Georgia Magazine - October 2013 - (Page 14)

Compiled by ViCtoria SCharf deCaStro On the morning of her 106th birthday on Aug. 6, Savannah resident Ella Passmore went for the ride of her life. Thanks to the efforts of Coastal Electric Cooperative in Midway, Passmore’s dream of riding in a hot-air balloon and crossing it off her bucket list became a reality. The idea for Passmore’s hot-air balloon ride began with a letter sent to Coastal Electric CEO Whit Hollowell from the activities director of a local nursing home where Passmore was a resident. Hollowell passed the letter to Mark Bolton, vice president of communications, marketing and economic development at Coastal Electric, who coordinated the event and helped make it happen. At sunrise on Passmore’s birthday, Cheri White, chief pilot and general manager of the Touchstone Energy Balloon Program, lifted off from the property of local balloon pilot Andy Cayton at Black Creek with Passmore and her granddaughter aboard. White had driven nonstop from an electric co-op’s annual meeting in Maine to arrive with the Touchstone balloon just in time. Approximately 35 friends and family members attended, in addition to a number of TV and print media. After the balloon rides, everyone enjoyed breakfast and birthday cake at nearby Black Creek Golf Club. Throughout the year, Touchstone Energy hot-air balloons fly over electric cooperatives’ annual meetings and events carrying the spirit of electric co-ops into blue skies across the nation. marK boltoN / CoaStal eleCtriC CooperatiVe A ‘bucket list’ flight Ella Passmore prepares to lift off in the Touchstone Energy hot-air balloon. Each year in July, the Georgia 4-H State Congress, the premiere competitive and recognition event for Georgia 4-H’ers, is held in Atlanta. Tucker-based Georgia Electric Membership Corp. sponsors the final night’s awards banquet, held July 25 this year, which honors Georgia 4-H state project winners. Four Georgia 4-H extension agents were also recognized as the outstanding agents in the state in 2013. Receiving the William H. Booth Award this year were district winners Leonard Anderson, DeKalb County; Ian Cowie, Dawson and Lumpkin counties; Kevin Tatum, Coffee County; and Zona Medley, Colquitt County. Medley was also presented the State 4-H Booth award. Additionally, Georgia EMC sponsors the 4-H Physical, Biological & Earth Sciences project, and GEORGIA 14 patriCK mCComaS / GeorGia emC Georgia 4-H State Congress highlights Georgia 4-H district and state project winners pose with Georgia EMC’s Gale Cutler, far right, as they tour Georgia EMC’s office in Tucker. Back row, from left, Jonathan Tomberlin, Ben Hill County; Wesley Jackson, Johnson County; Jahi Mendes, Bibb County; and Harley Shook, Jones County. Front row, rebecca Butler, Clarke County; Kristen Larkin, Crisp County; Peyton West, Chatham County; Kasey Jones, Whitfield County; Karri Thomas, DeKalb County; and Abby Harrison, Hart County. Magazine sponsors the 4-H Photography project. Student finalists in both project areas visited Georgia EMC’s Tucker ofMore online at www.georgiamagazine.org fice and received a tour of the Georgia Systems Operations Corp. system control center during their week at 4-H State Congress. GEORGIA MAGAZINE http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Georgia Magazine - October 2013

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