PAGE 2Think Safety

When Operating a Generator

PAGE 3Heart Heathly

Recipes for American Heart

Month

PAGE 49 Ways to Cut Energy Bills

Replace Your Power Strips with New Advanced Strips

Northfork

Sparks & Flashes

CONTENTS

Supplement to Oklahoma Living

February

15 Scholarships Available to Area High School Seniors

Each year NFEC awards $500 scholarships to six students who are graduating from area high schools. The selection committee reviews numerous applications searching for those students who have high academic standards, and who are also involved in school activities and their communities.

“Education is freedom, and we take seriously our role in support-ing our students. We are proud to help these outstanding young people continue their education,” says NFEC General Manager Scott Copeland.

Seniors interested in applying for the scholarships are encouraged to contact Kenny Waugh, NFEC youth programs coordinator, at (580) 928-3366, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-day through Friday.

Applications must be submitted to Waugh no later than 5 p.m. April 1.

Dates to Remember

Youth Tour and Energy Camp essays - Friday, March 6Scholarship applications - Wednesday, April 1

Youth Program Deadlines

Northfork ElectricCooperative, Inc.

Operating inBeckham, Roger Mills, Washita,

Greer, Custer, Harmon, and Dewey

SCOTT COPELANDGENERAL MANAGER

BOARD OF TRUSTEESJimmy Taylor-Pres ............................. Elk CityCharles Hickey-V. Pres ....................... ReydonRansom Snowden-Sec-Treas ............. ErickChris Mackey .................................... SayreLarry Smith ..................................CheyenneLloyd Joe Patton .............................. Sayre Danny Davis ....................................Elk CityJack Ivester ...................................Attorney

SAYRE OFFICEKenny Waugh ....................Mgr. of MarketingLisa Dailey...................Mgr. of Office ServicesJeff Mohr ...................Mgr. of Acct. & FinanceKay Brown ............................Adm. AssistantRichard Bowdre .................. Operations Mgr.

REYDON OFFICEBarbara Swope ..........................655-4557

FOR OUTAGES AFTER 5 P.M. CALL1-800-NO-VOLTS(1-800-668-6587)

or(580) 928-3366

OFFICE HOURS8 AM TO 5 PM

MONDAY-FRIDAY

DATES TO REMEMBERREADINGS MUST BE IN

NORTHFORK OFFICE BY THE 10th OF EACH MONTH

TO BE USED FORBILLING

ADDRESSP.O. Box 400

SAYRE, OK 73662301 E. MAIN

Think Safety When Operating a Generator

This institution is an equal oppor-tunity provider and employer.

A generator can be a valuable piece of equipment to keep appli-ances working during a power outage. Generators can be either temporary or permanently installed.

A permanent generator is wired into a house by a qualified electrician using a transfer switch that pre-vents a generator from feeding electricity back into overhead lines, which can be deadly for linemen working those lines.

A temporary generator is powered by gasoline and should not be attached to a circuit breaker, fuse, or outlet. Before ever purchasing a generator you need to know the wattage required to run the appliances you will attach to the generator. You also need to know the surge power, which is the power it takes to turn on an appliance.

Once you have purchased the proper generator, follow these tips from Safe Electricity to properly oper-ate your generator:

• Read and follow all manufac-turer operating instructions to properly ground the generator. Be sure you understand them before hooking up the generator.

• Never operate a generator in a confined area, such as a garage. Gen-erators can produce numerous gases, including toxic and deadly carbon monoxide. They require proper venti-lation.

• Generators pose electrical risks especially when operated in wet condi-tions. Use a generator only when nec-essary when the weather creates wet or moist conditions. Protect the generator by operating it under an open, canopy-

like structure on a dry surface where water cannot form puddles or drain un-der it. Always ensure that your hands are dry before touching the generator.

• When you refuel the generator, make sure the engine is cool to prevent a fire, should the tank overflow.

• There should be nothing plugged into the generator when you turn it on. This prevents a surge from damaging your generator and appliances.

• Be sure to keep children and pets away from the generator, which could burn them.

• Shut down the generator prop-erly. Before shutting down a genera-tor, turn off and unplug all appliances and equipment being powered by the generator.

• Remember maintenance be-tween uses. It is also a good idea to inspect the fuel and oil filters, spark plug, oil level and fuel quality and to start the generator on a regular basis before an emergency situation occurs.

For more information on electrical safety, visit safeelectricity.org, or feel free to 4701-002 contact NFEC Safety Director, Heath Martin, at 580-928-3366.

By Heath MartinNFEC Safety Director

1 cup uncooked orzo2 tsp. grated lemon rind 4 (4-ounce) chicken cutlets1/4 tsp. kosher salt1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pep-

per 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1/4 cup white wine1/2 cup fat-free, lower-sodium

chicken broth 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp. chilled butter, cut into small

pieces 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley1 Tbsp. capers

Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain. Stir in rind.

While orzo cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprin-kle chicken with salt and pepper. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan; keep warm. Add wine; cook 1 minute or until liquid almost evaporates, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add broth and lemon juice; bring to a boil. Cook 2 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Remove from heat; add butter, stirring until butter melts. Stir in parsley and capers. Serve over orzo.

Chicken Piccata with Orzo

Chicken Tostados and Avocado Dressing

2 Tbsp. reduced-fat sour cream 2 Tbsp. fat-free, lower-sodium

chicken broth2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 2 tsp. canola oil 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper1/8 tsp. salt1/2 ripe peeled avocado

Combine the first 7 ingredients in a food processor, and process until smooth.

Oatmeal with Apples, Hazelnuts, and Flaxseed

1/4 cup hazelnuts3 cups fat-free milk1 1/2 cups regular oats1 1/2 cups diced Granny Smith

apple (about 1 medium)1/3 cup ground flaxseed1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon1/4 tsp. salt1/2 tsp. vanilla extract3 Tbsp. brown sugar3 Tbsp. slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 350°.Place hazelnuts on a baking

sheet. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes, stirring once. Turn nuts out onto a towel. Roll up towel; rub off skins, if necessary. Finely chop nuts, and set aside.

Combine milk and next 5 ingredi-ents in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir in vanilla. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until thick. Sprinkle with hazelnuts, brown sugar, and almonds

1 1/2 Tbsp. canola oil, divided 4 (6-inch) flour tortillas2 garlic cloves, minced1 jalapeno pepper, minced2 cups shredded skinless, boneless

rotisserie chicken breast 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce 1/2 cup chopped tomato 1/4 cup (1-oz.) crumbled queso

fresco

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3/4 teaspoon oil to pan. Cook 1 tortilla 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Re-peat procedure with 2 1/4 teaspoons oil and remaining tortillas.

Add remaining oil to pan. Add gar-lic and jalapeño; sauté 1 1/2 minutes. Add chicken; cook 2 minutes. Place 1 tortilla on each of 4 plates; top each tortilla with 1/2 cup chicken mixture, 1/4 cup lettuce, 2 tablespoons tomato, and 1 tablespoon cheese. Top each serving with 3 tablespoons dressing.

February is American Heart Month

Tasty Recipes to Keep Your

Heart Healthy

Hidden Account Number

If you see your account number in this newsletter, call our office, identify yourself and the number. We will credit your electric bill $25. The number may be located anywhere in the newsletter and is chosen at random.

If you don’t know your account number, call our office or look on your bill. To get the credit, you must call before the next month’s newsletter is mailed.

Replace your Power Strips with New Advanced Strips

When you leave home electronics like TVs, computers and game consoles plugged in all the time — even when they’re turned off — they continue to use small amounts of electricity. That’s a waste of electricity — and a waste of your money because you continue to pay for the power they consume, even if you’re not getting any benefit from it. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that this “vampire load” can add up to $200 a year to your electric bill.

The solution: Instead of plugging these devices into a wall socket — or even into a regular power strip — plug them into an “advanced” power strip that blocks unused electronics from drawing electricity.

An advanced power strip looks just like your old one, but inside, it does so much more. By replacing your standard power strip with one of these advanced models in your TV room/entertainment center and home office, you can save energy and money.

It costs more than $2,000 a year in energy bills to run the average American home, and more than half of that is for heating and cooling.

The experts at personal fi-nance company Wallet Hub have this advice for lowering those bills:

1. Get an energy audit. You’ll have an easier time seal-ing an energy leak if you know where it is, and an auditor can show you.

2. Replace all of your incan-descent light bulbs with LEDs—even if they’re not burned out yet. They’re wasting more money in energy costs than you’ll waste by replacing them before they’re spent.

3. Use caulk to seal cracks and gaps around windows.

4. Add attic insulation and make sure it’s property attached.

5. Learn about the energy use of your appliances. The more you

understand about energy, the less of it you’ll waste.

6. If you’re planning to move to a newly built home, choose and architect or builder who is commit-ted to “green building” and energy

efficiency. Many green building strategies don’t cost any more when they’re incorporated dur-ing construction—like making energy-efficient choices for the direction the house faces and where the windows are placed.

7. Replace outdated furnaces and air conditioning systems with updated models that are de-signed to work more efficiently, waste less energy and save you money.

8. When you replace ap-pliances, look at more than the price tag. Consider how much it will cost you each year to operate the equipment. Often, the savings on your energy bill will more than make up for the slightly higher price you pay for more efficient models.9. If you’re remodeling your

home, make energy efficiency as high a priority as more visible upgrades like a beautiful granite countertop or new cabinets. You

9 Ways to Cut Energy Bills this Year