2016 July GCEC Florida Currents

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative

J U LY 2016

Preservation Through Education David Gieger, a volunteer for Seacrest Wolf Preserve, joins Echo, a young female of the Brat Pack, in her habitat. To learn more about the largest wolf preserve in the southeastern United States, see page 4.

PHOTO BY KRISTIN EVANS

$100 Credit Winners PAGE 8 Graduates Awarded Scholarships PAGE 28 n

Gulf Coast

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Inside

July 2016 Vol. 5, No. 9

An Obsession With Collections 12

Whether motivated by sentimental attachment or potential financial gain, it is in our nature to collect.

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

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Gulf Coast

Preservation Through Education Seacrest promotes respect for and understanding of the role endangered wolves play in the ecosystem

By Kristin Evans

When you think about what draws visitors to our area, you probably start with the world’s most beautiful beaches—and with good reason. However, you may not realize our area also is home to the largest wolf preserve in the southeastern United States.

Seacrest Wolf Preserve— which offers an opportunity to connect with wolves—attracts visitors from around the world. It covers more than 430 acres, with nature trails and T.J. Davis pets Forrest. Visitors are allowed to touch the wolves. spring-fed ponds and lakes. conservation,” says Cynthia. “The future It is licensed by the state of Florida of wolves is bleak due to their removal and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. from the Endangered Species Act. Other The 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation laws have also been removed, which is organization was founded in 1999 by Cynthia and Wayne Watkins on The Oaks leading to their abuse and death.

Farm in Washington County to bring “They are a tormented and misunderstood species, but by participating in our greater understanding of and respect for tours, myths can be dispelled. It is our wolves and their role in the ecosystem. prayer that our visitors will leave with “Our goal is to raise the awareness of an inspiration to join us in our efforts to our visitors to the urgent needs of wolf keep the wild alive by speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Seacrest Wolf Preserve offers wolf encounter tours every Saturday yearround. Gates open at 11 a.m., with the 21/2- to 3-hour guided walking tour beginning at 1 p.m.

Visitors enter into large, natural habitats that are home to gray, Arctic and British Columbian wolves.

The tour includes a small animal adventure in which visitors can feed the raccoons, hug a skunk and play with foxes. They also meet Pacos, the coyote, and Billie, the groundhog.

Fees are $25 for adults (12 and older) and $15 for children ages 6 through 11.

Children younger than 6 are not allowed in the wolf enclosures.

Cynthia Watkins, who co-founded the preserve with her husband, Wayne, gives the Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative crew a brief tour during a break from their work setting poles for a pavilion at the preserve.

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Continues on page 6

Forrest, a gray wolf, gives Jeremy Horton a special thank you, as T.J. Davis strokes the wolf’s chest. According to Cynthia, wolves are able to sense those who help them and respond accordingly.

Lending a Helping Hand Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative partnered with Seacrest Wolf Preserve on construction of a pavilion to serve as a gathering place for events.

A four-man crew drilled holes and set eight poles for the structure, which will provide shade during warmer months and keep in heat from a stone fireplace during colder months.

“We would like to give a special thanks to this wonderful group and power company who gave their time and effort to support the important work of Seacrest and wolf and wildlife conservation,” said Cynthia.

Seacrest Wolf Preserve offers a unique opportunity for visitors to join the wolves in their habitat. Wolf ambassadors Echo, Canyon and Forrest are pictured with Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative crew members, from left, Jeremy Horton, T.J. Davis, Chad Creamer and Will Coatney.

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Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative crew members Will Coatney, Chad Creamer, T.J. Davis and Jeremy Horton drill a hole, right, and set eight poles, above, for a hexagon-shaped pavilion at Seacrest Wolf Preserve.

Preservation Through Education Continues from page 5

No bare legs or arms, open-toed shoes or cell phones are allowed on the tour.

Photography opportunities are available.

Private bookings for field trips, group tours, special events and VIP tours are available during the week. Appointments are required for all events and tours, and are based on availability.

The preserve also features concessions, a picnic area, a camping area with shower facilities (primitive as well as electric hookups) and a wildlife gift shop with apparel, jewelry and toys.

Gift certificates with no expiration date are available to cover tours, gift shop 6

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purchases and photos.

All Seacrest wolves and small animals are available for “adoption” through onetime and monthly sponsorships. Details are on the preserve’s website.

The preserve also offers an opportunity to give back through volunteerism.

Labor-intensive work requiring adult volunteers is scheduled seven days a week.

If interested in volunteering, please call the preserve. n For more information, visit www.seacrestwolf preserve.org, email seacrestwolfpack@yahoo.com or like Seacrest Wolf Preserve Inc. on Facebook.

To make an appointment for a tour, call (850) 773-2897.

Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast Electric Employee and Trustee News Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative is proud to announce staffing changes and honors.

Chris Melvin, a graduate of Cottondale High School, was Chris Melvin hired as a line technician.

Two employees were promoted to new positions.

Chad Brackin was named supervisor of service for the Southport district.

He has worked for the cooperative since 2000, and previously held the positions of lead line technician; crew leader for the overhead, service and underground departments; and foreman.

Chad is a graduate of Chipley High School and completed the TVPPA Lineman Apprenticeship Program. He is certified in voltage regulation and

Chad Brackin

Shannon Burton

TWACS metering, and has attended metering and switching training.

Shannon Burton was promoted to supervisor of member services.

She has worked for the cooperative since June 2007 and previously held the positions of cashier/receptionist and member service representative.

Shannon is a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and Northwood University. She completed the Continuum Customer Service Training Program.

Waylon Graham, District II Group

Waylon Graham, right, is recognized for his service to the PowerSouth Energy Board of Trustees by PowerSouth President and CEO Gary Smith.

I trustee and president of the GCEC board, was recognized for his service to the PowerSouth Energy Cooperative Board of Trustees. He served from 20122015 and was on the Engineering and Operations Committee. n

Co-op Visits Deer Point Elementary Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative participated in Deer Point Elementary School’s career day. Students who stopped by the GCEC booth listened to crew members Chad Brackin and Jacob O’Bryan, who demonstrated safety equipment, tools and the bucket truck. The presentation concluded with students receiving GCEC goodies. The cooperative is committed to providing electrical safety information to the communities it serves.

Above, students practice picking up coins while wearing rubber gloves. The exercise shows students the skill it takes to perform tedious work while wearing required safety equipment. Left, students realize using some of the linemen tools is not as easy as it looks.

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Gulf  Coast

$100 Credit Winners Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative used a mail-in ballot system for registration and voting at the 68th Annual Members’ Meeting in April.

In appreciation for taking the time to vote, $5 was credited to the account of each member who returned a ballot.

All of those members were entered into a drawing for 10 $100 bill credits.

Pictured are the lucky winners of the $100 drawing. n

Mrs. and Mr. Howard Bissonnette

Ronald Harper

Lana Harrison

Cody Mount

Cleve Pridgeon

Ralph Ranew

Nick Rivera

Donna Vann

Not pictured: June Hunter and Jason Sander.

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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.

Garage, ceiling fans and inside laundry room.

On a cul-de-sac with a wooded area behind the backyard. Lease/purchase possible. $1,035 a month. (850) 271-0289.

For Sale One pair of ATV loading ramps, aluminum, used twice, $45. Also tailgater Dish Network satellite in excellent condition, $150. (850) 529-8958.

Above-ground swimming pool. 24'x18', new liner and rails, two-speed pump and vacuum system. $500. (850) 819-3771.

14 ft. 1974 Queen CFT with 30 Yamaha motor, trailer and trolling motor. Asking $1,500. (850) 348-0138 or (850) 381-4027.

Guns N’ Roses pinball machine in perfect condition. $4,400. (850) 814-1162.

Shop Rider wheelchair in excellent condition., $500 OBO. Footrest, captain seat, adjustable arms and headrest, new batteries, battery charger, antitip, complete service in December 2014. Chair weight 164 lbs. Holds up to 300 lbs. Overall length 38", width 22", height 40". Maximum speed 5 mph; can go 18-20 miles on a standard charge.

Must be able to pick up. (850) 814-8899.

Like-new 2015 22 ft. Passport Ultra Lite Keystone.

Murphy queen bed, couch, full bath, flat TV/AM/ FM/CD/DVD, electric awning and jack. Can be seen at 1803 Marvin Ave. in Port St. Joe. Priced below NADA at $15,500. (850) 229-6694.

Twin size hand-crafted, solid wood captain’s bed. Six storage drawers underneath. Like new, excellent condition. $300. (850) 693-4791.

Sago palms starting at $10; any size available.

(850) 532-2691.

Chicken feeder, 300-lb. capacity, heavy duty, excellent condition. Purchased for more than $300; selling for $100, firm. (850) 303-1460.

Miscellaneous Home service installations including surveillance equipment, child protection devices, pet doors, closet and garage shelving, flat-screen TV mounts, surround sound, whole-house water filters, digital thermostats, washer and dryer, weather-stripping, curtain rods and blinds. (850) 722-4619 or (850) 596-2788; proactivems@outlook.com.

Vacation Bible School for all ages, July 10-15 evenings at Sand Hills Baptist Church, 6758 Highway 77, ½-mile south of the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 77. Call (850) 7738900 for times and transportation.

Home maintenance: replace filters, clean dryer vent and drains, flush water heater, lubricate hinges, clean A/C coils, inspect home equipment (fireplace, garage door opener/motor, well pump and sprinkler system). (850) 722-4619 or (850) 596-2788; proactivems@outlook.com.

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

Four Chipola River front lots for sale. High and dry. $100,000. (850) 933-6150.

½-acre corner lot. (850) 639-2220.

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

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

4,000-square-foot heated and cooled (6,000 square feet total) home on 59 mostly wooded acres (7 acres of pasture). Five bedrooms and bathrooms, six-car garage on ground level, sixpassenger elevator, separate living room and den, dining room, three wood-burning fireplaces, courtyard, horse barn with three stalls and tack room, and tractor barn. Plentiful wildlife, including turkey and deer. Acreage bounded by Two-Mile Creek on the east and Ten-Mile Creek on the south. 55 miles to Panama City Beach, 75 miles to Tallahassee. $729,500. Linda, (850) 819-9816.

13+ acres with 624' on a paved road 5 miles north of Wewahitchka off Highway 71, minutes from Dead Lakes. Ready to sell. $29,050 (half off appraised value) OBO. (850) 832-1726.

2,700 sq. ft. (heated and cooled) brick home on a 100'x100' lot on the Chipola River front in Scotts Ferry. One bedroom, one bathroom, kitchen and living room downstairs; two bedrooms, one bath, kitchen and living room upstairs. 20'x24' garage; 8'x36' covered glass sunporch; and fireplace. $159,900. (850) 933-6150.

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:

Purebred Llewellin setter puppies. Excellent hunting dogs, great family pets. (850) 532-2691.

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

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.

1996 C4 Corvette convertible. Six-speed manual, 330 hp, backup camera, hands-free phone, Sony amp, 34,000 miles. Very clean. $19,000 OBO. (850) 271-5534.

Fresh, delicious and healthy figs. Wonderful for snacking and canning. Peak of season is midJuly. (850) 722-4226.

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

I Hope You’ll Visit Me Global warming is an important concept in the electric utility industry. Reaction to this concept has set actions in motion that will all but eliminate coal-fired electric generation—an affordable, reliable and proven resource. These actions will also increase your cost of electric service.

Some of you have disagreed with my articles on global warming and have let me know. A recent note said, “Isn’t the fact of global warming a reason to pause in endorsing the coal industry? Is the almighty dollar always the bottom line? I do not think it is right to use this publication to promote that, and I am willing to pay MORE for clean energy for future generations.”

Unfortunately, not everyone is willing or able to pay more for electricity.

While I differ with the recent note on multiple points, the implication that I should not deny global warming in this publication is the most troubling. It is a restriction on my right of free speech.

Many others are now attempting to restrict free speech if it questions the science and economics of chasing a low-carbon energy dream.

Restricting speech or punishing opposing views is not new. Galileo Galilei was convicted by the Catholic Church in 1633 for stating the Earth orbited the sun. He was put under house arrest for the rest of his life. After 350 years, the church finally admitted its 26

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conviction was in error.

As the scientific case for a global warming catastrophe becomes more doubtful, models created by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change— the world’s presumed climate change authority—project that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan will have minimal impact. Specifically, those models indicate CPP will reduce global temperatures by only 0.03 degrees and will reduce the rise in sea levels by a depth equal to the thickness of only a couple sheets of notebook paper. This is hardly the type of return we should get for billions of dollars.

The global warming movement is now focused on silencing and punishing people who disagree with the climate change “consensus view.” The leading advocate of the cause is Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who has called on the Department of Justice to charge those who are behind a “coordinated strategy to spread heterodox views on global warming.” The senator encouraged the DOJ to use the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) to target climate skeptics as the scapegoats for an insufficient U.S. policy response to climate change.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch stated in recent testimony that the matter has been referred to the FBI “to consider whether or not it

meets the criteria for what we could take action on.”

Additionally, she told the committee that the DOJ has discussed a civil action against the fossil fuel industry for expressing doubts about the dangers of climate change.

Other U.S. senators and state attorneys general have threatened legal action and subpoenaed oil and gas companies to release information related to climate change science, as well as lists of organizations they have funded. This coordinated effort is intended to suppress the First Amendment right of free speech for anyone who denies global warming is an impending danger of catastrophic proportions.

These attacks—funded by our tax dollars—are perpetrated on industries that provide oil to move billions of vehicles daily to take people to work, to shop for the necessities of life, to go to the doctor for health care, to move transportation fleets to bring groceries and goods to markets and to keep our military mobile to protect our shores. The attacks are on industries that provide electricity to improve our quality of life in countless ways: to provide heating, cooling and hot water, to refrigerate and cook our food, to energize televisions and computers, to power our hospitals and emergency rooms, and to electrify commercial and industrial businesses. In short, these companies and their

Commentary

By Gary Smith President and CEO

products and services provide the foundation of our entire modern life and economy.

These companies and their people have done much to build and serve our advanced and successful society, yet they are being vilified, bullied and threatened with civil lawsuits and criminal charges. These companies and their people—contributors to our way of life—are hardly the gangsters, mobsters and racketeers that RICO was designed to control. No damage has been done, but the global warming proponents demand that the voices of these companies and their people be silenced.

I will continue to express my disagreement on expensive and fruitless efforts like the CPP. If Whitehouse and Lynch put me away, I hope you will visit. n

Gulf Coast

Graduates Awarded Scholarships Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative recently awarded $250 scholarships to the following graduating seniors at eight high schools that have students in areas served by the cooperative: • Lindsey Elizabeth Ellis, A. Crawford Mosley High School.

• Samantha Potter, Altha Public School.

• Shelby Jacobs, Bay High School.

• Savannah Smith, Cody Jackson Mills is the scholarship winner for Wewahitchka High School.

Blountstown High School.

• Harley Tillerson, Deane Bozeman School.

• Gabrielle Roxanne Pittman, Port St. Joe High School.

• Shawnee Freed, Vernon High School.

• Cody Jackson Mills, Wewahitchka High School.

“Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative recognizes how important education is to the youth of our community,” said GCEC Vice President of Marketing & Communications Kristin Evans. “For this reason, we are proud to award scholarships to students in our service area who reside with a parent or guardian who is a GCEC member.” n

GCEC District II Group 1 Trustee and President Waylon Graham presents a scholarship to Gabrielle Roxanne Pittman, winner for Port St. Joe High School.

GCEC District I Group 3 Trustee Kinneth Daniels presents a scholarship to Savannah Smith, winner for Blountstown High School. Rebecca Stanley, right, is the school guidance counselor.

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GCEC District III Group 3 Trustee Robert Byrd presents a scholarship to Lindsey Elizabeth Ellis, winner for A. Crawford Mosley High School.

GCEC District I Group 1 Trustee Betty Moore presents a scholarship to Shawnee Freed, winner for Vernon High School.

GCEC District I Group 2 Trustee Gary Cox presents a scholarship to Samantha Potter, winner for Altha Public School.

GCEC District III Group 1 Trustee and Treasurer Rupert Brown presents a scholarship to Harley Tillerson, winner for Deane Bozeman School.

GCEC District III Group 2 Trustee and Vice President Jimmy Black presents a scholarship to Shelby Jacobs, winner for Bay 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

Plan for a Safe and Happy Fourth July has always been a favorite of mine. It’s the middle of sumWaylon Graham mer, the kids are out of school and, of course, we celebrate our nation’s independence with grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, homemade ice cream, other sweet treats and, last but not least, fireworks. It is a time for fellowship with family and friends.

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative wants to make sure members focus on safety, too.

To ensure you have the best Fourth of July possible, keep in mind these important tips from The American Red Cross.

Nothing says Fourth of July like a spectacular fireworks display. The safest way to enjoy this part of the celebration is to head to a local fireworks show. But if you want to put on your own show at home, follow these safety tips: • Always follow instructions on the packaging.

• Never give fireworks to small children.

• Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.

• Wear protective eyewear when lighting fireworks.

• Light only one firework at a time.

• Never attempt to relight a dud.

• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.

• Never throw or point a firework toward anyone or anything.

Cookouts are a great way to bring folks together on the Fourth. Whether you are grilling in your backyard or at a community park, make sure your feast includes a generous portion of fun and a side helping of safety: • Supervise your grill at all times.

• Use the proper tools for cooking on a grill.

• Never add charcoal starter fluid when the coals have already been ignited.

• Always follow manufacturer’s instructions.

Fireworks and cookouts would not be complete without a sunny day. Here is hoping we have good weather. If we do, make sure you practice sun safety: • Use a broad spectrum SPF sunscreen and reapply often.

• Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Be on the lookout for signs of heat stroke, which includes hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; a rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. n

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative offices will be closed Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Have a safe and happy holiday.