Electric deregulation — sometimes called “retail choice” or “restructuring” — is often presented as a simple proposition: allow customers to shop for electricity, introduce competition, and let the market produce better prices and more choices. In practice, deregulation is more complicated. It changes who supplies electricity, how generation costs are recovered, and how the financial… Continue reading.
BY JULIE YOUNG The United States may be celebrating its 250th birthday, but the nation’s first successful cooperative is much older than that. In fact, the nation’s oldest continuing cooperative, the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire, was organized in 1752 by none other than Benjamin Franklin. By definition, a… Continue reading.
BY JULIE YOUNG Unlike a corporation, which is run by a board of directors for maximum return, a cooperative is a member-owned organization that is focused on community benefit. That benefit may begin with providing its members with the most reliable utility service at the best price, but it’s a commitment that extends to every… Continue reading.
BY JULIE YOUNG When you belong to a cooperative, you are part of an organization run and owned by its members for mutual benefit. Central to that organization are seven core principles that translate ethical values into action. The roots of the modern co-op go back to 1844, when a group of weavers in the… Continue reading.
October is National Cooperative Month, and we are celebrating by highlighting emerging leaders in Indiana’s cooperatives. This month’s feature story showcases eight individuals who are making a difference in their co-ops and communities. As you read their profiles, you will notice a common theme: a deep commitment to the co-op culture and a genuine concern… Continue reading.
BY NICOLE THOMAS South Bend, Indiana, is named after the bend in the St. Joseph River that curves north toward Michigan. The Potawatomi and Miami tribes used canoes to travel the river for trade and transportation. Today, visitors can experience the river through whitewater rafting, kayaking, rowing, and fishing. Cruising through history More than 100… Continue reading.
BY JODI BORGER Across Indiana, a new generation of leaders is rising to guide electric cooperatives forward. They bring inventive ideas, technical expertise, and a strong dedication to service and community, embodying the cooperative spirit. In celebration of National Cooperative Month, Indiana Electric Cooperatives (IEC), the publisher of Indiana Connection, is recognizing eight rising leaders… Continue reading.
Holland Festival Sept. 18-19 | Holland visitduboiscounty.com/events The Holland Festival is “a Dutch touch” in a German town. The festival offers food booths, a kids’ zone and activities, a beer garden, live music, a wiener dog race, an ice cream eating contest, a barbeque contest, a craft show, andfamily-friendly activities staged around Holland’s historic windmill. … Continue reading.
BY JULIE YOUNG According to the American Pet Products Association, 95 million American households own at least one pet, and they are projected to spend $165 billion on those companions in 2026, including food, supplies, veterinary care, grooming, and other services. This investment in pet care is driving new trends. High-tech devices High-tech pet gadgets… Continue reading.
BY JULIE YOUNG Fostering an animal not only provides a safe, loving environment for socialization but also frees up shelter space and allows you to enjoy the companionship of a new friend without the permanent commitment. Getting started After deciding on the type of animal you’re interested in fostering, research local shelters that offer fostering… Continue reading.
BY JULIE YOUNG At some point, most children express a desire to care for a pet. Although they promise to feed, water, and play with the proposed animal, a pet is a big responsibility, and it’s important to make this step a positive experience for everyone involved. Age appropriate Experts say it is important to… Continue reading.
In July, Indiana Connection celebrated its 75th anniversary. The magazine, originally titled Indiana Rural News, was founded in 1951 to help electric cooperatives connect with their members and keep them informed. As I thought about how to commemorate this milestone anniversary, I kept coming back to our readers and what they always tell me they… Continue reading.
BY NATALIE DERRICKSON If there’s anything most Hoosiers can agree on, it’s that Indiana puts on some of its best shows during the fall season. The crisp morning air, Friday night football games, and weekends spent at Exploration Acres, home to one of the most creative and largest corn mazes in the state. This year’s… Continue reading.
