manager`s message - Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation

JUNE 2016
MANAGER’S MESSAGE
At Brunswick Electric we know three things really well: that
the member is the reason we exist; the importance of safe,
reliable electricity; and how to restore power after storms.
BEMC has had plenty of experience with major storms
and hurricanes. Some of you may never have experienced a
hurricane, but even those of us who are storm veterans may
need to be reminded how to prepare and what to expect
June 1 through November 30.
Last June we produced and distributed
a free hurricane preparation guide. If you
received one last year, this is a good time to
pull it out and review it. If you didn’t get one,
we have extra copies at each of our offices,
or you can download it at bemc.org. Just click
on Storm Center/Safety, and then choose
What to do Before, During and After a Storm.
Your co-op has prepared for, and successfully weathered,
many hurricanes during our long history. It’s our preparedness
that helps prevent outages during storms, and ensures your
power is restored as quickly and safely as possible in the
event of one. BEMC’s commitment to maintaining a clear
Right-of-Way means that we are continually keeping the path
to our poles clear. Year round we’re removing vegetation
at least 15 feet from our poles and overhead lines, which
reduces the risk of falling branches that can create a power
outage. And we were one of the first co-ops in the nation to
install widespread underground lines in coastal areas. Now,
throughout our entire service area, we install the majority of
new distribution lines underground to extend that protection.
We’re prepared, and want you to be too, so please review
the hurricane preparation guide, and share it with your loved
ones. Hopefully we’ll have no significant storms this year, but
if we do, you’ll know that you and your co-op are ready for
them. And if there is a storm approaching, one of the best
ways to find out what is happening is by following Brunswick
Electric on Facebook. You can also see an outage map at
bemc.org. Thanks for your membership, and know that
everything we do, every day, is with you in mind.
Don Hughes,
CEO/General Manager
June 2016 | Page 21
Teachers, it’s time to start thinking about your Bright Ideas!
Once again, BEMC’s grants of up to
$2,000 will be available to local educators
for creative, hands-on classroom
projects that otherwise would not be
funded through the traditional school
budget. Teachers may apply individually
or as a team and must apply online, and
those who submit their applications
by the early bird deadline of August 15,
2016 will be entered into a drawing for
a $100 Visa gift card. Applications and
additional information may be found
online at ncbrightideas.com or bemc.org.
Since its founding in 1994 at BEMC,
this program has been adopted by all 26
North Carolina electric cooperatives.
The results since its founding in 1994:
Bright Ideas
grants totaling
$10.2 million
have been given
to teachers
across the state
Funding
more than
9,800
projects
Reaching
more than
2 million
students
Two scholarship winners awarded $5,000 each
Congratulations to all our area high school graduates! BEMC
is pleased to announce the 2016 recipients of our $5,000
college scholarships.
Meghan Gore from South Columbus High School plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill to
study linguistics. She is the daughter of Catherine and Jeremy Gore of Nakina.
Samuel Zeng from West Brunswick High School plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill to study
economics. He is the son of
Margaret Zeng of Shallotte.
Now in its 8th year,
the Brunswick Electric Scholarship Highway program
recognizes academic and civic excellence. Awards are
based on academic achievement, SAT scores, participation
in community and school-related activities, an essay, and
letters of reference.
This year’s essay topic was “What is the greatest energy
issue facing your generation, and how can young people
be part of the solution?”
Meghan
Gore
Samuel
Zeng
Basketball Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to Imani Vaught of Shallotte Middle School and Kyle Wagner, also of Shallotte Middle
School. They will both attend basketball camps on full scholarships from Brunswick Electric Membership
Corporation. Kyle will attend the all-boys Roy Williams Carolina Basketball Camp, June 18-22, at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Imani will attend the all-girls Wolfpack Basketball Camp, June
12-15, at North Carolina State University.
The rising 7th graders were selected by a panel of judges based on an application that included academic
achievements, extracurricular activities, an essay and a short-answer question. This summer marks the 11th
year that Touchstone Energy cooperatives have sent young achievers to basketball camps.
Kyle is the son of Fritz and Cheryl Wagner of Shallotte.
Imani is the daughter of Shannon Smith of Supply.
Page 22 | June 2016
Get your
SmartHub Guide:
a great way to manage
your energy use!
Your Smart Guide To
USING SMARTHUB
Enjoy free & convenient ways to manage
your electric usage & payments!
First to sign up for community solar
Glenn and Ginger Cannon of Sunset Beach are the first BEMC members to
participate in the Community Solar project!
A 30-year veteran of the electric utility industry, Mr. Cannon has a long history
with renewable energy. He served as general manager of a municipal electric
system in Iowa and was very involved in the integration of renewable energy to the
grid, including the first wind turbine project in Iowa in 1993.
Cannon said, “I really like the idea of local community solar, where the local
power company experts take care of installation and maintenance. I’ve done a lot of
research and read the trade magazines on it. I also had a solar suitability assessment
done at my home, and it reported too much tree cover for solar to be effective. For
us, community solar is just the right thing to do.”
Using this SmartHub app just
makes me feel so.......smart!
Can’t
wait
toto
show
Can’t
wait
show
Candace
what
I found
Candace
what
I found
out
onon
SmartHub
out
SmartHub
BEMC produced a Smart Guide
to Using SmartHub to help you
better understand how to use
this free and easy-to-use app.
We’ve enclosed it with this issue of
Carolina Country, and hope you’ll
find it useful and fun to read. Share
it with your family and take control
of your energy bill.
Left to right: Monte Herring - BEMC Manager of Distributive Generation/Renewables,
Glenn Cannon, Don Hughes - BEMC CEO and General Manager
New, improved look for your BEMC bill
We have streamlined the look of your electric bill to better serve you
Who do I
call with
questions?
Know
what’s
below.
Call before you dig.
Call 811 because knowing where
underground utility lines are
buried before you dig will help
protect you from injury and
prevent service disruptions or
potential fines and repair costs.
Whether you’re planting a shrub
or installing a deck, every job
requires a call!
What do
I owe &
when is it
due?
My meter
& reading
details.
How much
electricity
am I using?
Return
bottom
portion
with
payment.
How to
pay my
electric bill.
This
mark is
coding to
assist the
inserter
equipment.
June 2016 | Page 23
ARE fiberglass Tonneau cover, fits 6’ truck bed, custom
for 2014 Chevy Silverado, nearly new, bed liner included,
$550; 287-5100
2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic, black, 20K miles,
$4,200; 287-5732
Tractor, MF275, 1980-81, 2WD, good working condition,
low hours, includes Hardy RW60 cutter, $7,500; 712-4606
Ski boat, 19’ with trailer, 350 inboard, garage kept,
$6,500; 640-8669
Golf clubs, old set of woods/irons, bag, assorted brands,
electric leaf blower/hedge trimmer, make offer; 754-5776
Refrigerated Maytag SkyBox personal beverage vendor,
holds 64-12 oz. cans or 32-12 oz.bottles, $395; 840-0500
Vacuum cleaner, Hoover Wind Tunnel Cyclonic, upright,
like new, $50; 371-6349
5th Wheel RV, 2007 Bristol Bay 3150RL, smoke free, very
good condition, 2 A/C units, 5500 Onan LP generator, 50
amp service; 919-632-7122
1998 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab with Jeraco cap, $3,500;
queen water bed frame, dark maple, 6 drawers, $75; 278-1966
Ocean Isle Beach, natural canal home, 3BR 2BA, original
owners since 1982, fully furnished, well kept, $369K OBO;
803-425-6562
Exerciser, NordicTrack Elliptical A.C.T., model
#NTCW90907.1, very good condition, $450; 253-3556
1999 GMC Sonoma, new midnight blue paint, new head
gasket, needs some work, $1,500 OBO; 880-2848
Lawnmower, Craftsman 42”, spreader, roller & thatcher,
$175; power washer, $100; 846-4059
RV, Park Model, 2BR 1½BA, new kitchen appliances, new
washer/dryer, new roof & HVAC, attached Florida room, $30K;
540-1106
LP gas bottles w/regulators, 2-100 lb, $150; 18” fireplace
logs, $100; white GE flat top electric stove, $200; 632-9463
Samsung Galaxy S6, 32GB, used 3 weeks, $350;
579-5587
Entertainment center w/electric fireplace, $125; 769-3980
Step ladder, 8’ fiberglass, very good condition, $35;
919-880-1992
Secretary, drop down desk, pine, w/glass door, bookshelf,
$120; oak writing desk w/shelf, $120; 842-7545
Dining table, solid oak, honey-colored, 2 leafs, 6 chairs,
matching china hutch, $600 negotiable; 579-7923
McDonald’s Happy Meal Barbies, 1990-2016, 200+
Barbies, entire collection with accessories; $450 OBO;
301-331-2994
Sailboat w/trailer, 15’, main & jib sails, (good to excellent)
new trailer lights, $500; 304-546-2764
Firearm collection, knives, cross bows, shells, Kevlar vest,
items too numerous to count; 642-2328
Trailer, 1998 Clayton 14’ x 18’, 3BR 2B, furnished, storage,
mower, large lot, Holden Beach; 843-669-3544
Flag display case, new, $25; Kirby shampoo system, $50;
253-6355
3 easy ways to stay cool this summer
and lower your electric bill
Keep the kitchen cool
Ovens and stoves make your AC work harder,
so consider grilling outside or making no-cook
meals like salads.
Close the drapes & blinds
Sun coming in the window can heat up a room
fast, so when no one is in the room, pull the
shades to keep it cool.
Locate air leaks
If you notice one area of your home is warmer than
the rest, check for leaks around doors or windows.
Then use caulk or expanding foam, available at
your local hardware store, to fill in the gaps.
HOW TO SUBMIT AN AD: Ads must be received via email or fax no later than the first of each month. Ads will then appear in the following month’s publication due
to the printing schedule. Example: If ad is received by May 1, it will appear in the June issue of Carolina Country magazine. This is a free service for BEMC members
to advertise non-commercial items for sale. Ads run ONE TIME, are limited to three lines, and only one phone number. We reserve the right to edit or refuse ads due to
content, length or AVAILABLE SPACE. Please no email addresses, names or repeat ads. All numbers are 910 area code unless otherwise listed. Some mobile providers
require 10-digit dialing. BEMC does not endorse items advertised and is not responsible for reliability of items.
E-MAIL: [email protected] MAIL: BEMC, Attn: Watts For Sale, PO Box 826, Shallotte, NC 28459. FAX: (910) 755-4299
Page 24 | June 2016