Florida Currents
ESCAMBIA RIVER
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
MARCH 2025
Snowmageddon
Record-breaking snowfall hits as EREC crews brave the cold to restore power Page 4
A snowman sits on display in the Bell family’s yard.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ESCAMBIA RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
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Florida Currents
March 2025 • Volume 14, No. 5
CEO Michael Shepard
VICE PRESIDENT OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Chasity Anderson, CCC
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Noble Sprayberry
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Message From the President
Staying Connected
As we move into March, Escambia River Electric Cooperative is busier than ever, preparing for an exciting few months ahead.
One of the biggest events on our calendar is the 86th Annual Meeting on April 26 at Wallace K-8 School. This gathering is not just a tradition—it’s an opportunity for us to come together as a cooperative family, reflect on our progress and look toward the future.
In addition to the annual meeting, we are proud to continue investing in the next generation.
This year, we will award scholarships to four outstanding students, helping them take the next steps in their educational journeys. We are also excited to host our second Lineman’s Camp for high school juniors and seniors, giving students a hands-on look at the skills and dedication it takes to power our communities.
Our commitment to education extends beyond scholarships and camps. We actively engage with local schools and look forward to participating in F.A.R.M. Day at Central School later this month. Events like these allow us to connect with students, share the importance of agriculture and electricity, and inspire the next generation of leaders in our community.
As always, we are grateful for the trust and support of our members. Your involvement strengthens our cooperative, and we look forward to seeing many of you at the Annual Meeting in April.
Thank you for being part of the EREC family.
Ryan C. Campbell, P.E.
SNOWMAGEDDON
An Escambia River Electric Cooperative crew works on power lines during snowfall. PHOTOS COURTESY OF EREC
ESCAMBIA RIVER ELECTRIC
Record-breaking
In an unprecedented winter weather event dubbed “Snowmageddon,” the community of Jay and its surrounding areas saw anywhere from 8 to 10 inches of snow— setting new records for snowfall in the state since the 1950s.
For many residents, this was their first time seeing snow, turning the rare event into a winter wonderland filled with snowmen, snowball fights and snow angels. While the snow was a treat for some, it also brought challenges, including
power outages.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative was ready to tackle any disruptions, ensuring power was restored as quickly as possible. Over the course of four days, the cold weather caused only minor outages—16 total incidents—across EREC’s service territory, but lineworkers braved the extreme cold to restore power efficiently.
EREC CEO Ryan C. Campbell praises the efforts of the lineworkers and community
during this historic weather event.
“We want to thank all of those that helped us control the power load as much as possible during these extremely cold days and nights,” he says. “We are proud of our linemen and crews for their unwavering commitment to this community.”
Despite the hardships, the snowfall left a lasting impression on residents, offering a rare and magical experience that won’t soon be forgotten.
TOP: EREC’s Tony Moody stops to admire a creative snowman created by area children.
BOTTOM FROM LEFT: Ken Blair and Kevin Macht troubleshoot an outage. Snow-covered trees frame a street near Jay. Snow covers Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s sign at the entrance to its office building.
Working Together
We Can Weather the Storms
Are You Prepared?
Escambia River Electric encourages members to prepare for adverse events that can affect your power and other vital services. You may not know what kind of event will affect you, but you can be ready for basic needs with an emergency kit.
When outages occur from storm damage, EREC’s priority is minimizing hazards to members while repairing damage and restoring power as quickly as possible. PHOTO COURTESY OF EREC
Our area knows firsthand that severe weather can strike quickly and with little warning, and storm damage can occur anyplace, year-round.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative continuously monitors the weather and stays ready to respond at a moment’s notice by deploying its people to restore the power you depend on.
However, EREC’s efforts to weather the storms begin well before inclement weather arrives.
The cooperative prepares by:
• Improving existing system infrastructure with the help of the latest tools and technologies.
• Extending the life of current wires and poles through rightof-way maintenance.
• Stocking supplies—such as transformers and poles—to quickly restore power when it’s lost.
When outages occur from storm damage, EREC’s priority is minimizing hazards to members while repairing damage and restoring power as quickly as possible. The cooperative offers members several ways to report outages: telephone, through its website or its mobile app.
A backpack or plastic container can be used for a kit and might include items such as:
First aid supplies (bandages, antiseptic, etc.).
Bottled water.
Nonperishable food items.
Personal hygiene items/change of clothes.
Flashlights and batteries.
A battery-powered radio.
Medicines (or a list of medications).
Blankets.
Baby items.
Pet food.
You can expand your kit to fit individual needs.
Think of your emergency kit as if it were the only thing you had for several days following a storm. Depending on the severity of the event, you could experience prolonged interruption in electrical power, cellphone service, water and sewer service, transportation and other services.
Find out more about emergency kits through online resources, including ideas on what you can stow away. Working together, we can weather the storms as they come.
OWER 2025 n man CAMP A P R
UP 25 n MP
n
&
For high school juniors & seniors wanting to learn more about careers in the electric utility industry
Cost is FREE (Lunch provided during Q&A)
Breakout sessions to include climbing power poles, bucket truck training, overhead/underground/Right of Way, Safety, Q&A
ative tdoor ivities
Student or school is responsible for transportation to and from camp Student must live on EREC lines
Application and waiver signed by student and guardian prior to camp
It Stick
Magnet fishing attracts enthusiastsWith
By John N. Felsher
Nick Wilson tossed a line into the water and soon felt a tug. However, he hadn’t caught a fish. Instead, he pulled up a 12-pound anchor.
That would greatly disappoint most anglers, but not Nick, who moved from North Carolina to Melbourne 16 years ago. He wasn’t fishing with hooks, bait or lures. Instead, he used a magnet.
“I saw some videos on YouTube about magnet fishing and got interested in it,” Nick says. “My wife, Courtney, and I wanted to be able to take our young daughter out of the house and go to parks. In Florida, especially on the Space Coast, almost all parks are on the water. I thought magnet fishing could be something fun we could do.”
Magnet fishing consists of tossing a magnet on a rope into any body of water to see what it attracts. One good catch could prove valuable.
“I’ll never forget the first one,” he says. “We were at Lake Washington Park in Melbourne. The first magnet I bought was a little cheap one. When it hit something, I felt it go thump, kind of like a fish bite. I was hooked. To me, magnet fishing is
Objects in saltwater corrode quickly and attract “concretions” that attach to objects, like this video player. PHOTOS COURTESY OF NICK WILSON
almost like scratching off a lottery ticket. We never know what we’re going to find. I still have that anchor.”
Reeling in a New Passion
Nick became so interested in magnet fishing that he started posting videos on YouTube under the name Magnet Junkie.
“Every time I go magnet fishing, I find something,” he says. “I found 13 guns, six safes and many other things. One safe had some old coins in it. Another had a bunch of items stolen from a business. We traced it to the original owner by its contents. I was able to get all of it back to him. He was very thankful.”
The oldest item? Nick once found a small .25-caliber Alkar semiautomatic pistol dating to 1914. He discovered that World War I era firearm where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tore down an old railroad to build a new one and left part of it as a fishing pier. He also found a Colt Combat Target Model 1911 handgun worth about $2,200.
“Any metal under saltwater for a long time accumulates a ton of things,” he says. “It just becomes a big mass. I had no idea what it was until I got home and carefully tried to take some things off it. I now have it in a shadow box hung on my wall.”
Rich Waters
In a state teeming with water, people can find unlimited spots to drop a magnet
with little regulation. Where safety allows, people can drop magnets off bridges, docks and other structures. Some people go out in boats. Even something small such as a kayak can open vast sections of territory for magnet fishing.
“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission does not have authority over magnet fishing since magnet fishing does not involve fish,” Commission spokesperson Michelle Kerr says..
Boat ramps and fishing piers also make excellent places to go magnet fishing. People always drop things when boarding or exiting boats. Even small bodies of water, such as drainage ditches and water runoffs, could yield treasures.
Saltwater quickly corrodes metals, especially iron, but many cool, clear, freshwater springs flow through the Sunshine State. If someone finds a tool, pocketknife or other objects in a spring, they could probably clean it off and use it.
“Magnet fishing is a good way to clean our waterways and find interesting things,” Nick says. “If I can take it out of the water, I will. Because of the salt water, much of what I find is ruined, so I scrap it. In the past five years, we’ve turned in more than 6 tons of scrap metal.”
Magnet fishing provides fun for the entire family. As an inexpensive hobby, it’s open to anyone willing to explore Florida’s abundant waterways.There’s no telling what treasures you might catch.
Anyone Can Affordably Go Magnet Fishing
A strong rope and magnet are the basics for magnet fishing.
“Anyone can buy starter kits online with everything they need,” says Nick Wilson, a fan of the pastime. “It comes in a box with a small magnet, rope and gloves for about $60. People can buy more expensive items if they want. Just the magnet I use costs $285.”
Magnets vary by pull force, which is the energy needed to detach a magnet once it’s connected.
A few other handy items to have include thick gloves, pliers and a tool such as a chisel or flathead screwdriver to break accumulated corrosion and other material off your finds. A grappling hook on a rope can also help retrieve particularly large items. Also, don’t forget a container to carry home your catch.
Nick Wilson, of Melbourne, shows off a propeller he found while magnet fishing.
Nick Wilson found six safes while magnet fishing in Florida waters, including this one. One safe he found still had old coins in it. Need ammo? Don’t try to fire these bullets.
Blue Spring State Park begins its annual Firefly Nights
Story and photos by Cheré Coen
As a child, Gina McClain chased fireflies on a farm in Central Florida. That farmland is now part of The Villages, an area devoid of the flashing insects. So, when she spotted fireflies emerging in March at Blue Spring State Park, it brought back happy memories.
“When I was at the park, I thought, ‘This is part of my childhood!’” Gina says.
Gina is secretary of the Friends of Blue Spring State Park board. She helps organize the park’s annual Firefly Nights, an event that allows visitors to enter the park after dark and view thousands of fireflies flashing among the trees. Fireflies need undisturbed land, which the park has in acreage, so the fireflies are unusually abundant there.
Gina says they make an appearance as part of their life cycle.
The fireflies at Blue Spring live underground for one to two years, then emerge as adults. The males flash to attract females, and once they mate, the end is near.
“They only live long enough to mate and lay eggs,” Gina says.
But what a show they perform in their mating ritual.
Just enjoy it. A photo’s not as majestic as seeing it in person.
— Gina McClain, secretary for the Friends of Blue Spring State Park
“It looks like twinkling lights,” she says. “It’s beautiful to see—truly magical. It’s an incredible experience.”
Ruth Sykes, a media relations professional in nearby Orange City, remembers the lure of fireflies in her youth.
“I remember chasing lightning bugs around our Georgia backyard as kids, but never in my life have I seen anything like this, especially as the firefly population diminishes throughout the country due to light pollution, pesticides and other environmental effects,” she
Blue Spring State Park’s hardwood hammock is easily accessible via a boardwalk. An all-terrain tracked chair is also available for free use, but reservations are required.
During the spring, fireflies may be spotted in many locales, including near historic Thursby House at the park.
says. “Strolling along the spring run boardwalk, you’d think someone has strung millions of twinkling Christmas lights through the woods. Firefly Nights at Blue Spring State Park is an absolutely magical experience.
“I really can’t stress how very surreal the whole thing was,” Ruth adds. “And still is, year after year, even now as a local resident.”
Firefly Nights has grown exponentially over the years, attracting visitors from around the world.
“It has taken on a life of its own,” Gina says.
What are fireflies?
There are around 2,000 species of fireflies in the world, although what we call fireflies aren’t actually flies. These lightning bugs, of which there are 56 species in Florida, belong to the taxonomic group Coleoptera, commonly known as beetles. Each species prefers its own unique habitat, and they range in color and flashing styles.
The region surrounding Blue Spring State Park is rich in species diversity, says Lynn Frierson Faust, author of “Fireflies, Glow-worms, and Lightning Bugs: Identification and Natural History of the Fireflies of the Eastern and Central United States and Canada.”
“The junction of different climate zones makes for an ideal environment,” she writes.
The predominant resident species at Blue Spring State Park is the Photuris congener, known in layperson’s terms as the Florida single snappy. It’s primarily found in Florida and southern Georgia. They produce “rapid, snappy, single flashing just under twice per second at 82 degrees Fahrenheit,” Lynn says in her book. “At 76 degrees Fahrenheit, they flash about every 0.75 seconds.”
When temperatures warm in spring, the Florida single snappy emerges from the shrubby underbrush growing beneath and around Spanish moss-draped trees of Florida hammocks earlier than other species—typically late February through May. This timing is why Blue Spring offers its event from mid-March through mid-April.
“They’re everywhere in the park where there are woods,” Gina says.
This includes along the accessible boardwalk through a lush hammock to Blue Spring, the woods behind the historic Thursby House and near the state park’s campground and cabins.
Firefly Nights
The park closes daily at sunset but stays open until 9 p.m. on Firefly Nights. The event is run by volunteers—mainly members of the Friends organization and Stetson University students.
Glow Talks are offered twice nightly by trained volunteers whose 20-minute presentations provide facts about fireflies, inform visitors on what they can expect to see and establish viewing rules. Visitors may not use artificial light of any kind, and flashlights and cellphone lights must be in red mode. Many people apply red cellophane to the end of their flashlights, Gina says. The boardwalk along the St. Johns River is marked with glow-in-the-dark paint to provide visitors with a roadmap, but there are no lights in the park.
“It’s pitch black,” Gina says. “It’s kinda spooky, like Halloween.” Visitors adhere to the rules, reveling in the darkness lit up by nature.
“If people use a flash or light, it will ruin it for everyone,” Gina says. “The crowd will turn on you quickly.”
Even if cameras can capture the event in such low light, they don’t do the experience justice.
“I tell them to put the fireflies in their mind palace,” Gina says. “Just enjoy it. A photo’s not as majestic as seeing it in person.”
This year’s event kicks off March 14 with Nights of Lights, featuring live music and food and drink for an additional fee at the pavilion where the park rents canoes. That area is wet and devoid of woods, so there are no fireflies.
“It won’t disturb anything because it’s very separate from the fireflies,” Gina says.
For more information on Blue Spring State Park, visit floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park. For information on the Friends of Blue Spring State Park and its Firefly Nights and other events, visit friendsofbluespringstatepark.org.
While there’s much to see during the daylight, plan to attend an evening Glow Talk to learn firefly facts and viewing rules.
Attract Fireflies to Your Backyard
By Cheré Coen
Fireflies, or lightning bugs, used to appear as twinkling lights in backyards across Florida and much of the United States. Today, most people catch this lightning show only in pristine woody areas or nature preserves, such as Blue Spring State Park.
“Recent light pollution, habitat destruction, widespread insect fogging and agricultural pesticides and biological treatments might be affecting the widespread area now,” says Lynn Frierson Faust, the author of “Fireflies, Glow-worms, and Lightning Bugs: Identification and Natural History of the Fireflies of the Eastern and Central United States and Canada.”
But individuals can remedy that dire outlook. If you’d like to encourage fireflies to visit your backyard, here are a few tips that can help:
Let your yard go fallow, and let fallen leaves remain. If that’s not possible for the entire yard, dedicate an area—especially one away from foot traffic and lights, even those from passing cars.
Mow less often and plant native Florida plants, such as grasses, shrubs and trees. Common milkweed is a good source for fireflies and may double as food for endangered monarch butterflies.
Do not use pesticides and herbicides. Fireflies live underground, and these chemicals seep into the ground where they live.
Turn off outside lights during their active season.
Do not catch and keep fireflies when they emerge.
IF YOU GO
Parking for Firefly Nights is available in the state park’s lot.
“We try to maximize everything we can so people can come into the park,” says Gina McClain, secretary for the Friends of Blue Spring State Park. “It’s rare when we have to turn people away.”
Tickets may be bought online before the event and at the gate. Admission to Firefly Nights is $14 per car, per night, and benefits the Friends of Blue Spring State Park, which provides financial assistance to the park.
“Our entire purpose is to support the park financially,” Gina says. “Everything we do benefits the park.”
Visitors must also pay an entrance fee to the park, which is $6 per vehicle with up to eight people in the car or $4 for a single-occupant vehicle. Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers and passengers in a vehicle with a holder of an Annual Individual Entrance Pass may enter for $2.
Campers with reservations at the state park campground and cabins may enjoy the experience without paying another fee.
Much of Blue Spring State Park has undisturbed trees and underbrush, so it’s an ideal place for fireflies to live and breed.
A Hearty Feast FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Guinness Braised Beef
2 tablespoons cooking oil
2½ pounds beef (crosscut shanks, chuck short ribs or beef for stew)
Salt and pepper
6 medium shallots, sliced thin
4 to 5 sprigs fresh thyme, chopped
¼ cup all-purpose flour
16 to 32 ounces Irish stout, depending on how much liquid you want
Heat oven to 300 F.
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 bay leaves
Rosemary sprigs
¼ cup tomato paste
2 to 3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 cups baby carrots
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Trim any excess fat from the beef and cut into cubes. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Gently dust with a bit of flour, and reserve the rest of the flour. If working with crosscut beef shanks, leave whole and skip flour-dusting.
Add the cooking oil to a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef, then remove it from the pot. Lower the heat to medium. Sauté the onions with the thyme. If needed, add a little more cooking oil.
When the onions are translucent, stir in the flour. Cook for about 1 minute. Deglaze with some of the stout, scraping off brown bits from the bottom. Add the remaining stout, brown sugar, garlic, tomato paste, rosemary sprigs, carrots and bay leaves. Increase the heat and stir. Return the beef to the pot, and bring to a boil. Cover, then transfer to the oven.
Cook for 2½ to 4 hours, or until the meat is tender. Check on the meat around the 2-hour mark. Remove from the oven. Discard the bay leaves and rosemary sprigs. Serve as is, or over mashed potatoes or rice.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
PHOTO BY KRISSY HAYNIE
Shamrock Shake
1½ cups vanilla ice cream
¾ cup whole milk
1 drop green gel food coloring
½ teaspoon mint extract
Whipped cream
1 tablespoon green sprinkles
2 maraschino cherries
In a blender, combine ice cream, milk, food coloring and extract. Blend until smooth. Divide into two glasses. Top each with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry.
Colcannon Potatoes
1 medium head cabbage, about 2 pounds, shredded
4 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 cups whole milk
1 cup chopped green onions
1½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup butter, melted
Minced fresh parsley
Cooked bacon, crumbled
Place cabbage and 2 cups of water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer until cabbage is tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Keep cabbage warm in a separate dish.
In the same pan, combine potatoes and reserved cooking liquid. Add additional water to cover potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cook, uncovered, until potatoes are tender about 15 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, place milk, green onions, salt and pepper in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Drain potatoes. Place them in a large bowl and mash. Add milk mixture, and beat just until blended. Stir in cabbage. To serve, drizzle with butter, and top with parsley and bacon.
Easy Corned Beef and Cabbage
2 to 3 pounds corned beef
brisket with spice packet
4 cups beef broth
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
2 pounds small red potatoes
2 pounds baby carrots
1 large head green cabbage, cut into wedges
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Place corned beef into a large pot with lid. Pour beef broth over brisket to cover. Add Worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle spice packet over brisket.
Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 50 minutes per pound of brisket, until the meat shreds easily with a fork.
Add potatoes. Cover and cook until potatoes start to get tender, about 15 minutes.
Add carrots and cabbage wedges. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, with lid on, for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender. Cooking time depends on the size of the carrots and potatoes.
Remove meat from the pot. Let rest for 15 minutes. Slice against the grain, then shred. Serve vegetables with liquid. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Irish Soda Bread
4 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup butter, softened
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1¼ cup buttermilk, divided
1 egg
¼ cup butter, melted
Heat oven to 375 F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
Mix flour, softened butter, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead slightly. Form dough into a round, and place on prepared baking sheet.
Combine melted butter with ¼ cup buttermilk in a small bowl. Brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an ‘x’ into the top of the loaf.
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.
Shepherd’s Pie
Mashed potato topping
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
4 tablespoons butter
Filling
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups frozen peas, carrots and corn medley
2 tablespoons flour
½ cup beef broth
Heat oven to 350 F.
¼ cup sour cream
¼ to ½ cup milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon rosemary
½ teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
Boil the potatoes until fork tender. Drain. Add butter, sour cream, milk, salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes until desired consistency. Set aside.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the onions and garlic. Drain excess grease. In the same skillet, add the frozen vegetables. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Sprinkle flour over the meat and veggies. Stir to mix. Add tomato paste; mix. Add the broth, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, then reduce to low heat. Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes, adding additional broth if necessary to prevent the meat from drying out.
Remove from heat. Remove the bay leaf, then spread the meat mixture in an even layer in a 9-by-13-inch dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Top the meat with the mashed potatoes, making an even layer of potatoes. Bake for 30 minutes until brown and bubbly. If desired, place the dish under broiler to brown further.
THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT
You Can Learn a Lot From an Egg
Story and photo by Dave LaBelle
When I began teaching at Western Kentucky University in the 1980s, thenProgram Director Mike Morse gave a first assignment titled, “The Egg,” to students in the basic photo class. At first, I was a little taken aback by the frivolity of the assignment. We were a photojournalism program, not an art photography school. However, I quickly saw the genius of the exercise.
Designed to encourage students to recognize how light and shadow can reveal texture and shape, a chicken egg was the perfect model. Eggs are readily available and relatively inexpensive as props, and you can eat them after a photo session if you like.
Eggs are also easy to transport and, unlike living models, don’t talk back or whine about the environment being too cold or too hot. And they don’t expect payment.
The goal was not to see what a student could do to an egg or how many locations they could photograph it in. Rather, it was to recognize how light in different forms, intensity and direction influenced the way the camera saw the egg. When light illuminates the shell from the side, it reveals the egg’s texture, and from behind, its shape.
Some of the photos turned in cracked me up, and there were some egg-cellent results.
A few students took their eggs into the studio, opting for a controlled environment. Others got egg-cited and carried their models outdoors, camping or hiking, preferring a natural backdrop. Eggs were photographed in unexpected and precarious places. Others hatched a plan to boil their eggs first before carrying them out into the world to be exposed to the elements.
Reader Challenge
NIKON D810 56mm lens ISO: 640 f/2.8 at 1/200
One woman carefully broke her egg and photographed each half. Another dressed an egg in clothing as if a relative of Humpty Dumpty. No doubt some tenderhearted students talked to their eggs, reassuring they were not breaking up with them.
Some students chose not to put all their eggs in one basket and tried a variety of environments and lighting, eggs-hausting every angle. I remember a resourceful student photographed his egg with light coming through it rather than falling on it.
Still others chose multiple egg compositions, upwards of a dozen in some cases, to show repetition of form and pattern.
As with any class, there were some who missed the point of the assignment and received lower grades. They weren’t bad eggs, as such, they just didn’t listen or grasp
the point of the lesson. They splattered eggs with baseball bats, dropped them from tall buildings, took them to the beach and dressed them as a family of Smurfs.
One student placed an egg next to nursing puppies as if was the runt of the litter. The mother didn’t seem to mind, but the light was less than flattering.
Needless to say, it was a fun assignment, revealing the creativity, resourcefulness and potential of first-year students. n
Photographer, author and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century, sharing photo tips and life perspectives with readers. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and his blog at bridgesandangels. wordpress.com.
This is an exercise to help us notice how light and shadow influence the way we see things. When we think about it, all of life is about light and shadow. Consider sidelight to show texture or backlight to reveal shape. Watch how shadows falling on your egg follow the egg’s shape. As with any challenge, have fun with this exercise and take your time; you don’t have to scramble to find an unusual environment. In fact, you don’t need to leave your home. However, if you do go outdoors, you might get a few odd looks from folks curious why you are carrying or making pictures of an egg. But this might be a great way to bring you out of your shell and start a conversation with a stranger. As a photographer, I know I am a shell of my former self. I cannot move as easily or as quickly as in my youth, but I can still see and appreciate how light falls upon and nourishes every corner of our world.
Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to gph@pioneer.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
PHOTO BY JOHN N. FELSHER
Clearly Challenging
Act stealthily when fishing sparkling springs
According to legend, Ponce de Leon searched for the Fountain of Youth in Florida early in the 16th century. He never discovered it but found some of the clearest water on Earth.
Rain falling across about 100,000 square miles of the southeastern United States soaks into the soil, creating the Floridian aquifer. This water filters down into Florida, where it emerges clear and pristine after passing through tons of limestone.
More than 700 freshwater springs, the largest concentration on Earth, bubble up in Florida. Sparkling springs of incredibly clear water look gorgeous and often hold great fish populations, but frequently prove extremely difficult to fish.
In spring, bass move to shallow water to spawn. People can often see huge bass on the beds, where they become particularly alert to any possible threats. Keep stealthy. If people can see fish, bass can see people. Avoid making any unnecessary noise or vibrations.
“Bass are very conscious of movement above the surface because they must watch for birds of prey looking to eat them,” says Shaw Grigsby, a professional bass angler from Gainesville and longtime host of a nationally syndicated TV show. “If a shadow falls on a bass, it might spook.”
Use smaller, more realistic baits that mimic natural prey, such as crawfish, minnows or other small creatures. Soft-plastic flukes, tubes, frogs, or worms in natural shad-colored or translucent hues can tempt bass in clear water. Slim jerkbaits resemble natural baitfish
and simulate the movements of crippled minnows. Bass can detect them from far away and might home in on an easy meal.
“When I’m going down the banks, I like to throw jerkbaits that fish can see for long distances,” Shaw says. “They think it’s a real minnow. If I see a fish and don’t catch it, I switch to a tube. If I see a big vegetation mat blown against the bank or a fallen tree, I fish a tube around that cover. I let it sink to the bottom and sit for a couple seconds. Then, I barely lift my rod and crawl it along the bottom.”
Use the lightest line possible. Fluorocarbon line sinks and virtually disappears in the water, making it a better choice than monofilament. Make the longest casts possible to keep out of sight.
“When I’m fishing clear water, I try to put the sun behind me off one shoulder,” Shaw says. “That allows me to see a fish with polarized sunglasses. I make a low sidearm cast just over the water. Like skipping a stone, the bait skips across the surface as if another bass was chasing it. Bass are extremely competitive. If they don’t beat their fellow fish to forage, they don’t eat.”
Fishing extremely clear waters in a scenic setting can prove challenging but rewarding, because anglers can see the action. Anglers won’t find many places more beautiful than Florida’s springs, and they might catch some monster largemouths.
John N. Felsher is a freelance writer, broadcaster, photographer and editor. An avid sportsman, he’s written more than 3,500 articles for more than 170 different magazines on a wide variety of outdoor topics. He also hosts an outdoor tips show for WAVH-FM Talk 106.5 in Mobile, Alabama. Contact him at j.felsher@hotmail.com or through Facebook.
Michael Conley shows off a bass he caught on a jerkbait while fishing at Lake Seminole near Bainbridge, Georgia.
e starting gate opened and 19 horses galloped o , each jockeying for the lead. While Apache, the horse I bet on, was the odds-on favorite, his rival Napoleon pulled ahead in the race’s nal seconds.
In less than a minute I lost a fortune at the Paris horse races.
After a brief moment of disbelief, something caught my eye. It seemed like every woman in Paris was carrying the same classic handbag! I had to have one for my own, so I had our handbag designers interpret this classic o er. Presenting the Parisian Chic Claire Handbag.
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FLORIDA CURRENTS
PLANNER
All ages can find something new and exciting around every corner of the state. Filled with rich history, abundant natural beauty and diverse events all year, Florida has something fun for everyone.
TAVERNIER
March 1
San Pedro Church Huge Annual Yard Sale
New, gently used and vintage items are featured at the San Pedro Women’s Guild event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at San Pedro Catholic Church, 89500 Overseas Hwy. Come early and take advantage of the bargains. 305-852-5372
SEBRING
March 1
Hometown Heroes 5K Run/Walk
Lace up your sneakers and get ready to hit the pavement for a great cause. This in-person event is 9:30 a.m. to noon at Highlands Hammock State Park. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just want to enjoy a leisurely stroll, this event is for you. Join us as we celebrate our local heroes and raise mental health awareness for our first responders and veterans. Grab your friends, family and neighbors, and let’s make a difference together. Registration is $15. runsignup.com/Race/FL/Sebring/HometownHeroesK; 305-852-5372
KEY WEST
March 6-27
March Exhibitions at the Studios
Join us for the First Thursday Open House, where art, conversation and community come alive after hours. Wander through our galleries showcasing the newest exhibitions, sip wine under the stars on our rooftop terrace and explore the creativity in the third-floor artist studios. Take in vibrant energy, connect with fellow art lovers and discover hidden gems at Books & Books.
tskw.org/march-first-thursday; 305-296-0458
PENSACOLA
March 8
Sun Belt Dribble Drive
The 2025 Sun Belt Conference Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Dribble Drive begins at 2 p.m. at Pensacola Bay Center. Children ages 3-12 are welcome to dribble their basketballs around the venue grounds and into the Bay Center, where games take place. Each participant receives a T-shirt, a basketball and two tickets to the women’s quarterfinal games, slated for 2:30 p.m. the same day. Registration closes once there are 750 participants.
https://bit.ly/40LTW2B; 850-432-0800
WEWAHITCHKA
March 8
GFWC Wewahitchka Woman’s Club 2025 Duck Derby Community Event
The event kicks off with a Duck Dash 5K benefiting WEWA crosscounty team and WEWA schools. Following the run are music, food, and activities provided by school clubs and nonprofit groups in Gulf County. The highlight of this event is the “releasing of the rubber ducks.” Adopt a duck for $5 and cheer as it races across Lake Alice to the finish line. The person with the matching winning duck number wins $500. There are runnerup prizes, too. All proceeds benefit the needs of the community. gfwcwewahitchkawomansclub.com; 850-832-9670
MARATHON
March 8-9
Seafood Festival
The Marathon Seafood Festival is the second-largest Keys event, with more than 15,000 attendees expected. The festival is the premier event for fresh seafood and entertainment in the Florida Keys. Bring the whole family for two days and enjoy great cuisine, entertainment and fun. Marathonseafoodfestival.com; 305-743-5417
TAVERNIER
March 8-29
Wildlife of the Keys Art Show
The Art Guild of the Purple Isles presents a show featuring original artwork of feathered, furry and scaly wildlife found in the Keys at Our Place in Paradise Gallery, 88.7 Overseas Hwy. (oceanside). The shows hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays with an opening reception open to everyone from 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 8. Admission is free. agpi.us
LAKE PLACID
March 15
Quarter Auction
The Quarter Auction is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Caladium Arts & Crafts Cooperative, 132 East Interlake Blvd. Tickets are available for $10, cash or check only. With limited seating, tickets are going fast. Refreshments are available for sale during the auction. www.facebook.com/CaladiumArtsCrafts; 863-699-5940
BRADENTON
March 22
Main Street Market at Lakewood Ranch
This uniquely curated outdoor shopping experience features the best local makers and retailers. Vendor items include hand-poured candles, sweets and handcrafted jewelry, alongside live entertainment. www.bradentongulfislands.com/event/main-street-market-at-lakewood-ranch-2
KEY WEST
March 22-23
Latin Festival
Visitors can indulge in a diverse array of authentic Latin cuisine from various food vendors, enjoy dynamic live performances featuring talented musicians and dancers, and explore captivating cultural exhibits that showcase the rich heritage of Latin America. The festival caters to all ages and interests, offering energetic dance workshops, interactive art displays, family-friendly activities and vibrant marketplaces highlighting local artisans. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id-=61569511232972; 305-304-1188
ARCADIA
March 29
21st Annual Pioneer Day and Barbecue
The DeSoto County Historical Society’s Pioneer Day and Barbecue showcases the history and heritage of southwest Florida from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 NE Roan St. This year’s festival commemorates the centennial anniversary of the West Elementary School building and the semi-centennial anniversary of the Vietnam War. Posters of those who served in Vietnam are on display. Other offerings and activities include tasty treats; demonstrations of old-fashioned skills and crafts; musical entertainment; traditional Florida Cracker cow camp and whip crackers; a classic 1924 LaFrance firetruck and fire hose demonstration with an exhibit about the 1905 fire that destroyed downtown Arcadia; Florida authors and artists; and a hands-on history area with time-honored tasks, vintage games and fossil dig. historicdesoto.org; 863-266-5774
PENSACOLA
March 29
Books By the Bay
Books By the Bay is a free, family-friendly outdoor festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in historic downtown at Museum Plaza, Bowden and Voices of Pensacola buildings. The event features bestselling authors, book vendors, nonprofit groups, publishers, literary exhibitors, stage performances, children’s activities, author signings and readings. www.booksbythebay.info; 850-270-8806
HOW TO INCLUDE UPCOMING EVENTS
Want to share a family-friendly event with the readers of Florida Currents? Head online and enter the details at tinyurl.com/FloridaCurrents or use the QR Code for easy access. Make sure to submit the item at least 60 days before the event (due to press deadline). If you own rights to a print-quality photo promoting your event, include it with photo credit information.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DESOTO COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Leave That Tree
What do we really lose when we lose a tree? A thousand silent voices removed from the universal chorus.
The tree is not a standalone unit, a single entity, a monument of stony bark. The tree is a connected symbiosis of lichens, fungi, epiphytes, ferns, mammals, birds, reptiles and multitudes of insects. A mature, long-lived tree becomes even more. A tiny, bustling microcosm of activity, it is a sentinel to time, a connection to what is, was and will be as it stands for hundreds of years.
How many times has someone stopped beneath the lofty branches to dawdle in the shade, to gaze up at the patterned light and contemplate existence, children climbing, their laughter drifting on passing clouds?
Unfurling leaves of resurrection fern, vibrant in the challenge to mortality, remind us of the promise of life, the patient arrangement of time and opportunity. Every tree planted is a tangible expression of hope, a time capsule for a future we will never see.
As we traverse the rhythms of human life, we take for granted the grasping branches breathing, cooling and providing refuge above us.
How often do we walk with our eyes captured by the screen of a tiny computer, ignoring the miracle of evolved genius that towers over and protects us from the harsh glare of the afternoon sun?
Even in decay, past the primordial curtain of death, trees continue to provide refuge. Cavities are home to screech owls, bats, woodpeckers, countless insects and fungi. As the tree gives in to the entropy of decomposition, its nutrients feed the next generation of young trees. In old-growth forests, nurse logs provide the necessary fertility for mosses, lichens, young trees and understory plants.
As we have developed the natural world, surrounding ourselves
Resources
Landscaping Backyards for Wildlife: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW175
Dead Wood: Key to Enhancing Wildlife Diversity in Forests: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW277
Managing Urban Forests for Birds: https://fufc.org/downloads/councilquarterly22v1.pdf
with straight lines and right angles, we shunt the decaying richness of nature to the local landfill.
If you have the space and inclination, rather than remove a tree entirely, consider leaving a snag in its place. Pruned for safety and monitored, dead trees can be attractive refuges in our home landscapes. As unlikely as it seems, our landscapes interact with the landscapes nearby, forming a mosaic of potential diversity.
Draped over and intertwined between our right-angled structures and hard surfaces lies a remnant of the ecosystem that was. Leaving snags in place, when safe and appropriate, can reap fruitful rewards for diversity in our urban forests.
Alyssa Vinson is the Urban Forestry Extension agent in Hillsborough County. Alyssa has lived in and explored Florida for almost 20 years. She serves residents and professionals of southwest Florida with programs on all things “tree.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALYSSA VINSON
A Legacy of Service and Community
Since 1939
Escambia River Electric Cooperative was founded in 1939, just a few years after the United States government passed the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, which aimed to bring electricity to rural America.
Local leaders and farmers such as Clarence Walker, E.H. Lundy, J.L. Robbins and county agent J.G. Hudson set the stage for EREC. In 1937, they met at the Oak Grove Community House by lamplight to lay the groundwork, and on March 10, 1939, EREC was officially established in Pensacola when its incorporators passed the bylaws.
In its early days, charter members went door-to-door, urging residents to join with a $5 membership fee so rural communities could enjoy modern conveniences like electric lighting, stoves, indoor bathrooms and washing machines.
Originally slated to be in Century, Florida, the office was moved to Jay to ensure it received power from EREC’s own lines, and the cooperative was
named to represent both counties.
Starting with 88 members, Escambia River Electric now serves about 12,000 members across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties with more than 1,800 miles of power lines.
With advanced technology and a dedicated team, EREC remains committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity—continuing a legacy that began more than 86 years ago.
Through decades of growth and change, the essence of EREC remains the same: a cooperative committed to serving its members with integrity and a focus on improving the quality of life in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Fun Fact
Did you know the cost of membership has remained the same since 1939? Membership is just $5 per service—a cost that, remarkably, remains unchanged after 86 years
ABOVE: One of the first Escambia River Electric Cooperative ledgers is shown.
TOP: The original board of directors pose in front of the EREC office building. PHOTOS COURTESY OF EREC
ESCAMBIA RIVER ELECTRIC
Business Spotlight
Santa Rosa County
The Barn at Magnolia Mae Farms 850-686-2269; thebarn@magnoliamaefarms.com 10027 Chumuckla Hwy Jay, FL
Check them out on Facebook, Instagram or at www.magnoliamaefarms.com.
The Barn at Magnolia Mae Farms is a stunning all-white wedding and event venue in the countryside of Chumuckla. Spanning 32 acres, it blends modern elegance with Southern charm, offering more than 5,800 square feet of event space, two covered porches, a soaring fireplace wall, a dressing room suite with a private powder room and a prep kitchen with a bar. Whether for an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, The Barn provides a timeless setting to create unforgettable memories.
Escambia County
Sprinkle It Up with Mowiggy 850-512-4234; morganwigginspz@gmail.com
Check them out on Facebook.
Morgan Wiggins, owner of Sprinkle It Up with Mowiggy, offers customizable home fragrances through Pink Zebra products. These include soft soy wax melts in sprinkle form, diffuser oils, home decor, spray lotions, room sprays, bug repellent and stylish wax warmers. Made in the United States, Pink Zebra products are nontoxic, support local soybean farmers, create jobs for veterans and empower single mothers through the heroes program. You are invited to mix, match and discover your signature scent. Learn more on Sprinkle It Up with Mowiggy’s Facebook page.
Businesses hold small, rural communities together. Let’s keep local businesses thriving. From manufacturing and industrial to service and retail, businesses provide jobs to keep young people in the area and improve our quality of life. If your business is in Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s service territory, and you want to have it spotlighted here, submit information to Cortney Owens at cowens@erec.com.
Miscellaneous Old Pepsi wagon, great little storage unit. $400. 850-686-4136 Wanted
One (or two) dark wood nightstands in good shape. Approximately 30 inches tall and 23 inches wide. Please call if you have any. 850-291-8829
This N’ That Guidelines To continue to provide This N’ That in every issue of Florida Currents, we ask members to adhere to the guidelines listed below when submitting an ad. If an ad does not meet the criteria, it is not published. EREC provides
first of each month and is printed in the following month.
•Members may submit one ad per issue (12 times a year)
• Ads must be 25 words or fewer.
• Ads must be typed or printed legibly in ink •No registered businesses may run an ad •No changes after ad submission
•
Throw Yourself a Bone
The very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature. If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re looking for.
The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its resistance to corrosion.
The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the natural world.
This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it around here. We have mastered the hunt for the best deal, and in turn pass the spoils on to our customers.
But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars and a genuine leather sheath FREE when you purchase the Huntsman Blade.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.
Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this beauty slip through your fingers. Call today!
is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original
Stauer Clients Are Saying About Our Knives
of this
EFFECTIVE WAYS TO LOWER HOME ENERGY USE
Outside factors, such as fuel and equipment costs and extreme weather, can affect electricity prices. But you have the power to control home energy consumption by taking proactive steps to reduce energy use.
Thermostat Management
The thermostat is one of the best places to lower your energy use, because heating and cooling account for a significant portion of home energy consumption. During winter months, adjust your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting to reduce energy use. The Department of Energy recommends 68 F or lower.
Use Off-Peak Energy Times
Plan energy-intensive chores and tasks, such as running the dishwasher or washing clothing, during off-peak energy hours, when the demand for electricity is lower. Off-peak times are early in the morning or late evenings. By scheduling these activities during off-peak periods, you can help keep rates lower, reduce demand and relieve pressure on the grid.
Seal Your Home
According to Energy Star, about 20% of heated or cooled air that moves through a home is lost due to lack of proper insulation and air leaks. Ensure your home has sufficient insulation levels, and seal air leaks around windows and doors with caulk and weatherstripping. This is a simple, effective way to lower energy use and improve indoor comfort.
Maintain Equipment
The health of your heating and cooling system is essential for comfort and can greatly impact energy bills. Maintain your system by regularly replacing dirty filters and scheduling annual inspections for maintenance and necessary repairs.
ELECTRONICS EFFICIENCY
FILL-IN-THE-BLANK
You can help save energy at home by using electronic devices more efficiently. Read the energy-saving tips below and fill in the blanks with the correct word that completes the efficiency tip.
Psst! Check your work in the answer key below.
1. Use a(n) _____ with an on/off switch when powering multiple electronics to easily manage energy use.
A. power strip B. extension cord C. remote control
2. For devices that require _____, use rechargeable ones, which are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
A. power cords B. lights C. batteries
3. Unplug electronic devices that consume energy even when they’re not in use, like _____.
A. lamps B. ceiling fans C. phone chargers
4. Use the sleep or power management mode on your _____ to save on energy costs.
A. computer B. refrigerator C. oven
Peas in a Pod
Florida’s geography is vast and beautiful, from lakes to oceans and parks to beaches. Some of you have views from your homes that rival the views of national parks.
From time to time, we share some readers’ photos in this space. If we use
your photo here, we will send your choice of a $25 gift card to REI or Amazon. To submit your photo, email a JPEG file to photos@floridacurrents.com. Include “Before You Go” in the subject line. Please share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo.
Three little frogs find their home in a banana leaf. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIAN GULLATTA
– Jackie Cooper,
Escambia River Electric Cooperative Inc.
www.erec.com
JAY OFFICE WALNUT HILL OFFICE
3425 Highway 4 4950 Highway 99A
P.O. Box 428 (mail) Walnut Hill, FL 32568 Jay, FL 32565
PHONE NUMBERS
850-675-4521 800-235-3848
Walnut Hill Post O ce: 850-327-4122
OFFICE HOURS
7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
STAFF
Ryan C. Campbell, P.E., CEO
Sonya Dooley, Director of Finance and Administration
Lanie Sells, Director of Engineering
Glenn White, Director of Operations
Cortney Owens, Manager of Communications
Derek Bridwell, Manager of Information Technology
Crystal George, Manager of Accounting
TRUSTEES
Escambia County
Brian Davis
James E. Hall
Ernie Hester
Sam Walker, Vice President
Gary Wiggins
Santa Rosa County
Mickey Diamond
Rick Hunsucker, President
Philip Marshall
Wesley Scott
Dale Westmoreland, Secretary/Treasurer
The board of directors meets at 5 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the cooperative’s Jay office.
FOR POWER OUTAGES
Call 877-OUT-EREC or 877-688-3732. For emergency conditions, call 911.
R C H 9 , 2 0 2 5
Important Account and Payment Information
When you call EREC with a question about your bill, please have your account number. This allows us to serve you in the most efficient manner possible. Your bill is due and payable upon receipt. Payment may be made by mail, at www.erec.com, at our night depository at the co-op office or in person at the co-op office. We ask you to allow five days for mail and delivery to ensure we receive your payment on time. Your electric service is subject to disconnection if payment is not received in the office by the collection date, even though you may have mailed the payment. Accounts not paid within 15 days from the date printed on the bill will receive reminder notices showing the account will be disconnected if not paid. Return check charge is $25 or 5% of the check, whichever is higher.