Today in Mississippi Nov/Dec 2018 Local Pages

Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)

News for members of Electric Cooperatives in Mississippi

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The house of 6,000 Santas

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Admiration for two men of the bush

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Recipes to shake up deer camp cookery

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November/December 2018

Central Electric Power Association

A tradition of dependable, hometown service since 1937

Carthage 601-267-5671 • Philadelphia 601-656-2601 • Rankin 601-829-1201 • Sebastopol 601-625-7422

Central Electric engineer teaches students about electricity

Thank you!

Chance Sistrunk, electrical engineer for Central Electric Power Association, spent the day teaching 5th graders from schools in Leake County about how electricity works and the importance of safety around power lines.

Chance Sistrunk Bill Lofton Andy Wilkinson Jeffery Dennis Quinton Pullin Mason McDill Leran Ealy Jeremy Millsaps Bud Jordan Vernard Summers Jeremy Shoemaker

to these employees that assisted West Florida Electric Cooperative during Hurricane Michael: Donovan Irby Kent Sistrunk Dexter Myrick Bobby Johnson Justin Anderson Beau Chandler James Tull Gaines Measles Lance Jones Brandon Rhinewalt Bob Adcock

Cody Spears Pete Graham Dylan Watkins Mike Jamison Chris Cumberland Robert Alford Shannon Rhodes Clemon Fortune Richard Harris Kenneth Burkes

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Local cookbook publisher releases two new cookbooks just in time for the holidays

Check out these great new cookbooks from

Great American Publishers Farm to Table Fabulous is a back-tobasics approach to cooking that makes it fun to cook fresh, delicious meals for family and guests. In her easy-to-follow cookbook author Kimberly Storm Ritter shares twelve monthly menus plus tips for hosting a dinner party any month of the year.

For the experienced entertainer or even dinnerparty newbies looking to host a special evening, this book demonstrates how to decorate a beautiful space creating a casual yet enchanting experience… an experience guests will be talking about for years to come.

In addition to outstanding recipes, Kim shares a month-by-month glimpse inside what happens behind the scenes on the farm plus monthly inspiration for creating a farm to table experience at home.

Fill your kitchen with the aroma of deep southern dishes from the locals of South Carolina. We’ve put together all of the easy-to-follow recipes along with fun-filled facts about this great state into the 6th edition of our State Hometown Cookbook Series. Whether you’re looking to barbeque and grill, or indulge in a traditional, habit-forming, homemade peach cobbler, you’ll find it here with these authentic downhome recipes straight from the heart of South Carolina.

Pick up your copy of Farm to Table Fabulous or South Carolina Hometown!

Both are available locally in bookstores and gift shops.

For more information, visit the website at www.greatamericanpublishers.com or call Great American Publishers, 888.854.5954.

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sebastopol

couple create a thriving

national business

“We receive a lot of compliments on our products that these frames are a great quality product for the price, and we ship our merchandise out quickly.”

- Krista Davidson

By Elissa Fulton In the 21 years since Central Electric members Jason and Krista Davidson have been married, they have tried their hand at many entrepreneurial endeavors. In 2001, the couple purchased a custom framing company from a retiring business owner and moved the operations from Alabama to their hometown of Sebastopol.

In the beginning of their new adventure they were hopeful, as the previous owners supplied a large catalogue retailer and a few smaller businesses. It was supposed to be enough business to keep the Davidson’s in operation. That hopeful beginning soon turned to panic when their primary customer decided to close their doors just a couple of months later. They continued to lose business to other customers closing their operations. The Davidson’s didn’t know quite how they were going to save their new business, but they were aware they had to come up with a plan, and fast.

Jason was the primary business operator, and Krista is a registered nurse by trade. She continued working in nearby Jackson. During that time, Jason had an idea to start liquidating their excess inventory online with a promising new website that we all know of today as Ebay.

“Ebay was really taking off around this time, and we started selling a lot of stuff on the website,” said Jason. “I knew that if we got our price in the right place, we could start manufacturing our picture frames and framed artwork and be competitive on the marketplace. And that’s exactly what happened.”

As a one man operation, with only one part time employee at the time, Jason began to quickly see his business succeeding online. After a couple of years, he had to start adding more employees to keep up with the demand.

“After we started growing, we started hearing about Amazon being a big mover and shaker and a lot of people were moving their products over to Amazon, so we thought we would give it a try,” said Jason. “Our first month on Amazon was very small and didn’t even touch the business we were doing on Ebay. But the next month our business doubled on Amazon, and the next month it double again, and then it doubled again. Pretty soon we were doing far more on Amazon than we ever thought about doing on Ebay, and we then added even more employees.”

It wasn’t long after Jason created his niche on Ebay and Amazon, that a new platform called Etsy made its way onto the scene. The styles and tastes of consumers who were originally looking for the traditional picture frames began to change to the new rustic looks that are popular today. Customers were also starting to demand American made products.

“Many of our customers ask where our wood comes from and what type of wood do we use,” said Krista. “Our wood is locally sourced from scratch, and our customers will many times buy from us over the competition because it is local.

It’s good, solid wood – not pressed wood –and they love it.”

As the business has boomed into a major online frame supplier, Krista decided two years ago to come home and work with the family business and manage its operations. Although she loved nursing, she was ready for a new adventure. In addition to the business, she also teaches nursing courses online and is able to

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continue using her nurses license and her master’s degree in nursing education.

“I really love being here and working in the business. It’s been a real blessing because we live just right down the road and I don’t have to dress up every day or fight traffic,” she said. “Every day I feel like I accomplish something. In those early years I really didn’t even touch the business, except filling in at Christmas time, but they’d put me on a task that didn’t require much.”

Because Krista was not involved in the business much from the beginning, she admits that she had a learning curve to acquiring the knowledge for the business operations. The employees were very helpful in teaching her their processes, and now she trains new employees that come to work with them.

Although the Davidson’s originally had a storefront in Sebastopol, they have closed the framing shop to focus on their warehouse production.

“We do 99 percent of our business online, and we wouldn’t have a business if it weren’t for the internet,” said Jason. “Sebastopol is a rural town and people just don’t come in here every day, and we would find that when people would come in, they’d be waiting up front for someone to help them and we were all in the back warehouse working. But people here know that all they have to do is call us and we will help them with anything.”

“Our town has been very, very supportive of our business,” said Krista. “We have always had incredible local support, but people don’t buy frames every day, but we are their local framers. So the internet has really kept us open.”

Jason admits that if it had not been for the internet and tapping into its potential from the very beginning, they would not have been able to keep the doors open after their first customer left nearly 20 years ago. The marketing is taken care of each month by fees paid to their online platforms, and that frees them up to focus on creating a great product. Today, the Davidson’s have sometimes, more than 10 employees and sell all over the continental United States, and have even shipped to Hawaii and internationally.

“We have a client in Hawaii who is a photographer and uses our frames to display her photographs. She told us that people ask about our products all the time when they are visiting the island on vacation,” said Krista. “They are always surprised to find out that they can purchase these unique frames in southern

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Top left: Jason and Krista Davidson are picture with their employees and mascot, Sadie, in their shop in downtown Sebastopol. Above: Jason Davidson and an employee cut molding for making frames in their warehouse in Sebastopol.

Mississippi. We meet all sorts of interesting people through this business.”

The unique products that are offered through The Rusty Roof, include the rustic distressed farmhouse look which is very popular. They produce the frames in 17 different colors and all sizes. They also continue to offer traditional framing and can make frames in all shapes and sizes. They ship more than 85 boxes per day and produce more than 3,000 frames per month.

“We receive a lot of compliments on our products that these frames are a great quality product for the price, and we ship our merchandise out quickly,” said Krista. “The platforms are very different too. Etsy customers are very conversational and that’s what they expect. And Amazon customers are only interested in when their product will arrive. And there’s no in between. There’s a lot of ins and outs to this business and you need each employee to fill in every spot.”

To quote from The Rusty Roof’s Etsy website, “Nestled in what used to be the largest antique and furniture shop in Mississippi, The Rusty Roof gains its name from its tin roof that makes lovely background noise during a rain shower.

Anchored in the heart of rural Mississippi, what began as a one-man picture frame shop has grown into a thriving e-commerce site, employing 10 times its humble beginnings. While specializing in hand-crafted wooden picture frames, we are constantly looking for new creations to share from our roof, to yours.”

To contact Jason and Krista, call 662-625-8136 or visit www.therustyroof.com. To order from Etsy, Amazon or Ebay, search The Rusty Roof.

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2019 Youth Tour winners Local students selected for 2019 Youth Leadership

Central Electric Power Association congratulates these students!

Seven area high school juniors were recently selected through an interview process to represent Central Electric Power Association during an upcoming statewide leadership workshop in Jackson, Miss., and the annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., this summer.

Now in its 33rd year, the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Youth Leadership Program is an enjoyable educational experience that makes a lasting impact on participants. The program seeks to: • help students develop the confidence and ability to become better leaders in their schools and communities; • stimulate their interest in governmental affairs and encourage their participation in the democratic process; • inform them about their electric cooperative, the cooperative form of business and the distribution of electricity; • foster interaction among students from communities throughout Mississippi and the nation.

Central Electric Power Association congratulates these students!

Callum Mann is the daughter of Rudy and Tina Mann of Carthage. She attends Leake Central High School. After graduation, Callum plans to attend Alcorn State University and pursue a degree in biology.

James Carpenter is the son of Brian and Tommie Carpenter of Carthage. He attends Leake Central High School. After graduation, James plans to attend Mississippi State University and pursue a degree in agriculture education.

John Carpenter is the son of Brian and Tommie Carpenter of Carthage. He attends Leake Central High School. After graduation, John plans to attend

Callum Mann

Kathryn Moss

James Carpenter

Savanna Greer

Mississippi State University and pursue a degree in secondary education with plans to teach English.

Kathyrn Moss is the daughter of Jeff and Becky Moss of Brandon. She attends Hartfield Academy. After graduation, Kathryn plans to attend college and pursue a degree in education.

Savanna Greer is the daughter of Phillip and Amy Greer of Carthage. She attends Leake Academy. After graduation, Savanna plans to attend the University of Mississippi and pursue a degree in pharmacy.

Brack Rudolph is the son of Ben and Paige Rudolph of Carthage. He attends Leake Academy.

After graduation, Brack plans to join the Air National Guard and pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

Brooks McDill is the son of Ryan and Brenda McDill of Carthage. He attends Leake Academy High School. After graduation, Brooks plans to attend Mississippi State University and pursue a degree in electrical engineering.

John Carpenter

Brack Rudolph

Brooks McDill

November/December 2018 Today in Mississippi

From the very merry team at

2018 Holiday Events ATTALA COUNTY November 24 – Shop small in Kosciusko November 29 – Tree Lighting – 5:30 p.m. on the square in Kosciusko December 3 – Kosciusko Christmas Parade – 6:30 p.m.

LEAKE COUNTY

November 29 – Christmas tree lighting – 5:30 p.m.

November 29 – Carthage Christmas Parade – 6:00 p.m.

December 6 – Sippin’ Cider – 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

NESHOBA COUNTY November 27 – Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Christmas tree lighting – 5:00 p.m.

December 1 – Union Christmas Parade – 6:00 p.m.

December 3 – Philadelphia Christmas Parade – 6:00 p.m.

Central Electric Power Association

Merry Christmas

SCOTT COUNTY

November 30 – Forest Christmas Parade – 6:00 p.m.

RANKIN COUNTY December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 – Flowood’s Christmas Wonderland with Santa and the train.

December 6-20 – Annual Grand Lighting of the Park and Chili Cook off – 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Winner’s Circle Park.

December 7 – Brandon Christmas Parade – 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

December 8 – Historic Downtown Brandon Tour of Homes.

For more information please contact Penny Schooler 601-955-5009.

December 8 – Breakfast with Santa – 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the Brandon Civic Center.

Central Electric offices will be closed

November 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving,

December 24 and 25 for Christmas,

and January 1 for New Year’s Day. In case of a power outage or emergency, please call

866-846-5671.

CEPA Dispatcher on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

REMEMBER! Safety never takes a holiday.

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Bylaws outline procedure for annual meeting Coahoma Electric Power Association will hold its Annual Meeting of the Membership at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, at Coahoma Electric’s Training Center in Lyon, Miss.

The following is an excerpt from the association’s bylaws pertaining to the Annual Meeting of the Membership.

Article III Meeting of Members Section 3.01. Annual Meeting. For the purposes of electing directors, hearing and passing upon reports covering the previous fiscal year, and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting, the annual meeting of the members shall be held on the second Thursday of February of each year, at such place in the County of Coahoma, State of Mississippi, and beginning at such hour, as the Board of Directors shall from year to year fix; provided, that, for cause sufficient, the Board of Directors may fix a different date for such annual meeting not more than thirty (30) days prior or subsequent to the day otherwise established for such meeting in this Section. Failure to hold the annual meeting at the designated time and place shall not work a forfeiture or dissolution of the Association.

Section 3.02. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the members may be called by a majority of directors, or upon written petition submitted to the Board of Directors signed by at least 400 members; any such petition(s) shall be submitted on forms provided by the Association, and the same shall be signed, completed and verified in the same manner as are petitions submitted under Section 4.04 of these bylaws. Special meetings shall be held at such place within Coahoma County, Mississippi, on such date, and at such hour as the Board of Directors shall fix and determine, and the Secretary shall cause notice of such meetings to be given as hereinafter provided.

Section 3.03. Notice of Members’ Meetings. Written or printed notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting, and in case of a special meeting, the

Notice to Members Coahoma Electric Power Association’s

Annual Meeting of Members

Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 at 10 a.m.

Coahoma Electric’s Training Center, Lyon, Miss. purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered to each member not less that fifteen (15) days nor more than twenty-five (25) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the Secretary. If directors are to be elected at such meeting, the notice of members’ meeting shall include a statement of the board members to be elected as provided in Section 4.04. Unless contained with such notice, no matter may be acted upon at that meeting which requires the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the members. If mailed such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the member as it appears on the records of the Association, with postage thereon prepaid.

The failure of any member to receive notice of an annual or special meeting of the members shall not invalidate any action which may be taken by the members at any such meeting.

Section 3.04. Quorum. Three hundred (300) members shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members. This number shall be arrived at by adding the number of members present in person at the meeting to the number of members represented at that meeting by valid proxies filed as pro-

vided by these bylaws. If less than a quorum is present at any meeting of members, the officer of the Association who is presiding at the meeting may, at the time stated in the notice and without a motion, declare the meeting adjourned and closed or he may hold the meeting open for not longer than thirty (30) minutes to see if a quorum is present within that time; and the meeting shall automatically be adjourned and closed if a quorum shall not be present at the end of said thirty (30) minute period. The members present at a meeting at which a quorum is not present shall not have the power to take any kind of action, including, but not by way of limitations, adjourning said meeting to another time or place.

Section 3.05. Voting. Each member who is not in a status of suspension, as provided for in Section 2.01, shall be entitled to only one vote upon each matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of the members. A member may vote in person or by proxy. At a meeting of the members where directors are to be elected, all members present in person or by proxy may cast one vote for each director to be elected; each member may vote their own vote plus those proxies executed in their favor, pursuant to Sections 3.06 and 3.07 of

these bylaws. Voting by members other than members who are natural persons shall be allowed upon the presentation to the Association, prior to or upon registration at each member meeting, of satisfactory evidence entitling the person presenting same to vote. At all meetings of the members, all questions shall be decided by a majority of the members voting thereon, except as otherwise provided by law or by the Association’s Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws. Members may not cumulate their votes.

Section 3.06. Proxies. At all meetings of the members, a member may vote by proxy executed in writing by the member, subject to the provisions hereinafter set forth, provided, however, any member intending to vote by proxy must file the executed proxy at the Association’s headquarters not less than three (3) days prior to the meeting. A member may personally deliver his proxy to the said offices of the Association or mail the proxy by United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Secretary, Coahoma Electric Power Association, P.O. Box 188, Lyon, Mississippi 38645. If the proxy is sent by mail, the date of its receipt in the Association’s office at the above address shall be its filing date. No proxy shall be voted at any meeting of the members unless it shall designate the particular meeting at which it is to be voted, and no proxy shall be voted at any meeting other than the one so designated, or any adjournment of such meeting. No proxy shall be voted by anyone except a member. A member may appoint any other individual member to vote his proxy, or a member may appoint the individual members of the Board of Directors, collectively, to vote said proxy. No member shall vote as proxy for more than one hundred fifty (150) members at any meeting of the members, but this restriction shall not apply to the individual members of the Board of Directors. In the event an individual member is appointed to vote as proxy for more than one hundred fifty (150) other members, such proxies in excess of one hundred fifty (150) shall be

November/December 2018

assigned to the individual members of the Board of Directors for voting; and the proxies so assigned and those proxies appointing the individual members of the Board of Directors shall be voted according to the will of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors. The presence of a member at a meeting of the members shall revoke a proxy theretofore executed by that member, and such member shall be entitled to vote at such meeting in the same manner and with the same effect as if the proxy had not been executed. In case of a joint membership, a proxy may be executed either by the husband or wife. The presence of either husband or wife at a meeting of the members shall revoke a proxy theretofore executed by either of them and such joint member or members shall be entitled to vote at such meeting in the same manner and with the same effect as if a proxy had not been executed. A standard proxy form shall be used which identifies the member by name and member number, in order to assure authenticity and facilitate the tabulation of votes. If the proxy form of a member is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the Association shall furnish the member with a replacement proxy form upon request, provided that the member executes a revocation of the lost, stolen or destroyed form, to be witnessed by an employee of the Association. Blank proxy forms will not be distributed in bulk to any member.

Designation of proxies shall be upon

Members of Coahoma EPA’s Committee on Nominations Reggie Hibbler Hamp Bass

Robert A. Boyce William Peal Harvey B. Rodgers Jr.

forms prescribed by the Board of Directors and furnished by the Association and no other shall be recognized or accepted.

Article IV Section 4.04.

Committee on Nominations. (a) It shall be the duty of the Board to appoint, no less than forty (40) days nor more than ninety (90) days before the date of the meeting of the members at which directors are to be elected, a Committee on Nominations consisting of not less than five (5) nor more than eleven (11) members who shall be selected with consideration being given to provide equitable geographic representation of the Association’s service area. No existing Association employees, agents, officers, directors or known candidates for director, and close relatives (as hereinafter defined) or members of the same household of existing association employees, agents, officers, directors or known candidates for director may serve on such com-

Ann Ruscoe Tommy Sides

mittees. The Committee shall receive and consider any suggestion as to nominees submitted by members of the Association.

The Committee shall meet at a time and place set by the Board of Directors. The Committee shall prepare and post at the principal office of the Association at least thirty-five (35) days before the meeting a list of nominations for board members.

The Secretary must mail with the notice of the meeting or separately a statement of the number of board members to be elected and the names and addresses of the candidates nominated by the Committee on Nominations. Any fifty (50) members acting together may make other nominations by petition and the Secretary shall post such nominations at the same place where the list of nominations by the Committee is posted. Any petition for nomination shall be submitted on a form designated and provided by the Association. Each member signing such petition shall place thereon the date of signing, address and account number of

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the member. The person or persons presenting the nomination petition(s) for posting shall present the same to the Secretary of the Association, or the Assistant Secretary, or the Manager of the Association, or other officer or employee of the Association designated to receive such petition(s) by the Manager, at the office of the Association in Lyon, Mississippi, and shall then and there assist either such Association official or employee in verifying the correct name and address of the persons who actually signed such petition(s). Whereupon, and while said person(s) so presenting such nomination petition(s) are present, the official or employee of the Association receiving the same shall have the names of those signing the same verified as the membership in the Association. Nominations made by petition, if any, received at least five (5) days before the meeting shall be included on the official ballot. Additional nominations for the office of director may be made from the floor at the meeting of members by any member then present in person. Any member(s) nominated from the floor must also be present in person.

No member may nominate more than one candidate. (b) Notwithstanding anything in this section contained, failure to comply with any of the provisions of this section shall not affect in any manner whatsoever the validity of any election of directors.

Happy Holidays from the very merry team at

Coahoma Electric Power Association!

WE WILL BE CLOSED Nov. 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas, and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. DISPATCHERS WILL BE ON DUTY!

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"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

James 1:17 (NIV)

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Communicators: April Lollar and Merilee Sands For Today in Mississippi information, call 877-7MY-CEPA (877-769-2372) www.coastepa.com

Where our members have the power

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CEO’s message

The benefits of co-op membership Thanks to everyone who attended our 2018 Annual Meeting, held Nov. 1 at our Kiln HQ. We also appreciate memRon Barnes bers who weren’t able to President and CEO attend the meeting but registered by proxy. We were proud to offer a new method for meeting registration this year with an online option and we appreciate your feedback about how to improve our system in the future.

For Coast Electric employees and board members, the meeting is a great time to showcase our programs and services but, most of all, it’s a great time to speak with members and get your feedback. We always evaluate your comments about the meeting, and any aspect of service you discuss with us, to determine how we can improve our service to you.

Of course, Annual Meeting isn’t the only time of year we want to hear from you. We encourage you to give us your feedback any time. Our doors are always open.

Being able to elect board leadership from among

Happier holidays

your co-op member peers is certainly a benefit of coop membership, but it’s not the only benefit. As a cooperative, one of the principles that guides our operations is having concern for the communities we serve. That is why we have made changes to our Operation Round Up program. These changes will allow us to give so much more to our communities. I encourage you to visit www.coastepa.com to learn more about our new plan for working together the cooperative way to make a difference.

One thing I know we are all thankful for all year long are the men and women who have served our country in the military. While we can never thank them properly for their sacrifices and their dedication to liberty, we have installed special veterans only parking spaces at each of our offices. I want all military families to know how much we appreciate them.

I pray for your safety during this holiday season and always. We hope this small gesture will show you how much you mean to us.

Let’s make the holidays bright for our veterans and for our community! Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.

with Time of Use...

Give yourself the gift of our Time of Use rate this holiday season – it’s the gift that keeps giving all year! During the holidays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are off-peak prices all day long. Give us a call at 877-769-2372 or check out www.coastepa.com for more information.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Round Up

Spirit of the Season

Thank You! LETTERS

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WINTER POWER COST ADJUSTMENT Coast Electric’s winter power cost adjustment began Nov. 1.

Coast Electric is a not-for-profit business that is owned and led by those we serve. As someone who receives service from Coast Electric, you are a member and owner of the cooperative. For the co-op to function effectively, it takes everyone doing their part – employees, board members and you – to work toward a common goal.

Although the tasks in each department may differ, the goal is the same – to provide superior service to the people of south Mississippi.

For Coast Electric to be successful, we must have educated, trained, hardworking and trustworthy employees.

Making sure we have the right employ-

ees in place starts with Human Resources (HR). Our HR professionals are certified, highly trained and skilled in recruiting the best person for every job at the co-op. They ensure we have the right programs in place to retain and develop employees once they begin their career with Coast Electric. From benefits, wellness, employee development, employee relations, succession planning and equal opportunity for all, our HR team works hard keeping our most valuable asset – our 248 Coast Electric employees – engaged and satisfied, which leads to high levels of performance and greater member satisfaction.

Here is what you need to know.

• Power costs used to be averaged once each year, however, the price for generating power changes with the seasons. Costs paid to our power supplier are typically higher in the winter and lower in the summer. Even though we may only have a couple of days of freezing temperatures in the winter, the high demand for electricity on those days affects power costs.

• To ensure that charges are equal to costs, Coast Electric averages power costs twice each year.

What does that mean for you?

• Over a period of 12 months, you won’t see a difference. However, you may notice slightly higher bills in the winter and slightly lower bills in the summer.

• Since Mississippi typically has milder winters and long, hot summers, you need to be more aware of your energy use in the winter but but will have more opportunities for comfort in the months when you need it the most.

Who does this affect?

• This affects all member classes except industrial members.

Operation Round Up This Christmas, you have the opportunity to do something small that will make a big impact in your community. For an average of $0.50 a month, you, along with help from other Coast Electric members, can put hundreds of thousands of dollars into worthwhile projects benefiting our communities.

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2018 Coast Electric Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation Night On Nov. 1, Coast Electric hosted its 2018 Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation Night at the cooperative’s headquarters in Kiln. One of the privileges of being a member-owner of an electric cooperative is having voting rights to elect a board to represent you when making important business decisions. At the Annual Meeting, members in attendance and those who sent in proxy cards re-elected members of the Board of Directors who serve Position One of Coast Electric’s service

Coast Electric's Marisa Clayton helps a member register for the Annual Meeting.

Grand Prize Winners: Meeting Attendee Winners $250 Electricity Credit . . . . . .Susan Summers $500 Electricity Credit . . . . . .Kathleen Holland $1,000 Electricity Credit . . . . .Patrick Jones Proxy Registration Winners $250 Electricity Credit . . . . . .Donna Allen $500 Electricity Credit . . . . . .Michael Smith $1,000 Electricity Credit . . . . .Larry Frierson

Prize Winners: $100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ulyessus Perkins $100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joe Milner $50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marcia Jones $50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tammy Braud $50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Richard Walker $50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Monica Ladner $50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jacob Russell $50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Billy Ray Ladner Air Fryer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Al Kaiser

territory. The elected directors include James Baldree from Hancock County, Charles Lopez from Harrison County and Richard Dossett from Pearl River County.

Besides electing members of the Board of Directors, Coast Electric members who attended the meeting had the opportunity to visit with Coast Electric employees, learn more about company programs and register to win prizes. Members in attendance enjoyed picking their prize from a treasure chest.

Coast Electric employee Scott White demonstrates how energy efficient LED bulbs can save energy and money.

Air Fryer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christy Ladner FatMax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Leona Bowman FatMax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Natalie Watkins Video Drone . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bonnie Miller Video Drone . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Patrick Woods Bluetooth LED Work Light . .Marry Savoy Bluetooth LED Work Light . .Richard Ulerich LED Light and Air Purifie . . . .Michael Radzyniak LED Light and Air Purifier . . .Jennifer Russo Smoke and CO2 Detector . . .Karin Russell Smoke and CO2 Detector . . .Francis Adams STEM Science Pack . . . . . . . . .Henry Steen STEM Science Pack . . . . . . . . .Jan Bonham Electric Blanket . . . . . . . . . . . .Courtney Ladner Electric Blanket . . . . . . . . . . . .Pearl Sue Wyatt Digital Thermometer . . . . . . .Crawford Norris Digital Thermometer . . . . . . .Gary Scheidt Fire HD Tablet . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gloria Smotherman Fire HD Tablet . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jack Hode Echo Dot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Albert Fairley Echo Dot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Robert Glynn

CEO Ron Barnes addresses members at the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Sometimes, working parents have to go with the flow.

Coast Electric employee Samantha Cooley and daughter, Addison, greet members. Addison's big sister, Alivia, and big brother, Jacob, helped at the meeting too!

Capital Credit Announcement

Ron Barnes

Coast Electric Power Association Board Chairman Richard Dossett announced at the cooperative’s Annual Meeting on Nov. 1 that the company will retire $5,257,746.00 in capital credits to members.

Checks will be mailed to eligible current and former members in early December. Members with questions about their allocation can call 877-769-2372.

November / December 2018

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Cookie and Cracker Co.

In

A local company's delicious treats are getting attention nationwide

an unobtrusive metal building in works to determine if her homemade goodies will northwest Harrison County, a translate to a mass-produced product made in the facsmall staff works mixing fresh, nat- tory. Much of the equipment has been upgraded since ural ingredients to create delicious the company has moved to its current location, as has treats for eager customers across the shipping and distribution system. According to the south and northeast. Cat Leslie, being in a location where there is a loading Island Cookie and Cracker Co., a company that credock for delivery trucks saves $125 each way on shipates eight products – six sweet cookie offerings and ping expenses for the company and the new, larger two savory cracker options – is locally owned and ovens can bake more cookies in a shorter amount of operated but its fans reach far beyond the Mississippi time. coast.

Besides having new equipment that makes producAfter years as a chef in New York, Cat Island presi- tion more efficient, Leslie says having a knowledgedent Leslie Bullock decided it was time for her family able staff surrounding her is one of the keys to success to make the move south to her quaint hometown of for the company. From shipping to packaging to marPass Christian. Leslie began Cat Island Cookie and keting, the Cat Island staff are experts in their fields.

Cracker Co. in a local church kitchen until growth This level of expertise means the company has seen a meant a move to a larger location in a former restaurecord growth in sales and they don’t seem to be rant. Another wave of growth meant a move to the slowing down any time soon. Not only did sales doucurrent location on Menge Ave. and the new location ble in one month, the company just announced a has more than enough sales agreement with distrib- Cat Island Cookie and Cracker Co. President Leslie Bullock develops the recipe for each flavor sold in her home kitchen before she creates the room to handle future utors in the northeast and product in her factory. growth. While some small landed a deal as an Amazon business owners find Prime product. That, along company’s commitment to natural ingredients. The themselves surprised at the with the holiday flavors on first ingredient on the Spicy Asiago Wafers, for growth of their compathe shelves, new gluten-free example, is cheese. That might seem obvious but take nies, for Cat Island, it has options being explored and a look at some of the other snack products in your always been part of the smaller two-ounce packages home and you will probably find many words that plan. making their debut soon in are hard to pronounce. With Cat Island products, The most recent expanconvenience stores, mean consumers never have to worry about the quality of sion is due in part to a Cat Island Cookie and the ingredients they receive. loan provided by Coast Cracker Co. could expand That’s a win for everyone. And Leslie believes, Electric. Part of the elecagain on their current prop- “You have to find the win every day.” According to tric cooperative’s mission erty. It could mean expand- her, running the cookie business means long hours is improving the economy ing the 17-member staff at home developing recipes and at the factory. and quality of life in the someday, too, creating “Sometimes ‘the win’ is getting the new packaging communities it serves. more local jobs. right or developing a new recipe.” Often, she says, Supporting the expansion At the heart of the oper- it’s knowing her daughters are proud of watching of local businesses is one ation are the products Leslie their mom build and run a business. way Coast Electric can ful- Fresh, local ingredients go into each batch of Cat Island cookies takes great care to develop “Whatever Leslie’s ‘win’ is for the day,” said and crackers. fill this part of its mission. a product that Leslie is Coast Electric Vice President of Hancock County Solid growth projections proud to serve to her own Operations and Economic Development Guy and a strong history of successful expansions made daughters. Cat Island cookies and crackers are made Johnson, “it seems like Cat Island will see lots more Cat Island an attractive loan candidate. with fresh, local ingredients and no preservatives. of them in the future and Coast Electric is proud to Each flavor of Cat Island cookies and crackers When you read the ingredients on a package of Cat be part of those and to support local business begins as a test recipe in Leslie’s home where she Island cookies or crackers, it’s easy to see the growth.”

The spirit 10d

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of the

season

– showing concern for our communities

As a cooperative, Coast Electric operates by a set of seven cooperative principles, one of which is showing concern for the communities we serve.

Coast Electric sees great value in serving our communities in ways other than providing electric service and the company and its employees spend much time and energy giving back. Here are some of the projects Coast Electric employees have been working on recently.

Breast Cancer Awareness From participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk to wearing pink hard hats in the field, this October, Coast Electric employees honored those who have battled the disease. Even though Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes around once each year, our support of those who fight this battle is never over. We will continue to be advocates for survivors and remember those who have been lost.

Environmental programs Six hundred-sixty cars dropped off tons of waste at this year's Household Hazardous Waste Day, including 25 tons of scrap metal, 1,800 gallons of waste oil, more than 3,000 tires, 17 tons of electronics and much more! Eighty volunteers offloaded the items for residents. Thanks to all of the volunteers and to everyone who participated in the cleanup for doing something good for our environment!

Halloween Events Coast Electric employees were busy this fall with several spooky events for your little guys and ghouls. From Cinema by the Spooky Sportsplex to local library events, your local cooperative employees were out and about this Halloween making sure the season was frightful!

Animal Shelter Donation When a Coast Electric employee, Kay Cohen, visited the Hancock County Animal Shelter recently, she saw a great need for funds for various projects.

Kay reached out to her co-workers to see if there was anything that could be done to help the shelter. Coast Electric’s Hancock County Community Service Committee agreed to make a $1,000 donation. Each of Coast Electric’s three counties have a community service account, funded by employee donations to help the community. We thank the staff at the shelter for all they do and are glad we could help!

Coast Electric

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the men and women who have served our country in the military, Coast Electric offices now have special veterans parking spaces. We salute you and appreciate your sacrifice and service to this great country.

WE WILL BE CLOSED

## #

Nov. 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas, and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Dispatchers will be on duty!

REMEMBER! Safety never takes a holiday.

Coast Electric crews assist after Hurricane Michael Residents of south Mississippi know that after a big storm, the sight of a bucket truck on your road brings comfort and hope. Last month, Hurricane Michael devastated communities in Florida, with its wide path of destruction destroying much of the area’s electrical system. Coast Electric employees were a welcome sight for members of two cooperatives, Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative and West Florida Electric.

Crew members, engineers and vehicle maintenance personnel made the trip to help rebuild the electrical system for co-op members.

Coast Electric members showed their support for our crews and members from those cooperatives also shared their thanks with us, too. Here are a few of the notes of support we received.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Kevin Bond of Coast Electric Power in appreciation for him taking the time to assist me, a senior, when I was broken down along the side of busy Highway 43.

– Margurite Brunson

I live in Chipley, Fla., and yesterday one of your crews came out and restored my power after 11 days of being out. Just want you to know that this crew was amazing.

They worked in rain, came in the yard and even hooked my well wires back up. They also talked to my little boys. They were just wonderful and I really appreciate what they did and how they went above and beyond to be generous. They definitely left a great impression on how your co-op operates and works together. Please let them know how thankful my two boys and I are for them. Thank you again.

– Deanna Nelson

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TO HONOR

wishes you the happiest of holidays!

MEMBER THANK YOUS

I

Just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for all the hard work, dedication, long hours and sacrifice these men put in to help us here in Wausau in addition to our local co-op and so many others. Also wanted to thank the families waiting for their safe return for their sacrifices as well. They are our heroes!

My 84-year-old Mom would adopt them all! Thank you so very much!

–Janet Renee

I want to thank you so much for listening AND RESPONDING. I sent a form to you last night. You had a lineman out to fix this street light before 10 a.m. today. That is wonderful service. And your lineman was very nice.

I am sorry I did not get his name. I did call in to the 1-877-769-2372 number this morning to leave comment there as well.

Great job by your employee. Great job by your company. Cannot say enough good things about Coast Electric.

Thanks to the men that worked in Wausau, Fla., on Pioneer Rd. on hurricane detail. They are on point. They hit the ground running. Give them a steak dinner when they get back home. We love the Mississippi Coast. Thanks again.

– Blake Barfield

– Kat Madigan

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November / December 2018 USE IT ANY TIME

Delta Electric’s new IVR phone number is 662-743-4425.

24/7

GET ACCOUNT INFO MAKE A PAYMENT REPORT AN OUTAGE MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT

Greenwood • Winona • Cleveland • Indianola

Turning

wood into a

hobby

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An early challenge was keeping the wood from flying off the spinning lathe and smacking him in the head.

By Debbie Stringer What does one do with a 300-pound burl from an old live oak tree?

Delta Electric member Ricky Stanford can turn it into beautiful bowls, using a wood lathe and chisels in his backyard shop in Cleveland.

As a woodturner, Ricky has the skills to coax lustrous decorative and functional items from such ugly duckling chunks of wood.

He and his wife, Betty, live in a house built in the 1960s by his father, a carpenter and farmer.

Ricky learned carpentry skills by helping his father.

It wasn’t until 2010 that Ricky became interested in woodworking.

Betty’s home church, in the Interstate community, needed a large cross to hang in the baptistry. She found a suitable wooden cross online, but the price was too steep. “So I told him, ‘You can do that,’” she said.

Ricky fashioned a 2-by-4-foot cross of three beveled wood layers made of cedar, oak and walnut, according to his wife’s design. Before long, he was building similar crosses for other area churches.

Ricky was farming at the time with his late brother, Gerald, who lived next door. “We went in together to work a 40-acre field,” Ricky said. “And Gerald said, ‘Let’s take the money we make and buy us a lathe.”

They did and Gerald taught himself woodturning on the lathe as his brother looked on. “I watched him and picked up on it,” Ricky said.

After Gerald’s passing three years ago, Ricky acquired his brother’s 4foot Grizzly wood lathe and began woodturning in earnest.

An early challenge was keeping the wood from flying off the spinning lathe and smacking him in the head, Ricky said.

At Betty’s insistence, he purchased a helmet and a face mask.

Ricky produces mostly wooden crosses, bowls and ballpoint pens. He uses native woods including oak, pine, sycamore, plum, river birch, red maple, walnut and cedar. Some of his pens are made from deer antlers.

He sells the pens but gives away many of his bowls and other woodturned items to friends. Betty, of course, gets the first pick of new work.

Ricky still does some carpentry as well. When the Stanfords remodeled their house three years ago, he built the kitchen cabinetry and installed a bar he made from the persimmon tree Betty played beneath when she was a teenager.

Ricky’s primary occupation remains farming. Hunting comes second and then woodworking. “She comes after that,” he joked, nodding at Betty.

Left page: Ricky Stanford uses a chisel to shape the body of a ballpoint pen on his lathe. He made the cross, inset photo, from stacked layers of cedar, oak and walnut.

Ricky made this bowl, above left, by glueing together four 4-by-4-inch cedar posts and turning it on his lathe.

Betty Stanford calls this vessel, left, a honey pot. Ricky used heart pine to create it.

Ricky chose wood from a plum tree to make this ballpoint pen.

He added a sparkly pink ribbon charm for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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Dixie Electric is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

We’re thankful for your membership “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

In the spirit of this quote by author William Arthur Ward, I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your membership in our electric cooperative.

Because of your connection to Dixie Electric, we are able to make our community a better place.

During this season of giving thanks, I think it’s Randy Smith important to let you General Manager know just what an impact you have on our co-op and the greater community, likely in ways you may not even realize.

As part of the cooperative business model, one of our core principles is “Concern for Community.” While our priority is always to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy, we view

WE WILL BE CLOSED November 22 and 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday, December 24 and 25 for the Christmas holiday and on January 1 for New Year’s Day. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your friends at Dixie Electric!

our role in the community as a catalyst for good.

We are purposeful in partnering with local groups such as local food pantries for the 12 Days of Christmas drawing and other programs.

Dixie Electric also participates in the annual Youth Leadership Program where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C., for a week-long experience to see democracy in action. The trip is inspirational for many students, and we are honored to be a part of this leadership development journey. You empower the co-op through your membership and through your participation and support of these programs.

When you attend co-op events, alert us to problems, provide suggestions online or to our employees, you help us improve operations and thereby better serve all of the members.

Because we are locally governed by members of our community, we are able to get a first-hand perspective on community priorities, thereby enabling us to make more informed decisions on long-term investments.

We are thankful that our co-op board members carve out time to attend important training sessions, participate in planning meetings and keep abreast of industry trends. This investment in time results in better informed advisors that serve the co-op’s interests in a way that our consumer-members expect and deserve.

On a more personal note, we appreciate the countless acts of kindness and prayers for our lineworkers and other employees when they are working in severe weather and dangerous conditions. Over the past month, we’ve sent crews weekly to West Florida Electric Cooperative to help with restoration efforts after Hurricane Michael.

Dixie Electric was originally established 80 years ago to bring electricity to our area when no one else would. The cooperative is a reflection of our local community and its evolving needs. Together, let’s continue making our corner of the world a better place. We can’t do it without you, and for that, we’re thankful for your membership.

Happy Holidays

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

James 1:17 (NIV)

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Co-op Connections business spotlight

Crescent Line Toys on Magnolia Street in Laurel is a locally owned toy shop.

Co-op Connections members will receive a 20 percent discount off of Melissa and Doug items when you present your Co-op Connections card.

The store is open from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Grab lunch at the Dinner Bell in Waynesboro and receive a free drink with a $5 take out order with your Co-op Connections card. The Dinner Bell, located on Mississippi Drive, is known for its home cooked food. Visit them for breakfast or lunch Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. or for lunch on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Visit Lil Tots Boutique in Petal and receive 15 percent off regular priced merchandise when you present your Co-op Connections card.

The boutique is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and until 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Southern Sass Too is a great place to find an outfit, match accessories and purchase gift items in Ellisville. The shop is located at 611 Hill Street and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Receive $10 off the purchase of $100 or more with your Co-op Connections card.

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Dixie Electric recognizes Youth Leadership winners Dixie Electric hosted its annual Youth Leadership University in September. The following students participated in the educational, fun-filled day. Lorin Brown from Petal High School and Courtney Lee from Northeast Jones High School were selected and won a trip to the Youth Leadership Workshop in Jackson. They will also receive a week long, educational trip to Washington, D.C., in summer of 2019.

Laurel Christian School Darcy Beech Harley Robertson Northeast Jones High School Alyssa Stroud Cade McNeil Caleb Walters Charlie Nowell Chloe Ward Courtney Lee * Perry Central High School Kayleigh Ainsworth Kristen Dement Tyler Butler

Petal High School Addison Davis Jericho Gardner Lillian Wicktom Lorin Brown * Presbyterian Christian School Chelsea Jones Jamie Rambin Layton Pitts Richton High School Braxton Inmon Kornelius Scroggins MaKenna Vega

12

Days of

Christmas

South Jones High School Baylee Boyette Kaitlyn Kirksey McCain Walters

Lorin Brown

Wayne Academy Ashton Stanley Cole Evans Mya McLain West Jones High School Brishell Gray Madi Waters Tristan Gerlach

Courtney Lee

Twelve-day giveaway On the 1st day of Christmas: Academy Gift Card (value of $100) On the 2nd day of Christmas: Amazon Echo (value of $100) On the 3rd day of Christmas: Wildgame Mirage 18 Camera (value of $115) On the 4th day of Christmas: Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer (value of $115) On the 5th day of Christmas: Healing Touch Day Spa Gift Card (value of $125) On the 6th day of Christmas: Moultrie Pro Barrel Deer Feeder + 2 bags of corn (value of $125) On the 7th day of Christmas: Bed, Bath & Beyond Gift Card (value of $150) On the 8th day of Christmas: Outdoor Heater with Propane Bottle (value of $190) On the 9th day of Christmas: Lowe’s Gift Card (value of $200) On the 10th day of Christmas: Rumba Vacuum Cleaner (value of $330) On the 11th day of Christmas: Element Roku 50 inch LED TV (value of $370) On the 12th day of Christmas: Visa Gift Card (value of $400)

First drawing will be December 3 and go each weekday until December 18.

Only 500 tickets will be sold.

Winning tickets will stay in the drawing, allowing the opportunity to win multiple days.

Winners will be announced each day on Facebook @Dixie Electric Power Association.

Sponsored by Dixie Electric Power Association.

Proceeds benefit local food pantries.

Contact your local Dixie Electric office to purchase a ticket.

Tickets are $25 each.

Buy four ticke

ts for $100

and receive a

fifth

BONUS TICKE

T!

5 When will

Dixie Electric retire my capital credits?

Each year, assuming the funds are available, members receive a credit on their power bill in November or early December, which is their annual capital credit retirement. Former members with inactive accounts receive a check for their capital credit retirement.

What does

Things to know November/December 2018

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about capital credits

What are... capital credits?

Dixie Electric is a member-owned cooperative, so it is owned by the individuals who receive electric service. Electric cooperatives are not-for-profit organizations and abide by seven cooperative principles. One of these principles is Member Economic Participation. If there are margins (revenues minus expenses) from electric services beyond operating costs and expenses, those funds are credited to a member’s capital account based on the amount of electricity they use in a particular year. Such funds, which are called ‘capital credits,’ are the life blood that enables cooperatives to satisfy the future growth and power needs of its members.

What

?

is Dixie Electric’s history on retiring capital credits?

The board of directors for Dixie Electric approved a retirement of $3 million to the members for 2018, which represents full capital credit retirements from 1989 and 1990 and a partial retirement for 2017.

In total, Dixie Electric has returned more than $20 million to its members. Since the 1960s, we have stayed true to the cooperative principle of Member Economic Participation and returned capital credits when financially possible. At an investorowned utility, the money would be given to the stockholders, but because you are a member of an electric cooperative, it is given to you.

The amount returned to members is decided by the local board of directors and depends upon the cooperative’s financial condition and strategic plan for growth and operations. For example, costs for repairing damage to the electrical system caused by a major hurricane, like Hurricane Katrina, might reduce or prohibit an annual capital credit retirement.

Dixie Electric do with my capital credit allocation?

Electric cooperatives use capital credits to invest in the operations of the association. They are used to purchase bucket trucks, poles and wire, among other items. This reduces the need for loans and related expenses and helps to keep power costs low, which benefits all members

How does Dixie Electric

calculate my retired credits?

Each member is allocated capital credits based on how much electric energy they use in a particular year.

The more energy a member purchases, the greater the amount of capital credits allocated to the member’s account. This means that a large corporation that uses a greater amount of electricity is allocated a larger capital credit than an individual with a home or small business that uses a lesser amount.

Dixie Electric is re turning capital cr edits again this year.

For those individ uals who have active accounts, the am ount of their capital credits w ill be applied to their bill. Individ with inactive acc uals ounts will receiv e a p ri n te d check.

If you have quest ions about your capital credits, p lease call Dixie E lectric at (601) 425-2535 or email at dixie electric@dixieep a.com.

Please provide yo ur name, address, phone number, social security num ber and account num ber if possible.

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2018 ANNUAL MEETING PRIZE WINNERS Dixie Electric’s Annual Membership Meeting was held on Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Association’s auditorium for the purpose of electing the board of directors and conducting business of the Association. Three board members were duly elected at this year’s meeting. Those are Robert Smith in District 3, serving portions of Jones and Covington counties; Mack Mauldin in District 4, serving portions of Jones, Jasper and Covington counties; and Faye Bonner in District 6, serving portions of Wayne and Clarke counties.

Each year, Dixie Electric rewards those who participate in the annual meeting by submitting a proxy or voting by ballot, either in person, by mail or online.

Those participating this year were placed in a drawing for either a $500 credit or one of eight $250 credits on their electric bill. The winners are listed below.

DISTRICT WINNERS ($250 bill credits each) DISTRICT 1 Gary Dewitt, Richton DISTRICT 2 David Thompson, Petal DISTRICT 3 Douglas Thrash, Moselle DISTRICT 4 Joey Mauldin, Laurel DISTRICT 5 William Holm II, Laurel DISTRICT 6 Erma Lancaster, Waynesboro DISTRICT 7 Joann Gandy, Buckatunna ONLINE WINNER ($250 bill credit)

Savor an energy-efficient Thanksgiving feast Make this year’s Thanksgiving your most energy-wise ever. Enlist the whole family—even those visiting just for the holiday—to come up with energysaving ideas.

Along with your invitation to family and friends, ask everyone to bring more than a side dish. Instruct them to come prepared to share their favorite ways to save energy and reduce their monthly electric bills. After dinner, go around the table and have each person share a favorite tip.

Save your own ideas for last. Here’s a cheat sheet to help you show off: • Turn down the thermostat. With a full house and a hot kitchen, your house will be too steamy at its usual setting.

• Replace your light bulbs with LEDs and new LED fixtures. Your guests won’t notice a difference in lighting, but you’ll see a difference in your energy bill.

• Don’t just stuff the turkey – stuff the

oven. As long as your oven will be running all day, make the most of it by cooking several dishes at once. A variation of 25 degrees in either direction from the recommended cooking temperature will still produce the desired result.

• Cook at least one dish from start to finish in the microwave. Microwaves are faster than the oven and use about 80 percent less electricity.

• Keep cleanup easy. Load the dishwasher completely full. With a mountain of dinner plates, using the dishwasher will be more efficient than hand washing.

• Don’t rush to put leftovers in the refrigerator, which will work harder to cool off hot foods. Let leftovers cool slightly on the counter.

DISTRICT 4 John Rhoden, Laurel OVERALL WINNER ($500 bill credit) DISTRICT 7 Teresa Duncan, Waynesboro

Maintaining reliable service

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-ofway 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 • Indian Springs substation – Sunrise and Petal • Shelton substation – Sanford, Glendale, Shelton and airport areas 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.

Electric utility pole inspections Osmose Utilities Services will be performing inspections and maintenance on some of Dixie Electric Power Association’s poles during the next few months, which began in August and will continue for approximately four to five months. The general areas to be inspected will be the Whistler, Eucutta, West Waynesboro, Clara, Pleasant Grove, Beat Four and Strengthford communities.

This work will generally consist of excavating a hole about 18” deep around the poles to inspect them and applying a preservative and/or remedial treatment to the poles as needed. The purpose of the inspection and treatment is to identify poles that do not meet industry strength standards and to extend the useful life of all others.

If you have any questions, please contact the engineering department at (601) 425-2535.

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Hurricane Michael

Creates Devastation; Our Linemen Repair It Hurricane Michael packed maximum sustained winds of 155 mph as it made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida on Oct. 10, 2018.

The Category 4 storm was the first in recorded history to make landfall in the Florida Panhandle and the first Category 3 hurricane to hit Georgia since 1898.

The storm's heavy rain, high winds and extreme storm surge caused massive destruction in its path and spawned numerous tornadoes. Thirty-five deaths have been attributed to Hurricane Michael in the United States.

“The devastation was the worst I have ever seen,” Lineman Kenny Batte said.

Electric cooperative line workers from Texas to the East Coast assisted with power restoration efforts for those in the path of Hurricane Michael.

Eighteen electric cooperatives from Mississippi, including Dixie Electric responded to the call for help.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives is a principle that cooperatives were founded on and meets a critical need when disasters strike like Hurricane Michael.

On Monday, Oct. 15, Dixie Electric began

sending linemen, apprentice linemen, engineers, substation technicians, supervisors and others to assist with restoration at West Florida Electric Cooperative.

These individuals worked for a week and then came home. Another group of employees would then travel to West Florida Electric.

On Sunday afternoon, Oct. 14, West Florida Electric reported 22,500 of its 28,000 meters were without power. After two weeks of restoration efforts, the cooperative still had nearly 8,000 meters without service.

Dixie Electric is committed to supporting West Florida Electric and will continue to rotate personnel weekly until power is restored.

West Florida Electric Hurricane Michael by the numbers 22,500 initial outages 8,567 power poles to be replaced 4,500 transformers to be replaced

Santa Cllaus Get your photo made with

Proceeds benefit

Batson Children’s Hospital

Waynesboro - Tuesday ay, Nov. 27 Noon - 7 p.m. (618 Azalalea Drrivee) Petal - Thursday, Nov. 29 Noon - 7 p.m. (1312 Hwy. 42 Eaast) Laurel - Friday, Nov. 30 Noon - 5:30 p.m. (1863 Hwy. 184) Yoou will receive your photos Y on a USB flash drive.

First Child: $10 Each Additional Child: $5 Pets are welccome.

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East Mississippi Electric Power Association Louisville 662.773.5741

Meridian 601.581.8600

Quitman 601.776.6271

DeKalb 601.743.2641

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CEO

We’re thankful for your membership “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

In the spirit of this quote by author William Arthur Ward, I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your membership in our electric cooperative. Because of your connection to East Mississippi Electric Power Association, we are able to make our community a better place.

I generally use this space to provide updates on new projects and developments, and report out on the progress of ongoing initiatives. We share these updates so that all of our consumer-members have a window into our priorities, progress and challenges. However, during this season of giving thanks, I think it’s equally important to let you and other consumer-members of EMEPA know just what an impact you have on our co-op and the greater community, likely in ways you may not even realize.

As part of the cooperative business model, one of our core principles is “Concern for Community.”

While our priority is always to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy, we view our role in the community as a catalyst for good.

We are purposeful in supporting employee volunteerism for numerous community organizations such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, United Way of East Mississippi, State Games of Mississippi and the

Lauderdale County Extension Service Leadership Lauderdale Youth Program. Our signature Shoot For A Cure event raised over $21,000 in donations for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life and earned EMEPA recognition as the Top Fundraiser in Lauderdale County for three years in a row. Likewise, we encourage our members to give back through our Volunteer Fire Department Donation program.

EMEPA members have donated nearly $1 Million to local volunteer fire fighters in east Mississippi since the program’s beginning in 1998.

EMEPA also participates in an annual Youth Tour where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C., for a week-long immersion to experience democracy in action. The trip is inspirational for many students, and we are both humbled and honored to be a part of this leadership development journey. Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs because of you! You empower the co-op through your membership and through your participation in and support of these programs.

When you attend co-op events, alert us to problems, provide suggestions online or to our employees, you help us improve operations and thereby better serve the larger co-op membership.

Because we are locally governed by members of our

community, we are able to get a first-hand perspective on community priorities, thereby enabling us to make more informed decisions on longterm investments.

CEO Randy Carroll We are thankful that our coop board members carve out time to attend important training sessions, participate in planning meetings and keep abreast of industry trends. This investment in time results in better informed advisors that serve the co-op’s interests in a way that our consumer-members expect and deserve.

On a more personal note, we appreciate the countless acts of kindness our lineworkers and other employees receive when they are working in severe weather and dangerous conditions. Our employees are thankful for your patience and consideration when we are trying to restore power during challenging situations and prolonged periods.

EMEPA was originally established 80 years ago to bring electricity to our area when no one else would.

The cooperative is a reflection of our local community and its evolving needs. Together, let’s continue making our corner of the world a better place. We can’t do it without you, and for that, we’re thankful for your membership.

EMEPA to return $2.1 million in capital credits East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the return of capital credits for the year 1988 totaling more than $2.1 Million.

Members of EMEPA in 1988 helped provide the funding to build and maintain the electric system. As a not-for-profit cooperative, all funds not used to pay the wholesale power bill and operating expenses are invested in the facili-

ties, as opposed to borrowing all the money needed for upgrades and growth.

These capital credit returns reflect the members’ portion of the margins made and invested during that time period.

Unlike investor-owned utilities that pay dividends to their stockholders who are often far removed from the service provided, cooperatives return their margins to the

members – those who used the service and provided an important investment.

This is just one way we are making a cooperative difference in service to you and our community.

If you have questions concerning this return, please call your local EMEPA office or visit EMEPA.com.

EMEPA HOSTS

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University

From a hands-on safety and “Life of a Lineman” demonstration to a guided tour of East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s headquarters, 14 students from across east Mississippi recently experienced first hand what it means to be part of an electric cooperative. EMEPA hosted Cooperative University in October as part of its annual Youth Leadership Program.

From the group of 14, five students were selected based on an interview process and leadership skills observed throughout the event, to represent EMEPA at a three-day Youth Leadership Workshop in Jackson, coordinated by the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi (ECM). At this event, the students will be met by approximately 80 other students from across the state.

The Workshop allows students the opportunity to take a closer look at our state government as well as participate in leadership-enhancing activities.

In June 2019, these five students will again

represent EMEPA on a seven-day, all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. This trip features visits to popular monuments and memorials as well as meetings with Mississippi’s senators and representatives.

"Our Youth Leadership Program is a tremendous opportunity for these students to see our political process first hand," said EMEPA Director of Marketing and Communication Julie Boles. "The goal of this program is to educate students about electric cooperatives and our state and national legislature and to encourage them to grow as leaders and get involved in their communities."

Each school in EMEPA’s service area is given the opportunity to nominate one student from its junior class to participate in the program. The schools are encouraged to select the student based on academics, involvement in their school and community, natural leadership ability and a desire to further their skills in becoming future leaders.

The 2018-2019 Youth Leadership Program participants are: Ralie Boles, Clarkdale High School Milaree Keely, Enterprise High School Maggie Phillips, Grace Christian School * Trever Smith, Kemper Academy Khadijah Bell, Lamar School * Kristian Hopkins, Louisville High School Emily Luke, Nanih Waiya Attendance Center Daneel Konnar, Northeast Lauderdale

Judson Moore, Russell Christian Academy* Savannah Davis, Southeast Lauderdale High School Shelbie Reid, West Lauderdale High School * Logan Hudson, Winston Academy

High School*

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) sponsors the Youth Tour program nationally. Nineteen electric power associations in Mississippi participate.

Ryan Whitfield, Noxapater Attendance Center Jennifer Adee, Quitman High School

* Students selected to advance to the ECM Youth Leadership Workshop in Jackson and the NRECA Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.

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EMEPA celebrates 80 years of service

November/December 2018

East Mississippi Electric Power Association recently celebrated 80 years of service to east Mississippi. The 80th Annual Meeting was held on Saturday, Oct. 6, in the Meridian auditorium.

EMEPA’s Annual Meeting is a vital part of its governance because, as an electric cooperative, the Association is democratically controlled, with each member having one vote. You have a voice and a vote in how your cooperative is governed. As a result, control stays in local hands. Your board of

directors, along with those who work for EMEPA, are your friends and neighbors.

Those principles are the basis of why East Mississippi Electric Power Association has thrived for 80 years. It is also why we continue to enjoy a strong place of trust in our community.

Two $250 electricity credits and one $500 electricity credit were given in a drawing as prizes to EMEPA members in attendance.

Congratulations to the following EMEPA members for winning a $500 electricity credit in a drawing from those who returned their 80th Annual Meeting proxy.

Clarke County: Mary Sanders Kemper County: Herman Hampton, Jr. Lauderdale County: Martin Vidali Winston County: Pauline McNeel

Congratulations to the following EMEPA members for winning electricity credits in a drawing from those in attendance at the 80th Annual Meeting. (Individual photos)

Winner of a $500 electricity credit: Rufus Griggs, Lauderdale County

Got holiday leftovers?

When possible, use the microwave to reheat food. Microwaves use as much as 80 percent less energy than a standard oven.

Source: energy.gov

Winners of a $250 electricity credit: Samuel E. Thornton, Clarke County, Sarah Swanner, Lauderdale County

TIP

OF THE MONTH

Switch to LED holiday lights this year If you’re still decking the halls with your years-old incandescent Christmas lights, it’s time to make the switch to LED lights.

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are more efficient, more durable and longer-lasting than your old strands. They won’t burn out; they’re cool to the touch.

That makes them safer to hang on a tree or from your roof. And they won’t send your holiday electric bills through the roof.

LEDs are a holiday gift to yourself that keeps on giving year-round: The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that LEDs use 75 percent less energy and last about 25 times longer than incandescents.

Sure, they’re a bit more expensive that traditional light strands. Look for a home improvement store with a trade-in program that gives you a discount on LEDs if you turn in your old, inefficient incandescent strands.

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EMEPA crews assist in Florida following Hurricane Michael East Mississippi Electric Power Association sent more than 75 employees including linemen, servicemen, engineers, right-of-way workers and mechanics to West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC), headquartered in Graceville, Fla., to aid in power restoration efforts following Hurricane Michael.

WFEC’s service territory was in the direct path of Hurricane Michael’s destruction, causing significant damage and widespread power outages. WFEC serves more than 28,000 homes and businesses in its 4-county service area northeast of Panama City in west Florida. Officials from WFEC reported that nearly 100 percent of those consumers were without electric service following the hurricane with at least 8,560 broken poles.

After working more than a week of power restoration work, EMEPA brought the original group of men home and sent a second round of men to assist with restoration. Following another week of work, a third round was sent. All crews were able to return home by early November.

“As an electric cooperative, assisting fellow co-ops in need is part of our operating principles,” said EMEPA CEO Randy Carroll. “We are a member of a national network of electric cooperatives who assist one another with power restoration after major natural disasters.”

In addition to EMEPA, other electric cooperatives from Mississippi also sent emergency crews to assist in restoring electric service to areas hit by the storm. As of press date, more than 300 men from Mississippi electric cooperatives assisted crews in Florida during Hurricane Michael’s aftermath.

“Going to help brother and sister cooperatives across

the country in time of need is part of our job,” said Matt Sampley, EMEPA System Design Engineer and one of the team members that assisted in Georgia.

“They were genuinely glad to see us coming to help turn the lights on in their area. I wish I could have counted the times someone stopped and said, ‘Thank you for coming so far to work so hard.’”

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S N P O I COC-OONNECTCARD

Don’t forget to use your EMEPA Co-op Connections Card this holiday season. As a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, East Mississippi Electric Power Association is able to offer exclusive savings to our members through the Co-op Connections program. Below is a list of local participating businesses. For more information and for a list of nationally participating businesses, visit EMEPA.com or Connections.coop.

MORE SAVINGS, V MO ORE MEMOR RIES. Make this year’s Thanksgiving your most energy-wise ever. Enlist the whole family—even those visiting just for the holiday—to come up with energy-saving ideas.

Along with your invitation to family and friends, ask everyone to bring more than a side dish. Instruct them to come prepared to share their favorite ways to save energy and reduce their monthly electric bills. After dinner, go around the table and have each person share a favorite tip.

Save your own ideas for last. Here’s a cheat sheet to help you show off: • Turn down the thermostat. With a full house and a hot kitchen, your house will be too steamy at its usual setting.

• Replace your light bulbs with LEDs and new LED fixtures. Your guests won’t notice a difference in lighting, but you’ll see a difference in your energy bill.

• Don’t just stuff the turkey – stuff the oven. As long as your oven will be running all day, make the most of it by cooking several dishes at once. A variation of 25 degrees in either direction from the recommended cooking temperature will still produce the desired result.

• Cook at least one dish from start to finish in the microwave. Microwaves are faster than the oven and use about 80 percent less electricity.

• Keep cleanup easy. Load the dishwasher completely full. With a mountain of dinner plates, using the dishwasher will be more efficient than hand washing.

• Don’t rush to put leftovers in the refrigerator, which will work harder to cool off hot foods. Let leftovers cool slightly on the counter.

The on ne card that does it all.

Con nnections.co oop

2018 Co-op Connections Participating Businesses A&A Glass, Meridian A Plus Lawn & Landscaping Affordable Carpet Care All Star Painting & pressure Wash America’s Best Value Inn America’s Super Lube Best Bodies of Meridian Binke’s Restaurant Burton Awards Busy Bee Nursery & Gift Shoppe Cancelled Flight Game Calls Crooked Letter Custome Frame and Gift Cut Above D&H Construction & Cabinetry, Inc. Dabomb Dairy Queen déjà vu Depot Family Fun Center Dickey’s Barbeque Pit Domino’s Pizza Ed Chaney Tire Center Express Care Auto Center Express Oil Fantasy Cottage Flowers and Gifts

Firestone Tire and Service Center Flowers By The Bunch Fran’s Florist, Inc. Fred’s Pharmacy, Meridian Fred’s Pharmacy, Quitman Gaddis Family Dentistry Hampton Inn – Meridian Hickman Body Shop Holiday Inn Express, Meridian Honey Baked Ham J&B Athletics J&D Home Furnishings Just Teasin’ Boutik Just Teasin’ Salon K&L Quick Stop K&W Auto & Appliance Knight’s Tire, Towing & Auto Service La Quinta Inn & Suites Little Ceasar’s, Hwy 19N Meridian Little People Boutique Locksmiths, Inc. M&N Computers & Office Supply Maggie May’s Tutus Magnolia Auto Repair and Towing Magnolia Green, LLC

Mama Binke’s Restruant Meridian Auto Glass Mike’s Computer Repair Minutes 2 Memories, LLC Mitchell Signs Mosquito Joe Mugshots Grill & Bar Novus Glass O’Reilly Auto Parts Paint Pros Papa John’s Pizza, N Hills St. Meridian Patrick Allen Companies Paul’s Appliance Repair Pee Wee’s Performance Exhaust Penny’s From Heaven Perry’s Appliance Repair Piner’s Custom Interior Sewing Pizza Hut, N Hills St. Meridian Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen Precision Painting Premier Paint & Body Quick Prints R&C Landscaping & Lawn Service, LLC Reality Paint & Body Shop Sally’s Cleaners

Selective Audio & Customs Service Plus Servpro of Meridian SMI Automotive & Customs Stephanie’s Shenanigans Stephen’s Funeral Home Stephon’s Auto Service Stitchin Krazy, LLC Stuckey’s Smokehouse Sumpthin Different The Jewel Shoppe/The Diamond Store The Paint Store at North Hills, LLC The Park at North Hills The Service Company The Yudt’que Boutique Tony Morgan Services Tooney’s Tire Center Trucker’s Supply Twisted Mist Vapor Shop Value Center By Woodstock Furniture Village Cloth Shoppe Western Sizzlin Wood Grill Winston County Journal World of Flowers Zak’s

Happy Holidays

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May the closeness of friends, the comfort of home, and the unity of our nation, renew your spirits this holiday season.

from the very merry team at

East Mississippi Electric Power Association!

WE WILL BE CLOSED "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

James 1:17 (NIV)

Nov. 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas, and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Dispatchers will be on duty!

REMEMBER! Safety never takes a holiday.

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Board of Directors

www.4county.org • 1-800-431-1544

John E. “Jay” Gilliland Jr., President Johnny Johnson, Vice President Mike Banks, Secretary/Treasurer Bill Bell Kenneth Seitz Ernest H. “Bud” Tumlinson Marty Crowder

YOUR COOPERATIVE

By Brian Clark, CEO/General Manager

Thanks for the welcome; let’s get to work Everyone, they say, has a special home away from home.

For me, that place is 4-County Electric Power Association.

I’ve found that time-tested adage to be true as I’m blessed to take on the new challenge of chief executive officer/general manager. My first days in the new position have been full of well wishes. For that, I thank you. I’m excited to carry on the tradition of excellence here at 4-County. And I’d like to thank my predecessor, Joe Cade, for providing a prime example of what leadership is all about.

Things may change a little here and there, but the bottom line is that we’re here to serve you, our member/owners. Please don’t hesi- Brian Clark tate to call me or come for a visit.

I’d love to meet you.

I’ve hit the ground running as new CEO/general manager, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

These are exciting and challenging times for rural electric cooperatives.

But you’ve probably heard the saying, “There’s power in numbers.” I have to agree.

Cooperation is a key word for electric cooperatives, and a concept vital to our form of business.

Consumer-owned co-ops like 4-County operate under seven key guidelines, including the Sixth Cooperative Principle, “Cooperation Among Cooperatives.”

In short, electric cooperatives serve their members best while strengthening the overall co-op movement by working together.

At the most basic level, electric cooperatives support one another in times of crisis. If a storm or other disaster hits one of our sister cooperatives, like the Florida cooperative we recently assisted in the wake of Hurricane Michael (see article and photos on page

10b), we offer whatever help we can to ensure that service gets restored as quickly as possible. If we need help, our electric co-op “family” will be there for us.

We also serve you, our members, and communities with programs such as the Today in Mississippi member magazine, the 4-County Foundation, a host of convenient payment option programs, energy audits, our hot-line safety demonstrations and many other worthwhile education opportunities.

And when it comes to local and statewide issues, electric co-ops in Mississippi combine forces through Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi (ECM), our statewide association. The results show that when small organizations such as electric co-ops use the power of aggregation, we grow in clout, efficiency and economy. By working together, good things happen.

The power of numbers gives us a louder voice at the state Capitol when legislators make decisions that affect us. We share training resources and expertise.

By working through ECM, we lower printing and production costs of this publication through economies of scale.

Nationally, we collaborate with other electric coops through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the Arlington, Va.-based national service organization representing more than 900 consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives, public power districts and public utility districts in the United States. NRECA presents a unified consumer voice, urging lawmakers to create legislation that’s in the best interest of electric co-ops. Not only does the organization have the ears of Washington, D.C., decision-makers, it also represents cooperative interests before

federal regulatory bodies. And through NRECA’s Cooperative Research Network, we receive information about new technologies that can help us control costs, improve productivity and deliver superior service to you.

Even if we were in this alone, 4-County would still provide you with the very best service at the lowest price possible. But when we pool our resources—work cooperatively—we offer you better value. In addition, by adding our voice to a grand chorus of fellow cooperatives, our message gets heard loud and clear by legislators. And that’s the cooperative difference.

Finally, thank you for your warm welcome to me and my family as we readily and humbly accept this new opportunity and challenge to serve 4-County and its members. Please know that my door is always open.

And last but not least, happy Thanksgiving, merry Christmas and happy New Year!

Holiday office schedule 4-County offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 23, for the Thanksgiving holiday; Monday, Dec. 24, and Tuesday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday; and Tuesday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. A dispatcher will be on hand.

Co-op Connections Card saves Since the Co-op Connections Card was unveiled in September 2011, 4-County members have saved over $693,436 on prescription drugs through September.

Look here each month to see the savings total!

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Today in Mississippi 10a

Follow your nose to a holiday tasty surprise The holiday season is a time to energize the senses. Enter someone’s home and you’re likely to inhale the rich, enticing fragrances of a variety of tasty Thanksgiving and Christmas treats.

The homes of 4-County employees (and the offices) are no different, as the cooperative has its own set of renowned homegrown cooks. With all due respect to Rachel Ray, the 4-County cooks are dishing up their own gift of recipes this year for all to enjoy. Here’s a sampling:

Best Carrot Cake Ever (featured in photo) 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 3 large eggs 2 cups sugar ¾ cup vegetable oil ¾ cup buttermilk 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 2 cups grated carrot 1 (8-oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained 3 ½ oz. flaked coconut 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare three 9-inch cake pans by lining with wax paper, then lightly grease and flour each. Set aside. In a bowl, stir together flour, soda, salt and cinnamon. With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk and vanilla until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrot, pineapple, coconut and nuts. Pour batter into prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean.

Drizzle Buttermilk Glaze evenly over the layers; cool in pans on wire racks for 15 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.

Buttermilk Glaze 1 cup sugar 1 ½ tsp. baking soda ½ cup buttermilk ½ cup butter 1 Tbsp. light corn syrup 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract Combine sugar, baking soda, buttermilk, butter and corn syrup in a large pan or dutch oven, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. (Don’t skimp on the size of the pan because this mixture will expand.) Boil for 4 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Cream Cheese Frosting ¾ cup butter, softened 1 (8-oz.) block plus 1 (3-oz.) package cream cheese, softened 3-plus cups sifted powdered sugar 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy. Add 3 cups of the powdered sugar a little at a time and the vanilla extract. Beat until smooth. Add additional powdered sugar if necessary to obtain the desired spreading consistency.

– Emily Bratton, Corporate Center

Serbian Bean Soup 4 oz. smoked bacon, cut into small pieces 1 large onion, sliced 3 garlic cloves, crushed 8 oz. stew meat (optional) Salt to taste ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper 1 Tbsp. paprika 1 tsp. caraway seeds 1 tsp. marjoram 1 Tbsp. ketchup 4 cups cubed potatoes 4 (15-oz.) cans white beans (navy, pinto, great northern, whatever you like) 2 lbs. thinly sliced polish sausage

Fry bacon until glossy; add onion and sauté until golden. Add garlic, beef, salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, caraway seeds, marjoram and ketchup, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add 1 cup of water and bring to boil. Reduce temperature and cook on medium heat until meat is tender, stirring occasionally. Add potatoes and 4 cups of water, and simmer until almost tender. Add beans and sausage, and simmer until everything is tender. Serves 8.

(This is an old family favorite that we especially enjoy during the cold weather. We typically don’t add the stew meat. It was shared with us by a family friend, Becky Stockwell.)

– Jon Turner, Corporate Center

Sausage Cream Cheese Balls 1 lb. mild or hot sausage, uncooked 1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened 2 cups Bisquick baking mix 1 lb. Cheddar cheese, shredded Preheat oven to 350 F. In a bowl combine sausage and cream cheese. Add baking mix and stir until combined. Add shredded cheese. Mix well and form into balls. Bake for 25 minutes. I serve them with pepper jelly.

– Tammy Sudduth, Corporate Center

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4-County welcomes home crews from

Hurricane Michael restoration work 4-County Electric Power Association crews have completed their assistance to restore power to members of West Florida Electric Cooperative in the wake of Hurricane Michael.

A second crew, who left Oct. 26, arrived back in Columbus Nov. 6. They relieved an initial crew, who left Oct. 17 and arrived home Oct. 26. The 4-County team was assisting West Florida Electric, based in Graceville and serving 28,000 meters in four counties.

West Florida estimates that there were 8,500 poles damaged due to the hurricane.

4-County employees who assisted in the effort to help a sister co-op were Tim Adkins, Wyatt Pumphrey, Chris Benson, Tre Samuel, Tommy Reed, Derek Dawkins, Drew Swan, Dedrick Stevenson, Robert Poole, Hayden Nickels, Jonathan Edwards, Eric Yarbrough, Justin Murphy, Rowdy Rigdon, Curtis Collier, Myron Green, Jimmy Stewart, A.J. Jones, Willie Terry, Fred Harris and Clint Docher.

4-County has a reciprocal agreement with the other electric power cooperatives to provide help for each other in times of crisis.

4-County crews assisting a Florida co-op with storm restoration work experienced some interesting challenges. A field and trees littered with storm-blown cotton, top left, closely resembles a snow storm. Much of the work was done in water-logged areas, top right. Downed trees and poles were everywhere, bottom left. And a giant tent awaited crews at the end of a long day.

4-County Foundation recipients awarded over $48,000 Nine area organizations received awards recently from the 4-County Electric Power Association Foundation. Over $48,000 was distributed at the Foundation’s Oct. 5 meeting at 4-County's Corporate Center.

Since the Foundation’s inception in February 2015, over $790,000 has been dispersed to organizations in 4-County's service area.

Those receiving Foundation awards were Choctaw County High School ($9,994 for Chrome books/student technology), West Point Fire Department ($5,107 for CPR training gear), Lowndes County Council on Aging ($5,000 for matching grant for vehicle purchase), Oktibbeha County Sher-

iff’s Office ($3,500 for intoxicators/DUI enforcement technology), Starkville Friends of Library ($1,000 for materials for a young readers program), Starkville Pregnancy Center ($5,000 for a matching grant for a sonogram machine), Town of Mathiston Volunteer Fire Department ($8,000 for a wild land firefighting unit), Lowndes County Volunteer Fire Services District 5 ($7,693.83 for fire and rescue gear) and the Magnolia Amateur Radio Club ($2,913 for E-911 backup communications).

4-County believes in helping the communities it

serves. That’s why the cooperative launched the 4-County Foundation, a community service program. Since February 2015, participating 4-County members’ utility bills have been rounded up to the nearest dollar; a $125.78 bill, for example, becomes $126. Now, that’s an average of only 49 cents per member, per month.

That may not seem like much. But when you multiply those contributions by the thousands of member participants, that’s a lot of pennies! For more information on the 4-County Foundation, call 1-800-431-1544.

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4-County energizes completed Montpelier substation 4-County Electric Power Association took another step last month in enhancing an already sound power infrastructure in Clay County by energizing the recently completed Montpelier substation.

The Montpelier substation will serve Sparta in Chickasaw County and western Clay County along highways 46, 389 and 50.

Lynn Timbrook, 4-County manager of Engineering, said the project was planned in 2010. “This was part of a plan that included retiring three substations that were very old— Pheba, Ivy Village and West Point substations—and replacing them with service from three new substations. The emphasis was primarily focused on improving reliability in Clay County,” Timbrook said.

Three new substations (including the Montpelier substation), an investment of over $9 million, have been completed in Clay County over a five-year span. The Waverley substation (energized in July 2014, and serving the Highway 50 E. area from West Point to the Tenn-Tom River and including Church Hill Road, Barton Ferry Road, County Line Road and Old Waverly Road), the Lone Oak substation (energized

in June 2016, and serving the areas west and north of West Point plus Highway 45 Alt. south of West Point), and the Montpelier substation are making things a little bigger, better and brighter for residential and commercial members in Clay County.

Reliability and service are priorities for the cooperative, according to 4-County Chief Executive Officer Brian Clark.

Replacing older wires, poles and substations is not cheap, he said. “But by using technology, such as online services and payment options, streamlining our internal processes and cutting down on overhead, we are spending less but getting more bang for our buck. And we continue to offer innovative services to members. In fact, members can now report an outage by text, and get updates on restoration progress the same way. We are proud of

being one of the leading electric cooperatives in Mississippi and the Tennessee Valley,” he added.

4-County continues to explore opportunities to bring safe, affordable and reliable power to its members, Clark explained. “One of our biggest priorities is to bring superior service to our members while finding ways to save them money.”

For more information, call 1-800-4311544.

4-County warns members about scam artists Due to increasing scam artist activity in the area, 4-County Electric Power Association is warning its members to never give out personal or credit card information over the phone.

“We’re hearing that an increasing number of our members, residential and commercial, have received questionable phone calls or emails from scammers,” said Jimmie Daniels, 4-County manager of System Security.

“Never give out personal information or credit card numbers, or wire money, as the result of an unexpected phone call or email—especially if you can’t validate where it’s coming from,” Daniels advised.

Members receiving a questionable phone call should simply hang up, 4-County officials said.

And do not respond to questionable emails. Delete them.

One of the more popular scams in the area has scammers calling members and telling them to upgrade their security deposit by paying over the phone or their power will be cut off. Another scam involves a call to members requesting money over the phone or their power will be cut off for non-payment.

If members are up for disconnection or are late paying their bills, they will receive in the U.S. mail a letter stating that fact.

4-County offers many payment options and never calls or emails members asking for banking or personal information over the phone or by email.

The cooperative does contact members by phone, text or email with information, officials explain, but does not ask for personal or banking information.

4-County officials urge members who suspect an attempted scam to contact the cooperative at 1-800-431-1544 or your local law enforcement agency.

4-County educates area first responders About 50 area first responders were treated recently to a hamburger meal and educated on electrical safety as 4-County Electric Power Association welcomed the dedicated men and women.

The emergency responders, from areas in and around the 4-County service area, viewed a hot-line demonstration, learned the ins and outs of electrical meter safety and enjoyed the meal.

“This is just a great way for us to show how much we appreciate our emergency responders, and to educate them on electrical safety,” said Brian Clark, 4-County CEO. Those attending also enjoyed a presentation on the 4-County Electric Power Association Foundation. Simpson Volunteer Fire Department (based in Choctaw County) received a $6,900 award (for fire station upgrades to help improve response time) from the Foundation. For more information on the 4-County Foundation, call 1-800-431-1544.

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November / December 2018

‘Bull Grunt’

travelling country with safety message

Curtis Helms, better known as “Bull Grunt,” made his way through the 4-County Electric Power Association service area recently on a mission to bring lineman safety awareness throughout the United States.

Helms, a 23-year veteran lineman from Texas, began his trek (by foot and short car rides) on Oct. 15 from the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston. His goal is to make it to Huntington Beach, Calif., (about 2,621 miles) in six months. Along the way he’s relying on the goodness of fellow lineman for meals, sometimes transportation and for prayers. And anyone who’s willing to listen, Helms explains the contributions, sacrifices and safety concerns associated with being a lineman.

His mission is three-fold: alerting the general public about lineman, fellowshipping with lineman across the country and raising money for three lineman safety awareness foundations.

The 44-year-old has been known for several years for a series of videos promoting the importance of linemen 4-County employees, from left, Curtis Collier, Jimmy Stewart, Eric Yarbrough, Rowdy Rigdon, Myron Green and Glen Ledbetter recently welcomed roving lineman Curtis “Bull Grunt” Helms to the cooperative. and linemen safety.

Helms, who now works for a lineman training school, said he was called to take on his journey following the death of a fellow lineman. “It just punched me in the chest. I get to be the guy that God told to walk across America,” he added.

Shopping, decorating and holiday • Christmas, “This is a humbling experience,” Helms, a husband and father of four children.

Christmas entertaining are all part of what makes 4-County Lineman Curtis Collier said most linemen are aware of Helms’ jourEve and the Christmas season a cherished time ney. “We saw his proposed route and that it was coming right through our service for family and friends. But make sure to New Year’s Day lead the year for candle area. So, we wanted to be a part of it,” Collier said of the co-op’s assistance with a fires, according to officials with Electrical put safety at the top of your to-do-list. little transportation. “We wanted to do our part.”

Here are a few electrical safety tips to Safety Foundation International. Mind

Give safety this Christmas

Lowndes Co. schools receive energy efficiency incentive The Tennessee Valley Authority, 4-County Electric Power Association and Monroe County Electric Power Association recently presented Lowndes County schools with a $115,000 rebate check.

The check presentation was in conjunction with TVA’s EnergyRight Program for the Lowndes County school district’s energy conservation project to reinvest over $7.5 million in energy costs back in the classroom.

Lowndes County Schools, in partnership with energy and sustainability expert Schneider Electric, modernized more than 14,000 dated facility infrastructure components, including installing 10,000 LED interior and exterior lighting fixtures and upgrading HVAC units, using smart technology to improve its energy efficiency efforts and generate additional cost savings across the district.

make sure your Christmas season is a good one: • Always purchase electrical decorations and lights from reputable retailers and check that a nationally recognized testing organization like Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has approved them, according to Joe Miller, 4-County Job Safety and Training coordinator. “Inspect electrical decorations for damage, such as cracked or frayed sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections, before use,” Miller recommends. Never connect more than three strings of incandescent lights together, he stressed. And always remember to turn off, unplug and extinguish all decorations when going to sleep or leaving the house.

your festive decorations for safety hazards.

• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree will stay green longer, reducing the risk of fire.

• On artificial trees, look for a “fire resistant” label.

• Keep candles, matches and lighters out of reach, and never leave children unsupervised when candles are lit.

• Instead of traditional candles, use battery-operated candles.

• Place electrical cords out of the reach of small children.

• Never allow children to play with lights, electrical decorations or cords.

For more information, visit holiday safety.org.

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Toys for Tots makes Christmas a little brighter Employees and members of 4-County Electric Power Association have the chance to make Christmas a little better and brighter for area children by taking part in the Toys for Tots program.

Toys for Tots, a charitable organization offered through the U.S. Marine Corps, has partnered with 4-County the last six holiday seasons. Last year, employees and members dug deep and collected nearly 300 toys for distribution in 4-County’s service territory.

“This is a great Christmas project,” said Brad Barr, 4-County communications coordinator.

“We’re always excited to partner with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots project. Last year, the cooperative and its members made Christmas an even better experience for children in our service area. A lot of children identified by Toys for Tots wouldn’t have the same Christmas experience without the help of this charitable organization and organizations like 4-County.”

Toys for Tots drop-off boxes will be located in 4-County offices.

Participants in this project are not required to donate toys for children of a specific age or gender. “All we ask is that you drop off a new toy in one of the boxes located in an office near you,” Barr explained.

The drop-off boxes will be in 4-County offices by Nov. 12. The deadline for dropping off toys is Dec. 20. Toys for Tots personnel will pick up the items by the end of that day.

For more information about the Toys for Tots project, call Barr at 1-800-431-1544.

Watts Happening This listing of area events is compiled from information provided by area chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus. The events listed are subject to change. Please call to confirm dates, times and additional details.

MONDAY, NOV. 26 Columbus City Christmas Tree Lighting; Riverwalk Bridge; 5:30 p.m.; details, (662) 328-6305.

Starkville Christmas Parade; downtown Starkville; 6 to 8 p.m.; details, (662) 3233322.

TUESDAY, DEC. 4 Student Ensemble: Philharmonic Orchestra; McComas Hall Theater on the campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville; 7:30 p.m.; details, (662) 3243080.

THURSDAY, DEC. 6 Macon Christmas Parade; downtown Macon, details, (662) 726-4456.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28 Holiday Bazaar; The Mill, 100 Mercantile Lane in Starkville; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; continFRIDAY, DEC. 7 ues Thursday, Nov. 29; details, (662) 323Wassail Fest; downtown Columbus; 3322. details, (662) 328-6305.

FRIDAY, NOV. 30 SATURDAY, DEC. 8 T’was the Night Before Christmas; Ackerman Christmas Parade; downtown McComas Mainstage at Mississippi State Ackerman; details, (662) 285-3778.

University in Starkville; 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; SUNDAY, DEC. 9 continues Saturday, Dec. 1; $5 per adult, Starkville Christmas Tour of Homes; 1 to free for children 10 and under; (662) 4:30 p.m.; $20 per person; details, (662) 323.3322.

323-3322.

MONDAY, DEC. 3 FRIDAY, DEC. 14 West Point Christmas Parade; downCarols in the Chapel; Chapel of Memories town West Point; 6:30 p.m.; details, (662) on the campus of Mississippi State Universi494-5121.

Columbus Christmas Parade; downtown ty in Starkville; 11 a.m. to noon; details, Columbus; 7 p.m.; details, (662) 328-6305. (662) 324-3080.

Teresa Thompson paints a pretty picture of life at co-op Teresa Thompson is always ready to provide a quick sketch of the life she leads in the Longview community west of Starkville. As a matter of fact, she can tell you or show you.

The pet enthusiast and budding artist is ready to spin a tale about her adventures on the family farm or show you a painting of her free-range animal friends.

Her hobbies are all associated with taking care of all the members of “Funny Farm,” a collection of “critters” including chickens, turkeys, ducks, goats, ponies, dogs and cats. “When I drive up, it’s a mass wave of fowl. Feathers flying and wanting a treat. It’s funny,” she said.

Teresa’s paintings are abstract, in nature, and reflect the peaceful nature of farm life. Her most recent painting, “The Three,” is a colorful interpretation of pet goats. Her next artistic adventure? Painting a mural on the new chicken coop. “It’s relaxing,” she said of her acrylicon-canvas creations. “You make it your own.”

Teresa says the family uses the term farm animals lightly. “If you name it, feed it and pet it, you don’t eat it. That’s the rule.” The neighborhood children like to feed the animals, she added.

Teresa lives on the farm with her husband, Frankie. She has two children: Mitchell, 24, a welding instructor at the Winston County Vocational Technical Center, and Hailey, 19, a second-year sports medicine student at East Mississippi Community College.

A 27-year veteran of 4-County, Teresa began her 4-County career as a cashier at the Starkville Customer Service Center. She also served as a customer service representative and customer service supervisor at the

Starkville and Mathiston branch offices. Teresa later accepted a position in 4-County’s Information Technology Department, monitoring meter readings during the co-op’s development of its Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI). She later moved to accounting, and then began serving in her current role as AMI administrator. “I’ve learned so much about metering. I actually get to program meters. It’s fun,” she said.

She is a member of 4-County’s Activities Committee, assisting with decorating for co-op functions.

Teresa enjoys the challenge of new and emerging technology.

“The AMI world is constantly changing.

These changes allow multiple opportunities to learn and apply. It’s mind-boggling to think that we can get that much information from a meter on the side of the house,” through analysis of members’ electricity use. “I’m a nerd at heart,” she admitted. “I enjoy the challenge of making things work.”

Teresa was a key player in 4-County’s progression about 10 years ago from hands-on meter reading to automated metering. These advances led to the co-op’s successful daily billing and prepay programs.

The veteran co-op employee appreciates 4-County’s presence in the communities it serves, alluding to various member outreach programs. “We’re actually part of our communities.”

Teresa is thankful for her place in the 4-County family. “It’s allowed me to provide a stable life for me and my family. I’ve learned a lot, and grown as a person. It’s a very encouraging and learning environment.”

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MEP lineman wins grand prize at Pike County Fair It was quite an astonishment for Weeks to win Although it probably calls for individual tastes, the

By Elissa Fulton three ribbons and the $250 grand prize, when he lamps are beautiful. In fact, he was recently awarded Scott Weeks is a lineman at Magnolia Electric didn’t even realize he was entering a contest. the grand prize at the Pike County Fair from the Power, but when he’s not working on utility lines, “I almost had tears in my eyes I was so happy, overall arts and crafts exhibited. It was quite a suryou can probably find him in the woods or at home because I’m usually really hard on myself,” said prise for Weeks, as he did not even realize his lamps making something from his many hunts. Weeks was Weeks. “I just thought this was cheap advertising and were being judged. raised as a hunter, and it is a hobby he has passed that I might have a person or two interested in me “I had a friend that told me that the Pike County down to his sons. The memories are the core reason doing this for them. But I was really honored.”

Fair was looking for items to put on exhibit. She told Weeks continues to spend his free time hunting.

Weeks attributes his artistic abilities to his mother. me to bring the lamps and set them up, so I took “Even though I’ve hunted many trophy deer in “She quilts, she paints, and she is really good at it. them to the fair and put up a little sign in front of my life, I just like taking my boys now and to just She is a retired school teacher, but get out there and enjoy the peace she continues to teach kids with and quiet of it all,” said Weeks. special needs art. I was really excit“In the morning, when the birds ed to be able to call her and tell start waking up and everything her that I had won this contest,” starts chirping – that first 30 minhe said. utes in the morning of dim dayWhen asked about the inspiralight – that’s my little piece of tion behind his lamps, Weeks heaven. I’ve gotten to where I admitted that Pinterest motivated really just like to watch them him. [deer].”

“One of my buddies sent me a As the deer from his time with photo of something similar and his sons began to pile up, Weeks asked me if I could do it. So I got started to commemorate their on Pinterest. You can find anyhunts by learning to make skull thing on Pinterest, and any person mounts. He felt that he was being can do anything if they set their overcharged and decided to learn mind to it. Honestly, anything the trade himself. He quickly that I do, I just start playing learned that there would be a lot around with it, and eventually you of time he would have to commit can figure it out,” he said. to doing it right, and he prides Weeks admits that he’s always himself on being a perfectionist. been creative, and all of the deer After he refined his skill, he hunts with his boys have been began to experiment in hydro incredibly special to him. dipping. This is the process of “I don’t get rid of any of my painting camouflage onto the Scott Weeks took home the $250 grand prize and first place ribbon at the Pike County Fair in September.

He also won the overall deer heads or horns. Every horn I skulls. first place ribbon in the sculpture and pottery division with his beautiful skull mount lamps. have has a story and it’s very “Hydro dipping is a little more meaningful to me. It’s either been difficult process. I haven’t quite a hunt with me and my daddy, or with me and my them,” said Weeks. “The first thing that crossed my perfected it, but I first started by covering the skulls boys. People can’t afford the horns from me, because in pine straw and oak leaves or whatever I could find, mind was that she was just promoting them, because they are all priceless to me,” said Weeks. and I spray painted the designs,” said Weeks. “It real- I haven’t really advertised my lamps. Well, when I However, if someone has extra horns or skulls laywent to pick the lamps up, there were ribbons hangly makes the coolest designs.” ing around and would like a unique keepsake, Weeks ing all off of them. I was so surprised when she told Weeks admits that he strictly only does the skull would be glad to lend a hand. For information or me that I had won first place in my division, which mounts, and although he experiments with other pricing on skull mounts, plaques or skull and horn was sculpture and pottery. And then I was the chamcrafts, he has no interest in taxidermy, as it takes a lamps, call Scott Weeks at 601-248-2771. great deal of time and patience. More recently, he has pion in the overall arts and crafts. I was so shocked, but very happy.” started to make lamps out of deer skulls and horns.

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Competition tough, four leaders honored In a two-day competition, that began day,” she said. with Cooperative University and concludFollowing the interview process, four ed with an interview session, four students students scored in the 500+ points range from a group of 29 high school juniors and were selected to attend the Leadership were chosen to represent Magnolia Electric Workshop in Jackson and the trip to Power in the Electric Cooperatives of Washington D.C. Mississippi (ECM), Youth Leadership The top four Workshop in Jackson in February 2019, choices by the and the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour judges over the trip to Washington D.C. in June 2019. two day period Thirty-five students were invited to were: Abby attend the local competition. After the first Burris, of day at Cooperative University where the Parklane students were judged on leadership skills, Academy; Carley 14 students moved forward in the competition to the interview round.

The 35 nominees who began the competition were selected by their school counselors from the schools in the Magnolia Electric Power service area,” said Lucy Shell, Magnolia Electric member dervices director. “Fifty percent of the participant’s score comes from Cooperative University and the other 50 Abby Burris Carley Craig percent comes from their Parklane Academy Brookhaven High School interview held the second

During the state youth workshop, students will tour the Mississippi State Capitol, meet with legislators and visit the legislative galleries where they will see debates on legislation. They will learn about electric cooperatives, hear dynamic speakers and take part in several group exercises aimed at building cooperation, trust and leadership skills. Then, Burris, Craig, Miller and Brumfield will travel to Washington D.C. in June to tour the nation’s capital.

A nominee is chosen by their school counselor based on leadership qualities and community service. Also, a nominee’s parents or guardians must be a member of Magnolia Electric Power.

Shell added, “Each year, we tell our nominees that they should know that they are already winners when they come in the door because they were chosen by their schools as leaders in their communities,” Shell said. “Their dedication and commitment to make the Baleigh Brumfield world better is already being North Pike High School noticed.”

Craig, of Brookhaven High School; Amia Miller of South Pike High School; and Baleigh Brumfield of North Pike.

Burris, Craig, Miller and Brumfield will represent Magnolia Electric Power on both trips and have a chance to compete to be a delegate for the National Youth Leadership Council and win a $1,000 scholarship.

2019 Youth Leadership winners

Amia Miller South Pike High School

Julianna Crosby Brookhaven Academy

Ja’Taryah Ferguson Bogue Chitto High School

Hayden Fortinberry North Pike High School

Mer’Cades Miller McComb High School

Turner Owens Brookhaven High School

Chase Thompson West Lincoln High School

Ashlynn Gautreau Salem High School

Zandyn Tolar Salem High School

Gabby Ladd Lawrence County High School

Bailey Wison West Lincoln High School

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The 2018 Magnolia Electric Power Youth Leadership Program saw the biggest group of students ever to compete for a trip to a leadership workshop in Jackson and a week-long, all-expensepaid trip to Washington D.C. The MEP Youth Leadership Program invited 35 nominees to compete from across our service area.

Twenty-six students, along with their parents and a few school officials attended the workshop.

“With the additional space at our new headquarters, we have been able to invite more students to come in and participate the last couple of years.

The program seems to be growing and we hope it continues to grow,” Member Services Director Lucy Shell said.

Cooperative University is a one-day event which included: Youth Tour overview, Magnolia Electric Power overview, Meet a Lineman, Past Youth Leadership winners, Get-To-Know-You session, and a talk from our state legislators,” explained Shell. “We also included a leadership learning time and a learning session on how electricity gets to your home with our generation and transmission talk, followed by a hands-on demonstration.”

“The program is geared to teach the future leaders of our community a little bit about the cooperative business model and work on some of their leadership skills even at this first level,” Shell said. “We try to bring education along with fun leadership games to the students who attend.”

“We were excited to have five of our state legislators take time from their busy schedules to come and talk with our students,” Shell said.

“The students listened as Senator Sally Doty and Representatives Angela Cockerham, Vince Mangold, Sam Mims and Bill Piggott, spoke to them and then gave them a question and answer time.”

The group had lunch, which was followed by more leadership training, a chance to meet a lineman, and then a tour of our new Operations Department and a chance to see MEP’s newest technology, Shell said.

Magnolia Electric Power General Manager Darrell Smith is an active participant in Cooperative University.

“I look forward each year to discussing the history and purpose of Magnolia Electric Power with the students. I enjoy and appreciate their genuine interest and thoughtful input.

They are at the top of their class and show great potential to lead Mississippi into the future,” Smith said.

Other speakers included: Shell, 39 year employee, Lineman/Serviceman Tony Martin, Engineer Perry Clark, Cooperative Energy representative Tonya Williamson, the past youth leadership winners, Molly Lawson, Alvie Mixon, and Elissa Fulton with Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi (ECM).

Those who qualified to attend Cooperative University were: Fadasia Black, Shanquanletha

Cain, Trel Steptoe, Amite County High School; Gracie Knight, Julia Townsend, Amite School Center; Ja'Taryah Ferguson, Riley Watts, Bogue Chitto High School; Julianna Crosby, Olivia Lewis, Brookhaven Academy; Carley Craig, Diata Keys, Turner Owens, Brookhaven High School; Ashley Carithers, Skylar Coleman, Enterprise High School; Chloe Clanton, Josh Griffin, Liza Jordan, Franklin County High School; Alissa Ladnier, Gabby Ladd, Hannah Boyd, Lawrence County High School; Mer'Cades Miller, McComb High School; Malaine Ard, New Bethel Christian School; Baleigh Brumfield, Hayden Fortinberry, Shelby Cothren, North Pike High School; Abby Burris, Parklane Academy; Ashlynn Gautreau, Skylar Howell, Zandyn Tolar, Salem High School; Amia Miller, KaeKae Nathaniel, South Pike High

A time to learn about leadership and cooperatives

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School; Raven O'Bryant, Tylertown High School; Bailey Wilson, Chase Thompson, Triston Lee, West Lincoln High School.

Parents of the school nominee and counselors/officials are also invited to attend the day, and many of the parents come and learn at the event too.

The students were judged during the Cooperative University and at the conclusion of the event, 14 students moved forward in the competition to the interview round.

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Tylertown’s 20th Christmas in the park promises fresh, new look (Submitted by Tylertown Times) Tylertown’s annual Christmas in the Park lighted display is in the set-up mode at Holmes Water Park again this year as a fresh team of workers are erecting Christmas lights and displays for the 20th annual presentation of the renowned holiday attraction.

While the official opening for nightly drive-through tours of the park is Thanksgiving night, continuing nightly from 6-8:30 p.m. through New Year’s Eve, viewers have two opportunities to see the lights in advance of the “official” opening.

The park will be open for trailer rides through the park in conjunction with the Christmas in the Park Craft Show and Bazaar, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16-17, at Southwest Events Center. The craft show and bazaar is open from 3-9 p.m. Friday and 12 noon-9 p.m.

Saturday.

Tickets to the rides can be purchased for $5 for adults, children under 12 free.

Tickets are on sale at the craft show inside the events center. Riders will board the trailer outside. The rides through the park take about 20-25 minutes, begin at dusk and take place at approximate 30-minute intervals.

The next preview showing of the park

is the annual Christmas in the Park Walking Tour, Wednesday, Nov. 21 (Thanksgiving Eve) at 6 p.m. Walkers should use the events center entrance off Hwy. 48. Plenty of parking is available.

Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children under 12.

Those attending the walking tour may take their time to enjoy a close-up view of the park that can only be experienced by a ground-level walking experience.

In recent years the Walking Tour has morphed into an extremely popular and well-attended attraction of the park.

Visitors are able to register for door prizes, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and have their kids pose with Santa and

Mrs. Claus for photographs (bring your own camera).

The walking tour is staffed by volunteers stationed at periodic intervals throughout the park.

Then, Thanksgiving night, the display with its “zillions of lights” opens for vehicle traffic through the park, using the Beulah Avenue/Hwy. 198 entrance at the Magee’s Creek Bridge. It’s open from 6-8:30 p.m. each night through New Year’s Eve, weather permitting.

A new set-up crew is adding to the park this year with a promise of a fresh, new look to the familiar holiday lights enjoyed by many throughout South Mississippi and Southeast Louisiana

including visitors from outside the area.

Visitors comment each year how they enjoy touring the park, and some families make an outing of the trip, frequently stopping to eat either before or after driving through the park.

Admission to the park is $5 for passenger vehicles; $10 for commercial vans; $20 for buses. A drive through the park takes 20-30 minutes.

In recent years, an estimated 30,000 people view the park during the holiday season.

The Christmas in the Park committee oversees the annual event, which begins with preliminary work and setup in late September. The committee meets year round to discuss and finalize displays and additions to the park each year.

For more information call (601)8762680, (601)303-0643 or visit http://www.walthallchamber.com

Happy Holidays from the very merry team at

Magnolia Electric Power!

WE WILL BE CLOSED Nov. 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas, and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. DISPATCHERS WILL BE ON DUTY!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

James 1:17 (NIV)

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Christmas In OSYKA

(Submitted by Osyka Civic Club) Christmas in Osyka has been in the works for months and December 8th is turning out to be a day for everyone!

The festival includes vendors of all types, which of course means lots of good food!

Vendors are still being accepted with booths starting at only $35.

One booth that the Osyka Civic Club is very excited about for sure is their own. This year, they have approximately 70 one-of-a-kind Christmas ornaments by local artists in several different mediums. Artists such as Carroll Case, Gay Austin, Ann Carruth Jackson, Gina Mitchell, Estelle Schilling, Becky Elarton and many more.

Actually, the festivities begin on Dec. 6, with a Mr. and Miss Osyka Christmas Pageant for ages 0-18 for girls, and 0-3 for boys. Custom crowns, trays, sashes and more are the prizes for this beautiful event.

Brandon Andrews will be the Master of Ceremonies on center stage for the fest with live entertainment beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until the professional pyrotechnic display at 7 p.m.

There will be a Classic Car & Truck Show starting at 10 a.m. with dash plaques to the first 50 entries, and awards for Best Truck, Best Car, People’s Choice, Mayor’s Choice and more!!

Children will have something to do from 10 a.m. until the fest closes. Free pictures with Santa by Beth Hemeter from Image Maker in McComb, will be on site for children under 12 and senior citizens, at 10

Osyka’s Christmas Festival Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Railroad Avenue - Osyka, Miss.

Craft and Food Vendors Children’s Activities Free Entertainment Christmas Parade at 4:00 p.m.

Free Santa Pictures (For children 12 and under after parade)

Professional Pyro Technical Firework Show

a.m. at the Osyka Public Library. State Bank of McComb has sponsored the Santa in the Park pictures that will be made after the parade if you miss the morning photo shoot. These pictures will also be free to the public.

Original Cypress’s artist Dawn Marks will be giving a painting class for children 5-12 at 11 a.m. for only $5, with proceeds going to the Osyka Civic Club.

Original Cypress is also conducting an adult class at 1:30 p.m., for a cost of $30, also being donated to the Osyka Civic Club.

Decorating Christmas Cookies with Jessica White and Santa is at 11 a.m. The cookies and the decorating supplies will be provided for this free class by this very talented cookie artist.

There will more events for the children! The Christmas parade route is one mile and the entries lap this route. This is a great family parade with free entry to all. Christmas music only, no horseback riders, and no live Santa Clauses since the real one will be riding on the Osyka firetruck! Line up begins at 2 p.m. with the parade rolling at 4 p.m. Candy, beads, stuffed animals and toys may be thrown.

The day ends with the fireworks. Remember there are no parking fees, no festival entry fees, lots of free events and several affordable events to make the perfect family memory for you and yours.

More information can be obtained on facebook on Osyka Civic Club or you can call or text festival co-chairs Julie Dycus at 601-249-5910 or Dawn Santalucito at 601-551-4854.

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Providing affordable, reliable electricity to our members since 1936.

MONROE COUNTY ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION We’re thankful for your

Savor an energy-efficient Thanksgiving feast Make this year’s Thanksgiving your most energy-wise ever. Enlist the whole family—even those visiting just for the holiday—to come up with energy-saving ideas.

Along with your invitation to family and friends, ask everyone to bring more than a side dish. Instruct them to come prepared to share their favorite ways to save energy and reduce their monthly electric bills. After dinner, go around the table and have each person share a favorite tip.

Save your own ideas for last. Here’s a cheat sheet to help you show off: • Turn down the thermostat. With a full house and a hot kitchen, your house will be too steamy at its usual setting.

• Replace your light bulbs with LEDs and new LED fixtures. Your guests won’t notice a difference in lighting, but you’ll see a difference in your energy bill.

• Don’t just stuff the turkey – stuff the oven. As long as your oven will be running all day, make the most of it by

cooking several dishes at once. A variation of 25 degrees in either direction from the recommended cooking temperature will still produce the desired result.

• Cook at least one dish from start to finish in the microwave. Microwaves are faster than the oven and use about 80 percent less electricity.

• Keep cleanup easy. Load the dishwasher completely full.

With a mountain of dinner plates, using the dishwasher will be more efficient than hand washing.

• Don’t rush to put leftovers in the refrigerator, which will work harder to cool off hot foods. Let leftovers cool slightly on the counter.

Got holiday leftovers?

When possible, use the microwave to reheat food.

Microwaves use as much as 80 percent less energy than a standard oven.

Source: energy.gov

Membership

TIP of the

Month

Switch to LED holiday lights this year If you’re still decking the halls with your yearsold incandescent Christmas lights, it’s time to make the switch to LED lights.

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are more efficient, more durable and longer-lasting than your old strands. They won’t burn out; they’re cool to the touch.

That makes them safer to hang on a tree or from your roof. And they won’t send your holiday electric bills through the roof.

LEDs are a holiday gift to yourself that keeps on giving year-round: The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that LEDs use 75 percent less energy and last about 25 times longer than incandescents.

Sure, they’re a bit more expensive than traditional light strands. Look for a home improvement store with a trade-in program that gives you a discount on LEDs if you turn in your old, inefficient incandescent strands.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

In the spirit of this quote by author William Arthur Ward, we’d like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for your membership in our electric cooperative. Because of your connection to Monroe County Electric Power Association, we are able to make our community a better place.

During this season of giving thanks, we think it’s important to let you and other consumermembers of Monroe County Electric know just what an impact you have on our co-op and the greater community, likely in ways you may not even realize.

As a part of the cooperative business model, one of our core principles is “Concern for Community.” While our priority is always to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy, we view our role in the community as a catalyst for good. Because we are locally governed by members of our community, we are able to get a first-hand perspective on community priorities.

We are thankful our co-op directors who are members of our cooperative and our communities. They carve out their personal time for serving on our board and keeping abreast of industry trends. This investment in time results in better informed advisors that serve the co-op’s interests in a way that our consumer-members expect and deserve.

On a more personal note, we appreciate the countless acts of kindness our lineworkers and other employees receive when they are working in severe weather and dangerous conditions.

Our employees are thankful for your patience and consideration when we are trying to restore power during challenging situations and prolonged periods.

Monroe County Electric was originally established 82 years ago to bring electricity to our area when no one else would. The cooperative is a reflection of our local community and its evolving needs. Together, let’s continue making our corner of the world a better place. We can’t do it without you, and for that, we’re thankful for your membership.

Happy Holidays

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Our very merry team at

Monroe County Electric Power Association wishes you the happiest of holidays!

Tony Anderson Luke Blaylock Phillip Branham Dudley Cantrell Jonathan Clouse Melissa Cowley Terry Dill Jill Fikes Andrew Gill Gena Gilmore Lee Griffin

Kevin Gray Loretta Harper Adam Harmon Howard Hughes Tim Johnson Brad Kennedy Kerry Mitchell Keith Myatt Quinn Parham Ryan Payne Wesley Rogers

May the closeness of friends, the comfort of home, and the unity of our nation, renew your spirits this holiday season.

Barry Rowland Marilyn Rushing Harold Sanders Lane Sloan Pam Stanford Brad Sullivan

Vicki Turman Seth Weaver Nick Webb Wayne White

WE WILL BE CLOSED Nov. 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas, and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Dispatchers will be on duty!

REMEMBER! Safety never takes a holiday.

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November/December 2018

For more information on Today in Mississippi, contact Michael Bellipanni at 662-895-2151.

2018 Christmas Parades and Events N 19th Annual Southern Lights Thursday, November 22 – Monday, December 31 Drive through the 116-acre park with 500,000 twinkling lights. Cars can tune to five FM radio stations playing Christmas music as they ride through the park. Don’t miss the Christmas Tree Farm synchronized to music by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Proceeds benefit local charities.

Sun-Thurs 6-9 pm; Fri-Sat 6-10 pm. $10-cars; $15-vans and hayrides; $25-buses; $5-motorcycles. Closed Christmas Day. Location: Central Park on Tchulahoma Rd. between Goodman and Stateline Rds. www.southaven.com or 662-890-PARK.

N Olive Branch Christmas Parade Saturday, December 1, 2 p.m.

Will follow traditional parade route: Cockrum Street to Goodman and Pigeon Roost.

N Southaven Christmas Parade

Friday, December 7, 6:30 p.m. on Main Street, Highway 51 and Stateline Road.

N Horn Lake Christmas in the Park Saturday, December 1, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Latimer Lakes Park. Stationary Holiday Displays, Christmas Tree Lighting, Christmas Carols, Hot Chocolate and Cookies! Santa arrives between 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 pm. Join us as we celebrate the Christmas season by taking a stroll through our newest event sure to please all ages!

N Holly Springs Christmas Home Tour

Saturday, December 1, 10 a.m., and Sunday, December 2, 5 p.m.

Launch the Holiday Season with this special holiday tour of 7 homes in this historic city, decorated in Christmas splendor, to reflect the joyous yuletide celebration. Sponsored by Marshall County Historical Museum, 220 E. College. For tickets or more information, contact the museum at 662-252-3669 or online at marshallcountymuseum.com.

N Holly Springs Christmas Parade Saturday, December 1, 5 p.m.

N Hernando Christmas Parade Monday, December 3, 6:30 p.m.

Parade begins at corner of Mt. Pleasant Extended and Commerce Street, traveling down Commerce Street, around the courthouse square and ending at the Hernando Baptist Church

N Byhalia Town Hall visit with Santa Saturday, December 8, 4:30 p.m.

N Byhalia Christmas Parade Saturday, December 8, 6:30 p.m.

N Byhalia Light Up the Town Lighting Contest Friday, December 14, 6 p.m.

A message from the CEO We’re thankful for your

Membership Kevin Doddridge General Manager/CEO

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

In the spirit of this quote by author William Arthur Ward, we’d like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for your membership in our electric cooperative.

Because of your connection to Northcentral Electric Power Association, we are able to make our community a better place.

During this season of giving thanks, we think it’s important to let you and other consumer-members of Northcentral Electric know just what an impact you have on our co-op and the greater community, likely in ways you may not even realize.

As a part of the cooperative business model, one of our core principles is “Concern for Community.” While our priority is always to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy, we view our role in the community as a catalyst for good. Because we are locally governed by members of our community, we are able to get a first-hand perspective on community priorities.

We are thankful our co-op directors who are members of our cooperative and our communities. They carve out their personal time for serving on our board and attending industry-specific education and training classes. This investment in time results in better informed advisors that serve the co-op’s interests in a way that our consumermembers expect and deserve.

On a more personal note, we appreciate the countless acts of kindness our lineworkers and other employees receive when they are working in severe weather and dangerous conditions. Our employees are thankful for your patience and consideration when we are trying to restore power during challenging situations and prolonged periods.

Northcentral Electric was originally established 68 years ago to bring electricity to our area when no one else would. The cooperative is a reflection of our local community and its evolving needs. Together, let’s continue making our corner of the world a better place. We can’t do it without you, and for that, we’re thankful for your membership.

Happy Holidays

November/December 2018

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Today in Mississippi

from the very merry team at

Northcentral Electric Power Association!

WE WILL BE CLOSED Nov. 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas, and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. For emergencies after hours, weekends, and holidays, call 662-895-2151 or toll free

1-800-325-8925

May the closeness of friends, the comfort of home, and the unity of our nation, renew your spirits this holiday season.

REMEMBER! Safety never takes a holiday.

CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST

fused

Video and audio episodes can be found on Apple podcasts, Podbean, and our social media channels.

We’re coming soon to Spotify!

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November/December 2018

Member owned. Locally operated. That’s the cooperative difference.

PRVEPA Contact Information: Columbia: 601-736-2666 Hattiesburg: 601-264-2458

Purvis: 601-794-8051 Wiggins: 601-928-7277

To pay bills or report outages:

855-2PRVEPA (855-277-8372) Visit us on line at www.PRVEPA.com

(Photo courtesy of PRCC Public Relations) Recipients of Round Up for Education scholarships at Pearl River Community College were on hand in October for a ceremonial check presentation from Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association general manager Randy Wallace (center left, holding check) to PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood (center right, holding check). A total of 250 students who live in PRVEPA’s 12-county service area received awards for the fall 2018 semester, including 144 at PRCC. Round Up for Education scholarships also went to 50 students attending Jones County Junior College this year and 46 students at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, as well as 10 students attending eight other Mississippi community colleges.

Each student received $725. Thank you to all the members who are supporting the Round Up program and helping to improve the quality of life for everyone living in the communities we serve.

PRVEPA crews assist after Hurricane Michael PRVEPA linemen joined more than 75 Mississippi crews to assist with power restoration in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. Approximately nine crews from each of the Association’s districts rotated for several weeks to help West Florida Electric Cooperative in the Florida panhandle, where damage from the Category 5 storm was particularly devastating. Work in the area is ongoing.

Jonathan Roseberry received the thanks of a new friend.

Lineman Nathan Brown is silhouetted next to an American flag as he works on a line.

Joel Pylant follows a downed line as crews work to re-string lines over a wet area.

November/December 2018 Today in Mississippi

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A MESSAGE FROM YOUR GENERAL MANAGER

The cooperative difference: Serving members, growing communities Being an electric cooperative, Pearl River Valley Electric is a unique kind of electric provider.

We were established in 1938 by farmers working together to provide electric service at an affordable cost to what were then only very rural areas.

What worked back then still works well today. We remain member owned and locally operated; providing safe, dependable service is still our primary goal. As we move into our 81st year of operation, the biggest difference is the growth and complexity of our business. Now, every aspect of our lives depends on electricity, and our Association serves more than

49,000 meters scattered across 12 counties.

An important part of a cooperative business is our Annual Meeting, which we conduct each year in September. It’s an opportunity for all members to come together to participate in a business meeting, as well as to vote for directors. Members who are not able to attend may vote by absentee ballot.

At our most recent Annual Meeting, held on Sept. 22, three directors were elected to three-year terms: • Hugh Gene Smith (District 3) • Joe Shelton, III (District 6) • Lawrence Warren (District 8)

Randy Wallace General Manager

We also awarded attendance and absentee prizes as part of the celebration (see list below). If you were unable to make it to the meeting this year, we encourage you to try to attend next September.

The power of our organization rests in our members as we work together to enhance the quality of life in our communities. The next time you turn on a light or pay your bill, remember that you are a member-owner of our organization.

Happy Holidays from

Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association!

WE WILL BE CLOSED Nov. 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas, and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Dispatchers will be on duty!

PRVEPA 2018 Annual Meeting Prize Winners Charles C. Cox won the Grand Prize of a $1,250 credit for electricity.

Venson Magee won the second place prize of a $750 credit for electricity.

Seated left to right: Julia James, ($100 credit for electricity), Betty L. Mingo, ($50), Camilla Pittman, ($50), Jessie Barnes, ($50), Grace Pittman, ($100). Second row, left to right: Carolyn Dunaway, ($100), Judy Riley, ($100), Melinda Pace, ($100), Shirley Broome, ($100), Nancy Hickman, ($50). Third row, left to right: Venson Magee, ($750), Donald Robertson, ($100), John Vaughan, ($50), Charles Cox, (Grand Prize), Raymond Saucier, ($100), James Landreth, ($100), Scott Davis, ($100).

ABSENTEE PRIZES: CERTIFICATES FOR ELECTRICITY $1,250 winner: $750 winner: Rufus Barnes, Poplarville

Michael A. Jordan, Biloxi

$100 winners:

$50 winners:

Suzanne D. Allen, Hattiesburg Brentley V. Bass, Columbia Terri Byrd, Hattiesburg Kenneth Cayten, Purvis Buddy Clark, Hattiesburg Lin Coulter, Sumrall Dorothy Crosby, Purvis James B. Crosby, Sumrall Marie E. Evans, Hattiesburg Roger Gaddis, Sumrall David E. Gilmore, Wiggins David Hall, Columbia Ralph E. Hilburn, Foxworth Willow Dean Jones, Lumberton Gina Kilgore, Hattiesburg Frances M. Lewis, Monticello Montez Miller Locke, Lumberton Nina Lott, Perkinston Michael Lowery, Foxworth Hunter Meeks, Purvis Mary V. Russell, Foxworth Jonathan Shows, Sumrall Jennifer Simpson, Hattiesburg James Earl Smith, Jr., Columbia Lananne Wilson, Purvis

James Glenn Bass, Columbia Julia T. Bennett, Columbia James I Bond, McHenry Max G. Broadhead, Hattiesburg Duwane Brumfield, Foxworth Louie M. Cutway, Bassfield Gay Ann Davies, Bassfield Amanda Fredricks, Hattiesburg Wanda Green, Wiggins Ronnie D. Holmes, Monticello Ben S. King, Perkinston Albert Kirkland, Perkinston Danielle McGill, Lumberton John Mitchell Trucking, Foxworth Edward W. Morrison, Lumberton James Palumbo, Hattiesburg John M. Pavur, Lumberton Kenny Reaume, McHenry Linda Morris Robbins, Columbia Pollyanna Southerland, Hattiesburg Faye Hunt Statham, Foxworth Charles R. Tolar, Columbia Katie D. Waldrop, Hattiesburg Jerry L. Walker, Sumrall Michelle Williamson, Hattiesburg

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“Pioneers In America’s Rural Electrification”

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Local restaurant celebrates

By Jennifer Johnson It was 1988, the year the Washington Redskins won the Super Bowl, George H. W. Bush beat out Michael Dukakis for the presidency, and a first-class stamp cost just 25 cents.

That same year, Carolyn and Jimmy Higgins were opening a new buffet restaurant called Seafood Junction in the town of Algoma, just south of Pontotoc.

Jimmy Higgins passed away in 2009, but wife Carolyn said she remembers how the idea for the restaurant came to be. “Jimmy was a dreamer. In fact, he had files of things he wanted to do.

One of his dreams was to open a restaurant, and he had decided to give it a try.

He had been to a seafood buffet restaurant in south Mississippi, so he went down there and learned to cook. He did this for no pay.”

Higgins said although her husband had been gung-ho about starting the business, she had her doubts. “I was scared to death. The banker said it would not work. Other people said it would never make it and the building would be a factory within a year. But 30 years later, here we are.”

Higgins said when they first opened the restaurant, it seated 150. She said they did not advertise, so it took a while to build the business. She recalled the learning curve involved with making sure they had adequate supplies of food to feed customers at their burgeoning business. “The first week we were open, we went to the coast and got fresh seafood. We were expecting a big crowd. We actually ran out of seafood, so we had to go outside to the line of

years

of Food and Family

The current owners of Seafood Junction take time out for a photo with Carolyn Higgins, wife of the late Jimmy Higgins, who realized his dream of creating the restaurant 30 years ago. Left to right: Scott Foster, Jill Montgomery Foster, Michael Scott Foster, Carolyn Higgins, Preston Foster, Teresa Montgomery, and Mike Montgomery. (Photo courtesy of Seafood Junction)

people waiting for a table and tell them we were out of food. We had bought a lot but it still was not enough. We made a vow that night to never run out of food again.”

Of course, Higgins said running out of food wasn’t the only mistake made during their ownership of the restaurant.

“We roll out our apple and peach cobblers by hand. Well, I had made the cobblers one day and didn’t realize someone had rearranged the canisters that held the salt and sugar. We realized we had a problem when a customer made a terrible face. I went over to ask what was wrong, and she told me the cobbler was full of salt!”

The restaurant business can mean long hours and lots of hard work, but

Higgins said they have tried to create a family atmosphere with their employees.

Higgins said about 75 percent of their current staff has been with Seafood Junction since the beginning. “Our employees are like family. Sometimes you can have tough situations, like when a cooker goes down, but having good employees will always help you get through the problems.”

Higgins said it was important to them to make their customers feel a part of that family too. “I think people have always felt comfortable when they come here to eat. Most of our servers are mothers, and they like taking care of people.”

Now in its 30th year of operation, Seafood Junction sees its share of second

and third generation customers.

Higgins said, “I’m seeing kids and grandkids that are now customers. We have made so many friendships from people coming into the restaurant. And I’m continually amazed that we have people who will eat with us all three nights a week that we’re open.”

Higgins said after Jimmy’s death, they sold the restaurant. After two years in business, those owners decided that was not the line of work they wanted.

That’s where current owners Mike and Teresa Montgomery, their daughter Jill Montgomery Foster, and her husband Scott come into the picture. The Montgomerys and the Fosters bought Seafood Junction in 2010 with no experience in the restaurant business.

Teresa explained how the process started. “Gary (Jimmy and Carolyn’s son) called me and asked if I would be interested in purchasing Seafood Junction. I told him that was so nice of him to offer but no thank you. I had been a human resources manager for years, and I was ready to retire. I told Mike about the conversation, and he felt the same way.”

“A few weeks later I was shopping with Jill, and I said, ‘You won’t believe who called me.’ Jill said she thought we should talk to Gary. She knew Scott loved to cook. We did talk to Gary, and he showed us what we needed to know.

We prayed about it and then went on vacation to think about it all. We decided that this was for us, and we knew God was in it.”

Just like Jimmy Higgins’ vision for the restaurant, family remains an

November/December 2018

Pontotoc Electric crews assist after

Hurricane Michael

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Watts Cooking?

Sausage Muffins Betty Armstrong, Pontotoc Electric Retiree 1 ½ cups Bisquick ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper ¼ cup chopped green onion 2 ¼3 cup milk 1 ½ tbsp. brown sugar ½ lb. sausage ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Apprentice Lineman Dalton Hall, Apprentice Lineman Brandon Jenkins, Apprentice Lineman Byron Steen, Apprentice Lineman Cody Martin, Apprentice Lineman Tyler Parker, Journeyman Lineman John Ivy, Apprentice Lineman Jimmy Moore, Staking Technician Richard Morgan, Apprentice Lineman Brandon Williams, Apprentice Lineman Barrett Wooten, and Assistant Foreman Robert Mitchell.

Brown sausage and onion, then drain. Add Bisquick, pepper, and sugar. Add cheese and milk. Put in muffin pan and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Easy-as-Pie Cheese Straws Lavonia Lackey, Head Cashier Pontotoc Office 1 (11 oz) package pie crust mix 1 (5 oz) jar sharp process cheese spread ½ tsp. ground red pepper ¼ tsp. dry mustard

Journeyman Lineman Fagan Jackson, Apprentice Lineman Walker Westmoreland, Apprentice Lineman Stewart Owen, Groundman Glenn Isbell, General Foreman Frankie Moorman, Apprentice Lineman Cody Laster, Journeyman Lineman John Fleming, Apprentice Lineman Sedric Benford, Apprentice Lineman Wes Hillhouse, and Apprentice Lineman Cody Liles. Not pictured: Assistant Foreman Jackie Swords, and Jacob Beard

30 Years of Food and Family important part of Seafood Junction. Teresa works the front of the house and handles the bookkeeping for the restaurant, Jill helps with hostess duties, publicity, and maintaining the restaurant’s social media presence, and Mike and Scott head up the kitchen duties.

Jill and Scott’s sons have even gotten into the business. Michael Scott, 14, works behind the scenes, and Preston, 10, can bus tables and serve as a host.

As Seafood Junction celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, The Montgomerys and the Fosters are looking toward the

future. “We try to make improvements every year, and we do long-range planning.

Right now, we’re trying to grow our Thursday night business. We have the capacity to seat 300. We’ve also started offering online ordering through our website and on Instagram. We’re always looking for ways to better serve our customers.”

Higgins said she thought her husband would be proud of how the Seafood Junction family keeps his dream alive.

“He loved people, he loved cooking, and he loved good food and serving people.”

Process all ingredients in a food processor for 30 seconds or until mixture forms a ball, stopping twice to scrape down sides. Use a cookie press fitted with a bar-shaped disc to shape dough into 2 ½ inch straws following manufacturer’s instructions. Or divide dough in half, and shape each portion into a 7-inch log; wrap in plastic wrap and chill one hour. Cut logs into ¼ inch slices. Place cheese straws on greased baking sheets.

Bake at 375 for 8 minutes or until golden. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 5 dozen.

Holiday Closings We hope you have a wonderful holiday season, and we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! As we gather with those we love, let us not forget the greatest love of all – the love of our Heavenly Father.

Pontotoc Electric will be closed on: November 22 and 23, 2018 for Thanksgiving December 24 and 25, 2018 for Christmas January 1, 2019 for New Year’s Day A Pontotoc Electric dispatcher is on duty 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

To report a power outage after hours or during the holiday, please dial:

662-489-6711 (Pontotoc) or 662-983-2727 (Bruce).

10 I Today in Mississippi I November / December 2018 Pay Bill Report Outages

Brian Hughey, General Manager & CEO Lorri Freeman, APR, Manager of Public Relations Amanda Parker, Public Relations Specialist For more information, call 601-947-4211, 228-497-1313 or visit our website at singingriver.com. SRE is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Check Energy Use

Round Up Bill

View Outage Map

Contact Us

CEO’s Message

Singing River Electric retires over $2.3M in capital credits to members There are many benefits of being a member of an electric cooperative. One of the many benefits is the retirement of capital credits. Singing River Electric Cooperative’s board of directors approved a retirement of more than $2.3 million in SRE capital credits to the membership this year.

This represents capital credits for the years 1987-88. An additional $857,771.03 of other capital credits will be returned to the membership for the year 1987.

What does this mean for the members?

As a member, you have a share in the earnings of your not-for-profit electric Brian Hughey General Manager and CEO Singing River Electric

cooperative. Singing River Electric’s rate revenue is used to operate, make payments on loans and make improvements to the electric system. Any remaining revenue is allocated to the members in the form of capital credits.

The amount of capital credits assigned to a member is based on the amount of electricity used during a particular year.

When appropriate cash is available, Singing River Electric’s board of directors can approve retiring a portion of the member’s capital credit in the form of a credit or check.

How do I get capital credits?

Members during the years 19871988, with an account that is still active and receiving a monthly billing statement, will automatically receive either a

bill credit or check based on the credit amount. These members do not have to fill out any paper work. Previous members who had an account from 19871988, but no longer have an active account, can visit our website located at www.singingriver.com or call any SRE office between Oct. 1-Dec. 28 to receive instructions and download necessary paper work to claim their capital credit refund. Completed documentation must be returned to Singing River Electric’s Lucedale office by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018.

We hope these returned capital credits help you and your family during this holiday season. We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas from our SRE family to yours.

Energy Tips

Josh Havard Member Services Representative joshhavard@singingriver.com

Choose LED Holiday Lights When purchasing new light strings for your home or business this holiday season, choose Energy Star-certified LED light strings.

Energy Star LED light strings use 75

Capital Credits: The Benefit of Membership Members receive electric service from Singing River Electric.

Singing River Electric uses sales revenue to pay expenses.

Margins are assigned to an account for each member; the funds become capital credits.

At the end of the year, revenue minus expenses equals net margins.

Singing River Electric uses the capital credits to operate the co-op.

The board of directors decides annually the amount of capital credits to return to members.

Capital credits are returned to members in the form of a

CREDIT OR CHECK!

percent less energy, are more durable and last 10 times longer than conventional incandescent lights. They are also cool to the touch, reducing the risk of fire, and come with a manufacturerbacked warranty for at least three years.

LED lights come in a variety of colors, shapes and lengths, and are labeled for indoor and outdoor use. They are also exceptionally efficient. The amount of electricity consumed by one 7-watt incandescent bulb can power 140 LED lights. This is enough to light two 24foot strings.

For more information, visit energystar.gov.

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Questions & Answers Q. What are capital credits?

A. Singing River Electric’s rate revenue is used to operate, make payments on loans and make improvements to the electric system. Any remaining revenue is allocated to the members in the form of capital credits.

Q. How do members earn capital credits?

A. When you signed up for electrical service from the cooperative, you became a member. Each member is allocated capital credits based on how much energy the member uses from the cooperative.

Q. Are capital credits returned every year?

If you get your electricity from a local cooperative, you are a member-owner. That means you are entitled to certain benefits, including the allocation of capital credits.

A. Each year the board of directors will decide whether to retire capital credits. There may be years when the cooperative is not able to distribute capital credits because of certain economic conditions and other factors such as major storm damage.

Q. How are capital credits returned?

A. Either by a check mailed to members, or in the form of a credit on the electric bill.

Q. What happens to a member’s capital credits if the member moves away?

A. Capital credits are maintained on record and can still be returned to a member when those credits are retired by the local board of directors.

Members who move away may download paperwork from singingriver.com to request capital credits if they were members during the years being retired.

Find out more at singingriver.com/capital-credits

Q. Can I obtain a deceased member’s capital credits?

A. Yes. Surviving family members may download paperwork from singingriver.com to request capital credits for a deceased relative.

Capital credits are not the only member benefits: • Reliable electric service at cost • Local control of your cooperative, governed by a board of directors, also member-owners, who live and work in your area • The right to participate through voting memberships

To find out more visit singingriver.com/capital-credits or CooperativeEnergy.com.

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CREWS HELP West Florida Electric Nearly 30 Singing River Electric employees recently traveled to Sneads, Fla., over a three-week period to assist West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) and restore power following Hurricane Michael. The first Category Four storm to hit the Florida Panhandle, Hurricane Michael left a path of broken trees, downed power poles, and devastation that our crews had not seen since Hurricane Katrina.

“Singing River Electric’s personnel were part of a contingency of 325 men and 75 crews that helped four electric cooperatives in Florida,” said Singing River Electric General Manager and CEO Brian Hughey.

“Our crews arrived mid-day on Sunday, October 14, and were the first cooperative, mutual-aid crew to assist WFEC in the Sneads area.”

Electric cooperatives can request assistance from neighboring electric cooperatives, or in the case of a strong storm such as Hurricane Michael, any of the more than 900 co-ops nationwide.

Initially Singing River Electric crews were tasked with removing pole after broken pole, resetting new wooden

poles and restringing miles of power lines. Widespread damage to the distribution system prevented the crews from initially lighting the houses as they worked nearby.

However, as the week progressed, crews began to see the lights of progress.

“It was amazing to see that level of devastation so far from the Coast,” said Singing River Electric field representative and crew supervisor Chad Cochran.

“Our goal was to repair as many poles and as much wire as possible so that when the service was restored, they were able to make progress quickly.”

As of November 3, West Florida Electric reported 92 percent of their 28,000 meters had been restored.

The third and final Singing

River Electric crew finished their assigned jobs and returned home safely that Sunday, Nov. 4.

“Our thoughts are with the members and employees of West Florida Electric as they continue making repairs in the weeks to come,” said Hughey.

Tragically, three linemen who were working on power restoration after Hurricane Michael were killed.

One lineman from West Florida Electric and two linemen from Lee Electrical Construction, Inc., who were there helping West Florida, were hit by a vehicle while working to restore power. Our thoughts and prayers are with these families. Mississippi is one of many states that have a Move-Over Law. Please remember to move over or slow down when approaching stopped emergency and electric utility vehicles.

November / December 2018

After working almost a week of fourteen-hour days in rural Jackson County, Florida, our Singing River Electric crew saw their first lights later that week. Field representative and crew supervisor Chad Cochran snapped this photo and commented, “That’s the best picture yet.”

Three crews worked for a week at a time to restore power following Hurricane Michael in the Bascom and Two Egg communities.

A woman in Two Egg was overcome with tears of joy after SRE crews told her she’d have power the next day; trees first had to be removed from the lines. Moved by this and knowing there was some daylight left, SRE crews cut limbs for 30 minutes, completed their work and energized the lines just after dark. “It was a great feeling knowing she would be getting back to normal after 13 days without power,” said Project Engineer and crew supervisor Drew Mills.

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On Halloween morning while SRE linemen worked by his home near Sneads, Florida, one young West Florida Electric member decided he had to have his photo taken in his Captain America costume with the crew. Our crew and a West Florida Electric employee were happy to accommodate. Best of luck, Cap!

Hurricane Michael Facts West Florida Electric Cooperative

Michael is the fourth most powerful storm on record to hit the U.S., and the worst since Hurricane Camille in 1969.

Three SRE crews of nearly 30 men were sent to assist WFEC over three weeks.

It was the first Category 4 storm to make landfall in the Florida Panhandle.

They were part of a contingency of 325 Mississippi electric co-op linemen that assisted four Florida co-ops.

West Florida Electric Cooperative housed over 600 out of town linemen in two staging tent areas.

SRE crews assisted power restoration in Jackson County, Florida, which was one of the two hardest hit counties.

SRE crews worked mostly in Sneads, and the Bascom and Two Egg communities.

WFEC and assisting crews replaced over 8,500 power poles and 4,500 transformers.

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Check the NHN Energy Assistance box at the top of your bill.

November / December 2018

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Sign up using the SmartHub app on any mobile device.

This time of year makes us think of giving and helping others. Singing River Electric’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors Energy Assistance round-up program is a great way to give joy to neighbors this holiday season and all year long.

Singing River Electric members can opt to round up their monthly bills to the next whole dollar. The rounded-up portion of the bill is used to assist Singing River Electric members in need. Donations range from 1 cent to 99 cents each month and average only $6 per year. This means - for only $6 a year - you can play a huge role in helping the elderly and families in south Mississippi.

Singing River Electric partners with United Way for Jackson & George Counties and Catholic

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Four easy ways to round up:

Go online with your computer at singingriver.com/give-joy

Call any SRE office and request to participate. Once enrolled, the billed amount will “round up” to the next whole dollar.

Charities of South Mississippi to distribute the energy assistance. The Catholic Charities staff members work to assist in teaching clients fiscal responsibility and life skills.

“We don’t just pay bills, because that doesn’t help anyone,” said Jennifer Williams, Diocesan Director for Catholic Charities of South Mississippi.

“When they come in for assistance, we set goals and do budget education. We have no overhead, so this is 100 percent donations in and 100 percent donations out.”

This holiday season, check the box on your bill or use your SmartHub app to give joy. This small donation can make a big difference to neighbors in need all year long.

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“We don’t just pay bills, because that doesn’t help anyone. When they come in for assistance, we set goals and do budget education..”

Jennifer Williams Catholic Charities of South Mississippi

SRE member Richard Henry (left) agrees to round up his bill and Give Joy with the help of Member Service Representative Kelly Havard.

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SRE’s

New website “The new site contains large photos, bold clickable links, and five main tracks. The redesign considered Singing River Electric’s member requests, and aimed to make this site a highly-valued resource tool.”

Singing River Electric Cooperative recently completed a redesign of its website located at singingriver.com. The website focuses information in five main tracks: home, business, membership, community and co-op. The site is easily accessible from either a desktop or mobile device and information is changed regularly to keep it fresh and timely.

The new site includes:

G Residential and business New Service sections are

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a one-stop shop for information needed before the member calls or visits an office.

The Storm and Outage Center, christened by Tropical Storm Gordon, houses many tips and tools to help you prepare for any storm.

Four efficiency pages (Ways To Save, Manage Your Bill, Energy Savings Tips and Energy Calculators) located in the My Home track are great resources for members wanting to conserve their use or lower their bill.

There are also pages devoted to electric safety and the benefits of cooperative membership, as well as links to request a speaker or community donation.

Merry Christmas We wish you and your family Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Our offices will be closed November 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving, December 24 and 25 for Christmas, and January 1 for New Year’s Day. Dispatchers and servicemen will be available for outages and emergencies.

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ANNUAL MEETING 2018

80 Years of Cooperative Service Who doesn’t love a birthday party? Southern Pine’s 2018 Annual Membership Meeting was just that as we celebrated 80 years of service to our members.

I could not be more proud of the work accomplished by every single Southern Pine employee to make this one of the best annual meetings ever held at the co-op. I take this opportunity to thank our employees and our many vendors that graciously contributed “birthday gifts” for members.

With a capacity crowd of nearly 1,000 people, the membership demonstrated their support of Southern Pine and the work we have performed for eight decades.

Each member left with a copy of our history book and a small glimpse into life before electricity, but most Jason S. Siegfried important, they left with a sense of pride and satisfaction President/CEO with their cooperative and its employees.

I will let the accompanying pictures speak for themselves, but I again want to express on behalf of Southern Pine our deepest gratitude to everyone that made this annual meeting one for the history books.

Happy birthday, Southern Pine!

Keep Bringing the Power!

Every member was able to leave with a sense of pride and satisfaction in their electric cooperative.

Pat Mangan, left, director of Governance Education for NRECA, along with Donald L. Jordan, executive vice president for Southern Pine Electric, discussed the history of rural electrification and its importance for rural areas in Mississippi.

November / December 2018 Today in Mississippi

SOUTHERN PINE

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Adopt-a-School Program Concern for the community is one of the seven cooperative principles. At our 2017 Annual Membership Meeting, Southern Pine Electric proudly announced the start of an Adopt-a-School Program. The first school selected through the program was Hopewell Elementary, located in Covington County. Working hand in hand with teachers, each month Southern Pine employees provided resources and participated in activities throughout the 2018 calendar year.

Furthermore, it offered Southern Pine the opportunity to teach a new generation about the benefits of belonging to a cooperative. As 2018 comes to an end, it is evident that the Adopt-a-School program was a resounding success.

“Southern Pine Electric went above and beyond what we expected.

When they approached us with this opportunity, I was skeptical if it would benefit our students and teachers. Now, after a year of working

together with their employees, we’ve become very close. Our students and teachers have thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Thank you, Southern Pine Electric, for selecting Hopewell as your inaugural Adopt-a-School,” said Principal Turpin Smith of Hopewell Elementary.

Each year, Southern Pine will announce the selection of a new school from its 11-county service area for participation in the program. At this year’s 80th Annual Membership Meeting, on Nov. 8, Southern Pine Electric was honored to announce The New William J. Berry Elementary, located in Jasper County, as our 2019 Adopt-a-School participant.

Principal Stacie Collins, Assistant Principal James Kelley and several students attended the meeting to take part in the activities. Southern Pine Electric is excited to work with the teachers and get to know the students at The New William J. Berry Elementary School in 2019.

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P.O. Box 5 • 18671 Highway 61 • Lorman, MS 39096 601-437-3611 or toll-free 1-800-287-8564 • Fax: 601-437-8736

Adams • Amite • Claiborne • Copiah • Franklin Hinds • Jefferson • Lincoln • Wilkinson Southwest Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

www.southwestelectric.coop

Southwest Electric

SWElectricCoop

sw_electric_coop

Youth Leadership Cooperative University Southwest Electric held its 3rd annual Cooperative University on Wednesday, October 17 at Macedonia Baptist Church in Brookhaven. Twenty-two students from nine schools competed to become the 2019 Youth Leadership representatives for Southwest Electric. The students had a full day of learning about electricity, hearing from state legislators, learning about the history and purpose of rural electric cooperatives, talking to a lineman and a meter technician about their work and the tools they use and participating in interviews with out-of-town judges. This is the 32nd year that Southwest Electric has participated in the Youth Leadership Program administered by the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi.

Elissa Fulton from Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi explains the Youth Leadership Program to the students.

Serviceman Kevin Britt shows the students his safety and climbing equipment. A lineman carries approximately 50 pounds of safety gear and tools with him when he climbs a pole.

PARTICIPATING STUDENTS: State Reps. Sam Mims, Becky Currie and Vince Mangold answer questions from the students.

Meter Technician Norvell Davis speaks to the students about the equipment he uses to install meters, check voltage and stay safe.

Desnick Bolden, Natchez High School Natalie Bonds, Wesson Attendance Center Geri Brumfield, Adams County Christian School Da'Nasia Caston, Natchez High School John Michael Chance, Brookhaven High School A'rie Douglas, Wesson Attendance Center Quenton Durrell, Franklin County High School Brianna Garner, Franklin County High School Jaynie Grace Henning, Brookhaven High School Jarrett Lea, Brookhaven Academy Ashleigh Lowe, Jefferson County High School

Jeremiah Lutch, Natchez Early College Academy Gracie Malone, Brookhaven Academy Stephen Mills, Loyd Star Attendance Center Layna Myers, Loyd Star Attendance Center Lindsey Norton, Brookhaven Academy Will Ray, Adams County Christian School Kirsten Scroggs, Loyd Star Attendance Center Carleigh Sproulls, Natchez High School Asya Terrell, Natchez Early College Academy Mikeria Wallace, Jefferson County High School Breonsay White, Natchez Early College Academy

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Lineman Apprenticeship Program Two linemen graduated to the next level in our Lineman Apprenticeship Program. Each level requires completion of six workbooks and a test on each as well as a field test at the end of the section. Carl Allred (left) has completed the Apprentice Lineman – Class 1 level. George Gibson (right) has completed the Lineman – Class 3 level.

Hurricane Michael Assistance Southwest Electric sent ten linemen to West Florida Electric Cooperative on October 11 to assist with power restoration after Hurricane Michael. WFEC received heavy damage from the hurricane.

Our linemen, along with six linemen from Magnolia Electric Power in McComb, were the first crews to arrive at WFEC when only 400 out of their 28,000 meters had power. They returned home after working ten days straight for an average of 15 hours each day. We are proud of our linemen!

Holiday Closing Schedule Southwest Electric will be closed on the following dates:

November 22 and 23 December 20 at Noon December 24 and 25 January 1 Linemen: TJ Floyd, Bruce Butler (foreman), Nick Delaughter, Carl Allred, George Gibson, Taylor Hollowell, Michael Johnson, Ethan Graves, Riley Carson and Dexter Smith (foreman).

Southwest Electric employees volunteered at the 11th Annual Woodville Deer & Wildlife Festival on October 13. This event was sponsored by the Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Association and Scenic Rivers Development Alliance.

Employees assisted with the youth fishing rodeo and serving lunch and drinks.

Employees who volunteered are (left to right) Deb McGee and her son, John, Les Southerland, Joyce Burleson, Stephanie Knotts, Amanda Cranfield and her husband, Will.

Stephanie Knotts and John McGee serve drinks to the youth after the fishing rodeo.

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For after-hours outages, call

866-897-7250

Making Meatballs A holiday tradition between friends

By Debbie Stringer pany. “I’m not a big cook. I was just going to watch.

Turkey and dressing dominate the table of tradiWell, you know about how long that lasted. It was tional Thanksgiving feasts. But for one Twin County ‘chop this, do this,’” Lee said. member of Italian heritage, Thanksgiving means Every year since, Jones and Lee have set aside a day home-cooked meatballs simmered in a savory tomato to make meatballs together. They freeze the meatballs sauce and served over a plate of hot spaghetti. for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

Patricia Jones, of Hollandale, remembers her pater“We have the TV going, we’re drinking coffee and nal grandmother and aunts gathering three times a laughing. It’s just fun. It it weren’t, we wouldn’t have year to prepare big batches of saucy meatballs and done it all these years,” Lee said. tortellini in advance of holiday meals.

The recipe exists only in Jones’ memory, and none “For Thanksgiving, we had turkey and of the ingredients are measured. Despite years dressing, but it wasn’t as important as of making her own meatballs, Lee still the meatballs and spaghetti,” relies on her friend’s directions.

Jones said.

They start meatball day The family’s meatballwith 30 pounds of ground and tortellini-making sesround, split into two sions produced not only batches (one for each For Thanksgiving, we food but fun and memcook). In huge bowls, had turkey and dressing, ories. These were lively they combine the meat social events, with with chopped onions, but it wasn t as important everyone pitching in to chopped garlic cloves, as the meatballs and help in some way. chopped fresh parsley, spaghetti.

Jones continues the eggs, grated Parmesan tradition today, but with cheese, bread crumbs, salt Patricia Jones a twist: She cooks meatand pepper. The number balls with her best friend, of eggs varies from 12 to 18, Deborah Lee, and their families depending on the consistency enjoy the feast together at Thanksdesired. giving.

Each 15-pound batch of meat yields “So, we have Italian, we have Cajun and we have about 150 meatballs. They are arranged in shallow redneck. And it works great,” Lee said, referring to the baking pans and baked in a 350-degree oven for about range of foods the two friends serve their families.

20 minutes, or until “they don’t feel spongy anyJones started making meatballs in earnest as a 21more,” Jones said. year-old newlywed. One day about 18 years ago, Lee “We cook them halfway in the oven and then put joined her friend in the kitchen, just to keep her com- them in the sauce to cook all day,” she explained.

“

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Some 300 meatballs simmer in a rich tomato sauce in Deborah Lee’s kitchen. Heavy cookware is essential to prevent burning during the day-long cooking process, says Patricia Jones. For decades, she has practiced this holiday meatball-cooking ritual of her paternal grandmother and aunts.

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An all-day (and into the night) cooking session yields hearty, delicious meatballs that the two friends will serve during their families’ combined Thanksgiving celebration. Below, the meatballs are baked for about 20 minutes before being added to the simmering sauce on the stovetop.

The sauce is a mixture of tomato sauce, tomato paste, fresh chopped garlic, fresh chopped parsley and basil, salt and pepper.

(A bit of advice from Jones: This is not the place for bargain brands of tomato products, or any cheap shortcuts. Parmesan cheese is omitted from the sauce because it will burn.)

The sauce simmers for 8 to 10 hours in four

or five large, heavy pots on Lee’s stovetop. The splatter eventually covers the countertops, floor and cabinets, but Jones refuses to consider any other cooking method, like a slow cooker.

“There’re some things you just don’t say to Patricia about meatballs. A Crock-Pot is one,” Lee said.

“You have to have a consistent simmer on them, and a Crock-Pot is either too low or too hot. There’s no in-between,” Jones said.

At the end of the day, the women turn off the heat and allow the meatballs to cool in the sauce before preparing them for the freezer.

Jones fills plastic zipper-top freezer bags with meatballs and sauce; Lee prefers coffee cans.

Come Thanksgiving, when the families of both women come together a multi-day feast and celebration, steaming plates of spaghetti and meatballs will be passed around—in addition to turkey and dressing.

Having devoted so much time and effort to preparing their home-cooked meatballs, Jones and Lee are rewarded by seeing family members of all ages enjoy them.

“The smallest children used to pile six meatballs on their plate, way more than they could eat, and throw away all but a couple,” Lee said.

“Now what I tell them is, you can have all you want, one meatball at a time.

“To see one go in the garbage can, that just hurts my heart,” she said.

Deborah Lee, left, and Patricia Jones have been close friends since the early 90s. They are both members of Twin County Electric Power Association and Hollandale residents.

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November/December 2018

Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association

Manager of Member Services: Dennis McFee For Today in Mississippi information, call 662-746-4251, or email dmcfee@yazoovalley.com

Yazoo Valley Electric crews assist after

Hurricane Michael Yazoo Valley Electric linemen joined more than 325 Mississippi workers (as of press date) to assist with power restoration in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. Our crews spent several weeks helping Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative in the Florida panhandle. Brett Cerda, Hunter Vandevere, Garret McClellan, Hunter Davis, and Philip Franklin didn’t hesitate when they were called to assist with the recovery.

Cooperation Among Cooperatives is one of our seven cooperative principles. Our continuous prayers are with all of those affected by this storm.

HappyHolidays from the very merry team at

Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association!

WE WILL BE CLOSED Nov. 22 and 23 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas, and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Dispatchers will be on duty!

5 When will

Yazoo Valley retire my capital credits?

Yazoo Valley’s board of directors annually reviews the cooperative’s financial position and can declare a capital credit retirement. Historically, this retirement has been processed in December.

Inactive members remain eligible for capital credit retirements after leaving the cooperative on condition that they have capital credit account balances. Accordingly, members leaving the system need to keep a current address on file with the cooperative.

What does

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about capital credits

What are... capital credits retirements Yazoo Valley is a member-owned electric cooperative owned by the individuals and businesses who receive electric service from Yazoo Valley. Electric cooperatives are not-for-profit companies and abide by the seven cooperative principles. One of these principles is members’ economic participation which means members contribute equitably to and democratically control the capital of the cooperative.

Each member earns capital credits from margin created when revenues exceed the total operating costs and expenses for the year. This margin is allocated to each member’s capital credit account based the member’s patronage for that year. Capital credit retirements are a return of these allocations to the members.

How

?

does Yazoo Valley calcuate my retired credits?

Annually, the board reviews the cooperative’s financial strength and can declare a capital credit retirement which results in a check or credit to an account to each eligible active member or inactive member. Yazoo Valley utilizes a hybrid retirement method which allows a portion of the retirement to be paid to the members with capital credit balances in the most recently completed year and a portion to the members with capital credit balances in the oldest year or years still having balances. For instance, for 2018 a portion of 2017 capital credits will be retired along with the remainder of 1991, all of 1992 and a portion of 1993. This hybrid method allows 2017 members to participate in the retirement, as well as members from 1991, 1992 and 1993. Operating capital credits retired in 2018 amount to $1,573,430.58. Also, Cooperative Energy, the cooperative’s power provider, retired capital credits in the amount of $147,822.15 in 2018. This amount will be retired to the Yazoo Valley members and is included in the 2018 capital credit retirement. This provides for a total capital credit retirement of $1,721,252.73.

Yazoo Valley do with my capital credit allocation?

Yazoo Valley utilizes the non-retired capital credits in the ongoing operations of the cooperative.

Capital credits are a significant source of equity for the cooperative. Equity is used to help finance assets of the cooperative, such as investment in poles, wire, transformers and substations. Capital credits help keep rates at an affordable level by reducing the amount of funds that must be borrowed to grow and maintain Yazoo Valley’s existing electric system.

What is Yazoo Valley’s

history on returning capital credits?

Since beginning capital credits retirements in 1993, Yazoo Valley has retired more than $17.2 million in capital credits. Yazoo Valley has made consistent annual retirements over the 26-year period, fully retiring operating margins for 1955-1992.

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WELCOME THE

New Class 2019 CO-OP U WINNERS

Hunter Barron Yazoo County High School

Peyton Jones Manchester Academy

Hunter and Peyton will be joining students from around the state to participate in the 2018 Youth Leadership Workshop and Washington, D.C., Youth Tour.

Eleven high school juniors from the Yazoo Valley Electric service area spent a day learning about electric cooperatives at the annual Cooperative University, held on Oct. 4. The ultimate goal of the day was to choose two students to participate in the 2019 Youth Leadership Program sponsored by 20 electric cooperatives in Mississippi, including Yazoo Valley Electric.

Yazoo Valley Electric employees engaged the students in the dayto-day activities of a cooperative, giving them a brief insight of what it takes to run electricity to homes and businesses.

Presentations included an introduction from Dennis McFee, Yazoo Valley’s manager of member services, and Chris Utoff, IT/GIS supervisor, describing how power is generated and distributed.

Yazoo Valley linemen John Symon and William Johnson gave a presentation describing the details of a lineman’s job responsibilities. Elissa Fulton from the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi spoke to the students about what to expect as a participant of the Youth Leadership Program. Colbie Merritt and Cameron Shaffer, Yazoo Valley Electric’s 2018 participants, shared their experiences from the Jackson Workshop and Washington, D.C., with the students. The activities throughout the day were fun-filled and centered around team building and leadership.

Brad Barr from 4-County Electric Power Association in Columbus, Tori Geiger from Cooperative Energy in Hattiesburg, Pollyanna Magee from Dixie Electric in Laurel, Deb McGee from Southwest Electric in Lorman, Polly Morrow from Twin County Electric in Hollandale and Tracie Russell from North East Mississippi Electric Power in Oxford volunteered to serve as judges and interview the students individually. The final selections were made based on the students’ participation in the activities, leadership skills and service in the community.

Each student who participated exemplified excellent leadership, and though the selection process is always difficult for our judges, this year’s winners are Hunter Barron from Yazoo County High School and Peyton Jones from Manchester Academy.

These two students will travel to Jackson in February 2019, for the three-day Youth Leadership Workshop, coordinated by the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi, with other students representing cooperatives from around the state.

This workshop will give the students an opportunity to meet with their state legislators and tour the state Capitol, along with participating in more team-building and leadership activities.

In June 2019, Hunter and Peyton will represent Yazoo Valley Electric on an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. The students who participated in the Cooperative University are Hunter Barron, Yazoo County High School; Brittany Bigford, Benton Academy; Marlon Brown, Yazoo County High School; Ashanti Collins, Yazoo City High School; Emily Davis, Benton Academy; Steven “Pearce” Edwards, Central Holmes Christian School; Joseph “Upton” Hitt, Manchester Academy; Wykece Johnson, Central Holmes Christian School; Peyton Jones, Manchester Academy; Dylan Moore, Benton Academy; and Dayden Sodachanh, Yazoo County High School.

For more information on how high school students with junior status in 2019-2020 can participate in the Youth Leadership Program, contact Dennis McFee at 662-746-4251.

The students broke into three groups and used craft mater throughout the day.

The students played this get-to-know-you game early in the morning to break the ice and set the tone for the fun day ahead.

Linemen John Symon and William Johnson talk to the students about the daily responsibilities of a lineman. They wear their pink hardhats in October in honor of those affected by breast cancer.

Attention former Youth Tour students! We want to hear from YOU! If you have walked miles in D.C. in the summer heat with “Daddy Ron,” if you have eaten in every food court in our nation’s capital, if you had the trip of a lifetime exploring landmarks and meeting our country’s leaders with dozens of your friends, then you must be one of Yazoo Valley Electric’s former Youth Leadership students. We want to hear from you. We would love to feature former students in upcoming issues of Today in Mississippi. If you are a former Youth Tour student, email dmcfee@yazoovalley.com so we can learn more about your life since the tour and share that with our members and potential Youth Tour candidates.

Symon and Johnson explained how electricity works and how if one link is broken, power stops flowing.

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rials to build an electrical system, based on the knowledge they learned

2018 participants Cameron Shaffer and Colbie Merritt shared their experience with the program. They shared their memories and explained what an impact the program has on young people.

Cooperative participants are pictured with Linemen John Symon and William Johnson after showing them the different types of trucks and machinery used by linemen.

Chris Utoff explains how different resources are used to produce electricity.

Brittany Bigford Benton Academy

Marlon Brown Yazoo City High School

Ashanti Collins Yazoo City High School

Emily Davis Benton Academy

Steven “Pearce” Edwards Central Holmes Christian School

Joseph “Upton” Hitt Manchester Academy

Wykece Johnson Central Holmes Christian School

Dylan Moore Benton Academy

Dayden Sodachanh Yazoo County High School

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The University of Mississippi partners with Lexington in pilot development project

By Elissa Fulton The University of Mississippi named a new chancellor in 2016, and with the new leadership came great new ideas – big ideas. Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter’s vision is to procure a relationship between the university and the communities in Mississippi. One creative initiative that has been rolled out by the university this year is a pilot program known as M Partner.

M Partner aims to utilize the university’s resources to partner in a long-term workable relationship with cities and towns to help small communities identify the resources and assets that they retain to stimulate economic development in rural areas. The pilot program kicked off in March 2018, with three Mississippi communities having been selected. The communities are Lexington, Charleston and New Albany.

“When Chancellor Vitter came on board at Ole Miss, he presented his vision for this flagship program in his inaugural address,” said Lexington Mayor Robin McCrory. “We heard about the program when Chancellor Vitter spoke at a Chamber of Commerce event we had, and we wanted to make sure that we kept up with the progress. When the program came to fruition, we were notified and representatives from the university came to town to visit us. Three communities were invited to the table at Ole Miss to discuss the early phases of the program.”

The mayor was encouraged to choose three community members to accompany her at this preliminary meeting at the university. The individuals she chose are County Administrator Charlie Joiner, who also happens to serve as the president of the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce. McCrory wanted to make sure that Lexington’s county agents were represented.

She also chose a young community member named Michael Lawshe. Lawshe recently invested in the community by purchasing Thurmond’s Hardware, and he is also working persistently to revive the city of Lexington. McCrory also wanted to be certain that the young population who will carry the city into the future was represented. The final person she chose was Public Works Director Danny Johnson. Johnson would be able to speak on behalf of the infrastructure needs of the city during the meeting.

“The M Partner program is all about the local people having a voice and being at the table, and saying, ‘these are the ideas we have and the things that we would like to see addressed,’” said McCrory.

Once the mayor’s office was notified that Lexington

had been selected for the pilot project, McCrory went to work with M Partner Program Director Laura Martin, to define the community’s goals and objectives for its revitalization project. The key goal is to use the university’s resources to offer a learning platform for its students, and an economic way for communities to

accomplish their main goals. The program allows professors to teach hands-on application, while students can earn college credit for learning real world skills for future employment.

“Once we came up with our goals, Laura and her staff will try to match our objectives to certain departments within the university. For instance, marketing.

We want a brochure for the City of Lexington that is slick and savvy, and a public relations campaign. So she will determine who she has at Ole Miss who can take the pictures, who can do the graphic design, who can produce the language to say what we need it to say most effectively,” said McCrory. “So in order to develop this material, she will determine which departments to utilize at the college. We are so excited to partner

From left: Mayor Robin McCrory, Cade Smith and Virginia Dorris.

with the University of Mississippi, and it is exciting that other communities in Mississippi can be looking toward the future at how M Partner can help them.”

Community Day of Service As a part of the M Partner program preliminary roll-out, the first phase was a Community Day of Service. The university called upon volunteers to spend a Saturday getting to know the communities in which they will serve, and to aid in town beautification.

The Day of Service was held on Saturday, Oct. 13, in Lexington, Charleston and New Albany. More than 150 students, staff and administrators divided and conquered the three communities with a goal of getting to know the communities and their citizens.

In addition to student volunteers, Cade Smith, assistant vice chancellor for community engagement, and Virginia Dorris, University of Mississippi Vista leader, were also present in Lexington to offer a helping hand in its beautification efforts.

“With our M Partner initiative, this is our inaugural day of service, which we hope will continue for years to come. We have students in all three M Partner communities, and many of them have never been here before, and so we wanted to bring the students and faculty here so that we could learn more about the people here, all of the wonderful things that are offered here, and how we can continue to be involved,” said Dorris.

“We are fully engaging faculty and university representatives to determine how their classes or curriculum can line up with what we are trying to accomplish here. We are also trying to promote campus-wide interest.”

Smith’s role at the university is to create structures and systems so that initiatives like M Partner – the principles of those initiatives and the partnerships between the university and community – can be expanded more broadly within the university.

“The first phase is that the university and the communities really look close at the assets and the expertise that’s held in the communities and what the wishes of the community are. And then ultimately, over the next 18 months, those priorities will be presented to faculty with the expertise. They are then able to put proposals together to engage their courses and students with the M Partner communities to capture those opportunities,” said Smith. “We had incredible participation with our Day of Service, and looking at all of the

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“The M Partner program is all about the local people having a voice and being at the table, and saying, ‘These are the ideas we have and the things that we would like to see addressed.’”

-Mayor McCrory

Ole Miss volunteer students pull weeds from the flower beds on the Courthouse Square.

Volunteers rake leaves and clean up around the city library.

young people who volunteered from the University of Mississippi, they are the mayors of the future. We are helping them connect what they are learning in the classroom, with what they are going to be living with in communities, and to develop not only the opportunity to be a leader, but also the responsibility of being a good citizen and taking up those leadership responsibilities. So, that’s really the essence of the program.”

The students who volunteered pulled weeds, raked leaves and assisted in general clean-up and landscaping around the city library, City Hall and the Courthouse Square. They worked for nearly three hours and then attended a city luncheon where they were able to have lunch with and meet citizens in Lexington.

“We are grateful to our community partners for working with us to identify projects for the M Partner Community Day of Service. The interest and response from our students were overwhelming, and they had a powerful and positive experience in our partner communities. This momentum is carrying us into the next phase of M Partner, which will identify faculty members to champion community-identified projects as part of their

existing courses,” said Laura Martin, M Partner director.

The University of Mississippi has created the M Partner program to carry out Chancellor Vitter’s vision for the future of Mississippi and to integrate the faculty and students’ knowledge and expertise to enhance the communities in our state.

“Our small towns are the essence of the culture in Mississippi. We are the architectural gems and we must realize that once these little towns are gone and die out – and they are going fast – they are gone forever,” said McCrory.

“The buildings fall in, the people leave and the town closes down.

Lexington Mayor Robin McCrory This partnership with the university is like a breath of fresh air for Lexington.”

“When Chancellor Vitter came on board at Ole Miss, he presented his vision for this flagship program in his inaugural address.”

- Lexington Mayor Robin McCrory

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The Lexington Courthouse is a beautiful building situated in the middle of the city.

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