Working Hard After March Storm and Beyond - Mid-South Synergy
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Working Hard After March Storm and Beyond
MESSAGE FROM
GENERAL MANAGER, KERRY KELTON
POWER OUTAGES CAUSED BY STORMS LIKE THE ONE THAT HIT THE So often, they leave their children’s birthday parties or holiday
Huntsville area March 18 mean plain old hard work. The storm gatherings to make sure power is restored for our members.
affected more than 6,200 meters. Swift and successful restoration Their passion for line work runs deep, and I appreciate the value
efforts are critical to maintaining a high level of member satisfac- they bring to our cooperative.
tion. The expectation and mission of the entire Mid-South Synergy The team in our office provides critical support to the line-
team is always to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. men in the field. Dispatchers maintain order and help ensure
One of the shining qualities of the employees who serve you safety. Operations staff coordinate contract crews to assist with
is that they perform at their highest level in the face of disaster. restoration efforts and make sure materials are delivered in the
Heading out to do their jobs, they leave their spouses and kids field. Member services representatives answer your calls so you
at home, many times without power themselves, because they can speak to a real person. The human resources team organizes
live in the same communities affected by the severe weather. We food delivery to the hungry linemen. Our GIS team assists with
experience the same winds, rain, lightning and fallen trees as our damage assessment by thoroughly documenting damage and
members. providing pictures for social media.
A select few can answer the call to work long shifts, knee- Outage restoration is indeed hard work. The employees who
deep in mud or 40 feet in the air, tired and hungry. Nothing stops serve our members work long hours so you can have the best ex-
them; nothing deters them. They are heroes during disastrous perience possible during disaster situations. I sincerely appreci-
storms. They are your electric cooperative linemen. If you see ate all the positive comments we’ve received on social media and
one of them, whether in a bucket truck or at the corner store, I over the phone. Encouragement from our members is the fuel
encourage you to say thank you and shake their hand if you can. we need to press forward during those late nights of hard work.
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Walker County Master Gardeners
IN MARCH, GRAY SKIES BEGIN TO GIVE WAY TO
warm sunshine. It’s when Texans start prepar-
ing for a treasured pastime: gardening! Hobby-
ist gardeners make plans for vegetable gardens,
flower beds and backyard projects.
Many of us struggle to find the proper pH
balance, the right compost ratio and plants
that will be successful in certain sunlight con-
ditions. If you wrestle with similar questions,
the Walker County Master Gardeners are your
source for trusted answers. They are a volunteer
group working through the Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension Service with a mission to spread the
message of horticulture in Texas. Each year, the
master gardeners host spring and fall plant sales
along with multiple events that educate the com-
munity and provide high-quality and well-priced
plants for the public to purchase.
On March 10, a line formed at the Walker
County Ag Extension office, full of eager garden-
ers ready to enjoy the master gardeners’ spring
sale. If you want to have first pick next time,
you’d better get there early! Hundreds of people
from multiple counties make the drive to the sale
on Highway 75 North, just a few miles north of
Huntsville and directly across the road from the
Mid-South Synergy office.
There is no shortage of smiling faces and great
experiences at the sale, and there are many other
things to experience besides picking out strong
and healthy plants. You can find a booth with
seeds for sale, which are accompanied by free in-
structions on how to help them grow into a high-
yield crop or bright and beautiful flowers. Folks
also can buy tasty baked goods, raffle tickets,
gardening books, 5-gallon buckets of mushroom
compost and honey from local beekeepers.
In fact, the Walker County Beekeepers Asso-
ciation is a big attraction at the plant sale. The
growing group is now so large and popular that
it relocated its monthly meeting to the Walker
Education Center at 1402 19th St. in Huntsville.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. on the last Thurs-
day of each month. The association’s efforts to
maintain productive hives is critical to success-
ful gardens in the area. Bees are major pollinators of our world— and Fall Plant Sale are upcoming fun activities for youngsters
without healthy beehives, we would not have plants! and the whole family. Mark your calendar for September 29
The WCBA also offers a “swarm service” to assist homeown- this year so you can enjoy the Fall Plant Sale. More native Texas
ers and businesses with unwanted hives. They safely remove the plants will be for sale, along with fruit trees, nut trees, herbs and
bees and relocate them to an area where they can be productive many other beautiful plants. At the eighth annual Butterfly Fes-
without causing problems for people. Call the Walker County Ag tival, monarch butterflies will be tagged and released for scien-
Extension office at (936) 435-2426 to find a beekeeper near you. tific research. The kids can have fun with crafts, face painting,
The Walker County Master Gardeners’ Butterfly Festival bubbles and a treasure hunt. The festival is hosted at the Walker
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County Ag Extension office; a date will be confirmed on their nization of individuals who invest more than 8,000 volunteer
Facebook page soon. hours in our community by educating the public about best gar-
The Master Gardeners’ first Garden Expo will take place Feb- dening practices. To learn how to join this group of volunteers
ruary 23–24, 2019, at the Walker County Fairgrounds. Attendees and become a master gardener, visit the group’s Facebook page
will enjoy workshops, special speakers, vendors and kids’ activ- or the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension website at txmg.org.
ities. Every dollar raised will go toward a scholarship program, We are proud to provide our friends and neighbors at the
operating expenses and future facility projects. Walker County Master Gardeners with electricity, and we invite
The Walker County Master Gardeners are a nonprofit orga- you to support their efforts in our community.
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A Word About Your Capital Credits
AS A COOPERATIVE, MID-SOUTH SYNERGY IS A NONPROFIT BUSI-
ness owned by its members. Like any well-run business,
each year, Mid-South Synergy reinvests a portion of its
margins (revenue left over after all expenses are paid) to pay
for facility repairs, equipment, system upgrades and other
necessary improvements. After the period of investment,
these margins are returned to our members; the amount
of each return depends on the amount each member paid
during the year.
Each year, the board of directors determines the portion
of capital credits that can be returned to the cooperative Since 1998, Mid-South Synergy has returned more than
membership while still ensuring the co-op’s financial health. $4 million to co-op members in the form of capital credits.
SEVERE WEATHER
Are You
Ready?
Some years, lightning strikes kill Do not seek shelter under a tree— Inside a car is relatively safe, but do
more Americans than tornadoes or they are easy targets. not touch interior metal.
hurricanes. Don’t take chances with Move to low ground and avoid open If your hair stands on end, you may
this deadly force of nature. fields. be a target. Crouch low on the balls
Whether at the beach or in a swim- of your feet and keep your knees and
Go inside a building and stay away ming pool, get out of the water im- hands off the ground.
from windows and doors. mediately.
Avoid electric appliances and metal Do not touch metal objects, such as Mid-South Synergy encourages you
plumbing, and stay off the phone. golf clubs or bicycles. to always practice safety.
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SAVE THE DATE!
MID-SOUTH SYNERGY
ANNUAL
MEETING
Friday, June 15
Walker County Fairgrounds
Huntsville
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Madison County Fair
SINCE THE FOUNDING OF OUR NATION, FARMING AND RANCHING HAVE BEEN WAYS OF
life. Organizations like 4-H and FFA help our youths reach their fullest potential as
capable, competent, caring and contributing citizens. The employees of Mid-South
Synergy are proud supporters of the Madison County Fair, and we extend a special
salute to all the hard work and dedication of the fair’s participants.
BART OS Z LUCZAK | I S T OCK.COM
DR PEPPER
PULLED PORK
SANDWICHES
3–4 pounds pork loin
Pork seasonings (seasoned salt, cracked
black pepper, garlic powder, mustard
powder or cayenne)
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 sweet onions, thinly sliced
3/4 cup barbecue sauce
12–20 ounces Dr Pepper
For this recipe, you can season the
pork loin simply, with salt and pepper,
or use your favorite seasoning salt or
mix of spices and herbs.
1. Coat a slow cooker with nonstick
cooking spray or brush with oil.
2. Season the pork loin generously
(can be done the night before), coat
with garlic and place it in the slow
cooker.
3. Top the pork with onion slices and
barbecue sauce, then pour in enough
Dr Pepper to cover.
4. Cook on low heat about 8 hours or
on high 4 hours.
5. Shred the meat with two forks,
allowing the mixture to soak up the
sauce. Serve on buns with extra sauce,
sliced onions and pickles.
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Synergy Spot
TEXAS CO-OP POWER
Want Solar Power? MID-SOUTH SYNERGY EDITION
MAY 2018
Synergy Solar offers members a rate of 11.5
cents per kilowatt-hour/month, or $11.50
per block/month, guaranteed for five years.
Our members can rest easy knowing that
their rate is secured for the future.
For our residential members who par-
ticipate, Synergy Solar proves to be acces-
sible, affordable and renewable by offering
7625 HIGHWAY 6
a maintenance-free program. To find out
NAVASOTA, TX 77868
more, please call us at (936) 825-5100 or
email synergyspot@midsouthsynergy.com.
TEL 936.825.5100
TOLL-FREE 888.525.6677
FAX 936.825.5166
Relay for Life Recap MIDSOUTHSYNERGY.COM
THE MID-SOUTH SYNERGY RELAY FOR
Life team raised more than $5,000 for
cancer research. Every penny raised
is delivered to the American Cancer We’d love
Society to help fight for a cure. Team
members invested their personal time,
to hear from you!
money and resources to help others. Have an interesting story or
Mid-South Synergy is proud of these local community event?
great employees for their service and
Or simply tell us how we’re doing!
dedication to our community.
Synergy Spot
P.O. Box 970
Navasota, TX 77868
synergyspot@midsouthsynergy.com
Memorial Day Happy
Mother’s Day
MO MCI LOG | IS TOCK .COM
Mid-South Synergy will be closed
Monday, May 28, in observance
of the holiday. Sunday, May 13
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