Powerful Living
Governor Proclaims October Oklahoma Cooperative Month
Carrying the Torch Editor’s Words H
From L to R: Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives Legislative Liaison, Stacy Howeth, Executive Director for the Oklahoma Agricultural Cooperative Council Kinsey Money, and Richard Ruhl, Pioneer Telephone Cooperative chief executive offi cer, accept Gov. Fallin’s Proclamation designating October as Oklahoma Cooperative Month. Photo by Hayley Leatherwood
G
ov. Mary Fallin recently signed a proclamation declaring October Cooperative Month in Oklahoma.
Cooperative Month, celebrated nation- ally every October, provides cooperatives and members an opportunity to educate the public about the unique cooperative business model. Members benefi t from the affordable, quality services provided while enjoying democratic ownership and control. In Oklahoma, cooperatives provide es- sential services to members, especially in rural areas. This includes processing and marketing crops, obtaining farm supplies, and providing electrical, telecommunica-
tions and fi nancial services.
In her proclamation, Fallin recognized the important economic impact coopera- tives have on rural communities, stating, “Cooperatives are effective at adding value to the goods and services produced in rural Oklahoma, thereby supporting local economic growth, job creation, and healthy communities.” In observance of Cooperative Month, celebrations including customer appre- ciation days and a month-long commu- nity food drive will be held at agricultural cooperatives, Pioneer Telephone and ru- ral electric cooperatives throughout the state.
ave you ever passed on the torch to someone or been on the receiving end? I was recently interviewing one of our co-op managers who wisely told me, “We are often building upon what someone has done about 10 years ago.” I could not agree more. This year marks the 65th anniver-
Anna Politano Managing Editor, Oklahoma Living
Co-op Family Welcomes New Manager
Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative named Mark Fuller as new Oklahoma District Manager of the Pocola, Okla., offi ce. Fuller brings over 16 years ex- perience as a journeyman lineman. He has worked with the Oklahoma Association of Electric Coopera- tives, participated in the Youth Power Energy Camp and presented many safety and career programs to area schools on behalf of Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative. Fuller enjoys spending time with his wife Trisha and their two children, Nathan, 12, and Samantha, 16.
sary of Oklahoma Living, a consumer publication for members of Oklahoma’s electric coopera- tives. Clarence Reeds was the general manager of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives in 1948, and the fi rst editor of Oklahoma Rural News, a black-and- white publication containing 10 to 12 pages in its early days. It took electric cooperative managers a total of fi ve years of planning the magazine before it became a reality. The fi rst edition published in January 1948 read, “Since 1943 the need has been felt for a publication which would serve as the voice of the thousands of cooperative members who had banded together locally to serve themselves electricity...” Throughout the years, Oklahoma Living has evolved to better serve our readers and communicate the cooperative message more effectively. In 1992, the publication’s name changed from Oklahoma Rural News to Oklahoma Living to refl ect a change in focus from being an agriculture-driven publication to covering more lifestyle stories. To celebrate this 65-year milestone, we have compiled a celebratory cookbook that blends recipes of our readers— new and old—with memories going back to the ’40s of how electricity changed rural Oklahoma homes. If you have not yet ordered your copy of the Prairie Flavors Cookbook, see Page 29 for more information. This edition is filled with celebrations! October is National Co-op Month, and Gov. Mary Fallin recently signed a proclamation designating October as Oklahoma Co-op Month. On Page 6, you will read about the 75th Anniversary memories of nine electric distribution co-ops throughout the state. On Page 12, you will fi nd an inspiring story of a co-op manager who is celebrating 50 years in the electric cooperative industry. On Page 24, you will be touched to read about how co-op members round up their electric bills through their co-op’s Operation Round Up program to make a difference in their community. To top it off, our cover story this month profi les three generation and transmission cooperatives (G&Ts) that serve your dis- tribution co-op, bringing you the power that is so crucial to your quality of life. As I refl ect on the dreams, visions, and the hard work of editors who came before me, I feel privileged to be carrying the torch of this remarkable publication. I’m honored to say our staff is not only building upon what was done 10 years ago, but also on 20, 50 and 65 years past. The day will come when I will be the one passing on the torch for a new editor and staff. But, until then, let’s seize the day! Enjoy the October edition!
OCTOBER 2013 5
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