Gotcha! Pro tips on photographing where the wild things are - carnegie libraries - Wharton County Electric ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Women’s push for scariest bridge reader recipes
carnegie libraries in texas a Hit in nevada
F o r e l e c t r i c c o o P e r at i v e M e M b e r s january 2021
Gotcha!
Pro tips on photographing
where the wild things are
contents
January 2021
04 currents
The latest buzz
06 tcP talk
Readers respond
18 co-op news
Information
plus energy
and safety
tips from your
cooperative
29 Footnotes in
texas History
The Scariest
Bridge in Texas
By W.F. Strong
30 tcP Kitchen
Vegetarian
By Megan Myers
34 Hit the road
Upscale Lodging
By Chet Garner
08
37
Captured! 14 Literary
Focus on texas
Photo Contest:
Fortunes
Forests
take memorable wildlife photos
with preparation, research and
sleuthing. Women of the early 20th century
wrangled Carnegie grants and
38 observations
Cook Like a Texan
Story and photos by Russell A. Graves libraries for their towns. By Suzanne
Featherston
By Melissa Gaskill
On the COver
A brown bear at Katmai national
Park and Preserve in Alaska.
AbOve
A cottontail near Childress, on the
southern edge of the Panhandle.
Photos by Russell A. Graves
t e x AsC O OPPOWer .COm jA n uA ry 2 0 2 1 T E X AS C O - O P POW E R 3
Currents
tons of
tomatoes
Flying Colors
If you love tomatoes,
you have about a week
left to enter our recipe
o n e o F t H e b l ac K M a r K s
against wind turbines is the number of contest that celebrates
birds killed by the rotating blades. Black marks, it turns out, could
the fruit.
help resolve the problem.
Scientists in Norway found that painting one of the three blades Tomatoes are a big
on a wind turbine black reduces avian deaths by 72%. deal in Jacksonville.
The paper produced by the Norwegian Institute for Nature
Research explains that painting one blade black is believed to create
A big deal. The East
motion smear patterns that birds perceive as moving objects, Texas city has hundreds
enabling birds to take evasive action. of huge concrete toma-
Of the more than 60,000 wind turbines in the U.S., Texas has some
15,000—the most of any state.
toes, some weighing
665 pounds, scattered
around town as a
declaration of its love
for the juicy fruit that
many people consider
a vegetable.
uPloads
oF casH
tu rbIne : teC. tO mAtO : CO urte sy jACKsOn vIlle ChAmbe r Of CO mme rCe
Parents of K–12 students
planned to spend a record
$789.49 per family for back-
to-school supplies last fall.
Purchases of laptops and
computer accessories in
anticipation of more online
schooling because of the
COvID-19 pandemic helped
break the record set in
2019 by almost $100.
4 T E X AS CO-OP POWER jAnuAry 2021 t e x AsC O O P POW e r .C O m
There are
78
snake species Contests and More
in Texas. on texascooPPower.coM
$500 reciPe contest
tomatoes
We spotlighted rattlesnakes, Focus on texas PHotos
one of the most common, historic texas
in A Snake To Love, April 2020. web extra
learn more about the 30 cities
in texas selected for Carnegie
libraries—some of which still exist.
Power of Our People
a cupboard never bare
c H r i s t i n a K u P e r grew up in Indiana, where she watched a neighbor
she called Grandma Hiner, though they weren’t related, regularly shar-
ing food from her pantry with others.
“I think that’s where giving was implanted into my heart,” says Kuper,
a member of Taylor Electric Cooperative. “Throughout my life I have
always tried to give to others.”
Thus began a lifetime of charity that included Meals on Wheels,
Habitat for Humanity, Girl Scouts food drives and baking for military
troops away during the holidays. When a debilitating respiratory dis-
r At t le snAKe : fIv es POt s | shu t te rstOCK .CO m. lI br Ary: COu rt esy j u Dy Au lIK . Ku Per: tO D D henI nGtOn | COurtesy tAylOr eC
ease left Kuper homebound in Hawley, about 10 miles north of Abilene,
she refocused her benevolence.
Kuper installed the Hawley Sharing Box, left, at the end of her drive-
way in 2017. Based on the Little Free Pantry program, itself inspired by
the Little Free Library project, Kuper’s sharing box makes food, toys,
school supplies and toiletries available for anybody—and Kuper
stresses anybody—driving past 225 12th St., near the edge of town.
Daily updates on Facebook tell what’s available and what’s needed, and
Kuper says the box is stocked almost completely by community donations.
“Kindness is addicting and contagious,” she says, “and it should be
Power oF our PeoPle to nominate a co-op
spread everywhere.”
member who is making a difference in your community,
email details to people@texascooppower.com. inFo e facebook.com/hawleysharingbox
FinisH tHis tell us how you would finish that sentence.
email your short responses to letters@texas
the little bitty space
where my pets let me
my beloved brother,
rob, who, 31 years ago
sentence CoopPower.com or comment on our facebook
sleep in my own bed.
sue CAlDWell
in December, donated
his bone marrow to me
LIFE WAS post. Include your co-op and town. here are
some of the responses to our november
bAnDerA eC
PIPe CreeK and saved my life.
BETTER ...
Anne sWeet
PeDernAles eC
prompt: i’m most thankful for … my health, friends and G e O rG e tOW n
warm home tonight.
m At t I e W O O D f I n b O r D e r s to see more responses,
v I A fA C e b O O K
read Currents online.
t e x AsC O OPPOWer .COm jA n uA ry 2 0 2 1 T E X AS C O - O P POW E R 5
TCP Talk
bat lodging
“What a great endeavor to
improve the planet. Thank
you, Mr. Bamberger.”
n a n cy g r e e n h aW
central texas ec
fredericksburg
er IC W. POhl
Farrier Finesse no small Potatoes Matagorda connection
I went to farrier school in 1981, not to J. David Bamberger is a hero My great-grandfather was
become a professional farrier but be- I have made these in the Texas conservation the assistant keeper there in
cause I owned nearly 50 head of horses with vanilla wafers world and has shown us all the 1890s, leaving and then
for as long as I can
[Why Horses Wear Shoes, October 2020]. remember [Cookie
how being a good steward of returning as keeper in the
Pleased to see more women taking up Swap, bourbon balls, the land can enable nature to early 1900s until his death
that profession as brute strength is not november 2020]. thrive [Bat Lodging, Novem- in 1913 [Matagorda Island
as important as understanding the s h A rO n stO l l
ber 2020]. Pam LeBlanc’s Lighthouse, October 2020].
horse you’re shoeing. v I A fA C e b O O K coverage of his “chiropto- His sister, my great-great
rium” showed Bamberger’s aunt, perished with her chil-
Ken Wade
persistence and determina- dren at Indianola in the
Central texas eC
fredericksburg tion as well as his warm, 1875 hurricane.
down-home nature.
bill reeves
Yes, J. David, I agree: Your
Pedernales eC
potatoes are, indeed, “terribly Georgetown
important!”
elizabeth bowerman
Comal County Conservation
Alliance write to u s
Pedernales eC letters@texasCoopPower.com
new braunfels
editor, texas Co-op Power
I saw that cave soon after it 1122 Colorado st., 24th floor
Austin, tx 78701
was built. Love that beauti-
ful ranch and the man who Please include your electric
made this real. co-op and town. letters may
me GAn mye rs
be edited for clarity and length.
beverly barnt
via facebook texas Co-op Power
texas electric cooPeratives board oF directors texas co-op power volume 77, number 7 (usPs 540-560). Texas Co-op Power is published
chair robert loth III, fredericksburg • vice chair Gary raybon, el Campo monthly by texas electric Cooperatives (teC). Periodical postage paid at Austin, tx, and at additional
secretary-treasurer Kelly lankford, san Angelo • board Members Greg henley, tahoka 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.
billy jones, Corsicana • David mcGinnis, van Alstyne • Doug turk, livingston
subscriPtions subscription price is $4.20 per year for individual members of subscribing coop-
President/ceo mike Williams, Austin eratives and is paid from equity accruing to the member. If you are not a member of a subscribing
coMMunications & MeMber services coMMittee cooperative, you can purchase an annual subscription at the nonmember rate of $7.50. Individual
marty haught, burleson • bill hetherington, bandera • ron hughes, sinton copies and back issues are available for $3 each.
boyd mcCamish, littlefield • john ed shinpaugh, bonham • robert Walker, Gilmer PostMaster send address changes to Texas Co-op Power (usPs 540-560), 1122 Colorado st.,
buff Whitten, eldorado • brandon young, mcGregor 24th floor, Austin, tx 78701. Please enclose label from this copy of Texas Co-op Power showing
old address and key numbers.
Magazine staFF
advertising Advertisers interested in buying display ad space in Texas Co-op Power and/or in
vice President, communications & Member services martin bevins our 30 sister publications in other states, contact elaine sproull at (512) 486-6251. Advertisements
editor Charles j. lohrmann • associate editor tom Widlowski in Texas Co-op Power are paid solicitations. the publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any
Production Manager Karen nejtek • creative Manager Andy Doughty manner any product or company included in this publication. Product satisfaction and delivery re-
advertising Manager elaine sproull • senior communications specialist Chris burrows sponsibility lie solely with the advertiser. © Copyright 2021 texas electric Cooperatives Inc. repro-
Print Production specialist Grace fultz • communications specialist travis hill duction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohibited without written permission. Willie
Food editor megan myers • communications specialist jessica ridge Wiredhand © Copyright 2021 national rural electric Cooperative Association.
digital content Producer Chris salazar • senior designer jane sharpe
Proofreader shannon Oelrich
6 T E X AS CO-OP POWER jAnuAry 2021 t e x AsC O O P POW e r .C O m
PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE
“Clip It Now...
WIN IT
ALL!”
OFFICIAL RULES: ALL PRIZES GUARANTEED TO BE
AWARDED AS OFFERED. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT
NECESSARY TO WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. ALL OFFICIAL ENTRY COUPON
GIVEAWAYS ARE VOID IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC AND
RESIDENTS OF THAT PROVINCE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO
ENTER OR WIN. A prize of $5,000.00 A-Week-Forever will
be paid to the winner for life (and thereafter to one other
natural person designated by the winner) if the timely
returned winning entry from Giveaway No. 16000 for our
February 28th SuperPrize comes from this promotion.
$5,000.00
Award subject to verification of identity and eligibility.
Winner must sign an Affidavit of Eligibility within 30
days or alternate winner will be selected. Principals and
employees of PCH and their immediate families are not
A WEEK “FOREVER”
eligible. Board of Judges’ decisions are final. Bulk entries
will not be accepted. Not responsible for lost or mutilated
mail. Entry constitutes permission to use winner’s name
WIN IT ALL FEBRUARY 28TH
and photograph in television commercials, in website
promotions, and for other promotional purposes, unless
prohibited by law. Subject to complete Official Rules o YES, I WANT TO WIN $5,000.00 A WEEK FOR MY LIFETIME PLUS, AFTER
available at website or mail address provided. Entry must THAT, $5,000.00 A WEEK FOR THE LIFETIME OF SOMEONE I’D CHOOSE.
be received by 2/5/21.
Please visit www.pch.com to view our Privacy Policy
and California Consumer Privacy Act Disclosures or to
exercise your rights under that Act. You can also exercise NAME
your rights by calling 1-844-557-8505.
SWEEPS FACTS: Giveaway No. 16000; End Date: 2/24/21;
ADDRESS
Est. Odds of Winning: 1 in 6,200,000,000. You Have Not
Yet Won. All Entries Have the Same Chance of Winning.
We don’t know who the winner is. Enter For Free. You
don’t have to buy anything to enter. Enter As Often As CITY STATE ZIP
You Like. You may submit additional entries by writing to
the address provided. Each entry request must be mailed
Publishers Clearing House It’S FrEe, BuT Rr
MAIL TO: No EnTry AcCePtHu Y!
separately. Buying Won’t Help You Win. Your chances of 18 Contest Processing Center Ed aF
FeBrUaRy 5Th. tEr
21-PB562MO
winning are the same as someone who buys something. St. Cloud, MN 56388-0018
ZA562
A+ Rating OR GO TO: www.pch.com/CLIP
8 T E X AS CO-OP POWER jAnuAry 2021
CAPTU
take memorable wildlife photos with
t e x AsC O O P POW e r .C O m
s t o r y a n d p h o t o s b y r u s s e l l a . g r av e s
T
wo Minutes aFter I start blowing a predator call, I see move-
ment to the northeast of the cedar tree in which I am hiding. Out
of nowhere a sleek coyote takes a step into a clearing where I’d
hoped one might and glares in my direction. Everything I planned
to make this moment happen materializes 20 yards away: A preda-
tor stands in the burnished orange bluestem in perfect afternoon
light and remains motionless long enough for me to focus and
squeeze the shutter. I capture two frames of 35 mm slide film, and
then the animal disappears. Then I notice my heart is pounding.
In that instant I made my first truly memorable wildlife image.
It was exhilarating. Even though the scene is three decades old,
I can recall it clearly. It was a defining moment in my eventual
career as a photographer.
But here’s the truth: Initially I didn't know the image was that
good. Those were the days before digital photography, when I still
had to expose the entire roll of film, ship it to a distant photo lab
and wait for the images to return. A couple of weeks passed before
I was finally able to look through the cardboard-mounted slips of
film and find the coyote. First I thought someone else’s pictures
had been mixed in with mine. I quickly realized that the slides
were indeed my own. In the Northeast Texas wild, everything I’d
learned about how to make an engaging wildlife photo clicked.
Since that day, my photographs have appeared on more than
500 magazine covers, and I now guide photo tours all over the
world. Recently I took a group to photograph bears in Katmai
National Park and Preserve in Alaska.
A lot has changed since that moment calling up a coyote in
Fannin County. A few years after the coyote stepped in front of
my lens, digital photography revolutionized how images are made
and democratized the medium to the point that even the best
RED!
equipment made is truly affordable.
Some things have not changed with time and technology.
Wildlife is still wild, and the steps required to capture great wild-
life images are the same.
lef t A brown bear atop brooks falls in
in Katmai national Park and Preserve in
Alaska anticipates a meal of a spawn-
preparation, research and sleuthing ing salmon. AbOve Camouflage helps
photographers get closer to wildlife.
t e x AsC O OPPOWer .COm jA n uA ry 2 0 2 1 T E X AS C O - O P POW E R 9
Here are proven techniques that can
help ensure your wildlife images are
engaging and dynamic.
g Focus on tHe eyes
You’ve heard the saying that the eyes are the windows
to the soul. That trite phrase holds true for wildlife, too.
When planning a photograph, pay close attention to the
eyes. Many cameras now include an eye-tracking feature
that can automatically detect an animal’s eyes and ensure
that the focus locks on accurately.
The reason the eyes are of utmost importance is simple:
When you look at another person or an animal, you first
notice the eyes. That’s where you make a connection with
the subject. If the animal’s tail is out of focus, that’s OK.
Blow the focus on the eyes, and the image suffers.
d g e t c lo s e
There’s a popular misconception that wildlife photogra-
phers use giant lenses and stand hundreds of yards from
AbOve A bobcat approaches near their subjects to obtain quality photographs. Nope!
Dodd City in north texas. belOW A
motion-sensor camera can capture
To get really impressive photographs of any animal, you
shy animals, such as this badger in must get close. For larger animals like deer, it is best to be
montana. within 50 yards. With smaller creatures like quail, try to
get within a few feet.
web extra
It is possible to use extreme telephoto lenses to get opti-
enter online to win a digital copy of
The Big Book of Wildlife and Nature cally closer, but the more air you shoot through, the less
Photography by russell A. Graves. sharp your images will be. Since air is filled with particu-
1 0 T E X AS CO-OP POWER jAnuAry 2021 t e x AsC O O P POW e r .C O mA bighorn sheep in o l e a r n a b o u t yo u r s u b j e ct
montana grazes just One essential goal of wildlife photography is to control
a few feet away.
as many variables as possible. You can’t control whether
an animal will show up and walk into your line of sight, but
lates, subjects become optically softer as distance in- you can learn your camera’s features, the craft of photogra-
creases, so the objects or animals look hazy. It is a good phy and the basics of composition.
practice in wildlife photography to get as close as you can. In addition, learn all you can about the species you wish
You can achieve the goal of proximity in a number of to photograph. By becoming a student of creative photogra-
ways. State and national parks are ideal locations because phy and a student of wildlife, you’ll be more likely to see a
the animals are accustomed to seeing people and are not as particular species.
likely to run when they see a photographer. When working If you want to photograph mule deer, understand what
in wilder locations, consider including a blind in your habitat they prefer and the most likely time to find them.
setup. Think like a hunter and use the same tools hunters By understanding everything possible about your subject,
use to get close to wildlife. you will tip the odds in favor of finding your target species.
t e x AsC O OPPOWer .COm jA n uA ry 2 0 2 1 T E X AS C O - O P POW E R 1 1AbOve A curious chipmunk in Colorado comes within inches of the camera. rIGht A crane wades among feeding ducks in new mexico. o tHinK about coMPosition Great photographs rely on strong composition. Composi- tion is the arrangement of the elements in a photograph that are visually balanced and pleasing. Typically with wildlife, that means composing them vertically or horizon- tally and relying on the compositional rule called the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is a basic guide for where the main interest points in an image should lie inside the frame—a third of the way into the frame vertically and horizontally. This rule discourages centering the subject in the frame. a ligHting is Key Another essential consideration for a good wildlife photo- graph is how it is lit. Natural light looks best during the ear- liest and latest hours of the day. When the sun is low on the d o n ’ t ov e r t H i n K i t horizon, shadows fall away from the subject and the colors Don’t complicate the process. Photography requires the cast by sunlight take on a warm glow. The sun’s light is al- mastery of a few fundamentals and then doing the same ways harshest during the middle of the day. So it is impor- thing over and over so that results become predictable. tant to be in the field during the beginning and end of the Today’s digital cameras are capable of performing many day. Use the middle of the day to review the pictures you functions, but the truth is, a thorough understanding of shot in the morning or scout for afternoon opportunities. aperture, shutter speed and sensor sensitivity will make Not only is the light better in early morning and late after- more memorable photos. noon, but that’s also when wildlife is most active. Wildlife photography is comparable to golf. Golfers play What if the weather is overcast? Overcast days are great the game knowing they’ll never be perfect. Top photogra- because the soft, nondirectional light extends your shoot- phers take the same approach. They pursue the perfect shot, ing day. I actually prefer to photograph on overcast days. and that addictive pursuit keeps them heading afield. D 1 2 T E X AS CO-OP POWER jAnuAry 2021 t e x AsC O O P POW e r .C O m
Bad to the Bone
Full tang stainless steel blade with natural
bone handle —now ONLY $79!
T he very best hunting knives possess a perfect balance of form and
function. They’re carefully constructed from fine materials, but
also have that little something extra to connect the owner with nature.
If you’re on the hunt for a knife that combines impeccable craftsmanship EXCLUSIVE
with a sense of wonder, the $79 Huntsman Blade is the trophy you’re
looking for. FREE
Stauer® 8x21
The blade is full tang, meaning it doesn’t stop at the handle but
extends to the length of the grip for the ultimate in strength. The Compact
Binoculars
blade is made from 420 surgical steel, famed for its sharpness and its
resistance to corrosion. -a $99 value-
with purchase of
The handle is made from genuine natural bone, and features Huntsman Blade
decorative wood spacers and a hand-carved motif of two overlapping
feathers— a reminder for you to respect and connect with the
natural world.
This fusion of substance and style can garner a high price tag out
in the marketplace. In fact, we found full tang, stainless steel blades
with bone handles in excess of $2,000. Well, that won’t cut it
around here. We have mastered the hunt
for the best deal, and in turn pass the
spoils on to our customers.
But we don’t stop there. While supplies
last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power
compact binoculars and a genuine leather
sheath FREE when you purchase the What Stauer Clients
Huntsman Blade. Are Saying About
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Our Knives
Feel the knife in your hands, wear it
on your hip, inspect the impeccable êêêêê
craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we “This knife is beautiful!”
cut you a fair deal, send it back within — J., La Crescent, MN
30 days for a complete refund of the
item price. êêêêê
Limited Reserves. A deal like this won’t
“The feel of this knife
last long. We have only 1120 Huntsman is unbelievable...this
Blades for this ad only. Don’t let this BONUS! Call today and is an incredibly fine
beauty slip through your fingers. Call today! you’ll also receive this instrument.”
genuine leather sheath! — H., Arvada, CO
Huntsman Blade $249*
Offer Code Price Only $79 + S&P Save $170
1-800-333-2045
Your Insider Offer Code: HUK394-01
You must use the insider offer code to get our special price. Rating of A+
Stauer ® 14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. HUK-01
Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com
*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the
Not shown
listed original Stauer.com price.
actual size.
California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding
Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.
• 12” overall length; 6 ¹⁄2” stainless steel full tang blade • Genuine bone handle
with brass hand guard & bolsters • Includes genuine leather sheath
Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary.®Literary Fortu n es
Women of the early 20th century wrangled Carnegie grants and libraries for their towns
by me lis sa gaskill 1883 and 1929, including about 1,700 in the United States—
32 of them in Texas. Many were funded through the efforts
i s i to r s to b rya n i n 1 9 0 2 walked unpaved of women. Twenty of the original 32 buildings have been
V streets and bought drinks at one of a dozen
saloons. Many carried guns, and it was possible to
witness a public hanging on the courthouse lawn.
Local women sought to correct the situation and
founded the Mutual Improvement Club.
“The ladies of the club were upset with the saloon-town
atmosphere and wanted to bring in some culture and learn-
lost to demolition or fire, and eight of those surviving 12
remain in use, though not as libraries. Just four original
Carnegie Libraries remain open in Texas—in Stamford,
Ballinger, Franklin and Jefferson.
Carnegie sold his steel company to J.P. Morgan in 1901 for
almost $500 million, making him the world’s richest man.
But “the man who dies rich dies in disgrace,” he said as he
ing,” says Rachael C. Altman, manager of Bryan’s Carnegie gave away $350 million. Estimates suggest $60 million went
History Center, housed in the town’s historic library. specifically toward libraries because Carnegie believed a free
Cle b u rne b uIlD InG: ChrIs sAl A z Ar | te C
Club member Lillie Wilson’s brother-in-law, Thomas W. library was the best gift he could give a community. The
Stewart, had been introduced to Andrew Carnegie. The keystones of the library program required that the facilities
Pennsylvania steel magnate was donating money to build be public and free, and Carnegie required recipient cities to
libraries, and club leaders urged Wilson to contact Carnegie invest at least 10% of the grant annually to fund the libraries.
through her connection. “They were very persistent,” The northeast Texas town of Pittsburg had fewer than
Altman says. Carnegie gave them a grant, and the Bryan 1,500 inhabitants when it received the first Carnegie grant
Carnegie Library opened in December 1903. in the state in 1898, using it to build a small library and
A total of 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between reading room. It burned down in 1939.
1 4 T E X AS CO-OP POWER jAnuAry 2021 t e x AsC O O P POW e r .C O mClOCK WIse frOm OPPOsIte the
1905 Greek revival-style Carnegie
library in Cleburne is today home to
the layland museum. steel mag-
nate Andrew Carnegie. A postcard
of the jefferson Carnegie library.
w e b e x t r a see a map of
texas’ Carnegie libraries and a
slideshow of vintage postcards.
In Northeast Texas, the Jefferson Library Association
tried several fundraising strategies before applying success-
fully for a Carnegie grant. The Jefferson Carnegie Library
was built in 1907 and was restored a century later.
The Classical Revival brick-and-limestone Carnegie
Library in Stamford, north of Abilene, where Big Country
EC has an office, features massive Ionic columns and corner
pilasters. It hosted high school dances and, during World
War II, games and socializing for airmen training nearby.
In Ballinger, south of Abilene, a Carnegie library built in
1911 is on the Texas Forts Trail as well as listed on the
National Register of Historic Places and recognized as a
State Antiquities Landmark and a Recorded Texas Historic
Landmark. The building has continuously served as a
library but needed extensive renovations by 1976. “It was in
such bad shape the city had already bought another place
to build a library then decided to save this one,” says library
director Carolyn Kraatz.
The Franklin Carnegie Library, north of Bryan, com-
pleted in 1914, served as a library through 1918 and then
housed school classrooms and public activities until 1984.
The building was restored and reopened as a library in May
2009. It originally came into being thanks to then-mayor
R.M. Cole, who applied to Carnegie for funds in 1913.
Bryan’s library building, designed by a professor at Texas
Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Texas A&M
University), today houses the Carnegie History Center. It
served as a library until 1969 and then was used for city
offices, says Altman. Matching handcarved pine stairways,
The Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio public library tongue-and-groove pine flooring on the first floor and a
CArn eGIe : n At IO nAl PO rtr AIt GAllery/ smIt hsO nIAn . je ffe rsOn POstCArD: CO u rt esy j u Dy AulIK
associations and the Woman’s Club of Houston received decorative pressed metal ceiling all are original. Its restora-
grants around the turn of the century. The El Paso Public tion in 1999 took place with the help of the Women’s Club,
Library Association received one in 1904. And Clarksville, a modern incarnation of the Mutual Improvement Club.
Waco, Belton, Tyler, Gainesville and Sherman received Upstairs, the Bryan library hosted Red Cross gatherings
grants, all thanks to applications from local women’s clubs. during both world wars. The second floor now houses a
Cleburne, south of Fort Worth and now home to a United genealogy research collection, which is free to the public
Cooperative Services office, also built a Carnegie Library thanks along with access to online search services.
to persistent women, in 1905. “A determined committee of With so much of what people do being dependent on
ladies from the local women’s club decided that the young town technology today, access to that technology is a crucial
needed to become civilized and, we are told, traveled to New service provided by libraries, especially in small towns, says
York to visit Carnegie’s office without an appointment,” says Karin Gerstenhaber of the Tocker Foundation, a nonprofit
Stephanie Montero, manager of the Layland Museum now created in 1964 to support rural libraries in Texas.
housed in the building. “He offered them $10,000, but the com- “Carnegie felt that building libraries gave people oppor-
mittee felt that wasn’t enough.” Carnegie doubled his offer. tunities to advance themselves,” she adds. “The libraries
The Greek Revival-style building served as Cleburne’s provided free access to information, and those buildings
library until 1978, when it became part of the museum. The were used for so many different purposes that brought
front entrance and main room feature Ionic columns with people together. They filled a real need.” D
ornamental necking, and plaster details decorate interior
and exterior walls.
t e x AsC O OPPOWer .COm jA n uA ry 2 0 2 1 T E X AS C O - O P POW E R 1 5Un
o
13 pen
Discovered! Unopened Bag of 8 Y ed
ea fo
138-Year-Old Morgan Silver Dollars rs! r
Coin experts amazed by
“Incredible Opportunity”
Historic Morgan Silver Dollars
Minted in New Orleans
Struck and bagged in 1882
The Morgan Silver Dollar is the most Unopened for 138 years
popular and iconic vintage U.S. coin. They 26.73 grams of 90% fine silver
were the Silver Dollars of the Wild West,
Hefty 38.1 mm diameter
going on countless untold adventures in
dusty saddlebags across the nation. Finding Certified Brilliant Uncirculated
a secret hoard of Morgans doesn’t happen by NGC
often—and when it does, it’s a big deal. Certified “Great Southern
Treasury Hoard” pedigree
How big? Here’s numismatist, author Limit five coins per household
and consultant to the Smithsonian®
Jeff Garrett:
Actual size is 38.1 mm
“It’s very rare to find large third-party grading service Numismatic
quantities of Morgan Silver Guaranty Corporation (NGC), and they agreed to honor
Dollars, especially in bags that the southern gentleman by giving the coins the pedigree of the “Great
have been sealed... to find several Southern Treasury Hoard.”
thousand Morgan Silver Dollars
that are from the U.S. Treasury These gorgeous 1882-O Morgans are as bright and new as the day
Hoards, still unopened, is really they were struck and bagged 138 years ago. Coins are graded on a
an incredible opportunity.” 70-point scale, with those graded at least Mint State-60 (MS60) often
referred to as “Brilliant Uncirculated” or BU. Of all 1882-O Morgans
-Jeff Garrett
struck, LESS THAN 1% have earned a Mint State grade. This makes
But where did this unique hoard come from? Read on... these unopened bags of 1882-O Morgans extremely rare, certified as
being in BU condition—nearly unheard of for coins 138 years old.
Morgans from the New Orleans Mint
In 1859, Nevada’s Comstock Lode was discovered, and soon its rich Don’t Miss This Rare Opportunity—Order Now!
silver ore made its way across the nation, including to the fabled Regular 1882-O Morgans sell elsewhere for as much as $133, and
New Orleans Mint, the only U.S. Mint branch to have served under that’s without the original brilliant shine these “fresh” 138-year-
the U.S. government, the State of Louisiana and the Confederacy. old coins have, without their special NGC hoard designation,
In 1882, some of that silver was struck into Morgan Silver Dollars, and without their ability to tell their full, complete story from the
each featuring the iconic “O” mint mark of the New Orleans Mint. Comstock Lode all the way to your collection.
Employees then placed the freshly struck coins into canvas bags... Given the limited quantity of coins available from this historic hoard,
The U.S. Treasury Hoard we must set a strict limit of five coins per household. Call quickly to
Fast-forward nearly 80 years. In the 1960s, the U.S. government secure yours today as supplies are sure to sell out quickly!
opened its vaults and revealed a massive store of Morgan Silver 1882-O Morgan Silver Dollar NGC Certified BU from the
Dollars—including full, unopened bags of “fresh” 1882-O Morgan Great Southern Treasury Hoard — $99 ea.
Silver Dollars. A number of bags were secured
by a child of the Great Depression—a southern FREE SHIPPING on 2 or More!
gentleman whose upbringing showed him the Limited time only. Product total over $149 before taxes (if any).
value of hard assets like silver. He stashed the Standard domestic shipping only. Not valid on previous purchases.
unopened bags of “fresh” Morgans away, and
there they stayed... Call today toll-free for fastest service
The Great Southern Treasury Hoard
That is, until another 50 years later, when the
1-888-324-9125
man’s family finally decided to sell the coins— Offer Code MSH285-01
Please mention this code when you call
still in their unopened bags—which we secured,
bag and all! We submitted the coins to respected
GovMint.com • 14101 Southcross Dr. W., Suite 175, Dept. MSH285-01, Burnsville, MN 55337
GovMint.com® is a retail distributor of coin and currency issues and is not affiliated with the U.S. government. The collectible coin market is unregulated, highly speculative and
involves risk. GovMint.com reserves the right to decline to consummate any sale, within its discretion, including due to pricing errors. Prices, facts, figures and populations deemed
accurate as of the date of publication but may change significantly over time. All purchases are expressly conditioned upon your acceptance of GovMint.com’s Terms and Conditions
(www.govmint.com/terms-conditions or call 1-800-721-0320); to decline, return your purchase pursuant to GovMint.com’s Return Policy. © 2020 GovMint.com. All rights reserved.Goodbye 2020
Window
& Door Event
Goodbye 2020 Event
ends January 31st!
Buy 1 window or door,
get 1 window or door
40 OFF
40% OF
1
and
• With all that 2020 threw at us, we’re happy to see it go and
give you a HUGE discount! NO
N O Money
Down
• We’ll give you a price that’s good for a year. While
visiting your home we’ll talk about all your options
and give you an honest and exact price quote. We’ll NO Payments
NO
NO Interest
NO
never try to talk you into windows you don’t need.
• Our Fibrex® composite material is so strong
we’re able to build thinner frames with
for 1 year!
a greater glass area that allows 1
more natural light into your home.
• For your safety and peace of mind,
we’ve adjusted our
operations to serve Now o ering H HHH H
virtual
you in the safest
512-298-1858
appointments,
way possible. too! Austin:
Fort Worth: 469-606-5229
Dallas/
Call for your FREE
Window and Door San Antonio: 210-961-9990
Diagnosis
TopWindowSolution.com
1
Offer not available in all areas. Discount applied by retailer representative at time of contract execution and applies to purchase of 4 or more windows and/or patio doors. Buy two windows
and/or doors, get the second two windows and/or doors, of equal or lesser value, 40% off. Discount applied to lowest priced window and/or door products in purchase. Cannot be combined with
other offers. Initial contact for a free Window and Door Diagnosis must be made and documented on or before 1/31/21, with the appointment then occurring no more than 10 days after the initial
contact. No payments and deferred interest for 12 months available to well qualified buyers on approved credit only. Not all customers may qualify. No Finance Charges will be assessed if promo
balance is paid in full in 12 months. Renewal by Andersen retailers are independently owned and operated retailers, and are neither brokers nor lenders. Any finance terms advertised are estimates
only, and all financing is provided by third-party lenders unaffiliated with Renewal by Andersen retailers, under terms and conditions arranged directly between the customer and such lender. Central
Texas Windows & Doors LLC, d/b/a Renewal by Andersen of Austin and San Antonio. North Texas Windows & Doors LLC, d/b/a Renewal by Andersen of Dallas/Fort Worth and West Texas. “Renewal
by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are marks of Andersen Corporation. ©2021 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. ©2021 Lead Surge LLC. All rights reserved. All sales,
marketing and installation of windows is conducted by Renewal by Andersen of Austin and San Antonio, and by Renewal by Andersen of Dallas/Fort Worth and West Texas.
All are independently owned and operated affiliates operating in TX.We’re All
In This
Together
Let’s Keep Small Businesses Thriving.
It’s time to power a Small Business Comeback across America.
Co-op Connections is a free member benefit program brought to you by
WHARTON COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE.
Download the free app to find prescription discounts
from your local pharmacy. Our network includes
more than 20,000 independent pharmacies
and 60,000+ overall. Unlock Healthy Savings
benefits for your whole family
with Co-op Connections!
WHARTON COUNTY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
WWW.SMALLBUSINESSCOMEBACK.COOP
1 8 TEX A S C O - OP POWER JAN UARY 2021 W H A RT O N C O U NT Y E LE C T RI C COOP ER AT I VE
WCEC LPN_January_21.indd 18 12/10/2020 10:29:06 AM1-800-460-6271 | (979) 543-6271 | MYWCEC.COOP
WHARTON COUNTY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
MESSAGE FROM YOUR GENERAL MANAGER/CEO
GARY RAYBON
New Year, Same Principles
Democratic Member Control: Cooperatives are democratic
organizations controlled by their members, who actively par-
ticipate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected
© FOTOGESTOEBER | ADOBE STOCK
board of directors is accountable to the membership.
Members’ Economic Participation: Members contribute
equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their
cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common
property of the cooperative. Members allocate surpluses for any
or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative; dis-
tributing capital credits according to co-ops’ individual formu-
J A N U A R Y I S A G O O D T I M E for us at Wharton County Electric las; and supporting other activities approved by the members.
Cooperative to reflect on the past year and make plans for the new Autonomy and Independence: Co-ops are autonomous,
one while keeping our Seven Cooperative Principles in mind. self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they
2020 had its challenges. Electric cooperatives across Texas enter into agreements with other organizations, including
were affected by natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic and governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so
economic uncertainty. To get through, we leaned on our values on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and
of helping one another and caring for the community, just as maintain their cooperative autonomy.
we have since our founding many years ago. Education, Training and Information: Cooperatives
The past year also had its successes. Among them, WCEC provide education and training for their members, elected
celebrated 82 years of serving you, our members, with reliable representatives, managers and employees so they can contrib-
electricity while hopefully improving your quality of life. The ute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They
annual meeting may have looked different last year, but we inform the general public, particularly young people and opin-
kept our democratic process intact with record numbers. ion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
For 2021, we resolve to maintain the same—or even better— Cooperation Among Cooperatives: Cooperatives serve
quality of service to our members as we have over the years. their members most effectively and strengthen the coopera-
As we enter the new year, it’s a good time for us to review the tive movement by working together through local, national,
Seven Cooperative Principles. These principles are timeless, regional and international structures.
and we resolve to continue to uphold the values in ways that Concern for Community: While focusing on member
are relevant for 2021. needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of
Voluntary and Open Membership: Cooperatives are volun- their communities through policies and activities accepted by
tary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services their members.
VE Power Tip
and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, with-
out gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
With resolute values like these at the center of all that we do,
we are ready to take on the new year. D
M Y W CE C. COOP • (979) 543-6271 • 1-800-460-6271 J A NU A R Y 2021 T E XA S C O -OP P OW ER 1 9
WCEC LPN_January_21.indd 19 12/10/2020 10:29:09 AMIce Isn’t
Always Nice
Although much of the state
is unaccustomed to snow
and ice, temperatures can fall
below freezing even in South
Texas, potentially causing
power outages. To keep safe
and comfortable during a
winter power outage:
Report any outages to
979-543-6271.
Be prepared by following the
tips on the next page or vis-
iting our Outage Central at
MyWCEC.coop.
Turn off electrical appliances
that were operating at the
time the power went off.
Leave one light on so you’ll
know when service has been
restored.
Keep warm by closing off
rooms you don’t need and
use only safe sources of heat,
like a wood stove or fireplace.
Do not burn charcoal indoors.
If you operate lanterns or
fuel-fired cook stoves or
heaters, make sure that you
have adequate ventilation.
WHARTON
Don’t drive unless absolutely
necessary until conditions
improve. If you must drive,
go slowly. COUNTY
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
WCEC encourages you to
always practice safety.
2 0 TEX A S C O - OP POWER JAN UARY 2021 W H A RT O N C O U NT Y E LE C T RI C COOP ER AT I VE
WCEC LPN_January_21.indd 20 12/10/2020 10:29:11 AMBe Prepared
IN THE EVENT of extreme weather con-
ditions, your electricity supply cannot be
guaranteed at all times. This means you
need to be prepared so that you can take
care of yourself and your family in the
event of a power outage.
How You Can Prepare
© L O ST_IN_THE_M IDW EST | A DO B E STO C K
e E
with fully charged batteries on hand.
e Keep a phone that doesn’t need elec-
tricity, such as a corded landline or a
fully charged cellphone.
e Have a battery-powered radio on hand
for updates on weather conditions and
power outages.
e Keep a stock of nonperishable foods,
Don’t Repeat the including a supply of bottled water.
Blackouts of 2011 In the Event of an Outage
e If you’re in a life-threatening situation,
DO YOU REMEMBER February 2011, when much of Texas experienced roll- call 911 immediately.
ing blackouts?
The state experienced a great freeze, which spurred high demand for
e If your neighbor’s power is still on,
check your breakers to see if one or
electricity—as most areas were below freezing for several days. All that
.
demand—combined with more than 50 generating units tripping offline
due to sagging, ice-laden lines—caused the Electric Reliability Council of e If you have sick or elderly neighbors,
Texas to institute rolling blackouts, or load shedding, because the state check to see if they need help.
simply didn’t have enough electricity to go around. About 7,000 mega-
watts went offline—enough capacity to power about 1.4 million homes.
e Ensure that all lights, devices and
It’s hard to believe it has been nearly 10 years since that record event,
for one light. That way, when power is
and it would be easy for Texans to get complacent about energy use. But we
restored, you reduce the risk of your
don’t want to experience rolling outages again. So what can we do about it?
circuit overloading.
By working together, we can help decrease demand while still maintain-
ing comfort. Here are some easy steps to take at home to conserve energy. e Keep your refrigerator and freezer
Install a programmable thermostat and set it to lower the temperature doors closed as much as possible.
at night and whenever your house is unoccupied. Lowering your thermo- Refrigerated food should be safe for
stat by 10 degrees at night can reduce your heating bill by 10%–20%. about four hours in a sealed refrigera-
Make sure your thermostat is programmed correctly and not located tor. A full freezer will keep food frozen
in an unheated space, in direct sunlight or near a heat source. The ther- for 48 hours. D
mostat must be able to sense the average temperature in your home.
Lower your thermostat and wear socks and a sweater indoors. Low-
ering the setting by just 1 degree can reduce energy use by 3%.
Get a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Air tends to be dryer in
the winter, and because moister air feels warmer, a humidifier can make
you feel more comfortable even though your thermostat is set lower.
Inspect your air filters monthly. Dirty air filters cause your heater to
I STO CKPHOT O | THIN KSTO CK
work harder, using more energy.
Check your outlets and switch plates. Do you feel a draft? If yes, install
foam insulation gaskets behind them, and stop that draft where it starts.
Check all exterior doors for air leaks, and weatherstrip and caulk as
needed. A gap of 1/8 inch around a door is equivalent to a 6-square-inch
E hole in the side of your house.
Make sure your water heater is set no higher than 120 degrees and
install a water heater blanket. D
M Y W CE C. COOP • (979) 543-6271 • 1-800-460-6271 J A NU A R Y 2021 T E XA S C O -OP P OW ER 2 1
WCEC LPN_January_21.indd 21 12/10/2020 10:29:14 AMIHAR U L ASHC HYK | ISTO C K . C O M
Living Out Our Principles
Cooperation Among Cooperatives Buy the Right
Space Heater for
O N E O F T H E P R I N C I P L E S that guides all electric cooperatives is Cooper-
ation Among Cooperatives. Since rural electrification in the 1930s, electric
Your Room Size
co-ops have relied on one another for help when disasters strike. IF YOU’RE IN THE MARKET for a space
Today statewide associations that represent member co-ops often help heater to warm up an unheated room in
coordinate disaster response and mutual aid. your home, follow a few guidelines.
Highly trained lineworkers and other employees from one cooperative
e Choose a model that’s powerful
can quickly assist another co-op that might need help recovering from
enough to heat the room. A rule of
electrical infrastructure damage caused by disasters such as hurricanes,
thumb: You need 10 watts of heat for
tornadoes, floods, fires or ice storms. That happened last fall when three
every square foot of surface area.
hurricanes—Laura, Sally and Delta—ripped through parts of East Texas,
M
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and Texas lineworkers rushed to
surface area. A 1,500-watt heater will
make repairs and help restore power for tens of thousands of co-op mem-
warm 150 square feet—or a room that
bers.
measures 10 by 15 square feet with an
Here at WCEC, crews were dispatched twice to Beauregard Electric
8-foot ceiling.
Cooperative Inc. in DeRidder, Louisiana. BECi serves 39,000 members
in Central and Southwest Louisiana. Their service territory suffered total e Invest in a unit that comes with infrared
power loss during both Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta. technology to make sure the heater
On September 15, our first storm crew left the co-op to help restore doesn’t dry out the air in the room.
power after Hurricane Laura. This crew (pictured at left) included Fore-
e Tip-over protection is a must. That fea-
man Jody Domel, Apprentice Lineman Jayson McKeon, and Journeyman
ture will automatically turn the heater
Linemen Brayden Payne, Russell Shelton and Keaton Hubbell. They
.
returned on September 30.
Just 11 days later, on October 11, a second crew was dispatched to the e Determine how hot the outside of the
same area to assist in restoration after Hurricane Delta. This crew (pic- unit gets when you run it. If children or
tured at right) included Journeyman Lineman Daniel Gutierrez, Foreman pets use the room, look for a model
Tim Bohuslar, Journeyman Lineman Dusty White, Apprentice Lineman that stays cool to the touch. Not all
Lance Kolafa, and Journeyman Lineman Ricky Garza Jr. They returned heaters do.
home on October 18.
e
WCEC is proud of our linemen for their efforts to help our neighbors
for a heater with an eco setting.
in Louisiana in their time of need. We know that when we may need the
assistance, other cooperatives will be there for us. e Don’t allow space heaters to run all the
Through Cooperation Among Cooperatives, Texans on co-op lines can time. Use them conservatively to save
rest assured that their power will be restored faster with the help of coop- money on your electric bill. D
erative neighbors and friends. That’s the co-op way. D
2 2 TEX A S C O - OP POWER JAN UARY 2021 W H A RT O N C O U NT Y E LE C T RI C COOP ER AT I VE
WCEC LPN_January_21.indd 22 12/10/2020 10:29:16 AMapplying this chemical.
Use bleach containing 5.25%–8.25%
sodium hypochlorite.
Follow the directions printed on the
product label, and make sure bleach sits
on surfaces for at least one minute.
Ensure proper ventilation when
using bleach.
Do not use product that has expired.
Do not mix bleach with other cleansers
IHAR U L ASHC HYK | ISTO C K . C O M
or ammonia. Mixing can cause danger-
ous fumes.
To prepare a bleach solution for dis-
infecting, mix 1/3 cup bleach per gallon
of water.
Remember that bleach and bleach
solutions will fade colors on fabric.
Disinfecting Electronics
Phones, tablets, touch screens, keyboards
and remote controls are frequently
touched objects that may have special
cleaning requirements.
BRIAN AJ AC KSON | ISTOC K.C OM
Consider applying a wipeable cover
to electronics. The cover helps protect
sensitive electronics while making them
easy to clean and disinfect.
Follow manufacturer’s directions for
cleaning and disinfecting electronics.
If there are no instructions, use alco-
hol-based wipes or sprays with at least
Healthy Home Hygiene
70% alcohol, then dry thoroughly.
De-energize equipment and close
openings before applying any cleaner
M A I N T A I N I N G H O M E H Y G I E N E during the the electricity at the breaker to prevent or disinfectant.
colder months, when many people spend electric shock. If liquid or atomized products are
more time indoors, is important to pre- Consider wearing gloves to protect approved for disinfecting electronics,
vent the spread of germs. your hands from harsh soaps. follow product directions carefully.
Frequent contact between dirty Be sure to read and follow cleaning UL, a global safety certification
hands and commonly used surfaces product directions, paying close atten- company, provides a list of what NOT
gives cold, flu and COVID-19 germs a tion to surface types and precautionary to do when cleaning and disinfecting
better chance to spread. Regular clean- statements. electronics.
ing and disinfection at home can help Wear gloves when using disinfectants e Do not spray liquids onto electrical
slow the spread of illnesses. and eye protection when using chemi- equipment, especially while ener-
The Centers for Disease Control and cals that could splash. gized.
Prevention has the following guidance Ensure there is adequate ventilation e Do not immerse electronics in liquid.
on how best to clean and disinfect com- to remove fumes when cleaning. e Do not apply liquid or corrosive
monly contacted objects. Use only the amount specified on dis- substances on electronics unless
infectant instructions. approved by the manufacturer.
Cleaning Do not mix chemicals. e Do not fog electronics, as fogging
Clean surfaces using soap and water, Label the container of any product could cause electric shock or arcing.
then use a disinfectant. stored in any non-original container. e Do not place coverings over electrical
Routinely clean tables, doorknobs, Store all chemicals out of reach of chil- equipment openings that could cause
light switches, countertops, handles, dren and pets. electronics to overheat.
desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, fau- e Do not remove equipment markings
cets, sinks and cabinet pulls. Using Bleach by cleaning or disinfecting. D
Caution: Before disinfecting light Bleach is an effective disinfectant, but
switches with liquids or sprays, turn off special precautions should be used when
M Y W CE C. COOP • (979) 543-6271 • 1-800-460-6271 J A NU A R Y 2021 T E XA S C O -OP P OW ER 2 3
WCEC LPN_January_21.indd 23 12/10/2020 10:29:16 AMDIY Energy Efficiency:
Resolve to Use Less & Save More
© MO NKEY B U SINESS | A DO B E STO C K
E ZUME IMAG E S | ISTOC K.C OM
Green Chile Cheddar
Cheese Soup
4 large potatoes
1 small onion, chopped
4 cans (about 7 cups) chicken
I T ’ S T I M E T O M A K E New Year’s resolutions. Why not make energy efficiency broth, or 4 bouillon cubes
one of your goals for 2021? Saving energy is not only a good way to save 1 tablespoon salt
money but also conserves our valuable resources. 1 cup milk, cream or half-and-half
Some of the best ways to conserve energy in January include: 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green
Taking down your Christmas lights. As tempting as it might be to chiles
extend the holiday season, there is no need to extend the higher electric bill 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese,
that might come with all the electric-powered decor. plus more for garnish
Turning down the thermostat. You can save about 3% on your energy bill Pepper, to taste
for every degree you drop the temperature. Bacon, cooked and crumbled
Switching the direction of your ceiling fans so that they turn clock- (optional)
wise. This pulls cool air toward the ceiling, which in turn pushes the warm air Sour cream (optional)
that collects near the ceiling back toward the floor. Chopped green onion (optional)
Letting the sun shine in through the windows, especially south-facing
windows, to take advantage of solar heat gain. 1. Peel potatoes and chop into
Wearing warmer clothes. Putting on a sweater and slippers or wool socks medium dice. Put potatoes and onion
might allow you to lower your thermostat temperature. in a slow cooker and add chicken
Eliminating drafts. Cold winter air can sneak in around windows, doors broth to cover, reserving remaining
and even electrical outlets. Weatherstripping, insulation and insulated cur- broth. You may substitute water
tains can go a long way toward keeping warm air in and cold air out. D mixed with 4 bouillon cubes. Add salt.
2. Cover and bring to a boil on high,
then lower heat and simmer 30
minutes, or until potatoes are just
tender. Remove half of the potatoes
to a colander or bowl. Mash remain-
ing potatoes in cooking broth with
a potato masher or spoon. Return
reserved potatoes to cooker along
with milk, green chiles and cheese.
3. Let simmer 30–45 additional min-
utes. Add more salt and pepper to
taste. If soup is too thick, add extra
WCEC Member Calendars Available chicken broth.
4. Serve with extra shredded cheese,
Every two years, Wharton County Electric Cooperative publishes a
crumbled bacon, sour cream and
calendar for our members. The WCEC Member Calendar for
sliced green onion on top, if desired.
2021 2022
SERVES 6
Pick up your calendar today at
1815 E. Jackson Street in El Campo Find this and more delicious recipes
during normal business hours. online at TexasCoopPower.com.
2 4 TEX A S C O - OP POWER JAN UARY 2021 W H A RT O N C O U NT Y E LE C T RI C COOP ER AT I VE
WCEC LPN_January_21.indd 24 12/10/2020 10:29:20 AMWharton County
Electric Cooperative
G E N E R A L M A N A G E R /C EO
Gary Raybon
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DG L IMAG ES | ISTO C K . C O M
DISTRICT 1: Paul Phillips Jr., Vice-President
DISTRICT 2: Patrick Kubala
DISTRICT 3: Frankie Peter, President
C 4
DISTRICT 5: Samuel Craig Hardin
DISTRICT 6: Gus Wessels Jr.
DISTRICT 7: John Roach
DISTRICT 8: Jim W. Harton, Asst. Sec.-Treas.
January Is the Deadliest DISTRICT 9: Peggy Glaze
Month for CO Poisoning 24/7 For information and
to report outages,
WHAT CAN’T BE SEEN, smelled or heard but is deadly? Carbon monoxide. Outage please call us.
CO is an odorless, colorless gas produced when fossil fuel is burned. It Hotline L O C AL
(979) 543-6271
Numbers
can cause sudden illness and death.
Because more people are inside during the winter months, sometimes T OL L -F R E E
resorting to risky heating methods and power sources without proper ven- 1-800-460-6271
tilation, January is the deadliest month for CO poisoning, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
1815 E. Jackson St. • P.O. Box 31
People and pets are susceptible to CO poisoning. Common symptoms
El Campo, TX 77437
are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain Hours: Monday - Friday | 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
and confusion.
Many households use products that burn fossil fuels, such as gas- and CALL US
oil-burning furnaces, portable generators and charcoal grills. If used
(979) 543-6271 local or
incorrectly, these items can pose a poisoning risk.
Every year more than 400 Americans die from CO poisoning, more than
1-800-460-6271 toll-free
50,000 visit an emergency room and more than 4,000 are hospitalized. FIND US ON THE WEB
Keep your family safe from this deadly gas this winter by following MyWCEC.coop
these important safety measures.
e Install battery-operated CO detectors near every sleeping area. FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
e If the CO alarm goes off, exit the home immediately and call 911.
e Check CO detectors regularly for proper function.
e Have oil and gas furnaces inspected every year by a qualified technician.
e Have gas water heaters inspected annually by a qualified technician. MEMBER BENEFITS
e Ensure that the chimney is checked annually and cleaned if necessary. AND SERVICES
e Check that gas appliances are vented properly. • Online Billing
• Energy Audits
e Never use a generator inside the home or garage, even with doors and • Electric Grills
windows open. Only use generators outdoors and at least 20 feet away • Water Heaters
from the home. • Wireless Internet
e Do not use a charcoal grill, camp stove or other charcoal-burning prod- BILL PAYMENT OPTIONS
ucts indoors. • Online @ mywcec.coop
e Do not run a vehicle in a closed garage. • By Phone @ 1-877-833-3326
• Automatic Bank Draft
e Do not use a fireplace that isn’t vented. • SmartHub App
e Do not heat your house with a gas oven or gas range. • By Mail / In Person
e Seek medical attention right away if you suspect CO poisoning or feel • Payment Drop Box
dizzy, lightheaded or nauseated. D
M Y W CE C. COOP • (979) 543-6271 • 1-800-460-6271 J A NU A R Y 2021 T E XA S C O - OP P OW ER 2 5
WCEC LPN_January_21.indd 25 12/10/2020 10:29:21 AMYou can also read
