MORGAN COUNTY RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION

coloradocountrylife.coop 7NOVEMBER 2016

[MCREA News]

To celebrate the holiday season, Morgan County Rural Electric Association will once again be holding a Christmas lights and decoration contest.

HOW DOES IT WORK? Simply let us know that you want to participate by giving us your name and address, then deco-rate the outside of your home and/or business — the more creative the better. (Shane and Nichole Park, acct. #2409300)

WHO’S ELIGIBLE? Homes and businesses that are member-owners of Morgan County REA are welcome and en-couraged to enter.

WHAT CAN I WIN? First place winner will receive a $100 credit on their electric bill; second place wins a $75 credit; third place gets a $50 credit.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO ENTER? Deadline for entries is Tuesday, December 13, 2016.

HOW DO I ENTER? Simply let us know that you want to enter the Christmas decoration contest and give us your name and physical address so we can judge your decorations. Email your entries to geoff@mcrea.org, call member services at 970-867-5688 or mail your information to MCREA Christmas Lights and Decoration Contest, P.O. Box 738, Fort Morgan, CO 80701. An email link is also provided on our website at mcrea.org.

MCREA Office Holiday Closings

In observance of Veterans Day, MCREA offices will be closed on Friday, November 11.

MCREA offices will also be closed on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 for the

Thanksgiving holiday.

Morgan County REA salutes all veterans and wishes everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

MCREA TO HOLD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND DECORATION CONTEST

Each month Morgan County REA gives two lucky members a $25 credit on their electric bill, just for reading Colorado Country Life!

Congratulations Christopher and Margaret Spahn (account #2396000) and Dwayne Bray (account #2402200). You found your names and ac-count numbers in the September edition of Colorado Country Life. You received a $25 credit on your electric bill.

There are two more MCREA member names and their account numbers hidden somewhere in this issue. If you find your name and account number, call member services at 970-867-5688 by November 30 to claim a $25 credit on your electric bill.

WIN $25 OFF YOUR ELECTRIC BILL

coloradocountrylife.coop4 NOVEMBER 20168

[MCREA News]

TThere was a steady stream of Morgan County Rural Electric Association members and guests in attendance at MCREA’s new headquarters building dedication and open house held on Friday, October 7. The festivities began at 9 a.m. with a flag- raising ceremony and Pledge of Allegiance by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2551.

MCREA Board President Randy Graff then offered remarks, noting that it took more than six years of planning and construction to see the new building to its conclusion. He commended General Manager David Frick and the MCREA management staff for their outstanding work in planning and designing the new building. Graff commended cooperative financial institution CoBank for its assistance and offered a special thank-you to all MCREA members, pointing out that the new headquarters is their building.

Frick then took to the podium, thanking the Morgan County REA Board of Directors for its guidance and vision and the MCREA staff and employees for rolling up their sleeves to see the project through. He then acknowledged general contractor Buildings by Design and local contractors Ruder HVAC, Nestor Excavation, Roger Holter Excavation, The Specialty Shoppe, Standard Glass, Weather Craft Roofing, Covelli Landscaping, Green Brothers/McAtee Concrete and Asphalt, Kahl Painting and Consolidated Stucco/Construction for their contributions.

On behalf of MCREA’s board, staff and employees, Frick also extended a sincere thank you to MCREA’s members, saying that it was their commitment to the future of the cooperative that made the building project grow wings and fly. The general manager concluded his comments by saying, “Even though our headquar-ters has changed, our commitment to providing our members with quality service remains our top priority. We are excited to bring our quality of service to new heights from our new location.”

Following an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, an open house took place until 2 p.m., with members and guests invited and en-couraged to tour the facility. MCREA board members and employ-ees were on hand to answer questions about the new headquarters and to offer guided tours. A video presentation highlighting the construction of the building was shown throughout the open house, and attendees were treated to refreshments, including hot dogs grilled by MCREA employees.

Morgan County REA extends a heartfelt thank-you to VFW Post 2551, the City of Brush and the Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding volunteer efforts to help make the day a success. (Craig and Sharon Quick, acct. #1886500)

MCREA Celebrates New Headquarters Open House

Board members and General Manager David Frick officially cut the ribbon to MCREA’s new headquarters.

Members and guests are treated to refreshments in front of the new headquarters building.

Billing Clerk Kristie Binder talks with attendees.

Retired MCREA employee Deb Gachne signs the guest registration book.

coloradocountrylife.coop 9NOVEMBER 2016

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[MCREA News]

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MCREA Welcomes New Employee

“I loved my job and the people I worked with. I always looked forward to coming in to work at MCREA, and I tried to make the best of my day.” That was the sentiment from retired em-ployee Karla Mitchell when asked about her time at Morgan County Rural Electric Association, first as receptionist and then later moving to accounts receivable clerk.

Mitchell began her 23-year tenure at the electric cooperative in August 1993. “My first day was pretty nerve racking,” she reminisced. “There was a lot to learn.”

According to Mitchell, it didn’t take long for her to be thrown into the proverbial fire. “One of the first calls I took at work was a guy who said that he had a leg down. I got really scared. I thought he was hurt,” she laughed. Luckily, the gentleman was talking about a disconnected fuse on a power pole.

After serving as the company receptionist for eight years, Mitchell took over the accounts receivable duties in 2001. “That was quite a change from what I was doing as receptionist,” she said. “Sometimes I was a grief counselor. Other times a psy-chologist. And very often I was a detective. It really made for an interesting and exciting job.”

Like many retirees from Morgan County REA, Mitchell points to two things that she will look back on with fond memories. “I’ll miss the consumers for sure, and of course the co-workers over the years. It’s not just a work environment at MCREA, we are very much a family,” she said with a smile.

According to Mitchell, she’s not going to let the grass grow under her feet in her retirement, since her husband, Steve, is also

pretty much retired from his own carpentry business. “We’re looking forward to doing some travelling and spending time with family,” she said. That includes sons Ron, who owns Mitch-ell’s Plumbing in Eaton, and Don, who is a controls and electri-cal engineer for General Electric.

MCREA employees held a farewell celebration for Mitchell on August 2, her last day. Everyone at Morgan County REA thanks her for her many years of service and wishes her all the best in her retirement.

KARLA MITCHELL SAYS FAREWELL TO MCREA

Morgan County REA is pleased to welcome Jamie Plakorus as the cooperative’s new member services spe-cialist. Jamie will follow in the footsteps of current Member Services Specialist Carla Krueger, who will retire in January.

Originally from Missouri, Plakorus moved to Colorado in 2005, finding her way to the Fort Morgan area in September 2009. Before coming to MCREA, Plakorus served as club manager for the Fort Morgan Elks Lodge. Prior to that, she held an events and promotions position for Highline Sports and Entertainment based in Vail. Plakorus and her husband, Marty, live in the Fort Morgan area, while daughter Talima is cur-rently attending college in Montana. Her first day with Morgan County REA was Wednesday, September 7.

Please join us in welcoming Jamie to the Morgan County REA family.

Karla Mitchell served Morgan County REA members for 23 years and retired in August.

BY GEOFF BAUMGARTNER || COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

WARM UP FOR WINTER STORMSMaintaining warmth is a priority during a winter storm. Loss of body heat or hypothermia can belife threatening.• Stay inside and dress warmly in layered clothing. • Close off unneeded rooms. • When using an alternate heat source, follow operating instructions, use fire safeguards and be sure to properly ventilate.• Stuff towels and rags underneath doors to keep the heat in. • Cover windows at night.• Keep a close eye on the temperature in your home. Infants and people over the age of 65 are more susceptible to the cold. You may

want to stay with friends or relatives or go to a shelter if you cannot keep your home warm.

coloradocountrylife.coop4 NOVEMBER 201610

[MCREA News]

If you have a backup generator, make sure you know how to operate it safely. Unsafe operation can threaten you, your family, neighbors and the linemen work-ing to restore power. Unsafe installation or operation may also result in a lawsuit, and your insurance may not cover your liability.

BACKUP GENERATOR SAFETY

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[MCREA News]

coloradocountrylife.coop

Ian Moreno “Cracks Out”Morgan County REA is proud to recog-nize lineman Ian Moreno for completing his certification process and attaining his certified journeyman lineman creden-tials. Achieving the Journeyman certi-fication is referred to by those in the industry as “cracking out.”

Moreno began his MCREA career as an apprentice lineman in February of 2013, shortly after graduating from Rocky Mountain Lineman School in Colorado Springs. He officially became a journeyman lineman on August 1, 2016.

In order to achieve journeyman status, Moreno had to complete an extensive battery of books and tests, and log 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, all of which is required by the Merchant Job Training and Safety program. Additionally, he had to pass written, oral and field tests administered by the Morgan County REA operations department.

Moreno and his wife, Alyssa, have two children, Jasef and Emi Joe.Congratulations to Ian for his commitment and dedication in earning his journeyman

lineman certification.

Ian Moreno (right) is recognized for attaining his journeyman lineman certification by MCREA General Manager David Frick.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.