AUGUST 2024
GULF COAST ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Florida Currents
The Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., stops in Callaway in November.
Details are on page 26. PHOTO
COURTESY OF VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND
Florida Currents
2024 • Volume 13, No. 10
CEO Michael Shepard
VICE PRESIDENT OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mike Teegarden, CCC
DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Noble Sprayberry
SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC
FLORIDA CURRENTS EDITORS
Chasity Anderson, CCC; Valeri Pearon
ASSISTANT EDITORS Victoria Hampton, CCC; David Herder, CCC
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Nina Todea
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION
SENIOR MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
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Postmaster: Send address changes to 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124-6422.
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Renewable Energy Delivered Right to Your Door
Looking for an easy way to power a portion of your home or business energy needs with green energy? Are you considering rooftop solar panels? Let’s talk.
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s new Green Power Choice program makes it easy to access power from renewable sources such as the sun, water and biomass—without the hassle or cost of costly equipment.
How It Works
Energy in the larger electric grid is all the same, regardless of whether it is generated from a fossil fuel or a zero-emission source. However, energy from renewable resources has inherent green attributes.
A Renewable Energy Certificate is created when renewable facilities generate a megawatt-hour of electricity. This REC represents the green, environmentally friendly value of that electricity.
A subscription to Green Power Choice provides easy access to renewable, carbonfree energy by allowing you to claim some of these RECs as your own.
Choose a Tier
Green Power Choice conveniently features multiple tiers tailored to your energy needs and budget.
As subscription levels increase, so do the costs associated with those tiers and the higher amounts of green energy they offer. All Green Power Choice subscription prices are added directly to your bill.
Residential Tiers:
• GreenPro—$4 per month for 4,000 kilowatt-hours annually.
• GreenPlus—$8 per month for 8,000 kWh annually.
• GreenMax—$12 per month for 12,000 kWh annually.
Commercial Tiers:
• GreenPro—1.2 cents per kWh per month for up to 50,000 kWh of annual green energy.
• GreenPlus—Contact for pricing for up to 100,000 kWh of annual green energy.
• GreenMax – Contact for pricing for more than 100,000 kWh of annual green energy.
GCEC can also customize plans to meet your needs.
Why Subscribe?
You may have personal or business goals when it comes to green energy. Your trusted local electric provider is here to help you meet them.
Whether you want to be more environmentally conscious with the energy powering your home or business, or you’re simply interested in accessing renewable power without being locked into a costly contract or damaging your expensive roof, contact the local energy experts at Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative.
Sign up and start powering your home or business with renewable energy. n
For more information, call 850-333-9392 or visit www.gcec.com/our-services/ green-power-choice-program.
GCEC Students Enjoy the Trip of a Lifetime
In June, rising seniors Emily Rollins of Bay High School and Taylor Schreiber of Deane Bozeman School traveled to Washington, D.C., for the weeklong National Rural Electric Youth Tour. The two won Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s Youth Tour contest.
The cooperative sponsors the contest for 11th graders whose parents or guardians are members of GCEC. Contestants are interviewed by a panel of three judges from the electric cooperative industry.
Two winners are chosen for the allexpenses-paid trip, joining 2,000 youth delegates and chaperones representing 44 electric cooperatives from around the country.
The trip included visits to the Franklin D. Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., World War II, Korean War, Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam War monuments; a Capitol tour; a baseball game; a boat cruise on the Potomac River; seeing the September 11 Memorial; a National Cathedral tour; and visiting Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, the National Archives, the National Portrait Gallery, the Udvar Hazy Center at the Smithsonian Center, the Holocaust Museum and the Library of Congress.
The group also took Co-op 101 and advocacy classes, met with lobbyists, and took pictures in front of the White House.
“We were proud to have Emily and Taylor representing Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative in Washington,” says Kristin Douglas, GCEC vice president of marketing and communications. “Over and over again,
the Youth Tour trip has been referred to as the trip of a lifetime, and we hope it truly was for these exceptional students.”
The Youth Tour program started in 1957 when co-ops sent students to Washington, D.C., to work during the
summer. By 1964, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association began coordinating the effort. Thousands of young people have experienced the opportunity to visit our nation’s capital and learn about our government. n
Emily Rollins, left, of Bay High School, and Taylor Schreiber, of Deane Bozeman School, represent Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative during Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., this summer. PHOTO COURTESY OF EMILY ROLLINS
Under the Surface
Know the dangers lurking in the water before you take the plunge
By Nina Todea
they lose muscular control.
Often misclassified as drowning, ESD injures and kills people every year, whether it happens around a dock, or in a pool or hot tub. Unfortunately, there is no ESD statistics database, and—partly due to inaccuracies in reporting—many people are still unaware of the threat.
With summer comes the desire to spend our days outside, whether swimming, boating or camping. Although we’re far more unplugged outdoors, many electrical hazards still accompany these leisurely summer activities—and they often lurk beneath the surface.
Water safety is more than just boating speeds and life jackets. Electric shock drowning, dubbed the “silent killer,” occurs when faulty wiring sends electric current into a body of water. The current then passes through the body and causes paralysis, which can ultimately result in drowning.
This current isn’t nearly as visible as a bolt of lightning. According to Electrical Safety Foundation International, as little as 10 milliamps of current—1⁄50 the amount used by a 60-watt lightbulb—can cause paralysis and drowning. Even the best swimmers will feel their bodies freeze as
“Most people are unaware because there is no visible warning to electrified water,” says ESFI President Brett Brenner. “Without that visual, they are unaware of the dangers of electrified water.”
Boating and Marina
Just like your home, having your boat inspected regularly by a licensed electrician is critical. Familiarize yourself with the electrical system so you can identify and correct any potential hazards.
ESFI encourages boat owners to routinely inspect boats and stay up to date on maintenance.
Ground fault and equipment leakage circuit interrupters—both safety devices required at marinas—should be tested monthly. A leakage test determines if electrical current is escaping the vessel.
In an emergency, an informed owner who knows where the main breakers are on the boat and the shore power source can respond quickly and effectively.
Alongside the safety of your boat’s electrical system, make sure all boat operators and swimmers understand the hazards so everyone works to keep them at bay. Never allow swimming near the boat, marina or launching ramp. Residual current could flow into the water from the boat or the marina’s wiring, potentially putting anyone in the water at risk of ESD.
Marina owners should do their part, too.
“Plan annual safety events at your marina where owners can learn about boat and dock electrical safety and have their boats inspected by licensed electricians,” Brett says.
Home Recreation
Pools and hot tubs can be just as dangerous.
In 2020, a 15-year-old boy was electrocuted after touching exposed wire in a Texas hotel pool that had failed multiple inspections, according to news reports from the Harris County area.
Faulty pool lights, old wiring or even electrical equipment—such as pool heaters, vacuums, pumps or extension cords—can cause electricity to flood a pool or hot tub, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
You suspect a swimmer has been shocked. What do you do?
A telltale sign of electric shock drowning is the tingling that occurs when current passes through the body. But how can you tell if a swimmer is a victim of ESD if you’re not in the water with them?
• When you leave the pool, don’t touch any electrical appliances until you are dry. Never touch any electrical appliances when you are wet or standing in water.
Camping
Water safety outdoors isn’t just about bodies of water—natural or artificial. Campers should also be cautious of rain when packing electric camping materials or traveling in RVs that hook up to power poles.
A swimmer exhibiting signs of ESD can be visibly panicked and attempting to swim away from the electrified area, or they may be motionless. If you suspect someone is being shocked, do not jump in. Chances are you will be shocked, too. Instead, follow these tips to bring everyone to safety:
Cut off all electrical power to the area. Knowing where the circuit breakers are is important to act quickly in an emergency.
Call 911 immediately. You want a medical professional to assess the situation and administer CPR if necessary.
Electric shock drowning at home often results from failing to install the correct protective devices. All underwater lighting circuits and lighting around pools, hot tubs and spas should have GCFI protection, as should all electrical outlets within 20 feet of a pool.
Safe Electricity recommends pools and decks be built at least 5 feet from all underground electric lines and at least 25 feet from overhead electric lines. To locate underground electric lines, call 811 before you dig.
Follow these tips from Safe Electricity to keep your family and friends safe:
• Do not put electric appliances within 10 feet of a swimming pool. When practical, use battery-operated appliances near swimming pools.
Always err on the safe side, whether you’re experiencing a light rain or a torrential downpour. Before connecting to or disconnecting an RV from a power pole, switch off the breaker. When you’re hooked up, make sure to use a dry, nonconductive item to turn the breaker back on. Doing so can also protect circuits within your camper.
If you’re unsure, ask a fellow traveler. If you’re parked in an RV park, there could be another camper willing to help.
The 2017 National Electrical Code requires marinas and boat docks to post electric shock warning signs where electricity is used near water; many campgrounds also have warning signs.
“While you cannot prevent individuals from acting on their own accord, posting
If the swimmer is still mobile and can swim toward land or exit the pool, make sure there is an area where they can exit the water without using a metal ladder. If the swimmer cannot swim to safety, throw them a life ring or extend a carbon fiber rod, such as a fiberglass rescue hook. Any lifesaving efforts should be made with an insulated device.
signs prohibiting swimming, as required by the 2017 NEC, is an easy way to help prevent ESD,” Brett says.
However, the responsibility does not solely fall on these signs, Brett says.
Swimmers, boat operators and marina owners should all be aware of electric shock hazards and how to prevent them.
“Unknowingly, many swimmers and boat and marina operators place themselves in the face of danger,” he says. “This innocent act of fun can turn tragic. Raising awareness among swimmers and marina and boat operators can help prevent ESD or other electrical injuries while out on the water.”
GCEC Team News
Jason Curry has been promoted to supervisor of operations at Tyndall Air Force Base. Congrats, Jason, and thanks for all you do.
Raise the ther mostat a few degrees.
Use ceiling fans in occupied rooms to feel cooler.
Avoid using major appliances.
Close drapes and blinds to block heat from the sun.
Turn off and unplug nonessential electronics and lights.
Choose a homelift, not a stairlift
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It’s Never Too Soon
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“I can’t imagine what we’d do without it. I wish we had installed our Stiltz Homelift several years ago!”
– Mr. James, Roanoke VA
Gentle Giants Do More Than Pull Their Weight
Sweet Southern Horse & Carriage adds a special touch to any occasion
By Pameta A. Keene
Have you ever given a horse a bubble bath? As owner of Sweet Southern Horse & Carriage, it’s a regular occurrence for Arcadia’s Tiffany Murphy.
“These aren’t just any horses,” she says. “They’re white draft horses, and they pull our carriages to transport brides and grooms to weddings or to deliver dignitaries to special events.
“These Percherons and Clydesdales are very gentle and have earned their reputations as reliable workhorses because of their size and ability to pull large and heavy loads.”
In 2017, Tiffany saw the chance to realize her dream of owning a draft horse. At the time, she didn’t envision her life in 2024 as owning 16 draft horses and an additional 19 horses, mostly quarter horses, used for trail riding.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Sweet Southern Horse & Carriage relies on Percherons and Clydesdales. More than 12,000 people took carriage rides from the company last year. Carriages range in size, accommodating from two to 10 passengers, plus a driver. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SWEET SOUTHERN HORSE & CARRIAGE The company’s Percherons and Clydesdales are gentle and reliable, and earn their reputation for being hard workers. PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHY ANN GREGG
Tiffany and her husband, Donald, bought their first Percheron from Donald’s brother, who owned a horse and carriage business in the Florida Panhandle. The purchase included a small carriage and tack: a bridle, halter, reins, harness and other gear.
“His name is Stan, a beautiful black draft horse, and we brought him home in May 2017,” Tiffany says. “We used him around our ranch and put him in parades. He always attracted attention, and people would call us to take carriage rides.”
Harnessing Horse Power
Within a year, Stan and his carriage had morphed into a small business, with clients requesting carriage rides to weddings or other occasions.
“Our next purchase was a white Percheron and a white carriage that could hold more people,” Tiffany says. “Once we posted a photo of a bride in a carriage, my business really took off.”
She gradually added more white Percherons, plus darker Clydesdales, often matching the carriage color or the occasion to the horse. Carriage sizes range from two to 10 passengers, plus a driver.
Carriage styles vary, as well. For weddings, the most popular is the vis-a-vis style, with two seats facing each other. There’s also a vis-a-vis style with the two front seats facing each other and a third seat behind.
Clients can request a surrey—with the
fringe on top, of course—or the wagonette, similar to a buckboard, which is an open carriage with bench seats on each side. A red stagecoach, emblazoned with “Wells Fargo & Co. Overland” on the sides, has roll-down flaps on the windows and recreates the days of the Western frontier.
“We even offer a Cinderella carriage with a pumpkin-shaped frame,” Tiffany says.
One thing has caught her by surprise.
“You won’t believe this, but we do many more funerals than weddings,” she says.
“In fact, the first funeral we did was for my uncle, and we had a horse-drawn hearse. It just felt like the right thing to do for him.
“We’ve been hired for funerals all over Florida for people who want to give their loved one a special send-off with a horsedrawn hearse. It’s quite an honor and comfort to have this kind of tradition.”
Percherons and Clydesdales are among the largest breeds of horses. Clydesdales, slightly larger than Percherons by most people’s estimation, can weigh 1,100 to 2,600 pounds. Tiffany’s largest horse is a white 18-hand Percheron named Leroy.
In addition to their size, Clydesdales’ feet are one of their most recognized features.
“People really get excited to see these amazing horses, especially the Clydesdales with their massive hooves and their feathering, the long hairs at the bottom of their legs,” Tiffany says. “Both are spectacular breeds with long and storied histories.”
A Labor of Love
The busiest season is from November until early January, when Tiffany takes four horseand-carriage rigs to University Town Center Mall in Sarasota four days a week.
“Last year, more than 12,000 people took carriage rides, including a boy with disabilities, who came out of the mall with his father,” she says. “The dad told us that his son had just told Santa what he wanted for Christmas—a carriage ride. It just made us feel so good to be able to give him his wish.”
Stan retired in 2020. The remaining 35 horses live on the couple’s 17-acre farm in Arcadia or at the nearby base camp for trail rides.
Oh, and about those bubble baths.
When Tiffany was 10 years old, she traded mucking stalls and feeding horses for riding lessons from a neighbor. Her work included bathing horses before show-ring competitions.
“They never intimidated me,” she says. “Most horses actually love being bathed. You should see the difference, especially for our white horses, who come in from the pasture all black and dirty. After their bath, they’re all shiny white. By the time we’ve braided their tails and embellished their manes with ribbons, they’re all ready to go.” n
For more information about Sweet Southern Horse & Carriage in Arcadia, call 863-990-2160 or visit sweetsouthernhorseandcarriage.com.
Running Toward
Rural athletes must overcome hurdles to win scholarships
By Drew Woolley
Emily Rollins likes to say her mother got her into soccer for the fashion. Growing up in Wyoming, hockey was her main sport as a child, though she participated in soccer from the age of 3.
“Then my mom actually saw all the pretty bows on the soccer players,” Emily says. “So she was like, ‘I’m going to put my daughter in soccer to wear bows.’”
As it turns out, Emily has a real knack for the sport. She started playing competitively at the age of 12, after her family relocated to Panama City, and it didn’t take long for coaches to notice her talent. As an eighth grader at North Bay Haven Charter Academy, she was the only player in her class to make the high school varsity team.
“I didn’t really think about college,” Emily says. “I just really loved soccer and wanted to keep playing. Then, one of my coaches asked if I’d ever thought about playing college soccer, and I realized that’s something I’d love to do.”
Since then, Emily has joined the thousands of student-athletes across the country pursuing college athletic scholarships. Ultimately, only about one out of every 50 is likely to reach that goal, according to a 2021 study by Next College Student Athlete. That bar can be even tougher to clear for athletes in rural areas, where it can be harder to get the attention of major programs.
That task was even more difficult for Emily, who got a relatively late start on her soccer development, according to her club team coach, Mike Riggle. Emily traveled more than an hour to play for the Florida Roots Futbol Club in Santa Rosa Beach with girls who started playing competitively when they were 6 or 7.
“She was behind the eight ball,” Mike says. “She starts soccer late, but—to her credit—she got extra training and continued to work outside of the game to get better. Some players that aren’t as talented right now ultimately get to a higher level down the road because their work ethic will beat that talent over time. And I think Emily is absolutely on that track.”
Putting in the Work
Entering her senior year, Emily designed her own workout routine outside of her team practices with the help of a nutritionist and trainer. Throughout the week, her days start early with workouts and studying long before the school bell rings.
Rural athletes face many challenges on the road to sports scholarships. PHOTO BY MARK GILLILAND
Toward the Future
Being in Panama City, you have two club teams that are rivals, and that’s it. You don’t have Elite Clubs National League or MLS Next teams where they get a lot of exposure.
— Emily Rollins, high school athlete
She dedicates Monday mornings to legs, Tuesdays to a fullbody workout, and Wednesdays to abs and cardio. Thursday is a push day focused on the upper body, with Friday serving as a second leg day.
Then, there’s the actual soccer. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Emily trains with her school team in the afternoons. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she drives several hours to Jacksonville to train with a team in the Elite Clubs National League, a highly competitive developmental league. When that team is in season, Emily travels for ECNL games. When it isn’t, the weekend offers some rare rest days.
“I feel like staying busy is definitely one thing that’s helped me stay successful,” she says. “It’s helped me stay on the right path and choose the things that I know will help me in the future.”
As an aspiring Air Force pilot, Emily has her eyes on one of the military academies. But barring that, her dream is to play soccer for a Division I school. She takes a proactive approach to reaching out to programs she’s especially interested in and setting up camps where coaches can see her play.
With many coaches receiving dozens of emails from players like Emily every day, it can be a disheartening process. She quickly learned not to take silence as rejection and discovered there are many reasons why a coach may not have responded.
“Sometimes, if you don’t get that response back from the college, it’s kind of discouraging. Like, do they not like me?” she says. “But you’ve just got to keep with it until they say, ‘We’re not interested’ or ‘We are interested.’”
Catching Their Eye
Even in a sport like baseball, where the scouting infrastructure is robust enough to find talented players anywhere, the scrutiny of a full-blown recruiting push can put a lot of pressure on young players.
Kellon Lindsey started playing T-ball at 4 and grew up playing football and baseball with his brothers in Wauchula. Around ninth grade, he realized baseball could be a viable path to college.
“You would think in football, running a touchdown or throwing a touchdown pass is the most exciting thing,” he says. “But for me, being in the box, bases loaded and you need to score a run—it’s a little more exciting. That’s kind of why I wanted to stick to it.”
Like Emily, Kellon attended camps to catch the eye of highlevel coaches, and he immediately stood out. A couple of years ago, the Hardee Senior High School shortstop started receiving serious attention from programs such as his dream school, the University of Florida.
“Nowadays, you have to play summer ball to get your name out there,” Kellon says. “I started in ninth grade with a team in Orlando, and you basically didn’t have a vacation all summer. You were playing baseball the whole time. And I would say the camps were pretty big. I went to a lot of different team camps in Florida, and that’s what separated me sometimes. There are just some things, like my speed, that people have to see in person. That stuff’s big for the coaches to see.”
Since committing to the Gators in November, Kellon has had to redouble his efforts in the weight room and put even more work into his swing and fielding, knowing he’ll soon be facing off against some of the best players in the country. Toward the end of 2023, Kellon even started to get attention from pro scouts, adding to the whirlwind of attention and distractions for him and his Hardee teammates.
“The high school team has been so important to me—the coaches and players,” he says. “All this stuff is new to them as well. There are so many teams trying to reach out to me, and the head coach, Steve Rewis, has directed a lot of their calls and texts. It might seem like a little thing, but for me to be able to focus
Emily credits her work with the Elite Clubs National League, a two-hour drive from her Panama City home, for giving her an edge. PHOTOS COURTESY OF EMILY ROLLINS
on my game and go out there and enjoy it with them has been helpful.”
Maximizing Resources
Social media has become an important tool for getting noticed for athletes who don’t already have coaches banging down the door to talk to them. That’s especially true for someone like Emily, who lives in a small town not known for soccer.
“Being in Panama City, you have two club teams that are rivals, and that’s it,” she says. “You don’t have Elite Clubs National League or MLS Next teams where they get a lot of exposure. It’s not like Orlando, Jacksonville or Tampa where you have coaches swarming them. It kind of puts a restriction on you because soccer isn’t big here.”
To overcome that, Emily uses YouTube, X and Instagram to post highlight reels and training videos to give coaches a clearer picture of her as a player. For a program she’s especially interested in, she’ll include videos and a brief rundown of her profile to stand out from the pack.
“A lot of coaches I’ve talked to say, ‘We’d like to see how you play the game, but we also want to see how you train,” Emily says. “They say you can teach somebody to be better, but you can never teach somebody to work hard. So, through those social media platforms, I show coaches that I can work hard, I’m willing to learn and can change for their team.”
As difficult as that has been, it’s starting to pay off. Emily has already received offers from several Division III schools, some in Division II and a couple of Division I programs. And her club coach has no doubt that more are on the way.
“I think she’ll have multiple Division I offers,” Mike says. “And if she gets one of those opportunities and she gets a scholarship, watch out. Because she’s the type of player to really drive that nail in.” n
Scoring an Offer
1. Know your skill level—find camps, clinics and clubs— and NCAA or NAIA eligibility requirements available on their websites.
2. Compile an athletic resume including:
• Skills video.
• Athletic stats.
• Academic transcripts, ACT/SAT scores.
• Extracurricular activities.
3. Start emailing coaches.
• Include your athletic resume—especially your skills video.
• Subject line: name, position, current grade level and key stat. For Example: “Jane Doe, High School Sophomore, Pitcher, 90 mph fastball.”
• Individually craft each email, clearly stating why you’re interested in that program.
4. Make campus visits and line up meetings with coaches. Keep sending updated stats.
5. Lock down your offer and negotiate your amount. If a program can’t budget for a huge athletic scholarship, don’t discount merit-based, academic or other types.
Kellon says his experience with summer ball and clinics was an invaluable way to get exposure and gain experience.
During his senior year at Hardee Senior High School, Kellon Lindsey began attracting attention from pro scouts and college recruiters. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KELLON LINDSEY
row a Party WITH COLD SUMMER DIPS
Caramelized Onion Dip
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 yellow onions, sliced
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sour cream
½ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Chives for garnish
Place oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add onions. Cook, stirring occasionally until onions are soft and translucent, about seven minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the translucent onions become brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Onions should be soft, semi-translucent and brown. They should not be crispy or have dark brown spots from contact with the pan.
With a mixer, beat together cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise on medium-high until smooth. Add Worcestershire sauce and salt. Stir to combine. Add caramelized onion and incorporate with a spatula until evenly distributed. Chill for at least an hour. Garnish with chives.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
ADOBE STOCK
PHOTO BY ALEX
BAYEV
Million-Dollar Dip
4 thick-cut bacon slices, chopped
7½-ounce package chiveand-onion cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup mayonnaise
8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
¼ cup thinly sliced scallions
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about eight minutes. Remove from heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Stir together cream cheese and mayonnaise in a medium bowl until fully combined. Fold in bacon, cheddar cheese and scallions. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to three days.
Creamy Crab Dip
12 ounces fresh lump crabmeat, drained and picked clean of shells
½ cup sour cream
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1⁄3 cup chopped scallions
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Chives, for garnish
Stir together first seven ingredients. Top with fresh chives. Chill for at least an hour before serving.
Cowboy Caviar Dip
2 cans black-eyed peas
1 can black beans
1 can corn
1 bell pepper red or green, finely diced
¼ cup red onion, finely diced
2 to 4 jalapenos, seeded and finely diced
¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped Vinaigrette
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
2 tablespoons honey
½ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Rinse and thoroughly drain the black-eyed peas and black beans. In a large bowl, mix together the black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion and jalapenos. Add the vinaigrette ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend for five to 10 seconds or until emulsified. Pour the vinaigrette over the bean salad. Toss until well coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
Just before serving, add chopped cilantro. Toss to combine.
Ranch Corn Dip
1 ounce ranch seasoning
16 ounces sour cream
14½-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, drained
15.25-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
4.25-ounce can diced green chilies, drained
10-ounce can original Rotel
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Mix all ingredients together. Chill for one hour before serving.
Creamy Cilantro Cucumber Dip
6 ounces plain Greek yogurt
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ cup chopped cucumber
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 to 3 stalks green onion
1 clove garlic
¼ teaspoon salt
Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Blend.
Garden Veggie Dip
1½ cups sour cream
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon dried dill
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons fresh chopped green onion, plus extra to taste
¼ cup finely grated carrot
¼ cup chopped broccoli florets, no stems
Combine all ingredients. Mix. Adjust seasoning to taste as needed.
Refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to blend.
Spicy Dill Dip
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 cup sour cream
1 large jalapeno
¼ of an English cucumber
2 tablespoons minced fresh dill or 1 to 2 teaspoons dried dill
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
½ tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
Combine Greek yogurt and sour cream in a medium bowl. Remove the jalapeno’s stem, then mince the jalapeno. Add to the bowl. Include all of the seeds for a spicy dip, half for a lightly zesty dip and no seeds for a mild dip.
Coarsely grate the English cucumber using a cheese grater. Wring out excess moisture in a paper towel, then mince with a knife. Add to the bowl.
Stir in dill, green onion, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder and salt.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
Seeing Light at Home
By Dave LaBelle
Recently, I challenged myself to see and photograph light as I found it entering our home, without any help or interference.
Determining not to move anything for better composition, I watched as morning and afternoon light crawled across tables, chairs, curtains and floors, illuminating things hidden in shadow: dusty furniture, hanging towels, baskets of fruit, our dog, even discarded toilet paper rolls on a window sill in the bathroom.
The temptation to move a towel, a napkin or a banana to create a better composition or add artificial fill light was great, but I resisted in the name of capturing only what I saw naturally.
Photographing the light and those things it touched was an exercise I faithfully maintained for 10 days, posting a picture every day on Facebook.
In the end, this modest exercise accomplished more than anticipated.
To begin, it slowed me down. I noticed a world I had ignored and saw details I had seldom paid attention to before, such as the carvings on a wooden sculpture, a nook for a phone, the glass doorknobs on my bedroom doors.
It helped me truly see light in a new light, as I watched color and intensity quickly change, and deep shadows
open and close again. Though I have always adored light from the time I opened my eyes, a new heightened awareness of its magical healing power and beauty washed over me.
More than once I breathed deeply and brushed away grateful tears. I was reminded that where there are shadows, there is light.
Lastly, the exercise offered me something to look forward to each morning, photography not assigned or driven by a deadline, something visually stimulating and soothing, like soft classical music.
What pleased me most was the response to the uncomplicated images after posting them online. Many friends and photographers whose work I greatly admire were encouraged to capture their own found images of light.
Reader Challenge
Slow down and capture the beauty of natural light as it enters your home. Follow and study the light as it moves, illuminating and exposing. Watch how the morning light crawls through your house as you open your drapes and find things you often don’t notice. See if you can capture an image that celebrates the beautiful light.
Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to GPH@pur.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
Renowned author, photographer and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
A shaft of morning light through a kitchen curtain temporarily reaches a wire basket of fruit my wife put there the night before. BY DAVE LABELLE
NIKON D810, 38mm lens ISO 100, f/4.5 at 1/200
Over the years, you’ve spent a lot of time sitting. Isn’t it time you enjoyed it?
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&Learning Adapting
By Scott Flood
Unless you’ve just awakened from an especially long nap, you’ve probably been hearing plenty about artificial intelligence. It’s likely that much of what you’ve heard is exciting or terrifying. Movies and TV offer paradises in which technology frees us from daily drudgery—and frightening scenarios in which machines become our overlords.
Venkat Banunarayanan smiles when asked if popular media’s takes on AI are accurate.
“We’re at the stage of discovery with AI,” Venkat says.
What could AI, VR and AR mean for electric co-ops?
“There’s a lot more buzz than reality at this point, and we have a long way to go.”
As the vice president for Integrated Grid Business & Technology Strategies for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Venkat spends some of his time exploring possible use cases with AI, augmented/virtual reality and other technologies, while considering how they might improve the way electric co-ops serve their consumer-members.
“Can AI do things better? Can it handle some of the tasks we have to do today? Can it make decisions for us? The answer to those and most other questions is the same: maybe,” he says.
Industry experts agree it’s impossible to guess where AI will be in another decade or two, but it’s currently not as powerful as the entertainment industry and media seem to think.
AI is being incorporated for specific tasks and activities, including automated solutions such as chatbots that are capable of answering common questions. AI also has the potential to be paired with data analysis, such as retailers using data to better predict customer needs.
Despite what you may have heard, AI is incapable of thinking independently. The functionality greatly depends on programming, how the tool is trained to handle specific tasks and the level of data being fed into the system. AI revolves around learning and adapting to decision-making.
Because these new technologies interface with internal and external systems, Venkat stresses the importance of strong cybersecurity.
“We need to make sure hackers can’t
influence systems,” he says. “When we consider advancements like AI, we need to ensure protection of personal, critical infrastructure, proprietary and confidential data, too.”
Maintaining robust cyber hygiene is important and necessary to deploy any technology reliably and safely—AI is no different.
As electric cooperatives explore the possibilities of AI, they will focus on underlying needs rather than the technology itself.
Examining better ways to accomplish tasks and obtain desired results will guide co-ops as they consider AI tools for more efficient processes and approaches.
Despite all the hype, today’s AI is mostly used to make incremental improvements to existing products and services. That’s how electric co-ops are likely to experience the growth of AI in the foreseeable future.
For example, the next generation of smart meters might incorporate AI tools that help homeowners better manage energy use. AI-based systems may also be used to improve management of the nation’s power grid, spotting potential problems before human operators can.
PLUGGED IN AI Put Into Action
Electric cooperatives already use artificial intelligence and augmented reality for key tasks and activities.
Looking ahead, co-ops see great potential for AI and AR as helpful tools for improving grid reliability and the services they provide to consumer-members.
Services for Members
AI tools like chatbots can enhance member interactions and provide a tailored experience based on energy use data.
Weather Forecasting
With the help of AI, weather forecasts will become more accurate, pinpointing areas to station utility crews.
Weather forecasts are likely to become more accurate, pinpointing the areas most likely to experience damage so crews can be stationed there.
Another promising technology being explored is augmented reality, and some co-ops are already testing it, particularly in educational and training opportunities.
For example, apprentice lineworkers can become comfortable with the equipment by working with the AR and VR versions before working with the real thing. Instead of watching a video or a webinar, lineworkers can interact with what they’re doing. Safety training can simulate a hazardous situation, like the aftermath of an ice storm or hurricane, providing lineworkers the opportunity to prepare for the real thing.
AR blends VR with the world around us.
One day soon, a lineworker may look up at a failed transformer
Educational Opportunities
Through augmented reality, lineworkers can experience interactive, lifelike trainings, rather than watching a video or webinar.
atop a power pole. Their safety glasses will instantly recognize the type of transformer, its exact location and when it was installed before displaying a checklist of the equipment the lineworker may need, a guide to diagnosing common problems and 24-hour access to technical experts.
Ultimately, the adoption of AI, VR, AR and other technologies share one goal for electric co-ops. From solving outages more quickly to allowing consumer-members greater control over their energy use to lowering the cost of service, tomorrow’s innovative technologies will continue to help co-ops enhance the services they provide to communities.
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.
PANAMA CITY BEACH
August 1
Open Studio Painting
Come in and choose an art project from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Projects include acrylic paint, canvas and wood, mosaic and resin. The $40 to $60 fee includes instruction, two hours of studio time and materials.
www.sunbeargalleryandstudio.com; 850-588-6861
AVON PARK
August 1-7
Walk the Wildstein
Beat the heat and explore the art of movement and wellness as you stroll through the captivating ambiance of Alan Jay Wildstein Center for Performing Arts starting at 11 a.m. Monday through Wednesday. Don’t miss the opportunity to escape the summer heat and embrace the art of fitness in a setting where creativity and physical activity intertwine. www.sfscarts.org/shows; 863-784-7178
ISLAMORADA
August 1-11
Summer Palette
Get swept away by a wave of vibrant hues and playful compositions that capture the essence of summer at this art show collaboration. The show features the work of local artists from Jessica Anne Art Gallery. www.facebook.com/flkeyshistorydiscovery; 305-922-2237
MIAMI
August 2-4
Boat Rally
Designed as a recreational, nautical and sporting activity for the whole family, up to 100 boats of various sizes and models are expected to meet and safely navigate round trip from/to Miami through staged stops in Key Largo and Islamorada, then on to Marathon for more on-the-water fun and events at Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club. Based on the rally schedule, each boat earns points for timing and activity participation. An awards ceremony with prizes and raffle drawings caps off the fun. www.miamiboatrally.com/florida-keys-rendesvouz; 305-204-1819
PENSACOLA
August 4
Fee-Free Days
National parks are America’s best idea, with more than 400 parks open to everyone. The fee-free day provides an opportunity to visit Fort Pickens and Johnson Beach. The entrance fee waiver for this day does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation or special tours. www.nps.gov/guis/index.htm; 850-934-2600
KEY WEST
August 8-11
Key West Lobsterfest
Seafood lovers can chow down on Florida’s clawless lobster during this tasty “feast-ival” with a savory schedule of events ranging from a traditional lobster boil to special dinners and a lively street fair. Saturday’s free street fair begins at noon with live music and more than 80 vendors selling fresh Florida lobster. https://keywestlobsterfest.com; 305-998-8599
KEY LARGO
August 7
Queen of Hearts and Live Music
Key Largo Moose Lodge hosts live music at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Live music is by Tim Dressing Band, Jenny Newman, Billy Knight, John Possis and Bill Falvey. Genres include rock, jazz and country. Come listen and dance. Key Largo Moose Lodge is at MM 98.5. Admission is free. www.moose2287.org/index.php/calendar; 305-395-2966
PANAMA CITY BEACH
August 7
Veterans Appreciation Day at Man in the Sea Museum
Join us the first Wednesday of every month for Veterans Appreciation Day as we celebrate the history of Bay County and the advances in military diving. All veterans and active-duty personnel receive free admission, their family members are admitted for $6 each. General public admission is $10 for adults; $6 for 5- to 16-year-olds; and free for those 4 years old and younger.
https://maninthesea.org; 850-235-4101
KEY WEST
August 10
Circus of the Sea
Southernmost Beach Resort features a talented family of acrobats performing a pirate-themed acrobatic and aerial show. Enjoy aerial stunts, trampolines, funny skits, drinks, snacks, face-painting and more. Tickets include access at 6 p.m. to the pool party. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. https://www.southernmostbeachresort.com; 800-354-4455
ISLAMORADA
August 15
Morada Way Art Walk
Keys-inspired fine artists, vendors, residents and visitors congregate on Morada Way to celebrate the arts and culture in the Florida Keys. Enjoy perusing art from 6 to 9 p.m. the third Thursday of each month. www.moradaway.org; 305-664-2471
PENSACOLA
August 16
Cinemas in the Sand
Santa Rosa Island Authority invites families and friends, young and old, to unpack their beach chairs and blankets, dig their toes in the sand, and spend a Friday evening cozied up on the beach while enjoying the family film “The Secret Life of Pets.” All movies are free and start at sunset in front of the Gulfside Pavilion stage. www.visitpensacolabeach.com/cinemas-in-the-sand; 850-530-3349
PENSACOLA
August 16
Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
Discover the music of Taylor Swift at First United Methodist Church under the glow of candlelight as Palafox String Quartet performs 13 of Taylor Swift’s hits. Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multisensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations. bit.ly/45ScoZn; 402-249-2445
LAKE PLACID
August 31
Summer Pop-Up Market
Visit the farmers market from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There is live music and many fan-favorite vendors, along with new ones featuring local produce, art, artisan foods, herbs, plants and jewelry. lakeplacidfarmersmarket.net; 863-440-7657
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. 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 KEY WEST LOBSTERFEST FACEBOOK
There is a right plant for every place. PHOTO COURTESY OF UF/IFAS
Ground Covers for Shade
Although we live in the Sunshine State, many gardeners strive to grow things in the shade.
Beautiful trees in the landscape provide respite from the heat, but their cooling shade also makes it hard for some plants and turfgrasses to grow. However, there is a right plant for every place.
Ground covers can be an important part of any landscape. A good ground cover provides the perfect backdrop for your other plants to shine. Ground covers help increase soil moisture while preventing weeds and soil erosion. Many ground covers are a good alternative to turfgrass, especially in shade where turf does not thrive.
In areas of your yard with consistent shade, you’re better off planting a ground cover that’s easy to grow in low-light conditions. Many of these ground covers won’t tolerate foot traffic, so you need to plan for walkways or paths.
Before deciding which ground cover to plant, you need to determine what type of shade you have.
Shade tolerant ground covers do well in:
• Fewer than four hours of full sun (preferably during the cooler hours of the day).
• Shifting shade from taller trees, such as pines.
• Partial, mottled shade all day long.
Most plants, no matter how shade tolerant, struggle in:
• Shade from canopies so dense you cannot see the sun from ground level.
• Shade created by the shadow of buildings or fences.
• Wet, dry or heavily rooted areas.
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, the following ground covers can be grown in partial to even dense shade, depending on the plant.
Frog
Fruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Frog fruit’s purple flowers may be small, but they make quite the show when this native ground cover is planted en masse. Frog fruit
is a host plant for butterflies, and the blooms attract pollinators. It doesn’t require much maintenance, but it won’t tolerate long dry periods. Frog fruit thrives in zones six to 11, in partial shade to full sun.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
If you’re looking for something with more dimension for a shady spot, cast iron plant may be for you. This evergreen perennial has glossy green leaves that grow upright reaching 1 to 2 feet tall. There are multiple variegated cultivars to choose from as well. Cast iron plant is ideal for adding a little tropical flair to North Florida, as it’s also cold hardy. You can grow cast iron plant in zones 7 to 11 in areas that have filtered or deep shade.
Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Mondo grass is an evergreen that is a member of the lily family. This grass has blade-like slender leaves that curve back toward the ground, giving this plant the appearance of turfgrass.
Leaves can be dark green or variegated depending on the variety. It won’t tolerate mowing, which is fine because it only grows to be 3 to 4 inches tall. Its carpeting habit makes it ideal for covering exposed tree roots or preventing erosion on hills. Mondo grass thrives in zones 7 to 11 in most shady areas.
While shady areas can be difficult to grow in, there are quite a few options out there—much more than listed here. Don’t let the shade get you down. After all, a problem spot in your garden is just an opportunity to try something new.
Natasha Atlas graduated from the University of Florida’s Agricultural Education and Communication Program in 2021. She loves writing about unique and new varieties of flowers and plants for the Neighborhood Gardener Newsletter and its 10,000 subscribers. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys tending her own garden on her balcony.
Trading Post
For Rent
Horse barn with five stalls, paddock and about 4 acres of pasture in Wewahitchka, one block from the old courthouse. Lease by the stall, with discount for multiple horses. 740-334-0341.
12 acres coastal Bermuda pasture. Irrigation available. 850-814-7015 or 850-814-6078.
For Sale
Miniature donkeys. Jacks and jennies; black, brown, gray and paints. All ages. $300 and up. Make great pets. Also, standard donkeys. Betty, 850-899-7424.
2008 Toyota Rav 4. New tires and left- and right-hand drive. Has second engine and transmission, plus spare transmission included. Runs great. $3,500. 850-381-4383.
Real Estate
FSBO: Two adjacent lots, about 2.5 acres on paved road, 10 miles north of Wewahitchka, 45 minutes from beaches. Border the Chipola River and Cypress Creek. Cleared and ready to build. Quiet and peaceful; no neighbors. Deeded restrictions. Underground utilities, deep well, many fruit trees. $69,900. 850-648-4214.
Two long-term RV spaces with a new 92’x40’ pole barn, situated on a pond (contains fish) and sharing a dock. Located in Overstreet, 4 miles from Mexico Beach. Each space has an outdoor shower, a lockable 6.5’x10.5’ metal storage building, a picnic table and a grill. Application plus 12-month lease and deposit required. $1,300 per month with garbage pickup provided. Betty, 850-647-5646.
Three-bedroom, two-bath home on 1-acre lot on the Choctawhatchee River at Cedar Log Boat Ramp, 80 Old Creek Road, Ponce de Leon, FL 32455. Wayne, 850-373-7944; or Jason, 850-258-1085.
2.5 acres lakefront on Deerpoint Lake, 30 to 45 minutes from Panama City. Paved road, electricity, septic, close to schools, quiet and peaceful. Can be divided. 850-265-5554.
One-acre lot on Peckerwood Creek, Lay Lake in Alabama. Lot has more than 200 feet of lakefront access, and is across the road from the lake. Pictures on Facebook and Craigslist. 256-391-6838.
Half-acre corner lot. 850-639-2220.
Miscellaneous
Tree Be Gone. For all your tree needs, from trimming to complete removal. 850-819-9987.
Merchant Management Group is a local payments technology company based in Panama City, working with quickservice restaurants, full-service restaurants and retail shops and specializing in the latest point-of-sale systems, including Tabit, OrderCounter and Clover. Have worked with hundreds of Gulf Coast businesses since 2004 and have an A+ rating with the BBB. Schedule your demo, 850-747-0664.
Kapua Kleans for your final interior cleanup, deep clean, residences, condos, rental properties. Steph, 850-704-2412.
Rachel’s Facials, Lashes and Brows at 2518C Highway 77 in Lynn Haven. Now offering full body waxing and esthetician services, including back facials, extractions, chemical peels, eyelash extensions, brow and lash tinting, and makeup artist services. Rachelsflb.com or call 850-896-4855.
WJ Land Management. Florida licensed and insured. Forestry mulching, land clearing, culverts, fencing. Fast, free and reliable estimates. William, 850-628-4714; or Tabatha, 850-628-4713.
Koastal Home Repair LLC. Fencing, decks, painting, light tractor work, repair work and maintenance. Insured. 850-227-5509.
C&2 Electrical Services LLC. Residential and commercial electrician services. 850-899-8218 or 850-899-8217.
Handyman services. Painting, flooring, building repair, odds and ends. Free estimates and fully insured. TJ, 207-612-8255 or 207-578-1830.
Hamco Business Solutions is conveniently located in downtown Panama City with its warehouse in Lynn Haven. Hundreds of products at discounted prices, including receipt paper, ink cartridges, deli paper, kitchen paper and copy paper. Free, same-day delivery on most products. Shop local and save. Call for a free quote, 850-942-5600.
SLR Farm & Landscaping. Lawn care, grass cutting, bush hogging, backhoe work. 706-575-4570 or 850-703-5321.
Carter’s Land Clearing and Mulching LLC. 850-527-4715.
Custom fences built on your property. Call David for your free estimate. 850-819-9987.
The 850 Stump Grinder LLC. Free estimates, multi-stump discount, residential and commercial. Veteran-owned and -operated. 850-814-0720.
Trading Post is a FREE service to Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative members. GCEC reserves the right to edit or reject ads. PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY OR TYPE.
Please circle the category that applies: For Rent For Sale Real Estate Free Miscellaneous Trade Wanted Items:
Name: Phone:
Address:
Mail your ad to: The Trading Post; Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative; 9434 Highway 77; Southport, FL 32409; return with your electric payment; or email ad information to tradingpost@gcec.com.
** Due to press deadlines, please expect up to 60 days from submission for your advertisement to appear.
The Wall that heals
Mark your calendars for this historical opportunity
The Bay County Veterans Council is honored to host The Wall That Heals in November. The traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the 58,281 service members who lost their lives and all those who served defending our country during the Vietnam War. The three-quarter scale replica measures 375 feet long, stands 7 ½ feet at its tallest point and includes a mobile education center.
The free exhibit—at the Callaway Recreational Complex at 500 Callaway Parkway— arrives under motorcycle escort Tuesday, November 12. Beginning Thursday, November 14, the exhibit is open 24 hours a day until closing Sunday, November 17, at 2 p.m.
School tours may be scheduled for November 14 and 15 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Each tour is led by a Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund staff member trained to engage students of all ages and backgrounds. Each group is guided through the mobile education center before viewing The Wall That Heals. Tours run 45 minutes to one hour, including a question-and-answer session.
Other guided tours may be scheduled November 14 and 15 at 6 p.m. and November 16 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. To schedule, a group must be larger than 10 people but not exceed 120 people. Every effort will be made to add groups smaller than 10 to another guided tour.
Pop-up tours will be available November 14 through 17, depending on the availability of staff and volunteers. A sign will be posted near the information tent approximately 20 minutes before a pop-up tour. Reservations are not needed for pop-up tours.
During tours, guides explain the artist’s vision, the competition leading to the chosen design and the significance of the layout. The mobile education center contains items left at The Wall That Heals and digital displays, among other items of interest.
Of the 1,280 names inscribed from Florida, 23 are from Bay County, and six are from Gulf County. One of the prominent names from Port St. Joe is Clifford Chester Sims, a Medal of Honor recipient and namesake for the state veterans nursing home in Callaway.
Bringing The Wall That Heals to Bay County is a significant effort. More than 200 volunteers are needed to support the 24-hour display. A donation, whether financial or in-kind, can make a meaningful difference. n
For more information, visit thewallthathealspcfl.com, email info@thewallthathealspcfl.com, call 850-2471063 or visit The Wall That Heals-Panama City FL on Facebook.
TOP: A crowd welcomes The Wall That Heals truck during one of the many tour stops across the nation.
RIGHT: Visitors view the inscribed names. PHOTOS COURTESY OF VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND
Bonus Fish!
Odd but delicious fish make great additions to any outing
While running to the next fishing spot, the sharp-eyed captain spotted a mottled brown object lurking beneath a chunk of floating plywood. He circled back for a better view.
“Looks like someone’s home today,” quipped Dan Van Treese from Perfect Cast Charters of Port St. Joe as he shifted the outboard into neutral. “Don’t throw right on top of it. That might spook a big fish. Cast upwind of it and let the wind carry the cork toward the wood.”
When the cork drifted near the plywood, the angler jerked the rod. The cork splashed and gurgled underwater but never returned to the surface. Milliseconds later, the line began ripping from the screeching reel. After a spirited fight, the angler subdued the peculiar blackish fish.
The long dorsal and anal fins on these odd fish look like two extra tails. Also called blackfish, tripletail in Florida typically range from 2 to 10 pounds. The state record weighed 40.81 pounds, caught in 1998 by Thomas D. Lewis off Fort Pierce.
These unusual fish love warmer waters. In the winter, tripletail drop into the depths offshore, but they return to the surface in spring before dropping again in early fall.
Tripletail commonly float on their sides under buoys, crab trap markers, grass mats or surface debris. Spawning along the lower Atlantic and Gulf coasts peaks during July and August when tripletail gather in larger concentrations.
Few people intentionally target the illusive fish because nobody knows when or where they might show up. They could appear 100 miles offshore or far up a salty estuary such as Apalachicola Bay. People might see dozens one day and nothing for weeks. Many anglers watch for tripletail sunning themselves near the surface as they cruise past floating objects.
“Tripletail are very spread out,” Dan says. “When we’re out fishing or running, we always keep our eyes open to look for tripletail. Frequently, we’ll see them hanging right around the buoys. If we see one, we’ll go after it. It’s sight fishing, but we don’t want to get too close to them or they will disappear.”
Opportunistic feeders, tripletail eat almost anything, including small fish, crabs and shrimp. They will hit some artificial
temptations that resemble natural foods but prefer live shrimp, baitfish, crab or fish pieces.
After spotting one, ease up to it with great stealth. From upwind, let the breeze blow the boat silently into casting range. Only use an electric motor for occasional directional control.
“A popping cork with a circle hook or jighead tipped with a live shrimp or cut baitfish will work well for tripletail,” Dan says. “Letting the cork drift to the buoy is a good way to catch them.” If tripletail disappear or do not bite, return to that location later. They probably didn’t go far. One might just drop down to the bottom for a while and then return to sun itself. These delicious fish make an excellent bonus to any saltwater fishing excursion.
For more information about Perfect Cast Charters, call 850-227-5149 or visit www.perfectcastcharters.com.
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.
Tripletail, like this one caught by Taylor Warren, might show up anywhere. Taylor made the catch while fishing with Dan Van Treese of Perfect Cast Charters near Apalachicola. PHOTO BY JOHN N. FELSHER
Buy and Save During Tax-Free Periods
A state tax relief plan continues to offer savings for Florida shoppers.
The tax relief package includes a permanent exemption for baby and toddler necessities, such as strollers, cribs, diapers and baby wipes. The tax relief package includes a back-to-school sales tax holiday lasting 14 days, a disaster preparedness sales tax holiday lasting 14 days and a weeklong tool time sales tax holiday.
Back-to-school savings. This sales tax holiday runs July 29-August 11. During the sales tax holiday, tax is not due on the retail sale of:
• Clothing, footwear and certain accessories with a sales price of $100 or less per item.
• Certain school supplies with a sales price of $50 or less per item.
• Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less.
• Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories with a sales price of $1,500 or less, when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.
The sales tax holiday does NOT apply to:
• Any item of clothing with a sales price of more than $100.
• Any school supply item with a sales price of more than $50.
• Books that are not otherwise exempt.
• Computers and computer-related accessories with a sales price of more than $1,500.
• Computers and computer-related accessories bought for commercial purposes.
• Rentals of any eligible items.
• Repairs or alterations of any eligible items.
• Sales of eligible items within a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.
Diapers and clothing Tax is not due on the retail sale of children’s
diapers or baby and toddler clothing and shoes primarily intended for children ages 5 or younger. Items such as accessories and receiving blankets are also included.
Disaster preparedness. This sales tax holiday runs August 24September 6. During this sales tax holiday, tax is not due on the retail sale of eligible items related to disaster preparedness.
Eligible items include:
Sales price of $10 or less per can or pouch (or the equivalent if sold in a box or case) of wet pet food.
Sales price of $15 or less per item or package:
• Cat litter pans.
• Collapsible or travel-sized food or water bowls.
• Hamster or rabbit substrate.
• Manual can openers.
• Pet waste disposal bags.
Sales price of $20 or less:
• Reusable ice packs.
• Collars.
• Muzzles.
• Leashes.
• Pet pads.
Sales price of $25 or less per item of cat litter weighing 25 pounds or less.
Sales price of $30 or less:
• Laundry detergent and supplies, including powder, liquid or pod detergents; fabric softener; dryer sheets; stain removers; and bleach.
• Other household supplies, including toilet paper; paper towels; paper napkins and tissues; facial tissues; hand soap, bar soap, and body wash; sunscreen and sunblock; dish soap and detergents, including powder, liquid and pod detergents or rinse agents that can be used in dishwashers; cleaning or disinfecting wipes and sprays; hand sanitizer; and trash bags.
Sales price of $40 or less:
• Any portable, self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank or gas) such as candles, flashlights or lanterns.
• Pet beds.
Sales price of $50 or less:
• Any gas or diesel fuel container, including LP gas and kerosene containers.
• Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only (excluding automobile and boat batteries): AAA-cell, AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt and 9-volt.
• Portable radios (powered by battery, solar or handcrank): two-way or weather band.
Sales price of $60 or less:
• Coolers and ice chests (food storage; nonelectrical).
• Portable power banks.
Sales price of $70 or less:
• Carbon monoxide detectors.
• Fire extinguishers.
• Smoke detectors or smoke alarms.
Sales price of $100 or less:
• Bungee cords, ratchet straps and tarps.
• Ground anchor systems.
• Tie-down kits.
• Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible and waterproof sheeting.
• Bags of dry cat or dog food weighing 50 pounds or less.
• Pet carriers and portable kennels.
• Over-the-counter pet medications.
Sales price of $3,000 or less:
• Portable generators used to provide light or communications, or to preserve food in the event of a power outage.
Tool Time. Consumers can purchase qualifying tools and equipment exempt from tax September 1-7.
Eligible items include:
Sales price of $25 or less:
• Work gloves.
Sales price of $50 or less:
• Hand tools.
• Safety glasses ($50 or less per pair or the equivalent if sold in sets of more than one pair).
• Protective coveralls.
• Duffle bags or tote bags.
• LED flashlights.
• Shovels.
• Rakes.
• Fuel cans.
Sales price of $75 or less:
• Toolboxes.
• Hearing protection items.
Sales price of $100 or less:
• Tool belts.
• Electrical voltage and testing equipment.
• Shop lights.
• Hard hats and other head protection.
Sales price of $125 or less:
• Industry textbooks and code books.
Sales price of $150 or less:
• Power tool batteries.
• Handheld pipe cutters.
• Drain opening tools.
• Plumbing inspection equipment.
Sales price of $175 or less:
• Work boots.
Sales price of $300 or less:
• Power tools.
• Toolboxes for vehicles.
For more information, visit floridarevenue.com/salestaxholidays. n
BEFORE YOU GO
The Art of Doing Nothing
Beginning a new school year can be stressful for parents and teachers, but the students take on just as much. They may seem excited to see friends again, but we often forget how draining that first week can be.
Students switch from months of running around outside or playing games to sitting in a chair for hours while paying attention, learning new rules and having to socialize. The mental toll those hours take on students is then brought into the home. Because children and teens are drained after a full day of switching behaviors, a good way for them to spend time after school that first week is to just breathe. Their bodies have been through a boot camp of returning to routine, and the home is best used as their rejuvenation zone. This could simply mean not making big plans during the week or the first weekend. Instead, plan for time relaxing with a movie, ordering pizza or listening to their grievances of the week.
Let your home be their safe space to wind down and rejuvenate.
Photo © David Schrichte
THE MOST PORTABLE MOBILITY SCOOTER MEET ATTO SPORT:
Where engineering excellence meets sleek design - a lightweight, safe, customizable, and stylish scooter for UNLIMITED FREEDOM. Numerous scooters with various features and capabilities are on the market, making it crucial to select the one that best suits your requirements.
At the age of 56, a back operation left me dependent on a cane, significantly impacting my daily life. Simple tasks like going to the store or meeting friends became challenging, and I even had to cancel a long-awaited anniversary trip to Italy. My husband purchased a scooter for me, but it was cumbersome and uncomfortable for everyday use, leaving me feeling more constrained than liberated. However, everything changed when I came across the ATTO SPORT. This remarkable scooter proved to be a game changer. Not only is it robust and reliable, but it also conveniently splits into two pieces, allowing me to effortlessly lift it into my car trunk on my own. I was even able to stow it in the overhead compartment on the plane, enabling us to finally take that trip to Italy! I am now independent once more, able to go wherever I please and do so with a striking sense of style. In fact, I now find that my husband struggles to keep up with me!
Independence and convenience: Easy to use and conveniently folds into a compact suitcase size for simple storage. It easily separates into two parts in seconds, with the heaviest piece weighing just 37 pounds, making it easier to lift into your car trunk.
Go anywhere: Conquer any terrain with puncture-proof, shock-absorbing tires and a 4-inch ground clearance. Equipped with electronic stability control for added safety on descents and turns, it is also flight-approved, ideal for air travel and cruise ships. With a driving range of up to 12.5 miles (25 miles with the XL battery), a top speed of 6.2 MPH, and a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds, this durable scooter is designed for longevity.
Top-Notch Engineering: Guaranteeing both comfort and durability, this scooter offers ample legroom and a big comfortable seat. The ATTO is super portable and lightweight, and still rides like a heavy-duty scooter.
Unmatched Stylish Design: You deserve a mobility solution that doesn't just get you from A to B but makes you feel great while doing so. ATTO stands out from the crowd with its stunning design.
Airline approved. Spacious legroom, comfortable seat
Splits into 2 lightweight parts for easy lifting
Folds in 3 seconds, rolls like a trolley suitcase
Offices
722 W. Highway 22
P.O. Box 220
Wewahitchka, FL 32465
850-639-2216 or 800-333-9392
9434 Highway 77
Southport, FL 32409
850-265-3631
Outages: 800-568-3667
6243 E. Highway 98 Panama City, FL 32404
850-481-1188
www.gcec.com
ceO/General ManaGer
John Bartley
TrusTees
President Dwight Van Lierop
Vice President Betty Moore
Secretary/Treasurer Jimmy Black
Doug Birmingham
Rupert Brown
Robert Byrd
Kinneth Daniels
Carl Goodson
Eddie Jones
Trustees normally meet the third Tuesday each month at 12:30 p.m. CST.
The mission of GCEC: Fulfilling the changing needs of our membership and communities by providing costeffective, reliable and safe utility services through a dedicated and responsive workforce.
FL-154
GCEC President’s Message
Electricity Provides Powerful Value
There are aspects of your life that become sort of a daily routine. You may stop at a coffee shop on the way to work or drive to the nearest fast-food location on your lunch break. You may end your day at home, streaming an episode or two of your favorite show before bed.
As we all look for ways to save money in this age of increasing inflation, you may think about your daily routine and how much value it provides compared to the money you spend. Let’s say a morning latte costs about $6, a fast-food combo with a burger, fries and a drink will set you back $10, and your Netflix subscription is about $16 monthly. All these daily expenses total around $85 a week, or about $340 monthly. Let’s say you start packing your lunch. Your morning latte will still cost you about $120 a month.
The average daily cost of electricity for Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative members is about $6.27. You could power your entire home every day for the price of a medium latte. You could brew your own coffee, cook your own meals, binge a series and run on a treadmill for roughly the same cost as that drink. To me, that’s real value.
Electricity provides benefits we often take for granted. It goes well beyond short-term satisfaction by allowing us to charge devices and have cold food and hot water, all in a comfortable indoor climate. Besides the privilege it affords, electricity has remained relatively cost-stable even as inflation rises.
As a member-owned cooperative, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative does everything in its power to ensure member costs stay reasonable and that electricity remains a great value. It’s not always easy, as several factors beyond inflation impact the price of electricity—some within our control but most beyond it.
The cost of electricity can fluctuate due to supply and demand, infrastructure investment, maintenance and operational expenses. Weather patterns also contribute, affecting demand and generation capabilities, with extreme conditions leading to heightened energy use or disruptions. Government policies, such as subsidies for renewable energy or taxes and regulations on emissions, shape electricity costs as well. Your electric co-op considers all these aspects when adjusting rates, and because we’re a cooperative, we also consider the impact of those costs on our members.
As our community continues to rely on electricity for nearly everything in our homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, we need it to be reliable and affordable. You can be assured Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative always puts you top of mind and works daily to ensure electricity remains the best value for your money.
Dwight Van Lierop