Empowered is a monthly newsletter for members of
YOUTH TOUR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN If you’re a high school junior who attends school in Central Rural Electric Cooperative’s service area, has big dreams of seeing our nation’s capital and is excited to meet new people from across Oklahoma, then Youth Tour is right for you!
open to high school juniors where students participate by writing an essay, developing a résumé and submitting an application. The top five contestants will be invited to interview on a Zoom call in front of a panel of judges.
Candidates will compete for a chance to visit Washington, D.C. for a week-long, allexpense-paid trip sponsored by Central. Youth Tour is a twopart competition
The overall top two winners will win a $1,000 scholarship and a one-week, trip to Washington, D.C. with other Youth Tour winners from electric cooperatives across the nation. Winners will meet members of Congress, visit monuments,
historical sights and Smithsonian museums. The three runner-up applicants will not leave empty-handed, they will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Submissions, rules and guidelines are available at mycentral.coop/youthtour. The deadline for entry is 5 p.m. on February 2, 2024.
2024 Essay Topic What programs and services could Central implement to empower its members and communities?
CENTRAL’S OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMS Learn more at mycentral.coop/youth-programs.
ENERGY CAMP
An essay competition for two eighth-grade students to attend a summer camp hosted by the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives. Children can step inside a set of linemen’s hooks and learn all about cooperatives through this competition at Energy Camp. The competition opens in March.
BE SAFETY SMART
A chance to receive an electrical safety presentation from a Central lineman. During the presentation, children don linemen gear and try to complete a task. Teachers, group leaders or school administrators can book an event.
Co-op Kids
Children and grandchildren of members can participate in this program aimed to teach children about cooperatives and electrical safety. Children from ages zero to 18 are invited to a celebration event, first to know about scholarship programs and receive a birthday surprise.
HOW CAPITAL CREDITS WORK What are Capital Credits?
Capital credits are the retained margins left over at the end of the year at a not-for-profit electric cooperative.
When do I get capital credits?
In December, capital credit checks will be mailed to those who were active members in 1995, 1996 and/or 2021.
DECEMBER 2023 Central Board of Trustees: Carol Dvorak, President (District 3) James Wells, Vice President (District 6) Greg Tytenicz, Secretary/Treasurer (District 2) Randy Wedel (District 1) Sid Sperry (District 4) Ken Starks (District 5) Randy Ethridge (District 7) Hunter Robinson - Chief Executive Officer Empowered Editors: Jillianne Tebow - Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Larry Mattox - Director of Communications Kory Bowman - Marketing and Communications Specialist Ivy Swan - Marketing and Communications Specialist
www.mycentral.coop facebook.com/MyCentralCoop twitter.com/MyCentralCoop instagram.com/MyCentralCoop
Contact Us: editor@mycentral.coop 405-372-2884 | 800-375-2884 3305 S. Boomer Rd. | P.O. Box 1809 Stillwater, OK 74076 Notice: Central’s office will be closed Dec. 22 and Dec. 25 for Christmas and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day.
Central Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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This year’s capital credit statement $515,627 in capital credits Returning to members
1.
track
Central tracks how much electricity you purchase throughout the year.
3.
Allocate
Central allocates the margins to members as capital credits based on their electric use during the year.
5.
NOTIFY
Central will notify you of how and when you will receive capital credits.
Retirement Years: 1995, 1996 and 2021
2.
assess
At the end of the year, Central completes financial matters and determines whether there are excess revenues, called margins.
4.
RETIRE
When financial conditions permit, the board of trustees will retire, or pay, the capital credits back to the members.
Have more questions? Scan the QR or visit mycentral. coop/capitalcredit-faq.
TRAVEL CENTRAL Dive into Central’s District 5, which includes stops in Stillwater and Coyle. Travel throughout our service area as we visit our last district for the year.
YOUR STOP: DISTRICT 5 STAY SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
MEET YOUR DISTRICT 5 TRUSTEE Starks is a Stillwater native and worked in banking for more than 40 years before retiring from BancFirst in 2022. Starks has multiple degrees from Oklahoma State University and has been an active member of the community serving on various boards and civic organizations. He is a member of the Stillwater Bible Church, and he and his wife Kathy have three grown children.
KEN STARKS
MUST VISIT BUSINESSES IN DISTRICT 5 Check out these amazing businesses on Central’s lines! Gameday Ironworks
8821 W 6th Ave, Stillwater gamedayironworks.com Hand-crafted iron products including signage, hitch covers, lanterns and more. Lost Creek Safari 1200 W 80th St, Stillwater lostcreeksafari.com This certified animal park is currently closed for the season but will open again in March 2024. Rosemary Ridge Event Venue 15205 W 6th Ave, Orlando rosemary-ridge.com An award-winning wedding and event venue.
Smokin Joes Stilly and the Pit Volleybar
616 Range Rd, Stillwater smokinjoesstilly.com Bite into this delicious Oklahoma barbeque and stay for a game of volleyball while you’re there.
Stillwater 500 E0660 Rd, Stillwater str500.clubexpress.com The ATV park has a single 7.5 mile loop that is a beginner skill level and is open from sunrise to sunset. Stillwater Golf and Country Club 5215 W Country Club Dr, Stillwater thestillwatercountryclub.com Play a full 18 holes on this beautiful course and enjoy lunch or dinner. The Bearded Doe and Company 8400 Coyle Rd, Coyle thebeardeddoeandcompany.com Purchase handcrafted goat milk products or learn how to do it on your own with a class. Thrive Flower Farm 2102 W 68th St, Stillwater thriveflowerfarmok.com Thrive Flower Farm exists to grow and sell flowers to support an orphanage in Congo. Stay for one of their workshops, a u-pick event or purchase your own custom bouquet.
Before you plan your new holiday lighting scheme or repeat last year’s festive design, keep these 10 safety tips in mind when decorating outdoors: ⚠ Do not toss light strands up into the air. They could get too close to or come into contact with a power line. ⚠ Before using a ladder, always look up and assess all power line locations. ⚠ Keep at least 10 feet between yourself (and any item you are holding) and a power line. ⚠ Do not use staples or nails or tacks to secure light strands, cords, wires or extension cords. ⚠ String together no more than the number of strands (or fewer) recommended by the manufacturer. ⚠ Use lights and extension cords rated for outdoor use. ⚠ Do not use frayed, cracked or otherwise damaged cords, plugs or lights. Check out more safety tips at safeelectricity.org.
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First 50 Prize $1dit Bill Cre ing gg and Birgahts R
The second annual Home Holiday Lights Contest is here, bringing cheer to Central’s service area with a chance to win up to a $150 bill credit and bragging rights. Enter online by Dec. 17 for a chance to win!
EVENTS IN OUR SERVICE AREA
Holiday Craft Show Dec. 2 • Payne County Expo Center, Stillwater Enjoy a festive shopping experience from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with more than 120 booths featuring handmade items. Santa and Mrs. Clause Dec. 2 • Leafer Lodge Farms, Stillwater Join Santa and Mrs. Clause for a photo from 2 to 4 p.m. while you grab a live tree and warm up with hot chocolate from the Sugar Shack! Chandler Christmas Festival Dec. 2 • Chandler Christmas Market noon to 9 p.m. at the Lincoln Pioneer History museum. The tree Lighting Festival will start at 5 p.m. at the Lincoln County Courthouse. The Christmas parade will start at 7:30 p.m. at downtown Chandler. Christmas in Crescent Dec. 2 • Grand St., Crescent Join the fun in Crescent with the “Oh What Fun it is to Run” 5k, local
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Learn More
vendors, food trucks, a visit from Santa, a cookie and a gingerbread house contest, and end with the tree lighting ceremony and Christmas parade! Stroud Christmas Parade Dec. 2 • 6 p.m. • Main St./Route 66, Stroud Perry Christmas Parade Dec. 7 • Downtown Perry Enjoy snow tubing, time with Santa, live reindeer and penguins, igloo vendors and more from 4 to 9 p.m. with the parade starting at 6 p.m. Stillwater Holiday Parade of Lights Dec. 7 • 7 p.m. • Main St., Stillwater Cushing Christmas Parade Dec. 9 • 6 p.m. • Downtown Cushing Wreath Making Workshop Dec. 9 • Greenhouse Learning Center, Stillwater Learn how to make your very own holiday wreath for $30. Select your time slot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Holiday Cookies and Trains Dec. 14 • Botanic Garden at OSU, Stillwater Bring your family to the garden for an evening of holiday music, cookies, hot chocolate or coffee next to a crackling campfire. Enjoy the G-scale holiday train from 4 to 6 p.m. Holiday Downtown Carriage Rides Dec. 15 • Chris Salmon Plaza, Downtown Stillwater Enjoy free cozy carriage rides with Antler Ridge Farm through downtown Stillwater. Lights on the Lake Until Dec. 17 • Lake McMurtry, Stillwater Enjoy a light display at Lake McMurtry throughout the holiday season. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Dec. 6-10 & 13-17 • Town and Gown, Stillwater Join Town and Gown Theatre for a wonderful musical play! Tickets range from $12-16.