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The Southwestern is your source for news and information about Southwestern Electric Cooperative and the communities we serve. Our award-winning monthly publication includes articles on energy efficiency, health and safety, co-op features, and local events. You can read our latest issues by clicking on the cards below.
Recent Issues
December 2024
On The Cover
Southwestern lineman Braden Clark executes a maneuver during the Lineworker’s Safety Rodeo in Springfield, Ill. The rodeo provides lineworkers from across Illinois with an opportunity to cultivate relationships and share skills. Our story begins on page 10.
November 2024
On the Cover
Jaxon Seger, grandson of Southwestern Electric Maintenance Foreman Rob Nesbit, tests the synthetic skin of a prosthetic hand worn by safety educator Gerry Kinney during Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s Second Annual Safety Day. Back: Mackenzie Rickermann, daughter of Southwestern lineman James Rickermann and his wife, Kim, tried the controls on several pieces of heavy machinery in the Touch-A-Truck area during Safety Day. Our story begins on page 12.
October 2024
On the Cover
Directors Jerry Gaffner (left) and Jared Stine joined CEO Bobby Williams and Director Bill Jennings (back cover) for a photo at The American Farm Heritage Museum during Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s 86th Annual Meeting of Members in September.
September 2024
On the Cover
Violet Dust, 77, of Montrose, prepares a return shot during a game of pickleball at Effingham’s Lake Sara.Our story on the growing game begins on page 10.
August 2024
On the Cover
The 86th Annual Meeting of Southwestern Electric Cooperative members will be held at the American Farm Heritage Museum, in Greenville, Illinois, on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Read our annual meeting issue...
July 2024
On the Cover
Journeyman linemen Braden Clark and Tyler Kunz make repairs on Rockwell Road in Madison County after an April storm interrupted power to 3,200 members.
June 2024
On The Cover
On March 20, students Blake Moore and Josie Gehlbach represented Southwestern Electric at Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day in Springfield, Ill. Their adventure continues this month in Washington, D.C. See the story on page 8.
May 2024
On The Cover
In February, Carter Bain of Herrick, a 2023 Power for Progress scholarship recipient, stopped by Southwestern to demonstrate his climbing skills and discuss his experience in the distribution line worker program at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield.
April 2024
On the Cover
The century-old monument standing outside of the state-of-the-art Edwardsville Public Library provides a perfect juxtaposition for libraries today — constantly adapting while remembering their founding principles. Our story begins on page 8.
March 2024
On the Cover
From transmission line corridors that span states to local rights of way that provide a path for power to reach your home, right of way maintenance plays a critical role in reliability. Read our story about right of way maintenance on page 10.
February 2024
On the Cover
CEO Bobby Williams reviews underground cable slated for installation at Pocahontas Substation. The co-op is installing 9,000 feet of cable and conduit, as well as new system and substation components, to improve reliability for members served by the sub. See our story on page 10.
January 2024
On The Cover
Riders, from left, Anne Schroll, Jessi Springer and Sarah Rochford take a break from traversing some of the nearly seven miles’ worth of trails at the Route 66 Hike & Bike Trail along Litchfield’s Lake Lou Yaeger.
December 2023
On the Cover
Payton Noyes Sisson, a junior at Litchfield High School, practices welding at Litchfield’s new South Central Illinois Training and Innovation Center. The center offers students from nine school districts opportunities to cultivate their interest in the trades. Our story begins on page 14. Back cover: Frankie Koniak, a junior at Litchfield High School, tightens a vice during an automotive lesson at Litchfield’s SCI Regional Workforce Training and Innovation Center.
November 2023
On The Cover
In June, Boston Hails and Kylie Ketcham represented Southwestern Electric Cooperative during the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth to Washington Tour. Hails and Ketcham joined 1,800 student delegates from across the country to meet legislators and see government in action. Our story begins on page 10. Cover image courtesy Brooke Gross, Member Services Manager, Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives.
October 2023
On The Cover
Cort Crum, son of Southwestern members Cody and Tamar Crum of Ramsey, keeps an eye on the farmers market during Southwestern Electric’s 85th Annual Meeting of Members, held Saturday, Sept. 9 at Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site in Vandalia. See our annual meeting recap on page 6.
September 2023
On The Cover
Maintenance foreman Kyle Hails poses a question to the audience during a live line demonstration at Southwestern Electric’s Safety Day. On Aug. 10, the cooperative offered a full day of safety training for co-op employees and their families. You can read more about Safety Day in our November issue. See the live line demonstration in person on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Southwestern Electric’s 85th Annual Meeting of Members. Meeting information appears on page 8.
August 2023
On the Cover
Leo Dublo, maintenance foreman, completes a poletop rescue safety training exercise at Southwestern Electric’s Greenville office.
July 2023
On The Cover
Southwestern CEO Bobby Williams (left) and Keith Page, President and CEO of Anderson Healthcare, pause for a photo at Anderson’s new Goshen Campus in Edwardsville. Williams toured the buildings and grounds in May. See our story on page 10.
June 2023
On The Cover
Ethan Fulk, Southwestern journeyman lineman, and Taylor Frost (back), journeyman lineman for J.F. Electric, Edwardsville, repair a transmission line near Brownstown after a March storm left 3,250 members without power. Our story appears on page 8.
May 2023
On The Cover
More than 200 high school students representing 23 electric and telephone cooperatives traveled to Springfield, Ill., on March 29 to tour the Capitol and meet with legislators during Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day. Six area students (back cover) represented Southwestern Electric Cooperative at the event. Our story appears on page 8.
April 2023
On The Cover
You can view an array of unusual artifacts at the DeMoulin Museum in Greenville, Ill. The museum recently published a coloring and activity book, funded by Operation Round Up, to educate and entertain kids who tour its collection. See our story on page 10. Read the issue...
March 2023
On The Cover
Minutes from downtown Edwardsville, Watershed Nature Center offers opportunities for peace and reflection. You can celebrate Earth Day at Watershed on April 22. See our story on page 16.
February 2023
On The Cover
Ellis Island in West Alton, Mo., offers unique views of the Mississippi River, Audubon Center at Riverlands, Alton and the Clark Bridge, as well as opportunities to see some of our country’s most spectacular birds. For more on Ellis Island, read our story on page 18.
January 2023
On the Cover
The co-op’s Tesla Model 3 recharges in Marion, Ill. See our story on page 10. Back: Snow softens footsteps on the boardwalk at Ballard Nature Center in Altamont.
December 2022
On The Cover
Partners for Pets Executive Director Erika Skouby-Pratte and rescue dog Scooby Dee enjoy a sunny afternoon at the shelter. The Metro East rescue organization has rehomed more than 22,000 dogs and cats since its beginning in 2003. Story on page 10.
November 2022
On the Cover
Southwestern Electric Cooperative Maintenance Foreman Adam French speaks to Highland-area seventh-graders at the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day event Sept. 30 at Highland’s Lindendale Park. French and three other Southwestern Electric employees presented the cooperative’s live line demonstration at the event, educating children on electrical safety.
October 2022
On The Cover
Southwestern Electric Cooperative Chief Operating Officer Marvin Ayala, left, and a co-op member share a laugh at
our 84th Annual Meeting of Members. For more on the meeting, see page 8.
Back cover: Journeyman Lineman Adam Simmonds demonstrates the dangers of electricity during a live line safety demonstration.
September 2022
On The Cover
Orpheum Theatre general manager Cary Eisentraut welcomes you to his Hillsboro cinema. Eisentraut has watched as the downtown around the theater has been reinvigorated in recent years. Story on page 16.
Back cover: Brok Chasteen, a lineman with Edwardsville-based J.F. Electric, removes a smoldering utility pole from right of way south of Brownstown. In June, severe storms damaged infrastructure and knocked out power to 8,500 Southwestern Electric members. The cooperative recruited contract crews and linemen from three neighboring cooperatives to expedite repairs.
August 2022
On The Cover
Lineman Braden Clark repairs damage near Ramsey after tornadoes snapped poles and downed lines in December 2021.
July 2022
On The Cover
Lineman Jimmy Revisky repairs a line near Hookdale on Friday, May 20, after storms left about 360 members without service. On Saturday, May 21, a second storm broke poles, uprooted trees, downed power lines and left about 1,500 co-op members without power. Crews worked through Saturday evening to restore service.
June 2022
On The Cover
Nancy Redman of the Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders prepares to release a ruby-throated hummingbird during a 2021 festival at Stoecklin’s Orchard south of Donnellson. Our story begins on page 8.
May 2022
On The Cover
Southwestern’s EV parks beside a bank of old fuel pumps at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, a Route 66 stop in Staunton. In March, we drove the Tesla Model 3 along the classic route, first poured for a Ford Model T.
April 2022
On the Cover
Southwestern Electric linemen (l-r) DJ Haarman, Kyle Hails and Tyler Meseke replace a broken pole southeast of St. Elmo during February’s winter storm. Read more about the storm in our From the CEO column on page 3 and our article on page 8.
March 2022
On The Cover
Chris Kershaw (left) and Corey West assemble a support structure for a new high voltage power line north of Troy. The line is part of Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s Maple Grove Substation project. Maple Grove was designed to ensure reliable power for Madison County members in the Troy-Maryville-Edwardsville region. The substation will also provide Southwestern operations and engineering personnel with new options for restoring power during an outage. Kershaw and West are
journeymen linemen for J.F. Electric, an Edwardsville-based electrical design and construction company contracted by Southwestern to build the line. You’ll see more images from the project in future issues of The Southwestern.
February 2022
On The Cover
Lineman Tyler Kunz works in frigid wind to secure new lines to a freshly set pole near Ramsey, during the December 2021 tornado repair effort. See the story on page 8.
January 2022
On The Cover
A winter sunset illuminates Carlyle Lake. Carlyle's Christmas display will illuminate the night through Jan. 9.
For more information, read the issue.
December
On The Cover
Young attendees of the Farm Progress Show in Decatur explore the cabin of Southwestern's Tesla. Read the story...
November
ON THE COVER
Grain bins stand at the ready — and well away from power lines — on the Tom Roepke farm west of Altamont. Plan to build a bin? See our story on page 16. Then give us a call. Back Cover: An homage to American agriculture adorns an autumn field south of Herrick.
October
ON THE COVER
Every October, echoes of summer fade into sights of fall across Southwestern Illinois. It’s a prime time to marvel at the Mississippi as you drive the Great River Road. For a taste of what autumn offers, see our events on page 26.
September
On The Cover
Linda Haberer, cashier/receptionist, guides a member through registration at the co-op’s St. Jacob warehouse in August 2020. Haberer retired last September after 22 years of service. You can earn a $50 bill credit by registering to vote in the 2021 director
election. Learn more on page 6.
August
On the Cover
In a composite image, lineman Adam French makes improvements to Southwestern Electric’s Edgewood Substation in Effingham County while the co-op’s newest substation, Maple Grove, shines beside I-70, north of Troy.
July
A TALE OF A TOWER
Supporting 65 bells and standing 165 feet tall, the Centralia Carillon is a marvel of sight and sound. See our s tory on page 18.
June
APRIL SHOWERS
Late April’s snowfall draped trees at Greenville’s Montrose Cemetery in a winter coat, turning the landscape into a study of light, color and seasons.
May
On The Cover
Spring is in bloom at Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve in Collinsville. Read more about Willoughby on page 20.
April
On The Cover
Effective right of way maintenance is a necessary condition for reliable power to reach your home. But maintenance alone isn’t sufficient to ensure uninterrupted service. CEO Bobby Williams explains why on page 3.
March
ON THE COVER
February
LEAP FROG
Leaps of Love founder Traci Riechmann has no shortage of frogs in her Highland office, a reminder of the “leap of faith” she took in starting her organization’s journey. Our story appears on page 10.
January
FROZEN MOMENTS
Snowfall stills the woods and quiets the world beyond the bluff, transforming Effingham County’s Rock Cave Nature Preserve into a winter wonderland.
2020
December
THE TREE’S KNEES
The knobby knees of cypress trees rise above the water line while needles add a splash of color to the winter sky at Patriot’s Park in Greenville.
November
Autumn Leaves
The waning days and crisp nights of autumn bring color to trees along the Great River Road. For more on the change in seasons, see the editor’s letter on page 3.
October
Southwestern Scholars
Isabelle Marsala and Faith Liljegren pause for a photo during Southwestern Electric’s 2020 scholarship celebration. On May 30, co-op directors and employees caravanned across four counties to congratulate Power For Progress scholarship recipients. See our stories on pages 3 and 8.
September
Standing Steel
Construction crews install the steel superstructure at Southwestern Electric’s Maple Grove Substation, north of Troy.
August
On the Cover
Southwestern Electric Cooperative's 82nd Annual Meeting of Members will be held at the Bond County Community Fairgrounds in Greenville, Illinois, on Saturday, September 12, 2020. The business meeting will begin at 10 a.m.
July
RECHARGE IN TROY
Southwestern’s new EV charging stations in Troy will play an important role in promoting widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Billboards encouraging EV drivers to recharge in Troy appear on I-55 at Livingston and I-70 at Vandalia. Our story begins on page 8.
June
Making The Grade
Crews combine earth-moving machinery with GPS precision to prepare the site for Southwestern’s Maple Grove Substation. Located near the I-55/I-270 interchange in Madison County, Maple Grove will ensure power quality and reliability for thousands of members.
May
On The Cover
April
On the Cover
Lineman Tyler Meseke makes infrastructure improvements outside St. Peter in Fayette County. Tools, training and technology equip Southwestern employees to operate safely and efficiently in the field. In March, the co-op reviewed CDC hygiene and habit recommendations with its workforce. You can read about Southwestern’s response to the coronavirus on pages 4 and 5. For the latest information, go to sweci.com.
March
On the Cover
Crews clear right of way in Fayette County south of Herrick. Southwestern’s right of way maintenance program ensures system integrity and power reliability. Read more about the co-op’s maintenance work on page 8.
February
On the Cover
Crews move a 25-ton transformer into place at Southwestern’s new Vandalia Substation. See our story on page 10.
January
On the Cover
Two-year-old Maggie McNelly, daughter of Kate and Zach McNelly of Edwardsville, patiently poses for a silly Southwestern photographer at Edwardsville Township Community Park’s Sixth Annual Touch-A-Truck event. See our story on page 8.
2019
December
On the Cover
Winged victory stands atop the Lovejoy Monument at Alton City Cemetery. On December 14, more than 500 veteran graves in adjoining Alton National Cemetery will be decorated with balsam wreaths (backdrop photo) for the holiday season. See the Wreaths Across America entry on page 25 of our event listings.
November
On the Cover
More than 150 years after his death, Abraham Lincoln is still larger than life. You can view this 37,000-pound, 31-foot art installation outside the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, in Springfield, Ill., through September 2020. For more information, see our story on page 18.
October
On the Cover
Adam Simmonds, journeyman lineman, resets a fuse during a live line safety demonstration at Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s 81st Annual Meeting of Members. Kyle Hails, maintenance foreman, Leo Dublo, construction foreman, and Simmonds worked as a team to demonstrate the dangers of electricity at one of the meeting’s most popular activities. Our annual meeting story begins on page 6.
September
On the Cover
The Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower in Hartford, Ill., offers sweeping views of the Mississippi River bottoms from platforms stationed at 50, 100 and 150 feet. For more on the tower, see page 18.
August
On the Cover
Southwestern’s 81st Annual Meeting of Members is just days away! Join us for breakfast then spend the morning learning about your electric cooperative. The 81st Annual Meeting of Southwestern Electric Cooperative members will be held at Bond County Community Unit #2 Junior High School in Greenville, Illinois, on Saturday, September 7, 2019. The business meeting will begin at 10 a.m.
July
On the Cover
Sunlight pierces the canopy above a shaded path near an ancient tree at Lincoln Memorial Garden in Springfield, Ill. Perched on the southeast shore of Lake Springfield, the Garden offers six miles of trail traversing 100 acres of woodland and prairie. See our story on page 18.
June
On the Cover
Rob Nesbit, construction foreman, tests his skills during a Hurtman Rescue simulation in May. The exercise requires linemen to strap into their climbing gear, scale a 35-foot pole, and safely lower a 150-pound mannequin to the ground—all while racing the clock. Simulations and training exercises like this ensure that our crews are equipped to act safely and swiftly in emergency situations and as they perform their duties day to day.
May
On the Cover
Chris Schmid, apprentice lineman, and Adam Simmons, journeyman lineman (back cover), sharpened their safety skills as they practiced power restoration tactics during a drill held at Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s Greenville office in October. While National Electrical Safety Month is observed by various industries in May, safety is the top priority of Southwestern employees every day of the year. For electrical safety tips you can implement at home, see page 16.
April
On the Cover
The forecast calls for plenty of sun. Last year at this time, 60-some members owned solar arrays. Today, 85 of you produce power with interconnected cogeneration projects. If you plan to go solar, contact Southwestern. Julie Lowe, energy manager for Southwestern Electric, oversees the cooperative’s cogeneration interconnection process. She’ll help you sort out the responsibilities and opportunities that come with connecting a cogen project to the co-op’s distribution system. As Lowe says in this month’s cover story, “It’s never too early to call.” You can read more about cogeneration on page 12.
March
On the Cover
Gary Bloemker, assistant chief of Hamel Volunteer Fire Department, displays the district’s battery-powered spreader. Battery-operated extrication equipment helps first responders free accident victims swiftly and effectively. The department is applying a $1,000-Operation Round Up grant toward the purchase of a ram that will round out its kit of portable lifesaving tools. See the story on page 12.
February
February
Crews position an A-frame structure at Southwestern’s new Vandalia Substation. Located north of Vandalia, the substation is scheduled to be energized this spring. See our story on page 6.
January
On the Cover
We shot this scenic of snow geese near Southwestern’s new Vandalia Substation, now under construction. If you’ve caught yourself making a mental inventory of eagles, geese, and other birds in our area, consider putting your sharp eye to good use during the Great Backyard Bird Count. For details, see page 18.