The Jasper County Fair allows us to support the community we serve. We are one of the many sponsors of the fair, and part of that sponsorship includes a day to staff the sponsor booth. We started our day early, offering free donut holes and coffee to those out and about. Employees enjoyed the chance to interact with our members and discuss any electric or internet questions they might have on their minds. Members could sign up for a bill credit drawing, and since our Annual Meeting was that evening, they could also register for the meeting and vote for directors at our booth.
This year, we offered a small bonus for visiting our booth. Members who registered for the Annual Meeting received a $15 bill credit and three wooden coins worth $15 to spend at the participating food vendors that day. The coins were a new feature this year, and many members reported having fun trying to get the most food or sweets for their coins.
Your directors had fun supporting local 4-H participants at the livestock auction that afternoon, which wrapped up just in time to begin the Annual Meeting. The meeting was called to order, and Boy Scout Troop 167 of Demotte presented the colors and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. A few formal steps led up to our directors’ election, with legal counsel presiding over the election. I discussed electrical upgrades and the continued effort to build our Connect internet service. Sticking with tradition, we drew names for bill credit winners, and I fielded a few questions from the members in attendance. Our legal counsel returned to the microphone to announce that Bart Nesius and David Duttlinger were confirmed to continue to serve for another three-year term.
Following the Annual Meeting, in conjunction with the 100th-anniversary celebration of the fair, we sponsored the entertainment on the free stage. Mellencougar performed John Mellencamp songs to the enjoyment of everyone around the free stage. It was a nice evening to attend, and you could hear many familiar sounds of the fair in the background between songs. The fair is always a fun time, but its conclusion is a reminder that school will start soon and the long summer days will get shorter, leading to the cool fall weather.
We appreciate the opportunity to support the community in this way each year, and we thank you for visiting our booth and attending our Annual Meeting.
