Published Monthlyfor the Members of

Alfalfa Electric Cooperative, Inc.Cherokee, OK

www.aec.coop

Number 5, Volume 72May 2017

WARMER DAYS ARE HERE. CALL AEC SERVICES, INC. TO HAVE YOUR A/C UNIT CHECKED OUT. (580) 596-3333 or 1-800-853-4969

AREANEWS BRIEFS

REPORT POWER OUTAGESUse the SmartHub App

Call (580) 596-3333 or1-888-736-3837

May 4 National Day of Prayer Lift up our country and our communities in prayer.

May 20 Armed Forces Day Honor the women and men serving in the Armed Forces.

May 14 Mother’s DayCelebrate and honor mothers and grandmothers.

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Drake Williams, Cherokee 8th grader, plays the National Anthem on his violin at AEC’s 81st Annual Meeting.

Fun-filled, humbling annual meetingBy Robyn Turney

Well, another successful Alfalfa Electric Cooperative Annual

Meeting is in the record books. Over 700 members registered. AEC served supper to over 1,600 people. More than 120 military personnel registered, with several more that missed the registration. AEC’s 81st Annual Meeting was quite an event.

Our members were greeted by AEC employees and members of the Cherokee Lions Club as they parked their vehicles. Klein’s Catering supplied another outstanding buffet. Even the most finicky eaters were satisfied with multiple choices of meats, hot and cold sides, and desserts. Speaking of desserts,

I might have sampled a chocolate cupcake before my supper! Klein’s outdid themselves with a variety of cupcakes, cookies, and cakes.

After a satisfying meal, there was outdoor fun for the kids. A 3-lane “beach” obstacle course and a Backyard Clubhouse supplied two hours of enjoyment for kids. The Helena Lions Club furnished a trackless train ride for kids of all ages.

Many members picked up their capital credit checks and completed registration. They then settled into the seating in the gymnasium where they were entertained by the Sons of Sage. The Oklahoma-born musicians offered

May 29 Memorial Day Remember military personnel who were killed defending our country.

ALTERNATING CURRENTS...

Jess UnruhAccounting Clerk

(continued from pg.1)music with a combination of cowboy,

western swing, old-time fiddling, and a touch of bluegrass. The talented group was made up of musicians Jim Garling, Richard Sharp, and Greg Burgess.

Besides registering and picking up capital credit checks, members

had the opportunity to visit with employees about AEC’s SmartHub app, which offers a variety of information about accounts. Besides supplying personal information about accounts, SmartHub enables members to report outages in a matter of seconds. Members will also be informed when their electricity has been restored.

AEC Services was available for questions concerning heat and air. Their services are available 24 hours a day. Terry Ryel offered information about GenerLink, which easily and safely connects a portable generator to a home. AEC’s Kevin Lingemann had safety information on hand for members of all ages.

Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC), who supplies the electricity for 17 cooperatives in Oklahoma – including AEC, attended our annual meeting and shared information about its cooperative. WFEC also handed out some useful,

colorful tab markers. Our Statewide Association, OAEC, was also in attendance and brought along some Oklahoma Living cookbooks to distribute to those in attendance. Because AEC provides service to communities in two Kansas counties, Vice President of Management Consulting Services Doug Shepherd from Kansas Electric Cooperative (KEC) also attended our meeting.

President Doug McMurtrey called the meeting to order. First Baptist Church Youth Pastor Brandon Holloway led the invocation. The prayer was followed by Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA,” which had the crowd standing before the chorus. Keith Smith, Sergeant Marine Corps, 3-term Vietnam Veteran, Commander of the Verdner E. Utterbach American Legion Post #33 Cherokee, OK directed the posting of the Colors. The National Anthem was played on the violin by Cherokee 8th grader Drake Williams.

Jim Warner, Lieutenant Colonel, Retired Vietnam Veteran told the true story of a young man in a prisoner of war camp with Senator John McCain. The young man was beaten beyond recognition for sewing an American flag together

AEC members go home with $500 in their pockets. Your co-op gives the cash to one member in each district. (left to right) District 1 Sharon Larue, Cherokee; District 2 Nick Farris, Alva; District 3 Dalene Dauphin, Freedom; District 4 Terry Hiebert, Ringwood; District 5 Ella Teders, Enid; Roberta Christensen, Kiowa; District 7 Dorthy Coppock, Cleo Springs; and District 8 Gilbert Meeks, Cherokee.

AEC is excited to welcome Jess Unruh to our office staff. Jess is really not new to the office as she has been a part-time accounting assistant since June of 2014. She began working full time in March.

Jess was born in Enid, OK to Roger and Laneta Unruh. She has three siblings. Her family moved to Cherokee when she was in the 7th grade. Jess graduated from Cherokee H.S and will graduate from NWOSU in May with degrees in agriculture and business.

Jess is utilizing her business degree. She enjoys working with fellow employees, Gina Waugh and Christy Schanbacher. Jess enjoys the challenge of learning new skills while working at AEC.

In September Jess is marrying Landon Schanbacher. She is more than excited to be going to Alaska for their honeymoon.

Jess and Landon have 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 20 cows. She loves to rescue animals in need, so the number of animals could be increasing soon. She and Landon spend time checking cattle and fishing. She likes to collect elephants – not the live ones, not yet anyway.

Laneta, her mom, has inspired Jess. She describes her as being a hard-worker, yet family oriented. Jess admires the fact that her mom is independent but still selfless.

Jess is proud to be a Christian. Being independent like her mom has paid off for her. Jess is working full-time while still completing her college degree. AEC has hired another awesome employee, Jess – soon to be – Schanbacher.

from scraps and leading other prisoners in the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. After the gut-wrenching story, Jim led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Keith Smith presented a special award of recognition to Lloyd Clepper for his 70 years of membership to the American Legion. This chain of events was an extremely emotional and humbling experience for me, personally – God Bless the USA.

The meeting continued with reports from Attorney Mark Jungman, Secretary/Treasurer Steve Eck, and President Doug McMurtrey. The reports established that AEC had completed another successful year for its members. CEO Greg Goetz’s report echoed the same conclusion. He also reported that Joe Waggoner, District 5 and Joe Hise, District 7 were re-elected to the Board of Trustees for another 3-year term. Greg recognized his Executive Secretary, Linda Warner. Linda has worked for AEC for 11 years and will be retiring this summer. Linda has been a hard worker and has always been willing to help out in any way – both at AEC and in the community. I know that I will miss my friend but wish her the best in that RV that she and Jim will be purchasing. For more details, see Linda.

Prize drawings? That’s why most members attend annual meetings. AEC had some amazing prizes again this year. The drawings began with $50 cash prizes and then moved on to over 30 prizes, most worth $50 or more. Again this year, AEC gave $500 to 1 member in each of the 8 districts. Then the drawings got really serious.

Royce Flaming, Cherokee, OK won the John Deere mower. John Nunnally, also a resident of Cherokee, won the Honda 4-wheeler. John had come to the meeting hoping to win the lawn mower. When he didn’t win it, he was prepared to leave. Then he heard his name called. John was all smiles with his new Honda 4-wheeler. He and his fiancé Chancey Campbell were more than excited to accept the Grand Prize. John and Chancey are getting married in May. So AEC will just consider the 4-wheeler our wedding present to them. Let’s see the rest of you top this gift!

Members who did not win prizes did not go home unrewarded. All members received a registration gift consisting of a shopping bag with a 30 oz. tumbler and an LED flashlight that will convert into a lantern. Members also cashed in on capital credit checks that totaled $1,505,000 from portions of 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2016.

Not all cooperatives put together annual meetings of this magnitude. The planning for next year’s AEC Annual Meeting began the following Monday. AEC

employees work together as a team to make your annual meeting special. Organizations like the Cherokee and Helena Lions Club, the Verdner E. Utterbach American Legion Post #33, and the ESA Sorority, who donate their time in assisting AEC, make the meeting better for our members. The meeting is more meaningful because of individual AEC members who agree to pray, to perform the “Star Spangled Banner,” to recognize our military personnel, and many other behind the scenes services. A special thanks to Cherokee Schools for allowing us to use their facilities. All of your AEC employees do their part throughout the year to promote an informative and a meaningful annual meeting for you, the members. I would say a job well done – the teacher in me says A+.

District 7 Board Member Joe Hise presents $500 to Dorthy Coppock. Joe had encouraged her to attend this year’s annual meeting and she is glad she did.

Alfalfa Electric has been notified recently of some SPAM email that may be targeting our cooperative members. These are not only SPAM emails, but they are “phishing” attempts to get information from member-consumers. Please carefully note the following information:

There have been various SPAM mailings recently that target Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) stakeholders and purport to be a Commissioner or staff member. The latest is supposedly from Matt Skinner, spokesman for the OCC, and warns the recipient (thus far it’s been oil and gas operators and utilities) of an OCC notice of “disaccreditation.” This is not only SPAM, it’s a phishing attempt. If anyone receives emails claiming to be from an OCC Commissioner or an OCC staff member, please do not respond to the email and delete it.

The Hotlines is published monthly by Alfalfa Electric Cooperative, Inc.

PO Box 39, 121 E. Main, Cherokee, OK 73728

www.aec.coop

Staff

Greg GoetzChief Executive Officerand General Manager

Jim DaubManager of Engineering

and Operations

Gail RidgwayChief Financial

Officer

Brandon WrightDirector of Engineering

Christy SchanbacherDirector of Accounting

Terry RyelManager of Marketing

and Public Relations

Scott CudmoreDirector of Operations

Kyle HadwigerAttorney

Robyn TurneyCommunications Specialist

Hotlines Editor

Board of Trustees

Doug McMurtrey President - Cherokee, OK

District 2

John RegierVice President - Ringwood, OK

District 4

Steve EckSec. Treas. - Sharon, KS

District 6

Mark AngleByron, OKDistrict 1

Julie Russell Freedom, OK

District 3

Joe Waggoner Nash, OKDistrict 5

Joe Hise Cleo Springs, OK

District 7

Joe WoodsCherokee, OK

District 8

Important AEC task underwayWith the arrival of spring

comes the yearly trimming of trees. Many branches have grown dangerously close to the power lines. These lines need at least a 10 foot clearance from trees and other vegetation. AEC discourages our members from trimming their own trees near power lines because of the danger it presents. Your co-op also reminds members to do some proper planning before planting new trees. Make sure that the tree will not grow too close to the overhead lines as it grows in the years to come.

Right-of-way maintenance is one of the important tasks that AEC carries out year-round. AEC crews work to inspect and maintain our overhead distribution lines in 5 Oklahoma counties as well as our 2 Kansas counties. Maintaining proper clearances can decrease power outages and even outage duration for our members. However, our crews cannot keep up with the growth of the trees and the damage of vegetation

caused by storms.AEC has hired a contractor, Davis

Tree Service to help with the trimming and removal of trees and other vegetation. They will be working in the Ames, Ringwood, and Cleo Springs areas. These crews will be working on your property on behalf of AEC. The contractor crews’ vehicles should be identified by their company name or logo. AEC continues to work to ensure safe and reliable electricity.

Everyone is a winner

2017 Youth Tour Winners: Hannah Kornele, Alva - Steamboat Springs, CO trip & $500; Tatum Rouse-Murphy, Alva - Washington, D.C. trip & $500; Nicole Hughes, Freedom - $500; Riston Landwehr, Medicine Lodge, KS - Washington D.C. trip & $500; Brylee Burnett, Ringwood - Steamboat Springs, CO trip & $500; Rylee Detrick, Ringwood - $500; and Jayden Dillon, Timberlake - Washington, D.C. & $500

Over 100 students participated in AEC’s 2017 Youth Tour Program.

Students submitted essays in which they described a moment in American history that they wish they could have been a part of and explained the role electricity played in that event. Personalities and creativeness were revealed in these essays.

On March 20, judges interviewed the finalists. The students then joined their family members and their teachers at the banquet catered by Kettles & Crocks. AEC acknowledged

the following instructors for their efforts in promoting the program: Chris Eckhardt and Tammy Duncan, Alva; Katie Strehl, Freedom; Heather Smith, Medicine Lodge, KS; Gina Bohlen, Ringwood; and Laurie Gwinn, Timberlake.

After the delicious meal the students read their winning essays. Terry Ryel, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, then announced the awards. These students represented their schools and communities well .