Pictured from left to right: PenLight’s first building and first Certificate of Membership, 1925; 1950s Line Truck.

P e n i n s u l a L i g h t C o m p a n y N e w s l e t t e r

HOLIDAY CLOSURES:

Supervising Editor: Jonathan White 253.857.1514 newsletter@penlight.org | Produced by Peninsula Light Company

is published monthly by

www.penlight.org

253.857.5950

DON’T FORGET THOSE HIDDEN NUMBERS!

Every month, 5 randomly chosen account numbers are hidden in Lights. If

you spot yours, call Cathy at 253.857.1525 and receive

a $50 credit on your next bill.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

Community CALENDAR

I N S I D E :

E V E N T S

May 25 - Memorial Day

Member Survey

KeyFest Moves to Fathers Day Weekend

Waterfront Market to Open in June

Aisle of Honor Set For May 24

Time is Running Out for Window Rebates

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OUTAGES: MARCH 1 - MARCH 31

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OUTAGES BY CAUSE

If your home is powered by electric heat and you have inefficient windows, you might consider replacing them. But hurry, because PenLight’s rebate plan, which offers $6 per square feet of window area replaced, will end Sept. 30, 2015.

Homeowners may qualify for up to $1,000. Homes must be heated by baseboards, wall heaters, an electric furnace or heat pump, and the existing windows must be single pane, single pane with storms or double pane with metal frames. Replacement windows must have a National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) rated u-value of 0.30 or below, or 0.35 or below for patio doors. Rebate forms must be filled out and submitted to PenLight by the end of September.

Installing high-efficiency windows in your home can:

• increase your household comfort • reduce condensation • protect the interior of your home

from sun damage • decrease drafts and air leaks

contributing to higher energy bills • increase the value of your home

CONTACT PENLIGHT (253) 857-5950

energyspecialist@penlight.orgFor additional information, visit

www.penlight.org/window-replacement-rebates.

To Learn More:

T IME IS RUNNING OUT FOR WINDOW REBATES

PENLIGHT OFFICE: 13315 GOOdNOuGH dr NW | GIG HarbOr, Wa 98332

MusIC aT THE bOaTsHOP – May 16, 5-7PMNationally renowned Brazilian mandolin and guitar string duo Rio con Brio. “ ... a beautiful fusion of Brazilian rhythm, classical technique and jazz improvisation.” Call 253.857.9344 for tickets - $20 or $15 for Gig Harbor BoatShop Members.

LEGO & buILdING MadNEss – May 16, 10aMUse the library’s Legos, straws and connectors, blocks and more to construct fabulous contraptions at the Gig Harbor/Peninsula branch of the Pierce County Library System, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive NW. Duplos and other blocks will be available for younger attendees.

PENINsuLa COMMuNITy CHOrus sPrING CONCErT – May 17, 3PMA tribute to Cole Porter, Aaron Copland and Irving Berlin at Fox Island United Church of Christ, 726 6th Ave. Light refreshments will follow. Admission is free; donations welcome. For more information, visit www.peninsulacommunitychorus.com.

NINTH aNNuaL GIG HarbOr sTrEET sCraMbLE – May 23, NOONA “treasure hunt” throughout the community, directing participants to 30 locations. Begins at Skansie Brothers Park, 3207 Harborview Drive. Each checkpoint has a description; answer a question to prove you were at each checkpoint. Return to the finish line before your time is up, and enjoy refreshments, music, interactive booths and awards! The event is free, but pre-registration is encouraged. The first 200 to pre-register will receive a T-shirt. Registration also will be available at the event, but T-shirts won’t be guaranteed.

WaTErFrONT FarMErs MarkET aT skaNsIE brOTHErs Park – JuNE 4, 3-7PMThursdays at Skansie Brothers Park between June 4 and Sept. 24. Come explore the new market. For more information, visit http://gigharborwaterfront.org/waterfront-farmers-market.

yO HO HarbOr GraNdE ParadE – JuNE 6, 10aMThe Gig Harbor event of the year, an annual celebration of the community, will highlight our rich history, traditions and economic vitality along Harborview Drive as part of the Maritime Gig Festival.

MarITIME GIG FEsTIvaL aNd bLEssING OF THE FLEET – JuNE 6, aLL dayFavorite activities and events are back, including a Fun Run, the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, the Grand Parade and the Round Rock Contest. Music and entertainment, food vendors, historic boat displays and loads of children’s activities. Activities all day Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit www.maritimegig.com.

HarbOr WINds CONCErT – JuNE 6, 3PMHarbor Winds’ second concert of the season, in conjunction with the Maritime Gig Festival, will be held at Skansie Brothers Park. They will perform under the direction of Eric Swanson, the director of the Gig Harbor High School music program. Musicians are always welcome to audition to play with the group. For more information, visit www.narrowsmusicsociety.org.

GardENING TaLks PrEsENTEd by PIErCE COuNTy MasTEr GardENErs – JuNE 13, 1PMRhododendrons – Learn about selection, pruning and care of this stalwart of the Pacific Northwest. Free event, held at Sehmel Homestead Park, 10123 78th Ave. NW in the pavilion or demonstration garden.

kEyFEsT – JuNE 19 (4–11PM), JuNE 20 (10aM–11PM); JuNE 21 (10aM–6PM)Includes a carnival with rides and games, a re-imagined Kids’ Zone, a food court that includes a beer and wine Garden, an animal show arena with demonstrations, live entertainment, covered seating, a car show and a motorcycle show. Gateway Park, 10405 state Route 302, Gig Harbor. For more information, visit www.keyfair.org/contact.php.

come celebr at e our 90th

Join us as we celebrate our 90th anniversary during PenMet Parks’ Family Fun Fest event:

Date: Saturday, July 11, 11am to 6pm

location: Sehmel Homestead Park, 10123 78th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor

Dozens of free activities, food vendors and entertainment options, including the Beatniks.

1925 201590

NiNe Dec aDe s oF elec tr ic i t y

Ninety years ago, a group of local fishermen, chicken farmers and other community members came together to bring electricity to the peninsulas, but it wasn’t an easy task. As part of their Articles of Incorporation in July 1925, they chose a cooperative form of government, granted each household membership a vote for their representatives, and charged a $100 membership fee – a price that was too steep for some. Yet in order to make power accessible to all, Peninsula Light Company’s original Board of Directors allowed people to pay off their membership with manual labor, such as helping crews dig holes for poles.

As a reward – and as a Christmas gift to the community – the electric system was energized on Dec. 25, 1926, even though it was not complete and all the members had not yet fully paid. The excitement was overwhelming, and it was a vivid memory for our members who were young children at the time.

The driving force behind that vision was to improve the quality of life for people who live in our community. That commitment continues today as PenLight has grown to serve more than 31,000 electric meters and 3,200 water meters across 112 square miles with service to two peninsulas and three islands.

PenLight’s original headquarters was located on Harborview Drive in a building known as the Eve-Glo Dance Studio. It was next to the bridge that traverses Donkey Creek across from Borgen’s corner. Ultimately, PLC purchased the building and occupied it until 1964, when a new facility was built next to the Union 76 station. Power originally was purchased from Tacoma City Light, but PenLight went in a different direction in 1976, when the company entered into an agreement with the Bonneville Power Administration. After 10 more years of growth, new headquarters were built in 1986 at our current location on Goodnough Drive Northwest.

We exist today because of the pioneering spirit that electrified our community. And with innovative technology on the rise, including new energy sources such as solar and wind, we continue to embrace that spirit to make life better for our members.

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MeMber Survey

P e n i n s u l a L i g h t C o m p a n y N e w s l e t t e r MAY / JUNE 2015

The annual KeyFest community fair will be held a month earlier this year – from June 19-21 – but it will remain at Gateway Park, 10405 state Route 302 in Wauna. PenLight is proud to be the presenting sponsor for an event that brings neighbors and entertainment options together on the Key Peninsula.

KeyFest prides itself as being family-friendly with activities for people of all ages. Admission is $6, $4 for youth 12 and younger, and free for children shorter than 42 inches. The fair will feature a carnival with rides and games, plus a Kids’ Zone with exclusive attractions such as a trout pond and Turtle Theatre. The fair also will host a food court that will include a beer and wine garden for those 21 and older.

The fourth annual car show will return on Saturday, and a motorcycle show will highlight the final day on Sunday. Live entertainment, including the Kim Archer band, Magician Jeff Evans, the Olson Brothers band and Renegade Train will be on the main stage throughout the weekend.

For more information, call 253.444.3547, visit www.keyfair.org or “like” www.facebook.com/KeyFest.

KeyFest Moves to Fathers Day

Weekend

The Key Peninsula Veterans will host the annual Aisle of Honor ceremony at 1pm on Sunday, May 24, at Vaughn Cemetery. About 200 people attend the two-hour program on the lower level at the Veterans Memorial Circle, which is purported to be one of the largest flag displays of its kind on the West Coast. Retired Brig. Gen. Stan Flemming, who also served on the Pierce County Council as the representative from the Gig Harbor and Key peninsulas, will be the guest speaker.

The Aisle of Honor ceremony serves to remember and praise service veterans past and present. There are 336 flags flown from 18-foot poles, rain or shine, and the name of the veteran for each flag is read. The diversity of flags includes Spanish American, Civil War, Canadian and Belgian, as well as many versions of the U.S. flag.

Flagpoles are installed at 7am, and the flags are raised with help from Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. At 5pm, the flags are taken down, folded military-style and placed in containers for the following year.

Key Peninsula Veterans picked up the duty to host the ceremony after the Vaughn VFW Post disbanded. The first event was held in 1994. All materials for each pole, including a brass name tag for the veteran, is provided by the Key Peninsula Veterans. The flag sill belongs to each family, but the organization holds it in trust.

The Aisle of Honor ceremony serves to remember and praise service veterans past and present.

hours oF operatioN

Friday, June 19 – 4pm to 11pm Saturday, June 20 – 10am to 11pm Sunday, June 21 – 10am to 6pm

member surve y to me a sure sat i sFac t ioN

Peninsula Light Co. conducts a member satisfaction survey every other year with the National Rural Electrical Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Market Research team. This June and July, NRECA will randomly contact 600 of our members to participate in a 10-minute phone survey regarding our system reliability, rates, community involvement, member identity and quality of service. This survey provides us with valuable insights from our members.

One of our main areas of focus since 1998 has been the improvement of system reliability. Our work to underground overhead lines, replace aging underground cable and install new technologies to detect and respond more efficiently to outages has made an impact, according to past surveys. Keeping members informed on the status of outages also has been identified as important, and we hope we have continued to improve in that area by providing updates on Facebook and Twitter.

The results of this survey will be benchmarked against previous results and other electrical cooperatives throughout the country. If you are chosen to participate, we appreciate your time as well as your opinion. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jonathan White, Director of Member Services and Marketing, at 253.857.1514.

carNival prices

All-day wristband: $25 Single ticket: $1 25 tickets: $25 40 tickets: $35 60 tickets: $50

KP Veterans to host

AiSle of honor

This year’s survey will ask about our system reliability, rates, community involvement, member identity & quality of service.

Waterfront Market to Open in JuneA new community-based market with a focus on organically grown foods will open on June 4 in downtown Gig Harbor. the Waterfront Farmers market, a project of the Downtown Waterfront Alliance, will run weekly in conjunction with Thursday Night Out events from 3–7pm at Skansie Brothers Park, 3211 Harborview Drive. Its four-month run is scheduled to remain open through September.

Kathleen Rose, who has lived in Gig Harbor for 15 years and owns RoseOrchards, a 100-year-old homestead, will manage the market. Rose will combine her 20-plus years of experience in health care and sales and strategic planning with her passion for agriculture and sustainability to cultivate a fresh look on the non-profit business model. In the past, she and her husband have been vendors at various farmers markets, and she’s coordinated outreach programs through local schools at her farm.

The Waterfront Farmers Market will include fruits and vegetables, seafood and chef demonstrations, as well as flowers, Master Gardeners, crafts and art displays.

FOLLOW PENLIGHT FOR THE LATEST NEWS:

www.facebook.com/PenLightCowww.twitter.com/penlightco

For more information, visit www.gigharborwaterfront.org or “like” Waterfront Farmers Market on Facebook.

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