April 2006 - Nolin RECC

411 Ring Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42701-6767
Patsy Whitehead, Editor
From the President & CEO
Weathering the Storm of Escalating Fuel Costs
E
lectric cooperatives in
Kentucky and other states have
seen their fair share of storms
by way of hurricanes, tornados, and
winter ice storms. Although Nolin
was not victim to the most recent
hurricanes in the Gulf States, we
stepped in to help our neighboring
co-ops by sending line technicians to
help restore electric power. But
there is a different kind of storm
brewing now—it’s called the storm of
rising energy costs.
The price of all fuels—natural gas,
oil, propane, and coal—used to generate electricity for the cooperatives’
members has skyrocketed, much like
you have seen at the gas pump when
you fuel your car.
These fuel price increases are the
result of a variety of factors, including
market demand, hurricane devastation in the Gulf States, mining and
transporting coal to the generating
plant, and the cost of meeting environmental regulations relating to power
plant emissions.
Because Nolin is looking out for the
membership and its best interests, we
are doing what we always do when a
storm is brewing….whether it’s a tornado, winter ice storm, or in this
Kentucky Living
F
April 2006
case, a volatile fuel market, we’re prepared and ready to weather the storm.
We make plans ahead of time
We are ready. Over the past two
years, Nolin has been experiencing
escalating fuel costs; however, we have
been effectively managing these costs
with little or no adjustment. Your co-op
has managed to absorb the increases
through adjustments in our operational
budgets as well as effectively managing
our resources. Unfortunately, the
increases in fuel used to generate electricity have continued and this has
caused the fuel adjustment to increase.
The fuel adjustment on your bill can be
a credit or a debit depending on the
costs of fuel. One good aspect of the
fuel adjustment is that it allows Nolin to
maintain our current electric rates.
We keep our eye on the skies
Our cooperative board and management constantly evaluate changes
in the industry and marketplace,
assess how new laws and regulations
affect business, weigh risks and the
benefits of different fuel sources, and
look for opportunities to better serve
the membership. The co-op has been
tracking the higher costs of generating
electricity. This has been an ongoing
issue for the past several years. But
even the best market indicators have
not been able to accurately predict
the unprecedented spikes of the past
few months. We will continue to
monitor fuel costs and will do everything possible to reduce the fuel
adjustment.
Our technology is ready for
unpredicted storms
Nolin uses technology like SCADA,
load management, and Automated
Meter Reading to cut operating costs
and enhance efficiency. We’re using
computers to help troubleshoot and
pinpoint outage problems and to
Continued on page 6A
Mickey Miller
President & CEO
1A
Touchstone Energy Living
Members Speak Out on Surge Equipment
stormy night in April 2004 for Gerald and
Wanda Lowery of Elizabethtown will leave its
mark on the family for a very long time. When
lightning struck their home, it entered through the
roof, leaving a giant hole, and traveled from their house
to the two surrounding homes.
Wanda remembers the nightmare as if it were yesterday saying, “The lightning blew Gerald off the treadmill—it was wild. The impact of the lightning caused a
fire and our electrical outlets were hanging from the
wall.” But this was not the first time the Lowerys’ new
home had been hit by lightning. Determined to make
sure it would be the last strike, the Lowerys called Nolin
for help.
Nolin offers a basic Whole House Surge Protection
system for just $6.00 a month. This two-level system
starts at the meter base, where the grounding system on
your home will be tested and a meter base device will be
attached. This device protects all your major appliances
(washer, dryer, refrigerator, range, etc.) from powerful
surges.
The surge protection system also includes a fivepiece plug-in kit to protect your more sensitive electronics from less noticeable surges. The kit includes an
eight-receptacle plug strip generally used for your computer system, a three-outlet wall-mount strip that can
be used on your TV and VCR, and a single-outlet wallmount device that can be used on anything from your
garage door opener to your spare TV. Also included in
the kit are a fax modem module to protect the phone
line going to your computer, and a CATV module to
protect the cable or antenna line going to your TV.
Several hundred Nolin members have taken advantage of Nolin’s surge protection since the program
began five years ago. Members may opt to purchase the
equipment for just $260 (plus tax) instead of leasing.
John and Pam Ferguson of Eastview also know firsthand what it feels like to replace valuable electronic
equipment. Lightning struck their home several years
ago and wiped out their television. Since then, the couple says they relax when the storms roll in to their
neighborhood.
“We purchased an expensive computer and a new
television about five years ago—just after our home was
hit by lightning,” says John. “My wife pretty much
decided we needed surge equipment and she contacted
Nolin to get things going. The process was easy and the
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Wanda Lowery doesn’t have to worry about her computer
when she leaves home—it’s protected against lightning and
power surges. 22-08-0057-00
warranty on the equipment is excellent.”
The Lowerys and the Fergusons are typical homeowners who
insure their property.
Although most homeowners’ insurance plans pay for damages caused by lightning strikes, the deductible amount can run
anywhere from $500 to $2,000. After several claims you may
find yourself with an increase in your annual homeowner’s premium. It just makes sense to invest a few hundred dollars on
quality surge protection equipment.
The inconvenience of having to replace all of your electronic
equipment is another reason why surge protection makes sense.
Wanda Lowery remembers spending countless hours selecting
new appliances, TVs, lighting fixtures, a new computer—everything electric was destroyed in her home.
Protect your home and your peace of mind, call Nolin RECC
at (270) 765-6153 today and ask for a Whole House Surge
Protection System.
During April installation is FREE
—that’s a $50 savings!!!
Kentucky Living
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April 2006
Annual Meeting Comes to
John Hardin High School Again
Mark your calendars for Friday, June 9, 2006, for the Nolin RECC annual meeting
ember registration begins at 5:00 p.m. After members
register, they can enjoy the early entertainment, visit the
health and exhibit fair, watch the children play games,
or relax to a delicious dinner while waiting for the 7:00 p.m.
business meeting.
YOUR OWNERSHIP IN NOLIN RECC is very important.
Each year a business meeting is held to discuss issues and new
information affecting your cooperative. You have six directors
that represent your interests in the co-op, and each one serves a
three-year term.
The director election process is designed so that two of your
six director seats are up for re-election each year. The two directors completing their term in 2006 are Rick Thomas (District 3)
and Becky Loyall (District 5). Both have agreed to have their
names placed on the ballots for re-election to the board.
In early June you will receive ballots in the mail along with
your annual meeting official notice. It is your responsibility and
privilege to vote for the director of your choice. As a member of
Nolin, you are entitled to decide who serves on the board.
Please remember to vote during the director elections and
return your ballot to Nolin RECC.
M
Remember, the annual meeting will be held at John Hardin High School
384 W. A. Jenkins Road, Elizabethtown
ANOTHER GREAT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
T
he Kentucky Women in Rural Electrification (W.I.R.E.) will
award up to three scholarships in the amount of $1,000
each to Kentucky college students.
05-21-0233-01
The Kentucky W.I.R.E. is an organization of wives of rural electric cooperative directors, managers, and other key employees. Its
goal is to further the public’s understanding and appreciation of
the rural electric program.
The scholarship is open to any eligible student whose immediate family is served by a Kentucky rural electric cooperative. To
qualify, applicants must be a junior or senior with at least 60
hours of credits at a Kentucky college or university by the start of
the fall term.
To apply, call the Nolin office at (270) 765-6153 and ask for
Patsy Whitehead. Deadline for application is June 15, 2006.
Electric cooperative employees, directors, managers, and their relatives, and those of Big Rivers Electric Corporation, East
Kentucky Power Cooperative, and the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives, are not eligible for the W.I.R.E. scholarship.
Kentucky Living
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April 2006
3A
Members save with Co-op Connections Card
I
n December 2004,
Nolin introduced the
Co-op Connections
card. This is a special
card that gives you
discounts at local and
selected national businesses. A complete list
of businesses that
honor the Co-op
Connections card is listed on our Web site at
www.nolinrecc.com.
For your convenience,
we have listed here the
local businesses that
honor the card. We will
be printing updates as
new businesses join the
program. If you have
any questions about the
Co-op Connections card,
or if you do not have the
card, please contact the
Nolin RECC office at
765-6153.
Nolin RECC Co-op Connections Card Local Discounts
BIG CLIFTY
Modern Woodmen of America
Free Rand McNally Road Atlas
w/ consultation
CECILIA
Country Classic Salon
$10 off a set of gel nails; $5 off
month tanning package
ELIZABETHTOWN
@ Wireless
15% off accessories & free
dish for qualified customers
Aarons Sales & Lease
Receive 25% off your first
lease payment
Adventure Sports
Honda Kawasaki
10% off parts & accessory
purchase (motorcycle & ATV).
Backstage Café
Buy one lunch get one free
Excludes dinner theatre
Back Yard Burgers
10% off total order
Baskin-Robbins 31
Buy 2 scoop sundae at regular
price & get second one free.
Bergers OK Tires
Free front end alignment (most
vehicles) with the purchase of
4 Cooper tires
Blakey Printing & Mailing
10% off new orders/
2% off repeat orders
Bluegrass Garden Center
& Landscaping
10% off purchase of trees or
shrubs at regular price
Buggy Bath Car Wash
25% off gold car wash
All About Kids Learning Center
20% off new registration fees;
must present card at registration
Candy Craze
10% off purchase of candy,
balloons, & giftware
All Around Auto Care
10% off any brake repair
Carpet Connections
of Dalton, GA
10% off in stock carpet or vinyl
Allen's Air Conditioning
$10 off tune-up; $50 off duct
cleaning; $200 off heating/
cooling systems
Alpha Salon & Spa
10% off spa services
& products
Back Home Restaurant
10% off one meal
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Cecilia Auto Sales of
Elizabethtown
$100 off purchase of any
pre-owned vehicle
Chic-Wig Boutique
10%-15% off (depending)
on any regular priced wig or
breast prothesis
Coffee Tree Restaurant &
Lounge at Holiday Inn
Free coffee or tea w/ purchase
of Sunday lunch buffet
Conder's Paintball Park
$5 off a $10 rental package
w/ purchase of same
Golden Rule Pawn
50% discount for new
customer first check advance
transaction; 10% off general
merchandise
Good As New Consignments
10% off entire purchase
Corvin's Floor Covering
5% discount on any purchase
in the store
Guaranteed Security Systems
First 3 months of monitoring
at no cost
Crutcher's Carpet Cleaning
10% off carpet & upholstery
cleaning only
Herb Jones Chevrolet, Inc.
10% off on parts & service
Days Inn
10% off standard rates
Designs by Donna
$5 off orders over $30
Herb Jones Nissan, Inc.
10% off on parts & service
Herbalife
10% off any purchase
Dix-E-Town Bowling Lanes
Free shoe rental
I Made It!
10% discount on items
completed
Dukes Sporting Goods
10% discount on all regular
priced merchandise
Jacobi Sales, Inc.
$25 off retail advertised price
of CUB Cadet riding mowers
Elizabethtown KOA
10% off
Jones Buick GMC, Inc.
10% off on parts & service
Energy Sports & Fitness Clubs
Initiation fee waived; free
consult w/ personal trainer
(Fit Systems); first tan visit free
Judy's Gags & More, Inc.
10% off regular priced items
Finishing Touches of Etown
$5 off w/ purchase of $30 or more
Furniture Wholesalers
10% off
Does not include factory
clearance priced furniture
Kidz Square Children Clothing
Boutique
20% off regular priced items
Lee's Famous Recipe
10% off any purchase—not
valid on items on special or
combos
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April 2006
Mattress Supercenter
Sales tax paid on purchase
of mattress set including
TempurPedic sets
McDonald's
Buy 1 Big Mac or Big Mac EVM
& get 1 Big Mac free
Miller Chiropractic Center
New patient work-up including
x-ray for $19.95 (value $340)
Ramada Ltd.
$58.50 regular room
Republic Bank—Etown
$50 cash to members who open
an absolutely free checking
account with direct deposit
Ride-Wright Tire
$5 off brake job; $5 off alignment
Rosey Posey Florist, LLC
10% off in-store purchase
Molly Maid
10% off initial house cleaning
or 10% off carpet cleaning
Royal Pisa
Large (14") 3 topping pizza $8.99
carry-out only; lunch buffet $3.49
Montgomery Imports, Inc.
10% service discount on
scheduled maintenance; $200
off best deal given
Schroeder's Music
10% off $20 or more purchase
(Monday-Thursday 2-8 pm)
Movie Palace
Get $1 off movie ticket
on Monday & Wednesday
only; matinees excluded;
limit 2 tickets per card
Mr. Gatti's
10% off any purchase of
$10 or more
MTD Autoglass
Free rock chip windshield repair
& windshield mirror rebond
Music & Arts Center
One free group art lesson
(child or adult)
Orkin Pest Control
$50 off intial pest control
service; 10% off termite
treatment
Packages & More, Inc.
$1 off shipping via UPS,
FedEx, & DHL per package
Papa Johns Pizza
Large 1 topping carry-out $6.99
Party Palace
10% discount on any
purchase
Payless Muffler & Brakes
$2 off Castrol oil change &
5% off all repairs
Penn Station
10% off any purchase
R Cubed Printing
$0.40 Xerox Color Copies
(8.5"x11" one side)
Rack Room Shoes
15% off any purchase
Must show card
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April 2006
Woodland Gallery
10% off total frame job
GLENDALE
McDonald's
Buy 1 Big Mac or Big Mac EVM
& get 1 Big Mac free
LeClair's Optical
40-50% off retail frame cost;
$30 single vision plastic
lenses; $40 single vision
polycarbonate lenses
Longview Florist, Inc.
10% off
Easy Lube & Service Center
10% off any service
Payless Muffler
15% off parts/labor; free oil
change w/ exhaust, tail pipe
& muffler or w/ every 4 wheel
brake service
Lincoln Square Consignment
20% off all clothing
Radcliff Lube & Wash
Free air freshener or wet wipe
Lee's Famous Recipe
10% off any purchase—not
valid on items on special or
combos
Rapid Automotive
10% discount
HODGENVILLE
Showtime Cinemas
Get $1 off adult movie ticket
on Monday & Wednesday
only; matinees excluded; limit
2 tickets per day per card
Sign Pros LLC
10% off non-illuminated signs;
5% off illuminated signs;
10 % off sign & electrical
service work
McDonald's
Buy 1 Big Mac or Big Mac EVM
& get 1 Big Mac free
Simmons Furniture & Appliance
10% off purchase over $300
(regular priced merchandise)
Wright's 210 Auto
5% off alignments, towing, tires,
Bore Kegs, oil changes, rotate &
balance & AC services
Sonic Drive-In Radcliff
Buy one get one free
extra long coney
NEW HAVEN
Super Slant Full Service
Car Wash
Free Arabesque air freshener
with wash
Stone Hearth Restaurant
10% off regular priced menu entrée
(5-9 pm Monday-Saturday)
Super Slant 3 Fast Lube
Free air freshener or wet wipe
Texas Roadhouse
Early Bird Special: Two 6oz.
sirloin dinners w/ drinks $14.99
Monday-Thursday 4pm-6pm
Tire Centers, LLC
10% off all tires & any
automotive service
Town & Country Lawn Care
10% off services including
mowing, leaf removal, & snow
plowing
Turner's Auto Repair
10% off parts & service, brakes,
tune-ups, a/c, electrical, engine
repair, diagnostics, etc.
Tuxedo Avenue
10% off tux rental. All Tuxedo
Avenue locations & Bridal
Warehouse
Unique Concepts
Free plate changes
Uniquely Yours Quilt Shop
20% off all books & selected
fabric $4 per yard
Waverly's Boutique
$5 off purchase of $20 or more
Floral & Gifts
10% off total purchase
Kentucky Railway Museum
10% off train excursion
Limit 4
RADCLIFF
Auto Edge Service Center
10% off service work over
$100; 5% off 4 tires; free
mounting & balance
Crumpets
10% off lunch entrée; buy
pastry/bagel get a free 12 oz.
coffee
DeVeaur Dental Care Center
10% off zoom whitening system
(as seen on Extreme Makeover)
T&W Office Products
Free ream of 8 1/2" x 11" copy
paper with $25 purchase
Tri-County Ford of Radcliff
$100 over dealer cost on
purchase of a vehicle
Ziebart Tidy Car
10% off accessories &
protection services
Zion Dry Cleaners
10% discount
RINEYVILLE
MP3 Recording Studio
25% off regular prices after 10
hours of regular prices on a
bi-weekly contract
Econo Lodge
Single $55 Double $58 (+ tax,
1-2 people), rlw $10 + tax,
extra person $5 + tax
Helen's Flowers, LLC
10% off purchase
Local or carry out
Lawn Doctor of Hardin County
10% off with mention & show of
Co-op Connections card; applies
to full maintainer program &
service program
Some discounts are subject to
exclusions or restrictions.
Visit www.nolinrecc.com for a
complete listing of national
offers.
Participating businesses are
subject to change.
5A
Jeff Hohman Leads
Greenspace Hike
Kids admitted free April 15
Celebrate the Earth
at the Louisville Zoo
o celebrate Earth Week 2006, Nolin invites you to
Touchstone Energy Day at the Louisville Zoo,
Saturday, April 15. Admission is free to children 11
and under and anyone wearing a Touchstone Energy logo.
We’ll be giving away our latest nature poster, Snakes of
Kentucky. Bring your whole family and enjoy the many
activities while you stroll through the zoo. Your kids can
stop at the Touchstone Energy booth to pick up environmental trading cards featuring Kentucky’s coolest creatures.
Nolin encourages you to join in the celebration of Earth
Day, which is observed by millions of people worldwide.
Education about protecting our wildlife and natural
resources is just one way we demonstrate our commitment
to the environment.
T
Jeff Hohman doesn’t expect to run into any alligators on
the Greenspace hike, but he is always prepared for the
unexpected.
ll critters, great and small, Jeff Hohman loves them
all… Jeff Hohman, well-known biologist from East
Kentucky Power Cooperative in Winchester, will lead
the upcoming Greenspace hike on Sunday, April 9. The hike
begins at 2:30 p.m. at Pirtle Trail head on Pear Orchard Road
and extends to Freeman Lake Trail. Jeff will lead the group of
walkers about 1–2 miles while exploring nature’s environment. Hohman’s expertise in environmental issues and his
love for “critters” and wildflowers have made him one of the
foremost educators and entertainers of adults and children in
the state.
Anyone interested in joining the hike should contact
Douglas or Janet Gebler at (270) 737-6038.
A
From the President & CEO
Continued from page 1A
improve front-line service. We’re also
training our employees to use technology both knowledgeably and efficiently
to better serve your needs. Nolin is
committed to looking for ways to
deliver affordable and reliable electricity to your homes and businesses.
We communicate with the
membership
Communication is vital to the success of Nolin. We want our members to know about the turbulence in
6A
the energy industry and the wise investments we are making for the future. It
is Nolin’s goal to keep an open relationship with all members and to listen
to what you have to say—your opinions
are important!
Nolin continues to gather information
on the ever-changing energy market. We
will continue to pass along information
to the membership as soon as we get it.
In the meantime, we urge you to take
advantage of some of our marketing
programs that are designed to reduce
your energy usage. Remember, we
also offer free energy audits and a
budget billing program.
The forecast on this energy storm is
a bit unclear...but your cooperative is
prepared and well-positioned for any
challenges coming our way. We want
members to know that as we continue
to weather escalating fuel prices, Nolin
will also look out for your needs.
Our members come first—and
that’s the cooperative difference.
Kentucky Living
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April 2006
Nolin Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation Electric Rates
The following rates and charges for the consumers of Nolin Rural Electric
Cooperative were in effect as of June 1, 2005.
(kwh=kilowatt-hour)
SCHEDULE 4 – Industrial
SCHEDULE 1
Demand Charge
Residential, Farm, Non-Farm, Trailers
Per Kilowatt of Billing Per Month
$4.34
& Mobile Homes
Energy Charge
Rates:
First 3,500 kwh per month
.06228
Customer Charge
$5.00 per month
Next 6,500 kwh per month
.04949
All kwh Charge
.06271 per kwh
.04617
The minimum monthly charge for single-phase service is $5.00. Over 10,000 kwh per month
SCHEDULE 2
SCHEDULE 5 – Rural Lighting
Commercial, Small Power, Single-Phase
Mercury Vapor
& Three-Phase Service
175-Watt
75 kwh
$6.87
Rates:
Customer Charge
$5.00 per month
FUEL ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE
All kwh Charge
.06985 per kwh
All rates are applicable to the Fuel Adjustment Clause and
The minimum monthly charge for single-phase service is $5.00.
may be increased or decreased by an amount per kwh equal
SCHEDULE 3 — Large Power
to the fuel adjustment amount per kwh as billed by the
Demand Charge
wholesale power supplier plus an allowance for line losses.
Per Kilowatt of Billing Demand Per Month
$4.34
The allowance for line losses will not exceed 10% and is based
Energy Charge
on a 12-month moving average of such losses. This fuel
First 2,500 kwh per month
.05875
clause is subject to all other applicable provisions as set out
Next 12,500 kwh per month
.05430
in 807 KAR 5:056.
Over 15,000 kwh per month
.05296
David Brown receives award
olin RECC Board Chair David Brown of
Hodgenville received the 2006 Bobby
McDowell Award of Excellence for Leadership
and Community Service by the LaRue County
Extension Council.
Brown has been on the Nolin board since June 1994
and in 2003 he was elected chair. He is a Credentialed
Cooperative Director through the National Rural
Electric Cooperative Association Director Education
Program. David is active in numerous local associations
and is very dedicated to serving his communities by
volunteering his personal time to several youth programs. His leadership is helping to ensure you continue to receive low-cost, reliable electric service.
David and his wife, Michelle, have four daughters
(Kaelyn, Danielle, Ivy, and Presley). Congratulations,
David Brown—thanks for your tireless leadership and
community commitment!
N
Kentucky Living
F
April 2006
7A
We’ve Got Your
$25 Number! $25
$25 Worth of FREE Electricity
Nolin News features a contest called “We’ve
Got Your Number.” Somewhere hidden
inside this issue are two randomly selected
member account numbers. If you spot
your account number, contact the Member
Services Department at 765-6153, and win
a $25 CREDIT on your electric bill. You
must identify your number and call by the
15th day of the month’s issue containing
your number. Account numbers could be
anywhere in our Nolin News insert!
New Member
Credits
All members signing up for new service
with Nolin receive a short survey. Members
who return the completed survey to Nolin
are automatically eligible to win a $15 credit
on their electric bill. Each month, one
name is drawn and a lucky Nolin member
receives a bill credit on their next statement. Congratulations to our latest
winner, Nelda J. Maggard of
Elizabethtown.
E-mail payments
ffective May 1, 2006, Nolin RECC will accept only VISA
card payments to electric bill accounts paid by credit
card. This change will allow us to continue processing
credit/debit cards at no cost to our members.
E
Remember, Nolin offers the PowerPlus Visa card to our members that enables you to receive rebates on whatever you charge.
In addition, members can earn up to a 3% rebate on monthly
electric cooperative bills and other co-op purchases.
Access your Nolin RECC account through
our Web site at www.nolinrecc.com. Click
on “My Account” to check your consumption
history and to make payments by check,
debit card, or credit card. To apply for budget
billing and automatic draft on line, click on
“Nolin @ Home.”
NOLIN RECC OFFICE LOCATIONS
411 Ring Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42701-6767
101 West Lincoln Trail Blvd., Radcliff, KY 40160
OFFICE HOURS
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
OFFICE PHONE NUMBERS
ELIZABETHTOWN — 765-6153
RADCLIFF — 351-2199
TOLL-FREE BUSINESS CALLS — 1-888-637-4247
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER 769-6396
EMERGENCY TOLL-FREE CALLS — 1-800-572-1147
Web site: www.nolinrecc.com
e-mail: comments@nolinrecc.com
8A
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David P. Brown
Gene Straney
A.L. Rosenberger
Lawrence Ireland
Becky Loyall
Rick Thomas
ATTORNEY
John J. Scott
President & CEO
Michael L. Miller
Kentucky Living
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April 2006