Chandler Hayes helps protect the same reliable power he and his family count on at home. When the helicopter comes into view above a Southeastern Indiana REMC right-of-way, it is hard not to stop and watch. The rotors cut across the summer sky. The aircraft settles into a steady hover over the trees. Below it, a large aerial saw moves with purpose through limbs that have grown too close to the power lines. For some members, it is an impressive sight. Cars pull over. Phones come out. Neighbors watch from porches and fields. For others, it can be a frustrating moment, especially when the trimming changes the look of a familiar tree or leaves a temporary pile of limbs waiting for cleanup. Chandler Hayes understands both reactions. He is the pilot in the helicopter, but he is also a local resident who lives on the same electric system he helps maintain. When Chandler and his partner, Bailey, are working for SEI REMC, they are not simply moving through another service territory. They are working in the communities where they live, travel, shop and depend on reliable power just like everyone else. “We have the same power that they do,” Chandler says. That simple fact gives the work a different kind of meaning. The goal is not just to clear a path through the trees. It is to protect the lines before wind, ice, storms or falling branches can interrupt service. Every careful pass Chandler makes above the right-of-way is part of SEI REMC’s larger effort to keep power safe and reliable for its members, including Chandler and Bailey themselves. A local connection, from the ground up Chandler grew up in English, Indiana, and now calls the SEI REMC service territory of Switzerland County home. He knows the rolling roads, wooded hillsides and tightly connected communities that make this part of southeastern Indiana special. He also knows how quickly a storm can change the landscape. In rural areas, power lines often cross hills, woods, fields and properties where access can be challenging. A limb that looks harmless on a calm afternoon can become a major problem during high winds, heavy rain, ice or a tornado. For members, the results can be immediate: a flash, a downed line, an outage. For line crews, every tree-related outage can also mean a more difficult and dangerous restoration job. That is why SEI REMC invests in vegetation management. The work can be inconvenient in the moment, but it helps reduce the likelihood that trees and limbs will take down lines when the weather turns severe. Chandler has seen the value firsthand. After recent storms, members shared feedback about areas where completed trimming had helped keep branches away from the lines. “Reliable power in all the storms, thunderstorms, tornadoes and ice storms,” Chandler says. “That’s what people need to realize.” For him, this work is personal. He and Bailey do not return to a distant home after the job is done. They go home to the same lines and the same dependable service that the trimming helps protect. A helicopter does not arrive by accident The helicopter may be the most visible piece of the operation, but it is only one part of a carefully coordinated effort. Before Chandler ever lifts off, SEI REMC, the tree contractor and the aerial crew have work to do on the ground. Landowners must be contacted and permissions secured for staging areas and landing sites. In many cases, that means working with farmers or property owners who have agreed to let the helicopter land in a field, pasture or yard. Those locations are essential. The helicopter needs safe places to land, refuel and prepare for the next section of right-of-way. Chandler has worked in the area enough to know some of those landing sites well, but each job still takes planning and communication. The team needs to consider access, safety, the direction of the work, weather conditions and the locations where crews can safely support the operation. Once a site is ready, Chandler flies the helicopter to the work area while Bailey follows on the ground with the truck and trailer. The trailer carries extra fuel, tools and spare parts needed to keep the operation moving. They do not simply take off in the morning and remain in the air all day. Chandler returns to the ground periodically to refuel. Each landing is another coordinated moment between the pilot, Bailey and the crews working below. Bailey handles much of that behind-the-scenes work, including the paperwork and ground operations that help keep the job organized. “She’s the brain power behind them,” Chandler says with a smile. For Bailey, joining Chandler full-time in the business has meant a major change from the office-based work she did before. “I like being outside,” she says. “And on off days like this, we get a lot more time together.” The work has also given the couple a chance to travel together, often with their Great Pyrenees-Shepherd mix along for the ride. Their jobs have taken them across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Mississippi and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. But this season, much of their work has been close to home, serving SEI REMC and neighboring cooperatives. That makes every successful day feel a little more connected to the people they know. The work behind the view From the ground, aerial trimming can look like a dramatic display of flying skill. From Chandler’s seat in the cockpit, it is focused, technical work. Chandler pilots a Hughes 369D helicopter while guiding a large aerial saw suspended beneath the aircraft. The saw allows him to trim vegetation near electric lines efficiently, particularly along stretches of right-of-way that may be difficult to reach with ground equipment alone. The job requires him to hold the helicopter steady while monitoring the lines, the trees, the saw and the work zone below. He must also remain aware of changing weather and stay in communication with the tree crews supporting the operation. It is not a skill learned overnight. After serving four years in the Navy, Chandler went to flight school in Utah. He began flying helicopters at age 23 and has now spent about 13 years in the cockpit. He built experience through a variety of unusual jobs: flying over the Pacific Ocean to help tuna boats find schools of fish, mustering cattle in Australia and, eventually, aerial tree trimming. He found his way into each opportunity through the close network of people in aviation. “It’s all about who you know,” he says. Aerial saw work became his specialty about seven years ago. The training starts with learning how a helicopter behaves while carrying a suspended load. Pilots may begin by lifting something simple, such as a rope or a tire, and learn to control the motion below the aircraft. Only after gaining confidence with those basics does a pilot begin working with the saw itself. During that early training, an experienced pilot may remain on the ground, speaking to the trainee by radio and coaching each movement. It is a steep learning curve that requires patience and trust in the process. “The first six months” were the most nerve-racking, Chandler says. But repetition builds confidence. What once feels overwhelming becomes practiced, controlled and almost instinctive. “After a while, you just become numb to it,” he says. “It’s like anything else. You do it enough, you get used to it.” That does not mean the work is casual. At the end of a long day, Chandler feels the physical and mental weight of concentrating for hours at a time. “You get sore every day,” he says. “At the end of the day, you’re definitely ready to quit.” Still, he enjoys the work. He likes the independence of operating his own business. He likes being outdoors. And after more than a decade of flying, he still likes helicopters. “Helicopters are fun,” he says simply. One operation, many people Chandler may operate the helicopter, but aerial trimming is a team effort. Tree crews establish and protect the work zone. They communicate with the pilot, watch for safety concerns, help keep people clear of falling limbs and begin managing debris. SEI REMC employees help coordinate the work and respond to member questions. Landowners make the operation possible by granting access for staging and landing sites. The crews also understand that members may have concerns about cleanup. As the helicopter moves efficiently through a section of line, limbs can come down faster than crews can fully process them. Crews work to keep roads and driveways clear, then return to complete cleanup as the aerial work progresses. “Typically, they’ll get it out of the road and out of the driveways,” Bailey says. “Then it stays until the helicopter leaves and they have time to clean it up.” The timing is intentional. Chandler and Bailey often work on a roughly two-week rotation between co-ops, allowing tree crews time to catch up with cleanup and address concerns before the aerial crew moves on. The work also depends on the weather. A clear-looking day does not always mean the helicopter can fly. Low clouds, storms and changing conditions can delay work. And when severe weather causes outages, restoration takes priority over scheduled trimming. That is another reason preventative work matters. The more vegetation safely cleared before a storm, the fewer branches may be waiting to cause problems when conditions are at their worst. A shared investment in reliability Members are right to care about the trees on their property. Chandler and Bailey understand that. A tree can hold memories, provide shade or be part of the view someone values every day. But they also know that protecting reliable service requires difficult, thoughtful decisions about where trees and power lines can safely coexist. The helicopter in the sky is a highly visible part of that work. What may look dramatic from the road is actually one piece of a planned, local effort involving landowners, contractors, crews and SEI REMC. For Chandler, there is real satisfaction in helping keep the lights on in the place he calls home. He sees the work from above, but he understands what it means on the ground: homes with power, families connected and communities better prepared for the next storm. Vegetation management is one of the most important ways we protect reliable power and safer communities. A tree limb near a power line may seem small from the ground, but during high winds, heavy rain or ice, it can quickly become an outage, damaged equipment or a dangerous downed line. Keeping rights-of-way clear helps prevent many of those problems before they begin. It gives power lines the space they need to operate safely and reliably, while helping crews reach the area more quickly when storms do cause damage. When limbs and lines come down together, roads may need to close to protect the public and give crews room to work safely. If you see a downed line, stay at least 30 feet away, keep children and pets clear, and report it right away. Always assume it is energized.

Terry and Connie Geisler, the Southeastern Indiana REMC members behind His Hands Ministry, are feeding families, sharing hope and making sure every guest is welcomed like family. Before I visited the food pantry in Elrod on a recent Saturday, I sat down with Terry and Connie Geisler to hear their story. They are the kind of people who are more comfortable doing the work than talking about it. Terry, especially, would rather be behind the wheel of a truck, moving pallets, organizing boxes of produce or helping a family load a cart than receiving recognition. Connie is equally humble, but she knows someone has to tell the story, make the connections and keep people informed about the need. Together, they operate His Hands Ministry, a self-funded and self-maintained food pantry that is open to anyone. On the Saturday I visited, the pantry served 348 people from all seven counties in SEI REMC’s service territory. The more I learned about the couple behind the operation, the more I wanted to see it firsthand. A Calling That Kept Growing Terry’s path to His Hands Ministry began through earlier work serving people in need of food assistance. Along the way, he built relationships with truck drivers, suppliers and others in the food-distribution world. He saw both the amount of good food that can be available and the number of families who need it. When that chapter ended, Terry felt strongly that he was still being called to help feed people. Connie encouraged him to follow that calling. “He’s a big foodie anyway,” Connie said with a smile during our conversation. “Food is his thing, and he wants to make sure everybody has food.” The ministry began simply, with a borrowed box truck. Terry would fill it with food, park in Versailles near the Rolling Pin restaurant and, with the help of volunteers, bag items and hand them to families as they drove through. Then the need grew. Connie took on the nonprofit paperwork and created the name and logo for His Hands Ministry. The name reflects how they see the work. They do not view it as something they have built for themselves. They see themselves as stewards, using what has been placed in their hands to serve others. Now, food comes in on pallets, in large produce boxes and, increasingly, by semi-load. Terry has built a network through word of mouth, Facebook and his willingness to answer the phone, make the drive and help whenever he can. Sometimes, a truck driver calls because a load has been rejected by a retailer for cosmetic reasons. The food may be fresh and nutritious, but the produce may not be the size or appearance a store wants. Rather than see it thrown away, Terry works to get it into the hands of local families. That work happens on top of his full-time job changing tractor tires. During the week, Terry is working his regular job, making food pickups, planning for the next distribution, unloading trucks and organizing the pantry. On Saturdays, he is there at the end of the line, quietly watching the operation and offering help where it is needed. He does not say much, but he does not have to. The work speaks for itself. Terry and Connie are quick to give the credit to God, not themselves. Their faith is woven into everything they do, from the name of the ministry to the way they respond to the needs placed in front of them. That spirit also extends beyond pantry day. Terry bags nonperishable foods, including granola bars and drinks, to hand out to people experiencing homelessness in Cincinnati. When there is food available, he looks for a way to make sure it reaches someone who can use it. They give, and then they find another way to give. A Saturday at the Pantry On Saturday, before I ever stepped inside the building, I could see what His Hands Ministry meant to the community. Cars filled the gravel lot. People waited patiently in line, some for an hour or more, no matter the weather. But the mood was not tense or quiet. It was friendly. Neighbors chatted, caught up and helped one another. That day, the pantry was also collecting bottled drinking water for local flood victims in Metamora. What struck me most was seeing people who had come for food still thinking about someone else’s need. They were receiving help, yet they were also giving what they could to help their neighbors. At one point, tomatoes slid from the top of a woman’s overflowing cart. People waiting nearby quickly stepped in to gather them. Those small moments said a lot about the place Terry and Connie have built. There are no income requirements or questions meant to make anyone prove they deserve help. At the door, Connie welcomes guests alongside volunteer Judy Alford. She asks each family’s size and what county they live in, not to turn anyone away, but to understand where people are coming from and help with future planning and grant-writing opportunities. Connie was holding a raffle for one of the missions close to her heart, but her attention stayed on the people entering the pantry. Though she was tired after a long morning, her spirit was upbeat and welcoming. The same could be said for Ralph Stenger, another familiar face at the entrance. He hands each family a yellow cart with a joke, a smile and a way of making people feel immediately at ease. While I was in line, a gentleman asked Ralph, “Are you Terry?” Ralph put on a serious face and replied, “Don’t you ever call me that ever again!” Then, unable to keep a straight face, he pointed toward Terry and said, in effect, that Terry was the one he meant. Both men laughed. It was a small exchange, but it captured the feeling of the pantry. Terry’s name carries the warmth of someone people trust. There is an unspoken message from the moment guests arrive: you have come to the right place, and you will be treated like family. The pantry carefully monitors the number of people entering the warehouse at one time so families can shop without feeling rushed by a line behind them. Some items have quantity limits to ensure there is enough for everyone. Other items, particularly fresh produce, are available for families to take what they need. Inside, carts are filled with pantry staples like rice, beans, pasta, canned vegetables, applesauce, spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, hygiene products, milk, bread, bagels, granola bars and bottled drinks. The freezer section that Saturday included ready-made chili and chicken pot pie filling. Fresh produce filled the space, including tomatoes, carrots, berries, peppers and cucumbers, much of it looking fresher than what many of us find in a grocery store. Halfway through the warehouse, I overheard a family looking at their already-full cart. “This is probably already a couple hundred dollars’ worth of groceries,” someone said. For many working families, that kind of help makes a real difference. I stood in line with a young couple who both work full-time jobs. The husband had been out of work for three months, putting the family in a difficult place with rent and utilities. As they waited, he recognized several people he worked with. It was a reminder that the need is not limited to one kind of family. Food and fuel prices have taken a toll this year, and many people who are working hard are still struggling to make ends meet. Another woman told me she comes every month. She helps care for grandchildren who live with her, and the extra food helps stretch her income. Around her, regular guests greeted each other, shared conversation and caught up with volunteers. There was no judgment in the room, only kindness. At the end of the line, Terry quietly kept an eye on the flow of the pantry, offering a hand where needed and greeting people with a nod and a soft smile. He had spent the month bringing in food, the week organizing the space and the morning helping make sure the pantry was ready. He was likely exhausted, but there was also a quiet joy in watching people leave with food for their families. More Than a Food Pantry Just off Highway 50 in Elrod, the blue Hoosier Hills Water District water tower is a familiar landmark for families making their way to His Hands Ministry. Beneath it sits a donated white-and-red metal building, quiet and easy to miss without knowing where to look. On pantry day, though, the gravel lot fills with cars, box trucks wait outside and people arrive from across southeastern Indiana. The building has garage access for Terry to bring in large pallets and produce boxes, but it has become too small for the work it now supports. The food pantry ministry is open every third Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. The pantry also shares updates throughout the month on its Facebook page. When fresh produce or bakery items arrive, Terry and Connie announce the shipment and invite people to stop by the building’s covered porch to pick up items at their convenience. It is another way they make sure food gets to people quickly, especially when a large or unexpected load comes in. His Hands Ministry needs a climate-controlled space that will allow Terry and Connie to keep local produce fresh longer, safely receive larger shipments and continue growing to meet the need across southeastern Indiana. Semi-loads of food can make an enormous difference, but without adequate climate-controlled storage, fresh food can spoil before it has the chance to reach families. Terry works hard to ensure as little as possible goes to waste. Food that is no longer suitable for people can still be useful to local farmers with pigs or horses. Cardboard is recycled. Every donation is treated with care. Much of the equipment that makes the ministry possible has been donated, including trucks, appliances, carts and other supplies. Yet Terry and Connie still cover fuel, insurance, maintenance and countless other costs. They invest their own money, time and physical energy into a work that keeps getting bigger because the need keeps getting bigger. A Shared Heart for Service Connie’s heart for service also reaches beyond the pantry. For years, Connie felt drawn to mission work. That calling eventually led her to El Salvador, where she travels directly to help people in need alongside a group of volunteers. Her work there is especially focused on helping young girls escape situations of abuse and find safer, more stable paths forward. Through raffles and other fundraising, Connie supports on-site missionaries and helps create opportunities for girls to learn trades, including cosmetology. She also works to meet practical needs and improve living conditions for families she encounters while there. Whether the need is food, housing, safety or a chance to build a career, Connie’s heart is to help people find hope and a way forward. Terry and Connie have also responded to disaster-relief needs, making multiple trips with donated supplies to families affected by storms. They have helped connect people with clothing, household items and furniture. When someone calls with something to give, they try to find someone who needs it. But while their giving reaches in many directions, the pantry remains the immediate focus. As I left Saturday, the line had grown shorter, but people were still waiting. The parking lot was still full. The atmosphere was still warm. I looked back toward the blue water tower, the landmark that helps guide so many people to this unassuming building in Elrod. Beneath it, Terry and Connie are doing more than distributing food. They are offering relief, dignity and a reminder that no one has to face a difficult season alone. If you have a connection to available climate-controlled warehouse space, commercial property, storage solutions or resources that could help His Hands Ministry continue its growth, please consider reaching out to Terry and Connie. A stronger space would mean more food saved, more families served and more hope shared across our community. Email: his_hands_ministry@yahoo.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HisHandsMinistry Food Pantry Address: 1595 625 E, Milan, IN

Location: East Main Street, Vevay Date: 8/19/2026 Remarks: Two departments came together to raise the flag, and traffic waited in quiet respect below. Warsaw-Gallatin County Fire and Rescue assisted Jeff-Craig Fire Department as the community honored former Switzerland County Sheriff Nathan E. Hughes. Our crews travel thousands of miles across Southeastern Indiana each year, and along the way, they see some pretty remarkable things. From early-morning skies and quiet country roads to wildlife, landmarks and scenes that simply stop us in our tracks, these are a few of the views spotted along the line. Your Turn to Take Note The best views are not always found on the road. Share a photo from your corner of southeastern Indiana, along with your hometown and a few words about what made you stop and notice. SEND A PHOTO + YOUR NAME + HOMETOWN + SHORT CAPTION TO communications@seiremc.com

Widespread storms brought damaging wind, continuing rain and flooding across SEI REMC territory. Here is a look at the restoration effort. PEAK OUTAGE - TUESDAY, 3:30 P.M. 4,600 members without power as storms moved through the REMC service territory. Tuesday · 11 p.m. 1,050 members remained without power after the first evening of restoration. Wednesday · 7 a.m. 1,200 members were out as continued rain and early-morning storms caused additional damage. Wednesday · 11 p.m. 35 members remained without service as crews worked through the final repairs. Thursday · 11 a.m. Crews completed restoration work and the final members were returned to service. BROKEN POLES 10 poles were replaced following the storm damage. DRONE-ASSISTED REPAIR 1 line span was carried across a creek by drone. FLOOD SAFETY 15 members had power temporarily disconnected as floodwaters rose. Mutual assistance Crews from Jackson County REMC and Hoosier Energy joined the restoration effort. Eyes in the sky Drones helped crews inspect line damage in hard-to-reach areas and monitor flooding along the system. CO-OP PERSPECTIVE “Right-of-way maintenance is one of the most important investments we make in reliable service. Keeping trees and limbs clear of our lines helps prevent avoidable outages, reduces the damage we have to repair after a storm and allows crews to restore power more quickly and safely when conditions are difficult.” - Brandon Linville, Vice President of Operations

Some recipes are more than a list of ingredients. They are handwritten reminders of the people who made them, the tables where they were shared and the traditions that bring families back together. In this new feature, REMC employees and members open their recipe boxes to share the well-used cards, favorite dishes and cherished stories that have been passed from one kitchen to the next. A Starter with a Story For more than 50 years, one small jar of sourdough starter has connected Robin Monday’s kitchen to the people, memories and family traditions she holds dear. Robin Monday, a Member Service Representative at Southeastern Indiana REMC, has a sourdough starter that is more than flour, water and time. It is a living piece of family history, carefully fed each week and shared through loaves of bread, cinnamon rolls and the unmistakable scent of dough rising throughout her kitchen. The starter came to Robin through her husband Rick’s Uncle Richard Monday, a man known for making just about everything from scratch. Yeast rolls, homemade noodles and the kind of kitchen staples that make a house feel welcoming were all part of Richard’s repertoire. For Robin, who loved cooking and baking herself, Richard became both a kindred spirit and a helpful resource. If she was short on an ingredient, whether it was cream of tartar or something else a recipe called for, Robin knew she could run over to Richard’s house. Their shared appreciation for homemade food grew into a special bond. Richard had a close friend from his time in the Army, and he and his wife, Mary Helen Clowers, lived in Tennessee. Richard visited them often. On one of his final trips there, Mary Helen shared with him a loaf of her homemade bread. Richard asked if she would share two jars of her starter, one for himself and one for Robin. Robin was thrilled when that jar made its way to her kitchen. At the time, the starter was already about 45 years old. As Richard became less able to keep up with baking, Robin used it to make bread and cinnamon rolls to deliver to him whenever she could. After Richard passed away, family members shared memories of his recipes and the foods they had enjoyed together. Many wished they had asked more questions or spent more time learning the secrets behind his beloved rolls. For Robin, caring for the starter became a meaningful way to hold on to that connection. Today, the starter is more than 50 years old and still aging beautifully. Made simply with potato flakes, water and sugar, it needs weekly attention from Robin, who faithfully feeds and cares for it. And it is still hard at work. Robin uses the starter for blueberry bread, cinnamon-raisin bread, plain loaves that are especially good toasted with strawberry jam, and pretzel bites with cheese, a favorite of her youngest son, Troy. But her famous cinnamon rolls may be the most anticipated tradition of all. Each Easter, Robin makes cinnamon rolls for the family. On busy baking days, as many as 10 pans may be rising at once, covering the island and counters while the kitchen fills with the warm, heavenly aroma of sourdough yeast, cinnamon and home. It is a tradition shared with Rick and their four children, Scotty, Jackson, Lori and Troy. And it all began with a small jar of starter, passed from Mary Helen Clowers to Richard and then to Robin, carrying a little bit of love forward with every batch. Robin’s Cinnamon Rolls 1 Cup of Starter 6 Cups of Bread Flour 1/2 Cup of Sugar 1/2 Cup of Oil 1-1/2 Cup of Warm Water 1 Tablespoon Salt 1 Cup Butter, Softened 2 Cups Brown Sugar 3 Tablespoons Cinnamon 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream Mix all ingredients, cover and set for 12 hours. After first rise, roll dough into a large rectangle. Spread with softened butter, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up and cut into equal-size rolls. Place in greased baking dishes, cover and let rise for 8 hours. Just before baking, drizzle each pan with heavy whipping cream. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown. Cool completely and ice with your favorite icing. Mary Helen’s Sourdough Starter 3 TBS Instant Potato Flakes 1 Cup of Warm Water 1/2 c. of Sugar Feed Starter 1 time every 3 days. Discard prior to feeding. If you have a recipe & story you would like to share, please email us at communications@seiremc.com or stop by our Osgood office anytime!

Southeastern Indiana REMC recently awarded $75,800 in Operation RoundUp grants to 35 local organizations supporting food assistance, education, youth programs, public safety, emergency services, healthcare and other community needs. Of the total awarded, $25,000 was provided by Hoosier Energy, Southeastern Indiana REMC’s power supplier, helping extend the impact of this round of grants. Operation RoundUp is powered by REMC members who voluntarily round their monthly electric bills up to the next whole dollar. Those small contributions are pooled together and awarded to charitable organizations throughout our seven-county service area. See grant recipients and funded projects at seiremc.com/operationroundup.

Fresh flavors, fun twists and a warm welcome in Osgood A good local restaurant offers more than a meal. It gives friends and families a place to gather, relax and enjoy food made with care. Paco’s Mexican Restaurant in Osgood brings that spirit to the table with colorful surroundings, welcoming service and a menu full of variety. Brothers David, Pepe and Marcos Hernandez opened their first Paco’s location in Westport in September 2022. As the business approaches its fourth anniversary, the family has continued to grow, opening its Osgood restaurant this year at 629 S. Buckeye St. The Hernandez family knows and loves the Osgood community, making it a natural home for their second location. Their goal is simple: create a fun, friendly place where neighbors can share a good meal, a refreshing drink and time together. Mexican favorites are at the heart of Paco’s menu, from tacos and burritos to nachos and more. But the offerings extend beyond traditional Mexican fare, with chicken wings, burgers, fried fish sandwiches, fried chicken sandwiches and pulled pork sandwiches. It is a place where everyone in the family can find something to enjoy. The menu continues to grow, with new recipes and specials regularly added to the lineup. Guests can check Paco’s Facebook page for Taco Tuesday specials, Wednesday lunch features and Friday margarita offerings. The margarita menu is especially fun, with creative twists on familiar favorites and limited-time flavors that give friends another reason to meet up. That playful personality also carries into the restaurant’s clean, colorful decor and lively social media feed. Many of Paco’s standout flavors have a personal touch from Pepe’s wife, Sam Adams. Sam helps lead the restaurant’s marketing and social media, designs menus and contributes house-favorite recipes. Her homemade chipotle sauce has become a signature ingredient, adding smoky flavor to many dishes. Sam also owns Donut Central in Columbus, creating another sweet connection for the family’s local businesses. Paco’s has begun hosting Donut Central pre-order pickups, giving Osgood-area customers a convenient way to enjoy the popular donuts closer to home. Planning ahead is key, but it is one more reason to stop by. Paco’s Mexican Restaurant is more than a place to grab a meal. It is a gathering place, a familiar favorite and a business that reflects the people behind it. With the Hernandez brothers’ vision, Sam’s creative touch and a team that makes every guest feel welcome, Paco’s has brought fresh flavor and bright energy to Osgood. Paco’s Mexican Restaurant 2 629 S. Buckeye St., Osgood (812) 609-5014 Find them on Facebook!

As harvest season gets underway across southeastern Indiana, farmers and farm crews are putting in long hours moving equipment between fields, traveling rural roads and working to bring in the crop. With that increased activity comes an important reminder: always look up and stay alert around power lines. Contact between farm equipment and overhead power lines is a serious electrical hazard. Combines, grain augers, tractors with raised implements and other tall equipment can come dangerously close to energized lines, especially when operators are focused on the work happening at ground level. Before heading into the field, take a few moments to identify overhead power lines, poles and other electrical equipment along your route and around fields, grain bins and storage areas. Make sure everyone operating equipment knows where potential hazards are located. When moving equipment, lower extensions, booms, augers and other raised components whenever possible. Use extra caution when entering and leaving fields, crossing driveways or working near grain bins. Never assume there is enough clearance beneath a power line simply because equipment has passed under it before. If farm machinery does make contact with a power line, stay inside the equipment whenever possible. Call 911 and warn others to stay away. Do not exit until utility personnel confirm the line has been de-energized and it is safe to do so. If fire or another immediate danger makes it necessary to leave the equipment, jump clear without touching the equipment and ground at the same time. Land with your feet together and shuffle away, keeping your feet close together until you are well clear of the area. Harvest is one of the busiest and most important times of the year for our farming community. Taking a few extra seconds to look up, plan ahead and stay aware of electrical hazards can help ensure everyone makes it home safely at the end of the day. This harvest season, remember: Look up. Stay alert. Stay safe.

We often talk about being prepared for severe storms, extended power outages and other emergencies. We stock flash-lights and batteries, keep emergency supplies on hand and make sure our homes are ready for changing seasons. But there’s another type of prepared-ness that deserves just as much attention: financial preparedness. An unexpected expense can feel a lot like a sudden storm. A major vehicle repair, medical bill, home repair or temporary loss of income can disrupt your household budget with little warning. Having a financial plan in place can make those situations easier to manage. Start With an Emergency Fund An emergency fund is money set aside specifically for unexpected expenses. Even a small amount can provide a cushion when something goes wrong. If saving several months of expenses feels overwhelming, start with a smaller goal. Consider setting aside $500 or $1,000 and building from there. Automating a small transfer to savings each payday can make the process easier. Over time, those small contributions add up. Know Where Your Money Goes Being financially prepared also means understanding your regular expenses. Review your monthly bills and identify which expenses are essential and which could be reduced or temporarily eliminated during an emergency. Keep important financial information organized, including insurance policies, account information and contact numbers. Store copies of important documents in a secure location that you can access if your home is damaged or you need to leave quickly. Review Your Insurance Insurance is another important part of financial preparedness. Periodically review your homeowners or renters, auto and other insurance policies to make sure you understand your coverage and deductibles. Knowing what your insurance will—and won’t—cover can help prevent surprises after an emergency. Prepare Before the Storm Financial preparedness doesn’t happen overnight. Like preparing your home before severe weather arrives, the best time to strengthen your financial safety net is before you need it. Start small. Save what you can. Organize important information. Review your coverage. And create a plan for how your household would handle an unexpected financial setback. You may not be able to predict when the next storm—or unexpected expense—will arrive. But with a little preparation, you can be better equipped to weather it.

Tom Cooney and Marty Mullin have spent decades helping protect the birds, trails, history and quiet beauty of the place they call home. On a hillside in Franklin County, Indiana, Tom Cooney and Marty Mullin can point in almost any direction and tell you a story. There is the right-of-way where REMC line crews make their way through the woods when storms roll through. There is the bluebird box near the garden where a pair recently nested. There is the valley below, the canal corridor, the trail, the river, the old railroad path and the landscape Tom’s father once described as “prettier than Brown County, but don’t tell anybody.” For Tom and Marty, Franklin County is more than a beautiful place to live. It is a place worth noticing, studying, caring for and protecting. “I would encourage people to look around them,” Tom said. “Get out. See what’s interesting. Build a passion for what’s around you.” That philosophy has guided much of the couple’s volunteer work, from the Whitewater Canal Trail to the Franklin County Bluebird Project. The bluebird work began more than 20 years ago through the Whitewater Environmental Council, a local group that had also organized cleanups and recycling efforts. At the time, bluebirds were struggling because of pesticide use, loss of habitat and fewer nesting places. As secondary cavity nesters, bluebirds cannot create their own nesting holes. They depend on places already formed by nature or by other birds. So the group decided to help. With grant support and help from local students, volunteers began building and installing bluebird boxes in places like the county park, town park and private properties. What started with dozens of boxes eventually grew to more than 100. Marty, a retired special education teacher, became one of the project’s steady hands. Each nesting season, beginning as early as late March and sometimes stretching into September, she checks boxes weekly, records eggs and hatchlings, watches for tree swallows and bluebirds, and reports data to larger research efforts. Today, her work connects Franklin County to something much bigger. Marty now submits nesting data to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Miami University students have been visiting local boxes as part of research on bluebirds, temperature, parasites, pesticides and nesting conditions. “It’s fascinating,” Marty said. “They band the babies, take tiny blood samples, and collect data from the boxes. It’s amazing to watch.” The work has also brought moments of simple joy. Marty lights up when she talks about tree swallows swooping through the air to catch craft feathers tossed into the wind, then carrying them back to line their nests. “They’ll dive and catch them in the air,” she said. “It’s just amazing.” Tom’s longtime passion has been the Whitewater Canal Trail. He has been involved since the early days of the effort, when volunteers began looking at the historic canal corridor as a future linear park. The long-term vision stretches from Hagerstown toward Lawrenceburg, with connections that could one day reach even farther. It is ambitious work, but Tom believes the value is clear. “We’ve passed the tipping point where people understand the value of trails,” he said. “They attract people. They bring economic development. They bring community support.” The trail also preserves history. Along the corridor, visitors can see traces of the old canal system, locks, the river and the railroad that eventually helped make canal travel obsolete. In some places, Tom said, you can stand in one spot and see the river, the canal and the railroad together. For Marty, one of the best parts is seeing how many people now use the trail. “You see people with baby buggies, people walking, people riding bikes,” she said. “Just a whole variety of people. It’s pretty neat.” Their commitment to the community extends beyond birds and trails. Marty has served with Friends of the Library, the Franklin County Historical Society, retired teachers’ groups and other organizations. Both understand that lasting community work rarely happens alone. “You don’t always have to be physically involved cleaning up a trail or monitoring boxes,” Marty said. “It could be your ideas. It could be volunteering to be on a board. It could be helping get other people involved.” Living in a rural, wooded area has also given Tom and Marty a close view of the importance of reliable electric service. Over the years, they have seen improvements in equipment, right-of-way work and response after outages. “Oh gosh, yes,” Marty said, when asked whether reliability has improved. “When they come, whether it’s dark or early morning, they’re trying to find what caused the outage. It’s not easy with the forests they have to go through.” They also appreciate the arrival of fiber internet through the cooperative. “That was amazing,” Tom said. Before fiber, internet access could be frustrating. Tom recalled traveling in South America and finding better internet in the jungle than they had at home. Today, fiber has made a real difference. “It’s been wonderful to have,” Marty said. “It’s been reliable.” For Tom and Marty, the cooperative connection is part of a larger story about rural life, one where modern service supports people who are deeply rooted in place. They hope others will see Franklin County the way they do: not as somewhere remote or overlooked, but as a place filled with natural beauty, history, wildlife and possibility. “It’s a lovely county,” Marty said. “A lovely valley.” Tom agreed. “It’s worth the effort to preserve,” he said.

WI-FI OPTIMIZATION FOR A SMARTER, FASTER HOME From streaming your favorite shows to powering smart home devices, your Wi-Fi plays a bigger role in your daily life than ever before. Even with fast fiber internet, your experience depends on how well your home network is set up. The good news is that a few simple adjustments and the right equipment can make a noticeable difference in your speed, coverage, and reliability. Start with Your Router Placement Where you place your router matters more than you might think. For the best performance, keep it in a central location, elevated on a shelf or table, and away from walls or large electronics. Wi-Fi signals spread outward, so placing your router in a corner or basement can limit coverage throughout your home. Eliminate Dead Zones with Mesh Wi-Fi If you’ve ever experienced slow speeds or dropped connections in certain rooms, your Wi-Fi signal may not be reaching every corner of your home. Wi-Fi mesh extenders help expand coverage and create a more consistent connection from room to room. With SEI Fiber, members on the Platinum (2 Gig) and Premium (1 Gig) packages receive a free Wi-Fi mesh extender. Mesh extenders are also available for all other packages for an additional monthly cost. This added coverage helps keep your connection strong wherever you are in your home. Manage Your Connected Devices Most homes today have multiple devices connected at once, including phones, TVs, tablets, smart thermostats, and security systems. To keep everything running smoothly, disconnect devices you are not using and make sure your equipment can handle the number of connections in your home. This helps ensure your most important activities like streaming, working, or video calls stay uninterrupted. Keep Your Network Secure A secure network is a strong network. Protect your connection by updating your Wi-Fi password regularly, using a strong password, and keeping your router up to date. These steps help protect your personal information and prevent unwanted users from slowing down your speeds. Experience the Full Power of Fiber Fast internet is just the beginning. With the right setup, you can enjoy smoother streaming, stronger connections, and a more reliable smart home experience. Whether you are working, learning, or relaxing, optimizing your Wi-Fi helps you stay connected to what matters most.

Not long ago, access to high-speed internet was viewed as a convenience — something nice to have for entertainment or occasional online tasks. Today, connectivity has become as essential to everyday life as electricity itself. At Southeastern Indiana REMC, we see firsthand how reliable internet service impacts the lives of our members and communities every single day. From students completing homework assignments and families streaming educational content, to small businesses operating online and farmers using precision technology in the field, connectivity powers the way we live, work, learn, and communicate. Technology continues to reshape our daily routines in meaningful ways. Smart home devices help families monitor energy usage, control thermostats remotely, and improve home security. Telehealth appointments allow members to connect with medical professionals without leaving home. Video calls help grandparents stay connected with loved ones across the country. Even simple tasks like banking, shopping, or applying for jobs increasingly depend on dependable internet access. For rural communities like ours, reliable connectivity is more than a convenience — it is a necessity for economic growth and quality of life. Unfortunately, many rural areas across America have historically been left behind when it comes to broadband infrastructure. That’s one reason Southeastern Indiana REMC made the commitment to invest in fiber internet through SEI Fiber. Just as electric cooperatives brought electricity to rural communities nearly 90 years ago when others would not, cooperatives today are helping close the digital divide. We believe our members deserve access to the same reliable technology and opportunities available in larger cities and suburban areas. Fiber internet is built to support the growing demands of connected living. As households continue adding more smart devices, streaming services, gaming systems, security cameras, and remote work capabilities, dependable high-speed internet becomes increasingly important. Fiber provides the speed, reliability, and capacity needed not only for today’s technology, but for the future as well. At Southeastern Indiana REMC, we remain committed to improving the quality of life for our members — whether through reliable electric service or dependable fiber connectivity. Connected living is no longer about keeping up with technology trends. It’s about ensuring our communities remain safe, informed, productive, and connected to the people and resources that matter most. As technology continues to evolve, we are proud to continue serving our members with the essential services they depend on every day. Keith Mathews CEO, Southeastern Indiana REMC