Currents-January 2022

JANUARY 2022

Suwannee Valley

CURRENTS

INSIDE:

GEAR UP Get an up-close look at the tools that help SVEC linemen do their job safely DROP A LINE Florida’s best fishing spots from winter to summer AROUND THE COMMUNITY How SVEC got in the Christmas spirit

CEO’S MESSAGE

Suwannee Valley

CURRENTS January 2022

Michael S. McWaters Executive V.P./CEO

Suwannee Valley Currents is a monthly newsletter published by Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, © 2022. It is distributed without charge to all consumermembers of the cooperative.

Planning ahead New Year’s resolutions come in all shapes and sizes. Some people want to go big, making grand plans to reshape their lives over the next 12 months. Others aim to make small life adjustments they hope will add up to something more in the end.

As a cooperative, our outlook on a new year isn’t that different. We make our own resolutions to continue providing the affordable and reliable service our consumer-members depend on. We dedicate ourselves to finding more ways to improve our system, and we resolve once again to put nothing ahead of the safety of our employees.

That last one is something that requires vigilance throughout the year, especially from our linemen. They train diligently to take on the job, but the work doesn’t stop there. They practice basic skills, continue to learn new techniques throughout their careers and must always look out for themselves and the other members of their crew each time they go out on the job.

A crucial part of their safety on an everyday basis is the equipment they carry with them. As a cooperative, it is our responsibility to make sure the tools they work with are up to snuff. But our consumer-members might be surprised at just how much equipment it takes for our line crews to get the job done.

In this month’s newsletter, you can get an up-close and detailed look at what our crews carry with them on a daily basis. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to look it over to get a better understanding of how our linemen bring consumer-members the electricity that powers their homes.

If one of your resolutions is to save money this year, then this newsletter has another welcome surprise. Throughout the year, you’ll be able to find an energy savings tip in each issue of Currents.

Some of you might wonder why a company that sells electricity would want to help people use less of it. But that’s just one of the many benefits that set an electric cooperative apart from other power providers. As a not-for-profit consumer-owned utility, we aren’t concerned with profit. Instead, we focus on bringing you the service you need. So the more energy you save, the more we can keep costs down for everyone.

Together, we can work to make our electric service more reliable, affordable for everyone and safe for our crews who work so hard to bring it to you. That’s our goal for the new year. Until next month, good luck to all of our consumer-members chasing resolutions of their own. 

WE BELONG TO THOSE WE SERVE Business Office: 800-447-4509 11340 100th St. 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 Instagram.com/sveccoop SVEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

On the cover: SVEC’s linemen use a wide array of equipment to get the job done, whether they’re upgrading the system or doing routine maintenance.

See story, Page 4.

2 | January 2022

Suwannee Valley Currents

©–nevector, simbos/Adobe Stock

HAPPY The SVEC office will be closed on FEB. 21 for Presidents Day and an annual employee training day. The 24-hour outage-reporting system will still be available, as well as the drive-thru payment kiosk. Crews stand by to restore power if needed.

DAY

DON’T GET LEFT IN THE DARK Register medical necessities with SVEC SVEC recognizes that many of our members have unique needs. In some cases, they may be immobile or reliant on medical equipment or oxygen.

It is important for members with medical needs requiring care dependent on electricity to register with SVEC

so we can notify you of planned or extended outages.

You should also keep the information SVEC has on file for you current. To update your information, please visit our office or download the Medical Necessity Form at svec-coop.com/member-services/medical-necessity.

Register with County Emergency Management The Florida Division of Emergency Management allows citizens with special needs to register with their county emergency management agency.

Information submitted to the register will only be used for planning and, if necessary, to provide emergency or disaster services. Residents of all Florida counties can register using the online Florida Special Needs Registry: snr. flhealthresponse.com.

Residents of Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette and Suwannee counties can also request a special needs registration form by visiting or calling their county’s emergency management office.

Suwannee Valley Currents

COLUMBIA COUNTY: 263 NW Lake City Ave. Lake City, FL 32055 386-758-1383

LAFAYETTE COUNTY: 194 SW Virginia Circle Mayo, FL 32066 386-294-1950

HAMILTON COUNTY: 1133 U.S. Highway 41 NW, Suite 1 Jasper, FL 32052 386-792-6647

SUWANNEE COUNTY: 617 Ontario Ave. SW Live Oak, FL 32064 386-364-3405

January 2022 | 3

W W TOOLS OF THE TRADEW When it comes to keeping the lights on and our electric system working, there is no group more important than Suwannee Valley Electric’s linemen. Our line crews go to work every day to make repairs, maintain lines so they will be ready for the next big storm and make upgrades so the electric service we bring to our consumer-members can be even better.

In the course of a normal day linemen can do any number of tasks, and face hazards from rattlesnakes on the ground to high-voltage electricity at the top of a power pole. Having the right equipment is vitally important to keeping everyone safe and ensuring each member of our team goes home in the same condition they came to work.

1

HARD HAT

2

SAFETY GLASSES

3

SHIRT

4

RUBBER GLOVES

5

2

Plastic frame and lenses worn to protect eyes and block UV rays.

3

Flame-resistant fabric and stitching with nonmetallic buttons.

Dielectric-tested, rubber-insulated 30kV gloves for electrical protection.

4

RUBBER GLOVE PROTECTORS

Leather gloves with orange vinyl cuff. Worn over insulated rubber gloves to reduce chance of 5 puncturing or tearing from sharp objects.

6

CLIMBING BELT

7

JEANS

8

FALL RESTRAINT – SUPER SQUEEZE

9

1

Made from hard plastic, it has slots to attach accessories such as hearing protection.

6

Connects to fall restraint.

7

Fire-resistant with flame-resistant stitching.

Wraps around and grips pole to prevent falls.

POLE-CLIMBING HOOK

Apparatus for climbing poles when situation prevents use of an aerial lift (e.g., bucket truck).

Removable gaff guards (yellow) prevent injuries while not climbing.

4 | January 2022

8

9

Suwannee Valley Currents

W W WHow SVEC linemen get the job done But how much do you know about the equipment that keeps SVEC’s linemen safe and productive on the job? If you’ve ever asked yourself how a lineman gets materials while high up on a pole or wondered what those hooks on their boots are for, we have the answers.

Journeyman Lineman Russell Summers was kind enough to load up with all the equipment he typically uses to help members better understand what he and his fellow linemen work with on a daily basis. Read on below to learn more about the tools of the trade. 

10 EASY ADJUSTMENT HARD HAT SUSPENSION

Designed to be a shock absorber and provide a safe distance between the wearer’s head and hat shell. Includes a small nob for adjusting the hat size.

10 11

11

HAND LINE

Used to raise material from the ground to the lineman. Also used if necessary to lower an injured lineman from top of pole.

12 GUT STRAP

Holds climbing belt at a level for sitting on while leaning back from pole. Reduces strain on back.

12

13 NUT AND BOLT SACK

Pouch for holding nuts, bolts and connectors.

14 LINEMAN HAND TOOLS

Wrenches, pliers, screw drivers and other tools used by lineman.

13 14

15 RUBBER GLOVE BAG

Protects gloves while not in use.

16 WORK BOOTS

Lace-to-toe leather boots with toe protection materials and extra arch support for pole climbing.

15

16 Suwannee Valley Currents

January 2022 | 5

Nutty White Bean &

wild rice soup

1/2 1 2 3 8 6 2 1 1 8 1 2 1/2 2

1 2 1

cup cashews medium yellow onion celery stalks medium carrots ounces baby Bella mushrooms cloves garlic tablespoons olive oil tablespoon dried thyme tablespoon dried oregano cups vegetable broth cup wild rice (not a wild rice blend) teaspoons kosher salt, divided teaspoon black pepper (15-ounce) cans white beans, drained and rinsed cup water teaspoons dried sage tablespoon soy, tamari or liquid aminos sauce

bright ideas

When you save energy, you save money.

Check back here each month for new ways to make your home or business more energy-efficient.

Place the cashews in a bowl and cover them with water. Leave them to soak while you make the recipe.

Dice the onion. Thinly slice the celery. Cut the carrots into rounds. Slice the mushrooms. Mince the garlic. In a Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and saute the onion, celery and carrots, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add the mushrooms and saute for 2 more minutes. Add the garlic, thyme and oregano and stir for another 2 minutes.

Add the broth, wild rice, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Add the drained and rinsed beans and continue to simmer, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes more, or until the rice breaks open.

Using a liquid measuring cup, carefully remove 2 cups of the hot soup, including broth, veggies and rice, and put it in a blender, along with 1 cup of water. Drain the cashews, then add them and the dried sage to the blender. Blend on high for about 1 minute, until creamy. Pour the creamy mixture back into the soup. Add the soy sauce of choice. Taste. If needed, add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and adjust seasonings as desired. Garnish with freshly ground pepper. soon as you remove the potatoes from the oven, drizzle and toss them with the melted butter, sprinkle them with parmesan and parsley, and serve. Makes 4 servings. 

Do you have a great recipe?

Email a copy of a recipe you’d like to share to communications@svec-coop.com.

6 | January 2022

Keep your home cozy with proper insulation Just like you might wrap up in a blanket to stay snug on a cool evening, properly insulating your home keeps the warmth you want inside while keeping the cold out. During hotter months, it can also keep your home cool, without you ever having to touch the thermostat. Severe weather or water damage can impact your insulation’s life span. If your home is feeling drafty, it may be time to get the insulation replaced. Filling any noticeable gaps with weatherstripping or caulking can also help you stay comfortable for less money.  For more energy saving tips, the latest cooperative news and more, follow SVEC at: facebook.com/sveccoop instagram.com/sveccoop twitter.com/SVEC_COOP Suwannee Valley Currents

Courtesy of Daytona Beach Fishing Charters in Daytona Beach

Courtesy of On the Hook Charters in Port Orange

Boats prepare to launch at Lake Okeechobee.

Florida fishing spots

Plan your fishing trips from January through July

By Terry Gibson, Visit Florida

Florida is the fishing capital of the world and the envy of northern states, because we enjoy the best fishing spots year-round and there’s always something running. Here’s a look at some popular species available from January through July and the best places to intercept them.

ocean. The wrecks in Florida Bay are loaded with cobia, and you can reach them from the Keys or from Everglades National Park. There’s also a legendary manta ray migration off the Treasure Coast that the fish follow in droves. Fishing is good from Stuart through Port Canaveral.

JANUARY

MARCH

It’s the peak of the sailfish run, and the fishing for this species has been better than even the oldest veterans can remember. You can’t lose running out of the Florida Keys, especially from Key West, Islamorada or Key Largo. And Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, the Palm Beaches, Stuart and Fort Pierce are just as good.

FEBRUARY

Cobia is one of the hardest fighting and most delicious catches in the Suwannee Valley Currents

Lunker largemouth bass are on the spawn. I’ll be concentrating on my home waters of Lake Okeechobee.

Fishing’s good out of Belle Glade, Clewiston, Moore Haven and Okeechobee.

APRIL

Dolphinfish, better known as mahimahi, are migrating back north. It’s hard to troll a ballyhoo for a few hundred yards and not find a dolphinfish off the Keys this time of the year.

Plenty are caught off the southeast coast, and the biggest are landed a little later off St. Augustine and Jacksonville.

MAY

Tarpon fever grips the state, especially in the Keys, Biscayne Bay and along the Treasure Coast. Stuart has a superb fishery along its beaches and in the rivers.

JUNE

The schoolie bass action on most lakes is frenetic, with 40- to 60-bass days common on the best lakes.

JULY

Spiny lobster miniseason is on.

Most of the bugs come from the Keys, but plenty are caught off the reefs off the Florida mainland. 

January 2022 | 7

Christmas greetings SVEC’s 2021 Christmas cards featured artwork submitted by fifth graders from Branford Elementary, Hamilton County Elementary and Lafayette Elementary schools.

Their designs went out on the cover of SVEC’s cards, which were shared across the U.S. Each of the students received a gift, and their teachers received $100 for classroom art supplies.

Landace Lynn Lieup Ms. Moffses Hamilton County Elementary School

Hailey Grider Principal McManaway Branford Elementary School

Malah Bass Lafayette Elementary School

Landace Lynn Lieup

A Florida Christmas

Hailey Grider

Malah Bass

The Christmas parades in Live Oak and Jasper are cherished traditions, and SVEC was excited to participate once again in 2021. The theme for this year’s float was “A Florida Christmas.” SVEC’s entry featured Teddy the Linebear driving around a large space rocket, surfer snowman and Disney castle, all covered in lights.

SVEC Christmas parade float

8 | January 2022

Suwannee Valley Currents