CRAWFISH, Y'ALL - Crape Murder YOUR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE NEWS - Wharton County ...
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YOUR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE NEWS FEBRUARY 2020
Crape Murder Legendary Pitmasters Meet Forget Chocolate
CRAWFISH, Y’ALL
Mudbug-loving Texans pull up a seat at the communal table
performance
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FA V O R I T E S
5 Letters
6 Currents
18 Co-op News
Get the latest information plus energy
and safety tips from your cooperative.
29 Texas History
Meat and Greet
By Wyatt McSpadden
31 Recipes
Forget Chocolate, My Sweetie Likes . . .
35 Focus on Texas
Photo Contest: Power
36 Around Texas
List of Local Events
38 Hit the Road
The Height of Deceit
By Chet Garner
Crawfish and good times ONLINE
at Repka’s in Brookshire.
TexasCoopPower.com
Find these stories online if they don’t
F E AT U R E S appear in your edition of the magazine.
Texas USA
8 Crape Murder As healthy trees are hacked in the prime
of their lives, an expert pleads: “Stop the madness!”
Story by Sheryl Smith-Rodgers | Illustration by Michael Koelsch
On Board the Elissa
By Joey Held
Observations
A Texan at Iwo Jima
10 A Tale of Texas Crawfish Tasty crustaceans create a
feasting frenzy every spring.
Story and photos by Eric W. Pohl
By Gene Fowler
NEXT MONTH
Soul Music of South Texas Conjunto
coaxes a unique sound and subculture
from accordions and 12-string guitars.
31 38
29
C RAW F I S H : E R I C W. P O H L . CO N J U N TO A RT I ST: CO U RT E SY T E XAS FO L K L I F E
35
ON THE COVER For many Texans, a crawfish boil marks more than the arrival of spring. Photo by Eric W. Pohl
T E X A S E L E CT R I C C O O P E R AT I V E S B OA R D O F D I R E CTO R S : Alan Lesley, Chair, Comanche; Robert Loth III, Vice Chair, Fredericksburg; Gary Raybon, Secretary-Treasurer, El Campo;
Mark Boyd, Douglassville; Greg Henley, Tahoka; Billy Jones, Corsicana; David McGinnis, Van Alstyne • PRESIDENT/CEO: Mike Williams, Austin • COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBER SERVICES
COMMITTEE: Marty Haught, Burleson; Bill Hetherington, Bandera; Ron Hughes, Sinton; Boyd McCamish, Littlefield; Mark McClain, Roby; John Ed Shinpaugh, Bonham; Robert Walker, Gilmer;
Brandon Young, McGregor • MAGAZINE STAFF: Martin Bevins, Vice President, Communications & Member Services; Charles J. Lohrmann, Editor; Tom Widlowski, Associate Editor; Karen Nejtek,
Production Manager; Andy Doughty, Creative Manager; Elaine Sproull, Advertising Manager; Chris Burrows, Senior Communications Specialist; Grace Fultz, Print Production Specialist; Travis Hill, Com-
munications Specialist; Qasim K. Johnson, Administrative Assistant; Megan Myers, Food Editor; Jessica Ridge, Communications Specialist; Chris Salazar, Digital Field Editor; Ally Schauer, Intern;
Jane Sharpe, Senior Designer; Shannon Oelrich, Proofreader
TexasCoopPower.com February 2020 Texas Co-op Power 3
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LETTERS
Keeping in Touch
I am 84 and rely on good read- Clip–and–Save
ing material to keep in touch Recipes
with “all.”
Seldom have I enjoyed such Being in my 20s, I know that
fine articles as your November
I am in the minority of
issue. I began with interesting
Letters, then the woman behind your readership, but that also
Wreaths Across America and
makes me the future of your
the magnificent photos accom-
panying the one-of-a-kind readership. I read your articles
artists. Then comes my favorite
monthly, but I only ever save the recipes, just like my mother and my mother’s
subject—history.
BRENNA QUEBBEMANN | BLANCO mother before her. I clip them out and keep them in my homemade recipe
PEDERNALES EC AND CECA
book/binder/scrapbook.
Startling Conclusion
The star on the coin looks KASEY MENN | BRYAN | BRYAN TEXAS UTILITIES
nothing like the lone star on
the flag [A Star Is Born, Decem-
ber 2019]. There were stars for
centuries on flags, shields and success for rural electrification In October, the McQueeney
emblems of nations. Our Texas nationwide [Nixon’s Attack on VFD was the recipient of a
founding fathers . . . considered Co-ops, December 2019]. Pic- Power-Up Grant of $20,000
Texas a “lone star”—alone as a tured behind Nixon was REA for the purchase of lifesaving
region fighting the tyrannical administrator Dave Hamil, a extrication equipment. This is
dictatorship of Santa Anna. dear friend of mine. one of the many ways in which
To try to stretch so far to Hamil almost single-handedly GVEC has helped our depart-
connect these patriots to an organized national leadership ment to better serve our com-
insignificant star on a coin to save co-ops. Nixon was munity.
minted in 1817 is a thin pre- forced to sign legislation that MARILYN MARSHALL | NEW BRAUNFELS
sumption and certainly not restored federally funded loans GUADALUPE VALLEY EC
clear. The Long Expedition in and even greater financial
1819, usually given credibility health to co-ops.
for being the first image of BILL MULDOON | KERRVILLE
the lone star, is proven history. the past 17 years using the milk CENTRAL TEXAS EC GET MORE TCP AT
COY PRATHER | MONTALBA from our award-winning Nubian TexasCoopPower.com
TRINITY VALLEY EC dairy goats. Co-ops and VFDs Sign up for our e-newsletter for
CAROLINE LAWSON | VIA FACEBOOK I applaud your recognition of monthly updates, prize drawings
Made in Texas NAVASOTA VALLEY EC the critical importance and and more!
It is great that you are cele- needs of volunteer fire depart-
brating the makers in our areas Ryan Drapela [above] is an ments in the communities they We want to hear from you!
[In the Making, November 2019]. awesome young man. He works serve [Putting Others First, ONLINE: TexasCoopPower.com/share
Nice photos and nice story. hard to be the best craftsman October 2019]. There are EMAIL: letters@TexasCoopPower.com
TRAVIS FROEHLICH | BASTROP he can be. several volunteer fire depart- MAIL: Editor, Texas Co-op Power,
BLUEBONNET EC MARK WOODS | VIA FACEBOOK ments served by our local 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor,
Austin, TX 78701
co-op, Guadalupe Valley
Please include your town and electric co-op.
D FE
So many of us artisans here Hamil to the Rescue Electric Cooperative, including Letters may be edited for clarity and length.
in Texas! . . . My husband and President Richard Nixon’s fail- the McQueeney Volunteer
R EC I P E S : J O DY H O RTO N . D RA P E LA : J U L I A R O B I N SO N
I have been making soap for ure to thwart REA was a huge Fire Department. Texas Co-op Power
TEXAS CO-OP POWER VOLUME 76, NUMBER 8 (USPS 540-560). Texas Co-op Power is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperatives (TEC). Periodical postage paid at Austin, TX, and at additional offices. TEC is the
statewide association representing 75 electric cooperatives. Texas Co-op Power’s website is TexasCoopPower.com. Call (512) 454-0311 or email editor@TexasCoopPower.com. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE is $4.20 per year for
individual members of subscribing cooperatives and is paid from equity accruing to the member. If you are not a member of a subscribing cooperative, you can purchase an annual subscription at the nonmember rate
of $7.50. Individual copies and back issues are available for $3 each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Texas Co-op Power (USPS 540-560), 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701. Please enclose label from
this copy of Texas Co-op Power showing old address and key numbers. ADVERTISING: Advertisers interested in buying display ad space in Texas Co-op Power and/or in our 30 sister publications in other states, contact
Elaine Sproull at (512) 486-6251. Advertisements in Texas Co-op Power are paid solicitations. The publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any manner any product or company included in this publication. Product sat-
isfaction and delivery responsibility lie solely with the advertiser.
© Copyright 2020 Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohib-
ited without written permission. Willie Wiredhand © Copyright 2020 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
TexasCoopPower.com February 2020 Texas Co-op Power 5
CURRENTS
M A R K YO U R
C A L E N DA R
PIONEERING M.D.
National Women Physicians Day
is February 3. The date marks the
birthday of Elizabeth Blackwell in
1821. When Blackwell graduated
from New York’s Geneva Medical
College in 1849, she became the
first woman to receive a medical
degree in the United States.
In Texas, 22,550 of the state’s
64,602 physicians—about one-
third—are women, according
to a March 2019 report by the
Kaiser Family Foundation.
HAPPENINGS
Chopin and Friends
Classical music lovers are in for a treat when distinguished
Canadian pianist Ryo Yanagitani performs CHOPIN AND FRIENDS:
P I A N O & A N T H O N Y: DAV I D M O O R E . ST E T H OSCO P E : C H E R N E TS KAYA | D R E A M ST I M E .CO M . C A N DY: X P I X E L | S H U T T E R STO C K .CO M . B I R DS : O P E N E Y E D | S H U T T E R STO C K .CO M
ROMANTIC GENIUS at the Cailloux Theater in KERRVILLE on FEBRUARY 27 .
Frédéric Chopin was a 19th-century Polish composer and virtuoso
pianist who was close friends with French composer Hector Berlioz
and sometimes friend, sometimes rival of Franz Liszt. The concert
will feature pieces by all three and one by Johann Sebastian Bach, LIFESTYLE
one of Chopin’s greatest influences.
“This concert is all about showmanship,” says Eugene Dowdy, Cut It Out!
conductor and artistic director for Symphony of the Hills, host of the
Have you witnessed crape murder
event. “Ryo is a wonderful showman as a performer, super energetic. —the horrific and drastic pruning
And even Chopin, himself a famous piano performer, also hung out of innocent crape myrtles? Or seen
the gnarled, knotty scars left by
with other showy composers like Hector Berlioz—composer previous crimes?
of a piece named Symphony Fantastique, by the way.
Read Crape Murder on Page 8,
Who writes a symphony and names it that?” WEB EXTRAS then tell us about your experience
a Find more by emailing letters@TexasCoop
happenings Power.com or posting on our
INFO a (830) 792-7469, symphonyofthehills.org online. Facebook page. Include your name,
co-op and city. (We won’t turn
you in to the pruning police.)
6 Texas Co-op Power February 2020 TexasCoopPower.com
TCP CONTEST a $100 RECIPES: HOT OFF THE GRILL Have a smokin’ hot favorite meal you cook on the coals? Enter your recipe online.
BY THE NUMBERS
“There is no history about which there is
so much ignorance as this great movement 5,200
for the establishment of equal political rights That’s the number
for women. I hope the twentieth century of choking deaths in the
U.S. in 2017, according to
will see the triumph of our cause.” the National Safety Council.
Surgeon Henry Heimlich,
who in the 1970s invented
—SUSAN B. ANTHONY , in a letter a technique used to help
to the editor of the Chicago Tribune, choking victims dislodge
December 20, 1900. Anthony was an obstruction from their
born 200 years ago, February 15, 1820. airways, was born 100 years
ago—February 3, 1920, in
Delaware. The Heimlich
maneuver is credited with
saving thousands of lives.
; Did you know?
In 2016, at the age of 96,
Heimlich himself used his
technique for the first time
to save the life of a woman
choking at his retirement
home in Cincinnati.
N AT U R E
FINISH THIS SENTENCE
My most unforgettable
first date was . . .
Last month we asked readers to finish a sentence that
Desolate Skies we started. Your snappy answers are still coming in, and
we’ll share them next month. Meanwhile, amid thoughts
of romance and Valentine’s Day, how would you finish the
The New York Times, reporting While the study was not sentence above?
on an analysis in the journal designed to determine the
Science, said in September that cause of the 29% drop in Your answers can be silly, serious, deep or superficial.
there are 2.9 billion fewer birds population, scientists suggest Post your responses on our Facebook page or email them
in the United States and Can- likely culprits are habitat to letters@TexasCoopPower.com. Please include your
ada than there were in 1970. loss and pesticides. name, city and co-op.
TexasCoopPower.com February 2020 Texas Co-op Power 7
BY SHERYL SMITH-RODGERS | ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL KOELSCH
EVERY FEBRUARY, horticulturist Greg Grant dreads the
sight of tree trunks topped by sawed-off limbs. The annual
chain saw massacre generally targets only one kind of tree:
crape myrtles. “I’m never going to get used to that horrifically
wrong way of pruning them,” huffs Grant, a Texas A&M Agri-
Life Extension agent for Smith County. “Someone’s got to stop
the madness.”
That madness is known as “crape murder.” No one’s sure
how or why the excessive shearing got started, though Grant, a
member of Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative, has some the-
ories. Despite efforts to counter it, the crime against nature
continues.
Crape myrtles have long been loved in the South as orna-
mental shrubs and trees for their peeling bark, prolific blooms
and colorful fall foliage. Their tolerance of hot, dry climates
makes them especially suited for Texas landscapes.
AS HEALTHY TREES are hacked in the
prime of their lives, an expert pleads:
er
“STOP THE MADNESS!”
C r a p e M ur d
In part, their name refers to the flowers’ crinkly crepe paper A decade later, she tended a formal garden, which showcased
appearance. However, crape myrtles, which are native to India crape myrtles, at their new Italian villa-style home in Paris, Texas,
and southeast Asia, are not true myrtle trees, which bear white, now the Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site. Paris residents
star-shaped flowers. Instead, crape myrtle blooms—which range planted crape myrtles after fire destroyed almost half the town
from white to pink, red and lavender—look more like lilacs, hence in 1916. They planted more for the state’s centennial, in 1936.
its nickname, “Lilac of the South.” Today, more than 110 crape In 1997, the 75th Texas Legislature declared the crape myrtle
myrtle varieties range in size from 3 feet tall to more than 30 feet. as the official state shrub. (Texas purple sage was deemed the
Their earliest cultivation traces back to the Chinese gardens of official state native shrub in 2005.) It also designated Paris as
the Tang dynasty, which ruled from 618 to 907 A.D. In 1786, French the state’s official Crape Myrtle City and Lamar County as Crape
botanist André Michaux planted crape myrtles in his gardens in Myrtle County Capital. Not to leave anyone out, the Legislature
Charleston, South Carolina. In 1799, the ship George Berkeley also named Waxahachie as the Crape Myrtle Capital of Texas
ferried plants and seeds from India, including crape myrtles, to and Brazos County as an official Crape Myrtle County. McKinney,
George Washington for his Mount Vernon plantation in Virginia. billed as America’s Crape Myrtle City, boasts some 65,000 crape
Thomas Jefferson also planted them at Monticello, his home in myrtles across the city and in its 7-acre World Collection Park.
Virginia. The tree’s popularity spread across the South. Despite its official standing, not even Paris is immune to
Marilda Maxey, wife of Confederate Gen. Samuel Bell Maxey, crape murder. “It’s an ongoing issue here,” sighs Billie Paskin,
is believed to have brought the first crape myrtles to Texas in former president of the Lamar County Master Gardeners and a
1857, when the couple moved from Kentucky to Lamar County. Lamar Electric member. “We talk to people, and they still cut
8 Texas Co-op Power February 2020 TexasCoopPower.com
off their crape myrtles.” grow 30 feet high under a utility line.”
Likewise, Grant—who’s introduced 49 plants, including two Crape murder disfigures the shrubs, spurs growth of more
crape myrtle hybrids, to the nursery trade—regularly writes suckers (new shoots) at a tree’s base and decreases a tree’s cold
about the foibles of crape murder. “I’m not the crape myrtle hardiness. Grant also suspects that pruning wounds and new
police,” Grant says. “People can do whatever they want with their growth attract crape myrtle bark scale, an introduced pest that’s
trees. But it’s the No. 1 horticultural phenomenon that you see, spread across most of the Southeast. Sooty black mold and white,
and there’s not a single word in any horticultural publication feltlike encrustations on higher limbs indicate a likely infestation.
that condones the practice.” Though not a death sentence, the scale can turn healthy trees
Grant theorizes that the severe style of pruning originated into eyesores and reduce their vigor by about one-third.
in Europe, where upper branches of some trees were pollarded— Bottom line: Crape murder costs money, wastes time and adds
cut back to the trunk—to provide fuel. “Perhaps the practice debris to landfills. It’s dangerous, too—chain saws and ladders
came with the Spanish, who brought it with them to Mexico,” don’t mix. Left alone, crape myrtles grow into graceful sculptures
he says. “From Mexico, it spread across the South.” worthy of admiration.
These days, motives for crape murder vary, depending on “The only pruning they need is removal of dead wood, branches
who’s wielding the saw. “Homeowners tell me they cut off their that cross and suckers from the base,” Grant says. “The prettiest
crape myrtles because they’re too tall,” Grant says. “So it’s impor- ones I’ve seen have never been touched. And I mean never.”
tant that people know what size crape myrtle they want and Sheryl Smith-Rodgers of Blanco blogs about her gardening adventures
then buy the right one for the site. Don’t plant one that can at sherylsmithrodgers.blogspot.com.
TexasCoopPower.com February 2020 Texas Co-op Power 9
A TALE OF TEXAS CRAWFISH
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ERIC W. POHL
TASTY
CRUSTACEANS
CREATE A FEASTING FRENZY
EVERY SPRING
CRAWFISH. CRAWDADS. MUDBUGS. Whatever you call
them, they swim at the heart of a Southern tradition that’s
as much about eating the tasty freshwater crustaceans
in a messy jubilee of divine spiciness as it is about bringing
friends, family—and even strangers—together.
From out-of-the-way eateries and exuberant festivals
to backyard shindigs and community celebrations, mudbug-
loving Texans happily pull up a seat at a communal table
and peel tails. Steam and aromatic spices fill the air as
piping hot, bright-red crawfish tumble from giant pots
onto paper-covered tables.
Then it’s on! Time to twist off the tails and pull out the
sweet, tender lobsterlike tail meat. The more adventurous
devourers, keeping with time-honored crawfish tradition,
suck the rich, flavorful yellow “fat” (it’s actually a digestive
organ called the hepatopancreas) from the head. Aficionados insist this is the best part. A crawfish boil encourages
Crawfish season varies depending on whom you ask, but it is usually in full swing by friends and family to dig in
and eat from a shared plate
the start of Lent in late February, with the peak for size and quality covering March, April
or right off the table.
and May. Seasonal specialty restaurants like the Crawfish Shack in Crosby attract crawfish-
crazed patrons by the dozens.
“The first day we open up for the year, we’ll have 60 cars in line just to get to-go food,”
says owner Dan Meaux. “Some people are waiting two hours.” The Crawfish Shack
has erupted in popularity in the past few years, making it one of the top crawfish spots
in the country.
“As of the last two years, we
cook more crawfish than anyone
in the country,” Meaux says. He
credits the explosive growth to the
backyard party atmosphere and
never compromising on quality.
Mudbug-themed festivals fea-
ture live music, parades, pageants,
carnival rides and literal tons of
crawfish. In 2017, Guinness World
Records recognized the Bigass
Crawfish Bash in La Marque for
the most crawfish prepared in eight
hours: more than 58,000 pounds.
Across Texas, every crawfish
chef and backyard boiler has a
CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
TexasCoopPower.com February 2020 Texas Co-op Power 11THE TAIL TRAIL: WHERE TO FIND savory mudbugs. During the season
(typically January–June), the Crawfish
THE BEST CRAWFISH Shack serves more than 6,000
pounds of crawfish daily. The open-air,
red steel building exudes a garage-
party-meets-sports-bar energy char-
acterized by football memorabilia on
BROOKSHIRE and a jukebox add to the dive bar the walls and sports on big-screen
REPKA’S GROCERY vibe, and patron-inscribed dollar bills TVs. Get ready for boiled crawfish,
What started as a 1940s icehouse adorn the ceiling. Plan on trying fried shrimp, snow crab and sausage with
and convenience store, Repka’s, gator, crawfish étouffée and home- corn, potatoes and mushrooms.
a member of San Bernard Electric made pork cracklings.
Cooperative, serves Cajun-style cui- EL CAMPO
sine year-round. If you blink, you’ll CROSBY PINCHERS BOIL’N POT
miss the nondescript building even CRAWFISH SHACK RESTAURANT
though it is packed during crawfish One could argue the Crawfish Shack With lakeside dining on a large deck
season. Wood-paneled walls boast is Texas’ most popular BYOB boiling and fresh-daily crawfish from their
bar swag and autographed head- pot restaurant. During peak season, farm, Pinchers is a cut above your
shots of famous diners, including loyal patrons lug beer-filled coolers average crawfish shack. Just off U.S.
country music star Tim McGraw. and happily endure 200-person lines Highway 59 South, the restaurant’s
Pool tables, vintage arcade games to get their hands on Dan Meaux’s conspicuous yellow facade andLeft: Carl Kokemor and Isabell
Cavazos dig in at a crawfish boil
at Repka’s in Brookshire.
BYOB. For those who like to get of boiled crab legs, crawfish, shrimp,
saucy, JuJu’s offers three dipping corn, potatoes and sausage. It’s also
options: red sauce (ketchup and known for gumbo, shrimp Creole and
spices), pink sauce (ketchup, mayo fresh sourdough bread.
and spices) and melted butter.
ROCKPORT
GALVESTON THE BOILING POT
BENNO’S ON THE BEACH Strings of colored lights, neon beer
On the island’s far east end, Benno’s logos and loads of kitsch create a
serves fresh Cajun seafood on an partylike setting in this lively estab-
outdoor patio with unencumbered lishment celebrating 35 years. Every
postcard views of the Gulf of Mexico. surface, from the corrugated steel
Sea gulls and pelicans soar on the exterior to the inside walls and ceil-
briny breeze while diners enjoy ings, is adorned with graffiti, art and
crawfish, shrimp po’boys, grilled caricatures. Hungry diners don white
oysters and deep-fried Cajun crabs. plastic bibs, smash open crab legs
with wooden mallets and polish off
GROVES loads of Cajun seafood, family-style.
LARRY’S FRENCH MARKET It has a sizable beer cooler offering
& CAJUN RESTAURANT more selections than typical seafood
There’s nothing like Cajun food joints. One block from the beach,
and live Cajun music to spice up an the fishing pier and marina are also
evening in the Golden Triangle—an within walking distance.
area known for its Cajun influence
and anchored by Beaumont, Port SANTA FE
Arthur and Orange. Tables covered POOK’S CRAWFISH HOLE
by checkered cloth define the front In addition to boiled crawfish, this
half of Larry’s. Walls are clad with BYOB shack, about 20 miles west of
vintage photos of local fishermen and Galveston, offers deep-fried boudin
mounted trophy fish. The restaurant’s balls, crawfish pie and gumbo. Expect
sparkling blue lake beckon passersby back half enshrines a dance floor Pook’s to be packed with patrons
to a trifecta eatery, fuel station and RV featuring live music under a neon at wooden octagonal tables peeling
park. Visitors are greeted by a life-size glow. Reserve a table on the dance crawfish or cracking open huge snow
shark and a large sign inviting them to floor and order crawfish in season crab legs while listening to live music.
“EAT TAIL.” The novelty lake, complete or step up to the year-round Cajun
with ducks, geese and light-up palm seafood buffet groaning with fried
trees, sprawls across the restaurant’s seafood, frog legs, boudin, étouffée
front. Patrons can walk the adjacent and barbecued crab.
pier, feed the catfish and koi, or watch
as the staff bags the purged crawfish. PORT ARANSAS
CRAZY CAJUN
FANNETT This no-frills hot spot for Cajun
JUJU’S CAJUN CRAWFISH SHAK cuisine has been a favorite among
JuJu’s does one thing and does locals and tourists since 1987. Step-
it right. Along a pastoral stretch ping inside the unassuming teal
of FM 365, 15 miles southwest of and pink hut reveals a boisterous
Beaumont, JuJu’s serves boiled craw- atmosphere as patrons enjoy heap-
fish, corn, potatoes and sausage. ing mounds of steaming seafood on
Ambiance of the modest red building white butcher-papered tables. The
is defined by exposed plywood walls menu is mostly à la carte but features
and a blackboard menu. And it’s the Hungry Cajun—a spicy samplerCONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 Radley calls his operation Pinch- Craig Radley of Pinchers Craw-
recipe. Most popular is the Cajun style, which calls for infusing ers Crawfish Farm, and on one fish Farm empties a crawfish
trap into a boat’s sorting area.
boiled crawfish with peppery spices and serving them with boiled sunny afternoon, he readied his
corn and potatoes. Another popular offshoot is the Vietnamese- flat-bottomed aluminum boat for
Cajun style, in which the boiled crustaceans are sautéed with but- harvesting mudbugs. He navigated the specially designed craft
ter, garlic and aromatic ingredients such as lemongrass and citrus. through the muddy water with help from a hydraulic, cleat-studded
wheel that pushed along the slushy bottom.
GETTING THE MUDBUGS The first chapters of crawfish scripture Radley hoisted each pyramid-shaped, crawfish-filled trap
were written in Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin, where wild har- from the water and emptied the catch into a sorting area in front
vests began in the 1880s. By the 1950s, cold storage and the intro- of his cockpit. As he went, he rebaited each trap with commercial
duction of wire crawfish traps boosted harvest volume. Crawfish crawfish pellets and put it back into the water to capture more.
farmers found they could raise an excellent crop in flooded rice As he sorted and cleaned his harvest, Radley removed debris
fields and produce consistently and tossed the smaller mudbugs back so they could grow larger.
WEB EXTRAS larger crops year over year. With a full load, he motored back to his nearby seafood restaurant,
a Crawfish watch the That farming tradition contin- Pinchers Boil’n Pot. The crawfish are submerged in fresh water
weather. Read this ues with folks like Craig Radley, who for 24 hours to purge them of internal impurities. After that,
story on our website converted 50 acres of rice fields they get weighed and are ready for their starring role in the
to learn more. near El Campo, in Wharton County restaurant.
Electric Cooperative’s service area, Writer and photographer Eric W. Pohl, a member of Pedernales EC, lives
into a swampy crawfish heaven. in Dripping Springs.
14 Texas Co-op Power February 2020 TexasCoopPower.comKEEP THE HEAT IN THE COLD OUT!
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WHARTON COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
We Want To Hear From You Keep Warm,
Save Energy
FEBRUARY CAN BE HARD ON ENERGY
bills, but cold winter weather is no match
MESSAGE FROM for a home that is prepared to fight it.
YOUR GENERAL MANAGER/CEO GARY RAYBON Address these common winter culprits
throughout your house:
Drafty doors and windows. An easy
WE LIVE IN A DEVICE-DRIVEN WORLD. OUR SMARTPHONES, TABLETS fix with a big payback is weatherstrip-
and laptops help us communicate and connect. All the while, ping. Caulk or apply weatherstripping
companies spend billions of dollars pushing out messages and information to those around all window and door seams. Con-
devices, constantly bombarding us with one-way communications. But is anyone sider insulating your attic door opening.
listening on the other end? (See details on page 22.)
At Wharton County Electric Cooperative, we are not only listening, we are eager Dirty filters. Dirty filters make your
to hear from you. Whether you text us, respond to a survey or social media post, heating system work harder to warm the
send an email or simply air. Aim to change the filter every three
stop by to chat in person, months, or more often if it is especially
we thrive on your feedback. dirty.
Connecting with you helps Leaky ducts. A contractor can test
us keep pace with the priori- your ducts for leakage and repair any
ties of our members and the problems. Repair visible or accessible
communities we serve. leaks with metal tape—not duct tape.
Because we are a co-op, Chilly water heater. If your water
we have a different way of heater is older or not well insulated, wrap
operating. WCEC exists to it in an insulating jacket.
provide safe, reliable and Wood fireplace. Traditional fireplaces
affordable energy to you, pull heated air out of the house. When
the members of the co-op. not in use, check that the damper is
Equally important is our completely closed.
mission to improve the qual-
ity of life of the members
we serve. We hope you con- Writing the date you
sider us more than just your change it on the filter can
energy provider. We’re also a trusted partner that supports this community and help keep track of when it
should be changed again.
empowers economic development and prosperity.
That’s why we create opportunities for you and other community members to
give us feedback throughout the year. These include our annual meeting as well as
other activities and events.
Our focus is directed by local members just like you who understand the needs of
our area and are looking out for the long-term interests of the larger community.
Such feedback is especially important now, when we are in the midst of signif-
icant changes in the energy sector. Technology and the drive for more renewables
and a more balanced energy mix are affecting long-term planning. These are com-
plex issues that we will be navigating in the coming months and years and one rea-
son it’s so important that we hear from you as we plot our course for the future.
WCEC works continually to learn from our members about their priorities so
that we can better serve you—because your electric co-op was built by the commu-
nity for the community. We can only improve, adapt and effectively plan for the
future if communication works both ways.
For our co-op and community to thrive now and in the future, we depend on
hearing from you. I hope you will connect with us and let us know your perspective.
NR ECA
You can always reach me at 979-543-6271. I’m listening.
18 Texas Co-op Power WHARTON COUNTY EC February 2020 mywcec.coop
WCEC LPN_February_20.indd 18 1/8/2020 1:16:39 PM1-800-460-6271 | (979) 543-6271 | MYWCEC.COOP
Wharton County
What Does It Take Electric Cooperative
To Be a Board Member?
1815 E. Jackson St. • P.O. Box 31
El Campo, TX 77437
ARTICLE III, SECTION 1 OF THE WHARTON COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE BYLAWS G ENER A L M A NA G ER /CEO
states, “The business affairs of the Cooperative shall be managed by a board of nine Gary Raybon
(9) directors, which shall exercise all of the powers of the Cooperative except such as
B O A R D O F DIR ECT O R S
are by law or by the Articles of Incorporation of the Cooperative or by these bylaws
Leroy Kaspar, President, District 2
conferred upon or reserved to the members.” Peggy Glaze, Vice-President, District 9
The board’s job is to develop policies and goals and to see that these goals are car- A.J. Kresta, Secretary-Treasurer, District 5
Paul Phillips Jr., Assistant Secretary-Treasurer,
ried out by management.
District 1
To be eligible to serve on the board, you must be a member in good standing; Frankie Peter, District 3
reside in the district you represent; not be in a business primarily engaged in selling Rick Graff, District 4
Gus Wessels Jr., District 6
electrical or plumbing fixtures/supplies to the members of the cooperative; and not
John Roach, District 7
be related to a WCEC employee or director. Jim W. Harton, District 8
When a membership is held jointly, either the husband or wife is eligible to be a
director as long as both meet the qualification requirements.
In addition to meeting the qual-
ifications set out in the bylaws, a
prospective board member needs to
understand that there is a time com-
mitment involved in serving on the
WCEC board.
During the year, board members Contact Us
devote an average of four hours a
week to WCEC. This includes not only
the monthly board meeting but also For information during office hours
and outages 24/7
reviewing and preparing for meet-
ings, attending training and talking CALL US
to members. The board meetings are (979) 543-6271 local or
held at night, on the fourth Tuesday of
1-800-460-6271 toll-free
the month.
Prospective board members need FIND US ON THE WEB
not have a background in co-ops or mywcec.coop
even in business—but an open mind,
Find us on Facebook to receive
common sense and a willingness to outage information and other
listen to alternate viewpoints is essen- important information and tips.
tial. The most important qualification
a board member can have is to care
MEMBER BENEFITS AND SERVICES
and want what is best for all concerned.
In late March, a nominating committee will meet to select a slate of candidates for • E-bill program
• Residential energy audits
three seats on the WCEC board. Up for nominations this year are:
• Electric grills
• DISTRICT #2: Currently held by Leroy Kaspar. Mr. Kaspar has reached the end of • Water heaters
his term limits and is not eligible to be re-elected. • Wirehand Wireless Internet
• DISTRICT #5: Currently held by A.J. Kresta. Mr. Kresta has reached the end of • Exede Satellite Internet
his term limits and is not eligible to be re-elected.
• DISTRICT #8: Currently held by Jim W. Harton who is eligible to run for another BILL PAYMENT OPTIONS
term. • Online at mywcec.coop
• By phone at 1-877-833-3326
If you live in one of these districts and meet the qualifications, please consider
• Automatic bank draft
running for the board. Contact Brenda R. Silva, WCEC executive secretary, by Mon- • SmartHub app
day, March 16. She will put you in contact with the nominating committee. • By mail or in person
If you do not live in one of these districts, please consider running in 2021 or • Payment drop box
2022.
WCEC LPN_February_20.indd 19 1/8/2020 1:16:51 PMWHARTON COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
YEARS OF
SERVICE & EXCELLENCE
Wesley Lange
shown here with
Wesley Lange
J.D. Rosie O’Grady in
1972. Wesley began
his career at WCEC
just two years earlier.
Celebrates 50
Years at WCEC
This month’s HOME TEAM Spotlight features a member
of the team who has reached a momentous milestone –
Electric System Manager Wesley Lange. This February,
Wesley celebrates 50 years of service to the cooperative
and its members.
On February 2, 1970, Wesley began his career at WCEC as As Electric System Manager, he is responsible for managing
a draftsman. At the time, he was looking for a temporary job. the system operations, physical equipment and distribution
Past Board President Wilfred Kainer informed him of a posi- system that brings electricity to each of our members. This
tion at WCEC. includes new construction projects, system upgrades and
“Luckily I was hired, and this month marks 50 years of ser- maintenance. Although his title has changed several times,
vice. It’s been a great ride,” Wesley says. he has held these duties for over 30 years. He heads up the
Wesley has lived most of his life in Wharton County. He is Engineering Department, WCEC’s Line Crew (along with Line
a graduate of El Campo High School, Wharton County Junior Superintendent Chris Cavness), and oversees warehouse oper-
College, and University of Houston-Victoria. ations.
During his career, Wesley has worked under three general “I like to think I’ve made an impact on how well the coop-
managers: Frank Stubbs, Donald Naiser, and current GM/CEO erative is doing, and it’s continued success in the future after
Gary Raybon. He has seen the cooperative move from the old my retirement,” Wesley says. “I have lead and been a part of
Green Castle building to the current headquarters on Jackson many projects that have made our system more reliable, easier
Street, the creation of the Public Utility Commission, the for- to maintain, and made growth possible. I see technology being
mation of San Miquel Electric Cooperative, and the expansion a driving force in the future of WCEC, and have worked to
of WCEC’s power grid, staff and services. ensure that our staff is ready to take advantage of technology
20 Texas Co-op Power WHARTON COUNTY EC February 2020 mywcec.coop
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THROUGH THE YEARS: (Left) Wesley in an early employee photo dating back to the late-70’s; (Center) Celebrating 45 years of service in 2015;
(Right) Pictured with wife, Cindy, at a recent WCEC Christmas Party.
as it becomes more advanced and cost-effective.” police departments, and school district. Yet, what really makes
Outside of his career, Wesley has always felt a strong desire El Campo tick, is the generosity the citizens show towards
to give back to the community. each other. We all support the raffles and fundraisers and do
“I try to make El Campo a better place to live by serving in whatever we can to help those less fortunate within our com-
Rotary and as a member of several municipal boards including munity.”
the City Electrical Board, Planning & Zoning, and the City In his free time, Wesley enjoys hunting, fishing and shop-
Development Corporation. I’ve also served on ECISD’s Board ping for antiques.
of Trustees and the El Campo Chamber board.” “I also love chilling at the bay with Cindy, family and
Wesley goes on to say that working at WCEC has allowed friends,” he says. “I’m looking forward to retirement and time
him to serve in the community. As part of the cooperative way, to simply enjoy life with Cindy who is my best friend.”
the co-op encourages community involvement.
When asked about his dream travel destination, he replies,
“There many aspects to love about working at the co-op, but
“I’m a history buff so I would probably travel to France and
by far the most important are the people. I have the privilege
Germany to see the Eiffel Tower, Normandy Beach (the site of
of working side by side with the finest group of employees that
the D-Day invasion), the Rhine River, and the city of Nurem-
can be found. This includes our local Board of Directors and
berg.”
GM/CEO that truly care about our members, employees, and
the community,” he says. The best advice he’s ever received is that nothing stays the
Wesley and his wife, Cindy, have two grown daughters and same forever, so always be ready for change. He shares this
sons-in-law along with a beautiful one-year-old granddaugh- advice with his co-workers, “First and foremost, always work
ter. Taylor, Grant and Grayson reside in Montgomery. Paige safe. Then, develop great work ethic, strive to learn every day,
and Joel reside in Rosenberg. cultivate a good attitude, and be a team player.”
He says, “I am extremely proud of my family, their beliefs Wesley describes himself as a perfectionist, determined,
and their accomplishments.” and resilient. We couldn’t agree more. Wesley is truly a great
Wesley and Cindy enjoy living in El Campo. He says, “I like asset to the cooperative, and his years of service have helped
the small town atmosphere. I can get to work in ten minutes, shape WCEC into the organization it is today.
since traffic jams are minimal. We have great EMS, fire and We are proud to have Wesley on your HOME TEAM.
LINES DOWN But Not Out
Weather and car accidents are the main causes of downed power lines. Even on the ground they can carry
an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or death. If you see a downed power line, move away
from the line and anything touching it. The proper way to move away from the line is to shuffle away with small
steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. If someone is in direct or indirect contact with
P BOUM AN | I ST OCK.C OM
the downed line, do not touch the person. Call 911 instead. Don’t try to move a downed power line or anything in
contact with the line. Don’t drive over downed power lines. If you are in your car and it is in contact with a downed
line, stay in your car and call 911. WCEC encourages you to always practice safety.
mywcec.coop February 2020 WHARTON COUNTY EC Texas Co-op Power 21
WCEC LPN_February_20.indd 21 1/8/2020 1:16:58 PMWHARTON COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Three DIY Efficiency Projects To Tackle Today
YOU MAY THINK ENERGY
efficiency upgrades require a
great deal of time and expense,
but that’s not always the case.
If you’re interested in making
your home more efficient but
don’t want to break the bank,
there are several do-it-your-
self projects you can tackle to
increase energy savings. Let’s
take a look at three inexpen-
sive upgrades that can save
energy throughout the year.
Trim Dryer Vent Hose
Level of difficulty: easy.
Supplies needed: tin snips,
gloves, measuring tape and
masking tape.
M AKS IM YRE M E N KO | IS TOCK. COM
Estimated cost: about $25
depending on the supplies you
already have.
If your dryer vent hose is
too long, your dryer is working
harder than it has to and using
more energy than necessary.
The vent hose should be long
enough for you to pull the
dryer out a couple feet from the wall and should form a line— U.S. Department of Energy provides step-by-step instructions
it should not have a lot of slack, twists or curves. A shorter, for caulking and weatherstripping online at bit.ly/howtoseal.
unobstructed vent hose increases the efficiency of your dryer,
allows for faster drying and reduces the buildup of lint, which Insulate Attic Stairs Opening
is a potential fire hazard. Level of difficulty: moderate.
Simply measure, mark and trim the hose to the desired Supplies needed: rigid foam board, faced blanket insulation,
length, then reattach the hose to your dryer and exterior vent. tape for foam board, measuring tape, utility knife, caulk and
caulk gun, and plywood.
Seal Air Leaks Estimated cost: $50–$100.
Level of difficulty: moderate. A properly insulated attic is one of the best ways to optimize
Supplies needed: caulk and caulk gun, weatherstripping, energy savings and comfort in your home, but many homeown-
gloves, putty knife, and paper towels. ers don’t consider insulating the attic stairs or the opening to
Estimated cost: $25–$50 depending on the materials you your attic space. Even a well-insulated attic can leak air through
purchase. the stairs opening. Luckily, there’s an easy fix.
Sealing air leaks in your home can help you save 10%–20% An insulated cover box can seal and insulate the attic stairs
on heating and cooling bills. Apply caulk around windows, opening. You can build your own insulated cover box or pur-
doors, electrical wiring and plumbing to seal in conditioned chase a prebuilt box or kit from a local home improvement
air. You should also add weatherstripping around exterior store for about $60. If you decide to build your own, check
doors, which can keep out drafts and help you control energy out step-by-step instructions from the Department of Energy
costs. Types of caulking and weatherstripping materials vary; online at bit.ly/atticstairscover. If your attic opening is located
ask your local hardware or home store for assistance if you’re in a garage that you do not heat and cool, this upgrade will not
unsure about the supplies you need. For more information, the be as effective.
22 Texas Co-op Power WHARTON COUNTY EC February 2020 mywcec.coop
WCEC LPN_February_20.indd 22 1/8/2020 1:16:58 PM1-800-460-6271 | (979) 543-6271 | MYWCEC.COOP
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
KAT E _S E PT 2004 | I S T OCK.COM
DARRE N BAKE R | IS TOCK. COM
Chocolate
Lighten Your Strawberries
Laundry Load Romanoff
½ cup sour cream
LAUNDRY ISN’T A TASK THAT MANY PEOPLE RELISH. BUT IF THE PROCESS CAN BE 3 tablespoons brown sugar
tweaked to save money, conserve electricity and prolong the life of your clothes, ¼ cup chocolate syrup
some minor adjustments may be worth your time. Here are some suggestions from 1 tablespoon cognac
Consumer Reports. ½ cup heavy cream
Opt for cold water. Hot water is only needed for laundering oily stains, cloth dia- 3 tablespoons sugar
pers, and sheets and towels used by a family member who has been sick. 4 cups (2 pints) strawberries
Use high-efficiency detergent for front-loaders, high-efficiency top-loaders and
where otherwise recommended by the machine’s manufacturer. Conventional 1. Mix sour cream, brown sugar,
detergents create more suds, which can cause the washer to repeatedly rinse laun- chocolate syrup and cognac in a
dry, wasting water and time. medium bowl.
Increase the spin speed to extract more water from your laundry, reducing dryer 2. In a separate bowl, whip the
time. Shake clothes out before transferring them from the washer to the dryer to heavy cream until it starts to
avoid wrinkles. thicken. Add sugar and whip until
Clean the dryer’s lint screen before every load. This improves air circulation and thick.
prevents fires. Dryer sheets can leave a film on the filter, so if you use them, scrub 3. Fold whipped cream into the
the filter with a brush monthly. sour cream mixture until well
Clean the dryer duct regularly to increase airflow, which dries your clothes faster blended.
and prevents fires. 4. Clean and core the strawberries.
Clean the dryer’s moisture sensors. Dryer sheets can leave residue on the sensors Put about ½ cup of berries each
that affects their ability to gauge how dry laundry is. Check the owner’s manual for into 8 wine glasses. Divide sauce
instructions on how to clean them. equally among glasses.
Dry similar items together. Don’t mix heavy cottons with lightweight fabrics. a Serves 8.
Wash and dry towels and sheets separately, for example. COOK’S TIP You can substitute vanilla
Use the automatic cycle instead of timed drying. If the moisture sensors are work- extract for the cognac.
ing properly, the automatic cycle avoids overdrying, which shortens the life span of
clothes and can shrink them.
And for the least expensive, most efficient method, dry your laundry on a clothesline Find this and more delicious recipes online at
or use a drying rack indoors. This approach takes a bit more time but is gentler on TEXASCOOPPOWER.COM
your clothing, keeping it nicer looking for longer—a savings in itself.
mywcec.coop February 2020 WHARTON COUNTY EC Texas Co-op Power 23
WCEC LPN_February_20.indd 23 1/8/2020 1:17:07 PMWHARTON COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Congratulations to our 2019
Town & Country Christmas
Lighting Contest Winners
2019 BEST OF SHOW
Gary & Jeanette Schoenfield
Town Entries Country Entries
1st 1st
Larry & Theresa Staff - 802 Avenue I, El Campo Gary & Jeanette Schoenfield - 3181 CR 405, El Campo
2nd 2nd
Joseph & Melissa Juarez - 807 Avenue I, El Campo Kevin & Tammy Till - 3004 CR 475, El Campo
3rd 3rd
David Sabrsula - 1005 Empire, El Campo Shebra Adler - 400 Meadowbrook, El Campo
DISTRICT WINNERS
District 1: Chris & Sandy Wishert District 4: Shebra Adler District 7: Gary & Jeanette Schoenfield
Doug & Shanna Rohan Bob & Sylvia Little
District 8: No Entries
District 2: Kevin & Tammy Till
Scott & Amanda Honea District 5: No Entries
District 9: Jerry Konarik
District 3: William & Britni Key District 6: John & Kathy Tumlinson Gary & Joyce Supak
24 Texas Co-op Power WHARTON COUNTY EC February 2020 mywcec.coop
WCEC LPN_February_20.indd 24 1/8/2020 1:17:36 PM1-800-460-6271 | (979) 543-6271 | MYWCEC.COOP
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mywcec.coop February 2020 WHARTON COUNTY EC Texas Co-op Power 25
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