Annual Meeting Moments

Transcription

Annual Meeting Moments - CONNECT`16 Conference

the
Southwestern
A SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE MEMBER MAGAZINE
Annual
Meeting
Moments
Rates & Reliability
Top Agenda at
Southwestern’s 76th
Edwardsville
Improvements
Underway
The Co-op Connection
Harvesting Safety
Autumn Outings
OCTOBER 2014 • VOLUME 66 • ISSUE 10
the
Southwestern
A SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
MEMBER MAGAZINE
OCTOBER 2014 • VOLUME 66 • ISSUE 10
Inside This Issue
04 Edwardsville Improvements
In an effort to eliminate persistent blinks
in Madison County, line crews replaced
every lightning arrestor on Edwardsville
Substation's south feed.
05 The Co-op Connection
October is a month of celebration for every
co-op across the nation.
12 Members in Focus
A unique home and autumn sunsets
appear in this month’s Members in Focus.
14 Energy & Efficiency
It’s time to break out your home’s winter
coat. These simple steps will help you save
money while preparing your home for cold
weather.
16 Safety
Agriculture ranks among the nation’s most
dangerous occupations. These tips will
help you make it through harvest season—
and the rest of the year—safely.
pg. 6
18 Out & About
There’s no better time to hike Illinois than
fall. This month we put you on the trail of
autumn color.
20 Who-What-Where?
In August we sent you searching for a local
publisher, minister and martyr. This month
we reveal his identify, and take a peek at a
local haunt.
06 Annual Meeting of Members
Reports on rates, reliability and co-op
finances topped the agenda during
Southwestern Electric’s 76th Annual
Meeting of Members.
09 Board Election 2014
Three co-op members were elected to
Southwestern’s governing board at last
month's annual meeting. You'll find election
results here.
22 Co-op Kitchen
Nothing says autumn like pumpkin pie.
You'll find a time-tested recipe for this
traditional favorite in the Co-op Kitchen.
24 Area Events
Attend a fall festival in St. Elmo, savor
Harvest Thyme in Carlyle, hear vintage
voices in Alton, enjoy Highland's Art in the
Park, and meet Serengeti Steve at Outdoor
Day in Altamont.
On Account: We’ve hidden a memberaccount number in this issue (mailing label
excluded). If the account number belongs
to you, contact us within 30 days and we’ll
take $25 off your electric bill. Good luck!
On the Cover
Staying power. It’s the ability to stick around for the long haul.
Southwestern celebrated its staying power last month by hosting
its 76th Annual Meeting of Members (see page 6). Speaking of
staying power, the popular attraction at this year’s kids’ carnival: a
Velcro wall and sticky suit. Staying power, indeed.
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The Southwestern
Co-op
Reminders
October 1-31
Members who registered
their attendance at
Southwestern’s 76th
annual meeting receive a
$20 bill credit
October 1-31
Pick up a free Halloween
safety kit (while supplies
last)
October 1-31
National Co-op Month
November 11
Offices closed in
observance of
Veterans Day
November 27-28
Offices closed for
Thanksgiving
National Cooperative Month
S
ince 1930, co-ops across the United States have used October as an
opportunity to celebrate the cooperative movement. This year’s theme, The
Co-op Connection, celebrates the many ways co-ops connect with each
other, their communities, and the world.
At Southwestern Electric, we’re proud of our co-op history, our heritage, and our
connection to more than 30,000 cooperatives across America.
It’s evident that you’re pretty proud of your co-op, too.
Last month, more than 2,000 of you joined us in Greenville to celebrate
Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s past, present and future. “This organization
survives and functions well when people participate in it and are knowledgeable
about it,” board president Alan Libbra said during his address.
And participate you did.
More than 1,200 of you took time to vote. You listened intently to reports from
the directors and chief executive officer. You asked questions and offered comments.
Based on participation, it was one of Southwestern’s most successful meetings to
date. You’ll find more about the annual meeting on page 6.
A vital part of our job consists of reminding you to use power safely. In the pages
of our magazine, we’ve broadened our focus to include tips that range beyond
electrical safety. This month, we focus on agriculture. Yes, there are safeguards built
into modern agricultural machinery, but farming is still one of the most dangerous
occupations in America. Please take a moment to review the safety information on
page 16.
Finally, autumn is upon us. It's a beautiful time of year in our part of the world. The
air is crisp, the scents sweet, the shadows long and the season brief. Make the most of
every moment. In our Out & About section (page 18), you'll find some of our favorite
fall foliage trails. Go for a walk, shoot pictures, and send us a few. We’d love to see
autumn through your eyes.
As always, we appreciate your interest and welcome your comments. Thanks for
spending time with The Southwestern.
Joe Richardson, editor
[email protected]
525 U.S. Route 40, Greenville, IL 62246.
Phone: (800) 637-8667. Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Visit us on the Web at www.sweci.com.
Board of Directors
Alan Libbra, President ...................... Alhambra
Ann Schwarm, Vice President ........ Loogootee
Sandy Grapperhaus, Secretary ...... Collinsville
Barbara Tedrick, Treasurer ................ Vandalia
Richard M. Gusewelle ................. Edwardsville
Sandy Nevinger ............................... Greenville
Ron Schaufelberger ......................... Greenville
Ted Willman ..................................... Greenville
Randy Wolf ........................................ St. Elmo
Staff
Kerry Sloan ................. Chief Executive Officer
The Southwestern
Joe Richardson ..................................... Editor
e-mail: [email protected]
Mike Barns .................................... Art Director
Satellite Locations:
St. Jacob Office
10031 Ellis Road, St. Jacob, IL 62281
St. Elmo Distribution Center
2117 East 1850 Avenue, St. Elmo, IL 62458
Southwestern Electric Cooperative reserves
the right to re-print member comments and
correspondence in its cooperative educational
and promotional materials.
The Southwestern (USPS 612-500) is
published monthly by Southwestern Electric
Cooperative, Inc. Periodical postage paid
at Greenville, IL. Subscriptions cost $5.50
per year. Comments or questions regarding
material in this publication may be mailed to
Joe Richardson, editor of The Southwestern,
c/o Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Inc.,
525 U.S. Route 40, Greenville, IL 62246, or
e-mailed to [email protected].
Postmaster: Send address corrections to
The Southwestern, 525 U.S. Route 40,
Greenville, IL 62246.
To report an outage, contact Southwestern Electric Cooperative at (800) 6378667. Please do not use e-mail to report outages; our e-mail accounts are not
staffed full-time. In the event of a widespread outage, Southwestern Electric
will post updates on its website at www.sweci.com. We’ll also send
reports to the following radio stations: 101.7 FM WGEL (Greenville),
106.1 FM WSMI (Litchfield), 105.3 FM WAOX (Staunton), 107.1
FM WKRV (Vandalia), and 96.7 WCXO (Carlyle).
On Account: If your account number is
5413004000, call us within 30 days to
receive a $25 credit on an upcoming
electric bill.
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News & Notes
Edwardsville Improvements Underway
P
ower reliability issues were a focal point
of discussion during Southwestern Electric
Cooperative’s annual meeting last month. Kerry
Sloan, chief executive officer of Southwestern Electric,
explained the differences between momentary outages that
protect member homes and the co-op’s distribution system,
and blinks caused by mechanical failures.
Sloan specifically addressed members served by
Edwardsville Substation’s south feed, a source of frequent
blinks for members in the Edwardsville area. “What
they’ve experienced is absolutely unacceptable,” Sloan
said. “We did not react quickly enough. I apologize. It’s my
responsibility that it got to this level, and I’m going to see
to it that this and any situation like this gets fixed.”
Sloan addressed a packed gymnasium at Greenville
Junior High School in Greenville, Ill., during the
Southwestern deployed
line crews Sept. 6 to
implement system
upgrades on Edwardsville
Substation’s south feed.
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co-op’s business meeting on Sept. 6. “We’re out there right
now—today—and we’ll be out there again tomorrow, and
all next week, replacing every single lightning arrestor on
the south feed in Edwardsville. We think that will go a long
way toward fixing the issue. If it doesn’t, we’ll do whatever
it takes, even if we have to put up new line,” he said.
“We’re going to get the job done, and we’re going to earn
your confidence again.”
For more on Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s 76th
Annual Meeting of Members, see the story on page 6.
A Celebration Across The Nation
O
ctober is National Cooperative Month. For
Southwestern Electric and other co-ops
across the nation, it’s a month of celebration. Millions of co-op members across the U.S. will
observe Co-op Month with festivals, contests, and
consumer awareness campaigns. This year’s theme,
“The Co-op Connection,” celebrates the ways coops connect with each other, their communities, and
the world.
Cooperatives are owned and governed by their
members—the same people who use the co-op’s
goods or services. Profits, or margins, are distributed to members—not stakeholders—or reinvested
in the co-op or the community, often meeting needs
that might otherwise go unmet.
Co-ops range in size from small storefronts
to large Fortune 500 companies like REI and
Nationwide Insurance. Co-ops mean business. They
provide a viable alternative to the traditional business model for more than 130 million members
across the U.S.
Co-ops also mean connections. They strengthen
ties with members through education and networking opportunities. They connect with other cooperatives by observing the sixth principle of co-ops:
Cooperation Among Cooperatives. Co-ops connect
with policymakers through advocacy, and with
young people through education and leadership
programs. Through sustainable development, co-ops
connect with their communities and build brighter
futures.
Every October since 1930, co-ops have celebrated
the cooperative movement’s history and economic
impact. Cooperative Month provides a key opportunity to reflect on the legacy of cooperative impact
and the growth movement.
Worldwide, co-ops are recognized as a force
for positive economic and social change. At
Southwestern Electric, we’re proud of our cooperative structure, our co-op heritage, and our connection to more than 30,000 co-ops across the United
States.
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Members packed the gym to hear addresses from Alan Libbra (above), president
of Southwestern Electric, and Kerry Sloan,
the co-op’s chief executive officer.
Below: First grade students from Greenville
Elementary School opened the meeting by
singing the Star-Spangled Banner.
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Competitive
Rates and
System Updates
Top Agenda at
Southwestern
Electric’s Annual
Meeting of
Members
R
eports on rates, reliability and co-op finances
topped the agenda during Southwestern
Electric Cooperative’s 76th Annual Meeting
of Members, held Saturday, Sept. 6, at
Greenville Junior High School, in Greenville, Ill. More
than 2,000 people from Southwestern Illinois attended
the meeting.
Alan Libbra, president of Southwestern Electric
Cooperative, told members the cooperative was in a
strong position financially. “Things are back on track.
Our rates are steady through 2018. We’re paying capital
credits and we’re building cash reserves again. We made
some margins last year, and we’re probably making three
times that much this year,” Libbra said.
“If you look at our past financial reports, you’ll see two
years that look pretty bad—we lost about $20 million,”
Libbra said, referring to fiscal years 2011 and 2012. “We
generated cash reserves over the 10 years previous with
the idea of spending them over a five- or six-year period
as we transitioned into a new power contract. We knew
the cost of power in our new contract would be higher
than the one we were on.”
The board and management planned to use the co-op’s
cash reserves to offset member rate increases. But the
nation’s economic decline, and subsequent fall in power
demand and market values, depleted the reserves in just
two years. 
Southwestern dispatcher Kim Jackson kept future
co-op members supplied with cotton candy.
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“There’s always a risk when you manage your own
business,” said Libbra. “Our power contract did not turn
out the way it was supposed to. But we’re an independent
co-op. We’re not tied in to a G&T.” G&Ts, or generation and transmission cooperatives, purchase or generate
power for distribution cooperatives like Southwestern.
“The people who are tied to G&Ts are looking at steady
rate increases over the next four or five years,” he said.
“We’re not.”
Libbra pointed out that Southwestern was one of the
few distribution co-ops in the country that possessed the
experience and ability to manage its own power supply.
“That means we have to sit on our own blisters when we
get our backside burned, but we also have the opportunity
to reach out and grab every opportunity we see on your
behalf—we have the flexibility to act when we need to.”
Kerry Sloan, chief executive officer of Southwestern
Electric Cooperative, said many people compare
Southwestern Electric’s rates to those of Ameren,
a neighboring investor-owned utility. Sloan said
Southwestern’s residential rates were only marginally
higher than Ameren’s, and that Ameren recently had been
granted nine years of rate increases, each in the neighborhood of 3 percent.
“It costs Ameren about the same as it costs us to build
one mile of electric line,” Sloan said. “When we build a
mile of line, we hook up about seven and a half customers per mile. They hook up more than 32 people per mile.
We bring in about $15,000 per each mile of line that we
build. They bring in $56,000.”
 Continued on page 10
Top: Barb Frerker, billing clerk, assisted members with registration. Center: Operations personnel Mike Willman (right) and Shane Healy
answered questions regarding right of way maintenance. Bottom: Members packed the gym for the business meeting.
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Three Co-op Members Elected To
Southwestern’s Board of Directors
T
hree members of Southwestern Electric Cooperative
were elected to the co-op’s board of directors during
Southwestern’s 76th Annual Meeting of Members.
Southwestern members elected one director from each of the
co-op’s three voting districts.
For District I, incumbent Richard Gusewelle of Edwardsville
defeated challengers Karen Knackstedt of Alhambra and
Bart Pola of Maryville. Gusewelle received 691 votes, while
Knackstedt received 331 votes and 79 votes were cast for Pola.
Christopher Miller, a co-op member from Edwardsville,
announced his intention to run as a District I representative
in May. Miller withdrew his candidacy in late August after
accepting a job outside Southwestern’s service area. His name
was removed from the ballot.
In District II, incumbent Sandy Nevinger of Greenville ran
unopposed and was re-elected by acclamation.
From District III, incumbent Barbara Tedrick of Vandalia defeated challengers Van Boatman of Mulberry Grove and Larry
Weger of Vandalia. Tedrick received 582 votes, while Boatman
received 329 votes, and 173 votes were cast for Weger.
Each director will serve a three-year term on the board.
Richard Gusewelle
A member of Southwestern Electric Cooperative since 1966,
Richard Gusewelle has served as a director for District I since
1984. Gusewelle, who served as vice president of the board
of directors from 1996 to 2009, chairs both the Company
Operations & Labor Committee and the Community & Public
Relations Committee.
He also serves on the Business Development & Marketing
Committee and Scholarship Committee, and earned
Credentialed Cooperative Director and Board Leadership
certifications in 2001 and 2003 respectively, from the National
Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Gusewelle works as highway commissioner for Hamel
Township. He and his wife, Joyce, reside southwest of Hamel.
A Southwestern member since 1977, Nevinger is a past
board member of the Bond-Madison Water Company, as well
as a lifetime member of the Bond County Memorial VFW Post
1377 Ladies’ Auxiliary. Sandy and her husband, Mike, live
northeast of Greenville.
Barbara Tedrick
As a teacher’s aide from Mid-State Special Education, Barbara
Tedrick interacted with students from every school in Bond
and Fayette counties. Tedrick, who retired in 2005, helped
teach elementary students for 15 years. As an educator, she
developed a unique insight into the needs of rural families and
their children.
During her tenure as a director on Southwestern Electric’s
board, the cooperative implemented educational programs
widely recognized for their impact and innovation, including Southwestern’s scholarship program, as well as electrical
safety demonstrations seen by tens of thousands of students
throughout Southwestern’s service area.
Tedrick serves on the Scholarship Committee and Company
Operations & Labor Committee. She is also the cooperative's
treasurer.
Tedrick has participated in numerous industry seminars at
the state and national levels, was recognized by the National
Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) as a
Credentialed Cooperative Director in 2003, and received her
Board Leadership Certificate from NRECA the same year.
Barbara and her husband, Rich, live south of Pittsburg.
Sandy Nevinger
Sandy Nevinger spent more than 30 years as an employee of
Southwestern Electric before running for the board in 2011.
As the cooperative’s director of member services and public
relations, she acted as a liaison to the membership and brought
member issues to the board and management team.
Nevinger also assisted in the development of cooperative
policies, procedures and bylaws, and dealt with rates, territorial
agreements, the media, and legislation that affected cooperative utilities. She serves on the co-op’s Scholarship Committee,
Business Development & Marketing Committee, and the
Community & Public Relations Committee.
Three members of Southwestern Electric Cooperative were elected
to the co-op’s board of directors during Southwestern’s 76th
Annual Meeting of Members, held Saturday, Sept. 6, at Greenville
Junior High School. Pictured are (l-r) Kerry Sloan, Southwestern
Electric Cooperative’s chief executive officer, with directors
Barbara Tedrick of Vandalia, Sandy Nevinger of Greenville and
Richard Gusewelle of Edwardsville.
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 Continued from page 8
Sloan told members that Southwestern’s residential
rates were the sixth lowest among Illinois’ 24 electric
cooperatives. “Some of these co-ops aren’t paying back
their capital credits. And the co-ops currently below us
will be going up in the next few years. We aren’t. I’d love
for us to be the lowest and that’s our goal,” he said.
“Had we not been successful last year at getting out
of the power deal that went south on us because the
economy collapsed, your electric bill would be about $62
a month higher. That’s big money. But we did get it done.
We’ll be reaping the benefits from now on.”
Sloan also addressed power reliability issues in Bond
and Madison counties. He explained there are two varieties of momentary outages, or blinks. One indicates the
co-op’s distribution system is operating properly. “You’ve
got a storm coming through, a bolt of lightning hits the
line, and our breakers sense that. They momentarily open
to let that high voltage disperse, rather than go into your
house or our transformers. That’s what the system is designed to do. It takes what could be a full-fledged outage
and turns it into a nuisance blink.”
Animals coming into contact with power lines can also
cause protective blinks, Sloan said.
The second variety of momentary outage indicates
mechanical problems or right-of-way maintenance
issues. Sloan said some members served by the coop’s Pocahontas and Troy substations had experienced
blinks related to mechanical issues, but he believed
those problems were resolved. The cooperative was still
investigating blink reports from members served by the
cooperative’s Fruit Road substation, he said.
He turned the discussion to members served by the
cooperative’s Edwardsville substation. “What they’ve
experienced is absolutely unacceptable—and they’ll
be the first to tell you that,” he said. “We did not react
quickly enough. I apologize. It’s my responsibility that
it got to this level, and I’m going to see to it that this and
any situation like this gets fixed,” he said.
“We’re out there right now—today—and we’ll be
out there again tomorrow, and all next week, replacing every single lightning arrestor on the south feed in
Edwardsville. We think that will go a long way toward
fixing the issue. If it doesn’t, we’ll do whatever it takes,
even if we have to put up new line,” he said. “We’re
bringing in contract crews starting Monday to take over
our regular work, so people who want new service don’t
have to wait. We’re going to get the job done, and we’re
going to earn your confidence again.”
More information on the cooperativeʼs distribution
system upgrades will appear in future issues of The
Southwestern.
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The Southwestern
After voting (below),
members stopped
by the health fair
for blood pressure
and pulse oximetry
screenings
(above), then
packed the gym
for BINGO called
by Southwestern
retiree Karen
Watson (left) and
volunteer Brent
Whittaker.
Members interacted with canines provided by regional search and
rescue team SAR K9 CO-OP. Team representatives talked about
canine training and team services.
Drafted for photo duty, Southwestern volunteer Ali Potthast
captured kids at play in the recreational area.
Southwestern volunteer Paul File helped young attendees with
carnival games. Paul is the husband of Susan File, the co-op’s vice
president of member services.
Prizes and cotton candy
(above) were a hit with youth
who attended the event.
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P
hotos allow us to capture and
recall a moment. In pictures, we
relive a laugh, a smile, a winter
snow or summer sun.
Members In Focus is your invitation
to share those saved moments with
members of Southwestern Electric.
In these pages, you can open our eyes
to the people and places that mean the
most to you. This is your opportunity
to introduce Southwestern readers to
everything that makes your corner of
the world an exceptional place to live,
work and play.
Send us your shots of life in
Southwestern Illinois. We’ll publish
some of our favorite photos from
time to time in our Members In
Focus section. Your subject needn’t
be on Southwestern’s lines. If you’ve
taken a great photo, and you shot it
on the Highland town square instead
of the Brownstown back forty, send it.
We’d love to see it.
Submission Guidelines
Please include your name, address,
phone number or e-mail address, and a
brief description of the photo. We’d like
to know when and where it was taken,
what we’re seeing, and the names of any
people in your shot. Digital images must
be taken in high-resolution JPG or TIF
format (300 DPI or greater)—and make
sure the date/time stamp is turned off
before you shoot.
Digital images may be sent as e-mail
attachments or on a CD. Prints are also
welcome. Send photos by e-mail to joe.
[email protected] or by mail to
The Southwestern, 525 US Route 40,
Greenville, IL 62246. If you’re sending
prints, please make sure they’re copies
you don’t mind parting with, as we
won’t be returning them. Southwestern
Electric Cooperative interprets all
submissions as unconditional permission
to use the photos provided. We also
reserve the right to not use photos.
Finally, if you’re submitting a shot, it
needs to be your photo—shot by you.
Questions? Contact Joe Richardson at
[email protected] or Mike
Barns at [email protected], or
call (800) 637-8667.
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Tim and Debbi Smith snapped this photo of their energy efficient dome home.
Tony Pals, resource conservationist for Fayette County Soil and
Water Conservation District, shot this photo of the cross at Wren
Bridge, between Ramsey and Wright's Corner, in Fayette County.
In June, Cari Hoover of Troy shot this photo of her son,
seven-year-old Jameson Chacon, holding their first
zucchini of the season.
Dennis Post of Highland sent his shot of autumn color reflected in
a pond near Grantfork.
Donna Turley of Greenville calls this photo “A harvest sunrise in
Bond County, IL”.
Recent rains darkened the bark of this walnut tree and
added to the lush, verdant feel of this scene shot by Sarah
Mulholland. Mulholland, who lives north of Greenville, took
this photo in her yard.
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Energy & Efficiency
Seal In $avings
Fall is the perfect time to break out your home’s winter coat
A
utumn has arrived, bringing relief to overworked home cooling systems
across Southwestern Illinois—and winter will be here before you know it.
Fortunately, a few simple and inexpensive tasks can help prepare your home
for the coming cold.
Plug the Leaks. Sealing leaks with caulk and weather-stripping will keep
more warm air inside when it’s cold outside. Leaks are most commonly found around
window and door frames, recessed lighting installations, pipes, vents and electrical
outlets.
Clean Out the Gutters. In winter, clogged gutter drains can form ice dams, which
cause water to back up and potentially seep into your house. After trees have shed
most of their leaves, make time to clear your gutters. Start by removing leaves and
debris, then rinse out the gutters with a hose.
Check the Furnace. Before winter sets in, make sure your furnace is working
properly. You’ll have better luck scheduling service before temperatures drop and
you’re competing with your neighbors for an appointment. Even if your furnace
seems to be in good working order, it’s a good idea to have it serviced annually.
Stock up on furnace filters and plan to change them regularly so your heating system
can operate efficiently.
Work on the Windows. Don’t let warm air escape through your windows. If you
have drafty windows, consider replacing them before cold weather hits. If window
replacement isn’t in your budget, pick up an inexpensive window insulator kit to
provide temporary coverage through the coldest months. Autumn is also a good time
to replace temporary window screens with storm windows, which provide an extra
layer of protection and warmth.
Protect the Plumbing. Protect your pipes from freezing (and possibly bursting)
by turning off the water at the shut-off valve, then turning on your outdoor faucets
to let them drain. If you haven’t already done so, drain any outdoor hoses and bring
them inside. If your home has uninsulated pipes that pass through unheated spaces,
wrap them with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves. Not only are outdoor faucets
vulnerable—pipes that run through attics, crawl spaces and exterior walls have the
potential to burst in subfreezing weather as well.
Reverse the Fans. It may seem strange to run your ceiling fans during the winter,
but this technique can save money on your heating bills. Most ceiling fans have a
small switch that reverses the rotation of the fan blades, pulling air up, instead of
propelling it down, to help circulate warmer air that collects near the ceiling.
Southwestern Electric Cooperative offers many ideas to help you improve the
energy efficiency of your home. To request a home energy audit, please contact
Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s energy advisors, John Winter and Marla
Pourchot, at (800) 637-8667.
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Say It Isn’t So:
Fact and Fiction of
Home Energy Use
There are a lot of misconceptions
about energy efficiency—and we’ve
heard most of them. Here are three
common energy myths and the true
stories to debunk them.
Fiction: If an electrical appliance is
turned off, it isn’t using power.
Fact: Many electrical appliances
operate on standby power, which
means a small amount of electricity
is being consumed even when the
unit appears to be off. Any appliance
that uses microprocessors, or can be
turned on via remote control, falls into
this category. Power strips are a great
way to cut down on passive electricity
use. Just plug your “passive energy”
appliances into a power strip and flip
the switch to cut their power.
Fiction: I need to wash clothes in hot
water to get them clean.
Fact: Usually, that’s not the case.
Unless a load of laundry is especially
grimy, hot water isn’t necessary. In
most cases, cold water gets the job
done, especially if you use a detergent
formulated for cold water use. Waterheating accounts for 85 percent to 90
percent of the energy used to wash
clothes, so cutting down on the use
of hot water is a good way to save on
energy costs. Use cold water for the
rinse cycle; it rinses just as well and
it’s less likely to damage your clothing.
Fiction: My fireplace will cut down on
my winter heating bills.
Fact: Using a fireplace can increase
your home heating costs. Heat from
a fire is generally confined to the area
near your fireplace, making it an inefficient way to heat your home overall.
And warm air inside your home is
channeled up the chimney. If you
prefer to heat your home with wood,
think about a wood-burning stove.
Newer models are more energyefficient and burn more cleanly than
their predecessors.
APPROVED HVAC PARTICIPATING CONTRACTORS
AMK Heating & Cooling 
7067 Marine Rd.; Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: (618) 656-4116
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact Person: Marty
B & W Heating & Cooling, INC. 
398 Edwardsville Rd; Wood River, IL 62095
Phone: (618)254-0645
Contact Person: Elizabeth Zangori
Barrett Heating & Cooling
500 Belle St.; Alton, IL 62002
Phone: (618) 465-3731
Contact Person: Jay Barrett
Bell-O Service 
5909 Cool Sports Rd.; Belleville, IL 62223
Phone: (618) 234-3310
Contact Person: Jerry Harrington, Jr.
Bertels and Company
P.O. Box 24; Moro, IL 62067
Phone: (618) 377-9008
Contact Person: Tim Bertels
C & K Heating & Cooling
1116 Galaxy Dr.; Lebanon, IL 62254
Phone: (618) 537-9528
Contact Person: Curt or Kevin Showalter
Climate Company
14106 Stolletown Rd.; Breese, IL 62230
Phone: (618) 526-2135
Contact Person: Dennis Timmermann
Culbertson Heating & Cooling
1001 W. Randolph; Vandalia, IL 62471
Phone: (618) 283-4679
Contact Person: Dan Culbertson
Cummings Heating & Cooling
8030 Cummings Ln.
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Phone: (618) 656-8953
Contact Person: Tim Cummings
Den-Son, Inc. Cooling & Heating 
107 E. Center St.; Brighton, IL 62012
Phone: (618) 372-8375 or (618) 372-4356
Contact Person: Rick Boren
Diehl’s Services
PO Box 449; Troy, IL 62294
Phone: (618) 667-1092
Contact Person: Carl Diehl
Elk Heating & Sheet Metal 
473 N. Wood River Ave.
Wood River, IL 62095
Phone: (618) 251-4747
Contact Person: Brad McPherson
Ernst Heating & Cooling
202 W. State; Hamel, IL 62046
Phone: (618) 633-2244
[email protected]
Contact Person: Roger Ernst or Woody
Hunter Appliance, Heating & Air
1130 N. Fifth; Vandalia, IL 62471
Phone: (618) 283-3224
Contact Person: Allen Hunter
Jansen’s Heating & Air Conditioning 
11984 East U.S. Highway 40
Effingham, IL 62401
Phone: (217) 347-5223
Contact Person: Jerry Jansen
KCH Mechanical, Inc.
813 N. 3rd St., Effingham, IL 62401
Phone: (217) 347-5755
E-mail: kchambers77@ yahoo.com
Contact Person: Kevin Chambers
King Air Conditioning & Heating
401 Pearl St.; Godfrey, IL 62035
Phone: (618) 466-7574
Contact Person: Chad Crouch or
Mike Edwards
Knearem’s Home Comfort Center
320 E. Main; Shelbyville, IL 62565
Phone: (217) 774-4933
Contact Person: John Knearem
Kufa & Son Heating & Air Conditioning
123 E. Main St.; Carlinville, IL 62626
Phone: (217) 854-4112
Contact Person: Scott Kufa
Mark’s Heating & Cooling
1166 Mt. Gilead Rd.; Greenville, IL 62246
Phone: (618) 664-2499
Cell: (618) 410-4472
Contact Person: Mark Focht
Merz Air Conditioning & Heating
509 S. Willow/P.O. Box 1305
Effingham, IL 62401
Phone: (217) 342-2323
Contact Person: Glen Freeman
Neuhaus Heating & Air Conditioning 
10235 Old Route 66; Litchfield, IL 62056
Phone: (217) 324-2818
Contact Person: Brad or Todd Neuhaus
R & H Plumbing, Heating & Electric
123 N. Main St.; Altamont, IL 62411-1447
Phone: (618) 483-6158 or (800) 867-1858
Contact Person: Phil Schultz
Sigman Heating & Air Conditioning 
6200 Old St. Louis Rd.; Belleville, IL 62223
Phone: (618) 234-4343 or (618) 234-9300
Contact Person: Craig Pashia
Tiger Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning Services Inc. 
208 W. Main St.; Glen Carbon, IL 62034
Phone: (618) 288-6480
Contact Person: Steve Helms
Toennies Service Company 
219 E. Main; Damiansville, IL 62215
Phone: (618) 248-5130
Contact Person: Joe Jansen or Mike Toennies
Viviano Heating & Air Conditioning 
201 West Main St.; Collinsville, IL 62234
Phone: (618) 345-7498
Contact Person: Cindy Viviano
Weeke Sales & Service
P.O. Box 53; Okawville, IL 62271
Phone: (618) 243-5333
Contact Person: Steve Weeke
8086 Old U.S. Highway 50;
Breese, IL 62230
Phone: (618) 526-2302
Contact Person: Travis Toennies
WEIR Heating
111 Jerome Lane, Cahokia, IL 62206
Phone: (618) 660-6499
Contact Person: Tom Weir
Winters Energy & Heating 
410 State St.; Alton, IL 62002
Phone: (618) 463-7799
Contact Person: Rick Winters
Yard Heating & Cooling
100 S. Spressor; Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: (217) 824-4737
Contact Person: George Yard
This listing is intended solely for the convenience of
Southwestern Electric Cooperative members and
includes only those contractors who have notified
the co-op of their certification. Southwestern Electric
neither endorses nor sanctions these contractors.
The cooperative is not liable for nor guarantees their
workmanship, products or warranties.
Co-op Connections
discount provider
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15
Safety
Harvesting Safety
Agriculture ranks among the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Between
2003 and 2011, nearly 6,000 agricultural workers died from work-related injuries. Harvest
season can be especially hazardous. Long hours, lack of sleep and mental fatigue can lead to
serious injuries. Here are a few suggestions to help you make it through the season safely.
Electrical Safety
Safety is often a matter of being aware of your environment
and eliminating or avoiding potential issues. Just as you’d survey a field before planting, take a minute to survey your work
site. Look up. Are there power lines nearby? They don’t have
to be directly overhead to pose a danger. Plot the movement of
your equipment around your farm. How many times are you
passing near power lines? You can avoid electrical contact accidents by rerouting traffic in ways that will keep you and other
workers far from potential points of contact.
Additional tips to keep in mind:
•When you're moving equipment, use a spotter—someone with a broader view of the equipment and its surroundings.
•Familiarize your coworkers with the location of overhead
power lines on or near your property.
•Keep in mind that non-metallic materials—lumber, tree
limbs, tires, ropes and hay—will conduct electricity.
•Plot your route in and out of fields, to and from bins and
elevators, and down public roads to avoid power lines. If
someone transports equipment for you, specify a safe route
and explain why certain routes are necessary.
•Use ladders with caution.
•Be aware of power lines and cords during
construction projects.
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In Case of Contact
If you’re driving a tractor, combine, or other onboard machinery and it comes into contact with a power line, stay onboard.
Call Southwestern Electric Cooperative at (800) 637-8667.
We’ll dispatch a crew to de-energize the line so you can safely
move your machinery.
If your equipment catches on fire and forces you to abandon
the vehicle, leap as far as possible from the machinery. Don’t
allow your body to come into contact with the equipment and
the ground at the same time.
If you realize your machinery is touching a power line
after you’ve left the vehicle, don’t attempt to move it. Call
Southwestern Electric Cooperative at (800) 637-8667. We’ll
dispatch a crew to de-energize the line so you can safely move
the equipment.
Call 811 Before You Dig
If you’re planning a project that requires digging, call JULIE at
811 before you dig. Tell the operator where you're planning to
dig and what type of work you’ll be doing. The center will call
the necessary utilities. The utilities will send a locator to mark
the approximate location of your underground lines, pipes and
cables, so you'll know what's below and be able to dig safely.
Grain Bin Safety
Wondering when you should review grain bin safety
precautions with farm workers and family members? Now’s
the time, says Karen Funkenbusch, rural safety and health
specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
Grain bin entrapments are sad reminders that grain storage
can be deadly, Funkenbusch said. “It takes only five
seconds for a person to be caught in flowing grain, and less
than 20 seconds to be sucked into the center of the grain,
which acts much like quicksand,” said Funkenbusch.
A child can be buried in far less time.
“Grain’s weight and other properties make it difficult to get
out of a bin without assistance,” she said. “Grain resists
the force a rescuer uses to remove the victim. It takes more
than 325 pounds of force to raise a 165-pound mannequin
covered in corn.”
Farmers who’ve worked around grain bins all of their
lives might think this won’t happen to them. But the U.S.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that
at least 26 U.S. workers were killed in grain engulfments in
2010, the highest on record.
Since then, OSHA has inspected numerous bins and is
committed to changing the “it won’t happen to me” mindset,
Funkenbusch said.
Funkenbusch advises grain producers to design and install
reclaim systems that allow access to the grain without
having to enter the bins. She also recommends larger
service tunnels, at least 7 feet high and with good lighting
and drainage.
Install larger outside access doors, not a simple 24-inch
round opening in the side of the bin. Doors should be at
least 3 feet by 3 feet, with a platform and handrails installed.
Moist grain can form toxic gases and fumes. Bins should be
checked for these gases before entering.
Farm families should discuss safety measures with all
members, and children should never be near a grain bin.
Many grain bin accidents involve multiple fatalities because
of failed rescue attempts.
Grain handlers, bin manufacturers, safety experts and
others have formed a national Grain Entrapment Prevention
Initiative, which emphasizes six points in bin safety:
1. Develop a “zero entry” mentality. Stay out of the bin.
2. If you must enter, do not go alone.
3. Provide hands-on training for the entrant and observer.
4. Follow an entry permit.
5. Shut down and lockout.
6. Use a secure body harness lifeline.
“All augers and grain-moving equipment should be turned
off before anyone enters a bin,” said Funkenbusch. “Farmers
and their employees should never ‘walk down’ grain from
the bin’s sides to make it flow, or walk on crusted or bridged
grain, which can collapse under a person’s weight. If there is
crusted or bridged grain, workers should use a tool to probe
the surface from outside the bin.
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17
Out & About
On the Trail
of Fall Color
There’s no better season
to hike the wooded hills
and valleys of Illinois than
autumn. The air is crisp, the
evenings cool, and the fields
and forests paint the world in
palettes muted or bold. Our
advice? Don’t limit yourself
to a single trail or outing.
Take full advantage of the
season. We’ve listed some of
our favorite fall foliage trails.
Step outside. Explore. Take
pictures. Then send us a
few shots—we’d love to see
autumn through your eyes.
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Beaver Dam State Park (Plainview, Ill.) Located in
Macoupin County, seven miles southwest of Carlinville.
Beaver Dam State Park is home to some rare and
unusual white squirrels. Situated on Beaver Dam Lake,
the park has four miles of hiking trails, with one loop. For
more information, call (217) 854-8020.
Bremer Sanctuary (Hillsboro, Ill.) Located in
Montgomery County, about one mile north of Hillsboro.
Home of Hickory Hills Chapter of the Illinois Audubon
Society, Bremer Sanctuary is a protected area for birds
and other wildlife. The 203-acre property includes
several interconnected hiking paths, including the
two-mile Bluebird Trail. For more information, visit
bremersanctuary.org.
Eagle Creek State Park (Findlay, Ill.) Located in Shelby
County, four miles southeast of Findlay. Situated along
Lake Shelbyville, Eagle Creek State Park boasts three
marked nature paths through the forest as well as a
12-mile backpacking trail. For more information, call
(217) 756-8260.
Eldon Hazlet State Park (Carlyle, Ill.) Located in Clinton
County, three miles north of Carlyle. A favorite spot for
birdwatchers, Eldon Hazlet State Park offers three loop
trails, each about a mile long, through the woods and
along Carlyle Lake. All trails are closed from Wednesday
through Sunday during pheasant-hunting season. For
more information, call (618) 594-3015.
Hidden Springs State Forest (Strasburg, Ill.) Located
in Shelby County, about seven miles southwest of
Strasburg. Hidden Springs State Forest, formerly known
as Shelby State Forest, incorporates four marked trails
traversing a total of 5.5 miles. The aptly-named Big
Tree Trail features one of the largest trees in Illinois—a
sycamore measuring 78 inches in diameter. For more
information, call (217) 644-3091.
Horseshoe Lake State Park (Granite City, Ill.) Located
off Highway 111 in Madison County. Horseshoe Lake
State Park’s four-mile hiking trail, with loops of 1.5
and three miles, wanders through the natural area on
Walker's Island. Look for snowy egrets, great blue herons
and black-crowned herons. For more information, call
(618) 931-0270.
Pere Marquette State Park (Grafton, Ill.) Located in
Jersey County, five miles west of Grafton. This 8,000acre park is a great place to take in the beauty of
fall foliage. Pere Marquette State Park encompasses
approximately 12 miles of marked trails, with options for
hikers of all ability levels. The scenery at Pere Marquette
includes lush forests, towering bluffs and abundant
wildlife. For more information, call (618) 786-3323.
Ramsey Lake State Park (Ramsey, Ill.) Located in
Fayette County, one mile northwest of Ramsey. The
park centers on Ramsey Lake and covers nearly 2,000
acres of land. Ramsey Lake State Park has a one-mile
hiking trail, but many visitors also use the unmarked
fire lanes as walking paths. For more information, call
(618) 423-2215.
Shelbyville State Fish & Wildlife Area (Bethany, Ill.)
Located along the Kaskaskia and West Okaw Rivers
southeast of Bethany, Ill. Few locations can top the
Shelbyville State Fish & Wildlife Area for the viewing of
marsh, woodland and prairie birds. This park features a
4.5-mile nature trail that completely circles a waterfowl
area. Trails are not closed to hikers during hunting
season, so wear blaze orange during that time. For more
Wildcat Hollow State Habitat Area (Mason, Ill.)
Located in Effingham County, two miles north of Mason.
Wildcat Hollow State Habitat Area encompasses 520
acres of forests and fields, and contains one 3.5-mile
hiking trail with a double loop. For more information,
call (618) 547-3381.
Wolf Creek State Park (Windsor, Ill.) Located in Shelby
County, eight miles northwest of Windsor. Directly
across Lake Shelbyville from Eagle Creek State Park,
Wolf Creek State Park boasts seven different hiking trails
along which deer, pheasant, rabbits, wild turkeys and
songbirds are frequently spotted. For more information,
call (217) 459-2831.
The Illinois Department of
Natural Resources offers
the following tips for hikers:
•Stay on designated hiking trails
•Don’t pick any flowers
•Confine your pet to a leash
•Wear comfortable hiking or walking shoes
•Take water with you on long hikes
•Use insect repellent to help ward off
mosquitoes and other insects
•Protect yourself from wood ticks (which may
carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever) and deer
ticks (which may carry Lyme disease)
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19
W
e penned the solution to our
August challenge—then
promptly scrapped it after
reading the many interesting, colorful
comments submitted by Southwestern
readers. In your own words, here’s the
solution to our August photo puzzle.
Congratulations to prize drawing
winners Eric Clifton of Belleville,
Sandee Kane of Glen Carbon, and
Shirley Volentine of Sorento. And thanks
to everyone who participated. We hope
to hear from you again regarding this
month's puzzle (see the photo on page
21). We're asking you to name the
destination. It's an 1800s home, storied
and suitable for the season. Good luck!
The picture is of Elijah P. Lovejoy. He
was an educator, minister, publisher, and
abolitionist. He has come down through
history as one of freedomʼs champions
by defending the freedom of speech. He
is best remembered as the editor of The
Alton Observer, a religious paper.
He was murdered by an angry mob
on November 7, 1837, while he and a
group of followers were trying to protect
his fourth printing press and equipment
from being thrown into the river as the
previous units had been.
He became quite outspoken against
slavery.
Reverend Elijah P. Lovejoy served
as moderator of the Session Meeting of
the Reno Bethel Presbyterian Church
at Reno, IL on May 27, 1837. He was a
renowned leader in Presbyterian Church
history.
The Bond County Historical and
Genealogical Societies presented a
plaque to the Reno-Bethel Presbyterian
Church on August 14, 2000, after they
had a meeting at the church explaining
some of this history.
—Shirley Volentine, Sorento
Having worked in Alton for many
years, I know well the history of Elijah
P. Lovejoy. I am often stumped by
the items in your Who, What, Where
section, even items like the Quade
Block, which I drive past almost daily,
but I suspect there will be many who
recognize this local hero.
Thank you all for an excellent
cooperative and a very enjoyable and
informative periodical.
—Andy Kamp, Moro
As an alumni of SIUE I spent many
hours studying in the Lovejoy Library
located on campus and was able to
become very familiar with his life story.
—Eric Clifton, Belleville
As you go down Broadway in Alton,
you can look directly up the hill on
Monument Street and see the Lovejoy
monument. It is quite impressive.
—Wanda Puleo, Illinois
Not only was he a minister killed
fighting for what he believed in but also:
- Started an abolitionist newspaper
called the Alton Observer.
- Abraham Lincoln referenced
Lovejoyʼs murder in his Lyceum
Address in January 1838.
- He is considered the first casualty
of the Civil War.
- He has been recognized with a star
in the St. Louis Walk Of Fame.
Truly an amazing part of our local
history! Thanks again for this great
feature!
—Matt Mentel, Carlyle
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The Southwestern
?
That's Elijah Lovejoy, an important
historical figure and the namesake
of the Lovejoy Library at SIUE. My
grandfather, Irving Dilliard, drove me
to Alton several times when I was quite
young to show me Lovejoy's grave and
teach me some history along the way.
And, of course, we always stopped by to
see the Alton Giant while we were there!
—Mark Schusky, Collinsville
The historical figure depicted is Elijah
Parish Lovejoy. He was an abolitionist
that was murdered in Alton on
November 7, 1837. He was defending
his publishing site of his anti-slavery
newspaper and was killed by a mob that
was pro slavery. Your photograph was
from the north side of the base of the
Lovejoy Monument at Alton Cemetery
located at 5th and Vine Street in Alton,
Illinois.
Mobs in the past had made attempts
to stop his anti-slavery publications by
destroying his printing press. When he
was murdered, the brand new printing
press that the mob attempted to destroy
was his 4th press. A piece of one of
his printing presses is on display in the
lobby of the Alton Telegraph at 111
Broadway, Alton.
Elijah Lovejoy's publishing
rights were established by the First
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21
Have a recipe
to share?
Please mail recipes to: Co-op
Kitchen, Southwestern Electric
Cooperative, 525 US Route 40,
Greenville, IL 62246. Or you’re
welcome to email recipes to
Mike Barns at mike.barns@
sweci.com. When you send your
recipe, remember to include
your name and hometown so
we can credit you in print. If
you’ve taken a photo of your
dish, you’re welcome to include
that as well.
Thanks for sharing. We look
forward to dining with you.
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The Southwestern
Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients
1 can pumpkin
2 heaping tablespoons flour
1 cup sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ginger
2 eggs
1½ cups milk
2 shallow dish pie shells
Allspice
Directions
1. Mix together pumpkin, flour, sugar,
cinnamon, ginger, and eggs.
2. Add milk and mix well.
3. Pour half of mixture into each
pie shell.
4. Sprinkle top with Allspice.
5. Preheat oven to 425º and bake
for 15 minutes.
6. Drop oven temperature to 350º and
bake for 45 minutes or until done.
Hawaiian Nut
Bread
Ingredients
2¾ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup nuts
3 eggs beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup cooking oil
1 8 ounce can crushed
pineapple and juice
½ cup flaked coconut
2 mashed bananas
Directions
1. Combine flour, sugar, salt, and
baking soda and sift together.
2. Add nuts.
3. Add remaining ingredients and
blend together carefully by hand.
4. Stir until just blended.
5. Pour into 2 well greased and
floured loaf pans.
6. Preheat oven to 350º and bake
for 1 hour or until toothpick
comes out dry.
7. Cool on racks for 10 minutes
before removing from pans.
Cranberry Fluff
Ingredients
2 cups raw cranberries ground
¾ cup sugar
3 cups small marshmallows
2 cups diced unpeeled apples
1 cup grapes cut in halves
½ cup nuts chopped
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup whipping cream
Directions
1. Mix together cranberries, sugar,
and marshmallows and chill
overnight.
2. Add apples, grapes, nuts,
and salt.
3. Fold in cream, chill, and enjoy.
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23
Area Events
October 1-31 MOURNING COLONEL
STEPHENSON, Edwardsville. Colonel
Stephenson died in the house on
October 10, 1822 and visitors will get
a glimpse of the mourning customs
practiced by the family almost 200
years ago. Thursday - Saturday 10
a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday noon - 4 p.m.;
all tours are guided by a docent
and are not conducted after 3 p.m.
Adults $6; children age 6 - 12 years
of age $3; children 5 years of age and
younger are free. Colonel Benjamin
Stephenson House, 409 S. Buchanan
Street. Call (618) 692-1818 or visit
stephensonhouse.org.
October 3 & 4 Grande Levee &
Harvest Festival, Vandalia. Friday
evening will kick off the Grande Levee
with music and a ham and bean dinner
on the Vandalia Statehouse grounds.
Saturday will offer a full day of events.
The Harvest Festival will feature vendors,
merchant sidewalk sales, and activities
for kids, including inflatables and an RC
car exhibition. 300 - 500 block of Gallatin
Street. Friday 5 - 9 p.m.; Saturday 10
a.m. - 5 p.m. For information about the
Grande Levee, call (618) 283-1161; for
the Harvest Festival, call (618) 283-2728.
Visit vandaliaillinois.com for updates.
October 3-26 THE GREAT GODFREY
MAZE, Godfrey. Take an “a-maze-ing”
adventure through two mazes cut into
7 acres of corn. Fridays 6 - 10 p.m.;
Saturdays 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Sundays
1 p.m. - dusk; Columbus Day 11 a.m.
- dusk. $6 for adults; $4 for children
ages 6 - 11; free for children age 5
and younger. Robert E. Glazebrook
Community Park, 1401 Stamper Lane.
Call (618) 466-1483 or visit godfreyil.org.
October 4 Airstravaganza,
Greenville. Spend the day at Greenville
Airport with local pilots, planes, antique
tractors and military vehicles. Enjoy
demonstrations and the Texas Twisters
Aerobatic Team. Call (618) 664-0926.
October 4 5-K RUN/WALK, Collinsville.
5-K Run on the Cahokia Mounds Trails.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, 30
Ramey Street. To register, call (618) 3447316 or visit cahokiamounds.org.
October 4 & 5 FALL FESTIVAL, St.
Elmo. Featuring pumpkin picking, live
music, fall crafts, hay rides, corn maze,
nature walk and kids’ activities. Saturday
9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sunday Noon - 5 p.m.
Happy Hollow Farms, County Road 2250
south of St. Elmo. Call (618) 292-0984 or
visit happyhollowfarms.vpweb.com.
October 5 RIPSON BRIDGE FESTIVAL, Sorento. Enjoy down home cookin’, live
music and old time crafts and games. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is free. Bring a
lawn chair so you can sit and listen to the music. Ripson Bridge is located south
of Sorento and north of Old Ripley. Take Highway 140 to Old Ripley and head
North. Call (314) 566-0599 or visit ripsonbridgefestival.com.
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Information appearing in the Area
Events calendar is provided by the
events’ organizers or taken from
local community websites. Please
call to verify information regarding
any event you plan to attend.
Dates, times, and other details are
subject to change.
October 4 & 5 HARVEST THYME
FESTIVAL, Carlyle. Experience a variety
of food vendors, craft vendors, unique
furniture, fall and Christmas décor, Texas
hold ’em tournament, Harvest Thyme
Princess, bounce houses and pumpkin
patch. Saturday 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.;
Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. City Park. Visit
carlylelake.com.
October 4, 11, 18, 25 Vintage Voices,
Alton. Actors and historians from the
Alton Little Theatre will bring to life
the women and men who shaped the
city’s rich history. 1 - 3 p.m. Adults
$12; Students $6. Tickets will be
available at the Alton Visitor Center,
online at altonlittletheater.org, and at
the front gate of the City Cemetery
each Saturday, beginning at 12:45 p.m.
National Cemetery, 600 Pearl Street. Call
(618) 462-3205.
October 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24, 31;
November 1 MCPIKE MANSION
HAUNTED TOURS, Alton. Learn the
history of the McPike Mansion, look at
photos of the mansion and paranormal
activity, then tour the grounds and
crypt. Tour lasts about 90 minutes. All
proceeds go toward the restoration of
the mansion. Adults $20; children 13-17
years of age $10; children 6-12 years
of age $5. McPike Mansion, 2018 Alby
Street. For more information, call (618)
462-3348 or visit mcpikemansion.com.
October 10-12 ST. MARY’S
OKTOBERFEST, Alton. Polkas, German
food, live music, and inflatables for the
kids. Friday festivities begin at 6 p.m.;
Saturday at 1 p.m.; Sunday at noon.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 519 East
4th Street. Call (618) 465-4284 or visit
stmarysoktoberfest.com.
October 10-12, 17-19 LITTLE SHOP
OF HORRORS, Breese. A theatrical
presentation by Clinton County
Showcase. All performances begin
at 8 p.m. except for the last Sunday
showing, which is at 2 p.m. $10 for
adults; $9 for students, senior citizens
and active military personnel (with valid
identification). Historic Avon Theatre,
535 North 2nd Street. For reservations,
call (618) 526-2866 or visit
ccshowcase.com.
October 10 - December 31 WORKING
WILDFOWL: DECOYS, CARVINGS
AND THE WATERFOWL TRADITION,
West Alton. Working Wildfowl is an
original exhibit showcasing vintage and
contemporary wildfowl decoys, duck
calls and artwork. The center is open 8
a.m. - 4 p.m. daily, but please check the
website for seasonal changes. Audubon
Center at Riverlands, 301 Riverlands
Way. Call (636) 899-0090 or visit
riverlands.audubon.org.
October 11 APPLE FEST, Centralia.
Jump toys, face painting, straw maze,
music, food for purchase. 10 a.m. - 4
p.m. Schwartz Orchard, 1942 Copple
Road. Call (618) 532-8058.
October 11 CELEBRATE CENTRALIA,
Centralia. A festival of wine, art,
and music will feature local artists,
musicians, food vendors, award winning
wineries and vineyards from the area,
and craft beer brewers. Beer and wine
tasting tickets will be available. 3 - 9
p.m. Centralia Carillon Bell Tower Park,
114 North Elm. Call (618) 533-7623 or
visit celebratecentralia.com.
October 11, 17 & 18, 24 & 25 31
HALLOWEEN WALKING TOUR, Alton.
Take a Halloween walking tour of the
most haunted town in America. Bring
cameras, recorders, flashlights, and any
ghost hunting equipment you may have.
7 p.m. Admission is $35. Mineral Springs
Haunted Tours, 301 East Broadway
Street. Call (618) 465-3200.
October 11 & 12 ARMED FORCES
TRIBUTE, Vandalia. The event will
include military vehicle displays, living
history encampments, WWII & Vietnam
battle re-enactments, weapons &
equipment demonstrations, swap meet,
military collectibles, and food vendors.
Sonneman & Greer Parks. Call (618) 2831152 or visit vandaliaillinois.com.
October 11 & 12 ART IN THE PARK,
Highland. Artists compete for more than
$10,000 in prizes and will feature original
works in a wide range of art mediums.
The event features food, drinks, live
music, art demonstrations and activities
for kids. Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.;
Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission
is free. Lindendale Park, 2025 Park
Hill Drive. Call (618) 654-4727 or visit
highlandartscouncil.org.
October 11 & 12 FALL FESTIVAL AND
HILL’S FORT LIVING HISTORY EVENT,
Greenville. Enjoy fall fun including the
children’s costume contest, pumpkin
painting, games, face painting, train
rides, prizes, food, and the Lil’ Red
Barn. Event will also include re-enactors
of 1812, an Armed Forces display,
crafters, and vendors. American Farm
Heritage Museum, 1395 Museum
Avenue. Call (618) 664-9733 or visit
americanfarmheritagemuseum.com.
Southwestern Illinois
Pumpkin Patches
Braeutigam Orchards, 2765
Turkey Hill Lane, Belleville. Call
(618) 233-4059 or visit zexton.com/
braeutigamorchardswebsite.
Daniken Tree Farm, 781 Illinois Route
140, Pocahontas. Call (618) 664-4067
or visit danikentreefarm.com.
Eckert’s Farms: 951 South Green
Mount Road, Belleville; 20995 Eckert
Orchard Road, Grafton; 2719 Eckert
Orchard Lane, Millstadt. Call (618)
233-0513 or visit eckerts.com.
Happy Hollow Farms, 1697 North
2250th Street, St. Elmo. E-mail
[email protected] or
visit happyhollowfarms.vpweb.com.
Relleke Pumpkin Patch, 473
Sand Prairie Road, Granite City.
Call (618) 797-6858 or visit
rellekepumpkinpatch.com.
Rhodes Family Farm, 8863 Dustman
Road, Worden. Call (618) 307-4989 or
visit rhodesfamilyfarm.com.
October 12 APPLE A DAY BICYCLE
RIDE, Marine. Apples are in abundance
on this pleasant pedal through the
rural Madison County countryside on
short, medium, and long routes along
flat to gently rolling terrain with no
big hills. Upon returning, riders can
pick apples and enjoy fresh baked
fruit pies, barbecue and drinks for
purchase. Registration 7:30 - 9:30
a.m. Pre-registered Trailnet members
$8; non-members $13; $3 child. Day
of ride Trailnet members $10 member;
non-members $15; $3 child. Mills Apple
Farm, 11477 Pocahontas Road. For
more information, call (314) 436-1324
visit trailnet.org.
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October 3 & 4 CHILI COOK-OFF,
Belleville. Activities include chili
tastings, live music, a classic car
show and youth singing competition.
Downtown around the fountain and
along Main Street. Call (618) 2332015 or visit bellevillechili.com.
October 17 CHILI FEST, Effingham.
Nearly two dozen businesses
will host either a complimentary
chili tasting stop or other treats
and refreshments throughout the
evening. Festival goers will be given
ballets to vote for their favorite chili.
Live entertainment will be provided
throughout the night. 4 p.m.
Downtown Effingham on Jefferson
Street. Visit visiteffinghamil.com.
October 18 FALLFEST & CHILI
COOK-OFF, Alton. Local chili
experts will compete for the honor
of “Best Chili” and the coveted
“People’s Choice” awards. Visitors
can view and purchase the creations
of local artists and enjoy a craft
beer and wine tasting event. Noon
- 10 p.m. Admission is free, tickets
required for tastings. Downtown in
the parking lot next to New Frontiers
Furnishings, West 3rd Street. Call
(618) 463-1016.
October 25 CHILI & SOUP
COOKOFF, New Baden. There will
be a Tasters’ Choice competition
for both chili and soup with prizes
awarded in both categories.
Families will find a craft fair, truck
equipment display, and bounce
houses for children. New Baden
Village Park, 1103 East Hanover
newbadenchamber.com.
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The Southwestern
October 12 HISTORIC HOUSE TOUR,
Alton. This annual self-guided tour
features some of Alton’s most the
beautiful homes, interesting buildings,
and churches. Noon - 5 p.m. Tickets are
$12 and can be purchased at the Alton
Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau at
200 Piasa Street. For more information,
call (618) 463-5761.
October 17-19, 23-26 ALTON LITTLE
THEATER: KOSHER LUTHERANS
COMEDY, Alton. A theatrical
presentation by the Alton Little Theater
Company. Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30
p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. Adults $15;
students $8. Alton Little Theater, 2450
North Henry Street. For tickets, call (618)
462-6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.
October 18 COMMUNITY BANQUET,
Altamont. Mardi Gras themed event
featuring Blooze Brothers Band, buffet
meal, community awards, and dance.
6 p.m. $50 for individual non-reserved
tickets or reserved tables of 8. Carriage
House Event Center, 8 West Carriage
Lane. Call (618) 267-6537 or visit
altamontchamber.com.
October 18 HAUNTED HAYRIDE,
Marine. Local 4-H clubs will provide
spooky sites as a fund raiser. You will
have the opportunity to vote for the
spookiest site with a prize going to
the winning club. There will also be a
campfire, music, games, and concession
stand. Hayrides begin at 7 p.m. and take
about 30 minutes with the last ride at 9
p.m. Hayrides are $5 per person. 11477
Pocahontas Road. Call (618) 887-4732
or visit millsapplefarm.com.
October 18 OUTDOOR DAY, Altamont.
There will be a birds of prey presentation
by the Illinois Raptor Center, a reptile
presentation by Serengeti Steve,
Native American dancing by the
Kaskaskia River Dancers, fishing,
archery, and games. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Ballard Nature Center, 5253 East U.S.
Highway 40. Call (618) 483-6856 or visit
ballardnaturecenter.org.
October 18 SEAN’S TRAIL RUN,
Altamont. Sean’s Trail Run is held in
memory of Sean Niebrugge. Sean had a
great love of nature and being outdoors.
Although Sean was only 14, he touched
many hearts and through Sean’s Trail
Run we can keep his loving spirit alive.
The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. All
proceeds go toward the Family Care
Fund at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Ballard Nature Center, 5253 East U.S.
Highway 40. For more information or to
register, visit seanstrailrun.webs.com.
October 18 & 19 GRAFTON
RENDEZVOUS, Grafton. See pre1840 history come to life with period
dress and demonstrations of archery,
tomahawk and knife throwing, and
traders selling items of the period.
Admission is free. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Grafton Riverfront, Front Street. Call
(618) 372-8672.
October 19 BRIAN OWENS AND THE
MUSIC OF MARVIN GAYE, Lebanon.
Hear the beloved and soulful music of
the legendary Marvin Gaye performed
by the Saint Louis Symphony Youth
Orchestra and Brian Owens. 3 p.m.
Adults $15 adult; seniors $12 senior;
students and children $5. The Hett
Center for the Arts, 400 North Alton
thehett.com.
October 19 LECLAIRE PARKFEST,
Edwardsville. A celebration of the
Leclaire National Historic District.
Festival will include live entertainment,
wine and beer garden, festival food,
crafts, display of farm equipment, and
activities for children. Narrated trolley
tours run every half hour. Noon - 5 p.m.
Admission is free. Leclaire Lake Park,
800 Block of Hale Avenue. Call (618)
656-1294 or visit historic-leclaire.org.
October 24 HAUNTED MUSEUM, Alton.
Dress up and celebrate the spirit of
Alton’s rich history and fascination with
the paranormal. The museum will be
transformed into a place of mystery and
frightening fun. Owls from the Treehouse
Wildlife Center will join the trick-or-treat
fun this year. Serengeti Steve will be
performing from 8 - 9 p.m. Get up close
and personal to creepy-crawly creatures.
Take a nighttime lock and dam tour. This
event is open to all ages, $5 per person
suggested donation. The National Great
Rivers Museum, 2 Lock and Dam Way.
Call (618) 462-6979.
October 25 FALL FESTIVAL, Collinsville.
This day is packed with family fun,
including trick or treating, a chili cookoff from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., a children’s
costume contest at noon, and a pet
parade at 2 p.m. Downtown Collinsville,
221 West Main Street. Call (618) 5581372 or visit downtowncollinsville.com.
October 26 OKTOBERFEST, Aviston.
Celebrate Oktoberfest with German style
food and music by George Portz and
His Friends of Bluegrass. Noon - 6 p.m.
Admission is free. Hidden Lake Winery,
10580 Wellen Road. Call (618) 228-9111
or visit hiddenlakewinery.com.
October 26 WITCHES NIGHT OUT,
Lebanon. Restaurants and shops will be
open. A fortune teller will be strolling the
street. The spooky music and historic
buildings provide a haunted backdrop
for some wicked good fun. Costumes
are encouraged. 4 - 8 p.m. Admission is
free. 221 West St. Louis Street. Call (618)
537-8420 or visit lebanonil.us.
November 1 & 2 BAND BOOSTER
ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR, O’Fallon. More
than 350 booths with talented artists and
crafters from across the region. Saturday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. - 4
p.m. Admission is $4; children $2. All
proceeds benefit the O’Fallon High
School band program. O’Fallon High
School, 600 South Smiley. Call (618)
632-3507.
November 2, FAMILY STYLE PORK
SAUSAGE DINNER, Marine. Adults $10,
children ages 4-10, $4. Serving 11 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m. Marine United Church of
Christ, 111 N. Center Street. Call (618)
887-4465 or visit www.marineucc.org.
Amendment of the United States Constitution. “The Free Press clause
protects the right of individuals to express themselves through publication
and dissemination of information, ideas and opinions without interference,
constraint or prosecution by the government.” This clause is often called
“Freedom of the Press.”
Here is some historical information obtained from the archives of the
Alton Telegraph: “1837 was a devastating year for the community and The
Telegraph’s enterprising editors. The Rev. Elijah Parish Lovejoy was editor of
the St. Louis Observer, the newspaper of the Presbyterian Church in Missouri
and Illinois. He was fearless in his support of the law and in the righting of
public wrongs. He soon became a bitter foe of slavery. He left St. Louis in fear
for his life and moved to Alton, as slavery was prohibited in Illinois.
Angry slavery sympathizers destroyed his presses and threw them into the
Mississippi. The Observer became a powerful national voice for the abolition
of slavery. But slavery proponents prevailed. Lovejoy was murdered by a mob
on Nov. 7, 1837, defending a newly arrived press. Many men tried to protect the
press and Lovejoy within the Godfrey-Gilman warehouse on the river.
Thus fell the first American martyr to freedom of the press. Lovejoy’s
memory and his ideals are kept alive today by the Telegraph and a memorial
organization. Lovejoy’s statement, “the fittest place for a man to die is when
he dies for man,” guides The Telegraph’s mission today as it has for 177 years.
One of Lovejoy’s last statements, “I can die at my post, but I cannot desert
it” has become the credo of crusading editors everywhere. Many historians
considered Lovejoy’s murder an early shot of the Civil War.”
My Dad, Bill Brunner, was a lifelong newspaper man for the Alton
Telegraph. As a child, I had the opportunity to visit the newspaper office many
times. I was always fascinated by Elijah P. Lovejoy history and the piece of the
printing press in the Telegraph’s lobby.
My dad is buried in Alton Cemetery not far from the Lovejoy Monument.
This is only fitting for a man that had a lifelong commitment to quality
journalism.
—Linda Brunner Mauck, Maryville
The answer to this month’s “Who-What-Where” contest is Elijah P. Lovejoy.
He was a good man. It’s such a shame that those stupid yo-yos killed him.
—Eileen Rhodes, Worden
If you sit on the concrete bench at his monument in Alton—and whisper—
whoever is on the opposite side can hear what you said!
—Chris Reinhart, Bethalto
The Southwestern
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The Southwestern
the
Southwestern
The Night Shift
Line Crews Keep Late Hours
at Edwardsville Substation
Pad-Mounted Transformers:
Don’t Plant So Close to Me
Surge Protection
Banking Blood
NOVEMBER 2014 • VOLUME 66 • ISSUE 11
the
Southwestern
MEMBER MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2014 • VOLUME 66 • ISSUE 11
Inside This Issue
04 Donation Station
More than a dozen Southwestern Electric
employees and community members
donated blood during drives hosted by the
cooperative this year.
05 LIHEAP Energy Bill Assistance
Applications are now being accepted
for financial help through the State
of Illinois’ Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
06 You Get The Credit
Capital Credits are one of the many
benefits of cooperative membership. Learn
more about capital credits here.
07 Field Fires Pose Pole Hazards
Generations of landowners have used fire
to rid their ground of vegetation. But this
age-old management tool turns costly
when flames move close to utility poles.
08 The Night Shift
How do you perform a significant
maintenance operation at the Edwardsville
Substation while minimizing impact on area
members? It takes coordination, timing,
and some very bright night lights.
Power surges are responsible for millions
of dollars in property damage each year.
A tiered approach provides the best
protection for your home or business.
16 Safety
Pad-mounted transformers make poor
landscaping centerpieces. Here’s why.
18 Out & About
November offers some the year’s best
weather for running and bicycling.
Regardless of where you live in
Southwestern Illinois, there’s a route to run
or ride near you.
20 Who-What-Where?
This month we solve the riddle of McPike
Mansion and ask you to think outside the
box.
22 Co-op Kitchen
Craving something sweet? You’ll find
cookies and coffee cake in the Co-op
Kitchen.
24 Area Events
Visit Santa’s village in Troy, take a
Christmas candlelight tour in Edwardsville,
climb aboard the Great Train Expo in
Collinsville, and go for a holiday river walk
in Grafton.
On Account: We’ve hidden a memberaccount number in this issue (mailing label
excluded). If the account number belongs
to you, contact us within 30 days and we’ll
take $25 off your electric bill. Good luck!
Co-op
Reminders
November 11
Offices closed in observance of Veterans Day
November 27-28
Offices closed for
Thanksgiving Holiday
December 24
Offices close at noon for
Christmas holiday
December 25
Offices closed for
Christmas holiday
December 31
New Year’s holiday
January 1
Offices closed for New
Year’s holiday
On the Cover
In August, crews worked overnight at our Edwardsville Substation
to complete a maintenance project (story on page 8). Back Cover:
Mike Logue, assistant foreman, uses a hotstick inside the sub.
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The Southwestern
January 1
Operation Round Up grant
application deadline, first
quarter 2015
Bury Me Not
W
hen our crews described the methods some members use to camouflage
components of our distribution system, I thought they were exaggerating.
People planting thorns around switch cabinets? Surely not. And who’d
root rosebushes around a transformer, knowing linemen need to pop the hood from
the time to time?
Seemed a bit far-fetched.
They told me about a member who’d spray-painted a transformer cabinet to cover
the warning label because he didn’t like the color. In other words, someone erased a
vital piece of safety information because it commanded attention—which is precisely
what it’s designed to do.
Again, it seemed something of a stretch.
And then there was the tale of the buried switch cabinet. Someone hid part of our
electrical distribution system—equipment crews access for maintenance and repair—
under dirt and rock.
Sure, I said. Show me.
So they did.
Two morals to the story. First, I need to listen more closely to our linemen. And
second, if there’s a switch cabinet or pad-mounted transformer in your yard, please
don’t bury it. It isn’t dead. To the contrary, there are live electrical components inside.
Our crews need to work with those components. By planting thorns around your
transformer, or fencing it in, or burying it, you’re making it more difficult to restore
power to you and your neighbors during an outage. You’re also compromising your
safety and possibly the integrity of our distribution system.
No, a pad-mounted transformer isn’t the most attractive feature in your yard. But
it is one of the most useful items on your property. Please help us maintain it by
following the guidelines we’ve provided on pages 16 and 17.
As always, we appreciate your time and consideration.
Thanks for reading The Southwestern.
[email protected]
Board of Directors
Staff
The Southwestern
St. Jacob Office
Photo courtesy Neil Sperandio
The Southwestern
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3
News & Notes
Battery Check
It’s time for a change. As daylightsaving time ends on November 2,
we’ll turn back the clocks to recover
the hour we lost last spring. While
you’re turning back time, we encourage you to check the batteries
in your smoke alarms and carbon
monoxide detectors.
Batteries need to be replaced in
alarms every year, and it’s a good
idea to check your alarms monthly
to make sure they’re working.
Remember: As you turn back the
clocks, please check the batteries
in your smoke alarms and carbon
monoxide detectors. It takes minutes and it saves lives.
-
+
Co-op Employees and
Community Members
Donate Blood
M
ore than a dozen
Southwestern Electric
employees and community
members donated blood during drives
hosted by the cooperative this year.
“The donation process only takes
about an hour, and the result saves the
lives of many loved ones,” said Carrie
Frank, human resource manager for
Southwestern Electric Cooperative.
“Many treatments and medical
procedures wouldn’t be possible
without our blood banks,” Frank
said. “We’re grateful to everyone
who contributed and look forward to
hosting more drives in 2015.”
Frank worked with the Central
Illinois Community Blood Center
(CICBC) to coordinate the drives.
Established in 1971, CICBC provides
blood for 14 hospitals in Central
Illinois.
Energy
Tip
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The Southwestern
The center stationed a mobile blood
bank at the cooperative’s Greenville
office in April and June. The following
employees and community members
participated in the drives:
Louis Barth, Greenville
Sharon Brinker, Greenville
Scott Fitzgerald, Greenville
Carrie Frank, Highland
Linda Hinch, Mulberry Grove
Bridgette Kucera, Fairview Heights
Brian Meier, Hillsboro
Richard Mersinger, Saint Jacob
James Revisky, Greenville
Kathleen Schaefer-Lewey*, Hillsboro
Dean Schnurbusch, Pocahontas
Neil Sperandio, Pocahontas
Andrew Wessel, Keyesport
Debbie Whicker*, Mulberry Grove
Raymond Wurl, Altamont
*Participated in both blood drives.
Be merry and bright, but
don’t let your holiday
lights shine all night. Save
money on your electric bill
by installing a light timer
for your decked out home.
It can help lower your
electric bill and reduce
energy consumption. Use
a manual timer plugged
into an electrical outlet to
automatically turn lights on
and off as scheduled.
Heating Bill Payment Assistance
Available to Low-Income Families
T
To apply for assistance through LIHEAP, please contact
the community action agency serving your county.
amount, landlord’s contact information,
and proof that utilities are included in
the rent;
•Proof of Social Security numbers for all
household members; and
•Proof that the household receives
TANF or other benefits—such as
Medical Eligibility or SNAP—if you are
receiving assistance from the Illinois
Department of Human Services.
Step 2, Notification: The agency will
determine your eligibility based on information you provide and will notify you
within 30 days of receiving a completed
application.
Step 3, Remittance: If your application is accepted, the local agency will
make the appropriate payment to your
energy provider(s) on your behalf, or in
some cases, directly to you. All client
and vendor payments will be made by
the local agency within 15 days of the
application’s approval. Electric cooperative members, if approved, will receive
assistance in the form of a one-time
payment.
County
Community Action Agency
Source: IllinoisLIHEAP.com
Bond
BCMW Community Services, Inc.
he State of Illinois will offer assistance to low-income families
who struggle to pay their energy
bills. Assistance is currently available
for the 2014-2015 home heating season
through the Low Income Home Energy
Winter energy assistance has been
made available in three phases. Senior
citizens and people with disabilities
became eligible to apply for LIHEAP
assistance on September 1, 2014.
Households with children under the
age of five became eligible on October
1, 2014. All others became eligible on
November 1, 2014. Applications will be
accepted on a first-come first-served
basis until the funds are exhausted.
Please review the income guidelines
listed below to see if you qualify. The
amount of the payment is determined
by income, household size, fuel type,
geographic location, and the amount of
funding available.
Step 1, Application: Use the listing
below to find the agency that serves
the county you live in, then contact the
agency and tell them you'd like to apply
for assistance through LIHEAP. The
worker who takes your application will
explain the requirements, the type of assistance available, and your rights under
the program.
When you apply for assistance,
please bring the following items:
•Proof of gross income from all
household members for the 30-day
period prior to application date;
•A copy of your current heat and
electric bills issued within the last 30
days (if energy paid for directly);
•A copy of your rental agreement (if
your heating costs are included in
the rent) showing the monthly rental
Phone Number
(618) 664-3309
Clay
CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp.
(618) 662-4024
Clinton
(618) 594-4146
Effingham
(217) 347-7514
Fayette CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp.
(618) 283-2631
Macoupin Illinois Valley Economic Development Corp.
(217) 839-4431
Madison Madison County Community Development
(618) 692-6200
Marion BCMW Community Services, Inc.
Montgomery CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp.
(618) 532-7388
(217) 532-5971
Shelby CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp.
(217) 774-4541
St. Clair St. Clair Community Action Agency
(618) 257-9246
Income Guidelines
amily Size 30-Day Income
F
1......................... $1,459
If your household’s combined income for the 2 ........................ $1,966
30 days prior to application is at or below
3 ........................ $2,474
150% of the federal poverty level, as shown
4 ........................ $2,981 *For each
in the chart, you may be eligible to receive
5 ........................ $3,489 additional
assistance. If you rent, and your heat and/or
6 ........................ $3,996 person,
electric are included in the rental payment, your 7 ........................ $4,504 add $508
rent must be greater than 30% of your income. 8*........................ $5,011
For more information
on this program, visit
IllinoisLIHEAP.com or
call the toll-free hotline,
(877) 411-WARM.
The Southwestern
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5
You Get the Credit
C
apital Credits are one of the many benefits
of cooperative membership. Because
Southwestern Electric is a not-for-profit
cooperative, revenues beyond the cost of doing
business are considered margins. Margins represent
an interest-free loan of operating capital by
the membership to the cooperative.
From these margins the cooperative
builds equity with the intention
of repaying the member’s
investment, which is done
through the retirement of
capital credits.
Accumulated equity
decreases the need
for Southwestern
Electric to raise
electric rates or borrow
money for infrastructure
improvements. It also
makes it easier for the co-op
to absorb costs associated
with recovery from events like
tornadoes and ice storms.
Capital credits are allocated
to every member who purchased
electricity during a year in which
the cooperative earned margins. For
that year, capital credits are allocated
proportionally according to the amount
of energy purchased.
Regardless of whether you’re
an active or inactive member, the
capital credits you’ve earned belong
to you. However, capital credits don’t
become payable upon disconnection of
service. They remain on the books in the
member’s name until the credits are retired
or the member dies.
In a capital credit allocation, the margins for a
particular fiscal year are spread proportionally among
the members. The amount of funds allocated to
each member’s account is based on the amount of
electricity the member purchased during that year.
These funds are kept on Southwestern Electric’s
books until they can be retired. Capital credit
retirement is the process of returning the accumulated
credits back to the members.
Southwestern Electric Cooperative
pays out accumulated capital
credits to estates upon the
member’s death, regardless
of whether there was a
general retirement for that
year. Any debt owed by
the deceased member
to the cooperative must
be paid in full, and a
representative of the
estate must complete
the claim process in
its entirety before the
disbursement may be made.
For individual memberships,
capital credits are payable to
the member’s estate upon the
member’s death. If the capital
credits belong to a joint membership,
and one of the accountholders dies,
the accumulated credits will transfer in
their entirety to the surviving person’s
account, and their membership will be
converted from joint to individual status.
The co-op makes all efforts of due
diligence, in compliance with state
statutes and mandated guidelines,
to locate the member, and/or the
member’s heirs, when capital credits go
unclaimed. If, after such due diligence is
performed, the member cannot be located,
the capital credits are declared permanent equity
and remain on the cooperative’s records until the
member and/or heirs can be identified and found.
Southwestern Electric Cooperative publishes a list of members with unclaimed
capital credits on its website. For the latest listing, visit sweci.com. You can also call
the co-op’s office at (800) 637-8667, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., to
see if any unclaimed credits may be owed to you.
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The Southwestern
Field Fires Pose Hazard to Distribution System
G
enerations of landowners have used fire to rid their
ground of unwanted vegetation. But this age-old
management method turns costly when flames
move too close to utility poles. “Ditch and field fires can
damage and destroy utility poles, transformers, and other
pieces of the cooperative’s distribution system,” said Mike
Willman, vice president of operations for Southwestern
Electric Cooperative. “If you start a fire that burns cooperative property, you’re responsible for replacement costs. That
can add up to thousands of dollars,” Willman said.
And that doesn’t take into account the safety hazard and
inconvenience caused by fire reaching the cooperative’s
distribution system. “Treated poles can catch fire quickly,”
said Willman.
Utility poles are treated to prevent moisture from penetrating the wood and rotting the core. If a pole is scorched or
blackened, the moisture resistant “shell” is destroyed, and
the life of the pole is shortened.
“Take precautions when you burn vegetation,” Willman
said. “Make sure you have people to monitor the fire. Build
fire breaks by using a brush hog to carefully clear vegetation
around poles. And take time to work safely.”
Share Your
Photos with
Us!
If your burning does get away from you and a pole catches
fire, do not apply water. You’re too close to energized power
lines, and the results could be deadly. Call your local fire
department and Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Willman
advised. “Our crews have the equipment and experience to
put out the fire safely.”
You don’t need a high-dollar camera to contribute to our
“Members In Focus” photography section. A basic point
and shoot or smart phone camera will work nicely.
“Members In Focus” is your opportunity to show us what
you love most about Southwestern Illinois. Periodically,
we’ll publish some of your photos in the magazine.
Photo Submission Guidelines:
Please include your name, address, phone number or
e-mail, and a brief description of the photo, including
where and when it was taken, what it depicts, and the
names of any people shown. Digital images must be
taken in high-resolution JPG or TIF format (300 DPI or
greater). Make sure the date/time stamp is turned off
before shooting. Digital images may be sent as e-mail
attachments or on a disc. Photo prints are also welcome.
Send photos by e-mail to joe.richardson@sweci.
com, or by mail to Editor, c/o The Southwestern; 525
U.S. Route 40; Greenville, IL 62246. Southwestern
Electric Cooperative will interpret all submissions as
unconditional permission to use the photos provided.
We also reserve the right to exclude photos from our
publications. Please direct all questions regarding
“Members In Focus” to Joe Richardson or Mike Barns
at (800) 637-8667.
The Southwestern
|
7
the
Night
Shift
I
Michael Logue (above), assistant foreman, secures a
breaker for transport from Southwestern’s Edwardsville
Substation (opposite page).
8
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The Southwestern
t’s nearing 5 a.m., Sunday, August 10,
and more than a dozen Southwestern
linemen and support personnel
are wrapping up operations after a
full night’s work at the cooperative’s
Edwardsville Substation.
An inspection the week prior revealed
a breaker that, though functional, was
ready for replacement. “We needed
to take the breaker out of service to
facilitate repairs,” said Rich McGill,
vice president of engineering. In order
to replace the breaker, crews had to
de-energize the substation. “We wanted
to do it under an off-peak loading
situation—that way no one would have
to take an outage,” McGill explained.
The operation began about 11 p.m.
August 9, when demand for power was
low. Linemen were deployed throughout
the area. As the substation was deenergized, crews rerouted power from
other circuits to members served by
the Edwardsville Substation. After the
circuits were set, crews convened at the
Edwardsville Substation to disconnect
the sub from the breaker.
Linemen construct
a cable to improve
communications
between the newly
installed equipment
and the substation
transformer.
Rich McGill,
vice president
of engineering,
examines a
breaker control
panel.
Bobby Williams, manager
of engineering, monitors
substation functions after crews
installed the new equipment.
The Southwestern
|
9
Linemen hoisted the breaker
off its mounts and installed newly
manufactured protective equipment in
its place. While some crews remained
on site to re-energize the substation,
others returned to the field to restore the
circuits to their original configuration.
In total, the operation lasted about six
hours.
McGill praised Southwestern’s crews
for their performance, saying the various
teams executed their parts of the project
quickly and safely. He also commended
Cooper Power Systems, Waukesha,
Wisc., and Fletcher-Reindhardt Service
Company, Bridgeton, Mo., for quickly
providing the pieces required to
complete the work.
Leo Dublo, journeyman lineman, opens
breakers to isolate the substation.
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The Southwestern
Members of the project team included
(from top left): Joel LaFrance, construction
foreman; Neil Sperandio, foreman/
polyphase meterman & tester; Rick
Mersinger, construction foreman; Rob
Nesbit, journeyman lineman; Steve
McMahon, maintenance foreman; Scott
Fitzgerald, journeyman lineman; Andrew
Wessel, journeyman lineman; Leo Dublo,
journeyman lineman; Russ Mersinger,
journeyman lineman; Mark Chasteen,
journeyman lineman; Edgar Braundmeier,
maintenance foreman.
The Southwestern
|
11
Schematics for a replacement component.
From left: Jim Ashford, Lineman/Polyphase Meterman & Tester; Edgar Braundmeier,
maintenance foreman; and Neil Sperandio, lineman/polyphase meterman & tester,
monitor removal of the breaker while Bobby Williams, manager of engineering,
programs a control panel.
12
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The Southwestern
From left: Matthew
Carlson, electrical
engineer; Rich
McGill and Jim
Ashford discuss
the specifications
and abilities of the
new substation
components prior
to installation.
The Southwestern
|
13
Energy & Efficiency
Defense Mechanisms
Tiered approach provides best protection from power surges
P
ower surges are responsible for
hundreds of millions of dollars
of property damage every year.
These sudden, brief increases in voltage
can instantaneously overload and short
out the circuitry of home electronics.
encourages its members to protect their
electronics from the effects of voltage
spikes.
“Power surges, like other powerquality issues, went largely unnoticed in
the past, but nowadays consumers are
more aware of them because there are
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The Southwestern
many more electronic devices in a typical
home,” said Susan File, vice president
of member services for Southwestern
Electric Cooperative.
Despite a lingering perception that all
power surges come from outside sources,
a 2008 research study by the Gerry
Thomas Company demonstrated that four
out of five surges originate inside, not
outside, the building where the damage
had occurred.
“Eighty percent of power surges are
generated internally from common
household occurrences like an airconditioner kicking on and off,” File
explained. “The remaining 20 percent
are mostly from lightning strikes, but
can also happen when tree limbs fall
on power lines or when automobiles
collide with utility poles.”
Southwestern Electric’s
electrical distribution system
has several mechanisms
in place to help prevent
external power surges
from reaching homes and
businesses. The cooperative
employs a variety of
techniques, including
current diversion, voltage
clamping, and grounding,
to minimize the effects of
transient voltage.
“We use a tiered approach
toward surge protection on our side
and we suggest that our members do
the same,” File said.
The cooperative’s energy advisors,
John Winter and Marla Pourchot,
recommend that members add surge
protection at the service entrance
to protect the entire building, and
supplement the protection with plugin surge suppressors for their most
valued appliances. Point-of-use surge
suppressors plug directly into the wall
receptacle and are available in powerstrip form as well.
Most plug-in surge protectors are
equipped with an internal fuse that may
disconnect the appliance when exposed
to a surge.
Even with a combination of protective
measures on the cooperative’s side and
the member’s side, surge-related damage
is still possible. Surges can enter the
home through telephone and cable lines
just as it can enter through power lines.
Furthermore, any surge protection device
is only as effective as the electrical
grounding circuit made available to it.
A licensed, qualified electrician can tell
you if the grounding is adequate at your
home or business.
Southwestern Electric’s energy advisors
are available to visit your home or
business and make recommendations
regarding surge protection and other
energy issues. For assistance, call the
cooperative at (800) 637-8667 and ask
for the Technical Services Department.
THAT'S THE POWER OF CO-OP MEMBERSHIP
Savings on everyday items. Like up to 85% off prescription
drugs at participating pharmacies nationwide.
FIND ALL THE WAYS TO SAVE AT
CONNECTIONS.COOP
The Southwestern
|
15
Safety
Don’t Plant So Close To Me
Transformers shouldn’t serve as a centerpiece for shrubs
W
hile landscaping can enhance
the beauty of your property,
ornamental planting near
a pad-mounted transformer can create
hazards for Southwestern Electric crews.
Pad-mounted transformers are locked
inside the green metal cabinets found
in some neighborhoods served by
Southwestern Electric Cooperative.
Essentially, they’re the above-ground
component of an underground electrical
installation. Each transformer enables
the cooperative to deliver the proper
voltage to the surrounding homes.
“Some homeowners will camouflage
a pad-mounted transformer by installing
fences or planting shrubs around it,”
said Mike Willman, vice president of
operations for Southwestern Electric.
“That can present serious safety and
reliability issues.”
Covering or crowding a distribution
transformer can prevent heat from
dissipating properly, possibly leading
to an explosion, Willman said. In
accordance with the National Electrical
Safety Code (NESC), Southwestern
Electric Cooperative requires that
members maintain an obstruction-free
zone around the transformer. The NESC
Photo courtesy Neil Sperandio
calls for clearances of 10 feet from the
transformer’s padlocked front and three
feet from all other sides (see diagram on
page 17).
“We access transformers for repairs,
upgrades and general maintenance.
Plants and fences that restrict our access
or crowd the transformer can prevent
us from working safely,” said Willman.
Landscaping Tips To Keep You in the Clear
•Don’t plant trees or shrubs or install features in front of the transformer
cabinet doors.
•Avoid using plants with thorns, and don’t allow plants to overgrow the transformer.
•Consider the root characteristics of the plants you choose. It’s important that root
systems don’t interfere with buried cables. A large root system could lift the pad and
create a power outage. Select plants that are slow growing and easy to maintain.
•Don’t use ivy or other climbing plants around the equipment.
•Use grass or gravel around cabinet, but don’t change the grade.
•Don’t pile dirt or wood chips against the cabinet; it could cause the transformer
to overheat.
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The Southwestern
“It’s always in the member’s best
interest to keep that area clear. During
an outage, those obstacles can delay
our restoring power to homes served by
that transformer, and as crews access
the equipment, they may not be able to
avoid damaging your plants.”
As outlined in the cooperative
membership agreement, Southwestern
crews should be provided with
unobstructed access to distribution
transformers.
Obstructions limiting the co-op’s
access to a distribution transformer may
also be damaged or removed during
service restoration or maintenance.
When possible, Southwestern Electric
will attempt to notify a homeowner prior
to removing or altering a landscaping
feature. However, in emergency
situations, co-op crews may need to take
NESC Required
Clearances
immediate action in order to maintain
safety and restore electrical service to
the area.
“We need every member who has a
distribution transformer in their yard
to keep clearance requirements in
mind before starting any landscaping
projects,” said Willman.
As part of the electric distribution
system, transformer cabinets contain
energized components. They should
be treated with respect. Encourage
children to stay away from pad-mounted
transformers. If you see a transformer
cabinet that’s unlocked, open, looks
damaged, or appears to have been
tampered with, please call Southwestern
Electric at (800) 637-8667.
Questions about transformer
clearance requirements? Call Mike
Willman at (800) 637-8667.
Call 811
Before You Dig
Please keep shrubs and
structures 10 feet away
from the side with doors
and 3 feet from other sides.
Obstructions may be
damaged or removed
during service restoration
or maintenance.
Building a deck? Planting a tree?
Installing a mailbox? Call 811 before
you begin any digging project. The
811 “Call Before You Dig” number was
created to protect you from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines
while working on digging projects.
Every digging job requires a call – even
small projects like planting trees or
shrubs. If you hit an underground
utility line while digging, you can harm
yourself or those around you, disrupt
service to an entire neighborhood and
be responsible for fines and repair
costs. Call 811 before you dig. It’s a
free service that could save you time,
money, and serious injury.
The Southwestern
|
17
Out & About
CLINTON COUNTY
Carlyle Lake Bike Trail
This 10-mile trail of asphalt and concrete carries you through
woodlands and wetlands, past campgrounds, a spillway, a river
walk, and across the dam of one of Southwestern Illinois’ most
popular recreational lakes. You can park near the Carlyle Lake
Visitor Center and pick up the trail there, or off US 50, east of the
suspension bridge and spillway.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Trail Recreation Effingham County (TREC)
A three-mile leg of the TREC system is complete (30 miles of
county-wide bicycling and walking trails are planned). The trail is
a concrete ribbon with benches along the northern and western
section.
The densely wooded northern branch has a series of short,
steep hills. The western branch is flanked by woodlands and
pasture lands with occasional river views. The southern branch
runs near interstate, passing truck stops and shipping facilities.
There are three large parking lots near the north trail end—one at
the Firefly Grill and two at the Effingham Performance Center.
MACOUPIN COUNTY
Run p Ride
S
ure there’s a chill in the air—but that’s no
excuse to barricade yourself indoors. November
offers some the year’s best weather for
running and bicycling. No matter where you live in
Southwestern Illinois, there’s a running/biking route
near you. We’ve listed a few here—and you’ll find
more on the websites referenced below. Most of these
paths are longer and offer opportunities for distance
running and bicycling. Keep that in mind as you plan
your activity.
For trail maps, user reviews, construction and
closure updates, detailed trail and terrain descriptions,
and complete parking and access information, visit
the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s TrailLink website at
www.traillink.com, and the Madison County Transit
MCT Trails site at www.mcttrails.org. Both sites are
valuable resources for hikers, bikers, runners, and
folks who want to stretch their legs while they take in
the sunshine and scenery.
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The Southwestern
Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail
The Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail follows the path of the Illinois
Traction System, an electric interurban railway that connected
Benld and Gillespie in the days before Route 66. At present, the
trail offers 1.4 miles of asphalt surface. Ultimately, plans call for the
trail to reach south to Staunton, where it will link with the Madison
County Transit trail system. Parking is available on Park Avenue in
Benld.
MADISON COUNTY
Madison County Transit Bluff Trail
This two-mile, asphalt trail follows the bluff line on the campus of
SIUE past prairie grass restoration areas and university athletic
fields. You’ll see a log cabin, Whiteside Cemetery, and Korte
Stadium. You can park at the Park & Bike lots on Stadium Drive
and at Korte Stadium, both on the campus of SIUE.
Madison County Transit Confluence Trail
This asphalt/oil and chip trail stretches 23 miles, offering views of
the Mississippi River and the Clark Bridge. You’ll pass the National
Great Rivers Museum and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center on
this route. Parking is available at Russell Commons Park, National
Great River’s Museum (Alton); Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
(Hartford).
Madison County Transit Goshen Trail
The Goshen Trail offers about nine miles of asphalt running
and biking surface through Troy, Maryville and Glen Carbon to
Edwardsville. It intersects six other trails and includes 10 tunnels
and a 175-foot bridge. Parking is available on Old Troy Road at
Route 162 (Troy)
Madison County Transit Nature Trail
The trail may offer views of deer, turkey, and other Illinois wildlife,
but don’t let the name fool you—no muddy paths here. Rather,
your steps will be sure along this 14.7-mile asphalt surface, which
takes you from Route 159 in Edwardsville, past SIUE, to Wilson
Park in Granite City. The trail crosses creeks and passes schools
and parks. You can park at Edwardsville High School during
non-school hours, the Park & Bike lot on Revelle Lane in Pontoon
Beach, Horseshoe Lake State Park, and at Wilson Park in Granite
City.
Madison County Transit Nickel Plate Trail
Nearly 22 miles of asphalt and limestone pathways stretch from
Fruit Road in rural Edwardsville to Old Edwardsville Road in
Pontoon Beach. Along the way you’ll pass farm fields and woodlands, with access to parks and historic districts in Edwardsville
and Glen Carbon. Parking is available at Longfellow Road & Route
159, LCCC N.O. Nelson Campus, Longfellow & Nelson Avenues,
Miner Park in Glen Carbon, and the Park & Ride lot at Route 157 in
Glen Carbon.
Madison County Transit Quercus Grove Trail
The Quercus Grove Trail will carry you from Schwarz and Springer
Streets in Edwardsville to Hamel, Worden, and eventually to
Watertower Park in Staunton. Along the way you’ll see historic
downtown Edwardsville and the sprawling farm fields that patchwork Madison County. The trail offers 18 miles of asphalt and
limestone. You can park at MCT Park & Ride on Hillsboro Avenue,
Old Carpenter Road in Edwardsville, Hamel Community Park in
Hamel, Worden Park in Worden, and Watertower Park in Staunton.
Madison County Transit Watershed Trail
If you’re looking for a shorter ride or run, the Watershed Trail
offers a lot of scenery along a five-mile stretch of asphalt. The
trail passes the Watershed Nature Center and crosses old railroad
trestles with sweeping views of Cahokia Creek. The trail takes
you from West Union in Edwardsville to Wanda Road in Roxana.
Parking is available at the Park & Ride lot on Russell Road and the
Watershed Nature Center on Terry Avenue, both in Edwardsville.
Sam Vadalabene Great River Road Bike Trail
You’ll keep company with towering bluffs, the Mississippi
River, and a monstrous bird as you run or ride the 20-mile Sam
Vadalabene Great River Road Bike Trail. The trail begins at Pere
Marquette State Park, follows the Illinois River to the Mississippi,
and presses on through Grafton and past Elsah before ending at
Piasa Park, north of historic Lower Alton. Parking and trail access
are available at Piasa Park on Route 100 north of Alton and at Pere
Marquette State Park, north of Grafton.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Green Diamond Rail-Trail
The Green Diamond Rail-Trail is a four-mile leg of a trail system
planned to link Farmersville to Litchfield and points beyond. The
trail is flat and surfaced with oil and chip. The north end of the
trail begins in a woodland swamp. Continuing south, the view
opens into farmland. Parking is available at the south end of South
Cleveland Street in Farmersville and at the Historic Depot Park on
Main Street in Waggoner.
SHELBY COUNTY
General Dacey Trail
Made of oil and chip, The General Dacey Trail runs between
Shelbyville and Lake Shelbyville. The northernmost loops travel
through forest and offer short, steep hills. The trail south crosses
the dam, passes the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center, and ends at
the Shelbyville courthouse.
The largest parking lot is at the east end of Ninth Street in the
Dam West Recreational Area. A smaller lot is available by the
trailhead on the north side of Forest Park behind the Scout Cabin.
The Southwestern
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19
S
everal Southwestern members identified the mystery location in our
October issue as the McPike Mansion.
Located on Alton’s Alby Street, the home was commissioned by Henry
Guest McPike in 1869. It was designed by Lucas Pfeiffenberger, an
architect who designed homes for captains of business, industry and finance, as well
as numerous commercial and public buildings. Completed in 1871, the three-story
brick building featured 16 rooms, 11 marble fireplaces, beautifully carved stairway
banisters, and a vaulted wine cellar. The estate included 15 acres.
Involved in real estate and box making, Henry McPike was an avid horticulturist
and added gardens with orchards, shrubs and rare trees to the estate. McPike
developed a namesake grape, which served as the staple for his award-winning wines.
The building was once home to Browns Business College and later owned by Paul
Laichinger, who rented rooms in the house to other occupants. McPike Mansion was
listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Today, a little over four
acres of the original estate remain.
On Account: If your account number is 710007004, call us within
30 days to receive a $25 credit on an upcoming electric bill.
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The Southwestern
But for the real story behind the
mansion, we turn to John H. McPike
III of Edwardsville, great-grandson of
Henry McPike.
“The house was also known as
‘Mount Lookout’ and was said to be
the highest point in Madison County,”
McPike wrote. “H.G. McPike escorted
A. Lincoln from the Franklin House,
located at the foot of State St. in Alton,
to the stage for the final of the seven
Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858,” he
said.
“In 1908 at the 50-year re-enactment
of the debate, H.G. McPike was the only
living participant of the original event.
He was with Lincoln at the train depot
in Springfield, Ill., when he was notified
of his nomination for president in 1860,”
McPike said.
“H.G. was mayor of Alton for one
term. He died in 1910 and is buried in
the Alton Cemetery, very close to the
Lovejoy monument. Contrary to popular
belief,” McPike said,” the house is not
haunted!”
This month’s prize drawing winners
are John H. McPike of Edwardsville,
Diane Schmid of Edwardsville, and
Pam Strausbaugh of Worden. Thanks to
everyone who entered. We hope to hear
from you again next month!
What is this?
Who-What-Where is a contest that challenges your knowledge of people, places and objects in and around Southwestern Electric
Cooperative’s service area. Here’s how it works: Each month, we run a photo. Your job is to tell us who's pictured, what we've
photographed, or where we shot the photo.
Send us your answer by the tenth day of the month and we’ll enter your name in a drawing for a Southwestern Electric shirt
and hat. You can email your response to [email protected] or send it by mail to Joe Richardson, Southwestern Electric
Cooperative, 525 U.S. Route 40, Greenville, IL 62246. Please include your name, mailing address, hometown, and preferred shirt size.
If you have a story about our photo topic, include that as well—we love these!
The puzzle solution—possibly accompanied by a few words from you—will appear in a future issue of The Southwestern.
The Southwestern
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21
Have a recipe
to share?
Please mail recipes to: Co-op
Kitchen, Southwestern Electric
Cooperative, 525 US Route 40,
Greenville, IL 62246. Or you’re
welcome to email recipes to
Mike Barns at mike.barns@
sweci.com. When you send your
recipe, remember to include
your name and hometown so
we can credit you in print. If
you’ve taken a photo of your
dish, you’re welcome to include
that as well.
Thanks for sharing. We look
forward to dining with you.
Buffalo Chip Cookies
Ingredients
2 sticks butter soft or melted
1 pound brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour sifted
1 teaspoon baking power
Patsy Jackson, Saint Louis
2 cups broken pecans
1 cup quick oats
1 cup corn flakes crushed
(measure flakes then crush)
1 6 ounce bag real
chocolate chips
1 6 ounce bag
butterscotch chips
Directions
1. In large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and sugar.
2. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
4. Drop by ¼ measuring cup on cookie sheet. (only drops six because of size).
5. Preheat oven to 350° and bake for 15 minutes.
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The Southwestern
Beef Stroganoff
Ingredients
2 pounds round steak cut
into slivers
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
flour
4 tablespoons cooking oil
2 cups water
1 large onion chopped
1 clove garlic
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cans cream of
mushroom soup
1 large can sliced mushrooms
2 cups sour cream
8 ounces uncooked egg noodles
1 cube beef bouillon
chopped parsley to garnish
Bake In the Morning Coffee Cake
Norma Meyer, Edwardsville
Ingredients
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
⅔ cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
Topping Ingredients
½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup chopped pecans
Directions
1. Sift together flour, salt, cinnamon,
baking soda, and baking power.
Set aside.
2. Cream together sugar, brown
sugar, and butter.
3. Add eggs and buttermilk to cream.
4. Combine dry mix with cream.
5. Spread batter in greased
9” x 13” pan.
6. Combine topping ingredients and
sprinkle on batter.
7. Cover with plastic wrap and
refrigerate over night.
8. Preheat oven 350° and bake for
35 minutes or until toothpick
comes out clean.
9. Can be served immediately.
Directions
1. Toss the beef slivers in flour, salt,
pepper, and half of the paprika.
Use as much flour as the meat
will absorb.
2. Let meat sit for half-hour and
then toss again.
3. Brown meat in cooking oil.
4. Add 2 cups water, onion, and
garlic to meat.
5. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring
occasionally to keep from
sticking.
6. Add cream of chicken soup,
mushroom soup, mushrooms,
and remainder of paprika.
7. Simmer again for 15 minutes.
8. Add sour cream, mix well,
and drop heat to low.
9. Cook noodles according to
directions on package and add
the beef bouillon cube to water
before cooking.
10.Combine noodles with meat
mixture, garnish with parsley,
and enjoy.
The Southwestern
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23
Area Events
November 6; December 6 MOON
LIGHT HIKE, Alton. Join TNI members
and friends on a night hike along the
woodland trails through the Mississippi
Sanctuary or Olin Nature Preserve,
illuminated by a full moon. Terrain is
light to moderate. Meet at The Nature
Institute’s Talahi Lodge at 7 p.m. These
hikes are free and open to the public.
The Nature Institute, 2213 South Levis
thenatureinstitute.org.
November 6-9, 13-16 The Mouse
That Roared, Lebanon. A performance
by the Looking Glass Playhouse. All
performances begin at 7:30 p.m., except
for Sunday shows, which begin at 2
p.m. $10 for adults; $9 for students,
senior citizens and active military
personnel (with valid identification).
Looking Glass Playhouse, 301 West St.
Louis Street. Call (618) 537-4962 or visit
lookingglassplayhouse.com.
November 1 - December 31
WORKING WILDFOWL: DECOYS,
CARVINGS AND THE WATERFOWL
TRADITION, West Alton.
Working Wildfowl is an original
exhibit showcasing vintage and
contemporary wildfowl decoys,
duck calls and artwork. The center
is open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily, but
please check the website for
seasonal changes. Audubon Center
at Riverlands, 301 Riverlands
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The Southwestern
November 8 DINNER WITH MR.
LINCOLN’S FRIENDS, Alton. Enjoy a
meal that would have been served at
Lincoln’s table. As you dine on a fourcourse meal, be entertained by Lincoln
and Civil War vignettes from the cast of
Alton Little Theater. My Just Desserts,
31 East Broadway. 6 p.m. Admission
is $35. Tickets must be purchased in
advance. Call (618) 462-5881 or visit
myjustdesserts.org.
November 8 FAMILY STYLE SAUSAGE
SUPPER, Highland. Homemade goodies
and pies for desert. 3 - 8 p.m. Adults
$10; children 6 - 12 years of age $4;
children age 6 and younger eat free.
Carry-out available at adult price only.
Package and fried sausage for sale.
Grantfork United Church of Christ,
206 South Locust Street. For more
November 8 HOLIDAY SHOPPING
EXPO, Swansea. The 8th Annual Holiday
Shopping Expo features over 40 unique,
local gift stores, boutiques, and artisans
in one convenient location. A spaghetti
luncheon will be available from 11 a.m. 1 p.m. for $5. Admission is free. 58 Frank
Scott Parkway East. Call (618) 942-8000.
November 8 TOAST OF MARISSA,
Marissa. Enjoy wine tasting, live music,
food, vendors, 5K run, 1 mile fun run,
50/50 raffle and grape stomp. 200 North
Main Street. Call (866) 326-4256 or visit
marissachamber.org.
November 8 QUILT & ART SHOW, Troy.
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. $2 admission includes
free cookies and coffee. Friedens United
Church of Christ, 207 East Center
Street. For information on quilts and
needlework, call Sue at (618) 5050422 or Gloria at (618) 667-2769. For
information on art, call Diana at
(618) 667-7074.
November 8 & 9 BAND BOOSTER
CRAFT FAIR, Edwardsville. More than
subject to change.
250 booths of quality handcrafted items.
Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday 11
a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is $2. Proceeds
benefit the Edwardsville High School
band program. Edwardsville High
School, 6161 Center Grove Road. Call
(618) 655-6097.
November 9 WINE FESTIVAL, Grafton.
There will be dozens of wines, live
music, free appetizers, unique vendors,
and a day full of wine. A portion of
the proceeds from the Wine Festival
will be donated to the Friends of Pere
Marquette State Park Foundation. Must
be 21 years of age and have a valid ID
to obtain a tasting pass and a lodge
wine glass. Noon - 4 p.m. Admission is
$15 per person and wine tasting tickets
are two for $1. Pere Marquette Lodge &
Conference Center, 13653 Lodge Blvd.
Call (618) 786-2331 or visit pmlodge.net.
November 14 & 15 OLDE TYME
CHRISTMAS, Vandalia. Start your
Christmas shopping early, listen to
carolers, and visit Mr. & Mrs. Claus.
Friday 5 - 9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. - 5
p.m. West Gallatin Street. For more
November 17 SAINT LOUIS
SYMPHONY MONDAYS, Lebanon. An
exquisite concert experience featuring
the smaller chamber ensembles of Saint
Louis Symphony Orchestra musicians.
Admission is free. 7:30 p.m. The Hett
Center for the Arts, 400 North Alton
thehett.com.
November 21 COMMUNITY TREE
LIGHTING, Alton. Santa & Mrs. Claus
arrive at 6 p.m. for free photos with
Santa, candy, and prizes for children.
Enjoy free cookies and hot chocolate,
caroling, and the blessing and lighting of
the Christmas tree. 6 - 8 p.m. LincolnDouglas Square, Broadway St. and
Landmarks Blvd. Call (618) 463-1016.
November 21-23 FESTIVAL OF TREES,
New Baden. The Civic Center will be
transformed with over 20 uniquely
decorated Christmas trees designed by
New Baden businesses, organizations,
and individuals. Each evening will
have live entertainment and the Sweet
Shoppe. Families can enjoy a pancake
breakfast with Santa on Saturday
(reservations required). Friday 3 - 9 p.m.;
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday
9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Adults $5; children
3-12 years of age $3; save $1 off each
admission by bringing a nonperishable
item for the St. George-Zion Food Pantry
or a toy for the Community Toy Drive.
New Baden Civic Center, 100 East
Birch Street. Call (618) 588-3813 or visit
newbadenil.com.
November 21 - December 31 WINTER
WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS, Lebanon.
A drive-through display of holiday
lights. Sunday-Thursday 5 p.m. - 9
p.m.; Friday-Saturday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Donations accepted. Horner Park, 11113
Widicus Road. Call (618) 537-8420 or
visit hornerparklights.com.
November 21 - January 2 WAY
OF LIGHTS, Belleville. This unique
celebration of Christmas features a
drive-through light display, tree and
wreath displays, interactive children’s
village, camel rides, and indoor laser
show. 5 - 9 p.m. Admission is free.
National Shrine of Our Lady of the
Snows, 442 South Mazenod Drive. Call
(618) 397-6700 or visit wayoflights.org.
November 22 SANTA’S HOLIDAY
AVENUE PARADE & CHILI COOK-OFF,
Granite City. Large holiday parade with
over 100 entries followed by chili cookoff, arts and crafts vendors, and kids
activities. 1 p.m. 2000 Edison Avenue.
Call (618) 876-1076 or visit granitecity.
illinois.gov.
November 22 & 23 THE NUTCRACKER
SUITE BALLET & CONCERT, Belleville.
Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite
performed by the Belleville Philharmonic
Orchestra and the Belleville School
of Ballet with guest artists from The
American Ballet Theater. Saturday
7:30 p.m.; Sunday 1:30 and 5 p.m.
Admission is $17. Scottish Rite Bodies
Cathedral, 1549 Frank Scott Parkway
West. Call (618) 235-5600 or visit
bellevillephilharmonic.org.
WONDERLAND IN LIGHTS, Effingham.
A drive-through display of holiday lights.
Sunday through Thursday 5 p.m. - 9
p.m.; Friday & Saturday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Community Park, East Temple Avenue.
Call (800) 772-0750.
November 28 LIGHTED CHRISTMAS
PARADE, Highland. This annual holiday
parade culminates with the official
lighting of the Square where musicians,
Madrigal singers, carriage rides, hot
chocolate, kettle corn, and Santa himself
await visitors. Downtown Square, 907
Main Street. Call (618) 654-3721.
November 21-23 VICTORIAN
HOLIDAY WEEKEND, Lebanon.
The weekend includes lighting
the downtown, music, caroling,
food, carriage rides, children’s
activities, and Father Christmas.
The shops will be open so you can
start marking-off your Christmas
shopping list. West St. Louis
lebanonil.us.
November 28 SANTA CLAUS PARADE
& LIGHTING OF THE FOUNTAIN,
Belleville. Welcome Santa to town for
the largest holiday parade in Southern
Illinois with 100 parade floats, marching
bands, and dance groups. Then see
the fountain come to Christmas life.
10 a.m. Downtown Belleville, 17 West
Main Street to Oak Street. For more
November 28 & 29 CHRISTMAS
CANDLELIGHT TOURS, Edwardsville.
Customs of the 1820s will come alive as
Father Christmas and his mischievous
brother Rupert entertain. Historically
garbed docents will greet you as you
explore this festively adorned historic
home. 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Adults $10;
children 6-12 years of age $5; children
five years of age and younger are free.
Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House,
409 S. Buchanan Street. Call (618) 6921818 or visit stephensonhouse.org.
November 28-30 FALL INDIAN
MARKET, Collinsville. Purchase holiday
gift items made by Native American
artists and craftpersons featuring
jewelry, painting, herbals, weaving,
baskets, pottery, bronze work, and
more. Friday noon - 5 p.m.; Saturday
and Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission
is free. Cahokia Mounds State Historic
Site, 30 Ramey Street. Call (618) 3465160 or visit cahokiamounds.org.
CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND, Alton. A
drive-through holiday display featuring
more than 2.5 million lights. Monday
through Friday 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday
& Sunday 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. Suggested
donation: $7 for cars and small vans,
$1 per person for vehicles holding more
than 10 people. Rock Spring Park, 2116
College Avenue. Call (800) 258-6645 or
(618) 465-6676.

November 28 - January 1 CHRISTMAS
LIGHTS WONDERLAND, Greenville.
Features Christmas lights and
miniature display houses with animated
characters. Enjoy complimentary coffee,
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Center, 627 East Broadway. For more
information, call (618) 462-5222 or visit
jacobyartscenter.org.
November 29 & 30 GREAT TRAIN
EXPO, Collinsville. Show features
operating model railroads, train
dealers, collectors, hands-on
exhibits, demonstrations, and
workshops. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Gateway Center, One Gateway
Drive. For more information, visit
greattrainexpo.com.
hot chocolate and cookies in the Little
Red Barn. Nightly, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. On
Friday and Saturday nights, visit with
Santa, enjoy an 1800s Christmas at
Hill’s Fort, and (weather permitting)
ride the Polar Express. Train rides are
$2 per passenger. American Farm
americanfarmheritagemuseum.org.
November 28 - January 1 WOBURN
CHRISTMAS DISPLAY, Smithboro.
Features animated holiday scenes in a
quaint village setting. Weekdays 5 p.m. 9 p.m. and Friday & Saturday 5 p.m. - 10
p.m. 1481 Woburn Road. Call (618) 6649272 or visit greenvilleusa.org.
November 29 CHRISTMAS PARADE &
FIREWORKS, Breese. The parade begins
at 6 p.m. The line-up starts by the
railroad tracks on North Main and travels
to the park where we welcome Santa.
Call (618) 526-7731 or visit breese.org.
November 29 LIVE AT JACOBY: ELISE
PARKER AND THE POOR PEOPLE OF
PARIS, Alton. Elsie Parker and the Poor
People of Paris will perform. 7 - 9 p.m.
(doors open at 6 p.m.) $12.50 for adults;
$10 for senior citizens and students
with valid identification. Jacoby Arts
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November 29 COME HOME FOR
CHRISTMAS, Greenville. Enjoy
Christmas caroling, the courthouse
lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa
Claus, Christmas tree decorating,
demonstrations, train displays, and
children’s activities. Starts at noon.
Downtown square. Call (618) 664-9272.
November 29 & 30; December 6 & 7
CHRISTMAS TREES AT DR. WRIGHT’S
HOUSE, Altamont. See beautifully
decorated Christmas trees provided by
the Altamont Chamber of Commerce.
Tour the mansion and listen to Christmas
music performed by local musicians.
1 p.m. - 4 p.m. $6 for adults; $1 for
students age 18 and younger. Dr.
Charles M. Wright House, corner of
North Main Street and West Jackson
wrightmansion.org.
December 5 CHRISTMAS TREE
LIGHTING, Collinsville. At 6 p.m. join
Santa and his carolers for the annual tree
lighting. Downtown at 307 East Main
Street. Call (618) 558-1372.
December 5 SNOWFLAKE FESTIVAL,
Godfrey. Featuring pictures with Santa,
carriage rides, carolers, free hot cocoa
and treats. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Free. Please
bring a non-perishable food item for
donation to the Crisis Food Center.
Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane.
December 5-7, 12-14 Christmas
Belles, Breese. A theatrical
Showcase. All performances begin
at 8 p.m. except for the last Sunday
showing, which is at 2 p.m. $10 for
adults; $9 for students, senior citizens
and active military personnel (with valid
identification). Historic Avon Theatre, 535
North 2nd Street. For reservations, call
(618) 526-2866 or visit ccshowcase.com.
December 1-31 FANTASY OF LIGHTS,
Centralia. A drive-through Christmas
light display. 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Foundation
Park, entrance next to South Central
Transit, 1616 E. McCord Street. Call
(618) 532-6789.
December 4-7 ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE,
Alton. This musical play, complete
with down home country humor and
true emotion, includes many of Patsy’s
unforgettable hits. Thursday - Saturday
7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. Adults $15;
North Henry Street. For tickets call (618)
462-6562. For more information, visit
altonlittletheater.org.
December 5 A NEW HOLIDAY
MOOSICAL, Centralia. Featuring 16
unforgettable larger-than-life costumed
characters, plus Santa and his two
elves. 7:30 p.m. Adult $17; youth
$10. Kaskaskia College, Jane Knight
Auditorium, 27210 College Road. For
more information, call (618) 545-3223 or
visit kaskaskia.edu/soe.
December 13 STATEHOUSE
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE,
Vandalia. The Statehouse is
illuminated by more than 250
candles and is trimmed with 1800s
decorations including fresh greenery
and fruits. Statehouse staff and
volunteers in period dress conduct
the tours of the historical building
and period music is provided. As
is tradition, the first 100 families
receive a free ornament. 5 - 8 p.m.
Vandalia State House, 315 West
Gallatin. Call (618) 283-1161.
December 6 GINGERBREAD HOUSE
MAKING CLASS, Edwardsville. Learn
pastry decorating techniques and create
a beautiful holiday decoration. Call to
register, seating is limited. 9 - 9:45 a.m.
Museum members $8; non-members
$10. The Children’s Museum, 722
Holyoake Road. Call (618) 692-2094 or
visit edwardsvillechildrensmuseum.org.
December 6 HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR,
Collinsville. Experience some of
Collinsville’s finest festively decorated
homes as fellow residents have decked
their halls and will open their doors for
guests. The tour will start at the Blum
House, 414 West Main Street, where
participants will pick up an info packet
before embarking on the self-guided
tour. 2 - 8 p.m. Admission is $10. 414
West Main Street. Call (618) 558-1372.
December 6 HOME FOR THE
HOLIDAYS HOUSE TOUR, Elsah. Tours
include historic homes, the village
museum, churches, bed and breakfasts,
and horse-drawn carriage rides. Lunch,
catered by My Just Desserts, will be
available for purchase at Farley’s Music
Hall from 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (or until
sold out). Noon - 4 p.m. Tickets are $15
in advance ($18 on event day, cash only)
and available at the Alton Visitor Center
and Elsah’s bed & breakfasts. Advance
purchase is recommended. For more
information call (618) 374-1684 or visit
historicelsah.org.
December 6 HOSPITAL AUXILIARY
HOLIDAY BAZAAR, Greenville. This
annual event features homemade crafts,
food, candy, cookies, and music. 1 - 7
p.m. Free Methodist Church, 1367 East
State Route 140 Call (618) 664-9272.
December 6 TASTE OF CHOCOLATE &
HOLIDAY RIVER WALK, Grafton. Enjoy
homemade chocolate treats courtesy
of Grafton businesses and residents.
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. $7 per person.
Grafton Winery & Brewhaus, 300 West
enjoygrafton.com.
December 13 & 14 ARRIVAL AT CAMP RIVER DUBOIS, Hartford. This annual
event commemorates the day William Clark and the men of the detachment
arrived at the confluence of the Riviere a Dubois, Mississippi and Missouri
Rivers. This year’s arrival event will feature vintage tools, guns, rocks and
minerals, artillery, and historic dog photos. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Lewis & Clark State
Historic Site, One Lewis and Clark Trail. GPS: 3500 New Poag Road. Call (618)
251-5811 or visit campdubois.com.
December 6 & 7 GREAT RIVERS
CHORAL SOCIETY: CELTIC
CHRISTMAS CONCERT, Godfrey. This
concert will bring together the worlds of
classical and Celtic music. Saturday 7:30
- 9 p.m.; Sunday 3 - 4 p.m. Admission
is free. First United Methodist Church,
1100 Airport Road. Call (618) 798-1492
or visit grcs-sing.org.
December 6 & 7 OLDE ALTON ARTS &
CRAFTS FAIR, Alton. Proceeds benefit
the Alton School District’s instrumental
music program. No strollers please.
a.m. - 3 p.m. Admission: $2 per person
on Saturday; $1 on Sunday; free for
children age 12 and younger. Alton High
School, 4200 Humbert Road. Call (618)
474-6996 or visit abob.net/craft-fair.
collinsvillerec.com.
December 13, 14-21 Santa’s
Village, Troy. Santa will arrive in Troy
at 6 p.m., December 13. Santa and his
elves will be in the Community Center
from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Weekend hours are
noon to 3 p.m., week night hours are
from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Santa’s reindeer
will be at the village December 15th for
photo ops. Bring your camera! Carolers
will welcome visitors to the village and
refreshments will be provided. Call
(618) 667-1040.
December 7 CHRISTMAS
CELEBRATION, St. Elmo. Parade
of lights and tree lighting. 6 - 8 p.m.
Downtown on Main Street. Call
(618) 829-3319.
December 13 A WINTER
WONDERLAND, Godfrey. Experience
winter through the holiday music of
the Alton Symphony Orchestra. 7 p.m.
Adults $10; seniors age 62 and older $5;
grade school and high school students
admitted free. Lewis & Clark Community
College, Hatheway Hall, 5800 Godfrey
Road. Call (618) 463-6933 or visit
altonsymphony.org.
December 7 CHRISTMAS AT
WILLOUGHBY, Collinsville. Visitors can
sip hot cider or hot chocolate and nibble
on holiday treats while visiting with
Santa Claus in the farm house. Bring
your camera to snap a photo of Santa
with your little one. Join us in the barn
for a holiday sing-along while guests
make ornaments to take home. 1 - 4
p.m. Willoughby Farm, 631 Willoughby
December 13 LIVE AT JACOBY:
CHRISTMAS WITH JESSE, Alton.
Enjoy traditional Christmas music and
new songs as Jesse sings and plays
the piano. 7 - 9 p.m. $12.50 for adults;
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The Southwestern
the
Southwestern
Life Lines
To save lives, crews
count on steel hooks,
sturdy rope, and training
Co-op Conducts Member Survey
Your Role in Vegetation
Management
Southwestern Scholarships
Season’s Savings With Your
Co-op Connections Card
DECEMBER 2014 • VOLUME 66 • ISSUE 12
the
Southwestern
MEMBER MAGAZINE
DECEMBER 2014 • VOLUME 66 • ISSUE 12
Inside This Issue
04 Member Survey
Southwestern Electric is conducting a
member survey during December. Your
time, consideration, and responses will
help us provide better service.
05 LIHEAP Energy Bill Assistance
Applications are being accepted
for financial assistance through the State
of Illinois’ Low Income Home Energy
06 Southwestern Scholarships
Enrolling as a full-time college student in
2015? Southwestern will award $11,000
in scholarships next year. Apply today!
08 Co-op Connections Card
Use your Co-op Connections Card for
discounts on meals, entertainment,
health and beauty aids, home
improvement materials, and other items.
More than a dozen businesses have
joined the program since our last listing.
Forestry and contract crews play
vital roles in the co-op’s vegetation
management plan. But there's another
key participant: You.
18 Out & About
Searching for a quiet, Christmas outing
to soothe your spirits? Need a splash
of light and song to bolster your holiday
cheer? You don’t have to venture far to
find sights and sounds of the season.
20 Who-What-Where?
This month we clean the slate of our
November challenge and ask you to
identify a local historical figure.
22 Co-op Kitchen
Turn your kitchen into an activity area
this month! These colorful cookies
make fun family projects and they're a
welcome addition to any holiday table.
24 Area Events
Be dazzled by Effingham’s Wonderland
in Lights, chill out at the Snowflake
Festival in Godfrey, and learn the finer
points of culinary carpentry by building a
gingerbread house in Edwardsville.
On Account: We’ve hidden a memberaccount number in this issue (mailing
label excluded). If the account number
belongs to you, contact us within 30
days and we’ll take $25 off your electric
bill. Good luck!
16 Safety
When a swift response can mean the
difference between life and death,
linemen rely on hooks, rope, and
training.
On the Cover
Scott Fitzgerald, journeyman lineman, works with speed and
precision during a pole top rescue simulation in November (see
story on page 16). Back Cover: Keith Steiner, forestry apprentice,
clears right of way in Fayette County.
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The Southwestern
Co-op
Reminders
December 24
Christmas holiday
December 25
Offices closed for
Christmas holiday
December 31
New Year’s holiday
January 1
Offices closed for New
Year’s holiday
January 1
Operation Round Up grant
application deadline, first
quarter 2015
Survey Says
T
his month, some of you will answer a phone call placed on our behalf.
For the first time in several years, Southwestern Electric is conducting a
comprehensive member survey. We’re gathering information that will help us
serve you more effectively. We want to know what we’re doing right, where we’ve
gone wrong, and how we can improve.
To conduct the survey, we’ve partnered with Touchstone Energy and TSE services.
Touchstone Energy cooperatives across the country are conducting similar studies.
Like us, they want to act on information, not assumptions.
Not every member will get a call. If you don't hear from us, it doesn't mean you've
been overlooked. It simply means your name wasn’t drawn for this particular survey.
Though this is the first comprehensive survey we’ve conducted in a while, it won't be
the last. If your phone doesn’t ring this month, it may ring next time.
You’ll notice I described the survey as comprehensive. It covers a lot of ground and
takes about 15 minutes to complete. Each member who completes the survey will be
entered in a drawing. Early next year we’ll draw 10 names. Our winners will receive
a $50 bill credit. So in addition to helping us offer better service, you have a chance
to trim $50 from your electric bill.
Most of the telephone interviews will be conducted weeknights between 5:30 p.m.
and 8:30 p.m. Weekend calling will be limited to Saturdays. The calls will originate
from the 336 area code and display as “Opinion Counts” on Caller ID.
If you’re called, we’d certainly appreciate it if you’d take time to complete the
survey. You’ll find more about the survey on Page 4.
As always, thank you for reading The Southwestern.
[email protected]
Board of Directors
Staff
The Southwestern
St. Jacob Office
To report an outage, contact Southwestern Electric Cooperative at (800) 6378667. Please do not use e-mail to report outages; our e-mail accounts are not
staffed full-time. In the event of a widespread outage, Southwestern Electric
will post updates on its website at www.sweci.com. We’ll also send
reports to the following radio stations: 101.7 FM WGEL (Greenville),
106.1 FM WSMI (Litchfield), 105.3 FM WAOX (Staunton), 107.1
FM WKRV (Vandalia), and 96.7 WCXO (Carlyle).
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News & Notes
Co-op Conducts Member Survey
S
outhwestern Electric Cooperative has launched a survey
to gain insight into member priorities, preferences and
expectations. The study, which is being conducted via
telephone, begins this month.
“This isn’t a marketing survey,” said Joe Richardson, editor
of The Southwestern. “This is about measuring our performance, and defining our membership’s needs and expectations.
We want to know what we’re doing right and where we need to
improve,” Richardson said.
The survey is being conducted in coordination with
Touchstone Energy and TSE services. “Dozens of Touchstone
Energy cooperatives across the nation are asking many of the
same questions we are,” Richardson said.
One segment of the survey is dedicated to communications.
“Communicating with our members is always a priority, but
during outages, that dialogue takes on added urgency. We want
to deliver the appropriate volume of information on the right
channels, using the right tools,” Richardson said. “The survey
responses will provide direction and inform our efforts.”
The survey will also address overall member satisfaction
and the impact of the cooperative’s member and community
engagement activities.
Most of the telephone interviews will be conducted weeknights between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Weekend calling will
be limited to Saturdays. The calls will originate from the 336
area code and display as “Opinion Counts” on Caller ID.
Not all cooperative members will receive a call. Rather, a
sampling from throughout Southwestern’s service area will be
surveyed. “The phone survey is thorough,” Richardson said.
“It should take about 15 minutes to complete. We realize that’s
a significant investment of time, but ultimately, that time will
position us to offer superior service to our entire membership.”
Members who complete the survey will be entered in a
drawing for a $50 bill credit. A total of 10, $50-bill credits will
be awarded.
Questions or comments regarding the survey may be directed
to Joe Richardson at [email protected].
Power Line Construction
in University Hills
On October 27, contract crews began
replacing primary underground electric line
and installing new transformers in the University
Hills subdivision of Collinsville. Southwestern Electric
retained J.F. Electric of Edwardsville, Ill., to complete the
work. Mike Willman, vice president of operations, said the
project will reduce outages and improve overall reliability for
Southwestern members who reside in the area.
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The Southwestern
Heating Bill Payment Assistance
Available to Low-Income Families
T
he State of Illinois will offer assistance to low-income families
who struggle to pay their energy
bills. Assistance is currently available
for the 2014-2015 home heating season
through the Low Income Home Energy
Winter energy assistance has been
made available in three phases: senior
citizens and people with disabilities
became eligible to apply for LIHEAP assistance on September 1, 2014; households with children under the age of five
became eligible on October 1, 2014; and
all others became eligible on November
1, 2014. Applications will be accepted
on a first-come first-served basis until
the funds are exhausted.
Please review the income guidelines
listed below to see if you qualify. The
amount of the payment is determined
by income, household size, fuel type,
geographic location, and the amount of
funding available.
Step 1, Application: Use the listing
below to find the agency that serves
the county you live in, then contact the
agency and tell them you'd like to apply
for assistance through LIHEAP. The
worker who takes your application will
explain the requirements, the type of assistance available, and your rights under
the program.
the rent) showing the monthly rental
amount, landlord’s contact information,
and proof that utilities are included in
the rent;
•Proof of Social Security numbers for all
household members; and
•Proof that the household receives
TANF or other benefits—such as
Medical Eligibility or SNAP—if you are
receiving assistance from the Illinois
Department of Human Services.
When you apply for assistance, please
bring the following items:
•Proof of gross income from all
household members for the 30-day
period prior to application date;
•A copy of your current heat and
electric bills issued within the last 30
days (if energy paid for directly);
•A copy of your rental agreement (if
your heating costs are included in
Step 2, Notification: The agency will
determine your eligibility based on information you provide and will notify you
within 30 days of receiving a completed
application.
Step 3, Remittance: If your application is accepted, the local agency will
make the appropriate payment to your
energy provider(s) on your behalf, or in
some cases, directly to you. All client
and vendor payments will be made by
the local agency within 15 days of the
application’s approval. Electric cooperative members, if approved, will receive
assistance in the form of a one-time
payment.
To apply for assistance through LIHEAP, please contact
the community action agency serving your county.
County
Community Action Agency
Bond
Phone Number
(618) 664-3309
Clay
(618) 662-4024
Clinton
(618) 594-4146
Effingham
(217) 347-7514
Fayette CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp.
(618) 283-2631
Macoupin Illinois Valley Economic Development Corp.
(217) 839-4431
Madison Madison County Community Development
(618) 692-6200
Marion BCMW Community Services, Inc.
Montgomery CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp.
(618) 532-7388
(217) 532-5971
Shelby CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp.
(217) 774-4541
St. Clair St. Clair Community Action Agency
(618) 257-9246
Income Guidelines
Source: IllinoisLIHEAP.com
amily Size 30-Day Income
F
1......................... $1,459
If your household’s combined income for the 2 ........................ $1,966
30 days prior to application is at or below
3 ........................ $2,474
150% of the federal poverty level, as shown
4 ........................ $2,981 *For each
in the chart, you may be eligible to receive
5 ........................ $3,489 additional
assistance. If you rent, and your heat and/or
6 ........................ $3,996 person,
electric are included in the rental payment, your 7 ........................ $4,504 add $508
rent must be greater than 30% of your income. 8*........................ $5,011
For more information
on this program, visit
IllinoisLIHEAP.com or
call the toll-free hotline,
(877) 411-WARM.
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Southwestern
Accepting
Scholarship
POWE
Applications
PROG
for 2015
IC COO
SOUTHWESTERN ELECTR
Co-op to award $11,000
in academic assistance
F
or the 21st consecutive year, Southwestern Electric is
offering academic assistance to students from member
families through the cooperative’s “Power for Progress”
Scholarship Program. The co-op will award 11 scholarships
to students in 2015. Each scholarship is valued at $1,000.
Scholarship recipients may use these funds to offset tuition
costs at any accredited university, college, or technical school
in the U.S.
Three $1,000 scholarships will be given to students from
each of the cooperative’s three voting districts. District I
includes Macoupin, Madison and St. Clair Counties; District II
includes Bond, Clinton and Montgomery Counties; and District
III includes Clay, Fayette, Effingham, Marion and Shelby
Counties.
In addition to the nine district scholarships, Southwestern
Electric will award one $1,000 scholarship in memory of Judy
Siebert, a long-time cooperative director who died in 2001.
6
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The Southwestern
The now-dissolved Quercus Grove Rural Club will also fund
a $1,000 scholarship, which will be awarded to a qualified
student from Quercus Grove Township or its surrounding area.
Scholarship applications may be downloaded from
Southwestern Electric’s website at sweci.com or picked up
from the co-op’s office at 525 U.S. Route 40 in Greenville.
You may also request an application by calling Debbie
Whicker at (800) 637-8667, ext. 5915.
Separate applications will be provided for high school
seniors graduating in 2015 and students who graduated from
high school in previous years.
The completed application and supplemental materials—including a cover letter, academic transcripts, attendance
records, financial information and two letters of recommendation—must be delivered to Southwestern Electric’s headquarters (525 U.S. Route 40 in Greenville), in a single envelope, by
4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2015.
Eligibility Requirements
1)The applicant (or the applicant’s parent/legal guardian) must
be an active member of Southwestern Electric Cooperative.
Southwestern Electric board members, employees, and their
immediate families, are not eligible.
2)The applicant must meet all academic requirements for
admission to an accredited university, college, or technical
school, and be admitted to that institution as a full-time student
in 2015.
3)The entire application must be completed in full, and received
with the appropriate supplementary materials, in advance of the
application deadline, February 6, 2015.
Tips from the Judges
ER FOR
GRESS
OPERATIVE SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM
1)Follow the instructions carefully. This includes selecting the
appropriate application for your situation, gathering and properly
assembling all of the required materials, minding the word count
in the personal narrative and submitting everything in advance of
the deadline.
2)Leave nothing blank. If any piece of required material is missing,
or a single section is not completed, the application will receive
a score of zero points. If a particular question is not applicable
to your situation, you can mark it “N/A,” but do not skip the
question entirely.
3)Focus the personal narrative. The topic of the personal narrative
is not open-ended. Keep your narrative focused on answering
the question at hand: How will you use your career/education to
positively impact your community?
4)Leverage the cover letter. Let the judges know about your
achievements, aspirations and what sets you apart from other
candidates. If there’s something you want to say about yourself,
and it doesn’t fit in with the personal narrative, put it in the cover
letter.
5)Allow ample time. Don’t wait until the last minute to start on
your application. Each applicant will be asked to obtain several
supplemental documents—including academic transcripts,
attendance records and letters of recommendation—which take
time to collect.
Since 1995, Southwestern Electric has provided more than $200,000 in
scholarship funding, assisting 344 students. For more information on
the “Power for Progress” Scholarship Program, please contact Susan File.
She may be reached at [email protected] or (800) 637-8667, ext. 5924.
The Southwestern
|
7
The Co-op Connections Card
puts VALUE in your WALLET
S
outhwestern Electric constantly
searches for ways to provide value
to its members. That’s why we’re
proud to offer The Co-op Connections
Card. The card connects you to discounts
on everything from hotel stays to
prescription medication, both locally and
across the nation.
A wide variety of Southwestern Illinois
merchants accept the Co-op Connections
Card. Present your card at the register to
receive your Co-op Connections discount!
Business Owners
The program benefits both members and
participating businesses. Southwestern
members receive discounts on valuable
services and products, and participating
businesses benefit by appearing in our
member publication Co-op Connections
listing. Businesses can sign up for the
program at no cost.
Local Merchants
On the following pages you’ll find a list
of local, participating businesses. For
national listings, log on to sweci.com and
follow the Co-op Connections Card link.
Online Merchants
Prefer to shop online? The card is your key
to online savings at nearly 100 national
retailers, including Barnes&Noble.com,
Hertz Rental Cars, Best Western hotels
and ProFlowers.com. You can check out
these great national discounts at www.
connections.coop.
Pharmacy
One of the most valuable features of the
Co-op Connections Card is the pharmacy
discount. While it isn’t insurance, the
discount can mean savings of up to 85
percent off prescription medication. The
card is recognized at more than 60,000
national, regional and local pharmacies.
The pharmacy discount has been
widely used by members of Southwestern
Electric and other Touchstone Energy
co-ops across the country, resulting in
combined national savings of nearly $20
million on prescriptions.
To search for pharmacies in our area
that honor the card, log on to www.
locateproviders.com. Use code 22203
as the group number under the “Groups”
login section. Next, enter your zip code.
You can also find a participating
pharmacy near you by calling the Coop Connections Card member services
department at (800) 800-7616, Monday
through Friday, 7
a.m. to 7 p.m., and
Saturday, 8 a.m. to
5 p.m.
Co-op Connections Local Discount Providers
AUTOMOTIVE
A to Z Collision Repair.......................................................(618) 345-7602
604 Caseyville Rd., Collinsville. 25% off labor.
AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care.........................(618) 222-2626
5609 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights. 10% off any repair service over $50
(maximum value $100). Offer valid at this location only.
Aljets Automotive
1355 S. Hackman St., Staunton...........................................(618) 635-2576
4617 Seiler Rd., Dorsey........................................................(618) 377-5232
10% off labor. Must present Co-op Connections card with work order.
Excludes lube, oil, and filter.
Andy’s Auto Body/Andy’s Tire & Auto
14 Schiber Ct., Maryville......................................................(618) 288-7272
3444 E. Broadway, Alton......................................................(618) 465-7006
4822 Fosterburg Rd., Alton..................................................(618) 216-3222
$50 discount applied to auto body repairs of $1,000 or more from Andy’s
Auto Body. 10% discount on service from Andy’s Tire & Auto.
Auto Pro & Tire ..................................................................(618) 664-2969
1450 E City Route 40, Greenville. $5 off major repairs of $100 or more.
Must present Co-op Connections card.
Auto Xtreme Collision........................................................(618) 644-5810
412 N. Douglas St., Saint Jacob. Free detailing with auto body repair.
Includes cleaning and exterior wax ($125 value).
Caulk’s Collision Center....................................................(618) 656-1093
7157 Marine Rd., Edwardsville. Free “gold” wash detailing package with
repairs over $500. Must present card or mention Co-op Connections
program.
8
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The Southwestern
NEW
Chandler Tire & Auto..........................................................(618)
944-9639
621 Interstate Dr., St. Elmo. 1/2 price on mount and balance.
Collinsville Auto Body........................................................(618) 345-1194
911 N. Bluff Rd., Collinsville. Free detailing with auto body repairs.
Includes interior cleaning and exterior wax ($125 value).
Collision XS ........................................................................(618) 623-0717
1416 Centerville Ave., Belleville. $100 discount on insurance deductibles.
Not valid in combination with other offers.
Custom Wrenches .............................................................(618) 664-0159
1102 S. Elm St., Greenville. $3 off oil change.
Edwardsville Auto...............................................................(618) 656-8447
503 E. Vandalia, Edwardsville. 10% off parts and labor. $5 off lube, oil,
and filter. 5% off tires. The 10% discount on parts and labor does not
apply to tires or lube, oil, and filter.
Farmland Auto Glass
216-A North 3rd St., Greenville .............................................(618) 664-9670
1890 Washington St., Carlyle ..............................................(618) 594-3410
5% off. Must present Co-op Connections card.
Hamel’s Detail.....................................................................(618)
704-8313
NEW
1297 US Rt. 127, Greenville. $10 off on a full detail.
Highland Auto Glass ..........................................................(618) 654-2370
1142 New Trenton Rd., Highland. Rock-chip repair for $25 (a $10
savings).
Jack 66 Auto Repair...........................................................(618) 656-5362
601 N. Main, Edwardsville. 5% off parts and labor.
www.connec
Laura Buick/Pontiac/GMC.................................................(618) 344-0121
903 N. Bluff Rd., Collinsville. New in-stock units sold at GM supplier
price. $250 off best deal on used vehicles. 10% off parts and service.
Offer excludes oil changes and work on Buick Enclaves; Pontiac G8, GT,
and GXP models; and all hybrids. Not valid in combination with coupons.
McCarty’s Auto Body & Towing ........................................(618) 283-0871
122 N. 8th St., Vandalia. Free wash and wax with purchase of $500 or
more. Must present Co-op Connections card.
Mike’s Automotive..............................................................(618) 345-0611
1150 St. Louis Rd., Collinsville. 10% off automotive service. Not valid
in combination with other offers. Discount available on service only.
Excludes tires and parts.
Millers Auto Repair ............................................................(618) 283-3527
Rural Route 2, Box 160-C, Vandalia. 10% off labor costs. Must present
Co-op Connections card.
National Brake & Automotive............................................(618)
656-0267
NEW
903 Hillsboro, Edwardsville. 5% off any service over $100.
R&R Auto Works
314 N. High St., Belleville ....................................................(618) 505-4154
12101 St. Charles Rock Rd., Bridgeton, MO ......................(314) 739-2886
10% off any service work or repair.
Sperry’s Service .................................................................(618) 829-9796
201 W. Cumberland Rd., St. Elmo. 5% off labor costs. Must present Coop Connections card.
Talleur Automotive Repair.................................................(618) 210-8745
1003 E. St. Rt. 140, Greenville. A free tire rotation with a purchase of an
oil change.
Terry’s Custom Bikes ........................................................(618) 423-2069
Rural Route 2, Box 242, Ramsey. 10% off parts and labor on orders $100
or more (includes motorcycle sales, service, parts and accessories).
Vandalia Auto Supply / Napa Auto Parts .........................(618) 283-3053
500 N. Kennedy Blvd., Vandalia. Additional in-store discounts on most
parts and accessories. Must present Co-op Connections card. Discounts
may vary. Excludes sale items.
Z-1 Automotive, Inc............................................................(618) 664-4989
922 E. Harris, Greenville. $10 off A/C service.
ENTERTAINMENT
1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House...........................(618) 692-1818
409 S. Buchanan, Edwardsville. $1 off one regular-priced adult
admission.
4th Street Lanes.................................................................(618) 664-9240
2120 S. 4th St., Greenville. Free shoe rental with a purchase of 2 games
of bowling.
Big Screen Games..............................................................(618) 623-9379
1509 Stonebrooke Dr., Edwardsville. 10% off the total cost of a video
game party, movie or event.
Cahokia Mounds Museum Society...................................(618) 344-9221
30 Ramey St., Collinsville. One free iPod tour per member. Redeem in Gift
Shop and 10% off any gift shop purchase.
Wish Upon A Star With Missy............................................(618) 920-8671
7800 Ambrose Crossing, Maryville. Free vacation planning when you
book your Disney vacation with me; mention Southwestern Electric
Cooperative and get a free Disney gift.
FITNESS
Curves for Women..............................................................(618) 659-3753
6 Club Centre, Edwardsville. 60% off sign-up fee.
FLOWERS
Dream Weddings................................................................(618) 531-3926
1355-A S. State Rte. 127, Greenville. 10% off any wedding order, fresh or
silk flowers, ceremony & reception décor, and rentals.
Floral Designs by Cindy.....................................................(618)
664-0133
NEW
300 S. 3rd. St., Greenville. 10% off on in-store purchases. Not valid on
holidays.
Little Flower Gifts & Books ...............................................(618) 654-7729
207 Suppiger Lane, Highland. 20% off one regular-priced item. Not valid
on St. Joseph publications, consignments, or special orders.
Rita Marie’s Flower Shop...................................................(618) 667-3071
203 Edwardsville Rd., Troy. 10% off flower orders of $40 or more.
FOOD
Adam Brothers Music & Coffeehouse..............................(618) 664-9575
110 S. Second Street, Greenville. Buy 1 frappe get 1 half off.
Andria’s Countryside Restaurant......................................(618) 656-0281
7415 State Rte. 143, Edwardsville. Free non-alcoholic beverage with the
purchase of an entrée. Valid Monday through Thursday. Limit 1 discount
per cardholder.
Anthony’s Pizza..................................................................(618) 662-2400
107 East North Ave., Flora. 10% off your entrée. Not valid in combination
with any other offer.
Arby’s...................................................................................(618) 345-5540
#4 Eastport Plaza Dr., Collinsville. Classic Roast Beef Combo $3.99.
Beyond the Garden Gate ..................................................(618) 526-7351
292 N. Clinton St., Breese. 10% off.
Cuppa Joe Coffee Bar........................................................(618) 667-2005
195 E. U.S. Hwy. 40, Troy. 10% off any purchase. Not valid in
combination with any other discount offer.
Dairy Queen........................................................................(217) 342-9432
1411 S. Banker, Effingham. 10% off your purchase.
DiMaggio’s Pizza & Pasta .................................................(618) 654-1977
808 Broadway, Highland. Free appetizer with any two dinners or large
pizza. Valid for dine-in only.
Dominos Pizza....................................................................(618) 664-3033
1500 State Rt. 127, Greenville. Buy a large one topping pizza, get a
medium one topping free. At regular menu price, carry out only.
Harmon’s Market IGA.........................................................(618) 283-2044
827 Veterans Ave., Vandalia. Free 20-oz. fountain drink with the purchase
of daily lunch special. Valid Tuesdays and Wednesdays only.
Captain Andy’s Parasail.....................................................(618)
222-9000
NEW
215 W. Water St., Grafton. $5 off per flyer. Call ahead for reservations.
Joe’s Pizza..........................................................................(618)
664-3344
NEW
106 N. 2nd. St., Greenville. $1 off on any large pizza. Cannot combine
with other offers or discounts.
NEW
345-7116
Gateway Fun Park..............................................................(618)
8 Gateway Drive, Collinsville. Buy 1, get 1 free on go carts. Weather
permitting.
Kahuna’s Burgers & Creamery..........................................(618) 664-9002
104 W. Harris Ave. Rt. 127, Greenville. Buy an ice-cream and get a
second ice cream (of equal or lesser value) free.
Springers Creek Winery.....................................................(618) 307-5110
3949 Wiese Lane, Edwardsville. 10% off any wine purchases. Not to be
combined with any other discounts.
ctions.coop
More discount providers on next page.
☞
The Southwestern
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9
Kelly’s Butcher Shop..........................................................(618) 667-6268
804 South Main St., Troy. $2 off four-pack of bacon-wrapped filet mignon
purchased at regular price.
Lu-Bob’s Family Restaurant..............................................(618) 664-0060
2120 S. 4th St., Greenville. 5% off. Not valid with any other discounts.
Michael’s Restaurant.........................................................(618) 654-8678
2120 S. 4th St., Highland. Up to $10 off our evening dinner menu. Not
valid on holidays/special events.
Studio D...............................................................................(618) 664-9450
915 S. 3rd. St., Greenville. 10% off a service.
The Hair Factory.................................................................(618) 664-9240
989 E. Beaumont Ave., Greenville. $2.00 off hair cut.
The Mane Attraction Hair Studio .......................................(618) 344-3778
1501 Vandalia St., Collinsville. Free eyebrow arch.
Sam’s Pizza & Pub..............................................................(618) 654-7171
1017 Broadway, Highland. Free small bread sticks, with a purchase of a
large specialty pizza. Dine-in only.
The Tan Company...............................................................(618) 288-0022
4235 S. State Rte. 159, Ste. 2, Glen Carbon. 5% off tanning products.
Excludes sale items.
Sonic Drive-In
1615 N. 8th St., Vandalia.......................................................(618) 283-1830
1017 Plummer Dr., Edwardsville..........................................(618) 655-1281
10% off
HOME REMODELING
Accents Unlimited Blinds, Shutters & Shades.................(618) 560-3352
121 Taylor Lake Dr., Troy. Free consultation on blinds, Norman shutters,
and shades.
Taco Bell/KFC.....................................................................(618) 283-9364
2737 Veterans Pkwy., Vandalia. Buy one barbecue sandwich and get one
free, or receive one free cinnamon twist with any purchase. Valid once per
person per day.
Accents Unlimited
Residential & Commercial Decorating.............................(618) 667-9187
121 Taylor Lake Dr., Troy. 15% off fabric. Gift with purchase.
The Pasta House Co.
1097 S. State Rte. 157, Edwardsville ..................................(618) 655-9955
4660 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights....................................(618) 222-7144
$10 off any purchase over $30. Must present Co-op Connections card.
Not valid in combination with any other offer.
NEW
Two Fat Guys Deli...............................................................(618)
667-2900
907 Edwardsville Rd., Troy. Free chip & drink with the purchase of an
original or larger ($2 value).
Wise Choice Coffees & More............................................ (618) 655-1611
1063 S. State Rte. 157, Ste. 1, Edwardsville. 15% off any combo meal
(soup or salad with half sandwich) or $10 off whole-bean coffee (5 lbs.
minimum).
HEALTH & BEAUTY
A to Z Family Dentistry ......................................................(618) 667-6453
120 W. Market St., Troy. $500 off your complete Invisalign or Invisalign
Teen Treatment. Some restrictions may apply. May not be combined with
any other offer.
Amethyst Restoration Center ...........................................(618) 343-3560
1509-A Vandalia St., Collinsville. 10% off all products, including vitamins,
minerals and weight-loss supplements.
Andrea B. Shaw, LCSW......................................................(618) 520-6963
189 E. U.S. Hwy. 40, Unit C, Troy. Free anxiety or depression screening
for adolescents and adults.
AVON Products...................................................................(618) 659-1698
705 Frederick St., Edwardsville. $25 in free products when you open an
AVON account. To redeem offer, visit www.start.youravon.com and use
the referral code “dsheard.”
Brigette’s Boutique.............................................................(618) 292-4468
401 E. Main St., Mulberry Grove. $4 off hair cut.
Healing Touch Wellness Center........................................(618)
259-9434
NEW
82 E. Airline Dr., East Alton. 10% discount on all massage and
estheticians services. Excludes gift certificates and package plans.
|
Rehabilitative Massage & Bodywork................................(618) 288-1730
2825 N. Center, Maryville. $10 off initial visit.
Oatman House Restaurant & Tea Room..........................(618) 346-2326
501 E. Main St., Collinsville. Free dessert with purchase of entrée and
beverage. Not valid in combination with other coupons or offers.
The Boulevard Wingstreet.................................................(618) 307-5859
4 Club Center Ct., Ste. E, Edwardsville. One free entrée with the
purchase of an entrée and two drinks. Valid on Mondays only. Not valid in
combination with other coupons or offers.
10
Mary Kay Skincare & Cosmetics.......................................(618) 444-7264
475 Longhi Rd., Collinsville. $25 free products for holding a party.
The Southwestern
Ginger Huff Interiors...........................................................(618) 656-4728
107 Southpointe, Edwardsville. $100 off any order of $1,000 or more.
Free initial consultation.
HVAC
AMK Heating & Cooling.....................................................(618) 656-4116
7067 Marine Rd., Edwardsville. $10 off regular service calls.
B&W Heating & Cooling.....................................................(618) 254-0645
398 Edwardsville Rd., Wood River. $25 off service call repairs. Excludes
routine maintenance. Please mention this offer when calling.
Bel-O Sales & Service........................................................(618) 235-6626
5909 Cool Sports Rd., Belleville. $20 off service call. $50 off new installed
water heater. $200 off new furnace or air conditioner. $20 off 1st-time
pest-control service. 10% off termite- or pest-control program. Not valid
in combination with other offers.
Blue Stream Heating & Cooling........................................(618) 288-9736
5860 Staunton Rd., Edwardsville. $29 off any service. $300 off any
high-efficiency air conditioner (14 SEER or greater). $200 off any highefficiency furnace (90% AFUE or greater). Free safety inspection for new
homeowners.
Den-Son, Inc. Cooling & Heating......................................(618) 372-8375
107 E. Center St., Brighton. $10 off service call. Free humidifier with
purchase of HVAC system.
Dependable Heating & Cooling, Inc..................................(618) 931-1433
1525 Coventry Lane, Pontoon Beach. $20 off service call when
mentioning this ad (within service area only). 10% discount on labor for
senior citizens (62 and over).
Elk Heating & Cooling........................................................(618) 251-5183
473 N. Wood River Ave., Wood River. $25 off service call repairs. $150
off high-efficiency furnaces or A/C units. Furnaces must be 95% AFUE
or greater and A/C units must be 16 SEER or greater. Not valid in
combination with other offers.
Engel Heating & Cooling....................................................(618) 344-0359
2836 Woodfield Place/P.O. Box 253, Maryville. $50 off, when you
purchase a Complete HVAC system. Lennox or Comfortmaker. Not valid
in combination with other discounts or coupons.
Garwoods Heating & Cooling............................................(618) 656-9386
1330 Lee Dr., Edwardsville. $10 off on any repair call within company’s
service area.
www.connec
Jansen’s Heating & Air.......................................................(217) 347-5223
11984 E. U.S. Hwy. 40, Effingham. 10% off service calls. 5% off
equipment installation. $300 off geothermal system installation. Not valid
in combination with any other discount promotion.
Super 8 Motel......................................................................(618) 667-8888
910 Edwardsville Rd., Troy. 10% off lodging from May through
September, and 15% off from October through April. Not valid on
holidays or during special events.
Mt. Everest Air Heating & Cooling....................................(618) 288-6480
208 W. Main St., Glen Carbon. 5% off. Excludes service and diagnostic
fee.
The Gathering Place Bed & Breakfast..............................(618) 267-8186
212 N. Kennedy, Vandalia. 10% off.
Neuhaus Heating & Air Conditioning................................(217) 324-2818
403 W. Corwin, Litchfield. $10 off service call.
MEDICAL
Alternative Health & Pain Center......................................(618) 288-8075
4-A Oak Dr., Maryville. 10% off all supplements.
Sigman Heating & Air Conditioning..................................(618) 234-4343
6200 Old St. Louis Rd., Belleville. 5% off service and new equipment.
Andreas Chiropractic Clinic..............................................(618) 667-1670
503 Buckeye Dr., Ste. 130, Troy. $17 exam for new patients.
Toennies Service Company...............................................(618) 248-5130
219 E. Main St., Damiansville. 10% off filters, steam humidifiers, and
electronic air-cleaners for geothermal systems.
Back & Neck Pain Center..................................................(618) 692-9100
#7 Junction Dr., Suite A, Glen Carbon. All inclusive first visit including
exam, necessary x-rays and treatment for $99.
Viviano Heating & Air Conditioning ..................................(618) 345-7498
201 W. Main St., Collinsville. $1,000 rebate on a new heat pump
system with installation of a XL16I or higher-grade system. Not valid in
combination with other offers. Limit one discount per household. Other
restrictions may apply.
Creating Smiles Family & Cosmetic Dentistry ................(618) 345-7676
101 United Dr., Ste. 150, Collinsville. $99 “Whitening for Life” (take-home
teeth-whitening treatment). Must complete exam with cleaning.
Winters Energy & Heating..................................................(618) 463-7799
410 State St., Alton. Free Merv 13 air-cleaner with purchase of
geothermal system. Free thermostat with installation of radiant floorheating system.
LODGING
NEW
345-9500
Americas Best Value Inn....................................................(618)
522 Ramada Blvd., Collinsville. 10% off rack rate. Excludes events and
holidays.
Bear Grove Cabins Bed & Breakfast.................................(618) 267-7243
R.R. 1, Box 141, Mulberry Grove. 10% off 1 night’s stay. Not valid in
combination with other discounts or coupons.
Brazle Haus Bed & Breakfast............................................(618) 347-2207
R.R. 1, Box 50-A, Brownstown. 5% off one night, 10% off two or more
nights. Reservations required.
Congress Inn
909 Edwardsville Rd., Troy...................................................(618) 667-9916
3433 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Ann, MO.................................(314) 739-5100
10% off lodging.
Country Hearth Inn & Suites..............................................(618) 659-1991
1013 Plummer Dr., Edwardsville. 10% off.
Days Inn...............................................................................(618) 283-4400
1920 Kennedy Blvd., Vandalia. 10% off best available rate. Not valid
during special events.
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
1731 S. State Rte. 127, Greenville.......................................(618) 664-3030
2701 Maryville Rd., Maryville...............................................(618) 345-5720
10% off rack rate. Not valid in combination with other discounts or during
special events.
Hampton Inn.......................................................................(618) 346-4400
2 Commerce Dr., Collinsville. 10% off rack rate.
Howard Johnson Express Inn...........................................(217) 342-4667
1606 W. Fayette Ave., Effingham. one-person room with one king-sized
bed for $39.95+tax.
Ramada Inn.........................................................................(618) 283-1400
2707 Veterans Ave., Vandalia. 10% discount. Must call the hotel directly
to make reservation and present Co-op Connections card upon check-in.
ctions.coop
Fountains Eyecare Center ................................................(618) 622-3013
314-D Fountains Pkwy., Fairview Heights. 15% off contact lenses, 20%
off complete pairs of eyeglasses. Not valid in combination with insurance.
Hometown Chiropractic.....................................................(618) 664-0444
621 S. Second St., Greenville. Get a free Biofreeze Sample.
Integrity Spine and Joint Center.......................................(618) 667-8100
604 Edwardsville Rd., Troy. Free screening.
Lewis Chiropractic.............................................................(618) 667-8100
604 Edwardsville Rd., Troy. $47 initial exam and x-rays if you have no
insurance coverage. 20% off custom orthotics.
Lewis & Clark Family Health Clinic ..................................(618) 468-6800
5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey. $35 office visits for acute or chronic
conditions. $25 school/sports physical examinations.
656-6565
Main Street Chiropractic....................................................(618)
NEW
239 S. Main St., Edwardsville. 50% off first visit exam; 15% discount on
supplement products; 10% off support products and services (excluding
massages); $5 off massage.
Marion Eye Center & Optical
899 E. McCord, Centralia.....................................................(618) 532-1997
3111 Broadway, Mt. Vernon.................................................(618) 244-2777
1180 W. Saint Louis St., Nashville........................................(618) 327-3900
1103 W. Main, Salem...........................................................(618) 548-0100
20% off complete eyeglasses and frames, 15% off Blade-Free Lasik.
Not valid in combination with any other coupon, discount, vision plan or
insurance.
MUSEUMS
American Farm Heritage Museum....................................(618) 664-3050
Museum Ave., Greenville. 10% off purchases at the gift shop.
The Children’s Museum.....................................................(618) 692-2094
722 Holyoake Rd., Edwardsville. $1 off admission on regular open days.
Not valid for special events, birthday parties or field trips.
RETAIL
Allison’s Comfort Shoes....................................................(618) 288-9297
4225 S. State Rte. 159, Ste. 1, Glen Carbon. 10% off any retail purchase.
Excludes sale items and prior purchases.
Altamont Lock, Stock & Barrel..........................................(618) 483-9009
110 N. 3rd St., Altamont. 5% off any gun in stock.
More discount providers on next page.
☞
The Southwestern
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11
BlindQuest...........................................................................(618) 667-2005
195 E. U.S. Hwy. 40, Troy. 5% off any purchase. Not valid in combination
with other discount offers.
Buhrmester’s Paint & Wallpaper.......................................(618) 656-0490
201 N. 2nd St., Edwardsville. 15% off retail price. Excludes Giani kits and
items.
Butterfield Jewelers ..........................................................(618) 344-0300
123 E. Main St., Collinsville. 20% off. Must present Co-op Connections
card.
Designs & Stitches ............................................................(618) 667-4599
503 O’Hara Dr., Ste. 10, Troy. Free embroidered name with purchase of
any jacket ($5 value). Limit one discount per customer.
Elliott Fine Jewelers...........................................................(618) 656-3090
1405 Troy Rd., Edwardsville. 15% off repairs.
Exactime Watch & Clock...................................................(618) 288-9999
4225 S. State Rte. 159, Ste. 3, Glen Carbon. 50% off watch batteries (no
limit). 10% off any watch or clock repair.
Extreme Power Sports.......................................................(618) 664-2577
2506 S. Elm St., Greenville. $2,000 off of any new Nautique or Supra
boat. $1,000 off any new Moomba boat. Not valid in combination with
other discounts.
Mr. Anthony’s Fashions......................................................(618) 656-9800
223 N. Main St., Edwardsville. 15% off regular-priced merchandise.
Excludes jewelry.
Original Creations of Man & Earth ....................................(314)686-2015
224 S. Main St., Edwardsville. $5 off purchase of $50 or more. Not valid in
combination with other offers.
Pampered Chef...................................................................(618) 656-2435
24 Shore Dr. SW, Edwardsville. 10% off any retail purchase. $25 off
starter kit when you open a Pampered Chef business.
Pampered Chef...................................................................(217) 690-3806
4096 E. 500th Ave., Mason. Take 10% off any retail purchase or receive a
gift ($15 value) when you book a show. $25 off starter kit when you open
a Pampered Chef business.
Pet Cooler Carrier...............................................................(618) 667-9551
514 East Mary Dr., Troy. $10 off through website (www.petcoolercarrier.
com) order only. Must enter “Coop10” to receive deal.
Randy’s Country Barn Christmas Trees...........................(618) 664-0274
1340 E. Lake Dr., Greenville. Free ornament with purchase of a Christmas
tree.
Farmland Quilting & Embroidery.......................................(618) 664-2139
201 S. 4th St., Greenville. 10% off merchandise if you spend $25 or more.
Some exclusions apply. See store for details.
Run Well..............................................................................(618) 659-9903
100 E. Vandalia St., Edwardsville. 15% off foot wear, apparel and
accessories. See store for details.
FrameMaker Gallery...........................................................(618) 667-9700
195 E. Hwy. 40, Troy. 10% off custom framing. Not valid in combination
with other discounts.
Scentsy Wickless Candles.................................................(618) 401-7994
7049 Stallion Dr., Edwardsville. 10% off a Scentsy System. Not valid in
combination with other discounts.
Heroic Adventures..............................................................(618) 659-0099
1031 Century Dr., Edwardsville. 10% off. Excludes sale and discounted
items.
Second Encounter Resale.................................................(618) 692-2102
1003 East State Rt. 140, Greenville. 10% off on total purchase. Miranda
Brian’s booth only.
Highland Nutrition Center .................................................(618) 654-9017
320 Walnut St., Highland. $10 off any purchase of $75 or more. Not
valid in combination with any other discount or sale. Must present Co-op
Connections card. Limit one discount per customer.
Sweeties Confections........................................................(618) 288-7650
123 Glen Crossing Rd., Glen Carbon. 10% off on total purchase.
Krazy About Crafts.............................................................(618) 797-1361
1229 Franko Lane, Granite City. 10% off all Tole painted wood crafts.
Kull Furniture Galleries & Funeral Homes
114 W. Washington, Altamont..............................................(618) 483-6323
323 N. Olive, St. Elmo..........................................................(618) 423-6323
$100 off premium bedding and Scandinavian 4/6-5/0-6/6 sets. 10% off
accessories, lamps, mirrors, pictures, flooring materials, and upholstery
over $500. Excludes funerals.
367-1682
Lisa’s....................................................................................(618)
NEW
113 W. College, Greenville. 10% off when you spend $50 or more.
Maryville Pawn & Collectables, Inc...................................(618) 288-7870
2929 A. North Center St., Maryville. Receive 10% off your retail purchase.
Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, promotion or discount.
Milo’s Cigars & More..........................................................(618) 288-1343
2921 N. Center St. Ste 5, Maryville. 15% Off retail price of box of cigars.
|
Miss Bailey’s Poppy Patch.................................................(618) 288-9899
115 Glen Crossing Rd., Glen Carbon. $5 off any purchase over $25. Not
valid on sale merchandise or gift certificates.
Fancy That! Antiques..........................................................(618) 288-3491
2915 North Center Hwy. 159, Maryville. $5 off purchases of $30 or more.
Not valid in combination with other discounts.
Kettle River Furniture.........................................................(618) 656-5111
1091 S. State Rte. 157, Edwardsville. 5% off purchases of $999 or more.
Not valid in combination with other offers or discounts.
12
Milo’s Tobacco Road .........................................................(618) 692-1343
228-A N. Main St., Edwardsville. 15% off retail price on box of cigars.
The Southwestern
Syd’s Shoes ........................................................................(618) 288-7777
4215 S. State Rte. 159, Ste. 2, Glen Carbon. 15% off. Offer excludes sale
items.
The Elephant’s Attic...........................................................(618) 283-9127
1127 N. 5th St., Vandalia. $100 off purchases of $899 or more. Balance
must be paid in full at time of purchase in order to receive discount.
The Money Pit Guns, Gold, and Silver..............................(618) 283-8746
504 West Gallatin, Vandalia. 5% off firearms when you show your Co-op
Connections Card. Applies to new firearms only.
The Wedding Belle Bridal Shoppe....................................(618) 654-7624
1009 Washington St., Highland. 10% off any in store purchase. Not valid
with other discounts.
Thompson’s Home Center ................................................(618) 283-4846
1405 Veterans Ave., Vandalia. $50 off any queen-sized Serta mattress set
priced at $599 or more. Limit one discount per customer.
Village Square Antiques ....................................................(618) 669-2828
202 State St., Pocahontas. 10% off when you spend $25 or more.
Wines for Humanity............................................................(618) 530-0531
401-2 Ponderosa Ave., O’Fallon. Receive one free bottle of wine for
the host when you book a wine tasting. Wine tastings consist of seven
bottles of wine for groups of 6-18 people.
www.connec
SERVICES
A-1 Party and Wedding Rental..........................................(618)
343-1680
NEW
112 West Main St., Collinsville. 10% off. Applies to rentals only.
Advanced Clean..................................................................(618) 664-9244
901 E City Route 40, Greenville. 20% off regular price of any carpet or
upholstery cleaning. Not valid in combination with other offers.
Alliance Limousine Services..............................................(618) 806-9580
1230 University Dr., Ste. A, Edwardsville. 10% off limousine rentals of 3
hours or more. Not valid in combination with other discounts or coupons.
B & R Cleaning ...................................................................(618) 304-7174
2863 Idle Acres Ln./P.O. Box 304, Edwardsville. $20 off first-time service.
10% off carpet cleaning.
Bitzer Law Firm...................................................................(618) 344-7722
502 W. Main St. Suite 200, Collinsville. 10% off our regular hourly billing
to Southwestern Electric Members.
CMC Electric.......................................................................(618) 345-2008
P.O. Box 37, Collinsville. Free whole-house surge protector installed
with residential electric service replacement ($300 value). Must mention
discount at time of estimate.
Demik Ice Machine Rental.................................................(618) 830-5045
P. O. Box 375, Maryville. 50% off first month rental fee.
Dollie’s Etc..........................................................................(618) 670-4551
311 N. Park St., Marissa. $5 off alteration work of $50 or more. Not valid
in combination with other offers.
Eberhart Sign & Lighting Co..............................................(618) 656-7256
108 First Ave., Edwardsville. 10% off total bill for any sign service/
maintenance (includes materials, labor and equipment).
343-9899
Embrich Plumbing Co........................................................(618)
NEW
5938 Sugarloaf Rd., Collinsville. $20 off on a service call.
Highland Recycling & Shredding......................................(618)
589-4628
NEW
329 Madison, Highland. $10 off paper shredding at our facility.
Naturescapes Nursery & Landscaping.............................(618) 344-8841
1674 N. Bluff Rd., Collinsville. 10% off trees & shrubs only.
Nickel Electronics...............................................................(618) 830-8197
915 B, South 3rd. St., Greenville. 10% off on services.
Orkin Pest Control..............................................................(618) 345-2959
15 Gateway Dr., Collinsville. 10% off new termite treatment. $50 off initial
pest control with new residential agreement. Up to 20% off monthly
service agreement for new commercial customers.
Pak Mail...............................................................................(618) 346-4884
407 Beltline Rd., Collinsville. 10% off UPS or FedEx Shipping. Must
present Co-op Connections card.
Patriot Sunrooms East
3925 Blackburn Rd., Edwardsville.......................................(618)
307-3364
NEW
811 S. Kirkwood Rd., Kirkwood, MO...................................(618) 307-3364
Complimentary Home Energy Audit. Save 10% off replacement windows
and Green energy barrier insulation.
Pristine Cleaning................................................................(618) 920-0233
1995 Treasure Dr., Edwardsville. 10% off carpet cleaning, 10¢ off per
square foot on tile & grout. Not valid in combination with other offers.
Randalyn’s Photography....................................................(618) 664-9801
1215 Red Ball Trail, Greenville. 15% off.
Re/Max Alliance, Andy Robinson......................................(618) 444-0936
8230 Renken Rd., Worden. $500 rebate at closing when you buy or sell a
home for $100,000 or more.
ctions.coop
Ridgeway Portrait Design..................................................(618) 288-9000
6725 State Rte. 162, Maryville. Family portrait session & 8x10 classic
portrait for $69.95. Offer includes immediate family members only; extra
charge may apply for inclusion of additional people.
Sharon’s Maid Service.......................................................(618) 345-8600
9500 Collinsville Rd., Collinsville. $10 off first cleaning.
Spn2Eng Language Services............................................(618) 409-0691
2110 Troy Rd., Ste. E, Edwardsville. Free first hour of 5-hour Traveler’s
Spanish course. $20 registration fee waived for fall to summer youth
Spanish classes. Valid at Edwardsville location only.
NEW
Superior Accounting Services...........................................(618)
393-2656
5252 Old Carpenter Rd., Edwardsville. 20% off hourly rate for
Quickbooks setup, monthly maintenance, and/or 30% off Quickbooks
soft ware.
The UPS Store.....................................................................(618) 659-9259
17 Junction Dr., Glen Carbon. $1 off ground shipping, $2 off overnight
shipping, 29¢ color copies, 4¢ black & white copies.
Tiger Plumbing Services....................................................(618) 288-6480
208 W. Main St., Glen Carbon. 5% discount. Excludes service and
diagnostic fee.
Voegele Photography Studio ............................................(618) 654-7291
1012 Laurel St., Highland. 50% off all sessions.
TECHNOLOGY
Computerease........................................................ (618) 346-8324
223 W. Main St., Collinsville. 10% discount on labor.
Computer Sharks USA.......................................................(618) 283-1244
104 S. Third St., Vandalia. One free computer diagnostic check ($35
value). No purchase necessary. Must present Co-op Connections card.
Greentree Audio Video Transfer - DVD.............................(618) 644-4020
117 S. Douglas St., St. Jacob. 10% discount on any order over $20 (not
including shipping)
Total Computer Systems...................................................(618) 483-6419
113 N. Main St., Altamont. 10% off on service.
OTHER
Brase Construction Services.............................................(618) 667-9292
408 W. Hwy. 40, Troy. Energy-saving setback of heating/cooling
thermostat.
Ferguson Construction......................................................(618) 288-7710
P.O. Box 69, Glen Carbon. $20 off work over $1,000, $150 off work over
$5,000. Must present Co-op Connections card at time of estimate. Limit
one discount per estimate.
Heritage Iron Magazine......................................................(618) 664-1550
P.O. Box 519, Greenville. 1 free issue with subscription (buy six and get a
seventh free). Not valid in combination with any other offer.
Security Alarm Corporation...............................................(618) 548-5768
1511 East Main St., Salem. 10% off any alarm system or one year free
monitoring service with purchase of alarm system.
The Kwik Konnection.........................................................(618) 635-3172
213 W. Main St./P.O. Box 5, Staunton. 10% off all products. Excludes
specials or holiday ads & promotions.
UMB Bank ..........................................................................(618) 343-4121
2921 Maryville Rd., Collinsville/Maryville. Free box of exclusive checks.
For more information, including
a directory of national Co-op
Connections discount providers,
visit www.connections.coop.
The Southwestern
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13
Energy & Efficiency
I
t’s about 3,500 miles from Baja, Calif., to Bangor, Maine. If you unraveled
our co-op’s distribution grid and fashioned our power lines into a single
span, it would cover the distance. That’s why right of way maintenance, or
vegetation management, is a perpetual effort.
Next month, we’ll talk to Shane Healy, manger of operations, about our right
of way maintenance program priorities and objectives. This month, we’re sharing pruning techniques used by our forestry crews to ensure the integrity of our
lines and protect the health of your trees. Please take a moment to review the
illustration on the opposite page.
Managing 3,500 miles of right of way is a team effort—and you’re an important member of the team. By following the points below, you’ll help us manage
vegetation and improve reliability for yourself and your neighbors.
●Ponder before planting. Avoid planting trees underneath or near power lines.
Shrubs, hedges and other vegetation should also be kept away from utility
poles. Before purchasing, consider how tall a tree may grow and how wide its
branches may spread. Visit the Arbor Day Foundation’s website, www.arborday.org, for guidance regarding tree selection and placement.
●Help us identify potential problems. Please call the cooperative at (800)
637-8667 if you notice trees or limbs that may interfere with our power lines.
●Don’t try to DIY. It’s dangerous to trim trees near primary power lines.
Call Southwestern Electric at (800) 637-8667 to arrange for trimming around
the co-op’s primary lines.
●Survey your surroundings before trimming or cutting down a tree. Contact
Southwestern Electric if you believe your work might cause part of the tree to
strike a power line. If any part of the tree does fall into a power line, stop trimming at once! Stay clear, keep others away from the area, and call us immediately so we may safely address the situation.
In the
Clear
Right of way
maintenance is
a team effort,
involving you
Managing vegetation across 3,500
miles of right of way takes forestry
crews, contractors, and assistance from
members. Please be mindful of safety
and clearance issues when planting
trees. If you know of a right of way
issue, contact Southwestern Electric
Cooperative at (800) 637-8667.
Pictured: Keith Steiner (left), forestry
apprentice, and Pat Harris, forestry
journeyman, convert tree debris into
mulch.
Backdrop: Cleared right of way north of
Confidence Substation in Fayette County.
14
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The Southwestern
Natural Target Pruning
Large limbs should be
pre-cut to avoid tearing the
bark on parent tree. The
first cut (A) undercuts the
limb. The second cut (B)
removes the limb. The final
cut (C) should be outside
the branch collar to remove
the resultant stub. Pruning
cuts should not damage the
branch collar.
Leader removal on a codominant stem: the cut
should bisect the angle
between the branch bark
ridge and an imaginary line
perpendicular to the leader
on the stem.
Source: Utility Arborist Association
Typical Examples of Directional Pruning
Through Pruning
Under Pruning
Side Pruning
Side Pruning
Source: Utility Arborist Association
The Southwestern
|
15
Safety
Life Lines
I
t’s a cold November
morning and several
co-op crews are
gathered outside
the Greenville office.
Most days, they would
have scattered across
Southwestern’s service
area by now. This
morning they’re taking
a break from installing
services and repairing
lines. Today they’re
training to save lives.
In a pole top rescue simulation, Jim Ashford, lineman/polyphase meterman and tester,
prepares to lower a victim to the ground while Mark Chasteen, journeyman lineman,
monitors the operation from a bucket truck. As part of the co-op’s emergency response
team, dispatchers observed the simulation for educational purposes.
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The Southwestern
As the wind picks up, crews don gaffs and belts, preparing to scale utility poles used for safety training near the
co-op’s materials yard. By morning’s end, each lineman
will have climbed to the top of a pole and rescued the
“victim”—a 180-pound mannequin suspended below the
pole’s cross arms—by cutting him free and lowering him to
the waiting groundman.
“This training is something you practice and become
proficient in, and hope that you never have to use,” said
Shane Healy, Southwestern Electric’s manager of operations. “We’re training our guys so they’ll be able to address
an emergency situation quickly and safely,” Healy said. “It’s
good to know that your coworkers know how to do this.”
Linemen are trained to respond to various accident
scenarios. Today’s simulation calls for crews to assist a
lineman who’s been injured in an electrical contact accident. He’s belted to the pole, and his gaffs, or climbing
hooks, are lodged in the wood.
The drill begins before a lineman leaves the ground.
“The first thing they’re going to do is make sure the
scene is safe for them,” Healy said. “They’re going to look
for electrical contact points, trip hazards—any potential
dangers.” After the accident scene is secure, linemen
examine the pole to make sure it’s solid. They also search
for nails, screws and staples that could deflect a gaff.
During the drill, linemen climb about 20 feet using gaffs
and a BuckSqueeze, or fall arresting belt. After reaching
the victim, they thread a rope around a cross arm, fashion
a harness from the rope, secure the mannequin in the
harness, then cut away the mannequin’s fall protection and
lower it to the ground—all the while keeping safety and
speed in mind.
“Every situation is different,” said Healy. “An accident
could happen on a warm, sunny day. It could happen with
an inch of ice stuck to the pole. Or it could be 2 a.m. in a
thunderstorm. So we’re building skills today, but in a real
emergency, our guys would have to assess and improvise.”
Even in an age of bucket trucks and mechanical tree
trimmers, climbing is a critical skill—and not just in rural
areas.
“When you look at our suburban areas, with all the alleys
and backyard easements, you see there’s nowhere to get
a truck into,” Healy said. “A pole top rescue can become
more complex in some of our subdivisions than it would be
in Fayette County, just because of the number of services—the extra wires that are on the poles.”
Remote, rural rights of way present their own challenges.
“You could look at a three-quarter mile jaunt in a private
right of way in Fayette County,” said Healy. “That rescue
becomes difficult because you have to pack your tools and
equipment in a long way—and you have to get your man
out.”
While today’s training focused on pole top maneuvers,
crews also practice bucket truck rescues. In those simulations, linemen override bucket controls which operate a
truck’s bucket and boom. They lower and tilt the bucket,
allowing crewmen to extract the injured man quickly and
safely.
“I don’t have guys who say, ‘Oh great, another safety
training program’,” said Healy. “They welcome the training.
They always walk away with something they can use,” he
said. “It’s something they value and appreciate.”
The Southwestern
|
17
Out & About
Sights & Sounds
of Christmas
Whether you’re in the mood for a
quiet Christmas outing or a splash
of light and song, you needn’t
venture far. You'll find holiday
home tours, musical performances,
and light displays close to home.
More activities appear in our Area
Events section on page 24.
Photo: Greenville High School select choir members
Emma Richardson, Dellon Sanders, Hollyn Beans,
Braden Oestreich and Jessica Ronat sing Christmas
carols during the Greenville Regional Hospital Auxiliary
Holiday Bazaar.
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The Southwestern
December 5 A NEW HOLIDAY MOOSICAL, Centralia.
Featuring sixteen unforgettable larger-than-life costumed
characters, plus Santa and his two elves. 7:30 p.m.
Adult $17; youth $10. Kaskaskia College, Jane Knight
Auditorium, 27210 College Road. For more information,
call (618) 545-3223 or visit kaskaskia.edu/soe.
December 6 & 7 CHRISTMAS TREES AT DR. WRIGHT’S
HOUSE, Altamont. See beautifully decorated Christmas
trees provided by the Altamont Chamber of Commerce.
Tour the mansion and listen to Christmas music performed
by local musicians. 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. $6 for adults; $1 for
students age 18 and younger. Dr. Charles M. Wright
House, corner of North Main Street and West Jackson
Avenue. Call (618) 483-6397 or visit wrightmansion.org.
December 1 - January 2 WAY OF LIGHTS, Belleville.
This unique celebration of Christmas features a drivethrough light display, tree and wreath displays, interactive
children’s village, camel rides, and indoor laser show. 5 - 9
p.m. Admission is free. National Shrine of Our Lady of the
Snows, 442 South Mazenod Drive. Call (618) 397-6700 or
visit wayoflights.org.
December 6 HOSPITAL AUXILIARY HOLIDAY BAZAAR,
Greenville. This year’s bazaar booths offer jewelry,
ornaments, Christmas tree skirts, wreaths, decorations,
ideas for dinner and dessert, and a wide selection of
books, among other items. Kids can shop for Christmas
gifts in Santa's Kottage, and the entire family can drop
by the Kountry Kitchen for lunch. An auction featuring
antiques, quilts, and more will be held at 11:30 a.m. Don’t
forget to buy peach and/or apple butter made by auxiliary
members and have your photo taken with Santa before
you leave. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bring a non-perishable food
item for early bird admission at 8:30 a.m. Free Methodist
Church, 1367 East State Route 140.
December 7 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION, St. Elmo.
Parade of lights and tree lighting. 6 - 8 p.m. Downtown on
Main Street. Call (618) 829-3319.
December 14 CHRISTMAS HYMN SING, Elsah. This
event starts in the Methodist Church, moves across Selma
Square to the Christian Science Church, and is followed by
cookies, punch, and coffee in Farley’s Music Hall. United
Methodist Church, Mill Street. 3 - 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Call (618) 578-8744.
The Southwestern
|
19
T
hink the stylus and tablet are
products of our digital age?
Guess again. As tools of communication, they were all the
rage when one-room school houses were
in fashion.
Here’s the story:
At a time when paper was relatively
expensive and hard to come by, slate
was the media of choice for kids perfecting their spelling, math and penmanship.
The stone was flaked into sheets, cut,
and framed in wood to create personal
tablets for use at home and school.
Softer grades of stone, either slate or
soap stone, were used as a stylus, or pencil, to mark on the tablet. Slate tablets
could be used time and again.
Until practice made perfect, wiping the slate clean was a relatively
simple matter; marks were erased with a
sponge, cloth or sleeve.
Softer pencils were preferred, as they
prolonged the life of the tablet. Slate
pencils were sold unwrapped, wrapped
in paper (like the pencil in our photo), or
sheathed in wood, like pencils of today.
Slate pencils were popular in the
late 18th through the late 19th century,
lingering through the early decades of
the 20th century.
While slate tablets were more durable
than paper, they presented their own
challenges. Transferring pencil to paper
is a quiet process. Not so with slate.
Drawing a pointed stone—even a relatively soft one—over the face of another
reportedly produced a high-pitched
screech or shriek.
Multiply that sound times the number of students in a one-room school
house—all practicing math and spelling—and you can’t help but marvel at a
student’s ability to concentrate amidst all
the noise.
Our best slate pencil description came
from Milan Babic of Alhambra. Milan
identified the photo as a set of “1880
child’s school slate pencils and box with
stars and stripes patriotic paper wrapping” made “at the time of the 1876 US
Centennial” and “used to write on an old
school slate or chalkboard.”
Thanks to everyone who submitted
an entry for one of our most challenging
puzzles to date! We hope to hear from
you again next month.
Who-What-Where is a contest that challenges your knowledge of people, places and objects in and around Southwestern Electric
Cooperative’s service area. Here’s how it works: Each month, we run a photo. Your job is to tell us who's pictured, what we've
photographed, or where we shot the photo.
Send us your answer by the tenth day of the month and we’ll enter your name in a drawing for a Southwestern Electric shirt
and hat. You can email your response to [email protected] or send it by mail to Joe Richardson, Southwestern Electric
Cooperative, 525 U.S. Route 40, Greenville, IL 62246. Please include your name, mailing address, hometown, and preferred shirt size.
If you have a story about our photo topic, include that as well—we love these!
The puzzle solution—possibly accompanied by a few words from you—will appear in a future issue of The Southwestern.
20
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The Southwestern
Recognize
the man
in the
portrait?
He played a
prominent role in
the development
of Illinois. Here are
a few clues to help
you identify our
historical figure.
•He celebrated
his eighth
birthday four days
after the signing
of the Declaration
of Independence.
•He served as
sheriff of
Randolph County
when Illinois was
still a territory.
• In 1811, he
weathered the
New Madrid
Earthquake
while living in
Kaskaskia, capitol
of the Illinois
Territory.
•In 1814, he joined
the 13th United
States Congress,
filling a seat left
vacant by the
retirement of
Shadrach Bond.
•As Illinois SubAgent for
Indian Affairs,
he assisted
in negotiating
the purchase
of 14 million
acres in central
Illinois from the
Kickapoo Indians.
The Southwestern
|
21
Painted Sugar Cookies
Cookie Directions
1. Mix your favorite sugar cookie dough. Ready-to-bake sugar cookie dough
from the grocery store will work for this.
2. Roll dough out until ¼ inch thick.
3. Use Christmas themed cookie cutters to cut cookies from dough.
4. Bake according to instructions and cool on wire rack.
Paint Glaze Directions
1. Stir together powdered sugar,
corn syrup, and water.
2. Divide mixture into several bowls
(depending on how many colors
you want).
3. Add food coloring as desired to
each bowl.
Painting Directions
1. Use paint brushes to paint glaze
on to cookies as desired.
2. Be sure to stir glazes often to keep
them from drying.
3. While glaze is still wet you can also
sprinkle with decorating sugars.
4. Allow glaze to dry completely.
5. Store in air-tight container with wax
paper or parchment between layers.
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The Southwestern
Paint Glaze Ingredients
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
food coloring
Peanut Butter Santa Cookies
Ingredients
2 six-ounce packages of white
baking chocolate, chopped
1 one-pound pack of Nutter
Butter cookies
colored decorating sugar (red)
32 vanilla chips
64 miniature semisweet chocolate
chips
32 red-hot candies
(Pictured)
Directions
1. Melt white chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring now and then.
2. Dip one end of the cookie into the melted chocolate, then place it on a
wire rack.
3. For Santa’s hat, sprinkle red sugar on the top part of the chocolate.
Press a vanilla chip on the hat to serve as the pom-pom. Let the cookie cool.
4. After the chocolate sets, dip the other end of the cookie into the melted
chocolate to make Santa’s beard. Leave the cookie’s center uncovered.
Place the cookie on a wire rack to cool.
5. Use semisweet chips for the eyes and a red-hot for the nose. You can attach
them with a dab of melted chocolate.
6. Place your finished cookie on wax paper until the chocolate sets.
Have a
o
t
e
p
i
c
e
r
share?
Please mail recipes to: Co-op Kitchen,
Southwestern Electric Cooperative, 525
US Route 40, Greenville, IL 62246. Or
you’re welcome to email recipes to Mike
Barns at [email protected]. When
you send your recipe, remember to include
your name and hometown so we can
credit you in print. If you’ve taken a photo
of your dish, you’re welcome to include
that as well.
Thanks for sharing. We look forward to
dining with you.
The Southwestern
|
23
Area Events
December 1-25 WONDERLAND IN
LIGHTS, Effingham. A drive-through
display of holiday lights. Sunday through
Thursday 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Friday &
Saturday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Community
Park, East Temple Avenue. Call (800)
772-0750.
December 1-26 CHRISTMAS
WONDERLAND, Alton. A drive-through
holiday display featuring more than 2.5
million lights. Monday through Friday
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 5
p.m.- 9 p.m. Suggested donation: $7 for
cars and small vans, $1 per person for
vehicles holding more than 10 people.
Rock Spring Park, 2116 College Avenue.
Call (800) 258-6645 or (618) 465-6676.
December 1-27 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS,
Shelbyville. A drive-through holiday
lights display. Sunday - Thursday 5:30
- 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 5:30 10 p.m. There will be carriage rides
December 7th from 7 - 10 p.m. and
December 13th and 20th from 6 - 10
p.m. Donations are accepted at the end
of the tour. Forest Park, off of 9th Street.
For more information, call Bill at (217)
259-2361, Norma at (217) 774-4438,
Nathan at (217) 820-5715, or Janet at
(217) 825-5480.
December 1-31 FANTASY OF LIGHTS,
Centralia. A drive-through Christmas
light display. 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Foundation
Park, entrance next to South Central
Transit, 1616 East McCord Street. Call
(618) 532-6789.
December 1-31 WINTER
WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS, Lebanon.
A drive-through display of holiday
lights. Sunday-Thursday 5 p.m. - 9
p.m.; Friday-Saturday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Donations accepted. Horner Park, 11113
Widicus Road. Call (618) 537-8420 or
visit hornerparklights.com.
December 1-31 WORKING WILDFOWL:
DECOYS, CARVINGS AND THE
WATERFOWL TRADITION, West Alton.
Working Wildfowl is an original exhibit
showcasing vintage and contemporary
wildfowl decoys, duck calls and artwork.
The center is open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
daily, but please check the website for
seasonal changes. Audubon Center
at Riverlands, 301 Riverlands Way.
Call (636) 899-0090 or visit riverlands.
audubon.org.
December 1 - January 1 CHRISTMAS
LIGHTS IN THE PARK, Carlyle. Get into
the spirit of the season as you view
December 5 & 6 CHRISTMAS IN
COLLINSVILLE, Collinsville. Join us for
a weekend of holiday happenings. On
Friday at 6 p.m. Santa and his carolers
will be at the township office, 307
East Main Street, for the annual Tree
Lighting. Attendees are encouraged
to bring a new, unwrapped toy for
Toys for Tots. On Saturday, shop in
the many local businesses on Main
Street and stop by Miner’s Theatre from noon – 4 p.m. for a free wagon ride and
picture with Santa. Finish the day with the Holiday House Tour where attendees
can experience some of Collinsville’s finest festively decorated homes from
2 - 8 p.m. The tour will start at the Blum House, 414 West Main Street, where
participants will pick up an info packet before embarking on the self-guided tour.
Tour tickets are $10. For tour ticket and event information, call (618) 558-1372 or
visit downtowncollinsville.com.
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subject to change.
thousands of Christmas lights strung
throughout the park. 6:30 – 11 p.m.
Admission is free. Carlyle City Park on
Lake Road. Call (618) 594-5205.
December 1 - January 1 CHRISTMAS
LIGHTS WONDERLAND, Greenville.
Features Christmas lights and
miniature display houses with animated
characters. Enjoy complimentary coffee,
hot chocolate and cookies in the Little
Red Barn. Nightly, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. On
Friday and Saturday nights, visit with
Santa, enjoy an 1800s Christmas at
Hill's Fort, and (weather permitting)
ride the Polar Express. Train rides are
$2 per passenger. American Farm
americanfarmheritagemuseum.org.
December 1 - January 1 WOBURN
CHRISTMAS DISPLAY, Smithboro.
Features animated holiday scenes in a
quaint village setting. Weekdays 5 p.m. 9 p.m. and Friday & Saturday 5 p.m. - 10
p.m. 1481 Woburn Road. Call (618) 6649272 or visit greenvilleusa.org.
December 4-7 ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE,
Alton. This musical play, complete
with down home country humor and
true emotion, includes many of Patsy’s
unforgettable hits. Thursday - Saturday
7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. Adults $15;
North Henry Street. For tickets call (618)
462-6562. For more information, visit
December 5 SNOWFLAKE FESTIVAL,
Godfrey. Featuring pictures with Santa,
carriage rides, carolers, free hot cocoa
and treats. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Free. Please
bring a non-perishable food item for
donation to the Crisis Food Center.
Glazebrook Park, 1401 Stamper Lane.
December 5-7, 12-14 Christmas
Belles, Breese. A theatrical
Showcase. Performances begin at 8
p.m. except for the last Sunday show,
which is at 2 p.m. $10 for adults;
$9 for students, senior citizens and
active military personnel (with valid
identification). Avon Theatre, 535 North
2nd Street. For reservations, call (618)
526-2866 or visit ccshowcase.com.
December 6 GINGERBREAD HOUSE
MAKING CLASS, Edwardsville. Learn
pastry decorating techniques and create
a beautiful holiday decoration. Call to
register, seating is limited. 9 - 9:45 a.m.
Museum members $8; non-members
$10. The Children’s Museum, 722
Holyoake Road. Call (618) 692-2094 or
visit edwardsvillechildrensmuseum.org.
December 6 HOME FOR THE
HOLIDAYS HOUSE TOUR, Elsah. Tours
include historic homes, the village
museum, churches, bed and breakfasts.
Horse-drawn carriage rides are also
offered. Lunch, catered by My Just
Desserts, will be available for purchase
at Farley’s Music Hall from 11:30 a.m.
- 4:30 p.m. (or until sold out). Noon - 4
p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance ($18
on event day, cash only) and available
at the Alton Visitor Center and Elsah’s
bed & breakfasts. Advance purchase is
recommended. For more information call
(618) 374-1684 or visit historicelsah.org.
December 6 MOON LIGHT HIKE, Alton.
Join TNI members and friends on a night
hike along the woodland trails through
the Mississippi Sanctuary or Olin Nature
Preserve, illuminated by a full moon.
Terrain is light to moderate. Meet at The
Nature Institute’s Talahi Lodge at 7 p.m.
These hikes are free and open to the
public. The Nature Institute, 2213 South
Levis Lane. Call (618) 466-9930 or visit
thenatureinstitute.org.
December 6 TASTE OF CHOCOLATE &
HOLIDAY RIVER WALK, Grafton. Enjoy
homemade chocolate treats courtesy
of Grafton businesses and residents.
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. $7 per person.
Grafton Winery & Brewhaus, 300 West
enjoygrafton.com.
December 6 & 7 GREAT RIVERS
CHORAL SOCIETY: CELTIC
CHRISTMAS CONCERT, Godfrey. This
concert will bring together the worlds of
classical and Celtic music. Saturday 7:30
- 9 p.m.; Sunday 3 - 4 p.m. Admission
is free. First United Methodist Church,
1100 Airport Road. Call (618) 798-1492
or visit grcs-sing.org.
December 6 & 7 OLDE ALTON ARTS &
CRAFTS FAIR, Alton. Proceeds benefit
the Alton School District’s instrumental
music program. No strollers please.
a.m. - 3 p.m. Admission: $2 per person
December 7 CHRISTMAS AT
WILLOUGHBY, Collinsville. Visitors
can sip hot cider or hot chocolate
and nibble on holiday treats while
visiting with Santa Claus in the farm
house. Bring your camera to snap a
photo of Santa with your little one.
Join us in the barn for a holiday
sing-along while guests make
ornaments to take home. 1 - 4 p.m.
Willoughby Farm, 631 Willoughby
collinsvillerec.com.
on Saturday; $1 on Sunday; free for
children age 12 and younger. Alton High
School, 4200 Humbert Road. Call (618)
474-6996 or visit abob.net/craft-fair.
December 12-14 A CHRISTMAS
CAROL, Lebanon. A stage performance
of the classic tale by Charles Dickens.
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.;
Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $5.
Looking Glass Playhouse, 301 West
Saint Louis Street. Reservations open
November 26. Call (618) 537-4962 or
visit lookingglassplayhouse.com.
December 13 A WINTER
WONDERLAND, Godfrey. Experience
winter through the holiday music of
the Alton Symphony Orchestra. 7 p.m.
Adults $10; seniors age 62 and older $5;
grade school and high school students
free. Lewis & Clark Community College,
Hatheway Hall, 5800 Godfrey Road. For
more information, call (618) 463-6933 or
visit altonsymphony.org.
December 13 LIVE AT JACOBY:
CHRISTMAS WITH JESSE, Alton.
Enjoy traditional Christmas music and
new songs as Jesse sings and plays
the piano. 7 - 9 p.m. $12.50 for adults;
December 13 SANTA’S WORKSHOP,
Godfrey. This concert was designed
for the youngster in mind and includes
a visit from Santa. 3 p.m. Adults $10;
seniors age 62 and older $5; grade
school and high school students free.
Lewis & Clark Community College,
Hatheway Cultural Center, 5800 Godfrey
Road. Call (618) 463-6933 or visit
altonsymphony.org.

The Southwestern
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25
December 13 STATEHOUSE
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE, Vandalia.
The Statehouse is illuminated by more
than 250 candles and is trimmed with
1800s decorations including fresh
greenery and fruits. Statehouse staff and
volunteers in period dress conduct the
tours of the historical building and period
music is provided. As is tradition, the
first 100 families receive a free ornament.
5 - 8 p.m. Vandalia State House, 315
West Gallatin. Call (618) 283-1161.
December 13 WREATHS ACROSS
AMERICA, Alton. This national program
began about 15 years ago in a effort
remember the fallen, honor those who
serve, and teach our children the value
of freedom. The graves of 530 veterans
in the Alton National Cemetery will be
decorated with balsam wreaths for the
holiday season. 11 a.m. Alton National
Cemetery, 600 Pearl Street. Call (618)
474-2005.
December 13 & 14 ARRIVAL AT CAMP
RIVER DUBOIS, Hartford. This annual
event commemorates the day William
Clark and the men of the detachment
arrived at the confluence of the Riviere a
Dubois, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
This year's arrival event will feature
vintage tools, guns, rocks and minerals,
artillery, and historic dog photos. 10 a.m.
- 4 p.m. Lewis & Clark State Historic
Site, One Lewis and Clark Trail. GPS:
3500 New Poag Road. Call (618) 2515811 or visit campdubois.com.
December 13-21 Santa’s Village,
Troy. Santa will arrive in Troy at 6 p.m.,
December 13. Santa and his elves
will be in the Community Center from
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Weekend hours are
noon to 3 p.m., week night hours are
from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Santa’s reindeer
will be at the village December 15th for
photo ops. Bring your camera. Carolers
will welcome visitors to the village and
refreshments will be provided. Call (618)
667-1040.
December 14 THE LORRIE MORGAN
CHRISTMAS SHOW, Centralia. Her
performance will feature songs from her
“Merry Christmas from London” album
as well as traditional Christmas songs
and career hits. 3 p.m. Adult $29; youth
age 18 and younger $18. Kaskaskia
College, Jane Knight Auditorium, 27210
College Road. Call (618) 545-3223 or
visit kaskaskia.edu/soe.
December 19, 22; January 8 & 9, 16,
26, 28, 30; February 3 & 4, 6, 24, 26;
March 2 BALD EAGLE DAYS, Grafton.
A site interpreter will present an
informative program about bald eagles.
Visitors will learn what bald eagles eat,
why they spend the winter months in our
December 31 BICENTENNIAL BLAST
OFF, Greenville. Join us for a night of
fun and excitement during our free,
family-friendly bicentennial celebration.
Greenville College professor Dr.
Darrell Iler will start the entertainment
on Stage 2 with his wild science
experiments. Dr. Iler will be followed
by entertainers from Abra-Kid-Abra,
Marcos the circus performer, and
a strolling magician. DJ Joel Lewis
will be performing, and we'll have
inflatables and games. There will be a
balloon drop at midnight with a cannon
salute at Hills Fort. 7 p.m. American
Farm Heritage Museum (big red metal
building), 1395 Museum Avenue. Call
(618) 664-9272.
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The Southwestern
area, and how to distinguish between
immature and mature eagles. There will
be a short video presentation followed
by an observational drive to view the
wintering bald eagles. Please dress
warmly and make sure your vehicle
has a full tank of gas. Reservations are
required. 8:30 a.m. Admission is free.
Pere Marquette State Park Visitors
Center, 13112 Visitor Center Lane. For
more information or reservations, call
(618) 786-3323.
December 21 WINTER SOLSTICE
OBSERVANCE, Collinsville. Meet at the
reconstructed Woodhenge by 7 a.m. to
hear an explanation of the discovery,
form and function of this ancient post
circle calendar. Cahokia Mounds State
Historic Site, 30 Ramey Street. Call (618)
346-5160 or visit cahokiamounds.org.
December 27 LIVE AT JACOBY: TIA
MCGRAFF DUO, Alton. Join us as
we listen to Canadian Folk Singer Tia
McGraff and her husband, Tommy
Parham, sing rootsy melodies and
honest-to-heart songs to warm the soul
in the middle of the winter. 7 - 9 p.m.
(doors open at 6 p.m.) $12.50 for adults;
January 2-4 LET’S GO FISHING
SHOW, Collinsville. There will be a wide
variety of fishing gear, boats, exhibits
and seminars. Friday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.;
a.m. - 4 p.m. Adults $7; children 6-15
years of age $3.50; children 5 years
of age and younger are free. For more
letsgoshows.com.
January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 EAGLE
SHUTTLE TOURS, Alton. Take a
45-minute shuttle to spots along the
Mississippi River to spot eagles. Pick up
will be at the Alton Visitor Center with
stops scheduled for Maple Island, Heron
Pond, Ellis Island, and at the Audubon
Center. The shuttle will return to the
Alton Visitor Center for drop off. There
will be a guide on board the shuttle who
will provide tips on how to eagle watch
this season. Tours depart at 10:30 a.m.,
11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.
Admission is $5. For more information or
to receive a free Eagle’s Watchers Guide,
call (800) 465-6676.
January 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24, 31;
February 1, 7 & 8 BIRDS OF WINTER,
West Alton. Learn about eagles,
trumpeter swans, ducks, and other
migratory birds. Enjoy the view from the
comfort of the Center or venture out to
the water’s edge for a closer look. On
Saturdays the TreeHouse Wildlife Center
will be at the center with a rehabilitated
owl or hawk. On Sundays meet a bald
eagle from the World Bird Sanctuary. 10
a.m. - 2 p.m. Admission is free. Audubon
Center at Riverlands, 301 Riverlands
January 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 24 &
25, 31; February 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21
& 22, 28 LIVE BALD EAGLE DISPLAY,
Dow. There will be live bald eagles every
weekend in January and February at
the center. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Admission
is free. Donations are appreciated.
Treehouse Wildlife Center, 23956 Green
Acres Road. Call (618) 466-2990 or visit
treehousewildlifecenter.com.
January 10 ITCHY BROTHERS WOOD
CARVING, Hartford. See Itchy Brothers
chainsaw artisans carve a wood
sculpture of the area’s famous wintering
bird: The American Bald Eagle. 10 a.m.
- 4 p.m. Event is free. Admission fee to
tour the tower. Lewis & Clark Confluence
Tower, 435 Confluence Drive. Call (618)
251-9101 or visit confluencetower.com.
January 10, 17, 24, 31 BALD EAGLE
MEET AND GREET, Alton. See a live
American Bald Eagle up close and
personal. Learn about their species and
habitats. Grab an official Meeting of the
Great Rivers National Scenic Byway
Eagle Watcher’s Guide, then journey out
along the Great River Road to see eagles
in their natural habitat in Alton, Godfrey,
Grafton, and Calhoun County. 10 a.m.
- 2 p.m. Free. Alton Visitor Center, 200
Piasa Street. Call (618) 465-6676.
January 15-18, 22-25 ALTON LITTLE
THEATER: ALONE TOGETHER, Alton.
A comedy presented by the Alton Little
Theater Company. Tuesday - Saturday
at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. Alton
Little Theater, 2450 North Henry Street.
For tickets, call (618) 462-6562 or visit
January 16-17 GATEWAY SPRING
HOME SHOW, Collinsville. This show is
designed for homeowners in all stages of
remodeling, landscaping and decorating.
Friday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturday 10
a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Admission is free. Gateway Center, 1
Gateway Drive. Call (888) 560-3976 or
visit acshomeshow.com.
January 17 & 18 EAGLE DAYS,
Madison. Bundle up your family to view
eagles along the Mississippi River from
the historic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.
Viewing scopes will be stationed on the
bridge to allow close-ups of eagles. Live
eagle presentations every 20 minutes. 9
a.m. - 3 p.m. Event is Free. Free parking
is available at the Old Chain of Rocks
Bridge entrance. From I-270, drive
south on Illinois Route 3 to Chain of
Rocks Road, turn right (west) on Chain
of Rocks Road and cross the Chain of
Rocks Canal. Follow the road and park
near the Illinois bridge entrance. Call
(314) 877-1309.
On Account: If your account number is
2125017001, call us within 30 days to
receive a $25 credit on an upcoming
electric bill.
January 4 CENTRAL ILLINOIS
WEDDING SHOW, Altamont and
St. James. The show features
local vendors who specialize in
catering, music, decor, wedding
favors, and bridal beauty. Between
the two venues, brides can find
exactly what they need in a single
day. A bridal and tux show will
also be offered at the Carriage
House. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more
information and directions, contact
Summer Breeze Wine House and
Barn Venue at (618) 322-6330 or
summerbreezewinehouse.com,
or contact the Carriage House
Event Center at (618) 881-0094 or
carriagehouseevent.com.
January 11 BRIDAL EXPO,
Effingham. Visit a large assortment
of vendor booths from flowers
to cakes to photographers. Also,
enjoy bridal fashion shows in
the hotel ballroom at noon and 2
p.m. Starts at 11 a.m. Admission
is $5; brides and grooms are
free. Thelma Keller Convention
Center, 1202 North Keller Drive.
Call (217) 347-5115 or visit
kellerconventioncenter.com.
January 22 GATEWAY BRIDAL
SHOW, Collinsville. 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
$5 per person; free admission for
pre-registered brides; children
age 12 and younger are free.
Brides who pre-register will
receive 1 free guest pass and a
chance to win attendance prizes.
Gateway Center, One Gateway
Drive. Call (800) 289-2388 or visit
gatewaybridalshow.com.
The Southwestern
|
27
28
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The Southwestern
Spotlight on Excellence Entry Form
NRECA Voting Member Classification *
Distribution Cooperative: 20,001-50,000 meters
Category *
4. Best External News Publication
Entry Title *
The Southwestern
I wish to receive Judges' comments on
this entry
No
Entrant's Name *
Joe Richardson
Cooperative *
Mailing Address
#551
525 US Route 40
Greenville, IL 62246
United States
Email *
[email protected]
Phone Number *
(618) 444-4500
Names of others (freelancers or
organizations) involved in the project, if
applicable
Describe your/the co-op's role in the
Joe Richardson, Southwestern's VP of Communications, edits and
project *
writes the publication. Mike Barns, Art Director, creates the layout and
constructs graphic elements. Together, Richardson and Barns plan
each issue, giving priority to publicizing co-op news, programs and
events. Both members of the team plan the year's editorial calendar
and shoot photos to illustrate the articles.
Describe others’ role in the project
(Reference outside sources of material,
including templates; pre-existing Web
tools and apps; information from outside
groups, such as Straight Talk or
Touchstone Energy; stock photos and
music, etc.) *
While we consult outside sources for reference material, we take pride
in writing our publication's content, shooting our own photos, and
creating our own graphics. We do include Touchstone Energy and Coop Connections graphics and logos to illustrate articles and ads
promoting their programs, CVB images to accent our event pages, and
the occasional bit of seasonal clip art.
Circulation or Number of People Reached * 19,000
Number of Attendees *
Project’s Budget *
$165,000 (printing and mailing)
Target Audience(s) *
Southwestern Members, businesses, economic development
organizations, various legislators
Project's Objective *
Our objectives are to 1) Inform the membership and local, state and
federal legislators of co-op programs, priorities and initiatives 2)
Promote the safe and efficient use of electricity 3) Establish, affirm and
illustrate Southwestern's position as the premier power provider in
Southwestern Illinois 4) Support local tourism and economic initiatives
Restrictions/Limitations *
We're a two-man staff producing a 28-page, monthly, four-color
publication. Each month, regardless of outages, off-site meetings, and
additional co-op matters that demand our attention, we're charged
with developing ideas, writing stories, conducting interviews, editing
words and photos, shooting art to illustrate articles, building layouts,
and soliciting feedback from department heads regarding material
affecting their teams, programs, messages and objectives.
Describe why you chose this type of social
media and how you used it *
Provide a brief summary that states the
purpose of the event, how the program
was implemented, and results and how
they were measured *
Provide a brief summary that states the
purpose, how the program was
implemented, and results and how they
were measured using the RACE
framework. Each component has its own
word limit noted below.
Research *
Action *
Communication *

Annual Meeting Moments - CONNECT`16 Conference

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