(Note to readers: This story originally was published in the December 2003 issue of Electric Consumer.) When Paul Batz enters what he calls “The Egg Zone,” there’s no telling where he’ll end up or when he’ll get there. In this oval universe, Batz travels along thin ribbons of wax that en-circle and crisscross the surface… Continue reading.

It’s been looking a lot like Christmas around the Electric Consumer office for a couple of months. Tiny parcels and big boxes bearing angels and reindeer, Santa Claus and snowmen have been dropping in regularly, courtesy of the postman. Now it’s our turn to post the winners of our Christmas Ornament Contest for all to… Continue reading.

Revisit the REMC “Ringing Everyone a Merry Christmas” gift records from the 1960s. These 45 rpm records were distributed by Indiana electric co-ops each holiday season from 1964-68 and in 1970. They told sweet tales of farm kids anticipating Christmas, taking sleigh rides into the woods, and meeting Santa and elves and learning about the… Continue reading.

With this November issue, Electric Consumer focuses on Indiana’s gubernatorial race between Democratic Party candidate John Gregg and Republican Party candidate Eric Holcomb. Though Holcomb is currently Indiana’s lieutenant governor, the general public is still getting to know him. He was appointed to that position March 3 by Gov. Mike Pence after Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann,… Continue reading.

By Ron Aiken Most babies born these days will live to see the arrival of the 22nd century. (That’s just 84 years away.) Give them a sneak peek of all the “star-techy” marvels they’ll be growing up with with some of the latest innovations in the baby-care market. EXTRA CARE High-Tech Peek-a-Boo Those early baby… Continue reading.

Not all “nuts” are the same. Did you know that peanuts technically aren’t nuts? They’re legumes. Most legumes come in a pod and usually contain multiple fruit in a single pod. Nuts, on the other hand, come in a strong shell that doesn’t split open when they’re ready to be picked. Plus, drupes make the… Continue reading.

Come Nov. 9, this long election season of twists and hairpin turns will have passed — providing there are no glitches, ties, challenges or hanging chads. Few observers would view the 2016 campaigns — from the presidential three-ring circus to the state’s musical chairs — as run-of-the-mill. The fireworks in Indiana’s usually placid political sky… Continue reading.

Anyone born before 1995 or so, will never forget what they were doing on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, when they heard the news that a plane had struck a tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. A terrible accident? What kind of plane? Terrorism? Then, about 15 minutes later,… Continue reading.

I have to admit, I don’t know what I did before I got an iPhone. I use my phone for all kinds of things … as a camera, compass and calculator. And now, I can use it to take a hike. Finding a trail for hiking Hoosiers to explore will be easier this year thanks to… Continue reading.

With a theme of “Celebrating Indiana’s Bicentennial,” the 2016 Indiana State Fair is acknowledging what makes our state great by honoring its agricultural heroes. As a follow up to last year’s Year of the Farmer promotion, this year 17 Featured Farmers will be recognized, one for each day of the fair’s run, from Aug. 5-21…. Continue reading.

Deep fat frying involves submerging food in hot oil until it reaches a safe minimum internal temperature. The outside is crunchy while the inside is cooked safely. While deep fat frying allows you to prepare fair food in your own kitchen, extreme safety measures must be followed. For grease fires, never use water to extinguish… Continue reading.

Indiana’s electric cooperatives and other utilities are reminding players of Pokémon Go to stay away from electric substations, power plants and other electric equipment. The new smartphone-based augmented reality game sends players to real world places to “catch” Pokémon. Pokémon turn up everywhere — from grocery stores to hospitals. But they’re also appearing at electric… Continue reading.