Radiant ElectricCooperative, Inc.Board of TrusteesMichael SpringerPresident

Tom AyersVice President

David EngelmanSecretary-Treasurer

Larry FeltsTrustee

Nick FrankenberyTrustee

Sandy SmithTrustee

Carol WehmeyerTrustee

Staff Leah M. TindleAdministrative Manager

Dennis DuftOperations Manager

Cash BakerEd BambickApril EngstromJosh HiteCindy HolinsworthRyan HuserLarry McVeyAllen MillerJe� ReedBecky SchwatkenBenny StephensBrian SumnerTracy Tindle

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P.O. Box 390, Fredonia, KS 66736 620-378-2161

www.radiantec.coop

R A D I A N T E L E C T R I C CO O P E R AT I V E

Our offi ces will be closed Thursday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 23, in observance of the holiday. From our co-op family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

Offi ces Closed for Thanksgiving

We’re Thankful for Your Membership“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

In the spirit of this quote by author William Arthur Ward, we’d like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for your membership in our electric cooperative. Because of your connection to Radiant Electric, we are able to make our community a better place.

We usually use this space to provide updates on new projects and develop-ments and report on the progress of ongoing initiatives. We share these up-dates so our consumer-members have a window into our priorities, progress and challenges. However, during this season of giving thanks, we think it’s equally important to let you and other consumer-members of Radiant Electric know just what an impact you have on our co-op and the greater community, likely in ways you may not even realize.

As part of the cooperative business model, one of our core principles is “Concern for Community.” While our priority is always to provide safe, reliable and aff ordable energy, we view our role in the community as a catalyst for good.

We are purposeful in partnering with groups such as Food 4 Kids to help provide food for chronically hungry students in our service areas. We work closely with our local schools to provide safety demonstrations, award college scholarships and help educate youth about the career opportunities at an electric co-op. Ultimately, the larger community benefi ts from these pro-grams because of you. You empower the co-op through your membership and through your participation in and support of these programs.

When you attend co-op events, alert us to problems, provide suggestions online or to our employees, you help us improve operations and thereby better serve the larger co-op membership.

Because we are locally governed by Continued on page 16Cf

While our priority is always to provide safe, reliable and a� ordable energy, we view our role in the community as a catalyst for good.

NOVEMBER 2018 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 16A

M E M B E R S P OT L I G H T

Creating Family Traditions at Mill Dam Christmas Tree Farm ‘Tis the season for family, friends and traditions, old and new. For thousands of years, evergreens have been used to celebrate winter festivals of all kinds. The tradition of having a Christmas tree was brought to the U.S. in the 1830s by German settlers. Since then, the popularity of Christmas trees has only increased as people around the world have made the evergreen a staple in their homes at Christmas time.

In 2013, Radiant members SHALA and KEVAN STEELE planted their fi rst 250 Scotch pine seedlings embarking on a new family business, the MILL DAM CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, named for the historical Otto’s Mill Dam on Fall River just west of their farm. The Steeles sold their fi rst Christmas trees in 2016—Fraser fi rs fresh cut and shipped from Michigan, since their grove was not ready for harvesting yet. Their “babies,” as Shala calls them, are fi rst planted at the farm as 8-inch seedlings and take four to six years to grow into a traditional size for harvesting.

In the fi eld, ready for this year’s harvest are Scotch and Vir-ginia pines, along with a few other evergreen varieties. They will have some of the fresh-cut Michigan Fraser fi rs available, but really encourage folks to select a tree to be cut from their fi eld this year. This gives families in southeast Kansas an opportunity to start a new holiday tradition—or re-kindle an old one—and pick the perfect tree for their Christmas display.

What makes a real tree better than an artifi cial tree? A real tree is a “greener” choice, absorbing carbon dioxide and pro-ducing oxygen. Upon disposal, they’re 100 percent biodegrad-able, unlike the artifi cial option, and can even provide a nice habitat for aquatic life. The best part about a real tree though, according to the Steeles, is the total experience of going as a family, selecting the tree, and bringing it home together.

Along with their children, Dillon, 15, and Kinley, 12, the Steeles employ a number of high school students to help during the busy Christmas season. Shala and Kevan handmake many of

the gifts available for sale at the tree farm, including custom wreaths and ornaments. They also off er fl ocked trees of vari-ous colors, which are popular for tabletops, children’s rooms and themed displays.

Mill Dam Christmas Tree Farm will host their 2018 season grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 24. Visitors can enjoy complimentary cookies, hot chocolate and coff ee while browsing their selection of all-natural homemade wreaths, unique Christmas gifts and décor including ornaments, pillows, candles, soap, jam and dip mixes. Eric Marr Photography will be on hand for the grand opening shooting mini photo sessions for families wishing to capture their holiday memories. Steeles will be open 1-6 p.m. each Friday and Saturday thereafter until Christmas. Visit the Mill Dam Christmas Tree Farm, 7770 1000 Road, just south of Fredonia. Check out Mill Dam Christmas Tree Farm on Facebook or www.milldamchristmastrees.com. Radiant Electric is proud to support our members: the Steele Family.

Left: Handmade gifts like these decorative saws, candles, soaps, food and ornaments can be found in the gift shop.

Right: Custom wreaths made by the Steeles are available for purchase.

Shala and Kevan Steele, pictured with their children Dillon and Kin-ley, created Mill Dam Christmas Tree Farm in 2013.

Visit the farm beginning on Nov. 24 to view crafts, gifts and, of course, get your family Christmas tree.

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16B KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING NOVEMBER 2018

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DESCRIBE YOUR JOB. Usually working with the construction crew building line, but I do whatever is needed—working outages, doing maintenance, etc.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? I enjoy working outdoors and having the satisfaction of helping improve our system.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? I grew up in Neodesha but live in Fredonia now.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF WORK? I like to golf and work in the yard. I help out in the community when I can; I’m in the Lions Club and help with the city fi reworks display, as well as a family display each year that we have been doing around 15 years.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? I enjoy trav-eling, so I’m looking forward to seeing some of the country.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU’VE SEEN PROGRESS SINCE YOU STARTED WORKING IN THIS FIELD? Safety fac-tors, like fi re resistant clothing, and technol-ogy improvements like mapping.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU’VE LEARNED FROM WORKING AT RADI-ANT ELECTRIC? Radiant is very safety oriented, and there is always room and time for safety.

WHAT DO YOU WANT OUR MEMBERS TO KNOW ABOUT RADIANT ELECTRIC? Radiant strives very hard to provide safe and reliable service to the members.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Allen Miller Journeyman Lineman, 3 years of ServiceCongratulations to Allen, who completed his apprenticeship program in October to become a journeyman lineman.

Allen Miller

VOTE YES ON NOVEMBER 5Add up the savings! By voting YES for the consolidation of Radiant Electric and Lyon-Coff ey Electric to form 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative.

QUESTIONS? 800-821-0956VOTEYESNOVEMBER5.COM

$9 MILLIONforecasted cost-savings over the first 10 years

members of our community, we are able to get a fi rsthand perspective on community priorities, thereby enabling us to make more informed decisions on long-term investments.

We are thankful that our co-op board members carve out time to attend important training sessions, participate in planning meetings and keep abreast of industry trends. This investment in time results in better informed advisers that serve the co-op’s interests in a way that our consumer-members expect and deserve.

On a more personal note, we appreciate the countless acts of kindness our lineworkers and other employees receive when they are

working in severe weather and dangerous conditions. Our employees are thankful for your patience and consideration when we are trying to restore power during challenging situations and prolonged periods.

Radiant Electric Cooperative was incorporated 77 years ago to bring electricity to our area when no one else would. Going forward—as Radiant Electric or 4 Rivers Electric—this cooperative will always be a refl ection of our local community and its evolving needs. Together, let’s continue making our corner of the world a better place. We can’t do it without you, and for that, we’re thankful for your membership—always.

We’re Thankful for Your MembershipContinued from page 16Af

Energy Effi ciencyTip of the MonthGot holiday leftovers? When possible, use the microwave to reheat food. Microwaves use as much as 80 percent less energy than a standard oven. Source: energy.gov

NOVEMBER 2018 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 16C

Local Event CALENDARCHANUTENOV. 10 – RFC Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk

NOV. 10 – Kiwanis Pancake Feed

NOV. 10 – Veterans Day Parade

COFFEYVILLENOV. 10 – Veterans Day Celebration. Help celebrate our veterans with a ceremony and parade.

NOV. 11 – Holiday Open House. Noon-4 p.m. Kick off your holiday shopping at our local retailers.

NOV. 15 – Community Foundation Match Day. Non-profit donations given and matched by Coffeyville Area Community Foundation at 807 Walnut, Downtown Coffeyville.

NOV. 24 – Brown Mansion Tours. 1-3 p.m.; last day of regular tours until March.

ELK CITYNOV. 3 – Bingo. 7 p.m. at the Community Building.

FREDONIANOV. 9 – Veterans Day Program. 11 a.m. at FJSHS with lunch at the VFW following program.

NOV. 9-10 – Holiday Retail Open House. Friday 5-8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-store closing.

NOV. 16 & 17 – FJSHS Fall Musical Performance “The Sound of Music.” 7 p.m. at FJSHS Theater

DEC. 1 – Santa’s Workshop at Fredonia Regional Hospital.

KEEP SAFE A N D WA R MT H I S W I N T E RWhen the chill of fall and winter set in, be aware of potential fire hazards that are lurking in your home. Whether keeping warm with heat from your furnace, space heater, fireplace, or electric blanket,Safe Electricity o�ers these tips to prevent a fire in your home:

Have your furnace INSPECTED annually.

Always place your space heater on a STEADY SURFACE and away from curtains, tablecloths or other flapping fabrics. Use a space heater with an automatic shut-o� switch.

INSPECT ELECTRIC BLANKETS for scorch marks or visible damage regularly.

Be sure your CHIMNEY IS CLEAR before each use, and cover your fireplace with a screen to keep children and pets away from flames.

For more tips, visit

Button Up Your Home before WinterOld man winter will soon come knocking on your front door. Now is a good time to make sure he won’t be accompanied by a draft coming through your home. Use the mild weather now to improve your home’s efficiency for greater comfort and less energy waste:ffCaulk and add weather stripping to doors and windows that leak air. ffClean your furnace and replace your furnace filter. ffReplace door bottoms and thresholds with ones that have pliable sealing gaskets. ffUse foam sealant on larger gaps around windows, baseboards, and other places where air may leak. ffMake sure your insulation is up to a foot or foot and a half in your attic or crawl space.ffBe sure to close your crawl space exterior vents for the season.For more information on preparing your home for winter, visit SafeElectricity.org.

On Sunday, Nov. 4, remember to turn your clocks back one hour. It is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and have a professional check your fire extinguishers.

Fall Back on Nov. 4

VETERANS Nov. 11 DAYHONORING ALL WHO SERVED

16D KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING NOVEMBER 2018

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