energizing our communities living/2016...energizing our communities mecklenburg electric cooperative...

18 | Cooperative Living | July 2016 Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative

ENERGIZING Our Communities

MECKLENBURG ELECTRICCOOPERATIVE

P.O. Box 2451Chase City, VA 23924-2451

Chase City District(434) 372-6200

Emporia District(434) 634-6168

Gretna District(434) 656-1288

Power Failure & Emergencies(877) 632-5688

Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Website: www.meckelec.org

Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative is anequal opportunity provider and employer.

Pineview Greenhouse: Cultivating a Family LegacyPineview Greenhouse offers anexcellent variety of plants,homegrown vegetables and so much more

by Patrick Love, Contributing Writer

As customers of PineviewGreenhouse peak into itshothouses, they often gasp with

delight at the bursts of beautiful colorsamong the flowering annual and perennialplants. Located in Sussex County outsidethe town of Jarratt, Pineview Greenhousedraws a large following of loyal customersfrom a wide service area while supplying anumber of businesses throughout theregion with vegetables, seedlings, flowers,trees and shrubs, etc.

The family-operated business is ownedby David Yoder and was started in 2003 onland owned by his stepfather, DavidHarrell. Located near the Sussex-Greensville county line, the farmland hasbeen in Harrell’s family for generations.

Pineview’s customer base is mostly

Pineview Greenhouse owner David Yoder is pictured with his family — his wife Jessica andtheir children, Saydee and Wesley.

local, but Yoder says people from Franklin,Windsor, South Hill, Chesterfield andAmelia also regularly patronize thebusiness, which is open year-round. Of course, the busiest times of year arespring and fall. During the winter, themain products are trees and shrubbery,while vegetables take center stage duringthe summer.

“People will drive for plants,” Yodersays, noting the number of garden plantshe sells has tripled in the past few years asa “farm-to-table” movement emphasizinghomegrown produce has swept the Mid-Atlantic.

Yoder says it seems he can’t growenough vegetable plants these days as at-home gardening has regainedpopularity. He points out that not only ishomegrown produce often healthier, it’salso more economical.

“It doesn’t take long for the cost ofvegetables to add up in the grocery store,”he says.

The seedlings and plant transplantsstarted at Pineview Greenhouse are alsosold in local hardware stores and atbusinesses in nearby localities such asWakefield and Petersburg. In fact, Yodersays the popular Petersburg Trading Poston Route 1 is his biggest customer.

“We take a truckload to them almostevery day, flats of vegetables and flowersand everything,” he remarks.

In addition, Yoder has startedconstructing greenhouses for others whowant to follow in his footsteps, both locallyand outside of the county. He recently putup a greenhouse for a nonprofitorganization in Staunton, Virginia.

“That was a long ride,” Yoder says,although not terribly far from thegreenhouses near Baltimore, Maryland,where he got his start.

“I grew up on a dairy farm, and when Iwas 11 years old, I went to work for a manwith greenhouses just like this,” he adds.“I did that until college.”

www.meckelec.org July 2016 | Cooperative Living | 19

Yoder attended Towson Universitynear Baltimore. During his junior year, hefound himself with a decision to make.

“I either had to learn how to tie anecktie or start my own business,” he smiles.

That’s when he decided to startPineview. Thirteen years later, theenterprise has grown into a substantialoperation, albeit still a family-operatedone. Yoder is assisted by his wife, Jessica,along with his mother, Donna Harrell,stepfather, David, sisters and threeregular employees. The number ofemployees has the potential to swell on agiven day during the busy growingseason.

“Anybody who will come up and saythey want to work for a day, we’ll putthem to work,” Yoder says.

In addition to trees, shrubs and plants,landscaping products are also available atPineview and are good sellers year-round. Hardware, such as Amish-madeiron products as well as flags, slates andyard decorations attract many customers.

There is a gift shop on site and apetting zoo complete with rabbits,peacocks, goats, turkeys, pigs and other animals to delight children who accompany their parents onshopping trips.

With all that’s available there, it’s nosurprise that Pineview Greenhouse hasbecome a destination of sorts for agri-tourism. Schoolchildren visit the pumpkin patch during the fall, and group tours are available for civic andother organizations.

Classes on how to create your own fairy garden are conducted by Donna,and the beautiful setting of Pineview hasbeen used as a venue for prom andgraduation pictures. Many locals don’teven need a reason to stop by.

“We have plenty of people who justcome and walk around and don’t buyanything that day,” says Yoder. “Forthem, it’s just something to do.”

The Yoders and the Harrells aremembers of Mecklenburg ElectricCooperative (MEC), and they rely onMEC to provide power to nurture theirplants and grow their business. Yoderremarks, “We greatly depend on electricity for so many aspects of ourbusiness, but we don’t worry about ourelectric power. The Cooperative is alwaysgood to us.”

Pineview Greenhouse is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m.to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It is located at 11510 LebanonChurch Road, Jarratt, Virginia.For more information, call (434) 535-0070, email info@pineviewgreen

house.com, visit the website pineviewgreenhouse.com or PineviewGreenhouse’s Facebook page.

David Harrell, stepfather ofDavid Yoder, has been afarmer and vegetablegrower for over 60 years. As he relaxes a few minutesfrom his work, he invitescustomers to join him as thesign on the door states,“Come gather on our porch and visit like ourgrandparents used to.”

Pineview Greenhousefurnishes marketsthroughout the area with awide variety of picture-perfect veggies.

Donna Harrell, mother ofDavid Yoder, conductsclasses on creating fairygardens. This popularattraction is an imaginativelandscape made withminiature structures and liveplants, giving the illusion oftiny creatures residing there.She also offers privateclasses for groups such asgirls’ night out, birthdayparties, as well as civic clubsand school groups.

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C ongratulations,MEC Scholarship Recipients!To All 2016 Graduates:Please know that we share in your excitement! Over the years, we’ve watched

you grow, and we’ve taken pride in your many accomplishments. Now that you’reready to take the next big step, we applaud your achievement, and we’ll continue to root for you along the way!

Chatham High School

Kayley HippDaughter of Andra Towler

Averett University,Danville, Virginia

Greensville CountyHigh School

Morgan DianisDaughter of Amy and

Walter DianisEast Carolina University,Greenville, North Carolina

Gretna High School

Seiya NomuraSon of Rachel and Andrew Bowler

Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, Virginia

ALEX

ANDR

U NI

KA/G

ETTY

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Bluestone High School

Sarah ParsonsDaughter of Deborah and

Fred Parsons, Jr.Mary Baldwin College,

Staunton, Virginia

Brunswick Academy

Grant BradleySon of Lane Talbott and

Edward BradleyJames Madison University,Harrisonburg, Virginia

Brunswick High School

Shadae RuffinDaughter of Danielle and

Marcel RuffinOld Dominion University,

Norfolk, Virginia

Halifax County High School

Jarrett MessickSon of Barbara and Gerald Messick

Belmont University,Nashville, Tennessee

Park View High School

Kayliah BaskervilleDaughter of Michele and

Kevin BaskervilleVirginia Commonwealth University,

Richmond, Virginia

Randolph-HenryHigh School

Hannah AdamsDaughter of Aimee and

Miller AdamsLongwood University, Farmville, Virginia


MEC Is Recertified as a Tree Line USA® Utility

Local Students Experience Hands-on Cooperative Training

Three National FFA Organization students from Halifax County High School were sponsored by MecklenburgElectric Cooperative to attend the Virginia Cooperative

Council’s (VCC) Virginia Institute on Cooperative Education(VICE) Conference. Bennett Francis and ChassitySmith of Nathalie and Jordon Walker of BuffaloJunction participated in the three-day event.

Each spring the VCC hosts up to 64Virginia high school students to attendthis conference with the primaryobjective of educating youth about theunique cooperative form of business.Through interactive, educational andentertaining activities, students enhancetheir business, teamwork, leadership andcommunication skills. They are introducedto an exercise called “Who’s Minding theStore,” a computerized, interactive business-simulation game where they make business decisions fora fictional farm-supply store.

MEC Communications Specialist Priscilla Lawson, whoaccompanied the group, comments, “It was amazing to watch thesestudents from various communities across Virginia work so welltogether during the simulation exercises — deliberating and solvingproblems in order to operate their own cooperative business. Notonly did the students learn real-life business skills that will beimmeasurably valuable in their future career paths, but many ofthem left the conference with more confidence in their own uniquepersonal abilities and how to use those skills to work better as a team.”

In addition to the learning exercises throughout the weekend,

the students also enjoyed entertaining times with a dance, a hayride and fun activities that all led to lifelong friendships. Lawsonadds, “Of most importance, these students now have a newperspective on the legacy of cooperatives and the importance theyhold in today’s society.”

Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative(MEC) has again earnedcertification as a Tree Line USA®

Utility by the Arbor Day Foundation. TheTree Line USA program exists to recognizebest practices in public and private utilityarboriculture, demonstrating how trees andutilities can co-exist for the benefit ofcommunities and citizens. Pictured is RayDeJarnette, MEC arborist and manager ofvegetation services, accepting a plaque onbehalf of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative,from Barbara White, urban & communityforestry partnership coordinator for theVirginia Department of Forestry.

Halifax County High School students represent Mecklenburg ElectricCooperative at the VICE Conference held at Graves’ Mountain Lodge.From the left are Chassity Smith, Bennett Francis and Jordan Walker.

“This is one spring break I will never forget! Thankyou.” — Bennett

Francis

Service ... Remembering a Dedicated Friend

Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative(MEC) is greatly saddened uponthe death of one of its dedicated

and hard-working employees. Familymembers, friends and an entirecommunity mourn the death of SeniorRight-of-way (ROW) Coordinator GuyDeSantis, who passed away on June 10after a series of health-related issues. He was 55.

Guy came to work for MEC in 1989 as a member of MEC’s right-of-wayteam. For 27 years he has beenhelping maintain the rights-of-way throughout our serviceterritory in Chase City,Gretna and Emporiadistricts to prevent outagescaused by trees and limbsfalling on electric lines.

Evan Stembridge, a long-term member of MEC’s ROWgroup, worked with Guy on a dailybasis. He says, “Guy will be rememberedas a man who loved working outdoors. Hewas a hard worker, dedicated to hisprofession. He will be sorely missed as partof the MEC workforce and as a friend.”

President and CEO John C. Lee, Jr.,says, “Our comfort is that Guy suffers no


27 Years of Service to Mecklenburg Electric

Cooperative

more, and he is in the best place a man can be. I speak for all employees when I say we appreciate the constant supportand dedication that he gave MecklenburgElectric Cooperative and for continuallyensuring its members received the best in service.”

Lee adds, “I greatly admire and respectGuy for his military service to our countryand the sacrifices he made for all of us.While he was as tough as they come onthe outside, Guy was a kind and gentlesoul on the inside. He exemplified being agood and strong man.”

Guy is survived by his wife, Deborah“Tiny” DeSantis, three sons, Gary DeSantisand his wife Marcy, Anthony DeSantis, andD.J. DeSantis, one daughter, JennaDeSantis and four grandchildren, KloeyPerry, Zach DeSantis, Austin DeSantis, and Tatum DeSantis all of Chase City,Virginia. He is also survived by his half-brother, Artie Labunde of NorthernVirginia, and numerous nieces, nephews,and friends. He was predeceased by onesister, Gina DeSantis.

Guy loved to play baseball, and hecoached Little League for over 20 years. He was a tremendous teacher and mentorto hundreds of kids, instructing them inthe skills of the game along with manyvalues for life.

Whether Guy was coaching a team,landscaping his yard at home orperforming his duties at MecklenburgElectric, he believed in working hard andgiving only his best.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Lake Country Crushers Softball, c/o David Brankley, 2612 West OrgainsvilleRoad, Clarksville, VA 23927 or the Chase City Community Ballpark, 319 North Main Street, Chase City, VA 23924.

Above: Guy was a veteran ofthe United States MarineCorps, serving six years in thereserves reaching the rank ofsergeant. Right: Always willingto help whenever needed, Guy DeSantis assistedmembers at MEC’s annualmeetings for many years.

Guy Tracy DeSantis 1960 – 2016


Prior to Chase City Elementary School’s year end, Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative provided a hot dog lunch for the highest achievers in theAccelerated Reader (AR) program. MEC President and CEO John C. Lee, Jr., addressed the students and emphasized the necessity for goodreading skills in every profession and encouraged the students to continue in the AR program. After lunch, lineman/serviceman PaulUnderwood was on hand with his pole-climbing gear and a bucket truck to answer questions from the children.

Elementary Readers Are Recognized for Achievement

New Conveniencefor MEC Members

Make payments day or night ... 24/7

MEC members who come to ouroffice to pay their bill are nolonger limited to the business

hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Payments canbe made 24/7 at any of the convenientkiosks located at our offices in ChaseCity, Gretna and Emporia. Step-by-stepinstructions appear on the computerscreen guiding users through thepayment process and printed directionsare also displayed beside the kiosk.Cash, personal check and VISA,MasterCard and Discover debit orcredit cards are accepted and there isNO FEE for using the kiosk.Here’s another advantage: When you

make a payment, it is posted to youraccount immediately. That’s great newsif you’ve been so busy that the paymentdue date has slipped up on you.

Come and see how easy our newpayment option is!

MEC SponsorsCounty Parks

Pittsylvania County Parks andRecreations will be installingcommunity parks at all four county

middle schools — Gretna, Chatham, DanRiver and Tunstall. These parks willinclude playgrounds, picnic shelters,walking tracks and restrooms. Pictured isMEC Member Services and PublicRelations Representative Paula Wilbournepresenting a check to Park Director MarkW. Moore to help fund the project.


When Mecklenburg ElectricCooperative (MEC)personnel need assistance

with the copy machine, fax or otheroffice equipment, they call on CliftonElam who is the computer and officeservices technician. He keeps theheadquarters office machineryhumming. The expression “one whowears many hats” describes Cliftonwell. He also maintains the companywebsite, prints office forms, handlesincoming and outgoing mail, orderssupplies for all three districts, andprovides technical support andmaintenance for computers, laptops,kiosks and software.

“I enjoy my daily duties,” Cliftonremarks. “I love working witheveryone and being able to assistthem. Making sure my coworkershave dependable equipment to workwith is important to me; and if anissue arises that I can’t resolve, I canseek the advice of our otherknowledgeable informationtechnology (IT) associates. We allwork together as a team.”

Clifton also mentions ways hebenefits MEC members in hisposition. “When ordering supplies,I search for the best prices whilekeeping quality in mind,” he states.“We’ve saved a lot of money thatway!” He adds that MEC savesconsiderably on repair costs anddowntime by having computer andlaptop repairs done in-house.“Because our members are owners of the business, we want to be frugalwith our finances.”

It takes Clifton about 25 minutes todrive to work each day from his homenear Keysville. He and his wife, Annie,live on the edge of LunenburgCounty, and they have been married26 years. They have three children incollege. Travon is studying barberingat Amelia-Nottoway VocationalCenter, Nicole attends DanvilleCommunity College with plans to bea registered nurse, and Clifton, Jr., isenrolled in criminal justice at Ferrum

Clifton ElamComputer and

Office Services Technician10 Years of Service

College. Their youngest son, Nevin,is 7 years old. Another “pride andjoy” of their family is their 2-year-oldgranddaughter, A’Lyric.

The family attends Gill Hill BaptistChurch where Clifton is treasurer ofthe Men’s Fellowship, a group thatmeets monthly for Bible study,provides maintenance for the churchbuilding and completes projects forchurch members in need ofassistance. Other Elam family membersare also active in church as Annie andClifton, Jr., serve on the usher board.The Elams’ favorite vacation spot is

Myrtle Beach, where they enjoywalking along the shoreline,shopping and especially checking outthe many restaurant options.

In addition to Clifton’stechnological and mechanical skills,he is talented in photography,videography and screen printing.Upon request he provides his servicesfor weddings, family reunions andother memorable events.

Clifton celebrated his tenthanniversary with MEC in March, and we thank him for keeping us moving along.

Patriotic-ThemedDessert

We thank Betty Chumney ofChase City for sharing oneof her favorite confections.

Strawberry Salad2 cups pineapple juice 6-oz. box strawberry Jell-O8 oz. cream cheese, softened1 cup sugar8 oz. Cool Whip1 package frozen strawberries, thawedBlueberries

Crust2 cups graham cracker crumbs¾ cup butter, softened1 Tablespoon sugar

Prepare Crust: Using a rolling pin,crush graham crackers. Add butterand sugar. Press into buttered 13'' X 9'' dish. If desired, bake a fewminutes and let cool.

Prepare Filling: Heat pineapplejuice, add Jell-O and stir untilcompletely dissolved. Set aside.

Combine cream cheese and sugar.Mix well. Fold in Cool Whip. Spreadmixture over crust, making sure toseal edges around the dish.

Drain strawberries and fold intoJell-O mixture, then spoon over top of cream cheese mixture. Addblueberries on top. Chill overnight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Get a Free Cookbook!In addition to having her recipe

appear in the magazine, Ms.Chumney received MEC’s From theCo-op Kitchen cookbook! Send usyour favorite recipe and if it ispublished, you will receive acookbook too!

Co-op KitchenP.O. Box 2451

Chase City, VA 23924Fax: (434) 372-6101

Email: [email protected] the subject line “Recipe”

Meet Your Cooperative Employee

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