Currents-November 2020

NOVEMBER 2020

Suwannee Valley

CURRENTS

INSIDE: PROUD SERVICE Local WWII veteran reflects on his service OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Find the best spots for an outdoor getaway AROUND THE COMMUNITY Third annual Cornhole Tournament is a success!

CEO’S MESSAGE

Suwannee Valley

CURRENTS November 2020

Michael S. McWaters Executive V.P./CEO

Suwannee Valley Currents is a monthly newsletter published by Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, © 2020. It is distributed without charge to all consumermembers of the cooperative.

An attitude of gratitude This year, in addition to celebrating the holidays that usually define the month of November, much of the country will eagerly await the results of an important national election. What many may not realize is that the custom of voting in November actually goes back to this country’s farming roots.

Back in the 1800s, voters often traveled long distances to their polling places, so elections needed to be held when they would have the least interference with the farming season. Spring and early summer would get in the way of planting, and late summer or early fall elections would conflict with the busy harvesting season. November was thought to be the sweet spot: late enough to complete the harvest but early enough to avoid harsh winter weather.

Personally, I’ve always thought it was appropriate that our elections fall in the same month we celebrate Thanksgiving. Whether you’re pleased with the results of this month’s election or not, I think we could all use the opportunity to spend time with family and focus for a moment on how much we have to be thankful for.

It’s also fitting that this month we celebrate Veterans Day, giving us the chance to honor those who have served this country. We should all be thankful for the sacrifices brave Americans have made throughout our history to preserve the values of our nation.

We’re fortunate to have many veterans in the SVEC family, and this month we wanted to highlight one in particular. James Poole is a veteran of World War II and the grandfather of our manager of fleet maintenance, Raymond Poole. He served his country from 1943 to the end of the war, witnessing German submarines firsthand and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Gen. George S. Patton. You can read more about Mr. Poole’s story in this newsletter, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank him and all of our veterans for their brave service to this country.

You can also learn about two of the newest members of the SVEC team.

Crystal Ecker joins as the cooperative’s general counsel & director of administrative services, while Ross Wood is our new mechanic. Both are excellent additions to our cooperative, and I hope you’ll join me in giving them a warm welcome.

Also noteworthy is that last month we held the third annual Suwannee Cornhole Tournament. The event continues to grow, and this year it raised more than $5,000 for United Way of Suwannee Valley. Thank you to everyone who took part in what is rapidly becoming one of our favorite traditions each year.

As we approach the end of the year, I hope all of our members are able to make time for family and reflect on the many things we have to be thankful for.

As always, we are grateful for the privilege of serving you. 

2 | November 2020

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 honors the men and women who have put their lives on the line to serve our country.

See Story, Page 4.

Suwannee Valley Currents

Happy Thanksgiving!

SVEC’s office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, in observance of Thanksgiving.

Our 24-hour outage reporting system is always available, as is our drive-thru payment kiosk. We will have standby crews ready to restore power if needed.

Crystal Ecker joins as the cooperative’s new general counsel & director of administrative services.

Before joining SVEC, she worked as an attorney with the 3rd Judicial Circuit in Lake City.

Ross Wood joins the cooperative as a mechanic. Before joining SVEC, he worked as a heavy equipment technician for Ring Power in Lake City.

Apply for Youth Tour For the 43rd consecutive year, SVEC is proud to sponsor a tour of Tallahassee for up to 10 high school juniors. While there, students will explore the cooperative business model and Florida’s legislative process. Possible activities include a tour of the state Capitol, participation in a mock bill debate on the floor of the Senate or House of Representatives, and visits to the Florida Supreme Court and offices of our state legislators.

To be eligible for the 2021 tour, Feb. 17-18, a student must be enrolled in the 11th grade of a high school or home-school program in SVEC’s service territory and have an unweighted grade point average of at least 3.0. The student must also be a dependent of an SVEC member but cannot be a child or grandchild of a current SVEC employee or trustee.

Two of the students who go on the tour will also be selected to represent SVEC in Washington, D.C., for the National Rural Electric Youth Tour tentatively scheduled for June 16-21, 2021. They will be flown to Washington and join students from around the country on visits to sites such as the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Smithsonian and Mount Vernon. SVEC will pay for the trip.

More information and a tour application form are available through juniorclass guidance counselors or online at svec-coop.com/youth-tour. Applications are due back to SVEC by Jan. 22, 2021.

SVEC’s Youth Tour delegates visit the state Capitol.

Suwannee Valley Currents

Welcome SVEC’s newest team members

Crystal Ecker

Ross Wood

Area light reporting If you’ve noticed a street or area light that isn’t on or is malfunctioning, let SVEC know.

You can request a repair through the SmartHub app by tapping on “Report an Issue/Inquiry” at the top of the home screen, then “Other Issues/General Inquiry” and “Area Light Out.” Once there, use the Comments section to let us know where the light is located.

You can also call 800-4474509 to report a problem over the phone. An SVEC member services representative will contact members who report a malfunctioning area light by the end of the next business day.

November 2020 | 3

ON FOREIGN SHORES A World War II veteran’s service overseas

Logging has long been part of the Poole family legacy. But when James Poole was drafted into the military in 1943, he probably didn’t expect the family business might save his life.

Now 96, Poole is retired to his home in Live Oak and has been out of the military for over 75 years. But each year when Veterans Day rolls around, he still looks back on his years of service overseas with pride and respect for his fellow soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Poole grew up hearing stories about how his grandfather, Harris Poole, would ride the train out to the forest near Dowling Park and cut 75 logs a day with just a double bit ax. His father hauled lumber for the local sawmill before starting his own business selling wood to the Pensacola and Georgia Railroad.

James Poole joined the family business in high school, driving truckloads of lumber to the nearby railroad depot. “I would unload by the railroad and get a plate for lunch and a glass of tea for 35 cents,” he recalls. “That was pretty expensive then.”

Those experiences proved valuable when he was drafted into the Army after the United States entered World War II. Initially trained as a paratrooper, he made five jumps before he was offered a different assignment. As it turned out, his skills behind the wheel were in demand.

“They were short of drivers, and I had experience as a truck driver,” Poole says.

“So they assigned me to drive a Col. Loeffler, and I was with him until I got out of the service.”

Relieved that he would no longer have to jump out of what he felt were perfectly good planes, Poole embraced his new driving assignment. But even with his new post alongside an officer, it didn’t take long for him to experience conflict firsthand.

4 | November 2020

Suwannee Valley Currents

RIGHT-HAND MAN

After completing his training, Poole set sail for England in 1944 as part of a large convoy that embarked from New York. The sizable fleet didn’t go unnoticed by the enemy, so before he even laid eyes on Europe, Poole found himself in the sights of a German submarine.

“There wasn’t a ripple on the water the day that sub came up. I was on the command ship, so I watched as they fired a torpedo at my ship,” he says. The ship made a hard turn, and some of the soldiers on board even began firing at the torpedo in the water. Fortunately, a nearby destroyer arrived to drop depth charges on the submarine, successfully driving it off. One prematurely detonated charge, however, nearly toppled the destroyer.

“The next day I joked with the sailors on my ship that they aren’t very good shots,” Poole says. “They told me they weren’t trying to hit it. Those torpedoes used magnetic guidance, and they were trying to turn it away from our ship. It must have worked, because it missed us.”

Once he arrived in England, it was a game of hurry up and wait. After being issued guns and ammunition, Poole and his fellow soldiers boarded the freighter that would be home for the next two weeks as they waited for an opportunity to rendezvous with other American forces in France.

He eventually landed two weeks after the D-Day invasion and got to work transporting Col. Loeffler. Not only was it his job to make sure the colonel got where he needed to go, but Poole also ensured the colonel had necessary supplies and dug foxholes for both of them as shelter against shelling. Poole even had the chance to serve with Gen. George S. Patton, whom he describes as “a soldier’s soldier.”

James and Blanch Poole were married for 75 years.

Poole’s assignment allowed him to survive the war without ever firing his weapon. But he still had his share of close calls. On one occasion, he remembers driving Col. Loeffler in a convoy when the major ahead of him spotted an ambush.

They left their vehicles and crawled through a ditch until they spotted one of the waiting Germans lying prone behind a tree. The major shot him in the leg, and Poole came out of the ditch ready to open fire.

“I jumped up with my M1 rifle, but after that guy was shot they gave up,” Poole says. “Thank goodness they did, because there wasn’t anything I could do. It turned out my rifle didn’t have any ammo!”

COMING HOME

In the early days of September 1945, Poole had completed his tour in France and was bound for Japan. He was already on an eastbound ship when he heard that the war was over. “They just turned around and took us home,” he says.

Poole was especially eager to make it back to Florida to see his bride, Blanch, who he had only married a week before joining the service. It didn’t take long for him to settle back into life at home, including getting back to driving a logging truck which had prepared him so well for his war duty.

“Me and my brother got back to business together. We worked six days a week and made $25 a week,” he says. “It was hard logging, but we had it made then.”

These days, whenever Veterans Day comes around, Poole thinks about the soldiers still serving today and how fortunate he was to make it home safely. But he also remembers his friends and comrades who were not as lucky.

“I think about the ones who lost their lives. We saw so many people lose their lives, and you never did know who would be next,” he says. “Sitting on that freighter to Europe I lost a lot of friends. They’re the ones I miss most.”  Poole celebrates Christmas with his grandson, SVEC Manager of Fleet Maintenance Raymond Poole.

Suwannee Valley Currents

November 2020 | 5

Test your knowledge about tree stand safety

By Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

This season, many deer hunters will hunt from ladder, climbing or hang-on tree stands to keep their scent above the ground, give themselves a better line of sight and remain undetected. You can stay safe when hunting from an elevated platform by following a few simple precautions. Take the quiz below to learn how much you know about tree stand safety.

1. What safety equipment should you have to hunt from a tree stand? a. Full-body safety harness b. Rope safety line c. Haul line for your gun/bow d. All of the above 2. True or false: When hunting from a ladder stand, hunters should use a rope safety line to climb up and down.

3. What is the No. 1 reason falls occur? a. Tree stand not assembled correctly b. Slip/loss of grip c. Bad weather d. Broken straps 4. True or false: It’s not necessary to check stands before the start of every hunting season.

5. In what type of tree stand is an incident most likely to occur? a. Homemade stand b. Lock-on c. Climber d. Ladder 6. True or false: When using a lock-on style tree stand, you should step up to the seating platform.

7. True or false: New hunters are more likely to fall while using a tree stand.

8. What percentage of falls occur by someone not wearing a fullbody safety harness? a. 86% b. 53% c. 41% d. 25% 9. True or False: The distance of the tether that runs between your full-body safety harness and the strap on the tree should be as short as possible with no slack in the tether while you’re seated.

10. Besides wearing a full-body safety harness, what items should you have within easy reach in case you fall from your stand? a. Cellphone or signaling device and rope safety line b. Folding pocket knife and flashlight. c. Cellphone or signaling device and suspension relief device d. First-aid kit and bottled water

Answers: 1.d, 2.true, 3.b, 4.false, 5.b, 6.false, 7.false, 8.a, 9.true, 10.c

How did you do?

• 7-10 correct responses – You’re smart about safety!

• 4-6 correct responses – You have a solid understanding of tree stand safety. Raise your safety IQ by checking out huntercourse.com/ treestandsafety and Tree Stand Safety Awareness Foundation videos.

• 3 or fewer correct responses – Hunting from a ground blind might be a great option until you’ve had a chance to take one of our hunter safety courses.  6 | November 2020

Au gratin potatoes 4 Russet potatoes or sweet potatoes

Salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons roasted garlic, chopped (optional) 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese 1/2 cups heavy cream (if using 2 sweet potatoes, reduce cream by 1/2 cup) 3/4 cup old-fashioned oats

Wash the potatoes and allow them to dry. Slice the potatoes as thin as you can. Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray. Heat oven to 325 F. Layer 1/4 of the potatoes on the bottom of the dish by shingling.

Season with salt and pepper and 1/4 of the roasted garlic. Sprinkle with 1/4 of the Parmesan cheese. Pour 1/4 of the cream over the layer. Repeat this process for the next three layers.

Cover the dish with foil. Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until the potatoes are tender all the way through when testing with a knife. Uncover the dish and return it to the oven to brown the top for about 10-15 minutes. Makes 16 (1/2-cup) servings. 

Do you have a great recipe?

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

Suwannee Valley Currents

Florida’s best outdoor adventures

By Visit Florida Staff

Outdoor adventures are easy to come by in the Sunshine State. Sometimes you want to rough it, and sometimes you don’t. Either way, Florida’s got you covered. From snorkeling a living barrier reef to wildlife viewing from the comfort of your car, here are some of the best hot spots in Florida to experience the great outdoors.

Bathtub Reef Biking Throughout Florida you’ll find miles and miles of trails, both paved and off-road. For paved riding, choose the 46-mile Withlacoochee State Trail, which offers long stretches of straight, well-maintained pathways perfect for fast-paced road biking or a leisurely pedal underneath huge oaks and pines. Off-road riders should check out the challenging single-track trails at Miami’s Oleta River State Park or on Florida’s East Coast at Flagler County’s Graham Swamp Conservation Area. Bring your skills and be prepared to ride hard.

Blackwater River Hiking/nature walks Take a hike and explore pathways that showcase Florida’s history, culture and natural beauty. Hal Scott Preserve near Orlando is a great getaway for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Look for pitcher plants in bogs along the trail. At Hillsborough River State Park in Thonotosassa, near Tampa, you’ll find one of the most scenic hikes in Florida as the trail follows along the river. In the summer, see the ultrarare ghost orchid — nicknamed the Super Ghost — along the boardwalk at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Paddling Paddling in Florida is the best you’ll find anywhere. In Milton, called the “Canoe Capital of Florida,” paddle the Blackwater River or Coldwater Creek, two extremely scenic northwest Florida waterways. Spend a couple of weeks plying the waters of the famed, cypress-lined Suwannee River along the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, complete with screened-in camping platforms in its river camps. Moving south, the Peace River Canoe Trail starts at Fort Meade and terminates near Arcadia, and you’ll find tons of great day paddles along the way.

Hillsborough River State Park Birding/wildlife viewing More people travel to Florida for wildlife viewing than any other place in the U.S. — and for good reason. There are more than 2,000 miles of viewing opportunities on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, where you’ll spot the inquisitive Florida scrub jay, swallow-tailed kites and the majestic crested caracara. On Sanibel Island, check out the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to American crocodiles, bald eagles and 270 species of birds.

Swimming/snorkeling Ready for some underwater fun? Grab your snorkel gear and see what’s happening beyond the beach. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo is the crown jewel of snorkeling hot spots in Florida. Take a short boat ride and snorkel a section of the only living barrier reef in the continental United States. The crystal-clear water and intense colors of the reef are unmatched. In Stuart, Bathtub Reef Beach is perfect for beginners or groups with children, with a shallow reef creating a protected swimming lagoon and beach.  Suwannee Valley Currents

Peace River Canoe

Newtown Alive

November 2020 | 7

Cornhole tournament raises over $5,000 for United Way SVEC hosted the third annual Suwannee Cornhole Tournament on Oct. 24 to raise money for United Way of Suwannee Valley. This year’s tournament featured 30 teams divided into competitive and novice brackets.

Players came from as far away as Callahan, Florida, and the event raised a little over $5,000, about $1,600 more than last year.

“The tournament gets bigger and better every year, and one of the things I like most about it is meeting the people who come out to play,” says SVEC Director of Communications Jon Little. “Everyone is friendly, courteous and excited to be able to help out United Way. We have a great time.”

SVEC is extremely grateful to the tournament’s sponsors: • Gusher Level: SVEC’s wholesale power provider, Seminole Electric Cooperative • Swish Level: First Federal Bank and SunStop Live Oak • Slider Level: Ace Pole Co., Ameris Bank, State Representative Chuck Brannan, Dixie Grill, Farmers Cooperative, Poole Realty, RIVEROAK Technical College, Sound Line Design and Mr. Shawn Hingson • Ace Level: John’s Lawn Equipment and Suwannee County Elected Officials Additionally, The Brown Lantern restaurant provided gift certificates for a raffle.

North FL Cornhole organized the brackets and coordinated the games.

Scary competition Last month, SVEC participated in the scarecrow contest at Melody Church’s pumpkin patch by introducing “Mark,” the scarecrow lineman. For the last eight years, the pumpkin patch has provided a place for families to enjoy time together and create new memories. All proceeds from the pumpkin patch help fund Melody Church’s local missions to serve people and agencies within the community. Such missions include the church’s annual Love Week, where they commit to a daily act of love through community service. Through missions like these, the church has contributed in a variety of ways. From providing first responders breakfast to hosting soup kitchens and completing home repairs for the elderly, Melody Church aims to positively touch the lives of others through love and service.

Keeping count SVEC Communications & Public Relations Specialist Christy Tuckey (second from left in photo) served on the Suwannee County Census Committee, whose mission was to increase awareness and participation in the census. The committee conducted meetings and various community outreach activities July 2019 through September 2020.