CURRENT LINES J A N U A RY 2 0 2 2 THIS MONTH’S NEWS • Happy New Year, page 1 • Winter Storm Prep Tips, page 2 • Operation Roundup Grants, page 3 • Scholarship Deadlines, page 3 • Home Electrical Safety Check, page 4
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HAPPY NEW YEAR A Message from Your Chairman
As we start a new year at our EMC, let us begin with grateful hearts & gratitude for the countless blessings we have received over the past year. As always, our EMCs number one goal is to provide you safe and reliable power. Our crews stand ready for potential outages in the case of severe weather and storms, and we appreciate your patience with them when those outages occur.
Brenda P. Green, Chairman
Changes in our industry continue to come at a fast pace. Like you, we are seeing more and more supply chain issues and are working to stay ahead of them during these volatile times. Your EMC will continue to seek efficiencies as costs across the board continue to rise. We are continually looking for ways to help you use energy wisely. Efficiencies in lighting, household appliances, heat pumps and other electric items have helped our members use less electricity and save money. As gasoline prices continue to fluctuate, many of you may be considering an electric vehicle to save on your household budget. Be sure to check out our electric vehicle and vehicle charger rebates on tricountyemc.com or give us a call to talk through your efficiency needs. Construction is continuing on our fiber project, allowing us to incorporate new technology into the EMC to better serve you. This upgrade also allows us to bring internet service to your homes and business through our subsidiary, Tri-CoGo. Bridging the digital divide in our communities by bringing internet connectivity is of high importance and will be a great asset in the future. You can sign up for service and keep up with construction progress through the website, tri-cogo.com. Blessings to you and your family for a wonderful 2022. We are prepared for the challenges and look forward to the opportunities the next year will bring.
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Tri-County EMC plans for disasters and maintains power line right-ofway, but even with preparation, ice storms can deal a heavy blow to our system. Now is the time to prepare for Mother Nature’s winter weather.
FLASHLIGHTS
Have flashlights with extra batteries on hand. While candles can be helpful as light sources, flashlights are the safer option.
FOOD
Stock up on non-perishable food items that do not require cooking. Remember, your electric can opener will not work without electricity. Have a manual opener on hand.
HEAT
Gather heavy clothes and blankets. If you have a working fireplace, now is the time to stock up on firewood.
WATER
For those with well service, have a case of bottled water on hand. Fill any bathtubs and extra pitchers with water as well.
AFTER THE STORM
BEFORE THE STORM
WEATHERING THE STORM
KEEP AWAY FROM POWER LINES
All downed power lines should be treated as if they are live. Do not touch them and be sure to keep children and animals a safe distance away. (92550001)
REPORT AN OUTAGE
Report outages and downed power lines to Tri-County EMC by calling 1.866.254.8100, using your myTCEMC mobile app, or visiting tri-countyemc.com/storm-center. cms on your mobile phone or tablet. If enrolled in outage texting, you can also text “OUT” to 85700.
WATCH FOR UPDATES
Listen to local radio stations, sign up for alerts from your Emergency Managment Agency and visit the outage viewer on tri-countyemc.com to check power outages in your area.
BE SAFE
Do not use a grill in an enclosed area. Keep candles away from furniture, draperies and flammable materials. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
INFORMATION
Keep a battery-powered radio on a local station to get weather and outage updates. Be sure to charge all cell phones before the storm hits. Have a car phone charger in case you need to recharge your phone. Sign up for alerts from your local Emergency Management Agency.
MEDICAL
Have a first aid kit and several days of prescriptions handy. Those who depend on electricity for medical devices may need to move to another location until power is restored.
KEEP THE FRIDGE CLOSED
Do not open freezers and refrigerators more than necessary. A refrigerator can hold its temperature for about 4 hours, and the freezer for about 48 hours, if the doors are left closed.
HAVE PATIENCE
Our first priority when the power goes out is safely getting power restored to members and our linemen will work until the job is complete. We appreciate your patience as we work to get power back to you as
quickly as possible.
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TRI-COUNTY EMC FOUNDATION GRANTS $22,000 IN DECEMBER In December 2021, the Tri-County EMC Foundation Board approved grants for 8 projects, totaling $22,344.07 in Operation Roundup funds, to benefit organizations or individuals in our local communities. ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL CHURCH: $2,500 to support a backpack ministry in Putnam County by purchasing food to be distributed in children’s backpacks throughout the school year. BALDWIN COUNTY SCHOOLS: $5,000 to assist in the installation and infrastructure for a greenhouse garden project for Baldwin County Schools. BALDWIN COUNTY EARLY LEARNING CENTER: $1,000 to purchase home essential items for families and children in need in Baldwin County that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits. FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF EATONTON: $1,401.30 to purchase materials to construct a wheelchair ramp for a recently widowed individual in Putnam County.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF BALDWIN COUNTY: $1,442.77 to purchase materials to construct two wheelchair ramps for individuals in need in Baldwin County. JASPER COUNTY FOOD BANK: $4,000 to purchase food for a food bank serving Jasper County. JONES COUNTY DEPT. OF FIRE AND RESCUE: $5,000 to purchase a boat and trailer to be used in search and rescue efforts in Jones County.
Habitat for Humanity of Milledgeville & Baldwin County received an Operation Roundup Grant to purchase materials to construct wheelchair ramps for two individuals in need in Baldwin County.
THE GEORGIA PARENTING PROJECT: $2,000 to purchase a large capacity washer and dryer to launder clothing and linen donations and wash clothes for displaced families.
ABOUT OPERATION ROUNDUP
Operation Roundup is funded by voluntary contributions from Tri-County members to the Tri-County EMC Foundation. Participants have their monthly bill rounded up to the next dollar, with that surplus amount going to fund Operation Roundup. Any charitable or government institution, civic organization or other non-profit group located within Tri-County’s eight county service area are eligible to receive funding. Applications must be for special needs or projects. Applications can be found on our website at tri-countyemc.com/ operation-round-up.cms or mailed upon request by calling 478.986.8126. The next deadline is March 1, 2022. (74361001)
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES Tri-County EMC will award $10,000 in scholarships to students with a primary residence in our service area this year. Visit us at www.tri-countyemc.com/scholarships-overview.cms to learn more or to apply.
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• Walter Harrison Scholarship: Applications Due February 1 • Operation Roundup Scholarship: Applications Due April 15 • Cooperative Scholarship: Applications Due April 15 • Lineman Scholarship: Applications Due April 15
Did you find your Tri-County EMC account number? Three random account numbers are hidden in each issue of Current Lines. Find your complete account number inside parentheses in this issue of Current Lines for a $50 bill credit. Call us at 478.986.8126 to claim your credit. 12/20/2021 2:25:16 PM
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RECIPE BOX BAKED CHILI INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • •
1 pound ground chuck 1 can tomato soup 1 can diced tomatoes 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped celery 1 can kidney beans 1 clove garlic, minced 3-4 tsps of chili powder, to taste
DIRECTIONS
Brown the beef using a skillet. Add the tomato soup to the meat, then add the other ingredients. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish. Bake at 325 degrees for 2 hours. Serve with cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: HOME ELECTRICAL SAFETY If you are looking for a New Year’s Resolution that you can keep, add a home electrical safety check to your list. Electrical failures and malfunctions are the most common cause of electrical fires. These items below can be easily checked to help you spot potential hazards in your home.
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS:
As outlets age, so do the wires behind them. Any loose, damaged or warm to the touch outlets should be checked by an electrician.
OVERLOADED CORDS AND OUTLETS:
Extension cords are not a long-term solution. If you find yourself using extension cords or overloading your outlets often, have a licensed electrician install new outlets.
OLD APPLIANCES:
Check the wiring on any older appliances to determine if it’s time to upgrade or replace them.
ELECTRICAL WIRING:
Flickering lights and frequently tripped breakers are warning signs that wiring isn’t working properly. If you live in an older home, it may be time to have your wiring checked by a licensed electrician.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We look forward to serving you in 2022!
Ray Grinberg, CEO
Did you know we have recipes from our newsletters dating back to the 1940s? This recipe was featured in the January 1981 Current Lines. Your recipe is worth $20 if chosen. Send your best recipes to kimb@ tri-countyemc.com or mail to P.O. Box 487, Gray, GA 31032.
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Owned By Those We Serve P.O. Box 487 Gray, GA 31032 478.986.8100 www.tri-countyemc.com *Tri-County EMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer*
Board of Directors Brenda P. Green, Chairman Sammy Hall, Vice-Chairman Thomas Noles, Secretary/Treasurer George “Buck” Comer, Dan Greene, Chap Nelson, Marion Nelson, Cecil Patterson, Mike Rainey
CURRENTLINES
Monthly Publication for Tri-County EMC Members
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