A Wauchula Elementary School student tries on insulated rubber gloves during a career day exhibition with Peace River Electric Cooperative.
MEET ATTO SPORT
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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.
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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!
CRUISES ROAD TRIPS FLIGHTS
What makes ATTO so unique?
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Florida Currents
April 2026 • Volume 15, No. 6
CEO Michael Shepard
VICE PRESIDENT OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Chasity Anderson, CCC
DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Noble Sprayberry
SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC
LEAD CONTENT EDITOR Victoria Hampton, CCC
FLORIDA CURRENTS EDITORS
Valeri Saldanha Rosa; Sable Riley, CCC
ASSISTANT EDITORS David Herder, CCC; Nina Todea, CCC
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION
SENIOR MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
Members acknowledge that $4.89 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 Parkway, 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 Parkway, 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
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© 2026 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.
aviator lands in Milton
Message From CEO
area. A transformer maintenance project began last year with approximately 400 transformer change-outs with a plan to inspect another 1,700 locations in 2026. A storm-hardening project resulted in almost 200 wooden poles converted to concrete.
Dear Members,
PAUL ROBERTS Interim General Manager/CEO
With Hurricane Milton behind us, we began 2025 focused on maintaining stability for the members and communities we proudly serve. As we navigated rapid growth and rising inflationary pressures, our focus remained where it belongs—on you. Even as natural gas and material costs increased, we worked diligently to maintain reliable electric service, responsive member support and rates that remain as affordable as possible.
In 2025, Peace River Electric Cooperative experienced an annual account growth rate of 7.12%, as we surpassed 70,000 accounts served. That’s an average of over 12 services a day added to our system, for a total of 4,713 new accounts. PRECO remains ranked nationally as one of the country’s fastest growing cooperatives. Sales were also up 11.4% as we sold more than 1 billion kilowatt-hours for the fourth straight year.
To responsibly manage continued growth, we engaged in careful planning and invested in several key system projects. Construction is well underway for an additional distribution substation, the Saltsman Substation in the Parrish community. Expansive voltage conversion work was completed in Hardee and Desoto counties and continued in the Lake Buffum
Growth of this magnitude has direct financial effects on a cooperative. Fortunately for PRECO, streamlined and innovative operational efficiencies allowed us to manage rapid growth while holding the line on costs and keeping our workforce levels steady. The year had favorable conditions, resulting in affordable rates at a time when membership felt the weight of an inflated economic landscape. PRECO returned over $4.1 million in capital credit retirements to our members. We encourage you to review the financial statements in our annual report.
We remain committed to serving our communities’ school systems and community programs through our charitable foundation, Operation Round Up. ORU has awarded over $1.4 million in scholarships since 2006, and more than $140,000 of that was recorded in 2025. ORU meets needs in our community by funding not-for-profit organizations that assist those in need, food bank donations and teacher minigrants. This program is funded by our members’ voluntary contributions of a desired amount or simply rounding their electric bills up to the next dollar each month.
In 2025, we remained focused on fundamentals that define our cooperative—sound financial stewardship, dependable service, and steadfast commitment to safety and reliability. Even amid growth and economic challenges, our priority never changed: serving our members with integrity and excellence. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. It is our responsibility and our privilege to power the communities we call home.
Among the responsibilities of the Peace River Electric Cooperative Board of Directors are overseeing the co-op’s legal requirements, revising bylaws and operating policies, approving major contracts and agreements, ensuring adherence to sound business practices, and maintaining an adequate and reliable power supply at the most reasonable cost to our members.
Board of Directors
PRECO is a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative with more than $140 million in annual revenue and more than $400 million in total assets, serving more than 68,000 active accounts in Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Osceola, Polk and Sarasota counties.
CHRYSTA CHANCEY District 1
KENNETH ODEN District 2
BRUCE VICKERS District 3
MATT HARRISON District 4
CHRIS PORTALE District 7
ELLEN BACHMAN District 8
WILLIE DAWES District 9
DAN PUCCIO District 6
MARIE DASHER District 5
Financial Statements
Statement of Operations
Key Statistics
Operation Round Up Report
PEACE RIVER ELECTRIC
Florida Currents
Could Your Photo Be Our Next Cover?
Every day across Peace River Electric Cooperative’s service area, there are moments worth capturing—a fishing line cast at sunrise, boots lined up at the front door after a long day or a county fair lit up against the night sky.
Those moments tell the story of who we are.
That’s why PRECO’s annual photo contest is back, and we’re inviting members and their families to showcase the character, charm and natural beauty of the communities we serve.
One standout image will be featured on the cover of Florida Currents—and yes, there are prizes, too.
Show Us What Makes This Home
You don’t need expensive equipment or formal training. If you’ve got an eye for detail and a camera—even the one in your pocket—you’re ready.
Think about the scenes that define life here:
• A quiet pasture just before a summer storm rolls in.
• Kids racing bicycles down dirt roads
• A front porch gathering at dusk.
• Local festivals, hometown ballgames or weekend markets.
We’re looking for authentic, local images that reflect the spirit of PRECO communities.
Entry Guidelines
• Open to PRECO members and their families. Employees are not eligible.
• Up to three entries may be submitted per person.
• Photos must be taken within PRECO’s service area: Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Osceola, Polk and Sarasota counties.
• Only original, minimally edited, digital photos are accepted.
• Submit vertical (portrait) photos only. Horizontal images do not qualify. Send high-resolution JPEGs (300 ppi, about 8-by-10 inches), with a minimum file size of 1 MB.
Prizes
• $100 electric bill credit for the best photo.
• $50 electric bill credit each for up to six runners-up.
Deadline: May 15
Submit entries at PRECO.coop.
“Sandhill Crane Colts” by Michael Dreese earned runnerup honors in the 2025 PRECO Photo Contest. The image shows two young cranes standing near their mother’s long legs.
Built Stronger. Lasts Longer. Looks Better.
Creating Community on Blackwater Heritage State Trail
Naval aviator landed in Milton and immediately hit the trail
By Colette Boehm
Walt Schumann traveled the world as a naval aviator. After training in Pensacola, the avid cyclist took his bike aboard ship each time he was deployed. As a result, the Michigan native pedaled along trails across the globe.
“I’ve ridden in Israel, Greece, Italy, Spain,” Walt says. “I always wanted to be in an area with cyclist trails.” That desire led him back to Northwest
Florida. For more than two decades, Walt has been a driving force in supporting Blackwater Heritage State Trail in Milton.
The 8.1-mile paved path was designated in 1999 as part of the Florida State Parks system and is the state’s westernmost Railto-Trail route. Blackwater Heritage winds through the historic town of Milton and into the surrounding rural landscape. It is popular with runners, walkers and birders, as well as cyclists, and a portion is designated for equestrian use.
All users can enjoy views from wooden bridges over several creeks and patches of native wildflowers along the way. There are several picnic areas on the trail, and access is easy from one of its five trailheads. The
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: Walt Schumann has been a Citizen Support Organization trail volunteer for more than 20 years. PHOTO COURTESY OF WALT SCHUMANN Lisa Riehl and Bob Wickhem, retirees from Wisconsin, choose their vacation destinations based on access to local trails. Local runners and walkers like the trail’s easy access and surrounding wilderness. PHOTOS BY COLETTE BOEHM
trail’s northern terminus joins the U.S. Navy’s 1.5-mile Military Heritage Trail, which ends at Naval Air Station Whiting Field.
Getting Involved
The Blackwater Heritage Trail Citizen Support Organization, or CSO, was created to provide support to the trail. The nonprofit’s activities include promoting events and activities that generate trail recognition and use. One example of that is the annual Blackwater Heritage Trail Blazer Run, held each March. This year, the event drew more than 200 participants.
In addition to raising public awareness of the trail, CSO members spend a lot of time assisting with trail funding, construction and maintenance needs.
Shortly after moving to the area, Walt got involved with Leadership Santa Rosa. That program introduced him to the trail group. He has been involved ever since.
Walt says the CSO takes on any need identified on the trail, whether on its own or in support of the state park staff.
“Our CSO does it all,” he says. “I’ve planted trees. We sponsor different events throughout the year. I fundraise for the trail. All that canopy of trees, all those benches— that’s what we do. We are here to support whenever they need something.”
A Devoted Fanbase Word is out about the trail, and it appeals to a variety of users. Lisa Riehl and Bob
Wickhem are retirees from Wisconsin who enjoy traveling. They are members of an online group that shares information about the best paved bike paths in the country.
“That’s how we pick places to go,” Bob says. “We pick places with trails.”
They added the Blackwater trail to their list and, in March, explored it while spending two weeks in the area.
Errolyn, who just moved to the area from Texas, discovered the trail in March, too, when she ran it with a friend for the first time. For her, the easy access from local highways—combined with the feeling of being “away from it all” while on the trail—is compelling.
“Also, the width,” she says. “It’s very easy to share with other users.”
“We’d like to provide even more support,” he says.
That support, Walt says, results in connections that not only bring visitors from around the country, but build pride locally, too.
“When you go by it and look down the trail, you see all these people enjoying it,” he says, noting the resulting sense of community. “It goes right through town. It has connected this town.”
IF YOU GO
Blackwater River State Park offers many hiking trails. Four trails have paths through wooded areas and along riverbanks, from the half-mile Juniper Lake Nature Trail loop to the 8-mile Juniper Creek Trail.
While Walt still enjoys riding the trail, these days much of his time is devoted to supporting and improving it. He is vying for a grant to provide Americans with Disabilities Act-complaint access from a lower parking lot to the trail visitor center.
Other projects have included raising funds for projects ranging from weed eaters to a $75,000 comfort station with a composting toilet inside and a bike rack outside.
There is also an accessible boardwalk to a day-use area overlooking the banks of the Blackwater River.
Walt notes the group raised $1,500 to install two traffic counters. In many cases, he says, documenting use is important when seeking funding and grants.
Walt says they’re always soliciting volunteers. With more people involved in the CSO, more work can be done.
Annual events promote trail use and stewardship. PHOTO COURTESY OF WALT SCHUMANN
By Cheré Coen
Preserving the
Shipwrecks
Della Scott-Ireton received an unusual present for her high school graduation—a scuba diving class. That gift set the course for her life.
The Santa Rosa County native later earned degrees in anthropology and historical archaeology at the University of West Florida, along with a Ph.D. in anthropology from Florida State University. She’s since worked studying and preserving the thousands of shipwrecks lining the Florida coast.
“I married the two,” she says of diving and marine archaeology.
Della worked with Pensacola Shipwreck Survey, West Florida Historic Preservation, Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research and the
government of the Cayman Islands before joining Florida Public Archaeology Network in Pensacola, or FPAN. The organization is a UWF program working to conserve, study and promote the public’s understanding of Florida’s archaeological heritage. In addition to being an author on the subject, Della serves as associate director of FPAN.
“We basically do education and outreach around the state of Florida,” she says.
The outreach includes lectures, presentations, training and workshops to audiences ranging from children to park rangers. Shipwrecks are among the hot topics. One of the most unique aspects of Della’s work is helping develop 12 parks within Florida where scuba divers may
of Florida
visit underwater shipwreck sites. These “museums of the sea” showcase the history not only of the ships that once traversed the waterways in and around Florida, from
Della learned to scuba dive right after high school and is now part of Florida Public Archaeology Network. PHOTO COURTESY OF NICOLE GRINNAN FOR FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY NETWORK
Della Scott-Ireton
Native Americans to the present, but of the people who served them.
“The Gulf is an interesting body of water,” Della says. “It used to be called the Spanish Sea. It was used by Native Americans, British colonists and more. It was very much a crossroads.”
The Atlantic side saw its share of commerce throughout the Americas and Europe. Inland waterways moved cargo throughout Florida and the Southern states.
Many of those vessels that traveled through Florida remain—some shipwrecked in storms or disintegrated by neglect.
“The Florida shores are literally littered with our maritime past,” Della says.
Divers may download information on Florida’s shipwreck parks from the FPAN site to “know what it is they are looking at,” Della says. They can explore the
shipwrecks but cannot enter the vessels for safety reasons.
In addition to the sunken ships, divers may encounter a wealth of sea life, including Atlantic spadefish, grunts, Gulf flounder, angelfish, urchins and spotfin butterflyfish.
The vessels range from Spanish galleons from the 1700s to a decommissioned battleship sunk in 1921 to be used for target practice. Following is a sample
BELOW: Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve has 12 sites. PHOTO COURTESY
FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY NETWORK AND FLORIDA BUREAU OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
of what divers may find in a Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve Park.
The USS Massachusetts
Three Indiana-class coastal battleships were commissioned in the late 19th century for the new Steel Navy, some of the most powerful U.S. battleships of their time. Built in 1896, the USS Massachusetts was one of three, stretching more than 350 feet long with a beam of 69 feet.
LEFT: The Half Moon wreck lies between Key Biscayne and Virginia Key. PHOTO COURTESY OF NICOLE GRINNAN
Half Moon—originally named Germania—was one of the fastest sailing yachts of her time.
“At the time, the USS Massachusetts was the biggest, baddest ship,” Della says. “But by World War I, she became obsolete.”
The ship blockaded the Cuban ports of Cienfuegos and Santiago during the Spanish-American War and patrolled the Atlantic coast and eastern Caribbean after the war. Decommissioned in 1919 and stripped, the ship was towed to Pensacola in 1921, where the military used it for experimental artillery practice near the entrance to Pensacola Bay. She lay in the Gulf for years until Florida took possession in 1950.
“It’s been a favorite site,” Della says of the shipwreck. “It is beautiful, such a cool dive.”
Vamar
A patrol gun boat with a long history rests 3.7 nautical miles north of the Mexico Beach channel leading into St. Joseph Bay. Shifting cargo was blamed for the shipwreck, but mystery surrounds the 1942 incident, which occurred during World War II.
It was built in 1919 and originally christened Kilmarnock, then renamed Chelsea.
were saboteurs of war who intentionally sank the boat to block the channel. No evidence supported these claims, but the mystery remains.
Urca de Lima
In 1928, the ship carried Rear Adm. Richard E. Byrd on his first expedition to Antarctica. Byrd upgraded the vessel and renamed the steamer Eleanor Bolling after his mother, Eleanor Bolling Byrd. It became the first metal-hulled vessel used in Antarctic waters. After its service, the ship returned to New York to much fanfare.
The ship’s fame diminished when it was later bought by Vamar Shipping Co. and renamed Vamar. Slipping into poor condition, she was used as a freighter.
Her last trip was March 19, 1942, when a Yugoslavian, Cuban and Spanish crew attempted to move lumber from St. Joseph Bay to Cuba. The top-heavy cargo forced the ship to list, then sink and eventually settle out of the channel while the crew made it back to town.
The Coast Guard investigated the sinking. Rumors ran rampant that the crew
Urca de Lima, owned by Spaniard Don Miguel de Lima, met its demise in 1715 from a hurricane, crashing along the Florida coast near present-day Fort Pierce. The 305-ton, Dutch-built vessel had little damage, and its cargo helped serve storm survivors from other ships. Spanish crews arrived from Havana and burned the ship to conceal her from the English, who also traveled along the Atlantic coast.
Salvagers in the 20th century hoped to discover treasure aboard the sunken ship, but they found nothing of value. In 2001, Urca de Lima became the first preserve of Florida’s Underwater Archaeological Preserve system and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Half Moon
This steel sail-powered German yacht built in 1908 was a wedding gift from Bertha Krupp—the Krupp family produced large artillery nicknamed “Big Bertha” in World War I—to her husband,
ABOVE: The crew of the USS Massachusetts gathers during its heyday.
RIGHT: Vamar’s wreck at the channel leading into St. Joseph Bay remains a mystery.
Count Gustav von Bohlen und Halbach. The 154-foot-long racing sailboat was one of the fastest of her day, winning the German Kaiser’s Cup and participating in other European races.
Originally named Germania, the sailboat arrived in England for the 1914 Cowes races at the start of World War I and was seized by the British. Her crew became the first German prisoners of the war.
The boat was later moved to New York and then Miami, where she was renamed Half Moon after the explorer Henry Hudson’s 17th-century ship and used as a floating saloon until she sank in the early 1930s.
She rests between Key Biscayne and Virginia Key.
Regina
Regina was a steel steamer built in 1904 in Belfast, Ireland, for one service: to move molasses from the Caribbean to ports in the United States for use by rum and animal feed manufacturers.
Later converted to a tanker barge, the ship—nicknamed “Sugar Barge”—was on her way to New Orleans in 1940 with more than 350,000 gallons of molasses when a cold front forced her into Tampa
Shipwreck Myths
Stories abound of pirates patrolling the Florida coast and burying their treasures, but Della Scott-Ireton, associate director of Florida Public Archaeology Network in Pensacola, insists that isn’t true.
“Why would a pirate bury his treasure?” she asks with a laugh.
Another myth is that divers who find shipwrecks own the discovery.
Bay. Her tow lines broke in the storm, and Regina drifted toward Anna Maria Island, breaking apart on a sandbar off Bradenton Beach.
Residents on the island, the St. Petersburg Coast Guard and a Coast Guard seaplane arrived to help the crew, but weather prevented their rescue. One crew member who attempted to swim ashore, followed by his German shepherd, drowned in the process. A small dinghy reached the crew and capsized by the beach. Residents, linking hands, managed to bring the crew ashore.
The wreck of the Regina lies on the western side of Anna Maria Island, approximately 75 yards off the shore of Bradenton Beach.
City of Hawkinsville
Not all shipwrecks lie in salt water. The 19th-century coastal steamboat city of Hawkinsville—built in Georgia in 1896 for the Hawkinsville Deepwater Boat Lines—was used on the Suwannee River for the booming lumber industry and the construction of the rail bridge at Old Town.
She was abandoned in 1922 and now rests in shallow water on the western bank of the Suwanee River south of the railroad trestle at Old Town. Only advanced-level divers should explore her remains due to water conditions.
“They think that if it’s underwater, it’s up for grabs, and that’s just not true,” Della says. “All historic shipwrecks in U.S. waters are protected from salvage, unlawful disturbance or collecting of artifacts under the federal Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1988, as well as state law and, in some places, county and/or city ordinance. Federal law gives ownership of historic shipwrecks to the states in whose waters they are located and charges those states to protect and manage the shipwrecks for the benefit of the people of that state.”
Much like finding an artifact on land, drivers who find a shipwreck in U.S. waters should contact the state archaeologist or the state historic preservation officer, Della says.
ABOVE: This 1921 photo shows the USS Massachusetts sunk off Pensacola for military target practice.
LEFT: Local residents rescue Regina’s crew from the shipwreck. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ADOBE
Root for Great Taste
TURN SWEET POTATOES INTO THE HEADLINER
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
1 tablespoon avocado or extra-virgin olive oil
½ yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, minced
2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
24-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons salt
3 cups spinach, chopped
2 cups cooked brown or white rice, prepared to package instructions
1⁄3 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
Warm oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add onions, garlic and jalapeno. Saute for 3-5 minutes or until onions have softened. Add beans and 1 cup of water. Stir until well combined. Stir in diced tomatoes, sweet potato, cumin, chili powder and salt. Cook for 20 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender. Stir in spinach. Cook for another 5 minutes. Season chili to taste. Serve over rice, and garnish with cilantro.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY EVON J
Chorizo and Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into half-inch chunks
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Sea salt, plus more for seasoning
Freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Heat oven to 450 F.
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
4 precooked chorizo links, diced into ½-inch pieces
4 cups kale, roughly chopped
10-ounce bag frozen cauliflower rice
4 large eggs
1 avocado thinly sliced
Cilantro, for garnish
Fresh lime juice, to taste
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place potatoes in a large bowl. Toss with one tablespoon oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika. Roast potatoes for 25 minutes or until browned and crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.
While potatoes cook, prepare remaining components. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, and add a tablespoon of oil. Add chorizo to skillet. Cook, stirring, until thoroughly browned. Remove to a plate, and cover to keep warm.
Lower heat to medium. Add kale. Saute and season with salt and pepper, then add to plate with chorizo. Saute cauliflower rice until just softened. Set aside. Add remaining oil to skillet. Cook eggs to preference, and season with salt and pepper. To assemble bowls, arrange layers of potatoes, chorizo, kale and rice. Top with avocado, lime juice and eggs. Garnish with cilantro.
Sweet Potato Taco Bowl
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon sweet smoked paprika
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1- to 2-inch cubes
Heat oven to 400 F.
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound extra-lean ground beef
14-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn
Optional garnishes: sliced avocado, sour cream, sliced jalapenos, sliced green onion, chopped cilantro, lime slices
In a small bowl, mix chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, oregano, garlic power, onion powder and cayenne pepper. Toss potatoes with vegetable oil and half the seasoning mixture from the small bowl, about 2 tablespoons. Bake for 15-20 minutes until tender and cooked through.
Meanwhile, cook beef over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until cooked through. If necessary, drain any large quantities of fat from skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add beans, corn, tomatoes and remaining seasoning mixture. Toss to fully coat beans and beef with seasoning. Continue to cook until beans and corn are heated through. To serve, place a layer of potatoes in a bowl. Add beef, bean and corn mixture. Top with desired garnishes.
Potato Chowder
3 ounces thinly sliced pancetta
5 tablespoons butter, divided
1 cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped carrot
½ cup chopped celery
2 garlic cloves, minced
2½ pounds medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
5 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup half-and-half, warmed
3 cups chopped fresh kale
Roasted pepitas
Minced fresh sage
Heat a Dutch oven to medium heat. Cook pancetta until browned and crisp, 4-5 minutes. Remove to a paper towellined plate.
Add 2 tablespoons butter, onion, carrot and celery to pot. Cook, stirring often, until softened and lightly browned, 9-10 minutes. Add garlic. Cook until fragrant, 30-60 seconds. Transfer mixture to a bowl, and set aside.
Add remaining butter to pot. Stir in potatoes. Cook until slightly soft, 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in broth, salt, sage, thyme, paprika, red pepper, black pepper, cooked vegetable mixture and 2 tablespoons pancetta. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Whisk about 1/4 cup of hot broth into half-and-half. Slowly add mixture to soup, stirring constantly. Stir in kale. Simmer until wilted, 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Ladle soup into bowls. Top each with remaining pancetta, pepitas and sage. Serve immediately.
Sweet Potato Parsnip Bisque
2 cups sweet potato cubes
2 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped
3 tablespoons grapeseed or coconut oil, divided 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ginger, minced 14-ounce can cannellini beans
Heat oven to 375 F.
2½ cups coconut milk
2 cups water
1 bouillon cube
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Fresh arugula, cilantro or parsley for garnish
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss potatoes and parsnips with 1½ tablespoons oil. Spread evenly on baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes, until tender.
Once vegetables are cooked, heat remaining oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add garlic and ginger. Saute until garlic turns slightly golden. Add roasted vegetables and beans, reserving a handful for garnish.
Stir in coconut milk and water. Bring to a boil, then stir in bouillon. Reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove pot from heat. Stir in black and cayenne peppers. Use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth. Alternatively, allow soup to cool before transferring it to a blender and blending smooth.
Serve bisque garnished with herbs and reserved beans.
Sweet
NIKON D810 180mm lens ISO 100 f/6.3 at 1/1600
Making
Visual Music
By Dave LaBelle
Saying something more than once for emphasis is a powerful tool to get attention. It’s true with words, and it can be true with photographs.
While a poet might use repeating words or phrases, photographers and artists recognize the power of repeating forms—objects, lines, tones, shapes or actions—to produce patterns and rhythm.
Repeating tones, lines, shapes or actions in a photograph can produce a visual melody, just as repeating notes in a musical composition creates an audio melody.
For example, while one giant wind turbine alone on a hillside might be eye-catching, hundreds of them working side by side is a very different visual experience. It feels almost otherworldly.
Similarly, one elk walking alone through an open field can be beautiful and serene, but a herd of elk racing across that same field— hundreds of heads and legs kicking up dust or grass—creates a powerful pattern.
Repeating forms in a composition creates patterns and can make your photos come alive with visual music.
Reader Challenge
Slow down, make time to notice the patterns around you, from designs found in nature to human-made structures. See if you can capture an image that produces a visual harmony.
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.
Internationally renowned author, photographer and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century. He has shared photo tips and life perspectives with readers since 2009. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
The sun rises on wind turbines harnessing power in Palm Springs, California. The wind farm in the San Bernadino Mountains started as part of the wind rush of the 1980s and remains one of the most visible wind farms in the state. PHOTO BY DAVE LABELLE
Primitive Powerhouses
The chartreuse spinnerbait landed outside the lily pads growing along the Withlacoochee River shoreline near Dunnellon. The angler slowly worked the bass lure, its blades flickering in the black water.
Suddenly, the lure disappeared as a huge green head engulfed it. The rod doubled over as the angler battled the catch, imagining a giant largemouth on the line. The reel screamed as the powerful fish fought against the drag until subdued. The angler landed the large, snakelike fish, but not the one he hoped to pull from this river.
Anglers derisively call them grinnel, cypress trout, mudfish and other names. Bowfin thrive in freshwater systems throughout the Sunshine State. The cylindrical fish with a huge head and a mouth full of small, but sharp teeth can exceed 3 feet in length and weigh more than 20 pounds. The Florida state record, once a world record, weighed 19 pounds and came from Lake Kissimmee.
A bowfin looks similar to an eel, but is thicker with greenishbrown scales. Bowfin date back at least to the Jurassic period about 150 million years ago. Considered a “living fossil,” these amazing fish witnessed the extinction of the dinosaurs and the giant Ice Age megafauna, yet they remain unchanged as the only surviving representative of their ancient order.
Their swim bladders serve as primitive lungs, allowing bowfins to breathe air and live practically anywhere. They often inhabit the most stagnant waters with little oxygen, but might even show up in the famous springs of Florida. Bowfins can live for long periods out of water if they keep moist. People sometimes find live ones in semidry ponds resembling little more than mud puddles. Farmers
‘Living fossils’ can still put up a spirited fight
even reported seeing them alive in soggy fields after floods.
Few people intentionally fish for them. Most anglers hold bowfins in contempt because of their notoriously unsavory table reputation. Bowfins also display a talent for mangling tackle and breaking lines, then swimming off with expensive lures.
Most anglers reluctantly catch them by accident while fishing for bass or something else. Bream, crappie and catfish anglers sometimes catch them when using live minnows, worms, shad or other natural baits. These voracious marauders eat almost anything including fish, insects, crawfish, frogs and small animals.
However, these prehistoric predators can put up a formidable fight. Bowfins might hit anything that could tempt bass, especially lures that mimic shad, bluegills or crawfish. These aggressive meateaters commonly strike spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and soft-plastic swimbaits that resemble baitfish or any lures giving off vibrations. They also like plastic worms and jigs dragged along the bottom.
Anyone venturing into the backwaters to tempt bowfins probably won’t see much competition. When other fish won’t cooperate, these remarkable survivors could create a memorable day, especially for young anglers enjoying tackle-busting, line-pulling fun.
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.
A bowfin is pulled from the water. PHOTO BY JOHN N. FELSHER
— Nancy R. Peoria, IL
Our Double-Spin Wind Spiral isn’t just a decoration — it’s a living sculpture. Two shimmering copper spirals move independently, creating a hypnotic dance of overlapping circles and swirling reflections. The moment the breeze stirs, the magic begins.
And here’s the secret: The inner spinner is completely separate from the outer spiral. That means double the motion. Double the shimmer. Double the impact. Even the faintest whisper of wind sets it gracefully turning, thanks to ultrasensitive swivel hooks.
No wind? No problem. The rich copper-plated strands catch the light beautifully even when still — a striking focal point for your garden, porch, or deck.
Hang it from a tree limb. A shepherd’s hook. Your front porch. Wherever it spins, guests will stop. Conversations will start. Compliments will follow.
Once it starts spinning, you won’t be able to look away.
Why You’ll Love It:
• Double independent spinning action
• Copper-plated for warm, glowing shimmer
• Ultra-sensitive — spins in the slightest breeze
• Unique kinetic garden art (10" x 11" plus 3" chain)
• Weather-durable for season after season of enjoyment
Double-Spin Wind Spiral $49* + $9.95 S & P
*Special price only for customers using the offer code.
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 fun options for everyone.
ISLAMORADA
April 3-5
Afro Roots Fest
This festival has historically celebrated the influence Africa continues to have on music and furthers the mission of fostering an appreciation of arts and culture through education. It’s as much about root African culture as it is about the syncretism of it with Western cultural traditions. Enjoy live music, cultural performances and delicious cuisine celebrating African heritage at the Florida Keys Brewing Company. www.communityartsandculture.org/events
KEY WEST
April 4
Easter Egg Roll
Join in on the ninth year of the egg roll from 9-11 a.m. at the Truman Little White House. Register for the egg hunts at 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. Enjoy arts and crafts, live music, refreshments, photos with the Easter Bunny and a commemorative wooden egg. The event is free for all ages. bit.ly/4sMyZB9; 305-294-9911
PENSACOLA
April 11
Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Walk
PENSACOLA
April 4, 11, 18 and 25
Palafox Market
Join us from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, to shop for farm-fresh produce, plants and baked goods from more than 200 local businesses while enjoying live music by the String Farm Band. The market is located at two historic downtown parks: Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on Palafox Street just north of Garden Street, and Plaza Ferdinand at Palafox and Government streets. www.palafoxmarket.com; 850-434-9095
KEY WEST
April 6
Puppy Pals Live
Part of the new Family Fun Series, this event features a diverse lineup of shows, carefully selected to entertain and inspire families at the Tennessee Williams Theatre. From shelters to showbiz, these pups perform spectacular stunts and breathtaking feats. Wesley Williams leads the puppies and audience through challenging and comical tricks. This is more than just a show. It’s a fun family experience. www.twstages.com/events-calendar/puppypalslive2026; 305-296-1520
This family event from 9 a.m. to noon at Bear Levin Studer Family YMCA is free, and walking is optional. The goal is to raise community awareness of a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that is progressive, has no cure and is difficult to diagnose. Among other things, Parkinson’s Disease causes tremors, slowness in movement and speech, stiffness, and lack of balance. The disease occurs when brain cells that make dopamine—a neurotransmitter that coordinates movement—stop working. It affects more than 1 million people in the United States and more than 10 million worldwide. On World Parkinson’s Disease Day, we’ll walk; learn more about the disease and its impact to self, family and community; share a light meal; and raise awareness within our community. To register, email lc121902@yahoo.com with your name, phone number and shirt size. Sign up by March 24 to receive a walk shirt. A donation is requested but not required. This donation will go toward the cost of T-shirts, food, drinks and other items needed to make this a successful event. 850-982-3309
PHOTO BY GRANT PAQUIN
MARATHON
April 11
7-Mile Bridge Run
Experience this scenic 7-mile course at 6:45 a.m. as you run across the Overseas Highway. This run is limited to 1,500 participants. The registration fee is $100. Register online. Packet pickup is April 10. Proceeds benefit children’s charities.
www.7mbrun.com/race-day-details
PENSACOLA
April 11
Navy Federal 5K
Whether you run or walk, everyone is invited to participate in the 16th annual event. Early registration is open at a discounted rate of $18 for adults and $15 for youth, ages 5-13. Children 6 and younger can also participate in the Sammie Sprint, a free quarter-mile race around Plaza Ferdinand. Participation in this event benefits Vet’s Wish, a local foundation dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of our military veterans by creating memorable experiences for them and their families. www.runsignup.com/Race/FL/Pensacola/NavyFederalCreditUnion5K; 888-842-6328
ISLAMORADA
April 16
Third Thursday Art Walk
Experience the vibrant Morada Way Arts & Cultural District Art Walk on Morada Way. Enjoy local art, food, live music and unique shops along a lively, walkable corridor. Join us for an unforgettable evening, celebrating creativity and community in paradise. www.moradaway.org/art-walk-info
ISLAMORADA
April 18
Swim Across America
The fifth annual open water swim in the Florida Keys is at Founders. Swimmers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to help us fight against cancer in the Florida Keys with the Miami Cancer Institute. Open water swims include 0.5-, 1- and 2-mile options with a kids splash available for younger participants. For those not in the Florida Keys but who still want to participate, a virtual option is available. A rolling start begins at 9:45 a.m., and post-event celebrations are at 11:30 a.m. Funds raised go to cancer research and patient care programs. Register online. Swimacrossamerica.org/floridakeys
PENSACOLA
April 19
Coastal Cat Cafe Outdoor Market
Spend your Sunday strolling through this outdoor market filled with local vendors, vintage finds, sweet treats, coffee and cozy fall vibes—all just outside the Coastal Cat Cafe. The event is free. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift or just want to spend the afternoon surrounded by cats, coffee and community—you won’t want to miss this one. www.coastalcatpcola.com/event-details/coastal-cat-cafe-outdoor-market-2; 850-359-1133
PANAMA CITY BEACH
April 4
Easter Egg Hunt
Bring your children for the annual Easter egg hunt put on by the city from 10 a.m. to noon in Frank Brown Park. Children 10 and younger are welcome to join in on the hunt. The Easter Bunny is also available for photos. 850-233-5070
PANAMA CITY BEACH
April 28
Spring into Sports
Bring your family and friends to the second annual Spring into Sports event from 9 a.m. to noon at Frank Brown Park. With a range of sports, activities and vendors, this event offers something for all ages. Enjoy a complimentary hot dog lunch prepared by the Optimist Club of the Beach and sodas provided by Buffalo Rock. The event is free. The playground, walking trails and picnic areas are also open for use.
www.pcbfl.gov/departments/parks-recreation-department; 850-233-5045
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.
ADOBE STOCK IMAGE BY MARIA SBYTOVA
Landscape Solutions
for Soggy Spaces
Problem areas in the landscape are opportunities for creativity. With thoughtful plant selection and a bit of design know-how, even a soggy trouble spot in your lawn can be transformed. There are appealing alternatives to traditional turf that are well-suited for moist, poorly drained areas.
Many plants are naturally adapted to wet, poorly drained sites. Look to natural wetlands for an inspiring palette of colorful blooms and foliage. Many native plants thrive in moist soil and can bring beauty and resilience to challenging areas.
Blue flag iris (Iris virginica) is a native perennial that flourishes in wet conditions. With attractive blue flowers and upright, evergreen foliage, it’s an excellent choice for filling in persistently soggy spots.
Scarlet hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) is another standout native perennial. Reaching 3 to 7 feet tall and thriving in full sun to partial shade, it produces large, crimson flowers, 4 to 8 inches wide, throughout the summer. These dramatic blooms are highly attractive to pollinators and people alike.
A grouping of pink muhly grass offers another lowmaintenance option. This adaptable grass tolerates fluctuations in moisture from dry to wet and adds soft, airy plumes of pink in the fall.
For lower-growing options, consider mowable groundcovers. Sunshine mimosa thrives in wet soil, produces abundant pink puffball flowers and can be mowed, making it a practical choice for replacing sections of turf or blending into existing lawn areas.
If you prefer something larger, a single specimen shrub or grouping of shrubs can add structure to the landscape. Attractive native shrub options for moist sites include beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica), summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) and buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis).
By choosing plants that naturally thrive in wet conditions, you can turn problem areas into functional features that support local ecosystems and reduce maintenance in the long run.
Terra Freeman is the Florida-Friendly Landscaping and Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent for UF/IFAS Extension
St. Johns County. She provides education and outreach to support sustainable landscape practices across residential and commercial sectors. With more than 25 years of experience in horticulture, she is dedicated to helping communities protect Florida’s natural resources through science-based, environmentally responsible landscaping.
Hibiscus produces large, crimson flowers that grow 4 to 8 inches wide in summer. Not only do these blooms attract people, but pollinators are also drawn to them.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KAREN BROWN/UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Free Installation of Surge Suppressors
In Florida, power surges aren’t a matter of if, they’re a matter of when.
Lightning strikes. Squirrels on the line. Tree limbs brushing equipment. Even large appliances, like your air conditioner or dryer, cycling on and off can create sudden spikes of electricity inside your home.
Those quick jolts may only last a fraction of a second, but they can slowly wear down—or instantly damage—your most valuable appliances and electronics.
appliances, such as your refrigerator, air conditioner, washer and dryer, and pool and well pumps.
Special Offer
Order by May 31, and we’ll waive the $24.95 installation fee! After installation, an equipment lease fee of just $5.95 per month (plus tax) applies.
Your First Line of Defense
Point-of-Use Protection
For sensitive electronics, such as computers, gaming systems and TVs, point-of-use surge protectors rated at 600 joules or higher can provide extra peace of mind.
A meter-based surge protector is your primary safeguard. Installed directly on your electric meter, Peace River Electric Cooperative’s surge suppressor helps protect motor-driven
Getting started is easy. Visit PRECO.coop/energy/surge-protection to sign up. Installation typically occurs within five business days. Questions? Call us at 800-282-3824.
Layering both meter-base and point-of-use surge protection offers the strongest defense against unexpected spikes.
My Appliance? Should I Upgrade
By Miranda Boutelle
Buying a new appliance can feel daunting. Before you hand over your hard-earned money, here’s how to choose an appliance that will help you save money over time.
When shopping, keep in mind not all new appliances are highly efficient, and not all old appliances are inefficient. The less efficient your current appliance is, the more you will save with an upgrade.
The yellow EnergyGuide on new appliances shows the yearly energy cost, kilowatt-hour electricity use and Energy Star logo, if certified.
Let’s look at some appliance examples to see how the costs and savings stack up.
Refrigerators have seen major efficiency improvements over the years. New refrigerators use up to 73% less energy than a 1970s model and one-third less than 20-year-old models.
While visiting my mom, she proudly showed off her 1980s refrigerator she bought when her 1970s harvest gold model died. If her 1980s fridge uses 2,000 kWh per year, at 14 cents per kWh, it costs $280 per year to operate. New Energy Star-certified refrigerator prices start at $500, with yearly energy costs ranging from $38 to $122. If mom buys a new Energy Star-certified refrigerator for $1,000 with $100 in yearly energy costs—saving her $180 per year—it will pay for itself in 51/2 years.
If you intend to keep your old appliance, be sure to weigh the additional energy costs. Maximize efficiency and keep your food safe by setting your refrigerator to 37 degrees and your freezer at zero degrees.
New Energy Star-certified clothes washers and dryers are also more efficient than older models. Use the Energy Star Product Finder at energystar.gov to compare products. Integrated Modified Energy Factor measures the washer’s energy efficiency. A higher number is better. Integrated Water Factor measures water efficiency. A lower number is better.
I recently bought a new washing machine when my old front-load machine died, and I was considering a top-load machine. When
I compared Energy Star-certified top loaders to front loaders, I changed my mind. Energy Star-certified front loaders use about 50% less energy and water than top-load agitator washers, and they use about 25% less energy and water than top-load impeller washers that don’t have an agitator.
My new washer was $698. Based on six loads of laundry a week and an electricity cost of 14 cents per kWh, the yearly energy cost is $15, according to the appliance’s EnergyGuide. Similar non-Energy Star-certified models were $48 per year. Mine didn’t cost much more than non-Energy Star models and will help me save over time.
Then I had to decide whether to buy the matching dryer. My old dryer is functional, but it has features I don’t like and racks up energy costs of $131.04 per year, based on running roughly six loads a week for an hour each at 14 cents per kWh.
The new matching Energy Star-certified dryer cost $698, and its annual energy use was listed at 607 kWh, which is $84.98 per year at 14 cents per kWh. With an estimated savings of $46 per year, the dryer would take 15 years for the savings to cover the price. That’s a long time and not worth the cost.
To improve your washer and dryer efficiency, wash in cold water, don’t overdry clothes and clean your lint trap between every load.
Just like the light bulbs in your home, LED televisions offer increased efficiency. Energy Star-certified televisions are 34% more efficient than conventional models. If you have a working LED television, swapping to an Energy Star model is more efficient but may not make up for the cost of a new TV. Instead, check the efficiency settings on your TV or buy a smart power strip that turns off other connected devices when not in use.
Whatever appliance you are upgrading or replacing, make an informed decision by comparing the cost of operation and shopping Energy Star models to help lower your electric bill. n
Buying a new Energy Star-certified refrigerator and putting the old one out in the garage won’t save energy. However, sometimes the secondary fridge or freezer allows you to save on groceries by stocking up on sales, preserving your own food and saving gas with fewer trips to the store. It’s all a balance.
To improve the efficiency of your washer, set it to wash in cold water.
Miranda Boutelle has more than 20 years of experience helping people save energy. She has worked on energyefficiency projects from the Midwest to the West Coast. Today, Miranda is chief operating officer at Efficiency Services Group in Oregon, a cooperatively owned energyefficiency company.
This content was originally created by Efficiency Services Group LLC under contract with NRECA. NRECA retains ownership of this content. NRECA does not endorse Efficiency Services Group, its views herein expressed, nor any products or services it offers.
PHOTOS BY MARK GILLILAND/PIONEER UTILITY RESOURCES
PReco seats 2
Directors
Peace River Electric Cooperative welcomed two new members to its board of directors during its March annual meeting. Chrysta Chancey, of Bowling Green, represents District 1, and Matt Harrison, of Sidell, represents District 4.
Chrysta brings more than three decades of experience in public education, having spent over 35 years as a high school math teacher in Hardee County. Matt is a rancher whose family has been involved in Florida agriculture for generations and has been active in several agricultural organizations.
“Chrysta and Matt were officially seated on PRECO’s board of directors at our March annual membership meeting,” says interim CEO/General Manager Paul Roberts. “We are confident they will both be a great asset to the board of directors.”
Immediate past District 1 Director Leonard Crawley is pictured with new District 1 Director Chrysta Chancey at the District 1 meeting.
From left are interim CEO Paul Roberts, immediate past District 4 Director Hollis Albritton Jr. and new District 4 Director Matt Harrison at the District 4 meeting.
Chrysta Chancey DISTRICT 1
Get to Know Your New Directors
Chrysta Chancey, a Bowling Green native, has spent more than 35 years serving the Hardee County education system as a high school mathematics teacher. A graduate of Hardee Senior High School, she later earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics education from the University of South Florida. In 2007, she was named Hardee County District Teacher of the Year.
Chrysta is active in her community and a member of Fort Green Baptist Church. She and her husband, Lee, have been married for 37 years. They have one daughter, Makayla, and a grandson, Kai Rocky Khang.
As she prepares to retire from teaching, Chrysta says she looks forward to continuing her service to the community through Peace River Electric Cooperative and values the cooperative’s support of local students, jobs and community programs.
Matt Harrison DISTRICT 4
Matt Harrison is a rancher from Sidell whose family has been involved in agriculture in the region for generations. He and his wife, Fawn, a pediatrician, live on their family property with their two children, where they operate a cattle and sod business.
Matt has served on the board of PRECO’s charitable organization, Operation Round Up, since 2020. He is a director of the DeSoto/Charlotte Farm Bureau and the DeSoto Cattlemen’s Association, and he has participated in agricultural leadership at the state and national levels.
A graduate of the University of Florida and the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Matt is also a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Arcadia. His grandfather, Lynn Harrison, served as a PRECO director for more than 25 years, beginning in 1949.
From time to time, we share some readers’ photos in this space. Submit your photo by emailing a JPEG to photos@floridacurrents.com. Include “Before You Go” in the subject line. Share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo.
sunset as the backdrop,
rainbow appears across Lake Buffum in Fort Meade.
PHOTO BY CANDLER BONE
Photo © Patrick M. Rose
PICTURE A CHILD STRUGGLING WITH HUNGER. WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE? DO YOU IMAGINE A CERTAIN AGE, ETHNICITY OR PART OF THE COUNTRY? TRUTH IS CHILD HUNGER CAN BE HARD TO RECOGNIZE BECAUSE THE 1 IN 7 AMERICAN KIDS FACING IT CAN LOOK LIKE ANYONE ESPECIALLY ME. I WAS CREATED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FROM PHOTOS OF THE 11 MILLION KIDS STRUGGLING WITH HUNGER IN THIS COUNTRY. A FACE THAT CHALLENGES YOU TO SEE HUNGER IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT. I AM WHAT HUNGER LOOKS LIKE IN AMERICA LEARN MORE AT IAMHUNGERINAMERICA.ORG
.
PRECO.coop
800-282-3824
TO REPORT A POWER OUTAGE
Use the SmartHub app.
Text OUT to 800-282-3824.
Call 800-282-3824.
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
210 Metheny Road
Wauchula, FL 33873
MANATEE SERVICE CENTER
14505 Arbor Green Trail
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
District 1
CHRYSTA CHANCEY
District 2
KENNETH ODEN
District 3
BRUCE VICKERS
District 4
MATT HARRISON
District 5
MARIE DASHER
District 6
DAN PUCCIO
District 7
CHRIS PORTALE
District 8
ELLEN BACHMAN
District 9
WILLIE DAWES
BOARD MEETINGS
April 21
May 19
June 23
Any PRECO member may attend board meetings. Due to building security requirements and to facilitate attendance, members should contact the cooperative in a timely manner for logistical information regarding meetings.
ONLINE E-ZINE
Prefer to receive Florida Currents online? Sign up through your online account or call us at 800-282-3824
CEO Message
Lineworkers Are Ready When It Matters Most
As interim general manager/CEO of Peace River Electric Cooperative, I have the unique privilege of seeing firsthand what it truly takes to keep the lights on for our members. In April, we take time to pause and recognize the brave men and women who make that possible every single day— our lineworkers.
When storms impact our communities and outages occur, many people experience the inconvenience, but our lineworkers see a call to action. Our crews are always ready when it matters most, leaving family dinners, working through the night and heading into challenging conditions to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. That readiness is not accidental. It comes from rigorous training, deep experience and a shared commitment to serving others.
Electric cooperatives like PRECO were built on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, and our lineworkers embody that spirit every day. At times, serving our neighbors means going beyond our own service territory through an agreement known as mutual aid. During major outage events, our crews stand ready to assist neighboring co-ops, sometimes close to home and sometimes across state lines, to help restore power.
mutual aid strengthens all cooperatives and ultimately benefits the members we serve.
What makes lineworkers especially remarkable is they don’t just restore power to a system. They restore power to their own communities. They live here. They raise families here. They understand electricity is more than a convenience. It’s essential to daily life, to local businesses, to schools, farms and emergency services. Powering the places we call home is personal to lineworkers.
Earlier this year, when Winter Storm Fern brought significant outages to parts of Georgia, PRECO crews answered the call for mutual aid, traveling to assist Snapping Shoals EMC and Amicalola EMC. Working in freezing temperatures and difficult conditions, they stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow cooperative lineworkers to help restore power to thousands of members. This spirit of
We understand any time the lights go out can be frustrating, bringing everyday life to a halt. We are incredibly grateful to our members for your patience and encouragement during these times. Linework is demanding, physical and dangerous. Our crews approach each job with a focus on safety and teamwork. They take pride in their craft and in the trust our members place in them.
This month, we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day, but one day is hardly enough. Every day, we thank lineworkers for their service and dedication, which are the backbone of our cooperative.
To our lineworkers: Thank you for your hard work, readiness and unwavering commitment to the communities we serve. We are proud to stand behind you and grateful for all you do.
Paul Roberts Interim CEO/General Manager
