Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)
News for members of Dixie Electric Power Association
4 Smith Countian’s dream of log cabin living
14 Southern dishes
get Mexican makeover
18 Find something fun to do in Mississippi Events
10 I Today in Mississippi I May 2018
Dixie Electric is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
Dixie Electric reminds members to plug into safety every day In May, Dixie Electric along with the other electric cooperatives nationwide promote safety awareness to coincide with National Electrical Safety Month. Every year, thousands of accidents occur due to shock hazards, and we are committed to educating the public about potential electrical dangers around power lines and in the home. We are often asked why we cut trees and underbrush below or around the power lines. While there are several reasons, safety is the main one. Cutting tree limbs away from the power lines hopefully keeps innocent children, who love to climb trees, away from power lines. In 2016, 475,500 structure fires, including residential fires, were reported in the
U.S., causing 2,950 deaths, 12,775 injuries and $7.9 billion in property damage. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a residential fire was reported every 90 seconds. Many home fires occur when electrical equipment is outdated or improperly used. If you have a residential wiring problem, call a certified electrician to make the repairs. Lastly, if you see a downed power line, please stay away from it, and call us immediately. We have personnel available, and they will respond to safely make the necessary repairs. To raise awareness of the importance of electrical safety, we will post messages on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages throughout the month of May, providing tips on electrical safety. Remember to share these safety tips with your children. Also, you can visit our website, dixieepa.com, for tips and information. Through electrical safety awareness and education, we can all play a part in preventing electrical hazards and injuries in the future. Together, let’s plug into safety this May.
Before you pick up the shovel, pick up the phone. Your guide
Free Safety Guide! Download at BeAwareEverywhere.com
Call 811 to locate underground power lines. Electrical hazards aren’t always obvious. So be smart. Be safe. And call before you dig.
PLUG into SAFETY Randy Smith General Manager
to
Electrical Safety
May 2018
SERVING OTHERS
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Today in Mississippi
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DEFINES THE CAREER OF
Mary Bonner
47 YEAR CAREER at Dixie Electric
Notice of Dixie Electric’s Director Qualification Period Candidates seeking election to represent Districts 3, 4, or 6 on the board of directors for Dixie Electric must visit Dixie Electric’s headquarters office at 1863 Highway 184, Laurel, Miss. and obtain a Director Qualification Packet during business hours between June 1 and July 31. The forms and petitions in the packet must be completed and returned by close of business on
Tuesday, July 31, 2018.
In 1970, Mary Lee Bonner was hired for three teach effective ways to use electricity. weeks to help unload, unpack and clean as employees of Bonner was asked her fondest memory of working at Dixie Electric Power Association moved to their new Dixie Electric. She replied, “when I taught sewing classes building on Highway 84, now Highway 184. because I was helping people.” “After three weeks, I was told to come back the next Bonner’s career was defined by helping people. Her Monday. After that, Mrs. job changed through the Judy Edwards says, ‘I’ll see years, and she became an you,’” Bonner said she just aide to her coworkers by kept coming to work. helping with office work, This was the start to a cleaning and preparing 47-year career at Dixie for events. Electric. Bonner retired in “Bonner was always December 2017, and the kind and willing to help employees celebrated with a others. She worked with luncheon in her honor on a smile on her face,” her Mary Bonner worked alongside Lydia Walters, Pollyanna Magee and Friday, April 13. supervisor Lydia Walters George Day during her 47 years at Dixie Electric. Bonner began as a said. housekeeper with a starting wage of $1.69 per Numerous individuals shared kind words and funny hour. After a few years, Home Services Adviser stories about Bonner’s years at Dixie Electric during her Judy Edwards recognized her cooking and retirement celebration. Coworker Pollyanna Magee presewing abilities and asked that Bonner be pro- pared a poem, highlighting Bonner’s personality and moted to Home Services Adviser Aide to help willingness to help others. with cooking demonstrations and sewing Bonner and her late husband, Q.C., were active classes for the public. During the 1970s members of their church, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist era, home economists were hired at rural Church, and have three children. She plans to serve her electric cooperatives, like Dixie Electric, to church and community during her retirement.
Right-of-way clearing projects underway Dixie Electric Power Association clears trees, limbs and underbrush from the area around and below the power lines, called the right-of-way. Right-of-way clearing decreases the number of outages and reduces the risk of someone coming in contact with the power lines. Here are the substations and surrounding communities that are either currently being cleared or will be cleared soon: • South Waynesboro substation – Winchester, Denham-Progress, Sunlight, Big Rock and the Central School area • Glade substation – Glade, Antioch and Powers communities • Macedonia substation – Macedonia, Leeville, Union, Corinth Church and the Ovett oilfields Spraying the underbrush will begin in May and continue through the summer for the communities surrounding following substations: • Diamond substation – Holly Bush Church Road, Highway 84 East of Waynesboro, Mathersville-Diamond Road, Boice, Cypress Creek, Chaparral, Highway 45 North and Shubuta • West Richton substation – Runnelstown, Ovett, Goodhope, Buck Creek, McSwain, Clay Hill, Whitfield, Pumping Station, Corinth Church, New Augusta and Mahnad community • Macedonia substation – Macedonia, Leeville, Union, Corinth Church and Ovett Oilfields • Cleo substation – Poole Creek, Highway 84 East of Laurel to Wayne County line, Magnolia Road, Mill Creek Road, Beaver Dam, Sandersville-Eucutta Road, Freedom Road and Walters Loop Clearing the right-of-way protects individuals from the hazards of electricity and makes power restoration quicker and safer for both Dixie Electric’s members and personnel.