HIGHLIGHTSWATTOctober 2017 | News from Jackson County REMC

Volume 72 - Number 4

Solar array on I-65 adds to renewable energy supply

Page 5

Page 2 - October 2017

Watt Highlights - (USPS 669-580) is published monthly for $3.00 per year (electric rates include subscription) by Jackson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation, a consumer owned utility, 274 E. Base Road, Brownstown, Indiana 47220. Periodicals postage paid at Brownstown, Indiana. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Watt Highlights, P.O. Box K, Brownstown, Indiana 47220.

Cooperative Principle #6 - Cooperation Among CooperativesMark McKinney, General Manager

You’ve probably heard the old say-ing, “There’s power in numbers”, and I have to agree. Cooperation is a key word for electric cooperatives, and a concept vital to our form of business.

As we have been highlighting this year, member-owned cooperatives like Jackson County REMC operate under seven key principles. This month I am focusing on Cooperative Principle #6, “Cooperation Among Cooperatives.” In short, electric cooperatives serve their members best while strengthen-ing the overall cooperative movement by working together.

At the most basic level, electric cooperatives support one another whenever and however they can. A perfect example of this includes elec-tric cooperatives that were affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Electric Cooperatives from all over the country sent crews to help restore power to those who were affected. If a storm or other disaster hits one of our sister cooperatives, we offer whatever help we can to ensure service gets restored as quickly as possible. If we need help, our electric cooperative “family” will be there for us.

When it comes to local and state-wide issues, the 38 electric coop-eratives in Indiana combine forces through Indiana Electric Cooperatives (IEC) located in Indianapolis. The power of numbers gives us a louder voice at the state capitol when legisla-tors make decisions that affect us all. Our statewide organization demon-strates when small organizations such as electric cooperatives use the power of aggregation, we grow in clout, ef-

ficiency, and economy. By working together, good things happen.

Nationally, we collaborate with other electric cooperatives through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). This Arling-ton, Virginia based national service organization represents more than 900 member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives, public power districts, and public utility districts in the United States. NRECA presents a unified consumer voice through its grassroots efforts to urge lawmakers to create legislation that is in the best interest of electric cooperatives.

Even if we were in this alone, Jack-son County REMC would still provide you with the very best service at the lowest price possible. But when we pool our resources and work together cooperatively, we are able to offer you a better value. That is the cooperative difference.

WATTHIGHLIGHTSJackson County REMC

274 E. Base Road P.O. Box KBrownstown, IN 47220-0311

Local calls - 812-358-4458Toll free - 800-288-4458FAX only - 812-358-5719E-mail - info@jacksonremc.comWeb site - www.jacksonremc.comPay bills online - www.jacksonremc.comPay bills by phone - 1-888-999-8816

Office Hours7:30 AM to 4:30 PMMonday through Friday

To report outages or emergencies812-358-4458 (local) 1-800-288-4458 (toll free) day or night

Board of DirectorsPresident John Trinkle - district 3Vice-President Earl Pottschmidt - district 8Secretary-Treasurer Jerry Kelley - district 5John Hackman - district 1Walter Hunter - district 2Paul Elliott - district 4Mark Trisler - district 6Curtis Wischmeier - district 7John Miller - district 9

OUR COVERJackson County REMC em-ployees and directors, along with Hoosier Energy Presi-dent and CEO Steve Smith, and Hoosier Energy Board Chairman Herb Haggard 6

October 2017 - Page 3

Between the years of 1938 and 1942, the Rural Electric Administration (REA) assigned two managers to Jackson

County REMC. First was Col. Willard S. Boyle, who resigned in 1939, and then E. E. Combs, who was called into active

military service in March of 1942. The following month, Jackson County REMC hired its first General Manager, John

Hamer. John served as the General Manager until 1969.

Don Clodfelter was then hired as the cooperative’s second General Manager on July 1,

1969 replacing the retiring John Hamer. During Don’s tenure as General Manager, Jack-

son County REMC grew from just over 10,000 members to 20,000 members. One of the

biggest industry changes he saw was the need to move from paper billing to digital billing.

In 1972 Jackson County REMC entered the computer age with the installation of its first

computer system. The new IBM keypunch type system took up a large part of the billing

room. It replaced the ledger card system that had been in use since the early days of the

cooperative. Don hired staff assistant Jed Wheatley, who was an important part of the

transition from the ledger card system of day to day billings, payment processing and me-

ter reading activity to a computerized “key-punch” system.

Jed then went on to become the third General Manager of

the cooperative when Don retired in 1998.

Jed was General Manager from October 1998 to March 2014. The biggest industry

change Jed saw while he was General Manager of Jackson County REMC was one that

continues yet today. Coal-fired electricity generation, Indiana’s long-time go-to resource,

became increasingly perceived by many regulators and politicians as a problem rather

than a valuable asset. New regulations were piled on top of existing regulations, relent-

lessly driving up the costs of coal-fired generation, putting continuous upward pressure

on retail rates. In turn, energy efficiency became increasingly important as the best tool a

consumer had to keep their electric bill manageable.

Recently I took some time to catch up with Don and Jed to see what they have been up to since retiring from Jackson

County REMC. Since retiring in 1998 Don has enjoyed fishing, rowing on the lake, traveling, that includes travel to over

20 countries in Europe. Don has also written a book since retirement called “Still a Sailor”

which can be found on Amazon.com. The book is composed of sea stories he had writ-

ten down for his sons about the time he spent in the US Naval Reserve. Don also spends

time volunteering at the Brownstown Elementary School. Jed has also enjoyed retirement.

Since retiring in 2014 he has been doing a lot of fishing, gardening, cooking, traveling,

golfing, volunteering, and spending more time with his nine grandchildren. He said he

has enjoyed more snow-birding and less snow shoveling.

We appreciate all these men have done for Jackson County REMC and the examples

they set for us to follow going forward.

A Look Back in Time - Past General Managersby Nicole Ault Communications/Public Relations Specialist

John Hamer

Don Clodfelter

Jed Wheatley

Page 4 - October 2017

October 2017 - Page 5

With the interest in renewable en-

ergy projects growing, Jackson County

REMC is bringing the benefits of

utility-scale solar energy to our com-

munity.

On a bright fall day, directors and

representatives from Bartholomew

County REMC, Jackson County

REMC, Hoosier Energy and local

officials dedicated a new, cooperative-

owned, solar array on Thursday, Sept.

21. Thousands of solar panels near

Columbus along I-65 are now supply-

ing energy to the grid for the benefit

of cooperative consumers throughout

southern Indiana.

The 3,900 panel array is capable of

generating one megawatt of power.

Bartholomew County REMC and Jack-

son County REMC worked alongside

Hoosier Energy, their cooperative

power supplier, to identify a prime

location for the array.

“As a cooperative, our focus is al-

ways local,” said Jim Turner, President

and CEO of Bartholomew County

REMC.

“Thanks to this project, we are

in a better position to learn together

how to best tap into the power of the

sun to bring renewable energy to our

communities,” added Mark McKinney,

General Manager of Jackson County

REMC.

The array is the 9th 1-MW site to

come online in Hoosier Energy’s 10

site project, the 2nd of which Jackson

County REMC has been a part of. The

array is a part of an “all-of-the-above”

power supply strategy to diversify the

generation portfolio and further the

cooperative commitment of affordabil-

ity, reliability and community.

Collectively, the solar sites represent

an opportunity for Jackson County

REMC to obtain information on how

the latest solar technology can provide

electricity for member consumers.

Once collected, this information will

help Jackson County REMC learn

more on how this variable energy

resource integrates with the grid and

how solar power might offset the need

for other resources.

SUN SHINES ON JACKSON COUNTY REMC SOLAR INITIATIVE

Page 6 - October 2017

Jackson County REMC is join-ing 30,000 cooperatives nationwide in October to celebrate National Co-op Month, which recognizes the many ways cooperatives are committed to strengthening the local communities they serve. “Co-ops Commit” is the theme for this year’s celebration, spotlighting the countless ways cooperatives meet the needs of their members and communities.

Jackson County REMC delivers electricity to over 24,000 accounts in our 10 county service area of Southern Indiana. Delivering safe, reliable, affordable power is our top priority, but we are also in-vested in our communities because we are locally owned and operated. Revenue generated by Jackson County REMC goes back to Main Street, not Wall Street.

Rural America is served by a network of about 1,000 electric cooperatives, most of which were formed in the 1930’s and 1940’s to bring electricity to farms and rural communities that large, investor-owned power companies had no interest in serving because of the higher costs involved in serving

low-population and low-density areas.

Overall, co-ops are more acces-sible than other types of businesses. We give our members a voice, and we are local living and working

alongside those we serve.

That’s the cooperative difference.

Jackson County REMC observing National Co-op Month in October

October 2017 - Page 7

2017 Statement of Ownership,Management & Circulation

(Summary of US Postal Service Form #3526) Publication Title: WATT HIGHLIGHTS Publication Number: 669-580 Filing Date: October 1, 2017 Issue Frequency: Monthly Number of Issues Published Annually: 11 Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: Jackson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation, PO Box K, Brownstown IN 47220-0311 Contact Person: Nicole Ault Telephone: 812-358-4458 Complete Mailing address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: P.O. Box K Brownstown, IN 47220 Full Name & Complete Mailing Address of Publisher, Editor & Managing Editor: Nicole Ault, address same as above Editor: Nicole Ault, address same as above Managing Editor: Nicole Ault, address same as above Owner: Jackson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation (a consumer owned utility), PO Box K, Brownstown IN 47220 Publication Title: Watt Highlights Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: October 2017 (Averages for the preceding 12 months are listed first; Information for the October 2017 issue is listed second) Total Number of Copies (Net Press Run): 20,392 / 20,262 Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions: 19,932 / 19,962 Paid/Requested In-County Mail Subscriptions: 0 / 0 Sales Through Dealers, Carriers, Street Venders & Counter Sales: 0 / 0 Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 0 / 0 Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 19,932 / 19,962 Free Distribution by Mail - Outside-County Mail Subscriptions: 160 / 107 Free Distribution Outside the Mail 300 / 300 Total Free Distribution: 460 / 407 Total Distribution: 20,392 / 20,369 Copies Not Distributed: 47 / 32 Total Copies: 20,345 / 20,337 Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 97.7% / 98.0% Paid Electronic Copies: 0 / 0 Total Paid Print Copies + Paid Electronic Copies: 19,932 / 19,962 Total Print Distribution + Paid Electronic Copies - 20,392 / 20,369 Publication of Statement of Ownership to be published in the October 2017 issue. Nicole Ault Communications/Public Relations Specialist October 1, 2017

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS

The REMC office will be closed on the following days:

October 9 Columbus Day

November 23 & 24 Thanksgiving

Page 8 - October 2017

Simply DeliciousAll About Pumpkins

by Nicole AultCommunications/Public

Relations Specialist

Recipes Slow Cooker Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk 2 cups heavy cream6 cups milk 1 Tbs pumpkin pie spice1 (12 oz) package chocolate chips 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin pureeWhip Cream

In 5 qt slow cooker mix your sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, milk, chocolate chips, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice and stir well to com-bine. Heat on low for 3 hours or high for 1.5 hours stirring frequently.Pour desired amount in glass and top with whip cream and pumpkin pie spice if desired.

Pumpkin Alfredo1 pound fettuccine (reserve 1 cup of pasta water) 6 tablespoons butter1 cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling) 2 cloves garlic, minced1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 2/3 cup half & half1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsleyCook fettuccine. Melt butter over medium-low heat. Stir in garlic and cook for about a minute, careful not to burn. Stir in half & half, Parmesan, pump-kin and nutmeg. Stir until sauce is heated through and cheese is melted. Stir in pasta water, about 1/4 cup at a time, until sauce is desired consis-tency. Add pasta and cook over medium-high heat until sauce is smooth and pasta is well coated; about 1-2 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and fresh grated Parmesan, if desired.

Pumpkin Angel Food Cake1 (18 oz) package angel food cake mix 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice (more or less to taste) 1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish. Mix all of the ingredients together until combined. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake according to package directions. Cool completely. Cut into squares and serve with whipped cream

October 2017 - Page 9

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CO-OP MONTH WORD SEARCHDid you know October is National Co-op Month? Co-ops are different types of businesses because they are not-for-profit and are owned by the members they serve — including you!Use the word bank to find the words associated with co-ops in the puzzle below.

Word BankPRINCIPLESCOOP MONTHPARTICIPATIONMEMBERSDEMOCRACY

COOPERATIONNOT-FOR-PROFITCOOPERATIVEEDUCATIONCOMMUNITY

Page 10 - October 2017

To have your non-profit group’s event listed in our “Community Calendar,” please contact us by letter, phone or e-mail (nault@jacksonremc.com) at least six weeks before your event date. Include a phone

number we can call to verify your information.

Jackson County

October 7 - Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church will be holding its 49th annual Bean Supper. The beans will be cooked in a cast iron skillet over an open fire. Don’t like beans, not to worry there will be plenty of other foods to eat. We will start serving beans at 5:00 p.m. and then at 6:30 p.m. featured speaker Rick Wilson former pastor of the Alley will speak. A free will offering will be accepted. For more info or directions please call 812-497-2723

October 7 - The Tri-County Conservation Club of Crothersville invites everyone to their last Fish Fry/Chili Supper of 2017 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Call in orders can be taken 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. by calling 812-498-4447 or 812-498-4448. The menu will consist of fish sandwiches, french fries, desserts and drinks. We will also have memberships available for $5-$15. We also have rentals available as well for $50-$60 various times through the Fall and Holiday Season. Please contact Sandy at 812-793-2014 or Brian at 812-498-4447 for reservations, primitive camping at the club or any questions.

October 9 - Seymour FBC located at 505 Community Drive, Seymour

will be hosting the AB Boys and Men’s Brotherhood Gathering at 6:30 p.m. Anyone having questions please contact Bob at 812-525-9238

October 8 - Annual fall supper andLadies’ Aid bazaar from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wegan. Turkey, ham and all the trimmings. Dine in or use the special carry-out line; free-will donation. Contact or Kyle & Julie Warren (812-216-2861) or Roger and Patty Wischmeier (812-525-7315) for more information.

October 14 - Jackson County Festival of Wine and Brews. W.R. Ewing Brownstown IN 2:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. Proceeds go to Washing Lodge 13 and Psi Iota Xi.

October 14 - Houston Fall Festival from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Salt Creek Township community of Houston. Craft booths, food, music and games. Antique tractor drive at10:00 a.m., greased pig contest at 1:00 p.m., Veterans Program 2:00 p.m. Parking and admission are free.Festival proceeds help preserve andmaintain the 1916 Houston School building. Contact Janet Fisher (812-583-7035) for more information.

November 4 - Ladies Aid #3 of Immanuel Lutheran Church in

COMMUNITYCALENDAR

Seymour will hold its 35th Fall Arts & Crafts Show in both gyms of Immanuel Lutheran School. The show will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Only handmade items will be sold. Main parking lot is off of 605 S. Walnut St. Handicap accessible also. A light lunch of sandwiches and chili will be available in the school cafeteria. For more information: 812-523-3109 or 812-445-3233.

November 5 - Annual turkey and ham supper and bazaar from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s (Sauers) Lutheran School. Turkey, ham and all the trimmings for a free-will donation. Hand crafted items and baked goods also available at the church’s Ladies’ Aid bazaar. ContactJudy Stuckwisch (812-522-6231) for more information.

November 18 - 27th annual SeymourSpecial Education Parents AdvisoryCouncil holiday arts and crafts marketfrom 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at theSeymour American Legion Annex. Free admission; lunch available. Contact Beth White (812-445-3815) for more information.

Jennings County

October 13 & 14 - Jennings County Historical Society Hector’s Haunted

October 2017 - Page 11

Happenings Mystery Dinner & Ghost Walk at the North American House in Vernon, IN. Dinners: Oct. 13 at 7:00 p.m.; Oct. 14 at 6:00 p.m., $18. Ghost Walk runs 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. each night. Reservations for Mystery Dinner required but no reservations needed for Ghost Walk. Tours for the Walk run every 20 minutes. Ghost Walk Adults $4; Children $2 Call for information: 812-346-8989 or visit www.jenningscounty.org

November 11 - St. Joseph CatholicChurch “Crafty Saturday” Bazaar from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the church on County Road 700 W south of Hayden. Crafts, foods, home decorations and more; chicken and noodle lunch will be available. Contact Terri French (812-346- 3192 or 812-525-9556) for more information

Lawrence County

November 30 - The Ladies Aid of Fairview Community Church will hold their annual Country Store from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Fairview Community Church, 417 Old US 50, Bedford. A variety of items will be for sale including; household items, books, kitchen wares and much more. Ladies are certain to find something sparkling on the “bling table”. A silent auction will be held including hand crafted wood items and a homemade quilt. Lunch will be available with sandwiches, soups and delicious desserts. For more information call 812-834-6704.

COMMUNITYCALENDAR cont.

Scott County

October 18 - Scott County Heritage Center and Museum 1050 S. Main Street Scottsburg will host members of the award winning Austin Show Choir. Contact Jeanne Abbott with questions 812-752-1050

October 21 - Fall Fun Days and all you can eat breakfast sponsored by the Friends of Hardy Lake; breakfast served from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Hardy Lake shelter house. Adults - $6.50; children 3 to 12 - $3.00; children under 3 - free. All proceeds support the Dwight Chamberlain Raptor Rehab Center. For more information visit friendsofhardylake.org

October 28 - “Owl” ‘O’ Ween Spooktacular sponsored by the Friends of Hardy Lake; served from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Hardy Lake shelter house. Adults - $6.50; children 3 to 12 - $3.00; children under 3 - free. All proceeds support the Dwight Chamberlain RaptorRehab Center. For more information visit www.friendsofhardylake.com.

November 4 - Steak Fry from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Scott Lodge #120 F&AM on US Highway 31 in Austin. Meal includes steak, baked potato, salad, dessert & drink for a $16.00 donation; children’s hamburger dinner for $5.00 donation. Contact Barry Parks (812-569-5581) for more information.

November 15 - Scott County Heritage Center and Museum 1050 S. Main Street Scottsburg. Rob Atkins will exhibit is cane collection. Contact Jeanne Abbott with questions 812-752-1050

Washington County

October 7 - 14th annual Franklin Township School reunion will be held at the home of Bob and Jane Marquand, 790 S. Franklin School Road beginning at 4:00 p.m. Bring a covered dish plus any memorabilia that you would like to share. For more information contact Jane Marquand (812) 967-2056.

October 14 - Beck’s Mill “The Grind” 5K and 10K races. Visit www.becksmill.org for times, entry fee, schedule and online registration information.

October 28 - Oktoberfest at historicBeck’s Mill. Enjoy campfire beans and Beck’s Mill cornmeal bake off contest. Admission to the grounds and mill is $5.00 for adults. Children under 16are free with a paid adult admission. For more information contact Judy at becksmill1864@outlook.com or visit the Beck’s Mill website at www.becksmill.org.

November 4 - Pekin UMW annual Mistletoe Market Place 9:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Located at 244 S. Shorts Corner Rd. Pekin, IN 47165 Call or e-mail Myra Hildreth 812-620-9866 Hildreth@mymail.coop

When calling or w

riting please give the name and

customer num

ber above your name on this label

or your account number show

n on your bill.TELEPHONE - 812-358-4458TOLL FREE - 800-288-4458

During regular office hours you will be connected with our customer service representatives. After regular hours you will be connected with our answering service. Please call during regular office hours for all business other than out-ages or emergencies.

OFFICE HOURS7:30 AM to 4:30 PM - Monday through Friday

FAX only - 812-358-5719E-mail - info@jacksonremc.com

Web site - www.jacksonremc.comPay bill online - visit our website (above)

Pay bill by phone - 1-888-999-8816