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Month: October 2018

SECO News, November 2018

DUNCAN’S DIGEST

 

CAPITAL CREDITS

 

They say money doesn’t grow on trees, but as a member, your 2018 Capital Credits retirement has sprouted and arrives in your November bill.

May 2018 SECO News Duncan's Digest

 

You, along with 200,000+ residents are members of a not-for-profit cooperative founded in 1938 as Sumter Electric Cooperative with just 500 members. Things have changed over the years. Those meager roots planted 80 years ago have thrived.

 

Your membership branches into ownership through energy purchases – the proverbial fertilizer of patronage capital. Ownership is defined through the annual process of allocating each member’s share of the co-op’s margins from the prior year. The annual amounts for each member who purchases electric service during the year are referred to as Capital Credit allocations.

 

Capital Credits are the accumulation of all prior year’s revenue after the co-op’s operating costs and expenses are paid. These credits are allocated on a pro-rata basis to each SECO Energy member’s account as Capital Credits.

 

During its October meeting, SECO’s Board of Trustees approved a record $5.5 million to be returned (retired) to members. Since SECO’s inception, the co-op has retired more than $63.3 million to current and former members. This year’s Capital Credits return is rooted in sound financial stewardship by SECO’s Board, the leadership team and our dedicated employees.

 

Each member receiving a 2018 Capital Credits retirement will see the amount on their spruced-up November billing statement listed as a line item labeled “Capital Credits Ret.” Business members with retirements over $1,000 will receive a check. If you move out of SECO territory, keep your mailing address updated so we can send future Capital Credit retirements.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Duncan

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

SECO Champions November 2018
Meet two SECO Champions – Melissa and Matthew – two examples of our 400+ SECO Champion employees. Melissa and Matthew are dedicated to providing exceptional service to members, co-workers and communities.

 

MELISSA LACASSE – SYSTEM CONTROL COORDINATOR

 

LENGTH OF SERVICE – 25 YEARS

 

“My job is awesome.”

 

 

SECO Champion Melissa Lacasse is a System Control Coordinator at our SECO Headquarters who is responsible for monitoring the power delivery to SECO’s over 200,000 members. SECO’s System Control Coordinators work shifts around-the-clock, 365 days a year directing line technicians to service calls throughout our 2,100-square mile territory. Melissa and her family (her husband Ken is also a SECO employee) are long-time residents of Marion County. They enjoy football, boating and spearfishing. During Melissa’s 25-year SECO career, she has worked as a Member Services Representative, Meter Reader, Line Technician and a System Control Coordinator. “At SECO, we are a tight-knit group, whether at work or in the communities we serve. My family was thrilled when SECO hired me, and it is a blessing to work at SECO.”

 

MATTHEW DIXON – SERVICE TECHNICIAN

 

LENGTH OF SERVICE – 12 YEARS

 

“I enjoy helping people.”

 

 

SECO Champion Matthew Dixon is a Service Technician who responds to service calls and works to restore members’ power safely. Matthew’s work area covers Bushnell, Inverness, Lady Lake, The Villages and Webster. Originally from Dallas (yes, he’s a Cowboys fan), he moved to Central Florida in 1991 and joined the SECO team in 2006. Matthew, his wife, five children and 15 grandchildren attend church together where he plays bass guitar. Matthew credits his enjoyment of helping people as the reason he became a SECO Line Technician. He is prepared to respond to outage calls day or night and the appreciation he receives from members keeps him going. Watch Matthew’s video on our YouTube Channel to learn how he got the nickname “Hollywood.”

 

 

 

Safe Decorating November 2018 SECO News

SAFE DECORATING

 

‘TIS THE SEASON to spread goodwill and cheer while impressing your neighbors with your Christmas creativity.

 

For your safety, SECO prohibits Christmas décor or other attachments on its poles or decorative lights. Never place a ladder against a SECO area light or pole – you can damage the pole or suffer an electric shock.

 

Please share your Christmas joy with your neighbors, but refrain from including SECO facilities in your festive design. Decorate safely this season – Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

Holiday Energy Efficiency November 2018

HOLIDAY ENERGY EFFICIENCY

 

The holidays are just around the corner which means extra baking and cooking, along with holiday decorations. Don’t forget about energy efficiency while you are celebrating your families’ holiday traditions.

 

When baking, resist opening the oven door. Each time the door opens, the oven’s temperature can drop as much as 25 degrees which can add cooking time. Another tip – if a recipe calls for baking time over one hour – don’t waste the time and energy it takes to preheat the oven.

 

Most of us love bright, twinkling holiday lights – be sure to choose LEDs. These are more efficient, last longer and are safer than older incandescent lights. LEDs use less energy and produce less heat than standard incandescent lights.

 

Here’s to a happy, healthy, energy-efficient holiday season!

 

 

 

Toys for Tots SECO News November 2018

TOYS FOR TOTS

 

Would you like a chance to play Santa for local children in need of Christmas gifts? SECO Energy’s five Member Service Centers are available to the public as U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program drop-off locations.

 

Join the SECO crew in donating a new, unwrapped toy or two for Toys for Tots at a Member Service Center in Eustis, Groveland, Inverness, Ocala or Sumterville. SECO will gather toys through the first week of December.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is dedicated to the communities it serves. Our employees are ever-so-generous in their support of Toys for Tots and other community endeavors for which they volunteer their personal time. Thousands of children will wake up to presents under the tree on Christmas morning thanks to our employees’ and members’ giving spirit.

 

Read the full November 2018 SECO News online.

Nature’s Reflections – Eastern Indigo Snake

A RARE, YET BENEFICIAL FRIEND TO HAVE AROUND

 

While it may make one’s heart jump at first sight, the Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) is harmless and beneficial. This rare snake plays an important role in Florida’s delicate ecosystem. The record length is 104 inches. Yes, that’s 8 foot, 8 inches. It is the largest of the native nonvenomous snakes found in North America and is federally protected. It has been classified as a threatened species in Florida since 1971. It is illegal (a third-degree felony) to harm, handle, harass or possess the indigo snake.

 

The main reason for the indigo’s decline is habitat loss. With a documented range of 400 to 1,400 acres, indigos need relatively large areas of undeveloped land to flourish. Indigos are not restricted to sand habitats. They are commonly found around ponds, cabbage palm and hardwood hammocks.

 

Indigos are more black than blue with smooth, shiny scales and a reddish chin and throat. Its young are lighter in color and have a faint banded pattern. This reptile often seeks a sheltered refuge such as gopher tortoise or armadillo burrows and holes in stumps. These dens are used for egg laying, shedding and protection from temperature extremes. Indigos breed from October to February. Four to 12 eggs are laid in May or June, but do not hatch until August or September. Indigo hatchlings are usually about 16 inches long.

 

Indigo snakes feed heavily on frogs and other snakes. Indigos are immune to venom, which allows it to eat rattlesnakes and pit vipers as well as rodents and small prey. Its large size and strong jaws enable it to eat its prey live.

 

This snake is vulnerable to highway mortality, feral pigs, pollutants and killing by uninformed persons. Indigos may not be kept as pets, picked up, collected or sold per Florida Statute.

 

If you’re lucky enough to see an Eastern indigo, take a moment to appreciate its usefulness and let it be. It may give you a fright, but it is not aggressive and quite harmless. It is an important and beneficial segment of Florida’s wildlife.

 

Column & photos by Sandi Staton – sandi.staton@gmail.com

 

Read the full Nature’s Reflections article in the November 2018 SECO News online.

SECO Energy District 7 Members Elect New Trustee Joseph E. Kusiak

On Thursday, October 25, members who attended SECO Energy’s District 7 Special Meeting voted to elect Joseph E. Kusiak to represent their District and the members at large on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees. The Special Meeting was held in the District to fill the Board vacancy after former Trustee Rob Henion resigned in August.

 

Originally from Massachusetts, Mr. Kusiak and his wife, Carmen, became SECO members after moving from Bronson to Dunnellon in 2002. Mr. Kusiak is an attorney, who has over 30 years of military experience – in the Army and the Air Force. Mr. Kusiak holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Math from American International College, and a Juris Doctor Degree in Law from New England School of Law.

 

SECO Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative, operated for and owned by its members. SECO members elect their fellow members to SECO’s nine-member Board of Trustees. Collectively, the Board represents the SECO membership, meeting monthly to monitor the financial status of the cooperative while providing fiduciary oversight and participating in policy decisions that serve the best interests of the members at large.

 

Members in District 7 gathered at the Rainbow Lakes Estates Community Center in Dunnellon to elect a new District 7 Trustee to serve the remainder of Mr. Henion’s three-year term. In September, Reverend Harold N. Damon from Ocala and Mr. Joseph E. Kusiak from Dunnellon both submitted a letter of intent to run, and expressed their willingness to represent the members of District 7.

 

Kusiak stated, “District 7 members, thank you for your votes and for trusting me to act as your District 7 representative on the SECO Energy Board of Trustees. I am looking forward to what I believe will be a new, interesting experience as a SECO Trustee. My wife and I enjoy attending SECO’s Annual Meeting, the employees do a great job and I am excited to lend the SECO team a hand through my Board service.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “I congratulate Mr. Kusiak on his successful election and I also want to thank Reverend Damon for his willingness to serve as well. With the Board’s guidance, SECO has enjoyed a decade of improved reliability, highest member satisfaction ratings, a high growth rate and strong financial results. Mr. Kusiak is a welcome addition to the Board, and I look forward to working with him and our current Board members.”

 

Visit Your Co-op page online for photos and brief bios of the Trustees along with an interactive District map. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Sends Fresh Aid to Panhandle for Hurricane Michael Restoration

SECO Energy has organized a fresh module of employees to travel to Florida’s Panhandle to assist in power restoration.

 

Hurricane Michael was a powerful Category 4 hurricane with 155 mile per hour winds when it made landfall near Mexico Beach on Wednesday, October 10. At landfall, Hurricane Michael was stronger than the infamous Hurricanes Katrina and Andrew. Almost three weeks after the hurricane ravaged North Florida’s gulf coast, thousands of Floridians remain without power. Over those three weeks, teams of SECO employees and contractors have assisted Tri-County and Talquin Electric Cooperatives with their restoration efforts. Many of those employees are preparing to return home and a new group of employees departed for a utility still in need.

 

A module of SECO first class line technicians, a superintendent, a crew supervisor, a mechanic and a reliability engineer departed from the SECO Energy headquarters campus early this morning to join the Hurricane Michael restoration effort at Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative headquartered in Wewahitchka. Gulf Coast’s headquarters is located only 22 miles north east of Mexico Beach. Gulf Coast serves 20,000 members in six North Florida counties, approximately 6,500 or thirty-two percent of its members remain without power.

 

The module who left this morning is the third module of SECO employees sent to the area. On October 11, the day after Hurricane Michael’s landfall, twenty-one SECO employees traveled first to Tri-County Electric Cooperative in Madison to help restore Tri-County’s electric system. Once released, SECO employees joined the restoration effort at Talquin Electric Cooperative headquartered in Quincy. After additional employees joined in the effort, thirty-four SECO employees have been working in Talquin’s territory for over a week.

 

Talquin’s restoration effort is almost complete and the co-op has begun releasing out-of-area crews. Of the employees working on Talquin’s system, twenty-two will return home later today, and four will join the SECO module who left SECO’s headquarters this morning to restore power to Gulf Coast members. The majority of SECO’s overhead and tree trimming contract crews remain in the hurricane ravaged area.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “The restoration effort after Hurricane Michael has been a long, time-consuming process. As a cooperative, SECO believes in helping its neighbors and answering the call when our fellow utilities need assistance. SECO and its employees are honored to be in a position to lend our resources and help where we can.”

 

Duncan added, “Working with energized lines is inherently dangerous, and power restoration after a major hurricane is even more dangerous. In Florida, 35 deaths have been attributed to Hurricane Michael including three of our fellow line personnel who were killed while working in Chipley. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these linemen. I pray for the safety of our crews and contractors who are working in the area, and for all who are working to rebuild after Hurricane Michael.”

 

Vice President of Operations John LaSelva stated, “Once again, SECO employees are willing to leave their families to work with neighboring utilities to help restore power. When we asked for volunteers, SECO employees didn’t hesitate. They understand how important an everyday necessity like electricity is to these families. Three weeks without electricity is a long time. I am proud of our employees and pray for their safety.”

 

SECO Traveling Module Team Members:

 

• Roy Fort
• Kenny Davis
• Terrill Cuyler
• Paul Gannon
• Adan Ybarra
• David Boone
• Cody Chandler
• Michael Gonzalez
• Logan Land
• Kyle Stephenson
• Justin Little
• Kyle Rich
• Frank Ray
• Matt Akins
• Will Smith
• Jimmy Johns
• Austin Ferguson
• Brian Bailey
• Jimmy Bedgood
• Andy Andrews
• Bill Durham
• Vic Singer
• Mark Cummings
• Wayne Taylor
• Byon Smiddy
• Darren Adkins
• Jeff Jowers
• Robert Scott
• Gary Lamb
• Mark McIntosh
• Vic Keesling
• Brian Jefferson
• Chris Reynolds

 

SECO Energy provides online resources to help families prepare for tropical storms and hurricanes. Visit our Storm Preparation page online to view an emergency checklist, generator safety information and storm preparation tips. Bookmark SECO’s StormCenter outage map on your smartphone and tablets to easily access the outage reporting platform. Enroll to receive outage communications via voice, text or email. StormCenter is available online.

 

“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates. Visit the Your Co-op page online to learn more about SECO’s corporate citizenship and other community outreach initiatives.

SECO Energy Trustee Scott Boyatt Earns Board Leadership Certificate

SECO Energy Board District 1 Trustee Scott Boyatt has been recognized for earning his Board Leadership Certificate through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

 

According to the NRECA, the Board Leadership Certificate is a series of courses that focus on specific industry and governance issues that directly impact electric cooperatives. Participants learn more about risk management, power supply, parliamentary procedure, technology and policy development. The Board Leadership Certificate is designed to prepare directors and trustees of electric cooperatives to navigate the issues and challenges facing electric co-ops today and in the future.

 

A SECO member since 2004, Boyatt lives in Clermont and has represented the District 1 members on SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees for five years. Boyatt was first elected to SECO’s Board in 2013.

 

Trustee Boyatt stated, “The NRECA’s Director Certificate Programs provide a solid foundation of skills that are helpful in serving SECO members on SECO’s Board of Trustees. Continuing my education through the NRECA provides meaningful skills that enhance my ability to serve members’ interests. I am thankful for the opportunity to expand my knowledge of the utility industry and to put those skills into practice while representing members in District 1 and SECO’s membership at large through my years of Board service.”

 

CEO Jim Duncan praised Trustee Boyatt’s commitment to enhancing his education to benefit SECO members. Duncan stated, “I am proud of Trustee Boyatt for taking the next step in his Trustee education by engaging in the NRECA’s Board education program. I commend Mr. Boyatt’s willingness to serve SECO members as the District 1 Trustee and salute his commitment to our members.”

 

Photos and brief bios of the Trustees along with an interactive District map are available online. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates.

SECO Crews Aid in Hurricane Michael Restoration

SECO Energy organized a module of SECO employees to travel to the Florida Panhandle to aid in power restoration after Hurricane Michael’s 155 mph winds, torrential rains, and immense storm surges ravaged the area. SECO also released contract crews who are also traveling Thursday morning to the damaged areas to aid in restoration.

 

Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, on Wednesday afternoon as a powerful Category 4 hurricane with 155 mile per hour winds. The hurricane moved swiftly east through Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina before being downgraded to a tropical storm around midnight Wednesday. Hundreds of thousands of consumers are without power in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. Michael is responsible for at least two deaths in Florida.

 

A module of SECO first class line technicians, a superintendent, a crew supervisor, a mechanic and a project engineer departed from the SECO Energy headquarters compound early Thursday morning to assist in power restoration at Tri-County Electric Cooperative in Madison, Florida. Tri-County serves members in Dixie, Jefferson, Madison and Taylor Counties along the Gulf of Mexico coast.

 

Wednesday evening, SECO released a portion of its contractor work force to aid in restoration as well. Crews from overhead line contractor Pike are traveling to West Florida Electric Cooperative in Graceville, Florida.

 

CEO Jim Duncan stated, “Cooperative members in North Florida desperately need assistance. Cooperation among Cooperatives is one of the seven Cooperative Principles, and SECO and its employees are honored to be called upon to aid in power restoration. The cooperative bond is strong, and we believe in working together to help our members’ lives return to normal.”

 

Duncan added, “My thoughts and prayers are offered for all who were devastated by Hurricane Michael and for the safety of our crews and contractors who are traveling to assist.”

 

Vice President of Operations John LaSelva stated, “A Category 4 hurricane like Hurricane Michael wreaks havoc on homes, businesses and electric systems that consumers rely on. The news coverage clearly shows that the hurricane’s destruction was catastrophic. SECO employees were quick to volunteer and answer the call for aid. After Hurricane Irma’s destruction in SECO’s territory last year when so many crews came to assist us, SECO employees believe they have a duty to help our neighboring cooperatives and their members. It was a proud moment this morning seeing our employees off and praying for their safety.”

 

SECO Traveling Module Team Members:

 

• Bubba Cole
• Kenneth Budd
• Rodney Lipps
• Mark Locklear
• Kenny Merritt
• Gary Zachary
• Robby Pruett
• Eric Fort
• David Olszanski
• Cory McNeal
• Kent Sprague
• Derek Eveleth
• Brandon Blackmon
• Tommy Lakin
• Logan Delk
• Troy Clough
• Robert Recanzone
• Ryan Hendrix
• Rick Walsh
• Rich Freyser

 

SECO Energy provides online resources to help families prepare for tropical storms and hurricanes. View an emergency checklist, generator safety information and storm preparation tips online. Bookmark SECO’s StormCenter outage map on your smartphone and tablets to easily access the outage reporting platform. Enroll to receive outage communications via voice, text or email. StormCenter is available online at SECOEnergy.com>StormCenter.

 

“Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” @SECOEnergy on Twitter for news releases and cooperative updates. Visit our Community page online to learn more about SECO’s corporate citizenship and other community outreach initiatives.

SECO Energy Prepared for Hurricane Michael’s Outer Bands

SECO Energy has been closely monitoring Hurricane Michael and its outer storm bands that bring the possibility of heavy rainfall, winds and even tornado threats into Central Florida.

 

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), as of 7 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, Hurricane Michael is moving north at 12 mph and is located 90 miles southwest of Panama City in the Florida Panhandle. Michael has quickly picked up speed and intensity to become a Category 4 hurricane. Forecasters project landfall will be early this afternoon between Panama City and Pensacola.

 

Tropical storm force winds extend 150 miles from the hurricane’s center. The hurricane’s current position puts SECO’s service territory outside of this range. SECO’s area is forecast to have winds in the 20 mph range, but wind gusts and rain in the outer bands will impact Marion and Levy Counties.

 

Though wind speeds will not be hurricane or tropical storm force in SECO’s territory, strong storm bands passing through SECO’s service territory are a significant threat. Members should prepare for a rainy Wednesday and possibly Thursday. Heavy rains coupled with wind, could cause trees to fall and result in power outages. Tornadoes spawned by these winds and rains are a danger as well.

 

After the threat of storm bands from Hurricane Michael have passed the area, SECO plans to release contracted Pike crews to the North Florida areas damaged by the hurricane to aid in restoration. Additionally, a module of SECO employees will be sent for restoration aid after hurricane dangers have passed.

 

CEO Jim Duncan asks members to remain vigilant, “Hurricane Michael will not make landfall near SECO’s service territory, but members will experience rains and high wind gusts. Be alert for the possibility of tornadoes which can be extremely dangerous. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Panhandle residents in the direct path. I’m grateful that SECO is in the position to send reinforcements to damaged areas.”

 

SECO Energy is StormReady and is committed to keeping members informed of weather that impacts the area. Visit Storm Preparation online to view an emergency checklist and storm preparation ideas. Watch our Facebook and Twitter pages for Tropical Storm Michael updates. Most important, be sure you’ve bookmarked our new StormCenter outage map and set your email, text and voice notifications preferences. StormCenter is mobile friendly and designed to perform on smartphones and tablets.

SECO Energy Preparing for Wind and Rain from Hurricane Michael

SECO Energy is preparing for the possibility of high winds, rain and the threat of tornadoes in Central Florida from Hurricane Michael’s outer bands.

 

As of 7 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, Hurricane Michael has picked up speed and is moving north-northwestward through the southern Gulf of Mexico at 12 mph. Hurricane Michael is currently a Category 2 hurricane with winds speeds between 96 and 110 mph. Tropical storm force winds extend 150 miles from the hurricane’s center.

 

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Michael is strengthening and forecasters believe the storm will continue to increase in speed and intensity before making landfall near Panama City in the Florida Panhandle Wednesday afternoon.

 

SECO forecasters project the strongest winds to remain outside of our service area. Marion and Levy County members will experience the brunt of the strong winds, but still well below 30 mph. The tropical storm force wind speeds should remain at least 50 miles outside of SECO’s territory.

 

Though wind speeds will not be hurricane force, be only slightly high, strong storm bands passing through SECO’s service territory are a significant threat. Members should prepare for large amounts of rain beginning Tuesday and lasting through Thursday, coupled with wind, could cause trees to fall and result in power outages. Additionally, the threat of tornadoes will increase on Wednesday and into Thursday. Strong storms have impacted the east coast early this morning.

 

Citrus County’s Emergency Operating Center (EOC) is activating as of 5 p.m. today, and they have issued an evacuation order for coastal areas and manufactured homes as of 3 p.m. today. Citrus County is opening four shelters today, and schools are closed through Wednesday. The Sumter, Lake, Marion, Levy, Hernando and Pasco EOCs are monitoring the storm closely. A coastal evacuation order is in effect in Levy and two shelters open there today.

 

CEO Jim Duncan assures members that SECO is prepared for inclement weather created by Hurricane Michael. Duncan stated, “SECO continues to closely monitor Hurricane Michael’s progress as it travels through the Gulf of Mexico. We are prepared for Hurricane Michael’s rain bands and winds that will reach into our service territory. SECO’s employees, contract crews and leadership team are all prepared to escalate our response if Hurricane Michael’s path shifts toward SECO’s area.”

 

Duncan added, “Members should continue to keep a close eye on Hurricane Michael. Forecasted tracks have been known to shift hourly right up until landfall. Gather your hurricane supplies now if you have not already done so.”

 

SECO Energy is StormReady and is committed to keeping members informed of weather that impacts the area. Visit our Storm Preparation page online to view an emergency checklist and storm preparation ideas. Watch our Facebook and Twitter pages for Tropical Storm Michael updates. Most important, be sure you’ve bookmarked our new StormCenter outage map and set your email, text and voice notifications preferences. StormCenter is mobile friendly and designed to perform on smartphones and tablets.

SECO Monitoring Soon-to-be Hurricane Michael

SECO Energy is monitoring the soon-to-be Hurricane Michael as it moves north toward Florida’s gulf coast.

 

The current Tropical Storm Michael is on the verge of being upgraded to Hurricane Michael. As of 4 a.m. CDT on Monday, Hurricane Michael is slowly moving north at 7 mph with sustained winds of 70 mph.

 

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts Michael to increase in both speed and intensity over the next 48 hours. The storm is predicted to make landfall in the Apalachicola area late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. As Michael moves into the Gulf of Mexico, it may strengthen significantly – forecasters predict Michael’s strength at landfall may be as high as a Category 2 or 3.

 

SECO members should prepare for the likelihood of gusty winds for most of SECO’s seven county service area. SECO members in the western portions of the service area, including large numbers in Citrus, Marion and Sumter Counties, will likely experience the strongest sustained winds.

 

CEO Jim Duncan is urging SECO members to prepare for Michael. Duncan stated, “Tropical Storm Michael, soon to become Hurricane Michael, is on track to make landfall on Florida’s west coast. Ensure that your hurricane supplies are fully stocked and that you and your family are prepared for the possibility that Michael’s high wind speeds will cause power outages. At SECO, we are carefully watching this storm, and I encourage our members to do the same.”

 

SECO Energy is StormReady and is committed to keeping members informed of weather that impacts the area. Learn more about Storm Preparation online and view an emergency checklist. Watch our Facebook and Twitter pages for Tropical Storm Michael updates. Most important, be sure you’ve bookmarked our new StormCenter outage map and set your email, text and voice notifications preferences. StormCenter is mobile friendly and designed to perform on smartphones and tablets.

Nature’s Reflections – Butterflies

THE GRACEFUL, CROWNING TOUCH TO ANY GARDEN

 

Some are as big as your hand, while others could fit on the head of a tack. Regardless of size, butterflies are creatures of beauty that are a joy to watch. According to entomologists, there are 200 species of butterflies and moths with breeding populations in Florida. Many others visit or migrate through our State.

 

The most successful butterfly habitat includes plants which meet the needs of butterflies during all four stages of their life cycle: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and adult. After mating, female butterflies search for the perfect host plant on which to lay their eggs. Not just any plant will do, and native plants are favorites. Females must find a plant that will provide food for their young who emerge as caterpillars with voracious appetites and survive on leaves of the host plant. Most caterpillars have defenses other than coloration. Some hide in curled leaves or silk webbing, while others emit an odor that is repulsive to an enemy.

 

A caterpillar’s best defense is quick growth, escaping would-be predators by shedding skin to change into a chrysalis. It quickly attaches to plant stems protected by surrounding vegetation. Inside the chrysalis, the adult butterfly is formed by metamorphosis and emerges to sip the sweet nectar from Florida’s flowers.

 

Time from egg to adult is five weeks. Adults lead a life of leisure, eating, mating, laying eggs, sleeping, and of course, escaping predators. Enemies of these gorgeous, day-flying insects are primarily human creations – vehicles, pesticides and parking lots. Others fall prey to disease and natural predators. Ants, particularly fire ants, along with other insects, arachnids (spiders) and birds are among the major predators of butterfly eggs and caterpillars.

 

Adult butterflies are capable of traveling considerable distances. During the fall, monarchs travel from southern Canada to central Mexico. In Florida, the monarch is not the only long-distance traveler. From August to mid-October, huge numbers of cloudless sulphurs, long-tailed skippers, common buckeyes, gulf fritillaries, clouded skippers and others come south with the rest of the snowbirds to spend the winter in Florida.

 

Column & photos by Sandi Staton – sandi.staton@gmail.com

 

Read the full Nature’s Reflections article in the October 2018 SECO News online.