Prairie Energy Cooperative
January 2007
January 2007 Smart Choices Prairie Energy Cooperative Home |  Smart Choices Archive
 

[Weather]
Prepare for winter storms

Keep yourself and your family safe during this winter's bad weather

[Recipes]
Recipe contest winner
Winning recipe nets $100 in groceries

[Recreation]
Lighten Up Iowa
A team approach offers support and encouragement

[General Information]
Give that gift … again and again
Is it OK to recycle holiday gifts throughout the year?

[Weather]
Avoid frozen water pipes
As cold weather sweeps into Iowa, one of the common casualties may be water pipes.

[Education]
Momentum Is Building conference

An update in the latest home building technology, thanks to your electric cooperative

[Holidays]
Little-known January holidays
Write a letter, hug a friend and learn about bald eagles

[Holidays]
Packing up the holidays
Stow away decorations for a headache-free holiday next year

[Education]
Volunteer—and learn—through ISU Extension

This year, pledge to enrich lives (including your own) by volunteering with ISU Extension programs

[Recreation]
Start a club
Beat the winter doldrums and spend time on a favorite activity

[Home & Family]
Create an oral history
When it comes to preserving the past, photographs only tell part of the story

[Weather]
Prepare for winter storms
Saturday, December 30, 2006

Keep yourself and your family safe during this winter's bad weather



Blasts of winter wind, precipitation and fluctuating temperatures can result in severe freezing rain, sleet and ice storms. A heavy build-up of ice on power lines can cause wires to snap and utility poles to topple. Falling ice-laden trees or limbs can bring down power lines, cause outages, and t...




[Recipes]
Recipe contest winner
Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Winning recipe nets $100 in groceries

David Folkerts, from Hardin County is the winner in our recipe drawing—he was selected from all recipes entered into our Recipe Center between November and December 31.   The winning recipe is Christmas Bars. Check out the recipe.   For other great recipes, such as Snowman Stew,...




[Recreation]
Lighten Up Iowa
Friday, December 29, 2006

A team approach offers support and encouragement

It’s January, the time when many good resolutions are made. Some of the main ones, of course, involve shedding some pounds, taking in more exercise and living a healthier lifestyle. There’s no doubt about it. That’s a tough call, and it’s even tougher to stay on track. Two st...




[General Information]
Give that gift … again and again
Friday, December 29, 2006

Is it OK to recycle holiday gifts throughout the year?

The holidays are over, and you gave and received some lovely gifts. But then there’s the scarf from Aunt Sally. It’s nice, sure, but it doesn’t go with anything you own, and it’s just not your favorite color.   Is it OK to give it as a birthday gift to your friend, who...




[Weather]
Avoid frozen water pipes
Saturday, December 30, 2006

As cold weather sweeps into Iowa, one of the common casualties may be water pipes.

While frozen water pipes aren’t life threatening, the resulting flood can cause enormous amounts of damage to your home: a one-eighth inch crack in a pipe can release up to 250 gallons of water a day, soaking floors, rugs, appliances, and furniture. Prepare now If you didn't prepare your...




[Education]
Momentum Is Building conference
Monday, January 01, 2007

An update in the latest home building technology, thanks to your electric cooperative



Those in the building trades professions—contractors, electricians, HVAC professionals and others—are invited to learn more about attending the annual Momentum Is Building conference, February 8-9.   The annual conference features experts discussing a wide range of energy-efficie...




[Holidays]
Little-known January holidays
Friday, December 29, 2006

Write a letter, hug a friend and learn about bald eagles

Okay, okay. You might be sick of celebrating come January and want to hunker down for the winter. Some of these holidays give you excuses to do just that; or, if you want to get out of the house, you can take a roadtrip to Keokuk for a change of scenery.   January 2: Science Fiction Day In...




[Holidays]
Packing up the holidays
Friday, December 29, 2006

Stow away decorations for a headache-free holiday next year

We hang the stockings with care, but by January most of us are all “tinseled” out. Here are a few clever ideas to help you pack up your holiday decorations and wrapping supplies.   All-purpose paper. End-of-the-season sales are tempting, but finding room to store gift wrap that yo...




[Education]
Volunteer—and learn—through ISU Extension
Friday, December 29, 2006

This year, pledge to enrich lives (including your own) by volunteering with ISU Extension programs



In 2006, more than 16,000 registered volunteers helped fuel the services made available to Iowa families through Iowa State University Extension.   These volunteers come from all walks of life, sharing their expertise in many areas. Together, they form a “brain trust” of knowledg...




[Recreation]
Start a club
Friday, December 29, 2006

Beat the winter doldrums and spend time on a favorite activity

Winter is prime time to get involved in something new and interesting.   Whether you bond over food, writing, art, spirituality or a love of reading, having a regular time to look forward to with a group of like-minded folks gives you a chance to get out of the house and dispel the cooped-up...




[Home & Family]
Create an oral history
Friday, December 29, 2006

When it comes to preserving the past, photographs only tell part of the story

It’s happened to all of us–sitting around the kitchen table, Grandma shares a memory in such spontaneous, evocative detail we think, “If only we were recording this.” Especially if your loved ones are getting older, interviewing them for an oral history is one of the best way...




Prairie Energy CooperativeHome