September 2008
Co-ops Make a Difference
The year has flown by and October is Cooperative Month. As member-owned enterprises, cooperatives are largely owned by the people who live and work in the communities they serve. That gives us a different perspective from businesses owned by distant investors. Community is not just where we work; it's why we work. Cooperatives are motivated to serve their members, not outside investors. Doing that means we must also serve the communities in which our members live, work and play.
As we pause to celebrate the role and accomplishments of the nation's cooperatives, their economic and charitable contributions cannot be overlooked. At a time of increasing concern about the national economy, co-ops are creating jobs, income and opportunity in their communities every day.
We are also very concerned that our members are educated and practice energy efficiency. As part of that goal, MVEA has sponsored the “Change a light, change the world” campaign. We offer non-profit organizations an opportunity to earn money for their groups while making a difference in their community by selling energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. We also rebate our members for installing super efficient Marathon water heaters, ground source heat pumps and a variety of other energy efficient items. Through education programs, we encourage our members to make saving energy a priority.
Concerning legislation and electric cooperatives, our members can make a difference with our elected officials about reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electric power. I have addressed our awareness campaign, “Our Energy, Our Future: a dialogue with America,” in several previous articles. We never want to underestimate the power of personal contact with elected officials at all levels and I urge you to be proactive in helping us keep the lights on and electric bills affordable. Developing and deploying the technology necessary to develop low emissions solutions will require huge political and financial commitments, the likes of which we have not seen since the advent of rural electrification itself. America has a huge energy challenge and we must get real answers from our elected officials on how they are helping us meet the growing demand for electricity while addressing climate change goals.
As we are all aware, the elections are drawing near and it is very important for candidates to hear our concerns and for them to give us an idea of what they intend to do about these problems. It is almost a given that we will see some major legislation proposed concerning energy soon after the elections. Now is the time for us to act. The third question we are asking elected officials is: “Balancing electricity needs and environmental goals will be difficult. How much is all this going to increase my electric bill and what will you do to make it affordable?” Just go to www.ourenergy.coop to send this question to your representative. It will only take a minute of your time, but will make a huge difference in ensuring that elected officials and candidates for office know we are a united voice and want real answers to the tough questions, not just the normal rhetoric. If you attend town-hall meetings, campaign rallies or wherever candidates for office make themselves available, ask them for an answer. Make them realize we are a very large, influential group of constituents that want answers. Make a difference, get involved.
MVEA Sponsors Jr. Livestock Sale at State Fair
For the third year, MVEA has joined with Touchstone Energy Cooperatives around the state to sponsor the 2008 Colorado State Fair Junior Livestock Sale. In addition, MVEA partnered with El Paso County businesses to purchase livestock from participants in our territory as a part of the Pikes Peak Posse.
This year's sale earned Colorado 4-Her's and FFA members $393,200 and is one of the largest events of its kind in Colorado and the culmination of hard work by these young people. Business and community leaders attend the sale to bid on the championship livestock and support our youth in agriculture. Tyler Camblin from Holyoke sold his grand champion steer for $50,000 this year.
Eleven electric cooperatives, the Colorado Rural Electric Member Services group, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, The Colorado Rural Electric Association and the Colorado Country Life magazine were the title sponsors of the event.
Young people in our area whose animals were shown and sold were: Bailey Hitner of Peyton; Cassidy Woodard of Calhan; Cheyenne Garcia of Rush; Tyler Trostel of Kiowa; Kirby Carpenter of Kiowa and Julie Collins of Franktown. Congratulations to all of these young people!
Slavic Fest Celebrates Slavic History
Nestled among the trees north of Calhan is a small church that looks as if it was pulled out of
a Norman Rockwell painting. For over 100 years, St. Mary's Holy Dormition Orthodox Church has served the descendents of settlers primarily from Czechoslovakia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Many of the Slovak immigrants coming to America between 1880 and 1917 ended up working in the coal and steel mines of Pennsylvania. Many of these workers later moved west to work in the steel mills of Pueblo . With the Homestead Act of 1862, land became available for these people, many of whom had been farmers and ranchers in their native land.
When a few Slovaks moved to what is now El Paso County, the word spread about the good farmland and that each settler could receive 160 acres with a registration fee of $30 and a contract to be a resident on the property for five continuous years. If a homesteader had the means, they could pay $1.25 an acre and only have to stay on the property for six months to gain a clear title. Homes were built from sod and rock and wells dug by hand. Some found work in Colorado Springs , but had to leave their families for a week or more at a time. Grasshopper invasions, floods, hail, severe winters, drought and the “dust bowl” were many of the challenges they faced but, they were willing to work hard and sacrifice for a better life.
The settlers brought with them their Orthodox Christian faith. By 1904, Archbishop TIKHON consecrated an isolated area north of Calhan and the first St. Mary's Holy Dormition Church was completed by 1905. Affectionately known as the “church on the hill,” there was, of course, no electricity and a coal stove heated the church.
During the Bolshevik Revolution starting in 1917, the Russian Church suffered persecution by the revolutionary government. Archbishop TIKHON was called back to Russia and was elected the first Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia since Tsar Peter the Great abolished the Patriachate in 1700. Surprisingly, the problems the church suffered in Russia eventually affected the Orthodox churches in America, including St. Mary's. Cut off from the Mother Church, the Soviet backed “ Renovated Living Church ” was established in Russia and made claims of authority and property ownership to 115 parishes in this country, including St. Mary's.
In 1927, shortly after the “ Living Church ” took control of St. Mary's, a mysterious fire burned the church to the ground and resulted in the community splitting into two factions. By 1932, a new “church on the hill” and the current structure were completed and the community was reunited. The “ Living Church ” still laid claim to the property, but ceased to function in Calhan. It was not until 1977 that St. Mary's legally gained title to the property.
Throughout the years, the church was served by a succession of priests who spoke very little or no English. Services were in Church Slavonic and many of the parishioners attended Russian School. It was no secret that the assignment to the little Calhan church was punishment duty for priests. It was very difficult for St. Mary's to find a priest and priests passing through from Denver would stop in to perform a wedding or baptism. In 1954, Fr. Paul Fedec was assigned to the church and served for the next 39 years. Regular services were held, English became the primary language and a church school and the Rosemarie Club, a charitable arm of the community, was established.
Today, St. Mary's is an important part of the community and a wonderful reminder of the past. To experience some of the colorful heritage of this community, come to the 6 th Annual Slavic Fest on October 11 and 12. The event is located in St. Mary's church hall across from the church. The ladies of the Rosemarie Club are fantastic cooks and will be serving traditional homemade Pierogi, Halupki, Kolbasi, Halushki and Kapusta, Meso Vesele, Bandurtky & Matchanka, Borscht and Koora Polifka. Don't know what these are? Then come and find out – you won't be disappointed. There will also be plenty of traditional singing and dancing, Czech and Slavic dancers and a great bake sale. Tours of the church, lectures and information on the Orthodox Church will be available several times during the fest. This is a wonderful way to kick off the fall and get a taste of the old country. For more information, please call 719-347-2336, 719-683-3083 or 719-347-2526.
Source: holydormition.net
Kids----Enter our holiday drawing contest!
Each year MVEA sends out season's greetings to our associates. This year we would love to send a card with a drawing from one of the children in our territory. So…we're having a little contest.
To enter:
• You must be between 6 and 12 years of age
• Your parents or legal guardians must be members of MVEA
• It must be an original drawing
• It must be a holiday picture (whatever holiday your family celebrates in December)
• Picture must be in color on a piece of white paper 5.5 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall or 8.5 wide and 5.5 tall (your option).
• You must have fun while drawing this picture.
All entries must be received or postmarked by November 16, 2008. The winner will receive a stuffed McGruff, the Crime Dog and $50 cash.
Send your entries to MVEA, Attn: Deborah Skillicorn, PO Box 1600, Limon, CO 80828.
It's MVEA Scholarship Time
Don't miss out on the cash!
Don't miss out on the 14-college scholarships available through MVEA.
10 - $1,000 MVEA Scholarships
1 - $1,000 MVEA Vocational/Technical Scholarship
1 - $1,000 Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship
1 - $1,000 Basin Electric Scholarship
1 - $1,000 E.A. “Mick” Geesen Memorial Scholarship
To qualify for these scholarships
- Your parents or guardians must receive electric service from MVEA
- You must be a graduating high school senior
- You must meet ACT or SAT and GPA requirements (these vary according to which scholarship you apply for).
- Applications must be received by January 15, 2009
Applications are currently available on our website at www.mvea.coop , at either MVEA office, from your high school counselor, or by calling Deborah Skillicorn at (719) 775-2861 or (719) 495-2283.
Don't miss out on the cash!
High School Juniors - - Winning the MVEA essay contest can send you to Washington DC or Leadership Camp!!
Touchstone Energy Resources - Save Money and Energy
Visit the Touchstone Energy site to get the latest in energy saving advice. The website also has a great Kids Zone with not only fun and games, but also information geared towards children on energy efficiency, energy facts and renewable energy. CFL Charlie is a great new character to help your child understand the importance of saving energy. To access the site, you can go to the MVEA website at www.mvea.coop and hit the Touchstone Energy link at the very top right of the page or just go to www.touchstoneenergy.cooperative.com .
MVEA's website also offers an energy calculator and an energy library to help you get your home ready for winter. These links are displayed right on the front page. Take advantage of the information out there to help you save energy and money.
Need Help Paying Your Utility Bill? Click Here
Get in the LOOP with compact florescent light bulbs
Fund raising opportunities!
MVEA urges you to join in conserving power by installing compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in your home and business. The Energy Star© qualified bulbs can last up to 10 times longer than a standard light bulb and use 2/3 to ¾ less energy.
The first CFL bulbs were developed in the 1980's and were expensive. Many people complained about dim light output, flickering, noise, funny colors and sizes that were too big to fit in many fixtures. Today's CFLs cost much less while offering great performance. They have instant turn-on, quick warm-up and great light quality. They come in a wide variety of shapes, most of which are no larger than the standard bulbs they replace.
MVEA has joined the national Energy Star© campaign to encourage all Americans to install CFLs. A component of this effort is MVEA's CFL Fund Raiser in which non-profit organizations can sell CFLs as a fundraiser for their organization. MVEA will provide these light bulbs to the non-profit groups at less than wholesale cost. Groups can expect to make approximately $1 for every bulb they sell.
If you are a member of a non-profit group within MVEA's service territory and would like more information on how your group can participate, contact MVEA member services department at 719-495-2283 or 719-775-2861. Energy Efficiency today at MVEA!
DCP Utility Consulting
DCP Utility Consulting will be conducting an attachment audit of MVEA's overhead electric distribution system for approximately ten months (until summer 2007). The purpose of the audit is to insure that all joint use attachments to our poles are in compliance with applicable safety codes and that appropriate joint use agreements are in place for all attachments. DCP employees may require access to your property in order to complete their work on our system. They are only gathering data and should be able to complete their tasks at any given location very quickly. Please extend them the same cooperation you would extend to an MVEA employee. If you have questions please call Mike Garland at 719-495-2283 or 800-388-9881.
