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It seems that before Santa had time to get back to the North Pole and while the leftovers from Christmas dinner were still edible, we were besieged through the airways and printed ads about how fat we were and how we immediately needed to lose weight. By Christmas evening all the news media began


showing pictures of fat bellies and rears bouncing around as people walked. Even though faces were never shown, I am certain that I saw myself in many of those news stories and weight loss teasers. Yep, I am pretty sure that was my stomach and rear that just flashed on the screen as an example of what the national obesity crisis looks like. During the entire months of November


and December we were overpowered with ads encouraging us to eat turkey, ham, stuffing, desserts, etc. Party, party, and party some more! And then, just as we put down that last bite of leftover stuffing, we were lambasted for having no self-control! Here came the weight loss infomercials, the news


programs, and the various foolproof diets! Of course the “Biggest Loser” TV program kicked off a new season at that time as well! Seriously, it is very hard to keep myself from expanding during the holidays! Tere is more Mike now than there was before Tanksgiving and Christmas! Due to my diabetes, I have exercised nearly every day for a long time, but it is really depressing sometimes. In the winter, when I really can’t brave the elements outside, I run on a treadmill at my house. I have discovered that this is not an exercise machine. Oh, No… it is a torture device that a very slick salesman convinced me to buy in a weak moment, and I am now too cheap not to torture myself with it! So I run and walk fast for an hour and I look down and I proudly see that I have burned 500-600 calories. Wow—I am good, right? Within twenty minutes, though, I realize that the innocent snack food that I ate before dinner was more calories than it took me an hour to burn, and


by Mike R. Hagy Chief Executive Officer


that was before I had eaten dinner! It seems that those calories just sneak up on me! I realize that some of those same things happen to me when I try to cut down on my electricity bill. Sure, during the holiday season I had Christmas lights on, a lot of company using more hot water, ovens and ranges burning constantly, the thermostat set at a high temperature so Aunt Whoever wouldn’t get a chill, and a whole lot of extra power usage. So just like those extra calories that sneak up on me during the holidays, those subtle extra watts can multiply very quickly. Space heaters in the well house, computers and


electronic devices that are never turned off, water heaters that work harder in the winter, as well as colder temperatures outside – those extra watts can really mount up! For instance, using a 1500-watt space heater in the well house or utility room is like burning fifteen 100-watt bulbs around the clock! At my house I have one of the new meters that we


are presently deploying across our system that will eventually allow each member to view their own usage by the hour, day, and month. My electricity usage with and without company over the holidays was very interesting compared to the month before. It was no surprise that my January bill for December was higher than other months. I can direct you to a lot of good energy tips on our


website at swre.com or touchstoneenergy.com about ways to conserve energy and reduce your usage. On the other hand, I don’t think you want me to advise you much concerning weight loss! Tough our vision of safety, service, and satisfaction – one member at a time we will do our best to keep the lights on. Reducing the magic number on those bathroom scales will have to be on your side of the meter!


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