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FEBRUARY 2019

Suwannee Valley

CURRENTS

INSIDE: BIG CATS

Mystic Jungle educates the public on exotic animals

MEET YOUR TRUSTEE

Learn more about District 1 Trustee Mike Adams

TURKEY TIPS

Learn how to safely harvest a big gobbler this spring

CEO’S MESSAGE

Suwannee Valley

CURRENTS February 2019

Michael S. McWaters Executive V.P./CEO

Showing members we care There are lots of ways people can show others in their life that they care. They could choose small gestures that constantly remind people they’re thinking of them. Others might provide a reliable sounding board for a loved one’s problems or step up in moments of crisis. At this time of year, we tend to show people we care by giving cards, flowers and chocolates. While Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative may not have a valentine for each of our members, we think the best way to show we care is by continuing to bring you safe, affordable and reliable electric service every day. There are others in our community who work hard to not only care for the people around them but also look out for our natural environment and the animals that inhabit it. This month, we’re spotlighting an organization that does just that, while also spreading an important message of preservation. Mystic Jungle has been part of our community since arriving in Live Oak nearly a decade ago. It gives visitors the chance to see the kinds of exotic creatures most only know from TV. But as important as it is to have an opportunity to learn about big cats and other animals up close, the work Mystic Jungle does to protect them is just as crucial. I hope you’ll take the time to read more about that work and the importance of preservation in this newsletter. This month, we’re also kicking off our “Meet Your Trustee” series with a quick conversation with District 1 Trustee Mike Adams. He has represented the people of west Hamilton County for several years, and we’re happy to give members a chance to get to know him better. If you live in his district, I hope you’ll take an opportunity to get in touch with him about any questions or suggestions you may have regarding the cooperative. For those of you who don’t live in District 1, we’ll have similar Q&As with the rest of our trustees in the months to come. SVEC is also excited to be a sponsor of several upcoming events, but none will be more fun than our second annual Suwannee Valley Cornhole Tournament. This competition has become a local favorite, and we expect to see some top-notch tossing this year. All proceeds from the tournament go to United Way of Suwannee Valley. Find more information on the time, location and how to sign up in this newsletter. We at SVEC enjoy being a part of community events throughout the year and look forward to sharing those experiences with you. 

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WE BELONG TO THOSE WE SERVE Business Office: 800-447-4509 11340 100th Street Live Oak, FL 32060 Lobby Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday Drive-thru Kiosk Open 24 Hours 24/7 Power Outage Reporting 800-752-0025 svec-coop.com facebook.com/sveccoop @SVEC_COOP_FL

SVEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer

On the cover: Vera and Mark Chaples take care of exotic animals from all over the world at Mystic Jungle Educational Facility in Live Oak. See story, page 4.

Suwannee Valley Currents

Photo courtesty of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Tips for safe and successful turkey hunting

MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST Turkey hunters recognize that understanding wild turkey behavior, good calling and an effective shotgun pattern are all keys to success. But practicing safe turkey-hunting strategies can also put you in the best position to take home a gobbler. The following tips will ensure turkey hunting remains a safe activity while setting you up for success.

• Gobblers have sharp eyes, so staying concealed is critical. When turkey hunting, wear camouflage or drab green and brown clothing, including gloves and a face mask. Never wear red, white, blue or black, which are colors associated with a gobbler. Replace those white socks and T-shirts with camo or earth-tone base layers. • When calling, always set up against a tree taller than your head and wider than your shoulders before you start calling. Doing this will provide you with protection and make you more prepared for a gobbler that shows up more quickly than you expected. Also, avoid setting up in thick cover. Instead, select open areas, eliminate movement and rely on your camouflage for concealment. Suwannee Valley Currents

• Don’t try to sneak up on a gobbler. You might think you’re stalking a turkey, but you could actually be slipping up on another hunter. Always adopt a skeptical attitude when you hear a turkey calling because good callers can sound as convincing as actual turkeys. In addition to safety concerns, the odds are against you when it comes to sneaking up on a gobbler. Turkeys have sharp eyesight and hearing. You’re better off setting up and calling a bird to you. • Even when hunting on private land, don’t assume you’re the only hunter in the area. If another hunter approaches your setup, remain still and speak in a loud, clear voice to announce your presence. Never move, wave or make turkey sounds to alert another hunter of your presence. • Before you pull the trigger, demand multiple points of identification to be absolutely certain it’s a legal turkey. Do you also see the turkey’s beard? Feet and wings? Never shoot at sounds, color or movement. • Always practice the basic rules of firearms safety. Review the rules at MyFWC.com/ThinkSafe. 

From Anne Braly This recipe is a classic that has been around for a while, but it’s still a favorite that is perfect for the colder winter months — or any time of year! 1 (3-3 1/2 pound) chuck roast 1 stick butter 1 package dry ranch dressing mix 1 package dry au jus seasoning mix 3-4 pepperoncini peppers (optional) Place chuck roast in a slow cooker. Top with a stick of butter. Sprinkle dressing mix and seasoning mix over top. Add pepperoncini peppers, if you wish. Cook on low setting in a slow cooker for six to seven hours or until the roast is fork-tender and pulls apart easily.

Do you have a great recipe?

Please share. Just email a copy to communications@svec-coop.com.

February 2019 | 3

WELCOME

Local sanctuary teaches the importance of animal preservation

Lots of people can take in rescue cats and dogs, but very few can handle the kind of animals Vera and Mark Chaples accept. At their Mystic Jungle Educational Facility in Live Oak, visitors have the chance to see exotic animals like leopards, lions and tigers up close. “Everyone knows about the big cats, but we get people who come in and look shocked when I tell them there are 37 species of wild cats in the world, of which more than half are going extinct,” says Vera Chaples. “We’ve got four of the big five here. The only species we don’t have is the jaguar.” Mystic Jungle doubles as both a sanctuary for these animals and a place for local residents to learn about them. For

“Almost all the animals we take in were either part of breeding programs where they didn’t fit in or traveling shows that couldn’t keep them,” says Chaples. “They have a story behind them, and we’re the last stop.”

TO THE JUNGLE

4 | February 2019

families who can’t afford a trip to Africa or even a daytrip to the Jacksonville Zoo, the facility offers a unique opportunity to see exotic animals in a way they otherwise couldn’t. “There aren’t many ways for a family to spend a day seeing these animals,” Chaples says. “And if you can’t see something, how can you care about its existence?” One of the misconceptions Chaples tries to correct for visitors is that animals at sanctuaries like hers have been taken from the wild. In reality, most big cats living in captivity are eight to 15 generations removed from the wild, in part because there are so few wilds left for them.

BIG AND SMALL

Mystic Jungle was originally founded in 1996 in Davie, Florida, as a sanctuary primarily for smaller animals like native bobcats. While the big cats tend to get the most attention from visitors, Chaples likes to make sure people don’t forget about their smaller brethren. “I like to bring people in and show them the big cats, and then I get to make my plug for the little guy,” she says. Suwannee Valley Currents

Mystic Jungle houses four of the five big cats from around the world, but Vera Chaples also emphasizes the smaller species of wildcats.

Having grown up watching Disney movies, Chaples always had a passion for animals. But as she got older, she saw that the planet’s natural resources were being wiped out, leaving very little habitable land for some species. Her goal with Mystic Jungle is to give people a new perspective on these animals — one they might not even be able to get at most zoos. “We make it up close and personal. You’re literally feet away,” Chaples says. “In zoos, you’re often so far away that you can’t make out if you’re looking at a tiger or not. We take you to each cat enclosure and tell you their personal history.” After seeing footage of a leopard in India being burned alive for wandering into a village in search of food, Chaples felt the call to do even more. So in 2010, Mystic Jungle began taking in big cats and moved to a bigger location in Live Oak. “That really lit a passion in me because I thought, ‘If I can’t save them over there, I’ll do what I can over here to make sure they don’t go extinct,’” Chaples says. “I don’t do breeding, so the next best thing is education.”

THE NATURE OF THE BEAST

While Chaples hosts many church and school groups at Mystic Jungle throughout the week, the organization also helps educate the veterinarians and preservationists of tomorrow by taking on students from the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of North Florida. Students often stay for a year or more, learning how to prepare food for the big cats, along with animal husbandry, proper safety and animal diets — all while working hands-on with animals they wouldn’t see in school. “In college, they get a lot of the book learning. Here, we give them the real, live situation,” Chaples says. “We find that people retain more when they see something in person than when they read about it.” Suwannee Valley Currents

Mystic Jungle is finishing work on intern housing, so these students can live on-site while they learn. Chaples also aims to add a pavilion where she can speak to visiting classes and host seminars, as well as a big cat hospital where veterinarians can treat the animals on location without having to transport them. Most of all, she hopes to pass on the understanding that preserving the lives of these rare animals is crucial, even if living in their natural habitat is no longer an option. “These animals are being wiped off the planet, so it’s up to us to say we don’t want to lose them and be the voice of the voiceless,” Chaples says. “Preserving their DNA does matter, and the population we hold at places like Mystic Jungle could be the only difference between existence and extinction.”  February 2019 | 5

MEET YOUR TRUSTEE

Q: What do you like most about living in the Suwannee Valley?

we should always be thinking about. That’s something SVEC has improved a lot in the last 15 or 20 years, but it’s something we need to stay passionate about and try to keep improving.

I like that’s it’s rural and a nice place to raise a family. Most people are friendly.

Q: What line of work are you in?

Q: What do you enjoy most about serving on the board?

I have a farm. We grow peanuts, corn and carrots and have some cows. We’re pretty diversified so that if one crop misses, we can pick it up on the next one.

I’d say helping the public and learning about the electric industry. As we grow, we all want to learn something new. I’m passionate about trying to figure things out, and this was a new challenge. I certainly don’t understand everything, but I’m always impressed by how well our employees know this system. That’s something we should all be proud of.

Q: What do you like to do outside of work?

My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family. Also, I’m an outdoorsman. I like to hunt and fish.

Q: What’s the most important impact SVEC has on its community?

Q: What made you want to serve on the board?

MIKE ADAMS District 1

The cooperative certainly does well providing efficient power, but besides that, I think SVEC does a good job of partnering with the community. It’s important for people to know we’re passionate about what we can do to help them. That’s something we can always do more of.

Q: What are you passionate about as a trustee?

I think improving the power grid — so we don’t have outages — is something

GEORGIA Jennings

HAM I LTON COU NTY Jasper

3 ROBERSON Live Oak

River

7 HUNTER

If you are a member in District 1 and would like to get in touch with Mike Adams, you can call him at home at 386-938-2278.

1 ADAMS

Suw

Mike Adams represents District 1, which comprises the area of Hamilton County west of U.S. Highway 129. He lives in Jennings and has served on the board since 2015.

I wanted to represent the people of western Hamilton County, and I thought it was something I would enjoy doing. I had been a county commissioner for 12 years, and I enjoyed serving the public and helping people.

White Springs

SU WANNEE STEICHEN COU NTY Wellborn

Dowling Park

4 PUTNAL

5 LORD

McAlpin

129 Mayo

9 HART

Lake City

COL UMB IA COU N TY

2 GOFF 6 WALKER

O’Brien

Branford

L AFAY ETTE COU NTY

75 129

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2.5

Miles 10

Suwannee Valley Currents

SmartHub can save you money

Meetings for Districts 7, 8 and 9 coming up It’s time for SVEC members living in Districts 7, 8 and 9 to meet and nominate a candidate to serve on the board of trustees. Each nominee will be placed on the ballot and voted upon at the Annual Meeting of the Members on Saturday, April 27.

Signing up for the SmartHub app gives members access to helpful information about their electric use. • Track your usage across days, weeks or months to see when you use the most energy. • Enable weather data to see how conditions impact your usage. • Discover clues that can help you identify issues and practices that lead to higher bills. By taking control of your energy use, you can save money on your electric bills. Get started today at svecsmarthub.com.

Let SVEC help pay for school SVEC is awarding up to 10 $1,000 scholarships to deserving high school seniors in our service area. Eligible students must graduate in the spring of 2019 from a public high school, home-school, private school or charter school in SVEC’s service territory. They must have a cumulative, unweighted high school GPA of at least 3.50, and they must plan to attend an accredited postsecondary or vocational educational institution this fall. Students must also be a dependent of an SVEC member, but they cannot be a child or grandchild of a current SVEC employee or trustee. For more details or to apply, visit svec-coop.com/contact/ community/scholarships.

District 8 Meeting — Monday, March 18, at 6 p.m. The Wellborn Community Association Building. District 9 Meeting — Tuesday, March 5, at 6 p.m. The Mayo Community Center.

myCHOICE PREPAY

Pay on your schedule Does the arrival of your monthly electric bill cause you stress? MyChoice Prepay does away with the monthly bill and lets members track their account balance and pay for energy as they use it. »» No more monthly bills.

»» No late charges or disconnect fees.

We want to connect with you. Visit our social media channels to get the latest outage updates, cooperative news and photos.

Suwannee Valley Currents

District 7 Meeting — Tuesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. Prospect Primitive Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

»» Pay for the electricity you want, when you want it.

In addition to a nomination, each meeting will also have an open discussion about other cooperative matters. Please plan to attend if you live in one of these districts:

Twitter: @SVEC_COOP_FL

»» Track your energy use in the SmartHub app. »» Save money by learning more about your usage.

February 2019 | 7

SVEC in the

COMMUNITY Wings Over

Suwannee

SUWANNEE VALLEY CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT SVEC is hosting the second annual Suwannee Valley Cornhole Tournament for players of all skill levels. All proceeds will go to United Way of Suwannee Valley. The cost for a two-person team is $40. Individuals can sign up for $20, and they will be paired with a partner on the day of the tournament. Find more information and sign up online using a credit card at suwanneecornhole.com. You can also sign up with cash or check at SVEC’s office in Live Oak or at United Way’s office at 871 SW State Road 47, Lake City. When: Saturday, March 16. Warmups and registration are from 10-10:30 a.m. Games begin at 10:30 a.m. Where: Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, 11340 100th St., Live Oak.

ANNUAL ARC LAWN MOWER RACE

Please join SVEC at the 21st annual ARC North Florida Lawn Mower Race. When: Saturday, April 6, 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. race Where: John’s Lawn Equipment, Live Oak To register, call 386-362-7143.

Don’t miss out on the high-flying fun at the fourth annual Wings Over Suwannee fly-in hosted by the Live Oak Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association. March 29 will be Aviation Education Day, and March 30 will feature an homage to vintage aircraft. Camping and admission to Suwannee County Airport for the event are free. When: March 29 and 30 Where: Suwannee County Airport, 13302 80th Terrace, Live Oak.

ROTARY CLUB OF BRANFORD ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT WHEN: March 2, 2019 - 8:00 AM Shotgun Start WHERE: Quail Heights Country Club, Lake City Tournament Type: Three Person Scramble Team Prizes and Door Prizes. Proceeds will be used to support Rotary-sponsored programs including annual Rotary scholarships. $50 player entry fee includes cart, green fees, lunch and a prize! To register for the tournament, please call 386-935-1705, or 386-362-8388.