Ronnie’s ChiliRecipe

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

Member owned. Service driven.

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Three Directors toBe Elected in 2019

w w w . k e n e r g y c o r p . c o m

emberMattersICE STORM 10TH ANNIVERSARY

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I t’s been 10 years since one of the most devastating storms in the Commonwealth’s history. Former Governor Steve Beshear called it “the biggest natural disaster in modern Kentucky history.” The impact of the January 2009

ice storm on western Kentucky was debilitating leaving 90% of the region without power. Cleanup of debris lasted into the summer months. For the first time ever, the entire Kentucky National Guard was deployed for assistance.

We hope our state is never affected by a winter storm of this magnitude again. We do want our members to be equipped with a disaster plan in the event that it does happen. Follow these tips from FEMA to keep you and your family prepared:

f Food: Maintain enough nonperishable food for each person in your household for at least 72 hours.

f Water: Store enough so each person has a gallon a day for 72 hours, preferably for one week. Store in airtight containers and replace it every six months.

f First aid kit: Make sure it is well stocked, especially with bandages and disinfectants.

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Three Directors to Be Elected in

2019Prior to Kenergy’s Annual

Membership meeting to be held on June 11, 2019, individuals will be elected to represent Districts 1, 3 and 5.

A ballot listing the qualified candidates in a contested district election will be mailed in May to each Kenergy member residing within the district. Members will also have the option to vote online.

District 1, which currently is represented by Craig Roberts, includes all of Lyon and Caldwell counties and that portion of Hopkins County west of Highway 109 and the area south of Highway 70 in Crittenden County.

District 3, which currently is represented by Chris Mitchell, includes all of Webster County and that portion of Hopkins County east of Highway 109.

District 5, which currently is represented by Bill Denton, includes the area of

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Electronic and mobile devices, TVs, computers and gaming stations have become ubiquitous fixtures in our homes, particularly those with children. And many more of these may have entered your home as presents from the Christmas season. Consumer electronics coupled with the proliferation of smart home appliances, technology and electric vehicles have slowly but steadily changed our homes and lifestyles.

This ever-connected world is the modern environment in which children are growing up. And with lifestyles increasingly reliant on technology and in turn, energy consumption, teaching youngsters to save energy is an important life lesson.

THE WHY

But before parents can teach their children how to save energy, they must first answer the question, “what’s in it for me?” As most parents can attest, convincing kids to care about energy efficiency is a hard sell. Parents need to explain why it’s important to save energy and how it benefits the child – otherwise they will not understand the need to change their habits and will be less motivated to do so. In the simplest terms, less money spent on an electric bill can mean more money used for fun activities (and that’s something children can relate to).

Less tangible, but just as important, using less energy means running your home more efficiently, conserving natural resources and helping the environment.

LEARNING BY DOING

Because “saving energy” is an abstract concept for children, be specific about energy efficiency actions and set an example. We know that children learn by

observing what their parents do. Even if they don’t say anything, children are processing your actions. When you turn off the lights when leaving a room or unplug the phone charger once the device is fully charged, they will notice.

Learning about energy efficiency doesn’t have to be a boring lecture. Make it fun for greater impact.

For younger kids, turn energy efficiency into a “treasure hunt” game to locate all the things in your home that use electricity. Depending on the age of the children, challenge them to count and group the items into categories: electronics, appliances, lights, etc. If age appropriate, have them create a list. Ask which gadgets and appliances could be turned off or unplugged to save power every day.

For older children, show them how to program the smart thermostat and appliances. Shop with them for LED lights and discuss ENERGY STAR-rated appliances. Show them the electric bill so they can see the costs, energy use and how their actions impact the bill.

Kids of all ages can learn a few simple energy-saving habits that can last a lifetime:

• Turn off lights, devices,computers and video consoleswhen not in use.

• Open blinds and curtains duringwinter days to let warm sunlightin and close them duringsummer days to keep yourhome cooler.

• If your children are old enoughto run the dishwasher or washtheir own clothes, teach them torun these appliances only witha full load and during off-peakenergy hours.

REWARDS

Offer rewards for agreed upon milestones. Rewards provide positive reinforcement on energy-saving actions. The idea is to create a habit of being energy efficient. And for parents, this could mean less nagging about turning off the lights!

Teaching your children about saving energy is not only a creative way to spend time with them; it helps your home to be more energy efficient and can instill good habits that will benefit your child long into adulthood.

Teaching Youngsters the Important Lesson of Energy Efficiency

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Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef 

1 Large Onion (diced)

1 Medium Green Bell Pepper (diced)

Garlic Powder (to taste)

Black Pepper (to taste)

Directions

In a cast iron frying pan brown the ground beef. While ground beef is cooking, add the onion, bell pepper, garlic powder, and black pepper.

In a crockpot, add the following ingredients:

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KITCHENIN THE

RONNIE’S CHILIWhip up this delicious chili recipe for National Slow Cooker Month! Thank you to Kenergy member Ronnie Jenkins of Fredonia for submitting his recipe.

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Henderson County east of the Pennyrile Parkway and east of that portion of Highway 41 which runs to the north of the Pennyrile Parkway.

Any 15 or more members may make nominations of eligible persons for district director. Such nominations shall be by signed written petition and shall be submitted to the Corporation not less than 110 days prior to the annual meeting. Only members eligible to vote in a district are authorized to sign a petition nominating a member from that district. Directors shall be elected only from nominations by petition.

It is not a requirement to use a petition form prepared by Kenergy, however, anyone wishing to do so, may request one by contacting Debbie Hayden at 270-689-6101 or email at dhayden@kenergycorp.com.

The petition must be submitted to the cooperative by 4:00 p.m., February 21, 2019. Thereafter, if the petition is valid, the name of the nominee will be posted.

f Fire extinguisher: Your fire extinguisher should be suitable for all types of fires. Teach all family members how to use it.

f Flashlights with extra batteries: Keep flashlights beside your bed and in several other locations. Do not use matches or candles until you are certain there are no gas leaks.

f Weather Radios: NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio, with battery backup, portable radio or portable television with extra batteries: Telephones may be out of order

or limited to emergency use. The NOAA weather radio, portable radio or portable television may be your best source of information.

f Miscellaneous items: Extrablankets, clothing, shoes and money. Wear sturdy shoes just in case you need to walk through rubble and debris.

f Special items: Have at least 72hours of medications and food for infants and those with special needs. Don’t forget diapers.

f Tools: Have an adjustable orpipe wrench for turning off gas and water, and a shovel or broom for cleaning up.

ICE STORM cont.

2 cans Dark Red Kidney Beans

1 can Light Red Kidney Beans

2 cans Original Rotel Tomatoes

1 can Tomato Paste

1 can V-8 Juice or Tomato Juice

2 Tbs. Lea & Perrins Worchester sauce

2 Tbs. Lemon Juice

2 Tbs. White Vinegar

4 Heaping Tbs. Chili Powder

1 Tbs. Cinnamon

3 Tbs. Black Strap or Regular Molasses

4 Heaping Tbs. Brown Sugar

1/3 to 1/2 cup Russian or Western Salad Dressing

Add ground beef mixture to Crockpot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Enjoy!

Three Directors, cont.

NEW SMARTHUB FEATURE FOR

MEMBERSHave you used the Smart Hub app recently? You may have noticed a new feature right at your fingertips! As a member, you can now download your usage with the SmartHub Usage Explorer. You can access your data on a monthly, daily, and even hourly basis – all with the goal of empowering you as a member to manage your electric consumption.

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K E N E R G Y C O R P. C O M | 1 . 8 0 0 . 8 4 4 . 4 8 3 2K E N E R G Y I S A N E Q U A L O P P O R T U N I T Y P R O V I D E R A N D E M P L O Y E R

Featured Businesses Offering DiscountsIf you are a business wanting to participate in the Co-op Connections program, please contact Jeanette Weedman at (270) 689-6157 or jweedman@kenergycorp.com

Wheatgrass Juice Bar10% Off Any Juice, Smoothie or Food item3500 Villa Point Drive, Suite 102, Owensboro

Culver’sBuy 1 Get 1 Free Kid’s MealLimit 1 Offer per Visit per Person302 Highland Pointe Drive, Owensboro

Southern Charms15% Off Total Purchase5 Sunset Road, Hanson

For more details and offerings, visit online Co-op Deals at connections.coop and download the app to your smart phone. You can pick up a list of participating businesses or a free discount card at any Kenergy office.

Reel ‘Em In10% Off Total Order9 Sunset Road, Hanson

Hattie James15% Off Total Purchase32 W Center Street, Madisonville

Huddle House$5 Off $25 or More Purchase3248 Mount Moriah Avenue,Owensboro

7 WAYS TO SAVE ON HEATING COSTS THIS WINTER

Set your programmable thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and lower the setpoint when you’re sleeping or away from home.

Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as recommended.

Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they’re not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.

Eliminate trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; if unsure about how to perform this task, contact a professional.

Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.

Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.

During winter, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

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