November 2014 TEN 2015 IEC MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative has announced that the Illinois electric cooperatives in 2015 will award nine academic scholarships to high school seniors through a memorial scholarship fund designed to financially assist deserving students in the “electric cooperative family.” In addition, a tenth scholarship – to assist with costs in attending an electric line worker school – will also be offered. The total of ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded in 2015 through the Thomas H. Moore Illinois Electric Cooperatives (IEC) Memorial Scholarship Program. Five scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors who are the sons or daughters of an Illinois electric cooperative member receiving service from November 2014 • Vol. 75 No. 11 Board Report�� 2 Veterans�� 3 the cooperative. A sixth scholarship, the Earl W. Struck Memorial Scholarship, will be awarded to a student who is the son or daughter of an Illinois electric cooperative employee. Three additional scholarships are reserved for students enrolling full-time at a twoyear Illinois community college who are the sons or daughters of Illinois electric cooperative members, employees or directors. The tenth annual scholarship, the “LaVern and Nola McEntire Lineworker’s Scholarship,” was awarded for the first time in 2011. This $1,500 scholarship will help pay for costs to attend the lineworker’s school conducted by the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives in conjunction with Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield, Ill. LaVern McEntire served as a lineman for McDonough Power Cooperative from 1949 until 1991. He and his wife, Nola, endowed the new scholarship to financially assist deserving individuals in becoming trained lineworkers. Sons and daughters of co-op members, relatives of co-op employees or directors, and individuals who have served or are serving in the armed forces or National Guard are all eligible for the lineworker’s scholarship. “We hope to assist electric cooperative youth while honoring past rural electric leaders with these scholarships,” says Chris Christman, CEO. “Coles-Moultrie and the other Illinois electric cooperatives are always seeking ways to make a difference in our communities. One of the best ways we can do that is by helping our youth through programs like this one. In addition, we are very pleased to offer the electric lineworker’s scholarship. It will benefit not only electric cooperative youth but also those fine men and women who have served their country through their military service and may now be wanting to become a trained lineworker.” For more information regarding the scholarships, contact Kelsey Hawkins at 888-661-2632 or 217-235-0341. All necessary paperwork has also been sent to area high school guidance counselors and is also available for download at the cooperative’s website at cmec.coop. Learning............................... 4 You're Not Alone.................. 5 Member Exchange�� 6 Submeter Breakers.............. 6 Recipes................................ 7 The Cooperative office will be closed November 27th and 28th in observance of Thanksgiving. November 2014 • 1 A publication of Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative P.O. Box 709 (104 Dewitt Ave., East) Mattoon, Illinois 61938 Phone: 217/235-0341 or Toll-Free: 1-888-661-CMEC (2632) Office hours: Monday-Friday 7:30a.m. - 4:30p.m. Board of Directors Chairman Jeffery D. Hudson................Charleston Vice Chairperson Debbie Albin........................... Mattoon Secretary John Bowers......................... Lovington Treasurer Steve Shrader........................ Westfield Director Scott Uphoff............................ Mattoon David Finley................................. Gays Philip Meyer............................. Sullivan President/CEO M.L. Christman BOARD REPORT A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative was held at the Cooperative office at 104 Dewitt Avenue, East, Mattoon, Illinois at 7 p.m. September 25, 2014, pursuant to notice duly given. The meeting was called to order by Jeff Hudson, Chairman. After calling the roll, the following directors were present: Scott Uphoff, Philip Meyer, Jeff Hudson, John Bowers, and Steve Shrader. Also present were M.L. Christman – President/CEO, Jim Wallace – Director of Operations, Darla Rankins – Director of Human Resources/Office Manager, Alex Ruggieri, Gary Harvey and Cassie Yoder of Green Mill Village and Bill Tapella – Corporate Counsel, Tapella & Eberspacher. The agenda was approved as well as the Consent Calendar including the 08/28/2014 Regular Board Meeting Minutes, the New Members and the August Safety & Training report. Green Mill Village representatives gave a presentation. Bill Tapella gave the legal report. The November meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, December 3rd and the December meeting for Wednesday, January 7th. The Board reviewed Board Policies 4, 5, and 6 and approved with no changes at this time. Chris Christman gave the financial report. Darla Rankins reviewed banking proposals with the Board. Director Uphoff reviewed the NRECA Region V Meeting. Director Uphoff gave the PPI report. Chris Christman gave the President/CEO report. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. To report an outage First check your fuses or circuit breakers and see if your neighbors have power. If the problem appears to be with the cooperative's lines, call the office, give the name the service is listed under, and report any hazardous conditions. Collect calls will be accepted only when caller reports an outage. Both our office number, 235-0341, and our toll-free number, 1 (888) 661CMEC, are manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for your convenience. Coles-Moultrie HI-LITES (USPS 019185) is published monthly for $5.00 per year by Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative, 104 Dewitt Ave. East, Mattoon, Illinois 61938. Periodical class postage paid at Mattoon, Illinois and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Coles-Moultrie HI-LITES, P.O. Box 709, Mattoon, IL 61938 2 • November 2014 To save energy this month, try lowering your water heating costs. Water heating accounts for 14 to 25 percent of the energy you consume. Turn the water heater’s temperature to the warm setting, which is around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This will save energy – and help you save on your monthly bill. Source: U.S. Department of Energy A SALUTE TO OUR COLES-MOULTRIE VETERANS Carl Servi a Bradbu ce Re ry, Illino is Air presentat iv Natio nal G e 1989 u ard Perso -2000 nnel Office r ds, ynol an e R em don Gor yman Lin ne Jour Navy 94 -19 1989 lectrician ar E ucle N Denn i Field s Ray, Engin eer Nav y 19 Avion 90-1995 ics Te chnic ian November 2014 • 3 LEARNING THE COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES There are Seven Cooperative Principles that give all co-ops guidance By Adam Schwartz One of my favorite bumper stickers is, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” The importance of education was drilled into me by my parents and grandmother from my earliest memories around the age of 4. It is no accident that we educate children from a very early age while our young minds are still dry sponges willing to absorb so much. The original seven co-op principles set forth in 1844 contained the simple phrase, “Promotion of Education.” Today Principle Five states that all co-ops should promote “Education, Training and Information.” This is intended for the employees, members and the community at large. It is based on the simple premise that if people know more about the cooperative business model, they will be in a much better position to understand the benefits and promote better use of the co-op and its resources. While there are almost one million people in the U.S. that work for cooperatives of all types (agriculture, housing, credit unions and many others in addition to electric co-ops) very few of us learn about cooperatives in school. That creates a real challenge when trying to explain the cooperative difference. People understand an investor-owned business is designed to make a profit or that a non-profit, like the Red Cross, is designed to serve the community. Co-ops have both an economic and social purpose. We operate on a not-for-profit basis so that we can pass along the best price for our goods or services to you, the member-owner. Due to the fact that the coop business model is normally not taught by teachers, it is up 4 • November 2014 to us at Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative through publications like this one to ensure that you know about the differences and benefits of being a co-op member. Consumer surveys by Touchstone Energy® and others consistently affirm that people prefer to do business with a cooperative if given a choice. So why don’t they teach about co-ops in school? There are several theories about this including that there is not enough academic research about co-ops, which is often the source for curriculums. Another reason offered is that the co-op community is so diverse that teaching about it only creates more confusion. The first issue about research is being addressed by the Cooperative Business Research Institute at Indiana University. The second can be addressed by answering the old question: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Simply by taking an interest in learning about Coles-Moultrie through our website, annual meeting, stopping by the office or talking to your fellow co-op members are all good ways to better understand the cooperative model you're a part of. By knowing more about how cooperatives operate, you are in a better position to participate as member-owners. We always welcome your questions and comments to help us promote the Cooperative Way of doing business. Adam Schwartz is the founder of The Cooperative Way, a consulting firm that helps co-ops succeed. He is an author, speaker and a memberowner of the CDS Consulting Co-op. You can follow him on Twitter @ adamcooperative or email him at [email protected]. YOU’RE NOT ALONE IN THE DARK Electricity powers our lives. We depend on it for nearly everything we do. So we understand how frustrating it can be when you’re left in the dark. Power outages are never convenient. It takes a lot of hands to keep your power on, and even more hands to get it up and running when an outage occurs. Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative works hard to restore your electric service when outages occur, but there are necessary steps to take to ensure that power is restored to the majority of members as quickly, and safely, as possible. After a major storm, ColesMoultrie line crews must identify which poles and lines have incurred damage. Very rarely, but occasionally in the case of a major storm such as an ice storm or tornado, transmission lines can be damaged. If that is the case, tens of thousands of members could be affected. Repairing damage to transmission lines is top priority when it comes to restoring power. High voltage transmission stations feed power to Coles’ 14 distribution substations. These substations serve thousands of members. If there is no damage done to transmission towers, the local distribution substations are checked first. If the issue is isolated and can be resolved at the substation level, great! That means thousands of people can get their power restored at once. At times, the issue cannot be isolated to one of our distribution substations. If that is the case, Coles-Moultrie Electric crews inspect supply lines between the substations and the meters they serve. If the supply lines can be repaired, power can be restored to the towns and homes those lines serve, as long as there is no damage to the tap lines. Tap lines carry power to the transformers located outside of homes and other buildings. ColesMoultrie line crews identify which damaged lines to work on first based on which lines will restore power to the greatest number of members. Many times, the issue is resolved once the tap lines are repaired. But have you ever lost power only to look next door and see the lights still blazing from your neighbor’s window? When this happens, it generally means that the service line between your home and the nearby transformer has been damaged. If this happens, call Coles-Moultrie right By Meghaan Evans away so we can send a line crew to your home. Power restoration can be a tricky business, so if you lose service in your home or neighborhood please remember the following: Stay clear of downed power lines. Contact with these lines could be life threatening. Report the outage to Coles-Moultrie Electric as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience and cooperation whenever an outage occurs. For more information on outages, stay connected with Coles-Moultrie Electric on Facebook, or check our website at cmec.coop. Meghaan Evans writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives. November 2014 • 5 MEMBER EXCHANGE For Sale Ford 8N tractor, needs fuel line work, with set of chains, blade, lift boom, and plow - $2,500 Firm. Call 217-317-0495. Good home for 2-eight to nine mo. Coon dog pups; 33 ft RV camper, 2 slides, 99 Rexhall Airbus, good shape, low miles. Call 217-855-7495. Need fencing? Have roll of 81 ft. 4 ft high aluminum with walk-in gate (has hardware), 70+ ft top rail plus one odd piece - $100. Call 217-348-8233. Computer desk, very nice for student for study in bedroom, need to see, great deal - $40. Call 217-348-8233. Farm fresh eggs - $2.50 brown, $2.00 white. Free home delivery (minimum 2 dozen) within 20 mile radius of Oakland. Call 217-346-2333 or email ron.craft@ wildblue.net. Brand new (still in box) Genie garage door opener. Call 217-246-4185. DR brand stump grinder, excellent condition. Call 217-895-3570. 1989 Harley-Davidson FLHTC, 60,763 miles, custom paint, lots of chrome and other extras. No longer ride and wanting to sell. Call 217-346-2500. Leave message and I'll return your call. Dog travel or training cage - for dog up to 40lb with divider, 30"L/23"W/24"H, Midwest Home for Pets model 39ZN - $45. Call 217-348-8233. Chain saws: 20 in Poulan - 4 chains, 2 new (case); 20 in Blue Max - Menard's saw, new; 18 in Poulan with case and parts. 1 new/2 like new. Buy all - $400. Call 217-273-2233. Truck running boards, like new, aluminum, fits single cab, 56" L with 6 1/2' step and wheel well, fastener and four brackets - $125. Call 217-348-8233. 48" blade and 30" tiller for Series 200, 300, JD tractor: used tires: 4-16X6.5X8, 1-23X10.5X12 also for JD. Call 217-345-3140. 75 ft roll of 1 in. heavy duty 160 Psi 160, meets rural water requirements - $20. Call 217-348-8233. Wanted Old cars-trucks-motorcycles pre-1980, any condition, cash. Call 217-254-0856 or 217-856-2233. Front grading blade 54-A for Farmall Cub Tractor. Call 217-273-1217. A Note about Member Exchange Your cooperative offers the member exchange as a free service to our members. Each month we continue to receive more and more ads via the mail and e-mail and it continues to grow. To help us continue to provide this service for free, we would like you to try and keep your ads to a couple of items per account and limit the number of words to 30. We try to run the ads at length when room allows and will continue to do this. Member Exchange items need to reach us by the 1st of the month and will appear in the next month’s issue. We reserve the right to accept or reject any ad and also to edit the ad if needed. ARE YOU SAVING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ON YOUR COLES-MOULTRIE ELECTRIC BILL? In recent months we have noticed that some of our members have been losing out on their “sub meter” savings. In order to be sure that you are receiving as much savings as possible there are a few things you may need to check. First, make sure that the sub meter is not blank and shows a reading. Second, check to make sure that your sub meter breaker is in the “ON” position. This breaker in your breaker panel could be located on its own, or with any other 240 Volt circuit breakers (95% of 6 • November 2014 the time a circuit breaker has either been tripped, or shut off, inside of your circuit breaker panel). If ALL of your breakers are in the on position, you would need to contact our office to schedule a representative of the Cooperative to check out your meter. The only way to receive the discounted rate for your sub-metered heating and air conditioning is from the reading obtained by this meter. Unfortunately, the cooperative has no way to go back and credit any member’s account that may have missed out on potential savings due to an unenergized sub meter. In the past we have tried to keep up with these situations by sending out letters, however with very few replies we have decided that it would be best to urge our members to please review each month’s bill to be sure that they are receiving the proper savings. Thank you for your prompt attention on this matter. Recipes Cilantro Lime Chicken Boneless Chicken, 3 breasts Limes, 3 or 4 Garlic, 4 to 6 cloves Olive Oil Cumin Cayenne or Chili Powder Cilantro, 1/4 cup, snipped Avocado, optional Directions: Mince the garlic, snip the cilantro and zest a lime. Juice the lime. Cut a lime into wedges and slice avocado for garnish. Cut the chicken into chunks. Pour a little olive oil into a large skillet, just enough to not quite cover the bottom. Heat it over medium high heat until it’s very hot, almost smoking. Add the chicken and let it cook undisturbed. Once the chicken is browned nicely on the bottom and will easily let go of the pan, sprinkle it generously with cumin and chili powder or pepper. Let it cook another minute or two, until the white line has moved about halfway through the pieces. Turn the chicken and let it cook another couple of minutes, long enough to brown. Reduce the heat to medium low and sprinkle in the garlic and lime zest. Stir a little and let it cook another couple of minutes but be careful not to let the garlic burn. Once the chicken is cooked through add the lime juice and stir up all the browned bits from the pan. Remove the chicken to a bowl or platter and sprinkle it with cilantro. Beef Stir Fry 1 1/2 lbs flank steak sliced against the grain 1/2 cup soy sauce 2 Tbsp brown sugar 2 Tbsp corn starch 1 tsp minced ginger 2 to 3 cloves of garlic, minced scallions (or sliced onion) chopped broccoli sliced mushrooms thinly sliced carrots Directions: Mix soy sauce, corn starch, ginger, garlic, brown sugar. Toss into the sauce and set aside. Precook all veggies in a little olive oil, cooking hearty veggies longer and cook until nearly done. Then add mushrooms. When veggies are completely done, remove them from the pan and set aside. Cook the meat, leaving most of the marinade out of the pan, until done. Add veggies back to the pan along with meat and the rest of the marinade. Cook for a few minutes longer and serve. Blueberry Vanilla Bread with Lemon Glaze 1/3 cup melted butter 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup milk 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour Lemon glaze: 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/2 cup powdered sugar Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8x4 inch loaf pan, line the bottom and two sides of the pan with the parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, beat together butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt; stir into egg mixture alternately with milk. In the same bowl where you combined flour, add blueberries and toss them in 2 tablespoons of flour. This will help prevent blueberries from sinking. Fold in lemon zest and blueberries into the batter. Do it carefully and fast. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool bread in pan for 40 minutes on a wire rack. Release the bread from the pan. Lemon glaze: Combine freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1/2 cup powdered sugar in a small bowl and beat, using electric mixer, until smooth glaze forms . Drizzle the top of the bread with the glaze after completely cooled. November 2014 • 7 Periodical A publication of Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative P.O. BOX 709 Mattoon, IL 61938-0709 217-235-0341 IT FEELS BETTER AROUND THE HOUSE SINCE I SET OUR THERMOSTAT TO CHEAP. We ’ re g o n e mos t of the day. Didn’ t ma k e se n se to k e e p a n em p t y h o u s e c om for table. But no w whe n we ge t h o me , i t’s r e a d y. I ’ m s a ving $ 2 8 0 a y ear jus t by pro g ra mmi n g a the rm o s t a t . W h a t c an y ou do? Find out ho w the l i ttl e cha nge s ad d u p a t To gether WeSa ve. c om . TOG E T HERW E S AV E .C OM