By Julie Young Although fireworks displays are a traditional part of our Independence Day celebrations, nearly 15,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries each year. While some accidents are the result of amateurs attempting to launch professional-grade explosives, others are caused by legal fireworks that stay on the ground and can be… Continue reading.
Cooperatives worldwide operate according to the same core principles and values adopted by the International Cooperative Alliance. These principles are rooted in the first modern cooperative, founded in Rochdale, England. These principles are a key reason that America’s electric cooperatives operate differently from other electric utilities, putting the needs of their members first. Over the… Continue reading.
Your electric co-op exists to provide you with safe, reliable, and affordable energy. Equally important is their mission to enrich your life. Your electric utility is locally owned. In fact, you and your neighbors own it. That’s the nature of the cooperative way of doing business. A cooperative is owned by the people who use… Continue reading.
Cooperatives in America are as old as the nation itself. The first successful U.S. cooperative was organized in 1752 when Benjamin Franklin formed the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire — the nation’s oldest continuing cooperative. It continues to operate today. Electric cooperatives began in the 1930s because investor-owned utilities… Continue reading.
Some say that part of the American dream is owning your own home. My husband, Brooks, and I were fortunate enough to buy ours in 2018, just before the housing market craziness of 2020 and beyond. We quickly realized that we were lacking some skills that can be helpful for homeowners. We are not very… Continue reading.
By Natalie Derrickson Breaking into show business in the early 1900s took grit, tenacity, and talent. If an aspiring performer could get their break, it would offer a world of life-changing possibilities. Vincennes’ native son, Richard Bernard “Red” Skelton, found his destiny while selling newspapers to support his family, and, as they say, the… Continue reading.
By Nicole Thomas DePauw University, one of Indiana’s oldest institutions, is situated in Putnam County. Established in 1837 as Indiana Asbury College — an all-male school named after Francis Asbury, the first American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church — it was renamed in 1884 to honor Washington Charles DePauw, a philanthropist who was once… Continue reading.
Across Indiana, a new generation of leaders is rising to steer electric cooperatives forward. They bring inventive ideas, technical knowledge, and a strong dedication to service and community, which embodies the cooperative spirit. To celebrate National Cooperative Month, Indiana Electric Cooperatives (IEC), the publisher of Indiana Connection, is honoring seven emerging leaders from across the… Continue reading.
The fall is a popular time to burn leaves or branches in your backyard. When burning yard waste and debris, follow these important steps from the USDA Forest Service. CHECK THE CONDITIONS Dont burn when its windy or whe vegetation is very dry. PREPARE YOUR PILE Keep your piles small and manageable. Add additional debris… Continue reading.
The U. S. Fire Administration recommends installing smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of a home, including the basement. This is a fire safety precaution that all homeowners and landlords in your community need to take to protect residents from fire. Here are some common questions about… Continue reading.
COOKING SAFETY Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. HEATING SAFETY Use caution around heating equipment such as space heaters and fireplaces. Keep anything that could catch fire at least 3 feet from the heat. CANDLE SAFETY Avoid using candles because they can cause a fire. Use battery-powered lights… Continue reading.
Rural electric membership cooperatives in Indiana face the dual challenge of maintaining electric distribution systems while also supporting the expansion of broadband access. As broadband service providers increasingly rely on electric poles to deploy fiber optic cables in rural communities, the relationship between cooperatives (as pole owners) and broadband providers (as attaching entities) has become… Continue reading.
The first cool, crisp morning in early fall promises that the summer swelter is ending, and now, it’s time to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Start this fall with a step back in time to what life was like on the farm at the Dubois County Museum’s Fall Harvest Day on Oct. 12, from 1 to… Continue reading.
