When winter temperatures drop and storms hit, it can be challenging to stay safe and warm. TCEC cares about your safety, and we want you to be prepared.

Heavy snow and ice can lead to downed power lines, leaving co-op members without power. During extremely low temperatures, this can be dangerous. During a power outage, our crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power, but there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself.

n Stay warm – Plan to use a safe alternate heating source, such as a fi replace or wood-burning stove during a power outage. Use caution and never leave the heating source unattended. If you are using gasoline-, propane- or natural gas-burning devices to stay warm, never use them indoors. Remember that fuel- and wood-burning sources of heat should always be properly ventilated and read instructions before using.

n Stay fed – Have several days’ supply of food that does not need to be cooked handy. Crackers, cereal, canned goods

and bread are good options. Five gallons of water per person should also be available in the event of an extended power outage.

n Stay safe – When an outage occurs, it usually means power lines are down. It is best not to travel during winter storms, but if you must, bring a survival kit along, and do not travel alone. If you encounter downed lines, always assume they are energized. Stay as far away from the downed lines as possible, and report the situation to our dispatchers by calling 580.652.2418 if possible.

n Keep our lineworkers safe – If you install or use a standby generator, be sure it has a double throw switch and is installed by a professional. Please also notify TCEC of the installation.

Winter weather can be unpredictable and dangerous, and planning ahead can often be the difference between life and death. TCEC is ready for what Mother Nature has in store, and we want you to be ready, too. For more winter safety tips, visit www.ready.gov/winter-weather. n

LIVEWIREA SUPPLemeNT To oKLAHomA LIvING

N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 6 | v o L U m e 6 7 I S S U e 1 1 | P U b L I S H e D F o r m e m b e r S o F T r I - C o U N T Y e L e C T r I C C o o P e r A T I v e

CEO VIEW

Supporting YouthBy Zac Perkins

Supporting our youth is vital to our cooperative’s mission to improve the quality of life of those we serve. Every year, TCEC helps support and develop area youth in a variety of ways.

TCEC deploys many different channels to accomplish this, two of those channels are discussed in this issue of LiveWire. We support all different age groups, from kindergarten to college.

For kindergarten through twelfth grade, we provide financial support to schools, youth trips, liveline safety demonstrations and educational energy classroom kits upon request.

For example, our support of Oklahoma Panhandle State University includes an academic contribution, a sports sponsorship, several scholarships and a Computer Information Systems internship.

Today’s children are our future cooperative members and leaders. Any investment in their education is an investment in our tomorrow. n

Winter Storm Safety

PAGe 2 | LIVEWIRE | November 2016

Energy Effi ciency Tip of the Month Have your furnace cleaned

and inspected annually by a licensed, qualified professional.

Electrical Safety Tip of the MonthHeating your home uses more

energy than any other system in your home. By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with recommended insulation, air sealing and thermostat settings, you can save about 30 percent on your energy bill.

Source: energy.gov Source: ESFI

TCEC will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, to observe Thanksgiving and the day after.

In December, TCEC will close Dec. 23 and 26 to observe Christmas.

The cooperative’s office will also be closed on Jan. 2, 2016 to observe the New Year’s holiday.

Members can call TCEC 24/7 to report an outage 580.652.2418. TCEC also offers SmartHub, an online system for members to manage their accounts. It is accessible from www.tcec.coop or via the SmartHub mobile app.

We wish our members a safe and happy holiday season.

TCeC DoNATeS To AreA SCHooLS. L-r bACK - Tom SCHroeDer, TeXHomA; JIm WIGGINS, YArbroUGH; DoUG meLToN, GUYmoN; KeITH CUSTer, TUrPIN; JoSH beLL, TYroNe; breT rIDer, GUYmoN. L-r FroNT - DAN FAULKNer, HooKer; SCoTT KINSeY, beAver; GreG FArIS, HArDeSTY; TrAvIS SmALTS, ForGAN.

HOLIDAY CLOSINGSTCEC presented area schools with fi nancial donations on October 5. Leslie Kraich, TCEC community and member relations coordinator, presented the checks during the area superintendents meeting. “We work to provide in the development of our communities,” Kraich said. “Donations to schools is an example of one of the seven cooperative principles, Concern for Community, we stand for at TCEC.”Education and youth support are important to our cooperative’s mission to improve the lives of those we serve. TCEC is committed to the principles of Education, Training and Information, and Concern for Community while realizing children are the cooperative’s future leaders and members. Schools use these donations to support student programs. In the past, the donated funds have been used to purchase computers, gym equipment and other school-related materials for students. Teachers are encouraged to reach out to their administration if funding is needed for an energy-related program or activity. n

TCEC Gives to Area Schools

LIVEWIRE | November 2016 | PAGe 3

Youth Trip Applications Now AvailableApplications for the 2017 high school youth trips and the eighth grade YouthPower energy Camp trip are now available. Applications must be received at TCeC by January 23, 2017. All area eligible students whose parents or guardians are TCeC members are encouraged to apply. TCEC works with the statewide electric cooperative associations in Oklahoma and Kansas to offer leadership development opportunities to area youth. Selected students will attend once in a lifetime trips with other outstanding students from across the state.High School Junior Awards Application Deadline: January 23, 2017Interested juniors will fill out an application including contact information, community, school and work activities and a statement explaining why they are a good TCEC delegate. Applications are reviewed by a panel of judges. The judges select ten finalists for interviews. Three finalists are selected for the gold award and two are selected for the silver award. Gold Award: NRECA Rural Electric Youth Tour Washington, D.C. June 9-15, 2017Three high school juniors will attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour in Washington D.C. Silver Award: Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp Steamboat Springs, Colorado July 14-20, 2017Two high school juniors selected will attend the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp hosted by Kansas Electric Cooperatives in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Eighth Grade AwardApplication Deadline: January 23, 2017To enter to win this trip, students simply write a creative letter to their school’s principal naming specific actions the school should take to be more energy efficient. They can include photos and other exhibits to support their reasoning. Students mail the trip application and letter to TCEC to enter. YouthPower Energy Camp Canyon Camp, Hinton, Oklahoma May 31-June 2, 2017All eighth grade students within TCEC’s service territory are eligible to enter to win a four-day trip to Canyon Camp outside of Hinton, Oklahoma. At this leadership development camp, students learn about rural electrification while also having fun swimming, hiking and riding go-carts.

2016 TCeC YoUTH ToUr DeLeGATeS From LeFT To rIGHT NATHANIeL roDrIQUeZ,KArLI CoTTer, brAeDeN FIeLDS

TCEC pays transportation, lodging, meals and other incidental costs incurred with all trips. Students are responsible for souvenirs and extra personal items they may need during the trip.

More details and trip applications are available online at www.tcec.coop under ‘Community’ then ‘Youth and Education.’ For additional information, call TCEC at 580-652-2418 or email info@tcec.coop. n

PAGe 4 | LIVEWIRE | November 2016

CONTACT USTri-County Electric Cooperative 995 Mile 46 RoadP.O. Box 880 Hooker, Oklahoma 73945

Office Hours:8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - FridayPhone: 580-652-2418Toll Free: 800-522-3315E-mail: info@tcec.coopwww.tcec.coop

BOARD OF TRUSTEESDistrict 1 VacantDistrict 2 Erwin ElmsDistrict 3 Ronny WhiteDistrict 4 C.J. MouserDistrict 5 Joe MayerDistrict 6 Larry DunnDistrict 7 Shawn MartinezDistrict 8 Cletus CarterDistrict 9 Larry Hodges

TCEC board meetings are the fourth Friday of every month.

PAYMENT OPTIONSAutoPay (Bank or credit card draft)

Pay As You Go (Prepay)

Online Bill Pay (www.tcec.coop)

Pay by Phone IVR (844-203-6547)

Drop off Payment (Office in Hooker)

Payment Centers (Locations below)

Town Name and Address Hours Beaver Downing’s Market

216 Douglas St.7a-7pMon-Sun

Boise City

Moore’s Food 201 East Main Street

8a-9pMon-Sun

Elkhart EPICTOUCH 451 Morton St.

9a-6p, Mon-Sat

Goodwell 54 GAS N GO 227 S. Aggie Ave

6a-11pMon-Sun

Guymon Mitchell Theaters Northridge Shopping Center, 1928 N. Hwy 64

24x7

Guymon Carter’s Market PlaceNorthridge Shopping Center, 1928 N. Hwy 64

7a-11pMon-Sun

Guymon Mora’s Market 702 N. Main Street

8a-9pMon-Sun

Hooker TCEC Office 995 Mile 46 Road

24x7

DIGITAL EDITIONwww.ok-living.coop

Co-op Connections R/T Windshields, Guymon

TCeC members who show their Co-op Connections Card at r/T Windshields receive ten percent off cost. r/T Windshields specializes in windshield repair, replacement and insurance claims.

TCeC members who present their Co-op Connections card at r/T Windshields in Guymon will receive 10 percent off cost.

“The name R/T Windshields speaks for itself,” owner Tomas Peralta said. “We have a solid reputation in windshield repair and replacement.”Peralta has about 15 years of car sales experience and has lived in Guymon for 21 years. His businesses R/T Motorsports and R/T Windshields are housed together on the corner of 13th and Main Streets in Guymon. He has been in that location five years. The ‘R’ in his business name stands for his wife Ruby and the ‘T’ is for Tomas. He speaks passionately about what he does.“We sell late model, low mileage used vehicles,” Peralta said. “Many of them are still under factory warranty.”

For more information, contact:R/T Windshields1220 N Main StreetGuymon, OK 73942580-338-4005Se Habla Español

Any local business can sign up to offer a discount to TCEC members. The contract and more details are available on our website at www.tcec.coop under Community then Co-op Connections. If you’ve lost your card or need a replacement, call TCEC at 580.652.2418.

Owner Tomas Peralta