Broyles has new playbook

O C T O B E R 2 0 0 9O C T O B E R 2 0 0 9

Broyles has new playbook

n Is nuclear power making a comeback?

n A quiet place of reflection

n Is nuclear power making a comeback?

n A quiet place of reflection

2 RURAL ARKANSAS

6 Broyles’ playbook prepares Alzheimer’s caregivers

10 Is nuclear power making a comeback?

16 Makeover transforms contest winners’ home

27 Managing arthritis pain

29 Cleaning alone may not kill viruses

The Cover

Frank Broyles remains dedicated to the Razorbacks while also working to help Alzheimer’s caregivers.

Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

Features

Volume LXII, Number 12, October 2009

An official publication of

I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e

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(501) 570-2200

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Rural Arkansas P.O. Box 510, Little Rock, AR 72203Members: Please send name of your

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Member ofArkansas Press Association

Acceptance of advertising by Rural Arkansas does not imply endorsement of the product or services

advertised by the publisher or the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.

Gary C. Voigt, President/CEO

Ouida H. CoxEditor

Rae RinehartAdministrative Assistant

Dixie RogersGraphic Designer

Officers Chairman Charles Burdine Vendor Vice Ronald Moore Chairman Hamburg Secretary Jim Parrish Trumann Treasurer Mitchell Johnson Fayetteville

Photographic & Art Credits Cover Rachel Sloan 5 Gary Bean 6-9 Rachel Sloan 10-11 Nuclear Energy Institute NRECA 16 Gary Bean 28 Ouida Cox 30 Taste of Home 36 All-America Rose Selections 39-40 Ouida Cox Departments

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . 3

News briefs . . . . . . . . . . 4

Capitol Buzz . . . . . . . . . 18

Doug Rye Says . . . . . . . 20

Family favorites . . . . . . 28

Reflections . . . . . . . . . . 32

Crossword puzzle . . . . 34

Calendar of events . . . . 40

30 Create back-to-school lunchbox delight

36 All-America rose selections

37 Fall color update

39 A quiet place of reflection in the middle of downtown

41 Tamper resistant outlets

OCTOBER 2009

comm

ents

In the last few months, Rural Arkansas has featured articles and columns outlining the factors contributing to rising electricity costs. The goal was to help inform members about the major challenges facing electric cooperatives in our effort to provide affordable and reliable electricity.

Because of the rising costs, the board of directors of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) voted unanimously in July to seek an increase in AECC’s wholesale rates of about 4 percent or $25.9 million a year. The request is pending before the Arkansas Public Service Commission. If approved, it would be the first rate increase since 2004 when AECC adjusted its wholesale rates by 3 percent.

AECC, based in Little Rock, is a generation and transmis-sion cooperative that supplies wholesale electricity to Arkansas’ 17 electric distribution cooperatives. AECC’s revenue margins have declined in recent years because of slower-than-projected load growth, which has been exacerbated in last few months because of the nation’s severe economic recession and a much cooler than normal summer. At the same time, AECC is facing additional costs

for environmental compliance at two of its coal-fired power plants, as well as increased capital and

operating costs. AECC is asking to adjust rates to partially recover these increasing

costs and to achieve sufficient net margins to ensure that it can obtain capital at the lowest possible cost.

Obtaining capital at the lowest possible cost is critical as AECC looks to acquire new generation in the next decade to meet the expected increase in demand for electricity. Although load growth hasn’t grown as projected recently, primarily due to the economic downturn, it is expected that energy demand will increase in the future as the economy recovers. Obtaining low-cost financing for future capital costs is a critical component in keeping electric rates low for Arkansas’ electric cooperative members.

AECC remains concerned that costs could rise even more significantly in the future if proposed climate change legislation now under consideration in Congress is approved. The legislation would, among other things, establish a cap-and-trade program designed to lower carbon dioxide emissions from factories, power plants, car, trucks and other sources. Such a program is expected to significantly raise electricity costs for Americans. The U.S. Senate is now considering the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) that was narrowly approved in the U.S. House of Representatives in June. The senators are also working on climate and energy bills of their own.

The cooperatives will continue to monitor any legislation that could adversely harm our members and will continue to work to provide safe and reliable electricity at the lowest possible costs.

Cooperative seeks adjustment to wholesale electric rates

Celebrate Cooperative Month in October

October is the month when members and employees of cooperatives celebrate being part of businesses that are consumer-owned and community-run.

This October, resolve to become more active with your electric cooperative. Plan to vote in board of directors elections, or sit on a volunteer committee.

Cooperatives are owned and controlled by the consumers who do business with them. That means you are not just a customer—you’re a member and an owner. That gives you a vote in how the business operates.

Get to know more about your cooperative by participating in it. When a utility operates as a cooperative like yours does, every member is equally important.

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Spread the word: Be a CFL!This Halloween, make compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)

part of your celebration. They use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last six to 10 times longer—and now they come in both black and orange to make decorating more efficient than ever.

But don’t stop at just using CFLs—dress as one! Spread the word about the energy-saving bulbs—and how easy it is to switch—with a CFL costume. Forget expensive store-bought costumes and make your own.

Start by dressing in a solid color as the background, such as all white to blend in with the bulb, or all black to make it stand out. Next, create the base of the bulb out of two large pieces of cardboard—one for the front of you, and one for the back. Use silver spray paint and black markers to create the illusion of spirals. Attach both pieces to a belt and tie around your waist.

Now it’s time for the white spirals of the bulb. There are several things you can use, depending on what you have around. Try using sturdy wire or strong pipe cleaners and bend them in twists around your torso, starting from the base of the bulb. Glue white pillow stuffing around the wires to make them thick and white. Or try using a foam noodle pool toy, spray-painted white and fastened to your costume at the shoulder.

Whatever the heights of the twists, leave space between each so that you can see clearly and your arms can move freely.

David Fugitt, general manager and chief executive officer of Petit Jean Electric Cooperative at Clinton, is retiring after six years at this post. He will be succeeded by Bill Conine, former general manager of South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative at Arkadelphia, on Nov. 1.

Fugitt formerly worked for Southwest Electric Cooperative, Boliver, Mo., for 25 years, serving in multiple management positions including 12 years as member services manager prior to being named assistant manager in 1994. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he was active in civic and community affairs. He is a graduate of Columbia College in Columbia. Mo., and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and psychology. He and his wife, Kathy, have four sons and 10 grandchildren.

Conine began his career with South Central Electric in 1986. Previously he was cashier, accountant and office

manager, before being named general manager in 2001. A graduate of Arkadelphia High School and Ouachita Baptist University, he has been involved with the Clark County Quorum Court, Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development and youth sports. He and his wife, Kristal, have three children, Cliff, Matt and Morgan. Petit Jean Electric serves approximately 20,000 members in nine counties and has 65 employees.

Kevin D. Brownlee of Lancaster, S.C., was recently named general manager/CEO of South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative in Arkadelphia, replacing Conine. Brownlee served as vice president of marketing and economic development for Lynches River Electric Cooperative in Pageland, S.C., for nine years and had experience in energy services and accounting at Lamar EMC at Barnesville, Ga. He was chairman of the Lancaster County Economic

Development Corporation and a board member of the Charlotte Regional Partnership. He is a graduate of Charleston Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, and holds an master’s of business administration from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. He and his wife, Kathy, have two children, Bryce and Meredith. South Central Electric serves 10,100 members in eight counties and has 34 employees. David Fugitt Bill Conine Kevin Brownlee

Management changes at two cooperatives

OCTOBER 2009 5

Trivia• The corn used to make a 25 gallon

tank of ethanol would feed one person for a year.

• President James Buchanan was the first and only single man ever to be elected president. He was engaged to be married once; however, his fiancée died suddenly after breaking off the engagement, and he remained a bachelor all his life.

• During its lifetime an oyster changes its sex from male to female and back several times.

• The declawing of a pet cat involves surgery called onychectomy, in which the entire claw and end bone of each toe of the animal are amputated.

• The U.S. interstate highway system requires that one mile in every five must be straight. These sections can be used as airstrips in a time of war or other emergencies.

• Absolutely pure gold is so soft that it can be molded with the hands. A lump of pure gold the size of a matchbox can be flattened into a sheet the size of a tennis court. An ounce of gold can be stretched into a wire 50 miles long.

• To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

• About 99 percent of pumpkins marketed domestically are used as Jack-o’-lanterns at Halloween.

• “They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge.” – Thomas Brackett Reed

news briefs of the m

onth

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . AECI elects new officers

New officers were elected at the annual meeting of the board of directors of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. They are chairman: Charles Burdine, chairman of Carroll Electric; vice chairman: Ronald Moore, general manager of Ashley-Chicot Electric; secretary: Jim Parrish, vice board chairman of Craighead Electric; and treasurer: Mitchell Johnson, president/CEO of Ozarks Electric.

Charles Burdine Ronald Moore Jim Parrish Mitchell Johnson

Renters: Stop running up your energy bills

Reducing electricity use as a renter may seem tough when you have little control over the biggest energy users in your place, like your refrigerator, dishwasher or heating and cooling system.

But there’s still plenty you can do to lower your energy bill without making permanent—or expensive—changes. Follow these tips to reduce energy use in your rented space:

• If your home has an individual water heater, call your landlord or property manager and ask to have the temperature lowered to 120 degrees. Most water heaters are set at a default temperature of 140 degrees—which can be hot enough to scald your skin. The lower setting will still be hot enough to keep your showers steamy.

• Look for an Energy Star-qualified window air conditioner if you are responsible for purchasing it. An Energy Star a/c uses about 10 percent less energy than others. In the winter, cover your window a/c with a tight-fitting cover to prevent the heat from escaping, or remove the unit from the window.

• While blinds offer privacy, hanging heavier curtains will help shield out the heat in the summertime. In the winter, tape clear plastic sheeting around window frames to help insulate thin windows.

• Install sink aerators on all faucets. They are cheap and non-permanent, but can significantly reduce your hot water use while offering the same water pressure.

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They use about 75 percent less energy than incandescents, and last six to 10 times longer—so you can take them with you when you move.

• If the windows and doors are drafty, ask your landlord about installing weatherstripping to seal off cracks. It’s an easy do-it-yourself task and cheap, too—so even if your landlord won’t cover the cost, it will be worth it because it will increase the comfort of your home and reduce your heating bills.

6 RURAL ARKANSAS

Broyles’ playbook prepares Alzheimer’s caregivers

By Sheila Yount

It was a clear September day as Frank Broyles, accompanied by a writer from Rural Arkansas magazine and Donita Ritchie, his longtime assistant, drove past the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

“I see they have put extra seats out for the Georgia game,” Broyles said, referring to the temporary seats that had been installed at the south end zone of the stadium for the upcoming game on Sept. 19. The athletic director emeritus of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, ever the optimist, added that the Razorbacks have a good football team this year. He was especially impressed with the quarterbacks.

“Everything starts with the quarterback,” he said, repeating a line he stated often during his 19 years as coach of the University of Arkansas football team.

All it takes is a brief visit with the coaching legend to see that Broyles’ love for the Razorbacks is as strong as ever. Since his retirement as athletic director in December 2007 after 50 years of service, he has remained dedicated to the program he helped build. From his Razorback Foundation office at Baum Stadium, the Razorbacks’ state-of-the-art baseball facility, Broyles continues to raise funds for the foundation and serves as a consultant to the athletic program. But he is sharing his passion for life and the Razorbacks with another cause these days. Since his first wife, Barbara, died from Alzheimer’s disease in 2004, he’s been busy helping caregivers of victims of this fatal disease, best known for robbing its victims of their memories. Now, whenever he attends a fundraiser for the university, he also tries to include an Alzheimer’s program.

“I go for the fundraiser, but I want to help the caregivers because I was there,” Broyles said.

Raising awarenessAt age 85, Broyles’ energy is still boundless. He stays busy

with his daily work for the foundation, fundraisers and speaking engagements for Alzheimer’s. In early summer, he flew to Los Angeles to be interviewed about his Alzheimer’s work for “The Doctors” television talk show. The program aired in early September and later that month, he was scheduled to tape a segment of the “Dr. Phil” show.

During his caregiver programs, Broyles shares his experience and brings copies of his popular “playbook.” The book, “Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers,” came out in 2007. Initially, only 100,000 copies were printed for use in Arkansas, Broyles said. But, demand was such that 500,000 more copies have been printed and distributed and 600,000 more have been ordered. Broyles raised money to finance the book so it could be given for free to caregivers, who are often financially strapped because of the disease.

Frank and Barbara Broyles visit the Southfork Ranch in Plano, Texas, made famous by the “Dallas” television series.

OCTOBER 2009

“We found that people in Arkansas who were being helped by it were calling us and sending them to their friends who lived out of state, so it is getting all over the country,” Ritchie said, adding that the book is now in at least 83 countries.

The purpose of the book is to provide practical tips for caregivers in a simple, easy-to- comprehend format. With these tips, Broyles said caregivers can prepare themselves to deal with this devastating illness.

“There is an old saying in coaching that says if you don’t know your opponent, you are not going to win,” Broyles said. “And caregivers in Arkansas and across the country, they have no information … It is scary as it can be.”

“I can’t balance the checkbook”Broyles and his family did not know their opponent when Barbara was finally diagnosed in

2001. Although they knew something was wrong, they didn’t know that Barbara’s forgetfulness and withdrawal from activities were signs that Alzheimer’s already had its debilitating hold on her.

“In 1995, Barbara called me home and said, ‘I am resigning from everything. I am just tired and I want to be home and rest at home,’” Broyles recalled. “She withdrew from at least 10 different organizations at one time.”

Although he knew it was unusual for Barbara, who had long been extremely active in the community, to withdraw in such a way, Broyles didn’t think anything was seriously wrong until three years later.

“She called me home, crying, and said, ‘I can’t balance the checkbook,’” he recalled, adding that a week later, she called her daughter-in-law in a panic because she couldn’t remember how to turn off the car engine.

Broyles took her to the doctor, who determined she had had a minor stroke, which is a common misdiagnosis for Alzheimer’s. Because there is no definitive medical test for Alzheimer’s, it often goes undetected, especially in the early stages. And doctors often hesitate to make the Alzheimer’s diagnosis because it is “a death sentence,” Broyles said.

“There are no survivors,” he said.

Is it just old age?Although there is no medical test to diagnose

Alzheimer’s, doctors use a “social” test that includes a series of questions. Barbara was finally diagnosed in such a manner in January 2001 by physicians at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Senior Health Center.

Broyles offers a “layman’s test” to those who ask him about the difference between dementia caused by old age and other issues, and Alzheimer’s.

“If she forgets something and doesn’t remember she forgot it, that’s Alzheimer’s,” he said. “If I said to Barbara earlier, we need to meet at 2

7

Frank Broyles reviews travel scrapbooks created by his late wife, Barbara, at their former home in Fayetteville.

Frank and Barbara Broyles were featured in the Atlanta Journal Magazine on Sept. 29, 1946, during Frank’s college days at Georgia Tech where he was a star quarterback.

Continued on next page

o’clock and she doesn’t show up and at 4 o’clock she calls me and apologizes, that is dementia. But if she never remembers she forgot, that is Alzheimer’s.”

She would never remember because Alzheimer’s destroys the

brain, including any memories stored there. Named for Alois Alzheimer, a German physician who first described it in 1906,

the brain disorder affects about 5.3 million Americans. The disease destroys brains cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Over time, the disease gets worse and eventually causes death. It is the most common cause of dementia and there is no cure.

A new girl in townIt was 1941 and John Franklin Broyles was a 15-year-old

high school student at Decatur High School in Georgia when he noticed a new girl walking down the street to the “Girl’s High,” past the “Boys’ High.” The new girl was 15-year-old Barbara Day and the young Broyles was intrigued. He soon discovered that one of his friends, Roy Brown, had already asked her for a date. So, just to “get some brownie points” and let her know he was interested, Broyles asked her for a date on the same evening, fully expecting her to turn him down.

“I didn’t have the money for a date,” he said. “It was

during the war and I didn’t have a car or gas for it.” She surprised him, however, by accepting and he had “to hustle” to get money for the date. From then on, she was the only girl he ever dated. From high school, Broyles went to Georgia Tech where he was a star quarterback, leading the team to appearances in three bowl games. He and Barbara got married on May 5, 1945, and in August of that year, he got his commission in the U.S. Navy. He began his coaching career at Baylor University in 1947 but soon returned to Georgia Tech as offensive coordinator. In 1957, he became the head coach of Missouri and then, a year later, he got what he called his “dream job” when he became head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Broyles’ teams in the 1960s were among the nation’s best, at one point winning 22 straight games, including a national championship and victories over the archrival Texas Longhorns. Broyles became athletic director in 1973 and retired as head football coach in 1976. He remained athletic director until 2007, overseeing improve-ments to the university’s sports facilities totaling more than $200 million.

On the family front, he and Barbara had four sons and twin girls. Throughout their 59-year marriage, Broyles said Barbara was a “great mother” who also found time to do community work. For more than 40 years, Barbara, who was known as the “First Lady of the Razorbacks,” worked with the Ozark Literacy Council, including serving as a tutor for adults. In addition, she served as a volunteer for countless organizations, including the Fayetteville Youth Center, the American Cancer Society and Friends of Hospice. She also served as chapter advisor for the Phi Mu sorority at the University of Arkansas. Another joy was teaching Sunday

School at her church, which she did for 50 years.

She also loved to travel and after Broyles resigned as head coach in 1976, she arranged overseas trips for them for 22 straight years. After each trip, she made extensive scrapbooks filled with pictures and other mementoes.

“When she got too old to travel, she was going to go back and read those books,” Broyles said.

“Treat her like a queen”Barbara’s scrapbooks would end up

helping her in a different way from what she once imagined. In seeking ways to communicate with her, Broyles would often get one down from the shelf and share it with her. “When I would come home, we would get out a scrapbook,” he said.

This montage of photographs chronicling the life of Barbara Broyles hangs in Broyles’ Razorback Foundation office. He gave a copy of the montage to each of his six children.

8 RURAL ARKANSAS

Frank and Barbara Broyles

raised six children.

OCTOBER 2009

“We would take two to two and a half hours with a scrapbook.”

Using the scrapbook to communicate was one of many things Broyles and his family learned through “trial and error.” That is how they had to learn because there was not good information for caregivers when Barbara’s diagnosis was made.

“We didn’t know anything about the disease and we went into it without any preparation,” he said.

The only thing Broyles was certain of was that he was going to take an upbeat, positive approach to this life-changing situation.

“I called the family together and I told them what the disease was and what we knew about it,” he said. “I said we don’t know how long she is going to be with us but we are going to treasure every day that we have, even though she may not know who we are eventually. But we are going to treasure her and we are going to treat her like a queen.”

The last thing they were going to do, he said, was to isolate her from the rest of the family. Their daughters, Betsy and Linda, took on the duties of daily caregivers, while Broyles was there in the evenings. Two other family members also helped, bringing the total to five caregivers. When Broyles would travel, he often took Barbara with him, even when her speech was so limited she could only say “thank you” in response to well-wishers.

The illness transformed the lives of the members of Broyles’ family as they took on the day-to-day care for her. Each day, they searched for the best ways to keep Barbara calm and happy as the disease progressed.

Be preparedIn 2001, Wally Hall, sports editor of the Democrat-

Gazette, wrote about Barbara’s battle with Alzheimer’s in his column. That sparked numerous telephone calls from people who were struggling to care for loved ones with the disease. Those inquiries encouraged Broyles to write the book.

“As a football coach, we know there is no substitute for good preparation,” Broyles said. “We had no preparation and the people in the small counties and towns in the state of Arkansas have zero preparation. So we got an All-American team together … And we tried to get something that was so practical and easily understood that a person could take three minutes and find out what they wanted.”

That All-American team included UAMS, Beverly Healthcare and the Alzheimer’s Association. The Broyles family, working with representatives from these organizations, met with focus groups of caregivers over an eight-month period across the state of Arkansas. The result was the playbook.

The practical tips guide helps caregivers deliver the kind of “social care” that patients desperately need, Broyles said.

“There are so many things that are common and so many things you can expect to happen if you know it,” Broyles said. “And one can handle it in a calm way the majority of the time. And so that is what this book does. It goes through how to keep them calm. How to keep them home and safe. Safe is the key.”

Caregivers will learn other things, too, such as the importance of laughter and a simple touch of the hand.

“When I would come home and be with her and watch TV until dinner time, she wanted to hold my hand the entire time,” Broyles recalled. “And she held my hand in bed until she went to sleep. Touch is a great source of love and strength and caring. And every caregiver will tell you that touch is as important as anything there is to do to keep them calm.”

Such information has made the playbook invaluable to caregivers and it remains in great demand. In fact, in order to continue to meet the requests, Ritchie said they must now charge $5 for the book and $4 for shipping. For more information, visit: http://www.alzheimersplaybook.com/ or call 479-313-5079. The book can be downloaded for free from the Web site, as well.

Broyles said only 10 percent of caregivers have any idea how to care for victims of Alzheimer’s. It is estimated that there are about two caregivers for each Alzheimer’s patient so that means about 11 million people are caring for those

stricken with the disease in the U.S. today. And the vast majority are in the same place the Broyles’ family once was – figuring things out by trial and error.

Whenever Broyles speaks, he said he takes several books with him to give to the audience members, which always disappear quickly, he said. His daughter Betsy and his granddaughter Molly often join him for the programs, which brings a multi-generational perspective to the issue. Although they share their different experiences, their ultimate message is the same – that caregivers can find peace in knowing it is still possible to live and love when caring for

someone with Alzheimer’s. “My family is a stronger family and that was our goal to

come out stronger,” he said. “We were going to make the best of the times, we were going to love her and take care of her every minute until she died and we did that. Our family came together.”

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Frank and Barbara Broyles.

Broyles’ playbook for Alzheimer’s caregivers remains in great demand.

10 RURAL ARKANSAS

By Scott Gates

Nuclear power in the United States has experienced a roller coaster ride of booms and busts. When the first wave of commercial reactors were built in the 1950s, Lewis Strauss, then-chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission—forerunner of today’s federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission—envisioned a future where nuclear energy would be “too cheap to meter.”

The vast amounts of electricity produced by nuclear

plants seemed to offer a perfect, home-grown solution to the nation’s skyrocketing power needs, especially when the federal government restricted use of natural gas for electricity generation during the energy crisis of the 1970s and early 1980s. Nuclear power plants were built by the dozens, but by the mid-1980s the worldwide plunge of energy prices, slower-than-expected growth in electricity demand, and, following the accident at Three Mile Island, expensive safety mandates

imposed on new reactors had taken the competitive edge off nuclear power.

Yet today, nuclear power seems poised for what some call a renaissance. Driving the renewed interest is a growing demand for electricity coupled with federal climate change legislation that will likely boost the price for every kilowatt generated by fuels that emit carbon dioxide—notably coal and natural gas.

“As a zero-carbon energy source, nuclear power must be part of our energy mix as we work toward energy independence and meeting the challenge of global warming,” U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Stephen Chu recently noted.

Since 1993, increases in generation capacity and improved efficiencies at the nation’s 104 commercial nuclear power plants have accounted for one-third of voluntary carbon dioxide reductions from U.S. industries, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Nuclear Energy Institute. In 2007, nuclear power accounted for about 74 percent of the nation’s carbon dioxide emissions-free electric generation.

Technology advancements and cost competitiveness give nuclear a new edge

A Comeback for Nuclear Power?

Inside a Nuclear Reactor: Safety is Key

OCTOBER 2009

The basic principle of nuclear power is the same as with other types of power plants: use heat to boil water, create steam, and turn a turbine attached to an electric generator. With nuclear power the heat comes not from burning a combustible material such as coal, but from releasing energy stored in uranium atoms.

In 1934, it was discovered that when tiny particles called neutrons were fired at a uranium atom, the atom split into parts that didn’t equal the original atom’s mass. At the time the result provided a mystery: where did that missing mass go? Using Einstein’s famous formula—E=mc2—researchers soon realized the mass had been converted to energy. Within eight years the world’s first nuclear reactor was constructed on a squash court at the University of Chicago. On Dec. 2, 1942, a self-sustaining nuclear reaction was triggered, and the age of nuclear power began.

Today’s nuclear reactors, while utilizing the same physics, are far more sophisticated. Called “light water reactors” (simply because they use ordinary water as a coolant), they churn out electricity with heat created by interactions with uranium fuel rods.

The first generation of these reactors was built in the 1960s largely for demonstration and research purposes. Two generation and transmission co-ops (G&Ts) were actually a part of this groundbreaking effort: La Crosse, Wis.-based Dairyland Power Cooperative built a 50-MW reactor, while a predecessor to Maple Grove, Minn.-based Great River Energy brought a 22-MW unit on-line. Neither remains operational today, although with no national repository for nuclear waste available, Dairyland Power still maintains its plant as a waste storage facility.

Although less than 3 percent of the nation’s electricity was produced by nuclear power in 1971, by 1988 that share had grown to account for more than 19 percent of the nation’s power supply, where it remains today (behind coal at 49 percent and natural gas at 22 percent). For electric co-ops, 15 percent of all power require-ments are supplied by nuclear facilities.

All nuclear plants currently operating in the U.S. rely on second-generation technology, and were built during a 15-year spurt that spanned the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Nuclear power, though, lost its luster following the Three Mile Island accident in March 1979: safety retrofits required by regulators increased construction costs, and lagging electricity growth led to a major public pushback. As a result, no new nuclear plants have been ordered and built from scratch since 1973.

The last new reactor to become operational was the long-delayed Watts Bar Unit 1 in 1996 operated by

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), according to the Nuclear Energy Institute. In 2007, TVA restarted its 1,200-MW Brown Ferry Unit 1 reactor in northern Alabama after a five-year, $1.8 billion refurbishing project.

But increasing fossil fuel prices coupled with potential federal fees on carbon emissions have utilities taking a second look at nuclear power.

“The feeling is that these factors, which directly impact prices, will make nuclear competitive once more,” explains

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12 RURAL ARKANSAS

John Holt, senior principal, generation & fuels at Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

Currently, utilities are seeking to break ground on 26 new reactors in 16 states, mostly in the South, with another 11 in the planning stages. These plants will draw on third-genera-tion technology that includes more cost-effective standardized designs, more power output, and significant safety improvements over the boiling water and pressurized water reactors used today.

For example, the facilities will reduce the potential for human error with digital control rooms, as well as emergency systems that use gravity or water flow to open and close valves to cool reactor cores; many emergency cooling systems in older plants rely on pumps and diesel generators to do the job.

“I don’t expect to see all 37 plants currently in the wings to be built,” Holt emphasizes “There are a lot of potential roadblocks in the permitting process. But I could easily conceive of 10 to 15 being built. That’s a huge change compared with the last 30 years.”

Two G&Ts currently own a share of reactors that could, if built, be a part of the third-generation nuclear boom. Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, based in Glen Allen, Va., is pursuing an 11.6 percent share of a proposed new nuclear reactor at North Anna Power Station. The new reactor will have a capacity of 1,520 megawatts, adding to 1,806 MW already generated by two existing reactors at the site.

Oglethorpe Power Corporation, based in Tucker, Ga., owns a 30 percent share of the Alvin W. Vogtle Nuclear Plant, with a current capacity of 2,320 MW. An application has been submitted for two additional 1,000 MW reactors.

And while third-generation nuclear plants are planned and built, research on the fourth generation has already begun. A recent report co-authored by Idaho National Laboratory and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), a non-profit, utility-sponsored consortium whose members include electric co-ops, outlines a series of goals

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to meet an aggressive increase in nuclear generation. More than 40 percent of the nation’s electricity could be produced by nuclear power plants by 2050, according to the report.

“The report recommends that research and development be focused in three technical areas: light water reactors, high-temperature reactors, and advanced fuel cycles,” remarks Chris Larsen, EPRI vice president of the nuclear sector. “In essence, it establishes a set of options for deployment of nuclear energy through this century.”

The report anticipates a needed $3.5 billion in research and development funding from both government and private industry during the next five years.

In 2009, $354 million went to nuclear research and development, split evenly between federal allocations and funding from private industry. Although 2010 budget numbers aren’t set, the U.S. Department of Energy alone has requested $383 million—half for fuel cycle research and half for research towards fourth generation reactors. Private industry sources have proposed putting up $121 million with hopes of a federal match.

“You have to remember, this is a global market,” NRECA’s Holt relates. “Nuclear reactors are under construction worldwide. Even though the United States stopped building reactors 30 years ago, other countries didn’t. The companies designing these plants – primarily General Electric, Westinghouse and French government-owned Areva – have been putting their own money into reactor advancements for years.”

Most analysts agree that fourth-generation nuclear power plants should be an available option by 2030. Although no major breakthroughs in the basic principles of nuclear generation are expected, the new stations will boast more computer control and be able to operate at higher temperatures and higher pressures, making them more efficient overall.

“My expectation is that the fourth-generation nuclear power will further improve on technology available today,” Holt speculates. “It will be an evolution, not a revolution.”

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16 RURAL ARKANSAS

For Aaron and Jerissa Rogers of Wesley, the energy efficiency

makeover of their house has been even better than they expected.

“I didn’t think our house could ever be this comfortable.” Jerissa said in a recent interview after the completion of the project in early September.

The couple immediately noticed a significant improvement in the comfort of their home after the instal-lation of foam insulation in the attic and walls, and a new ultra-efficient 20-SEER air-to-air heat pump by Trane.

“The foam insulation creates a barrier similar to an ice chest and the heat pump

is one of the most efficient on the market,” said Bret Curry, the makeover project manager. “The integration of new insulation and the ultra-efficient heat pump resulted in a dramatic reduction in humidity levels. This home will now have the same comfort and affordable utility bills as one of our new model homes.”

The couple was selected in July from more than 1,100 applicants for the 2009 Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest sponsored by the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. Aaron and Jerissa are members of Ozarks Electric Cooperative.

Electric bills are high Jerissa said she applied for the makeover because the

couple’s electric bills were averaging more than $200 a month and the home was still uncomfortable. In the summer, the

house wouldn’t stay cool and in the winter, the couple had to supplement heating with a woodstove. When Curry performed an energy audit on the home in July, it was clear that the home was energy inefficient.

As part of the energy audit, Curry performed a blower door test, which removes air from a house using a large fan placed inside a door facing. By removing the air, negative pressure is placed on the house. When air from the outside begins to filter in to replace the air that is removed, energy

auditors can determine where the house is leaking. He then used an infrared thermal imaging camera to spot the areas of air infiltration.

“The house had significant unwanted and unmanaged air infiltration,” Curry said, adding that the testing revealed the home had a rate of .90 natural air changes per hour. That means that 90 percent of the air in the house changed every hour, which is very inefficient. Ideally, only about 25 to 30 percent of the air in a house changes every hour, he added.

To remedy the situation, the makeover got under way quickly. On Aug.11, workers arrived to begin removing the siding from the house to reveal the exterior walls. After that, a new method of using foam insulation, called RetroFoam, was injected into the home’s exterior walls by BPSi from Mountain Home.

“We are very excited about this new product and it made a major difference in the energy efficiency of this home,” Curry said. In addition to being injected into the walls, BPSi sprayed SEALECTION 500 foam insulation onto the roof decking in the attic and gable ends of the house.

“The greatest benefits of these products are a significant reduction in air leakage and improved thermal resistance performance,” Curry said.

More was revealedCurry and energy auditors

from Ozarks Electric Cooperative, Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative, Carroll Electric Cooperative and Petit Jean Electric Cooperative, ran a blower door test after the installation of the foam insulation. The test revealed an improvement in the overall air infiltra-tion and the air changes dropped from .90 to .56.

Now it was time to “chase” the air leaks, which is the process in which auditors locate, caulk and seal air leaks, Curry said. “Chasing down and fixing these pesky leaks will make a large contribution to the overall reduction in unwanted air infiltration,” he added.

After the blower door test, the auditors teamed up and began seeking out air infiltration with infrared cameras and the old fashioned way – feeling by hand across the surfaces of the walls, windows and doorways. Hours later, the team of energy experts squeezed nearly 40 tubes of caulking and eight cans of expandable foam into the nuisance air leaks. A final blower door test revealed their tenacious effort reduced the overall reading to an impressive .39 or 39 percent air changes per hour.

In addition to the home’s thermal envelope, the following components were installed:

Makeover transforms contest winners’ home

Rood Heating and Air installed this Trane 20i ultra-efficient heat pump.

James Reid, an energy auditor for Ozarks Electric Cooperative, performs the final blower door test of the house.

Workers inject RetroFoam insulation into the home’s exterior walls.

OCTOBER 2009 17

• Trane 20i ultra-efficient heat pump was installed by Rood Heating and Air.

• 40-gallon energy efficient Marathon water heater was installed.

• Energy-efficient Weatherbarr windows were installed by Harry G. Barr.

• Energy Star-rated appliances were installed by Metro Home Builders of Springdale.

• New vinyl siding with foam thermal barrier was installed by Royal Siding.

• Energy saving strip cords were furnished by Belkin.

• Foam gaskets for outlets and switches of interior walls were furnished by DropYourEnergyBills.com.

• Incandescent lights were replaced with compact florescent lights.

• Arkansas American Roofing and Bradco re-roofed the home.

Couple helps spread the wordThroughout the makeover, Jerissa

provided updates of the process on her Facebook page. In addition, they’ve become resident “experts” on energy efficiency as they have answered questions from friends and neighbors about the process.

“We learned so much about energy efficiency,” she said, adding that now when they visit other people’s homes, they find themselves looking at it from an energy efficiency perspective.

In addition to the house being more comfortable, Jerissa said she and Aaron have been amazed at how quiet it is inside.

“We can’t hear the bugs outside or any cars going by,” she said. “We didn’t believe it could be this tight.”

Although there were many affordable things the couple could have done to make their home more energy efficient, they could not have had the “works” treatment they received with the makeover.

“There is no way we could have done all of this,” she said. “This is a blessing from God.”

Editor’s Note: To learn more about the makeover and for energy-saving tips, visit www.smartenergytips.org

18 RURAL ARKANSAS

With Coach Frank Broyles on the cover of this month’s magazine I was reminded of something that I know he wants to forget: the 1969 Arkansas vs. Texas football game. This year being the 40th anniversary of that game and October being the heart of the football season, it seems a good time to reflect on an event in Arkansas history and folklore that was much more than a mere football game.

In 2004, Terry Frei, a Denver-based writer, published a book entitled “Horns, Hogs and Nixon Coming.” The book chronicled the 1969 season for both teams, climaxing at the Dec. 6 meeting in Fayetteville of the nation’s No. 1- and No. 2-ranked teams. It would be the last time that two all-white football teams would vie for the national championship.

As a 23-year-old Navy Ensign watching the game on a small black-and-white television in the Bachelor Officers Quarters at the Naval Air Station in Beeville, Texas, that dreary December day, I might have been the only guy who rooted for Arkansas. To me, and to Arkansas fans of my age, this game remains one of the defining moments in Razorback athletic history. Recently I came to realize that it has no meaning at all for my 20-something daughter, who’s never seen a re-run of the game or read Frei’s book.

It is hard to imagine the days when one game was all you got on television on Saturday afternoons. And forget about night games. By 1969, we were probably up to one national and one regional broadcast per Saturday afternoon. Regardless, on Dec. 6, 1969, there was one game for the whole nation to watch, and by athletic skill, forethought of scheduling and luck, it was the national championship for that year, the centennial year of college football.

President Richard Nixon flew in to attend the game and went to the locker rooms of both teams following the game. Unfortunately, he left the national champion-ship trophy in the Texas locker room. Future president and then congressman, George H.W. Bush, attended

the game with his friend and freshman colleague, U.S. Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt of Arkansas. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger attended, as did U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright and Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller.

I mentioned that this was the last national champion-ship game between two all-white teams. Arkansas had an African-American player, Darrell Brown, who is now a lawyer in Little Rock. He had not played in a game during the season and was injured for the Texas game and did not dress out.

The 1960s were a time of great social turmoil in America. The Vietnam War was at its peak, and so were the protests against the war. With the president’s arrival in Fayetteville, concerns about protesters at the game intensified. The Civil Rights movement was in high gear as well. Black students at the university pledged to protest if the Arkansas band played “Dixie.” It didn’t and has never again played the song at an athletic event on or off campus.

Texas safety Freddie Steinmark played what Frei called the most courageous game ever played. One week after the game, surgeons removed Steinmark’s left leg at the hip because of cancer. Four weeks later, on Jan. 1, 1970, as Texas played Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl, there was Steinmark standing on crutches on the sideline. He died 18 months later.

Frank Broyles was perhaps the most dynamic young college football coach in America in 1969. He arrived in Fayetteville in 1957 and built a program that was consis-tently in the top 10 nationally, winning the national championship only five years earlier in 1964. He did it with far fewer resources than other top 10 teams. On that fateful day, Dec. 6, 1969, his team would out perform the No. 1 team in America. But it would not win the game.

It’s hard to imagine that young people my daughter’s age aren’t burdened with all of that history when they watch a Razorback game.

Go Hogs!

Timeout for football

If you have an issue that you would like Carmie to address, mail it to: P.O. Box 194208, Little Rock, AR 72219-4208 or e-mail chenry@aeci.com

OCTOBER 2009 19

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a perfect morning to go to the farmers market. It is CLOUDY, about 70 degrees and NO WIND.” Even if we don’t buy anything, it would be a nice morning together. (Men, no comment about spending).

Well, I agreed and proceeded to get dressed for the market. There were about 20 vendors at the market and I like to talk to all of them. I want to know if they actually grew or made the products that they were selling. The first person I met was a lady who had small bouquets of wildflowers. I told her that I would buy my wife flowers if she didn’t act up or spend any money. We proceeded around the square and purchased fresh blackberries, tomatoes, peaches, greens, grapes and two bluebird houses. We ended up at the flower lady’s table. She smiled and said, “You are back.” I said, “My name is Doug Rye. Have you ever heard of Doug Rye?” “Yes, you are the man that writes in the Rural Arkansas magazine. What do you think of solar?” she asked. I looked straight up toward the sky and turned 360 degrees, not saying a word. Several seconds passed as I continued to look at the sky. Finally, she said “It wouldn’t work very well today, would it?” I responded that it would not. She asked, “How about wind?” Yep, you guessed it, I looked toward the sky and the trees, turned 360 degrees and she started laughing as she said, “It wouldn’t work very well today, would it?” I encouraged her to read the September issue of Rural Arkansas to learn the BETTER WAY.

Why do so many ask about solar and wind? It is because they care about the world, our nation and their own houses. That is just like me and most of you folks. Part of that concern is about the carbon “footprint” created as a result of energy generation. I don’t know of any person who objects to reducing the footprint. On most days, however, generating electricity at your house with solar doesn’t even reduce a “toeprint.” In my opinion, sealing the ductwork and adding attic insulation would reduce more “toeprints” than solar. Now, caulk and install a geothermal heat pump and you might reduce the print by five toes and a half foot. You simply get better results for less money, even when the sun is not shining and the wind isn’t blowing.

Today is my birthday and I opened a gift from my daughter about 15 minutes ago. It is a beautiful scenic book about Arkansas waterfalls by a Carroll Electric Cooperative member –Tim Ernst. Folks, I care as much about this country and the environment as anyone else. It is none of my business what you do, I just want you to know the BETTER WAY.

20 RURAL ARKANSAS

D o u g R y e says ...Energy Commandment #5: Thou Shalt Use the BETTER WAY

Doug Rye, a licensed architect living in Saline County and the popular host of the “Home Remedies” radio show, works as a consultant for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas to promote energy efficiency to cooperative members statewide. To order Doug’s video or ask energy efficiency-related questions, call Doug at 1-501-653-7931. More energy-efficiency tips, as well as Doug’s columns, can also be found at www.ecark.org

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makeovers for five of its Members. The winners werechosen from over 300 applications received as part of astatewide Energy Efficiency Home Makeover contest.

First Electric wanted to take the statewide contest astep further and provide the five mini energy efficiencymakeovers to deserving First Electric Members. Thepurpose of the projectwas to demonstratethe possible energy effi-ciency improvementsthat can be achievedwith a modest invest-ment. The cost of thefive home improvementprojects ranged from $3500 to $5000.

The energy efficiency makeover improvementsincluded items such as cellulose insulation in the attic,foam insulation in the crawl space, a crawl space vaporbarrier, heating and cooling system servicing, duct sys-tem repair and sealing, a programmable thermostat, aMarathon electric water heater, compact fluorescentlight (CFL) bulbs, and caulking and weather-stripping

throughout the homes.Prior to beginning each

home makeover, a diagnosticenergy audit, consisting of ablower door test and thermalimaging camera inspection,was conducted to determinethe amount and source of airinfiltration, and total airchanges per hour (ACH), inthe home. The five begin-ning ACH results rangedfrom .54 to 1.06, meaningthat the worst home averaged

106% of air leakage every hour. A newly constructedenergy efficient home will have less than .25 air changesper hour.

After the energy efficiency improvements were com-pleted, a follow-up blower door test was conducted tomeasure the effectiveness of the improvements. The fiveending ACH results ranged from .24 to .59, meaningthat even the worst home’s air infiltration rate was

reduced by almost half. This air infiltration reduction,combined with the other improvements performed, willsignificantly reduce each of the home’s energy usage anddrastically improve the overall comfort level for thehomeowners.Each home’s elec-tric usage will bemonitored for anextended periodof time.

This minienergy efficiencymakeover projectproved to be verysuccessful and

Energy efficiency mini makeovers completed

A blower door test revealsthe areas of air infiltration.

Programmable thermostat

Cellulose insulation was sprayed in the attic of all five makeover homes.

CFLs were installed in all ofthe homes’ fixtures.

Foam insulation is sprayed on the crawl space stem wall.

OCTOBER 2009 23

For thousands of years, trees have been appreciatedfor their shade, planted for their fruit and harvested fortheir wood. Trees contribute to our health, beautify ourneighborhoods, help regulate our atmosphere and caneven reduce our electric bills, if carefully planned andplanted.

However, trees can also causeproblems for humans. Their rootscan damage foundations. They cantopple in storms and destroy build-ings. Their high-reaching limbscan interfere with the reliable deliv-ery of electricity to homes.

Limbs and leaves in contactwith power lines can conduct elec-tricity, creating a potentially dan-gerous condition for anyone whocomes near. Tree-to-line contactalso contributes to what electricsystem professionals call “line loss.”The term refers to electricity creat-ed at a generating plant that doesnot reach its destination; an ineffi-ciency that increases costs.

First Electric Cooperative hasprograms to keep trees under con-trol, while leaving them healthyand strong. Crews and contractors

who work for First Electric to clear rights-of-way are pro-fessionals trained to work around high-voltage lines safely.Keeping the rights-of-way clear benefits Members in reliability and savings as well.

National electric codes suggest 10 to 20 feet of clearance between trees and powerlines. With almost 9,400 miles ofline to maintain and thousands oftree limbs to clear, crews might notget to the trees near your home orbusiness every year. But right-of-waycrews know how much and how oftento trim trees to keep your electric system safe and reliable.

If you decide to plant a tree, youcan help make it easier for FirstElectric’s crews. Before turning overthat first shovel of dirt, check for bothoverhead and underground powerlines. Consider the mature height ofthe tree you are planting.

If existing trees are close to thelines and need trimming, please don’ttry to tackle the job yourself. CallFirst Electric’s professionals at 800-489-7405 to handle the job for you.

A cut above keeps First Electric a step ahead

During a storm, trees too close to powerlines can fall and cause extensive damage tothe lines. Power cannot be restored until thelines are clear of all debris.

demonstratesthe effectivenessof several lowto moderate costhome energyimprovements.The homeown-ers involvedagree: ChristyMiller fromPerryville said,“I am thrilledto have been chosen for the

makeover, and I am really looking forward to having amore efficient home.” Another Member, Kelly Brown,added, “Its not common for an electric company doingsomething to help the ones they serve. Since you (FirstElectric) have come out and taught us about our bill,and about our house and air leakage, we now under-stand that we have more control over our bill.” Melissa

Toomer was also very happy with the mini makeover.“It's good they take the time to do this,” she said. “Iguess this is the difference between having a cooperativeand not a big corporation.”

First Electric would like to extend a special “thankyou” to the contractors who helped make these projectsa success. They were all very generous and helpful withtheir advice, service and products:

Acme Service Company, StuttgartAdvantage Service Company, North Little RockBrents & Sons Heating and Air, MorriltonBrothers Plumbing Company, StuttgartClay Weddle Plumbing, Houston Cleburne County Insulation, Heber SpringsCurtis Stout, Inc., Little RockHaller Heating and Air, Heber SpringsHarris Insulation, Lonoke Razorback Insulation, Little RockRose Bud Insulation, Rose BudStedfast Heat and Air, CabotWhit Davis Lumber Plus Jacksonville

Caulk, air conditioner filters and a waterheater wrap can add significantly to

the efficiency of a home.

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26 RURAL ARKANSAS

The memory of longtime state legislator Jerry Bookout, who died of lymphoma in 2006, is the inspiration behind a new research center set to open in the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute next year.

A commemoration for the Bookout Translational Research Center will be located between the basic science labs in the existing Walker Tower and the infusion area in the Cancer Institute expansion, which will be one of the first areas in the new building to open in 2010.

The commemoration will serve as a constant reminder to our patients and staff of Bookout’s contribu-tions to the health and well-being of Arkansans.

A Jonesboro native who spent 34 years as a state representative and senator, Bookout served many years on legislative committees that dealt with health and education issues. His long and successful career started in the 1960s and stretched into the 21st century.

The legacy of Bookout’s dedication to health care is reflected in our increased focus on moving research discoveries quickly from the laboratory bench to the patient’s bedside.

We are entering a new era in cancer therapy, borne out of transla-tional research. One important aspect of translational research is focused on more targeted treatments that attack cancer cells while leaving normal cells unaffected.

This advancement has helped in the development of such cancer-fighting drugs as Gleevec, which grew out of laboratory research. Basic science uncovered the genetic mutation that caused certain types of cancer, and Gleevec was developed to target those cancer cells while leaving others alone.

Sen. Bookout’s son, Paul, also

Health notesHonoring a longtime Arkansas legislator

GRAVETTE

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OCTOBER 2009 27

H & HConstruction & Supply

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an Arkansas state senator, joined every member of the Legislature in sponsoring the 2007 bill that made possible $36 million in matching funds to help pay for the 300,000-square-foot Cancer Institute expansion.

We are grateful to the Bookout family for making the health care of Arkansans a top priority and are proud to dedicate our new research center in memory of Bookout.

Peter Emanuel, M.D., Director of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller

Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

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Managing arthritis painThanks to the variety of pain relief

medications available today, your arthritis pain doesn’t have to prevent you from enjoying life. But what can you do to ensure your medicine is helping and not harming you? Read the free Managing Arthritis Pain package from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

For your arthritis pain, your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever or tell you to buy one over-the-counter. Be sure to ask some important questions about it: How should I take it? What side effects should I watch for? What should I do if I miss a dose? Before you’re prescribed a new medicine, make sure to tell your health care provider about other medicines you’re taking. Your over-the-counter cold medication might contain acetamino-phen, and if you’re already taking a prescription pain reliever with acetaminophen, you risk damaging your liver. And remember, taking more than the amount recommended won’t relive more pain, and taking a pain reliever longer than the recommended number of days may cause other problems.

For your arthritis information packet call 1-888-878-3256.

28 RURAL ARKANSAS

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Teressa Duncan of Paragould is married to Brian Duncan, CEO of Craighead Electric Cooperative. They have two sons; Brady, 23, a senior at Arkansas State University; and Tanner, 18, a freshman at Black River Tech College. Teressa is an agent with Mark Miller Insurance and Financial Services in Paragould. An active member of the Paragould Kiwanis Club, she also volunteers in the nursery of East Side Baptist Church where they have been members for 14 years. The family enjoys going to St. Louis Cardinals baseball games, spending time at Lake Norfork and playing golf.

eASY OMeLetSWhen cooking breakfast for a group, give each person a Ziploc bag with their name on it. Crack 2-3 eggs in bag and have them squash the eggs until mixed well. Have ingredients ready to place in bags. Examples: ham, cooked bacon, cooked sausage, onion, peppers, cheeses, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes. Remove most of the air from bag when sealing. Place sealed bags in a large pot of boiling water. Cook for 13 minutes. Remove bag with tongs and open; omelets roll right out.

CHICKen AnD RICe

Chop pepper and onion; cook in small skillet along with butter and garlic until tender. In a 3 quart sauce pan add tomatoes, mushrooms, cooked peppers, onions, garlic, chili powder, oregano, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat for 20 minutes uncovered. Add corn starch to water and stir well. Slowly pour and stir corn starch mixture to saucepan. Cook 1-2 minutes. Place deboned chicken into saucepan and remove from heat. Pour chicken mixture over cooked rice and serve with French bread.

RItZ CHICKen

Place Ritz crackers in a large zip lock bag seal and crush. Add more crackers until you have at least 2 tubes of crackers crushed. Add salt, pepper, seasoned salt and garlic salt to taste, approximately 1 teaspoon of each. Cut chicken breast into large nugget sized pieces. Dip chicken pieces in melted butter, place 4-5 pieces at a time in bag and shake to coat with cracker crumbs. Place on flat baking dish. When all chicken is battered, place in 375 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes to an hour according to size of nuggets.

eASY pOtAtO SOup

Peel and cut up potatoes, onion, celery and carrots. Place ingredients in 3 quart saucepan along with chicken broth and salt and pepper. Cook until tender. Lower heat; add margarine, evaporated milk and Velveeta cheese. Stir to keep from sticking. Cook until cheese and butter are melted. Add bacon prior to serving.

HOMeMADe CHOCOLAte SHeet CAKe

Sift sugar, flour and baking soda in bowl. Melt margarine in saucepan, add cocoa and stir. Add water and bring to a boil. Pour over flour mixture. Add buttermilk, eggs and vanilla flavoring. Stir well. Pour into a greased cookie sheet with sides. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

ICInG FOR CHOCOLAte SHeet CAKe

Melt margarine in sauce; add cocoa and buttermilk and bring to a boil. Add powdered sugar and vanilla flavoring and stir until sugar is mixed in well. Pour over cake while hot; let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting.

tAStY GReen BeAnS

Drain beans; wrap 1/2 piece of bacon around 6-8 beans. Lay in long baking dish with sides. Mix melted butter, brown sugar, salt, pepper and garlic. Pour over beans and bacon. Bake 325 for 30 minutes covered. Uncover and bake 20-25 minutes.

BROCCOLI AnD CAuLIFLOWeR SALAD

Cut vegetables and cheese into small bite size pieces. Toss together in large bowl. Mix together mayonnaise/Miracle Whip, Green Goddess dressing, sugar, vinegar and salt and pepper. Pour over veggies and cheese; stir well. Add bacon.

SAuSAGe DIp

Cook sausage; remove as much grease as possible. Mix salsa/picante sauce with cream cheese. Add cooked sausage to cheese mixture; stir again, serve with corn chips or tortilla chips.

eASY pIZZAS

Spread pizza sauce on tortillas, add toppings. Cover with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 5-8 minutes, watching closely to keep crust for burning.

Recipes from Teressa’s kitchen

3-4 large chicken breasts, cooked and deboned 2 cups broth from boiled chicken 1 green pepper 1 onion 1/2 clove garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder 2 tablespoons butter

16 oz. can whole tomatoes 1 small jar sliced mushrooms 2 teaspoons parsley flakes 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1 tablespoon corn starch 1 cup water Salt and pepper to taste 3-4 cups cooked rice

Boneless chicken breasts Ritz crackers 1/2 cup butter or margarine Garlic salt

Seasoned salt Salt pepper

6 large red potatoes or 8 small ones 1/2 large onion 2-3 stalks celery 2-3 carrots 2 cans chicken broth

1/2 stick margarine 12 oz. can evaporated milk Velveeta cheese to taste Salt and pepper to taste 3-4 strips bacon, cooked, crumbled

2 cups sugar 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 sticks margarine 4 tablespoons cocoa

1 cup water 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

1 stick margarine 4 tablespoons cocoa 6 tablespoons buttermilk

1 box powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

4 cans whole green beans 1 lb. bacon 3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted Salt, pepper and garlic to taste

1 head fresh cauliflower 1 bunch fresh broccoli 1 small block mild cheddar cheese 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip 2 tablespoons sugar

Green goddess salad dressing Salt and pepper to taste 1 tablespoon vinegar 4-5 strips bacon fried and crumbled

1 lb. sausage, mild or hot 2 pkgs. cream cheese, softened

1 large jar salsa or picante sauce, hot or mild Corn chips or tortilla chips

4 flour tortillas Ragu pizza sauce Mozzarella cheese

Your choice of ham, pepperoni, cooked hamburger or sausage, onion peppers, mushrooms and vegetables

OCTOBER 2009 29

Cleaning alone may not kill viruses

Antibacterial soap may not be enough to prevent the spread of germs during flu season, according to the Cooperative Extension Service.

Antibacterial dishwashing liquids and hand soaps contain an ingredient that kills bacteria on skin, but are not formulated for killing cold and flu viruses.

Viruses are very simple and composed of bits of genetic material wrapped inside a tough protein shell that can survive for hours or even days on everyday surfaces, such as countertops and keyboards.

Disinfecting surfaces will help kill flu germs. It’s important to understand that ‘cleaning’ and ‘disinfecting’ are not the same thing.

Cleaning gets rid of visible dirt and grime. Disinfecting destroys the viruses and bacteria not visible to the naked eye.

Cleaning with soap and water to remove dirt and most of the germs is usually enough, but, when it comes to flu germs, you will want to disinfect for an extra level of protection.

Disinfecting surfaces can be done with a bleach and water solution made with one-quarter cup of unscented bleach to one gallon of cool water.

Tips for using this disinfectant:• Never mix bleach with ammonia or

any other cleaner.• If you need a small amount, use one

tablespoon of bleach in a quart of water. • It’s best to mix up a fresh batch

every time you use it, or store in a labeled spray bottle with snug top, out of direct sunlight (under counter is best).

• Make a fresh batch every few days to a week.

• Apply to surfaces. Let air dry or stand for at least 30 seconds before wiping dry.

Once applied, don’t let germs hang around on cleaning cloths or towels.Choose paper towels that can be thrown away or cloth towels that will be laundered in hot water after one use.

Bleach can be toxic. Be sure to use gloves and eye protection and be sure to work in a well-ventilated area. — Extension Service

Financing available for:• Homes in Town or the Country• Small Acreage to Large Tracts of Land• Homes and Home Construction• Home and Farm Improvements• Mortgage Refinancing• Recreation or Investment Property• Outbuildings, Barns and Equipment

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30 RURAL ARKANSAS

butterfly sandwiches 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 green onion, chopped 2 tablespoons shredded carrot 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese 4 1⁄2 teaspoons ranch salad dressing mix 1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise 8 slices white bread 8 fresh baby carrots 16 fresh chives (about 2 to 4 inches long) 16 carrot strips (about 1 1⁄2 inches long) Sliced pimiento-stuffed olives

•Placechickeninalargeskillet;addenoughwatertocover.Bringtoaboil.Reduceheat;coverandsimmerfor12-14minutesoruntilchickenistenderandjuicesrunclear.Drainandcool.•Shredchicken;placeinabowl.Addonions,carrotandcheese.Combinethesaladdressingmixandmayonnaise;addtothechickenmixture.•Spreadoverhalfofthebreadslices;topwithremainingbread.Diagonallycuteachsandwichinquarters,creatingfourtriangles.Toformwings,arrangetwotriangleswithpointstowardeachotherandcrustfacingout.Foreachbutterflybody,placeonebabycarrotbetweentriangles;inserttwochivesintofillingforantennae.Placeonecarrotstripinthecenterofeachtriangle.Placeoliveslicesonwings.YIELD:4servings.Tip:SendthepartsofthissandwichtoschoolwithyourchildinZiplocBrandSandwichBagssoheorshecanassemblethebutterflytotheamazementoftheotherkidsatthelunchtable.

Praline Pumpkin PieShell 1/3-1/2 cup pecans, chopped finely 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed 3 tablespoons softened butter 1 unbaked flakey crust pie shell-10”

Filling 3 eggs lightly beaten 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt 1-1/2 cup half and half 1 16 oz. can of pumpkin

•Preheatovento450degrees.•Combinefirst3shellingredients.Mixwellwithforkandpressintothebottomofthe10”unbakedpieshell.Bakefor10minutesandsetasidetocool.•Resetoventemperatureto350degrees.Mixallfillingingredientsexceptpumpkinandcream.Thenstirinthepumpkin.Graduallyaddthecream.Pourmixtureintothepieshell.Bakepiefor45minutesoruntilaknifecomesoutclean.Aftercooling,refrigerate.Pecansmaybesprinkledontopforextranuttiness.

pizza biscuit bears 1 tube (16.3 oz) large refrigerated buttermilk biscuits 12 slices pepperoni 12 slices ripe olives 1 tablespoon chopped green pepper 1 jar (2 oz) sliced pimientos, drained 2 tablespoons shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese 1 can (8 oz) pizza sauce, optional

•Separatebiscuits;placesixbiscuits3in.apartonanungreasedbakingsheet.Cuteachremainingbiscuitintosixpieces;rolleachintoballs.Attachtwoballstoeachwholebiscuitforears;pinchdoughtoseal.•Decorateeachbearwithapepperonisliceoneachear,oliveslicesforeyes,greenpepperfornose,twopimientostripsformouthandmozzarellacheese

forfurryforelock.Bakeat375°for15-20minutesoruntilgoldenbrown.Servewithpizzasauce,ifdesired.YIELD:6servings.

pepper dip man 3 small green peppers 1 small sweet red pepper 4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese 1/3 cup chunky salsa, drained 2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish, drained 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce 2 tablespoons chopped celery 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion 3 pitted ripe olives 9 fresh baby carrots, cut lengthwise into three pieces

•Cuteachgreenpepperinhalf;removeseeds.Chopgreenpeppertops;setaside2tablespoonsfordip.Cuttopoffredpepperandremoveseeds.Cutoutthreemouthsandchop2tablespoonsredpepper;setaside.•Inasmallbowl,combinethecreamcheese,salsa,picklerelishandpeppersauceuntilblended.Stirinthecelery,onionandreservedchoppedpeppers.Coverandrefrigerateforatleast1hour.•Makecutsformouthsandeyes.Insertolivesforeyesandreservedredpeppermouths.•PlaceeachpepperinaZiplocBrandTwist‘nLoc®Container.Filleachwith1/3cupdip.Insertreservedcarrotsticksintodipforhair.

Create a Back-to-School Lunchbox Delight

OCTOBER 2009

31

!GARAGE SPECIAL!Wood or Metal Buildings

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Buildings That Work For You

Far left: “Uh-oh,” Ava McKinley is caught in the pumpkin—Dwayne Walters, Sheridan

Near left: Family dog “Cruiser” sleeping in the hay—Kerry & Bobbie Jensen, Rogers

Far left: Roscoe cannot budge this big one—Mary & Bill Benedict, Walnut Ridge

Near left: Bela Wilson loves her bumble bee costume—Becky Davis, Monticello

Below: Perfect picture, eagle watch on the moon—Terry Stanfill, Gentry

ReflectionsIt’s Halloween in Rural Arkansas

Far left: “Wow” This ghost was seen lurking in the woods on Hall Mountain, south of Flippin—Grover Slocum, Wynne

Near left: Rebecca with her original Jack O’Lanterns—Donna Coco, Cabot

Far left: Savannah as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz—Ann Halter, Horatio

Near left: Buttercup lounging in the mums completes the picture—Kelley Easley Dotson, Arkadelphia

OCTOBER 2009 33

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALER

BentonJones Heating & Air(501) 778-3324

BrooklandNightingale Mechanical(870) 933-1200

Cabot Stedfast Heat & Air(501) 843-4860

CamdenTillery Heating & Air (870) 818-0569

DeQueenBill Lee Co.(870) 642-7127

DumasMizel Heating & Air(870) 382-5250

Hot SpringsAffordable Heating & Air(501) 622-0139

Middleton Heat & Air(800) 404-0371

Little Rock/N. Little RockMiddleton Heat & Air(800) 404-0371

Mountain HomeCentral Heating & Air(870) 425-4717

Custom Heating & Air(870) 425-9498

RussellvilleRood Heating & Air(479) 968-3131

SpringdalePaschasl Htg, Air & Plmg.(800) 933-0195

Tumbling ShoalsLacy Heating & Air Co.(501) 362-2718

Van BurenAmerican Energy Guard(479) 474-4604

Thanks to the Economic Recovery Act, there’s now a 30% “renewable energy” tax credit for homeowners who

install a qualifying WaterFurnace geothermal comfort system. WaterFurnace geothermal units use the clean,

renewable energy found in your own backyard to save up to 70% on heating, cooling, and hot water. They

don’t burn expensive fossil fuels, they reduce our dependence on foreign oil and also happen to be great for the

environment. Call your local dealer and discover for yourself the benefits that only WaterFurnace can provide.

waterfurnace.com | (800) GEO-SAVEWaterFurnace is a registered trademark of WaterFurnace Interna-tional, Inc. Consult your tax professional for advice on tax rebate.

34 RURAL ARKANSAS

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Mobile HomeOwners: ROOF KING

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September Puzzle

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MUSCADINES half-dollar size mus-cadines and blackberries. 200 varieties fruits, nuts, and berries. Free color catalog. Ison’s Nursery, PO Box 190, Brooks, GA 30205, 800-733-0324.

OCTOBER 2009 35

36 RURAL ARKANSAS

All-America Rose SelectionsHow does a rose become an All-America Rose Selection? Not easily, if you review the process of AARS.

The winners emerge after two years of strenuous review by test gardens around the country, including our own State Capitol Rose Garden in Little Rock. Gardens are in every temperate zone because it’s important that these award-winning roses perform in any climate. Here are the 2009 AARS winners.

Pink PromiseA graceful bloomer with long stems for cutting – will promise that your garden is a stunning spectacle this year. Most impressively, the National Breast Cancer Foundation selected this rose to officially represent a continual blooming promise of compassion and awareness. For every Pink Promise plant purchased, a percentage of the sales will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to help extend women’s lives through education and early detection. This hybrid tea’s beauty is enhanced by the contrast of its large pink blossoms set against lush dark green foliage. Along with its stunning appearance, Pink Promise has good disease resistance, and flourishes even in cooler climates. A highly fragrant rose, Pink Promise fills any room with a deliciously fruity scent.

Cinco de MayoIt will bring a fiesta of flowers to the garden. Mysteriously colored and deliriously novel…it’s an indescribable blending of smoked lavender and rusty red-orange. This festive rose may be impossible to describe but you’ll love the endless bounty of multi-colored clusters sitting amongst clean, glossy green foliage and dark red new growth. The flowers, which hold well and are fast to repeat, radiate the smell of fresh-cut golden apples. As an AARS Winner, this floribunda has fantastic disease resistance and has performed exceptionally well across the country with little-to-no care. As the offspring of the 2006 AARS award-winning Julia Child rose, Cinco de Mayo enlivens any garden, and it’s clean, round habit is ideal for use as a hedge or in a border with mixed perennials.

Carefree SpiritRecognizing that consumers want roses that are easy to care for, in 2004, AARS stopped spraying fungicides on all shrub roses in its nationwide test gardens. Carefree Spirit is the first and only landscape shrub to date to endure this real-world testing and prevail as a Winner. This mounding rose produces deep red blossoms with white twinkles in their eyes; the blooms finish pink as they bask in the sun. Carefree Spirit amplifies the disease resistance associated with its Carefree lineage, with more than ten years of hybridization improvement. Much like its parent rose, Carefree Delight™, which was a All-America Rose Selections Winner in 1996, the petals are beautifully set amongst abundant glossy, dark green foliage, however it has even better disease resistance, habit and blooming power, and will perform well in any area of the country.

OCTOBER 2009 37

30 x 50 x 10One Walk-in DoorOne Slider or Overhead

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Offi ce Hours8 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday

Located in the Arkansas River Valley

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School is back in session, weekends are marked by the sounds of football games, and the weather is turning cooler. That means one thing in Arkansas: It’s fall color season. Predicting when the peak of the oranges, golds, reds, bronzes, and yellows takes place is about as easy as knowing the exact moment it will snow.

Arkansas is blessed with many highways perfect for viewing autumn’s splashy show. Scenic Ark. 7 is the most familiar route. Ample opportunities to experience fall color and small town charm are found as the highway winds through the Ozark Mountains, the Arkansas River Valley, the Ouachita Mountains, and into the timberlands. On Sept. 16, ForbesTraveler.com named Scenic 7 as one of their top 15 picks for fall excursions.

Other well-known routes include Arkansas’s three national scenic byways: the Talimena Scenic Drive, the Great River Road, and Crowley’s Ridge Parkway. Talimena rides the crest of Rich Mountain near Mena, crossing the border into Oklahoma. Don’t miss Queen Wilhelmina State Park atop the mountain. A Sept. 10 National Geographic Traveler blog named Talimena one of the Top Ten Fall Foliage Drives in the country. Crowley’s Ridge follows its namesake geological formation through the eastern Arkansas Delta and the St. Francis National Forest. Also in this area of the state, the Great River Road parallels the Mississippi River while showcasing some of Arkansas’s most historic places.

U.S. Forest Service-designated scenic drives afford even more viewing opportunities. All of these routes are marked on the official Arkansas State Highway Map, which is included in the Arkansas Vacation Planning Kit. It can be ordered through www.Arkansas.com, 1-800-NATURAL, or 501-682-7777.

— Kerry Kraus, travel writerArkansas Department of Parks &Tourism

Fantastic fall color

Driving along Hwy 7.

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38 RURAL ARKANSAS

PARSONS DISTRIBUTING, INC.P.O. Box 1524

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Thinking Life Insurance, Unique Scholarship, Benefits, BillHarrisAgency,501-772-0512

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PLAY GOSPEL SONGS BY EAR. Piano, keyboard. 10easy lessons$12.95. “LearnGospelMusic.” Cording, runs,fills-$12.95.Both$24.Davidson, 6727RAMetcalf,ShawneeMission,Kansas66204.

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BRANGUS BULLS. Registered, gentle, with smallbirthweights. Good EPD’s for growth and milk. Raised onforage.Serviceableageandreadytowork.HatfieldBrangus,Bentonville,AR.Home-479-273-3921Cell-479-531-2605

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OCTOBER 2009

When in Little Rock, take a break from your busy day and explore a fascinating spot downtown in the bustling River Market District. You might not expect to find the H.U. Lee International Gate & Garden somewhere like Little Rock, however, if you are among the million students trained in the 1,500 taekwondo schools he inspired worldwide, you would understand. Lee helped bring the sport to America and the rest of the world. He founded the American Taekwondo Association (ATA) in 1969 then moved the headquarters to Little Rock in 1977. Each year, in June, more than 20,000 contestants and visitors jam the city for the World Championships. Lee, known in martial arts as the Eternal Grand Master, died in 2000. He holds the only 10th degree black belt ever awarded by the ATA. His widow, Sun C. Lee, chairperson of the ATA, says this garden is a unique place of personal reflection that was inspired by the Songahm style of taekwondo which Lee developed. Constructed alongside the State House Convention Center,

the Gate & Garden will serve as a place of personal reflection and an opportunity to learn more about the motivating and positive lifestyle of Songahm. Symbols of the sport abound in this peaceful setting. In addition to sculptures of Lee there are statues of a male and female student. There’s a 27-foot-wide reflective pool built in the shape of the Songahm star and a sculpture of the staff of the flying dragon used in martial arts ceremonies. Many kinds of trees including cypresses, weeping cedars and Japanese maples decorate the area which will lend color and textures throughout the year. The brightly painted, 80-ton garden gate, crafted by Korean artists, greets you at the entrance. It’s meant as a symbol of welcome. After a busy day of sightseeing, this is a welcome spot indeed.

Open 24 hours daily. Admission is free. For more information contact the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-844-4781, or visit www.ataonline.com

39

A quiet place of refection in the middle of downtown

The H.U. Lee International Gate & Garden.

Many kinds of trees and plants decorate the fountain area.

The brightly-painted garden gate is a symbol of welcome.

40 RURAL ARKANSAS

Nov 1: Fall Colors Canoe Float, Little Rock, 501-868-5806

Nov 1: Christmas Open House, Heber Springs, 501-362-8287

Nov 4: Eagle Watch Tour, Mtn. Pine, 501-767-9366

Nov 5: Chilln’ on Main, Ashdown, 870-898-3147

Nov 5-8: Ozark Folk Festival, Eureka Springs, 479-253-2586

Nov 6: Live@5, Pine Bluff, 870-536-3375

Nov 6-7: Foothills Festival, Black Rock, 870-878-6639

Nov 6-8: Klassy Kruzers Fun Run, Crossett, 870-364-3842

Nov 6-7: Ozark Heartland Arts & Crafts, Harrison, 870-741-7388

Nov 6-7: Frosty Festival, Mtn. Home, 870-404-5850

Nov 6-8: Fall Foliage Weekend, Dardanelle, 479-229-3655

Nov 7: Sunset Symphony and Star Party, Greenbrier, 501-679-2098

Nov 7: American Indian Herbs & Remedies, Parkin, 479-755-2500

Nov 7: Greers Ferry Chamber of Commerce Chili Challenge, 501-825-7063

Nov 7: Cemetery Symposium, Marshall, 479-442-3691

Nov 7-8: Main Street Christmas Open House, Van Buren, 479-474-5155

Nov 7-8: Cowboy Trade Days, Poteau, OK, 918-647-3328

Nov 7-8: Fall Gun & Knife Show, Hardy, 870-856-3571

Nov 7-8: Civil War Weekend, Washington, 870-983-2684

Nov 8: Polenta Smear, Tontitown, 479-750-8165

Nov 11-14: Holiday House, Little Rock, 501-375-5557

Nov 12-14: Fall Bluegrass Festival, Mtn. View, 800-455-2704

Nov 13: Arts and Craft Fair, Stilwell, OK, 918-696-4749

Nov 13-14: Helping Hands Craft Show, Benton, 501-778-6609

Nov 13-14: Craftsfest, Mtn. Home, 870-404-7742Nov 14: Flea Market, Altus, 479-468-4684Nov 14: Heaven’s Gift Christmas Expo,

Greenbrier, 501-679-6362Nov 14: Sounds of the Season Concert,

Holiday Island, 479-253-7744Nov 14: Fall Bluegrass Show, Hope,

870-777-3640Nov 14: Newcomers Christmas Bazaar, Searcy,

501-279-0070Nov 19: The Diamonds, Hot Springs/Hot

Springs Village, 501-915-8822Nov 20: Wine and Cheese Preview Reception,

Eureka Springs, 479-253-7551Nov 20: Festival of Trees, Helena-West Helena,

870-338-9144Nov 20-21: Holiday Craft & Gift Sale, Jacksonville,

501-982-0818Nov 21-22: Fall Antique Show & Sale, Eureka

Springs, 479-244-5167Nov 21-22: Classic Car Cruise, Mtn. View,

870-664-0196Nov 21-28: World’s Championship Duck

Calling, Stuttgart, 870-673-1602Nov 21-Dec 31: Lights on the Landscape

Display, Garvan Gardens, Hot Springs, 501-262-9300

Nov 25-Dec 31: White River Winter, Bull Shoals, 870-445-4443

Nov 26: Thanksgiving Buffet, Mena, 479-394-2863

Nov 26: Thanksgiving Buffet, Mtn. View, 870-269-3851

Nov 27-28: Winter Wonderland Crafts Festival, Hot Springs, 501-262-3651

Nov 28: Fall Hayride & Campfire, Little Rock, 501-868-5806

Calendar of Events

OCTOBER 2009 41

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Tamper resistant outlets

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately

2,400 children receive emergency room treatment every year for injuries caused by inserting objects—paper clips, pens, safety pins, screws and nails, tools, wire, forks, tweezers, hair pins, keys, knives, coins, and more—into electrical receptacles. This equates to approximately seven children each day.

Injuries range from electric shock to burns; pediatric burns can be particularly serious. Roughly 89 percent of injuries occur in children less than six years old.

One way to prevent these tragedies involves installing tamper-resistant outlets that prevent foreign objects from touching electrically live components. A shutter mechanism prevents children from sticking things into receptacles, while a spring-loaded system lets electricity flow only when equal pressure is applied simultaneously to both shutters (such as from an electrical plug).

Although not widely used in homes, tamper-resistant outlets have been required in hospital pediatric care areas for more than 20 years. The 2008 National Electrical Code requires tamper-resistant outlets in new homes.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) recommends retrofit-ting older homes with these safety devices. Installation of tamper-resistant outlets can be done for as little as $2 each.

42 RURAL ARKANSAS

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OCTOBER 2009 43

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The 2009 Energy Efficiency Home Makeover is complete and it has been a life-changing experience for Aaron and Jerissa Rogers. The project would not have been possible without the hard work of the Electric Cooperatives of ArkansasMakeover Team and our sponsor partners.Their generous contributions of equipment,supplies and countless man hours helped makethe Rogers family’s dream come true.

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