Preserving Penn's woods - Volunteer program teaches forest management - PLUS - REA Energy Cooperative
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AU G U S T 2 0 2 1
T H E M AGA Z I N E YO U C O M E H O M E TO
Preserving
Penn’s
woods
Volunteer program
teaches forest
management
PLUS
Connect with local farmers
When to DIY
How a finger can save plants
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AUGUST 2021
Contents
Vol. 56 • No. 8 4 Keeping Current
Editor
News from across
Peter A. Fitzgerald the Commonwealth
Senior Editor/Writer
Katherine Hackleman 6 E nergy Matters
Managing rights-of-way from
Associate Editor top to bottom
Michael T. Crawford
Layout & Design 8 eature: Preserving
f
W. Douglas Shirk Penn’s woods 8
production coordinator Volunteer program teaches
Michelle M. Smith forest management
Contributing Columnists
John Kasun 12 Time Lines
Anne M. Kirchner Your newsmagazine
George Weigel through the years
Penn Lines (USPS 929-700), the newsmagazine 12a Cooperative
of Pennsylvania’s electric cooperatives, is published Connection
monthly by the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Associa- Information and advice from
tion, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg,
your local electric cooperative
PA 17108-1266. Penn Lines helps 166,000 house-
holds of co-op consumer-members understand issues 16
that affect the electric cooperative program, their local
co-ops, and their quality of life. Electric co-ops are not-
16COUNTRY KITCHEN
for-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed, and tax-
Connect with local farmers
paying electric utilities. Penn Lines is not responsible
for unsolicited manuscripts. The opinions expressed
in Penn Lines do not necessarily reflect those of the
17 TECH TRENDS
editors, the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, or
Energy efficiency keeps improving,
local electric distribution cooperatives. even through a pandemic
Subscriptions: Electric co-op members, $5.39 per
year through their local electric distribution coopera- 18 S mart circuits
tive. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Harrisburg, When to DIY and when to
PA 17107 and additional mailing offices. POST-
hire a pro
MASTER: Send address changes with mailing label
to Penn Lines, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, 19
Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266. 19 ower plants
p
Advertising: Display ad deadline is six weeks prior to How a finger can save plants
month of issue. Ad rates upon request. Acceptance
of advertising by Penn Lines does not imply endorse-
ment of the product or services by the publisher or 20 Classifieds
any electric cooperative. If you encounter a problem
with any product or service advertised in Penn Lines,
please contact: Advertising, Penn Lines, P.O. Box 22 Punch Lines
1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Penn Lines reserves ‘Operation Peaches’
the right to refuse any advertising.
23 Rural Reflections
Fun in the sun
23
ON THE COVER
Board officers and staff, Pennsylvania Rural Electric
Association: Chairman, Leroy Walls; Vice Chairman,
Nancy Baker, Sugar Run, Pa.,
Tim Burkett; Secretary, Barbara Miller; Treasurer, is one of approximately 500
Rick Shope; President & CEO, Frank M. Betley active volunteers with the
© 2021 Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association.
Pennsylvania Forest Stewards
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part Program. One of her goals
without written permission is prohibited. is to encourage landowners
to care for their woods in a
Visit with us at Penn Lines Online, responsible, sustainable way.
located at: www.prea.com/penn-lines- Photo by Jeff Fetzer
magazine. Penn Lines Online provides an
email link to Penn Lines editorial staff,
information on advertising rates, and an
archive of past issues.
| AU G U ST 2 0 2 1 3
keepingcurrent
News from across the Commonwealth
Reports of sick songbirds Schuylkill, Cameron/Elk/McKean/ state. It feeds on the sap of at least 70
confuse authorities Potter, Erie/Crawford/Warren, and plant species, which stresses the plant
Wildlife health experts from several Philadelphia counties. and can eventually destroy it.
states and universities are investigating The program will provide exten-
reports of numerous songbirds that are sive coursework in water and natural CWD-positive deer found in
sick or dying due to an unknown con- resources with ongoing volunteer and Warren County
dition. Reports of the mysterious con- educational opportunities that allow The discovery of a captive deer in
dition have come in from several states, participants to make a difference in Warren County that tested positive for
including 27 counties in Pennsylvania. their communities. The training will be chronic wast-
The most common symptoms being a combination of virtual/online sessions ing disease
reported include discharge and/or crust- on Thursday evenings, and in-person (CWD) has
ing around the eyes, eye lesions, and/or field trips, and will run between late led to the es-
neurologic signs, such as falling over or August and early November. In ex- tablishment of
head tremors. Affected birds have been change for approximately a new Disease
tested for toxins, parasites, bacterial 40 hours of instruction, candidates Management
diseases and viral infections, but to date, must agree to contribute 50 hours of Area (DMA-5)
test results have been inconclusive. volunteer service their first year, fol- in an attempt
Experts say this is an emerging lowed by 20 hours per year thereafter. to reduce the
wildlife health event, and are advising To learn more about the program, risk of the dis-
the public to follow these precautionary visit extension.psu.edu and search for ease spread-
measures until more is known: “watershed stewards.” ing. The new DMA lies entirely within
k Cease feeding birds and providing Warren County.
water in bird baths until this wildlife ‘Lucky’ trained to detect CWD affects members of the deer, or
mortality event has concluded to pre- spotted lanternfly eggs cervid, family, and the disease always
vent potential spread between birds A German shepherd trained to detect is fatal to the deer and elk it infects.
and to other wildlife. spotted lanternfly eggs is working When a new CWD-positive is detected
k Clean feeders and bird baths with a with state and in either a wild or captive cervid in
10% bleach solution. local officials in an Pennsylvania, a DMA is established.
k Avoid handling dead or injured wild effort to locate and This reduces the risk of the human-as-
birds. Wear disposable gloves if it’s eradicate the pest. sisted spread of CWD.
necessary to handle a bird. “Lucky” is the first Within DMAs, it is unlawful to:
k Keep pets away from sick or dead dog known to have been trained specif- remove or export any cervid high-risk
birds as a standard precaution. ically to locate the eggs of the spotted parts, use or possess cervid urine-based
k Place dead birds in a sealable plastic lanternfly. attractants, directly or indirectly feed
bag and discard them with house- The spotted lanternfly is harmless to wild, free-ranging deer (it is already
hold trash. This will prevent disease people, but it can destroy vineyards and illegal to feed elk regardless of DMA lo-
transmission to other birds and other farm crops. According to a Penn cation), or rehabilitate wild, free-rang-
wildlife. State Extension report, the pest has ing cervids.
already caused millions in damage and While CWD never has been doc-
Do you care about could eventually cause major damage umented in humans, the Centers
watersheds and want to across the state’s $132.5 billion agricul- for Disease Control and Prevention
make a difference? ture industry. recommends never eating the meat of a
The Penn State Master Watershed The spotted lanternfly was first iden- CWD-positive deer.
Stewards Program is accepting ap- tified in Pennsylvania in Berks County More information on CWD is avail-
plications for fall trainings in Berks/ in 2014, but has since spread across the able at pgc.pa.gov/CWD. l
4 | AU G U ST 2 0 2 1
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energymatters
Managing rights-of-way from top to bottom
By Derrill Holly
T
here’s more than one way to rights-of-way to support and sustain
Rachel Frey, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative
look at vegetation management. wildlife or provide forage and habitat
The work electric cooperatives for migratory species.
and their contractors do to help keep Pennsylvania’s electric coopera-
electric lines and other equipment sep- tives regularly share information and
arated from plant overgrowth plays a updates on local vegetation manage-
major role in service reliability. ment efforts to keep the public safe
and communicate how tree and plant
From mowing and brush work at growth trimming increases service reli-
ground level to tree trimming near ability.
or above power lines, Pennsylvania’s “Communication is indispensable
electric cooperatives regularly to successful vegetation management
inspect and manage the landscape programs,” Miller says. “Stakeholders
in and around their equipment. This RIGHT-OF-WAY CLEARING: From mowing need to understand how vegetation
maintenance is effective in preventing and brush work at ground level to tree trimming management will benefit them, and
outages, minimizing the threat of fire above power lines, your local electric cooper- that includes education on how a
ative regularly inspects and manages the land-
damage, and maintaining access and scape near electrical equipment.
vegetation management program min-
serviceability. imizes the risk of tree-caused power
Utility providers, including electric relentlessly,” says Randall H. Miller, outages.”
cooperatives, have worked with local, a vegetation management consultant According to industry research,
state, and federal foresters to develop based in Des Moines, Iowa. about 20% to 30% of all power outages
integrated vegetation management While weather conditions can affect are vegetation related. Removal of tall
practices aimed at reducing the need seasonal activities related to right-of- trees and limbs near power lines also
for chemicals, costly manual and way work and vegetation management, reduces the risks of injuries caused
mechanical control measures, and con- electric co-ops and other utilities regu- by accidental contacts with energized
trolled burning. larly conduct maintenance to mitigate power lines.
These techniques establish low-grow- risks. “It should include the concept of
ing vegetation that out-competes “Vegetation management that is ‘right tree, right place’ and that there is
taller-growing species, according to deferred one year has to be done in no room for tall trees to develop under
experts at the U.S. Environmental the future, and the cost accrues much power lines,” Miller says.
Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA faster than inflation,” says Miller, who “Planting them there means those
worked with utility industry associ- serves on the Right-of-Way Steward- trees cannot be allowed to reach their
ations and other federal agencies to ship Council. “As biomass develops full potential and will have to be either
develop Integrated Vegetation Manage- due to growth and trees encroach removed or, if retained, continually
ment (IVM) practices. on, or even engulf, power lines, they pruned to keep them clear of the con-
An IVM approach can help cre- become increasingly more difficult and ductors,” Miller says. l
ate sustainable ecosystems such as a less safe to work.” Derrill Holly writes on consumer and
meadow transition habitat. The tech- While some of the work might be cooperative affairs for the National Rural
niques, used for both roadside and done with brush hogs, mowers, and Electric Cooperative Association, the
cross-country rights-of-way, encourage chainsaws, electric cooperatives also national trade association representing
the growth of native plant species and rely heavily on planning, seeding, and more than 900 local electric cooperatives.
increase plant diversity. They also strategic plantings, often supported by From growing suburbs to remote farming
create or restore habitat for local and their consumer-members and other communities, electric cooperatives serve
migrating wildlife, including insects, stakeholders. Youth and community as engines of economic development for
birds, and mammals. groups regularly work with cooper- 42 million Americans across 56% of the
“Trees and other vegetation grow atives on plans to enhance or adapt nation’s landscape.
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THE MEASURE OF A TREE: Adam
Katracha, left; Stephen Zuk, center;
and Harry Holt, participants in the 2017
Pennsylvania Forest Stewards Program,
practice using a diameter tape to mea-
sure tree diameter at breast height.
Preserving Penn’s woods
Volunteer program teaches forest management
M
ost rural Pennsylvanians live By Kathy Hackleman recreational opportunities are, where
within walking distance — Senior Editor/Writer climate change is mitigated,” Muth
if not within sight of — a notes. “By virtue of coming through
forested piece of property. They can nus a few) private consulting foresters, the training program, volunteers gain
see the beauty and mystery of what state foresters, extension foresters, and access to multiple resources and they
the forest holds, but what many don’t industry foresters to discuss how to find a cadre of like-minded individuals
understand is the delicate balance that develop or maintain a healthy forest. who care about their woods, are excit-
is required to keep a forest healthy. ed to learn more, and are passionate
Volunteer program about owning land.”
Dr. Allyson Muth, assistant research That’s where the volunteer Pennsyl- The forest stewardship program has
professor in private forest management vania Forest Stewards Program comes trained more than 750 landowners.
in the Department of Ecosystem Sci- in. Initiated as part of the 1991 Farm More than 500 remain active, spread-
ence and Management and the director Bill, it now is funded by the Pennsyl- ing their knowledge throughout the
of the Center for Private Forests at vania Department of Conservation and Commonwealth. A recent survey
Penn State University, says that of the Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry, revealed volunteers reached approxi-
total 29 million acres in Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of Agricul- mately 330,000 people during a one-
about 16.6 million acres are wooded or ture Forest Service, and administered year period.
partially wooded. A study is underway through the Center for Private Forests Nancy Baker, a Claverack Rural
to determine how many people own in cooperation with other agencies. Electric Cooperative (REC) member
an acre or more of wooded property in The focus of the program is to train who lives near Sugar Run, Pa., has
Pennsylvania, but the last completed volunteers who make a commitment been one of the most active volunteers.
survey (done in 2010) revealed almost to share what they learn about healthy A member of the “Class of 2000,” Bak-
750,000. forests. er owns 165 acres held by her family
With numbers like that, it’s difficult “The forested areas are where our since 1861. Because it belonged to her
for many landowners to gain access to drinking water comes from, where our grandparents, she spent a lot of time
the Commonwealth’s 400 (plus or mi- air pollution is cleared up, where our there as a child.
8 | AU G U ST 2 0 2 1
“My dad loved the woods, even planting and tending,” Baker explains. “The stewardship program was
though it was not his family’s land; it “There is now a new forest coming life-changing, and it gave us import-
was my mother’s family’s land,” Baker back. I won’t see it grow to maturity ant, knowledgeable contacts,” she
explains. “I was an only child and I in my lifetime, but someone else will says. “It’s not a one-and-done pro-
followed him around the woods all the have a new forest.” gram. Every year, we go to workshops,
time.” Baker constantly works to encour- do training, stay connected through
Baker, now retired, was asked as a age others to care for their woods in a emails and the newsletter. We are not
sixth-grader to consider her future responsible, sustainable way. out here on our own trying to figure
occupation. After telling the guidance “People often think the forest is out what we should be doing. People
counselor she dreamed of growing up green, so it’s OK, but you have to get often contact us, and we give them
to be a forester, the guidance coun- down into the technical weeds to tours of what we have done. We’re
selor threw cold water on her plan, understand what’s going on in a forest always trying to spread the word about
proclaiming, “Girls can’t be foresters.” and how you can help it along,” she sustainable forestry and what resourc-
Baker’s response to this news she says. “An individual can change peo- es are out there for landowners.”
calls “devastating” was to tell her dad. ple’s attitudes through sharing their Not all forest landowners live on
Ever the supportive father, he told knowledge and time. It’s important to their land.
Baker she could do anything she set look at what happened in the forest Harry Holt, a professor at West
her mind to do (he also visited the in the past, and as you look toward Chester University, has a camp in Indi-
guidance counselor who never again the future, to develop your objectives ana County, where he gets his electric-
Laura Kirt
told Baker she couldn’t be a forest- for your forest, and a plan of how you ity from REA Energy Cooperative. He
er). Baker went on to earn multiple intend to meet those objectives.” owns about 30 acres of forest, and he
degrees in ecology and forest ecology, calls participation in the stewardship
often as the only female in her classes. Learning sustainability program “a complete gamechanger.”
She worked in various countries, fi- Across the state in Bedford County, He adds, “In that class, I really
nally retiring along with her biologist/ Mike and Laura Jackson also have gained in my ability to understand
college professor husband back on her been working with the Pennsyl-
family’s land in the 1990s. vania Forest Stewards Program
“When I inherited the land, I thought, for more than two decades.
‘This is the time to do my thing on this Both retired science/biology/
land, and I had better make sure I am environmental education teach-
doing it right,’” she says. ers, they own 114 acres.
This led her to research how to care The property, originally
for a forest, which eventually pointed owned by Laura Jackson’s
her toward the Pennsylvania Forest family, was logged in the 1980s
Stewards Program. to provide funds for her parents
“Pennsylvania forests are challenged to build a new house. The Jack-
at the moment, maybe more so now sons, members of Bedford REC,
than they have been in our lifetimes,” moved there soon after and
she says. “Most of the people alive pledged they would never again
today missed the death of the chest- log the property.
nut, and many people don’t remember “That continued to be my
when we lost the elms, so they think mindset until we had the forest
of forests as being fairly resilient. stewardship training in 2000,”
But now we have the wooly adelgid she says. “What I learned was
destroying our hemlocks, the emerald that if we wanted a sustainable
ash borer destroying our ash trees, and forest, the best way to get it
even climate change.” would be to do some logging.
Baker has found herself facing I had a lot of trepidation, but
those challenges head on. She has one I knew we had a big problem
Laura Jackson
south-facing slope where a large stand with invasive plants.”
of white ash once stood. Thanks to the Eventually, the Jacksons had
emerald ash borer invasion, her ash 27 acres treated for invasive spe-
trees are gone. cies and logged, leaving the best, PROTECTING THE FOREST: Volunteer Laura Jackson
“I wanted to maintain a forest healthy trees for seed. They also takes tree measurements. Many forest landowners don’t
system there, so I have done a lot of installed an 8-foot deer fence. realize a small tree like this could be quite old.
| AU G U ST 2 0 2 1 9
Jeff Fetzer
NEIGHBORS: Nancy Baker and Brian Zeidner, big influence with his appreciation and manelli says. “Loggers will sometimes
who own adjoining forest land near Sugar Run, the passion he had for the forest and come in and say, ‘We want to cut your
Pa., rest on a 17-foot-long bluestone bench on the trees and nature.” timber.’ The landowner will agree for
Baker’s property with Miles, Zeidner’s 4-year-
old border collie. Baker calls the bench that Today, Holt plays a similar role financial reasons, and then the logger
overlooks a waterfall on Crane Creek a “forever with his nieces and nephews. But he comes in and ruins the forest, opening
bench” since it took several transport trucks, expands on his role as an educator, it up for invasive species to take over.
two forklifts and several men to put it into place. spreading the word about the impor- I have been able to educate people
tance of appropriate forest manage- and make sure they know timber is a
education and grants that are avail- ment at booths set up at Ag Progress resource, and it needs to be managed
able. Every year, I am applying what Days and the Pennsylvania Farm Show. no differently than cows or crops.”
I learned in the training. I go to as “Even folks who have 1, 2 or 3 acres Circling back to the role education
many workshops and conferences as and are trying to care for their small plays in the Pennsylvania Forest Stew-
I can and participate in Penn State lot, the stuff I have learned in this pro- ards Program, Brian Zeidner, both an
Extension webinars. … It’s a lifelong gram is very helpful, and I enjoy being employee and a member of Claverack
process. I am just one guy trying to do able to talk to people and share the REC, credits Baker with getting him
my best, trying to improve the habitat, knowledge I have gained,” he says. involved in the stewardship training in
trying to improve the timber value.” Jim Tomanelli says that while the 2020. Baker, a neighboring landowner,
Like Baker, Holt spent much of his training has been helpful in managing promoted the training so often and so
childhood in the woods learning about his 150-acre wooded plot in Clinton thoroughly that Zeidner decided to
trees and wildlife. His teacher was his County and a 25-acre partially wooded check it out. Although the training was
uncle, the late Ephe Olliver, who took lot at his home in Robesonia, the end online due to COVID-19, Zeidner says
Holt and his siblings on nature walks goal of the forest stewardship program it was beneficial for him personally
in the Monongahela National Forest is to widely disseminate the informa- with his 42-acre property and also pro-
where he was the forest supervisor. tion. fessionally in his role dealing with co-
“We would be on a walk, and he Tomanelli, a member of Tri-Coun- operative members who have concerns
would show us different trees and tell ty REC, says he “knew enough to be about tree trimming in rights-of-way.
us their names and what they were dangerous,” before participating in
used for,” Holt recalls. “He would the forest stewardship program, but it Giving back
show us how to get chewing gum from has helped him to understand how to “The program asks you to become
the sap of trees, what trees should be responsibly manage his own forest. It involved with volunteer activities
cut, what trees deer like, what wildlife has also helped him in his professional in support of the program,” Zeidner
a tree supported, what birds benefitted role as an agricultural lender with a says. “They provide the program, the
from that particular tree. I was in ele- Lebanon County bank. instruction, and the materials free of
mentary school, but it has stuck with “I get out into a lot of small farms charge. They only ask that you give
me my entire life. He was definitely a where they have some woodlots,” To- back a similar contribution to what
10 | AU G U ST 2 0 2 1you have been given — your time and “I was also shocked by how import- his wife have owned for more than
your effort. Part of my skill package ant a role forests play in water quality, 20 years is their own “little slice of
is being a good communicator, so I water storage and water filtration,” heaven.”
identified what I would be willing to Zeidner says. “I am not anti-develop- “Over the years, I have considered
give back — to talk to people, talk to ment by any means, but as a Bradford harvesting some timber from the prop-
groups and write articles.” County Conservation District director, erty, but I was always a little reluctant
Zeidner says he enjoyed the training and given my involvement in farmland because I knew there was a lot I didn’t
and didn’t want it to end. preservation, I was really struck by know,” he says. “I did, however, under-
“I was totally floored by the quality how conserving natural resources and stand that once I cut a hardwood tree,
and breadth of the training,” he says. preserving land and the rural way of that would have a lasting implication
“I grew up in the woods, hunting, fish- life really dovetails with good forestry for my lifetime. I am so glad I didn’t do
ing and farming, but I never realized management and best management anything before I took the class because
how much I didn’t know until I took practices.” my timber management decisions will
this class.” Zeidner said he also learned the be much more responsible. Anything I
Among the things he learned — and importance of developing a forest decide to harvest in the years to come
now shares with others — is the art management plan. will both accommodate my own goals
and science of managing a forest. This “This should include how I want to and sustain my woodlot.”
includes identifying the impacts of use the property now, how I want to Just as Baker’s education outreach
invasive trees, plants, and insects, and use it in the future, and what I want as a volunteer with the Pennsylvania
the extensive damage done by deer, it to be when I am dead and gone,” Forest Stewards Program influenced
and proactively working to mitigate he says. “It’s important to think about Zeidner, his hope is to carry on that
those impacts. those things and talk about them with influence through educating others.
your heirs or individuals who will be Readers who are interested in
EVALUATION FIRST: In 2019, Rob Christopher,
left, and Joe Anczarski evaluate a proposed
involved in the future management of learning more about the Pennsylvania
timber harvest to determine if it will lead to a the resources.” Forest Stewards Program may email
sustainable outcome. Zeidner says the property he and Muth at abm173@psu.edu. l
Barb Sellers
| AU G U ST 2 0 2 1 11timelines
Your Newsmagazine Through the Years
2011
2001
Northeastern
Pennsylvania’s
lush forests and
mountains provide
breathtaking vistas,
dramatic overlooks
— and spectacular
waterfalls.
1991
The nation throws
huge homecoming
parties for troops
returning from
Desert Storm, many
of whom were from
small-town America.
2011 marked 10 years since the deadliest terrorist attack on
U.S. soil. Religious extremists hijacked four planes on Sept. 11,
2001, and used them as weapons to kill nearly 3,000 innocent 1981
Americans. One of the airliners, Flight 93, slammed into a field Life is a series of
in rural Somerset County, which became the final resting place delicate ecological
for 40 American heroes. Many say the war on terror began in balances and
trade-offs, a chain
the skies over Pennsylvania, where the men and women fought of events that
the hijackers for control of the plane with makeshift weapons, eventually affects
including pots of hot coffee and kitchen utensils. everyone and
The tragedy turned the tiny community of Shanksville, popu- everything.
lation 250, into a household name.
On the 10th observance of the attacks in New York City,
Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, the National Park Service
dedicated the first phase of the Flight 93 National Memorial, a
2,200-acre landscape tribute built at the crash site. 1971
Flight 93 was the only hijacked airliner on Sept. 11, 2001, U.S. Sen. Richard
that didn’t reach its intended target, which was believed to be Schweiker (R-Pa.)
the U.S. Capitol Building. Two others destroyed the World Trade joins students
Center, and another was flown into the Pentagon. representing
Pennsylvania
Today, the completed memorial features the 93-foot-high cooperatives during
“Tower of Voices” with 40 wind chimes (one for each victim), the annual Rural
the Wall of Names with 40 inscribed white marble panels, an Electric Youth Tour
overlook, and a visitor center. in Washington, D.C.
12 | AU G U ST 2 0 2 1cooperativeconnection
REA Energy
Guest Column
Cooperative, Inc.
REA
ENERGY
Annual meeting update
By Stacy Hilliard, CCC, CKAE
One of 14 electric cooperatives Communications & Marketing Manager
serving Pennsylvania and New Jersey
REA Energy Cooperative, Inc. REA Energy’s annual meeting is Thank you!
75 Airport Road • P.O. Box 70 scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. Your board of directors, manage-
Indiana, PA 15701-0070
724-349-4800 • 800-211-5667 Due to ongoing concerns regard- ment and employees want to extend
Ebensburg District Office ing COVID-19 and to protect the our sincerest thank you to our mem-
127 Municipal Road health and safety of our members and bers for your patience and understand-
Ebensburg, PA 15931 employees, the decision was made to ing throughout this unprecedented
814-472-8570
Website: www.reaenergy.com conduct the meeting online only again time. As we move forward, we look
Email: reaenergy@reaenergy.com this year. forward to continuing to serve you
Staff Information for logging on to the with the same excellent service as we
Barry Baker virtual platform will be included on have over the past 84 years. l
Indiana Operations Manager the Annual Meeting Notice.
Erin Bauer
ACRE Coordinator To register for the annual meeting,
Shane Cribbs
Network & Systems Manager
go to reaenergy.com and click on IMPORTANT
the button that says Annual Meeting
Dave Daugherty
Safety & Right of Way Manager Registration prior to 3 p.m. on Sept. 16, NOTICE!
Jeff Dishong 2021. This will admit you to the Virtual Beginning July 27, REA
Ebensburg Operations Supervisor Annual Meeting and entitles the named
Lisa Gardill
member(s) a chance to win a door Energy’s Ebensburg
Accounting & Finance Manager
Stacy Hilliard, CCC, CKAE prize. District Office will be
Communications & Marketing Manager REA Energy will once again be hold-
Local Pages Editor closed on Tuesdays and
Chris Masterson ing a Member Appreciation Month in
Reliability Supervisor October. Members who are not able to Thursdays through
Patrick McAndrew
Manager of Engineering
participate in the online meeting can Sept. 17. The office will
Bryon Roland present their Annual Meeting Member operate at the normal hours
Purchasing & Facilities Manager Card (bottom portion of their Annual
Brendan Short Meeting Notice) to receive a gift pack- on Mondays, Wednesdays,
Right-of-Way/Forestry Supervisor
Renee Spalla et. This will be given on a first-come, and Fridays, closing
Supervisor of Consumer Services first-served basis. Only one gift packet 11 a.m. -11:30 a.m. daily
Chris Weller per membership will be given, while
Load Management Supervisor
quantities last. *If you participated in for lunch. Members can
Outages & Emergencies
1-800-332-7273 and received the $10 bill credit for the utilize the night drop box
724-463-7273 online meeting, you will not be eligible if the office is closed.
Office Hours to get a gift packet.
Indiana Office: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. In the event that the COVID-19 Payments put there will be
Ebensburg Office:
7 - 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
situation in our area requires that our processed daily, Monday -
Monday - Friday lobbies be closed, members will be Friday, excluding holidays.
able to receive their gift packet at the
Indiana drive-thru window. At our The office will reopen to
Ebensburg office, members will need five days a week starting
to come to the front entrance and an Monday, Sept. 20.
employee will set the packet outside.
| AU G U ST 2 0 2 1 12area energy cooperative, inc
Communicating cooperative news
At REA Energy, our top priority is de- 92.5 or WLCY-FM 106.3. Members REA Energy Cooperative, Inc. and
livering reliable, efficient electricity to closer to Punxsutawney can get news “Like” the page.
our members at the best price possible. on WPXZ-FM 104.1, WECZ-AM 1540 Website — Members can visit
Another priority is keeping members or WKQL-FM 103.3. In the Cambria reaenergy.com to get updates on out-
aware of what is going on at your County area, listen to WFGI-FM 95.5, age restoration, learn more about the
cooperative by communicating through WKYE-FM 96.5 and WJHT-FM 92.1. cooperative, get information on the
various types of media. Newspaper — The cooperative various products and services offered,
The past year has shown us how submits press releases to newspapers and keep abreast of news and informa-
important that communication with in the area for outage restoration news, tion. From the website, members can
our membership is, especially when it planned outages and general infor- also access the great local and national
involves sharing up-to-date changes to mation about the cooperative. This savings deals available through the
the way we operate. information is sent to: The Indiana Co-op Connections Card Program. l
Picture this — it is a cold, stormy Gazette, Tribune Review, Punxsut-
night. Freezing rain is falling steadily awney Spirit, Tribune-Democrat
throughout the area, gathering on and Altoona Mirror.
branches and power lines. While your Facebook — With the pop-
lights may have blinked a few times, ularity of social media growing
power has remained on. Then some- exponentially over the last several
where down the road, a branch gives years, REA Energy developed a
way and falls onto the electric line, company page on Facebook to
causing the power to go out. After provide members with news about
reporting your outage, you are curious the cooperative, up-to-the-minute
when power may be restored and outage restoration news and other
how the cooperative is affected by the general cooperative news. With the
outages. growing use of smartphones, mem-
To keep our members up-to-date in bers can quickly get information
the event of extended outages and to from sites such
provide general information about the as Facebook,
cooperative, REA Energy has many where infor-
options regarding how to deliver news. mation heard
These include: on the radio
Radio — REA sends outage infor- or read in the
mation to local radio stations when newspaper may
there are large power outages, as well not be the most
as when emergency work is needed current news
on short notice. If you live in the available. Visit
Indiana area, tune into: WDAD-AM facebook.com,
1450, WCCS-AM 1160, WQMU-FM search for
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) decided to cancel
the 2021 Rural Electric Youth Tour. The Youth Tour gives students who are entering their senior year of high school the
opportunity to see the sights of Washington, D.C., and to learn about our nation’s government and the role of rural elec-
tric cooperatives.
In 2021, REA Energy gave students who would have been eligible to apply for the Youth Tour the chance to compete
for a one-time scholarship. Students were required to submit an application and write an essay on: “What role do you
see cooperatives taking in the future as trends continue toward offering more renewable energy sources of electricity?”
We are pleased to announce we had several wonderful essays and will be awarding a one-time scholarship to the
following students: Nevada Armstrong, Andrew Bertolino, Katelyn Beyer, Elizabeth Bruner, Lilly Ryer, Allison Semetoskey
and Joseph Vaglia. Congratulations to all!
12b | AU G U ST 2 0 2 1Recent storms in our service terri-
tory have resulted in trees falling on
our power lines, creating a potentially
dangerous situation.
If you come across downed power
lines, DO NOT attempt to move them
or the object that brought the lines
down. There is no way to tell if the
line is energized and by attempting
to move it, you could be seriously
injured or killed. Our line personnel
have the specialized training and the
required safety equipment to remove
objects on our power lines.
If you come across downed power
lines on a roadway, again, DO NOT
attempt to move them yourself. First,
call 911 to report the situation, and
then call the local electric utility (in
our area, that is REA Energy Cooper-
ative at 800-332-7273 or Penelec at
888-544-4877).
Theft of electric service is a serious crime
It is illegal and very dangerous to tamper with electric meters or any other electric utility
equipment. Attempting to bypass, reconnect, or otherwise tamper with electric meters can
cause electrocution, resulting in severe burns or even death. Tampering could also cause
fires resulting in further personal injury and loss of property.
In an effort to discourage tampering, REA Energy
Cooperative will use every legal means to discourage
this dangerous practice. This includes prosecuting
offenders for theft of electric service. All cases of theft
of electric service or any other tampering with utility
equipment will be referred to the police for prosecu-
tion, which could result in fines and a criminal record.
The amount of money or electricity involved makes
no difference. Safety is the issue. After all, no amount
of money can replace a human life.
| AU G U ST 2 0 2 1 12crea energy cooperative, inc
IMPORTANT
Right-of-way management/facility
construction news
REA Energy contractors will be completing
NOTICE!
tree-trimming work in the following areas for the
month of August:
k Contractor crews from Penn Line Tree Service
will be trimming the rights-of-way of the Ams-
REA Energy offices will bry, Belsano, Reese, Smithport and Wilmore
be closed Substation areas, in addition to emergency
maintenance areas.
Monday, Sept. 6, in Notification of work will be made to members
observance of in the areas affected. Contractors will perform
all right-of-way work per REA Energy specifica-
Labor Day and will also tions. All contractor employees will carry em-
ployee identification cards and their vehicles will
be closed Thursday, display their company name.
Sept. 9, 2021. Please call If you have any questions, call 724-349-4800,
or view the specifications at reaenergy.com.
724-463-7273 or
800-332-7273 to report REA Energy Cooperative, Inc.
Annual Meeting
any power outages. Sept. 16, 2021
Payments can be placed 6:30 p.m. • Call to Order and Statement of a Quorum
• Reading of Notices
in the drop box at both •
•
Action on 2020 Minutes
Election Results
locations, or via • Chairman’s Report
• President and CEO’s Report
our online • Unfinished Business
Member Portal at
• New Business
• Questions & Answers
reaenergy.com. •
•
Adjournment
Awarding of Prizes
Your Board of Directors
Michael J. Bertolino Wayne Farabaugh Robert P. Neese Sandra Dill Tom Beresnyak Anthony Enciso Thomas Aurandt John R. Learn J.R. “Rick” Shope
Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary/Treasurer District 9 District 1 District 7 District 4 District 6 District 2
District 3 District 8 District 5
REA Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
12d | AU G U ST 2 0 2 1When it comes to severe weather...
hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
You can begin your preparation by ____ Drinking water & food
assembling an emergency preparedness ____ Blankets, pillows, & clothing
____ Basic first-aid supplies
kit, which includes items to help keep your
____ Medications
family safe and comfortable during a power ____ Basic toiletries
outage. Your kit should include items such ____ Flashlights
as water, non-perishable food, flashlight, ____ Battery-operated radio
batteries, blankets, and a first aid kit. ____ Extra supply of batteries
____ Cell phone with chargers
____ Cash and credit cards
____ Basic tools (duct tape, wrench, etc.)
____ Important documents & numbers
____ Toys, books, & games
____ Baby supplies
____ Pet suppliesADVERTISEMENT
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Seniors born before 1956 get big boost
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Seniors born Instantly connects Comes with new All seniors born Nothing to hook Sleek new mod-
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seniors born before casino. You are never
1956, it’s a deal too alone. With just a sin- People don’t no cont r ac t s ,
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Starting at pre- Touch E Button you their doctor says, no monthly bills
cisely 8:30 am this instantly get con-
morning the Pre- nected to free unlim- but when sea- ever.
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device that comes rence, Executive
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FastHelp™ One- Development for says every senior do c t or s wea r
Touch E 911 Button U.S. based Universal should have a every day. Se-
that instantly con- Physicians. medical alert de- niors love them,
nects you to unlim- “ We’ve never vice, you better because it actu-
ited nationwide help seen anything like
every where cell it. Consumers abso- listen up. ally makes them
service is available lutely love the sleek “Sen iors a re look important,
with no contracts, new modern design just one fall away are snapping up a sleek new medi- not old ,” D r.
no deposits and no and most of all, the from being put in cal alert device that comes with no Howren said.
monthly bills ever. instant rebate that
“It’s not like old practically pays for it a nursing home,” monthly bills ever,” he said. Fa s t H e l p i s
style monitored and no monthly bills Dr. Howren said. Many seniors refuse to wear old expected to hit
help buttons that ever,” Lawrence said. “With a medi- style help buttons because they make store shelves lat-
make you talk to a FastHelp is the cal alert device, them look old. But even worse, those er this year. But
call center, only work sleek new medical seniors are never medical alert systems come with special newspa-
when you’re at home alert device with
and come with hefty the best of combina- alone. So it keeps monthly bills. per promotional
bills every month. tions: a quality, high- them living inde- To solve these problems Universal giveaways are
FastHelp comes with tech engineered pendently in Physicians, a U.S. company, went slated for se -
state-of-the-art cel- device that’s also their own home. to work to develop a new, modern, niors in select
lular embedded tech- an extremely great
nology. That means value because there T h at ’s why state-of-the-art medical alert de- areas that call
it works at home or are no monthly bills seniors and their vice. It’s called “FastHelp™” and it 1-800-275-0444
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(Continued on next page)ADVERTISEMENT
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(Continued from previous page)
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comes with no con- dominated by two them look old. Well, risking their angel. I’m so glad my
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tracts, no depos- main combatants that’s not the case safety by not hav- the alert button, I
its and no monthly who both offer old w i t h Fa s t H e l p . ing a medical alert for me.”
got straight through
bills ever – which style monitored T h at ’s b e c au s e d e v i c e . T h a t ’s to help and they - Pete, FL
makes FastHelp help buttons that it’s the first state because seniors answered me
a great choice for come with a hefty of the art medi- just can’t afford immediately. I live Everyone should
seniors, students bill every month. cal aler t dev ice to pay the monthly out in the country have it
and professionals But now Universal designed to make bills that come with and my cell phone “I’ve been telling
because it connects Physicians, the U.S. you look impor- old style medical doesn’t always get everyone to get one.
to one of the larg- based heavyweight, tant, not old. Old alert devices. reception... that was Thanks to the folks
est nationwide net- just delivered a style monitored T hat’s why not a problem with at FastHelp for taking
works everywhere knockout blow send- help buttons you seniors born before my FastHelp device.” good care of people
cell service is avail- ing the top rated wear around your 1956 are rushing to
- Walter, TN when they need it.”
able for free. contenders to the neck, or require cash in the whop-
And here’s the mat with the unveil- e x p en s i ve b a s e ping $150 instant - Mark, IA
best part. All those ing of FastHelp. It’s station equipment rebate before the 7 LIFESAVER
who already have an the sleek new cellu- or a landline are day deadline ends. “When I got my Love my unit and feel
old style monitored lar embedded medi- the equivalent of a S o t here’s no FastHelp I never much safer
medical alert but- cal alert device that horse and buggy, need to wait for thought I’d have to “I am a 68 year old
ton can immediately cuts out the middle- it’s just outdated. FastHelp to hit use it, but when I fell recent widow. Standing
eliminate those man by instantly Millions of store shelves later and broke my hip it on a chair to put my
monthly bills, which con necting you seniors fall every this year because saved my life.” tree topper on this
is why Universal directly to highly yea r a nd spend seniors born before - Harold, OH Christmas I thought
Physicians is trained 911 opera- hours lying on the 1956 can get it now ‘What if I fell?’ Saw
widely advertising tors all across the floor helpless and just by using the your ad and ordered my
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nationwide. lutely nothing to help. coupon printed in - Megan, CA
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device was too com- land line and you diate help are much deadline ends. If customers as reported
plicated or expen- don’t need a cell more likely to avoid lines are busy keep and came in a few to Universal Physicians.
minutes.” Universal Physicians
sive, you’ll want to phone. Everything getting sent to a trying, all calls will rated these customer
get FastHelp, the is done for you. ■ nursing home and be answered. ■ - Irving, PA reviews 5 stars
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IS NOT AVAILABLE SUCH AS IN REMOTE AREAS. FASTHELP USES GPS TRIANGULATIONS TO APPROXIMATE YOUR LOCATION WHEN YOUR DEVICE IS TURNED ON. DR. HOWREN IS A COMPENSATED MEDICAL ADVISOR. OH RESIDENTS ADD
6.5% SALES TAX. UNIVERSAL PHYSICIANS 7747 SUPREME AVE, NORTH CANTON, OH 44720. P7328 OF22286R-1countrykitchen
Connect with local farmers
By Anne M. Kirchner
S
ummer is coming to an end. I hope you are taking advantage of the local farm-
ers market, a place where you can reconnect with the earth and support family Trained in public relations, Anne
M. Kirchner focuses her writing
farmers. Many fruits and vegetables are at their peak of freshness during Au- on human connections, travel
gust. A stroll through market booths will lift your spirits. You’ll see colorful organic and culinary arts. She enjoys
produce and meet the people who grow your food. researching food origins,
exploring cooking techniques
Regular trips to the farmers market open opportunities for discovering many and creating new recipes.
products. Look for heirloom tomatoes, melons, sweet corn, mushrooms, raw honey
and more. Often the farmers market setting also offers mouth-watering breads and pastries, the perfect Saturday morning treat.
Looking for a pick-me-up gift? Consider purchasing fresh-cut flowers or seasonal arrangements offered at the market.
When you shop at the farmers market, you will learn more about how and where your food is produced. Vendors are often pas-
sionate cooks. They know their products, and they know how to prepare the produce they are selling. So be sure to take advantage
of the free advice they have to offer. This month’s recipes are dedicated to the family farmer — those who provide sustainable agri-
culture to our communities.
Summer Squash & Corn Soup Heat oil in stock pot and add green onions, garlic, yel-
low squash, zucchini, and Italian herbs; cook until veg-
2 tablespoons olive oil 3 1/2 cups chicken etables soften. Add chicken stock; simmer 10 minutes.
6 green onions, chopped stock Transfer mixture to food processor and puree to desired
2 cloves garlic, minced 6 ears corn, grilled consistency. Return mixture to stock pot. Cut corn off
2 medium yellow 1 tablespoon lemon the cobs and add kernels to soup pot. Simmer over
squash, diced juice medium heat until the corn is heated. Remove from
2 medium zucchini, Salt and pepper heat; add lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and
diced Feta cheese serve in soup bowls garnished with feta cheese. Makes
1 tablespoon Italian 8 to 10 servings.
herbs
Spicy Cucumber Melon Salad Place honeydew melon, watermelon, cucumbers and
red onion in a serving bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk
1/2 honeydew melon, 1/4 cup lime juice together sugar, lime juice, cilantro, red pepper flakes,
diced 2 tablespoons cilantro, salt and pepper. Pour dressing over salad ingredients
1/4 small watermelon, chopped and toss gently to combine. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours;
diced 3/4 teaspoon crushed drain salad if needed before serving. Makes 20 to 25
1 1/2 cucumbers, red pepper flakes
peeled and diced servings.
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 red onion, diced 1/2 teaspoon black
1/4 cup sugar pepper
Garden Breakfast Bread Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x5-inch loaf pan
with cooking spray; set aside. Blend the flour, whole
1 1/2 cups flour 2 eggs wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a
1/2 cup whole wheat 6 tablespoons canola oil medium bowl. Whisk the sugar and eggs together in
flour 1/2 cup Greek yogurt a separate bowl; add oil and yogurt and whisk again.
1 teaspoon baking 3/4 cup zucchini, Add the liquids to the flour mixture and stir until just
powder shredded combined. Add the shredded zucchini, squash and
1/2 teaspoon baking 3/4 cup yellow squash, carrots; stir to blend. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake
soda shredded for 60 to 70 minutes or until a tester inserted in the
1/2 teaspoon kosher 1/2 cup carrots,
salt center comes out clean. Cool the bread for 20 minutes;
shredded
1/2 cup sugar then remove from the pan onto a wire rack. Cool com-
pletely before slicing. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
16 | AU G U ST 2 0 2 1You can also read
