Florida Currents April 2012

Peace River Electric Cooperative

A P R I L 2012

PRECO’s 2012 Photo Contest Wendy M. Hernandez’s photo of Tasty won Best of Show in Peace River Electric Cooperative’s 2012 Photo Contest. For a complete list of the winners, see page 4.

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Energy Smarts

Making the Most of Your Electricity

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Find the Most Energy-Efficient Manufactured Home and Save

Not all manufactured homes are created equal.

To find the most energy-efficient home, look for one that is Energy Star-qualified. It may not look different from other homes, but it will save you energy—and money.

Here is why. Every Energy Star manufactured home is designed with energy efficiency in mind. That means it comes with several important features: • Effective insulation in the floors and walls to help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and keep the interior quieter.

• Tight construction and sealed ducts, which reduce leaks, drafts and outdoor noise.

• High-performance windows, which keep the heat out during the summer and in during the winter.

• Efficient heating and cooling equipment, which is the right size for your home and is properly installed.

Because it costs less to heat and cool your Energy Star manufactured home, you will have lower utility bills than the owner of a standard manufactured home. And thanks to its energyefficient features, you will be better protected against heat, cold, drafts and outside noise. 

For other tips on how to save energy—and money—visit Touchstone Energy’s energy-saving website to find out how even little changes add up to big savings at www.TogetherWeSave.com.

Inside

April 2012 Vol. 1, No. 6

A Key West Institution 12

Take a tour of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum with longtime fan and guide Steve Trogner.

Also In This Issue Side Roads 10 In the Kitchen 16 Florida Gardener 18

Festival Roundup 22 Outdoor Pursuits 24 Parting Shot 30

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

APRIL 2012

3

Peace River

Photo Contest Winners!

Co n g r at u l at i o n s to t h e w i n n e r s o f P RECO ’s 2 0 1 2 P h oto Co n t e s t !

We received over 60 outstanding photo entries. Top winners received recognition at PRECO’s Annual Membership Meeting in March and an electric bill credit: First place – $25, second place – $15 and third place – $10.

Best of Show Nature, Animal, Floral Tasty Wendy M Hernandez F i r s t P l ac e Architecture, Buildings, Old Barns Cracker House Terry Mann Human Interest Mandolin Player Terry Mann Landscape Skyway Sunset Elizabeth Holstein Oceans, Rivers, Lakes Bridges over Peace River Brittany Jarvis PRECO Lines & Equipment Mushroom and Power Lines Daniel Hernandez Rural Life Jess ‘n’ Polly Janice Cook S e co n d P l ac e Janice Cook, Fly Deer Brittany Jarvis, Horse Creek Brittany Jarvis, Pole with Flowers Terry Mann, American Tradition Terry Mann, City Light Terry Mann, Rural Country Light

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PREC_AprilRuralite_final.indd 6

Tasty

T h i r d P l ac e Lisa Burns, Friend’s Dock Lisa Burns, Grandsons Playing Janice Cook, Sandhill Cranes Brittany Jarvis, DeSoto Co. Courthouse Brittany Jarvis, Power Lines with Flowers

Peace River Electric Cooperative

3/8/12 3:59 PM

www.preco.coop

PREC_AprilRuralite_final.indd 7

Cracker House

Bridges over Peace River

Mandolin Player

Mushroom and Power Lines

Skyway Sunset

Jess ‘n’ Polly

a p r i l 2 012

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3/8/12 3:59 PM

Plugged In

Using Electricity Safely and Efficiently

Attention-Grabbing Gadgets Cool stuff that shows off your inner geek, and might even be useful

By Mike Teegarden

If you spend too much time on your couch surfing the net or watching TV, you might not be aware of some of the latest in technology that automates tasks around your home, which, well, might help you spend more time relaxing on your couch.

From keeping your home comfortable and cooking quick meals to harnessing the power of the sun and fostering the next crop of inventors, this list offers a variety of ways to use the latest technology.

Nest Thermostats rarely rate as gottahave gizmos, but Nest is different. Invented by a former Apple designer after being frustrated by programming his own thermostat, Nest is the first device that learns your schedule and creates a program based on what it learns.

After a week of learning, Nest is ready to take over, and offers ways to help you cut your energy bill.

The sleek design and simple controls give the device a futuristic look compared with other thermostats on the market.

An outer dial ring sets the temperature. The thermostat displays blue for cooling and orange for heating. It also displays how long it will take to reach the set temperature.

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APRIL 2012

Sensors built into the thermostat can determine room activity, relative humidity and light levels. The Auto-Away feature uses this information to sense when the home is unoccupied. Nest’s builtin Wi-Fi allows control of the home HVAC system through a computer or smartphone app.

Returning home from a trip?

Turn on the heat or air conditioning from the airport so your home is comfy when you get there.

Easy to install, Nest requires connecting four wires. $249, additional thermostats $25 each at www.nest.com.

Egg-and-Muffin Two-Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher If you like fast food breakfasts, but hate to hit the drivethrough in

the morning, this might be your new best friend. In four minutes, the Back-to-Basics egg and muffin toaster can toast two muffins, poach or steam-scramble two eggs and heat a slice of meat.

But wait, there’s more. It also can boil up to four eggs at once.

Adjusting the amount of water controls how hard the yoke is cooked. $33 at Amazon.com.

Stop Vampire Leaks The Belkin Conserve Socket uses a simple three-setting timer to shut off power to any device plugged

For Power on the Move

Freeloader Portable Solar Charger If you want to go wireless, truly wireless, you need to cut the power cable cord. The Freeloader Portable Solar Charger lets you do that by harnessing the sun to charge your MP3 player, smartphone or other electronic devices.

The Freeloader has a 1,200mAh lithium-ion battery that can be charged in three hours by it plugging into a USB device or in as little as eight hours from its solar panel. It comes with a master USB cable with nine adaptor tips to fit most devices. $39.99 at www.thinkgeek.com.

in to it.

It is simple in looks and operation. Timer settings include six hours, three hours and a half hour. Plug it in and set the timer on the side. It is perfect for managing charging devices, where you don’t want to leave it going once the device is charged. $9.99 at Amazon.com.

Fizz, Bubble & Flash!

We wouldn’t have some of the cool gadgets on this page without inventors.

Help channel the inner inventor in your son or daughter with “Fizz, Bubble & Flash!: Element Explorations & Atom Adventures for

Rechargable Batteries For gadgets around the home that require AA or AAA batteries, consider going with Eneloop rechargeable batteries.

Not like your father’s rechargeable batteries, Eneloops use a redesigned nickel–metal hydride technology that increases the shelf life of the battery. That means you can charge it, stick it in a device and expect it to work even three years later. Eneloops are rated to be recharged approximately 1,500 times.

4-pack of AA batteries and a charger for $15.49 at Amazon.com.

Hands-On Science Fun!” Discover what you have in common with party balloons, footballs, computer chips, pizza dough, table salt and TV screens; “Break” a water molecule; produce fluorescent light (without using a switch!); enjoy a half-life snack; compare antiperspirants; separate the iron from your breakfast cereal; find out why broccoli smells, and soda makes a coin shine; and discover the secret of static cling and what makes a smoke detector work.  $12.95 at Amazon.com.

Energy-Saving Apps More than one-third of all adults in the United Sates own smart phones. If you are one of them, here are some apps that might help you save money.  Light Bulb Finder. This app helps you select a more energyefficient light bulb for the fixtures in your home. The most useful feature is the payback calculator, which can help you decide if making a change is worth it. Available free on both iPhone and Android.  Battery Saver.

Several apps extend the charge on the battery by turning off energy-hogging features, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS, allowing for less frequent charges.

Search “battery” at the iTunes Store or Android Market.

APRIL 2012

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Peace  River

Your accurate phone number on file means: n Instant pinpoint location n Quicker deployment of line personnel n Faster repair time n Shorter outage duration for you

Don’t get caught in the dark

All members who update their contact information by May 15th will be entered to win an iPAD! You must update your information to be eligible for drawing.

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PREC_AprilRuralite_final.indd 8

3/15/12 1:43 PM

a day on the river

romantic inns

great festivals

Gainesville is more than Football

Take home memories of “Where Nature & Culture Meet�

the botanical gardens

downtown dining

meeting the locals

866-778-5002

Side Roads

Discoveries Off the Beaten Path

Coming to the Rescue Val Clows has made it her life’s mission to save abused or unwanted Great Danes

By R.P. Joseph

It is a Relative Term The tallest waterfall in the United States is California’s Yosemite Falls at 2,425 feet. in comparison, Florida’s tallest is Falling Waters Falls at 73 feet—and that is only because its stream cascades into a deep sinkhole. The surrounding terrain is pocked with sinkholes, which were used by indian warriors to hide from American soldiers led by Andrew Jackson during the First Seminole War in the early 1800s.

The waterfall and sinkholes are in Falling Waters State Park near Chipley.

Photo by Curtis Condon

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APRiL 2012

Depending on how one responds, a crisis can alter the course of one’s life and even offer a mission.

For Val Clows, president and founder of Myakka, Florida-based Southwest Great Dane Rescue, a life-changing event presented itself 16 years ago in the form of an abandoned dog on a cold, wet, winter day.

News of a near-death Great Dane tied to a tree in the cold rain came from a concerned customer at Val’s Holistic for Pets shop in Sarasota. A friend from the local Humane Society rescued the dog and asked Val, a known Great Dane lover, to temporarily foster the Dane, since the shelter did not have pens large enough to comfortably house a dog that size.

Val agreed to take him in.

She was unprepared for the shocking condition of the abused animal.

“His feet were swollen—so swollen he couldn’t walk—with infected skin sores so severe you could barely tell what color he was,” Val says.

Val and her husband, Louie, took the injured giant they named Jay to their home and nursed him back to health.

“Louie would carry Jay up and down the stairs to the yard to relieve himself for weeks before his feet healed,” Val says.

“It took a good six months to get his skin back to normal.”

They soon adopted Jay, who lived a healthy, happy life as a member of the Clows household, reaching more than 10 years of age—quite old by Dane standards.

“He had the sweetest disposition you could ever imagine,” Val lovingly recalls.

Inspired by Jay, Val—with the support of her husband and close friends—began helping overburdened shelters and Great Dane rescues from Florida’s west coast.

Val had central air conditioning installed in her garage to house her foster guests, which numbered as many as six at a time.

About a year later, with the help of a friend from the Sarasota Humane

Society, she incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and became Southwest Great Dane Rescue.

“We had become the local go-to people for abandoned Great Danes,” Val says.

Val is quick to credit the handful of dedicated volunteers who run SWGDR. The core group includes Tim Karau, Ralph Karau and Vikki Egan, who foster abandoned Danes, recruit prospective fosters and coordinate adoptions into permanent homes. Gina Hadden serves as the organization’s webmaster and social media specialist.

Val, whose last four dogs have been Great Dane rescues, says most first-time fosters become permanent.

“I refer to it as ‘the foster failure,’ ” Val says. “The first Dane they foster they fall in love with and adopt.”

Tim—one of the foster failures—got hooked on Danes 10 years ago when he fostered and later adopted his first Dane from Val. He now serves on SWGDR’s board of directors, works at Val’s Holistic for Pets store in Bradenton and shares his home with his current Dane Olivia—a former foster—and at least one other foster for up to six months at a time.

Pros and Cons of the Breed With parentage traced to the Irish wolfhound and English mastiff, the breed was developed by the Germans to hunt wild boar. Today, the Great Dane is known primarily as a companion dog.

Strong, sensitive, clever and goofy, the Danes contrasting characteristics can be endearing.

“They seem to be with you all of the time, maybe because they’re such large animals,” Tim says. “It’s not like you walk into the room and have to look for the dog. The dog is visible, likely on the sofa.

“They get to you—the way they lean up against you, the way they give you unconditional love.”

Unfortunately, this love is not always returned.

After a year or so—when Great Danes

Panama City Beach Sets a New World Record Lining up on the sugar-white sands of the Gulf of Mexico in Panama City Beach, 450 women broke the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Bikini Parade on March 6.

The spring break event shattered the record held by Gold Coast, Australia, where 357 women paraded last year, and benefitted local charity Beach Care Services.

Following the one-mile march, an official Guinness World Record adjudicator announced the record had been broken.

“We are thrilled to have challenged and broken the record for the World’s Largest Bikini Parade,” said Dan Rowe, president and CEO of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Many thanks go to the wonderful participants who helped bring the record where it belongs— our beautiful beaches.”

Val Clows with her newest gal pals, 6-year-old Payton and 5-year-old Karma. Both came to her from the Southwest Great Dane Rescue.

Photo by Keri Caraher, Dog Pro Studios, www.DogProStudios.com

no longer are cute pups—they sometimes are abandoned. They are huge dogs, expensive to keep, needing more training and medical attention than their owners sometimes are prepared to offer.

Veterinarian Terah Browning of West Coast Veterinary Center in Sarasota says the breed can be a challenge. She stresses the importance of prospective owners researching any new breed of dog they consider adopting.

Like many large breeds, Danes are prone to health issues associated with their size, along with a shorter life span than smaller breeds.

“Great Danes are excellent patients and loving pets,” Terah says. “The more educated and proactive with preventative medicine the new owners are the more likely they will be to have a healthy Great Dane.”

Since her experience with Jay 16 years ago, Val and her organization has rescued, fostered and placed more than 400 abandoned Great Danes in new homes.

The biggest challenge is the critical need for foster homes.

The poor economy has increased abandoned Danes and decreased adoptions and available foster homes.

“The worst thing in the world is to have to say no to a rescue,” Val says. “We can raise money to pay the vet bills and the food bills, but we desperately need volunteers willing to foster our rescues.” n Southwest Great Dane Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose purpose is to place abandoned, abused and unwanted Great Danes into loving homes. It is comprised entirely of devoted volunteers who help with transportation, education, fundraising and fostering Danes. To foster or donate to SWGDR, contact Val at www.swgdr.org.

Participants were given official Bikini Parade hats that signaled to officials which women were part of the record-setting march.

Photo courtesy Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau

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A Key West Institution Take a tour of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum with longtime fan and guide Steve Trogner

In 1973, when Steve Trogner was in 10th grade, he visited Key West as part of a school diving camp. He toured the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and knew he wanted to return. Today, he works as a guide, leading hundreds of visitors through the home and gardens.

“Hemingway once said Paris was a

By Nancy Jorgensen ‘moveable feast,’ ” Steve says. “To me, Key West was an adult portion.”

America’s southernmost town had it all: art, history, natural beauty, water sports and music blasting from open-air bars.

Hemingway—one of the world’s most notable authors—was the town’s literary claim to fame.

Steve has lived in a lot of places, from Pennsylvania to Texas to New Jersey. He has held many jobs, including waiter, property manager, counselor and electrocardiogram monitor.

“I consider myself lucky to work as a tour guide at the Hemingway Home,” he says.

But he admits, “It’s sometimes difficult to separate fact from fiction.”

Steve is pretty sure the following facts are true.

Hemingway arrived in Key West in 1928, when he and his bride, Pauline, hung out for three weeks awaiting delivery of a new Ford Roadster, a gift from Pauline’s wealthy Uncle Gus. The town grew on them. By 1931, Gus bought them a rundown Spanish Colonial home at 907 Whitehead St. They restored the home and gardens, and raised sons Patrick and Gregory.

Ernest, called “Papa” by his Key West friends, wrote his A painting of his beloved boat, Pilar, and his boat pilot, Gregorio Fuentes, hangs in the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. most famous novels on the 12

april 2012

Rediscover Hemingway Hemingway’s classic works include: X “a Farewell to arms,” based on his early years as a medic in World War i X “a Moveable Feast,” a memoir of paris in the 1920s X “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” an account of the Spanish revolution X “The Green Hills of africa,” which covers a Hemingway passion, biggame hunting X “To Have and Have Not,” featuring Key West during the Great Depression X “The Old Man and the Sea,” the story of a fisherman plying the Caribbean

island, including polishing off “A Farewell to Arms.”

“Key West attracted Hemingway with its spectacular sport fishing,” Steve says.

“He developed a camaraderie with the locals, who shared his love for boxing and drinking. Many old-timers would later say they didn’t know he was a writer.”

Steve and seven other guides conduct tours of the home and gardens every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

In 30 minutes, you will learn about Hemingway’s life and times, with a focus on his Key West years.

Steve also enjoys introducing visitors to a few of the 50 or more legendary six-toed cats that continue to prowl the grounds—descendants of Papa’s beloved six-toed tomcat.

One of Steve’s favorite stops is the studio above the garage where Papa typed novels. Other highlights include a painting of Hemingway’s boat pilot, Gregorio Fuentes; an antique desk with secret compartments that Papa shipped from

Steve Trogner considers himself fortunate to live in Key West and work as a guide at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, which he visited as a student.

Spain; and a fountain with a base made from a urinal that Papa hauled home from a local watering hole.

When you reach the outdoor swimming pool, Steve points out a penny sealed in the flagstone patio. The pool cost $20,000—an exorbitant price when it was built in 1937 and 1938.

“The price once caused Hemingway to take a penny from his pocket, press it into the wet cement of the surrounding patio, and announce, ‘Here, take the last penny I’ve got!’” Steve reports.

Hemingway came to Key West to find privacy after gaining fame as a journalist and short-story writer in Paris in the 1920s.

“He found little privacy here, on a tiny island where everyone knows everyone’s business,” Steve says. “As in Paris, he quickly befriended people who furthered his career.”

Friends like “Sloppy Joe” Russell, an

experienced barkeep, angler and boater.

If you visit Key West today, be sure to visit his namesake bar.

One of Hemingway’s novels, “The Sun Also Rises,” was based on his travels in Spain.

“When journalist Martha Gelhorn appeared in Sloppy Joe’s one day with tales of Ernest’s cherished Spain in peril, Hemingway couldn’t help following the young reporter back to Madrid,” Steve says.

Hemingway reported on the Spanish Revolution himself for a while, but eventually made his way home to Key West.

Ernest and Pauline, the second of his three wives, divorced in 1939. Ernest took off for Cuba in 1940, making his home there. Within a few years, he won the Nobel and Pulitzer prizes for literature.

But Hemingway’s life was not all a bed of roses. In 1961, after a long battle with depression, he committed suicide.

Bernice Dixon bought the Key West home from the family estate after his death, and eventually turned it into a museum.

Her family owns the home today.

“Hemingway burned bridges in personal relationships, which had a devastating effect on those who loved him,” Steve concludes. “When he left Key West for Cuba, he took only his beloved boat Pilar.”

The author continued to stop by Key West as he traveled between homes in Cuba and Idaho.

Hemingway’s life ended in sadness, but his Key West years counted among his most productive.

Steve keeps his legacy alive in the Hemingway Home, where fans continue to make pilgrimages, buy books in the museum store, pet the six-toed cats and get married in the gardens. n For more information, visit www.hemingway home.com, or call (305) 294-1136. april 2012

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Call Him ‘Papa Matt’ Persistence pays off in Hemingway look-alike contest

By Nancy Jorgensen

Each July for 12 years, Matt Gineo carefully groomed his white hair and beard, studied Ernest Hemingway’s writings and practiced his best Hemingway quotes in preparation for the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West.

Finally, he nailed it.

“You keep coming back year after year, you meet new friends, you get hooked,” explains Matt, who treks to Key West from his home in Jensen Beach, Florida.

Last year, Matt competed against 125 other contestants in the 31st annual contest sponsored by Sloppy Joe’s—a bar patronized by Hemingway.

More than 10,000 people showed up for the contest and other Hemingway Days events in 2011. Past winners cannot enter again. They act as judges in future contests.

Sloppy Joe’s Bar was one of Hemingway’s favorite watering holes. In honor of their famous patron, the bar hosts the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest each July.

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“The key to success is being there year after year,” Matt says. “Previous winners start pulling for you.”

Matt looks forward to judging the 2012 contest July 19-21. Organizers time the celebration around Hemingway’s birthday, July 21.

People from all walks of life enter the contest. Matt, who originally hails from Hartford, Connecticut, works as a biomedical engineer, servicing medical equipment. Others run the gamut from general contractors to real estate tycoons, and insurance brokers to bar owners.

Contestants endure a grueling schedule that includes an arm wrestling contest and a fishing competition off the pier. They run with the (plastic) bulls in an event patterned after Hemingway’s experience in Pamplona, Spain.

“Mostly we sit around in

Sloppy Joe’s, waiting for tourists to come off their cruise ships and take our pictures,” Matt reports.

Competitors also make Hemingway-like speeches. In Matt’s winning 2011 presentation, he told of a poor woman who died after drinking furniture polish.

“But she had a shiny finish,” Matt joked.

According to Matt, the Hemingway event ranks as the number one look-alike contest in the world—grander than any Elvis or Marilyn Monroe contests, with more participation. Contestants come from as far away as South Africa, Ireland and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Sloppy Joe’s sponsors the Key West event in memory of its most famous patron. The bar is franchised in other areas, but only the Key West location holds the look-alike contest.

Can You Write Like Hemingway?

Matt Gineo, second from left, runs with the bulls in the 2011 Hemingway LookAlike Contest in Key West. Left, Matt with his medal.

Photo courtesy of Sloppy Joe’s

“Hemingway became friends and fishing companions with Joe Russell, the original owner, when Hemingway came to Key West,” says Donna Edwards, brand manager at Sloppy Joe’s. “Russell ran a speak-easy during Prohibition, which Hemingway frequented.”

Hemingway’s drink of choice: rum and grapefruit juice.

When Prohibition ended, Russell opened the bar under a couple of different names before Hemingway suggested Sloppy Joe’s, in honor of a joint in Havana that the two enjoyed on fishing trips.

“Hemingway did write at Sloppy Joe’s in Key West,” Donna says. “After his death, unfinished manuscripts were

found in the back room.”

One of the novels, “To Have and Have Not,” featured a cast of characters based on Hemingway’s Key West friends.

Matt got his start as a Hemingway impresario 13 years ago when he helped start up a Jensen Beach Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. He takes part in his hometown celebration every April.

Despite all of the Hemingway hoopla, Matt worries that kids these days don’t study Papa like past generations.

“I’ll be walking along and some guy will say, ‘Hey, there’s that guy that won the Hemingway contest!’” Matt says. “The other guy will say, ‘Who’s Hemingway?’” n

According to Philip Young, writing for www.biography.com, Ernest Hemingway’s prose style was probably the most widely imitated of any in the 20th century.

Here are a few examples of the quotable Hemingway: XX Courage is grace under pressure.

XX There is no friend as loyal as a book.

XX There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.

XX The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.

XX The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.

XX Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.

“Hemingway hit upon the device of describing a series of actions by using short, simple sentences from which all comment or emotional rhetoric has been eliminated,” Young says. “These sentences are composed largely of nouns and verbs, have few adjectives and adverbs, and rely on repetition and rhythm for much of their effect.”

Each year, 800 to 1,100 aspiring authors from around the world try their hand at writing like Hemingway and enter their work in the Lorian Hemingway Short Story The Hemingway office features an old typewriter, Competition. books and a big-game mount.

Lorian Hemingway, a granddaughter of Ernest, unveils winners at Hemingway Days in Key West each July.

To learn more, visit www.shortstorycompetition.com. Find more quotes by searching for Hemingway at www.brainyquote.com.

april 2012

15

A Powerful Protein The right cuts of lean beef are a healthy addition to your meals Nothing satisfies your family’s hunger—and nutritional needs—like beef. Packed with 10 essential nutrients, beef helps fuel healthy and active lifestyles at all life stages.

High-quality proteins such as lean beef provide the right amounts of essential amino acids, or “building blocks,” the body needs to function properly. The protein in beef helps you maintain a healthy metabolism, and studies suggest it also may help prevent many chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis.

On average, a 3-ounce serving of lean beef is about 150 calories. Beef is an excellent source of protein, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and niacin. Twentynine cuts of beef meet government guidelines for lean. Each contains less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 3.5-ounce serving.

16

April 2012

Garlic-Herb Crusted Beef Roast 1 boneless beef round rump roast or beef bottom round roast (3 to 4 pounds) Salt and ground black pepper

Rub 2 teaspoons garlic-pepper seasoning 2 teaspoons dried basil leaves, crushed 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves, crushed 1 teaspoon dried parsley leaves, crushed

Heat oven to 325 F. Combine rub ingredients in a small bowl; press evenly onto all surfaces of roast.

Place roast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.

Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in the thickest part of the beef, not resting in fat. Do not add water or cover. Roast in 325 F oven

In the Kitchen

Recipes That Satisfy

11/2 to 2 hours for medium rare doneness.

Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135 F for medium rare. Transfer roast to a carving board. Tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. Temperature will continue to rise about 10 F to reach 145 F for medium rare.

Carve roast into thin slices. Season with salt and black pepper, as desired.

Serves 6 or 8

Lime-Marinated Flank Steak With Stuffed Poblano Peppers 1 beef flank steak (about 11/2 pounds) 1 141/2-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles ¾ cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided 1/3 cup fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cups cooked brown rice 1 15-ounce can reduced-sodium or regular black beans, drained and rinsed 6 medium poblano chili peppers (about 4 inches long)

Toppings Toasted shelled pepitas (pumpkin seeds) Crumbled queso frescos Mild feta cheese and lime wedges (optional)

Drain tomatoes, reserving juice for marinade. Set aside tomatoes with green chiles.

Combine reserved tomato juice, 1/2 cup cilantro, lime juice and olive oil in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate 1/3 cup marinade for rice. Place beef steak and remaining marinade in a food-safe plastic bag; turn steak to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 6 hours or overnight, turning occasionally.

Combine rice, reserved 1/3-cup marinade, diced tomatoes, black beans and remaining 1/4-cup cilantro in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Set aside.

Cut slit lengthwise down 1 side of each poblano pepper to create pocket, leaving stem and tip intact.

Make another small crosswise cut just below the stem to form a T-shaped opening. Remove and discard seeds and membranes, being careful to keep peppers intact. Spoon rice mixture evenly into peppers. Wrap each tightly in aluminum foil to seal.

Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Place steak in center of grill over medium,

ash-covered coals. Arrange peppers around steak.

Grill steak, covered, 11 to 16 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill 16 to 21 minutes) for medium rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally.

Grill peppers, covered, 25 to 30 minutes (20 to 25 minutes on gas grill) or until peppers are tender and filling is heated through, turning occasionally.

Carve steak across the grain into thin slices.

Remove peppers from foil. Serve peppers with steaks and toppings as desired.

Serves 6

Spanish-Style Beef and Rice Casserole 11/4 pounds boneless beef chuck shoulder steaks, cut 3/4-inch thick 11/2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper 1/3 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, crushed ¾ cup uncooked regular long grain rice 2 teaspoons chili powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1 141/2-ounce can Mexican-style diced tomatoes, undrained ¾ cup frozen peas, defrosted

Heat oven to 350 F. Trim fat from beef steaks. Cut steaks lengthwise in half and then crosswise into 1/4inch thick strips.

In ovenproof Dutch oven, heat oil over mediumhigh heat until hot. Add beef, bell pepper, onion and garlic (half at a time) and stir-fry 2 to 3 minutes, or until outside surface of beef is no longer pink. Stir in rice, chili powder, salt and pepper.

In a 2-cup glass measure, add tomatoes and enough water to measure 2 cups; add to beef mixture.

Bake in 350 F oven, tightly covered, 50 minutes or until beef and rice are tender. Remove from oven and stir in peas.

Serves 4

Recipes and photo courtesy of The Beef Checkoff, www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

For a list of the 29 lean cuts of beef, see www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/leanbeef.

April 2012

17

Florida Gardening

Advice From the Front-Yard Farmer

A Sweet Treat From Your Garden A warm, honey-sweet aroma fills the house when homegrown sweet potatoes are baking in the oven. Only their unbelievable taste surpasses the deliciousness of the rich, homey fragrance.

Like so many other vegetables, sweet potatoes from a home garden explode with flavor. Oh, what great sweet potato pies they make for Thanksgiving!

Sweet potato plants love poor, sandy soil. What’s more, they experience few pest problems, require little regular tending or fertilizing, and thrive in our summer heat!

In north Florida, we plant sweet potatoes late March through early June. They can be planted a month sooner in central and southern Florida.

Sweet potatoes grow best in hot weather, so I generally plant them in my garden about the middle of April.

I begin harvesting them in November, or earlier for some varieties or for “baby bakers.”

I enjoy having sweet potatoes growing in my garden

Beauregard sweet potatoes, known as “Mississippi Reds,” are a favorite among Florida vegetable gardeners.

Photo by Dennis Gilson

during the summer because they have lush green foliage to look at when most everything else is dead or dying.

Recommended varieties of sweet potatoes for Florida are Porto Rico, Georgia Red, Jewel, Centennial, Coastal Sweet, Boniato, Sumor, Beauregard and Vardaman.

Beauregard, or “Mississippi Red,” is a favorite of many local gardeners and is one of the favorites in my household.

Buy sweet potato slips— sprouts cut from tubers— from local farm supply stores or reputable seed companies through catalogs or on the Internet.

Set plants 12 to 14 inches apart in mounded rows that

Dennis Gilson lives and gardens in Niceville.

Widely known as the Front-Yard Farmer, Dennis has successfully grown vegetables, fruits and berries in the Florida Panhandle for more than 30 years. He shares his experience and offers timely advice to Florida home vegetable growers at his website, www.frontyardfarmer.com.

18

APRIL 2012

are eight to12 inches high. A higher row allows more space for the sweet potatoes to develop. The rows should be about 48 inches apart.

You can mix in a little low-nitrogen fertilizer before you plant, but many growers believe the tasty roots are even sweeter when grown without fertilizer.

You probably will have to weed only once or twice, when the plants are young.

As the plants get larger the dense foliage helps to shade out weeds.

Throughout the growing season, some gardeners like to lift the growing vines off the ground on occasion to pull up any roots that may be forming along the vine. This is done to get larger sweet potatoes in the main root area.

The biggest pest to sweet potatoes is the sweet potato weevil. These pesky critters destroy sweet potatoes by tunneling through them. There

are no good control measures for the weevils, but you can help reduce the number of weevils in the soil by avoiding planting sweet potatoes in the same place year after year.

Don’t have much garden space? Try growing sweet potatoes in a large container.

One about the size of a bushel basket works well for a single plant. Fill it with sandy soil and keep the plant watered throughout the summer.

Your sweet potatoes will be ready for harvest in four to six months or so, after the plants begin to yellow. They can be harvested earlier if you prefer smaller sweet potatoes.

Carefully dig out the roots, removing them from the soil by hand. The skin is tender and should not be damaged.

Put them in the shade to dry for a few hours if the weather will allow. Dry them indoors for about 10 days to toughen the skin.

Eat what you grow. 

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Travel Journal

Tips for Affordable Family Adventures

Stargazing Facts

 The color of stars range from red to white

to blue, with red being the coolest and blue being the hottest. Red dwarfs, which are smaller than the sun, are the most abundant.  The Milky Way—only one of countless galaxies in the universe—is estimated to contain 200 to 400 billion stars. It moves through space at more than 190 miles a second.  The sun is nearly 110 times bigger than Earth.

It would take about 1.3 million Earths to fit in the sun.  The largest known star in the universe is VY Canis Majoris, located in the constellation Canis Major. Thought to be 2,200 times larger than the sun, this red hypergiant star is about 4,900 light years away from the sun.

Photo by Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn

Getting the Most Out of Your Star Party Gazing at twinkling stars at night can be as inspiring as watching a dramatic sunset cast its incredible colors over the Gulf waters—and then some. When the sun goes down, the beauty of the night sky illuminates with countless wonders to behold.

The dark sky is strewn with countless stars, creative constellations, star clusters, cosmic clouds of gas and dust known as nebulae, and even the Andromeda Galaxy located 2.5 million light years away. All of these celestial treasures can be seen with your bare eyes with a clear night, good weather, a bit of patience and an appetite for adventure.

The best viewing opportunities are on clear, moonless—or

near moonless—nights in the darkest location possible. This may be in a rural area, on a hill or mountain, or in your own backyard.

While you might see 6,000 or more stars with your bare eyes, quality binoculars will allow you to view more than 100,000. Pick up a star chart or stargazing map at your local bookstore, or go online at www.skymaps.com. A flashlight covered with red cellophane or a lightweight red fabric will help you read the map without affecting your vision.

Stargazing Sites • Gulf Islands National Seashore: For stargazing event schedules and interpretive programs, call the Fort

Kris Wetherbee is an author and award-winning recipe developer. She writes about outdoor living, travel, gardening, natural health and cooking for numerous publications, including Florida Currents.

Visit her website at www.kriswetherbee.com.

20

APRIL 2012

Pickens Visitor Information Center, (850) 934-2635, or Gulf Islands National Park, (850) 934-2600.

• Pensacola: Contact the Escambia County Amateur Astronomers’ Association, (850) 434-3638.

• St. George Island: Fantastic stargazing can be found at the St. George Island State Park near Apalachicola.

• Levy County: Look for prime stargazing opportunities in the small fishing town of Steinhatchee and the island community of Cedar Key, where extremely dark skies bring a new enlightenment to the stargazing experience.

• Clearwater: Starkey Park is a stargazing favorite.

• Fort Myers: Check out Bowditch Park at the northern tip of Fort Myers Beach.

• Ochopee: Four parks and recreation areas with excellent stargazing can be found within the diverse communities of Big Cypress.

• Mid and Lower Keys: Dark skies abound along the Florida Keys after sunset. The Southern Cross is easily visible in late May and early June.

Planetariums Aplenty For a star-studded show, head to a planetarium. These highdomed, specialized theaters surround viewers with images of the dazzling night sky for a multimedia experience.

• Bishop Planetarium, Bradenton: (941) 746-4132; www.southfloridamuseum.org.

• St. Petersburg College Planetarium, St. Petersburg: (727) 341-4320; www.spjc. edu/spg/planetarium.htm.

• Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, Fort Myers: (239) 275-3435; www.calusanature.com.

• Riverview High School Planetarium, Sarasota: (813) 671-5011.

• Pat Thomas Planetarium, Tallahassee: (850)6445567; www.physics.fsu.edu. 

You’ll be amazed at the wealth of authentic details lavished on each train car, including flat cars featuring fully-sculpted and removable Farmall tractors. And you’ll delight in the images of these classic tractors that boldly decorate the train cars, recalling half a century of their service as America’s small farm tractor. Masterfully crafted with a solid metal chassis and steel alloy wheels, your Farmall Delivers Express will bring you years of enjoyment as you watch its powerful diesel locomotive and cars plow around the tracks.

Authentically detailed.

And Built to Last ... like Farmall Tractors!

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Strong demand is definitely expected. Orders are limited to one train collection per customer. Send no money now. So don’t wait and mail the coupon today. ©2011 CNH America LLC

It’s a must-have for classic tractor & rail fans alike! Act now!

Begin your illuminated HO scale train collection with the Diesel Locomotive. You will be billed the first of three easy payments of $25* when it is sent. Soon, you can look forward to adding coordinating Farmall Delivers Express cars—including fully-sculpted vintage Farmall tractors—and the FREE tracks, power-pack and speed controller! They will be billed separately each at the same attractive price and sent about one every other month. You can cancel at any time and our 365-day guarantee assures your satisfaction.

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Farming’s one tough job. So for over 50 years, America’s farmers relied on one tough tractor...Farmall...Red Power. As their advertising proclaimed, they were “Time Proved for Improved Farming.”

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Festival Roundup

Things to See and Do

March 31, St. Petersburg Festival of Speed A gathering of the world’s finest and most exotic new and vintage automobiles, motorcycles and watercraft at Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, 501 5th Ave. NE. www.festivalsofspeed.com; (305) 814-2367

March 31, Tallahassee Springtime Tallahassee A parade, arts and crafts vendors, a food court, children’s park, seafood festival, beer garden and regional entertainment are featured. www.tallahasseedowntown.com/events3.shtml

March 31, Cape San Blas Sandcastles of St. Joseph Compete in a castle-building contest, with different age and skill categories. www.visitgulf.com/events

March 31-April 1, Islamorada 21st Annual Florida Keys Island Fest Enjoy music, art, food and fun from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Founders Park, mile marker 87 bayside on Plantation Key. Free admission. www.islamoradachamber.com/event2.cfm

April 1, Marathon 15th Annual Taste of the Islands Join the local Business and Professional Women at a culinary challenge hosted at Key Colony Beach City Park from noon to 4 p.m. Vendors and a local fashion show complement a silent auction and afternoon of entertainment. All proceeds benefit local scholarship programs. www.floridakeysmarathon.com

April 6-7, Crescent City 34th Annual Catfish Festival In addition to catfish and other food, the Rotary Club event features live music Friday night and all day Saturday; games for the kids; arts and crafts vendors; and a parade. All profits are used for scholarships for local high school students. www.floridacatfishfestival.com

April 6-7, Port Charlotte Spring Craft EGGstravaganza A huge Easter egg hunt each day, games, more than 125 craft booths, food, contests for the kids and a visit from the Easter Bunny are featured.

(941) 429-6160

April 7, Port St. Joe Junior Service League Easter Egg Hunt Kids of all ages are invited to 8th Street Park for an egg hunt and games. The Easter Bunny will visit. www.visitgulf.com/events

April 7, Bushnell 2nd Annual Eggs in the Park The hunt begins at 10 a.m. at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park. Free egg hunting for ages 0-13. Bring your own basket.

(352) 793-4781

April 8, Key Largo Underwater Easter Egg Hunt The Easter Bunny hosts this underwater egg hunt to benefit Kids in Special Situations, a local charity for needy children. Open to divers and snorkelers.

(305) 451-3020; www.captainslate.com

Photo courtesy of Fantasy of Flight

Sun ‘n Fun Splash-In Seaplanes and amphibious aircraft perform water landings and takeoffs during an afternoon devoted to competitive flying March 29 at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City. For more information, see www. fantasyofflight.com/splash-in.

22

april 2 0 1 2

Send your family-friendly event— with date, town, times, details and a way to get more information—to info@floridacurrents.com. Please submit item 60 days before the event.

April 13-15, Venice 20th Annual Shark’s Tooth Festival A Sharks Tooth Scramble and Mote Marine’s hands-on exhibit are highlights at the event that benefits Special Olympics of Sarasota County.

More than 100 artists from around the state market original works, vendors serve up seafood to barbecue and live entertainment is featured at the Venice Airport Festival Grounds.

April 13-15, Delray Beach 50th Annual Delray Affair The award-winning arts and crafts show attracts more than 300,000 visitors to the Southeast. www.delrayaffair.com; (561) 279-1380

April 13-15, Jacksonville Springing the Blues Festival The free oceanfront event celebrates America’s indigenous musical form and supports the arts.

It features renowned blues performers and displays and activities for the entire family. www.springingtheblues.com

April 13-22, Orlando Florida Film Festival More than 160 cutting-edge films and 100 visiting filmmakers make for nonstop events. www.floridafilmfestival.com

April 14, Harmony Dark Sky Festival at Harmony Stargaze with knowledgeable guides from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Informative speakers, live entertainment and a kid’s zone. Free admission. www.darkskyfestival.com

April 14, Inverness Bluegrass and Oldtyme Music Festival Enjoy crafts, antique autos, food and music from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Cooper State Park.

Advanced tickets available at the park.

Download a flyer from http://tinyurl.com/6tljmv2

April 14-15, Gainesville 42nd Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival A jazz and blues concert joins fine arts and crafts at the event that includes a kids’ art jungle. www.springartsfestival.com

April 14-15, Okeechobee Top of the Lake Art and Music Fest Enjoy the work of national, local and student artists, entertainment, games and activities for the kids, food and more.

www.sharkstoothfest.com

www.mainstreetokeechobee.com

April 13-15, West Palmetto Gulf Coast Rhythm and Ribfest Rib teams from across the nation serve up their award-winning recipes and compete for top honors at the Manatee County Fairgrounds.

April 15, Islamorada 18th Annual Bay Jam Local and guest musical artists perform on the shores of Florida Bay at the TIB Amphitheater at Founders Park, mile marker 87 on U.S. 1.

www.gulfcoastribfest.com

www.keysice.com

April 18, St. Marks Lighthouse Lantern Tour The lighthouse keeper’s house will be open at 7:30 p.m. for a lantern tour and storytelling. See what the lighthouse looked like before electricity.

(850)925-6121 to register

April 18-20, Panama City Beach Seabreeze Jazz Festival Top national smooth jazz artists combine with a weekend of fun, sun, great beaches and good times on the west end of Panama City Beach. www.seabreezejazzfestival.com

April 20, Key Largo Ocean Life Lecture Series “Found: The Sea Turtle Lost Years,” presented

by Dr. Kate Mansfield. Meet and greet at 6 p.m.; lecture begins at 7 p.m. Free admission.

(305) 396-7000

April 20-21, Madison 29th Annual Down Home Days Enjoy a parade, dog show, frog jumping contest, music, food and local artisan booths. www.tinyurl.com/78rtusy

April 20-21, Marianna Marianna Arts Festival and BBQ Cookoff Beginning noon Friday, Citizen’s Lodge Park will host a barbecue, entertainment, a 5K walk/run, vendors and fireworks after dark on Saturday. www.mariannaartsfestival.com

April 20-21, Panama City Corvette Beach Oddessy Hosted by the Emerald Coast Corvette Club, the show will be at Pier Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event includes music, a silent auction and a National Corvette Museum display. Proceeds benefit Taunton’s Children’s Home. www.emeraldcoastcorvetteclub.com

April 21, De Leon Springs Wood Carvers Jamboree Artisans demonstrate their skills using pocket knives to power tools. Park admission fees apply. www.tinyurl.com/75vck3k

April 21-22, Florida’s Panhandle Forgotten Coast Lighthouse Challenge From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visit five lighthouses: Pensacola, Cape San Blas, Cape St. George, Crooked River and St. Mark’s. Participants receive a souvenir at each lighthouse and a special souvenir for climbing or visiting all five lighthouses. www.panhandlelighthousechallenge.com

April 22, Kissimmee 3rd Annual Shingle Creek Adventure Challenge Teams of two and four run, bike and canoe. www.shinglecreekadventurechallenge.com

Photo courtesy of Nick Baldwin, NB Photography

Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival A youngster competes in last year’s worm gruntin’ contest. Kids 12 and under hammer a stob into the ground and run a metal spring over it, resulting in a “grunting” noise.

The vibration drives the worms up. The competitor who collects the most worms by weight wins a cash prize and trophy. The free fun-filled family day on April 14 starts off at 9 a.m. with a 5K race and includes a bait casting contest for kids, a horseshoe contest for adults, a hula hoop contest for all ages, live music, more than 100 vendors and a street dance. For more information, see www.wormgruntinfestival.com.

April 26-28, Panama City Beach Gulf Coast Charity Horse Show The 10-time award-winning event benefits local charities draws entrants from around the nation and includes food and entertainment. www.gulfcoasthorseshow.com

April 28, Key Largo Brew on the Bay Rotary Club of Key Largo hosts the event at Rowells Marina Property at MM 104.5 bayside with craft beer, music and food. Limited tickets. http://tinyurl.com/6pm4y8x

April 28, Suwannee Stone Crab Festival The event features a parade, arts and crafts vendors, a kid’s corner, a mullet toss, a cornhole tournament, live music all day, lots of fresh stone

crabs and other seafood. www.savafireworks.com./Events.php

April 28-29, High Springs 36th Annual Pioneer Days Festival The event features handmade crafts, a heritage village, a kid’s corral, music, entertainment, reenactments, a parade and period games.

(352) 871-4992

April 28-29, Cedar Key 48th Annual Old Florida Celebration of the Arts Some 120 artists and craftsmen compete for more than $10,000 in prize money and purchase awards during a juried event on historic 2nd Street. Nonprofit businesses and churches sell food and desserts in the city park, which also features music, sidewalk chalk and face painting. www.cedarkeyartsfestival.com

april 2 0 1 2

23

Outdoor Pursuits

Enjoying the Natural World Around Us

Knot It! One essential—but often overlooked—fishing skill is knot tying. A good knot could be the difference between landing a whopper or seeing it slip away if the knot fails.

Needs change depending on the situation, which is why knowing how to tie more than one knot is important.

Two basic types of knots are used for most fishing: terminal knots and line-to-line knots. Subcategories of these include loop terminal knots and heavy-to-light-line knots.

Not all knots are created equal. They each have specific purposes and strengths—and weaknesses. Terminal knots are used for tying on a lure or a fly, while line-to-line knots are designed to splice two lines together.

Terminal knots come in a variety of configurations.

Popular ones include the classic five-turn double clinch, which has been around for more than 50 years, and the modern-day six-turn San Diego jam. The San Diego jam is preferred for its extra cushion and greater strength than the double clinch. There are dozens more terminal knots.

There are just as many line-to-line knots. Favorites

Florida is the fishing capital of the world. You can fish for anything here—as long as it’s in season— including shark.

This plastic shark is part of an iconic sign in Fort Lauderdale, where returning anglers display their catches.

Photo by Jonathan Hill

include the surgeon’s knot and J-knot. The drawback of these and other line-to-line knots is their inherent weakness. Monofilament line has a tendency to crack when the tight turns in this style of knot are compressed and come under pressure.

Learn more about all kinds of knots—and how to tie them—at the Animated Knots website, www.animatedknots.com. There is even a smart phone app for the site.

While you are at it, check out Knot Wars at www.fishingclub.com, a video series where experts test the strength of dozens of different knots.

Wildlife Photo Tip One way to capture great wildlife images is to give your camera legs. A tripod is a

Many of Curtis Condon’s fondest memories involve outdoor adventures with friends and family, whether fishing with old school buddies, backpacking in the mountains of the Northwest with his sons, or bird watching along the Gulf Coast with his wife. He feels fortunate to have the opportunity to write about the outdoors and other subjects for more than 30 years.

24

APRIL 2012

useful piece of equipment for photographing animals from a distance or in low light.

A long lens not only magnifies what you are photographing, it also magnifies motion. Even if your subject isn’t moving, you are. A tripod will steady the shakes, and enhance sharpness, depth of field and even composition.

In a pinch, you can use a tree, a boulder or some other solid, stationary object as a tripod substitute. Place a backpack or coat underneath the camera to protect it, and shoot in short, three- to fourframe bursts to improve your chances of success.

Shift Into Slow Gear “Slow and steady wins the race.” That sage advice applies to boots, too.

Begin the break-in process by wearing new boots for only short periods at a time.

Start by wearing them around the house. Gradually increase the time they are on your feet, as well as the level of activity.

Advance to short hikes, then longer ones.

How long the break-in period will last varies from person to person, and boot to boot. Heavy leather boots take the longest to break in.

A good-quality leather conditioner, such as Nikwax, may help speed the process.

Lightweight boots may not need a break-in period at all.

Let your feet be the judge.

Boating Trivia • Florida boasts more than 8,400 miles of tidal shoreline and 11,000 miles of navigable rivers and streams.

• More boats are registered in Florida than in any other state in the country. At last count, there were more than 914,000.

• The African Queen— the vessel featured in the 1951 movie with the same name, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn— marks its 100th birthday this year. It is being restored in Key Largo. 

--

PRECO Names 2012 Youth Tour Students In June, two local 11th grade students will travel to Washington DC to participate in the annual week-long, all-expense-paid “Youth Tour” event. Every year since 2007, PRECO has sponsored students in the national Youth Tour program, making it available to students at 16 selected schools in our 10-county service territory.

Ian Harkins and Anna Shah, Manatee County residents, along with approximately 30 other students from Florida electric cooperatives will attend Youth Tour, joining with about 1,500 students from co-ops around the nation. Shah was recommended by Southeast High School in Bradenton, while Harkins, as a home school student, submitted an application as the son of parents who receive power from the cooperative.

A total of five students submitted an application, including submission of an essay describing the important qualities the applicant believes legislators should possess.

High school faculty chose one student to represent their respective school as a semi-finalist,

creating a pool from which the winners were selected. Ruralite Services, of Forest Grove, OR, publisher of PRECO’s Florida Currents member magazine judged student essays.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), headquartered in Arlington, VA, has coordinated the Youth Tour program for over 40 years, sending high school students to visit the nation’s capitol. The purpose of Youth Tour is to educate young people about the history and development of rural electrification and promote a better understanding of the value of rural electric cooperatives and their importance in the economic development of rural areas.

Harkins and Shah will also learn how our system of government functions as they meet with legislators on Capitol Hill and visit many area points of interest, such as the White House, National Cathedral, Washington Memorial, Holocaust Museum, numerous war memorials and much more.

PRECO gives back to the communities it serves by supporting Youth Tour.

Directors Retained At District Meetings Through democratically-held elections at District Meetings in February, members of Districts 2, 5 and 8 voted to retain all three incumbent Directors seeking to preserve their positions on PRECO’s Board.

District 2’s Sam Rawls and District 8’s Harold Schatschneider were reelected in unopposed elections at

Sam Rawls

DISTRICT 2 WAUCHULA, WEST

www.preco.coop

PREC_AprilRuralite_final.indd 9

Maurice Henderson DISTRIC T 5 WAUCHULA, EAST

Harold Schatschneider DISTRICT 8 ELLENTON

meetings held in Wauchula and Palmetto respectively; while Maurice Henderson, District 5, kept his seat on the Board with a majority vote in Wauchula, staving off two contenders for the position he’s held for many years.

District Meeting business was conducted in accordance with PRECO’s bylaws, where each location’s attendance exceeded the number of registered members required for a quorum, as determined by district size. After votes were cast and a brief business meeting held, members participated in a question-and-answer forum, followed by refreshments and drawings for door prizes.

Directors are democratically elected to serve three-year terms on the Board, whose primary function and duty is to set PRECO’s governing policies and ensure an adequate, reliable and affordable power supply for the co-op’s member-owners.

The Board of Directors was officially seated last month at the membership’s 72nd Annual Meeting at the co-op’s home base in Wauchula.

a p r i l 2 012

25

3/8/12 3:59 PM

James  Dulley

Cut Your Utility Bills

Do-ItYourself Outdoor Lighting

This composite deck railing has built-in low-voltage lights under the post caps and in the balusters.

Photo courtesy of TimberTech

To ask a question, write to James Dulley, Energy Report, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH. 45244, or check his Web page, www.dulley.com.

Copyright 2012, James Dulley

26

april 2012

Q: I need efficient outdoor lighting by my deck and landscaping. Are low-voltage lights efficient, and what types are best?

A: The big advantage of low-voltage lighting is you can install it yourself.

There is a huge variety of styles and accessories available at nearly every home center and hardware store.

Another advantage is safety using metal garden tools. Many gardeners accidentally cut through wire insulation while working. Because the wires on the ground carry only 12 volts, you will not be shocked if you nick one.

The energy efficiency of low-voltage lighting is similar to standard 120-volt outdoor lighting. Slightly more electricity may be used, but it is not a significant difference. If you want to brightly light a large area, linevoltage lighting fixtures, such as low-pressure sodium, are the most efficient.

The most efficient low-voltage landscaping lighting uses LEDs instead of standard incandescent bulbs.

LEDs are still considerably more expensive than other lighting alternatives, but they use less than one-fifth as much electricity as equivalent incandescent bulbs and last at least 10 times longer. LED light is more directional, so multiple LEDs are often used inside one fixture for broader lighting and brightness.

Each LED fixture may use as little as 1 watt of electricity compared with about 11 watts from a typical snap-in wedgebase low-voltage bulb. Some brighter fixtures, such as bollards, use a 2-watt LED, and floodlights use three LEDs. The most difficult part of installing a low-voltage lighting system is making sure the total wattage of all of the fixtures on

a line does not exceed the rated output of the transformer. The maximum 12-volt output wattage will be listed on the transformer. Instructions for the fixtures should list individual wattages.

If you buy a prepackaged low-voltage lighting kit, it will include the proper size transformer for the number and types of lights. If you add more or assemble your own lighting kit, do not exceed the transformer’s output maximum or ever go above 300 watts. If a lighting layout requires more than 300 watts, do not connect two transformers together. Set up two separate wiring layouts to stay below 300 watts on each.

When buying a low-voltage system, select a transformer with a built-in mechanical or electronic timer or photoeye control. These are common in many kits and easy to find.

With a timer, there is no chance of leaving the lights on all night and wasting electricity.

For general lighting where the fixture is not noticeable, inexpensive plastic fixtures are fine. For more exposed areas, decorative metal fixtures with stained and etched glass are attractive.

The following companies offer lowvoltage lights: hh Argee Corp.

(800) 449-3030 www.argeecorp.com hh Idaho Wood (800) 635-1100 www.idahowood.com hh Kichler Lighting (866) 558-5706 kichlerlighting.com hh Malibu (888) 295-7348 www.malibulights.com hh Nightscaping (800) 544-4840 www.nightscaping.com hh Troy Landscape Lighting (800) 677-6811 www.troylandscapelighting.com. n

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Peace River

Out with the Old (Fridge), In with the New hen my wife and daughter go shopping, fresh

the new.” But for one in five households, that’s not the case.

outfits don’t replace last year’s looks – instead,

A national survey by the Cooperative Research Network, an

new clothes are added to the already bulging

arm of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association,

closet. No one gets around

found 19 percent of homes

to recycling the clothes

have two refrigerators; 2

they never wear anymore.

percent own three or more.

The same situation

I understand why my wife

often applies with

and daughter might hold

refrigerators. In both cases,

on to an outfit from last

it can lead to waste.

year. But the problem with

In 2010 and 2011 for

keeping an old refrigerator

most consumers, a lot of

is simple: You’re not saving

folks got federal rebates for

money. By sending these

a new fridge, water heater or

“energy hogs” to the garage

other household appliance.

to keep sodas and popsicles

About 1.7 million rebates

cold for the kids, you jack

were redeemed, and the

up electric bills even more.

U.S. Department of Energy

Appliances already use

estimates these appliances will

13 percent of your home’s

cut $65 million from electric

electricity, and older

bills every year. Around $48

appliances drain even more.

million of that chunk will be

A refrigerator from the 1970s

saved mainly by consumers

costs $200 more to operate

who bought energy-efficient

every year than a current

refrigerators, clothes

model; a 1980s fridge isn’t

washers and dishwashers.

much better, wasting $100

Great news, right? Sure, if folks really follow the adage, “Out with the old, in with

28

a p r i l 2 012

PREC_AprilRuralite_final.indd 10

in energy dollars annually.

Are you in the market for a new fridge or

Peace River Electric Cooperative

3/8/12 3:59 PM

A refrigerator from the 1970s costs $200 more to operate every year than a current model... another energy-efficient appliance?

Don’t get your electric bill caught in a spin cycle!

When doing laundry, use cold water. If your dryer has a moisture meter, use it to prevent over-drying clothes. Remember to check your lint filter each time before you run a load to help your dryer run more efficiently (and save energy).

More ways to save: TogetherWeSave.com.

April

Check the “EnergyGuide” label (see EnergyGuide graphic: below) to

Source: Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives

E N E RGY E FFICIE NC Y TIP O F THE MO NTH

compare different models. An appliance which costs slightly more may save you big bucks in the long run.

Save your money – we all know every dollar counts. If you buy a refrigerator,

Jeff cornelius PRECO’s manager of energy services

trade in the old one and save on your electric bill. Want to save even more? Find out how little changes add up to big savings at www.TogetherWeSave.com.

How to Use the EnergyGuide Label Appliance manufacturers are federally required to provide an EnergyGuide label so consumers can compare energy use between different brands and models.

Appliance features that impact cost range

Product make, model, and size

Amount you might pay to run the appliance for a year based on energy use and the national average cost of electricity Range of operating costs for models with similiar features

How much electricity the product uses. Multiply this by your local electricity rate for an idea of your actual operating cost Source: Federal Trade Commission, ftc.gov/appliances

www.preco.coop

PREC_AprilRuralite_final.indd 11

Special Needs Registry Florida Statute 252.355 establishes a registration program available through county emergency management offices for individuals with special needs requiring assistance during emergency evacuations and sheltering. For registration or more information, contact your local emergency management office. Visit www.myflorida.com for more information regarding this statute and its limitations.

If you are a special needs individual contact your local emergency management office at: County Telephone Website Brevard (321) 637-6670 www.embrevard.com DeSoto (863) 993-4831 www.desotobocc.com Hardee (863) 773-6373 (ext 8444) www.hardeecounty.net/eoc Highlands (863) 385-1112 www.hceoc.org Hillsborough (813) 272-6900 www.hillsboroughcounty.org Indian River (772) 567-2154 www.ircgov.com Manatee (941) 749-3500 (ext 1667) www.mymanatee.org/needs Osceola (407) 742-9000 www.osceola.org Polk (863) 298-7027 www.polk-county.net/em Sarasota (941) 861-5000 www.scgov.net i f Yo u a r e a n i n d i V i d ua l w i t h s P e c i a l needs reQuiring electric serVice: Please contact the Peace River Electric Cooperative Member Services Department at 1-800-282-3824.

Documentation from a physician is required. This classification does not assure that electric service will be restored more quickly in the event of a loss of power.

PRECO cannot guarantee uninterrupted power to any home or business. Consumers with critical care needs are strongly encouraged to have a backup plan to move to an alternate location with power, in the event of an emergency. a p r i l 2 012

29

3/8/12 3:59 PM

Parting Shot

Readers Share Their Special Photos

Panhandle Portrait This shrimp boat, while dilapidated, nonetheless conveys the scenery and industry of the Panhandle coastal area.

“With my photography, I strive to convey the beauty in all objects, even those that others may see as an eyesore,” says Brittany Barnes. “Each day I passed this boat in the Southport, Florida, area, I could not help but see past its worn-out exterior to the cultural portrait it truly conveys. On a beautiful Sunday evening in February, I took a leisurely stroll down to this inlet and was able to capture this shot that I feel illustrates how lucky we are to live in an area where scenes like this are an everyday occurrence.”

Photo by Brittany Barnes, Southport, Florida. n

Florida Currents Wants Your Photos!

Dressing can be a challenge for a youngster. Where does the head go? And the arms? It has the makings of a funny photo—and if it makes you laugh, it probably will entertain other readers.

We are looking for your interesting and humorous shots to feature in Parting Shot: cute kids, animal antics, funny signs, heartwarming expressions ... something special that says “wow” or puts a smile on your face.

Send your best shots, along with your name, address and phone number. Identify the person pictured and all of the details that tell the story. If your photo is printed, we will send you $25.

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Board of directors

George W. Miller Pr eside nt

Maurice Henderson Vice Pr eside nt

Leonard Crawley

secr etarY/ tr e asur e r

Bruce Vickers

asst. secr etarY/ tr e asur e r

Hollis Albritton, Jr. d ir ec tor

John Martin d ir ec tor

A. Byron Newberry d ir ec tor

Samuel Rawls d ir ec tor

Harold Schatschneider d ir ec tor

Board Meeting attendance any prECO member may attend a Board Meeting. Due to building security requirements and for us to facilitate attendance, members wishing to attend a Board Meeting should contact the Cooperative in a timely manner for logistical information regarding the meeting. uPcoMing Board Meeting dates april 24, 2012 May 22, 2012 June 26, 2012

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2012

Membership Counts

Your electric utility is determined by your location. Folks on CELEBRATE opposite sides of the road may be served by different electric

the INTERNATIONAL providers; a stockholder-driven investor-owned utility, a cityYEARowned of COOPERATIVES! municipal electric system or – like you – a member owned

electric cooperative. Across the nation, electric co-ops serve more than 42 million people.

But there’s one major difference between these entities.

Every home or business that receives power from an electric william t. Mulcay, Jr. cooperative – 18 million in 47 General Manager & CEO states – owns a portion of the pEaCE riVEr ElECTriC COOpEraTiVE utility. As a result, anyone who Co-ops Put People First receives cooperative electric service becomes a “member,” not a “customer.” Peace River Electric is a not-for-profit electric cooperative owned by you and your fellow members.

Being a member counts. PRECO doesn’t exist to make profits for distant investors on Wall Street. We exist to provide you with safe, reliable and affordable electric service. Because we operate on a not-for-profit basis, we have no need to increase revenues above what it takes to run the business in a financially sound manner. This structure helps keep your electric bill affordable.

Membership counts because we care about improving the quality of life in the areas we serve – 10 central Florida counties to be exact. From sponsoring local high school Peace River sports to participating in area charity fundraisers, PRECO Electric is a notinvests in the communities where you live and work. for-profit electric Membership also counts because it entitles you cooperative to certain benefits like free energy audits that help owned by you and your fellow you find ways to lower your electricity use or college members. scholarships for members and their students. As a member of Peace River Electric, you receive the Florida Currents magazine you’re currently holding because we want you to stay abreast of important co-op news and events.

Membership counts because you have a voice and a vote in how your co-op is governed. Through democratic control, members like you elected individuals from our co-op to serve on the board of directors. Control stays in local hands.

Your board of directors and co-op employees are your friends and neighbors.

Membership counts because you receive returns on your investment in your co-op. PRECO operates at-cost, so any excess revenues, called margins, are returned to members in the form of capital credits, based on their electric use.

The bottom line: Membership counts because you count at your electric cooperative.

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