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Wyandotte resident claims grand prize at 77th REC Day Member registra on tops 1,800


S


eptember 19 was a beau ful late summer day in northeast Oklahoma


-- the perfect day for friends and neighbors to gather in Grove at the 2015 annual mee ng of Northeast Oklahoma Electric Coopera ve. A cool morning gave way to sunny skies and lots of smiles during the 77th annual event.


Of course, no smile on this day was bigger than that worn by Brenda Miller. The 71-year-old Wyando e resident likely would have been smiling had it been zero or one hundred degrees. Why was Miller in such good spirits, you ask?


It was because, for the fi rst  me in a decade of coopera ve patronage, Miller won a prize at REC Day. But not just any old prize. She won the grand prize.


Miller is now the proud owner of a brand new Raven 7100 MPV mul - purpose vehicle. Even a er hearing her name announced, Miller couldn’t quite believe her good fortune.


“I couldn’t believe it,” she exclaimed. “I just thought there had to be another Brenda Miller out there. I was just thrilled to death when I fi gured out it was my name they were calling.”


Miller a ended the mee ng with her good friends, Rebecca Bernard and daughter Samantha. The three ladies helped the coopera ve achieve its second-highest member registra on in the last eight years with 1,857 members. The all- me record for REC Day registra on was set back in 2002 when 2,430 members turned out for the yearly event.


“We had a ball,” Miller said. “It was a beau ful day and everyone was so nice. I just love to see everybody having such a good  me.”


6 - NE Connection


Miller already has plans to a end REC Day again next year.


“If I’m s ll kicking, I will be there,” she assured with a smile.


The coopera ve has now achieved quorum at annual mee ng 17 years consecu vely, da ng back to 1999. General manager Anthony Due commended members for their eff orts in making the day a success.


“The board of trustees and I are thankful for the members who a ended the 2015 annual mee ng,” said Due. “The event was a great success, thanks both to the par cipa on of our membership and the hard work of our employees.”


Quorum was offi cially fulfi lled at 10:50 a.m. with the registra on of Colcord resident Rick Barnes and family. The Barneses were the 1,439th members to register on the day, marking the fi ve percent member par cipa on required to make the mee ng offi cial. They received a slow cooker/server for helping the co-op achieve quorum.


This year’s annual mee ng carried a disco theme and a endees enjoyed a wide variety of ac vi es. Performances by both Superfreak (on the indoor stage) and local bluegrass band Dylan Hall and Pure Tradi on (on the outdoor stage) kept the crowd thoroughly entertained throughout the day.


Colcord resident Shawn Kustanborter was announced as the winner of the fi rst annual REC Day car show, as decided by a panel of judges.


Kustanborter’s entry, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, was his fi rst car, and he’s owned it since age 15. He drove it con nually un l 1980 and then completely restored it in 1985. It is the original silver color with black stripes.


Clint Branham Communica ons Specialist


Second place went to Vinita resident Gerald Floyd and his 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS. Kirk Denny of Bluejacket and his 1970 Plymouth GTX placed third. This year’s show was limited to 1970s entries.


Members were asked to decide the outcome of one runoff for a seat on the coopera ve board, as well as confi rm nomina ons for two incumbent board trustees running unopposed. Coopera ve a orney Michael Torrone reported that a total of 1,695 ballots had been cast during elec on proceedings.


In District 6, unchallenged incumbent Sharron Gay had her nomina on confi rmed with 1,544 votes. Incumbent Bill Kimbrell likewise went unchallenged in District 8, receiving 1,524 votes to confi rm his nomina on. In the lone runoff , meanwhile, Torrone reported that incumbent John Myers retained his District 4 seat by a margin of 1,087 votes to 549 votes over challenger Tom Kemohah.


Of the many prizes awarded, $500 electric credits went to nine members (one per coopera ve district). Winners were: Larry Carnes of Quapaw (District 1), Larry T. Lantz of Grove (District 2), Eric Chenoweth of Welch (District


Clockwise from top le : Brenda Miller on her new Raven 7100 MPV; REC Day is a fun day for families; Mark Hayes collects his $500 electric credit from employee Ron Shirley; this nice- looking pup found his forever home at the PAAS adop on event held in the Kid Zone; Bob McAff rey receives his 50” TV from employee Ashley Bogle; Carl Miller poses with trustee Sharron Gay for being the district 6 winner of a $500 electric credit; it is  me for a nap a er taking in all the ac vi es at REC Day; Vern Spain enjoys visi ng with the lead singer of Superfreak. Center: Dylan Hall and Pure Tradi on pleased the crowd gathered under the big tent outside.


Photos by Vern Spain, Clint Branham, and Kelly Rush


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