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midsouthsynergy.com18 | MID-SOUTH SYNERGY April 2018

Honoring Those Who Keep the Lights On

MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER KERRY KELTON

HELP WANTED: APPLICANTS MUST BE COMFORTABLE WORKING 40 feet in the air for long hours in all types of weather and danger-ous conditions while providing excellent customer service.

That doesn’t sound like a job many of us would sign up for, but fortunately for Mid-South Synergy and its members, we have a team of folks who embrace that challenge: our linemen.

On Monday, April 9, Lineman Appreciation Day, Mid-South Synergy will join cooperatives from across the nation in recog-nizing the employees who keep the lights on.

Perhaps you have seen them rising in their bucket trucks in howling winds and torrential rains, or in freezing, icy con-ditions—working around the clock near high-voltage power lines until electricity is restored to every member in our co-op community.

Electric linemen often do not receive the recognition they deserve. They are the unsung heroes who stand at the ready to respond to outages caused by storms, accidents and anything else that may knock out power. They are the people whose tire-

less e�orts help ensure the system reliability of your member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative.

Our linemen—as well as linemen from across the nation—truly deserve this special day of recognition.

We recognize all electric linemen and crew members for the services they perform around the clock, often in dangerous conditions, so that our members can enjoy the conveniences and safety that electricity provides.

Their dedication also extends beyond their job duties. In addition to aiding members in our service territory, Mid-South Synergy linemen always are willing and eager to volunteer when other communities are in need after a major outage. I’m proud to say they performed exceptionally well during Hurri-cane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. Some even answered the call to travel overseas to build new power lines in countries that have little infrastructure.

On April 9, please join us by taking a moment to personally thank a lineman for the work he or she does.

Mid-SouthEC1804_.indd 18 3/12/18 5:53 PM

April 2018 MID-SOUTH SYNERGY | 19midsouthsynergy.com

Got Power? Thank a Lineman.Lineman Appreciation Dayis April 9.



ALTERNATIVE ENERGY GENERATION HAS BECOME A MAINSTREAM topic of discussion—solar power, specifically. Consumers can spend anywhere between $15,000 and $75,000 to have a solar array built on their roof or in their backyard. Knowing that everyone doesn’t have the money to spend on such a project, Mid-South Synergy has created a more economical option called Synergy Solar.

The Synergy Solar farm is located in Bedias, next to a Mid-South Synergy substation. The location was a perfect fit for the project, considering that Bedias is where Mid-South Synergy set its first utility pole in 1940.

How does Synergy Solar work, and what are the benefits?a Residential members can purchase up to five 100-kilowatt-

hour blocks. a The rate of 11.5 cents per kWh is locked in for five years.a Members are not responsible for maintenance.a Members carry no risk of storm damage.a Members do business with our trusted electric cooperative.

Members who independently install solar panels on their homes often are disappointed. They encounter challenges that the solar panel installer is incapable of handling or neglected to take care of, or the productivity of the solar panels is not what was promised. The team at Mid-South Synergy is a trusted advi-sor on the topic of alternative energy. We have assisted many members with questions about member-owned solar installa-tions, and we can assist you with yours.

Mid-South Synergy recommends that you always contact the co-op to learn about the requirements for interconnecting a solar array with our distribution system. A member-owned solar array must follow guidelines that ensure the safety of linemen and sta�.

If you are considering installing solar panels at your home, ask yourself these questions:a Who is responsible for maintenance?a What happens to the maintenance contract if the installer

goes out of business?a How do I monitor the installation’s production and

e�ciency?a Is my roof rated for the extra weight of solar panels?a Does my homeowners association allow the panels to be

visible?a Will the panels receive enough sunlight to be productive?

So far, Synergy Solar has proven to be simple and a�ordable for more than 320 Mid-South Synergy members, who are sup-plied with more than 1,400 blocks of solar power each month. To avoid the hassle of installation and still enjoy the benefits of solar power, call our friendly member service team today at (936) 825-5100.

Want Solar Power?



BY REBECA CORONADO

MID-SOUTH SYNERGY RECENTLY INSTALLED TWO PAY-ment kiosks and has plans to install two more in the near future. The first kiosk was installed at the co-op’s Montgomery o�ce on Highway 105, and the second was installed at the headquarters in Navasota. The kiosks accept cash, checks and credit card payments 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The ability for members to pay with cash outside of business hours is a convenience that we are proud to provide,” says Dianne Sechelski, vice president of member services.

Not only are the kiosks convenient, they also are user-friendly. Some of the features are presented in both English and Spanish. There is an option to print your receipt, and payments are immediately credited to your account. The kiosks may look like ATMs; however, they do not provide change or accept coins. Any pay-ments made exceeding the member’s balance will be credited to the account.

A third kiosk will be installed in the coming months, at the Huntsville o�ce drive-thru on Highway 75 North. Plans also are underway to install a fourth kiosk in a rural part of the service territory. This location will allow members in the area a convenient way to pay closer to home, helping them save money on fuel.

In our do-it-yourself, fast-paced society, the option to pay via kiosk is growing in popularity. Mid-South Synergy also will continue to o�er members the current options of paying over the phone, online, via the mobile app or in person at one of our o�ces.

This new option reflects Mid-South Synergy’s com-mitment to providing its members with a wide variety of convenient ways to pay their bills without fees. The goal is to accommodate the schedules and needs of all members. The kiosks are available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.

A New Way To Pay

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, MID-SOUTH SYNERGY OFFERS A VARIETY OF PAYMENT OPTIONS.

a New payment kiosks

a By phone

a Online

a Via the mobile app

a In person at one of our o�ces



Simple Ways To Save Water

THE AVERAGE AMERICAN USES 88 GALLONS OF WATER EACH day at home. Showers, dishes, laundry, watering the lawn—it adds up quickly. We all can cut water consumption by 20 percent by installing water-e�cient fixtures and changing a few habits, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And when you reduce hot water use, you also lower your electric bill.

Changes To Make IndoorsKeep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks. This way, every drop goes down your throat and not the drain.

Replace the showerhead with a water-e�cient model if your shower can fill a 1-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds.

Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes; you’ll save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

Install low-volume toilets. Put food coloring in your toilet tank; if it seeps into the toilet

bowl, you have a leak. It’s easy to fix, and you could save more than 7,000 gallons a year.

When taking a bath, plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.

Run your dishwasher only when it’s full to save up to 400 gallons a month.

Consider installing new appliances that are more e�cient

than older appliances. A new washing machine can save up to 20 gallons per load.

Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost instead and save gallons each time.

Wash your produce in the sink or a pan partially filled with water instead of run-ning water constantly from the tap. Col-lect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.

When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing; instead, fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

Have an aquarium? Next time you clean it, use the water you’ve drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and e�ective fertilizer.

Changes To Make OutdoorsWater your lawn only when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn: If you leave footprints, it’s time to water.

Minimize evaporation by watering dur-ing the early morning hours, when tem-peratures are cooler and winds lighter.

Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce runo� and allow for bet-

ter absorption every time you water.Use a sprinkler for larger areas of grass and water small

patches by hand to avoid waste. Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk or street.

Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.

Plant during the spring or fall, when watering requirements are lower.

Plant native plants when possible. Place a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evap-

oration and save hundreds of gallons of water a year. Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-

water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips. Choose porous materials for walkways and patios to keep

water in your yard and prevent wasteful runo�. Don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes and hoses for

leaks. We’re more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or side-

walk and save 80 gallons of water every time. Install covers on pools and spas, and check for leaks around

your pumps. Periodically check your pool for leaks if you have an auto-

matic refilling device.

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SAVE THE DATE!

MID-SOUTH SYNERGY

ANNUAL MEETINGFriday, June 15Walker County Fairgrounds Huntsville



4–6 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 cup cold milk

1 cup sour cream

1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix

2 cups Cool Whip or whipped heavy cream

8 cups angel food cake, cubed

1. Place sliced strawberries into a large bowl and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Toss and let sit while preparing other ingredients, about 5–10 minutes or until a juice begins to form.

2. In a large bowl, beat the milk, sour cream and pudding mix on low speed until thickened. Fold in whipped cream.

3. Use the cake cubes as the bottom layer, then layer on strawberries (use the juice that formed to drizzle over the angel food cake in each layer). Spread the mixture from Step 2 over strawberries. Repeat. Make layers to desired thickness.

4. Top with whipped cream and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Makes approximately 8–10 servings.

The assembly can be done in a large bowl, single serv-ing mason jars (as pictured), bread loaf pans, 9-by-13-inch pan, etc.

Additional options: teaspoon of orange zest, bananas or other fruit, Nutella drizzled in between layers, etc.

SWEET SPRINGTIME STRAWBERRY TRIFLE

FROM THE KITCHEN OF

Maggie O’Neil



A Special Thank You

WE WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL thank you to Maggie O’Neil for pro-viding this month’s Chef’s Corner recipe, and Rebeca Coronado for writing about our new payment kiosks. O’Neil is a GIS technician at Mid-South Synergy with a passion for baking and photography. Coro-nado is multitalented and works as a new construction representative in our member services department.

TEXAS CO-OP POWERMID-SOUTH SYNERGY EDITION

April 2018

7625 HIGHWAY 6NAVASOTA, TX 77868

TEL 936.825.5100TOLL-FREE 888.525.6677

FAX 936.825.5166

MIDSOUTHSYNERGY.COM

We’d love to hear from you!

Have an interesting story or local community event?

Or simply tell us how we’re doing!Synergy SpotP.O. Box 970

Navasota, TX [email protected]

Valentine’s Day Sale

The Mid-South Synergy Relay For Life team has com-pleted another successful fundraiser. They made and sold chocolate-covered strawberries, cake pops and decorated cookies. To date, the team has raised $4,115 for cancer research.

Blood Drive

The next blood drive will be June 20 at our Navasota o�ce. Visit giveblood.org to schedule your appointment. Use sponsor code BVU3. Donations stay in our local community. Join us and help save a life.

Synergy Spot

Maggie O’Neil Rebeca Coronado


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