news from your cooperative

NEWS FROM YOUR COOPERATI
www.jayremc.com
CONTACT US
LOCAL 260-726-7121
TOLL FREE 800-835-7362
EMAIL
remc@jayremc.com
OFFICE HOURS
8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday
STREET ADDRESS
484 S. 200 W., Portland, IN 47371
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 904, Portland, IN 47371
EMERGENCY POWER OUTAGES
To report a power outage, call 260726-7121 or 800-835-7362, 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
Be ready to provide the following
information when reporting an
outage:
1. Name under which the electric
service is listed.
2. Map location number.
3. Your phone number in case we
need to call you back.
4. The type of problem you are
experiencing, e.g., flickering lights,
complete power outage, etc.
5. Hang up when all information has
been recorded — other members
may be trying to contact the REMC,
too.
STAFF
Mark Arnold
PRESIDENT/CEO
Dwayne Muhlenkamp
OPERATIONS SUPERINTENDENT
Jeff Myers
ASSISTANT OPERATIONS SUPERINTENDENT
Cindy Denney
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND CUSTOMER SERVICES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brian Addington
Kenneth Denton
Kent Homan
Klint Moser
Michael Ninde
Steven D. Ritchie
Diane Schrock, SECRETARY
Ronald Smithson
Tom Zimmerman, CHAIRMAN
Make sure to enter the
prize drawings located on
pages 5 and 28!
4 Annual Meeting draws hundreds
T
hank you to all of our members who
attended this year’s annual meeting
on April 11. It was, once again, a very
successful meeting that drew an estimated
700 to Jay County High School. The following is a recap of the day’s events.
The Bruin Beat premier choir from
Blackford County High School performed
for those in attendance. The group’s repertoire includes country, pop and rock. The
choir did its own beautiful rendition of
the national anthem prior to the business
meeting.
Another highlight of the program was
a business expo. The expo featured these
businesses: Locker’s Touch of Country Gifts,
Crossroads Financial Federal Credit Union,
J & N Bargain Shop, Schmit Chiropractic
Offices LLC, Miles Mowing and Lawn Care,
Creative Awards & Gifts, Fortress Art, POET
Biorefining – Portland, Dave’s Heating and
Cooling, Jay County Solid Waste District,
Judan Judo, Valentine Feed & Supply,
Pink Zebra, Hatzell Bros. Standing Seam
Metal Roofs, New Look Exteriors Inc,
Farmhouse Creatives, The Ritz Theatre, Jay
County Pawnbrokers, The Cottage, Rolling
Luau, Laux Plumbing and Heating Inc, Jay
County Humane Society, Plexus, Indiana
Electric Cooperatives, Wabash Valley Power
Association and Jay County REMC.
At the business meeting, President
and CEO Mark Arnold spoke on legislative issues, Community Day, the change to
new meters and safety. He acknowledged
special guests Matt Randall from Indiana
Electric Cooperatives, Steve Thrash from
Service Concepts, and Michelle Dawson
and Rick Hensley from Wabash Valley
Power Association.
Jay County REMC Linemen Ron Laux
and Duane Monroe put on the hot line
demonstration following Arnold’s remarks.
The hot line demonstration is presented to
schools, service organizations and emergency personnel throughout the service
territory. It’s designed to educate the community on the dangers of electricity and
how to stay safe around power lines.
The board of directors election resulted
in two new directors being elected to the
board. Kent Homan will represent District
3. Homan defeated incumbent Richard
Paxson. Brian Addington won the District
6 election, beating incumbent Wm. Harold
Smith. We thank Paxson and Smith for their
years of dedication to the board and to our
members.
Re-elected to the board (and running
unopposed) were Michael Ninde representing District 5 and Tom Zimmerman representing District 7.
We would like to thank Boy Scout Troop
202 for chaperoning the kids’ program,
Dave and Lori Reece and Tom Brinkerhoff
for sound and lighting, and Jay County High
School for allowing us to hold the meeting
at the school.
See you next year to celebrate 80 years
of service to our members! …
More annual meeting highlights are
on page 29!
Board of directors election results
BRIAN
ADDINGTON
ELECTRIC CONSUMER • MAY 2015 • ElectricConsumer.org
KENT
HOMAN
MICHAEL
NINDE
TOM
ZIMMERMAN
IVE
Sidelines
Courtesy of Jay County Chamber of Commerce
May 1: Chamber Classic Golf Outing. Portland Golf Course. 260-726-4481.
May 2: Jay County Spring Health Fair. Jay County High School Commons. 7:30-11:30a.m. Connie
McDowell, 260-726-1923.
May 2: Rainbow Bend Park Hike. Limberlost State Historic Site. 9 a.m.-noon. $3/person. 260368-7428.
May 2–3: Museum of the Soldier Open. Noon-5 p.m. Jim, 260-726-2967, or museum@bright.net.
May 9: Jay County Historical Museum Open House. No admission charge. 1-4 p.m. 260-7267168.
May 13-16: Tri-State Swap/Sell Meet. Tri-State Club Grounds. Consignment auction Saturday at 1
p.m. Admission charge. Jack Rouch, 260-726-4036, or tristategasenginetractor.com.
May 13–16: Antizue Collectible and Crafts Flea Market. Jay County Fairgrounds. Sponsored by Jay
County 4-H Clubs, Inc. Dennis, 260-703-2722, or 260-726-4707.
May 14: Arby’s Cruise-In. Arby’s Restaurant, Portland. 5-8 p.m.
May 15–17: Run for the Fallen. 140-mile run through many cities and counties. Start at Allen
County War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, and finish at Veterans Memorial Plaza, Indianapolis.
Each mile of route will be dedicated to an individual Indiana hero and his or her family. Seeking
sponsors/donations to help offset the cost of event expenses and assist in providing support, hope
and healing to those grieving the death of a loved one regardless of relationship or circumstance.
Don Finnegan 765-716-4327 or INRun@honorandremember.org.
May 16-17: Museum of the Soldier Open. Noon-5 p.m. Jim, 260-726-2967, or museum@bright.net.
May 17: Springtime Kroozen the Courthouse. Downtown Portland. Registration, 4 p.m. Entry Fee:
$10. Showtime, 6-9 p.m. Live ’50s and ’60s music. Ron Johnston, 260-251-1202.
May 23: Creature Feature. Limberlost State Historic Site. Indiana wildlife program. 10 a.m.-noon.
$3/person. 260-368-7428.
May 25: Museum of the Soldier. Open Memorial Day. Noon-5 p.m. Jim, 260-726-2967.
May 26: Jay County Historical Society Monthly Program. 7 p.m. Free. 260-726-7168.
May 27-30: Dunkirk 49th Annual Glass Days Festival. Downtown Dunkirk. Glass Museum tours,
factory tours, food, etc. Parade on Saturday at 3 p.m.
May 27-30: Friends of the Dunkirk Public Library Book Sale. 765-768-6872.
Courtesy of Art Association of Randolph County
May 19: Art Association of Randolph County. Drop off for second annual Art Sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
765-964-7227.
May 21: AARC 2nd Annual Art Sale Opens. Arts Depot. 7 p.m. Sale ends June 20. 765-964-7227.
Courtesy of Geneva Chamber of Commerce
Month of May: Shop Local Scavenger Hunt. Over 50 businesses within Berne, Geneva and Linn
Grove are participating in a month-long scavenger hunt. Each business will be hiding an item for
shoppers to find. Pick up a map and registration form in the Wabash Valley Living magazine, at the
Berne and Geneva chamber offices and at many local businesses.
Take advantage of your
Co-op Connections Card today!
J
ay County REMC’s Co-op
Connections Card program is
a national discount card for
hotels, rental cars and more!
The card also offers discounts
for prescriptions at participating
pharmacies as well as savings at participating dental and
vision offices. Plus, listed below are the local discounts currently offered through the Co-op Connections Card.
Check our website at www.jayremc.com to see all
the local and national discounts.
Local Co-op Connections Card discounts
DRAWING WINNERS!
The winner of the $50 monthly bill credit drawing was Jolyne B. of
Winchester.
Tessa W. of Portland won the gift certificate from Joni B.
Photography.
$50 MONTHLY BILL CREDIT DRAWING!
NAME: ___________________________________________________
ACCOUNT NO.: ___________________________________________
PHONE NO.: _____________________________________________
NOTE: To be eligible for the drawing, your coupon and payment
must be in the Jay County REMC office on the last working day of the
month.
Creative Awards and Gifts, Portland
k 10 percent off purchase.
Locker’s Touch of Country, Portland
k 10 percent off purchase.
Ritz Theatre, Portland
k $1 off large combo.
The Cottage, Albany
k Buy one pound of fudge, get a half-pound free.
Jay County Pawnbrokers, Portland
k $1 for regular DVDs.
Dave’s Heating and Cooling, Portland
k 2 percent discount on a new heat pump.
Keller Landscaping, Berne
k 20 percent off regular-priced trees.
Crossroads Financial FCU
k $5 initial deposit when opening a savings account.
*Applies to branches in Dunkirk and Portland
New Look Exteriors, Geneva
k 10 percent discount.
J & N Bargain Shop, Bryant
k 10 percent discount.
Miles Mowing, Portland
k 10 percent off a four-step weed control program.
10 percent off first application only.
Strohl Appliance and Electronics, Portland
k Purchase three scrapbook pages at regular price
and receive the fourth free (of equal or lesser value).
Buffalo Wings and Rings, Portland
k Five free wings with $10 purchase. Excludes alcohol.
Progressive Office Supply, Portland
k 10 percent discount off non-sale items. 30 minutes of free computer service (in store only).
Sunshine Boutique, Fort Recovery, Ohio
k 10 percent off of non-sale items.
Bickel Equipment Rental, Portland
k 10 percent off bounce house rental.
Valentine Feed and Supply, Portland
k $1 off a bag of dog biscuits.
Bromagem Heating, Winchester
k $25 discount for cardholders. Not valid with other
discounts. Excludes equipment.
Remember When, Portland
k 10 percent off candles.
L&L Shrimp, Albany
k $1 off a pound of shrimp.
ElectricConsumer.org • MAY 2015 • ELECTRIC CONSUMER 5
Jay County REMC life
Fresh SHRIMPING
BY CINDY DENNEY
W
hile Jay County REMC celebrates May as National
Electrical Safety Month, Jay County REMC members Mark and Julie Lester are celebrating May as
National Shrimp Month. The Lesters, owners of L&L Shrimp
in Albany — named after sons Luke and Landon — want to
spread the word on how to get fresh shrimp in Indiana.
Mark, a Ball State University graduate with a Bachelor of
Science degree in aquaticbiology and fisheries and an avid
fisherman, saw the opportunity of a lifetime when he and Julie
attended an aquaculture seminar. After the seminar, the couple
brought some shrimp home to sample. They enjoyed it so
much they knew they had found a business opportunity perfect for their growing family.
The Lesters met with the owners of RDM Aquaculture to discuss the details of raising shrimp in rural Delaware County. In
September 2014, the Lesters stocked their first tanks. The first
batch of shrimp was ready to sell in four months. L&L Shrimp currently have eight tanks stocked with 56,000 Pacific white shrimp
and is raising tilapia fish.
“What we liked about raising fresh shrimp and fish was
there are no chemicals or preservatives used. When you purchase fish or shrimp from a store you need to read where it
comes from. At the stores, it is possible to purchase seafood
from foreign countries. You have no idea how long that seafood
was sitting on a dock waiting to be shipped. Workers spray
the seafood with preservatives to ensure it maintains a fresh
appearance,” said Mark.
To further ensure the quality of their product, L&L Shrimp
is going through the Indiana State Department of Agriculture
Certified Livestock Producer Program. “We want to guarantee
our shrimp are raised according to United States standards,”
explained Mark. “The shrimp are raised in saltwater and we
recycle the water after each harvest. The benefit is there is no
waste water discharge.”
Their plans are to include a nursery in the current building
as an incubator for their shrimp tanks.
There is no doubt about the freshness of the shrimp and
fish from L&L Shrimp. The Lesters get a net and fish around
in the tanks until they get the amount you need. I purchased
a pound of shrimp from L&L Shrimp for dinner at the Denney
house. The Lesters were correct: the shrimp do not taste like
the shrimp you purchase at the grocery store. The shrimp was
meatier and delicious.
According to Mark, you can eat the entire shrimp, but I am
not that adventurous. Mark’s favorite way to prepare shrimp is
shrimp scampi. He has his own recipe which includes lemon
juice, white wine, garlic, parsley and butter along with the
shrimp. He likes to clean the shrimp and put all the shrimp on
28 ELECTRIC CONSUMER • MAY 2015 • ElectricConsumer.org
one plate and
flip the plate
full of shrimp in
the skillet. That
way the shrimp
fry evenly — a
couple of minutes on each
side. Then
Jay County REMC members Mark and Julie Lester,
you pour the
shrimp scampi with sons Luke and Landon, are owners of L&L
Shrimp in Albany.
over buttered
pasta. He said
that it is scrumptious. “We have not found a bad way to eat
shrimp. When we do eat shrimp cocktail, we use cocktail sauce
that we made ourselves with ketchup and horseradish we
make from our garden,” explained Julie.
Raising fresh shrimp and fish is a perfect match for the
Lesters. The couple enjoys a healthy lifestyle and want to teach
their sons the importance of living off the land. Mark recently
started making maple syrup for the family. And, along with
a garden, the Lesters raise pigs, lambs, turkeys and chickens.
They are firm believers in the fewer preservatives, the healthier
the food. “We raise everything we eat”, said Julie.
Give Mark and Julie at L&L Shrimp a call at 765-749-1723.
The business is located at 7927 E. 900 N., Albany. Directions:
Turn west at the Muncie Dragway (Black Cemetery Road). At
900 N., turn south. The business is five houses down on the left.
You can also contact them at llshrimp@hotmail.com.
Take your Jay County REMC Co-op Connections Card to L&L
Shrimp to receive a $1 of a pound of shrimp. Hours are 10 a.m-8
p.m., Monday through Saturday. If those hours don’t work, call
ahead and they will make it work for your schedule. …
CINDY DENNEY is director of marketing and customer services for Jay
County REMC.
WIN SOME SHRIMP!
Complete this form to have a chance to win four pounds of fresh
shrimp from L&L Shrimp.
NAME: __________________________________________________________________________________
ACCOUNT NO.: ________________________________________________________________________
PHONE: ________________________________________________________________________________
TO ENTER: Mail entry to Jay County REMC, P.O. Box 904, Portland, IN
47371. You may also call 800-835-7362, ext. 225, or drop off your
entry at the REMC office. Entries can be emailed to denneyc@jayremc.
com. The drawing will be held May 29 at 4:30 p.m.
Highlights from your annual meeting
Door prize winners
$100 winner — Glen Newland
$ 50 winners — Max Smith and Brad CLott
$20 winners — David Slack, Lewis Heffner, James E. Loyd, Paul
Haffner, Richard E. Amstutz, James Link, Richard D. Monroe, William
Pyle, Mary R. Flueckiger, Merlin Kerrigan, Marck A. Stevenson, Roy
Lehman, John R. Crouch, E. Brad Frasher, Elizabeth L. Wellman
Floral arrangements — L. Marcella McCormick and Bevan W. Bailey
Candle from Locker’s Touch of Country — Joan Stein and Dave
Lowe
Hat and rain guage from POET Biorefining — Kevin L. Foster and
Dan A. Neuenschwander
Bamboo BBQ set from Creative Awards & Gifts — Norman Glass
$25 gift certificate from J&N Bargain Shop — Liz Baughn
Basket of bulbs from Jay County REMC — Robert Geiger
Skillet from Crossroads FFCU — Debbie Ford
Finch feeder from Valentine’s Feed & Supply — Roger Bowen
T-shirt from Dave’s Heating & Cooling — Emily J. Daugherty
Water pillow from Schmit Chiropractic — Florence Wiley Stoner
$25 toward a Rolling Luau party — Bethel United Methodist Parsonage — Peggy Armstrong
$25 Walmart gift certificate at the children’s drawing —
Cherie Walter
Aaron Kuhn of POET talks to members at the annual meeting during
the business expo.
The bounce house was a big hit during the kids’ program.
The Bruin Beat Show Choir from Blackford High School entertained
meeting attendees.
Memorial Day closing
In honor of Memorial Day, the Jay County REMC
office will be closed on Monday, May 25. In the
event of an emergency call 260-726-7121 or
800-835-7362. Have a safe Memorial Day
weekend from the directors and employees of Jay
County REMC!
ElectricConsumer.org • MAY 2015 • ELECTRIC CONSUMER 29