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NEC 75th Annual Meeting Article by Sheryl Smith-Rodgers. Photos by Sheryl Smith-Rodgers and Mary Goldstone.
Frank Wilson–Retail Division manager with Nueces Electric Cooperative– checked his watch, then surveyed the massive hall set with hundreds of dining tables and padded folding chairs. “Okay, show time, everyone!” he hollered. “Open the doors! And SMILE!” On cue, a red-shirted volunteer pushed opened the entrance doors to NEC’s 75th annual membership meeting, held October 9, 2014, at the Richard Borchard Regional Fairgrounds in Robstown, Texas. Approximately 2,100 people attended the meeting (of which 1,080 were registered co-op members), where they enjoyed a catered barbecue supper, elected directors, visited with family and friends, and vied for door prizes. Volunteers signed up members and handed out goodie bags, then pointed everyone toward voting booths and the ballot box. From there, American flagwaving volunteers steered members and their guests to serving tables laden with steaming plates of barbecued brisket, sausage, pinto beans, and potato salad, prepared by Howard’s Bar-BQue. “My husband, Jaime, and I were the very first ones in line!” exclaimed Chris Guillermo of Orange Grove. “We arrived at 3:45 p.m. and waited. We wanted to be the first ones inside. This is our third year to be first!” 20
Texas Co-op Power NEC Retail November 2014
At their table, Luis and Abbey Bazan with their children Kyleen, 9, and Brandon, eight months old, sat with Diana Bazan, Luis’ mother. “Oh, no, we don’t mind driving from San Diego for the annual meeting,” Diana said. “My husband, Rodolfo, couldn’t come because he’s working. Every year, we love to come so we can relax and enjoy the food. It’s worth every mile!” Members Carlos and Karen Garza of Calallen haven’t missed an annual meeting for at least seven years. “Good meal and good prizes,” Carlos com-
After Mathilda and I married, we lived in Robstown. Later we moved to the country, and we’ve been with Nueces ever since.” Ahlrich’s ties with NEC run even deeper. “My father, W. A. Ahlrich, was in a group of farmers who traveled to Washington, D.C., to convince President Franklin Roosevelt to bring electricity to the country,” he said. “Then he served 40 years on the NEC board of directors. As a child, I attended the first
“Good meal and good prizes. And the electric price is just right. Can’t beat it!” ~ Carlos Garza, NEC Member mented over his plate of barbecue. “And the electric price is just right. Can’t beat it!” Down a few tables, Vernon and Mathilda Simnacher of Robstown sat with their friends, Kenneth and Virginia Ahlrich of Corpus Christi. All are long-time NEC members. “My wife’s parents and mine were members since 1946,” Simnacher said. “Before my parents got electricity, we used lamps at home. Then in 1946, Nueces Electric Cooperative came out and put power lines to our house.
annual membership meeting in 1940. And I haven’t missed one since!” While members ate, the Carroll High School Madrigal Singers–directed by Stacy Weatherston–performed. Outside, a Kids’ Area outside kept children entertained with crafts, face painting, games, and a bouncy moonwalk. A small petting zoo–hosted by Cuddles and Critters–allowed kids to touch and pet a rabbit, goat, chickens, ducks, potbellied pigs, and a pony. At 7 p.m., the polls closed, and NEC president Brian Menking opened the
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