FL Currents, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, May 2024
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
Members acknowledge that $4.31 a year, plus postage, is the cost to publish 12 issues a year of FLORIDA CURRENTS ISSN 23276304 (USPS 8300). Published by Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy. Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124—a not-for-profit Oregon cooperative corporation—the magazine serves the communication needs of consumerowned electric utilities in Florida. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Hillsboro, OR 97123 and at additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to 5625 NE Elam Young Pkwy., Ste. 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124-6422.
HOW TO CONTACT FLORIDA CURRENTS
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Commitment to Community
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative employees have been out and about at several recent community events.
Some of these include career fairs at Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka high schools; the Celebration of Learning Day at Southport Elementary School; Truck Day at Palm Bay Academy; Tyndall Air Force Base’s Egg-stravaganza; and Waller Elementary School’s career day. n
Students at Palm Bay Academy got to see a Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative bucket truck and learn about electrical safety from GCEC’s Caleb Flippo at the school’s Truck Day.
RIGHT: GCEC took its live line safety demonstration trailer to Southport Elementary School’s Celebration of Learning Day.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GCEC employees Baylen Price, left, and Brennis Smith share information at the Port St. Joe High School career fair.
Jeremy Smith and Tocarra Robinson hand out giveaways at Tyndall Air Force Base’s Egg-stravaganza.
Brennis stands ready to greet students at Wewahitchka High School’s career fair. GCEC took its live line safety demonstration trailer to Waller Elementary School’s career day.
Tyndall Air Force Base’s Eggstravaganza attendees were given branded Easter eggs.
A tour of Florida State University began at Doak Campbell Stadium.
From left are Andrea Prescott, Zoey Ake, Jalyan Badillo, Emily Rollins, Taylor Schreiber, Amelia Boobyer, Wyatt Husband, Keersten Easter, Laiken Ferrell, Taylor Hollis, Grant Hutchins and Isaac Dean.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT: Part of the two-day tour included a mock session in the Senate chambers. Two students were chosen to represent Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative on the Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., in June: Taylor Schreiber, left, and Emily Rollins, right. An alternate, Grant Hutchins, was also chosen. GCEC’s live line safety demonstration trailer traveled to Tallahassee. Cole Barfield illustrates the danger of touching the door of a vehicle in contact with energized lines.
GCEC Rewards Students With Tallahassee Trip
Emily Rollins and Taylor Schreiber will represent Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative in Washington, D.C., at June’s annual Rural Electric Youth Tour. The two were selected in the cooperative’s recent competition. Grant Hutchins is the alternate.
The co-op sponsors the contest for high school juniors whose parents or guardians are GCEC members.
A panel of three judges from the electric cooperative industry interviews contestants. Two winners are chosen for an all-expensespaid trip to Washington, D.C., where they join seniors-to-be from across the United States for a tour of the nation’s capital.
Local civic organizations and high schools nominate students for the trip. This year’s contestants and the organizations they represented were:
• Zoey Ake, Wewahitchka Woman’s Club.
• Jalyan Badillo, Howard Creek Volunteer Fire Department.
• Amelia Boobyer, A. Crawford Mosley High School.
• Isaac Dean, Deane Bozeman School.
• Keersten Easter, Dalkeith Volunteer Fire Department.
• Laiken Ferrell, Wewahitchka High School.
• Taylor Hollis, Kinard Volunteer Fire Department.
• Wyatt Husband, Wewahitchka Volunteer Fire Department.
• Grant Hutchins, Altha Public School.
• Andrea Prescott, Gulf County EMS.
• Emily Rollins, Bay High School.
• Taylor Schreiber, Wetappo Creek Volunteer Fire Department.
GCEC took all nominated students on a two-day trip to Tallahassee in February. They toured sites in the state capital with other high school juniors representing electric co-ops from across the state.
On the first day of the trip, students toured Florida State University, followed by a presentation by representatives of FSU, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College. The students then viewed a demonstration of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s live line safety demonstration trailer. The day ended with a visit to District 850.
The next day, the group had mock sessions in the House and Senate chambers and a tour of Florida’s Historic Capitol.
“Youth Tour is a great opportunity for us to reward local students for being outstanding leaders in their communities,” says GCEC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kristin Douglas.
The Rural Electric Youth Tour program started in 1957 when co-ops sent students to Washington, D.C., to work during the summer. By 1964, the program caught on, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association began coordinating the effort.
Since then, thousands of young people have experienced this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit our nation’s capital and learn about cooperatives and the nation’s government.
This year’s Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., is June 16-21. n
Notify Local County Agencies of Special Response Needs
Do you or someone you know have a condition that requires extra help during an emergency? Local agencies need that information for a resource planning registry.
According to Chapter 252, Section 355 of the Florida statutes, “In order to meet the special needs of persons who would need assistance during evacuations and sheltering because of physical, mental, cognitive impairment or sensory disabilities, the division, in coordination with each local emergency management agency in the state, shall maintain a registry of persons with special needs located within the jurisdiction of the local agency.”
This registry allows local emergency management agencies to plan resource allocation to meet the needs of those requiring help.
5 WAYS TO SAVE THIS SUMMER
Those with special needs may preauthorize emergency response personnel to, if necessary, enter their homes during search-and-rescue operations to ensure their safety and welfare following disasters.
This registration must be updated annually. Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative helps local emergency management agencies get the word out about this program.
If you or someone you know has a special condition affecting eyesight, hearing, speech, walking, breathing or an emotional condition—and would need assistance during evacuations and sheltering—please contact your local emergency management agency.
The level of care given in special needs shelters goes above basic first aid available at shelters open to the general population.
All information provided is kept strictly confidential. n
When summer temperatures rise, so do our energy bills. Here are a few ways you can reduce energy use and grow your summer savings.
1. Raise your thermostat. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperature, the more you’ll save.
2. Install window coverings like blinds or light-blocking curtains to prevent indoor heat gain during the day.
Source: Dept. of Energy
County Phone: 850-784-4000 Fax: 850-784-4010
Calhoun County Phone: 850-674-8075 Fax: 850-674-4667
Gulf County Phone: 850-229-9110 Fax: 850-229-9115
Jackson County Phone: 850-482-9678 Fax: 850-482-9683
Walton County Phone: 850-892-8065 Fax: 850-254-9638
Washington County Phone: 850-638-6203 Fax: 850-638-6316
3. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping around windows and exterior doors. Air leaks force your air conditioner to work harder and run longer than necessary.
4. Run ceiling fans for additional cooling, but turn them off when you leave the room.
5. Lower your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees to reduce standby heat loss.
Benwood shipwreck comes alive when the sun goes down
Although a beautiful dive during the day, the wreck of the freighter Benwood comes alive at night in a sort of circus show of underwater creatures.
Schooling fish, sharks, eels, crustaceans and turtles rest here at night. Parrot fish sleep in a mucus bubble they create to protect against parasites. Lobsters and crabs shuffle along the rusting surface of the wreck. Small shrimp make snapping noises to deter predators.
“Lucky divers might even get to see an octopus,” says Tess Stundis, with the Amoray Dive Center in Key Largo.
The wreck of the Benwood is popular with divers because it is still relatively intact despite years of abuse by the sea and countless hurricanes.
Ship Down
Amoray has offered seasonal night dives to the Benwood for nearly 30 years.
In the early morning of April 9, 1942, the Norwegian freighter Benwood was traveling from Tampa to Norfolk, Virginia, with a crew of 38 and a load of ore and other supplies for the U.S. military. Because German submarines were known to be in U.S. coastal waters, the Benwood was armed with bombs, depth charges and rifles.
With the threat of attack by the Germans, the Norwegian captain, was forced to navigate the shallow waters off the Keys without light.
Story and photos by Daniel Eidsmoe
Unfortunately, also blacked out and in the same area was the American steam tanker Robert C. Tuttle, heading to Atreco, Texas, after dropping off a load of oil. With little warning, the Benwood’s bow struck the Tuttle’s port side, causing severe damage to the Benwood. The ship’s captain and crew abandoned ship 30 minutes after impact.
Although the Tuttle did not sustain severe damage in the collision, it later sank after striking a German minefield near Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The Benwood came to rest at depths between 25 and 50 feet a short distance from Molasses Reef.
In the 82 years since its demise, the Benwood has become one of the Keys’ most-loved dive sites. Every spring and summer, at least two Key Largo dive shops offer night dives to the wreck. There, divers discover the ship, with the help of the sea’s artistry, has transformed itself into an artificial reef encrusted in brightly colored corals, sea fans and sponges in a palette of yellows, oranges, greens, purples and blues.
The night dive offers about an hour of underwater exploration. Divers can jump into the warm Atlantic waters shortly after sunset to explore the wreck with a dive buddy or a paid guide.
Although the Keys have several famous artificial reefs—intentionally sunk ships like the Duane, Eagle, Spiegel Grove
and Thunderbolt—in deeper waters, the Benwood offers one of the best night dives in the country.
“Our night dive is dependent on current sunset times,” Tess says. “We try to arrive at the Benwood 20 minutes prior to sunset, so that those divers who wish to stay onboard to view the sunset in its entirety prior to their dive can do so. Other divers—who want to dive early and get their bearings with daylight left—can start their dive early and have around an hour or more of bottom time with the final 40 minutes in complete darkness.”
Showstoppers
Turtles are clearly the stars of this underwater show. On any given night, it is not uncommon to spot five or more turtles sleeping on the skeleton of the Benwood. Unphased by divers and flashlights, green sea turtles can sleep underwater for several hours before surfacing. They wedge their heads and bodies along the crevices of the wreck to protect from predators.
Jennifer Wheeler, an artist and divemaster living in Key Largo, was mesmerized the first time she explored the Benwood last summer. Having done night dives in Monterey Bay, California, and Indonesia, she is convinced the Benwood is magical at night.
“Entering the water and seeing the wreck
for the first time is like something out of a mystery book or movie. The spirit of the ship seems to come alive at night, and there is a sort of reverence that is called for in the dark,” Jennifer says.
She says of her last night dive on the wreck, “I just floated there, face-to-face with a snoozing turtle, for what seemed like forever. My heart was so happy, so full, and I hope everyone gets to experience that at least some time in their lives.”
Because this dive can reach depths of a little more than 50 feet, a safety stop at 15 to 20 feet is recommended for a few minutes of decompression. Even at that depth, the experience unfolds in front of your mask. In the summer, the warm water is full of bioluminescent creatures that light up the ocean water like sparks of pixie dust. Divers often shut off their dive lights to see the show. Tess says the safety stops are one of her favorite aspects of the dive.
“The bioluminescence is breathtaking, along with the illuminated comb jellies that light up the sea,” she says.
BACKGROUND:
The infinite light created by the bioluminescent creatures is humbling to divers like Jennifer.
“The specks of light in the unending darkness makes one feel small in a good way, like you’re part of something bigger, beautiful and endless,” she says.
Marathon resident McKenzie Edwards explores the coralencrusted skeleton of the Benwood shipwreck.
RIGHT: A green sea turtle sleeps at the bow.
FAR RIGHT: The Amoray Dive Center boat moors above the Benwood shipwreck.
Living Livin
Hot air balloon rides make for a magical experience
By Jen Calhoun
One person described it as flying in the hand of God while getting a brain massage.”
— Kim McCourt, hot air balloon pilot
the High
But when his family moved to the flatlands of Florida, he had to find a new way to see the world. In 1998, he took his first flight in a hot air balloon.
“I learned that ballooning is, well, kind of magical,” says Kim, a licensed hot air balloon pilot in the Orlando region. “There’s the exploration part of it, and you’ve got Mother Nature all around you.”
These days, Kim often travels the skies with tourists who want to experience a ride they can’t find at the area’s theme parks. For many, it’s a way to fly without being contained in the metal tube of an airplane.
“In the balloon, you can see so much more, and you can actually feel everything,” Kim says. “You can breathe the air.”
There’s a spiritual component, too, says Mark West, vice president of the Balloon Federation of America. Mark, a former Navy pilot, also served as president and chief engineer of Aerostar International, once the country’s largest hot air
Life
balloon manufacturer.
“Ballooning has an incredible amount of magic to it,” Mark says. “Virtually everyone who sees one is enamored with it. I suppose they’re kind of representative of breaking free of the bonds of Earth and floating away.”
Ballooning 101
The use of hot air balloons started in the late 1700s, when two French brothers—Joseph Michel and Jacques Etienne Montgolfier—realized that capturing smoke in a bag would cause the bag to rise. After experimenting with larger and larger bags, they knew they were on to something. Humankind, they thought, might finally fly.
By November 1783, King Louis XVI of France allowed the first manned hot air balloon flight to take off from the Gardens of Versailles. Over the next months and years, hydrogen and helium balloons were invented, and newer technologies kept the new mode of travel going.
In 1960, Aerostar International’s parent company, Raven, developed an onboard heating system that gave pilots a way to control and sustain the flight.
“That was the beginning of what we know today as hot air ballooning,” Mark says.
It can take years of practice to master navigating a craft that
More than 230 years after their invention, hot air balloons still thrill onlookers. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KIM MCCOURT
floats on air, Kim says. It’s both an art and a science. Among other things, pilots need to understand weather patterns, physics and the mechanics of the balloon itself. Practice helps, too.
“To learn to fly a balloon, you’ve got to go out and hit the ground really hard lots of times, then learn how not to do that,” he says with a laugh. “Landing and navigation are the tough parts.”
Up and Away
In Florida, hot air balloon rides are popular for families celebrating a special occasion or tourists looking for a new experience. Some passengers want to make memories with their families, while others go to commemorate important events, like marriage proposals, bucket lists or spreading the ashes of loved ones into the sky.
“There are all kinds of stories,” Kim says. “The only things that stay the same are the sun coming up and people smiling.” But as wide-open spaces dwindle, so do the balloon rides. Pilots simply don’t have enough space to land. Weather has also been a factor because unreliable winds can ground a pilot. Kim says he’s seen this firsthand.
“Over the last 15 years, the weather went from 275 days we could fly to probably 100 days,” he says. He worries other factors could cause ballooning to take a hit, too.
“Fabric, wicker, propane, repairs and parts are way more expensive these days, so it takes more money to maintain them,” Kim says.
Hope Floats
Despite the challenges, Kim still grins like a kid after an earlymorning flight.
These days, hot air balloons are used for experiential tourism, fun, advertising and competition.
Hot air balloons got their start in France in 1783. They became humankind’s first mode of flight.
“There’s nothing like it,” he says. “When we lift off and the sun starts to rise, we might rest at the top of a tree and stare clear down to the bottom of a pond. Then we’ll take off again and maybe rest right on top of the water where the mist is coming off the surface. It’s up and down, up and down—gently. One person said it was like flying in the hand of God while getting a brain massage.”
Mark says balloonists almost always try to describe the sensation of floating on—and with—the air.
“One of my good friends said it was ‘having a destiny without a destination.’ ” Mark says. “I think it attracts people who want to enjoy the beauty of the Earth and want to experience that kind of freedom.”
To catch a ride with Kim McCourt, visit greaterorlandoballoonrides.com. For more information on hot air ballooning and the people who are passionate about it, visit the Balloon Federation of America’s Facebook
page or find them at bfa.net.
1783
e birth of the hot air balloon
June 1783 — First Unmanned Flight
After a year or two of experimentation and invention, brothers Joseph Michel and Jacques Etienne Montgolfier publicly launch their version of a hot air balloon, the Seraphina, in Annonay, France. Made of linen or silk and paper and held together by 2,000 buttons, the Seraphina was powered by burning straw and wool in an attached fire pit. It carried no passengers. The balloon landed in the middle of a vineyard a little over a mile from where it had taken off.
September 1783 —
Confused Farm Animals
The first balloon flight with passengers launches from Versailles carrying a duck, a rooster and a sheep. The animals made it down alive. However, sources say the sheep kicked the duck and damaged its wing. King Louis XVI of France was pleased to learn that animals could breathe so high up.
October 1783 — Up, But Not Away
Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier, scientist and historian for King Louis XVI, unofficially becomes the first person to ride in a hot air balloon. However, the balloon was tethered, or captive, and only reached an altitude of 84 feet.
November 1783 — First Human Flight
Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and another passenger take the first official manned flight untethered in Paris. The flight lasted about 25 minutes and reached an altitude of about 500 feet. Less than two years later, Jean-François and his passenger would become the first people to die in a hot air balloon crash during a flight from France to England.
December 1783 — Hydrogen Balloon
Jacques Charles, a French physicist experimenting with hydrogen—or gas—balloons, pilots one with a few colleagues. They traveled 25 miles in less than two hours. They also carried a barometer and a thermometer. Afterward, gas balloons became the preferred method of ballooning.
Sources: DragonFly Balloon Adventures, Virgin Balloon Flights, National Balloon Museum pit.
Meatless Meals EAT YOUR VEGGIES
Cheesy Burrito Bake
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 bell peppers, sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
1 teaspoon cumin
2 cups water
1 cup brown rice, uncooked
12-ounce can evaporated milk, divided
Heat oven to 350 F.
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4-ounce can diced green chiles, undrained
16-ounce can refried beans
6 8-inch wheat tortillas
Salsa, optional
Guacamole, optional
In a large skillet, heat canola oil. Cook peppers and onion with cumin until tender. In a saucepan, add water and brown rice. Cook for 45 minutes.
In a second saucepan, add 1¼ cups evaporated milk, cheddar cheese and green chilies. Cook over medium heat until cheese is melted and smooth. Stir 3/4 of the cheese mixture in with the cooked rice. Set the remaining cheese sauce aside.
In a medium bowl, add refried beans and the remaining evaporated milk. Microwave for 3-4 minutes. Lay out tortillas. Layer refried bean mixture, rice mixture and pepper-onion mixture. Roll into burritos and place in a baking pan. Top burritos with the remaining cheese sauce. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Garnish with salsa and guacamole, if desired.
Source: Culinary.net
Grilled Apple Portobello ‘Burgers’
1 large sweet apple
2 portobello mushrooms
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup herbed goat cheese
2 brioche buns
2 large pieces butter lettuce
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Heat the grill to medium heat. Slice apples horizontally into thick round wedges. Remove seeds using a fork. Remove portobello stems.
In a small bowl, combine 1/8 cup olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano and salt.
Using a basting brush, coat portobellos on both sides with the olive oil mixture. Grill stem sides down for 2 minutes, then flip. Add goat cheese to portobellos. Grill for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted. Remove from grill. Use remaining olive oil to coat apple rounds. Grill apple rounds for 1-2 minutes per side to lightly char.
Serve portobellos with apple rounds on brioche buns with lettuce and mayonnaise.
Source: Envy Apples
Golden Beet and Rice Burger Sliders
71/2 ounces white beans, drained and rinsed
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tablespoon water
14 ounces jasmine rice, cooked and cooled
4 ounces golden beets, cooked and grated
3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled and divided
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
12 leaves bibb lettuce
1 cup arugula
2 tablespoons Sriracha sauce
In a food processor, pulse beans, egg and water until mashed.
Transfer the bean mixture to a large bowl. Add rice, beets, 11/2 ounces goat cheese, dill, salt and pepper. Stir until combined. Divide the mixture into six portions. Shape into 1/2-inch-thick patties.
In a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Cook patties in two batches, 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and heated through. Add remaining oil, as necessary.
Place two lettuce leaves together, overlapping ends to form a pocket. Place a patty inside the lettuce pocket. Top with arugula and remaining goat cheese. Drizzle with Sriracha sauce. Repeat with remaining burgers.
Source: Success Rice
Pomegranate and Arugula Rice Salad
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons minced red onion
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups jasmine rice, cooked and cooled
5 ounces arugula
1 cup pomegranate seeds
1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
Crumbled goat or blue cheese, optional
In a large bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, red onion, mustard, honey, salt and pepper.
Add rice, arugula and pomegranate seeds to the bowl. Toss to coat thoroughly. Sprinkle with almonds.
For added flavor, top the salad with crumbled goat or blue cheese.
Source: Minute Rice
Cheesy Asparagus Tart
5 cups water
1 pound asparagus
Ice water
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste, divided
1/4 teaspoon pepper, plus additional to taste, divided Flour, for dusting
Heat oven to 400 F.
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 cup grated fontina cheese
1 cup grated gruyere cheese
1 tablespoon shallot, minced
2 egg yolks
3 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 lemon, zest only
In a large skillet, add water and asparagus. Cook for 5-8 minutes until asparagus is bright green. Drain asparagus and soak in ice water.
In a large bowl, mix drained asparagus, vegetable oil, salt and pepper until combined.
Flour surface area. Using a rolling pin, roll out the pastry to a 10-by-16-inch rectangle. Transfer the pastry to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Prick the pastry with a fork. Bake for about 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly on the baking sheet.
In a large bowl, mix fontina cheese, gruyere cheese, shallot, egg yolks, milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper until combined. Spread cheese over the pastry, leaving 1 inch around the edges. Lay asparagus over the cheese mixture.
Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Sprinkle lemon zest over the tart before serving.
Source: Culinary.net
A Time to Honor
By Dave LaBelle
It’s a real paradox for me: I hate war, but I love and honor those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy.
Michael Rummel called me from his home in Southern California and asked if we could talk. He had met my son at Field of Dreams in Iowa and had read my latest book in 2019. Michael was struggling with some unfinished business—a promise he had made in Vietnam to fellow Marine Ron Denton some 50 years earlier.
While drinking beer in Vietnam, the men had made a
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.
pledge: Whoever died first, the other was to visit the deceased’s grave, drink a beer, say a few choice “Marine things,” then crumple the can and spike it into the earth. Silly perhaps, but a promise nonetheless.
Michael didn’t know where Ron was buried, but a search led him to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where Ron had lived the last part of his life.
“Fate is telling me to go to Bowling Green and say my special goodbye to Ron,” Michael said.
But he was still on the fence about going. Hearing how troubled he was, I encouraged him to find Ron’s grave and keep his promise. Because I once lived in Bowling Green while teaching at Western Kentucky University, I told him I would meet him there.
“I have struggled with that decision for seven years now,” Michael confessed. “Your response has tipped the scale in
favor of doing it.”
He made the trip and completed his mission, thankful he did.
This brings me to another short but important story.
A young soldier from the small town I was living in had been killed in action. Out of respect, I dressed appropriately and photographed the sensitive outdoor burial service from a distance using a telephoto lens.
Upon seeing me, a decorated military officer assigned to the burial detail left the grave site and approached me as I photographed the interment. He firmly asked me not to photograph.
I respectfully refused his request.
“This young man died for the very freedoms you are asking me to deny,” I told him.
Unsure how to respond, he left me alone.
Reader Challenge
On this Memorial Day, make a photograph that honors the day and those who gave their lives in service. Remember, you are not taking anything but giving and honoring the fallen and their families when you celebrate their sacrifices. Move slowly and with reverence when documenting any service. Not overshooting is important.
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.
I meant no disrespect to the officer, the family or the fallen soldier. To the contrary, I was showing them respect for the laws and rights of our nation and honoring the young man’s service.
Vietnam veteran Michael Rummel fulfills a promise to a brother in arms. PHOTO BY DAVE LABELLE
NIKON D700, 180mm lens ISO 200, f/4 at 1/400
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USES: The Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrator provides a high concentration of supplemental oxygen to patients requiring respiratory therapy on a prescriptive basis. It may be used in home, institution, vehicle, and various mobile environments. DO NOT USE IF: This device is not intended to be used in any way other than described in the indications for use. Do not use in parallel or series with other oxygen concentrators or oxygen therapy devices. This device is to be used as an oxygen supplement and is not intended to be life sustaining or life supporting. ONLY use this product if the patient is capable of spontaneous breath, able to inhale and exhale without the use of a machine. The conserving, or pulse dose, oxygen delivery technique used by this device is contraindicated in persons whose breathing during normal resting would be unable to trigger the device. Proper device triggering, setup and operation must be confirmed by an experienced clinician or other respiratory professional. Not for pediatric use. Not for use by tracheotomized patients. WARNINGS: The device produces enriched oxygen gas, which accelerates combustion. Do not allow smoking or open flames within 2m (6.56ft) of this device while in use. If you feel ill or uncomfortable, or if the concentrator does not signal an oxygen pulse and you are unable to hear and/or feel the oxygen pulse, consult your equipment provider and/or your physician immediately. If you are unable to communicate discomfort, you may
Catting Around
Catfish provide great action for anglers on a budget
Catfish comprise a huge portion of the fish population in many freshwater systems in Florida. Anglers can often fill a boat with tasty fish, possibly even land huge ones, after spending little money.
Channel catfish—the most widespread and easiest to catch in Florida—eat almost anything. Some good channel catfish baits include live minnows or shiners, worms, nightcrawlers, crawfish, shad, fish chunks, livers, commercial baits or shrimp. Occasionally channel catfish strike bass or crappie lures.
The St. Johns River and its associated systems contain a large channel catfish population. Joe Purvis set the state record with a 44.5-pound channel catfish from Lake Bluff in Lake County.
White catfish come a close second in population and distribution. They exist throughout Florida and can tolerate some salinity in brackish coastal estuaries. White catfish eat anything that might interest channel catfish.
Jim Miller landed the white catfish state record, an 18.88-pounder from the Withlacoochee River in Marion County.
The biggest of the North American whiskerfish, blue catfish can exceed 125 pounds and give anglers big-game action without going offshore. In Florida, blue catfish inhabit the Escambia, Choctawhatchee, Yellow, Apalachicola and Suwannee River systems.
In May 2015, William Stewart III caught the Florida state record, a 69.5-pounder, while fishing the Choctawhatchee River in Washington County.
Blue catfish eat almost anything, but mainly small fish and fish chunks, especially shad.
With forked tails and bluish-gray bodies, white, channel and blue catfish look similar. Channel catfish have thick and fleshy whiskers,
or barbels, whereas blue catfish have thin, light ones.
Young channel catfish show black spots on their backs and sides. Blue catfish look stouter with humped backs and grow much larger than channel or white catfish. White catfish have some mottled coloration and more rounded anal fins than the other species.
Flatheads can also exceed 100 pounds. These predators almost exclusively eat live fish and particularly enjoy crunching small catfish, shad and bluegills. They thrive in rivers with heavy woody cover where they ambush prey, but also live in lakes and reservoirs.
In Florida, these ornery loners mainly inhabit the Apalachicola, Yellow and Escambia river systems. Lavon Nowling pulled a 69.9-pounder from the Yellow River in Santa Rosa County to set the record in August 2020.
Not everyone can afford a boat or even the gasoline to power one, but most people can usually find a good place to fish close to home. Widespread and abundant catfish can live practically anywhere, making them great targets for bank anglers.
Many parks, piers, ponds, or river or lake shorelines throughout Florida offer exciting sport for big fish. When sitting on a bank to fish, toss a few pieces of liver, shrimp or other baits into the water to attract catfish. Throw out just enough to get them interested, but not enough to feed them. n
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.
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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.
KEY WEST
May 1-5
Key West Songwriters Festival
The largest festival of its kind in the world, this festival includes five days and nights of introducing the faces, voices and stories behind the songs. Performances take place at numerous theaters, bars and event spaces. The opening night headliner May 1 is Dylan Marlowe, and Cole Swindell performs May 2. www.keywestsongwritersfestival.com; 305-985-0433
APALACHICOLA
May 1
Apalach Ghost Tour
Take a paranormal ghost tour of downtown Apalachicola. Your guide begins telling ghost stories starting at 9 p.m., while using ghost hunting equipment to see if any spirits are around. The tour may last up to 90 minutes. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for 3- to 12-year-olds, and entry is free for children 2 and younger. www.apalachghosttour.com; 850-583-4662
KEY WEST
May 2
Studios of Key West
During the First Thursday open house, the studios keep the lights on late from 6 to 8 p.m. to celebrate the newest work in their galleries. Stop in to say hello, relax with a glass of wine, tour the third-floor artist studios and see the new exhibitions in the various galleries at 533 Eaton St. www.tskw.org; 305-296-0458
KEY WEST
May 2-5
I.Care: Trash Derby and Festival
Sponsored by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in support of Goal: Clean Seas, the derby begins with a team leader meeting from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Bud N’ Mary’s Marina. Trash is collected from sunrise to sunset. Divisions include dive operators, private boat owners and land lovers. Participation is open to visitors and community members. www.marinesanctuary.org; 301-608-3040
SEBRING
May 4
Kids Bicycle Rodeo and Splash Day
WEWAHITCHKA
May 18
Tupelo Honey Festival
This event at Lake Alice Park includes a variety of vendors selling honey, arts and crafts, food and plants. A car show and lots of children’s activities are also in the lineup. Entry into the park is free. Billy Lipford, known as the voice of Jackson County, returns with country, blues, rock and gospel music. At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., The Pittman’s—out of Destin—perform a magic show. The Big Red Bus is on-site to collect blood, looking to beat last year’s total of 29 units. Using its safety trailer, Gulf Coast Electric Co-op demonstrates the do’s and don’ts of electricity. www.tupelohoneyfestival.com; 850-832-4843
Join the city of Sebring fire and police departments for this seventh annual event at Station 14 downtown. The event starts at 9 a.m. with a live DJ, station tours and bicycle giveaways, as well as free popcorn, hot dogs, snow cones and bicycle helmets. Bring your swim attire to enjoy the splash day. www.mysebring.com; 863-471-5100
PORT ST. JOE
May 4
Salt Air Farmers Market
Treat your family to art pieces and fresh veggies, sweet tupelo honey and vine-ripened fruit from local farmers and artisans. This market is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays. www.saltairmarket.com; 404-906-2637
PHOTO COURTESY OF TUPELO HONEY FESTIVAL
HOW TO INCLUDE UPCOMING EVENTS
Want to share a family-friendly event with the readers of Florida Currents? 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.
PENSACOLA
May 11
Gulf Coast Culture Fest
This vibrant and inclusive festival celebrates the rich diversity and cultures of the Gulf Coast and its surrounding areas. This highly anticipated event brings together artists, businesses, vendors and community members for a day filled with artistic expressions, captivating live entertainment and a wide array of mouthwatering food options. By promoting unity and appreciation for different cultures, Gulf Coast Culture Fest creates an atmosphere of harmony and rejuvenation that is enjoyed by all who attend. www.gulfcoastculturefest.com; 850-466-8399
PENSACOLA
May 11
850 Foodie Festival
Beginning as a successful quarterly event in Crestview, this festival averages about 3,000 attendees per event. This is the first installment of the annual event, as organizers move away from it being quarterly. The day includes more than 80 vendors—food, product and information—plus music and more.
www.realgrillmaster.com; 850-503-5446
PENSACOLA
May 17
Cinemas in the Sand
The Santa Rosa Island Authority invites families and friends to unpack their beach chairs and blankets, dig their toes in the sand and spend the evening cozied up on Pensacola Beach while enjoying a free classic family film.
www.visitpensacolabeach.com; 850-530-3349
MARATHON
May 10-11
Mother’s Day Dolphin’s Tournament Fish for a Cause with Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys during the 18th annual Mother’s Day Dolphin Tournament. This is an angler tournament for the heaviest mahi-mahi. Angler divisions include ladies, juniors, weekend warriors and pros. The captain’s meeting is 6-7 p.m. Friday at The Island Fish Co. Lines hit the water at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, with weigh-in from 3:30-6 p.m. at Curly’s Coffee. The awards banquet is from 7-9 p.m. at Marathon Yacht Club. Anglers can fish from anywhere in the Keys and United States’ waters but must weigh in at Curly’s. www.mothersdaydolphintournament.com; 305-743-9828
PHOTO COURTESY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Contributing to Community Ecology
It’s easy to think of our home landscapes as solitary bubbles that don’t interact with the land around them. However, our yards are becoming an increasingly important part of Florida’s ecology.
As Florida’s population rises, undisturbed areas are shrinking and becoming isolated. The state is now a network of urban and suburban areas, with rare patches of natural areas. With increasing development, wildlife movement is further hindered without an ecologically thoughtful approach to our landscaping practices.
Having an ecologically focused yard doesn’t just benefit nature. Building a diverse landscape can naturally reduce pest and disease issues, which in turn requires less effort and chemical control.
Limit Lawn Space
Unfortunately, turfgrass alone as a groundcover does not provide food or habitat for many wildlife species. You can improve the ecological contributions of your lawn and make it more biodiverse by introducing alternative, native groundcovers. There are plenty of options that require less maintenance than traditional turfgrass, and many benefit pollinators or other wildlife.
If you require turfgrass, you can establish biodiverse, landscaped islands instead. Fill these islands with alternative groundcovers, wildflowers or native plants. Place the islands near each other, if possible, so wildlife can easily move among them.
Provide Habitats
You may be tempted to remove dead trees from your yard, but leaving them provides housing for insects and the birds that eat them. Just be sure to move snags away from buildings.
Consider leaving some brush as well. Leaving a few piles around your yard provides cover and feeding opportunities for wildlife.
Leaf litter can also be used as mulch and fertilizer. Keeping leaves in your yard provides a place for insects to overwinter and emerge from in the spring when birds and other wildlife are ready to feed. Leaving dead stems on plants is also beneficial because this is where many pollinators hatch.
Edge the mulched areas of your yard and create paths to make it look neat.
Setting up bird houses, baths and feeders supports your local bird population. Consider installing a pond or water garden as a water source, too. Just make sure the water doesn’t remain stagnant and become a nursery for mosquito larvae.
For pollinators, you need plants to support their larval stage, as well as plants that provide nectar once they’re fully developed. Birds feed on the insects that appear, but you can also give them a varied diet by providing plants with berries.
Remove Invasive Plants
Invasive plants are your worst enemy when trying to cultivate biodiversity.
These plants are defined as having been introduced to the area, are nonnative, and have caused—or will likely cause— environmental harm, economic harm and/or harm to humans.
Approximately 1.7 million acres of Florida’s natural areas are consumed by invasive plants, and local ecosystems have been devastated as a result. Destroying any invasives you find in your yard prevents them from taking over and stops them from producing seeds that could spread elsewhere.
Plant Natives
Although it seems counterintuitive, you should plant natives because our insects can eat them. Finding a small amount of damage shows your plant has ecological value.
Nonnative plants are often too different from our native species for them to qualify as insect food. A lack of insects leads to a lack of birds. Instead, plant natives to support a diverse insect population that serves as a buffet for wildlife.
Don’t assume you need to replace every nonnative in your yard today. Rather, plan to replace nonnative plants as they die.
Limit Pesticide Use
If you’ve already implemented the steps above, you’re less likely to have severe pest infestations. Pest problems thrive in monoculture systems. Increasing species diversity, density, and spatial variance can lead to declines in arthropod pests and increases in their predators.
Often, beneficial insects are unintentionally killed when pesticides are applied.
Spraying yards for mosquitos is a practice with unintentional deadly consequences for beneficial insects. Instead, only spot-treat severe problems or use baits that target specific species.
You can also take a natural route by planting insect-repulsing plants—such as marigolds—in problem areas.
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.
Leaving behind dead trees provides housing for insects and the birds that eat them.
PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
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
30-ft. rabbit pens, including feeders and self-watering system. Located 22 miles south of Chipley. $450. Alan, 229-421-0790.
2021 Dexter D70 trailer axle, 7,000 lbs. capacity, E-Z Lube hubs and Nev-R-Adjust electric brakes, with hubs, drums and leaf springs. Minor manufacturer defect with E-Z Lube feature. Axle assembly is in very good condition and fully functional, less one grease fitting for E-Z Lube. $600. 863-464-7993.
2014 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic motorcycle. Blackened cayenne color with approximately 20,000 miles. One owner. No accidents/excellent condition. Includes helmets. Asking $14,500. 850-774-6821 for more info and pictures.
Different breeds of chicks, ducklings and guinea keets. Located in Deer Point Lake area. Call or text for availability and prices. 404-547-9902.
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.
Chicago Electric 10” 15 amp bench table top saw, $50. Chicago Electric 12” double bevel sliding compound miter saw, $70. Troy Bilt Super Bronco 16” rear tine rototiller, $350. Troy Bilt 240 w/ Honda engine 21” self-propelled lawnmower w/bagger, $75. Ryobi S430 4-cycle weed eater, $60. 850-628-2690.
Real Estate
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. Asking $299,900. 850-265-5554.
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.
Half-acre corner lot. 850-639-2220.
Two residential lots on Maulden Road in Calhoun County. Above flood area near Chipola River in the Scotts Ferry area. 850-814-6078.
Miscellaneous
Kapua Kleans for your final interior cleanup, deep clean, residences, condos, rental properties. Steph, 850-704-2412.
Carter’s Land Clearing and Mulching LLC. 850-527-4715.
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.
Handyman services. Painting, flooring, building repair, odds and ends. Free estimates and fully insured. TJ, 207-612-8255 or 207-578-1830.
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.
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.
C&2 Electrical Services LLC. Residential and commercial electrician services. 850-899-8218 or 850-899-8217.
Koastal Home Repair LLC. Fencing, decks, painting, light tractor work, repair work and maintenance. Insured. 850-227-5509.
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.
GCEC Promotions
Training Program Teaches Proper Construction and Safety Procedures
Grant Hathaway recently became a certified line technician through the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association’s Line Technician Apprenticeship Training Program.
In addition to four correspondence courses and three on-site climbing, construction and operations classes, the training consists of four years of on-the-job training under a lead line technician.
The correspondence courses consist of independent study of math, electricity and alternating current fundamental principles, which are the groundwork for understanding the hows and whys of the profession.
Students learn the basic tools and equipment used in everyday operations and applications, such as stringing and sagging wire, underground distribution systems, transmission and distribution line maintenance, transformer connections, meter applications, substation operations, and phasing and measuring voltage and current.
The three laboratories enable students to apply the knowledge learned from the correspondence units.
Participants learn basic knots, safe climbing techniques and pole-top rescue—skills necessary for overhead line construction.
They build and frame lines according to specifications and learn grounding and preparation of stress cones for underground cable. Effective job briefing and basic troubleshooting steps for overhead and underground systems are demonstrated, as well as transformer
banking, bucket truck pre-trip inspection and bucket truck rescue.
The training involves both written and physical tests.
Although not all electric cooperatives require their line technicians to be certified, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative management believes the training ensures the cooperative’s line technicians use proper construction techniques and follow safety procedures to prevent harm to themselves, co-workers and consumers.
“Gulf Coast Electric line workers are not promoted to the line technician position title until they are certified,” says GCEC Chief Operations Officer Francis Hinson. “Certification enhances not only employee knowledge but also safety practices.”
Grant Hathaway
Jay Shiver has been promoted to foreman for the second electrical crew at Tyndall Air Force Base.
Chase Brackin has been promoted to foreman of the second boring crew at Tyndall Air Force Base.
Power Up Your Lawn Care With Electric Equipment
The landscape of lawn and garden care is evolving, and electric equipment is at the forefront of this change. While electric lawn tools aren’t new, advancements in technology and more options mean prices have become more competitive, making electric equipment an accessible option for many consumers.
Benefits
of Electric Equipment
Electric lawnmowers have come a long way since the days of extension cords tethering them to an outlet. Batterypowered mowers offer the same freedom of movement as gas-powered models but with reduced noise and maintenance.
Battery life was once a major drawback to switching to electric lawn tools. But today’s growing demand for electric equipment has resulted in major advancements in lithium-ion batteries, making them more reliable, cost-effective and efficient. For most consumers, electric lawn tools can get the job done just as well as gas-powered models.
Many electric mowers offer pushbutton starts, and because they are
lighter, they are easier to maneuver around tight turns. Improved batteries provide longer run times to tackle larger spaces. Electric mowers are available in push, self-propelled/walkbehind and riding models like their gas-powered counterparts. And there’s no need to refill gas cans or change oil and air filters, resulting in less hassle and maintenance.
Like mowers, electric blowers, string trimmers and chain saws have fewer moving parts, require minimal maintenance and are quieter. Because electric tools are generally lighter in weight, they’re also more ergonomic. This feature is especially handy for projects that require tools like chain saws for precise work.
Torque Rating Tells All
Electric lawn tools have some limitations, so the size and terrain of your outdoor space are important considerations when purchasing new equipment. When comparing gas-powered and electric mowers, consider the torque rating—this is the driving force behind a blade’s rotation. On average, electric lawnmowers generate less torque than gas mowers. If you have a challenging outdoor space that includes overgrown brush, tall grass, or hills and dips, torque is a key factor.
Choosing the right type and size mower is particularly important for spaces larger than half an acre. If you have a large property, consider purchasing an extra battery to ensure uninterrupted workflow.
Many manufacturers offer interchangeable batteries and chargers, providing flexibility and convenience. Choosing a single brand can ensure charging compatibility across your lawn tools.
While gas and electric lawn tools can get the job done, electric equipment generally requires less maintenance, is less expensive to operate and is kinder to the environment.
Get Green for Going Green
Electric tools are quietly redefining the way we approach lawn care. If you plan to switch to electric lawn equipment, our energy advisers can share energy-saving advice to help you save money and clear the path to a greener, more energyefficient future n
BEFORE YOU GO
Share the Beauty In Your Backyard
The geography of the readership area of this magazine is vast and beautiful, from lakes to oceans to parks to beaches. Some of you have views from your homes that rival the views of national parks.
From time to time, we will share some of the excellent reader 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.
A revolving train bridge sits over the water on a foggy March morning in Milton. PHOTO BY LARRY MAINES
The answer: Although tremendous strides have been made in
Aid Technology, those cost reductions have not been passed on to you. Until now... MDHearing™ uses the same kind of technology incorporated into hearing aids that cost thousands more
of the
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 Jimmy Black
Vice President Carl Goodson
Secretary Betty Moore
Treasurer Doug Birmingham
Rupert Brown
Robert Byrd
Kinneth Daniels
Eddie Jones
Dwight Van Lierop
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.
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative offices are closed Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day.
Access your account and report power outages 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by using our app, logging on to www.gcec.com or calling any of our offices at the numbers listed above.
FL-154
GCEC President’s Message
Electrical Safety Starts With You
Every electrical device has a purpose and a service lifespan. None will last forever. When electricity is involved, failures present electrical hazards. In recognition of May being National Electrical Safety Month, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative recommends looking around your home and correcting any safety hazards.
Outdoor outlets or those in damp locations in a kitchen, bathroom or laundry room often include ground-fault circuit interrupters. GFCIs are designed to sense abnormal current flow and break the circuit to prevent electric shocks from devices plugged into the outlets.
The average GFCI outlet is designed to last about 10 years. In areas prone to electrical storms or power surges, they can wear out in five years or less. Check them frequently by pressing the red test button, then hitting the black reset button. Contact a licensed electrician to replace any failing GFCI outlets.
Unstable electrical outlets or wall switches with signs of heat damage or discoloration offer early warnings of potential shock or electrical fire hazards. Loose connections can allow electrical current arcing. If you see these signs, contact an electrician.
Power strips with surge protectors safeguard expensive electronic equipment from power spikes. Voltage spikes are measured in joules. Surge protectors are rated for the number of joules they can absorb. If your surge protector is rated at 1,000 joules, replace it when it hits that limit because that is when surge protection stops. Some surge protectors include indicator lights that flicker to warn you when they have stopped working as designed, but many do not. If your electrical system takes a major hit, or if you don’t remember when you bought your surge protector, replace it.
Extension cords are designed for temporary use. If you regularly use extension cords to connect equipment to wall outlets, you may live in an underwired home. Contact an electrician.
If an extension cord gets noticeably warm when in use, it could be undersized for the intended use. If it is frayed, cracked or has heat-damaged insulation, replace it.
If the grounding prong is missing, crimped or loose, it will not provide the protection intended. Always make sure extension cords used in outdoor or potentially damp locations are rated for exterior use.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 51,000 electrical fires are reported each year in the U.S., causing more than $1.3 billion in property damage.
Electricity is a necessity for modern living. GCEC is committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable power to members. Please keep these electrical safety tips in mind, and address potential hazards before damage occurs.
