, you are asked to vote in those elections.

It is understandable that “election fatigue” can take hold.

As we head into the final stage of what has been a divisive national election, it is a good time to remember that elections don’t have to be about name-calling and bitterness.

Co-ops can and do play a role in cultivating a civil society Waylon Graham where people can practice democracy at the local level. As a member of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, you have the right to run for the board of directors. Even if you choose not to exercise that level of participation, you should feel empowered to reach out to board members and candidates.

Although the beauty of belonging to a co-op is every member has a voice, you must use that voice if you want to be heard on the issues that matter to you. In its document, “A Blueprint for a Cooperative Decade,” the International Cooperative Alliance—a global organization made up of co-ops from more than 100 countries—identified member participation as one of the five key ingredients for a co-op to be successful.

Voting and being actively involved in the affairs of the co-op are key ways members can participate. Take the time to get to know candidates running for GCEC’s board.

Seek ways you can help spread the word about the good work your co-op does.

The cooperative business model is a great one; it fosters engagement and creates strong communities. More than 100 years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt recognized this value when he said, “The cooperative is the best plan of organization.

Under this plan, every business is (governed by a board), every person has one vote and only one vote. Everyone gets profits based on their use of the co-op. It develops individual responsibility and has a moral as well as a financial value.”

Those words are truer today than ever before. Let your voice be heard. Take the time to participate in all the elections. n

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative offices will be closed on Friday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day, and on Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25, in observance of Thanksgiving. We thank our veterans for their service, commitment and heroism. For all of this and so much more, we salute you!