Plugged In

The state of youth mental health is an issue of concern for today’s teens and the topic of this episode of Plugged In.We discuss the incidence of youth mental health among teens, causes and ways to help address the issues with Katrina Chisholm, Director of Mental Health at Morningstar Children & Family Services in Brunswick, Georgia.

In this episode the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Glynn County GA, Inc., Mary Lamond talks about the history and mission of Habitat for Humanity, as well as specifically what is happening in Glynn County.She highlights how volunteers can get involved, their Women Build campaign and Century Place, a neighborhood of 19 lots and future home of the 100th Habitat house in Glynn County.

Marci and Emma Dillard both attended the National Washington Youth Tour as OREMC delegates—nearly 30 years apart. On this episode of Plugged In the mother/daughter duo discusses how their Youth Tour experiences were similar, made an impression on them in the moment, and how the memories shape(d) their future. It was based on Marci’s experience that she encouraged her daughter to apply for the 2025 Youth Tour, and now together, encourage eligible students to apply and experience their own trip of a lifetime.

In this special episode of our Plugged In podcast, Director of Communications & Marketing Michele Hutchins talks about what you need to plan and prepare for your family to weather a storm emergency.Whether sheltering place or evacuating, she discusses recommendations for water, food and supplies; making sure you have enough medication and backup plans for those reliant on power for medical devices; and how to prepare differently for a cold weather emergency. #WeatherReady

In this episode of our OREMC Plugged In podcast, ROW Coordinator Roger Sloan helps to address some of those frequently asked questions members have about power restoration following a storm.Questions were pulled directly from social media and/or voicemails members left following the tropical storm, two hurricanes and ice storm that impacted OREMC's service area from August 2024 - January 2025.

Engineer James Allen and Marketing & Members Services Representative Royce Proctor discuss the considerations for installing a whole house backup generator or right sizing a portable generator to be used during power outages. In particular, their discussion focuses on the safety considerations of using a portable generator: knowing what you want to power, having enough generator capacity, as well as proper use and storage.

In this episode of Plugged In, we feature Deondra Lightfoot from Church Girls, Inc. She discusses how her vision has evolved from a prayer line, to a Resource Center, Blessing Room and now transitional housing, in the form of the Church Girls Community in Folkston, Georgia. She has six of the 26 units completed and is building on the power of. by the community, for the community. Deondra talks about the help along the way that gives her the drive and inspiration to reach out and help others in need.

Lucie Akkermans, Manager of the Philharmonia, Music Librarian and Lessons Coordinator with the Golden Isles Youth Orchestra (GIYO), discusses the power of music and the importance of investing in the arts to provide students the opportunity to build community and skills that further musical development, but also foster social skill, academic growth and self-confidence. She explains how the programs offered by the Golden Isles Youth Orchestra are partnering with area schools to provide access to all students who want to pursue, learn and enjoy music.

A conversation with OREMC General Manager John Middleton discussing the long-awaited news that Plant Vogtle is fully operational, the need to build additional power generations, concerns over new EPS rules and what it all means to you.

In this episode of “Plugged In”, OREMC’s Michele Hutchins speaks with Bobby Davis of Anointed Boxing Fitness Outreach in Folkston, Georgia. Their goal is to provide a place and framework for kids to channel their energy productively—be physically active with a purpose— while also supporting their academic success and promoting community service, all in an effort to keep them off the street.

Continuing the discussion with Al Sandrik, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service Jacksonville, to better understand the potential impacts of a major hurricane on the OREMC service area and how to prepare.

On this episode of Plugged In we talk to Al Sandrik, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service Jacksonville, who discusses the atmospheric systems lining up this season that create ideal conditions for hurricane development, that could significantly impact the OREMC service area based on historical data.

OREMC Finance Manager Eric Dyal discusses the various components of OREMC’s rate structure and the market triggers that impact changes or adjustments to our rates.

Providing reliable power is our standard of service at OREMC, but sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. Summer thunderstorms, hurricanes/tropical storms---even ice storms---can lead to power outages lasting hours or days. Now you can give yourself peace of mind by with a Generac automatic standby generator. Member Services Manager Dewayne Johns discusses the new program offered in partnership with Generac preferred suppliers and installers.

OREMC’s Manager of Engineering Darren Crews discusses the multitude of projects OREMC has completed, currently under construction and in the works to enhance the reliability and resiliency of OREMC’s distribution system, and the role technology will take outage response times to the next level—meaning fewer outages affecting the least amount of members for the shortest amount of time.

Lorene Reid, president of the Golden Isles Veterans Village, talks about address homelessness among veterans in the Golden Isles and the construction of a 30 tiny-home village to help veterans transition back into society. The project is slated to open for residency in early 2024 and is only open to honorably discharged military veterans who are without housing and surrounding them with community and services to get them back on their feet.

Linda Henderson with the Southeast Cancer Unit, Inc. talks about the league of local volunteers who have been assisting local cancer patients undergoing treatment with care related expenses for the past 26 years, and the role the Annual OREMC Gold Tournament plays in their fundraising efforts.

Member Service Manager Dewayne Johns and Communications/Marketing Coordinator Michele Hutchins discuss OREMC’s upcoming 84th Annual Meeting as an opportunity for OREMC members to connect with their electric co-op leaders, community, learn about solar/EVs and other issues and initiatives.

In this episode OREMC General Manager John Middleton discusses: the many green policy initiatives from EVs, utility scale solar and the move away from fossil fuels in power generation; what it all means for increased demand for power and grid capacity and reliability; as well as the environmental flipside of these initiatives and how that impacts the transition timeline.

In this episode OREMC’s Michele Hutchins speaks with Marty Edwards, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and founder of Breakthroughs of North Florida, in an effort to elevate the conversation about mental health, that it is ok to not be ok, and how to connect people with help.  

On this episode of Plugged In, Lineman Marcus Skelton and Roger Sloan discuss “a day in the life” of a lineworker: system construction and maintenance, necessary equipment for safety and climbing, ready response when the lights go out and the added adventure providing mutual aid doing major storms elsewhere.

Sherrie Steadman is the Program Manager for the Isaiah 117 House under construction in Baker County, Florida. She discusses with OREMC Foundation Trustee Tina Mobley and OREMC Communication/Marketing Coordinator Michele Hutchins the breadth and depth of need for foster care services and how the Isaiah 117 House will help reduce trauma and ease children’s transition into the foster care system.

Join us as Michele Hutchins sits down with Ruby Ann Sawyer, OREMC Foundation President to Discuss the foundation mission and granting capabilities.

Join Michele Hutchins as she sits down with Dewayne Johns and Michelle Maddox to discuss the impact Ferst Readers is having on childhood literacy in our service areas.

Join us as we sit down and celebrate Co-op month with our community and member service representative, Royce Proctor.

Join us as we discuss the importance of right of way maintenance with our Right of Way Coordinator, Roger Sloan.

Join us as we sit down and talk about power restoration with our Manager of Operations, Travis Page.

Stopping Power Theft

Every June OREMC sponsors four students to take part in the National Washington Youth Tour, a week-long, all expenses paid trip to Washington, D. C. Past Youth Tour delegates Jesse and Corbin share their experiences and encourage eligible high school juniors to apply.

Labor shortages related to manufacturing of critical inventory necessary to maintain and build our electric distribution system is affecting OREMC, and other utilities across the county. OREMC Operations Manager Travis Page and Member Communications/Marketing Coordinator Michele Hutchins discuss how OREMC is navigating the evolving supply chain disruptions while maintaining service reliability.

Whether you have been thinking about going solar, or were recently contacted by a solar contractor, there are several things you should consider before signing a contract. Most importantly, what are your goals for solar? In this episode we review the key questions to ask before you install solar with OREMC Member Services Representative Dewayne Johns.