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.
How did Anna start to enjoy life to the fullest?
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.
CRUISES ROAD TRIPS
What makes ATTO so unique?
Airline approved. Spacious legroom, comfortable seat
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.
Splits into 2 lightweight parts for easy lifting
Folds in 3 seconds, rolls like a trolley suitcase
GLADES ELECTRIC
Florida Currents
June 2025 • Volume 14, No. 8
CEO Michael Shepard
VICE PRESIDENT OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Chasity Anderson, CCC
DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Noble Sprayberry
SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC
FLORIDA CURRENTS EDITORS
Valeri Saldanha Rosa; Sable Riley, CCC
ASSISTANT EDITORS Victoria Hampton, CCC; David Herder, CCC
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Nina Todea
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION
SENIOR MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
Members acknowledge that $4.49 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
Subscription services:
Nonmember subscriptions $15 U.S. a year; $25 foreign a year. Prepayment required. Allow 4-8 weeks for first issue. Identify local edition desired. Have a problem receiving your magazine? Utility members should contact their utility office. Nonmembers call 503-357-2105 or email mailingdept@pioneer.coop.
Back issues:
Back issues and extra copies are $3 each, prepayment required. Supply is limited. Identify edition, month and year. Call first to check availability. Contact Pioneer Utility Resources: P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133-1306; 503-357-2105; email: mailingdept@pioneer.coop.
DISPLAY ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
American MainStreet Publications 611 S. Congress Ave. Ste. 504 Austin, TX 78704-1714; 800-626-1181 or 512-441-5200; amp.coop.
© 2025 Pioneer Utility Resources. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Direct reprint requests to editor@floridacurrents.com or for more information, visit www.pioneer.coop.
For additional content, search @FloridaCurrents on your favorite social media sites and floridacurrents.com.
BE READY FOR STORM
Summer is on our doorstep, and the Glades Electric Cooperative team is looking forward to opportunities for summer activities like cooking out with family and friends, spending time on the water or at the beach, and simply slowing down a bit to enjoy life.
Unfortunately, summer can also create conditions for severe storms, so GEC crews are always prepared to respond should power outages occur in our area. When severe storms cause power disruptions, our line crews take all necessary precautions before they get to work on any downed lines.
We encourage you to practice safety and preparedness to protect your family during storms and outages.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends the steps below as a starting point for storm and disaster preparedness. Visit www.ready.gov for additional resources.
• Stock your pantry with a three-day supply of nonperishable food, including canned goods, energy bars, peanut butter, powdered milk, instant coffee and water.
• Confirm you have adequate sanitation and hygiene supplies including towelettes, soap, hand sanitizer, diapers and toiletries.
• Ensure your first-aid kit is stocked with pain relievers, bandages and other medical essentials, and make sure your prescriptions are current.
• Set aside basic household items you will need, including flashlights, batteries, a manual can opener, and a portable,
Are You Storm Ready?
Follow these safety and preparation tips during spring and summer storm season.
Be Prepared
Created an emergency kit with power outage essentials: batteries, power banks, flashlights, nonperishable foods, water, medical supplies and prescriptions.
Develop an emergency family plan with meeting points, communication methods and evacuation routes. Share your plan with all family members.
Monitor weather for important updates that could impact your emergency plan.
Stay Safe
Ensure a safe shelter. Stay away from windows and doors. In tornadoes, move to a basement or an interior room without windows.
Use portable generators safely: operate outdoors in well-ventilated areas, place on a flat, dry surface, do not overload and always read the operating manual before use.
Severe storms can bring down tree limbs and power lines. If you encounter a downed line, stay back. Assume a downed line is live and dangerous.
battery-powered radio or TV.
• Organize emergency supplies so they are easily accessible in one location.
In the event of a prolonged power outage, unplug major appliances, TVs, computers and other sensitive electronics. This will help avert damage from potential power surges and will help prevent overloading circuits during power restoration. That said, do leave one light on so you will know when power is restored.
If you plan to use a portable generator, make sure it’s rated to handle the amount of power you will need, and always review the manufacturer’s instructions to operate it safely.
Severe storms can bring down power lines. If you see a downed line, assume it’s energized. Never approach it, and never walk where power lines could be submerged in water.
Advance planning for emergencies can reduce stress and anxiety. It can also lessen the impact of the storm’s effects.
Listen to local news or a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio for emergency information. Check GEC’s Facebook page for restoration updates.
Sign up for NOAA emergency alerts and warnings, and follow the co-op on Facebook for updates. If you experience an outage, don’t report it on Facebook. Call 855-940-3810 or use the SmartHub app to let personnel know your power is out. SmartHub is the fastest reporting method.
At Glades Electric, we recommend you make a plan today— because storm preparedness is always our best defense.
STORM SEASON
2025 Summer Storm Season Tips
The arrival of June means that once again, hurricane season is upon us. Check out these preparation tips to make sure co-op notifications can reach you and restoration personnel can access your service in the event of outages.
Outage Notifications
Sign up in SmartHub for outage notifications to receive estimated time of restoration (ETR) notices in the event of typical summer storm outages. In the SmartHub app, go to More > Settings > Manage Notifications > Service to select your notification preferences. ETRs will not be provided in the event of hurricanes or widespread outages.
Follow us on Facebook for Hurricane Restoration Updates
For updates following a hurricane, “like” our Glades Electric Cooperative Facebook page or bookmark www.facebook.com/GladesElectricCooperative in your browser to view our page without an account. Restoration updates will be posted each morning and evening.
Gate Access
If you have a gate, be sure we have your current gate code or have a GEC lock on it. For prompt outage restoration and access for critical maintenance, co-op crews need access at all times as indicated in our membership agreement. Access issues increase co-op costs by unnecessarily sending maintenance or restoration personnel to locations multiple times. Call 855-940-3810 to provide a code or get a lock, or scan the QR code to fill out our Contact Us form at www.gladeselectric.com/about-us/ contact.
Updated Contact Information
If your phone number or email address has changed, be sure to update our Member Services Department. In the event of an emergency, planned outage or other important matters, we want to keep you informed. Use the Contact Us QR code to share your updates or call 855-940-3810.
Surge Protection
Protect your motor-driven appliances from surges with a meter-based surge protector for $6 per month. For details, scan the QR code to visit our surge protection webpage.
Beyond Opening the Box
When the electricity goes out, your initial thought might be to run to the local hardware or big-box store and buy a generator. However, using a generator should not be taken lightly. It can be dangerous and even life-threatening if used incorrectly.
There are several steps you should take before starting a generator.
Homework
Before purchasing a generator, research the best option for your home and budget, then educate yourself on how to use one safely.
Homeowners can choose from two types of generators: standby and portable. Standby generators are installed directly into the home’s electrical system and are typically powered by natural gas or propane. These generators start automatically when the power goes out.
A portable generator is usually gas-powereds. You can power appliances by plugging them into this generator.
Your generator should have more output than the wattage of the electronics plugged into it. This way, the generator can create the extra electricity it takes for the initial power surge. Make sure there is nothing plugged into the generator when turning it on.
Safety tips
When you refuel a portable generator, make sure the engine is cool. Keep children and pets away from the generator, as it could burn them.
Generators pose electrical risks, especially when operated during inclement weather. Use a generator during wet conditions only when necessary.
Protect the generator by operating it under an open, canopy-like structure and on a dry surface where water cannot form puddles or drain under it.
Generators can be deadly
Carbon monoxide fumes emitted by the gasoline engine on the generator can be deadly. Always operate your portable generator outdoors at least 20 feet from your home.
Misusing a portable generator or using a standby generator that is not installed correctly can cause backfeed, which puts others in danger.
Backfeed happens when a generator feeds electricity back through a home’s electrical system and meter into the power lines. To prevent this dangerous scenario, standby generators should have a transfer switch installed by a licensed professional.
Do not plug a portable generator directly into a home outlet or electrical system. Instead, use a properly rated extension cord to plug appliances into an outlet on the generator for power.
When not in use
Operate your generator once a month for 10 minutes to ensure it is running properly. Keep your generator well-maintained and follow all the manufacturer’s instructions. Have a standby generator installed in an easily accessible, weatherproof area.
For more electrical safety information, visit SafeElectricity.org.
PHOTO BY JENNIFER KOUKOS
80th Annual Meeting Recap
Election results and a retirement announcement
Glades Electric Cooperative’s 80th Annual Meeting on April 9 announced the election results, gave a report on cooperative business and selected grand prize drawing winners. For the first time in recent history—and maybe ever—the Annual Meeting was on the cooperative’s Moore Haven campus.
The transition to mail-in and electronic voting over the past few years has had multifaceted benefits of increased voting, elimination of the need for a large venue for on-site voting and savings of more than $100,000 in Annual Meeting expenses.
These changes allowed Glades Electric to host the meeting on co-op property. The 21 attendees included trustees, members, employees and guests. The meeting was open to all GEC members.
Voting participation continued to grow this year, with 1,534 members (10.7%) voting as compared to 1,315 (9.4%) last year. Glades Electric Cooperative General Counsel Michael Keiber reported members reelected Donnie Lundy, Mike Pressley and Shannon Hall to three-year terms to serve on the co-op’s board of trustees.
Members also voted to approve the 2024 annual meeting minutes and proposed
bylaw revisions.
As a result of the approved bylaw revisions, GEC no longer needs to hold an election for the approval of annual meeting minutes and when there is a single candidate for a seat, which can save the cooperative nearly $25,000 annually.
At the meeting, Board President Lee Henderson and CEO Jeff Brewington shared remarks on the cooperative’s growth, the high-speed fiber-to-the-home internet project, highlights from 2024 and a look to the future.
Jeff, who celebrated 25 years with the co-op May 1, announced his retirement. He will be succeeded by current COO and Assistant General Manager Mike Roberge.
The meeting wrapped up with a drawing for five $1,000 bill credit prizes. All members who voted were entered into the drawing. Congratulations to this year’s winners: Dawn Day, Daniel Candler, Steven Cole, Carrie Muldoon and Fenny Bosk Trail LLC.
For detailed remarks, visit www.gladeselectric.com/2025annualmeeting for a video of the annual meeting.
Being a member of an electric cooperative is more than just receiving
2025 Election Results
Donnie Lundy, District 1 Trustee representing Moore Haven: 1,350 votes.
Mike Pressley, District 3 Trustee representing Ortona/Palmdale: 1,313 votes.
Shannon Hall, District 4 Trustee representing Lakeport/Brighton: 1,351 votes.
1,429 votes to approve 2024 annual meeting minutes; 65 votes against.
1,347 votes to approve proposed bylaw revisions; 147 votes against.
power to your residence. Co-ops are member-owned and member-led. Members are encouraged to use their voice to make a difference for their cooperative and to participate in our yearly trustee elections.
Next year, members elect trustees for the following districts: District 5 (Venus/ Hicoria), District 7 (Lorida) and District 9 (Okeechobee).
For additional information regarding trustee elections, visit www.gladeselectric.com/ about-us/board-of-trustees.
Glades Electric CEO Jeff Brewington announces his retirement during the 2025 Annual Meeting.
Operation Round Up
What is it?
Operation Round Up is a program that allows members to round up their monthly bills to fund projects benefiting community members in need.
Nine members serve on the board of directors for Glades Electric Charitable Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Directors review applications and approve grants.
District 7
Howard Lake Josephine District 8
$3,784.00 in Operation Round Up funds awarded in April 2025 for youth programs and a member in need.
How does it work?
$153 55 cents to your neighbor in need. The average yearly contribution is $6 per member.
Funds from Operation Round Up go right back into the communities we serve.
44%
How can I help?
Byars Okeechobee District 9 raised by Operation Round Up and Round Up Plus in March 2025.
$4,373.83
Did you know?
8,232 accounts participate in Operation Round Up or Operation Round Up Plus. Round Up Plus allows members to give even more, adding any set amount, $1 or more, to their bills each month.
The participation rate it would take to raise more than $70,000 annually to support our communities. 75%
How can I get help?
Sign up for Operation Round Up in the SmartHub app or on your payment stub, stop by the office or call 855-940-3810.
If you or a member you know needs financial assistance, please complete an application at: www.gladeselectric.com/community/operation-round-up. $152.45 Amount due: Power Bill UP
Ardis Hammock Moore Haven District 1
Beverly Eaves Hendry County District 2 Kelly Brantley Ortona/Palmdale District 3
Dori Evans Lakeport District 4
Carol Roberts Venus/Hicoria District 5
Lee Andrus Highlands Park District 6 Vacant Lorida
Highlands
Glades
Hendry
Okeechobee
Saving Rare Breeds
Florida’s endangered farm animals find champions
By Les O’Dell
Livestock production in Florida is as diverse as the farmers, ranchers, shepherds and homesteaders who raise agricultural animals. From large commercial cattle and swine operations to families with a few rabbit hutches and a flock of chickens, the state boasts a wide range of livestock producers, all with their own reasons for raising the breeds they do.
For some Florida agriculturalists, one reason is conservation. These breeders choose less common varieties of animals for their farms and homesteads.
Known as heritage breeds, these traditional livestock breeds are a throwback to a time before industrial agriculture became a mainstream practice. According to The Livestock Conservancy, a North Carolina-based not-for-profit organization
working to promote and protect these animals, the breeds were carefully selected and bred over time to develop traits that made them well adapted to the local environment. They thrive under farming practices and cultural conditions that are very different from some found in modern agriculture.
Because of unique characteristics— such as slower rates of weight gain— these breeds fell out of favor with commercial producers, pushing some to the brink of extinction. Today, The Livestock Conservancy lists more than 180 agricultural breeds across 11 species—ranging from rabbits, ducks and geese to cattle, horses and pigs—on its Conservation Priority List an annual report ranking the danger of disappearance of each breed, classified from the most serious, or Critical, down to Threatened, Watch and Recovering. Based on these rankings, conservationists work to preserve these breeds.
Take Scott and Sherry Crossman, for example. On their Stafford’s Prairie Ranch near Williston, the couple raise Florida Cracker cattle, a breed listed as “Threatened” on the CPL. Descending
from Spanish cattle brought to North America in the 1500s, it is one of the oldest breeds in the United States. How the Crossmans came to select the breed—which is heat-tolerant, resistant to parasites and diseases, and thrives on lowquality grasslands—is a story itself. When purchasing the ranch, they discovered Sherry’s great-great-grandfather had owned the property in the mid-1800s and raised hundreds of Florida Cracker cattle there. The Crossmans chose to honor the legacy and have come to love the breed.
“As we studied the history of the Cracker cattle, we recognized the uniqueness of their genetic makeup and then, of course, the need to preserve those genes,” Scott says.
Other Florida breeders understand the importance of genetic preservation. Rick Blaney and Heidi Reinhardt have what they believe to be the world’s largest herd of critically endangered Galiceno horses at their Galicenos of Suwannee Horse Ranch near Live Oak. Although small in size compared to many equine breeds— Galicenos mature at 12-13.2 hands, or 48-54 inches—they are an intelligent and gentle breed, fully capable of carrying an
Sherry Crossman, of Stafford’s Prairie Ranch holds a Florida Cracker calf. PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT CROSSMAN
Florida Cracker cattle on Stafford’s Prairie Ranch near Williston.
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE HOWELL JR.
Breeds
adult human with a smooth gait that is easy on the rider.
“These horses are unique,” Rick says. “They are descendants of the first horses brought to the new world by Columbus and Cortez. Plus, I have a long history of working with endangered species, and when I found out how endangered this breed was, it was a natural transition to focus on saving the genetics of this breed. That really caught my attention.”
Heidi says she loves the breed for other reasons.
“My adoration for this breed comes from their size, stature, stamina, personalities, varieties of solid colors and the ease with which I can train them,” she says.
The pair says their role goes beyond simply raising the horses.
“Our mission is saving the breed and educating people about them. This is such an important breed in history that people need to know about them,” Rick adds.
Paul Bradshaw, owner of Greenfire Farms in Midway, sells rare and vanishing varieties of chickens from around the world. His efforts have been responsible for doubling the number of chicken breeds in the United States, including several Conservation Priority List varieties, including Crevecouer (Watch), Icelandic (Threatened) and Spitzhauben (Watch).
He reports that Greenfire Farms has more than 1,000 birds representing more than four dozen breeds.
“Our basic thesis is that chickens are a vital source of animal protein globally, both with eggs and meat, but commercially, it is a very genetically limited and vulnerable population,” Paul says, adding that keeping living birds is key. “Unlike a seed bank or with mammals where you can freeze genetics, you can’t do that with chicken. You must have live chickens, so essentially, we have the biggest chicken gene bank in the world. If we don’t do that, we paint ourselves into a corner.”
Securing biodiversity and genetic resources are important for protecting these breeds, explains Alison Martin, program director for The Livestock Conservancy. However, many producers choose heritage animals because they want to make a difference.
“None of us has a crystal ball to see what the future of agriculture will look like,” she says. “This is about keeping these breeds around as a genetic reservoir.” She adds that these animals are key to food security. “If we didn’t have this diversity, eventually, we would narrow our food system down to where it wasn’t sustainable. There would be no backup.”
Paul puts it another way.
“The level of vulnerability we have when we have bred our animals into this genetic cul-de-sac becomes hard to escape,” he says. “This is one of those rare instances where an individual can really move the needle just by keeping a flock or herd. It’s a real opportunity for individuals to make a difference in their own backyard.”
The efforts are paying off. Since first establishing the Conservation Priority List 37 years ago, The Livestock Conservancy has not lost a breed to extinction. In fact, in the past dozen years, 12 breeds have “graduated” off the CPL, meaning those animal populations no longer need continual monitoring. In 2024, two breeds—Southdown sheep and Hereford pigs—graduated from the list, and 15 breeds were reclassified within the CPL’s four tiers, most in a positive direction.
For farmers, educators and conservationists, raising and promoting heritage breeds and their products is a labor of love.
More information about these animals and the Conservation Priority List can be found at livestockconservancy.org.
ABOVE: Cowcifer is a registered Florida Cracker owned by Alexia Mann near Perry. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXIA MANN
LEFT: Heidi Reinhardt greets two Galiceno mares.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD BLANEY
Teaching Tallahassee Legacy to swim
By Theresa Sterling
Lanes in the
Malcolm Hosford works with a young swimmer at Leach Student Recreation Center at Florida State University.
PHOTO BY THERESA STERLING
A framed photo from the ’80s shows the sun glinting off Thomas DeCarr Hosford’s dark blonde hair as he sits on the edge of an outdoor pool, supporting a boy who is learning to swim.
Forty years and two knee replacements later, Thomas, who goes by Dickie, is still youthful and agile. He still teaches swimming and coaches the sport. He estimates he’s taught thousands of North Florida children to swim since those first lessons.
“With all of Florida’s shoreline, kids here should all know how to swim,” Dickie says. “If you fall in the water and you don’t know how to swim, you drown. Swimming will save your life. I don’t know of another sport as important or as lifesaving.”
The family’s Hosford Swim School is a Tallahassee institution. It began as a side gig while Dickie worked as a lifeguard and later as a pool manager at Capital City Country Club. Over time, it grew into a gold star swim lesson program open to all of Florida’s Big Bend families.
It Runs in the Family
He later served in Leon County schools for 37 years as a physical education teacher, swim coach and athletic director, all while teaching countless children, starting at age 2, how to swim.
Dickie maintained the pool for the 110-year-old Capital City Country Club, where his father once served as president. Eventually, Dickie’s sons served as lifeguards. His son, Malcolm, 43, now maintains the pool. After working alongside his father for years, Malcolm learned to patch, seal, paint and preserve the pool during dry months. It is an annual labor of love and duty—a new pool would cost the club millions of dollars. It cost $46,000 to build in 1958.
After teaching at the swim school for many years and watching his father coordinate the program the old-fashioned way, Malcolm took over in 2009 while he was studying at Florida State. Now, he runs Hosford Swim School.
“Malcolm really took it to a new level,” Dickie says. “All those years he watched me doing hand mailers, opening stacks of mail with paper registrations and tracking check payments, writing out schedules by hand. He really thought he could grow the school, streamline things and bring us into the 21st century, with social media and all. He really has done that.”
While a member of Florida State University’s swim team, Dickie earned a reputation not only as a competitive athlete but also as someone with a knack for working in the water with children.
Malcolm extended his teaching hours, and his wife, Lena, joined the team in 2013. She manages the swim school’s social media accounts, developed its logo and created a website, which crashed as soon as online registration went live due to the overwhelming volume of sign-ups.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Dickie Hosford goes airborne in his swim clown show during the annual summer send-off for families at Tallahassee’s Capital City Country Club in 1988. PHOTO COURTESY OF LULU HOSFORD. Eleven-year-old Dickie hangs off the diving board at Capital City Country Club in Tallahassee, in this photo by Dan Stainer for the Tallahassee Democrat, June 30, 1966. PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORIDA MEMORY, STATE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA. This framed photo of Dickie with two generations of Tallahassee swim students was a gift from the swimmers’ family.
PHOTO BY THERESA STERLING
Every season, Hosford Swim School instructors teach 2,000 people. Considering all the years Dickie ran the school on his own, easily 10 or 20 times that number of North Florida children have learned to swim through the Hosford program. They work with young children, teens and college students and have given specific lessons to adults planning to dive for shells on vacation. The waitlist is months long.
Malcolm’s bona fides include high school and NCAA AllAmerican titles, a swimming scholarship to Auburn University and a place on the Florida State University swim team. He was an Olympic Trial qualifier—twice—and coached Georgia’s Thomas University swim team for a few years. When he needed an assistant coach there, he tapped Dickie to join him. His first memory of swimming was with his mom, who gave swimming lessons at her mother’s school, Sutton’s Educational Day Care, in Tallahassee.
Malcolm balances his elite competitor side with a father’s gentle touch while working with young swimmers. He guides goggled heads through side-to-side breathing motions, and just as Dickie used age-appropriate language with the kids—saying “Be a chipmunk” instead of “Hold your breath,” for example, Malcolm does the same.
Leach Student Recreation Center at Florida State University.
Dickie says the way Malcolm works with children comes naturally to him. Malcolm admits he loves kids and especially likes working with the scared ones because he can see their progress.
“I have always been around kids,” he says. “My mom ran a home day care, and my grandmother had the day care in Tallahassee for years. I learned a lot from my grandma because she had the tough love approach. With swimming, you have to bring that to the table because it’s a lifesaving skill before anything else. You have to not let a kid cry their way out of it or let a parent pull them out because they’re crying. It’s just too important.”
Lifesaving Lessons
These days, Hosford Swim School brings lessons and water safety skills to families in Leon County homes, country clubs and at Leach Recreation Center on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee.
Spencer Dalton, a mom of three whose youngest daughter, Reese, 5, is a student at Leach Center, sent her two older children to Hosford Swim School. Spencer, a native Floridian who grew up on the Atlantic Coast, says the peace of mind she and her husband feel, knowing her children learned to swim with Hosford, is invaluable.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:
Dickie and Malcolm take a break in the dry pool at Capital City Country Club. Malcolm works with a group of young swimmers at
Malcolm now runs the swim school Dickie started. PHOTOS BY THERESA STERLING
“We are a water family,” Spencer says. “We are on our boat on the Gulf, Lake Talquin and the Apalachicola River. It’s important to us that our kids are confident around water, even water that isn’t a pool with steps—water out in nature.”
Peninsular Florida’s general coastline stretches 1,350 miles, and the tidal shoreline—exposed shore boundaries that fluctuate depending on tides—totals 2,276 miles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state ranked fourth in the United States for unintentional drowning deaths among all ages in 2021, and from 2019 to 2021 ranked the highest in the United States for unintentional drownings among children ages 1 to 4.
Roberta Cooper, Florida native and mom to 4-year-old Savannah, says basic swimming skills and comfort around water are essential for all families with children, whether or not they live near the coast.
“We don’t have a pool at home, but we travel and stay at hotels with pools,” Roberta says. “This is important just for basic safety.”
Austin Hosford, 38, the youngest of Dickie’s four sons, is a Jefferson County commissioner in rural Monticello, just east of Tallahassee, where he lives with his wife, Jessi, and their two children. Austin was a lifeguard at Capital City Country Club at age 16 and taught at the swim school, too.
Holding their 2-year-old son, Barrett, by the pool in their backyard, Jessi wondered aloud if the toddler is too young to start swim lessons this summer. Dickie gave professional advice and a strong grandfatherly opinion.
“With a pool in your backyard,” he said, “this summer he has to either learn respect for the pool or learn how to swim.”
What Dickie is most proud of, he says, is teaching so many kids the lifesaving skill of swimming, of opening doors for them to all the other water sports they may want to do. They are, after all, Floridians.
Learn more about Hosford Swim School at hosfordswimschool.org.
Water Safety
Drownings are one of the leading causes of child deaths in the state, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families. The agency offers key tips for keeping children safe in and near the water.
Never go near the water without an adult. It’s important for young children to know the fun can’t begin until a “water watcher” is present. Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, so someone keeping an eye on swimmers is a necessity. Make sure your child knows never to go near the water alone and always to have a swimming partner. Install barriers around your pool or hot tub, and remove any pool toys that could attract children to the water.
Wear a life jacket. Always wear a life jacket while in a boat, raft, inner tube or on a dock. If a child cannot swim or is an inexperienced swimmer, use a life jacket while in the water. Fit the jacket to keep the child’s head and face above water. Remember, life jackets only work when they are worn, so make sure your children get in the routine of putting one on every time they get near the water. Water wings and inflatable toys don’t provide the same support as a U.S. Coast Guardapproved life jacket.
Learn to swim. Swimming lessons can reduce drowning incidents, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children 4 and older learn to swim. Even if your child has taken swimming lessons, never assume their risk of drowning is over. To find swimming lessons in your area, contact your area YMCA, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, city facilities or a local swim school
ADOBE
STOCK PHOTO BY GATOR, OLEXANDRA SIMKINA
Four-year-old Savannah Cooper, right, waits her turn for one-on-one instruction.
Roll, Fold and Feast
TURN TO TORTILLAS
Easy Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas
2 8-inch flour tortillas
2 tablespoons tomato sauce (may substitute spaghetti, pizza or marinara sauce)
10 to 12 slices pepperoni
6 to 8 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
Butter
Additional tomato sauce
Spread tomato sauce evenly over entire tortilla in a thin layer. Add pepperoni, covering half of each tortilla.
Sprinkle the pepperoni with a layer of cheese. Fold over the top of the tortilla. Melt a bit of butter in a skillet. Place two quesadillas in the skillet. Cook 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat until lightly browned.
While the first side of the quesadilla is cooking, lightly butter the other side of each tortilla. Flip over the tortillas, and cook until the second side is browned. Remove the quesadillas from the pan. Let rest for a few minutes, then slice each tortilla into quarters or thirds. Serve with warm tomato sauce for dipping.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY CIRCLEPS
Fiesta Pinwheels
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup picante sauce
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Dash garlic powder
4.5-ounce can chopped olives, drained
4-ounce can chopped green chiles
1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup thinly sliced green onions
8 10-inch flour tortillas, warmed Salsa
In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, sour cream, picante sauce, taco seasoning and garlic powder until smooth. Stir in olives, chiles, cheese and onions. Spread about ½ cup on each tortilla. Roll up jelly-roll style.
Cover. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Slice into 1-inch pieces before serving with salsa.
Taco Lasagna Recipe
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16-ounce jar salsa, divided
12 8-inch corn or flour tortillas, divided
16 ounces sour cream, divided
16 ounces shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
Heat oven to 350 F. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a plate. Pour off any fat from the skillet.
Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining olive oil. Heat until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Return the beef and any juices to the skillet. Add black beans, and stir to combine. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and black pepper. Stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Pour ¼ cup salsa into a 9-by-13 baking dish. Pour the remaining salsa into the skillet. Stir to combine.
To assemble the lasagna, spread out the salsa in the baking dish into a thin layer. Arrange four tortillas in a single layer on top of the salsa, overlapping them as needed. Dollop and spread ⅔ cup of the sour cream. Spoon half of the meat mixture over the sour cream. Spread in an even layer. Sprinkle with 1⅓ cups of cheese.
Repeat layering the following: four tortillas, ⅔ cup sour cream, the remaining meat mixture and 1⅓ cups shredded cheese. Top with the remaining four tortillas and ⅔ cup sour cream. Sprinkle with the remaining 1⅓ cups cheese. Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Sour
Cream Chicken Enchilada Skillet
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1½ teaspoons chili powder
¼ teaspoon oregano
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
1 cup sour cream
6 to 7 regular-sized flour tortillas, cut into bitesized pieces
7.5 ounces black beans, drained
14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup shredded cheese
In a large skillet, heat butter until melted. Stir in flour, and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in chicken broth. Stir until sauce is smooth and thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir chili powder, oregano, salt and pepper into the sauce.
Add chicken breasts to the pan. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan, and shred into bite-sized pieces.
Stir sour cream into the sauce. Return the chicken to the skillet. Add tortilla pieces, black beans and tomatoes. Stir until combined, then top with shredded cheese.
Cover skillet and cook until bubbly and the cheese is melted, about 5 to 8 minutes.
Freezer Burritos
1¼ pounds lean ground beef
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1¼ cups salsa
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
½ cup water
2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 8-inch flour tortillas, warmed
In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes, breaking meat into crumbles. Drain. Stir in salsa and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl, then set aside.
In a food processor, combine water and beans. Cover. Process until almost smooth. Add to beef, and stir in cheese.
Spoon ½ cup beef mixture down the center of each tortilla. Fold ends and sides over filling. Roll up. Wrap each burrito in waxed paper and foil. Freeze for up to 1 month.
To heat frozen burritos: Remove foil and waxed paper. Place one burrito on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high until a thermometer reads 165 F, about 3 minutes, turning burrito over once. Let stand for 20 seconds.
Anatomy of
Capturing Fireworks
By Dave LaBelle
There are annual events—such as birthdays, anniversaries and holidays—many of us are determined to make pictures of.
One of the annual events I am often called on to photograph is fireworks during the Fourth of July. Here is where I confess, even though I have photographed fireworks for more than a half a century, I never seem to capture the picture I want.
Oh, I have made some acceptable pictures through the years but not one that I felt expressed what I saw and felt.
I surveyed the grounds early where the fireworks were to be launched this past year, seeking every possible angle.
Some cities have hilltops or big rivers running through them, like Pittsburgh or Portland, Oregon. But Dyersville, Iowa, is flat with few bumps we might dare to call hills.
Finally, I decided on a low, grassy spot that afforded a relatively clean, uncluttered view of the aerial bursts. However, as parking spaces grew thin, vehicles lunged forward, parking on the grassy spot I had
Reader Challenge
chosen. Camera and tripod in hand, I had to move or get run over.
Just as I was about to seek another last-minute vantage point, a couple of children put down a blanket between two vehicles and sat waiting for the show.
Hmmm?
If I could get low enough, they might make a good foreground, their shapes against
a lit-up sky.
I moved up slowly and stealthily behind them and lay on the ground to see if I could get the camera low enough— off the tripod—to see if I had enough sky to see and capture fireworks once they began.
At one point—still 30 minutes before the show—I had to explain to their father, watching me suspiciously, the photo I was hoping to capture.
Determine to make a beautiful photograph that captures the spirit of celebration meant by filling the sky with beautiful explosions of color and design. Scout areas and choose the spot first. Then consider using a tripod and slower shutter speed. To create depth and context, foreground is key. Above all, experiment with exposure. Each burst is often a different color and intensity.
Email your best image (just one) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to gph@pioneer.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
As most of you who have attempted to photograph fireworks know, there is a lot of luck involved. That acknowledged, the old maxim, “Luck is where opportunity meets preparation,” was on my side this evening.
After a handful of lowbursting blasts, finally a reddishpink explosion filled the sky low enough to wash over and even reflect on the parked vehicles. n
For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and his blog at bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
Photographer, author and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century, sharing photo tips and life perspectives with readers.
TIPS TO AVOID
ENERGY SCAMS
If you suspect you’re dealing with a utility scam, it’s crucial to slow down and take your time before taking any action.
Scammers will often pressure you to make quick decisions or immediate payments. Instead, take the time to verify the legitimacy of the communication by contacting your utility directly.
Use a phone number from a reliable source, such as your bill or the utility’s website. Taking this simple step can help protect you from falling victim to utility scams.
Source: Utilities United Against Scams
Panhandle Paradise
The Florida Panhandle offers many great fishing opportunities
The Florida Panhandle offers a beautiful setting and many diverse fishing opportunities. A top angling destination, St. Andrew Bay covers approximately 25,000 acres near Panama City Beach.
“Probably one of the biggest draws to this area is that we have so many different fishing options,” says Justin Leake with Panama City Inshore and host of “Chasin’ the Sun” on the Discovery Channel.
“Summer is probably the most versatile time to fish this area.”
The very salty and clear sparkling waters provide excellent sight-fishing for redfish and other species. People can also catch speckled trout, flounder and other saltwater fish. Anglers without boats wade the pristine beaches.
“In June, we catch redfish around the bridges and passes with a variety of artificials,” Justin says. “We catch bull reds with live bait. The early-morning topwater bite is really good for speckled trout and redfish. After the redfish action slacks off, we move out deeper and throw jigs for trout.”
Florida excels at tarpon action. The Panama City Beach area once held the state record for tarpon and still delivers some giants exceeding 200 pounds. In the summer, tarpon chase baitfish in shallow water close to the beaches.
“My No. 1 go-to summer activity is tarpon fishing,” Justin says. “The tarpon are mostly migrating along the beaches
where we sight fish them with live bait or swimbaits. Their backs are relatively dark, so they really stand out in that emerald green clear water.”
Anglers watch for tarpon to roll on the surface and then toss live baits or lures to them. Silver kings bite just about anything that resembles a baitfish. Many people fish for tarpon with fly tackle.
“Tarpon will eat anything that looks like an easy meal,” Justin says.
People can find mangrove snapper and sheepshead around hard structures. For mangroves, use live shrimp or baitfish. For fast action, fish for bluefish and Spanish mackerel around grass flats near the pass. These toothy predators will attack anything shiny that mimics a baitfish.
Larger boats head offshore to fish for red snapper, grouper and other fish during the summer. Depending on the location and water depth, anglers might also catch king mackerel, cobia, dolphin—also called mahi—wahoo, tuna, sailfish or blue marlin.
“Offshore, we go for red snapper and king mackerel in June,” Justin says. “We catch snapper from 60 to 200 feet of water. Any live or dead bait will work. King mackerel hang around the buoys and reefs looking for bait concentrations.”
Those fishing with a Florida licensed charter captain do not need a state fishing license. People can enjoy other recreational activities commonly associated with beach
PHOTOS COURTESY
communities. For seafood, try the Grand Marlin or Capt. Anderson’s in Panama City Beach. I recommend staying at Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort. n
For more information, visit destinationpanamacity.com or visitpanamacitybeach.com. For more about Panama City Inshore Fishing, call 850-258-7780 or visit panamacityinshore.com.
John N. Felsher is a freelance writer, broadcaster, photographer and editor. He’s written more than 3,500 articles on a wide variety of outdoor topics. Contact him at j.felsher@hotmail.com or through Facebook.
ABOVE: Anglers prepare to release a large tarpon they caught in the Gulf of Mexico off Panama City. TOP: Some of the most beautiful waters on the Gulf Coast occur off Panama City Beach. Here, anglers sit high in a tower looking to spot any fish activity.
OF JUSTIN LEAKE, PANAMA CITY INSHORE FISHING
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
June 1-20
Summer Solstice Celebration
Join us at Mallory Square for 20 evenings this June as we celebrate the summer solstice. Participants consist of arts and crafts exhibitors, psychics, street performers, food carts, and thousands of tourists who visit this art show. Each night, one hour before sunset, locals and tourists flock to the water’s edge to experience a multicultural happening and watch the sun sink into the Gulf. www.sunsetcelebration.org; 305-396-7046
PANAMA CITY
June 3
Nature Through The Looking Glass
Join a ranger at the Gator Lake Overlook to try and spot American alligators, bald eagles, various wading birds and other species native to the state of Florida. Spotting scopes and binoculars are provided. Parking for the Gator Lake overlook is on the main park loop. bit.ly/43meDnd; 850-245-2157
KEY WEST
June 5
Truman Waterfront Farmers Market
Shop with a view 2-7 p.m. every Thursday at the Truman Waterfront Farmers Market on the harbor by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum. Find food, including ready-to-eat items, fresh Florida produce and other grocery items, alongside gifts, home decor, art and more. keysartisanmarket.com; 305-731-3385
PENSACOLA
June 7
Palafox Market
Find one-of-a-kind, precious and offbeat items, and delicious goods, originating from on-site vendors. Join us from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday, rain or shine, for farm-fresh produce, plants, flowers, baked goods, works of art, fresh tea and coffee, food and spices, hand-blown glass, and ceramics. downtownpensacola.com/palafox/palafox-market; 850-380-8196
CANTONMENT
June 7
Into the Woods: Artist’s and Farmer’s Marketplace Neighbors, friends and family are invited to the inaugural Artist’s and Farmer’s Marketplace. This 6-acre property is a thriving hub of honeybees, vegetables and pottery, making it the perfect destination for artisans, farmers, makers and bakers. Join us in exploring exceptional products from talented creators while enjoying the peaceful surroundings. 850-679-4750
PANAMA CITY BEACH
June 7
History Tour
Join in a guided tour of Camp Helen State Park. Staff share park history from the Hicks family building to the colorful history of Avondale Mills using the property as its employee vacation retreat. Gather at 10 a.m. at the visitors center/park office and dress appropriately for the weather. Park admission is $4 per vehicle, $2 per pedestrian or bicycle in the honor box at the entrance or via the QR code on the entry sign. www.floridastateparks.org/events/history-tour-35; 850-245-2157
ONA
June 5
16th Annual UF/IFAS Range
Cattle REC Youth Field Day
The goal of this event is to excite students about agriculture and science and foster a love of learning. Students 8 to 18 years old earn a Youth Beef Quality Assurance Certification. This year’s classes are Biosecurity: Lowering the Exposure; Nutrition and Body Condition Scoring; Newborn Calf Health Management; Low-Stress Cattle Handling; and Best Practices: Using Injectables. General registration is open until June 3 for $25.
rcrec-2025-yfd.eventbrite.com; 863-735-1001
PHOTO BY TYLER JONES
WEWAHITCHKA
June 7
Centennial/Sesquicentennial Festival
Join us 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a fun, family-friendly event in honor of Wewahitchka’s 150th and Gulf County’s 100th birthdays. There are food vendors, arts and crafts booths, children’s activities, live music, and library exhibits and speakers. Special events include a Wewa settlers costume contest and an antique car show. Sponsored by the Friends of the Wewahitchka Library, the Wewahitchka Historical Society and the City of Wewahitchka, the event is free and open to the public. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572259151675; 850-639-2419
KEY WEST
June 14
College of the Florida Keys Swim Around Key West Embark on an adventurous competitive swim—a 12.5-mile loop around the island. The pristine waters around Key West give swimmers great views of the land and underwater life. Compete in categories, such as solo swimmer, solo swimmers with fins, solo swimmers using a mermaid tail or a monofin, or gather your friends and compete in the relay category of two-, three-, four-, five- or six-person teams. Not interested in the full island swim? Try some of the other races offered: the 6.1-, 2- or 1-mile swims, or an 800-yard swim. Swims begin and end at Higgs Beach, 1000 Atlantic Blvd. swimaroundkeywest.org; 305-809-3562
PENSACOLA
June 19
Juneteenth at Five Sisters’ Blues Cafe Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and the enslaved were free. Juneteenth meals feature foods connecting cooking traditions of the African diaspora. African American pit masters display their barbecue alongside other dishes, such as greens and black-eyed peas, that represented prosperity and good fortune. Summer fruits and flowers in shades of red are a special highlight during Juneteenth. It is with this in mind that Five Sisters’ chef Josh Rich is once again offering a selection of Juneteenth adaptations to honor African American contributions to America’s culinary tradition and celebrating Juneteenth. fivesistersbluescafe.com; 850-912-4856
KEY WEST
June 28
Generations of Strength Street Fair and Dance Party
This joyous event in the 700 to 1,000 blocks of Duval Street is the heart of Pride festivities, showcasing a mix of performances, eclectic vendors and diverse community spirit. With more than 50 vendors, you’ll discover an array of unique crafts, delicious food and informative booths. The party doesn’t stop there. Join the dance floor for live performances. Whether you’re exploring the fair or dancing with friends, this event promises an unforgettable experience of unity and celebration. All are welcome at this family-friendly event.
gaykeywestfl.com/pride; 800-535-7797
MONTICELLO
June 13-14
Watermelon Festival
Get ready to relive the sweetest moments of the past while making juicy new memories. We’re celebrating decades of watermelon magic—from groovy events to nostalgic festival traditions that have stood the test of time. Whether you’re rocking your best vintage vibes or embracing the modern melon moment, join us as we honor the generations who have made this festival a summertime staple. It’s time to taste the tradition, dance through the decades and celebrate your Watermelon Era. The festival is 3-9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. www.monticellowatermelonfestival.com; 850-997-5552
HOW TO INCLUDE UPCOMING EVENTS
Want to share a family-friendly event with the readers of Florida Currents? Head online and enter the details at tinyurl.com/FloridaCurrents or use the QR code for easy access. Make sure to submit the item at least 60 days before the event (due to press deadline). If you own rights to a print-quality photo promoting your event, include it with photo credit information.
PHOTO BY KATIE TRUELOVE
Natural Pest Control Gardening for
When it comes to managing pests in the garden, pesticides often seem like a quick and effective solution. However, overreliance on them can lead to pesticide resistance and potentially harm increasingly fragile ecosystems. That’s where natural enemies can come into play. Certain insects act as nature’s pest control.
Predators such as lacewings, lady beetles, minute pirate bugs, big-eyed bugs, syrphid flies and praying mantis, alongside parasitoids such as tachinid flies and parasitoid wasps, help maintain balance in the landscape by feeding on pests or laying their eggs inside or on them.
Supporting these beneficial insects ensures we rely less on chemicals and more on nature’s own pest control mechanisms. One of the best ways to support these garden allies is by creating an environment rich in plant diversity.
In regions such as Central Florida where year-round blooms are possible, maintaining a continuous supply of flowering plants ensures beneficial insects can thrive throughout the year.
A variety of culinary herbs that help predators can be incorporated into the landscape, including dill, cilantro, spearmint, peppermint, parsley, thyme, fennel, basil, lemon balm, catnip and horsemint/bee balm.
Wildflowers and ornamentals provide nectar and pollen, key resources for adult foraging insects. That includes echinacea, yarrow, zinnia, calendula, goldenrod, chamomile, rouge plant, coreopsis, porterweed, gaillardia, liatris, cosmos, sweet alyssum, rattelsnake master, rudbeckia and Stokes’ aster.
Woody perennials and trees should not be overlooked as they offer shelter and food. Among them are oak species, holly species, Simpson’s stopper, Chickasaw plum, crape myrtle, button bush, Walter’s viburnum and fire bush.
Native bunch grasses are also essential, offering refuge for reproductive insects to lay their eggs and raise their young.
Some common native species of bunch grasses include Elliot’s love, purple love, Florida gama, lopsided indian, muhly and Fakahatchee.
Minimizing disturbances is equally important for fostering natural enemies in the garden. Before reaching for a pesticide, start by scouting your garden and identifying the pest.
Florida alone is home to more than 12,500 insect species. Of this incredible diversity of species, less than 3% are actually considered pests, so proper identification is key. Simple hand removal or physical methods are often effective for many insect pests.
If chemical intervention becomes necessary, choose nontoxic or less-toxic options, such as microbial insecticides, horticultural oils and soaps. Avoid applying pesticides when plants are in bloom, and
opt for targeted chemistries and mindful applications as a last resort.
Finally, rethinking how landscapes are managed can make a big difference. Reducing mowing, tilling and debris removal allows beneficial insects—especially those that live in leaf litter or hollow plant stems—to establish stable populations.
A slightly wilder, less manicured garden can be a haven for these natural enemies, giving them the time and space to do their part in maintaining a healthy, balanced ecosystem.
By embracing this approach, we can cultivate a garden that supports beneficial insects and leads to more sustainable pest management overall.
Find native and Florida-Friendly plants in your area by visiting Florida Association of Native Nurseries and BetRock’s Plant Finder.
Dr. Heather Kalaman serves as the Florida-Friendly landscaping horticulture agent for UF/IFAS Extension Orange County. She is a graduate of the UF Doctor of Plant Medicine Program and has a master’s degree in environmental horticulture, where her research focused on pollinator-plant interactions. Her passions and programing are focused on sustainable landscaping practices.
An adult syrphid, or flower fly, feeds on nectar. The larvae of these insects are voracious eaters of aphids. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID CAPPAERT, BUGWOOD.ORG
When you join Operation Round Up to round your monthly bill up to the nearest dollar, your small change helps local nonprofits and members in need.
Local families are benefitting from a $3,500 Operation Round Up grant for Okeechobee Healthy Start’s Safe Sleep education program. This program teaches new parents about safe sleep habits and environments for infants and provides Pack ‘N Play beds to families without a safe sleep space for their newborn. Join your neighbors in giving small
Over $11,000 in rounded up bill donations have supported local nonprofit programs and assisted members facing unusual hardships in 2025.
Keep Water Safety Tips in Mind
Don’t take the power of electricity for granted
Electricity and water are a dangerous—potentially fatal—combination.
Swimmers and boat owners need to take precautions to make sure their time in and on the water is safe. While this might seem like common sense, boats and docks are often powered by electricity. One mistake could lead to tragedy. Consider the following points:
• There is no visible warning to electrified water. Electric current in water causes a paralysis of muscles, which can result in drowning. As little as 10 milliamps—1/50 of the amount used by a 60watt light bulb—can cause paralysis.
• If you are in or on the water and feel a tingling, the water might be electrified. Immediately get out of the water. Avoid using metal objects, such as a ladder. Alert others who are in the water to try to stay upright, tuck legs to be smaller and swim away from anything that could be energized.
• If you believe an electric shock drowning is occurring, turn off all power, throw a life ring to the person, and call 911. Do not enter the water. It could still be electrified.
• If you own a dock or pier, install ground-fault circuit interrupters, and test them monthly. Use portable UL-Marine List GFCIs when using electricity near water.
• If you own a boat that uses electricity, install equipment leakage circuit interrupters to protect swimmers from electric shock in the water around the boat. The Energy Education Council recommends all electrical installations be performed by a professional electrical contractor familiar with marine codes and standards. The organization also recommends individuals not swim around docks with electrical equipment or boats plugged into shore power. Many electrical shock drowning deaths have occurred around private docks and boats plugged into shore power while docked.
Gov. DeSantis Visits Co-op Legislative Cookout
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made a surprise appearance at the Florida Electric Cooperatives’ annual legislative cookout March 18 at the Goodwood Museum Carriage House in Tallahassee. The event brings together co-op employees, trustees, and legislators during the annual legislative session to discuss policies affecting safe, reliable and affordable power for co-op members.
DeSantis met with attendees and sampled Florida-inspired dishes prepared by cooperatives’ employees. Glades Electric’s cook team served gator tail, jalapeno poppers and swamp cabbage.
Earlier in the day, trustees and employees met with Sen. Erin Grall, Rep. Kaylee Tuck, and Sheri Green from Sen. Kathleen Passidomo’s office to discuss cooperative business issues.
Glades Electric’s leadership values the support of the Heartland’s elected officials and their recognition of electric co-ops’ vital role in powering nearly 3 million Floridians across 57 counties.
ABOVE: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, third from left, visits the Glades Electric Cooperative table, sampling specialties and meeting trustees, employees and guests.
TOP: DeSantis shakes hands with GEC Power Supply North Manager Matt Perry as he greets co-op cookout chefs.
Story and photos by Jennifer Koukos
Trustees Recognized for Service and Leadership
By Jennifer Koukos
At its March board meeting, Glades Electric Cooperative honored two trustees for their dedication and achievements.
District 4 Trustee Shannon Hall, representing the Lakeport/Brighton area, was recognized for 30 years of service, including 13 years as vice president and the past 12 as secretary. Shannon was reelected to another three-year term in this year’s board elections. Her steady leadership and commitment to being wellinformed benefit the cooperative and its members.
Joining the board following the passing of President and Trustee Jack Coxe last year, District 8 Trustee Vicki Pontius was commended for earning her Credentialed Cooperative Director certification through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
The CCD program consists of five courses covering governance fundamentals and essential skills for cooperative directors, ensuring they are prepared to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities. With Vicki’s certification complete, she is eligible to pursue the Board Leadership Certificate.
Glades Electric Cooperative applauds both trustees for their dedication to serving the co-op and its members.
RIGHT: District 8 Trustee Vicki Pontius receives her Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate from Glades Electric CEO Jeff Brewington at March’s board meeting.
TOP: Jeff recognizes District 4 Trustee and Board Secretary/Treasurer Shannon Hall for her 30 years of service to the cooperative.
BEFORE YOU GO
First-Day Smile
From babies and young animals to adults of all ages, Florida is filled with beautiful faces. The expressions you capture have a chance to brighten others’ days.
From time to time, we share some readers’ photos in this space. If we use your photo here, we will send you 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.
Coconut, a rescue pup, is all smiles during his first day with his new family in Florida. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRI PANIAGUA
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Enjoy complete sightseeing with more visits, extra features, and local guides. Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can add hundreds of dollars to your tour price. Your free time is scheduled in great settings where there is no need to buy additional expensive activities.
Our 73rd year of excellence. Caravan has operated fully guided tours of superb value under the same family management and ownership since 1952.
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Grand Canyon
GL ADE S
Electric Cooperative, Inc.
“Neighbors Working for Neighbors”
CONTACT US
855-940-3810
www.gladeselectric.com
OFFICES
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday
26733 U.S. Hwy. 27
P.O. Box 519
Moore Haven, FL 33471
214 SR 70 W.
Lake Placid, FL 33852
REPORT AN OUTAGE
Via the SmartHub app ~ 855-940-3810 (24/7 outage reporting)
Please have your account number ready.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Lee Henderson, President, District 6 Highlands Park, 863-633-9281
Barney Goodman, Vice President, District 2 Hendry County, 561-414-8737
Shannon Hall, Secretary/Treasurer, District 4 Lakeport and Brighton, 863-946-3242
Donnie Lundy, Trustee, District 1 Moore Haven, 863-634-7314
Mike Pressley, Trustee, District 3 Ortona and Palmdale, 863-673-9158
Brad Oxer, Trustee, District 5 Venus and Hicoria, 863-441-1866
Fred Tagtmeier, Trustee, District 7 Lorida, 863-214-4994
Vicki Pontius, Trustee, District 8 Lake Josephine, 863-414-2917
Angela Hodges, Trustee, District 9 Okeechobee, 863-801-3140
The Board’s next meeting is at 9 a.m. June 26 at Moore Haven Headquarters Office. Any changes are posted in the lobby of both district offices.
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Jeff Brewington, CEO
Michael Roberge, Acting General Manager
Renee Bass, Chief Administrative Officer
Courtney Brown, Chief Personnel Officer
Jennifer Koukos, Chief Communications Officer
Jennifer Manning, Chief Financial Officer
Passing the Torch
Greetings Glades Electric Cooperative members! I am Michael Roberge, and I’m pleased to be writing my first article as acting general manager of our cooperative. I would like to thank Jeff Brewington and the board of trustees for their show of faith in selecting me to assume this role. The Glades Electric Cooperative leadership torch is being passed on to me, and I will do my best to keep it burning brightly.
My wife, Teresa, and I live in Lake Placid. We have one adult son who lives just outside of Denver. All our family roots still live and work in northern Michigan, which is where you will most likely find us spending our vacation and family time.
I earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering with a focus on power and utility systems, and I have more than 35 years of electric cooperative experience. My career began at the largest generation and transmission cooperative in Michigan. My distribution cooperative experiences have been with very large, medium and smaller cooperatives across several states that allowed me to gain invaluable broad knowledge.
I also have experience working with the Seminole Electric group for nearly five years before starting as chief operations officer here at Glades Electric nearly two years ago.
Now, enough about me—let’s talk about storm season.
As much as we hate to say it, storm season has officially begun. At Glades Electric, we have been planning our response actions; our storm team met and discussed facilities and plant changes that need to be added to our overall plan; and we reviewed potential scenarios and individual roles in a major storm restoration process.
With every storm—including Hurricane Milton and its tornadoes—we gain experience that better prepares us to respond to future storms.
Please take the time to review your home storm preparation list before storms form. You can find helpful tips and suggestions at www.gladeselectric.com. You’ll find a lot of useful information located under the Safety menu.
We will share more about our specific preparations in the upcoming months.
Remember that failing to plan is planning to fail, and we want our members to remain safe in such an important situation.
Mike Roberge