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POWER TALK
LETTERS
Wonderful Man and Wonderful School
The article about the Texas School for the Deaf (October 2008, “Texas School for the Deaf: Building Bridges”) was very informative and highlighted one of the wonderful special schools in our state. Thanks for informing the general public on the education of these deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
On page 10, there is a picture of a very special gentleman, a 1948 graduate of TSD, visiting with a current student. Lloyd Williams was a member of the Concan Church of Christ for many years. He was such an inspiration to all of us who knew him. He had a wonderful sense of humor. Lloyd traveled from his home in Concan to Austin twice monthly to preach at the Church of Christ for the hard of hearing. Lloyd died suddenly at his home on August 30, 2008. We miss him in our little community, but will always remember him. He is truly a testament to TSD.
Norma and Sonny Gayle
Bandera Electric Cooperative
Wolf Brand Chili Still a Standout
It’s too bad you didn’t mention Wolf Brand Chili in the October 2008 article “A Bowl of Red: Texas Chili as Hot as Ever.”
I still think it is the best-made chili, homemade or otherwise. I was disappointed when the big guys bought the company out and moved it out of Corsicana.
Dale Taylor
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative
WANTED: A SPECIAL BREED OF PROFESSIONAL
Electric linemen are hard-hat hometown heroes who brave ice storms, windstorms and pelting rains to get the power back on when the weather goes bad. And when they aren’t riding to the rescue in a storm, they often brave scorching heat and bone-chilling cold to build and maintain the lines that keep power flowing to homes and businesses.
Electric cooperative linemen’s rapid response to areas hard hit by Hurricane Ike in September showed these brave souls at their best. “Linemen are special people for whom I have tremendous respect,” said Ray Beavers, chairman of Texas Electric Cooperatives (TEC) board of directors. “It takes someone who is not afraid to work, who believes in team effort and is committed to the job—day and night—whenever the call comes.”
The skills of linemen, right-of-way workers and other employees who feel at home in a hard hat are in demand. There is growing concern among power providers in Texas and elsewhere that there may be shortages of experienced linemen in the next few years.
“It is definitely something that co-ops and other utilities need to address,” said Beavers, who also serves as chief executive officer and general manager of United Cooperative Services, a Cleburne-based electric cooperative. The biggest hurdle right now is what Beavers calls the anniversary-date issue—a growing number of linemen nearing retirement. For example, about 10 percent of the linemen at his co-op will be ready for retirement in the next few years, he said.
Fortunately, community colleges are stepping forward to offer one semester of basic training, after which graduates can move to the top of cooperative hiring lists. Kilgore College and South Plains College have programs in place. Three other colleges—Tyler Junior College, The Victoria College and Western Texas College—are developing programs. And the Southeast Lineman Training Center based in Georgia is building a campus in Rockwall County.
“Training is absolutely crucial,” said Tiffin Wortham, TEC vice president, member services. He is in charge of providing additional training once a Texas cooperative hires an aspiring lineman.
Wortham oversees TEC’s Loss Control schools held across the state, usually at co-op facilities. In 2008, there were 35 schools covering transformers, troubleshooting, basic and advanced pole climbing, underground line construction, overhead line construction and metering. Schools were held in Fredericksburg, Merkel, Gonzales, Quitman, Tahoka, San Augustine, Livingston, Levelland, Henderson, McGregor and other locations so applicants and workers working on advanced skills do not have to travel long distances to receive training.
“It takes about five years of training and apprenticeship for a lineman to get to the level of journeyman and able to handle a variety of duties,” Beavers said. “Electric cooperatives have some advantages in attracting qualified people interested in a career as an electric lineman. Besides being stable employers, electric co-ops are family-oriented and employee-oriented, and they offer good pay and benefits.
“For the right person, it is a great career, and clearly it is one that makes a difference in people’s lives,” Beavers said.
Anyone interested in a career as a lineman should contact his or her local electric cooperative or Tami Knipstein in the Member Services Department of TEC at tknipstein@texas-ec.org or visit the TEC website: www.texas-ec.org.
HAPPENINGS
Remember the life of Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas, January 10-11 at the Barrington Living History Farm. The farm is located at the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site off State Highway 105 on FM 1155 between Navasota and Brenham.
See the mourning customs of the 1850s while paying homage to Jones, a controversial political figure who helped guide Texas to annexation as the 28th state in the Union. Jones, sometimes called the Architect of Annexation, committed suicide in 1858.
Event hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. For more information, call (936) 878-2213 or go to www.birthplaceoftexas.com.
PALM TREES AND GULF BREEZE
On the very tip of Texas, before you reach the Queen Isabella Causeway to South Padre Island, travelers can find respite at the once-private Yacht Club Hotel of Port Isabel. Don’t be misled by the name. This two-story facility may once have served the high and mighty—Charles Lindbergh, Andrew Carnegie and members of the Rockefeller family are said to have stayed here—but today guests range from hunters, birders and motorcyclists to winter Texans. The kitchen now serves only catered events. But visitors may sit on the second-floor veranda or strike up conversations around the pool, in the lobby, or in the adjacent sitting area, which has two fireplaces.
—From Historic Hotels of Texas: A Traveler’s Guide, Texas A&M University Press, first edition, 2007
FUTURE TALK: Just Don’t Tell Them It’s Educational
Parents and teachers should take note of the Texas Education Vacation website for tips on combining trips with fun education opportunities for children. Many of the attractions and events supplement public school curriculum.
Go to www.texaseducationvacation.com to peruse upcoming featured events or click on various parts of the state for information on regions you are planning to visit.
WHO KNEW?
Grace Kelly and Texas
What could the two have in common? Neiman Marcus, of course. When the actress, a longtime customer, became engaged in 1955, she tapped store president Stanley Marcus to create her bridesmaids’ dresses. Marcus commissioned six frothy, pale yellow organdy frocks from Priscilla of Boston. In addition, Prince Rainier asked Neiman Marcus to create a perfume for his fiancée. The scent, Fleurissimo, remains a steady seller today.
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